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The dueling faces of a conflicted political party were on display for all to see at the just-concluded Republican National Committee meeting.
One was younger, more diverse and tech-savvy, part of the RNC's carefully crafted plan to inspire confidence that the GOP is trying to grow beyond its shrinking, older, largely white base. The other — one that hasn't evolved since the GOP's back-to-back presidential losses — lurked in the hallways, occasionally taking center stage at the Washington hotel where party delegates from around the country met to discuss party business.
The reminder of the divisions comes a year after Chairman Reince Priebus published a report aimed at modernizing the party and boosting its ranks, and as Republicans eye their best chance at taking control of both houses of Congress since 2002.
"If our party doesn't unite, we're never going to win," said Jonelle Fulmer, a Republican National Committeewoman from Arkansas.
Following the recommendations in the Priebus-commissioned autopsy of the GOP's losing 2012 presidential campaign, the national party launched a multipronged strategy a year ago to reach out to younger voters, women and racial and ethnic minorities, groups who sided more heavily with Democrats, especially President Barack Obama.
Yet, awkward comments about contraception and women's reproductive systems and chatter over Michigan committeeman Dave Agema's derogatory comments about gays and Muslims obscured the party's attempt to feature its efforts at last week's meeting.
By the end of the three-day conference, Priebus and Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak were calling on Agema to quit, "for the good of the party."
The only other public comment from party officials about Agema came later during a press conference on the RNC's diversity outreach team.
"There's no room in the Republican Party for those kinds of comments," said Jennifer Korn, the GOP's national director for Hispanic initiatives.
Agema released a statement Friday night apologizing for his use of words. But he declined to step down from the committee.
"In retrospect, I acknowledge errors in judgment and how I addressed them, feel badly about the impact this had had on many here in the land I love, and have learned valuable lessons about the requirements and responsibilities that are to be expected and honored by all who are in leadership positions — including myself," his statement said.
The episode created a sharp dissonance with the meeting's official program, which included sessions on the party's organizational investments in digital, data-gathering technology and personnel. That's an area that helped Obama's campaign carry traditional Republican strongholds in 2008 and 2012.
Another sharp contrast occurred when a panel of well-polished women from an array of racial and socio-economic backgrounds discussed the party's up-and-coming leaders, just minutes after former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's speech in which he accused Democrats of casting women as slaves to government-sponsored birth control.
Huckabee said Democrats "insult the women of America by making them believe that they are helpless without Uncle Sugar coming in and providing for them a prescription each month for birth control because they cannot control their libido or their reproductive system without the help of the government."
The clash between the RNC leadership's party-broadening goals and the lingering image of a party arguing with itself over tone and tolerance reflects the division that's playing out in Republican congressional primary campaigns across the country.
Despite the competing messages, there still were signs that Priebus' plans were moving forward.
Priebus hired 25-year-old Raffi Williams as national youth political director and tasked him with running a program aimed at identifying Republican-leaning voters. It's similar to an effort begun by the Michigan Republican Party to use Facebook and other online social media to get people to identify like-minded conservatives.
Run by digital media strategist and former advertising executive Chuck Defeo, the project conceivably could help Republicans win close elections.
"We're starting behind the eight ball, but we're building a good machine, and we're doing it across the country from the ground up," he said.
Alex Smith, 24, said Republicans can only gain back the edge they had with young voters they narrowly held in 2000 by updating the language and the tools that they use to reach her and her peers.
"Channels and messages matter," the Seton Hall University law school student and chairwoman of the College Republican National Committee said. "If you're talking to younger voters on television, radio or direct mail, you're not reaching them."
Yet, outside the ballroom, RNC members murmured about the status of Agema, whose Facebook posting earlier this month had criticized Muslims for not contributing anything to the country.
"Have you ever seen a Muslim do anything that contributes positively to the American way of life?" he asked in the final passage of the piece, which Agema had copied from another author.
Months earlier, Agema had referred publicly to "filthy homosexuals" and posted the Facebook piece days before GOP Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder subtly chided him during his annual address: "We've had people make comments that were derogatory, that were negative toward other people, and publicly tonight I'd like to make a call to all citizens of Michigan to ask us to have a greater degree of civility and respect."
Still, before the RNC meeting, neither Snyder nor GOP Senate candidate and RNC member Terri Lynn Land had joined Republican House members from Michigan to suggest Agema resign from the committee.
Land called for him to step down after the Priebus and Schostak statement.
Priebus was one of the few at the meeting who called for Agema's resignation. Even authors of the report he commissioned wouldn't go that far.
"We were very clear we need to be more inclusive," said Zori Fonalledas of Puerto Rico, one of the five authors.
"That is an issue for his state," said Henry Barbour, a Mississippi committeeman who, like Fonalledas, helped write the report.
Annette Teijerio, a RNC member from Nevada, said Priebus and Schostak were right to ask Agema to quit.
"There's a perception that Republicans are anti-Hispanic," she said. "Whatever it takes to dispel that perception, so be it."
Copyright © 2013 Capitol Hill Blue
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press All Rights Reserved.


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'Blind Side' Family Relishes Big Easy Super Bowl
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- A knowing grin spread across Sean Tuohy's face as he considered the uncanny connections between the hit film that changed his family's life and the fact that Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Michael Oher will play in his first Super Bowl in the Big Easy.
New Orleans is where Tuohy grew up and went to high school with author Michael Lewis, who wrote "The Blind Side."
The book led to the movie, which depicted the Tuohys' rewarding experience as Oher's adoptive family. Actress Sandra Bullock, who starred as Sean Tuohy's wife, Leigh Anne, owns a home in New Orleans.
"And there are people that think that's a coincidence," Sean Tuohy said. "How stupid is that?
"We've got a huge sign in our garage that says: `We believe in miracles,"' he continued. "For other people, it may be hard to understand that. For us, it's easy."
It certainly seems like fate has given the Tuohys not just another measure of validation for the decision they made to nurture a child from a broken home, but also a platform to talk about their mission to help more kids.
"To me, when I look at Michael, the only down side of it is, you sit there and go, `If someone as immensely talented as Michael Oher, that society pretty much didn't value, almost falls through the cracks, can you imagine who gets left behind," Leigh Anne Tuohy said. "So you sit there and go, `How many kids are out there that if given a chance can be a Michael Oher."'
The Tuohys took Oher into their Memphis, Tenn., home when he was a teenager. Suddenly, Oher was living a life of privilege.
Sean Tuohy, a former college basketball star at Mississippi, owns dozens of fast-food restaurants and also is part of the TV broadcast team for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. Leigh Anne Tuohy has her own interior design firm.
The Tuohys helped Oher through high school, where his prowess on the offensive line landed him several scholarship offers at major programs. He chose Ole Miss, where he was an all-Southeastern Conference lineman before the Ravens made him a first-round draft choice in 2009.
Inspired by the public's response to "The Blind Side," the Tuohys created the Making it Happen Foundation, which offers financial help to those committed to improving the lives of children living in poverty and unstable homes.
The Tuohys described their foundation grants as modest. In some cases, it might not be more than paying for a flight to help someone make a cross-country trip to adopt a child.
"We all can invest time, and that's made Michael, us investing time in this young man and loving him," Leigh Anne Tuohy said. "That's given him the character, not the check. You need it to go hand-in-hand if it can, but we're all capable of investing time."
Oher is pleased his adoptive parents are getting another platform to disseminate an important message, even if he is a little weary of talking about his life in the context of a movie.
"I'm tired of the movie," Oher said. "I'm here to play football."
The Tuohys arrived in New Orleans on Thursday afternoon and have a packed schedule through the weekend, including dinner with Bullock, who'll also attend the Super Bowl with the family on Sunday evening.
Bullock has remained friends with the family since filming the movie, and sometimes her charity work in New Orleans coincides with that of the Tuohys.
"She's a great advocate of doing the right thing. She's a big giver," Leigh Anne Tuohy said. "She follows Michael's career every step of the way. It's funny. I'll get texts during the game: `Why did they do this? They shouldn't have done that."'
Leigh Anne Tuohy, a petite blonde who talks a mile a minute in a thick Southern accent, is very similar to the way she was portrayed by Bullock -- so much so that Sean Tuohy describes it as "scary."
"She hit it right down to the look, the action, the whole thing," he said.
While dining with a large group of friends and family at a downtown New Orleans restaurant, Leigh Anne Tuohy wore a V-neck T-shirt with a sequined Ravens logo on it. With this being Super Bowl weekend, she said she was "going to be all sparkle and dazzle and rock-n-roll."
"This is way more fun, more exciting, more hyped up than Oscar week," she said. "Way more. It can't even compare."
The Tuohys have been to Super Bowls before, but only as casual fans. Because Oher and their son S.J. (which stands for Sean Jr.) are such big sports fans, the family often planned vacations around major sporting events.
This, of course, is different, and not only because Oher is in the game. One of Oher's best friends is 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis, a former teammate at Ole Miss.
"I can remember when Patrick Willis and Michael would sit in our living room and practice writing their autographs," Leigh Anne Tuohy said. "Well now they're really doing that and we're just really proud.
Like Oher, Willis also was raised by foster parents.
"These are great guys," Leigh Anne Tuohy said. "So their stories give us a platform to go around and say, there's a lot of great kids out there that need a chance."
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

