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The Lines Blur
Two Moons and a Sunshine
Years ago, there was a house on a field. A boy and his mother lived there with their oppressive patriarch; an elephantine character they called poverty.
A day came and the mother asked her son, 'Child, go graze the cows and quick before the moon shows his face here!'. The boy did so and with a tired heart grazed the cows out in the field by the house. As he did so he began to think. And he thought about freedom. A freedom that he never had but a freedom that was his to have. He thought about this freedom more and his feet began to itch. Suddenly, he found himself running, simply to relieve the itch in his feet. And as he ran more he felt himself closer to this freedom that he had thought about. He was getting closer with every step. He was almost at the edge of the field when he looked back to see the desolate house that poverty ruled over.
He ran away that day with out an intention of ever returning.
He reached a town where he saw a young woman, a tender beauty of sixteen, and he married her. Only because it seemed that she too wanted to run away. And that she did. They ran away together. First from the town and then the province and in to a boat away from the country. Only to stop in a land where they were not welcome which they chose to call home. There, they had a daughter.
My mother and father are illegals. I am not because I was born here. Sometimes I look at them and wonder why they have chosen to live here. We are poor and we are black and we are not welcome here. I tell my mother this everyday and she says with a sigh, 'Mayra, at least we are breathing, and we are eating and living!'.
I do not understand her.
My father I see only at night. He drives a bus all day and comes home smiling and looks at my worried eyes and says ' Mayra, my dear, for us there is only survival'. He pauses here then says ' It is enough to be breathing, eating and living'. He takes a sip of mother's soup, the same one she makes for us everyday then he exclaims, 'at least we are free'. He and my mother exchange amorous looks and laugh manically. Then mother sighs and father smiles.
It is not enough. To be breathing, eating and living is not living. It is existing. In the books I read even the words seem to be more alive than we ever will be. I tell father this and he says, ' If I could read my child I will judge that for myself'. Again he says, 'at least we are free!'.
I go to school where I am the only one with wild wooly hair. Everyone touches it to see if it is real. Then they all walk away to leave me in miserable solitude. In the playground, I see my classmates running and laughing and talking to each other, with their friends. Of course, I have none. That, I tell myself, is freedom. To watch the world go by in the distance and to be hated because of black skin and wooly hair is not.
I remember one day I was thirsty and I asked my teacher for water. I must have said it so softly because she ignored me. I returned to my cold corner in the playground and drank my tears. To be alone, I knew, was not to be free.
I was still crying when I came home that day. Mother handed me a glass of water and sighed. I cried harder. She sighed even louder, 'Mayra, at least we are breathing, eating and living and that is enough'. I cried louder so her words would not touch me she must have noticed because she added, 'one day you will see'.
I was so angry I sulked all day, all night then for days, then weeks, then ten years passed and I was still sulking. I was angry at them for forcing me to live this way. To breathe and to eat and live was not worth the pain this place had inflicted on me.
'I want to go away', I said one night.
'Where', asked my father smiling in his usual way. My mother sighed with disappointment.
'I want more', I paused to see their faces in the candlelight by the wall. ' I want to go to a place where I will be loved.'
'You are loved here!', my father rebutted. Again, Mother sighs only louder and angrier.
'I want to love a man who loves words in a place where my wooly hair does not cause people to run away and where I am really free!', I saw my father's smile change in to an inconsolable frown and my mother's sigh became a wail.
My father, defeated, finally said,' If that is your wish...'
He stood up abruptly, almost as if he was in a rush, then he began to run. He ran out of the door, out of the building and in to the street. My mother began to sigh with greater frequency. She collapsed in to a daze. She did not move for days.
We never saw father again. Mother never cried for him she just sighed with a heavier gust of wind leaving her lungs. Her wooly hair lost its black tint and soon it became speckled with gray. She became thinner and more withdrawn. Her soup become bland and her voice began to lose its tenderness. Then she would say, in between her endless sighing, 'At least we are breathing, eating and living' and with a confused look she would whisper, 'That is enough'.
I saw my mother wither away in the years that followed my father's absence. Soon her sighs became coughs that disintegrated in to wheezes. When the wheezes become bubbles of blood, I went to get help.
Dr. Mahmoud was not really a doctor. He sold vegetables at the back of his car to neighbourhood mothers who preferred to starve just to see their children eat well. He had a medical degree on his wall from the University of Morocco but he never practiced after he ran away.
He came in and felt her breathing and shook his head. 'Sigh for me', he asked and my mother shook her head in return.
'She cannot do that anymore', I said quietly so she could not hear my fear.
He felt her chest, poked and prodded around her body and shaking his head all through the examination. When he was done he ran his fingers through his brown curls and said with pity in his green eyes, 'Your mother may die soon'.
I handed him the last of my earnings as a waitress down the road. 'Thank you for your help, doctor', I stared at him waiting to see if he would take his words back.
But all he said was,' I am truly sorry, Mayra'. And with that he left.
I looked at mother and I told her of her fate,' Mother, you are going to die'. I began to cry hysterically on her weak chest. She looked at me with the same eyes she did all those years ago when father sat beside us at the kitchen table, 'Mayra, my dear, at least you are breathing, eating and living'.
I continued crying when she kissed my forehead and said, 'and you will be free when I leave you...'. Her words faded to a whisper and I pretended not to hear.
That night I left for work with a sense of resignation. For the first time in my life I was numb. This lack of feeling scared me. I wanted it to go away. The pain, I thought, would comfort me.
The restaurant where I worked was a small cramped room with leaking walls and the never ending stench of the daily special. The manager was an old illegal who spent so much his life fighting that he spoke with a husky and choleric brogue. He was Irish and he did not like being oppressed.
There were days when his anger became him, usually on days when a regular would exclaim the latest misfortune of a neighbourhood mother like the murder of the Mansour boy or the rape of Sladjana girl or even more recently the battering of the Esi children on their way back from school. 'The locals did all this', someone would say, 'just to chase us away?'.
Here, the angry Irish patron of our four walls would bang a table, kick a chair, or break a cup and with his face burning with crimson discontent he would yell,' One day, we'll kill them all!'.
I enjoyed the loudness of the restaurant, the familiarity of the regulars, and our common struggle to breathe, eat and live. But I still wanted more. Ever since father left, I was forced to make peace with what I had, for mother's sake.
That night a new visitor came to the restaurant. You could tell by his straw yellow hair and cold blue eyes that he was one of the locals. He sat at one of my tables and I cringed. I was afraid of the locals because of what they had done to me and the countless grieving mothers in the district. I looked at my Irish boss for help but he nodded in approval. He wanted to see what the local wanted.
'What can I get for you', my voice quivered, 'Sir...'. My fear must have been obvious because just then he looks up and says,' A black coffee with brown sugar'.
I do not understand and I look at him for further instruction. He begins to laugh a short and passionate laugh that could match my boss's bitter rants in volume. The laugh became staccato then ended in whispered wheezes. Then he smiled, I remembered father just then.
I am angry now, 'What do you want, Sir...'.
'Just get me something that will quench my thirst and silence my stomach', he says forlorn.
I place an order for black tea and the Chinese chef's daily special. And I watched him from a far. He was reading a book and as he read he smiled and frowned and whispered to himself. It was as if he was having a conversation with a story within the book's pages. He seemed content for a man of his age. There were strips of gray in his straw yellow hair and his eyes looked tired as though they had blinked for long enough. If he could love my wild wooly hair and my black skin, I thought, then I could love him back. He seemed like what wanted, a man who loved words.
I handed him his order then he held my hand tight. 'Wait', he said with a smile,' Sit with me'. I was not afraid now because I wanted to know about the story he was reading and the words that he let come free as he read them.
He looked at my hair for a long time. 'Can I touch it', he asked. I agreed. He caressed my knotted curls on my rebellious mane then he took my arm and kissed it. The boss saw all this and banged a table. The restaurant stood still and I was startled by my audacity.
I walked to the kitchens and began to cry. The Chinese chef handed me a bowl of soup and sent me home.
I walked home thinking of the stranger. His straw yellow hair, his cold eyes then his warm hands and his soft voice. I wanted to see him again.
I walked slowly tonight, quiet and still steps because I imagined that he would come for me. Slower and still became my breathing. The stranger man was mine, I felt. I saw us running away from the district to a place where other locals would not run away from my hair. A place where I would feel loved and I would love with equal measure until my wild wooly hair became lame and lost its colour then began to disappear slowly because it had lived its life and I mine. I was smiling at this vision of freedom when a hand pressed on my back.
'Hello', said the stranger. I smiled at him hoping my tenderness will cause him to stay.
'I am Mayra', I said before he asked, ' What is your story about', I was pointing to the book in his hands. He lifted it closer to my view. It was a copy of Proust's Remembrance of Things Past. He shrugged his shoulders, 'I don't know'.
My eyes let him know that I did not understand, 'I enjoy it because I do not understand it', he replied.
We walked to end of the street. He looked at me and said,' Mayra, come with me'.
I said, 'Yes, I will come with you if you will take me to a place where my wooly hair will not cause people to run away'.
He nodded as if to say he understood. He took my hand and I went with him that night to this place where I would be loved.
I did not remember Mother.
We were in a car now driving so fast the night sky seemed a blur. My hair danced in those winds of freedom. I was so happy to be with him.
I wanted to know where we were going.
'We are going to a place with no name', he says calmly, 'I am the king there'. My heart danced; I was with a king. 'Many people respect me there, I am a rich man and I have many people working for me', I held his hand tight.
I remembered then that I did not know his name, 'What do they call you, your highness?'.
'Pimp', he smiled, ' and you, my dear, will rule over my harem as my whore'
He began to laugh and then I did too because I could not believe a word he had said. No pimp would travel all the way to the district to find a girl like me. My wooly hair, I thought, would scare his clients away. He was joking again, I felt, like he was about not understanding the book he was reading because the look in his eyes seemed to say differently.
We reached the Pimp's dominion. It was on old building in a town with no name. There were women everywhere sickly looking, tired and sad. They looked as though they had died over and over again. They were not living as mother would have said. We walked up endless numbered stairs to a room that he called my own. He pushed me in and I hit the ground with a startling realization of my fate.
The room was in constant darkness even when the sun would shine. Sometimes the sunshine would run in to the room through slits in the wood covering the windows. The light would dance in circles and rest at my feet. I would remember how when I was so very young and the sunshine would enter through the shutter windows that mother would close to cool the flat. She would sigh at the sight of the strips of light. She would hand me a jar and smile,' Look Mayra the light is running to you'. I would rush to the dancing rays and ask why they were coming to me then she would sigh,' because they are running away from the moon!'. I sealed the sunshine in the jars and kept them in our bedroom so the moon would never find them there. But the sunshine always disappeared because the moon would come for them anyway and I was left with empty jars to continue the sisyphean task another day. When I asked my mother why the sunshine always seemed to run away she would say in between sighs, 'because they are free to'.
Salty. The first time tasted of salt and with each thrust I needed a glass of water. I felt as though the thirst would kill me. But I stayed silent as I remembered the only other time I felt this way. I was a child but old enough to understand my own independence. Father took us to the sea. He was running up and down the shore with a smile across his face. Mother watched and sighed as I took a step closer to the sea.
'Be careful, Mayra!', she would sigh louder. Father would run to her and with a peck on her cheek relieve her worry.
