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New York, June 01, 2018 -- Moody's Investors Service, ("Moody's") has
downgraded Assurant Inc.'s senior debt rating to Baa3 from
Baa2, the insurance financial strength ratings of its property and
casualty insurance operating subsidiaries to A3 from A2, and the
insurance financial strength ratings of its life insurance subsidiaries
to Baa1 from A3. The rating action follows Assurant's announcement
that it has completed its acquisition of The Warranty Group (TWG,
Bermuda, unrated) from TPG Capital for a total enterprise value
of approximately $2.5 billion. The transaction was
financed with $993 million of common equity and approximately $1.5
billion in cash, including the repayment of TWG's $596
million in existing debt. This action concludes a review for downgrade
that was initiated on October 18, 2017. The outlook for the
ratings is stable.
Assurant Inc. and its P&C Insurance Subsidiaries
According to Moody's, the ratings' downgrade reflects the
company's meaningful increase in financial leverage and higher levels
of goodwill and intangibles. On a pro forma basis, Moody's
estimates that consolidated financial leverage will increase to about
28%, up from 22.6% as of year-end 2017.
However, the rating agency added that Assurant's pro forma financial
leverage on tangible equity basis will be much higher. While Assurant
will gradually reduce its financial leverage, it is likely to be
elevated for some time. The addition of TWG will broaden the company's
market presence in vehicle service contracts, enhance its geographic
diversification, and generate significant savings through expense
synergies. However, the acquisition carries significant integration
and execution risks given the combination of two relatively complex organizations.
The company's catastrophe risk also remains a key source of capital and
earnings volatility given its sizable homeowners' exposures, primarily
in Texas and Florida.
The stable outlook reflects our expectation that the company will continue
to perform well, particularly given a lower US corporate tax rate
under the new tax law, which will benefit the company's bottom
line considerably in the years ahead.
Assurant's ratings are based on the group's strong market position
in a number of niche, specialty property & casualty insurance
markets, such as lender-placed homeowners insurance,
mobile handset protection, credit insurance/protection, multifamily
housing products, and extended service contracts/warranties.
These lines of business are complex, generally have limited market
competition, and the company maintains strong relationships with
various distributors. These characteristics provide competitive
advantages for Assurant including pricing flexibility and fairly stable
revenues as well as strong historical profitability.
These strengths are offset by the group's overall modest scale,
substantial level of catastrophe exposure (particularly gross of reinsurance)
from its lender-placed homeowners line, and exposure to adverse
changes in the legal and regulatory environment given its niche products.
Assurant's gross and net catastrophe exposure is substantially higher
than similarly rated P&C peers. The company has also experienced
rapid growth through new products and acquisitions which carries more
risk than established lines.
Life Insurance Subsidiaries
The downgrade of the insurance financial strength ratings of American
Bankers Life Assurance Co of Florida, a credit life insurer,
and Union Security Insurance Company, an entity with run-off
businesses, to Baa1 from A3 is consistent with the rating actions
on Assurant Inc. which provides one notch of implicit support to
these companies. We expect the life subsidiaries will continue
to receive financial and capital support if needed, from Assurant.
The factors that could lead to an upgrade include: 1) significant
reduction in gross and net catastrophe exposures; 2) consolidated
financial leverage meaningfully below 25% on a sustained basis;
3) improved capitalization and strong profitability on a sustained basis;
and 4) parent company liquid resources around $500 million.
The factors that could lead to a downgrade include: 1) significant
increase in catastrophe exposure (on gross or net basis) as a percentage
of shareholder equity, or a 10% or more decline in shareholder
equity; 2) consolidated financial leverage above 35% on a
sustained basis; 3) earnings coverage of interest less than 4x for
an extended period; 4) parent company liquid resources significantly
below $250 million.
The following ratings have been downgraded:
Assurant, Inc. - senior unsecured debt to Baa3 from
Baa2; subordinate debt to Ba1(hyb) from Baa3(hyb); commercial
paper to P-3 from P-2; senior unsecured shelf to (P)Baa3
from (P)Baa2; subordinate shelf to (P)Ba1 from (P) Baa3; preferred
shelf to (P)Ba2 from (P)Ba1; issuer rating to Baa3 from Baa2
American Bankers Ins. Co. of Florida - insurance
financial strength to A3 from A2;
American Security Insurance Company - insurance financial strength
to A3 from A2;
American Bankers Life Assurance Co of Florida - insurance financial
strength to Baa1 from A3;
Union Security Insurance Company - insurance financial strength
to Baa1 from A3.
Assurant, Inc. is a Delaware-based holding company
whose subsidiaries focus on offering diversified specialty insurance and
fee-based products and services. For 2017, Assurant
generated total revenue of $6.4 billion and net income of
approximately $520 million. The company reported total assets
of $31.8 billion and shareholders' equity of approximately
$4.3 billion as of December 31, 2017.
The principal methodology used in rating Assurant, Inc.,
American Bankers Ins. Co. of Florida, and American
Security Insurance Company was Property and Casualty Insurers published
in May 2018. The principal methodology used in rating American
Bankers Life Assurance Co of Florida and Union Security Insurance Company
was Life Insurers published in May 2018. Please see the Rating
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Monday, April 30, 2018
In the wake of the awful vehicular attack in Toronto last week, I learned a word I'd never heard before: incel. It's an abbreviation for involuntarily celibate, used by a class of juvenile and frustrated men to refer to themselves and their inability to attract the attention of women.
Oh, for Pete's sake.
If you have to blame and hate women for your own inability to make yourself desirable, you're not an incel, you're an imbecile.
I was a shy and non-athletic textbook nerd for most of my young life* and yet managed to get my share of dates and eventually find and marry a supremely desirable lady. I think I managed it by trying to be a pleasant and interesting person who recognized his own strengths (and weaknesses) rather than bitching and complaining about how the deck was stacked against him. I worked within the rigid and often frustrating social order that exists at every grade school, high school, and college, and came out all right.
Don't be a whining incel. Don't blame women for your own inadequacy. Be a real man.
Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.
* This will no doubt come as a surprise to those of you who know me as the present-day manly stud and witty raconteur.
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Musical Sunday
The singers of The Parody Project have churned out a long series of superb song parodies that lampoon those in positions of authority. This song, their take on the classic "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?", is one of their best and most biting satires ...
Have a good day and enjoy the rest of your weekend. More thoughts tomorrow.
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Cartoon Saturday
Well, it's been quite a week, hasn't it?
Donald Trump gave a bizarre and angry interview to his favorite sycophants on Fox and Friends, amazing even the program hosts; the leaders of North and South Korea met for their first-ever summit, and agreed to end the Korean War; police in California finally captured a serial killer and rapist who terrorized the state for 40 years - the suspect was a former police officer; the latest British royal baby, fifth in line to the throne, was born this week and named Prince Louis Arthur Charles; and comedian Bill Cosby was found guilty on all counts in a trial for sexual assault.
As last Wednesday, April 25th, was World Penguin Day, what would be a more appropriate topic for Cartoon Saturday than everyone's favorite flightless bird?
A common question, not just for penguins ...
I can see the problem ...
Poor fellow ...
Don't let the children see this one ...
It's an interesting way to cover a social faux pas ...
Well, where do you think they'd go? ...
Hope it works ...
When the shoe is on the other foot ...
It's a relatively simple crime sometimes ...
You saw it coming, didn't you? ...
And there you have it - a collection of cartoons to help you forget the agonies of the past week.
After yesterday's rain (good for the garden and for keeping the $%#@! pollen down), we should have a fairly sunny day here in NoVa, good for more gardening, long walks, and other outdoor stuff. I don't know about you, but I'm more than ready for spring and summer!
Have a good day and a great weekend. More thoughts tomorrow, on Musical Sunday.
Have a good day and a great weekend. More thoughts tomorrow, on Musical Sunday.
Friday, April 27, 2018
The Left-Cheek Ass Clown for April, 2018
It's that time again!
Yes, Dear Readers, two weeks have passed since we last dishonored an Ass Clown awardee, and now it's time for the presentation of
The Left-Cheek Ass Clown for April, 2018
And the award goes to a supremely qualified recipient,
Ms Jarrar, a tenured professor at Fresno State University in California, stirred a firestorm of outrage last week when she described late First Lady Barbara Bush as "an amazing racist" and gleefully tweeted, "I'm happy the witch is dead," but was not fired or disciplined by the university.
Fresno State president Joseph J. Castro described Ms Jarrar's remarks as "insensitive, inappropriate, and an embarrassment to the university," but declined to take any disciplinary action because "... (Jarrar spoke) about a public matter on her personal Twitter account. Her comments, although disgraceful, are protected free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution."
While I reluctantly agree with Mr Castro's opinion about the protection of Ms Jarrar's comments under the First Amendment, I also agree that her comments were disgraceful and should be loudly repudiated by all persons of intelligence and goodwill. Hiding hateful and degrading speech behind the admirable cloak of freedom of speech is as foul and disgusting for the left as it is for the right, and deserves equal condemnation.
The Constitution guarantees us freedom of speech. Sadly, it does not guarantee freedom of intelligence and civility.
The Constitution guarantees us freedom of speech. Sadly, it does not guarantee freedom of intelligence and civility.
Ladies and gentlemen, Dear Readers, for her disgusting assault on norms of behavior and respect*, Randa Jarrar is named as our Left-Cheek Ass Clown for April, 2018.
Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.
* Much like a president I could name.
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Legal Translation
As part of my continuing quest to share interesting stuff with you, I thought I'd riff on this recent article from Atlas Obscura: Istanbul Closes the Books on Its Public Scribes.
The Readers' Digest version of the article is this: the Turkish court system uses an archaic and complicated form of the Ottoman Turkish language for its deliberations and rulings. Because many people were illiterate, few were fluent in the legal dialect, and lawyers were (and remain) expensive, there arose a class of people known as public scribes (arzuhalci, in Turkish) who would, for a modest fee, assist people in drafting petitions and preparing other legal documents. The public scribes are still in business, although they are dying out, being relentlessly opposed by the lawyers from whom they siphon paying customers.
The public scribes in Turkey help translate the language of the law, which is so archaic and convoluted that ordinary people can't understand it, into something they can understand. The same situation exists here in America, where we have a priesthood of hundreds of thousands of high-priced lawyers (for those who can afford them) and overworked, underpaid public defenders (for everyone else) whose sole function is to represent people facing laws written in a legalistic Sanskrit they cannot understand.
By "everyone" I'm sure he meant "every lawyer," because much of it doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
Perhaps we need public scribes instead. They'd certainly be cheaper.
Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Eric Hoffer and Donald Trump
As you know, if you've been with me for any length of time, I am a great fan of Eric Hoffer, the writer and thinker known as "The Longshoreman Philosopher." And my favorite of Hoffer's works is his marvelous short book The True Believer - a brief but insightful look at the nature of mass movements and fanaticism, and what stirs people to action.
I've thought more and more about Hoffer's ideas on mass movements as I watch the spectacle of Donald Trump's America and wonder why such an unqualified con artist has been able to attract so much support among people you'd think would know better, especially after a year of shining examples of his negative and dispiriting leadership. I think that some of Hoffer's thoughts in The True Believer may help to explain why so many people continue to support Trump. For instance, Hoffer writes:
"It is the true believer's ability to 'shut his eyes and stop his ears' to facts that do not deserve to be either seen or heard which is the source of his unequaled fortitude and constancy. He cannot be frightened by danger nor disheartened by obstacles nor baffled by contradictions because he denies their existence ... it is the certitude of his infallible doctrine that renders the true believer impervious to the uncertainties, surprises, and the unpleasant realities of the world around him."
Hoffer goes on to theorize that the doctrine which defines a mass movement (and Trumpism is nothing if not a mass movement) must not be understood, but simply believed in. It must be vague and unverifiable, to allow for maximum intellectual flexibility in the face of contrary information. Ask yourself: what does Donald Trump really stand for, other than being the polar opposite of everything Obama? What does he believe in, other than his own absolute superiority over all other humans? He can't be understood like most traditional political figures ... his followers simply and fervently believe in his pronouncements, no matter how bizarre and how often proven false.
A mass movement, in Hoffer's view, also uses what he calls "unifying agents" to bind its adherents together. Hoffer lists seven of these unifying agents, of which two are clearly present in those who follow Trump.
The first is hatred, which unifies the true believers against a despised other. For Nazi Germany, it was hatred of Jews. For Donald Trump and his followers, it's hatred of immigrants. In the minds of Trump's true believers, immigrants steal jobs from Americans, rape and murder innocent Americans with impunity, and soak up resources that could be used for the legitimate needs of American citizens. While illegal immigration is certainly a problem, focusing on immigrants as a class - not just illegals - demonstrates the unifying effect of hatred.
The second unifying agent is suspicion. As Hoffer writes,
"The awareness of their individual blemishes and shortcomings inclines the frustrated to detect ill will and meanness in their fellow men. Self-contempt, however vague, sharpens our eyes for the imperfections of others."
Casting suspicion on enemies, real or imagined, strengthens the belief of true believers. You can't trust the mainstream media, because everything is fake news. The government doesn't serve the needs of real Americans because of the machinations of the deep state. The FBI and the Justice Department are corrupt. We need to drain the swamp to restore American greatness ... although whatever swamp existed before has demonstrably grown far larger under the Trump administration.
I encourage you to find a copy of The True Believer and read it carefully. It's a short read, but it's packed with powerful concepts and observations that will help you understand the forces that brought Donald Trump to office and keep him there.
Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
The Importance of Ritual
Last week there was a news item (and a blog post by Angel) about the demotion and forced retirement of a Tennessee Air National Guard colonel and the punishment of several senior enlisted people who participated in a reenlistment ceremony in which the reenlistee - a senior noncommissioned officer - took her oath of enlistment using a dinosaur hand puppet. As many people noted, this was gross disrespect of a serious military tradition which acknowledges the life-and-death consequences of military service. As an Air Force officer, I conducted many reenlistment, promotion, and retirement ceremonies over the years, including administering the commissioning oath to my own son, and I was greatly offended by these actions of people who should have known better.
But this tawdry incident brings me to an interesting related topic: the role of rituals in our lives. For this, I call your attention to this 2013 article by Donna Henes, in which she notes that
"Ceremonial observance adds lucid layers — depth, dimension, drama and distinction — to our lives, making the ordinary seem special, and the special, extraordinary."
There's a reason we have rituals for important events in our lives, such as marriages, funerals, military commissioning and enlistments, and school graduations - they provide a solemnity and an opportunity for reflection that underscores the seriousness of significant events. Religions rely on various rituals, of course, as a way of connecting with the power of the unknown and the Almighty, but there are many important secular rituals as well - such as presidential inaugurations, graduations, military parades, the awarding of a driver's license, selection for promotion at work, and so on. The rituals surrounding such events are intended to emphasize their importance.
Of course, there are rituals and there are rituals. Sir Stephen, the amoral libertine who abused the title character in Story of O, noted that "I have a fondness for habits and ritual" ... ritual, of course, of a more carnal nature than those with which most of us are familiar. And ritual plays a central part in the Sherlock Holmes mystery "The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual."
And, of course, in today's America, if you're ritual have a much better chance of being elected to office.
Sorry about that.
Have a good day, and observe all necessary rituals. More thoughts tomorrow.
Monday, April 23, 2018
Noise Pollution
There are lots of different types of pollution that foul our poor old world, not only the obvious ones that the current leadership of the Environmental Protection Administration wants to ignore in the interest of protecting businesses. Light pollution is one, although most people other than astronomers don't recognize or care about it ... who needs to see the stars at night, after all?
Another important type of pollution is noise pollution - the ceaseless din that surrounds us every day. Traffic noise, aircraft noise, painfully loud rock music, Faux News, Donald Trump ... loud, discordant noise envelops us every day, everywhere. One example of the daily decibel assault is addressed in this interesting recent article: Why Restaurants Became So Loud — and How to Fight Back.
One of our favorite local restaurants has great food, excellent service, and reasonable (for NoVa) prices*. We love going there except for one thing: you can't hear yourself think. There three primary reasons for the tremendous noise level, and the Vox article addresses all of them:
Open, industrial-like space, which can make it seem like you're sitting inside a drum.
Minimalist decor, which removes the sorts of things - like curtains, carpeting, tablecloths, and plush cushions - that used to dampen the noise in older restaurants, but which are incompatible with the current trend toward informality.
Lots of people, which is the curse of wanting to go to a place to which lots of people want to go.
Oh, and there's one more reason that restaurants are noisy - we Americans are loud. Not much we can do about this one.
What can you do to protect yourself from restaurant noise? The article suggests four things you can try:
Dine Early: Most of us prefer a later dinner, but there are fewer people, which means less noise, before 7 o'clock.
Ask for a Quiet Table: If you're seated in a spot that's particularly loud, ask to move to a quieter location. If you make a reservation, ask to be assigned a table in a quiet area.
Ask Your Server to Turn Down the Music: If it's too loud for you, it's probably too loud for other diners, too, but nobody has said anything. Ask your server, or a manager, if necessary, to turn it down.
Complain: If enough customers complain, the managers may understand that they're doing something wrong. Lodge a respectful complaint with a manager before you leave the restaurant, or note the noise level in an online review.
That helps with restaurants. Unfortunately, it doesn't help with the thunderous din coming from Faux News, Donald Trump, or Congress. I'm afraid you're on your own there.
Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.
* In case you're in the area, I'm talking about Mike's American Grill in Springfield. I also love their motto - "Be Nice or Get Out."
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Poetry Sunday
I went looking in my collection for a cartoon about the month of April, but ended up finding this gem by April Lindner. I think it was a fortuitous find - a poem that features wonderful imagery ...
by April Lindner
Turn the knob. The burner ticks
then exhales flame in a swift up burst,
its dim roar like the surf. Your kitchen burns white,
lamplight on enamel, warm with the promise
of bread and soup. Outside the night rains ink.
To a stranger bracing his umbrella,
think how your lit window must seem
both warm and cold, a kiss withheld,
lights strung above a distant patio.
Think how your bare arm, glimpsed
as you chop celery or grate a carrot
glows like one link in a necklace.
How the clink of silverware on porcelain
carries to the street. As you unfold your napkin,
book spread beside your plate, consider
the ticking of rain against pavement,
the stoplight red and steady as a flame.
I hope the rest of April (the month) is good to you.
Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Cartoon Saturday
What else could possibly go crazy, you ask? Please don't.
In a courtroom surprise, Faux News shouting head Sean Hannity was revealed as the secret client of Trump lawyer Michael Cohen; the Democratic National Committee is suing the Trump campaign, Russia, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and several associates of President Donald Trump alleging a racketeering, hacking and fraudulent conspiracy to harm Democrats during the 2016 presidential campaign; a Southwest Airlines aircraft was landed safely by its pilot after one of its engines exploded in midair; two federal regulators are fining Wells Fargo $1 billion for forcing customers to buy car insurance and charging unfair fees to mortgage borrowers, this after the Federal Reserve fined the company last February for "widespread consumer abuses," including creating as many as 3.5 million fake customer accounts; and a series of memos by former FBI Director James Comey documenting his meetings with Donald Trump was released by the Justice Department in response to demands by Congressional Republicans.
Now with direct download!
An idea whose time has not yet come: the Tröjän Hörsë ...
A perfectly good question ...
Send in the clowns, too ...
When puns attack ...
I agree ...
A perfect subterfuge ...
Well, obviously ...
Now, that's an evil plan ...
When GPS targeting goes bad ...
And there you have it - this week's clever approach to sneaking a collection of good cartoons into your day!
It looks as if it's going to be a nice weekend here in NoVa, even though it's still not nice enough to get my garden planted. Sigh. Well, at least it'll be nice enough to take some power walks in the fresh air and sunlight, and maybe get the lawn mowed for the first time this year ... I need to get rid of that winter pallor.
Have a good day and a great weekend. More thoughts tomorrow.
It looks as if it's going to be a nice weekend here in NoVa, even though it's still not nice enough to get my garden planted. Sigh. Well, at least it'll be nice enough to take some power walks in the fresh air and sunlight, and maybe get the lawn mowed for the first time this year ... I need to get rid of that winter pallor.
Have a good day and a great weekend. More thoughts tomorrow.
Friday, April 20, 2018
Great Moments in Editing and Signage
After a week like this one, we all need a little taste of the innocently bizarre ...
In case you need affordable supplies for your pet termites ...
Um ... I think I'll skip this event down at the elementary school ...
Well, I can understand the "less sex" part ...
Now accepting recommendations for a change of name ...
And there's whipped cream on sale as a garnish for the main dishes!
Somehow, I'm not surprised ...
Well, he got what he deserved ...
Gives new meaning to the term "a real steal" ...
Part of the witness preparation for the next round of indictments from the Mueller probe ...
I think I'll stick with Lucy, thanks ...
There you go ... another batch of great moments in editing for you. If nothing else, it'll get you into the mood for Cartoon Saturday.
Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Assessing the Odds
So, here's something interesting I found online a few days ago - click to embiggen it or, if that doesn't work, click here to see the original ...
It's a chart from a UK Accident Claims Advice website that gives your general odds of suffering a fatal injury in various situations. There are a few interesting points that arise from a brief look at the various categories of fatal situations.
For instance, you have a 1 in 358 chance of being killed by firearms in the United States, but only a 1 in 1,018,182 chance in the UK. The odds of death by self-inflicted gunshot are 1 in 399.
Other interesting odds include:
Your chance of being killed by "Unintentional Poisoning by Exposure to Noxious Substances*" is 1 in 96.
The odds of death by "Accidental Strangulation in Bed" are 1 in 5,730 ... probably less if you choose your partners carefully.
And, your chances of death from a dog bite are 1 in 16,448, while death from bites by a different animal** are 1 in 3,839,216.
Not listed under the "Self-Harming" category is death by choking on bizarre pronouncements made by the White House Press Office.
Be careful out there ... it's a dangerous world, and I need all of you.
Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.
* Fox News is not listed as one of the "noxious substances" to which one can be fatally exposed, but perhaps it should be.
** The type of animal is not specified, so there is conceivably a statistically measurable chance of death from an alpaca bite. Stay away from them.
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Balanced Budget Amendments and Other Fantasies
On April 12th the House of Representatives voted down House Joint Resolution 2, a proposed balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The amendment would have "prohibit(ed) total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year unless Congress authorizes the excess by a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber," required a three-fifths vote in both chambers to increase the debt limit, required a majority vote to raise taxes, and required the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress each year. All of those requirements would have been waived if a declaration of war was in effect.
Speaking as a middle-class retired guy living on a fixed income, I understand fiscal responsibility. I understand that I need to balance my budget. After all, Real People go to jail over indebtedness, and cannot avoid their obligations by waiving them in the event war has been declared. And when was the last time you saw a corporation or member of Congress go to jail because of poor budgeting?
Riddle me this, Batman ... why do we need to amend the Constitution to force Congress to do its job? Hint: it's because they want cover to protect them from the fury they'll face from voters who don't want to face the pain of running the country properly. And what's the point of amending the Constitution when the amendment provides ample escape clauses?
Politicians, Republicans in particular, are always demanding a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. It's a safe public relations ploy. Amendments and laws are only words, after all, unless there's the will and the willingness to obey them. And it's clear that if Congress can enact one law, it can pass another to undo or avoid it.
Forget balanced budget amendments. Pass real budgets, based on sound and thoughtful national priorities, for a change.
Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Tax Day, 2018
Today is the last day to file your Federal income tax return for 2017 and render unto Trump what is Trump's. You'd better do it quickly, because the combination of the administration's recent huge tax cut* and its enormous budget, means Uncle Sam needs your largess as soon as possible.
Here are a few cartoons that deal with the sheer, unutterable joy of calculating your taxes ...
Good luck.
Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.
* Hope you're enjoying the few dollars it got you. Of course, if you're a corporate titan or other part of the 1%, it probably looks better.
Monday, April 16, 2018
Sadly Useful Synonyms
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary published a timely article in its "Words at Play" series yesterday: Seven Words for Lying. This is not only timely but very useful, given Donald Trump's at-best nodding acquaintance with the truth, as these seven synonyms can be useful to keep all the news reports from sounding the same:
Prevaricate - (verb) to avoid telling the truth by not directly answering a question. Prevarication is the noun.
Palter - (verb) to act insincerely or deceitfully.
Mendacious - (adjective) likely to tell lies. Mendacity is the noun.
Dissemble - (verb) to hide under a false appearance.
Fib - (noun and verb) a trivial or childish lie.
Equivocate - (verb) to use unclear language especially to deceive or mislead someone. Equivocation is the noun.
Perjure - (verb) to tell a lie under oath*. The noun form is perjury.
Don't thank me. Be sorry we need so many different ways to say it, when God Almighty only needed one commandment.
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Musical Sunday
Tom Lehrer, whose birthday we celebrated last Monday, was one of the funniest satirical musicians ever, although his peak fame lasted only a few years through the 1960s. This week, in honor of the upcoming premiere of season 2 of the HBO hit series Westworld, how about this classic from Tom Lehrer - "The Wild West Is Where I Want to Be" ...
Saturday, April 14, 2018
Cartoon Saturday
Quite a week we've had, eh?
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg spent two days on Capitol Hill answering (and often dodging) lawmakers' questions about Facebook's data collection and sharing practices; Washington is tied in knots once again as leaked passages from the memoir of former FBI director James Comey (described by Donald Trump as an "untruthful slimeball," spun up both allies and enemies of the chief executive; House Speaker Paul Ryan became the latest GOP member of Congress to decide it's time to spend more time with his family, announcing that he will not run for reelection; after Russia threatened to shoot down aircraft or missiles targeting its Syrian allies, Donald Trump trolled on Twitter that the Russians should get ready for "nice, new, and 'smart'" missiles; and federal agents raided the home and office of Donald Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen, apparently in response to tips provided by the team of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
This week, in honor of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's grilling by legions of holier-than-thou (and utterly clueless about social media) members of Congress, our theme is - what else? - social media ...
It's all in how you look at it ...
I think this is how it works in the White House, too ...
Why you need to check Facebook often ...
Specialized online sites ...
A new twist on an old staple of the movies ...
High Noon, 3.0 ...
21st century menus ...
Dealing with the Trump Organization ...
Being careful what you post is a good idea ...
And there you have it - your social media edition of Cartoon Saturday!
It looks as if it's finally going to be a beautiful weekend here in NoVa - bright sunshine and temperatures in the low 80s. Naturally, I'll be spending it outside in an attempt to get rid of the winter pallor.
Have a good day and a great weekend. More thoughts tomorrow on Musical Sunday.
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Dear Partner,
Warm greetings from HRINCAMPUS Conference 2018– the Malaysia Graduate Recruitment & Development Conference, and Gathering of Career Services Practitioners & Campus Recruiters in Malaysia.
A momentous annual affair, HRINCAMPUS & Sunway University brings flocks of employers, universities and top students from all corners of the nation together at the HRINCAMPUS Conference to exchange ideas, insights, develop opportunities and network.
Purposefully and meticulously designed to allow delegates to put their heads together and focus on broader issues within the industry, learn and compare notes with industry experts from all disciplines, discover industry trends, and to discuss brilliant ideations and solutions to overcome challenges faced within the industry, the HRINCAMPUS Conference 2018 is an outlook-changing affair that gives a refreshing perspective for the Campus Recruiters & Career Services Practitioners.
HRINCAMPUS Conference will be held on October 11, 2018 @ Sunway University.
Best Regards,
HRINCAMPUS & Sunway University
Pronounced as "HR-in-Campus", we are an Award-Winning Integrated Graduate Recruitment & Employer Branding Specialist.
Purpose-built to connect amazing employers to amazing graduates directly in a way that has never been done before, we hold pride in knowing employers who have partnered with us have procured top-of-the-line employees through us.
With a proven track record and partnerships with over 100 of the top private and public universities across Malaysia, we rightly earned the claim of being Malaysia's most premier graduate recruitment specialist.
Visit www.hrincampus.com
Sunway is recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. Programmes are designed to fulfil the needs and interests of a modern society. In adopting a global approach, the University has established close partnerships with Lancaster University UK and Le Cordon Bleu International, which lend international qualifications to Sunway's programmes. The University has fostered ties with Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge in bilateral exchange of expertise and research. Sunway's academic staff is an international blend of leading researchers and experts in the field.
To date, the University has drawn more than 26,000 students from over 90 countries to its vibrant, 880,000-square-feet campus. Supported by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, the University has invested in excess of RM400 million in its infrastructure and continues to expand its teaching and learning, and research spaces. Here at Sunway, students and academics thrive in the discovery of ideas and opportunities in the heart of Sunway City, adjacent to some of the best public, medical and social amenities in Malaysia.
Visit www.sunway.edu.my
Showcase your brand to Career Services Practitioners, Campus Recruiters, Student Leaders or Educators.
Find out more about the Sponsorship Opportunities here (Password : sponsorship)


