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Ever since John Legend released his debut single 'Used To Love U' back in 2004, South African audiences had his back. He has achieved a great amount of success locally with every single album he's released so it was no surprise that the star announced a six-date South African tour earlier this year. The star hasn't performed on South African soil since 2014 and local audiences have been hungry to see the star perform his new material.
Local superstar, Shekhinah (who just released her debut album 'Rose Gold') opened for the star on the Johannesburg leg of his South African tour and, quite frankly blew the crowd away. Opening for John Legend sees the star come full circle as the crooner was a guest judge on her season of Idols South Africa back in 2012. The opportunity to open for the star shows just how much Shekhinah has grown since appearing on the reality show. Shekhinah's performance was short and sweet – but powerful. Her vocals are incredible live and watching the star belt out her popular tracks was something special indeed. Shekhinah had the crowd eating out of her hand. She hit every single note effortlessly and her stage presence has improved drastically. From performing the hits 'Suited', 'Your Eyes' and 'Let You Know' to bringing Kyle Deutsch out for 'Back To The Beach', this will go down as one of Shekhinah's best live performances of her career so far.
John Legend had a high chance of being outshined by his opening act but luckily, he also gave an incredible performance. The first thing one tends to notice when at a John Legend is the star's charisma. Audiences seemed to be stuck on every single word he spoke and he seemed to build a connection of sorts with every single person in the room. As soon as John opened his mouth, it was clear that this was going to be a performance for the books.
Every single aspect of the performance was superb. Vocally, John displayed such control and so much emotion seemed to pour out of him. The singer understands how to use his voice. He tones it down beautifully on the ballads and belts it out on the bangers. He didn't miss a note and the reminded us exactly why he is the recipient of 10 Grammy awards. John picked a fantastic bunch of back-up singers as well. The three women have mammoth voices on them and their sound compliments John Legend's vocal perfectly. They're sassy, seductive and incredibly satisfying to watch.
The entire show is performed with a live band. The musicians on stage were the cream of the crop and every artist gave their all on stage. The drums and horns were particularly impressive and John integrated them into the show beautifully. However, it's John's piano-playing skills that really stole the show. There is something so special when the star sits behind the piano and pours his heart out. It's a moment which really makes the show stand out. The star oozes sex appeal which makes this show an incredible watch. One of the highlights is when the star calls up a woman from the crowd to dance with during 'Slow Dance'. It's a surreal moment watching someone experience this once-in-a-lifetime moment and enjoying that moment on stage with John Legend.
Although John has completed the Johannesburg leg of the tour, we're already counting down to his next visit. John will play in Durban at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on November 7 before making his way to the GrandWest Grand Arena on the 9th, 10th and 11th of November. If you don't have your tickets yet, get them as soon as possible – this is a show you won't want to miss.
1. I Know Better
2. Penthouse Floor
3. Tonight (Best You Ever Had)
4. Love Me Now
5. Made to Love
6. Darkness and Light
7. Overload
8. What You Do to Me
9. Used to Love U
10. Save the Night
11. Like I'm Gonna Lose You
12. Save Room
13. Slow Dance
14. Superfly (Curtis Mayfield cover)
15. Wake Up Everybody (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes cover)
16. Ordinary People
17. Right by You (For Luna)
18. God Only Knows (The Beach Boys cover)
19. Surefire
20. Green Light
21. Who Do We Think We Are
22. You & I (Nobody in the World)
23. So High
24. All of Me
25. Glory
Feel free to comment, share or tweet @ElBroide.


text:
About Uebert Angel
Welcome to Uebert Angel new blog, here a little information about him and the wonderful work he does.
Uebert Angel is an international businessman and philanthropist. Angel owns long running cable television channels in Africa. He is a philanthropist through his "Free Earth" charitable movement, created to provide basic living needs to underprivileged people on the continent of Africa, and to lobby for policy change, and creation that would lead to the provision of basic needs to every person.
Also with Angel's desire to give back to the people, he created, "The Millionaire Academy", which was founded in order to teach members how to get into big business, and run successful businesses of their own. Using his vast experience and acute business acumen Angel's target was, and is, to break people our of poverty and into a higher realm of wealth.
He is educated in Great Britain with two degrees in Finance from Salford University. He then became a lecturer in finance in Britain. He has successfully been in business for over 15 years. He is happily married to Beverly "Bebe" Angel, who is also a business person in her own right, public figure and motivational speaker. Together they have four children, all boys.
As a UN Peace Ambassador Angel has always had an interest in helping people and positively influencing the global community. As a public figure, he has close and positive relations to many heads of state and other world leaders.
He is currently planning the construction of major landmark buildings in the UK and across the globe, as well as raising up new entrepreneurs, and helping those in need.
For more information about Uebert Angel visit his website. You can also follow Uebert Angel on Twitter for his latest news and updates.

subset: commoncrawl


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Bedford Pre-Paid Parking Card Terms and Conditions
- The Bedford Pre-Paid Parking card will be pre-loaded with R50.00 and issued to customers for a fee of R156.00 at the Information Kiosk.
- In the case of your Pre-paid card being lost or stolen, all the credit stored on your Pre-paid card is neither refundable nor transferable.
- The Bedford Pre-Paid parking card can be topped up at any Bedford Pay Station. (Please see instructions on reverse side of pamphlet) a. NOTE: If a credit card is used to top up the card, the MAXIMUM amount of R200.00 will be transferred into the Bedford Pre-Paid Parking card. If cash is used, the exact amount of cash will be transferred into the Bedford Pre-Paid Parking Card.
- The parking ticket received when entering the premises will be validated at the Information Kiosk when receiving your Bedford Pre-Paid Parking card. This allows you a free exit from the centre.
- An anti-pass back will be programmed on the card which means that the card usage should always be sequential, i.e. after the single free pass has been claimed, the card should always be used at the entrance rst and then at the exit and no skipping of transactions at either points.
- On entering the premises with the Bedford Pre-Paid Parking card, your balance will be displayed on the machine. The same will happen on exit of the premises with the Bedford Pre-Paid Parking Card.
- Please note that the validation facility is not available on the Pre-paid parking card for Planet Fitness, Woolworths or Pick n Pay.
- The credit on your Pre-paid card is not protected by a PIN and so is the equivalent of cash. Anyone who is in possession of your Pre-paid card can use the credit that is stored on it.
- Credit loaded onto your Pre-paid card is not refundable.
- Your Pre-paid card should only be used in the manner and for the purpose for which it has been designed.
- All persons entering the premises, including Pre-paid card holders, do so at their own risk. The owners, management, employees, agents and/or contractors of these premises shall not be held responsible or liable for any damages of whatsoever cause or nature.
- Should you misplace your Bedford Pre-Paid parking card and would like another, a replacement fee of R65 will be charged over and above the R50 which is loaded onto the card.
the elegant mall of bedford brings you choice!