I remember walking in to the cold sea, jumping and kicking waves in my way. I walked a little further and I hit a crevice and I slid in to cold cold waters. I remember sinking because I was trying to escape. I called for Mother then Father but I just drank more salt and I slid further in to the sea. I was engulfed by the water and I was began making my peace as I drank in more water. The thought of dying never occurred to me then. But it was a fate I was willing to accept.
I felt a hand feel for me in the liquid. It was Mother sighing as she rescued me. 'There you are', she exclaimed relieved at my survival. She embraced me as my father ran towards us laughing at the episode that just took place. 'Mayra, these waters brought us here and these waters will take you away from us', he pecked my mother on the cheek, 'But not today'.
I watched the sea from my mother's lap that day and I could feel its strength even then. I could not run away from it. It was a strange kind of helplessness because I consented to it. I did not even try to run away from it. My mother's sighing made me forget.
I drank the salt in my sweat and tears. I drank the salt in the countless strangers I found in my bed who would pull my hair and make me cry. In a drunken daze one or the other would say, 'I love you'. But I knew it was not true. The stranger with the straw hair had disappeared from my life just as he had came. And I was a dead woman.
And then my belly began to swell and he came to me again. 'Mayra, kill the bastard', he said.
I did not understand why a child would have to die because his father had forced me to drink his salt. And because, I, his mother was raped in order to birth him.
'No', he hit me,' I will not kill this child I want it to breathe, eat and live like I used to!'. My voice was shattered with the next slap. He held me tight. He, too, tasted of salt and smelled of burned carcases and hopelessness.
'Kill it or I will kill you, Mayra', he paused to bellow out a bitter laughter, ' Can you see you do not live anymore so stop dreaming!'
I was sent out in to the streets alone to rid myself of the tumour in my insides before dawn. That night I remembered Mother and her constant sighing how she would sigh softly when father was around so that he would not discover her anguish. I remembered her worry for me in her incessant sighing. I knew then how much I was loved by the two illegals. And how they came to this strange land so I could breathe easy, eat better and live like they never had. And with them I was free.
I stopped at a bench by the park wondering how I would kill my child because I did not know how to run away.
'What is wrong, girl?', I did not see the old man come. I looked at him puzzled. 'You seem afraid, you have a lofty look on you. You are upset!', he coughed.
'I am a slave', dejected I said,' I used to know love in a place where I was revered because of my wild wooly hair and I fell in love with the freedom of the words that I had read'.
"What happened', he coughs again.
'I ran away', silence,' because I thought that I met a man who would save me. He lied to me and now I am here.'
'Who are you?', asked the man untouched by my sorrow.
I did not understand his question so I looked up to see if he could explain.
'Who are you?', and his tone became tender just as my mother's had been before my father went away.
'I am a whore and I will be a murderer before the end of the night', I said this with all the inhumanity I had latent in my being since the first time I was raped. It was an anger that one cannot escape; it is a deep shame and a incurable disbelief in the Almighty.
'Is that so', he seemed to be smiling in the darkness,' You seem different in person.'. Then, he coughs again.
'Are you a criminal?', I ask because I know he is like the many men who invaded my bed in the darkness to pull my hair and make me cry only to laugh with each salty tear that I shed.
'No', he says, 'I am thief'.
"I have no money', I sneer at him.
"That I can see', then he added,' besides I do not steal from women like you'.
"Because you have nothing', a pause, 'nothing that I could take away at least'.
'Then who do you steal from?'
He coughs then clears his throat. He takes out a box of snuff and takes it in a whiff.
'I would offer you some but seeing as you are with child…', he coughed some more.
I sat silence to watch what he would do or say next.
He pinched his nose then he said, ' I saw a man die once in a city far from here'. A cough, a sniff and pinch of the nose.' He was running, running so fast he could not see ' . He gave me a piercing look. 'He ran as if he knew where he was going'. He sighed,' But he could not see where he was going and a bus threw him to the other end of the street and he did not survive'. He took out his snuff again, 'he was an illegal you see so they did not want to save him, they left him there until the garbage truck took him away that night and the fire brigade washed his blood from the street'. 'I walked by the man that afternoon', he laughed, 'all the other locals were afraid and I saw this in his hand', he pulled out an old book from his breast pocket.' It was this bloody book!', he laughs again at this macabre humour. His laughter becomes a wheeze then he said,' I cleaned it up to find this written on the inside'.
I took the book and examined the fading inscription. The script was laboured but thoughtful like a child's with a letter that pointed in the direction of the wind and others the direction of the sun. It said in this savage script, 'My dear, Mayra'.
'And that is not all', said the old man his breathing more laboured,' I found this within'.
He hands me a train ticket also fading and bloodied like the book.
'What is it?', I ask my lips quivering.
'It is a ticket to Marsielle, to the sea!', he shouts drunken with a nostalgia known only to him and his god.
'What is there in Marsielle?', I ask.
He laughs, 'What is there Marseille!', he mocks me with a few more coughs. 'They say the sea there can make you disagree with yourself!'. He is laughing now,' And the wild waves will take where you wish'. A few more coughs and wheezes,' You go to Marseille to run away then to find your darkest desires but you will always return to where you belong'
'Why would you chose to return?'
'Because Marseille was never yours to have, to take. You go to Marseille not to stay but to go away again', and with this begins a deadly silence.
I break the silence, 'What would take you to Marseille?'
'I do not know', a sneeze, 'it is different for every person'.
'What if someone tells you to go there', I sound desperate, 'What then?'. I try my luck, 'Do you believe in coincidence?'
He is not happy now, 'Hush, girl!', he begins to laugh, 'You ask too many questions!, Do I believe in coincidence? No!'
'Because there is only truth…', a sneeze, 'Listen, if you want to know about Marseille go there for yourself!', he handed me the ticket.
'It leaves tomorrow at dawn', I say.
'I know, I have known for five years!', he smiled in the darkness just as Father had done before he left us. 'Just go, I am sure your wooly hair would enjoy the escape'. He let out a exaggerated laugh and he said,' For now just look at the sky and count the stars that you can see'.
'Why would I do that?'
' Because you are like me, a dead man and this', he points at the sky above, 'will be the last sky you see'. 'It enough to name and count all those stars so that you have something to live for', he pauses, 'It is enough and soon you will understand'.
He took out the dated stolen book with the foreboding dedication to someone with a name like mine. It was a copy of Proust's Remembrance of Things Past.
'Have you read that book?', I say startled at fate's coincidence.
'Yes, but I did not understand it', He flips through the pages and begins a stream of Roman numerals whilst looking at the stars. He could sense my confusion and he says, ' I have just counted twelve thousand!, Look!'. He flips through the volumes of Proust's masterpiece which are defaced by roman numerals in crude black ink. 'I started counting after I found this book. I have a feeling I will be finished soon'.
I helped the old man count the stars and that night we counted and counted but we barely could reach thirteen thousand.
He got up abruptly, 'I must go now, my child'. He coughs heavily,' But you must remember despite what this life has given you there was a time where you could just breathe, eat and live with out any difficulty. At least you were once free. And you can count the stars to remind you of meaning but that cannot take the place of true freedom!', he kissed my forehead, 'Do not forget you have a train to catch!'.
And with that he bid me farewell.
It was almost dawn when I made my way to the train station to use the ticket to Marseille. I would care for my child in the salty air of Marseille. I would love it as my parents loved me in the sordid shadow of their identity.
I heard a familiar voice call my name, 'Mayra!'. I kept walking because I would not miss the train.
'You wooly-haired whore where do you think you are going!', the straw-yellow-haired stranger called to me. I kept walking, dawn was coming and the train to Marseille was leaving soon.
'Stop!', I did not.
It was then that I heard a tremor in the sky and the birds began to stir. Then a fire burned my spine and pained my chest. I felt cold and I knew then that my child had just died. I fell to the ground still breathing. He turned me over to see him as I breathed my last.
The Pimp who I thought was my salvation had murdered me. He let out a burning wail.
'This is what you wanted!', he said this with a smile.
There is a certain sweetness in death that the living cannot understand. This sweetness is not defined by a good end or a bad one, a wanted or an unwanted death. It is the just the end and with it comes an odd understanding of the beginning.
You see, years ago, there was a house on a field. A boy and his mother lived there with their oppressive patriarch; an elephantine character they called poverty.
A day came and the mother asked her son, 'Child, go graze the cows and quick before the moon shows his face here!'. The boy did so and with a tired heart grazed the cows out in the field by the house. As he did so he began to think. And he thought about freedom. A freedom that he never had but a freedom that was his to have. He thought about this freedom more and his feet began to itch. Suddenly, he found himself running, simply to relieve the itch in his feet. And as ran more he felt himself closer to this freedom that he had thought about. He was getting closer with every step. He was almost at the edge of the field when he looked back to see the desolate house that poverty ruled over.
He ran away that day with out an intention of ever returning.
He reached a town where he saw a young woman, a tender beauty of sixteen, and he married her. Only because it seemed that she too wanted to run away. And that she did. They ran away together. First from the town and then the province and in to a boat away from the country. Only to stop in a land where they were not welcome which they chose to call home. There, they had a daughter.
Years past and their daughter became a woman who understood the need to run away. She told them one night as they drank a fiery bowl of pepper soup. The boy, now a man and her father, was afraid. Afraid that she too would run away never to return just as he had done to his mother. And so he ran to find the one thing that would make her return: nostalgia. But he never returned to the wife that he loved so dearly who sighed only because she could no longer run as they had done in their youth. And he never returned to the daughter who despised the sacrifices he had made. His absence killed his wife who only chose to run away so she could be with him. The daughter they birthed also ran away but in the wrong direction and when she realised the error in her navigation it had already killed her.
She lay there, arrived at last to the freedom was never her's but was her's to have.
She looked at the sky above to count away her final moments of breathing, eating and living but there was only the moon and a single star in the sky watching her in the narrow infinity called the sky.
It was enough.
M. Shabaya, September 2010
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In honor of National Train Your Dog Month this month, Pet Talk spoke with Dr. Christopher Pachel, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, about the importance of canine training and socializing.
"People who may not invest the time in training unfortunately may end up with dogs that are poorly behaved," says Pachel of Animal Behavior Clinic. "Since misbehavior is one of the main causes of relinquishment, it literally can come down to a matter of life and death."
Dogs also must be socialized, or exposed to the world around them, within a critical window from about three weeks to 16 weeks old.
Crucial neurological development occurs within that window; miss it, and you risk owning a dog that will be fearful or aggressive for the rest of its life.
Training offers important outlets for dogs, especially for working breeds that operate best when they have a "job" to do.
What's more, a lack of direction or unclear leadership can be confusion for dogs and is one of the biggest triggers for anxiety in dogs, Pachel says. That can lead to problematic behavior.
Choosing the right trainer is important because the foundation created by that trainer can set the stage for the rest of a dog's life.
You should find one with a training philosophy you respect and value. From Pachel's perspective, positive reinforcement-based training methods are the most effective,
While he doesn't believe in punishment-based training methods, Pachel is also cautious about offering rewards too frequently.
"If have a trainer that gives a dog a cookie for everything, well, that's no more effective for training than it is for raising children," he notes.
Pachel also points out that not all dogs are trained alike. You should take your dog's learning style and temperament into account, and methods that may have worked on a previous dog won't necessarily work on your current one. Good trainers can assess these traits when they determine a training plan, he notes.
Read more about how to choose a trainer on the Association of Pet Dog Trainers website.
The site also has a way to search for trainers in your area.
If your pet's behavior is already beyond your control, you can hire Pachel for a consultation; his rate is $220 an hour. His clinic may suggest other area resources, such as the Oregon Humane Society's Behavior Help Line or a local trainer.

