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Piracetam (Piracetamum) is a nootropic agent which due to a direct effect on the brain improves cognitive (cognitive) processes, such as learning ability, memory, attention, and enhances mental performance. Piracetam affects the central nervous system in different ways: influencing the speed of propagation of excitation in the brain, improving metabolic processes in the nerve cells and improving microcirculation hemorheology, without causing vasodilating action. Piracetam inhibits platelet aggregation and restores erythrocyte membrane elasticity and reduces the adhesion of erythrocytes. At a dose of 9.6 g reduces levels of fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor by 30-40% and increases bleeding time. Piracetam has a protective and restorative action in violation of brain function due to hypoxia and intoxication, reduces the severity and duration of vestibular nystagmus.
Piracetam helps to restore cognitive disorders after cerebral functions as a result of hypoxia, intoxication or injury. Reduces the severity and duration of the vestibular nistagma. Piratsetam used in the treatment of cortical myoclonus as monoterapiiili in combination with anti myoclonic agents.
Indications for use:
Piracetam is used in neurological, psychiatric and drug treatment practice.
In neurological practice Piracetam is used primarily for vascular brain diseases (atherosclerosis, vascular parksinsonizm) with symptoms of chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency, which manifests itself in impaired memory, attention, speech, dizziness, and headache; residual effects of cerebral blood flow (ischemic type); comatose state and subkomatoznye (including after injuries and cerebral intoxication); convalescence (for improving motor and mental activity); nervous system diseases associated with decreased intellectual-mental function and impaired emotional and volitional (including Alzheimer's disease), metabolic myopathies, neuromuscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease, the effects of traumatic brain injury (long-lasting headache and dizziness).
In psychiatric practice Piracetam is used in patients with neurological depressive states of various origins with a predominance in the clinical signs adinamii, asthenia and senesto-hypochondriacal disorders, phenomena ideatornoy retardation, as well as in the treatment of sluggish - apathetic defect states, senile and atrophic processes in the treatment of mental illness, occurring at "organically deficient soil." Furthermore, Piracetam is used as an adjunct in the treatment of depressive illness resistant to treatment with antidepressants and neuroleptics in poor portability and other psychotropic drugs in order to eliminate or prevent somatovegetativnyh caused by them, neurological or psychiatric complications cortical myoclonus.
The drug used in the practice of the drug as a treatment for abstinence, pre - and delirious states in alcoholism and drug addiction, as well as in cases of acute alcohol poisoning, morphine, barbiturates, amphetamine and etc. In addition, Piracetam is used in the treatment of chronic alcoholism with symptoms of persistent violations of mental activity (asthenia, intellectually - mnemonic disorders, muscle tremors, sweating, hallucinations).
In pediatric practice Piracetam is used to correct the effects of perinatal brain damage caused by intrauterine infections, hypoxia, birth trauma, with mental retardation, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, if necessary, to speed up the learning process.
Paracetamol is also used for long-term general anesthesia (anoxia and hypoxia prevention of the brain) and sickle-cell anemia (in combination therapy).
Hypersensitivity to the components included in the composition of the drug, severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance (CC) of less than 20 ml / min), children's age (up to 1 year), hemorrhagic stroke, psychomotor agitation.
Suggested Use:
Inside (during meals or on an empty stomach, with some liquid). Note: the latest single dose should be taken no later than 17 hours (to prevent sleep disorders).
Early treatment at 800 mg administered in 3 divided doses, with the improvement in a single dose was gradually reduced to 400 mg. Daily dose - 30-160 mg / kg, the multiplicity of reception - 2 times / day, if necessary - 3-4 times / day.
The course of treatment continues from 2-3 weeks to 2-6 months. repeat the treatment if necessary.
When long-term therapy psycho-organic syndrome in older drug prescribed by 1.2-2.4 g / day; loading dose during the first weeks of treatment - up to 4.8 g / day. piracetam treatment, if necessary, can be combined with the use of psychotropic, cardiovascular and other drugs.
In the treatment of the effects of coma, posttraumatic period in the initial dose - 9-12 g / day maintenance - 2,4 g, a course of treatment - 3 weeks.
This formulation is recommended for children from 5 years - 1 capsule. 3 times per day. The maximum daily dose - 1.8 g The course of treatment - from 2 weeks to 2-6 months.
When alcoholism - 12 g / day during the manifestation of alcohol withdrawal; maintenance dose - 2.4 g
In sickle cell vazookklyuzionnom Stroke (adults and children): prevention - the interior of 160 mg / kg / day, divided into 4 equal doses. The dose of less than 160 mg / kg / day or irregular intake of the drug may cause a worsening of the disease.
As piracetam excreted from the body by the kidneys, caution should be exercised when treating patients with renal insufficiency.
Important notice- the outer box design may vary before prior notice!


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"It was not a matter of if but of when" was a comment I saw in half a dozen places on Facebook. And reading these comments I thought, What? Huh?
Oh, clueless friends of Facebook friends, go look in the goddamn mirror. You see a person there? The one that looks somewhat like you? For that clueless person, too, death is not a matter of if but of when! Your reflection and you and me and all of us are sadly mortal, and death could come tap us on the shoulder at any moment.
The question that then faces us all is pretty basic: what should we do in the meantime? How should we spend these few precious remaining hours?
When she looked back on her life, Bonnie Chamberlain could see that she had always lived in a tortured world. Not just tortured through the normal heartbreaks of dying parents and stupid boyfriends and husbands—though, of course, like anyone else she had experienced those minor personal tortures—but tortured by time itself, vast, scary time, a span where mountains rose and eroded, oceans flooded and withdrew, where earthquakes and volcanoes went off, and strange creatures walked and flapped and swam.
She felt the pain of the world most of her life; when she was nine years old, some 45 million years after the last seas finally receded and the land that would become Texas emerged wet and steaming from the gunk, Bonnie found a fossil shark's tooth in the bed of a dry creek on her grandparent's farm. Long as her finger, black and gray and still sharp and scary-looking ages after being shed, the tooth was suddenly precious to her, a link to a hidden world—holding it in her hand, even as a child, she could almost feel the power, the mystery, the danger, the delight, the very life of the long-dead shark. Later she remembered looking up into the hills above the creek and being thrilled and scared to know that this had once been the floor of the ocean—and before that, a mountain range—and before that, and that, and that—something had always been there. She could feel the world spinning back, endlessly.
In the story "Reliction," Bonnie's response to mortality is to find solace in the physical world. Some people create art. There are other possible responses. Some are more dangerous than others.

subset: commoncrawl


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Happy Birthday, Husband o' Mine
"Tomorrow I hit my life's halfway mark." – said by Dave on Saturday afternoon about turning 55 on Sunday. Yes, he plans to make it to 110. No kidding.
22 + 33 = 55 (You were 22 when you married me 33 years ago).
Forget the speed limit sign. You're 55 and just hitting your stride!
I love that your big sister reminded you that in the Bible, the number 5 symbolizes grace. And I love that she said since you're 55, it must mean double-grace. Immediately I thought of one of your all-time favorite passages from Zechariah. It is such a word of courage, such a call to remember, "'It's not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord."
And the confidence that passage inspires goes on to challenge the mountains that seemingly stand in our way, sometimes, "Who are you, mountain – you'll become a molehill," and the man of God will get to finish what he started by the power of the Holy Spirit and he will get to place the capstone on the whole thing with people all around rejoicing, shouting "Grace! Grace to it!"
"For who are you, O great mountain [of human obstacles]? Before Zerubbabel [who with Joshua had led the return of the exiles from Babylon and was undertaking the rebuilding of the temple, before him] you shall become a plain [a mere molehill]! And he shall bring forth the finishing gable stone [of the new temple] with loud shoutings of the people, crying, Grace, grace to it!" Zechariah 4.7 Amp.
It's the cherry on top promise. It's the star on the Christmas tree. It's the king of the hill scenario, that finishing gable stone story.
And it is your story. It is your revelation.
Remember years ago when we attended James Ryle's Grace-Grace-Grace weekend in Boulder Valley? We found out grace really had nothing to do with unmerited favor (that's more like mercy), but that grace was
"The empowering presence of God enabling us to be who He created us to be and to do what He created us to do."*
Grace is God's presence and His power and I love that you have always understood the grace of God and so been able to receive it and walk in it and share it freely.
So, 55 years ago
A teen-age girl gives up a baby. For 5 days you were in a Topeka, Kansas hospital, motherless, fatherless, it would seem to the staff. But I know that is when you first encountered Grace, His power, His comforting Presence and must be why you know Him so deeply that way.
Then they came for you – the Rhoades family. They signed papers and took you home, then moved you to Colorado and raised you for me.
I didn't know, the summer of our big Colorado vacation in the early 70s that you were living here in Denver, all brown-skinned and dimpled, being prepared to be my husband. You had no idea those same June days that some stringy-long-haired tourist from Iowa, in a station wagon with her family was being prepared for you, to be your wife.
Maybe we passed you, madly pedaling your bike through the neighborhood. Maybe I saw your super-short, good Baptist-boy haircut. Maybe you saw me flash the peace sign out the rolled-down window (something I wasn't allowed to do) and thought me rather sinful?
All I know is, you have been the gift of grace* to me. You have spent all the years preaching the message of it, reminding me time and again that I can't earn it and I don't even have to try. You have graced me with your love and your presence and you have opened the door for me to live in the Grace of God, not churchy-ness, not religiousness (my fall back every time), but in His empowering Presence.
It happens, the bad with the good…
I once saw a bumper sticker that said, in other words (if you get my drift), "Dung happens." And I remember thinking, "No kidding. This bumper sticker speaks the truth. Dung does happen!" And it was in a season to which I could fully attest to it. Dung had happened. Lots of dung.
But then, we saw another bumper sticker. It spoke of what you have nurtured in our family through love and sweat and tears and sacrifice and more love and and tending to. I see this, now. And this is truer than true, the truest of all things, this bumper sticker: "Grace happens." And it does, freely, abundantly, time and again. Grace happens!
Tara, Stephanie, Tredessa, Rocky & Stormie
Grace does happen. I am living proof. Our family – those wonderful 5 we got to raise together: aren't they just so beautiful? Aren't they darling human beings? Don't they just make you want to burst with pride and thankfulness? They're all so pretty and so talented and passionate about so many cool things. I look at them and I am in awe. Thank-you, honey, for these children, for the ones you hinted to me about when you proposed marriage in 1981, for when you told me, "I want you to be the mother of my children." I had no idea how amazing that was going to turn out to be, to get to be mommy to the children of grace, grace.
Tristan, Dave, Jovan, & Ryan
And hasn't Grace, His holy Presence, so graced us yet again with the 4 who have joined us by marriage (so far…one to go)? Aren't they the perfect additions? Aren't they all just people we would have chosen for our babies, anyway? And didn't Grace show up and bless these unions? He did! Aren't we just unworthy of this, yet graced anyway?
Gavin, Hunter, Guinivere, Gemma, Averi, Amelie, Malakai, Bailey, & Evangeline
And now – we're practically mush, aren't we? To see these 9 and enjoy them so, so, so much. Gifts – just *boom* happiness pouring-sparkling-raining like a summer shower straight from heaven.
For all you were born to do and for all you were born to be (Psalm 112 and Psalm 128 man of mine), these 9 have been added to you. Added to you.
You are no longer a baby in a hospital nursery in cold Kansas of 1959. You are Dave, Jeanie's husband, her lover and hero. You are dad, who checks in making sure everything is ok, who prays for and is prayed for and who leads his family beside peaceful waters; you are a spiritual father to the sweetest ones (others the ages of our own tribe) who respect you and honor you in the gates and who seek that supernatural fathering you possess; you are grandpa, poppa, grand-poppa – pouring mercy, love, peace and grace on the next generation – making an impact into the 22nd century from where you stand today.
That beautiful baby boy, once alone, has been increased and Graced beyond measure. And all the people who know you and love you now are cheering you as mountains become molehills, as barriers are blasted through as you finish everything you have started with strength: Cheers-rejoicing-yay!-Blessing-Grace and more Grace!


