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This was NOT the post I originally planned to show, but on further inspection, I decided it was the one that both Bleubeard and Squiggles needed, especially since Bleubeard got so much blog attention in July. I created this post on December 28, 2014, and many regular visitors have seen it before. Here it is in its entirety. I call it:
Bleubeard and I have THE talk
Recently, Bleubeard and I sat down for a talk. No, not THAT talk. He's too old for THAT talk.Instead, he wanted to tell me how much he has enjoyed and still enjoys being the face of our blog. But he wasn't sure he could keep this up much longer, because he was getting a bit too old to do all the running and jumping and playing in the sun. He and I agreed that we should get a new "Bleubeard in training." We would have a spare, just like the King or Queen of England.
As a bit of a back story, I had put out feelers to all my friends to see if they had a kitten they needed to find a good home for. The criteria included it must be a male, and the person must know the day the kitten was born.
Now I love my friend Sally, but she always wants me to spend money I don't have. She wanted me to go to the Humane Society and buy a kitten for $99.00 (USD). I wouldn't spend that much money on a kitten, especially when there are SO many unloved and unwanted ones in the world. She got her two there, and said in the end, you save money because they are neutered or spayed, and get their first shots. Still, I wasn't going to pay that much for a kitten.
Those of you who are long time readers of my blog, know I've wanted a TV for over a year. Mine quit about a year ago and I used my old 14 inch TV in my office for a year. So one day in October, I stopped into Best Buy and checked on computers. The guys in the computer department acted like I was gum caught under their shoe. They were rude, rude, RUDE, and didn't want to even talk to me, since I was more interested in getting prices and other information than I was in pulling out my checkbook. However, in the TV department, I didn't care if they were rude (which they were), because I found the exact TV I was looking for. Yep, this is the box it came in. No whistles, no bells, just a TV. Just what I was looking for. Remember, I'm the low maintenance gal.
Since I was so close to the Humane Society, I thought I would drop in and see what they had in the way of kittens, because Sally told me they were running a special on kittens, but she wasn't sure how long the "special" lasted.
After filling out an application, I had a look around and saw three kittens, although I wasn't sure any of them was what I was looking for. They (Humane Society staff) left me in a room with three males, and the one that was the scraggliest and most timid appealed to me. He was also the only one they knew the date of his birth. (Ed note: he is 6 weeks and 2 days old in this photo).
For a total of $9.00 (USD), I brought home a kitten that had been neutered, has a chip in his neck so he'll never get lost, has all his shots through the first six months, was sandbox trained (Ed note: a genuine bonus since Bleubeard took nearly a month to sandbox train once I got him home), and has been given pills to make sure he has no worms and fleas. They also gave me a cardboard cat carrier. I saved $90.00 and got all the shots and such he needed to start out his life as "Bleubeard in training." (Ed. note: it's hard to believe that is the same face I fell for at the Humane Society. He got so much cuter once I got him home.)
Granted, neither Bleubeard nor I wanted to call him "Bleubeard in training," so we had to come up with a name for him. It took over a month for me to decide on a name for Bleubeard, so I wanted to get this one a name soon.
BTW, that blue collar I gave him, lasted about two weeks before he chewed it off. Once he got home, learned the lay of the land, and felt safe, all that timidness went away. Unfortunately, he and Bleubeard have not bonded as I had hoped they would. In fact, they refuse to be in the same room together, unless it's time to sleep.
So today, I give you Squiggles. As of November 25th when these photos were shot, he was three months and 10 days old.
Note that he likes to drop things in the communal water bowl, which infuriates Bleubeard. (Ed. note: I tried two water bowls, and if one didn't knock one bowl over, the other did, so I gave up and went back to one water bowl only)
Isn't that pink nose adorable?
That new collar has lasted longer than the first one, at least.
Before I could change the water, he had found something else to drop in it. I'm not sure Squiggles and Bleubeard will ever bond at this rate.
So much for the TALK, Bleubeard. I'm not sure it was a good idea after all, but we'll both learn to love Squiggles over time, I'm sure. I hope you, too, will learn to love, or at least like, Squiggles as much as you all seem to love Bleubeard.
Now it's time to share your Second on the 2nd. The rules are quite simple and everyone is welcome to join the fun look back. All you have to do is bring back a post that you are especially proud of, or perhaps one you shared before anyone knew your blog existed. Any post, any genre, any artistic endeavor is acceptable. Then link below (direct links only, please) and Bleubeard and I, along with other Second on the 2nd friends, will be by to visit. Please be aware this link is only open for five days, so linking on the 2nd is preferred.


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Emma Watson was given a surprise graduation gift by Ellen DeGeneres when she made an appearance on the host's chat show.
The Harry Potter actress, 23, is due to leave Brown University in May after having extended her graduation date by a year.
Donning a pretty pink crop top and tight black skirt, Emma excitedly opened her amusing present from Ellen and fellow co-host Jason Bateman.
"Jason bought it," said the comedian, handing Emma a brown paper bag. The English beauty pulled out a bright blue silk graduation hat, with the phrase "I ♥ Ellen" emblazoned across it.
"Thank you," laughed Emma as she tried it on. "This will be good for the real thing."
"And you won't stand out that's the great thing," said Ellen.
The child star also spoke about her university experience during the interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
"I guess everyone in their freshman year is nervous and figuring it all out," said Emma. "I think people kind of took pity on me. She's English, she doesn't really know where she's going. And Brown were weirdly protective of me. They saw it as their role to help me have that experience. I can't really explain it."
The Noah actress added that with her extended graduation date, her dad liked to make fun of her.
"So in America you guys graduate in four years and I graduate in five," said Emma. "I took two whole semesters off and then I worked during all of my breaks.
"My parents can't really get their heads around it. In England we graduate in three years and my dad's like, 'When is this happening When is graduation because you've been doing this now for ages' He's very impatient."
Emma confirms romance with Oxford rugby student
Emma also revealed that she is a bit of hoarder and "one of those people that just keeps everything." The Paris-born starlet has 30 journals and has been recording her thoughts at night since the start of her acting career.
"When I got the Harry Potter part, it was my grandparents who said, 'You should write down what it was like to audition, what it was like when you found out you got the part so that you don't forget,'" said Emma. "And I just kept it going."

subset: commoncrawl


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Though a majority of people choose to marry in the spring and summer, autumn provides vibrant colors that are lovely in photographs! The Engagement Photo The Bride The Bouquet The Boutonniere The Couple The Rings The Ceremony The Cake The Favors … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: September 2012
Will you marry me?
What better way to kick off a wedding blog than with a proposal, right? Personally, I'm a sucker for the traditional "down on one knee" proposal. But, wanna know what I love even more? The bride's face when he pops … Continue reading


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Breakthrough Prayer Initiative (one-session training)
Every new movement of church renewal always begins through prayer, asking God to bring new possibilities and hope. Learn how to lay a foundation of churchwide prayer that will move your congregation from looking down and in, to up and out! identical Traction Track single sessions are available. Learn more about the Breakthrough Prayer Initiative here.
The Breakthrough Prayer Initiative is led by Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey, West Ohio Conference Director of Missional Church Development. Many churches have asked Rev. Nilson Kibbey to come and present Breakthrough Prayer at their churches. Use this as your opportunity to sign up several members from your congregation. Take a short drive and spend the day together! It will be well worth your time and trip. Learn more and sign-up.
Registration links for sessions are below:
Saturday, March 17, 9 am-2 pm; Host location is Forest Park United Methodist Church, Lima (NWP district) Register here.
Sunday, March 18, 2-7 pm; Host location Wesley United Methodist Church, Bryan (NWP district) Register here.


