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Many Mac magazines have how-tos and reviews, but most products reviewed and used in the how-tos are commercial products. How about reviewing shareware and freeware apps, and how about showing us how to use those inexpensive apps to achieve good results? The creators of the new online magazine, MacBase, had the same idea. This from MacBase:
MacBase will be offered exclusively as a PDF format magazine. However, each monthly issue of MacBase will be a professionally designed and full color magazine. MacBase will be targeted at all Macintosh users, and have articles on all aspects of the Macintosh platform.
MacBase will be your alternative to the professional reviews and how-tois at different Macintosh magazines. Non-professional products will be reviewed by people who have little knowledge on the product beforehand to give you a real world review on the product. Professional products will reviewed by professionals with thousands of hours of experience using the program in question. Our how-tois will use the low cost alternative software when possible or use both the high end products and the alternative shareware products.
MacBase will be released in mid-August. Stop by the MacBase site for more information and pricing.


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The coffee culture has taken over and like how! It's a whole sub culture of the yuppie-liberal-urban set-up and either you are with it or out with the used beans. Its not just about "coffee" anymore, it's a whole lifestyle choice.
The days of the ubiquitous India Coffee House are long gone. Those used to be places where the old and the young got together, drank coffee paired with the famous cutlets and talked about everything from politics, cricket and to the neighborhood latest. And this presence of a little coffee haven in a predominantly "chai" driven society was no small feat. It was a small niche, a select few, some in the north, people from M.P, and the filter-coffee drinking crowds in the South kept the coffee movement going. But who would have thought it would become the upscale beverage of choice among the many teens, college students and young professionals in the India of today! Coffee no longer is just a drink; it has become a lifestyle choice.
Bangalore is filled with many branches of Barista, Café Coffee Day and Java City. Hyderabad has its Coffee Days and Baristas along with Mocha and Café D'Art. Delhi too has its usual coffee chains along with Café Turtle. And Bombay again has its usual suspects. My point? Every major city has been hit by the coffee culture tidal wave and you only have to step into any one of these coffee shops in any city to see the appeal they carry with the young India. Loud teenagers in one corner, a furtive couple on their awkward first date, a bunch of college kids 'hanging out', women with coffee and smokes in a corner, loud pseudo-intellectuals discussing something at another table. They are all there, just pan the room.
Some of these coffee shops go way out, to appeal to the younger customers and increase their 'hip' quotient. I can't even hear myself think at a Coffee Day, boy, is it loud in there! They have club/ dance music or the latest pop hits playing with volume turned way up, and, adding jukeboxes in most of their stores didn't help much either. Barista keeps some board games at hand that you can play while you have your coffee and some guitars that you can strum if you are so inclined. This neo-chic, forced youth-appeal is as attractive as using a whole bottle of cologne. You know, after a point, you only stink.
Barista wants to appeal to a 'family audience' (whatever that means) and so they have now added a full menu of food. Of food! Not just snacks to munch with your cuppa, but food. Pizzas etc. Why?? Why?? So, now Barista is a fast food restaurant that happens to serve coffee? And Mocha has hookahs (cool) along with strange plants that attract flies by the zillions (ouch!)! Don't even get me started on Café Coffee Day.
What happened to the coffee place where you came for some conversation and cigarettes? The place where you had quiet discussions or feisty arguments? Where romances started and great works were inspired? Instead all we have is major advertising houses trying to sell us a way of life, cause a cultural shift, a sort of Starbucks'ization of our cities and people.
Now, I love my coffee and I love the "coffee shop". It's the associated pretentiousness I can do without. But I know it's a losing battle, for now anyway. Something's definitely brewing!
P.S: I don't know if Starbucks'ization is that bad after all. (Grande Latte, non-fat, no foam, extra hot, to-go please!!)

subset: commoncrawl


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Back to VIKTORIA
"I love undergarments," Viktoria told me.
She waved an arm.
"Not just your light, flimsy things—bits of lace—what do they call them? thongs?—but serious undergarments. Real corsets, of course, but also girdles—open bottom girdles, full body girdles. I like the sensation—of being embraced—by the garment itself."
She smiled, rather dreamily, I thought.
"And then slips—I love slips. Full slips. Half slips. Lounging slips. Piegnoirs and silk robes—diaphanous things that float around me. And brassieres, of course, tiny lace brassieres—and shelf bras—underwired—the ones that leave your nipples bare. I like a little lift, espeially these days. And bullet bras too, those pointed things. I like wearing them under cashmere sweaters. Very Lana Turner-ish. You remember her?"
"The film sirens of the forties."
"When I wear a shelf bra I like to paint my nipples."
"That sounds—exciting."
"But for today—for these pictures—I think just a girdle. Nothing else. Well, stockings, of course, I always wear stockings. And some nice heels. Does that sound all right?"
I nodded my head...


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Friends, this post is sponsored by Mirum Shopper. All opinions are my own. If you'd like more information about sponsored posts, please see our disclosures and privacy policy.
Cat Deely once said, "I hate last-minute shopping, it's always unsuccessful." And she's so, so right! When I stray and over-spend, it's always because I'm feeling rushed. One tactic I use to avoid that frantic feeling is heading first to department-style stores to knock of three, four, five items at once. This way, you make a big dent in your shopping list early and feel more in control of the process.
Walmart has already been shopping stop for me, for that reason. I know the prices will be low and the selection will be high. And I'll always walk out with some stocking stuffers and several gifts in one trip. (And sometimes something for myself — like a floppy hat I picked up last year for $8.)
A Personal Care Gift Set for Everyone
This year, Walmart is featuring a selection of personal care gift sets priced below $20 that make shopping for fashionistas and fashionistos even easier. You can give the gift of style to anyone on your list! These are also a more personal option than gift cards, and good to have on hand for those moments when you get a gift you didn't expect (thus keeping you from that awkward, "oh I didn't get you anything" moment). My picks are:
1. AXE Dark Temptation Holiday Gift Bag for $14.88
Body spray, deodorant, body wash and 2-in-1 shampoo plus conditioner in a subtly, spicey scent. What more could a guy need? This set is the right pick for guys who prefer to get ready without too much fuss.
2. Dove Sweet Peony Holiday Gift Set for $14.88
For the fashionista who loves to pamper herself, this Dove gift pack will turn the shower into a sensory experience. Sweet peony is one of my favorite scents — delightful is the only word I can think of to describe it. This set contains a body wash, beauty bar, plus Daily Moisture Shampoo and Daily Moisture Conditioner. I've already bought two of these sets for a couple of my favorite gals.
3. Dove Hair Holiday Gift Pack for $9.88
I can think of several women in my life who'd love the gift of good hair days forever! In this set, your favorite fashionista will find Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo + Conditioner and Dove Volume + Fullness Dry Shampoo.
4. TRESemmé Beauty-Full Volume Bonus Holiday Gift Pack for $9.88
Chrissy Teigen has been repping the TRESemmé system that conditions first and then shampoos. I'm intrigued by the concept, and this set is so affordable, I picked one up for me. You may end up doing the same! You'll get the pre-wash conditioner, shampoo and TRESemmé Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo for $9.88.
Inspired to get to Walmart and make a dent in your list? Let us know in the comments!
Catherine Brock
Latest posts by Catherine Brock (see all)
- Everyday Outfit for Pears; Under $150 with Shoes - December 7, 2018
- Out of This World: Galaxy-Inspired Fashion - December 7, 2018
- Striped Sweater and Scarf; Under $200 with Shoes - December 5, 2018


