text:
First things first, my surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, February 20. Yeah, THIS Wednesday! I am going to have an APC, which stands for Allograft Prosthetic Composite. An allograft is bone from a cadaver (dead person). The prosthetic part is the metal part. I get to have both. I really want to include the details of surgery on here both for myself and for other people to know what's going on (I will probably even tell my parents to look at this blog for the details because it's hard to explain) so I'm sorry if this is just way too much information for you. You can skip over it if you want. I won't be sad!
Alright, so as you most likely know, the cancer is inside the top of my tibia (the shin bone). Here is a picture of my MRI. The big white spot (not the glare from the camera, but the other white spot) is the tumor in my left leg. The bone should all be black in the image, like it is in my right leg.
This is a better picture, but for some reason Blogger is automatically rotating it and I can't figure out how to unrotate it. So lame.
Here is an image of the cross section of my bone. So imagine if you cut the bone and looked inside of it. This is what you would see. (I circled the cancerous part for you juuuust in case you couldn't see it).
Alright, so that's where the tumor is. Since it is inside of the bone (which a lot of people don't realize) you can't just go in, take out the tumor, and call it a day. The bone itself has got to go. 15-20 years ago it would have been a given that I would lose my leg. Today they can do some truly remarkable things to help me keep it. It's called limb-salvage surgery. What they are going to do is remove the top portion of my tibia and put something similar to this (but not exactly) in its place.
Typically when you replace someone's knee you can just have a smaller version of that metal contraption, but because they have to remove the top part of my tibia it's a little more complicated.
Here is a model of a leg.
Looking at this model you can see why it would be challenging to remove that top portion of my tibia. There is a tendon attached to it. They have not yet found a way to attach the tendon to a metal rod, so they have to put an allograft (remember that means a bone from a dead person) on the rod like in the above picture. The allograft they give me will still have the tendon attached. They will then suture the dead person tendon to my tendon and I will end up with something sort of like this (the top metal portion is different from what mine will be like, but the rod and bones are about the same). The black arrow is pointing to the allograft, the white arrow is pointing to my bone that's left. Hopefully you can imagine the tendon part.
Sorry, I know it's confusing, but it's hard to find images online of exactly what I'm going to get. It's a fairly rare form of cancer and the most common place to get it is in your femur.
So I'm going to be in the hospital (my home away from home) for 5ish days and then I will be on crutches for 3-6 months. Yuck. I remember playing around with my brother's crutches and my under arms would hurt after about 2 minutes. Maybe there is a special technique for using crutches that I don't know about. I was talking to an old man with a cane and I told him I would prefer a cane over crutches. He was like "But if you have two crutches you can hit two people at the same time!" Ha ha. So that is what I plan to do to maintain a positive attitude. . . go around hitting people with my crutches.
Long term we're not sure exactly what life will be like for me. I might have a limp for the rest of my life, I might not. One thing that was really hard for me is the surgeon told me that he doesn't want me to run ever again. I think he saw my eyes well up when he said that and so he followed it up by saying "You never know, nothing is 100%." But I do think it would be a huge risk to put that much impact on a carefully pieced together leg/knee. I've never been a super consistent runner, but it's always been something that I've loved. I ran track and cross-country in high school and I've had waves of consistent running throughout the last 5 years of being in Utah. It is truly one of the best feelings to go out and run faster and farther than you did the day before. I love mapping runs and setting goals for faster times. My doctor said he would recommend things like biking and swimming, but yesterday I just felt overwhelmed with sadness because those aren't things that I'm passionate about.
I say "felt" in the past tense because today I see it differently. I realize what a miracle it is that I CAN KEEP MY LEG. Guys, I'm going to be able to walk, and swim, and bike, and do almost everything that normal people do despite having cancer, despite having part of my bone removed, and despite having a chunk of metal in my knee and my tendon sutured to a dead person's tendon. I think sometimes I'll still feel sad that I can't go out for a run and I still might be super jealous of people that post on Facebook about the races they're entering, but I just need to try to remember how incredible my body is in overcoming the things it has overcome. I might not ever be able to run a faster mile time, but I've destroyed a malignant tumor and come out on top despite being consistently poisoned for many months. At least I hope that will be the case in 5.5 months when I finish treatment!


text:
Who We Are
Above all else, I am a tinkerer. Plain and simple.
Whether it was the broken toaster when I was five, or my first car as a teenager, I have always reveled in the simple and satisfactory act of making things work. It's an art as much as it is a process, simultaneously satisfying both hemispheres of my brain.
Every day I go to work and am handed a puzzle, and it's my charge to piece it all together. Which is why I've spent years filling my toolbox with an array of gadgets and gizmos, softwares and styles, to get the job done, all the while gaining a sure and steady hand at using them.
Depending on the task, I assume the role of animator or designer, director or programmer. I chisel, and hone, and polish.
In a word, I tinker.
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, I graduated from the Art Institute of Portland with my Bachelor's in 2005 and promptly began freelancing at wonderful agencies around town before permalancing at Sockeye Creative for a bit before settling down as a staff editor at Mission Control. In my six or so years at Mission Control, I gradually found myself doing more and more motion graphic and animation work, before setting out on my own in the Autumn of 2012 to pursue the world of motion graphics full time.
I am now based in Salamanca, Spain, working remotely with clients around the world. If you're interested in collaborating with me, or simply want to say hello, drop me a line at email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Monday, January 11, 2010
Caravaggio's Modernity
Caravaggio is my favorite painter. Painting in the beginning of the era known as "Counter-reformation," Caravaggio is known for his realism, his use of light and shadow and the dynamic scenes he depicts in his pictures. He was definitely a contemporary artist, in the current sense of the word. Whereas his contemporaries were still painting angels and prophets in heaven in the Renaissance style, Caravaggio chose his models from the slums of Rome, and painted Biblical scenes in contemporary Rome. This struck a chord in the illiterate masses, whom the Catholic church were trying to "protect" from the influence of the Reformation coming from the Teutonic world. Not similar to contemporary artists of today, he was very popular among the masses.
There was something very "modern" in Caravaggio's attitude and style, that I could feel and see in his paintings, and was not able to name. Yesterday, I started reading Michael Focault's review of Kant's short piece "Answer to the question: What is Enlightment?" In it I found exactly the phrase, which describes Caravaggio's modernity:
"Modernity is the attitude that makes it possible to grasp the 'heroic' aspect of the present moment. Modernity is not a phenomenon of sensitivity to the fleeting present; it is the will to 'heroize' the present."
The paintings The Calling of St. Matthew and The Card Players demonstrate this point extremely well.
3 comments:
- aysenaz said...
guzel bir inceleme.
- aysenaz said...
buna ulkemizden edebiyatta bir ornek de sait faiki verebiliriz boyle dusunursek. o da siradan insani kahraman haline getirmiyor ama, guzellestiriyor, ve deger veriyor. ya da mesela sadece insani degil, dulger baligini da.
- Ahmet C. Toker said...
"Modernity is not a phenomenon of sensitivity to the fleeting present; it is the will to 'heroize' the present."
Bence bir fark var. Guzellestirmek, degeer vermek biraz daha "sensitivity" gibi bence.
Türkiye'de bu anlamda bir modernizm gelisti mi bilemiyorum.
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
And the lesson was clear: things are not as they appear to be. For some peculiar reason she wished to play this man in an intimate version of the Great Game. The challenge had been made the moment he had forced her to submit to his buy candles uk rules Very well, she thought, as she regarded him, you have made the rules, but you will still lose. She didnt understand buy candles uk why it was important to vanquish this slave, but her intent to do so matched her desire to see the Minwanabi ground into the dust. Kevin must come to be her subject in ever way, giving her the same unquestioning obedience as every other member of her household. Kevin had been in her presence for nearly ten minutes, silently waiting as she finished reading reports.
Reaching for her opening gambit, she said, Would you care for something to drink? He weighed her words well enough to know she did not offer conciliation, then shook his head.
After another silence, she asked, On your world is it possible for a slave to go free? His fingers flicked, and candles buy uk fringes scattered in a snap of pentup frustration. Not in the Kingdom, for only criminals with life punishment are sold as slaves. But in Kesh and Queg, a buy candles uk slave who pleases his master may earn freedom as a reward. Or he may escape and eco-friendly wedding candles make his way across the borders.
Flick, flick, one finger after another lashed the fringes; his emotions buy uk candles could be read like a scroll. Distracted by julies candles his openness, the Lady struggled to pursue her line of thought, to eplore her improbable supposition one step further. And once across the borders, such a runaway might accumulate wealth and live in honour among other men?
Kevin thumped his palms on his knees and leaned back at his ease on one elbow, ready to add more, but Mara cut him off.
Then you believe that if you were to find a way buy 3 inch pillar candles back across the rift to your own world, you would be able to regain your position, your honour, and your title? Lady, said Kevin with a patronizing smile, not only would I reclaim my former position, I would have won distinction, for contriving escape from my enemies, to once again take the field to oppose them, and to give hope to future captives that they might also find freedom. It is the buy candles uk duty of a captured soldier to escape, in my nation.
Again she was forced to reeamine her concepts of honour, buy candles uk loyalty, and where ones best interests lay.
The barbarians words made sense, in an buy candles uk oddly disquieting way. These people were not intractable, or stupid, but acting within a strange cultures tenets; she grappled with the concept stubbornly. If, within Kevins society, his defiance was seen as heroic, his behaviour made a perverted sort of sense. But to endure humiliation degradation so that one could someday return and again contest with the enemy Her head swam from ideas that, until now, she had held to be profoundly conflicting.