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/etc/shadow file
This files stores passwords in an encrypted mode, in modern Unix-like systems, (later than 1990). Before this date the passwords were stored in the /etc/passwd file.
In the passwd file the passwords were also shadowed, but because any user has access to it, (read permission, only root can write), the access to the shadowed file, make it easy to appy brute force break passwords attempts.
How to avoid such brute force attacks?
According to Wikipedia.
Systems administrators can reduce the likelihood of such brute force attacks by making the list of hashed passwords unreadable by unprivileged users. The obvious way to do this is to make the passwd database itself readable only by the root user. However, this would restrict access to other data in the file such as username-to-userid mappings, which would break many existing utilities and provisions. One solution is a "shadow" password file to hold the password hashes separate from the other data in the world-readable passwd file. For local files, this is usually /etc/shadow on Linux and Unix systems, or /etc/master.passwd on BSD systems; each is readable only by root. (Root access to the data is considered acceptable since on systems with the traditional "all-powerful root" security model, the root user would be able to obtain the information in other ways in any case). Virtually all recent Unix-like operating systems use shadowed passwords.
/etc/shadow file parts
This file contains 7 fields separated by a colon (:), which are:
- User login name
- salt and hashed password OR a status exception value e.g:
- "NP" or "!" or null - No password, the account has no password.
- "LK" or "*" - the account is Locked, user will be unable to log-in
- "!!" - the password has expired
- Days since Jan 1st of 1970 last password change
- Days until change allowed
- Days before change required
- Days warning for expiration
- Days before account inactive
- Days since Jan 1st of 1970 when account expires
- Reserved


