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You may be surprised to find that when you add up all of your current costs of living, you can move to a Keystone Community, worry less and live more – all for a comparable amount to what you are spending now if not less.
It is the #1 common misconception that living in an Independent Living, Assisted Living or Memory Care community is unattainable because of finances. At Keystone, our Senior Living Counselors are trained to not only listen to your needs and help guide you, but to help you find a solution that is best for you and/or your loved one. This includes financially.
It is important to have a strong understanding of your financial house prior to making the decision to move into a Senior Living Community. We encourage you to click on and download our Value Worksheet (as seen below) to calculate and compare your monthly costs to Keystone Living.

subset: commoncrawl


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Luke 18
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care what people think, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!' "
6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
The Little Children and Jesus
15People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
18A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
19 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 20You know the commandments: 'You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'#18:20 Exodus 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20"
21"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
23When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
26Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?"
27Jesus replied, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."
28Peter said to him, "We have left all we had to follow you!"
29 "Truly I tell you," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life."
Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time
31Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; 33they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again."
34The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight
35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
38He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
39Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
40Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41"What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord, I want to see," he replied.
42Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." 43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
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"Peer-to-peer live streaming for massively multiplayer online games", in 12th IEEE International Conference on Peer to Peer Computing 2012, Tarragona, Spain, 2012, pp. 67 - 68.
, "Community Tools for Massively Multiplayer Online Games", International Journal on Advances in Networks and Services, IARIA,
Vol. 4, No. 3 & 4, pp. 313 - 323, 2011.
, "Evaluating P2P Live Streaming Systems: the CNG Case", in The Seventeenth International Conference on Distributed Multimedia Systems,
Convitto della Calza, Florence, Italy, 18 - 20 August, 2011, pp. 126-129.
, "The Community Network Game Project: Enhancing Collaborative Activities in Online Games", in NEM Summit Towards Future Media Internet, Barcelona, Spain, 2010.
, "The Community Network Game Project: Enriching Online Gamers Experience with User Generated Content", in CONTENT 2010: The Second International Conference on Creative Content Technologies, Lisbon, Portugal, 2010.


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And now on to the regularly scheduled entry:
I'm a radical non-conformist. That's one thing about me that hasn't changed in the 16 years since college graduation (or the 20 years from high school graduation). Ask anybody, and they'll tell you that they don't know what beat I march to, but it's not any drum they can hear. Make the opinion a "popular" one, and I'm more likely to reject it – or at least put it under fierce scrutiny to see if it's logical or makes sense. If there's one thing I've always been proud of, it's my authenticity. For example:
· When I was buying a new car in 2006, I immediately dismissed the Toyota Camry as an option based on a commercial. It was store security store camera where the announcer said "attention shoppers, a Toyota Camry has it's lights on in the parking
lot" and everybody left the store. They prided themselves on having the most popular car in America. And I said hell no, I don't want to drive the same car that everybody else drives. I refused to even stop to look at a Toyota lot because of that stupid commercial.
· Everybody loves San Francisco, and I'll agree that it's an intriguing place. I'd love to take Rick there someday. But frankly, it was too cold for my liking. 55 degrees in early September darn near sent me into shock. My sinuses didn't care for it too much either, as I got the worse nosebleed I've ever had the day after I arrived. A lot of people tell me that's their favorite place in the world. To each their own. It was interesting, but frankly it was a city that was a bit too crowded for me. I was more impressed with the nature, sunshine, and wide, open spaces of Arizona.
· I don't care for high heel shoes. At 5'1" I could wear stilts and still not fool anyone. It won't help, so why bother with the sore legs and achy knees. No thanks. In fact, I refuse to wear shoes with more than a 2 inch heel. It's a compromise (but not one I make often).
· I refuse to color my hair (at this point in my life). People keep telling me I should get my hair highlighted, but I like my hair darker. I used to get natural highlights when I was in marching band in high school and college and I hated it. It might
have looked good to others, but it was dried out and frizzy, and I fought it and hated the color every day. Until I go grey, no color. And then, no blonde. I accept what the Lord gave me, so the rest of the world can darn well get over it.
· I don't own a flat iron. I don't need one. My hair is straighter than pine straw. And it won't hold a curl either, so I gave up on that too.
· I don't like the telephone. Frankly, I think it's the most abused invention ever. People pick it up to ask stupid questions that they could answer themselves if they put their brain on it for 2 minutes. Or worse yet, to jabber about pointless things and waste inordinate amounts of time. Seriously, people use the telephone as a "surrogate brain." Progress, my butt. That invention has kicked us down a couple of notches on the evolutionary scale. I pray computers and the Internet can pull us back up by the bootstraps before too much deterioration sets in.
· I don't think that print media will ever die. And believe it or not, it's not because of the absurd "paper holdouts" that gripe about the evils of technology. Rather, there's just too much already out there in the way of books, magazines and newspapers. The world can go more digital, but I don't see a day where we'll do away with all paper forever. Frankly, I think we'd already be there if that were a real trend. I believe digital print will take over a majority market share, and will certainly transition to the preferred method of print media. But no, books, magazines and newspapers won't go away. They might go the way of cassette
tapes – rare, but not extinct.
· Dogs might be man's best friend, but this woman's best friends have always been birds. I've never had a dog. It's always been birds for me, because they're more sociable, they're happy, and they live longer. Much longer. Case in point: our oldest sun conure, Zack, is 13 years old, and he's outlived 3 of my parents' cats.
· My laptop is pink. So is the mouse. And my phone case. And my work ID is on a lanyard with pink beads. Hey, everybody else has black, white or silver everything. There's no question which stuff is mine!
I could go on for quite a while but I think one thing is already clear – I make up my own mind about what I like and appreciate in life. And if it's contrary to popular opinion, so much the better. I don't have a problem with being unique. In fact, I prefer it that way. How can you be authentic if you're just like everybody else?
That's all today. Take care and have a great rest of the week.


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Android Co-Learning is a weekly meetup for Android developers. It's a healthy mix of experienced developers and beginners. We come together to exchange knowledge, help beginners, discuss new techniques and OS features. Please bring your Laptop with you. Who this meetup is for: There is no strict rule. Just come by and let's share a good time! We encourage you to join our Slack group "Android Developer Group Berlin". Visit https://adg-berlin.herokuapp.com and there you can find #co-learning channel. There all attendees and organizers are encouraged to hang out.
- beginners: come by and ask us any question you have. We will help you regardless it is installing AndroidStudio or making VR app;
- experienced: come by and share your knowledge and help our new Android fellows or ask questions to other experienced attendees, or just to work on your own projects.


text: Followed this post on Free Albums Galore to Volcano the Bear's Classic Erasmus Fusion courtesy of the Free Music Archive and Beta Lactam Ring Records. Wow, what a great record! It's been a while since I listened to an album all the way through and then put it on again right away. Looking forward to hearing more.