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Israel Tours
Israel Tours and Israel Vacation Packages
Christian Israel Tours | 2019/2020
The Travel the Biblical Stories tour is our most popular, Christian tour to Israel. As Israel Tours leads you through the Holy Land, you will become acquainted with the most significant biblical and historical sites as well as modern Israel. This eye opening spiritual journey that will connect you to your faith in a truly unforgettable experience as the events of scripture come to life. Let us introduce you to God's Promised Land.
The biblical wonders of Jordan and Israel are yours to discover on our 12-day tour, Both Sides of the River Jordan. First you will explore Israel, the land where Jesus was born, lived, healed, ministered and died. You will find yourself amongst the most important sites of the Bible, from the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane. Then you will travel to Jordan, where you will visit the some of the most popular destinations in Jordan such as Madaba, Mt. Nebo, and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the breathtaking city of Petra.
For those who want to see it all, our Into the Promised Land tour will guide you through Egypt, Jordan, and Israel on a 15-day once in a lifetime journey. You will begin by following in the steps of Moses along the biblical Exodus through Egypt and Jordan. Then you will enter into God's Promised Land of Israel. Here you will walk in Jesus' footsteps and visit the most significant biblical sites. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, let us take you on an unforgettable spiritual journey.
Israel Tours is proud to work with hundreds pastors and church leaders to organize customized private Church groups every year. A visit to God's Promised Land is the single greatest supplement to the study of scripture as well as a truly unforgettable experience. Let us take care of all the planning so that your congregation can focus their attention on fully embracing this spiritual journey through Israel.
Jewish Israel Tours | 2019/2020 Back to Top
Connect to your Jewish roots on the 11-day New Jewish Heritage Tour. This fully escorted Jewish tour to Israel offers a wonderful introduction to God's Promised Land. You will become acquainted with the many cultural, biblical, and historical sites that Israel has to offer. From Tel Aviv and Haifa to the Golan Heights and Dead Sea, explore Israel and watch your faith come alive. Join us on the journey of a lifetime!
For those who want to explore all that the New Jewish Heritage Tour has to offer as well as the Negev Desert in southern Israel, the In Depth Jewish Heritage Tour is the perfect choice. This 14-day tour not only visits the well-known sites of Israel's northern cities, but also explores the sites of the Negev Desert and Eilat, including Sde Boker, Timna Valley, and the Ramon Crater. There is even the opportunity to venture into Jordan to visit the city of Petra.
Those with an interest in exploring the vast amount of Jewish culture and history in Tel Aviv should consider the Grand Jewish Heritage Tour. This 13-day visits all of the sites of the New Jewish Heritage Tour with an extended itinerary in Tel Aviv to uncover the city at a deeper level by visiting additional modern and historical sites that this incredible city has to offer.
Get the most of your time in Israel by joining the Ultimate Jewish Heritage Tour. This 16-day tour makes the most out of your visit by providing you with an itinerary that spans the entire country of Israel from Haifa in the north to Eilat in the south. You will experience the heart and history of the Jewish people as you travel through God's Promised Land exploring the most important biblical and historical sites along with the culture of modern Israel.
General Israel Tours | 2019/2020 Back to Top
Visit a truly well rounded combination of Jewish and Christian sites on our fully escorted New Classical Israel Tour. This 11-day tour will give you the opportunity to visit the synagogues of Safed, explore Nazareth, take a jeep ride in the Golan Heights, and even sip wine at an Israeli winery. There is something to satisfy everyone on this tour as it encompasses historical, spiritual, and cultural interests. Let Israel Tours introduce you to God's Promised Land.
For those desiring to explore the Jewish and Christian sites of Israel from north-to-south, the In Depth Classical tour's itinerary will be a wonderful choice. This tour was designed with an itinerary to please those who are seeking to visit a balanced mix between Jewish and Christian sites. While visiting all of the sites of the New Classical Israel Tour as well as exploring the Negev Desert and Eilat in the south, you will be amazed by how much you will see without feeling overwhelmed.
This 16-day will help you make the most out of your time in Israel. For the traveler who does not want to miss a thing, the Ultimate Classical Israel Tour is the ideal choice for you. Explore Israel to the fullest by visiting a combination of both Jewish and Christian sites from Tel Aviv to the Golan Heights, and from the Dead Sea to Eilat. This tour visits all of the sites of the In Depth Classical Israel Tour but adds a more in depth itinerary in Tel Aviv to capture more of what this incredible city has to offer.
For those who are seeking the most well rounded tour possible, this 16-day tour to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel is the ideal choice. The Complete Classical Journey visits the most significant Jewish and Christian sites of all three countries. On this tour you truly can see and do it all! Ride a camel while gazing at the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, explore the spectacular city of Petra in Jordan, and float in the Dead Sea in Israel. Join us on a journey that you will never forget!


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April 2, 2008
Re: Mena Williams
To Whom It May Concern:
Ms. Williams, a pleasant and articulate 41-year old woman, has been a patient at Lyme Resource Medical, P.C., since June 5, 2007, when she presented with symptoms including (but not limited to) severe insomnia, abdominal pain, joint pain, leg pain, heart palpitations, neurocognitive deficits, extreme fatigue and depression. A copy of her complete Lyme symptoms check list has been attached.
Blood work from LabCorp in June 2007 revealed a low CD57 of 36 (normal range 60-360), reflecting suppressed immune function as reflected in natural killer cell activity. This finding is common among chronic Lyme patients. A copy of the lab report is enclosed.
Ms. Williams had previously been diagnosed with Borreliosis (Lyme disease) in 2003 by Dr. Joseph Burruscano, and had been seen by many other physicians and specialists prior to her first visit to our practice. The diagnosis was confirmed in December of 2003 by positive Lyme IgG and IgM Western blot from Igenex, Inc. (copies enclosed). Her increasingly severe symptoms resulted in her stopping work as a research biochemist in December of 2005.
Post-Lyme syndrome, including post-Lyme encephalopathy, is a possible explanation for Ms. Williams' multiple neurocognitive deficits. A SPECT scan of her brain, done at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in September 2005, revealed a moderate to severe decrease in cerebral cortical perfusion, findings consistent with Lyme encephalopathy. Please find a copy of the report attached.
Despite treatment with a variety of oral and intravenous antibiotics, Ms. Williams continued to experience worsening symptoms. Her sleep was severely disturbed, resulting in vastly reduced ability to perform tasks. A sleep study done on June 11, 2007, at Cornell University/New York Presbyterian Hospital shows significant abnormalities, including severe sleep onset difficulties, severely reduced sleep time, and non-restorative sleep. Please find a copy of this study enclosed.
Sleep medications prescribed for Ms. Williams include Ambien, Klonopin, Xanax, Trazodone, Remeron, and Xyrem. Unfortunately, these medications have provided scant relief of her insomnia, while leaving her groggy and unable to concentrate and function when she is awake. She also suffers from daytime sleepiness.
Closely linked to her chronic persistent insomnia is Ms. Williams' extreme fatigue. She has been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. Again, an inability to perform tasks is a consequence of this condition.
A neuropsychological evaluation performed at Columbia University Medical Center on July 7, 2007, found Ms. Williams to be a woman of superior intelligence with impairments in processing speed, attention and memory. In addition to significant decline in memory and concentration, the evaluation noted prominent depression and mood problems. A copy of the report is enclosed.
Ms. Williams scored in the severe range on both the Beck Depression and Zung Anxiety Scales. This represents a departure from her cheerful and industrious approach to life before her illness. Ms. Williams' illness appears to have induced a treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. She has tried several antidepressants, and currently takes Amitriptyline (Elavil) and mirtazapine (Remeron) without significant relief of symptoms.
She also suffers from severe and poorly controlled pain, particularly left-sided abdominal pain and pain in her left leg. She has been prescribed Oxycodone and Tramadol for this pain, medications which result in further impairment of ability to perform tasks.
Treatment with intravenous Doxycycline 100 mg bid was initiated on August 30, 2007. During the fall Ms. Williams demonstrated significant improvement, with lessening of abdominal pain, moderately improved sleep, and improved ability to concentrate, and decrease anxiety. Unfortunately, as is often the case with persistent Lyme infection, her illness continues to follow a relapsing and remitting course. In the past several weeks she experienced an increase in symptoms including sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal problems, sinusitis, fatigue and loss of energy.
Despite her dedicated search for effective treatment, Ms. Williams has been unable to recover her health and stamina to the point where she could meet the demand of any job.
Due to the severity, persistence and chronic nature of her symptoms, her prognosis is guarded. It remains uncertain that Ms Williams will ever regain her ability to sustain employment.
Upon review of Ms Williams' history it is apparent that a patient with such obvious and well-documented impairments has long been eligible for disability. Indeed, the question here should not be whether Ms. Williams' qualifies for disability benefits, but why she has not received such benefits already.
Please contact our office if we may be of further assistance regarding Ms. Williams.
Bernard D. Raxlen, MD Carolyn B. Welcome, PA-C


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Paula Garland
Paula Garland stayed at Ronald McDonald House Camberwell when her youngest son Joshua was diagnosed with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) and had to undergo pioneering surgery. Staying in the House enabled Paula to be close to new born Joshua and also for the whole family to come and stay, including her older son Samuel. Paula recalls the moment she felt touched by the loving care of the House staff.


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This is a name that was just posted for a plant on the First Look Hosta Auction. The plant is one out of Art Wrede's work and Roger Smith gave it a name and donated it. I have been posting pictures of its flowers on this forum for a few years under the "label" #114. That was Art's designation for this plant.
Hosta Registry - not registered
MyHostas Database - http://www.myhostas.be/db/hostas/Otter+Point
Hosta Library - http://www.hostalibrary.org/o/otterpoint.html
I'm lucky enough to have a couple plants. Here is the plant in 2012.
Here it is in 2013.


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In this video, Grow Pot Cheaply shows us his indoor garden where he has cannabis plants that are nearly 6-feet tall!
Video Submitted By: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvsRvJ0B2hqdlhb9tZokdXA
Mr. Grow It Website: http://www.mrgrowit.com
Twitter and Facebook: @MrGrowIt
►Beginner eBook!: https://goo.gl/qSTijs
7 Steps To Grow Cannabis – Written by me! 🙂
►Advanced eBook!: https://goo.gl/7j6Mqi
Growing Elite Marijuana – Written by cultivation expert Ryan Riley!
►Grow Equipment: https://goo.gl/dC6PeQ
The BEST tools and equipment for growing!
►Get seeds: https://goo.gl/UPH2EC
Seeds from 3 reliable seed banks! HUGE variety and good deals!
Just Grow It is a Community Channel. Viewers submit videos and the best videos get featured.
SUBMISSION: If you want to submit a video to this YouTube channel, simply fill in the SUBMIT form located on our website at: www.MrGrowIt.com/submit
If you are a business and would like to sponsor us or advertise with us, please email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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The Government today will reveal plans to boost New Zealand's electric car industry, but don't expect ministers to give up their BMWs just yet.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges and Prime Minister John Key will reveal what's in store in the upcoming Budget at the Auckland War Memorial Museum this afternoon.
Mr Key this morning told More FM it would be "win-win all the way round".
"We're on 80 percent renewable energy, on our way to 90 percent renewable. An electric car, in the context of New Zealand, is a great thing because it removes all the emissions that would have come from all the petrol or diesel-fuelled vehicle. It's zero emissions."
That's assuming the electricity used to "fill" the car is renewable. Coal-powered Huntly Power Station was set to close in 2018, owner Genesis recently signed deals to keep it open until 2022.
Mr Bridges, who is also Energy and Resources Minister, said the coal units will only be used as a backup power supply. The Greens are calling it a "total smokescreen", with MP Gareth Hughes in Parliament on Tuesday saying Huntly was burning coal "all day yesterday and at near capacity".
Mr Bridges' response was that Huntly used to provide 12 percent of the country's electricity needs, now down to 2.6 percent.
Asked whether ministers would swap their $200,000 BMW 730s for electric cars, Mr Key said he thinks it will happen "over time".
But for now, the Government will be looking at some of the "self-drives" ministers have access to -- meaning cars they drive themselves, not self-driving cars.
Mr Key told More FM he personally doesn't drive himself.
The Government last updated its BMW fleet in 2015, only three years after its last upgrade.


