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RIDERS OF THE APOCALYPSE live in Oslo
Anmeldt av Karina Noctum
RIDERS OF THE APOCALYPSE live@Blå, Oslo
Photo by Andrea Chirulescu
The first thing that caught my attention when I saw the line-up for the concert that took place the 19th of December 2018 was Svart Lotus. I had heard about the band before and knew it was 1349's bassist who was behind the project. But as to what the other band playing Riders of the Apocalypse could be exactly I wasn't sure at first. The other band scheduled to play was going to be Superlynx, and I had heard from some rock-knowledgeable friends that they were good, but I hadn't really checked the band for myself as I tend to have just enough time for metal. So I figured I would go based mainly on the 1349 connection.
The Riders of the Apocalypse mystery unfolded for weeks on Facebook. The 1349-style logo of RoA gave away a hint that became super-apparent some weeks before the concert when the words "Aural Hellfire" appeared together with the familiar logo, and yeah, I could then savour the 1349 show to come. So now you know what that means if it happens to you some day!
The name change from 1349 to RoA meant that fewer people than usual attended. That fact made it a pretty good experience for me since previous concert that I had the good fortune of attending was the last Monthly Assault in Switzerland. It was a cool gathering of Brutal and Slamming Death bands (Brodequin, Devourment, Korpse, Extermination Dismemberment, Defeated Sanity, Wormed, Ingested, and Dynamite Abortion, among others) but it left me with several bruises and a small cut — yes I bled for slam! I was hammered as well, with small inflatable hammers that is, courtesy of Norway's slam gods Kraanium. So, nothing better than a small and quiet Scandinavian crowd after that weekend. It was an awesome and intimate experience as well, compared to previous 1349 experiences that brought a huge number of attendees at big festivals like Hellfestand Netherlands Deathfest.
RIDERS OF THE APOCALYPSE live@Blå, Oslo
Photo by Andrea Chirulescu
The songs performed by Riders of the Apocalypse included "I am Abomination", "Exorcism", "Sculptor of Flesh", "Chasing Dragons", "Riders of the Apocalypse", "Slaves", and a brand new song from the upcoming album! That was perhaps the best bonus and a good X-mas gift to us. The song is called "Dødskamp."
The new song has awesome Hellfire vibes and what I remember as melodious and warm guitar riffing in the beginning — which I bet is going to turn out pretty different in the album itself, as it tends to be with 1349. Some hellish atmosphere, which can hardly be added live, may be present later, as the beginning of the song was unusually warm sounding. Anyway, I'm looking forward to listen to the finished song. What I recall the most regarding the new song is that it includes absolutely awesome, mouthwatering, neck-breaking blasting. Frost was displaying even more technicality as far as I could detect in the seconds that were given to me. I'm anticipating that album so much that I need this year to end now!
Svart Lotus is an interesting band that, as previously mentioned, is the project of 1349's bassist, Tor R. Stavenes. He also plays in another band worth checking out called Den Saakaldte. Svart Lotus bring a quite good mixture of proggy Black Metal with Death Metal moments that remind me of good old school Swedish Death Metal, and even Autopsy. The DM in songs like "Stemmer fra Dypet" and "Dagen Gryr" makes the proggy nature more dynamic and enjoyable.
SVART LOTUS live@Blå, Oslo
Photo by Andrea Chirulescu
Their live performance was pretty much faithful to the album sound, and the different styles they brought into the music made me want to give that debut album, Stemmer fra Dypet, several listening rounds because the sound was so interesting. I think that if you make a diagram of the sound it will for sure end up containing several overlapping circles representing different influences. The song structures and their repetitive slow riff build-ups remind me a lot of first wave BM, particularly Celtic Frost. In addition the album is immersed in the soundscapes typical of early Norwegian BM, but tending to lean more towards the melodious harmonic side of BM things even though there are cold Immortal-like moments and dark atmosphere a la Gehenna (Nor).
But that's not all. Svart Lotus bring some grooviness to the mix as well, that reminded me of 1349. So yeah, it's that, and there are even more things that I won't list here, so you should actually listen for yourself here. It is a good, old-line yet rather interesting mixture — that is if one takes into account the diverse and weird modern directions in which proggy bands tend to take listeners nowadays. All in all, It was a good show, and I'll definitely attend future Svart Lotus shows. You should definitely give their music a listen.
SUPERLYNX live@Blå, Oslo
Photo by Andrea Chirulescu
Superlynx describe themselves as Doom/Psychedelic. But I would say it gave me some unexpected oriental vibes. I have dwelved into Oriental-influenced metal that I recalled right there in the concert for some reason. Superlynx counts with a female vocalist. I usually avoid female clean singing because I tend to dislike sweet, high-pitched vocals, except for flamenco (which I enjoy a lot because of the attitude). But I enjoyed the vocals of Superlynx's Pia Eriksen for the same reason — her singing had an attitude to it. It isn't just a sweet, unmemorable female voice. Because, in addition to having the Black Sabbath influence — typical of Stoner — it has some desperate, but rather quiet melancholy, the type of melancholy that makes Doom worth listening to.
The live experience reminded me of Nirvana's sad, depressive attitude (just downtuned), and perhaps not the kind of anguish-ridden desperation of SDBM, which could be a tad too much for a Doom band. It is a live experience that I would like to repeat for sure.
Andre omtaler:
21.07.2019: ARCKANUM - Första Trulen


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Have Fun At Your Wedding Reception In Dayton Ohio/
How To Have A Great Time At Your Dayton Wedding
The engaged couple often wants to do a special first look/wedding reveal/bridal reveal instead of seeing each other from opposite ends of the wedding aisle. I have many brides that as me how to do the first look. I often cite the image below. He was upset that his idea for a first look inside this barn was not going to work due to farm implements in the way. At Canopy Creek Farm, one of the best Dayton wedding venues, I confidently told the groom to give me five minutes to come up with a unique idea for a first look. As a Dayton photographer and Cincinnati photographer, I had never arranged a first look like this.
I arranged the bride and groom on opposite sides of the bar door and had them hold hands. I have them talk for a moment while building suspense. When they are ready, they turn to see each other for the very first time. This is my favorite bride reveal photograph to date, and I love all of my Canopy Creek Farm wedding photos! Being a Dayton wedding photographer makes me happy every time I photograph a wedding.

subset: commoncrawl


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Get the right mortgage with the minimum of hassle with help from an experience independent mortgage broker.
There remains two main methods of repaying a mortgage loan, and it is possible to set up the mortgage on a 'part repayment and part interest only' basis. A description of these methods is provided below.
Repayment (capital and interest) mortgages
Under a repayment mortgage your monthly repayments consist of both interest and capital hence, over time, the amount of money you actually owe will decrease. In the early years your repayments will be mainly interest and therefore the capital outstanding will reduce slowly in the early years.
Whilst this method ensures that the mortgage is repaid at the end of the term providing all payments are made on time and in full, it is generally more expensive at the start.
Interest only mortgages
As their name suggests, with an interest only mortgage you only repay the interest on the mortgage. At the end of the term the capital is still outstanding. Therefore you will usually need to take out some kind of investment policy to save up enough money to repay the mortgage at the end of the term.
Traditionally the preferred product for repaying the capital of an interest only mortgage was a mortgage endowment policy (which included a set amount of life cover) – although more recently customers are using Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and pensions to build up a sufficient sum and taking advantage of the tax breaks offered by these products.
We also arrange:
Bridging Finance
Ex pat mortgages
Development finance
Let to buy mortgages
Buy to let mortgages
The financial services authority does not regulate some forms of mortgages.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
There may be a fee for Mortgage advice. The precise amount will depend upon your circumstances but we estimate that it will be £495, we will also receive commission from the lender.
As we are independent you have the choice whether to pay a fee for the mortgage advice we provide, typically 1% of the mortgage amount, if you chose this option, any commission received from the lender will be passed to you.


