text: Marlene Spence discovered Honolulu CC's auto body program while an art student at the college. Now a marketing and technical support specialist for Hi-Line Distributors, it's no surprise she views her work as art. Hear more about the process behind auto body painting and what inspires her to come back to Honolulu CC.


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Aerial Assault
Aerial Assault is a team of world-class entertainers and acrobats providing heart pounding trampoline shows. They thrill audiences with 5-30 minute gravity-defying performances. This group of world-class entertainers provides high energy performances featuring characters and costumes, as they tell the story of the history of the trampoline.
"The crowd loved you guys, as did our entire committee. You had such an easy load-in/out, were so easy to work with and provided the best entertainment we've had in a long time."
-Jill Lagan, Boulder City Nevada Chamber
Book this Performer!
Book This Artist
- Tech Rider (Coming Soon)
- One Sheet (Coming soon)
Great For!
- Fairs & Festivals
Think Global, Book Local! Aerial Assault is based out Park City, UT.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Senior Digital Design Engineer
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Analog Devices
San Diego, CA
JOB DESCRIPTIONDescription
oInterface with customers and marketing engineers to understand applications and contribute to architectural decisions of new products. Leverage existing designs and make significant technical improvements to meet new product specifications. Define digital block specifications with I/O list, block diagrams and timing diagrams. Write RTL code to implement the block description. Perform verification by writing test benches and regression tests to verify block functionality at the sub-block and the top level. Synthesize the design with proper timing constraints and conditions and perform Logical Equivalence Checking. Run structural simulations with post layout timing information and work with digital layout engineer to ensure physical verification. Develop and implement digital calibration techniques for the VCO based Phase Locked Loops. Develop and implement firmware code (for the Tensilica family of embedded processors). Write Verilog Code and utilizing TCL/PERL, C/C and Matlab. Perform laboratory evaluation and debug to verify block performs according to specification and assist product engineers in verification.
Qualifications Masters degree or foreign educational equivalent in Electrical Engineering or other relevant technical discipline plus two years experience, gained at any time, involving: data processing and digital design for high Speed Pipeline ADCs; digital calibration for the VCOs for phase locked loops; designing implementation using Verilog and System Verilog; designing micro-processors based subsystem and bus architectures like ARM AMBA protocol; developing firmware test code using programming languages such as C ; performing simulations using Cadence Incisive environment, and synthesis with RTL compiler; and, writing scripts using TCL/PERL and performing regression tests on design blocks.
Analog Devices, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability.
For positions requiring access to technical data, Analog Devices, Inc. may have to obtain export licensing approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce - Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the U.S. Department of State - Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. As such, applicants for this position - EXCEPT US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, and protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) - may have to go through an export licensing review process.
Education Level: Master's Degree (18 years)
Employee Status: Regular
Travel: No
Job Level: Individual Contributor
Job Type: Experienced


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Rent Apartment Paris (75003) 2 bedrooms 65m² - Marais
Amazing 2-bedroom apartment to rent in Paris - Le Marais area. Decorated with much taste, very comfortable, up to gour guests. This apartment is just gorgeous !
- Dryer
- Lift
- Internet
- Parking
- Phone
- Washing machine
- Combo tub shower
- Shower
- Bathtub
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Oven
- Toaster
- Balcony
- Deck patio uncovered
- Spa sauna
- Free AU/NZ Call
- Bathtub w/fixed shower
- Cable
- Courtyard View
- Disable Access
- Oven Mix
- Pool
- Separated beds
- Street View
- Toilet not in Bathroom
- Free US/CA Call
- washing/dryer combined
Additional details
The building entrance gives on the boulevard Beaumarchais. It is secured by a door code. You will have to go through a lovely courtyard, the apartment is on the ground floor. But if you look by the windows of the living-room and the master bedroom you will realize you are in the first floor of a building giving on a lovely place planted with tree on Tournelles Street !Location
This charming apartment to rent in Paris is only two steps away from the center of The Marais and the Place des Vosges, one of the most beautiful 17th century squares in all of Europe. From the hip Rue des Francs Bourgeois to the old Jewish Ghetto in the Rue des Rosiers, the Marais is one of the most lively and historic areas of Paris, bustling with galleries, cafés, restaurants and boutiques. Most attractions are within walking distance - the Bastille Opera and Place de la Bastille are close by. Located near the Picasso and Carnavalet Museums and only a short stroll away from Notre Dame, the Louvre or the Pompidou centre, this Paris rental apartment will be a highlight of your stay. The closest metro station are Chemin Vert, Bastille, Bréguet-Sabin. In ten minutes by foot you will reach St Paul Metro Station.Layout
This amazing 65sqm 2-bedroom apartment has been entirely renovated and decorated just recently (May 2012). The entrance door gives on the dining-room, which is the central room of this delightful place. It features a beautiful wooden table for four guests. The fitted kitchen is in an independent room opened on the dining-room. From the dining-room you will access the living-room, elegant, bright, with a Juliet Balcony giving on a lovely little place planted with trees (with a very good restaurant by the way !). The living-room features a couch, two chairs and a beautiful purple armchair , a coffee table and a large TV set. This room is very pleasant, decorated with much taste just as the rest of the apartment. The master bedroom is next to the living-room. Its windows also give on Tournelles Street. This bedroom features a double bed (140x200) and room to store your clothes. It has its own en-suite bathroom. It is absolutely gorgeous and features a walk-in shower, a washbasin, the toilets and a bidet. The second bedroom is also accessible from the dining-room. It has two wardrobes and two single beds (80x200). They can form a double bed (160x200) if you put them side by side. This bedroom is very quiet and gives on the courtyard (ground floor level). It is still very secured as unobtrusive white barrels have been installed. A second bedroom is accessible from the dining-room. It is as beautiful as the other, in the same colors. It features a walk-in shower, a washbasin with two beautiful mirrors and toilets. This apartment is so beautifully decorated, you will love it ! The master words are Elegance and Refinement. Every decoration item, every piece of furniture has been chosen with much care to convey a feeling of harmony and grace while still being very functional. This apartment has all the features of traditional Parisian apartments : wooden floor, decorative chimney and moldings. It is comfortably organized for four guests so that your stay becomes unforgettable !Special Note
The telephone is for incoming calls only.


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The point I've been trying to work up to, in these blog posts, is the deeper 'why'.
Why I went to Africa; why I stayed so long; why I came back to the UK.
I think when you distil it down, it's about the contrast between material poverty with spiritual wealth, on one side of the world, and spiritual poverty with material wealth, on the other. I don't want to perpetuate the myth that everyone in Tanzania is blissfully happy all the time even in the face of death and disease, but there really is this mindset in Africa that just makes life so much more liveable. There's an acceptance of the present moment, and a contentment with what is (even when, on the face of it, 'what is' is full of troubles and hardships).
And there's a genuine faith in God/dess (the Maasai word Engai is grammatically feminine, whereas the Swahili Mungu is gender-neutral) that flows through everyone's conversation, all the time.
A Tanzanian friend of mine once asked me why white people always `hurry-worry' and forget about the God who created them, and it's so true. He gave me the example of tiny ants living in a red hibiscus flower: they don't worry about tomorrow, they just live in the moment. He's living in the USA now, though, so he gets it, he understands that we have to hurry-worry because that's the way the system is designed, and it's really, really hard to opt out of that system and find another way of being. And now he's just trying to save up enough money to pay for a ticket back to Tanzania.
Another aspect of the spiritual wealth of Africa is that there's a real, tangible interdependence, and a recognition of the fact that we truly are `all one', at a very deep level: you can't just look at where someone's body begins and ends, and think that's the end of who they are as a person. Everything is about the community, and what's good for the community, rather than the individual. Even material goods get shared around the community, which is pretty frustrating when it's your expensive watch or mobile phone or whatever and your neighbour's son's idea of interacting with it is to take it to pieces and see what's inside. But hey, it's all part of the learning curve.
A living spirituality that's rooted in nature and community doesn't have to be something 'out there'. I've met some amazing people and been to some wonderful projects that are all about trying to rebuild a sense of community, and restore people's connection with nature at a very deep level, but I think there's still this huge tendency to assume that in Britain we don't have any indigenous knowledge or indigenous spirituality. People are trying to import shamanism from Siberia or sweat lodges from the Native Americans, because that's what they know about, but beneath the surface we have all these ancient British traditions of our own. We cling on to things like May Day and Halloween but we've forgotten the meanings.
There are two things that have been life-changing for me since I came back from Africa. The first was rediscovering this whole British pre-Christian tradition, which has survived or been revived in a whole variety of different forms, like Druidry, Wicca, Paganism, Goddess worship, and so on. That's what got me back out into nature and making pilgrimages to ancient sacred sites, it's what enabled me to connect with like-minded people who cared about creativity and community and celebrating the changing seasons, and overall it's what pulled me out of quite a dark depression.
And the second was rediscovering Christianity.


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A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post about the netbook question! I still really want to have one. I am a total apple supporter and since I bought my first MacBook 3 years ago, I told myself never ever to buy a Windows PC again. At the time I was thinking about a netbook the first time, I was complaining about Apple not having a netbook. Now, a few weeks later Apple introduced the new MacBook Air 11″ which I saw in real for the first time on Friday at the airport. I had lots of time so I had a real close look and I totally fell in love with it:
It is really light and small and I absolutely love the design of it! And of course, it has the Mac Software which is the main reason why I love it! Unfortunately, as all other apple products, it is extremly expensive compared to other netbooks! But I know that I can totally trust the apple quality! I am still really satisfied with my old MacBook and I still want to use it. I just think that for traveling and other times I am taking it with me, my usual MacBook is a bit too big and heavy whereas the Mac Book Air is just practical! But am I ready to invest that much money into a new notebook that I am just using when I'm not at home?
I'm really not sure what I want to do. And then there is the question about the keyboard! The German keyboard is a bit different from the English keyboard because it includes letters like ä, ü, ö and ß! And I really need those letters! Of course there are shortcuts but I'm not sure…. Therefore, it would be more advisable to buy it in Germany if I am going to buy one after all…
I really don't want to go back to Windows but I am not sure if it's worth investing in a MacBook Air just for the t
ime away from home… Perhaps I should just wait and think about it in much more detail and do a bit more research on everything before I make a final decision.