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|forums map | news magazine | posting guidelines
|May 6th, 2006, 06:35 AM
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Mumbai | Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport | BOM
Request to all interested postees to submit new developments / pictures on Mumbai International on this page
Project Information
Mumbai's CSIA airport is currently being upgraded in light of the booming air traffic growth in the Indian aviation. According to the plan, Mumbai's airport will have a new terminal, a new ATC, new taxiways and have its old terminals upgraded.
Designed by SOM architects, a new integrated terminal spread across 4.8mn sq ft will be able to handle 40 mn passengers/annum by the time it is fully functional in 2015.
The design combines an innovative set of swing facilities to optimize utilization of the terminal across the 24-hour operational day.
L&T constructions bagged the $1.4bn contract to construct the terminal in November 2007.
The integrated terminal will be built in 2 phases. In the first phase, the international terminal T2A will be torn down and will pave the way for the construction of one side of the new terminal. This section is expected to be opened in 2013. In the second phase, T2B+T2C will be torn down to make way for the second and last section of the new terminal. Construction of this section will end in 2015.
Proposed Developments:
Video - slides showing the design features
Key Facilities at the Revamped CSIA:
Facilities Proposed Existing Parking stands for aircraft 106 84 Boarding Bridges 66 18 Check-in counters 339 182 Car parking 12000 3600
Another new terminal dubbed T1C has also been constructed. It was opened in April 2010 and connects T1A and T1B. This terminal also houses a 72 room hotel.
Some pictures taken by fellow member KB335ci2:
Design of the new ATC tower that'll be ready in 2012:
It has been designed by HBS architects and according to fellow member KB335ci2, it'll be 98.4m tall. Here's an awesome sketch drawn by him -
Apart from those developments, city-side infrastructure for hotels, business centres, retails, entertainment and leisure are also being developed.
Last edited by IU; June 23rd, 2012 at 08:40 PM.
|May 7th, 2006, 03:18 AM
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have the renderings been out or still in the process? i remember seeing some pics in the Mumbai thread.
|May 9th, 2006, 10:53 AM
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any designs of the new look terminal on the web yet?
|May 10th, 2006, 06:02 AM
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I have tried to go on the GVK site but it is painfully slow and their airport section just doesnt show any consequence.
In the past, some people have posted renderings of famous architect (M.Contractor) with a glass facade but that's about it. Nothing much else has come out after that.
|May 10th, 2006, 06:44 AM
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News published on the ACSA Website
Following public announcement by the Government of India regarding the outcome of the tender for the modernisation of Indias two main airports in Mumbai and Delhi, the GVK SA consortium is delighted to confirm that they have been officially informed that they are winners of the Mumbai International Airport bid. The contract is to modernise, operate, develop and manage Mumbai International Airport to achieve world-class standards.
The GVK-SA Consortium comprises well-known Indian infrastructure group GVK and South African companies Airports Company South Africa Limited (ACSA) and The Bidvest Group Limited (Bidvest). The consortium will partner the Government of India who will retain a 26% shareholding in the airport during the concession period of thirty years with an option for a further thirty years. The consortium interest is split GVK 37%, ACSA 10% and Bidvest 27%.
From now onwards further engagements will be aimed at finalising the transaction and preparing for the transfer of the airport. ACSA will discharge its responsibilities with humility and the spirit of ubuntu that Africans are renowned for, a principle that is core to our philosophy in doing business. ACSA will roll out its intellectual know-how consisting of policies and procedures, information technology solutions, total quality management, environmental management, maintenance and engineering, safety, service standards, capacity planning and master plans, project management, route and traffic development and stakeholder management, says ACSA Managing Director Ms Monhla Hlahla.
She further says that in terms of human resource development, ACSA will provide technical exchange programmes as part of its skills transfer initiatives within various functional areas. However, I must hasten to mention that the learning experience will be a two-way process for ACSA and Mumbai International Airport employees. Through these initiatives ACSA will clearly gain invaluable experience from exposure to the Indian environment. This transaction will therefore enrich all employees and partners involved. Furthermore, it stands to create job opportunities within ACSA as seasoned professionals are posted to Mumbai on an ongoing basis.
Another area of focus where we believe we will extract value for the Government of India is through non-aeronautical commercial activities as ACSA is particularly well positioned to realise an all-encompassing commercial transformation for Mumbai International Airport. The remarkable growth of commercial revenue has contributed significantly to ACSAs financial success over the years. It has grown by 364% in the last eight years at a rate nearly three times that of the companys aeronautical revenues. In the financial year ending 31 March 2005 the commercial division contributed 45,5% of total Group revenues and 76,6% of ACSAs headline net operating profit, Ms Hlahla added.
Ms Hlahla says ACSAs 10% shareholding in the concessionaire vehicle is a show of commitment to the project and our belief in the project economics of this transaction. Our role will be that of an airport operator which is to rehabilitate, develop, operate and manage the airport on behalf of the concessionaire
For ACSA, this acquisition will significantly enhance the growth of the company over the concession period, especially with the high traffic growth rates forecast in Asia. Mumbai is the commercial capital of India and one of the ten largest cities globally with about 18 million inhabitants. The predicted growth of air traffic in India is enormous borne out by the aircraft orders placed by airlines as well as the increase in living standards in India.
With regard to the selection of GVK as a partner, Ms Hlahla says that after a thorough and comprehensive process GVK was selected as the South African consortium's partner for the bid. The choice of GVK as a partner was primarily due to their commitment to the project, their experience in Indian infrastructure projects particularly in the power sector, toll-roads and urban infrastructure, their successful partnerships in the past with credible international partners such as the IFC, their ability to raise debt finance in the Indian market, their approach of an equal partnership with the South African consortium and their shared values regarding corporate governance.
ACSAs Acting Chairperson Dr Franklin Sonn says the transaction for the modernisation and management of Mumbai International Airport to the GVK-SA is a turning point for ACSA as we are souring to new heights on the international front, that is, we are fast becoming a pre-eminent airport operator of choice based on a number of requests for partnership we receive in respect of various international airport bids.
I am certain that this is as a direct result of the efforts of all the people of ACSA, who on a daily basis, power the company forward. However, our geographic focus is very clear and we will maintain a deliberate focus on the African continent and will obviously look at opportunities within the Indian Ocean Islands to leverage the Mumbai International Airport opportunity. ACSA will continue to seek opportunities in other regions mainly within the African continent and the Indian Ocean islands, he added.
|May 10th, 2006, 08:06 AM
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No more flights from Santacruz terminal
All flights to take off from sahar airport
GVK's 'master plan' for airport modernisation includes new runway at Sahar, a vertical parking lot outside the airport and a five-star hotel at the AAI quarters
The Hyderabad-based GVK group given the contract for modernising Mumbai's airport plans to operate all domestic flights from Sahar and from the new airport planned at Navi Mumbai. The current domestic terminal at Santacruz will be used exclusively for cargo, according to the new master plan designed by GVK.
The master plan was discussed at a meeting of the group's officials in Mumbai last week after they took charge of the airport from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) on May 4. GVK won the contract for the airport's modernisation in April this year.
A "second and parallel runway" will be constructed at Sahar in order to manage increased traffic once the domestic traffic too is shifted there, a top GVK official told this paper.
"The parallel runway will ensure that two flights can take off at the same time and thus reduce waiting time," the official noted.
At present, nearly 300 flights take off from the domestic airport at Santacruz every day, while more than 250 flights take off from the international airport daily.
Also, in order to better use the four-acre space occupied by the parking lot outside the international airport, a seven-storey vertical parking lot will be built in the same place. The vacant space will be used to build restaurants and cafetarias, officials said. Inside the airport, the revamp will ensure better seating arrangements with lounges, upgraded toilets and enough trolleys, along the lines of world-class airports.
The group also has plans to build a five-star hotel barely ten minutes away from Sahar airport, inside the AAI employees' quarters at Chakala, Andheri (E). The hotel, that will pose competition to numerous other plush hotels around the airport, would aim to maximise profits from the Rs 10,000 crore that the group has invested in the modernisation project, officials said.
The AAI colony has around 1,000 houses. These too will be pulled down and rebuilt on the same premises.
"Work on the hotel will start only after the AAI employees are shifted to the new buildings," a senior AAI officials said.
The GVK is holding several meetings with the AAI to take these plans forward and provide better facilities to passengers.
|May 10th, 2006, 10:47 AM
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so what are they going to do with the terminal buildings? renovate them for use as terminals and cargo facilities or demolish them in phases and make totally new ones?
the domestic terminal has excellent access, but i guess there isnt enough area around it to build a large terminal for all flights. good to hear that they are optimistic about the parallel runway though. from the sounds of it though it seems that this will be a stop-gap till the new airport in new bombay is built, which they hinted at. hope that also comes through soon. would be nice to also hear how they are going to organise transport around the airport. just went to the airport side today and they seem to have demolished a lot of slums by the side of the roads and have started widening it
|May 10th, 2006, 12:12 PM
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What is going to happen to the terminal which is recently being renovated by hafeez?
Really feel bad that there is not much info bout Mumbai airport modernisation on net compared to so many bout delhi now including new designs etc... mumbai seems to be a neglected one even when considering that international travel demands are higher than Delhi (BA, SIA, all starting double daily flights to mumbai before they start from Del)
|May 10th, 2006, 12:50 PM
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its due to its condition with regards to available area and slums. everyone knows the present one can at best be stop-gap till the new airport comes along, while delhi can be a long term investment. with the land available being the same bombay would certainly create as much news and articles as delhi if not more. anyways i am not too bothered by the announcements. the actual work that will be done is more important
|May 10th, 2006, 02:34 PM
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speaking of new airport especially Navi mumbai airport, here is a link from their site... The first day of operation indicates that either this site isnt updated for years .. or there is an airport u/c which I dont know.... Can someone confirm the status?
|May 10th, 2006, 02:41 PM
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its still a gleam in some planner's eye. they have not even decided the site
|May 10th, 2006, 02:41 PM
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1. The parallel runway will probably be a shorter one than the existing primary runway. But it can still be used for takeoffs and by smaller aircraft while the other one is used for landing and for larger aircraft. Not a perfect solution, but better than the present one.
2. I wonder what they plan at the current international terminal in the long term. Demolition and construction of a new terminal (while it is in operation like in the case of Terminal 1B) or renovation/extension of the existing one.
|May 10th, 2006, 02:42 PM
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Navi Mumbai airport is yet to be approved. Under the contract for the Mumbai airport, the GVK consortium will have first rights over the new project. It will be offered to other bidders only if GVK refuses. It seems from the report that GVK wants to invest in and run the Navi Mumbai airport as well.
|May 10th, 2006, 02:44 PM
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I was watching some SSC archives of last yr regarding this just now.. 29A Saw some construction going on at the site... any updates??
|May 10th, 2006, 04:52 PM
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I am not sure what he saw but only a compound wall has been constructed (to demarcate the acquired land) and a board put up on the site, if you can call that 'construction'. There will be no construction till the project is approved. There is a long way to go before even bidding begins.
|May 10th, 2006, 04:56 PM
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The reason the master plan for Mumbai is taking more time than in Delhi is because Mumbai is a much tougher airport to upgrade than Delhi. No master plan can be prepared until the plan for removal of encroachments is completed. Unless the planners know what land will be available to them and when, working out a master plan is hard. Delhi does not have that problem - it has more than adequate land in AAI custody for a second runway and for terminals. Hence, the masterplan is also straightforward. Also, the traffic plan outside the airport is much more complicated in Mumbai's case than in Delhi.
|May 10th, 2006, 05:16 PM
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1400 crores expenditure for airport slum rehabilitation
Mumbai, April 20: PEOPLES representation and a democratic process. Thats what the 85,000-odd slum dwellers encroaching upon 171 acres of airport land are asking for.
And lending them support is former member of Parliament Shabana Azmis Nivara Hakk Suraksha Samiti (NHSS), which has drawn a blueprint for their resettlement on a portion of Airports Authority of India (AAI) land itself.
Rehabilitation cannot be enforced by a central authority, said Azmi, chairperson of NHSS, which helped rehabilitate 13,000 squatters from Sanjay Gandhi National Park to Chandivalithe state wanted to relocate them to far-off Kalyan and Shirdon.
Instead, she added, alliances of like-minded organisations should be formed to highlight slum dwellers aspirations and work out a rehab package that will be acceptable to all.
Accordingly, on Tuesday, the NHSS will hold a meeting where slum dwellers residing around the airport can discuss the alternatives available. Rehabilitation is not merely shifting houses, said Azmi. Its shifting livelihoods, it means resistance and fragmentation.
While the GVK-SA consortium is already in talks with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and NGO SPARC, clearing slums from airport land is unlikely to be smooth, especially considering how similar attempts in the past have failed. But the mood is hopeful.
We got a positive response from the Civil Aviation minister and we will take this further, said architect P K Das, who has identified three AAI plots in Santacruz-Vile Parle, Kurla and Andheri to build the three-and four-storey structures. Our plan has been worked out to ensure the critical areas are cleared and do not fall in the funnel area of aircraft, he added.
Sunder Padhmukh (36) is also hopeful. This is an axe waiting to fall on our heads. Its best to be prepared and let the government know our demands, said the former teacher, who has used the Right to Information Act and requested for AAI resettlement plans, but to no avail.
AAI employee Baloo Khandgade (34) is not as enthusiastic, though. Even if we say what we want, who will hear us? They will move us to Dahisar and I will have to quit my job, he said.
The plan
* Encroached land: 150 acres
* Land for the airport and rehabilitation: 75 acre each
* Houses to be built: 50,000
* Average area per dwelling: 269 sq ft
* Construction rate: Rs 7,000 per sq m
* Construction cost: Rs 875 crore
* Other expenditure: Rs 520 crore
* Total expenditure: Rs 1,395 crore
|May 10th, 2006, 05:22 PM
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i wonder how yesterday's supreme court verdict will affect the above. i am guessing the state will have to pay anyways to ensure our lovely politicians corner their votes. and they will be rehabilitated in the same area, as vote banks who keep on shifting are of no use
|May 13th, 2006, 10:53 AM
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Clear 10,000 encroachers in 6 months: GVK
Consortium lists plans for airport, wants MMRDA to free land, relocate displaced to transit camps
Chitrangada Choudhury & Lekha Agarwal
Mumbai, May 11: CLEAR over 12 per cent of the 80,000-odd encroachers on Airports Authority of India (AAI) land by year end. And relocate those displaced to transit camps, in six months.
This was what the GVK-ACSA consortium conveyed to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) Commissioner T Chandra Shekhar late on Thursday evening.
In charge of the Mumbai airports modernisation and upgradation, members of the consortium met officials of the MMRDA, the project-implementing authority, and handed over an initial development scheme on its airport reorganisation plans.
Last year, the MMRDA had submitted a resettlement proposal to the Civil Aviation Ministry. But things have changed now.
The consortium plans to change the airport layout. The current domestic terminal will be converted to a dedicated cargo complex while the international terminal will cater to all passenger traffic, said a top MMRDA official. This changes the dynamics.
Chandra Shekhar said the modalities would only be worked out once the consortium returned with a more detailed plan. But for now, building a new runway is the immediate priority.
While the MMRDA will be responsible for resettling the project-affected peoplethe numbers are likely to be much higher than MMRDA estimatesarchitect Mukesh Mehta has been appointed to conduct the baseline socio-economic survey that will determine whos eligible for rehabilitation.
Mehta, who was the brain behind the Dharavi redevelopment proposal, will be expected to complete the survey in three months. We have to rehabilitate the slum dwellers in a manner thats sustainable and enhances their life, a view that GVK fully shares, said Mehta.
The resettlement will be in accordance with the states rehabilitation policy, which means the cut-off date will be January 1, 2000.
Meanwhile, the joint venture company and MMRDA are yet to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Last month, the MoU was put on hold after Reliance approached the Supreme Court claiming that the process of awarding the contracts for the Delhi and Mumbai airports was illegal and arbitrary.
The matter will come up for hearing on June 1, after which the MoU is likely to be signed.
|May 21st, 2006, 08:56 AM
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Mumbai Airport
Now that it is almost confirmed the domestic terminal is going to be converted for Cargo and the current international would be expanded to host domestic and international, does any one have the blue print of the entire airport?
I remember seeing a layout on Indian Aviation thread a while ago showing various terminals, offices and slums..
|Thread Tools