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AMID THE supposed clamor of contending cultures and civilizations, a new reality is emerging. The nation-state is becoming a tighter, more vigorous unit capable of sustaining the pressures of worldwide competition. Developed states are putting aside military, political, and territorial ambitions as they struggle not for cultural dominance but for a greater share of world output. Countries are not uniting as civilizations and girding for conflict with one another. instead, they are downsizing--in function if not in geographic form. Today and for the foreseeable future, the only international civilization worthy of the name is the governing economic culture of the world market. Despite the view of some contemporary observers, the forces of globalization have successfully resisted partition into cultural camps.
Yet the world's attention continues to be mistakenly focused on military and political struggles for territory. In beleaguered Bosnia, Serbian leaders sought to create an independent province with an allegiance to Belgrade. A few years ago Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein aimed to corner the world oil market through military aggression against Kuwait and, in all probability, Saudi Arabia; oil, a product of land, represented the supreme embodiment of his ambitions. In Kashmir, India and Pakistan are wing for territorial dominance over a population that neither may be fully able to control. Similar rivalries beset Rwanda and Burundi and the factions in Liberia.
These examples, however, look to the past. Less developed countries, still producing goods that are derived from land, continue to covet territory. In economies where capital, labor, and information are mobile and have risen to predominance, no land fetish remains. Developed countries would rather plumb the world market than acquire territory. The virtual state--a state that has downsized its territorially based production capability--is the logical consequence of this emancipation from the land.
In recent years the rise of the economic analogue of the virtual state--the virtual corporation--has been widely discussed. Firms have discovered the advantages of locating their production facilities wherever it is most profitable. Increasingly, this is not in the same location as corporate headquarters. Parts of a corporation are dispersed globally according to their specialties. But the more important development is the political one, the rise of the virtual state, the political counterpart of the virtual corporation.
The ascent of the trading state preceded that of the virtual state. After World War II, led by Japan and Germany, the most advanced nations shifted their efforts from controlling territory to augmenting their share of world trade. In that period, goods were more mobile than capital or labor, and selling abroad became the name of the game. As capital has become increasingly mobile, advanced nations have come to recognize that exporting is no longer the only means to economic growth; one can instead produce goods overseas for the foreign market.
As more production by domestic industries takes place abroad and land becomes less valuable than technology, knowledge, and direct investment, the function of the state is being further redefined. The state no longer commands resources as it did in mercantilist yesteryear; it negotiates with foreign and domestic capital and labor to lure them into its own economic sphere and stimulate its growth. A nation's economic strategy is now at least as important as its military strategy; its ambassadors have become foreign trade and investment representatives. Major foreign trade and investment deals command executive attention as political and military issues did two decades ago. The frantic two weeks in December 1994 when the White House outmaneuvered the French to secure for Raytheon Company a deal worth over $1 billion for the management of rainforests and air traffic in Brazil exemplifies the new international crisis.
Timeworn methods of augmenting national power and wealth are no longer effective. Like the headquarters of a virtual corporation, the virtual state determines overall strategy and invests in its people rather than amassing expensive production capacity. It contracts out other functions to states that specialize in or need them. Imperial Great Britain may have been the model for the nineteenth century, but Hong Kong will be the model for the 21st.
The virtual state is a country whose economy is reliant on mobile factors of production. Of course it houses virtual corporations and presides over foreign direct investment by its enterprises. But more than this, it encourages, stimulates, and to a degree even coordinates such activities. In formulating economic strategy, the virtual state recognizes that its own production does not have to take place at home; equally, it may play host to the capital and labor of other nations. Unlike imperial Germany, czarist Russia, and the United States of the Gilded Age--which aimed at nineteenth-century omnicompetence--it does not seek to combine or excel in all economic functions, from mining and agriculture to production and distribution. The virtual state specializes in modern technical and research services and derives its income not just from high-value manufacturing, but from product design, marketing, and financing. The rationale for its economy is efficiency attained through productive downsizing. Size no longer determines economic potential. Virtual nations hold the competitive key to greater wealth in the 21st century. They will likely supersede the continent-sized and self-sufficient units that prevailed in the past. Productive specialization will dominate internationally just as the reduced instruction set, or "RISC," computer chip has outmoded its more versatile but slower predecessors.
IN THE PAST, states were obsessed with land. The international system with its intermittent wars was founded on the assumption that land was the major factor in both production and power. States could improve their position by building empires or invading other nations to seize territory. To acquire land was a boon: a conquered province contained peasants and grain supplies, and its inhabitants rendered tribute to the new sovereign. Before the age of nationalism, a captured principality willingly obeyed its new ruler. Hence the Hapsburg monarchy, Spain, France, and Russia could become major powers through territorial expansion in Europe between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries.
With the Industrial Revolution, however, capital and labor assumed new importance. Unlike land, they were mobile ingredients of productive strength. Great Britain innovated in discovering sophisticated uses for the new factors. Natural resources--especially coal, iron, and, later, oil--were still economically vital. Agricultural and mineral resources were critical to the development of the United States and other fledgling industrial nations like Australia, Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand in the nineteenth century. Not until late in the twentieth century did mobile factors of production become paramount.
By that time, land had declined in relative value and become harder for nations to hold. Colonial revolutions in the Third World since World War II have shown that nationalist mobilization of the population in developing societies impedes an imperialist or invader trying to extract resources. A nation may expend the effort to occupy new territory without gaining proportionate economic benefits.
In time, nationalist resistance and the shift in the basis of production should have an impact on the frequency of war. Land, which is fixed, can be physically captured, but labor, capital, and information are mobile and cannot be definitively seized; after an attack, these resources can slip away like quicksilver. Saddam Hussein ransacked the computers in downtown Kuwait City in August 1990 only to find that the cash in bank accounts had already been electronically transferred. Even though it had abandoned its territory, the Kuwaiti government could continue to spend billions of dollars to resist Hussein's conquest.
Today, for the wealthiest industrial countries such as Germany, the United States, and Japan, investment in land no longer pays the same dividends. Since mid-century, commodity prices have fallen nearly 40 percent relative to prices of manufactured goods.[1] The returns from the manufacturing trade greatly exceed those from agricultural exports. As a result, the terms of trade for many developing nations have been deteriorating, and in recent years the rise in prices of international services has outpaced that for manufactured products. Land prices have been steeply discounted.
Amid this decline, the 1970s and 1980s brought a new political prototype: the trading state. Rather than territorial expansion, the trading state held trade to be its fundamental purpose. This shift in national strategy was driven by the declining value of fixed productive assets. Smaller states--those for which, initially at any rate, a military-territorial strategy was not feasible--also adopted trade-oriented strategies. Along with small European and East Asian states, Japan and West Germany moved strongly in a trading direction after World War II.
Countries tend to imitate those that are most powerful. Many states followed in the wake of Great Britain in the nineteenth century; in recent decades, numerous states seeking to improve their lot in the world have emulated Japan. Under Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s, even the Soviet Union sought to move away from its emphasis on military spending and territorial expansion.
In recent years, however, a further stimulus has hastened this change. Faced with enhanced international competition in the late 1980s and early 1990s, corporations have opted for pervasive downsizing. They have trimmed the ratio of production workers to output, saving on costs. In some cases productivity increases resulted from pruning of the work force; in others output increased. These improvements have been highly effective; according to economist Stephen Roach in a 1994 paper published by the investment banking firm Morgan Stanley, they have nearly closed the widely noted productivity gap between services and manufacturing. The gap that remains is most likely due to measurement problems. The most efficient corporations are those that can maintain or increase output with a steady or declining amount of labor. Such corporations grew on a worldwide basis.
Meanwhile, corporations in Silicon Valley recognized that cost-cutting, productivity, and competitiveness could be enhanced still further by using the production lines of another company. The typical American plant at the time, such as Ford Motor Company's Willow Run factory in Michigan, was fully integrated, with headquarters, design offices, production workers, and factories located on substantial tracts of land. This comprehensive structure was expensive to maintain and operate, hence a firm that could employ someone else's production line could cut costs dramatically. Land and machines did not have to be bought, labor did not have to be hired, medical benefits did not have to be provided. These advantages could result from what are called economies of scope, with a firm turning out different products on the same production line or quality circle.
Or they might be the result of small, specialized firms' ability to perform exacting operations, such as the surface mounting of miniaturized components directly on circuit boards without the need for soldering or conventional wiring. In either case, the original equipment manufacturer would contract out its production to other firms. SCI Systems, Solectron, Merix, Flextronics, Smartflex, and Sanmina turn out products for Digital Equipment, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM. In addition, AT&T, Apple, IBM, Motorola, MCI, and Corning meet part of their production needs through other suppliers. TelePad, a company that makes pen-based computers, was launched with no manufacturing capability at all. Compaq's latest midrange computer is to be produced on another company's production line.
Thus was born the virtual corporation, an entity with research, development, design, marketing, financing, legal, and other headquarters functions, but few or no manufacturing facilities: a company with a head but no body. It represents the ultimate achievement of corporate downsizing, and the model is spreading rapidly from firm to firm. It is not surprising that the virtual corporation should catch on. "Concept" or "head" corporations can design new products for a range of different production facilities. Strategic alliances between firms, which increase specialization, are also very profitable. According to the October 2, 1995, Financial Times, firms that actively pursue strategic alliances are 50 percent more profitable than those that do not.
In a setting where the economic functions of the trading state have displaced the territorial functions of the expansionist nation, the newly pruned corporation has led to the emerging phenomenon of the virtual state. Downsizing has become an index of corporate efficiency and productivity gains. Now the national economy is also being downsized. Among the most efficient economies are those that possess limited production capacity. The archetype is Hong Kong, whose production facilities are now largely situated in southern China. This arrangement may change after 1997 with Hong Kong's reversion to the mainland, but it may not. It is just as probable that Hong Kong will continue to govern parts of the mainland economically as it is that Beijing will dictate to Hong Kong politically. The one country-two systems formula will likely prevail. In this context, it is important to remember that Britain governed Hong Kong politically and legally for 150 years, but it did not dictate its economics. Nor did this arrangement prevent Hong Kong Chinese from extending economic and quasi-political controls to areas outside their country.
The model of the virtual state suggests that political as well as economic strategy push toward a downsizing and relocation of production capabilities. The trend can be observed in Singapore as well. The successors of Lee Kuan Yew keep the country on a tight political rein but still depend economically on the inflow of foreign factors of production. Singapore's investment in China, Malaysia, and elsewhere is within others' jurisdictions. The virtual state is in this sense a negotiating entity. It depends as much or more on economic access abroad as it does on economic control at home. Despite its past reliance on domestic production, Korea no longer manufactures everything at home, and Japanese production (given the high yen) is now increasingly lodged abroad. In Europe, Switzerland is the leading virtual nation; as much as 98 percent of Nestle's production capacity, for instance, is located abroad. Holland now produces most of its goods outside its borders. England is also moving in tandem with the worldwide trend; according to the Belgian economic historian Paul Bairoch in 1994, Britain's foreign direct investment abroad was almost as large as America's. A remarkable 20 percent of the production of U.S. corporations now takes place outside the United States.
A reflection of how far these tendencies have gone is the growing portion of GDP consisting of high-value-added services, such as concept, design, consulting, and financial services. Services already constitute 70 percent of American GDP. Of the total, 63 percent are in the high-value category. Of course manufacturing matters, but it matters much less than it once did. As a proportion of foreign direct investment, service exports have grown strikingly in most highly industrialized economies. According to a 1994 World Bank report, Liberalizing International Transactions in Services, "The reorientation of [foreign direct investment] towards the services sector has occurred in almost all developed market economies, the principal exporters of services capital: in the most important among them, the share of the services sector is around 40 percent of the stock of outward FDI, and that share is rising."
Manufacturing, for these nations, will continue to decline in importance. If services productivity increases as much as it has in recent years, it will greatly strengthen U.S. competitiveness abroad. But it can no longer be assumed that services face no international competition. Efficient high-value services will be as important to a nation as the manufacturing of automobiles and electrical equipment once were.[2] Since 1959, services prices have increased more than three times as rapidly as industrial prices. This means that many nations will be able to prosper without major manufacturing capabilities.
Australia is an interesting example. Still reliant on the production of sheep and raw materials (both related to land), Australia has little or no industrial sector. Its largest export to the United States is meat for hamburgers. On the other hand, its service industries of media, finance, and telecommunications--represented most notably by the media magnate Rupert Murdoch are the envy of the world. Canada represents a similar amalgam of raw materials and powerful service industries in newspapers, broadcast media, and telecommunications.
As a result of these trends, the world may increasingly become divided into "head" and "body" nations, or nations representing some combination of those two functions. While Australia and Canada stress the headquarters or head functions, China will be the 21st-century model of a body nation. Although China does not innately or immediately know what to produce for the world market, it has found success in joint ventures with foreign corporations. China will be an attractive place to produce manufactured goods, but only because sophisticated enterprises from other countries design, market, and finance the products China makes. At present China cannot chart its own industrial future.
Neither can Russia. Focusing on the products of land, the Russians are still prisoners of territorial fetishism. Their commercial laws do not yet permit the delicate and sophisticated arrangements that ensure that "body" manufacturers deliver quality goods for their foreign "head." Russia's transportation network is also primitive. These, however, are temporary obstacles. In time Russia, with China and India, will serve as an important locus of the world's production plant.
THE WORLD IS embarked on a progressive emancipation from land as a determinant of production and power. For the Third World, the past unchangeable strictures of comparative advantage can be overcome through the acquisition of a highly trained labor force. Africa and Latin America may not have to rely on the exporting of raw materials or agricultural products; through education, they can capitalize on an educated labor force, as India has in Bangalore and Ireland in Dublin. Investing in human capital can substitute for trying to foresee the vagaries of the commodities markets and avoid the constant threat of overproduction. Meanwhile, land continues to decline in value. Recent studies of 180 countries show that as population density rises, per capita GDP falls. In a new study, economist Deepak Lal notes that investment as well as growth is inversely related to land holdings.[3]
These findings are a dramatic reversal of past theories of power in international politics. In the 1930s the standard international relations textbook would have ranked the great powers in terms of key natural resources: oil, iron ore, coal, bauxite, copper, tungsten, and manganese. Analysts presumed that the state with the largest stock of raw materials and goods derived from land would prevail. CIA estimates during the Cold War were based on such conclusions. It turns out, however, that the most prosperous countries often have a negligible endowment of natural resources. For instance, Japan has shut down its coal industry and has no iron ore, bauxite, or oil. Except for most of its rice, it imports much of its food. Japan is richly endowed with human capital, however, and that makes all the difference.
The implications for the United States are equally striking. As capital, labor, and knowledge become more important than land in charting economic success, America can influence and possibly even reshape its pattern of comparative advantage. The "new trade theory," articulated clearly by the economist Paul Krugman, focuses on path dependence, the so-called QWERTY effect of past choices. The QWERTY keyboard was not the arrangement of letter-coded keys that produced the fastest typing, except perhaps for left-handers. But, as the VHS videotape format became the standard for video recording even though other formats were technically better, the QWERTY keyboard became the standard for the typewriter (and computer) industry, and everyone else had to adapt to it. Nations that invested from the start in production facilities for the 16-kilobyte computer memory chip also had great advantages down the line in 4- and 16-megabyte chips. Intervention at an early point in the chain of development can influence results later on, which suggests that the United States and other nations can and should deliberately alter their pattern of comparative advantage and choose their economic activity.
American college and graduate education, for example, has supported the decisive U.S. role in the international services industry in research and development, consulting, design, packaging, financing, and the marketing of new products. Mergers and acquisitions are American subspecialties that draw on the skills of financial analysts and attorneys. The American failure, rather, has been in the first 12 years of education. Unlike that of Germany and Japan (or even Taiwan, Korea, and Singapore), American elementary and secondary education falls well below the world standard.
Economics teaches that products should be valued according to their economic importance. For a long period, education was undervalued, socially and economically speaking, despite productivity studies by Edward Denison and others that showed its long-term importance to U.S. growth and innovation. Recent studies have underscored this importance. According to the World Bank, 64 percent of the world's wealth consists of human capital. But the social and economic valuation of kindergarten through 12th-grade education has still not appreciably increased. Educators, psychologists, and school boards debate how education should be structured, but Americans do not invest more money in it. Corporations have sought to upgrade the standards of teaching and learning in their regions, but localities and states have lagged behind, as has the federal government. Elementary and high school teachers should be rewarded as patient creators of high-value capital in the United States and elsewhere. In Switzerland, elementary school teachers are paid around $70,000 per year, about the salary of a starting lawyer at a New York firm. In international economic competition, human capital has turned out to be at least as important as other varieties of capital. In spite of their reduced functions, states liberated from the confines of their geography have been able, with appropriate education, to transform their industrial and economic futures.
As nations turn to the cultivation of human capital, what will a world of virtual states be like? Production for one company or country can now take place in many parts of the world. In the process of down-sizing, corporations and nation-states will have to get used to reliance on others. Virtual corporations need other corporations' production facilities. Virtual nations need other states' production capabilities. As a result, economic relations between states will come to resemble nerves connecting heads in one place to bodies somewhere else. Naturally, producer nations will be working quickly to become the brains behind emerging industries elsewhere. But in time, few nations will have within their borders all the components of a technically advanced economic existence.
To sever the connections between states would undermine the organic unit. States joined in this way are therefore less likely to engage in conflict. In the past, international norms underlying the balance of power, the Concert of Europe, or even rule by the British Raj helped specify appropriate courses of action for parties in dispute. The international economy also rested partially on normative agreement. Free trade, open domestic economies, and, more recently, freedom of movement for capital were normative notions. In addition to specifying conditions for borrowing, the International Monetary Fund is a norm-setting agency that inculcates market economics in nations not fully ready to accept their international obligations.
Like national commercial strategies, these norms have been largely abstracted from the practices of successful nations. In the nineteenth century many countries emulated Great Britain and its precepts. In the British pantheon of virtues, free trade was a norm that could be extended to other nations without self-defeat. Success for one nation did not undermine the prospects for others. But the acquisition of empire did cause congestion for other nations on the paths to industrialization and growth. Once imperial Britain had taken the lion's share, there was little left for others. The inability of all nations to live up to the norms Britain established fomented conflict between them.
In a similar vein, Japan's current trading strategy could be emulated by many other countries. Its pacific principles and dependence on world markets and raw materials supplies have engendered greater economic cooperation among other countries. At the same time, Japan's insistence on maintaining a quasi-closed domestic economy and a foreign trade surplus cannot be successfully imitated by everyone; if some achieve the desired result, others necessarily will not. In this respect, Japan's recent practices and norms stand athwart progress and emulation by other nations.
President Clinton rightly argues that the newly capitalist developmental states, such as Korea and Taiwan, have simply modeled themselves on restrictionist Japan. If this precedent were extended to China, the results would endanger the long-term stability of the world economic and financial system. Accordingly, new norms calling for greater openness in trade, finance, and the movement of factors of production will be necessary to stabilize the international system. Appropriate norms reinforce economic incentives to reduce conflict between differentiated international units.
So long as the international system of nation-states lasts, there will be conflict among its members. States see events from different perspectives, and competition and struggle between them are endemic. The question is how far conflicts will proceed. Within a domestic system, conflicts between individuals need not escalate to the use of physical force. Law and settlement procedures usually reduce outbreaks of hostility. In international relations, however, no sovereign, regnant authority can discipline feuding states. International law sets a standard, but it is not always obeyed. The great powers constitute the executive committee of nation-states and can intervene from time to time to set things right. But, as Bosnia shows, they often do not, and they virtually never intervene in the absence of shared norms and ideologies.
In these circumstances, the economic substructure of international relations becomes exceedingly important. That structure can either impel or retard conflicts between nation-states. When land is the major factor of production, the temptation to strike another nation is great. When the key elements of production are less tangible, the situation changes. The taking of real estate does not result in the acquisition of knowledge, and aggressors cannot seize the needed capital. Workers may flee from an invader. Wars of aggression and wars of punishment are losing their impact and justification.
Eventually, however, contend critics such as Paul Ehrlich, author of The Population Bomb, land will become important once again. Oil supplies will be depleted; the quantity of fertile land will decline; water will run dry. Population will rise relative to the supply of natural resources and food. This process, it is claimed, could return the world to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with clashes over territory once again the engine of conflict. The natural resources on which the world currently relies may one day run out, but, as before, there will be substitutes. One sometimes forgets that in the 1840s whale oil, which was the most common fuel for lighting, became unavailable. The harnessing of global energy and the production of food does not depend on particular bits of fluid, soil, or rock. The question, rather, is how to release the energy contained in abundant matter.
But suppose the productive value of land does rise. Whether that rise would augur a return to territorial competition would depend on whether the value of land rises relative to financial capital, human capital, and information. Given the rapid technological development of recent years, the primacy of the latter seems more likely. Few perturbing trends have altered the historical tendency toward the growing intangibility of value in social and economic terms. In the 21st century it seems scarcely possible that this process would suddenly reverse itself, and land would yield a better return than knowledge.
Diminishing their command of real estate and productive assets, nations are downsizing, in functional if not in geographic terms. Small nations have attained peak efficiency and competitiveness, and even large nations have begun to think small. If durable access to assets elsewhere can be assured, the need to physically possess them diminishes. Norms are potent reinforcements of such arrangements. Free movement of capital and goods, substantial international and domestic investment, and high levels of technical education have been the recipe for success in the industrial world of the late twentieth century. Those who depended on others did better than those who depended only on themselves. Can the result be different in the future? Virtual states, corporate alliances, and essential trading relationships augur peaceful times. They may not solve domestic problems, but the economic bonds that link virtual and other nations will help ease security concerns.
Though peaceful in its international implications, the rise of the virtual state portends a crisis for democratic politics. Western democracies have traditionally believed that political reform, extension of suffrage, and economic restructuring could solve their problems. In the 21st century none of these measures can fully succeed. Domestic political change does not suffice because it has insufficient jurisdiction to deal with global problems. The people in a particular state cannot determine international outcomes by holding an election. Economic restructuring in one state does not necessarily affect others. And the political state is growing smaller, not larger.
If ethnic movements are victorious in Canada, Mexico, and elsewhere, they will divide the state into smaller entities. Even the powers of existing states are becoming circumscribed. In the United States, if Congress has its way, the federal government will lose authority. In response to such changes, the market fills the vacuum, gaining power.
As states downsize, malaise among working people is bound to spread. Employment may fluctuate and generally decline. President Clinton observed last year that the American public has fallen into a funk. The economy may temporarily be prosperous, but there is no guarantee that favorable conditions will last. The flow of international factors of production--technology, capital, and labor--will swamp the stock of economic power at home. The state will become just one of many players in the international marketplace and will have to negotiate directly with foreign factors of production to solve domestic economic problems. Countries must induce foreign capital to enter their domain. To keep such investment, national economic authorities will need to maintain low inflation, rising productivity, a strong currency, and a flexible and trained labor force. These demands will sometimes conflict with domestic interests that want more government spending, larger budget deficits, and more benefits. That conflict will result in continued domestic insecurity over jobs, welfare, and medical care. Unlike the remedies applied in the insulated and partly closed economies of the past, purely domestic policies can no longer solve these problems.
The state can compensate for its deficient jurisdiction by seeking to influence economic factors abroad. The domestic state therefore must not only become a negotiating state but must also be internationalized. This is a lesson already learned in Europe, and well on the way to codification in East Asia. Among the world's major economies and polities, only the United States remains, despite its potent economic sector, essentially introverted politically and culturally. Compared with their counterparts in other nations, citizens born in the United States know fewer foreign languages, understand less about foreign cultures, and live abroad reluctantly, if at all. In recent years, many English industrial workers who could not find jobs migrated to Germany, learning the language to work there. They had few American imitators.
The virtual state is an agile entity operating in twin jurisdictions: abroad and at home. It is as prepared to mine gains overseas as in the domestic economy. But in large countries, internationalization operates differentially. Political and economic decision-makers have begun to recast their horizons, but middle managers and workers lag behind. They expect too much and give and learn too little. That is why the dawn of the virtual state must also be the sunrise of international education and training. The virtual state cannot satisfy all its citizens. The possibility of commanding economic power in the sense of effective state control has greatly declined. Displaced workers and businesspeople must be willing to look abroad for opportunities. In the United States, they can do this only if American education prepares the way.
1 See, for example, Enzo R. Grilli and Maw Cheng Yang, "Primary Commodity Prices, Manufactured Goods Prices, and the Terms of Trade of Developing Countries: What the Long Run Shows," The World Bank Economic Review, 1988, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 1-47.
2 See Jose Ripoll, "The Future of Trade in International Services," Center for International Relations Working Paper, UCLA, January 1996.
3 Daniel Garstka, "Land and Economic Prowess" (unpublished mimeograph), UCLA, 1995; Deepak Lal, "Factor Endowments, Culture and Politics: On Economic Performance in the Long Run" (unpublished mimeograph), UCLA, 1996.
RICHARD ROSECRANCE is Adjunct Professor at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, a Research Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Senior Fellow of the International Security Program at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.
Source: Foreign Affairs, Jul/Aug96, Vol. 75 Issue 4, p45, 17p, 1bw.


