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Has your Business Game gone stale? There's a wide array of options for entertaining clients in Chicago, but after countless Steak Houses, Single Malts, and Golf Courses eventually they can seem rather mundane. However, taking a page from our friends from the Far East we all can agree that Japan has consistently been on the forefront of burgeoning technology. Nonetheless, there is one exploit they've done well for over five hundred years. The Geisha are revered in Japan. Much like a Steak House dinner with clients is automatic in the Midwest, the Japanese will absolutely involve a Geisha engagement to entertain clients.
Geisha in Japanese translates to a "person of art." She spends many years learning to sing, dance and play various musical instruments as well as being the perfect conversationalist and hostess.
Our Kitty Cat Now Strippers in Chicago may not have spent years on how to prepare and pour the perfect cup of tea however, they too have spent years honing and perfecting their craft. Consequently, if there is a need to entertain the most discerning of clients, why not enlist the help of a few Topless or Nude Waitresses. Allow our Kitty Cats in Chicago to bewitch and entertain. Even the most sedate of clients will surely be impressed by this bawdy suggestion. Most deals are created after an air of familiarity, an engrossing night of tasteful titillating fun so you are truly bonded for life sharing this sexy little secret. The best deals are crafted this way…certainly not in the board room.

subset: commoncrawl


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The District of Columbia Council of the Blind (DCCB) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, membership in which is open to blind, visually impaired and sighted individuals. It advocates for full independence and equality of opportunity for all blind and visually impaired residents of the nation's capital and surrounding metropolitan areas. To accomplish this, it investigates both governmental and private services that may benefit its clientele. In addition, it seeks to sponsor cultural, educational and athletic activities of interest to its members and to inform the public about sight loss. Its members also provide mutual encouragement and support through social interaction. DCCB is a state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind (ACB).
In furtherance of its mission, DCCB has established this site to provide information that may be of use both to those persons who are currently experiencing vision loss and to those persons who have dealt with sight loss for some time. This page contains a link to information about DCCB's history and governing structure including a list of its current officers and board members. Another link provides information about events sponsored by DCCB or in which it participates. Links are also provided to outside resources serving persons with vision loss including government agencies and private organizations, to transportation and mobility options and training, to education information concerning accommodations and procedures for blind and visually impaired students, and to commercial aids to assist those with limited or no vision with vendor information. Another link describes recreation and entertainment activities specifically for low and no vision persons. Finally, there is a link to how to make tax deductible donations to DCCB.
The information contained in this site is provided as a service to the DC metropolitan community, and does not constitute legal advice or service or product endorsements. This site tries to provide quality information, but makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this site.
- 10695 reads


text: Bas Rutten Instructionals is the definitive place to learn martial arts and self-defense skills. Taught by former MMA champion Bas Rutten, you will learn every technique in great detail through these videos. Be sure to check out the FAQ if you have questions and always follow Bas' Rules when training. You can find all of the videos on the site here, or choose a category from the left menu and view those only.


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Ezra 9
Mixed Marriages
1Now when these things had been completed, the princes approached me, saying, "The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, according to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians and the Amorites. 2For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has intermingled with the peoples of the lands; indeed, the hands of the princes and the rulers have been foremost in this unfaithfulness." 3When I heard about this matter, I tore my garment and my robe, and pulled some of the hair from my head and my beard, and sat down appalled. 4Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel on account of the unfaithfulness of the exiles gathered to me, and I sat appalled until the evening offering.
Prayer of Confession
5But at the evening offering I arose from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn, and I fell on my knees and stretched out my hands to the Lord my God; 6and I said, "O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. 7Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt, and on account of our iniquities we, our kings and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity and to plunder and to open shame, as it is this day. 8But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage. 9For we are slaves; yet in our bondage our God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to raise up the house of our God, to restore its ruins and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.
10"Now, our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken Your commandments, 11which You have commanded by Your servants the prophets, saying, 'The land which you are entering to possess is an unclean land with the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations which have filled it from end to end and with their impurity. 12So now do not give your daughters to their sons nor take their daughters to your sons, and never seek their peace or their prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good things of the land and leave it as an inheritance to your sons forever.' 13After all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and our great guilt, since You our God have requited us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us an escaped remnant as this, 14shall we again break Your commandments and intermarry with the peoples who commit these abominations? Would You not be angry with us to the point of destruction, until there is no remnant nor any who escape? 15O Lord God of Israel, You are righteous, for we have been left an escaped remnant, as it is this day; behold, we are before You in our guilt, for no one can stand before You because of this."
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Ezra 9: NASB1995
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5.0mm S316 Stainless Rope 7 x 7 Construction - 305M
Call for availability
AISI 316 (marine grade) stainless steel premium quality wire rope. Made with diamond coated dies for extra brightness and heat annealed for improved performance. 7x7 construction stainless steel cable is suited for external balustrading and general rigging applications and is the most common wire rope used for hand crimped balustrading. The flexibility of 7x7 stainess wire rope allows it to wrap around thimbles and be inserted into ferrules easily.