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A competency hearing for an 11-year-old girl charged with killing an infant from Clinton has been rescheduled to March 15 because of the snowstorm.
Judge Charles LaVerdiere on Wednesday granted a motion by John Martin, the attorney for Kelli Murphy of Fairfield, to postpone the hearing that was scheduled Thursday in Skowhegan District Court.
Martin said his client "lives a great distance away and would be required to travel in hazardous conditions." Assistant Attorney General Andrew Benson did not object.
The girl is charged with manslaughter in the death of 3-month-old Brooklyn Foss-Greenaway, who died in July while staying overnight at the home of Murphy's mother, Amanda Huard.
The infant reportedly was alone with Murphy in a bedroom hours before police responded to a 911 call from Huard, who reported that the baby was not breathing.
An autopsy revealed that the infant died from suffocation and had trace amounts of prescription medication in her system that matched medication Murphy was taking.
The girl is the youngest person to be charged with manslaughter in at least 25 years, state police have said.
Her mother, who was accused of neglect by the state Department of Health and Human Services for allowing Murphy to be alone with the infant, has not been charged.
In October, LaVerdiere ordered a competency hearing to determine whether Murphy has the mental acuity to stand trial. Her attorney subsequently requested that the hearing be closed because it might include discussion of sensitive information.
Benson opposed the request, saying that a secret proceeding could "violate the trust imposed by the public in its institutions of justice."
In a decision issued Monday, LaVerdiere sided with Martin but said that only the competency hearing will be closed.
The judge said much of the information uncovered in a competency exam would not be relevant to the public, but state statute "explicitly renders information disclosed by the juvenile in the context of the examination inadmissible" in a trial.
Eric Russell can be contacted at 791-6344 or at:
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Arts & Entertainment
Fans visiting 'Stranger Things' sets bring boon to business
Maine home sales flat, prices up slightly in July
Local & State
Director of Bicycle Coalition of Maine is stepping down
Nation & World
Parkland shooting survivors issue sweeping gun control plan after Trump backtracks
Maine Crime
Kennebec Journal Aug. 21 police log


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How to Host a Corporate Open House
Whether your company has recently moved to a new location or remodeled its existing one, hosting an open house is a fun way to show off your space to clients, friends and family. It'll take a bit of work to successfully throw a memorable open house, so read on for advice on getting started!
Divide and Conquer
Planning an event of this level of importance is a huge feat for just one person, so recruit at least two or three of your coworkers. Does someone consider himself or herself a beer connoisseur? Put them in charge of drinks. Is someone else interested in interior design? Give them a budget for centerpieces, a welcoming display and any other needed decor.
Other tasks that can be divvied up among volunteers include ordering food, scoping out entertainment, organizing gift bags, and creating and sending out invitations.
Picking a Date
It may be a little challenging – depending particularly on the size of your company – but try to choose a date that works for most people. Choose a date at least two months out to give everyone plenty of notice. Two months also allows for ample time to compile a guest list, send out invitations, and complete other preparations.
A couple of helpful tips: avoid summer and give yourself enough time! Summertime is vacation time, and navigating around everyone's time off is guaranteed headache. Also, don't think that you have to host the open house immediately after moving in; contrarily, aim for six to nine months after the move or renovations are completed.
Hire a Caterer
Pick-up or full service – catering the food for your open house is a no-brainer. At MCL Catering, we make food (and drinks, if you want) the easiest item to check off of your to-do list.
With full service catering, we'll treat you to a menu tasting and help select the best homemade dishes for your occasion. On the day of, we'll show up in our polished MCL Catering van to set up the spread. Our professionally dressed wait staff can pass hor d'oeuvres and make sure that your food spread is always stocked. After the event, we'll clean up and leave your area cleaner than when we arrived.
If you prefer more of a hands-on experience, place your catering order, and pick it up at your convenience or have it delivered.
Have an Entertainment Plan
Music is the way to go with an open house. It adds to ambiance while still allowing people to chat and mingle. If you have a speaker system, create a Spotify or iTunes playlist to play. Otherwise, hire a DJ who comes equipped with his or her own sound system, or book a band.
Also, it's easy for everyone to congregate in the same area. Consider a building-wide scavenger hunt that will encourage guests to move around and tour the space.
Finally, don't forget the brand swag! Send guests home with a coffee mug, tote or t-shirt with your logo on it.
Need More Help?
MCL Catering offers full event planning services in addition to catering. To get more information or advice on planning your company's corporate open house, contact us today!


