text:
| 10.9°C Belfast
The number of international students coming to England for higher education has "reduced significantly" for the first time in nearly three decades, according to the University and College Union.
Commenting on new figures highlighting the decline, the UCU warned that international students are choosing to go to countries "that make an effort to welcome them".
A report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) found a downturn in international student enrolments between 2010-2013 - the first time in 29 years.
It found the number of p ostgraduates from India and Pakistan halved in that period despite their numbers growing in other countries.
Overall the number of full-time postgraduate students from overseas dropped by 1% (1,000 students), compared to double-digit growth in previous years.
The UCU blamed tough domestic rhetoric on immigration and changes to student visas for damaging the UK's image abroad, especially at a time when other countries were doing more to attract international students.
In 2012-2013 non-UK students still made up the vast majority of places (74%) on full-time masters programmes, while 26% were UK students.
The study also found that almost as many Chinese students and English ones are studying full time masters courses as a result of growth in Chinese entrants, coupled with a decline in traditional UK postgraduate markets like India, Pakistan and Iran.
UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: "International students make a huge contribution to academic and cultural life on campuses and in our cities.
"They also make a valuable contribution to our economy. As we face continued uncertainty about the future of funding for our universities, the Government should be doing more to encourage foreign students.
"Ministers need to recognise that attempts to sound tough on immigration at home are also reported elsewhere and it is not surprising if students consider studying in the countries that make an effort to welcome them."
The study also found there was nearly a quarter fewer undergraduates coming over from the EU in 2012-2013, possibly as a result of increased tuition fees.
Professor Madeleine Atkins, chief executive of the HEFCE, said: " This new analysis from HEFCE expands our understanding of global demand for English higher education.
"International students enrich our universities and colleges - and our society - academically, culturally, and through their contribution to the economy.
"Supporting high-quality international education is a crucial part of ensuring that the UK continues to engage with, and benefit from, the increasingly interconnected world."
A Business Department spokesman said: "International students make a huge contribution - boosting our economy and enhancing our cultural life.
"That is why there is no cap on the number of legitimate students who can study here. By working with other countries we will continue to attract international students and promote the UK's expertise in education."
A Home Office spokesman said: " We do not accept that changes in the immigration system are deterring international students from coming to the UK.
"Worldwide, the UK remains the second most popular destination for international higher education students and our universities saw increases last year from key markets, including China (up 6%), Malaysia (up 3%) and Hong Kong (up 15%). There is no limit on the number of students who can come to the UK.
"The latest figures show a rise of visa applications of 7% across the board last year, with an 11% increase to our world-class Russell Group universities. It underlines that we continue to attract the brightest and best students from overseas while driving out abuse elsewhere."
Labour immigration spokesman David Hanson said the figures showed the "failure" of Home Secretary Theresa May's policies on migration.
Mr Hanson said: "Despite growth in the global student market, students from key economies like India and Japan are going down, harming our economy both now and in the future, showing just how ill-thought through her anti-student rhetoric has been.
"The Government is failing on all fronts - and the result is that the best and brightest from the world are increasingly choosing not to study here; costing the UK economy revenue, goodwill and hindering our universities' ambitions to be the world's best."
Asked if the Prime Minister was disappointed by the figures, David Cameron's official spokesman told a regular Westminster media briefing: "What we see is an increase within the figures of students from China, from Hong Kong, from other parts of South-East Asia, and that is very much to be welcomed.
"We are going to continue to make the case for the attractiveness of British universities."


text:
| 11.9°C Belfast
Former tabloid editor Andy Coulson "rubber-stamped" a payment to a royal source for a story, despite being warned by a colleague that being caught could end up with both parties in court, he told the phone hacking trial.
The ex-No 10 spin doctor said he "failed to address" his own suspicions about the reporter, who was asking for the cash to pay the source.
Coulson also repeatedly denied allegations that he was aware of phone-hacking techniques being used by some News of the World (NotW) employees, and rejected a claim that he had bullied co-defendant and former royal editor Clive Goodman, he told the Old Bailey.
The payment, disclosed in an email exchange between Goodman and Coulson in 2003, relates to a "green book" of contacts for royal staff.
In the email, Goodman said he wanted to obtain the book for the "standard fee" of £1,000 from a royal policeman but the money should be paid in cash - something he needed Coulson to sign for.
The court heard Goodman wrote that getting caught making the payment meant the police officer "could end up on criminal charges, as could we".
Coulson, who said earlier that Goodman was prone to exaggeration and creating "unnecessary drama", said he signed off the payment.
He said: "I don't remember the email, but I have read them and thought a lot about them (in preparation for the trial).
"I didn't believe Clive was paying policemen, I still don't believe it.
"I think what I did was failed to address it properly with him. But I didn't (address it), I rubber-stamped it."
Coulson denies two counts of conspiring with Goodman, 56, of Surrey, and others to commit misconduct in a public office. Coulson, 46, of Charing, Kent, is also charged with conspiring to hack phones with former NotW boss Rebekah Brooks and former managing editor Stuart Kuttner.
The tabloid editor denied ever being played a voicemail message left on James Bond actor Daniel Craig's phone by secret lover Sienna Miller - or knowing that employees were targeting mobiles of the rich and famous.
Coulson rejected allegations from his one-time NotW colleague, journalist Dan Evans, that the editor was present when the reporter played the message about the Layer Cake co-stars.
And he denied ever being aware that convicted hacker Glenn Mulcaire, who had been employed by the now-defunct Sunday tabloid, was illegally listening to voicemail messages.
Coulson told the phone-hacking trial he was unaware that his own mobile was targeted by Mulcaire from 2006 until police informed him three years later.
Evans has already admitted conspiracy to hack phones at former employer the Sunday Mirror between February 2003 and January 2005, and the same offence at the News of the World between April 2004 and June 2010.
He has also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office between January 2008 and June 2010, and perverting the course of justice by giving a false statement in High Court proceedings.
Evans, 38, has also claimed that Coulson knew about his activities and told him a voicemail he taped from Miller to Craig exposing their alleged affair was "brilliant".
Coulson, giving evidence for a fourth day, said Evans's account was wrong.
Defence counsel Timothy Langdale QC asked Coulson: "Dan Evans told the court that in September 2005 there was an occasion when he played to you a voicemail message left on Daniel Craig's telephone by Sienna Miller. Did any such incident take place?"
The defendant replied: "No, it did not."
Mr Langdale also asked if Coulson was aware of Mulcaire's hacking methods, to which the editor replied: "Absolutely not - no."
Coulson said there was no reason to believe hacking techniques were used because journalists had key contacts connected to celebrities, particularly in the case of the Miller-Craig affair.
Their identities were not disclosed in court, though it has already been reported that a relative of Miller's then-boyfriend Jude Law had been supplying information.
Coulson said the NotW's front page exclusive about Miller and Craig came in the same week in 2005 when he had been busy overseeing a serialisation of British boxer Frank Bruno's biography.
He told the court: "It was a long, complicated book serialisation. I remember the publishers insisted on making changes quite late in the day, and I think the lawyers were involved as well.
"It took up a lot of my time."
Coulson said he believed information on the Miller-Craig affair might have come from Miller's mother.
He said: "People in and around celebrities - their relatives, their agents, their PRs - will talk to newspapers."
He said he had asked staff working on the story not to refer to Law as either a "sex addict" or a "love rat" in copy due to the paper's relationship with sources in his camp.
He said he believed Law was aware that some of those close to him were talking to the press.
Coulson said he could not remember having any specific dealings with Evans - whom the tabloid recruited in January 2005 - during their time on the paper.
But he told the court: "I am sure we would have spoken to each other.
"If a new member of staff arrives, I would normally make the point of saying hello and having a chat with them.
"I am sure that happened, but none (of the conversations) stick in my memory."
Coulson said his personal involvement as editor with stories and reporters "varied".
He said: "There was no hard and fast set of rules in the way the story was researched and prepared."
Responding to suggestions earlier in the trial that he had bullied then-NotW royal editor Goodman by demoting him and reducing his responsibilities, Coulson said: "I'm not a bully.
"If I made a remark in conference or said something - it's a newspaper, that happens - I would apologise for it.
"I did nothing to undermine or attack Clive Goodman."
All seven defendants deny all charges against them.
The case was adjourned until 10am tomorrow.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Your cart is currently empty.
Elo 17D1 17 Inch All-in-One LCD Desktop Touchcomputer (IntelliTouch Technology, USB Touch Interface, No O/S and Antiglare Surface Treatment) The 17D Series 17 Inch All-in-One Touchcomputers bring style, flexibility and functionality to point-of-sale (POS), retail and hospitality businesses.
With a wide array of field-installable peripherals, spill-resistant sealing, and a range of input/output port connection options, the 17D1 and 17D2 are versatile and powerful. These touchcomputers are designed with the future in mind, allowing easy serviceability of the main components and excellent performance utilizing Intel Dual-Core 2.2 GHz or Intel Core Duo 3.0 GHZ processors.
The 17D Series expands the Elo TouchSystems high profile family of reliable, easy-to-integrate multi-function touch solutions.
When Ordering this item, Use this part number: E057329
Copyright © 2020 Touch Screens Inc..


text:
Police: Man shot in hands during road rage incident
Man arrested in North Union Township shooting case
A man is recovering after being shot late Tuesday night in what police said was a road rage incident in North Union Township, Fayette County.
Two vehicles were headed north on Pittsburgh Street when one stopped suddenly in front of the other and was struck from behind, state police said.
The man in the front car got out and walked toward the other vehicle, which began to pull forward, and the man who was walking pulled out a 9 mm Kel-Tec pistol and began shooting, police said.
The driver, 28-year-old Derek McKulka, swerved to the left of the shooter and was struck by a bullet that passed through his right wrist and became lodged in his left wrist, police said. The front of the car was also shot several times.
"I just heard the 'Pop, pop, pop.' I just threw my hands up, like this," McKulka said. "I put it in gear and tried to swerve around him in the oncoming lane, and just as I pass him, I hear 6, 7, 8 shots and felt my hand go numb. It just happened so quick."
McKulka continued ahead in the wrong lane until he was stopped by troopers who happened to be in the area, and they called for medical help.
Police said the suspected shooter, Ralph Fisher, 22, of Uniontown, was arrested without incident and jailed on $100,000 straight cash bond. He's awaiting a May 23 preliminary hearing before District Judge Wendy Dennis on charge of attempted homicide and aggravated assault.
"There's no reason to open fire like that, especially after a little fender bender, but it is what it is. I hope he gets what he deserves," McKulka said.