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Last week I shared my last layout with the October Hip Kit. I used a leftover exclusive cut file to begin the foundation of my page with my "photo block" and from there I embellished away! Yep, I totally love embellishments.
You can find me on the Hip Kit Blog today sharing my first page with the November kit!
Hope to see you there!


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Intercity bus transportation in the contiguous United States has enjoyed a recent upsurge in popular recognition and support, coupled with steady and respectable ridership growth. Government agencies at all levels are recognizing the vital importance of bus service to a seamless and user-friendly intercity public transportation network linking major cities with each other and with small-town America. Riders increasingly enjoy clean, late model buses with on-board amenities such as wi-fi and movies along with comfortable, secure, often intermodal terminals. This growth, recognition and improvement, while encouraging, is uneven. Private expansion is mostly limited to an explosion of "express" services, in cutthroat competition with each other, in already crowded markets. Government supported expansion to and through deeply rural areas ranges from strong to non-existent depending on the desires of representative state and local governments.
The resultant intercity ground public transportation network has an over representation in a few large markets with an unacceptably long list of substantial communities in deep isolation from it elsewhere. Route and schedule information, while readily available is usually biased, and may not always be easy to find. Consequently, the individual planning a trip may erroneously assume that no service is available to their community, or they have to endure a time-consuming, circuitous, transfer laden journey around a direct carrier they are unaware of. These reasons, along with numerous missed intermodal opportunities nationwide, discourage additional potential ridership.
The goal of our organization and website is to promote use, continue fostering a positive perception, and encourage future expansion of the current intercity bus system in the contiguous United States of America. This website will therefore always be a source of free, current, unbiased information for the general public to find stations, link to carriers, and determine information on how they interconnect. We will promote expansion of routes and stops especially in severely isolated regions, and we will support acceleration of the trend toward corridor expansion and intermodalism in the United States.
The intercity bus system is a vital part of the American public transportation network. The current expansion and improvements must be encouraged, supported and increased.


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Breaking Waves Dance Show Returns for the Sixth Year
Folkestone Academy hosted their sixth annual Breaking Waves Dance Showcase with 16 schools and dance schools from Folkestone, Dover, Canterbury, Ashford, Maidstone and Thanet taking part. The show returned to the Leas Cliff Hall on Wednesday 2nd May and guests saw a variety of performances from over 200 young people between 3 and 18 years old.
Following the success of last year's show, the event was kindly awarded another free day at the Leas Cliff Hall by Shepway District Council, allowing more people from the wider community to attend. All profits raised from the show is planned to be donated to The Folkestone Youth Project known as The Shed as part of an initiative to support young people in the community.
Patricia Cullen, Head of Dance at The Academy, organised the event over the past 6 months working with schools from all over East Kent. The evening combined all genres of dance including jazz, urban, commercial, lyrical and contemporary. This was delivered as a collaborative event with confirmed secondary school performers from Folkestone Academy; Dane Court Grammar School, Broadstairs; Brockhill Performing Arts College, Hythe; Spires Academy, Canterbury; Astor College, Dover and Folkestone School for Girls
There were also performances by Sixth Form students from the Glassworks Sixth Form Centre and pupils from 4 Primary Schools, Folkestone Primary Academy; Barham Primary School, Canterbury; St Eanswythe's CE Primary, Folkestone and Hawkinge Primary School/Apple Dance Company. Finally 5 dance schools including Instep Dance Company, Studio Six and Julia's School, Zenzero Performing Arts School and Baby Ballet Folkestone.
Patricia Cullen comments: "This was the best show yet! I would like to personally thank Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee and Shepway District Council for organising this for us. Having the show in this great venue allows us to expose more people to the high standard of dance we have in this area. We showcased the best of dance our young people have to offer, I'm very proud of what we achieved!"


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BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – John Stratton, president of Verizon Enterprise Solutions, has named Siki Giunta to lead the unit's global cloud practice.
In her new role, Giunta is responsible for Verizon's end-to-end global cloud ecosystem, as well as technology convergence and connected solutions through the company's wireline and wireless networks. She leads a global team of cloud and data center professionals to bring the new Verizon Cloud to market, ensuring clients can harness this enterprise-class platform to unlock the value of their data, and access it where and when they need it.
Stratton noted: "Siki's passion for innovation and her broad technology-development background will be a great asset for corporations and government organizations looking to harness enterprise-class cloud services from Verizon. Our cloud, data center and connected solutions portfolio is a major focus for the business, and Siki's leadership and global outlook will help us stay ahead of this fast-changing environment."
Giunta brings to Verizon more than 20 years of international operations, sales and marketing experience in the cloud and emerging technology sectors. Most recently, she led CSC's global cloud business; previously she served as CEO for both Fortisphere and Managed Objects. She has been on leadership teams of Novell, OS/390, CA and Synapse Corp.
Verizon Enterprise Solutions is a leading provider of advanced IT and communications services to enterprise and governments around the world. Visit Verizon Enterprise Solutions for more information.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with nearly 103 million retail connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries. A Dow 30 company with more than $120 billion in 2013 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 176,800. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
Verizon Enterprise Solutions Online News Center: News releases, blog posts, media contacts and other information are available in Verizon Enterprise Solutions' online News Center at http://www.verizonenterprise.com/about/news. News from Verizon Enterprise Solutions is also available through an RSS feed at http://www.verizonenterprise.com/rss-options/.


text: When most people think of special occasion Disney Pandora charms jewelry, they think of rings, necklaces, and earrings. These are very common gifts, and are often the go to choices for many people when it comes to finding a generic or a very special gift. The jewelry piece that many people may overlook is the charm bracelet. While these have come in and out of fashion over the years, they are still a timeless piece of jewelry that can be worn daily or taken out and admired from time to time. Lots of women have sentimental charm bracelets that have been passed down to them from their grandmothers, mothers, or aunts. These bracelets can serve as a physical reminder of family stories and memories. They may not have much value as far as money goes, but the sentimental value makes them priceless. If you want to begin a charm bracelet that you can pass on to your daughter or granddaughter, the options are endless. The first thing you will need to do is choose a base that is pretty neutral and will endure through changing fashion trends as well as remain strong and beautiful over the years. Silver is usually a good choice for this, as it never goes out of style and is stronger than gold.To start your pandora disney charms salebracelet, begin by thinking about something that is specifically oriented around you or your family. You could start with something like a family initial or a symbol that portrays what is important to your family, such as a religious icon. As you add to your charm bracelet, you can buy charms that show your personal qualities and likes. For example, if you are a nurse, you could add an RN insignia. If you are an artist, a little palette or paintbrush could be added. If you really like tea or coffee, add a mug or tea cup. If you want to keep it a little less about yourself and more about your family, you could add things like the birthstones of family members, the year of a marriage or birth, or maybe something like a breast cancer ribbon to celebrate a family member who has beat cancer. Whether you want your bracelet to tell family stories in general or stories about you specifically, there are thousands of options to choose from to make a special heirloom that can be passed down over many generations.A bracelet made cheap authentic pandora charmsof beads can be quite plain, or it might be something spectacular. This is especially true if it is a custom bead bracelet. The reason that such beads make for incredible jewelry is that they come in an impressive range of styles, designs, and materials. For example, it is relatively easy for someone to create a bead charm bracelet full of figures, spacers, and beads that symbolize all kinds of relevant issues in their life. This might include a bracelet created to mark their wedding day, their sixteenth birthday, their love of shopping, their interest in reading, and just about anything else. Consider that a woman who is a true lover of animals could create a bead bracelet full of sterling silver creatures from the land, air, and sea. The same person might want to display a love of all things western and enjoy a bracelet made from gold and semi-precious charms and beads that easily depict such an interest. Perhaps the best thing about a bead bracelet (or necklace for that matter) is the fact that it can be built on a wide array of materials. For instance, the woman who wanted to make the western themed bracelet or necklace could select from a variety of braided leather bands on which to string the turquoise, gold, and wooden charms and beads.Another benefit to the use of beads cheap pandora disney charmsis the fact that the spacers are so stylish and unique as well. Instead of a plain piece of chain in between the charms, the wearer can slide a few bands of gold, a beautifully ornamental glass bead, or even a very decorative and sculptural bead as well. This allows the overall theme of the piece to remain uninterrupted by something which looks or seems a bit out of sync. A bead bracelet doesn't have to lack charm or personal appeal when it is made using components. They are so customizable and unique as to make excellent fashion statements, but they are also the ideal gifts and give someone a great way to begin creating an individual and original piece of jewelry of their own. They might also decide to select from the colored cotton cords that create an earthier and more eclectic look too. Additionally, there are 14k gold and sterling silver chains upon which a bracelet can be built as well.


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This is a response I had to write about "The Linguists," a film we just watched in my Phonology class. For anyone remotely interested in languages or anthropology, check it out by clicking here!
Before watching "The Linguists," I had read a few things about the endangered languages of the world. One book I remember reading was titled, "When Languages Die." After checking online, I realized David Harrison, the author of the book, was also featured in the film. Reading the book sparked an interest in me, however watching the movie gave me a different perspective and made me think about my own career aspirations in Linguistics.
The thing that has always interested me about Linguistics isn't necessarily the technical or structural aspect, but rather the cultural aspect. One of the best points in the movie was watching the community members from the small Siberian village create the children's book in the Chulym language. The narrator highlighted what I've been told and come to fully understand through my study of Linguistics; when a language dies, a culture is lost as well. Although the scenario is most definitely impossible in my lifetime, I wondered what it might be like to be the last speaker of English on earth. Obviously, we as people trained in the field of Linguistics have an important role in the fate of these languages and cultures.
I have never seen myself being a Linguistics professor or even doing much research or fieldwork. However, I'm beginning to be more open to the possibility. After college, my plan is to become a Peace Corps volunteer, most likely in an English teaching position somewhere in the South Pacific. Sometimes I wonder whether I would be doing more harm than good in promoting the English language on the other side of the world. During the movie, someone talks about how many speakers of an endangered language don't value its importance. They abandon it and become ashamed of the language they grew up speaking. I realized, especially after watching "The Linguists," my responsibility in sharing my appreciation of linguistic diversity. An opportunity like the Peace Corps should not only be about teaching English, but also promoting a sense of pride and appreciation in and for my hosts.