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West Virginia Coach Stewart: 'Maryland is still Maryland'
I wanted to pass along some initial thoughts from West Virginia Coach Bill Stewart on the upcoming matchup in Morgantown:
"Maryland is Maryland. They are tough, they've got speed, and they're ACC. They had a bad year last year. These guys have won, and they had our number there for awhile. When Scotty [McBrien] was over there they beat us three times in a two-year span, I mean this is going to be a heck of a football game and each and every year since 1980 it's been like that for the last 30 years. So this is going to be big. You talk about their quarterbacks, how about those two running backs?
"They're hitting on all cylinders, and they came out against Navy and it was bang, bang, bang, touchdown, touchdown, before Navy could blink. They got some breaks in the red zone, and then they came back and stopped Navy when they had to. They have my total attention. I'm worried, I don't think our players should have any trouble in my mind getting up for these guys. Having not played them the last two years could maybe hurt us, maybe that will hurt them, I don't know. Maybe it will help us. They are a good football team, and they're out to have a good year, and it looks like they're on track to do that.
Stewart went on to talk about the quality of a game he expects Saturday.
"Tommy Bratton and I have worked together. I've coached against Ralph (Friedgen) for many, many years and many on his staff I've coached against. I know they have an excellent coaching staff, they don't have a good coaching staff, they have an excellent coaching staff.
"Maryland is still Maryland, they've had a rough couple of years, now they have not only won, but they have an excellent quarterback and I know that with (Da'Rel) Scott running that ball or (Davin) Meggett running that ball they're going to be very, very difficult. Defensively, I've known those guys for years, they're going to sic' 'em, they're going to blitz us, they're going to just create havoc, and I just hope and pray we can create some big plays and get them off balance. I swear to God, this is going to be a whale of a football game."
Eric Prisbell
September 14, 2010; 8:14 AM ET
Categories: Football
Save & Share: Previous: Adams as an option at running back
Next: A closer look at Maryland's men's basketball schedule
I would disregard any comments made by Stew - he is lucky to have a head coaching job and basically a complete moron.
Posted by: capsfansince74 | September 14, 2010 10:24 AM | Report abuse
tell us how you really feel capsfan
Posted by: fushezzi | September 14, 2010 11:31 AM | Report abuse
What's wrong with respecting your opponent, Capsfan? Trash talking isn't in Stewart's repertoire, nor should it be. Winning, however, has been.
Posted by: NatsFly | September 14, 2010 2:26 PM | Report abuse
What coach in his right mind is going to trash talk about a team before they play. Stewart knows better than to disrespect a team, one because he's actually a class guy and wouldn't badmouth anyone, and two he doesn't want to give bulletin board fodder for his opponent. Only complete idiots would psych the other team up like that. Anyone remember that defensive coach of the Bills and what he said before the Super Bowl about the Redskins? He got fired the day after the game.
Posted by: ecglotfelty | September 14, 2010 2:59 PM | Report abuse
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Born in London, Rose Tremain was a graduate of the University of East Anglia, where she taught creative writing from 1988 to 1995. She has written 12 novels, most recently The Road Home, winner of the 2008 Orange Prize, and Trespass (2010). She is also the author of four collections of short stories. Her novel Music and Silence won the 1999 Whitbread Best Novel Award, and Sacred Country won the 1994 Prix Femina Etranger. She was awarded a CBE in 2007, and lives with writer Richard Holmes in Norwich and London.
"The best of our living short story writers"Independent on Sunday
"An expert at conveying the kind of apparently inconsequential detail that might be the moment of definition in someone's life"Times Literary Supplement
"Tremain is elegant, cool and teasing … an extremely accomplished writer, ingenious and acute, compassionate and always in control"Daily Telegraph
"A true writer of fiction... a writer whose every book has been a pleasure"Scotsman
Rose Tremain
Publication October 2010
Price: £20.00


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Internal Audit provides independent and objective audit and consulting services to Saint Joseph's University to evaluate strategy, operations, reporting, and compliance management systems. Our approach is collaborative and with foresight. We work to support the University in its mission, and our goal is to help operating units achieve their objectives and make informed decisions through proactive risk identification, assessment, and response.
Internal Audit is accountable to the Finance & Audit Committee of the University's Board of Trustees and reports administratively to the Vice President of Finance & Administration and Treasurer.
Chris Garrity is the Director of Internal Audit. Resources for the Internal Audit function are provided by its co-source partner that offers on demand staffing and subject matter expertise to assist with risk management and audit projects, or requests to provide advice regarding controls, policies, or processes.
If you have any questions or would like to seek Internal Audit advice or assistance, please contact Chris at (610) 660-1354 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Internal Audit's office is located at the University's 219 City Avenue location. We are here to help!


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Support on My Esri - Requesting support for UK Products/
My previous blog post discussed how to request a new support case via My Esri. In this post I wanted to provide a little extra information about how to request a new case for Esri UK Products.
When you load the Request Case web form you are presented with three drop-down menus: Product Category, Product Sub-Category and Product. To locate and select an Esri UK product (or Third Party Product purchased through Esri UK) select the following options:
Here you can find Esri UK's Marketplace applications and Esri UK's Desktop and Server products such as ProductivitySuite, CrimeAnalyst and LocatorHub.
For customers with an Application Support (TSA) agreement, always select the Product "Application (TSA)" when requesting a new case through My Esri.
It is worth mentioning that in this initial release of Support on My Esri it's not currently possible to select the version of the Esri UK product when requesting a new case. This is something we are working on and hope to make available in the near future. In the meantime, please be sure to include the product version in your Issue Description instead to help us resolve your query as quickly as possible.


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Armenia's Areni cave: The oldest wine cellar in the world
Going on a trip to experience Armenian wine, thanks to the Vine & Wine Foundation isn't really complete without a stop to the Areni-1 cave complex. This natural cave right next to the village of Areni is currently believed to be the oldest place in the world where wine has been produced, dating to about 4,100BCE meaning that it's over 6,000 years old.
"Wait!" you might have just said without saying, "Doesn't Georgia lay claim to this 'oldest wine' thing with 8,000 years?" Yes, but this is where it gets confusing and why anyone wanting to say, "We made wine here first!" is opening up a can of worms as we know that it's the Caucasus region as a whole where the wine we know came from but it could be that someday, in Northern Iran or Eastern Turkey we might even find an older spot than any found to date.
To clarify, it works like this: the Georgians, at the Kvemo Kartli site (which is very close to the Armenian border) found residue traces of wine that have been dated to 6,000BCE. This shows proof that wine was made 8,000 years ago, but it can't be stated as absolute fact that it was made there. The Areni site in Armenia is actually an entire complex where they uncovered all the full workings of an actual cellar that had been preserved due to the roof of the cave collapsing. So one spot is the oldest trace of wine and the other is the oldest spot where wine was made.
If you don't want to remember all of this, just stick to the adage that I prefer which is: wine has been with us as long as taxes and prostitution. Come to think of it, it might have even been the cause of both…
At this site, they began excavations in 2007 and finished them in 2010 unearthing a fully-functional wine cellar, not to mention the oldest leather shoe in the world. The cellar is an interesting site to see with various fermentation vessels and tanks. It's quite easy to see how they went about their winemaking business in those days and it doesn't really vary all that much from what we do today with a fermentation tank and then storage of the wine.
Of course today you're not going to find bits of human sacrifice in the wine containers of today. That part was a bit gnarly but so it went in ancient times. Of course they must have thought the adding blood to the wine blessed it as the resulting wine would have been a great deal clearer than others due to blood being a fining aging that clumps up all the particulate bits in normal wine. These days we use egg whites or other chemicals which undoubtedly those, 6,000 years in the future will find to be primitive and crude because they'll have powdered laser beams or some kind of crazy future shit.
In case you'd like to drop in, it's not hard to find. In fact it's right off the road by the village. The tricky part is that you can go in unguided–thankfully. I was lucky enough to have Boris Gasparyan accompany my group as he's the original guy who started digging there on what he basically says is a hunch that panned out. While we listened to him, we weren't alone as many other groups came and went, kicking up the dust and clomping through the cave. That part was a bit worrying to me as in this cave we have a site of untold cultural heritage and yet countless people come through it often. I can only hope they drop down the numbers a bit over time.
Definitely an interesting stop and it afforded us the ability to swing through the annual Areni Wine Fest the same day, which at about two hours from Yerevan, down a rather bumpy road isn't something you get to do everyday and was just another part of the journey.