subset: commoncrawl


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Military Self Defense Course In Fargo North Dakota
Want To Be Safe And Confident Against Violence In Fargo North Dakota?
Crime Trends in Fargo
Statistical information on crime rates in Fargo, North Dakota, USA, reveals a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. The city experiences lower rates of violent crimes such as murder and assault, with property crimes like theft and burglary being more common. Law enforcement efforts and community engagement contribute to maintaining a safe environment in Fargo.
In Fargo, North Dakota, USA, being ready for self-defense is crucial for personal safety and peace of mind. The ability to protect oneself not only deters potential threats but also boosts confidence and awareness. It fosters a sense of responsibility, empowering individuals to take control of their safety, thereby reducing fear and vulnerability.
Securing Safety in Fargo: Combativs as Essential Self-Protection
In Fargo, facing a multitude of threats like active shooters, street violence, and home invasions underscores the urgent need for self-defense preparedness. Combativs is vital in this environment, where adversaries are often younger, stronger, and more ruthless, disregarding rules and showing no mercy. Statistics demonstrate the inevitability of encountering violence, with many experiencing multiple attacks that can lead to life-altering consequences like trauma, assault, and even death.
In the USA, the prevalence of threats like active shooters and home invasions necessitates readiness for self-defense. Combat skills are essential in facing younger, stronger adversaries who often show no mercy. Statistics reveal the stark reality of encountering violence, leading to trauma, assault, and potential fatalities.
What To Expect
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Martial arts and sport fighting systems have dozens of counterproductive flaws that fail against the brutality of violence. COMBATIVS provides the skills necessary to engage these threats to achieve lifesaving results.
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Self Defense Doesn't Work
Self-defense is often misunderstood and inadequate against real threats. Statistics show traditional methods fail in violent encounters. COMBATIVS offers combat-proven training for survival against armed predators.
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Step-by-step guidance in strategic maneuvering to dominate every encounter, ensuring victory through superior preparation and execution.
Master a personal tradecraft use of knives, firearms and unconventional weapons, alongside developing unrivaled combat tactics to finish threats using them.
The Wolverine Factor
Behavioral conditioning crucial for effective response in life-or-death situations, exponentially increasing combat effectiveness and survival rates.
Elite combatives training by Director Collins, son of a WWII British Commando, trained by Colonel Fairbairn, considered the most lethal hand-to-hand combat fighter of all time. COMBATIVS was developed to replace all other CQC/martial art/self-defense/fighting systems in realistically dealing with
close quarter singular and multiple armed threats not only for military CQC use but also for civilians threatened by violent bad actors.
Our Clients Believe In Us
ask us
What Is Combativs?
*COMBATIVS is a close quarter combat program blending elite techniques from various government and military special units (British, American, Russian). It addresses deficiencies in other self-defense programs, ensuring effectiveness in violent close combat situations for all clients.
How Is Combativs Different Than Government Or Military Special Forces Combatives/CQC Programs?
*Top-tier CQC training limited to government intelligence and elite military. Training emphasizes heavy weaponry, armor, team support. COMBATIVS incorporates their strategies, focusing on individual skills, surprise, violence, and speed.
What Flaws?
*Conventional programs fail in close combat. COMBATIVS integrates overlooked training, giving clients an edge over predators, even trained professionals.


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Am I obligated to register a .help domain I pre-registered?
No. .help Pre-registrations are non-binding and free. Once we receive information regarding the domain policy and we know the price, you cpr144449003101 will be asked to confirm your pre-registration, which would allow you to change your non-binding pre-registration into a binding General Availability Pre-Order.