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FILM REVIEW – SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO. With Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Isabela Moner, Catherine Keener, Matthew Modine. Written by Taylor Sheridan. Directed by Stefano Sollima. Rated R for strong violence, bloody images, and language. 122 minutes.
SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO, the sequel to 2015's "Sicario," is the perfect film for the Trump era. In its opening minutes, it stokes fears about Mexicans illegally crossing the border and Muslim suicide bombers. Then, to make sure all bases are covered, we watch Americans kill and torture Somali pirates in a subplot that quickly vanishes.
Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) is brought in by the Secretary of Defense (Matthew Modine) and an aide (Catherine Keener) to do something to disrupt this invented connection between Mexican drug cartels and Islamic terrorism. His solution is to foment a war among the cartels by kidnapping Isabel (Isabela Moner), the daughter of the biggest kingpin, and making it look like a rival gang did it. He brings in a bunch of mercenaries, including Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro), a lawyer whose family Isabel's father had murdered in the first film.
Italian director Stefano Sollima, making his American feature debut, stages exciting and violent action scenes accompanied by an eerie score by Hildur Guðnadóttir that is more suitable for a horror movie. It's odious in a way that it feeds into the fear and hate being invoked by our current political leaders. There's even a subplot about Miguel (Elijah Rodriguez), a teenage American citizen, who is recruited to work for a Mexican crime boss bringing people illegally into the country. See? We can't even trust the children.
And then something happens in the second half of the film: it gets incoherent. The motivations of characters change for no reason other than the plot requires it, and plot twist upon plot strains our credulity. Without giving anything away, there are several points when viewers paying attention to the plot and not just getting off on the violence will find themselves looking on in disbelief, including the last scene of the movie, which makes no sense at all.
Brolin, who had memorable turns this year in "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Deadpool 2," plays a much narrower range here. He doesn't embarrass himself, but his ruthless character is straitjacketed by the screenplay. Del Toro fares slightly better, if only because he gets to show more emotion but he, too, is ultimately taken down by the script. Young actors Moner and Rodriguez will hopefully get other opportunities to show their talents. Poor Moner goes from tough-kid-who-knows-her-father-can-deal-with-anyone-who-gets-in-her-way, to hysterical little girl, to suddenly bonding with a man who –inexplicably – tells her he's after her father. Even Meryl Streep would have a tough time making that believable.
Screenwriter Taylor Sheridan is no hack, as his scripts for "Hell or High Water" and "Wind River" demonstrated. On the other hand, he's also responsible for the first "Sicario," which was similarly a mess. Perhaps that's the answer. "Sicario: Day of the Soldado" is not only something for audiences to avoid, this is a series that everyone else involved with should walk away from as well.•••
Daniel M. Kimmel is a veteran movie critic and author of a host of film-related books. His latest novel is Time on My Hands: My Misadventures in Time Travel. He is the 2018 recipient of the Skylark Award given by the New England Science Fiction Association. He lives in Somerville, Massachusetts.


