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It's official: the British public wants to see more of a favorite Windsor, and it's not the one with all the fantastic clothes. Even though Kate Middleton may be the one plastered across magazine covers on both sides of the Atlantic, it was her husband William who scored the highest rating on a recent U.K. survey.
According to research by U.K. research company Ipsos MORI, 62% of Britons said Prince William was their favorite royal. Surprisingly his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, placed fourth — behind William, the Queen and Prince Harry, whose recent bout of public nudity made for some embarrassing headlines in August but hasn't seemed to hurt his popularity.
The survey, which was carried out earlier this month, also shows that only 7% of those surveyed are dissatisfied with the Queen's performance in recent months. It's been a fairly good run for the royals, with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June and her appearance at the opening ceremony for the successful 2012 Olympics in July. Ipsos MORI reported that 9 out of 10 Britons were satisfied with the way the Queen is doing her job.
(MORE: Top 10 Royals Behaving Badly)
General support of the royal family is similar to last year's poll, with 79% saying they favor keeping the British monarchy rather than converting to a republic — a number that remains high following Will and Kate's royal wedding in April 2011, which attracted 24.5 million viewers in the U.K. and nearly 23 million in the U.S., according to the Hollywood Reporter.
(PHOTOS: Kate Middleton's Amazing Fashion Evolution)
The British public hasn't always been this keen on the Windsors. The tragic death of Princess Diana in 1997 sent the royal approval ratings plummeting. Following Diana's death, only 48% of Britons believed the country would be worse off without the monarchy, according to the Guardian. In the latest poll, however, 60% of Britons think that there will still be a monarchy in 50 years.
But while the royal family remains popular overall, supporters are still concerned about the amount of money that goes into funding their lifestyle. The Windsor family cost the British taxpayer nearly $50 million in 2012, plus their bill for security, reports the Daily Mail. More than half of those surveyed, 52%, agreed with the statement that "the royal family should not receive as much money as it does" — relatively unsurprising given that Her Majesty sailed down the Thames in June in a golden boat, while more than 2 million of her countrymen faced unemployment. However, even this number has fallen in recent years. In 1992, 76% of those surveyed believed the royal family received too much money.


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Using your feedback we worked with user interface experts and our developers to totally reinvent the AnyMeeting experience. The redesign features a dramatically different view for users. Beginners and veterans alike will find the new version much more intuitive and easy to use.
The new version will be live to all AnyMeeting users beginning Friday, October 7th at 1AM PST. Please note, the AnyMeeting service will not be available from 12AM to 1AM on October 7th as we make the transition.
The new version features:
- 6 Person Simultaneous Video Conferencing – Up to 6 people can now broadcast their webcam and/or microphone at the same time.
- Faster Screen Sharing – Our developers have worked hard to optimize the software behind the scenes. This means sharing your documents and presentations is faster than ever.
- Quick Task Bar – We've grouped all of your web conferencing functions onto one menu bar. No more hunting around for different controls. They are all lined up at the bottom of your screen.
- Improved Screen Management – Whether you have one video feed or six, your screen will re-size and present the best configuration for sharing your meeting.
Don't forget AnyMeeting's new ad free ticketing option that helps you get paid for your presentations.
In case you were wondering, AnyMeeting is still completely free. For life.
Try AnyMeeting today, or take a look at the 2 minute tutorial video.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - Current Music Scene Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today! Job Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in Current Music Scene Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> United Kingdom View previous topic :: View next topic Which country makes the best music? The UK 57% [ 8 ] The USA 14% [ 2 ] Japan 7% [ 1 ] Other European country 14% [ 2 ] Australia 7% [ 1 ] South Africa 0% [ 0 ] Total Votes : 14 Author Message mjed9Joined: 25 Oct 2003Posts: 242 Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 4:14 pm Post subject: Current Music Scene Hello to all you UK-dwellers, Is there anything of note going on in the UK music scene? Being out in Taiwan I am perpetually immersed in Eminem and the like. I miss British music. Ta J Back to top scot47Joined: 10 Jan 2003Posts: 15343 Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2004 6:14 am Post subject: Felix Austria The Austro-Hungarian Empire still takes the cake. Who can surpass Mozart and Haydn ? Back to top BrooksJoined: 16 Jan 2003Posts: 1369Location: Sagamihara Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2004 7:33 am Post subject: I`m American but I prefer British music. I look at www.nme.com if anybody knows a better website for music, please post it. Back to top BethanJoined: 10 Apr 2004Posts: 23Location: UK Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 6:19 pm Post subject: You poor thing!!! There's loads going on with new music, it just depends what you're into. I don't like NME too much myself, at the mo it seems to be on some shitty grungy new-wave music thing.... Not too keen myself. Franz Ferdinand are new and fantastic; Snow Patrol are dead good; there's gonna be some cracking new albums out this year - Doves, Charlatans, Beta Band, Gomez, Candidate..... Can you not order any music through Amazon or anything?? I could recommend some good stuff you should get if you want!! Back to top BrooksJoined: 16 Jan 2003Posts: 1369Location: Sagamihara Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 4:40 am Post subject: ok how about Gomez? I have heard some of their songs and I liked them. I have a couple Charlatans albums, one of them is Up to Our Hips. Back to top BethanJoined: 10 Apr 2004Posts: 23Location: UK Posted: Sat May 01, 2004 4:23 pm Post subject: Can you actually get hold of any UK music out in Asia?? Would Amazon post out there - if so is it really expensive?? Back to top BrooksJoined: 16 Jan 2003Posts: 1369Location: Sagamihara Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 12:40 am Post subject: oh sure. I can easily find music. We have HMV and Virgin stores in Japan. But one thing I don`t like is that music isn`t always released in Japan the same time it is in the UK or in the USA. I would like to hear the new Morrissey album but I was told that it might be released in Japan in June. Oh well. Well, if it is as good as Your Arsenal I will be sure to buy it. Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> United Kingdom All times are GMT Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Where to Begin----------------General DiscussionNewbie ForumCurrent Events ForumTechnology ForumOnline Teaching Forum Africa Forums----------------General Africa Forum Asia Forums----------------CambodiaChina (Job-related Posts Only)China (Off-Topic)Hong KongIndiaIndonesiaJapanMalaysiaPhilippinesSingaporeTaiwanThailandGeneral Asia ForumVietnam Caribbean Forums----------------General Caribbean Forum Europe Forums----------------Czech RepublicFranceGermanyGreeceItalyMacedonia and the BalkansPolandRomaniaRussia & C.I.S.SpainTurkeyUkraineUnited KingdomGeneral Europe Forum Latin America Forums----------------ArgentinaBrazilChileColombiaCosta RicaMexicoMexico (off-topic)PeruGeneral Latin America Forum The Middle East Forums----------------BahrainEgyptIsraelKuwaitOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesGeneral Middle East Forum North America Forums----------------General North America Forum Oceania----------------Australia/New Zealand You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Contact Dave's ESL Cafe Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved. Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group Teaching Jobs in China


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first sweater
Last November when I was learning how to knit, I made a goal to knit at least one real sweater before the year was up.
So I started knitting this little cotton cardigan for Lotus last month and here it is, all sweater-like. In one piece. With buttons and everything. (You can find the free pattern here or here.)
I bribed my little model with Krispy Kreme before the photo shoot.
And despite the sad look on this face, I promise that she really liked the sweater. And the modeling.
I just wish I had made it one size larger – sadly, I didn't double check the measurements very carefully and it probably won't fit for much longer. But I really don't mind. This was my practice sweater and I've already picked out a new pattern to knit the next one. I can't help it - I'm totally hooked on this hobby.
20 comments:
gush!! i love it!! look at you rockin' the first sweater!ReplyDelete
awwww i love it! Sooo cute! I love the blue/black color combo!ReplyDelete
you did an awesome job...buttons and everything! :P
oh, so precious!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousAugust 24, 2009 11:02 AM
So cute! Love the color!!ReplyDelete
love the sweater, so adorable! you did a great job!!!ReplyDelete
looks great jen!!ReplyDelete
I love that sweater!!!! When the sweater no longer fits let me know because I have 2 little girls that would look almost as darling in it ; )ReplyDelete
I seriously would buy it off of you!
She is just so cute. You are SO crafty it is amazing. When do you find the time to do all this?? Maybe you could teach me a thing or two?!ReplyDelete
eve you made that sweater! I mean, I can, but I can't. It's way cuter than any pattern I've seen and I'm blown away that you made it. You're cool, we both know it, and you're so talented to boot! Congrats!ReplyDelete
she is so stinkin cute in that awesome sweater!ReplyDelete
WOW! good job, mommy! is there anything you can't do? and how cute is little lo? ESPECIALLY with that face. :P WHEE!ReplyDelete
Awww. That is so pretty! You did such a great job! I really want to learn how to knit...my crochet is coming along nicely, though.ReplyDelete
oh my goodness.. it just lovely !!!!!ReplyDelete
way to go. I love it.ReplyDelete
congrats on your first sweater! it looks awesomeReplyDelete
That's such a cute cardigan!ReplyDelete
oh i used to love to knit when my kids were little-patterns, colours fairisle-loved it aLL.ReplyDelete
aND huge CONGRATULATIONS ON sistv-THAT IS A bIG ACHIEVEMENT!!
HOPE YOU will stick with the creative type though when we return
- AnonymousAugust 25, 2009 5:28 PM
what a cutie! Is she still asking about me all the time?? Love the color, too!ReplyDelete
she is soooo sweet! and so is the sweater!!!ReplyDelete
That is one cute sweater! Love it!ReplyDelete


