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INDIANAPOLIS – The Latest from the Final Four (all times EDT):
11:15 p.m.
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Gonzaga has given fans the NCAA championship game they wanted with a shot for the ages.
Jalen Suggs banked in a shot from near midcourt at the buzzer, giving the heavily favored Zags a 93-90 overtime victory against upstart UCLA.
Gonzaga, the No. 1 overall seed, will play second-seeded Baylor for the title Monday night. Those teams were 1-2 in The Associated Press Top 25 most of the season. The Bears manhandled Houston 78-59 in the other national semifinal.
Johnny Juzang scored 31 points for UCLA, including a tying basket with 3.3 seconds left. But Suggs took the inbound pass, dribbled just past midcourt and launched the shot. It banked in after the buzzer sounded.
Gonzaga is 31-0 and the first team since Indiana State in 1979 to carry an undefeated record into the national title game. Indiana was the last undefeated champion in 1976.
11:00 p.m.
Gonzaga's undefeated season hangs in the balance in overtime against UCLA.
The heavily favored Zags went to OT with an 81-81 score after the Bruins' Johnny Juzang was called for charging on a drive with 1.1 seconds remaining. Gonzaga's inbound pass was intercepted.
There were 19 lead changes and 13 ties in regulation. The last tie came on two free throws by UCLA's Jaime Jaquez Jr. with 43 seconds to go.
Gonzaga brought a 30-0 record into the game and is trying to become the first team since Indiana State in 1979 to carry an undefeated record into the national title game. Indiana was the most recent undefeated champion in 1976.
Waiting in the title match is Baylor, which defeated Houston 78-59 in the earlier semifinal.
10:30 p.m.
Gonzaga can't quite shake UCLA in the national semifinals.
The heavily favored Zags were up 69-67 at the under-8-minute media timeout after taking biggest lead at 66-59.
The upstart Bruins stayed close thanks to Tyger Campbell. He had a 3-pointer, then hit another bucket to cut the deficit to a pair.
Campbell has 15 points while Johnny Juzang leads UCLA with 19. Gonzaga's Joel Ayayi has 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting.
10:10 p.m.
It was a big day for Nembhard family — and that was before Andrew Nembhard played for top-seeded Gonzaga in the Final Four.
Nembhard's younger brother, Ryan, scored 12 points to help Montverde Academy of Georgia defeat Sunrise Christian Academy of Kansas 62-52 to win a national tournament in Florida. The event featured several of the country's highest-ranked high school boys teams.
The younger Nembhard won his tournament title in plenty of time to watch Andrew and the Zags face UCLA in the national semifinals.
Andrew Nembhard scored four points in the first half as the heavily favored Zags were in a tight duel with the upstart Bruins. Gonzaga entered the game with a 30-0 record and led 45-44 at halftime.
Ryan Nembhard has signed with Creighton.
9:45 p.m.
UCLA is going toe-to-toe with Gonzaga at the Final Four. The Bulldogs, trying to keep their undefeated season going, have a 45-44 lead at halftime.
It was a wild first half, featuring 11 lead changes and six ties. The upstart Bruins led most of the way before Corey Kispert hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds.
Joel Ayayi leads top-seeded Gonzaga with 16 points and Johnny Juzang played all of the first 20 minutes and has 15 for UCLA, which is the fifth 11th seed to make the Final Four.
Gonzaga brought a 30-0 record into the game and is trying to become the first team since Indiana State in 1979 to carry an undefeated record into the national title game.
Waiting there is Baylor, which defeated Houston 78-59 in the earlier semifinal.
9:15 p.m.
UCLA is hanging with heavily favored Gonzaga in the national semifinals.
The Zags entered this Final Four with four straight double-digits victories in the NCAA Tournament. The tourney's No. 1 overall seed didn't trail in the previous two.
But the upstart Bruins are hanging tough in the first half with a 27-25 lead at the under-8-minute media timeout.
The 11th-seeded Bruins have tried to shorten the game by slowing the pace and as a result have already led for nearly half of the first 11 minutes.
But as player after player and coach after coach has warned throughout the tournament, taking just one play off — any play — could lead to one of Gonzaga's trademark runs.
The Bruins also could get a boost from their fans, who have been noticeably louder during the first half.
Tyger Campbell leads UCLA with nine points. Joel Ayayi is perfect from the field (5 of 5) and has 13 points.
8:55 p.m.
UCLA has the early edge over No. 1 Gonzaga as Baylor awaits its opponent in the NCAA championship game.
The 11th-seeded Bruins are up 10-9 at the first media timeout. Jaime Jaquez Jr. put UCLA in front with a 3-pointer.
Joel Ayayi scored the first seven points for the Zags, heavy favorites against the Bruins as they try to get within a victory of being the first undefeated national champion since Indiana 45 years ago.
7:15 p.m.
Baylor has cruised into the NCAA championship game and will wait to see if No. 1 Gonzaga can provide the much-anticipated final.
Jared Butler didn't score in the second half, but the second-ranked Bears didn't need any more points from their All-American guard after he scored 17 to help them take a 25-point halftime lead in a 78-59 victory over Houston.
Gonzaga, the tournament's No. 1 overall seed, plays 11th-seeded UCLA in the late game.
It's the second trip to the championship game for Baylor. The other was in 1948, when the Bears lost to Kentucky 58-42. This is Baylor's first trip to the Final Four since 1950, when only eight teams were in the tournament.
7:05 p.m.
Baylor hasn't even needed help from All-American guard Jared Butler in the second half while cruising toward a trip to the national championship game.
The Bears have kept the lead around 20 points most of the second half in the first trip to the Final Four since 1950 after leading by 25 at halftime behind 17 points from Butler.
Butler is scoreless since the break, but two teammates have joined him in double figures. Matthew Mayer went into the final media timeout with 12 points. Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua had 11 points and was tied for the team lead with Butler with five rebounds.
6:55 p.m.
Health officials in Indiana say they are investigating whether anyone was exposed to COVID-19 by Alabama residents following Friday night's reported death of a Crimson Tide fan who was in Indianapolis for the NCAA Tournament last weekend.
Marion County officials say in a statement provided to the NCAA they are investigating possible exposure based on an Alabama newspaper report that cited multiple sources it didn't identify in reporting 23-year-old Alabama student Luke Ratliff died of complications related to COVID-19.
Bryan Ratliff tells The Tuscaloosa News his son died after a brief illness. The elder Ratliff could not immediately be reached for comment Saturday by The Associated Press.
The younger Ratliff was hospitalized shortly after returning to Tuscaloosa on March 29, one day after attending Alabama's game against UCLA at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, the News reported.
6:45 p.m.
Fans are showing up in team colors, parking attendants are waving signs encouraging drivers to turn in and there are lines at souvenir shops.
Inside, it hasn't been anywhere close to normal at the Final Four.
Only a few thousand watched the first national semifinal between Baylor and Houston instead of the usual tens of thousands. And with the Bears taking control early and still holding a 20-point lead early in the second half, they've been mostly quiet.
The seats closest to the court are filled primarily with cardboard cutouts behind the baselines and a large sign over the sideline that the read "The Big Dance." Instead of the traditional pep bands playing through timeouts, songs echo off the metal and concrete stadium.
6:10 p.m.
Jared Butler is more than halfway toward a career high with 17 points, just about everyone else wearing a Baylor uniform has found nothing but the bottom of the net, and the Bears lead Houston 45-20 at halftime of their national semifinal.
Butler is 6 of 8 from the field, hitting four 3-pointers, to give the Big 12 champions a big cushion in their first Final Four appearance since 1950. Butler had 11 points during a 16-3 run late in the half that cracked open the game.
The Bears are 8 of 15 from beyond the arc and shooting 57% overall against the nation's second-best scoring defense.
Marcus Sasser is doing his best to keep Houston in the game, hitting five 3-pointers and scoring 17 himself. But the rest of the Cougars are 1 of 15 from the field.
That includes All-American guard Quentin Grimes (0-5) and DeJon Jarreau (1-7), the most valuable player of the Cougars' tournament region.
5:55 p.m.
So far, Marcus Sasser is carrying the Houston offense. And the defense is struggling to slow Baylor.
The sophomore guard has 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting, with each made shot coming from behind the arc. But the rest of the team has started 1 for 11 and has just two points.
Sasser had struggled in the past three tournament games with his shot, making 11 of 43 attempts and 7 of 27 3-pointers.
More alarmingly, Houston's defense that had held every tournament opponent to 61 points or less allowed Baylor to shoot 58% and make 6 of 12 3-pointers. The Bears led 33-17 near the 5-minute mark of the first half.
5:25 p.m.
The first NCAA Tournament semifinal has tipped off in Indianapolis between two Texas teams that have Indiana connections.
Baylor coach Scott Drew graduated from Butler and coached at Valparaiso. Houston coach Kelvin Sampson spent two seasons as coach of the Indiana Hoosiers.
It's only the third time that two teams from the same state have squared off in the Final Four, the last being Louisville and Kentucky in 2012.
The top-seeded Bears have reached the Final Four for the first time since 1950. The Cougars, the Midwest Region champs, have reached the national semis for the first time since 1984.
Students from six Indiana schools sang the national anthem before the tip.
More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/College-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


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subset: commoncrawl


text:
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To join us in the effort and cater Challonge to your local language, follow these quick steps:
Once you submit translations, they'll need to pass quick review before they're accepted. We then pull down languages every so often and deploy updates to Challonge.com. Please let us know if you have any questions on how to get started. Thanks!


