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For a moment, a breeze sliced through the otherwise hot and sunny day, swirling in and out of the branches above us and ruffling the leaves that provided shade to me and my family. Meanwhile, our picnic mat sat firmly on the ground, weighted by the heaping feast of Persian food set upon it.
Like almost everyone else in the park, I was dressed in a sun hat and dark sunglasses, looking as though I was about to board a non-stop cruise to the Bahamas; nevertheless, that was not the case that April afternoon. In reality, my family and we, along with fellow Iranians, were actually celebrating "Sizdah Be-dar," or "The Day of Nature," as it is often called.
The holiday quite literally translates to "13 to the door" and, as its name suggests, is based on the superstitious belief that the number 13 is unlucky. Sizdah Be-dar takes places on the thirteenth day of the Persian New Year, Nowruz (which directly translates to "new day"), and its tradition is meant to ward off the "evils" of the number 13; it is a day Persians believe to be necessary in order to lead a fruitful and successful year.
In custom, Iranians head to the outdoors, whether that be in their backyards or at a lush park where they know fellow Iranians will be celebrating and set out a picnic where they spend the day with their families, eating, talking and laughing. The browning sabzi (some type of greenery) from the Nowruz haft-seen (a traditional table setting decked with seven meaningful items) is then pitched into a river, yielding the bright sentiments of a new year.
But in truth, I didn't always regard these holidays with the enthusiasm that I do today. As a child, I felt detached from these celebrations and I neglected to try and find the meaning within the fringe of our traditions. I distinctly recall defining the Persian New Year by the crisp fifties and hundreds family and family friends would gift me with; my endearing attitude towards the holiday could be solely attributed to the way my piggy bank thanked me by doubles and triples.
Furthermore, I found the events we attended in celebration of these holidays to be tiresome. My younger self would have much rather sat home and watched SpongeBob or played computer games. In hindsight, I neglected to fully understand the meaning and depth behind both Nowruz and Sizdah Be-dar. It is only now that I fully understand and appreciate the significance behind these holidays and I feel lucky and enlightened for this circumstance.
Personally, I believe the increasing weight I place upon these holidays has everything to do with my desire to further root myself within my heritage; through them, I am able to establish my identity as an evolving Persian woman, year after year.
My newly forged connection to these holidays is also reflected by the seven items on our family haft-seen; specifically, the serkeh (vinegar) reminds me not to allow my flaw of impatience to take a hold of me. The stacked apples prompt me to eat them more often, for the sake of health. The tiny lit tea lights floating in a large glass bowl filled with water suggest the vastness of space and the insignificance of our small world. Next to this bowl, the glass of somaq (crushed powder of berry) symbolizes the sweet reality that tomorrow will be followed by yet another sunrise and thence, a "nowruz."
As I have grown older, my resonance with my culture and its distinct traditions has become increasingly conspicuous. Although it is both amusing and interesting to reflect upon my callow childhood mindset, it is when I remember the way these holidays have shaped my character, that my recognition and gratitude grow to even greater heights.


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Updated for 2018!
Last year, Disney raised their single day ticket prices for 2017 during certain times of the year. Company officials said they hoped this would prevent overcrowding during the busiest times at the theme parks. Ticket prices seem to creep up every year. So where does that leave you and your wallet? [Read more…]

subset: commoncrawl


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We are keen to help doctors develop on their personal skills which we believe leads to improvement in their professionalphase. Personal skills are basics to any career progression, we want to support our medical professionals take on non-clinical skills like leadership and other managerial roles.
Our career consultant is here to help you identify your skills and let it progress though your working life which could lead to many good career options. Professional advice from a qualified consultant could help you in short and long term and the path you wish to take.
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Pink, particularly fuchsia, is the color of Spring/Summer 2017. From Topshop, Valentino and Gucci, rose has been all around the catwalks. To my opinion the best way to wear pink (bright or dusty) is to mix it up with denim but you can also clash your colors, and mix pink & yellow or even purple with pink… the options are endless. Whether you choose to layer different shades or go colour block you can't go wrong as long as it's pink ! Here are 30 pieces ready to shop and incorporate into your spring wardrobe.
(for more informations and shopping, please use the contact form).


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Dallas horse show offers fun for the whole family
(Click here to read about horseback riding as an alternative sport.)
The Dallas Summer Classic is not just a place for horse-back riders to show off their skills. It's also an event that families can enjoy and watch free of charge.
The horse show will have 35 different classes – based on horse breed, rider age and other criteria – for people to compete. The event starts at 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday. The sessions at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. Saturday are for riders that own their own horses, and the academy session at noon Saturday is for children and adult students taking lessons and showing on horses that their riding stable owns, said Maura Dalton, owner of Creekwood Riding Academy in Gastonia. Several of her students will be entering the Dallas Summer Classic.
During the competitions, the division participants ride around the arena simultaneously and are judged on how they execute certain actions and show their horse.
But, spectators need not worry if they don't understand the rules and workings of the horse show. Dalton is running a welcome booth during both days of the event to greet audience members and introduce them to the ins and outs of horse shows, she said.
"It's such a cool sport and a cool family activity that it needs to be brought out more," Dalton said. "It's different than going to a basketball game or soccer game. The horses are absolutely gorgeous. They're American saddle bred horses, and they're really something to see. Kids love horses, and it's really fun to see them in awe."
The event is outside with stadium seating, but guests are welcome to bring their own chairs. Concessions such as hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks and candy will be available for purchase.
Dallas Summer Classic horse show When: Friday, starting at 6 p.m.; Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. Where: Biggerstaff Arena, 1303 Dallas-Cherryville Highway, Dallas Admission: Free for spectators


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Mehendi designs to adorn your beautiful hands. Unravel elegant & classic designs here.
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The most distinctive and exquisite designs in mehndi art are the ones that hail from Middle Eastern countries, which are commonly referred to as Arabic mehndi designs, or more colloquially as Dubai mehndi designs. To give you a glimpse of the sharp allure of these type of mehndi designs, here are 41 lovely ones that you will like.


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06.07.2009 - ttz Bremerhaven is looking for new market potential
Tags: innovations management, consultancy, funding, project management
This press release is only available in German.
ttz Bremerhaven is an innovative provider of research services and operates in the field of application-oriented research and development. Under the umbrella of ttz Bremerhaven, an international team of experts is working in the areas of food, environment and health.


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My dead mom's recipe box is very full. She must have been collecting recipes before my sister and I were born. (I was born in 1984.) I don't know if there's any organization to it. None of the tabs are labeled.
This entry is for "Country Pizza." How is this a pizza? There's no yeast. The dough doesn't rise. This is a lard/butter pastry pie crust with pizza-like toppings as a filling. I haven't found a online version of this recipe that seems faithful enough, so I'm typing it out.
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter or margarine
2 tablespoons lard
2 eggs, slightly beaten with 2 tablespoons water
1 cup diced hard salami (4 ounces)
3 cups ricotta (1-1/2 pounds)
3/4 cup diced smoked cheese (6 ounces)
4 eggs, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons minced parsley
1/2 teaspoon coarse-ground pepper
CRUST Put flour in bowl; sprinkle in salt; cut in butter and lard; with fork, stir in egg mixture, just enough to moisten. Form dough in ball. Cover and refrigerate at least 1/2 hour.
FILLING Mix salami with cheeses; stir in eggs, parsley and pepper. On floured surface, roll out 2/3 dough into a 13-inch square 1/8 inch or less thick; line bottom and sides of 8- or 9-inch square baking pan. Roll out remaining dough to make top crust. Fill pastry-lined pan with filling; cover with remaining pastry; pinch edges and prick all over with fork. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven 50 minutes or until top is golden and puffed. Makes 6 generous servings. Per serving: 732 cal, 35 g pro, 43 g car, 48 g fat, 375 mg chol with butter, 351 mg chol with margarine
I don't recall my mother making this recipe, but I think kid me would have liked it.


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Stella Cuomo MSW, ASW, Primary Therapist
Stella Cuomo discovered a passion for helping others in high school where she volunteered at a suicide hotline for three years at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
During her undergraduate studies in Psychology, Stella worked at a women's domestic violence shelter and assisted in research projects that investigated the relationship between eating disorders, mindfulness and self-compassion.
She has always been interested in helping those who suffer from addictions, primarily substance use disorder and eating disorders.
During her graduate studies at USC Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, Stella worked at an eating disorder treatment center in Santa Monica, CA where she was a Resident Advisor and provided group psychotherapy in the adolescent program.
She also worked at a non-profit rehabilitation treatment center in South Los Angeles providing individual and group psychotherapy for adults with substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders.
She is an LGBTQ identified therapist and has worked with this population as a mentor for college-aged individuals and as clinician in treatment settings.
Stella loves working at Oro House Recovery Centers because her beliefs for successful treatment outcomes align with the organization's values: connection, compassion and community.
Read other Oro House Staff profiles or learn more about our Addiction Treatment Program.
Do You Need Help with Addiction?
Oro Recovery provides compassionate care, combined with evidence-based treatment therapies for people struggling with addiction and mental health.
Oro House Recovery


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Town Center Foot & Ankle
5730 Bella Rosa Blvd, Suite 200
Clarkston, MI 48348
5730 Bella Rosa Blvd, Suite 200
Clarkston, MI 48348
For up to date information regarding Town Center Foot and Ankle please click the following link to read our blog.
To get better acquainted with your foot and/or ankle issues please type in any condition you'd like to learn more about in the text box below.
Osteomyelitis is a type of bacterial bone infection that moves from acute to chronic phases quickly. The infection usually begins in another part of the body and spreads to the bone via blood. Traumatic injury, frequent medication injections, the use of a prosthetic device, and some surgical procedures can increase susceptibility to the underlying infection.
With osteomyelitis, the infected bone fills with a pus that deprives the bone of its needed blood supply. Over time, this can result in the death of bone tissue.
The presence of bone infection can be diagnosed with tests, such as bone scans and MRI.
Osteomyelitis infections are very difficult to cure with oral or intravenous antibiotics. In chronic cases, surgical removal of the dead bone tissue is usually required.