text:
Uplands is a purpose built secondary special school for students who have severe or profound multiple learning difficulties. Some of our students have additional needs such as sensory impariment, physical disability or autism. All students are aged 11-19 years and have a statement of special educational needs.
We need you to help us raise £130 which will enable our school to have a pack of 10 fruit trees, which we can plant in our school grounds and teach all our pupils the importance of growing our own produce.
It only takes 13 people to pledge on £10 and recieve a discount on a Woodland Trust membership to get us to our target and recieve trees to plant in the school. We can do this!
We believe this project is so beneficial to all our pupils, we will be able to educate on sustainable and local produce and by planting our own trees we will be able to do this with our very own produce. Just one pack will provide us with 10 fruit trees including four apples, two pear, two plum, one quince and one medlar. All trees are kindly donated by Otter Farm. The fruit trees are two years old and will fruit next year.
Our campaign is supported by Abel and Cole, The Woodland Trust and River Cottage, who are both kindly donating some amazing rewards.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall said: "I find the idea that the next generation could be growing more fruit, eating more fruit and cooking their fruit in a much more creative way incredibly exciting. I want to do what I can to make that happen."
With your help we can get all our pupils involved with a great project and show them how much benefit 20 trees can make to our school. We can use the fruit in our canteen and allow children to eat it during the school day. This also promotes healthy eating.
Please support us and help our school start a sustainable project with real educational benefit. All trees are provided by Otter Farm.
Thank You
If we exceed our target, we will use all the extra funds for enviromental projects going on at the school, minus the 5% crowdfunder admin fee.
Our Supporters:


text:
Diana Blass
Diana Blass joined Chasing News in November 2014. She loves digging into issues related to government spending, politics, and human interest, never hesitating where the chase might take her.
Some of her more memorable stories include uncovering gang activity in NYC's Harlem Snug program, jumping into NYC dumpsters to investigate "freeganism", and exploring the mysterious rise of dead fish on Long Island's shores.
Diana has experience at CBS News and Fox News. Her stories have been published in The Military Times, McClatchy Newspapers, and MarketWatch.
Before joining Chasing News, Diana worked as a one-man-band video journalist in Connecticut for It's Relevant. She holds a master's degree from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism and received her bachelor's degree from American University.