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Smallest unit of matter for which a chemical element retains its identity. Composed of protons and neutrons in a compact nucleus surrounded by a cloud of electrons.
Big Bang
Theory that an explosion 13 billion years ago created all matter and energy in the universe. Observed expansion of the cosmos and a faint glow of microwave light that fills space support the theory.
Black hole
A region of space with a gravitational field so intense that the fabric of space curves back upon itself, preventing everything, including light, from escaping. Born during the collapse of very high mass stars and often within the matter-rich centers of galaxies.
Blue shift
Shortening of the wavelength of light as a radiating object and an observer move toward each other.
Cepheid variable
Pulsating star that flickers regularly at a rate that depends on its luminosity. Used to gauge distances to other galaxies; played a key role in the discovery that the universe expands.
Conservation of energy
Principle that the total amount of energy within a system remains constant unless an outside force acts upon it. Disguised when energy shifts from one form to another, including kinetic (the energy of motion), potential (the capacity of an object to move, such as under the influence of gravity), and heat.
Conservation of momentum
Principle that the total amount of momentum (an object's mass times its velocity) remains constant for a system of objects unless an outside force acts upon it. Related is the concept of conservation of angular momentum, which takes into account the spins and orbital motions of objects.
Copernican principle
Proposition credited to Nicolaus Copernicus that Earth and its inhabitants exist in an ordinary place and time rather than at the center of the cosmos.
Coriolis effect
An apparent force acting on objects moving north or south across the surface of a spinning body, caused by east-west motion that is faster near the equator than near the poles.
Cosmic microwave background
Faint radiation, principally in microwaves and radio waves, that pervades the universe at just a few degrees above absolute zero. Represents leftover warmth from the Big Bang.
Cosmological constant
A part of Einstein's equations that calls for a repulsive pressure that may arise from the springiness of the vacuum of space, counteracting gravity and causing the universe to expand more quickly with time.
Cosmological principle
Postulate that, on average, large-scale properties of the universe are the same everywhere and that the same laws of physics apply throughout the cosmos.
Dark matter
Invisible and unknown material that accounts for more than 90 percent of the gravity in the universe. Has pronounced effects on the formation and evolution of galaxies and clusters of galaxies.
Doppler effect
Change in frequency of waves as an object and an observer approach or recede from one another. Used to gauge how quickly celestial bodies move.
One of four fundamental forces of nature, arising from simultaneous motions of electric and magnetic fields through space. Responsible for attraction and repulsion between charged and magnetized objects, and for propagation of light waves.
Relentless tendency of an isolated system of objects to become increasingly disordered with time.
Event horizon
Boundary around a black hole marking the zone from which light can no longer escape the hole's gravitational pull.
Gamma-ray burst
Titanic release of energy, especially high-energy gamma rays, from massive objects in distant parts of the universe. Their origin remains a mystery, but they are thought to arise from the birth of black holes in large supernovas or from collisions of neutron stars.
Gravitational lensing
Bending of light along curved or multiple paths through space as a result of the gravity of a massive object, such as a star or a cluster of galaxies, lying between an observer and a distant light source.
Gravitational wave
Subtle ripple in the four-dimensional fabric of space-time caused by the sudden motion of a massive object. Moves through space at the speed of light.
Attraction between two objects based solely on their mass and the distance between them. Although the weakest by far of the four fundamental forces of nature, it extends over the greatest distances.
Greenhouse effect
Warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of a planet by a blanket of carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases that prevent infrared energy from escaping into space.
Habitable zone
Region around a star in which liquid water can exist on or beneath the surface of a planet or moon, thereby providing a possible habitat for life as we know it.
Hawking radiation
Quantum-mechanical process which enables black holes to evaporate slowly over time until they vanish in a burst of gamma rays and subatomic particles.
Tendency of a moving object to keep moving in a straight line until some external force, such as friction, makes it change. Equivalently, the tendency of a stationary object to remain at rest until an external force acts upon it.
Hypothesis that the universe expanded exponentially for a tiny fraction of a second immediately after the Big Bang. May have smoothed the cosmos to the uniformity we see today while imprinting subtle fluctuations that led to galaxies and clusters of galaxies.
Region of space surrounding a planet in which the planet's magnetic field deflects the solar wind, shielding the planet from charged particles.
Fundamental particle produced by radioactive decay, fusion in the cores of stars, and energetic events such as supernova explosions. Contains little or no mass and rarely interacts with other matter.
Neutron star
Ultracompact object left behind at the core of many supernovas. Consists entirely of neutrons and packs slightly more than the mass of the Sun into a sphere about a dozen miles across.
Creation of elements within the Big Bang (mostly hydrogen and helium), the interiors of stars (elements as heavy as iron), and supernovas (all heavier elements).
Periodic table
Chart that arranges the known chemical elements in rows and columns according to their properties, which arise from the fundamental rules of quantum mechanics.
Energy-carrying particle of electromagnetism with no mass, acting simultaneously as a particle and a wave. Commonly thought of as the basic particle of light.
Charged gas in which electrons or ions (atoms that have lost or gained electrons) can move freely, carrying electric currents through space.
Change in the direction of the spin axis of a rotating body caused by force that acts on an equatorial bulge or other nonspherical aspect of the body. Makes Earth's axis trace a cone in space once every 26,000 years as a result of combined gravitational tugs from the Sun and the Moon.
Rapidly spinning neutron star that emits beams of radiation on sweeping paths through space. Usually detected in radio waves.
Quantum mechanics
Twentieth-century theory of matter and energy that describes light and elementary particles as both particles and waves. Introduces uncertainty and probability into physics by limiting electrons to certain "energy levels" around atoms and preventing physicists from simultaneously measuring the position and momentum of any particle.
Basic constituent of matter that makes up protons and neutrons in sets of three and other subatomic particles in sets of two.
Nuclei of some galaxies near the fringes of the observable universe that emit powerful streams of x-rays, radio waves, and visible light. Probably powered by supermassive black holes consuming nearby stars and gas.
Spontaneous decay of an unstable atom into another atom through the capture or emission of subatomic particles.
Red giant
Bloated end-stage of the life of a star as it consumes helium within its core and sheds its outer layers into space.
Red shift
Lengthening of the wavelength of light as a radiating object and an observer recede from each other.
Relativity, general
Extension of Albert Einstein's special theory of relativity to include the effects of acceleration and gravity. Explains gravitational attraction as dimples in the four-dimensional fabric of space-time around massive objects.
Relativity, special
Theory advanced by Einstein in which a beam of light is measured to move at a constant speed regardless of the motion of the observer. Results in altered measurements of time, length, and mass for a rapidly moving object relative to a stationary observer.
Solar wind
Stream of high-energy charged particles that blow outward through the solar system from the Sun's atmosphere.
Standard model
Current model of the universe that serves to account for the behavior and interaction of all known particles. Holds that the basic units of matter are quarks, electrons, and neutrinos, which interact through gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces.
String theory
Candidate for a "theory of everything" that combines all nature's basic forces into a coherent description of the universe. Depicts fundamental particles as tiny vibrating loops, not points.
Strong nuclear force
Fundamental force of nature that binds protons and neutrons within atomic nuclei. Strongest of all forces, but acts only at subatomic distances.
Direct transformation of a solid into a gas, as in the tail of a comet.
Cataclysmic explosion of a massive star that has started to accumulate iron in its core, triggered by a shock wave when the outer layers of the star rush inward. Forges elements heavier than iron and blasts them into space.
Distortions raised in the body of a celestial object by an outside gravitational field which pulls with different strengths on the near and far sides of the first body.
Weak nuclear force
Fundamental force of nature that mediates the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei.
White dwarf
Compact Earth-sized remnant left behind by the collapse of a star like the Sun after it consumes the nuclear fuel in its core.


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LOS ANGELES (AP)— A judge determined Tuesday that teen actress Ariel Winter's mother should not regain custody of the "Modern Family" star and that the 14-year-old should remain in her sister's care for the next several weeks.
Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas issued the ruling after considering a report by child protective investigators that was critical of Winter's mother, Chrisoula Workman.
The report found there was evidence of emotional abuse toward Winter, Levanas said, and the agency planned to step in and take its own action if Winter did not remain in a guardianship.
The ruling came more than six weeks after Workman was temporarily stripped of custody amid allegations she had been physically and emotionally abusive to Winter.
Levanas said the investigators' report found that claims of physical abuse were inconclusive, but an attorney for Winter's sister said they could be proven in a subsequent report.
The judge set a Dec. 12 trial date to determine whether Winter should be placed in a permanent guardianship.
Winter has been under the care of her sister, Shanelle Gray, since early October. Levanas said that if the case remains in his courtroom, he will make sure the family works toward reconciliation.
"I guarantee if it stays here, it will get better," the judge said. He said the Department of Children and Family Services could still choose to file its own case, which would remove it from his jurisdiction.
The judge has denied requests by Gray's attorney to seal the proceedings.
Winter's mother has denied all accusations that she was abusive to her daughter.
Winter's father, Glenn Workman, also filed an objection to the guardianship late Monday, stating he wants a better relationship with his daughter and would be willing to care for her.
Levanas said Workman's filing was in conflict with statements he gave to investigators and that he could not give him custody of the young actress. He also noted that Glenn Workman described his estranged wife to investigators as "controlling and driven."
"A controlling mother does not mean she's unfit," Chrisoula Workman's attorney Anita Gumm said Tuesday.
Gray was also taken from Chrisoula Workman's care in the 1990s amid accusations of abuse. Chrisoula Workman contends Gray was a rebellious teen who left home and that she is contending with a similar situation with Winter, who has been acting since age 7 and currently stars as Alex Dunphy on the hit ABC series "Modern Family."
People on the show's set are concerned about Winter's well-being and have been sneaking her food, according to in-court statements by Gray's attorney, Michael Kretzmer.
"Not for one second is this the picture of a rebellious teen," Kretzmer said during the hearing.
Gray's filing states Chrisoula Workman has repeatedly slapped Winter and engaged in emotional abuse, including name-calling.
"The allegations made by Ariel are false," said Gumm. "We really feel she's just a rebellious teen and wants her independence. It's our hope that the court terminates the guardianship. Both parents want Ariel home. Shanelle is not suitable to be a guardian."
Glenn Workman's filing Monday does not address the abuse allegations, but states he believes his daughter should be returned to live with Chrisoula Workman, or that he be allowed to raise her.
"I want to provide for her a calm loving home environment that is a retreat from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood; a place where she can think and relax without any distractions," Glenn Workman wrote. "This whole situation has turned into a circus and places Ariel in a position she should not have to be in."
Winter's credits include appearances on several TV series, including "ER" and "Phineas and Ferb," and movies such as "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," "Ice Age: The Meltdown" and "ParaNorman."
(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


