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Quick How-To DJ-Manager:
If you are using the Transcoder feature (a.k.a Auto-DJ) in BoomBox and have at least one playlist setup, producers can grant users (a.k.a. DJ's) individual access to the broadcast stream that will suspend the currently active playlist when they connect and reactivate the playlist when they disconnect. This way producers do not need to stop the Auto-DJ or "Kick" the source before allowing DJ's to broadcast each time. The DJ-Manager also takes advantage of the crossover settings of the Auto-DJ during handover of the stream from Auto-DJ-to-DJ and/or DJ-to-DJ
Requires: Stream server configured and running, Transcoder (Auto-DJ) configured and running with at least one playlist active. All new accounts have a demo user setup by default. This account can be re-purposed of deleted.
Creating a user:
In the "Alias" field enter a useful name, enter the username, password (minimum 8 characters. no special characters) and an email address (required only if credentials are to be sent to the user). Click Save.
Testing user access:
Note the hostname (ip-address) and port at the bottom left of the user screen and the username/password field values.
Winamp: Enter the previously noted hostname (ip-address) into the "Server Address" field, enter the port into the "Port" field, the username into "DJ / User ID" and password into the "Password" field. Select "Connect using: v1.x mode (legacy servers)" Click connect. On success the status will begin counting bytes sent.
SAM Broadcaster/Nicecast Other: Refer to the manual of the software you are using to determine to which fields get which value. Most 3rd party encoders do not offer a Username field option. In this case note the username and password of the user you setup and combine them separated by a colon. Example for a user with username "testuser" and password "testpassword123" you would enter "testuser:testpassword123" into the password field.

subset: commoncrawl


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In a top-level demonstration of above-the-line trolling, US Daily Caller columnist Mark Judge took to t'Internet this week to ridicule Barack Obama for being the 'first female President'.
You know, like being female is a bad thing.
Citing a lack of "rage and the desire to kill" in Obama's eyes (let's just stop and dryly chuckle a while, everyone who's been paying attention to the drone debate), Judge's piece starts at bad and goes rapidly to worse.
Come on. The measure of a man is how little he controls his rage? That's an insult to civilisation on so many levels it's hard to know even where to begin.
I'm willing to bet, in fact, that the reason we don't see that loss of control in Obama's eyes - or anywhere else for that matter - is because he is black, and to be successful has probably spent a lot of time combating anything that might cause the "angry black man" stereotype so rife in American culture to rear its head.
US President Barack Obama reacts after missing a putt on the first green at the Farm Neck Golf Club at Oak Bluffs on Marthas Vineyard
The piece goes on to list seven virtues that are supposedly markers of masculinity: courage, discipline, self-reliance, honour, industry, resolution, and manliness. Ignoring the stupidly recursive last one - manliness is how you prove you're manly? Back to logic 101, sir - these traits are presented as if they are the exclusive preserve of men.
When a set of qualities that any adult might strive to have is labelled as exclusively 'manly', then Houston, we have a problem. If you can't easily recognise the courageous, disciplined, self-reliant, honourable, industrious and resolute women of the world, what world are you living in? One that blithely writes off fully half of the world's population, it would seem, and lumps a politician in with it simply to score high-fives and chest bumps from the dude-bros.
I for one don't believe that men are any less caring than women are, or women less self-reliant than men. The circumstances of our lives have a lot to do with how particular attributes present themselves, but the fact that cartoon approximations of masculinity and femininity run rife is no excuse to ignore these traits in anyone.
Obama is measured by Judge (and fails to live up to) Theodore Roosevelt. Right… like Mitt Romney would have fared any better? T.R. was one of the all-time greats, that's why he's on Mount Rushmore. The lack of any more contemporary presidents up there sure ain't for lack of mountainside real estate in North Dakota.
There are a lot of reasonable and substantial critiques of Obama's presidency to be made, everything from drones to the NSA. He's taken hits for gender gaps in his cabinet, and for a pay gap that grows ever wider in the US, in spite of the administration's noises about closing it by reintroducing the 'Paycheck Fairness Act'.
None of those criticisms, not one, has anything to do with a failure to live up to sexist caricatures. And indeed such nonsense 'criteria' bode ill for the future of the first woman US president, whoever and whenever she may be. If we can't get overseeing personality traits as inherent in a person's sex, we automatically cut off half the talent pool from ever making waves.
Still, well done to Judge for trolling the entire world with this one. It's such a passive-aggressive little piece of bile, one might even go so far as to stoop to gendered critiques and accuse him of being the most female columnist on the Daily Caller.


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Basically, what the personal fitness coach will be doing is helping you do good for your body. These coaches will travel almost anywhere that is reasonably in the vicinity of the place they work.
From time to time, we probably are not the first to admit this one, but those trainers seem to be harsh on people. Honestly, when we had a trainer, we did not mind him being harsh. Why? Because we know that this is their job.
He was doing exactly what he was hired to do - make sure we stick to that plan in order to shed those unwanted pounds. However, if you ever feel that your trainer is being too harsh on you, don't yell at them or act irresponsible. It is fine to tell them that you would like them to take it a little easier on you.
Why? Because all of the equipment is readily available to use. Besides, when you are in a gym that is full of people who are already fit, you have even more motivation than you had when you were at home. Sometimes, just sharing the same environment with those individuals that are exercising can be motivation enough for some individuals.
What will the trainer be doing? They will be customizing that workout routine and make it into something that fits your needs.
However, if Phoenix Certified Personal Trainer mentions an exercise that you would not like to do, then tell them about it so that they can change the exercise routine. Take note that many of the coaches out there like to do their work in a gym where the right type of exercise equipment is readily available to them.
About the Author:


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Archive for September, 2016
The red rocks will thrill you while the red sauce fills you0
People go to Sedona, Arizona for many reasons both natural and supernatural. Whether you like rocks for climbing, divination or both, most can agree that at the end of a long day the energy you expend one way or anther will build within you a mighty, mighty hunger. Calories have escaped you in some creative, invigorating manner and as the sun begins to set one of the absolute best places to reclaim a day's worth is at Picazzo's Organic Italian Kitchen.
Located conveniently along the west fork of the area's main drag, Highway 89A, you'll find ample parking, easy access and an amicable staff waiting to serve you with alacrity the minute you arrive. The atmosphere was casually upscale and made me feel welcome even in just a baseball cap and t-shirt. I also had on pants. A tasteful move on my part for a very tasteful restaurant. And taste is what this place is all about. Their menu is full without becoming fussy. It's an Italian joint, pizza and pasta reign supreme, but surprisingly so too does a huge dose of healthiness not often encountered in places with similar fare. My wifey is gluten intolerant. If she sees a gluten she'll walk right up and punch it in the face! Or just eat it! It's a tough and daily struggle but, when given the chance to dine in a completely gluten free environment (save for two pizza crust options), she's always game. Then it goes and tastes amazing? Wifey goes gaga!
We're also both fans of organic and non-GMO options because Monsanto is a bitch. At Picazzo's it's pretty clear their salivary subtext is this: use great ingredients to make great food. A simple idea that's hard to realize while making you believe you're still cramming your face with old world peninsular born comfort foods. My first time visiting I chose to cram a BBQ chicken pizza (minus the onions, plus the spicy chipotle sauce) into my face. And post crammin', boy was my face a very happy face. Crust, toppings, presentation…all grand. The sauce rode flavorful more than fiery but that was fine with me too. Back again the next night and tried the Tuscan Chicken Breast. That was yummy as well. A milder choice than the previous evening sure, but with a bit of a road trip planned the next morning I was aiming for "watertight" and anything too heavy might sink my ship as it were. Mild doesn't mean meager, only different. Then, we managed one more visit before our trip came to an end. It was Saturday night, September the 10th. The sun was setting over Thunder Mountain and the table was set for one last supper with my family. I was glad to spend those moments at Picazzo's. Chicken Parmesan was the go to, a tried and true simple fave. It was chicken, breaded in Parmesan. It, like all the other offerings, was scrumptious. But to focus solely on the food? You might be missing the point.
While the cuisine was on point, it was the overall feeling we got dining at Picazzo's that kept us coming back over and over and over. I would be terribly remiss if I didn't mention that one very overwhelming factor in our frequent attendance at this particular Italian dinner table was one particular server.
His name? Mike. His talent? Making you and yours feel like a million bucks.
This man was equal parts knowledge and humor wrapped up in a sassy classiness that is often attempted but very rarely pulled off in such a adroit fashion. I loved this guy. My mom and dad did too. And my half-Italian wife adored him. Kudos then sir, to you and your staff. You started the week as "guy working our section" and ended as a pal. A title I don't hand out willy-nilly. So thanks man.
And thank you to everybody at Picazzo's for being spectacular. The salutations…the savoriness…the sunsets.
You filled our stomachs folks but more importantly, you filled our hearts.


