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Get to Know Our SHAPE Best Blogger Nominees
Welcome to our first annual Best Blogger awards! We've got more than 100 awesome nominees this year, and we couldn't be more excited to work with each and every one. Click below to learn a little bit more about our bloggers- how they got started as healthy living bloggers, what blogging means for them, and how they make healthy living a daily part of their lives.
Click on each link to read a profile written by each of our nominees:
Katie and Megan of Double Coverage
Adena Andrews of AdenaAndrews.Com
Jennifer Mathews of My Beauty Bunny
Toni and Ashley of Black Girls RUN!
Shannon of A Girl's Gotta Spa!
Melinda of Melinda's Fitness Blog
Don't see your favorite blogger here? Don't worry! We'll be adding and featuring different bloggers as long as the SHAPE Blogger Awards are live! Check back soon to see what else our nominees have to say about living a healthy life!


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Hubble Makes the First Precise Distance Measurement to an Ancient Globular Star Cluster
Refined stellar yardstick helps astronomers improve stellar evolution models
Refined stellar yardstick helps astronomers improve stellar evolution models
When you want to know the size of a room, you use a measuring tape to calculate its dimensions.
But you can't use a tape measure to cover the inconceivably vast distances in space. And, until now, astronomers did not have an equally precise method to accurately measure distances to some of the oldest objects in our universe – ancient swarms of stars outside the disk of our galaxy called globular clusters.
Estimated distances to our Milky Way galaxy's globular clusters were achieved by comparing the brightness and colors of stars to theoretical models and observations of local stars. But the... Read more
NASA Awards Prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowships
NHFP is one of the highlights of NASA's pursuit of excellence in space science
NHFP is one of the highlights of NASA's pursuit of excellence in space science
NASA has selected 24 new Fellows for its prestigious NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP). The program enables outstanding postdoctoral scientists to pursue independent research in any area of NASA Astrophysics, using theory, observation, experimentation, or instrument development. Each fellowship provides the awardee up to three years of support.
Hubble Uncovers the Farthest Star Ever Seen
Cosmic quirk boosts far-off star's faint glow
Cosmic quirk boosts far-off star's faint glow
Through a quirk of nature called "gravitational lensing," a natural lens in space amplified a very distant star's light. Astronomers using Hubble took advantage of this phenomenon to pinpoint the faraway star and set a new distance record for the farthest individual star ever seen. They also used the distant star to test one theory of dark matter, and to probe the make-up of a galaxy cluster. The team dubbed the star "Icarus," after the Greek mythological character who flew too near the Sun on wings of feathers and wax that melted. Its official name is MACS J1149+2223 Lensed Star 1.
Dark Matter Goes Missing in Oddball Galaxy
Galaxy was expected to contain 400 times more dark matter than observations show
Galaxy was expected to contain 400 times more dark matter than observations show
Grand, majestic spiral galaxies like our Milky Way are hard to miss. Astronomers can spot these vast complexes because of their large, glowing centers and their signature winding arms of gas and dust, where thousands of glowing stars reside.
But some galaxies aren't so distinctive. They are big, but they have so few stars for their size that they appear very faint and diffuse. In fact, they are so diffuse that they look like giant cotton balls.
Observations by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope of one such galaxy have turned up an oddity that sets it apart from most other galaxies, even the... Read more
Kepler Solves Mystery of Fast and Furious Explosions
Space observatory captures the details of an unusual stellar detonation
Space observatory captures the details of an unusual stellar detonation
The universe is so huge that it's estimated that a star explodes as a supernova once every second. Astronomers capture a small fraction of these detonations because they are comparatively short-lived, like fireflies flickering on a summer evening. After skyrocketing to a sudden peak in brightness, a supernova can take weeks to slowly fade away.
For the past decade astronomers have been befuddled by a more curious "flash-in-the-pan" that pops up and then disappears in just a few days, not weeks. It's called a Fast-Evolving Luminous Transient (FELT). Only a few FELTs have been seen in telescopic sky... Read more
Hubble Solves Cosmic 'Whodunit' with Interstellar Forensics
Winner declared in tug-of-war between two satellite galaxies of the Milky Way
Winner declared in tug-of-war between two satellite galaxies of the Milky Way
In a cosmic tug-of-war between two dwarf galaxies orbiting the Milky Way, only NASA's Hubble Space Telescope can see who's winning. The players are the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, and as they gravitationally tug at each other, one of them has pulled out a huge amount of gas from its companion. This shredded and fragmented gas, called the Leading Arm, is being devoured by the Milky Way and feeding new star birth in our galaxy. But which dwarf galaxy is doing the pulling, and whose gas is now being feasted upon? Scientists used Hubble's ultraviolet vision to chemically analyze the gas in the... Read more
Arrested Development: Hubble Finds Relic Galaxy Close to Home
Ghostly-looking galaxy stopped making stars long ago
Ghostly-looking galaxy stopped making stars long ago
The adventuring cinema archeologist Indiana Jones would be delighted to find a long-sought relic in his own backyard. Astronomers have gotten lucky enough to achieve such a quest. They identified a very rare and odd assemblage of stars that has remained essentially unchanged for the past 10 billion years. The diffuse stellar island provides valuable new insights into the origin and evolution of galaxies billions of years ago.
As far as galaxy evolution goes, this object is clearly a case of "arrested development." The galaxy, NGC 1277, started its life with a bang long ago, ferociously churning... Read more
Hubble Finds Huge System of Dusty Material Enveloping the Young Star HR 4796A
Newly discovered, vast, complex dust structure, about 150 billion miles across, envelopes the young star HR 4796A
Newly discovered, vast, complex dust structure, about 150 billion miles across, envelopes the young star HR 4796A
Finding lots of dust around stars may not sound like anything astronomers would get excited about. The universe is a dusty place. But dust around a young star can be evidence that planet formation is taking place. This isn't a new idea. In 1755, German Philosopher Immanuel Kant first proposed that planets formed around our Sun in a debris disk of gas and dust. Astronomers imagined that this process might take place around other stars.
They had to wait until the early 1980s for the first observational evidence for a debris disk around any star to be uncovered. An edge-on debris disk was... Read more
NASA Finds a Large Amount of Water in an Exoplanet's Atmosphere
Researchers surprised by how much water found in atmosphere of WASP-39b
Researchers surprised by how much water found in atmosphere of WASP-39b
Using Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes, scientists studied the "hot Saturn" called WASP-39b — a hot, bloated, Saturn-mass exoplanet located about 700 light-years from Earth. By dissecting starlight filtering through the planet's atmosphere into its component colors, the team found clear evidence for a large amount of water vapor. In fact, WASP-39b has three times as much water as Saturn does. Although the researchers predicted they'd see water, they were surprised by how much they found. This suggests that the planet formed farther out from the star, where it was bombarded by a lot of icy... Read more
Improved Hubble Yardstick Gives Fresh Evidence for New Physics in the Universe
New survey is the most precise measurement of the universe's expansion rate
New survey is the most precise measurement of the universe's expansion rate
The good news: Astronomers have made the most precise measurement to date of the rate at which the universe is expanding since the big bang. The possibly unsettling news: This may mean that there is something unknown about the makeup of the universe. The new numbers remain at odds with independent measurements of the early universe's expansion. Is something unpredicted going on in the depths of space?
Astronomers have come a long way since the early 1900s when they didn't have a clue that we lived in an expanding universe. Before this could be realized, astronomers needed an accurate celestial... Read more

subset: commoncrawl


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Diet Screener in the 2005 CHIS: Definition of Acceptable Dietary Data Values
Data collected on the 2005 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) Screener are coded by frequency and time unit -- times per day, week, or month. We used USDA's 1994-96 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes of Individuals (CSFII) data on reported intakes over two days of 24-hour recall to make judgments about reasonable frequencies of consumption that were reported on a per day basis. This helped us assess values from the CHIS Screener, some of which are highly unlikely.
Maximum daily average frequencies (averaged for each individual across the two days of report) in the CSFII ranged from 1.5 times to 12 times per day for the relevant food groups. We accepted frequency values that were reported in the CHIS on a per day basis up to the maximum average values (rounded to the next whole number).
|Food Group
|Maximum Daily Acceptable Value
|Fried potatoes
|Other white potatoes
|Dried beans
|Other vegetables
|100% fruit juice
|Fruit drinks
|Ice cream
|Cookies, cake, pie
In addition, we applied judgment to determine the acceptability of frequency reports for the weekly and monthly time periods (see below). For example, a report of 25 times may be most logically associated with a month or year time period, but not so logically associated with a week time period. We applied this judgment to all foods.
|Time Period
|Acceptable Frequency
|≤ 14 / week: acceptable
> 14: assign a missing value
|≤ 60 / month: acceptable
> 60: assign a missing value
Depending on the intent of the analysis, a researcher can exclude a person with a missing value for any of the 11 foods, or with missing values only on foods needed to estimate a particular dietary intake variable. In our analyses of CHIS data, we excluded individuals only for the dietary variable for which they had missing food-level data.