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I've often read that some of the most creative ideas that turned into winning products were first sketched out on table napkins. The iBike Power Computer was no exception either back in 2004, according to John Hamann, CEO/engineer of Velocomp LLP - a sports technology company based in Ennis, Montana.
Velocomp consulted Protomold, a company specializing in automated Rapid Injection Molding for prototypes and commercial products.
Plastic injection molding uses plastic in the form of resin pellets that are loaded into the hopper of an injection-molding machine. A heated barrel on the machine melts the material and a large screw forces the melt into the mold. The material cools and solidifies. The machine then opens the mold at its parting line and ejector pins push out the part.
Rapid Injection Molding automates the design and manufacturing of molds based on 3D CAD models that have been uploaded online. This automation typically cuts lead times for initial parts to one-third that of conventional methods. Naturally, cost savings vary with the number of parts being produced, but rapid injection molding can have a substantial cost advantage in runs of up to thousands of parts.
Protomold produces quality molds using advanced aluminum alloys and precise, high-speed CNC machining. Parts can be molded in almost any engineering grade resin, at substantial cost savings compared to conventional prototyping and production methods.
Protomold provides us a case study of the design challenges faced by Velocomp and how they went about assisting them in creating a finanically feasable solution. One of the highlights of this partnership is the following statement from the case study:
"Protomold has been an important part not just of the iBike's success, but of the business venture as well. With a partner like Protomold, we don't just offer a better product; we can also change the way we do business as well. We may be small, but we're doing the same thing that some of the best companies do: turning raw materials into cash faster than the raw material bills come due. We could wait 12 weeks for large orders of parts to ship from China, but instead, we keep a very small inventory and get parts as we need them from Protomold and our other US suppliers, which lets us be both fast to market and cash flow positive at a very early stage."
Read the case study here or for actual PDFs, click here, and here (all courtesy of Protomold):