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The Stonewylde Community - A meeting place for Stonewylde readers
Moderator: mrb
Ebany wrote:I'll be attending our usual Pagan summer camp, about 60 of us get together each year to celebrate Litha. As you can imagine, that makes for a pretty big ritual circle! The people who organise it all (and very well too, I might add!) also work with fire so fire breathing workshops and demonstrations usually happen too. Add to that a nice big (fully legal!!) campfire with lots of singing and storytelling, a drop or three of mead and even a big lake for nightswimming (whoopee, this year under a full moon!!) and you have a recipe for a couple of very special days.
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Stormbringer Caught Quote Mining Again, With the Same Results.
He never learns. Stormbringer aka Nicky aka Piltdown Superman has quote mined many times, and has been caught out many times (most memorably by Paul Baird, who shot down quote after quote in the comments on a blog post, leaving Stormy staggering from the humiliation).
But, as I say, he never learns, so I wasn't surprised when I saw the following on his (now unlocked) @Stormbringer_5 twitter account, and retweeted on his @PiltdownSupermn timeline, because he was obviously so pleased with himself
"Why, if species have descended from other species by fine gradations, do we not everywhere see innumerable transitional forms?" – that's from The Origin of Species, and a quick googling of the phrase brings up (very usefully) the entire text, including the previous and subsequent context.
The text (from Chapter 6 of OoS) starts thus –
Long before having arrived at this part of my work, a crowd of difficulties will have occurred to the reader. Some of them are so grave that to this day I can never reflect on them without being staggered; but, to the best of my judgment, the greater number are only apparent, and those that are real are not, I think, fatal to my theory.
These difficulties and objections may be classed under the following heads:-
It is the first point of a list of four that Stormy has quoted/paraphrased in an attempt to twist Darwin's words to his own Creationist ideals
Firstly, why, if species have descended from other species by insensibly fine gradations, do we not everywhere see innumerable transitional forms? Why is not all nature in confusion instead of the species being, as we see them, well defined?
….the chapter continues –
Secondly, is it possible that an animal having, for instance, the structure and habits of a bat, could have been formed by the modification of some animal with wholly different habits? Can we believe that natural selection could produce, on the one hand, organs of trifling importance, such as the tail of a giraffe, which serves as a fly-flapper, and, on the other hand, organs of such wonderful structure, as the eye, of which we hardly as yet fully understand the inimitable perfection?
Thirdly, can instincts be acquired and modified through natural selection? What shall we say to so marvellous an instinct as that which leads the bee to make cells, which have practically anticipated the discoveries of profound mathematicians?
Fourthly, how can we account for species, when crossed, being sterile and producing sterile offspring, whereas, when varieties are crossed, their fertility is unimpaired?
These are all good questions, but it's already clear from the context that they're not 'oh no! My theory is shot to ribbons! Despair! Despair!' but more designed to lead into Darwin's following points…and sure enough –
The two first heads shall be here discussed Instinct and Hybridism in separate chapters.
On the absence or rarity of transitional varieties. As natural selection acts solely by the preservation of profitable modifications, each new form will tend in a fully-stocked country to take the place of, and finally to exterminate, its own less improved parent or other less-favoured forms with which it comes into competition. Thus extinction and natural selection will, as we have seen, go hand in hand. Hence, if we look at each species as descended from some other unknown form, both the parent and all the transitional varieties will generally have been exterminated by the very process of formation and perfection of the new form.
But, as by this theory innumerable transitional forms must have existed, why do we not find them embedded in countless numbers in the crust of the earth? It will be much more convenient to discuss this question in the chapter on the Imperfection of the geological record; and I will here only state that I believe the answer mainly lies in the record being incomparably less perfect than is generally supposed; the imperfection of the record being chiefly due to organic beings not inhabiting profound depths of the sea, and to their remains being embedded and preserved to a future age only in masses of sediment sufficiently thick and extensive to withstand an enormous amount of future degradation; and such fossiliferous masses can be accumulated only where much sediment is deposited on the shallow bed of the sea, whilst it slowly subsides. These contingencies will concur only rarely, and after enormously long intervals. Whilst the bed of the sea is stationary or is rising, or when very little sediment is being deposited, there will be blanks in our geological history. The crust of the earth is a vast museum; but the natural collections have been made only at intervals of time immensely remote.
You can read the rest of the chapter here
Basically, as you can see, Darwin didn't see this supposed paucity of transitional fossils as a major problem, and he was right not to worry, as we've since found a wealth of such forms, beautifully illustrating the very changes that Darwin predicted should be there. In fact there are rather a lot of them, as you can see here, here, here, here, and here (plus millions of other places)
Further more, Stormy has completely failed to appreciate that, as our understanding of evolution has increased, we've realised that every single living thing, and every single fossil is transitional. I am a transitional form, and my species, Homo Sapien will one day be a perfect midway point between an ancestor and descendant species, both of which I'll be related to.
The tools I used to get this information are just as available to Stormbringer as they are to me, yet he (for reasons known only to himself) chooses over and over again not to check whether what he's posting is saying what he wants it to say.
And over and over again he makes a fool of himself.


text: My little guy clicked on the wrong link on our desktop which has Windows XP, and loaded our computer up with viruses. I used the recommendations for HellMan from this website and managed to eliminate the viruses. For some reason, the computer keeps giving me the message that Office 2003 needs to be reinstalled, even though I've reinstalled it. After using the particular application, I then get the same message the next time I need to use the same application. After reinstalling Office 2003 successfully (and using the apps) 3 times, I've given up. I COULD take the hard drive to the shop, but am motivated to fix this problem myself. It seems that the registry on the computer needs to be reloaded, but the backup disk did not accomplish this. Is there a good website from which I can reload the latest registries? Thanks!


text:
Pretty Hues on Paper
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
Handmade Lamp for Diwali
I am posting my handmade lamp that I made for last Diwali.
First made a rectangular box out of thermacol and covered it with an orange organza cloth leaving the top and bottom sides openn. Later handpainted on it with acrylic colors and added some border ribbon :)
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Gouri Babshet
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text:
From the Drawer
These were pulled from the word drawer, where I hide my many scrapes of paper:
Me: "I know it's you. And I know you're just going to jump out. Why does it scare me?"
He: "The unknown is always scary."
"It's not just that I don't like his work. It makes me feel ugly inside."
(Proof that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I honestly don't remember whose art I was criticizing.)
"You can never harm a drink by adding more vodka." ~Wisdom from my dad


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As per the new market report published by Transparency Market Research titled "Email Marketing [(By Component – Software and Services; By Enterprise – SMEs and Large Enterprise; By Type – Traditional and Automated; By End-Use Industry – Retail/E-Commerce, IT & Telecom, Travel & Leisure, Print/Publishing, BFSI and Others] – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2017 – 2025," the global Email marketing industry stood at US$ 3880.0 Mn in 2015. The study projects the global Email marketing industry to expand at a CAGR of 19.6% during the period from 2017 to 2025 to reach US$ 22,164.2 Mn by 2025.
The global email marketing industry, by geography, has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (MEA), and South America. In the global email marketing industry, Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness relatively fast adoption and hence the growth rate as compared with other regions. Within Asia Pacific, the retail/e-commerce segment is projected to contribute the larger share of revenue backed by growth in retail industry in countries such as China and India. Furthermore, the number of internet users in the Asia Pacific region accounts for almost 49% of the global share and this number is only going to increase in the years to come.
As compared to other regions, the email marketing industry in North America is expected to witness slow growth. In North America, the U.S and Canada both have their respective laws governing email marketing practices viz. the CAN-SPAM Act in the U.S. and CASL in Canada. The regulatory laws in the U.S. are lenient as compared to the ones in Canada, this is one of the biggest factors fueling the growth in the U.S. market. Another major factor affecting the growth in region is the internet penetration rate in these countries which are significantly high as compared to the global average. The market is also predicted to strengthen its growth on the back of the rising number of smartphone users in the region. Additionally, the steadily growing BFSI sector has also contributed in the growth of email marketing industry.
As the European Union is set to adopt the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018, the email marketing industry is expected to experience a setback in the region pertaining to the strict data protection and anti-spamming laws formulated under the GDPR. Also the U.K. is expected to formulate a regulatory law similar to that of the GDPR in the years to come. Major email marketing companies that operate in the region have already started to formulate new policies and new marketing techniques which are in line with the new policies under the GDPR. The European region is the second largest contributor in terms of revenue for the email marketing industry, and will continue to do so in the years forecast as the email marketing companies are expected to cope up with the new regulations in a few years eventually.
Email marketing industry in the South America region is anticipated to witness relatively slower market growth. However, Brazil and Argentina among other countries are projected to witness steady growth. Especially in countries like Brazil, which lacks any strict anti-spam or data protection law unethical practices are on the rise. The factors that are expected to lead the growth of the email marketing industry in the region are rapid urbanization and growing number of smart phone and internet users.
Email marketing industry in Middle East and Africa occupies a relatively smaller portion of the global email marketing industry. Within Middle East and Africa counties including UAE, Saudi Arabia and South Africa are driving the growth.
Company profile of the key players in the global email marketing industry provides company details (HQ, Foundation Year, Employee Strength), market presence of the company by segment., strategy of the company for the growth in the competitive market, revenue and operating profits and SWOT analysis. Key players operating the global email marketing industry are Alchemy Worx Ltd., Adestra Ltd, GetResponse, VerticalResponse, Inc., dotmailer Ltd, Forfront Ltd., BlueHornet Inc., Constant Contact, Inc., BlueTie Inc., Drip, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), The Rocket Science Group, LLC (mailChimp), iContact Corporation, Salesforce Inc., Zoho Corporation Pvt. Ltd., Campaign Monitor, Natexo Group, Epsilon, Responsys Inc (Oracle Corporation) and Salesforce Inc.
Browse Press Release of this Research Report : http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/email-marketing-industry.htm