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New safety initiative to drive performance improvements on board
News • Feb 24, 2017 07:36 GMT
V.Group has signed an agreement with Lloyds Register to run an initiative on port state control performance improvement on board our V.Ships and ITM managed vessels over the next six months.
Top marks for V.Group's UK cadet programme
News • Jan 25, 2017 07:52 GMT
An audit of V.Group's UK Cadet programme has led to top marks being awarded demonstrating the excellent efforts of our team delivering a high quality cadet programme
Team building activity helps cadets prepare for life at sea
News • Jan 18, 2017 08:10 GMT
V.Group's UK cadets sponsored by the Maritime Educational Foundation were introduced to their new career with the Merchant Navy through a four-day outdoor team building exercise in the UK's stunning Lake District.
Celebrating 40 years of service
News • Dec 22, 2016 08:24 GMT
In 1976, Mike Littledale and Kelvin McIldoon joined Silver Line Ltd, which would eventually become part of V.Group.
Amver awards recognise efforts in search and rescue missions at sea
News • Nov 21, 2016 12:38 GMT
Costas Kontes, general manager of V.Group's ship management operations in Greece and general secretary of the International Propeller Club of the United States Port of Piraeus gave the keynote speech at this year's Amver awards ceremony.
UK cadet programme now open for applications
News • Oct 12, 2016 10:10 BST
The search for V.Group's next cohort of UK cadets starts today (Wednesday 10 October) with the first in a series of recruitment fairs being held at Fleetwood Nautical College in Blackpool.
Career profile: Lee Clarke, Cadet Training Officer
News • Sep 22, 2016 10:26 BST
Lee is our Cadet Training Officer based on the Isle of Man. He grew up in South Africa and as a former seafarer who came ashore in June 2014 we caught up with him to find out more about what he does, how he got to where he is today and who 'stole' his nose when he was six years old.
Newbuild bulk carrier successfully launched
News • Sep 02, 2016 08:19 BST
The MP Kamsarmax 1, a newbuild bulk carrier has successfully launched with plan approval and site supervision conducted by our SeaTec China business
Commitment to improve safety, security and environmental standards on board
News • Aug 30, 2016 00:01 BST
There are a number of recognised industry standards, which have been put in place to protect and continuously improve life for those at sea. And ensuring our seafarers understand what they can expect as a result of these standards is an important part of V.Group's training matrix.
V.Delta manages vessel conversions to meet new Panama Canal requirements
News • Jul 12, 2016 12:40 BST
Francesca Ghigliazza, project manager of V.Delta - V.Group's conversions, engineering and energy conservation business talks about what's involved to ensure vessels meet the requirements of the newly expanded Panama Canal.


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Authors Live: Oliver Jeffers
Watch this event which we held in celebration of the Summer of Song and the Olympic Torch Relay in Scotland with award winning author/illustrator Oliver Jeffers. Oliver's interactive illustration workshop will guide your pupils through drawing characters from his new series The Hueys as well as featuring an exclusive reading of The Hueys in The New Jumper!
To download a complete transcript of this event, please click here.


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Last week I posted part 1 of my swatches for September's 'Sex and the City' themed What's In-die box, featuring polishes from Peita's Polish and Emily de Molly (click here to see it). So here is part 2! Today I have polishes from Lilypad Lacquer, Glam Polish and Celestial Cosmetics. As I'm not a SATC fan, I can't speak for how well these polishes relate to the theme.
First up is Lilypad Lacquer, "City Lights'. This is such a unique polish! It kind of reminds me of a lizard. It's a scattered holo with greenish/yellowish micro flakes in a dark green/grey base. It also features a slight colour-shift from bluish green to yellowy green.
|Lilypad Lacquer 'City Lights', direct sunlight
The formula for this was so nice and it only took 2 coats for full opacity! You could probably layer 1 coat of this over black for a stronger colour-shift.
|Lilypad Lacquer 'City Lights', lightbox
Next is Celestial Cosmetics 'I Miss New York'. This one is a silver foil with small and micro red hexes (some of them flash orange/pink!). I like the concept of this polish and it's something that I would maybe wear at Christmas time but the formula was a real let down.
It has quite a watery consistency and as a result, the larger hexes would constantly slip off the brush, making it really hard to get on the nail. As you can see from the bottle shot, there are plenty of larger hexes in the bottle but hardly any transfer to the nail.
|Celestial Cosmetics 'I Miss New York', lightbox
'I Miss New York' was also really sheer, which is not something I would expect from a foil polish. For my swatches, I used 2 coats over Borghese 'Chroma' on all nails except my ring finger which had 6 coats of 'I Miss New York' on it's own. Even with 6 coats, I still had some visible nail line on my ring finger (this doesn't really show up in the photos though)
|Celestial Cosmetics 'I Miss New York', lightbox
Finally, we have one of my favourites from this What's In-die Box, Glam Polish 'Carrie Me Away!'.
'Carrie Me Away!' is a bright blue/aqua crelly filled with micro silver holo glitter and blue shimmer. The formula was a good consistency but it's also a little sheer so I think that next time I wear it, I'll be layering it over a blue creme. This is 4 coats on it's own with topcoat. It looks absolutely amazing in the sun!
|Glam Polish, 'Carrie Me Away!', lightbox
|Glam Polish, 'Carrie Me Away!', direct sunlight
Caitlin, xo


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It's Friday already! I can't hardly believe how quickly the weeks are flying by.
I have so much to do in order to be ready for birthday parties, Thanksgiving, and all the Christmas festivities coming up. It is such a "good" kind of busy. It's the kind that I love, but come January, I will be beat and ready for things to slow down again.
Instagram has been a little slow for me lately. I have been working on my Root Instagram (@rootprettyliz) page and that takes up a little bit of my time. Here are some snap shots from the past couple of weeks.
First, I love chubby babies. I cannot deny it. I just do. Soft baby rolls make me giddy.
Tell me you don't want to just gobble her up. Mmmmm...
Bath time giggles are contagious.
Baby, it's cold outside.
Good thing she has furry, white boots to keep her tootsies warm!
We have a standing breakfast date. Every morning. Rain or shine.
One of these days, I won't have a handsome boy staring at me from across the breakfast table.
He will be long gone and I will simply be staring out the window.
I truly cherish these little moments when they are little, innocent, and their conversation revolves around tractors, baby dolls, and dreams.
Soon enough it will be all about iPhones, makeup, and fast cars.
I'll leave you with a little "This & That!"
Excited: about having family coming for the holidays and for a sweet seven year old's birthday!
Thinking: how much I love hunkering down on cold days and smelling cinnamon in the wax burner
Wanting: time to slow down so I can catch my breath. My baby is already wearing 9 month clothes!
Looking: for a few special Christmas gifts for my crew. We don't want to over-do it, but we also want it to be special.
Currently: listening to the older kids play outside in the snow while the two little girls nap to the hum of their sound machines.
Reading: Deuteronomy and it is giving me so much hope regarding things going on in my life.
Anticipating: the next Hunger Games movie. Mark and I seem to like them rather well.
Wondering: what I am going to wear to Mark's work Christmas party. My post preggers body isn't quite in good enough shape to fit nicely into my clothes yet. Shopping, maybe???
Have a lovely weekend!


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Getting the skinny on heavy metals in ocean plastic waste
We all know the huge issue plastic is causing in our oceans today, but as it turns out this floating waste poses yet another danger: toxic heavy metals.
August 08, 2017
Dr. Andreas Fath goes a long way to prove a point. Already a world-record holder for swimming the entire length of the Rhine River in 28 days in 2014, the 52-year-old Professor of Medical and Life Sciences at Furtwagan University in Schwarzwald, Germany, just launched "TenneSwim" to much fanfare all along the 652-mile Tennessee River. As he did with the Rhine, Dr. Fath is swimming up to 8 hours a day, averaging about 20 miles along one of America's most biologically diverse waterways. Along the way, he is collecting daily water samples which his team tests for contaminants and micro-plastics. It is all part of Dr. Fath's ongoing efforts to measure the impact of human activity on the world's waterways.1
"I am very curious to compare the findings between the two rivers," Fath says, adding that he expects to find even more contaminants in U.S. waters, because of the wider use of pesticides and fertilizers.3 If he completes his Tennessee swim within the 31 days that he projects, Dr. Fath will accomplish two major goals. First he will earn yet another world record as an endurance swimmer. Even more important to Dr. Fath, however, is the fact that his team's scientific analysis of the water samples he is gathering every day will stand as the most comprehensive water quality survey of the Tennessee River ever conducted.4
Learning from his Rhine River experience, Dr. Fath and his team of international scientists, naturalists, and students are proactively promoting the TenneSwim event to draw as much public attention as possible to what impact people have on water quality. "Only scientists read scientific papers," Dr. Fath says. "It is better to reach the public by doing something that gets their attention, like swimming the whole river. You come close to the river and speak to the people there."5
Dr. Fath and his team are doing more than just talking. All along the TenneSwim route, Dr. Fath and his colleagues are allowing the public to test water samples themselves using PerkinElmer's portable and powerful Spectrum Two™ FT-IR Spectrometer. The compact and simple-to-use spectrometer is ideal for remote testing of the Tennessee River for a wide range of contaminants. Samples will also be shipped to Furtwagan University, where they will be tested using a PerkinElmer NexION® 2000 ICP-MS to discover any contaminants that are too small to see.6 Dr. Fath's final report will be issued later this year.
We will be providing an update on TenneSwim following the completion of Dr. Fath's historic swim. You can also follow Prof. Fath's progress and stay up-to-date yourself at Tenneswim.org, where Dr. Fath and his teammates deliver daily reports on the swim. The blog also features more general topics related to the Tennessee River, water quality, and how you can get involved in your community.
We all know the huge issue plastic is causing in our oceans today, but as it turns out this floating waste poses yet another danger: toxic heavy metals.
A review of PerkinElmer's newest new demonstration laboratory at NutriControl, part of a Dutch cooperative enterprise with business interests throughout Europe, ...
How Perten Instruments and PerkinElmer are helping the agricultural and food industries feed the world and keep us all safe.
PerkinElmer's role in the historic Cassini spacecraft mission to Saturn.
New research by PerkinElmer confirms that PD-L1 protein expression levels in human breast cancer cells can be quickly and accurately assessed directly with the A...


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Hello everyone, I am back with some pictures of our trip to St. Andrew's Aquarium on Saturday. Since today is New Brunswick day, it is no work for anyone so I thought I would show some pictures of our trip and lots of animals. We even got to play with some. It's a two hour drive to St. Andrew's and you have to go thru some very interesting country side. Lots of trees on either side of the roads and some roads where cut thru rock.
This is main street in St. Andrew's not much room to drive thru.
I finally got to ride my bike today, it is now all set up so I can ride it whenever I want too. Dave helped me set up the gears and the seat was way to high. I could not put my feet on the ground when I sat on the seat. It is now lowered for me to be able to reach the ground with my feet. And I have not forgotten how to ride a bike either. Now just a matter of time. We did not have allot this pass week. There is so much construction going on in town and it is getting harder for us and NB Power to get near the poles we need to work on with all this consrtuction on the roads.
Well, enough for now. I have been trying to find some time for stitching but after long hot days, it's way to much to make supper and relax. I do sleep good.
Thank you all new followers and my regular followers who visit my blog. I do hope you enjoyed our trip. I will be back later to show you some of the stitching I have been doing but now I have to go stuff a small chicken and wait for hubby to finish cutting the lawn. We plan to take a small drive to cool off. It is still warm here with temps in the 30's. Hugs for now.