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Russia's Ruble Problem is Temporary… And not Just THEIR Problem
Russia's been in something of a spot of bother lately. The decision by OPEC to continue elevated levels of oil production (in order to deliberately suppress oil prices, and drive higher production cost competitors out of the market), in addition to American sanctions, have caused the Russian ruble to plummet against the American dollar. Steps taken by Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Central Bank of Russia to halt this decline have not been effective, causing Putin to call what's happening a "catastrophe".
These reduced oil prices of course have many benefits to the US, beyond schadenfreude at Russias predicament. Fuel prices are the lowest they've been in almost ten years; which has had a positive effect on consumer prices overall, travel, and holiday spending during retail's heaviest season.
So with prices at the pump going lower, and Putin struggling, everything's all good, right??
Not really.
Here are a few reasons why we should be concerned at what's happening right now:
* There's a lot of arm-twisting going on both inside and outside OPEC – What's really happening, is Saudi Arabia is effectively in a staring contest with weaker members of OPEC, and no one has the strength to end the standoff. These low prices are harming oil producers everywhere. The price can only be so low, for so long, before there's so much pressure (both internally, and from other oil producing nations); that the Saudis will cut production, and allow the price of oil to rise.
* We're due for an energy market correction – As I said above, this action isn't just hurting Russia. It's hurting Venezuela, Mexico, Norway, and all other oil-exporting countries, and it's not sustainable. Speculation, aggregate demand increases, and softening of the Saudi position, are likely to bring the price back up within a few months, which benefits Russia in the long term.
* Vladimir Putin's support is, and will remain, solid – Breathless articles in the Western press about Putin's "challenge" possibly leading to his downfall are vastly overblown at best. For one, Putin knows who his key allies are, and they – the oligarchs in Russia – will be taken care of first. Furthermore, he is virtually synonymous with the once again powerful Orthodox Church, and his domestic policies (which basically amount to keeping the buses running on time and eradicating homosexuals) are still extremely popular. If push comes to shove, the Russian people will stick with him; partly because he's their best chance against the west (and more importantly, China), and partly because if they do protest, they stand a good chance of not making it home (Putin's history is clear in this). It's just as well, because…
* There are no legitimate alternatives to Putin – Simply put, Russia's liberals (and in fact all political factions other than Putin, and those even more hardline) are broken; either irrelevant and ineffectual, or small, hardcore sects, that hold little appeal for a nation that still remembers bread lines. Financial transparency? Human rights? These are things which, in the mind of a hardened nation, don't pay the bills; and in the opinion of many Russians, may not be desirable, as they would benefit currently disfavored people (such as gays, and those of religions other than Russian Orthodox).
* When you poke the bear… – Russia has shown that they will act with violence when it suits their desires; ask Georgia, Chechnya and the Ukraine about that… if they can pick their heads up long enough to speak. I'm not entirely sure we want to see the Russians become desperate, or feel truly threatened, economically or politically. At best, many lives may be lost or destroyed in small scale conflict, and the disruption of that inevitably comes with it. At worst we could see war with Russia and "the west" (under whatever pretext or theater in which it may begin); perhaps including support from China, splinter eastern Europeans, "enemy-of-my-enemy" Islamic groups; and governments around the world, who would have to pick a side in a war between the United States, and "anyone other than the United States".
That's a wild scenario, but not wild enough to be completely discounted.
In the end, I predict that Russia will ride this out, and wait for mutual interests in the oil industry to start wearing down the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. There could be some retaliation, leading some to guess at a second Cold War. However, ultimately, Russia doesn't have sufficient economic clout to meaningfully damage the United States and its allies, without also causing greater damage to themselves.
Enjoy the gas prices (and laughing at Putin) for now, but understand that, most likely; prices (and the ruble) will swing back closer to their recent medians, by the end of February (March at the latest), with little or no long-term damage to Putin.