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So, it's taking me a little long to finish up the next comic. Well, finish up the writing anyways. But, i'm getting closer, so i figured it was about time to start taking an interest in the website again. So, i'm gonna tell you a bit about the new project.
It's called Cross Words, and it's about... a lot of stuff actually. Remember This Is:? While i was doing it, a lot of ideas crossed my mind as to how it could actually apply to more "normal" comics, with plots and stuff. Cross words is sort of the culmination of that thinking. It takes in interesting structural parts of this is:, shrinks the entire thing and tries to form some sort of coherent piece. The problem with plots and stuff is that i'm a terrible horrible worthless writer, and would like the writing in Cross Words to be somewhat decent. So, over the course of How the Dinosaurs Died, i got an outline and some writing done.
(Speaking of HtDD you can still buy How the Dinosaurs Died - The Complete Collection.)
Basically, instead of having hyperlinked sections, the entire thing gets laid out in a manner not dissimilar to a crossword puzzle. You can see the difficulties that lie therein - all the moving parts of This is: with none of the "screw it, i'll figure out something when i write the stupid paragraph" attitude that made the whole the so gosh darn nonsensical.
But enough about the structure. The plot revolves around... well, i'm not sure i want to give it away. If you email me, i'll tell you more, but lets just leave it at the following for now.
A writer and his book.
A girl and her life.
A couple and their curse.
Cross Words.
Man... that sounds stupid. I'm going to have to think of a better tagline thing. Actually, a lot more stupid if you imagine Don LaFontaine saying it over explosions.


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Ray Martin, MIS
- MIS, University of Colorado Denver
- BS, Univeristy of Colorado Denver
- BS, University of Colorado Denver
We are a growing community of more than 1000 Academic Experts from around the globe. The combined experience, education, intellect, and passion of the group as a collaborative community is what defines us as an unrivaled academic resource.
Here we highlight many of our Expert Profiles. Click here for the full list of our Experts on one page.
Join our Team of Academic Experts


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So, I went to their website to see what my choices were, & I'm loving their Photo Christmas Cards for 2011!
There are SO MANY that I love! It was really hard to narrow it down to my favourite, but I've finally done it! :) I have already ordered them and I cannot wait to see what they're like. I've heard from blogger reviewers that they have been happy with the final product, so I'm really excited! I'm especially fond of how colourful so many of the cards are!
I haven't sent out a Christmas card in a couple of years, so I'm psyched to have one for this year. I'm really happy that I was able to find a design that fit several pictures and had room to write a little letter to our friends & family about what we've been up to this year. (I love it when others include those with their cards!)
3 of you will win!
I'm trying rafflecopter for this giveaway- I hope it makes things easier for you & not more complicated!
If you don't see the contest entry form, just click on "read more" below this, and it will show up. Let me know if you have problems!


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Kansas State University News - Newly Discovered Dr. King Recording
YouTube video of discovery - Dr King recording
The Research on Black Wichita, Kansas (ROBW or ROBWKS) is a living project that explores the climate of Black Wichita during the 1940's and 1950's.
Referring to the elders, teachers, mentors, and the community leaders of his childhood in Black Wichita, Dr. Vesey recalls that "they nurtured, taught and mentored us on how to become socially responsible and socially productive individuals. We virtually stood on their shoulders. This happened, in part, because we were socially interconnected by both people and ideas!"
Moreover, the template used by caring and dedicated adults in shaping and molding the lives of Wichita Black youth, in the past, could prove to be a useful tool to contemporary planners and leaders who serve the city's Black community as well as other city-wide youth groups. This could include community interventions and youth-oriented activities that emphasize a sense of humanity, a sense of community, and a strong sense of social consciousness. Finally, there is a real sense of urgency for this research inasmuch as most participants targeted for this study are elders and many of them are in fair to frail health. As Elaine Guillory, Administrative Assistant, the Kansas African American Museum notes: "There is little information preserved about African Americans in Wichita during any given period…" (Project Letter of Support, 3/21/08).
Two of the five objectives of the ROBW are to expand the knowledge and understanding of both high school age youth and the general public of the five areas of critical importance to this study, and to demonstrate public and media evidence of a renewed sense of interest in local Black history. To this end, this project will use focus group methodology, individual interviews, formal documents, published reports and books, newspapers, media aids, and photographs to present a riveting report of Black Wichita: 1945-1958. Project planning includes creation of a video presentation for Black pioneers to tell their own stories, an official project website, and a Blog page for area youth to keep up with project information and findings.
To assist the project director in implementing this project is a similar innovation that he developed in previous research conducted at Cornell University and at Bethel College, and referred to here as the Publication Advisory Committee (PAC). Comprised of community leaders, volunteers, educators, and retired or working professionals from the greater Wichita community, PAC members have been indispensable in early stages of this study. Denise Nickens Randle, a Robinson Middle School Social Studies teacher, has consented to serve as the PAC chairperson. Bethel College, located in North Newton, Kansas, has pledged to assume the cost of publishing the final project manuscript. In addition, Bethel College has invited the project director "to build a collaborative-inquiry seminar," primarily, for their undergraduate students to gain practical experience in data searching associated with research activities of this project. The funding period for this grant is from June 1, 2008 to June 1, 2011.
Established in 1986 to build charitable endowments and to serve donors, The Wichita Community Foundation's goal is to build a stronger community by investing in people, organizations and institutions so they can contribute to their neighborhoods and communities.
Photos courtesy of www.wichitaphotos.org.


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There's something about a nice rack of lamb that makes it hard for me to pass by, when idlely drifting through butchers shops, purveying their cuts. Lamb is one of my favourite dishes full stop, but to be able to combine it with a ready made handle AND have it look classy on a plate at the same time, is just genious.
So this was a pretty simple dish I made up on the spur of the moment (read: spent all day thinking about and scouring the web for ideas), which I think turned out just dandy.
- Rack of Lamb (or two)
- Olive oil (a given really, just buy a few gallons of good quality olive oil and you will be doing yourself a big favour)
- Rosemary (Is it possible to do a lamb dish without rosemary ?… I think not)
- Salt (do yourself another favour and go and get some Maldon Salt… beautiful texture and flavour for cooking)
- Cracked Pepper (do yourself a huge favour and buy a pepper mill, and load it up with peppercorns)
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Honey
- Red Wine (nothing specific, but preferably something drinkable)
To Serve With
- Sweet Potatos
- Butter
- Cream
- Rosemary
- Fennel
How I made it
So firstly, cut down into your lamb rack a little and stuff every concievable orifice you can find with fresh rosemary, salt, black pepper, and libations of olive oil. Score the fat on the back of the rack, and rub that down with salt and pepper too. Now crank your stove up to high and sear your lamb rack in a healthy dose of olive oil in a hot pan. Make sure you give it a good covering so that the tricky parts all receive a fair amount of heat, and then when it's looking charred to perfection, drop the heat, and put it into the oven to continue cooking through til done. Keep the pan juices as we'll use those for the sauce.
Once the lamb is away in the oven, peel and slice your sweet potato and fennel. Get the sweet potato boiling in a pot of salted water, and braise the fennel in a little white wine and butter over a low/medium heat so it softens up. Once the sweet potato is cooked, but not mushy, drain the water and mash with extra rosemary, butter, cream, salt, pepper, and a little grated parmesan.
Next the sauce… Pretty simple really… Into the pan juices goes a good few dashes of balsamic vinegar and a good squeeze of honey (I'd give you measurements, but i really didn't use any… I generally cook to taste and measure things by eye). Give this a taste and you have a lovely sweet balsamic flavour coming through… which I then pulled back to savoury land with the help of a splash of shiraz and dash of beef stock. Reduce the sauce down, and keep stirring to make sure the honey doesn't seperate, and perhaps thicken with some corn flour and water… and you're done.
At this point I cut all the lamb racks up into french cutlets (if thats what french cutlets are of course… ) and attempted to pile it onto a plate in some sort of attractive formation. Sadly failing… after taking some photos, I heaped the rest of the lamb on top and Sharon and I devoured them as best we could.