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This configuration area can be found at: System > Configuration > WebwinkelKeur
General Settings
You can find the necessary information by logging in at https://dashboard.webwinkelkeur.nl. Navigate to Installation > Wizard and follow the installation instructions. As addition next to the activation of this extension we also recommend you to follow the installation wizard and install the WebwinkelKeur widget and banners.
Webshop ID
Enter the API details as supplied by WebwinkelKeur.
API Key
Enter the API details as supplied by WebwinkelKeur.
Magento Review Widget
Add Merchant review data to your store to gain more confidence. Data can be outputted using built in widgets.
Select if you wish to enable the WebwinkelKeur connector in this Store View.
Use Cron
You may use the automatic import functionality which uses your Magento Cronjob. A cronjob is a daemon which keeps running and gets activated at a certain interval (time period). Please make sure that your default Magento Cron is working. If not, contact your hosting company for help.
Last Import
The date of the last import and the option to import the reviews manually
Invitation to write review
WebwinkelKeur can invite your customers to write customer reviews. It's also possible to activate an extra reminder using the settings at https://dashboard.webwinkelkeur.nl. Note: this feature is only available to PLUS & EU members.
Send customers automatically receive an invitation to share a customer experience. This feature is only available for WebwinkelKeur PLUS members.
Set the language of the invitation
Order is Completed with status
Specify at which status you want to send the invitation. Default is Completed
Sent invite after x days
This will ensure that the customer receives the invitation shortly after receiving the product and not before. This increases the opportunity that the client will share his experience.
Maximum processing time order
Number of days to complete order may last, if it takes longer then no invitation will be sent. Read more about this feature on Webwinkelkeur.nl.
Invite returning customers
If set to "Yes", customers will get new review reminders for every new order.
WebwinkelKeur Javascript integration
Javascript Integration
Showing the sidebar ensures a higher confidence. Visitors can read the reviews without leaving the store.
Set the language of the Javascript integration