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PRP 3411 - Open Meeting Time
Issued by: James Mackin, Ph.D.
Effective Date: Fall 2007
NOTES: Endorsed by BUCC February 7, 2007. Presented to University Forum February 28, 2007.
In order to facilitate campus communication and provide a time period where various groups can meet without class interference, an open meeting time is being provided. Individuals and campus organizations may determine whether they wish to utilize the open meeting time.
The period of 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, during fall and spring semesters, is designated as an open meeting time. Credit-bearing classes will not normally be offered during the open meeting time. Department Chairs may seek approval for permanent or temporary exceptions to this policy from the Dean of their college, with final approval by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Exceptions may include but are not limited to labs, studios, clinicals, and rehearsals.


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§ 555.209 Construction of type 3 magazines.
A type 3 magazine is a "day-box" or other portable magazine. It must be fire-resistant, weather-resistant, and theft-resistant. A type 3 magazine is to be constructed of not less than number 12-gauge (.1046 inches) steel, lined with at least either 1/2-inch plywood or 1/2-inch Masonite-type hardboard. Doors must overlap sides by at least one inch. Hinges and hasps are to be attached by welding, riveting or bolting (nuts on inside). One steel padlock (which need not be protected by a steel hood) having at least five tumblers and a case-hardened shackle of at least 3/8-inch diameter is sufficient for locking purposes. Explosive materials are not to be left unattended in type 3 magazines and must be removed to type 1 or 2 magazines for unattended storage.


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May Newsletter: Which Human Foods Are Safe for Dogs?
- Created in Newsletter Library
Which Human Foods Are Safe for Dogs?
Dog food provides all the nutrients your furry friend needs for good health, but that doesn't mean your pet can't enjoy a taste of some of your favorite foods from time to time. Confused about which foods are safe for dogs? Take a look at our list of people food you can share with your pet.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish
Meat, poultry, and fish, the staples of many human diets, also appeal to dogs. Beef, liver, lamb, chicken, turkey, shrimp, and fish are high in protein, which your dog needs for a sleek coat, healthy weight, and strong muscles and immune system. Although these foods are good for your dog, offer small samples to prevent weight gain or gastrointestinal issues. Serve these foods after cooking to prevent bacterial or salmonella infections.
Remove any bones, particularly when offering poultry or fish. Choking or damage to the mouth, throat, or digestive system lining can happen when cooked bones break or splinter. Cut off fat before offering your dog a taste of your meal. Eating fat can cause diarrhea or could increase your pet's risk of obesity or pancreatitis.
Seasonings might make your food taste better, but highly seasoned food can sicken your dog or cause gastrointestinal issues. If you plan to give your pet a taste of meat, poultry, fish, or seafood, omit the seasoning from a small area when cooking or wash off seasonings after cooking if possible.
Make sure dishes don't contain onions, garlic, shallots, chives, or leaks. These ingredients can be toxic to dogs and may cause a dangerous condition called hemolytic anemia. Onion and garlic powders are even stronger than fresh onions and garlic, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), and should be avoided.
Unfortunately, some dogs are allergic to meat, poultry, or fish. Symptoms of food allergies include vomiting, diarrhea, gas, itchy skin, hives, or swelling in the eyelids, lips, or ears.
Want to share your love of vegetables with your pet? Some dogs love them, while others turn their noses up at veggies. These vegetables are safe for your pet:
- Bell Peppers
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Celery (with strings removed)
- Carrots (cooked)
- Corn
- Green Beans (cooked)
- Peas (cooked)
- Potatoes (plain, skinless, roasted)
- Spinach (cooked, in small amounts. Large amounts can cause kidney or bladder stones or irritate your dog's stomach.)
- Sweet Potatoes (plain, skinless, cooked)
- Zucchini
PetMD notes that broccoli, peas, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage can cause excess gas and bloating. If that's the case for your pet, only offer small amounts of these vegetables or don't feed them to your dog at all.
Your dog may enjoy some of the same fruits you do, including:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Berries
- Cantaloupes
- Kiwis
- Mangoes
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Pears
- Pineapples
- Pumpkin (cooked)
- Watermelon
Peel oranges, cut off watermelon and pineapple rinds, and remove seeds and pits before offering fruit to your dog.
Eggs and Dairy
A hardboiled egg (without the shell) or a scrambled egg make tasty snacks for your pet. Eggs contain protein, selenium, riboflavin, and vitamin D, nutrients that enhance your dog's health. An occasional sip of milk is fine for many dogs, although some are lactose intolerant. If your dog can't digest lactose, it may experience stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, gas, or lack of appetite due to nausea.
Dogs can also eat plain yogurt, although pets with lactose intolerance will also want to avoid this food. Small amounts of cheese makes a good occasional treat if your dog isn't lactose intolerant. The AKC recommends offering mozzarella and cottage cheeses or other lower-fat cheeses.
Other Foods
Your dog can also safely eat bread, unsalted cashews and peanuts, unsalted peanut butter, honey, rice, quinoa, and unsalted, unbuttered popcorn.
Do you have a concern about your dog's diet? Let us know how we can help! Get in touch with our office to ask a question or schedule an appointment.
American Kennel Club: People Foods Dogs Can and Can't Eat, 3/14/2024
PetMD: What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat, 11/17/2022
Forbes: What Fruits Can Dogs eat (And Which Are Bad for Them), 4/3/23
ASPCA: Sharing is Caring: Foods You Can Safely Share with Your Pet, 1/28/2021