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1900-1949: Modern Dark Ages
If the early 1800s were the "golden age" of statistical graphics and thematic cartography, the early 1900s could be called the "modern dark ages" of visualization (FriendlyDenis:2001:valois).
There were few graphical innovations, and, by the mid-1930s, the enthusiasm for visualization which characterized the late 1800s had been supplanted by the rise of quantification and formal, often statistical, models in the social sciences. Numbers, parameter estimates, and, especially, standard errors were precise. Pictures were- well, just pictures: pretty or evocative, perhaps, but incapable of stating a "fact" to three or more decimals. Or so it seemed to statisticians.
But it is equally fair to view this as a time of necessary dormancy, application, and popularization, rather than one of innovation. In this period statistical graphics became "main stream." Graphical methods entered textbooks (Peddle:1910, Gilman:1917, Haskell:1919, Palmer:1921, Karsten:1925), the curriculum (Costelloe:1915, Warne:1916), and standard use in government (Ayres:1919), commerce (Gantt:1919, Shewhart:1931) and science.
In this period graphical methods were used, perhaps for the first time, to provide new insights, discoveries, and theories in astronomy, physics, biology, and other sciences. As well, experimental comparisons of the efficacy of various graphics forms were begun, e.g., (Eells:1926), and a number of practical aids to graphing were developed. In the latter part of this period, new ideas and methods for multi-dimensional data in statistics and psychology would provide the impetus to look beyond the 2D plane.
Graphic innovation was also awaiting new ideas and technology: the development of the machinery of modern statistical methodology, andthe advent of the computational power which would support the next wave of developments in data visualization.
At the Paris Exposition in 1900, W. E. B. Du Bois compiled an exhibit of hundreds of graphs and photographs depicting the history of Negroes in America, including over 60 statistical charts, graphs and maps.
DuBois:1900:GeorgiaIn one of the first statistical textbooks, Arthur Bowley (1901) illustrated an arithmetic and graphical analysis of time-series data using the total value of British and Irish exports from 1855-1899. He presented a line graph of the time-series data, supplemented by overlaid line graphs of 3-, 5- and 10-year moving averages. His goal was to show that while the initial series showed wide variability, moving averages made the series progressively smoother.
Bowley:1901This work by Cheysson and Fontaine, reported by Bertillon, was the first proposal of standards for graphical presentation. The paper "Proposals to bring uniformity in the preparation of charts" discusses some key recommendations, including cautious use of symbols and hieroglyphs, and sparing use of comparison by areas.
It is proposed that x and y scales be constructed so that the average behaviour corresponds to a curve of 45 degrees. Other attempts to formulate standards for graphical procedures at the International Statistical Congress are discussed in detail.
"We must be careful in wanting, in a graphic translation, to say too much at once. The main merit, one might say, the real purpose of the statistical chart, is the clarity." - Bertillon on Chart Uniformity
Funkhouser:1937 vonHuhn:1931Use of the "butterfly diagram'' to study the variation of sunspots over time, leading to the discovery that they were markedly reduced in frequency from 1645--1715 (the "Maunder minimum''). [Earlier work, started in 1843 by H. Schwabe, showed that sunspots exhibit an approximately twenty-two year cycle, with each eleven-year cycle of sunspots followed by a reversal of the direction of the sun's magnetic field]
Lorenz curve (cumulative distribution by rank order, to facilitate study of concentrations, income distribution)
Lorenz:1905Statistical diagrams begin to appear regularly in USA textbooks (graphs of temperature, population in texts of arithmetic, algebra)
BenigerRobyn:1978First International Hygiene-Exhibition in Dresden, with 259 graphical-statistical figures of 35 national and international exhibitors and more than 5 million visitors. [Roesle also wrote publications which dealt with the structure of graphical-statistical displays cite{Roesle:1913}.]
Roesle:1911 Ostermann:01The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, a log-log plot of luminosity as a function of temperature for stars, used to explain the changes as a star evolves. It provided an entirely new way to look at stars, and laid the groundwork for modern stellar physics and evolution, developed independently by
Hertzsprung:1911 SpenceGarrison:1993Arithmetic probability paper, ruled so that normal ogive appears as straight line
Hazen:1914Parade of statistical graphics, May 17, 1913, including large graphs on horse-drawn floats, and a photograph with people arranged in a bell-shaped curve
According to Brintonthe graph that most impressed people was one showing the decline in death rate due to improvements in sanitation and nursing.
Brinton:1914Discovery of the concept of atomic number, based largely on graphical analysis (a plot of serial numbers of the elements vs. square root of frequencies from X-ray spectra) The linear relations showed that the periodic table was explained by atomic number rather than, as had been supposed, atomic weight, and predicted the existence of several yet-undiscovered elements
Moseley:1913College course in statistical graphic methods, "The Graphic Method'' (possibly the first)
Costelloe:1915Published standards for graphical presentation (by representatives from several scientific societies)
JCSGP:1914Pictograms to represent a series of numbers by icons (combining concepts of the bar graph and pictogram of varying size)
Brinton:1914Beginnings of the development of modern statistical theory (sampling distributions (1915), randomization, likelihood (1921), small sample theory, exact distributions, analysis of variance (1925), etc.)
Fisher:1915 Fisher:1925 Bennett:1989Correspondence course in graphical methods (20 lessons for $50, supplemented by a book of 100 specimen illustrations of bar, curve, and circle diagrams; entended title includes "There's an idea in every chart'')
Warne:1916Gantt chart, designed to show scheduled and actual progress of projects
As a mechanical engineer and management consultant, Gantt also designed the 'task and bonus' system of wage payment and developed methods of measuring worker efficiency and productivity.
Gantt:1919Use of ethnographic maps, showing the distribution of mixed nationalities, played an important role in redrawing national boundaries of Central Europe and the Balkans following World War I
De Martonne was a geographical expert and secretary of the Comité d'études, established by the French in 1915 to prepare guidelines for peace and the demarcation of boundaries. In this work, he had to develop ways to represent mixed distributions of different ethnic groups
Martonne:1920 Palsky:1996Social statistical chartbook, containing a variety of graphic and semi-graphic displays in a USA Government report. [The image below is a fine early example of a semi-graphic display, showing four variables simultaneously.]
Ayres:1919 Tufte:1983Invention of the path diagram to show relations among a network of endogenous and exogenous variables forming a system of structural equations
Wright:1920Numerous textbooks on graphics, describing principles of graphical presentation of numerical information (published at a rate of about two each year), e.g.,
Haskell:1919 Karsten:1925 Palmer:1921The essential idea behind what are now called partial residual plots are discussed in Ezekial's paper: "A method of handling curvilinear correlation for any number of variables". Later in history, this is rediscovered by Larsen and McCleary (1972).
LarsenMcCleary:72 Ezekiel:1924Museum of Social Statistical Graphics and the ISOTYPE system (International System of Typographic Picture Education)
Neurath:1973 Neurath:1991Development of the control chart for statistical control of industrial processes
Shewhart:1931Experimental test of statistical graphical forms (pie vs. subdivided bar charts)
Eells:1926Spate of articles on experimental tests of statistical graphical forms
Huhn:1927 Croxton:1927 CroxtonStein:1932 CroxtonStryker:1927 Washburne:1927The birth of psychometrics, including unidimensional scaling (the law of comparative judgment) and multiple factor analysis. This would give rise to visualizations in one or more dimensions of psychological constructs, like attitudes, preferences, and abilities.
Thurstone:1927 Thurstone:1934Nomogram of chemical concentrations in blood, showing the relations among over 20 components
Henderson:1928Ideograph, a multivariate rectangular glyph, invented to display four variables and their relations (length and width of petals and sepals in iris flowers)
Anderson:1928 Kleinman:2002Electroencephalograph invented, to record electrical signals from the brain via galvanometers that measure electrical signals from electrodes on the scalp. EEGs were printed on multiple-pen, strip-chart recorders, with each channel showing the the amplitude from a given electrode.
In 1924, Berger made the first EEG recording in man and called it Electroenkephalogram. Berger was the first to describe the different brainwaves in the normal and abnormal brain. He also researched the nature of changes in EEG for brain diseases such as epilepsy.
Table of historical events drawn on logarithmic paper
von Foerster observed that the closer to the present, the more densely filled the paper was with historical events; conversely, the further you went back the thinner the table. Plotting the data using a logarithmic time scale allowed the history of time to be plotted on one table.
"Log Square'' paper ($log y, log x$, for relations which are linear in log scales)
MartinLeavens:1931Standard statistical symbols (Neurath's Isotype method) established by government decree (for schools, public posters, etc.)
Neurath:1973Re-design of the routes of the London underground rail system to favor usability
Beck, an engineering draughtsman, designed the map like an electrical circuit board, using only vertical, horizontal and 45 degree angled lines. He located stations according to available space. The resulting map was geographically inaccurate, but easier to use to determine how to get from point A to B. Beck's idea was soon copied by most subway (and bus) companies around the world.
Lapse of interest in statistical graphics, as concern with formal, "precise'', and numerical methods gained ascendancy (the modern "dark ages'' of statistical graphics)cite{FriendlyDenis:2001:valois}.
Description of a memex, an associative information retrieval system which would help someone find information based in association and context rather than strict categorical indexing; conceptual creation of "hyperlink'' and the ''World Wide Web''
He foresaw this operating on an electric analog computer, which was completed in 1942. His description was published in the Atlantic Monthly, "As We May Think'' July, 1945
Harvard's Mark I, the first digital computer, put in service. Officially known as the "IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator'' (ASCC), the Mark I was 50 feet long and weighed about 5 tons.
The first official record of the use of the word "bug'' in the context of computing is associated with a relay-basedHarvard Mark II computer, which was in service at the Naval Weapons Center in Dahlgren, Virginia. On September 9th, 1945, a mothflew into one of the relays and jammed it. The offending moth was taped into the log book alongside the official report, whichstated: "First actual case of a bug being found.''
Development of an electro-mechanical machine to aid in the rotation of multidimensional factor analysis solutions to "simple structure.'' This allowed an analyst to carry out by direct manipulation of dials what one did by plotting pairs of factors, and hand calculation of the rotation matrices in earlier times [(work carried out under the Adjutant General for development of the Armed Forces General Classification Test) cite{Tucker:2002}]


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1974 VW Bus Campers For Sale | Volkswagen Type 2 (T2) professional & DIY campervan conversions North American Classifieds. Browse the most current listings below. For more listings use the numbered navigation at the bottom of the page.
***Please note the post date and "last updated" field within the ad. Older ads are usually sold or no longer available. These are only kept on this site for record keeping and archival purposes. If you have trouble reaching a seller, please let us know and we will mark the ad appropriately.


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This is the traditional design.
For this I used a flower pineapple tarts cutter.
For this I just used a normal flower shape cookie cutter and then bake it in small paper cups.
Here wishing everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year, Gong Xi Fatt Chai and Happy Valentine's Day.