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Dirt: Showdown is a video game published and developed by Codemasters for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It was released in May 2012 in Europe and in June in North America. It is part of the Colin McRae Rally game series.
Dirt: Showdown removes several of the gameplay modes featured Dirt 3, and introduces new ones. Gameplay modes can be classified as Racing, Demolition, Hoonigan or Party. We ran the built in Benchmark at Ultra settings to get a true feel of what this engine has to offer!
It is very important to note that Global Illumination and Advanced Lighting have massive performance penalties when enabled, something not seen in other titles in the Dirt series. It seems to affect NVIDIA hardware more so than AMD. We ran with and without the settings enabled.
Benchmark Results: In Dirt Showdown we found the Sapphire HD 7970 Vapor-X was again at the top of the chart along with 114FPS at 1920×1080 with the image quality settings set fairly high. We didn't test with advanced lighting or global illumination enabled, but to be honest it makes the game look way too fake and we like it better disabled anyway. So far the Radeon HD 7970 and GeForce GTX 680 are tied at two wins each, so this is this getting interesting!
Comments are closed.


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For weeks my sister has been raving about the DAMY HEALTH website and these black bean brownies that she just can't get enough of. They are gluten free, full of potassium, iron, calcium and seriously satisfy your sweet tooth. These healthy treats are 5 grams of fat, & 120 calories & almost 4 grams of protein. I just love them as a pre or post work out snack.
PREP & BAKE: Pop all your ingredients accept the peanut butter into a blender or cuisinart and blend them up. Pour mixture into a square brownie pan lined with parchment paper then drop a few spoonfuls of room temperature peanut butter on top of the mixture and swirl with a toothpick. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes at 350. Let the brownies cool in the pan for a few minutes before removing. Then cut into 16 pieces. Enjoy!


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It's a Chanel day today. With the exception of my NARS Orgasm Blush, of course. But the product that is really getting me going lately is the teal mascara from Chanel's summer collection. Yes, it's teal. No, I'm not kidding, and yes, I'm wearing it. No worries - it's not the crazy colors you remember from the 80s (if you're my age, anyway - some of you won't remember the shocking yellow mascara we all wore for about two days).
ANYWAY. It's Chanel's Inimitable Mascara in emeraude. And I really like it. Here is how I use it:
- Apply two coats of Lorac Lotsa Lash Mascara in Black and let dry throughly.
- Apply one coat of the Chanel. Brush out well, or else you might have a clumpathon going on, I usually do.
- Let it dry completely and apply another coat of Chanel if you really want the teal to pop.
On my lips I'm wearing Gazelle, the gloss from the same collection, which I love. Don't look for lasting power, though. But it's super fab while it lasts.
And as a final touch, I'm wearing Bobbi Brown Beach EDP Fragrance Spray.


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How To Install phpMyAdmin with Nginx on Centos
Sep, 16
What is phpMyAdmin? What is phpMyAdmin? Relational database management systems like MySQL and MariaDB are needed for a significant portion of web sites and applications. However, not all users feel comfortable administering their data from the command line. To solve this problem, a project called phpMyAdmin was created in order to offer an alternative in the form of a web-based management interface. In this guide, we will demonstrate how to install and secure a phpMyAdmin configuration on a...


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About Us
Automatticians in Seaside, Florida
WordPress.com is brought to you by some of the same folks who work on the open source blogging software available at WordPress.org.
Open source WordPress has been incredibly successful and risen from a handful of users to the most-used blog tool in its category. However, as easy-to-use as we could make the open source package, there was still a barrier in that it requires a hosting account, a database, FTP, and a whole alphabet soup of acronyms that make normal people like you and me dizzy.
We wanted to bring the WordPress experience to a larger audience. So we created WordPress.com, a hosted version of the open source package where you can start a blog in seconds without any technical knowledge. We're a bit of an underdog, as there are much larger hosted blogging services such as Blogger that have been out for years, but when WordPress.org got started people said the blog software market was saturated and there wasn't room for anything new. (The big players then were Greymatter and Movable Type.) We think we have something unique to bring to the table.
WordPress.com is under very active development, and we roll out updates almost every day. New features and services are driven by you so please use our feedback form to let us know what you want.
Almost everything on WordPress.com is free, and things that are currently free will remain free in the future, but we do offer paid a la carte upgrades for things like CSS editing and custom domains. How do we pay for everything? WordPress.com is run by Automattic which currently makes money from the aforementioned upgrades, blog services, Akismet anti-spam technology, and hosting partnerships.
We know there are a lot of places you could put your blog, and we'd be extra honored if you consider us. If you're a current user and you dig what we're doing, the best way you can help us out is to help a friend get set up as well. It also gives you more buddies for your blogroll.


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It's been a while since we've heard anything about Dodge's turnkey drag racer Challenger Super Stock. But now Allpar is saying the Super Stock is going to be available sooner than expected. This doorslammer, which serves up the quarter-mile in 11 seconds, may be available to buyers as soon as March, over-the-counter, without a prescription.
The straight-line special sheds weight by using components such as a composite hood and a lightweight front brake assembly. Basic amenities, including windshield wipers, power windows, sound deadening and rear seats, are also deleted in a quest for lightness. Altogether, the hardcore Challenger has lost about 800 lbs.—and its street legality. So c'mon GM, bring us a stripped-down Camaro with the ZR1's LS9 and really heat up the Muscle Car Wars. [via Allpar]


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Can Asia handle a Duggar invasion?
On TLC's three-part special, 19 Kids & Counting: Duggars Do Asia, the Duggar family — yes, all of them — leave Arkansas behind to taste the offerings of the Far East. And by tasting, we mean getting freaked out by scorpions on a stick and learning to roll their own sushi.
PHOTO: See Michelle Duggar's new 'do!
"It was scary!" says matriarch Michelle Duggar. "Their toilets were very different," observes another family member. (Sorry, we can't keep them all straight!)
Can they find enough rickshaws to transport them all? Do geisha outfits come in extra-tall sizes? Check out this exclusive sneak peek of the special to see how the family fares in China and Japan:
The 19 Kids & Counting: Duggars Do Asia three-part special kicks off on Tuesday, March 12 at 9/8c on TLC.


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Dr. Peter J. Hotez, an internationally recognized clinician and investigator of neglected tropical diseases and vaccine development, will be giving a lecture at the University of Houston (UH) from 3 to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10. Hotez is one of many prominent scientists with broad appeal who will be hosted by UH in support of the university's health initiative. The talk is free and open to the public.
As part of a monthly series of lectures organized by the Houston chapter of the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS), Hotez will present "Innovation in the Control of the Neglected Tropical Diseases." A division of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the EMBS is the world's largest international society of biomedical engineers and provides members with access to people, practices, information, ideas and opinions shaping one of the fastest growing fields in science.
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of infections endemic to low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas and are often overshadowed by the so-called 'big three' diseases of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, which generally receive greater treatment and research funding. NTDs are the most common afflictions of the world's poorest billion people and include diseases such as hookworm. Hotez says that hookworm, for instance, affects an estimated 600 million people and stunts physical growth, as well as dramatically reduces intelligence and memory in children.
Hotez leads the only product development partnership for developing new vaccines for hookworm infection, as well as schistosomiasis and Chagas disease, all of which affect hundreds of millions of children and adults worldwide. The hookworm vaccine is currently in clinical trials. In 2006, at the Clinton Global Initiative, he co-founded the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases to provide access to essential medicines for more than 100 million people.
A member of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Hotez also is the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine, a professor of pediatrics and molecular virology and microbiology at the Baylor College of Medicine, and director of the Sabin Vaccine Institute Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development.
|Peter J. Hotez, M.D., Ph.D.
World-renowned researcher in neglected tropical diseases
|Lecture: "Innovation in the Control of the Neglected Tropical Diseases"
|3 to 4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10
|University of Houston
Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall (PGH), room 232
Off Cullen Boulevard, Entrance 14
Map: http://www.uh.edu/campus_map/buildings/PGH.php
For more information about UH, visit the university's Newsroom.
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Penn State Outreach has announced the strategic alignment of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP). Heather Fennessey, director of the SBDC, also will assume leadership responsibilities for PennTAP.
These units will work together with academic partners and continue to serve clients across Pennsylvania. The new structure also will give undergraduate and graduate students at Penn State new opportunities, as they connect what they're learning in the classroom with what is happening in the community.
SBDC and PennTAP will focus on student service learning to address business needs through curriculum, and research commercialization to spur economic growth.
The SBDC at Penn State was founded in 1997 to meet the needs of entrepreneurs in Centre and Mifflin counties. SBDC provides free, confidential consulting services to individuals looking to start or grow a small business.
PennTAP provides a variety of services to Pennsylvania business and industry, and offers resources in areas such as information technology, energy, environmental health and safety, manufacturing innovation, and new product development.
"By strategically aligning the two brands, we can increase our ability to help businesses in Pennsylvania while bringing Penn State expertise into the community," said Fennessey, who has been with the SBDC since 2001 .
This new configuration will offer additional resources to business owners and become a "one stop shop" for entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs and businesses interested in more information may call 814-863-4293.
The SBDC at Penn State is part of a nationwide network of more than 1,000 centers. This center provides free business assistance to small firms and business start-ups in Centre and Mifflin counties, enabling them to compete and grow in today's highly competitive global economy.
PennTAP engages, guides and empowers businesses and organizations throughout the Commonwealth and beyond by providing objective and experience-based technical and workforce solutions that enable clients to succeed and thrive -- stimulating economic growth for Pennsylvania.
Both PennTAP and SBDC are part of Penn State Outreach, the largest unified outreach organization in American higher education. Outreach serves more than 5 million people each year, delivering more than 2,000 programs to people in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, all 50 states and 114 countries worldwide.