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Annie's Foccacia Pizza's
When you don't have time to make pizza crust, and crave a pizza~ foccacia pizza's are perfect to make anytime of day!
~Annie's Foccacia Pizza's~
1- large, round foccacia bread, split across the middle to make two 'crusts'
1/2 pound of mozzarella cheese, grated
Pizza sauce (I used Trader Joe's)
Fresh Basil Leaves
Black olives
Green olives
Canadian Bacon
Parmesan cheese
Feta Cheese
Sauted Onions or Green Peppers
1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Prepare foccacia by splitting it across the middle. I used foccacia rolls, perfect for individual pizza (purchased from Bread Art Bakery, in Bayport).
2. Spread pizza sauce (I used Trader Joe's) generously over the surface of the focaccia.
3. Add toppings: we added black olives and Canadian bacon; topped with lots of mozzarella cheese.
4. Place in preheated 375 degree oven for 5-10 minutes, or until cheese is nicely melted.
You can also prepare all of the ingredients ahead, and have them ready! Foccacia pizza's are great for a snack, a meal or appetizer!


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Prince Legolas, son of the great Elven-King Thranduil, had recently decided that if everything was more appropriately sized for a creature taller than five feet, he could very contentedly make a permanent home out of the Shire.
He learned quickly that while he might lack for vertical space, he would certainly never be under-fed. In the seven days that he had spent thus far visiting his four Halfling friends, Legolas had been made to partake of no less than thirty elaborate feasts. He wasn't entirely sure if they were meant to celebrate his arrival, or if it was just another ordinary week in Hobbiton, but he had no complaints. The food was delicious, and the company was impeccable.
He could not help but notice that Frodo Baggins was a little reserved, but he knew well the burden the hobbit had carried and the erosion it had caused on his spirit, and so did not hold this against him. Frodo was easily the shortest creature to have earned so much of the elf-prince's respect, and Legolas was incredibly fond of him.
He and the hobbits had just yesterday taken a short trip down the road to the village of Bywater, where the inn they had spoken so lovingly of, Green Dragon, was situated. They had been eager to prove the worth of hobbit-brewed liquors, and although the mead made Legolas wish to purge his stomach, he lied and declared it the best he'd ever tasted, much to the delight of his small hosts.
The five friends had spent many hours catching up on all that had transpired since the Fellowship of the Ring had gone their separate ways. Legolas had done little talking, as these were still the very same hobbits he remembered, but he was perfectly content to merely sit there and listen to their tales, which had been sprinkled generously with embellishments by Pippin, of course.
It was exactly as Legolas had expected: Merry and Pippin battling to be the center of attention, Frodo listening quietly, and Sam hanging on to every word the elf managed to squeeze in. Legolas was pleased to be in the company of the four of them again. He had missed these hobbits very much, and still there was never a dull moment.
For the first week of his visit to the land of the hobbits, Legolas had been staying at Merry's home, Brandy Hall, in Buckland, but had always been interested to see Bag-End for himself, so Frodo had invited him to afternoon tea on the eighth day. Without a moment's hesitation, the elf happily accepted the request.
Tea had commenced several hours prior, but Legolas was loathe to leave. Frodo had gone off to situate himself atop one of the grassy knolls beyond his hole, where he could smoke without disturbing the elf's sensitive nostrils and work on his written account of the quest to destroy the One Ring, the Red Book, and so Sam had offered to remain behind and keep the elf company.
Indeed, Sam had been listening intently for the better part of two hours as Legolas described the progress of his work in Ithilien when a sudden scampering directed his immediate attention, and the hobbit seemed incensed when he realized it was a rabbit, come to destroy his vegetable beds. No more than twenty seconds after this discovery, Sam had excused himself hastily and practically knocked down the door of Bag-End in his rush to get out to the garden he tilled with such love and care before the little cotton-tailed nuisance could steal more of his hard-grown turnips.
This left the elf to his own devices. He currently was occupying himself by exploring further the hobbit-hole that Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, and the latter's family occupied. Even from the uncomfortably bent position his spine was forced to take on in order to navigate the small, low-ceilinged dwelling, Legolas was pleased by what he saw. Frodo had spoken often of his home, mentioning how quaint and warm it was, and so far the elf saw no reason to disagree. He saw touches of Frodo and Sam everywhere, and no small amount of feminine inspiration that was doubtlessly the work of Sam's darling young wife, Rosie.
As he ventured further within, he found that the door to one of the smaller rooms was wide open, and Legolas could not will away his curiosity. He peeked in, and was a bit startled when his eyes locked with another pair. A very small hobbit bestowed with a crown of ringlets the color of the morning sun was curled up angelically on a tiny bed, staring at him through half-lidded eyes that indicated she had not long ago woken from a nap.
"Well, greetings," he said, shaking off his initial surprise at finding another resident in the Baggins-Gamgee home. "I thought I was alone, but I am glad to learn otherwise. Did I wake you?" He was relieved when she shook her pretty head, her bright curls bobbing charmingly.
"Who are you?" the young hobbit inquired as she got up, obviously possessing curiosity in spades and not the least bit afraid of the stranger who entered her nursery. Casually, she walked up to the elf and stared up at his fair face, and seemed pleased by what she saw, but then she frowned in what might have been suspicion. "You're not a hobbit," she informed him with a derisive sniff.
Legolas stifled a laugh; clearly, he'd never be able to deceive this one. He knelt so he was eye-to-eye with the tiny daughter of dear Sam. "Nay, I am not a hobbit. I am an elf. I am Legolas, a friend of your father. And who might you be, m'lady?"
"Elanor Gamgee," she answered with a polite curtsy, offering a hand in a most lady-like manner.
She giggled and blushed when the elf took the proferred hand and placed a sweet, chaste kiss upon it. "Charmed, Lady Elanor. I remember you well, although you would not likely recall me." Legolas released her tiny hand as he informed her, "I last visited you when you were but a babe, and my, how you have grown to look just like your mother."
Elanor practically glowed at the compliment.
"I daresay, Lady Elanor, your home is lovely." He was already far under the youth's spell, and wanted to charm her in return.
"Thank you, Le--go--las." She spoke his name experimentally, then seemed to find it to her liking. "Where do you live?"
"I hail from Greenwood the Great," Legolas answered, unable to keep a note of pride from his voice as he straightened into his full, impressive height, taking care not to bump his head on the low ceiling. He had already done that once, and it had been a pain he wished not to experience again. "It is a lovely forest far east of here," he added, "and I am prince of that realm. I have fought for many centuries to make certain it remains glorious, and your father and uncle have played a great role as well. You should be very proud of them, little Elanor."
If some small part of his heart was hoping that touting his title might win over this child instantaneously, it was very disappointed. Elanor was regarding him with a look of complete doubtfulness. "If you are a prince, then where is your crown?" she demanded with all the righteous indignation she could muster.
Legolas answered patiently, delighted at the little hobbit's attention to detail, "A prince of the elves does not wear a crown as you know it, but rather a circlet."
"A...circlet?" she asked, her tone brimming with disbelief, as if she was convinced the elf was deceiving her and that he had just made the word up on the spot.
"Aye, a circlet." Elanor blinked up at him, clearly perplexed. "It rests here," he explained, poking her gently in the forehead. He found himself pleased when he was rewarded with a musical giggle. "Mine is made of mithril, and I suspect you would find it to your liking, little one." He was dismayed to see that the daughter of Samwise was still regarding him with unrestrained skepticism.
"Then where is your circlet?" she asked, her green eyes narrowed dubiously.
"I wear it only on special occasions."
"You are not a prince," the hobbit-lass declared with no lack of conviction.
Fortunately, a bright idea came to Legolas's mind. He brought his kin-braid, which declared his affiliation with the royal House of Oropher, over his right shoulder, tugging on the end for emphasis. "You see this, young Elanor?" At the girl's nod, he explained, smoothing the flaxen plait with long fingers, "This is the braid worn by all who belong to the house of my father the king."
Elanor reached up to take the kin-braid from the fingers of the elf, who amiably indulged the child's curiosity by lowering himself into a crouch so she could get a better look --and grip-- on it. "It is very pretty," the hobbit professed with a curt little nod as she studied it. "But it is not very prince-like," she added to herself in a mumble.
Naturally, Legolas's sharp hearing picked it up, and he had to concentrate rather hard to suppress a grin. "Terrible would it be if the elves of my forest heard you announce such a thing," he told Elanor, his cobalt eyes glittering with mirth as they met hers, which were wide with surprise. Clearly, she did not accept the reality of the elves' ability to hear better than mortals, either, which amused Legolas to no end. It seemed he was becoming the stuff of legend already.
Elanor had the decency to blush as she repeated in a more subdued whisper, "It is very pretty."