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HP ZBook and Apple MacBook Pro: Which takes the limelight?
HP ZBook and Apple MacBook Pro: Which takes the limelight?
In the era when portable productivity means making use of high end business applications or resource heavy gaming, you require more than just desktop replacement—you actually need an ultrabook that will double up as a portable device to offer total mobility. Apple MacBook Pro and HP's ZBook, are both quick, fast, light, and offer top of the line spec sheet.
Comparing the Apple MacBook Pro and HP ZBook
If we talk about the ZBook 15, it is a handsome as well as substantial device, with brushed aluminum surfaces, a magnesium frame, and a dark black and grey paint scheme. But it weighs 6.2 pounds and this is a stocky 1.2-inch thick —that's a good pound heavier than various other 17-inch desktop replacements that we have seen. It seems rock solid at rest, and you can see a port on its bottom in case you are desk-bound normally.
As far as the Apple MacBook Pro is concerned, it is a highly functional and advanced-featured device having high tech functionalities and configuration to drive exceptional processing prowess. It perfectly competes with the configurations of HP ZBook. If you are on the lookout for a good portable business laptop then let's look at these factors to compare the two class leading devices.
Both the devices, that is the HP ZBook 17 Mobile Workstation as well as Apple 17-Inch MacBook Pro, (750GB) are notebook laptops which mean that they are pretty more portable than other standard laptops. That said, let here have a quick comparison in specifications:
1. Graphics
If we talk about the graphics, both stand apart in their own way. But, the NVIDIA Quadro K3100M that is present in the HP ZBook 17 Mobile Workstation is a little better than the AMD Radeon HD 6750M that is present in the Apple 17-Inch MacBook Pro (750GB).
2. Display
The HP ZBook comes in 14", 15" and 17" variants while the Apple MacBook Pro comes in 13", 15" and 17" variants.
3. Processor
As far as the processor spec is concerned, the Intel i7 4700MQ included in HP ZBook Mobile Workstation can be said as a slight improvement than Intel i7 2720QM, which is present in the Apple 17-Inch MacBook Pro,
4. Battery
The battery incorporated in the HP ZBook 17 lasts 12 hours, which is slightly better than the Apple 17-Inch MacBook Pro battery. Apple's best performance is quite less in duration.
5. Memory (RAM)
The RAM present in the HP ZBook 17 Mobile Workstation is 16GB, which actually beats out the Apple 17-Inch MacBook Pro memory. The big GB RAM helps your device run more concurrent processes as well as complete intensive computations faster.
6. Size
Size is one more consideration that you need to think about if you would be lugging it around to conferences, meetings, or seminars. The Apple MacBook Pro has a slightly thinner size in comparison to the HP ZBook. It is obvious that its weight will also be less at 2.02 kg as compared to 2.82 kg of HP ZBook (at 15 inch screen size).
Our choice
In the end, we can say that both the devices have their own specifications and functionalities. We would prefer the Apple MacBook Pro simply for the amazing layer of security it has built around its entire app ecosystem. But both have some good features that make it worth a decent buy. Now you can get to choose the one which can best suit your requirement and preferences.


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Japanese Macaque
We have enjoyed our time in New Zealand so much! That is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is so beautiful in fact, that many movies are made here because of it's beauty.
We have caught a hop (a quick flight) from New Zealand to the land of the 'Rising Sun'. The land of electronics. The land of the samurai. We are in Japan.
Japan is an 'archipelago' which means 'a string of islands'. It has four main islands and over 4,000 smaller islands! The population of Japan is almost 128M (128,000,000).
One of the nice locals here that we met translated my name into the Kanji, what Japanese people speak:
より多くの光景を参照してください。(translates into See More Sights).
Japan has various types of landscape. One type that is predominant is mountains. In those mountains live a peculiar monkey called the Japanese Macaque that is native to Japan, that is that it only lives there.
And this monkey loves a good bath. Not just any bath though. The mountains in Japan are full of hot springs that the Macaque cannot get enough of.
These little guys come down from the snowy mountains to warm up. The crazy thing is, once they get in, they do not necessarily want to get out. Check out the video below on their hot spring habits.
Macaques have excellent vision. They spend a majority of their time looking into the thick fur coat of their family and friends picking out bugs to eat. YUCK!!!


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Mark Wahlberg will star in the long in development film adaptation of the 1970s TV series "The Six Million Dollar Man" at Universal Pictures according to The Tracking Board.
The original show followed astronaut Steve Austin whose body is rebuilt with cybernetic technology after a traumatic injury from an aircraft crash.
Several attempts have been made to adapt the property before, mostly as a comedy, with the likes of Jim Carrey and Leonardo Di Caprio linked. However, the property was often stuck in a rights tussle between TV series rights owner Universal and the Weinsteins who own the Martin Caidin novel on which the show was based.
The site claims Wahlberg's "Lone Survivor" director Peter Berg is attached to produce and possibly direct should the project come together, and it would also undergo a title change to "The Six Billion Dollar Man" according to Wahlberg in a recent interview.


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Demand Solutions Advanced Planning & Scheduling is a powerful and easy-to-use production scheduling solution that quickly produces accurate schedules taking into account machines, personnel, tooling and inventory constraints. The Demand Solutions Advanced Planning & Scheduling software enables manufacturers to balance material, capacity and shop floor schedules simultaneously to meet customer demand "on-time" at the lowest costs.
Business Benefits with Advanced Planning & Scheduling:
For futher information Click here


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Our STAFF
The staff of Northeastern Nevada Radiation Oncology Center is dedicated to the total well-being of our patients. (Please note: If you have a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately.)
Robert LoBue, R.T.(R)(T)Lead Therapist
Clinical Manager RBSE
Robert is a licensed radiation therapist with over 20 years of experience in the physician practice and hospital outpatient setting. He is a graduate of
the University of Iowa and holds a Masters in Business Administration and a Master of Healthcare Administration degree from the University of St. Francis
in Joliet, Illinois.
Lacey Hermann, R.T.(T)Radiation Therapist
Lacey has over six years of experience as a Radiation Therapist. She holds an Associates degree in Allied Health from Argosy University.EMAIL
Heath has over eleven years of experience in radiation oncology. He earned a Master of Science in Medical Dosimetry as well as a Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse. He is also a board certified Radiation Therapist.EMAIL
Shila MorganFront Office Coordinator
Shila comes to us with 16 years in the healthcare field and is the first person you will come in contact with when you call or visit our office. Her warm personality and pleasant demeanor will make you feel comfortable and important from the moment you walk in the door.
Fabrizza BaezaPhysician Liaison
Fabrizza has worked in the health care industry for over eight years. She has served in various roles providing support for patients, families, co- workers and community members. For nearly a decade, Fabrizza has been involved in a variety of community organizations such as Horizon Hospice, Kiwanis, Lion's Club, PACE Coalition, Ruby Mountain Resource Center and Habitat for Humanity. She credits her mother, Fabiola for being a positive role model and for teaching her the importance of respect and personal values. Fabrizza is dedicated to her work, but most importantly dedicated to helping people in any way that she can.Email
Rachel MuddBilling Specialist
Rachel has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Community Development, and a minor in Mathematics. She has served as a Billing Specialist for Radiation Business Solutions, our billing partners, for over two years. Rachel is dedicated to providing knowledgeable and compassionate service for patients and their families.Email


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Eat Less, Waste Less
Three days after Thanksgiving and I am still stuffed. Could it be the mountains of mashed potatoes? Maybe the several slices of bread? Perhaps the pumpkin pie, the chocolate pie, and the cheesecake? On this most gluttonous of all holidays, Americans get to do what we do best: overeat.
Despite efforts to lower our portions, reach for the veggies, and drink lots of water, most of us inevitably go for one too many seconds (or thirds or fourths). This tendency to over stuff with stuffing can have serious effects on our health and our environment. Thousands of acres of land is deforested every year to make room for agriculture. Our modern food system uses huge amounts of fossil fuels to produce our food. One out of four people is obese and that number is only growing.
How then, do we minimize our munching? In his book, The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite, author David A. Kessler M.D. explains that our hypereating is a result of the food industry tapping into and taking advantage of our basic biological instincts. Here's a video from the author:
But the problem isn't just with how much we're eating. Ironically, there's also a problem with how much we're throwing away. At a time when many around the world are going hungry, Americans throw away about 40% of all food produced. That's about 150 trillion calories!
Austin and I both work in the restaurant business as servers and we can both attest to how wasteful many people are when it comes to their food. On many occasions, customers take a few bites and throw the rest away–food that many others are struggling to provide for their families.
Here's a video that I stumbled upon on the Wasted Food website that does a excellent job of illustrating the effects of food waste and how to minimize that waste:
Though New Years Day is still a month away, it is not too early to make a few food resolutions:
1. Eat less.
2. Waste less.
3. Enjoy more.


