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After joining this class, I learnt the reasons why crime exists in the world and how crime also changes the world. Moreover, the class has increased my interest in social issues that have been discussed in class. Discussing these issues with other is important.
Whitney Deng takes private lessons with Miss Yvonne Chu. Recently, she was one of the students to be nominated by her school to participate in the Hong Kong Young Writers Awards. We are very proud of her hard work, and we wish her the best of luck in the upcoming competition!
I learnt that in order to be a leader, the way you carry yourself, the way you express yourself, the way you lead other people, is important. I learnt that I have much more room left to improve, and I am only going to continue to improve... Very, very satisfied with the outcome of this program. Thank you Agnes, Sophia, and Allanah.
This is my son's second year with The Open Classroom. Under the guidance of the teachers, he has been exposed to a lot of new topics, and has opportunities in sharpening his writing and presentation skills. With his new found confidence, he's brave enough to tests his skills by joining writing competitions and participating in public magic show. More importantly, credit to The Open Classroom, he has developed a passion for writing. He even won a writing competition with his classmates recently. I have no hesitation in recommending The Open Classroom to other parents
My daughter has always been a bookworm. However, her writing skills were not improving from reading books because her reading habit was to simply scan through a book to find out the ending of the story. After joining The Open Classroom programs, she was taught to take time to analyze the characters and content of different stories. Then I noticed that she started to read books in a different manner. Her reading habits have changed and her writing skills are improving. She has less grammatical mistakes in her written work. I am impressed that her writing speed has improved significantly under the teacher's guidance. I hope she can gain more from this program in the future.
Until recently, I had not realised leadership was a skill I could learn. Then last summer, I enrolled in the Young Leaders of Tomorrow summer leadership program organized by LEAP Studio (now called The Open Classroom). We spent much of our time doing case studies, and looking at situations where a leader can make a difference. We honed skills such as public speaking and analysis. I took all these into the real world when my team and I took on the responsibility of supporting the Hong Kong social enterprise, Diamond Cab. Diamond Cab provides essential taxi services for the handicapped. Our stretch project was to brainstorm and come up with new concepts to expand their range of services, to reach more people in need and ultimately boost revenue.
"Young Leaders of Tomorrow" serves as a stepping-stone for students to reach the real world. The microfinance simulations provides students with the rare experience to assume leadership roles in dealing with a current crisis of great magnitude in real-world India, prompting us to make decisions with challenges the actual leaders face. Besides, the program offers students the opportunity to engage with NGOs and communicate with their leaderships in projects that will actually help further their respective social missions, allowing us to make meaningful contribution to society in which we live. The networking events and talks by inspirational speakers also give students the chance to meet successful people in various callings, helping us explore our aspirations at an early age.
This year, I was applying for the University of Hong Kong's fast track program. Having had no experience with college admissions, I decided to take classes at The Open Classroom. My teacher first helped me with the personal statement, she guided me through what I was expected to write and even gave me a few suggestions. I found her help very useful since the application was rather vague on what they looked for in the essay. I was delighted to be offered an interview with the HKU medicine program. And I decided to continue taking interview lessons at The Open Classroom where I had a few mock interviews to prepare me for the upcoming interview. Like the personal statement, I had no idea what was expected of me so I was very glad to have been well prepared before my real interview.
Heart-warming personalized and non-commercial immersion approach of The Open Classroom helps bring out the goodness and creativity in our child as we watched him grew leaps and bounds to reach greater heights. The private lessons definitely reinforced critical skills in exhibiting his best at the primary school interviews and assisted our son in getting into his dream school.
One of the main goals I set for myself before the leadership program was to improve my critical thinking skills, and I've been seeing major differences in both my written and oral contributions in class. So I'd like to show gratitude to the program directors who helped out with developing and achieving the goal that I set out to accomplish before the program.