As pink was a very becoming color on her, Legolas flicked her gently beneath the chin and smiled at her. "Do not fear, my lady. I will repeat that to no one."
She was still inspecting his blond strands. "You have such pretty hair, although it is awfully long for a prince, but I know how to braid and could make it look very nice indeed." She puffed out her chest with pride. "Mama says I braid very well."
Trying not to bristle at what was quite obviously an emasculation of sorts, the elf contrived somehow to seem appeased by this offer. He managed mostly by reminding himself that the little hobbit probably had never before in her short life seen hair so long on a male. "Why, I would trust the work of no one else, little lady."
That appeared to be all the encouragement Elanor needed. She circled unhesitatingly around him, eyeing the thick plait the held much of his hair from his face. After fingering it thoughtfully for a moment, she made short work of undoing it, and then released his hair also from the sidelock braids at each temple. After these steps of the process were completed to the hobbit's satisfaction, she began swiftly braiding the full fall of golden hair into a thick, heavy plait that fell nearly halfway down his back, and Legolas could not help but be surprised at how deft her small, chubby fingers were with such an intricate process. He was less than pleased, however, when she plucked from her night-table a large bejeweled hair-clasp and fastened it with care onto the end to secure the braid in place.
"Finished!" Elanor trilled, obviously very pleased with her craft.
Legolas indulged her by reaching back and running his fingers appreciatively down the length of her artistry. "Very nice," he announced politely, offering her a dazzling smile. He carefully arranged it over one shoulder to get a better look at her handiwork, and realized with an inward sigh that he had underestimated the hair-clasp. It was in the shape of a flower. A rather enormous flower. The petals were lavishly set with hundreds of bright rubies, and the leaves were encrusted with emeralds. If Elanor deemed that appropriate for a prince, he decided, she was gravely mistaken, but he would bend over backwards to please this little hobbit and so shared with her absolutely no part of that conclusion.
"Much better," she replied importantly, beaming with pride at her accomplishment, and Legolas knew then that he would suffer himself to wear that clasp for the next five centuries if it ensured the daughter of Samwise's approval.
A knock on the door a few minutes later, however, gave Legolas reason to doubt.
"Mister Legolas, sir?"
The elf squeezed his eyes shut as he sighed heavily. Oh, please, Sam, stay on that side of the door...
"Elanor? Is Legolas in there with you?" Sam's voice was a bit firmer now.
The little hobbit looked up at the elf her father was referring to, who was furiously shaking his head, his newly-aquired blond braid trembling with the fervent motion. He placed a finger against his lips and gazed at her meaningfully.
To his horror, he found that she had obviously inherited Sam's dedication to honesty, and was not about to abandon that tendency now. "Yes, Papa, he is here," she replied dutifully, and Legolas could only watch helplessly as she hastened to the door of her nursery and opened it graciously for her father.
The honest hobbit himself appeared in the doorway, then began to approach the elven friend he had been seeking, who rose and straightened to his full height in hopes that it might bolster his courage to tower above his audience and so give him the dignity to be able to face them. The attempt was wildly unsuccessful, and Legolas knew the meaning of shame as Sam skidded to a screeching halt about two steps into the room, his mouth falling open slightly as his startled eyes beheld the great warrior-prince in his current state.
"Good afternoon, Samwise," the elf drawled dryly, trying very hard to appear casual.
Sam, for his part, only seemed able to begin to stammer. "What...how...why..."
Gesturing helplessly to Elanor, who was the picture of childish innocence as she rushed delightedly to her father and reached her arms imploringly up to him, Legolas explained, "Your daughter seems to have inherited your fascination for Elf-kind." He gritted his teeth as he added, "Mostly our hair, obviously."
"Elanor," Sam murmured as he scooped his daughter obediently into his arms, all the while studying the elf as he tried valiantly to keep a straight face, "did you do this to Prince Legolas?" His strained voice betrayed the fact that he was walking a dangerously thin line between deference and hilarity, and Legolas doubted not that only Sam's respect for elves in general and a working knowledge of this particular elf's prowess in battle kept the hobbit from exploding into hysterics.
Had the elf in question not been avoiding the stares of both father and daughter, he might have turned a pointed look on Elanor at the word "prince." As it was, however, he was paralyzed with embarrassment, and his royal title --although perhaps finally proving to the younger of the two hobbits that he was indeed what he claimed to be-- could not save him. While it offered him due credit for his honesty, it was doing nothing to remedy the situation.
Apparently not mollified in the least bit, Elanor insisted brightly, "I only wished to braid it! He has such pretty hair, Papa!"
A strangled sound that hovered somewhere between a cough and a chuckle escaped her father's lips, and he cleared his throat. "Indeed."
Elanor squirmed a bit, veritably hopped out of Sam's secure embrace, and then rushed to stand beside Legolas, whose high cheekbones and pointed ears were now turning a very interesting shade of red. "He looks more like a prince now," she announced matter-of-factly, apparently unaware of the fact that the pretty-haired elf was praying for the ground to open up and swallow him whole.
"Princess is more like it," her father muttered, catching the elf's glare and wincing slightly. Legolas frowned at him. He could easily forgive Elanor her ignorance, but Sam of all people should know better than to try to pitch his voice at a lower level in hopes that an elf would be unable to hear it.
"Little sun-star, you are fortunate indeed that you are so endearing," Legolas declared as he ruffled the young hobbit-lass's golden curls, "and that I am so enamored with you that I could not hold a grudge against you if I wished to." In reply, Elanor simply offered a radiant smile to the prince, knowing full well that it never failed to justify his unwavering adoration for her. Indeed, this time it was as well an effort that was not wasted, and the elf's face lit with a wonderful smile of his own. "Truly you have no shame," he laughed, "tugging on my heart-strings so!"
Legolas was just beginning to find himself capable of ignoring Sam's obvious amusement at his predicament when the sound of bickering reached his keen ears, and his expression twisted in a grimace. His mind clouded with confusion. What are they doing here? Only two hobbits he knew so enjoyed a hearty battle of wits.
Sure enough, Merry and Pippin entered the room, still arguing, but upon feeling the almost palpable tension that hung heavy in the air, their banter met with a quick death. They each looked about, puzzled. Merry was the first to lock eyes on the elf, who was standing far from the group and appearing ready to die of shame. "Ah! Hello--" He stopped mid-sentence, blinking in surprise.
"...Legolas," Pippin finished helpfully after the silence had stretched into minutes, earning a sharp jab in the ribs from his cousin.
"Meriadoc, Peregrin," Legolas greeted them each slowly, a touch of sarcasm in his tone even as he decorously inclined his head. His pride shriveled as the thick braid swung merrily about his face, eliciting a snort of laughter that Sam --ever the diplomat-- tried to disguise as a sneeze.
The addressed hobbits looked at each other in utter bewilderment. Merry opened his mouth as if to voice one or two of what surely was over a million questions running through his mind, but no sound came out. Pippin, for his part, was just gaping at the renowned elf with unbridled shock. Had he not been silently withering of embarrassment, Legolas might have been greatly inspired to mark this occasion as the very first time he had ever known Merry and Pippin to both be at a complete loss for words.
The elf forced a strained smile to his lips as he clarified the details of his dilemma to the two newest members of his rapidly growing audience, "The darling daughter of your friend Master Gamgee saw fit to...re-style my hair. She decided my warrior-plaits were not fit for a prince."
A lull fell over the group huddled in the nursery, and Legolas finally decided that the worst of it might have passed.
But again, he was wrong. Incredibly.
"Sam?" Frodo's soft voice shattered the silence that had fallen over the hobbit-dwelling. "Is Legolas with you?"
Oh, for the love of all that is good and pure in Arda! Legolas cursed his foul luck mentally. Now where are Aragorn and Mithrandir? They ought to be here to complete my assemblage.
"I...think so..." Sam replied haltingly.
Confused, Frodo opened the door, peering in curiously as Legolas rolled his eyes skyward, half out of frustration and half out of a plea to the Valar to help him realize what he had done to warrant this vexing predicament.
"You think so?" Frodo came to a stop beside his cousins, and his eyebrows nearly touched his hairline as they shot up in surprise. "Legolas? What--" He trailed off, forcing his eyes from the braid-adorned prince lest he somehow become even more perplexed. Seeking an account as to why the aloof Prince of the Greenwood was sporting such an effeminate coiffure, he let his wide blue eyes travel over each of the other occupants of the room. He looked first to Sam, who shrugged as if to say he did not have the slightest idea how to explain the situation, then to Merry and Pippin, who still looked as if they did not quite understand how this all had come to be, and finally to Elanor, who was not confused in the least and rather appeared extremely proud of her elaborate braid-work. Then, to Legolas's eternal mortification, the former Ringbearer did something he had not done in months and months.
He threw his head back and began to laugh uproariously.