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Helpful Herbs for Your Pets Health and Well Being
Herbs offer cures for many common canine ailments. I've used them often, with the recommendations from my vet, and my dogs have all lived long and remarkably healthy lives.
Just because they're natural doesn't mean they're not powerful. Herbs are nothing to sneeze at. What may look like a mere weed or homely root can, in fact, be a very potent medicine. Here's a list of the top ten herbs no dog lover's cupboard should be without. It's a pharmacopeia for dogs – call it a bark-acopeia! Before you try them, make sure to talk it over with your vet about the right dosage for your pet and whether any of these herbs would be contraindicated with your pets current medical regime and medications.
What: Azadirachta indica, an extract of the Neem tree, is nature's non-toxic insecticide, plus it heals burns and soothes dry, irritated skin.
Why: Applied topically and absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, Neem makes your dog naturally repellent to mosquitoes and fleas. Parasite preventatives work by filling your dog's blood with poison; in order to be eliminated, the pest has to take a bite out of your best friend. With Neem, Spot won't even get bitten!
Suggested Use: During the warm months (high mosquito season), bathe once weekly in TheraNeem Pet Shampoo, to which you add several drops of Neem oil; both are available at Whole Foods stores. For extra protection from within, administer Neem Plus supplements by Ayush orally once daily, hidden in food.
What: Achillea millefolium – a.k.a. stanchweed, soldier's woundwort, and sanguinary – helps stop bleeding.
Why: If your dog sustains a cut or laceration, you can administer first aid by flushing the wound with povidone iodine, then treating it with yarrow.
Suggested Use: Wound Balm for Animals by Buck Mountain Botanicals contains yarrow (along with echinacea and goldenseal); it speeds healing and is a first-rate addition to Fido's first-aid kit.
What: Arnica montana, a.k.a. Leopard's Bane, has long been prized for its astonishing bruise-healing property.
Why: Has Spot sustained a bruise or muscle injury? Arnica does double duty, easing the pain and promoting healing.
Suggested Use: Arnica pellets. Administer 3 pellets 3 times daily, in the inside pocket of your dog's lower lip. It's OK if he spits it out; healing begins when the pellets make contact with the gum.
What: This effective – if highly malodorous – herb (Valeriana officinalis L.) is nature's time-trusted sedative and sleep-inducer.
Why: For dogs who experience high anxiety during thunderstorms or on the 4th of July, Valerian will put them out for several hours of stress-free slumber. It's also great for long car trips, to help Spot snooze through the ride.
Suggested Use: Valerian comes in capsules, available at any health food store. To dose your dog, you'll need to hide the capsules in a piece of meat or cheese with peanut butter on top – anything to mask that awful smell!
Olive Leaf Extract
What: The extract of crushed-up olive leaves (oleuropein) is nature's antibiotic.
Why: If your dog experiences diarrhea from, say, scarfing something rancid on the sidewalk, the antifungal property of Olive Leaf will help set his digestion right.
Suggested Use: Available at health food stores, Olive Leaf capsules smell and taste exactly like olive oil (i.e. delicious), so there's no need to hide or mask them. Just sprinkle over your dog's food like a spice
Milk Thistle
What: A flowering plant whose extract, Silymarin, is one of nature's most potent antioxidants for people and pets.
Why: Boosting and protecting the liver, milk thistle is a must if you want to extend the life of your dog. Everything passes through the liver, so it welcomes the support – and because eye and liver health are linked, milk thistle also prevents and reverses cloudy eyes (nuclear sclerosis) in dogs.
Suggested Use: Sold at health foods stores in capsule form, this herb tastes somewhat bitter; very finicky dogs will need to have it hidden in something tasty, but most dogs will eat it sprinkled over their food (cinnamon helps sweeten the deal).
What: Crataegus is a berry that's used to treat cardiac insufficiency.
Why: Strengthening the heart muscle and improving circulation, hawthorn helps stave off congestive heart failure in senior dogs (and people), and tones the tickers of younger dogs who've survived heartworm disease. Young, healthy dogs don't need it yet – wait until they're older.
Suggested Use: One capsule in your dog's food (available at health food stores); most dogs don't mind the taste.
What: The resin of the Boswellia tree has many medicinal uses.
Why: Another senior-dog staple, Boswellia reduces inflammation and improves mobility in arthritic K9Suggested Use: Available in tablet form, it's called "Boswelya Plus."
What: As its name implies, the flowering plant Euphrasia officinalis has long been used to treat eye infections.
Why: If your dog comes back from the dog park or doggie daycare with goopy eyes, try eyebright first before consulting the vet; you may be able to clear up the problem yourself.
Suggested Use: Administer 3 pellets 3 times daily, in the inside pocket of your dog's lower lip. As with Arnica (above), it's OK if he spits it out; healing begins when the pellets make contact with the gum.
What: A thistle in the genus Arctium, its root has long been prized for its blood-purifying, hair-regrowing, and cancer-fighting powers.
Why: Use it regularly as a preventative, especially if you have a breed of dog that's prone to cancer (such as a Boxer).
Suggested Use: Add cooked burdock root (found in the produce section of health food stores and Asian markets) to your dog's food, or give him a piece of raw burdock to chew on, like a carrot. Or purchase dried burdock online and steep one teaspoon in a cup of hot water; let cool and pour over your dog's food.
Remember, herbs are powerful healing properties and need to be used in the correct dosage for your pets. Make sure to discuss with your vet prior to using any of these herbs or natural remedies to make sure they are right for your dogs.
Pets in Hot Cars
On an 85 degree day, it only takes ten minutes for the inside of your car to reach 102 degrees, even when the windows have been left open an inch or two.
Within 30 minutes, a car's interior can reach 120 degrees. When the temperature outside is a pleasant 70, the inside of your car may be as much as 20 degrees hotter. Shade offers little protection on a hot day and moves with the sun.
Pets most at risk for hyperthermia (overheating) are young animals, elderly animals, overweight animals, those with short muzzles and those with thick or dark-colored coats.
Bring down body temperature by soaking the animal in cool (not ice) water, but make sure water does not get into the mouth or nose of an unconscious animal. Seek immediate veterinary care.
Here's Some Hot Weather Traveling Tips
Get a veterinary checkup before traveling and make sure you have the necessary vaccination certificates for the area you will be visiting, as well as flea and tick treatments.
Carry a gallon thermos of cold water or bring along a two-liter plastic bottle of water you froze the night before.
Exercise your pet during the coolest parts of the day (dawn and dusk), and never immediately following a meal.
Hot asphalt and tar can burn sensitive paw pads. Walk your pet on grass or dirt when possible and provide shade when your pet is outside on a hot day.
Airplane Travel With Your Pets
Prepare Well In Advance:
For small dogs that will travel in-cabin, buy an airline-approved airplane pet carrier. The best carriers for airplane travel are durably-sewn with lots of air vents, a zippered top and side exit door, a soft, removable bottom pad and several flat, internal and external pockets. The best carrier is discreet and light. Resist the temptation to buy a "designer" carrier: the flash draws undesirable attention to the valuable contents and comfort yields to style in most fashion models.
For larger dogs that will travel in cargo, buy a sturdy, airline-approved cargo crate with a good latch on the door. It should have detachable food and water receptacles. Both carriers should have an attachment for paperwork and name tags.
Use the airplane pet carrier to transport your dog to fun destinations prior to flight. Gradually increase the duration of the time in the carrier, taking longer journeys to the fun destination. Include a toy in the carrier, but avoid food since dogs generally should not eat on airplane rides. (Water may be advisable for dogs traveling in cargo on longer flights.)
Keep the bag open in the house and put enticing toys in it to make your dog happy to enter the bag. Never use this carrier as a day crate.
When Booking Flights:
Make sure to choose an airline that permits pets; clarify if your pet will travel in cabin or cargo. Cargo is restricted during some times of the year for some airlines. Most importantly, when booking, obtain a locator number for your dog that is associated with your seat number.
Starter Trips:
If an itinerant lifestyle is part of your plan for your dog, take a short flight of one hour to a nearby destination as a starter flight. Your dog will learn that the long wait ends in a happy walk outside the airport and will be better prepared for an upcoming long flight.
Food And Meds In Flight:
Feed at least 5 hours in advance of travel and avoid water for your dog within 1 hour of flight. (Water may be advisable for dogs traveling in cargo on long flights.) For dogs traveling in cabin, you may offer ice cubes or a sip of water toward the end of the flight as needed. Avoid giving a rawhide chew stick as it could get stuck in your dog's throat and assistance would be difficult.
If your pet regularly takes meds, schedule the doses according to the travel schedule. Remember that you will have to show up at least an hour before the flight and from the point of entering the airport, your dog will be in the carrier.
Unless your vet says otherwise, tranquilizers are not advisable for high altitudes. Train, don't drug, your pet into being a good traveler.
In The Airport:
Flying with dogs is less worrisome to airline personnel than security. For dogs traveling in cargo, the check-in counter will advise you where to deliver your dog for transport. For dogs flying in cabin, you will carry him through gate security and you must remove him from his carrier and personally carry him through the metal detectors, allowing his bag to go through the x-ray machine. NEVER allow your dog to pass through the x-ray machine when going to the gates. It is not permitted and is highly dangerous.
When traveling, make sure your dog's rabies inoculations are up to date and keep a vet's health record in your travel paperwork. You may not be asked to show it, but you should have it.
On The Plane:
Slide your carrier under the seat in front, check on your dog now and then but avoid exciting him to make him feel he will be let out. For dogs traveling in cargo, you will be advised where to pick him up when you check him in.
Stress of Air Travel: Flying can be stressful for pets just like humans. Try to take your pets only when it's necessary. Best case scenario is to find a great pet sitter in your area and leave your pets at home while you travel.
Choosing a Responsible Loving Pet Sitter
1. Interview a number of possible sitters and companies.
If you are like me, you might hate the whole process of interviewing a possible anything. It's so worth it in the end. Soon enough through the process a certain company and pet sitter will start to shine. That's when you know it's right!
2. Ask what training the pet sitter has received.
All sorts of pet lovers are good at taking care of pets, of course. Yet you probably want a pet sitter who has had more actual training than you have had. This may include a Veterinary Technician who is licensed to give shots, help with exams and assist in surgery would be quite a catch. In lieu of that, you'll really want to make sure the sitter can spot health problems and react accordingly. Maybe, they even have a certificate in pet safety.
3. Ask about previous experience.
What did the sitter like and dislike about these experiences?
4. Ask what services the pet sitting company provides.
Depends on what you want. Do you want your pet to be groomed while you are gone? Do you think it's important that he spend at lease an hour a day catching frisbees. Do you want a diary of your pet's ever-changing moods? A pet sitter can do all these things. But you need to find out if your pet sitter will do them.
5. Speaking of contracts, does your pet sitter provide one?
A contract that lists services and fees is good for your peace of mind.
6. Can your pet sitting company provide references?
You really want a pet sitting company who can prove that their sitters have satisfied customers before they got to you.
7. Does your pet even like your pet sitter?
All the training in the world would not forestall a bad match here. You don't want to set your pet up on a blind date.
8. Is your pet sitter's company licensed, bonded and insured?
This would cover many dire contingencies.
9. How many other pets is your pet-sitter currently sitting for?
A full dance card, so to speak, means less special attention for your pet.
10. Is your pet sitter asking you as many questions as you are asking them?
If the pet sitter doesn't seem especially curious about your pets, that's a red flag!
Is Your Dog Friendly?
As someone who takes many dogs, including my own to dog parks, this used to be the question on my mind when walking through the gate. Now, I realize I've been asking myself the wrong question all along. The real question is, are these responsible pet owners at this dog park?
First, I am not alone as a dog owner who does not want every rambunctious dog to tackle my pal when we're entering the dog park. Yet, so many pet owners are not paying attention to their dogs but rather talking with other people in the park, on their cell phones or taking a nap on the bench!
Once inside the park, this is a time for owners to be on heightened awareness, watching their dogs interactions and controlling their misbehavior. Unfortunately, more times than not, dog owners with a dog who has over rambunctious, bordering aggressive behavior is either distracted or in denial that their dog is about to create a bad situation.
There seems to be more distracted people with poorly socialized dogs who lose control of (or make no effort to control) their pets. These people, who often have a cup of coffee in one hand and a cellphone in the other (and a leash in none), chase haplessly after their dogs who run to greet, tackle, or pick a fight with another dog. Occasionally, as the chase or attack occurs, the people yell their dog's name and, in turn, the words "My dog is friendly!" Ha! Really people?
By this time, it's usually too late. The next thing you know, people are scrambling to damage control and often times sadly, a dog gets seriously hurt. Sometimes, even people who try to stop the attacks.
Just this weekend, at one of the so called "friendly dog parks", I witnessed an owner with a highly charged and aggressive dog, sitting and chatting with someone while his dog went after and attacked 3 different dogs. I watched him sit on the bench, laughing at this, like it was amusing instead of frightful.
One by one, pet owners leashed their dogs and left the park. As I did the same, I looked back to see the wrong person and dog still inside the dog park.
Come on pet owners, show a little respect and awareness. A dog park is a place to bring social dogs. Not aggressive dogs. Dog parks are a place where the dogs get to play and interact, not the owners. Owners, you're there to make sure all dogs have a great experience playing, socializing and exercising. Do it for yourself on your own time!
A Sweet Treat or Garden Clutter?
It's Mesquite bean season and who knew those obnoxious pods that end up cluttering our yards can be a healthy and sweet treat that our pets may love!
Seems unusual but it's nothing new, the American Indians used the mesquites nutritious pods as an important food resource rich in sugar and protein and the plant was even said to have medicinal and ritual uses as well. It only makes sense that our furry friends would love them too, right? After all, Dogs were created to eat things in the wild and they are just another natural food.
The mesquite beans are a good source of fiber for your pet and also make a sweet tasting treat. Of course that does not mean they should be your pets primary diet, but it's sure good to know that you don't need to worry when they chew one up on your afternoon walk or eat a few while they are out romping in the yard, right? Some pets eat the whole pod, others only chew the pods and some will pick them apart just to get the beans inside. Azmira dog food made in Tucson even uses the mesquite beans as part of their dog food formula!
If you are not familiar with the Mesquite tree, the Mesquite beans grow on desert trees and hang in clusters that turn from green to white when they are ripe. Inside those pods are very sweet-coated beans. Humans and Dogs alike can chew on the pods to extract flavor or just eat the beans inside the pod.
While most of our pets will pick them up on their own, if you decide to scoop up some for your own enjoyment or to save for future pet treats, here are a few tips: Pick the pods right off the tree when ripe or, if you are taking ones that have already fallen to the ground, make sure you choose those that are clear of contaminates such as pet urine or pesticides. Rinse off the dust and remove any green stems that may be before serving to your pets. To save them for later, make sure they are nice and dry and store them in Baggies for future snack attacks!


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When I moved to DC, I fell in with a group of guys who jammed on Beatles tunes every Sunday. This jam has recently morphed into a cover band project.
It's a four-piece, where all of us are wearing multiple hats. Right now, I am playing the accoustic, singing, and playing bass (not all at the same time).
It turns out that I'm going to be playing bass about 60% of the time. I sold my Epi Viola bass during my great guitar purge, so I needed to get a bass. Thus I bought a Hofner Ignition Cavern Bass. I am surprised by how well-made these are.