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Dallowgill takes its name from – Dael – from English meaning valley and haga meaning enclosure – Dalhagha, as it was recorded by monks. Gill – meaning ravine, added later. "Dallowgill" was originally applied to the ravine or gill of the River Laver below Dallow.
Historically Dallowgill was part of the ancient parish of Kirkby Malzeard in the West Riding of Yorkshire. It became a separate parish in 1844. When civil parishes were created in 1866 it became part of the civil parish of Laverton, which now shares a parish council with Kirkby Malzeard (Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council). Dallowgill remains a separate ecclesiastical parish, now part of the benefice of the Fountains Group of parishes.
Dallowgill is a dispersed community in an attractive upland area between Pateley Bridge and Ripon, within Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Open heather moorland in the west is bounded by the valleys of North Gill Beck and Carlesmoor Beck. These streams flow eastwards, through a diverse upland farming landscape of small grass fields bounded by drystone walls and with areas of native and plantation woodland, to the River Laver and the Ure.
Over the centuries since the last ice-age, influenced by man as well as the changing climate, the landscape has changed from dense forest to vast tracts of peat covered moorland, wooded valleys and grasslands. The area was controlled by Fountains Abbey, prior to its dissolution, and the Monks had a farm at Azerley Grange providing produce for the Abbey. Parliamentary enclosure in the 1780's is largely responsible for the current field pattern.
Scattered across this landscape are many farmsteads, houses and barns, built from local grit-stone, with stone slate and blue slate roofs. There are buildings dating from the late 18th, early 19th century and even earlier, but many of the farmsteads, the Methodist Chapel and St Peter's church date from the Victorian era. Several disused quarries at Potter Lane and Swetton, and the deserted village of Lamb Close, are evidence of the former stone slate industry. Greygarth monument, built for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, is a focal point near the moorland edge, with wide ranging views across to the Hambleton Hills and the Vale of York as far as York Minster and the Wolds. In the early 20th century the steep-sided valley of South Gill Beck was surveyed by Leeds Corporation with the intention of creating a reservoir, but this didn't happen. The sighting tower at Carlesmoor was used to triangulate the end points of a water tunnel from Roundhill reservoir, near Leighton Reservoir, to Harrogate.
Sighting Tower
The variety of natural habitats in Dallowgill in turn supports a rich diversity of upland wildlife. Native red grouse are managed for sport on the moorland, which also supports many other birds including golden plover, ring ouzel and birds of prey. Redstart and woodcock are found in the native upland oak woodlands. On the "inbye" grassland, the call of ground nesting waders, including lapwing and curlew, herald spring.
The area is understandably popular with walkers and cyclists, and has a network of public footpaths, bridleways and tracks, including the popular Mosaic Trail


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Autumn is a season when you can spend more quality time together as a family. Shorter days mean that the kids are home earlier, and cooler weather invites everyone to spend more time indoors.
Try some of these ideas as inspiration for wholesome family activities this fall:
1. Have a fall fun day. If you have younger children, plan a day to just experience the season together.
- You might start out by raking leaves, collecting and bagging them and moving them to the curb for pick-up. Encourage the kids to collect leaves of various sizes and colors.
- Point out the sights and smells of autumn in your yard and community. This activity has all sorts of benefits: outdoor physical activity, elements of cooperation and responsibility, and plenty of communication.
2. Visit your local pumpkin patch or farm. Especially if you have younger children, they'll be delighted to experience the sights, textures, and smells of agriculture.
- Let each of the kids select a pumpkin or two for the fall holidays. Grab some decorative gourds to bring the sights of autumn into the house. Add some cinnamon or apple pie potpourri wafting in the air, and you'll help the entire family get into the spirit of fall.
3. Enjoy fall-focused dinners. Encourage family members to work together to prepare a favorite fall meal. Even little ones can participate by setting tables, stirring ingredients together and serving a favorite food.
- Corn on the cob, fall squash, potatoes and a favored entrée can help create memorable traditions around fall dining. Dessert can be pumpkin or apple pie or other seasonal family favorites.
- Provide art materials for the kids to make autumn-related placemats or place cards.
- Preparing and enjoying a special meal together gives every family member a chance to participate. It also makes great opportunities for communication to enhance your family relationships.
4. Hold a story night. With the fireplace going and everyone sipping hot chocolate and snacking on their favorite goodies, fall is a perfect time to enjoy reading together.
- Find a book that everyone in the family will enjoy.
- Have everyone take turns reading a few pages or a whole chapter.
- Holding story night one evening a week is a wonderful way for your family to re-connect, relax and enjoy each other's company.
5. Spice up your movie night. Do a little initial research by finding movies that have family-friendly plots or storylines that stimulate family discussions.
- Some examples include: What About Bob, Pay It Forward, Freaky Friday, Kung Fu Panda, and Finding Nemo, Rio, Surfs Up.
- This is another activity where you might allow the kids to take turns selecting. However, if you're seeking movies with morals or special messages, you might want to help "steer" the children's selections by providing the names of 3 or 4 movies and letting the kids choose from among those.
Take advantage of the incredible opportunities that autumn offers for making memories with your children. Whether you go for a family outing together or just gather for an old-fashioned movie night, you can spend more quality time with your family this fall!


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Barkriver Wilderness explorer CPM Cru-wear Tan Burlap
Sold Out!
This item is currently out of stock, but more are on the way.
You can receive an In-Stock Notification by email when new product arrives.
Barkriver Wilderness Explorer CPM Cru-wear Tan Burlap
Beautiful Bob Loveless designed Wilderness Knife, made by Barkriver Knives. A classic knife, great for Bushcraft, Survival, Hunting and almost any Outdoor application in the Great Wilderness of Canada.
Full broad tang, the knife had a non skeletonized tang to create a great balance and high strength. The blade is a superb arched back drop point blade has a very shallow convex grind (could easily be sharpened as a flat) and is made from the World class CPM powder steel, 'Cru-wear'.
The knife has solid Stainless pIns and Finger Guard and Lanyard Hole. Really Superb knife, great design, materials and Barkriver Quality.
Made in USA, comes with Quality Leather Sheath (see pics for details)
Handle Grain may not be exactly as shown, but is a good representation.
Blade 5.67
Thickness 3.85mm
CPM Cru-Wear 60HRC