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Microsoft Surface with Windows 8
So, Microsoft introduces a "full PC" and "tablet" combo that, in many ways, seems to be what the first Surface should have been and officially suggests it will get only about 60% of the battery life of a MacBook Air that has a larger display, includes a real keyboard and offers comparable processors, RAM and ports. Interesting.
The Windows 8 Disaster Rolls On
So, apparently Windows 8 has advertisements within some of its core apps, a rather unprecedented move and one I am surprised there hasn't already been a commotion about. Even if you don't care about ads per se, there is a bigger implication than having screen space within parts of Windows 8 dedicated to generating revenue for Microsoft:
We can't talk about the inclusion of ads and not mention the "T" word: tracking. I haven't been able to find any information on whether or not Microsoft's tracking the ads you are clicking on, but if that is indeed the case, we'll find out soon enough. Unlike Windows 7 and earlier, your entire Windows 8 account can be tied to an e-mail account, so it would be rather easy for Microsoft to track things on a personal level - much like how Google does with its search engine, e-mail and so forth. This alone gives good reason to be concerned.
Can you imagine the outcry if the iPhone came out of the box with ads in its Weather or Stocks apps?
HT: Gruber
Tooting My Own Horn
Just for the record, I get a lot of predictions wrong, but here's one I got right (at least long term) back before the iPad launched:
But, let's offer a wildcard alternative: fully wireless sync with your current Mac ecosystem. Perhaps this would be extended to some iPhones and iPod touches too — say just the 3GS. I expect Apple to play up sync in general in the future. As iTunes goes, so goes Apple's overall strategy. The introduction of "Home Sync" quietly last year is something I believe will be the harbinger of bigger plans, with Apple returning to sync in a big way this year after pretty much letting its previous strides rust and be forgotten (think of the big push on sync services in Mac OS X Tiger back in 2005 and those features integration with the service then known as .Mac and now christened MobileMe).
Clearly, iCloud is for Apple this decade what iTunes was for Apple last decade.
Outlawed By the Cloud
This was the first notice I received from Google:
After reviewing our records, we've determined that your AdSense account
poses a risk of generating invalid activity. Because we have a
responsibility to protect our AdWords advertisers from inflated costs due
to invalid activity, we've found it necessary to disable your AdSense
account. Your outstanding balance and Google's share of the revenue will
both be fully refunded back to the affected advertisers.
Please understand that we need to take such steps to maintain the
effectiveness of Google's advertising system, particularly the
advertiser-publisher relationship. We understand the inconvenience that
this may cause you, and we thank you in advance for your understanding and
If you have any questions or concerns about the actions we've taken, how
you can appeal this decision, or invalid activity in general, you can find
more information by visiting
The Google AdSense Team
I followed the instructions and appealed, but received only an automated reply:
We're currently in the process of reviewing your account with the
additional information that you've provided. Please understand, however,
that there is no guarantee that your account will be reinstated into
AdSense. As a reminder, Google does reserve the right to disable an
account at any time, as stated in the AdSense Terms and Conditions
Thank you for your patience.
The Google AdSense Team
When I had heard nothing after several weeks, I wrote back by e-mail:
I just wanted to follow up on this. I sincerely believe we have always remained in perfect compliance with Google's TOS. It appears with the disabling of our account, we've also lost our Custom Search Engines. I'm looking into alternatives to replace them, but would love to keep using Google's services if at all possible. I've always been a big fan of Google, so it is disheartening having to look elsewhere.
They finally answered a few weeks after that:
Thank you for your appeal. We appreciate the additional information you've
provided, as well as your continued interest in the AdSense program.
However, after thoroughly re-reviewing your account data and taking your
feedback into consideration, our specialists have confirmed that we're
unable to reinstate your AdSense account.
As a reminder, if you have any questions or concerns about your account,
the actions we've taken, or invalid activity in general, you can find more
information by visiting
The Google AdSense Team
I wrote back again hoping to be able to talk to someone who could give a real reason for what was happening. This letter went unanswered:
I am very disappointed Google did not follow up on my offer to provide whatever evidence was necessary to restore my account. I did not violate the TOS and don't understand why I am being accused of doing so. As a long time AdSense publisher and fan of all things Google, this is very disheartening and (I believe) unfair. I would really appreciate it if I could talk to an actual human representative about this.
I even contacted Google's press relations department in hopes of better understanding the company's policies. But, as it turned out, they had no interest in clarifying them. The best I received was a message from a PR agent who insisted on not being attributed:
Hi Tim —
Sorry for the delay. I can't provide any official comment or provide specific guidance on your questions, but I can offer you some information on background (not for attribution):
We can't comment on specific publishers, but we can say, generally, that we base any decision to disable an AdSense account on the specifics of that account, not on unverified charges from a third-party. Notices of alleged copyright infringement from rights holders are handled differently than typical violations (see [LINK] for more information), but again, we do not remove publishers from the network solely based on an unverified accusation.
Once an AdSense account has been disabled, a publisher cannot use AdSense to monetize content or any other digital assets (such as search results and mobile applications). However, publishers can still use some other Google products and platforms, including implementing a Custom Search Engine on their sites.
[Name withheld]
In the end I simply had to give up because Google would give me nothing to work with. Shouldn't reasonable companies at least allow their clients the opportunity to prove innocence?
Results showed male subjects had an easier time recognizing Frutiger and thus spent less time glancing at the display and more time focused on the road ahead. Average glance time with Frutiger was 10.6 percent lower for men, and while that may sound insignificant, researchers say it works out to about 50 feet when traveling at typical highway speeds.
And people pretend that fonts don't matter.
Jeff Bezos is the New Steve Jobs
Gruber writes:
Om Malik argues that Bezos is the inheritor to Steve Jobs's crown. I agree. Not because Bezos has copied anything Jobs did, but because he has not. What he's done that is Jobs-like is doggedly pursue, year after year, iteration after iteration, a vision unlike that of any other company — all in the name of making customers happy.
The jury is still out on whether the new Kindle Fires can be the first real competitor to the iPad. But, Amazon already has the only alternative vision to Apple's that is compelling on its own right. The expansion of Prime makes it easier and more enjoyable simply to go to Amazon for everything. If Amazon can get the Kindle Fire software to be mature enough to stand up to iOS, I wouldn't want to have to compete with Amazon.
HP Introduces the New iMac
A brilliant headline for an on spot article. To be sure, it isn't an exact clone, but to the average consumer, it would be easy enough to confuse the new HP Spectre One with an iMac — it has many design cues that originated with the Apple iMac. Most blatant of all are the keyboard and trackpad, which are inexcusable knockoffs of the Apple Keyboard and Magic Trackpad. I'm sure many of the same people who defend Samsung for its most dubious acts of iOS cloning will defend HP too, but I don't really see how anyone wins when some of the biggest technology companies spend more time trying to create fake Apple products than they do innovating.
What if HP had kept producing its innovative WebOS product line instead?
HT: Gruber
An intriguing developing technology:
Unlike GPS, Navsop doesn't need satellites once it's got going, so it doesn't rely on a signal coming from the sky. That means it can be used indoors and even underground, both places that GPS can't go because the signals are too weak, having journeyed all the way from space. By contrast, radio, TV and mobile signals are much stronger.
Most cell phones already use EGPS, which works in a similar way, but this sounds like a significant expansion of that concept.
Hybrid Devices
Bill Gates "speaks on": Microsoft Surface and the "other" tablets:
"I actually believe you can have the best of both worlds. You can have a rich ecosystem of manufacturers and you can have a few signature devices that show off, you know, wow, what's the difference between a tablet and a PC."
As nice as the idea is in theory, so long as Metro and Classic Windows are almost like two different systems that can run parallel on the same system, I don't think Microsoft has found the "best" of any world. Whether having a traditional Windows "experience" next to the tablet interface is something people will want will be telling when Windows 8 comes out.
It is hard to believe that the iPhone landed five years ago today. I remember heading out to observe the launch day festivities and trying an iPhone for the first time — it felt like using something out of Star Trek. However, as nifty as it was even at a demo kiosk, the iPhone was significantly different from anything before it, and so it was hard to figure out precisely how useful it would actually prove to be. I wrote about my buyer's indecision after I succumbed to the temptation to buy one.
While very little about the iPhone was "innovative" when the first generation model's features were placed in isolation, putting them all together into a very thin, capacitive touch screen-only device was strikingly innovative. Often times, these are the best sorts of innovations: ones that take a pile of good ideas that are sitting scattered around and putting them together into something new that has a cohesive vision. Before the iPhone, smartphones weren't terribly easy to use and presented users with a very strong step backwards in usability from the mouse driven interface of a desktop computer. With the iPhone, suddenly common tasks such as web browsing were as easy, if not easier, to do on a phone than on the computer.
That's why the iPhone made such a big impact. It is also why these stock growth statistics look as they do.