subset: commoncrawl


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(12-01-2015, 02:17 AM)Vox Clamantis Wrote:(12-01-2015, 02:07 AM)Share Love Wrote: I guess I just don't think of the term "psychic" when I think of Saints such as St. Teresa of Avila, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Padre Pio and others. "Mystic," yes. The term "psychic" just reminds me of New Age, "I feel a female presence attached to the name C...it's a Cathy, or a Catherine, or a Cassie" sort of "psychics".
I remember reading a story about a nun who bargained with the devil so she would have these gifts which looked profoundly spiritual to others, but were not from God. At the end of the day, you just have to very carefully discern with these sorts of things.
One definitely has to discern the spirits, but "psychic" means "relating to or denoting faculties or phenomena that are apparently inexplicable by natural laws, especially involving telepathy or clairvoyance." And that fits the definition of the gifts given to many Saints (e.g., Padre Pio could read souls, for ex.). Plus, there are plenty of people who aren't "professional psychics" (most of whom likely being bogus) but who have had psychic experiences (or at least they seemingly have). People who didn't board the Titanic or take a certain plane that ended up crashing because they were warned not to in a dream or suddenly felt an insistent "tugging" telling them not to, people who, for ex., wake up suddenly at 2:12AM knowing their theretofore healthy Mother has just died and who get the call a few minutes later -- that sort of thing happens all the time.
Fair enough! I guess I've just been turned off of that term because of all the frauds out there.


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Monday, February 26, 2007
The Beauty of Red
"Something in the cosmos speaks to the deep places in us." Just not the same message Carl Sagan claims to have heard in his wildly popular Cosmos series. No the cosmos speaks the identity of its Maker.
Suns blaze His glory. Stars clock His precision. Wind whispers His omnipresence and His upholding power.
But we are here today to praise the beauty of Red. In the heraldry of the rainbow, red speaks to us of passion, heat, fire, rage, love and sacrifice.
Red is the color of Pentecost, when the Spirit's passion burned into the hearts of Christ's followers and blazed out across cultural boundaries, language barriers and spiritual blindness to spark new life in the thousands gathered for the old feast.
Red is the color of transformation. As the bloody sacrifice was burned on the altar, that dead meat was transformed into something ethereal and glorious: the glowing red-gold flame and curling smoke. Passion and prayer. A model of the glory-cloud that led Israel through the wilderness.
My guest this week for the Carnival of Beauty, Susanna at Through a Glass, reflects on the many shades of Red and the blood of Christ.
This week, I hope you'll see red. Really see it.
Posted by Kim Anderson at 4:25 PM
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Viewing PowerPoint on Kindle Fire HD is a problem. The new Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7-inch is a tablet with an impressive resolution of 1200 x 800 pixels and an IPS LCD screen. It packs a 1.2GHz processor that Amazon brags outperforms the Tegra 3. The price is set at the low $199, but it doesn't support PowerPoint formats. By converting PowerPoint to video, you can make a Kindle Fire HD a PowerPoint machine, especially indispensable for businessmen and students to view PowerPoint without computers.
Free download and install PowerPoint to Kindle Fire HD Converter. It works with Microsoft PowerPoint Version 2003/2007/2010 and is compatible with Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 8.1 blue. It can convert PowerPoint (*.ppt, *.pps, *.pptx, *.ppsx, etc.) to Amazon Kindle Fire HD video with all the fonts, languages, PowerPoint templates, background music, embedded videos, dynamic animations and transitions kept after conversion.
Step 1: Load PowerPoint files.
Run the program and click Add button to import PowerPoint source files. Save your time by converting several PowerPoint files to videos at one time, without number limit.
Step 2: Output sittings for Kindle Fire HD.
Choose a video format from the "Profile" drop-down list, like "HD Video" → "HD H.264 MPEG-4 AVC Video (*.mp4)", to make full use of Kindle Fire HD's HD screen display.
For advanced output video settings, just click Settings button on the right. In the pop up window, you may change the video codec, audio codec, quality, bit rate, frame rate, video size, etc. to better match your Kindle Fire HD.
Step 3: Convert PowerPoint to Amazon Kindle Fire HD.
When all the settings are ready, click "Start" button to start the PowerPoint to Kindle Fire HD video conversion. You will get the output videos for viewing on Amazon Kindle Fire HD in no time.


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Our History
A family-owned legacy
Since 1945, Ben's has been providing solutions to customers with our full line of industrial cleaning equipment. Which means…...it's our 70th Birthday!! Now in our 3rd generation, we are proud to be a family-owned business. Ben Meyer created a great business that still runs today! We have built our company's reputation by working with and understanding the original steam cleaning machine, using 325°F heat.
In fact, Ben's is one of the few companies that still sells the steam cleaner, with a unique understanding of its benefits in specific applications.
Our founder, Ben Meyer, started his company as a cleaning business only, using a steam cleaner he built himself using a high volume Hardie pump and a Clayton boiler. He was very mechanically inclined and taught himself how to repair his own equipment.
Many of Ben's customers already owned steam cleaners that they used for small jobs, hiring Ben for the major cleaning applications. Shortly after Ben's customers learned that he repaired his own equipment, they began asking him to repair theirs as well, and eventually asking to purchase new units through him since he would be repairing them anyways.
By 1969, Ben shifted his primary business strategy from his contractor business to strictly selling and servicing equipment. Soon after, Ben & his wife Doris leased a building and together opened Ben's Steam Cleaner Sales and Service.
Ben's three sons Gordon, Ron and Jerry, worked for the company on and off throughout high school and college, and eventually full time. In 1982, they purchased the company from their parents and incorporated the company. The name of the business was changed slightly from Ben's Steam Cleaner Sales and Service to Ben's Cleaner Sales to more accurately reflect what their business entailed.
Today, Ben's Cleaner Sales is one of the largest and oldest full service steam cleaner and pressure washer distributors in the United States. We sell, service and rent cleaning and commercial equipment as well as chemicals, parts and accessories. We carry many of the major pressure washer brands including Mi-T-M, Alkota, Whitco, Karcher, HydroTek, BE Pressure and many more.
In 1996, Ben passed away at the age of 86. Sadly later that year, Ron passed away from ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Today, Gordon and Jerry still own and operate Ben's Cleaner Sales, with the help of Gordon's wife Bobbie and three children, Russell, Melinda and Christopher, and Jerry's wife Dee Dee and son Lynn, along with many other valued employees!
Ben's has come a long way, from Ben's first location, to the sales and service buildings, and now to our current building which was built in 2005. Pressure washers have also come a long way; in the 1960's the pressure washers were rated up to 400 PSI, now they run up to 6000 PSI.
Ben's prides ourself in taking the time to learn exactly what the customer needs and finding or customizing the right equipment to fit that need, rather than fitting the customer to the equipment. A huge portion of our success is due to the passion and care we have for our customers' individual needs, and the friendships we hope to form. Thank you for helping us celebrate 70 years of business!
Ben's First Location
Today, we're one of the largest and oldest full service steam cleaner and pressure washer distributors in the United States.
Ben's Old Office & Service Shop
Our specialty is providing the customers with what they want whether it is selling "off the shelf" or building special units to fit each application.
Ben's Current Building
Ben built a great foundation for this business to grow, and we're looking forward to many more years of serving the industrial cleaning industry.