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How Does Your Website Work?
Your website should effectively be your home base on the internet. It stores all your content and the mission is to direct potential customers back to your website from all your marketing channels. It's where potential customers land and can learn about your business, what you offer and how you can solve their pains and problems.
Your website design needs to be attractive and it should be structured so it's easy to navigate for both humans and search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo that enable users to search for documents on the web. Most importantly, when it comes to websites, content is king so your content including the text, images and videos should be relevant, interesting and informative for your target audience.
Technically speaking, effectively your website 'rents' space on a server that is a computer connected to the internet and software allows it to store or 'host' the components of your website. This includes the code, photos and videos. It's referred to as a server because it 'serves' up your website content on demand. There are plenty of service providers that will rent you space on a server and host your website for a fee ranging from around $50 per annum while moving to a virtual private server (VPS) or a dedicated server can push the annual hosting fee to over $1,000. They take care of all the technical hosting aspects and every server in the world has its own internet protocol (IP) address that contains four individual numbers separated by a decimal. It is an online unique identifier that means any device connected to the internet can talk to the server.
For simplicity and ease of reference, we use a 'domain name' rather than the long numeric IP address. It's the name you type into the browser window to find a website like www.yourbusinessname.com.au Everything after the 'www.' is actually the domain name and any device that searches for this address is communicating with the server who in turn sends that device all the correct pieces it needs to display the website.
You need to start the process by making sure your preferred domain name is available. Simply find a "domain registrar" like GoDaddy.com and do a search for the name. It will tell you if the name is available. You may be able to get a variation of the name by choosing a different extension like ".com", ".com.au" or ".net". The most important difference is that search engines like Google aim to provide search results based on your location so if your business is primarily in Australia then a '.com.au' address will help ensure your site appears when Australian customers search for your products or services. This isn't always the case but it does add weight to local search rankings. On the other hand, if your market is global, then a '.com' address may be the best option.
An Australian business can register derivatives of their business name and create separate domain names for their associated products. They may even wish to register the profession in which they practice (www.plumberrichmond.com.au) Clever business owners use domain names to advertise and create innovative marketing campaigns for their brand or products.
In a nutshell, that's how websites work. Essentially a server 'hosts' your website and the domain name helps people find your website.


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The Islamic Social Services Association recently organized a conference on the theme of "At the Heart of Human Rights is Human Dignity" in Winnipeg.
It was attended by about 180 people, including many important speakers, but there was no local media coverage in the mainstream.
Andrew J. McLean, medical director of the North Dakota Department of Human Services and Chair of the Psychiatry Department at the N. Dakota School of Medicine, spoke on "Community Resilience and the Concept of the 'Other.'"
He pointed out some unhealthy aspects of "otherization": they are of less value; they are different from "me" and "us;" their differences are to be belittled; they are seen as "abject."
"To work with another, you have to be able to admire something about them, even if you don't like them," said McLean.
The Rev. Dr. Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd, a United Church Minister, spoke on "Beyond Our Comfort Zone: the LGBTQ Community, Hopes, Challenges, Collaborations and the Right to Dignity," pointing out that hate groups lump "undesirables" together: "A part of the brain lights up when we see another, but not if we 'otherize' them."
Everyone has prejudices
"We all have xenophobia to some degree," said Shepherd. "But we must learn to be in solidarity with one another. Openness and courage are necessary to build relations and trust across communities that usually distrust one another."
The event featured several "Conversation Cafes". One pointed out that prejudice may be positive or negative. Love is a positive prejudice which blinds us to the beloved's negative qualities. Hate is the opposite.
The world is too complex for individuals to analyze each individual or phenomenon individually, and we don't usually have the time. Consequently we fall back on our past experiences to make quick decisions.
For example, one may glance at the colour of the sky before leaving home and decide to carry one's umbrella because that sort of sky often signals rain in our experience. One may then carry an umbrella all day, yet it may not rain; but if we ignore our past experiences, we deprive them of meaning.
We may have had negative (or positive) experiences justifying our pre-judgements, but should not fail to revise them when confronted with evidence to the contrary, concluded the participant.
Indifference and Silence are Threats
The Emcee, retired CBC Radio Host Terry MacLeod, welcomed Danny Smyth, Chief of the Winnipeg Police Service, and Scott Kolody, RCMP Assistant Commissioner, on the second day. In his address, Smyth said, "Women in our community will be a big part of the solutions."
MacLeod called Shahina Siddiqui, Executive Director of the Islamic Social Services Association, "the godmother of everything that happened here," and Kolody called her a leader.
Their greetings were followed by a heartfelt video message from Marie-Claude Landry, Chief Commissioner, Canadian Human Rights Commission. "Indifference and silence are threats," she said.
A participant asked MacLeod why there were so few media people of colour in the mainstream. He replied that rectifying it was now a major project at CBC.
Another asked the lawmen what was being done about the over 100 extremist groups like "Soldiers of Odin" in Canada. The "Soldiers" even have a Facebook page. The policemen replied that they were networking and exchanging information.
Trump phenomenon
Haroon Siddiqui, an Editor Emeritus of the Toronto Star, then spoke on Islamophobia.
"(U.S. President Donald) Trump is doing what he said he'd do," said Siddiqui: "And the Trump phenomenon has already happened here. Dozens of mosques have been vandalized, and Muslims assaulted. The alleged killer in Quebec was a Trump fan. We need to stand in solidarity with one another. Muslims can't be maligned any more than they already have been. The 'alt-right' is code for white supremacists; indifference and inaction imply complicity with the victimisers."
"Though Muslims aren't interned, they feel a psychological internment."
"The only crime of Canadians refused entry to the U.S. was that they weren't white," continued Siddiqui.
"Trump is similar to (former Canadian prime minister) Stephen Harper. Both elicited white support from their electoral bases. Once it was rumoured that Jews were taking over the world; now it's Muslims. People talk of women's status in Islam, but Muslim women are being spat on and shoved by North Americans.
"Have those who say the Koran says to kill infidels ever read the Old Testament? Wars call for propaganda, but one can't separate Muslims there from Muslims here. When we demonize one, we demonize the other."
Shahina Siddiqui thanked the funders at the end: Canadian Heritage, Sargent Blue Jeans, and The Winnipeg Foundation.
Ashoke Dasgupta is a Winnipeg-based journalist who has won three awards in Canada and Nepal.
Ashoke Dasgupta is a freelance journalist and former editor of Compassionate Friend, Beauty Without Cruelty-India's magazine. He won a UNDP - Goethe Institute Award for Environmental Journalism in Nepal 1995, and the Canadian Ethnic Media Association's Best News/Feature Awards for 2004 and 2006. He got a scholarship to study journalism at Sheridan College Toronto in 2007, graduating with high honours. He has done internships at the Winnipeg Free Press and CBC Radio, and been published in the Winnipeg Free Press, the Calgary Herald and the Toronto Star.


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More than six months into the school year, I still can't tell you the poverty level, racial breakdown or school-by-school enrollment for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
The cause of that delay has become a point of contention between state and CMS officials.
Staff at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction agree that the troubled PowerSchool rollout delayed the principals' monthly reports that normally generate that information in September or October. CMS officials say several schools were unable to run those reports for months.
But state officials say the hold-up is no longer on their end. On Feb. 21, spokeswoman Vanessa Jeter said all the monthly reports had been run and the state was working with districts to clean up any final errors (a clean-up that was needed in 0.0031 percent of all monthly reports, she said).
Last Friday, she asked if I had gotten any numbers from CMS. "I understand that their PMRs have been run, numbers double-checked with NCDPI-CMS staff and all came up correct," she emailed. "That should clear the PMR issue in PowerSchool as far as I know."
Not so fast, says CMS. When I prodded again for the report, spokeswoman Kathryn Block said Scott McCully, executive director for student placement, had uncovered some additional concerns with the reports. "Scott is scrubbing the numbers one last time and, barring any additional issues, we will share the information early next week," she said.
"Also," she added, "DPI confirmed that GRS report is not functioning statewide so there is no grade, race or sex data to share at this time for any NC school district."
Huh? That has always been part of the 20th-day report released in September or October; each school and the district as a whole is broken down by grade level and race (poverty levels come in a separate report tallied in October).
Jeter and Philip Price, chief financial officer for DPI, say it's wrong to say there's no race/ethnicity data. There is a quirk having to do with reconciling end-of-month enrollment with average monthly enrollment, they say. That will be corrected during the next system maintenance weekend, March 14.
And the state is looking into about 8,000 students across the state who were once classified as Hispanic but are not this year. "That would represent .0053333 percent of the student body," Jeter reports.
Bottom line: We have a collision of two forces here. There's little doubt that PowerSchool has created a battery of problems for local districts. Meanwhile, Heath Morrison was hired as superintendent in 2012 on the heels of a series of CMS data errors that embarrassed leaders and hurt the district's credibility. He and his staff have been wary of releasing anything that isn't also available in state records, forestalling errors but also making it unusually difficult to get data we've all gotten used to finding at the click of a mouse. He says he doesn't want to post numbers only to have the state make a PowerSchool adjustment that requires CMS to retract its information.
So, as soon as I know what the numbers looked like last fall, I'll let the rest of you know.
Then maybe we can hope to see results of the 2014-15 magnet lottery, which should be sending notification letters about now.