text:
Forgot your password?
Create an account
No products
Check out
New opening
Come to visit us
Subscribe to the Quintix mailing list to receive updates on new arrivals, special offers and other discount information.
© All Rights Reserved - Web Development: Ecoeureka Marketing Digital
Política de Privacidad
Política de privacidad
Cause the new law, must accept again our privacy policy


text:
News & Notes: Game 135
Follow the Herd:
Listen to the Game Live: CLICK HERE!
Bisons Baseball Network: CLICK HERE!
Email the Broadcast Team: CLICK HERE!
Everything about the Herd: CLICK HERE!
Get to a Bisons Game: CLICK HERE!
TODAY'S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Rochester Red Wings in the second game of a two-game series at Coca-Cola Field (7:05 p.m.). The Herd is looking for the sweep after winning last night's ballgame, 6-1. The Bisons welcome the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees to town September 2-3 for the final two home games of the 2009 season.
vs. THE WINGS: The Bisons are 6-9 against Rochester this season heading into the final meeting of the season between these two thruway rivals. The Bisons own a 104-85 (.550) edge over the Red Wings since returning to the IL in 1998. Despite being 3-4 against the Wings at home this season, since 1998 the Herd are 54-41 (.568) at home against Rochester.
ON THE SNYD: RHP Kyle Snyder has been great in this his second stint in the Herd's rotation. In his last five starts, the veteran is 2-2 with a 2.73ERA (26.1IP, 8ER), with 14 strikeouts and 27 hits allowed. Despite having 19 relief appearances earlier in the year, tonight's game will be Snyder's 14th start. That ties him for the 4th most on the team. His 99.1 innings of work heading into tonight are second only to RHP Nelson Figueroa's 112.0IP.
ROLLING STONE: RHP Tobi Stoner kept rolling last night, throwing a five-hit complete game against Rochester. Over his last four starts, Stoner is 3-0 with a 1.33ERA and has allowed just 19 hits in 27.0 innings. On the season, the Triple-A rookie has nine quality starts in 15 outings. The Bisons pitching staff now have nine complete games on the season, three more than any team in the International League.
HIT MACHINE: OF Jesus Feliciano went 1-for-4 yesterday to increase his hit total to 141 on the season, which is still second-best in the IL behind Gwinnett's Barbaro Canizares (143). Feliciano leads the Bisons in doubles (29), runs (54), total bases (175), games played (123) and stolen bases (12). His .301 average is tied for ninth in the IL with Jeff Frazier of Toledo.
FOR THE CUP: The Bisons can spoil the Rochester Red Wings pursuit of the Thruway Cup. With a Buffalo win tonight, the 2009 Thruway Series will go to Syracuse (19-13). If Rochester (18-13) wins, the Wings would get the cup because they have the 9-7 head-to-head tie breaker over the Chiefs.


text:
$php $swPageName = ""; $swLinkbarType = "sw"; $swTabberType = "home"; $swPageAlign = "center"; $swOnload = "swOL()"; include "sw-header.php"; ?>
The Space Elevator Challenge
Official Results: www.SpaceElevatorGames.org
Bitter Jester Creative
Bitter WHAT?!
Exactly. This is what Nic DeGrazia, Creative Director of BJC, told me about their company's name. Nobody ever forgets it, and the same is true about BJC's work.
BJC are continuing their 2-year project of documenting the games, now in its third year. Find out all about them at www.BitterJester.com.
Can we or can't we build the Space Elevator?
Over the last decade, the underlying assumptions that went into the design of the Space Elevator have undergone rigorous examination.
We now know that the strength of the Carbon Nanotubes tether will likely not be quite as high as we'd originally assumed, though of course that assumption was just a working number, not a requirement. The effect of a weaker tether material is simply that the Space Elevator tether becomes heavier than we thought it would be.
Similarly, the performance of the power beaming system might not be as high as we'd hoped it would be. As with the tether, however, this in and of itself is not a show-stopper. A less efficient system simply mean that the climbers will move slower.
As we look at the way technology is shaping up, the natural question that we face is: Are these new estimates simply a matter of reduced performance, or do they impact the actual viability of the Space Elevator concept? The Space Elevator Feasibility Condition tries to answer this question.
... So What Now?
"Aim high, or you are liable to shoot your toes off" - so goes the saying.
We're thrilled to announce that machine tool manufacturer TRUMPF has stepped forward with a lucrative offer to support teams with its state-of-the-art laser equipment.
Being the world leader in laser technology, TRUMPF took a natural interest in the power beaming games, and is providing both hardware and expertise to enable the 1-km climb.
Stay tuned to this page for more updates on both the Power Beaming competition, the Strong Tether competition, and other Spaceward news, or subscribe to our newsletter for periodic updates.
Happy 2008 everyone!
Success !!!SpaceElevatorBlog.com)
The goal of Spaceward's Elevator:2010 project is to advance and showcase the technologies necessary to build the Space Elevator. With this in mind, we're thrilled to announce this year's official results:
These achievements are just the tip of the iceberg in what the underlying technologies can deliver.
These are the first steps of a newborn giant. Watch what we can do next year!
A brief recap of the last 3 years:
Kansas City Space Pirates'
Upcoming Events:
The Space Elevator Blog,
Our Sponsors


text:
Download Yu☆Gi☆Oh! VRAINS Episode 095, Watch Yu☆Gi☆Oh! VRAINS Episode 095, don't forget to click on the like and share button. Series Yu☆Gi☆Oh! VRAINS always updated at Nanimein. Don't forget to watch other series updates.
Turn Off Light
Silahkan Pilih Server Video Lainnya
Yu☆Gi☆Oh! VRAINS遊戯王VRAINS
Status: Ongoing Studio: Gallop Released: 2017 Duration: 24 min per ep Season: Spring 2017 Country: Japan Type: Anime Episodes: 120
In the city of Den City, thousands of duelists take part in a virtual reality space known as Link Vrains, where users can create unique avatars and participate in games of Duel Monsters with each other. As a mysterious hacker organisation known as the Knights of Hanoi threaten this world, a high-school student named Yusaku Fujiki battles against them under the guise of Playmaker. One day, Yusaku encounters a peculiar artificial intelligence program, which he names Ai, who sets off a digital maelstrom in Link Vrains known as the Data Storm. As the appearance of this storm gives birth to Speed Duels, in which duelists surf the wind as they duel, Yusaku battles against Hanoi in order to uncover the truth concerning an incident that happened to him years ago. (Source: ASCII.jp)


text:
Now.. there's no way that I will be denying this is very much true for myself, I do go very much on belief. Ethics and morality are about belief and opinion.. I acknowledge any views I may have on nutritional science, are purely based on belief and personal experience.
But what I further wish to underline, is that the vast majority of the paleos out there that talk of knowledge, and of concrete fact, are very much themselves in denial of their own beliefs. Knowledge requires first hand experience of something. Thus, if I believe I know something, and tell you it, you will not then also know it.. No matter how much you trust me, there will always be the chance that I myself am either misinformed, not reporting the truth in it's entirety, exaggerating or for whatever reason, outright lieing.
Many Paleos claim to know how paleo man ate. As if they themselves have traveled backward in a time machine, and witnessed first hand. As if they themselves have been studying fossils, been on archeological digs, seen remnants of foods from a time period that they themselves have personally carbon dated to be in the period they believe it to be.
Indeed, I recall some years ago, how a discovery of some cave drawings in South Africa, were tested by a group of scientists.. carbon dating proved the drawings to be older than any other hithertil discovered cave paintings.. In fact so old, that it meant rethinking the whole history of the dawn of humankind. There was much furrour within the scientific community, but as the drawings gained more publicity, a little old lady of some 80 years old odd, stepped forth from the masses, and claimed she herself had drawn the cave paintings as a young girl.. Further investigation proved that this was infact fact.
Despite being widly accepted as fact, evolution theory is itself very much that.. THEORY. There are so many missing links and unanswered questions. I'm not trying to say I'm a creationist, far from it. I sit on the fence as it were, and blatantly claim no knowledge. Sure, I have been known to voice my opinion that the garden of Eden may once have existed, and that fruit was (and still is) our one true fair. But I don't know this is true. For all I know, we may all have been genetically engineered by aliens. Or one person once hypothesized that for all we know, the whole universe could have been created at 2pm in the afternoon on April the 1st 1911.. Stars, planets, life, plants, animals, people with fully formed memories of lives they never had and experiences never experienced.. The whole darned kaboodle. (happy 100 years today!).. Some might even think the universe was sneezed out of the mouth of a giant green dragon, (and wait fearfully for the coming of the great white hanky!).
Sure I'm curious to know the truth of the origins of existance.. but beyond curiousity there is little else. I believe with veganism, it matters not.
But back to the Belief vs Knowledge. Many people claim they know things they really only believe. People quote nutritional science as though it were completely undisputed fact. But the problem with nutritional science, is that it is as yet far from being complete. There are clearly conflicting theories out there, and we're liable to claim the one that suits us best as fact. Which is why I try and steer clear of nutritional science. It being still in it's infancy, it's highly unreliable. And yet the paleos are mostly fully blind to this, to them, it is as if they themselves know.
Sure, they're not the only ones that have a tendency to claim knowledge when it is only belief that is present. Richard, the owner of the blog I gave my tuppence worth on, has agreed to hold a video'ed debate with DurianRider Harley, the Low Fat Raw Vegan. Both are likely equally certain of themselves that they have knowledge and that the other is misguided. Of course, I'm much more inclined toward Harleys general thinking than Richards, but I'll not be kidding anyone in claiming knowledge either way. It'll surely be an interesting debate, though I seriously doubt that either party will be swayed. - The last rumour I heard was that it would take place on the 7th of April, in just 6 days time. I'm sure when and if a date is finally fixed, news will spread rapidly.
To me, the whole vegan issue cannot be debated through incomplete science, or dodgy history, as both sides will purely be expressing their opposing opinions based solely on beliefs. It is purely an ethical issue. It matters not one iota to me if cavemen ate meat, or even if meat eating helped to develop the brain. The issue now, currently, is that we have an awareness of the suffering of others, and should do our best to help minimise or avoid it.
History will always be disputable, so I tend to look to the future and envision a harmonious world, at peace with itself, with a live and let live balance reigning supreme.