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Thank you for considering Poseidon Palace for your upcoming holidays.
Please fill in the form with your desired stay and as soon as we will receive it, our reservation department will reply with an accommodation offer.
Guests can enjoy various activities in the surroundings, including diving, cycling, fishing, boat cruises, climbing and walking on Mt Olympus, water sports, clubbing, sightseeing. The hotel also offers car hire.
Leptokaria is a popular tourist resort area in South Pieria, offering a range of entertainment and recreation choices and with interesting shops. Our hotel is easily accessible from the Athens-Thessaloniki motorway or from Leptokaria train station and it is designed to satisfy the needs of even the most demanding customers, be they holiday-makers or business people.
Poseidon Palace Hotel is 60 km away from Larissa, 30 km away from Katerini, and 98 km away from Thessaloniki, cities where you can go for shopping or for a one-day city break trip.
Guests of Poseidon Palace can enjoy the various beaches of the area, visit the famous Platamonas Castle, the traditional villages of Olympus, the surrounding archaeological sites and various nearby attractions. In a few words in 15 minutes you can be at Aegean Sea, Olympus or Kissavos Mountain, Pinios River or nearby archaeological sites such as Dion.
At Poseidon Palace we pay special attention to our young guests and have created a range of specially designed facilities for children. Swimming pools, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, children's mini club and games await the little ones so they may have a beautiful and carefree vacation with activities made only for them.
Poseidon Palace is the ideal place to enjoy your relaxing holidays while having small trips and excursions to Olympus and Tempi, suitable places for walks through green paths as well as walks to lakes and rivers.
Balance. Harmony. Peace. Inspiration. Joy. Relax. Poseidon Palace Spa provides the space where you can stretch your body and expand your mind as you regain a sense of balance and rediscover life's essence.
Thank you for considering Poseidon Palace for your upcoming holidays.
Please fill in the form with your desired stay and as soon as we will receive it, our reservation department will reply with an accommodation offer.


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Long live Queen on BBC
By Gillian G. Gaar
It was February 5, 1973,when Queen first walked into BBC Radio's Langham 1 studio, right next door to the Beeb's own Broadcasting House headquarters in Portland Place, London, for their first ever radio appearance. The band hadn't even released a record yet. But the listener response to the songs they recorded that day ensured they'd be invited back another five times.
The band recorded a total of 24 songs for the BBC from 1973 to 1977. For years, only a paltry eight tracks have been available on the release "At the Beeb" (released as "Queen at the BBC" in the U.S.). A few more songs were included as bonus tracks when the band's catalog was reissued on CD in 2011. At last, we now have the very welcome, and long overdue release, "On Air 1973-1992" (Hollywood Records), which brings together all 24 songs in a 2-disc edition, along with a deluxe 6-disc edition, which features radio interviews and excerpts from live shows also broadcast over the air.
Queen emerged in 1970 from the ashes of another group, Smile, which featured Brian May on guitar and Roger Taylor on drums. When Freddie Mercury replaced Smile's lead singer, Tim Staffell, the group was rechristened Queen, a name Mercury described as "very regal, strong, universal, immediate. Certainly I was aware of the gay connotations. But it sounds splendid!" For the next year, the group worked with different bassists, finally finding a good fit with John Deacon, who played his first show with Queen on July 2, 1971 at a college in Surrey, outside of London.
The next two years were a struggle. Queen regularly played shows around England, but made little progress. In late 1971, they were offered free studio time in exchange for helping to test the acoustics in a new studio being built in Wembley, an area of northwest London. The band readily agreed, not least because they wound up with a high quality, five-track demo they could now shop around, songs later released as bonus tracks on the 2011 edition of the band's self-titled debut album, "Queen."
But even with a professional demo, Queen still had difficulty attracting interest from a record company. The only offer came from B&C, a subsidiary of Charisma, who offered the band 25,000 pounds and a new van. A friend at Charisma, finding the offer paltry, steered them instead to Norman and Barry Sheffield, who owned Trident Studios in London's Soho neighborhood. The brothers were in the process of setting up a subsidiary company, Trident Audio Productions, and agreed to work with the group in a managerial capacity. Trident also allowed Queen to record at the studio when it wasn't booked (meaning sessions were fit in at odd hours of the day and night).
It was at this stage, while recording their debut album, that Queen was booked to appear on Radio 1's "Sounds of the Seventies" program. Bernie Andrews, who produced the session, learned about Queen through Ronnie Beck, who worked for the company handling the band's publishing. Andrews liked the music, but was put off by the group's name, telling Beck "You can't call them Queen! They're great, but you can't put a band called Queen in the 'Radio Times'!" But it was a short-lived reaction: "In a couple of weeks the name was completely accepted," Andrews says in the liner notes of "On Air."
The songs Queen recorded at that first session would all appear on their debut album — in fact, they used the same backing tracks, simply overdubbing vocals and the occasional instrument ("a guitar here and there," as guitarist May put it) during the session. As a result, the songs — "My Fairy King," "Keep Yourself Alive," "Doing All Right," and "Liar" don't sound appreciably different from the versions on "Queen." There are some vocal differences on "Keep Yourself Alive" and especially "Doing All Right," which dated back to the Smile era; on the album, Mercury sings the lead vocal, but for this BBC appearance, Taylor sang the third verse. The program aired February 15.
By the time the band next appeared on the BBC, it was to support the release of their first album and single. The single, "Keep Yourself Alive," was released in the U.K. on EMI Records on July 6, with the album "Queen" following on July 13.
The BBC session was held on July 25, 1973. "Keep Yourself Alive" was an obvious choice, and, as during the first session, the backing tracks used on the album were used for both this song and "Liar." But the group recorded new versions of the session's other songs. "Son and Daughter" was the B-side of the band's first single. The BBC version, which has a different extended ending, has a nice raw feel. Of special interest is the bluesy "See What a Fool I've Been." The band never released the song on an album; a later, noticeably different studio version appeared as the B-side of the "Seven Seas of Rhye" single. The session was broadcast on August 13.
"Keep Yourself Alive" didn't chart in the U.K., and "Queen" received mixed reviews; while Time Out called it "A thrusting, dynamic debut," the New Musical Express was dismissive, saying the album was "A bucket of stale urine." It was a critique that foreshadowed the difficulties the band would have with the media. But "Queen" nonetheless reached No. 24, giving the band a base to grow from. The U.S. release came in the fall, with "Queen" released on September 4, and "Keep Yourself Alive" on October 9, on Elektra Records. The album peaked at No. 83; the single failed to chart. A second single, an edited version of "Liar," was released the following year on February 14; it also failed to chart.
On the deluxe edition of "On Air," you can trace the next stage in Queen's development via an eight song excerpt of songs from a gig at the Golders Green Hippodrome in London, broadcast live on September 13, 1973. It was the band's first ever live broadcast, and the announcer hailed them as "One of the brightest new bands around." Along with the regal pomp and circumstance, Queen also takes on the King — Elvis, that is, the King of Rock 'n' Roll — with a fast and furious version of "Jailhouse Rock."
Queen's next BBC appearance gave the fans a sneak peak of the band's upcoming album. Recorded on December 3, 1973, and airing three days later on December 6, the session featured one song that wouldn't be publicly available until release of "Queen II" in March 1974. "Ogre Battle" would open "Side Black" of the album, the first in an extraordinary five-song suite that mixed fairy tale fantasy and punishing hard rock. It was an elaborate number on record, and the band turns in a creditable performance for their radio session. The remaining songs were all numbers from the band's debut; Taylor's short and snappy "Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll," a strutting version of "Great King Rat," and a powerful "Son and Daughter," which the BBC indulgently let run on for 7 minutes and 18 seconds.
Queen would finally start achieving some major success in 1974, with hit singles in both the U.K. and U.S., as well as receiving a rapturous reception on their first tour of Japan. The critics still weren't kind; in the U.K., Record Mirror called "Queen II" "the dregs of glam-rock." But the public thought otherwise; the album's single "Seven Seas of Rhye," released in the U.K. on February 23, reached No. 10, while "Queen II" released on March 8, reached No. 5 (in the U.S., the album was released on April 9, and reached No. 49; "Seven Seas of Rhye," released on June 20, didn't chart). The album's cover, with the members of the band pictured in shadow, also inspired the visual look for the "Bohemian Rhapsody" video.
So the band had a renewed sense of confidence when they came to record their fourth BBC session on April 3, 1974. "Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll" is not as frantic as the album version, or, indeed, the version recorded at the previous BBC session (the album version is a brisk 1:48, while the version recorded at this session is 2:53). There's a delicate version of "Nevermore," a song the band never performed live, and a lovely performance of "White Queen (As It Began)," that's also longer than the album version. The show was broadcast on April 15, and also included the studio version of "March of the Black Queen."
After the session, Queen headed off to their first American tour, opening for Mott the Hoople. But they were forced to pull out when May came down with hepatitis. During sessions for the band's next album, May was felled by a duodenal ulcer, which sent him to the hospital. When he recovered, work on "Sheer Heart Attack" was well under way. It was a more straight forward rock album, with a lead single that was irresistible: the sparkling "Killer Queen," released October 11 in the U.K., October 21 in the U.S., and reaching No. 2 and No. 12 in the charts, respectively. "Sheer Heart Attack" was released November 8 in the U.K., November 12, in the U.S., and reached No. 2 and No. 12, respectively.
But oddly enough, when the band recorded their next BBC session October 16, 1974, at the network's studios in Maida Vale, London, they didn't record a version of their latest single. And they again used the album backing tracks, overdubbing new vocal and instrumental parts, meaning the songs for the most part don't sound too different from the album. The band opened with "Now I'm Here," which was frequently used to open Queen's live shows during this period (it was also released as a single in the U.K., reaching No. 11). The fast rocker "Stone Cold Crazy" was next, followed by "Flick of the Wrist" (with a different guitar line during the instrumental break compared to the album version), then Taylor taking over on lead vocals "Tenement Funster." The show aired November 4.
It was the last BBC appearance Queen would make for three years. They didn't know it, but they were on the verge of a major breakthrough. On October 31, 1975, "Bohemian Rhapsody" was released as a single in the U.K. (U.S. release came on December 2). The song was a worldwide smash, as was the subsequent album, "A Night at the Opera," which became the band's first album to top the charts in the U.K. (in the U.S., the album reached No. 4). Now there was no need to try and build a following through radio appearances. Queen had become a major act, with their December 24, 1975 show at London's Hammersmith Odeon broadcast live to a nationwide audience; soon they'd graduate to stadiums, selling out Madison Square Garden.
And it was in 1977 that Queen recorded their final session for the Beeb, on October 28, the same day their latest album, "News of the World" was released in the U.K. (it would reach No. 4; released November 2 in the U.S., reaching No. 3). Jeff Griffin, who produced the session, had run into May and Taylor at a club, and was surprised to find that the band wanted to return to the BBC; "It was very unusual then for any of the big groups to want to come in once they had established themselves," he says in the "On Air" liner notes.
And it's certainly the most interesting session on the set, as the songs are all quite different from the album versions. The band opens with an abbreviated "We Will Rock You" (released as the B-side of "We Are the Champions" in the U.K. on October 7, reaching No. 2, and as a double A-side with "Champions" in the U.S. on October 25, reaching No. 4). This is abruptly followed by a short segment of a woman discussing Herman Hesse's book "Siddhartha," left over from a previous session at the studio; the band liked the dialogue and edited it in. Then comes an exciting full-band version of "We Will Rock You," that's much faster than the version Queen fans know and love. "Spread Your Wings" has a much brighter, fresher feel than the album version, while "It's Late" has an extended improvisational section that also draws on the song "Get Down, Make Love," and runs over 6 1/2 minutes. "My Melancholy Blues" features a heartfelt vocal from Mercury, with May adding some electric guitar flourishes. It's a splendid rendition of the song, and a nice way to say farewell to the Beeb.
The show aired November 14. In the future, Queen's live gigs would be aired on the radio, and they'd return to the BBC to do interviews, but there would be no more recording sessions. Though not as numerous as the tracks The Beatles recorded for BBC radio, the 24 songs Queen did record show a band finding their own voice and coming into their own. As a result, "On Air" is a must for Queen fans. And if you want the story even more fleshed out, consider springing for 6-CD deluxe edition.


