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Contact Us
About Us
Running Days:
Jan 1, 2021
Support E-mail:
Phone Number:
V.I.P Members Only
What are the Prime Pinnacle Purse LTD. Company's activities?
We are engaged in trading activities on the on the crypto-currency market. The company's income is generated by successfully executed trades on the currency market.
Why does the company attract additional investments from private individuals?
Additional investments will allow to increase the number of transactions executed on the currency market, and thus will increase the overall profitability of the company. Investors in turn will receive certain percentage of profit depending on the amount of funds invested.
What are the advantages of the Prime Pinnacle Purse LTD. Company over competitors?
Our goal is not to conduct the tough competition, but to receive a stable profit on the crypto-currency market using our own strategy. We have developed special investment packages with optimum service plans and affiliate program for passive income for investors.
What are the risks for Prime Pinnacle Purse LTD. company's investors?
The risks for our investors are minimized due to the professional team and our experience. Each company's investor will receive a daily profit according to the terms of the investment plan that was chosen.
What do I need in order to start?
First, you should register on our web-site. The registration procedure is simple and will take just a few minutes. Fill all required fields in registration form, login to account, choose an optimum investment plan and deposit your account. After that you'll become an official investor of the Prime Pinnacle Purse LTD. Company and will receive a profit according to the service plan chosen.
Am I able to create multiple accounts on the web-site?
No, the multiple registrations on the web-site are forbidden. A single user can create only one account.
Do I need to pass the identity authentication procedure after the registration on the web-site?
No, the identity authentication is not required. However, we are looking for you consciousness and believe that you will provide authentic information about yourself. anyway , We keep the right to ask from our members anytime.
Can I change my personal data (login, password, e-mail etc.)?
Yes, you can change some of your personal data through the personal account by yourself but email for security reason isn't changeable.
I forgot my account's password. What do I need to do?
You can recover a password using the automatic password recovery. You can also contact support.
What is the security level of the company's web-site?
We use an expensive dedicated server which protects our web-site from any DDoS attack. Web-site is also provided with SSL Comodo - the high reliability certificate that provides the higher level of protection and security accreditation.
How to deposit an account?
Once you make a decision about deposit amount, please, use one of the payment systems which cooperate with the company.
What payment systems cooperate with the company?
We cooperate with Perfect Money, Payeer, AdvCash, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash , Dash and Dogecoin.
What is the basis of profit charging?
Profit will be charged on your personal account according to the investment plan that was chosen.
What is the minimum and maximum deposit amount?
The minimum deposit amount is $20. Maximum - $100,000.
What is the minimum withdrawal amount?
The minimum withdrawal amount is $2 .
Am I able to create several deposits at a time and make profit from two investment plans simultaneously?
Yes, you can place money on any number of deposits with a single account and make profit from multiple investment plans.
Is it possible to place money using one payment system and withdraw them using another?
No, you can withdraw money only with the payment system that was used to place them on deposit.
Am I able to request the deposit withdrawal before the end of investment period?
No. The deposit can be withdrawn only after the end of investment period which is specified in the investment plan that was chosen.
How quickly can the request of the money withdrawal be processed?
All payments request be process instantly and automatically
Do you have any hidden fees for money deposit/withdrawal?
No, we don't have any hidden fees.
What are the characteristics of the deposits crediting in the crypto-currency system?
Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Dash and Dogecoin, being a decentralized system, carries out transactions on the basis of a certain number of confirmations in the blockchain network, which are required so that the transaction was considered complete. Deposits in the Prime Pinnacle Purse LTD. made via crypto-currency system, require a minimum of 3 confirmations before being recorded in the personal account of the investor.
Do you have an affiliate program?
Yes, we developed a single-level affiliate program according to which a program beneficiary will be charged with 5% of commission charge from the each of his/her partner deposit amounts.
Is it possible to make profit from the affiliate program without placing a deposit?
Yes, you can gain a passive income with no direct investments.
How can I use money which was gained via the affiliate program participation?
You can withdraw them or use to invest in a project.
How can I attract new partners?
You can use special promotional materials to attract partners.
Do you pay a referral commission for a deposit from a balance account?
No. You receive referral commission only for deposits from payment systems.
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Points to Keep in Mind When Choosing Amongst Different Looks and Options for Window Treatments
Introduction to Picking the Optimal Window Coverings
Window dressings are crucial in upgrading the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your home. In the process of choosing among different designs and options for window coverings, it's crucial to take into account different factors such as your personal style, light control preferences, privacy needs, durability, and maintenance requirements. In this blog post, we will direct you through the steps of picking the perfect window coverings by spotlighting the key aspects to consider.
1. Personal Style and Interior Décor
The first and foremost aspect when selecting window coverings is your personal style and the overall interior décor of your home. Window coverings should match and upgrade the existing design elements, whether you have a contemporary, conventional, or eclectic style. Take into account the color palette, patterns, and textures in your space. For a cohesive look, opt for window coverings that match with the existing elements or make a deliberate statement by opting for contrasting styles. Remember, the window coverings you pick will significantly contribute to the overall vibe of the room.
2. Light Control and Privacy
Light control and privacy are important considerations when selecting window coverings. Determine the level of light control you desire in each room. Some window coverings, such as shades and curtains with modifiable slats, offer flexibility in regulating natural light. These options enable you to angle the slats to control the amount of light entering the room. Others, such as curtains or draperies, provide varying degrees of light filtration but may not offer as accurate control as blinds or shades. Additionally, factor in your privacy needs. Blinds and shutters provide excellent privacy options, permitting you to modify the slats or louvers as desired. Sheer curtains or light-filtering shades, on the other hand, provide a blend between privacy and natural light.
3. Material Selection
Window coverings come in a diverse array of materials, each offering unique characteristics and visual appeal. Here are some well-liked options to consider:
- Wood: Hardwood window coverings, such as shutters and shutters, provide warmth, elegance, and a natural appeal. They are available in various finishes and stains to suit various interior styles.
- Fabric: Fabric window coverings, including curtains and draperies, offer versatility in terms of color, pattern, and texture. They can add softness and visual interest to a room.
- Metal: Metal blinds, such as aluminum or stainless steel, provide a sleek and modern look. They are durable, easy to maintain, and ideal for high-humidity areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
- Synthetic Materials: Blinds and shades made from synthetic materials like vinyl or faux wood offer durability and moisture resistance. They are a practical choice for areas prone to moisture or temperature fluctuations.
Factor in the benefits and disadvantages of each material in terms of aesthetics, durability, maintenance requirements, and suitability for specific areas of your home.
4. Durability and Maintenance
Durability and maintenance requirements should also factor into your decision-making process. Window coverings in high-traffic areas or homes with children or pets may require more robust materials that can withstand wear and tear. Take into account how easy it is to clean and maintain the chosen window coverings. Shades with smooth surfaces, such as aluminum or synthetic materials, are generally easier to clean with a damp cloth or duster. Fabric window coverings may require more delicate care, such as periodic washing or professional cleaning. Wooden blinds or shutters may need occasional polishing or refinishing to maintain their natural beauty. Make sure that the window coverings you select are not only visually appealing but also practical and easy to maintain.
5. Budget Considerations
Budget is an vital consideration when selecting window coverings. Determine your budget range and explore options that fit within that range. The cost of window coverings can vary based on factors such as material, size, and customization options. Keep in mind that investing in high-quality window coverings can provide long-term value by ensuring durability, functionality, and an enhanced aesthetic appeal. Consider the lifespan of the window coverings and weigh the initial cost against the long-term benefits.
To Conclude
Choosing the right window coverings involves factoring in your personal style, light control and privacy preferences, material selection, durability and maintenance requirements, and budget considerations. By evaluating these factors and understanding your specific needs, you can choose window coverings that not only enhance the beauty and functionality of your home but also reflect your individual style. Bear in mind, window coverings are an investment in your home, and careful consideration will ensure that you make a choice that you'll be happy with for years to come.