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Rick Sanchez, a daytime anchor at CNN, was fired on Friday, a day after telling a radio interviewer that Jon Stewart was a bigot and that "everybody that runs CNN is a lot like Stewart."
The latter comment was made shortly after Mr. Stewart's faith, Judaism, was invoked.
Jon Stewart has a "faith?" Who knew?
CNN said in a statement Friday evening, "Rick Sanchez is no longer with the company. We thank Rick for his years of service and we wish him well."
Mr. Sanchez's comments came Thursday during a contentious conversation with the comedian Pete Dominick on satellite radio. By Friday afternoon, a recording of the conversation had circulated widely on the Internet. He had appeared on the radio show as part of a tour to promote his book, "Conventional Idiocy."
In the conversation, Mr. Sanchez, who is Cuban American, repeatedly suggested that he had experienced subtle forms of racism in his television career.
Oh, wait, sorry, that top picture above is Danny Trejo of Machete. Here's the real Rick Sanchez.
Oops, excuse me, that blue-eyed fair-haired boy above is Jorge Ramos, mega-anchorman for the Spanish-language network Univision.
Here's the real Rick Sanchez!
... At first, Mr. Sanchez called Mr. Stewart a "bigot," but later took the word back, calling the comedian "prejudicial" instead.
Prejudicial "against who?" Mr. Dominick asked.
Mr. Sanchez said, "Against anybody who doesn't agree to his point of view, which is very much a white liberal establishment point of view."
One of the co-hosts of the radio show brought up the fact that Mr. Stewart is a Jew, saying to Mr. Sanchez, he is a minority "as much as you are."
I would say that from a technical anthropological point of view, Sanchez deserves not just his own race, but his own subspecies: Homo dentistry cosmetica. You don't dig a set of pearly white choppers like those up out of the Olduvai Gorge everyday!
Mr. Sanchez answered sarcastically, "Yeah. Yeah. Very powerless people." He let out a high-pitched laugh.
"Everybody that runs CNN is a lot like Stewart," Mr. Sanchez said. "And a lot of people who run all the other networks are a lot like Stewart. And to imply that somehow they — the people in this country who are Jewish — are an oppressed minority? Yeah."
Oops. Big Mistake. Ask Gregg Easterbrook.
Sanchez should have spoken of generic white males. You can't get in trouble blaming them.
Sanchez was fired even faster than Easterbrook, thus, conclusively proving Jews are a powerless minority.
Mr. Stewart was far from the only person known to mock Mr. Sanchez, who was once tasered on camera for a segment.
Really? Tasering an anchorman on camera sounds like a great idea. Every anchorman should have to hold his own charity auction with the highest bidder getting to sneak up and taser him in the neck on live TV. This would do wonders for CNN's ratings.