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Jerry Hill, journalist and conservationist, dies at 69
BRADENTON — He will not tell his fishing or hunting stories any more.He won't hold his favorite rod or rifle again, either.
We are the poorer for it.
Jerry Hill is gone.
A Bradenton Herald institution and community icon, the former outdoors writer died this afternoon at Blake Medical Center after a long illness.He was 69.
"Jerry Hill was one of a kind," said Executive Editor Joan Krauter. "Not only was he an institution, but his knowledge of the community was matchless."Mr. Hill wrote his first column at the Bradenton Herald on March 2, 1975, and during his 32-year tenure established himself as one of the most prolific and respected outdoors writers in Florida.
"If ever there was a Bradenton icon who looked after the outdoors, the environment and conservation, Jerry Hill stood at the front of the line," said Mayor Wayne Poston, who was Herald executive editor for 24 years. "He got things done protecting the environment not just in Manatee County, but around Florida. Outdoor writers from around the state respected him and came to him for his opinion. There will never be another Jerry Hill."
Mike Mersch, who was sports editor for 20 years, remembered his protege fondly.
"Jerry Hill was the most revered writer this paper ever had," he said. "He was an absolute font of information. He truly lived his job. You couldn't tell his work from his play. I can't imagine anyone who lived his beat like him. No one was ever so identified with a beat as Jerry."
Mr. Hill is survived by wife Jo Ann, sons Jerry Jr. and Calvin, and his grandchildren.
"You'd be hard-pressed to find a better father to two boys," Calvin said.Mr. Hill combined his love for his family with his passion for nature, and Herald readers got to know his family through his writing. Maybe he'd tell about the boys' first wild hog kill or deer, or their annual vacation to Lake Okeechobee.
Mike Edwards was one of those readers and a frequent fishing companion."Jerry was a gift to all of us," he said. "I'm a fourth-generation Floridian and he knew about us. He had a terrific abilty to describe certain kinds of fish and the Florida outdoors in a cracker dialect we understood."
For example, a redfish wasn't just a redfish.
"Jerry called it a 'rosette-hued, bullet-nosed brawler,'" Edwards said. "He's a good ol' cracker writer, is what he was. A good guy to be around."
In the outdoors, Mr. Hill's favorite activities were hog hunting and fly-fishing for bluegill. His fishing expertise even spilled over on professional fishing captains.
"He made me the fisherman that I am," said Capt. Rick Gross. "It's because of him."
Mr. Hill not only was renowned for his angling and hunting abilities, he supplied his co-workers with plenty of venison sausage, fresh snapper, smoked mullet spread, wild turkey and boar. He provided his native Florida cuisine to the annual Ducks Unlimited banquet or the Manatee-Sarasota Fish Association's Taste of Florida benefit auction dinners.
Mr. Hill also had a passion for environmental conservation, and his independence was demonstrated with his work on getting the commercial fishing net ban enacted in the Florida Legislature on July 1, 1995.
"It was a credit to Jerry and his courage, particularly since Cortez is Florida's oldest fishing community," said Mike Finney, who spent five years in the late 1970s as the Herald's city editor and managing editor. "He was an example of someone at newspapers standing up for something that was not in the perceived commercial interest of a significant part of the community.
"Jerry was a brave guy, quite smart, and people didn't appreciate his tenacity. People can be dismissive of outdoor writers when dealing with public policy, but here they were dismissive of the wrong person."
Count Capt. Andy "Doc" Lee among those who respected Mr. Hill's influence. "People who are new to Manatee County will never have any idea the effect that Jerry had as an outdoor writer in the state, and really fresh and saltwater fishing, over the years," he said. "They'll have no idea why the fishing so good. Because of his articles, he overwhelmingly caused a lot of people to get involved in conservation efforts."
Mr. Hill's style of reporting was simple and reflected the Florida cracker common sense with which he was raised.
He was the founder of the Herald organized-and-sponsored Florida Fishing College. The first year, there were 245 "students' in attendance. Within 10 years, as many as 20,000 were setting aside a Saturday in February to learn about fishing with a host of volunteers, which were considered some of the state's best anglers. At the time, the Florida Fishing College had become the largest pure fishing school in the southeast.
"He was in his glory at the Fishing College, just surrounded by people, moving from instructor to instructor," Mersch said. "Jerry was the show. I've seen it so many times.
"I can't picture Jerry without being surrounded by people at fishing games, fishing dinners, mobbed by friends. Most people in the room had had some personal fishing or hunting experience with him. They all knew him and took all took his word. Jerry was a writer for the people. Those he touched can't be measured. I can't fathom anyone who was that much loved and revered."
Funeral arrangements for Mr. Hill are pending and will be handled by Brown & Sons Funeral Homes and Crematory.