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Merlin's weekly podcast with Dan Benjamin. We talk about creativity, independence, and making things you love.
Merlin's weekly podcast with Dan Benjamin. We talk about creativity, independence, and making things you love.
"What's 43 Folders?"
43Folders.com is Merlin Mann's website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.
Patching your personal suck
Merlin Mann | Jan 15 2005
50 Strategies for Making Yourself Work is a terrifically useful and very entertaining list of hacks, tricks, ciphers, and fake rules for helping yourself write. Or more specifically, it helps you get unstuck, unblocked, and out of that hated procrastinating mire. It's actually a much better version of my "Hack Your Way out of Writer's Block" that I somehow missed in putting my ideas together. I have to say, I'm really pleased to have discovered this article today, because it comports with some stuff I've been thinking about a lot lately and with the approach that sums up my feeling about "43 Folders-esque" ideas: in order to find what works for you, it helps to understand why the old stuff doesn't. By now, everybody knows that I swiped the basic idea for 43 Folders from my pal, hero, and personal muse, Danny O'Brien. His work on the original Life Hacks presentation was centered around research into why some people, especially those overachieving alpha geeks, seem to get so much more accomplished over the same 24 hours we mortals start with each day. Some of them, like Rael, just seem preternaturally organized and focused. Others, like Cory, are blessed with an ungodly gift for effective multi-tasking. But many of the other productive nerds, as you soon realize, have just gotten really good at identifying their weaknesses and developing the compensatory psychic muscle needed to shore up their vulnerabilities. Forgetful? Write stuff down. Easily distracted? Set timers. Saddled with pointless interruptions? Leave the office. Find the bad code in your system and eliminate the bugs. Find the fastest, easiest, most elegant solution that could possibly work. Can it really be that simple? Sure, to a careless viewer, it's all "no duh" stuff, right? I mean, why would anyone need to be reminded that you can write things down on cards and then keep them organized? Well…to be honest? A lot of us need a surprising amount of reminding. Seriously. Why do some people find it easy to stay skinny? How come some people can draw anything they see? Why is another naturally a whiz at math? How can one person be so much more effortlessly funny than another? Ask these questions to the people with the skillz and you'll probably rack up the same answer every time: "I don't know; it's just how I am." And so the rest of us portly, uncreative, arithmetically-retarded, not-funny people stare and stew like the loser in the Charles Atlas ad. "Why can't I have that come to me so effortlessly?" Because, you know: you can't just turn it on and instantly be the thing you wish you were. It takes reflection, thought, iteration, and a personal commitment to facing the stuff at which you suck. And we all suck at something. You totally suck at something, and it secretly drives you nuts every goddamned day. So, meanwhile, back at this article. I love that the application of two completely opposite ideas can have the same net effect on a problem. The point is not that one is "right" and the other is "stupid"—what could be more facile? It's about understanding what's really important in helping a given person solve a given problem. Your brain and its behavioral artifacts aren't some birdhouse you can nail together from a page of plans. You're constantly thinking, obsessing, and evolving as you pinball through your day. There's no single path, and, dimes to donuts, you'll eventually end up losing it if you try to find just one. I guess I'm saying I love the idea that once you've started admitting your "personal suck," you can sample from an endless menu of tricks that may or may not help you improve things in your life. As long as you don't lose an eye and can still get your work mostly done on time, where's the damage in experimenting? Try something, then try the opposite. Then try the orthogonal. Every patch that fails teaches you a little something that might come in handy some day. Mistakes, as they say, can be a buddhist gift. The only damage you'll find harder to fix comes from the doors you've chosen to close forever. The creative mind and the productive actor are both ductile and open to new possibilities. Try patching your personal suck with crazy, ridiculous, incredibly obvious solutions. You've learned where your problems are; somewhere, you probably have a pretty good idea where the solutions are hiding, too. POSTED IN:
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About MerlinBio Merlin Mann is an independent writer, speaker, and broadcaster. He's best known for being the guy who created the website you're reading right now. He lives in San Francisco, does lots of public speaking, and helps make cool things like You Look Nice Today, Back to Work, and Kung Fu Grippe. Also? He's writing this book, he lives with this face, he suffers from this hair, he answers these questions, and he's had this life. So far. Merlin's favorite thing he's written in the past few years is an essay entitled, "Cranking." |
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Friday, June 27, 2008
The Surprises that unfold...
The trailer for Walt Disney Animation's "Bolt" is out...
See it on the Big Screen in front of "Wall-E" tonight. I like it much better than all the bits and pieces we've seen before.
I HAVE faith in John Lasseter. I do, I do, I do...
53 comments:
- abramdf said...
"Let it begin! Let it begin!"
Looks great! - June 27, 2008 at 6:26 AM
- Matt Steninger said...
Were those the Goodfeathers from Animaniacs?
- June 27, 2008 at 6:49 AM
- Honor Hunter said...
They do remind you of them, don't they? Actually, those birds were one of the few things I liked about that series...
- June 27, 2008 at 6:58 AM
I've been looking forward to this film since way back in the 'American Dog' period, and I loved every second of that trailer! Those pigeons were hilarious!
- June 27, 2008 at 8:15 AM
I hated all the art I've seen so far. This gives me hope that it may turn out to be a good film after all.
- June 27, 2008 at 8:16 AM
Disney.com has it in better quality.
- June 27, 2008 at 8:39 AM
- drew said...
The quirkiness of the characters of American Dog is something that was right up my alley. I think I may always wonder, "What if...?", but I am looking forward to Bolt.
- June 27, 2008 at 8:55 AM
I'm not still sold on the character designs, but I like the premise now. It looks like Lasseter may have Disney's animation back on track.
- June 27, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Looks like a canine version of the Truman Show done by Disney.
- June 27, 2008 at 9:09 AM
I think Warner Brothers might have something on Disney when it comes to character copyright infringement.
Those pigeons are a direct lift. Even the colors were the same! - June 27, 2008 at 10:14 AM
- Justin said...
You mean, they have the same color as real pigeons?
- June 27, 2008 at 10:49 AM
- martini833 said...
This trailer gives me hope too! Go Bolt!
- June 27, 2008 at 11:50 AM
- Unknown said...
This looks absolutely terrible, full of the same sort of lame pop-culture references of Shrek. I try not to judge things by their trailers, but yikes...
- June 27, 2008 at 12:49 PM
- Justin said...
HD version available:
Corruption, please point me to one pop-culture reference in the entire trailer. I didn't see a single one. - June 27, 2008 at 2:14 PM
- Unknown said...
1. Six Million Dollar Man/Bionic Woman-style TV show, replaced with a dog.
2. The "A Little Less Conversation" playing throughout.
3. The tabloid-style magazine.
4. The ad on the bus.
Look, I'm all for satire, etc. This just looks absolutely ridiculous. And I'm a defender of Emperor's New Groove, though, granted it probably would have been an amazing epic, had they done that.
The voice casting is terrible, though I rightfully admit that I can't stand John Travolta. I think Miley Cyrus is adorable, but she's typecast as Hannah Montana to me right now, seeing as she's done NOTHING ELSE ;)
Even if you don't want to count what I listed as "pop culture" references, I'm gathering that this movie relies far too much on modern sensibilities. If the whole movie is full of "clever" quips and one-liners, it's not going to stand the test of time.
I still will withhold judgment, but that trailer makes it look no better than the typical CGI junk that lesser studios release, feeling overly "now" and resorting to New York accents, etc. - June 27, 2008 at 2:26 PM
uh, corruption. I think you've far from withheld judgement already.
- June 27, 2008 at 3:27 PM
- Spokker said...
It looks like the same trash as the Tinkerbell movie and Beverly Hills Chihuahua.
And they are making a direct-to-DVD little Mermaid movie? What the hell? I thought they stopped doing those. - June 28, 2008 at 2:09 AM
Spokker, this is animation. It takes a long time to make. The Little Mermaid is something that was already in production when Lasseter got there. They aren't making anymore. This is one of the last cheapquel projects that they were working on. You act like you know nothing about animation, sheesh. Quit gripping.
- June 28, 2008 at 6:26 AM
Spokker, this is animation. It takes a long time to make. The Little Mermaid is something that was already in production when Lasseter got there. They aren't making anymore. This is one of the last cheapquel projects that they were working on. You act like you know nothing about animation, sheesh. Quit gripping.
You took the words right out of my mouth, Anonymous.
It's unfortunate that folks like Spokker will never get it through their thick skulls that the presence of anti-Disney people such as himself are not welcome here. - June 28, 2008 at 8:54 AM
Well if Lasseter was affraid that American Dog was "too quirky", he doesn't have to worry about Bolt(YAWN). Nothing quirky (or original) here.
- June 28, 2008 at 9:17 AM
yeah jrriddle,
not like a dog getting lost and going across the country hasn't been done before.
That Chris Sanders, what an original guy. - June 28, 2008 at 10:38 AM
- Spokker said...
"You act like you know nothing about animation, sheesh."
Nothing is stopping them from canceling a bad project, or in this case, a REALLY bad project.
It's not unheard of to cancel something in the middle of production. Companies that care more about their brand and the art they create do make that decision. - June 28, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Dear spokker, it's fine to be critical and even anti-disney, but at least explain your stance with some logic instead of sounding like a grumpy, emotional mess that you are.
I thought it looked infinitely better than the last two 3D animations Disney put out. - June 28, 2008 at 9:03 PM
- Spokker said...
"Dear spokker, it's fine to be critical and even anti-disney, but at least explain your stance with some logic instead of sounding like a grumpy, emotional mess that you are."
When someone criticizes Disney, you feel criticized, because you have nothing else in your life that excites you except for mediocre Disney crap.
You are so mentally deranged that it's disgusting.
The trailer for Bolt made me cringe. There's nary an original idea to be seen. It's the Truman Show but with a dog. A cute little rodent whose attitude is larger than his physical size. Miley Cyrus. Enough said.
While they continue to raise the bar at Pixar, there has been very little improvement at Walt Disney Feature Animation thus far. I hope The Princess and the Frog changes that, but I'm not getting my hopes up. - June 28, 2008 at 9:56 PM
- Unknown said...
How can I be judgmental about a movie that I haven't seen? Yes, I'm judging the trailer. It looks terrible.
That being said, I hold out hope for the movie, even if the trailer gives me the impression that I shouldn't.
@the Spokker haters
Spokker is right. Cancel a bad project. No need to keep something going that's going to be terrible. You don't keep building a structure that's unsound, even if you're going to lose millions. Why keep animating a steaming pile of poop? Just because it's been in production? Uh, no.
And I think Meet the Robinsons (while 110% silly) is a charming and wonderful movie. The only "pop-culture" reference is the quirky Tom Selleck gag, which works, since it's a meme throughout. It's kinda like Elvis in Lilo and Stitch or Hello, Dolly in WALL-E.
Oh, and by the way -- WALL-E is perfect. It is sublime and amazing. It's what I wish everything coming out of every studio aspired to, not just animation, and not just Disney and/or Pixar. - June 28, 2008 at 9:57 PM
- Spokker said...
"It's what I wish everything coming out of every studio aspired to, not just animation, and not just Disney and/or Pixar."
Not me. If not for the Madagascars and Little Mermaid II: THE REVENGE we wouldn't understand how truly special the Pixar movies are. - June 28, 2008 at 10:22 PM
- Unknown said...
Haha. I guess you just want the yin and the yang ;)
I hope that people might become smart enough to not need bad to appreciate good.
Call me overly optimistic... - June 28, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Why American Dog might become the best animated movie in years
With all those different animated movies coming out nowadays, it's getting to be increasingly difficult keeping them apart. Most of them are either of the 'cute animals fight human evil' type, or try to spoof fairy tales for the umpteenth time, so you'd almost say it shouldn't be too difficult to come up with a movie that stands out. Disney will unleash a movie like that in 2008. Yes, it features animals, but they're not singing with high pitched voices or trying to get rid of hunters. No, this is American Dog, created and directed by Chris Sanders, the man behind the most original animated movie of the last ten years, Lilo and Stitch, and here you will read why it's going to be the animated movie to watch.
I can give you various reasons why American Dog had me excited from practically the first second I heard about it.
1. Chris Sanders. Together with Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders created Lilo and Stitch. The movie was based on an original idea by Sanders, and it was an utter joy to watch. What made it stand out from so many of the other animated movies was the fact that it was entirely original: a little girl finds a homicidal alien, and against the odds, they become great friends. It was very subversive and un-Disney, with the cute little girl in the lead having weird hobbies like making pictures of fat people on the beach, and with the other lead being a maniacal creature with only one thing on his mind: destruction. However, somehow, Sanders and DeBlois were able to turn their story into something funny and heartwarming. In my opinion, Stitch is one of the few classic Disney characters to emerge from a non Pixar-movie in the last ten years, and it was thanks to the creators that his look was also stunningly original. Besides that, the whole movie looked wonderful. In an age when animators were already trying to make their movies look more realistic, Sanders and DeBlois went back to the old days of Disney, painting the backgrounds in beautiful watercolours, and opting for a fun, none too realistic look for all the characters. And now Sanders is ready to unleash his unique vision on us again, as American Dog is bound to be just as pleasant a surprise, as long as the new heads of Disney Animation try not to Disneyize or Pixarize it too much (look, I love the Pixar movies, but their last one was way too predictable).
2. The story. Henry is a popular dog. He stars in his own television series, in which he is a James Bond style secret agent who manages to survive the most wonderful adventures. Henry is the toast of the town, but then one day one of the stunts in his show goes terribly wrong, Henry loses concsiousness, and when he wakes up he finds himself on a train, thousands of miles away from his home. Henry has been a celebrity all his life and does not know how to handle himself in this new situation, but luckily he is able to make some new friends that he convinces to get him back home. What ensues is a road trip fraught with perilous situations. What? No fairy princesses? No song and dance? Great!