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PMP Exam Prep SILVER LIGHT Bundle
PMP Exam Prep SILVER LIGHT Bundle
The silver light bundle includes 2 training products: our popular 35 contact hours course and the challenging 2 simulated PMP exams. A great training combination of PMP Exam prep course, practice questions and exam simulation plus a good value for your money.
Print this
Bundle Summary
This Bundle of 2 training products is designed to maximize your study time and effort and you get the 2nd product at 50% discount!! PMCAMPUS.com is committed to make training worth your money!
The "PMP Exam Prep Platinum Package" includes three training products:
- 1) The "35 Hour PMP Exam Prep" Course [PMP35H]": by completing this course, you will obtain your certificate of 35 contact hours. Our 3-step training method provides a structured learning path, plenty of simulation and feedback. The learning path is targeted for optimal engagement with the material and the sequencing of the activities is optimized to ensure that you will sail smoothly to PMP exam success.
- 3) The "PMP 2 Simulated Exams [PMP3EX]": Each exam is balanced and provides a similar experience than the actual PMP exam. Includes 100% comprehensive explanations and source reference. A final reliable experience to make sure you are ready to pass your PMP exam on the first attempt!
Not Sure which Bundle or Course is best for you? Review comparison page for bundles and courses.
Want to try it before buying? Sign up now to free demo and get immediate access to samples of this course.


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My Soul Says "YES"
My Soul Says "YES"
Is your disposition towards Jesus "Yes"? I'm so thankful for the ministry of Jesus and how his physical life on earth shows the perfect example of a life of "Yes" to the Father. In three years, Jesus accomplished more than we can imagine for our broken humanity. We can be tempted to think, "Well, yeah… he was God," but that neglects the very real human nature that Jesus put on by coming to earth. He got hungry. He got tired. Even then, with all that humanity on, he was able to show the kingdom of God on earth in his ministry.
In Matthew 6 when Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray, he starts by praising the Father and then says, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Jesus, in his human nature, relied on prayer as the foundation to his earthly ministry. Just consider how much he went off to pray. God can do whatever he wants, but for his own good pleasure he chose to demonstrate his kingdom on earth through people.
Jesus not only spiritually died for us; he physically died for us as well. God is about changing things physically and spiritually. The kingdom of God is made tangible through the people of God, and prayer keeps us connected to our source of power and life. When Jesus asks us to pray that God's will would be done on earth, it's because we should assume that if nobody prays, then his kingdom will not be manifested on earth (or at least much less than it would be otherwise). This is a very sobering reality. This is how Jesus asks us to pray. We make the kingdom of God a reality on earth first through prayer, and then through action. We always start with prayer and there we receive the grace and power we need to carry out God's mission: that every man, woman and child in our area would be given a chance to respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Unless we pray, lostness grows. Unless we pray, darkness overtakes. Unless we pray, we may be satisfied with our own selfish pursuits. The people of God must pray. The future of our city depends on it.
We have a few opportunities we'd like to keep in front of you as we seek to grow in prayer:
- Churchwide Prayer Gathering: We are gathering as a church to pray THIS coming Sunday, March 11 from 5-6pm in Room 204. Childcare is available by registration here: http://hcbcpf.com/registration
- Unceasing Prayer Movement: We have joined well over 50 churches in Austin to adopt a day and fill it with prayer for our city. Our day is every second Wednesday of the month. Please consider filling a 30-minute time slot at: http://hcbcpf.com/dayofprayer. We have 12 slots left!
God bless you all! Let's pray!
More in The Feed Feature
May 16, 2019What's Your Story?
March 14, 2019Northgate Church
March 8, 2019Discovery Night is this Sunday!


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Topics will include: "Integrated Pest and Disease Control; and Feature Farm's Pastured Poultry, Flowers, and high tunnel". Insects, weeds, diseases, and other pests can severely damage and destroy crops, reduce crop yields, and negatively impact crop quality. Top experts from Mississippi State University Extension Service, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and experienced farmers will show farmers and gardeners how to prevent, identify, monitor, and control insects, diseases, weeds, and other pests.
This field day is being hosted by Levee Run Farms. The farm owner is Leann Hines. Her grandparents moved to this site from Sunflower County in 1940 when it was a small cotton and cattle farm. They have been raising pastured layers and broilers along with limited vegetable production since 2008. In 2013, they added an NRCS high tunnel in order to raise vegetables year round. In 2014, they began cut flower growing in the field and high tunnel and is adding fruit trees each year. Water conservation, fertility improvement, and sustainability are just a few of their goals.
There is NO COST to attend this event, but PRE-REGISTRATION is required!
TO REGISTER SEND EMAIL TO: firstname.lastname@example.com
LEVEE RUN FARMS is located at 802 Grenada Blvd. Ext, Greenwood, MS 38930. FROM NORTH: 28 miles south of Grenada via Hwy. 7, turn left on Grenada Blvd. Ext just as highway starts to turn from 2 lanes to 4 lanes. FROM SOUTH, EAST, AND WEST: turn north from Hwy 82 onto Hwy 7 North (toward Grenada), travel approx. 1 1/2 miles to Grenada Blvd. Ext, turn right and we are the 7th house on the right. Blue mailbox and grey/white barn. Contact: Farm Owner, Leann Hines, 662-392-4189. TO REGISTER EMAIL: email@example.com. (Pre-registration is required)


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Singers Contestants of Rising Star Season 1 will be Performing live and Voting will be Happened Live. See how to Vote and Support for your Favorite Rising Star Singer Contestants.
Rising Star Voting (Live Voting System - VOOT App Download Apk)
Rising Star Colors TV Application Downloading Link is Available below. Vote Live for your
Favorite Singer Contestant and Support them.
Download VOOT App for Android and iPhonesDownload VOOT App to Vote and be the 4th Judge of reality show Rising star 2017 Season 1. You can watch Rising star 2017 Season 1 and vote through Colors TV App for Android and iPhones. Also you can watch from Fiction shows to Format shows to Reality shows to Blockbuster Movies on Colors TV Application.
Voting Poll and Results will be Available Live.
Rising Star will be Aired on Colors Television Channel very Soon.
Steps to download Voot App to Vote:
- Click on the link for Andriod mobile Download Colors TV App for Android
- Clink on the link for iPhone Download Colors TV App for iPhones
- The new page will be open. Then find the Install Button as shown below in snapshot.
Enjoy your Favourite Shows with Voot TV App:Watch Videos of your favourite shows whenever you want to.
Enjoy Images and read news about your favourite Shows
See what others in your area are viewing using the Map view.
Follow the schedule and set reminders for your favourite shows so that you don't miss your favourite shows.
Rising Star APK Download - Android
Rising Star APK Download - iOS
COLORS' is Viacom18's flagship brand in the entertainment space in India. A combination of 'emotions' and 'variety', COLORS launched on 21st July 2008 offers an entire spectrum of emotions to its viewers. From Fiction shows to Format shows to Reality shows to Blockbuster Movies – the basket contains all 'Jasbaat Ke Rang'. 'COLORS' is dedicated to promoting 'Cohesive viewing', through programmes.
Also See - Who are the Judges and Hosts of Rising Star Singing reality show on Colors.
Keep Watching Rising Star every Saturday-Sunday 9 PM on Colors Television Channel.
More Searched: rising star colors tv app downlod, rising star voot android apk download, rising star voot iphone mobile application download, rising star apk android mobile download, rising star voting application download, how to vote rising star contestants live, rising star colors tv live voting system, how to vote rising star singers live, rising star voting colors tv android apk download, rising star colors tv ios apk download, check-in to vote for rising star, check in to vote rising star singing reality show, rising star voting online check in, rising star check in live voting system


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Share your story, build your brand.
Createrly is a Silver Spring based production company that develops original content in collaboration with local businesses and artists. Contact us for your writing, creative direction and production needs, or to join our network of artistic professionals who want to get createrly with us on current and future projects.
Nate Fisher
An eclectic mix of artistic talents, Nate is an alumni of the Savannah College of Art and Design's Dramatic Writing program and has worked on several independent productions. Nate dedicates his passion and talents to the theology of collaboration, telling stories and creating. Find him on twitter.


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The 'I Am Unborn' App
dear predeep,
I enjoy the source reaching depth of maharajji,s expounding talks. I also enjoy the background sitar slow meditative sound accompanying the talk on the track mentioned below. many of your talk presentation have a similar meditative music accompaniment on the sound tracks. i want to have these music background tracks on sitar, violin, flute etc. where and how can i get these. thanks for your devotional inspiration in the work you do. such inspiration is purely the motivation of the maharajji himself. also, in oneness love, maurice rao.


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Hey FDA, what about diabetes!?
Scott Benner
From diaTribe:"The Food and Drug Administration has begun to hold a series of patient meetings to gain a better understanding of specific diseases. Over the next five years, the agency plans to conduct at least 20 such meetings on conditions ranging from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to Narcolepsy to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.But not diabetes. That is unacceptable.Four "slots" remain open (view the current list), and we want the FDA to add diabetes to its meeting docket for 2013.According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 26 million Americans have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and an additional 79 million have prediabetes. Those numbers are also increasing each year – the CDC estimates that if current trends continue, one in three US adults will have diabetes by 2050.No one disputes that diabetes is one of America's – and the world's – most serious health epidemics. In 2012, more than one in five total US healthcare dollars was spent on diabetes, totaling $245 billion, and the government covered 62% of those costs, meaning everyone is paying for this epidemic. Despite growing needs, research dollars have also leveled off.New therapies need to be investigated, tested, and brought to market, and as part of that process, the FDA must understand the daily challenges that patients face.We need to tell our story to the FDA: about the need for accurate strips, more physiologic insulin, a broader range of drugs, and the Artificial Pancreas.Our voices need to be heard.
Thank you very much."