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Product Video
|Warranty length
|2 Years
Tech Specs
- Freq Resp (+/-4dB): 58Hz ñ 20kHz
- Sensitivity: 99dB @ 2.83V / 1m
- Handling (Cont/Peak): 100W/400W
- Maximum SPL: 116dB Continuous
- Nominal Impedance: 8? Compatible
- Crossover Freq: (HF/MF) 5000/850Hz
- HF: 1î Titanium Compression
- MID: 1.75î Titanium Compression
- LF: 12î Fiber-composite cone
- Enclosure Material: MDF
- Inputs: Dual binding posts
- Configuration: bi-wire / bi-amp
- Dimensions (HWD): 605 x 394 x 337cm
Product Description
Klipsch Heritage Heresy III Speakers are relatively compact offering the greatest flexibility of placement in the Heritage Series.
Assembled in USA
The Heresy was first introduced in 1957, with the cabinet handcrafted in Arkansas for the past 50 years, the Klipsch Heresy III speaker is a true testament to the quality Klipsch products. With a superb three-way design, this speaker began its life as a compact centre channel speaker built for the Klipsch horn in three-speaker stereo configurations. The Heresy was so well loved that It eventually stood on its own.
The Heresy Legacy
The original Heresy was improved upon in 1985 and re-released as the Heresy II. With the new Heresy III, Klipsch has installed a more powerful woofer, a bi-wire network and a titanium diaphragm tweeter, which has a much larger magnet. The consequence of the improvements is a speaker that is capable of delivering a smooth, dynamic sound, with low distortion. Available in three high-quality wood veneers, Cherry, Walnut or Black Ash, there is a finish for your home decor. The speakers are supplied with a slant riser base for placing the speakers on the floor, that can be removed for cabinet installations.
Compact Three Way
The original Heresy was built around a compact three-way design, with a 12" woofer, a horn-loaded midrange, and tweeter. The Heresy III has been upgraded with a much more powerful woofer and a bi-wire network. Plus, the midrange horn and tweeter compression drivers utilise titanium diaphragms for a smooth and accurate representation of sound.
High Efficiency
It is very difficult to find a speaker that sounds as dominant or is as efficient as the Heresy III, given its relatively small and compact size. The Heresy model offers a fantastic degree of flexibility when considering placement of the speakers. Plus, with the added removable slant riser base, you can install these speakers in a cabinet or on the floor
Wood Veneer
In the production process, Klipsch utilises grain-match wood veneers for the Heritage series. The process ensures that the veneer leaves are kept together when they are sliced delicately from the timber. The veneers are arranged precisely, to give a resulting mirror image at the splice joint, like turning the pages of a book. By using the matching veneer process gives each speaker an appealing visual aesthetic and consistent appearance that is treasured.
Matched Pairs
Each pair of Heritage Series loudspeakers has grain-matched wood veneer panels that have been cut sequentially from the same timber. Each speaker cabinet is has been carefully selected to match with one another, and are practically indistinguishable from the other. Klipsch maintains the finished quality of their products by ensuring that each speaker of a pair moves seamlessly together through the factory. The finished speakers are always carefully inspected and sequentially labelled with their serial numbers, ensuring that the Heritage speakers leave the factory as a perfectly matched and crafted pair.
Built to Last
Each component in the Heresy III is designed with longevity in mind, and Klipsch has always understood the critical role of a loudspeakers' cabinet in the sound reproduction process. Starting with the craftsmen in Arkansas to the engineers in Indianapolis, Klipsch put an extraordinary strong emphasis on the design of the cabinets. We believe that there is not another small compact speaker that is as well built or has been passed on to future generations, as the Heresy III.
Key Features
- 3-way design using horn-loaded Titanium diaphragm Mid/HF compression drivers
- Direct-radiating 12-inch woofer for powerful low frequencies
- 99dB sensitivity delivers Smooth, dynamic and low distortion sound
- Available in a high-quality Black Ash, Cherry, or Walnut wood veneer finish
- Designed & Assembled in the USA
Please Note
Klipsch Heritage Series products are built to order with cabinets that are handmade in the US at the Hope, Ark manufacturing facility. Please allow up to 8 weeks turnaround time.


text: You can download past written papers with audio from the DOWNLOADS section. After downloading you will need a code for unzipping the files. After your payment we will send you the necessary code in email. You can also make an appointment with the examiner teacher for consultation via email if you live in Miskolc or around its area in Hungary. You can choose from the options below.