subset: commoncrawl


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Expert Guidance and Your Small Business
Expert Guidance and Your Small Business
If you own or manage a small business, odds are you are operating with limited resources. It is probably a good bet you don't have your own IT team, aren't operating with a staff lawyer and may not even have your own full-time bookkeeper. You could probably benefit from the help of someone with advertising and marketing experience, in loss prevention and even security. You can benefit from experts in your area with the right approach and an open mind.
Advertising and Marketing
Contact your local newspaper or radio stations and let them know you are looking for help in coming up with marketing ideas. Many media companies will even create "speculative" ads for clients for free, just to demonstrate their capability. Of course, they will try to sell you on their particular media, but at the very least you will learn more about marketing and your local media, and may even come away with some valuable ideas. There also may be help available from the Marketing and Advertising classes at local colleges who may be in search of real life projects in which to get involved.
Many businesses can benefit from upgrading their security, and security companies often provide free assessments to show where you may be vulnerable. You could probably benefit from this knowledge, even if you don't buy their "system". Some insurance companies offer discounts for installing a security system should you decide to proceed with it.
Industry experts estimate that about 44% of all small businesses are operating without business insurance. These businesses are at risk to lose their business to vandalism, a natural disaster or even a simple slip and fall. Some may feel they can't afford it, others may not know how at risk they are. Most simply don't fully understand its value and how affordable small business plans can be. No cost, no obligation expert help may just be a phone call away when you connect with one of our professional, independent business insurance professionals.
We can discuss your business, your goals and your risks. We can help design a business insurance plan to fit your business. Best of all, we can reach out to our network of insurance companies to get quotes for you.
If you are part of the 44%, we can help. If you already have business insurance, we can provide a review and price quote to ensure you are getting your best value. Contact us today.