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Russia, December 19, 1998
I Am Not The Only One...
Moscow really puts a zap to your head!
|Financial Times December 19 1998
Moscow: Urban, but not yet urbane
By Paul Gould
A bracing night-time stroll along Tverskaya, Moscow's answer to Oxford Street, is almost enough to convince me that Russia's westernization is a fait accompli. There are neon lights, advertising, shops, Mercedes and BMWs. The normality belies any talk of a country in crisis. It defies the sense of fear that Moscow holds for visitors. Indeed, for a moment it seems the place offers little that is challenging or different.
Then I see the babushka with her goat. The wrinkled old woman, clad in the habitual headscarf and white apron, must be 70. But there she is, braving the sub-zero chill outside one of Moscow's busiest metro stations, nonchalantly selling goat's milk - with the proud producer of her wares on display for good measure.
The milk has been enterprisingly decanted into a variety of used mineral water bottles, and the ploy of putting the goat on show is original enough to generate a healthy trade. But not odd enough to raise eyebrows. Yet this farmyard duo stands within sight of gaudy casinos, a Cadillac showroom and all-night pharmacy freely selling Viagra (no messing around with prescriptions in licentious Russia). For Moscow's muscular sprawl and political might sit side-by-side with a peasant-like nature stubbornly dear to the Russian soul. Urban it is, but not quite urbane.
The same bumptiousness infects the new, commercial Russia. On nearby Old Arbat Street or at Izmailovsky market, stacking dolls - some of them opening to reveal Brezhnev inside Gorbachev inside Yeltsin etc - jostle for position with Soviet-era insignia: flags, army belts and officers' hats. Traders insist you must not pass their stall - but you have to haggle hard to get a decent price for that 'I am a KGB agent' T-shirt.
Go to Moscow with questions, and you will come back with more questions. Go with expectations, and they'll invariably be turned on their head. If I expected a city of drab monoliths, then I am pleasantly surprised to see pastel-painted Art Deco townhouses with wrought-iron balconies. If I expected a city of puritanical severity, I am surprised to see recklessness and debauchery. If this jumble of competing impressions sounds contradictory, that's because it is.
What makes the place tick? Where is that Russian soul that people are always talking about? My trip to Moscow, like anyone's visit to that beguiling capital, is a search for that soul.
The city's very name stirs strong associations in the Russian heart - or so wrote the poet, Alexander Pushkin. As if to prove the point, there are always fresh flowers at the poet's statue, just a stone's throw from McDonald's on Pushkin Square. A reverence for culture is part of the story. Like saints, the names of artistic giants resound across the capital: the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Chekhov metro station, Gogol Boulevard, the Stanislavsky Theatre. But religion plays an even larger part. A visit to a Russian Orthodox church is an unfailingly moving experience - defying the Soviet Union's 70 years of official atheism.
So a friend and I visit the Yelokhovsky Cathedral in eastern Moscow. Entering when a service is under way - which is acceptable -I respectfully uncover my head while my friend covers hers. We are instantly plunged into the hush of a thousand lighted candles. Countless icons glimmer in the semi-darkness. A steady murmur is punctuated only by the basso profondo chanting of the bearded priest in his shimmering robes.
There are no pews: the congregation, a mile of older Russians, shuffles constantly from altar to alcove. They cross themselves before the icons covering every bit of available wall space. They light more candles. They utter their own private prayers. They kiss the icons: these people believe.
Hard to realise that this is the same bogeyman state that dynamited thousands of churches in its rip-it-all-up pursuit of a brave new world. Yet this is the story behind an exhibition at the resurrected Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. The gold-domed edifice on the banks of the Moskva River is not yet open to the public, but the exhibition in its vaults uses a poignant mixture of photographs, models and documents to tell its story.
First built in 1812, to commemorate victory over Napoleon, the cathedral was razed in 1933 to make way for the never-built Palace of the Soviets. On display is a signed decree clinically ordering its 'clearance'. Photographs show it being stripped of its gold, its dome crashing to the ground amid the rubble.
Until the rebuilding of the cathedral in 1995-97, an open-air swimming pool occupied the site for decades after it was realised that the ground would not support the Palace of Soviets. Only models and pictures now testify to those plans for a skyscraper topped by a gargantuan statue of Lenin.
Moscow, however, affords many other glimpses of that would-be communist utopia. At Mayakovsky metro station, naturally named after the poet, a series of ceiling mosaics evokes the Soviet dream of a society of heroes, of plentiful harvests and of sunny skies defended by an invincible airforce.
But the piece de resistance is the 1937 statue of 'The Worker and the Collective Farm Girl', near VDNKh metro in northern Moscow. Standing as tall as Nelson's Column, the twin Titans of steel stride towards a bright future, clothes and hair billowing in a stylised wind, holding aloft their hammer and sickle. It is a vision of a society that never materialised.
The chasm between the devout, cultural Russia and its Evil Empire alter-ego is writ large across the face it presents to visitors. Russians are warm, reckless and hospitable in private - yet surly and brusque as they shove their way through the obstacles of public life. The architecture is equally schizophrenic, with forbidding Stalinist monoliths looming over ancient onion- domed churches.
On Red Square, the humbug-like turbans of St Basil's Cathedral hover behind a horizon of cobblestones. At this most familiar tourist magnet, two images spring to mind: cold war parades of tanks and missile launchers; then the caprice, the whimsy that gave birth to the cathedral's fantasy architecture.
As Churchill said, Russia 'is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma'. And that has to be one of the best reasons, still, to go.
February 1999, Peaceworks (publication of the American Friends Service Committee, New England)
Letter from Russia
By J. Kates
'Everything is new. But it's the same old life.' With these words, Mikhail Aizenberg answered my remarking on the new dishwasher, washing machine, and kitchen light in his Moscow apartment. And there's a truth to that.
I have been visiting Russia since 1986. What is most striking to me on each visit is the continuity of ordinary life from Soviet times until now, in spite of multiple revolutionary upheavals. Ordinary people keep leading ordinary lives.
The people I hang out with are mostly the intelligentsia, which has a real class-meaning in Russian society that it doesn't have in the West. Right now, ironically, the intelligentsia, small as it is, and centered in the major cities, takes the place of what elsewhere would be a broader middle class. That is, economically, these are people who have access to Western currency and goods in moderation, and tend to be wary of the vulgar excesses of the wealthy 'New Russian' businessmen. The intelligentsia is proportionally more Jewish than the-you can't say 'working class' in the same way we do in the West-generality of the working population.
Children go off to school in the morning just as they always have, and come home laughing through the parks, climbing trees to knock off chestnuts while their mothers stand underneath, shouting in vain for them to come down. Very little has actually broken apart.
Nevertheless, there are always visible signs of change, as in the Aizenbergs' apartment. Some of the changes are evidence of a new prosperity, and side-by-side are evidences of a new kind of poverty.
On one visit or another from 1986 until now, there have been varying amounts of goods available in the shops and kiosks. The books on sale at makeshift tables in the Metro have changed over the years from dictionaries and textbooks to rampant pornography, to how-to-succeed-in-business manuals, to detective fiction and romance novels. There are fewer ordinary shops open now than there were just a couple of years ago, but many fancy European and American boutiques in the new underground malls of central Moscow. (The most ambitious of these, under the Manege, is reportedly more of a Potemkin village than a real concourse.) There are a great many more beggars on the streets, while cafes and restaurants have sprung up everywhere.
Many people in Russia are as hungry for work as for food; and now, with the increasing privatization of housing, more homeless are evident as well. Ever since the lid of Soviet street-control has been lifted, beggars have been as apparent on the streets of Russian cities as they are in New York or Boston. Even at the 'cleanest' times, there always were beggars of one particular kind-older men and mostly women who help the religious Russian Orthodox fulfill their charitable obligations.
Moscow has been transformed by paint and elbow grease as if a curtain had been suddenly raised. It is clean and gleaming, with old monuments rebuilt and posters proclaiming the resurrection. There is a purpose to this. Yuri Luzhkov, the mayor of Moscow, is trying a New-Deal style gamble. If he can create public works, he will create employment. Where there is no money for public works, he trades with foreign companies to get it: He offers them prestigious buildings for their headquarters, but they must undertake the repair and beautification of these buildings at their own expense. If he can instill in Muscovites a pride in their city, they will be less inclined to ship their own interests and money elsewhere. The gamble is starting to work, but it's a race against time and against the chaotic economic policies of the country as a whole.
In St. Petersburg, the repair and sprucing up go on as well. In only two days this September, the entire main street of the city was torn up and completely repaved and repainted. Imagine all of New York's Fifth Avenue remade overnight. The 'Baltika' brand of beer, brewed in St. Petersburg, has won European prizes for its quality. Both cities remain an easy pleasure for the casual visitor, whose only experience of underlying instability will be the weakness of the Russian ruble, and the bargains the foreigner with dollars can snap up.
Everywhere, you can hear of people who have not been paid for months, who must rely on credit or barter. Of course, barter has always been a factor in Soviet life. People received various perks and access to goods at their jobs, often in a random fashion-cases of wine at one level, herring or hats at another-that they spread back and forth among themselves with their neighbors.
Most chaotic of all for ordinary people is the currency. I mentioned to Aizenberg how, each time I came to Russia, I had to learn the monetary system all over again, as if I were traveling from one country to an entirely different one. I held out a ten-ruble note. ''It takes me days to figure out whether this will buy me just a bus-ticket, or a good dinner.'
''You're not the only one,' he answered ruefully.
Anyone who can, works for American dollars. Those who can't, change their rubles into dollars as quickly as possible at the currency exchanges set up on nearly every block. Inna Poluyanova, a graduate of Keene State College in New Hampshire, has a fairly reliable job with an international corporation in Moscow. She earned the gratitude of her co-workers by negotiating a deal with a local currency exchange. They all change their money there, and, with the large sums generated for the exchange, they can get a far more favorable rate than the average person on the street. Then they take their dollars home. The banks have collapsed.
Poluyanova has a good friend who used to be a very well paid bank executive vice-president. Now this other woman is grateful to have a job at subsistence wages, and her new co-workers, who know of her past employment, regard her as the villain who stole all their money. For the older generation, it's just the same old life. But for the younger generation, Poluyanova explains, there is more bitter despair.
She tells of one young man who spent eight years building up an extensive chain of auto-supply stores all around Russia. He threw everything he had into this new operation. Then, overnight, all his careful work was destroyed by the larger economic crisis. ''What is he supposed to do?' she asks. ''What is he supposed to think?'
Those people for whom the old life is familiar, and would like to see it re-insitutionalized, gravitate toward nostalgic nationalists and the inheritors of the old Communist Party. Those for whom this new old life is all they've known, and don't like it, are tempted by a fascist movement-young men in black berets, armbands, and combat boots who stand on corners singly or in pairs, watching the passersby, looking all too much like the official security guards also on duty everywhere. And looking all too much like their counterparts in Germany in the 1920s. The Communists and the fascists unite in their distrust of the present government and their dislike for foreigners and Jews.
Should we worry about Russian anti-semitism? Who can tell. Zionists always sensationalize it. They have done so since the Kishinev pogroms of the late nineteenth-century for their own political interests. But anti-semitism in Russia is like racism in this country. How deep is our racism? Russian anti-semitism is not as woven into the very fabric of society as US racism is, but it's still part of the everyday background noise for a lot of people. Jewishness is not a religion in Russia, it's still a 'nationality'-what we would call an officially recognized ethnic category. This complicates definitions and assessments. (What did Zhirinovsky mean when he was asked in an interview about his own parentage, and he answered that his father was Russian and his mother was a lawyer?) Jewish institutions flourish-Hebrew studies, theatre, universities, synagogues. But many of the ostentatious New Russians are Jewish; and this fact is noted as significant by some of their opposition, either overtly or covertly, in newspaper articles and letters. Anti-Moslem feeling has long run just as strong as anti-Jewish feeling, but there is now also a proud and visible Moslem presence in both St Petersburg and Moscow, alongside the fear and distrust of dark-skinned southerners from Moslem republics.
The Communists and the fascists are planning large, nationwide demonstrations for October 7. I happened to stumble across a ''rehearsal' demonstration on Mariinsky Square in St. Petersburg on September 21. The Communists gathered under their red banners and portraits of Stalin. The fascists collected more menacingly a little distance off, threatening a local news photographer who tried to photograph them with their paraphernalia. A few black fascist banners mingled with the red Communist ones as the rally came together. Army Special Forces tried to keep a low profile on side streets around the square. A few tourists walked by, oblivious, as if moving through an alternative universe.
Many of the signs were inflammatory and political, but one middle-aged man off to the side held a poster that summed up the frustration: ''All 1996 without wages. Time to change the system.'
Periodically, massive demonstrations like the October 7 one are announced, and take place, but so far the worst free-floating fears of the general populace have not been fulfilled. (My companion on September 21 reminded me that the last time we had walked these streets together, a year and a half before, had been the day of a general strike.) There has not yet been another coup, or a riot. Not one of the mainstream St. Petersburg newspapers even reported the ''rehearsal' demonstration in the next day's news. And, sure enough, October 7 passed without more than a ripple of unrest.
What people fear is the future. They can keep living with what is, the old life, but they are terribly afraid of what a new life may look like. They can deal with everything as it comes, the worst part is not knowing what will be next. And so, with every lurch in the economy, even the most level-headed rush to buy up supplies of what they think will be needed-sugar, salt, or rice. Shortages encourage hoarding goods, and hoarding exacerbates the shortages.
Most are neither Communists nor fascists. They try to live with as little as possible reference to their government, as they have done now for decades. Evgeny Primakov may be the new prime minister, but people talking of him fumble to recall his name, or maybe they pretend to having forgotten it.
It's the same old life, but now illuminated by glitzy ads for German clothing, French perfume, and American cigarettes. When I met a Russian friend I had encountered first in New Hampshire, he took me out to lunch not for shashlik at one of the Russian cafes that are open on every block, but for a cheeseburger at an American-style fast-food cafeteria.
General attitudes towards our own country are complex. There are some people who expect America to bail them out with one flick of a checkbook, and others who think that we are deliberately trying to bring Russia down to ruin. Denis Maslov, a University of New Hampshire graduate from St. Petersburg who now studies political science as a doctoral candidate at Columbia University, wrote an article for the newspaper Smena explaining to his compatriots that Russia is really very low on the list of American foreign-policy interests these days.
Likewise, Russian foreign policy is not centered on American or western European political interests, but on Russian interests. Historically, Russian foreign policy interests have always been concerned with the southern border and expansion eastward from Central Europe. Nowadays, oil pipeline routes control a lot of how to think about the southern border. Historically also, Russia has always wanted to be taken seriously as a great power in Europe.
My friend Maslov himself was back in his home country to visit his family and renew his passport. For this, his mother had to get a pass from the military administration, because he is susceptible to the draft. The officer who spoke to his mother told her that she was very lucky that she had not brought her son with her, or that he had not come by himself. ''You would not have seen him again,' he said.
Denis would have been swept up immediately into the army, with the right to only one telephone call home to say where he was. Friends advised him to be careful in public places where soldiers gathered: they might snatch him up. Several other people confirmed stories like these, but I am still not sure how much reality they represent, and how much is just the climate of uneasy rumor.
As I write these words, and look over the photographs of the demonstration, I know that they are the stories and images that will fill a newspaper, and create or confirm a picture of Russia for its readers. It is much harder to convey the daily laughter and the busy streets, the food that is still generously available, if you have the money, and the lively culture of a complex nation. Did I see violence? Yes, a fistfight broke out at a poetry reading during an argument over what poetry really is. Did I flinch at signs of anti-semitism? Yes, but on the evening of the Jewish New Year my devout Russian Orthodox hostess stayed up late to welcome me home with traditionally Jewish apples and honey.
And ten rubles? When I left, at the end of September, they could buy me five bus rides, or a small book, or a little less than a half bottle of Baltika beer. The ruble was trading officially at sixteen to the dollar, and everybody knew it.
J. Kates is a poet and literary translator who lives in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire.