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Friday, August 04, 2006
FCPS: A fixation of Neo Puritans?
Recently the Guardian chaired a debate over the publication of a work entitled 'Female Chauvinist Pigs' by Ariel Levy. The book's topic is a phenomenon known as 'raunch culture'. Its main premise seems to be that women are complicit in their own oppression by dressing in a sexually provocative manner, taking part in lap dancing or joining men in the viewing of strippers. It also bemoans 'raunch' as being the only model of sexuality promoted by mass culture.
There is no consensus on what actually constitutes 'raunch', so in many ways it is a bit of a straw man (or woman). But going by the rhetoric it may be fair to say that the sexuality displayed by Paris Hilton, or Katie Price (aka glamour model Jordan) are both representations.
'Female Chauvinist Pigs', as is implied by its very title, asks very little of men but focusing it's ire on women for buying into what it deems to be a male defined form of sexuality. So do it's sympathisers in Britain.
Fighting a straw man is a convenient way to avoid confrontation with the establishment. As with the anti porn campaign of the 1980s by Catherine Mackinnon, Levy's work has been praised by Christian Conservatives, whose other values would not sit well with the liberal audience Levy hopes to address.
'Guardian' columnists have taken up this banner and often berate women who don't fit into this new code of conduct of sexual purity. It is the moralism of the Daily Telegraph or Mail with a liberal veneer.
For example, Katie Price has been sneered at for 'making a career out of men's masturbatory habits' in Jenny Colgan's 'View from a Broad' Column. Even the women from the comedy show 'Smack the Pony' received the ire of Arabella Weir for daring to expose their breasts on television. Bare breasts simply should not be shown, as the sight of naked flesh constitutes 'porn' and inherently 'objectifies' women. So it seems the comedians were either too stupid to understand this or were knowingly betraying their own sex to the evils of the male gaze.
If it was to come out that Price/Jordan suffered from an addiction then no doubt the Guardian would cry tears of pity for her and outrage at those evil men who had exploited her. But women who take their clothes off for money with no shame incite the wrath of their self proclaimed redeemers. Human empathy can only be directed their way if they accept the victim label – 'know their place' by old fashioned standards. It is an item of dogma that women cannot engage in this kind of work unless they are under severe duress. The nuances of human behaviour are not important to those who buy into the black and white view that sex work is always forced. To admit it may just sometimes be a genuine career choice would both outrage their morality and blow their liberal cover. It would prove they really are more concerned with public morality rather than 'exploitation' or the vaguer buzzword of 'objectification'. The underlying idea is that no decent human being would do such a thing voluntarily.
Katherine Viner, the playwright and editor of the Guardian 'Weekend' magazine, cheered on the government's clampdown on prostitution early this year in the broadsheet while simultaneously ranting against prostitution's alleged infiltration into the mainstream and its supposed loss of stigma. The law was not enough :
'We need a zero-tolerance approach - protests, complaints, refusals - to the use of prostitution in media, fashion and advertising, and to the promoters of the sex industry who pervade our public life.'
What Viner and her ilk are really concerned with is the indignity felt by 'respectable' women like herself at such brazen displays. The sentence could be an excerpt from Mary Whitehouse, the 1980s Christian campaigner against 'immorality' in the media. Viner's sexual politics are a renewed hash of the good woman/bad woman myth promoted and sustained by a male elite.
Women are not oppressed by unequal pay, lack of access to childcare, flexible working and the devaluation of caring. It is porn that is the monster – and by implication sex workers themselves. The idea that prostitution has lost its stigma is pure fantasy on Viner's part. Despite the pornographic symbolism in 'raunch culture' prostitution or for that matter prostitutes are not acceptable in polite society. Viner and her colleagues from the Mail will ensure this continues to be so.
There is little, if anything, progressive in this brand of sexual politics. Yet it is what dominates the mainstream. It is a reinvigoration of the censorious anti porn campaigns of the 1980s. Women who dress in a flamboyant manner, dye their hair etc are demonised by association as either being oppressed without their knowledge or actively betraying the female sex. On discussion forums regarding the issue they are often spoken of on the assumption they are absent – which implicitly shows the snobbery of their self proclaimed rescuers.
The promoters of this ideology rarely question their implicit snobbery and elitism. They write from a privileged background, showing no actual understanding towards working class cultures or people whose choices in life may not be as broad as their own. It is not a coincidence that women are patronised, infantilised and berated far more than men in the parallel fixation with binge drinking. Male sexuality is by this standard aggressive while females are passive. The masses, unless kept in line, will get uncontrollably intoxicated and unleash their untamed sexuality and offend the public morality of the middle classes. It is a conservative mentality that can be traced back to the Victorians.
People who focus their angst on sexuality rarely talk about economic issues. A connection between the pervasiveness of popular culture and the use of mass communication by the capitalist system as whole is rarely, if ever, discussed. They hope that sex can be the one area of sanctity uncontaminated by the market, a naïve view at best and a dangerous and reactionary one at worst.
There is an argument to be had that there is more to life than looking like Paris Hilton, and that females do sometimes collude in their own exploitation. Perhaps the selling of stationary with Playboy Bunny logos to children does show a disturbing trend in the marketplace. But this will not be remedied by creating a new code of conduct, one that will prove to be just as constricting. Part of it is the age old battle between 'high' and 'low' culture – the former inevitably being of more worth and value. Women who do choose to flaunt their sexuality in the way the mainstream promotes are written off as being brainwashed – it does not seem to enter anyone's mind that some may actually enjoy flaunting it.
The 'liberal' sexual morality police are far more insidious than their counterparts in the Mail who openly speak in terms of indecency or decadence.
10 comments:
- Jim Jay said...
Nice first post.
Part of it is the age old battle between 'high' and 'low' culture – the former inevitably being of more worth and value.
? do you mean it has more value to you - or more cultural capital in society in general ?
- Liz said...
Jim - I meant the latter - more cultural capital in society generally.
I'm glad you liked my post, thank you.
- Liz said...
Btw, Jim, what is your blog address again?
- Jim Jay said...
The Daily (Maybe) is here just finished my first month!
Hello Red Witch!
Just in response to your assertion that some feminists would never admit that 'sex work' is a genuine career choice - I would happily concede that it most certainly IS a career choice for many (and I would also describe myself as a feminist) I see it as often just a symptom of our money-obsessed, lazy society - the 'get rich or die trying' approach, where people will happily do anything that requires minimum effort to make lots of easy money, and where anything is justified as long as the price is right - without caring as to the effects this may have on wider society. Recently there was some poll in a women's mag which 'revealed' that something like 48% of women would strip for a lads mag for £10,000 - this does not surprise me in the slightest - to me this is typical of the kind of Thatcherite mentality of me, me ,me! Sod society. Capitalism at it's most extreme. I am not prudish or anti-nudity - I accept what you said about the Smack the Pony programme sounded ridiculous. Nudity and exhibitionism could be fun when not constrained to the narrow parameters of ,for want of a better phrase (gotta get back to work!), 'raunch culture'.
- Liz said...
Hi anonymous,
I see prostitution and sex work as victimless 'crimes' so I'm not sure quite what you mean about wider effects on society. Sorry, but not being rich I would happily strip for a men's mag for the price you mention. And being a socialist I would object to you view that I don't care about society because I would do this. If by wider effects you mean the way society views women - we live in a consumer driven culture anyway, where everything is a commodity anyway.
In the sytem none of our hands are clean, whatever we do. If I worked for Shell oil I'd have blood on my hands, ditto Madonalds or any other big corporation. If I worked in marketing I would be excacerbating on some level the effects of consumer culture. There are few jobs where you can keep your hands totally clean. So it's very wrong to single out sex workers, who are already stigmatised, for feminist ire.
So I don't wish to wag my finger at individuals, I'm nobody to preach. I could well say that women who freely choose abortion for no other reason than self have an impact on wider society, and that it is symptomatic of the Thatcherite mentality you speak of. But rather than guilt trip individuals about what they do I prefer to look at it in terms of the context of wider society. Capitalism does constrain our choices, so if sex work pays better than other options I don't blame people.
Easy money - what is so objectionable about this? Working for years in either uncertainity or on a low salary is not desirable for everyone. I'm obviously not so ingrained with the work ethic, and I don't bash people for being lazy, being the first one to recognise this tendency in myself. Life sucks at times ( likewise capitalism sucks) and everyone has the right to be lazy (at least some of the time).
You are right to mention working for Shell Oil or McDonalds - certainly there are many jobs one could do where they could be said to be contributing nothing positive to society - I would not attempt to single out sex workers. But I refute your argument that Capitalism constrains our choices (in this country at any rate)- I mean, even if you were penniless I'm guessing you wouldn't take a job as an abortion doctor..? Personally, I am today so skint that I can't afford to buy dinner - both my cards have been declined! But there's still no way I'd pose for a lads mag for any money on earth. Unless they'd let me have hairy armpits or do it in a humourous way which could challenge the usual cliches. This is Sarah from 3rd wave list btw - nice blog! I like your premise of 'not causing harm' above all else - I just think I often see what constitutes 'harm' in a different way to you. So many young girls die from eating disorders (anorexia does not exist in cultures where thinness is not held as an ideal incidentally) and many others die from plastic surgery gone wrong - this is something that makes my blood boil. I'm sorry but it is a fact that women are presented with a narrow ideal of beauty in a far more pervasive way than men are and hence - surprise, surprise! Many many more women are made to feel unhappy about their bodies. For the record though - I despise ads about curing male pattern baldness and that kind of thing every bit as much - they are just not as evident as ads promoting a female beauty ideal. I know you feel that these commercial pressures should just be ignored by women and yes some women, usually older women, are able to shrug these attitudes off (my mother never picks up a magazine, never wears make-up or wishes to be thinner and is totally unaware of any societal pressures as to how she should look) - but it is not always easy, especially for young girls and teenagers. Why should it be that they feel so miserable about their bodies? Why do boys not always feel this way? Is it that girls are just weaker or more stupid? No, in my opinion they are just responding in a perfectly normal way to the pressures that are put on them. One could say to a bullied child - oh, just don't let it get to you, but that does not make the bullying ok. I agree, there are many other important issues for women to be focusing on but that does not make this problem unimportant. A friend of mine has suffered from bulimia for years and seeing her wasted years makes me so angry and upset. Anyway, I have digressed rather a lot!
- Liz said...
Hi Sarah,
I thought it was you! I see your point about eating disorders and all, they are a problem that is partly caused by imagery from the media. But rather than blaming the women such as Kate Moss who are paid a hefty sum to promote these stereotypes I think perhaps we should focus on ways to challenge these stereotypes. I see your point about models making people feel bad about themselves and contributing little of value to society, but then the same can be said about a lot of jobs like the ones I illustrated.
Of course capitalism does not constrain our choices entirely in this country, we at least have the Welfare State to fall back on and all. But it's not very much so if we are simply broke we may often take jobs we don't necessarily enjoy but need the money (the same would go for any low paid menial job as well as modelling, sex work, or anything else of the kind).
As for what we would and would not do respectively - I guess it boils down to a different set of values. It is true that I wouldn't work as an abortion doctor for any amount of money, for example, but most people who do that kind of work do believe they are providing a necessary service, so again it's a question of ethical differences.
As to whether or not sex workers contribute anything positive of value I would argue that they do. In an ideal world it would not be like this - but there are some disabled men who do rely on prostitutes and porn for their sex lives. There are not adequate facilites for them to meet like minded people (say men with autism - my brother is such and he never gets to meet women, so he does get taken to see sex workers).
It is harder for men with mental disabilities than physical ones in this respect. And then there are some men who have trouble forming relationships or are unhappy, and feel more positive after experiences with sex workers. It is this that gives sex work some form of job satisfaction sometimes, leaving aside the financial rewards.
In an ideal world sex would not be a commodity and everyone would be able to form relationships. But we don't live in an ideal world.
Hi Liz,
But what of women who are mentally or physically disabled - is there a similar 'service' available to them?
- Liz said...
I think there are a few male escorts, just not so many of them!
Good point though, it would be nice if there was a similiar thing more widely available for women with disabilities.