text:
Colors add life, emotion and meaning to everything we see. Adding the right color combination to your designs is the perfect way to create the tone you want for your messages, whether it be on logos, fonts, posters or icons.
If you're looking for inspiration and the ultimate palette for your next project, we've put together 30 of the best available combinations. By searching through the collection below you are bound to find the right one for your work!
01. Nostalgic Softness
This pastel color palette evokes femininity and gentleness. The soft blend of colors from the pale lavender through to green creates a smooth and complementary combination. This palette is ideal for light-hearted content, without overpowering it with bold colors. It can be found on colourlovers.
02. Shabby Chic Neutrals
This neutral palette uses variations of browns and creams to create subtle and complementary hues. This color combination is a safe option and provides warmth to any design. This palette is ideal to represent sophisticated imagery and content and can be found on canva.
03. Pastel Extremist Color Palette
This soft palette, uses very pale colors to add elegance and femininity to your designs. These delicate colors combine to evoke a calming and sophisticated sense of imagery. This color palette is ideal to add a tinge of color to your content and can be found on color-hex.
04. Spring Getaway
This warm color palette, like it's name suggests, uses soft pale colors to create a gentle spring tone. With the use of the cherry blossom pink and light brown, this combination presents the full colors of a cherry blossom tree, symbolic of the fragility and beauty of life. This color palette is ideal to add a natural beauty to your content and can be found on color-hex.
05. Typical Galaxy
Purple is a color recognised to represent royalty, power and nobility. The brightly colored hues of this palette add a fun and playful tone to the combination and perk up the maturity of the purple. This color palette is ideal for a combination of sophistication and juvenility and can be found on color-hex.
06. Stellar Fireworks
This incandescent palette, like its name suggests is inspired from the brilliant colors exploding out of a hot star. Collectively these lustrous colors brighten up the image and create a very warm tone. This color palette is ideal for grabbing the viewer's attention and can be found on colourlovers.
07. Carina Nebula
This earthy color palette, uses variations of brown and dull greens to create a mature color combination. The contrast of the drab green enhances the natural browns and prevents any dreary tone to the palette. This collection is ideal for nature based content or mature and antique imagery. It can be found on colourlovers.
08. Forma Silvestris Color Palette
This sophisticated palette, uses contrasting light and dark blues and whites to create a soft silver feel to this combination. Silver evokes a luxurious femininity tone to the imagery. This color palette is ideal for fancy events and content such as wedding invitations and can be found on color-hex.
09. Green Logo Color Palette
Green is the color of nature, symbolising growth, harmony and freshness. The gradual increase in shade of the pale green gradient creates a fluency to the palette creating a soft and gentle tone. This color palette is ideal for nature based content and can be found on color-hex.
10. Siesta Hour
This warm color palette uses fruity colors such as peche, cafe and sangria to create a summery and flavoursome combination. This color combination, easy on the eye, is ideal for content on food and beverages and can be found on pinterest.
11. CMYK and White Color Palette
This fluorescent palette combines bright basic colors to create a childish and playful composition. The contrast with the inclusion of black and white balances the vibrancy of this combination and enhances each color. This color palette is ideal for fun and jovial designs and can be found on color-hex.
12. Day and Night
This contrasting palette, uses dark blues and a bright yellow to create a vibrant and striking combination. Yellow, symbolises happiness and energy, and its juxtaposition with the dark blues creates an energetic impact. This color palette is ideal for a modern touch of joy and can be found on canva.
13. Crowdwish Final Color Palette
This bright and striking palette, uses the same degree of luminosity of the five principal colors to create a gaudy combination. With the diversity of colors this palette creates fun and energetic imagery ideal for grabbing attention and heightening the mood of the content. This color palette can be found on color-hex.
14. Aqua Blues
This aqua palette, uses subtle, murky colors to create a mysterious and slightly sombre feel. The gradual change in tone from the light mist color to the peacock blues creates a comfortable and complementary combination. Aqua is associated with emotional healing and protection and makes this color palette ideal for sophisticated and calming content. It can be found on canva.
15. Squinting at Night Color Palette
This shady color palette, like its name suggests, uses dark colors to create a dusky combination. The dark colors do not evoke a gloomy tone, but rather complement each other with their even hues and creates a tone of subtle sophistication. This palette is ideal to create dark imagery and can be found on color-hex.
16. Torbjorn Color Palette
This matte color palette, uses hazy hues to create a smoky combination. The shades of red and yellow with the dull contrasting blue and grey reflects the colors wafting away in the smoke. This palette is ideal for creating warm tones and representing earthy imagery. It can be found on color-hex.
17. Sweet Tooth Hues
This palette takes inspiration from the colors of the sky and ocean on a sunny day to create tranquil imagery, full of life. This color palette can be used to add a clean and sincere touch to your designs. It can be found on pinterest.
18. Apt Bedroom
This colorful palette uses contrasting colors for any of your design. Taking colors from opposite sides of the color wheel creates greater impact when they're combined and offsets against one another. This color palette is ideal for livening the imagery and can be found on color-hex.
19. Fun and Tropical
This fun color palette uses warm color tones to create a well coordinated combination. Despite the contrast of blue with yellow, the warm tones complement each other and evoke a pleasant feel to the content. This palette is ideal to add a summery and vernal tone and can be found on canva.
20. Always Sunset Color Palette
This bright palette takes inspiration from the vivid colors of the sun as it sets below the horizon. These soft fiery colors complement each other and with the significant amount of yellow present, together they create a happy and lively tone. This color palette is ideal to add striking joyful colors to your designs and can be found on color-hex.
21. Naturally Elegant
This sophisticated color palette uses warm tones of yellows and greens. These slightly darker shades remove the bright joyfulness natural to yellow, and present golds and greens with greater prestige. This color palette is ideal for reputable content to add a tone of elegance and can it be found on canva.
22. Grecian Holiday
This pastel palette takes inspiration from the colors of cycladic houses associated with the Santorini hills and other locations of Greece. The use of pastel adds a tone of sophistication to the combination and complements the warm coral and Grecian blue. This palette can be found on canva.
23. Microsoft Color Palette
This bright and pure palette is a fun combination of colors often associated with the microsoft logo. This digital fusion presents a bright and energetic tone that has effectively used each color to complement the other and create impact. This palette is ideal to add a lively and fun feel to the content and can be found on color-hex.
24. Cosmopolitan
This warm palette, uses safe and uniform colors to create a sophisticated feel to your designs. This combination will complement text and add a touch of color without distracting the viewer. This palette is ideal for content based on professional businesses and can be found on canva.
25. Nightlife
This bright color palette uses the four principle printing colors (CMYK) cyan, magenta, yellow and black to add a crisp and lively effect to any design. This striking combination represents the bright colors used to grab attention on billboards scattered around the city. This makes the palette ideal for vibrant content and can be found on canva.
26. Trickling Color Palette
Red represents power, passion and courage. It is also commonly used to grab attention and provide urgent information. Through this rich red color palette the imagery and content leap off the page and grab the viewer's attention. This color palette is ideal for promoting powerful messages of both warning and love and can be found on color-hex.
27. Outdoorsy and Natural
This nature-based color palette with its shades of green and brown, creates a tranquil combination. The bright lime green adds a touch of energy to this color fusion. Like the name suggests, this color palette is ideal for environmental friendly and "green" based ideas and can be found on canva.
28. Bold Berries
This warm color palette, takes inspiration from the natural colors of a fruit-bearing tree by using rich shades of red, brown and green. Despite taken from opposing ends of the color circle, the uniform shade of the colors complement each other. This color palette is ideal to evoke a warm and pleasant tone to content and can be found on canva.
29. Garden Fresh
Orange represents enthusiasm and creativity and is an effective gender neutral color to add dimension to any design. The complementing pear green color and white helps the orange pop and enhances its attraction. This palette is ideal for food content as orange is often associated with health foods and stimulates appetite. This color palette can be found on canva.
30. Sleek and Modern
This sophisticated color palette, uses a black and white monochrome with a dash of cobalt blue to add a modern touch to your designs. The fluency of this color combination adds style and elegance to a range of context but this palette is optimum for a modern context. This color palette can be found on canva.
Looking to create a unique color combination?
Featuring a great color combination in your designs can change the tone of your messages for your readers. Struggling to find a great color combination? Why not have one created for you!
The process is super easy! Simply post a contest and you'll receive different designs from experts all over the world. You can give feedback and chat with the freelancers about their designs and any changes you were thinking of making.
Then, when the contest is finished, award the contest prize to the designer of your favourite color combination and the Intellectual Property of that design is transferred to you.
So what are you waiting for? Post a contest on Freelancer today!


