text:
MAC All Over Brush Kit ('Illustrated' by Rebecca Moses)
Nordstrom recently launched this collection few weeks ago, and I had to make sure I get my hands on this brush set and the brown palette (photos and swatches on my next post). The ribbon design of the brush roll is just so pretty and girly and I just love the combination of brushes included in this kit.
I bought them online at Nordstrom for $49.50 and had them delivered via Borderlinx since Nordstrom don't allow beauty products to be shipped internationally. I only payed $25 of shipping fee together with another 12 items of makeup. Still cheaper than to buy MAC here in Saudi Arabia!
M·A·C presents a brush roll featuring exclusive illustrations by witty fashion designer, Rebecca Moses and special-edition brushes shaped with full-size brush heads.
Kit includes:
- 168 SE Large Angled Contour Brush (1 1/4"W x 5"H).
- 287 SE Duo Fibre Eyeshadow Brush (1 1/4"W x 5"H).
- 224 SE Tapered Blending Brush (1 3/4"W x 5"H).
- 219 SE Pencil Brush (1 1/2"W x 5"H).
- 266 SE Small Angle Brush (1 1/2"W x 5"H).
- Brush roll crafted with pocket, flap to protect brushes and two small open pouches secured with an easy and efficient ribbon closure (6 1/2"W x 4"H; 8 1/2"H when open).
The 168 SE is used for applying blush, or bronzer to contour the face.
The 224 SE is great for blending the harsh edges of eyeshadow and for blending concealer.
The 266 SE is great for applying gel liner on the top lash line or for creating a defined brow.
I think this brush set is great especially when traveling, and if you want to try MAC brushes without breaking the bank, this is a good deal! :)


text:
Our co-production training is designed to help develop more equal working partnerships between people who use services, carers and professionals.
What is co-production?
Co-production is a key concept in the development of social care and health services. It encourages involvement by people who use services to ensure equal participation from the very start of the process. Find out more about co-production
Our training programmes
We offer a range of supportive courses to build upon the main co-production principles of equality, diversity, access and reciprocity. All of our training can be tailored to your ADASS region, individual local authority or care provider.
- CPD-accredited training
- Bespoke training for your team at your premises
- Open access training courses
- Workforce development review and planning
Book: Scheduled classroom training courses
An introduction
An interactive session giving you the practical tools required for successful co-production.
Advanced skills
This highly participatory session focuses on sharing experiences, identifying issues and finding solutions together.
Health services
Our training explores how equal working partnerships are possible as part of co-production and the establishment of effective health services.
Vision and reality
Building partnerships with users and carers is what co-production is about. But how do providers and commissioners actually make this a reality?
Equality, diversity and human rights
Co-production centres around equality, inclusivity and fairness. Learn about the legal duties that every employee must adhere to in this area.
Paying people who receive benefits
Good practice when paying fees and expenses to people who use services and carers who get involved in co-production.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
ATLANTA- Georgia State beach volleyball put together an incredible effort in the classroom to finish the spring semester with a 3.68 grade point average. The team had 15 athletes earn academic honors, with six being named to the President's List.
"These student-athletes never cease to amaze me", said GSU assistant coach Kirsten Gallagher. "What they are able to do during season - balancing both our competition schedule and rigorous academic demands, exemplifies their discipline and work ethic. Successes, like our team GPA, make me so proud of their character and excited for their future."
GSU's five freshmen led the way for the team, combining for a 3.96 GPA. Ashley Bauchert and Meagan McCall were named to the Dean's List, while Mattie Johnson, Eden Hawes, and Rebekah Brodbeck all delivered a 4.0 or higher earning a spot on the President's List.
Graduate student's Tiffany Creamer and Amie Held, as well as sophomore Georgia Johnson joined the three freshmen on the President's List. Seven other Panthers earned academic honors, including six on the Dean's List.
"This accomplishment is also a direct reflection of our academic staff", Gallagher continued. "I am extremely appreciative of the tutors, mentors, and advisors (Jesse Rappole) who help facilitate our student-athletes' learning environment."
AD Honor Roll-
Dean's List-
President's List-
For more Georgia State beach volleyball news and notes follow @GSUBeach on Twitter.


text:
I believe in 'spirituality' in the sense that it is a psychological perspective. In other words, I do not believe in the 'spirituality' which encompasses an objective or existent 'other-world' inhabited by sentient spirits.
When most people think of 'spirituality', they assume things such as speaking to the dead, or being possessed by spirits, or coming into contact with God. This is largely a result of the Judeo-Christian influence on our western world, which teaches of spirits and angels and the objective existence of non-human entities that live in different dimensions.
However, this is definitely not the kind of 'spirituality' I am referring to. Mostly because, as anyone familiar with my work can attest – I am mostly an atheist.
There are other types of 'spirituality' which are professed by shamans and spiritual gurus – another group of individuals who, like Christians, expound ideas that I believe to be false or largely imaginative.
Sam Harris, a contemporary philosopher whom I greatly respect, has said that 'spirituality' is a psychological phenomenon – one does not need to be religious to follow it or study it.
For almost all religions, spirituality involves some form of altered consciousness. That is my primary concern – the altered states of consciousness. I am interested in the different states that exist within the human mind and how one can achieve them. Obviously, drugs are a great way to do this, but it should be noted that many monks and gurus have had similar states of consciousness without using drugs. Ram Dass, for example, went to India and gave a group of ascetics LSD – he reported that the monks acted normally and that they had experienced these types of visions and thought-processes before. However, while drugs are certainly a good starting point, I feel that one must also try to obtain this altered state without the use of drugs – namely, on their own will and practice.
Spirituality also aims to 'recover the original shape of man'. In his book Waking Up, Sam Harris writes that's 'people of every faith, and of none, have had the same sorts of spiritual experiences. While these states of mind are usually interpreted through the lens of one or another religious doctrine, we know that this is a mistake. Nothing that a Christian, a Muslim, and a Hindu can experience – self-transcending love, ecstasy, bliss, inner light – constitutes evidence in support of their traditional beliefs, because their beliefs are logically incompatible with one another. A deeper principle must be at work."
In other words, Mr. Harris has noted that spirituality exists as different types of mental states – the problem is that these states are often described by fitting it into a religious dogma for the sake of the religion. However this does not mean that these different states do not exist – rather it simply means that the state was interpreted in a religious way.
Mr. Harris also notes that many altered states of consciousness expounded by Hindu and Buddhist methods require no faith at all in an external, separate entity or spirit. Many of the eastern methods of spirituality rely on a personal, internal will and introspection – not on praying to spirts or submitting to some God (cough cough Abrahamic religions).
Spirituality has, for the most part, been a central tenet of mankind. Even the most primitive of people had some sort of spiritual belief system, and simply because one is an atheist does not mean that one cannot learn a thing or two by studying 'spiritual' belief systems.
As mentioned above, many Hindu and Buddhist spiritual techniques do not rely on faith and are thus accessible to anyone.
So, when I speak of spirituality, I mean it in a non-supernatural way – indeed, I mean it in a natural way. Spirituality to me is simply a psychological quest – a journey into the reaches of the mind and what it is capable of. For me, everything spiritual is connected to something personal – something mental – something that is residing in ones psyche.
Since my primary focus and teachings revolve around self-discovery and self-knowledge, it would be a mistake of me to disregard spirituality as merely 'religious mumbo-jumbo'.
I have an interest in spirituality for the same reason that I have an interest in the occult – not because I believe it can unlock doors to a supernatural other-world, but because it can take one to different realms of their mind and experience things that are not present in ones typical day-to-day consciousness.


text:
Organize your interests with the Pearltrees' app for Android
Part 3) Retrieval and re-investigating. Building on knowledge, or just getting it back. Dr. Sigmund Freud believes that the human mind has at least three parts. The conscious, pre-conscious, and unconscious. The unconscious is always with us, but has unclear influences on our thoughts and behavior. The conscious is what we can talk about and the pre-conscious is what might be able to be made conscious. If you are able to remain conscious during your learning but hate forgetting, then we use the electronic tools to make it MUCH EASIER to reboot your brain. We make it MUCH EASIER to load the contents of your pre-conscious mind into your conscious mind and then build on those ideas, or just use them in daily life. Protect your education by using, modifying, re-organizing your notes as well as writing short summary essays on what you are gaining from any class or knowledge source. Add these writings back into your notes or as stand-alone material. If you publish anything, even blogs, this is one way to collect your ideas and turn them into products.


text:
Product Reviews
- Anonymous
I use olive leaf EVERYDAY and LOVE IT!!! Thank you! Much love peace!!
- Anonymous
Finally found some herbal menstrual pads. This is really good for us ladies. Thoese regular pads contain to much clorine. These contain herbs.
J. Fields
Can I just say your menstrual pads are AMAZINNGGGG! I have a very heavy flow and get horrible cramping, since I've been using your pads, I don't run through pads like I used to & my cramping has decreased! I normally have to take at least 2-3 ibuprofen a day. But not anymore! I don't deal with any unpleasant odors or anything! Thank you thank you!!! These pads and your yoni wash has been saving my LIFE! I will NEVER get pads from anywhere else!
Blk Goddess
Yoni cleanse my fav!!
From my family to yours, we are grateful to have connected with your buiness!! I've shared your products with many and will continue to share throughout the rest of the family. Thank you again!!! Peace & love!
The yoni cleanse gives me LIFE!!!
J. James
The olive leaf extract along with the soap and body cream has really helped my skin.
Shaunte Long
I purchase the herbal bath every month to detox. I am free of odor and less cramps. Yess!! So thankful
Tawana McKinney
I have purchased the yoni pearls three times. These pearls have really helped with the vaginal issues. I am amazed at the results but most of all I appreciate the consultation and honest feedback.
Contact Us
Black Organics
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Legal Disclaimer: We are required by law to say that these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, have a medical condition, or any doubts - please consult your physician before buying our products. We do not offer these products with the intent to treat, cure, diagnose or claim to cure any condition. All claims regarding products are per third party findings.