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Why is a butterfly like a steel rivet?
| Jasper Ridge, Stanford, Calif.
Until I met Paul Ehrlich I never could fathom why ecologists made such a fuss over environmental esoterica like the snail darter, the shiny pig-toed pearly mussel, and furbish lousewort.
i was never quite sure which of these endangered species with the jabberwocky names were animal and which vegetable (which is a confession, not a criticism). Furthermore, I couldn't comprehend why they were important enough to be stopping hydroelectric projects and the like.
Bald eagles, blue whales, timber wolves, and trumpeter swans were a whole different story, as far I was concerned. They were the stuff of presidential seals, fairy tales, and team mascots. But who could picture a squadron of pom-pom, girls on the 50-yard line cheering "Go Humpback Chubs! Go, fight, win!"?
Paul Ehrlich set me straight in an afternoon on Jasper Ridge, wandering among the Euphydryas editha.m More on that little creature in a minute. First, meet Professor Ehrlich.
One of the world's most renowned population biologists, he teaches at Stanford University. Much of his reputation rests on his series of best-selling books dealing with problems of population growth and diminishing resources: "The Population Bomb" (1968), "The End of Affluence" (1974), and "Ecoscience: Population, Resources, Environment" (1977).
He is a rail-thin man, armed with a quick wit and skeptical of easy answers. His beard has an angular, Abe Lincoln look, and his deep nasal voice resonates as if it's been recycled through a rain barrel. The day we met, Ehrlich was dressed in hiking boots, clip-on dark glasses, a blue work shirt with a pocketful of pens and a cloth army hat. The hat's brim was coming unstuck in back and gave it a coonskin-cap effect. The professor carried a butterfly net.
In the shade of an oak grove, he sat munching the contents of a sack lunch and sipping unfiltered apple juice. He was comfortable and had an audience. Not one to pass up an opportunity to preach his environmental gospel, Professor Ehrlich offered his own fable for out time, "The Jetliner and Its Rivets," before we hiked the ridge.
"Suppose you had to fly back East," he began. "So you go down to San Jose to catch a flight on Growthmania, that well-known airline whose profits increase every year forever until it fills the whole universe. But as you're walking out on the tarmac to Growthmania's 707, you see a guy up on a ladder, and he is prying rivets out of the wing. Naturally, you are curious, and you saunter over to ask:
"'Hey, buddy! What are you doing?'
"'Cant' you see?' he replies somewhat impatiently. 'I'm prying rivets out of the wing.'
"'That isn't too smart, is it?' you tell him.
"'Sure it is. Growthmania gives me two bucks for each rivet I take out and they sell them for three bucks. So everybody is happy.'
"'But that's likely to damage a wing, and sooner or later it will fall off.'
"'Are you kiddin'? I've taken hundreds of rivets out of this wing. Nothing has happened yet. There's a lot of redundancy built into these planes.'"
Ehrlich settles back, takes another guzzle of apple juice and continues.
"As the guy on the ladder is speaking, you think to yourself, 'Sure, this plane might fly another 10 years with 50 rivets missing. But it's also possible that an hour after takeoff we may hit a thunderstorm, pull six Gs and have the wing snap off.' You finally realize that no person in his right mind would get on that plane, so you walk into the terminal and ask the FAA to life Growthmania's license."
The professor's forehead furrows. He musters all the fire and brimstone necessary to drive home the moral of the story.
"What we're doing with the environment is prying rivets out all over the place. You will never succeed, arguing for the environment rivet by rivet. You can never prove that destroying the snail darter or the furbish lousewort will cause the collapse of the ecological system any more than you could argue (and I'm a pilot) that a jetliner's wing would snap off because of the loss of one rivet.
"The problem is that the missing rivets are building up and eventually the wing will come off. Society is simply unwilling to face what it is up against, and hopes to push it off on the future. But I'm afraid that we, and not our grandchildren, will pay the price of prying out the rivets."
Paul Ehrlich has devoted 21 years of his life to studying one of nature's "rivets," the checkersport butterfly, entomologically known as E. editha.m This species of checkerspot, named for its checkered pattern of blacks, reds, and yellows, ranges from Canada to northern Baja, and as far east as the Rocky mountains. Though it can survive in habitats as diverse as desert and mountain, the checkerspot is a sedentary insect, never traveling more than a few hundred yards from its food plant. The Monarch butterfly, in contrast, migrates as much as 3,000 miles.
Of the 14 colonies of E. editham that lived in the mid-1960s along the penninsula region between San francisco and San Jose, 11 have been driven into extinction with the construction of freeways and subdivisions. This checkerspot is expected by biologists to go on the endangered species list within the next several years. The delicate little creature has become immensely important in the construction of new theories of genetics and evolution, as well as in the development of schemes for ensuring the survival of endangered species like the blue whale.
Largely as a result of Professor Ehrlich's research over the last two decades -- the longest study of its type ever conducted on an insect -- scientists know more about the population biology, the ecology and genetics of E. editham than of any other nonhuman organism. His butterfly study has become a model for long-term environmental research and has revolutionized scientific thinking about the interaction between insects and plants.Ehrlich, who coined the term "coevolution" for his approach, has broken new ground in the field of population structure, reproductive biology, and gene flow between different populations. From his study of the checkerspot's behavior, scientists can extrapolate new ways to boost agricultural production to help solve the food and population problems of which he has so frequently written.
Ehrlich's laboratory is Stanford's 1,300-acre Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. It is the largest and most biologically-diverse preserve on any American university campus. The ridge borders on the crowded, urbanized region between San Francisco and San Jose, one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.
Jasper Ridge is a veritable archive of natural history, with 120 native herbs , 20 kinds of trees, 46 shrubs, 49 grasses, 79 varieties of sunflower along with rattlesnakes, bobcats, and rare horned toads. The first doctoral thesis using Jasper Ridge was submitted in 1897. Since then about a student a year has earned his PhD on Jasper Ridge. At present, 18 undergraduate courses visit the preserve to inspect everything from chert and Franciscan greenstone to asbestos veins.
Ehrlich commands a small army of graduate students and undergraduates who stalk the checkerspot on the ridge. As we emerge from the chaparral into a meadow, I spot the undergraduate battalion in shorts and track shoes bounding knee-deep through sunflowers and serpentine grass, scooping the air with butterfly nets. It is the checkerspot's mating season, and on this hot afternoon the coldblooded critters refuse to sit still for their captors. Ehrlich informs me these students are part of his "mark-release-recapture" program. When a student nets a checkerspot, he marks the underside of the wing with a felt-tip pen, much like biologists tag dolphins and migrating birds. When his students are through, Ehrlich has a meadow of flapping abacuses, from which he can chart the butterfly's movement.
Meanwhile, another group of undergraduates is on hands and knees and appears to be sniffing sunflowers, like so many oversized honeybees collecting nectar. Still another team carries stopwatches to record the flight patterns of individual adult butterflies for as long as a student can pursue the bug. A journal entry from an afternoon's odyssey might read ". . . three seconds probing on lasthenia,m flies six meters, lands on grass stalks, spends 8 seconds, flies 3 meters, then probes, apparently drinking. . . ." When this season is finished, Ehrlich will have 2 million seconds of probing, flying, landing, and apparently drinking, which he will ask a computer to make sense of.
"Butterflies are ideal for research," he says. "their genetics are displayed in two dimensions on the wings. When you capture fruit flies, you can get back to the lab and find under the microscope you've got 25 different varieties, 24 of which you don't want. Butterflies are relatively easy to catch. Very few organisms can you sample as easily as butterflies, one species at a time. They're easily bred in the laboratory and happen to be the best known group of herbivores [plant-eating animals.]"
When Ehrlich came to Stanford in 1959 from the University of Kansas where he earned his PhD, he realized he was sticking his neck out by undertaking a comprehensive study of the checkerspot. As an untenured assistant professor, he was urged not to gamble on long-term research but to obey immediately the academic edict "publish or perish." Most junior faculty members prefer research projects which turn outquick results and please promotion committees. Ehrlich straightened his spine and marched off to Jasper Ridge.
His conviction paid immediate dividends. After a few months on the ridge, he discovered that, contrary to popular thinking, there was not just one population of checkerspots but three. While all three groups inhabited the serpentine meadow, each was a distinct, independent demographic unit of the species -- much like three separate branches of the Jones family living in three different New York neighbor-hoods but never visiting each other.
Furthermore, he found that the population of each colony changed in different directions. While one was increasing, another might be decreasing; while one was booming, another was becoming extinct. Ehrlich realized that trying to generalize about the dynamics of checkerspots on Jasper Ridge without measuring population shifts of each individual colony was "like trying to evaluate the function of thermostats in several different aquaria by taking water samples from each, dumping them in a common container, and measuring the temperature of the mixture."
The uneducated response to Ehrlich's discovery might well be "So what?" But the principle he uncovered has broad meaning. In essence, it renders useless any schemes for "regulating" animal populations -- from commercial fisheries to endangered whales -- which do not first consider separate demographic units involved. One of the problems for designing a harvesting strategy, he says, for the Peruvian anchoveta fishery (which, at its height, supplied 13 million metric tons of fish, nearly 17 percent of the world's total marine fisher harvest) is that no one really knows whether there are one, two, or three populations.
He offers another example: "Suppose there were 2,000 blue whales left in the world, and they were all one population mixed together. You might be able to take 500 whales per generation without pushing down its size. But if there are four different populations of 500 each, you couldn't take nearly as many out without doing permanent damage."
Having distinguished the three separate populations of checkerspots, Ehrlich set out to solve the next mystery: What was controlling the fluctuations in their population size? Recalls the professor: "We couldn't figure it out, but we knew it had something to do with the caterpillar stage in the cycle."
Every spring on Jasper Ridge, adult checkerspots lay masses of eggs on Plantego erecta,m a native annual plantain. The caterpillars (or larvae) hatch, eat the plantego, and go into a resting period during the dry California summer. In the winter months the rains return, the plantego blooms, and the larvae "wake up" and feed. They form their pupae in the early spring, hatch, mate, lay eggs. And so the cycle continues.
During the winter "caterpillar season," soggy Jasper Ridge is unbearably soggy and offers three distinct varieties of mud to choose from. Hip boots are advisable. "I decided if I was going to solve the caterpillar mystery I had to find a graduate student pre-adapted to the climate," says Ehrlich. "I chose Michael Singer from England, where it's muddy most of the time. He went out and lay around in the mud for two years on Jasper Ridge, and came back with the answer."
The news Singer brought back was simple but starling. He found that although the checkerspots laid their eggs on plantego and were raised in the lab on plantego, the vast majority of the caterpillars which reached adulthood did so by switching in the summer to an owl's-clover, Orthocarpus densiflorus.m "I had been fooled all along," says Ehrlich, who had puzzled over why the checkerspots around Stanford were found only around the serpentine soil when the plantego, the checkerspots' food plant, was found elsewhere. The answer: the owl's-clover , the secondary food source, was restricted to the serpentine soil.
This revelation and others led Ehrlich to focus on something he called "coevolution," which he defines as "the reciprocal evolution of two or more ecologically intimate species." For example, a predator evolves better ways to catch its prey, while the prey evolves better ways to escape. In the case of Jasper Ridge, his term refers to the complex cat-and-mouse interplay between the checkerspots and the plants they feed on.
The ramifications of the "coevolution" principle in world food production are revolutionary. Traditionally, agriculturalists have believed that if they could keep one side of the food equation constant, by creating a pestless "miracle" crop or finding the ultimate pesticide, their problems were over. Ehrlich's "coevolution" principle holds that both sides of the equation are constantly in flux, and that maximum-yield agriculture is achieved by constantly selecting new strains of crops in response to the evolution of new strains of pests. According the Ehrlich, there are no long-term "miracles" in agriculture.
"The cotton industry is working to artificially create a cotton plant that will be forever pest-resistant. But if you know how plants and insects interact , you know it's only a matter of time before a new pest evolves. the average life of a new wheat strain in the West is five to six years. Almost every time a new pesticide is made, it promotes a new organism to pest status. Now, DDT won't kill anything. In fact, insects love it," says Ehrlich.
"The easy tricks for increasing food production have gone by the board. Since 1970, we haven't managed to increase food production at all. The peak year for ocean fisheries was 1971. Ever since, there has been a continuous slide in the per capita availability of protein."
In addition to not increasing food production, agriculturalists' attempts to create "miracle" crops have put the world in a precarious, all-eggs-in-one-basket predicament, says Ehrlich. "The green revolution distributed all over the world high-yeild strains of crops, but in Turkey, for instance, where there used to be 30 to 40 strains of wheat, there is now only one, and it was produced at the Center for the Development of Wheat and Maize, in Mexico. In the United States, the National Academy [of Sciences] was so worried that a few years ago it published a booklet, called the 'Genetic Vulnerability of American Crops.'"
"What concerns population biologists more than anything else," he says, "is the steady erosion of the variety of species and the disappearance of the ecosystem by the nation's massive assault on its fuel resources. Studies show that Sweden uses about half of the per capita energy we do and still generates a per capita gross national product, if that's what you want to generate, larger than ours. We're terribly inefficient."
Ehrlich recently expanded his study of the checkerspots on Jasper Ridge to tropical butterflies, Costa Rican Euptychia,m feeding on grasses ("the most important human food"), and Colorado's blue butterflies, Lycenids,m feeding on legumes ("the second most important food"). By studying the interaction between butterflies and these plants he hopes to answer such questions as: "How can we design our agricultural systems so that we keep the pest suppressed and don't destroy the world with pesticides?" "How do insects become resistant to insecticides?" "How do plants develop natural defense compounds?" As Ehrlich hones his theories and continues to punch holes in time-honored assumptions about plants and insects, he admits that most answers to the "big questions" are still elusive, and will demand decades' more study of the butterflies on the Ridge.
Meanwhile, Ehrlich faces the problem of the extinction of the very species on which he has based his life's work. Of the three original colonies of checkerspots on Jasper Ridge, one is already extinct. Another population of checkerspots which he had studied since 1960 on a grassy knoll in nearby Woodside, Calif., was becoming extinct the very afternoon we spoke, sacrificed to make way for luxury condominiums.
After an afternoon of surveying Jasper Ridge, he hopped into his vintage Dodge, the chrome trim coming unstuck like the brim of his hat, and headed for Woodside to show me the destruction. When we arrived, there was not a single blade of grass left standing on the knoll, not a solitary butterfly in sight. Only the fleet of yellow bulldozers leveling the hill.
"You're witnessing extinction," shouted Ehrlich over the drone of the earthmoving equipment. Visibly distraught, he fought to hold back his rage. "This is what's happening all over the world. Irreplaceable organisms being plowed under in the name of progress with a capital 'P.'"
Ehrlich moves closer to the excavation site to snap a few pictures. A paunchy bulldozen operator shakes his fist at the professor. "It's not his fault," says Ehrlich. "He's a guy who's got to make a living. And the way this system works, what choices does he have? It's not him. It's not individuals doing this. He doesn't know better. He views me as being after his job. I view what he's doing as being after all of our lives."