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WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 - The Bush administration is struggling to maintain a united front with its European and Arab allies to stick to a warning to cut off financial aid to the Palestinian Authority if Hamas does not renounce its anti-Israel positions, American officials said Thursday.
A trip to the Middle East next week by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is intended in part to make sure that Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations do not try to make up the difference if the West cuts off its portion of the $1 billion a year of outside assistance that has kept the Palestinian Authority afloat.
American officials said the United States had conveyed similar concerns to the Europeans, who fear turmoil in Gaza and the West Bank if aid is cut off and tens of thousands of Palestinians, including armed security forces, are thrown out of work.
The next step for the administration, a senior State Department official said, is to "convince everyone that now that we've set the goal, we have to apply pressure and see it through. But we're going through a period of uncertainty and we're going to have to learn to live with it."
The Hamas-dominated Palestinian Legislative Council is to be installed Saturday in Ramallah, but American and European officials say the decision on aid will not be made until an actual government is formed and its manifesto becomes clear. That could be weeks or months away, some officials said.Continue reading the main story
The American and European diplomats said there was no open break over the demands being made of Hamas. Rather, they said, what has emerged is an underlying difference in approach. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak on the record about the difficulties of maintaining unity on this issue.
A call for Hamas to renounce its past positions came last month from the United States and its partners in the so-called Quartet -- Russia, the United Nations and the European Union -- which has overseen Middle East negotiations since 2002.
But there was no explicit vow in their statement to cut off aid, only a suggestion that individual donors would "review" their assistance if Hamas did not renounce violence, recognize Israel and accept existing agreements with Israel, including the pledge to negotiate establishment of a Palestinian state living at peace with Israel.
Where the American administration is issuing warnings, the European Union hopes for a solution that would avert a confrontation with the West. On Thursday, for example, Javier Solana, the top foreign policy envoy of the European Union, said in Ramallah, the provisional Palestinian capital: "I wish to underline that the European Union will not abandon the Palestinian people. We have never done so and we never will."
Once a Hamas-led government takes power, he added, "we will see what is its composition and program. Further decisions will be taken accordingly, on means and ways that allow the E.U. to continue supporting the people."
But in an interview last week the German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, when asked what the Europeans should do about the issue, said it was first up to the Israelis to decide how to deal with a Hamas-led government.
Israel has said that it will cut off the delivery of vital tax and customs payments that it now collects for the Palestinian Authority, though it let one payment go through earlier this month.
What this kind of talk means, European and American officials say, is that many European donors would be likely to send the Palestinian Authority money through programs of the United Nations or nongovernment organizations, or perhaps to ministries like water or sanitation if they were run by technocrats not affiliated with Hamas.
The United States, on the other hand, has if anything hardened its position, partly because of growing pressure in Congress. Not only has the administration warned that it would cut off aid; it has demanded that the Palestinians return $50 million in American aid for reconstruction projects run by Palestinian ministries this year, if Hamas takes power and does not change its ways.
Secretary Rice repeated this week that the Bush administration did not wish to damage the welfare of Palestinians and would continue food and subsistence aid, presumably including aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, which gets about $85 million a year from the United States.
According to the latest World Bank figures, international contributions to the Palestinian Authority amount to a little more than $1 billion a year. Most of this goes to relief for the poor and to reconstruction projects. If Europeans continue making payments to the Palestinians, they are likely to be in these areas.
But the Palestinian Authority operating budget is about $1.9 billion a year, and it is $750 million in the red. Currently Europeans make up about half of that deficit; the rest is covered by deferral of payments, bank loans and sales of assets.
The Palestinian Authority employs about 140,000 people, including 58,000 security personnel. Some Europeans say throwing them out of work would be analogous to dismantling the Iraqi Army after the invasion in 2003, sending into the street armed men who might then join radical militias.
"For us, it's going to be very difficult to sit by and not to do anything if the Palestinian people seem to be suffering from a blockade," said a European official. "Unless this situation is managed, we're going to have a problem. It's clear that Europeans don't want chaos in the Palestinian territories."Continue reading the main story


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DJ Burnout – Sexy Hooptees (Afrojack / R3hab / Dada Life / LMFAO / Archie.V / Lyrikill / Duck Sauce)January 23rd, 2012 by Burnout | Mashup |
Happy Mashup Monday! For this week, I have a very sexy mashup featuring LMFAO, Afrojack, and Dada Life, just to name a few. Listen & Download Below and check out the DJ Burnout page!


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Gary Adcock joined Palmers in February 2008. After starting his career in Hampshire, where he was born, Gary has been working in industry for over 25 years. He says he 'hugely values being part of the Palmers Brewery team because it is an increasingly rare opportunity to be part of a family run business where people are a priority.'
A passion for surfing and the outdoors brought him to the West Country over 20 years ago and Gary and his wife are now settled in the Blackdown Hills, breeding rare breed sheep, pigs and poultry. Still active in competitive kayak surfing after over three decades of competing, Gary can frequently be seen on the south and west coasts enjoying all that the region has to offer.


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1947: UN Partition Plan
During World War II, 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust. Largely because of this, the United Nations voted to divide Palestine into two nations, one for Arabs, and one for Jews.
The Arab state consisted of the Gaza Strip in the west, the West Bank in the east, and part of northern Israel; the Jewish state was composed of the rest of Palestine. Arabs did not accept this plan; Jews did.
More Maps:


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ebay is an online auction and shopping site. The site was started in 1995 with just the auction site but has since grown to include retailers, ebay Motors, Half.com. Users can buy and sell just about anything they want worldwide on ebay. The corporation also owns Paypal. - [Read more]
Amazon, a pioneer in ecommerce, is the gigantic online store that began with books, added music, and now sells just about everything else. It is also affiliated with several retail sellers such as Target and others. The site also provides sources for other businesses such as out-of-book and antique dealers to sell their wares. - [Read more]
Authorize is a gateway payment authorizer which allows businesses to accept credit card and electronic check payments through their web sites. According to the website, over 185,000 merchants use Authorize. The website describes the product in detail and also how it can be purchased. - [Read more]
A large online import-export marketplace, founded in 1999, Alibaba operates out of China. There are also offices in other cities around the world. The website describes its operations which give small businesses access to goods and services from around the world and also a marketplace for their own products. The website also describes how Alibaba works with trade show organizers. - [Read more]
CafePress was launched in 1999. It is an online store that sells customizable products like t-shirts and caps to organizations, individuals, and businesses. Other retailers who create products can sell on this site as well. The website provides information about all products and services. - [Read more]
osCommerce is an online shop e-commerce solution that offers a wide range features that allows online stores to be set up quickly and with ease. It is available as an open-source based solution. Users can also shop at some of the estores listed on the website. - [Read more]
The ProStores website provides a one-stop place for users to set up their own ecommerce businesses. It takes the user through design, setup, and maintenance with several plans to choose from. The programs can also be used with stores that have already been set-up. Useful for businesses connected to ebay and paypal as well. Complete information and directions for subscribing on the website. - [Read more]
Electronic commerce, also known as ecommerce, consists of the buying and selling of goods and services by means of electronic systems and devices. This electronic commerce directory lists electronic commerce solution providers that are located throughout the USA. Each ecommerce solution provider listing includes a website link and contact information. - [Read more]
This is the Ecommerce Internet category.


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Dominant Social Theme: These Too-Big-Fail corporations and financial firms must be supported by the government and by the people's taxes. Free-Market Analysis: It used to be in the US that you were on your own, at least when it came to building a business. If it succeeded, great – if not, then ... too bad. But not anymore. Now there are too-big-too-fail companies that are so designated by the US regulatory authorities. These are companies that must be supported by the US taxpayer because if they topple, the system as it is currently positioned will topple, too. This is merely an expansion of the US ideology of empire, so it can't be too surprising. But nonetheless it is further unwelcome evidence that the US has in a sense passed the point of no return. Ther tipping point has been reached. The rulers have seized the initiative. The ruled are being despoiled. The best thing that could happen now would be for the system to essentially disintegrate. It will anyway.
Read the rest here
The Daily Bell


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Christopher Everard added 2 new photos.
Yesterday ·
ROMAN ERA earthenware bowl, dating from around 54 AD which I discovered in a private collection in the south of France - has a design of a Crop Circle and is in a region famed for regular UFO activity. Other bowls found in the same location have designs featuring the Cubensis family of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Potions were drunk at ceremonies from cups with peculiar and strange face designs which resemble the classic 'Grey Alien'. Drop me a message if you want to join one of my expeditions.
This is a crop circle plonked directly in top of an ancient Tumulus mound - dates back to 2,450 BC or more
The problem is once again Everard is NO researcher because if he actually ever bothered to research anything he would have known that the photo he shows at the bottom is a man-made circle! And how do I know this? Because I asked the person who made that circle! I will let the artist of that circle tell you himself.
But, once again, Everard shows what an imbecile and fraud he is. Oh, and according to the text of his Facebook post, he seems to be attempting to organize more "expeditions." I hope he doesn't mean "crop circle expeditions" because I think if he tried that he would be in for a rude awakening from actual circle artists. And they would expose his little attempt at yet another over-priced "expedition." That would be hilarious to film Everard attempting to give one of his "lectures on the hoof" inside a man-made crop circle and record the inordinate amount of BS spewing from his mouth HAHA And then have the police there to arrest Everard for his other crimes. Hmmmm, now that I think about it, I hope he does attempt an "expedition." Then he will be exposed and arrested in one go! HAHAHAHA