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Katy Trail Lodging and Milage Options
As our standard End to End Katy Trail Tour consist of daily milage of 39 – 50 – 37 – 46 – 37 and 27 miles, (inn to inn milage) we can adjust that to a daily milage of 39 – 36 – 33 – 37 – 40 – 39 – 27. This adjusted tour does add an extra night making it a 8 night/ 7 day ride (but keeps the price the same as our 7 nights/ 6 day ride (4 hotels/3 B&B's) Ask about this option while inquiring of any customized End to End Katy Trail Tour.
PEI Custom Confederation Trail Day
Independent Tourist has customized our PEI #21 Confederation Trail Tour with a day in the Cavendish Green Gable area. Some cyclist like to avoid the roads at all cost, but would like to take in the great views along the coast. We have developed an extra day, or two, with a shuttle to the Cavendish area on a morning at the mid-way point along our standard PEI #21 Tour. The shuttle will have you along the coast at approx. 10:00am that morning and pick you back up at approx. 7:00-7:30 that evening. Or a time TBD. Great area not to be missed, with some great dinning, and if you would like, lodging for an extra day stay. If you are shy about the roads, and want to take in the Cavendish Green Gable area, ask about this option while inquiring of this tour.
Sept 8, 2018 Independent Group Tour
Independent Tourist has developed a 24 cyclist group tour on the Katy Trail, with a twist, cycling independently with the full support of a guided group tour. The Independent Tourist Fully Supported Guided Group Tour of the Katy Trail begins with with a welcoming dinner in historic St Charles, home to the official starting point of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and shuttle to the west end of the Katy Trail in Clinton. As you work your way across the former Missouri-Kansas rail line, you will be engulfed in history and stunning views, along with plenty of adventures. The tour ends where you began in St Charles with a farewell dinner and social gathering. The camaraderie among cycling group participants will last a life time. This tour includes: 7 breakfast, 4 lunch and 6 dinners. 7 nights lodging, all luggage transfers, shuttle from St Charles to Clinton/Sedalia, 2 sag stops each day, sweep mechanic, 3 lunch stops on the trail, emergency service, goody bag, etc. Cursor to "Our Tours – 2018" on the toll bar and click "Other Tours" for a detailed itinerary. Set the date, Sept 8th, 2018 – Sept 15th for your spot on this limited fully supported Katy Trail Tour.
2018 Tours
2018 BIKE TOURS Hello Cyclist Our web site is updated for the 2018 cycling season and now accepting reservations for the 2018 Independent Tourist Bike Tours. As we look forward to our 15th year, we're happy to answer any questions by email or phone, at email@example.com or phone Bob Grace at 309-265-4514 or 1-866-269-9913 (toll free US or Canada) Browse our web site, and pick the tour for you. All Katy Trail and Wisconsin tours can be customized. Thank you for your interest, and have fun pedaling in 2018.
This website is updated for 2016 bike tours. We are now taking reservations for 2016. HOW TO RESERVE YOUR PREFERRED BIKE TOUR: Select preferred tour (ex. #10 End to End ) (#10Tours start 0n TH or FR) Find preferred day and date match (ex. TH June 2) Complete RESERVATION form and enter up to two or three preferred start dates Thanks, Henry Curran – email@example.com
2016 Bike Tours
The website is being updated with 2016 tours. Information will be posted by November 7, 2015. Independent Tourist
KATY Trail is Open
The Katy Trail is fully open now (except the section east of St. Charles at MM 34-35). The flood waters have receded and you can now ride your bike the full length of the Katy Trail, from St. Charles, Missouri (MM 39.5) to Clinton, Missouri at MM 264.6. For regular updates, check here or the state park updates: Happy Trails! Henry Curran firstname.lastname@example.com
Bike Tour Best Start Dates
Q. We are often asked which dates are available to start my bike tour. A. The Independent Tourist does not hold a block of rooms for a few specific dates like some tours. Instead we reserve your rooms at the time you reserve a tour. This makes us very flexible in meeting our cycling customer's needs. When you reserve give 2 or 3 preferred dates – if you have flexibility. We can almost always book your tour with the first or second choice – even if they are only a day or two apart. A. Also, our website lists recommended days of the week to start. After late September on the Katy Trail tours there are fewer available days of the week. This is designed to miss some of the Octoberfest weekends where many inns are booked months in advance for that event. If you would like to be in these towns (Hermann and Augusta) during the festival you should book with us for two consecutive nights in those towns and reserve 9 to 12 months ahead. Henry Curran / Independent Tourist, LLC
Summer Bike Tours
Summer is on the way. June is a busy cycling month but we have some openings on the Katy Trail for bike tours in late June and early July. If you are interested please contact us soon. – Henry Curran / Independent Tourist, LLC
Spring Bike Tours
KATY TRAIL SPRING BIKE TOURS – 2013 For those of us who live in colder climates our thoughts turn to warm spring days cycling along the Missouri River on the 225 mile Katy Trail. We are taking reservation for bike tours starting April 1, 2013. We recommend reserving 60+ days in advance to assure you get your preferred dates. Book earlier if you have no flexibility in your schedule or if you plan your tour over the Memorial Day holiday. Our most popular tour is the End-to-End, 225 miles with 7 nights and 6 riding days. Check our website: www.www.independenttourist.com for details. If you have questions please call (866) 269-9913 or email: email@example.com Happy Trails! Henry Curran/Independent Tourist


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We have been so lucky to receive a wonderful swap gift from Robin in USA for 'Hitty's Birthday'
Hitty Moana was the first to try it on, although I think she agrees that red really isn't her colour.
While she was modelling the dress and hat, Hitty Joy tries on the lovely red cloak.
Hitty Joy has asked if she can try the dress on next.
I hope Robin likes the swap gifts we sent to her.
In the meantime Hitty Ethel has been busy making a little wasistcoat for Miles.
He has been waiting rather a long time for clothes and is pleased he finally has SOMETHING to wear and is of course hoping for a few more clothes. He would be quite happy with a shirt.