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The ongoing conversation regarding the DOJ suit against five of the Big 6 publishers and Apple has at times been even more interesting than the case itself in what it says about the publishing industry and those who have a stake in it. I won't deny for a moment that I'm a fan of the Kindle or that I regularly enjoy many facets of Amazon's business, so feel free to call me out for being biased, but I think that there are a few strange assumptions being made in some of the more popular Pro-Publisher arguments lately that need to be addressed.
The most popular justification of the Agency Model by far seems to be that without it Amazon would simply have too much control over prices and undermine competition since they could use books as loss-leaders to sell other products. The underlying assumption here is that there was literally no other option available to prevent Amazon from offhandedly destroying a whole industry. This ignores the process that allowed the Agency Model to be imposed on the Kindle Store in the first place, of course.
In early 2010, the publishers dictated their terms to Amazon and a brief conflict ensued. When Amazon resisted raising their prices, Macmillan pulled their titles. It worked, and Amazon caved. Publishers are not, in this case, the helpless bystanders trying to scrape by that they make themselves out to be. They have the choice to leave at any time, and allow Amazon to find their own way to fill Kindles with eBooks. This is exactly what happened recently when IPG was unwilling to agree to Amazon's contract renewal terms.
The problem is that publishers don't want Amazon out of the game. Amazon does exactly what they want a retailer to do. The store makes suggestions, up-sells, promotes, and opens the doors to customers anywhere. The problem wasn't the potential for anti-competitive control; it was that publishers were unwilling to lose access to the channel. It is also why the collusion was necessary. Without that collusion, Amazon could presumably have done without any member of the Big 6 and they would have been left with only comparably inferior vendors to sell their books through.
The other really fun argument is the devaluation of eBooks. Basically that by selling Kindle Editions cheaply, Amazon is making customers expect affordable books and publishers will make less money. This is often tied to the idea that Amazon is trying to sell cheaply enough to get a monopoly, after which they will screw their customers and raise prices. Personally, I see the arguments as contradictory.
If Amazon's whole Kindle sales model is designed to lower customer expectations in terms of pricing, publishers retail the previously mentioned option of removing their content. Unlike with paper books, there is no possibility of a secondary market. To me this is basically an assertion that the content offered by these publishers is less important to customers than the fact that they can get it on a Kindle. If that is so, then the need for publisher as gatekeeper is a thing of the past anyway.
Let's assume that Amazon does accomplish lowering expectations, though. How would raising prices on eBooks after driving out the competition work to their advantage? We are talking about digital products, presumably now in a publisher-free world since Amazon ruined them all. In what way would self-publishing authors have trouble selling outside of the Kindle Store? And if that were an option, why would customers pay Amazon's presumably higher prices after having been acclimated to cheap eBooks over the course of years? I'm not one to say that the free market will solve all your problems, but what incentive does Amazon have to dominate a market and immediately destroy their most profitable approach to it?
Basically, I can't help but feel that redirecting the issue of Agency Model price fixing to make it appear as if the DOJ is out to appoint Amazon king of publishing is a sign that people know something illegal was done and are now out to justify it. The Kindle may be the best eReading platform out there, but it is far from the only one. Publishers had other options they could have gone with; they simply couldn't see a legal way to get the higher profits they wanted without losing access to customers who love their Kindles.


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Colors Word Scramble
Colors word scramble to download and print. You can add your own words to customize or start creating from scratch.
Recommended: Check out this Advance Word Scramble Puzzle Maker to create commercial use printable puzzles.
Words List
Shuffle words / Sort words
Font Style
Generate New Browse Gallery
Download Print
Download will include puzzle worksheet and an answer key.
WORDS LIST: gray, coral, indigo, purple, white, green, black, pink, lavender, lime green, blue, brown, orange, crimson, red, yellow, violet


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Lockheed to split electronic systems business in two
The largest U.S. weapons maker, Lockheed Martin Corp , said it plans to split its electronic systems business into two separate operations focused on missiles and training, a move it said would save $50 million and eliminate 200 jobs.
The change, effective December 31, will give Lockheed five business areas: aeronautics, space systems, information systems, missiles and fire control, and mission systems and training.
Marillyn Hewson, who currently heads the electronic systems business, is scheduled to take over as president and chief operating officer of Lockheed on January 1.
Chris Kubasik, who is set to succeed Bob Stevens as chief executive officer on January 1, said the restructuring would streamline Lockheed operations and strip out a layer of management at a time when the Pentagon is pushing contractors to lower overhead costs.
"This new structure will allow us to better support our customers around the world and positions our company for sustained long-term growth," Kubasik said in a statement.
Lockheed said the new missiles and fire-control business will be based in Dallas, with 16,000 employees working on programs such as Patriot PAC-3 missiles and missile defense.
It will be headed by long-time Lockheed executive Rick Edwards, who previously managed tactical missiles and combat maneuver systems for the company. The executive currently in charge of Lockheed's missiles business, Jim Berry, is retiring.
The mission systems and training business will be based in Washington with 19,000 employees working on the Aegis combat system, the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship, and as well as military and commercial training systems, the company said.
It will be headed by Dale Bennett, another Lockheed veteran, who took over as president of the company's mission systems and sensors business in August.
Lockheed shares were little changed at $94.25 on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday morning.
(Reporting By Andrea Shalal-Esa; editing by John Wallace)


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The Royal Plecostomus (Panaque nigrolineatus), (L190) is also known as the Royal Panaque, the Broken Line Royal Pleco, or the Royal Black-lined Panaque.
Royal Plecos are herbivorous freshwater armored catfish native to Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela where they occur in the Orinoco and Amazon river basins. These suckermouth armored catfish belong to the Genus Panaque and have a distinct body shape that somewhat resembles a tadpole. They are known for being one of the few fish that actually digest wood.
Royal Plecostomus are light grey in color overlayed with dark grey to black squiggles. They have red eyes and their dorsal fins are edged with cream or gold. The striking graphic pattern of irregular black streaks over a mossy or cement colored body gives the fish its "Royal" name.
Royal Plecostomus make a peaceful addition to any large (100 gallon or more) tropical freshwater aquarium. They come from fast moving South American rivers and are found around sunken driftwood (bogwood) where they forage on biological matter and other food items growing on the encrusted wood.
Royal Plecostomus require a large, highly aerated aquarium planted with hardy, fast growing plants, and lots of water movement to keep them healthy and happy. Place rocks and driftwood in the tank for them to hide around and forage on. Aquascaping with driftwood is extremely important to induce the natural feeding behavior of Royal Plecos. Royal Plecos are primarily nocturnal and are shy under aquarium lights. You will see them most active at night. They are also territorial and should be provided a suitable resting area.
Royal Plecostomus are not common in most tropical fish shops and fortunately they are not picky eaters. As long as you place several pieces of waterlogged driftwood in the tank for them, they will eat the wood, algae, and detritus that forms on the bogwood.
Supplement their diets with fresh vegetables, sinking algae wafers, freeze dried bloodworms, tubifex worms, sinking carnivore pellets or a high quality flake food until the bogwood in the tank "ages" enough to produce sufficient forage for the fish.
Royal Plecostomus have not yet been bred in an aquarium environment by tropical fish keeping enthusiasts and unfortunately very little is known about their breeding habits.
When you can find Royal Plecostomus in a fish shop, they are usually young specimens that are often in an undernourished state. Dedicated attention to their needs will usually bring them around.
The average purchase size of this fish is between 1-1/2″ to 2″ but they will grow to over 17″ in your tank.
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 74-79° F, KH 6-10, pH 6.5-7.4
Max. Size: 1′ 4″
Color Form: Brown, Gold
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Good community tank fish
Origin: South America
Family: Loricariidae
Live Span: 20 years +
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate


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Thanks to www.greenbackd.com/
International Value Investing (TAVF)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VBGAeJ3eJM&w=560&h=315]
Read his transcript: Amit Wadhwaney TAVF Interview on International Value Investing
Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates on Global Economics
Ray Dalio on International Economics http://www.cfr.org/business-and-foreign-policy/conversation-ray-dalio-video/p28984
Thanks to a reader–Ray Dalio, founder and co-chief investment officer of Bridgewater Associates, L.P., discusses global economics.
This meeting is part of the Corporate Program's CEO Speaker Series, which provides a forum for leading global CEOs to share their priorities and insights before a high-level audience of CFR members. The series aims to educate the CFR membership on the private sector's important role in the policy debate by engaging the global business community's top leadership.
Update on VALUE VAULT
Don't panic if you are wondering what happened to the Value Vault. I moved the files. I will place the video files into separate folders and books into other folders. This should make for easier access and better organization. Though I go under the knife within two weeks, this will get done. Thanks for your patience. An email will go out to all Value Vault key holders with updates.


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Somebody emailed
me this week to see if I had any suggestions for songs her class should sing
for their program at the end of the school year. My advice was, "What songs do your children like best?"
I remembered
this idea that I wrote about last summer, but I thought it might be "timely" to
share it again. You can adapt "The
Very Hungry Caterpillar" to the "Very Eager Kindergartener/Preschooler/etc." Think about a song you have
taught your class each month this year and write it on a poster. Continue adding one new song each month
and you'll be all set to "perform" at the end of the year.
When school
started some very eager kindergarten children wiggled in the classroom. Each month was exciting as they learned
new things…
In September
they learned colors..."The Color Farm."
In October
they learned their ABC's..."Alphardy"
In November
they learned the days of the week..."Days of the Week"
In December
they sang a holiday song..."Jingle Bells"
In January
they learned the months in the new year..."Macarena Months"
In February
they celebrated 100 Days..."Zero the Hero"
In March they
went on a bear hunt..."The Cool Bear Hunt"
In April they
learned to pick up trash..."The Litter Patrol"
In May they
voted to teach YOU how to do the "Tooty Ta." (Ask the audience to stand and
join you.)
In June it
was time to say good-bye and fly off to first grade..."May There Always Be


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Gap widens its reach, acquires new brand
SAN FRANCISCO — Gap has added one more brand to its existing portfolio, purchasing Intermix Holdco for approximately $130 million in cash.
Intermix is a New York-based multi-brand specialty retailer of luxury and contemporary women's apparel and accessories. It operates 32 boutiques across North America, along with an e-commerce site, offering a mix of luxury brands, including up-and-coming designers. Gap intends to expand Intermix's network of stores, as well as add significant visibility and enhancements to its online site.
"Intermix has a distinctive position in this growing market with clear competitive advantage," said Glenn Murphy, chairman and CEO of Gap. "Their record of merchandising with a keen eye towards mixing multiple designer labels, complemented with exclusive product, is appealing to their loyal customers. This strategy reflects the strength of their brand vision and leadership team."
Gap acquired Athleta in 2008 and the multi-brand, premium product offering at Piperlime. With Gap Inc.'s guidance in the past four years, Athleta has expanded its e-commerce platform and grown its brick-and-mortar presence, with about 35 retail stores opened in the past two years.
"We're thrilled to have found a partner that has the global scale and infrastructure required to support our vision for growth," said Khajak Keledjian, co-founder of Intermix. "Gap Inc. shares many of our entrepreneurial roots, passion for innovation and customer experience. Together, we'll continue to shape the future of retail by offering the most exciting fashion trends with the finest designers in the world."
Keledjian will remain CCO and Adrienne Lazarus will remain president, and will report to Art Peck, president of Gap's growth, innovation and digital division.