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Slovenia Holidays!
Samuel and Samuel Turistične Storitve d.o.o. (Samuel and Samuel Tourist services limited) is a small private holiday company located in Murska Sobota situated in the Prekmurje region of Slovenia.
Hello and welcome to our website!
If you are looking for Slovenia holidays this year then you have found the right website.
My name is Louise Samuel, I am originally from the UK, but now live in Slovenia with my husband Ian and our four children, Dylan, Lennon, Marley and the latest addition to our family Katalina Jean.
We purchased our properties in Slovenia in the autumn of 2004 and moved to Slovenia in May 2005. Since then we have been working very hard at renovating and refurbishing the properties with holiday accommodation in mind.
We have also sold our properties to others that use them for their holidays and also rent them out as holiday lets.
Dylan & Lennon helping dad renovate Fokovci
Slovenian / English street party
Lenny cutting grass at Vaneca cottage
Before we moved to Slovenia we had taken a long holiday in Slovenia getting to know all the different regions. One thing that struck us was the lack of good quality self catering accommodation in Slovenia. As we were also travelling with our children (then 18 months and 4) we also realised that facilities for children were also lacking.
With these issues in mind we decided to consider children and their parent's needs when developing our Slovenian properties. Our self catering accommodation offers an environment that will hopefully allow parent's to relax, while their children play safely.
In 2009 I gave birth to our 4th child Katalina Jean Samuel. At this point we then decided to discontinue our holiday lettings side of our company so that I could spend more time with our four young children over the summer months and also pursue other business ideas. However we are keeping our web site up as you can contact the owners of the property we advertise directly. All contact details are available on each properties web page.
The cottage called Primrose Cottage which is located in Fokovci still belongs to us and we are still continuing to rent this out as a holiday let. It is fully registered with the Slovenian tax authorities and tourist board, so please enquire directly to me via our web site for availability.
Property to rent
So what's your preference? an Alpine Style Cottage, a Traditional Slovenian Farmhouse, an Apartment or a Chalet in the grounds of the Moravske Toplice water park?
Let us know your requirements and we can help you decide which property in Slovenia would best suit your needs.
Alpine style family home
Great outside space
Outside space for kids
I also know how difficult it is when travelling with babies, therefore before I left the UK I purchased equipment needed for babies such as bottle sterilizers, high chairs, bouncy chairs, baby walkers and even hand blenders to puree baby food. Hopefully parents will not have to transport so much in their luggage if they know that is all available at the cottage in Slovenia.
Children playing on a giant pumpkin
The Samuel family in the vineyard at Fokovci
Tomas enjoying a day out at Lake Bled
Our pricing structure is simple and booking straight forward, a small charge is only made for items for rent that are totally optional.
Despite our focus on families, we also welcome couples. We offer a 10 percent discount on published prices for accommodation that is booked for just two people.
So instead of the normal offering of a hotel in Slovenia, why not consider one of our homely, fully equipped self-catering cottages that are situated in the Goričko Nature Park for your Slovenia holidays?
We also welcome Pets to come along with you on your holidays in Slovenia!
We can arrange airport transfers for you as well as organise a hire car that will be delivered to your Slovenian cottage.
The Prekmurje region of Slovenia offers many activities both indoor and outdoor for all members of the family. The ski slopes in Maribor are a 1.5 hour drive away. One of the highlights of your stay will be sampling the rich culinary delights of the local restaurants, washed down by the excellent wines of the region.
The floating Mill on the river Mura
Rolling hills of Goričko
The Rotunda church in Selo
Meadow in Goričko
Serenaded by a Gypsy band
Prekmurje Storks (Štorklja)
Due to the cheap flights to Slovenia from the UK, Slovenia has become very accessible, and is just a two-hour flight from London Stansted.
A flight to Slovenia can cost from as little as 0.99p one way plus tax! Easyjet flies into the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, and Ryanair flies into Graz (Austria) just over an hour from the properties and accommodation on offer.
Stansted to Graz (Austria) Stansted to Balaton (Hungary) |
Stansted to Ljublijana |
From Luton to Ljublijana From Luton to Zargreb (Croatia) |
Gatwick to Ljublijana Also from Manchester & Birmingham |
Slovenia tourism is growing, as more travellers want different experiences from their holidays. This beautiful country has much to offer to everyone. With clean, fresh air and stunning, unspolit scenery; Slovenia holidays are the perfect getaway.
Slovenia real estate is a growing market. If you are considering buying a
property/accommodation in Slovenia
then why not stay in one of our self catering holiday cottages. They are ideally
situated if you are considering buying a house in the north-east region of
Slovenia. We can even help you with your property search, introducing you to
Slovenian Real Estate Agents or private sellers, as well as helping you with the
buying process by way of introduction to English speaking Lawyers and Notarka's.
Once you have bought your Slovenian property we can continue our support by being involved in any renovation work or simply by keeping an eye on the property or performing general Maintenance and Property Management.
Kodila in Markišavci
Local lady removing pumpkin seeds for oil.
Prekmurska Gibanica
Contact us to find out more about Slovenia holidays, holidays in Slovenia and accommodation in Slovenia.
Samuel and Samuel Turistične Storitve d.o.o. is an official Slovenian registered company. Slovenia for families.com and Slovenian Cottage Holidays.com are names that have been purchased as domains and are used solely for marketing and advertising purposes.
Samuel and Samuel Turistične Storitve d.o.o.
Ozka ulica 10
9000 Murska Sobota
Registration number: 2153220


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DSM Soft, founded in the year 1991 is currently a leading provider of products and services in the Geospatial, Telematics, Engineering and Pre-press domains for private and public sector organizations globally.
DSM Soft is a provider of multilingual pre-press services and digital content solutions to the publishing and translation industry for over two decades. Our team of highly skilled professionals experienced in various technologies offer quality service and bespoke solutions covering the entire publishing value chain with prime focus on automation and minimal human intervention.
Our production facilities are based on a skill-cum-process driven approach, further enhanced by the tools for providing a consistent quality output at faster turnaround times. DSM Soft's process driven approach is based on an effective combination of Process Management, People Management, Production Management and Quality Management.
The Publishing Support division provides comprehensive and cost effective services to some of the leading private sector companies throughout Europe, Canada, Australia and India.
Publishing projects are carried out by DCS BPO which is a sister company of DSM Soft.
DSM Soft has vast experience in working with publishers, content aggregators and translation/localization companies. DSM Soft's publishing and content team provides a wide spectrum of services including pre-press and high end digital and software development services. A highly-automated workflow makes sure that we deliver on time with high quality and at a very competitive price.
Our project managers are well-versed in handling either comp-only or full-service titles. They are proactive in planning, good in communication and swift in responding to customer's requirements. As a part of our regular training program, they are also trained in all the production processes before they are prepared to take charge of the activity. Needless to say, any project-specific query, simple technical issues or scheduling information are all sorted out seamlessly.
We have more than a decade's experience in multilingual desktop publishing (DTP). Our dedicated DTP Group processes tens of thousands of pages of multilingual documents in over 100 languages every year. We work directly with translation companies to produce localized online or print-ready materials which accurately reflect the original, while complying with the linguistic and typography standards of each and every language and target locale.
At DSM Soft, we have the ability to work with almost all DTP application software that exist on Windows and Macintosh platforms. These include:
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I don't have any problems with the output of writers. They can take thirty years to write a masterpiece for all I care. As long as the book is honest, and moves literature and human consciousness forward I declare it a victory. As long as they were true to themselves even if the world didn't appreciate it, I declare that a win win too. They can have a bibliography of 60 novels or of just 2 but just as long as they tried and pushed literature a little farther and died with their pens in their hands and stories seeping from their heads.
They can even go and disappear and not publish anymore, but just as long as there are reports of them still showing up at 9:00 a.m. at their backyard sheds to get the daily quota. Just to write and just to live.
I even don't have an issue with writers fading away in drugs or alcohol or running off to Africa only to return with cancer in their leg to die at their mother's barn surrounded by their sisters.
But I do take an issue with writers declaring their retirement to the world like if they just finished a marathon. The thing is that when you're a writer, the marathon never really ends. The marathon will continue without you, the stories will continue to write themselves in your head but you just won't be putting them down on paper anymore. So I take it as disrespectful to the craft and the long literary tradition of writers that consider the craft holy work when writers like Phillip Roth or Alice Munro announce retirement.
Kafka and Felice Bauer. Photograph: © Bettmann/CORBIS
It's an insult to all those writers for who writing does not come that easy or as rewarding. If you make a deal with the devil, you have to follow through.
How dare you say you're going to retire from writing? Real writers never retire for they recognize the preciousness of the words we write. They know the importance of the work we do.
It is an insult to declare your retirement from writing when poets are being tortured in China.
When Fitzgerald died at his desk with pen in hand thinking he was a failure.
When Kafka was editing 'A Hunger Artist' while dying of starvation from laryngeal tuberculosis at a sanitarium in Vienna.
When Roberto Bolano was racing against death to finish '2666' hoping, but knowing he would not get a new liver in time.
When Kerouac died of internal hemorrhage from cirrhosis while putting down notes for a novel about his father's print shop in Lowell.
When Flannery O'Connor limped to her desk on crutches every day to get the holy work done despite the debilitating effects from lupus.
When Delmore Schwartz dies alone in a cheap hotel room.
When Melville dies obscure and in poverty.
When Zora Neale Hurston dies obscure and in poverty.
When Lorca is arrested and shot.
When J.D. Salinger left the limelight to go write in a shed for himself.
When Isaac Babel is arrested, tortured and then shot by the NKVD.
When Isaac Singer continued to write stories and novels in a dead language with a dwindling readership trying to give life to the ghosts of the past.
When Reinaldo Arenas is arrested for being gay, and then must find a way to smuggle his writings from prison.
When Virginia Woolf walks into a lake with stones in her pocket then you know the work is holy.
When Hemingway blows his brains out because he can't write anymore.
When Sylvia Plath puts her head in an oven after confirming that her work is done.
When Leonid Tsypkin dies in Russia after being denied a visa, never getting to see his work published in his lifetime.
When Jack Saunders continues to write in obscurity every day without selling a word to New York or Hollywood.
When Rushdie continued to write under a fatwa.
When poet Roque Dalton is assassinated in El Salvador accused of being a spy.
When Hubert Selby Jr. got to the desk each day, despite depression and ill health to get the holy work done.
When Horacio Castellanos De Moya is run out of his country for writing a book that is like a mirror.
When Solzhenitsyn is arrested for writing derogatory comments in private letters.
When John Kennedy Toole takes his own life leaving the rejected manuscript of 'A Confederacy of Dunces' for his mother to find.
When James Joyce is trying to finish 'Finnegan's Wake' despite his increasing blindness.
When Pessoa writes for no one but himself.
When Bukowski quits the post office for a $100 monthly check from his publisher to just write.
When Shelley drowns in the sea.
When Byron dies in Greece.
When Keats passes away in Rome.
When Dostoyevsky survives the mock execution with a wounded soul.
When Carver dies.
When Proust continued to write while on his deathbed.
When Borges, now blind, would recite Dante's 'Inferno' from memory to any visitor that would listen to the entire poem.
It is an insult to retire when there is still so much work to be done. So many hearts and minds to open. So many obscured worlds to unveil. It is an insult and blasphemy.