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Though value investors have been some of the most successful investors out there, finding good stocks at bargain prices is far from easy. Though markets aren't as efficient as some university professors may tell you, they generally do a pretty good job pricing stocks. So while there are good deals out there, you're going to have to break a bit of a mental sweat if you want to make sure you're investing in the stock equivalent of Brad Pitt, not Kato Kaelin.
Fortunately for us, in the search for stock market values, we have the 160,000-plus members of The Motley Fool's CAPS community voting on which stocks are true stars and which are just posers. To gather ideas I've dug up a handful of companies valued at less than twice their book value -- a measure often used by value investors.
Book Value Multiple
1-Year Stock Performance
CAPS Rating
Western Refining
General Electric
Source: Yahoo! Finance and CAPS as of April 13.
As you can see, though these stocks all carry value-like multiples, the CAPS community obviously doesn't think that all are worthy of your investment dollars.
No twinkle in these stars
Though the U.S. was the epicenter of the recent financial meltdown, the crisis ended up a very global one. In 2008, Germany's Deutsche Bank lost more than $5 billion, the Netherlands' ING Group took a hit of almost $5 billion, and Royal Bank of Scotland lost an amazing $35 billion. For those keeping track at home, RBS' loss was even larger than Citigroup's $28 billion splash of red ink.
Switzerland-based UBS' performance falls toward the worse end of the spectrum, with a $20 billion 2008 loss and another $7 billion in losses racked up in total between 2007 and 2009. In December, the company reported its first profit since September 2008, which hopefully means that it's at least no longer knocking at death's door.
But it may take some time for the bank to rebuild its reputation in the eyes of investors and customers. Tens of billions in losses are bad enough, but the bank also paid a $780 million fine for its role in helping wealthy Americans dodge taxes. It's going to take more than a spit-shine to polish out those dings.
Both SunPower and MetLife claim an extra star than UBS, but with just three stars each, CAPS members haven't exactly been excited about either stock.
For MetLife, the big overhang is the company's $15.5 billion deal to buy AIG's
As to SunPower's less-than-inspiring rating, a lot could be chalked up to the solar industry itself. For a while, many investors saw it as the hottest thing since Webvan, but the sheen has come off as energy prices have dropped and an absolute tsunami of competitors have flooded into the market. For SunPower, though, the issue may only be partially industry-driven, as my fellow Fool Toby Shute pointed out last month.
A five-star is born!
GE's struggles during the financial crisis have likely been jaw-dropping for many longtime shareholders. The company has long been considered a blue chip among blue chips, and yet struggles in its financial division led to not only severe profit declines, but a huge dividend cut.
There was nothing illusory about the problems that GE faced. Like the rest of the financial industry, it saw truckloads of bad loans come home to roost. However, it's notable that even during a rocky 2009, GE finished the year with an $11 billion profit. Meanwhile, GE has sold a majority stake in its NBC unit to Comcast
But while CAPS members have given GE a four-star rating, that wasn't quite enough to put it ahead of this week's top value stock, Western Refining.
Western Refining's story is all about big risk and potential for big reward. Right now the company looks downright abysmal from a financial perspective. For full-year 2009, the company's $62 million in operating profit wasn't nearly enough to cover its $137 million in interest expense. Pile on top of that $300 million in goodwill writedowns and you've got a hefty loss on your hands. The balance sheet is no more promising, with well over $1 billion in debt against $689 million in shareholder equity and a measly $75 million in cash.
However, as you can see in the table above, the stock is currently trading well below its book value. That compares to an average price-to-book value of more than four for 2006 and 2007. So the potential for big gains is there if the refining industry sees a turnaround before Western Refining is squished under the weight of its debt.
Could that recovery be imminent? My fellow Fool Mike Pienciak has seen some data that show at least some light at the end of the tunnel.
Make your vote count!
Do you agree that Western Refining could be America's next top value stock? Click over to CAPS and let the rest of the community know what you think. And while you're there, you can log your vote for other stocks that you think should be in the running.
GE used to be considered one of the top dividend stocks. We can weep about how that is no more, or we can try and track down today's best dividend stocks.
Fool contributor Matt Koppenheffer does not own shares of any of the companies mentioned. You can check out what Matt is keeping an eye on by visiting his CAPS portfolio, or you can follow Matt on Twitter @KoppTheFool. The Fool's disclosure policy -- which does nothing but monitor disclosures -- knows that boring can be beautiful.


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Pulpit Rock
This weekend is "Heritage/Pilgrim/Pulpit Rock" Sunday. We will worship outside, surrounding the historic Methodist monument of Pulpit Rock (picture below). In years past the preachers has ridden in on a horse and climbed to the top of the rock to preach. I don't think I'll be on a horse and I have conveniently lost my bonnet. While I do appreciate history and all it has to teach us, I am more interested in where God is directing us. So, this is a reflection on what do we do with our history and how can it propel us into God's future.
Well, as the Minnesota intern who has only been in The Dalles a year, I definitely fit into the "only knowing the story a little bit category". Fortunately, the very last class I was to take through Luther seminary was "Religious American History" and I just finished that class online about 2 weeks ago. The material for the course was filled with information on the movements of Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists and so many other sects of Christianity that made their way across the country east to west. The class came at a great time as I'm living here on the Oregon trail, preparing to worship next to the Historic Pulpit Rock. So, I've heard the stories of Jason Lee, the intersecting of European descendants and Native Americans encountering one another. I've walked with members of First United Methodist Church and we came right up to this rock and prayed – and I looked at this monument of history and just wonder what stories this piece of God's creation could tell us if only it could spill all the history it contains. And I've heard the phrase, "This is where it all began! Pulpit Rock is where it all began".
|Pulpit Rock -- then
This rock marks a beginning among beginnings. This rock is a beginning of a chapter that lies within a much larger, wider, more encompassing story – this rock is a witness, a testimony to God's great, unfolding story. And the beginning of that story takes us much, much farther back, all the way back to "in the beginning God created..." That, my pioneering brothers and sisters is where God's story begins.
I hope that line I just quoted was familiar to some of you, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" – that is the first phrase from the Bible. And this is what we do, as Christians, as God's church – we look toward the future, sometimes confident, but more often than not we're sort of scratching our heads. We look towards this future and to find purpose, meaning, inspiration, direction, hope, anything – we look backwards. We go back to this book that is our history as God's people, this is where it all began and we study and read this book in order to have any idea where God may be leading us into the future.
And every story told in this holy book, every character we learn about, every war, every act of forgiveness, every miracle and healing and sermon and letter – they are all a beginning among beginnings, a story within a story, a chapter among chapters. This holy book is like our family scrap book – tell us tales about those that have gone before us, some good, some bad, all worth hearing and knowing and having them written on our hearts.
I have seen some of the stories of the Old Testament come to life in a whole new way this year. Confirmation students? These youth are masters of God's story. Not only do they read the Bible, just plain old Bible reading, but they are eager to bring the story to life – act it out, dig into the tough stuff, and really embrace the story that is told about our history, our families, our faith. And then, these kids take it to a whole other level – they enter the story. Without fail, every week, one of them will reflect on how the story of Job is like their life. Or how they can relate to the mistakes King David made. Or that recognize that if God is as faithful as God was to the Israelites, then maybe God is faithful to us to. Or if Esther can use her position of leadership to save a whole people, maybe God can use us to do great things to. And these confirmation students know how to ask really difficult questions – they do this by entering the story, not simply leaving it in the past and holding up a story as a nice piece of literature. But they hold up God's story as a narrative that say something about their lives – their teenage lives in Oregon in the year 2012 – they enter God's story with confidence because they know it is their story, too.
Jesus entered this story – certainly already in "THE" beginning, and then again in human flesh. Jesus entered God's story as he came to earth as a helpless, innocent baby and Jesus had his own beginning, middle and even end upon this earth. Today's Gospel lesson wasn't really so much a lesson – it was a prayer. It is a rare and delicate glimpse into Jesus' relationship with God. Have you ever wondered how Jesus prays for you or even if Jesus prays for you? Well, in the gospel of John we get to hear the words that Jesus prayed to God as he was about to leave his disciples. We can only imagine Jesus' emotions – rising anxiety and that feeling of "have I done enough?" as he is about to leave the disciples alone (physically) on the earth. Jesus wisely lays these cares in the hands of our loving God and prays these words for the disciples that had been following him, "
6 'I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word...And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. ..I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. 16They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world." (Jn 17)
Jesus knows that this story we hold so dear, is not an easy one to tell and it certainly is not an easy one to live. Those that stood upon this rock and preached God's story knew that it was difficult to tell and even more so to live. So, what does Jesus ask for? What does Jesus know the disciples need to live God's story while on earth? Jesus asks that God will protect the disciples, because the disciples are in a world that is hostile and harsh. Jesus asks that the disciples will be one – as God and Jesus are one. Now, that kind of unity was difficult even in Jesus' time – when those who followed Jesus should have been so united – there were no denominations and sects breaking off one after another. Yet, Jesus prayed for a unity that went down to their very souls – being one as God and Jesus are one. Completely unified so that their telling of the story might be strong, effective and heard. And then Jesus says a peculiar thing in the middle of his heart-felt prayer, Jesus says,
"20 'I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21that they may all be one."
This is not a prayer for only those gathered in Jesus' day – not just for those disciples. Jesus knew that the story was going to keep unfolding, that there would be many beginnings, many chapters to write and live out. And so, Jesus prayed for us, too – Jesus prayed for those that would believe in Jesus through the telling of the story...and Jesus prayed that we would all be one.
My Methodists brother and sisters, my Lutheran sister and brothers, other denominations represented here, unbelievers, young and old, pioneers of faith or seekers on the way, or anyone else that doesn't fit into any sort of box I could list – Jesus prayed for every single one of us and Jesus' prayers was that we might hear the story, and that we might be one.
We are not to be defined as Lutherans or Methodists, first generation or twentieth generation, we are not to stand at this rock today and lift up the story of great history then stop there. No, this rock is a symbol of a beginning among beginnings – we have our own story of faith to engage and live and tell. We are live the story of great faith, enter the book, enter the narrative, enter God's mission which is for us, which is before us.
And the great Author and perfector of our faith, Jesus Christ has gone before us to write the story and Jesus continues to pray for us, for our unity and for our telling of the story so that more and more may come to believe in Jesus through our telling. And Jesus knows that this is not an easy to life of faith to live out – so Jesus prays for our protection, our unity and what else?
What else might you need to be cast into the loving hands of God this day? How might you remember the stories of the preachers that stood upon this rock, of Job, Esther, Moses, your parents, your pioneers, your children and the generations to follow you – what do you need to tell your great story of faith? Will you plant a huge rock in the backyard and start preaching your sermons? Maybe not.
But this story is yours, because of Jesus' death on the cross and rising again we get to enter God's story and live it. We look back to the past because we want to live into God's future.
May the Holy Spirit inspire you to write great chapters...
May God protect you so you have the strength to live in faith...
May we all be one, in Christ Jesus alone, so that our story is strong, effective and heard.
And may all people, here today and for the days to come, believe in Jesus through our telling of the word. Amen.
|Pulpit Rock -- now.