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Top 10 Wackiest Green Concept Cars of 2008
Concept cars don't have to be practical. They only have to challenge our imagination about the future of cars—and look really cool. And these days, cool means green. This year produced more wild and wacky green concepts than ever. Technology themes include:
- Small lightweight and aerodynamic designs
- Greater use of natural and recyclable materials
- Gas-free electric drivetrains often powered by rooftop solar panels
Enjoy our list of the top 10 coolest and wackiest green concept cars from 2008.
1The Helios Lizard Car
Kim Gu-Han of Universitat Dulsburg-Essen, Germany, wants to build a solar-powered car that can charge itself entirely from the sun. The problem is the limited space for photovoltaic panels on a car's roof. The Helios overcomes that limitation by acting like a frill-neck lizard. When stationary, the off-road vehicle can unfurl a large set of photovoltaic cells to produce enough energy to run the car, with excess energy for home power. The Helios won Best Use of Technology category at the Interior Motives Design Awards 2008.
2BamGoo Electric Bamboo Car
The body of the BamGoo is made out of bamboo. Designers from Kyoto University, and the City of Kyoto (home to the famous environmental protocols), demonstrated how organic material like bamboo—which is light, very strong and grows very fast—might be incorporated into car design. The single-seat all-electric car weighs on 130 pounds and can travel 30 miles on a charge.
3Lotus Motors Hemp Eco-Elise
In July, Lotus unveiled its "Eco Elise" at British International Motor Show. The primary innovation is the use of hemp and other ethically farmed renewable crops for body panels, seats, and carpets. Paints are all water-based. For body components, the hemp material is used with a polyester resin to form a hybrid composite. The hemp hard top on the Eco Elise has two flexible solar panels neatly embedded in the roof, contributing power to the electrical systems and saving energy that would otherwise be drained from the engine.
Antro Solo Tribrid (with Pedal Power)
The Antro Solo is a tribrid using gasoline, electricity, and human power. Like other new green concepts, the Antro Solo uses lightweight composite materials, slick aerodynamics and a rooftop solar panel. But the designers also give foot pedals to all three passengers. The pedals provide the opportunity to recharge batteries like a crank flashlight—and to get a workout on your way to work. The carmaker, Antro of Hungary, appears serious about putting the 150-mpg Solo into production.
5Hinterland Aeronautic EcoVan
At highway speeds, drag resistance can account for 75 percent of fuel consumption. Therefore, designers in Canada put better aerodynamics on the top of their list in the design of a long-range electric vehicle. They aimed for a drag coefficient of less than 0.25, which would beat out the Toyota Prius and the original Honda Insight. Designers want to see the design—something like an aeronautical fuselage on wheels—turned into the ultimate eco-friendly six-seater carpooling machine.
5Peugeot Omni
The Peugeot Omni gets its name from the uncanny omnidirectional abilities of the car's wheels. But it's the electric motors in each of those four wheels that give the Omni its green credentials. Those are powered by lithium ion batteries charged, in part, by solar cells on the roof. The amount of energy required is reduced due to the lightweight carbon fiber body, the teardrop-shaped aerodynamic design, structural elements made of aluminum and titanium, and super efficient organic light-emitting diode (OLED) lighting.
6M-112 Mini Eco-Racer
Size matters, and the smaller the better according to Spanish designer Ignacio Garcia. He designed the M-112 for the Shell EcoMarathon race, a competition held to spur innovation. Garcia's idea is to make a lightweight single-person urban vehicle as fun and sporty as possible.
7MDI Air-Powered AirPod
The folks from MDI are holding firm to their ideas for an air-powered car—using electricity to compress huge amounts of air in small tanks, and then slowly releasing that air to drive pistons. The latest iteration from MDI is the AirPod, which seats three passengers, one facing backward. The AirPod uses a pair of wheels mounted side by side in the front to turn the vehicle—operated by the driver with a joystick—while the rear wheels provide power to the ground. The Airpod delivers about six horsepower of performance.
8Capca Electric Dome Mobile
The Capca concept was created for "Peugeot Design Contest 2008: Imagine the Peugeot in the Worldwide Megalopolis of Tomorrow," but was rejected in the competition. The Capca is more of an electrical mobility appliance than a car. It has electric motors in the back wheels, transparent solar batteries built into the glass dome, a transparent monitor built into the windscreen, and sensors and cameras capable of automatic parking. Ten hours of charging yields two hours of use, with a maximum speed of 55 miles per hour.
9Peugeot Stylight
Another entry from the Peugeot Design Competition is the Stylight, a 3-seater city hybrid car with a small 1.6-liter engine and an electric motor placed above the rear wheels. Ognyan Bozhilov, the designer, said that this arrangement "improves weight distribution, gets rid of the complex, heavy mechanics for power transmission and makes the unique, aerodynamic body possible." The Stylelight also offers unique safety features: an expansive windscreen for maximum visibility, and LED tail lights designed so the harder you press, the more lights turn on.
10Citroën Hypnos
The Citroën Hypnos was named 'Concept Car of the Year 2008' by Autocar Magazine. The bold interior features four seats arranged in a DNA double helix-inspired configuration with pivotal blades housing features like air-conditioning. But the most outrageous feature of this diesel-electric vehicle is a ceiling-mounted camera that monitors the driver's facial expressions and adjusts the lighting and smell of the car according to the mood.
New to EVs? Start here
Seven Things To Know About Buying a Plug-In Car
A few simple tips before you visit the dealership.
Incentives for Plug-in Hybrids and Electric Cars
Take advantage of credits and rebates to reduce EV costs.
Buying Your First Home EV Charger
You'll want a home charger. Here's how to buy the right one.


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Last active 2 years ago
Jesus, where's your optimism man?
We are only 18 points off the play offs and 28 off of second place. We can still win this!!!!
Smith and Washington. Told ya!!!
If you are fucking off to Wales Ells does this mean I am now off the hook for that suit after losing the Joey Barton bet?
Despite being a multi season ticket holder these days attendance at HQ for me this season has been a little sporadic to say the least. I generally go more to see family and friends and when even that's not enough to drag my arse out in the cold I rely on the kids wanting to go and dragging me there. The football hasn't been a pull for quite a while. This is pretty much down to Piggybaink setting his teams up not to lose rather than to win and boring me to tears.
Anyway I have been to a few games under Holloway now and, aside from Reading away, really can't believe how we aren't picking up more points. The performances I have seen, while a bit patchy, have generally been good. Certainly far more watchable - even in defeat - than under Jimmy Floyd. We are playing at a good tempo, passing it well and creating chances, we just don't seem to be clinical in taking them. I can't see Smith being prolific but if we can get Washington closer to him I think they could be a decent pairing. Conor has to be the unluckiest player I have seen in to while, coming to Rangers as a goal scorer and then getting stuck out wide left by not one but two managers. If that doesn't work (heard it claimed we can't go 442 with our midfielders) then get Ravel in and around Smith for the knock downs and we should have a few 20 yard rockets flying in. There isn't that much broken with this side, I see promise. I may even turn up for the Wigan and Cardiff games.
In other news how good did Freeman look on debut? Quick feet, loads of energy and a good goal. That could be a great £300k!
As Jack correctly states above I got supa-perma-mega banned some time ago for gnome baiting.
Well worth it, the cunt.
In fact the only thing missing was Sylla scoring so we could sing his name to MJ's Thriller complete with jacko dancing etc.
yes, I was that pissed.
Love an away win. I was lucky enough to get invited by a load of Rangers lads who had a box there last night. Drinking from half 3. We were all hammered by kick off and the box was right down the home end with seats outside in a little private area. We purposely kept a lid on it until we scored - cue Pandemonium and loads of really pissed off fakers who then got subjected to an hour of us belting out songs and taking the piss. Great night and hilarious looking at their pissed off little faces.
Many happy returns Ben
Sainsbury's do indeed sell rabbit.
I hope this helps
The most interesting thing to have come out of thisnso far for me is that someone on Facebook pointed out how much Jimmy Floyd Piggybaink looks like a tortoise. And he does.
In the cold light of day though and having read the article I cant really see where he has done much wrong. Yes, its distasteful but he only seemed to be joking abiut 'taking a player'...."haha better make it a good one etc".
Tortoise faced greedy piggybaink. Oink oink.


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Yesterday I sat in the hospital waiting area with my Dad, while he waited for a scan. As an in-patient this made a welcome break from being on the ward all day. We were actually there for over an hour and a half, and during the lapses in conversation I observed the receptionist.
(I use the term receptionist loosely here as my understanding of the term receptionist is attributed to someone who greets or welcomes visitors, patients, or customers, and alas I did not see much greeting or welcoming going on here).
She didn't appear to be particularly busy. In between munching her way through a large piece of cake I observed her barking out the question "Name?" (note, no please), lots of scowling over the top of her reading glasses, and telling people to take a seat. Absolutely no indication of the wait time, where to get refreshments, or any attempt to put people at ease.
In the hour and a half we sat there I cannot claim to having seen her make eye contact or smile with any one of the patients.
Contrast this with the welcome I received at the little B&B I was staying in near to the hospital. A big smile as my host opened the door to me, and addressed me by name. I was shown round, and taken to my room. 5 minutes after arriving I was brought a welcoming cup of tea (and yummy cake), and asked if there was anything else I needed. All this in the space of 5 minutes and more welcome than I'd seen to the entire population of that hospital waiting room in the hour and half.
What does it cost to show a little warmth and welcome to people who are probably already nervous about the examination they are about to have, or the results they will receive? I think the NHS should take some lessons in customer service from hospitality. You never know, if people get a better experience, it might make them feel a little better, and might even go some way to aid their recovery.
Getting the best from your team will be the theme of my tele seminar – Leading for Peak Performance – on 19th October


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Science fiction has remained a favorite genre for anime series to pull off, but doing it well enough to be hailed as something at least well done is another matter. Among the selections of the year however, last season's Knights of Sidonia stood out as a fantastic reminder as to why science fiction, if done in an engaging and spectacular manner, can still be a genre that can line out a most breathtaking sight in anime.
Before we continue, spoilers will be around in this post if you have not watched the series, so you have been warned. This post represents only my own views and should be taken as another subjective opinion, not objective fact. I never intend for any of my posts to be anything like that.
The story begins in a seemingly erratic way, showing us our protagonist, Tanikaze Nagate, having to make his way up to a more populated area to get food. He fails and is caught, but is allowed to live and asked to pilot a Gardes, a kind of mech made to defend Sidonia from humankind's primary enemies, the Gauna. We learn that Sidonia is a seed ship, one of many who left Earth when it was destroyed by the mysterious alien lifeform, the Gauna, a thousand years ago. Knights of Sidonia, or シドニアの騎士 (Sidonia no Kishi) in Japanese, follows the tale of Tanikaze as he makes his way into the society he and his grandfather first shunned from, and his and Sidonia's battles against the Gauna.
Sidonia seems to have a rather straightforward story – a mysterious alien lifeform destroys Earth and forces humanity to flee to the distant reaches of the stars. A hero is somehow selected from within the ranks of the colony, and distinguishes himself. Yet, Sidonia is more than that. Sidonia does not allow Tanikaze to ever get comfortable with the way things are. That does not mean he himself does not find comfort – rather, he manages to, through his own sometimes rather naive ways, get through to others and protect Sidonia. Neither does he do it on his own – the Captain, Kobayashi, assists him a lot in the dark, and meanwhile, he finds trustworthy teammates that he lives to fight for, even as he was first seen as an outcast.
The Gardes are not infallible either – they are mere machines, and the Gauna are terrifying foes. While the Gardes themselves are replaceable, the only thing that can eliminate a Gauna is the Kabizashi, a weapon of unknown origin wielded by selected Gardes pilots. Losing one is akin to losing a light in the deepest reaches of an abyss – the things you could do with it are suddenly made so much more clear the moment you lose it. This is made painstakingly clear in one of the episodes when Sidonia has no choice but to let one go as it was out of reach of the seed ship, but another was within reach and the whole ship had to turn back to get it.
Tanikaze does get his own Gardes – Tsugumori, a 17th-generation Gardes. The current generation is the 18th, but he has always trained with the 17th and is amazing in it. Despite his prowess in one, however, Tanikaze is not a one-man army and never gets to really be one. It is shown as well that he cannot do this by himself, but with the help of his teammates.
I mentioned the Gauna briefly as a mysterious alien lifeform. I do not give more clues as to their identity not because I am trying to withhold information for fear of spoiling people, but because Sidonia has done a superb job of keeping them mysterious. This is referenced several times in the series, with Hoshijiro Shizuka (above), Tanikaze's love interest of sorts, speculating once about what they might be and why they invaded Earth. We are never really able to find out what the Gauna really are – they are just enemies that would destroy humankind given half a chance. That is what the people of Sidonia, and the viewers indirectly, are told about the Gauna. The battles with the Gauna never deviate from that stance, but the nagging question is always there – are the Gauna truly enemies of humankind, or are both just misunderstanding one another?
Sidonia never lets the grim reality of just how precarious the state of humanity is slip out of sight of the viewers' minds either – shocking deaths are shown in an episode where Sidonia itself must make a huge turn in a small period of time, and people not latched properly to rails are flung with great speed against walls, ending up as mere splatters of blood in a horrifying display of disregard for human life. Kobayashi, who made the decision, knew better – losing a percentage of lives was better than letting any Gauna aboard, and possibly losing the seed ship itself in the process.
One of 11 genetically created sisters is captured early on by a Gauna, and later Hoshijiro. Having to battle and kill what were previously teammates was something both Tanikaze and other Gardes pilots had to deal with as well. Hoshijiro was no mere pushover either – her skills were second only to the top of the class when she was captured, leading the Gauna to later copy her Gardes and piloting skills, killing many pilots until an amazing last battle with Tanikaze took out the Gauna-Gardes version.
While the story is something that should certainly be applauded, the animation and the music are top-notch as well. In particular, the quality of the animation is not something you would see much nowadays in anime. Some people seem to loathe the 2.5D way in which the series is drawn, but I personally find it very fitting for the way the series is portrayed in. There is definitely no moe in the show – save for certain points where either Hoshijiro or Tanikaze blush, there is little that you will often find in other anime series nowadays.
The battles are largely well animated, though the 256-Gardes formation was still the most astounding sight of the series by far for me. When Hoshijiro and Tanikaze were stranded early on in the show, the defending crew of 256 Gardes all disobeyed orders to form a very powerful ring formation. Through the use of their combined thrusters, they were able to reach both Hoshijiro and Tanikaze, and bring them back to safety. The animation of that sequence was simply wonderful, carrying over into the next episode as they returned to Sidonia and broke formation from there.
Sidonia's quality however does not stop there – the real deal in the science fiction arena are the ethical issues and scientific advancements it brings into light. We meet Shinatose Izana, a kind of bisexual triumph who is able to change sex according to the partner later on in life. Then there is the issue of photosynthesis – everyone except Tanikaze Nagate is able to photosynthesize their own food, thus allowing them to store a lot less rations and consume less food. On board a seed ship with no alternative ways to make food and limited space, that is certainly a huge step forward in the conservation of resources.
There is also the darker side – unethical experiments trying to combine both human and Gauna. People who die within the ship are also sent to the thermal reactor to produce energy even with the last of their material leftovers. Ultimately, most of the choices that would be deemed unethical in our contemporary society were made in accordance with the circumstances Sidonia found itself in. It cannot be argued that while it seems grisly at the least sometimes, the advancements were definitely a necessary step forward to keep Sidonia, and its inhabitants by extension, alive.
There is, of course, much food for thought for us, the viewers – one cannot help but contemplate if we can indeed achieve photosynthesis in the future, or the likes of Shinatose Izana. Izana's concept, by the way, is not new – Ursula K. Le Guin also wrote about it in The Left Hand of Darkness, which was published in 1969.
For a science fiction anime series, Sidonia is an experienced to be lived, not a series to be watched. Even the opening theme song, Sidonia, sung by angela, is a masterpiece. I may not have shown much else in the screenshots besides the Gardes formation here, but that is also something that you can look forward to as you watch the series for yourself, and judge whether the science fiction genre has indeed found itself revived. As Hideo Kojima of Metal Gear fame praised, "Japanese culture has lost its 'cool', and Knights of Sidonia will be the white knight that saves it." I may not go that far to agree entirely with his views, but I can tell you that Knights of Sidonia has certainly etched itself into my memory as one of the better anime series I have ever watched.
The second season will be out this October, so if you are keen on catching the show, do finish the first season before you continue with the second!


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Rich Murnick of MURNICK FINANCIAL GROUP.
Arena Resources Inc. was acquired in August 2010 for $1.65 Billion by Sand Ridge Energy. I have worked with Arena Resources for the past 10 years. I am extremely grateful of my relationship with Tim Rochford and Stan McCabe, founding Chairman and CEO. I want to commend them on all their hard work and dedication. Below is a picture of us ringing the bell on the NYSE and executing the first trade in Arena Resources back in 2006...
We welcome all for a free consultation. The Upper Montclair office has been busy with both new hires and new clients...The Norwalk, CT office just finsished it's 5th year, Alan shows no signs of slowing down. In 2003 Rich was featured with Tyler Mathisen on his CNBC program, Open Exchange. Click this link, Live On CNBC , to see him offer some of the company's advice.


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Beyond: Two Souls panel features David Cage, discusses future of interactive drama
In promotion of Beyon: Two Souls, Sony flew David Cagae and a panel of film experts to Sydney to chew over the role and future of games and interactive drama. VG247 was in attendance, but for those of you stuck at home Sony has released video of the event.
In addition to the Quantic Dream boss, the panel featured Hollywood casting director Suzanne Goddard-Smythe, who secured Ellen Page and Willen Defoe for Beyond: Two Souls; Tropfest 2013-winning director Nicholas Clifford; Sydney University film lecturer Dr Bruce Isaacs; and host Robert Carlton.
The video below shows some highlights, but if you'd like to watch the full show that's also available on YouTube.
Beyond: Two Souls is due exclusively on PlayStation 3 in early October.


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"Please mom? Can we go the waterfall way?" all three kids shout from the backseat in unison.
It's just a dam. And half the time it's off and there's no "waterfall" anyway. But it means 20 extra minutes with the kids, singing the Despicable Me 3 soundtrack at the top of our lungs before dropping them off to their father.
So I always say yes. Always.
This is the part of divorce that I wasn't prepared for…the part where I see my kids less. While I am a full time teacher, I am a mom first and foremost. I made breakfast each morning. I packed the lunches, signed the permission slips, did the homework. I made dinner each night. I did the baths and showers and the bedtime routine and then also the house cleanup after bedtime routine before slumping exhaustedly and somewhat defeatedly into the couch for the rest of the evening. 365 days a year this is what I did.
It's not the case anymore. Two days a week I don't see them at all. I always feel like I'm going to be happy about having a break. "Yay! No kids tonight! I can relax, or watch TV, or sleep in a little bit tomorrow morning!" But that feeling lasts for about an hour and then I just want them with me.
It's because of this whole half time phenomena that it took me so long to leave. It was an unhappy and unhealthy marriage for far too long but I couldn't not see my kids every day. I assumed they would fall apart. But in reality, I seem to do way more falling apart without them. And no matter the sadness we feel at being apart sometimes, we are all happier. All of us.
I think back on last year and get nauseous knowing how much I put them through when I couldn't leave, but I couldn't stay. The shortness of breath. The tightness in my chest. They rush in when I think of last year, a panic attack on the brink every single time. It's the year I would take back if I could ever take back anything.
But I can't take it back. It's there. It happened. It changed us. It scathed us. It traumatized us. But it also taught us.
It taught me it was ok to not see my littles every single day if that meant a better quality of life for all of us. It taught me to leave the pile of legos for the night if that meant feeling like they were here when they weren't. It taught me to put down the phone and really be present in the moments because they were no longer unlimited.
And no matter how much longer it makes the drive, always say yes to waterfalls.


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Life of studying at the university is always a myth?
Does designer ever sleep?
How do the designers come up with all the creative and even crazy ideas?
Find out the answers in the new event tailor-made for secondary school students during the PolyU Design Annual Show!
You can join the 1.5-hour session including a talk on design programmes, student sharing and a guided walk around the Annual Show. You will know about the differences between the disciplines, will be given admission tips and can ask any questions directly to our current students.
S3-5 or Grades 9-11 students and parents
18 June 2018 (Monday)
23 June 2018 (Saturday)
30 June 2018 (Saturday)
2 July 2018 (Monday)
7 July 2018 (Saturday)
11:30 – 13:00 (1 hour 30 minutes each session)
● PolyU Design Talk – BA (Hons) Scheme in Design
● Student Sharing
● Annual Show 2018 Guided Tour
● Face-to-face Consultation
Dates: 18 June (Monday), 23 June (Saturday), 30 June (Saturday),
2 July (Monday), 7 July (Saturday)
Time: 11:30 – 13:00 (1 hour 30 minutes each session)
Suitable for: S3-5 or Grades 9-11 students and parents
Capacity: 20 people
Language: Cantonese


text: If you have ever been to a grocery store on Saturday morning, you've likely seen the aisles filled with a number of people providing samples of products. I think it is something authors could learn from. C.S. Marks, who has published a trilogy of books titled, Elf Hunter, Ravenshade and Fire-Heart. (http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=35167), has used this tactic to promote her book series. She has provided her first book on the Kindle for free so that people get interested in the story and purchase the other books in the series. So far she has sold one book for every two she has given away. Since there is no cost for her on Kindle, it is a form of promotion that can reap benefits.


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Polka Dot
Chocolate Cake filled with Bavarian Cream covered with choclate ganache and fondant. All details are hand-modeled fondant and/or gum paste.
Tags: anniversary mothers day birthday wedding
Elisas'SweetCakes, Wisconsin
2 Comments
I never would have thought of putting together these colors, but they look great! Love it…
Thank you!


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March 8, 2013
Back to the Basics: Straightening Up
America, II: Rejecting Supremacist Judges
By Virginia Armstrong, Ph.D., National Chairman
"How far can you make a man bend over backwards before he breaks?" This anguished cry was heard in one of the most widely acclaimed musical productions of the Twentieth Century, "Fiddler on the Roof." And it is the thought with which we began our last Court Watch Briefing. We then asked, "Has America bent over backwards too far in its spiritual, moral, and constitutional life — too far from our Constitution and its Judeo-Christian roots?" Are we, like Tevye, on the verge of breaking — at least in the sense of losing our internal vigor and our global power — and in sore need of "a fundamental straightening up process"?
Answering those critical questions in the affirmative, we contemplated how one makes sense of the moral and constitutional cacophony in America today. And make sense of it we must — or lose the Culture War by default. In America's War of the Worldviews, as in education, "back to the basics" is a fundamental necessity if we are to avoid toppling over backwards and stand straight again. And so, in this and later "Court Watch Briefings," we shall "go back to the basics" in order to understand the roots of current events and how we can "Straighten Up America" at the foundations.
Just this week, the U. S. Senate cast a significant vote toward "Straightening Up America," moving us ahead to a resurgence of genuine Constitutionalism in our nation. The Senate refused to ratify the warmed-over nomination by Barack Obama of Caitlin Halligan to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, considered by some to be the second most powerful court in the country. Lacking in judicial experience, Halligan nevertheless has a mile-long record, as the New York Solicitor General, of forcefully advocating anti-constitutionalist positions — positions which would force America to "bend over backwards" even farther away from its roots. Her record reveals support for same-sex marriage, abortion rights, and racial preferences at universities. And she has opposed Second Amendment rights and detention of enemy combatants. These policy and legal views clearly identify Halligan as a spokesman of the Humanist/Reconstructionist side in America's culture war — opponents of the Constitutionalist position.
Going "Back to the Basics" in "Straightening Up America" and restoring constitutionalism in our land requires the use of many weapons, one of which is securing the appointment to our courts of only those judges who are true Constitutionalists (committed to the Judeo-Christian worldview and the Constitution in its original meanings). The Halligan vote was such a weapon. Furthermore, the Halligan fight reminds us that there is far more at stake than simply one judicial seat. The entire Constitution and culture are under siege.
Indeed, as law professor and award-winning author Harold Berman pointed out thirty years ago in his widely acclaimed book, Law and Revolution, the entire "Western Legal Tradition" is in danger; and America, with its Common Law roots is a huge victim — but not the only one — of Humanist/Reconstructionist forces. Berman argues that the Western legal tradition, essential to all of Western civilization, was characterized by ten qualities, six of which "have been severely weakened in the latter part of the twentieth century, especially in the United States." To understand the full significance of the Halligan episode, we need to understand the Western legal tradition in panoramic view, and how the appointment of nominees such as Halligan threatens that tradition. We begin here a consideration of Berman's analysis and examine some of the essential qualities of the tradition which Berman demonstrates has been "severely weakened."
The first characteristic is that law for centuries has been conceived of as a "body," a corpus juris, an integrated system, a coherent whole. Now, law is increasingly "treated less and less as a coherent whole, a body, a corpus juris, and more and more as a hodgepodge, a fragmented mass of ad hoc decisions and conflicting rules, united only by common 'techniques.'" This convoluted change in American law is only to be expected in view of the Reconstructionist theory's repudiation of the Constitution as America's supreme, fundamental, permanent law — as the foundation necessary to provide the nation with a coherent body of law, a true "corpus juris."
The badly deficient "Constitution" given America by Reconstructionism does not and cannot provide the nation with any more than a hodgepodge of fragmented and conflicting decisions and rules. This deficiency is greatly exacerbated by other Reconstructionist premises such as the argument that judges are the source of law. The position of Caitlin Halligan and her Reconstructionist colleagues in supporting abortion illustrates their attack on the U. S Constitution and the Western legal tradition's concept of law as a "body," a coherent, integrated whole.
Halligan would have to support the U. S. Supreme Court's decision in Casey v. Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania. In that extraordinarily egregious ruling, upholding Roe v. Wade, the Court manifested a fragmentation in the views of the various Justices that clearly bespeaks a fragmentation in abortion law. " . . . a decision to overrule [Roe] should rest on some special reason over and above the belief that a prior case was wrongly decided" was the unbelievable argument made by a three-judge plurality (Justices Kennedy, O'Connor, and Souter). This bulldozed the rule of precedent by annihilating the truth that "right and wrong" must be the foundation of stare decisis, or any other legal standard. Apart from the fundamental ideas that there are a "right and a wrong" and that "right and wrong" have fixed meanings, there is no order to the law or any other institution or thought. R.I.P. the concept of "law" as a genuine "body" of principles and rules; "welcome" to a world of chaos in which judges are supreme.
Where does this leave our Constitution and our culture? Referring again to Prof. Berman's analysis: "Thus the historical soil of the Western legal tradition (especially the United States) is being washed way in the twentieth century, and the tradition itself is threatened with collapse" (emphasis added). The Halligans of America's legal elite must be barred from the courts of the land and the tide of Reconstructionist power reversed. WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!


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Cheltenham racecard, results and TV schedule: Today's tips, runners, results and stats for the meeting live on Racing UK and ITV4, this Sunday, November 19
All the latest stats, runners, results and odds for Sunday's meeting at Cheltenham with Sun Bets and Templegate's top tips
🏇CHEL£10HAM Start building your Cheltenham wallet today with this brilliant free bet offer
RACING takes place at Cheltenham today and we have you covered with all the latest runners, results, tips and going news.
Start your Cheltenham wallet today
The road to Cheltenham starts HERE.
Bet £10 or more at any of the races at these meetings and Sun Bets will give you a £2 free bet to use at the Cheltenham Festival.
It kicks off at Cheltenham itself with The November Meeting this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Get yourself along to the racecourse or watch on tv as racing gets underway this afternoon.
What time does racing start at Cheltenham?
The first race is at 1.15pm.
There are six races on the card and the last race is due off at 4.00pm.
What TV channel is Cheltenham on?
You can watch the racing at Cheltenham on Racing UK.
Racing UK is on Sky channel 432, Virgin channel 536, and UPC in Ireland on channel 411.
ITV4 will also broadcast the 1.50, 2.25, 3.00 and 3.30.
🏇CHEL£10HAM Start building your Cheltenham wallet today with this brilliant free bet offer
What is the going at the racecourse?
The going is currently Soft, Heavy in Places.
Racecourse information with leading jockeys and trainers with runners today:
- Old course is left-handed, 1m 4f round, 9 fences to a circuit and a stiff climb to the winning post. New course is left-handed, 1m4f riund, 10 fences to a circuit and a stiff climb to the winning post.
- Favourites: (2012-17): 155 have won out of 596 races (26.0%). At the previous corresponding meetings, 38 have won out of 121 races (31.4%).
- Leading trainers (2012-17): P Nicholls 45-402, N Henderson 39-382, P Hobbs 35-260, N Twiston-Davies 29-251.
- Leading jockeys (2012-17): B J Geraghty 38-245, R Johnson 35-273, T Scudamore 25-208, A Coleman 20-228.
- N Henderson won the 3.30 in 2014 and 2015. P Hobbs won the 1.50 in 2014 and 2015.
- P Nicholls won the 1.50 in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2016, and won the 3.00 in 2011 and 2015.
- H Fry won the 1.15 in 2015 and 2016.
- Longest travellers: Simply Ned (2.25) & Better Getalong (3.30) trained by N Richards, Greystoke, round trip of 460 miles.
Templegate's tips for today's meeting at Cheltenham:
- 1.15 Lip Service
- 1.50 River Wylde (nb)
- 2.25 FOX NORTON (nap)
- 3.00 Old Guard
- 3.30 Slate House
- 4.00 Air Navigator
Today's Cheltenham racecards and results:
Templegate's TV tips
1.50 Cheltenham - River Wylde: 'Could easily develop into one of the season's top novices' (add to your betslip)
2.05 Fontwell - Cresswell Breeze: 'A smart mare and is unexposed over staying distances' (add to your betslip)
2.25 Cheltenham - Fox Norton: 'There's little doubt he's top-notch and he's got a great record when fresh' (add to your betslip)
3.00 Cheltenham - Old Guard: 'Won this race two years ago and looks on a nice weight' (add to your betslip)
3.30 Cheltenham - Slate House: 'Looked a cracking prospect when easily winning at this track last month' (add to your betslip)


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Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is in Brussels to talk to Europe's competition commissioner Mario Monti and try to strike a deal after the EC, in a draft ruling, found the software giant guilty of abusing its position.
A person close to the talks said Tuesday afternoon: "They [Ballmer and Monti] are talking, the meeting has not finished."
Ballmer's involvement has sparked speculation that Microsoft is about to make its final effort to settle the five-year-long, anti-trust case. In a recent draft ruling, the European Commission found Microsoft guilty of abusing the Windows' dominant position by using the software to muscle out rivals in the connected media and server software markets.
In addition to a fine, the European competition regulator is expected to order Microsoft to offer a version of Windows with its Media Player software stripped out. It is also likely to demand that Microsoft reveal all Windows' secret source code - needed by rivals to make interoperable software.
If no settlement is reached, the Commission is expected to make its negative ruling on March 24. Microsoft and European Union officials declined Tuesday to comment on Ballmer's discussions with Monti.


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13 Divine Desserts In Malta You Need To Try
Sign us up for ten of each!
If you're looking to pair the amazing Maltese burgers you just devoured with a tasty after-meal treat, here's a list of some of our favourite places to rush off to right now to get dessert!
1. Lulu's: Sticky Toffee Date Pudding
Warm date pudding served with hot toffee sauce, walnuts and a drizzle of cream. Seriously, we just lifted that off the menu - do we even need to say more?
2. Flora's: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Pretty much everything at Flora's is made to order, and the C.C.C.C. (we would just replace every C with CRAVING) is one example. They also have a long list of daily cupcakes that will have you getting off your seat and drive to devour.
3. Shoreditch: Red Velvet White Chocolate Fondant Pancake
From the kings of social media foodporn hype. If that title wasn't enough to send you in a mouthwatering frenzy, we dare you to click on the video above. Be warned though - you'll be knocking on their door by the end of the day, so free up your schedules before pressing Play!
4. Busy Bee: Kannoli
As far as pretty much every current generation living in Malta is concerned, Busy Bee are one of the OGs of dessert in this country. And you know you've got your hands on a winner when you have various cafés around the island, a never-ending menu of delicious sweets, an entire service dedicated to outdoor catering, and half the reviews on the internet still can't stop raving about your Kannoli!
5. Cinnabon: Caramel Pecanbon
The trademarked-Cinnabon roll was already good as it is. Adding caramel and pecan to it at this point is basically just a heavenly overdose.
6. Margo's: The Orgasmic Valrhona Chocolate Mousse
Yes, that is literally what it says on the menu. Word for word. A rich yet light mousse made with 70% estate chocolate. Margo's themselves dare you to find better on the island in this beauty's menu description, and we haven't been able to as of yet. If you're anything like us, even this alone will have you coming back to again and again!
7. Molly's Cafe: Kinder Cereali Pancake
A stack of four pancakes topped with Kinder? We can't. We're sorry, we just can't even.
8. Fontanella: Baci Cake
It's a pretty big honour to constantly be one of the first places to be mentioned whenever anyone asks about cake in Malta, and Fontanella rarely disappoint. While there's a long list of mouthwatering desserts to choose from, the Baci and Chocolate cakes are the ones that always seem to stir the lustiest of conversations. And with that photo, who can blame them?!
9. Baked: Caramel Flake Brownies
The brain (and love) child of Francesca Farrugia, Baked started off as a small project of customised birthday cakes and cupcakes for friends, but has recently exploded into a Maltese social media breakthrough.
Because everything is pretty much made to order, each item that makes it to the mouthwatering Facebook page is quite unique. And with the recent addition an office lunch menu, picking one item becomes downright impossible, but these caramel flake brownies are sure winners if you're stuck for what to choose.
10. La Krepree: Ice Cream Pancake
Calling itself "The Original Pancake Parlour", La Krepree has this summer entered its thirteenth year of Maltese goodness. The beauty of it all is how diverse and customisable of a menu they boast - apart from the option of creating your own crêpe, they even offer unique examples like the Pizza Kapri Crêpe! (Yes, that's a pizza in a pancake).
11. Kejkina: Chocolate & Doughnut Cake
It's a chocolate cake. With doughnuts on top. Seriously, do we even have to say anything else?! Get ordering on Kejkina's Facebook page as soon as possible because we're just over here trying to see if we can eat our computer screens.
12. Pjazza Gelateria: Ħobż tal-Malti Ice Cream
Lovin Malta were probably the first to rave about their fusion of homemade ice cream and traditional Maltese bread. They've even introduced an Imqaret (deep fried pastries stuffed with dates) flavour, but this one will surely be the winner for many years to come.
13. New York Best: The Ice Cream Burger
Let's just give you a second or two to really think about what you've just read there. It's a NYB burger. Stuffed with ice cream. Ice cream. Burger. Never has the phrase "Nuff said" been more relevant. Oh, and if it's your birthday, you get it for free.


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Here are our highlights for Saturday at NYCC 2018! There is so much to see and do, we wish we could be in three places at once!
NYCC 2018 is in full swing it is time to figure out your Friday schedule. Check out the highlights we've compiled to start planning your day!
New York Comic Con will be upon us in less than three weeks. The panel list is already up and there are still Thursday tickets available…
We highlight our favorite panel picks found in the convention center for our SDCC 2018 Saturday highlights!
SDCC 2018: Taco Bell Brings the Demolition Man Fine Dining Experience to Comic Con!
Taco Bell recreated the iconic restaurant from the movie and brought the experience to fans who are around for San Diego Comic Con.
SDCC 2018: FXhibition Returns to the Hilton Bayfront for Another Year of Amazing Show Promotions
Every year we look forward to what new interactive exhibits FX brings to the Hilton Bayfront lawn in order to promote its shows.
SDCC 2018: ComiXology Unlimited Announces Second Wave of Creator-Owned Comics & Graphic Novels
ComiXology announced seven new creator-owned comic books and graphic novels today at SDCC – four of which are available to read right now!
Geek spaces like conventions should be accessible, inclusive, and diverse in order to become safe spaces for all.
Audiences learn what happened to Madison and the stadium in the midseason finale. As with all zombie media, no one's gone until they're gone (and you see the body).
Naomi resorts to desperate measures to try to keep John Dorie alive and more is revealed about what happened at the stadium to make Alicia come after her with a vengeance.


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Simon has worked with sports people competing at the highest level and is very well placed to both understand and know the mental challenges and pressures that are experienced as well as what is needed to excel in such a high pressured and demanding environment.
All challenges that professional sportspeople have are no different to those that people in every walk of life experience. They are equally affected by the negative thoughts and beliefs they hold, as well as negative outside influences. With sports people the negativity is more acute due to the high levels of competition, pressure and expectancy to which they are constantly exposed.
Simon will use his knowledge, skills and experience to uncover either the team or the individual's mindset to enable optimum performance and achievement. Sports people can always have an excellent performance but was it their optimum? Did they or the team REALLY believe on every level of their consciousness that they would achieve the expected or visualised outcome prior to the event? Was there any self-doubt in their belief systems? Do they understand themselves and their characteristics under pressure and high levels of adrenalin? Do they then know how to channel their thoughts so they can get the best out of themselves? At the highest level this is often the difference between winning or loosing. The importance of an athletes mental state, be it during competition, training or when away from the competitive arena should never be under estimated or overlooked.


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Sweet-16 Playoff Format In South Dakota High School Basketball/Volleyball Takes Big Step
Last Updated by
The Sweet-16 format is one step closer to becoming 'the law of the land' for all classes of high school basketball in South Dakota.
On Tuesday, the board of the South Dakota High School Activities Association passed proposals for the new format in both Class AA and Class B.
The Class AA sweet-16 format for basketball passed the activities board with a 6-3 vote, while the Class B proposal passed 8-1.
Later in the day, the board also passed the same proposals with high school volleyball.
Argus Leader High School Sports Reporter Brian Haenchen (Hen-chin) says this has been a highly debated topic over the past couple of months, especially in the double A class.
"Are we trying to preserve these regional set ups and these regional rivalries and all these things, or are we really trying to figure out who the best eight teams are and and figure out who deserves to be at the state tournament?"
Multiple discussions took place on Tuesday at the SDHSAA board meeting in Pierre. Proponents hailed from the east side of the state, while a majority of the opponents were from the west side.
For Class AA this new format would take the best sixteen teams at the end of the regular season, re-seed them No. 1 - No. 16 and a one round slate of eight games would take place to decide the eight teams who would advance to the state tournament.
In Class B, it would follow the same format as Class A. District games would still take place until there are sixteen teams remaining. Once they have the final sixteen teams, the rankings would be re-seeded No. 1 - No. 16 and eight region round games would take place to decide the eight remaining teams to compete for a state title.
At the Athlete Directors meeting last month, the AD's voted in favor of the Sweet-16 format for Class AA 10-8. The Class B vote from the Athletic Directors was a little more one sided, 46-29.
Both Class A basketball and volleyball are already involved in the Sweet-16 format, and it's their successful run within the system that has decision makers within the state convinced that this change would work well in the other two classes.
Because the proposals all passed on Tuesday, they'll advance to a second reading at the High School Activities Association meeting in June. If there aren't any changes in the votes, the new format would go into effect next year.
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