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GV Now
Business major wins $20,000 in national competition
Posted on April 27, 2017
Zoe Bruyn won $10,000 in cash and $10,000 of in-kind services at the 2017 Values and Ventures® Competition held April 21-22 at the TCU Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University.
Bruyn competed against students from 51 universities and took third place for her start-up idea for a bakery, called Stir It Up, that employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In the same week, Bruyn's idea also won the Northwestern Mutual Master Track Grand Prize of $5,000 at the MWest Challenge held at Grand Valley's Pew Grand Rapids Campus.
The management and marketing major will graduate in April 2017 and has spent the last four years working on various start-ups, trying to find that one invention that "feels right."
She collaborated with fellow students on inventing a shoe with an adjustable heel, and worked with classmates on a urinary catheter device. But, it's this latest start-up, an idea that she thought of on her own, that is really causing a stir.
She said the idea for the bakery came to her in March 2016 while she was serving as a leader with Young Life Capernaum Ministries, an organization for young adults with disabilities.
"I noticed these individuals would struggle to find employment after aging out of school at 26. Many would ask me to help them find jobs," she said.
The Rockford native said she has three young cousins with special needs, two have autism and one has Down syndrome. She said she has often wondered about their future opportunities.
"I started researching employment statistics and found that nearly 70 percent of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are unemployed," said Bruyn. "However, when you employ them, they are some of the most loyal and dedicated employees."
Bruyn said that's when it clicked. She chose to start a bakery because she could test the market fairly quickly and at minimal cost. She started baking cookies in her parent's Rockford home and her $5 boxes of cookies sold quickly. She decided to start pitching her idea at various business competitions.
During the past year, Bruyn has won $5,000 at a 5x5 competition, another $5,000 at Accelerate Michigan in Detroit and $11,000 at the Michigan Women's Foundation Dolphin Tank Competition held at Grand Valley, where she took first place and won the People's Choice award.
Bruyn used a portion of her winnings to purchase equipment and is saving the rest to buy a store-front location. She currently employs three people with special needs, and in order to operate her business, she is using a commercial kitchen at Trinity United Methodist Church in Eastown near downtown Grand Rapids.
"My employees are excited about their new responsibilities," she said. "They are in a safe environment that gives them the confidence to learn new skills and be part of the work force."
Bruyn has been involved with Grand Valley's Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) in the Seidman College of Business since her freshman year. She said Shorouq Almallah, director of CEI, and Kevin McCurren, affiliate professor, are her mentors.
"They have helped me in every step of the entrepreneurial process and helped prepare me for competitions," she said. "I chose to attend Grand Valley because of the strong reputation of the Seidman College of Business and its location and connections to businesses in Grand Rapids."
Bruyn said she hopes to hire more employees and open a location for the bakery this year. For more information, visit stiritupbakery.com.


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SATINIQUE™ Dual Defend Spray
SKU: 110684| Size: 100 ml
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- Protects hair from damaging effects of UV light and more, whenever applied
- For all hair types, but especially helpful for colourprocessed hair that is prone to colourfading
- Exclusive formula with special humectants, emollients, and sunscreens
- Custom selected botanicals: Pomegranate Extract
- Blended with Pomegranate Extract and Vitamin E to help revitalisedull, dry hair to help protect hair against environmental damage
- Protects against thermal damage from heat styling
- Reduces colourfading caused by UV light, so hair keeps colourtruer, longer
- Adds shine and moisture
- Sulphatefree formula
- Makes hair up to 9x stronger*
- Reduces breakage by up to 9x*
*When used as a system of Color Repair Shampoo, Conditioner, Revitalizing Mask and Dual Defend Spray
Water/Aqua/Eau, Cyclopentasiloxane,Isohexadecane, Phenyl Trimethicone,Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol,
Glycereth-26, Creatine, Ceramide 2,Ceramide 3, Benzophenone-4,Fragrance/Parfum, Phenoxyethanol,
Isopropyl Myristate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-10, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Polysilicone-15,
Tocopheryl Acetate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Sodium PCA,Punica Granatum Sterols, Sodium Lactate,Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil,Citric Acid, Arginine, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine,Serine, Behenic Acid, Cholesterol, Valine,Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine,
Phenylalanine, Yellow 6 (CI 15985), Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Geraniol, Linalool.
- Shake well
- Spray 8-12 inches from damp or dry hair, leave in
- Gentle enough to use every day
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Talk about Sandy and the NYC horosocpe, the upcoming election, full moons and mercury retrograde. Callers asked questions about destiny in astrology and Pamela explains the symbolism of the nodes in plain english. Small business owners and entrepreneurs benefit from working with natural cycles instead of against them. Let's talk current events as Pamela forecasts energetic trends through the lens of astrology. Callers are guided by Pamela's insightful interpretation of their birth horoscope in plain english. Pamela emphasizes the usefulness of acting at the right time for success in business, projects, relationships and goals.
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The former National Democratic Congress (NDC) legislator for North Dayi says the President failed to ensure the security of Ghanaians in The Gambia during the recent stalemate in the West African country.
George Loh criticised President Nana Akufo-Addo for authorising troops to support the ECOWAS forces instead of issuing an order, for instance, for the Ghanaian forces to secure Ghana Town – a resettlement that is predominantly made up of Ghanaians.
The President approved the deployment of a combat team of 205 Ghanaian troops and logistical equipment to The Gambia.
The move was in support of an ECOWAS mission to quell a possible attempt by incumbent President Yahya Jammeh to use force to deny President-elect Adama Barrow from taking over the government.
However, Mr Loh criticised the move by President Akufo-Addo saying at the second asking should have been concerned with the interests and safety of Ghana. He says considering the handling of alleged murder of about 40 Ghanaians in The Gambia under bizarre circumstances in 2005, the President should have taken the opportunity to right the wrongs.
Although the reported murder is seen as one of the many instances of Yahya Jammeh's atrocious human rights record, many have blamed Nana Akufo-Addo for not doing enough to bring closure to the matter.
Commenting on the recent political deadlock in The Gambia on JOYNEWS/MultiTV's news analysis programme Newsfile on Saturday, Mr Loh resuscitated the matter of the death of the Ghanaians, reiterating the concerns raised in 2005.
"I was really worried because for the second time I thought that the President had the opportunity to prove that when The Gambia is concerned [he] will get right this time," he said.
However, when it was pointed to him that the President could not have sent Ghanaian troops to secure citizens in another country, Mr Loh maintained that the President's order should have taken cognizance of Ghanaian lives in the country.
But the Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Central University, Professor Ken Attafuah, defended the President's order.
"There is no legal basis for the contention that President Akufo-Addo erred in committing troops," he said.
He explained that the President was acting within the framework of the ECOWAS protocol.
According to him, the decision by the President to send troops to bolster the ECOWAS mission was inherently a move to secure the safety of Ghanaians.


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Fahrenheit 451
Cite at least three examples of literary texture in Fahrenheit 451, and tell why you think they qualify as writing that "has pores" or "touches life."
I'm not sure what you mean by"texture". Are you referring to things like figurative language?
Figurative language plays an important role for all the characters including Montag. Bradburry really uses his figurative language like metaphor and symbolism to give the reader the texture you mentioned. Below are the examples I used before.
"The parlour was dead and Mildred kept peering in at it with a blank expression as Montag paced the floor and came back and squatted down and read a page as many as ten times, aloud." (Page 32)
This use of figurative language illustrates Montag's loneliness and feelings of isolation.
"He stared at the parlour that was dead and grey as the waters of an ocean that might teem with life if they switched on the electronic sun." (Page 33)
The simile above helps us to understand how technology alienates us from reality.
"Maybe the books can get us half out of the cave. They just might stop us from making the same damn insane mistakes!" (Page 34)
This metaphor illustrates the huge barrier between Montag and Mildred. He needs reality, whereas, she is content and happy to live stagnantly through the lives of fictional beings.