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Earlier Beach Shoes were made up of rubber and meant to wear especially for beach. But with the passing time, this footwear has emerged as one of the must-have and trend-setting shoes for beach activities in the summer and spring. These are the much preferred footwear during these spring and summer months to enhance maximum comfort and style in them.
There are endless choices of this footwear ranging from beach wedding shoes to dressy beach sandals catered to the needs of the common man. Even though this footwear is available in different fabulous styles and designs stealing the hearts of all, they yet maintain their comfort factor and other functionalities. Flip-flops and thongs are some of the laid-back styles of beach footwear that satisfy both your style and comfort needs as well. This article gives you a detailed study of some of the great styles of this footwear that are a good bet for beach wear.
An array of flip flops styles are available in the market especially for beach wear. This footwear is designed with good breathable materials and well equipped features. Leather ones are the ideal bet for just strolling on the beach sides on a hot summer day. Birkenstocks and Reef flip flops have been proved as one of the best beach shoes with regard to comfort and style aspects.
Thong Sandals
Thongs have advanced into amazing styles and models that will give you a laid-back beach look. These shoes in dressy styles are a great bet to enjoy a comfortable walk on the sea shores. A pair of casual thong sandals designed with highly waterproof material is the ideal choice for playing in the beach waters without losing the quality of your footwear.
Slides are another good option for beach wear that are easy to slip on and off. They are the much preferred shoes for beach wear for its great comfort aspects that enable a comfort and trouble-free walk. These slide sandals with new and well equipped features are a great bet for beach sports to enable you great performance.
Beach Wedding Sandals
The growing number of beach weddings is a sign that times have changed. Even though weddings are precipitous in tradition, wedding attire has been changed to a large extent. If one is planning for beach wedding, then beach shoes are must to complement her outfit, appearance and most importantly the place. Array of wedding shoes styles are available in the market with great designs and fabulous colors that are sure to gain you a damn beautiful appearance with utmost comfort in the wedding party.


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LazyPay gives a humorous twist to its new campaign #LazyPayHaiTohSortedHai
LazyPay, PayU India's consumer lending platform and India's most popular Pay Later option, today launched its new digital campaign 'LazyPay Hai Toh Life Sorted Hai'. The campaign, to connect with today's consumers, takes an unusual route and uses cases to highlight the convenience that LazyPay offers across categories. The smarter ways to complete a transaction with one-click alternative credit option for shopping, traveling and online ordering has been shown amusingly in the video.
The digital campaign parades top characters inspired by India's most popular web series to emphasize the convenience of availing credit from LazyPay with flexible payment options. Stuck in real-life situations, the protagonist has been shown struggling with no credit availability to satisfy his minor expenses. That's when LazyPay App comes to rescue with its one-click credit access offerings on travel, food, online shopping, along with 15 days credit period for repayment. LazyPay is at the centre of the film which is designed to spread the message of being smarter about how we can manage the daily activities and make our lives easier with financial solutions that are simple yet transparent and frictionless.
Speaking about the campaign, Pallav Jain, Country Head at PayU Finance, said, "The campaign captures the true essence of smooth shopping experience combined with alternate credit that's just a click away. It depicts the everyday scenarios which most of us and especially millennials go through, be it that month-end salary crunch or struggle in getting a personal loan for their trip they had planned with friends. We are positive that our special campaign will connect well with our consumers."


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Healthy Living Made Simple!
Sign up for our free e-book which includes 10 simple steps to help you begin your journey to a healthier lifestyle. If you have been struggling with your health despite altering some diet/lifestyle factors, you may find that this e-book provides the "missing pieces" you've been seeking.


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Happy New Year. I'm watching the 2019 Rose Parade, drinking coffee, and sitting with my cat. One of the cats at least. The other one went screaming upstairs and the dog followed him. The husband is still asleep. The children are elsewhere with friends.
The Ghost was out standing by my back fence this morning. He turned, giving me a neutral look then vanished. Not so much as a wave. He didn't even flip me off.
I don't have any resolutions this year, just thoughts and suggestions for everyone who reads this.
Write more.
Create art
Tell WordPress that the new "block" editor sucks. Programmers aren't writers. Yes, I did hear all about it at the local WordCamp. I was even a speaker there but I had no idea they'd just add another level of hell to my blog. I can't even easily choose categories anymore to lure unsuspecting readers to my blog.
- I just looked it up. I have to designate this as a "list block" from yet another menu. I know, I'm a smart cookie and will get the hang of it. I should be more positive about change, but I'm an old Vampire.
- My children (now 19 and 22) keep me young and current.
- Stay current. Don't be an old fart.
- Stop listening to the news or talking about politics for at least five days each week. Nothing, aside from becoming a Vampire, will add more years to your life span.
- Be positive and stop complaining about software upgrades the don't make any sense (see above about politics.)
- Watch birds. Watch them.
- Cats
- Dogs
- Listen to your kids
- Talk with your kids (not at them)
- Plan to play.
I'm stopping here to talk about PLAY. We all need to play. Play helps children develop into decent human beings. It helps adults unwind. We need play. So do something this year. Go to a zoo. Play Cards Against Humanity and laugh yourself silly. Go to an art museum. Never say you don't like museums. Put on some music and dance. Go for a walk. Write a blog. Fly a kite. Be silly. Stop being so serious all the time.
That is it for now. I have a Ghost to go hassle.
Happy New Year everyone.
~ Juliette aka Vampire Maman


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Never too close
Too close to it.
Too close to it.
Too close to it.
I want to reflect on the ending of the Iraq War.
What the hell did we fight it for?
No weapons of mass destruction found.
But we did find billions in contracts to stick around.
To rebuild what we blew up.
To grow democracy, corrupt.
So many families broken beyond repair.
On both sides there was nothing sacred, nothing fair.
IEDs blowing off legs.
RPGs splattering flesh like eggs.
Drones firing on collateral damage.
Abu Ghraib's tortured prisoner sandwich.
And the lies, God the lies.
As politicians squirm and hide
the billions in no-bid contracts given
to secret back room deals never to be forgotten.
Not this time.
This war will be remembered.
The death of the innocent both soldier and citizen
Will not be in vain.
This war will be a harbinger of sorrow.
To show the example of what might come
when our world leaders are not held accountable.
They will try and do it again.
And what will we say?
We are never too close to it.
What precedent will we show to make them pay
for the lives lost yesterday, tomorrow, today?
1 Comment
Bobby7LDecember 16, 2011
Tribal conflict continues..as does the dogmatic-driven war between the West and Iran..and there's the oil..
good read