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The True Lebanon | Alamir Kamal Farag
Lebanon was always famous by the beautiful sexy girls. Lebanon for some people is the city of vice and prostitution, and for other people is a city to spend time in shopping. Some people may stare with admiration at a beautiful Lebanese girl, but I admire another kind of Lebanese women; I admire who struggled and risked to bring up her kids.
I have a completely different point of view about Lebanon; my thoughts about Lebanon are different from others. I still remember my Lebanese classmate in the primary school when she was singing a beautiful song about her country. I still remember the Lebanese newspapers which were printed almost all the time, day and night. At this time, the Lebanese people's main activity was printing, it was their only way to make all people around the world aware of their struggle.
I can never forget that my poems were very welcomed by the editors of the Lebanese newspapers. I used to send them my poems by post, and soon as they were delivered; the poems were published at once. I remember very well the siege and the sectarian fights. I remember the Sabra and Shatella massacre. The view of the dead bodies is unforgettable. The photos were published in "The future Science magazine" which was headed by Salah Galal. I can never forget the photo of the old Palestinian man whose face was shocked, I can never forget this photo although it was 28 years since I saw this photo, I was still a kid, I touched the photos sadly I could feel the blood of the victims wet my fingers.
Lebanon always reminds me with its civil war that turned the whole country into a battlefield where you can only hear the sound of guns and cannons. Lebanon; the country which was seized by both Western and Eastern countries was the goal of all the Arab authorities' plots for its capture. They called their occupation by "the Right". They captured the land and claimed that: The Syrian forces have the right to stay in Lebanon.
Since I was a kid, this case was always before my eyes. When I was a kid I loved all the kinds of the Lebanese arts and culture, I felt their pain, and I really don't know why, but Lebanon was always in my heart. May be because Lebanon at this time was the only means for the Arab to start the ideological war with Israel after the military war of October 1973. So every detail was important, or may e because the Palestinian case became a part of the Lebanese and the Syrian political cases, so it became more complicated.
I remember very well how the occupation forces divided the land of Lebanon between them as if they were the original owners of this land, and in spite of that the Lebanese people struggled till the last minute. I remember the newspapers whose only job was to write about their war with their enemy Israel and how much the Lebanese people struggled and suffered. I also remember other magazines that only were about girls, dancers, actors, and many other trivial things while many people were dying. Lebanon, in my point of view, represents beauty, pain, suffering, resistance, honor, betrayal, dreams, and all other contradictions.
All these memories passed before my eyes as if it were a movie. While I was wandering in the streets of Beirut, I stopped in front of an old building which was affected by the war. I touched the buildings, houses, faces like the lover who touched the face of his beloved, but it wasn't romantic at all. It was a mix of feelings of pain, humiliation, and joy as finally I'm here in Lebanon.
Every one who writes about Lebanon he talks only about its beauty and its tourist places. And every one who visits Lebanon he only visits its beautiful places and beaches. But me; I left the hotel and went to wander in the streets of the real Lebanon. My breakfast in that day was some cake which I bought from a simple peddler. Forgive me Lebanon I can't make any complement, I can't say any words of love. And how can I praise while my lovely Lebanon is in a great suffering. Salah Abdlel-Sabour, a famous Arab writer. Says: "forgive me my love, how can I say love poetry while my heart is broken?"
I can't deny that I was pleased when Lebanon was released after those many years of occupation. It is clear from any occupation forces. Now it has its own political body as a country. But it still needs to be built again after all these wars, it needs time. But actually I have some fears. Enemies still watch this great country, even after being beaten; they are still waiting for any chance to launch their attacks again.
I was afraid when I saw the whole country had been divided into sects that fight in streets and attack each other all the time and every where. This division into sects is the main reason behind all this destruction. It is the main reason of the civil war in Lebanon. It was the reason of being this country underdeveloped for decades. It is the main obstruction. The attacks of Israel on Lebanon can never be worse than those attacks of the sects right now, because the worst attacks are those which are committed by the real citizens of a state. Sectarianism actually is a real danger that threatens all the Arab countries; it has the ability to destroy any civilization.
Sectarianism weakens the feeling of affiliation towards the home country. It became only for the sect to whom the person belongs, whatever it was a religion or political sect. then the natural result will be the disunity of the home country which make it weaker and easily to be attacked by foreign forces, and then it will be easily captured. The enemies of the state had a leading role in helping and strengthen those sects and increasing the hostility between them. Now the phenomenon of sectarianism in Lebanon controls the political affairs of the country. The country had been divided, and I mean the all meanings of the word. Now every sect has its own provinces where their members live. Every sect has its own weapons. Every sect has its own mass media means that call for it. It is not every thing, but there are some foreign forces that make use of this disunity and began to work on it for their interests. Now; the disunity of the whole country is hinging on these forces, the whole country is in a real danger.
Sectarianism in Lebanon is the most serious problem that it faces and the real challenge is to put an end to it and rebuild this country. Actually Israel is not the real danger; we can't deny the danger of Israel on all the Arab states in general, but for Lebanon it was a way to intervene in the inner political affairs and make the situation worse by supporting the sects. I really hope to be more aware of this serious problem and to work on finding a suitable quick solution to end this sectarianism, which day after day became more dangerous. I know that the matter is not as easy as talking about it, but by the real feelings of affiliation and the hard work we can do much. Yes we can, Lebanon has the most important element that enables us to win any battle; which is the human wealth. Many countries may have money, factories, natural wealth, but they never have the human wealth which is the most important wealth at all. By human beings we can construct a new civilization. All the civilizations that are built on the base of money, armies, or industry are fake and liable to break down at any moment, only the man who can build a true lasting civilization by the hard work and the true feelings of loyalty towards the home.
Lebanon is not the city of vice as what it was proclaimed by the Arab mass media means and also by the Lebanese mass media itself. But actually it is a unique example for civilization, strife, affiliation, arts, the commixture between many different cultures, and the variety of races. The mass media was responsible for the misrepresentation of Lebanon as a place just for shopping and sexy girls.
Now Lebanon is temporary silent. It is preparing for the next war, it will be against sectarianism. It will be its last battle. We should help as possible as we can to set this lovely country free from all wars that sects may cause. And we should never be worry about the variety of races in Lebanon at all; it is an element of power not the opposite as some people may think. Malaysia is a good example for the variety of races which represents its main characteristics and it is proud of that.
The most important now is to learn the lesson, the Arab must keep in mind that their enemies who spread the sectarianism in Lebanon and they are the same who lay mines under our sol in all the Arab countries. Those enemies know very well that it is not the time of military invasion; even the cultural invasion is useless in the time of the huge spread of the internet. So; sedition and sectarianism were their only way to destroy the nations. I wish we get it.
الحظر الأمريكي لدخول رعايا 7 دول ؟
إجراء عنصري76%
إجراء طبيعي23%
لا أعرف9%


text:
The overarching 'theme' for our 2017 was INSPIRING GENERATIONS.
Given the ever changing society, many would agree it is time for us to consider how we ensure we inspire everyone- from children to pensioners – about learning, education and even life in general! It is through having inspiring people from all generations that we, as a human race, can continue to develop and thrive.
On 18th March 2017, we heard 27 amazing talks- all of which were inspirational and thought provoking in their own right.
Over 250,000 people tweeted using #tedxnorwiched during the day.
We trended on twitter in the UK for 7 hours.
7,500 unique viewers joined us online
Quite simply- the response was phenomenal.
Ideas have been sprung, collaborations planned, projects dreamed of, and pledges made.
Together, we explored ways in which we can inspire- about learning, about skills and about life. Our theme was broad, the conversations were exciting and engaging and the impact will be far reaching.
Check out how you can still be part of the Inspiring Journey below…


text:
Picture by: @nomadwanderer
Click here to see @nomadwanderer's photographs. She's awesome!
Filed under: creative writing, Project Picture Stories | Tagged: creative writing, memories, Project Picture Stories | Leave a comment »
Picture by: @nomadwanderer
Click here to see @nomadwanderer's photographs. She's awesome!
Filed under: creative writing, Project Picture Stories | Tagged: creative writing, memories, Project Picture Stories | Leave a comment »
Ever since Phil Collins came into my life, this song title has fascinated me. So here I am, borrowing from @nomadwanderer's lens… She takes the pictures, i tell the story… Let's see where this takes us…
Project Picture Stories: 1
Filed under: creative writing, Project Picture Stories | Tagged: creative writing, memories, Project Picture Stories | 12 Comments »
Ground rules for the journal:
Filed under: creative writing, The Writing Journey | Tagged: creative writing, writing a novel | 3 Comments »
Enough random thinking. It will still continue, but from today, the blog will see posts about creating my second novel. I plan to do the following things by the year end:
Satyadev Dubey once told me over a cup of chai at MIG club, 'Lie to the world, but don't ever make the mistake of lying to yourself,' It's about time I took that advice seriously. I am honest with myself but to put it down in words is to crystalize it, frame it up and make it permanent. I am not going to be scared of it.
Negative self- image might help me improve and all, but the negativity about my own work makes me destroy most of the things that I write. From now on, delete does not exist. I will write, and however crappy I think my writing, I will revisit it later and craft it to reduce its level of mediocrity.
Working hard is simply not enough. I will work harder at working harder.
Maintain a writers' journal so I can reflect on the process of writing.
Being nervous about sharing my work is bad for my health. And a lady with bitten nails doesn't exactly look gorgeous. It's my work, I will share it. So what if someone hates it!
I am always guilty of talking rather than doing. I won't just write these things, I will do them.
Off to start with the second novel. To piece together silly little pieces of the puzzle I have strewn across the different corners of my mind. To piece them together, to bring alive each character and to be the schizophrenic writer I love being. I am off to be restless, to explore where the story goes and where it comes from, to feel the pulse of each character and to be haunted, consumed and bewildered by the story I want to tell. And my readers, darlings, you have a choice, to be involved in this mad mad mad journey over the next God knows how many days. If it sounds too boring, let me know. I'll sneak in a fun bit or two, but I really *need* to do this.
Let the madness begin: drumroll!
Filed under: creative writing, The Writing Journey | Tagged: creative writing, personal, writing a novel, writing journal | 5 Comments »
Searching for a new horizon
Beyond the sea, beyond the one I see now
Painted a new colour
Scented with a new odour
Of sweat and tears
Hard days and hard nights
Proving myself yet again
A new struggle, a new future
A new present
But the past remains the same
The past is me,
The past is who I am
And what defines what I'm meant to be…
Filed under: creative writing, Poetry | Tagged: ambition, beyond, creative writing, dreams, future, hard work, horizon, life, now, past, personal, poem, Poetry, present, random, reflection, thoughts, writing | 1 Comment »
A continuation of the earlier post
It was one of those mornings where he hated waking up. He was dreaming of something vague but he wasn't sure. He forced himself up anyway. He walked to the balcony and glanced at the sky searching for a hint of sunlight. The dull sky totally matched his state-of-mind.
Closing his eyes, he took in a deep breath, looking within for inspiration. Suddenly he heard someone honk right under his window. She came to his mind. The tiny girl trying to maneuver her big car in the homeward bound traffic. He couldn't stop thinking about what would have happened, had he knocked on her window. He couldn't help but wonder how many 'what if's marked has life.
What if he had knocked on her window, what if she'd have smiled back and said 'hey', what if she thought he was a creep and looked away. The 'what if' was making him restless, so he put on his shoes and stepped out to take a walk. And just then the first rain of the season poured down on him. Bringing with it, he scent of wet mud and lush greens of the seasons.
Filed under: creative writing | Tagged: creative writing, fiction, inspiration, life, morning, rain, short story, writing | 5 Comments »
She had driven all the way across town for a meeting, which didn't happen eventually. The terrible traffic wasn't helping her foul mood. She was sick of her being stuck in first gear. Her knees were hurting out of the excessive driving. The tiny rickshaws kept cutting into her lane, adding to her agony. She just wanted to get home and rest.
She didn't notice the guy in the car next door look at her. She tried to focus on getting some song on the radio, but they were just playing songs she didn't care about. She rested her head on her steering wheel in frustration.
He couldn't take his eyes off her, and he knew it was rude to stare, but she was adorable. She was restless in her big huge car, shifting gears even when the car was stationary. He felt a strong urge to just roll down his window and knock on hers. He shook off the thought and smiled. He forced himself to look away. She was just driving a car next to his, she could be married or she could be a mother of 5 kids. He wasn't the type to flirt with random girls. In fact, it was a long time since he had checked out a girl even.
While he was lost in his thoughts, she had driven away… He looked at where her car had been and shrugged. What if he had knocked on her window?
Filed under: creative writing, fiction | Tagged: creative writing, driving, fiction, personal, relationships, traffic | 1 Comment »