text:
Giveaway ends 9pm EST March 22nd. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email justromanticsuspense @ gmail.com with a subject title of JRS GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
What If Everything You Believed In Was A Lie?
Giveaway ends 9pm EST March 22nd. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email justromanticsuspense @ gmail.com with a subject title of JRS GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.
38 comments:
looks like a great read! I love strong heroines!! dianalayne @ yahoo .comReplyDelete
- AnonymousMarch 21, 2012 at 9:43 AM
I can't wait to read this sound really good. email@example.com
Simon Says Die sounds like a great read!!ReplyDelete
If you would like to read a 'sample' of SIMON SAYS DIE, The prologue and entire first chapter are on my website, www.LenaDiaz.com .ReplyDelete
I think I would like to read, is it necessary to read He Kills Me first? Would love to winReplyDelete
This sounds like a good read. I like strong female characters and I like snarky characters too.ReplyDelete
Still to this day I think one of the most extreme characters is still Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs.ReplyDelete
I would be interested in reading Madison & Pierce's story. I enjoy psychological thrillers.
Janet, did you read the book or just watch the movie? I LOVE that movie but haven't had the pleasure of reading the book. I think Anthony Hopkins in any role is fantastic. He was so creepy and yet somehow polite and sophisticated in SOTL. I also love Alan Rickman in any role, like the bad guy in DIE HARD. Can you tell I'm a movie nut? One of the most memorable characters in books is the hero in Laura Kinsale's historical novel, Flowers in the Storm. Incredible book where the hero can't speak because of some illness and they think he us mad. I also love all the characters in any book by Linda Howard.ReplyDelete
Oooo, I love your bright cover and title! That will jump off the shelves. :)ReplyDelete
Sounds like an awesome plot, Lena, and I applaud all the twists you say are in there. That's real skilled writing and I look forward to reading it. I loved your novel "He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not" mostly because you had me guessing right to the end and I'm such a jaded reader I can usually figure out the killer way too early.
Very smart move making the reader see your aggressive heroine thru the eyes of the hero. I just finished rereading an online course I took with Allison Brennan last year and that was her suggestion too.
I had not only never thought of that, but usually my heroine is a cardboard prop in my first few drafts because I'm so focused on the alpha hero. It takes many tries to get her just to barely-assertive, LOL.
In my very first novel I made her a carbon copy of me and think one contest judge's description was "spineless." Yikes! Now I go out of my way to make sure nothing about my heroines even remotely resemble how I look/react at the world.
LOVE Alan Rickman! He stole the show in Robin Hood.
Good luck with sales!Replies
Hi Sarah! Thanks so much for your kind words, and for mentioning me in the same sentence as Allison Brennan. (grin) I'm so glad you enjoyed my previous book, and that you like the SIMON SAYS DIE cover. It's definitely an eye-catcher.Delete
Rickman in Robin Hood! Yes! He was awesome. Thanks for stopping by.
Toni McGee Causey's Bobbie Faye comes to mind. She's a take no prisoners type of gal - funny with lots of action.ReplyDelete
Simon Says Die sounds great - look forward to reading it.
jtcgc at yahoo dot com
I would pick Milla from Linda Howard's Cry No More as one of my favorite heroines who is also pretty single minded.ReplyDelete
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
I really love the Julie Collins series by Lori Armstrong (Blood Ties, Hallowed Ground, Shallow Grave and Snow Blind). Julie Collins is a chain smoking, neurotic, borderline annoying PI that is opinionated and set in her ways. It is favorite mystery series! I even love Tony Martinez, the bad (BAD) boy she falls for. This series is such a departure from anything in my life that I can't help but feel I've been transported to another place when reading it.ReplyDelete
I would love to read about Madison and Pierce! Added to my TBR list.
Heather E
Thanks Heather. I love being on a TBR list. :) Sounds like I need to add Lori Armstrong's books to my TBR list. Is the tone of the series funny or serious? I'm more of a dark/gritty book lover myself. But I can go for a funny book every now and then too. When I read historicals, Julia Quinn and Amanda Quick are some of my faves, and they both write funny.Delete
Lori Armstrong writes dark mysteries, definitely serious. Julie Collins is one kick ass character and braver than I will ever be! Sometimes I just wanted to say, 'no Julie, don't do it' and close my eyes. You think you have it all figured out then something else happens. You'll love them! I read all 4 books in less than 2 weeks. Lori Armstrong also writes as Lorelei James in the 'erotic' romance genre. If you're looking for something hot, but good she's your gal. Her mysteries are tame by comparison, but definitely just as good!Delete
I'd love to know what you think after you read her books. Feel free to send me an email at firstname.lastname@example.com Heather :)
I don't even want to read this blog, because I can't handle spoilers so I glanced at it. I loved Pierce and Madison as secondary characters in - He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not. Can't wait.ReplyDelete
LOL! No spoilers, I promise. I've been being as vague as I can whenever I talk about this book. I don't want to spoil any of it for anyone. I'm so glad you love Pierce and Madison! I hope you enjoy their story.ReplyDelete
Hi Lena,ReplyDelete
I'm so excite to learn that Madison and Pierce have their own book! I loved them in He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not. I think because they were so polar opposite, they really stood out to me.
Congratulations on the upcoming release. Wishing many, many sales!
I enjoyed your post. This sounds like a very interesting book.ReplyDelete
Yay, just minding my own business and I see that the author of He Kills Me, He Kills me Not and Simon Says Die is in the house. Folks, don't be too jealous but I have an Advanced Reader Copy and I'm digging in very soon. I love a good thriller and Ms. Diaz knows how to deliver.ReplyDelete
What a great blog... But then I'm partial to JUST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE. DQ me from the drawing of course. Hope you have a wonderful send off, Lena!Replies
Donnell, I'm such a fan girl of yours! Thanks so much for stopping by! Folks, if you haven't read Donnell Anne Bell's debut romantic suspense - The Past Came Hunting - stop everything and go buy it. Fabulous book. It's an Amazon bestseller!Delete
Thanks for a great post! I just got your first book and now I'm "dying" to read it :)ReplyDelete
I love strong heroines with a bit of snark and even though sometimes they drive me crazy with the leap first and ask questions later or the rush in with no help and get into impossible situations, I'm still breathless til the end :)
I haven't read a lot of romantic suspense lately... been in a pnr kick but I'm definitely going to start reading He Kills Me this weekend!
have a wonderful rest of the week!Replies
Erin, thanks so much for buying HE KILLS ME, HE KILLS ME NOT. Amanda is the heroine in that book and she had a lot of healing to do emotionally because of a traumatic past. She doesn't realize how strong she is until she becomes the target of the same killer who hurt her years ago. She has more of a quiet inner strength. I hope you enjoy the story.Delete
We have an email comment from Sandra,ReplyDelete
"I have recently read one of Lena's books via Amazon Kindle. Would love a copy to read on my Kindle."
I love romantic suspense and this sounds fantastic! I haven't read HE KILLS ME, HE KILLS ME NOT yet, it's sitting on my dresser waiting for me to start it and tonight is the night... but now I have to get SIMON SAYS DIE!ReplyDelete
Wishing you much success :)
Janice, thanks so much! I hope you enjoy BOTH of my books!!!ReplyDelete
I would love to win a copy of this book. Sounds great and romantic suspense is my favorite genre. Thanks for the give away.ReplyDelete


text:
Foscarini surprised with an impressing video installation during this year's Salone del Mobile at Superstudio Più. Amongst others the Italian manufacturer presented a new table lamp by Marco Zito.
Its simplicity enhances the elegance with which every detail has been designed: the wide angle of its bend, the subtraction of material from one of the two sides and the treatment of the rounded corners.
The pendant light 'Troag' by Luca Nichetto is made of multilayered, heat-curved wood whose edges are specially milled to create an inclined, dynamic profile, emphasised by the grain of the wood.


text: HIP-HOP 2 Chainz Debuts 'G.O.O.D. Morning' Video: Watch 12/4/2012 by Erika Ramirez FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME 2 Chainz Debuts 'G.O.O.D. Morning' Video: Watch The love for 2 Chainz is as real overseas as it is here in the states. Earlier today (Tuesday, Dec. 4), the rapper dropped a three-minute long video of his U.K. travels. The cameras follow 2 Chainz as he shops, records and stops through radio stations. The video also features a new rendition of "The Morning," off "Cruel Summer." 2 Chainz's drops new rhymes in the revamped version, titled "G.O.O.D. Morning." 2 Chainz is currently touring the states and will be hitting New York this Saturday, Dec. 8. FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME


text:
Face the Facts USA: Your Medicare contributions don't begin to pay the tab (video)
Each day in the 100 days leading up to Election Day, middletownpress.com and Face the Facts USA will be partnering to bring you one exhaustively researched and vetted, non-partisan fact about a major issue facing our nation.
Fact No. 66: With spending up, the payroll hit covers less
Chances are you see money deducted from every paycheck to fund Medicare. But while the bite may seem big, payroll taxes cover less than 40 percent of program costs. They've never paid for more than 68 percent of Medicare costs - that was in 1980 - and their share of Medicare revenue has been declining steadily for 30 years. In 2011 worker contributions brought in 38.1 percent of Medicare funding. The rest came from contributions from general federal revenues and premium payments. All monies go into a trust fund which Medicare's own trustees predict will run dry in 2024.


text:
Roger Byrd
PRICE-Roger Evan Byrd, age 44, passed away on November 25, 2002, while surrounded by his loving family.
Roger was born on Sept. 20, 1958 in Raleigh, N.C., to Richard E. and Evangeline (Vange) Platis Byrd.
He grew up in Miami, Fla., and Price, where he graduated from Carbon High School in 1976. He married Karla Edmondson June 22,1985 in Price. Later divorced. They had two children, who he cherished.
Roger worked for UP&L for 25 years, where he made many good friends.
A devoted Christian, Roger was an elder in the New Life Ministries Church and served missions in Ireland and Mexico. Roger's deep faith and love for his family sustained him throughout his long battle with leukemia.
Roger loved sports (especially football), hunting with his dog, bicycling, vacationing with family and coaching his son's sports teams.
Roger is survived by his daughter, Kennedy, and son, Carson, both of Price; his brothers, Jonathan (Michelle) Byrd, Pocatello, Idaho; Richard Byrd, Price; mother, Vange (Steve) Raber, Price. He was preceded in death by his father.
Funeral service, Saturday, Nov. 30, 11 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home. Family will be at Mitchell's Saturday one hour prior to service. Interment, Price City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the New Life Ministries, 1950 W. 4100 North, Helper, UT 84526.