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By Emil Fischer
There's a lot of discussion in the jiu jitsu community about the meaning and significance of "the belt." Does the belt matter? Does it MEAN anything? Or is it simply a marketing tool to encourage people who need ongoing encouragement to stick with the art, and to help potential new students pick an instructor?
According to many sources, the original Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy didn't have a belt system to demonstrate the abilities of their students, they simply had white belts for students, light blue belts for instructors and navy blue belts for head instructors. In Judo, the original belt system was white for student black for instructor.
What does the belt mean? The belt means that your instructor has chosen to bestow upon you a demonstrated trust and belief, specifically in regards to your understanding of technique, and in some cases (not all) ability to apply it. The reality is that there are plenty of black belts who would not fare well against a large, strong white belt, but they know far more than that white belt would.
I had an experience a couple of years ago. I visited a very well regarded and respected academy, and during the open rolling session I found that the blue and purple belts were amazingly tough, but that I didn't have much difficulty with their black belts. The black belts that I rolled with were all in their 40s or older, while the blue and purple belts were active competitors in their 20s. This does not degrade the quality of these black belts, nor does it somehow magically elevate the blue and purple belts to black belt level. Belt level is an individual measure, not a grand demonstration of any construct of the art.
Belts are important because they give us something to strive for. Most of us are guaranteed to never be "the best". Very few of us will ever be a black belt world champion, but being a black belt is still an attainable goal for those who want to put in the time. However, the athleticism needed to be a superior grappler is not possessed by all who reach that black belt level. Being a grappling phenom and being a jiu jitsu black belt are two very different things, the two don't always go together…
At the end of the day, your belt will mean whatever it means to you, but it does not and cannot represent anything higher than that because of how individual your journey is. There are blue belts who are world class grapplers, and there are black belts who have trained less than 4 years. There are grappling phenoms and there are toilers who put hours, days and weeks in on the mat to get that thin strip of cloth that covers 2 inches about your butt. So the best advice anyone can give you is this: just train and don't worry about the belt. It means far less than the experience of the work you put in to get it.
Check the author out @emilfischerbjj on Facebook and Instagram
@Emil_Fischer on Twitter
Latest posts by Admin (see all)
- No School Like Old School - Aug 17, 2019
- Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles VS Paulo Miyao, 2017 ADCC Championship - Aug 10, 2019
- Anatomy Of An Inside Leg Kick - Aug 6, 2019


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TDCJ News
2012 Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards
Ben Wheeler Ministry Receives Governor's 2012 Criminal Justice Volunteer Award
(Austin) - During ceremonies in Austin today, James and Teresa Peterson of Ben Wheeler accepted the Governor's 2012 Criminal Justice Volunteer "Best Family Program" Award on behalf of the Achor Restorative Ministries - Day with Dad.
The award was presented by Oliver Bell, Chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, and TDCJ Executive Director Brad Livingston.
"Each of this year's award recipients personify a selfless dedication to helping offenders succeed both while incarcerated, and once they're released," said Livingston.
Families are devastated when a father is imprisoned, and perhaps children suffer the most. That is why Achor Restorative Ministries heals so much hurt with their Day with Dad program. Four times a year, 50 families have the opportunity to reunite in the Beto chapel for an afternoon of food, fun, fellowship, and a devotional word of encouragement.
Achor Restorative Ministries staff provides the leadership for the program, working with the chaplains and security staff to provide a successful time for all involved. Through the Day With Dad program, dads are able to mingle with their families in a less structured environment, playing a game, laughing, or just enjoying their time together.
Achor Ministries is one of 6 organizations and 13 individuals from across the state recognized today for their efforts to help offenders and those who are on parole or probation.
Note to media: For more information, contact Jason Clark, TDCJ Public Information Officer, at 936-437-6052 or by e-mail at email@example.com.


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Sheena and Adriaan's portrait session was so much fun. I was asked to take photos of them and their extended families but I am only posting of their family. There were many funny occasions and lots of laughter. Good to see a family interact so positively together.
Their little guys have so much character and the older brother had me laughing for most of the session.


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From the Free the Grapes! press release:
For 20 years, Wisconsin's wine lovers have been able to purchase wine directly from wineries licensed to do so, as well as from in-state wine retailers. But consumers will lose these privileges if the Budget Bill passes as it is currently written, according to Free the Grapes!, the national consumer grassroots coalition (http://www.freethegrapes.org/).
"These anti-consumer provisions were slipped into the Senate version of the 384-page, $66 billion, two-year Budget Bill, rather than being considered in the light of day," said Jeremy Benson, executive director, Free the Grapes! The association is encouraging consumers to visit its website at http://www.freethegrapes.org/ and use the website to send personalized letters to state legislators and Governor Doyle. The organization points out three provisions that will effectively cut-off consumers from their favorite wines and wineries, and punish Wisconsin's emerging wine industry:
** A Low-Tech Throwback to Paper Signatures: Each of the growing number of states (34) that allow legal, regulated direct-to-consumer shipments, including Wisconsin, allow electronic signature at the point of delivery by freight companies like FedEx and UPS. The Budget Bill's language would require freight companies to gather paper signatures of the recipient and report these paper documents to the State, a process they probably cannot comply with. Additionally, the language requires that drivers collect a written "attestation" that the recipient was not intoxicated at the time of delivery.
** Cumbersome Shipping Limits: While shipping limits are standard in other states, Wisconsin's current Budget Bill will limit shipments per individual rather than per winery, the standard in most other states. Because wineries cannot be sure how much wine an individual has purchased directly from others, wineries will not risk the penalties of non-compliance. Only Indiana and Massachusetts have included a per consumer aggregate purchase limit in their existing statutes; these two states are considered "prohibited" by wineries and FedEx. The proposed language also reduces consumer benefits of legal direct shipping by lowering the case limit from three cases per winery per consumer, to three cases per consumer (from all wineries).
** Regressive Licensing Fees. The Budget Bill is proposing the most regressive and onerous winery licensing fees of any state. For many wineries, the license fee will exceed the profit on wines shipped and wineries will be forced to cut-off consumers from their wine club programs
The next step for the budget bill is in the conference committee to reconcile differences in the budget between the Senate and Assembly versions.


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The Lilac Bloomsday Association presents the 43rd running of the Lilac Bloomsday Run.
Whether you plan to walk, jog or run Bloomsday, these free clinics will provide you with a medically sound, graduated conditioning and training program. Each clinic features expert information, a warm-up routine and a training course designed to maximize your preparation.
First aid and water stations are located along the routes that increase by one mile each week.
Check with your physician to be sure this exercise plan is right for you.
Saturday mornings 8:30 a.m. lecture; 8:45 a.m. warm-up; 9:00 a.m. start
Spokane Falls Community College~Gymnasium
3410 W. Fort George Wright Dr.


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Welcome to Natural Pregnancy Midwife.com.
This site has grown out of my passion for natural pregnancy and birth. About me, well my experience with natural pregnancy and childbirth began way back when I was a small child.
My mother had 5 children, following natural pregnancies some of us born at home in London, England. As the eldest I went to her prenatal appointments and was around when she went into labor with the other children. Some of my earliest memories are of the local midwife visiting our home and checking on Mom and the babies. I can still see her in her grey uniform riding her bicycle.
I can even recall the prenatal appointment with the Obstetrician when he tried External Cephalic Version (ECV) to turn my unborn baby sister from breech to head down…..without success! She came into the world breech first when I was 2 years and 2 months old! Now she has six kids of her own, including a son born by the breech at home. All her pregnancies and labors were natural, including the breech birth. Is it any wonder that I became a midwife?
After High school I started an 18 month Mothercraft Nursing (nanny) course in Australia. It was here that I first got to work with newborn babies and young moms. Within a year of completing this course I decided that I wanted to be a midwife. The journey to midwifery was a long and winding road…..about ten years after qualifying as an RN and working in different areas of healthcare I started my Midwifery training in Cornwall, England. I never looked back.
Having the privilege to be 'with women' throughout their journey into parenthood is a great gift. I have had many years of professional experience working with pregnant women, Dads and babies. Over the period of my midwifery career I have assisted women birth their babies in hospitals, Birth Centers and home; including breech babies, twins, preterm, postdates, waterbirths and more.
Each birth is unique and special, each baby is a new Human being with their own individual personality to get to know. It's lovely to keep in touch with a few of 'My' moms and babies and see how they are growing up and doing in life, fulfilling their potential as wonderful people.
After many years of enjoyable work as a midwife in England, I am now back in Australia and currently registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Association (AHPRA). As I am still passionate about natural pregnancy, birth and babies, I am putting my years of experience and my creative energies into writing this website. I started this website in August 2011 and it has been growing and expanding with new pages being added regularly since then.
If you are interested in starting a website of your own for work or pleasure read more information on
how to start your own website-based business.
Currently I am a Registered Midwife in Australia helping lots of lovely parents and babies.
Enjoy the website,
if you have any questions or suggestions about my website please Contact Me. Many thanks and enjoy your natural pregnancy. Maia
My qualifications:
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
Midwife (RM,BSc. Honors, UK)
Registerd General Nurse (RGN, Aus)
Mothercraft Nurse (N-gala, W.A. Australia)
Infant Massage Instructor (IAIM) (London, UK)