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Zevachim 23 - 29
- If the ritually impure person can send an animal as a korban Pesach
- Which sort of disqualification of a sacrifice is prevented by the tzitz headplate of the Kohen Gadol
- Sitting, improper standing and left-handed handling as disqualifications of sacrificial service
- Sacrificial blood – its reception and application
- Which thoughts disqualify a sacrifice
- Blood applied to wrong part of the altar
- Difference between passul and pigul
- Torah sources for both
- Lateness in bringing sacrifice
Pigul – The Hidden Meaning
- Zevachim 29a
"If some of the meat of this shlamim sacrifice will be eaten on the third day, it is not acceptable... it is pigul." (Vayikra 7:18)
Thus the Torah introduces us to the concept of pigul. But the literal interpretation of these words – that one who eats the meat of the shlamim sacrifice beyond the two-day limit disqualifies the sacrifice – is an incorrect one.
Our gemara points out that this cannot be the meaning of this passage for it is inconceivable that a sacrifice can be disqualified after all of the services — from slaughter to blood application — have been properly performed.
If the kohen performing one of the sacrificial services had in mind that the meat of that sacrifice would be consumed beyond the time limited by the Torah, the sacrifice is considered pigul. Anyone who eats the meat of that sacrifice, even within the time frame allotted for eating, is liable for the punishment of karet (spiritual excision).
There are other situations in which improper thought affects the status of the sacrifice. In the beginning of this mesechta we learned that if the kohen performs a service with an intention for a different sacrifice or for a different owner, the sacrifice is valid but the owner is not credited. Another situation is one in which the kohen had in mind that the meat of the sacrifice would be eaten outside of the prescribed precincts. This disqualifies the sacrifice but does not render its meat the status of pigul.
What the Sages Say
"When the Torah states that the kohanim have been chosen 'to stand and serve' (Devarim 18:15), it means that they have been chosen to do so while standing and not while sitting."
- Rabbi Nachman - Zevachim 23b