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On October 6 my father and I went to see the film The Birth of a Nation. It isn't the racist movie that came out in 1915, it is a movie about the Nat Turner rebellion which happened in 1831. I will try not to spoil the movie if you haven't seen it yet, but I will have to explain things.
Continue reading "The Birth of A Nation"


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A classic leisure dress from 100% linen with a matching belt is ideal for both a resort and an urban life.
The "Bridget" dress is an iconic Sleeper style. Now, it comes with such enhancements as a belt in the matching fabric. The dress has a square neck cutout, front buttons and is made from organic linen.


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Goodstart Early Learning is Australia's largest early learning provider caring for children from birth to starting school age in over 600 sites in all states of the country. To allow Goodstart to achieve the goal of providing children with the best start in life there are many technologies and IT systems utilised.
The depth and breadth of 1ICT's services means Goodstart has a partner that can be relied upon to provide quality support, products and value to business as required. The services provided by 1ICT cover all three of our key business pillars; infrastructure services, consultancy services and software development.
In order for Goodstart to provide many of the administrative functions of the business to both the head office and childcare centre network, they have a suite of applications. 1ICT was engaged to review all of these applications and determine a roadmap for the business to move forward and get maximum benefit from the product they use. The review provided a number of tangible outcomes for Goodstart including a current state inventory, advice on alternative products where applicable or required, a plan for consolidating applications where possible and a roadmap for updating and modernising the remaining applications. Goodstart has a solid plan and known budgets to provide these digital products moving forward and peace of mind that this is one area that they don't need to worry about. They can focus on caring for the children.
Copyright © 1ICT Pty Ltd


text: On October 29, 2007, the city of San Francisco hosted its 2nd annual Russian Arts Festival at City Hall. St. John's students contributed a display of artwork produced during the year under the direction of Mrs. Armine Mukaelian and Mrs. Elena Winslow. After the festival, the school was presented with a Certificate of Honor recognizing the students and teachers. The Certificate concluded by saying: "Your art-work exemplifies the artistic abilities of the people that make San Francisco such a wonderful city. Thank you and good luck in your future endeavors!" See photographs of the art exhibit here.


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Baccarat is among the earliest video games in Gambling establishment. And its appeal is currently starting to go after the appeal from blackjack and Roullete with the existence from on the internet Baccarat video games utilizing genuine cash. This video game is really controling in Macau and mainly Asial. After that what really makes Baccarat among the faves from Oriental bettors?
Here is the evaluation.
Baccarat is simple to play
Unlike blackjack, online poker, and video games based upon various other techniques, you do not have to have any abilities to win this video game. All you require is a solid instinct to select a sbobet or lender.
Have great value
Some gambling establishment video games might have an extremely slim possibility from winning. However not with Baccarat. Typically the city's success in the video game is just 1. 01 percent. So you can win routinely and do not need to stress over huge losses. However that doesn't imply you can play carelessly.
Have you ever before viewed James Bond 007? or movies associated with various other gambling establishments? From the high-end from gambling establishments in the movie, Baccarat is connected as a gaming ready the exclusive. Easy guidelines, big wagering limitations, and reasonable play are ideal for gamers that desire a big return with very little initiative.
Interesting and fun
Macau-style baccarat integrates includes from conventional Oriental video games such as Sic Bo, providing side wagers specifically connection or collection. The chances are little, however gamers appear to delight in taking this danger looking for larger reward repayments.