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AIDS denialism gets nastier at Manguzi
Chris Bateman
]]> KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC, Peggy Nkonyeni, has been accused by three prestigious medical bodies and the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) of spurning dialogue while vindictively pursuing bogus charges against two dedicated Manguzi doctors.
In continuing her 'witch-hunt' against Mark Blaylock, the hospital's senior medical officer who famously stuffed her picture into a rubbish bin in February, and his colleague Colin Pfaff, for the earlier 'unauthorised' roll-out of PMTCT dual therapy, she had exceeded the bounds of privacy and could face legal action, they warned.
The South African Medical Association (SAMA), the Rural Doctors Association of South Africa (RUDASA), the HIV Clinicians society and the TAC last month accused her of reneging on an agreement to hold follow-up meetings with them to resolve the conflict after an initial exploratory get-together at the height of the spat.
Instead, they claim she upped the ante by 'leaking' further damaging claims against Blaylock, including details of his private medical history and adding assault and bribery charges to those already being probed by her provincial 'task team'.
The two Manguzi doctors, widely respected among locals for their committed tenure and life-saving overseas-funded rollout of PMTCT dual therapy, were initially suspended by Nkonyeni but reinstated after a national outcry in health care circles.
In spite of a meeting with the TAC on 21 May, attended by provincial ANC chairperson (and former Health MEC), Dr Zweli Mkhize, at which Nkonyeni promised to meet with stakeholders within a fortnight, no further dialogue transpired. The TAC claims she 'rebuffed' all subsequent attempts at mediation.
Nkonyeni appointed a costly consultancy to probe Manguzi's PMTCT patient records (to back up her contention that the roll-out was 'unauthorised'), while her public relations officer 'leaked' to The Natal Witness that Blaylock 'may or may not have been admitted to a psychiatric institution'. The TAC described both these actions as flagrant violations of privacy and the National Health Act, of which she was a custodian.
Echoes of Manto/Sunday Times debacle?
Mark Heywood, Director of the AIDS Law Project and lawyer for the doctors, said that the Health Act (unsuccessfully used by national health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang to attack the Sunday Times for their 'expose' of her as 'a thief and a liar') reinforced the public duty to protect privacy.]]> He said Tshabalala-Msimang lost her court case because the public interest overrode her right to privacy, but dragging Blaylock's past through the mud was an entirely different matter. 'He could easily sue for defamation - we've offered to appear for him pro bono, but he's unsure right now,' he revealed. In an exclusive interview, Blaylock told Izindaba he was 'surprised at the depths' Nkonyeni was allowing herself to plumb.
'At the moment I'm trying to convince myself that it's not personal, that she doesn't have a clue who I am and is just trying to make a pariah out of me, but it's quite hard when you get phoned by journalists to confirm seven cases of assault and bribery and they quote her PR as telling them I may or may not have been admitted to a psychiatric institution at some stage.' Blaylock confided the 'real story' behind this to Izindaba in the interests of his own credibility, but stressed that it had no relevance to the public interest or the current context. His hospital manager has publicly rebutted virtually all of the other allegations being probed by the 'task team'.
Blaylock says every single 'charge' raised by Nkonyeni was dealt with 'years ago' in the appropriate and relevant forum, adding that she seemed determined to have him struck off the roll.
Heywood has taken the 'ongoing victimisation' of the Manguzi doctors to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) in KwaZulu-Natal.
HRC clogged with xenophobia claims
Professor Karthy Govender, HRC spokesperson, said his office was busy eliciting a response from Nkonyeni. The reason for the delay was that 'we've had a bit of a problem dealing with all the xenophobia issues, but we should be back on track next week (7 - 11 July)'. Govender said the TAC complaint centred on an abuse of patient rights and those of the doctors.
The commission would decide, based on Nkonyeni's response, whether to begin mediation or hold a formal hearing. If the complaint pointed to an abuse of powers, it could be referred to the Public Protector.]]> Blaylock's angry rubbish-bin gesture followed Nkonyeni speaking in derogatory terms at a Manguzi rally about the dual therapy roll-out and making veiled inferences that the doctors were somehow behind the cutting back of food parcels to the locals. (They had changed the hand-out criteria to a body mass index quantum because of the paucity of parcels.)
Nkonyeni subsequently, with Tshabalala-Msimang's approval, lambasted them in her provincial legislature budget speech. She is the ANC treasurer in KwaZulu-Natal.
According to an affidavit handed in at the Pietermaritzburg magistrate's court last month, the Scorpions are probing Nkonyeni's relationship with the owner of a private company that recently won a R1.5 million cancer scanner order from her department. The affidavit is in support of warrants to search the health department's local offices and those of the supplier company which allegedly could have sourced the same equipment for R425 000.
The TAC said Nkonyeni's actions at Manguzi 'epitomise the growing thuggery and moral decay within the ANC'. She had a 'track record of incompetence', which included falsely accusing microbicide researchers of unethically experimenting on people and supporting charlatan and vitamin salesman, Matthias Rath, a close ally of Tshabalala-Msimang.


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As wakeup calls go, this one might be a little late in coming — because the damage is already done, and we're not seeing the effects.
Perhaps the best we can do is not make it any worse.
"We recorded one of the highest frequencies of microplastics among fish species globally," researcher Alina Wieczorek told ScienceDaily. "In particular, we found high levels of plastic fibres such as those used in textiles."
The study was looking at fish from the mesopelagic group — a common food species for larger fish — that rise from deep water to feed near the surface at night.
And the results are blunt.
"Seventy-three per cent of all fish contained plastics in their gut contents. … Overall, we found a much higher occurrence of microplastic fragments, mainly polyethylene fibres, in the gut contents of mesopelagic fish than previously reported," the study reported in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science.
The source? Us, of course.
Laura McDonnell, a McGill fish biologist writing in The Walrus last year, believes we should eliminate every scrap of plastic we don't need. Oh, she doesn't eat fish. At all.
"As a consequence of decades of marine litter entering our seas, microplastics have been found in coastal and pelagic environments around the globe with an ever-increasing distribution," the study says.
Plastics, particularly the tiny shreds of plastic known as microplastics, have been found throughout the oceans. A recent study of mussels in Norway found microplastics in mussels at virtually every site they sampled, even the in the High Arctic.
The effects of the plastics are broad-ranging and complex: fish feeding on plastics can suffer from digestive tract inflammation and decrease feeding — prey species contaminated with the plastics can be eaten by predators, and spread the problem further.
Even plastics in droppings can be a problem. Scientists worry that the plastics change the buoyance of fecal pellets, meaning the movement of carbon to the ocean floor could be affected.
Consider this, from Laura McDonnell, a McGill fish biologist writing in The Walrus last year: "Due to bioaccumulation (when a substance's concentration increases in an animal over time) and biomagnification (when a substance's concentration increases as it moves up the food chain), the concentration of microplastics in larger, older and predatory fish such as tuna is likely to be higher than in smaller species or younger individuals. So what happens to other top predators — humans — who eat a seafood-rich diet during their lifetime? Even though current research shows we do not absorb most plastics, it's possible that a small amount (about one per cent) can still accumulate in our bodies. That number might change: research on microplastics in our food is still in its infancy, and while some studies have documented the detrimental effects of plastics on fish and other aquatic animals, we still don't know much about their long-term effects on humans."
McDonnell's solution? She believes we should eliminate every scrap of plastic we don't need.
Oh, she doesn't eat fish. At all.
Think about that.


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The first-ever edition of the World Cocoa Conference successfully concluded on Friday, 23 November 2012 with participants adopting a Global Cocoa Agenda, outlining the key issues facing the cocoa sector and the best strategy and players to tackle them, with specific actions to be implemented at national and international levels. The Conference climaxed with the signing, by representatives of the cocoa sector stakeholders, including governments, producers, processors, exporters, traders, chocolate manufacturers and civil society, of the Abidjan Cocoa Declaration, outlining a course of action to bring about major changes in the cocoa sector. The Agenda and the Declaration aim to move the entire sector onto a path of sustainable development that will benefit all stakeholders along the cocoa value chain.
Download ED(Mem)947, the Final Report on the World Cocoa Conference here:
The texts of the Abidjan Cocoa Declaration and the Global Cocoa Agenda are downloadable here:
Abidjan Cocoa Declaration:
Global Cocoa Agenda:
World Cocoa Conference Programme and Presentations:
Click here to access the full programme of the Conference, and to download presentations.
Postal Address:
International Cocoa Organization
06 BP 1166 Abidjan 06
Côte d'Ivoire
Tel: +225 22 51 49 50/51
Fax: +225 22 51 49 79
The ICCO International Cocoa Agreement is available to download in Acrobat PDF format.
The procedures for becoming a member of the International Cocoa Organization are provided in Articles 52 to 57 of the International Cocoa Agreement, 2010.
How to Become an ICCO Member - International Cocoa Agreement 2010
International Cocoa Organization | ICCO Building, II Plateaux ENA - Avenue Boga Doudou, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Tel: +225 22 51 49 50/51 | Fax: +225 22 51 49 79 | E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Joomla Security Experts Joomla Hosting- Dean Marshall Consultancy Ltd