text:
It's an accepted scientific fact that dogs are America's fastest-growing stoner demographic. Now another canine marijuana enthusiast has emerged to join the august ranks of the stoner dogs.
The first versions of "10 Dog" were posted on Reddit and Quickmeme this weekend, the dog being named after the incredibly impaired 10 Guy. On a ten-point scale of weed intoxication, this dog is a mellow, philosophical ten. He's so chill, he's forged a peace treaty with Cool Cat Craig so they can unite against their common enemy, the squirrel.
Our 25 favorite examples of 10 Dog are collected below. All pictures courtesy of Quickmeme, r/adviceanimals, and Daily Picks & Flicks.
This just got real.


text:
{Don't answer that.}
These are some of the simplest cookies to make. And what makes them extra special is that they're double-decker! The cookies are just attached with a bit of royal icing...it's like yummy, yummy glue.
To make the cookies, you'll need:
- square and small heart cookies
- royal icing, tinted with AmeriColor Super Red, Bright White and your choice of stripe color (I used turquoise, egg yellow, regal purple, and super black.)
- disposable icing bags
- coupler and icing tips (#3 & #2)
- squeeze bottles
- toothpicks
Go ahead and save some of this piping consistency red icing. You won't need it until the next day. You can just plop the icing bag right in your fridge.
Thin the red icing with water, a little at a time, stirring gently with a rubber spatula, until it is the consistency of a thick syrup. (Here is a video I made a few years ago showing how I do it.) Cover with a damp dish towel and let sit for several minutes.
Stir gently with a rubber spatula to pop any air bubbles that might have formed. Pour into a squeeze bottle.
Fill the hearts with the flood icing, using a toothpick to guide to edges and pop large air bubbles. Set aside to dry overnight.
Thin the white icing and the colors for the stripes, using the method described above. Transfer to squeeze bottles.
Working 6 cookies at a time, flood the square cookies with the white icing. Guide to the edges and spread with a toothpick; pop large air bubbles.
{We're working 6 cookies at a time here to give the white a few minutes to set. It helps prevent bleeding. If you wait too long, though, the icing won't lie flat on the base color and will be raised up.}
Let the cookies dry overnight.
The next day, remove the reserved piping icing from the fridge. I like to let it come to room temperature, but you don't have to. You may need to remove the tip and push a toothpick through if the tip is clogged.
Squeeze a little of the icing on the back of the small heart cookie. You don't need much, and you don't want it to ooze out the sides.
Gently press it onto the square cookie. Let dry for about 30 minutes to an hour to set.
So simple. And perfect for sharing with your valentine.
Now...you must (MUST!) go see all of the treats linked up to Shelly's valentine party. No, really...you must. I'm watching you.
Just look at all of these amazing valentine treats...
Here's the list:
1. Confessions of a Cook Book Queen ~ Valentines Twinkies on a Stick
2. Buns in My Oven ~ Hot Fudge and Strawberry Donut Pudding
3. Glorious Treats ~ Red Velvet Cupcakes
4. Cookies and Cups ~ Glass Topper Valentines Cookies
5. Bakingdom ~ Valentines Day Cookie Cakes
6. The Hungry Housewife ~ Valentines Jello Hearts
7. Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle ~ Valentines Dotty Cookies
8. Sprinkle Bakes ~ Red Velvet Cake Minis
9. Bake at 350 ~ Double-Decker, Stripey, Valentine Cookies
10. Two Peas and Their Pod ~ Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
11. Scarletta Bakes ~ Mexican Chocolate Hearts
12. She Wears Many Hats ~ Valentines Popcorn


text:
Coastal Health Institute 915 West Laurel Avenue Foley, Alabama 36535 251.943.5440 firstname.lastname@example.com
Weight control is a highly complex and sensitive issue. With rates of overweight and obesity on the rise, we are now more than ever seeing the impact of obesity-related conditions on the population's physical, mental, and emotional health and well being.
Although overweight and obesity are generally the result of energy imbalance, meaning energy consumed is greater than energy spent, body weight is the result of genes, metabolism, behavior, environment, culture, and socioeconomic status.
With overall health and wellbeing at its core, our multi-faceted approach allows us to customize a program that will enable you to achieve your weight management goals in order to optimize wellness, decrease weight-related health conditions, and improve esteem.
An all-inclusive center that provides the highest quality programs, tools, support, knowledge, and rescouces available to facilitate and sustain your personal goals through an individually-tailored approach.
What to Expect
At your first visit, you can expect to meet with several members of our professional heath services staff. They will help you to define goals and set clear expectations. They will begin the process of encouraging you, emphasizing that this is not about past failures, but a journey toward permanent healthy life habits. Also, during this first visit you will complete a full screening and risk assessment, which will allow our team to work with you to establish a plan that is not only customized but safe. We will get you started on gentle strength and stretching home exercise program using stretch bands. An on-site personal trainer will be available to those who wish to have professional help with a more formal workout routine. After your first visit, you will have weekly follow-up appointments. During these visits we will monitor your progress, offer support, answer questions, and provide guidance.
We look forward to working with you!
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday & Sunday - Closed
915 W. Laurel Ave. Foley, AL 36535 Phone: 251-943-5440 Fax: 251-943-5404


text:
We've become accustomed to online companies hosting our data, but this practice is actually highly inefficient. This page explains the situation pretty simply.
My advice is to use "unhosted" online services that support personal data control, or "zero-knowledge" services that encrypt your data before it leaves your computer. I've created a list of suitable services at the end of this article.
Let's take a look at the problems with hosted data:
Your data can be sold, consolidated and stored indefinitely
If you have accounts on popular websites like Facebook, Google and Flickr — you do not control own your data — you usually have to agree an extensive Terms Of Service, where you give all data rights to the company involved. Often this data is shared, and once your data goes "into the wild" it becomes available for anyone to use or store indefinitely. This is not optimal.
Your account can be deleted or suspended without notice
Most online companies have "Terms of Service" agreements that often include the right for the company to terminate your account at any time without cause. For example, there's the case of Mirco Wilhelm, whose 4000 linked Flickr photos were deleted when the service accidentally flagged him for copyright infringement. Or read the story of Dylan, whose seven years of Google activity vanished when the system "perceived a violation."
Your photos, posts and files can be censored
Most online companies have detailed Acceptable Use Policies, that restrict your online activities, often leading to outright censorship. For example, the recent story about Twitter censoring a journalist for criticizing NBC.
Hackers often gain access to hosted data and passwords
Your data can also potentially be hacked. You've probably seen numerous incidents of major sites being hacked in news headlines, for example: Linked-In and iCloud.
It's difficult or impossible to move your data a new service provider
Online companies usually don't make it easy to extract your data from their systems — it's not in their interest to do so. Here's a guide to Permanently Deleting Accounts on Popular Websites.
Those are the problems with having a company host your data. However, there is another way.
Listed below is my recipe for making your online life private and unhosted. Many of these steps will require significant effort on your part, to make transitions. Personally, I made these changes slowly over a number of months.
How To Achieve Private, Unhosted Data
For a search engine, use StartPage or DuckDuckGo because they do not track your searches. I like StartPage by Ixquick because they incorporate search results from Google. StartPage removes all identifying information from your query and submits it anonymously to Google. DuckDuckGo is another good search engine with a focus on privacy. Like StartPage, DuckDuckGo and does not record user information — see their privacy policy for the details.
Instead of using Twitter and Facebook, you can use Indenti.ca or Friendica or Movim. These are open-source social networking platforms that allow you to retain control of your data.
Instead of Flickr, you can use OpenPhoto. Instead of using Dropbox, you can use SpiderOak or Wuala or ownCloud or Symform — these services encrypt your data before it leaves your computer.
There's really no unhosted version of YouTube, you may wish to use a non-Google alternative like Vimeo. You can share videos privately amongst your friends using a private cloud service like Symform. If you happen to have you own server, you can use Joomla with the HWDTube plugin.
For email, you can a use a browser-based email service like CounterMail, which operates like Gmail, but it provides full email encryption and runs on diskless servers. Countermail costs $60 per year. Lavabit is similar service it doesn't offer quite as many security features, but Lavabit offers free accounts and their paid accounts are only $8 per year. Alternatively, you can use the open-source Thunderbird with Enigmail and GnuPG, and connect to your mail server using SSL. If you are technically inclined, you can even host your own email server. Zimbra and Sendmail are free and open-source email servers.
CrashPlan is a "set it and forget it" backup application that encrypts your data before it to goes into the cloud. It is also the easiest and most reliable way to back your computer I've come across. See my article on backups for more information.
You can switch to the open-source Linux operating system. Both Windows and Mac OS X limit your control when using your computer, and both systems have proprietary code that is not accessible to you. You can read about the problems with Windows, Mac OS X and the iPhone.
I recommend using Mint Linux (KDE Edition) because it's easy to use and doesn't require complex installations to get started.
You can use Firefox as your web browser in combination with a password manager such as Lastpass & Yubikey. Additionally, use these Firefox add-ons to enhance your privacy: HTTPS-Everywhere, Ghostery, Ad Block Plus and Cookie Whitelist. When you need extra web browsing privacy, use the Tor Browser or Tails. See my article, An Introduction to Privacy Tools, for more information.
For instant messaging, use Pidgin or Adium (with Jabber). These are open-source applications that support encrypted messages.
Instead of Skype (which was recently bought by Microsoft and has eavesdropping capabilities) look into these projects: GNU Telephony, Empathy, Ekiga or Red Phone.
Deluge and uTorrent are torrent clients that support encrypted transfers. To be anonymous you must still use a VPN (like Private Internet Access). Open VPN is a good VPN server can run on your own server. Alternatively, you can use a private file sharing application like Retroshare or OneSwarm.
Banshee is a good open-source iTunes alternative. VLC is an excellent open-source video player. XBMC and Plex are excellent media center applications. Libre Office is an open-source alternative to MS Office. GIMP or GIMPShop and Inkscape are good replacements for Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Serious photographers should also check out the excellent digiKam, for photo management.
Calibre is an e-reader that supports numerous e-book formats. It converts and sends your e-books to your e-reading devices.
On mobile devices, the Firefox OS promises to be the most open operating system. Until then, Android is the your best choice.
On Android, these apps support privacy: Orbot, OrWeb, Gibberbot, ObscuraCam, TextSecure, K-9 and APG, CSipSimple.
On iOS, these apps support privacy: Wickr, Atomic Web Browser, Chat Secure, Onion Browser.
You may wish to switch to these alternative ISP: Freedom Pop, Karma, Open Garden, Calyx Institute, TruConnect, republic wireless, Ting and Clear.
That's my entire recipe so far — if you know of better options, please let me know in the comments.
See also these lists: the Freedombox list, the Libre Projects list, the Open Source God list (on Mashable), the Free and Open Source Software list (on Wikipedia) and the Free Culture List (on Reddit).
A lot of services I mentioned could be improved by using true client-side data hosting. The Unhosted group, is trying to develop "browser-based apps with no server-side backend. Unlike server-side or client-server apps, unhosted web apps leave users in control of their valuable user data and privacy, by default."