text:
Name of the Participant: _______________
Age: ________________________________
Date of Participation: _________________
- Mention the name of five leading brand in which you like to invest your money:
2 Which of the following mentioned is your preference, if you have a limited budget
- I would like to buy a watch
- I would like to invest money in branded jeans
- Like to visit leading parlour
- Like to buy a pair of shoes
- Others, please specify: _______________
3 What is your favourite style?
- Urban
- Casual
- Formal
- Trendy
- Others, please mention: ____________________
4 Do you read fashion articles and books published by leading fashion houses?
- Yes. I often do
- Sometimes
- Not much
- No
5 Is your fashion sense influenced by your culture?
- Yes. A lot
- Somewhat Yes
- No
6 Do you think that beauty with mind is the excellent combination to pamper yourself with ultimate designer clothes?
- Yes. Absolutely
- Not necessary
- No
7 According to you, which of the following factor is the most important one for a stylish looks
- Designer Attire
- Branded Shoes
- Exclusive Jewellery
- Expensive Watches
8 Kindly give us a chance to know more about yourself? Please write a few lines about your style and fashion sense:
Download Assouline Fashion Questionnaire in Word Format


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Thank you DMV! On Sunday, you donated over $121,000 to Howard University Alternative Spring Break students during our 12-hour Helping Hands Radiothon. And the donations are still pouring in. HUASB organizers estimate each student needs about $50 a day to cover meals, snacks and sleeping accommodations.
Over 500 students will forgo a traditional spring break of fun in the sun to be deployed to 13 sites around the globe to perform community service initiatives. HUASB has completed over 100,000 hours of community service.
This year, students will perform community service projects in Baltimore, MD; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, DC; Detroit, Michigan; Dilley, Texas; Flint, Michigan; Lumberton, NC; Memphis, Tennessee; Newark, New Jersey; New Orleans, Louisiana; St. Louis, Missouri; Ghana; and Haiti.
HUASB students will roll up their sleeves to combat gang violence, promote literacy, assist with HIV/AIDS prevention, gun violence, homelessness, infrastructure development, crisis cleanup, high school retention, and other initiatives. For more on HUASB and the work they do, see here.
We would like to thank all our generous donors, Suntrust Bank, sponsors, HUASB students, Howard University, WHUR staff, and every single volunteer who helped us pull this event off. You answered the call and because of your hard work and dedication, we're able to send over 500 HUASB students around the globe to lend a helping hand to communities in need. We cannot say THANK YOU enough.
A very special THANK YOU goes out to the anonymous donor who matched our efforts with a $50,000 pledge. YOU ARE AMAZING!
WE DID IT! Thank you! Because of you we were able to raise $50K+ AND that anonymous donor matched your donations w/ another $50K! Congrats! pic.twitter.com/c2gqnTJ3WM
— whur.com (@WHURfm) March 5, 2017
Did you miss the Helping Hands Radiothon but still want to donate? We're still taking donations for the remainder of the week. DONATE HERE!
Stay tuned for video coming soon…
Follow Me: Twitter
I am a digital content creator and have worked in the digital space for more than ten years. "Robinrazzi" is a nickname given from a former colleague because I'm known for having a camera in hand at all times. I have traveled the world covering entertainment events, celebrities and anything trending. I earned my BA in Communications from Penn State and a MS in Marketing from Johns Hopkins University. I currently serve as Director of Digital Content for WHUR and the Howard University Radio Network.


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Our Building Partners - The best in the business
The First Home Owners Grant has recently changed, making building your own home even more affordable. You can now get a $10,000 grant from the Government, if living in WA, when you build a home.
As part of one of Australia's largest building companies - the ABN Group - we can offer great finance deals if you build through our partners.
Click below to find out more.


text: Have been to Scala at least 8 times and have eaten at Sunrise too many times to remember!! I have never been disappointed with the food as it is always superb. The fresh fish platter for two is fantastic and is my 11 yr old sons favourite dish - we have to have it on the first and last night on holiday at least. For the last 4 visits I have stayed in the rooms at Sunrise. Victor and Fotini are superb hosts and the rooms are good value and clean - you cannot beat the food, ambience and company. I am looking forward to returning Summer 2011.


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The following video is part of our "Motley Fool Conversations" series, in which we talk about topics around the investing world. This time, Tim Beyers of Motley Fool Rule Breakers and Motley Fool Supernova talks about the one number that stands out in Riverbed Technology's
Revenue came in $3 million lighter than expected as earnings met estimates. More importantly, management guided to just $0.21 to $0.22 in second-quarter profit on $193 million to $197 million in revenue. Analysts were expecting $0.24 and $202 million, respectively. Seven firms followed with downgrades, Barron's reports, and the stock promptly fell 28% as a result.
A strong report from peer F5 Networks
Riverbed has historically specialized in WAN optimization, using its "deduplication" technology to strip away excess when sending data across a geographically dispersed network and increasing speed and efficiency in the process. Customers love the idea. Will they like Riverbed's newest efforts as much? One metric will tell the story.Although we always invest for the long term at the Fool, companies have a lot riding each time they report earnings. Earnings season can propel your favorite stocks to new heights or sink them like the Titanic. Fortunately, the Fool recently identified five stocks we think are poised to win as they report their first-quarter earnings this month -- and for years into the future as well: "5 Stocks Investors Need to Watch This Earnings Season." The report won't be available forever, so we invite you to enjoy a free copy today. You can click here to access your report -- it's totally free.
Fool contributor Tim Beyers is a member of the Motley Fool Rule Breakers stock-picking team and the Motley Fool Supernova Odyssey I mission. He owned shares of Riverbed Technology at the time of publication. Check out Tim's Web home, portfolio holdings, and Foolish writings, or connect with him on Google+ or Twitter, where he goes by @milehighfool. You can also get his insights delivered directly to your RSS reader.
The Motley Fool owns shares of Riverbed Technology and Cisco Systems. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Riverbed Technology and writing covered calls on Riverbed Technology. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.