3. The style. Will you just look at these wonderful pieces of art that have been released for the movie? Of course, this is all very preliminary, but it looks absolutely gorgeous. The characters look original, the movie has a wonderfully original look and I love the way colours have been used in this.
There is one bad thing about this movie though: we have to wait until 2008!
December, 2006. - June 28, 2008 at 10:58 PM
- Honor Hunter said...
The cheapquells have ended Spokker and Corruption...
What you're ragging is the tail-end of something, not the beginning or continuation. These were in development literally years before Lasseter got there and there were commitments already made. Be thankful he put an end to them or you'd be seeing production ramp up on Little Mermaid 23 and Aladdin 5.78 or half a dozen other bad ideas. Anything that comes from this division from now on will not be another cheap knockoff of a fabled classic... so lighten up.
Go see "Wall-E" and then go see "Bolt" and make a judgement then. It will be John's first test, but not his last... my sources say that "Princes and the Frog" and "Rapunzel" are the beginning of the new era and "Bolt" is the warm up...
I know you say you don't want something to fail, but based on your comments that's exactly what you're expecting... or is it wanting? - June 28, 2008 at 11:10 PM
To anonymous #1: "yeah jrriddle,
not like a dog getting lost and going across the country hasn't been done before.That Chris Sanders, what an original guy."
Characters, not story. Even the look of these characters look......
boring (sorry nodded off thinking about it).
To anonymous #2:"Why American Dog might become the best animated movie in years..."
YES!With you 100%!!! I hope Sanders gets to make this movie some day,in some form.
Lasseter put the wrong dog to sleep.
Oh Wall*E was excellent, on par with the Brad Bird stuff. - June 28, 2008 at 11:31 PM
- Unknown said...
I'm a bit more connected/in the know than I'm at liberty to let you know and perhaps this is why I'm oftentimes more than frustrated with some of the things you write.
If Bolt is a terrible movie, then yes, I would want it to fail. I don't like bad movies.
Again, if Bolt is a good movie, I would like for it to succeed. When Disney makes quality products, such as Tokyo DisneySea, Disneyland's Space Mountain, WALL-E, Enchanted, etc., I want success, critically and financially.
When Disney turns out crud like Home on the Range, Brother Bear, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Stitch's Great Escape (based on one of my favorite films, btw), etc., I want it to fail commercially and critically, because I want Disney to learn a lesson and make something better.
Mistakes will be made. They just shouldn't be kept around or in production because it's easier than shutting it down/removing it/stopping production.
I was under the impression that Disney's previous direct-to-video sequel was it's last, but here comes LM3, which I've known about for a few month. Before that, however, I thought that we were done with them, that's all. I certainly don't want another bombshell down the road that Cinderella IV or Sleeping Beauty II is coming out :(
Disney is something I care about deeply. Would commenters get on my case for having concern about (some commenters would call it "criticizing) a friend or family member for not living up to their potential? I hope not. We should all aspire to greatness, and if we're not capable of greatness, then our best. The message of aspiring to be something beyond our current selves what makes WALL-E a sublime and amazing film -- it shows that even people who've lived their whole lives in a literal bubble can overcome that "programming" and be great again.
Honor, I often have the impression you may be trying to lump me in with Disney "haters" at times, simply because I don't agree with what you have to say about Disney's products. Sure, things are much better than they were a few years back, but things have a long way to go.
Do you truly see a Typhoon Lagoon level water park in the future? Do you see immersive, non-linear story-based E-Ticket audio-animatronics attractions not based on popular films in the future? Do you see parks of the level of detail and originality of DisneySea/Port Disney or WestCot in the future. For that matter, do you see more films like WALL-E?
Do you see a dedication to forward-thinking, progressive, individual thought? Do you see unique merchandise, food, recreation in the future, the way things were when Eisner first stepped in in 1984, before Disney became a BuyNLarge-type monolith, with hands in everything from the internet to networks and more?
I don't. And that makes me sad. Maybe I'm the one who needs to "keep moving forward," but I think Disney needs to stop going that direction it's going in and look back to the past to see truly visionary and great thinking.
I hope that you could agree. And I hope that we truly share the same passion and motivation for why we use this forum. I hope that you and your other readers realize that my "ire" comes from a genuine dedication to the belief that Disney can be great by looking to the past only for the purpose of moving toward the future, not stagnating and relying on the past to keep the balance sheet happy or because creative risks aren't worth it. - June 28, 2008 at 11:36 PM
Well said Corruption. Well said. - June 28, 2008 at 11:43 PM
- Unknown said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- June 28, 2008 at 11:50 PM
- Unknown said...
Thanks :) - June 29, 2008 at 12:51 AM
- Honor Hunter said...
No one, and I mean no one regrets the fact that Port Disney wasn't created here in southern California. It was the one park that I was looking forward to Disney building. WestCOT was a very detailed, lavish park that I would have loved to have happened, but I had much less passion for it...
As I've stated before, the ocean and Disney were always things I've had a great passion for. Both of those things are why Tokyo DisneySEA is my second favorite park after Disneyland... who knows, if they had built Port Disney with it's DisneySea park it might have been my favorite over Disneyland...
I like it for the same reasons you talk about your love for Disney. It was something different. Something that WestCOT was not. I value original attractions at the parks and they haven't gone away... I'll grant you that Disney(much like way too many companies) has focused on characters and branding, but rides that have nothing to do with characters are not dead. I don't expect DCA to get one of those until the second phase of the expansion. A phase which I hope will give Lasseter more power because if that happens we'll see some of WDI's concept. I don't believe that Lasseter wants everything to be based on films or classic characters... if anyone understand what Walt intended when he built DL it would be he.
I also realize that the Walt Disney Company is a very big company and I'm not going to like everything they do. I am not a big "High School Musical" fan and I could care less about American Idol going into the parks. But I tend to find the direction the company is headed much better than it was just, literally a few years ago. There comes a point when we all should just sit back and quit complaining. Have some patience to see what unfolds and not condemn everything from the moment we first hear about it. There comes a time when you realize that nothing is perfect or ever will be. A time that you learn to enjoy the good you get from something while knowing that there is still bad. I focused on this in my "Finding Perfect" post a while back.
I also don't and won't rag "Bolt" because I haven't seen it yet and I trust Lasseter. He's the guy that runs Pixar which has produced all these films everyone loves. He's the guy that had the sense to let Stanton direct "Nemo" and "Wall-E" and now "John Carter". He's the guy that also has taken at least three directors off of Pixar films because he knew the direction they were going wasn't right and based on the nine films I've seen, I'd have to agree with the outcome he wanted. So I'm going to trust him...
If "Bolt" turns out to be bad, I won't pretend to like it... I didn't color coat my review of "Prince Caspian" or "Crystal Skull". I will however give him the benefit of doubt, with Lasseter's track record, he deserves it. - June 29, 2008 at 2:04 AM
- Spokker said...
"I also don't and won't rag "Bolt" because I haven't seen it yet and I trust Lasseter."
When he appeared in front of that Tinkerbell movie clip pleading with us to like it, he lost all credibility with me.
I'm sorry, but Tinkerbell does not talk, and she does not look like Bratz. - June 29, 2008 at 2:17 AM
You lost credibility a long time ago Spokker.
- June 29, 2008 at 2:43 AM
She talks. She just speaks fairy, which we can't hear or understand. In the films we'll get to hear what the fairies hear.
"Hear what the fairies hear"?
I can't believe I just said that. - June 29, 2008 at 2:45 AM
- Unknown said...
"There comes a point when we all should just sit back and quit complaining."
Did you just watch WALL-E? For real? Because this movie addresses this head-on. And I don't think its message meshes with your statement.
Honor, there is never a moment when we should just "sit back."
From the American Adventure at Epcot:
"We now face the danger, which in the past has been the most destructive to the humans: Success, plenty, comfort and ever-increasing leisure. No dynamic people has ever survived these dangers."
Disney (and society) at large have been at this point for quite a while. We have disengaged from debate, have just "sat back" and stopped "complaining." And that mentality is all the justification our government (for the USA readers) and corporations have to take and take and take, whether it's our liberties or money.
I'd love to see some of the people today go back to the 1770's and hear them say garbage along the lines of, "Well, British rule isn't that bad, let's just sit back, stop complaing, and see what unfolds."
I'm going to keep taking you to task, because you have misplaced faith in Lasseter as some sort of Messiah. I can't imagine he'd like that. Lasseter's successes at Pixar are because of long-standing relationships with Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Brad Bird, and Ed Catmull. He doesn't have that with Disney's animation team, and it's part of why I don't have a good feeling about Bolt. He doesn't "know" Chris Williams, just like he didn't "know" Chris Sanders. I've always felt this concept was a little too modern for a Disney film, based on what I know about it, but guess what? I'll be there opening night, just like I am for every Disney film. And I hope that it's good. And I hope that I like it.
While I realize that this blog is a labor of love, you need to be a bit more introspective and realize that people have different feelings on these matters, and you have to accept that people will occasionally say something that you disagree with that might just be right. - June 29, 2008 at 8:52 AM
And Joe Ranft. Let's not forget him. Pixar's success is owed to more people then just Lasseter and Jobs.
In my humble opinion I think Brad Bird's films have always been superior to Lasseter's films. - June 29, 2008 at 10:41 AM
- Honor Hunter said...
I'm going to agree with you jrriddle...
When it comes to a director, but I was referring to Lasseter as a producer. And as such he knows how to get the best out of writers and directors.
Also I never said it was his alone that created Pixar, but he is the man at the top and he is the one responsible for all those decision. Lasseter himself wouldn't like all that praise heaped upon him. If you've ever seen him talk about Joe you'd know how much they loved, respected and admired him. He was the symbol of everything good about Pixar... - June 29, 2008 at 11:11 AM
- Unknown said...
@Honor and jrriddle
Agreed. Ranft is sorely missed...
Sorry I forgot to mention him. - June 29, 2008 at 11:23 AM
- t said...
As some have said before, Princess and The Frog and Rapunzel are probably going to be the start of the next renaissance for Disney...Bolt will be the warm up.
I don't think all the drama in here from a short trailer is even necessary. Trailers are sometimes not even very good in the first place, and don't always represent the true nature/value of a film.
Take Meet the Robinsons for example...horrible trailers, yet actually a beautiful little film.
I think some need to realize that John, Ed, and company are not going to be able to turn the ship around at the drop of a dime. We all knew it was going to take time, including the films Disney already had in production before they came on board. I think if anyone is the one to make improvements, it's the Pixar brain trust and company. I trust their work and judgment. I think Bolt, while maybe not being the most genius concept like WALL-E or what looks like a big profit maker like Nemo was, is going to be at least another step in the right direction.
I think some folks are going to be pleasantly surprised.
It's time to calm down, look at these things from a broader more logical perspective, and simply wait. There's nothing more you can do. Let these people do their work. They have a lot to go up against (their own failures, their own legacy, that of Pixar's now, etc.)
In the end, there is NO need for the drama or disrespect here. - June 29, 2008 at 3:20 PM
- Spokker said...
Trailers can misrepresent a movie. Wall-E is a perfect example. Fat people were barely shown before release.
However, the true nature of the film usually gets out in other ways. We knew that Wall-E had fat blobs hovering around before the movie's release, despite Disney's best efforts to conceal it. - June 29, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Bolt looks like a fun, light comedy and the dog's apparent delusion about his powers and his devotion to the girl are both endearing traits IMO. I can't wait to see this now. ESPECIALLY after sitting through the charming, heart-string-tugging, occasionally funny, overblown overlong monster that is Wall*E. Yeah, it has much to commend it. But the stuff on the spaceship with all the fat blobs and "save the earth" messaging just wore me out. I loved Presto and the first 40 minutes of Wall*E. But the last part of the film has made me decide to not view it again. Hooray for Bolt. It looks like a way for Disney to redeem itself after the dark tediousness that made up the charmless Prince Caspian film (I'm a big Narnia fan and I was soooooooo disappointed with the direction that film took and the fact that so much of C.S. Lewis' clever writing and ideas were left out of it to make room for more battles. (And no I'm not talking about religion here - I'm agnostic). Honestly, the only movies this summer I thoroughly enjoyed and saw more than once were Kung Fu Panda and Indiana Jones. Disney has disappointed me so far. Hope it'll make me happy again in November...
- June 29, 2008 at 5:29 PM
- Spokker said...
I'm sure Pixar will apologize for making an intelligent, thoughtful Disney movie and perhaps Cars 2 will be more up your alley.
Wall-E is blowing the stereotypical Disney Defenders' minds and showing how powerful animation really can be. - June 29, 2008 at 7:34 PM
- t said...
This preview got an incredible response in the theatre I was in...as it supposedly is in what many others are saying from their WALL-E movie experiences.
- June 29, 2008 at 11:30 PM
- Spokker said...
"This preview got an incredible response in the theatre I was in..."
I was in a theater full of adults at an 11:40PM showing of Wall-E, and most people groaned and talked about how stupid the trailer for Bolt looked. - June 30, 2008 at 2:58 PM
- t said...
^Yes Spokker, I'm sure they did.
- June 30, 2008 at 3:09 PM
- Spokker said...
They did. Though Beverly Hills Chihuahua received the most groans.
- June 30, 2008 at 4:07 PM
- Unknown said...
Lord, I certainly hope whoever is responsible for green-lighting BHC loses their JOB.
- June 30, 2008 at 4:16 PM
I was in a theater full of adults at an 11:40PM showing of Wall-E, and most people groaned and talked about how stupid the trailer for Bolt looked.
Liar, liar. Thou pants are ablaze. - July 1, 2008 at 7:02 AM
- Justin said...
Honor, what did you think of the trailer? You did say that you like it better than the bits and pieces you've seen before, but I can't tell if the "I have faith in John Lasseter" statement is conviction, or you are trying to convince yourself because this trailer didn't convince you.
- July 1, 2008 at 9:21 AM