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The South Pacific nation of Tokelau is aiming to ditch its diesel dependency and transform itself into the world's first solar-powered country. With the help of New Zealand engineering company Powersmart Solar, the island's 1,400 residents hope to generate all their power with a system of 4032 solar panels and 1344 batteries.
The Tokelau Renewable Energy Project (TREP) is being headed by Powersmart Solar, who aim to replace the island nation's diesel generators with the expansive solar system. If the project is successful, it will mean that Tokelau is not only the first country to meet 100% of its climate change obligations, but also the first completely solar-powered nation on earth.
Currently, the island state is reliant on the diesel shipped in from New Zealand. As a result, the country's diesel generators burn around 200 litres of fuel daily, which amounts to 2000 barrels each year at an annual cost of NZ$1million—and yields a considerable environmental impact. This diesel dependency also impacts Tokelau's 1,400 residents, who can only count on 15 to 18 hours of electricity each day.
Tokelau's solar power system has been designed to spread across the nation's three atolls – Fakaofo, Nukunonu, and Atafu. It will provide 150% of the nation's current electricity demand, whilst being able to stand up to the region's tropical storms and will provide 24-hour electricity. The only diesel the nation will require will be for Tokelau's tiny fleet of three cars.
Hopefully Tokelau's transformation will the first of many Pacific islands in the region. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has often reported that Pacific Island countries are among the most petroleum-dependent nations and territories in the world. However the solar power system will enable Tokelau to save over 12,000 tonnes of CO2 during its operation. During emergency periods and times of prolonged cloud cover, the generators will run on coconut oil and simultaneously recharge the battery bank.
"This project is unique and has the potential to demonstrate what can be achieved through the perseverance and hard work by the Government of Tokelau," adds Joseph Mayhew, Development Manager Energy in the New Zealand Aid Programme. "Photovoltaics are a mature, reliable off-the-shelf technology that has been proven for years. Given the high cost of diesel, renewable energy should not be seen as an 'alternative' source of energy, but rather an essential key to unlocking the Pacific's potential."
+ Tokelau Renewable Energy Project (TREP)
Via Celsias/New Zealand Aid Programme
Images © US Embassy New Zealand, PowerSmart


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Lord Edward is an Honorable Knight on a secret mission, Bella is offered to him as a gift from the Evil Duke Aro.
"Age of Edward" contest entry.
Edward Cullen needs to pass Statistics. Bella Swan is his tutor. She thinks he's a flighty, arrogant--albeit sexy--asshole, and he thinks she's Bipolar, but tries to win her over, anyway.
Can he change her mind, or do first impressions really last?
Thanks to my baby momma, Maximista, for the banner! <3
It's Bella's 18th birthday, and what does she want more than immortality? Her darling Edward's loving company—minus the clothing. To her surprise, Edward caves and when Bella gets some, she gets WAY more than she bargained for. Cue Edward's standard self-sacrificing departure, a snarky, homicidal Victoria with some powerful connections, and a new Bella who grows a belly and a backbone and goes on her own little hunting trip in Denali to find answers.Farewell is a twisted tale where everything is not always as it seems. There is an underlying current of betrayal that may knock your socks off on one or two occasions. A FRIENDLY WARNING: This story is not full of fluffy bunnies and rainbows and unicorns. It has the tendency to be very dark, in both drama and humor, on some occasions. If you choose to read, well, welcome to the dark side lovelies...
Special thanks to randigiles for helping me straighten out my synopsis. You rock, babe!
Special thank you to annamorphos for this glorious banner!
For Renesmee Carlie Cullen, reaching maturity meant more than a defined physical completion. Mental astuteness began at the moment of creation. With her body finally catching up, it was imperative for her to advance to her next lunar phase. Three unanswered questions were slowing progression to the peace she so desperately needed. Who was she? What could she do? What was her purpose? She needed to make a difficult choice between two appealing options. Being a half-breed was never about even sides. She wasn't 50% vampire or 50% human. Both were dueling for control. Which would win? Her gift, while simplistic in nature, offered something more than the ability to give. To explore, she would also need to learn how to take. Was she strong enough to use it in reverse? Please join Renesmee in a journey to self-realization, where finding amity means accepting fate and understanding that the light she holds inside herself not only shines brightly enough to free her but the entire world. Will she disperse the darkness, or will it consume her?
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author note: This story takes place in the present and in the past. I really love the idea of the Cullen crest and that each member of the family wears it. Family is THE most important thing to Carlisle and that crest is the visual symbol of that bond that they share. Since the circumstances of each member joining the family were unique, I thought it would be interesting to see when, how and why Carlisle decides to give them the crest and how they react. I hope you like what I've done.
P.S. I know some of the characters may seem like they're acting a bit out of character. This is because I am choosing to focus on the excitement of Bella becoming part of the Cullen family rather than the drama and tension. It may get mentioned here and there, but…
The above was my original Author Note for this story, but when I saw that one of my favorite fanfic authors on this site, Elise Shaw, was essentially hounded off this site and fanfiction.net I felt I needed to say something more.
I would like to dedicate this story to Elise. Her stories were inspired and certainly inspiring. She inspired me to write and graciously allowed me to reference a part of one of her stories that truly touched me. I am sure many of her friends and fans on this site feel the same way. She really is well-loved and admired and will be truly missed. I hope that she will come back soon or will at least let us know how to find her stories again.
Thank you Elise, for everything.
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns it all. I'm just borrowing. Darn it anyway…
The absolute last thing in Bella Swan's mind is uprooting her life, mid-semester of her senior year of High School, let alone move to Forks, the rainy, dreary town her homely father resides in. Yet the move brings her a sort of peace and optimism; things were definitely changing, and falling into a simple, easy routine. Enter the mysterious stranger Edward Cullen, who sweeps her off of her feet, exciting in her feelings of passion, hatred, and more importantly, passionate hate.
Will life ever be simple again?
Based extremely loosely on Taylor Swift's "Love Story".
amazingly, beautiful & fantastical banner by Ms. Ambrosia
Driving home from a conference, Edward stops in a small town for a day. Who he finds living there has him rethinking his need to stay forever.
17-year old Bella Swan moves to Forks after being abandoned by her mother. With music as her only friend and a penchant for trouble, Bella just wants to be left alone. Unfortunately, her behavior attracts the attention of hot tempered Edward Cullen.
(Thanks Readergoof for the banner!)
Isabella is unsure what's wrong with her family members. Only when the truth comes out does she begin to understand
[ One shot ]
Ten years after Edward and Alice abandoned her, Bella returns to Forks. What brings Alice to her door? Why has Edward moved into the Cullens' old house? And who gives Bella the punishment she craves? Inspired by Beyond the Pale Contest photo prompt #5.
A telling of the events immediately succeeding the change of Rosalie Hale. One shot. Canon.
Can Edward finally leave his solitary, immortal life that began decades ago behind him? Who is the mysterious Isabella and what is her connection to Edward's human life?
Bella Swan is an overachieving freshman who can hold her own. Edward Cullen is the president of the fraternity Phi Chi Kappa whose idea of 'looking to the future' is ordering a keg for the weekend three days in advance. Both attend Maple Bay University intent on getting the best experience college has to offer - in two very different ways. Can romance and companionship help this unlikely pair find the balance between having fun and taking education seriously? With their friends by their sides they learn that maybe college is about more than parties or grades - maybe it's about growing up. Welcome to Maple Bay University. It's going to be quite a year.
As we move through life, the force of fate creates events that we only appreciate when we reflect on our existence.
Thanks DazzledbyJake for the gorgeous banner!!
Unlikely bonds form and tragedy forever changes the lives of Ness, Jacob, his once-lover Kimber, and all of the Cullens. This story contains dark themes, violence, and sexual content of both the naughty and nightmarish kind. Post-Breaking Dawn, turns AU at Renesmee's birth.
Edward Cullen is more than shocked when, five years after he left Forks, Bella Swan calls - warning of Victoria's intended attack on the Cullen coven – and insisting that the vampires need her help.
A tale of love, revenge, forgiveness and forever.
Instead of James, Victoria & Laurent finding Bella & The Cullens in the field, The Bringers do.
"I'll never sit on a porch somewhere, with him grey-haired at my side, watching our children play." What if someone actually talked to Rosalie about her experiences? What if they made her look at things another way? One-Shot.
School is in session and there are lots of lessons to be learned. Bella Swan, the newest student at Forks High School, needs to amend her shy and introverted ways and her guidance counselor has just the thing: tutoring! Besides, newbie Bella is probably the only student naïve enough to tackle Edward Cullen, a juvenile delinquent in training. Edward's main pastimes include avoiding school and hanging out with his lovelorn, best friend Jasper Hale. In Edward's opinion, Jasper needs a tutoring session of own in order to get over his ex- Alice. However Alice is too busy trying to console her friend Rosalie –who is only interested in one lesson: how to win the affections of Edward Cullen.
Jacob was Bella's first friend when she moved to Forks. J was always so good to B, and he was undoubtedly in love with her. Edward was Jacob's arrogant but gorgeous best friend. Bella can't ignore feelings for E. But what about J? This is an all human story that follows Bella as she tries to decide to follow her heart or her head.
Banner by: Pixiefanpire
When a man dies, his family gathers. Bella, Rose, and Alice are cousins that are as close as sisters and when they are gifted their grandfather's house, they intend to keep it. But there are some conditions...
Add some disgruntled relatives with volatile tempers, and they have a fight on their hands
Add three gorgeous security men and three beautiful heiresses and the chemistry is hot
All canon pairing
Bella and Edward meet in college and fall in love. Circumstances separate them, but their love for each other never dies. What happens when they're reunited? Will true love win? Or have time, space, and new relationships consumed them? AH/OOC
Awesome banner made by my Beta xrxdanixrx...she is a genius and I can't stop staring at it...
"What are you thinking?" Edward asked me.
"I'm thinking about how big of a failure I am," I answered truthfully.
We were still holding each other in his classroom and I realized quickly how dangerous that was...that was where Edward and I went wrong. The need we both felt to touch each other was costing us, and if I didn't put a stop to it, well, I knew things were going to get worse way before they got better.
Edward narrowed his eyes at me disapprovingly. "You're not a failure, Bella."
The furrow in his brow only increased as I put some distance between us. He reached out to bring me back in, but I shook my head stubbornly.
"I'm not running," I assured him, "but we need to stop being so open. While I'm here, we need to at least pretend I'm your student."
Edward ran his hands through his hair roughly and I envied him at that moment. Only a minute had passed and I was already losing my resolve.
"She's right, you know."
My body tensed to the voice that suddenly was in the room with us. It was unfamiliar and I couldn't place it for the life of me, but this unknown voice was agreeing with me--which meant, this unknown person heard everything I said…
Oh shit, oh shit…
Bella Swan is a 28 year old woman who is a narcotics detective for the Seattle Police Department. Bella is assigned to go undercover as a high school student to bring down a massive drug ring fronted by the elusive Drug Lord Aro Volturi. Bella soon finds herself falling for her English teacher Edward Masen...
Edward Masen is instantly attracted to this new student, but can't pursue a relationship with a young girl.
Will these two keep things in perspective or will their ethics be damned?
Beautiful banner made by SoapyMayhem....Thanks girl!!!
Bella meets a total stranger at the hottest club in Seattle... Edward. What happens when he takes her home?
Edward is a FBI agent and is assigned to a strange case where he will need the help of his fellow agents and friends. His only problem? He has been assigned a new partner...
Summary: In a world where every marriage is arranged Bella Swan grows up dreaming of romance. Can she find happiness and love in a marriage that she never wanted?
Set in modern times AU/AH.
Thanks to ms_ambrosia for the beautiful banner!
All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the intellectual property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.