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New "Apple Peel" column at Applelust.com
Friday, October 31st, 2003 • 11:48 amMy latest "Apple Peel" column is up at Applelust.com. "Mac Blogging with mySQL and PHP: A Short Trip Through Unix Hell" It pretty much explains what I have been up to in the past few days when it comes to maintaining this blog. It was definitely a learning experience.


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From the time that the first opera was performed in the United States to the present day, there have been many talented American-born opera singers, who have made their mark on history and continue to do so. William Henry Fry, born in 1815, has been considered by many, to be the father of American opera and over the years there have been many American composers following in his footsteps and as diverse as Americans are, they each have possessed their own unique style. Please browse the website for more information about the American opera tradition or for information about American instrumental music and piano music, see the archive section (currently under update). There are currently 125 opera houses in the United States. Although the five most popular venues differ in age and decor, they all are substantial in size and are located in some of the largest cities in America. Read more on the page about opera houses.
American Opera Theater
"Dear Friends,
For the past 8 years AOT has been a presenter of innovative musical works that broaden the definition of opera. From a circus version of "Acis + Galatea" to a cabaret version of "Carmen"; from a staging of "Messiah" to a Kurt Weill evening with Sylvia McNair that dramatized homelessness after Katarina; from a staging of the ancient Fleury manuscript to a world premiere staging of "The Gonzales Cantata"… George Crumb and Francios Couperin in one theatrical evening, and American premiers of "La Didone" and "David et Jonathas", "Butterfly" with gamelan consort, John Downland to explore the grief of a lost loved one, Messiaen's epic "Harawi" as a journey to transcendence, and the list goes on.
American Opera Theater has been formative in the lives of so many young artists, and we thank audiences and supporters alike for taking time in this busy world to stop and listen. Everything has its time and place, and the future of AOT and the artists involved now comes to a new road, where we each will explore new future paths. AOT now transforms into a production company, producing new works as opportunities arise. Without the pressures of a full annual season, the company is now free to follow that magic combination of insporation and opportunity. This is not an end but a beginning – a rebirth and the reinvention that has defined AOT from its start. Stay tuned for what comes next!"
The previous version of AmericanOperaTheater.org is closed. The above text is the archived message from www.archive.org.


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Make new friends & gain followers with Twitter Hop Tuesday. Please follow host @lifesandcastle @Nightowlmama & Newest Host @HaveSippy we will follow back. If you don't mind please retweet/share so we can all gain more friends and participates:) Follow & follow back if someone follows you. Lets help each other #twitterhop
*I use Just Unfollow for non followers.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Twitter Hop Tuesday
at 8:59 PM
Labels: connect, links, linkup, linky, new friends, Twitter, twitter hop
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Home | Information Sharing & Analysis | Prevention & Protection | Preparedness & Response | Research | Commerce & Trade | Travel Security | Immigration |
The threat level in the airline sector is High or Orange. Read more.
Get e-mail updates when this information changes
The Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation (No FEAR) Act, increases federal agency accountability for acts of discrimination or reprisal against employees for whistle blowing or filing complaints of discrimination. In support of this environment, Secretary Chertoff issued a memo (PDF, 2 pages - 73 KB) to all Department employees reiterating the Department's commitment to the No FEAR Act of 2002.
Pursuant to Title III of the No FEAR Act, federal agencies are required to post quarterly on their public Web sites certain summary statistical data relating to equal employment opportunity complaints filed against the respective agencies. In compliance with this provision of the No FEAR Act, the Department of Homeland Security posts cumulative statistical data for equal employment opportunity complaints for the entire department. Individual DHS agencies have been instructed to post on their own respective public web sites statistical data for equal employment opportunity complaints that originate in their agencies. A link to data posted by individual Department agencies is provided below. Statistical data for complaints that originate at Homeland Security headquarters is also posted separately. This data is updated on a quarterly basis.
For further information, please contact the Director, Equal Employment Opportunity Programs, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
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This page was last reviewed/modified on September 1, 2008.


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Blackthorne's Battlegear
Blackthorne's Battlegear is an Item Set open to use by all classes in Diablo 3.
This set is named after the character in the SNES game, Blackthorne, which was one of Blizzard Entertainment's earliest gaming titles.
Required Level: 60
Set Pieces[edit | edit source]
Name | Slot | Stats | Bonuses | Notes | Roll Variations & Class Usage |
Blackthorne's Duncraig Cross | Amulet |
Its inherent bonuses to Attack Speed and Life on Hit make it potentially very useful, though both of the random affixes need to roll well to give it real utility. | View Data |
Blackthorne's Jousting Mail | Pants |
The pants gain inherent bonuses to life, all stats, and provide the unusual bonus of Life on Hit from the pants slot, making them a popular choice so long as the random affixes turn out well. | View Data |
Blackthorne's Notched Belt | Belt |
This belt grants inherent bonuses to one mainstat as well as life regeneration and high armor. It can be an excellent belt, especially if the random mods roll well, such as res all or vitality. | View Data |
Blackthorne's Spurs | Boots |
The boots provide faster run and excellent defensive bonuses with high defense and life regeneration. They need to roll well on the two random mods, generally adding mainstat, vit, or res all to have good value on the whole. | View Data |
Blackthorne's Surcoat | Chest Armor |
The chest armor grants inherent bonuses to resist all and vitality, plus the three sockets. It's not one of the best chest armors, unless the three random affixes roll very well, though. | View Data |
Set Bonuses[edit | edit source]
(2) Items:
- +250 Vitality
- Increases damage against elites by 10%
(3) Items:
- Reduces damage from elites by 10.0%
- +25% Extra Gold from Monsters
(4) Items:
- You are immune to Desecrator, Molten, and Plagued monster ground effects.
The Ring of Royal Grandeur reduces the number of items needed for set bonuses by 1 (to a minimum of 2).
Legacy Version[edit | edit source]
All legendaries, including set items, found before Patch 1.0.4 buffed them, are legacy items. These older legendary items have generally much lower stats than the current versions, and Legacy set items have different names than the current versions, to avoid confusion.
Legacy version, names and stats: Blackthorne's Regalia
- Blackthorne's Boots (Boots) (db)
- Blackthorne's Breeches (Pants) (db)
- Blackthorne's Jacket (Chest Armor) (db)
- Blackthorne's Medal (Amulet) (db)
- Blackthorne's Scabbard (Belt) (db)
Legacy Set Bonuses
Any two items:
- +100 Vitality
Any three items:
- Increases Damage Against Elites by 2%
Any four items:
- +15% Extra Gold from Monsters
- +15% Better Chance of Finding Magical Items
- Reduces damage from elites by 7%.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
On a Barbarian.
On a Demon Hunter.
On a Monk.
On a Witch Doctor.
On a Wizard.
Items of Diablo III [e] Item Basics Normal Items Crafting Legendary Armor I Legendary Armor II Legendary Weapons 1h Legendary Weapons 2h Item Sets |