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About 1 million people — or 20 percent of the Cuban workforce — can now be classified as wholly in the private sector, according to a report by Richard Feinberg of the Brookings Institution.
Barbara Fernandez Franco remembers being excited when that list of government-permitted businesses first came out. She combed through the 200-odd jobs, and thought carefully about which she could do. She decided on the "tailor and seamstress" category.
We met 28-year-old Barbara in one of the aging but gorgeous buildings that line the narrow colonial streets of central Havana, Cuba's capital. Sitting in the stairway, she tells us it's been a difficult road full of stumbles.
She started off reselling clothing a friend made, but the profit margins were very small. Then, she began buying clothing from abroad — from countries like Dominican Republic, Peru, Ecuador and Mexico — which she then resold.
At first the project was as rocky as any startup business. But a few months down the line, she says, the profits were outstanding. Barbara was able to save a good amount of money — which today is helping her purchase a new home with her boyfriend, Michel Perez Casanova.
But that boom in business soon came to an end when the government announced that importing clothing for resale on the island would be illegal as of Dec. 31, 2013.
Barbara was devastated by the news, she says, but while other businesses shut down, she chose to carry on as best she could: She learned how to sew and created her own line of baby clothing and mosquito netting for cribs.
At a small restaurant in the port city of Mariel, owner Onil Lemus told us everyone he knows is absolutely thrilled about the widening scope of legal business ventures. In fact, he jokes that he liked it better when there where fewer cuentapropistas — because he had less competition.
Even though business is good for Onil, he echoed what several other small enterprise owners said to us: One of the biggest challenges has been the lack of raw materials. In Mariel, for example, Onil said, there's no access to wholesale food markets, which are so important to the restaurant industry.
Pointing to the delicious lamb stew he'd prepared for us, he explained that he'd had to go to a farm to buy the meat, but foods like rice and beans — staples in Cuban cuisine — are hard to buy in large quantities at good prices.
Similarly, Barbara said certain fabrics and ornaments are so expensive, it would be impossible for her to make a profit if she were to use them.
The widespread sentiment here is that the U.S. embargo — which has been in place for more than 50 years and is known as el bloqueo, or "the blockade," on the island — is largely responsible for these kinds of difficulties.
Since taking over for his brother Fidel in 2008, Raul Castro has been pushing to modernize the economy. Onil said he's confident that as the number of private business owners grows, the government will address these issues.
Barbara's boyfriend, Michel, on the other hand, seemed more disheartened.
"Some tourists say that this country's growing up now and it's going to get better and better," he said. "But, you know, the system here is so slow. Step by step. Very, very, very slow."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Patent Print - Cocktail Shaker
This Cocktail Shaker print features the drawings and original patent artwork submitted to the US Patent Office in 2005.
The design is reprinted on heavyweight art paper for an aged and authentic look. It has that unique vintage feel that is sure to captivate. Perfect for your home or office, Patent Art Prints look stunning individually or as a set.
Dimensions: 8" W x 10" L x .0313" H