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You know the one. Where they show up at Nick's office and destroy the whole thing.
I remember thinking "Hey, they look interesting." And then "Hey, that blond one is cute."
...I don't know. I found it interesting.
- Current Music:Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Fame - Black Cards
( He is so confused and curious.Collapse )
- Current Music:Love Letter - Heffron Drive
- Current Music:Til I Forget About You - BTR
Even though he did that weird clapping and yelling thing in the introduction video on the site. Whatever. Point is, I want it.
Kendall and Kenneth are on there too, apparently.
- Current Music:Sweet Desposition - The Temper Trap
And I forgot how much I want Amy and Ricky to end up together. I really don't care for the rest of the plot at this point. Nothing else is really that important. Ben and Adrian can do whatever the hell they want as long as they finally leave Amy and Ricky alone. And Ashley just needs to go away. It's just a big effed up plot line.
Point is, I ended up looking for fic on this show and now I'm ashamed. Not that I found any, but still.
People need to step it up, is what I'm saying. I need some fic. TSLOTAT. UNNATURAL HISTORY! Sprousecest (Oh, god.)
Get on it people.
Actually, I'd be happy with more Unnatural History fic. Yes, please.
- Current Music:Second Go - Lights
I watched it a while ago and wow do I miss old Disney Channel movies. Where they didn't recycle actors but had new ones on every different movie.
I forgot how I had a crush on Taylor Handley. (The main character on Phantom of the Megaplex).
Alley Cats Strike was my favorite. Had a crush on Kyle Schmid.
And dood, I'm watching a Lifetime movie (yeah, yeah. Shut up.) and I notice that Reiley McClendon is in it and I recognized him from the Disney movie Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off and I thought he was adorable then.
And those were three movies that I wouldn't miss when they showed them on TV.
LINK! to a list of Disney movies. In case you're feeling nostalgic.
ALSO! I've decided I have to re-watch Doctor Who, Suite Life, and Boy Meets World.
- Current Music:Dance Forever - Allstar Weekend
ALL OF A SUDDEN AND OUT OF THE BLUE. My brain told my fingers to search for fic.
How did this
Also, something is wrong with my brain.
I feel like I should blame someone but it was all my brain this time.
- Current Music:Movie Loves A Screen - April Smith and the Great Big Picture Show
So HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY TO HER!
Now she's only a few weeks younger than me.
- Current Music:Fall Into Me - Hey Monday
And now I'm tired so I'm probably going to sleep in a few minutes.
On a more important note! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO serious_chizz !!
- Current Music:I Wish You Were Here - Hey Monday
I still have nothing to post about because I'm pretty lame and have no life other than working and watching my shows. Really concentrated on Unnatural History at the moment.
serious_chizz riot_fox311 and kathrynew30 are awesome. Just saying.
- Current Music:If It's Love - Train


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It's hard to see any particular reason or purpose in going back to the moon or indeed sending people into space at all.
Former Astronomer Royal Martin Rees
You can read the rest @
If that is true, then why do all the zillionaires have their own private space programs (e.g., Bezos, Musk, Branson, etc.)? Hopefully, it's not just for something as banal as "space tourism".
Aren't we all supposed to escape this planet we wrecked and fly off to some heavenly paradise?


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Access Ticketmaster To Get Tickets For The Live Events
Ticketmaster entertainment, Inc. is an American company that provides tickets and distribution services to many life events happening in the America and many other countries across the world as well. In 2010, the company made a deal with an event promoter company Live Nation and they both got merged to form Live Nation Entertainment.
Two of the top Ticketmaster's outlets which are in Pharr, Texas and Charleston, West Virginia are the two main primary outlets for the revenues and are known to be the most US ticket sales outlets.
Services Offered By The Ticketmaster
Services offered by the Ticketmaster are vast in its quantity and are very useful as people don't have to compete or go out and standing out in long lines to buy the tickets for all the upcoming live events, from the website, the following event tickets can be taken:
- Music: Tickets for the Alternative rock, Concerts, Comedy, Rock and pop and many other kinds of musical tickets.
- Sports: Can get the tickets for all the live matches of football, baseball etc.
- Tickets for Arts and theaters, musical plays, VIP and many family events tickets as well.
Here Is How To Sign Up On The Ticketmaster:
- Get your computer connected to a good speed internet connection, which should be secured and reliable too.
- Open the web browser and go to this link: ticketmaster.ca
- Drag your mouse to the MyAccount and then click on to "Your account" link and then on to "create account".
- Type in your first name, last name and your email Id in the first three fields.
- Retype the email, type your password and then retype it to confirm it too.
- Select your country from the list.
Clicking onto the "Accept and Continue button will get you to the website as a registered member and will be all allowed to use all the services that are mentioned above. Hope the guide will help you in this regard.


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Support For Your Coaches
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Membership Packages
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Training For Coaches
Equip your coaches with the skills to integrate good practice into coaching sessions - with confidence. Workshop outcomes and guidance on how to organise one.


text: Title Marquee Erector Job Information Assist in the erection and dismantling of aluminium framed pavilions 3m to 40m wide and traditional marquees up to 80′ wide. You must be physically fit as the work is manual and physically demanding which includes heavy lifting. You will mainly be working outside in all weather. The position involves working long hours including weekends and bank holidays. In most cases you will be working away from home for up to 3 weeks at a time. Driving licence advantageous. Must be available for at least 7 weeks employment. PPE equipment must be worn when working. Must be able to work as part of a team and be self motivated. Reliability and good timekeeping is essential. Please upload your CV or request an application form, stating where you heard about the position. If you have previously worked for Danco Plc, please give details. Apply Now Title Foreman / Team Leader Job Information You MUST already have 5 years experience in erecting Aluminium Framed Pavilions and Traditional Marquees and managing your own sites, possess the drive, ambition and confidence to take on the necessary training to become a Senior Foreman We will provide you with the opportunity to develop to your potential in an interesting and exiting industry sector with full support every step of the way. The successful applicant would need to possess the following qualities. 1. Team Leader ability to manage and work with a team of 6-8 staff 2. Be able to work to tough deadlines. . 3. Prepared to work long hours all weather, working away on site upto 2 -3 weeks at a time. Weekends and bank holidays part of the normal working week. 4. A full UK driving licence (max 6 penalty points) 5. Forklift License advantageous 6. Self disciplined. If you think that you are the person we need and would like to work for a progressive company in an exciting market then please apply by submitting your CV via the form or in writing to HR (Foreman Role), Danco PLC, Frog Lane, Coapit Heath, Bristol, BS36 2NW Apply Now Title LGV C + E Driver Location Bristol Job Information You will be responsible for: The safe movement of equipment though out the UK, adhering to all department of transport rule and regulations. Carrying out daily checks on vehicle. Flatbed, Low Loader and Tautliner Trailers are part of the general haulage. Various nights out, Weekends and Bank holidays are all part of the normal working week. Uniform and PPE must be worn. Maximum of 6 points on licence. Desirable: Rope and sheeting experience. Apply Now


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So, guys!!! I am back with a little different product review. I went to TBS in February and came across their shaving brush. It was really soft and amazing so I thought about gifting it to a friend of mine who had birthday around the same time.
Price: 495 INR (on the site but I don't remember and I got it at 15% discount at that time)
It is the best shaving brush I have ever used.
Obviously, I haven't used it but only rubbed the bristles on my skin and the bristles are so soft and don't really hurt the skin at all as opposed to other shaving brushes available. Now, I don't know how many people still use the shaving brush (since th advent of Gillete gels and foams and all) but it really glides on the skin without hurting it or scratching is what I have been told. It is supposed to have been made from synthetic hair and it really feels so.
My Recommendation
Well, it is not always girls who need pampering so ladies, go and pamper your darlings!!! It is definitely worth it.


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Automobile accident with injuries in Rockford
Around 1:50 AM the Rockford fire department were dispatched for an automobile accident. It happened in the area of Applewood Lane and Grove Hill. Which is just south of East Riverside. At the time of dispatch injuries were being reported. The Rockford fire department is en route to the scene.
UPDATE: The occupant(s) fled the vehicle and are on foot in the area.