text:
Giant Cross, UFOs, Roads, Domes and more: Mars Curiosity
Primary tabs
Mars Curiosity Rover Captures A Giant Cross, UFOs, Roads, A Finger, Domes, A Mouse and a Snake, A Jewelry Box, Dolls, Metal Parts and a Rad - All in HD!
I have always been interested in Mars, from looking at it through my newly earned telescope at age 11, to Astronomy classes at the Hayden Planetarium in 1963, to reading the CS Lewis Book about 'Malachandra', [Mars] in volume I of the famous children author and philosopher, C.S. Lewis' space trilogy for adults:
Out of the Silent Planet, 1938
Perelandra, 1948
That Hideous Strength, 1945
to the Viking missions to photograph the surface of Mars in the mid 1970s. But at this point we have to thank Richard C. Hoagland for noticing that things were not as NASA hoped they would be as far as the public is concerned. His website http://www.enterprisemission.com is ground breaking in every way. Here we see Richard for perhaps what he is most famous for:which is of course publicizing the FACE ON MARS. This by itself caused such controversy that for some, their opinion of the man has never recovered. He discovered that Mars had oceans and the FACE pointed skyward on an island in a harbor in which the shore was the ancient city of Cydonia. With pyramids lining both sides of a wide avenue, and with a huge pyramid at the end of the road, the Earth could be seen once a year rising from the lips of the face when viewed down the avenue from the the apex of the great pyramid. To accomplish that, seeing as how Mars is much smaller than Earth and has a more severe horizon curvature, "someone" cut down the mountains behind the FACE on the opposite shore, so that the Earth WOULD rise out of the lips.
But Richard went on to pursue every image coming back from Mars, whether it be from orbiters, like Viking, or landers like Spirit, and everywhere he looked were ruins and evidence of a previous civilization. Hoagland's site is packed with photos, all in the public domain, from NASA, showing unmistakeable evidence of a prior civilization on Mars. More than that, the evidence points directly to human workmanship and living on the surface. My favorites of those thousands on Hoagland's site have to be the ruins of a WWII Panzer tank with tracks and a turret with an artillery gun barrel, and the many ruins of cities revealed by infrared photography. Of course, who would have brought a WWII tank to Mars; but perhaps the idea of such a weapon has pre-existed modern Earth society, and, well, you know the saying, 'there is nothing new under the sun'. But the fact remains there it is, and when it was noticed, NASA went back to the photo and retouched the gun barrel out of the photo. Here it is, just so you get used to incredible 'human' objects on Mars:and once again, from Enterprisemission.com, Hoagland pointing out how NASA went back to eliminate the barrel: [After all, how could rocks erode to horizontal spindles ten feet long?]
But here we have another one. Yes there is more than one. I guess if you need weapons for a war, you want to and need to have more than one. Was there a war on Mars? Nobody knows for sure,but there are a lot of interesting metal ruins for a 'lifeless planet'.
And briefly, let us look at one of the ruins taken by infrared cameras. There are plenty of such photos and they match the terrain anyone who has been in an airplane sees in fields, roads and cities.
One can never thank Hoagland and his associates enough for devoting years to going through these Mars photos as they came in. NASA has always maintained that it is 'looking for life on Mars'. But as photography advances, that has become more of a joke than not. Please spend some time in Hoagland's archives to satisfy yourself that humans, extraterrestrial or extramartian, have built monumental structures similar to those on Earth, and lived in them and worked in them. And then they were destroyed. We know not when or who, or do we?
So, along comes ESA, the European Space Agency, with no interest in covering up anything, and they put up the MARS EXPRESS ORBITER. The very first thing we learn is that NASA has been tinting the photos of Mars RED to make it seem as if they are exploring the barren red planet. Whoa, Mars Express showed us browns and GREENS. Well, that means there is an atmosphere, a blue sky, water, and chlorophyll. Hoagland told us NASA was lying, and ESA proved it:
Then NASA sent the twin rovers to Mars and started photographing all kinds of other ruins and relics. Without showing them, let me list a few: human skulls, buildings, statues, lakes, waterfalls, seashells, fossils, tracks, tubes, roads, cities, buildings, pyramids, tunnels, ramps, monoliths, and spires. Obviously someone was mining on Mars. Here is an open pit metal mine, most likely gold was the subject; but gold is usually found with silver, zinc, tin, lead, copper, mercury, nickel, and even some exotic metals like titanium, zirconium, and beryllium. In the formation of planets, volcanic vapors condense and particularly metals condense, in the same broad temperature range and so are frequently found together. Look at it:
Do we know who was mining gold and what methods they used to wash the ore? You betcha. You have to look to the ancient Sumerian tablets to find out a lot of things related to today, right now. But you don't read Sumerian. The recently deceased author, Zacharia Sitchin, published his book 'THE TWELFTH PLANET' in 1974. It translates earlier archeological works of Europeans and clarifies earlier misunderstandings. It is the history of tall selfish human extraterrestrials from Nibiru, aka 'PLANET X', which is in orbit around the sun and its dead twin, and returns every 3,657 years. These people from there call themselves the Annunaki, and they learned that if they powdered gold and put it in the atmosphere of their 29,000 mile diameter oceanic, atmospheric, and volcanic home planet, they could stay warmer between trips through our solar system. Thus, right there, we have an advanced technological society, just a few years ahead of our present Earth technology, but who had an overriding interest and ability in acquiring gold.
The Sumerian history of the Annunaki relates that they came to Earth perhaps 600,000 years ago to mine gold and did so for hundreds of thousands of years. Then, they rebelled, saying, why do we have to do the work when we can create a race of slaves and THEY can mine the gold? So, mankind was created, just smart enough to be good gold miners, and intentionally defective in a way that we would not realize that we are eternal souls, and the Annunaki are not the gods they pretended to be.
This was about 400,000 years ago, and anthropologists have discovered using DNA that all humans came from one woman in Africa about 400,000 years ago. That she was Annunaki and we are the descendents of the adams and eves, confirms Sitchin's books, and the Sumerian scrolls. You can read about that yourself, and I suggest that you do.
Each person has to choose what he or she is going to believe. There will always be some who do not believe in ETs, or life on other planets, and to them I say, make yourself happy. To the rest, let us move along to 1995 when Nancy Lieder began taking questions from the public and telepathically asking them of the 100 percent human unselfish ETs known as the Zetas. The Zetas warn of imminent poleshift to be caused by the approach, not collision, to Earth, of Planet X. They emphasize that not only is this a natural disaster which cannot be averted, but also a graduation of Earth to a higher density, a higher frequency, and thus is an important fork in the road for the progress of the soul: service to other vs service to self. The Zetas have answered many questions about the Annunaki and their gold mining and their failure to progress beyond service to self. In those questions and answers are many discussions of Mars. I leave it to you to go to the website http://www.zetatalk.com and read the entire panorama of information for yourself. There are 11 other mirror sites, in most languages, and it is, all 39,000 plus web pages, for free. I am vouching for the quality of the information as my wife and I have had contact with benevolent ETs ourselves, including the Zetas. Again, if you do not want to believe this, then don't.
Moving along back to Mars, the Zetas have said that the Annunaki landed on the ocean planet Mars at the same time as on Earth, and built the same pyramid complexes, cities and facilities as on Earth. Being selfish and uncaring, they washed vast amounts of gold ore, called dredging and sluicing operations, by draining the oceans into the interior of Mars. Well, guess what? The Annunaki changed the climate of Mars making it far less favorable for residence. But more importantly, having used all the water up for gold mining, they had to stop the mining, and thus their purpose was negated for being on Mars. Without being able to put a date on it, this probably happened around 500,000 years ago, and made the project on Earth that much more important. Here, from Hoagland's site is a photo of one of the massive tube structures for which Hoagland can only wonder a purpose:
These are NASA photos and NASA isn't commenting other that to say there is no life verified on Mars yet, as if all these structures and improvements do not by themselves yell LIFE ON MARS. As Nancy Lieder has said, 'It is as if NASA speaks out of both sides of its mouth.' It makes you wonder if the original movie 'Total Recall' was right in that if the water could be brought back to the surface of Mars, the 'terraforming' would restore it to its former inhabitability. This would not be the only time benevolent guides and ETs have guided authors and filmmakers to write the actual truth as fiction.
Skipping over all the other rovers and orbiters on and around Mars, we come to the MARS CURIOSITY ROVER. Benevolent ETs in the Council of Worlds will not allow the rich and powerful elite to manufacture, install and use any equipment to escape Earth at poleshift because that has been the intention of NASA all along since it was created in 1958. There have been discussions of how the elite could survive poleshift and allow the common man to be expendable. One series of discussions are known as Alternatives 1, 2 and 3. Selfish ETs promised the elite that they would help the powerful escape the cataclysm, the apocalypse, on Earth. But they lied, and they, even if they meant it, will not be allowed anyway, by benevolent ETs. They say this is a spiritual lesson and no one is allowed to cut the class. But Curiosity had a benevolent purpose, even if part of the justification was selfish: to promote discoveries on Mars which would, in a down economy, justify further exploration of Mars. So the rover was launched and it landed successfully on Mars last August. The name of the rover itself is 'Curiosity' sort of like you might name your car 'Betty'. On the rover is the heart of the mission, supposedly, called the 'Mars Science Laboratory' or 'MSL'. But, based on what I am about to show you, the MSL is NOT the heart of the mission. The star of the mission has to be, without a doubt, the high resolution camera on Curiosity.
You might ask, why did the scientists at JPL and NASA choose to land in the GALE CRATER? That is a really good question, seeing what has been photographed there. Coincidentally, Janet brought me home from the post office an interesting magazine sent to the local library and discarded. I like to learn about things I would otherwise not known, and she knew I would probably like this large format magazine that she herself did not understand at all. Well guess what? It was the seasonal publication of a large geographic mapping company named ESRI. And this ESRI magazine is called ArcNews Fall 2012 Volume 34, No. 3. You can look up and read the article to be discussed at the following link, for free: http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/fall12articles/mapping-a-mission-to-mars.html
It seems that JPL and NASA had a bigger rover and they could not just land it anywhere. They hired ESRI to map several, actually 30 different, locations on Mars, with routes a large rover could take. Ostensibly, the mission is to "roam an ancient impact crater searching for clues to Mars' dynamic history." Using extremely high definition photographs of the surface translated to topographical maps, ESRI actually plotted the step by step routes. And then JPL and NASA chose the Gale Crater.
Part II will be published on November 20, 2012!


text:
Gordon and Bayani 2010
So. Bayani has finally declared. I applaud him and Richard Gordon for the guts to try to set things right without waiting for the "right" moment. I know it's stressful. It's even stressful for the family (the Carloses) for Bayani just to declare. Yet… the chance to make a difference.
What I see is a team who will make intelligent decisions putting personal gain subject to what's good for the country. What I see is a team who cares not so much what people think of them now, but how historians will jugdge them decades hence. I see a team who will focus on the greatest good for the greatest people and might thus draw the ire of the elite. I see a team who will support whole heartedly the efforts of Efren Penaflorida without considering for a minute how they might leverage that to their own goals.
There's a lot of work to be done to mold the Filipino Psyche into one unselfish. To truly guide our country into the path of enlightenment where the common man/woman/child, the masa, thinks not just of himself but of the greater good. I see a team who can INSPIRE.
No comments yet.