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Daiga Kamerāde
Say it with numbers: work so far
The Mass Observation Project (MOP) archive has a wealth of data on the experiences, thoughts and opinions of people in the UK. So far most of these data have been analysed only qualitatively. Now, as part of the 'Defining Mass Observation' project, we are exploiting the richness of the MOP archive further, by analysing these data quantitatively.
Developing a database
We are quantifying the MOP data for two purposes. The first purpose is to develop an interactive, easy to use MOP database. This free and easily accessible database will be online and it will allow any researcher to search for anonymised people's responses to the MOP directives, either by demographical characteristics (such as age cohort, gender, relationship status, occupation or county) of the writers; or by whether they have responded to a certain directive. Once a sample of responses is identified, the researcher will be able to download a list of archive references for the material, and order material when they visit the archive
In order to develop this database we have begun to clean and merge two data files currently held at the MOP: data on writers' demographic characteristics; and data on their responses to the directives. It has not been as fast a ride as expected. These data are well-suited to searching for directives, and responses to selected directives – the purpose for which these data have been used so far. However, the data are currently recorded too inconsistently for a straightforward database-formation or quantitative analysis. For example, the word 'Co-habiting' alone was spelled in seven different ways and we have over 200 different county names – most of which are just variations of formatting and spelling. Nevertheless, although challenging and time consuming, this data cleaning work has been very useful. It has helped us to think of ways in which data collection, recording and keeping at the MOP could be improved in future. It has also raised questions about the practice of archiving metadata (data that supports the discovery, understanding and management of other data) within a research environment.
Analysing data
The second purpose of quantifying the MOP data on writers' demographics and their responses to directives, is to examine the demographic characteristics of the writers and to analyse their writing behaviour (e.g. response rate, longitudinal response patterns, and responses or non-responses to different themes) and to answer the question that has repeatedly been asked for a very long time 'How representative MOP writers are of the broader UK population'. In this project we also ask how representative MOP writers are of the active UK volunteering population?'
We have begun to work on this task by cleaning, and recoding the different demographical variables and doing a basic descriptive analysis. At this point in time we know that among the 3,734 individuals who have written to the MOP at least once and who have provided information on their gender, there are nearly twice as many women (n=2,354) than men (n=1,379) – something that researchers that use the MOP should take into account when selecting their sample and making conclusions. We have also found that a typical respondent is born in 1950 but the birth year varies from 1895 to 1997, with the majority of respondents having been born between 1928 and 1972. As can be seen in Table 1, writers are most likely to have been born in the 1920s, and between the 1950s and 1970s; other birth cohorts are well represented too.
Table 1. Writers by birth cohort
We also know that approximately one third of writers were employed and 17%- retired when they first responded to the MOP directive. Interestingly some of the MOP writers have indicated that their employment status is 'volunteer'.
Table 2. Writers by employment status
Work on other demographical characteristics of writers still needs to be done. For example, data on occupation contain 1,564 unique occupation entries. Some of this uniqueness is due to occupational diversity, and some is due to typing errors and variations in the format of entry. Therefore preparing occupation variables will be a laborious process. To speed it up, and to ensure quality of recoding, we are going to use CASCOT software.
Initially occupational data will be recoded into the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) (as used by the Office of National Statistics) corresponding to the year when the writers begun to write for the MOP. This will provide us with the data we need to compare the characteristics of MOP writers to the characteristics of the general and volunteer populations in the UK.
We have also identified various national datasets of demographic data, such as Censuses and Citizenship Surveys that can be used in order to analyse the representativeness of MOP writers.
In a few months' time when this work is finished, researchers will not only be able to search for writers' responses online, but also see who has been writing and when, and how their characteristics compare to general population and population of volunteers in the UK. In essence, people visiting the MOP website, and the new online interactive database will be able to answer the question 'Who are the MOP writers?'


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By Marcus Coldwell
It is easy for parents to overlook the little things in life. After all, parenting is far from easy, so there are things that appear trivial to you that may mean a lot more to your child. However, it's possible to do little things that mean a lot to your children – the results are always worth the effort!
Encouraging them when they do something good
All children want to please their parents, so it's important to provide them with positive feedback when they do something that pleases you. Many parents make the mistake of focusing too much on what they don't like their child doing rather than what they do like.
While you still need to tell them when they are displeasing you, try to balance this with as much positive encouragement as possible. Make sure you are specific with your praise – tell them exactly what they did that that pleased you so much, as this means a lot more than just blanket praise.
Positive touches go a long way
A positive touch refers to the likes of hugs, cuddles, pats, high-fives etc. It takes very little effort to give your kid a cuddle or pat on the back every day, so make sure you do so as it means a great deal to them.
Older kids that may not want to cuddle shouldn't be ignored, as any affectionate action (such as a gentle squeeze of their arm) still goes a long way to making them feel good.
Say I love you
Again, very little effort is required to say the three little words, but it means so much to your child, so always make sure to tell them as much! A daily reminder that you love them is never a bad thing, helping to reinforce how much you care about them.
Listen to them
Most parents are guilty of half listening to their kids or telling them not now when in the middle of something, but taking the time to properly listen to them means a great deal to them.
Taking the time to actively listen about their day shows them that you care about them and what's happening in their lives – not listening properly gives them the idea your interests lie elsewhere.
The dinner table is the perfect place to ask them about their day, and remember never to force anything out of them either. Teenagers are often prickly about sharing too much, but remain patient and always take the opportunity to listen to them when they want to share something.
Show them respect
Not giving your child the full respect you give others is never a good idea. They should always be give the exact same degree of respect you show others, even if they are getting on your nerves or are saying something you dislike – you wouldn't talk down to a co-worker, so don't do it to your child!
This doesn't take much on your part either. Simply talk to them in a polite manner as you would others, while also respecting their opinion (even if you don't agree with it), and treating them with kindness.
The respect shows them their own worth and that you value them, while also teaching them the importance of respecting other people.


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Located at the 2nd floor of the FBR Building, Loyola Heights, Katipunan, Quezon City (above Yellow Cab — across Ateneo). Game Crab is patterned from the likes of Mind Cafe, Settlers, etc., from Germany, Korea, Japan and Singapore. We carry boardgames like World of Warcraft, Cashflow, Descent, Cranium, Zertz, Settlers of Catan, Quiddler, Scrabble and MORE.
We continually try to update our boardgame base with the latest, craziest, zaniest, queerest, rarest and best games! We try to ensure that we are able to cater to young adults, families, casual gamers and hardcore gamers alike!
We'll also be hosting monthly tournaments and weekly night of champions. And we'll be serving great tasting yet affordable meals as well! We welcome any suggestions/opinions anyone might care to share. So please come visit us as we look to further expand the horizons of boardgaming here in the Philippines!
For inquiries, questions, comments and suggestions, send an email to Gerald Gan at raiyfe (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Plug: Game Crab Boardgame Cafe
Sorry, no photos but a new shop, Game Crab Boardgame Cafe, will be debuting on April 21, 2008. Here's the official blurb:
Posted by Charles at 8:07 PM
Labels: board games, plug
3 comments:
Hey that's a pretty good location, beside ADMU! And near UP.
Sounds like an interesting venture, definitely worth a visit.
Though is the place strictly for board games?
*Have you contacted UP Gamers' Circle?
- Charles said...
I, uh, don't work for them...
No, we're not restricted solely to boardgames. We welcome gamers from all walks of life. In fact, a Mageknight tournament is being held in Game Crab on May 1.
If you wanna know more, please come visit us or write to us thru www.gamecrabcafe.com (or click my name).
By the way, thanks for the shoutout Charles. I dunno who you are, but thank you, and I hope to maybe meet/see you at Game Crab soon!
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Number of Zofran Birth Defect Lawsuits Continues to Grow
A small but growing number of plaintiffs have filed Zofran birth defect lawsuits over allegations that they were not fully apprised of the health risks connected to their use of the anti-nausea drug as prescribed to treat morning sickness. As of early July, at least 12 such complaints have alleged that children have been born with such conditions as cleft lip and/or palate, heart problems, or skull malformations that can be traced to fetal exposure to Zofran.
Zofran (ondansetron) was approved by the FDA in 1991 as a treatment for nausea associated with chemotherapy, radiation, and post-surgery recovery, but was never officially approved as a morning sickness treatment.
The drug's manufacturer (and defendant in all cases), GlaxoSmithKline (or GSK), filed a motion to consolidate all such cases in one court under one judge. Because the cases share common allegations, a streamlined discovery process and the establishment of "bellwether" (or preliminary) cases to test the waters in terms of jury reaction and encourage settlements may facilitate a speedier legal process. GSK has requested that a multidistrict litigation (or MDL) be established in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania under either Judge Cynthia Rufe or Judge Paul S. Diamond.
Safety of drug used during pregnancy at issue
Lawsuits contend that there have been indications for some time that Zofran may not be safe for use during pregnancy. A study published in 2006 by Hong Kong researchers supported the hypothesis that the drug crossed the placental barrier, opening the possibility that it could affect fetal heath and development. More recent surveys identified what appears to be a higher than average number of congenital defects in babies born to mothers who took Zofran to alleviate severe morning sickness.
Researchers emphasize that more studies need to be done to establish a direct causal link between Zofran and birth defects. A Birth Defects Research study published in 2011 suggested that an apparent 2.4-fold increase in cleft lip and/or palate incidences linked to Zofran use merits further study. A Danish Medical Birth Registry survey from 2013 found a rise in the numbers of heart defects in children born to mothers who used Zofran during pregnancy. The survey considered data related to 900,000 women.
Another survey of the FDA's data regarding Canadian women who used Zofran while pregnant revealed a higher incidence of such birth defects or side effects as low birth weight, fetal death, kidney problems, and heart problems. The study was reported in the Toronto Star in 2014.
Zofran among drugs named in a U.S. Department of Justice settlement
In 2012, GSK agreed to pay $3 billion to the U.S. Department of Justice in order to settle multiple claims regarding fraud and other allegations related to their marketing of a number of medications, including Paxil, Wellbutrin, Advair, and others. The department reports that this settlement was the largest related to health care fraud in U.S. history at the time, and the largest dollar amount ever paid in such a context.
The settlement included both a criminal and civil portion. According to the DOJ, the civil settlement in part "resolves allegations that GSK promoted certain forms of Zofran, approved only for post-operative nausea, for the treatment of morning sickness in pregnant women."
Though agreeing to the settlement, GSK continues to deny any liability or wrongdoing in regard to the manufacture, distribution, or marketing of Zofran. The company denies that the drug poses risks to children in utero.
Filing a Zofran lawsuit
If you believe that your child may have suffered harm because you took Zofran to treat morning sickness during pregnancy, you may be eligible to pursue justice and monetary damages through the courts. The national product liability lawyers at Edelman, Krasin & Jaye have over 60 years of experience winning cases on behalf of the victims of big drug companies who put profit over public safety. Remember that if you or a loved one has been hurt by a defective drug or medical device, the law is on your side. Statutes of limitation set strict deadlines for when victims can file, so please call us today at 1-800-469-7429 for a free and confidential consultation.