text: IRON CROSS SKULL BIKER VEST PATCH by manuel lebron | May 28, 2017 | 0 comments Submit a Comment Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


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General Info > Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
At Natures Aquatics we are committed to protecting your privacy. We use the information we collect to assist us in processing orders. Please read on for more details about our privacy policy.The Information We Collect: Natures Aquatics collects from you the necessary information, such as name, email address, address and payment information, to process orders.
We Do Not Share Your Personal Information: Natures Aquatics does not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to others. This information is for our private records only. We restrict access to your orders to those employees who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. Personal information is not available to any third party via our website or through other means.
Spam Email and Use of Email Addresses: We make every effort to minimize the amount of email correspondence you receive from us. We do not share or sell your email address to any third parties.
Use of Cookies: Natures Aquatics uses cookies to enhance your shopping and browsing experience and keep track of your order information. The cookies we use DO NOT store any personal information such as your e-mail address, street address or phone number.
Do you still have questions? If you have additional questions or wish to further discuss details of our privacy policy, please feel free to Contact Us.


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At Trent Insurance Agency, our personal insurance products provide our customers with protection for their homes, automobiles and personal possessions, along with personal liability coverages.
How we serve you is as important as what we provide. First, we listen to you, then we discuss your needs and answer your questions. Next, we look at both your short-term and long-term objectives and help put your insurance and planning needs in perspective.
Trent Insurance Agency provides the following types of personal insurance protection:


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A Seventh-day Adventist School
The word trinity itself is not found in the Bible, however, it is a theological concept that is found in the Bible. Webster's dictionary interprets trinity as a group of three closely related persons or things. Paul refers to the Trinity as the Godhead.
There is unity in the Godhead both in creation and human salvation. It's in the Bible, Hebrews 1:1-3, NKJV. "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power."
The Spirit of God is also involved in this world's creation. It's in the Bible, Genesis 1:1-2, NKJV. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."
In creation, God refers to Himself in the plural. It's in the Bible, Genesis 1:26, NKJV. "Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness."
God the Father is involved in both creation and salvation through Jesus Christ. It's in the Bible, Colossians 1:13-17, NKJV. "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."
It was God the Father Who provided us salvation through His Son. It's in the Bible, John 3:16, NKJV. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
The Holy Spirit was also involved in Jesus Christ coming to this earth. It's in the Bible, Luke 1:35, NKJV. "And the angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.'"
Jesus spoke of the unity between Him and the Father. It's in the Bible, John 16:26-2, NKJV. "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
It's in the Bible, John 14:8-10, NKJV. "Philip said to Him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.' Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.'"
Both the Father and the Holy Spirit are in union with Jesus Christ in salvation for humanity. It's in the Bible, John 14:13-17, NKJV. "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."
It's in the Bible, John 14:26, NKJV. "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
It's in the Bible, John 16:7-11, NKJV. "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged."
Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit as part of our salvation. It's in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NKJV. "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
Look how closely we are being built into a union with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It's in the Bible, 1 Peter 2:4-11, NKJV. "Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone," and "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."
Jesus Christ's last commission to His church includes all three members of the Godhead. It's in the Bible, Matthew 28:18-20, NKJV. "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."
The culmination of salvation is found in the unity of God's people with Jesus the Christ just as He is in union with the Father. It was for this that Jesus prayed. It's in the Bible, John 17:20-23, NKJV. "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me."
The Trinity or Godhead has worked together in our creation and salvation and will closely united with humanity through all eternity. It's in the Bible, John 14:1-3, NKJV. "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."


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28 Height
165 CM Weight
61 KG Bust Size
If you get in contact with a profile on en.euroescorts.nl we recommend that you never send money in advance especially if the advertisers ask to pay with any kind of Gift Card, Bing card, NEOSURF coupons, PCS coupons, Google play card, Western Union etc. They could be scammers. They will take your money and will never respond to your messages.
If someone asks you to go to any website outside of en.euroescorts.nl and wants you to sign up with your credit or debit card, don't do that. These website can store your card details to make unauthorized payments. Try to stay away from such scammers.
If you send money in advance it is always at your own risk and nobody can guarantee that you will receive the service. We do recommend paying cash in person if asked for money and you agree.
Do Not Ignore This Warning.
en.euroescorts.nl is not responsible for any fraudulent behavior of these scammers. In case you come across a profile of a girl who acts like a scammer, please, report the profile using the "Report Profile" button in the girl's profile or contact our support team so we can deactivate and black list such advert.
We do recommend booking verified escorts. The chance of the verified girls trying to scam you is very minimal but this is still at your own risk.
Follow government guidelines and laws. This website was created and intended to be used by adults only. All models on this website have confirmed that they are 18 years of age or older. The website only provides advertising space for the models and is not responsible for the discretionary agreement between the parties contacting each other through the website. We have no connection or liability whatsoever with the persons or links you may reach through this portal.
This profile is paused because it is being edited, upgraded or the owner has decided to make it unavailable to visitors.


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Current calendar: England - Southwark.
If the calendar identified above is not your local calendar, then select your calendar from the list at the end of this page.
A QR code is a mysterious pattern of black and white squares which your phone can read and you can't. The point of a QR code is that when you point your phone's camera at it, the phone will understand the code and take you to the web site it represents. For instance:
But your ideas are bound to be better than ours.
Please, before you start, check that you have the right calendar. This page is set to "England - Southwark". If that isn't your calendar, then pick the right calendar from the list at the end of this page.
You will see a list of codes below. Find the one you want, right-click on it (or long-tap if you're using a phone or tablet). Your browser will pop up a menu including a command saying something like "Save Image As...". Choose that command, and save the image somewhere where you'll find it again. On a computer, the desktop is as good a place as any.
Then create a document in whatever word processor you use, and incorporate that image in it. It can be whatever size you want. For a poster to be scanned from a distance, you will want to make it quite big. For something like a newsletter, 1" square is a good size to try, though smaller codes may work. Try some experiments.
You don't need to tell people how to scan a code. You can safely leave it to them. If their phone can scan QR codes, they will probably know how; if it doesn't, then it doesn't. As a general rule, iPhones less than 5 years old will scan a code just by pointing the camera at it. With Android, sometimes code-scanning is part of the main Camera app and sometimes a separate app is needed: different manufacturers do different things.
This web site © Copyright 1996-2020 Universalis Publishing Ltd · Contact us · Cookies/privacy |


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Canada's Plant Hardiness Site
MaxEnt maps and models
Sabulina litorea (Fernald) House
seashore stitchwort
Plant description - Detailed description of the plant's characteristics. (may be an external site) ..more links
Note: a minimum number of distributed sites must be entered before a Climatic Range map can be produced.
Current distribution map - Based on temperature and precipitation variables.
Climate change models - A list of potential climate change scenarios for this species
- Date modified:


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18" x 24" original watercolor painting on cold press paper (2019).
Hand signed with pencil on the front.
Giclée prints are made with archival pigment inks on beautifully textured heavyweight fine art paper. Please note that the original image may be slightly cropped to accommodate standard print sizes.
This piece is also available as a ready-to-hang gallery wrapped canvas print with the option to add a floater frame.
To add a handcrafted solid wood frame to this piece, first add the piece to your cart, taking note of the artwork title and dimensions. Separately add a frame for an original or frame for a print to your cart. The frames for originals and frames for prints are slightly different, so please follow the correct link.
Please allow 1 week processing time before shipment. A signature is required for original paintings. Please note some originals and prints may come rolled in a tube and will need gently flattened before framing.
Copyright © Elizabeth Becker 2019. All rights remain with the artist.