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- The report contains detailed information about iiNet Ltd. that gives an unrivalled in-depth knowledge about internal business-environment of the company: data about the owners, senior executives, locations, subsidiaries, markets, products, and company history.
- Another part of the report is a SWOT-analysis carried out for iiNet Ltd.. It involves specifying the objective of the company's business and identifies the different factors that are favorable and unfavorable to achieving that objective. SWOT-analysis helps to understand company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and possible threats against it.
- The iiNet Ltd. financial analysis covers the income statement and ratio trend-charts with balance sheets and cash flows presented on an annual and quarterly basis. The report outlines the main financial ratios pertaining to profitability, margin analysis, asset turnover, credit ratios, and company's long-term solvency. This sort of company's information will assist and strengthen your company's decision-making processes.
- In the part that describes iiNet Ltd. competitors and the industry in whole, the information about company's financial ratios is compared to those of its competitors and to the industry. The unique analysis of the market and company's competitors along with detailed information about the internal and external factors affecting the relevant industry will help to manage your business environment. Your company's business and sales activities will be boosted by gaining an insight into your competitors' businesses.
- Also the report provides relevant news, an analysis of PR-activity, and stock price movements. The latter are correlated with pertinent news and press releases, and annual and quarterly forecasts are given by a variety of experts and market research firms. Such information creates your awareness about principal trends of iiNet Ltd. business.
About iiNet Ltd.
iiNet Limited engages in the provision of Internet and telephony services to residential and business customers in Australia. It residential products include Internet services, including broadband, naked DSL, mobile broadband, dialup, and WiFi hotspots services; home and Internet phone services consisting of phone and netphone services; and Web hosting and domain registration services that enables to set up own personal space on the Web. The companys residential products also comprise fetchtv, digital television with movies, programs, games, music, and interactive applications packed into a set top box; and a range of hardware, such as modems and routers, handsets, and cards and adapters, as well as antivirus software. In addition, it offers business solutions that include Internet and networking solutions comprising broadband; Annex M, a broadband that enables to upload; bonded and naked DSL; mobile broadband; virtual private network; SHDSL for symmetrical uploads and downloads; and fiber and corporate fiber services. Further, the companys business solutions include phone, VOIP, multiline VOIP, and business voice solutions through ISDN, as well as SIP trunking solution, a business-grade voice solution; and Web site solutions consisting domain names, Web site hosting, and email hosting services. Additionally, its business solutions comprise support services, such as computer support, telephony hardware, telephony packages, and Cisco routers services. The company offers its services under iiNet and Westnet brand names. iiNet Limited was founded in 1993 and is based in Perth, Australia.
The above Company Fundamental Report is a half-ready report and contents are subject to change.
It means that we have all necessary data in our database to prepare the report but need 2-3 days to complete it. During this time we are also updating the report with respect to the current moment. So, you can get all the most recent data available for the same price. Please note that preparation of additional types of analyses requires extra time.
1.1. Key facts
1.2. Financial Performance
1.3. Key Executives
1.4. Ownership and Major Holders
1.5. Company History
2.1. Business Description
2.2. Major Products and Services
2.3. Markets and Sales Activities
2.4. Locations, Subsidiaries, Operating Units
3.1. Overview
3.2. Strengths
3.3. Weaknesses
3.4. Opportunities
3.5. Threats
4.1. Financial Statements
4.1.1. Income Statement
4.1.2. Balance Sheet
4.1.3. Cash Flow
4.2. Financial Ratios
4.2.1. Profitability
4.2.2. Margin Analysis
4.2.3. Asset Turnover
4.2.4. Credit Ratios
4.2.5. Long-Term Solvency
4.2.6. Growth Over Prior Year
4.2.7. Financial Ratios Charts
4.3. Stock Market Snapshot
5.1. iiNet Ltd. Direct Competitors
5.2. Comparison of iiNet Ltd. and Direct Competitors Financial Ratios
5.3. Comparison of iiNet Ltd. and Direct Competitors Stock Charts
5.4. iiNet Ltd. Industry Analysis
5.4.1. Communication Services Industry Snapshot
5.4.2. iiNet Ltd. Industry Position Analysis
6.1. News & PR Activity Analysis
6.2. IR Corporate News
6.3. Marketing News
6.4. Corporate Events
7.1. Experts Opinion
7.2. Experts Estimates
9.1. Political Factors
9.2. Economic Factors
9.3. Social Factors
9.4. Technological Factors
9.5. Environmental Factors
9.6. Legal Factors
10.1. Internal Factor Evaluation Matrix
10.2. External Factor Evaluation Matrix
10.3. Internal External Matrix
iiNet Ltd. Key Facts
Management Effectiveness
Income Statement Key Figures
Balance Sheet Key Figures
Cash Flow Statement Key Figures
Financial Performance Abbreviation Guide
iiNet Ltd. Key Executives
Key Executives Biographies1
Key Executives Compensations1
iiNet Ltd. Major Shareholders
iiNet Ltd. History
iiNet Ltd. Products
Revenues by Segment
Revenues by Region
iiNet Ltd. Offices and Representations
iiNet Ltd. SWOT Analysis
Yearly Income Statement Including Trends
Income Statement Latest 4 Quarters Including Trends
Yearly Balance Sheet Including Trends
Balance Sheet Latest 4 Quarters Including Trends
Yearly Cash Flow Including Trends
Cash Flow Latest 4 Quarters Including Trends
iiNet Ltd. Profitability Ratios
Margin Analysis Ratios
Asset Turnover Ratios
Credit Ratios
Long-Term Solvency Ratios
Financial Ratios Growth Over Prior Year
iiNet Ltd. Capital Market Snapshot
iiNet Ltd. Direct Competitors Key Facts
Direct Competitors Profitability Ratios
Direct Competitors Margin Analysis Ratios
Direct Competitors Asset Turnover Ratios
Direct Competitors Credit Ratios
Direct Competitors Long-Term Solvency Ratios
Communication Services Industry Statistics
iiNet Ltd. Industry Position
Company vs. Industry Income Statement Analysis
Company vs. Industry Balance Sheet Analysis
Company vs. Industry Cash Flow Analysis
Company vs. Industry Ratios Comparison
iiNet Ltd. Consensus Recommendations1
Analyst Recommendation Summary1
Price Target Summary1
Experts Recommendation Trends1
Revenue Estimates Analysis1
Earnings Estimates Analysis1
Historical Surprises1
Revenue Estimates Trend1
Earnings Estimates Trend1
Revenue Revisions1
iiNet Ltd. Annual Revenues in Comparison with Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit
Profit Margin Chart
Operating Margin Chart
Return on Equity (ROE) Chart
Return on Assets (ROA) Chart
Debt to Equity Chart
Current Ratio Chart
iiNet Ltd. 1-year Stock Charts
iiNet Ltd. 5-year Stock Charts
iiNet Ltd. vs. Main Indexes 1-year Stock Chart
iiNet Ltd. vs. Direct Competitors 1-year Stock Charts
iiNet Ltd. Article Density Chart
1 – Data availability depends on company's security policy.
2 – These sections are available only when you purchase a report with appropriate additional types of analyses.
The complete financial data is available for publicly traded companies.
SWOT Analysis
SWOT, which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, is an analytical framework that identifies the internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable for a company.
Enhanced SWOT Analysis
Enhanced SWOT is a 3×3 grid that arranges strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats into one scheme:
- How to use the strengths to take advantage of the opportunities?
- How to use the strengths to reduce likelihood and impact of the threats?
- How to overcome the weaknesses that obstruct taking advantage of the opportunities?
- How to overcome the weaknesses that can make the threats a reality?
Upon answering these questions a company can develop a project plan to improve its business performance.
PESTEL Analysis
PESTEL (also termed as PESTLE) is an ideal tool to strategically analyze what influence different outside factors – political, economic, sociocultural, technological, environmental and legal – exert on a business to later chart its long term targets.
Being part of the external analysis when carrying out a strategic assessment or performing a market study, PESTEL gives an overview of diverse macro-environmental factors that any company should thoughtfully consider. By perceiving these outside environments, businesses can maximally benefit from the opportunities while minimizing the threats to the organization.
Key Factors Examined by PESTEL Analysis:
- Political – What opportunities and pressures are brought by political bodies and what is the degree of public regulations' impact on the business?
- Economic – What economic policies, trends and structures are expected to affect the organization, what is this influence's degree?
- Sociological – What cultural and societal aspects will work upon the demand for the business's products and operations?
- Technological – What impact do the technological aspects, innovations, incentives and barriers have on the organization?
- Environmental – What environmental and ecological facets, both locally and farther afield, are likely to predetermine the business?
- Legal – What laws and legislation will exert influence on the style the business is carried out?
IFE, EFE, IE Matrices
The Internal Factor Evaluation matrix (IFE matrix) is a strategic management tool helping audit or evaluate major weaknesses and strengths in a business's functional areas. In addition, IFE matrix serves as a basis for identifying and assessing relationships amongst those areas. The IFE matrix is utilised in strategy formulation.
The External Factor Evaluation matrix (EFE matrix) is a tool of strategic management that is typically utilised to assess current market conditions. It is an ideal instrument for visualising and prioritising the threats and opportunities a firm is facing.
The essential difference between the above mentioned matrices lies in the type of factors incorporated in the model; whilst the latter is engaged in internal factors, the former deals exceptionally with external factors – those exposed to social, political, economic, legal, etc. external forces.
Being a continuation of the EFE matrix and IFE matrix models, the Internal External matrix (IE matrix) rests upon an investigation of external and internal business factors integrated into one suggestive model.
Porter Five Forces Analysis
The Porter's five forces analysis studies the industry of operation and helps the company find new sources of competitive advantage. The analysis surveys an industry through five major questions:
- What composes a threat of substitute products and services?
- Is there a threat of new competitors entering the market?
- What is the intensity of competitive rivalry?
- How big is the bargaining power of buyers?
- How significant is the bargaining power of suppliers?
VRIO Analysis
VRIO stands for Value, Rarity, Imitability, Organization. This analysis helps to evaluate all company's resources and capabilities and bring them together into one aggregate table that includes:
- Tangible resources
- Financial
- Physical
- Technological
- Organizational
- Intangible resources
- Human
- Innovation and Creativity
- Reputation
- Organizational capabilities
The result of the analysis gives a clear picture of company's competitive and economic implications, answering the questions if the resources mentioned above are:
- Valuable?
- Rare?
- Costly to imitate?
- Organized properly?


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Gregory Gymnasium Aquatic Complex Renovation and Expansion - University of Texas at Austin
Gregory Gymnasium Aquatic Complex Renovation and Expansion - University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX 2008
Project Description
Like No Place Else on Campus" is the slogan that the University of Texas at Austin's Division of Recreational Sports uses to describe the Gregory Gymnasium Aquatic Complex. Nestled into its urban campus context and built with large quantities of exposed limestone and native natural materials, the aquatic complex clearly announces its allegiance to the university while commanding its own place in the Texas Hill Country.
To relate to Waller Creek to the east, the complex features native plantings and remains open to existing hillside vegetation. Gregory Gym's strong architectural forms and rigidly articulated detail serve as the complex's western perimeter. Against the rich palette of natural limestone, the outdoor pool deck was crafted in multiple panels of colored and salt-finished concrete to create a stunning and highly functional surface. The Reception Garden, meanwhile, uses crushed limestone aggregate as the finished deck surface, creating a wonderfully soft and comfortable environment. Flanked by multitrunk trees and a bamboo forest, the garden is a place of special respite for recreational users. A large pool area with a six-inch water depth, known as the Lounge Ledge, provides a wonderful place for sunbathers to relax on partially submerged lounge chairs. The complex also offers exterior WiFi and Ethernet connectivity, as well as live music platforms with dynamic sound reinforcement capability.
The Gregory Gym Aquatic Complex has filled a void on campus by offering new opportunities for recreation, socializing and community building. Student organizations and departments have hosted socials, concerts, water recreation tournaments, and "dive in" movies and other pool parties in the new facility.
Project DetailsArchitect: RDG Planning & Design; Des Moines, Iowa; Omaha, Nebraska
AQUATIC DESIGN ENGINEER: Aquatic Design Group Carlsbad, Calif.
Construction Cost: $15.3 million
Square Feet: 70,000
Occupancy: March 2006
Access Ramps/Stairs: Brock Enterprises
Chemical Control Systems: Siemens Water Technologies
Cleaners/Vacuums: Plastiflex
Filters: Siemens Water Technologies
Lighting: Paragon Aquatics, Div. of Pentair
Lockers: Fiberesin Industries Inc.
Water Play Features: Paragon Aquatics, Div. of Pentair