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Anything BUT a Card for RRR
Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #88
Happy February 1st, Ribbon Lovers! It's time for another amazing challenge from Really Reasonable Ribbon. This one is extra fun: Anything BUT a Card! And for my share of the inspiration, I made a Mini Album made with Typography papers from Graphic 45 and gorgeous Black Plaid Ribbons and twines from RRR. Here are the ribbons I used in this Mini Album:
The album measures a mere 4 1/2″ x 3″ tall and started out as "naked" chip board with a postage stamp edge. I used Distress Paints in Broken China, Peeled Paint, Rusty Hinge, Barn Door and Vintage Photo to color the chipboard bases. I have photos of each page along the way, so you might want to go get yourself a cuppa and a little snackie….there are a LOT of photos, hidden pockets, tags and file folders to show you. Go ahead. I'll wait…….
Ready to go? Me, too!
This photo gives you an idea of the thickness of this little gem. The front is layered with chipboard elements and tags from the Typography collection. I added the black ribbon at the midpoint of the cover, then added a two tier bow on the left.
My idea for this album was that it would contain all sorts of uplifting thoughts and cheerful images. I wanted it to be interactive, too, because that is always fun. It's been such a hard winter for so many folks, I thought maybe we needed a little cheer.
This page has a hidden pocket and tag behind the main image. Here's a look at the tag:
It slips in between the black polka dot paper and the green base paper. I simply left the front edge of the green base paper unglued, creating a pocket for my tag. I embellished with black gingham ribbon and green and blue hemp.
This two page spread has two fun surprises:
The Joie de Vivre tag on the left folds down to reveal a message hidden inside the file folder. A cheery banner hangs above it, suspended on more green and blue twine.
The right hand side of the page has another hidden message:
I love the silver padlock!
This two page spread has a fun envelope and tag on the left:
I'm a sucker for secret compartments! How about you?
Here's a closer look at the right hand page. No secret compartments, but fun to look at all the same!
This final two page spread has both an envelope with tag, plus a Little Bitty Bag that I've turned into a pocket.
Here's the envelope and tag on the right …
And here it is opened. I used Distress Stains to color the envelope and the tag. I love the way the black plaid ribbon looks with this paper collection. It's like it was made for it. The stamped image is from Crafty Secrets.
To turn the bitty bag into a pocket, I simply folded it in half, stitched along the bottom and the two sides, leaving the top open. It makes an amazing pocket that I stuffed with all sorts of tags. You can click on these photos to take a closer look.
Finally, I decorated the back with a fitting sentiment:
And that, my friends, is the end of this very long post! Thanks for hanging in there with me. Be sure to check out all the inspiration from the rest of the RRR team. You can find links to their individual blogs in my side bar. And, be sure to link your own project to the RRR Challenge # 88: Anything BUT a Card. It doesn't have to be a mini album…it can be a headband, a wall hanging, a mixed media piece, altered art; anything BUT a card! You can link your project here on the RRR blog. The team will be popping by to see what you create.
Thanks for visiting! Your visits and your comments make me happy right down to the tips of my crafty little fingers.


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The partnership between Holy Name Medical Center and SINAI Schools is based on a shared commitment to providing excellence in care to individuals with special needs, and preserving the dignity and self-esteem of all individuals.
Over 15 years ago, when SINAI first opened Shalem High School at TABC and the students were embarking on a curriculum of functional academics and life skills, Holy Name enthusiastically agreed to serve as a vocational training location for SINAI students. Since that time, Holy Name Medical center has welcomed many SINAI students to hone their work skills in various different capacities, valuing their work ethics and dedication, and treating them just like every other employee, with equality and respect.
In 2015, Michael Maron, President and CEO of HNMC, established the Holy Name Medical Center Scholarship Award in an effort to ensure that the children of families who could not otherwise afford SINAI would be able to receive the special education they need. Since that time, dozens of children have benefitted from this scholarship fund.
In recognition of our ongoing partnership, at our 2015 Annual Benefit Dinner, SINAI Schools presented Holy Name Medical Center and Mr. Maron with SINAI Schools' Community Partnership Award.
SINAI Schools has also been gifted a permanent spot on a Holy Name Medical Center billboard on Route 4 as part of our unique partnership. To view some of our past billboards, click here.


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Testimonials about Walter's Real Estate Team of Home Search Real Estate
Read what others are saying about Walter's Real Estate Team with Home Search Real Estate.
Walter, Thank you. I do want to say that working with Rebecca has been amazing. I know Susan and I are planning on writing her a recommendation. She went beyond our expectations at every turn. I have given her name to two other store managers that are moving in the area and I will continue to do so. I thank you for your partnership and will keep in touch. Rebecca "wowed" us every chance she got and it was her taking the initiative of calling us that started it all. Thank you for all that you all have done to help make this transition much easier. Jay and Susan G.
Thank you so much Walter and Rebecca! You made the home buying process easier for my family and we couldn't be happier in our new home. It's absolutely perfect for us!
Thank you so much for always answering our questions and for never making me feel incompetent when doing so. I have absolutely loved every member of your team and especially, working with you.
Thanks Walter! It was truly a pleasure working with you. We truly appreciate your expertise! We will definitely recommend you to anyone we know who is looking for a home. We will definitely keep in touch!
Dear Rebecca, I hope this letter finds you well. I just wanted to send a box to say thank you. You have gone above and beyond for us, and it means so much. Your e-mails each week brighten my day. It has been fun to see our home being built. You have taken the stress out of the process. You have truly been a blessing to our family. In the box are items that are all over Okinawa, and we thought you might enjoy them. I look forward to meeting you in the near future. Take Care, Melissa R.
We just wanted to say thank you so much in helping us buy our very first home!
It was a pleasure working with you. We are so happy in our new home - it is perfect! :)
We appreciate all your time and energy you put into helping us. We could not have gotten here without you and your hardwork.
Thank you again!
Walter and Rebecca, Heidi and I wanted to thank you for all that you guys have done to make this a wonderful experience for us. also thank you guys for the Lowe's Gift Card, we have already used it!
Thanks for all that you do! The Marine Corp is one of the largest families there is out there and word of mouth is the best advertisement as we all know!
Last night I had a dinner at the Keys Wives meeting and I was telling them how wonderful you were.. Many of the women were telling me about how they will be moving right after my family and I noticed that they were taking all this in that I was saying about you.
You're amazing for stepping up and helping me through the color selection when others walked away. I really could not do this without you.
Thanks again!!
Working with Walter has been the best experience ever. He has found the houses I have lived in, in a fast and easy way, I am always going to ask for Walter's help..
Thank you for all your help.
I got approved for the house. I want to thank you.
You have been a huge help and I will definitely recommend you to friends if they are looking to buy, sell or rent in the Jacksonville area.
Thanks again,
Add A Testimonial
Would you like to add a testimonial about your great experience with us? Use this fast and easy form to send us your comments and feedback.


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Ace Powder Guides specializes in backcountry snowmobiling. We are the first and only guide service of this nature in the West Yellowstone area. Avalanche equipment is required and supplied for our clients in backcountry terrain. Ace Powder Guides is permitted in the Gallatin, Caribou and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests.
Mailing Address
Not AvailableStreet Address229 North Hayden StreetWest Yellowstone,
Phone: 406-646-7541
Fax: 406-646-9647
Toll Free: 800-624-5291
We are located on the corner of Highway 20 and Hayden Street in West Yellowstone, Montana at Hi Country Snowmobile Rentals. 90 miles from Bozeman, Montana and 110 miles from Idaho Falls, Idaho.
December - MarchHoursAll Hours
Cash, Discover, Master Card, Personal Check (In State), Personal Check (Out Of State), Travelers Checks, VisaReservationsReservations Accepted, Reservations Recommended, Reservations Required, Walk-Ins Welcome
Equipment Rental, Guide, Information, Instruction, Maps, Merchandise, Parking, Snowmobile Rental, Snowmobile Service
Photography, Snowmobiling, Winter Sport
Southwest Montana Travel Information
Southwest Montana travel information and a free Visitor's Guide.
Central Montana Travel Information
Central Montana travel information and a free Travel Planner.
Big Sky Montana Hotels
Visit Big Sky, Montana this Winter!


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Mirabel Hotel in Kefalonia
Class: 2 stars
per night
Mirabel Hotel in Kefalonia was frst established in 1900 and is found in a privileged location in Argostoli, near Vallianos square. Many shops and restaurants, as well as the port, are within walking distance from the hotel. Built in the traditional architecture of Kefalonia, the hotel offers high quality services.
The rooms of Mirabel Hotel are cozy and comfortable, decorated with warm colors and wooden furniture. They all include air conditioning, TV with satellite channels, mini fridge, and free connection to wi fi internet.
Mirabel Hotel in Kefalonia offers a breakfast room where a rich buffet breakfast is served every morning. There is also a comfortable lounge with a TV and board games where guests can relax, and a hotel bar serving drinks and refreshments.
- Airport: 8 kms
Main Facilities
- Indoors and outdoors sitting areas
- WiFi Free (Public Areas)
- Breakfast
- Bar
- Elevator
- Parking
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- Luggage Room
- Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard)
- Exchange
- Fax / Copy Machine
- Car rental services
- Rent a bike
- Excursions - Tours
Room Facilities
- Room Service
- Balcony
- Heat system
- Air-conditioning
- Satellite TV
- Safety box
- Shower
Recreation Facilities
- Kitesurf Lessons
- Bicycle Rent
- Table Games
Sorry, the pricelist for this accommodation is not available.
(Prices are per room per night and include all taxes)
Please send a request to the hotel reservation department in order to be notified for their rates.


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Here is the third scrapbook club layout for the Sunny Day kit:
I used Dixie Pieces' September sketch challenge for this page. I turned the sketch on its side to accommodate my vertical 4x6 photo. The journaling strips are computer generated, the title is hand written and includes a chipboard heart that is not part of the kit. The page is accented with a hand-doodled frame.