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全館滿3,000元免運費 on order
新加坡馬來西亞滿5000免運 on order
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'La Huesera', translated as 'The Boneyard', a portion of the Lagos de Covadonga climb renowned for being especially hard. The design of the jersey is based on this theme.The La Huesera logotype is designed using images of rotten bones, conceptually following a similiar vein of thought as the 'El Infierno' jersey from last year.The colour palette comprises of sombre shades of purple with a touch of bright red for contrast.


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A Variety club award winning Comedian and TV & Radio Presenter, in Lee we truly have the man for all occasions.
Lee's career as a stand up comedian took him to the dizzy heights of the London Palladium, The Royal Albert Hall and all the number one theatres in the U.K. as well as most of the Worlds luxury cruise liners. In Television he guested on shows like PEBBLE MILL, ALAN TITCHMARSH, SASCHA BARON COHEN, LIVE AT JONGLEURS, STAND & DELIVER, THE STAND UP SHOW, FUNKY BUNKER & many more, as well as Presenting the ITV Sporting Game Show RUN WITH THE BALL, a program he also devised and made with Available Light TV Productions.
In Radio Lee has appeared on BBC Radio 2 CHILDREN IN NEED & COMIC RELIEF, as well as hosting the Breakfast show for over two years on Bristol's 107.3 STAR FM until 2005.
A prolific writer Lee has spent the past few years developing TV games shows and inventing board games as well as acting as a charity auctioneer at major Charitable events through the U.K.
He is constantly in demand at Racecourses as a hospitality Host/ Tipster, this stems from his "miss spent youth" and his days as a Jockeys agent. Lee also appeared on THE RACING CHANNEL as well as HTV Sports, on Radio his talking Horse daily selections had an amazing 56% strike rate!
Corporate companies often rely on him as an anchor man and presenter for their annual awards dinners and events. Lee is honoured to have shared the stage on many occasions with two of his all time favourite sporting superstars GEORGE BEST and HENRY COOPER, "Bestie" loved him and once said " in Comedy this guy is like Pele" what an accolade.
If you need an event Hosting..
If you need an auctioneer / MC for your event..
Call Lee on 01889-623447 07936-114964 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com
Follow him on Twitter @theleecarroll
Or find him on Facebook. Lee Carroll


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Leadership Through Experiential Learning
This interactive course explores the various models of leadership, diversity, power and change with an opportunity for students to gain practical experience through community based experiences. The intent of this course is to explore and enhance your leadership capabilities in an interdisciplinary model. You will gain knowledge and develop skills in leadership for the twenty-first century, so that you can go on to be active leader in your profession, community and your world. This course promotes an interactive learning environment and incorporates facilitated discussion around the various models of leadership, diversity, power, and change with ample time for reflection. You will also have an opportunity to develop a more complex understanding of the operation of leadership, organizations and change through placements in the community.
|Unit(s): 3.0
|Level(s): III
|Term(s): Fall
|Offered?: Yes
|Language?: No
Mela Pothier
Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level III or above in any program in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Antirequisite(s): POLSCI 3HP3, 3PR3, 4FG3


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Water for Life Project
North Bangladesh Displaced Population Camps (DPCs)
The principal cause of disease among the DPCs residents is a severe shortage of clean water. This unfortunate fact also contributes to the relatively high infant mortality rate.
Funds are needed on an ongoing basis to set up deep water pumps to service over 22 DPCs in north Bangladesh. The cost of each water pump is $385 on average, though it can vary depending on the depth of the clean water source. Hand pumps also need repairs and parts replacement. You may donate for one well or make smaller donations that will cover cost of repairing hand pumps.


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Maggiano's Italian Restaurants Near 75180
Bring Family & Friends Together At Maggiano's Italian Restaurant Near 75180
Reminisce with loved ones, laugh with new friends, and savor every bite of your meal at Maggiano's Little Italy. From generous portions of pasta to wholesome, Chef-prepared salads, we combine the quality of Nonna's traditional Italian recipes with the joy of family and friends. Visit a Maggiano's Italian restaurant near 75180 today! Make a reservation online, over the phone, or simply stop by. We look forward to serving you!
Maggiano's Banquet Halls:
The Perfect Place For Your Event
Visit Maggiano's Little Italy for Italian food near 75180 that's always satisfying. Make a reservation or stop by your nearest location for brunch, lunch, dinner, or a quick appetizer and drink at the bar. At Maggiano's, every guest is family—no matter the meal, the day, or the size of your dining party!
From appetizing antipasto dishes to Chef-prepared cakes and cookies, we believe that simplicity is at the core of Italian cooking. Our chefs use only the freshest seasonal ingredients to bring out the rich, natural flavors at the heart of our handcrafted recipes. With vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and classic Italian fare, Maggiano's has a plate for every palate. Order a signature flatbread, fresh-made soup, crisp salad, or hearty pasta, and prepare yourself for an Italian treat, with an American twist!
Eating Italian style is about more than simply eating. It's about savoring each bite, visiting with family and friends, and relaxing after a busy day. It's never hurried and it's forever delicious. At our restaurants, you can make your next meal a memorable one, but you can also make your next celebration special too! With magnificently decorated event spaces and private banquet rooms, plus a well-dressed, attentive staff to match, Maggiano's is the ideal event venue near 75180 for any type of occasion. Whether you're hosting an anniversary dinner, bridal brunch, or need a large space to celebrate a quinceanera or bar/bat mitzvah, let our Private Dining Managers make your next get-together easy, stress-free, and above all—mouthwateringly delicious!
Call your local Maggiano's today or make a reservation online to see why we're nothing like other Italian restaurants near 75180. Come experience something special at Maggiano's!


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I have to share this family session.
Beautiful people, lots of love and fun between them.
In the large family images, I really like the patterns that are interspersed among the solids.
Family photo clothing is important!
Not too matchy, not clashing!
Not too many patterns….
It's a big job to coordinate outfits for photo day!


text: I can honestly say I run from this word and everything about it. As a small child I watched my mother battle depression and mental illness. She took what felt like a thousand mood altering pills. It seemed like they could never level her out so there were numerous visits to hospitals. As crazy as it may sound, I have a hard time taking medication because of that experience. I read the side effects on everything and 9 times out of 10 will not take the medicine. Who wants a swollen tongue, constipation, suicidal thoughts and all of the other crazy stuff? That's a hard pass for me. Perhaps I'm scared of losing control. How can you be scared to lose control of something that you don't really have control over? What causes depression? Can you prevent it? Is it a choice? It can't be right? Who would choose to be depressed? Am I depressed? I came across this quote that made me really question it. My sister tells me I'm emotionless or dead inside. I feel like every single day is Groundhog Day. I wake up, go to work and then come home. It feels like I'm not living my life. I don't know how else to describe it. If I am depressed, how did I get to this place? Could it be a temporary thing because of all of the chaos that is happening with my life right now? Is depression like mental illness and it is with me forever? Does it require medication? Clearly I need to Doctor Google some things. I'm hoping that once things start to settle in my life I can start to focus on my mental health. I would like to believe I can overcome these challenges without medication. If not, I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it. 😬


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Category Archives: Uncategorized
Happy New Year
Dear Readers, Thank you for everything in 2016. Thank you for your support, for reading, for commenting, for reviewing, and for making me smile. It's been a Morello Cove year, and the start of 2017 will be as well – … Continue reading
Best Reads of 2016
In no particular order, here are my best reads of 2016.
The Author Recommends: December
December is for feel-good books. At least in my world. So I've chosen a few of my Christmas favorites for this post. I love all the different versions of A Christmas Carol we get hit with every year for … Continue reading
Danish Christmas Anthology
For the Danish crowd – don't forget that this year's edition of VED JULELAMPENS SKÆR is out today. Available in paperback and hardback online or at your usual bookstore. My contribution is a short story called "Mig og Jesus" (Me … Continue reading
The Author Recommends: November
This is the NaNoWriMo edition of The Author Recommends. For those who don't know what it is, it stands for National Novel Writing Month and takes places every November, where writers across the globe pledge to write 50,000 words in … Continue reading
Featured Cover Reveal: INKING SCARS by M.A. Stacie
Title: Inking Scars (Ink & Metal #1) Author: M.A. Stacie Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: January 17, 2017 Cover Design: Totally Bound Synopsis Tattoo artist, Seth Baxter, has had enough loss to last him a lifetime. Focused and driven, he … Continue reading
How to REALLY Get to Know Your Character
You're preparing to write a book, plotting away, creating characters, and writing more notes than you will ever use. There, on one of the pages, is a clear description of your main character. Height, weight, eye color, favorite childhood memory. … Continue reading


