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Family Stuff
Do you have a problem with the toilet paper in your house? I do. I don't know why, but my children don't seem to know how to replace the roll when they use the last of it. I am not sure if this is an issue of laziness, inconsideration or just not thinking. So I got a different roll holder. You do not have to do anything except slide the old roll off and the new one on. Didn't help. Never failed that when I had to use the kids bathroom, there was no paper. And I keep it under the sink, just out of reach. Yuck.
But I found a solution. Actually, God gave me the solution. Through my favorite means: Satire. Namely, I wrote a poem and posted it over the toilet paper holder. Since then, which was over a year ago, there hasn't been a time that there wasn't paper. Not once. And it reminds me too, to put a roll on the floor if it looks close to running out. Hey, even the best of plans sometimes fail. And I don't want to be caught with my pants down. Literally. So here is my poem. Feel free to copy. I am happy to share. After all, it was a gift to me, so I pass it to you!
When you sit to go,
or you grab to blow,
And you use the last square
For various reasons, we decided to stay in Mahomet, Il. at the lovely Tin Cup campground and Driving Range (yes, I did say driving range...not that I would ever take advantage of it, but it was lovely to look at) for one more night, before heading to Chicagoland for the wedding of the couple Don and I had been privileged to mentor. They are getting married this afternoon, and we are so excited for them.
Since we were staying an extra day, we decided to explore the quaint little town of Mahomet. First, we indulged in a delicious breakfast at the Red Hen. Then, upon the recommendation of our Campground Host, we went to the Lake of the Woods park. Oh My!! It was a beautiful park with a botanical garden that went on and on. We walked around just enjoying God's creation and then went back to RTJ (wondering what that is? read earlier posts) to rest.
A little later, everyone decided it was time to eat again. (I always wonder how this happens so quickly. I mean, do they really need food all that often? I can't figure out why, after a HUGE breakfast, 3 hours later they are hungry again. And they get real cranky if they don't get food. Especially the oldest one. Dad I mean.) So Don looked on Urban Spoon (his favorite for recommendations...mine too, especially in a little one horse town) and found an authentic Mexican place called Zarapes. Now I know you're thinking what I was thinking: "Mexican.....in Illinois??" But it had multiple positive reviews, so off we went. Well, we were all pleasantly surprised. The food was fantastic, service impeccable and cleaner than most places I've been. Josiah had the Burrito Mano. It was HUGE!! Steak and beans, cheese, sour creme, lettuce and covered with homemade queso. AND HE ATE IT ALL.
So, driving through Atlanta was frustrating, but made me realize that that is how life sometimes is. We inch a few feet forward, not making much progress, and then we do it again. And life is so daily. I get lost in the slowness and the "to do's" but miss the big picture. The progress. It is like I told my daughter once: You are looking through a microscope when you need to be looking through a telescope.We have to make sure to look for God in the daily routine of life, or else we will miss the process, and the lessons we need to learn in this stage. Then we will have to learn them in another stage, when we should be further along and mature enough to handle learning something else. I know there are areas that I missed. And thats ok. For if you miss something important, something that you really need to see, God will teach it to you again, in a different situation. I liken it to an onion. Kinda like Shrek. (not really like Shrek...just like the reference). God uses his scalpel to peel away our stinky human nature layer by layer. Every time you come face to face with how you handle a situation, you have a choice. It may not feel like a choice, but you have one. And the Holy Spirit is there as your helper. And as you make His choices your choices, you grow. And He gives you deeper challenges. Cutting deeper and causing your dependency on Him to grow and your love for Him to flourish....or not, depending on your choices. But He loves you so much that He is not going to let your screams of pain and your pouting and your whining to deter His plan for you. He may give you a reprieve, and let you go your own way for a while, but you are HIS. And He LOVES you. So He continues his surgery, carving you into the image of His likeness, for all the world to see. And I wouldn't trade that for anything. Even if I could breeze through Atlanta at 55 mph and get to my earthly destination faster. I don't want to miss my heavenly appointment, so I guess I am going to have to let Him take his time with me. I wish it was instantaneous, but if it were, I wouldn't have experiences to share, and joy in the JOURNEY. And I wouldn't need Him so desperately. Which I do. And my guess is, you do too. So as you crawl along, scratching and clawing for every bit of ground you attain, only to discover that you've only gone an inch, be grateful. For he is creating something beautiful in you. A life full of experiences you can share with others along the road. And I am grateful we are all motoring along together.
After much-a-do, we finally made it on the road. It seems like we leave later in the day every time we leave on a trip. We got all packed and in the MoHo, otherwise known as "the big ole rolling turd or the taj mahaul, depending upon who you talk to, or how it is behaving at the moment. The kids call it the Big Ole Rolling Turd, after the motorhome on the movie "R.V." I call it the Taj Mahaul, since when my niece's husband Brad saw it for the first time said: That thing is nicer than my house! Its like the Taj Mahal. I just changed it a bit since we haul everyone around in it. And everything. And a car. Really. we tow a car behind. And the thing that connects the car to the motor home so it can be towed is called a"TOAD". I am totally serious. So maybe we should call it "the big ole rolling toad" or the Toad MaHaul. Or Toad Hollow. Can you tell I am tired?? Today, Don named it R.T. For Rolling Turd. But I think I will call it R.T.M. Rolling Taj MaHaul. Or something else. Anyway, we were all ready and started to go when a fuse blew in the car. Now you may wonder what that had to do with anything, but for some reason (unknown to me still) it has to have the entire electrical system working. Might have to do with having brake lights. A minor need in my mind. If they can't see the HUGE brake lights on R.T.M, they ought not be driving anyway. But aside from that, we couldn't leave because we did not have any extra fuses. So Don went to get some at the local gas station. In the mean time, I went to the mall because the kids were begging for the traditional Vacation day food: Chik-fil-a. We usually go there and get it because it it across from the turnpike entrance, but since the fuse blew and we were waiting on Don to get back, I went to the mall.When I returned, low and behold the kids meal had NO NUGGETS! Just fries. Why oh Why didn't I check it before I left the mall? Now what do I do?? So I called the mall Chick-fil-a. They were very kind and very sorry. So sorry that I think I could have gotten them to give me a whole tray of nuggets. But I didn't want that. I wanted them to get a delivery boy to bring me the stinkin' nuggets. But they didn't offer that. If I wanted to go back over there, I could have whatever I wanted. But I Didn't Want to Go Back. I wanted to leave. I wanted to be on the road already!!Mind you, I didn't loose my temper. I wasn't ugly to the Chick-fil-a guy. How could I be when he was so great. Took down my address and is sending me some coupons. Yay! But I was very frustrated and fussed about for a few minutes. It didn't even cross my mind to ask God what he was up to. How he was working. What I was supposed to take away from this.Now, even that wouldn't be so bad. Everyone forgets that once in a while, right. Everyone gets frustrated and looses focus once in a while. But that wasn't the first time this week that it happened. OUCH!! It happened yesterday, too. And while I know God forgives, and I don't think much about it when other people have these moments, I hate it when I act like the spoiled brat that I am, and loose it. Ok, I didn't come close to loosing it, but I have in the past. Like yesterday. Well, not really loose it, but more so than I would like.But more about that tomorrow. Right now, I am asking forgiveness and seeking my Father's face. And then I am going to fall into bed and rest. I know that he has sleep for me now. And I so need it. Tomorrow is another day, with no mistakes on it, to quote a line from Anne of Green Gables. If you haven't seen the movies with Megan Follows, you should. You really really should. Now. Go to Netflix or Hulu or Voodu or whatever other movie source you like. See it soon. You will thank me for it.Anyway, tune in tomorrow when I will answer the "why" question once and for all. You won't want to miss it. As for now, Good night and God Bless.
Hi its me, Faith. First of all, I make a lot of junk like jewelry and cards and more! Second, my mom is making me do this and I don't know what to write, so I'll just tell you about what we did this morning. When I got up, mom was on the computer, being frustrated. I sat down with her, and tried to figure out what she was frustrated about. And I did, because I'm awesome! She was frustrated that she couldn't figure out how to get something on her Pinterest page. She was trying create a board, and she had never done that before. I figured out how to do it, and then we searched around the site for a while. We found Salad in a Jar, and so many other cool things. I was trying to figure out how to sign up, and Mom had to help me with that. I didn't know that it was by invitation only! So she invited me. yay! So ya'll can follow me on Pinterest, too!Pin It And just so you'll have something fun to pin, here's something we found today and loved it! It is some delicious flaky cinnamon biscuits. Gotta try these! Also, check out mom's pinterest or Flickr. She is doing a scrapbook challenge called LOAD212 (Layout a day). She will post pics later today. I will write again soon. Mom will make me. Bye!
Source: salad-in-a-jar.com via Katie on Pinterest


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There is much joy to share.
The ever-wonderful Ricki and her husband Bruce FINALLY got their referral… a beautiful, chubby little boy, 3 months old! After a long wait and months of wondering, they have a son they will soon be able to call their own, a little boy who answers all their hopes and dreams. I can't tell you how happy this makes us, and many others out here in this adoption community!
Also getting great news this week is Dynamite Dianne and her husband, who got a referral for a tiny, perfect, 2 1/2 month old girl! Sounding very much like our own daughter with her dislike of the paparazzi, this little one has been eagerly anticipated and is already much loved. We are all so happy for them!
And then there is us.
Yes, we got good news this week too. Late this afternoon — after a phone call to our agency yesterday confirming that none of our paperwork made it out of the Ethiopian courts before the annual closure — we got a call telling us all our paperwork is out of the courts. Yes, it's ALL DONE and in Nairobi. (Or en route to Nairobi. Who knows? I was too busy flipping out at the time to make notes.) And I mean, ALL of it. Her birth certificate, her passport, everything. At any rate, it means we gain back 8 weeks, and all that is left is to get our travel visas to Ethiopia, which takes about a week, and to obtain one single solitary facilitation visa from the High Commission in Kenya.
One single document separates us from travelling to finally meet our daughter. One document, and some travel arrangements.
We're a little stunned. Needless to say.
Our case worker said, with the absolute best luck, our best case scenario to travel is two weeks. Calm down… that's the ABSOLUTE BEST, Hail-Mary-pass, miracle scenario. More likely, we will be travelling sometime in September, if all goes normally. (Plus there are problems for families trying to travel with getting flights in August, so September's probably better anyway.)
A few weeks ago, we were pushed back to November or December. And in one day, we've gained it all back again.
Some days, there's just so much joy it's dazzling.

subset: commoncrawl


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Criminal Justice Reform and Public Safety
"It is not enough to simply be 'tough' on crime. We must be 'smart' on crime. We cannot arrest our way out of our crime problem."
Far too many St. Louisans are affected by violence. The city must reject the false choice between being "tough" on crime and addressing the root causes of violence. St. Louis suffers from neighborhood disinvestment, poor mental health services, low officer morale, and strained community relations with law enforcement. My plan focuses resources on disrupting the small groups responsible for the large percentage of violent crimes while also diverting those with mental health problems and substance abuse problems out of our jails and into treatment centers. I will ensure police officers are treated like professionals by their city, are paid well, and are held accountable when they fail to meet the city's standards.
"Smart" on Crime
The city has gun crimes, but it doesn't have its own gun laws. The majority of gun laws are made at the state level, and local initiatives are subsequently found to be unconstitutional and cannot be upheld. For any gun laws to be created that could help St. Louis, the mayor of the city must have good relationships with Jefferson City legislators on both sides of the aisle. Due to my years at the State Legislature, I have formed those relationships and will leverage them in order to make sure urban areas, especially St. Louis, are taken into account when gun laws are considered.
While St. Louis may not be able to create its own laws around guns, there is plenty the city can do. As mayor, I will use the national model of Focused Deterrence, which involves unifying the police, social service providers, prosecutors, faith organizations, and the community to combat violent crime. This model has been successful in places like Kansas City and Philadelphia, which uses a method called group violence intervention. This intervention uses targeted communication of the aforementioned groups working together with gang members to actively promote an anti-violence message in the community. Another method, called individual gun violence intervention, targets individual offenders to ensure they receive an anti-gun, non-violent message, including education around gun laws and punishment. Focused deterrence has been found to be highly effective in programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods in Chicago. The city can learn a lot from these programs, and as mayor I plan to bring ideas like these to fruition here.
Social Workers and Mental Health Training in the Police Department
As mayor, I will make sure we are punishing people for bad behavior instead of for being sick. Other communities that have done this have seen dramatic reductions in their jail population, realized significant cost savings, and have provided more humane treatment for those with mental health problems. Some examples the city could emulate include:
- LA Police Department Model
- Miami Police Department Model
- White House Data Driven Initiative on Incarceration
The city currently spends $254 million a year repeatedly arresting the same people, trying them, and incarcerating them. If the city can reduce the number of people cycling through the system, it will save a lot of that money. And, not only will this reduction save the city money, it will make the city a more humane, more sustainable place to live. Read my argument here about why the city should shut down the Workhouse. Decarceration efforts also need to include making sure people who have served their time are able to find jobs. This means more employers need to ban the box. You never know, it might be the smartest decision your company makes! It certainly helped my office save the city a lot of money.
Police Retention
Being a police officer is a difficult job. The city must increase officer salaries to be competitive with surrounding areas. I also want to improve professional development opportunities for officers through offering racial equity trainings, cultural competency trainings, and financial empowerment classes, which they already have access to through the Office of Financial Empowerment, which I created. I will strive to increase police officers' connection to neighborhoods through housing assistance programs, especially through downpayment assistance, so that city officers are incentivized to live in the neighborhoods they serve. The city needs to ask the state to be a better partner to the police department. For example, the state should deploy Missouri Highway Patrol on interstates and other state controlled roads in the city to free up the city's police for other matters.
Community-Police Relations
Reducing violence cannot come without the buy-in and trust of the community. The city must be intentional about reforming policing systems to heal the perceived and real divide between police and community. To achieve this goal, I will work to:
- Limit Police Use of Force
- Provide meaningful opportunities for police-citizen relationships
- Redesign Police stations to provide social services and other community benefits
- Strengthen Civilian Oversight of the Police Department by supporting the addition of subpoena power to the current civilian oversight ordinance
- Provide Implicit Bias and Racial Profiling Training
- Reform Civil asset forfeiture
- Hire a public safety director from outside the current system who has experience with crime in urban environments, someone who can work across all departments to make safety the number one priority
Substance Abuse
St. Louis is in the middle of a heroin epidemic. Cheap heroin has a stronghold on our community. It is not a problem that we can arrest our way out of. As mayor, I will work to expand access to substance abuse services and the decriminalization of some crimes committed as a result of drug seeking behavior. This includes:
- Support for the Glouchester Model, which creates safe places at police and fire stations for drug users to turn in their drugs without fear of arrest and be placed into treatment.
- Reallocation of public safety dollars from the closing of the workhouse into substance abuse programming.


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In announcing the result, Chief Technology Officer Satoru Kuriyagawa said that the processes used are "very similar" to those used at its commercial production facilities. "Even higher efficiencies can be achieved by using a device with a very small surface area, but the reason we prefer to focus on the submodule level is that the path to commercial production is more practical," said Kuriyagawa in a statement announcing the result.
Solar Frontier produces the bulk of its CIGS modules which the company refers to as CIS at its new Kunitomi plant, and claims to have recently produced a champion module with 14.5 percent aperture efficiency, which translates to 13.38 percent module efficiency.
In its recent report into the CIGS market and technology, Lux Research wrote that efficiency gains would be key if CIGS technology were to be successful. "Since efficiency of modules dictates installation footprint in applications and hence system prices, the adoption of CIGS modules in residential, commercial, and utility applications will be a function of how effectively their conversion efficiency matches or comes close to mc-Si and c-Si modules."
The report continued that average CIGS module efficiency ranges between 10 percent and 11 percent, compared to mc-Si modules with 14.5 percent and 15.5 percent. "First Solars CdTe modules measure 11.6 percent on average today," the report added. As is evident then, Solar Frontiers modules average somewhere between CdTe and mc-Si and higher than average CIGS performance.
The potential for further efficiency gains are deemed to be another reason CIGS technology may be attractive, reported Lux Research. German research body Zentrum fur Sonnenenergie-und Wasserstoff-Forschung (ZSW), has demonstrated a cell efficiency of 20.3 percent. The ZSW is currently in a research-and-development partnership with equipment supplier Manz and module manufacturer Würth Solar the latter was fully acquired by Manz at the beginning of this year. Manz claimed a world record module efficiency record of 15.1 percent for its 600 by 1200mm module, midway through 2011.
pv magazine (12/2011) recently ran a feature article on the CIGS technology and market and will feature a guest article from Manz automation on the potential of CIGS in the forthcoming April edition of the magazine.


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Posting ID : A1068468106
Date Posted : 2015-08-18
Category : Healthcare
Home Care Agency seeking Caregivers to fill four hourly positions in the Orange County and Los Angeles County Areas. We are looking for EXPERIENCED Applicants must have AT LEAST 1 year of verifiable care-giving experience OR hands on clinical experience through a CNA, HHA, LVN, or RN educational program (great way to gain experience prior to getting the job you are looking for). Seeking DEDICATED and DEPENDABLE professionals who want to work with elderly clients to help them remain independent in their own homes.
AVAILABLE SHIFTS: All shifts available, based around your schedule!!
DUTIES: Transferring, Bathing, Dressing, Toileting, Cooking/Meal Preparation, Light Housekeeping, Excercises, Transportation, Companionship, etc.
***Mutiple other jobs currently available for female caregivers with open hourly schedules in South OC Area***
~ CNA or HHA Certifications a plus (LVN & RN Students/Grads welcome)
~ Minimum 1 year of care giving experience (if no certifications)
~ Driving is a Plus (Must have valid Auto Insurance/Auto Registration & DL)
~ Prior Experience with Home Care Agencies or Board & Care homes is a plus
~ Must be Legal to Work in the United States (W-2 employer)
~ CPR and First Aid Certifications a plus
~ Must Read, Write and Speak English
All applicants must pass a thorough background screening.
****Contact our Employment E-mail****
Have the following information ready:
Please list your FULL NAME and CONTACT INFORMATION (phone number to be reached at and e-mail). If you have a resume please attach to response. Other things we are looking for:
1) Years of experience as a caregiver
2) Types of clients you have worked with ( Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Stroke, Hospice, etc. )
3) Type of care you have provided (Bathing, Dressing, etc.)
4) Schedule and availability
5) When you are able to start work
You will be contacted within a few business days upon receipt of information to have a phone interview.


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Orienteering athlete & results database by WorldofO.com
|Alphabetical list
|Country list
|Results archive
|WoO Ranking
|WOC History
Search athletes:
Athlete profile: Julia Doubson
Athlete background info last updated 2017-06-21 19:30:19
Julia competed in her first JWOC in Norway in 2015, placing 42nd in the sprint at JWOC 2016. In 2016 she placed 1st in the middle at the US Individual Championships.
|United States
|World Ranking
|Middle/Long 850 / Sprint 191 (as of 21/5/2019)
|Bay Area Orienteering Club (USA)
|Born place
|Mountain View, California (USA)
|Born year
|Palo Alto, California (USA)
World Orienteering Championships (WOC)
Best result 24. place:
2018, MixedRelay, Riga, Latvia
2017, MixedRelay, Tartu, Estonia
Best for each discipline:
Sprint: Q19. place 2017, Tartu, Estonia
MixedRelay: 24. place last time 2018, Riga, Latvia
Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC)
Best result 14. place:
2016, Relay, Engadin, Switzerland
Best for each discipline:
Long: 78. place 2015, Rauland, Norway
Middle: B8. place 2016, Engadin, Switzerland
Sprint: 42. place 2016, Engadin, Switzerland
Relay: 14. place 2016, Engadin, Switzerland
Other international results
IOF World Ranking:
World Ranking position: Middle/Long 850 / Sprint 191 (as of 21/5/2019)
See also all IOF WRE results for Julia Doubson including updated WR position
Julia Doubson is found under the following names:
Julia Doubson (20 times) .


text: Jonah Hill has nothing but high praise for Jillian Bell, the actress who plays his nemesis in the big-screen, action-comedy "22 Jump Street." Bell was previously known for her appearances on TV's "Workaholics" and "Eastbound & Down." "Jillian makes me want to quit show business and realize I am a complete fraud because she is the funniest person I have ever met in my life," Hill declared with a laugh, while talking to reporters during a recent round-table interview in New York. "When I improvise with her... I'd never had that feeling [before working with her] where I am like, 'You're thinking of what I am going to think to say, but you are saying it quicker and phrased better than I would.' We were all blown away by her," Hill recalled. "I think she is an absolute star. I think part of the joy of producing a movie is you are in the room when people walk in and you get to say, 'Oh, wow, we get to put a spotlight on this person that maybe hasn't had the spotlight before.' And that's what I think this movie is for her. I think she is going to get tons of other movies from this." "22 Jump Street," the follow-up to 2012's "21 Jump Street," is in theaters now. The sequel follows two cops [Hill and Channing Tatum] who go undercover at a college to try to take down a drug ring. Bell plays the no-nonsense, disapproving roommate of Hill's character's girlfriend, who is played by Amber Stevens.


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When a CSS stylesheet contains an @import at-rule with a specified list of media types, it generates in the CSS OM a CSSImportRule having a MediaList attribute and a CSSStyleSheet attribute, itself having a MediaList attribute... So the question if the following one : are these two MediaLists strictly and dynamically equal ? Question Cc:ed to www-style so CSS WG knows about it. </Daniel>Received on Monday, 16 July 2001 10:52:15 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Monday, 2 May 2016 14:26:58 UTC


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|Pottschmidt, K.; Wilms, J.; Chernyakova, M.; Nowak, M.A.; Rodriguez, J.; Zdziarski, A.A.; Beckmann, V.; Kretschmar, P.; Gleissner, T.; Pooley, G.G.; Martinez Nuñez, Silvia; Courvoisier, T.J.L.; Schönfelder, V.; Staubert, R.
|This document is a artículo publicadoDate2003
|We present first results from contemporaneous observations of Cygnus X-1 with INTEGRAL and RXTE,made during INTEGRAL's performance verification phase in 2002 November and December. Consistent with earlier results, the 3−250 keV data are well described by Comptonization spectra from a Compton corona with a temperature of kT ∼ 50−90 keV and an optical depth of τ ∼ 1.0−1.3 plus reflection from a cold or mildly ionized slab with a covering factor of Ω/2π ∼ 0.2−0.3. A soft excess below 10 keV, interpreted as emission from the accretion disk, is seen to decrease during the 1.5 months spanned by our observations. Our results indicate a remarkable consistency among the independently calibrated detectors, with the remaining issues being mainly related to the flux calibration of INTEGRAL.
POTTSCHMIDT, K. ; Wilms, J. ; Chernyakova, M. ; Nowak, M.A. ; Rodriguez, J. ; Zdziarski, A.A. ; Beckmann, V. ; Kretschmar, P. ; Gleissner, T. ; Pooley, G.G. ; Martinez Nuñez, Silvia ; Courvoisier, T.J.L. ; Schönfelder, V. ; Staubert, R., 2003, INTEGRAL-RXTE observations of Cygnus X-1, Astronomy and Astrophysics, vol. 411, no. 1, p. L383–L388


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Hear a Metalcore Version of Miley Cyrus' 'Wrecking Ball'
While metalheads and Miley Cyrus may seemingly have little in common, those lines just got a little blurred with a new cover version of the pop singer's hit song 'Wrecking Ball.'
For Salvation's Brian Storm and Galactic Pegasus' Andrew Baena have taken the sugary infectiousness of the Cyrus single 'Wrecking Ball' and rocked it up to give it a metalcore and djent representation.
Unlike the Cyrus video, which has the nude singer swinging through the air on a giant wrecking ball, the Storm/Baena video is short on production value with the singer looking to have shot his vocals in a bedroom with a 'Grand Theft Auto' poster in the background. Meanwhile, Baena's shots are spliced in separately with close ups of him playing guitar in a darkened room.
After hearing Storm's angst-ridden screams, you'll never hear the Cyrus version the same way again.
[Thanks to Rock 108 DJ Frank Pain in Abilene, Texas, for the head's up.]


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Saturday, August 20, 2011
Road Trip
I'm packing the car for my annual road trip with my boy to the Bay Area. We go to visit my other dad, affectionately called Dan-Dan, in Menlo Park and this year I'll be doing another show at my cousin Heather's in beautiful San Rafael, a favorite venue I must say! A little bird told me some of the girls were looking for some color so I thought I'd post a teaser, I did a whole line of these birds and roses in several colors to bring along...
Always feel like I'm forgetting something and I usually do despite several lists and my very helpful husband, nothing a trip to Target won't solve!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Inspiration Point
This last weekend my extended family and I had the pleasure of enjoying our very generous friend's mountain house. It is an amazing rustic mansion surrounded by spectacular views.
I was there to relax and enjoy some quality time with loved ones but truth be told, I had work to do so I packed it all and set up a work station in the back corner of the living room, flanked by windows. This is a partial view and the photo does it no justice but you get a little taste of what it was like...
The good company, beautiful scenery and fresh air proved to be quite a creative inspiration and it turned out to be a productive weekend. Counting down to the show at Heather's in San Rafael, can't wait!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Gearing Up For Girl's Night In!
I'm excited to say I'll be doing another show in San Rafael hosted by my fabulous cousin Heather! It will be a great girl's night in and I can't wait to get there. Thought I'd post a few photos as teasers over the next few weeks so stay tuned!
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Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Greedy
Script Analysis of Greedy
Click on a plot link to find similar books!
Plot & ThemesTime/era of movie: - 2000's+ (present) Family, loving - Yes Special relationship with - uncle
Main CharacterIdentity: - Male Profession/status: - athlete Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality - White American
SettingUnited States - Yes The US: - California City? - Yes City: - Los Angeles Misc setting - fancy mansion
Writing StyleAccounts of torture and death? - no torture/death Any profanity? - Occasional swearing
Movies with storylines, themes & endings like Greedy
|She's Out of Control starring Tony Danza, Ami Dolenz
|Sunshine Cleaning starring Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin
|Joe Somebody starring Tim Allen, Julie Bowen, Kelly Lynch, Jim Belushi
|The Odd Life of Timothy Green starring Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, CJ Adams
|Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa starring Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll, Spike Jonze


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Executive Director, Chairman & CEO
Executive Director & Chief Financial Officer
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Independent Non-executive Director
Independent Non-Executive Director
Independent Non-executive Director
Chief Operation Officer
President, Investment & Global Strategy
Vice President of Lottery
Mr. Sun Ho, aged 47, is the executive Director, chairman & CEO, authorised representative, compliance officer, member of the nomination committee, and chairman of the corporate governance committee and risk management and internal control committee of the Company. He is also the director of various subsidiaries of the Company and is responsible for the strategic planning, business development and general management of the Group.
Mr. Sun also has extensive experience in auditing and financial management of enterprises. He holds a bachelor degree in Economics from the University of Sydney in Australia and a master degree in Corporate Finance from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Mr. Sun is a member of CPA Australia and the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Sun has been instrumental in the development of China's lottery markets over many years.
Mr. Zhou, aged 39, joined Alibaba Holding in May 2008. He currently serves as a finance director at the financial planning and analysis department of Alibaba Group and is responsible for budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis for Alibaba Group. Mr. Zhou has extensive financial knowledge and deep understanding of Alibaba Group's businesses including the lottery business. He provides assistance to the senior management and the chief financial officer of Alibaba Group in data and financial analysis during the decision making process. From 2001 to 2008, Mr. Zhou worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers as audit manager and was as a member of each of Certified General Accountants Association of Canada and the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He holds a bachelor's degree from Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management and a master's degree from Sichuan University.
Mr. Ji, aged 41, joined Ant Financial in January 2016 as Vice President and Head of Strategic Investment. He is responsible for the global strategic investments for Ant Financial and has 16 years of experience in investment and 8 years of experience in the internet industry. Before joining Ant Financial, he served Alibaba Group as Vice President and was responsible for strategic investment. He holds a bachelor's degree in international business management from University of International Business and Economics.
Mr. Yang, aged 39, joined Alibaba Group in September 2007. He is currently the general manager of the department of supply chain innovation of Alibaba Group and is responsible for innovative product and business in supply chain and logistics services in Taobao.com. Mr. Yang has nine years of experience in the internet industry and two years of experience in the lottery industry. Before the current position, Mr. Yang led the operation team of consumer electronics product in Taobao.com. Mr. Yang was one of the core members of the team responsible for the establishment of Tmall.com and Taobao Travel. From 2012 to 2015, Mr. Yang was responsible for Taobao.com's innovative business including Taobao Lottery. He holds an associate degree in biological pharmacy from Jilin University.
Mr. Zhang, aged 42, joined Alibaba Group in January 2006. He is currently the Vice President of Alibaba Group and is responsible for business operations of Taobao Marketplace including Taobao Lottery. Before the current position, he led Yahoo! Search in China, Alibaba B2B site operations and advertisement business, eTao.com and Alibaba Search business respectively. He has over 10 years of experience in the internet and e-commerce industry. He holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Software from Peking University and a MBA degree from China Europe International Business School.
Mr. Zhang, aged 39, joined Ant Financial in May 2015. He is currently the general manager of the merchant development division for the payment business of Ant Financial Group and is responsible for the cooperation with merchants and the development of the innovation business. Mr. Zhang has 10 years of experience in the internet industry and payment service industry. From 2003 to 2006, Mr. Zhang was senior business manager of the external media cooperation division of Sina Corporation and was responsible for liaising with external media. From 2007 to 2015, he worked as director for Internet Media Development at Tencent Holdings Limited and was in charge of various major projects relating to business development, branding and marketing. Mr. Zhang holds an associate degree in automobile application from Hubei University of Automotive Technology.
Ms. Monica Maria Nunes, aged 47, has been appointed as independent non-executive Director as well as chairperson of each of the audit, remuneration and nomination committees of the Company. She was first appointed as an executive director of Vodatel Networks Holdings Limited ("Vodatel"), the shares of which are listed on GEM (stock code: 8033), on 13th December 1999. She is the finance director and the Compliance Officer of Vodatel. She graduated from the University of Calgary, Canada with a bachelor degree in commerce and from the University of Hong Kong, the PRC, with a master degree in social sciences. She has over 21 years of accounting and banking experience. She holds a Certified Management Accountant Designation of Certified Management Accountants of Alberta, Canada. She is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta, Canada and is entitled to use the designation Chartered Professional Accountant. She is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and is entitled to use the description Chartered Management Accountant. She is also entitled to hold and use the designation of Chartered Global Management Accountant.
Mr. Feng Qing, aged 62, was appointed as the independent non-executive Director of the Company on 4 May 2015. Mr. Feng Qing is the chairman of Beijing Yi Xin Tech Corporation. Mr. Feng was the author of the marketing economics book titled "Practical Market Theory (實用市場理論)" which was well received by the market, and became an instrumental reading in learning western economics. In 1983, Mr. Feng commenced study of macroeconomics in Switzerland.
After graduation, Mr. Feng stayed in Switzerland to work at Sulzer International AG, the then one of the biggest machinery manufacturers in Switzerland, for many years. Afterwards, Mr. Feng returned to China and was engaged in satellite communication and investment and finance related work. Mr. Feng graduated from the Precision Instruments faculty (精密儀器系) of Tsinghua University, the PRC, majoring in Machinery Manufacturing Technology and Equipment (機械製造工藝及設備), and was a postgraduate student in macroeconomics of the University of Zurich in Switzerland.
Dr. Gao Jack Qunyao, aged 57, was appointed as the independent non-executive Director of the Company on 6 May 2015. Dr. Gao has extensive experience in information technology ("IT"), media and entertainment, and venture capital. He is currently the Group Vice President and CEO of International Investments and Business Department of 北京萬達文化產業集團有限公司 (Beijing Wanda Culture Industry Group Co., Ltd.*); Vice Chairman of Infront Sports & Media AG; founder and president of Gao Entertainment LLC; an independent director of AirMedia Group Inc. (the American depositary shares ("ADSs") of which are listed on NASDAQ under the symbol: AMCN); and an independent director of 萬通投資控股股份有限公司 (Vantone Holdings Co., Ltd.*). Dr. Gao was previously a director of Bona Film Group Limited (the ADSs of which are listed on NASDAQ under the symbol: BONA); and an alternate director of Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings Limited (a company listed on the Stock Exchange under stock code: 2008). Dr. Gao is also the adjunct professor (客座教授) of the Business School of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is the author of the book titled "體驗微軟 (Experience Microsoft)" which has a wide readership in China IT communities.
Previously, Dr. Gao held various major positions in a number of renowned companies, including senior vice president of News Corporation (a company listed on NASDAQ under the symbol: NWS); chief executive officer of News Corporation China Investments and STAR (China) Limited; chief representative of News Corporation, Beijing representative office; vice president of Autodesk China; general manager of Microsoft (China) Co., Ltd.; and general partner, executive vice president and country head (China) of Walden International, a leading venture capital firm in the United States of America. Dr. Gao holds a doctorate degree in Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology, China.
Mr. Bai Jinmin, aged 49, is the chief operation officer of the Company. He is also the director of various subsidiaries of the Company in the PRC, responsible for their business development, strategic planning and operational supervision.
Mr. Bai has over 20 years of extensive experience in business development, investment, corporate management and strategic planning. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Bai was the director of Louis DreFus Energy (SPEC) Pte Ltd., managing director of SPEC Overseas (Holdings) Pte Ltd., vice president of Shenzhen Petrochemical Industry (Holdings) Co., Ltd., chairman of Shenzhen GETOS Fine Silicons Co., Ltd., director of Sinoying Logistics Pte Ltd. and executive director of STAR Pharmaceutical Limited, the issued shares of which are listed on Singapore Exchange Limited.
Mr. Bai holds a bachelor degree in Engineering from 杭州電子工業學院 (the Electronics Institute of Hangzhou*), the PRC (now known as Hangzhou Dianzi University* (杭州電子科技大學)) and a master degree in Business Administration from the National University of Singapore.
Mr. Cheng Guoming, aged 43, is the president of the company in investment & global strategy. Mr. Cheng has extensive experience in China lottery business, private equity investments, special opportunities (e.g. distressed assets and rescue financing), crossborder transactions and operation management of investments in China and overseas. Before joining the Company, Mr. Cheng held various major positions in other renowned or listed companies, including executive director of the global special opportunities group department of J.P. Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Limited; director of Greater China – Advisory of HSBC Markets (Asia) Limited; head of investment department of Shanghai Industrial Holdings Limited (a company listed on the Stock Exchange, stock code: 363); deputy chief financial officer (and chief financial officer, China region) of China LotSynergy Holdings Limited (a company listed on the Stock Exchange, stock code: 1371); and senior manager of the reorganisation services group department of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Hong Kong. Mr. Cheng holds a bachelor of economics degree from Fudan University in China, and is a non-practising member of the Shanghai Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Mr. Fu is appointed as the Chief Technical Officer of the Company. Mr. Fu has over 11 years of experience in the lottery industry in terms of technology business research and development. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Fu was the chief of the Lottery Technology Security Research and Development Centre in Chinese Academic of Sciences. Mr. Fu has rich experience with lottery industry as well as system architecture technology and has been engaged in researching and developing lottery games, lottery system security, testing as well as industry standard development. Mr. Fu holds a bachelor degree in Engineering from China University of Petroleum as well as MBA from Renmin University of China.
Mr. Liu Meng is the general manager of two subsidiaries of the Company, namely 亞博泰科科技(北京)有限公司 (Asia Gaming Technologies (Beijing) Co., Ltd.*) and a subsidiary of Score Value.
Mr. Liu has been working in the China lottery industry for many years. He has solid experience in lottery game design; research, development and operational maintenance of lottery technical systems; and team and organisational leadership. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Liu was the Vice President and Head of Research and Development Centre of 中體彩科技發展有限公司 (China Sports Lottery Technology Group*); and deputy general manager of 北京中體駿彩信息技術有限公司 (China Sports Lottery HKJC Infotech (Beijing) Co., Ltd*), responsible for managing the development of lottery game related technologies, research and development of various kinds of technical systems and project management. Mr. Liu holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Nanjing University and a Master of Science degree from Peking University, the PRC.
Mr. Luo Shihui is the general manager of 世紀星彩企業管理有限公司 (China Lottery Management Co., Ltd.*) and 深圳市銀溪數碼技術有限公司 (Shenzhen Silvercreek Digital Technology Co., Ltd.*), both being indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company.
Mr. Luo has been working in the China lottery industry for many years. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Luo was deputy general manager of 北京太盈科技發展有限公司 (Beijing TaiYing Technology Development Co., Ltd.*), and gained extensive experience in lottery business management, market operations and project negotiations. As a member of the Group's senior management, Mr. Luo has made significant contributions in various significant projects. Mr. Luo graduated from 南昌航空工業學院 (Nanchang Institute of Aeronautical Technology*) (now known as 南昌航空大學 (Nanchang Hangkong University*)) majoring in business administration and marketing.
Mr. Ng Lok Ming is the company secretary, authorised representative and a member of each of the corporate governance committee and the risk management and internal control committee of the Company.
Mr. Ng has many years of experience working in senior legal positions and as company secretary of companies listed in Hong Kong. Mr. Ng graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a LL.B. and a P.C.LL. in 1995 and 1996, respectively. He later obtained a LL.M. in Comparative and PRC law from the City University of Hong Kong in 2002. Mr. Ng was admitted as a solicitor of the High Court of Hong Kong in 2001. He is also a member of the Law Society of Hong Kong.
Mr. Song Xin, aged 38, joined Alibaba Group in January 2008. He was the Chief Operating Officer in Operation Division of Taobao Marketplace, responsible for innovative business, including Taobao Lottery, Taobao Education, and Taobao Real-estate.
Mr. Song has more than 10 years of experience in e-business, and 8 years of experience in Lottery. Owing to his extensive understanding and vision on both lottery and e-business, he made a significant promotion to the ecology development of Lottery Industry in Alibaba Group, He participated in the design of Olympic lottery and new market of Sports lottery.
He obtained a bachelor associate degree in Accounting from Beijing City University. In September 2016, Mr. Song was appointed Vice President of Lottery in AGTech Holdings Limited, responsible for industry strategic planning, product innovation and new channel expansion in Lottery Online Business.
Mr. Adam Greenblatt is a director of three of the Company's subsidiaries, namely Asia Gaming Technologies Limited, 亞博泰科科技(北京)有限公司 (Asia Gaming Technologies (Beijing) Co., Ltd.), and 亞博泰科科技(天津)有限公司 (Asia Gaming Technologies (Tianjin) Co., Ltd.). Mr. Greenblatt has previously been appointed in 2010 as Director of Corporate Development at Ladbrokes, a major UK-listed international betting and gaming company. Mr. Greenblatt began his career as a Chartered Accountant in the UK with Arthur Anderson before moving into mergers and acquisitions at renowned international investment bank Rothschild, specialising in betting and gaming. Mr. Greenblatt left his role as Director of European Investment Banking in 2008 to effect the successful turnaround of a manufacturing business. He then launched a European internet business focusing on the online recruitment market, before most recently moving back into the betting and gaming sector to join Ladbrokes.
Mr. Michael Charlton, is a director of three of the Company's subsidiaries, namely, Asia Gaming Technologies Limited, 亞博泰科科技(北京)有限公司 (Asia Gaming Technologies (Beijing) Co., Ltd.) and 亞博泰科科技(天津)有限公司 (Asia Gaming Technologies (Tianjin) Co., Ltd.). Mr. Charlton has over 17 years' experience in the Leisure & Gaming industry and is currently responsible for developing Ladbrokes plc's international business in the Asian region. Mr. Charlton joined Ladbrokes plc following his graduation from Glasgow University in 1995. During his time with Ladbrokes plc he has held various senior management positions, initially within the Retail sector of the business before joining the International Department in 2005. Mr. Charlton is currently China General Manager for Ladbrokes plc and serving as a director of Ladbrokes Lottery (Asia) Co. Limited.
Listed Date 19 Jan 2004
Address Unit 3912, 39/F, Tower Two, Times Square, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Telephone (852) 2506 1668
Facsimile (852) 2506 1228


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For those that missed it….
The following excerpts are from my 534 page book, published by Random House and due at stores on April 1 2016. The book is an astonishing tale of intrigue and espionage, sex and seduction, action, adventure, tension and violence. 6'1" Silence is my first novel. The story concept has been a work in progress for over five years and I am extremely proud of the result. I hope you enjoy it.
My first reading of the book will take place at the mime convention in the Republic of Cambridge beginning April 1 through the 4th. The reading will be in the Che Guevara wing of the Republic of Cambridge library.
There are many people I would like to thank for helping me with this labor of love, especially the Procrastinator's Club of Brookline, Massachusetts. Without their inspiration the project would have been finished in two years. Most of all I would like to thank John Cage. His music and compositions are being incorporated into the Fantasy Pictures movie script based on the book. The movie is scheduled to begin shooting April 1, 2017. I could go on and on with additional thank yous…but full credits will be listed in my book and in the movie.
The following YouTube video of a 4'33" performance will give you a brief take on John's brilliance. I suggest you look at it, "listen" and remember that there is a thin line between genius and madness.
John Cage's 4'33" – YouTube
Please keep scrolling down.
…keep going…
…just a bit more…
… and the pages are also blank.
Hey … why not?
The Irish Times reported that the BBC Symphony Orchestra recently gave a performance of composer John Cage's seminal piece 4'33", which does not contain a single note.
The performance took place at London's Barbican Centre.
It was part of a weekend of Cage's work. The late avant-garde composer "wrote" the piece in 1952.
Cage's reasoning for composing 4'3" was to demonstrate that "whereever we are what we hear is mostly noise."
General manager Paul Hughes told BBC Radio 5 Live the orchestra had rehearsed to "get in the right frame of mind".
Despite having no notes to play, the musicians tuned up and then turned pages of the score after each of the three "movements" specified by the composer.
The silence was broken at times by coughing and rustling sounds from the audience, who marked the end of the performance with enthusiastic applause.
Mr. Hughes denied the performance was a "mindless gimmick" and said Cage believed "music was all around us all the time" and the piece was his attempt to make the audience focus on sounds that were "part of our everyday lives".
But the audience at the premiere in 1952 was "so discomforted that mostly what you could hear was people getting up and walking out", he said.
"They were completely outraged and extremely angry," Mr. Hughes added.
He said Cage, who died in 1992 aged 80, was very proud of the silent composition.
My next novel is a sequel to 6'1" Silence and will be available sometime in 2018 and the movie version of 6'1″ Silence is scripted to be two hours and seventeen minutes long. I would hope that you bring a book to read while there.
Have a wonderful 1st of April…
The writer of this blog supports and is a participating artist in ArtBank Bunclody, Ireland, a, not for profit, volunteer cultural center that relies on donations and grant funding. www.artbank.ie is under construction and you can follow ArtBank on facebook.


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Why is L.A. so upset with Mike D'Antoni and Lakers management? We all knew this was a patchwork team that had no chance of actually winning anything this year. Myopic Lakers fans should cheer D'Antoni for not bailing on this squad, and praise Pau Gasol for soldiering on amid trade rumors all season.
Lakers fans have no idea how good they have it, and should take their medicine with some class when the wheels fall off with some class.
Alex Arko
Los Angeles
It's not what D'Antoni did this year, it's what he didn't do last year....
Brian Haueter
As we think about how Mike D'Antoni used Pau Gasol and Chris Kaman, one wonders whether D'Antoni would have stationed Kareem and Shaq near the free throw line had they been on the Lakers' roster this season.
Richard Raffalow
Valley Glen
The NBA lottery system is entirely flawed. When Lakers fans get upset when they win a game because it makes it less likely that the Lakers get the first pick in the draft, that's a problem.
Geoff Skurnik
Laguna Niguel
It's unfortunate that the face of the franchise has gone missing, basically since February, when he hung in there for the dismal Grammy trip and clearly couldn't take it anymore. But let's hear it for the guys who have shown up. With all the losses and embarrassments, this group has set itself apart when it comes to camaraderie and pulling for one another. No whining, pointing fingers, or playing the blame game. Maybe they haven't accumulated Ws for the team, but their sportsmanship has done us proud.
Elyce Wakerman
Sherman Oaks
It was interesting reading Mike Bresnahan's story on Gary Vitti. You get a gist of the mind-set of management. We all know that the failed Chris Paul trade was a game changer, and the trades for Dwight Howard and Steve Nash have been among the worst in Lakers history. But the common denominator of the injuries that Vitti searches for just may lie with Vitti himself. He has been unable to keep players in shape and healthy and then been unable to get them back on to the court. I have never heard of so many misdiagnoses and so many lengthy rehabs. Perhaps its time the Lakers go with a younger, more up to date training staff.
If Vitti wasn't prepared for the changes in the NBA, that in itself is a telling sign.
Geno Apicella
Mike D'Antoni's chances of returning to the Lakers next year are just slightly less than Smush Parker's chances of returning.
Craig P. Fagan
San Diego
Cuban connection
Bill Plaschke wrote an important and over-the-top column on how Yasiel Puig arrived in the U.S. and was signed by the Dodgers. Plaschke's suggestion that the lives of fans are being threatened every night at Dodger Stadium is certainly an exaggeration. The real lesson of Puig's story is that it is time for the U.S. to normalize relations with Cuba in all matters, from trade and tourism to signing ballplayers.
Ralph S. Brax
It now appears that Yasiel Puig isn't 100% responsible for some of his erratic behavior. For all we know, he might have been speeding away from some thugs or showing up late because he was afraid to walk out the door. The poor fellow went through hell and high water to get into the U.S. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt and be happy that he's still breathing and wearing Dodger Blue.
Charles Reilly
Manhattan Beach
Is it really a surprise that Yasiel Puig doesn't want to talk about the past considering his hitting coach is Mark McGwire?
George Sands
Here's the most likely trajectory of Yasiel Puig's career with the Dodgers: 1) Rookie phenom; 2) Clubhouse distraction; 3) Trade bait.
Robert Robak
Thinking Blue
Recently my beloved pooch — named Dodger after my favorite baseball team — wandered off. The sorrow of the loss was excruciating, but slowly the pain eased and I got a new dog. Named her Angel. I still sometimes flash back to the memory of Dodger, but life must go on. Out of sight, out of mind.
Richard Dennison
So we can view a lunar eclipse, but not Jackie Robinson Day from San Francisco?
Fred Wallin
Westlake Village
If only Matt Kemp could catch, hit, and run the bases like Dee Gordon.
Sterling Buckingham
Canyon Country
An open letter to Mr. Mattingly and most other major league managers: The traditional strategy of holding back your closer in a tie game on the road to preserve a potential lead you may never get makes no sense.
Keeping the game alive should be the first priority. Losing a game in the 12th inning with Brandon League pitching while Brian Wilson sits on the bench is idiocy.
Gary Pollak
Woodland Hills
The truth of the matter is that Ned Colletti's ridiculous signing of Brandon League was bad enough. Keeping him around, occupying a much-needed place on the roster in hope for some justification of that mistake and other terrible moves, is worse.
Regan Chapman
Huntington Beach
Light up the halo
Anyone more flexible than Mike Scioscia would not waste more than five seconds figuring out who to bat cleanup with Josh Hamilton out, but, rather, make the obvious move that should have been done a long time ago:
Mike Trout (best hitter in baseball, high batting average, power, speed) bats third.
Albert Pujols (still dangerous, power, a human double play machine) bats cleanup.
Add to the mix: Newly returned J. B Shuck bats leadoff (where he excelled last year), and Kole Calhoun, probably too aggressive a hitter to do well as leadoff, bats second.
When Hamilton returns, consider flip-flopping him and Pujols, depending on the opposing pitcher.
Seriously, shouldn't all of this be obvious to an experienced baseball man?
Gary Posner
Granada Hills
To all the teams that will face Angels this year. Don't worry if your team is down one, five, or even 10 runs in the ninth, Angels GM Jerry Dipoto, pitching coach Mike Butcher and Manager Mike Scioscia will make sure your team wins.
Tim McLaughlin
Studio City
Bye-bye, Bruins
So Zack LaVine and Kyle Anderson are going to declare themselves eligible for the NBA draft. At least Anderson was the best player on his team and a very good college player. LaVine did not even start for UCLA and now he is ready for the next level. I don't get it. Shouldn't a player dominate and prove himself in college before thinking he can play in the NBA? Who is telling LaVine he is ready for the NBA?
Matthew D. Kerster
What a jab
I was shocked to read the article about bars needing to pay the commercial fee to show fights, namely the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley fight. I didn't know anyone even watched boxing anymore.
Rick Goward
Mission Viejo
And you were...?
They actually were able to run the Masters without Tiger Woods. And I loved it. No following Woods everywhere he went. No ignoring him throwing tantrums, clubs and obscenities or attributing these outbursts to his intense competitiveness. Those other players seemed pretty intense without the histrionics. Go Bubba!
Bert Bergen
La Cañada
Time warp
I'm an L.A. native who spent the past five years living in New York after relocating for work. Now, I've come home — essentially trading places with Phil Jackson — to find the Clippers in the NBA playoffs but not the Lakers. The Galaxy on TV but not the Dodgers. The Bruins ranked in the preseason top-10 football but not the Trojans. Naming rights for a fictitious NFL stadium but, alas, without a team.
Quantum events as such would seem to signify the existence of a bizarre parallel universe. Please tell me, do we still have swimming pools, movie stars and the occasional earthquake?
Steve Ross
Beverly Hills
That's cold
Can you please return to your usual hockey coverage? I would much rather read about a Kings win on Page 8 than a loss on Page 1.
Judy Warren
El Segundo
The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.
Mail: Sports Viewpoint
Los Angeles Times
202 W. 1st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Fax: (213) 237-4322


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While we encourage our guests to relax and enjoy their time aboard without mainland distractions (computers and cell phones!), we do encourage everyone to take lots of pictures! And if it gives you pleasure to share, post or tweet about your awesome windjammer cruise, then thats OK with us too!
8th Annual Photography Contest
We invite you to submit up to five of your favorite shots of scenery, sails, sunsets and seals! The first-place winner of the contest will receive a free windjammer cruise during the 2018 season. Runner-up prizes will also be awarded. Photo entries may be submitted online, now through November 1, 2017. Winning photos, as selected by a panel of judges comprised of windjammer captains, will be announced in November, and the winnerwho could be YOUcan begin to make plans for a great sailing vacation in 2018!
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
If sharing photos, videos and special moments is something you like to do online, we applaud you! Were on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
share away! #ThisIsWindjamming.
Copyright © 2017 Maine Windjammer Association. All rights reserved.Published by Maine Windjammer Association


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The complete Privacy Notice is posted throughout the Hospital. In addition, you are entitled to a paper copy of the complete privacy notice upon your request. You may ask the admitting representative or your health care provider for your copy.
The private notice applies to all of the records of your care generated by the Hospital. Your personal doctor may have different policies or notices regarding the doctor's use and disclosure of your medical information created int he doctor's office or clinic.
The privacy notice will tell you how we use and disclose medical information about you. It also describes your rights and certain obligations regarding the use and disclosure of medical information.
This is a summary of how we may use medical information about you to:
- provide medical treatment or services,
- bill for and receive payment for treatment you have received at WCH, including workers' compensation,
- review our treatment and services and to evaluate the performance of our staff in caring for you; comply with health oversight activities,
- decide what additional services the Hospital should offer, what services are not needed, and whether certain new treatments are effective,
- assist with the teaching and learning for doctors, and other healthcare professionals, and healthcare students,
- remind you of an appointment,
- include you in the directory while you are a patient,
- your religious affiliation will be given to a member of the clergy unless you object,
- assist persons who are involved in your medical care,
- comply with federal, state, and local law, military authority or to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another person,
- protect your health and safety or the health and safety of others; or for the safety and security of the correctional institution for inmates
This is a summary of your right to:
- inspect and copy medical information that may be used to make medical decisions about your care,
- request an amendment of your record,
- request an accounting of disclosures of medical information,
- request a restriction or limitation on the medical information we disclose about you for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations,
- request that we communicate with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location,
- file a complaint with the Hospital or the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated: You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.


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Best E-Cig of 2019: Our Simple Buyer's Guide With Reviews
Cig-a-likes vs. Vape Pods vs. Vape Pens vs. Box Mods.
Best For Beginners and Smokers
Clear Fusion
The Clear Fusion Starter kit is an easy to use e-cig and produces a realistic vapor similar to smoking.
Vape Score
Out of 10
Best For The Return Vaper
FreeMax Twister
The FreeMax Twister vape pen produces as good of a vape as the best mods, easy to use and produces great flavor.
Vape Score
Out of 10
Best For The On/Off Vaper
Smok Species
The Smok Species is designed around the best selling mod of all time, the Alien kit, with added improvements.
Vape Score
Out of 10
Best For The Experienced Vaper
Voopoo Drag 2
The 2nd version of their best seller, the Drag 2 offers an easy interface and accurate wattage/ temp settings.
Vape Score
Out of 10
Last Updated on byFollow On:
Hi! I'm Nicholas King, the founder, and Chief Editor at SmokeTastic. As a vaping enthusiast for over 13 years myself, I understand the transition too vaping. My aim is to share useful information about all the different vape and e-cig products on the market, self-help tips, and detailed reviews.
I hope you find something on SmokeTastic that helps you with your decision process.
Picking the right e-cigarette vape product to suit you can be a tricky task. No matter how passionate you are about vaping, you need time to adjust to the community, learn about the different types of e-cigarette and then make educated decisions based on your preferences.
If you have asked yourself "which e-cigarette should I buy?" then read on, we will be analyzing some of the things on every vape beginner's mind, offering you tips that will help you narrow down your search to a specific model for your needs.
A Brief Introduction To E-Cigarettes
Finding the best e-cig to suit you personally can be a little daunting, considering the amount of sheer choice the buyer has these days. Way back in January 2014 according to a study on BMJ Journals there were 466 different brands of electronic cigarette, now in 2019, there's thought to be thousands to choose from.
It was also reported recently, in the transitions in electronic cigarette use among adults study, that half of all users vaping the electronic cigarette (who were tested), discontinued their use within the first set time period. This may be due to the quality of the product, or the wrong type of e-cig (or e-liquid) being used.
So how do you go about finding the right, and more importantly, the best e-cig vape product to suit you, that you will be able to stick with?
Good question, as most advice is just based on general models, suiting either the complete beginner or an experienced vaper.
We here at SmokeTastic decided to write this guide, to help all sorts of users find the best e-cig to suit them, and form categories to suit the different type of user. Simply identify which category of vaper you fall into, and take a look at our suggestions to find the best e-cig device.
It couldn't be simpler!
The E Cigarette User
There are many different types of e-cigarette users around, and that's why no single guide can help you identify which is the best for you. Our guide is a little different, we look at the different types of users and then show you the key things you should look for to pick a more satisfying product
Complete Beginner
The complete beginner, has no idea about vaping or the different electronic cigarette products that are available. Wants an easy to use device which requires no real knowledge yet provides a satisfying vape.
This type of user has either smoked in the past, or is a current smoker wishing to cut down or quit. They want to experience an e-cig that feels and tastes like the real thing, satisfying them in both nicotine withdrawal and taste.
Tried Vaping Before
A user who has tried e-cigs before, but really didn't have much success with it, yet open to give it another go. With the right device to make the chances of success a lot greater.
The On/Off Vaper
The type of user switches from e-cigs and traditional cigarettes, but wants to vape more and smoke less. Chances are you need a device that's going to produce a better and smoother vape.
Experienced Vaper
The e-cig user who enjoys vaping to a certain degree, but thinks there may be better options to improve their experience. There are luckily many, so we break down your options.
The Complete Beginner
If you are completely new to vaping and want a simple to use e cigarette device, you have 2 choices:
- Cig-a-likes – The most basic e-cigs which looks like a real cigarette, with low power and a small amount of vapor.
- Vape Pods – Similar in functionality to a Cig-a-like, but with a fresh modern design.
The Cig-a-like is a 2 piece design, featuring a battery and a cartomizer (named so because it's a combination of an e-liquid cartridge, and an atomizer built into one).
The battery is more often than not automatic, which means instead of pressing a button when you vape, it automatically detects airflow and activates automatically. You do have to pick carefully, as the cartomizers only come in a limited amount of flavors and strengths.
One other thing to be cautious of, is the low power battery and thus a low amount of vapor this type of e cig produces. Although at first, it may seem to resemble smoking in many ways. Many people often give-up with vaping the Cig-a-like pretty quickly and move onto other types of e-cigs.
Vape pods are relatively new to the market, in comparison to Cig-a-likes, and are by far the most popular option for beginners. Thanks largely to their simplicity and modern look.
Again they are a two-piece design, comprising a battery and a cartridge, known as a pod. This pod is where the e-liquid and atomizer are held, so using the same principles as the Cig-a-like.
Make sure you look at the flavors, and strengths of the pods, as they can be limited. Ideally, you should choose one which is refillable, so you can use the same pod multiple times, which cuts down on cost and allows you to choose any e-liquid you like.
Vape Recommendation For The Complete Beginner
So what's the best e cig for the complete beginner?
Clear Fusion
The Clear Fusion kit from Mig Vapor is the perfect beginner electronic cigarette starter kit. A Couple of huge advantages of this e-cig is the battery life, in comparison to other cig-a-like, and the vape pod, but also the ability to use any e-liquid you like. Saving you money, and opening your choice to the whole e-liquid market.
The Ex-Smoker
You are looking for an e-cigarette that has all the same properties of a cigarette, which includes the pull resistance, taste, and nicotine content. With the idea of slowly reducing your nicotine intake over time.
In this case, you need to look for e-cigs that have a coil, (often referred to as an atomizer) of greater than 1-ohm. This type of coil is specifically designed for a mouth to lung vape and has a similar resistance to smoking a real cigarette. The vapor production on these types of devices is also similar to the amount of smoke your use too.
All Cig-a-like and Pod Vapes are of this nature, so the same principles apply here.
The most important thing to consider, is to choose an e-cig that allows you to refill with any e-liquid. This gives you the option to try multiple different tobacco and regular flavors than the sealed units. It also allows you to choose the strength of nicotine.
If your new to e-cigarettes, then it's best to start at a reasonably high level. That level depends on how often you plan to vape. For example, if you enjoy smoking, and just want an alternative then it's a good choice to pick between 6-12mg strength. If however, you just want a strong hit to get you through the day, then choosing a higher nicotine content will help, but not be as enjoyable.
Vape Recommendation For The Ex-Smoker
So what's the best e cig to help quit smoking?
Clear Fusion
The Clear Fusion kit, from Mig Vapor is also a pretty good pick for ex-smokers. Try a combination of tobacco e-liquids to start, but try to pick up some fruity flavors as well, you might just surprise yourself, and enjoy vaping that bit more!
The Return Vaper
You may have tried vaping before and it just didn't sit right for you. This may have been for a number of reasons. We'll explore a few to give you a better chance of sticking with it and more importantly, enjoying it!
There are many reasons why users don't stick with vaping, here are a few, and the things you should try next:
- The e-cig has a harsh feel on the throat – This is a too often heard about complaint you hear from ex-vapers and one that happens from a misunderstanding in advice.
- Problems with the feel of the draw from the e-cigarette – There are 2 types of vaping, one where you pull to your mouth, then into your lungs known as 'mouth to lung' and the other where you pull directly to the lungs known as 'direct lung inhales'.
- The e-cigarette taste wasn't right – There are so many e-liquids to try and all have a different blend, even if you just look at the tobacco flavor.
The harsh feel on the throat comes from using too high of a nicotine level in the e-liquid. It's often thought that if you're a heavy smoker, you need a stronger nicotine level, but this is completely wrong.
Think about it a little differently, if you enjoyed smoking and want to enjoy vaping, then to vape a 3mg e-liquid twice as much as a 6mg e-liquid, will give you the same amount of nicotine and satisfy your cravings. The lower the nicotine level the smoother the vape.
The difference between the 2 is controlled by the resistance of the coil, where mouth to lung users use a resistance above 1-ohm, and the direct lung inhale users use a resistance below 1-ohm, known as sub-ohm vaping.
Chances are, you were using the wrong type of coil to suit your preferred type of vaping. Most smokers moving onto vaping, start with mouth to lung and move onto direct lung inhales over time.
Try using an e-cig that allows you to refill, this way you have access to thousands more of flavors, and can even blend your own.
When you switch over to e-cigs, there is going to be a time where you need to get used to it. Many new vapers consider the experience like changing a brand of cigarette, to help them mentally get over that change.
Top Tip:
A top tip from us is to try the different fruit or menthol flavors, instead of trying to find an exact match of your current brand of cigarette. Often a complete change is better than a subtle one.
E-Cig Recommendation For The Return Vaper
So what's the best e cig for the return vaper?
FreeMax Twister AIO Vape Pen
The FreeMax Twister AIO Vape Pen, is a great choice for the return vaper, simple to use with adjustable wattage and mesh coils to maximize flavor. Simple to experiment with different e-liquids, and play around with airflow to suit your needs.
E-Cigs For The On and Off Vaper
If your the type of user who finds they keep jumping back and forth from vaping, then there's a good chance you haven't found the exact product that suits your type of vaping.
This could be due to a number of factors which include:
- The hit on your throat isn't as good as smoking. This could be due to the amount of nicotine in your e-liquid. Try switching to a 3mg juice temporarily, to see if that helps. Also, try switching to direct lung inhales, using a coil less than 0.5-ohms, this improves flavor and gives you the hit faster.
- The taste of the vape doesn't really hit the mark. Make sure you buy a device that is refillable and buy some test e-liquid sets, just smelling the juice in a shop, doesn't really give you an idea if it's going to be an 'all day vape' or not.
- The vape airflow isn't right. This really depends on the type of coil and vaping you are doing. If your doing 'mouth to lung', then buy a device that allows you to experiment with direct lung inhales. Also, get a device that has a good airflow control within it, allowing you to adjust the airflow to suit your needs.
- Too much of a pain to set it up. There are many devices on the market, some are incredibly tedious to set up, whilst there are some that are incredibly easy yet still produce a good vape.
E-Cig Recommendation For The On and Off Vaper
So what's the best e cig for the on and off vaper?
SMOK Species
The SMOK Species kit, is an ideal vape mod for those who want to really give vaping a good try. It has excellent airflow, and a huge choice of different coils to experience different pull strengths, and flavor enhancements. Top tip, try using the mesh coils to get the most out of your e-liquid. The SMOK Species also has great airflow control, and allows you to adjust the power to get an incredible custom vape, yet is relatively easy to use.
E-Cigs For The Experienced Vaper
This type of user may be experienced with vaping, and enjoys it to a certain effect, but want to get more from their vaping experience.
Luckily there are many additional choices, where you can experiment and try different setups, these include:
- Wattage and Temperature Control. – This is where you buy a vape mod that has both wattage and temperature control. With wattage control, you control the power going to the control, best around 50-100W. With temperature control, you control the temperature of the coil so you never experience a dry hit, you can also set the wattage in temperature control mode with some mods, so the wattage will drop as soon as the temperature of the coil gets too hot.
- RDA and RTA setups. – This is where you can build your own coils and screw them into your 'deck'. With RDA tanks you drip the e-liquid manually on the coils and vape. With RTA's you fill a tank above the coils like a regular tank. Check out the difference between RDA and RTAs for more information.
- Squonk Mods. – If you love the taste coming from an RDA, but don't like the idea of carrying a bottle around with you to 'drip' onto the coils, then a Squonk mod should be considered. It has a squeezable bottle built into the mod which you squeeze to drip e-liquid on your deck.
E-Cig Recommendation For The Experienced Vaper
So what's the best e cig for the more experienced vaper?
Voopoo Drag 2
The Voopoo Drag 2, is the perfect mod for the more experienced vaper with both wattage and temperature control. The original was one of the best selling mods of all time, and the Drag 2 is an improvement on that. It comes with a mesh coil tank, but you can use RDA and RTA tanks on it if you wish.
Need More Help?
If you are still struggling with finding the best e-cig product to suit your needs, well panic not! We have plenty of more guides to help you. Our first recommendation is to visit the list of best e-cigarettes we have compiled, alternatively, feel free to contact us, and we will do our best to help and advise you.
Important Things About Vaping To Remember!
You have to remember that everyone is different with different preferences, and tastes. If everyone was the same, they would all be smoking the same brand of cigarettes, and that clearly is not the case. So when trying an e-cigarette, you have to give it some time, it takes some getting use too like trying a different brand, but eventually, you do get used to it. This is where the hardship of switching to e-cigarette comes, it takes some time finding the right product, the right e-liquid and strength, and the right flavor, as well as getting used to the switch.
Last Bit Of Advice!
The best advice we can give is to make the switch a slow one, don't just quit on day one, take a little time choosing the right product by not only using our guides but asking friends and family who may have made the switch. Then when you're ready to buy, choose an e-cig that you can try different e-liquids with, and buy a variety of different strengths and flavors. When you find one you like, slowly vape more and more, reducing your cigarette smoking gradually until you have made a complete switch.
It's important to remember that vaping an electronic cigarette is a very personal thing. There is not one model that will suit all. Have a think about what type of smoker you are, then try to match and e cig that you will be most suited too. Many people start with the Cig-a-like type, and give up after a few tries, due to the lack of performance they give. We suggest starting on a slightly stronger type of device, like a small vape pen or vape pod.
If you still feel this is underwhelming, try moving onto the stronger vape pens, and make sure you get one where you can try your own e-liquids. E-liquid selection is almost as important as choosing the best e-cigarette.
Choose Which You Think Should Be The Best!
If you don't agree with our findings, then that's ok, and we would love to hear from you! To make it simple we have included a simple form that takes less than 10 seconds to fill in!
Please let us know which brand from the selection, or use the "other" field if we failed to mention it.
We take our reviews very seriously, so would obviously love to hear your opinions. You can also write to us directly, you can find out information in our contact us page above.
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Research shows that to keep up with the increase in demand on the planet's resources, we need to be building more energy efficient and sustainable buildings now.
Some countries have already begun and in this infographic we can see some inspiring and innovative buildings that are paving the way for a sustainable future.
Energy Effective and Sustainable Buildings by Cast Iron Radiators 4u.


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Online Sermons
Mailing & E-Mail Lists
Photo Gallery
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Contact Us
Temple Beth Shalom's Rabbi is pleased to share some past sermons with the congregation and the community. Please follow the links below to view past sermons.
Past Sermons:
The Rabbi's Sermons can temporarily be found in his blog, until we get this section of the website up and running.


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Pahokee Medical Marijuana Lawyer
An experienced Pahokee Medical Marijuana Lawyer will advise you on this flourishing industry in Florida.Do you need a Pahokee Medical marijuana lawyer? A Pahokee Medical marijuana lawyer is instrumental in offering legal advice in preparation for the potential legalization of medical marijuana in the state of Florida. Entities interested in this lucrative industry will profit greatly from crucial insights of a Pahokee Medical marijuana lawyer.It's hard for Floridians to understand what it will take to enter the Florida Medical Marijuana industry. Still, many want to get legal licenses to run successful marijuana businesses that will be compliant with Florida's pending legislation. Businesspersons should confer with a Pahokee Medical marijuana lawyer to better understand what's required in the legal process.Jeffrey E. Feiler, an experienced Pahokee Medical Marijuana Lawyer, is committed to assisting citizens to understand and obey the laws of Florida and the Policy of the United States Department of Justice. The purpose of our legal representation is to comply with existing law, understand the law as it evolves, and, if and when possible, to assist our Client to obtain lawful licensure. Indeed, the Law Firm will not counsel nor tolerate any Client who does not follow the law. Clients shall not possess, distribute, cultivate nor manufacture Marijuana or Paraphernalia unless and until such time as it is legal in the State of Florida and in accordance with the policy of the Federal Government.
Feiler Marijuana Law can help you stay in touch with important changing laws and prevent you from being penalized for non-compliance. Any fee agreed upon and paid to Feiler Marijuana Law is a fee for legal and advisory services only and not for any other purpose. Jeffrey Feiler was a key player during the Colorado's legalization of Medical Marijuana. As such, he is a highly-qualified Pahokee Medical marijuana lawyer. To discover more about the industry or schedule a consultation, contact Feiler Marijuana Law at (305) 662-5663.


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Download Group as a Zip file
- Log into your Artstor account and open a Group. Multimedia files will not download.
- Click Download on the utility bar, or from the Share menu choose Download Image Group.
- The Export/Download Guidelines will alert you to the number of images you have downloaded in the 120-day period and provide a link to our Terms & Conditions of Use.
- Choose Download Zip.
- Save the zipped image file to your computer. Or, open the file immediately using a zip utility.
- You can match the metadata file (html) to its corresponding jpeg by referring to the image ID in the last part of the filename.


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Trial opens for Arkansas judge after son's death in hot car
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Jury selection has started for an Arkansas judge charged with negligent homicide after his 18-month-old son died after being left in a hot car last summer.
Wade Naramore is charged in the July 2015 death of Thomas Naramore. Because of pretrial publicity, clerks summoned a larger number of potential jurors Monday.
Naramore faces up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. His lawyer has said the boy's death was "a tragedy but not a crime."
The judge stopped hearing cases after his son's death, with special judges stepping in to hear cases.
His lawyers asked Monday that jurors not be shown autopsy photos, saying they weren't pertinent to the case.


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From 1 to 21 October 2012, the IEEE Job Site will host a free Cloud Computing Virtual Career Fair sponsored exclusively by Microsoft. The career fair will allow software engineers to conduct job searches and apply for open positions in Microsoft's Server & Tools Business. Microsoft staffers will be available for a Live Online Chat during the week of 12 October. Click here for more information – http://careers.ieee.org/vcf/
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My sermon series for the new year is "Relevance." It's funny, our worship leader asked if I had misspelled it. He asked if I meant "Reverence." I asked several colleagues of mine if they had any material on relevance. One responded by saying the church doesn't have to be relevant. She is counter-culture and will never be in the position of being relevant to the world. I feel as if she MUST be relevant. True, there will be those who will deny (and we're seeing that right now) the purpose of the church and its existence. But if it doesn't maintain some kind of relevance, why bother?
Several years ago I heard David Barton, a well-known historian, speak on the affect of the church on our government in our early years as a country. He explained that when a legislative matter came up, the state and federal legislature would ask the pastors of the nation what the Bible said on the matter. Pastors would research the issue, preach a sermon on the topic, then the body would debate and vote on the matter. We've come a long way since those days. Rarely, if ever, are the Scriptures searched to see if something should be enacted into law.
As I see it, the church has two problems. One is arrogance. I feel as if we have taken the same position as the Israelites. We are God's people. He loves us and us only. Leave us alone. We're drawing the circle smaller and smaller so no one else can get in. So, STAY OUT!!
The second problem I see is there is increasingly no difference between the world and the church. Although Scripture is very clear concerning our relationship with the world, we just can't seem to let go. We worship together on Sunday and act one way, then go to work on Monday and act another way. Some will lie and cheat and say, "It's just business." Others will forget their marriage vows and say "Oh, it's just a little teasing." Still others will drink until drunk and call it networking. And others will back-stab and step on their colleagues as they climb the corporate ladder.
By being relevant, we aren't changing the message of the gospel. We are just trying to make the gospel what it was intended to be in the first place....practical in everyday life. Instead of going to church, we need to BE the church. We need to not be afraid because God has promised us He would be with us. A good definition of godliness is always knowing the presence of God. His presence should make us bold.
I recently read about a lady who hosted Elizabeth Elliot. If you remember, Elizabeth Elliot is the lady whose husband was murdered by natives in South America. He and his team were trying to spread the gospel to those who had never heard it before. Instead, they met their demise. Later, Mrs. Elliot went back to those same people who had killed her husband and lived among them and taught them the gospel. This lady asked her what she could do to be a better wife, mother, and servant of Jesus. Mrs. Elliot thought for a moment and then replied, "Do the next thing."
We have no idea what the "next thing" is. But we can commit to trusting God knowing that He knows what the next thing is. In order to be relevant in this world, we must commit to doing what Jesus called us to be...salt and light. Light to disperse the darkness in this evil world. And salt to preserve the goodness of what we find around us.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9


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As we all know, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced yesterday that the government's 2009-2010 budget deficit will be upwards of $50 billion dollars, rather than the originally planned $33.7 billion laid out in the budget.
Surely, though, this is simply a result of poorer-than-expected economic performance, right? The finance minister and government couldn't be at fault.
Not quite, says Terence Corcoran.
... blaming growing deficits on the recession and unforeseen turns in the economy is a political device rather than a solid explanation. Today's deficits in Ottawa are a direct product of five years of fiscal expansionism and continued spending increases. Spending has been rising at twice the rate of population growth and inflation, an unsustainable trend.
In a commentary today in the Financial Post, the Fraser Institute's Niels Veldhuis plots the numbers. Mostly under a Conservative government, average annual spending rose 6.2%, exactly double the rate of growth suggested by the increase in population and inflation. Spending this year is heading for a gain of more than 10% - before taking into account the final auto bailout numbers.
When governments run up big spending increases during boom times - as Ottawa and all the province did - then there's nothing left to tap into when the economy slows down. There's no buffer. Revenues fall and spending growth increases, creating a deficit trap from which there is no escape other than waiting for the private economy to catch up with public spending and begin the "Now you pay for it" phase.
Veldhuis, in his article, suggests legal restrictions on government spending to help to keep it from getting out of control as it has in Canada and, to be fair, all over the world. Canadians ought to see his point.
Cross posted to the Shotgun.