text:
204 pages
A History of the Chinese Language provides a comprehensive introduction to the historical development of the Chinese language from its proto Sino-Tibetan roots in prehistoric times to Modern Standard Chinese. Taking a highly accessible and balanced approach, it presents a chronological survey of the various stages of Chinese language development, covering crucial aspects such as phonology, syntax and semantics.
Features include:
Written by a highly experienced instructor, A History of the Chinese Language will be an essential resource for beginning students of Chinese Language and Linguistics and for anyone interested in the history and culture of China.
"This is an important and valuable book for anyone interested in the Chinese language and its history. It offers a gripping account of what the language was like thousand years ago and how it reached its present state. The author's clear and reader-friendly style makes it a pleasure to read." Boping Yuan, University of Cambridge, UK.
"The book takes us on a very interesting journey through the history of the Chinese language. The subheadings catch our imagination and lead us into a rich world by showing the language through a social and historical perspective. The reader friendly approach makes the reading enjoyable…a good reference for students and teachers of Chinese as well as for scholars interested in the Chinese language." Lianyi Song, SOAS, UK.
"Students and amateur linguists interested in the history of Chinese language have not always been able to find introductory-level materials written in English on the topic; A History of the Chinese Language remedies this lack most commendably. The author has done a marvelous job in condensing the vast landscape of the historical development of Chinese languages into a brief but comprehensive single volume -- a careful synthesis of Chinese linguistic facts, non-controversial research accomplishments, and fundamental facts about the history of Chinese language woven together with amusing stories and legends. This neatly packaged history lays a solid foundation for beginning readers and prepares them for further exploration of the field while proving itself a fascinating, engaging, and absorbing read."- Song Jiang, The University of Hawai'i at Manoa, USA
Preface. List of tables List of figures 1. A Walk Through Time: General Introduction 2. A Tale of Two Tribes: Prehistory 3. Thus Spake Confucius: Sounds of Old Chinese 4. Poetically they dwelt: Sounds of Middle Chinese 5. Marco Polo's Phrasebook: Sounds of Early Modern Chinese 6. Philosophy and History: Classical Chinese 7. Literature and Religion: Vernacular Writing 8. In Other Words: vocabulary change 9. One for all: Modern Standard Chinese 10. Celebration of Diversity: Modern Chinese Dialects 11. The Legend of Cangjie: Chinese characters References Appendices I-V Index


text:
OPI produces a full range of hand and nail care products.
Lotions and treatments create and maintain a healthy clean
canvas, while acrylics, gels and color are the palette to create
the looks that are the desire of any fashionable woman.
Neither OPI Nail Lacquers nor any other OPI products or
services are subject to animal testing.
Gelcolor by OPI
Gelcolor by OPI is a Ultraviolet manicure system that allows
your nails to stay healthy and strong while maintaining the
chic shine of a salon service.
Gelcolor goes on like polish, cures in 30 seconds, and lasts
for weeks. With Gelcolor you are sure to fall in love with
your nails again…and you won't have to worry about
damaging them.


text:
Salary and benefits
£18,000 to £30,000 per annum
up to 6 months
- Lowestoft
- Suffolk
- Accountancy
Reference: 10019/001_1528728178
Our client, a leading company in its sector and recipient of multiple awards, has a 3-6 months contract requirement for a Finance Project Controller.
Mandatory requirement SAGE and Finance Project Control experience
* Manage the project control process from a Financial aspect/support managers to validate forecasts and Costs to Complete/ explain deviations to Budget
* Ensure that all Financial Documents that are required for the project review process are prepared in a timely manner for Manager, attend Projects Reviews
* Maintain Projects Budget in Sage and ensure margin on Variation Orders are reported correctly
* Provide input on risks, opportunities and claims valuation
* Ensure all team members are fully conversant with the project and implications of new processes.
* Manage cash by following up actual figures and forecasts and follow up the implementation of cash improvement actions
* Establish and manage trading plan, recognise revenue milestones in SAP and ensure appropriate documentary evidence is obtained in line with Accounting and GE Rules
* Close-Out Projects in timely manner
* Provide project KPIs and coordinate with other finance interfaces: controllership, FP&A, CAS, external auditors
Qualifications & Skills:
* Degree or equivalent professional accounting qualification
* Good knowledge of Sage is essential
* Good excel skill and powerpoint is essential
* Good analytical skill is essential
Desired Characteristics:
* Finance Project Controlling experience
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate in a clear/concise manner
* Works well under pressure and achieves deadlines
* Confidence/Assertiveness: strong influencing skills across various business functions
Job Reference: 10019/001_1528728178
Salary: £18000 - £30000 per annum
Salary per: Annum
Job Duration: Up to 6 months
Job Start Date: ASAP
Job Type: Temporary
Job Industry: Accountancy


text:
Attendance at last week's AirVenture was 541,000, up 1.3% from from 2010.
"This year's event was a tremendous success," said Rod Hightower, EAA president. "From the arrival of the Boeing 787 to our tributes to Bob Hoover and Burt Rutan, all the way through the huge crowd on the flight line for Saturday's night air show, the spirit of aviation was alive and well at Oshkosh this year. You could sense the enthusiasm for aviation and the future of flight throughout the AirVenture grounds.
"The final attendance figure came in almost exactly where we thought it would," he continued. "Opening day was a tremendously successful day, while Friday was very close to a record and Saturday — with the superb lineup and night air show — was a big draw. Only some rainy weather in the middle of the week prevented the increase from being even greater."
More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin for the event. Total showplanes numbered 2,522, up 142 aircraft from 2010. That total includes 974 homebuilt aircraft, 899 vintage airplanes, 367 warbirds, 94 ultralights, 92 seaplanes, 36 aerobatic aircraft, 30 rotorcraft, and 30 miscellaneous.
There were 803 commercial exhibitors, up from 777 in 2010.
There were 2,098 international visitors registered from 68 nations, with Canada (551 visitors), Australia (297), and Brazil (257) the top three nations. EAA officials note this total includes only non-U.S. visitors who registered at the International Visitors Tent, so the actual international contingent is undoubtedly larger.
What's ahead for 2012?
"Next year, for the 60th annual EAA fly-in, we'll be honoring Paul and Audrey Poberezny for all that they have done for the aviator community," Hightower said. "We'll also welcome the iconic Piper Cub on its 75th anniversary. We're encouraging all owners of this legendary airplane to come to Oshkosh and turn the field yellow. We are going to be hosting a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, inviting all surviving members of this renowned World War II unit to join us at AirVenture. In addition, we'll recognize Van's Aircraft founder Dick VanGrunsven, whose RV series of aircraft have become the most popular homebuilt aircraft kits in the world. And, of course, there will be plenty of additions and one-of-a-kind surprises that can be found only at Oshkosh."
Next year's show is slated for July 23-29, 2012.
For more information: AirVenture.org


text:
Viewing results with the tag "Compilation"
Download RareBreed's free Winter 2015/2016 Sampler
December 15, 2015 in News
As Henry James once said,"Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind."The compilation is a comprehensive and compulsively listenable packageThe effort to... Read more
Music Unites: Reggae Around the World, Volume 4
February 16, 2015 in News
Music Unites - Reggae Around The World is back with the fourth installment of their charity-inspired reggae compilations. Volume four is a representation of the diversity within today's reggae genre. Tracks by rising reggae artists Leilani Wolfgramm, the upbeat English band Gentleman&rsquo... Read more
"Cali Green Mix" by Mighty Mystic
January 20, 2014 in News
VP Records, the geniuses behind the Dub Rockers Compilation released in August of 2013, just published an amazing mix to their SoundCloud featuring many hard hitting acts like John Brown's Body, J Boog, Mighty Mystic, SOJA, and the list seemingly goes on and on. ... Read more
Dub Rockers Compilation Volume 1 out now
August 28, 2013 in News
VP Records in partnership with Vans, who has brought you the iconic skater kicks you probably have in your closet, just released its debut reggae compilation titled Dub Rockers - Various Artists - Volume 1. VP Records has noted and recognized a shift in the... Read more