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Sunday, April 12, 2009
Teachers tv
I just came across this remarkable website that's geared just for teachers called teachers.tv. I think of this as your own personal staff development. There are hundreds of videos out there that you can choose to watch, to learn how to handle a given situation and after-wards you can get more detailed notes on it.
I watched a clip on anger management and I was really impressed by how effective the lesson was on her class. The narrator didn't talk too much, but rather simply explained what the teacher was doing and the viewer was able to see the results first hand. It's a 3 min clip, and had this had been a real training, it would have lasted a couple of hours. When the clip ended I knew what to do, how it would work, and more importantly..that it has worked, while still having time to take care of other things as well.
The one thing I really value is my time, and I really can't stand meetings that take hours when it could have been done in minutes. This website ensures that you'll never feel that way again. To me, it's heaven. However...if you want...we can always meet afterschool. Have fun. Let me know how you like it.
Posted by Mr Alvarado at 9:57:00 PM
Labels: links, staff development, training, video
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If you are a User who needs information about their Personal Data, contact the Owner directly using the contacts below.
If you are the owner of this privacy policy, head to the iubenda website to understand why this policy has been deactivated.
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» Circuits » Wind Energy
How I home-built an electricity producing Wind turbine. Part 7
This photo shows the controller, battery and associated electronics all wired up. I have a 120V inverter connected to the battery and a multimeter to keep track of the battery voltage and wind turbine output voltage. Also my electric shaver and battery charger are plugged into the inverter and running off of 120V AC. Later I plugged a long extension cord into the inverter and stretched it back to my camp site. I know this setup is really messy, but I was in a hurry to get up and running to take advantage of the wind once it started blowing. That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.
This photo is a closeup of the electronics. The meter shows that the wind turbine is producing 13.32 Volts. My electric shaver and battery charger are providing loads on the system through the AC inverter.
Here the meter shows the turbine producing 13.49 volts. The voltage from the turbine goes up only a little as the wind speed increases once it has a load to power. Once the wind starts blowing, the turbine head snaps around into it and begins spinning up. It spins up quickly until the output voltage exceeds the battery voltage plus the blocking diode drop (around 13.2 volts, depending on the state of the battery charge). it is really running without a load until that point. Once the that voltage is exceeded, the turbine suddenly has a load as it begins dumping power into the battery. Once under load, the rpms only slightly increase as the wind speed increases. More wind means more current into the battery which means more load on the generator. So the system is pretty much self-governing. I saw no signs of over-reving. Of course in storm-force winds, all bets are off. Switching the controller to dump power into the dummy load did a good job of braking the turbine and slowing it way down even in stronger gusts. Actually shorting the turbine output is an even better brake. It brings the turbine to a halt right now, even in strong winds. Shorting the output is how I made the turbine safe to raise and lower, so I wouldn't get sliced and diced by the spinning blades. Warning though, the whole head assembly can still swing around and crack you hard on the noggin if the wind changes direction while you are working on these things. So be careful out there.
Eventually I decided my setup was too messy and dangerous. Having high current electrical connections and a rat's nest of wires on an Aluminum table wasn't smart. The danger of a spectacular short circuit was too high, so I neatened things up. I set all the electronics on a piece of plywood on top of a plastic storage bin and neatened up the wiring. Then I ran a long extension cord from the inverter back to my camp site and plugged all my stuff into it there.
Here is a longer view of the complete setup.
How sweet it is! I have electricity! Here I have my laptop computer set up and plugged into the power provided by the inverter, which in turn is powered by the wind turbine. I normally only have about two hours of battery life on my laptop. So I don't get to use it much while I'm camping. It comes in handy though for downloading photos out of my camera when its memory card gets full, making notes on projects like this one, working on the next great American novel, or just watching DVD movies. Now I have no battery life problems, at least as long as the wind blows. Besides the laptop, I can also now recharge all my other battery powered equipment like my cell phone, my camera, my electric shaver, my air mattress pump, etc. Life used to get real primitive on previous camping trips when the batteries in all my electronic stuff ran down.
So how much did all this cost to build? Well, I saved all the receipts for everything I bought related to this project.
Not too bad. I doubt I could buy a commercially made turbine with a comparable power output, plus a commercially made charge controller, plus a commercially made tower for less than $750-$1000.
Future modifications and enhancements I would like to make to the system include:
Most of these modifications won't be made until I am living on the site permanently, or semi-permanently. One modification I am going to work on completing in the next few months before my next trip out there is the weather-proof enclosure and probably adding the meters.
As the project evolves in the future, I'll post updates here.
To be continued
Inside a huge PCB factory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XCznQFV-Mw
News on theme:


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1:23 AM: Bonnaroo 2004I'm back.
I've rested up.
Now, time to write about Bonnaroo.
Before I give my whole synopsis of Bonnaroo, let me tell you this:
Bonnaroo will be both the best and worst experience of your life up to this point. You get to see some of the greatest bands in the world, but you also get to sleep in a wet tent, seriously burn up in 90+ degree temperatures during the day, with no shade, and shiver throughout the wet, cold nights. As long as you come prepared (or more prepared then i was), you will do ok. If not, get ready for one of the worst experiences of your life.
Ok, enough logistics, let's discuss the only reason to go to Bonnaroo (besides the atmosphere, of course): The music.
In 3 days, I saw at least half of all of the following bands' sets:
The Black Keys
Bob Dylan
Dave Matthews and Friends
Kings of Leon
David Byrne
Trey Anastasio with the Nashville Chamber Orchestra (first set) and his band (second set)
Every band was great, just because they were playing right in front of me, but some were better than others...I might as well review all of the shows for you, I know some of you are interested to see what some of your favorite bands are like live.
Calexico was an excellent choice to kick-start the festival. While most people were heading over to the second stage to see Los Lobos and all of the hippies were at the smallest tent to see New Monsoon, the smart bonnaroovians were rocking out to some authentic Tex-Mex rock straight outta Tucson. Calexico isn't a very well known band, and it was obvious that they were thrilled to be performing at a festival as big as Bonnaroo, in front of about a thousand people, no less. Calexico fed off the crowd's energy the entire time and employed some interesting techniques in their music, including two trumpet players, and an accordion/drum solo in a few songs. I was pleasantly surprised by this band, and they got me really pumped for the rest of the weekend. It was easy to get within ten feet of the band, and everyone was friendly and fresh, ready to enjoy the weekend. It was rare seeing everyone this happy over the course of the weekend, especially during/after the rain on Saturday, so, in retrospect, the Calexico show left me with one of the best after show recoveries (sometimes, after an amazing 2 hour set by a great band later in the weekend, your body will over-compensate for all the energy you use during the show, energy that you didn't even know you were using, and give you what I liked to call a post-show hangover). Calexico left me fresh, and ready for the bigger bands I would be seeing the rest of the day.
8 out of 10 Steak Quesadillas
The Black Keys
The Black Keys are some funky white kids. They're basically A two men band made up of mid-20's blues loving hipsters who would love nothing more to be transported back to the 30's as poor black harmonica players. I enjoyed The Black Keys well enough, but the anticipation for Wilco, who played right after TBC, on the main stage, made me leave halfway through the set to stake out a very close spot for Wilco (fifth row!). I enjoyed what I heard, but it wasn't enough to keep me too interested.
6 out of 10 Huey Lewis'
This was easily the best show of the entire festival for me. Wilco walked onto the main stage four minutes early looking and acting like the head liners for the entire festival, and despite a less than enthusiastic reaction from the frat boy masses (dave matthews and friends were set to play later in the evening), Wilco rocked Bonnaroo harder then even I thought they could. They opened up with Late Greats, and in the middle of the song, Jeff Tweedy looked at my extremely over-enthusiastic ass singing to all the words, smiled, and nodded at me. It was one of the best moments of my entire life. From then on, I was completely hooked, and rocked out way too much for the rest of the show.
Right before 'A Shot in the Arm,' Tweedy asked the crowd, "Are you high?" and everyone screamed, then he yelled "Well, i'm not!" and everyone screamed louder, and he held up his arms. he's obviously really happy about being sober (he just recently got out of rehab after finally ridding himself of his addiction to prescription pain killers for the migranes he suffers on a regular basis).
Nels Cline, the new guitarist, is an excellent live addition. Spiders, the 10 minute long, criminally underrated song off of "A Ghost Is Born," has to be experienced live to be fully appreciated. At a festival dominated by incredible jams, the breakdown towards the end of Spiders was without a doubt the best jam I heard. They easily spread it out over 15 minutes, and at the end, Tweedy waved goodbye to Nels, and threw down his guitar and stumbled off. No encore. The place went fucking nuts, even the Dave Matthews fans (who were only there because they were staking out a spot for Dave and friends later that night) flipped out over it.
Wilco knew their audience at bonnaroo better than any other band I saw. Over 3/4 of the songs they played came from their breakthrough album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and their new, heavily leaked album, A Ghost Is Born. The new CD might be their best, so the new songs were a welcome addition to their live catalog.
I hope to see Wilco again soon, because they were definitely one of the best live bands I've seen in my entire life.
10 out of 10 crushed Vicodins
Bob Dylan
The man that played Bonnaroo 2004 may still be the same man as the person picture above, circa 1975, but that's where the similarities end nowadays. Bob Dylan is an old, frail man with a voice that's shot beyond belief. He's not capable of playing the guitar on a regular basis anymore, and uses a lyric sheet when singing most of his songs. During the entire Bob Dylan set, I was overcome with a feeling of deep sadness. This is the man that gave us 'Like A Rolling Stone,' 'Hurricane,' 'Tangled Up In Blue,' and 'Ballad of a Thin Man,' now barely able to remember how to play the songs that were so ahead of their time back in the 60's-70's.
Still, seeing Bob Dylan in person, from the fifth row, was a personal thrill. He could have sat on his ass while his band played and never opened his mouth, and I would have stayed for the entire set. The man is probably the greatest musician alive, and he DID play Like A Rolling Stone, so I feel that my 2 hours with Bob Dylan, in the end, were time well spent.
7 out of 10 swarming colonies of locusts
Dave Matthews and Friends
Dave Matthews and Friends were surprisingly awesome, though that had a lot to do with his two "friends," Trey Anastasio of Phish and Tim Reynolds. Everytime Dave would start one of his boring solo songs, all it took is one look at Trey spazzing out to every single note to perk me up and give me a serious fit of the giggles. I was unsure of whether to stay or go at first, but 5 songs and an excellent 'Solsbury Hill' cover later, I was hooked. I ended up staying an hour and a half, and thoroughly enjoyed myself throughout. Seeing three larger than life musicians like that from the fifth row fueled my enthusiasm for Bonnaroo even more. I went back to the camp (which took me 2 hours by the way, I hate trying to remember directions to anywhere) ready to tell anyone who would listen how great Dave and Friends' set ended up being, and ready to change a few peoples' perspective on dave.
8 out of 10 dancing nancies
Kings of Leon
If there was any justice in the world, Kings of Leon would be much bigger than Jet ever was. They are much better representatives for progressive southern rock (since, you know, the mainstream only has a tolerance for one southern rock band at a time), and put on one of the liveliest, grittiest live shows I've ever seen. They were playing at one in the afternoon, but it felt like they were playing at eight of nine at night, with the intensity that only a fresh, up and coming band like Kings of Leon, performing at their first big festival, could have. They played 4 or 5 brand new songs for the Bonnaroo crowd, all of which sounded better than anything off of their current (and only) album. Here's to Kings of Leon, the next big thing.
8 out of 10 Street Survivors
Of all the bands at Bonnaroo I was blown away by, this was one of the most surprising. I came into the concert expecting a nice, mid-afternoon set to sit down and enjoy, but what I got was an epic, hour long set complete with numerous hilarious pot-shots at the band's extremely tardy sound technician, Nils, a Pavement cover (a sped up, hard rock version of 'Here'), a set consisting almost completely of fan favorites, and one of the best live recreations of a song I've ever heard in 'The Crystal Lake.'
I knew I was going to like Grandaddy when I walked into the tent, but I came out an ardent Grandaddy supporter. If you ever have a chance to buy a Grandaddy album, download a Grandaddy song, or attend a Grandaddy show, I would definitely recommend doing so.
10 out of 10 humanoids.
HOLY CRAP. Ween rocked harder than any band I saw at Bonnaroo. They were one of the few non-head liners I saw there with more than a few fans that were at Bonnaroo solely to see them and only them, and man, did they deliver. For 3 hours. Ween's songs don't really make much sense to me, but damn, if they don't sound incredible when performed in a live setting. Dean Ween plays like a genuine guitar god, and Gene Ween might be the best frontman I've ever seen in person. Every song they played was met with so much enthusiasm by the Ween freaks that everyone in the audience couldn't help but get caught up in the moment. If you never thought you could like Ween, give them a chance live, and you will be converted.
10 out of 10 boognishes
There is one reason and one reason only to care about Primus: Les Claypool. He's one of the most eccentric frontmen I've ever seen, and has an incredible, quirky stage presence that draws you in more and more until you're hooked. Personally, I liked hearing Les talk between songs and watching him strut around the stage during one of his many bass solos more than I liked hearing him sing the actual songs. Apparently, this is one of their last shows as a band, so I feel priveledged to have seen them in their Prime...us.
8.5 out of 10 seas of cheese
Guster was great, except for one little thing: their fans. The sing-a-long atmosphere combined with the 'exact same sequence of songs as our new live album' set-list nearly ruined an otherwise solid set. I enjoyed hearing all of their best songs, but midway through, I wanted something different. Guster is a really poppy band, and their sound can get grating after a while, especially with over a thousand people singing along to every word. They did play a Talking Heads song, and the lead singer has one of the dirtiest mouths I've ever heard, so they earn a few cool points in my book. The highlight of the show was definitely the lead singer talking shit about Maroon 5, the next band scheduled to play in their tent, who didn't show up for Bonnaroo. "Well, Maroon 5 couldn't make it, so we're the last band playing in this tent today. It doesn't matter, their album isn't very good anyways. WE'LL play 'This Love' for you, if that's what you're waiting for." *guster proceeds to play half of 'this love,' until they can no longer hold in their laughter* Classic.
6 out of 10 gun barrels
David Byrne
Where did David Byrne come from? I left Guster for David Byrne, the former lead singer of The Talking Heads himself, expecting a mediocre set filled with solo material and opera. What I got was one of the best and most energetic performances at Bonnaroo, filled with Talking Heads classics, solo highlights, and no more than 2 (very good) opera songs. David Byrne busted out every song you wanted to hear him sing, including 'Once In A Lifetime,' 'Burning Down The House,' 'Blind,' 'Psycho Killer,' and 'Like Humans Do.' Byrne has also aged VERY well, and still is just as lively and brilliant as he was in his talking heads hey day (which was actually less than 20 years ago). I was in awe of him throughout his set, and now consider him to be a living rock legend, right up there with dylan, costello, and mccartney.
And he's a funky dancer to boot!
10 out of 10 roads to nowhere
Material was one of the most amazing bands I have ever seen live. Over the course of two hours, the band of more than 10 musicians, including bass guitar legend Bill Laswell, guitar playing, chicken bucket/Michael Myers mask wearing Buckethead, and ex-Primus drummer Brain, crossed the musical spectrum, playing some instrumental metal, soul, a bass guitar solo, a 20 minute drum(s) solo, an african chant, a 20 minute dj set with everything from 'america the beautiful' by ray charles to 'smells like teen spirit' by nirvana, an old negro spiritual, a funk jam, and even a 15 minute keyboard/synthesizer intro. If you want to know what this band was really like, I'll have to try to tell you in person, because there's no way I can describe them in text. Just trust me, they're an amazing, extremely eclectic, arty band.
10 out of 10 chicken buckets
Trey and the orchestra/his band
Trey just sucked. You shouldn't conduct a 30 piece orchestra for 2 hours in front of 80,000 people that are expecting spazzed out jams and a Phish reunion. I didn't even stick around for the second set, which I heard was ok, but by that point nothing could have saved Trey's performance for me.
3 out of 10 megalomaniacs
So, there it is: Bonnaroo 2004 in a nutshell. There are many crazy stories to tell, but that's for another time and place, preferably in real life over a delicious meal that you cook/buy for me. So, make me food, and hear my stories. That's all for now, thankyou for reading all of this, it took a long time to write, and I hope it was worth the effort.
Thankyou again for reading and remaining loyal to my blog.
- matt /
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Harrowed Fields
by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan
The English "harrow" originated from an ancient word meaning a rake. A harrow is an agricultural implement that uses either fixed, usually pointed, metal rods attached to a frame, or revolving disks (a disk harrow) to break up and smooth the soil. Harrows have been known from ancient times.
"12:29 And David gathered all the people together [see also David, Future King Of Israel], and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it. 12:30 And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance. 12:31 And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem." (2 Samuel 12:29-31 KJV)
"Break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you"
Until relatively recent times in human history, harrows were pulled only by domesticated beasts of burden, such as oxen or horses (and still are in "third world" countries). Wild animals, such as the "unicorn" (which means "one horn" e.g. the rhinoceros - see Unicorns) would not submit to such a use.
"39:9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? 39:10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee? 39:11 Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him? 39:12 Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?" (Job 39:9-12 KJV)
Harrowing is an important preparation for crop planting. Without it, most crops would have difficulty becoming established, let alone producing a good harvest.
"28:23 Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. 28:24 Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground? 28:25 When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place? 28:26 For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him." (Isaiah 28:23-26 KJV)
Harrowing away roughness and clods is also used as an analogy for the producing of Good Fruit by a Christian.
"10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." (Hosea 10:12 KJV)
John the Baptist (see The Elijahs) "harrowed" in preparation for the LORD's harvest of salvation when "the rough ways shall be made smooth."
"3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 3:5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." (Luke 3:4-6 KJV)
Fact Finder: (a) How is the salvation of humanity like a harvest? (b) Why are some "weeds" permitted to grow in God's crop?


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I like Kangna... I always have... since Gangster days. A fabulous dressing sense always helps. Sure, her voice is a little grating... her pronunciation needs improvement but atleast she can act. Thats more than what I can say about 80% of the actresses today. I didn't watch Revolver Rani in the theatre... am not THAT big a fan but I did catch it on my laptop.
This movie is very important... and the fact that it released right after Queen is significant. You realize how much depends on the director. He/She can make a good actor/actress ham or act. You know where am going with this.
In the 1st scene, the goons are talking about revenge. It is a 10 mins long scene and tells you the entire story... that they hate Alka (Kangna) and want to kill her... because she killed their elder brother (or is it uncle)... they have won elections and ideally, should leave her alone for now... but decide to kidnap her toy boy (Vir Das) instead. Alka, of course, saves her love. And then it is time to establish her back story... which is... that uncle/elder brother harassed her mother after her wife beating father died... she took a knife and killed the harasser and was taken under the wings by a goon... and here she is. Vir Das, on the other hand, is using her to enter Bollywood.
After 20 mins into the movie, I didn't care... it didn't seem worth my 2.5 hours and I turned it off.
If you didn't watch it, you may or may not be smart... but if you did, you are stupid as hell and can easily have a high flying career in the corporate world.
1 star because all the reviews say its worth a watch and am assuming something good happened (maybe director change?) after 20 mins.