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Sandpiper Pier Cottage #7
This private, informal Cannon Beach vacation is a perfect getaway space for a couple or small family. With two patios, a full kitchen, and wood-burning fireplace, you can enjoy all the comforts of home, while at the wondrous Oregon Coast!
This one-bedroom vacation rental is smartly designed to make the most of its space. You'll enter directly into the open living and dining area, and feel at ease thanks to the warm wood tones, modern furnishings, and charming bistro-style artwork. The plush sofa is waiting for you to settle in and soak up the tree-lined views outside.
The living area opens onto the galley-style kitchen, which has updated stainless steel appliances, generous storage, and a dishwasher. You'll also find all the cooking gear, dishes, and serving utensils you would need to prepare meals, or even just settle in with a pizza or some takeout after a long day exploring the beach. Outside, you'll also find a charcoal barbecue, so you can enjoy some freshly grilled seafood or burgers on a warm summer evening.
There's a four-person dining table, along with a 42" flat-screen TV with cable and DVD player. Complimentary wireless Internet is provided to keep in touch, or if you feel like leaving electronics out of the equation, grab a board game and spread out at the table for some unplugged action.
At the end of the night, the spacious bedroom beckons you with its comfortable queen bed, wood-burning fireplace, and an additional flat-screen TV so you won't miss your favorite late-night talk show. The bedroom also has a lovely seating area near the window, perfect for quiet moments or a good book. Best of all, though, a private door opens onto the rear patio, which provides privacy and seclusion from the surrounding neighborhood.
Up to four guests can share the space comfortably, thanks to the sleeper sofa in the living area. The full bath is located off the bedroom, with a walk-in shower (no tub). And don't leave the furry family members at home when you come to the beach since this Cannon Beach vacation rental is dog-friendly, with just a $10 nightly fee per pet.
Take the dog for a run on the dog-friendly beach just across the street, or head to nearby Ecola State Park for a challenging hike. For more laid-back fun, a five minute walk puts you on S. Hemlock Street in Cannon Beach's vibrant business district, with shopping, art galleries, and dining galore.
However you choose to spend your days, you'll love making this warm and welcoming getaway your home away from home throughout your stay!


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Senators are "Weak Spot" in Money Laundering Detection
Bring to the table win-win survival strategies to ensure proactive domination. At the end of the day, going forward, a new normal that has evolved from generation X is on the runway heading towards a streamlined cloud solution. User generated content in real-time.


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Tyrant Seasons 1-4 DVD Special FeaturesActors: Adam Rayner,Jennifer FinniganLanguage: EnglishBoxed Set: Yes Number of discs: 12Condition: New Region: Region Free Weight: 1 kgFormat: Support both NTSC & PAL Rated: NR (Not Rated) DVD Release Date: 2019Tyrant Seasons 1-4 DVD Photos
Tyrant Seasons 1-4 DVD Overview
Dailyah finds herself conflicted between Bassam and Fauzi, especially after an attack on the Truth and Dignity Commission,Tyrant Seasons 1-4 DVD Samy accidentally reveals details of his new relationship, and al Qadis attempts to make peace with the Caliphate go horribly awry. As Bassams mentality starts to break,Tyrant Seasons 1-4 Leila seeks an alliance with al Qadi and Ihab Rashid plots an attack against Abuddin with the Caliphate. As conflict escalates to war between the Caliphate and Abuddin, Bassam cracks down on his own ideas in an attempt at revenge.


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It is silly. Thanks to the Patriot Act, thanks to the paranoia of terrorism by the Bush Administration, there was such a massive drama in Washington, DC when a small but cute plane, CESSNA flew into the no-fly zone. The same plane that crashed into White House and did not really make much damage during the Clinton Administration.
But this time, when it flew in the "no-fly zone" about 17 miles away from the Nation's Capital, massive drama ensued in the Capital and in White House -- people nearly trampled upon each other as people shoved and ran out of the Capital.
Says a lot about our status of paranoia, manufactured by the Bush hooligans who wanted to scare us.
Thanks for the hilarious recaps on CNN of folks running for their lives. I rolled my eyes because it ain't new. It happened before. And will happen again in the future.
It sends a message that we need to get a life. Stop being paranoid about the little things in life.


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Browse Exhibits (2 total)
Free Christmas Quilt Patterns
Feeling the Christmas Quilting Spirit? Click here for a selection of our favorite Christmas Quilt Patterns.
Free Patchwork Quilt Designs
Sometimes you just want to get back to basics. Get started by browsing this curated exhibit of free patchwork quilting designs sure to get your creative juices flowing.


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CONTROL YOUR STANK! Let's be real: Armpits. Can. Stank. But instead of showing them anger, show them love! FATCO's Stank Stop® Natural Deodorant combines the antibacterial properties of Organic Coconut Oil with the odor-neutralizing power of Aluminum-Free Baking Soda to create this all-natural, Paleo-certified deodorant. We've also thrown in some Grass-Fed Tallow and Shea Butter to moisturize those pits and show them the love that they deserve!
Paleo Certified, Certified Cruelty Free, Made in the USA and Made with Organic Ingredients.
Coconut Oil", Arrowroot Powder, Tallow from Grass-fed Cows, Shea Fruit Butter, Sunflower Seed Wax, Beeswax, Sodium Bicarbonate, Zinc Oxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, Pine Needle Oil, Cypress Oil, Coriander Seed Oil.
*Denotes an Organic Ingredient
Using firm pressure, apply 2 swipes to the underarm region. Repeat on armpit #2. If your underarms are sensitive from razor burn, refrain from using until the following day.
I have always loved Stank Stop and now that it's in a stick it's so much more convenient. Love it!
There is only a little bit less in the applicator, but I actually found it to be messy and barely last a month (I get 2 months from a 2oz jar). It was not usable and fell apart towards the end as well. Switching my subscription back to the jar from now on.
My husband has only used it three or four times, but likes it so far. We have both been using the cream version for over a year now and have liked how well it works. We were both happy to hear that there was a stick version of it available now to make application much quicker and more convenient.
It works just as good as the tube or the jar! It so much more convenient in a stick. I don't have to get it on my fingers or worry about it clumping up. Awesome!


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At LIFECENTER Well being & Health Membership we see your health as a lifelong journey. The Power of Three is a excessive depth results producing exercise that will challenge your mind and physique while creating muscle stimulation in all three areas (hypertrophy, hyperplasia and capilarization) delivering extraordinary outcomes. Make your boot camp class , even when it's your night time with the kids, courtesy of Way of life Health & Fitness.
Buyers and retailers from the health sector can look forward to finding all the key trends on show at ISPO Munich. With all the pieces from training and efficiency diagnostics to rehabilitation and taping coated, all the most important corporations within the business will come together to kind the Well being and Health cluster.
The NeuroCom® Balance Master® uses a person's unique steadiness and motion patterns. The Touchmark Well being & Fitness Club provides probably the most superior model, which includes NeuroGamesTM, software that enables folks to interact in computerized video games by shifting their middle of gravity and gaining psychological and physical stimulation.
Whether or not it is training on fitness machines, training with weights, circuit and athletics training, boxercise, gymnastics, or working, efforts are continually being made to improve and refine all the classics from the fitness business which have traditionally proven common with prospects. With the growing residence health market and traditional health club sector forming the backbone of the business, one area in corridor A6 will be devoted to facet occasions and speeches about well being, diet and health in the Well being & Fitness Discussion board and at the Diet Bar.
Encouraging wholesome life, sturdy our bodies and authentic community by means of an accessible and prime quality health center. Real folks, supporting each other to get fit, wholesome, and robust. Fitness is a lifestyle for us, and we're dedicated to developing customized goals and applications to move your well being ahead.


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Father's Day Gift-Making for Children & Families
Saturday, June 9th
1:30pm to 4:00pm • Downtown Ashland
Coordinated by the Ashland Chamber of Commerce in partnership with participating downtown Merchants.
BEGIN at Paddington Station: Inspired by Oregon to decorate your Bag. Pick-up your Map on June 9th at one of the Merchants shown.


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Loafin Around the Christmas Tree Card
Loafin Around the Christmas Tree Card
Regular price $4.50
It's the most wonder time of the year, Christmas! aka eating tons of food and not moving off the couch (or floor). What better way to say Merry Christmas than with corgi loafs.
- A2 Card (4¼" x 5½"), Blank inside.
- Printed on FSC certified matte white card stock.
- Comes with a mint green square flap envelope.
- Boxed Set comes with 6 cards and envelopes.
Savings Deal! Choose any combination of 5 cards for just $3.60 per card or 10 cards for an even deeper discount!


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By Ann Burruss
Photo by Jack Cast
One Saturday night in 1946, I spent the night with my friend Margaret. She was the chaplain's daughter. We were probably in the 5th or 6th grade and lived in Ft. Benning, Georgia. Her dad told me the next morning that I had to go home because Margaret was very sick and would not be going to Sunday school. I was very scared and so did not go that day either.
I was not actually quarantined, but could not go to the movies because Margaret was diagnosed with polio. I visited Margaret when she was transferred to Warm Springs and in an iron lung, but only once. Most of the time we corresponded through letters.
She was so cheerful that it seemed that she would get well. When we moved from Ft. Benning, we continued to "talk" through letters until she could no longer even dictate. Margaret was the first friend I had who did not live to be a teenager.
My mother worked very hard to make sure we did not panic about polio, as she did about everything. But I recall that we could not use the swimming pool because of the polio scare.
I remember very well the sugar-coated medicine – the Salk vaccine- that was administered by dissolving a "sugar cube" which had been coated with the pink liquid in our mouths. That must have been in the early 50's when all children got it.
Somewhere along the line, there was gamma globulin, but I do not recall when or who received the shots. I am not sure if it was a preventative or a treatment.
Ann Burruss is a retired educator. She is a mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Her volunteer work with the Literacy Volunteers of Gloucester is one of the many activities she is involved with in the community.