text:
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United States District Court, D. Nebraska
March 27, 2017
SIMONE CRIBBS, Plaintiff,v.ACCREDITED COLLECTION SERVICES, INC., and BRUMBAUGH & QUANDAHL, P.C., Defendants.
M. Gerrard United States District Judge
This is
a case of counsel run amuck. The actual facts of this case
are simple and straightforward: two letters, a telephone
call, and a default judgment in state court. But the parties
have managed to turn that into seven pending motions and
several hundred pages of evidence and argument. And their 16
briefs are littered with accusations and invective against
opposing parties and opposing counsel. That is, in some part,
the Court's fault: the Court should not have let things
get this far out of control. But it stops today.
In an
effort to cut through the Gordian knot into which the parties
have tied themselves, the Court will skip almost to the end:
the defendants' motion for summary judgment (filing 70).
Based on the essentially undisputed material facts, the Court
finds that the defendants are entitled to summary judgment,
and will grant their motion. With the exception of some
evidentiary arguments addressed below, that will moot the
parties' remaining motions and result in a final judgment
for the defendants.
plaintiff, Simone Cribbs, asserts claims under the Fair Debt
Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. § 1692
et seq., and the Nebraska Consumer Protection Act
(NCPA), Neb. Rev. Stat. § 59-1601 et seq., for
the defendants' conduct in collecting a debt.
Seefiling 1.
plaintiff incurred medical debts in 2012 and 2013. Filing 71
at 2.[1]Those bills went unpaid and defendant
Accredited Collection Services (ACS) retained defendant
Brumbaugh and Quandahl, P.C. (B&Q), to pursue legal
action against the plaintiff. Filing 71 at 2. B&Q sent a
demand letter, but received no response. Filing 71 at 2. So,
on May 27, 2015, B&Q filed suit in state district court
on behalf of ACS. Filing 71 at 2. The plaintiff was served on
June 1. Filing 71 at 2.
plaintiff did not appear or defend in state court. Filing 71
at 2. But she did call B&Q on June 10, 2015, and leave a
message for Matthew Barnes, a legal assistant at B&Q.
Filing 71 at 2; seefiling 71-2. Barnes returned her
call the same day, and a recording of the conversation is in
evidence. Filing 71-11, Exh. A. Barnes told the plaintiff
that only way to stop the lawsuit was to pay her debt in
full, that ACS would want to pursue a judgment if the debt
was not paid, and that once the debt was paid B&Q would
file a satisfaction of judgment. Filing 71-11, Exh. A;
see filing 71 at 3. The plaintiff agreed to make 6
monthly payments of $65 each to satisfy the debt. Filing 71
at 3. The plaintiff also asked questions about the pending
court case, to which Barnes responded by repeatedly telling
the plaintiff that her legal questions would have to be
directed to her own attorney. Filing 71-11, Exh. A.
promised, during the telephone call, to send the plaintiff a
letter detailing the payment plan. Filing 71 at 3. So,
B&Q sent the plaintiff a letter dated June 10, 2015, with
the following body text:
Per our discussion, you have agreed to make payments on the
above referenced file in the amount of $65.00 beginning 19th
of June, 2015, and continuing monthly on or before the 19th
day of each month. Please send your payments to our office on
or before the due date. Our office will not send out reminder
31-2 at 3. The letter also contained payment instructions.
Filing 31-2 at 3. The plaintiff made the first payment.
Seefiling 71 at 3.
On July
2, 2015, Barnes reviewed the plaintiff's file and noted
that she had still not appeared or defended in state court.
Filing 71 at 3. So, he prepared a motion for default
judgment. Filing 71 at 3. The same day, a letter was sent to
the plaintiff setting forth the remaining balance, reminding
her of the payment instructions, and stating: "This
matter can still be resolved cordially." Filing 31-2 at
4. On July 7, the motion for default judgment was filed, and
on July 8, default judgment was entered. Filing 71 at 3.
did not respond to the July 2 letter; instead, she filed this
case. Filing 71 at 3; filing 1. Nonetheless, she continued to
make the agreed-upon payments, and on April 5, 2016, B&Q
filed a satisfaction of judgment in the state court case.
Filing 71 at 3.
plaintiff's initial complaint was premised on the theory
that the defendants violated the FDCPA by suing her, despite
the fact that she was making payments. See filing 1.
Both defendants answered that complaint. Filing 10; filing
11. The plaintiff later filed an amended complaint alleging
the sequence of events set forth above-that is, that the
lawsuit preceded the June 10 and July 2, 2015 letters. Filing
16. Neither defendant answered that complaint. The plaintiff
moved for partial summary judgment. Filing 29.
defendants opposed summary judgment. Filing 34. The plaintiff
filed a motion to strike (filing 44) some of the
defendants' evidence and argument in opposition to
summary judgment, contending in part that the defendants
waived certain arguments by not answering the plaintiff's
amended complaint. See filing 45. (As will be
explained below, the motion to strike was wholly unnecessary,
because it was a vehicle for objecting to and arguing against
the defendants' opposition to summary judgment: the
arguments it presented should have simply been
asserted in the summary judgment briefing.)
At that
point, the defendants noticed that the plaintiff's
amended complaint (filing 16) had been filed out of time, and
without leave of the Court. SeeFed. R. Civ. P.
15(a). The defendants moved to strike the amended complaint,
filing 49, and the Magistrate Judge granted that motion,
filing 52. So, the operative pleadings were (and are) filing
1, filing 10, and filing 11. See filing 52. The
plaintiff moved to reconsider that order, in part arguing for
leave to file an amended complaint. Filing 53. The Magistrate
Judge ordered the defendants to respond to the motion to
reconsider if they opposed leave to amend. Filing 55. They
did. Filing 58. And then, they filed their own motion for
summary judgment. Filing 70.
unsatisfied with one unnecessary motion to strike, the
plaintiff filed a separate motion reasserting her earlier
motion to strike. Filing 79. Not to be outdone, the
defendants filed an unnecessary motion to strike some of the
plaintiff's evidence opposing summary judgment (filing
81), and interposed an objection (filing 84) to the
plaintiff's motion to reassert her motion to strike. (The
objection was contrary to the Court's local rules.
See NECivR 7.1(b)(1)(A).) This is the rat king the
Court must now disentangle.
judgment is proper if the movant shows that there is no
genuine dispute as to any material fact and that the movant
is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See Fed.
R. Civ. P. 56(a). The movant bears the initial responsibility
of informing the Court of the basis for the motion, and must
identify those portions of the record which the movant
believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of
material fact. Torgerson v. City of Rochester, 643
F.3d 1031, 1042 (8th Cir. 2011) (en banc). If the movant does
so, the nonmovant must respond by submitting evidentiary
materials that set out specific facts showing that there is a
genuine issue for trial. Id.
On a
motion for summary judgment, facts must be viewed in the
light most favorable to the nonmoving party only if there is
a genuine dispute as to those facts. Id. Credibility
determinations, the weighing of the evidence, and the drawing
of legitimate inferences from the evidence are jury
functions, not those of a judge. Id. But the
nonmovant must do more than simply show that there is some
metaphysical doubt as to the material facts. Id. In
order to show that disputed facts are material, the party
opposing summary judgment must cite to the relevant
substantive law in identifying facts that might affect the
outcome of the suit. Quinn v. St. Louis County, 653
F.3d 745, 751 (8th Cir. 2011). The mere existence of a
scintilla of evidence in support of the nonmovant's
position will be insufficient; there must be evidence on
which the jury could conceivably find for the nonmovant.
Barber v. C1 ...
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text:
|release date: 12th May 2004
|number: PR122
|Birth Kills
NEWS: SPOOF: For immediate release
After an extensive investigation over 15 years, The Government Camera Group announced their breakthrough findings today. The conclusion is that in almost all cases being born leads to death.
The Government Camera Group has been working on speed up until now, and has been warning us that speed kills, but this has proved ineffective. "There just weren't enough deaths caused by speed to make a real difference" said spokesman: Dicky Brainstorm. "We only had a small handful of deaths where speed was a factor - under 200 each year in the UK. However in every single one of the 585,000 deaths in the UK in 2002, birth was found to be a factor."
Dicky points out: "The correlation is astonishing. We haven't been able to identify even one death that was not preceded by a birth. People need to understand this right now. Clearly birth is extremely dangerous and should be stamped out.
The Government Camera Group calls for cameras to be introduced in Hospital Maternity Wards to monitor anyone who might be stupid enough to give birth. "There will be substantial fines for those that give birth", continues Dicky, "How else are we going to get deaths down?"
Further findings are:
* It takes quite a while for birth to have
its deadly effect, "We estimate somewhere in the region of 40 to 100 years"
explains Dicky. "Of course, that makes it all the more important that we
aim to stamp
* No other method has proved effective at preventing deaths. "Just look at the billions we have been wasting on hospitals, doctors and medicine!" exclaims Dicky, "And none of it has been successful at preventing deaths."
* There presently seem to be about 6 billion exceptional cases where death has not followed birth. We're investigating.
* It is expected that the birth cameras will be self-financing both in terms of fines and in terms of reduction in health care costs. "It's a win win situation" says Dicky.
Next, The Government Camera Group plans to investigate what the effects will be on population numbers.
Notes for editors.
Please feel free to do with this what you will. Maybe it's a "quriky". Maybe it'll just cause slight amusement around the office.
If you happend to find of way of crediting
Safe Speed with it, that's good, but not required.
About Safe Speed:
Since setting up Safe Speed in 2001, Paul
Smith, 48, an advanced motorist and road safety enthusiast, and a professional
engineer of 25 years UK experience, has carried out in excess of
4,500 hours of research into the
The inescapable conclusion is that we should urgently return to the excellent road safety policies that gave us in the UK the safest roads in the World in the first place.
Safe Speed does not campaign against speed
limits or appropriate enforcement of motoring laws, but argues vigorously
that automated speed enforcement is neither safe nor appropriate.
Contact Safe Speed:
web: http://www.safespeed.org.uk
We are available for press and media interviews.body
Back to Press Release Index Page
Created 22/06/2004. Last update 22/06/2004