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Yes you are… I am… we are! That bold claim needs proof, which I can give you, and you will probably accept if you buy Buddha's view of what 'you, I and we' truly are. In other words, if you don't accept Buddha's Four Noble Truths as being true, at least in principle, this post may not be your cup of tea.
This view of our immortality is linked to Buddha's 2nd Noble Truth in particular. Note the underlined comments about our illusion of self:
The Second Noble Truth is the cause of suffering. The cause of suffering is lust. The surrounding world affects sensation and begets a craving thirst that clamors for immediate satisfaction. The illusion of self originates and manifests itself in a cleaving to things. The desire to live for the enjoyment of self entangles us in a net of sorrows. Pleasures are the bait and the result is pain.
I've been reviewing Buddha's Truths during my morning headstand for decades, and it's taken that long to fathom completely this connection between my self and my holdings. Why? Surely, this supports the 'we only understand what we know' hypothesis. Also interesting is how this morning review is never boring, as long as I 'own it' intuitively — not by rote.
About 10 years ago(1) I really started taking particular notice of this "illusion of self" aspect, and began feeling how entwined my sense of self and my possessions were. By possessions, I mean no matter what I value, be they material things, ideals, or beliefs. The holding-on-to, regardless of what, produces and maintains the illusion of self — the ego.
The Immortal Illusion
The more deeply I can connect myself, my ego, to just the holding-on-to experience, the more universal "I am" feels. In other words, it is not the particular object or ideal to which I cling, but the clinging experience that connects me to the immortal. On the other hand, the more I cling to particular objects or ideals the more intensely mortal I am guaranteed to feel.
The profound sameness inherent in the overall clinging experience never dies when a particular individual's body dies. The clinging continues by all those who live out their lives, generation after generation. The illusion of "I" is maintained, ad infinitum…
… Or until our Sun bloats up into a red giant, expanding until it consumes the Earth's orbit. The heating Sun will evaporate the Earth's oceans away, and then solar radiation will blast away the hydrogen from the water. The Earth will never have oceans again. It will eventually become molten again.
… Or perhaps not until even then. Even then, 'The illusion of self originates and manifests itself in a cleaving to things' process will continue to play itself out in other sentient creatures somewhere else in the universe.
… Or perhaps, ad infinitum will end if the universe just peters out as it expands into its cold dark future. On the other hand, perhaps the universe will fold back onto itself, implode as it were, and presto, initiate the next Big Bang. Then immortality will truly continue forever.
Retuning to Earth
Mind you, not only are you immortal going forward. Such immortality flows backward in time as well. Embracing a firmer sense of the illusion-of-self's origin, also connects you to all those who have gone before. Simply said, you are now living through the same essential experience as all those long dead and gone experienced before you. Life's struggle continues through your life currently. Essentially, you are them; this is just Tvat Tvam Asi from another angle.
Naturally, this all comes down to a matter of perspective. Other animals have no thought of their mortality and thus no longing for immortality. Our unique cognitive ability (thinking) burdens us with the "illusion of self". This can really mess with intuitive knowing; yet it can also help liberate us from this predicament. The first step is just realizing one simple fact: 'it' is mind only. For a full serving of 'mind only', see The meaning of "mind-only" (wei-hsin): An analysis of a).
(1) I remembered writing something about 10 years ago on the subject of immortality; I searched and found this post on Immortality. It looks like I have a subtler sense of it now, but I was heading in the right direction. One notable difference is how I associated immortality with "giving it all up". To be honest, "giving it all up" is not possible; holding on is entwined with life itself. I suppose "giving up" the "giving up" is what I'm suggesting today.
Or perhaps it is just a matter of trading one's personal, self centered agenda for a more transpersonal one. Knowing that 'holding on' is a universal aspect of all life imparts a deep sense of the universal. Your life's flow = our life's flow = all life's flow. All living things are in the same boat and that boat continues to float onward regardless of who is onboard (alive).
Another way to consider this is by recognizing what happens within our own body. Each cell strives on, holds on, and pursues its purpose. Cells only live for 7 years on average, yet your life span will be many times longer than that. The striving continues even though every cell dies eventually. Striving is the immortal flow of life. Self-identifying with striving (work) rather than with outcomes (reward) can give you a sense of immortality. Striving continues even after your individual body dies.
As Buddha was dying, his disciples begged him to tell them how they should cope with his passing. He said, "Strive on diligently". That is as close to immortality as I'm going to get while I'm alive, and after that who cares. 😉
Finally, the Bhagavad Gita speaks to this self-identifying with the work instead of the reward dynamic. Here are a few passages:
2:47 Set thy heart upon thy work, but never on its reward. Work not for a reward: but never cease to do thy work. (Note: This yogic view parallels the Taoist "wei wu wei" [为无为] "Do without doing". See also, Enjoy What You Do – or – Do What You Enjoy?)
2:49 Work done for a reward is much lower than work done in the Yoga of wisdom. Seek salvation in the wisdom of reason. How poor those who work for a reward!
5:12 This man of harmony surrenders the reward of his work and thus attains final peace: the man of disharmony, urged by desire, is attached to his reward and remains in bondage.
17:11 A sacrifice is pure when it is an offering of adoration in harmony with the holy law, with no expectation of a reward, and with the heart saying 'it is my duty'. (It is interesting to note how Buddha reiterates this view in his Fourth Noble Truth, i.e., "Let your sole desire be the performance of your duty").
18:12 When work is done for a reward, the work brings pleasure, or pain, or both, in its time; but when a man does work in Eternity, then Eternity is his reward.


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Our photographer pal Bear stopped by on our first day back to work after the holidays with his Deardorff 8x10. He's been sitting on a pack of Impossible 8X10 polaroids waiting to test them out on a clearly, well rested FICTION crew. Besides the ladies, we definitely look like the morning after New Years Eve. If you remember our Ghostly Polaroids, these are similar but a lot sharper and impressively much larger, shot with a 360mm Super Symmer lens.
-A note from Bear
"The film is pretty cool as it's essentially a bigger version of the SX-70 film, no peeling necessary. Shoot the negative, put the negative and a clear transparent positive sheet in the old school polaroid processor and out comes a picture. Instantly having an 8x10 in print in person with cool chrome border is really cool but there were a few issues with the film. The photos were kind of muddy and you could tell the chemicals weren't spreading very evenly. Still the film has a cool look and everyone is impressed with an 8x10 polaroid in person. I know Impossible is in their early stages of development on this film so I'm excited to see where it goes."


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A Year Of Breaktimes
This month I'm delighted to be celebrating a year of 'My Thursday Breaktime'. Four passing seasons and a wonderful community of people who've shared over 2,200 breaktime moments on Instagram.
Moments which involve lots of cups of tea and coffee, quiet parts of a day, breaths of fresh air on walks and adventures and creative escapes through a whole host of table top crafts.
I've just spent an hour scrolling through the gallery. It's so lovely to see how little ones have grown over that time and how new seasons touch the gallery at different points in the year. I thought I'd share a few of my favourites from throughout the past year, along with March's favourite today. Oh and read on for some exciting news about an anniversary giveaway too!
I don't know about you but I love looking through picture calendars, you know the good old ring bound type, to see how seasons are captured. So I couldn't resist sharing these seasonal snapshots.
This month I have been wooed by the sea and have enjoyed some lovely afternoons by the sea over the Easter holidays. There's nothing quite like time on a beach to recharge your batteries is there!
So when I spotted this photo in the gallery this evening, it stood out as a favourite for March immediately.
I wonder what plans these two are hatching! It was captured by my friend Laura (@lovelylollyb) who really is the loveliest. A true tale of instagram friendship turned real life and for that I'm truly thankful for this community.
To celebrate this anniversary month I've teamed up with the very gorgeous Rachael at Hobo Soy Candles (@hobosoycandles)! I adore the candles that Rachael makes, they smell incredible and the packaging is spot on, so they fit in anywhere in your home. Rachael is generously giving away a pair of Tumbler Candles for this month's winner, as well a travel tin for two lucky runners up. All you need to do is tag @littlemaldod and @hobosoycandles into your breaktime posts, along with the usual hashtag, and we'll announce a winner and two other favourites at the end of the month.
Even more of a reason for breaktimes to put a smile on your face!
Thank you as always for sharing, liking and commenting, I so enjoy looking through them each week. Do join in with this break loving community we've created together. Get to know those sharing their breaktimes too, you never know what friendships might follow.