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Most of us who have been paying attention have known for some time that there were two 'drill'- type events associated with the 7/7 London bombings.
The first was the Panorama programme of May 2004 during which one overground and 3 underground explosions take place over a short space of time during the morning rush hour.
The second was the famous 'drill' revealed by Peter Power on the day of 7/7 itself when he said that drills were taking place in the same 3 stations and at the same time as the bombs actually went off.
For many, including this author, these were coincidences beyond all reason.
However, astonishingly, it has been revealed to the 7/7 Inquest, in documents presented by J7 to the court last week, that there were at least two other separate drills in London prior to 7/7 that used as their template the same 3 underground bombs scenario.
We now have a group of public services practicing FOUR TIMES for the exact circumstances that prevailed on the terrible morning itself.
Does it not eventually become reasonable to suppose that those that organised ALL THESE VERY SIMILAR DRILLS also organised THE IDENTICAL EVENT ITSELF?
The media, as usual, has failed to report these staggering facts but let us appeal to them right now.
All the anomalous evidence in this Inquest points in the direction of 7/7 being a classic 'false-flag' state-sponsored attack. The evidence that supports the official narrative is dubious and much of the evidence nailing the new (twice-altered) timeline has not been seen before this Inquest.
Here is a detailed run-down of the drills:
1. The Panorama Program
BBC's Panorama ran what looked like a management training exercise on screen fourteen months before 7/7. Present round the studio table were various leaders of government, public and police services, including the Conservative ex-minister Michael Portillo and Peter Power, head of Visor Consultants.
The crisis scenario had three blasts on the central London underground, around 8.20 am, and one above ground an hour later.
This program made the then-fictional events seem like real news: 'The headlines at 9 o'clock. In the past hour there have been three major explosions on the London underground'. It added, 'The Home Secretary has said the attacks bear the hallmarks of Al-Qaeda,' (A year later on the day of 7/7 we heard Jack Straw intoning the same phrase, 'The attacks bear the hallmarks of al-Qaeda.')
Panorama also used the memorable phrase, 'The fictional day of terror unfolds through the immediacy of rolling news bringing the catastrophic attack into our living rooms;' adding – a bit too knowledgeably – that the event was 'Set in the future – but only just.'
Let's here quote Webster Tarpley:
No terrorist attack would be complete without the advance airing of a scenario docudrama to provide the population with a conceptual scheme to help them understand the coming events in the sense intended by the oligarchy.' (9/11 Synthetic Terror, 2008, p.408).
Tarpley here alludes to the seemingly unthinkable……large-scale state-sponsored terror. Such events are, he demonstrates, not at all uncommon over recent nor distant history.
2. The contemporaneous 7/7 drill
On 7/7 itself Peter Power conducted a terror drill that shadowed the cataclysm as it happened – over the same three tube stations at more or less the same time.
On the afternoon of 7/7 he was interviewed on Radio 5's Drivetime programme:
POWER: …at half-past nine this morning we were actually running an exercise for, er, over, a company of over a thousand people in London based on simultaneous bombs going off precisely at the railway stations where it happened this morning, so I still have the hairs on the back of my neck standing upright!
3. Atlantic Blue
The massive-but-totally-secret Atlantic Blue exercise was held over 5-8 April, 2005. All echelons of government participated in this big, international terror-drill. Walking wounded were taken into hospitals etc, and its difficult to ascertain how far this was really happening on the pavement etc versus being on a video screen. Two thousand Met police were involved, plus 14 different government departments, the NHS etc. It involved terrorist attacks upon UK transport networks that coincided with a major international summit. Visor Consultants were involved, in co-ordination with the US department of Homeland Security. It was co-ordinated from Hendon, the same place that 'Gold Command' police acted from once 7/7 started to happen (It thus had a connection with the Northern line of the London Underground). Total secrecy was imposed upon the British media. The Observer was able to publish a brief outline of what had happened in the UK's Atlantic Blue exercise, but only from Washington sources: it revealed that this had been the biggest transatlantic counter-terrorism exercise since 9/11 and that it included bombs being placed on buses and also explosives left on the London underground.
After July 7th, the Independent, carried out an hour-by-hour analysis of the catastrophe, and made the following comment upon what had happened at 9.10 am:
By an extraordinary coincidence, all the experts who formulate such plans are together in a meeting at the headquarters of the London Ambulance Service – and they are discussing an exercise they ran three months ago that involved simulating four terrorist bombs going off at once across London.
What a surprise, the top London Ambulance Service experts were all gathered together on the morning of 7/7, and they just happened to be reminiscing about a game-simulation they had been involved in three months earlier – i.e., Atlantic Blue. We would like to be told exactly when the four mock-bombs went off, during the Atlantic Blue terror-game.
London's mayor Ken Livingstone was over in Singapore on the day of 7/7 – to celebrate Britain's being awarded the Olympic Games for 2012, the day before – and in giving his evidence to the July 7th Review Committee he recalled the Atlantic Blue exercise a few months earlier:
I said from Singapore that we had actually done an exercise of multiple bomb attacks on the Underground as one of the exercises…
That is almost the only British statement about Atlantic Blue! America and Canada also participated in the event, which overall was called 'Global Shield.' The US exercise was called TOPOFF3. (alluding to Top Officers, and 3 as the 3rd such event) The latter had an intriguing 'Red Team' which generated the 'enemy' simulation…
4. Operation Hanover
London's police hold a little-known yearly terror-drill practice, called Operation Hanover. On 2005 it just happened to be held on 1-2 July. Its game-plan was threefold: three 'simultaneous' bomb attacks on three underground stations. The police have been reticent about discussing this astounding precursor event, mere days before 7/7, only revealing it in 2009:
226. The Metropolitan Police Service told the Committee that they had, in the past, run exercises with scenarios similar to what actually happened on 7 July 2005. Since 2003, they have run an annual exercise known as Operation HANOVER which develops different scenarios for attacks on London and rehearses how the Metropolitan Police Service would respond. By coincidence, their 2005 exercise, run by the Security Co-ordinator's office in the Anti-Terrorist Branch, took place just a few days before the attacks – on 1–2 July. The office-based scenario for this exercise was simultaneous bomb attacks on three London Underground trains at Embankment, Waterloo and St James's Park stations. Once again, the scenario is quite similar to what actually took place, and the fact that it took place so close to the actual attacks is an interesting coincidence.
We do need to know the time for that Operation Hanover simultaneous-bomb mock-event.
NB I posted this article up on 27th October, since when the web-link to the Met's account of the Operation Hanover, has gone down. So the only reference to the above para, is now to be found in the J7 submission to the 7/7 Inquest – scroll down to 'Hanover Series.' Its reference 26 has been deleted – to the Intelligence & Security Committee 2009 Report, 'Could 7/7 have been Prevented,' now offline.
Questions for the Inquest
If the Inquest wants to find out the cause of death of 52 Londoners, then the most important and crucial questions which Lady Justice Hallett could possibly ask the Met, concern these four terror-drills:
- Concerning the Panorama program, to the producers of the program: From where did they get the idea?
- Concerning the Atlantic Blue terror-drill: What were the times and locations of the four bombs in the 'game'? Were they three on tubes and one on a bus? We would also like full disclosure concerning the whole event.
- Likewise for Operation Hanover, let the Met state times and locations of the tube bombs in the exercise.
- Likewise Peter Power should be asked for the exact times and locations of the four bombs imagined in the Visor terror-drill that morning.
The 'coincidences' we have here looked at go astronomically beyond what is feasible. These impossible coincidences point to the startling fact, that these terror-drill rehearsals are clearly the design of the 7/7 event itself. Most of the participants may have been quite unaware of this. The gestation of the 7/7 event has to be via this sequence of drills we have just reviewed.
It is not in any way reasonable to suppose that this sequence of central-London imaginary-drill events be a mere coincidence!
Peter Power and the "Gennifer Flowers" defense
There was much head-scratching as to why a participant at the very centre of the 7/7 drills would decide to 'go public' about these exercises, immediately, on that same day.
Gennifer Flowers came forward during Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential Campaign alleging that she had had a twelve-year relationship with him. There were rumours (at the very least) that some of Clinton's ex-lovers were proving to be very 'unlucky' young women. It was widely speculated that Flowers decided to 'get it out there' so that any future accident that might befall her would act against, rather than in favour of, the Clinton interests. She was, it seems, very interested in staying alive.
Likewise, this is the most obvious explanation for Power's seeming "faux-pas". He knew he held very dangerous information and feared this made him a possible target of the dark forces of the state…….and this is a man who really understands just how dark those forces can be……so he got the facts out there, pronto!


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Come Work at the Center for Teaching
Each year the Center for Teaching (CFT) hires a number of graduate students as part of its efforts to mentor and train graduate students, including those serving as teaching assistants or instructors of record here at Vanderbilt as well as those interested in developing teaching skills for future faculty careers. The CFT has several positions available for graduate students for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Graduate Teaching Fellow
GTFs lead sections of the Certificate in College (CiCT) Teaching program; consult with graduate students about their teaching; facilitate workshops for graduate students at TA Orientation and throughout the year; and assist CFT senior staff with various ongoing and short-term projects, including the creation of online resources for the Vanderbilt teaching community. Learn more about the GTF Program.
Teaching Affiliate
The primary responsibility for Teaching Affiliates is to lead a cohort of incoming Teaching Assistants (TAs) through a day-long workshop at August's TA Orientation. These workshops familiarize new TAs with the challenges and opportunities of working as TAs at Vanderbilt and help prepare TAs for the first few weeks of class. Cohorts are divided by discipline, and so the CFT seeks Teaching Affiliates from a wide variety of disciplines on campus. The Teaching Affiliate position is a 70-hour position, with most of those hours occurring in August 2022.
CiCT Facilitator
The CiCT Program facilitator will, alongside the Graduate Teaching Fellows, lead a section of the CiCT program. The facilitator will read and prepare lesson plans, lead class sessions, and attend weekly meetings with the GTFs. When the CiCT program is in session (8 weeks per semester), the approximate workload will be between 5-10 hrs/week.
These positions are great opportunities for graduate students to refine their teaching and presentation skills and network with graduate students outside of their department or program
Applications for all three types of positions are due Friday, February 11, 2022.
Learn more about each of these positions and apply online by visiting the CFT's employment opportunities page.