text:
FTSE 100 assemblage from the recent lows appears to have over and is communication a third leg of the low direction that targets a new low for the twelvemonth for the FTSE 100 Index. This is on the backbone of the continuing crash in the business two-dimensional figure due to the ongoing Subprime sparked approval noise.
Technical Analysis of the FTSE 100 Index
1. Trend Analysis - The Break downwards 6000 denatured the kinetics of the anticipated season correction into thing far much authoritarian. The topical mass meeting towards 6400 tho' brawny is seen as being corrective and in early of a ordinal leg fluff. The query mark from a way perspective is whether the 5821 flat will clutch for a identical twin bottom or not. The new disruption of 6000 has diminished the bos taurus bazaar. However, first-year holding first, way analysis targets a dislocate spinal column towards the 5821, a pause of which would target a downtrend to 5500.Post ads:
Briggs & Riley Luggage 20 Inch Carry On Expandable Wide / Hurley Juniors Sync II Backpack / MyGift 8 - 10 inch Fuchsia Pink Funky Retro Hearts / Quiksilver Boys 8-20 Subsonic Backpack / A. Saks EXPANDABLE 31" Rolling Trolley Duffel / TYR Alliance Team II Duffle Bag / Sesame Street Elmo Rolling Bacpack 12" Toddler Size Bag / Knomo Aurora 15-Inch 24-263 Laptop Bag / Stephen Joseph Boys 2-7 Quilted Backpack Zoo / Black White Damask Print Garment Bag Travel Dance Luggage / Lil' Lewis Explorers Dolphin Neck Pillow / CaseCrown Nylon Pocket Sleeve Case (Black/Red) for Apple
2. Time Analysis - The third leg down should be long in continuance than the first-year leg down, as the activity would oblige more time to figure a base, as a consequence signals a downtrend that is expected to last into Mid October at lowest.
3. Elliott Wave Analysis - The abovementioned elliott white horses investigating of the FTSE implicit a bigger property downtrend than in the beginning anticipated, which is human being unchangeable by the flowering damage act. The chart shows a realised A roller to 5821 and the underway muster as a B tide which confirms expectations of a third leg C motion lower, that is supposed to breach the A undulation low, for an ABC outline. The mark for the decrement is once again 5500.
4. MACD Indicator - The MACD gave a particularly bearish bell near a happening of the June 06 lows, which suggests at the lowest that the MACD will revisit the -100 area. The counteractive up way was from uncompromising oversold levels, which has taken the FTSE towards 6400. This has helped to employment out the MACD's oversold identify which scheme that FTSE 100 Index increasingly now looks having a tendency to continuing the downtrend towards 5821.Post ads:
McKleinUSA HARRISON 83385 Black 17 Partners Laptop Brief / Briggs & Riley Luggage Baseline Wheeled Wardrobe Bag / Phineas and Ferb "Beware the Stare" Backpack / Belkin F8N408 Honeycomb Sleeve for Notebooks Up to 13.3" / US Luggage / SOLO Leather Look Double Dowel Portfolio - / STM Bags Small Revolution Backpack, Fits Most 13" Screens, / 14-Inch Brown Blossom Ukiyo-e Collection Netbook Laptop / Glee Backpack - Music Symbols Black / David King & Co Small Distressed Leather Laptop Messenger / Black HELLO KITTY 16'' CORDURA BACKPACK BOW PRINT / 17 inch Navy Blue Notebook Laptop Shoulder Messenger Bag / / Nautica Luggage Downhaul Spinner 28 Inch Suitcase
Summary - The FTSE 100 Index is matter-of-course to start again the downtrend towards a reference point of 5821. Depending on whether it breaks or not will determine the cattle flea market way for both occurrence. At this ingredient in time, amount marginally favors a break of 5821 and a tendency towards 5500, hence appreciation rustle bad intelligence is far from done !
Original Article Date - 5th Sept 2007


text:
WildSnake™ Software News
Soccer ***** Demo Contest news - Stage 1 winners
The first stage of the Soccer Stars demo contest is now over and the winners have been picked. At first place came Yogi with the highest total score of 806200 (442 games!) and the second winner - Mariano - was picked randomly from all participants. Congratulations! See the contest page for more details.
The next demo contest phase will end by December 23. Download the soccer stars demo and start to submit your scores now!
The rules are simple, download and play the Contest demo version of Soccer ***** and get as many scores as possible, submit each score to the contest score list. We will sum up all your score submissions, if at the end of the contest you have the highest total score you win a free copy of the game! We will also pick one random winner among all entrants, so the more scores you submit the bigger your chance to win is!
The winners of the contest will be announced on our site and in our newsletter. You are most welcome to subscribe to our newsletter.
A contest for owners of the registered version will be announced very soon! The prize for the winners of the contest is being worked on right now and should also be published soon.


text:
If you are thinking of skiing this season, Italy has all the ingredients for a perfect ski holiday, offering good value ski accommodation and world class ski resorts.
Skiing in Italy is a friendly and relaxed affair, involving eating, drinking and sunbathing. With a mixture of old and new, Italian ski resorts will delight visitors with their traditional customs and stylish facilities. In addition to this, most Italian ski resorts have plenty of bars and discos, so après-ski is lively, particularly at the weekends.
There is plenty of good skiing to be found across Italy and the best winter sports facilities can be found in Italy's northern, Alpine regions, which are well-served by flights from the UK and worldwide. Skiing in Italy stretches from the Milky Way ski area in the west to the Dolomite ski resorts in the east
Italian skiing includes some of the world's great domains, with the SuperDolomiti region and the Milky Way offering hundreds of kilometres of lift-linked slopes. The Dolomiti Superski area includes the well-known Sella Ronda circuit with the most runs in Europe. This area offers over 1,200km of pistes and includes the ski resorts of Canazei, Campitello, Selva Val Gardena, Predazzo, Cavalese and Kronplatz. Other resorts in the popular Dolomite area include Madonna di Campiglio, Andalo, Marilleva and Cortina d'Ampezzo, one of the most well-known ski resorts in Italy.
The Milky Way ski area is made up of five villages with over 400 kms of pistes which offers excellent skiing for all abilities in breathtaking scenery. Resorts in this area include Sestriere, host of the 2006 Olympic downhill event and lively Sauze d'Oulx, where the Olympic freestyle skiing takes place.
Other good destinations include the lesser known Gressoney and Champoluc in the beautiful Monterosa ski area with access to over 50km of pistes.
We offer a wide choice of ski accommodation from fantastic apartments to chalets, B&B's and luxury hotels. We also offer a wide range of resorts, so you can choose on the basis of facilities, piste network and altitude.
Our staff has visited all of the resorts and will be pleased to recommend a great destination for your next ski holiday. Call us on 0845 2297057, send us an enquiry with your requirements or search for accommodation from our homepage today!


text:
Paint on the walls, poetry in the air.
We headed into the depths of the Dupre stairwell with MacSlams for our latest installment of Live From The Grate. Check out original works from E.J. Schoenborn and Abbie Cotter, and stay with Rainbow Jet Fuel for more collaborations with MacSlams in the fall.
Original music from Macalester's own David Munkvold.
MacSlams meets every week to workshop during the school year. Bring your summer creations and join their community in the fall. Want more information? Contact them at email@example.com


text:
Aging in Place
Funding Needed
Start Up: ______
Use of Funds
Website with security 15K
Admin 20K
Marketing 5K
Projected Annual Budget
Skills & Experience Needed
Web and app development
Community connection
Competitive Advantage
Existing infrastructure
Desegregation of populations by age and income
Problem Worth Solving
Studies show that when people age around their family, in a familiar place, they maintain health and live longer. Western culture, however, suggests as people age, they move out of their homes into nursing homes where they can be cared for by professionals. How can we keep people in their homes, where they feel comfortable and safe?
On the other side, the Berkshires are facing a declining and aging population. Costs of living are rising and not attracting young people. Is there an alternative affordable housing structure?
Your Solution
The solution is a service that functions to do background, security, and credit checks to provide co-habitation between able-bodied young people, capable of providing support and aging populations.
The service could facilitate leases, contracts for housing, and home sharing.
Market Opportunity - Who are your target customers and how will you reach them? How will you distribute your product or service? How does your idea meet an opportunity for import replacement?
This could appeal to aging persons looking to stay at home and young people and families looking for affordable housing in the Berkshires.
It could be marketed through local press, councils on aging, elder services and AARP mailings.
The service could be formatted on a match-making platform like sitter city, dating sites.
Your Competition
The competition is nursing homes and retirement communities and traditional rental and home purchases styles. Airbnb-style services that act in similar match-making methods.
Idea Pitch - What are you selling? Why is it important?
The cost of living is high in the Berkshires in an area with an aging population. If we want to attract young people and keep the elderly healthy and provide them with an opportunity to pass on their skills and wisdom, we need to create a space for mutual appreciation and interaction. A match making service that facilitates co-habitation.


