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As mentioned in the previous post previous post in Symmetric key cryptosystems, both the sender and receiver use the same key - secret key.
The picture shows plaintext is encrypted into ciphertext on the sender side and then same key (key copy) is used to decrypt the ciphertext to plaintex. As long as both sender and recipient know the secret key, they can encrypt and decrypt all messages that use this key.
This requirement, that both parties must know the same secret key is one of the main drawbacks of symmetric key encryption, in comparison to the public-key encryption.
However there are also good reasons why symmetric keys are used widely.
We already know about cipher and two basic groups of symmetric ciphers. I'm going to cover detailed both below
Stream ciphers
In stream cipher plaintext digits are combined with a pseudorandom cipher digit keystream. Each plaintext digit is encrypted one at a time with the corresponding digit of the keystream, to give a digit of the ciphertext stream.
OTP as model
The the one-time pad (OTP) is an encryption technique that cannot be cracked if used correctly since it's been proven that any cipher with the perfect secrecy2 property must use keys with effectively the same requirements as OTP keys. Therefore understanding of OTP helps understand stream ciphers techniques at all.
In OTP a plaintext is paired with a truly random secret key (a one-time pad). Then, each bit or character of the plaintext is encrypted by combining it with the corresponding bit or character from the pad using modular addition.
If you like, here is very simple visualization of OTP on youtube
However, practical problems have prevented OTPs from being widely used. In particular that are these requirenments:
- OTP need to be minimum as long as the message
- OTP should be completely random (not pseudo random)
- OTP cannot be reused.
Initialization Vector
Unfortunately common hardware in computers can only generate pseudorandom vectors. The pseudorandom keystream is typically generated serially from a random seed value using pseudorandom number generator (PRNG)1. That could be software or hardware module and is able to create endless Keystream that will be identical on both side. It will be identical of course only if same register design and same Seed Sequence called Initialization vector (IV) (sometimes Starting Variable (SV)) is used on both sided.
It's practical to use the determinism of PRNGs to generate same Keystream's. But that means IV need to be chosen careful, always randomly and cannot be repeated.
To produce Secret Keystream IV will be combined with Secret Key and the Secret Key is never exchanged insecurely. But IV is normally exchanged not encrypted, even more with some Modes of operation it is forbidden to encrypt IV because it weaken security.
An IV is essential when the same key might ever be used to encrypt more than one message.
An IV basically mixes some unique, non-secret data into the key to prevent the same key ever being used twice.
A weak IV is part of what made WEP breakable.
"Small random key" acts as IV for PRNG
Stream cipher Synchronization
If sender and receiver generate Keystream independently of each other for a long time, the probability that something get out of synch rises. Consider a bit is swapped on the line...
Synchronous stream cipher
If a stream of pseudo-random digits is generated independently of the plaintext and ciphertext messages such chiper is referred as synchronous stream cipher. In a synchronous stream cipher, the sender and receiver must be exactly in step for decryption to be successful. However synchronization can get lost. To restore synchronization, various offsets can be tried systematically to obtain the correct decryption. Another approach is to tag the ciphertext with markers at regular points in the output.
Self-synchronizing stream ciphers
Another approach uses several of the previous N ciphertext digits to compute the keystream. Such schemes are known as self-synchronizing stream ciphers, asynchronous stream ciphers or ciphertext autokey (CTAK). The receiver will automatically synchronize with the keystream generator after receiving N ciphertext digits, making it easier to recover if digits are dropped or added to the message stream.
Stream cipher haracteristic
Stream ciphers typically execute at a higher speed than block ciphers and require lower hardware complexity (and memory usage).
Popular stream ciphers
- RC4 - meanwhile considered insecure!
- Salsa20
- A5/1,A5/2 - are used in GSM and considered weak and insecure!
- SNOW 3G - synchronous stream cipher
- HC-256 - gains popularity
- Rabbit - gains popularity
- SEAL - one of the fastest stream ciphers
- Salsa20 - very effcient and secure. ChaCha variant was selected as a replacement for RC4 in OpenSSL.
Block cipher
The main difference to stream ciphers is that block ciphers operate on large blocks of digits with a fixed, unvarying transformation.
The modern design of block ciphers is based on the concept of an iterated product cipher3. The product cipher combines a sequence of simple transformations such as substitution (s-box), permutation (p-box), and modular arithmetic. I will not go in to details here.
Mode of Operation
Since a block cipher by itself can only encrypt/decrypt of one fixed-length group of bits called a block additional techniques needed to encrypt Messages that are longer than a single block size. Therefore a mode of operation describes how to repeatedly apply a cipher's single-block operation to securely transform amounts of data larger than a block.
Electronic Codebook (ECB)
ECB is the simplest of the operation modes. The message is divided into blocks, and each block is encrypted separately with the same key.
The huge disadvantage of this method is that identical plaintext blocks are encrypted into identical ciphertext blocks. To illustrate the problem let's consider image file that is enrypted with some block-cipher in ECB mode.
Anyway this mode has advantages: Encryption, decryption and random block access are parallelizable.
Cipher Block Chaining (CBC)
CBC was designed to eliminate pattern attack problem of ECB
In CBC mode, each block of plaintext is XORed with the previous ciphertext block before being encrypted. This way, each ciphertext block depends on all plaintext blocks processed up to that point. To make each message unique, an IV must be used in the first block. CBC has been the most commonly used mode of operation.
Its main drawback is that encryption is sequential (cannot be parallelized).
For example CBC mode is the default mode of operation for OpenVPN.
Propagating Cipher Block Chaining (PCBC)
In PCBC mode, each block of plaintext is XORed with the XOR of the previous plaintext block and the previous ciphertext block before being encrypted. No parallelized operation is possible. PCBC is not widely used.
Cipher Feedback (CFB)
CFB decryption is almost identical to CBC encryption performed in reverse. Also CFB mode makes a block cipher into a self-synchronizing stream cipher.
Output Feedback (OFB)
OFB mode makes a block cipher into a synchronous stream cipher as well. It generates keystream blocks, which are then XORed with the plaintext blocks to get the ciphertext.
No parallelizm is possible.
OFB means encrypting the IV again and again to produce the keystream. If you end up in a cycle, the keystream will start repeating itself. (This should not be a practical weakness, but why chance it?)
Counter (CTR)
Like OFB, block cipher with CTR can be seen as kind of stream cipher. Here Keystream is generated blockwise by encrypting successive values of a counter. Here counter can be any function which produces a sequence which is guaranteed not to repeat for a long time, although an actual increment-by-one counter is the simplest and most popular.
Today CTR mode is widely accepted, along with CBC, CTR mode is one of two block cipher modes most recommended.
CTR mode is well suited to operate on a multi-processor machine where blocks can be encrypted and decrypted in parallel. Furthermore, it does not suffer from the short-cycle problem that can affect OFB.
We learned about Mode of Operation only last thing is left to mention left and that is padding.
Block cipher modes for symmetric-key encryption algorithms require plain text input that is a multiple of the block size, so messages may have to be padded to bring them to this length. But if you encrypt using CFB or OFB or CTR modes then the ciphertext will be the same size as the plaintext and so padding is not required. But is important for ECB, CBC and PCBC.
I will mention only few examples below.
Bit padding
Accordig to ISO/IEC 9797-1 as Padding Method 2.
1011 1001 1101 0100 0010 011 - 1 0000 0000
In ANSI X.923 bytes filled with zeros are padded and the last byte defines the padding boundaries or the number of padded bytes.
Padding is in whole bytes. The value of each added byte is the number of bytes that are added, i.e. N bytes, each of value N are added. The number of bytes added will depend on the block boundary to which the message needs to be extended.
PKCS#5 padding is identical to PKCS#7 padding, except that it has only been defined for block ciphers that use a 64-bit (8 byte) block size.
Now we now that block ciphers can be described by the cipher + mode of operation + padding. Some ciphers have several variants or need additional parameters like key length to be distinct described.
Popular block ciphers
Finally here is the ourline of most popular block ciphers
The Data Encryption Standard (DES)* developed in the early 1970s at IBM and based on an earlier design by Horst Feistel. DES was published as FIPS Standard for US in 1977 and lasted until oktober 2000. DES is now considered to be insecure for many applications. This is mainly due to the 56-bit key size being too small. Some documentation makes a distinction between DES as a standard and DES as an algorithm, referring to the algorithm as the DEA (Data Encryption Algorithm).
The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), also known as Rijndael(its original name), is a specification for the encryption of electronic data by the U.S. NIST in 2001.
For AES, NIST selected three members of the family, each with a block size of 128 bits, but three different key lengths: 128, 192 and 256 bits. AES is the first (and only) publicly accessible cipher approved by the National Security Agency (NSA) for top secret information when used in an NSA approved cryptographic module.
Intel processors since Westmere in 2010 come with AES hardware support4 that makes AES operations effectively free.
Other block ciphers
- IDEA (1990, International Data Encryption Algorithm): Used in PGP
- Blowfish 1993. Autor Bruce Schneier
- Twofish (used by Microsoft)
- CAST-128, CAST-256: Block ciphers from Carlisle M. Adams
- Serpent: Block ciphers from Ross Anderson, Eli Biham und Lars Knudsen,
Block Cipher Learning
We've learned that with the Cipher kind DES, AES or whatever Mode of Operation need to be chosen. With some modes of Operation Padding needs to be choosen and good Initialization Vector as well.
To consolidate that learning i've prepared several Java expamples
Java Examples
Encrypt Message with AES in ECB mode with PKCS5Padding
byte[] encryptText = originalText.getBytes();
SecretKey skeySpec = new SecretKeySpec(secretKey, "AES");
Cipher cipher = Cipher.getInstance("AES/ECB/PKCS5Padding");
cipher.init(Cipher.ENCRYPT_MODE, skeySpec);
encrypted = cipher.doFinal(encryptText);
As you see only
secretKey and plaintext is needed here. But we've learned that other Mode of operation need also IV. So let's look at CBC Example. Here
iv is additional new paramater.
byte[] encryptText = originalText.getBytes();
SecretKey skeySpec = new SecretKeySpec(secretKey, "AES");
Cipher cipher = Cipher.getInstance("AES/CBC/PKCS5Padding");
IvParameterSpec ivspec = new IvParameterSpec(iv);
cipher.init(Cipher.ENCRYPT_MODE, skeySpec, ivspec);
encrypted = cipher.doFinal(encryptText);
For CTR mode i would look similar but no padding is needed, so insted of
AES/CBC/PKCS5Padding``you can just useAES/CTR/NoPadding`
You will find the whole example on Github
There you'll find how IV and Keys are generated.
Cryptography needs an extra level of precision. So please comment or give me a hint if something is not precise as it should be. Please double check difficult moment, before you implement cryptography.
A pseudorandom number generator (PRNG), also known as a deterministic random bit generator (DRBG) are based on LFSR that are usually implemended in Hardware. ↩
Perfect security is a special case of Information-theoretic security where security derives purely from information theory. That is, it cannot be broken even when the attacker has unlimited computing power. So these systems are considered cryptanalytically unbreakable. ↩
Communication Theory of Secrecy Systems (PDF) is a paper published in 1949 by Claude Shannon discussing cryptography. It is one of the fundamental treatments of modern cryptography. It is also a proof that all theoretically unbreakable ciphers must have the same requirements as the one-time pad. ↩
[^4:] AES instruction set. Some performance analysis showed an increase in throughput from approximately 28.0 cycles per byte to 3.5 cycles per byte with AES/GCM versus a Pentium 4 with no acceleration.


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VarNik Cloud - VDI plans are easy to manage. Using Linked-Clone technology, install patches and software on just one image, and every desktop in your environment is immediately upgraded. Have the system automatically create new desktops when users join your organization.
Configure your servers with between 1 and 8 2.53 Ghz virtual CPUs, shared on hosts operating, on average, below 30% CPU utilization. Provision VMs with up to 16 GB of RAM. Other features include: Virtual KVM, Virtual CD/DVD & Floppy, and Virtual Power Buttons. These features let you stay in control just like you were sitting in front of a physical server.
With VarNik Cloud Virtual's Server, you are always protected. Our revolutionary Enterprise Virtualization Environment (E.V.E.)TM, with features like a clustered NetApp SAN with RAID-DP, VMware HA clustering, and clustered enterprise firewalls, guarantees 100% uptime. We also backup your servers nightly by taking application-consistent snapshots.
VarNik Cloud Virtual consistently monitors every server in our environment and alerts you when your server is exceeding operational norms. We provide you with 24/7 service and guarantee incredible performance for your Cloud Server.
The desktops are delivered from high- availability VarNik Cloud data center clusters, which ensure a LAN-like user experience.
With the virtualization of desktops, employees are freed from being tied down to a location. Some might work from the main office using their own devices, while others work from home on their laptops. Or, if many of your employees are in remote locations, they can each use their mobile devices and collaborate in real-time.
At the same time, enterprises minimize the environmental impact of their IT infrastructure. PCs can be repurposed and used for longer periods of time, or replaced with thin clients. Cooling and power requirements at the premises are low because the equipment resides in data centers.
Overall, moving from traditional to virtual desktops improves manageability, increases reliability, enhances security, and reduces costs. Commute times are reduced or eliminated, while data security is maintained and policy compliance is improved. Only keystrokes and screen updates traverse the network; access policies, encrypted connections and passwords further enhance security. Your overall cost is greatly reduced because you leverage the economy of scale that comes from using a shared infrastructure. Uninterrupted service is virtually guaranteed, with 24x7 support from our team, who constantly monitor the service.
VarNik Cloud Seamless Desktop Virtualization Service
Physical desktops are resource-heavy, difficult to maintain, and limit mobility. Organizations need dedicated IT staff just to keep their desktops in good running order. Scalability is a problem; upgrades are usually wasteful. As Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) becomes more common, traditional desktops make even less business sense. The obvious answer is a virtual desktop environment.
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Take a look at what we do

subset: commoncrawl


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What is Peyronie's Disease?
Peyronie's Disease, or the bent penis syndrome, is caused by the formation of scar tissue along the walls of the erectile chambers of the penis. The condition was first described by Francois de la Peyronie, a physician in the court of Louis XIV of France. This scarring results from plaque deposits and, in time, results in bending the penis in the direction of the side of the penis where the scarring is most severe.
Peyronie's Disease is almost always first born from penile trauma.
"Trauma" – you ask? I don't recall my penis enduring any trauma."
Think again.
Never had trauma to your penis? Read this – you might be surprised
Hairy Palms from Masturbation?
Remember the wives tale about how hair would grow on the palm of your hands if you masturbated repeatedly? Turns out: there actually was a big risk associated with such pleasure – it just wasn't hair growth. Penile trauma from masturbation primarily occurs from two sources:
- Repeated Masturbation: If you ever masturbated back-to-back within an hour – you likely caused penile trauma.
- Masturbation Technique: If you were turning your wrist to increase penile sensation during masturbation? If you fixated on a particular area: the shaft or the head? That causes penile trauma.
Similar risks of trauma occur from intense intercourse. Most guys think a "boner" is like a bone – and can handle all the action the body can support. Alas, such activity comes at a cost. Intensive use, friction, pressure from the female pelvic bone – all eventually set up Peyronie's Disease.
Finally, diseases can also be a cause for penis curvature. Some diseases can cause the breakdown of normal tissue in the penis. Diabetes for example breaks down collagen which in turn causes hardening in the penis. In addition, some medications have Peyronie's Disease listed as a possible side effect.
Trauma Starts with Pre-Peyronie's
When your penis experiences trauma – the body sends fibrosis to the affected area in an effort to protect the tissue from further damage.
After this happens repeatedly? The fibrous plaque hardens – and begins to cause noticeable curvature in the penis when erect. This fibrous plaque can exist in a pair of varied states – or both, including:
Diffuse Plaque: Diffuse plaque could be likened to an immense amount of salt emulsified into water. It clogs up the flow of blood in your penis: slowing down erections. It also contributes to the curvature when erect.
Concentrated Plaque: Concentrated fibrous plaque is where the body's self defense system begins to build up into a hardened state just under the skin. Concentrated plaque is what starts causing your penis to become curved when erect.
Old school thinking in these cases was to "do nothing" – see if the body resolves the issue itself. We now know much better: the condition doesn't improve on its own or from taking vitamin supplements – it gets worse. Peyronie's symptoms are a degenerative condition: once begun, they can quite easily deteriorate into two worse situations, or both: namely:
Calcification of Plaque
As the fibrous plaque languishes within the penis it begins to harden further as the body sends calcium to try and heal what it perceives as a vulnerability or injury. As that calcium builds up within the existing deposit of fibrous plaque, the erect curative often gets even worse and you can actually feel parts of the hard distortion of penile tissue with your fingers. While calcified plaque is a hard surface to the touch its actually a fairly brittle chemical structure. This condition sets up for the worst possible outcome of Peyronie's Disease.
Full-Fledged Peyronie's Disease
Scar Tissue: Bent Nail Syndrome
Eventually, most often either through intensive masturbation or a varied position during intercourse – a portion of the built-up calcified plaque in your penis will "break" or crack: we've even had patients recalling hearing a noticeable "popping" sound when it occurred. It's essentially the inevitable destiny of the bent nail – sooner or later? Its going to get bent completely sideways.
When this occurs?
Erectile Dysfunction and Peyronie's Disease Go Hand-in-Hand
Repeated injury of the penis doesn't just lead to Peyronie's Disease – it also can result in Erectile Dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is a common symptom of Peyronie's Disease. When your penis develops curvature it becomes harder to induce and maintain an erection. On top of that the pain that results from an erection in a curved penis is horrendous. Unfortunately, sometimes this pain can be passed along to your partner if you do not get your penile trauma assessed immediately.
Morganstern Heals Peyronie's Disease and Erectile Dysfunction
Dr. Steven L. Morganstern is a forerunner in the field of penis curvature correction and Peyronie's Disease. Using our patented CurveFree™, Stem Cell Implantation Treatments to break up diffused plaque within your penis – he is now able to improve penis curvature and Peyronie's in 100% of patients. Rejuva-Flow helps to bring back circulation and blood flow to the penis. The treatment is noninvasive and very effective. Wondering if CurveFree™ is right for you? We offer a free initial consultation – either in-office or over the phone – to evaluate your present condition and determine if there's a suitable CurveFree™ in your future.
What can Morganstern do for your curved penis?
Utilizing our patented CurveFree® treatment process, we're able to both break down the hardened and diffuse plaque in your penis through endostim treatments while congruently stimulating healing with shockwave stem cell rejuvenation treatments plus Reuja-Flow – all of which helps restore circulation and blood flow to the penis and congruently removing plaque.
The entire treatment tandem is completely noninvasive and proven effective.
What is CurveFree®?
CurveFree® is a patent pending, non-invasive process that effectively heals Peyronies Disease – a penile condition affecting between 5-15% of all men that causes painful and embarrassing penile curvature when erect.
Peyronies disease is caused by damaged, hardened penile tissue that results in a severe curve during erection. Its also progressive – minor bending almost always evolve into major curvature over time: reducing sexual pleasure & sensation for both parties, reducing penile length, and causing consequential distress plus self image challenges for affected men. Surgical outcomes to repair the condition are shown to provide poor long-term results. Finally, the most highly touted drug treatment: Xiaflex® – only achieves consequential curve improvement in a minority of cases – and can't be safely utilized in many Peyronie's patient circumstances.
We own the opportunity to change all that.
That, in itself, is exciting!
Free Initial Consultation
Wondering if CurveFree® is right for you? We offer a free initial consultation – either in-office or over the phone – to evaluate your present condition and determine if there's a suitable CurveFree® in your future.


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The fundamental need to read and write is no different for the blind as others. They too cannot replace literacy for any digital or auditory alternative. Studies have often shown that voice synthesizers as modes of teaching do not bring about equivalent results as compared to Braille learning. The latter provides one with opportunities of enjoying their student life and also achieve well academically.
Welcome to Libbraille
The website educates the society about Braille learning and writing. It explains the history and the current usage of Braille for people who have a visual impairment. Braille refers to the tactile writing and reading system used by blind people through raised dots which is tangible and can be felt by fingers.
Today, the entire world recognizes Louis Braille for the system that has united millions of people. The disabled no more has to stay illiterate, they can achieve their desired ambitions in life because they are educated at the same level as everyone else. Literally, any books or text can be converted to Braille now, the advancements of internet and technology have enabled us to convert a normal text into Braille using online translators. Several gadgets have been developed to revolutionize Braille by incorporating it into the screens in a cost-friendly manner. Some examples include InsideONE, BLITAB, Amazon Fire Tablet, Kindle etc.


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Cambridge Nutritional Foods SL
Press Information
January 2012
Cambridge Weight Plan
The story of Cambridge Weight Plan starts in the UK in early 1960's when Dr Alan Howard developed an interest in overweight and obesity. He began to investigate methods of weight reduction, using himself as one of the guinea pigs.
Together with Dr Ian McLean-Baird of the West Middlesex Hospital, Dr Howard organised a National Symposium on Obesity in 1968, the first ever held in the UK. They went on to collaborate and develop what they regarded as 'the perfect diet'. What they wanted to achieve was a formula food with:
the right level of protein to protect lean tissue
the right level of carbohydrate to promote a mild ketosis and eliminate a sense of hunger
the right levels of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and essential fatty acids to maintain good health
After much work, Dr Howard's first formula produced excellent weight loss results, and further work by food technologists enhanced flavours and led to the first commercial version of the Cambridge Diet. Eight years of research and clinical trials at hospitals such as Addenbrookes in Cambridge, Charing Cross and Guys in London and at the Universities of Swansea, Leeds and Liverpool then followed to ensure that the Diet underwent rigorous testing to establish its efficacy and safety.
These studies demonstrated three important factors:
remarkable weight loss
patient acceptability and
patient safety
…and led to the Diet becoming more available in obesity clinics in London and Cambridge, UK. Long-term safety was assessed and confirmed by further independent research in the UK, the USA and across Europe.
The Cambridge Diet was launched commercially in the USA in 1980 (under a licence agreement) and in the UK in 1984.
In 2009 the Cambridge Diet underwent a re-branding process and was re-named Cambridge Weight Plan.
Cambridge Weight Plan today
The modern Cambridge Weight Plan is a nutritionally balanced formula food, which provides essential micro- and macro-nutrients and can be used as a complete substitute for normal food or in conjunction with a sensible eating plan.
Cambridge 800
In Spain Cambridge Weight Plan is sold under the company's Cambridge 800 brand.
This is a nutritionally balanced low calorie diet that can be used as the basis of several Steps or eating plans, ranging from 800 calories (kcal) up to 1500 kcal and then into long term weight management. Each Cambridge 800 serving (sachet, bar or soup) is around 200kcal. Cambridge 800 offers a number of flexible weight loss programmes. These are:
Step 1 (800kcal) – There are two options on this Step. One is a total diet replacement* where someone can replace their entire daily conventional food intake with four Cambridge 800 servings. The other option is that they use three Cambridge 800 servings and add a 200 kcal healthy meal (protein rich with vegetables).
Step 2 (1000kcal) – This combines either three Cambridge 800 servings with 400kcal of protein rich food and 150ml of skimmed milk or two Cambridge 800 servings, a 600kcal meal, 150ml of skimmed milk and fruit.
Step 3 (1200kcal) – On this Step someone can have two Cambridge 800 servings and 800kcal of healthy cooked food incorporating breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as 150ml of skimmed milk and fruit.
Step 4 (1500kcal) – This offers two Cambridge 800 servings with 1100kcal of healthy cooked food (breakfast, lunch and dinner) or one serving of Cambridge 800 with 1300kcal food options.
Step 5 (My Life) – This is long term weight management which can incorporate a Cambridge 800 servings as part of a balanced, healthy diet.
On Steps 1–4 a person should drink at least 2.25 litres of water spread over the course of the day.
Cambridge800 comes in a range of products. The shake serving is 202kcal, the soups are 209kcal per serving and the bars are 202kcal each. Flavours include: (Shakes) Banana, Chocolate Mint, Strawberry, Chocolate, Summer Fruits and Vanilla. (Soups) Mushroom and Vegetable; (Bars) Lemon or Strawberry and Apple.
As with the UK, Cambridge 800 is only available via an Independent Cambridge Consultant. As well as supplying the products, these self-employed people offer help, support and advice to customers throughout the Steps process as well as long term weight maintenance.
Cambridge Weight Plan is one of the most researched weight management products in the world. Extensive research on nutritionally complete low and very low calorie diets has confirmed their safety and efficacy in assisting weight loss and weight maintenance.
Many studies have been carried out into the effects of very low calorie diets. One of the most sophisticated was a clinical trial that examined body composition and metabolic studies with VLCDs. The results of the trial were presented in a book: 'The Swansea Trial' edited by Dr Stephen Kreitzman and Dr Alan Howard (1)
In 2011 research in Denmark has shown that people using Cambridge products not only show impressive weight loss results and improved nutritional status but also improvement in their knee osteoarthritis (2).
Also in 2011, researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden demonstrated the effective weight loss benefits of Cambridge products for people with obstructive sleep apnoea (3).
Facts and figures
More than 25 million people have successfully used Cambridge Weight Plan products around the world since it was launched in 1984
Cambridge is now available in more than 20 countries including: Norway, Vietnam, Malaysia, Russia, Holland, Sweden, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Dubai, India, South Africa and Hong Kong
Every day in the UK around 45,000 people use Cambridge Weight Plan to lose and manage their weight.
1. Howard AN & Kreitzman S (eds). "The Swansea Trial: body composition and metabolic studies with a very low calorie diet (VLCD)." London Smith-Gordon 1993.
2. Christensen P, Bartels EM, Riecke BF, Bliddal H, Leeds AR, Astrup A, Winther K, Christensen R. Improved nutritional status and bone health after diet-induced weight loss in sedentary osteoarthritis patients: a prospective European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2011) 0, 000– 000. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2011.201
3. •Johansson K, Hemmingsson E, Harlid R, Lagerros YT, Granath F, Rössner S, Neovius M. Longer term effects of very low energy diet on obstructive sleep apnoea in cohort derived from randomised controlled trial: prospective observational follow-up study. BMJ 2011; 342:d3017 doi: 10.1136/bmj.d3017 (Published 1 June 2011)


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Haloglow Helmets … bringing more light into the Helmet!
The Haloglow optic fiber encircles the helmet ensuring you are visible for over 200 meters. Haloglow's extra strong helmets are designed to keep you fully protected with inner foam and heat seated pads. This means the helmet can be adjusted to fit giving you maximum comfort. Multiple ventilation spots help keep the rider cool whilst riding any distance.
- Premium Polycarbonate outer shell for extra strength and protection.
- EPS high energy absorbant Foam and padding offers ultimate comfort.
- Super bright LEDs allow high visibility and offer over 10,000 hours of light.
- Superlative design allows for continuous use of over 60 hours ensuring visibility in all conditions.
- Nylon straps and buckles allow for easy adjustment and quick release when needed.
- Uses standard 2x 2032 batteries which are included and replaceable.
- Motorbike helmet has a rechargeable battery capability.
- Helmet size: 58-62 cm.
Examples of Stick On Fibres for clothing and Helmets:


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Dive into an extensive interview with the developers of SUPER MARIO 3D LAND as Mario makes his splash on the Nintendo 3DS in a brand new 3D adventure!


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OK so I'm no Martha Stewart. I've never crafted and I've never been topless on Saturday Night Live.
So when I picked some lavender off the newly planted plant this autumn I naively thought I could be creative enough to do something nice with it. Sadly this lovely purple plan went from this:
to this sad attempt at arts and crafts:
You see this is why I took music in school and not art. Though to be fair my flute has been gathering dust for nigh on 20 years now too.
I strung up what I could in a pitiful knot and tied it to the chain on our bedroom ceiling fan/light.
Not with ribbon but string. Not a bundle but a handful. Not good. Not at all.
So I went to Pinterest and looked at what normal people do with lavender. Apparently smarter and craftier people are out there in the world sharing this type of information.
I especially like the linen water and scrub. These all seem like good ideas.
Good ideas for next year at this point, but good nonetheless.


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Risco Agility 3 installed by Engineers at Smartech Security is Grade 2 Insurance approved British Standard intruder alarm system that controls and monitors a variety of sensors, detectors, and contacts placed throughout the premises, which provide external, perimeter and internal burglary protection. The system is connected via telephone line and continuously checks the status of each sensor to detect problems. If the panel detects trouble it will initiate a call to a remote telephone number, informing you of a security situation by playing a pre - recorded event announcement message, followed by the acknowledgement menu. This is in addition to the external siren, beeps from the control panel and indicator lights to alert the neighbours or people passing by. The system can call up to 16 numbers, enabling you, a relative or neighbour to be informed of the security situation. You can then take the appropriate action, whether this is to inform the authorities or acknowledge the event and remotely operate the system.
Arm or Disarm specific areas of your Home, say Upstairs only
Allows your dogs and cats to freely walk around your home
Receive alerts on your phone when the system is triggered
The alarm will be triggered if the cover, base or power are altered
System unsetting please enter your code - says the alarm
All devices are wireless operating on 868 Mhz frequency
You can arm your security alarm when you go out, go to bed or even all day long to protect your house and beloved ones. One of the Agility 's advantages is its ability to divide the system in up to 3 partitions. Each partition may be managed as a separate security system, each of which can be set and unset individually regardless of the condition of the other. Partitions can be set or unset one at a time, or all at once, and each partition can be set at Part set or Full set . Below are the basic user operations carried out from the LCD wireless keypad. The system respond with voice status messages to confirm the action performed.
Full Set the Alarm - Press the Lock Button
Part Set the Alarm - Press Part Lock Button
Unset the Alarm - Press the unlock button followed by pass code or proximity tag. Proximity tags are an alternative to keyfobs for arming and disarming the system.
Risco Agility 3 control panel supplied and installed by Smartech Security comes with inbuilt PSTN module to connect the system to your fixed telephone line.
You can operate your home security system using the bi-directional keypad. Being bi-directional the keypad receives a reply status indication from the control panel for each command that it is sent to the panel.
The iWAVE??? 2-Way PIR wireless detector is a stylish wall mount passive infrared detector with PET immunity up to 36kg. It provides 12m coverage, higher security and reduced wireless congestion. The kit comes with 2 PIR motion sensors.
The wireless door or window contact is a supervised transmitter ideal for wireless perimeter door/window protection that has a built-in magnetic contact and an additional reed switch for anti-sabotage detection. It is powered by a standard 3-volt lithium battery. Any attempt to defeat the detector using large magnets will cause a tamper condition.The kit comes with 1 Risco Agility 3 wireless door contact.
The sounder with LED flashes is powered with its own batteries and communicates wirelessly with the control panel using 868MHz frequency band.Upon an alarm condition, the sounder will be activated for a pre-defined period of time. The maximum time that the sound will be activated is 5 minutes.
Proximity tags can be used instead of passcode to set and unset your home security system. The tags need to be read by the keypad by showing them 1-2cm away from the keypad's flap door. 2 proximity tags are included in the standard kit for easy access.
Real phone calls from your security system that tells you if it is a fire, burglar or a panic alarm
Add GSM module to receive text message with alarm information at the time of an event
Push notifications on your App with details of the sensor that triggered the Alarm
Emails with the details of the scence and the status of sensors when the alarm goes off
The Risco Agility 3 allows the security system to be connected via a mobile phone SIM card that enables your intruder alarm system to communicate over the GSM networks for system alerts. It can be used as the primary communication or as a back up for the IP (Internet) or PSTN (Telephone) communications in case of communication failure.You can enjoy peace of mind by receiving real time SMS, voice messages and email alerts using the GSM module. It also supports two-way voice communication which is beneficial for elderly care, allowing two way communication with users in times of emergency.
Add the smart phone App integration module to enjoy full control of your home security system directly from any location as you go about your day. You can conveniently arm and disarm your system ??? anytime, from any location using the iRISCO smartphone app. In the case of an event, receive real-time notification and check the status of the sensors to get the real picture of the security situation. RISCO smartphone app is clearly the best choice for home owners who want complete and easy management at their fingertips.
Buy Risco Agility 3 Intruder Alarm kit with Mobile App
Got this alarm installed two weeks ago by Smartech security. I have been using the system since then. The best feature I like is that I can arm the downstairs alone while going to bed at night. I use the key fob to operate the alarm. it is quite easy , the installer gave us a good demo, overall happy with the product and service


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You might be able to picture the perfect home, but moving in is another story. Let Texas Bank get you a competitive rate on short-term financing so you can make your dream a reality.
Our construction loans help you through the entire process, from blueprints to breaking ground and all the way to move-in day! We can even combine your construction loan with your long-term mortgage to save on closing costs. Put our experience to work for you today.


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The European Union Affairs Committee
(Komisja do Spraw Unii Europejskiej)
Legal base: "The Act of 8 October 2010 on the cooperation of the Council of Ministers with the Sejm and Senate in matters relating to the Republic of Poland membership of the European Union" and the Standing Orders of the Sejm.
Composition: The Committee should be composed of no more than 46 Members (10% of the Sejm). The composition should reflect the composition of the Chamber.
The current European Union Affairs Committee was established on 17 November 2011. Prior to Poland's accession to the EU there was a special European Integration Committee during the II and III term of the Sejm from October 2001 to 31 July 2004. The committee is empowered to express opinions on behalf of the Chamber on EU legislative proposals to be adopted by the Council of Ministers and on the negotiating positions of the Polish Government in relation to these. The opinions of the committee should constitute a basis for the position of the Government. If the Government decides to deviate from the opinion of the committee, it is obliged to explain the reason why.
For more information on the European Union Affairs Committee, click here.
The European Union Affairs Committee was set up by the Senate on 19 May 2004. But already, prior to Polish accession of the EU, a number of special committees responsible for monitoring European integration and Poland's accession negotiations had been established. The first such "European Integration Committee" was created in March 1993.
The European Affairs Committee may express opinions to the government concerning its negotiating positions in the Council. If the government decides not to seek the opinion of the Committee, it must explain why it fails to seek the opinion of the committee. However the government is not compelled to base its negotiations on the opinion of the committee.
The government is obliged to seek the opinion of the European Affairs Committee of the Senate and present its negotiation position before it can start negotiating in the Council of Ministers.
For more information click here.


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Scale bar 10mm. Copyright CSIRO
Leaves and Flowers. Copyright CSIRO
10th leaf stage. Copyright CSIRO
Cotyledon stage, epigeal germination. Copyright CSIRO
Catharanthus roseus
Botanical Name
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don
Don, G. (1837) A General History of Dichlamydeous Plants 4: 95. Type: ?.
Ammocallis rosea (L.) Small, Fl. S. E. United States: 935(1903), Type: ?. Lochnera rosea (L.) K.Schum., Die Naturlichen Pflanzenfamilien 4(2): 145(1895), Type: ?. Pervinca rosea (L.) Moench, Methodus: 463(1794), Type: ?. Vinca rosea L., Systema Naturae ed. 10, 2: 944(1759), Type: (not cited). Catharanthus roseus var. albus G.Don, Gen. Hist. 4: 95(1837), Type: Not designated. Catharanthus roseus var. occellatus G.Don, Gen. Hist. 4: 95(1837), Type: Not designated. Vinca rosea var. occellatus (G.Don) F.M.Bailey, The Queensland Flora 3: 984(1900), Type: ?. Vinca rosea L. var. rosea, The Queensland Flora 3: 984(1900), Type: ?.
Common name
Periwinkle, Madagascar; Periwinkle, Pink; Periwinkle, Rose; Periwinkle, Rosey; Rosy Periwinkle; Rose Periwinkle; Pink Periwinkle; Old Maid Flower; Madagascar Periwinkle; Bright-eyes; Graveyard Plant
Usually flowers and fruits as a shrub about 1 m tall but also flowers when smaller.
Leaves, petioles and twigs produce a milky exudate. Leaf blades about 3.5-7 x 1.9-3.5 cm, obovate with a small point at the apex. Veins regularly spaced but not forming definite loops inside the blade margin.
Flowers usually paired in the leaf axils. Calyx lobes +/- linear, pubescent. A ring of white hairs at the base of the corolla lobes surround the orifice of the corolla tube. Lobes about 22 mm long, tube about 27 mm long. Pollen white. Two comparatively large, narrowly triangular glands present at the base of the pubescent carpels. Carpels united only by the style at the apex. Stigma +/- tower shaped like the tower of a mosque.
Fruits cylindrical, about 25-35 mm long, pubescent on the outer surface, hairs erect. Fruits may fall from the plant when they are still green. Funicle attached in the middle of a saucer-shaped depression in the side of the seed. Testa rugose. Embryo green. Cotyledons slightly wider than the radicle.
Cotyledons spathulate, about 10-12 x 5-6 mm, glabrous. First pair of leaves elliptic, opposite. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade elliptic, about 30-40 x 10-15 mm. Stipules small, about 1 mm long, more than two per leaf. Stems longitudinally grooved and producing a milky exudate when cut. Reticulate veins run at right angles to the midrib.
Distribution and Ecology
An introduced species originally from Madagascar, now naturalized in Australia in WA, NT, CYP(?), NEQ and southwards as far as south-eastern Queensland. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 750 m. Usually grows in disturbed areas near habitation or close to the sea.
Natural History
Suspected of being poisonous to stock but the evidence is not conclusive. Everist (1974).
This species is a rich source of alkaloids and is generally regarded as toxic, although it is seldom eaten by domestic animals.
Commonly cultivated and will survive hot dry conditions.
This species is probably one of the most thoroughly investigated plants in the world. So far it has been shown to contain 75 distinct alkaloids, most of which were previously unknown. Cribb (1981).
Shrub (woody or herbaceous, 1-6 m tall)
RFK Code


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The City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Division in partnership with Ventura Water offers FREE Sustainability Kits to city residents. The kit is designed to help residents increase recycling practices and assist with conserving energy, water, and other natural resources, and in the process it can help residents save money on their utility bills.
Each Sustainability Kit includes:
- A tote to carry recyclables to your outside trash bin
- A 10-gallon kitchen recycling bin
- A reusable shopping bag
- A reusable produce bag
- A reusable water bottle
- A BPA free plastic drinking cup (for Ventura tap water!)
- A refillable homemade cleaner bottle with green cleaning recipes
- A grease can lid
- A dish scraper
- A compact fluorescent light bulb
- A water efficient hose nozzle
- Other water saving devices for the home
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…while the minimum number of bikes one should own is 3,
the correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned.
This equation may also be written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner."
I haven't always been predominantly a 'roadie', in fact this transformation only began 4 years ago. Up until this point I was a dyed in the wool mountain biker through and through.
Looking back I'm still not really sure what the catalyst was to lure me over to what we then referred to simply as 'the dark side'. Maybe I watched one too many Tours and was inspired by the yet to be de-cloaked Pharmstrong. Maybe I'd tired of spending one too many wintery Sunday mornings jet-washing the infamously sticky Chiltern mud from every nook and cranny of both body and bike. Or maybe I just harboured some deep subconscious fetish to get funky in lycra. Either way the transformation was swift and comprehensive. I fell for road biking like a testosterone fuelled teenager falls for that bad girl with the sweet smile and dreamy eyes. Fully smitten I lapped it up; the riders, races, history, heritage, bikes, everything. I devoured every book I could lay my hands on. And until recently I thought I had all the bases covered. That was until I happened across The Rules, the hardcopy offering from the online world of the Velominati.
If you are in any way serious, or even think one day you might like to be, about your 'craft' then you need this book to guide you toward enlightenment on your quest to becoming a 'Velominatus' (a disciple of the highest order). Frank Strack along with his fellow Velominati have distilled all that should and shouldn't be in the world of road cycling into 92 rules which while managing to be both tongue in cheek and devastatingly serious at the same time should only be ignored at your peril and ridicule. Gems such as Rule #11 // Family does not come first. The bike does, and Rule #61 // Like your guns, saddles should be smooth and hard, will put a smile on any truly committed cyclists face. But without doubt the most pertinent rule to all Velominatus, to be obeyed unquestionably, without dispute and in all facets of your life is Rule #5 // Harden The F##k Up. No more excuses, failings, or misgiving; simply refer to Rule #5. So pure and quintessential to the cause it's often rendered simply as V (in a roman numerical sense). 'Laying down some V', 'doling out some V', 'that ride was a full V', phrases like this should come to define your riding.
So I urge you to search out a copy of The Rules, and get some V mentality in your life. Good luck young disciples, the path to enlightenment is long but rewarding.


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Ok if I didn't know any better, I would be convinced that my boss, Steve wrote this post.
Possibly the only time in my career with our company that I have ever seen him come close to "losing it" was over a keyboard that had a poor layout.
All jokes aside I have the particular keyboard that scotg is referring to (at work and home actually) and I love it. But I have to agree those couple of keys are a bit strange. I noticed it first when I changed because I would be playing Asheron's Call and I had my keyboard mapped a certain way. There was a span of a few days where I was constantly getting killed because my keys were not where they were supposed to be. Also I have experienced some pain over the placement of the "insert" key. One day I swear I spent 10 minutes just staring at the keyboard trying to find one other than on the number pad. When I finally did locate it I wasn't very impressed.
Which raises the point, why do hardware manufacturers mess around with layouts so often. Take motherboards for example. If you have ever built any number of pcs you know that pretty much anything goes for layout. I have had boards where you had to remove a hard drive and video card just to get at the darn memory slots. Not to mention the number of injuries I have obtained trying to stick my hard down between a bunch of devices to access one measly item. And I have wimpy girl hands. Figuring that most people assembling pcs are males, how the heck do they do it. And don't even get me started on trying to hook up the power, reset, and led switches…


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Client testimonials presented here in this page are non biased and are independent reviews of our clients towards our web services. Should there be a need to verify these testimonials, we can also forward the required contact details for your satisfaction.
These testimonials were sent by our valuable global clients via emails and by snail-mails in hand-written and printed format. We take pride in putting them across this page for you.
My experience with Taj Computers & Informatics has been fantastic. I have worked with many web design companies and they are by far the most skilled and professional I have encountered. TMS is very intuitive and apply an outstanding amount of care and creativity to each project. I look forward to many opportunities to partner with TCI to provide my clients with the best of the best.
Mr Chirs Johnson, Director, Ionosfere Media
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All the best,
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Best wishes.
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Ph: (+91) 9888911901
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As one of the owners of my company, I had very high expectations for the type of website I wanted to create. I was very pleased with the work done by Taj Computers & Informatics. Mr. Virdi worked very hard to create what I had envisioned for our company's website. Not only were he is very knowledgeable and efficient in his work, but he also offered his suggestions and creative ideas time and time again throughout the process of adding numerous pages and features to our website. I am very impressed with the quality of work, customer care, and meticulous attention to detail. I will surely refer him to any business associates who are looking for quality web designers! Now you are doing SEO for my website, I see my website is doing good on various search engines. My products are excellent, and now they have found the right audience.
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Mrs. Suman Kaur, Director Marketing, Hunterz India
Very beautiful website in a limited time period. I recommend you to all my friends.
Thanks Mr. Virdi
Mr. Arminder Singh, CEO


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Sunday, December 29, 2013
"Grace Has a Face"
I especially like the lyrics of the chorus:
Hope has hands.
Freedom has feet.
Truth will stand.
The Word will speak.
The Holy and lowly will finally embrace,
For Love has a heartbeat, and Grace has a face.
It takes a special kind of philosophy of religion geekery to take an interest in this dispute between Ed Feser and Dale Tuggy about Perfect Being theology and its relationship both to logic and to Scripture. I confess that I take some interest in it, enough to have read all of Ed's most recent (as usual, lucid, well-written, carefully argued, and altogether classy) post on the subject, but not enough to keep up with it from day to day and week to week. I do think it relevant, as Ed has pointed out, that Tuggy is not a Trinitarian. That's got to be a count at some level against Tuggy's rather robust dismissal of classical theism.
At the same time, I have something of a tendency in Tuggy's direction (though needless to say, not in the direction of his loosy-goosey approach to the Trinity), as evidenced by the mere fact that I can't get into the debate over Perfect Being theology all that deeply. If I agreed entirely with Ed, I would doubtless think the debate a good deal more crucial than I can find it in my heart to think it. Moreover, a long time ago Ed and I had a collegial but intense and long debate over the design argument in which Ed vigorously rejected the types of arguments made by intelligent design writers in science as, allegedly, incompatible with Perfect Being theology. And if that's really the case, then I'm inclined to say, "The heck with Perfect Being theology, because the evidence is what it is, and it says what it says." The more stratospheric flights of Perfect Being theology leave me gasping for air, and when I'm quite sure that I won't know what I'm talking about if I take a definite position, I'm just not going to take a definite position.
Okay, that all sounds like a rather strange paragraph either to follow or to precede a discussion of a Christmas song. Here's the connection: One point Tuggy brings up that Ed doesn't have time to address (Ed's post being quite long, careful, and detailed enough as a response to Tuggy already) is that, whatever we say about God aside from the Incarnation, Jesus was an individual man with a real human nature. Hence Jesus was undeniably a specific self among other selves, which is exactly what Perfect Being theology says God cannot be.
I knew already that Perfect Being theology has to make a big bracket anyway for the Incarnation, because Jesus underwent change (growing, for example, from a child to a man, weeping and then ceasing to weep, and so forth), whereas the changelessness of God, who has "no potentialities to actualize," is a linchpin of Perfect Being theology. So a lot of this is going to have to be "apart from the Incarnation" no matter what. That actually makes sense to me and doesn't seem to me to vitiate Perfect Being theology in itself. After all, even a non-philosopher should say, "God does not have literal hands, aside from the Incarnation." So it needn't be too much of a problem to say the same about God's having literal emotions or undergoing literal change, and I suppose there is some perfectly precise locution the theologian can use for a similar point concerning God's "not being a self among other selves"...aside from the Incarnation.
Hence the connection with the song: Even if one is committed to Perfect Being theology, the Incarnation forces one to admit that all those abstract and perfect Divine attributes which go beyond personhood--Truth itself, Being itself, Intelligence itself, Holiness itself--came down to us and became one particular person, one baby, one child, one man, with a particular face. Somehow, if God really is all those superpersonal and abstract things, this must be possible, for it is the core of our Christian faith that God became a man. Love has a heartbeat, and Grace has a face.
On this, it seems, the classical theist and the less philosophical or at least less classical theist must agree, if they are both Christians. God became man, and in becoming man, did not cease to be God. God, who sustains all the universe by the word of His power, did not take a break from sustaining the universe, a time-out while he went down for a little thirty-three-year episode of being a man. No, the Eternal Son could not cease to be the Eternal Son. (There's something for the one who wants to scoff at Perfect Being theology to ponder.) On the other hand, the Eternal Son, by whom and from whom and for whom are all things, really became a person with a particular personality, a Jewish baby in a manger, a child playing with other children, a boy talking with the rabbis in the Temple, a man weeping over Jerusalem, a man dying on a cross. This is a great mystery, one of the central mysteries of our revealed religion.
Someday, when we are in heaven, we will not only kneel and adore but perhaps also talk together: "Of course. It must have been this way. I understand it all so much better now." Not that our minds, being finite, will ever be able to understand it all. But since we are assured that then we shall know even as also we are known (I Corinthians 13), there is some hope of those conversations. In those heavenly philosophy get-togethers, I trust that Ed and I, and hopefully Dale Tuggy, too (if he gets his heretical views on the Trinity knocked out of him in some purgatorial fashion here on earth or beyond), can raise a glass of some heavenly wine and together love, with our minds, the God who is Perfect and who also, for us men and for our salvation, became a man.
4 comments:
- William Luse said...
I started to write a comment but, being very tired, my head started swimming. How the eternally unchangeable 2nd person reveals himself through a changeable, finite human nature (laughing, crying, sympathizing, suffering, etc.) just makes my...I already said that. I'll try to get back to you.
- Lydia McGrew said...
Thanks, Bill! I'm glad I'm not the only one.
In all seriousness, it's a good thing we don't have to know everything.
- William Luse said...
Okay, here's a question. Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus, his friend apparently. Since the personal identity of the man known as Jesus Christ was in fact the eternally unchanging 2nd person of the Holy Trinity, it would seem that his human nature could experience no emotional fluctuation, such as sadness (or whatever caused his tears), unless so moved by its Divine governor. But the Divine is not subject, as Ed put it, to such a "mixture of potentiality and actuality," no variation in His emotional keel. In fact, though Christ's human nature can be said to possess the
potential for emotional variation, the Divine Person has no emotions at all, as we understand them, only a perfect and unwavering Will to the good of mankind, which (I presume) is identical with His undiminished, ever-burning Love for each and every one of us. Thus, from whence proceeds the sadness over Lazarus' demise?
- Lydia McGrew said...
I think the idea is that in his human nature, Jesus _did_ have an admixture of potentiality and actuality, as can be seen physically in the fact that he was constantly undergoing physical change. Hence, in his human nature he could also experience changes of emotion.
As far as I know, the "classical theist" who is also a Christian affirms all of this. I'm sure that Ed does. But it's certainly difficult to wrap one's mind around.


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The Avro Lancaster was Bomber Command's most bomber during World War Two. It was heavily armed with eight 0.303 machine guns in various turrets and a bomb bay in the plane which could carry various size bombs. Lancasters took part in many raids on Germany in World War Two, including the bombing of the 'Tirpitz' holed up in a Norwegian fjord and the most famous bombing raid be Lancasters the 'Dambusters Raids'.
This Lancaster pin badge is made from lead-free pewter and is supplied on a card with an image of Lancaster's on a bombing raid on the front and historical information on the reverse.


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800 W 5th Street, Austin, TX 78703
Built in 2004 by CLB Partners, the 14 story, 82 unit, Austin City Lofts is known for it's proximity to Whole Foods and a very high quality finish out. Standard finishes include tall 11 ft. ceilings, concrete floors, granite counters, and gas stoves. The west side of ACL is situated along Shoal Creek and includes a beautifully manicured outdoor common area. The building runs length wise from east to west, and the southern views include the Long Center for the Performing Arts and Lady Bird Lake. The northern views include the Northwest hills, UT tower, and State Capitol. Notably, Austin's past Mayor Will Wynn owns a condo at Austin City Lofts.
- Number of units = 82 - Number of stories = 14 - Year complete = 2004 - Developer = CLB Partners
- List View
- Map View
- Grid View
Lot Size523 sqft
Home Size2,215 sq ft
Beds2 beds
Baths2 baths
Year Built2003
Days on Market
See all Austin City Lofts.
(all data current as of 5/23/2019)
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.


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Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Muntins Into Moulding
9 comments:
looks awesome! and way to go using what you have!ReplyDelete
Looks like you got a new door. Impressive work on the bathroom! Have a great end of summer!ReplyDelete
Sooo smart!ReplyDelete
GREAT idea! Gotta love a free project! Way to go! By the way -- um your bathroom is beautiful!ReplyDelete
Perfect! I love that look. Did you use the Gorilla glue? Great job.ReplyDelete
I'd love for you to check out my blog for a fun giveaway!
Have a wonderful night!
What a great way to reuse something you already had. I am planning on adding some molding or board and batten eventually to my bathroom.ReplyDelete
What a great way to re-purpose! I'm like you, I hate wasting things that I'm sure I'll find use for someday. Thanks for sharing your inspiration!ReplyDelete
Oh I love your moulding in the bathroom!! I love moulding anywhere. :)ReplyDelete
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT! I HATE TO THROW OUT GOOD WOOD TOO! IT LOOKS FANTASTIC! I'M GETTING THE BOARD AND BATTEN BUG SEEING ALL THESE GREAT WALLS!ReplyDelete


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Welcome to the "References" page of my website. I take great satisfaction in my work as an Architect. My goal has always been to grow in the profession while serving the firms and clients I have worked for. Occasionally, a manager, colleague or client has been generous enough to give me a compliment, reference or recommendation. To each of them, I am truly grateful. To learn about the firms I have worked at go here.
These endorsements can also be found on my LinkedIn profile page.
- Bruce was a valuable member of our team. He managed complicated building programs, balanced technical competence with a collaborative attitude and helped to make the office a good place to be. Jon Talty, CEO, OKW Architects.
- I always enjoyed working with Bruce. I often went to Bruce for advice on architectural and technical issues, and reliably received cogent, to the point understanding of an issue. Bruce has a great demeanor and work ethic, and is a pleasure to work with. Mike Breclaw, Director of Design, OKW Architects.
- Bruce served as the project manager for the expansion to our church which was originally built in the 1930's. Consequently the architectural design of the new area was a major concern. Bruce and the McBride Kelly Bauer team did a terrific job in addressing the functional requirements as well as blending the new design in with the original. The congregation was extremely happy with the end result. Charles Landefeld, Building Chair, Evangelical Covenant Church.
- Bruce was great to work with as an architect and design partner. We had some very challenging constraints with land planning, facility design, and cost containment that made us go through multiple iterations in a collaborative environment. The end product met and exceeded expectations. Bruce always brought his expertise and professionalism to the project. I highly recommend him. Troy McMahon, Lead Pastor, Community Christian Church.
- I have known Bruce Roth for almost 30 years. We met while we were students and have collaborated more recently in our professional lives. When I was a client manager of multiple clients, with numerous projects, Bruce was my "right arm", managing the largest and most detailed projects. Bruce is well organized and he is highly qualified to contribute his knowledge of design, implementation of documents and the architectural process to a project team. He is thoughtful in his design process and in his interaction with co-workers. His even-keeled, in-depth thinking and creativity are definite assets to any project team in which he would participate. Mark Klancic, Architect.
- I would certainly recommend Bruce. We worked together at Robert G Lyon & Associates, where Bruce was excellent in attention to detail, as well as project process and delivery. Although our work together was a while ago, we cross paths in the industry … always a terrific person to talk to, and to learn from … Joe Geoghegan, Principal at RGLA Solutions.
Letters of Reference / Other
Letters and other documents giving thanks, reference or recommendation.


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Hello, friends, it seems that I've written a new book. Entitled The Social Christian, it was written based upon a class I taught at church on how we use social media. I absolutely think that everyone should read it. Of course, not everyone has $10 to plop down on a book, so my church and […]
Love That You Reflect
I recently had the privilege of preaching the close-out sermon for my church's series You Are Loved. I spoke on reflecting the love of Christ, particularly toward our enemies. I hope you enjoy it. And if you want, here's the video from the service. [Featured image via FreeImages.com/lumix2004]
Zebra F-301 Retractable Ballpoint Pen
The Basics Color: Black Size: 0.7mm Materials: Stainless steel with hard plastic grip Feel: Light but sturdy Summary This is a great pen with a lot of shortcomings. First of all, it's too short for my giant bear paws. Second, the ink is a bit light for my taste, appearing more as a faded black […]
Fully Alive
This might be one of my first sermons. I found it on my computer and finally got around to editing it. I'm posting it mostly out a desire for humility. [Featured image via FreeImages.com/lumix2004]
Arrogance in Failure
I failed last night. This wasn't the first time I'd failed, in general, but it was the first time I'd failed at speaking at church in a long time. Or at the least, the first time I'd fully failed. There have been plenty of times when I put the microphone down and think to myself, […]
Love is Not
This was supposed to be a short post. In that regard, I failed. I hope you'll still find it illuminating. Please attribute any errors in grammar or gaps in my logic to the length of both this post and the week in which I wrote it. Ever repeated a word over and over and over […]
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Current show: Jamboree
Complex Disabilities
Oily Cart creates theatre for young people with complex disabilities (Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities or an Autistic Spectrum Condition). This highly acclaimed work often utilises unusual settings such as hydro-therapy pools and trampolines and incorporates a vast array of multi-sensory techniques including water and bubbles, paper fans, perfume sprays and ultra-violet lighting.
Our performers are trained to respond sensitively to each individual's reaction and to tailor each sensory experience to the young person with whom they are working. Each participant will have a unique experience, precisely reflecting his or her interests and ways of communication.
Multi-media preparation packs are sent in advance to all schools and venues so that families, teachers and carers can get ready for our visit. CDs, DVDs and a social story encourages classes to continue working on the themes and the methods of the show long after the Oily Cart team have moved on to the next school.


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DynaForce TT high-performance thru-tubing motors deliver the best power and efficiency of any conventional motor in the market to meet the specific job requirements of downhole applications like milling, cleanout operations, coiled tubing, and thru-tubing underreaming and sidetracking.
By converting hydraulic fluid energy into mechanical energy, these motors produce power that can be tailored for maximum efficiency.
DynaForce TT motors are available in two performance classes: medium-speed high-torque, and high-speed high-torque. All motor components, including power and lower end sections, are rated for harsh environments that include high solids contents, N2 pumping, and HPHT conditions up to 350 degF. They are configured to supply a precise amount of torque and rpm to ensure effective, efficient downhole tool performance with minimum stalls.
With the DynaForce TT motor available in sizes from 1.69 through 3.38 in, and in different configurations per size, there is at least one motor suited for every coiled and thru-tubing application.
The rugged bearing assembly tolerates high side loading, extreme WOB, and overpull. In addition, the seal assembly is mechanical, which enables the mud-lubricated bearings to facilitate reliable actuation of high-pressure tools.


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I'm Alive!
So the army I mentioned is my Kroot mercenaries army - I know it's an army without official rules since about third edition, but I feel like now with the increased interest on Kompletely Kroot, and my own joining of that forum, with the goal of trying to become an active poster, I thought maybe it was best to revive this blog too.
So without further ado, I have some pictures of the progress I've made on my Kroot recently. Some of these pictures are actually not my own work - they're models I bought off an old friend who does/did totally rad conversion work.
Now for the stuff that's not my work, but I can't help but share because they are so good.
Well, that's everything for right now.


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Welcome to the Serebii.net International Pokťdex for Pokťmon Red, Green, Blue & Yellow. This Pokťdex provides an in-depth look at all 151 Pokťmon in the 1st Generation. If you were looking for Generation VI Pokťdex click here.
You may notice that some attacks are listed twice, this is due to the fact that they have it twice in their movesets. It is not a bug and, if a Pokťmon has a - in the Level learned, that means its learned at Level 1 so should be known at lower levels
All Content is
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Pokťmon And All Respective Names are Trademark & © of Nintendo 1996-2019


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You know the challenges that we face in Greater Charlotte. More and more children face seemingly insurmountable learning gaps. Families find it difficult to spend quality time together. People are not connected to their neighbors and face time happens through a phone.
But when challenges arise, the Y – and donors like you – steps in. Together, we can make our community a better place for all. Click on the infographics below to learn more about how we can help address our community's most critical needs.
For a better you. For a better community. For a better country.
The Y.™ For a better us.™


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The Kevin Garnett celebrity doll portrays him as a basketball player on the Minnesota Timberwolves. It is the 1998 Edition of NBA Starting Lineup Collection made by Kenner (now Hasbro) and licensed by the NBA . In the 1997 season he helped bring the Timberwolves to their first playoffs and continued that streak to 8 after the doll was made. After 12 years with the Timberwolves, he was traded to the Boston Celtics in a record 7 for 1 player deal, where he went on to help the Celtics win the 2008 NBA Championship. Garnett also won a Gold medal on the USA Basketball Team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The doll is dressed in an official replica 1998 Timberwolves uniform with blue undershorts and white basketball shoes with white socks. Also included is a basketball that is smaller than the 1/6 scale of the doll. Typical of Starting-Line up dolls, the legs and arms are bendable, wrists are jointed, neck moves in all directions, and waist twists. The ankles are the only joints that are fixed. The doll is easily posed into basketball positions.
Price check the Kevin Garnett doll on Amazon


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Has it been a year already? Absolutely it has, and here are my Top Ten films of 2016. Of course, being me, I don't think anyone will be surprised that my choices are spread among many genres. Let us begin with No. 10!
'A Monster Calls'
The story of a young boy dealing with an ill mother, a grandmother who clearly doesn't understand him, an absent father and a rather large tree! It is a film that questions what it means to be a complex human being and will require lots of tissue. Focus Features deserves every accolade along with director JA Bayona and young actor Lewis MacDouglass.
Fox Searchlight Pictures and director Pablo Larrain bring an in-depth look at the death of President John F. Kennedy from a perspective I've never seen. Natalie Portman brings her acting skills front and center as the days preceding and after the president's death are told from Jacqueline Kennedy's perspective. Every corner of this film is brilliantly done.
'The Secret Life of Pets'
Ever wonder what your pets are doing during the day? Well, Universal and Illumination Entertainment have the answers in this colorful, fun and heartwarming look at our furry friends and the mischief being a pet brings. Director Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney bring friendship and loyalty wrapped up in slobbery kisses in this animated family film.
'The Innocents'
In the category of unexpected brilliance is Music Box Films and director Anne Fontaine's film "The Innocents" ("Les Innocentes"). In 1945 Poland, a young doctor befriends a group of nuns who need her help. Behind the walls of the convent are shocking secrets in this story of survival surrounded by a brutal war. Every frame holds an unexpected turn with a stellar cast of amazing actresses.
Twentieth Century Fox and DreamWorks team up for this absolutely spectacular animated film. From the happiest little creatures to the grumpy Bergen, the "Trolls" story is told with breathtaking animation as Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick sing their way into our hearts. This is a tip-tapping good time filled with fun, laughter and songs that have already stuck in my head.
'Deepwater Horizon' & 'Patriots Day'
Since both films are directed by Peter Berg and star Mark Wahlberg, I'm calling this a double win! "Deepwater Horizon" tells the story of the BP oil rig disaster and the consequences of that event. "Patriots Day" is the story of the Boston Marathon bombing and the hunt for the terrorists. They are both amazing films about the human spirit as Berg brings true stories to the screen and gives each film heart, soul and a deep well of emotion.
Director Clint Eastwood and Warner Bros. Pictures lets Tom Hanks have the pilot's seat in this true story about Chesley Sullenberger and co-pilot Jeff Skiles and the landing of a plane on the Hudson River. In this remarkable film, Hank's performance as Sully proves that calmer heads prevail both in the air and on the ground, especially when there are those looking for someone to blame.
'La La Land'
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone pair up once again, and this time they are ready to sweep us off our feet. Mission accomplished! Writer/Director Damien Chazelle and Lionsgate should bring home the Oscar gold for this film. When struggling musician Sebastian and equally struggling actress Mia find each other, they share their dreams of success that might easily rip them apart, but, hey — here's to the fools who dream right?
Ryan Reynolds began 2016 for me with such deep and disturbing laughs that I harbor a secret wish for more! Director Tim Miller along with Marvel and 20th Century Fox put on screen a "superhero" who is probably anything but super by most standards! Instead, Wade/Deadpool is a deeply disturbing smart mouth with a line for everything and no real fear because that's what happens when death is taken off the table.
'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'
Here it is, easily the No. 1 film of 2016 with Director Gareth Edwards and Walt Disney Studios taking us all back to a moment in time. Remember when Leia puts the plans to the Death Star into R2D2? Well, fans of all ages will experience how that all came to be in this film. In watching "Rogue One," fans are transported back to 1977 and that summer when everyone would unwittingly become part of an iconic adventure that has become multi-generational. This is a piece of the "Star Wars" universe that I happily will be seeing again and again!
Of course, in choosing I could have easily stretched the list to my Top 20, but 10 is tradition. Instead I will have an Honorable Mention category which includes "Zootopia," "Storks," "Kubo and the Two Strings," "Girl on a Train," "Dr. Strange" as well as "Hacksaw Ridge" and "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." This has definitely been a good year for animation!
There you have it, my list of the Top Ten films of 2016. I expect that maybe a few of these will make it to awards season, but then again I don't base my likes on what will win awards. Instead, each of these films brings something that I haven't seen in a very long time.
Whether it is stellar comedy in "Deadpool" (thank you Ryan Reynolds), gorgeous set design and costuming in "Jackie," family laughs with "The Secret Life of Pets" and "Trolls," tales of the human spirit like "Sully," "Deepwater Horizon" and "Patriots Day," unexpected foreign story telling of "The Innocents," love and song in "La La Land" or revisiting a galaxy far, far away in "Rogue One" —each is the reason we go to the movies!
In the coming year we all wait to see what poster will show up on the local theater marquee, and here is just a taste of what is to come: "The Space Between Us" about a boy born on Mars, "Fifty Shades Darker," "John Wick: Chapter 2" as our favorite quiet man takes on more bad guys, "The Lego Batman Movie" — which is one I am waiting for.
Also "The Great Wall," "Patient Zero," "Table 19" and Walt Disney Pictures highly anticipated film "Beauty and the Beast." DreamWorks isn't far behind with their animated offering of "The Boss Baby." The furious are back with "The Fate of the Furious." "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" has Groot lovers waiting anxiously as well as Ridley Scott's next installment of "Alien: Covenant."
Jack Sparrow is back with "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" and so is "The Mummy." The webbed one is back with "Spider-man: Homecoming" and the streets are covered in apes with "War for the Planet of the Apes." Also returning is "Kindsman: The Golden Circle" and "Transformers" along with "The Power Rangers."
Let's not forget those who protect the universe with "Thor: Ragnarok" and "Justice League." Of course the year will end with the next installment of "Star Wars: Episode VIII," and I'll be there with bells on!
That's just a taste of what is to come so follow along with MilitaryPress and online for reviews and interviews from your favorite stars, film makers and shakers. It has been a pleasure bringing the entertainment world to you and from our family to yours Happy Holidays and our best wishes for the New Year!
See you at the movies!


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Saturday, February 26, 2011
Book Release Party TONIGHT at LIC Bar, 6pm!
Tonight's the night! Come on out to beautiful Long Island City, Queens and meet us at 6pm at LIC Bar to celebrate the release of Forgotten Borough: Writers Come to Terms with Queens!
Books will be available for sale and for signing, and we'll have fabulous readings from contributors SUSAN Y. CHI, MARCY DERMANSKY, and ARTHUR NERSESIAN.* And it's all FREE!
Click here for more info and to RSVP! Then take a trip on the 7 train and join us as we celebrate our collective Queens pride. Hope to see you there!
*Note: Contrary to the flyer, Nicole Cooley will no longer be reading at the event. Oh, to have Photoshop on my netbook.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Forgotten Borough in The Q Note!
Forgotten Borough is the subject of today's installment of The Q Note, with a fantastic write-up from editorial director Alia Akkam and quotes from yours truly.
From the article:
Click here to read the article!
Thanks so much to Alia Akkam and The Q Note for the support!
From the article:
"Revelations and frustrations" are what prompted Steinberg to curate an anthology featuring over 20 short pieces from writers with deep connections to the borough: "I thought, 'Wouldn't it be great to do something that shows Queens is more than Shea Stadium and all-you-can-eat Indian buffets?' [... Because there are so many different communities and cultures and backgrounds represented in Queens' population, I knew that there had to be a slew of engaging stories to go with them." Yes, there certainly are.
Click here to read the article!
Thanks so much to Alia Akkam and The Q Note for the support!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Gothamist, TONY & Tacos
Today's round-up of Forgotten Borough mentions includes Gothamist's February 21 GothamList, where Saturday's release party makes the list of note-worthy events.
Also, check out our mention in Time Out New York's Books section!
And, can't resist including this: Sunnyside's El Vagabundo taco truck got a mention in the Chicago Tribune's new "must-hit eateries" list! Click here to see the article. (El Vagabundo is #19 in the slide show.) As a former Sunnyside resident who lived a block away from that truck and ate there frequently, I must say I'm extremely proud.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Forgotten Borough in the Queens Chronicle
Forgotten Borough is featured in the Queens Chronicle this week, in an article written by Elizabeth Daley. From the text:
Click here to read the entire article, which also discusses the book release party this upcoming Saturday, February 26. Big thanks to Elizabeth Daley and the Queens Chronicle for the kind words!
Unlike many theme-centered anthologies, which may grow repetitive or feel forced, Steinberg's selections are entertaining and varied enough so that there truly is something for everyone—even for the Queens novice.
"I tapped people from different backgrounds and parts of Queens," Steinberg said regarding her selection process. "I thought I would end up getting a well rounded book and that ended up happening. That faith served me well in the end."
Click here to read the entire article, which also discusses the book release party this upcoming Saturday, February 26. Big thanks to Elizabeth Daley and the Queens Chronicle for the kind words!
Friday, February 18, 2011
The City Would Speak
Not the city's center but its edges—Sunnyside Yards where
the train finally rises from the tunnel where ice clots
on grass scattered with trash.
The city would speak but it is currently preoccupied with
its own defense.
—from Nicole Cooley's poem "For Joseph Crowley, 7th District, New York, Bronx and Queens" in Forgotten Borough, out now from SUNY Press
Nicole Cooley will be one of the featured readers at the official Forgotten Borough book release party on Saturday, 2/26! Click here for more details and to RSVP!
Order your copy of Forgotten Borough @ SUNY Press, Amazon, or other book retailers.
Above: "Sunnyside Yard, 12/19/09" by Wolfsburg RS on flickr
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The Diversity of Queens
Thanks to contributor Marissa Walsh for the heads-up on this: The New York Times has published a highly detailed map on the growing ethnic and cultural diversity of New York City—and Queens, of course, rates extremely high on this scale! Forest Hills, Corona, and Fresh Meadows are all noted for their respective immigrant populations, and don't forget Queens Village, the most diverse neighborhood in all of NYC.
From the article: In a month or so, the 2010 census will most likely confirm a record high in the city's foreign-born population. American Community Survey data released last month revealed a striking metamorphosis during the last decade. Traditional ethnic enclaves sprawled amoeba-like into adjacent communities. Once monolithic tracts of white and black and native-born residents have become bespeckled with newcomers.
Click here to check out the map!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Forgotten Borough Book Release Party: 2/26/11 at LIC Bar!
Thanks to all who came out to the Forgotten Borough AWP event and who stopped by the SUNY Press table—and especially to those who bought copies! Such a blast!
Forgotten Borough is officially available for sale from SUNY Press and looks FANTASTIC, if I do say so myself. Order your copy from SUNY today and support a wonderful nonprofit publisher!
If you'll be in the NYC area on Saturday, February 26, we'll be celebrating the release of the book at LIC Bar from 6 to 8 p.m.! Books will be for sale, courtesy of Mobile Libris, and we'll hear short readings from contributors Nicole Cooley, Marcy Dermansky, and Arthur Nersesian!
Click here for more details and to RSVP on Facebook! All are welcome!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Marcy Dermansky on Astoria and writing about Queens
Today's Forgotten Borough plug comes from contributor Marcy Dermansky, who has an interview up on 30th Ave, a new site that celebrates the diversity of 30th Avenue in Astoria, Queens, and the stories of the people who live there.
In her interview, Marcy talks about she came to live in Astoria and her Forgotten Borough piece, "Waiting for Big Bird"—the first story she wrote about her current home turf.
Click here to read the rest of Marcy's interview, and check out the other stories of 30th Avenue! Imagine if there were a website for every neighborhood in Queens...
In her interview, Marcy talks about she came to live in Astoria and her Forgotten Borough piece, "Waiting for Big Bird"—the first story she wrote about her current home turf.
[Marcy] moved to Astoria ten years ago.
"I certainly didn't know I'd be here for this long. I came to New York and people said 'move to Queens, it's happening, and it's cheap'. We like it so we've stayed and have moved a couple of times around here. Astoria is very community-oriented. I've almost liked it better since having Nina than beforehand, which you wouldn't necessarily expect. Suddenly I know my neighbors a lot more. I keep meeting mothers with strollers. People are warm and helpful."
Her short story "Waiting for Big Bird" is set in Astoria (specifically in Café Bar on 34th Avenue) and is coming out in a forthcoming anthology called Forgotten Borough – Writers come to terms with Queens. But she says: "That's the first time I've written about Queens. I think with fiction a lot of times you write about a place after you've left it. I'll probably write more about Queens when I live somewhere else."
Click here to read the rest of Marcy's interview, and check out the other stories of 30th Avenue! Imagine if there were a website for every neighborhood in Queens...
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Forgotten Borough out this month!
It's February, which means Forgotten Borough is out this month! FB takes the spotlight in this month's SUNY Press newsletter. Check out the blurb below and then order your copy of the book today!
And don't forget to RSVP for our AWP reading at DC's Toledo Lounge this Thursday, February 3! It's the first FB event and a can't-miss one, at that!
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Deep down, we always suspected it would come down to this Saturday's game against Samoa, but it has not come about in the routine way we perhaps thought it would.
No-one expected Scotland to still be in with a chance, albeit a slim one, of topping the group despite losing to South Africa. Nor was it anticipated that Samoa would arrive at St James' Park already out of the tournament and, theoretically, with nothing to play for except pride and not even the thin morsel of a guaranteed automatic place in the next World Cup through third place looking like an achievable target.
Ahead of the tournament many also had the sinking feeling that even if Scotland did get themselves into a quarter-final shoot-out in their last Pool B game, the less than appealing reward would be a trip to play buoyant hosts England at Twickenham – a place where Scotland haven't won since the days when Labour Party leaders were hard-left pacifists. Oh there might have been an omen there, but sadly not to be.
Japan's wins over the Springboks and Pacific islanders have electrified the section and if Scotland do seal their place in the last eight this weekend, we may look back on the fact Vern Cotter's men were fresh and forewarned when they met a Brave Blossoms side diminished by a four-day turnaround in that opener back in Gloucester.
After Saturday's 34-16 win for the Springboks in Newcastle, Richie Gray – the former Gala captain who is now breakdown coach with South Africa, rather than the Scotland lock – said that the twists and turns, while perhaps not great for the blood pressure of his own coaching staff, should be welcomed.
"Every four years the World Cup gets better and better and you can't even use the words minor nations now. It's a disgrace if you say that any more," said Gray. "The whole game is getting stronger and stronger, nations have good systems in place in defence and attack and it's getting harder to play each other, which makes for an exciting World Cup."
If Scotland are going to play their part in that excitement in the weeks ahead, then they know they will have to lift themselves from a brutal reality check on Tyneside.
They were badly exposed by a fired-up South African onslaught in the first half and at half-time there were fears that a heavy, psychologically-scarring defeat could be on the cards.
St James' Park is 120 miles from Edinburgh and 8,300 miles from Johannesburg but you wouldn't have guessed that when kick-off approached and it became clear the South African support was in the slight majority. Rather than a mass invasion from the Scottish Borders, the great north-east city was under siege from South Africans from Canary Wharf to Cape Town, Putney to Pretoria and beyond.
South Africa attacked the first half with all the confidence of the home team and the Scots were knocked back on their feet. Schalk Burger squeezed over for another of those tries that seem to be made more debatable rather than less by the TMO and the half ended with JP Pietersen crashing over to rack up a 20-3 lead after Scotland skipper Greig Laidlaw was pick-pocketed as he hesitated on the ball behind his retreating pack.
One thing you can say about this Scotland side under Vern Cotter is that they have the character and fitness to dig deep in matches which previous teams would have long fallen dismally out of.
The second-half response was spirited, without ever looking like a spectacular comeback. Even after Duncan Weir's interception break allowed wings Tim Visser and Tommy Seymour to work a splendid try, the crafty Bok half-backs of skipper Fourie Du Preez and Handre Pollard kept pulling the carrot on a string well out of the Scots' despairing reach.
Laidlaw blotted his copybook with an unnecessary off-the-ball tackle on Bryan Habana, and it was the veteran wing who put the icing on a 34-16 win that Cotter admitted afterwards was a "fair reflection".
Boks coach Gray had words of encouragement for his homeland and he expects them and his adopted nation to be looking ahead to knock-out rugby this time next week.
He said: "Samoa losing to Japan means that's their World Cup over. So it's really how they motivate themselves this week now. It's down to Scotland to go and win that game. Samoa will still be physical and Scotland will have to count the knocks they've picked up in a bruising encounter here.
"But you would back Scotland to go through, and hopefully we will too.
"I think Scotland are not far away from being a very good team. It's been building for the last three years, not just in the past six or eight weeks. They've got a strong core of players, that group from Glasgow who are used to winning. I've been involved with Scottish rugby for many years and losing can be a habit as much as winning."
SOUTH AFRICA: W Le Roux; JP Pietersen, J Kriel, D De Allende, B Habana; H Pollard, F Du Preez; T Mtawarira, B Du Plessis, J Du Plessis, E Etzebeth, L De Jager, F Louw, S Burger, D Vermuelen. Subs: F Malherbe for J Du Plessis 50mins, A Strauss for B Du Plessis 56, T Nyakane for Mtawarira 61, P Lambie for Pietersen 70, W Alberts for Burger 70, P Du Toit for De Jager 73, J Serfontein for De Allende 75, R Pienaar for Du Preez 78.
SCOTLAND: S Hogg; T Seymour, R Vernon, M Scott, T Visser; D Weir, G Laidlaw; G Reid, F Brown, W Nel, R Gray, J Gray, J Strauss, B Cowan, D Denton. Subs: A Dickinson for Reid 51, J Welsh for Nel 63, T Swinson for J Gray 68, R Wilson for Strauss 29-33, 55, S Lamont for Hogg 63, P Horne for Vernon 65, S Hidalgo-Clyne for Laidlaw 70.