text:
Дзекупіць Alphabrain Y Гомель Беларусь цана Інтэрнэт
--- Click for read more ---
Alphabrain Y Гомель Беларусь Tags:
. Дзекупіць Alphabrain Y Гомель Беларусь цэны Інтэрнэт для жанчыны. Alpha Brain Review – A Full Analysis Pure Nootropics Alpha Brain Review – A Full Analysis. Posted on March 21, 2014 November 9, 2017 by Eric Balaster. 21 Mar. Alpha Brain is one of the most famous nootropic blends that sparked debate and controversy in many communities. Produced by Onnit Labs since 2010, Alpha Brain has been featured in a variety of media outlets including the Joe Rogan ... Alpha BRAIN Instant | Onnit Alpha BRAIN Instant is our fastest way to help optimize your mental performance, without the use of any stimulants. In two double blind trials, the Alpha BRAIN formula has demonstrated it has the ability to help improve memory, focus, and processing speed in healthy adults by targeting ... Alpha BRAIN Nootropic to Improve Brain Function | Onnit Alpha BRAIN may help you remember names and places, focus on complex tasks, and improve your mental speed in response to stimuli. Whether it is a work project, a social gathering, or an athletic performance, taking Alpha BRAIN is like another gear for your brain.† I believe that a time is coming ... Alpha Brain Review | Pros Cons Read Before Buying Alpha ... Interested in using Alpha Brain? Make sure you read this Alpha Brain review before making your buying decision. Alpha Brain – What's Wrong with the Supplement Industry ... There is an endless stream of supplement products on the market that are of questionable value. They tend to follow a similar pattern put an essentially random assortment of vitamins, minerals, perhaps herbs and nutritional elements into a pill and then make whatever pseudo health claims you want. Usually the claim is implied in the name of the product itself sleepwell, or… AlphaBRAIN™ Address. Pick Pack Express Ltd. Coalville Business Park unit 14. Jackson Street, Coalville. Leicestershire UK. LE67 3NR. Company No. 7958437 Is Alpha Brain Worth the Money? Nootropedia This simplified Alpha Brain review will help you determine whether there is any scientific reason to purchase this nootropic. Learn more here. Alpha BRAIN by Onnit at Bodybuilding.com Best Prices on ... Onnit Alpha BRAIN is a Complete Balanced Nootropic With Alpha GPC AC 11! Get the Lowest Prices on Alpha BRAIN at Bodybuilding.com! ... I have been using AlphaBrain for a few months now and I have noticed that my 50+ year old memory has actually improved. Thought processing has improved and when I get enough quality sleep, I am as sharp as I ... Видео ГОМЕЛЬ Gomel BELARUS Гомель БЕЛАРУСЬ Уличные танцы Гомель Беларусь 9 Мая Часть 1 StreetDance Gomel Belarus May 1 Part 1 Добавлено Видео о Гомеле YouTube Trip to Belarus in Gomel 04.11.2011 Поездка в Беларусь в город Гомель Duration 719. Spectrator Bulraty 3,796 views. 719. Google Search the world s information, including webpages, images, videos and more. Google has many special features to help you find exactly what you re looking for. Alpha Brain Review [UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2018] Does It ... Alpha Brain BREAKING NEWS Click Here To Read This Exclusive Alpha Brain Review! Does Alpha Brain Work? Get The Facts. Learn More About This Product Today!.
Alpha BRAIN® (@AlphaBRAIN) | Twitter We re looking for entrepreneurs startups in the NYC area currently using @AlphaBRAIN to optimize their business. Tell us who you are! Tell us who you are! 1 reply 1 retweet 4 likes. Дзекупіць Alphabrain Y Гомель Беларусь цана Інтэрнэт.


text:
The new leader of Ukraine's Crimea region, Sergei Aksyonov, says 11,000 pro-Russian "self-defense troops" have joined regular forces and riot police in Crimea, and now control all access to the Crimean peninsula. They have also blockaded all Ukrainian military bases that have not surrendered.
Both the Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu have denied sending in troops to the strategically important peninsula. However, all or most of the self-defense troops are believed to be Russians, Associated Press reports.
Aksyonov was hastily voted in as Prime Minister of Crimea when the regional government headquarters were seized by armed men late last week, and says his government is in close contact with officials from Russia. Diplomacy, however, is proving fruitless. The West's calls for a Russian pullout have been rebuffed and a U.N. official said that a special envoy sent to Crimea had been threatened by 10 to 15 armed men.


text:
Charlotte, North Carolina
St. Peter Catholic Church is a small oasis of serenity and beauty in the heart of Charlotte's uptown business district. Founded in 1851, it is the oldest Catholic parish in Charlotte and has been staffed by the Jesuits since 1986. St. Peter's congregation is a diverse mix of old and young, native Charlotteans and the newly settled, who represent St. Peter's rich past, vibrant present and promising future.
It has been said that when Charlottteans watched the laying of the church's cornerstone for the original St. Peter's Catholic Church in 1851, they saw the cornerstone of Catholicism in Charlotte put into place. For 90 years it was the only Catholic church in the city. The original building stood for 41 years before it became structurally unsafe due in part to ammunition explosions at the close of the Civil War, which had damaged the foundation. In 1893 the cornerstone was laid for the building that now stands.
Today, St. Peter's boasts a number of ministries, but perhaps the most unique is its St. Fiacre Ministry. When the Jesuits came to St. Peter's, a long-standing parishioner, Tim von der Embse, had a vision and a passion to turn the broken blacktop parking lot into a green space for prayer, meditation and fellowship. In 2006 a group of local business people implemented his idea as a service project. Landscape, materials and supplies were all donated. In April 2007, St. Peter's backyard had been greened, and a new useful space was created for the parish.
Parishioners hold garden parties seasonally to maintain and enhance the gardens. The continued mission of the St. Fiacre Ministry is to nurture the gardens as a place to rest, prayerfully ponder and engage in fellowship while enjoying its splendor.


text:
$1M in Sales! Self-Publishing Success Stories
WSJ's Heidi Mitchell and author Theresa Ragan join Digits to discuss the successes of self-publishing and free online tools available to authors. Photo: Theresa Ragan.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... used to pay that self published authors have to deal with a lot of stigma ... the mall ... welcome to Digits I'm Simon Constable ... Heidi Mitchell joins us now from Greenwich Connecticut we've also got to recent re ... read Reagan who wrote a book that was self published and did very well welcome to you both to Digits we appreciate your time tonight ... yes ... I let me sell with you Heidi you've been whining about a number of office have seen spectacular success ... some publishing the books ... yes I said Steel ... but in about a dozen ... in all this it's the key swill down to four or five advantage with them she's she's an offering coach and she was a writer she knew of seized a five hundred bucks is doing a hundred thirty seven books this year says she is a pure ADN healthy turn into something that is its marketable or at least acts as your business for which it which is the published but still does and he's making this day none of ... you know that vanity press and I like this ... but I was myself thinking that is really really gonna wait to present ... she's really a great example of that it can be a PR pro business of the race to ... buy view of one of the war that that's featured in Heidi's case in the Wall Street John all ... why did you take the plunge in this direction new book abducted that has done rather well I've The brother will come on the state said massively what what prompted you before we get Financial Figgins ... when the next twenty years and that's that ... they ... are ... here's a very straight ... I've been reading romance ... very ... well ... Shell and ... Eon but ... it is very rare Katie ... and were down now I am on my research and learn my craft ... so I know I know is that there ... eighteen seventy four pounds ... for ... and and and and an amazing way because I gotta get it so much to bear lake and famine Soviet ... Union signed a thirty to fourteen thousand copies of your book a month ... that's that's you ... the twenty ten thousand to three thousand a month ... on the ... ten bucks ... how can ... the Tibetan uprising moment in the name of it is still a phenomenal amount of money to bid to buy its money not ... on the reasons to stay with my water behind you back in on Friday ... although this to you you you focus on in the book it took different tax that night ... why isn't there is one other Australian she actually had a month that started the project is is a lot of people's ... place he she is a palliative care get her and she had these amazing stories of people are dead and ... and there were grants before they pass away so she wrote this ... about the recipe Donnie ... and I disliked life lessons from the dearly departed and by extension ... the read million times on her ... why she decided to come into the box a shisha is run to about twenty three ... Asians and E on said no way says she has said you know I'm a singer songwriter by five straight I'm going into self ... published this book and mixing it Up The dollar an ounce and twenty seven different languages and she bought a home ... when the money she earned from its thus it wasn't really happy and each an economy enters an instantaneous one who works in a diesel pump world he still couldn't get me to think that this that another one on she said in a beanie here so she's eyeing the new seating in publishing and she still couldn't get ... her to really out there has been penciled in a T thousand copies ... a lot of ... well known author said that there are many writers are written nonfiction remains in thinking even for many was still really hard to see this gal with its resets ... I need you mention that the number two in the smash were so ... what what what what does that the one of the of this to ... semi healthy offload your of peace in your word document up in Syria into the cloud and in you will it will help the formatting and then deliver it to T and dot com the Amazon dot com for all the different elements and you can get out there because the big thing that a publisher offers you ... the distribution was so you have to do that yourself ... Annie's companies they helped me to do that you not negate your of printing and put on a nice new friend ... south in a bookstore of course this way ... you do a lot of self promoting and Twitter in the second were Iranians and couldn't resist great site for that that's not a media e readers not comment on your thoughts and good going into offers taxing and Summly Terry says she's seen program or a ready in time for fathers to really ... fun he rally around Turn Anti copper pots and HCP policeman Exelon any usually laugh at it every so ... what advice would you hafta anyone wanting to test the self publishing line ... sure ... they ... really are ... in the first ... was that they can be inserted to make some money ... I ... e not least the rate of five hundred dollars and ... eighteen ... for some people ... that that really works Egon grandparent a ... student teacher ... story ... so ... he's a ... very good ... at it and agreed to go up thank you Brian much ... to read write and read it in the story by Heidi Mitchell who's been to thank you both very much his time I'm Simon Qassam on and that was digits ...