text:
Art Institute Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive 8oz-
Designer Dries Clear Adhesive is an industrial strength adhesive that adheres to the following: paper art, acetate transparency, cling vinyl, acrylic, ceramics, feather quills, wood, metal, polymer clay, shrink plastic, artificial and dried floral, glass, beads, rocks, shells, and non-washable fibers. Dries acid-free and remains permanently flexible. Glitter does not come off when applied correctly! (glitter sold separately) Made of liquid adhesive Color: Clear. Measures: 8 ounces. Made in USA. Caution: Keep out of reach of children.


text:
August 16, 2012
By Kenneth Miller
LA Watts Times Correspondent
From Watts to South Central, Inglewood, to Hawthorne and beyond, Lakers fans are rejoicing in the acquisition of superstar big man Dwight Howard joining the storied local basketball franchise.
It is one of those moments that sort of transcends your normal sports story. Not as important as the Martin Luther King assassination or the presidential election of Barack Obama, but you remember where you were when you heard about it.
I was sitting in Fridays on La Tijera waiting to be seated when the noise erupted. The Olympics were on the television screen and some obscure divers were in the pool, but it was all about Dwight.
"We Got Him!" Laker fans are not your normal breed. They don't recognize the word pessimistic in the dictionary. They are always going to win the NBA championship. They actually HATE every other team in the league and the Celtics even more.
Winning 16 NBA championships and playing in 31 Finals will have that impact on you. Jerry, Kareem, Wilt, Shaq, Elgin, Magic, Phil, Chick, Pat, it is an association that is THE ASSOCIATION.
So, here's hoping that Dwight Howard realizes what he's getting into by being traded to the Lakers from the Orlando Magic.
Laker fans are glad to know that you have been enjoying the shopping in Beverly Hills, the beaches in Malibu, the clubs in Hollywood and the adulation that has been rushed upon you.
They were thrilled to see you smiling at the introductory presser while mocking Kobe and embracing the opportunity of winning a championship.
They will be ecstatic when you put that Lakers uniform on for the first time whether it be in December or January.
These fans are not really even tripping about your next contract with the Lakers after the season is over… That is if you don't win a championship.
You see, Dwight, as young as you are and as talented as you are, this whole big deal is just really about one small thing. A CHAMPIONSHIP!
The Lakers are like the Yankees in baseball, they realize that going to the playoffs and finishing in the conference finals as you did in Orlando is not good enough here.
Being an NBA All Star six consecutive years and three times Defensive Player of the Year are nice accolades, but pale in comparison to what the big prize is here.
Shaquille O'Neal understood that and no matter how much he despised Kobe he didn't allow for it to get in the way of him winning three NBA championships here.
We know how hard it was for you to accept the path that Shaq took to title town, but what options did you really have? New Jersey? Oh we swept them in the Finals in their only shot. Houston? You mean our stepchildren in the West?
Listen carefully, Dwight! We are not concerned about your baby momma drama and three kids out of wedlock, it's clear you are not the choirboy I first met when you were in high school and your Christian values have been challenged.
However, we gave up the future of our franchise Andrew Bynum because we believe that you are better.
Fact is your numbers indicate that you are an absolute MONSTER.
That is why the rest of the NBA is crying foul, questioning the integrity of the league because the Lakers are now such an overwhelming favorite to win the NBA championship next year.
There will be no stage and dancing to the tune of "Not ONE, Not TWO…" This is about 17, 18, 19 20.
I am sure you get the drift.
So, here is to inform you that city officials have already been contacted as to the exact route of the parade next June, a half million invitations will go out in the mail and the seat at the front of the bus is all yours…