text:
|Posted: October 16, 2007
Experts discussed issues of nanotechnology risk management
|(Nanowerk News) Experts from government, academia, consulting companies, non-profit organizations and industry convened at NanoTX 07 earlier this month to discuss issues of nanotechnology risk management.
In a featured presentation, Dr. John Balbus, Chief Health Scientist at Environmental Defense
|Environmental Defense, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology at Rice University co-chaired two panel discussions and provided cutting edge information to attendees interested in the business benefits of managing nanotechnology risk.
|In the first session, experts from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the University of Minnesota and Texas Safety Instruments discussed the latest developments in workplace monitoring and protection.
|The second panel featured discussion of several risk management frameworks that have been developed for companies to assess and reduce potential health and safety risks of their products. The discussion included a presentation by CFL on lifecycle-based nanomaterials screening tool presented by CFL, an approach to assessment exposure potential that stressed the utility of knowledge of the behavior of analogous materials to predict exposure potential to nanoparticles presented by Gradient, as well as the NanoSafe framework for small businesses and the Nano Risk Framework for both large and small enterprises.
|Source: Environmental Defense
Subscribe to a free copy of one of our daily
Nanowerk Newsletter Email Digests
with a compilation of all of the day's news.
Nanowerk Newsletter Email Digests
with a compilation of all of the day's news.
These articles might interest you as well:


text:
Search | Checkout | Track Order | Home | Site Map
Search by Keyword
Take the Spiritual Makeover Challenge!
Shift our Thinking . . . Shift our World
Are you ready to be awakened? Calling all willing, imaginative adults who are tired of participating in a so-called "normal" existence and who have begun to question their lives, careers, and spiritual purpose . . . there is a great intelligence ready to greet you!
Get ready for some new-you inspiration!SOULutions: Your Spiritual Makeover is written to awaken everyone ready to unlock their intuitive power with a Spiritual Makeover "LifeLift" and discover SOULutions for creating an extraordinary life!
Spiritual Gifts Shop ~ Select a Category
SpiritualitySolutions.com welcomes you to our online Spiritual Gifts Shop for an inspirational selection of unique products for all your spiritual growth needs in this new age! SpiritualitySolutions.com specializes in beautiful crystal jewelry, yoga jewelry & yoga accessories, crystal balls, incense, candles, aromatherapy products, feng shui products, healing crystals, massage supplies, pendulums, and self help books, and spiritual healing. Our beautiful new age line of spiritual gifts promises the very best Mother Earth has to offer!
Shop with Confidence
We love satisfied customers!
100% Secure & Easy Ordering!
Our products and services are 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Why SpiritualitySolutions.com?
Spirituality Solutions invites you to experience for yourself why people love our premium line of spiritual products for spiritual growth, inspiration and spiritual healing! Conveniently shop for all your New Age products online at Spirituality Solutions today!
Enjoy your Spiritual Makeover "LifeLift" experience!
Please keep checking back at Spirituality Solutions for frequent updates.
Read our many Spiritual Articles on Inspiration, Personal Growth and New Age topics!
DIANA LYNN is a heart-centered contemporary spiritual healer and writer who conveys her passion by uplifting the consciousness of individuals with the philosophy of unlimited possibility. With a deep commitment to Love, Diana Lynn offers awareness, wisdom & inspiration in journeying into deeper intimacy with one's self. She imparts a simple profound spiritual message:
Awaken to the Awareness within you that longs to return to Love!
We can be the medicine for ourselves and our world.
The great masters of all traditions have shown us the way, yet there is much in our culture that has led us off the spiritual path. Let us uncover the issues that keep us from being our most authentic selves and have our best life. By remembering and loving our true selves, we take back our spiritual gift of power. We can discover our spiritual gifts and life purpose, heal ourselves and transform our world!
We, You and I are One.
SpiritualitySolutions.com's Spiritual Books & Products have been created with Love to consciously reconnect us all to Source inspiration, and to our spiritual gift of inner beauty. With awareness, our lifestyle choices can lead to a fulfilling, beautiful world. Our spiritual growth provides peaceful, supportive SOULutions for restoring our mind and body to wholeness so we can live our most balanced, joyous life!
With God, All Things Are Possible!
By integrating spirituality into your life, you can often make what appears the impossible possible! Our favorite spiritual saying is "With God, All Things Are Possible!" It is possible for each of us to achieve and maintain a vibrant state of health by identifying the fear in our emotional body, the confusion in our mental body and the doubt in our spiritual body. Our selection of timeless spiritual books and products were designed to educate, enlighten, and provide inspiration. We invite you to shop our online store today! Tune in to your Higher Self, and select spiritual gifts & products from our store for your greatest good.
Enjoy your spiritual growth experience at SpiritualitySolutions.com! J
FREE Self Help Book Excerpt of SOULutions: Your Spiritual Makeover
Check out our Events Calendar, Spiritual Gifts & Book Store, Donate Your SOULutions, SOULution Circles, Spirituality Blog & Ask Diana Lynn
Thank you for visiting our website! Aligned with our Hearts' calling, let's usher in the
Let's create our World's SOULutions together!
Shopping Cart
Mon-Sun 9am-7pm
FREE Newsletter Spiritual Tips & Inspiration
"Diana is a bright light in the darkness. I have searched long. I have encountered many. Some good. Some not so good. Truly I say, this light is special." - Rabbi Schmuel
"Diana Lynn is the real deal. In "Soulutions" she writes what she knows to be true from life experience and from a strong connection to spirit. I've seen her walk her talk in the most difficult of circumstances. She is a gifted and talented woman and I'm glad to see her put her work out in book form." - Author Sunny Schenlger
"Truly, your entering my life is an act of God. I am deeply impressed with your sweetness, understanding and ability to love. Above all, your commitment to share these gifts." - Dr. Alan
"You are very informed, in tune, and a delightful and beautiful lady. Thanks so much for being available for me and the people who want to learn, share and evolve more." - Nell
"I want to sincerely thank you for all your wisdom you shared with me. You never judged me while I relearned my life spiritually with your guidance. I love you!" - Amanda
"Thank you, Diana, for your wonderful book - I absolutely loved it. I didn't want to put it down the whole time I was reading it, and everyone around me noticed how energized I was by it. Some of the practical techniques will stay with me forever - I was amazed by the responses I got to some of them as I incorporated them into my day. Rarely have I come across a book that covers so much ground so effectively while prompting such a high level of productive self-reflection. Truly, congratulations on this beautiful work." - Karen
Please consult your Doctor before starting any alternative treatments, diets, supplements or exercise programs.
Please visit our other website:
http://www.BestWeddingNJ.com/ Your Ultimate New Jersey Wedding Planning Resource!
Copyright © SOULutions, LLC : Brick, NJ


text:
|Covent Garden, London
Every single thought can affect how we act and lead to irreversible consequences that affect not only ourselves but all those around us. We have to watch our thoughts. If we engage ourselves in certain twisted thoughts, we may get ourselves screwed up making us act in the way we will live to regret. Every thought we conceive and every step we make in our daily life matters. We say things in a moment of anger or frustration and they can no longer be retracted. Sometimes no amount of damage control can alter or rectify the effect and impact of the things that had been said, acts or omissions that had been committed.
A good friend who is an avid reader recommended the new book written by the author of Q&A/Slumdog Millionaire, Vikas Swarup. The Accidental Apprentice is a page turn and there are many twists and turn as the story unfolds and definitely kept me in suspense in one sitting last Sunday. A very interesting concept as the story started with the protagonist, Sapna Sinha being approached by a billionaire industrialist who wanted to make her the CEO of his company. She was told that no prior business experience was required and all she needed to do was to pass seven tests and the moment she accepted the offer, the tests began. Vinay Mohan Acharya, chairman of the ABC Group was the Business of the Year 2008 and the first lesson that he had told Sinha was this 'In life you never get what you deserve : you get what you negotiate'. The story tells us that all that happens is linked from the beginning and life gives us what we deserve. A powerful message indeed.
A couple of months ago, I picked up the book "The Silent Wife" by A.S.A.Harrison. The Silent Wife is a chilling story about a couple that head for catastrophe and the outcome keeps the reader in suspense. Both Jodi and Todd are at a bad place in their marriage. He is a committed cheater and she lives and breathes denial until the time she has to confront her predicament and her choices.It is a psychological thriller and the story is told from the husband's perspective and also the wife's. The chapters alternate between 'HIM' and 'HER'. In the first chapter 'HER', Harrison wrote," At forty-five, Jodi still sees herself as a young woman. She does not have her eye set on the future but lives very much in the moment, keeping her focus on the everyday. She assumes, without having thought about it, that things will go on indefinitely in their imperfect yet entirely acceptable way. In other words, she is deeply unaware that her life is now peaking, that her youthful resilience --which her twenty-year marriage to Todd Gilbert has been slowly eroding-- is approaching a final stage of disintegration, that her notions about who she is and how she ought to conduct herself are far less stable than she supposes, given that a few short months are all it will take to make a killer out of her."
The Cuckoo's Calling is a crime fiction written by JK Rowling using her pseudonym, Robert Galbraith that caused some controversy when the true identity of the new author was unveiled. A model falls to her death from her apartment balcony, the police investigation has shown that it is a suicide however, her brother has his doubts and engages Cormoran Strike to investigate into the case. It is a delight to read a story that is set against the backdrop of London, one of my favourite cities in the world.
Both The Silent Wife and The Cuckoo's calling are very well written thrillers. In these stories, one's hatred can shape one's sanity and misguided passion can totally change one's psyche. While these stories describe the dark side of human nature, whodunits can be refreshing reads as it is always exciting to guess the killers in these thrillers.
|Langkawi, Malaysia


text:
Prime Time RV Avenger travel trailer model 32BIT highlights:
Camping in any weather just got a lot more fun in this Avenger 32BIT travel trailer. You are sure to enjoy all the floor space thanks to the triple slide outs when the whole gang is inside. The family chef has the option of cooking inside and serving on the kitchen island, or cooking outside on the outdoor kitchen. Having dual entry doors into the bathroom makes it convenient for all. You might even find the kids and their friends hanging out in the rear bunkhouse on rainy days. There is plenty of sleeping space for eight to nine campers thanks to the two bunk beds and dinette in the bunkhouse, the U-shaped dinette and sofa in the living room, and the front bedroom's queen bed, plus much much more!
With any Avenger travel trailer you will feel secure knowing the EVERLAST construction provides 2" wall construction on 16" centers, and cross banded construction. You will appreciate the outside shower providing an extra place to clean off, the extra large exterior grab handle for a safe entrance, and a fully enclosed underbelly, as well as the marine grade outdoor speakers while hanging out with family and friends in the great outdoors. The mandatory Advantage package provides additional features that you will find useful such as a restaurant style kitchen faucet, LED interior lighting, a large double door refrigerator, and a flush mount glass top range cover. It's time to take your next journey in an Avenger travel trailer by Prime Time RV!