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100 Years Later
What happened when Breaking dawn finished? What happened to the Cullens after the Volturi misunderstanding?
A brief guide through their life in the 100 years following Breaking Dawn and the days that follow.
Varying POV.
26. Chapter 26
Rating 3/5 Word Count 3560 Review this Chapter
Esme POV
Nine hours later found Carlisle and I still on our way to wherever he was planning on taking us. Thankfully, we were on board the private plane that Emmett had twisted Carlisle's arm, physically, into buying for the family. Why on earth do we need a plane? I don't want to know the ideas that went through our son's head when he thought of it. However, I'm kinda glad, in times like this that we have it. Taking into account the fact that if we were on a public plane journey, Carlisle and I wouldn't be alone, and fortunately, Carlisle was not one of the family members who could fly this vehicle (Rose and Em) so we had pilots. Meaning once again I had him to myself.
When we had left the house this morning, it had been quick. No goodbye's to the children or to Nessie, no time for my slight warning - it would have been directed mainly at Emmett - to make sure the house and one another were still in one piece upon our return. Whenever that may be. And throughout the whole flight, so far, if I wasn't looking at my husband, I was trying to gage where upon this earth we were currently heading. I had not seen any oceanic views; neither the flashing of lights in the black surface nor the ripples of waves, this had to mean that we were still upon the continent of America; be in north or south I am unsure.
One thing I am sure of is that no longer do I like surprises. Did I learn that from Bella? Or was it how I had been so eager for whatever waited upon the other side of our bedroom door, earlier this morning. Well except for suitcases in our place, and the knowledge of waiting a further god only knows how long until possibly we could do what we wanted. It may be the latter.
"Carlisle, where are we going?" I asked finally, my impatience finally leaking through into my speech. The same question had been running through my head for the last few hours or so.
Carlisle looked up from his contemplation of my fingers, joined with his on his thigh. He smiled widely; "Ah, my love, that would be telling."
I sighed at his totally predictable and vague, yet no less annoying, answer. And I let my eyes wander around the area within the cabin of the plane, noticing that the cockpit door was open. I eyed this suspiciously, hoping that even though we had been together for long enough now that we both had a kind of gift which only worked upon the other; Carlisle would not know my idea for present. I leaned forward upon the white leather couch, one hand still in Carlisle's clutches, my other coming forward to rest upon my knee and cradle my chin. "Excuse me-" I started, breaking the comfortable silence that had enveloped us from the start of the flight with proper speech not the whispered conversations between Carlisle and I or the conversing of both pilots and the cockpit radio, hoping that my questioning was loud enough to grab their attention.
As I opened my mouth to continue, a hand flew across it, stopping my advances. I could taste the scent of my mate's skin and feel the gold of his wedding band upon my bottom lip as I pouted into his palm. I guess my wish about mindreading has not come true. "No-" I mumbled around his hand as the co-pilot turned in his seat, eyeing me with a questioning look in his eye. Now I had his full attention I could try and ask again, not taking into account the hand still blocking my progress. "Do you know-" I started once again, raising my voice so the human would be able to hear the low muffle caused by my love's palm.
Carlisle's hand dropped from my face and triumph moved through me before I felt a familiar pair of lips press just where his hand was a moment earlier. This man was terrible when he wanted his own way. His hand dropped mine from his lap and came up to cradle my face between his warm, smooth palms, while one of my own hands completed the familiar path around his neck coming to rest, intertwined, in his soft, blonde hair at the nape. My second hand pressed against his chest, the two parts of my brain competing against the other, I considered pushing him away to get my question out, however, did I really want him to stop once he was actually there. No.
He released me once I had relaxed, without my recognition. He looked deep into my eyes and as I watched his eyes I saw them turn from a dark topaz back to the gorgeous gold, which never refrained from taking my unnecessary breath away. He smiled at the pilot once the eye contact broke, and when I looked up to the cock-pit, the co-pilot was quietly laughing at our embrace. Carlisle wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me back into his chest, so I could no longer see his face. The man winked from the cock-pit over my head, obviously at Carlisle. I knew when I felt the seat we were both upon shake slightly with my husband's silent laughter.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Cullen, but Dr. Cullen has told us not to tell you," the pilot answered the question that I'm sure he knew I was about to ask, with an air of someone who had been told what to say and practiced it until it became kind of believable. I didn't want to know the amount of money Carlisle had given the pair of them, not to tell me. However, I think that whatever I am able to bribe them with will not be enough, not by a long mile.
I just conceded, without good grace, crossing my arms over my chest in a position I know looks like Emmett when he sulks, but I really do not care. I may be sulking. Carlisle chuckled, kissing my cheek roughly. "Patience, Esme," he murmured onto my skin.
Right on cue, as if the pilots were actually listening to our conversation, which to be honest I kind of knew they were, there was a sudden drop in pressure within the cabin, the 'ding' of the seatbelt sign sounded and the sound of the wheels making their appearance from within the hold below us reverberated through the air. Finally we were here, however where again was here? I looked out of the window as we came down but all I could see was the sand colored surface of the runway, other planes either taking off or landing and the stars; crisp in the dark sky.
Once the wheels came down upon this concrete, the sound of the air floating over the wings was all that I could hear, as the plane decreased in speed to a crawl up to the airport. The stairs were placed to the door and together Carlisle and I walked outside and collected the baggage from a Hispanic looking boy. We walked over to the present taxi, Carlisle opening the back door for me and then getting in himself. The car started to move as Carlisle leant forward in his seat muttering away in Portuguese to the driver, it was not a language I had ever tried to learn but it gave me a better idea of where we were. "Ao Porto," Carlisle asked, before leaning back in his seat and kissed my knuckles. I knew enough Portuguese to know what he had just said. All around us in the taxi was the downtown area of a city; large sky scrapers and too many cars and standing centennial over the city was the thirty meter tall statue of Christ the Redeemer. Oh, now I knew where I was, this statue I had seen ever since the first time I had come here, and every time my husband's eyes lit up with inspiration. Rio de Janeiro had changed a lot with the times; the buildings expanding, enlarging, the historic sites decreasing in numbers yet most still appeared in the same position as always on the journey to our haven away from home.
"Carlisle..." I spoke into the darkness, a kind of warning tone making an appearance in this lone word. He turned to me, the gold shine of his eyes brightening the semi-darkness, that much more.
"Shh, it's been far too long since we last came here," he answered. That it had, it had been fifty years since we had been here last, even Edward and Bella had been here more than us in the past years; coming for their hundredth anniversary just a year prior.
"No buts," he softly admonished me. "It's our little escape from the world that is changing, to the world that never has and never will change," he smiled gently brushing his finger against my cheek, "that covers how I feel about you. No," he stopped himself, shaking his head lightly with that tender smile still present on his lips. "Of course that has changed," he spoke with reverence and passion, "that has became stronger."
"I love you."
"I love you more," he laughed.
"Well that's an impossibility," I came back with turning my attention from the captivity of the bottomless golden pool to the ever darkening city of our second home. As the city began to thin somewhat, my body again pulsed with exhilaration. Thankfully I was no longer human; if I was everything about me now, which were all impossible yet somehow always felt like they were happening, would give me away. Whether the traitor hammering of my heart within my own mind, the quiet hitching of my breath or a small blush as blood came to the surface of my skin.
The buildings thinned completely and disappeared leaving nothing but a total expanse of ocean broke only by a wooden dock and few boats; masts already blowing slightly in the mild, humid breeze. We both walked to the boat at the very end which was ours, smaller than most others but I knew it was probably faster. Carlisle jumped on board, trying I think to make it look as human like as possible, bless him he failed, and he turned to help me on board, even though I am just as able to do so. As I found my familiar seat at the front next to the drivers, Carlisle quickly unwound the ropes bounding us to the dock and came to sit by my side and started the boat effortlessly. As he was more inept at driving without showing some sort of attention, his human nature making itself known once again, unlike our sons, it gave me some time to remember the day a hundred and eighty years prior to this day when I had first lay eyes on the island which would appear from the water shortly.
My first journey out of the country had lead to the very city we were now in. A trip on the railroad from Wisconsin, where we had lived at the time, to the port upon the very eastern edge of North Carolina, and then a journey upon a boat to Rio de Janeiro. If I were still human I could but imagine the irritableness that would have coursed through my body throughout the whole journey. However, I wasn't human, at that time I was a newborn vampire, little under three months old and out in civilization for the first time with slowly lightening eye, yet nothing deep within me was worried, for I had Carlisle with me. His love kept me safe upon the railroad; he kept me sane within every moment until we reached our destination. Upon reaching the strange land which was very different from anything I had seen before, the expanse of the city larger than the farms of home life in Ohio, the immensity of the ocean at the periphery larger than any lake within the state of Wisconsin, a weird thought came to me and I had forever to dwell on the idea that this was the first of distant lands I would encounter, the first of anything with Carlisle, the start of my life with a complete and happy family, my first day as a true Cullen. Esme Cullen, I remember smiling to myself at that prospect.
We walked to the shore of one beach that surrounded the city, my feet trailing over the sand, feeling the bits in between my toes, until I hit the sea; warm by a vampires standard which sent shivers around my body just like the touch of the man at my side. We swam; thankfully I had changed out of my wedding dress. Swimming, like any form of exercise no longer exhausted me mentally and physically so I continued until Carlisle's voice spoke out of the dark water by my side, my eyes taking in the glow of his alabaster skin and silver hair throwing beams upwards thanks to the moon. He pointed to the distance and as we swam closer, shapes came from the water; starting barely visible, even for me, and turning into more defined shapes and denser colors.
"What's this?" I asked as I pulled my form faster towards the shore of the beach upon the island.
"Well," Carlisle answered, "this is Isle Esme. I bought it when you said yes to me, and it's our own little haven, and it gives Edward his own at home."
"Wh-Why?" I asked, stuttering on my own voice, as if the non-existent chill of the water surrounding my torso and legs was finally getting to me.
"It's a place where we can be ourselves; newlyweds, in love and vampires." As he was explaining my toes touched the silky sand within the water for the first time in nearly half an hour. I stood up, my sundress dripping wet around my frame and the waves of the sea were lapping against my shins.
"You bought me an island?" I asked, dumbfounded. I knew Carlisle was something different, something amazing, however, never to that degree. He had already given me his love, his friendship, his family, a new life, and most of all him for all of eternity, and now an island? I felt pale in comparison to his greatness.
"Esme, I would buy you the moon if you wanted it," he told me, sincerely, how could I distrust him? "You have given me so much more than I ever thought to expect, could ever endeavor to deserve. Your love is so much more than anything in my world, even this island is a feeble gift when compared with what you have already given me, and I will never stop trying to make it up to you, for all of eternity, my love."
I could not turn to look at my new husband, so I let my eyes wander over what I could see in front of me, and he let me taking my hand softly in his own. The trees appeared taller than when I was in the water, a light was visible beyond them somewhere, the sand was bleached white from the glare of the moon, everything was beyond perfect. "I love it," I finally broke the comfortable silence which had enveloped us in our own bubble. "That doesn't even cover it." I turned to look up at him, "Oh, Carlisle, I love you," I cried, raising my hand, ignoring the shake, to brush along his cheek.
"As I love you," he smiled, "however, I think you may like the house even more." He laughed, lifting me easily from the floor and practically running me through the forest like growth which separated us from the front door.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Carlisle asked, above a soft thump which signaled the boat coming to a rest upon a much shorter dock than the one which we had seemingly just left. I shook my head as if that would chase away the wonderful visions I had just had, and smiled up at Carlisle.
"I'm just remembering the first time," I answered him, trailing off; I think that it may have been enough. His face went blank for just a moment, enough for me to see the change between this and the smile that was just on his face. When he came back to me he had a crooked smile upon his face, which I know he picked up from Edward among their time together, his teeth shimmered in the light along with his skin, and his eyes had a playful edge to them. He stood, indicating for me to do the same by offering me his hand, which I eagerly grasped, before I was pulled upwards into the air for a brief amount of time and landed in Carlisle's open arms, I remember this too from the first night. And I believe he does too.
He was right in what he said in the taxi, it was our own little world where nothing changed. Except maybe the nature and of course the people who visited. "There better not be feathers everywhere," Carlisle growled as he opened the white wooden front door, "don't want to spoil my fun." I laughed at the protective edge of our home, as he continued walking through the house, the large foyer with pictures from our various homes which led off to the living area, unused kitchen, the "blue" room or our room, which was where we found ourselves outside of right now.
Carlisle placed me upon the carpeted hallway, pressed his lips against the nape of my neck and I hear the rush of cotton on skin and turning I find him to be gone. I slowly reach out my hand and turn the golden, spherical doorknob; opening the door upon our room. I walked over to the gossamer netting that hung from the ceiling and draped around our bed when I hear the soft thump of two suitcases hitting the white wooden floor. And within a moment of realizing Carlisle was back in the room with me, I feel the warm skin of Carlisle's bare chest upon my back, and I gasp at its familiarity, and the recognizable vibrations that move through me like always with one touch of him. I turned in his grip, pressing my hands against him; feeling the union under my hands of soft skin and hard muscle. He grasps my waist tighter within his fingers, and starts walking me backwards towards the bed. I hear the soft clunk of his shoes coming off in the process until the back of my legs touch the comforter, and Carlisle places his knees upon it, gently laying the pair of us in the centre of the circular bed, his weight balancing over me on his elbows.
"How long can we stay?" I asked, hoping that it was forever. I could stay like this forever, not moving, not speaking, and just being in a place with him.
"Hmm," he pretended to ponder, my question, "it depends on how long I want to keep you for."
"What about the children?"
He laughed the mischievous smile that was just present on his face dropped into a gentle one, "the oldest is older than you, my love. I think they will be okay." There was a short sharp beep that echoed around the silence of our house and this beep continued into an annoying tune. Carlisle sighed, raising his eyebrows as he began to pat his trousers in search of the bothersome device. He delved his hand into his left hand side pocket, bringing with it his silver cell phone, and he looked at the caller id. "I think we are just about to find out," he muttered, more to himself than me.
He flicked open the phone; pressing it to his ear, "Alice," he called as greeting, his eyes never leaving mine.
"I don't see you back for a couple of weeks," my sprightliest daughter answered, in her loud bell like tone, so I could even hear what she was saying to my husband. "Have fun, dad. Hi mom!" The ring of the empty phone line rang through the earpiece now as Carlisle closed the phone with a weird, unrecognizable look in his eye and threw the phone gently across the room.
"You know, I don't even want to know what she has seen," Carlisle muttered, the look in his eye becoming more disturbed.
"I don't really care," I contradicted him; she has probably seen a lot worse. It's not that she chooses to look, is it? Well not into our private life, and she normally stopped herself before it became that bad.
He narrowed his eyes playfully at me, placing his lips to my neck harshly. "I love you," I mumbled pitifully, I could feel his hitching breath against my skin.
I felt his lips pull up into a beautiful smile, "I love you. My life, my soul, my everything. My Esme," he murmured and together we moved into the perfect harmony that we always did, as I melted into his strong arms where I had always been and always will be.
- Chapter 1
- First day back at school....
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 23
- Chapter 24
- Chapter 25
- Chapter 26
- Chapter 27
- Author
- amyelewis
- Rating
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- Reviews
- 94
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- 56545
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- Published
- 16 Apr 09
- Updated
- 27 Mar 12
- Status
- Complete


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With the summer coming to a close and hockey season soon approaching, I wasn't surprised when I had a request for cupcakes with a Toronto Maple Leafs Theme
Category Archives: cupcake
Let the Games Begin
A very special birthday
A garden you can eat…mmm
These sunflowers, hydrangea and roses make up the yummiest garden I have ever tasted.
Mud Pie Cupcakes
Spiderman Cake
Last week a very precious little boy turned three. This little guy is so into spiderman that I was shot with a web as soon as I arrived. Needless to say, this spiderman cake was a perfect choice. The design was borrowed from a talented cake designer, Bobbie at BMT cake designs http://www.bmtcakedesigns.com/.
The bottom layer of the cake was vanilla with vanilla buttercream. The top layer was chocolate with caramel buttercream. The cupcakes were chocolate and vanilla with cotton candy buttercream icing. The cupcake toppers and cake decorations were made with fondant and gumpaste. The only part that was not edible was the spiderman figurine on the top of the cake.