text:
In this letter, Mr. Kowalko portrays himself as the defender of the apolitical status of school board elections in Delaware, and is shocked to discover that the Delaware PTA has a position of education-related issues.
In reality, the letter is a thin tissue of political self-interest on Mr. Kowalko's part, cynically filled with half-truths, inaccuracies, and misrepresentations.
He should be embarrassed to have written it, but I suspect that in the politically charged Delaware Education civil war that's way too much to ask for.
So we'll have to do it for him.
Mr. Kowalko's words are in black; my comments are in red.
Said survey . . .
I personally find intrusive, polarizing, and a thinly veiled attempt to influence the independence of local school board candidates and elections.
As we shall see, intrusion, polarization, and influence have long been a part of Delaware school board elections, despite Inspector Clouseau's sudden epiphany.
The State PTA seems to have taken the same political view of education in Delaware as Rodel, and the questionnaire, though seemingling innocent by itself, has taken the Rodel political bias.
In case Mr. Kowalko never noticed--as I documented here last week--the Delaware PTA has been in open partnerhsip with Rodel regarding education reform in Delaware for years. Mr. Kowalko may have a different position on what should be done in Delaware schools, but the position that the DE PTA has taken is the same one that Governor Markell supports strongly (and indicated by today's selection of the Vision 2015 leader, Mark Murphy, to become the new Secretary of Education). Just because the views of the Governor, of Vision 2015, and of the Delaware PTA do not comport with Mr. Kowalko's does not make them in any way illegimate.
I find question 3, the union question, very biased, especially in light of the fact that one of the candidates in the Red Clay School District is a member of a teacher's union, and is running against a Rodel (and the PTA President's) candidate.
There is almost too much packed into this one sentence to tackle. Let's try it seriatem, Mr, Kowalko, and see if you can follow along:
1. Question 3 asks, "How do you view the teacher's union (DSEA) role in relation to school boards?" Let's compare that to the question that the local DSEA affiliate (RCEA) asked both candidates when it interviewed them: "How can RCEA (Red Clay Education Association) and RCPA (Red Clay Para-professional Association) help you as a board member?" Uh, Mr. Kowalko, the questions are essentially the same--what do candidates think of the role of unions. Why would one question about the role of the teacher's union--asked by the teacher's union itself to one of its own members--be legitimate, while virtually the same question asked by the PTA is "very biased"?
2. Indeed, Mr. Kenny Rivera, who is both an outstanding teacher and well-spoken young man, is running. And Ms. Joanne Johansen, who has been in Red Clay as a student and then a parent for over forty years, is also running. Is Ms. Johansen "a Rodel candidate," Mr. Kowalko? Depends on your definition. Voices 4 Delaware Education published a flyer on her behalf, just as DSEA will publish a flyer on Mr. Rivera's behalf. [Incidentally, neither flyer has in any way attacked the other candidate.] If that makes her "a Rodel candidate," then that makes him "a DSEA candidate," doesn't it? Ms. Johansen has received (and reported) campaign contributions from people who support education reform; Mr. Rivera has received (and reported) campaign contributions from people who are members of RCEA/DSEA. Same question to you, Mr. Kowalko? If you are implying that Ms. Johansen will be a Rodel puppet because their PAC and their supporters have contributed to her campaign, is not the same true of Mr. Rivera and DSEA?
This information will be used against the teacher candidate, not as 'just another bit of information.'
Fascinating assertion, that somebody will use those who support a campaign as cause to attack the campaign. Only problem, Mr. Kowalko, is that it has been primarily (though by no means entirely, I'm sorry to say) pro-DSEA spokes-people who have been playing that card. While saying, in effect, You can't tar us with a union connection, that's dirty politics, you also turn around and effectively admit, And besides, you're in bed with Rodel, and it's my civic duty to point that out again and again--rather than to talk about any of the issues in the campaign. Mr. Kowalko (pot) meet Mr. Kowalko (kettle).
Consideration of the financial backer and the well-known views of the current PTA State President make it necessary to see this questionnaire for what it is--an easy avenue for a well-funded special interest group to get its preferences out to a much larger, targeted audience, as these questions are geared for a specific audience, and this has never been a Delaware PTA role.
"A well-funded special interest group"? Can't believe you actually have the stones to go there, Mr. Kowalko, considering that DSEA is the primary "special interest group" that has poured more than a million dollars into Delaware school board and legislative elections over the past five years, through a series of interlocking PACs specifically designed to be difficult to trace. Oh, and by the way, let's note that in every election some of that DSEA PAC money has always come your way as well, Mr. Kowalko--which, by your logic, makes you the DSEA legislator. There's nothing wrong with that, unless and until you try to portray yourself as you did in this letter as a disinterested, morally outraged party.
While special interest groups have always attempted to bolster boards and elected offices with officials representing their interests, the PTA should not be party to this sort of manipulation.
But DSEA is the kind of "special interest group" that's got your imprimatur of approval to play in this arena, right, Mr. Kowalko? It's acceptable for teachers to organize and attempt to influence school board elections, but not for parents? Yet I am glad that you were (for once in this letter) honest enough to admit that what DSEA does in school board elections IS "manipulation." Thank you for that, sir.
Candidates realize what is happening to them, but they also realize that not completing the survey will have a negative effect on their candidacy.
Really? That's also the case with DSEA and its affiliates. How do we know? We know because DSEA senior officials have bragged about it. We also know that they have been incredibly effective in their manipulations. In Red Clay, for example, seven of the last eight candidates endorsed and financially supported by DSEA have won election. Seven of eight--not quite 100%. I can see why you are concerned; if Ms. Johansen won despite your character assassination, that would mean that the Red Clay School Board would have only a 5-2 majority of DSEA endorsed candidates. Obviously, that's not good enough.
A particular concern is that one of the candidates is a parent from the Wilmington Charter School [sic], which by the way has never had a PTA, who was encouraged to run by the current State PTA President, who has no hesitation about vocally backing candidates.
First, Mr. Kowalko, I know you are not a big fan of charters, but you could at least get the name of the school right. As for not having a PTA, this is the kind of intentionally deceptive half-truth that permeates this letter. Some schools in Delaware have PTAs, some have PTOs, and some have Parent Associations. Charter School of Wilmington has a Parent Association; Ms. Johansen is currently an officer there, as she was an officer in the Brandywine Springs Parent-Teacher Organization for nine years. Did Yvonne Johnson (I know you've got this Voldemort "she who must not be named" thing going on, but I'm tired of it) encourage Ms. Johansen to run? Absolutely; so did numerous other parents in the district. I'll bet there were even (the shock of it! the horror!) teachers who encouraged Mr. Rivera to run.
I believe there is a real conflict of interest in the manner in which she does so.
Delaware is full of conflicts of interest, Mr. Kowalko. You should know, because in this particular case your own continued acceptance of DSEA PAC contributions to your campaigns renders you--ah--not the least biased person in the room to be pointing fingers.What I find most offensive about this letter, Mr. Kowalko, is that it is not an attempt to hold out for truth, justice, and the American way, but really a bare-knuckles attack on the candidacy of a fine woman you have never bothered to meet or investigate--Joanne Johansen.
Unlike you, I make no secret of my allegiances, I have supported Ms. Johansen from day one--publicly.
The strong, capable woman you deride as "a Rodel candidate" went to Forest Oak and Stanton before graduating from John Dickinson High School in 1981. Her children went to Brandywine Springs School, where she worked day in and day out as a parent volunteer and PTO officer for nearly a decade, after which she followed them to CSW and volunteered again. Her two nieces are--respectively--an AI High graduate and a current special needs student at Dickinson. Ms. Johansen has personally helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for Red Clay schools via the Paw Pack Auction, has sat on district-wide committees, and has been a civic leader for many years.
But to you, Mr. Kowalko, this dedicated woman is simply "a Rodel candidate."
You should be ashamed of that characterization, and you should publicly apologize for it.
I can tell you that no one from Rodel or Voices 4 Delaware has ever spoken with Ms. Johansen, or participated in any campaign meetings, or coordinated campaign activities. Oddly enough, I am sure exactly the same is true for Mr. Rivera, because it would have been illegal for either of them to do so.
What's disturbingly ironic about this campaign is that the candidates themselves--both Ms. Johansen and Mr. Rivera--have shown considerably more class than you or any other smear-merchant on either side of the fence.
They've stuck to the issues, and--oddly enough despite all your divisive rhetoric--what you never inquired about nor discovered is that they aren't that far apart. Both believe in more investment in Early Childhood Education. Both see Red Clay addressing the needs of the PZ schools as a priority. Both have reservations about the long-term future of Race to the Top. Both support school choice.
I happen to believe that because Ms. Johansen brings the experience of living in the district and long-term service to our schools, and because she brings a parent's passion about choice and charter to the table, that she is the better candidate. Even Mr. Rivera's campaign manager says of her,
"If elected, I have no doubt she will serve excellently on the Board."
And with respect to Mr. Rivera, in the same spirit, I completely agree.
The residents of Red Clay are fortunate this year to have an election in which it will be difficult for them to lose.
They just need opportunistic politicians and hyperbolic bloggers to get the hell out of their way, let them meet the candidates, and make up their own minds.