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Please submit this form by 4pm Monday 24 April 2017
Artwork Details: Maximum of 3 works per artist, unless organised with Moana Colmer, Curator Exhibits and Displays or Shylie Edwards, Graphic Designer. Please note we are only accepting 3D works, such as sculptures, textiles, jewellery and accessories.
Artist Promotion: The following information will be used to create a brief artist bio for the exhibition and promotional purposes. The Museum may edit your text.
Registration agreement: Please read through the 'Information for Artists' document for details and T&Cs before submitting this registration form. The form is available from the National Railway Museum website, Facebook page or by contacting the Curator, Exhibitions and Displays via firstname.lastname@example.com


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Molecular biology of atherosclerosis,
Proceedings of the 57th European Atherosclerosis Society Meeting. Edited by M.J. Halpern.c © John Libbey & Company Ltd, pp. 507-512.
Systematic intervention studies in humans that document a cause-effect relationship between Mg status and atherosclerosis have not yet been performed. With this reservation in mind, the following discussion will examine indirect evidence in experimental animals that will strongly suggest a role of magnesium in the aetiology of dyslipidaemia and atherosclerosis.
Abundant evidence exists from studies in laboratory animals that magnesium affects lipid metabolism1,2. Experiments were conducted in rats fed a control or Mg-deficient diet3. The concentrations of chylomicrons VLDL and LDL are higher in Mg-deficient rats, but the concentration of HDL is less than in controls. Triglycerides are elevated and this is primarily due to an increase in chylomicrons and VLDL concentrations. Cholesterol levels increase in the VLDL and LDL fractions and decrease in the HDL fraction. The free cholesterol increases and esterified cholesterol decreases3. In contrast to the slight modifications in total cholesterol in severe Mg deficiency of short duration, other experiments indicate a significant increase in total cholesterol during moderate Mg deficiency of long duration2. Reflecting the high concentration of triglycerides, there is an increase in plasma apo B in the plasma of deficient rats4. The objective of a recent study was to compare plasma lipoprotein composition in rats fed a control or Mg-deficient diet5. In the Mg-deficient rats the percent composition of triglycerides is elevated and that of protein is reduced in VLDL, LDL and HDL. Whereas the proportion of cholesterol is reduced in LDL and HDL, that of phospholipid is decreased in HDL. Mg deficiency induces a decrease and a relative increase in the percentage composition of apo E and apo C for VLDL, respectively. In HDL from Mg-deficient rats, the proportion of apo A-I is higher than normal. Apo A-IV is lower than normal and apo E was virtually absent5. Furthermore, Mg deficiency affects fatty acid composition of plasma lipids. Mg deficient rats show decreased levels of stearic acid, increased levels of oleic and linoleic acids and decreased levels of arachidonic acid6. Mg deficiency decreases the activity of delta-6-desaturase, the enzyme which regulates the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid6,7,8. Plasma VLDL bulk fluidity was estimated by fluorescence polarization using the classical probe DPH. VLDL fluorescence anisotropy is decreased in Mg-deficient rats as compared to control animals (unpublished data). Thus magnesium deficiency induces modifications in physico-chemical characteristics of lipoproteins.
1. Rayssiguier, Y. & Gueux, E. (1986): Magnesium and lipids in cardiovascular disease. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 5, 507-519.
2. Rayssiguier, Y. (1990): Magnesium and lipid metabolism. In Metal ions in biological systems, magnesium and its role in biology, nutrition and physiology, ed. H. Sigel, Vol. 26, pp. 341-358. New York: Marcel Dekker.
3. Rayssiguier, Y., Gueux, E. & Weiser, D. (1981): Effect of magnesium deficiency on lipid metabolism in rats fed a high carbohydrate diet. J. Nutr. 111, 1876-1883.
4. Rayssiguier, Y., Mazur, A., Cardot, P. & Gueux, E. (1989): Effects of magnesium on lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease. In Magnesium in health and disease, eds. Y. Itokawa & J. Durlach, pp. 199-207. London: John Libbey.
5. Gueux, E., Mazur, A., Cardot, P. & Rayssiguier, Y. (1991): Effects of magnesium deficiency on plasma lipoprotein composition in rats. J. Nutr. 121, 1222-1227.
6. Rayssiguier, Y., Gueux, E., Cardot, P., Thomas, G., Robert, A. & Trugnan, G. (1986): Variations of fatty acid composition in plasma lipids and platelet aggregation in magnesium deficient rats. Nutr. Res. 6, 233-240.
7. Mahfouz, M.M. & Kummerow, A. (1989): Effect of magnesium deficiency on delta-6-desaturase activity and fatty acid composition of rat liver microsomes. Lipids 24, 727-732.
8. Mahfouz, M.M., Smith, T.L., Kummerow, A. (1989): Changes of linoleic acid metabolism and cellular phospholipid fatty acid composition in LLC-PK cells cultured at low magnesium concentrations. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1006, 70-74.
9. Renaud, S., Ciavatti, M.,Thevenon, C.& Ripoll, J.P.(1983):Protective effectsof dietary calcium and magnesium on platelet function and atherosclerosis in rabbits fed saturated fat. Atherosclerosis 47, 187-198.
10. Durlach, J. (1988): Magnesium in clinical practice. London: John Libbey.
11. Brindley, D.N. & Rolland, Y. (1989): Possible connections between stress, diabetes, obesity, hypertension and altered lipoprotein metabolism that may result in atherosclerosis. Clin. Sci. 77, 453-461.
12. Rayssiguier, Y., Noé, L., Etienne, J., Gueux. E., Mazur, A. & Cardot, P. (1991): Effect of magnesium deficiency on post heparin lipase activity and tissue lipoprotein lipase. Lipids 26, 182-186.
13. Gueux, E., Rayssiguier, Y., Piot, M.C. & Alcindor, L. (1984): The reduction of plasma lecithine-cholesterol-acyltransferase activity by magnesium deficiency in the rat., J. Nutr. 114, 1479-1483.
14. Tongyai, S., Rayssiguier, Y., Motta, C., Gueux, E., Mauroist, P. & Heaton, F.W. (1989): Mechanism of the increased erythrocyte membrane fluidity during magnesium deficiency in weanling rats. Am. J. Phys. 257, C270-276.
15. Rayssiguier, Y., Gueux, E. & Motta, C. (1989): Evidence for a membrane modification in magnesium nutritional deficiency in the rat: fluorescence polarization study. Biomembrane & Nutr. (Colloques INSERM) 135, 441-452.
16. Rayssiguier, Y., Gueux, E. & Motta, C. (1991): Magnesium deficiency: effect on fluidity and function of plasma and subcellular membranes. In Magnesium: a relevant ion, eds. B. Lasserre & J. Durlach, pp. 311-319. London: John Libbey.
17. Freedman, A.M., Mak, I.T., Cassidy, M.M. & Weglicki, W.B. (1990): Magnesium deficient red blood cells exhibit an enhanced sensitivity to oxidative stress. Free radical biology and medicine, 9, (Suppl. 1), 119.
18. Hosakawa, Y., Yoshihara, T., Sato, I., Tojo, H., Niizeki, S. & Yamaguchi, K. (1989): The effect of magnesium deficiency on polymorphonuclear leucocyte function in rats. Magnesium Res. 2, 137.
19. Duthie, G.G., Wahle, W.J. & James, W.P.T. (1989): Oxidants, antioxidants and cardiovascular disease. Nutr. Res. Reviews 2, 51-62.
20. Hanada, K., Suzuki, S., Hashimoto, I., Sone, K. & Ishida, K. (1989): Aetiological role of leukotriene B4 and superoxide anion on magnesium deficiency dermatitis. Magnesium Res. 2, 19.
21. Rayssiguier, Y., Chevalier, F., Bonnet, M., Kopp, J. & Durlach, J. (1985): Influence of magnesium deficiency on liver collagen after carbon tetrachloride or ethanol administration to rats. J. Nutr. 115, 1656-1662.
22. Yu, S. & Flye, M.W. (1986): Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and magnesium chloride improved survival rate following acute hepatic ischemia. F.A.S.E.B.J. 45, A358.
23. Freedman, A,M., Atrakchi, A.H., Cassidy, M.M. & Weglicki, W.E. (1990): Magnesium deficiency-induced cardiomyopathy: protection by vitamin E. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 70, 1102-1106.
24. Freedman, A.M., Cassidy, M.M. & Weglicki, W.B. (1991): Magnesium deficient myocardium demonstrates an increased susceptibility to an in vivo oxidative stress. F.A.S.E.B.J. 5, A1309.
25. Masayoshi, S.,Cunnane,S.C.,Horrobin,D.F.,Manku,M.S.,Masanobu,H.& Michinobu H. (1988): Effects of low magnesium diet on the vascular prostaglandin and fatty acid metabolism in rats. Prostaglandins 36, 431-441.
26. Korpela,H. (1991):Hypothesis: Increased calcium and decreased magnesium in heart muscle and liver of pigs dying suddenly of microangiopathy (Mulberry heart disease): an animal model for the study of oxidative damage. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 10, 127-131.
27. Mills, B.J.,Lindeman, R.D. & Lang, C.A. (1986): Magnesium deficiency inhibits biosynthesis of blood glutathione and tumor growth in the rat. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 181, 326-332.
28. Rice-Evans, C. & Hochstein. P. (1981): Alterations in erythrocyte membrane fluidity by phenylhydrazine induced peroxidation of lipids. B.B.R.C. 100, 1537-1542.
29. Rishi, M., Ahmad, A., Makheja, A., Karcher, D. & Bloom, S. (1990): Effects of reduced dietary magnesium on platelet production and function in hamsters. Lab Invest. 63, 717-721.
30. Altura. B.T., Brust, M., Bloom, S., Barbour, R.L., Stempak, J.G. & Altura, B.M. (1990): Magnesiuin dietary intake modulates blood lipid levels and atherogenesis. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 87, 1840-1844.
31. Ouchi, Y.,Tabata, R.E., Stergiopoulos, K., Sato, F., Hattori, A. & Orimo, H. (1990): Effect of dietary magnesium on development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol fed rabbits. Arteriosclerosis 10, 732-737.
32. Rasmussen, H.S., Aurup, P., Goldstein, K., McNair, P., Mortensen, P.B., Larsen, O.G. & Lawaelz, H. (1989): Influence of magnesium substitution therapy on blood lipid composition in patients with ischemic heart disease. Arch. Intern. Med. 149, 1050-1053.
All articles by Dr. Durlach are copyrighted, and permission is granted to Web users only to make single hard copies for personal use. Additional reprints should be obtained from the originating journals. Excerpts may be used by the media with attribution to Dr. Durlach.
This page was first uploaded to The Magnesium Web Site on August 5, 1997


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Ivory is no longer legally used in the manufacture of jewellery or decorative items, and with very good reason. However, for a very long time, it was made into pieces like this very pretty pendant, a woman kneeling under a willow tree. It is beautifully carved and has stood the test of time well. The pendant measures measures 1 1/2″ by 2 1/4″, not including the bail.
It is offered by Darlene Morris Antiques through Trocadero.com, and sells for USD$850.