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The Wireless Networking Buyer's Guide
Setting up a home or small office network can be a daunting challenge, so it certainly makes sense to leave well enough alone once things are up and running. The truth is, however, that a lot has changed in terms of Internet use over the past few years. If you have high-bandwidth requirements, such as 4K streaming, FaceTime, Skype, or game streaming, and your current hardware is more than a couple years old, it's probably time to upgrade your equipment. There's plenty of new networking technology to take advantage of, and the latest products have advanced by leaps and bounds both in terms of performance and features.
For the Summer 2018 edition of this guide, we have several great low-cost alternatives, as well as a number of awesome high-end solutions for users looking to maximize performance. To help you select the right product, we've grouped the various products into three distinct categories, as described below:
- Routers and Mesh Systems: these form the backbone of your home network, and we profile a basic 802.11ac 1200Mbps model for around $50, all the way up to the fastest multi-node mesh system available.
- Adapters: this is how your PC connects to the network, and we have recommendations for both USB (external) and PCIe (internal) models.
- Optional Components: here we include extenders that boost the range of existing systems, a powerline wired networking alternative, and our pick for the best cable modem for cable subscribers who want to ditch their montly rental fee!
If you're looking for a high-end solution, we offer two distinct choices. You can either go with an AC5400 router, like the big TP-Link Archer C5400 pictured above, which provides blistering throughput at shorter distances, or you can go with a "mesh networking" system, like TP-Link's sleek new M9 Plus, pictured here, which offers a bit less flat-out speed over short distances, but nearly infinite range. That's because in a mesh system, WiFi is no longer confined to a single router - an entire system of routers is at your disposal, providing a blanket of coverage to your home. And to make setup easy, manufacturers have ditched the clunky browser-based control panels for sleek smartphone apps, which also provide enhanced levels of control and safety. Mesh systems are most definitely the future - it's only a matter of time before we're all using them!
Note that we utilize Amazon's real-time pricing engine, so prices displayed in this guide are always up-to-date. If you decide to purchase any of the products we list, please support this guide by using the links we provide. If you'd like to learn more about the various 802.11 standards and how their performance matches up with real-world needs, feel free to check out our Introduction to Wireless Networking article.
The Wireless Networking Buyer's Guide - Summer 2018
The Basic 802.11ac Router:
TP-LINK Archer AC1200
The Archer AC1200 serves as a great introduction to 802.11ac networking. With a standard 802.11n 300Mbps radio as well as a dual-stream 867Mbps 802.11ac radio, it will provide maximum throughput to just about any typical device. It also has gigabit networking and dual USB 2.0 ports, which less expensive routers miss out on.
The Guru's Tip:
Note that nearly all current 802.11ac clients (as in smartphones, tablets, and laptops) use single- or dual-stream 802.11ac networking, which translates to 433Mbps or 867Mbps. The Archer is the perfect match for such devices.
The Mainstream 802.11ac Router:
TP-Link Archer C9 AC1900
If you want to be on the cutting edge, you want to step up to a triple-stream AC router. With more and more devices coming with 802.11ac networking built in, paying more for a high-powered AC router is finally starting to make a lot of sense. In our testing, the 802.11ac band provides up to 2x the speed of the best 802.11n routers. And TP-Link offers one of the best prices on an AC1900-rated model.
The Guru's Tip:
We've tested this router and found it to match the speed of the "big name" manufacturers without much difficulty. The only thing it was truly missing was a robust file server system for attached data drives.
The Multi-User 802.11ac Router:
TP-Link Archer AC5400
If you want the ultimate router, the flagship model from TP-Link is definitely the one! Dual 4x4 802.11ac radios with massive 2166Mbps throughput plus a high-powered 802.11n 2.4GHz 1000Mbps radio combine with MU-MIMO dedicated connections for a jaw-dropping 5334Mbps of theoretical throughput. In our review, and it easily beat our previous favorite, the more expensive Linksys EA9500.
The Guru's Tip:
With two separate 5GHz networks, this router is great for scenarios where you have many devices running concurrently. It's basically two routers in one!
The Mid-Range Whole-Home System:
TP-Link Deco M5
Back in 2016, a few small players entered the WiFi market with a unique solution: bundling multiple routers into a single, sleek package, branded as "wireless mesh networking." Recently, the big players have moved in, offering top-notch hardware backed by a refined user experience. This model from TP-Link will provide access across your entire home (3 nodes are good enough for 4,500 sq. ft), allow you to manage your whole home's network via your smartphone, and set limits on individual users (i.e., kids!) by device, so all their connected products are cut off at dinner time or bed time. To learn more about the Deco M5, see our full review!
The Guru's Tip:
A lot of readers have asked us about Google's WiFi mesh product. In a word, it's totally first-gen, and not worth buying today. It operates at an extraordinarily slow 433MHz. It was released in late-2016 when no other big names were in the mesh business. At this point, Google, which has little track record of successful product development, can safely be ignored.
The High-End Whole-Home System:
TP-Link Deco M9 Plus
No, it's not cheap, but if you want the ultimate in speed, functionality, and ease-of-use, the M9 Plus is the system to buy. With independent backhaul to provide seamless roaming without the halving of bandwidth that traditional extenders and even lower-cost mesh systems impose, it's the best wireless system on the planet. Read our full review to learn more!
The Guru's Tip:
This powerful system is rated to cover up to 4,500 sq ft., and can be expanded to 6,000 sq ft and beyond with additional nodes. It can even be controlled via Amazon's Echo, allowing you to turn on and off services with a single voice command. That's perfect for parents who need to kick kids off the 'net!
The Bargain 802.11ac USB Adapter:
TP-LINK Archer T4U V2
Have a laptop that's stuck on old wireless technology, or a desktop that you'd like to easily connect to your 802.11ac router without popping open the case? Then the T4U AC1200 is a strong contender for your next wireless adapter. It features dual-band operation, giving you the option of using the faster 5GHz AC band for modern devices, and its USB 3.0 interface will make the most of that capability!
The Guru's Tip:
We've found that wireless adapters that use only internal antennas typically don't have quite the same range as adapters with external antennas, but they're much more convenient to use with a laptop.
The 802.11ac/Bluetooth Combo Card:
Asus PCE-AC55BT
Representing an absolutely amazing value among add-in cards, this device may not have a catchy name, but it has specs that make it a winning pick! Featuring both 2.4GHz and 5GHz radios, the latter supporting the 802.11ac protocol, along with a Bluetooth 4.2 radio, this adapter packs in a whole lot of goodness for the price!
The Guru's Tip:
Given how many of our readers are looking for a combined Wireless/Bluetooth solution for their desktop PCs, we're surprised that Asus is among the very few companies with a solution to meet this need.
The 802.11ac PCIe Adapter:
TP-Link Archer T9E AC1900
Featuring triple-stream 802.11ac networking good for a 1300Mbps rating, this add-in card offers truly high-end performance. And given that it installs internally and has an attached antenna array, it's also pretty sleek as adapters go.
The Guru's Tip:
The T9E proved to be ultra-fast in our wireless adapter shootout! If your motherboard is more than 5 years old, however, make sure it has PCIe slots by checking your user's manual. If it doesn't, you should go with a USB-based model.
The Ultra-High-End 802.11ac PCIe Adapter:
Asus PCE-AC88 AC3100 PCIe Adapter
Want the very fastest wireless adapter on the market? This new model from Asus is the one! Featuring a robust controller card with an external quad-antenna array, this adapter has the power to truly deliver on its AC3100 rating (including 2100Mbps over 802.11ac and 1000Mbps on 802.11n). Yes, it's harder to install than a USB-based device, but no other product on the market will even come close to this adapter, which is the only four-transmit, four-receive (4x4) 802.11ac adapter available!
The Guru's Tip:
We haven't tested this new model yet, but every other Asus adapter we've used has beaten the competition, so we're confident this adapter will get the job done... fast!
Optional Components
The Compact 802.11ac Wireless Extender:
Linksys Amplify RE6700 AC1200 Range Extender
If you'd like expand the boundaries of your existing network, a wireless extender is the easiest way to do so, and the Amplify RE6700 is the very best model on the market. It resembles an over-sized "wall-wart" power adapter, and can be placed in any unused socket around the house. Note that it also provides a single wired connection to a nearby device like a TV, PC, or AV device, along with a power outlet pass-through and an signal strength indicator light.
The Guru's Tip:
We strongly recommend that you do not use the same network name (SSID) for the extended network as you do the original network created by your router. That's because the technology used to extend the network necessitates a halving of throughput, and if you use the same SSID, you'll lose half your performance throughout your network, not just in the extended area.
The Media Bridge/Range Extender:
Netgear EX6200 802.11ac Wi-Fi Range Extender
This is the ideal product for pairing with a high-end dual-band 802.11ac router to provide high-speed wired "bridge" connections to up to four devices in a remote location, such as a home theater setup or separate office, while also extending your wireless network beyond the reach of your router. It operates at 867Mbps on the 5GHz AC band and 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz N band.
The Guru's Tip:
After a recent price cut, this extender is a true bargain, especially once you consider that the EX6200 is actually taking the place of the wireless adapter for four devices and enhancing your wireless network!
The Powerline Alternative:
TP-Link AV2000 Powerline Adapter Kit
Whether it's the distance between the router and your PC, interference from other electronic equipment, or just plain bad luck, there will be times when wireless networking isn't going to work as well as you want it to. Enter the Powerline standard, which provides wired networking over a home's electrical system. If you have an outlet in your room, you can have a hard-wired network connection. Powerline is incredibly easy to set up - just plug one adapter into a socket near your router, and another near your PC, attach an ethernet cable to each one, and you're done. Of course, this isn't great for laptops, and won't work at all for tablets and smartphones, so you'll still need wireless. But for any device that doesn't move (e.g., a desktop PC or TV), Powerline just might be ideal. And this model from TP-Link features the fastest version of Powerline yet, AV2000, offering up to 2000Mbps throughput... that's faster than Gigabit Ethernet!
The Guru's Tip:
Note that you cannot plug Powerline adapters into surge protectors - they'll scramble the signal.
Cable Modem:
Netgear CM700 Docsis 3.0
If you're on cable Internet (like the vast majority of people who have truly high-speed service), then do yourself a favor and stop paying your cable provider a monthly rental fee for an old modem! Buy yourself one with the latest upgrades and start saving money! This model uses the fastest iteration of Docsis 3.0, 32x8, which will be able to keep up with plans up to 500 Mbps.
The Guru's Tip:
If you're one of the few lucky ones with true Gigabit cable service available to you, then go for Netgear's CM1000 Docsis 3.1 model.
- The Basic 802.11ac Router TP-LINK Archer AC1200 ($50.00)
- The Mainstream 802.11ac Router TP-Link Archer C9 AC1900 ($90.00)
- The Multi-User 802.11ac Router TP-Link Archer AC5400 ($278.00)
- The Mid-Range Whole-Home System TP-Link Deco M5 ($220.00)
- The High-End Whole-Home System TP-Link Deco M9 Plus ($300.00)
- The Bargain 802.11ac USB Adapter TP-LINK Archer T4U V2 ($38.00)
- The 802.11ac/Bluetooth Combo Card Asus PCE-AC55BT ($35.00)
- The 802.11ac PCIe Adapter TP-Link Archer T9E AC1900 ($55.00)
- The Ultra-High-End 802.11ac PCIe Adapter Asus PCE-AC88 AC3100 PCIe Adapter ($105.00)
- The Compact 802.11ac Wireless Extender Linksys Amplify RE6700 AC1200 Range Extender ($58.00)
- The Media Bridge/Range Extender Netgear EX6200 802.11ac Wi-Fi Range Extender ($79.00)
- The Powerline Alternative TP-Link AV2000 Powerline Adapter Kit ($100.00)
- Cable Modem Netgear CM700 Docsis 3.0 ($100.00)


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The MultiDrizzle Handbook
2.3 Costs and Drawbacks of Dithering
While dithering provides substantial benefits, there are a number of trade-offs that must be understood and considered when deciding whether or not to obtain dithered data. These are described more fully later in the document but are summarized here:
- Obtaining the final combined data product will require special reductions and thus more work on the part of the observer.
- Some extra spacecraft overhead time will be incurred, and observers will need to judge if this is significant by actually running tests on various scenarios using the RPS2 scheduling software.
- If longer exposures are broken into shorter exposures to obtain more dithers, the user may suffer an increase in read noise. The increased volume of data will fill the data buffer faster, possibly complicating the observing.
- If the primary science goal is to measure differential changes over time, as in time-series photometry, then dithering can in some cases complicate the resulting analysis due to intra-pixel sensitivity variations in the detectors. This was primarily a concern with NIC3, and should not be an issue for WFC3 which has not shown the same intra-pixel sensitivity as NICMOS during its ground testing.
- Elimination of cosmic rays may be slightly compromised, especially if one has only a few sub-pixel offsets with just one image at each location.
For most observing programs on HST the potential drawbacks to dithering are outweighed by the scientific benefits. However, in specific instances it might be possible that the above drawbacks are deemed too severe, as in programs with very few available orbits. If you have questions about how your particular program would be affected by dithering, and you do not find the answers in this document, please feel free to get in touch with
firstname.lastname@example.com your Contact Scientist if one has been assigned.
Space Telescope Science Institute
Voice: (410) 338-1082


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Thursday Morning News
A research note claims all of Apple's iPhones released this year will feature 3GB of RAM and Lightning connectors with faster charging. MacRumors notes that the iPhone 7 Plus already has 3GB of RAM, so the regular-sized model and whatever third size Apple release will be the only ones to get a bump in RAM. USB-C charging is likely on the cards also, at least replacing the end that was previously a regular USB connector.
The same research note also says Apple are struggling with integrating the Touch ID underneath the OLED display. It seems unlikely that Apple would remove Touch ID completely or settle for a compromise such as relocating the Touch ID sensor to the rear of the device like many recent flagships from other companies. It seems more and more likely Apple will push back the expected release date for the new iPhone, instead of releasing something that would be a compromise on the design.
A concept design of a modular Mac Pro shows us what such a machine might look like. The design looks good enough, but the photos make it seem proportionally too small, like there's no way Apple would be able to fit standard PC components into such a tiny enclosure and cool them sufficiently. But hey, it looks OK.
The Hover Camera Passport is the latest flying thing to hit Apple's shelves, both in-store and online. A US$500 bundle gives you the selfie-taking drone, two batteries, power adapter, charger, and bag for storage. Unfortunately, there's no good news for Australians who want to get their hands on the semi-autonomous drone, as the bundle is only going to be available in the US, UK, Canada, China, and Hong Kong.
Speaking of Apple Stores, Apple are internally promoting employee challenges with tees and pins. These physical rewards have started popping up over social media over the last few weeks, and it seems the promo is being run the Challenges iOS app, with Apple employees entering a unique code to participate in the challenge.
It's hard to believe there still isn't an Apple Watch app for Spotify, but that's soon going to be fixed. The void has been filled by third-party developers, and one in particular is now partnering with Spotify in order to build out the Apple Watch portion of the Spotify iOS app.
An Apple patent describes a waterproof AirPods case that's capable of charging your iPhone and Apple Watch. It'd have to be slightly bigger than the current dental-floss sized AirPods charging case, but the bigger battery might mean the capability of providing some charge to your laptop, too.
The Verge writes that AirPods are great and all, even if they do make you look like an alien. But soon enough, everyone will be using wireless earbuds, and the true aliens will be the ones with the distinctive white cords snaking into a pocket.
It's not strictly related to Apple, but Jeff Atwood's take on computing power being free and power being expensive reminded me of how Apple's data centres were powered by 100% renewable energy. It's an achievement that Apple can be proud of.
Business Insider interviewed a NYU student who spent six weeks working undercover in an iPhone manufacturing facility near Shanghai. The conditions weren't great, the pay was awful, but the experience will never be forgotten.
The news returns on Tuesday.


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Official: Petraeus's Last Days Strained
General David Petraeus wasn't doing so hot during his last days. The CIA was embroiled in scandal over its role in Benghazi, and criticism was coming from all sides at the general, a senior official told The Wall Street Journal. Apparently, Petraeus wanted aides to publish a timeline of the events in Libya, even after the Pentagon objected. His Army background also didn't mesh with the relaxed attitude at the CIA, according to agency officers, who said Petraeus was surprised when disagreed with, and was controlling.


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Handy Tips
Handy Tips
4 Tips to Consider When Choosing an Auto Repair Shop
You should take your vehicle to the garage as soon as you notice a damage. You can end up spending a huge amount in repairs if you neglect taking the vehicle to a repair shop early. Moreover, using a vehicle when it is damaged can lead to problems with the law. Thus, it is advisable to get the vehicle repaired as soon as you can.
There are a number of auto repair shops where you can take your vehicle to for repairs. Choose a shop that is known for excellence and charges fairly. Here are four things to keep in mind when choosing an auto body repair shop.
Reputation of the Shop
Check the reputation of the
Clarke Automotive Systems
service shop where you want to take your vehicle to for repairs. The best shop to choose is one that is known to provide excellent services. You can ask your family members or friends for referrals of good car repair shops. Alternatively, use the internet to search for auto body shops in the area. Check reviews of different shops to know what to expect from them.
Cost of Service
There is no set price on the amount you will be charged for specific repairs. Therefore, you should choose a shop that charges fairly. You can contact
Clarke Automotive Systems
and inquire about their costs for the specific services you need. Apart from this, find out how much they charge for labor per hour and cost of repair parts. Do not choose an auto repair shop simply because it offers the lowest price. Rather, consider price as one of the factors in making your decision.
Auto Repair Shop Specialty
It is also advisable to consider the specialization of the auto body shop you want to choose. Ideally, look for a shop that has specialized in the type of vehicle you have. Find out whether the auto body shop is a certified partner of the car manufacturer. It's also important to confirm whether the shop's mechanics are specialized in repairing the type of car you have. The more experience the mechanics have, the better.
Is the Shop Licensed?
Find out whether the shop has the necessary licenses to operate in the area. An easy way of confirming the licensing status of a shop is to find out the information from the city council. Another thing you can confirm is whether professional associations in your city recognize the shop. You are likely to get good service from an auto repair shop that is highly reputable. To learn more about auto repair, visit
There are a number of auto shops where you can take your car for repairs. The shop you choose will determine how much you will pay for the repair services.


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When we think getting hydrated, we typically think water or coconut water, or the like, but what we don't usually think about is how much of our hydration comes from the food we eat.
Johnee Wilson, Raw Food Chef & Coach at RAW!, makes a notable point in her theory that "We don't get old, we dry out." It's sometimes said that elderly people "dry up like prunes," and if you think about how a prune becomes a prune, it's transformation process is just that--drying out. Light switch. Oh no! So what are we to do??!
The first step is to look at your daily plate. Is your food as hydrating as your water? If you look at the composition of your daily food, look to how much brings water into your body vs. draws water from your body in order to digest. There needs to be a balance.
Foods that bring moisture into our bodies: green leaves, fruits, and vegetables contain varying levels of moisture. How much of these are you eating?
Foods that require moisture from our bodies: Think about what foods draw moisture as you prepare them. If they react this way on the outside of your body, they will react this way on the inside of your body. Have you seen how much water certain grains will draw in when you cook them? Proper preparation of grains is so important. Next week's post will cover soaking/sprouting and proper grain preparation for good digestion.
And think about this: Oil and water don't mix. Oil floats on the surface of water. Think then what happens to oily foods that come through our bodies in overwhelming levels? I pondered this... Experimenting with my protein choices over the past year, I'e discovered that my skin became less oily as I reduced my meat intake, namely the tasty fattier meat of chicken. I began to pay close attention to how I felt with less fat and oil in my diet, and I've realized I feel, well--less oily. In considering the oil-water opposition, I now gravitate toward foods that make me feel more clear and fresh, more alive and hydrated, and less oily.
There needs to be a balance. If you notice that you're actually eating an overwhelming amount of food that is dehydrating, then shift a bit and eat more food that is hydrating--Envision the prune.


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The Astros have agreed to minor-league deals with free agent outfielders Nick Stavinoha and Travis Buck that include an invitation to major league spring training.
Stavinoha, 29, is a Houston native and Jersey Village graduate who has a .234 batting average and four home runs in 265 major-league at-bats. A seventh-round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2005, Stavinoha played for Class AAA Memphis this past season and tied for the the Pacific Coast League in RBIs (107) and was fifth in home runs (28). The righthanded-hitting Stavinoha has played 479 of his 655 minor league games at Triple-A, batting .292 and slugging .474.
Buck, who turns 28 next week, is lefthanded hitter who has spent parts of five seasons in the major leagues. In 220 career games for the Athletics (2007-10) and Indians (2011), Buck is a .246 hitter with a .320 on-base percentage and a .408 slugging percentage. He opted for minor league free agency after last season, spent between Cleveland and Class AAA Columbus.
The Astros enter 2012 with a hardly settled outfield situation. Should J.D. Martinez maintain his hold on left field, Jason Bourgeois, Jordan Schafer, Brian Bogusevic and J.B. Shuck could all be battling for time at the remaining positions with new acquisition Brian Bixler also having some outfield in his wide profile. Should a re-emergence of Brett Wallace push Carlos Lee to left field, then that battle for time could further tighten.
The Astros also signed Adalberto Flores, a righthanded reliever formerly of the Rangers organization, to a minor league contract though not including a major league camp invitation.
Flores, 25, has been used almost exclusively out of the bullpen and had a 3.32 ERA in 41 appearances for Class AA Frisco. Between his time with the Rangers organization and a year with the Marlins organization, he has a career 3.67 mark and 9.5 strikeouts per 9 innings.


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(l-r) Claire and Mara
Claire McRae can't skydive or play tackle football, but 37 years after her sister, Mara, donated a kidney to save her life, there's not much she hasn't tried. An executive producer at CNN who started as a tape logger, Claire has produced Larry King Live, Inside Politics with Judy Woodruff and Bernard Shaw and is currently executive producer for Fredricka Whitfield
As a teenager, however, her health was precarious. Growing up in rural Thomasville, Georgia, doctors weren't sure what to make of Claire's symptoms. Finally, one physician whose own daughter had kidney failure stemming from lupus decided to check out Claire's kidneys. By the time he did, they were near failure and he sent the family 200 miles to Atlanta for treatment. At the time, Grady Hospital was the only place with a dialysis unit and so Claire's dad made the eight hour roundtrip drive three times a week so Claire could have the toxins filtered out of her body. But Claire didn't do well on dialysis and the family knew that transplant was her only option for long term survival. Everyone in the family was tested and Mara turned out to be the best match. "She picked the short straw," laughs Claire, "and I told her, 'give me the good kidney.'"
Mara didn't hesitate. In fact, she says now that it took her all of five seconds to make her decision. Although she was in college at the time and had to work her final schedule around the transplant, she aced the exams and even graduated ahead of time. And she's never looked back. A commercial litigator who went straight from law school to a large firm where she worked for 25 years, Mara recently opened her own practice with a few of the other firm partners. She sailed through two pregnancies and says the only time she remembers that she's living with one kidney is each year when the sisters celebrate the transplant anniversary.
"I would do it all over again. When I think about giving up something I don't need in exchange for a lifetime with my sister, there's just no contest," says Mara. The two are extremely close and as Claire explains, once they got past the "I hate your guts" teenage stage, they became best friends who share many interests in addition to the kidney. Both were English majors who love reading and movies. They don't have too many hobbies and both say they spend lots of time working, but they're clearly passionate about their chosen professions.
Looking back, Claire says once she got the transplant, "It was like night and day. I went from putting one foot in front of the other and basically just existing to truly living. I loved being able to eat whatever I wanted. Right after the transplant, my mom spent many evenings bunking in the nurses dorm and often went on midnight food runs to keep up with my newfound appetite and spare me the hospital fare. Beyond that, I was thrilled to have the energy to do whatever I wanted."
When asked what advice she'd give to potential living donors, Mara has just two words, "Do it."
"I remember a huge sense of relief that something could be done to fix my 5'7", 90 lb sister. I was just relieved, never nervous." She says not to let fear of the unknown prevent anyone from donating, "Get the information and talk to people who've done it. From my perspective, all I can say is 'that's what sisters are for.'"
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Feedback is essential!
It's impossible to be perfect. In order to improve and make it easier for you to find information about rail freight locations the project team behind Rail Freight Locations welcome your feedback. It doesn't matter whether the feedback is positive or negative, about portal features or maybe errors in the data. Please use the form below and get in touch with us!


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California Lifecare Advance Directive - DOWNLOAD$7.99 (€6.95)
Just click on the appropriate category heading.
If you have any difficulty finding, purchasing, or downloading any of our products, just send us a message (you can use the "Contact Us" icon in the upper right-hand corner of this page) and we will get back with you as quickly as possible.
NOTE: All order download links are generated for a 24-hour period only. Please access your download during that time. If circumstances prevent you completing a download during this period, contact us at "firstname.lastname@example.com" for further assistance.
Thank you for purchasing quality, research-validated Lifecare products!


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Bee Brilliant is a puzzle game for android
Download latest version of Bee Brilliant Mod Apk [Unlimited Coins Lives & Boosters] 1.50.1 for Android 4.0 and up from apkville.us with direct link
Bee Brilliant Apk Description
Explore the world of Beeland and meet the singing Babees, the crazy Busy Bees and the cheeky spiders in this buzzing FREE puzzle game. Get ready to connect colourful lines of Babees, make awesome combos and have some buzzing fun! Release your inner puzzle bee and join the beedazzling adventure TODAY!
• Easy, addictive puzzle gameplay! Match and connect one colourful line of bees after another to unleash combos!
• Play your way through Beeland in 6 different game modes and hundreds of addictive levels!
• Challenge your friends! Can you Bee Brilliant enough to top their high scores?
• Lots of crazy bees! Meet Ms. Honey, Sgt. Sting, Beecasso and others! And, of course, the singing Babees will not miss a chance to break into a tune of buzzing barber shop disco!
• Loads of different game modes: Pop the cheeky spiders' web, collect honey pots and much, much more!
• Not to forget: A lifetime's supply of bee puns!
What's New
Get ready for an update filled with thrills and buzzing! Strap in for a wild ride with the Abeeators!
• Go for a loop in the FRESH NEW LEVELS!
• A NEW SONG by the stars of the show aka The Abeeators!
• Look out for the BRAND NEW LIVE EVENT!
Unlimited coins
Unlimited lives
VIP unlocked
Unlimited bronze, silver, and gold tickets


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You don't actually have to go to the wedding, but Virgin Atlantic is offering some cheap business class airfares to London April 18-29, starting at $2570 (plus tax) from New York, Boston, Washington DC, Los Angeles and San Francisco (add about $800 from the West coast). The same Upper Class fares are also available from New York June 8th to September 2nd which, sadly, is not that much more of a premium over coach this summer. Upper Class fares normally approach $6500.
Fares can be booked through April 13.


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Applejack Hospitality unveiled Bondi Beach Hardware in late 2011. The new restaurant and bar assumed the workingman character of the locale: the iconic Sydney suburb of Bondi where local tradesmen and DIY enthusiasts once gathered. Welcoming and vibrant, with a rustic feel, the restaurant offers wood-fired pizzas, share plates and weekend breakfast, while the bar serves an interesting selection of cocktails, wines and craft beers.
Together with designer Julia Jacque, we designed Bondi Hardware's brand to reflect the atmosphere of the venue, which suggests crafting great meals. Thus the background of the website resembles drawing paper with diagrams of gears (and of bottles, glasses and utensils) and a typewriter-style font. Continuing with the mechanical theme, we included several moving parts in the site, such as a background video, parallax scrolling and shapes that rotate when the visitor hovers over them.
As for functionality, this site has it all: complete menus that are easy to update, online table and gift card bookings, news & events, a gallery laid out like mason tiles and a contact page with an interactive map and plenty of information on how to get in touch with Bondi Hardware. You can even take a virtual tour of Applejack Hospitality's venues.
With mobile-friendliness, social media integration and consistent branding across all media, Bondi Hardware makes sure their customers have a high-quality experience at the restaurant and online.
Open for business in Bondi Beach, Bondi Hardware is also ready to seamlessly receive enquiries, bookings and gift card purchases online, not to mention attract more customers.
If you want a website that is easy to update and aligns with your brand, please drop us a line and we'll be happy to make your life easier!
To view another website we designed with a similar layout but different theme, check out The Butler Sydney, the newest Applejack Hospitality venue.
Seriously Good Design went above and beyond to ensure our website was everything we envisioned. SGD clearly have a talented and creative team that strive to deliver seriously awesome websites. Already planning our next website with them…. let the fun continue.


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The new Capresso teaC100 electric water kettle makes it even easier for tea lovers to enjoy their favorite cup of tea.
This fast, energy efficient water kettle includes five easy-to-read temperature settings, ranging from 100° to 212°F, conveniently labeled according to the type of tea the user is preparing, including green, white, oolong and black tea.
Additionally, the 48-ounce (6 cup) capacity teaC100 can warm water for French press coffee, or simply keeps water warm in its sturdy glass pitcher.
Designed to heat the water to the desired temperature quickly, the stainless steel heating element boils water in half the time as a traditional stovetop kettle – saving time and energy.
The newest model in Capresso's growing line of electric kettles, use the teaC100 to brew the perfect glass of tea with our handy Guide to Steeping Tea.
Click here to learn more about the Capresso teaC100.


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It's Social
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and more – Exmosi gives you a fast and easy way to keep your mobile site social.
Exmosi is a simple to use web-based tool that allows you to build a mobile website with ease. With millions of smartphones sold every day, if you don't already have a mobile website for your business, now is the time!
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and more – Exmosi gives you a fast and easy way to keep your mobile site social.
Powerful analytics give you instant insight in to how many viewers are seeing your mobile site or landing page.
Any computer, anywhere, at any time. Exmosi's powerful web-based utility is cross-browser compatible.
Eliminate frustration and confusion. Exmosi's web-based tool is fast and easy to use.
Exmosi takes the headaches and confusion out of building a mobile web presence. Our fast and easy to use interface makes building your mobile landing page or site fast and simple.
Using our fast and intuitive mobile site tool, Exmosi allows you to easily build your mobile site with only a few clicks.
If you have a website, you need a mobile website. With millions of mobile devices sold every day, Exmosi helps you get your mobile website online in no time!


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Nicole Sparks and Jenna Marwitz have turned slow cooking into a craze! The Crockin' Girls released their first cookbook in 2012 and the frenzy grew! They knew it was time to give the people what they wanted and release a second cook book full of great recipes that cover all lifestyles.
Crockathon Planning – Securing the location, volunteers, and appropriate facilities for a 4 day, 150 recipe "crockathon" and photoshoot
Art Direction – Consulting on the book layout, assisting in styling the food photography, overseeing the execution of the vision.
Graphic Design – The Moxie Room's designers carefully designed every single page in "It's Our Crockin' Life."
Promotion – The Moxie Room aided in initial promotional efforts for The Crockin' Girls surrounding new recipes and the new cookbook launch.
"When self publishing our second cookbook we knew we wanted to up our creative game- adding more of our kids, anecdotes, funky colors and patterns, more personality and flare! The moxie room helped to bring our vision to life and get it from our minds onto paper. Our second title "It's Our Crockin' Life" is a piece of us as much as it is a recipe book- and the moxie girls helped make that possible!"
– Nicole Sparks & Jenna Marwitz, The Crockin' Girls
What makes the Crockin' Girls special is their personalities! Each of them are you unique and have a wonderful gravity about them! We looked through endless cookbooks to glean valuable style techniques, layout ideas, and inspiration. Through it all we feel we carried on the style of their first cookbook and, if possible, made the second one feel even more like you were opening a book written by a dear friend.
When The Crockin' Girls came to us, this book was an idea. We brainstormed and created a plan that would take 7 full months to execute. From planning the "Crockathon": where we crocked, plated, staged, and shot all the photos for the book in less than 4 days, to creating a unique layout for each chapter and page, to making sure the promotional pieces were exciting and eye catching, we worked as a team; pooling all of our talents to help The Crockin' Girls realize their next dream cookbook and execute their vision.
Design, Re-Design, Shoot, Re-Design, Tweak, Press Proofs, More Tweaks, and Hours upon Hours of proofreading. A cookbook takes a dedicated team of professionals and laser focus. We pulled together all the elements that had been gathered and created to finalize the book you are now able to buy in bookstores all across America.
Design a cookbook indicative of The Crockin' Girls style that embodies all the things they love about crockin' and all the different lifestyles that can be served well through it.


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Thursday, September 27, 2012
Pondering my blogging future...
I used to post at least one thing every weekday, and I'm still most comfortable following that schedule. As I've written somewhat recently, though, I've also gotten more comfortable with taking unscheduled or unannounced breaks from posting, and will probably need an extended break again soon as I get my second Tales of Telmaja book publication-ready. I also post (though less frequently) on the Tales of Telmaja blog, and though I feel bad about neglecting the Coalition for Clarity blog as much as I do, I still post there on occasion as well.
One thing I've always said--and this is true--is that I don't post primarily to get page views or hits, or to pander to a specific audience, or to land a paid blogging contract. I respect people who do, but the only writing with which I ever hope to earn any money is my children's fiction writing (and I'm perfectly content if that never nets me more than a pittance, because when it comes right down to it I don't do that for the money, either). I don't think I could ever do this kind of writing for a living, for reasons that are both complicated and, ultimately, personal.
Nevertheless, I've noticed two things about my traffic lately: one, it has dropped off some from the past, and two, many of my page hits and views involve long-ago written, archived stuff, not my most recent postings. (True fact: the post that gets the most page views is this one, proving that the power of a good headline is amazing. Another true fact: I had one good headline in me, and that was it!) :)
Pundits have been predicting the death of blogging for a long time now, and yet some of us still truly enjoy this format as opposed to the fast-paced, instant-sharing, frenetic, "like" or "dislike" world of Facebook, Twitter, and similar pithy observation/cute pic factories. Maybe it's because some of us are just wordy (always a possibility). Or maybe it's because the joy of writing barely exists on those limited-character screens, where the pressure to say something replete with sound-bite cleverness so that a moment's thought becomes a viral meme is always present, and the pleasure of translating thoughts into words and paragraphs is subsumed beneath the demand for brevity which, however much it may be the soul of wit, is seldom the sum of it.
But just as people seem to prefer the quick posting of the other types of social media, so do they seem, these days, not to want to spend time actually reading blog posts. I'm not the first person to notice, and I'm sure I won't be the last, but the truth is that blogs are starting to be as neglected as newspapers and TV news. Well, some blogs, anyway; I can't speak for everyone here.
And yet--I'm pretty much addicted to doing this, and will keep on even if I end up with two readers and one of them is me because I forgot to tell the site tracking tool to ignore my visits again.
Because I'm contemplating moving the blog to a different platform (possibly Wordpress, though I haven't completely figured the move out yet), I'm starting to wonder if it isn't time for a reboot of sorts. This blog was originally a place for me to share whatever it was I was thinking about, whether it was homeschooling or politics or Catholic thought or fiction writing or random silliness, but lately my posts have tended to be focused on Catholic teaching as it applies to social issues and culture. I write about that stuff because it's important, and I don't intend to quit, but if I do restart in a new location I'd like to go back to being able to write just about anything instead of keeping to a self-imposed tendency to stick to things that have some sort of religious/cultural significance.
If I did "reboot," so to speak, I think I would more or less combine the fiction-writing blog (which is tiny anyway) with the overall blog instead of trying to maintain two separate ones. The C4C blog would remain; I'm not the only writer who has posted there and it's possible at any time that the issues of torture and so forth would require that blog to be more regularly updated (though we can sincerely hope not).
I'd like your opinions, if you'd like to share them!
6 comments:
- Alisha De Freitas said...
Very interesting... I was thinking about you today. Wondering how you homeschool, cook, clean, write so impeccably well on your various blogs, author a novel, participate in church... Well, how do you do it? Seriously? Like really, I'd love to read a post on time management.
As for the death of blogs... Geez, are they over? Are they, like MySpace, so 2005? If so, I'm not surprised, but I didn't get the memo. I read a number of them daily. But I can see why, in this age of quick YouTube clips, Pinterest pics and 140 character tweets, many people can't be bothered with five whole paragraphs. Perish the thought.
I've got much to ponder. Including a switch to WordPress as well.
- September 27, 2012 at 6:55 PM
- Will Duquette said...
Erin: IMHO you should write whatever you damn well please, wherever it pleases you to do so. Then, you'll either have an audience or you won't; but as you've noted you're not writing for page views.
As for Twitter & Co, I'm still a blog reader. Not everything can be expressed in a pithy sound bite.
- September 27, 2012 at 7:48 PM
- Magister Christianus said...
I don't like the new Blogger interface either, especially from my iPad, but I am a guy will take the same route to a given destination over and over, whereas my wife will search out new and better routes. I am unlikely to leave Blogger.
As for blogging in general, I still read blogs because, unlike with MSM pieces, the bias or at least perspective of the author is usually fairly well known. I don't have to guess where you or Mark Shea or KKolwitz or Euripides or Frank Weathers, to name just a few, are coming from. I respect the opinions of the bloggers I read.
I would like to blog once a day, and have managed it som weeks, but this does not always work. What I like most about blogging is the chance to work through my own thoughts on an issue and in a community of other thinkers. Think back to times when you have engaged deep matters in passionate, well-considered conversation. For many of us, those were times in undergraduate or graduate school with peers or professors. It may have been at local pub near the church in downtown Austin, Texas (can I get a witness, Eutychus?). The blogosphere is a reasonable approximation of the productive engagement that can happen through intelligent conversation among adults.
In short, Red, don't give up. Those with the attention span of a gnat may prefer FB and Twitter. Serious interlocutors who cannot get together to talk face to face can do the next best thing in the combox.
- September 27, 2012 at 7:50 PM
- L. said...
I recently stopped posting at my own blog, after doing it steadily since 2005. The time had just come for me to concentrate on other things. But I still read blogs (though I don't comment as much as I used to).
The only right answer is the one that works for you.
- September 27, 2012 at 11:39 PM
- JMB said...
Hi Erin,
I've been largely absent from blog reading due to summer and some computer problems. I finally got my own laptop so now I'm trying to build up my favorites. I always enjoy your take on things, but I'm a little weary of politics these days, so I'll skip over those posts. It's not that I don't care or disagree with you, I'm just tired the constant political talk.
- September 28, 2012 at 11:01 AM
- D. said...
Hello Erin! I'm a regular reader (via Google Reader). I meant to leave this comment earlier but better late than never.
I agree with the other commenters - write whatever it is that pleases you. But I must say - your (along with people like Mark Shea's) take on the social and cultural issues are much needed on the blogosphere. You are simply Catholic - you avoid the over-the-top rhetoric that even well-established Catholic bloggers sometimes can't seem to steer away from. It's an easy temptation to fall into - I know: I'm not even from the US and sometimes I get caught up in the partisan atmosphere.
I'm a Sri Lankan, living in Singapore. Events and issues in America are very much discussed here too, and often in (even more polarized) exaggeratedly partisan terms. But your voice rings with the familiar tone of the Church - thank you for that!
All the best with your decision and with the book sales!
- October 6, 2012 at 9:34 PM


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Colleague letter from Jack Kingston to GOP members of Congress
Dear Republican Colleague:
This past week I traveled to Iraq as
part of a bipartisan delegation to gauge the morale of our troops,
talk with the officers and soldiers about the war, and witness the
progress in Iraq and that of the Iraqi people. The bottom line: The
war in Iraq is a much different war than the one we read about in
the major media everyday. Progress is being made.
As you may have read in Tuesday's
Washington Times, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said, "We've
arrived at a strange time in this country, where the worst about
America and our military seems to so quickly be taken as truth by
the press and reported and spread around the world." He continued,
saying the reporting is "often with little context and little
scrutiny, let alone correction or accountability after the fact."
Attached is a
report prepared by the Media Research Center, which studied the
networks' coverage of the war in Iraq in 2005 and found that, in
fact, the networks HAVE BEEN biased.
For instance, the data show that the
coverage has been:
Overwhelmingly pessimistic
Increasingly negative over time
Highlighting terrorist attacks as
centerpieces of the nightly news
Downbeat on the Iraqi political
Limited to only eight stories of
heroism or valor by U.S. troops -- out of 1,388 news reports!
This new study confirms what our
troops told me in Iraq, that they wondered why only the bad news
seemed to be getting reported to Americans through the media. Our
nation's media can do better. Journalists have an obligation and
responsibility to report in a fair and balanced manner.
Unfortunately, for the story about
the war in Iraq, that's not happening.
Jack Kingston
Member of Congress
Take Action and Make a Donation!
"Support Our Troops"
Contact our troops overseas!
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from the 2004 Campaign
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text:
Becoming part of the global community is one of many interests that can be explored at WestConn.
Our philosophy is simple: Foster a holistic approach to intellectual and social growth and development that prepares students to be productive citizens of the world by developing their knowledge, experience, and critical thinking. For Ashley Hyde her intellectual curiosity, imagination and creativity were piqued as an undergraduate student at WestConn, especially in her social sciences courses with Dr. Rob Whittemore and political science courses with Dr. Chris Kukk. From her initial major in biology to core courses in anthropology and courses in international relations … Ashley was able to develop a research project that was likely one of the best proposals Fulbright received.The knowledge and confidence that she gained as a student helped shape her desire to help others, but it was a trip to Cape Verde in 2009 that solidified her decision to make a change in the world.
As part of the trip, sponsored by the Humanitarian Travel Club, Hyde took part in assisting with medical aid, tutoring students and helping deportees reintegrate into society. "That trip really spurred my interest there. There are an increasing number of people being deported from the United States," Hyde said. "Housing and employment are a problem and there is a huge cultural issue, a stigma, with being a deportee. No one in the community wants to help them."
Her plans to help others earned Hyde a Fulbright scholarship in January. In the fall, she will move to Jamaica for a year to conduct research on alternative methods of integration for deportees. At the end of the year after her study is completed, Hyde will earn a Master of Science in public health or international relations from the University of West Indies, which will advise and oversee her project.
We have six great reasons to consider WestConn.
Reason No. 1:
Peretti makes history contemporary, relevant
WestConn's educators excel in their subject areas and disciplines, and are committed to excellence in teaching, ensuring student success and fostering a diverse academic community. Small class sizes taught by award-winning professors — including some Fulbright scholars — provide the best learning opportunities available.
Reason No. 2:
Global climate studies start close to home for Connecticut native
Capitalizing on our location in Danbury, Connecticut, a New England city characterized by its economic vibrancy and its diverse citizenry, as well as our proximity to the educational and cultural riches of New York City, WestConn has truly become a global university. Our students can be found exhibiting their art in Manhattan, performing theater on Broadway and in Scotland, visiting the United Nations and traveling to China, Spain, Puerto Rico and Vietnam for immersion programs.
Reason No. 3:
Nursing major says WestConn helped her accomplish every goal
At WestConn, we value and affirm the unique contributions of our many constituent populations, recognizing the learning opportunities that differences can create. Workshops, roundtables and student organizations serve to explore and understand how best to combine the many unique talents within our student and faculty populations to foster discussion and understanding.
Reason No. 4:
Future science teacher gets hands-on experience in state-of-the-art biology lab
WestConn offers a range of quality academic offerings, including signature programs like our teacher education, music performance, nursing and science degrees, to our one-of-a-kind meteorology, professional writing and justice and law administration programs. There truly is something for everyone at WestConn.
Reason No. 5:
Student-Centered Environment
Becoming part of the global community is one of many interests that can be explored at WestConn.
Our philosophy is simple: Foster a holistic approach to intellectual and social growth and development that prepares students to be productive citizens of the state of Connecticut and the world by developing their knowledge, experience, and critical thinking and by fostering life-long learning characterized by intellectual curiosity, imagination and creativity. In other words, if you can imagine it, you can achieve it at WestConn.
Reason No. 6:
Student uses scholarships to follow his dream
WestConn is proud to offer the affordability and access of a mid-sized public university while creating the quality experience of the best private institutions. Through private and corporate scholarships and endowments, the university continues to provide resources to students with academic achievement and financial need.


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Ondonga royal squabbles: Betrayal or autocracy?
Ongwediva-based journalist Nuusita Ashipala yesterday sat down with Acting Secretary of the Ondonga Traditional Authority (OTA) Nepando Amupanda to discuss divisions within the authority. Nuusita Ashipala (NA): When did King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas become king and how did it come about? Nepando Amupanda (NA): King Immanuel Kaluma Elifas was designated on September 28, 1975 after the death of his brother Fillemon Shuumbwa Elifas who was assassinated at Onamagongwa Business Complex near Onethindi. The afternoon King Fillemon was assassinated all Aandonga people, including the elders in the royal family, rushed to the old Onamungudo to commence with mourning as per the Aandonga people's custom. During the reign of King Fillemon, there was nobody appointed as a successor because Ondonga custom does not allow that for many reasons. It was thus during the second day of mourning when the successor was announced after consultations between the royal family elders. The current king did not know that he will be the king. The discussion of succession was going on in his absence as is the practice. Aandonga custom does not allow a king-designate, it is very dangerous for security reasons and that is why it brings about all these kinds of things because the customary law has been twisted and taken out of proportion. NA: In Ondonga tradition, who qualifies to become king, or how does one become eligible for that position? NA: Succession is defined by the elders of the royal family only. It is not like today where the young people are getting their fingers in succession things, no. Succession is confined to structures in the royal family. The only eligible persons that can succeed the king at the moment is the second generation from the king. The royal family usually meet and discuss in confidence who should take over amongst those who are eligible. But the person is not told until the reigning king passes on and this is done for security reasons. NA: What's your comment on talks that King Elifas is frail and therefore cannot continue to be king? NA: Is Robert Mugabe frail? If Robert Mugabe is frail and is still in office why not King Kauluma? The king rules until his death, whether he is blind or disabled or whatever, he is still the king. The tenure of office of King Kauluma is only terminated by death. The question of frailness is not an issue. His frailness cannot justify his removal by these rebellious councillors, no. if the king is frail is it right to be taken to court or to be removed from power? NA: What led to the suspension of traditional and senior traditional councillors recently? NA: First of all the suspension is to pave way for investigation of their conduct. Conduct of insubordination, bringing the traditional authority into dispute, misrepresentation, unauthorised and reckless expenditure of council funds towards legal costs for the launch of the urgent court application to remove the king and promoting disunity in Ondonga. It is all these things amongst others.The outcome of the investigation will pave the way forward. There is also a letter circulating that the suspended councillors have been replaced with acting councillors. That is not true – those who authored that letter want to cause confusion in the community. Those are propaganda aimed at tarnishing the unity of the royal family hence they came up with those cooked stories. They want to strengthen their presumptions that the Queen and her children have the power. NA: It is alleged that the suspensions were not procedural. What's your response to that? NA: Who appointed them in terms of the [Traditional Authorities] Act? The Act does not give the power to the chief's council, it gives power to the king. They should go back to the Act. The chief's council exists because of the presence of the king. The problem with the Ondonga Traditional Authority (OTA) colleagues is that they started with the project to dislocate all executive power from the king and palace and place them in the king's council and transfer that to their king-designate (Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo). Some councillors have even been appointing headmen without bringing him to the palace and instead show him at the OTA office. To their understanding they are not wrong, because their king is in their midst but their king is here. They are confused because they think Shuumbwa is their king. As far as they are concerned King Kauluma is non-existent. NA: Is there a king-designate as is alleged? NA: In 2012, there was a forged succession letter. It is not our custom for the king to designate a king. No king in his right mind would have done that. There was a unification meeting between the two royal dynasties (Epale and Onethika) and that is where the squabbles started because they do not have the two dynasties united. The succession follows customary law. And our custom does not allow a sitting king to designate a king, it is an abomination because it brings insecurity. Had it not been their agenda all these problems would not have occurred. There is a customary rationale why a sitting king should not appoint a successor and that is to maintain peace and stability because if you appoint one in the past he was likely to be killed and it equally diminishes the power of the sitting king because you will be overthrown. In the mind of the king and his advisors there is no king-designate. NA: The suspended councillors said they would not accept the suspension until they are furnished with reasons why this was done. Has the traditional authority done that yet? NA: The letter was served by the sheriff. If they don't accept it, it is their problem. They just want to fool the public that they do not know why they are suspended. The messenger of court was instructed by the king's lawyers to serve the letters and it was indicated that they were able to serve them personally while those such as that of John Walenga were served through the OTA suspended spokesperson Joseph Asino because he does not live here. And even if notices were not served personally it is not a requirement – as long as it was communicated to them it is sufficient. NA: Is it true that the suspended councillors had asked the courts to remove the king because of his alleged poor health? Was that the reason for their suspension? NA: It is one among other reasons. It is very weird to want to remove the king because he is apparently frail. We all know that it is not about frailness, it is about early succession. NA: What is the status of that court case? Has the court pronounced itself on the matter yet? NA: The court case has been struck from the roll. We are told that they were advised to remove it because they had nothing to offer. There is no sufficient basis in what they want to do. Disappointingly enough is that thousands of dollars would now have to be spent on litigation costs of their first, second, the kings, queens, and two royal relatives of the lawyers. And all that is public funds. How do you take the owner of the house to court with his own money without consulting him? NA: How would the suspension issue be resolved? Would there be hearings and how does it happen, procedurally? NA: The resolution will be determined by the outcome of the investigations. If the suspended councillors have indicated that they would want to engage in negotiations as a vehicle to resolve these squabbles then that could be one of the options, it is not a problem. Fighting cannot only be resolved with a whip. Negotiations can be an option but that can only happen if people acknowledge their mistakes. Because these are the people who want to divide the royal family. The issue of succession will never be resolved by any court and no one will become a king because of court applications, it is a birth right. They should leave these things in the hands of the royal family. There are talks that some of the suspended councillors want to come back, they are welcome. But to the stubborn young ones who want to settle the matter by force or through their lawyers, they are also welcome. And nobody can extinguish fire with oil. Remember that the king is for everyone. NA: How much do councillors get paid, and could you say such benefits sometimes contribute to these squabbles? NA: The councillors get remunerated in line with the Traditional Authorities Act which is supplemented by the OTA. The fight here is not about money, the fight is about power to have Shuumbwa as their supreme leader while the king is still alive. They are breaking the tradition of the community. NA: How much influence does the wife of the king have in the affairs of the royal house? We saw the king's wife being accused of meddling. NA: When they start accusing her of meddling in the affairs of the royal family, she requested the OTA to try her but they wrote her a letter saying they could not do it. Why are they refusing to try her? All those artificial councillors should tell us when the queen became a bad person. All of them were appointed when the queen was around, why did they not say she should not be around when they were appointed? The queen is the personal assistant of the king in the house not in the affairs of OTA. They call the queen when they want to seek audience with the king. They are contradicting themselves, the queen has never sat in any council meeting. They should tell us when she indicated wanting to sit in their meeting. She just became a bad person because she supported the unification meeting between the Epale and Onethika dynasties. They just don't want unity in the royal family. Some of these people have even authored letters that were smuggled to the king to chase some traditional councillors including Eino Shoondili Johannes and John Walenga who were recently suspended. NA: What assurances can you give to the people of Ondonga as far as their future under King Elifas is concerned? NA: With a united royal family, the future is bright. Where King Elifas is going to be needing help, the family and the faithful advisors including religious leaders, businesses leaders and the elders in the community, the future is bright. The future of this kingdom does not revolve around the rebellious councillors – there were people before them. They are not the alpha and omega of the community. The Ondonga traditional community will be able to live without them. Even Jesus was undermined by his own disciples. And there is no kingdom that was ever destroyed without the involvement of inner circles, the traditional councillors.
New Era Reporter
2017-04-21 10:47:00 2 years ago


text:
It's going to get ugly, and if you don't prepare now, you're going to get hurt, says Doug Casey.
The Mania Phase Is Getting Closer
Doug Casey Interviewed by Louis James
When we left our intrepid heroes last week, Doug was saying, "Now we have new economics – a house of cards built on quicksand. The whole corrupt system is doomed. But good riddance, actually…" We now return for another action-packed episode of Conversations With Casey…
L: Quicksand, if not lies. That Jon Stewart link I provided last time shows that Bernanke himself called quantitative easing "printing money" in his previous 60 Minutes interview, even though he denied the very same thing in this new one. Throughout the whole interview, aside from the quivering lip and the quavering voice, he seemed to be speaking out of both sides of his mouth, in terms of content. On one hand, he repeatedly sounded his warning that the economy is not out of the woods, and that's why printing more money was necessary; but on the other, he said the risk of a double-dip recession was very low.
Doug: I find it amazing that anyone pays any attention at all to what the man says. Except for a brief time waiting tables in school, he has zero experience in the real world. His whole life has been reading abstruse books written by people like himself, and doing complicated math formulas that are supposed to describe economic phenomena, but have absolutely nothing to do with the study of human action. He's a character who should appear in Alice in Wonderland, or Through the Looking Glass.
For instance, he claimed that another leg down for the economy was very unlikely because "cyclical" elements, like housing, were already very weak.
L: He actually said they couldn't get much weaker!
Doug: He's either a knave or a fool – possibly both. But the odds are he's just an educated fool, an archetypical, clinical example of one. Either way, it's bad news for the U.S. and global economies. Of course, there's really nothing that anyone could do, at this point, to avoid a huge amount of economic, political, and social turmoil. There are only two choices for a central bank: one is to keep printing money, and hope that magic happens; two is stop printing money, and let the existing structure collapse. Neither is a pleasant prospect, and there's no third alternative, in my view. It might have been possible to negotiate a relatively soft landing some years ago, but I believe that time has passed.
Of course, things will eventually bottom, and then get better. But in the meantime things can get worse, much worse – and, in fact, they are worse than the government is admitting. They don't admit it because they think confidence is important. It's not. If an economy rests on confidence, then you're in real trouble. A big reason things will deteriorate is because the people in power are under the illusion that all is well as long as people keep spending.
The Rest…HERE


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Hobbits on Film - Slate.com
Unfortunately, anybody who's seen any of these is most likely to remember the made-for-TV Hobbit (1977) and its follow-up, The Return of the King (1980). Both are animated nicely if blandly by Rankin-Bass, best known for their stop-motion Christmas classics about Rudolph and Frosty. But they drip with G-rated, gee-whiz fantasy. (This clip from The Hobbit, of ravenous trolls, does no justice to Tolkien's darker elements.) These 'toons veer so far from the books' dark tone and sprawling story that they barely count as Tolkien films at all. The Return of the King portrays the trilogy's final battles with neutered evildoers, a psychedelic folk minstrel, and, worst of all, Casey Kasem. It's a sort of Yellow Submarine from the Dark Ages. (This clip of singing orcs from The Return of the King does little to convey the evil land of Mordor.)
Bakshi's LOTR is quite the opposite: troubling and--as animated movies go--important. Yes, it's universally loathed by Tolkien loyalists as a mélange of cheap-looking effects, dated hairstyles, mispronounced Elvish names, low-tech techniques, and a missing ending. (After covering, quiet faithfully and patiently, much of Fellowship and half of Book 2, The Two Towers, the movie simply stops.) But Bakshi's version is also a showcase for inspired imagery and sheer strangeness, a near-miss magnum opus from another era, before the cult of Tolkien went Hollywood.
In the early 1970s, big-screen animation was dominated by beautiful, expensive kids' stuff like Disney's The Aristocats. Bakshi, then a boy wonder at television's Terrytoons (Heckle and Jeckle, Mighty Mouse), set out to make films for grown-ups. He cast characters from R. Crumb's comic books in the first X-rated cartoon, Fritz the Cat (1972), a film as uncomfortably raunchy and cheerless as it is eye-popping. Made for $700,000, it grossed more than $90 million, giving Bakshi the leverage to do more. Then came the satirical, racy, and autobiographical movies Coonskin (now known as Streetfight) and Heavy Traffic and the birth of a genre: cartoons as loud, personal cinematic art, perfect for the mid-'70s, artist-is-god Hollywood. Next, Bakshi turned to fantasy and mythology with Wizards (1977), a post-apocalyptic tale of demon armies that he pumped up with recovered Nazi war footage--a twisted retelling, he said, of the founding of the state of Israel. The Big Ideas here merged with minimalist animation, a mixture of still-image slide shows and extensive rotoscoping, a process in which animators trace over live-action footage. The technique is creepy and effective, the right mix of reality and phantasm. (Richard Linklater's current Waking Life uses a similar procedure, essentially tracing over a live-action movie.)
In Rings, Bakshi channels the darkness that permeates nearly every scene in the books. The Black Riders, who hunt the fleeing band of hobbits and dwarves and elves, are shriveled human forms draped in black. Their horrifying, slouching silence seems to stop time itself. (In this scene, one of the movie's most gripping, a Rider senses the presence of the ring he seeks.) When Frodo makes the mistake of slipping the ring onto his finger, he becomes invisible to mortals and finds himself on the plane of the dead, a scorched, gorgeous alien moonscape. (Watch the transition in this clip.) Here, the Riders and their horses become strikingly more realistic, rotoscoped demons on snorting steeds, and Bakshi lingers patiently until this nightmarish scene changes your approach to the entire film. This barren underworld is psychically layered onto the cartoon fantasy land, darkening anything that earlier might have seemed cute.
In order to bring more realism to the fantastic, Bakshi framed much of Rings (and his other films) like a "regular" movie, with establishing shots, close-ups, and cartoon characters that talk and walk like normal people do. (In this clip from The Lord of the Rings, a hobbit and a wizard are out for a stroll, and, for a moment, it seems like a pretty everyday thing.) His rock-star epic American Pop (1981) may be the best example of this, a cartoon movie for and about grown-ups, in both style and substance.
For its theatrical release, his Middle Earth movie was supposed to be billed as The Lord of the Rings--Part 1, but the rotating powers at United Artists never quite got it and refused to make Part 2. (Bakshi also had a falling out with producer Saul Zaentz, who went on to co-produce the new live-action version.) Where Bakshi went wrong with Rings may have simply been deciding to tackle the beloved, unwieldy epic in the first place. The animation here is some of his most ambitious and sophisticated, but it wasn't enough to render such a complex fantasy world. The use of rotoscoping frays as the film approaches two hours, particularly in large battle scenes: When overused, the technique can look fake, as if live-action footage were photocopied and assembled into a flip-book. (See it here in this clip from the battle at Helm's Deep, the movie's climax.)
That said, the animated Rings is unmistakably a Bakshi movie. Even the extrapolations that fans despise most--say, the stately Elves portrayed as feather-haired surfer boys and porn starlets--are myths of the director's own making, the sort of vapid sex-charged archetypes that show up in much of his work. They may not belong in Tolkien's Middle Earth, but they're at home in Bakshi's.


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Last day in Bali, and with our flight departing only after lunch time, I took the chance for an early morning swim at the Ritz Carlton's Ocean Beach Pool, their salt water pool located a step above the beach. The setting of the pool was amazing with a cliff on one side, and an infinity edge that faces towards the horizon of the vast ocean. With the pool opening at 8 am, there was practically no one on the pool, which means a 'private' plunge into the waters for me! It was high tide at the ocean with the waves lapping against the rocks. The serenity of the whole surrounding makes it a very relaxing swim in the morning.
I had also taken some of the best pictures of the hotel at this day as I had more time to carefully compose some of the shots that I took. The light and exposure was also perfect, allowing me to get the best color out of the scenery. One bad part was the slightly misty conditions in the early morning, and for that I might need to learn Photoshop first. Any critics of the photos are welcome, so that I may improve for my next holiday 😀
After the swim, it was time to head back to the room for a bath before catching a leisurely breakfast. As our flight back to Jakarta was through Air Asia, which was a budget flight, and it was leaving around lunch time, we filled up more for breakfast, thinking of skipping lunch. With the food variety to be one of the better ones, it was an easy thing to do for a fulfilling brunch.
The rest of the time before check out was spent venturing into the Villa section of this Hotel. First of all, the Ritz Carlton has hotel rooms and luxurious villas. While the villas we stayed at Gending Kedis was great, the ones here was amazing, since it had ocean views. The costs, however, seems to exponentiate with the views. We had, the chance, to take a peek into one of the one-bedroom villas as a helpful staff brought us there in the hotel cart, not unlike the golf buggies prowling around those greens. The eye-opener was its bathroom which was larger than the bedroom itself…
As this villa was situated more deep from the cliffsides, it only had a partial view, though there were more villas situated just by the cliff side. Somewhere to head towards with that special someone for that special occassion!