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"Alright, now all we need is a name." – Lisa Simpson
"How 'bout Blabbermouth: The Jerky Doll For Jerks?" – Bart Simpson
"How 'bout Minerva, after the Roman goddess of wisdom." – Lisa Simpson
"Not enough commercial appeal." – Stacy Lovell
"Wendy Windbag? Ugly Doris? Hortense the Muleface Doll!" – Bart Simpson
"I think we should name her after Lisa. We'll call her Lisa Lionheart." – Stacy Lovell
"No, Loudmouth Lisa! Stupid Lisa Garbageface! I can't stand this any longer, somebody please pat attention to me!" – Bart Simpson


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Barbara Tuchman
Book Review With Commentary
This is a profound but very readable book. The March of Folly reads the historical rhythm of waves, cresting and crashing again and again in monotony. Again and again, Kings and democrats alike persist in stubborn belief that their power is not only invincible but infinitely wise. Absolute power corrupts absolutely was never truer said. Yet Tuchman shows elegantly that the march of folly involves more than any one individual. Folly arises when governments persist in the face of evidence that their policy is wrong for their nation. Changing policy seems tantamount to failure. It was so in Johnson's Vietnam, and it is so now in Bush's Iraq. To admit "failure" destroy's the "projection" that all people see the sovereign as s/he sees his or her self. This particular failure is yet another parallel between Vietnam and Iraq. Another is the strong likelihood that Iraq will span more than one presidency as it did in Vietnam, no matter who wins election in November.
In these and other ways, Tuchman was profoundly prescient. But then she was in tune with the rhythms of history. Tuchman supplies too many facts and too many situations not to be believed. In her words:
"Wooden-headedness, the source of self-deception, is a factor that plays a remarkably large role in government. It consists in assessing a situation in terms of preconceived fixed notions while ignoring or rejecting any contrary signs. It is acting according to wish while not allowing oneself to be deflected by the facts. It is epitomized in a historian's statement about Philip II of Spain (Britannica), the surpassing wooden-head of all sovereigns: "No experience of failure of his policy could shake his belief in its essential excellence."
Sound familiar? Substitute Authoritarian for woodenhead and you have it in modern terms. The behaviors are the same; so are their underlying causes.
Twice a Pulitzer Prize winner, Tuchman is a must read for anyone who wishes to understand the war in Iraq. Tuchman traces behavior that has not changed in 2500 years. Like Jessica Stern in her " Terror in the Name of God," Tuchman plows new ground, provides insights that fall on deaf ears of those in power or intoxicated by its promise.
The March of Folly illustrates well how governments act stupidly, stubbornly and perversely against their own best interests. Tuchman defined folly by three criteria:
- first, it must have been seen as such by contemporaries,
- secondly, another, better, course of action must have been available, and lastly,
- the course of action must have been pursued by a group rather than an individual over the course of more than one political generation.
Such criteria are necessary to separate true folly from the incompetence and/or insanity of an individual ruler.
Tuchman chose four "case studies" for detailed illustration: :
- The decision of the Trojans to bring the Trojan horse into their city,
- The provocation of the Protestant uprising by the Renaissance Popes,
- The loss of the American colonies by the British, and
- The failures of U.S. policy in Vietnam.
Along with these, Tuchman provides numerous snapshots of historical interest that also followed the theme.
Will and Ariel Durant affirm that history repeats itself, if only in the large. For example, the Crusades were literally a march of folly. On the national scale, witch hunting also fits her criteria of folly and one that occurred on American soil.
A fundamental lesson here is that humanity seems unable to learn from the lessons of history. We offer the Authoritarian Personality as one important reason why. This tendency is inborn and takes enlightened governance to manage.
One of our favorites quotes capsulizes the field of governance:
"Misgovernment is of four kinds, often in combination. They are: 1) tyranny or oppression, of which history provides so many well-known examples that they do not need citing; 2) excessive ambition, such as Athens' attempted conquest of Sicily in the Peloponnesian War, Philip II's of England via the Armada, Germany's twice-attempted rule of Europe by a self-conceived master race, Japan's bid for an empire of Asia; 3) incompetence or decadence, as in the case of the late Roman empire, the last Romanovs and the last imperial dynasty of China; and finally 4) folly or perversity." — Barbara W. Tuchman
Posted by RoadToPeace on Wednesday, July 20, 2005.


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City of Rochester Kicks Off Hispanic Heritage Month
The Hispanic Heritage Committee of Rochester is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with series of events that highlight Latino Culture.
Mayor Thomas S. Richards and Rochester City Councilwoman Jacklyn Ortiz read a Proclamation at the City Hall ceremony yesterday to kick off the month.
After the proclamation, students from the Wilson Foundation revealed the 23 National flags of Latin America, which were unfurled from the mezzanine overlooking the City Hall Atrium, where they will remain during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Also during this month of celebration, works of art depicting the contributions of Rochester's Hispanic community will be on exhibit in the City Hall Link Gallery and Visitor's Lobby. Rochester-area youth who submitted some of the works will be recognized at an award ceremony on Oct. 18 in the Edgerton Community Center, 41 Backus St. from 5 to 8 p.m.
Events hosted by the City's Hispanic Heritage Planning Committee
- Lunch and Learn: Wednesday, Sept. 18, noon to 1pm, City Hall Room 208A (registration required). RSVP to Janet Gomez at 428-7515 or by email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
- Honoring Our Abuelitos: Thursday, Sept. 26, 6 to 8:30 p.m., St. Michael's, 869 N. Clinton Avenue. Collaborative efforts with the Hispanic Community Center and Ibero's programs: Project HOPE and Centro de Oro. Recognition of a Latino senior, dancing, live music and food.
- 3rd Annual Latino College Fair: Friday, Oct. 11, 10 to12:30 p.m., Blue Cross Arena. Rochester City School District (RCSD) Junior and High School students will have an opportunity to stop by a dozen local agencies and colleges in one place. Motivational guest speaker and Spanish appetizers. For additional information, contact Albert Algarin, Jr. at 441-2512 or by email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
- Dancing to Latino Rhythms: Tuesday, Oct. 15, noon to 1p.m., City Hall Council Chambers. Professional dance instructor from Borinquen Dance Company (registration required). RSVP to Janet Gomez at 428-7515 or by email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
- Latino Art Link/Documentary with Norma Holland: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., City Hall Atrium. Historical photographs of local Hispanic families and sites in the early 80's on display, paintings and crafts from RCSD students, live 3-guitar acoustical music and light appetizers.
- Latino Youth Performing Arts Expo: Friday, Oct. 18, 5 to 8 p.m., Edgerton Community Center, 41 Backus Street. Evening of dining and entertainment featuring talented local youth and cultural display represented by all City recreation centers.
- Latino Gala: Friday, Oct. 25, 6 – midnight, Harro East Ballroom, 155 N. Chestnut Street. Dinner, live music and entertainment. Tickets for this event are $30 per person and can be purchased at D'Mangu at 1475 E. Henrietta Rd., El Pilon at 1038 N. Clinton Ave., Henry's Check Cashing at 1143 Joseph Ave. For more information contact Janet Gomez at 428-7515 or by email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
To learn more
For more information, you may call 311 or (585) 428-5990. Be sure to stay up to date by visiting the Hispanic Heritage Month's Facebook page
Happy Tuesday to all. Appreciate Hispanic Heritage Month and stay blessed, always!!!