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News & Notes: Game 69
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: This evening, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Gwinnett Braves in the second game of a four-game series from Gwinnett Stadium (7:00 p.m.). The G-Braves won the series opener last night, 5-4. Buffalo is currently 2-3 on this eight-game roadtrip that will wrap up on Friday. The Bisons will return home to face the Charlotte Knights at Coca-Cola Field, June 27-30.
vs. THE BRAVES: The Bisons are 2-3 against the Gwinnett Braves so far this season. The two teams split a four-game series at Coca-Cola Field from May 12-15. Prior to the Braves move to Gwinnett, Buffalo posted a 48-38 record against Richmond (.558 winning percentage).
START #2: RHP Tobi Stoner will be making his second Triple-A start tonight. The 24-year old made his Bisons debut last Friday and defeated the Charlotte Knights. Stoner allowed just three runs and struck out three in six innings of work. Prior to joining the Herd, Stoner was 2-2 with a 2.86ERA in seven starts with the Binghamton Mets (AA).
REYES TO METS: The New York Mets today announced that they have selected the contract of infielder Argenis Reyes from Buffalo (AAA) of the International League and designated lefthanded pitcher Jon Switzer for assignment.Reyes, 26, was hitting .296 with 19 runs scored, eight doubles, two triples, one home run, 13 RBI, and nine stolen bases in 45 games with the Bisons. Since May 1st, the switch-hitter was batting .315 (35-111) with seven doubles, two triples, one home run, and 11 RBI. He had a 10-game hitting streak from May 19th-June 15th. He missed two weeks, May 30th-June 15th with a groin contusion. Switzer appeared in four games with the Mets, tossing 3.1 innings and surrendering four hits and three runs.
IN LIKE A LAMB: INF Mike Lamb extended his hit streak to 10 games yesterday. Since June 8, Lamb has averaged .405 (15-37) with two doubles, a triple, five RBI and five runs scored. He is the third Bisons batter to reach the 10-game plateau with a hit streak this year. INF/OF Wily Mo Pena had a 13-game stretch from May 25-June 7 while INF Argenis Reyes hit in 10-straight from May 19-June 15(2) that included a stint on the disabled list.
NOT FAR BEHIND: INF Michel Abreu is on a personal best seven-game hit streak. Since June 15, Abreu has averaged .304 (7-23) with two doubles, two RBI and four runs scored.
UNHITTABLE: RHP Adam Bostick has not allowed a run in seven outings since joining the Bisons on May 31. Over the 8.2 innings, Bostick has allowed just three hits while striking out eight batters.
McRELIEF: RHP Tim McNab has not allowed an earned run in his last eight outings. The stretch has covered 9.1 innings and lowered his season ERA to just 1.38. Since May 31, McNab has allowed just seven hits in those 9.1 innings pitched. Overall, McNab is 2-1 with a save in his 15 games with the Herd.


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1. Over the past 10 years India's Border Security Force (BSF) killed more than 1,010 innocent Bangladeshi citizens.
2. Statistics shows India's BSF kill one Bangladeshi citizen in every four days. They have turned the border area into a killing field. 203 people lost their lives in BSF firing near the border between 2009 and 2011.
3. More than thousand Bangladeshi citizens have been tortured by India's BSF since 2001. The statistics are- Tortured- 1007, Abducted- 974, Missing from border area- 107, Raped- 14, Snatched or looted- 71, Pushed in Bangladesh illegally- 313. The grand total Human rights violation in Bangladesh-India Border Area (2001-2011) - 3509


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Reindeer and Elves Keyboard Race
When I made my first Keyboard Race game, I really had no idea that it was going to be the first in a series of games for every season. I've always used the snowflake version for this time of year, but my students wanted a Christmas version, so I drew one for them. The elves are students in my studio and each one is special to me! I hope you enjoy the diversity of elves from around the globe!
Notice I have cards for F# and Bb. That has proved to be a bonus for my average age beginners, because they learn the terms and how to use them early on. However, I remove those cards for my youngest students. I like to teach new concepts informally like this, rather than waiting for it in the method book. There is no reason students can't learn something before they actually play it in their music.
- To quickly identify piano keys.
- To enjoy a seasonal game.
- To identify middle C.
- Optional: to identify B flat and F sharp.
- Beginners of all ages enjoy the keyboard race games, but with your older beginners, I suggest the Snowflake Keyboard Race.
- Piano or a music keyboard
- Keyboard Race Cards
- Two tokens (Inexpensive erasers will not damage your keyboard.)
- The game is played with two players, usually the teacher and student.
- The teacher sits on the right side and the students sits on the left side of the piano bench, at each end of the piano. The students chooses if he/she wants to play with the "Elves" or "Reindeer" cards.
- Each player has one set of cards and one token, and places the cards on the piano book rack. The cards should be well shuffled.
- The first player turns a card and moves his token to that piano key, the closest to his end of the piano. The second player does the same.
- Play continues with each player drawing a card and moving his token toward the middle of the keyboard.
- The game is over when one player passes the middle of the keyboard. I like to use middle C with my young students.
- Note: The player on the right side (treble end) usually loses, so that's where I sit. Games are more fun for students if they win.
Why I like this game
- My students love it and want to play it over and over.
- It is the fastest and most fun way to learn keyboard names.


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Products Review of Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Mascara
Bella Review: Waterproof Mascara That Keeps Lashes Soft
Waterproof mascaras can be a girl's best friend or her worst enemy. Sure, they stay put all day and don't melt down your face (if you're lucky), but they can also leave you with dried-out, flaky lashes. But somehow Stila has given these major mascara faux pas the one-two punch. Stila Stay All Day mascara (approx $24.40) clings to your lashes for hours while leaving them soft and supple. No crunchy, spidery eyes here.
Not only does the mascara stay budge-proof from morning to night, it brushes on without any clumps. The triangular brush also lifts and lengthens, leaving you with lashes that frame your eyes in a glamorous, flattering way. Sound too good to be true? There is a small downside; the wand traps a lot of the product, pulling more out of the tube than you need. This can lead to a messy application if you don't wipe the excess off before you swipe it on. But for long, thick lashes that last and last? We'll take the extra step.


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Sadly, Richard Douthwaite died on November 14th following a long illness. This essay by him comes from the Post Carbon Reader to which he contributed two pieces. The other The International Response to Climate Change is available here.
Money and energy have always been linked. For example, a gold currency was essentially an energy currency because the amount of gold produced in a year was determined by the cost of the energy it took to extract it. If energy (perhaps in the form of slaves or horses rather than fossil fuel) was cheap and abundant, goldmining would prove profitable, and a lot of gold would go into circulation enabling more trading to be done. If the increased level of activity then drove the price of slaves or coal up, the flow of gold would decline, slowing the rate at which the economy grew. It was a neat,natural balancing mechanism which worked rather well. In fact, the only time it broke down seriously was when the Spanish conquistadors got gold for very little energy—by stealing it from the Aztecs and the Incas. That caused a massive inflation and damaged the Spanish economy for many years.
Gold rushes were all about the conversion of human energy into money, as the thousands of ordinary people mining in the Amazon basin show. Obviously if supplies of food, clothing and shelter were precarious, a society would never devote its energies to finding something that its members could neither eat nor live in, and which would not keep them warm. In other words, gold supplies swelled in the past whenever a culture had the energy to produce a surplus. Once there was more gold available, using the precious metal as money made moretrading possible—enabling the conversion of whatever surpluses arose in future years into buildings, clothes and other needs.
Lots of other ways of converting human energy into money have been used as well. For example, the inhabitants of Yap, a cluster of ten small islands in the Pacific Ocean, converted theirs into carved stones to use as money. They quarried the stones on Palau, some 260 miles away, and ferried them back on rafts pulled by canoes. But once on Yap the heavy stones were rarely moved, just as lots of gold never leaves Fort Knox.
The last fixed, formal link between money and gold was broken on August 15, 1971 when President Nixon ordered the US Treasury to abandon the gold exchange standard and stop delivering one ounce of gold for every $35 that other countries paid in return. Some people think that this link between the dollar and energy was replaced by an agreement that the US then made with OPEC that "backed" the dollar with oil. Supposedly, OPEC agreed to quote the global oil price in dollars and, in return, the US promised to protect the oil-rich kingdoms in the Persian Gulf against threat of invasion or domestic coups. If it exists, this arrangement is currently breaking down…


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This time I CASED Eveline vanHeijst. this is what you would call a clean and simple card, and I love the lines on the black card stock made with the chalk marker and my ruler. I heat embossed the Birthday Greeting with Versa Mark and White Embossing Powder.
Remember you can get this stamp set FREE with a $50 purchase!! Contact me today!
Thanks for stopping by!
Pin It Now!