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Compare Eclipse Packages
How To Combine Packages
These packages are provided as a convenience to users; they represent common configurations of Eclipse projects that are often used together. However, since Eclipse is, at its core, an expandable platform, you can easily add other features and plugins to any of these packages. Just choose and install the package that most closely meets your needs, then follow these instructions to add features that you need.
included Included (with Source)


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The season for drippy noses, sinus infections and colds has arrived. In addition to making you feel under the weather, is that ticklish buildup of mucus at the back of your throat causing unexpected dental or oral health problems?
The Bad Breath Myth
It is a common misconception that bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be the result of postnasal drip. Erin O'Brien, M.D., answering questions for the Otorhinolaryngology Department at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, says that a drip does not cause oral odor; however, symptoms that often accompany a drip, such as an infection or the common cold, can cause bad breath. When the amount of mucus production is lessened due to illness or medications, it can cause dry mouth and a build up of bacteria or decaying food particles, which in turn can result in bad breath and the beginning of dental decay.
Why We Need Mucus
Having postnasal drip is not a medical condition. The production of clear, odorless mucus is a natural process to keep the throat moist and healthy. If the body creates too much mucus, you may need to clear your throat or cough. If an overproduction of mucus becomes persistent, it may indicate trouble with gastric reflux and should be evaluated by your physician.
If your drip is associated with gastric reflux or another systemic illness such as liver disease or lung disease, you may experience dry mouth and bad breath. Schedule routine oral checkups to ensure healthy gums, teeth and tongue.
Reducing the Drip
Under the guidance of a physician, you can significantly reduce the discomfort that accompanies overstimulation of postnasal mucus production. The Mayo Clinic recommends:
- Sleeping with your head slightly elevated to promote drainage.
- Losing weight if necessary.
- Avoiding foods and beverages immediately before bedtime.
It is also helpful to limit your intake of dairy products in your efforts to reduce mucus production. Instead of giving a child milk, switch to juice or water temporarily to see whether the symptoms ease. Although eating ice cream or pudding feels good on an irritated throat, these milk-based products can stimulate excess mucus production.
In general, postnasal drip does not have any negative effects on your dental health. Even so, if the drip becomes bothersome, it could be a sign that something else is amiss with your health, which could ultimately lead to other medical or oral issues.


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Learn English with musical movies and fleex
Are you more of a TV person? See our list of TV shows and improve your English skills with them!
Watching musical movies is a great way to improve your English. Whether the notes bring you tears, or a smile, here's the good news: in the end you'll always be learning new words and expression of the English language. Below are a few examples of musical movies you can start with to improve your English.
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When calculating a company's P/E or projecting a company's earnings power, rather than using a company's current earnings, value investors prefer to use average earnings from several years past. Ben Graham has written about this idea, and we've also discussed how writedowns, asset sales, and other infrequent items can affect current earnings; but when using an average over several periods, one gets a much better idea of a company's earnings power.
But there's another more subtle reason why "average earnings" is far more useful than current (or forward) earnings: in a free market, companies with undifferentiated products will tend to see their earnings naturally revert to the mean. This occurs because when profits are high, new competitors enter the market, old competitors ramp up production and customers seek out substitutes, until profits are driven to normal levels. When profits are low or negative, the weakest competitors are forced to close their doors and no new competitors enter the market, improving conditions for the companies that stick around.
Depending on the industry, this process will vary in the amount of time that passes between peaks (we discussed this process for the oil industry here). But Wall Street's obsession with current earnings (as discussed here by Ben Graham and David Dodd) provides opportunities to value investors when earnings are simply at the lower end of the cycle.
An important caveat is that one must be sure that earnings are low due to a cyclical effect, not a secular effect (the newspaper industry is often cited as an example of an industry in secular decline, thanks to the world wide web and other forms of media). Furthermore, one must only purchase the companies with little to no debt and low cost levels, as these are the companies that will survive the downturn. Adjustments must also be made for companies that have increased their book values substantially (either by retaining earnings, or issuing new shares); the earning power of such companies should be higher than they have been in the past, though this is not always the case.
The bottom line is, average earnings are a much more useful gauge of a company's earnings power than current or oft-cited expected future earnings, which are based on only one period and could be affected by infrequent items or the industry's current position in its business cycle.