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Thanks for the insightful article! I have stumbled upon plenty of tutorials on how we can use selectors at their full power in the advent of CSS3 but I have to say that this is one of the most comprehensive one so far. What makes it so interesting is that you suggested using jQuery to cover up loopholes when it comes to dealing with old rusty browsers that fail to support such selectors.
It's a shame that IE6 and IE7 are illiterate when it comes to interpreting with these selectors but I'm glad that many are on the move to switch to a better browser – and one more cheerful, triumphant news is that Google released Chrome Frame for IE which will liberate many users locked down by corporate policies and nasty tech department folks that were forced to use IE6 (e.g. due to proprietary software used by the company and etc).


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Preview: Azure App Service Environment
Published date: April 29, 2015
Azure App Service Environment is a new Premium plan option that provides a fully isolated runtime environment with new scalability and security options. The base environment contains two P2 front ends and two P1 compute resources created in a customer's virtual network. Customers can scale front-end and compute resources independently by using combinations of P1–P4 instances. Customers also pay only for what is used, with up to 50 total instances inside the environment.App Service Environment offers:
- A dedicated runtime environment reserved exclusively for a customer's subscription.
- Granular customization and control over scale.
- The ability to create App Service Environment directly in a customer's virtual network.
- All Azure App Service features.
- The ability to scale up to 50 instances with up to 500 GB of storage.


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back to listings SME Profile: Absolute AVS Ltd
Absolute Audio Visual Solutions New Cambridge House T: +44 (0)1763 852222 |
About us
Established in 2006, Absolute has grown quickly to become a leading player in the Audio Visual Equipment Market. We are based near Cambridge and work on projects locally, nationally and internationally.
With our team of over 30 staff plus dozens of specialist freelance technicians we are able to service almost any size job. Our full production service offering is further enhanced by our partnerships with content, lighting, graphic and scenic designers.
Our teams aim to deliver on time, on budget and to the highest possible standards. Our goal is 100% client satisfaction.
We have a 10,000 sq ft warehouse filled with the latest AV technology and own a fleet of vehicles which means we can keep delivery and transportation costs down to a minimum. Clients love working with us because we provide a 'one-stop-shop' service for all their AV needs.
We are a Safe Contractor Accredited company. This recognises our commitment to maintaining the highest levels of health and safety while on site. We have achieved CIPS sustainability accreditation.
We have three clear business divisions:
Please visit these areas to find out more about the services we offer. Discover how we can support your organisation with all things audio visual.
We work with a broad range of clients across all industry sectors as well as venues, local authorities, universities and schools.
Here are just a selection:


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Bullet Money Clip - Slim Style - 44 MAGNUM
For the guy that wants to carry as little as possible in his pockets, we offer these sleek, slim style stainless money clips.
We utilize a variety of rifle or revolver casings for these in brass. This listing is for a 44 MAGNUM revolver casing.
Each casing is processed, cut to a low profile (but not flat like a pancake) and set in our signature bezels to give the casings a nice framework, added dimension and quality look.
These are sturdy money clips and will hold a good deal of cash securely.
Dimensions: 5/8" x 2"
Photos are samples of casings we process and use. Select caliber from the dropdown of the popular calibers. If you do not have a preference, select "You Choose". If you are looking for a caliber or round that is NOT listed, please contact us to confirm availability before purchase.
Have a wedding coming up? Check out our Wedding Party Packages page to learn more. We carry a huge assortment of men's accessories!
We offer bulk pricing for large quantity orders.
PREFER A REGULAR 1 X 2" MONEY CLIP OR MONEY CLIPS WITH SHOTSHELLS? We have them! Check out our huge selection in other listings.