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The government's recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans had some familiar recommendations for health: eat more fruits and vegetables, exercise more and lower the amount of salt you eat.
Now a new study from Europe challenges that last piece of advice by suggesting that reducing dietary salt may not benefit your heart health after all. Previous studies have shown that people with high blood pressure can lower their risk of developing hypertension and heart disease by eating less salt. But in the new study, people who had the most salt in their diets actually had the lowest risk of dying from heart disease.
Yes, that's right. The study involved 3,681 people without heart problems, most of whom also had normal blood pressure. Reporting in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the researchers found that those with the highest levels of sodium in their urine (the most accurate way to measure how much salt a person consumes) were more than four times less likely to die from heart disease than those with the lowest intake of sodium. During the nearly eight years of follow up, the heart-related death rate was 0.8% among those with the highest sodium levels and 4% among those with the lowest levels.
"Yes, the findings surprised me and those of us at the American Heart Association (AHA)," says Dr. Ralph Sacco, president of the AHA and chairman of neurology at University of Miami. The AHA is hoping to get Americans to lower their sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day by 2020, far below the 2,300 mg daily maximum that the U.S. Department of Agriculture now advises.
"We have to remember that many people are at high risk for high blood pressure," says Sacco. "And when we start going up in age, the proportion of people with high blood pressure approaches 70% to 80% or more, so your lifetime risk of high blood pressure is exceedingly high."
Salt can play a role in blood pressure, and the current study confirmed this, finding that the systolic pressure (the upper number in the blood pressure reading) was slightly higher among those consuming the most salt, compared with those consuming the least. Even so, those people were at no higher risk of developing hypertension.
The current study fuels the brewing debate over whether low-salt standards should apply equally to everyone. Some experts suggest that certain people may be more sensitive to salt than others, or that people with normal blood pressure may not benefit from lowering their sodium intake. Most of the gold-standard studies on salt — in which people are randomly assigned to consume diets high or low in sodium — have involved people who either have hypertension or are at high risk of developing it. Based on that data, scientists just assumed that the same low-salt principle would benefit people at lower risk as well.
But as one of the study authors, Dr. Jan Staessen, professor of medicine at University of Leuven in Belgium, told JAMA in a Q&A, "If you decrease sodium intake a lot, you activate some of the systems that conserve sodium and they are known to have a negative influence on cardiovascular outcomes." While it's not know if this is indeed the reason for the contrary findings, it could explain why lower sodium levels were linked to greater heart problems in the trial.
Still, Sacco, as well as the authors, acknowledge that there might be other reasons for the surprising results. First, the study population was relatively young on the whole (participants' ages ranged from 20 to over 60), and therefore at lower risk of hypertension than an older population. The impact that sodium can have on the heart may differ depending on age.
Second, the scientists took only one urinary sodium reading over a 24-hour period from each participant, and such readings can vary; an average of several measurements might have more accurately captured the participants' true sodium intake.
And, finally, given the young age of the volunteers, an eight-year follow up may not have been long enough to capture the full risk of heart events or death from heart attacks, which tend to occur in advanced middle age and later.
It appears that the question about how salt affects heart risk is a complicated one. There is certainly strong and undisputed evidence that people with high blood pressure can lower their readings by reducing their salt intake. So it would stand to reason that the same applies to healthy people with normal blood pressure — even if there isn't the gold-standard scientific evidence to support that.
Of course, dropping blood pressure too low comes with its own health risks — dizziness, fainting and even shock — but most U.S. adults aren't at risk of hypotension. Sacco points out also that because high blood pressure is associated with both age and obesity, there's good reason for large swaths of the American public to hold off on the sodium.
"Our population is aging, and more and more people are obese, and less physically active, so we felt that [the AHA's] recommendation for all Americans to lower their salt intake is important because a large proportion of Americans are intermediate to high risk for developing high blood pressure," he says. "One study should not change all the other great evidence out there that says we should be lowering sodium. Lowering blood pressure even by a few millimeters can have an impact over a lifetime. So don't reach for that salt shaker."


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Java Applet, WebEye + Onlinecheck
euIRC currently offers four Web Services for your homepage:
Java-Chat is a service which you can embed on your homepage.
WebEye contains channel statistics and the interactive WebReader.
You can show your euIRC nickname's online status on your homepage. On the WebOnlinecheck site is described how to set it up.
mircstats generated channel statistics are available through our Web IRC Stats service.


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It's not rocket science but it is rocket fuel.
The Culture Value Chain (CVC) is a proven formula where a strong corporate culture and employee engagement equate to the ability to innovate, achieve higher customer satisfaction, and ultimately deliver stronger financial performance. It's also the foundation of everything we deliver, including proof of our ability to replicate, sustain and even enhance your brand in an outsourced model.
Transform your organization todayWorld-class employee engagement scores
Avg. Programs / Client (top 10 accounts [excl. TELUS], December 31, 2023)
The Culture Value Chain explained
A proven formula for brand engagement and business growth.
Corporate Culture
Beliefs and behaviors that define how employees interact with each other and with customers
Team Engagement
Great cultures surround employees with the things that matter, engaging them both personally and professionally
Long Tenure
When people are connected to their work and to each other, they stick around to build their careers
Design Thinking & CX Innovation
Tenured, engaged employees take CX ownership and are capable of the design thinking required for innovation
Improved Customer Experience
Empowered, creative team members delight customers and improve metrics, driving better customer outcomes
Business Growth
When all inputs align, sustained top-line growth follows
The ROI of culture and engagement
The more a company's stated values align with its real culture on the ground, the higher it drives measured team member engagement and the lower it pushes attrition. Experienced, tenured team members are then capable of the design thinking required to drive digital and CX innovation. They serve as expert brand ambassadors for your company delivering better customer outcomes. When this equation exists, business growth follows.
Client impact 1
In a one-year span, our client in the wireless space increased team member engagement by 12%. At the same time:
- Frontline attrition decreased by 7%
- CSAT increased by 14%
- Company wireless revenue increased by 7%
Client impact 2
In one year, our client in the personal technology space increased team engagement by 9%. At the same time:
- Frontline attrition decreased by 3%
- CSAT increased 21%
- Company revenue more than doubled YoY
Investing in people for better CX
An engaged, inspired team member is ready to own the customer experience from end to end. But it takes a real investment in people to make that a reality. Beyond the latest tools and technology, we invest in our team members and surround them with what matters most to them.
Learn more about joining our teamLearning & Development
It's important for our team members to grow with us both personally and professionally. This includes access to numerous upskilling opportunities as well as onsite, subsidized university education.
Health & Wellness
We care about the wellbeing of our workforce. Team members have access to onsite healthcare professionals, fitness facilities, and generous health benefits not only for themselves but for their extended family members as well.
Inspiring Spaces
From themed meeting rooms to cafes to gardens to games rooms, our award-winning world-class facilities are designed to inspire innovation.
Giving Back
Our team members want to be part of something bigger. As a result, our caring culture and TELUS Days of Giving provide numerous opportunities to give back.
- It's the people. I love the team that we've built and the culture including giving back to the community.Heather, TELUS International team member
The value of a caring culture
"We give where we live" is an essential part of our caring culture. We know that our team members want to be part of something bigger. And when given the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their own communities, our proud team members reward us with their ongoing commitment and loyalty.
Learn more about our social impact- 0K
Five global community boards contribute $500,000 (U.S.) annually to local charities
Days of service to local communities since 2000 (includes TELUS)
Community projects (includes TELUS)
(U.S.) Contributed to charitable organizations (includes TELUS)
Workplace Excellence
At TELUS International, we strive for the best, most engaged work environments around.
Join our caring culture
If you're looking for a great career and a place to shine, join the TELUS International family.
Search our careers