text:
A small locally-owned company offering Lawncare in Hampstead, and surrounding areas ( Topsail Beach, Surf City, Holly Ridge, Sneads Ferry, Scotts Hill, Ogden, Porters Neck, Wilmington). With our experience, we make it easy for people to maintain their yard by offering affordable and efficient care.
230 Cardinal Acres Drive, Hampstead, North Carolina 28443, United States
Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturday: By appointment
Sunday: Closed


text:
email: email@example.com
office: KINSC L103
Haverflock Research Materials
Software, user guides, instructions and other useful materials developed in our lab
Image Processing
- ImageJ User Guide for tracking objects on videos (including birds and other wildlife): instructions from our lab on how to use the popular freeware to track objects (such as animals in the natural environment), measure and count objects, etc.
3D stereometric video
- Camera calibration, tracking and multicamera 3D video software: we use the packages by Ty Hedricks (North Carolina State) and collaborators (easyWand, DLTdv5, etc.)
- 3D stereometric video recording: we will be using two different systems this year: a three camera system from Norpix/Streampix with Ximea videocameras and an inexpensive system based on 2+ Go Pro Hero 3+ Black Edition system camcorders (see below).
- 3D video for < $2K Project: click on these links to see a description and budget for our project to create a low cost high speed high-def stereometric 3D video system to use in the field.
- 3D for < $2K: System description
- 3D for < $2K: Budget & purchasing guide
- Raven Pro User Guide Supplement (an add-on to the popular Cornell Bioacoustics software package documentation: our expanded list of explanations about how the program's most popular features work, cookbook instructions on using spectrograms, detectors, beamforming, etc. and advice on audio equipment for bioacoustics and tips for field recording)
- Acoustic localization software (advice on acoustic localization microphone array design & beta python code that takes .csv multichannel sound files created by Raven Pro; computes, plots and saves in a file the position of localized sound sources as a function of time; the microphone array configuration can be flexibly input by the user; completed & tested, but no data on positional accuracy and precision yet)
GPS visualization
- Python code & instructions on how to turn GPS files into either 3D visualizations or a set of Cartesian coordinates in units of meters, along with velocities, accelerations, etc. with adjustable data smoothing, plus a set of equipment recommendations and reviews about what to buy to do all this; sample GPS .csv data file to test it out; same data as .gpx GPS file and .kml file for Google Earth


text:
The Oriental Gem on Lake Geneva
July 23, 2016
Written by Ridima Mittal
Sparkling on the shores of river Rhône, surrounded by rugged peaks, Mandarin Oriental Geneva is truly a pearl of the region. With 189 rooms and suites on offer, the hotel has the space to experiment with a marriage of Swiss and Oriental charm – and the result does not disappoint.
Since its inception in 1950, as the first hotel built in Europe after the Second World War, Mandarin Oriental Geneva continues to define and redefine the best of "cultural fusion". Each year, it surpasses its own proficiency in excellence, gathering an increasing number of reviews on social websites from loyal and new visitors, who believe in its unique dedication to service, presentation and design. Lars Wagner, the General Manager, has a vision for Mandarin Oriental Geneva to be "the market leader – an innovator – and a hotel well integrated into the local community, which provides intuitive, from-the-heart service". He further adds, "Service from-the-heart means we greet you, we talk to you with a lot of pride and dignity and we're natural". He states that "every Mandarin Oriental around the world has its own unique sense of place and is inspired by local customs, habits and flavours." He takes particular pride in the "smart, appealing food and beverage concept" that La Riviera, MO Bar and Rasoi together portray in their culinary offering.
The hotel offers a front row seat of Geneva's rich heritage. Being the primary choice for many corporates and leisure travellers because of its proximity to historic and business districts, the hotel projects a certain "Swissness" throughout its service and presentation. Upon entry, a colourful Swiss cow statue welcomes guests into the establishment, designed by the innovative and playful designer Percho from Carouge (a charming municipality in the canton of Geneva). The hotel also contains a unique logo, capturing all the Swiss cantonal flags in woods carried from the Swiss Alps.
The 'Swissness' prevails when one enters the room. There is a personalised note from Mr. Wagner with a culinary ritual waiting to be celebrated. Inspired by a Geneva tradition of "Smashing the Marmite", which symbolises the victory of Geneva against the invasion of the Savoy Duke troops on December 12th 1602, a chocolate sphere is broken with a hammer to reveal a surprise inside. As an extended courtesy, one also gets to savour the complimentary Swiss chocolates.
The interiors of the guestrooms are designed by renowned French artist, Sybille de Margerie, who combined intelligent symmetry with clean curves and embellished the rooms with new elegant furnishings. Modern Art's bold presence is softened by the soothing earth tones of greens, browns and creams. Luxurious materials have been used throughout, including parquet, Greek marble and soft wool carpets as well as leathers, silks and mohair. And to extend the celebration of the local region, every item of furniture is Swiss-made.
The Mandarin floor, a recent addition to the Mandarin boat shaped architectural design, is located on the hotel's sixth floor. This floor hosts spacious rooms that blend contemporary Sybille de Margerie designs with effortless elegance and offer two sophisticated palettes: fuchsia and silver or delicate tones of gold. The Junior Terrace Suites and The Oriental Suite have been designed by Buz Design of Hong Kong who has created a contemporary urban retreat concept. All the suites have private terraces, where guests can enjoy panoramic views of the Rhône River, Geneva's historic Old Town and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. The Oriental Suite is ultra-luxurious. It covers 150 sqm and has a large living room, dining room with a butler's pantry, bedroom with walk-in closet, spacious bathroom and its own spa facilities, including a hammam and a 62 sqm terrace.
And then there is the Presidential Suite. Located on the very top floor with a 360-degree view and its own elevator, this suite is the ultimate expression of luxury at the hotel, boasting Art Deco elegance and comfort. The Presidential's terrace looks out over the city, the lake, harbour, the Salève mountain and ultimately – weather permitting – the famous Mont Blanc peak.
La Riviera, a pop-up restaurant in the establishment, projects an image reminiscent of the French Riviera. The Café celebrates exceptional seafood and cuisine cooked in Provençale herbs, served with a modern touch. In the words of Mr. Wagner, "I wanted an extreme contrast, you can call it a blend. The colourful paintings from Paulin Nikolli, a Nice artist, represents a lot of blue for the water, a lot of yellow and orange for the sun and you see a common theme in colours and content. So, I wanted a contradiction between simple restaurant and a very colourful artwork." La Riviera is thus a perfect choice for guests desiring a flavour of France (including a taste of a wide range of Provençale wines).
Rasoi by Vineet is another culinary choice at the hotel – an elegant Indian-inspired setting for the urban connoisseur. The restaurant's schematic textural pattern was designed by world renowned Adam D. Tihany (widely considered to have coined the term "restaurant designer") and inside guests can delight in fragrant roses, Indian instrumental music and a live tandoor, where breads and meat are prepared for a memorable fine dining experience.
Rasoi has cultivated a unique offering for Geneva, adopting the Indian culinary tradition of minimal ingredients, while blending them in tangling bouquet of aromatic spices. Yet while Baskar Chakravarthy, Chef de Cuisine, adopts the philosophy that "cooking is actually a simple science", I can vouch for his modesty, having indulged in the cuisine myself. Chasing the art to achieve that impeccable taste, he uses the "goodness of western cuisines with Indian flavours" preparing plates with a devotion to "the right cooking technique for each dish". My personal recommendation would be the Gourmand tasting Menu that exhibits the melange of noble spices with experiential zest. An exotic presentation with sumptuous textures and tastes – the menu beholds a surprise till the last dessert. The suspended sorbet of peach and fennel, complemented with champagne, was just one of the highlights of this menu.
The hotel has a third venue on offer for the culinary enthuisiasts – MO Bar. Positioned as an oasis for corporates, guests can enjoy gala evenings with live music and delightful cocktails. The bar showcases a range of opulent alcoholic brands, such as Louis XIII de Rémy Martin Grande Champagne Cognac, which lends the destination a certain air of extravagence. The signature drink called MO Spice cocktail simply cannot be missed when visiting.
In an effort to strengthen bonds with returning visitors, Mandarin Oriental Geneva continously pushes itself forward in bringing the best experience to its customers. They have recently launched two new packages that further preach the rich legacy of Switzerland, with panache. The first package, 'Happy Suite Diamonds', offers guests a private two-hour workshop at the renowned atelier Chopard. At Chopard, guests will have the opportunity to learn the art of jewellery-making from the experts and discover the secrets behind the modern jewellery masterpieces. In the second package, 'Sweet Swiss Getaway', the guests are chauffeured to the atelier of Geneva's renowned chocolate maker Favarger. There, Favarger's Master Chocolatier Philippe Colnel guides the guests through a bespoke, private two-hour workshop, during which they also create their own chocolate delicacies.
After my experience at Mandarin Oriental Geneva, I can say that I will very likely be one of the hotel's many returning guests. The impeccable service, panoramic views, creative designs, seductive cuisine, air of elegance and the passion to constantly outdo itself, sets the hotel apart as one worth returning to again and again.
Atelier Percho – Designer Carouge