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The McLaren name was born on the racetrack and, 50 years on, is the most successful name in global motorsport. That desire and determination to push for every extra tenth of a second, and obsessive focus on perfection, has seen the final development objective for the now sold out McLaren P1™ achieved: a sub-seven minute lap time of the Nürburgring circuit.
From the outset, the McLaren P1™ has been developed with one clear goal: to be the best driver's car on both road and track. To achieve this, the development programme has focussed on ensuring the McLaren P1™ pushes the boundaries in terms of sheer performance, with testing carried out in some of the harshest conditions around the world. But one challenge remained, and that was arguably the toughest of them all.
20.8 kilometres driven at an average speed in excess of 178 km/h. Sounds easy, until you add in more than 150 corners, 300 metres of elevation changes and cornering forces of up to 2g. All in less than seven minutes…
Commenting on the sub-seven achievement by the McLaren P1™, McLaren Formula 1™ driver and 2009 world champion Jenson Button said: 'The fact that the McLaren P1™ has posted a sub-seven-minute lap at the Nürburgring is unbelievably impressive.
Continue reading McLAREN P1™ JOINS THE EXCLUSIVE SUB-SEVEN MINUTE CLUB AT THE NÜRBURGRING


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While driving around today running various non-writing-related errands, I found my mind drawn fortuitously back to the written word by good old NPR--don't miss this great little interview with M.T. Anderson about his latest book, The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, courtesy of News and Notes (a program I LOVE, by the way--Farai Chideya is an awesome host).
The Horn Book's website has a list of Recommended Books about South Asia that includes books primarily for younger readers. I'm a little disturbed at how short the list is--I can think of at least a couple more books offhand--and I wonder why it doesn't include any titles for older readers; but it's certainly a start.
Looking for some inspiration this summer? The Oregon Coast Children's Book Writer's Workshop will take place July 16 - 20, 2007, in Oceanside, Oregon. The price is relatively reasonable, and instructors will include a range of writers and literary types, including David Greenberg, Patricia Hermes, Mel Boring, Judy O'Malley of Charlesbridge Publishing, and Susan Cohen of Writers House.


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To get your drivers license you need your DVLA theory examination first! The tests offered here help you in training for it. There is also an online summary of the Ghana Highway Code, on which the test questions are based. We have more than 350 questions available now!
A test contains 10 multiple choice questions, all DVLA compliant. You need to answer 9 questions correctly to succeed. Do you like to try a training or an examination?
Feedback is given, click for next question (or previous), GHC summary is available
Timer gives 20 sec to answer, next question is shown automatically, NO GHC summary