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Back in February, our Student Curators, Nik and Solomon (reps from the University Trans and Non-Binary Liberation and LGBT+ Liberation Societies) together with Library staff and the SU, put together a display of Library resources to celebrate LGBT History Month. We're pleased to announce that 32 new book titles were suggested for purchase, which have helped to diversify and develop the Library collections further.
Even though LGBT History Month is officially over and our display has come to an end, it is still possible to get involved and read around some of the topics being highlighted via our online reading list: http://bit.do/surreylgbt
Nik, our student curator adds:
"This list includes a wide array of texts from fictional to academic, and features diverse authors who share their personal experience with life. There are a number of fictional texts to help you read outside your studies and find stories that you can analyse and interpret for yourself. A lot of these texts can be pretty heavy – a common theme in LGBT+ texts – but I find them all thoroughly enjoyable and an all-round enriching experience."
As the Librarian helping to co-ordinate this Student Curator project, I've been impressed with the suggestions for new resources and am glad to be able to help add them to our library. When reviewing the books for purchase I noticed the variety of non-fiction and fiction, including academic texts and resources for wider reading. I agree with Nik that they provide 'an all-round enriching experience'.
Personally I have become much more aware of equality and diversity issues and the importance of increasing the visibility of LGBT people their lives, history and experiences due to being part of this project and helping to bring the library collection together.
I also feel the selection of new titles will have wide appeal and are relatable to all; while ensuring greater LGBT representation in our collections, I also feel the books encapsulate the student journey as a whole. Joining and accepting a diverse community of people from different backgrounds and cultures is part of University life: a time of adjustment, transition, finding yourself, experiencing new things and learning beyond your academic studies is applicable to everyone.
I hope you enjoy the resources we have brought together as part of the LGBT Student Curator project.
Look out for future student curator displays, the next one is coming soon later this month.
Adam Hill
Faculty Engagement Librarian


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Related News
Researcher Betty Tsao is on the trail of lupus, tracking down the cause of the autoimmune disease.
Research at MUSC
MUSC has a well-established interest in the clinical treatment of and research into autoimmune disorders and fibrotic diseases. These programs at MUSC combine the work of clinical, translational and basic researchers. The clinical research program provides patients with opportunities to participate in disease registries and novel clinical trials, including both early studies of new therapies and large-scale trials. Investigators in basic research focus on disease mechanisms, diagnostics and the development of new therapies.


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|Assistant Nordic Coach
|Alma Mater:
|Middlebury '09
|Years at Middlebury:
Barton was named an assistant nordic skiing coach in the summer of 2016 and enters her fourth year in 2019-20. A 2009 graduate of the College, she came to Middlebury from the Burke Mountain Academy, where she had served as the head nordic coach since 2012.
During her Panther career on the trails, Barton and her teammates posted four top-eight finishes at the NCAA Championships, including a fifth-place effort during the 2008 event in Bozeman, Montana. She was a captain during her senior year, leading Middlebury to an eighth-place showing at the NCAA event hosted by Bates. Barton was also a four-year member of the women's lacrosse team, which claimed the 2006 and 2007 NESCAC Championships. She played in four NCAA Tournaments with a pair of those teams making national semifinal appearances.
A native of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Barton was an assistant coach at Burke Mountain Academy in 2011 prior to moving up to the head coaching position the following year. She was the head coach at Jackson Hole High School in Jackson, Wyoming, in 2010, as well as a sailing instructor at SailMaine in Portland, Maine from 2004-09.
Barton was a three-time coach for the United States U18 National Team in Norway, Estonia and Sweden. In 2015, she traveled to Almaty, Kazakhstan as the head coach of the USA U23 National Team. Barton is a three-time coach for Team New England at U.S. Junior Nationals and has worked for two years at the U.S. National U16 Summer Camp. She also leads summer training camps to Sweden and Norway, and was recently named the 2016 New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) Coach of the Year.


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From the moment my mother moved into the Medallion she has been very happy - it has been a great decision for her and for us, as well. She enjoys her independence and we have peace of mind knowing she has around-the-clock personalized care in a supportive and nurturing environment. My wife and I could not be more pleased to see how well our mother thrives as a Medallion resident.
The Medallion Jewish Assisted Living Residence is an affiliate of Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services. Both are not for profit, community based organizations that rely on the generosity and support of the community. You can help us fulfill our mission "To Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother" by making a contribution. Although we encourage your generous support, contributions are never a condition of admission or continued residency.
Please click here to learn more about the many opportunities available to financially support The Medallion and Seven Acres. You will be directed to the Seven Acres website Giving Opportunities page.


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Brooklyn: Eww, I want it out of my mouth! Bailey: Ughh my tongue is like- burned! Asa: What Do I Do?? Brooklyn: Ew! Ew! Bailey: **Throwing Up** Brooklyn: Are You Okay? Hi! I'm Nell! You Should Follow My Instagram @realboomboom & subscribe to my channel which is in my insta bio!! Now on to the video!! B&B: Hey guys, it's Brooklyn and Bailey ! Bailey: … and today we are going to be filming the back-to-school lunch food challenge, gross-out version! But halt! Bailey: Before we go onto this video, we have a request for you guys. Drumroll please… Bailey: Go subscribe to our channel if you are not already subscribed and do that by clicking the red button down below. Bailey: Go click the red button Bailey: right now. Go, go go. Click. Now.. Bailey: Onto the gross out food challenge. Lets kind of explain how it works. Basically, Bailey: we had some people prep some food and we're gonna get two brown bags and on it is going to have a B&B: category of the lunch foods, for example vegetables, fruits Bailey: meats… sandwiches. I don't really know and they're going to have one gross out version and one good version Bailey: And we have no clue which one is good and which one is bad. Brooklyn: We have no idea who is going to get the good one and the bad one so we have to eat it. The rules are that we have to keep in our mouths. The foods aren't necessarily like gross out foods because, y'know, you don't eat grasshoppers everyday for lunch so these are just normal lunch foods that people find gross or, not us, not technically people just us. We don't even buy school lunches because Almost everything that you buy at the school is like plastic. It like bounces when you throw it on the ground. It really does. We take homemade lunches. We have our siblings take turns on who makes you threw it on the ground it really does we take all made lunches and we have our siblings take turns on who makes lunches. The thing is when Rylan makes the lunches, they're always disgusting, every time. (Bailey: nothing is good about it) One time I opened my lunchbox and there were rotten strawberries! Bailey: so that's what we mean by nasty lunch food, is things that we would typically have in our lunch that any student might have in their lunch, but we don't particularly enjoy putting in our mouth and chewing and swallowing Bailey: Get ready! Let's go! I'm not ready for this… Bailey: Numero Uno, we have all of our lunch utensils to eat our food Brooklyn: But I smell tuna Bailey: I don't mind tuna, it's not that bad Brooklyn: Are we allowed to switch? Bailey: No, I'm keeping mine! Why? I'm keeping mine, my bag looks better than yours. Bailey: One, two, three. Bailey: PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY! Brooklyn: Ugh, what is this? Eww, pickles and tuna! and tomato! and mustard…. Bailey: It's like all the worst sandwhich things combined in one Brooklyn: (ewww) Bailey: Take a big bite. Brooklyn: I don't want to take a big bite! Bailey: BIG BITE! Bailey: One, two, three. Bailey: Mhm, chew it (ewww) Chew it, chew it! Bailey: Chew and swallow, chew and swallow, chew and swallow, chew and swallow! Brooklyn: There's a pickle in there and I don't want to bite the pickle! Bailey:
(chew, chew) Bailey: It's time for the vegetables. We're not switching, we're sticking with the ones that we have. Bailey: Cucumbers and ranch! Woohoo! Brooklyn: I don't even know that okra is! Bailey: What even is okra? Brooklyn: Eww, it's squirting all little white things! Bailey: Pleasantly opened mine! What even is that? And I have a really bad gag reflex too. You need like two of them. I only need one! I only need one! These things are big! I'll eat two cucumbers Oh, you poor thing (mocking) I'll eat two cucumbers pilgrimage McGarrity whoa, I'm harmless Hey I'm poor look it for legitimate what I like granted things are ready to light bar in a bag But what it takes I agree raining. It takes a big fan. I'm not risking it screaming another one We need another Ride Okra our knockoff green beans I like that Mm Pretty good. I can't see where I'm at now. I can think of a fruit that I really think What is that and? What is that way? Yeah? cottage cheese with a fruit cocktail Someone tell me what all of these three I have fallen on it is a peel great There is no skin on that great what? I've never seen a field Brick rip in my life. Oh, I'm making a mess Like bar, but doesn't even look good. Yeah, I believe this all the time why would you miss it and whether we're gagging cotton tape isn't even like good and she's a baby pull up oh Anyone want to buy it looks so great all right one two three oh oh Oh no, no no no no no no no no no no I don't like Everybody oh ho ho ten nine. Hey. I'm Gonna go oh terrible Time and I actually very picky with my tips always about what it'd be like the doritos extra spicy Cheetos like I even smell to you. I just wrecked gagging I had the worst stories like I'm will you see the warm-up everywhere would you take me in my bathroom into A bag of salt and through the filled up on my shoes, oh What is this? Oh? For instance what kind of drink already. It's look good. Do they smell good? It might be coffee. This is looks like it's infected burn my mouth off Oh fucking way. Go in any way. I can know that earning in the fire already I'm bringing blood save itself. I see it looks Keep it keep it keep it keep it follow oh She's like throwing up Hey, come on She just cried. He threw up a little bit. It's okay. She's a pitching back guys please eyes for me Move this hot inside the sweat is this water to what I do? oh Breno pires Feel like a fire-breathing driving. My brethren like on fire still a good kind of like burn Finn days love wristbands Facebook ever rip with Hashtag Rips Bailey's pay foot three times oh Please be good. I want like a comic with you something Llama unless I get down. What shout out to the ripest wind Is like Raisin and it looks like I hold on my moment And I'm gonna save you okay Tom collins of you this actually looks like someone grew up an improved on Is coming up Dadada. I harvest keys put a tremendous like Kobe ah Keep talking on fish there we go Is it really that gross oh are you giving? Up on you, it's especially kills me every time oh my God that is great with the lingering taste of talkies in your mouth. Oh Ha ha ha the Mafia She's so daddy Nobody's Gonna want to be taking that trash out holy mostly for different things a Dream are you ready to finish the meal? I didn't wash down that Chunky ripe and raven enough look something even chunkier dude. Oh Mix it all up eight a one turn off the drinkin vegetable drink up when you're in Rose water or soda business looks like Come on. Throw a bit. Can you open a bottle? And screw the lid on my hands are kind of covered in barf right now because I throw them out Faster than our water bottles quicker always is open there are four Hmm. Oh How I love you pokin oh You're gonna still be drinking like that. You have to take a big swing so comment if you want her to take a big You're only doing on it My throat is all destroyed does it seem something that I see Cocky? Chunky Rice pudding and I don't even want to know why we did it all that try to know I do every every day long. I write three I can't forget food with broccoli ah Keep it country He had been shocked because he's thrown up so much and she ought many things at the taco burned my throat the singed it mixes it is the black easy isn't it and This was the coating of cream cream make it feel better But it really did taste like a racist I Had never thrown up in a basket for the cows video But I threw out twice today we eaten a lot of domestic sling But this was off this little bit things that people actually eat Do our breath we are brave must believe me I know these Aliens like burn and k or comments mom down below which boot you would hate to the most which one What do you think look than their worms and most disgusting now you guys make sure to click over here and subscribe to our channel If you guys haven't worked out last week's video is the best over here and you want to be more of our challenge videos click? the box right below that in Japan Thank you guys, Nirvana and hopefully I won't grow and is going to go down some guys milk to go from yellow to But we'll see you next week Rip you