text:
That ended today. During me and Ramona's walk, some big, off leash dogs cornered us. Ramona got aggressive, but didn't bite them. It was scary, and fortunately over quickly. As I hurried Mo away when the owner finally rounded up her mutts, I was in such a heightened state of alert and panic and fear that I began to sob. Like, snot tears sob. But my tears weren't over our dog encounter, they were for David Bowie.
Triggered by my heightened state no doubt, all of these memories and emotions flash flooded into my brain. The time I made my little brother a David Bowie mix tape for his 13th birthday that started with "Changes" (puberty joke), and ended with Starman. Smoking pot for the first time while watching "Man Who Fell to Earth." Dancing until the wee hours at Neo, an old punk club he frequented during his brief stint in Chicago. Holding the hands of my best friends at their wedding while singing "Modern Love." From cross country road trips to belting poor renditions of "Heroes" in my shower, David Bowie has always been there, and I think that's why I'm so upset. His death doesn't feel like a celebrity death, but the death of a dear friend's.
When I got home from my epic sidewalk sob fest, I watched the last music video he ever made, "Lazarus." The opening shot is him in a hospital bed with bandaged eyes, looking pale and thin in a way that was no longer intentional. After a melodic intro, he starts to sing. "Look up, I'm in heaven." I couldn't help but look.
Though terminally ill, he made his fans a beautiful goodbye telling us all that he was okay. He continued to give while he was being robbed. Even if the song was terrible (it's not, of course), the gesture is so pure and good that I can't be sad anymore. Instead, I'm just grateful for this wonderful weirdo's body of work I've enjoyed my entire life, and will one day force my children to enjoy as well (until they graduate college, realize I'm not the total lame ass they always thought I was, and start to comb through Bowie's music and movies with the same wonder and awe as I did).
All I have left to say now is, thank you, David Bowie. I don't believe in heaven, but I will continue to look up and see you in the stars.


text:
Does Milani's HD Advanced Concealer look familiar to you? Sure did to me when I spotted this product at CVS recently! The resemblence to YSL's Touche Eclat is pretty strong, so I snatched up the last one in the "light" shade and hoped it would live up to my expectations. In terms of packaging, this is very similar in style to YSL with a gold, click pen. It took me a good 20 clicks to get the product finally going, and once I did I slowly started to love this product with each click thereafter.
Milani intends for this to be used as an all-purpose concealer – anywhere you want to brighten or cover an imperfection. I really like the consistency of the formula – it isn't runny nor is it too thick – and there's the perfect amount of illumination to the product. The shade selection is pretty limited with four options, but the light works great for my fair skin. I love to use this under my eyes as it really does help brighten the undereye area weightlessly. I stick with my Laura Mercier secret camoflouge for covering blemishes, but think this could do the trick as well.
Milani did a job well done with the HD Advanced Concealer and I highly recommend it if you can find a shade that matches. It's probably the best seven dollars I've spent on a drugstore product in awhile!


text:
PalYbro, an acquaintance on Twitter, spotted me while he was biking down the Broadway bridge and posted this short video clip: (Follow the link to see the tweet & the video since embedding here doesn't seem to be working.)
Life is but a dream, eh @BryanSarauer?— palYbro (@palYbro) February 14, 2018
Extreme low-fi warning but just wanted to celebrate someone embracing all #yxe winter has to offer. pic.twitter.com/IMjb1hVeZD
Here are a few photos and a short video from my outing.
|Ready to seal launch. Unfortunately, someone's been doing too good of a job of clearing the snow and sanding the boat launch. That made for a less than smooth slide down onto the water.
|Getting closer to the point where I turned around. The wind is coming up a bit, but is still fairly mild. Plus, it was a tail wind.
|On my way back to the start. Snow pelting me giving a nice snowy look to the event.
|Things were starting to get pretty fun. The wind came up quite a bit more than you can see from the photo, but I was busy paddling, not taking pictures with my phone. :)
Now I'm off to Victoria in a few days for a family vacation and I intend to do some paddling while there. I'll be packing my drysuit for sure!
By the way, this paddle amounts to at least 16 months of paddling at least once a month, all in Saskatchewan. Assuming that I get out again in March, this will be the 2nd winter in a row where I paddled outdoors at least once a month all winter.


text:
Yesterday our Yule blog looked at the histories behind some carol services, from Christingle to Nine Lessons & Carols. Today then, lets zoom in on a few carols. (For more on this and everything else Christmassy, don't forget to add Hark! The Biography of Christmas to your Christmas list.)
First up, a brief history of the carol. They're thought to have began in France, not
as songs but as dances, and not necessarily to do with Christmas (otherwise why would we call them "Christmas carols"?). They weren't necessarily sacred – in fact they were rather bawdy. Any religious music of the day was generally written by monks – the only ones who could read music.
Carols that started as brash circular dances were dragged into church and used for festivals and processions – circles becoming lines. And while the French danced and the church processed, the Anglo- Saxons wassailed: small choirs touring the parish, not to spread the church's message, but because they weren't welcome in church until they stopped singing their silly songs. Pure festive escapism.
To show how frowned-upon the carol was by the church, hear from the twelfth century's William of Malmesbury. He told an advisory horror story: "Othbert, a sinner" refused to stop dancing his outrageous carols, so was cursed to keep dancing for a full year, till he danced into a deep pit. So, obey the church's instruction, or that could be you, the eternal dancer of carols…
- IN DULCI JUBILO – From 1328, one of the earliest carols still played in some form (if only by Mike Oldfield on The Best Christmas Songs Ever album), it's also noted for being macaronic. Nothing to do with the Macarena (apart from that the Macarena is also macaronic) – it means mixing two languages, in this case alternating German and Latin. Its writer Heinrich Suso was the most popular vernacular writer of the day.
- COVENTRY CAROL – Medieval Christianity saw reverence grow towards Mary. This shifted attention from Easter towards Christmas, and helped carols transform from uncouth dances to gentler sacred songs, even lullabies. They had a perfect home alongside, or in, the new non-Latin mystery plays – ever since St Francis of Assisi started staging Nativity plays, and writing carols in non-Latin. So the stage is set for this 16th century classic: "The Coventry Carol", taken from the Coventry mystery play, The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors. It was a retelling of Herod's Massacre of the Innocents, and features this brutally sad song – a mother's lullaby to her doomed son. It still haunts today, when sung alongside its later, more joyful carolling counterparts:
This poor youngling
For whom we do sing
By, by, lully lullay
Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child By, by, lully lullay.
GOD REST YE MERRY, GENTLEMEN: "Waits" were buskers of their day; street musicians licensed to collect money in the Christmas build-up. One favourite, dating back to at least the 1500s, was "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen". So this was originally a song sung on street corners, to get a bit of money from those merry gentlemen.
- WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED: When the Puritans banned Christmas in the 1600s, the carol became little more than poetry for individual contemplation – still read, rarely sung. When the monarchy and Christmas returned, Christmas celebration was cautious. So this carol reigned supreme for a century as the only Christmas hymn authorised by the Church of England. After all, it was biblically accurate. "I Saw Three Ships", dating back to at least the 1600s, didn't stand up to a literal interpretation: how can anyone see three ships sailing into Bethlehem? It's twenty miles inland.
- JOY TO THE WORLD: This 1719 rewrite of a psalm sounds Christmassy now, but it was written about Christ's return at the end of days, not the Bethlehem birth. The first eight notes are actually a simple scale backwards. We all could have written that.
- HARK! HOW ALL THE WELKIN RINGS: Er, don't you mean "Hark! e Herald Angels Sing"? Well yes, Methodist leader Charles Wesley wrote the original on hearing chiming Christmas church bells. It was first sung to the same tune as the hymn "Christ the Lord is Risen Today"; today's familiar tune was written a century later by Queen Victoria's favourite notesmith, Felix Mendelssohn. He wrote this music for the four-hundredth anniversary of the printing press, and expressly requested that the "soldier-like and buxom" tune should never be used for religious purposes. Then he died, and, well… whoops.
- CHRISTIANS AWAKE!: A Christmas gift poem by John Byrom for his daughter. Byrom also created a modern shorthand writing system – though that would be an even weirder present.
- SILENT NIGHT: Legend has it that church mice ate through the organ of the village church in Oberndorf, Austria – so Father Joseph Mohr had to run to his organist pal, and they spent Christmas Eve 1818 putting music to Mohr's poem, for a performance that night, just the two of them and a guitar. Joseph Mohr's godfather was Salzburg's final official executioner, fact fans.
- ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID'S CITY: Another poem to begin with, written specifically for children by Cecil Frances Alexander. The same 1848 book of poems also included 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' and 'There is a Green Hill Far Away'.
- O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM: Written after an inspirational trip to the Holy Land in the 1860s. Notice that the 18th century was all Hallelujahs and Herald Angels – Jesus as divine – while the 19th century was more child- and crib-focused – Jesus as human.
- MISTLETOE & WINE: It's not a carol. Don't be silly.
More in the book, if you fancy.


text:
Aldgate and Allhallows Foundation is an independent grant making education charity operating in the City of London and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The Aldgate and Allhallows Foundation is a charity registered in England and Wales number 312500.
Established nearly 120 years ago, the charity is an amalgamation of three much older trusts that were founded by Sir Samuel Starling (1675); Anthony Death (1679); and Alderman James Hickson (1686) to provide funds for education or trade training for young people from the City of London and East End.
Today, the Foundation is administered by Staff at Sir John Cass's Foundation. This arrangement dates from 1895 and is now regulated by a service level agreement between the two charities.
The Aldgate & Allhallows Foundation has assets of approximately £8m and provides support to organisations and individuals totalling £0.3m per annum. Applicants must fulfil the following eligibility criteria: Residency of either the City of London or the London Borough of Tower Hamlets; be under twenty six years of age and in need of financial support to cover the cost of education. Priority is given to those from disadvantaged communities.
Sir Samuel Starling was elected Lord Mayor of the City of London in 1669 and was a member of the Drapers' Livery Company. His armorial stain glass window can be seen in the churches of St. Botolph-without-Aldgate and Allhallows Barking by the Tower.
Alderman James Hickson (1607-1689) was a leading London brewer who established a school for twenty poor children in the parish of Allhallows by the Tower and almshouses in South Mimms in Hertfordshire.
The origins of the Foundation are reflected in its name and are to be found in the Aldgate area of the City of London.
Today, the Foundation is administered by Staff at Sir John Cass's Foundation, an education charity benefiting young people throughout London.