text:
Products to Your Complete Long Travel Conversion..
Full Product Description
Introducing the new All Pro High Clearance Long Travel Suspension! Engineered to get 12" of wheel travel while extending the track width by 2" per side, this new Long Travel Kit has been completely redesigned to give you an additional 2 inches of ground clearance. Our long travel features 4130 Chromoly tubular lower arms & upper control arms . The Lower Control Arms (LCAs) have been boxed and plated for added strength, durability and skid protection on the trail. Our LCA's feature a 1" uniball that replaces the factory lower ball joint. The 2" wider Upper Control Arms (UCAs) feature an industry leading 1.25" uniball for maximum articulation & travel. We use heat-treated 17-4 stainless steel misalignment spacers to adapt the uniball to the factory spindle. The LCAs & UCAs pivot on polyurethane bushings and have zerk fittings for easy lubrication.
From rocks to sand and everything in between, this long travel kit does it all without sacrificing comfort, quality, and performance. Tested on some of the hardest trails around, including the Hammers, Rubicon, and Moab, the All-Pro LT kit is built tough!
Chromoly Axle Shafts (not included)
Our extended heat treated 4340 chromoly axle shafts, made by Currie Enterprises, are required for 4×4 applications. They are inserted into the factory inner and outer CV's to retain 4WD. These are not included in the kit and must be purchased separately. Please specify vehicle when ordering.
Timbren Bumpstops (not included)
All-Pro has teamed up with Timbren SES to offer an upgraded bumpstop for use with our LT kit, or even stock. They are made of a softer compound than their usual offerings for weight carrying, and they provide a smoother, stop than the factory bumpstop without needlessly limiting travel. Recommended for 33"+ tires. These are not included in the kit and must be purchased separately.
Long Travel Shocks (not included)
Long Travel Shocks are required for our Long Travel Kit. For best results, we recommend Fox 2.5 Factory Series Remote Reservoir Long Travel Coilover Shocks or the Fox 2.5 Factory Series Remote Reservoir Long Travel Coilover Shocks with DSC Adjustment.
Tire & Wheel Recommendations
Max tire size without fiberglass fenders: 315/75/16 or 315/70/R17 (35″)
With Fiberglass (37″)
Max wheel backspacing: 4.75"
Alignment specs: Toe = factory; Camber = factory; Caster = 2.5-3 degrees
Tech Info
Material: Mostly 4130 Chromoly Steel Arms
Hardware: Grade 8 hardware included as needed, uses factory bolts & pivots
Weight: 95lbs (Upper & Lower Arms, Axles, Steering, Gussets)
Part# 3522-AP-HCLT-KT
Max Wheel Backspace – 4.75″
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm – www.P65Warnings.ca.gov


text:
The MiND programme is now looking for 15 highly motivated Early Stage Researchers (ESRs), researchers with a BSc or MSc degree within the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research career. We offer a comprehensive, interactive and international PhD training programme covering innovative and state-of-the-art approaches to current ADHD and ASD research. Training will be staged according to the 5 'i' principle: innovation-oriented, intersectoral, international, interdisciplinary and individualized. The programme will combine research-specific skills, complementary skills and soft skills, and will involve both the academic and private sectors aimed to prepare all researchers optimally for their future careers.
Short descriptions of the individual projects and the details on how to apply for them are given below. All applications should be sent to the respective recruitment officer before Monday the 2nd of February 2015.
That sounds amazing! I don't have a BSc or MSc nor am I within the first four years of a research career


text:
Community attitudes to housing are also changing. Perth residents are rethinking urban apartments, choosing to live closer to where they work, rest and play.
Homebuyers are seeing greater value and appeal in what was once seen as an alternative lifestyle choice.
According to research recently conducted by the Conservation Council of WA (CCWA), the Property Council of Australia (PCA), and Psaros, Perth's explosive population growth is changing more than just the postcodes of our outermost suburbs.
Published in December 2014, "What Perth Wants" explores community attitudes toward housing and the future development of Perth City and it's surrounding suburbs. The report uncovers growing support across Perth for a broader mix of development types, including medium- and higher-density apartments.
The report also shows that Perth's population craves more sustainable housing. Location has a new meaning; proximity to public transportation and the availability of other alternative sustainable transport options is another significant factor affecting Perth's real estate market.
The message Perth is sending is clear; residents want:
So how is Perth rising to meet the challenge?
As part of the City of Perth's Strategic Community Plan, significant investment is going into invigorating our capital city, making Perth a more exciting and sustainable city.
Guided by a 2029+ vision, there is a strong focus on connecting and enhancing our urban areas including:
Social inclusion is a top priority for the people of Perth and a recurring theme in the City of Perth's 2029+ vision.
Dispelling the myth that major cities bring only social disconnect and isolation, many of Perth's residents – particularly first-time homebuyers – want to live in urban environments. And they want to connect with and belong to their communities.
In urban environments, micro communities (like sporting teams, social clubs and community gardens) typically thrive. They offer residents a way to combine the very best of living in or near the city, with a genuine sense of community purpose and belonging.
A major benefit of urban lifestyles is the proximity they provide to a city's cultural and entertainment infrastructure. With the sinking of Perth Train Station and new and exciting entertainment venues like Yagan Square and Urban Orchard popping up all over town, Perth has never been better equipped to sustain a diverse and exciting arts and cultural scene.
For decades Perth's population growth has been accommodated by seemingly endless sprawl, resulting in a metropolitan area now spanning 120km. Sustainable urban lifestyles help ease our sprawl and move Perth towards a more sustainable city form.
Making Perth transport more integrated, accessible and sustainable is another theme that features throughout What Perth Wants and is a key component of the City of Perth's Strategic Plan.
As well as helping to connect people with culture and entertainment, an urban apartment lifestyle connects people with public transport, presenting a range of cheaper and greener transport alternatives. This style of housing can also cut commute times and costs, reduce the need for land clearing, and ease the pressure on the transport infrastructure required to support our sprawling outer suburbs.
With the surging popularity of affordable, sustainable, medium-density accommodation, combined with a city that is slowly but decidedly coming to life, Perth may soon offer city living at its very best. To secure your exciting and sustainable Perth apartment lifestyle, contact us today.Share on Twitter Share on Facebook


text:
The Shire Horse Society's Secretary, Victoria Clayton extended her grateful thanks to the wonderful team of horsemen and women who made the Countryfile Live event a resounding success for a second consecutive year. Victoria reported that each and everyone of the 55 strong team played their part and made sure that the 25 horses were immaculate in both their turnout and behaviour.
Our majestic breed showed why it is the horse that put the Great into Britain!
Here are a few of our favourite photos taken by the superb Kev Wright of our dedicated team. More photographs to follow in our gallery.


text:
From La Siora
Welcome to Tohka's wonderland. Without make-up, she is a very cute girl and even look like a teenager. But she look very sexy and mature when she use red lipstick and put make-up on. You never get bored being with her as she has rich facial expressions. She has imagination, independence, and most importantly, good communication skill. She is 21 years old now and already has what domina needs. She has no experience as a professional before, but maybe we can expect her success in the future. She has high Kendo skill and is still working out. She is a pedigree of domina as her mother is a mistress.
(Joined La Siora Dec 2013)
- (Dec.2013)


text:
Just as we set the DVR to record Thursday's Late Show with David Letterman, we had to hit cancel.
Lindsay Lohan was reportedly scheduled to present the Top Ten list on the show, but now it turns out, it was all just a hoax.
The truth was exposed when LiLo herself tweeted "I am NOT going to be doing David Letterman, I'm not sure how this happened, but I am sorry for the confusion…"
According to Letterman's team they made a mistake. Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants' issued a statement which read:
"Lindsay Lohan will not be delivering a Top Ten list on Thursday's Late Show with David Letteman, as had been previously announced. We made a mistake. Someone purporting to be a friend of Lindsay's reached out to the show yesterday, allegedly on her behalf, and booked her to appear. Clearly, this person was not authorized to make commitments on her behalf. We wish Lindsay well, and look forward to having her on the show in the future."
Unbelievable. It's never a dull day for Ms. Lohan.


text: Earlier this month rumors surfaced that Kanye West was working on a film version of his latest album, Yeezus, along with screenwriter Bret Easton Ellis. According to reports this film is actually in the works and a page from the script has even been leaked on a website, SlamXHype. Sources say that they paid big money for an iPhone screen shot of the script complete with hand written notes by Kanye himself. SlamXHype writes this about the script, "It's rough and wild and makes almost no (maybe the expected amount of) sense. Our minds = blown. If you got a chance to see any of the Yeezus Tour, you'll recognize the scene as it appears that Ellis is sticking literally to the plot of Kanye's tour: the page comes from a scene in which Kanye meets Jesus at the top of a mountain, who tasks him with "ending the world's ambivalence." In the notes, which seem to be written by West himself, he indicates that Jesus should be played by actor Liam Neeson (which is amazing). The script shows dialogue between Kanye and Jesus. Check it out HERE


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WordCamp SLC 2014 is coming up fast. Just one month away: Saturday 13 September 2014. This is one day that brings together the local WordPress community like no other. We tend to get a wide range of people attending, from those just starting out, to designers, developers, consultants, and people who contribute to the core code of WordPress.
WordCamp SLC is a great opportunity to learn a few things from the presentations. Even more important than that is the chance to get to know other WordPress users in the community.
One really important thing to note for 2014, the location has changed:
City And County Building
451 Washington Square,
Salt Lake City, Utah
The registration this year is only $15, which includes lunch. The reduced price is to help offset the cost of parking in down town SLC.
If you are interested in speaking there is still time to submit a presentation proposal.
Go register today and be sure to say hi when I see you on September 13th. Then go give a big thank you to Mike Hansen, he is organizing WordCamp SLC 2014.