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Essex Eagles landed their seventh win in eight starts and marched through to the Royal London One-Day Cup semi-finals following a 57-run triumph on the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method over South Group wooden-spoonists Kent.
In pursuit of the visitors' 307 for six at an asking rate that edged just beyond a run-a-ball, Kent had slumped to 50 for three after 11 overs when the rain, that had already wiped out the day's three other group games in the south east, arrived abruptly to end proceedings and inflict a seventh defeat upon the basement hosts.
Kent opened their reply with in-form England Lions bat Daniel Bell-Drummond and former Tonbridge School prodigy Zak Crawley, who was making his first-team debut. In fast-fading light and with rain on the way Crawley, in attempting to force the pace, clipped one off his stumps from Jamie Porter only to pick out Varun Chopra at deep square leg and march off for two.
With his side already 30-odd behind on the asking rate, Kent skipper Sam Northeast smeared across the line to be bowled by Ashar Zaidi.
Zaidi struck in his next over by snaring Sean Dickson lbw on the back foot, bringing in Alex Blake, who lightened Kentish gloom with a three, quick boundaries before the rain intensified to end proceedings just before 6.30pm.
Batting first after winning the toss, the Essex top-order rock that is Alastair Cook swept to a comfortable run-a-ball 50 and, in the process, moved past the 500-run milestone at an average of almost 72 in this season's RLODC qualification campaign.
The former England Test skipper contributed 54 to an opening stand of 95 with Varun Chopra before he lent back to cut the fifth ball of the game from left-arm spinner Imran Qayyum, only to edge into the gloves of Adam Rouse.
Chopra, in his 99th List A appearance, posted a 25th half-century in the format from 76 balls and appeared destined for three figures until he chopped on when also aiming a late cut against Qayyum to go for 83.
Callum Haggett accounted for Tom Westley (35) to a catch behind when the Essex right-hander steered an attempted run-down to third man off the bat face and straight to the keeper.
Dan Lawrence hit the first six of the day in the 40th over when he reverse-swept one from Qayyum over the ropes at backward point endangering the replacement St Lawrence lime tree.
But, in the quest for late runs, Lawrence perished with 32 to his name, driving on the up against Ivan Thomas he picked out Daniel Bell-Drummond tumbling to his right at mid-off.
After a quickfire 22, Zaidi holed out to long-on to gift Charlie Hartley a wicket, then Ravi Bopara, on 49 in his 305th List A game, sliced to backward point to give Haggett and second scalp.
Qayyum also bagged two, albeit at a cost of 79 runs after Kent – without a hope of qualification and having bid farewell to their overseas player Wayne Parnell – opted to rest six other first-choice regulars and give a first-team debut to teenage batsman Crawley and a domestic List A bow to Qayyum.
In looking forward to a home semi-final against Somerset or Nottinghamshire, Essex captain Ryan ten Doeschate said: "I think we've played beautifully throughout the campaign with a good number of guys stepping up at crucial times to win games for us.
"Like any good team, we've relied on a core group of players, and Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopar and Tom Westley have stood out with the bat throughout. The bowling unit have interchanged well too, with Jamie Porter and the spinners comiing in to do fantastically for us. We've looked good in all compartments of our game and that's probably why we're going through to the semis as group winners."
Having already collected only the south group's wooden spoon, Kent rang the changes in giving domestic List A debuts to Zak Crawley and Imran Qayuum.
Qayuum, a 23-year-old spinner bagged two wickets including the prized scalp of Cook. "That was special," said Qayyum:
"To get England's greatest Test batsman with my fifth ball felt pretty good. I went for a few more runs than I wanted to thereafter, but that's a wicket I'll always remember."


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STML 🎶 is my personal project to create varied and vibrant playlists to help myself and others discover, enjoy and discuss great music.
I'm hoping to cultivate our collective love of music without getting pretentious about what we can actually enjoy. You can expect to see everything from mind-bending prog-metal 🤘 to bubblegum sweet k-pop 🍭.
Playlists are themed around particular vibes (Crying At The Party), genres (K-Pop 101) and even highlighted artists (Spotlight: Kid Cudi). There are plenty of places you can find playlists online today but I'm aiming for quality, personality, diversity and creativity... Not just another "Chill af".
I'm always aiming to push my boundaries and try my best to enjoy everything. If you think I'm treating anything unfairly or missing out, consider supporting me on Patreon 🙏 and we can work together to create the greatest playlists on earth 🌎. Or something.
Latest Playlist
without hesitation
dive right in
|Puma Blue
|Billy Lemos , Still Woozy , Blake Saint David
|Sink into the Floor
|Feng Suave
|Call Me Up


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What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontic is a branch of dentistry that aligns teeth and corrects jaw that are not positioned properly. Incorrectly positioned teeth can affect a person's appearance and confidence. It can also make it much harder to keep clean, cause early tooth lost due to decay and periodontal disease, cause extra stress on chewing muscles that can lead to headaches and TMJ syndrome.
Do I need Orthodontics?
If you are unsatisfied with your smile or you suspect that your bite is unfavourable, then going to your local dentist or orthodontist for a full assessment is recommended. Based on your concerns along with full records which included medical and dental history, clinical exam, plaster models of your teeth, x-rays and photographs the dentist or orthodontist can then decide whether braces are recommended for you.
How does Orthodontics realign jaws and teeth?
How we align the teeth can only be determined after a thorough examination of the jaw and teeth. Teeth alignment can be accomplished in several ways:
Dental braces – The combination of brackets which are bonded to each individual tooth, and an archwire which connects each bracket allows gentle pressure to be applied to each tooth causing controlled tooth movement.
Removable appliance – Small appliances are sometimes used to do corrections which can not be accomplished with braces alone. These are often used at the beginning and finished off with conventional braces.
Retainers – After the teeth are aligned, a retainer is provided to ensure that the teeth do not begin to move back toward their original positions.
How long does it take?
The duration of Orthodontic treatment depends on multiple factors. These factors are determined during the treatment planning stage. Once all the information is gathered the dentist or orthodontist can then give you a estimation of how long it will take.
Case: Patient initially came to Dr. James Au unhappy with her smile. She had always had crooked teeth but never had the courage to get the fixed mainly due to fear. After a thorough examination Dr. James Au carefully explained to her the options she has and the process involved. Without any hesitation she agreed to go down the braces option. 16 months later, treatment was completed and she can not stop smiling.
To learn more and see if Invisalign is right for you, please book in for a FREE no obligation consultation with our dentist today! Victoria Street Dental, conveniently located in Wellington CBD.