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Choose a local agent. If you think about buying a new home in a particular suburb, where do you go to look? The Internet is the obvious answer, but after that, where? Many buyers will go to the suburb, chat to the local agents & browse their window displays. For this reason, it's important to choose a local agent. As residents of the local area, our agents are actively involved in the local community & keep abreast of local prices as they have a commitment to maintaining high prices that do justice to the unique family-friendly lifestyle Mt Eliza is famous for. Our local agents can also provide valuable information about schools, shops, community groups, clubs & places of interest.
Our Properties
The property lists contain all properties Point2 Real Estate - Mt Eliza have sold and listed on realestate.com.au.
It may not contain off-market and private listings, properties with unknown sold dates and listings that may be exclusively listed on other websites.


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Courtyard By Marriott Westlake hotels are provided below. Search for cheap and discount Courtyard By Marriott hotel rates in Westlake, OH for your upcoming individual or group travel. We list the best Courtyard By Marriott Westlake hotels/motels so you can review the Westlake Courtyard By Marriott hotel list below to find the perfect place.
This website will also provide discounted Westlake, OH hotels/motels that are comparable to the quality of Courtyard By Marriott.Booking a group or meeting? Set up a group hotel block in Westlake OH
How should we direct your call?


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The Chandler Lodge & Cabins are set amidst 32 hectares of natural Australian bush within the Sleeman Sports Complex at Chandler in Brisbane.
Our accommodation is designed to meet the accommodation and budget needs of larger sporting, school or corporate groups. It is also perfect for backpackers, travellers or any individuals who are seeking budget accommodation in a friendly and relaxing environment.
Click here for the Accomodation Services Fees & Information brochure
Dormitory accommodation:
+ Four large dormitories with a maximum capacity of 55;
+ Shared bathroom facilities located adjacent to each dormitory;
+ Reverse cycle air-conditioning;
+ Rates include use of common and recreational area (with lounge, TV and DVD player) and use of kitchenette and fridge facilities; and
+ Sit down dining area in common room with seating for 80.
Cabin accommodation:
+ Four separate lockable rooms;
+ Private ensuite in each room;
+ Reverse cycle air-conditioning;
+ Kitchenette with fridge, microwave, electric jug, toaster, crockery & cutlery; and
+ Dining area with lounge and TV.
Onsite facilities include:
+ Café
+ Catered lunch and dinner packages av ailable with a range of healthy options
+ Swimming pool (discounted entry)
+ Free BBQ and picnic areas
+ Coin laundry facilities
All rates include:
+ Continental breakfast of cereal, milk, toast, spreads, tea and coffee
+ All linen
Explore Brisbane easily with public transport at your doorstep and easy access to the CBD and Brisbane Airport (20 minutes drive). We are close to the ferry for access to the islands, or a 40-50 minute drive to the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.
For more information please call or send us an email.
Sleeman Sports Complex
Cnr Old Cleveland and Tilley Roads
Chandler 4155 Queensland
Phone: 07 3390 2922
Fax: 07 3390 2822
Email: email@example.com
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A range of facilities are available for hire at Sleeman Sports Complex
Sleeman Sports Complex | Telephone: (07) 3131 9620 | Fax: (07) 3131 9625 | Email: email@example.com
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We had the most restful and beautiful Easter weekend 2015. Seriously, I couldn't have really asked for much better and I definitely didn't dream of hoping for it. We started out our Triduum by successfully attending both Holy Thursday and Good Friday services all seven of us. In past years we have always had an under 2 and decided to have one parent go with the older kids and one stay home with the younger ones (in my experience toddlers and Mass after supper are just a poor combination). Now that Lucie is getting closer to 3 we decided to be brave and other than a potty accident during Good Friday service everyone did really well.
We decided not to push our luck, however, for Easter Vigil. Tim and Aidan went alone, just like Aidan and I went last year. Holy Saturday in the morning, my parents stopped by for a quick visit on their way out of town. It was supposed to be hugs and drop off Easter surprises but somehow turned into brunch (since at 9:30 when they got there we still hadn't gotten around to breakfast yet...), 4 innings of baseball, and board games to boot. I'm not sure I've ever laughed as hard as playing baseball quite like this!
|Wherever the ball went, the dog went. She never actually took the ball away but it was clear that she wanted to!
|We had a couple near misses when it came to swinging the bat.
|Lucie playing outfield.....about 10 rows back over the visiting team dugout.
She registered a protest over her Dora hopscotch pieces being used as bases....
only SHE could stand on Boots.
|Angry Birds rainboots ....totally MLB approved.
|Aidan may have been swinging for the fence, but only my dad managed to make it over.
Although I did hit not one, but TWO, ground rule doubles....ok the second one actually went under the fence, not over.
After Vigil Mass, Tim and I always stay up and redecorate the piano where we keep most of our candles, statues, bibles, rosaries, etc (we strip it bare on Good Friday, just like the altar at church) and uncover all of the Jesus pictures and crucifixes (which we also cover on Friday). We set out Easter surprises and prepare breakfast for the next day. This year I made maple pecan rolls instead of my normal caramel pecan as an attempt to create a refined sugar free roll . Writing this reminds me how I need to get back on here and write the "Answers Part 2" post that has had information rolling in in spades the past couple weeks because then I wouldn't have to explain that we aren't normally eating ...well a lot of stuff... right now and I was trying not to turn breakfast into a system overload while still maintaining our rolls for breakfast on special days tradition.
Rolls (pictured above) were kefir, flour, yeast, salt, water, maple syrup (from our own tree), and pecans and that's it. Oh and I put a tiny teaspoon of honey in the dough to speed up the rising as I didn't leave enough time to skip something sweet in the dough completely- probably should have just used a dash of maple syrup instead. Glaze was kefir cream and powdered sugar. Not exactly health food, but not nearly as much sugar as a traditional roll and dairy free except the kefir and since the kefir cream wasn't heated hopefully it helped balance out the powdered sugar a little bit.
I'm gonna tell myself it did.
In any case, they were well received and the pickiest eater among us consumed THREE of those huge rolls.
In the morning, the kids were all up early like it was Christmas...which it kind of was. Lucie, however, disapproved of all the noise and pulled the covers back over her head when I got up.
Apparently lots of people really wanted to spoil my kids this year (us among them) and they had quite the bounty awaiting them. We don't usually do egg hunts or individual Easter baskets, more like a community basket (less candy that way and less fighting rather than more in our experience). While our rolls were baking, the kids opened up quite the bounty of goodies.
|This is only the *basket* part.
My mom, Tim's Mom, 2 of Tim's Aunts...there was a lot of stuff. Bird feeders, seeds and bulbs, stickers, books, music...money (made the big kids happy)...lots of stuff, most of it faith themed or spring themed without being Easter bunny (which makes me happy).
After surprises and breakfast, we got ready for Mass. I think we are going backwards in our ability to take a picture of the entire crew. I wanted to have someone hold our Siena bunny in the picture of the kids, but it didn't really work out the way I planned. Apparently a little bunny is a BIG distraction!
For about 90% of the photos Logan was standing on one foot, not sure what that was about. Caleb has a beautiful smile but he severely objects to producing it upon demand.
We made a last minute decision to drive one town over to attend Mass at the Cathedral. This meant we had to leave much more quickly, but in the end I was really glad we did. The kids love seeing the seminarians and having the Bishop preside. They love seeing the kids singing in the choir and friends from our homeschool co-op as altar servers. We were spoiled at our parishes in Utah to always have multiple priests, deacons, etc. at Mass...often every Sunday, but always on the *big* days. Choirs and organs...things like that. The Mass obviously isn't about those things, but they can add a lot and its something we miss at our rural church with one priest and a mostly non-English speaking deacon (we have a large hispanic population).
We came home and had a nice lunch of pulled turkey breast (cooked in chicken stock in the crock pot- so easy and delicious), garlic/almond green beans, and sweet potatoes. Then we played outside some more. Kids climbed trees. Daddy hung the new swing.
For afternoon snack/dessert we ate our traditional annual lamb cake. I did absolutely nothing to make this more healthy. I did, however, see that Catholic All Year makes theirs with Crispy Treats instead of cake and decided to try that. (No picture on the blog page, just link love to give credit where credit is due- I saw it on her Facebook page.) Which was MUCH easier and resulted in far fewer creation frustrations!
Despite only having 1 bag of jelly beans, a bowl of chocolate covered almonds (which we didn't finish), and the rolls for breakfast as our sweet treats for the day (which sounds like a lot to me- but I know compared to a normal year wouldn't have been) we weren't even able to finish half of the poor lamb. Even the kids declared they just couldn't eat any more sugar (never thought this would happen). His bust will be donated to Tim's workmates or sadly disposed off in the garbage can.
Maybe next time a laying down lamb with only half of the mold.
We are finishing our night with popcorn and Veggie Tales: League of Incredible Vegetables. A good end to a good day...to a good weekend. And the truth is I FEEL good, which is probably the best gift of all that I could have asked for this weekend. No Mass meltdowns (Mommy is as prone to this as anyone right now). No crazy lady freak out parties. I felt good all weekend. In some ways it felt like the most normal weekend this family has had since September. Even if it is only a temporary reprieve, I am so grateful to have had it.
If the foggy cloud is back when I wake up tomorrow, someone please remind me not just of the spiritual gifts of Easter but of the real gift of this Easter specifically.


text: in one of the macbytes articles the author raises a very valid point, and one that I have been wondering about since the change in the chips were announced. What will happen to 64bit capabilities? and also what would be the likelyhood of dual processor x86 based macs? from what i understand dual cpu windows boxes have issues with software not running on them if it is not designed to run on them - i heard this somewhere i have no idea if it is true. also some other questions FSB - would it drop back down to 800mhz like most of the stuff available in the x86 market the amount of ram the system could address - would it drop or stay the same? sorry if this is in the wrong section - i wasnt sure which one if would be best suited to.