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Table of Contents
Items in the BMC Archive are made publicly available for non-commercial, private use. Inclusion within the BMC Archive does not imply endorsement. Items do not represent the official views of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or of Book of Mormon Central.
President N. Eldon Tanner
First Counselor in the First Presidency
The choir sang so beautifully "God of Our Fathers" at the beginning of the meeting, and the prayer was addressed to "Our Father who art in heaven." Then the choir sang the song "'Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love," referring to Christ. This morning I should like to talk about God and his relationship to man. I humbly pray that the Spirit and blessings of the Lord will be with us as I speak to you.
A simple opening statement in the Bible is, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1:1); and therein is to be found the basis for man's belief in God, his omnipotence, his love, and the reason for man's existence in this mortal state.
As we read on in that first chapter of Genesis, we learn of the great organization of this earth—the division of light from darkness, the earth from the heavens; the bringing forth of grass, the herb yielding seed, and fruit; the appearance of the sun, moon, and stars; the creation of fish, fowl, and animals. And finally "God created man in his own image … male and female created he them" (Gen. 1:1–27).
Beyond reading these and other scriptural evidences of the existence of God, how well do we really know God, our Creator, and how well do we really understand his personality, characteristics, and attributes? Belief in the fact that God exists is of first importance, but it is not all that is necessary in order to exercise an intelligent faith that will lead us back into his presence for eternal life with him.
In addition to a belief in the existence of God, we must know something of his character and attributes or our faith will be imperfect and unfruitful. Faith will avail us nothing unless it is based on true principles. This is illustrated in a story I have told before about the meeting of the Indians with the Europeans when they first began their explorations in the New World. The Indians were amazed at the power and explosive qualities of gunpowder and asked many questions about how it was produced. Taking advantage of the ignorance of the savages and seeing an opportunity to increase their wealth through deception, the Europeans told them it came from the seed of a plant. The Indians believed them and purchased some seed in exchange for gold. They carefully planted the seed and watched it grow, but of course they did not get any gunpowder. No matter how sincere one's belief may be in an error, it will not change the error into truth.
So it is with our belief in God. Unless we know him and understand his nature and character, we cannot have perfect faith in him. There was no question about God in Old Testament times. He walked and talked with Adam and Eve, and even after their transgression they continued to call upon him and to sacrifice to him. He gave them commandments which they obeyed.
Cain and Abel learned of God from the teachings of their parents, as well as from personal revelations. After the acceptance of Abel's offering and the rejection of that of Cain, followed by Cain's crime of fratricide, God talked with Cain and Cain answered.
Adam lived for nine hundred and thirty years, during which time he could give personal testimony to eight generations of his descendants, down to Lamech, the father of Noah. (See Gen. 5:5–31.) Through Noah and his family, a knowledge of God by direct tradition was carried beyond the Flood; moreover, Noah held direct communication with God and lived to instruct ten generations of his descendants. (See Gen. 6:9.) There followed Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (or Israel), and among the children of Israel, God wrought great wonders. (See Gen. 17:1; Ex. 3:15.)
He made himself known by various means of communication to Moses, who even beheld the "similitude" of God (see Num. 12:8); and this account of direct communication has been preserved by Israel through all generations.
In addition to history and tradition, human reason declares the existence of God. We find this confirmed in nature all around us. I quote from Elder James E. Talmage, a noted scientist of his day:
"The observer is impressed by the manifest order and system in creation; he notes the regular succession of day and night providing alternate periods of work and rest for man, animals, and plants; the sequence of the seasons, each with its longer periods of activity and recuperation; the mutual dependence of animals and plants; the circulation of water from sea to cloud, from cloud to earth again, with beneficent effect. As man proceeds to the closer examination of things he finds that by study and scientific investigation these proofs are multiplied many fold. He may learn of the laws by which the earth and its associated worlds are governed in their orbits; by which satellites are held subordinate to planets, and planets to suns; he may behold the marvels of vegetable and animal anatomy, and the surpassing mechanism of his own body; and with such appeals to his reason increasing at every step, his wonder as to who ordained all this gives place to adoration for the Creator whose presence and power are thus so forcefully proclaimed; and the observer becomes a worshiper." (The Articles of Faith, 42nd ed., Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1961, pp. 32–33.)
With all this evidence it is hard to understand how some can doubt the very existence of God. The early scriptures do not attempt to demonstrate God's existence or to argue on the sophistries of atheism, so it seems that the errors of doubt crept in at some later time. With the death of Christ and the apostles, and during the period of apostasy when revelation ceased, the simple, consistent, and authentic doctrine about the character and attributes of God became distorted, and numerous theories and dogmas of men appeared, many of which are utterly mystical and incomprehensible.
Seeking to end the many disagreements and arguments regarding the Godhead which were prevalent at the time, the emperor Constantine in the year A.D. 325 convened the Council of Nice in order that this body might make "a declaration of … belief that would be received as authoritative." This council brought forth what is known as the Nicene Creed, followed some time later by the Athanasian Creed which reads in part:
"We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance. For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is all one; the glory equal, the majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Ghost uncreate. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet there are not three eternals, but one eternal. As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated; but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty; and yet there are not three Almighties, but one Almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God." (Talmage, The Articles of Faith, pp. 47–48.)
Elder Talmage said, "It would be difficult to conceive of a greater number of inconsistencies and contradictions expressed in words as few" (Articles of Faith, p. 48). And to many, God is just such a mystery, and as incomprehensible.
In these latter days God again has revealed himself to man as he did in former times. Biblical prophecies predict a falling away from the true gospel, or an apostasy, and also a restoration, including the manner in which it should come. This great event did actually occur when the Father and the Son appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith, who in his generation could and did testify that they were two separate beings and that one said, pointing to the other, "This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" (JS—H 1:17.)
When he reported his vision, the doubters scoffed, ridiculed, and persecuted him and he said he felt much like Paul when he made his defense before King Agrippa (See JS—H 1:21–24).
"He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise."
Joseph said:
"So it was with me. … I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation." (JS—H 1:25.)
Later, through heavenly messengers, Joseph Smith was instructed regarding the reestablishment of the Church of Jesus Christ with the same organization that existed in the primitive church which Christ organized while he was upon the earth, with apostles, prophets, etc. As predicted by ancient prophets, other scriptures came forth, new revelation was given, and the restoration of the gospel was heralded by all who had been waiting for the fulfillment of prophecy.
Soon after the organization of the Church in 1830, Joseph Smith prepared thirteen statements which became known as the Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The first one reads as follows:
"We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." [A of F 1:1]
Through revelation and the scriptures we know that these three are separate individuals, physically distinct from each other. It is recorded that when the Savior was baptized, John recognized the sign of the Holy Ghost, he saw Jesus in the flesh, and he heard the voice of the Father. Each personage of the Godhead manifested himself separately (see Matt. 3:13–17). Later, the Savior separately defined the three members of the Godhead when he told his disciples that when he left them, the Father would send a comforter, who is the Holy Ghost (see John 14:26).
Each member of this trinity is called God, and together they constitute the Godhead. As indicated, they are three separate beings, but they are one in purpose, and Jesus repeatedly testified of the unity existing among the three.
To those who question or do not understand, let me assure you that every human soul can receive this personal testimony. God may not come in person, as he did to Joseph Smith and others; but through the power of the Holy Ghost, by which all truth is discerned, every person can gain a knowledge for himself that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Father, and that he came and dwelt among men to give them the plan of life and salvation.
Recently I was reading from a talk given in September 1919 by President Heber J. Grant, the seventh president of the Church. He told of reading a book entitled The Young Man and the World, written by Senator Albert J. Beveridge. In one chapter called "The Young Man and the Pulpit," Mr. Beveridge said, according to President Grant, that "any man who enters the pulpit to preach, if he is not converted in his heart of hearts to the truth of that which he preaches, commits a sacrilege every time he stands up in his pulpit."
Then Mr. Beveridge said: "A certain man, with good opportunities for getting correct answers, during an entire summer vacation asked three questions of all the ministers with whom he came in contact. The first question was: 'Do you believe in God, the Father—God, a person—God, a definite and tangible intelligence—not a congeries of laws floating like a fog through the universe—but God, a person in whose image you were made? Don't argue; don't explain; but is your mind in a condition where you can answer yes or no?' Not a minister answered 'Yes.' …
The next question in Senator Beveridge's book was: "'Yes or no, do you believe that Christ was the Son of the Living God, sent by Him to save the World … , that Christ was God's very Son, with a divinely appointed and definite mission, dying on the cross and raised from the dead—yes or no?' Not a minister answered 'Yes.'"
The third question was: "'Do you believe that when you die you will live again as a conscious intelligence, knowing who you are and who other people are? Answer yes or no.' Not one answered 'Yes.'"
President Grant went on to explain, as we are able to do today, that every Latter-day Saint—man, woman, and child—who has studied the scriptures and who has a desire to know God and his plan of life and salvation could answer "Yes" to all three questions. (In Conference Report, Oct. 1919, pp. 27–28.)
We know that we had a preexistence, that we are here in mortality to prove ourselves worthy to go back into the presence of our Heavenly Father and there enjoy eternal life.
This brings us to another article of our faith which declares:
"We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel" (A of F 1:3).
This declaration is clarified in a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith as recorded in the seventy-sixth section of the Doctrine and Covenants:
"And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us—
"That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness." (D&C 76:40–41.)
The Atonement and redemption was taught by Paul, who said, in writing to the Corinthians:
"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Cor. 15:19–22.)
Christ said:
"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
"No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." (John 10:17–18.)
On another occasion he said:
"For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
"And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
"And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:26–29.)
We recall the words of Jesus to Martha when she told him of her brother's death:
"I am the resurrection, and the life: He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
"And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." (John 11:25–26.)
In a glorious promise, beautifully expressed, the Savior declared:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16–17.)
From these scriptures we can plainly see the importance of our understanding just what the Atonement is and our responsibility in relation to it. We learn that the Atonement is for all—that all will be resurrected from the grave. We will experience the resurrection of life or of damnation. It is clearly stated that we must believe in Jesus Christ, follow him, and keep his commandments.
There may be some who feel so burdened with guilt over transgressions of the past that they have lost hope; and there may be some who feel the time is too far spent for them to change the course of their lives. To everyone the gospel plan gives encouragement and hope for a glorious resurrection and eternal life with God through the principle of repentance. The Savior's plea throughout his ministry was "Repent, and be baptized, and come unto me." Repentance embodies a recognition of one's sins, a confession, and a forsaking. The rewards for accepting and living the teachings of Jesus Christ will far exceed the riches of the earth, as we lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven.
As a special witness for Christ, I bear my solemn testimony that God lives; that we are his spirit children; that Jesus Christ is his Only Begotten Son in the flesh, and is the Savior of us all; that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16); and that through the Atonement of Christ all mankind can enjoy eternal life by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.
I bear further witness that the gospel in its fulness has been restored in these the latter days; that this church, under the direction of Jesus Christ, is led by a prophet of God, even Spencer W. Kimball. May we all accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and so live as to enjoy eternal life with God, I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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WASHINGTON — For Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, writing a Republican-only health care bill that can pass the Senate boils down to this question: How do you solve a problem like Dean, Lisa, Patrick, Ted, Rand and Susan?
Those are some GOP senators whose clashing demands McConnell, R-Ky., must resolve. Facing solid Democratic opposition to demolishing former President Barack Obama's 2010 overhaul, Republicans will lose if just three of their 52 senators defect.
In a report that complicated McConnell's task, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office delivered a damaging critique last week of the GOP-written bill the House approved May 4. It concluded the measure would create 23 million additional uninsured Americans by 2026; lower premiums for younger and healthy people by letting them buy sparser coverage; and confront unhealthy, poorer and older consumers with exorbitant out-of-pocket costs.
As GOP senators try privately crafting a bill, here are some problems facing McConnell:
Booting that many people off health care coverage is a nonstarter for many Republican senators. It's a campaign attack ad that writes itself.
Republicans defend just nine of the 34 seats on next year's Senate election map. Of them, just two seem competitive — Dean Heller of Nevada and Arizona's Jeff Flake.
"Twenty-three million people. That's a good place to start," Heller said of why he opposes the House bill.
Most losing coverage would be Medicaid beneficiaries. Also hurt are people buying their own insurance and others getting coverage at work.
The number can be reduced by spending more on Medicaid, fattening tax credits for people buying insurance and boosting government payments to insurers to help them lower consumers' costs.
Those steps are complicated and expensive.
The House bill would halt extra federal funds in 2020 that 31 states get for Obama's expansion of the federal-state health care program for poorer and disabled Americans. The legislation would also give states fixed federal sums annually, ending the open-ended payments Washington has always made to reflect growing medical expenses and caseloads.
This means an $834 billion cut over the coming decade that would produce 14 million, or 17 percent, fewer Medicaid beneficiaries than projected, the budget office said. This is a problem for Republicans from states with a heavy reliance on Medicaid.
Twenty GOP senators are from states that expanded Medicaid, and most oppose abruptly ending the Obama law's extra federal payments. They include moderates like Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, whose state Medicaid program has added 700,000 enrollees; as well as Alaska's Lisa Murkowski, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Heller.
These senators are seeking a compromise that would phase out the extra federal expansion money for several additional years. They also want the overall program to grow yearly by a formula that's more generous than the House would allow, and protect Medicaid money states use to combat the growing problem of opioid abuse.
They would also increase federal payments to state pools for assisting low-earning residents and federal tax credits that subsidize poorer people buying their own coverage.
Many conservatives want to curb Medicaid spending. In one proposal, they'd phase out extra federal Medicaid expansion money over a decade but reductions would begin next year.
Sen. Patrick Toomey's Pennsylvania has expanded Medicaid, but he's also one of the Senate's more conservative members. He's seeking compromise with Portman on curtailing Medicaid, saying it "must be on a sustainable path."
Conservative GOP Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah want to erase Obama insurance coverage requirements. These include obliging insurers to charge the same premiums for healthy people and those with pre-existing medical conditions, and forcing them to cover specified benefits like maternity care.
Conservatives say without those requirements, people could buy less expensive though less robust coverage.
Many moderates are wary of a bill that would let Democratic opponents castigate them for snatching away coverage like maternity care. They also cite the budget office finding that letting states drop coverage requirements leaves many sicker and older consumers with untenably high costs.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has repeatedly criticized the House bill for subsidizing insurance companies and is considered a conservative wild card.
Murkowski and Maine Sen. Susan Collins have opposed past conservative moves to block federal payments to Planned Parenthood, which provides abortions. The House bill does that and bars the use of federal health insurance tax credits for policies covering abortion.
Murkowski and Collins have not said such provisions would cause them to oppose an overhaul health care bill, but neither is comfortable opposing Planned Parenthood.
With its remoteness, high living costs and small pool of residents, Alaska has had the highest premiums in the U.S. since Obama's law took effect, says Cynthia Cox, an associate director at the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation.
That means the House bill's tax credits, mostly linked to people's ages, would be far smaller than Obama's, which reflect premiums and incomes. That gap is a major problem for Murkowski.