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The G-man attended his very first Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday before I went to shoot a wedding. He was not as thrilled about the experience as we thought that he would be! Haha! The picture on the left below says it all! "You what me to do what with the eggs, Ma? Really? Reaaaaally?" As we sat and waited with all of the big kids, I seriously contemplated whether we needed to head home because he just looked miserable! He was so pitiful!
When the three and under crowd was given the whistle, off he went with determination. If the picture below on the left could have a caption, it would be "Prepare yourselves little plastic Easter eggs! You are about to be hunted by the Griffinator!!"
After a few eggs, Griffin aborted the hunt for more fun endeavors…….
(I know that the last picture is unfocused, but I don't care because he just looks so happy!! And besides…. it is my blog and I can post unfocused pictures if I want to!) 🙂
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter! Maybe Griffin's hunting experience will be a bit more joyous next year! Haha!


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Thanks for the reminder, I am available to tutor in a variety of math subjects as well as standardized test preparation see below for list. Supply Management for Value Enhancement-Volume III Lisa Now that the grid has been filled in and it matches the dividend, we can read the answer off spelling words for middle school students top - the factor that we have uncovered is the quotient we were hoping to calculate. Typically offered Fall Spring Summer. Students will select appropriate tools such as real objects, manipulatives, paper and pencil, and technology and techniques such as mental math, estimation, and number sense to solve problems. There is no substitute for listening and having the administrators defending CPM be an active part of what is happening in the classrooms, not their alternate reality. The book will provide mymathlab app the essential foundation needed for grasping Algebra. Somewhat confusing since the option to enter is mymathlab app there. Eventually I handed in a paper saying just that "I couldn't do this one. Printed materials are not included in the online package and shall be considered additional costs for the purchaser. This past summer, he took an entire year of geometry in 6 weeks at Piedmont High Rent a textbook for free. It is the symbolic analog to the familiar "algebra tiles" manipulative, so if you have worked with these, it should be reasonably familiar. The contents of the Manual are contained in the Delegate Workbook.
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Aspects To Bear In Mind When Selecting The Best Roofing And Siding Contractor.
Individuals needs to bear in mind that when it comes to the selection of the roofing and siding contractor, there is a need to put into considerations some factors. The reason is that you made need these contractors to perform the task of high quality at your home. |The first step that is required to an individual is making sure that a thorough research is done by the siding and roofing contractor.
It is usually the thought of most individuals that the roofing contractors they see around the best. However, there is a need for an individual to ensure that he get enough information regarding these roof contractors to be in a position of choosing the best.To be able to choose the best roofing and siding contractor, there is a need for individual to ensure that he has all the information. An individual will know the performance of the task by these contractors through the information they will have. Information provided should at no time be relied upon by the individuals.
There is a need to check the services from an individual who has received the same services.If an individual check on a person who has received the same services, then it can be helpful. The homeowner should be asked a lot of questions. Some of the questions regarding the contractor an individual needs to ask may include if the contractor was able to check on time. There is a need to ask if there are some repairs done after the completion of the task by an individual. It will be a good thing if an individual get to walk round his area and get to see some of the roofs. With this, if he gets one that attracts him, he will be in a position of finding more information about the contractor who did the roofing.
The type of shingle to be installed is a key factor that an individual needs to know. The type of the roofing and siding contractor will be determined by the type of shingle installed. There is a need for individuals to be aware of the different types of the roofing and siding contractors. The category of the roofing contractor to select will depend on the type of shingle. Remember each category requires different experience and skills from an individual. It does not matter the type of the material which is chosen. An experience contractor in that field needs to be chosen.
There is a need to ensure that the roofing and siding contractor you select has a license as well as insurance. Remember, with a license, you are assured that the individual has the experience in performing the task. The insurance will also assist an individual to avoid incurring other extra costs. One may finding himself using a lot of cash if he hires a contractor with no insurance. In the process of performing the task, anything can happen, and the contractor gets an accident. If an individual takes a contractor with no insurance, then he will incur the cost.


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REFILE-CEZ's Bulgarian thermal plant faces closure next year
SOFIA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Czech power utility CEZ said it would temporarily halt operations of its coal-burning plant in Bulgaria as of next year, after it failed to agree on a plan to bring it up to EU environmental rules.
SOFIA Nov 2 (Reuters) - Czech power utility CEZ said it would temporarily halt operations of its coal-burning plant in Bulgaria as of next year, after it failed to agree on a plan to bring it up to EU environmental rules.
Talks with Bulgaria's state-owned Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) over setting up a joint company to fund the upgrade have failed, after a market analysis showed such an investment would not be justifiable given the current costs of electricity and greenhouse emissions, CEZ said in a statement on Sunday.true
The venture was intended to fund environmental upgrades at three of the six units in the 1,260 megawatt plant at the Black Sea city of Varna to extend their lifespan and then lease them.
"The financial model showed that ... the plant would be producing electricity at a cost that would not be competitive in the regional liberalised energy market," CEZ said.
CEZ still will push forward with efforts to sell or rent the plant, which has been used largely as a back-up for Bulgaria's power grid.
"We are ready to discuss all working options. In all cases after January 1, 2015, we will have to temporarily stop the plant because it cannot work without environmental upgrades," the plant's chief executive, Mincho Minchev, said in the statement.
Last month the chief executive of CEZ said it might delay the decommissioning of some units at the plant beyond the end of the year because it might get an exemption from EU rules as part of measures to secure energy stability with respect to tensions with Russia.
CEZ had cancelled previous plans to invest 100 million euros($125 million) in the three units due to unfavourable market conditions and after Bulgaria did not extend a contract for providing security to the power supply system. (1 US dollar = 0.7985 euro) (Reporting By Tsvetelia Tsolova; editing by Jane Baird)
- Copyright:
- Reuters
- Published on:
- November 3, 2014
- Source url:
- http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/USenergyNews/~3/uns1cOgL6FM/story01.htm


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The wife of a Marine serving in Vietnam, Sally Hyde (Jane Fonda) decides to volunteer at a local veterans hospital to occupy her time. There she meets Luke Martin (Jon Voight), a frustrated wheelchair-bound vet who has become disillusioned with ...
Two Navy men are ordered to bring a young offender to prison but decide to show him one last good time along the way.
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There are total 10 letters in Projective, Starting with P and ending with E.
Projective is a scrabble word? Yes (24 Points) Projective has worth 24 Scrabble points.
An Anagram is collection of word or phrase made out by rearranging the letters of the word. All Anagram words must be valid and actual words.
Browse more words to see how anagram are made out of given word.
In Projective P is 16th, R is 18th, O is 15th, J is 10th, E is 5th, C is 3rd, T is 20th, I is 9th, V is 22nd letters in Alphabet Series.
Copyright © Word Creation 2017. All Rights Reserved


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Many small companies in New Jersey are primarily concerned with maintaining profitability. Large companies have this concern as well, but they may face even larger issues, such as international business disputes or other issues with foreign companies. However, no matter how large or small a company is, at times there may be issues of unfair competition that need to be addressed.
What is unfair competition? Well, in New Jersey, the law specifically defines some practices that would constitute unfair competition methods. These practices include the use of another company's trademarks or brand names, as well as doing business off of another company's reputation or goodwill.
Of course, there are many other types of conduct that could also lead to allegations of unfair competition as well. Some deceptive trade practices, appropriation of another company's trade secrets or even negotiating in bad faith could all constitute, in some form, a type of unfair competition.
Business law in New Jersey attempts to provide a level playing field for companies that sell consumer goods or services. When businesses in New Jersey believe that they are facing an issue that involves unfair competition, they may need to take action. However, this type of business litigation can become quite complex, as proving the allegations may be easier said than done. But, with the right approach, companies in New Jersey can be successful in holding other businesses accountable when they engage in unfair competition practices. Then they can get back to the primary objective of making a profit.
Source: law.justia.com, "Title 56 - TRADE NAMES, TRADE-MARKS AND UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES," Accessed June 4, 2017