text:
Grubby Clark Shuts Down OceanDecember 5, 2009
December 5th, 2008
At 12:18 p.m. today, three years after the sudden and unexpected closure of Clark Foam, Grandpa Gordon "Grubby" Clark announced that he has literally "shut down" the ocean. The statement arrived via fax machines at entities as disparate as NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), SIMA (Surf Industry Manufacturer's Association), Gov. Schwarzenegger's office and the White House.
The fax claimed that "any swell now in the world's oceans merely represents resonant storm activity, and the ocean will go completely flat in 7 to 10 days time." Much like the cryptic fax of 2005, which caused upheaval throughout the surf world, the statement contained no explanation for the seemingly chaotic, and mean-spirited decision.
While pundits argue how such a feat could possibly be attained, those close to Clark's former operation insist that his claims must be given credence. News of the ocean closure rippled through Congress as well as the nation's scientific community today, yet first to take decisive action was Billabong USA's C.E.O. Paul Naude. The South African surf industry magnate sent big-wave riders Mike "Snips" Parsons and partner Brad Gerlach into the deep sea, abreast their jet skis, with a mandate to quickly discover the source of the cloggage. Gerlach reportedly surrendered a spot at a casting call for "Gossip Girl," to take up the challenge. Parson's wouldn't cease preparation for even a moment to comment on the unprecedented adventure.
"Bru, this mandate outweighs the Billabong XXL awards exponentially," Naude said. "How can we be expected to support Andy's rehabilitation without surf affiliated T-shirt sales?"
Meanwhile, Surfline.com's Sean Collins is said to have attained a portion of the recent $700 billion bailout package. The funds were intended to advance his work with the wind turbine industry in an attempt to create "subscription-based" surfing. According to insiders, the technology allows Surfline.com to focus a wave, within three meters, at any given subscriber (but only for "premium members").
"Without this wind turbine thing, surfers have no hope of hitting a lip anywhere," a source close to Collins said. "He's finally found a way to corner the market. We anticipate he'll acquire Baja California at any moment now. He's setting himself up to be the new 'Grubby Clark.'"
Critics of the real Grubby Clark remain confident in the opinion: "Still piping hot he wasn't able to squash all of surfing in 2005, it appears that he's finally cemented his legacy."
At the very least, say many shapers, it will ruin another Holiday season for surfboard craftsmen everywhere.
SURFER MAGAZINE BANKRUPT:August 6, 2009
Both Financially and In Spirit
A Michael Jackson estate spokesman draws similarities between the two icons
Like the "King of Pop" Michael Jackson, who died at 50 years old last month, the surf world's "Bible" finds itself long past its glory years, unable to perform, and unrecognizable to fans.
A spokesman from the Michael Jackson estate, who says the star didn't surf but followed the magazine, couldn't help but mention the coincidence while delving into Jackson's archive of Surfer.
Reaching toward a 50th birthday this year, Surfer magazine and its parent company filed for bankruptcy—a situation Jackson had also been teetering on for many months. But it was the magazine's moral incontinence and lack of loyalty to fans that caused the Jackson estate spokesman to comment publicly. At the media conference, increasing similarities came to light; like the fact that the two icons went through young people to such an untenable extent, that in later years, both were forced to rely on interns and foreign labor.
Sadly, both Jackson and Surfer tried unsuccessfully to reverse course in their final days. In an effort to shore up his finances, Jackson scheduled a series of concerts in London he was clearly unfit to perform. For its part, Surfer forced its staff to take two weeks of unpaid leave and 20-year contributing photographer Tom Servais was dismissed simply because the magazine owed him money it didn't want to pay. These actions, the spokesman claimed, reveal the nature of the magazine's decline—examples, he said, of deadbeat practices much like Jackson's hundred thousand dollar pharmacy bill left unpaid.
One of the world's greatest performers in his prime, to the credit of his later years, Jackson held enough dignity to die when his star had faded to such a weak glimmer.
Questions of Surfer's longevity remain.
Wardo Appalled by Dream Tour Literacy RatesJuly 24, 2009
Establishes ASP's First Reading Group
After five years struggling to qualify for a top 44 berth through the WQS, San Clemente's Chris Ward was shocked to discover a massive lack in reading skills among his new ASP Dream Tour cohorts. Ward later recalled that at his first event in the big-time, one competitor asked him how to spell "uh."
"What do you mean, 'uh?'" Ward asked.
"You know," replied the current #4, "like 'uh' dog, or 'uh' cat. Just tell me how to spell it, Seppo."
"It's an 'A,'" Ward said, "as in A.S.P."
"What? That don't sound right, does it, mate?" responded the top athlete before returning to fill out his facebook page.
This conversation came as a milestone for Wardo. The problem of literacy amidst such gifted competitors simmered in the back of his mind for several seasons. At first he was savvy enough to imagine that there must be a way to use their inabilities to his own advantage. He saw a trifecta of drugs, booze and low reading skills at the heart of the Dream Tour's malaise. Yet, considering Kelly Slater's relative sobriety and reading acumen, every scenario Ward envisioned still put him at numbers 2 or 3.
Then in January of '08 Ward was arrested for beating up a couple of girls in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. At rock bottom in the drunk tank, he realized that taking advantage of others' weak points—like being girly and not knowing how to hit good—did not necessarily make one stronger.
Understanding that a best case legal scenario would force him into some serious community service hours, Ward decided to take action right then and create his own organization for the advancement of reading skill among top athletes: The Chris Ward Book Club. This humanitarian action just might sway the judge in his upcoming court case, or at least fulfill a community service obligation. And if nothing else, his fellow surfers reading a little bit, well, what could it hurt?
The first meeting of The Chris Ward Book Club kicked off in the competitor's tent at Sunset Beach during the O'Neill World Cup last December. Other than the fact that it would take place during the comp, this book club was unlike others in that there was no one book to be read. Each competitor was asked to bring their favorite books and read a portion to the group in hopes that those who couldn't read at all, would be influenced into learning.
Wardo started off by holding up his favorite book. It was titled "Drinking for Dummies." He couldn't help but feel pride while looking around the tent and discovering that several surfers brought their own books to read. Adriano De Souza brought "Fast Track to Citizenship," and Andy Irons brought cult classic "Junky" by William S. Burroughs.
Ward thanked them all for participating and began to read from the chapter: "How to Survive a Bar Room Cat Fight." Before diving in, Ward pointed out that most of the "dos" and "don'ts" were numbered in this chapter, so the others were able to follow along easily.
Just then, Bruce Irons stumbled into the tent. Ward reacted by raising his book so Bruce could see the title, and then followed by "shushing" the drunken competitor as he continued to babble. "Whoa," Bruce exclaimed loudly, "Paper puzzles! I haven't seen so many in one place since I was little keiki kine. I used to stare and stare and never could figa 'em paper puzzles out."
"Paper puzzles?" Wardo looked up to ask. "You mean books?"
"Yeah, like math and riddles. Supa' hard to figa, and with crazy letters. But you guys must be pro readas', shoots? There's choke paper puzzles here, brudha."
Andy Irons quickly stood up and grabbed his younger brother, asking him nicely to sit down and read with the group. "No way Brah!" said Bruce, "dis 'MY Booze Cruise.'" Andy and Bruce then began to grapple.
Ward decided to read over the ruckus. The others attempted to follow. But then Florida's C.J. Hobgood stepped into the tent. "Holy Mowly, so many paper puzzles!" said the former champ, "Me and my kin read paper puzzles in a tent every Sunday, same thang just like this. Septin' we read the same exact book all together, call it the 'Good Book.' Me, I like to count to ten, turn the page, and let the preacher feller tell what was said by Jesus and such."
Adriano De Souza pointed at C.J. and began to laugh. Then Bruce grabbed Andy's book and threw it at C.J. The Floridian made his fingers into a cross and began to wail the word "Sinners," over and over while backing out of the tent. Some say he spoke in "tongues," others say it was backwoods swamp talk. The rest of the competitors, sensing weakness, pounced on the weakling Christian by throwing their books too. C.J. ducked, the books missed him and the Floridian dodged literacy once again.
That might have been the unfortunate close of the first official Chris Ward Book Club. However, when C.J. went on to win the contest, many of the book club members approached Ward asking about this one "Good Book" of which C.J. spoke and asked, "did it really only take a count of ten to get from the top of one page to the bottom?"
Notorious Bingin Banchong Revealed to Be Surf Star Rob MachadoJuly 14, 2009
Hurley Pro Subdued In the Act by Victim
"It's like I told me mate, right," said the victim, 26 year-old Raffe Wills of Perth Australia. "It's not like no other mate never given me a wristy before. I mean, in the mines of WA you're bound to get the odd rough man-job a time or two. But when you're in Bali on holiday, mate, and the wristy artist turns out to be not only a bloke, but your childhood idol, it's enough to drive a geezer mad!"
Inside Made's Warung above the famed Bukit break of Bingin, Willsey claimed he noticed the "Shelia's" intimate resemblance to Pipe Master Rob Machado once the Banchong turned her/his hand over in order to perform the "Western Grip." Willsey's eyes met those of the perpetrator's, and the fanatic follower of celebrity goofy foots marked a certain something in the subtle wink. "First I just thought this was one hairy Indo cunt, but those eyes are unmistakable, mate. I felt pity and rage and shame and, not thinking right, I grabbed the cunt—a lot scrawnier than you'd accept with all that hair, like a thick cat become wet, and I beat him as Pipeline never did."
The legend of the "Bingin Banchong," or "Hairy Wayan," or "Indo Lady Sasquash," has grown over the last two years. In a culture in which men are often raised in the arts of womanhood and accepted into the community as full partners, Banchongs move about without notice. The fact that this particular Banchong was in fact a famous Western athlete, many say, slipped under the radar because of the prodigious hair and the deeply tanned face.
"Okay look, I didn't think she was a keeper. I was on me way to Kuta regardless," said Roger Drake, Willsey's traveling partner and second in line for the hand job. "But it's like any holiday place that becomes too popular—the freaks really show their seedy side. I mean, Bali has been on the surfing world's radar since 1972, and all of these sponoed-seppo cunts [American Pros] act like they discovered the place. What I have to say to them is: Why don't you take your millions to some place where you'll pay a touch more than 20,000 rupes for a hand job."
This is when Willsey stepped in to correct his partner: "But Drako, the cunt was only doin' em for free mate, that's why you was waitin' after me."
In fact, once Willsey subdued the alleged surf celebrity, local police were called out to the scene. The police took the Banchong into their custody, but Willsey claimed the he/she pulled a cell phone from its thick mane and quickly dialed.
"'Riz . . . Riz, you have to help, me.' The thing said Rizal's name with an American accent, mate, and that's even further proof it was him. I think Rizal Tanjung put Machado up to this nonsense," Drako said. "Maybe as part of his movie, or some marketing stunt. For Christ's sake, Christian Fletcher and his monkey were hanging around last season, how's a cunt gonna top that?"
After in depth research, Bali's Brobot reporter discovered that indeed, the legend of the Bingin Banchong described an incredibly ugly man-lady who performed "wristies" without charge. Many of her victims refused to believe the recent link between Rob Machado and the acts that they'd experienced. Further, all agree that the acts were performed with the humble hospitality that they always encountered from the Balinese people. Others claimed to have seen their Banchong paddling an SUP board on flat days, and at least one say he'd seen his lady friend surfing well for a girl at Uluwatu.
Willsey and Drako maintain that after the hairy perpetrator put a call through to it's contact, the police cell phones rang instantly. Following brief conversations, the authorities released their charge with sincere apologies to the perpetrator and only after 50,000 Rupiah bribes each, allowed Willsey and Drako to go free.
Martinez Mexes-Up for World Title RunFebruary 27, 2009
Santa Barbara California
Santa Barbara native Bobby Martinez, a former 7-time NSSA National Champion and the ASP WCT'shighest rated California surfer of 2008, has announced that he will no longer be representing California or The United States of America on the 2009 ASP World Surfing Tour.
"This is a sad day for American surfing" stated Janice Aragon, NSSA director during Bobby's amateur reign.
After continuing to ramp up his latino image throughout his emergence on the ASP World Tour, Martinez had apparently intended to enter 2009's competitive season surfing for Mexico but after an alleged botched attempt to smuggle the young pro south to Tijuana via one of the Arellano-Felix Cartel's drug tunnels and a previous paddle-across attempt (stymied by water quality issues in neighboring Imperial Beach) Martinez decided to stay in his own barrio of central "Aztlan" and fight the good fight. As he pulled up to our interview, his truck was conspicuously bare of the usual bevy of sponsors stickers and instead bore a simple slogan writ large in Old English on a tattered bumper sticker:"Aztlan: Love it or Leave it."
"Bobby," who has asked be referred to only by his given name, Roberto, is also dropping the nickname "BMart" as "it sounds too much like a "cut rate retail operation indicative of the oppressive imperialist and racist policies we are wishing to combat in this decision, eh?"
Bobby or, perdon, "Roberto" has thus decided to pull out of competing for his native U.S. to represent "Aztlan", the spiritual Aztec homeland that encompasses much of the western coast of North America, including his birthplace in central California. Robert Gerard, Rules and Disciplinary Judge, for the ASP World tour, commented "The ASP simply cannot allow its surfers to represent "made-up" countries."
Contesting the notion that Aztlan is a made-up country, Martinez noted that, "The ASP already sanctions competitors from Euskadi (a semi-autonomous region of northwest Spain and southwest France often called the Basque country) and Hawaii (the not so largely-autonomous 50th State of The United States of America), so in response to the ASP's decision not to honor competitors from Aztlan, I say 'No way, guey.'"
Roberto has also announced that he will seek legal guidance in his case to represent Aztlan as its first international star athlete from Mr. Esteban Zul, the officially recognized Ambassador of Aztlan to Cuba. Mr. Zul was quick to mention that Aztlan was the only one of the three "made-up countries" to join "The Coalition of the Willing" offering 500 homies to Bush's war effort in 2007, and stated that "the ASP's decision to allow competitors from Euskadi and Hawaii was an important show of politically solidarity in the revolutionary processes of those regions but would lack any real meaning going forward were it to exclude the latino struggle for Aztlan in its campaign to represent indigenous peoples movements.
"It's really hypocritical," Mr. Zul noted, "and no coincidence that unlike Euskadi and Hawaii, Aztlan is home to the center of the surf world's imperialist capitalist ventures." And perhaps it is no coincidence either then that Broberto ( as Brobot likes to call him) is the only Top 10 surfer headed into the 2009 WCT Season without a major sponsor—or a country to call his casa.
When Robert Gerard was reached for further comment he asked only that we "drop this nonsense of made-up countries" and focus on his intervention in Coco Ho's notorious 2008 interference against Layne Beachley other high profile issues.
INSIDE THE SLATER DOMEDecember 11, 2008
Where Debate Always Rages
Brobot recently caught up with 9-time world champ Kelly Slater at the New York City celebration for his second official "tell-nothing" biography. A "who's who" of NYC glitz and glamour, the event definitely captured the grandeur of a man who's earned two biographies in his 36 years. Slater graciously signed first edition copies for fans, and even sat for rare interviews. Sal Masekela, host of E! Entertainment's Daily 10, asked questions like: "What does the champ eat for breakfast?" or "When you think about love, what do you think about?" and "Do those love feelings get into your song writing?" and "Do you think you'll write more nice songs after you retire?"
Brobot, of course, took charge of the opportunity to pry away answers to his readers' most thought provoking questions. Slater's thousand-yard-gaze met Brobot's ocular consul, the two shook hands, and they sat down to business.
Brobot: So champ, if you don't mind, let's really talk about matters of the heart. The public is wondering whether it was Pam or Tommy Lee who gave you Hep C.
Slater: (silence, looks around for manager)
Brobot: Oh . . . So, sorry, wrong opening question. That one was meant for Kid Rock . . . My bad . . . stupid robot.
Slater: (further silence)
Brobot: Okay . . . Well, next question: when you were living with your college girl and her roommates earlier last year, did you kick in anything for rent?
Slater: (agitated silence, shifting in seat)
Brobot: Munchies, study snacks . . . anything? Blink if it was over fifty dollars . . . No? Alright. So, you recently told the L.A. Times, quote, "I've always worked on my mind and my emotions." Does dating a girl who none of your friends or competitors have ever hooked up with (except Dane Ward, of course) feed into that?
Slater: (cold silence)
Brobot: But you're not friends with Leo DiCaprio, are you?
Slater: (stony silence)
Brobot: Because sources have told my staff that after dating Giselle Bundchen and Bar Rafaeli, who were both connected to Leo at one time, you called Leo up, introduced yourself and asked if the two of you could still be "cool"—because, well, you were chillin' with his former dates.
Slater: (angry silence)
Brobot: And sources say that Leo's response was: "Who are you?" Is that true?
Slater: (Rises in seat)
Brobot: Champ, wait . . . When you told Andy Irons you loved him just before your Pipe Masters final together, did you mean it?
Slater: (Begins to leave)
Brobot: Do you think your later rejection of him, has fueled his current turmoil?
At that point Slater's manager terminated the interview.
Stay tuned for an even deeper foray Inside the Slater Dome!