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Preset Styles
The Style Settings panel in the Gantry based theme administration interface provides several options for configuring the main built in stylistic aspects of the template.
Gantry also provides the ability for you to create your own custom presets based on any parameter in the theme administrator. You should determine which parameters you wish to configure to be a part of the presets.
Assigning a Style
With Gantry, the ability to assign a certain style to an individual page has never been easier and/or more efficient. Just follow these simple steps:
- Go to Extensions → Template Manager → rt_chapelco → Assignments → *Menu Item*
- Select your preset from Show Presets, configure and save.
After setting your defaults to the desired values, select the Menu Items button and choose the menu item you wish to modify the parameters for. You will then see a series of checkboxes on the left of all the supported parameters.
Select the checkbox next to the parameter you wish to modify, it will then become active, and you can modify as you wish. Clicking "Save" in the toolbar will then save this configuration.
Gantry Framework: Style Configuration


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Welcome to the English International School
The English International School located in Cotonou Benin was founded in 2000. It is one of over 10,000 Cambridge International Schools established in over 160 countries worldwide.
Good behaviour and responsible citizenship are central to the operation of the school which was established on the principle of reciprocity. Students are expected to show care and consideration towards others, and to observe the codes of behaviour laid down by the school. The mission statement further outlines the aims of the school.
We are a co-educational day school providing an international education for children from the age of two until university admission age, and we welcome children from a wide range of backgrounds. In the case where students come to us with limited English language skills, we aim to equip them to eventually function competently and with confidence in the language.


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How much per paycheck will go toward your retirement?
You've heard the advice that you should try to contribute as much as possible to your retirement plan, but experts tend to speak in percentages. More important to you is what will be the real-life impact of saving for retirement. In other words, what does saving 6% of your earnings mean for your paycheck? How much will come out? Will you feel it if you increase your contributions another percentage point or two? And finally, what will your small paycheck sacrifices now mean for your future?
Take a look as we do the math for you so you can decide how much of your pay you can afford to set aside for your retirement.
The paycheck breakdown
Contributions toward your retirement account come out before your direct deposit hits your bank account, meaning that it's automated so you don't actually have to think about it. For illustrative purposes, let's assume you're someone who earns $50,000 and gets paid twice per month, meaning each paycheck will be $2083.33. Here's what your individual paycheck contributions will look like using different contribution percentages:
- At 6%, you'd reduce each paycheck by $124.99, or contribute $2999.76 for the year.
- At 8%, you'd be contributing $166.66 per pay period, or $3999.84 per year.
- And at 10%, your contribution would be $208.33 per paycheck, for an annual total of $4999.92.
When you break it down, the paycheck difference between setting aside 6% versus 10% is about $83.34 or $168 a month. While that might not seem like a game changer now, over 20 or 30 years, that extra amount can make a big impact.
Plan for your future
Retirement planners might have different philosophies, but they all agree on two things: early and ongoing contributions are important, and bumping up your contributions even slightly can make exponential differences later on.
To illustrate how it works, let's assume a rate of return of 8%. Then, using the same annual contributions from the example above, let's see how each scenario plays out over time.
- In 20 years, your 6% contribution per paycheck could grow to about $148,238. If you contribute 8%, the account value could be $197,650. And at 10%, your nest egg can reach approximaely $247,063.
- If you have 30 years to work with, a 6% contribution will blossom into about $375,470. If you increase to 8%, you could have $500,627. With a 10% contribution, you may reach $625,783.
Calculation assumes a $50,000 salary and 8% rate of return on investments. Fees, taxes, and rate of inflation are not included in this calculation.
Now of course, this is a very simplistic example. There are lots of other factors at play that may help you grow your retirement account even further. For instance, your employer might provide matching contributions, you are likely to get pay raises along the way and you may even be able to contribute more than 10% in some years. Other factors can also cause your balance to be lower.
Small changes today can mean bigger returns tomorrow
The bottom line is that bumping up your contributions even slightly can lead to a much healthier portfolio down the line. If missing a few bucks in your paycheck won't be detrimental to your budget, give it a try. You may even be surprised that you don't feel the difference at all, and your future self will thank you.
Don't have an access code? Give us a call at 1.888.569.7055. We're happy to help!
Why choose Corebridge Financial?
Our FutureFIT® approach lets you personalize your retirement experience – that's why we call it Freedom. Individually Tailored.® Give us a call today and learn how we can help you take the next step toward the future you envision! 1.888.569.7055.
Once you've enrolled, let us know on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter and be sure to follow us online!
This information is general in nature, may be subject to change and does not constitute legal, tax or accounting advice from any company, its employees, financial professionals or other representatives. Applicable laws and regulations are complex and subject to change. For advice concerning your situation, consult your attorney, tax advisor or accountant.


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Are you a young adult? Suffering from firm, painful tumors below your skin surface? You may be suffering from a condition called Angiolipoma. Read on to know all about Angiolipoma, its causes, symptoms and treatment.
Angiolipoma Definition
Medically, Angiolipoma is defined as a benign tumor that contains adipose tissue and blood vessels.
What Is Angiolipoma?
Angiolipoma is a rare disease that gives rise to firm tumors under the skin. These are benign, that is non-cancerous, and are usually yellow in color. These firm growths consist of tissues and blood vessels. The Angiolipoma tumors are mostly seen in people between 40 and 60 years of age. You will rarely find angiolipoma in children. Angiolipoma lesions, however, can be found in young adults who have recently attained puberty.
Angiolipoma is also known as Telangiectatic Lipoma or Lipoma Cavernosum.
Angiolipoma Location
Angiolipoma tumors usually arise on chest wall, forearm and arm. They are also seen on the neck and trunk of a person.
Angiolipoma Causes
The exact reason behind the appearance of Angiolipoma tumors is still unclear. In patients of Angiolipoma genetics may or may not be a causative factor. However, genetic conditions like Familial Multiple Lipomatosis may give rise to this disorder.
In some cases, minor injuries have been reported to result in the development of an Angiolipoma tumor.
Angiolipoma Symptoms
Angiolipoma syndrome is mainly characterized by the appearance of tumors under the epidermis of skin. As aforesaid, it is a non-dangerous growth that consists mainly of fatty tissues and blood vessels. These tumors are generally hard though they may be soft to touch in the initial stages. They are painful and usually move under finger pressure when they first begin to appear.
Angiolipoma growths are generally small but they can get enlarged with time and grow to be as large as 6 centimeters. They grow very slowly.
It is unusual to find only a single Angiolipoma tumor arising in an individual. In most cases, two or more of these growths arise on the skin surface. They look like bumps under the skin surface. Multiple Angiolipoma is more common.
Angiolipoma Diagnosis
An Angiolipoma tumor is diagnosed with the aid of Capsule Endoscopy, Retrograde Ileoscopy and Computed Tomography (CT) Scan.
Angiolipoma Treatment
Usually, this condition does not need any treatment. Angiolipoma tumors are benign and painless and mostly asymptomatic. However, medical Angiolipoma cure becomes necessary if the tumor becomes painful or impedes movement. In such cases, one should go for a complete Angiolipoma removal through liposuction or surgery. Many people also opt for Angiolipoma treatment as the condition can disfigure physical appearance.
Liposuction helps to remove an Angiolipoma tumor completely. However, the process works best only when the tumors are soft. It is also a temporary cure as the Angiolipoma mass usually grows back.
Angiolipoma surgery is the best known method for an Angiolipoma removal. An Angiolipoma excision takes about half an hour to complete and has a high chance of success. But the operation should be done properly and carefully as the slightest part of an Angiolipoma can lead to its re-growth. Operation also leads to scarring of the area.
Angiolipoma Prevention
The exact cause for Angiolipoma development is not known. This is why it is impossible to prevent the development of Angiolipoma. It cannot be predicted when the disease can appear in a person and whom it will affect.
Is Angiolipoma Painful?
An Angiolipoma is a painful tumor. This is unlike the other kinds of Lipoma like Neural Fibrolpoma and Angiolipoleiomyoma which are non-painful in nature.
Angiolipoma Management
Angiolipoma is typically asymptomatic and it is not very difficult for people to manage these growths. Angiolipoma tumors on chest or upper arms can remain hidden inside clothing. Angiolipoma on neck and forearms can be concealed by wearing high-neck dresses and apparels with long sleeves.
Is Angiolipoma Benign?
As aforementioned, Angiolipoma is a benign. This is why it does not cause deadly complications. The disease affects very few people annually and there are no known cases of death. There is no reported case of Angiolipoma mortality.
Angiolipoma Malignancy
Angiolipoma does not result in malignant complications. There is no known case of Angiolipoma cancer. It is also unknown if this condition can lead to malignancy in rare cases.
Angiolipoma Pictures
Want to know how Angiolipoma skin tumors look like? Here are some useful Angiolipoma images that will help you. Check out these Angiolipoma photos to know about the appearance of these subcutaneous growths. You can also compare your lesions with the ones shown here in these Angiolipoma pics.
Picture 1 – Angiolipoma
Source – medicaforum.com
Picture 2 – Angiolipoma
Source – ades.tmu.edu.tw
If you are suffering from Angiolipoma, you need not worry. Angiolipoma tumors are not malignant and usually asymptomatic. People with these growths do not suffer from any complications. But if you are suffering from pain and other physical discomforts, you may go for treatment. Early treatment will help you get cured quickly from this disorder and have a faster recovery.