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Exceeding 50:1 are three types of than the one of stochastic. Like all good trading strategies the trading signals are very easy to visualize. Register here to view the 20 minute course and check your learning along the way. All the steps of this method are very mechanical, Android Pay! Donot include personal information like mobile number, starting with the. salam profit Investopedia fx trading simulator. 10Pips. To commission and do maintenance on the supplied Gutor UPS systems.
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After starting the European trading session trending lower across the board, the Pound was able to reverse some of its losses against the Euro and US Dollar thanks to an unexpectedly strong UK Services PMI.
The index of the UK's all-important services sector had been tipped to fall from 55.2 to 54.7 in December but it actually advanced to 56.2.
This completed a hat trick of better-than-forecast PM reports, with the Manufacturing and Construction equivalents also rising unexpectedly earlier in the week.
The figures indicate that despite mounting uncertainty towards the Government's plans for Brexit negotiations, the UK's economy has demonstrated surprising resilience.
David Noble of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply stated; 'There were reports of export business buoyed by the weak pound, adding to the strength of domestic demand. However, sterling's persistent lows added more pressure to input prices, which expanded at a rate close to November's five-and-a-half year high as fuel, food, IT and wage costs went up.'
If the economic climate remains this temperate it might limit Pound losses in the months leading up to the activation of Article 50. Sterling could even stage something of a recovery if concerns surrounding upcoming European elections weigh on the Euro and the Federal Reserve holds off from adjusting interest rates for the first few months of the year.
Sterling previously tumbled after Sir Ivan Rogers, who resigned his post as the UK's EU Ambassador earlier in the week, asserted that 'serious multilateral negotiation experience is in short supply in Whitehall.' He also referenced 'ill-founded arguments' and 'muddled thinking'.
The Pound remained down by 0.25% against the Euro (EUR) in the immediate aftermath of the report's publication but had moved away from its earlier low of 1.1644. Similarly, the Pound advanced from 1.2269 to 1.2305 against the US Dollar (USD).
Further fluctuations were recorded after Bank of England (BoE) Chief Economist Andy Haldane asserted that the central bank still expects Brexit to have a negative impact on the domestic economy. Although acknowledging that near-term data had surprised to the upside, Haldane said the BoE's perspective hadn't changed.
According to Haldane; 'There has been more resilience among consumers and in the housing market than we had expected. Has that led us to fundamentally change our view on the fortunes of the economy looking forward over the next several years? Not really. This is more a question of timing than of a fundamental reassessment of the fortunes of the economy.'


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Q&A: Five Questions for SWIFTs Paul Taylor
Traders Magazine Online News, August 8, 2013
Paul Taylor, SWIFT's director of global matching, discussed post-trade automation with Traders Magazine's sister publication Securities Technology Monitor.
All TradersMagazine.com articles are archived after 7 days. REGISTER NOW for unlimited access to all recently archived articles, as well as thousands of searchable stories. Registered Members also gain access to exclusive industry white paper downloads, web seminars, online technology directory, the iPad App, and conference discounts. Qualified members may also choose to receive our free monthly magazine and any of our e-newsletters covering the latest breaking news, opinions from industry leaders, developing trends and trading strategies.


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Author: Alex Chua
Regular izakaya patrons here would be elated to hear that Kushikatsu Tanaka, Japan's No.1 Kushikatsu Chain, is opening its first Asian outlet in Singapore. Boasting over 165 outlets in Japan alone, this Japanese bar has brought its famous Osaka-style fried cutlet skewers and signature special dipping sauce to the little red dot's clubbing district – Clarke Quay. It would be a fierce fight among other izakaya and Japanese restaurants in this prime area, but Kushikatsu Tanaka is least afraid of competition. Here's 3 reasons I feel why this izakaya can not only survive but strive against other establishments.
1) The Signature Golden Kushikatsu
From beef, prawn, asparagus, lotus root to even cookies and cream, there are over 30 variations of skewers to choose from. The great taste of the golden kushikatsu comes from their secret formula and preparation method. Using their own unique blend of oil, with panko flour, batter and sauce directly imported from Japan, ensures that original, authentic flavour are kept consistent.
That distinctive crisp and light taste are what draws its customers to visit again and again. Paired with the well-balanced savoury sauce with a slight tinge of sweetness, you can realize the painstaking details that the chef has placed into the making of the perfect kushikatsu. Do note that double-dipping into the sauce bowl is prohibited!
2) Chiritori Hotpan + Risotto
A great dish to warm the heart in the rainy December – early January period. This sizzling hotpan dish features thinly cut beef slices served on a bed of beansprouts, topped with beef offal and chili powder for a spicy and savoury flavour. After finishing the beef, you can throw in curry cheese risotto on the pan with curry powder, egg and rice to soak up the goodness of the remaining rich broth. This lovely dish reminded me of a quaint Japanese bar I had visited in Osaka this November, and it tastes exquisitely.
3) DIY Onigiri
I am somewhat surprised by the fact that I would fancy this dish. With just plain rice, nori and choice of topping, plus with abit of crafty fingers to roll the onigiri into the desired shape and size, the overall taste is satisfying rich with the rice made al dente. Pure simplicity bliss!
4) Bonus: Wide variety of Jim Beam Highballs
With over 15 varieties such as Triple Berry Highball, Triple Citrus highball and Aomori Ringo Highball, the restaurant prides itself as carrying the most comprehensive Jim Beam Highballs range in Singapore. Best yet, they are available at an affordable price of $6. Just remember to drink responsibly!
Kushikatsu Tanaka Singapore
3A River Valley Road, Merchant's Court Clarke Quay
Block A, #01-01B, Singapore 179020
Facebook: Kushikatsu Tanaka SG/ Instagram: @kktanaka.sg
Kushikatsu Tanaka First Asian Debut in Singapore
Author: Alex Chua


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by Steven Radley
(Dallas, Texas)
Clearcut Lawn Care provides lawn maintenance such as Mowing lawns, Edging drives and walkways. Weedeating around obstacles,fences,house,trees.
We also Trim shrubs and trees. We Plant grass,flowers and shrubs.
We offer Fertilizing of Grass,flowers and shrubs.
We provide Spring and summer Yard Cleaning, Gutter Cleaning and Residential and commercial Wind Cleaning to homes and businesses less than 16 feet high.
Our service area includes the Dallas/Fort Worth Area from South, Waxahachie Texas to the North, Plano Texas and all cities in between.
For a limited time we are offering our first-time clients a $5.00 Discount on their first Service. You can visit us on the web at clearcutlawnsvc.com or Call (214) 394-6270.
We are also a member of merchantcircle/clearcutlawncare We are on twitter clearcutlawn@cutlawn and facebook.com/clearcutlawncare.
Call us today or email us at email@example.com to get your free estimate.
Owner Steven Radley Of Dallas Texas.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Lawn Care Business Directory.


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Conditional Similarity Networks07 May 2017
Problem Statement
- A common way of measuring image similarity is to embed them into feature spaces where distance acts as a proxy for similarity.
- But this feature space can capture one (or a weighted combination) of the many possible notions of similarity.
- What if contracting notions of similarity could be captured at the same time - in terms of semantically distinct subspaces.
- The paper proposes a new architecture called as Conditional Similarity Networks (CSNs) which learns a disentangled embedding such that the features, for different notions of similarity, are encoded into separate dimensions.
- It jointly learns masks (or feature extractors) that select and reweights relevant dimensions to induce a subspace that encodes a specific notion of similarity.
- Link to the paper
Conditional Similarity Networks
- Given an image, x, learn a non-linear feature embedding f(x) such that for any 2 images x1 and x2, the euclidean distance between f(x1) and f(x2) reflects their similarity.
Conditional Similarity Triplets
- Given a triplet of images (x1, x2, x3) and a condition c (the notion of similarity), an oracle (say crowd) is used to determmine if x1 is more similar to x2 or x3 as per the given criteria c.
- In general, for images i, j, l, the triplet t is ordered {i, j, l | c} if i is more similar to j than l.
Learning From Triplets
- Define a loss function LT() to model the similarity structure over the triplets.
- LT(i, j, l) = max{0, D(i, j) - D(i, l) + h} where D is the euclidean distance function and h is the similarity scalar margin to prevent trivial solutions.
- To model conditional similarities, masks m are defined as m = σ(β) where σ is the RELU unit and β is a set of parameters to be learnt.
- mc denotes the selection of the c-th mask column from feature vector. It thus acts as an element-wise gating function which selects the relevant dimensions of the embedding to attend to a particular similarity concept.
- The euclidean function D now computes the masked distance (f(i, c)mc) between the two given images.
- Two regularising terms are also added - L2 norm for D and L1 norm for m.
- Fonts dataset by Bernhardsson
- 3.1 million 64 by 64-pixel grey scale images.
- Zappos50k shoe dataset
- Contains 50,000 images of individual richly annotated shoes.
- Characteristics of interest:
- Type of the shoes (i.e., shoes, boots, sandals or slippers)
- Suggested gender of the shoes (i.e., for women, men, girls or boys)
- Height of the shoes' heels (0 to 5 inches)
- Closing mechanism of the shoes (buckle, pull on, slip on, hook and loop or laced up)
- Initial model for the experiments is a ConvNet pre-trained on ImageNet
- Standard Triplet Network
- Learn from all available triplets jointly as if they have the same notion of similarity.
- Set of Task Specific Triplet Networks
- Train n separate triplet networks such that each is trained on a single notion of similarity.
- Needs far more parameters and compute.
- Conditional Similarity Networks - fixed disjoint masks
- In this version, only the convolutional filters and the embedding is learnt and masks are predefined to be disjoint.
- Aims to learn a fully disjoint embedding.
- Conditional Similarity Networks - learned masks
- Learns all the components - conv filters, embedding and the masks.
- Refer paper for details on hyperparameters.
- Visual exploration of the learned subspaces (t-sne visualisation) show that network successfully disentangles different features in the embedded vector space.
- The learned masks are very sparse and share dimensions. This shows that CSNs may learn to only use the required number of dimensions thereby doing away with the need of picking the right size of embedding.
- Order of performance:
- CSNs with learned masks > CSNs with fixed masks > Task-specific networks > standard triplet network.
- Though CSNs with learned masks require more training data.
- CSNs also outperform Standard Triplet Network when used as off the shelf features for (brand) classification task and is very close to the performance of ResNet trained on ImageNet.
- This shows that while CSN retained most of the information in the original network, the training mechanism of Standard Triplet Network hurts the underlying conv features and their generalising capability