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1-844-258-8144 To speak to an expert
Our Destination Experts have stayed in our rentals and will help you book the perfect vacation.
Discover a real paradise at the Pacifica Grand with a privileged location and in the most exclusive zone of Zihuatanejo with incomparable bay landscapes. Pacifica Grand is the perfect place to enjoy truly relaxing vacations. Designed with integral architecture by Enrique Zozaya, the reduced number of suites will offer you privacy and commodity during your stay. Photos are representative of the 1 Bedroom Condos at Pacifica Grand Resort Customers will be required to pay $10 per day in local tourism fees at check-in.
Photos are representative of the property and may differ from the actual unit that is reserved.
For more detailed information about the amenities for this property please call one of our Destination Experts at (844) 258-8144
Adults 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15+
Children 0 1 2 3 4 5+
NOTE: Calendar displays standard nightly rates. Please see above for our best pricing applied to the dates you selected.
Clear Dates
Looking for more information on this property or have questions on planning your vacation? Our friendly Destination Experts are here to help. They will usually respond to your request within 5 minutes to the submission of this form.
We are excited to help you with your vacation and will contact you as quickly as possible, often within just a few minutes.
Our agents live, work and play in the destinations we offer, ensuring you benefit from local expertise while planning your trip.
They went the extra mile to offer me the most up to date rates and availability for my vacation. Their staff was very knowledgeable and quick in response to all my questions. I would book with them again!
-Shauna K.


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A Beautiful Practice For All Your Dental Needs
We are proud to provide a state-of-the-art facility for the highest quality dental care available. It is one of our top priorities to protect the well-being of our valued patients. For this reason, our office meets and surpasses all OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and CDC (Center for Disease Control) standards. We are confident that you will feel right at home in our office as we welcome all patients as if they were family.
If you would like to make an appointment, please contact our office by phone or email. Our office facilitates communications and emergency calls and appointments are available and welcome, especially for new patients seeking help.
We will be more than happy to submit all insurance forms for you and help you recover the most from your benefits. We will do everything we can to help you afford the treatment you need and want. For patients who require major work, a complete payment plan is designed with an appropriate payment schedule. Forms of payment accepted by the office are check, cash, or any major credit card.
If you are unable to keep an appointment, we ask that you kindly provide us with at least 24 hours notice. We ask for this advance notice so that we can offer this appointment to another patient. A fee may be charged if a patient does not show up for an appointment without sufficient notice.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing our practice for your dental care.


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Get the above offer price in your bank account within 30 mins for your Oppo Find X5. Then buy it back up to 28 days later. We will keep the device safe in our special tamperproof wallets until you decide to buy it back.
Please ensure you are accurate with the make, model and storage of your handset. You can use this website to find out your device's make/model. If you do not know your storage always choose the lowest option (most common).
You will then be shown how much it will cost to buy it back within 7 days (33% discount) and within 28 days.
If you are happy to proceed you can complete our 60 second registration.
Then enter a postcode to find your closest drop off location. You can search your closest Cashoot agent before registering here
Once dropped off, our agent will quickly test your device and ensure the information you have provided is accurate. Assuming you have entered the correct information, the agent will take possession of the device and place the device into one of our special tamperproof wallets and give you a customer card showing the transaction number, serial tag number and expiry date. Then, the money will be transferred to your bank account within 30 minutes!
When you are ready, you can return to cashoot.com to buyback your item with your credit or debit card. Once paid you can return to your drop off agent to collect your device.


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In the dynamic world of WordPress, we emerge as a beacon of innovation and excellence. Our popular products, like CoverNews, ChromeNews, Newsphere, and Shopical, alongside powerful plugins such as WP Post Author, Blockspare, and Elespare, serve as the building blocks of your digital journey.
We're passionate about quality code and elegant design, ensuring your website creation is an effortless blend of sophistication and simplicity. With unwavering support from our dedicated team, you're never alone.
Templatespare: Create Your Dream Website with Easy Starter Sites!
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Explore a rich selection of over 350 pre-built websites. With a single click, import the site that resonates with your vision. - Customize & Personalize
Unleash your creativity! Customize your chosen site with complete design freedom. Tailor every element to build and personalize your website exactly the way you envision it. - Publish & Go Live!
With the editing and customization complete, it's time to go live! In just minutes, your website will be ready to share with the world.
Join the AF themes family, where excellence meets ease. Explore the endless possibilities and embark on your web journey with us today!
Together, we're shaping the future of the web.


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- Store
- Learn Malay
- Beginner +
- Talk The Talk Malay
Talk The Talk Malay
TALK The Talk is designed with teenagers' social lives in mind. It concentrates on the words and phrases young people need for social conversation, including plenty of useful, up-to-date vocabulary. It then builds their spoken confidence, allowing them to compare their accent to that of a native speaker.
Will it work for me?
This program is best suited for teenagers who are beginning to get to grips with Malay. It's best if you know some basic vocabulary before you start.
Because it's aimed at recent beginners, everything you hear will be clearly spoken at a speed that you can easily keep up with.
What will I learn?
To talk about the things that are relevant to you. We won't bother you with lots of information you won't need or don't find interesting.
Talk The Talk teaches phrases like "I'll send you a text message later" and "we won the game on penalties". Topics include family, school, hobbies, travelling, home, technology, work and sport.
Talk The Talk help languages
- 092
- Afrikaans
- Albanian
- Amharic
- Arabic
- Basque
- Bengali
- Berber (Tamazight)
- Bulgarian
- Cantonese
- Catalan
- Chichewa
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- Croatian
- Czech
- Danish
- Dari
- Dutch
- English
- English (American)
- Estonian
- Finnish
- Flemish
- French
- Galician
- German
- Greek
- Greenlandic
- Haitian Creole
- Hebrew
- Hindi
- Hungarian
- Icelandic
- Igbo
- Indonesian
- Irish
- Italian
- Japanese
- Kazakh
- Khmer
- Korean
- Latin American Spanish
- Latvian
- Lithuanian
- Luxembourgish
- Macedonian
- Malay
- Maltese
- Māori
- Norwegian
- Papiamento
- Pashto
- Persian
- Polish
- Portuguese (Brazilian)
- Portuguese (European)
- Punjabi
- Romanian
- Russian
- Scottish Gaelic
- Serbian
- Shona
- Slovak
- Slovenian
- Spanish
- Swahili
- Swedish
- Swiss German
- Tagalog
- Thai
- Tswana
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
- Urdu
- Vietnamese
- Welsh
- Xhosa
- Yoruba
- Zulu
How does it work?
Watch and learn! See and hear how to speak Malay by watching video footage of native speakers.
Build confidence on a computer. Before testing your new speaking skills in the real world, record yourself, then play back to compare your pronunciation with a native speaker. (Note that we don't use electronic voice analysis: the human ear is usually much more accurate.)
Play interactive games. The comprehension quiz prompts you to react to real life situations, while a challenging recording quiz tests your knowledge and pronunciation.
You earn points for every game you play. High scorers can go on to win bronze, silver and gold awards, which you can print out as a record of achievement.
You can learn on the move. Carry on learning in the airport lounge or on the ferry. Just print out the phrasebook sheets included in the program and take them with you.


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Hotel Floyd
Photo Credit: Hotel Floyd
Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge 101 Shenandoah Avenue NE Roanoke, VA 24016 (540) 342-6025 (800) 635-5535
Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge is committed to cultivating an atmosphere that welcomes and celebrates the unique backgrounds, abilities, passions, and perspectives of our vibrant community. As our region's only destination marketing organization, we have a responsibility to showcase the best the Roanoke Region has to offer, and those assets and strengths come in varied forms. We embrace differences in race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, language, visible and invisible disabilities, and all the intersecting identities that make Virginians and visitors alike so unique. We believe our differences make us stronger– and better.


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Gucci Shoulder Bag Vintage Large Sling Backpack in Tan Calfskin Leather and Gold hardware.
The grade condition of the product is: A which means the product is in Excellent Condition
Serial number: 003.113.0037
Dimension: 30*45*20cm
Accessories Included: None
Delivery: We have a 5 to 7 business days shipping policy, hassle-free and all taxes included!
BrandCo Paris finds rare and top condition items at great deals that are worth your patience.
Shop with confidence – All BrandCo Paris items are carefully selected and authenticated by our team of experts.
All items come with an authenticity certificate and packaging delivered by BrandCo Paris.
Item Condition Grading Table
N (Like New)
AA (Perfect Condition)
A (Excellent Condition)
AB (Very Good Condition)
B (Good / Fair)


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The duties of the appraisal district include:
- The determination of market value of taxable property
- The administration of exemptions and special valuations authorized by the local entities and the State of Texas
The Gray County Appraisal District appraises property for ad valorem taxation of these taxing authorities.
Tax rates and ultimately the amount of taxes levied on property are determined by governing bodies of each of the taxing authorities.
Mineral, utility and industrial accounts are appraised for the district by Pritchard & Abbott, Inc. in Amarillo, Texas.
Real estate and personal property accounts are appraised locally by the district.