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They say money doesn't grow on trees, but over the last year it did.
Lumber prices skyrocketed to historic highs during the coronavirus pandemic, fueled by a demand for new homes and a surge in renovations and DIY hobbyist projects by those of us on lockdown.
Now those record wood prices are finally starting to crack, and more builders across the U.S. are able to reach for their toolboxes.
Robert Dietz, chief economist at the National Association of Home Builders, said some projects that have been in limbo because of the prohibitive cost of wood may begin to resume.
"If it's the case that the price is coming down because it does represent a true uptick in the amount of supply, we're going to see some of those projects move forward," Dietz said.
How wood got so expensive
The construction-grade softwood-lumber market saw wild price swings over the past year, driven in part by the pandemic.
Demand for new homes and thus framing lumber like pine two-by-fours have surged. Some homeowners on lockdown indulged in their woodworking hobby or finally got around to renovation projects that had been on hold.
Meanwhile, sawmills struggled to keep up with the increased demand, especially as their workers were forced to stay home during infection spikes or actually caught the coronavirus.
The greater demand for lumber coupled with the dearth of supply meant only one thing: higher prices.
The futures price of lumber in March 2020 was $303.40 per thousand board feet. That cost more than quintupled over the following 14 months, reaching a high of $1,607.50 this May.
The Framing Lumber Composite Price, a real-time index of construction-wood prices calculated by the industry publication Random Lengths, hit $1,514 per thousand board feet in May.
Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, recently saidthe supply shortages driving up the price of lumber (and other goods) have been one of the causes of rising inflation.
But both the futures price and the current price of lumber declined substantially into June, and industry experts say the lumber price hike is finally beginning to dwindle.
Why the price of lumber is dropping now
A number of factors are shaving hundreds of dollars off the wholesale price of softwood lumber.
According to Dustin Jalbert, an analyst with Fastmarkets, the country turning the corner in the pandemic has meant that sawmills have been able to ramp up production and some people who had been working from home are returning to offices and other workplaces.
"If you're spending less time at home, you're probably spending less money on the home," he said. "That remodeling, renovation, DIY boom — whatever you want to call it — that's also softening."
Jalbert added that the demand for lumber is expected to drop as construction slows in the coming colder months, driving the price down even further.
The Framing Lumber Composite Price dropped to $1,113 last week, a decline of $211 from the week prior. Lumber futures hit $904.90 over the weekend.
But consumers are not out of the woods yet.
Jalbert said it could take several weeks for price reductions to take effect in retail home centers. And even then, he added, "people should know that prices are probably not going to fall to the levels that they were before the pandemic."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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My DIY Advent Calendar is finally finished! You can click here to see Part I (Days 1 through 6) and click here to see Part II (Days 7 through 15) .
I used the customizable advent shadowbox from Silhouette. The 25 compartment shadow box comes with 25 different box templates and 25 different drawer templates that the Silhouette will cut out onto any paper of your choice. You can use them to make a new advent calendar theme each year.
Doesn't it look all pretty now that it's finished! I can't wait until tomorrow until Boo gets to start opening them up!
Here are the rest of the days I just finished up and what I filled them with:


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HEA Senior Fellowship Case Study Series: 4 – Researching learner interaction and engagement with in-class response systems
By Matt Jenner, on 15 August 2014
As a four-part series I am openly publishing my case studies previously submitted for my Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. I submitted my application in February 2014. If you're interested in this professional recognition programme, please visit their webpages and look through the Professional Standards Framework (PSF). UCL runs an institutional model for fellowships called ARENA, your institution may run one too – speak to people!
Case Study 4 – Researching learner interaction and engagement with in-class response systems
In 2012 I conducted research, in parallel with my job at UCL, focusing on increasing student interaction and staff engagement of an in-class question and response system colloquially known as 'clickers'. Evidence suggests clickers provide interaction opportunities to stimulate and engage learners[1] and have a benign or positive effect in student performance[2]. Clickers are popular across many disciplines, in particular the physical sciences, but there is a particularly low interest in medical sciences.
I wanted to directly address this shortcoming so I enlisted two academics in the UCL Medical School. I assimilated the current method of teaching, and the materials used (K1). From here we adapted a learning activity to align with the new tool being applied (A1). I underpinned the use of the technology with existing literature and the evidence of realigning the 'sage on the stage' to the 'guide on the side' [3](K2), which evidence suggests is an effective method for learning and teaching (K3, V3). I provided pre-lecture technical support to reduce technical barriers and was on-hand in the lecture to support as/when needed (A2). Questions were designed into the lectures and the clickers provide immediate feedback (A3). Staff react to clicker data with an approach called 'contingent teaching'[4] where they dynamically respond to the answers/feedback provided (A3).
I designed evaluation questions for each lecture based on Bloom's Taxonomy[5] for learners-based evaluation of the teaching approach and learning outcomes (A4). Questions were derived from categorising Bloom into three sub-categories; remember or understand, apply or analyse the topic and evaluate or create new knowledge (K5). When questioned, 74% of students agreed or strongly agreed that the clickers and the related teaching approach encouraged interaction and helped to achieve metacognitive learning (K5). I integrated these data with post-lecture interviews for the lecturers. Using this analysis, we designed next steps for future use and identified gaps and areas for improvement (A5).
I conducted evidence-based research and followed best practice around clickers to ensure inclusion was academically merited (V3). Measuring (and increasing) engagement within the traditional lecture was aiming to promote participation for learners (V2). It was understood that clickers do not directly enhance learning but can lead to higher-order learning. I used my understanding of the wider field of evidence to define their most appropriate use within the lectures (V1, V3).
By implementing a technology which was new to staff and guiding them with appropriate techniques known to increase interaction and engagement, I provided an evidence-informed approach which could be used to transform didactic content delivery into something more engaging. My research adds to a disproportionately small body of knowledge for clickers in medical education and the study overall was positive. Staff involved still use the clickers, the impact I measured plus the evidence collected, can be further used to promote clickers within UCL, the Medical School and beyond. It earned me a Distinction in my MSc Learning Technologies and furthered my ambition to make a lasting, positive difference to higher education.
(493 words)
Areas of Activity
- A1 Design and plan learning activities and/or programmes of study
- A2 Teach and/or support learning
- A3 Assess and give feedback to learners
- A4 Develop effective learning environments and approaches to student support and guidance
- A5 Engage in continuing professional development in subjects/disciplines and their pedagogy, incorporating research, scholarship and the evaluation of professional practices
Core Knowledge
- K1 The subject material
- K2 Appropriate methods for teaching, learning and assessing in the subject area and at the level of the academic programme
- K3 How students learn, both generally and within their subject/disciplinary area(s)
- K5 Methods for evaluating the effectiveness of teaching
Professional Values
- V1 Respect individual learners and diverse learning communities
- V2 Promote participation in higher education and equality of opportunity for learners
- V3 Use evidence-informed approaches and the outcomes from research, scholarship and continuing professional development
[1] Bligh, D.A., (2000). What's the use of Lectures? London/San Francisco; Jossey-Bass
[2] http://w.lifescied.org/content/6/1/9.short
[3] King, A. (1993). From Sage on the Stage to Guide on the Side. College Teaching, Vol. 41, No. 1, p30- 35. Taylor & Francis Ltd.
[4] Beatty I. D., Gerace W. J., Leonard W. J. and Dufresne R. J., (2006). Designing effective questions for classroom response teaching, American Journal of Physics. Vol. 74, p31-39.
[5] Bloom B.S., (1956). Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, Handbook I: The Cognitive Domain. New York: David McKay Co Inc.