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Zing Chat prepares to sword Yahoo Chat
VinaGame is final testing its Zing Chat IM for an official launch in early November. In fact they bought the popular QQ IM from Tencent and localized it for the Vietnamese market.
VinaGame is more known in Vietnam for its online game. Some PR work in Vietnamese media stated the company's revenues at $40 million (amazing!). Their games are mostly licensed from Chinese supplier. Now the company is hoping it can become Vietnam's Tencent and its coming IPO next year would make it laugh all the way to the bank, at least similar to the story of Mr. Ma's Tencent in Hong Kong. Tencent is worth $8b, so why Vietnam with 17 million Internet users, a tenth of China's Interent population, should not be worth north of $800m?
VinaGame is dreaming big before with the launch of social networking Yobanbe and music search engine Zing MP3. They've just launched their Zing portal. Now came in the IM sword. It seems VinaGing is very serious.
Zing Chat has a bundle of strong points. It offer many cool and cute avatars, very 3D polished indeed. This might be welcomed by Vietnamese teenagers, who are using Chat services like there's no tomorrow. It can webcam chat with 5 persons at the same time. Sending file is a click at ease. It is integrated with Zing MP3 so that you can listen to popular Vietnamese songs. VinaGame plans to develop more entertainment apps for their QQ pet, so expect more to come.
However, it seems Zing Duck will find it difficult to sword at elephant Yahoo IM's back. Vietnamese users has so attached to Yahoo that leaving Yahoo IM for Zing QQ seems unbelievable to most. Zing Chat is heading to become the multifunctional Swiss knife with a strong confidence than ever. However I very suspect the effectiveness of this approach.
You can listen to Vietnamese music song with Zing Chat. Ha! Teen should be more comfortable using another online music services like Baamboo, 7Sac, Uizaa, NhacVui, and even Zing MP3 itself. Or for a very smart teen, why should not download the songs she likes from these services and play it from her desktop with Microsoft's zurassic Music Player? How about sending multi GB file? You can use yousendit, or megaupload, or FPT's xiklo. Cool and polished avatars cannot help here. The only thing that I like is webcam chat with 5 persons. Might be VinaGame has just found out that Vietnamese teenagers love video conferencing, as many of them love to become future business executives some time? Even that way, can you chat with 5 people and looking at 5 screens at the same time and find it's a worthy Internet experience?
I like Zing's ideas and their ambition, but feel anxious if they are going to battle Yahoo this way. You cannot overcome the market leader by becoming better.
Or maybe you can, and you make the history.
Of course I have enough time to wait and see.


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For Psychology Students
Professional and Student Psychologist Organizations
December 10, 2014
A comprehensive list of Psychologist and related professional and student organizations
Types of Psychologists
December 7, 2014
Sub-Specialties in Psychology
Psychology Education TopicsWhat can you do with a Psychology Degree?
Articles of InterestWhat can you do with a Psychology Degree?
Psychologist licensure and practice requirements are subject to change. Psychologist-License.com makes a good faith effort to keep content accurate and current. Please check with your state's licensing board before applying for licensure or renewal to verify that you are on the right track.


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Jaro has a few different places to check out his photography portfolio:
Instagram: @photosbyjaro
Facebook: Jaro Ocean Photography
Web site: www.jarophoto.com
Whats your hometown?
I grew up in a city named Prague, which is located in Czech Republic. After turning 5, I moved to Hawaii with my family to study the english language and then moved here after a few years, realizing that we live in paradise.
What are your goals/dreams?
My goals and dreams are to one day become a successful surf photographer like Zak Noyle, and to live a happy life on the North Shore with my family and friends.
Whats the one thing that inspires you?
The one thing that inspires me is everybody else's work because its very easy to see art from all over the world in the technological age we live in today. Some of my biggest inspirational photographers are Zak Noyle, Brent Bielmann, and Ray Collins who inspire me to think creatively in many of my photos.
How do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself living in paradise on the North Shore of Oahu. I would wake up to perfect waves and surf, shoot, and swim around in what seems to be a dream. I would then go to live off in the tropical paradise drinking coconut water, having an acai bowl, and enjoying my friends and family.
What does Activism mean to you?
Being in Activist means to represent a company in a variety of ways to spread the word. I would embody the company's appearance, values and ethics using many photos to bring the brand to life.
Why surfing?
Many people around the world just think of surfing as something to do as a hobby or whenever your bored, but for surfers, it is a whole new kind of lifestyle. The surfing community brings many people together and they go out of their way to make everything more environmentally friendly because they believe that you couldn't live without the surf. Its our ocean, so people should treat it with respect. Surfer's have a very deep connection with the ocean because it keeps us happy. Surfing is like an addiction, once you get hooked, there is no looking back.
Here are a few of our favorite shots from Jaro:


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The Elephant Dining Chair is a dining chair version of the popular Elephant Lounge Chair. The legs are shared with the proven NY11 Dining Chair while the seat and back are pressed in the same soft curve as the Elephant Lounge Chair. The result is a light and elegant dining chair where the Elephant ear shaped back gently curves around the body.
Elephant Dining is produced with solid oak legs, with back and seat in laminated oak veneer. The seat and the back are upholstered in leather and textile of highest quality, and the refined 25 mm foam blend provides superior comfort. The upholstery gives the chair a solid look, which is contrasted by the slim contour of the veneer edge. "Elegant, simple but sturdy without being clumsy".


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The Alchemist's Kitchen + The Saint of Letting Small Fish Go.
Susan Rich's blog,
The Alchemist's Kitchen
, has just the right recipe to make a delicious read: a little memoir, some travel, tips on such lit-biz topics as how to successfully apply for a residency and the fact that women poets might have an edge now in submitting to the Southern Review, as well as notable literary events, like the celebration of Madeleine DeFrees' 90th birthday at Elliot Bay Books. Susan, I've added yours to my blogroll! Thanks for the riches.
I've been reading Eliot Khalil Wilson's
The Saint of Letting Small Fish Go
, a beautiful and brilliant debut book. The poems are well-crafted, full of feeling, often tender, and filled with stunning metaphorical aptness. I sometimes feel the strain behind a poem's reaching for the surprising metaphor; never in these poems did the metaphor or simile strike me as gratuitous. This is poetry that has earned its imagination, lived itself out before coming to the page. Here's the
title poem
, published at Slate. And a poem that just knocks me out,
White Slip on the Paris Metro
at From the Fishouse (you can hear him read the poem).
Eliot Khalil Wilson, an Arab-American, brings an interesting cultural mix into his writing with a subtlety that makes the shifting cultural landscapes fascinating. I'm really glad I got the book and just hope Wilson's writing more books!


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Located just under an hour's drive from Cape Town, L'Ermitage is a convenient and peaceful conference venue in Franschhoek. The property is ideally located for team building, corporate meetings and functions.
The luxurious accommodation, superb dining and the fully equipped conference facilities as well as a dedicated conference co-ordinator will ensure that all your expectation are met.
L'Ermitage conference facilities can be set up in the usual configuration, such as:
We can customise the arrangements, according to your specifications and budget. Please note that capacity of the conference venue is subject to the seating style.
Seating Arrangements
For your convenience, the use of the following is included in the conference package:
Any extra requirements can be arranged at a nominal cost.
Seating Arrangements
Enquiry about the conferencing venue at L'Ermitage


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Armoured Harley-Davidson Motorcycle
Reading time: about 1 minute.
In 1932 the Danish government decided to try armouring motorcycles rather than cars in order to minimise costs, the Danes contracted the armour fabrication work to the Swedish factory, Landsverk AB who built the steel plating to blueprints created by the Danish Military.
A small number of test-bed armoured motorcycles were built between 1932 and 1935, the Danish Army found the vehicles to be lumbering, top heavy and almost impossible to drive on anything other than a flat, straight road. These drawbacks coupled to the fact that the Harley's comparatively big V-Twin struggled to get the contraption over 30mph left the Danes looking for alternatives.
In 1935 the Danish Army opted instead to buy the Nimbus Motorcycle and the brief foray into armoured Harleys was relegated to the annals of history.


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Today I woke up with a craving for a dish that's been a favorite of mine forever, one that my mom used to make (and still does when she can)- pay de atún.
And so after an early morning trip to the market, and in between baby's naps and other events of the day I began the different tasks- mixing, kneading, chopping, dicing, simmering, reducing, baking... And finally by dinner time, I had made a pretty darn good pay de atún.
All throughout the day I thought of my mom, and how SHE carefully planned and flawlessly executed this recipe many times before me. I felt happy like I did way back when I came home from school and saw this dish on the table. There were many meals my parents and I shared and even though those days seem so far away, their memory is very near my heart.
So tonight I made pay de atún for my family in hopes that they can perhaps make memories like I once made. I hope that when they're older and perhaps have families of their own, that they strive to carry this on with the same warmth and love that I feel now because of my parents, those shared meals, and this recipe.
Preheat oven to 350.
3 cups flour
2 bars of butter, room temperature
1 Philadelphia cheese block, room temperature
Mix ingredients with a fork and then with the hands. Knead until well mixed. Separate into 2, cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge for 1 hour.
Roll out one of the parts for bottom crust, and the other for the top.
1 tomato, no seeds, diced
2 cans tuna in water, drained
1 potato, diced and boiled 4 minutes
1 carrot, diced and boiled 4 minutes
2 tbsp green bell pepper
2 tbsp pimento stuffed green olives
3/4 cup evaporated milk
Lightly cook the tomato in a bit of oil. Add tuna and stir for a bit. Then add the potato, carrot, pepper, and olives. Mix well and add the evaporated milk. Let reduce so that its not too liquid. Once reduced, let cool.
Spoon the stuffing over the bottom crust, cover with top crust and seal the edges. Poke the top with a fork and bake for however long it takes for the crust to turn golden.