text: of the English captain. By a sudden turn of the helm he so shifted his course that the enemy's galley, instead of striking his stern, was brought suddenly up alongside the frigate, with a violence that shattered all the oars on that side the galley. At the same moment, and before the enemy could recover from the shock, the Englishman let down his grapnels, with which he had been previously prepared, and made the galley fast to the frigate's side. Holding his enemy thus locked in his grasp, he poured down upon the low and exposed deck of the galley the point-blank fire of his guns, loaded with grape, which caused the most deadly execution. In a few minutes the galley was covered with dead and wounded, and the survivors, seized with panic, threw themselves on their faces and made no resistance, while a party of the English crew, jumping on board with their cutlasses, cut down every one who came in their way, sparing only the unresisting galley-slaves. All that the French commander was able to do was to hoist, with his own hand, a signal of distress, calling back the other galleys to his assistance. The consort of the distressed galley quickly came up; and the other four, seeing the signal and the imminent danger of their commander, quitted the merchantmen of which they were just about to make prize, and which, finding the coast clear, steered with all speed for the Thames. The whole squadron of galleys now surrounded the frigate, and with their swarming crews, and large force of soldiers and marines, in a short time changed the fortune of the day. After every resource of skill and courage had been exhausted in the defence, the numerical force of the assailants prevailed; the crew of the Nightingale,' and, with one exception, all the officers on board, were disabled or taken prisoners. That exception, however, was the captain. From first to last the object of this gallant officer, whose name unfortunately has not been preserved, was to secure the escape of his With that noble devotion to duty which stamps the convoy. English sailor, he had pledged himself, and was prepared to immolate himself and his frigate, and all on board, in order to save the vessels committed to his charge. So, when all his ship's company were in the hands of the enemy, he fortified himself in the poop, with a number of loaded guns and pistols by his side, with which he threatened destruction to any one who dared to approach. A serjeant and twelve men being sent to dislodge him, he shot down the former, and kept the rest at bay, no one of the party being willing to enter first at the peril of sharing their leader's fate. Meanwhile the officers of the Nightingale who had been taken on board the commander's galley magnified, though perhaps not beyond the truth, the reckless daring of their captain, captain, who they declared would not hesitate to blow his own vessel into the air, involving all the galleys in the same destruction, rather than strike his flag. Alarmed at the consequences of such an act of desperation, the French commander now tried the effect of a parley, which the captain, still anxious to gain time for his merchantmen, prolonged as much as possible. At length, when he calculated that all the vessels for whose welfare he was concerned were safe in the Thames, he announced his surrender, and went on board the French commander's galley to give up his sword. De Langeron was surprised to find this lion of the quarterdeck a man of small stature, and deformed in person. Addressing him in courteous terms, he promised his prisoner honourable treatment, and strove to console him for the loss of his ship. 'I feel no regret,' replied the Englishman, 'for the capture of my frigate, since I have gained the only object I had in view, which was to save the vessels under my convoy; and I had resolved, as soon as I came in sight of you, to sacrifice my ship and my life also for their preservation. You will find,' added he, 'some small quantity of ammunition on board, which I had not time or opportunity to discharge; besides that, you will discover nothing of any value in the frigate. As for myself, if you treat me as a man of honour, I or some other of my countrymen may have an opportunity before long to return the favour.' Charmed with the lofty spirit of his adversary, De Langeron, with much courtesy, returned him his sword. 'Receive back your sword, sir,' he said; 'you deserve too well to wear it; and consider yourself my prisoner only in name.' Meanwhile, what was the fate of the oarsmen of the galley which had first engaged the frigate? One of the guns of the latter being pointed directly down upon the bench to which Marteilhe and his fellow rowers were chained, his comrades had thrown themselves flat down, hoping thus best to avoid the discharge. A more careful observation convinced Marteilhe that he had a better chance of escaping the contents of the gun by keeping upright; and with great presence of mind he maintained that position, commending his soul with a fervent prayer to God, as he watched the English gunner approach the piece, and apply his match to the touch-hole. Stunned and insensible, he was thrown by the shock of the discharge as far as the length of his chain would allow across the gangway which divided the two tiers of oars. When he came to his senses it was night, and he could see nothing around him; but supposing that his comrades were still lying below their bench, he called out to them that the danger was past, but received no answer. At the same time he found himself bathed in blood, from three severe wounds which he had had received in different parts of his body. But there was no help or succour to be had, for all around him had been killed, both on his own bench, and the benches immediately before and behind him; so that out of the eighteen persons who had manned these three benches, he, wounded as he was, had alone escaped with life. The first thing done after the action was over was to throw overboard the dead, and to carry the wounded down into the hold. But in the confusion and darkness which prevailed, there was little discrimination between one and the other, and some, doubtless, were consigned to the deep who had only fainted from loss of blood. Marteilhe himself was in this state when the superintendent approached to unrivet his chain, previously to throwing the body into the sea. The chain was attached to the left leg, and in that limb Marteilhe had received a severe wound. In endeavouring to take off the chain the officer pressed his hand roughly against the wounded part, and the sharp pain brought the exhausted man to his senses, and made him utter a loud cry. Perceiving that he was not dead they carried him into the hold, and threw him down upon a coil of rope among a number of other wounded wretches, too numerous for the surgeon to attend to. In this hole the sufferers, untended and poisoned with stench and foul air, died like flies, of the gangrene which supervened upon their wounds. Marteilhe, however, survived to get into Dunkirk, where, more dead than alive, he was placed in the sailor's hospital. From the severe injuries and ill-treatment thus received he could scarcely have recovered had it not been for the personal attention and pains bestowed upon his case by the surgeon-major, who, through the friendly intervention of a banker at Dunkirk, well-affected towards the Protestants, was interested in his favour. To the skill and kindness of this good surgeon he acknowledges that he owed his life. For three months he was well treated in the hospital-was again offered his liberty on condition of abjurationagain refused to belie his faith-and was once more sent back to his galley; but the surgeon having certified that he was unable to bear the labour of the oar, he was employed in another department of service on board the vessel. It should be mentioned here that had he been under sentence for any other crime than heresy he would now have been entitled to his discharge, for such was the rule with regard to galley-slaves wounded in action with the enemy; but the Hugonots were, by special exception, excluded from this privilege. But even the rude comite who had charge of Marteilhe, in assigning him his new and easier post in the galley, could not refrain from bearing testimony, though in a somewhat somewhat peculiar form of compliment, to the blameless conduct of his heretical prisoners. 'I am very glad,' he said, 'to have this occasion of showing you the respect I feel for you and those of your religion, for you have done no wrong to any one, and if you are to be damned for your religion, you will have punishment enough in the next world.' Not long afterwards it happened that De Langeron, his captain, was in want of a secretary, and Marteilhe, through the recommendation of this same comite, was appointed to the situation, in which he gained the entire confidence of that officer, and received good food and lenient treatment for nearly four years of his term of captivity. This respite was, however, succeeded by a season of terrible suffering to himself and his co-religionists. In 1712 the peace of Utrecht was made; and it was one of the stipulations of that treaty that the fortifications of Dunkirk should be razed, and the harbour blocked up, and that the town should be placed, meanwhile, in the hands of the English. In consequence an English governor and a force of 4000 or 5000 men were established in the place. It was permitted, however, to the French Government to keep their galleys for a time in the harbour until the demolition of the works had begun, and in consequence Marteilhe and his Protestant brethren remained there to witness the arrival of the English detachment. The galleys in the harbour became naturally an object of interest to the new comers. Both officers and men were permitted to go on board; and it followed naturally enough that the sympathies of both alike were warmly excited on behalf of their persecuted fellow Protestants whom they found groaning under such cruel bondage. The English officers testified the warmest interest on their behalf, and paid them frequent visits; but the indignation of the soldiers was roused to such a pitch at the barbarous treatment sustained by these innocent men, that it was apprehended that some violent attempt would be made on their part to rescue the prisoners. To guard against such an outbreak the French commander resolved to place his prisoners beyond the reach of deliverance, and accordingly he smuggled them away suddenly by night in a small vessel, and carried them off to Calais. From thence they were marched in chains to Havre, and after a stay there of some days, during which they received many testimonies of sympathy from their co-religionists in that city, they proceeded by way of Rouen, where also they found numerous friends, to Paris. Our space will not permit us to notice further the adventures which befel them by the way. Arrived at the capital, they were consigned to the prison of La Tournelle, once a Royal residence, but then turned into an entrepôt for condemned criminals destined destined for the galleys. The aspect of the vast and dismal dungeon to which they were now consigned, shook for a moment even the well-tried fortitude of Marteilhe and his brethren. "I acknowledge,' he says, that, inured as I had been to prisons, chains, fetters, and other engines which tyranny or crime have devised, I could not overcome the shuddering that seized me, and the terror with which I was struck when I first saw this place.' He describes it as a vast cavern traversed from end to end by thick beams of timber riveted to the floor. To each of these beams, at a distance of two feet apart, the convicts were secured by a chain a foot and a half long, attached to an iron collar, encircling their necks. The beam rising about two and a half feet from the floor, the position of the convict was such that he could neither lie down, nor sit, nor stand upright, but was kept constantly in a half-lying, half-sitting posture, with his head against the beam. The sight of the wretched beings, of whom no less than 500 were thus kept chained down day and night, of whom some were aged, others suffering from pain and sickness, as they writhed in the torture of their constrained position, was distressing beyond description. Many sunk under the weight of their misery, others endured anguish difficult to be imagined. Groans and cries enough to melt the most savage heart arose from this den of horrors, but even these expressions of a misery which could not be endured were repressed as far as possible by their merciless overseers, who punished all such infractions of discipline with the whip. For three days and nights Marteilhe and his brother Hugonots had to endure this dreadful treatment; after that time the friendly offices of a wealthy Protestant merchant in Paris procured for them, by means of a present to the governor of the prison, a release from the frightful position in which they had been placed, their chain being transferred from the neck to the leg, and in this state they remained about a month, until the time came for dispatching them to Marseilles. The journey from Paris to that port, which was made towards the end of December, 1712, was signalised by a treatment of these unhappy galley slaves more barbarous than any before related, insomuch that Marteilhe declares that in the whole of his previous twelve years of bondage and misery, he had never undergone so great a trial of fortitude. The prisoners were marched in double file, heavily chained, one chain connecting each couple, another passing transversely through rings placed in the centre of the coupling chains, and so fastening the whole gang together. Thus entrammelled they had to march each day a distance of ten or twelve miles, being usually lodged in stables or |


text:
I would like to remind all forum members to follow our relatively laid back approach to ensure these forums remain user-friendly.
We promote a mutual code of conduct here and ask that you respect each other at all times.
We ask you to behave in a manner that is non-intimidatory and non-abusive and therefore help us maintain a friendly atmosphere for all users.
No direct or indirect personal attacks or insults of any kind will be allowed. Posts which antagonise, belittle or humiliate other members and/or the moderators will not be tolerated, nor will racism, sexism, bigotry, hatred, violent language, threats, insults, swearing, flaming, otherwise inappropriate or hurtful language, harassment.
Thanks for your understanding and for following the above.


text:
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Police body camera video shows an Alabama high school band director being shocked with a stun gun and arrested by officers in front of screaming students, in a chaotic scuffle that broke out after he refused to immediately stop the band as it played in the bleachers following a football game.
State Rep. Juandalynn Givan, who is representing band director Johnny Mims as his attorney, said Tuesday that the incident is an "alarming abuse of power" that instead "should have been should have been deescalated."
The Birmingham Police Department said it remains under investigation but the band director resisted arrest and allegedly pushed an officer.
The altercation erupted after the game last Thursday between Minor and Jackson-Olin high schools.
In the body camera video released by police Monday night, officers are seen approaching Mims, the band director at Minor, as the band plays in the stands. They ask him several times to stop the band and clear the stadium. Mims continues to direct the band and replies to the officer, "Get out of my face."
"We're fixing to go," he continues. "This is their last song."
As the music continues, an officer tells Mims he will go to jail. and another says she will contact the school. Mims flashes two thumbs up and says, "That's cool."
"Put him in handcuffs," an officer is later heard saying.
The video shows that the band played for about two minutes after officers approached Mims.
After the music stops, officers are seen on the video apparently trying to arrest him, in a scrum of bodies. One says Mims swung at an officer and must go to jail, and Mims denies doing so. An officer then shocks Mims with a stun gun.
Students — more than 140 were present, according to Givan — are heard screaming in the night as the arrest plays out.
Police said Friday in a statement that Mims refused to put his hands behind his back and the arresting officer said he was pushed by the band director, which led to the use of the stun gun.
Givan said Tuesday that she is not going to debate "whether my client was right or my client was wrong" but said officers "should have never drawn their Taser."
Givan, who is a graduate of Minor High School, said Birmingham has a high homicide rate "yet you've got law enforcement officers at a darn kids' game that would attack my client excessively and abuse him in front of kids."
Officer Truman Fitzgerald, a spokesman for the department, said Mims was charged with disorderly conduct, physical harassment and resisting arrest. The police chief has met with with the mayor and the superintendents of the two school systems, Fitzgerald said.
Also Tuesday, city Mayor Randall L. Woodfin announced the formation of a civilian-led Public Safety Advisory Committee, though his office said it had been in development for some time and was not related to the incident at the football game.