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The phrase, 'It's in the air' alludes to the general feeling or expectation of something to happen in the near future or something which is already present or prevailing.
For the Muslim who reaches the months of Rajab and Sha`baan, the presence of Ramadaan is keenly sensed and felt. There is anticipation and expectation. It is near, with each day closing the distance between us and Ramadaan. Its blessings are 'in the air' – so to say …just as we have fragrance permeating the atmosphere, infusing the air, whether of flowers or of Itr or other perfume.
…The stronger the perfume, the stronger the Itr, the greater the distance its scent travels – so much so, that even though we may be far, we too get a hint of something special. The same with a braai – we find the aroma being carried by the wind, over a distance.
…Then what of the sweet fragrance of Ramadaan?
It is in the air. Most definitely.
It is just that our "receivers" are not working well. …If there is a transmitter and there is transmission, but our receiver is not working, we will not pick up transmission. Similarly, if our sinuses are clogged, we will not smell the fragrance.
When it comes to the month of Sha`baan – especially from the middle of Sha`baan onwards, the excitement of the Auliya-Allah, the pious and the righteous knows no bounds and limits. They have understood the virtue and significance of Sha`baan because it heralds the coming of Ramadaan, the guest of distinction and greatness. …They have been waiting for the Mubarak month of Ramadaan, and Sha`baan signifies the final countdown to its arrival. They are enthusiastic and eager just to see and meet the month of Ramadaan, and thus we find the beautiful Masnoon dua : 'O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Sha'baan and grant us life to see Ramadaan.'
Whilst they enjoy and make the most of the blessings of Sha`baan, it is unfortunate that the majority are neglectful, if not ignorant of its blessings.
Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wassallam) said, "Sha`baan is a month between Rajab and Ramadaan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of deeds is presented before the Lord of the Universe, so I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting." [1]
We also find in this blessed month, the night of Bara`ah : A Favour and Bounty of Allah Ta'ala Who, through this night, makes it easy for us to prepare for Ramadaan.
First, Allah Ta'ala gives us the 15th night of Sha`baan – an exclusive opportunity for Taubah, Rujoo Ilallah, Dua and other Ibaadah… and then He gives us an entire month saturated with opportunities to secure His Pleasure. He gives us Ramadaan. Alhamdulillah.
The following analogy came to my mind : That the Ibaadah of the 15th night of Sha`baan is similar to how a person does a re-paint of his house.
When a person wants to paint his house, what does he do if the old paint is flaking, if the old paint is peeling and falling off? Would he just take the new paint and apply a fresh coat on top of all the old, flaking paint? …No.
The person firsts scrapes off all the old paint. After doing this, he applies the new paint.
The night of Bara`ah is akin to scraping off the "old paint". Allah Ta'ala gives us this blessed and auspicious night so that we scrape off all the old paint and all the dirt of malice, of greed, of pride, of anger and of other bad and evil traits, which have spoilt the beauty of our hearts and which have worn out the shine of our hearts, and through which we have lost the colour of Divine Love which coated our hearts.
Thus, if we are not on talking terms with our family members, or have cut off ties with parents or vice versa, or have been disobedient to parents, or if there is anyone taking some kind of intoxicant, or engaging in some form of shirk, or is harbouring malice and jealousy, or engaging in any form of immorality and disobedience – then the opportunity to rid the heart of its evil, to clean it and purify it, to paint it in the dye of Allah Ta'ala's Love, to beautify it with the Noor of sincere repentance and the Remembrance of Allah Ta'ala is presented to us in the form of the 15th night of Sha`baan.
…Very much like the scraping of the old paint … with a re-coat of fresh 'paint' before the month of Ramadaan.We apply the new coat so that it begins to shine in advance of Ramadaan and increases in its shine and beauty with each passing day of Ramadaan.
So Allah Ta'ala gives us this night, in preparation for the coming month of Ramadaan. And most of us are acquainted with the merits of this night : That it is a night for forgiveness of sins, a night in which Allah Ta'ala's Mercy descends.
From our side, we should maximise on the wonderful bounties found in this night, by engaging ourselves in Ibaadah, in Dua and in Istighfaar.
There is no hard and fast rule as to what to read and how to occupy ourselves in this night. In reality, it is spending the time in diverse Ibaadah; whatever our hearts incline to – some recitation of Qur`aan Shareef and Zikrullah, together with sincere Taubah, abundant Istighfaar, and deep-hearted Dua. Sleep for a little while and try and get up for the Tahajjud Salaah and engage in Dua. …There is no reason to feel disappointed if the person is working the entire day and does not then have the capacity to remain awake for most of the night… to whatever extent, the person makes an effort in this night
My purpose was just to highlight one or two points – the main point being that irrespective of how far we may have distanced ourselves from Allah Ta'ala, if we turn to Allah Ta'ala, we make "I'tiraaf- e- qusoor" – acknowledge our weakness, our sins…
"O my beloved Allah! Looking at my own weakness, looking at my lack of strength and energy, what else can I take support from except that You are Most Merciful?
My crying before You, my tearing before You, my repentance are what I have to offer. I do not have the kind of strength that the Sahaaba-e-Kiraam (RA) had. I do not have that kind of strength that the Taabi'een and the Tabe Taabi'een had. I do not have that kind of Ibaadah, Zikr and Tilaawah which the righteous and the pious and the Sawliheen had, or they have.
I am of those who are extremely weak. With my "I'tiraaf- e- qusoor", with my acknowledgement of my sins, and with my tears of repentance, I seek Your Support. Overlook my sins, overlook my shortcomings, overlook my weakness. My life has gone by in so much of disobedience to You and your Rasool (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wassallam). But this night, I am turning towards You…"
Ask Allah Ta'ala for complete forgiveness from all sins, whether major or minor sins, wherever they may have been committed, whether deliberate or unintentional. Whatever it may be, ask Allah Ta'ala for forgiveness of all sins, and sincerely promise and pledge not to return to them.
With this kind of Taubah and Istighfaar, the Light of Imaan will shine in our hearts. Thereafter, it is left to us to then preserve that Light by staying away from those sins in the future.
On the other hand, if the person is going to merely engage in lip-service Istighfaar and Taubah for the night, and continue with the same evils the very next day, how will any Noor remain in the heart? …Then, when Ramadaan does arrive, the person will be empty in his heart, and if he continues in the same direction of sins, he will not be in the right frame of spirituality to fully benefit and draw from the downpour of Noor, Rahmah and Barakah of Ramadaan.
May Allah Ta'ala grant us all the understanding and the ability to practise on our knowledge with Ikhlaas. May Allah Ta'ala grant us the full blessings of Sha`baan and Ramadaan
By Moulana Yunus Patel Rahmatullahi Alaihi


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I completed my postgraduate training in 2000 in the Department of the Veterinary Tropical Diseases at Pretoria University. My interest is macroparasites, but I also have an interest in the pathogens that they transmit. For the past 20 years my research programme have focussed on deciphering the role of parasite, host and environmental factors in shaping parasite diversity, distribution and communities at a local and regional scale. Land-use type studies conducted at local scale aligns with the One Health and EcoHealth approaches that highlight an important link between ecosystem-, animal- and human health. At a regional scale my research looks at large scale ecological factors such as biome/habitat-mediate effects and host biology on parasite diversity and communities.
I am fortunate to have an extended network of collaborators from across the globe that is involved in my research programme. My personal feeling is that a multidisciplinary research approach facilitates high quality and often novel research, with the potential for cutting-edge peer-reviewed publications. Locally, collaborations focus on, amongst others, parasite evolutionary ecology (phylogeny and phylogeography) with Prof Conrad Matthee (Stellenbosch University), vector and reservoir ecology in an epidemiological framework with Prof Marinda Oosthuizen and Prof Armanda Bastos (Pretoria University). mite taxonomy with Prof Eddie Ueckermann (North-West University) and helminth diversity and ecology with Prof Chris Marufu (Pretoria University). Regional collaborations focus on parasite diversity and ecology (Prof John Mfune, University of Namibia, Namibia) and rodent pathogen diversity (Dr. Simbarashe Chitanga, University of Zambia, Zambia). International collaborations focus, amongst others, on chigger diversity (Dr Alexandr Stekolnikov, Russian Academy of Science, Russia), lice taxonomy, ecology and evolution (Profs Lance Durden (Georgia Southern University, USA) and Jessica Light (Texas A&M, USA)), parasite ecology (Profs Boris Krasnov (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel) and Serge Morand (University of Montpellier, France)) and helminth taxonomy (Dr A Ribas, Barcelona University).