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When I saw that Citi Trends'
Citi Trends' fourth-quarter net income dropped to $8.4 million, or $0.59 per share (although last year's results contained an additional week). Total sales increased 6.2% to $134.6 million, with a same-store sales decrease of 1.1%. (The comps figure measures the 13 weeks ended Feb. 2, 2008, with the same 13 weeks last year.) Since inventory has been a red flag in the past, it's worthwhile to note that it increased by 12.4%, and while that's an improvement, it still outpaces its sales increase.
Investors' jubilation reflects that, even with the dip in profit, Citi Trends still beat analysts' expectations. In addition, the retailer said it expects to earn $1.10 to $1.15 per share in 2008, with a 2% to 3% increase in same-store sales. Although that is an improvement over this past year -- after all, Citi Trends' 2007 net income dropped 34% to $14.2 million, or $1.00 per share -- it's still playing catch-up, seeing how it earned $1.51 per share in 2006.
Citi Trends is an admittedly interesting retailer, placing its discount-oriented stores in neighborhoods where residents aren't exactly flush with cash (in both urban and rural areas), and competing with rivals like Ross Stores
However, I'm not convinced that the stock's surge today is warranted. I mean, for goodness' sake, it now sports a trailing P/E of 18.8! This company's had a rough time lately, and it may face more challenges in the current economic environment. Plus, there are plenty of retailers trading at far more reasonable multiples -- how about American Eagle Outfitters
I'm generally a fan of discount retailers like Costco
Sure, it's always nice when a quarter or an outlook is "better than expected," but that's not good enough to command this kind of premium. I believe Fools interested in this stock should wait for a much better price.
For related Foolishness, see the following articles:
- In November, Citi Trends had some gridlock.
- Last May, I wondered if Citi Trends was trendy enough.
American Eagle Outfitters and Costco are Stock Advisor recommendations. To find out what other stocks David and Tom Gardner have recommended, take a 30-day free trial.
Alyce Lomax does not own shares of any of the companies mentioned, but The Motley Fool owns shares of American Eagle. The Fool has a disclosure policy.


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After many weeks struggling to use Coranto and a WYSIWYG editor on a MAC no matter what browser I used I eventually found two solutions-
The first is obvious- purchase Parallels and run WinXP on the Mac with IE for the WYSIWYG editor.
The second is MUCH better- install FireFox and use an add-on called BBComposer (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3795) which adds WYSIWYG functionality to any web text box. Just right click in the Coranto text box and away you go. It is as fast and almost as fully featured as the normal editor add-on for Coranto.


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Google Calendar continues to bring new features to the table to make it even easier to use and also make it easier for you to schedule your busy days.
Google has officially announced a new feature called "Find a time," which is built specifically for Google Apps for Work and Edu users. It's a pretty simple concept: Simply tap on the Find a time button and Google Calendar will automatically pick out a time that works best for an upcoming meeting, for yourself and for anyone else that's invited to the meeting.
The app looks through the availability of you and those invited and then picks a few different times for you to select as the final meeting date and time. You'll be able to see colleagues' schedules, too.
For the situations where someone's schedule is just too cramped to make it work, "Find a time" will work to tell you who has the conflicting times and work on a reschedule.
Google is positioning the new feature for Work and Edu users for now, because those groups frequently share their calendars with one another for scheduling purposes. The new feature is rolling out for Android users beginning today.
What do you think of the feature?


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The UFC's second event of 2010, "UFC 109: Relentless," drew 10,753
attendees for a $2,273,000 paid gate at the Mandalay Bay Events Center
in Las Vegas.
Of the total attendance, 3,321 tickets were issued complimentary. An additional 84 tickets went unsold.
Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer today
emailed the official numbers to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).
The attendance was slightly larger than the 10,687 attendees originally
reported by UFC president Dana White at the evening's post-event press
conference, and the live gate was also slightly larger than the $2.27
million the UFC exec shared.
The revenue per ticket of the 7,432 tickets sold for UFC 109 equated to $305.84 each.
"UFC 109: Relentless" featured a heavyweight main event between UFC
Hall-of-Famers Randy Couture and Mark Coleman. Couture finished the
fight with a second-round submission, and Coleman has since been
released by the organization.
The official attendance figure is a slight increase from the UFC's prior visit to the venue, "UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin II," which took
place in November 2009 and drew 10,529 attendees. However, the official gate for UFC 106 netted $3,003,250.
For complete coverage of UFC 109, check out the UFC Events section of MMAjunkie.com.


text:
Hi all,
I'm new to HttpHandlers. I am writing an HttpHandler that reads uploaded files directly from the request stream to provide progress that can be queried using an AJAX request. For large files, this seems to be faster than having ASP.NET load the file contents into Request.Files and then streaming the file from there to wherever it goes (Linq to SQL into a VARBINARY column in an SQL Server database.)
My HttpHandler works perfectly when I'm debugging using the Visual Studio Development Server, but doesn't work otherwise. The application pool for this application in IIS 7 is set to run in Classic Mode, and the Handler Mappings screen in IIS says that I must manage managed handlers in system.web/httpHandlers.
I set up in my applications Web.config file.
<add verb="GET,POST" path="*.upload" type="Namespace.For.UploadHandler, AssemblyForUploadHandler"/>
It works great, so long as I don't debug with the "Use Local IIS Web server" option.
What else do I need to do to get this to work?
View Complete Post
Here is my sample project I am working on.........
Here in this sample project when I view the service "Service1" in browser, it gives the error "The type 'Service1', provided as the Service attribute value in the ServiceHost directive, or provided in the configuration element system.serviceModel/serviceHostingEnvironment/serviceActivations
could not be found."
Here I am trying to use WCF service in Silverlight without adding service reference in silverlight project.
Please anyone help me solve this issue.
Thanks in advance,
Nikhil Thaker
I installed VS2010 Ultimate to test it out but had license for the VS2010 premium only. After uninstalling ultimate and reinstalling VS2010 premium, my SQL Server 2008 now
refuses to connect to my databases stating:
TITLE: Connect to Server
Cannot connect to Q9300\SQL200801.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: ASP.NET 4 and Visual Studio 2010 Web Development Beta 2 Overview Many exciting changes for ASP.NET are coming in the .NET Framework version 4. This document gives an overview of many of the new features that are included in the Beta 2 release of the .NET Framework 4 and of Visual Studio 2010.
This article provides a first look at tools in Visual Studio 2010 designed to support development and deployment of SharePoint 2010 solutions. The article provides an example of designing and deploying a visual Web part.
Steve Fox
MSDN Magazine October 2009
In Visual C++ 10 and the Microsoft .NET Framework 4, Microsoft is introducing new libraries and runtimes to significantly ease the process of expressing parallelism in your code base, together with new tool support for performance analysis and debugging of parallel applications. In this article, you will learn about debugging support in Visual Studio 2010, much of which is focused on task-based programming models.
Stephen Toub, Daniel Moth
MSDN Magazine September 2009
To introduce you to VSTO Power Tools Office interop API extensions, we'll walk through the development of an application that automates Outlook, Excel, and Word.
Andrew Whitechapel, Phillip Hoff, and Vladimir Morozov
MSDN Magazine December 2008
The latest releases of WinDBG and Visual Studio know exactly how to use source server, so its benefits are available to both .NET and native C++ developers. See why this is so important in tracking down bugs.
John Robbins
MSDN Magazine August 2006
Visual Studio 2005 introduces a new model that lets you define your own project templates and starter kits, something developers have been requesting for some time. Here Matt Milner shows you how to consume, create, and customize these templates.
Matt Milner
MSDN Magazine January 2006
Windows Forms 2.0 components expose smart tags by utilizing Designer Actions. By taking advantage of this feature, you can add smart tags to your own custom components to make setting their properties and other actions much easier and developer-friendly.
Michael Weinhardt
MSDN Magazine July 2005
Microsoft is introducing a new suite of tools (code-named "Whitehorse") that will make it easier for you to design and implement systems that conform to a service-oriented architecture. Two of these tools -- the SOA Design Suite and the Class Designer -- support the graphical design of systems and components with support for code generation and support for bi-directional synchronization which lets you ensure that your diagram always represents your system design. This article introduces these tools and shows you how they'll improve your design and development efforts.
Brian A. Randell and Rockford Lhotka
MSDN Magazine July 2004
Ken Spencer
MSDN Magazine April 2002
When developing high-performance applications for the Web, developers often must choose between performance and ease of development. With ATL Server, new with Visual Studio .NET, developers get the best of both worlds. ATL Server uses a tag replacement engine written in C++, provides a simple programming model, and promotes enhanced performance and easy debugging. This article presents an overview of the ATL Server architecture, then creates a basic ATL Server project. It then goes on to explain processing SRF files, HTTP streams, forms, cookies, and header files. Managing session state is also discussed, along with file uploads and performance monitoring.
Shaun McAravey and Ben Hickman
MSDN Magazine October 2000
I just upgraded a web project from VS2008 to VS2010 Ultimate (Windows7 64bit, IE8/Google Chrome. When I run the web project in the development server (by hitting F5) everything acts like it is supposed to except everything comes up blank. Even the directory structure page is blank, just an empty HTML open and close shell. I get no errors no indications of failure, nothing. When I try to use google chrome I get the same blank page no matter where I navigate to, even if I try to navigate to a non-existant location on the dev server. I know the code compiles and acts correctly because I can deploy it to our QA servers without issue. Any ideas?
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text:
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New product
Large stud earrings with pink mystic quartz drops.
Warning: Last items in stock!
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Eye Catching Pink Mystic Quartz Bubble Ear Studs
Large stud earrings with pink mystic quartz drops.
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The large bubble ear studs are quite unusual. I have added larger, soft pink mystic Quartz briolettes that are wire wrapped in solid, oxidised brass.
The gemstones are of exceptional quality, nicely micro faceted in a plump 3D shape and with gorgeous colour.
Total length is 5cm and all metal is solid brass and antique brass finished. The ear studs will come with matching ear nuts.