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So to continue my run of content pieces on this website, I have planned to share one of our favourite articles this week. I was hesitant to add it to this site as I really didn't want to offend the original writer, but I trust he/she is happy that I loved reading their article and planned to share it with my readers.
OK, you said 'cops' which isn't a word we generally use here in the UK. We Brits traditionally tend to refer, politely, to our 'boys in blue' as 'bobbies' or 'the old bill'.
Anyway, given that, I'm going to assume that you're asking about the American police and their longstanding partnership with the Motorola Corporation. OK, here goes…
According to Motorola's official website,
"Law enforcement communications and police communications are essential assets to the safety and security initiatives in any community. Advancing police communications allow law enforcement to be more mobile and more rapidly respond to issues. Motorola offers an extensive product line to enhance law enforcement communications with less paperwork and faster, highly reliable performance".
Motorola manufactured car radios as early as the 1920's and US police and the fire brigade used a few of these, but it wasn't until 1930 that the first police car radio was designed and built by Motorola. According to the official website,
"Sales of Motorola police radios began in November 1930. Among the first customers (all in the U.S. state of Illinois) were the Village of River Forest; Village of Bellwood Police Department; City of Evanston Police; Illinois State Highway Police; and Cook County Police in the Chicago area. As more police departments used radios, challenges emerged. Rough roads, engine noises, interference, high power consumption, and frequency instability led Paul Galvin to recognize that police departments needed a radio specifically engineered for patrol cars".
In 1936, the Motorola Police Cruiser Radio was released. It was a success and Motorola have been a trusted brand by US Police ever since. In 1939, engineer Don Mitchell created the Mobile T6920 AM Transmitter. It was another success, becoming a logical choice for the police because,
"This complete Motorola two-way radio system was priced about one-fourth as much as the competition's, and the transmitters could be installed in cars that already had receivers in the same frequency band. In 1940 the Police Department in Bowling Green, Kentucky, became the first customer for a complete Motorola AM two-way radio system. The radios were so well-designed that Galvin Manufacturing produced the same models for several years, until FM technology replaced them in the 1940s".
Clearly, the US police have a long and fruitful relationship with the Motorola Company. This obviously applies to 2 Way Radios as well. It makes good sense to employ a trusted, easy to use brand for successive generations of officers, who often have to respond swiftly and instinctively to various problems.
The first police to use two-way radios were actually Australian, but following the Second World War, mobile radios became standard issue in most first world countries.


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The ministry of health has reactivated an emergency operating centre to conduct surveillance on Ebola following an outbreak in West Africa.
By Francis Kagolo & Agencies
The ministry of health has reactivated an emergency operating centre to conduct surveillance on Ebola following an outbreak in West Africa.
"I am receiving surveillance report updates on my phone and board from time to time," Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the director general of health services, told New Vision Tuesday.
"Our surveillance team is monitoring borders including the airport. We don't want to be caught off gaurd."
At least 59 people are known to have died of Ebola in Guinea's southern forests and there are 86 more suspected infections since last week. The virus is feared to have spread to the neighbouring Liberia with six suspected cases.
And there are more fears the virus may have crossed continents, with a man returning to Canada from Liberia seriously ill in hospital after experiencing symptoms consistent with the virus, health officials said.
"As of this morning (yesterday) six cases have been reported of which five have already died -- four female adults and one male child. One of the suspected cases, a female child, is under treatment," Liberian Health Minister Walter Gwenigale said in a statement.
"The team is already investigating the situation, tracing contacts, collecting blood samples and sensitising local health authorities on the disease," he added.
Gwenigale did not specify the victims' nationalities, but Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said they were Liberian residents who had attended funerals in the Ebola-hit area of Guinea, which has strong "family ties" with northern Liberia.
The UN has warned that Guinea's Ebola outbreak is threatening to spread to more neighbouring countries including Sierra Leone.
To date, no treatment or vaccine is available for the Ebola pathogen, which kills between 25 and 90 percent of those who fall sick, depending on the strain of the virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Uganda has suffered with a ring of disastrous disease outbreaks including Ebola in recent years. Ebola killed 17 people in Kibaale district and another four in Luweero in 2012 yet dozens had died in earlier outbreaks in Bundibugyo and Gulu districts.
While Guinea and its neighbours are not known tourist destinations for Ugandans, a number of people regularly travel between West Africa and Uganda for conferences and business. Dr. Aceng however explained that no travel ban had been issued so far.
The Ebola virus is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected persons.
Transmission of the Ebola virus has also occurred by handling sick or dead infected wild animals (chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope, fruit bats), according to the WHO. The predominant treatment is general supportive therapy.
Severe acute viral illness often characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.
This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.
Uganda starts Ebola surveillance after outbreak in Guinea


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At Black Dawg, we believe in bringing people together. The creative force that happens when the right product merges with the right design, idea, people and digital presence can be amazing! Let us show you how we put the right creative minds in place to help grow your business.


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1. When washing the face for wudu is it okay to wet your hands and then wipe over your face or must you cup your hands together to fill them with water and then wash your face?
2. Is it okay rto fill a bowl with water and then use that water to do wudu with, as you are putting your hands back in that water and maybe water from your limbs falls back into that pot, is the water still okay for purifying?
3. what fiqh are these answers based on?
Assalamo Alaikum,
Wiping over your face is not sufficient as you are talk to wash the face. The scholars have states that at least drop must fall off the face which indicates that it's been washed and not just wiped.
Yes it is ok to fill a ball of water but first you must take a little of that water and wash your hands. Once your hands are washed then it's ok to put those hands into the bowl for the rest of the wudu. A few drops falling back into the bowl won't affect your wudu.
These answers are based on the Hanafi Fiqh.
Assalamo Alaikum
Answered By: Shaykh Rahil of Halal or Haram Team


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Fiesta de Azul y Garanza
Navarra, Spain
Azul y Garanza- 2017Product Code
Grape: Garnacha, Tempranillo
Size: 75cl
Alcohol: 13.5%
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£8.90 // bottle // pack
Navarra, Spain
Azul y Garanza- 2017
Deeply intense dark colour. A mass of heady ripe blackberry and dark cherry fruit leaps from the glass. Pure, beautifully ripe and glowing with health, this fine red from Navarra in north east Spain makes a very compelling argument as an alternative to Rioja, its more celebrated neighbour.
The palate of this Spanish wine is similarly easy to enjoy, crammed with a medley of raspberry, damson plum and blackberry with subtle nuances of wild scrub and herbs, topped off with a light dusting of pepper. Tannins are relaxed and gentle. All in all, a joyful glass of casual drinking red.
Azul y Garanza
The story of Azul y Garanza begins in the striking landscapes of the Bardenas Reales, an almost desert-like region in southeastern Navarre, in NE Spain. The three founders, Dani Sanchez and Maria and Fernando Barrena found the ideal conditions to start their wine business. Their love for the land and nature directs their work. Here, pesticides and weedkillers are banned from the vineyard; healthy vines give quality wines. Biodiversity is encouraged, several species of fruit trees and native aromatic shrubs have been planted in order to maintain the natural balance of the environment. Thanks to the prevailing climatic conditions here (very little rainfall, large temperature difference between day and night +/- 15C), their 40 hectares of vines are low yielding, bearing concentrated, balanced fruit. Soils are shallow, traced with clay. Old vines predominate.The winery was originally built between 1940 and 1960 (partly underground) but their subsequent renovations have resulted in a series of small concrete tanks allowing small batch vinifications according to different soils and grape varieties. To reflect individual terroirs is fundamental to Dani, Maria and Fernando. Vinifications are carried out almost exclusively in concrete tanks using natural yeasts, with only minimal interventions. Their working practices throughout are certified organic, in line with their aim to produce wines that truly reflect the landscape from which they come. Intense and pure expressions abound.
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A few months back into homeschooling and I think we're on a kinda sorta daily schedule. We're not doing nearly as much as I thought/wish/assume we should be doing, so I have to keep reminding myself that we are doing E.N.O.U.G.H. It's affirmation I give to lots of mommies but have a hard time applying to myself. Spring break turned into a 2 week hiatus due to Eden becoming quite sick, so it was sloooooooooow and painful getting back to work yesterday. Math was a total joke. For a couple of problems we both sat there staring at it like, "Uh… what exactly are we doing?"
We're not early risers around here. I could have her up and being productive by 9:00, and maybe I should, but <insert whiny voice> I don't wanna! It's hard to break away from coffee, computer, Instagram & TV. A little shameful. To be embarrassingly honest, we don't usually start working till 10:30 or 11:00. We have a short devotion time, separately, then meet up for spelling, grammar and then math. Have lunch and watch whichever series we're in the middle of. We watched all of Child Genius and Eden had to keep shushing me because I'd get so irate at
some most of the parents that I'd start yelling at the TV. And of course, our favorite, Brain Games. Then science or history, piano, reading and done for the day.
Goals for the rest of the year
- Finish 2 more science units
- Keep laughing at math mistakes
- Read more
- Keep hugging
- Keep loving
- Not give up before June