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- Format:Dynamic online product
- Subject(s):Mathematics
- Qualification:AQA
- Author(s):
- Available from: July 2015
- Notes: Not available for credit card purchase. Please contact Customer Services.
A new series of bespoke, full-coverage resources developed for the 2015 GCSE Mathematics qualifications.
Send a Query
×- Contents
A single site, one-year licence for an unlimited number of teachers and learners.
Includes a digital version of both the Foundation and Higher Student Books.
The ability to set tasks, create tests, auto-mark and compile reports to review student performance.
A flexible suite of resources for all types of classroom set-up, including material for interactive whiteboards and projectors.
Resources organised into chapters corresponding to the Student Books, with explanatory notes for all topics.
Worksheets and interactive widgets offering practical activities, discussion points, investigations, games and further practice.
Walkthroughs that take students through a question step-by-step, with feedback.
Quick-fire quizzes with leader boards providing an opportunity for question practice.
Includes levelled questions that assess understanding of each topic.
Can be used on tablets, including iPads and is suitable for whole-class teaching and learning, independent learning and home study.
- Introduction
- 1. Working with integers
- 2. Collecting, interpreting and representing data
- 3. Analysing data
- 4. Properties of integers
- 5. Working with fractions
- 6. Working with decimals
- 7. Basic algebra
- 8. Properties of polygons and 3D objects
- 9. Angles
- 10. Perimeter
- 11. Area
- 12. Rounding and estimation
- 13. Percentages
- 14. Powers and roots
- 15. Standard form
- 16. Further algebra
- 17. Equations
- 18. Functions and sequences
- 19H. Surds
- 19F / 20H. Basic probability
- 20F / 21H. 3D objects
- 21F / 22H. Units and measure
- 22F / 23H. Formulae
- 23F / 24H. Volume and surface area
- 24F / 25H. Further probability
- 25F / 26H. Inequalities
- 26F / 27H. Ratio
- 27F / 28H. Proportion
- 28F / 29H. Graphs of linear functions
- 29F / 30H. Interpreting graphs
- 31H. Circles
- 30F / 32H. Vector geometry
- 31F / 33H. Transformations in a plane
- 32F / 34H. Construction and loci
- 33F / 35H. Similarity
- 34F / 36H. Congruence
- 35F / 37H. Pythagoras' theorem
- 36F / 38H. Trigonometry
- 37F / 39H. Graphs of other functions and equations
- 38F / 40H. Growth and decay
- 41H. Transformations of curves
- Glossary
- Index
- Acknowledgements.
All our supporting resources, like audio files and answer sheets, have now moved to Cambridge GO – the new home for all your Cambridge digital content. Go to Cambridge GO to register and access files for any of your Cambridge titles. If you already have an account, just log in and go to 'add new resources'.
Access resources in Cambridge GOFound 5 results
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Quotes for Public Speakers (No. 350) – Rudyard Kipling
"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." Rudyard Kipling
"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." Rudyard Kipling
"Being nervous isn't bad. It just means something important is happening." Michael Jordan
"Powerpoint presentations are a kind of theater, a kind of augmented stand-up. Too often it's a boring and tedious genre, and audiences are subjected to the bad as well as the good." David Byrne Photo courtesy of Ralph_PH
"Do you know what a foreign accent is? It's a sign of bravery." Amy Chua Photo courtesy of the Brookings Institution
"There are many true statements about complex topics that are too long to fit on a PowerPoint slide." Edward Tufte Photo courtesy of Aaron Fulkerson
"What we like to hear at our dinner meetings, in our church services, on our TV sets and radios, is straightforward speech, conceived in common sense and dedicated to the proposition that we like speakers to talk with – and not at – us." Dale Carnegie
"Credibility is a leader's currency. With it, he or she is solvent; without it, he or she is bankrupt." John Maxwell Photo courtesy of Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes Guatemala
"Everything becomes a little different as soon as it is spoken out loud." Hermann Hesse
"I hate the way people use slide presentations instead of thinking. People confront problems by creating presentations. I want them to engage, to hash things out at the table, rather than show a bunch of slides. People who know what they're talking about don't need PowerPoint." Steve Jobs Photo courtesy
John delivered a keynote address about the importance of public speaking to 80 senior members of Gore's Medical Device Europe team at an important sales event. He was informative, engaging and inspirational. Everyone was motivated to improve their public speaking skills. Following his keynote, John has led public speaking workshops for Gore in Barcelona and Munich. He is an outstanding speaker who thinks carefully about the needs of his audience well before he steps on stage.
Karsta Goetze
TA Leader, Gore and Associates
I first got in touch with John while preparing to speak at TED Global about my work on ProtonMail. John helped me to sharpen the presentation and get on point faster, making the talk more focused and impactful. My speech was very well received, has since reached almost 1.8 million people and was successful in explaining a complex subject (email encryption) to a general audience.
Andy Yen
CEO, Proton Technologies
John gave the opening keynote on the second day of our unit's recent offsite in Geneva, addressing an audience of 100+ attendees with a wealth of tips and techniques to deliver powerful, memorable presentations. I applied some of these techniques the very next week in an internal presentation, and I've been asked to give that presentation again to senior management, which has NEVER happened before. John is one of the greatest speakers I know and I can recommend his services without reservation.
David Lindelöf
Senior Data Scientist, Expedia Group
After a morning of team building activities using improvisation as the conduit, John came on stage to close the staff event which was organised in Chamonix, France. His energy and presence were immediately felt by all the members of staff. The work put into the preparation of his speech was evident and by sharing some his own stories, he was able to conduct a closing inspirational speech which was relevant, powerful and impactful for all at IRU. The whole team left feeling engaged and motivated to tackle the 2019 objectives ahead. Thank you, John.
Umberto de Pretto
Secretary General, World Road Transport Organization
I was expecting a few speaking tips and tricks and a few fun exercises, but you went above and beyond – and sideways. You taught me to stand tall. You taught me to anchor myself. You taught me to breathe. You taught me to open up. You taught me to look people in the eye. You taught me to tell the truth. You taught me to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. I got more than I bargained for in the best possible way.
Thuy Khoc-Bilon
World Cancer Day Campaign Manager, Union for International Cancer Control
John gave a brilliant presentation on public speaking during the UN EMERGE programme in Geneva (a two days workshop on leadership development for a group of female staff members working in the UN organizations in Geneva). His talk was inspirational and practical, thanks to the many techniques and tips he shared with the audience. His teaching can dramatically change our public speaking performance and enable us as presenters to have a real and powerful impact. Thank you, John, for your great contribution!
Sara Canna
HR Specialist, World Health Organization
John is a genuine communication innovator. His seminars on gamification of public speaking learning and his interactive Rhetoric game at our conference set the tone for change and improvement in our organisation. The quality of his input, the impact he made with his audience and his effortlessly engaging style made it easy to get on board with his core messages and won over some delegates who were extremely skeptical as to the efficacy of games for learning. I simply cannot recommend him highly enough.
Thomas Scott
National Education Director, Association of Speakers Clubs UK
John joined our Global Sales Meeting in Segovia, Spain and we all participated in his "Improv(e) your Work!" session. I say "all" because it really was all interactive, participatory, learning and enjoyable. The session surprised everybody and was a fresh-air activity that brought a lot of self-reflection and insights to improve trust and confidence in each other inside our team. It´s all about communication and a good manner of speaking!"
Jon Lopez
General Manager Europe, Hayward Industries
Thank you very much for the excellent presentation skills session. The feedback I received was very positive. Everyone enjoyed the good mix of listening to your speech, co-developing a concrete take-away and the personal learning experience. We all feel more devoted to the task ahead, more able to succeed and an elevated team spirit. Delivering this in a short time, both in session and in preparation, is outstanding!
Henning Dehler
CFO European Dairy Supply Chain & Operations, Danone
Thanks to John's excellent workshop, I have learned many important tips and techniques to become an effective public speaker. John is a fantastic speaker and teacher, with extensive knowledge of the field. His workshop was a great experience and has proven extremely useful for me in my professional and personal life.
Eric Thuillard
Senior Sales Manager, Sunrise Communications
John's presentation skills training was a terrific investment of my time. I increased my skills in this important area and feel more comfortable when speaking to an audience. John provided the right mix between theory and practice.
Diego Brait
Director of the Jura Region, BKW Energie AG
Be BOLD. Those two words got stuck in my head and in the heads of all those ADP leaders and associates that had the privilege to see John on stage. He was our keynote speaker at our annual convention in Barcelona, and his message still remains! John puts his heart in every word. Few speakers are so credible, humble and yet super strong with large audiences!
Guadalupe Garcia
Senior Director and Talent Partner, ADP International