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Students have fun, learn discipline through fencing club
For a group of students at Parkland High School in Northeast El Paso, getting involved in fencing means words like épée, rapier and en garde are now a part of their high school vocabulary.
The Parkland fencing club first started when student James Snell — the son of Steven Snell, an English teacher at Parkland and faculty sponsor of the fencing club — approached his dad about starting a fencing club. Steven Snell then approached the ROTC program director and asked about working together. About two years later, the club is still going strong.
"(James) came up to me and said he wanted to start a fencing club, and i talked to our ROTC people and asked if it was possible if we could work through ROTC because the kids that they get in ROTC are very disciplined already, and they understand preparedness because a lot of them come from military families and backgrounds," Steven Snell said. "Handling a weapon is not too new to them."
The fencing club is a branch of ROTC program at the high school, and all eight students in the fencing club are also in ROTC. However, it's not a requirement. Due to safety concerns, there can only be eight students per season on the team. If anyone drops out, someone on the waiting list can come in and join.
The club practices on Tuesdays and Fridays. Tuesdays they work on drills, and Fridays they bout against each other. On the last Saturday of each month, they compete against other Borderland clubs at Salle de Long Fencing School warehouse on Yandell Drive in Central El Paso.
To fence, students wear special gear, including thick vests, gloves and a mesh-wire mask.
"The entire body is a target," Steven Snell said.
Most people might only recognize fencing from Hollywood movies, like the fast-paced scene in The Parent Trap. In reality, fencing is controlled, disciplined and precise. The sport puts high emphasis on sportsmanship, and fencers can get ejected from a bout for unsportsmanlike conduct. At the start of each bout, opponents salute each other; at the end they shake hands.
And since the fencing club is a branch of ROTC at Parkland, students are also being taught leadership. Students can even letter in fencing.
Sgt. 1st Class Ruben Marquez, the army instructor for JROTC at Parkland, says the fencing club contributes to the ROTC's mission of teaching leadership because fencing involves discipline and movement.
"A lot of our kids are involved in a lot of activities, and they like that leadership," Marquez said. "It teaches them discipline, study and all that stuff. We're very proud of that."
At the 4 p.m. Friday practices, the quiet, dingy old gym at Parkland gets filled with sounds of clinking metal and soft footsteps as students bout.
"Crush him! Get doubles!" James Snell encourages senior Julia Cartwright, as she bouts against a teammate.
The students themselves look focused yet excited to be a part of a sport that flies in the shadow of louder, more fast-paced sports.
Junior Alexander Covarrubis said he first discovered fencing when he was eight years old and lived in Virginia. He then moved to Washington when he was 12 and joined a YMCA fencing team, but had to move again.
"I was devastated when I moved and they didn't have it here (in El Paso)," Covarrubis said. "Then I found out Parkland had fencing, and my heart jumped and I knew I had to join."
Since all the current members of the fencing club are in ROTC, they also participate in other events in the program, including color guard, push-up teams for games and rifle teams.
"We get them involved in teams so they can participate and have something to do in the morning and in the afternoon," Marquez said. "It keeps them busy, occupied and also gives them a chance to try something different."
Despite seeming cool and collected during bouts, some students in fencing club acknowledge the difficulty of the sport, which originated in Spain as a way of self-defense.
"The hardest part about fencing is just anticipating the next attack," Cartwright said.
Sara Sanchez can be reached at 546-6147; email@example.com; @siempresarita on Twitter.


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I shuffled from room to room performing the nightly bedtime rituals. We prayed, sang songs and shared hugs. Most every one of my tribe starts his or her prayer the same way. With a head rested on the pillow and toes tucked under the blanket, each voice whispers, "Dear God, Thank you for this day …"
Most nights I barely hear the familiar words as I wait for my turn to pray. But this one night God used their innocent offerings to Him to unravel me.
See, this night, like most nights, my heart didn't overflow with, Thank you, God, for this day.
Instead, my heart felt heavy. Defeated. Keenly aware of everything I didn't do. The jobs I didn't accomplish. The calls I didn't make. The songs I didn't sing.
My thoughts retraced my failures and shortcomings followed by accusations like, You're not enough. And that poison worked its way right through my thoughts and into my heart … making a heart that should be a wellspring of life a pit of discouragement.
And maybe you know what I'm talking about, except your thoughts shift towards worry and fear of the next day instead of the failures behind you.
Either way, there's a better option. A life-filling instead of life-draining option. Two words that will change your day.
I woke early this morning to prepare for another full day. Toddlers to toilet train and breakfasts to pour. Math facts to teach and closets to clean.
By lunch time you could argue the day had gone awry. While the toddler was in the bath tub, an eager boy not quite old enough to make his own lunch gave a PB&J his best shot (imagine bread soaked in jelly). We stopped math prematurely after a word problem veered way off course. And I'm praying the little ones stay in bed for naptime so I can steal a nap, too.
I'm tempted, even at the halfway point, to throw in the towel.
But, after all I've learned, I refuse to lose hope for this day. After all, God did create it (Psalm 118:24).
Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the LORD holds his hand. " Psalm 37:24 (HCSB)
If you find yourself in the middle of a day or at the end of a day – or the end of a week – and you're discouraged, let me encourage you right now. Stop looking at everything you didn't do and thank God for everything He accomplished in you and through you.
Today, instead of letting all that has not been affect everything that will be, let's choose to change our focus.
Thank you, God, for waking me early to spend time with You in Your Word.
Thank you, God, for a meal shared around the table.
Thank you, God, for the giggles and cheers of fun in my home.
Thank you, God, for the grace to whisper when I wanted to shout.
Thank you, God, for patience with my spouse when our plans didn't match.
You may notice an immediate attitude shift, or it may take relentless determination to force your thoughts into gratitude gear. But rest assured, you have permission to cease the inward assault on your soul. And not just from me … from your heavenly Father:
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable–if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise–dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8 (HCSB)
Copyright © 2021 by Katy McCown @https://katymccown.com/2016/03/04/two-words-changed/ . No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org.


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Your PC's BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is responsible for controlling the basic functions of the computer. It holds the time and date, along with configuration settings such as the boot order and the speeds at which the processor and memory run. It also determines whether certain components are enabled or disabled, such as USB ports and the on-board audio processor.
See also: How to set up a new PC
A common reason to enter the BIOS is to change the boot order. Perhaps you've installed a new hard drive, or need to boot from a CD or USB flash drive. You'll need to alter the list which determines in what order devices are tried to see if they contain bootable software.
How to enter the BIOS
1. Press your PC's power button and wait until you see an image appear on the monitor. Press the appropriate key repeatedly. Common keys are Delete and F1, but some systems use F2, F5 or F12. Bear in mind that some wireless keyboards may not work before Windows loads, so use a wired keyboard if possible.
2. If you don't know which key to press, look for a message on screen during the POST (Power-on Self-Test) which tells you. If you miss the message, simply press Ctrl-Alt-Delete together to restart it, or hold the power button down until it turns off.
3. Once in the BIOS, you can use the cursor keys to navigate through the menus. There's usually a guide somewhere on the screen showing which keys to press to make changes, save settings and exit the BIOS. Esc or F10 are commonly used keys for exiting.
4. Once you've made your changes, make sure you save the settings before exiting the BIOS. You should see a prompt, such as 'Save changes before exiting: y/n?' Hit the appropriate key and your PC should restart.