text:
Who can get involved?
Regardless of your age, background or situation, anyone and everyone with an interest in health and social care can get involved.
Carers, service users, community leaders, patient representatives … everyone's views matter.
For more on who can get involved click here
Why get involved?
The work of Healthwatch Hillingdon is relevant to you, your family, friends and the wider community. We all use health and social care services or know someone who does.
For more on why you should get involved click here
There are a wide range of opportunities for you to help and make a difference in your community:
Sign up to receive the Healthwatch Hillingdon newsletter which will keep you up-to-date with our activities and local health and social care services.
To sign up for the newsletter click here
Have your say
Healthwatch Hillingdon gives you the chance to say what you think about how local health and social care services are run and the platform to express your opinions and views on issues that are affecting these services.
To 'Have your say' click here
At Healthwatch Hillingdon we have some interesting volunteering roles which give you the chance to work with others to make a difference to local health and social care services.
For more on volunteering click here
Complete a survey
We are very keen to gather your feedback on specific issues that affect the care services that you, your family and the wider community receive. We therefore regularly conduct surveys to seek your opinions and views.
For more on surveys click here
Take part in a consultation
Whether online, or at one of our community meetings, Healthwatch Hillingdon are continually seeking your response to consultations issued by bodies such as the Department of Health and the NHS.
For more on consultations click here


text:
The Nauru Constitutional Convention has decided not to support a system that publicly elects a president.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio reported Monday that the constitutional convention is entering its fourth week.
The convention is debating issues such as improving controls on government spending and accountability, better governance and judicial standards and a change to the electoral system including the system of a president by popular vote.
However, Chairman of the Constitutional Change Committee Mathew Batsiua was quoted as saying the changes may still be taken to referendum.
"Despite the convention vote, the people of Nauru may still be asked to vote on the electoral change, with issues in the referendum to be decided by its parliament," he said.
The referendum is expected to be held in October.
The Pacific nation's president is currently elected by parliament to serve a 3-year term.
Source: Xinhua


text:
A Staten Island homeowner was arrested yesterday for allegedly sexually assaulting a FEMA inspector who was checking his house for storm damage, law-enforcement sources said.
The inspector, a 49-year-old working for the government-contracting firm PB Disaster Services, had knocked on Robert Langshultz's door in the Sandy-battered Midland Beach section on Monday afternoon.
Langshultz, of 895 Father Capodano Blvd., then allegedly pounced on the woman.
He allegedly threw her against a wall, tried to kiss her and grabbed her breasts and buttocks. The woman broke free and later informed police, the sources said.
The Staten Island Special Victims Unit picked up Langshultz, who is a contractor, early yesterday morning.
Langshultz, a 53-year-old contractor, was charged with sexual abuse and forcible touching. His arraignment is pending.
"Unbelievable! It's really ridiculous," said a woman who identified herself as his sister. "My brother lost everything. He didn't have nothing left."
His neighbors were shocked by the news.
"He's a great guy. Terrific, actually," said one neighbor, who asked not to be named.
"He's a hard worker. He gets up at 4:30 in the morning everyday to go to work. He's been dealing with the flood for the last two weeks," he added.
PB Disasters, a subsidiary of construction giant Parsons Brinckerhoff, referred calls to FEMA.
The corporate spokeswoman was unaware of what the firm's policies are on sending unaccompanied inspectors into people's homes. FEMA didn't return a call for comment.
After natural disasters, PB Disaster Services deploys armies of construction, real estate and appraisal professionals to assess damages for FEMA and other government agencies.


text:
What Do I Get For The Franchise Fee?
The Jasper's franchise fee is a one off payment of £29,997 + VAT. This grants you the right to trade as a franchisee under the identity of Jasper's Corporate Catering Ltd for the duration of the franchise agreement.
During this time you have access to our ongoing knowledge, support and the supply of all your training, sales and marketing material and more. The one-off franchise fee covers:
- £30,000 of stock at retail value (meaning effectively that your franchise fee is paid for)
- Your franchise agreement specifying your exclusive franchise territory
- Finding your premises and negotiating the best deal with landlords (this has been known to save up to £30,000 over 5 years)
- The design and set up of your professional kitchen
- Deposits for and signage of two chilled delivery vehicles
- Detailed training course on all areas of the business before you begin trading, plus business manuals on Sales, Operations, Production and Human Resources
- A pre-launch development programme and marketing campaign
- Jasper's unique customer identification process isolating £1,000,000 worth of business for you to target in year one
- A license for the award-winning Jasper's Business Management System which will enable you to smoothly manage the administration of your business
- All the hardware and software you need to run your business: web based CCTV, VOIP telephone system, a projector (essential for use in your production room), computers and printer