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When I called for this blog burst, I had no idea how much I would struggle with it. I start out relatively calm and then I can feel myself getting angrier and angrier as I dwell on the catastrophic hypocrisy that is the so-called "Pro-Life" movement. So once again, I'm left with only questions.
Why is it that SUZANNE and the fetus-fetishists only show concern for unborn children? Why do they never whine and cry and protest for children already born? Where is their concern for children living in poverty? Or for child trafficking? Or for disease, disability, lack of access to clean water, adequate health care, safety from abuse? Does any of this make an impression?
And this isn't a problem confined only to the third world — it's happening right here in Canada. If you visit Campaign 2000's web site, you'll find the following troubling statistics:
Campaign 2000 has released the 2007 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty, revealing that 18 years after the 1989 all-party resolution of the House of Commons, the child poverty rate is exactly the same. Despite a growing economy, a soaring dollar and low unemployment, Statistics Canada data show:
• 788,000 children – 11.7% - live in poverty
• A job alone is not enough. 41% of low-income children live in families where at least one parent works full-time all year, and the family still lives in poverty.
• The risk of living in poverty is not the same for all children. Poverty hits children in racialized, First Nations and recent immigrant communities much more often.
And SUZANNE and her merry band of fetus-fetishists? I guess they're too busy trying to save the fetuses which are sooooooo much more important than actual live children.
So I call bullshit, even though it won't make any difference. These people, these supposed compassionate conservatives, wouldn't know compassion if it jumped up and bit them on their smug, judgmental, pathologically dishonest asses. And they never will.
Surprise, surprise. And here's Susie All-Caps now, proving my point oh-so perfectly. Does anyone else find it just the tiniest bit Freudian how she keeps referring to a fetus in the masculine?


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In reading article after article and headline after headline about the pandemic and what is happening in so many people's lives around the world, one thing above all has become crystal clear, and that is:
The coronavirus has stolen much from us and irrevocably altered how we see our reality.
Experiences, situations, events, and beliefs about the "reality" of life that so many of us took for granted (and never for a second questioned could be stripped away) are now gone.
For me and my family, and for the clients and course members I work with, for instance, there have been shocking truths that we never imagined we could be dealing with, including:
Physical distance
- We can't physically be with our loved ones or friends or enjoy a get-together for the foreseeable future
- Even walking in nature, which for so many is healing, is not allowed in many states
Loss of connection
- Our beloved family members could suffer or die alone, without our being there to comfort them
Lack of protection
- We have lost the sense that we have the power to protect ourselves from harm
- Healthcare workers in this country aren't protected and have to put their lives on the line every day for us
- Family members of first-responders and healthcare workers, and others who are vulnerable, are at great risk
- Our children have to adjust to an entirely new way of learning and connecting that many are not equipped for, technologically or emotionally
Lack of celebration and closure
- Many who would be experiencing beautiful life milestones such as graduation, prom, sports championships, special birthdays, etc. have lost these high-point memories and experiences
Means of provision
- There is risk to leave our homes to obtain the necessities we need to live
Our sources of joy and solace
- Our places of worship and our concert halls, theaters, museums, etc. where many experienced solace, comfort and joy are not safe
Our work
- The work so many people do each day to be of service and earn money to live has been stripped away
A new experience of vulnerability
- Most of all, all our understanding and learning from science and research and the from past still hasn't been enough to protect us
I don't write this to be doom and gloom, but to highlight what all of us are dealing with that we were, frankly, not prepared for. It is wartime, for sure. In thinking about what we've lost, we could become even more depressed, and that would be an understandable response.
But now is the time to access our most powerful and potent selves, and to soldier through this—to cope and rise above it—best we can, because we need to and others need us to be strong. We need to hold ourselves together for those who rely on our strength and capabilities. And this is the time to also be grateful for what we do have, which is still so much.
Absolutely, we must allow ourselves to grieve and process our emotions fully, and not pretend that we're not sad and frightened. But if we can, we also need to access more mental and emotional strength and resilience so that we can go on in the best way possible.
As a former marriage and family therapist who worked with clients dealing with deeply traumatic experiences including rape, incest, pedophilia, suicidality, substance abuse, attempted murder and more, I have seen firsthand what those who have faced the darkest of human experiences have done to cope, heal, rise above, and even thrive through their deepest challenges.
And in my coaching work with people who have experienced incredible challenges that have impacted their professional lives, I've seen too what people can overcome. And how they can grow stronger and more resilient through these experiences so that when the crisis is over, they are stronger, clearer, and more of who they want to be.
I've seen that there are five core behaviors that help us marshal our internal resources, build mental and emotional strength, find brave, and access our most powerful selves and they are:
#1: Be vigilant about what you attend to
If you're like me, an overload of horrific headlines and news makes me feel sick with worry, anxiety and fear. And my physical well-being is affected as well. My blood pressure rises, and there are other physical signs of anxiety that emerge when I'm flooded with negativity and a feeling of doom.
Now is the time to be very careful what you focus on. It's critical to find ways to stay informed without falling into depression. In a fascinating Forbes interview with Michelle Gielan on 7 Ways to Instantly Become Influential In Your Business and Fuel More Success, Michele helps us take control of what we focus on, and shares this:
Our brains are wired to scan the world for threats, which is not often ideal for fueling success. While we are able to process 40-50 bits of information per second, our brain is bombarded with 11 million bits per second. If we are consumed with mitigating threats at work or with our families, we don't have brain resources left over to scan the world for the opportunities and resources.
And in our Finding Brave podcast interview, Michele demonstrates what I call Brave Speak, and shares how our words create our reality and our happiness. Click below to listen in – this is powerful information for just these times:
Focus intensively now on what you're putting in your brain as information. Be selective about the type of news you access, how much, and when. Read your news (rather than watch hours of TV and talking heads rambling about their take on the news) and be selective about the headlines you choose to read. Understand that if you aren't careful in what you digest, you'll be fueling a breeding ground for more fear and overwhelm.
Also, be careful who you are hanging out with (virtually and otherwise). People who are terribly negative do indeed have an impact on you.
#2: Find a way to process your grief but not dwell on the terrible
It's so important to be able to fully process what we're experiencing, including pain, confusion, loss, fear, and despair. And it's perfectly normal to be grieving right now (there are different kinds of grief as well, including anticipatory grief and grief over all that we've lost).
That said, dwelling on the awful doesn't help us. Acceptance of today's reality (for now) and embracing a problem-solving mentality is what helps us cope better than falling into a pit of despair. Take the time now to build stronger coping mechanisms for yourself, and give yourself what you need to process your emotions while also taking steps to problem-solve.
For instance, take an online meditation class to help calm you, or start a journal process nightly, to explore and work through your thoughts and concerns more fully. Check out my Forbes interview with renowned happiness expert Shawn Achor on ways you can increase your experience of happiness today.
If you feel it's too much to handle alone, reach out to a therapist and work with them online. (Check out the American Assn of Marriage and Family Therapists and use their therapist locator to find someone to help you.)
We WILL get through this. Try to take one step a day that feels like you are addressing the problems at hand in a powerful way that demonstrates your own self-efficacy.
#3: Focus on what you can control
So many of us feel helpless and out of control right now, and that fuels our anxieties. Take back control of your day wherever you can. For me, for instance, I'm continuing to work on my typical work projects including writing, finishing my book, recording my podcast and coaching and teaching, etc. but I'm intensively focused now on offering where I can new content that's relevant to today's times. That's what I can control – what I create, write and produce.
How about you? What can you control in your day that makes you remember that life is going on and will continue to go on. Perhaps it's cleaning and organizing one room a day, or taking an online class to build that skill you've been wanting to. Some men I've spoken to who have lost their work (but their spouses continue to work outside the home) are taking on all the cooking and cleaning and other domestic responsibilities for the entire family (something they never did before).
Another method of taking back control is to find a way to be of service to other people. Who can you help today? Perhaps teach something online, or offer a Zoom or google hangout meeting. Find a way to be of service to someone new today.
Do something each day that helps you feel you're taking back control over your life.
#4: Surround yourself virtually with people who inspire and uplift you
I'm in a wonderful singing group–The Wilton Singers— that meets to rehearse every week from September through May, to prepare for our two annual concerts. We sing for two hours, then we have an hour of snacks and socializing. I've been in this group for 15 years and these people have grown to be my dear friends who have seen me through so many of my life's ups and downs. Suddenly, we can't meet, sing or connect physically any longer (for now).
So many of us feel the deep loss of that connection and miss our friendships. But we took action last night and held a virtual rehearsal and meetup for two hours on Zoom. It was a balm for the soul and we all felt it. Now, we're committed to meeting every week to just stay in touch and support each other. It's not the same as physically singing and being together, but it's something, and we'll take it.
Who can you surround yourself (virtually) with today, this week and next week, who uplifts and inspires you and brings you joy and gratitude? One amazing gift we have is that we can still connect virtually with our dear friends and inspiring thought leadership around the world. Read some riveting new books and other material or listen to great podcasts that remind you of what we can be appreciative of today.
#5: Ask for help out loud
Finally, if you feel this is just too hard and you need help, don't be embarrassed to ask for it, out loud. Tell your parent, partner, or best friend that you need help to deal with what's happening. Talk it out. Share your fears and anxieties. And don't wait to seek therapeutic help if you aren't coping with the struggles you're facing and the burden feels just too great. You're not alone and there is no shame in needing help. In fact, it demonstrates your mental and emotional strength to admit it's time for help.
There are amazing helpers, supporters and angels waiting in the wings to offer you just the right guidance, strategies, support and beautiful listening ears you need.
Sometimes, the most important thing we can do to thrive is to finally say out loud what we've been struggling so hard internally to cope with. For help, contact your local Social Services department, your primary doctor or your local hospital to request a referral to a therapist or counselor who can provide support. (Or again, check out AAMFT.org's therapist locator.)
We will get through this together. Let's all use this time to build our mental and emotional strength so that, when this is behind us (and this too shall pass), we will be able to adjust well, recraft our lives successfully, and thrive.
Read more at: https://kathycaprino.com/2020/03/5-ways-to-build-more-mental-and-emotional-strength-in-the-face-of-what-weve-lost/