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Northanger Abbey is an example of Impaired Judgement
Northanger Abbey is about seventeen-year-old Catherine Morland, who is finds love and romance in the books she reads and at Northanger Abbey. Most of Catherine's problems and misunderstandings in the book is due to her ineptness at reading people.
Early on the story Catherine's brother, James, meets Catherine's friend, Isabella and a relationship develops between the two. Catherine does not think much about their relationship and has no clue what Isabella is referring to when they meet one sunny day:
Isabella, embracing Catherine thus began "Yes, my dear Catherine, it is so indeed; your penetration has not deceived you. – Oh! That arch eye of yours! It sees through everything."
Catherine replied only by a look of wondering ignorance (123).
This demonstrates Catherine's inability to judge people or situations. She did not recognize the relationship between James and Isabella, or even consider a marriage offer may be made between them but once told of the proposal, Catherine is ecstatic for her friend and assures her that her parents would approve of the match.
Later, Isabella gets a letter from John stating that they would receive a living of 400 pounds a year and could marry in 2 and a half years. Isabella does not take this news well. Catherine tries to assure her and Isabella replies with:
"It is not my own account I wish for more; but I cannot bear to be the means of injuring my dear Morland, making him sit down upon an income hardly enough to find one in the common necessaries of life. For myself, it is nothing; I never think of myself (138)."
Instead of recognizing Isabella's disappointment for what it is—not getting the money she thought she'd get through marrying her brother—Catherine accepts her reason for why she isn't happy. If Catherine had figured out the true reason for her unhappiness, she would not have been so confused when she see's Isabella dancing with Fredrick when she's engaged to James. She also could have warned her brother to try to prevent him the heartache he inevitably feels.
In that same scene, Catherine further demonstrates her ineptness at judging and understanding people when she talks to Isabella's brother, John Thorpe:
"I am glad you are no enemy to matrimony however. Did you ever hear the old song, 'Going to one wedding brings on another'? I say, you will come to Belle's wedding, I hope."
"Yes; I have promised your sister to be with her, if possible."
"And then you know"--twisting himself about and forcing a foolish laugh--"I say, then you know, we may try the truth of the same old song."
"May we?--But I never sing. Well, I wish you a good journey." (128-9)
Catherine does not catch on to the fact that John is actually asking her hand. She does not even realize he is interested in her as a potential bride. Instead she is thinking he is speaking of singing a song together with him. Because of this, Catherine does not understand Isabella's teasing over her 'engagement' with John, and is horrified when she realizes John believes them engaged. She also doesn't understand how she gave him that impression. She has no interest in marrying Isabella's brother.
Her inability to judge people and relationships does mean she is caught by surprise and often embarrassed when she realizes the true intentions of those she interacts with. Her ineptness however is realistic, creates intrigue and suspense in the story and some much-needed drama that otherwise wouldn't occur.


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It might surprise even transportation fans to learn that DOT's Federal Highway Administration is home to a program supporting ferry service in America. But it's true, and today the FHWA Ferry Boat Program announced $30.9 million in funding to improve ferry service in 37 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Ferry boats offer a valuable option for people living near waterways across the nation traveling to jobs, schools, medical services, grocery stores, and other important destinations. As FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez said, "Ferry service represents a key transportation link for certain communities--much like highways and bridges do in other areas."
And DOT is happy to help improve this service for those who depend on it. The funds announced today will support construction and rehabilitation of publicly owned or operated ferry boats and the terminal facilities that serve them. And because today's announcement includes projects in Maine and Florida as well as Alaska, Hawaii, and California, the awards really cover the nation from north to south and east to west.
For example, the Puerto Rico Maritime Transport Authority is being awarded $216,514. Transporte Marítimo (ATM) provides ferry transportation for passengers and cargo to residents and visitors between the mainland and the islands of Vieques and Culebra. Last year, the authority transported more than a million passengers and 315,000 tons of cargo.
During the Ferry Boat Program's 20-year history, DOT has provided more than $500 million to improve America's ferry boats and terminals. The new transportation law, MAP-21, extended this important program. In fact, it provides funds for a second round of funding, expected later this year, that will bring the 2013 total to approximately $64 million.
Today's investments in ferry infrastructure--like the investments we've made in roads, rail, and transit--will increase mobility, strengthen economic competitiveness, and create jobs.
Safer, more reliable ferry service--that's just one more way that DOT keeps America moving.


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I came here
seeking lovers and friends
with whom to share this Mystery,
to wonder and touch and drown in it.
All are the Beloved,
at heart we are the same —
this is what the heart knows,
all the rest is the play of change.
Having said that,
what more is there to say?
Just be a benefit to everyone,
to all the beings you meet each day!
That said, let me say this:
Our beauty makes me weep.
Our efforts to love make me weep.
Our failure to love makes me weep.
Love makes me weep.
I weep for love, and so
what else is there to say?
Having said that, let me say
I find all of us irresistible, even
the endearing little names we wear
to distinguish ourselves from ourselves.
Without thinking any special thought,
without studying, meditating, or twisting
the body into some pretzel-like pose, and
without frightening each other with myths
about the past or fantasies about the future,
we can crack open the egg-shell of ignorance
by simply recognizing that love is all that matters.
When we understand that, we also realize
love is not the result of any cause, nor is it
the product of any charmed condition.
It's the timeless source of all creation.
Having said that,
I can laugh, even as I weep,
because I really don't know love at all,
but only love's reflection in the looking glass.
Love conquers all, but to itself, is it even love?
Love talk is all around us — if we listen
we can hear it carried on the wind,
embedded in the shine of sun,
sweetly sung in birdland.
The first love song we heard
was our mother's heartbeat –
no wonder some call God
the Divine Mother!
When we call on God
we are calling on love.
It's love that calls and answers.
It's the bright lamp dispelling the despair
of taking ourselves and our thoughts too seriously.
Love's crashing wave will shatter the silence,
Love's certain calamity will break every heart,
Love's infinite expansion will exceed every boundary,
Love's unleashed ardor will raise up the dead.
Where all of our knowing and wanting end,
love is standing, shining, smiling:
"Welcome Home my beloved heart,
my true and only Self!"


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How can i check "load testing" on my site (its using vb.net and SQL server)? Any free tool available or can it be done through windows server IIS?
Dear all,
I am going to write vs2005 program with ASP.NET and C++.
As you know that C++ will involve a lot of memory error handling.
Do you know is there any tools for checking memory error in Code Behind C++??
Fault injection testing is the process of deliberately inserting an error into an application to determine whether it deals with the error properly. We'll explain how you can introduce faults into .NET applications at run time using the Managed Code Fault Injection APIs of the TestApi library
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MSDN Magazine August 2010
Silverlight greatly simplifies the process of building rich Web applications, and we'll walk through an example of using Messages as a quick method of interactively testing simple Silverlight apps.
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VPL, part of Robotics Developer Studio is intended for novice programmers, but is also useful for testing and prototyping. We write a simple serial port service that allows you to send and receive data.
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There are many ways to test WCF services, but the socket-based approach is flexible and very useful for security and performance testing. We show you show you how to test a WCF service using a network socket based approach.
This month we look at tools for enhancing the LINQ to SQL and Entity Framework designers, Oren Eini's .NET development blog, Visual Studio tab customization, and more.
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MSDN Magazine December 2009
In this month's column, James McCaffrey explains exactly what pairwise testing is and provides you with complete C# source code for a production quality pairwise testing tool named QICT.
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MSDN Magazine October 2009
This column presents an approach to Antirandom (AR) testing the author calls partial AR string testing, which can be used to test a wide range of software systems.
If you want to apply static analysis to your databases, connect to remote computers, find out more about the Entity Framework, or just check into some cool podcasts for your daily commute, then you'll want to read more about these latest tools and resources.
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This month's column describes the benefits and methodologies of usability testing.
Dr. Charles B. Kreitzberg and Ambrose Little
This month we show you how to use F# to perform HTTP request-response testing for ASP.NET Web applications.
This month we demonstrate how easy it is to use IronPython to test .NET-based libraries.
MSDN Magazine June 2009
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text:
Washington A young giant panda who became a major attraction after his birth at Washington's National Zoo will leave for China early next year for breeding.
Zoo officials announced Friday that Tai Shan (pronounced "ty shawn") will be leaving the Smithsonian Institution park as soon as January or February. Panda mother Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) and father Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN) are on a 10-year, $10 million loan to the zoo until December 2010.
Under the Smithsonian's panda loan agreement, any cub born at the zoo must be returned to China for breeding. Tai Shan was born in 2005 and was granted a two-year extension in 2007. Panda cubs are also slated to leave the zoos in Atlanta and San Diego.
Loyal panda fans gathered at the Washington zoo when they heard the news. Many had visited weekly to watch Tai Shan grow from the size of a butter stick to nearly 200 pounds over four years.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. We strive to uphold our values for every story published.


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"They've proved the world is warmer. They now seem to be so focused on are we seeing wilder, more extreme weather and they realize that's even a tougher nut to crack.
"You can always get temperature records all over the world for centuries, but boy, deciding whether this rainstorm, which is very rare, is more of the same, [or] has the weather changed or is it cyclical, is it bad luck or are we just getting in the way of nature – that's another issue."
Read the CBC story here.
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