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The Importance of Pest Control
If you've ever had the misfortune of dealing with pests in your home, then you know just how important it is to get rid of them as quickly and efficiently as possible. Not only do pests cause damage to your property, but they can also be a health hazard. In this blog, we'll discuss the importance of pest control and reveal some methods available to you to protect your home and family from pest infestation.
The Problem with Pests
Pests can be a real problem for homeowners and businesses. They cause damage to property and people's health. In addition to causing physical destruction, pests impose economic costs through lost production or increased expenses due to pest control measures.
How Pests Affect Your Home and Life
Pests can be a big headache, but that's not the main issue. They can also cause damage to your home, furniture, appliances, and more. If left unchecked, pests can lead to health concerns like asthma or allergies and even spreading disease. That's why it's important to have a pest control plan in place. Depending on the pest infestation, you can consult a professional or carry out pest control measures independently.
Types of Pests
Here is a list of the most common pests and the best treatments:
- Rodents: Rodent removal is typically required when they invade homes, businesses, or agricultural properties in search of food and shelter. Treatment options include poison baits, traps, and professional extermination.
- Insects: Insect control includes sprays, fumigants, and dusts to target specific insects. Treatments may also involve replacing damaged furniture, sealing cracks/crevices, and treating plants with insecticidal soaps or oils.
- Birds and Bats: Avoiding having flying intruders encompasses everything from repairing broken window screens to trapping nuisance birds inside an enclosed area until they are appropriately relocated. When possible, bird feeders should be placed away from windows to prevent them from entering buildings through opened doors/ window sills. Occasionally using chemical or physical repellents around the exterior perimeter of your property will help keep these unwanted visitors at bay.
- Wildlife: While not always considered pests, wildlife such as raccoons or opossums can cause significant damage if left unchecked on private residential property. Trapping & relocating creatures outside their natural range may be necessary to keep your home from damage.
How to Get Rid of Pests
No one wants pests in their home, and for good reason. Rodents, insects, birds, and other pests can cause damage and spread disease or cause discomfort. Pest control is important - it can protect your health and property. There are various ways to get rid of pests - insecticides, traps, and repellents. Pest control isn't always easy, so it is a good idea to seek professional help. Pest Control Service Schererville IN can come in handy when dealing with infestation issues on a large scale.
Methods for Pest Control
Pest control is an important part of any homeowner's arsenal. It keeps your home and property healthy and free of pests and can also help you save money in the long run. Here are three methods you can use to get pest control in your home:
Biological Pest Control
Biological pest control is one of the most popular and effective forms. Independently, it is often more environmentally friendly than using chemical alternatives. An excellent biological pest control plan should include a detailed forecast of when pests are expected to arrive, so that appropriate methods are implemented timely. Various techniques are used to disrupt their breeding cycles, such as traps, sprays, and dust.
Mechanical Pest Control
Depending on the infestation, you can choose various mechanical or physical pest control methods. The most common ones include traps or bait stations. It is important to use the correct type of pest control method for the particular pest - for example, using traps to catch rats will not work well against ants! Make sure you follow all safety guidelines when using these methods to avoid any accidents or injuries.
Chemical Pest Control
Poisoned bait is one of the oldest and most popular forms of pest control, and it's still an effective way to fight off smaller insects. Bait items typically contain a pesticide or toxin that will kill the target insect. Poisoned bait is usually more expensive than other forms of pest control, but it can be very effective in controlling targeted pests. As many chemical pest control methods can be dangerous if used incorrectly, it is best to contact a professional exterminator to treat your home.
In the end, keeping pests away from your home is a serious responsibility. Many homeowners call professional services to manage their pest problems.
At Rapid Pest Solutions, we keep residents of NW Indiana and Chicagoland safe from all types of pests and offer residential and commercial pest control solutions such as extermination, inspection and preventative treatments. Call today for your free estimate.