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SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Attorney General Bill Schuette announced Monday his Human Trafficking Unit has filed criminal charges against Vinson Alexander, 30, of Florida, who is accused of human trafficking and allegedly assaulting a young woman, after forcing her to work as a stripper in Southeast Michigan. Vinson's accomplice, Taryn Johnson, 27, of Tennessee, also faces a human trafficking charge. The charges result from an investigation by Southfield Police Department with assistance from the FBI through the Southeast Michigan Crimes Against Children Task Force (SEMCAC).
---Taryn Johnson
"Our Constitution's 13th amendment bans slavery in all its forms, but human traffickers use force, fraud and coercion to exploit victims right here in Michigan," said Schuette. "It's time to stop the horrifying reality that our own citizens are bound in the chains of modern day slavery. Our daughters, friends, and neighbors are forced into prostitution, domestic servitude and other forced labor by criminals who take advantage of them."
---Vinson Alexander
Vinson Alexander is accused of enslaving a young woman and forcing her to work as a stripper in Southeast Michigan since December 2012. Alexander's accomplice, Taryn Johnson, allegedly recruited the 18 year-old victim, luring her with promises of a good salary. Alexander allegedly collected all her earnings, and used threats and violence to control the victim when she resisted. On February 21, 2013, it is alleged Alexander violently assaulted the victim, resulting in serious injury.
Schuette filed the following criminal charges against Vinson Alexander in Southfield's 46th District Court on February 22, 2013:
One count of Human Trafficking – Forced Labor for a Commercial Sex Act, a 20-year felony;
One count of Human Trafficking – Forced Labor Causing Serious Physical Harm, a 20-year felony;
One count of Human Trafficking – Financially Benefitting from a Human Trafficking Venture, a 10-year felony;
One count of Criminal Enterprises – Acquire/ Maintain (Racketeering), a 20-year felony; and,
One count of Torture, a felony punishable by life in prison.
The following criminal charge against Taryn Johnson was filed in Southfield's 46th District Court on February 22, 2013:
One count of Human Trafficking – Recruiting for Forced Labor, a 10-year felony.
Alexander and Johnson were arrested in Southfield on February 22, 2013 by the Southfield Police Department. Both defendants were arraigned on the charges on February 25, 2013 by Magistrate Donna Posey. A $1,000,000 bond was set for Alexander. A $750,000 bond was set for Johnson. Both are next due in 46th District Court for a Pre-Exam Conference on March 1, 2013 and a Preliminary Exam on March 8, 2013.
"I'd like to thank the Southfield Police Department for their assistance in this important arrest," said Schuette. "Human trafficking is a very difficult crime to identify and detect, and we appreciate the diligence of the investigators handling this case."
"The Southfield Police Department is committed to working with our federal and local law enforcement partners to eliminate any and all forms of human trafficking in Southeast Michigan," said Southfield Police Chief Eric Hawkins.
Human trafficking is modern day slavery and it is the second-largest and fastest-growing criminal industry in the world, after drug trafficking. Victims of human trafficking are in bondage through force, fraud or coercion, solely for the purpose of sex or labor exploitation. Children are especially vulnerable. According to the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2,515 incidents of human trafficking were recorded nationwide between January 2008 and June 2010. Of those incidents, 1,016 involved the sexual exploitation of a child, 1,218 involved the sexual exploitation of adults, and 350 involved labor trafficking.
The Michigan law banning Human Trafficking (MCL 760.462a, et seq.) went into effect on August 24, 2006. The law was strengthened in 2010, with those changes taking effect on April 1, 2011. Updates to the law included: adding human trafficking to the list of predicate offenses that fall under the state racketeering law, authorizing additional court-ordered restitution for trafficking victims, and stronger penalties.
Since its launch in 2011, Schuette's Human Trafficking Unit has secured five human trafficking convictions. For more information on how to identify and report human trafficking, visit the Attorney General's website, www.michigan.gov/humantrafficking.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.


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The Police Department's proposal for an explosives detection dog is embroiled in a disagreement with the Central Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, which won't support the request unless Worcester police sign a mutual aid agreement with 67 area communities.
Police Chief Gary J. Gemme said he feels his department is being "held hostage" to sign the memorandum of agreement to receive the association's support for the dog.
The chief said he is concerned about signing the agreement, which gives full police powers to on-duty officers in all 67 communities, allowing those officers to make minor motor vehicle stops and enforce misdemeanors such as trespassing or disorderly conduct in Worcester. He also doesn't want his officers conducting the same types of enforcement outside city limits.
With the Superior Court for many of these cities and towns located in Worcester, it is common to see police vehicles from outside the city parked on Main Street.
But West Brookfield Police Chief C. Thomas O'Donnell Jr., president of the Central Massachusetts Chiefs of Police, said there is no intention to have outside officers making stops for red light violations in downtown Worcester. The organization wants the agreement signed to ensure the explosives detection dog would, in fact, be a regional asset. Having the dog available to communities outside of Worcester was listed in the proposal.
There is also an issue with officers crossing into other jurisdictions, which came out of a state Supreme Judicial Court case. The 1988 case involved a Natick police officer who followed a motorist into Framingham. The motorist was arrested for drunken driving and a judge later suppressed the evidence supporting that charge, ruling the officer lacked jurisdiction.
Worcester police requested $98,350 from the Central Regional Homeland Security Council to purchase, train and use an explosives detection dog and, according to Chief Gemme, received tentative approval as long as a mutual aid agreement is signed with the chiefs' association. The proposal lists $10,000 to buy the dog, $47,500 for a police dog-equipped vehicle and $17,400 for training.
The chiefs' association notified Worcester police June 3 that its board of directors voted not to support the bomb dog request. Worcester police are hoping the proposal will be approved without the letters of support and plans to make that request.
"It appears the leadership of the Central Mass Chiefs of Police and CEMLEC (Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council) are withholding their support in order to force us to agree to extending full police powers to all police officers in Central Mass," Chief Gemme said. "It is as if we are being held hostage over the full police powers."
Chief Gemme said he can't understand why the area chiefs would block receiving a bomb dog considering the April 15 Boston Marathon bombings.
He said the proposal is good for the region and shouldn't be held up over politics.
In the June 3 letter, Chief O'Donnell said the board felt without the mutual aid agreement with CEMLEC, the member towns were skeptical the dog would be a "truly regional asset."
CEMLEC is a subdivision of the Central Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and has resources such as a regional SWAT team and accident reconstruction.
Chief O'Donnell also said the agreement would provide authority and liability coverage to officers responding outside their jurisdictions. Chief Gemme said his department has tried to negotiate a compromise short of full police powers. He cited instances of natural or man-made disasters and use of explosives detection dogs where the city would sign a mutual aid agreement with CEMLEC.
"We see potential issues and liabilities with extending potential police powers," Chief Gemme said. "This would give other communities broad powers within the city of Worcester and gives Worcester police broad powers in other jurisdictions. We've been able to effectively police our community without this agreement for years."
Both sides suggested a compromise might be unattainable.
"We needed to make a statement on how we felt the asset was going to be used," Chief O'Donnell said in an interview.
Chief O'Donnell said the agreement addresses issues stemming from the 1988 case. Officials have been unable to get legislation enacted to handle the issue, he said.
Officers can cross into another community if a pursuit is deemed "fresh or hot" and officers can also make felony arrests with probable cause for armed robbery or murder, for example. Officers can also execute search and arrest warrants in communities other than their own. Usually a notification call is made if another department is coming in for those reasons.
CEMLEC President Webster Police Chief Timothy J. Bent wrote to Chief Gemme last month concerned about misinformation within Worcester police about the mutual aid agreement. He stated the agreement addresses "extraterritorial jurisdiction restrictions" in place after the 1988 case.
"A mutual aid agreement will assist Worcester officers on motor vehicle stops that have crossed over jurisdictional lines, as referenced earlier," Chief Bent wrote. "An agreement would also assist Worcester in obtaining Homeland Security grants such as the Explosive Detection K-9 grant being sought by your department."
Chief Bent said there is no intent to use the bomb-sniffing dog proposal as a way to have Worcester sign the mutual aid agreement. He said signing also gives Worcester access to CEMLEC's resources such as the SWAT team, accident reconstruction unit and the equipment associated with those units.
"You have to stress there are 67 other communities where this mutual aid agreement works," Chief Bent said. "We haven't had a problem yet. It would be a benefit for everyone involved. Regionalizing in 2013 is the way to go."
Among the list of area communities Worcester appears to be the only one not signed on to the mutual aid agreement.
Chief Bent said he supports Worcester having a bomb dog, but having the agreement makes everything cleaner. Chief Bent and Chief O'Donnell said they have not talked to Chief Gemme about the issue. There have been discussions with Worcester Deputy Police Chief Sean J. Fleming.
Chief Gemme said he sees a myriad of issues. Officers outside the city might have different radio systems and could be unfamiliar with the city's landscape.
"Will our officers know who these individuals are if they are out of uniform?" he asked.
The chief of the second largest city in New England points out Worcester sent officers to Boston to help after the Boston Marathon bombing and there isn't a mutual aid agreement with that department.
He said Worcester police have been willing to work with area departments and are part of regional task forces. Other departments send officers to train in the Worcester Police Academy, and at $2,500 per officer, Worcester police are not even covering the cost of training, the chief said.
"I think it would be a waste of our resources to have officers tied up on a misdemeanor or minor motor vehicle stop in a jurisdiction they are not familiar with," Chief Gemme said. "It creates officer safety issues and as an administrator, as a police department, I believe it causes challenges beyond this sort of agreement."
Contact Scott J. Croteau at email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottCroteauTG


text: To me, NA Sorceress ranks higher on my list than the MYP version, and possibly even rivals the original as my favorite. I really hope she's one of the characters coming sooner than later. I'm also wondering how you guys feel she should be released in the line? A-List Variant slot or Sub Exclusive? And what accessories would you like to see her come with?