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With crippling challenges of dearth of eye care professionals, poor funding to the sector, inadequate and largely obsolete facilities fusing with widespread ignorance and poverty among the populace, millions of able-bodied Nigerians continue to be robbed of their happiness and livelihood due to blindness and visual impairments that are largely preventable. It is a trend that portends grave dangers for national productivity and development as it imperils individual aspirations.
There are countless reasons he might be bitter – or perhaps feeling frustrated as well. From a life in its blooming fullest, Umar, 51, suddenly developed slight complications in both eyes. A persistent prickle worsened, forcing the life of this formerly successful guinea corn farmer and those of his army of dependants to undergo a complete turnaround for the worse. Barely two years after, Umar plummeted into a life of irreversible darkness – just like that. Also gone with the loss of his much-needed sight is the totality of everything that defines his manhood: his means of livelihood and all the concomitant happiness. And with the breadwinner down, hard times have subtly descended on the embattled family like a dove, impoverishing the entire household to no end as all of them have resorted to begging and other demeaning means of livelihood to make ends meet.
Even without anyone acknowledging it, Umar, a father of nine and husband of two wives, has obviously not accessed any medical test or treatment in years – despite being weighed down by the debilitating pangs of his visual challenges. In a capsule, what this means is that whether or not his blindness can be salvaged is a matter that still dwells in the realm of mere conjectures. When asked four weeks ago, Aisha, one of his daughters whisking him around in the premises of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Kaduna State, was frustratingly reticent on the subject of her family issues. After much prodding, she merely intoned in a smattering of English that her father is "suffering from sight problems," though she was unable to say what the problem exactly is. After a few minutes into the conversation, her mood ran riot, quitting the interview after growing uncomfortable with questions probing the provenance of her father's travails.
Five other partially or totally blind adults, including one woman nursing a less-than-one-year-old baby, were also sighted groping their way around the teaching hospital as if on hand to keep doctors' appointment – with none of them able to explain the cause or type of visually impairment that has blown their once blossoming lives into smithereens. Without beckoning on them, they all curiously trudged their way towards this reporter, staring blankly as they listened with rapt attention to the conversation. Perhaps buoyed by Aisha's negative reaction towards this reporter, they all quickly quit the scene, precipitating a mild commotion as they groped their way towards the hospital entrance where they hurried into a waiting rickety bus leaving Shika for Zaria.
Although the teaching hospital has an eye clinic that is manned by some of the country's renowned ophthalmologists and other eye-care professionals that can tell them exactly what prompted their blindness, none of them seemed to have cared to seek help – or either too poor or ignorant to access the treatment. As one of the uniformed men standing sentinel in the vast premises said, the blind wanderers regularly troop to the teaching hospital on a daily basis, ironically for a wrong mission: begging for alms within the precincts of a facility that can help them regain their much-needed eyesight.
Like Umar and his co-travellers who gnash their teeth in perpetual regrets in their punitively dark corners of life without anyone caring a hoot about their plight, Mrs. Alice Madunagwu, who used to be a petty grocer along Oguta road in Onitsha, Anambra State, has also been condemned to a life of dependence, which she fiercely loathes. A minor itch in one of her eyes cavalierly grew out of hand some years later, spreading to the other eye before what she called "retinal detachment" robbed her of her eyes permanently, including the joy of productiveness and mobility that a good eyesight brings. Last month, when approached around the roundabout on Oguta road, the 58-year- old grandmother, who is still very active and agile, bemoaned that "I am now living on my children like a parasite" in addition having to rely on helpers for mobility. Umar and others like Mrs. Madunagwu share the pains of millions of Nigerians whose worlds have been reduced to blankness because of the partial or total loss of their eyes.
Besides the fact that many streets in the country's cities pulsate daily with a huge mass of young and old blind beggars that literally distress residents and passersby to earn a living, a large army of Nigerians lives miserably – manacled by avoidable blindness and various forms of visual impairment ravaging their existence or means of livelihood, or sometimes both. Although accurate and up-to-date data on national blindness and visual impairments may be hard to come by, available statistics, surveys and public statements oozing from various professional bodies in the domains of eye care paint a worryingly gory portrait – now assuming a crisis dimension that requires urgent national remedies to keep at bay.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health, 42 out of every 1, 000 Nigerians aged 40 and above are visually impaired. As for the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), Lagos branch, more than one million Nigerians are completely blind, while three million are visually impaired. Also, a national survey carried out in all the six geo-political zones in Nigeria (2005-2007) also revealed that a whopping 4.5 million Nigerians are blind or visually impaired. In more specific terms, the cited survey said 1.3 million Nigerians aged 40 and above are totally blind, while 2.7 million people are moderately impaired, with the Northwest (especially Sokoto State) accounting for the highest number. Although blindness is a global malaise, reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that close to 90 per cent of 285 million that are said to be visually impaired worldwide – including 39 million people that are totally blind – live in poor or low-income countries, such as Nigeria. Not only is Nigeria one of the countries that account for unacceptably high number of visually impaired citizens, Dr. Elizabeth Elhassan, country representative of Sightsavers, a leading non-governmental organisation spreading and promoting the gospel of eye care globally, recently disclosed that one out of every five blind Africans is a Nigerian.
Cataract as the largest enemy of vision.
According to Dr. Helen Alen, consultant ophthalmologist and acting Chief Medical Director, Kaduna Eye Centre, Kaduna State, cataract is a gradual clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. Because cataract brings about loss of the eyes' lenses, its severity intensifies naturally as every human being grows older. Its symptoms are varied, according to the type of cataracts. Generally, however, when a cataract starts at first, doctors said there is always little effect on the vision, except that the vision may be blurred a little, like looking through a cloudy piece of glass or viewing an impressionist painting. It may also make light from the sun or lamp to appear too bright or glaring, depending on the type of cataract. Dr. Alen said it is not a respecter of age, sex, or race. Apart from being the principal cause of blindness in Nigeria and all over the world, cataract is also said to be the most common cause of vision loss in people aged 40 and above. It is generally believed that there are more cataracts globally than there are glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration combined. As the population grows older, it is predicted more people will need care for cataracts.
In other words, at least two out of every three Nigerians who lost their eyes did through preventable causes, especially cataract. The immediate past Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, said at a public function during his tour of duty: "Fifty per cent of avoidable blindness is attributable to cataract, followed by glaucoma (16 per cent), and cornel opacity (12 per cent)." Also, data from the national survey earlier quoted showed that out of 100 Nigerians that are blind, cataract alone accounts for over 40 cases. But there are other regular causes of blindness: diabetic retinopathy, trachoma, onchocerciasis, and retinitis pigmentosa. Cataract surgery, which Dr. Alen says is the most successful surgical intervention in the whole of medicine, can correct vision impairment caused by cataract. That is to say, the blindness caused by cataract can be reversed, though most patients turn up for diagnosis late.
Last year, Dr. Godwin O. Adejor, who was then the CMD, National Eye Centre, warned that unless there is a radical improvement in cataract awareness in the country, more than 600,000 Nigerians may have to undergo the operation by the year 2020. He spoke in Kaduna on the occasion of the World Sight Day celebration, which the centre organised, adding that the figure is expected to outnumber the 400,000 Nigerians operated of cataract about seven years ago.
Glaucoma as silent thief of sight
As the global community of eye doctors revels in the feat of ability to restore vision for cataract patients, glaucoma is one disease in particular that troubles all ophthalmologists globally. It is explained as a progressive condition where the internal pressure in the eye increases, causing damage to fibers in the optic nerve that can result in permanent loss of vision. This increase in internal pressure is a result of an eye's inability to properly drain fluid. According to Dr. Abdulkadir Rafindadi, consultant ophthalmologist, ABUTH, glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve that is often times caused by ocular hypertension such as high pressure within the eye. This pressure causes damage to the nervous tissue at the back of the eye. Though it is often painless, galucoma is a vision-threatening condition that has been adjudged as one of the world's leading causes of preventable blindness.
When high pressure within the eye begins damaging nervous tissue, there aren't many symptoms at first. There is a loss of peripheral vision, eventually, that patients may still not realise until it's too late. Then, the lost vision gradually creeps toward the center of vision. Experts lament that the one very bad thing about glaucoma is that the loss of vision it causes is irreversible. Unlike cataracts, where a cataract surgery can reverse all the bad symptoms immediately, glaucoma surgery merely prevents it from getting worse only; it can't fix the damage that has already been done to the eyes.
According to doctors, glaucoma patients do not even realise they have this vision-threatening disease because there are few – if any – warning symptoms. Like a thief in the night, it silently takes away vision without any notice. The people with the highest risk of glaucoma are people with a history of diabetes or high blood pressure and are over the age of 40 or people who have a history of glaucoma in their family. It is also a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Worse still, its most common form, open-angle glaucoma, rarely shows symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage. This happens because, during the early to middle stages of the disease, there are usually no noticeable symptoms until irreversible damage has occurred. As much as 40 per cent of vision can be lost before a person begins to notice the symptoms, usually resulting in total blindness. This is why it is nicknamed as the "silent thief of sight" or "the sneak thief of sight."
Unfortunately, experts say glaucoma is a disease that is under-diagnosed; for more than half of people with glaucoma are not aware they have it. Visiting eye-care professionals for regular check-ups is said to be key for anyone that does not want to fall prey to the thief of the sight, as early diagnosis and treatment is critical to managing glaucoma. And as the world's population ages, prevalence of the disease will continue to increase. But there is good news, for glaucoma treatment options include eye drops, oral medications, laser surgery, traditional surgery such as trabeculectomy, or a combination of these methods.
As diabetes worsens the crisis
While it is bad enough that four out of every 100 Nigerians, other prevalent issues have worsened the visual impairment conundrum. With an alarming increase in the prevalence of life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, which the WHO has dubbed as one of the foremost causes of blindness, health authorities are worried that more Nigerians may lose their eyesight in the coming years. According to the global health organisation, International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN), Africa accounts for 19.8 million out of 347 million people living with diabetes worldwide, adding that more than 80 per cent of diabetes deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries.
With 3.9 million cases and 4.9 per cent national prevalence rate, Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and largest economy, is credited with the highest number of people with diabetes in the continent. Besides frightening estimates or statistics by international health organisations, all the studies carried out in various sections of the country have also shown that diabetic retinopathy is common in Nigeria. Yet, diabetics are usually ignorant of the blindness consequences of the disease, medical professionals say; despite the fact that diabetes associated disorders like kidney, heart, nerves and skin have been estimated to exacerbate the burden on healthcare facilities globally in the near future.
And now that diabetes has been projected to be 7th leading cause of deaths by 2030, experts insist that all hands must be on the deck to reverse the negative impact of diabetes and other life-threatening diseases that are becoming increasingly prevalent in this environment or the number of Nigerians who are visually impaired may skyrocket to 10 million or more by 2020. Whether cataract or glaucoma, including other eye ailments such as diabetic retinopathy, trachoma, onchocerciasis, and retinitis pigmentosa, Dr. Alen advised that the best safeguard against visual impairment is for everybody aged 40 years and above to visit an eye clinic for check-ups, at least once in a year.
Dearth of eye care professionals
According to Dr. Rafindadi, Nigeria does not have more than 400 ophthalmologists to cater for its estimated 170 million people. This, he insisted, is grossly inadequate. Recently, Dr. Adejor said Nigeria needs to urgently train more eye-care professionals such as ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses and optical dispensing technicians, among others, in order to usher in universal eye health in the country. "I want to advocate for the provision of comprehensive eye care services and integrate them into existing health systems as well as identify and eliminate social and economic obstacles, especially for the poor and the marginalized," he said.
But Professor Adebukunola Adefule-Ositelu, a consultant ophthalmologist, Guinness Eye Centre, LUTH, explained further that the shortage in manpower is not limited to eye care medicine, adding that it is an affliction that distresses the entire gamut of medical and educational sectors of the country. Findings reveal that there is one doctor to every 6,400 people in Nigeria, which falls far short of WHO standard of one doctor to every 600 patients. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) also said that, over the years, it has so far registered and licensed a total of 65, 000 medical doctors. However, of this figure, only 25, 000 medical doctors are currently practising in the country.
A major reason for the shortage of medical doctors in the country is the massive exodus of medical professionals in search of greener pastures abroad. Professor Adefule-Ositelu added that there is also a disproportionate concentration of medical personnel, including ophthalmologists, in urban areas because they find remote areas unattractive, despite the huge disease burden such as malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid fever and other illnesses prevalent in rural areas. Dr. Osahon Enabulele, former President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), recently listed poor human resources planning, unsatisfactory working conditions, poor remuneration, and few professional development opportunities as the culprits.
Experts believe that better working conditions make other countries more attractive to Nigerian medical professionals, just as a sizeable number of physicians, nurses and other medical professionals are lured to more developed countries in search of fulfillment, better remuneration packages, and lucrative positions. The United States, Britain, South Africa, and other neighbouring African countries are some of the top gainers from Nigeria's brain drain imbroglio. But there may not be a quick fix soon. Reason: all the 27 fully accredited and four partially accredited medical and dental schools in Nigeria churn out about 3,000 doctors annually, most of who migrate abroad after being certified worthy in learning and character, Dr. Enabulele explained.
"Over 100,000 applicants show interest in studying Medicine and Surgery annually, but less than five per cent are offered admission. Universities cannot admit more than a certain quota, based on the National Universities Commission (NUC) policy. This is due to lack of infrastructures in our universities. The onus lies on the government to increase funding for education to put in place requisite facilities. This in turn would increase the number of applicants admitted to study medicine, increase the number of medical graduates and reduce the current doctor-patient ratio," he added.
Poor funding, pitiable working conditions
At the eye clinic, ABUTH, Kaduna, eye patients beam with high hopes as they flock daily to the teaching hospital for check-ups and treatment of various visual ailments. However, many of them leave the premises disappointed, despite an avalanche of first-rate professionals in the clinic. After a tour of the various sections and departments in the clinic, The Nation observed that most facilities in the clinic are obsolete, while some of the relatively newer ones have broken down, forcing some of the doctors to resort to using their personal tools to diagnose patients. Consulting rooms too lack requisite accoutrements, as medical workers confront all sorts of frustration while attending to patients.
Dr. Rafindadi said it is sometimes sad to see patients go abroad for treatment and return to say that the diagnosis carried out abroad is exactly the same with the one carried out by experts in the teaching hospital. As is often the case, the chief culprit is poor funding; a malaise that affects all public hospitals in the country.
Even at the National Eye Centre (NEC), Kaduna, the situation is nothing to write home about. The centre, which was designed to be the apex in ophthalmic care in the country and the sub-region in order to prevent avoidable blindness, contends with crippling funding challenges in its bid to provide comprehensive services to the country. Although it parades excellent experts in eye care medicine, including some of the country's topnotch in eye health sub-specialties, NEC is a shadow of the original dream conceived by the founding fathers – no thanks to poor funding over the years.
During a recent tour of its facilities, The Nation observed that the hospital bears telltale signs of a deprived institution. According to some senior workers, the situation is so bad for the hospital that further training and retraining, which is a prerequisite for medical professionals to keep abreast of their ever-evolving profession, has long been in abeyance. But rather than being the losers, health workers in the hospital said they do not hesitate to dispose of their cars, houses and other personal effects so as to afford specialist trainings abroad. Dr. Helen Alen confirmed the self-funding training anomaly, adding that doctors who have had to pay for their own training abroad have returned, while some are currently completing theirs. She listed "persistent poor funding as our biggest challenge," which has posed a migraine to the hospital management over the years.
But that is a lament that is as old as the hospital itself. While addressing a sub-committee of the House of Representatives Committee on Health, which visited the centre in October 2013, Dr. Adejor, who was the CMD of the hospital at the time, also identified poor funding as a major challenge facing the centre. He lamented that the centre's annual budgetary allocation for capital projects is never up to N200million, and appealed to the committee to consider the centre for sufficient appropriation in future budgets so that it can achieve its mandate in eye care delivery. Distraught by the appalling state of affairs in the hospital, restive workers have continually gone up in arms, embarking on incessant strikes, sometimes running into eight months at a go. The most recent one, which began last November, saw aggrieved workers embarking on an indefinite strike over "dilapidated facilities, lack of water and power supply and high cost of services" in the hospital. Alleged non-remittance of their cooperative contribution/savings, union/association's check-off dues amounting to over N90 million by the hospital's management also topped the workers' list of grievances. Though their plea went unheeded at the time, Ibrahim Usman and Musa Lawal, chairman and secretary of the workers' body, respectively, called on the Federal Government to intervene by ensuring that the facility that used to be the best in Africa and the second best in the world is restored back to its former glory.
Guinness Eye Centres to the rescue?
As part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, Guinness Nigeria Plc has sponsored two Guinness Eye Centres, one at Idi Araba, attached to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), and the second at Onitsha, attached to the Nnamidi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital. Apart from donating laser eye equipment worth millions of naira, the support from Guinness included a face-lift with the painting of buildings, replacement of the external signage and furniture. Recently, it also donated Haag-Streit Diagnostics slit lamps to the Eye Centre in Lagos, and a Mindray Anesthesia Machine to the Anambra State centre. The third Guinness Eye Centre, which used to be in care of ABUTH, had ceased to be in existence since the teaching hospital relocated to its permanent site in Shika, following a presidential order in 2005. Dr. Rafindadi, who is also the zonal coordinator, Northwest chapter of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN), said all efforts to persuade Guinness Nigeria Plc reconsider its decision failed.
When The Nation visited the two centres recently, things are a little bit better than in ophthalmology departments in other public hospitals. But they too have their own running battles. Dr. Akunne Apakama, consultant ophthalmologist and head of Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha, said epileptic power supply to the hospital is frustrating the operations of the hospital. That is not the only challenge. Because of influx of patients daily, the centre runs four clinics per week, treating hundreds of patients of ailments ranging from cataract, glaucoma and so on. However, the workers – comprising seven consultant ophthalmologists, nine optometrists, 15 resident doctors and other categories of staff – are always overburdened with too high clinic output.
At the Guinness Eye Centre in LUTH, the story is also similar, with hundreds of eye patients visiting it daily for all eye ailments generally. Last week, workers were literally working round the clock to meet up with patients' needs. Apart from overwork that this has imposed on the workers, Professor Ositelu lamented that power outages have not helped the operations in the foremost teaching hospital. While advocating that eye care treatment be incorporated into all tiers of health care, she added that "our country also needs all the best facilities that you can find in hospitals in other countries."
The way forward
Any nation that has citizens with good eyesight will definitely be ahead of other nations in all development indicators, said Professor Adefule-Ositelu. "If many people lose their eyes, many more people will have to be dependent on other people. And with the current scheme that cares for nobody, who will fend for them? It means more people will be dying, survival rate will be lower, health of the people will be poor, productivity will be very low and the economy will suffer for it." For Nigeria to achieve this, she recommends that all pregnant women should be fully immunised. At birth, all children born in Nigeria should be examined for all the systems of the body.
Then, pre-school children should have all their parts and systems examined – dentition, eyes, etc. As they enter secondary school, all children should be examined again because there may have been some developmental diseases that may have crept in during this age. Lastly, before admitting them into institutions of higher learning, admission seekers must be examined and certified fit. And if all this is done, the erudite scholar says the benefits are enormous, in terms of quality and quantity "because citizens with good sight are more economically productive and useful, since they will not have to depend on anybody because they can find jobs and they can create jobs." The country and its economy will be the better for it.
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The Albrechtsburg is a Late Gothic castle that dominates the town centre of Meissen in the German state of Saxony.
The adjacent Gothic cathedral was the episcopal see of the Bishopric of Meissen established by Emperor Otto I in 968. The present-day hall church was built between 1260 and 1410, the interior features Gothic sculptures of founder Emperor Otto and his wife Adelaide of Italy as well as paintings from the studio of Lucas Cranach the Elder. The first Saxon elector from the House of Wettin, Margrave Frederick I, had the Prince's Chapel erected in 1425 as the burial place of his dynasty.