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In part II, I continue to discuss the nature of leadership based on a review of the academic literature. See Part I here if you missed the introduction.
Here we discuss the following:
In the lecture I talked about a fantastic book, It's your Ship. I have linked it here.
Because he understood leadership, Captain Abrashoff transformed one of the worst performing ships in the Navy into the best of its class. I highly recommend the book.
WARNING: As a sailor, Captian Abrashoff has a salty tongue, so the book gets a PG-13 rating. But, I recommend the book because he understood the fundamentally empowering nature of leadership. Here are a few brief passages to illustrate:
I found that the more control I gave up, the more command I got. In the beginning, people kept asking my permission to do things. Eventually, I told the crew, 'It's your ship. You're responsible for it. Make a decision and see what happens.' Hence the Benfold watchword was 'It's your ship.' Every sailor felt that Benfold was his or her responsibility (p. 6).
I was determined to create a culture where everyone on board felt comfortable enough to say to me, 'Captain, have you thought of this?' or 'Captain, I'm worried about something,' or even 'Captain, I think you're dead wrong and here's why.' Yes-people are a cancer in any organization, and dangerous to boot (p. 89).
How much more effective would our organizations be if all leaders thought like this? Have you ever worked for someone like Captain Abrashoff?
Darin Gerdes
December 2, 2012
Dr. Gerdes is the Director of the MBA Program at Charleston Southern University


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Mercedes 300 SL Roadster
Reading time: about 1 minute.
The Mercedes 300 SL Roadster was the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport of it's day, it was the fastest production convertible (the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing was the fastest hardtop) in the world and is often cited as one of the most beautiful cars of the 20th Century. The car was based on the legendary W194 Le Mans race car and featured the same steel space-frame chassis, 2995 cc M198 I6 SOHC Engine and was the first car to use direct fuel injection.
Good condition 300 SL Roadsters change hands for roughly $500,000 USD nowadays, if you happen to have this much burning a hole in your pocket you can check out sale listings for the car here.


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Ethanol Running on Empty
Everyone knows oil prices are dropping. Unfortunately, oil is dragging other industries down into its murky blackness too.
Ethanol prices recently hit a four-year low, plunging 28% in September alone.
The price on October 1 was $1.53 per gallon, the lowest price seen since June 2010!
Back in March, I told readers why the $44-billion industry would face strong headwinds in 2014.
The price drop was caused, in part, simply by too much supply.
The Energy Information Administration said that ethanol inventories in September reached the highest level seen since March 2013.
This is despite ethanol production crashing in late September to its lowest level in nearly six months. That means demand is declining faster than production cutbacks – a major problem for future prices.
But there are three other big issues this commodity needs to get over before the market can recover.
Running the 400 Hurdles
The first issue is caused by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The agency was once the industry's biggest benefactor, but the EPA will soon make a final decision on reducing the requirement for ethanol blending into gasoline.
Under the original 2007 law, 14.4 billion gallons of ethanol were to be blended into the nation's fuel this year. But many believe the EPA will lower that requirement to only 13 billion gallons.
This will most certainly dampen the industry's profit.
Competition from Brazil is also pressuring the ethanol industry.
The government there is considering offering their ethanol industry more tax benefits. More federal support means Brazilian suppliers can sell cheaper ethanol to the world market.
Brazil is a major contender, too. The United States and Brazil produce around 90% of the world's ethanol.
Finally, the U.S. industry is facing infrastructure bottlenecks.
You see, most of the ethanol plants are located near the Corn Belt in the Midwest, but exports occur on the coasts. Therein lies the holdup.
A good bit of ethanol shipping from producers to export points is done by rail. However, last year's intense winter caused by the polar vortex had rail shipments tied up in a knot.
Producers can also ship ethanol by truck, but that is a very expensive alternative.
With another harsh winter coming, transporting ethanol is sure to be challenging yet again.
Hitting the Stride
So what does the future hold for ethanol companies?
The stocks of players such as Pacific Ethanol (PEIX) and Green Plains (GPRE) suffered greatly in September, down 40% and 16%, respectively.
This was no doubt due to the profit margin in the industry falling from $2.04 per gallon in April to a mere $0.22 per gallon in September, according to the Iowa State Center for Agriculture and Rural Development.
While the steepness of the drop of both profit margins and stock prices should level off, the industry's outlook is still gloomy.
And "the chase" continues,
Tim Maverick


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Unbelievably, the University of Sussex banks with Barclays Bank (as well as investing in it).
Here is a timeline of some of Barclays' many crimes against humanity.
We are considering campaigning to:
- get the university to invest in an ethical bank such as the Cooperative or Triodos
- get the Barclays, Lloyds and HSBC bank machines off campus
- get a Coop Bank branch on campus
- get more students banking ethically
page revision: 4, last edited: 19 Mar 2009 16:10


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Throw out the Hindi phrase books, the capricious software. You don't need 'em. All you need to do, citizen of the world, is to master one simple yet profound gesture: the Indian head waggle.
The waggle's effect is something between a nod, a shrug, a dog's tail wag, and flipping the bird at someone when their back's turned. From experience, it appears to mean:
Yo, homies
- Yes
- No
- Ta
- I acknowledge your existence, underling
- I'm doing your bidding, madam, but with extreme lack of enthusiasm
- That's impossible, but I'm damned if I tell you that
- I have no idea what's going on
- Meh.
This ocean of meaning gives rise to some minor ambiguities in social interactions. Indians, as my (Indian) friend generalised wildly, hate to say no. Is the hat shop that way? Yes, madamji, if you want it to be that way. Do you still have train tickets left? All truth is relative, madamji, and we are but motes of dust in the timeless eye of the Universe. This culminates most mornings in my house with the maid and I locked in mutual incomprehension, bobbling away at each other passive-aggressively over the toaster.
My favourite bollocks explanation for the head bobble was put forward by an Indian management consultant:
For well over 400 years, Indians were ruled by the British Empire and before that it was all monarchy. And people were afraid of saying no as an answer… They would just nod their head this way and leave it up to the other person to judge whether it's a yes or a no and leave it there.
Certainly the Indian education system seems designed to inspire boredom and mindless deference. Hindi is also full of little responsibility-evading techniques. Lack of knowledge, strong and unruly feelings like regret, love, hunger, and diarrhoea often happen to you in Hindi (mujhe dast hai, mujhe bhukh lagi hai, etc)—we humans are mere ants facing a powerful and hostile world/our passions/loose bowels. But compare this with Indian drivers' psychopathically aggressive use of the horn, surely the basis of Amartya Sen's The Argumentative Indian. Apathy and va va voom coexist… land of contrasts… melting pot much like a curry or a slum or a curry in a slum… schizophrenic elephants… etc etc. What I'm trying to say is that the head bobble is a cunning and sublimely useful manoeuvre—imagine its potency when deployed against an unfairly nosy supervisor or indulging in some light bigamy—and I intend to use it religiously from now on.
You too can become fluent in the waggle. Imagine your head is ludicrously gigantic, like a Thunderbirds doll or James van der Beek. Keep your face entirely expressionless (resigned eye-closing optional): we're talking reluctant subordinate 'tude here, not African-American diva. Relax your neck and dip your left ear precisely 15° and then precisely 15° for the right ear. Repeat smoothly for several minutes. Practise in all social situations for the rest of your life.


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David L Bunning Financial Disclosure Report for 2003
Category:Financial Disclosure
Number of Pages:5
Date Created:February 3, 2005
Date Uploaded to the Library:November 13, 2013
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65533; ill Government Act 1'978, U.S:CA.pp. 101-111) FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2003 Bunning, 11tfo U.S. C:ha1111bers omce AddMas Covington, POSmONS. {ReirJ,ol1inirtndtvidulOn/y:sapp. 9-13 oflnstrvctiOlu.) POSmON NONE (No ll'l'JIOrtable positions.) Il. AGREEMENTS. (RArpo11illg indwithml. only: see pp. u-16 InstrvctionsJ J:)ATE NONE (No repor1table agreements.) -> ID. NON-INVESTlIENT INCOME (Reportlngtndtvidualalidspouse:seepp. 11-240/Instnu:t1ons.) I>ATE AND TYPE imli Filler's Non-Investmient Income NONE (No' portable non-investment income.) SJ>ouse's Non-Inves:tmentlncome -If you were married during any portion the reporting year, please complete tillis SE:ction. (dollar amctunt not required except for honoraria) NONE (No ortable non-investment-income.) Foundation FINAlCIAI DISCJOSURE REPORT IV. RE:IMBURSEJM::NTS transportation, lodging, food, entertainment (Includes those te> spouse! and dependent children. Seepp. 25-27 ofInstructions.) SOU:RE DESCRIPTION ] NONE (No such reportable reimbursements.) GIFTS. (lnclud thiou.11. spouse and dependent children. See pp. 28-31 Instructions.) SOUR.Qi NONE (No SlllCh reportable gifts.} VI. LLABILITIES. (lnclutles those spouse and dependent children See pp. 32-33 Instructions.) NONE (No reio:rtable liabilities.} s.aVings 11a:111 Clb.ase Platinum Mas1t:ercard DESCRIPTION TSP Loan Cre4i_t Ca.rd VALUE CODE* FINANCIAL DISCIJOSURE REPORT David 5/5/04 VII. Page INVESTiv.IENTS and TRUSTS income, value, transactions (Includes those spous1e and dendent children. See pp. 34-57 Instructions.) IRA ill Wa1shington H111tiulal. Fund BE!1if Perspec_t:Lv .l:md Jwropacific Sm.all.cap World Futtd Wru;hington M11ti11a1 Fund Neu PerspectivE Plitnd 1!1ropacific ]!'u:J[M{ Sm.al.leap World FUJJld G:rnwth Fund f .Ame1rica Helr Economy 1fulid D:A Washington Mu.1nal. P1itnd Nam Person oporting Duo Report FINANCIAL DISCJOSURE REPORT David 5/5/04 VII. ]>age INVESTMENTS and TRUSTS--income, value, transactions (Includesthoseof spouse and depend1mt children. See pp. 34-57of ln:rtruclion -A. Place NONE IltA -Washington Inc me'GainC A='5:t;oooorlem; B=Sl,001-$2,500 C=$2,501-$5,000 MS,001-$15,000 E=SlS,001-$50,000 (S:ee Col. Bl, 04) F=$50,001-$100,000 G=$100,001-$1,000,000 Hl=Sl,000,001-5,000,000 H2= ore than $5,000,000 Value Codes: J=$15,000 less .{(=$15,001-$50,000 L=$50,001-$100,000 M=$100,00l-S250,000(See Col Cl, 03) N=$2SO,I00-1-$500,000 0=$500,001-$1,000,000 P2=$5,000,001-$25,000,000P3=$25,000,001-$50,000,000 . . (S:ee Col C2) value R=Cost (real estate only} S=Ass ssment . T=Cash/Market V=Other . W=Estimated Date ofReport David 5/5/04 VIII. .A][)DITIONAL :CNFOTION EXPLANATIONS (Indicate part ofReport.) Each asiset: 1ist:ed part: IRA part the American Funds family of-mttwtl funds. IX. CERTIFICATION. certify that all info1mation igiven above (including information pert8ining Dl;Y spouse and minor dependent children, any) is. accurate, true, and complete the bistof knowledgeand belie and that any infoI1IJation notreporteQ was withheld because met applicable statutory pmvisions permitlting non-disclosure. fuirtb:r certify that eam1e:d.income from outside employment and honoratia and the acceptan,ce gifts which have been reported are compliant:::e with the eq., U.$.C. 7353 and Judicial Conference regulations. Signature NOTE: ANY INDIVIDUAL 'lTHO KNOWINGLY AND WILFULLY FALSIFIES FAILS FILE THIS REPORT MAY SUBJECll CIVIL AND CIUMlNAL SANCTIONS U.S.C. App., 104.)