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Job Information
Vivage Senior Living Communities Housekeeping Assistant in Aurora, Colorado
Housekeeping Assistant:
- Are you naturally good at effectively communicating with others?
- Do you like to deliver high quality service?
- Are you an individual who enjoys managing multiple things at one time?
- Does it excite you to be a part of a team who helps and cares for others? At Vivage, we're recognized as a national leader driving high quality service innovation for seniors and value for our investors. Vivage Senior Living is the combined entity of two established Colorado senior housing and post-acute healthcare leaders: Quality Life Management and Piñon Management. Vivage" means celebrating aging" inspiring our focus to create innovative and customer-driven models filled with personalized and meaningful living experiences.
We are a senior health care, solution driven company which provides right care….. right place…..right time. Our Mission, Vision and Pillars of Commitment have come from our collective personal awareness and professional dedication to the importance of each person we serve, each employee we work with, and each business partner we have. At Vivage we bridge today's healthcare opportunities with innovative strategies and solutions.
Engaging Culture Competitive Pay Growth Opportunities Great Benefits Family Environment – Payactiv
The Housekeeper will perform the day-to-day activities of the housekeeping department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations governing the community. The person in this position will ensure the community is maintained in a clean, safe, and comfortable manner. The person holding this position is delegated the responsibility for carrying out the assigned duties and responsibilities in accordance with current and existing federal and state regulations and established company policy and procedures.
Cleaning Duties:
- Clean/polish furnishing, fixtures, ledges, room heating/cooling units, etc., in resident rooms and recreational areas daily as instructed
- Clean, wash, sanitize, and/or polish bathroom fixtures
- Clean windows/mirrors in resident rooms, recreational areas, bathrooms, and entrance/exit ways
- Clean floors, to include sweeping, dusting, damp/wet mopping, stripping, waxing, buffing, disinfecting, etc.
- Clean carpets, to include vacuuming, shampooing, deodorizing, and disinfecting,
- Clean walls and ceiling by washing, wiping, dusting, spot cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing, etc.
- Remove dirt, dust, grease, film, etc. from surfaces using proper cleaning/disinfecting solutions
- Clean hallways, stairways, and elevators
- Discard waste/trash into proper containers and reline trash receptacles with plastic liner
- Clean work/supply carts, equipment, etc. as necessary and directed
- Perform terminal cleaning procedures, as instructed, when a resident is discharged, and/or transferred
Assure that work/cleaning procedures schedules are followed as closely as practical Housekeeping Duties:
Seek new methods and principles and incorporate them into housekeeping practices
- Maintain appearance of housekeeping areas in a safe, clean, and comfortable manner
- Perform assigned day-to-day housekeeping functions
- Perform specific tasks in accordance with daily work assignments and established housekeeping procedures
- Assure that assigned work areas are maintained in a clean, safe, comfortable and attractive manner
- Assure that work/assignment areas are clean and that equipment, tools, supplies, etc. are properly stored at all times, including before leaving such areas for breaks, meal times, and end of the work day
- Assure that an adequate inventory or housekeeping supplies are maintained
- Report burned out light bulbs, exit lights, overhead lights, fluorescent lights, room-call lights, etc., to the supervisor as soon as practical
Keep work/assignment areas free of hazardous objects, such as protruding mop/broom handles, unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc. Quality Standard Duties:
Ensures established infection control practices are maintained when performing housekeeping measures
- Follow established safety precautions when performing tasks and using equipment and supplies
- Report all hazardous conditions or equipment
- Follow established fire-safety policies and procedures
- Report all accidents/incidents to the supervisor
Maintain the confidentiality of resident-care information Department Duties:
Assist others in lifting heavy equipment, supplies, etc., as directed or requested
- Honor resident's personal property
- Turn in all found articles to the supervisor
- Attend departmental and staff meetings
Attend and participate in in-service education classes and on-the-job training programs SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
Properly use supplies and maintain equipment; follow written and oral instructions concerning the mixture of cleaning compounds, liquids, cleaning instruction, etc. Understands proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
High School Diploma or GED (preferred)
- One-year experience in a health care facility (preferred)
Vivage is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


text:
Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) - Natural treatment for autism, ADHD/ADD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression and schizophrenia
Did your child have normal development in the first year of life, and then in the second year became autistic, hyperactive, defiant, oppositional, aggressive, obsessive, compulsive or developed other abnormal behaviours?
Did your baby suffer from colic, loose stools, constipation, eczema, asthma, ear infections or chest infections treated with antibiotics?
Did you or your child have digestive problems and allergies, was a fussy eater, then in late teens become anorexic or bulimic?
Did you or your child suffer from tummy aches, dyslexia, dyspraxia, was anaemic or vegetarian, and then developed psychotic episodes and was diagnosed with schizophrenia?
Did you or your child have urinary infections or acne, treated with numerous courses of antibiotics, and then developed bloating, abdominal pain and was diagnosed with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)?
Has your baby been diagnosed with Failure To Thrive?
Were you not breast fed as a baby and were prone to colds and infections, and then developed an OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)?
Did you have food allergies / intolerances, painful or irregular menstruations accompanied by migraines, and then developed depression?
Do you suffer from chronic cystitis, mood swings, anxiety, poor memory, difficulties to concentrate, narcolepsy, are underweight and just cannot put any weight on?
Do you suffer from Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or any other digestive disorder?
If any of these situations apply to you or your family then you have come to the right place! You need to learn about
Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAP Syndrome or GAPS) is a condition which establishes a connection between the functions of the digestive system and the brain. This term was created by Dr Natasha Campbell–McBride, MD, MMedSci (neurology), MMedSci (human nutrition) in 2004 after working with hundreds of children and adults with neurological and psychiatric conditions, such as autistic spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD⁄ADD), schizophrenia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression, obsessive –compulsive disorder, bi-polar disorder and other neuro-psychological and psychiatric problems.
To learn about Gut and Psychology Syndrome, how it develops and how to treat it effectively with a sound nutritional protocol please read Dr Campbell–McBride's book "Gut and Psychology Syndrome. Natural treatment for autism, ADHD⁄ADD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression and schizophrenia".
To gain an initial understanding on GAPS, please read the article What is Gaps by Dr Campbell–McBride.
Find out more about Dr Campbell-McBride at www.doctor-natasha.com
Gut and Psychology Syndrome™ is the trademark and copyright of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The right of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Patent and Designs Act 1988.Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride has been listed in draxe.com Top 50 Integrative Medical Doctors - https://draxe.com/top-50-functional-integrative-medical-doctors/


text: NEWS Beyonce Will 'Definitely' Release New Music Before Super Bowl, Says The-Dream 12/4/2012 by Jason Lipshutz FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME 3. Beyonce (8% of the vote) "I'm sure there will probably be a couple records you hear before the Super Bowl gets here," says the producer-songwriter. Beyonce's performance at the Super Bowl halftime show, taking place at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 3, 2013, will be preceded by new music, according to her frequent collaborator The-Dream. After co-writing five songs on Beyonce's 2011 album "4," The-Dream (real name: Terius Nash) tells Billboard that he's "involved in every part of the process" for her forthcoming fifth solo album. When asked whether or not Beyonce will unveil any new tracks prior to Super Bowl kickoff, The-Dream says, "Definitely. She's got her stuff going. She took the summer to start recording, and now she's in a place where she's ready to start gearing up to reveal her plan." Beyonce's Super Bowl Setlist: Poll Results The-Dream adds that the follow-up to "4" is so far along that multiple song releases are possible in the two months prior to Super Bowl Sunday. "She's already gearing up to get ready to put stuff out," he says. "I'm sure there will probably be a couple records you hear before the Super Bowl gets here." If Beyonce releases new music before her Super Bowl performance, she would be following a strategy taken by Madonna, who released the single "Give Me All Your Luvin'" two days before performing the song along with a medley of hits at the halftime ceremony last February. Less than two months after the Super Bowl, Madonna released a new studio album, "MDNA," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 359,000 copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Rumblings of a new Beyonce album began soon after the pop superstar was officially announced as this year's Super Bowl halftime performer in September. In late October, a photo of Bey and R&B star Miguel in the studio was posted on Twitter. Meanwhile, an HBO documentary chronicling the new mother's stage show and personal life will debut on Feb. 16, 2013. Sneak Peek at Beyonce's HBO Documentary: Watch As for The-Dream, who will release his 2011 Internet album "1977" as a physical product on Dec. 18, the singer-songwriter has focused on Beyonce's next full-length after contributing four songs to Rihanna's first No. 1 album, "Unapologetic." "I was literally doing [projects by] Bey and Rihanna at the same time, and actually I sprinkled a little Mariah [Carey] in there," says the Atlanta native. "It's not overwhelming, but it can be if I let it, at times. There's days where I can only sleep an hour and thirty minutes." The-Dream is also excited about the Super Bowl itself, and hopes that February 3rd will be a big night for his team or Beyonce's team, the Houston Texans. "I'm an Atlanta Falcons fan, so it's looking real good for me right now," he exclaims. "Me and Bey have already talked about it -- it could be Houston versus Atlanta!" FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME


text:
The number of Firefox users increased by almost 50 per cent in 2006, web statistics show.
Fourteen per cent of web users used Firefox, Mozilla 's open source web browser, at the turn of the year. That figure is up by 46 per cent compared to the 9.6 per cent that used Firefox in early 2006.
According to web statistics firm Net Applications , the increase in Firefox users is partly due to the release of Version 2.0 of the popular web browser in October.
The biggest loser in terms of web users is Microsoft . Despite releasing a new version, Internet Explorer 7 , during 2006, its market share dropped from 85.1 to 79.6 per cent during the past year.
Thanks to increased sales of Mac computers, use of Apple 's web browser Safari is up from 3.1 to 4.2 per cent.
The Opera web browser also increased its number of users, from 0.6 to 0.9 per cent of total web users. This figure is helped by deals that Opera has made to link its browser to mobile phones and gaming consoles.
AOL 's Netscape web browser also lost users. Its market share decreased from 1.24 to 0.9 per cent during 2006.


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But, yesterday afternoon, Mrs. Grumpy stopped at one because it was on the way home, and since it was Mother's day I didn't want to argue.
So we go in, and (of course) one of my Alzheimer's patients is working as the entrance greeter. His wife is also there, keeping an eye on him.
Mr. Cognex: "Hi! Welcome to Walmart!"
Dr. Grumpy: "Hi."
Mrs. Cognex: "Oh, it's Dr. Grumpy, honey! You remember him?"
Dr. Grumpy: "Hi, Mrs. Cognex."
Mr. Cognex: (looks at me): "Oh, do you see Dr. Grumpy?"
Mrs. Cognex: "No, honey, you see Dr. Grumpy."
Mr. Cognex: "Who's Dr. Grumpy?"
Mrs. Cognex: "This gentleman is Dr. Grumpy."
Dr. Grumpy: "Hi."
Mr. Cognex: "Welcome to Walmart! Are you on your way to see Dr. Grumpy now?"
Mrs. Cognex: "Enjoy shopping at Walmart, Dr. Grumpy."
Dr. Grumpy: "Thank you."
Mr. Cognex: "Nice meeting you. Maybe I'll see you at the doctor's. Welcome to Walmart!"
Maybe now my wife will understand...