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Mainstream marketing changed forever at the dawn of the social and creative web. First entering the scene as a vehicle to create and exchange content and engage in person-to-person conversations, the social web also educated clients on not only social media marketing but eventually blogging, search engine optimization and everything in between.The marketing world as we knew it evolved and client expectations changed for good.
The future of marketing may once again undergo a dramatic shift. The nice, neat division between advertising, marketing and public relations agencies that exists today, for example, may give way to complete integration. So, what can we expect from the future of marketing? Great question! And we're glad you asked. Here are four predictions.
1. Turning to Clients for Content
The future of marketing is content – there are no ifs, ands or buts about it. The agencies of tomorrow will still strive for smarter, faster and cheaper – as they've always done – but the rules will change. No longer will "smarter, faster and cheaper" mean dumping big budgets to select content teams. Instead, it will demand something unique and invaluable – client participation.
The "trusted resource" will rise above the "product pusher" in the future. And who is the trusted resource? It's the thought leader – online and off – who knows his stuff inside and out, ready to cultivate fresh, relevant content at a moment's notice. All he needs is a guide – someone who knows the type of content that spreads…a team armed with the knowledge to create, market, measure and monetize great content. Agencies and clients will join forces to conquer the content-centered climate.
2. Agencies Become Educators
In the past, nothing appeased the marketer more than control – control over the customer, the perception of the brand and the conversation. When social media entered the equation, the customer regained control, terminating the agency-as-a-controller model. The agency-as-a-controller model will fail in the future, too, forcing marketers to become educators who enable customers and prospects.
When agencies become educators, a hybrid model of solutions providers will emerge: part agency and part publisher. These half-breeds will continue to create on and offline content but with a different set of goals in mind. A subscriber to an online community, for example, may prove more valuable in the long run than an actual client. Agencies of the future will aim for different targets. The new educator/teacher model will inevitably give rise to new platforms such as membership sites and mentoring programs.
3. Clients Participate on Social Media
Today, agencies offering social media services are a dime a dozen. From community management to networking, modern social media service providers aim to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic and promote online success. But what type of social media services can we expect from the agencies of the future?
Sure, the agencies of tomorrow will play a similar role as the agencies of today: create content, find and share niche articles, build networks, create profiles and accounts, post content status updates and engage in other types of social media behavior. But social media success in the future will depend on something trivial to today's digital marketing landscape – participation from the client.
Social media marketing is about building relationships and trust. When consumers interact with brands on social media, those customers want to spark discussions with the REAL person behind the brand – not an intern handling the day-to-day social media interaction tasks. The one thing agencies of the future must avoid at all costs: pretending to be you or acting like you online. There's simply no room in the future for phonies.
4. Respect for the Blogger and New Media
Blogs and new media sources bring to the future of marketing something traditional print, banner and 30-second ads never could: incredible cost-efficient and laser targeted sponsorship and advertising opportunities.
Traditional media is a one-and-done deal. But new media sources – including content sponsorships, guest posts and blogs – stay up for the long run with the ability to not only spread but also increase in value over time. As opposed to pitching a local paper, marketers in the future will instead turn to niche blog networks – popular places to build key relationships. Guest post opportunities will flourish and the podcast will trump TV ads as a powerful marketing platform available at a fraction of the cost. In the future or marketing, respect the blogger and new media – or perish.