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John Barleycorn by Jack London
Chapter VIII
We met by appointment, early Monday morning, to complete the deal, in Johnny Heinhold's "Last Chance "–a saloon, of course, for the transactions of men. I paid the money over, received the bill of sale, and French Frank treated. This struck me as an evident custom, and a logical one–the seller, who receives, the money, to wet a piece of it in the establishment where the trade was consummated. But, to my surprise, French Frank treated the house. He and I drank, which seemed just; but why should Johnny Heinhold, who owned the saloon and waited behind the bar, be invited to drink? I figured it immediately that he made a profit on the very drink he drank. I could, in a way, considering that they were friends and shipmates, understand Spider and Whisky Bob being asked to drink; but why should the longshoremen, Bill Kelley and Soup Kennedy, be asked?
Then there was Pat, the Queen's brother, making a total of eight of us. It was early morning, and all ordered whisky. What could I do, here in this company of big men, all drinking whisky? "Whisky," I said, with the careless air of one who had said it a thousand times. And such whisky! I tossed it down. A-r-r-r-gh! I can taste it yet.
And I was appalled at the price French Frank had paid–eighty cents. EIGHTY CENTS! It was an outrage to my thrifty soul. Eighty cents–the equivalent of eight long hours of my toil at the machine, gone down our throats, and gone like that, in a twinkling, leaving only a bad taste in the mouth. There was no discussion that French Frank was a waster.
I was anxious to be gone, out into the sunshine, out over the water to my glorious boat. But all hands lingered. Even Spider, my crew, lingered. No hint broke through my obtuseness of why they lingered. I have often thought since of how they must have regarded me, the newcomer being welcomed into their company standing at bar with them, and not standing for a single round of drinks.
French Frank, who, unknown to me, had swallowed his chagrin since the day before, now that the money for the Razzle Dazzle was in his pocket, began to behave curiously toward me. I sensed the change in his attitude, saw the forbidding glitter in his eyes, and wondered. The more I saw of men, the queerer they became. Johnny Heinhold leaned across the bar and whispered in my ear s "He's got it in for you. Watch out."
I nodded comprehension of his statement, and acquiescence in it, as a man should nod who knows all about men. But secretly I was perplexed. Heavens! How was I, who had worked hard and read books of adventure, and who was only fifteen years old, who had not dreamed of giving the Queen of the Oyster Pirates a second thought, and who did not know that French Frank was madly and Latinly in love with her–how was I to guess that I had done him shame? And how was I to guess that the story of how the Queen had thrown him down on his own boat, the moment I hove in sight, was already the gleeful gossip of the water-front? And by the same token, how was I to guess that her brother Pat's offishness with me was anything else than temperamental gloominess of spirit?
Whisky Bob got me aside a moment. "Keep your eyes open," he muttered. "Take my tip. French Frank's ugly. I'm going up river with him to get a schooner for oystering. When he gets down on the beds, watch out. He says he'll run you down. After dark, any time he's around, change your anchorage and douse your riding light. Savve?"
Oh, certainly, I savve'd. I nodded my head, and, as one man to another, thanked him for his tip; and drifted back to the group at the bar. No; I did not treat. I never dreamed that I was expected to treat. I left with Spider, and my ears burn now as I try to surmise the things they must have said about me.
I asked Spider, in an off-hand way, what was eating French Frank. "He's crazy jealous of you," was the answer. "Do you think so?" I said, and dismissed the matter as not worth thinking about.
But I leave it to any one–the swell of my fifteen-years-old manhood at learning that French Frank, the adventurer of fifty, the sailor of all the seas of all the world, was jealous of me– and jealous over a girl most romantically named the Queen of the Oyster Pirates. I had read of such things in books, and regarded them as personal probabilities of a distant maturity. Oh, I felt a rare young devil, as we hoisted the big mainsail that morning, broke out anchor, and filled away close-hauled on the three-mile beat to windward out into the bay.
Such was my escape from the killing machine-toil, and my introduction to the oyster pirates. True, the introduction had begun with drink, and the life promised to continue with drink. But was I to stay away from it for such reason? Wherever life ran free and great, there men drank. Romance and Adventure seemed always to go down the street locked arm in arm with John Barleycorn. To know the two, I must know the third. Or else I must go back to my free library books and read of the deeds of other men and do no deeds of my own save slave for ten cents an hour at a machine in a cannery.
No; I was not to be deterred from this brave life on the water by the fact that the water-dwellers had queer and expensive desires for beer and wine and whisky. What if their notions of happiness included the strange one of seeing me drink? When they persisted in buying the stuff and thrusting it upon me, why, I would drink it. It was the price I would pay for their comradeship. And I didn't have to get drunk. I had not got drunk the Sunday afternoon I arranged to buy the Razzle Dazzle, despite the fact that not one of the rest was sober. Well, I could go on into the future that way, drinking the stuff when it gave them pleasure that I should drink it, but carefully avoiding over-drinking.