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Looking back, I think it might be close to a year (?!) since the last time I got my car washed. It rains and I park outside, it's been too hot, I need to take the big things in the house first, the car wash attendants are gone by the evening... You know, lots of reasons. I finally broke down and went to Bubbles today on my lunch break. Bubbles is my favorite because 1. It's close, 2. It cleans pretty well, 3. You get to use the vacuums for free for as long as you need.
There was a sign in the carwash that said, "Free mat cleaner by the vending area." So, I drove over to check it out. It was free, so what was there to lose? There stood a little machine with a wide, skinny mouth, a Start button, and an Emergency Stop button. I pushed start, slipped my floor mat in, steam started rolling out as the mat was sucked through, and out my mats popped the cleanest I've ever seen them, all within a few seconds.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Thankful for a room of my own
I am thankful for having an office with a door that closes, that is cutely decorated and has a big mid century desk, on the 20th floor of downtown with a fabulous view. Working at a nonprofit, I thought it would be years if not decades before I had an office rather than a cubicle, and I feel so grateful for this luxury. Sitting in a cubicle surrounded by constant distractions was a huge struggle for me in being productive and focusing my mind. Much of my time is spent in meetings talking and talking, and it's a welcome retreat to be able to shut my door and focus on my little piece of work. Thank you God for an office.
Posted by Whitney at 4:05 PM 2 comments:
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Blog Design for Adoption
Hey, blog friends! I don't know if y'all already are connected with someone who designs your blog layout, but this woman and her husband are adopting their second baby from Ethiopia. The money she makes designing these cute blogs will help fund their adoption!
Blog Design Website http://lcgraphicdesigns.blogspot.com/
Her own sweet blog http://www.laurencasper.com/
Posted by Whitney at 4:34 PM No comments:
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Living the questions
When I was a preeschooler, I idolized the teenagers at my church, having a crush on one of them and constantly asking my mom, "Do you think Rus Horn likes this kind of chip?" and other questions that would indicate we were soul mates. I also went on imaginary dates to the Olive Garden where I drank Diet Coke and went skiing with my fake boyfriend Steve Olympic. In third grade, after years of watching Saved by the Bell, I lead my friends in pretending that we were really in college while at school, not spending our days learning multiplication. As a ninth grader, I dreamed of being a human rights attorney and working on behalf of women who whose lives were at risk of being destroyed by their governments or neighbors.
My natural way of thinking is to live in the future. I'm a planner, and I fall into dreaming about the good and beautiful life I will have in the next couple of years or next ten years. This personality is not always a negative thing--it helps me be strategic in my work and I am proud to have pursued a career in social advocacy, even though I later realized there are many more options than being a human rights attorney.
I can so easily get caught up in what might happen next, though, that I don't fully live in the present. There are probably not many people who feel comfortable with uncertainty, with the fear of pain that could come from things not going our way. It's obvious, though, that my plans are sometimes short-sighted. I have, thankfully, never been on a date to the Olive Garden and ordered Diet Coke--my idea of a glamorous date has changed over the years.
This week, I am trying to be intentional about living in the present, enjoying this time, and not being fearful of the future or jumping the gun to conclude things that I'm not ready to have an answer for.
My friend Katie posted this quote from Rainer Maria Rilke, and I really love it.
Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, as if they were rooms yet to enter or books written in a foreign language. Don't dig for answers that cannot be given yet: you cannot live them now. The point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live your way into the answer.
Doesn't that make uncertainty sound so much more beautiful?
Posted by Whitney at 2:50 PM 1 comment:
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Good to Be Crazy
"If nothing else, what Dan and I have learned over the last year is this: if you're clinging too tightly to your things, to your plans, to your comfort and convenience, to your idea of what your family should look like -- God cannot move in your life."
God is reveling in this family's story of doing the brave, crazy things we were made to do for our neighbors. What can this be in my life?
Posted by Whitney at 10:41 PM 2 comments:
Thursday, July 7, 2011
House Tour
My cousin Davis is going to make some pretty pottery for my house (can't wait!), and wants to see pictures since he hasn't been here. So, I thought I might as well stick them up here so he can refer back.
These are some of my
favorite flowers on the porch, but they're not holding up too well in this dry heat.
My little living room
Dining Room
Kitchen (with my cute rug that I bought with Aunt Jana's Pier 1 gift card)
Messy bedroom
And the details...
Fabric of bedroom drapes
Living room art
Dining room art
And last, but not least, my mermaid bag!
Posted by Whitney at 8:04 AM 2 comments:
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Summer Goals
I'm copying my friend Clara and coming up with some goals for the summer! Five are ones I came up with, and five are taken from Clara's friend's options.
1. Learn how to shuffle cards. (DONE! My card-playing grandparents and aunt taught me the right way when I was home last weekend.)
2. Take an Austin trip!
3. Make this cake http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/carrot-cake-recipe.html
4. Go to at least three concerts
5. Take the Inprint writing class (I had my first one last Wednesday, and I love it so far)
and from Clara's friend...
6. Make popsicles (I saw a recipe for plain greek yogurt with jam.. it's gonna happen!)
7. Give a surprise bouquet of flowers to a friend
8. Host a summer dinner party
9. Have a picnic (hello, Miller Outdoor Theatre!)
10. Make my own art
Posted by Whitney at 4:56 PM 4 comments:
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Hi I am about to upgrade from Nokia to Samsung z400. Please advise whether this will be a better move or not. Dont want to buy something an regret afterwards.V
I h8 this phone the mp3 player is really really quiet and the memory doesnt go far either. Its a very simple phone which i payed a large price for when it had first come out. the only ok thing bout this fone is the camera is excellent.
have had this phone for 3 months. Overall everything seems to work well. HOWEVER i have had real issues with the sd card, I have lost data when copying from the phone to the card. Have sent it away to get fixed and still not going. VERY FRUSTRATING!! I am swapping this phone to a Samsung zv60.
hei, everybody, i have my z400 about 18months now, its one of samsungs best phones eva!!! 3g-very very good and fast, although it makes battery life short. Memory-ive got a 1gb mmc, it works perfectly, and no problems! I did experience n problem with da phone when i send a song... about 3000kb to my friend, when the phone just turned itself of, but that was the first and only time it has happend. Further its a gr8 phone, i have da z400v. I had a d600, but samsung still rocks!!!! Keep up da good work!
Have been a long time nokia lover and decided i needed a change.. Took a while to get used to it and work out what was what.. Had the Z400 how for 6mths and now am having quiet a few problems.. eg wont display messages you select the meesage and all it shows is the date and time thats not even right... not loud enough. cant here is ring if im in another room.. Quite dissapointed going back to what i know.. Nokia
i have a problem of down-loading my e-mail from my phone,i got the ota settings from mtn as my service provider i even done them maually,so when i try to download i receive an erro says "downloading failed" or dns error failed.but then i have registered for a different e-mail address.please advise.
and all of a sudden i have no phone memory! but i dont have anything saved on the phone anyway! whats going on?
have my z4 for almost a year and its fab.does what its suppose 2 well.it can play videos in full screen but mine is vodafone branded and if yours can accept themes then even it has to be vodafone approved so hard luck.mine does have a problem with the bluetooth it switches off between connections and restarts itself.oh and u cant install java any other way but by downloading it.via bluetooth and by copying it on to the memory card won't work.can't play music in the background which is a downfall and also very soft.
I have my z400 for 8 mnths now and i love it. Great fone and crystal clear screen. Takes grt pics. Video not as good as d600. Cnt watch videos in full like d600. Buttons feel grt. Nice to hold. Xo
where can i find themes or even a theme creator for this phone?
is it possible to remove the clock and data from the display? and the logo from vodafone?
thank you
Speaker volume is too low, compare to the E250. how can this be rectify?
how do i use my own images as wallpaper?
to fit the screen i mean. i define the image for the main display but it stays in the middle of the screen with a lot of white around =X
Hi am looking forward to upgrade from the E370
coz i need a faster internet connection, is this the idea upgrade thanks am staying with samsung for now
Hi....i have this phone for 3 mounth's...i like it but i have a problem...i don't know how 2 change the menu colors...it;s a t-mobile phone and they put their menu on it...how can i change the menu style....help me pls
This is one of samsungs bests phone ever made just a little poor battery life bt if you want to buy this fonr be my guess u would regret it.