text:
This is a Bible study on the passage in the gospel of John where Jesus teaches that he is the true vine and his disciples can only find life if they are "branches" connected to him as their source of life. To understand this post, you should stop and read John 15:1-16:4 before moving on.
What does the image of a vine and branches indicate about our relationship with Jesus? This is a difficult question to answer for people not accustomed to the nature of vineyards. But at the very least, it is clear that branches are fed their living nutrients from the vine to which they are attached. The vine is the source and carrier of life for each branch that is attached. If a branch is not connected to the vine (if it is broken off), then it cannot get the necessary living ingredients to produce fruit. If a branch is connected to the vine but for some reason is not receiving life (perhaps the branch is a lifeless, dead branch), then that branch cannot produce living fruit and must be cut off (pruned) from the living vine. Jesus recognized that this is a good analogy for the relationship he shares with his people (the Church). Every believer is a branch, and Jesus is the life-giving vine. If Christians want to experience life and produce living fruit, they must remain (abide) in Jesus the true vine. Any person who is superficially connected to Jesus but does not bear the fruit of the Spirit is not receiving life from Jesus the true vine. He is a dead branch that will be cut off from Jesus. Any person who is not connected to Jesus in any way is a branch that is not connected to the vine. That kind of person will die spiritually (he is already spiritually dead) unless he is grafted into Jesus the true and living vine.
Jesus speaks of his disciples remaining in him. Why is it important to "remain" in Jesus? To stay with the vine and branches analogy, it is important to remain in Jesus because it is only by being connected to him that we receive life and will bear spiritual fruit. If we cease to remain in Jesus, they we will (by definition) be cut off from the only source of life. To remain in Jesus is to live, to be cut off from Jesus is to die.
Some would interpret Jesus according to a mystical or "squishy" (as one of my friends was fond to say) perspective. How do you respond to the assertion that "remaining" in Jesus means having an interior experience of Jesus? I am uncomfortable with the interior or mystical expression of "remaining" in Jesus. Not that I think it is entirely wrongheaded. But I think it is necessarily misleading and such language could actually convince many true believers that they are not really connected to Jesus the true and living vine. Instead of the trifecta of Doctrine, Ethics, and Mystical-Supernatural-Inner Experience, I think it would be better to talk of Orthodoxy (right thinking or right doctrine), Orthopraxis (right behavior or right living), and Orthopathos (right feeling or right emotion). Framing the discussion with these terms helps to include those who believe in Jesus, serve him, and love him, but may not have the sense of a deep emotional or supernatural mystical connection with him. Orthopathos includes the notion that believers may have a mystical, supernatural spiritual experience of the inner peace of Christ, but it is dangerous to make this experience a requirement for being a true Christian—one that is truly experiencing the life-giving power of Jesus the vine.
Remaining implies action and perseverance. It is not something that just happens, like remaining in a boat while it lazily floats downstream. What do we need to do in order to "remain" in Jesus? Simply to be a balanced (I don't mean mature) Christian, with some level of right thinking, right behavior, and right feeling. In other words, to remain in Jesus a person must continue to believe the doctrines necessary to confess Christ, continue to live in this world with conduct becoming of a Christian (including repentance of sin), and continue to have some heartfelt love for Jesus as the eternal Lord and Savior of men. Emotionalism is not required.
But someone might respond, "I'm not convinced by your argument to rationalize Jesus' mystical words away. Mystical abiding seems to be what Jesus is exhorting us to do." If this is so, then such mystical spirituality encouraged by Jesus would be safe. But is it? What are the dangers of a discipleship that talks about "remaining in" Jesus as a supernatural or mystical or interior experience? Why is it dangerous? Because the Bible does not describe having such experiences as normative and necessary for spiritual life to thrive. Teaching that it does may have the unintended effect of creating second-class Christians: those mystics who are closer to God, and the rest who have not had a mystical experience. What is worse, such teaching could devolve into a scenario where non-mystical believers could be tempted to think they are not true believers unless they have such an experience. This scenario has occurred throughout church history. It is called conversionism. Unless someone has an extraordinary experience that lead to deep repentance coupled with emotional displays of faith, then spiritual regeneration is doubted.
What's the difference between seeing fruit-bearing as a test you have to pass and seeing it as an inevitable outcome of an interior life with Jesus? Why does this matter? I see the difference between these two options. Fruit-bearing as a test is a confusing of law and gospel ("glawpel"). Fruit-bearing as an inevitable outcome of spiritual life with Jesus is the proper relationship between law and gospel. Believers will obey the law and be fruitful in joyful response to the spiritual life they have in Jesus by grace alone. The first is a merit-oriented religion; the second is grace-oriented. But from an eschatological perspective, it is helpful to see fruit-bearing as a test. The entire Christian life must be lived to the glory of God and produce fruit worthy of God. If someone confesses Jesus as Lord but does not bear fruit of repentance and good works, then James says that such faith cannot save. Faith without works is dead. Paul does not disagree. Jesus himself warns the churches of Revelation that if they do not repent and bear fruit worthy of their confession, then he will come and remove their lampstand in judgment. The Bible is clear that we must persevere in faith to the end in order to be saved. Thankfully God will preserve his elect to the end, causing them to persevere in faith and good works.
Again, Jesus commands his disciples to love. Why do you suppose Jesus repeats the command to love that he made just a little while ago (Jn 13:34-35)? Jesus repeats his "new" command because it explains what he means by remaining in him as branches to a vine. To remain in Jesus is to love him, and to love him is to obey him. And what does Christ ask of his disciples? That we obey his new commandment, which is to love one another as he first loved us. By repeating the "new" commandment here, Jesus effectively connects the concept of remaining in him to obeying him by loving one another. To remain is to obey, and to obey is to love.
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit in the believer's life (Gal 5:22). Joy is another aspect of fruit (Jn 15:10-11). "Jesus' joy has come through his reliance on God and his obedience to his Father's will." Why do trusting and obeying the Father lead to joy? The only way to truly and ultimately experience joy is to be pleasing to God. If God disapproves of you, then you cannot have real joy. Jesus testifies with the rest of Scripture that the way to joy is by trusting and obeying God the Father through the Son of God. How do we honor the Son? By believing that he is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we may have life in his name. By trusting in him alone for forgiveness of sins and his giving of eternal life which is in him. By obeying his good word. All of these things we have been created for—to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. He created us for joy, and he knows how we can be joyful. It is only through him.
How is all this related to the Christian discipline of prayer. Remaining in Jesus also leads to answered prayer, because it leads us to pray in harmony with his word and will (Jn 15:7, 16). How is this different from a guarantee that if we use the formula "in Jesus' name," we'll get whatever we ask for? First, it is ridiculous to believe that if we append the words "in Jesus' name" to the end of our prayers then we will surely get whatever we want. Such a notion is nothing more than pagan magical manipulation of the gods. The living God will have none of it! Besides, such a formula is eminently verifiable. All you have to do is pray specifically, attach the "magic words" and keep a record of whether God answers the prayer affirmatively. Church history bears out the experience of prayer, that there is no formula for getting whatever you want. Any child can tell you this is true. When I was a kid I prayed "in Jesus' name" for a new bike over and over again, but to no avail. It didn't take me too long to discover that God was not interested in satisfying my every desire. Pray is an offering up to God of things agreeable to his will. He is a compassionate and merciful God, abounding in grace and steadfast love. He, like a loving earthly father, delights in giving good gifts to his children. When we ask God for things that are unselfish and meant to further his kingdom in the world or in our hearts, then God is pleased to answer such prayers (in his own timing and according to his sovereign plan of course).
This all sounds great for believers, but Jesus includes a warning. The world, who hated him, will hate his followers as well. Therefore we are not to trust the praise of the world. How can the mistrust of the world expressed in John 15:18-25 be a helpful part of our outlook? How can it help us relate to the world and to Christians in other countries? This is a very profound question disguised as a simple one. The age-old debate of the relationship of Christ to culture must inform this question. But without getting into the deeper issue, I hope Christians can agree that the world has the capacity of great hostility toward Jesus and his followers (even if that hostility is expressed in different levels in various times and places). Jesus did not trust the world because he knew what was in men, that their hearts were dark and loved the darkness. He did not need the approval of men because he had approval from God his Father. It is helpful for Christians to take the same attitude as Jesus (when is this not helpful?). When Christians have a healthy mistrust of the world (as Jesus did), they can be on guard against the schemes of the world to persecute or mistreat Christians. Believers who mistrust the world will not readily put their hope in the things of this world. They will hope in God before hoping in the world. Such a healthy mistrust can help us relate to the world by keeping us in the world by not of the world. We can live in the world with our neighbors, yet live as a witness to the heavenly reality and the judgment to come on this world, calling our neighbors out of the darkness and into the marvelous light of Christ by the gospel. We can relate to Christians in other countries by learning through observation, prayer, and material support how foreign believers suffer in their cultures at the hands of the world. There is no guarantee that American Christians are forever immune to the sufferings other Christians around the world suffer for the sake of their witness to Christ. We can learn from their faithful example how to live in that kind of environment, how to be more merciful as we seek to give them aid (physically and spiritually), and we can listen to their assessment of our Christians lives in our own culture.
What are the potential problems in viewing the world so negatively? But viewing the world so negatively can move us in the direction of seeing Christ against culture. It is not right to withdraw from the world because that is not our calling as believers. We are citizens of heaven, but we are a colony of heaven on earth. Until God calls us home in death or when the end of the age comes, we are in some way to lead missionary lives. Missionaries use the good in culture to the gospel's advantage. The world is not all bad because God created it and is in the process of redeeming it, transforming it slowly by building his kingdom. For sure, the kingdom will not come in its fullness gradually. It will arrive cataclysmically on the last day. But God does build his kingdom in the world gradually. Therefore we should not view negatively those aspects that seem to be either remnants or building blocks for his kingdom.
Let's bring this home now by cashing it out. How is Christ asking you to remain in him over the coming weeks? This is a timely question since I and my family are currently at a cross-roads in our life and ministry. As of today I am unemployed and seeking a pastoral call to ministry. Until that call comes (and it could be a long time, and God could have different plans in store for us), I am seeking full-time employment in my former career field. This is not where we envisioned we would be. But God is good, and he does have a perfect plan for us. I don't know what it is, but Christ is asking me to remain in him over the coming weeks by continuing to trust in him, to believe that he has a good plan for us, that whatever happens is for my sanctification, and that I should find my joy in him. I need to pray a lot and seek the joy that can only be found in the true vine if I want to bear lasting spiritual fruit.