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Around two o'clock on the morning of Saturday, September 5, 1891, Crawfordsville ice delivery men Marshall McIntyre and Bill Gray prepared their wagon for morning rounds when suddenly a feeling of "awe and dread" overcame them. Peering heavenward, the men saw a "horrible apparition." The Crawfordsville Journal described what they witnessed:
[It was] about eighteen feet long and eight feet wide and moved rapidly through the air by means of several pairs of side fins. . . . It was pure white and had no definite shape or form, resembling somewhat a great white shroud fitted with propelling fins. There was no tail or head visible but there was one great flaming eye, and a sort of a wheezing plaintive sound was emitted from a mouth which was invisible. It flapped like a flag in the winds as it came on and frequently gave a great squirm as though suffering unutterable agony.
McIntyre and Gray observed the phenomenon hover three or four hundred feet in the air for nearly an hour before they retreated to the safety of the barn. They then quickly finished harnessing their horses and left the vicinity.
(Crawfordsville Daily Journal, September 5, 1891.)
McIntyre and Gray weren't the only witnesses that night. Perhaps the most reputable witness was G.W. Switzer, pastor of the First Methodist Church. Shortly after midnight, Rev. Switzer stepped out of his door to retrieve some water from the well when he espied the apparition. He woke his wife and they gawked as the thing "swam through the air in a writhing, twisting manner similar to the glide of some serpents." As the Switzers watched, the mystery apparition seemed at one point as though it might descend on the lawn of Lane Place — home of late U.S. Senator Henry S. Lane's widow — before it re-ascended and continued its circuitous route above the city.
(Crawfordsville Daily Journal, September 7, 1891.)
When Crawfordsville residents heard of the sighting, ridicule came quickly to the eyewitnesses. On the heels of Professor Burton, "Keeley's Institute for inebriates" in Plainfield reportedly wrote to Rev. Switzer and invited him to visit — obviously to seek a cure.
(Crawfordsville Daily Journal, September 9, 1891.)
However, reports of the sightings also generated a number of believers. The Indianapolis Journal picked up the story, as did other newspapers across the country, including the Brooklyn Eagle. Mail regarding the sighting deluged the Crawfordsville postmaster. Some correspondents thought the sighting indicated that Judgment Day was near. A St. Louis woman, fearful of the spook's western migration, wrote and asked if the apparition could be seen in the daytime, what color was it, and if the apparition had previously been in Ohio?
(Crawfordsville Daily Journal, September 11, 1891.)
So what exactly did people see in the Crawfordsville sky that early September morning in 1891? Was it an apparition? UFO? A "rod," like a 2008 episode of the History Channel's Monster Quest implied? Or was it, as many internet sites suggest, an atmospheric beast!?!?
Fortunately, two eyewitnesses tracked the creature. John Hornbeck and Abe Hernley "followed the wraith about town and finally discovered it to be a flock of many hundred killdeer." The many birds' wings, white under-feathers, and plaintive cries contributed to the belief of many eyewitnesses that the creature(s) originated from the otherworld. Low visibility due to damp air likely compounded the misidentification. The Crawfordsville Journal hypothesized that the town's newly installed electric lights caused the birds to become disoriented, hovering and wreathing their way above the city.
(Crawfordsville Daily Journal, September 8, 1891.)
(Killdeer Plover, watercolor by John James Audubon.)
If that explanation does not satisfy, there is an alternative one. During the prior week, newspapers circulated another story from Crawfordsville. This one was about a "balloon parachute craze" taking hold among the town's boys. While that could explain the billowing, sheet-like apparition, it fails to account for the "wheezing plaintive sound" emitting from the aerial monster. Well, the same report about the parachute craze also mentioned that the boys also liked to send cats up in their balloons. Could this have been what McIntyre, Gray, and the Switzers saw and heard instead?
(Wichita Daily Eagle, Wichita, Kansas, September 4, 1891.)
As anti-climactic as these conclusions will be to modern readers — they're also, no doubt, disappointing to cryptozoologists and ufologists — it is the complete story of the Crawfordsville monster as the Crawfordsville Journal reported it in early September 1891.
Incidentally, Crawfordsville published three newspapers in addition to the Journal. These were the Review, the Argus, and the Star. None of those papers so much as hinted that anything happened that September morning. This leads one to conclude that while a few citizens likely did see something unusual in the nocturnal sky, the Crawfordsville Journal overstated the incident to make an extra buck. And the nineteenth century was no more "gullible" than our own age. In other places around the world — like Fernvale, Australia, in 1927, and of course Roswell, New Mexico, since 1947 — reports of weird avian or other airborne visitors would pour in during the 20th century.
The Journal's century old marketing ploy continues to generate lively discussion in the dark recesses of cyberspace and on late night radio talk-shows, where the Crawfordsville monster occasionally still goes out flying through the sky.


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By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF®
IRA Analyst
Is there a required minimum distribution (RMD) on a self-directed IRA?
A "self-directed IRA" is nothing more than an IRA that invests in unconventional items that not all custodians will handle – like maybe crypto currency, real estate, or a hard-to-value assets. Otherwise, self-directed IRAs follow the same rules as every other IRA. As such, yes, self-directed IRAs do have RMDs. So, if you own a commercial property or some other illiquid asset in your self-directed IRA, be proactive and ensure you have some way to take the RMD.
I have enjoyed for years your seminars and newsletter. Last year Congress proposed to end the "Backdoor" Roth strategy. My question on this strategy for this year is, do we implement this with our clients or not? Are you aware of any tax proposals that target eliminating the Backdoor Roth? Or does it look like a safe strategy to employ again in 2022?
The Backdoor Roth strategy for those who earn too much to contribute to a Roth IRA directly is alive and well in 2022. (The strategy involves contributing non-deductible dollars to a traditional IRA and then converting those dollars to a Roth.) While the Build Back Better bill specifically targeted the strategy, the proposed legislation never made it to law. Should any similar legislation be passed in the second half of this year, we don't think it would be retroactive for 2022. While Congress did tip its hand and show it is considering elimination of the Backdoor Roth, it is still 100% available for 2022.


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Jonas Brothers Announce Christmas Song 'Like It's Christmas'
The Jonas Brothers announced they're releasing a new holiday song called "Like It's Chrismas" this week.
On Monday (November 4), the band confirmed the exciting news via social media alongside artwork for the single that sees Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas donning red Santa hats. In the caption, they also paid tribute to the Queen of Christmas Mariah Carey and revealed the original track will drop this upcoming Friday, November 8.
"Mariah Carey has given the world the green light, so the holiday season has begun!!! Our brand new original Christmas song #LikeItsChristmas is out on Friday people," the JoBros wrote.
It's unclear if they're releasing this one single or if a Christmas album is coming too, but we're excited to get the holiday countdown officially started. Of course, this isn't the first Christmas song the brothers have released. In 2007, they dropped the track "Girl of My Dreams" as part of the Disney Channel Holiday album, which featured lyrics like:
"You can take these presents underneath my tree
You can take this awesome scarf my grandma made for me
'Cause all I want for Christmas is the girl of my dreams"
The Jonas Brothers are currently on their Happiness Begins Tour, which kicked off on August 9, 2019, and ends February 22, 2020. Tickets and show information are available here.


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Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Algiers' historic Casbah, or old quarter, bears the hallmarks and the scars of the country's turbulent past. During the bloody "black decade" of Algeria's 1990s civil war, the Casbah was the feared bastion of Islamist terrorists. Now that ordinary residents and a few visitors have returned, and a new battle is underway to save what one historian calls the "heart" of Algeria.
Preservation effort
Sounds of construction fill the air as Abdelkarim Bouchouada, secretary-general of the Casbah Foundation, a local preservation group, takes me on a tour of Algiers' historic Casbah. The oldest quarter of Algeria's capital is a maize of narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses, graceful fountains and the occasional, stunning Ottoman palace.
As one walks past a renovated and magnificent 15th-century palace, Bouchouada tells the story of a princess who once lived there. She was known as "Khedaoudj the blind."
"Because she was so beautiful, the legend says, that she put mirrors everywhere in the house. And everywhere she went, she was fixing her hair and appreciating how beautiful [she was]. And one day... looking at herself in the mirror and she went blind," explains Bouchouada.
Rich history
The Casbah is full of these kinds of stories - true and false. It once was the stronghold of North African corsairs, better known as Barbary pirates, who roamed the Mediterranean several hundred years ago. It was also home to Algeria's resistance fighters and the epicenter of the decisive battle of Algiers, leading to the country's 1962 independence from France. Now it is the target of a new campaign to restore its crumbling buildings before it is too late.
Historian Belkacem Babaci says more than just architecture is at stake.
Babaci says the Casbah is the heart of Algeria, because it embodies the architectural memory of this North African country. Babaci, 72, is president of the Casbah Foundation. He was born in the Casbah, and says area is in his blood.
Monumental effort
The task of rescuing the Casbah is immense. Foundations are literally melting away because of water and other erosion. It means moving out chunks of the quarter's more than 30,000 residents, and restoring old buildings street by street.
In 1992, the U.N. cultural organization UNESCO added the Algiers Casbah to its list of World Heritage Sites. But the move came as Algeria plunged into a bloody civil war, pitting the country's military-backed government against Islamist radicals. Local residents fled as the Casbah became a no-man's land, occupied by the Islamists.
Babaci says that in 1999, his preservation group was among the first to enter the Casbah after the fighting died down. They ventured in with police protection to prepare a plan to save the area.
Today, life has returned to the Casbah. People are on the streets. Some old residents have returned, although the population is changing. After years of campaigning by the Casbah Foundation, Algeria's Ministry of Culture is now in charge of restoration efforts, which Babaci estimates will take at least a decade.
Babaci says old festivals and old crafts are returning to the Casbah. So are some tourists - although they walk around with escort, since there is still petty crime. Even as his foundation seeks to preserve the Casbah's brighter history, Babaci says, it's time to bury its more recent and grimmer past.