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christinequinnminime.blogspot I just want to puke when I hear Quinn use the word democracy....she flushed democracy down the toilet!
read more -- including how her own district was prevented from testifying they want a full service trauma level 1 hospital in front of City Council -- from the woman who denied voters a vote on term limits and pushed through an illegal third term -- flushes democracy down the toilet on a regular basis....see the above link....and ps she Bloomberg, Amanda the People's Burden, Scott Stringer the tax payer's black hole could have gotten protective zoning for St. Vincent's for a hospital only. Also why wouldn't Quinn, Bloomberg and Rudin want Cy Vance to prosecute the St. V crooks? Maybe they don't want to bring attention to Rudin's acquisition? Rumor has it the Rudin and flunkies have donated 100,000 to Quinn campaign.
From Term LImits debacle to corrupt community crushing development to mega-over runs on tech contracts in the billions all green lighted by Mike's mini-me Christine Quinn.


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How do I get a ghost to appear?
Posted 19 January 2008 - 07:02 PM
Posted 19 January 2008 - 07:11 PM
Posted 19 January 2008 - 09:15 PM
youve got to be more specific on what you wish to know dear the spirit world is as broad as the mortal world.
Posted 19 January 2008 - 11:16 PM
Posted 10 March 2008 - 01:16 AM
I'm assuming the poster is going by the question in the title: How to Get a Ghost to Appear...as in actually show itself to you.
Well...as most of us are VERY well aware, most entities don't act on command, lol. If you believe there is an entity around you, you can politely ask it to show itself to you...or to pose for a photograph, which you may have better chances with. If its an entity that you believe is from a period before modern technology, politely explain the camera to them and how it works. Or...if you feel someone behind you, snap a photo quickly. Remaining polite and asking permission is always a good step though because we all know the adage about catching more flies with honey than vinegar.
However...at such a young age, I'd be extremely careful with trying to establish contact with ANY entity. You may inadvertantly reach out to someone or something with less than noble intentions. You may also not be emotionally prepared for what may happen.
If its meant to happen, it'll happen when its supposed to. Not everyone is meant to see the other side, and some aren't meant to see it until much later in life. I'd also suggest (for various reasons) to not use a Ouija Board, either for trying to establish contact.
But yeah...any other information you need you came to the right place. This site is full of great articles, book recommendations, and just general knowledgeable members. Its an invaluable resource to get started on your research.
Posted 11 March 2008 - 08:38 AM
My advice is to go to your library and begin reading anything and everything you can find on the paranormal. There is a lot of information on GhostVillage and its forums for you to read as well. The more you know, the more you learn. Just remember - mediumship and psychic abilities are not parlor games and not to be used as such so look within. Try to be honest about why you want to explore this. If you want to see spirits/ghosts because you think it would be fun or neat to brag to your friends in study hall, then don't bother.
Generally though,if you want to have contact with the spirit world you need to start by opening your mind to the possibilities of the Universe. A good place to start is with meditation. There is a topic in Spirit Communication calles Medidtation 101 that has a good beginning excersice that will help you to meet your Spirit Guide. A Spirit Guide is a being who is with you at all times to aide you through your life's journey. People have more than one Guide and I have heard different ideas about that. Personally I feel that it is different for each person, but that is another topic for discussion. Guides are gender-neutral, as they are not human but they tend to appear to us as male or female to be easier for us to comprehend the whole thing. The same for names. When I asked my Guide for a name, I was told I couldn't pronounce it but should call him "Matthew". The whole point of meeting one of your Guides is to be able to open your mind and to have someone to ask for help. You can ask your Guide(s) to help you to see spirits/ghosts and to have contact with those entities. But - and this is very important! - you must ask your Guide for protection from any of the lower spirits who might be mischievious. Your Guide will take care of you and tell you how to conserve your psychic energy as well. Oh, and pray. A lot. Pray the way you were taught when you were a child. Prayer creates positive energy around and within us and that attracts positive spirits/ghosts to us as well.
Keep a journal - any notebook will do. You need to write down everything that happens when you are on this spritual journey, if it's paranormal or if you try and don't have anything happen. Make sure each journal entry is dated and has the time as well. This will serve two purposes. It helps to focus your mind and teach you discipline and as you progress down your life's path you can look back to be able to see connections from past to future, learn from mistakes, understand why something did/didn't work, etc.
Posted 11 March 2008 - 09:43 AM
Posted 11 March 2008 - 10:17 AM
I need to add... you can NOT "get a ghost to appear" to you on command and you should not even try. Anything that claims to teach you to control a person with free will (whether or not it actually works is moot) is dangerous beyond mortal comprehension and should not be attempted.
Honestly, if you're at the stage where you want that to happen, you're SO not ready for it to actually happen. You don't have the maturity and understanding to deal with it if it does happen at this point. I'm not calling you an immature little brat... I swear... there's just a long learning process and a steep learning curve... and until you're approaching it with respect and a little healthy caution, you're not ready to deal with it.
Posted 17 June 2008 - 11:16 PM
and remember, safety always comes first in investigations.
Posted 18 June 2008 - 04:29 AM
As a magician I can command spirits to appear when I feel like it but that is a long and arduous road indeed.
Having lost my own sanity down that path I would not presume to see you go down the same for similar effects.
However, I can tell you that in order for the spirit to appear before me I have to have armed my self with the names of God.
Which I have integrated into my practice through years of study of them in detail through means of something numerology is a distant cousin off.
As such I place myself in a safe zone from which, in the name of GOd, I command the spirit who I want to come before me.
This works.
I have done this with demons, angels aer spirits, Gods and th dead and there has never been less than some manifestation except for once or twice.
You have to really want it.
Envision it.
Call out to it with yuour heart.
And then once it feels it can manifest towards it's own aims then it will.
Good luck, Alien....
Posted 27 June 2008 - 10:47 PM
There is a topic in Spirit Communication calles Medidtation 101 that has a good beginning excersice that will help you to meet your Spirit Guide.
Thank you very much for this post Redhead! All these months later your sage advice to the young poster is still being quite useful to others. The topics of meditation and spirit guides are actually among the things I was hoping to find when I joined the village. Apparently my guide is hard at work as always. :-)
BTW, the west coast of Wisconsin is indeed beautiful. If I had my druthers, I'd be there.
Best Regards,
"Man did not weave the web of life - he is merely a strand in it.Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." Chief Seattle
Posted 10 December 2009 - 06:35 AM
My experience so far is, as others have already said, you can't get a ghost to appear when you want it to. Usually they make their presence known when you least expect it. Try talking to the entity and tell it that you wish to see it but you understand that it maybe not be able to appear to you. That worked for me one night because I got a bright human size shining light a couple of hours later that woke me up at around midnight and disappeared about two seconds after I had seen it.
Posted 24 December 2009 - 08:36 PM
I'm thirteen, so a little younger than you. I'm sure many of people have already posted this, or something similar to this. But once your educated in the topic, you know that your going to need to be a little more specific. If you need information on the paranormal, I'll be more than happy to help you out. If your asking for tips on investigations and such, you may want to ask someone with a little more experience, unfortunately, "ghost hunting" isn't really in my age range.
Send me a message some time!
Posted 01 February 2015 - 12:55 PM
Yeah, I know this is an old message, but every thing I have read oddly relates to my experiences with my spirit entity. She too will not "just show up" because the time is still not right. But when the time is right, Amanda Michelle will show up. But there is a reason. For at the time of the appearance, it will be a time of religious festivity. It will be a time when nature and ritual will be aligned. Some will call it Easter, some will it Pascha. No matter. The very plants, and hibernating animals will also be awakening. The dawn though is indeed dark now. But it is always darkest before dawn.
I am Amanda, I have inhabited Greg's soul.
Greg Linn Sticker
Amanda Michele Todd Twin Souls
Posted 01 February 2015 - 05:33 PM
Yeah, I know this is an old message, but every thing I have read oddly relates to my experiences with my spirit entity. She too will not "just show up" because the time is still not right. But when the time is right, Amanda Michelle will show up. But there is a reason. For at the time of the appearance, it will be a time of religious festivity. It will be a time when nature and ritual will be aligned. Some will call it Easter, some will it Pascha. No matter. The very plants, and hibernating animals will also be awakening. The dawn though is indeed dark now. But it is always darkest before dawn.
I am Amanda, I have inhabited Greg's soul.
Greg Linn Sticker
Amanda Michele Todd Twin Souls
Mine have been slightly different. The Normal ones showed up just about anytime over the years but the A-holes always showed up in winter and either cleared out or were contained/too weak to notice with the first good days of heat in the late spring. But I don't call these people. They are already there and it's my bad fortune to have to share a space with them.
The only difference between Socialism and National Socialism is the snappy uniforms. - Logan "Aside from ending Slavery, Fascism and Communist World Domination, War has never solved anything! ""For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute! But it's "Savior of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot." - Rudyard Kipling "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."---George Orwell "Always Remember-All Lessons in Life are Expensive.....and the last one costs you everything you have." - Logan" Socialism is just Communism without a Dictator....and you can always find a Dictator!" - Logan "An Armed Man is a Citizen. An Unarmed Man is a Subject. Subject to anything anyone wants to do to him." - Logan "Without the Second Amendment there is no First Amendment...or Third or Fourth or Fifth....or 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th or 27th!" - Logan Peace is not the Absence of War. Peace is the Absence of the Opportunity for War. True Peace comes through Superior Firepower. - Logan Socialism is a University Induced Mental Illness - Logan
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10 Feb 2016 : GetiPlay added #
Added GetiPlay to the Sailfish OS downloads page. Probably a bit premature, since it won't work without manual installation of some Perl packages on your phone. I've not been able to figure out how to add them to the RPM.


text: Per the Employee Handbook, in the event that employees are properly summoned for jury duty in the city or county in which they reside, they will be eligible for jury duty pay from Marquette University upon advance notice to their department supervisor and appropriate documentation. Since jury duty pay is normally less than the full pay employees earn, the university will make up the difference so that the employee's pay will be kept whole. Employees may contact the Payroll Office for additional information.