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Commercial Fire Damage Restoration San Diego
After your San Diego business goes up in flames and the first responders ride off into the sunset, the story is far from over. The real work is only about to begin. If you ever find yourself in the unfortunate position of seeing your business reduced to ash and soot, take a minute to be grateful that everyone made it out of there intact. Once that's done, give Inch Construction & Restoration a call.
For the last several years, Inch Construction & Restoration has been providing San Diego business with quality fire damage restoration services. There are few things more mentally and emotionally draining than seeing your livelihood flicker in a fire and then later watching the firefighters take off to the next emergency. That is why local business owners need to know that expert help is just a phone call away. Though we hope you never have to call us, if your business does suffer from a fire, know that you can lean on our experienced and insured tradespeople in your time of need.
In the wake of a fire at your place of work, give Inch Construction & Restoration a call and we'll have someone over sealing, tarping and assessing the extent of the damage as quickly as possible.
Fire Damage Restoration Requires Fast Action
We understand that after a fire in your San Diego business, you will probably just feel lucky that everyone got out alive. However, you can't rest easy just yet. Effective fire damage restoration work depends on fast action. To mitigate the extent of repairs required, Inch Construction & Restoration's technicians need to get in there within 48 hours of the fire. Here is a timeline of what happens when fire and smoke damage is left to sit for an extended period of time.
Within Minutes
Acidic soot residues will yellow any plastics on the premises, small appliances will discolor and porous materials like marble and alabaster discolor permanently.
Within Hours
Acid stains bathroom grout, fiberglass bath fixtures turn yellow, uncoated metals become tarnished, furniture and appliance finishes discolor.
Within Days
The acidity causes painted walls to yellow, metal corrodes, pits and rusts, wood will require refinishing, vinyl flooring will need to be replaced and upholstery is permanently stained.
Within Weeks
Synthetic carpeting becomes permanently discolored, glass will require replacing and silver plating will be badly corroded.
Cleaning up soot residue must be done as quickly as possible to avoid the damage worsening overtime. Soot isn't the only danger to your property. If the fire department put out the fire with water, letting it stand for longer than a couple days could result in serious mold and mildew problems. Not to mention, this is all happening with your business un-operational, which poses serious problems for your finances.
Rather than let the situation worsen, act fast and contact Inch Construction & Restoration. When you get in touch with us shortly after the fire and we can get started right away, you are making sure that your San Diego business is going to survive this terrible trauma. So, contact us as quickly as you can.


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Day by Day
Did you know? You can search for events by date range or category on the main 'Events List' page. CLICK HERE!
7:00pm to 8:00pm
This is a FREE event. Get Moving Monday, a series for our movement to get healthy in our parks, starts June 6th from 7pm-8pm at Elstro Plaza. Join us every Monday until the end of August for this FREE event sponsored by Reid Community Benefit. We...


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--was kind enough to provide an image that underscores the fundamental difference between the two countries:
I think I understand it now, though I still can't tell their flags apart.
Also in yesterday's post, I mentioned bicycle theft and "personalizing" your bike to make it more recognizable in the event that it should go on permanent loan. Well, even more "proactive" than personalization is "uglification," the idea being that if you make your bike unattractive enough that nobody will bother taking it in the first place. Now, I'm not sure how effective uglification actually is, but if you're considering it here's a video I recently received from a reader that documents the process:
There's a fine line between cunning and idiocy, and this person appears to have passed it about five cans of spraypaint ago. What is the point of buying a brand-new bike, spending an additional hundred dollars on paints and sundries (not to mention foodstuffs), and then ruining the bike, when you can just go to Craigslist and buy an ugly piece of crap that costs less than your "uglification kit?" Sure, I suppose there's the knowledge that underneath all that lacquer and chocolate there's a pristine bicycle, but this raises a philosophical question: Is there really a difference between something that looks like it's rusty and something that's actually rusty? And it's probably not even worth pointing out that his bike is aluminum, which means it wouldn't rust like this in the first place:
In any case, despite putting in all that work he's only succeeded in making the bike more appealing, since to the "doucherati" it now has what they like to call a "patina." Patina lends precious objects an air of authenticity. That's why you'll see intentionally tarnished custom bicycles at NAHBS, or full sleeve tattoos with nautical motifs on recent liberal arts college graduates in Brooklyn.
Anyway, that bike looks delicious, and I guess if it gets stolen you can always follow the trail of ants--though I still have yet to see a theft deterrent more effective than this:
Even the most desperate thief wouldn't go anywhere near this bike, and if your religious beliefs preclude your using a prophylactic then I'd imagine a tidy pile of feces on the saddle would work just as well.
Of course, another problem with uglifying your bike is that if you're not thorough enough a single rain shower could be enough to clean the whole thing up. Then again, as the saying goes, "If it rains take the bus." Or, if you want to stay dry but you don't want to take the bus because you're afraid you might find an unfurled prophylactic on the seat, you can always take the velomobile, as in this video that was forwarded to me by another reader:
"When I take this out in the morning rush hour, this amazing phenomenon occurs where people think of me as one of them. I'm a little car!," explains the suppository driver exuberantly. This exuberance disturbed me, since it implies that the loftiest goal an American can have is to be accepted as an automobile. Then he goes on to explain, "I'm kind of a car because they don't know I'm pedaling underneath." For years, I've struggled to understand why so many drivers seem to hate cyclists. Is it our smugness? Are they jealous of us? Do they secretly envy our freakish quads? Finally, I have the answer--it's the simple act of pedaling that so enrages them! Hide that and you're finally One Of Them. (This innate aversion to pedaling could also explain why contraptions like the ElliptiGO are so popular.)
Nevertheless, I gradually found myself warming to Captain Suppository, and I especially enjoyed when he went into full "turtle mode:"
Scoff if you will, but this is what will come of mandatory helment laws. First they force you to wear regular ones, then they force you to wear full-face ones, then they force you to ride inside of a gigantic full-body one, and before you know it America's cyclists all look like great big rolling time trial helments:
So is this how the bicycle will finally infiltrate the American suburbs? I don't know, but I do know that the velomobile does reveal a great deal about human nature as well as our national character. For example, consider this video, in which a Canadian pessary pilot is pulled over by the police:
The officer's reaction to this unfamiliar contraption that looks like it either comes from outer space or is a leftover prop from Woody Allen's "The Sleeper" takes the following path:
1) Confusion
2) Curiosity
3) Acceptance
Incidentally, I particularly enjoyed the part when the human clam tells the officer ,"They're very common in Europe," because I've been to Europe and they're totally not. This form of justification is of course called the "European Carryall" defense. ("It's not a suppository, it's European!")
Anyway, here's how the exact same scenario plays out down here in Canada's suppository:
In this case, the rent-a-cop's reaction is as follows:
1) Confusion
2) Hate
3) Banishment
Note in particular how quickly the real-life Paul Blart goes from having no idea what in the world he's looking at to stating with absolute certainty that it's not allowed. This encapsulates the typical American reaction to everything from bikes to religion to sexual orientation. "What the hell is that? You can't do that!!!" And I certainly don't exclude myself from this sort of reptilian-brained behavior, because that's exactly the way I feel when I see a Segway.
But what if you don't want a velomobile, yet you pine for some sort of hard shell in which to "portage" your "European" accessories? Well look no further, because still another reader has alerted me to the "bicycle trunk:"
Here's the idea behind the "bicycle trunk:"
To remember the forgotten and old tradition of trunks, Moynat, the famous trunk and leather goods firm, has created a bicycle trunk, which expresses the meticulous detail that is part of the history of the brand.
Retro-Foppery like this makes the Tweed Ride look like a Gran Fondo.