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Panasonic announces HDC-SD10 camcorder – lightest HD AVCHD camcorder
Panasonic has announced a couple of new camcorders that they claim are the lightest in the world. The first one is called Panasonic HDC-SD10 and is able to record on SDHC/SD memory cards. Other futures are 1920 x 1080 Full-HD video capability and a 16x optical zoom lens. The model weighs only 0.5 LB so it should be an excellent travel companion. The bigger brother, Panasonic HDC-TM10, also feature Twin Memory Recording at a bit higher price.
Some key features for the Panasonic HDC-SD10:
-1920 x 1080 Full-HD video capabilities
-SDHC/SD Memory Card Recording
-Touch Screen and Handy Function Buttons
-16x optical zoom
-Optical Image Stabilizer
-8GB Built-in Memory
The Panasonic HDC-SD10 will be on the marked in September 2009 and cost about $550.
Press release:
Panasonic Introduces The World's Lightest* High Definition Camcorders
New HD Camcorders Weigh 0.5 LB, Packed with Easy-to-Use, Advanced Features
Secaucus, NJ (June 8, 2009) – Panasonic today announced the release of two of the world's lightest*, High Definition (HD) camcorders – the HDC-SD10, which uses an SDHC/SD Memory Card as recording media, and the Twin Memory Type HDC-TM10, which records onto both an 8 GB** Built-in Memory and an SDHC/SD Memory Card. Each model weighs just 0.5 LB, yet its compact body design has a high-powered 16x optical zoom capabilities and advanced features to produce beautiful 1920 x 1080 Full-HD videos.
The 16x optical zoom of the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 is supported by the Advanced O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) function – an essential element to achieve clear zooming, as it minimizes the hand-shake that often impairs video quality while zooming. Panasonic's Advanced OIS detects and corrects for hand-shake around 4,000 times per second and works with the high-powered optical zoom to produce clear, stable zoom shots. The new Active mode also extends the hand-shake correction range to allow the shooting of clear, crisp images while walking or moving.
"We recognize that users are looking for camcorders that capture high-quality, High Definition video, but they also want something lightweight that has advanced, yet easy-to-use functions," said Chuck Kirkman, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "With the SD10 and TM10, we've made it easier to record HD video with features such as Advanced O.I.S., Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and the Pre-Rec function, all which maximize shooting results and minimize common issues like blurring."
As with most Panasonic camcorders, the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 both feature the iA (Intelligent Auto)*** function, which automatically sets the most suitable Scene mode according to shooting conditions. These include Advanced O.I.S., Face Detection, which adjusts the exposure so faces are captured perfectly; Intelligent Contrast Control, which helps ensure proper contrast; and Intelligent Scene Selector, which determines the shooting conditions and automatically selects the Scene setting that will provide optimal results. Both camcorders are also equipped with AF/AE Tracking (Auto Focus/Auto Exposure Tracking), which automatically tracks a moving subject for consistently beautiful images. This feature maintains the focus and exposure even if the subject moves or turns to one side.
Panasonic's HDC-SD10 camcorder accepts SDHC cards up to 32GB
Photo provided by Panasonic UK Ltd.
Other features of the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 include:
SDHC/SD Memory Card Recording – The SDHC/SD Memory Card not only brings significant advantages to smaller and lighter camcorders, but it also differs from a hard-disk drive in that it has no transport mechanism, making it highly shock-resistant and enabling faster recording starts.
Twin Memory Recording – Relay Recording (HDC-TM10 Only) – The HDC-TM10 records Full-HD images onto the built-in memory or an SDHC/SD Memory Card (optional), and features a Relay Recording function. When the built-in memory is full, this function automatically switches the recording media to the SDHC/SD Memory Card to provide uninterrupted recording. Video data that is recorded using both media types can be merged inside the camcorder and saved to an SDHC/SD Memory Card.****
Touch Screen and Handy Function Buttons – Both models feature a touch screen that lets users operate a variety of functions by simply touching an icon displayed on the LCD. This allows intuitive operation without having to look away from the subject.
1.9-sec Quick Power-On – The power turns on and off by opening and closing the LCD. This start-up allows users to save battery power by keeping the power turned off when the camcorder is not in use, while making sure that unexpected shooting opportunities are not lost. The power-saving Eco mode***** automatically turns the power off when the camcorder is not in use for five minutes.
Pre-Rec – To avoid missing critical shooting opportunities, when the Pre-Rec function is on, the camcorder continuously records three seconds of images into an internal buffer memory. When the Record button is actually pressed, the three seconds immediately prior are added to the beginning of the clip.
Auto Power LCD – This feature automatically adjusts the brightness of the LCD screen according to the shooting conditions.
Built-in Video Light and Flash – Both the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 are equipped with a video light and flash for convenience when shooting in dimly lit places.
Highlight Playback – This function is for users who want to view recorded images quickly, as "highlights" can be created and played back according to a set time interval.
One-Touch Copy of Videos to DVD and Easy Playback with the BN1 DVD Burner – To avoid the two-step process previously required to save Full-HD videos from an SDHC/SD Memory Card or built-in memory onto a DVD for playback, the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 feature a one-touch function that makes this process easier.
The HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 are both compatible with Panasonic's VIERA Link to allow quick and easy viewing of Full-HD video content, as well as with the VIERA Image Viewer function on a VIERA HDTV. This allows users to play videos on a large screen by simply inserting a recorded SDHC/SD Memory Card into the SD Card slot of a Panasonic VIERA HDTV******. It provides instant playback of video clips recorded in the AVCHD format in Full-HD quality. Similarly, video recordings can be easily played by using a Panasonic Blu-ray Disc™ player.
The suggested retail prices of the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 are $549.95 and $599.95 respectively. The TM10 will be available in black and silver models, while the SD10 in black only. All models will be available in September 2009.
Panasonic's HDC-TM10 camcorder also takes SDHC cards, and adds 8GB of internal memory
Photo provided by Panasonic UK Ltd.
* For AVCHD format Full-HD camcorders, as of June 8, 2009.
**1GB=1,073,741,824 bytes. Usable capacity will be less
*** The functions included in iA may not be applied when conditions do not call for them.
**** The SDHC/SD Memory Card must have memory space available that is larger than the data in the built-in memory to be merged.
***** Set to ON when shipped from the factory.
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic has a full suite of easy-to-use camcorders, including High Definition models that produce rich, vivid videos. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
Pingback from Panasonic announces HDC-TM10 camcorder – weighs only 0.5 LB | Digital Camera News and Reviews
Time: June 10, 2009, 9:44 am
[…] camcorder in its class with only 0.5 LB. The HDC-TM10 also feature Twin Memory Recording which the Panasonic HDC-SD10 do not […]


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Some have already begun to suggest that Elizabeth May should move to New Westminster-Coquitlam and start campaigning for the anticipated by-election there, now that NDP MP Dawn Black is stepping down to run provincially. This is a somewhat tempting idea because of the double-dividend of being able to campaign for British Columbia's referendum on improving their voting system. However, there are at least two major reasons for Elizabeth to stay put for now.
The first is that we don't yet know who is going to run for the leadership of the Ontario PC party. One possibility is John Baird (even though he's having fun playing coy), which would open up a federal seat in the Ottawa area. Both Elizabeth and the Green party itself have strong roots in Ottawa, so that could be a good option.
The second reason is a long shot, but an exciting one for federal Greens. If Peter MacKay became the next secretary general of NATO (a possibility slightly more likely now that U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden is reportedly lobbying on his behalf), that would make a vacated Central Nova more winnable than ever for Elizabeth May. She could convincingly argue that she's MacKay's natural successor having already paid her dues there, and that she's always remained loyal to the riding even when the going got tough.
It'll be interesting to see what happens. In the mean time, Elizabeth should wait and see.


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A New Zealand study has reported that Lego has become more violent since the late 1970s. Debates about levels of violence within children's media are not new, so is this significant? When we consider that Lego is famous for its principles of pacifism we might be tempted to think so. We need to be cautious, however, about such headlines contributing to ill-informed moral panics about the loss of childhood innocence and a toy "arms race" causing children to become more aggressive.
The study examined the changing proportion of Lego bricks that are weapons and Lego sets that contain weapons over the period 1978-2014. Weapons range from swords, halberds and lances as part of Castle-themed sets (1978), to harpoons and knives in Aquazone-themed sets (1995), through to lightsabers and blasters in the more recent franchised Star Wars play sets (1999 and 2007).
There's a longstanding temptation to treat children's play as if it occurs in a social vacuum, a childish world of innocence separate from the everyday reality of the adult world. But while we might seek to protect children from the uglier, more morally and ethically challenging aspects of contemporary life, thinking we can insulate children from the world we live in is a falsehood.
Shifting social values
Critics of war play frequently treat play as if it occurs in such a social vacuum, with little consideration of the broader societal context in which play happens. Social and cultural values shift with time and it is foolhardy to think that toys and play will not follow these trends. Increasing levels of aggression within toys have to be seen as part of a wider trend within society towards desensitisation of violence. Today, violence is brought ever closer to home through the intensity of round-the-clock news footage of armed conflict and incidents of terrorism, and the use of cultures of fear by world leaders to sustain particular (geo)political ideologies.
When reflecting upon the trend reported in the study, economic factors also have to be taken into consideration. Toy companies have to produce a saleable product – and this tends to be a product reflective of wider societal trends. With the drive towards franchising and diversification of target audiences as marketing strategies (as seen with the Lego brand, prompting the likes of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter themed play sets, and the targeting of adult consumers) digital media is leading developments in non-digital media. Here we are seeing trends towards fantasy scenarios centred on overcoming imaginary evils.
Scholars have shown this is part of wider cultures of fear within the post 9/11 era. Toys and digital media are, therefore, reflecting the social and political life of their time and contributing to the prevailing geopolitical climate. Childhood is not a sphere of innocence magically shielded from the wider world; it plays an active part in shaping it.
Learning from children?
As adults we have to remember that children do not treat toys as we might do, as static objects suspended in time that are designed to communicate particular messages to passive minds. Play is about repetition and surprise – mimicking the things we see around us and experimenting with rules and roles, and how things might be different. Toys may not be used in the way we, as adults (parents, observers, designers), might imagine.
Studies have shown that children are able to clearly distinguish between pretend and real violence. While the former may be enjoyed for its immersive and tactile pleasure, the latter is understood to be dangerous and undesirable.
Comprehensive reviews of play research have also stressed that perceptions of aggression within children may be due to adult misreadings of particular kinds of play. Rather than being concerned with displays of aggression, play fighting is often about social bonding between siblings and friends. War scenarios are often passionate expressions of detailed knowledge about particular characters and fantasy worlds depicted in books, TV and films.
As play is an important means through which children learn to deal with uncertainty, assess risk and develop resilience, is it right to seek to restrict forms of play that we, as adults, might on the surface see as more troublesome?
We have to be careful not to overly restrict children's lives based on myths about childhood innocence and children's inability to distinguish between real life and fantasy. Despite the longstanding "war play debate", we still do not have an appropriate and sufficient evidence base for assessing the link between toys and violence.
It is, however, clear that we need to view toys in a broader social and cultural context rather than making the quick jump to condemn them as scapegoats for our shifting values.
Tara Woodyer, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Portsmouth
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.