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MOSCOW — President Vladimir V. Putin on Saturday eased a sweeping ban on public protests in Sochi, Russia, starting on Tuesday and continuing through the Olympic Games next month and the Paralympic Games in March. However, any demonstrations will require approval in advance from the authorities.
The ban, which Mr. Putin ordered in August, had prompted criticism from rights groups and concern from the International Olympic Committee. The new order, posted on the Kremlin's website, seemed to be an effort to burnish Russia's reputation before the Olympics. It followed the release of some of the nation's most prominent prisoners, including the tycoon Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky, two performers from the punk band Pussy Riot and 30 Greenpeace activists.
The announcement completed plans that had been in the works to allow approved protests at a park in the Khosta district, about halfway between central Sochi and the Adler district, where the main Olympic Village is.
"Please, everybody, welcome," Dmitry Chernyshenko, president of the Olympic organizing committee, said in December when asked about criticism of Russia on issues like political freedoms, gay rights, and environmental damage from construction in Sochi. "You're free to express those opinions during the Games."
The protest zone, about nine miles from the nearest Olympic site, is similar to three created by the Chinese government during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. In China, however, the authorities refused to grant permission for any rallies and harassed or arrested those who applied.
Tanya Lokshina, Russia director at Human Rights Watch, said the easing of the ban was part of Russia's "efforts to convince critics that it's a democracy where freedom of expression is respected within reasonable limits."
"I suggest they shouldn't let themselves be convinced that easily," Ms. Lokshina said.
The restrictions on protests are part of some of the most extensive security measures ever put in place for an international sporting event. Terrorism has been a concern at all Olympic Games, but more so in Sochi because of the simmering Islamic insurgency in the North Caucasus, not far away.
Twin suicide bombings that killed at least 34 people last week in Volgograd, about 400 miles northeast of Sochi, raised new fears that followers of the terrorist leader Doku Umarov intended to make good on his threat last summer to disrupt the Games.
Beginning on Tuesday, the authorities will ban unregistered vehicles in Sochi and increase security in public places. Russia's equivalent of the National Security Agency is reported to have created a system to intercept any phone calls or emails to or from people in the area. Visitors to the Games, which begin Feb. 7, will have specially encoded passes in addition to tickets for events. Anyone seeking to hold a demonstration will have to get approval from the mayor's office and the Federal Security Service, the domestic successor to the K.G.B.
The Kremlin issued the new order as Mr. Putin toured Sochi for a second day to oversee final preparations of the two "clusters" of Olympic facilities: one in the mountains at Krasnaya Polyana, where he skied, and one on the coast, where he played hockey on a team that included the retired Russian hockey star Pavel Bure and the president of Belarus, Aleksandr G. Lukashenko. (Mr. Putin's team won, 12-3.)
Mr. Putin was accompanied by many senior government officials, underscoring the prominence of the Olympic project. With only five weeks to the opening ceremony, some sites are not ready, including the main stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies are to take place, and the ski jump, plagued by scandal and cost overruns.
Vladimir I. Yakunin, the president of Russian Railways, which built a network of train lines connecting Sochi to the Olympic sites, joined Mr. Putin as he rode the train from the mountains to the coastal cluster.
"The most difficult stage of the preparation of our facilities is finished," Mr. Yakunin told reporters, according to the Interfax news agency. "Of course, there are some details to be finished, but in general everything is ready."


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All pieces are completely unique and one of a kind – no one can ever have the same one as you! I make necklaces, cuffs, earrings and pendants, inspired by rocks, leaves, the sea, and the Scottish Highlands.
Size approx 2cm wide x 4.5cm high. Click image to take a closer look.


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Okay, disclaimer at the top - there are some shows that are technically bringers but don't suffer from all the usual problems I'll go into below. The C Word in the Belly Room at The Comedy Store comes to mind as one I've heard more positive than negative about from people I respect.
Anyway, so let's start from the top - What's a Bringer Show?
Well, a bringer show is one where the comics need to bring their own audience members in order to get stage time. It's sort of like how you have to buy a drink or pay $5 to get up at most open mic's. Logistically, this is accomplished in a number of different ways - some flat out say "You are buying x number of tickets at $10 and it's your job to sell/give them to your friends," Some say "You don't go on until at least x people have shown up to support you" and some use a more subtle technique of ordering the lineup based on the size of the audience brought. (see this hilariously accurate video)
So Why are they Bad?
Well, on the surface, even the worst case of this seems like kind of a fair trade - the young comic gets stage time at something "better" than an open mic and they get to bring their own supportive audience members to enjoy. The Promoter makes some money and so does the venue - on a presumably otherwise empty room. But it's really not good for the comics - sure, you get stage time and out of the open mic ghetto. But now you're in the Bringer ghetto. I can't tell you how many stupid Facebook invites I get from the same people doing a bunch of bringer shows every week. You know what? I never get invites from those people to actual shows.
The other thing is, there are a BILLION small rooms in this town where you can get stage time for free if that's what you want. Sure, you might be shouting over the music downstairs at Red Rock or have to get in your car and drive to the Valley or the burbs, but there's your stage time. And that's where you're going to meet the people who are a little (or sometimes a lot) ahead of you who will want to help you book other gigs because they admire your work ethic, they think you're funny, or they just like you because you let them bum a cigarette.
So, I'm not just writing this to bitch about shows that are run a certain way that I happen not to be a fan of. I actually want to tell all you comics out there Stop Doing Shitty Bringer Shows! It's the only way the practice will come to a stop. Every respectable venue in town has some kind of bringer show in one of the rooms on some night - and why not? It helps float the other nights when even great talent doesn't sell enough tickets. And the promoters sure aren't going to stop. Most of them are comics who need to support themselves and would rather it be comedy-related than "Would you like the Grande or the Venti" related. I honestly can't blame either for seizing on the opportunity.
So the only person in the system with any motivation to stop is the comic in the show. So Stop. Bring the economy of comedy back into the free market and don't subject your friends to a bunch of other horrendous acts.
Second disclaimer - Who the fuck am I to be judging you and your goals and your road to success? The comments are open if you want to excoriate me for saying this because you think I'm being unfair or naive. This is just what I've seen in a very short time by watching and listening to people I really admire.
Third disclaimer - You could accuse me of having sour grapes here. I actually don't have 2 friends who are not comics in this city. Well, actually I do, but I like those 6 people too much to ask them to come to a bringer show.


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BMW unveils super-safe motorbike that can't fall over
As a concept vehicle, it represents the company's prediction for the future of motorcycle design.
The ultra-safe system works in a number of ways. A self-balancing system keeps the bike upright, by automatically adjusting banking angles, while a set of "smart glasses" scan for hazards ahead and alert the driver in advance.
To steer the bike, the rider moves the handlebars. Instead of turning just the front wheel, this moves the entire frame, while the stabilisation system ensures that it doesn't topple over.
The design of the bike is largely based on the BMW R32, which was designed in 1923. The R32's triangular frame has been reinterpreted, with bearings and joints hidden to make the frame appear as a singular volume.
The surface of the frame is covered in matt black textile, while body elements such as the seat, upper frame cover and wings are made of carbon fibre.
The BMW logo is illuminated in blue and white colours while the bike is being driven, and red strips under the seat form the rear light and indicators.
This is the fourth and final concept vehicle to be released by BMW as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations.
The first, a shapeshifting car with built-in computers that could predict driver desires and behaviour, was unveiled in March 2016.
Since then, the German company has released a car that changes colour depending on the driver's mood, and a luxury vehicle with a built-in red carpet.
[via Dezeen]
Architect - Tech Writer - 3D Artist - 3D printing enthusiast


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Norm Macdonald: "Me Doing Standup" (Review)
Only a certain kind of comic can adventurously open his set with a death riff.
For lack of a better word (because there is no other word, until now), we will call this sort of confidently kooky comedian: grimsical. Yeah, yeah: half grim, half whimsical.
Norm Macdonald acts grimsical much of the time on Me Doing Standup, his sometimes sentimental and consistently sharp new album from Comedy Central Records, though all the while sounding mordant, not morbid, an impressive achievement maybe only a funnyman of his stature can accomplish.
Always the smart aleck, always the wise guy, first as the anchor of Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live in the '90s, now as the host of Sports Show With Norm Macdonald, a SportsCenter spoof on Comedy Central, Macdonald speaks fluent sarcasm. On Me, he uses that skill to soften hard truths (some personal) about mortality and violence and disease– unusual comic topics, agreed?
Looking at life from odd angles allows Macdonald to see the upside of alcoholism: "It's true you've got a disease," he explains, "but I think you've got the best one." He defies the usual gravity of an AA meeting with incisive analysis of participants who painstakingly camouflage their identities but candidly illuminate their darkest secrets to strangers with startling detail: "Did I ever tell you I blew a dog for a pint of gin?"[audio:http://www.punchlinemagazine.com/audio/norm.mp3]
He detours from his singular set list only to ride comedy retreads Tiger Woods ("Are you telling me that super-handsome, charismatic dude likes to lie with the ladies…? He always presented himself in public as a golfer") and O.J. Simpson, his bane on SNL. Mostly, though, he humorously reveals his nostalgic and sinister sides. Any members of Future Psychosexual Sadists of America reading this, listen up: Macdonald has, well, killer tips for you.
We highly recommend you snag a copy of Me Doing Standup. Just click the image below!