text:
Buy the Red Book from Rootdig.com and save $8 off
the Ancestry.com price!
World War I Draft Cards of the Rich and Famous
by Michael John Neill
Over 24 million men registered for the World War I draft. The sheer magnitude of this record group warrants attention from any genealogist looking for a man born in the late nineteenth century. These cards represent a vast amount of data and may include information on men not listed in other records.
Sample images of the well-known individuals discussed in this article can be viewed at www.rootdig.com/wwi/.
Record Organization
Genealogists with rural ancestors and those who knew precisely where their urban ancestors lived have typically had less difficulty finding their ancestor's registration card than other researchers. In most non-urban areas registration district borders follow county lines and the alphabetically organized cards are relatively easy to search.
Those with no idea where their relative lived, or who only knew that their family member lived in an urban area, had significantly more difficulty finding the desired card. New York had over 150 registration districts, Chicago had over 75, and most metropolitan areas had dozens of registration districts, each with cards sorted alphabetically for just that district.
In a previous column, "World War I Draft Cards," a draft card search for a Chicago area resident was discussed. It was not an easy search, but fortunately it was successful.
Now There is an Index
There were actually three separate registrations for the World War I draft. Each had a slightly different registration card, but they all asked similar questions. For purposes of discussion, we will classify these cards by the number of questions on the front side of the card. The back of each card asks questions about the soldier's physical characteristics.
The Twelve-Question Card was used for the first registration. Among the questions asked on this card were: name, age, address, date of birth, citizenship status, employment, any dependents, and any military service.
The Ten-Question Card was used for the second registration. Among the questions asked on this card were name, age, address, date and place of birth, father's place of birth, citizenship status, name and address of employer, and name and address of nearest relative.
The Twenty-Question Card was used for the third registration. This card asked for name, age, address, date of birth, citizenship status, race, name and address of employer, name and address of nearest relative. While the question was not asked, in some cases the precise relationship with the "nearest relative" will also be given.
The Registrations
A Few Well-Known People
George Burns--1st registration
Ira Gershiwn--2nd registration
Jack Benny--1st registration
E.E. Cummings--1st registration
Getting to the Cards
Our previous column on the draft cards has more links to finding aids and information on the maps of the registration districts. Next week we will take a look at using the search interface to the World War I draft cards at Ancestry.com.
Michael John Neill is the Course I Coordinator at the Genealogical Institute of Mid America (GIMA) held annually in Springfield, Illinois, and is also on the faculty of Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Illinois. Michael is the Web columnist for the FGS FORUM and is on the editorial board of the Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly. He conducts seminars and lectures on a wide variety of genealogical and computer topics and contributes to several genealogical publications, including Ancestry Magazine and Genealogical Computing. You can e-mail him at email@example.com or visit his website at www.rootdig.com/, but he regrets that he is unable to assist with personal research.
Copyright 2004, MyFamily.com.
This article used by the author on his website with permission


text:
Search the Archive
Search the National Gallery Archive containing records of the Gallery's activities from its foundation in 1824 to the present day. Find out more about the National Gallery Archive.
Record NG60/181
Up to parent record NG60 No child record
|Archive reference number
Poster: Making and Meaning: The Wilton Diptych
|15 Sep-12 Dec 1993
|Record type
|Paintings referenced in this record
Your list will only be saved temporarily. Inactivity of more than an hour could result in the loss of your list. If you would like to keep a record of your list, we suggest you email it to yourself.
Your list of records will be sent to us if you request an appointment, and a summary will be included in your appointment email notification.
© 2018 The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN


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The 885 Integrated Power Amplifier is showcasing itself as the latest integrated amplifier in the 800 series. It is also represents a pinnacle in the consistent technological evolution, and our thriving art, of designing and constructing amplifiers.
It was the AMP1, launched in 1993, which was the first amplifier not to be based on the widespread "operational amplifier" principle, but rather the principle used by the current feedback amplifier ("current mode amplifier"). The 885 is now opening a whole new chapter: the circuit design principle of the "single ended push-pull" amplifier, which has been derived from valve technology, is being employed for the first time ever in a fully-symmetrical transistor amplifier with current feedback. The expert combination of these three sophisticated technologies yields a decisive advantage in audio quality. This means that the 885 masters all varieties of music, from mellow to militant, and its unmitigated aplomb and naturalness are immensely satisfying. Let yourself be astonished!
Dual-mono configuration
Dual-mono configuration
The 885 is comprised of two entirely separate amplifiers which are housed together in one unit. The only connection between the two channels is at the power socket. Each channel is equipped with a 500-watt transformer all of its own. The brilliance of the resulting channel separation ensures an exceedingly vivid stereo sound and generously-phased spatial reproduction.
Symmetrical signal processing
Symmetrical signal processing
Both channels of the 885 are configured in full symmetry. Asymmetrical input signals are also converted into symmetrical signals and adapted to the ideal level using a symmetrical volume attenuator, a standard used in studio technology. The high level of common mode rejection attained using this circuit principle allows a far higher dynamic scope than otherwise possible with asymmetrical circuits. This is an extremely important prerequisite for rendering high-resolution music recordings!
Push-pull output stage
Push-pull output stage
Each channel of the output stage of the 885 is equipped with 8 high load-capacity power transistors. In contrast to standard amplifiers, these transistors are not housed next to each other, but rather in the form of exceptionally low-induction H bridges. This effectively prevents any losses due to eddy currents in the high-frequency range. The result is a exquisitely fine and transparent playback, even at low volumes.
Intelligent quiescent current adjustment
Intelligent quiescent current adjustment
The complete 885 has been produced using "thermal track" power transistors. These transistors feature a diode on the transistor chip which immediately senses the temperature, and instantaneously adjusts the quiescent current to the correct level. This eliminates any quiescent current problems typically encountered by "class AB" power amplifiers.
"Current mode" amplifier
"Current mode" amplifier
The real highlight of the 885 is its amplifier circuit. The fully symmetrical design featuring current feedback is based on an idea originating in the era of the valve amplifier: the "single ended push-pull" amplifier. Utilizing highly linear, special transistors from Japan allowed this principle to be successfully applied to a "current mode" amplifier. The radical reduction in the number of components required, as well as the extremely short signal paths it results in, paves the way for a tremendous increase in audio quality. Meticulous selection of components as well as close-tolerance thin film resistors and low-loss film capacitors contribute the rest, making a previously unparalleled playback quality possible.


text:
DescriptionVery detailed horizontal web dividers most of dividers contains dozens of layers all layers well organized into separate folders and can be edited. All dividers made 1000px wide but you can easily make them longer or shorter by disabling or multiplying layers.
Make sure to chack out these items as well:
Files Included
- 3 PSD files
- Help PDF file


text:
Hondon Villas are pleased to offer for sale this traditional detached villa, standing in enclosed landscaped gardens with private pool. In a peaceful area it is only 5 minutes from all the amenities in the village and has fantastic views of the mountains.
It has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge/dining room with feature fireplace, fitted kitchen. 2 garages, utility room, summer kitchen with barbeque. Air conditioning.


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Recent weakness in emerging market currencies has sparked worries that they could face a bout of pain reminiscent of last year's sell-off, analysts told CNBC.
"Everything seems to be going against emerging market currencies right now," Nizam Idris, currency analyst at Macquarie told CNBC, highlighting a number of headwinds including U.S. dollar strength, China growth worries and structural issues.
Ratings agency Moody's put Brazil's credit rating on negative watch on Tuesday citing tepid economic activity, deteriorating government accounts and declining investor confidence, triggering a sell-off across Latin American currencies. Concerns about U.S. interest rates exacerbated the decline; both the Brazilian real and the Colombian peso have lost around 2 percent against the dollar since Monday.
Read MoreChina to become largest economy by 2024
"The Brazilian real, Colombian peso and Chilean peso all got smashed - I think it sends a message that emerging market and commodity currency rating is probably at the end of that up-cycle," Idris said.
Dollar strength
Most currencies weakened against the U.S. dollar early this week after research from the San Francisco Fed indicated that the central bank may raise rates sooner than investors expected.
"Overall if we do get a scenario where the dollar strengthens more broadly - and we do see that - then it will be pretty hard for most EM currencies to remain resilient... But we don't see as an aggressive sell-off as we saw last year," said Dominic Bunning, currency strategist at HSBC.
"The fact that we are seeing this in countries like Brazil is an indication that some of the broader pressures are building on emerging market currencies because of what's happening in the external picture," he added.