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Just try to find a more true country voice than Jacob Tovar's. Not likely. He's resurrected that old, honest country and throws in originals in the same vein. Accompanied by Seth Lee Jones and Cooper Waugh on guitars, this trio is the real deal, throwback to the sound that made Cain's the famous honky tonk it became.
IYL: Webb Pearce, Bob Wills, Cain's Ballroom


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Proper cell function is responsible for staying healthy.
When cells get old and stop working, we get sick and weak.
With bad lifestyle our cells get even more damaged and age faster.
One of the best studied ways to activate autophagy is regular fasting. By this means cells can. By fasting the amount of calories which our cells are provided with, is reduced and the cells are required to start the cellular autophagy. By this means , cells can produce energy by recycling old and damaged cellular parts whilst staying clean and healthy at the same time.
Spermidine is a substance , found in all living organisms and is another natural way of activating autophagy besides fasting. Since it is found in every cell, it is important to maintain the right level of spermidine for the cell to stay healthy and young. Spermidine is the only natural substance that can do so without any known side-effects.
Spermidine targets many factors of aging and thereby slows down the health decline.
Aspects of aging*
*Lopez-Otin: Hallmarks of Aging, Cell, 2013


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On the way home this afternoon from running errands, my wife told me about a friend of hers who attended a benefit last night. A local 16 year old has a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy which is almost always fatal. The benefit was for that kid.
A bunch of people got together; they freely associated as we Americans do; and put together a fund-raiser to help pay for an extremely expensive experimental therapy. The amount of money raised is not the issue nor is the cause, necessarily.
What is at issue is the ability of Americans to band together to make things happen and how the state is superseding this ability at every chance. Whether it is a corporation to make money; or to build a hospital or raise money for good causes, which is one of our great virtues, Americans come together like nowhere else in the world to make things happen. This is one of the reasons we are called the Land of Opportunity.
Alexis de Toqueville wrote in 1835:
"Americans of all ages, all conditions, all minds constantly unite. Not only do they have commercial and industrial associations in which all take part, but they also have a thousand other kinds: religious, moral, grave, futile, very general and very particular, immense and very small; Americans use associations to give fêtes, to found seminaries, to build inns, to raise churches, to distribute books, to send missionaries to the antipodes; in this manner they create hospitals, prisons, schools. Finally, if it is a question of bringing to light a truth or developing a sentiment with the support of a great example, they associate. Everywhere that, at the head of a new undertaking, you see the government in France and a great lord in England, count on it that you will perceive an association in the United States."
It was one of the fundamental differences between the statist monarchies of France and England and the new republic all the back to our Revolution. And Barack Obama and his allies are doing their best to subvert one of our most glorious achievements.
In his Inaugural Address last week, the President, emphasized time and again not the role of the individual, but that of the state in dictating public life. This idea is foreign to our very nature. The freedoms and responsibilities delegated to government, the people, and its secular institutions in the Constitution are being redefined by the Administration and its supporters.
And that is the tragedy of the young person my wife spoke of. The American Way is to band together as individuals and do things. The Obama Way is for the state to dictate the outcome and the means to that outcome. In the past this was the way of monarchs, sultans, dictators, and communists. Statism is an outcome concentrating power in the hands of the few.
Under the American Way, this kid may have a chance to get the treatment he or she needs. People will work hard and long hours for nothing except the knowledge they did the right thing.
Under an Obama, statist system, the bureaucracy will decide who gets treatment and how it is administered. The shocks of Obamacare are already being felt as insurance rates rise and treatment options are circumscribed. Ask anyone in the military covered under Tricare. He's already tried to sell them out.
The voices of the Left are ready to abandon the obese, the smokers, and other "fringe"" dwellers who do not conduct themselves in the politically correct manner. Do you really think that government would authorize millions of dollars in care per patient for a miniscule minority?
Under an Obama, statist system bureaucrats decide how big your soft drink is and which cooking oil you use and the school lunches your kids eat. Under an Obama, statist, system, bureaucrats decide how you use your land, how much money you can make, and on a myriad of other vanishing freedoms.
Under and Obama, statist system, government reverts to the failed models of the past. The romance with socialism and Marxism or simply enhanced state involvement has been proven wrong in virtually every case in which it has been tried. Western Europe is under crushing debt while the East has only recently seen an economic renaissance after the failure of the Marxist socialist experiment. Russia itself is a mess of a dictatorship. China is authoritarian and still cannot provide for most of its population. And these are the models that Obama's teachers and advisers ascribe to. Government knows best.
The president was absolutely clear in his speech. He outlined his vision of our future. he has a sycophantic media establishment and an intellectually lazy and corrupt political class. He has an agenda. An agenda that is at odds with the American Way.


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Thread: Facebook
[1] [2] >>
And oh Grondy dear, I should so much, so very much wish you would change your mind. How lovely it would be if our little group in Middle-Earth could see one another. It would be such fu n to log in once a week or so and see the 'family'. For I am very attached to all of you and think of you daily and you are in my family prayers. Funny how one moment you don't know someone exists and t hen the next,,voila they are very important in one's life.
ill go google it up...
then maybe youl see my face :P
I understand completly about Facebook, but like anything else you can give zero information out about yourself on your profile page and you can simply exchange photos and you can send messages privately just between you and your friend.
And Fionwe is SUCH a dear and so very personable and funny and well , great.
So.........think about it, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze.
But, I havn't been active with any 'profiling' sites for a few years now for the very reason Grondy said at the top... Far too personal... I like it here, you can say where you're from if you want and aren't pushed for likes and dislikes etc... Only if you wish to put it in a post...
Maybe it was that little group on Hi5 which had it's own 'PT' Group, with the original banner and symbol for PT on it... The Glory Days Orc Smiling Smilie
Yes Loss, that's it. We met in that little PT group!
I'm on facebook too, but I will probably not add you guys. Sorry! And I just don't have time for a second profile. It is in times like this I really really miss the chat room. Sometimes you just want to chat without having to be on topic all the time or worry about spamming. Perhaps that is why I haven't protested much about this thread. Not that I would have had time to be in the chat room even if we did still have it... Ooooh well. That's life.
I would love to see each and every one of you face to face. that is life.
you used to have a chat room here, oh that would have been so wonderful. What happened, if I may ask?
Very few of these people (about 5) are people I hadn't met in person before. Two were significan others of good friends or family, and the others are on an email list I've been a long-time subscriber to.
i dont have facebook but ill check it out right NOW
I just thought it was interesting. I don't think many people would expect members of the (US) military and intelligence community to advocate for such a thing, but there you have it. This post reminded me of it because Facebook was just recommended to me by one of the aforementioned Captains this weekend.
Needless to say I still haven't started an account....
I am already in contant with Sian and Mellon, they are totally wonderful.
You are as intelligent as I thought though, and witty.
ARath, did you go on or what? I want to meet you if possible. I am very strict about letting anyone on my page and I limit everything, but it is enough to have a nice conversation and share pictures.
I don't think many people would expect members of the (US) military and intelligence community to advocate for such a thing,
They are probably advocating it because it allows you to feel like you know what's going on with people who live halfway across the globe - and governement employees tend to get moved around a lot.
Yeyy, add me on facebook! I'd love to meet you all on it
meh anyone of you can add me on facebook, but i havnt really even talked to you lot but i aint bothered :P
Joe Bristoll
Grish I can't find you on facebook and how are you?


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"New Indiana Jones trailer is smash hit"
I live in Seattle and I used to live in Minneapolis and I edit magazines in different states around the country so I visit a lot of newspaper Web sites. It's part of my job and part of my interest. And yesterday I saw the same headline in almost all of them.
About Iraq? Pakistan? About the March 4 showdown between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama? No. It was about the trailer for the new Indiana Jones movie.
Apparently it's a smash hit. That's what they all said. In fact, if you Google the entire headline in quotes, "New Indiana Jones trailer is smash hit," you'll get (as of this morning) over 58,000 hits. Smash or otherwise.
They all pulled the same AP story by Regina Robertson. About the viral spread of the trailer. About how it's doing well online. About how kids might not know from Indiana but that's the challenge because that's the demographic. The usual quotes from Paramount marketing execs and the Aintitcool.com dude. It was probably the biggest news story of the day.
I understand why it was big. It was about entertainment so it might appeal to kids but it was about an older dude so it might appeal to the newspaper's actual demographics. Classic analog hero in digital age clash. Who will win?
Here's what bugs me. Paramount estimates that the trailer was seen 200 million times in its first week? When are they going to get the actual figures? Paramount says the 4.1 million hits on the Yahoo movie site was a record? What does Yahoo say? Do they have a say? Do they want one? Or are they just waiting to be bought? Now that's a feeling we can all get behind.
It's not even PR journalism, it's TV Guide journalism, because the brunt of the story is less about what's been (the release of the trailer) than what's about to be (the release of the movie in May). It's all about anticipation and more and more that's what we focus on. Culturally we're a myopic country peering into the middle distance for any kind of good (or cool) news. Because the past is so five minutes ago and the present is unknown and uncomfortable. But that thing that's about to happen? That we can anticipate in this way? Hell, maybe that can pull us along a little bit and get us out of where we are. Maybe it's the old dude in the leather jacket who can finally save us. At least for two hours. In May.
Once he gets here, though, he's done. Because his not being here is exactly the point. Then we'll need a whole new headline.
Twitter: @ErikLundegaardTweets by @ErikLundegaard
Opening Day 2019: Your Active Leaders
2019 Reviews
The Fall of the American Empire (2018)
Robin Hood of El Dorado (1936)
The Whole Town's Talking (1935)
Oil for the Lamps of China (1935)
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
Something to Sing About (1937)
Recommended Movies
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri


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A new version of this widget has been released. You can find it here: Social Share 2.0
Having a little spare time and not being particularly happy with the first version of my "Social Share!" widget, I thought I can make a better one. And I believe I did. Introducing "Social Share 1.5" Blogger widget. It's not a great improvement when it comes to how it looks, but rather how it is generated.
The new generator uses jQuery to dynamically update the widget code and allows for a greater customization of the widget. You now have the possibility of choosing which links should appear in the widget. The order of the links can also be changed by drag & drop. You can also select from a range of color schemes for the icons.
From a design point of view, it's not at all brilliant. But the fact that the code can be changed easily allows a more flexible evolution of the widget, in the sens that future changes can be implemented with much more ease. So without any further ado, I invite you to use the generator bellow to generate your very own Social Share! 1.5 Blogger widget.
Please stay tuned for future releases. If you like this widget, all comments are welcomed and tune in soon for a new version. I plan to make the next one (maybe named "Social Share 1.6" as an external script. Hopefully it will allow dinamic updrade of the widget in the sense that you will not need to reinstall it manually. So make sure you come back soon.
PS: if you notice a long time has passed and no new version has been released, drop me a comment. I might have forgotten.


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Over 65 years ago, Shocco Springs was founded with the mission to provide a distinctly Christian environment for spiritual transformation and renewal. Every day we see how God continues to bless this life-changing ministry, allowing us to provide meaningful opportunities for people to learn and grow in their walk with the Lord.
In 1947, the Alabama Baptist Convention began a strong foundation of faith when they purchased Shocco Springs. Each year since then, thousands of people, churches, organizations, and groups have added their strength to that foundation. For this we will be forever grateful.
Since those early years, over 1.6 million individuals have attended an event at Shocco Springs and over 69,000 people have reported making a decision for Christ while on our campus. To God be the Glory!
A foundation, however, cannot stand without support. Those who generously provide us with support by praying for and donating to our ministry help allow us to continue carrying out the vision and mission on which we were founded.
A gift, no matter how large or small, has the power to impact lives for eternity. If you would like to invest in the mission and vision of Shocco Springs, we ask that you would prayerfully consider doing so through one or more of the following ways:
To make a tax-deductable donation online, please visit our donation page.
To learn more about charitable giving opportunities or for more information, please contact Wendy Westerhouse at 800.280.1105 (or by emailing email@example.com) or Rodney Bledsoe (334.394.2025) or Joey Hocutt (334.394.2022) at the Baptist Foundation of Alabama.
We pledge that any investment in Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center will be guided by our Board of Trustees as you designate.


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When it comes to health concerns, including hearing loss, people often wonder: how bad is too bad. How serious does a condition need to be before it goes from being an annoyance to something that requires medical attention? If you have mild hearing loss, you may think it's not serious and can be ignored, at least for now.
Mild hearing loss is defined by hearing healthcare professionals as hearing thresholds on an audiogram that are between 26 and 40 decibels (dB) across certain frequencies or pitches. Having a hearing loss doesn't just mean sounds aren't loud enough. Oftentimes, it means sounds aren't clear enough either. People with mild hearing loss often notice that they can hear but they can't understand conversations clearly.
If you have mild hearing loss, the most difficult sounds of speech - consonant sounds like "f" and "th" or "k" and "p" - can be lost during a conversation. That means it will be difficult for you to clearly distinguish between words. For example, the word "death" may sound like "deaf." Throw in some poor room acoustics, background noise that is distracting or a soft-spoken conversation partner, and even a mild hearing loss can pose major challenges.
Perceived handicap
So, if you know you have mild hearing loss or you are beginning to notice symptoms of hearing loss, how do you know if it's time for treatment with hearing aids? The short answer is that it depends.
Hearing loss isn't always black and white. If you were to compare two people with identical hearing test results and the same mild hearing loss, one might report significant difficulty in their everyday life while the other barely notices the hearing loss at all. This is sometimes called "perceived handicap," and according to a study in Ear and Hearing, self-perception of hearing handicap is the main factor in the decision to pursue treatment with hearing aids.
Perceived handicap can be high for some people with mild hearing loss for reasons that are not well-understood. One factor is lifestyle and communication demands. For instance, someone who has frequent visits with family and friends and enjoys spending time at restaurants or the theater may feel a mild hearing loss puts them at a big disadvantage, so this person may have a high perceived handicap. On the other hand, someone who lives a less active lifestyle where socializing is infrequent may simply want to hear their favorite TV programs without straining. They may feel their mild hearing loss barely affects them. Other less obvious factors that contribute to self-perceived handicap, according to the Ear and Hearing study, include marital status and overall health.
Because no two hearing losses are alike, even when they appear identical on paper, only you know how yours is affecting you. Be honest with yourself and, chances are, your mild hearing loss is probably affecting you more than you care to admit.
When you have a hearing test, your hearing healthcare professional will not only be interested in your level of hearing, they will also ask you questions aimed at finding out how much trouble your hearing loss is giving you. Through a careful history and discussion, they can find out about your perceived handicap. Some providers even use a formal test, like a scored questionnaire, that will provide objective information about perceived handicap. You may not be ready for hearing aids yet, but it is important to keep a close watch on your hearing loss progression with the help of your hearing care provider.
Hearing aids for mild hearing loss
People with mild hearing loss and high perceived handicaps are often good candidates for hearing aids. Hearing aid technology has come a long way, and today's devices are sleek, stylish and customizable to any degree of hearing loss. Hearing aids exist for every lifestyle and budget.
There is good news for hearing aid wearers with mild hearing loss. First, you will have more choices of hearing aid types and styles available to you compared with someone whose hearing loss has progressed to the point of being severe to profound. You may be able to wear smaller hearing aids, too. Because your hearing aids don't need to put out as much sound, they will require less frequent battery changes compared to someone who needs powerful devices.
People who first discover a hearing loss wait an average of 7 years to seek help with hearing aids. During this time, the hearing loss progresses, and the brain "forgets" how to hear sound properly. People who procrastinate too long become less able to understand speech over time. Catching a hearing loss when it is mild gives you the best chance for success with hearing aids and rehabilitation now and in the future.
Tips for coping
Whether or not you are ready for hearing aids, there are other things that can help you in your daily life with mild hearing loss.
- Be your own best advocate. Work on getting comfortable with telling others about your hearing loss. Communicate assertively and with courtesy about your needs. Others will appreciate your efforts to hear what they are saying.
- Try assistive listening devices (ALDs). There are a number of affordable accessories on the market today that can help you hear better in specific listening situations. For instance, TV Ears can make watching your favorite programs enjoyable again. Captioned phones can make it much easier to manage phone conversations.
- Talk to your boss. Being open about your mild hearing loss at work is important. Untreated hearing loss can affect your wallet, but making sure your co-workers understand how to best communicate with you will put you back on a level playing field. In addition, your employer is required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to make reasonable accommodations for you. Know your rights and speak up.
- Learn what works for you. If you need the quietest table at that trendy new restaurant in town, ask the host for it. If you need your partner to get your attention before they speak, tell them. Arrive early at lectures and meetings so you can get a seat up front. Learning to live with mild hearing loss involves some experimentation, but knowing your needs will pay off at work and at play.
- Fight fatigue. Though subtle, the effects of mild hearing loss can mean you're straining to hear whether you notice it or not. Over the course of a day, this can lead to mental fatigue and increased anxiety. Incorporate breaks in your day with silence or try short meditation breaks to get refreshed and refocused.
Get help
Even if you aren't ready for hearing aids, it is important to monitor the progression of your mild hearing loss. Get a baseline test with a hearing healthcare professional. Once you have a relationship established, you can decide together when you need ALDs, hearing aids or even medical intervention. Do it for yourself and your family, friends and colleagues.