text:
Makes 4 servings
Toasting sesame seeds gives them a nutty flavor and crunchy texture. To toast the seeds, put them in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for about 3 to 5 minutes. Toss constantly and watch closely; remove the seeds from the pan when they are lightly browned.
The chicken can be added to this salad while warm. Or, if you prefer, grill the chicken in advance and serve chilled atop the greens.
For the dressing
2/3 cup white rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons dark (Asian) sesame oil
2 teaspoons finely minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Dash of ground white pepper
For the chicken and vegetables
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 pound boneless skinless split chicken breasts
Dash of freshly ground pepper
24 Chinese pea pods, stems and strings removed
6 cups shredded Chinese cabbage (see Tip)
4 ribs bok choy, coarsely chopped (also shred green tops)
3 scallions (both green and white parts), coarsely chopped
1 can (8 ounces) Mandarin orange segments, drained
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Prepare the grill. Position the grill rack about 6 inches above the coals.
Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil over high heat.
Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl, making certain the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
Brush one side of each chicken breast with the canola oil. Place the chicken, oiled-side down, on the grill rack over glowing coals; grill for about 5 minutes. Brush the top surfaces with oil; turn and grill for about 5 more minutes or until the chicken is lightly browned and thoroughly cooked.
Transfer the chicken to a plate, sprinkle with pepper, and cover to keep warm. (If you prefer, refrigerate the chicken, depending upon your serving preference.)
Meanwhile, put the pea pods in a wire mesh strainer; blanch by immersing them for about 30 seconds in the saucepan of boiling water. Rinse with cold running water; drain well.
Toss together the pea pods, cabbage, bok choy, and scallions in a large bowl. Whisk the dressing; add ½ cup to the salad mixture and toss again.
Spread the salad mixture on 4 individual serving plates. Slice the chicken into ½-inch strips; arrange atop the greens and surround with the orange segments. Whisk the remaining dressing; drizzle over the salads. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.


text:
The Light Between Oceans: A Novel
Light between Oceans
When we lived in Alaska, every summer we rode the Alaska state ferries past some islands--rocky, bird-filled--that had only one sign of civilization, the bright revolving lighthouse. Each time I wondered about this way of life that had almost faded. This wonderful novel fleshes out what life was like for a family in the 1920s off the east coast of Australia.
If you ever wondered about this vocation, Stedman captures the isolation and the magic of being far from the crowd, the joy certain light house workers found in a solitary working environment where the people you served--the sailors and merchant shipmen--relied totally upon you even though you would never meet.
The Light between Oceans begins with young Tom Sherbourne riding a boat to Partageuse on the east coast of Australia after having recently been discharged from the military. He'd won some medals in WWI and was now assigned to be a temporary lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock. While in town getting his papers processed, he meets Isabel, a girl of nineteen, who invites him to feed bread to the ducks at the dock. When he thanks her later, she says, it's just a silly thing, but he replies that he enjoyed it very much. Tom is scarred by the violence of the war and by his family life before when his mother abandoned him and his father and brother. In fact, Tom refuses to speak to his dad over what happened.
Isabel and Tom meet again at a dinner party and when he's living on the rock, she writes to him. His six-month gig turns into a nearly four year one. On Janus Rock, he and Isabel start a family. The family is the complicated part of the story. Let's just say that like any island there is lots of jetsam that lands on the beach.
Some of the most vivid scenes are these of Tom taking care of the light and the family living on the island, naming the coves and beaches whatever they like. A lighthouse keeper learns to be self-sufficient, growing his own food, fixing things when they break, and handling first aid and emergencies including childbirth. Most importantly, he keeps detailed reports about everything. These are legal logs that cannot be tampered with or changed.
Stedman vividly captures the area: Janus Rock sits on the coast between two seas: the Indian and the Pacific. She also really nails the time period in a small remote town in Australia. And amazingly, for a first novelist, she slips between many voices: a young girl with confusing parentage, two sailors Bluely and Ralph who ferry supplies to the island, the head of police for the town, Vernon Knuckey, who occasionally bends the rules, Isabelâ's parents, and Hannah Roennfeldt, who has mysteriously lost her husband after an anti-German riot.
The novel is about opening yourself up to the world even after fate has treated you badly. It's about the redeeming quality of love, both between couples and between parents and children. It's also about how a single lie can be ruinous. A really good read, it does what the best literature does--transports you to another world, and allows you to experience the dailyness of another place and the varied people who call it home.
Another novel about a lighthouse keeper's family that is set off the coast of Tasmania is The Lightkeeper's Wife.


text:
NEA president congratulates Sen. Harkin on becoming chair of Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions Committee
WASHINGTON - September 10, 2009 -
National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel today congratulated Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) on becoming the chair of the Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions Committee. He succeeds longtime friend of education Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, who died last month.
The following statement can be attributed to Dennis Van Roekel, NEA president:
"The National Education Association, representing 3.2 million educators across America, congratulates Sen. Tom Harkin on his appointment as chairman of the Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions Committee.
"NEA and the Iowa State Education Association have been honored to work with Sen. Harkin from his first election to the U.S. House of Representatives and throughout his years in the House and Senate on a wide variety of issues of critical importance to educators and the students they serve.
"Our members greatly appreciate his tireless efforts to secure full funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; increase resources for school construction to ensure a safe, modern learning environment for every student; provide all children access to the nutrition necessary for success in school; and guarantee all Americans access to affordable health care, as well as his unwavering and unparalleled support for America's working families and organized labor.
"We are very pleased to have such a passionate advocate for our nation's most vulnerable populations in this critical leadership role, particularly given the unprecedented health care and education challenges the committee currently faces. We look forward to continuing to work with Sen. Harkin and offer our support as he takes on this new role."
For additional information, please visit www.nea.org
# # #
The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional organization, representing
3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.
CONTACT: Miguel A. Gonzalez
September 10, 2009 (202) 822-7823, email@example.com