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The exchange between Helen Epstein and my colleague Ken Ohashi about the role of aid donors in "subsidizing" what Epstein calls a politically repressive regime highlights the difficulty in linking politics at the top with poverty alleviation on the ground.
Even politically open regimes, such as India, have difficulty delivering basic services to poor people—the absence rate for teachers in Indian public primary schools is 25 percent; the rate for doctors in public primary clinics is 40 percent. Conversely, as Epstein points out in her reply to Ken's letter, "poverty and disease have fallen sharply in some repressive societies, from Cuba to China…"
The reason it is difficult to develop a clear link is that the delivery of basic services such as health or education requires that the service provider be accountable, either to the policymaker at the next highest level or, if the latter is not well-intentioned, to the beneficiary of the service, typically a poor person.
Ethiopia has done well in reducing poverty and child mortality, and increasing primary completion rates because their system of delivering basic services has various elements of this accountability built in. Local districts receive resources based on clear, data-driven formulae that can be independently verified (by third-party civil society groups). The allocation of these resources within the district is decided in community meetings, with the final budget posted on a central bulletin board for the community to see. These service delivery innovations were supported by the donors precisely because they have been shown to work in other countries, a point that seems to have eluded Aid Watch.
Needless to say, the accountability mechanisms in Ethiopia's "Protecting Basic Services" program are not perfect, and much more needs to be done. When visiting one of the districts, I asked to see the bulletin board where the district's budget had been posted. It was a piece of wood nailed to a tree, and the budget had been washed out by the rain.