text:
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text:
Do You Want to See a Dead Body?
Do You Want to See a Dead Body?
Premiered:November 15, 2017
(Click date to see TV listings for that day)
- Network: YouTube Red
- Category: Series
- Genre: Comedy (Sitcom)
- Type: Live Action
- Concept:Based on the 2011 web series (Do You Want to See a Dead Body?) by Funny or Die
- Subject Matter: Crime
- Tags: parody, celebrity
Buy This Show on DVD or Watch Online
No DVDs Available
(That We Know Of)
(That We Know Of)
Legal Full Episodes
Not Available Online
(That We Know Of)
Not Available Online
(That We Know Of)
Plot Synopsis
Based on Funny or Die's 2011 short-form web series of the same name, DO YOU WANT TO SEE A DEAD BODY? is a fictional comedy series that follows comedian Rob Huebel as he takes celebrities on hilarious adventures to find dead bodies around Los Angeles. Each episode features a journey with a different guest star, including: John Cho, Terry Crews, Adam Scott, Judy Greer, Justin Long, Alexandra Daddario, Rob Scheer, Adam Pally, Joe Lo Truglio, Danny Pudi, and more. On Wednesday, November 15, 2017, YouTube Red released all episodes of its original series.
- Rob Huebel - Himself
Production & Distribution
- Produced by Funny or Die
- - Los Angeles, California USA


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"Arrived early, everything was exactly as ordered."
"Loved it"
"I love this picture of the 5 of us and it transferred beautifully to our annual family Christmas card. Thanks again to Shutterfly for a lovely card!"
"My daughter does the artwork for the front and I put family photos and a short annual update on the back. It has worked for us for so many years. Their products are high quality - I'm always amazed when they arrive - and their website is easy to use."
"i have never been disappointed with the quality, or support of your reps."


text:
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
What's For Supper
Good Evening Ladies and Gents,
Between the two of us, we managed to get supper on the table instead of eating out. I really do not like take out, so we thought of something very easy to prepare together.
I really wanted the cheese cake, but knew Hubster would want more since he worked today. He doesn't like to stop for lunch usually working straight through, then eating his heavier meal in the evening.
Before I put the meal up, I want to tell you what happened in the kitchen tonight. I'd prepared the cheese cake earlier and it was in the refrigerator to chill. When I went over to bring it to the table, Ashley ran right in front of me, and I tripped...reaching out to keep from hitting the floor!
The cheesecake tipped, but hubster caught it and between the both of us, neither hit the floor, but Ashley got stepped on and cried as if his world was coming to an end.
When I got myself together and sat down he came crying and had to be comforted, the big baby! I looked up at Hubster and he had cherries running down his shirt! The cheese cake was damaged, but we still had the most of it to eat. We both had to laugh at it all!
I still keep thinking if I'd stayed in bed it wouldn't have happened, because Ashley is always in the kitchen with me, watching every move. However, this wasn't a good time because of my cane. So, here's the damaged cheesecake!
The middle was damaged and the crust is off
No, Hubster didn't snitch a forkful! lol
Our meal was simple, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green peas and rolls. The meatloaf is a special recipe that I
made for our diet. Hubster says it is good. I will share it with you on another post. I wanted him to take over and finish the post, but he said he didn't know how to write a recipe. (He just want to find a way to watch TV.) A full belly. lol.
I'm so happy we had time together to share it with you! That's what family togetherness is all about, right? And, doesn't it include the pets too, after all they are family too! Here, we would not have it any other way!
Hubster and I hope you are have a restful, relaxing and fun evening with family. We enjoy your company so much and invite you to come back anytime to see what's happening, "At Our House".
Take Care and we bid you goodnight!
James & Loretta
10 comments:
Dear Loretta, I am glad that you caught the cheesecake. I looks good! I don't like takeout either. It is expensive and I feel thirsty all night long! Well, I am glad that everything seems well and you are smiling. Blessings, Catherine xoReplyDelete
The cheesecake wasn't too bad for the wear. I wish you would have posted a picture of hubster, wearing the cherries on his shirt. What a comical scene you two have created. Have a great evening also.ReplyDelete
Everything looks great. I was going to get on you about the cheescake, but since you had a healthy meal, I will let you slide. LOL!ReplyDelete
Hello, so glad I popped over to your blog to see the delicious dinner and cheesecake. I'm glad it all turned out OK and everyone can look back with a smile :-)ReplyDelete
What a yummy post! I'm gonna do me some cooking right now!ReplyDelete
Looks like a yummmmmmmmy meal!ReplyDelete
But Oh Loretta, I worry about you being tripped, by pets. -sigh- -sigh- -sigh-
We are born with whirlwinds, forest fires, and comets inside us. We are born able to sing to birds and read the clouds and see our destiny in grains of sand. But then we get the magic educated right out of our souls.
~~Robert R. McCammon
I love cheesecake! I make one for every holiday!ReplyDelete
Still looks pretty good to me. I am almost finished publishing my cook book and it has some great recipes from famous celebrities. It will be finished to sell on Feb 28th..my DD Birthday. Hop on over to my blog and sign up for my giveaway for grocery card worth 25.00 :)ReplyDelete
Wow, good thing all worked out well for you and the cheescake..but it could have been so much worse..last summer I fell onto the patio and broke BOTH wrist's...surgery, plates and screws in both wrist's was no fun..You have to be really careful..just saying!ReplyDelete
Dinner looks so yummy!
Good save! Glad you didn't get hurt in the process. The cheesecake still looks good.ReplyDelete
Your story reminds me of the time my hubby was bringing in the sheet cake we'd had made at the store for my daughter's baptism. It was January...snow, cold, icy driveway...yep, he tossed the cake and his car keys and they all three fell into a snowbank, hubby's arm landing across the top of the cake box and making quite the impression on the contents inside. We ate it anyway! Took him a while to find his keys in a drift of snow though.
Thanks for commenting. Your feedback is very helpful. Do come again to visit us at our house,you are always welcome!


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Effects of Hyaluronic Acid and γ–Globulin Concentrations on the Frictional Response of Human Osteoarthritic Articular Cartilage
Effects of Hyaluronic Acid and γ–Globulin Concentrations on the Frictional Response of Human Osteoarthritic Articular Cartilage - Descarga este documento en PDF. Documentación en PDF para descargar gratis. Disponible también para leer online.
Synovial fluid plays an important role in lubricating synovial joints. Its main constituents are hyaluronic acid HA and γ–globulin, acting as boundary lubricants for articular cartilage. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the concentration-dependent effect of HA and γ–globulin on the boundary-lubricating ability of human osteoarthritis OA cartilage. Normal, early and advance stage articular cartilage samples were obtained from human femoral heads and in presence of either HA or γ–globulin, cartilage frictional coefficient µ was measured by atomic force microscopy AFM. In advanced stage OA, the cartilage superficial layer was observed to be completely removed and the damaged cartilage surface showed a higher µ value ∼0.409 than the normal cartilage surface ∼0.119 in PBS. Adsorbed HA and γ–globulin molecules significantly improved the frictional behavior of advanced OA cartilage, while they were ineffective for normal and early OA cartilage. In advanced-stage OA, the concentration-dependent frictional response of articular cartilage was observed with γ–globulin, but not with HA. Our result suggested that HA and γ–globulin may play a significant role in improving frictional behavior of advanced OA cartilage. During early-stage OA, though HA and γ–globulin had no effect on improving frictional behavior of cartilage, however, they might contribute to disease modifying effects of synovial fluid as observed in clinical settings.
Autor: Jae-Yong Park , Cong-Truyen Duong , Ashish Ranjan Sharma , Kyeong-Min Son, Mark S. Thompson, Sungchan Park, Jun-Dong Chang, Ju-Su
Fuente: http://plos.srce.hr/


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text: FishDewd 230 Report post Posted February 14 This winter has been pretty brutal for pretty much everyone... most of you have had it much worse than I have, at least I've been able to actually fish now and then on days that are actually warm. Not that I'm rubbing that in or anything (okay fine maybe I am, just a bit ). Luckily, there exists a free game/fishing simulator for both PS4 and PC that can help you to reduce your cabin fever and stir-craziness while you wait for the ice to thaw and the snow to stop. It's called Fishing Planet. Now I will say it is not the easiest game to advance through, it's one of those types where they offer it for free because there are incentives to spending some money on the game because some things like baits, poles, lures, etc, are difficult to get and may take a while. They do offer some expansions packs too which don't look half bad for the price but I try to earn my stuff personally. I'm hardly an expert at it, but it is fun, and somewhat accurate as far as how you can work artificial baits and whatnot. I've been playing for about a week now and it's good for these days where I can't get out and do much due to cold, wind, or rain that never stops. One downside: it makes me want to go fishing even more! So for PC, you just go to fishingplanet.com and looks like you can play directly from there without a download, though I haven't tried that yet since I prefer my PS4 controller. For PS4, if you don't have a PSN account, make one. Connect your PS4 to internet, log in to the PSN network via Account Settings, then just download it directly onto your PS4 from there. Anyway... just a thought for those of you poor souls who live in ice buckets. You can catch a lot of fish on it, from catfish, to carp, to trout, to bass. Some people catch some really big fish on there but it really is bait and luck dependent. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites