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Mrs. Stifter, my high school creative writing teacher, stood in front of our class and said, "I'm going to read someone's writing, and a writer like this comes along about once in seventeen years."
I was shocked she read my piece, but it gave me confidence to write, and started me along a journey that would take me through six NY agents, some of the biggest, and through failed contracts from publishers, contracts I blew based on bad advice I followed when younger, three published non-fiction books, and many magazine articles and write-for-hire projects for children's publishers.
Still, I never sold fiction. I think I was always a little bit behind the curve, too little, too late. My biggest agent expected to get a minimum of $50k in 30 days for an adult thriller. When it didn't happen, and I asked him what he thought was the reason, he said, "They're all stupid." I laugh at that now.
After that I wrote a screenplay that an ex-Hollywood producer friend liked, and wanted a short rewrite on. I had been suffering from years of terrible allergies and pain, and decided instead to quit writing for ten years. I just didn't have it in me to continue.
In 2006, when I found a solution out of my health issues, I flew back into writing and revamped a lot of my adult material into young adult and middle grade; this time I was in line with the publishing industry, where Potter was just beginning to make his mark. Also, the age range fit better with the stories, and I had spent decades working with children of all ages, 4-21, in educational settings, so I knew my target audience.
Still, no agents took me on and no publishers bought anything.
I have a great love of nature and water (sailing, swimming, etc.), and understanding myself and the world. In 2008, my health was finally good enough to be back in the sun again, back in water, and back in nature. I had lived for almost 15 years in a 'boy in a bubble' existence. I have no regrets and I learned a lot, and all of this prepared me to begin writing WhipEye in 2008.
In WhipEye, Samantha is grieving her mother and she's an animal nerd in love with wildlife. I loved writing this character, and I gave her a friend, Jake, who is missing his absentee father, and gave them both a mentor, a thousand-year-old parrot, who imparts his wisdom with wisecracks. The parrot allows the 'teacher' in me to put some wisdom into the book without being preachy.
The publishing industry is like the Wild Wild West, and anything and everything is going on now to get books published. However, I didn't want to self-publish. Still, no agent, no publisher wanted WhipEye. (BTW my sister commented two weeks before I sold it, that the working title was boring and dull and needed to be one word. I thought she was right, and for two weeks thought on this. While watching a movie, the word, WhipEye, came to me. I had no clue what it related to, and no idea where it came from. But I liked it. I had to write backstory into the novel to fit the new title.)
In 2013 a small publisher picked up the book. In spring of 2014, a month before the book was to come out, they informed me I'd get 4 pennies, yes, 4 cents/book royalty. I said goodbye, and since I'd already been doing most of the heavy lifting for the book, I self-published, happily! My cover artist in Poland disappeared a few days before the final cover was due, and I had to scramble to find another, and he improved on the color in the staff, so everything worked out for the best, as usual.
WhipEye is garnering great reviews on Lit Pick, Amazon, Middle Shelf, and in print, and I'm proud of it. The second book, Gorgon, is due out in spring of 2015, with two other series either self-published or with small online publishers starting in between. A few singles will go out too.
It's great to feel that finally my writing will have a voice, get out there, and be recognized positively. One of the greatest joys as a writer is hearing from strangers, adults and kids, that they loved your book. One young girl wrote me from NC, saying she was going to read anything I ever write. How sweet is that?!!!
Can a girl grieving her mother, a boy missing his father, and a thousand-year-old parrot save two worlds with the supernatural staff, WhipEye?
Samantha and her neighbor, Jake, have no idea that Samantha's best friend, a parrot named Charlie, is a thousand years old. Charlie is also at the center of a secret battle between magical creatures and an ancient, evil man. When Charlie asks Samantha and Jake to protect him, they are chased by monsters from both sides. To save Charlie, and two worlds, Samantha and Jake have twenty-four hours to figure out how to use the supernatural staff, WhipEye, and find the courage to confront what they fear most…
Geoffrey Saign
Watch the WhipEye book Trailer


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Jeff Goldblum's son conveniently arrived just in time for Independence Day — the holiday and the sequel to his dad's 1996 action flick.
The "Independence Day" star announced the birth of his first child on his newly launched Facebook page on Tuesday.
"We're so excited to share the wonderful news of the birth of our son, Charlie Ocean Goldblum, born on the 4th of July. Independence Day," the 62-year-old wrote, posting a photo of his expanding family.
A fitting time for a plug too, no?
Incidentally, the "Jurassic Park" alum's first post on the social media site came last week and referred to another patriotic project: Goldblum shared a photo from the set of the alien invaders sequel, "Independence Day: Resurgence," which also stars Liam Hemsworth of "The Hunger Games" and is slated for release in June.
"So there I was thinking about how I would save mankind when this guy photobombs me. Oh, why hello Facebook, nice to finally meet you. #IDR," he wrote, captioning a photo of himself with Hemsworth hanging on the side of an aircraft.
Goldblum, who was previously wed to actresses Patricia Gaul and Geena Davis, married the aerialist at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles last November. The couple dated for more than three years before he popped the question in July 2014, just before they set off for Maui to celebrate the engagement.
The "Glee" guest star announced during a January appearance of "Late Show" that he and Livingston were expecting a son. At the time, Goldblum said they'd be naming their son Elliott Charlie.
Follow me on Twitter @NardineSaad.

subset: commoncrawl


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THE CONFEDERATE SIDE AT "SHILOH" will be described in this February number in two interesting articles, one by the son of the Confederate leader, General Albert Sidney Johnston, killed at Shiloh, and the other by Colonel Jordan, of general Beauregard's staff. These, with General Grant's article, are among the most notable contributions ever made to magazine literature. The illustrations are more than twenty-five in number.
In his second paper General Grant will cover an entire year of his service in the war, including the different campaigns against Vicksburg, and its capitulation. In his third paper he will deal with the battle of Chattanooga, including the strategy of the campaign from the time of his assumption of the command. A fourth paper, on the Wilderness campaign, will follow.
While largely engaged with the main features of the campaigns described, General Grant has not failed to take note of significant and characteristic details. These papers will be illustrated with the same regard for thoroughness and accuracy which has characterized the illustrations of the articles in the war series already published.
The story of this famous fight is described in the March CENTURY by Col. John Taylor Wood, fourth officer of the "Merrimac" in the second day's fight, and now the senior surviving officer. Col. Wood was afterward commander of the privateer "Tallahassee." The Federal side of the battle is told by Commander S.D. Greene, U.S.N. (whose death has just occurred), who was the executive officer of the "Monitor," and operated the guns within the turret. General R.E. Colston, commander of the Confederate forces opposite Newport News, contributes an eyewitness's account of the same battle, describing, also, the "Merrimac's" engagement with the Federal fleet before the arrival of the "Monitor." A paper will soon appear on "THE MONITOR," BY CAPTAIN JOHN ERICSSON, making record of the circumstances attending the invention of that famous craft, and treating also of the engagement at Hampton Roads. Readers of the articles in the March number will be especially interested in the inventor's story.
In the April CENTURY will be printed two important papers on THE CAPTURE OF NEW ORLEANS, BY ADMIRAL PORTER AND GEORGE W. CABLE.
Admiral Porter, with whom, as he relates, the expedition against New Orleans originated, and who was in command of the mortar-fleet during the action, describes the Federal side of "The Opening of the Lower Mississippi"; while George W. Cable, the novelist, and at the time a resident of New Orleans, writes of the condition of the city and the circumstances attending its occupation. The illustrations will include a number of battle-scenes from sketches made by Admiral Porter.


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The First Day of Spring's Good News
Spring is here and here is the Good News!
**KCRW's Tom Schnabel played "Seven" and "Lucky" from F.O. Bridges.
**Three big world music festival presenters LOVE the CD.
**A Dutch music magazine editor says it's the best album of its type since Joni's records of the 70's.
**A really lovely guy at a major booking agency loves the music, asked me to "keep him posted" on developments, and is considering me to open for one of their touring summer acts.
**Calabashmusic.com has been super supportive and has me listed as one of their top downloaded artists.
**I've had steady orders from around the world. Fans owning my prior releases are thrilled to find my new CDs and have emailed me the NICEST feedback.
**FolkWorks did a beautiful feature on me and are sponsoring a concert at CAFAM in April.
**The Santa Monica Pier's Twilight Series is considering me as an opening act for a big artist this summer.
**Countless CD packages are out there like ripe fruit, waiting for people to take a bite, fall in love with the flavor, hold the seeds, and imagine the Big Global Tree I would become, if given proper sun and water.
I need a team to help me get this music out there. May the Right Ones with the Right Hearts, Minds, and Vision be looking for me as I am looking for them. And may we find one another soon!


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I will start this blog off with a little story…
Since I am in Europe for a few more days I decided I needed something French and luxurious to remember my trip, because you know, pictures, memories and clothes just aren't the same! (I am only kind of kidding)
When I first got here, because I was having a rough time adjusting to the culture, language and family, the family actually bought me a present. It was Miss Dior perfume (the one I had been obsessing over for weeks). So I used it sparingly, and I still have about 90% of it left. I was also given samples of Dior Addict which just came out, and a Chanel fragrance. Well last week I sprayed the Dior Addict perfume and I loved that one too….I decided to use some of my saved money and buy it. So I went to Nocibe (which does not exist in the USA, so just quickly, Nocibe is a fragrance and beauty store) I picked up the same white package that said "Dior Addict", went to the check out, bought it, and I went home.
To my surprise, they smelled different! What the heck? Why do they smell different? I have never really studied fragrances so I had no idea what I did wrong. I looked at the sample that said "Eau de Toilette" and the box that I bought was "Eau de Parfum"…well that's great, I just spent about 150.00USD (I used euros) because I wasn't paying attention. It is not that I did not like it, because I do, but it is not what I was expecting, which caught me off guard.
So, I had to figure out why Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum smells different, but has the same name.
Here is what I found out:
There are actually 4 different names for the same kind of fragrance. In this case we will use the Dior Addict I bought.
The first name is Perfume
The second name is Eau de Parfum
The third name is Eau de Toilette
and the fourth name is Eau de Cologne (Which Dior does not make Addict in Eau de Cologne to my knowledge)
As you can see, the Addict line of Dior, looks generally the same, they are in the same shape bottle, the colors are different, but you can tell that this is a fragrance line.
This goes in order, first being the strongest to lightest and that is in relation to the concentration of essences inside the fragrance. So it is not that the perfume is different, it is just a different concentration than a Eau de Toilette or Eau de Parfum.
Therefore, if you are looking for a fragrance that "enters a room before you do" as my mother would say…look for a fragrance that says "Perfume" or "Eau de Parfum"…
Moral of the story….make sure you pay attention to what fragrance you are buying, because you do not want to pay 200.00 for a fragrance, spray it and realize that it is stronger than the one you wanted.


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Landis Retakes Tour de France Lead; Victory in Sight
American Floyd Landis regains the lead of the Tour de France, virtually assuring an overall Tour victory on Sunday. Landis grabbed the lead with a third-place performance in Saturday's time-trial stage. Scott Simon talks to Andrew Hood of Velo News at the finish line.
SCOTT SIMON, host
This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News, I'm Scott Simon. Coming up a Turkish writer faces prison for allegedly insulting Turkishness. But first, Floyd Landis now seems likely to win this years Tour de France. But Landis had a 30 second deficit to make up today against race leader Oscar Pereiro of Spain. He made up that gap and more. Joining us from the finish line in Monceau-les-Mine is Andrew Hood, correspondent for VeloNews. Mr. Hood, thanks very much for being with us.
Mr. ANDREW HOOD (VeloNews): You're welcome. It's quite a scene down here.
SIMON: Well, tell us about that and how Floyd Landis did it.
Mr. HOOD: Well, Floyd just stepped off of the podium after receiving the yellow jersey, the (foreign word) of the race leader. The race ends tomorrow with eight laps in the Champs-Elysees, so borrowing disaster Landis is going to become the third American to win the Tour.
SIMON: Boy, how did he race today? Great, obviously, but the way you people who know something about this see it.
Mr. HOOD: It was a calculated performance. He said that he wasn't really going for the stage victory. He finished third today behind Sergei Gonchar. He was only interested in erasing the deficit of Oscar Pereiro. He didn't want to risk a crash, any sort of problems that could have complicated the day. So, it was just enough to win. He rolls into Paris with a 59 second margin, and he's just ecstatic right now.
SIMON: Does it turn out, with the advantage of a few days hindsight, that the best thing to happen Floyd Landis was to be so flat, no pun intended, one day, that he felt compelled to turn in that superhuman effort on Thursday, and then put himself in a position to win now.
Mr. HOOD: Yeah, in terms of the story it really makes it a Hollywood ending, because throughout the first two weeks of the tour he was being kind of cautious, almost conservative, afraid to make a big effort like Lance Armstrong would do. Just kind of unsure what to do really do in his position as the race leader. Then when he blew up on the La Toussuire climb, he had to lay everything down and make a huge gamble, make a massive solo attack, and he pulled it off. People called it the ride of the century.
SIMON: Mmm. So he gets asked a lot of being a Mennonite and about having a bum hip?
Mr. HOOD: Those are questions that come up just about every day. He always says that his parents are great. He enjoyed his upbringing, but it just wasn't for him. And then in terms of his hip, he doesn't really know exactly when he's set to have his hip replaced. It causes him so pain, he said, that he has to have it done within the next few months.
SIMON: Mmm. Mr. Hood, explain something to us. When we say that's its going to essentially be a victory lap, or series of them along the Champs-Elysees, is there anything short of him running into a truck that could prevent Floyd Landis from winning tomorrow?
Mr. HOOD: That's about what it would take. It would have to take a catastrophic crash where he would have to break a leg and he couldn't ride his bike. Typically when the race comes down to the last day, in the Champs-Elysees there's a tradition of not attacking the leader - especially with 59 seconds, it's almost impossible to make them make that up by a flat stage. It is also a stage for the sprinters, it's a prestigious stage for the faster riders to win on the Champs-Elysees.
So, it's almost in the bag, but never say never until this Tour is over.
SIMON: Mmm, and in one word, is this one of the great victories of all time, given how it came about?
Mr. HOOD: I think it has to be. I mean I'm strong win with dominance. I think Landis won with panache.
SIMON: Thanks very much, nice talking to you.
Mr. HOOD: Okay, thanks.
SIMON: Andrew Hood, correspondent for VeloNews, speaking with us from the Tour de France.
Copyright © 2006 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
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Chris Brown Baby Mama's Boyfriend Posts New Photo of Royalty
The tug of war for Chris Brown's baby Royalty has begun! In response to Chris' recent post confirming that he is the father of 10-month-old Royalty – King Ba, the boyfriend of Chris' baby mama Nia Guzman-Amey – has posted a new Royalty photo of his own.
Chris may have the DNA, but King Ba has access to Royalty. He lives in Houston and has taken care of Royalty since she was born. As he expressed two weeks ago about her: "Been a Dad Still a Dad."
I think this is a clear message to Chris that though he is the biological dad, he isn't acting like one.
Interestingly enough, King Ba has a new tattoo: a crown with "Nia" on it. It's getting complicated now. I wonder what Chris will do next. It has been reported that he wants Nia to move to LA. Looks like King Ba isn't going to make it easy.
UPDATE: Chris Brown just responded with a video of Royalty. It's war!


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2014 chrysler town-country Model Overview
New for 2014
The 2014 Chrysler Town & Country adds a 30th Anniversary special edition model, a new S grade, and an improved rear seat DVD player.
Vehicle Summary
The 2014 Chrysler Town & Country is a seven-passenger minivan sold in four trims and only in front-drive configuration.
The 2014 Town & Country is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 making 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is decent for such a powerful minivan at an EPA-rated 17/25 mpg city/highway, just below the ratings of the 2014 Toyota Sienna and 2014 Nissan Quest.
Inside, the 2014 Town & Country shines with a luxurious and spacious interior made of high-quality materials. Soft-touch plastics and comfortable leather seating make the minivan's cabin a pleasant place to be during long journeys. The clever Stow 'N' Go seats expand the 2014 Town & Country with a one-touch fold-down function that helps create a flat load area. Positioned as a premium offering, the 2014 Town & Country is priced higher than some of its competitors despite its aging exterior styling, allowing the mechanically related Dodge Grand Caravan to pick up budget-focused minivan customers.
The 2014 Town & Country has a four-star safety rating from the NHTSA (out of a possible five stars) and earned a good score in the four categories that the IIHS has tested it (good is the highest possible score).
What We Think
The 2014 Chrysler Town & Country is a viable minivan for family duties with its flexible cabin and comfortable seating for seven passengers. We noted in a 2011 First Test that the Town & Country's refined interior is where it distinguishes itself "with a style that's delightfully American" with its "glammed up" look. However, the 4,652-pound curb weight counteracts the extra power from the V-6, lessening its benefit.
You'll Like
- Good fuel economy
- Flexible cabin
- Refined interior
You Won't Like
- 4,652-pound as-tested curb-weight
- Can get expensive
- Aging exterior styling
Key Competitors
- Toyota Sienna
- Honda Odyssey
- Nissan Quest
- Dodge Grand Caravan
- Ford Transit Connect Wagon


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by J. Michael Young
Life insurance is a contract between the insured policyholder and the insurance company. Payment of insurance benefits is controlled by the policy terms and the insured's designation of beneficiary. However, at times, someone other than the named beneficiary may have a viable claim to policy benefits. Examples include disputes involving current or ex-spouses, the insured's possible lack of capacity, undue influence on the insured to change a designation or the insured's imperfect efforts to change a beneficiary designation.
Texas or Federal Law?
The first step in analyzing a beneficiary dispute is determining whether Texas or Federal law applies. This can be complex, but generally Texas law applies unless the insured obtained the policy through an employer. If the insurance was obtained as a benefit of employment, it is likely that it will be a policy governed by a federal law commonly referred to as ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974).
ERISA generally preempts state laws, particularly regarding claims for policy benefits. It generally overrides Texas law recognizing a community property interest of a spouse in the policy, as well as the Texas Family Code provision that effectively voids beneficiary designations in favor of an ex-spouse. ERISA favors strict adherence to plan documents to aid predictability and uniformity for the benefit of the plan administrator. However, the Supreme Court has left open the possibility that a competing claimant could bring suit against the designated beneficiary after the beneficiary receives the policy benefits.
The Ex-Spouse as Beneficiary
In Texas, a divorce generally operates to revoke a prior beneficiary designation in favor of an ex-spouse. Texas Family Code § 9.301. Exceptions in the statute are limited and courts have been reluctant to find equitable exceptions.
The Spouse's Community Property Claim
The current spouse may obtain the policy proceeds if the designation of an ex-spouse is invalidated under the Texas Family Code. Another scenario is when the policy designates a third party who is not the current spouse or an ex-spouse. This commonly occurs if the couple has separated but not divorced.
Texas is a community property state. Assets earned or acquired by either spouse during marriage are presumed to be community property. This applies to marriages dissolved by death, as well as by divorce. Under Texas law, a surviving spouse may have a claim for constructive fraud when an insurance policy was purchased with community funds for the benefit of a person outside the community.
Capacity and Undue Influence
Beneficiary designations can be challenged on the basis that the insured either lacked the mental capacity to make the designation or was unduly influenced to do so. The evidence necessary to prove such claims is very similar to that in a traditional will contest, although the capacity required to make a designation is theoretically greater than the capacity to make a will.
As noted, when ERISA applies, state laws are preempted. However, capacity and undue influence claims are still possible because they are not attacks on the designation based on reference to external documents or state laws regarding designations. Instead, they are attacks on the validity of the designation document itself. Note, however, that ERISA does not allow for jury trials, so a judge will be the finder of fact for such claims.
The Attempted Beneficiary Change
Sometimes, the insured will attempt to change a designation, but fails to do so in the manner prescribed by the insurance company. The insurance company may reject the effort and ask the insured to make the designation on the form and in the manner required by the company. Under Texas law, a beneficiary designation is effective if it is in "substantial compliance" with the insurance company's procedure, which has been defined as the insured's doing all that he could reasonably have done to effect a change. Federal courts apply a similar standard in ERISA cases.
J. Michael Young is an attorney at Sanders, O'Hanlon, Motley & Young. He can be reached at email@example.com.


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"I'm really happy with the real-time. There's no posting at the end of the month. If I want to know where any account in the ledger is right at that point, I just go into that report and everything's right there up-to-the-minute."
Jean Sheets, CPA, Fox Engineering Associates, Inc.
Former Wind2® User
Whether you find batch processing to be pain, your invoicing process is time consuming, or your firm has to rely heavily on the accounting department to get the information that everyone needs, there are a number of challenges we've heard from firms who use Wind2.
In this three minute video, you can listen to others who've moved to Axium's Ajera software and how it's making life easier.
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I can't wait to get the best ever PitchWars team put together (you hear that, other MG mentors?)!
So, why in the world would you want me as your PitchWars mentor when you can choose any of the other stellar MG mentors?
Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/meffi/
Used under a Creative Commons License
1) I beta read like a madwoman. Honestly, I can't even remember how many manuscripts I've beta read this year. I'm a member of MG Beta Readers, an amazing talented group of writers, and together we run the Kidliterati blog. I'm also part of a semi-local MG and YA critique group. So, yeah. I beta read a lot. And no one's complained yet. I also tend to make random comments in your manuscript that may or may not make you laugh. (They make me laugh, anyway...)
2) I can spot your typo from a mile away. I did time in grad school editing academic works for professors, and held the ever-so-enviable position of Articles Editor on my law school's scholarly journal. (Now watch me have a typo in this blog post...)
3) I LOVE middle grade! Really, I'm the oldest twelve-year-old in the world. I recently spent all my downtime at a writing conference watching the Disney Channel. (Seriously. I don't have cable at home, people!)
4) I'll focus not just on shining up those first few pages, but making sure your entire manuscript is agent-ready. I'm talking plot, character arcs, pacing, writing quirks - all that good stuff! I want to help you make your manuscript as perfect as possible.
5) I have chocolate! See:
Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/cacaobug/
Used under a Creative Commons License
What am I looking for?
Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/nodivision/
Used under a Creative Commons LicenseHamster! Not on a boat, but whatever.
1) Anything MG. I know, I know. Not helpful. But I read widely, and would never pass up a manuscript based solely upon genre. So throw it all at me: contemporary, fantasy, sci-fi, historical, speculative romantic hamsters on a boat, whatever. It just has to be MG.
But, since everyone has soft spots, here are mine:
2) Contemporary. I write it. I love it. Funny, heart-wrenching, girl, boy, commercial, literary, all of it!
3) Historical. Any place, any time. I have a BA and a MA in history. I was the kid who dressed up as a Laura Ingalls-esque pioneer girl for three Halloweens in a row. 'Nuff said.
4) Twists on Contemporary and Historical. Meaning magical realism, time travel, alternate history, historical fantasy.
5) The funny stuff in any genre. Ah, those books where I have to go find my asthma inhaler because I'm laughing so hard I can't breathe. Send me those.
5) Voice. A killer voice is one that grabs you on the first page and tosses you into the story so fast you can't even remember what it was you should be doing instead.
6) Random things: sports, travel, performing arts, spooky stuff, mysteries, fish-out-of-water situations, how-the-other-half-lives stories, outdoorsy stuff, first crushes, friend stories, animal stories, smart kids, oh whatever -- I love it all!
Hey, wait, who am I?
I'm a contemporary middle grade writer, represented by Julia A. Weber. My debut, DON'T FALL DOWN, will be published in Spring 2015 by Aladdin/Simon & Schuster. I'm a business attorney by day (meaning, I write contracts so dry your eyeballs would fall out before you finished reading them).
In the past, I've moonlighted as a homeless shelter worker (best job I've ever had), a somewhat friendly retail associate (I can fold a sweater like no one's business), that nice lady who answers the phones at your ophthalmologist's office (where I learned how to spell ophthalmologist and understand things like PRN and HBP), and an ice rink Jill-of-All-Trades (I could rent you skates and get you nachos at the same time).
|Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/lotterymonkey/
Used under a Creative Commons License
Ah, nothing like the aroma of hundreds of old, wet skates...
Who are the PitchWars Agents?
- Louise Fury - Bent Agency
- Suzie Townsend - New Leaf Literary
- Nicole Resciniti - The Seymour Agency
- John M. Cusick - The Greenhouse Agency
- Sarah LaPolla - Bradford Literary Agency
- Victoria Marini - Gelfman Schneider Literary Agency
- Jessica Sinsheimer - Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency
- Pam van Hylckama Vlieg - Foreword Literary
- Quinlan Lee - Adams Literary
- Jen Udden - Donald Maass Literary Agency
- Emily Keyes - Foreword Literary
- Brianne Johnson - Writers House
- Carly Watters - P.S. Literary
- Lana Popovic and Natasha Alexis - Zachary Shuster Harmsworth
- Molly Jaffa - Folio Literary Management
- Evan Gregory - Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency
- Stefanie Lieberman - Janklow & Nesbit Associates
- Rena Rossner - The Deborah Harris Agency
Yeah, you're great and all, but who are the other PitchWars Mentors?
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The pre-Christmas blues continued at the boxoffice this weekend as two new arrivals failed to ignite a spark with audiences. Overall revenues were down a steep 15% from the comparable frame last year. The projected total for all films this weekend is a dismal $78 million – the lowest grossing weekend since September 2008.
Studios are hanging on hopes that the holidays will kick into gear next weekend with Warner Bros.'s sequel "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" and Twentieth Century Fox's "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked."
This weekend Garry Marshall's $55-million romantic ensemble "New Year's Eve" was expected to open at $19 million or more, but took the top spot with an estimated $13.7 million. By Hollywood standards "New Year's Eve"– set in New York and starring Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Jon Bon Jovi, Ashton Kutcher, Halle Berry, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hillary Swank, and Katherine Heigl–was modestly budgeted; the Christmas and New Years play period is still ahead. The venerable Marshall's last film "Valentine's Day," another sprawling romantic-comedy, opened last February with $56.3 million and finished its domestic run with $110.5 million.
it was a rough weekend for the business overall, as audiences are out holiday shopping. "It was definitely a soft weekend, I was hoping to get a better number," said Warners distribution chief Dan Fellman. With better exit polls than "Valentine's Day," Fellman added, "I'm looking for a good hold and a solid multiple as the holiday playtime approaches." But "New Year's Eve" earned a CinemaScore of B+; females comprised 70% of attendees.
Fox's bawdy R-rated counterprogrammer "The Sitter" starring Jonah Hill, took the second spot with 2,750 locations, tapping just an estimated $10 million. David Gordon Green's $25-million comedy was projected to take in $12 to $16 million. Neither "New Year's Eve" nor "The Sitter" was liked by the critics, drawing rotten Tomatometer ratings of 6% and 22%, respectively.
Finally, after three consecutive weekends atop the box office, Summit's "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1" was bumped to third place. The blockbuster vampire romancer grossed an estimated $7.9 million this weekend and has taken in a staggering $259.5 million to date.
Disney's "Muppets" brought up the fourth spot with an estimated $7.1 million in its third week in release, slipping a slim 36% from last week. The live-action "Muppet" musical-comedy has revived the franchise with a total of some $65.8 million. The latest Muppet film is now the highest-grossing Muppet film of all-time, topping the $65.2 million generated by the original "Muppet" movie back in 1979.
Sony's "Arthur Christmas" generated the best hold any of the top films in wide release this weekend as the Aardman Animation-produced family film was off a miniscule 11% in its third weekend in theaters. "Arthur" took in an estimated $6.6 million to place fifth and has grossed around $33.5 million to date. The international cume is around $57.5 million, bringing the worldwide total to $91 million so far.
Marking time in the sixth slot this weekend was Paramount's "Hugo," which continues to build audience awareness and expand, adding 768 theaters. Martin Scorsese's family adventure took in an estimated $6.1 million from 2,608 theaters and was off 19% from a week earlier, while moving the cume to date to about $33.5 million.
Fox Searchlight's "The Descendants" continues a solid run at the boxoffice. The distributor added 302 locations this weekend, taking the count to 876. The George Clooney-starrer had the highest per-theater average in the top 10 this weekend with $5,006, as the drama landed in the seventh slot with an estimated gross of $23.6 million, taking the total to around $23.6 million. Fox Searchlight will keep the film in roughly in the same number of theaters for the next few weeks, and then will go wide on January 27.
There were some bright spots in limited release this weekend: Focus Features' "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," starring Gary Oldman, debuted in four theaters and grossed an estimated $300,737 – averaging a stunning $75,184 per theater. Paramount's "Young Adult" opened in eight locations and took in an estimated $320,000. The R-rated comedy-drama averaged a promising $40,000 per theater. And Fox Searchlight's NC-17 rated "Shame" added 11 theaters, bringing the count to 21, grossing an estimated $276,068 this weekend, a per theater average of $13,143 and a total $774,154. Next Friday "Shame" expands to ten additional cities and 45-50 theaters.
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Status report: In Glengarry Glen Ross anxieties about sexuality are felt only by their absence
Recently, I've been devising a new television series. Part of the job is drawing up a group of 15 or so characters. These are creations who will, I hope, hold my interest as a lead writer week after week and who will, if all goes well, grip the viewers. It's exciting coming up with a diverse bunch of people but as I've worked, I've discovered, much to my surprise, there is one group of characters I really can't be bothered to include in the show. And that's gays.
Of course, in an ensemble of characters it's good to have people of various colours, cultures, beliefs and sexualities. Not because you're trying to tick boxes or because you're responding to market research - although there is sometimes pressure from broadcasters to do both. But dramatically, there is often great potential if you put together the different strands of a culture as varied as ours.
It's worth remembering, particularly in an age of "inclusion", that most good drama is not multicultural. It's created by exploring singular worlds, where there is no allowing for the interplay of gender, race, sexuality and class. The all-male, white middle-aged real estate dealers in David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross, in which Jonathan Pryce is currently appearing in the West End, are a perfect example. It's an excellent play - one in which anxieties about race, gender and the rest are felt only by their absence as the white guys tough it out for status.
But this time around, I've decided to go for exploring a varied rather than a monocultural world. My aim is to capture some of the real mix of contemporary Britain - a mix that I'm not finding in much of the TV drama I see. And I know I should be doing a bit of gay stuff to put in the mix, but every time I try to write "gay", I start yawning. Why has the pink fountain pen run dry? Why do I have this strong sense that "writing gay" is a project that is now totally over?
It was very different 20 years ago, when, as an eager undergraduate, I had a keen sense of all the gay stories still demanding to be told. Because of centuries of near-invisibility, there were gay histories to be discovered, gay archives to be created, gay subcultures to be recorded and celebrated. There were gay stories to be written for the first time: simple stories of gay falling in love, of coming out, of gay men growing old gracefully and disgracefully. There was erotica and sexual fantasy to be written in virgin sand. And then there were the layers of gay subtext to be unearthed in all the various strands of straight acting in high and low culture of previous generations.
I suppose because all this was so new - and because of so many centuries of suppression - it looked at the time as though this marvellous gay cultural playground would be something to romp around in for decades, maybe for ever. None of us could have guessed how limited these cultural avenues were. Gay histories were charted, gay stories speedily told and disseminated, gay erotica sold on the high street.
Then came Aids. The disease was so devastating and frightening that gay men and their friends looked after each other and struggled to survive, and new narratives and images were needed. Gay culture found a new, terrible lease of life. Perhaps one of the small ironies of Aids was that it kept gay culture alive longer than its natural lifespan.
By the time I was ready to be a playwright in the mid-1990s, gay writing had gone mainstream. Every soap had a pair of could-pass-for-straight gay characters and movie audiences seemed delighted to have the tired girl-meets-boy format revived with a bit of happy boy-on-boy action.
I couldn't get excited about writing this kind of anodyne stuff. So I chose instead to write about the kind of boy you wouldn't want to take home to meet your mother. The kind of boy who never knew who his own mother was because she sold him for crack when he was three. But even if I was writing in this dark way, I was still writing about gay characters. It was just the pukingly saccharine positive images of "come out and live happy ever after under a glitterball" I couldn't buy into.
Now, I'm surprised to say, I'm happy never to write another gay character again. It feels as though every aspect of the gay experience has been narrated, performed and picked over in the past 30 years. It has left us with some brilliant work. Alongside all the bad generic gay work, artists such as Derek Jarman, Alan Hollinghurst, Tony Kushner and others have left a body of work that is both gay and great. But that work seems over now.
Right now, I'm eager to explore the strange, twilight world of the heterosexual - to expose its anguishes and mysteries and unconscious comedies. Maybe one day there will be something to pull me back to the gay experience, the sense of something new to be said about the gay world. But, for the moment at least, my lavender quill is at rest.


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Build Friendships (Grey)
A portion of all proceeds for the month of May will be donated to The Trevor Project.
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We are looking at you, DT.
"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
What's more grassroots than engaging our youngest citizens and would-be-citizens? If we can teach our children to reach out and speak out with people of all shapes, sizes, and abilities, just imagine the world they will be able to build for themselves.
Each tee is screen printed by hand on Kavio sheer jersey raw edge asymmetrical fringe dresses. These dresses are true to size and amazingly soft. They are cozy, comfortable and your child will love twirling around with their new favorite dress on.
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I'm a liberal, a minority, and a feminist---and I loved the movie. The female character in the film who is "treated like a prey animal" according to the reviewer, was NOT "annoying but harmless." Lucy (not Gru) shoots her with a dart because the woman was about to pull Gru's hairpiece off in front of an entire restaurant. It was a bit of comedy and it would be a fair bit of exaggeration to call this evidence of some sexist worldview.
Yes, lighten up.....including Mr. Liberal Basher up there.


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Sisällytetyt portletit
Sisällytetyt portletit
Latest Junior School News
Changing the State of Matter in Year 1
Wednesday 19th September
"Why do people change the state of matter?" the 1C students asked during their inquiry into the central idea, 'Heat energy affects the state of matter.' While they had experienced turning...Read More About Changing the State of Matter in Year 1 >
A Little Bit of Magic
Wednesday 19th September
This term 3P has been working closely with the children at Little Doves. We are so lucky at Kristin to be able to give our students so many wonderful experiences and watching the children...Read More About A Little Bit of Magic >
5P Make their own Advert
Monday 17th September
5P have been inquiring into Advertising. Each class has the amazing opportunity to film an advert in the Green Screen Room! After learning about the features of an advertisement and...Read More About 5P Make their own Advert >
Year 4 Sky Tower & Exploring Auckland Experience
Wednesday 12th September
As part of our Unit of Inquiry 'Where we are in place and time', the Year 4 students explored Auckland, to inquire into our local history and the significant changes in Auckland over time....Read More About Year 4 Sky Tower & Exploring Auckland Experience >
Force and Motion in 3S
Wednesday 12th September
Year 3 have just started an exciting unit exploring different forces. Our Central Idea, 'Force and motion happen all around us all the time' is inspiring us to question and wonder about...Read More About Force and Motion in 3S >
Philosophers in the Junior School
Wednesday 22nd August
Children are natural philosophers. Ask anyone who is a parent and have encountered their young child constantly asking the question "Why?" Yet how often do we encourage the questions...Read More About Philosophers in the Junior School >
Year 4 at Mindlab in MOTAT
Wednesday 22nd August
Year 4 had the opportunity to visit Mindlab in MOTAT. Here are some comments about the activities. My favourite activity at MOTAT was the M-bot. We used a computer to...Read More About Year 4 at Mindlab in MOTAT >
Junior School Bouquets
Thursday 16th August
Congratulatios to the following students: Year 0 Monica Guan for her kindness to others, for being inclusive and warm Oscar Zhu for his enthusiasm and...Read More About Junior School Bouquets >
5M are exploring the body and how it all works!
Tuesday 14th August
We are having lots of interesting learning experiences! A highlight would have to be our visits to the Life Education caravan. We spent lots of time learning about different body parts and...Read More About 5M are exploring the body and how it all works! >
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Latest Media Galleries
2017 The Jungle Book Kids
As the lights dimmed for the last time on the 'Kristin Jungle' it saw the end of the 2017 Performing Arts production timetable and an uplifting, colourful finish to the year. The Jungle Book KIDS...
2015 Agents of Change
The format for the 2015 Junior School Performing Arts event took the form of a performance showcase, opening with an entertaining instrumental medley, performed by the Marimba group. Years 0 to 3...


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Nollywood Actress of the Yoruba niche, Habibat Jinad, had some few days ago leaked an alleged chat she had with a woman who wanted to have a sexual relationship with her.
The fan had privately chatted her up to have her nipples sucked and also engage in other sexual activities.
The actress, who was not in any way interested in such union, told the woman point-blank that she is not a lesbian and so is not ready to engage in such activity.
The actress has however opened up on details about the chat in a new interview and according to her lesbianism is wrong and God is not in support of it.
On how she got involved in the lesbianism saga:
A fan slides into my Instagram page and sent a direct message, just to express herself to me, and I told her that "I'm not a lesbian". That was how the whole thing began.
I don't know her from Adam; I thought she's one of my normal fans. I saw her messages on Instagram, she said "hello" and I replied her with "Hi", which are normal greetings, not knowing that she's a lesbian and she proceed in asking me out.
Habibat Jinad was then asked on what she think could have attracted her to the lady:
Lolz! I wouldn't know. Some of my fans do say I am beautiful and that might get her attracted to me. However, I still see it as nothing but rubbish.
How can you be hunting your fellow women for sex when you have a lot of hard disks around you? For real, it's crazy.
On what her perception about lesbianism is:


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My mum is always on my back on how I hoard my food ingredients.
I have a whole Toyogo box of dried ingredients waiting for me to get into the mood to cook. It's quite bad actually.
On two occasions, my arborio rice and pasta become home ground to weevils. Trust me, you don't want weevils in your pantry. They're completely gross.
Sometimes though, it's a good thing because you finally find a recipe that does justice to that ingredient. But only when you finally use them before worms and maggots or weevils come knocking.
My dearest Polish friend Ula came to visit a few months back and gifted me with packs of Kasza. It really means cereal in Eastern Europe. But it can mean buckwheat and grains. She also blessed me with millet and buckwheat and this pack of gruba (pearl barley) you see above. The only barley I have consumed is of China origin. Yes, a la barley water my mum makes. I munch on the boiled barley. Healthy snack.
But pearl barley shouldn't be used that way, or rather, I don't think they are meant to be cooked that way. I was too lazy to dig for recipes then, so I left it in my trusty portable pantry of a box.
Until the day I got into an Ottolenghi craze. I recently used his tomato galette recipe and discovered his world.
Convinced, I decided to whip out the barley, garlic and tomato risotto I chanced upon while browsing Guardian's food page.
Cooking the risotto was a walk in a park. Any idiot can cook this. You just need the right ingredients and some patience.
It takes an hour to cook so please start early. Don't be like me – I started prepping at 8pm and by the time I was done with blanching, peeling and chopping my tomatoes, it was nearly 9pm. I tucked into my piping hot risotto only at about 10pm.
The risotto supper.
Highly tasty, the big draw was biting into the chunks of feta cheese with each slightly sticky spoonful. This recipe is a keeper. I have been bringing the leftovers to work the past few days. I wanted to make it last.
I am now a pearl barley advocate. More barley recipes to come!
Yottam Ottolenghi's barley, tomato and garlic risotto recipe
from The Guardian
3 tbsp olive oil, plus an extra trickle at the end
2 whole heads garlic, cloves separated, peeled and quartered
750g fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped
200g passata
½ tsp smoky paprika
⅛ tsp dried chilli flakes
1 tbsp picked thyme
4 strips fresh lemon zest
1½ tsp caster sugar
1 tsp salt
270g pearl barley, well rinsed in cold water and drained
Roughly 200ml water
20g chopped coriander leaves, plus extra to garnish
Black pepper
200g feta, crumbled roughly
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a medium-sized saucepan and sauté the garlic quarters for about two minutes, or until golden. Add the tomatoes, passata, paprika, chilli, thyme, lemon zest, sugar, salt, barley and a ladleful of water; stir and bring the mix to a simmer. Cook over minimal heat for 50-60 minutes, until the barley is tender but still firm to the bite. You'll need to stir it from time to time, so it doesn't stick to the pan, and add water occasionally, making sure there is always just enough liquid left in the pot to cook the barley. At the end of the cooking, the mix should be runny enough easily to spoon into bowls.
Once done, remove the pan from the heat, stir in the coriander and some freshly ground black pepper. Add most of the feta, stir gently so the cheese doesn't break up too much and stays in largish chunks, taste and adjust the seasoning accordingly.
Spoon into serving bowls, sprinkle with the reserved feta and coriander, and drizzle over a little olive oil.
• Yotam Ottolenghi is chef/patron of Ottolenghi in London.
P.S. I used 400g passata for a stronger tomato taste. You might want to do the same if you like a strong tomatoey finish.
ñýíêñ çà èíôó!…
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Sky Magazine
July 1995 pg 44
LONE STAR by Daniela Soave
Jeff Buckley is hiding in the depths of his tour bus, trying to grab a little solitude. The curtains are drawn, the lights are dimmed, and the outside world has been shut out of his safe- but, it has to be said, rather smelly - cocoon. He's just finished his soundcheck and has fled to his home for the last few weeks, a cramped, very 70s brown seven-berth coach which is parked outside the backstage entrance. Ahead of him are just two more gigs before a six-week break, the longest holiday he's been permitted since fame beckoned. He looks wiped out but sexy, long hair half-hiding the two rings in his left ear ("I've got another one somewhere else," he smiles, "but I'll never tell where." The mind rather boggles).
We've just begun to talk when someone starts banging on the door. We try to ignore it but whoever it is out there won't give up. Eventually Buckley pulls himself out of his seat and sighs loudly as he disappears to open the door. From the back of the bus I listen to the exchange, which goes something like this:
FEMALE: Oh! Your Jeff Buckley!
BUCKLEY: Hello.
FEMALE: I bought your album
BUCKLEY: (Politely) Thank You.
FEMALE: Look, my boyfriend's stood me up and he's got our two tickets. Will you put me on the guest list?
BUCKLEY: Well, it's full but I'll do what I can. What's your name?
FEMALE: I've written it down. Here you go. You wont forget about it, will you?
BUCKLEY: Look, I can only try. I've got to go. Goodbye.
FEMALE: Don't forget. You will put my name on the list, wont you? It's just my boyfriend has my ticket. [With the next line, however, she totally blows her excuse] And could you get a ticket for my friend as well?
Buckley walks back up the passage, frowning heavily. "One thing I really don't like is when plundering is disguised as appreciation," he says flatly. "Like what?" I ask him. "Yeah...like real encroachment or whatever. They really step over a line and I'm in a bind because...she's a grifter, man, what can I tell you? People are really very, very, very misguided. This fame thing isn't what people think. I heard it from Ray Davies [frontman of the kinks] most eloquently. I think he said there are two myths about people. One is that if you have a record contract you're rich or if your famous you're rich, and the other one is...um...er...actually, I forget what it is." He laughs. "But it's like people think I've got tons at my disposal. Like I should think myself absolutely lucky to have this brown bus." He looks around the dreary vehicle, which looks like it last played host to the Bay City Rollers, shaking his head in amazement. I mean, who designs these things?"
In the space of two months, Buckley has gone from being Best Kept Secret to Next Big Thing, from performing in smoky little New York coffee-bars to filling cavernous halls with his particular brand of trash and tenderness. It's his voice that does it: Low and sexy one moment, high and girlie the next (" I'm completely chemically altered by the end of a performance, due to the places I have to go in my head for my songs," he claims, a quote which would surely have made Kurt Cobain jealous.) It's this almost scary intensity that makes audiences drool and inspired critics to go totally ga-ga about his debut album,
when it was released last autumn.
Jeff Buckley first picked up the guitar when he was still a kid. His father, Tim Buckley, was a cult singer who fled the family home when Jeff was still a baby and overdosed at the age of 28 (Jeff's age this year). After that his family led a transient existence, with the result that music took the place of friends he could never keep.
"I grew up mainly in Southern California, mostly in little white trashville towns overrun by Burger Kings, malls, Bloods and Crips and high taxes," he remembers. "Just me, my mom, and my little brother, mainly, moving from one place to the next, depending on what relationship, job, breakup was happening at the time. We moved so often I just used to put all my stuff in paper bags. My childhood was pretty much marijuana and rock and roll," he says. " I had the longest hair and the weirdest clothes- the kids at my high school used to call me 'that faggot' and beat me up all the time."
Thus the loner instinct was born. Buckley left home at 17, moved to Los Angeles at 18 and came to New York four years later, changing his name from Scott Moorhead (the name of his mother's second husband, the man who introduced him, for better or worse, to the music of Led Zeppelin). "I didn't tell anyone that I was going. I don't need someone else telling me what to do. I just sold everything and split: I'm the sort of person who mulls things over and never discusses their plans."
Buckley lives alone in a small apartment in east Manhattan and says his wandering days are over. He says he couldn't imagine living anywhere else because the city offers everything he could ever want.
" I felt the pull from an early age." he adds. "I must have been about 12 when I started to think about its bright lights. When I was still living in California, the people I was attracted to always came from New York. They were totally different. I got sick of being in California because I never felt I belonged, but I can't imagine ever tiring of New York."


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The SQL Server team is excited to bring you the second service pack release for SQL Server 2016! The SQL Server 2016 Service Pack 2 (SP2) contains a rollup of released hotfixes as well as multiple improvements centered around performance, scalability, and supportability based on feedback from customers and the SQL community. These improvements enable SQL Server 2016 to perform faster and with expanded supportability and diagnostics. It also showcases the SQL Server product team's commitment to provide continued value into in-market releases.
The Official PASS Local Group for Greece


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A ban on Lady Gaga's Born This Way album in Lebanon has been lifted following fan protests in the Middle Eastern state.
The record, which topped charts across the world upon its release in May, was stopped from going on sale in Lebanon after officials in the conservative country impounded a shipment of the CDs on moral grounds.
Lebanese fans slammed the move and pointed out they could still listen to the hits online, so authorities have now decided to let the record become available to buy.
A statement from the country's General Security Directorate says, "The CD has received approval for entry and distribution in Lebanon."


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A few nights ago we found four boxes of frozen chicken and a dozen packages of ground sausage. When I cook the chicken or the sausages there is always some grease and meat drippings left. I put them in a bowl, drop some bread in it and give it to our neighbor's dogs. They love the protein, the fat and the bread.
In fact, the dogs are so conditioned to being fed by me, that when I come home from a dumpster diving run, I swear they can smell the meat. The raw meat scraps are good for them as well as the female is now pregnant again. Her black coat is far shinier than it used to be as she's now getting good nutrition from me.
The other night a new little dog came to the woods. Someone just dropped him off. He's a sweet little thing. We named him Peanut. He's very lovey dovey and friendly. He just laps up the love from everyone. He will jump up and down when he sees us. It's a sweet sight to behold.
Found about a dozen gallons of whole milk and about a dozen packages of cookies, intact and unopened. There are so many cookies I can house and quite frankly I don't need them. Neither does my spouse. He still considers cake a vegetable. The milk and cookies (with the exception of one gallon milk and one package of cookies) went to the local soup kitchen/rehab center. They loved it. They're living on such a slim margin, that is makes me feel grateful I have what I have.
Pictures below are of the following. (1) Dumpster dived meal. Frozen chicken baked in the oven. French fries (potatoes found in the dumpster) cut up and drizzled with rosemary olive oil and seasoned salt. Very good hot meal. Dessert will be two cookies and a little glass of milk. I put my milk in a martini glass, silly, but I like it.
(2) The homeless dog Peanut. He's as sweet as sugar. I'll keep feeding them if they keep coming around. I can't let an animal starve. I just can't.
Yes ladies and gentleman, it's a zoo here, but I wouldn't have it any other way!


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World Map as in DeviousMUD
To many, there will be noticable characteristics on the map that look very familiar. Infact, it almost looks like
a map for Runescape. Many of the original ideas for the map of Runescape in actual fact originate from DeviousMUD. The world
famous Varrock can be seen right at the center of the map.
© 2006 DeviousMUD.tripod.com, all rights reserved.


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Our Location
Our Map
Surgery Tour
Vets4Pets is a whole new veterinary concept committed to bringing you affordable, high quality care via a modern, well equipped practice, including a lab, pharmacy, digital x-ray and ultrasound. Plus, on site car parking too!
The friendly team can't wait to meet all of their new clients!
Meet the team
106-116 Horbury Road, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 8UB
Call us: 01924 290555
Book an appointment
Make huge savings on your pet's vaccinations when you join our exclusive Vac4Life plan, which also includes a health assessment at every visit . Only £99
Our Service Promise
Leeds Emergency Vets Abbey House Veterinary Hospital Commercial Street Morley West Yorkshire LS27 8AG
Call: 0113 252 5818
If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, please call the Veterinary Poisons Information Service* on 02073 055 055
Consultation by appointment only. Please call before setting off.
Client comments I would like to say thank you for removing Scooby's front teeth. He must have been in a lot of discomfort. We have noticed a change in him – his eyes are brighter, his smelly breath has gone and he is now a happy little dog. The day after the removal of his teeth he was able to pick up the post and bring my slippers so he could have a treat. Looking at him you cannot tell he is missing any teeth. Many Thanks. Margaret Cecil, and of course, Scooby.
Margaret Cecil (02/01/2014 09:23:04)
Client comments My fiancee and myself would like to say a huge thank you to all at the practice for the care and attention shown to our little girl Jess after she developed early signs of Pyometra. The vets acted quickly and she's doing really well and back to her normal self. So once again a HUGE THANK YOU
Lloyd Gibson & Sherilee Dickinson
Lloyd Gibson (03/04/2013 12:17:41)
Just wanted to say a BIG thank you to you all who treated my dog, Gina, who had a severe case of Pyometra. Shes doing really well after the prompt response from yourselves. Thanks so much.
Wakefield Vets4Pets Client (23/11/2012 14:45:44)
Client comments
Wanted to say thank you to the practice for their continuing care of Lilly and Jasper. We are very fortunate to have such a fantastic practice in our area.
Gill and Alex Fletcher (23/11/2012 14:44:38)
Thank you so much for looking after Jerry on his first time getting his nails clipped! Your facilities and staff are excellent.
Ruby Zoccolan (23/11/2012 14:43:46)


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Q. What Is The Application Process?
The entire process takes about two hours and is fairly simple. First, you will lie down and the specialist will apply a small piece of surgical tape to gently protect and constrain your lower lashes. Next, she will apply synthetic fiber lashes to your natural lash by dipping them one-by-one into a non-irritating bonding agent. The procedure is completely painless, and some even find it relaxing.
Q. How Do I Care For Them?
It's critical to avoid getting your lashes wet with water, oils or creams in the first 24 hours. Also when washing your face make sure to try to avoid pulling and rubbing your lashes. Try to use a non-oily makeup remover instead of a cleanser which is more delicate.
Q. How Long Will They Last?
Though the exact time varies based on the natural growth cycle of your lashes, 6 to 8 weeks is the normal time-span. Because natural eyelashes shed and replace themselves on their own, regular touch-ups are usually recommended to replace any strays that have fallen out during this growth cycle.
The life span of an eyelash varies by individual, anywhere from 2 weeks to three months, but for maximum results, regular touch-ups (recommended every 2-2 1/2 weeks) will provide optimal results.
Q. Will The Extensions Damage My Natural Lashes?
No. Eyelash Extensions are perfectly safe. Since they are attached to the natural eyelash they will not damage your lash growth.


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I've been involved with FAN-ATIC PRESS and SLAM BANG COMICS here and there since 2006. Publisher/artist Allen Freeman and I have very similar senses of humor, in that we both love the old MAD magazine parodies.
This is an ad he came up with and wanted me to do the art. The first draft had Sally Struthers begging on behalf of the starving artists. I sent Allen a sketch of Sally Struthers clutching two starving artists close to her bosom. One artist was being choked because he was being held too tightly, while the other artist felt quite comfortable being squished into Sally's breast. Allen didn't care for my Sally Struthers image, as he thought I was playing it TOO wacky. He decided he wanted a more low-key sell.
So we changed Sally to that bald headed, white bearded guy, from the commercials that played incessantly a few years ago. He is nameless, just a spokesman I guess. At least, I do not know who he is. So I drew a picture of him from memory, as I couldn't find a reference picture. For the starving artists, I found an actual photo of some poor starving children from one of those ads, and transformed them into sad, pathetic looking artists.
My first version of the white-bearded old guy was way too mean looking. He looked like he was about to kill...
...so I made a slightly happier version.
Actually, I was only supposed to pencil this and Allen was going to ink it, but he ran out of time. He was assembling the comic for publication and he told me he was just going to run it with just my rough pencil art! I said "No way, Jose!" and I spent the next few hours finishing my art! As I was preparing to send him the finished art, I asked him one last question about the picture of the artists.
"Do you want them like this, or with flies all over them?"
"With flies, please!"
So I put flies all over their pathetic faces, making them even more pathetic.
The ad ran in SLAM BANG COMICS #2 (Vol. III) in 2006-7.
The irony of it all is, right now I really am a starving artist, trying to find paying work where ever I can find it!
I really am hungry... cough cough...and my cardboard box is starting to fall apart from the rain...


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Posts Tagged 'Open Invitation'
What Do YOU Want to See Here?
I've been putting some really good articles here on the blog.
But it has all been what I thought you would like to see and learn about.
I've been thinking that perhaps you may have other ideas.
The people who are just finishing the course on How to make your own products have been asked what they would like to see, and to send me one of the products they made in the course. The best ones will be featured here on the blog.
I'd like you all to feel that you can submit questions and comments at any time, but I'd like you all to know that if you have a report or article, you may send that to me too. We are a community of marketers, and can all learn many things from each other.
Won't you join in and put in your Two Cents Worth too? This is an open invitation. Please accept and send in some of your ideas and comments.


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When you're ready to build strength and develop a tight and toned upper body and core, look no further than the push-up. The push-up requires no gym membership, no fancy equipment and is an effective exercise for everyone from newbies to heavy lifters.
With just one simple exercise, you'll work several different muscle groups, and you can continue to increase the difficulty of the exercise as you get stronger. You can even work pushups into a quick high-intensity routine for calorie-burning if weight loss is your goal.
1. Target Multiple Muscle Groups
Push-ups are a compound exercise, meaning they involve the use of more than one muscle group and joint. To do a push-up your arms, shoulders, chest, back, abs and even your legs -- and all the joints that move when those muscles move -- need to activate to complete the movement.
While your chest muscle, or pectoralis major, is the main mover, your triceps on the backs of your upper arms and your deltoids, or shoulder muscles, are also synergist muscles that play major roles.
Your rectus abdominis, or your abs; your obliques that run along the sides of your midsection; your quadriceps on the fronts of your thighs; and the erector spinae muscle along your spine all work to stabilize your body throughout the movement. In short: You get a lot of bang for your buck when you do push-ups.
2. You Can Do Them Anywhere
What could be of more benefit when trying to build strength and muscle tone than the ability to do an exercise anywhere, anytime and with no equipment necessary? In the kitchen waiting for water to boil? Drop and do some push-ups on the kitchen floor! Out for a run in the local park? Work in a few sets of push-ups along the way. You can even do them in your office or at school.
As an added bonus, push-ups get your blood flowing, which can be energizing. If you're in a mid-morning slump at work, just do a set or two of push-ups and you might not need that extra cup of coffee.
3. Push-Ups Build Core Strength
While they're often the go-to exercise for building chest strength, push-ups do double duty. In order to stabilize your body to achieve perfect form, the muscles of your core, including your abs, obliques and lower back are hard at work.
Having a strong core doesn't just mean toned abs; a strong core promotes good posture and prevents back pain.
4. They Burn Lots of Calories
Strength-training exercises aren't generally thought of as big calorie-burners, but they can be. Because so many muscles are involved in a push-up, the exercise helps you torch more calories than many other exercises that only involve one or two muscle groups.
This is because the more muscle recruitment that takes place during a movement, the more energy your body requires to perform the movement -- energy in the form of calories. You'll burn more energy doing a push-up than you will doing a triceps push-down, crunches, or even bench presses.
Want to burn even more calories with push-ups? Do burpees. Burpees combine a push-up and a squat jump into one intense, cardio-boosting exercise.
HOW TO DO THEM: From a standing position kneel down and put your hands flat on the floor in front of your feet. Jump your feet back so you're at the top of a push-up.
Complete one push-up. Jump your feet back up to your hands. Rise up, jumping into the air at the top. Land with bent knees and do another repetition.
5. Push-Ups Are Easy to Modify
There are so many different variations of push-ups, no skill level is left out of reaping the benefits of this exercise. Beginners can do push-ups against a wall by walking their feet out away from the wall far enough to make the exercise challenging.
Push-ups can be done with hands on a bench. The traditional push-up on the floor can be made easier by leaving the knees on the ground to support some body weight.
If you need more of a challenge, you've got options. Elevate your feet, do clapping push-ups or put a weight plate across your upper back. Be sure you can do eight to 12 traditional push-ups with perfect technique before you progress to more advanced versions.


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Why Get Certification from PMI
In an increasingly projectized world, PMI professional certification ensures that you're ready to meet the demands of projects and employers across the globe.
Developed by practitioners for practitioners, our certifications are based on rigorous standards and ongoing research to meet the real-world needs of organizations. With a PMI certification behind your name, you can work in virtually any industry, anywhere in the world, and with any project management methodology.
Maintaining Your Certification
Your career is a journey, and you'll need to stay relevant as the profession evolves and as the needs of employers grow and change. Maintaining your PMI certification is a significant competitive advantage. It keeps you relevant and helps you better position yourself as the answer to what companies demand.
PMI has updated the program to include more emphasis on employer-demanded skills as outlined in the PMI Talent TriangleTM. This provides the guidance you need to stay relevant and competitive in the profession. Hear why this is important to practitioners .
To stay certified, you'll need to participate in professional development activities, and earn and report professional development units (PDUs.) There are lots of ways to earn PDUs and nearly unlimited opportunities. See the PMI CVC Professional Development page for PDUs offered by our chapter.


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UPS Refuses To Deliver Package, Messes Up My Daughter's Birthday
Julie currently lives far away from her daughter, and went her a wonderful box of gifts from cosmetics retailer Sephora for her recent 14th birthday. What a lovely surprise! Or it would have been if UPS hadn't refused to release the package with a mere signed slip because it had been redirected after getting sent to Julie's billing address initially. The package was significantly delayed past her birthday, and the surprise became significantly less fun.
Two weeks ago I placed an order online on Sephora.com for my daughter's 14th birthday (my daughter is currently with her Dad and Step-Mother). One of the gifts was a set where she could try fragrance samples, and then there was a coupon to pick up a full size of her choice in the store. I imagined her opening the box and having a fun time trying all the fragrances and picking out which one she liked the best.
I received the shipping confirmation and waited for the package to be delivered, all in the meantime my daughter asking me every day for hints of what was inside. She was excited too to receive it.
On her birthday (2/27), I looked at the online tracking status, and I noticed that the box had been delayed due to adverse shipping conditions. I also noticed that the box was inadvertently being sent to my billing address, instead of the shipping address. The two addresses are about 45 miles apart. I contacted Sephora and asked them if they could direct UPS to ship the box to the correct address, which they did promptly. When I looked online later at the UPS tracking information it showed the updated information for the re-direct, so I thought all was fine. I told my daughter it would be another day or so for her package to arrive, and that was it.
I continued to check the tracking number. It took UPS 5 days (3 business days and a weekend) to redirect the package 45 miles. I was really surprised, but still accepting, because, hey, weather and mistakes happen. We were eagerly awaiting the package to be delivered on Monday, 3/4.
At the end of the day Monday my daughter tells me they didn't leave the package – they left a slip on the door saying, "signature required." I thought that was odd, Sephora has never required a signature before. I called UPS customer service and was told that all my daughter and her step-mother had to do was sign the slip and leave it by the door, and he would leave the package the next day. So they did so, and we waited for the package to be delivered on Tuesday.
Please note that my daughter's step-mother works at the school and is unable to be home during the day to pick up packages, and neither is her father as he is at work. My daughter is at school.
On Tuesday, I go online to look for the delivery confirmation, and it says that again the driver wouldn't leave the package. Flustered, I call UPS customer service again. I was starting to get really annoyed at this point, and the rep I spoke with basically had no answer other than, "it's at the driver's discretion to leave a package," implying that the driver thought it wouldn't be safe to leave the package on their enclosed porch in a small town residential neighborhood (where UPS has left packages for them for years now). She told me that she would have someone from the hub call me to discuss the delivery within four hours.
Four hours later, as you may have guessed, no phone call from the hub. So in desperation (knowing that Wednesday is the third and final delivery attempt) I went onto UPS' Facebook page and reached out there for help. I was contacted by a [B] via email, and I want to say that his attempts to help me with this delivery were stellar, but it became clear he had very little real power for change.
[B] and I wrote back and forth, and he assured me that he had talked to the hub manager and that the driver would leave the package at my daughter's door the next day. He also told me that the hub manager would call me that night, which he did not do. I was counting on Benjamin's influence to get the package delivered.
Yesterday I went about my business, hoping for the best. Later in the day I received an email from [B] stating that the driver refused to deliver the box yet again. I was very upset as you might imagine. [B] called me and we discussed the situation for a while, and he told me that he was going to escalate the situation and ask for an exception, that he was going to enter notes that they would have to read, so on and so forth. He also said the hub manager would call me again to discuss.
This morning I woke up and had a voice mail on my phone from the hub manager. He said that he was going to direct the driver to leave the package today on the porch, and he said he told him personally to do so. I was encouraged, but then I looked online and the package was marked as lost! I messaged Benjamin and asked him, and he said he would try to find out what happened.
Finally this afternoon I receive another call from the hub manager. He says that they located the package on the driver's truck, but the reason that he wouldn't leave it was because it is UPS policy to require an in-person signature for a re-direct, which is the first time anyone mentioned that to me! He said that he spoke with his district manager and she refused an exception, so they wouldn't leave the package. He offered to hold the package at the hub so they could pick it up in person on Saturday, but at this point I was so upset I told him to send it back, my daughter shouldn't have to drive to pick it up, and I was going to just send her shopping for her birthday (since she didn't receive the package) anyway.
It's now a week since my daughter's 14th birthday, and she has not received her gift from me. I am sad that every day she has asked me when it will arrive and what is in it, and every day I've told her, "it should arrive today" and "It's a surprise!" Well the surprise is that she actually never received it all. I am very saddened by this, especially since I had no idea that UPS would have this policy. Had I known, I would have had the package go to my billing address and delivered the gifts to my daughter myself.
I think this policy of UPS is just ridiculous. The shipper (Sephora) requested the re-direct, directly from them, I wasn't involved in that communication at all. To then mandate a signature to leave a package when the shipper hasn't requested one is terrible. I won't be ordering my daughter's birthday gift like this again.
Sephora granted a refund and otherwise provided the great customer service they're known for…other than requesting the redirect in the first place.
Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.


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GLAMPING CALIFORNIA – Thousand Trails Idyllwild
Glamorous camping comes in a variety of flavors, from cabins and Airstreams to yurts and … Continued
Hoka Hey, is the Lakota Sioux battle cry, meaning "It's a Good Day to Die." A Zac King supernatural thriller, Hoka Hey underscores the current strife of American Indians who defend their sacred rights against corporate greed and corruption of Big Oil. Imagine a world where all Native Americans stood together as one tribe, with one voice. There are insidious reasons the Indian Nations are kept silent and the government has intentionally fractured tribal communities. Big Oil desecrates sacred Indian burial grounds for drilling and fracking, willing to disturb the dead to get it, until now. Tala Whitecloud holds the key, a force so powerful and a revelation so shocking it forever alters mankind's destiny. A unifying voice representing The United Indian Nation, Tala is dying to be heard and it's "A Good Day to Die." This is her story.
Glamorous camping comes in a variety of flavors, from cabins and Airstreams to yurts and … Continued
Night shifters and graveyard tanker yankers Who's traversing the dark tarmac at witching hour … Continued
Alice's restaurant Jutting 700 feet into Kellers Shelter, a small bay named for Don … Continued
world's most famous pier Probably the most iconic pier on earth, it was immortalized with … Continued
Koz has published hundreds of tour stories and articles for a multitude of motorcycle and travel magazines. His own travel books, "Piers of the West Coast" explore piers from Mexico to Canada. In "Motorcycle Mysteries," Koz travels to fascinating and unique destinations and "Motorcycling the Himalayas and Temple Tours on Two Wheels" is a collection of amazing rides to sacred places. His travel stories are filled with fun facts, drama, and a dash of humor and will inspire an adventure of your own.
His fiction series, "Adventures of Zac King" thriller novellas include the wildly popular "Midnight Rider on a Graveyard Run" and "Hoka Hey – The legend of Tala Whitecloud." Zachary King is a Moto journalist whose taste for adventure immerses him in a sultry, mystical world of fast-paced action, non-stop drama and women with dangerous curves.


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Gay pride parades sound a note of resistance - and face some
- Author: Larry Hoffman Jun 26, 2017,
Jun 26, 2017, 8:52
It said a number of groups had "serious reactions" to the march, which was planned to coincide with the first day of the Islamic feast of Eid al-Fitr, and urged citizens against continuing with the parade in violation of the ban.
New York's Gay Pride march has spawned copycat demonstrations in nearly every corner of the world.
Activists have been galled by the Trump administration's rollback of federal guidance advising school districts to let transgender students use the bathrooms and locker rooms of their choice.
"Pride this year is showing that we are here, we are queer, and we are not going to sit down for anything less than full rights, full equality", said Austin Anderson, a 28-year-old advertising worker at the NY event.
Although police blocked roads and turned away people thought to be associated with the march, demonstrators still held small demonstrations around the city.
The BBC's Mark Lowen, in Istanbul, says the heavy police presence stopped people from entering Istiklal street, where the rally was scheduled to start. But this year, for the first time ever, she was in the parade.
"I don't think I could have dreamed up the same wording that had as much emotional appeal to gays and lesbians as he did, but he did it and that's the same sign I'll carry to the parade this year", Goldin said.
Members of New York City's gay, lesbian and transgender community prepare to march in the Queens Pride Parade on June 4, 2017 in Jackson Heights, Queens. "We believe strongly that it's a free speech event". Some activists feel the events center on gay white men and are unconcerned with issues including economic inequality and policing.
Trump protesters silently walked down the parade route and another group spread its message of gun control.
March organizers have taken some steps to address the criticisms about diversity.
Turkish police on Sunday thwarted an attempt by Gay Pride activists to hold a parade in the country's largest city Istanbul in defiance of an official ban from the local authorities.
Every year on the last Sunday in June, Frances Goldin can be found on the northwest corner of 18th Street and 5th Avenue in NY.
Pride organizers said the crackdown was about intolerance and not security.
The governor's office Saturday cited safety and public order as a reason for banning the event, claiming that a valid parade application had not been filed for Sunday's event.
Organizers said police began ordering anyone identifiably affiliated with LGBTQ groups to move along, before using plastic bullets and dogs to attack people gathering on Mis Sokak, another street.


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What it is:
FactSet is a financial data and software company.
How it works (Example):
FactSet's software platform offers real-time news, quotes and tools that help analysts screen for certain securities and test portfolio models. The software also helps analysts assess risk and do simulations. It gets the data from original sources such as Dow Jones. The company is headquartered in Connecticut.
Why it Matters:
FactSet is one of many companies that provide essential data and information to analsyts and investors who want to know more about markets and instruments.


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The Badminton Australia Court Officials Committee (ABCOC) is responsible for the development and management of court officials nationally. ABCOC. in conjunction with State/Territories Court Officials Committees ensures there are qualified umpires, referees and line judges to officiate at local, State, National and International tournaments.
ABCOC Members
Peter Cocker QLD -
Tristan Clow - QLD
Committee Objectives
The objectives of the Committee are to:
- achieve, improve and maintain uniformity and standards of umpiring and refereeing throughout Australia and in all matches under Badminton Australia's jurisdiction;
- assist in the provision of suitably qualified umpires, line judges and court officials for international matches;
- liaise with other organisations on matters relevant to improving refereeing and umpiring standards and expertise in Australia;
- give Branch Committees the right to organise courses and training of umpires and referees within their own States/Territory contexts;
- train and approve all referees except Level III (National). Referees are recommended to Badminton Australia for endorsement.
Committee Operations
- The Committee is directly responsible to the Board and submits Annual Reports and Financial statements to the BA Office by 31 July each year.
- The spokesperson for ABCOC is responsible for the internal business of the Committee, and reports to the Board, and has a deliberative and casting vote at Committee meetings.
- The business of the Committee is normally carried out by correspondence, although efforts are made for meetings to be convened whenever possible.
- The quorum for meetings is three members of the Committee.
- One meeting is held each year at a venue approved by the Board, and with travel costs covered by the BA. This does not preclude further meetings at the discretion of the Committee with travel costs being met at the discretion of the Board.
- Items for discussion on the agenda of the meeting are to be invited from BA Member Associations where no Branch Committees have been set up, and copies of the final agenda shall be sent to all Badminton Australia Members.
- Any vacancy on ABCOC for any reason is filled by the Board from nominations submitted by BA Members.
- Until such vacancy is filled, the Committee may co-opt any person it wishes, in order to maintain its effectiveness.
Court Officials Branch Committee
- ABCOC operates through a Branch Committee in each State/Territory.
- Branch Committees are controlled by the relevant BA Member Association.
- The rules under which each Branch Committee operates is determined by the relevant Member, and is submitted to ABCOC for comment and approval.
- The organisation of each Branch Committee includes a Secretary/Treasurer, who is usually the person through whom all ABCOC correspondence and business is channelled.
- Information required by any Branch Committee from sources outside Australia will be submitted to ABCOC spokesperson for necessary action.
- Committees are responsible for the conduct of training courses and examinations for prospective umpires and referees.
- All examinations conducted are to be to the standards set and distributed by ABCOC, which has the authority to call for completed examination papers for perusal. In addition, any Committee member may check at any time any course or examination being conducted, so that the maintenance of set standards may be assured.
- Each Branch Committee is responsible for the provision of qualified umpires and referees wherever required within the relevant State/Territory.
- The Committee may arrange to provide members with uniforms, at the member's cost, of a style and colour approved by Badminton Australia, whereon the member may affix his badges of status.
ABCOC supplies the following to the Branch Committees:
- Certificates for those who have achieved the grades of Umpire, State Umpire or National Umpire or Referee.
- Notes or instructional material for umpires and referee's courses.
- Examination procedures and typical examination papers.
- Other training materials as are available.
- Financial grants / assistance to support Branch Committees objectives, subject to the availability of funds.
- A badge of a style and design to be determined from time to time by Badminton Australia, to be worn on official umpiring and refereeing duties.
- The badge shall identify the status of the holder, and is not transferable.
- It is desirable that a qualified referee wear a red jacket at assignments and a non qualified referee wear an armband inscribed with "REFEREE".
- The right to use any badge, jacket or armband ceases when the relevant status is withdrawn.
- Status may be withdrawn from State and National Umpires and Referees who do not participate in umpiring or refereeing throughout the year to the satisfaction of the Committee. Withdrawn badges shall be returned immediately to ABCOC.
- The Committee may, from time to time, develop guidelines for reinstatement of any umpires under the appropriate procedure.
- All classes of umpires and referees are issued with the approved badges.
Reports and Correspondence
- Each Branch Committee submits a report to the Committee each year on the current status of its umpires and referees.
- Reports are forwarded by the ABCOC spokesperson so that matters contained in such reports may be included in the ABCOC Annual Report presented to BA 31 July each year.
- All correspondence between ABCOC and the Branch Committees is copied in to the BA Office and the Secretary of the BA Member Association to which the Branch Committee is affiliated.
Nomination for ABCOC
The ABCOC consists of members nominated by the State/Territory Associations and appointed by the Board. ABCOC must include among its number at least one practicing umpire and on practising referee.
Applications to be a member of the ABCOC must be made to Badminton Australia on the appropriate nomination form by 30 September each year. Please contact the Badminton Australia (03) 9397 4722.


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"Since 2008 we are using pitch and match in addition to our conference as another way to cover costs." Ansgar Smith, Festival of Games, Amsterdam Netherlands
"Excellent tool at trade shows, making planning of meetings with limited meeting rooms easy!" Seth van der Meer, NLGD foundation
"Business meetings by choice, instead of meetings by chance. Well done!" Jacob Riis, Nordic Game Conference, Malmö Sweden
Contact us:


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- Date
- 03 Nov 2011
- Tags
- Nanjing 2014 , YOG
Today's swimming lesson will be taken by… Alexander Popov
It's not every day that an Olympic Champion comes to your sports lesson, but one lucky school in Nanjing had a swimming lesson with a difference when Alexander Popov, four-time Russian Olympic gold medallist turned up at the pool at Hong Guang Middle School.
Alexander was in town with the IOC Coordination Commission - a group of experts who provide advice and guidance to the host city - and as the Chairman of this group he had a busy week helping Nanjing 2014 with their planning. As soon as the hard work was over, Alexander went straight over to visit the students at the school for a pool-side training session.
The school is renowned for its swimming ability, and with students between the ages of 12-15 there are high hopes that some of them will attend the Youth Olympic Games when it comes to their city in 2014. Alexander gave some coaching advice to improve their stroke and answered their questions about his Olympic experiences.
The pupils were awe-struck by the swimming legend, as one youngster exclaimed, "he is really big and I wish someday I will be as tall as him and [able to] swim as fast!"


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An Overwhelming Saturday: A "Penrod" Story.
Tarkington, Booth.
New York: International Magazine Company, 1913. 4 1/2 x 7". 30 pp. Faint soil to covers, first few pp. sl. creased at bottom corner. Copyright International Magazine Company (Cosmopolitan Magazine). The boys decide to open a Museum of Curiosities starring their new neighbors. Near Fine Wraps (Item ID: 7319)
- More: FICTION
- By This Author: Tarkington, Booth.


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About The Girl Who Could Change Fate by Cassidy Ostergren:
Lacey is your average, everyday teenager. She goes to school, tries to maintain a 'D' in chemistry and spends Friday nights creeping on her crush on Facebook. She is ordinary just like everyone else – except that she can change the future.After Lacey is introduced to the Fate Changing Regime, her life turns upside down. A fanatical group opposing the FCR will stop at nothing to eliminate the Fate Changers. Lacey also finds herself trying, and failing, to ignore her feelings for the enigmatic Christian Angel: a young man in the Regime.When Lacey is tasked to uncover a traitor in the FCR, she must use her gift to survive… and resist the dark allure in her heart that comes with Changing Fate.
Buy the book, and follow the author on social media:
Buy the Book On Amazon.
Author Bio:
LIVE. INSPIRE. BECOME.Writer. Blogger. Plant-Based Nutritionist. Author of The Girl Who Could Change Fate……………………


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Ben Kyber joined The Mottley Law Firm as an associate in 2014 after serving a one-year term as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Elizabeth A. McClanahan of the Supreme Court of Virginia. During his clerkship, Ben was exposed to a wide variety of issues in Virginia law and developed a strong working knowledge of Virginia's legal system.
Ben is a 2013 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, where he served on the William Minor Lile Moot Court Board and participated in the Appellate Litigation Clinic. Through his clinic, Ben had the opportunity to brief a case heard before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and to draft a petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Prior to law school, Ben graduated from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he double-majored in Public Policy and Religious Studies. During his time at William and Mary, Ben was a charter member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the William and Mary Student Assembly.
Since joining The Mottley Law Firm, Ben has developed a broad-based litigation practice, representing businesses and individuals in complex business and commercial litigation, estate, trust, and other fiduciary disputes, and negligence claims brought on behalf of victims of traumatic brain and other serious injuries. In addition, Ben has continued to pursue his interest in appellate advocacy by taking a primary role in drafting appellate briefs filed in the Supreme Court of Virginia and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on behalf of both litigants and amicus curiae.
Ben Kyber was raised in Midlothian, Virginia and has spent the vast majority of his life in the Richmond area. Ben is a strong advocate for his hometown, and spends much of his spare time sampling Richmond's many excellent restaurants, craft breweries, festivals, and cultural events. He also enjoys traveling throughout Virginia and exploring new places in the Commonwealth, camping, playing tennis, and discovering new music of all genres.
Bar Memberships
Virginia State Bar
Court Admissions
Supreme Court of Virginia
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia


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The fires have continued relentlessly all week, although fortunately the latest have been smaller and more rapidly dominated. The Amalfi Coast road has re-opened following its closure due to the risk of falling rocks. From the photos of the rocks that were dislodged, it was a very good job that it was closed. Hopefully when the first rain arrives, this will limit the risk of any more coming down.
Meantime Giovanni Visetti went up to Santa Maria del Castello to investigate the state of the trails around there and in particular the Forestale. The news is not good. This is what he says:
"The situation, bad enough as it is, is even worse from a hiker's point of view . In fact, many of the trees, still standing but already weakened and burnt by fires from previous years, have now fallen across the path making it virtually impassable. Certainly the more agile and enterprising will manage to climb over or around them, but not without getting scratched and covered in soot".
Giovanni himself, who is lithe and athletic but not so keen on getting dirty, managed to walk just a few hundred metres to the Forestale and roughly the same distance to Erbatenera. The eastern slopes of Valle Pozzo beneath Santa Maria del Castello have burnt, whilst higher up it is the western slopes that have gone up in smoke. Further on, the fire has spared nothing, right up to Conocchia and Sant'Angelo a Tre Pizzi (Molare, Canino & Catiello).
The morning of Giovanni's reconnaissance there was just one small fire to the west of the cross of Vagnulo and towards midday the helicopter arrived. He had a bit of a surprise when he came across a removable swimming pool beside the short path connecting the road to the belvedere at Santa Maria. It was not there for the locals to have a refreshing dip but to enable the helicopters to load up more quickly with the water to put out the fires.
In all this bleakness there is however some good news - the fire did not extend to the west of Positano (Monte Comune and Capodacqua) and here all is intact. Let's hope that it remains that way!
Photos courtesy of Giovanni's blog