text:
4 scenarios where packaged software is sucking the life out of you
Surveys show that 88 percent of millennials, the largest generation in the workforce, want a fun and social workplace environment.
This isn't necessarily about a meme contest, bringing your dog to work, riding scooters down the hall, or getting exclusive access to novel perks – it goes back to meaning and purpose.
For most business owners, the concepts of "work" and "fun" just don't go together.
Yet, despite that natural divergence, they really should be better aligned – not for sentimental reasons, but for bottom-line facts.
From building out custom applications to deploying enterprise system upgrades, there are a couple of important things you need to know about having fun, while getting that next app done.
The traditional way to build a custom application is to hire a consultancy firm/developer, or purchase packaged software to do the job. However, there are certain problems with both of those approaches that can actually be solved by coding the app yourself. Which means there is lots of time left over for doing fun things.
Here are just four scenarios in which building your own application can turn into a pretty fun time.
Explaining the inner workings of your proposed app design to an app developer
Not fun: A business owner will typically have to explain their app ideas or requirements to someone unrelated to their business, several times, and fill out brief after brief of detailed questionnaires revolving around what this color should be or that font will look like. Boring!
Fun: You know the business app's functional needs better than anyone else. So instead of smacking your head against a brick wall trying to convey your idea to someone not on your team, code it yourself.
And now that the brick wall is gone, you could go rent a sweet ride and not worry about crashing it into that brick wall.
Lengthy development cycles
Not fun: Traditional development has lengthy procedures like configuration, coding, testing, and debugging. Professional developers are pricey, and a you'd need expensive IT infrastructure to deploy your app.
Fun: Low-code and drag-and-drop builders like Zoho Creator makes application building easy and quick. So instead of destroying your sanity over the latest debug, use that extra free time and go on a cruise. Alcatraz is a great destination this time of year.
Paying for more than you need
Not fun: Many developers charge full payment at the start of a project and build features that you might not use till much later, if at all.
Fun: A pay-as-you-go approach lets you start small and upgrade as and when you need to. So instead of paying out the nose, many times for features you don't need anyway, why don't you have some fun while making money at the same time?
One thing you could do is take a short stay-cation at a local hotel, set up a meeting with a client, and call it a business expense. Who's to know?
Waiting for changes – but still hoping for fast updates
Not fun: For every small modification, update, or change to an app, the developers have to make changes in the user interface as well as the database. This gets tedious pretty fast.
Fun: Every application change should simply be incorporated offline, tested, and then deployed.
Now, why don't you go and read the latest John Grisham or Jack Reacher novel and relax?
When you decide to build an application to solve a business problem, you can improve efficiency, and simplify your work with less expense and loads more fun than normal.
Even if your turnover doesn't shrink or your financial performance doesn't rise above that of your peers overnight, at least you'll still have some fun in the process of getting there.


text: Well after another top defensive game Manly find themselves on the top of the table. This week see them match up with perenial no hopers the Bye. However this may not be the walkover most would expect. In the first 3 rounds this year the bye have gone down in tight ones and acutually have the best defensive record in the comp. The knights were lucky to get home last week on the back of some of the worst refereeing decisions to be made since Tooves got his head stomped through the turf in the 97 grand finals. Unfortunatly for Manly they wont get there injured players back until round 5 against St George. That said i think Monahan is the key. If he can fire again i can see us scraping home. My tip - Manly in a tight one.


text:
Best Vape Starter Kit Buyer's Guide of 2017
You want to buy your first vape starter kit. But there's one problem. A google search shows you more vaporizer types than you know what to do with. You're not even sure what each type does. And you don't want to pull the trigger on a vape starter kit you know little about.
The fact is, there isn't enough information on the best vape starter kits out there. But not to worry. It's much simpler than you think.
First you have to decide what type of material you want to vape, whether that is dry herb, wax concentrate, oil concentrate or eliquid nicotine. Then you have to find a vaporizer that agrees with your budget, vapor preference, and lifestyle.
Here are the best vape starter kits of 2017.
Best Mod Vaporizer
Innokin Cool Fire IV Express
Mod vapes are for eliquid lovers who want big clouds and total command over their vapor profiles. The Innokin Cool Fire IV Express overs advanced features and top notch vapor at a price that won't break the bank. This vape starter kit features an Ohms meter so you can keep track of how much power you're using, a puff counter, portable power bank for charging up, and variable voltage and wattage. You can vape with the Cool Fire IV mod while charging, so you don't have to go without vapor if the battery is low. The 2000mAh battery enables high temperatures and longer lasting battery life. If you want to dip your toe into eliquid vaping, this is the right choice.
Price: $42.99
Temperature: Variable voltage/wattage
Battery: 2000mAh (Powerful)
Warranty: 90 day
Key Features: Pass-through charging, advanced safety features
Kanger Subox Mini Kit
Compact and powerful, the Kanger Subox Mini Kit is compatible with sub-ohm tanks and clearomizers with a coil resistance anywhere between 0.3Ω and 3.0Ω. You can toggle wattage in 0.1W increments based on your favorite coil resistance. An OLED screen shows battery power, voltage, wattage, and ohm stats. The appeal of the Kanger Subox as a vape starter kit is the ease with which the device enables you to explore different wattages and voltages to the individual degree. Expect impressively large clouds of vapor with a clean, delicious flavor profile.
Price: $89.99
Temperature: Variable wattage, 7W to 50W
Battery: 18650 Li-Ion (not included)
Warranty: 1 year
Key Features: Dual airflow control, OLED display, pass-through charging
Best Portable Vaporizer for Dry Herb
Pulsar APX
Pulsar APX is the quintessential vape starter kit for dry herb. At an affordable price, Pulsar APX delivers excellent vapor production with a convection heating system (rare among portable vapes). Dry herb is vaporized with hot air, not hot surfaces, preventing smoke. Compact and lightweight at just 4 inches in length, Pulsar APX is easy to hide in your hand and carry in your pocket. If you're on a budget or a beginner, Pulsar APX is a great vape starter kit.
Price: $59.99
Temperature: 5 presets
Battery: 1600mAh (Moderate)
Warranty: 6 month
Key Features: Convection heating, 40 second heat up
AirVape Xs
For a mid-priced vape starter kit, the AirVape Xs vapes like a pricier unit. It has precision temperature control, which is quite rare for a portable vape. Even pinnacles of the vape world like the Firefly 2 don't let you choose to the individual degree your vaping temperature. But that's the charm of the AirVape Xs. It defies its price tag. A ceramic oven and glass mouthpiece keep vapor clean and flavorful. And the thin, light build is perfect for on-the-go vaping.
Price: $179.00
Temperature: Precision
Battery: 1300mAh (Moderate)
Warranty: Lifetime
Key Features: 20 second heat up, vibration notifications, ceramic oven
If money's no object for you, and you want to invest in a deluxe vape starter kit, the sleek and smart PAX 3 vape is an option. You can control temperature presets and other settings via mobile app, receive vibration notifications, and explore 4 heat settings designed for efficiency, stealth, flavor, and speed. Pax 3 breaks vaping down to a science, and makes it all easy, hence its frequent comparison to the iPhone. This is the vape starter kit for those going deep into vaporization right off the bat.
Price: $274.99
Temperature: 4 presets
Battery: 3500mAh (Powerful)
Warranty: 10 year
Key Features: 15 second heat up, mobile app, haptic feedback, half-pack lid, wax cup
Best Wax Pen
R2 Series
ThisThingRips make wax pens with advanced atomizers but manage to keep their products at an affordable price. The R2 Series vaporizer is one of their more affordable vape pens, but features a dual ceramic rod atomizer that creates flavorful, milky rips, making it the perfect vape starter kit for those who use wax concentrates. The R2 Series wax pen is ideal for vaping on your feet, with a pen-style design that has a pen cap for stealthiness.
Price: $49.99
Temperature: Single setting
Battery: 650mAh (Standard)
Warranty: 90 day
Key Features: Dual ceramic rod atomizer, visual chamber, pen cap
KandyPens MINI
Forty dollars higher up the price range you'll find the KandyPens MINI. It's a stout and strong wax pen with a deep-dish coilless atomizer that vapes waxy oils very efficiently so you don't waste as much wax. KandyPens made the MINI wax pen leak-proof, solving a common issue with vape pens in which melted wax leaks out of the chamber and mucks up the threading that generally connects the heating chamber to the battery. KandyPens MINI has a strong battery for such a small unit, so you can expect longer continuous use and fairly big clouds of vapor. As an added perk, this vape starter kit features pass-through so you can vape while you charge.
Price: $89.95
Temperature: 3 presets
Battery: 950mAh (Standard)
Warranty: Lifetime
Key Features: Coilless atomizer, leakproof, pass-through charging
Source Orb 4 - Signature Kit
Source Orb 4 - Signature Kit is pricey for a wax pen, but you get what you pay for. This vape starter kits comes with 8 different atomizers, enabling you to pick and choose between a variety of vapor profiles. The battery is exceptionally powerful. You can vape up to 700F, unheard of for a vape pen. The design is simple yet sophisticated. The orb mouthpiece has a magnetic lock that makes it very easy to load and clean the piece. There's also adjustable airflow with five different settings so you can control the size of your hits.
Price: $199.95
Temperature: 3 settings
Battery: 2200mAh (Powerful)
Warranty: Lifetime
Key Features: 8 different atomizers, adjustable airflow, magnetic lock mouthpiece
Best Oil Vaporizer
KandyPens Slim Vaporizer
KandyPens Slim Vaporizer is one of the most compact oil vaporizers out there. With a stealthy pen-style design, KandyPens Slim is ideal for vaping on the street. The tank is very easy to fill, and the vape pen has a simple single button control, making it a great starter vape for beginners. If you prefer oil concentrates or eliquid, but are not sure if you want to delve right into vaping with an expensive unit, KandyPens Slim is an affordable yet solid vape starter kit.
Price: $34.95
Temperature: Single setting
Battery: Standard
Warranty: Lifetime
Key Features: 510-threaded, easy-fill tank
Vaporite Amber L Vaporizer
Vaporite Amber L Vaporizer is a mid-priced vape starter kit with high-end features including bluetooth compatibility so you can monitor temperature and more via mobile app. The rebuildable oil tank enables you to customize your coils. And the vapor production is robust. This vape starter kit is super easy to operate and drums up nice, comfortable hits on-the-fly. Vaporite Amber L is pocketable so you can carry it with you through your day.
Price: $59.99
Temperature: Single setting
Battery: 1600mAh (Moderate)
Warranty: Lifetime
Key Features: Rebuildable oil tank, mobile app
Best Desktop Vaporizer
Da Buddha
7th Floor is known for high-end desktop vaporizers with clean vapor paths, gorgeous designs, and high-grade materials. But for beginners or those on a budget, Da Buddha gives you the same great quality vapor and ease-of-use at a fairly affordable price point. The ceramic heating element vaporizers dry herb "slow and low" with no combustion. The hits are smooth and tasty. To make things easier, Da Buddha has a hands-free ground glass connection so you don't have to hold the wand while vaping. You'll be hard pressed to find a better desktop vape starter kit at this price.
Price: $189.00
Temperature: Precision
Battery: Plug-in (Extra powerful)
Warranty: 3 warranty
Key Features: Hands free connection, 100% convection, 90-second heat up
Vapir Rise
A bit higher up the price ladder you'll find the Vapir Rise. One reason this vape starter kit will appeal to newbies is versatility. It doubles as a whip-style and balloon-bag vaporizer, so you can try out each method and see which you prefer. Vapir Rise also comes with a multi-user adapter so you can share the love between friends. You can vape with the fan giving your hits a boost, or use no fan mode for hits with a little more draw resistance. Vapir Rise features a simple touch pad control panel that lets you choose temperatures with precision so you have more command over your vapor profiles.
Price: $249.99
Temperature: Precision
Battery: Plug-in (Extra powerful)
Warranty: 2 year
Key Features: Whip and balloon style,touch pad, multi-user adapter
Volcano Classic
Volcano Classic earned its name by remaining one of the top desktop vaporizers since its launch over a decade ago. Boasting precision german engineering, Volcano Classic delivers excellent vapor production using a 100 watt convection heating system and an aluminum heat exchanger that maintains steady temperature during vaporization. This vape starter kit is easy to figure out with a dial temperature control, and extracts the most out of each bowl. Vape dry herb between 266F and 446F balloon-bag style. Note that when you buy the Volcano Class, you have to choose between an Easy Valve or Solid Valve set. The Easy Valve is just what it sounds like, allowing you to fill up balloons in a painless way. The Solid Valve enables you to customize the size of your vapor balloons. Overall, Volcano Classic does the essentials well, a few hundred dollars cheaper than other comparable vape kits.
Price: $380
Temperature: Precision
Battery: Plug-in (Extra powerful)
Warranty: 3 year
Key Features: German engineering, balloon-bag style, time-tested design
Finding a Vape Starter Kit
Ready to start vaping? You can check out our vaporizers page for more vape starter kits. Our search filters let you choose based on price, brand, type, and more.
Thomas Gregorich is a writer at The VaporNation Blog, a Los Angeles-based online publication focused on providing balanced and trustworthy information about vaporizers. His blogs are visited by an average of 60,000 readers each month. His goal? To help build awareness about the true benefits and downsides of vaping.
As a vaporizer critic for the past two years, Thomas does not recommend that people take up vaping if they don't already smoke. He also does not claim that vaping is healthier than smoking. He does, however, provide information on how to choose and use vaporizers for those who already practice smoking or vaping.
Thomas bought his first vaporizer after looking for an alternative to smoking, a practice which he found to be odorous and wasteful. Since then, he's become an enthusiast, reviewing the most popular devices to provide readers with a balanced perspective. His aim is to offer responsible advice and information that ensures the continued happiness, health, and safety of his readers.
Thomas graduated from University of Massachusetts, Amherst and lives with his family in the Los Angeles region. You can read his articles on High Times, Chicagoist, Leafly, Westword, Leaf Science, Green Rush Daily, Ganjapreneur, and more.


text:
The Herald News, Thursday, April 6, 2017 – Page B1
Jo C. Goode
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Fall River — The Old Second Street walkway that connects Government Center to the Fall River Justice Center is set for a little sprucing up and improvements could be completed by this summer.
On Monday, the Fall River Redevelopment Authority, which owns Old Second Street, gave the go-ahead for Chairman William Kenney to enter into a design agreement with Boston-based landscape design firm Brown, Richardson and Rowe. Kenney said they are the same firm that designed the Alfred J. Lima Quequechan River Rail Trail and the Father Travassos Park projects.
The design portion of the project is $19,200.
Once a throughway for automobiles, it was made into a pedestrian walkway as part of the 1960s and 1970s urban renewal effort, but has since fallen into disrepair and until recently, was used as an area for makeshift parking. "Literally it has been neglected for decades. This is one of the few areas in the city segregated from traffic and has the potential to be a great connection between two urban nodes being city hall and the courthouse," said Kenney, who is also the city planner. The goal, said Kenney, is to create a space that feels like "an outdoor room," that will attract residents, people working in the city and to host events organized by groups like AHA! Fall River and a farmers' market.
With an approximately 10-week timeline, Kenney said the landscape architects will be tasked with planning the installation of attractive fencing, new plantings and lighting.
The improvements to Old Second Street will compliment nicely with the architecture of the more than 140-year-old Academy Building located on South Main Street with its sunken gardens and its Ruskinian Gothic Revival architecture.
The group will also help the RA put together request for proposals bid documents to do the work.
"This is going to be a good way to bring new life to the downtown area," said Kenney. Some improvements have been made like an electrical
conduit installed along the border and better maintenance of the area. Last year they banned parking on Old Second Street, for one reason, heavy trucks were damaging the bricks and concrete, said Kenney.
The RA has also contracted with companies that are producing both urban and waterfront renewal plans. Kenney said those projects are ongoing and require public input and then City Council and state approvals.


text:
Back to school bed time is in full swing. We've tried on the closets to see what still fits. Paper work has been completed and all the school supply list items purchased, labeled, and placed in backpacks. Lunch accounts are padded. First day of school clothes were picked to match personal style. Hair cuts have been had.
Excitement for the first day of school is off the charts.
And as my girls head off, this will be my prayer:
photo credit Mothers of Daughters
Lord God,
In a world where school is viewed a training ground for the future please help my child keep focus on the present. Help her remember that it is not about who she can be but who she is.
To finish reading please visit Mothers of Daughters
Thank you for visiting! Please take a moment to Subscribe to Fill My Cup by Email and have every post delivered to your inbox.


text:
Cyrus Farivar reporting for Ars Technica:
Late last week, the New York Department of Financial Services, the state's banking regulator, sent 22 subpoenas to Bitcoin-related companies, according to a source familiar with the matter.
More bad news for bitcoins.
The regulator also released a memo, referring to the current bitcoin landscape as "a virtual Wild West for narcotraffickers and other criminals."


text:
Dangerous Goods Transportation
Hachemwize offers a diversified dangerous goods transportation (DGR) service to its clients that is focused on, but certainly not limited to the movement of hazardous goods. The transportation of hazardous goods or hazardous waste is a specialised service, one that requires a niche understanding in the legalities, human skills, accreditation and safety measures involved.
We are proudly one of the few players in the market that can offer a truly holistic Hazchem transportation service, including:
- Truck Rental
- Long Distance Transport
- Distribution
- Break Bulk, Abnormal Loads, Cross Border
Hazchem Truck Rental
Truck rental is a critical requirement for many companies involved with the manufacturing or distribution of hazardous materials and hazardous waste. Truck hire typically involves the Adhoc, daily, weekly or monthly, hiring of hazchem compliant vehicles and accredited drivers should the need exist.
Our vast fleet of vehicles includes everything from 1 ton bakkies to 34 ton truck tractor combinations. These vehicles have been adapted to suit any hazchem requirement, specifications include:
- Drop Sides and Flat Bedsl
- Curtain sides (taut liners)
- Panel-vans
- Crane-mounted vehicles
- Refrigerated units
Long-Distance Transport
Long distance transportation typically refers to dangerous goods transportation between various city centres, and can also be referred to as Line Haul. Long distance transport is yet another key ingredient to the safe and effective flow of hazardous goods. We ensure that our line haul services are executed with the utmost precision and professionalism.
Hazchem Distribution
At Hazchemwize, we understand that the distribution of hazardous materials needs to be safe, timeous and reliable. We are able to manage the distribution of hazardous goods through our substantial, nationwide infrastructure that enables to effectively warehouse and distribute anything from explosive gas, to chemicals and medical waste. Our routing and scheduling systems ensure that deliveries are made on-time and real-time systems help to maximize the efficiency of the supply chain.
Break Bulk, Abnormal Loads
Our additional dangerous goods transportation services include:
- Break bulk, which involves a part-load program, typically any weight above 1 ton.
- Abnormal Loads, the movement of abnormal structures, weights or masses.
- Cross Border Transport to areas including Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Angola and the DRC.
For more information on dangerous goods management or transportation of dangerous goods or hazardous waste, please call us on 0861 429 2436 or email us at email@example.com.
Enquire Now!


text:
Economies like India, which offer relatively higher growth than the developed economies, have gain favour among investors as attractive investment destinations for foreign institutional investors (FIIs). Investors are optimistic on India and sentiments are favourable following government's announcement of a series of reform measures in recent months.
According to a poll conducted by Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofA-ML) recently, in which 50 investors participated, India was the most favourite equity market for the global investors for the year 2015 at 43 per cent, followed by China at 26 per cent. The global investment bank is of the view that India remains to be in a structural bull market.
India is poised to become the second biggest ecosystem option after the US in the next two years on account of the on-going high growth rates.
FII's net investments in Indian equities and debt have touched record highs in the past financial year, backed by expectations of an economic recovery, falling interest rates and improving earnings outlook. FIIs net investments stood at Rs 18,106 crore (US$ 2.65 billion) in March 2016, out of which Rs 16,731 crore (US$ 2.45 billion) was invested in equities and Rs 1,375 crore (US$ 201 million) was invested in debt. Cumulative value of investments by FIIs during April 2000- December 2015 stood at US$ 179.32 billion.
India continues to be a preferred market for foreign investors. The assets of India-focussed offshore equity funds and ETFs stood at USD 43.1 billion in October-December 2015 quarter.!
India companies signed Merger and Acquisition (M&A) deals worth US$ 30.43 billion in 2015 across 600 deals. The total M&A transaction value for the month of February 2016 was US$ 1.83 billion involving a total of 37 transactions.
Total Private Equity (PE) deals increased by 62 per cent year-on-year to US$ 1.19 billion in February 2016 through 94 deals, whereas PE investments during the October-December 2015 period totalled US$ 3.9 billion, leading to total PE investments for 2015 to hit record highs of US$ 19.5 billion through 159 deals.@
Government of India has accepted the recommendation of A.P. Shah Committee to not impose Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) on overseas portfolio investors retrospectively for the years prior to April 01, 2015, thereby providing significant relief to foreign portfolio investors (FPIs).
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has allowed Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) to invest in units of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs), category III Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), and also permitted them to acquire corporate bonds under default.
In order to make India a more attractive foreign investment destination, the Ministry of Finance is planning to introduce the residency permit policy, which will allow key executives of foreign companies making investments worth US$ 2 billion or more in India, to avail various facilities such as special package on upscale housing, residency permits allowing long stay in the country, and cheap rates for utilities.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stated that it will take steps to ease doing business and contribute to the growth of start-ups by simplifying processes and creating an enabling framework for receiving foreign venture capital, in line with the Government of India's 'Start-up India' initiative.
The RBI has also allowed a number of foreign investors to invest, on repatriation basis, in non-convertible/redeemable preference shares or debentures issued by Indian companies listed on established stock exchanges in India. The investment should be within the overall limit of US$ 51 billion allocated for corporate debt. Long-term investors registered with SEBI will also be deemed as eligible investors. The Government of India is also planning to relax some of the safe harbour rules set for offshore fund managers, in order to allow private equity investors to shift their base to India without attracting a tax on capital.
The People's Bank of China (PBoC) has invested US$ 500 million in Indian bonds for the first time since the Indian government eased restrictions on foreign investors.
India is being viewed as a potential opportunity by investors, with the economy having the capacity to grow tremendously. Buoyed by strong support from the government, FII investments have been strong and are expected to continue to improve going forward. "FIIs are flocking towards Indian bonds as the confidence level of central bank and the government is at one of the highest levels and benign commodity prices have added confidence," said Rahul Goswami, Chief Investment Officer for fixed income at ICICI Pru Mutual fund. "India is among the few markets where interest rates are expected to drop with fair visibility, which would attract flow from FIIs" said Arvind Sethi, MD& CEO, TATA Asset Management.
A PricewaterhouseCoopers India report based on a survey of 40 PE firm partners has projected that the country has the potential to get PE funding of US$ 40 billion by 2025. Future PE investments would be driven by India's consumption story, realistic valuations, competitive businesses, growing private entrepreneurship, among other factors, as per the report.
"The FII participation has been very consistent as far as India is concerned and we see the trend continuing. We have been overweight India in the context of Asia and emerging markets since November 2013 and that stance very much continues," said Mr Bharat Iyer, MD, Global Research, JP Morgan India.
Exchange Rate Used: INR 1 = US$ 0.0147 as on March 01, 2016
References: Media Reports, Press Releases
Note: !- Morningstar Offshore Fund Spy, @- PWC Money Tree India report


text:
Interpretive Letter to Dana Fleischman, Esq., Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton
November 24, 2003
Dana Fleischman, Esq.
Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton
One Liberty Plaza
New York, NY 10006-1470
Re: NASD Rule 2740
Dear Ms. Fleishman:
This is in response to your letter dated August 29, 2003, as supplemented by telephone conversations with NASD staff, in which you seek an interpretation under NASD Rule 2740. Specifically, you ask whether Rule 2740 would prohibit an underwriter in a fixed price offering from paying to another broker/dealer an advisory or referral fee. For the reasons set forth below, NASD staff does not believe that such an arrangement violates Rule 2740.
In responding to your question, NASD staff has reviewed the history of Rule 2740. As you may be aware, the origins of Rule 2740 predate NASD; it is based upon codes approved by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1933 acting under the authority of the National Industrial Recovery Act ("NIRA"). The precursor to Rule 2740 was drafted by a committee as part of the Code of Fair Competition for the Investment Bankers Association of America ("IBAA"), and established "one price for all investors irrespective of the size of the transaction or the importance of the purchaser."1 The IBAA believed that the one price provision was essential to success of the public offering process, noting that if certain purchasers bought shares at a discount with the goal of capturing the underwriting spread, it would discourage others from buying at the public offering price.2
The IBAA's Code of Fair Competition was amended in 1935 to require that an investment banker receiving a selling concession certify that his purchase was solely for the account of clients or, if for his own account, that he intended to redistribute the securities to his clients in the ordinary course of business. This amendment was approved by the National Industrial Recovery Board, which found that the "effect of the amendment would be to consistently maintain the principle of no discrimination between investors by putting all investment bankers on a level with private investors when they purchase securities solely for investment and not for distribution. It proceeds on the theory that an investment banker is entitled to a lower price than that available to the public only when the investment banker actively participates in the distribution to others of the securities in question."3
After the NIRA was declared unconstitutional, the Investment Bankers Conference, Inc. ("IBC") was formed to continue self-regulation on a voluntary basis. In 1937, the IBC adopted rules of fair practice, including a provision comparable to its predecessor in the IBAA's Code of Fair Competition. When the NASD was established in 1939, the IBC passed out of existence and many of the restrictions on underwriting and selling concessions were incorporated into NASD rules, including Rule 2740, which remained unchanged until 1980.
The amendments in 1980 were in response to the legal uncertainty created by the decision in Papilsky v. Berndt.4 In Papilsky, a shareholder of an investment company brought a derivative suit against the directors of an investment company and its advisor, alleging violations of fiduciary duties in failing to "recapture" brokerage commissions, underwriting commissions and tender offer fees for the investment company and its shareholders. The advisor claimed that recapture was not permitted under the applicable SEC and SRO rules. The court rejected this defense and held that in the absence of an SEC or SRO rule to the contrary, recapture was both available and legal. The court concluded that the failure to present the possibility of recapture to the attention of the independent directors of the fund constituted a breach of fiduciary duty.
The decision in Papilsky caused great concern among managers of investment companies. NASD stated that it interpreted Rule 2740 as forbidding underwriting recapture. In learning of NASD's interpretation, the Commission stated that the interpretation was a change in NASD rules that can only be accomplished through a rule change approved by the SEC under Section 19(b) of the Securities Exchange Act. In response, NASD submitted a formal rule proposal that barred underwriting recapture. After extensive public hearings on the proposal, the Commission suggested a change to allow designated orders in return for research. NASD incorporated this change and the SEC approved amended Rule 2740. In the Adopting Release, the SEC noted that amended Rule 2740 "prevents a . . . customer from directly or indirectly receiving a discount from the public offering price."5
As the foregoing suggests, Rule 2740 is intended to ensure that all purchasers in a fixed price offering pay the fixed offering price. The Rule allows selling concessions, discounts and other allowances only to brokers or dealers actually engaged in the investment banking or securities business and only as consideration for services rendered in distribution. The Rule contains an exception to allow a member to sell securities to any person to whom it has provided or will provide bona fide research.6 The Rule also requires that when a member grants a selling concession, discount, or other allowance, it must obtain a written agreement from the recipient that it will comply with the Rule. Finally, the Rule contains a specific reporting requirement when member receives an order from a person designating another broker or dealer to receive credit for a sale. In sum, these provisions are aimed at preventing discounting from the fixed offering price.
Based upon your letter, we understand the facts to be as follows. Broker/Dealer #1 provides capital markets and other securities-related advice to various market participants, including issuers, institutional investors and underwriters. From time to time, Broker/Dealer #1 is invited to become a member of an underwriting syndicate for a securities offering in which, for various reasons, it is unable to participate.7 Although it is unable to participate in the underwriting syndicate, Broker/Dealer #1 may be in a position to inform the issuer or lead underwriter that Broker/Dealer #2 (a firm with which Broker/Dealer #1 has an advisory or other relationship) is interested in acting as a member of the underwriter syndicate. In some cases, Broker/Dealer #1 may provide advisory services to Broker/Dealer #2 in connection with the offering. You have represented that these advisory services may include advice regarding market conditions, pricing, timing, investor preferences, issuer's reputation, credit rating, and general creditworthiness. In other cases, Broker/Dealer #1's activities may be limited solely to referring Broker/Dealer #2 to be a member of underwriting syndicate.
Broker Dealer #2 wishes to compensate Broker/Dealer #1 with a portion of the fees it receives as being an underwriter in the offering, either as a fee for advisory services, or a referral fee, or both. The fees paid by Broker/Dealer #2 will pertain solely to services provided by Broker/Dealer #1, and not any services provided by affiliates of Broker/Dealer #1. In addition, neither Broker/Dealer #1 nor any of its affiliates will purchase shares in the offering for their own accounts or on behalf of customers.
Legal Analysis
Rule 2740 provides in pertinent part that:
A member may not grant or receive selling concessions, discounts, or other allowances except as consideration for services rendered in distribution and may not grant such concessions, discounts or other allowances to anyone other than a broker or dealer actually engaged in the investment banking or securities business; provided, however, that nothing in this Rule shall prevent any member from (1) selling any such securities to any person, or account managed by any person, to whom it has provided or will provide bona fide research, if the stated public offering price for such securities is paid by the purchaser; or (2) selling any such securities owned by him to any person at any net price which may be fixed by him unless prevented therefrom by agreement.8
Both the text and history of Rule 2740 evidence intent by NASD (and predecessor organizations) of maintaining the nature of a "fixed price offering." Discounting, it is believed, would erode confidence in fixed price offerings and could be disruptive to the capital formation process.9 To preserve the nature of the fixed price offering, Rule 2740 prohibits sharing of any concessions, discounts or other allowances except as for: (i) services rendered in distribution, and (ii) only to a broker/dealer actually engaged in the investment banking and securities business. The Rule permits sharing of concessions, discounts or other allowances with a broker/dealer that provides or agrees to provide bona fide research to the person to whom or at whose discretion the sale is made if such purchaser pays the stated public offering price.
Implicit in Rule 2740 is the fact that it is designed to prevent purchasers from receiving discounts from the fixed public offering price. In response to Papilksy, Rule 2740 prohibits a purchaser from designating that a selling concession be paid to the affiliated broker/dealer, which in turn would credit the purchaser for a portion of the selling concession (through a reduction in management fees). As noted above, the SEC observed that Rule 2740 prevents customers from directly or indirectly receiving a discount from the public offering price.
In the facts of your letter, Broker/Dealer #2 would compensate Broker/Dealer #1 for advisory services, for making a referral, or both. This compensation would pertain solely to services provided by Broker/Dealer #1, and not any services provided by its affiliates. To the extent that payment of the advisory or referral fee does not directly or indirectly discount the fixed offering price for any purchaser in the offering, the staff believes that Rule 2740 would not prohibit the payment. NASD staff believes that history of Rule 2740 described above supports this interpretation.10
Please note that the opinions expressed in this letter are staff opinions only and have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Board of NASD. This letter responds only to the issues you have raised based on the facts as you have described them in your letter, and does not necessarily address any other rule or interpretation of NASD or all the possible regulatory and legal issues involved.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (202) 728-8104.
Gary L. Goldsholle
1 Letter from Administrator Hugh S. Johnson to President Franklin D. Roosevelt transmitting Approved Code No. 141 – Amendment No. 2 for approval (Mar. 23, 1934), VIII NRA Codes 659-60 (cited in In re NASD, Inc., Order Approving Proposed Rule Change, Exchange Act Release No. 17371 45 Fed. Reg. 83707 (Dec. 19, 1980) ("Adopting Release")).
2 Brief submitted by Joseph C. Hostetler, Counsel, Investment Bankers Code Committee to the National Recovery Administration at the public hearings on the fair practice amendments (Mar. 15, 1934) (cited in Adopting Release).
3 Approved Code No. 141 – Amendment No. 4, Report to President and Order (Feb. 27, 1935), XX NRA Codes 433 (cited in Adopting Release).
4 [1976-1977 Transfer Binder] Fed. Sec. L. Rep. (CCH) ¶ 95,627 (S.D.N.Y.).
5 Adopting Release at 83717 n74.
6 The exception for research was viewed necessary because free research is in a sense a discount from the offering price.
7 You have represented that one such reason might be if that Broker/Dealer #1 is affiliated with a banking organization that is not a "financial holding company" under the Bank Holding Company Act, and, for U.S. bank regulatory purposes, does not have the ability to engage in underwriting activity.
8 Rule 2740(a).
9 Adopting Release at 83722.
10 Furthermore, your letter cites an NASD staff letter to Daniel Schloendorn, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, dated June 18, 1998, regarding Shoreline Pacific ("Shoreline"), for the proposition that a member may pay a finder's fee for the referral of issuers that are potential corporate finance clients. We note that the referral payments in Shoreline involved payment of a finder's fee to an entity outside the jurisdiction of the SEC and, therefore, did not raise broker/dealer registration concerns under the federal securities laws.


text:
The ACLU of Idaho was founded in 1988 and is located in Boise. While we are an independent entity, we also serve as a local affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union since 1993. We implement legal, legislative, and public education programs in conjunction with large numbers of volunteers to advance the ACLU's goals of liberty and justice for all. A statewide Board of Directors sets policy, raises funds, and provides legal and fiduciary oversight. The ACLU of Idaho is made up of eight full-time employees, and is supported by an expanding base of members and volunteers.
We believe that the freedom of press, speech, assembly, and religion, and the rights to due process, equal protection and privacy, are fundamental to a free people.


text:
Rwandan President Paul Kagame followed a well-trod route to power in Africa, from child refugee to guerrilla leader to civilian president. Like other African strongmen, human rights groups have accused him of abuse of power, particularly for slow progress on human rights and for, they say, using the 1994 genocide as an excuse to repress the opposition. But since he deposed President Pasteur Bizimungu and assumed the presidency in 2000 and was formally elected in 2003, Kagame's government has also racked up impressive successes. It shows no tolerance for corruption, it has been hailed for its success in fighting HIV and...
A Conversation with Rwandan President Paul Kagame
Subscriber content preview. or Log-In
To continue reading: or Log-In


text:
Hohoho, welcome the last month of year 2011. It's the celabration month of Christmas hence I would like to share some magazines freebies news with you.
Spotted in Kinokuniya bookstore, KLCC ~ Buy Jessica Chinese Magazine at RM 8 and free a box of Liese Bubble Hair Color in Sweet pink.
Buy Newtide Chinese Magazines at RM 8 and readers could exchange The Last Polka ice cream worth RM 32.
Indulge in ice cream? Go and get a copy now then. :)
December Magazines Freebies
Labels: Freebies, Kinokuniya
No comments:
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
When he delivered a major national policy address in Washington this week, Chris Christie made sure to include in his remarks a humorous — but firm — denial of any plans to seek the presidency in 2012.
"Apparently," he said, "I actually have to commit suicide to convince people I'm not running."
New Jersey's first-term governor has been using some variation of this line for months now, ever since his charismatic mix of bluntness and charm turned him into an unexpected political sensation.
And there's reason to believe he means it. Christie, by all measures, is having a blast in Trenton and is in no hurry to leave. He also surely realizes that in New Jersey, where even popular Republicans face uphill climbs, charges of skipping out on the job would take a severe toll on his prospects for re-election in 2013. For Christie to pursue the White House next year, the odds of success would have to be pretty good and, well, right now they just aren't. Why mess with a good thing?
But his well-received DC speech to the American Enterprise Institute, which was preceded by a media build-up that a full-fledged presidential candidate would envy and that was carried live on Fox News, could also be seen as part of an effort by Christie to improve those odds and to position himself to play the white knight role in the 2012 GOP race, riding in at the last minute to save the party from its mediocre roster of candidates.
It wouldn't exactly be the first time we've seen a set-up like this.
Twenty years ago at this same juncture, a charismatic up-and-coming governor from the other party was interested in running for president. But in his re-election campaign the previous fall, Bill Clinton had promised Arkansas voters that he would stay put for his entire term and not seek the White House in 1992. Clinton had made this vow out of political necessity and quickly came to regret it, especially as it became clear in the early part of 1991 just how wide open his party's presidential field would be.
The overwhelming popularity of President George H.W. Bush in the wake of the Gulf War had frozen the Democratic race. None of the party's A-list prospects — Bill Bradley, Richard Gephardt, Jay Rockefeller, Al Gore and Mario Cuomo, to name a few — were willing to run, and as the months wore on, only a few decidedly second-tier prospects, like Paul Tsongas, Doug Wilder and Tom Harkin, stepped forward.
For Clinton, this was the optimal situation. With the Democratic race developing at such a slow pace — and with the field littered with weaklings — there was no hurry to launch a full-fledged national campaign. Waiting until midway through the year before the election to jump in would have been suicide for a presidential prospect in previous cycles, but this one was shaping up as an exception.
It was against this backdrop that in May 1991 Clinton traveled out of Arkansas to deliver a major national speech. The setting was Cleveland, where the Democratic Leadership Council — the centrist group that was then near the peak of its influence — was holding its annual convention. The political world had been eagerly anticipating his speech for weeks. While he still refused to say so, it was obvious that Clinton was interested in running.
A few years earlier, he'd bombed as the keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta, but in Cleveland, he didn't disappoint. In a rousing address, Clinton outlined a clear, if radical, policy roadmap for a party coming off three straight humiliating national election defeats: Embrace tax relief for the middle class, support a strong national defense (this was just months after most congressional Democrats had opposed the Gulf War) and rein in Big Government.
The reviews were enthusiastic. "He gave a dynamic speech," one New Hampshire Democrat in attendance said. "I sat there in wonderment, because it was not the Governor Clinton I have seen." The Democrats of 1991 were desperately searching for a message — and a messenger — to break them out of their political funk. With his Cleveland speech, Clinton showed he had that potential.
Of course, like Christie, he continued to insist he wasn't interested in the White House. "I'm still where I was," Clinton told reporters. "I'm not running."
But he'd done all he had to do. Every time they looked at the candidates who were in the race, it seemed, Democrats warmed even more to the idea of a Clinton candidacy. In early September, he finally took back the pledge for good and confirmed that he would run. The formal announcement came on Oct. 3, and the rest is history.
The parallels aren't exact, but there are some striking similarities between Christie's position now and Clinton's back in 1991.
The race for the '12 GOP nomination has been slow-starting; there are still no announced candidates. And the prospective field is most notable for the lack of enthusiasm it's generating from the Republican base. There's an obvious opening for Christie, who has attained virtual rock star status on the right. And like Clinton in '91, he has (some) time and can afford to be coy. In fact, it's working out just fine: In the recent CPAC straw poll, Christie — who was nowhere near the conference — finished with 6 percent, better than half of the Republicans who are actively positioning themselves to run.
Granted, Clinton had far more experience as a governor than Christie does now. After 12 years in office, he had reached the point where he had nothing to lose by running for the White House. Christie's not there yet. But let's see what happens after he delivers a few more speeches like this week's.
Maybe, just maybe, sometime in June or July he'll look at the rest of his party's field and reach the same conclusion Bill Clinton did 20 years ago:
Hey, I can beat these guys.
Excerpts from Gov. Christie's Wednesday speech to the American Enterprise Institute:
"In New Jersey they call me impatient. Ladies and gentlemen, I think it's time for some impatience. I think it's time for some impatience in America."
"The old playbook says lie, deceive, obfuscate and make it to the next election. You know, there's a study that says by 2020, New Jersey is one of 11 states whose pensions could be bankrupt. And when I told a friend of mine about that study, he said to me, 'Well wait. By 2020, you won't be governor. What the hell do you care?' That's the way politics has been practiced in our country for too long and practiced in New Jersey for too long."
"You'll have folks tell you that every bit of federal spending is absolutely necessary and laudatory. It's not. And, in fact, some of it's not even laudatory, let alone necessary."
"[The president] says the big things are high-speed rail. The big things are high-speed Internet access for almost 80% of America or something by some date. One million electric cars on the road by some date. Ladies and gentlemen, that is the candy of American politics. Those are not the big things."
"When they say we need to study the executive's proposal, you think because you speak English, that means they're really going to take some time, consider it and then act. No, no. What that means in Trenton, and what I suspect it means in Washington also, is this: It means we are going to drag our feet for as long as we can until we hope it dies a natural death because God knows we don't want our fingerprints on it for murdering it, but we also don't have the guts to do it. That's what 'study' means in government parlance."