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TECHNOLOGY TODAY: Good News Websites May Counter Negativity
An international crisis or two involving war, terrorism, monetary instability, famine, and natural disasters always seems to be happening somewhere in the world. National problems surrounding the deficit, employment, housing, the environment and consumer affairs never end. Local troubles including crime, government corruption, labor issues, fires, and road closures seem to be an everyday reality.
It's no wonder that daily newspapers appear at times to be filled with bad news. The reality also is that people enjoy reading about the troubles of others and that doing so can sometimes prevent you from having troubles yourself.
But people have also always complained about what they regard as the overemphasis on negativity in the news, and this applies today as well, regardless of how you get your news, from a printed newspaper, television, radio, personal computer or mobile device such as a Smartphone.
If you want to balance what you see as negativity with positivity, places exist on the Web today where you can read only good news.
Good News Stories (www.goodnewsstories.org) is a free ad-supported site that gathers positive news stories from around the world. According to its "About" page, "This site was born out of a frustration with mainstream news sites only reporting negative news in the main instead of focusing on the positive side of things. Good news stories will only report on happy and upbeat news to put a smile on the face of people worldwide."
The site's opening page presents you with a selection of what's regarded as the most important stories. You can also find stories according to geographic location and such categories as business, education, health, and politics. As with many news sites, you can leave comments, but first you have to register with the site, which is free.
Good News Network (www.goodnewsnetwork.org) presents positive news stories through both text and video. Its mission is "to provide a 'Daily Dose of News to Enthuse.'" Like Good News Stories, it acts as a news aggregator, collecting upbeat news from around the globe. The news stories in its "Most Popular" section are free, but to read other articles you need to subscribe, which starts at $2 per month.
"Negative news is an important staple of any well-informed citizenry and necessary for society's evolution," according to Geri Weis-Corbley, the site's editor and publisher. "But today we are in dire need of a well-balanced media diet. Local TV news, especially, has been continually feeding us junk food. We need to be informed by a world view that is not dripping with sensationalism and attuned to the police scanner."
Happy News (www.happynews.com) isn't updated as frequently as the two previous sites, but it's also a good repository of feel-good information. Its emphasis is on "virtue, goodwill, and heroism," and it collects news of this nature among other ways through "citizen journalists" who report from around the world.
This free ad-supported site also includes video clips, optimistic quotations from philosophers, regular columnists, and how-to tips on subjects ranging from quitting smoking to saving for college. A "Happy Products" section offers news of products such as chocolate and Earth-friendly candles. As with the two previous sites, news is categorized, into areas such as national, health, and heroes.
With HelpOthers.org (www.helpothers.org), the emphasis is more on deeds than words. Site visitors share stories of "real-life acts of kindness," with the object being to inspire others and "pay it forward." The site also includes "kindness ideas" regarding things you can do for others to help make them happy.
The site features an "Idea Contest" in which you're asked what you would do to bring more kindness to your community if you had an extra $100. Each month the person who is judged to have submitted the best idea wins $100. If you have any questions about anything at the site, you can send a message to one of its "kindness experts."
HelpOthers.org doesn't feature ads or require subscriptions to gain access to extra content. For funding it relies on donations, which individuals can make through PayPal or by mailing a check, and on contributions from companies and foundations.
As with anything on the Web, not everything is always as it seems, even though the intentions may be quite good.
A lot of "good news" sites are religious in nature, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. This may be very good news to you, but the content at these sites isn't news in the conventional sense -- at least it hasn't been for close to two thousand years.
Reid Goldsborough is a syndicated columnist and author of the book Straight Talk About the Information Superhighway. He can be reached at email@example.com or www.reidgoldsborough.com.


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Novak Djokovic has clinched his ninth title of the season in another dominant display of tennis against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Shanghai Masters final. After crushing Andy Murray in Saturday's semi-final, the world no. 1 beat his French opponent in just 78 minutes to surpass Roger Federer's haul of 24 Masters titles with a 6-2 6-4 win.
His dominance of tennis in 2015 can be measured by his hugely impressive record over the past 10 months which includes an unbeaten run of 17 matches and wins in three of the year's four Grand Slams.
Tsonga claimed an impressive win of his own in the semi-final stage to see off a resurgent Rafael Nadal but was broken four times in the opening set as the Serbian got to work. The world no. 1 was broken himself but immediately broke back before seeing out the set.
Tsonga provided sterner resistance in the second set, matching the Serbian until he double faulted at 4-4. Djokovic didn't pass up the opportunity to take the advantage, serving out for the win in style.
"Not many guys are able to do that. It's really impressive," said Tsonga, when asked about Djokovic's incredible 2015. "Today there is nothing to say. He's playing a lot better than everybody, I think. He's really consistent. You have to be in your best shape to beat him anyway, and everybody knows that it's not easy to play your best tennis every match. I think his level is just better than everybody for the moment."


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Friday is here again! I'm writing my Friday Favorites a bit late this week. But, better late than never, right?
It's been a slightly busier-than-usual week at my house. We were dog sitting for my parents earlier in the week (meaning double the doggy shenanigans!), and now I'm working on a cake for a casual wedding reception this weekend. I couldn't just skip over my Friday Favorites post (I do slack off from time to time and neglect to write my Friday Favorites!), though, because there are some pretty fabulous blog posts that I came across this week that I wouldn't want you to miss!
- As soon as I saw this Post-Grill Marinated Skirt Steak from The Bitten Word, I knew it was a blog post that I had to include in this week's favorites. The idea of marinating a steak after grilling it seems brilliant to me. While I haven't had a chance to give it a try (yet!), I certainly plan to.
- These Berry Bliss Rocket Pops from Family Fresh Cooking also caught my eye this week. I always loved the red, white, and blue rocket pops when I was a kid, so I am excited to try this version. Plus, popsicles are sounding pretty fantastic this summer.
- This next one might make you do a double take… Nope, they aren't potato french fries. They are Cookie French Fries with Buttercream Ketchup from Bake at 350. How adorable are these? Of course, after reading the blog post, I am now craving both regular french fries and cookies. Go figure!
- When I saw a photo of these Black and White Peanut Butter Brownies from Tracey's Culinary Adventures on Twitter yesterday, I knew that I would have to try the recipe as soon as she posted it. Lucky for me, she is speedy and I came across the post this morning! These will be happening in my kitchen very soon.


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I knew Kaepernick would face a tough game at some point. I didn't think that it would happen against the Rams. That's not entirely true. The Rams defense has had some good games. We saw that Kaepernick looks like an average quarterback when facing a good defense. He's a good game manager but the 49ers have a better game manager in Alex Smith.
I know what you're going to say. The Chicago Bears are a great defense. That might have been true earlier in the season but we know now that the Bears were in a free fall. They haven't been good in the past few weeks. Don't look at last week's Vikings game as any evidence that they are good. The Vikings suck. They only have Adrian Peterson.
Let's hope that this is the end of the Kaepernick experiment this year. If you're going to go with the hot hand, go with Smith. Right now there isn't a hot hand. That's because Harbaugh decided to take a gamble with Kaepernick. Today, Kaepernick showed that he's just average quarterback (QB). He has great potential for the future but this is not the time. By the way, the 49ers lost 16-13 and Alex Smith wasn't the QB.
Why am I being so hard on Kaepernick. I'm hard on him because he deserves it. Alex never got a fair crack. He lost his job after one game due to an injury. Fair is fair. Kaepernick didn't win today. Now start Alex next week. All Smith did before he was out due to injury (and benched by Harbaugh) was throw a touchdown with blurred vision after suffering a concussion. Did I say that Harbaugh benched the fifth ranked QB when he returned? He was ranked third at the time of his injury.
Now Harbaugh is in a tough situation. His flavor of the month hit a wall today. He threw Alex under the bus by benching him for no reason. Now he might have to go back to that guy. That guy has not played in 3 1/2 games.
I believe that Alex Smith still gives his team the best chance of winning. He has more experience. He has more playoff experience and he entered this week as the fifth ranked quarterback. If they don't go to Smith there is something wrong in 49ers land.


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Riverbend staff, Melissa Sampson has her creative juices flowing and her heart in the right place. She's putting her energy into raising funds for the folks that reside at Riverbend by creating mason jars candles perfect for your Fall decor. They come in a variety of colours, and can be with ribbons or without. You choose! You can also buy them in sets or individually. If interested please contact Riverbend at 613-721-5143 or contact Melissa directly at 613-804-2954.
The jars are $6 each, or a set of two for $10, or three for $15.
OK folks let's raise some funds!