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I DON'T BAKE MUCH THESE DAYS, BUT IN ANOTHER LIFE I was the Queen of Pie (and even baked all my bread, too). Even though I rarely cut or rub cold butter into flour for a crust any longer, I've found a shortcut to homemade fruit dessert that's served me faithfully since I hung up my rolling pin. No surprise that I attribute the find to my old friend Martha Stewart, who taught me many things—including clafoutis, a simple, custardy backdrop to the peaches that are looking good around now.
I love clafoutis (kla-foo-tee), a humble French concoction that's like a Huffy-Puffy or Dutch Baby or German pancake–whatever you call it, that's my favorite Christmas-morning food. But the clafoutis is sweeter and has fruit inside. If you have 3 cups of fruit and some kitchen basics like milk and eggs and flour, you can make this dessert very last-minute, even just as you sit down to eat the main course, another selling factor. Easy, yet quite impressive.
Though clafoutis is traditionally made with cherries, as it was in the recipe Martha shared in her must-have 1995 cookbook, "The Martha Stewart Cookbook: Collected Recipes for Every Day" (affiliate link), I've come to regard her batter as the universal solvent for all things fruit.
With it, I have since made clafoutis from peaches, plums, pears, various berries, cherries, and mixes of fresh fruit and dried (such as by adding a handful of dried cranberries or cherries to pears or peaches; raisins and pears might be good). Get out your blender to make the solvent:
martha's clafoutis batter, my adaptation
- ½ cup sugar (reserve 1 Tbsp. to dust baking dish)
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
Preheat the oven to 350F.
In a blender, combine the ingredients, and blend on high for 1 minute, scraping the sides once midway.
Into a 9-inch glass pie dish or a fluted porcelain tart dish that has been buttered first and dusted with the reserved 1 Tablespoon of sugar, pour half the batter.
Arrange 3 cups of sliced fruit of your choice in the partly filled pan. Pour on the remaining batter and bake at 350F until the top puffs and starts to turn golden-brown, about 45-60 minutes.
Note: Everyone's clafoutis batter is a little different (just as is everyone's pancake batter or pie crust, though the basics are the same). Martha even has more than one on her website. For example, Mark Bittman uses milk and cream, and even has one version made with clementines. You may like more fruit or more custard on balance. Experiment, and enjoy.


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Welcome to Bobcats Baseline's preview of the Bobcats first ever playoff series.
First, some general stuff. The Magic finished the year 59-23 (34-7 home). They posted the best overall point differential in the league this year: +7.5. Hollinger's formulas have them ranked as the second best in the league in terms of offensive efficiency (behind only the Suns) and tied with the Bobcats for first in defensive efficiency.
Head to head, Orlando won the season series over the Bobcats 3-1. The Magic took the first game in Orlando back on November 10, 93-81. Game two just six days later in Charlotte turned out to be Stephen Jackson's Bobcats debut, but the game went to the Magic again, 97-91.
The Cats took Orlando to overtime in Charlotte on January 23, but the Magic once again prevailed, 105-95. Finally, in the last matchup on March 14, the Cats broke through for a 96-89 win, despite playing in Orlando without an injured Gerald Wallace.
Now lets get down to the matchups. ASChin and I decided to do a collabo for this, and we'll start by breaking down the battle in the paint.
Dr. E: In the middle, Dwight Howard creates problems for every other team in the league. He led the league in rebounding and blocked shots for the year. It's almost universally agreed upon that Orlando could be even more dominant if they made a more concerted effort to get him the ball on the offensive end (which they don't always do, especially in the fourth quarter).
But it's almost as if Larry Brown knew this matchup was coming. He's collected a cadre of serviceable big men to play center-by-committee. Theo Ratliff is like an older, wiser version of Tyson Chandler, who has shown signs of life himself in recent weeks.
Nazr Mohammed has looked rusty in two games since returning from back problems, but was a revelation earlier in the season with his ability to score in the post. And Gana Diop is, well, Gana Diop (or Joey Crawford's avatar).
Together, they represent four bodies and 24 fouls that could be deployed to wear Howard down.
ASChin: Agreed. They'll try to win the war of attrition, throwing 24 fouls at Dwight and making the other 4 Magic players beat them one on one. The last thing that you want to do is play into the Magic's hands. They want you to defend DHO for 40+ minutes, using up fouls at the center spot. Fortunately, the Bobcats have enough bodies in the middle to combat this somewhat but as you see in the breakdown vid below Dwight can now make you pay for single coverage.
Dr. E: The other way the Bobcats may try to neutralize Howard will be to get him into foul trouble himself. In this blog post from Rick Bonnell (once you get past the nonsense about how Rick and Gerald Wallace are like peas in a pod) Wallace stresses that the Cats need to take it straight at Howard to have a chance.
Howard averaged 3.5 fouls per game this year, fouling out four times and getting to five fouls more times than I bothered to count. Of course, if Howard gets into foul trouble, backup Marcin Gortat is more than capable of becoming an X-factor.
ASChin: This is a big deal. The Bobcats aren't a great jump shooting team. They'll have to continue to go to the hoop to have any chance in this series. With Dwight down there, it'll be tough but I'm guessing that Coach Brown will try to run a lot high screen pick and rolls with Chandler and Ratliff to try and get Howard out out of the paint.
Lets move on to the 4 spot.
Rashard Lewis is having far from his best season as a pro. His FG%, ppg, rebounds and blocks are way down. Not exactly want you want from an $18 million a year guy. He still shoots lights out from beyond the arc so the 'Cats will again have to prevent the Magic from forcing a double team on Howard down low.
I think a platoon of Tyrus Thomas and Boris Diaw matches up well against Lewis. Diaw in particular is going to force Lewis to guard him on those little post jump-hooks and when Howard comes over for the block, Boris is crafty enough to be able to find Chandler or Mohammed for a dunk or layup with a quick pass in the paint. Also, look for Crash to play some minutes at the four if Brown decides to turn the tables and go small.
Dr. E: By the way, was it ever fully explained what Lewis's 10-game PED suspension to start the year was all about? Ironic that he's clearly fallen off this season, isn't it? Some may write it up to missing training camp and never getting in the groove, or missing Hedo Turkoglu's point forward drive-and-dishes, but has anyone measured his head circumference-to-testicle ratio serially over the years?
No? Okay, jussayin.
Anyways, yes, between Stephen Jackson, Gerald Wallace, Tyrus Thomas and Boris Diaw, the Cats are better suited than most teams to guard and switch out onto Rashard Lewis at the three point line.
Alright, that covers the bigs. Next up, we'll discuss the wings and guards. After that coaching and intangibles.
ASChin: Wait, did you just mention Rashard Lewis's testicles?
-Dr. E & ASChin


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