text:
Wheel Alignment Machine New And Used Automotive Tools.
I'm presently a mechanic at a car dealership. Though I've also worked at independently owned and chain-retailer automotive centers. I support this transfer. With fewer manufacturers to manage GM doesn't want enormous umbrella like dealerships or packages to service all products. Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet and GMC can have their very own programs and, extra importantly, can distance their products from the GM name. Our goal : prepare engineers in the skills and knowledge they need to work within the automotive trade of the future.
The previous vehicular design houses in Europe were some of the biggest assets for designers and artists in the course of the Sixties and Nineteen Seventies. Should you had the financial means and a donor automobile, the firms could remodel your automotive into primarily any design you wished. On this week's episode of Petrolicious, a one-of-one coachbuilt 1961 Chevrolet Corvette as soon as once more will get its time within the highlight.
Renegotiating the settlement won't be a straightforward activity and would require the administration to balance the needs of a number of different industries with that of automotive, which alone has many transferring parts. DDD total with Distinctions in relevant Mechanical models and grade A in A-Degree Maths. Some Mechanical models could also be optionally available in your BTEC however are required by the School. Please contact us for additional information.
The potential of nanotechnology in the automotive trade remains largely untapped – solely recently has this sector grow to be receptive to nanotechnology ideas. The automotive business is an avid user of know-how, meaning that it has great potential for the implementation of nanotechnology options and products, however these are nonetheless mostly within the analysis and improvement stage.
That set piece comes in the course of the movie as Willis's character, Korben Dallas, a … Read More ...


text:
Tibi Fall/Winter 2016-2017 RTW – NYFW
Fashion designer Amy Smilovic founded Tibi almost 20 years ago, delighting the fashion industry with her iconic printed silk scarf skirts and relaxed lines. Her clean and well-defined feminine style is once again the main protagonist in her Tibi fall/winter 2016-2017 ready-to-wear collection, presented by the American-born designer at New York Fashion Week.
Although being less rich in prints than her previous collections, this latest lineup is undeniably rich in textures, fabrics and colors, with her creations chromatically organized and embellished by delicate color-blocking detailing. The collection's color palette, which is filled with vivid blues, oranges and whites, has been inspired by figurative artist George Tooker, who often employed such hues for his paintings. Like Tooker, whose art could be regarded as a tool for investigating and fighting social injustices and the urban postwar society, Smilovic investigates the urban world, delivering oversized pieces and overall relaxed lines that exude easiness, comfort and a casual-chic allure at the same time. The Tibi fall 2016 collection is, in fact, just perfect for the urban environments, as it gives all women a chance to find something refined and with character to wear even while frenetically wandering in city.
As for the fabrics, Smilovic opted for an ethereally chic mishmash of different materials, such as velvet, sequined knits, see-through lace embroideries, mohair and even metallic lurex, which gives the entire collection a strong futuristic-city allure. Combined all together, these fabrics also make it possible for the Tibi customers to choose what suits them the most, both in style and comfort.
The collection alternates some conventionally feminine looks with more mannish and military outfits, for which Smilovic's chosen fabrics play a huge role in defining the designed style. While velvet is very much used to bring forth the feminine side of the collection, mohair and metallic lurex join forces to create some quirky military looks, with lines and cuts being less relaxed but nonetheless equally sophisticated.
"No matter which way the trends go, it's always going to be about comfort for me,' said Smilovic behind the scenes, sporting a roomy shirt and a pair of wide-leg trousers that perfectly recalled Tibi's fall 2016 style.
Aside from long, relaxed silhouettes, Smilovic focused on the art of layering too, embellishing her solid-colored ensembles with strings of contrasting colors that perfectly accentuated her terrific tailoring skills. Drop-waist midi frocks and sweaters enhance Tooker's postwar society motif, intertwining the Roaring Twenties' best figures with the Nineties' heroin chic trend. Then, to spice things up, Smilovic took what both the Twenties and Nineties had in common and translated the results into Tibi's way of doing fashion: breaking the norms.
Instead of only showcasing mannish lines and boyfriend looks, she took male models onto the stage, letting them wear larger and longer versions of the collection's key pieces (such as oversized suiting, roomy sweaters and slouchy pants). According to Smilovic, "it just felt really natural' to add male models to the fashion show too, because if "a woman wears a guy's jeans 'Äö√Ñ√∂'àö√ë'àö√Ü a guy can wear a woman's, too,' without the pants being unisex. That's just another small step for genderless fashion, which, aside from not going out of style anytime soon, is unstoppably blurring the lines between what women and men should conventionally wear.
Photos courtesy of Vogue


text:
Two Bedroom Apartment
2 room apartment situated in a beautiful location: restaurants, stores and a lot of places to go are in several minutes by foot from the apartment: also near access to a park, shops, cafes, restaurants, banks. Stylish design. Satellite TV, Wi-Fi, and air conditioning. It has a fully equipped kitchen.
We can meet you at the arrivals hall at the airport, or at your train car at the train station (the English speaking driver will hold a sign with your name on it), he will drive you back to your apartment and check you in.
Luxurious Apartment
NEW very nice and cozy apartment with a modern design. It has a large bathroom (shower, 24hrs hot water), two TV sets and a DVD player. There is a large bed, nice kitchen (fridge, mini bar, microwave), air conditioner, iron – everything you may need. You can not only relax in this aparatment but you can also create a romantic atmosphere. Location: in the center of the city (on the longest street of Europe), near restaurants, shops, banks or cafes. Entrance: Door Code
Our representative can meet you in Dnepropetrovsk airport and take you to your apartment (hotel room). At the end of your stay we`ll also drop off you to the airport from Zaporozhye. It takes about only 1 hour. (Costs includes 2 ways)
We can also pick you up at Kiev airport (Borispol) and take you to your apartment in Zaporozhye. And we`ll transfer you back to Borispol at the end of your stay. Be sure, you will be in time before your flight! (2 ways included)
Lux Apartment (1 room)
If you wish to stay in a comfortable, clean and nice apartment with all the conveniences, this one is exactly for you. It if fully equipped: TV set, DVD player, air conditioner, fully equipped kitchen including microwave, an iron, ironing table and even a fireplace (that is great if you come in winter or early spring).
There is a cozy sofa and large bed that will help you to relax. You will find everything for preparing breakfast or some dinner. The bathroom has a shower and washing machine. Floor: 5, Elevator: yes. Location: the center of Zaporozhye, close to cafes and supermarkets.
We can pick you up by taxi with an interpreter at the airport in Zaporozhye (R/W or bus station) and take you to your apartment (hotel) or to our office. Also we will drop off when you leave. (2 ways). Our representative will meet you in Dnepropetrovsk airport or Kiev Borispol airport.
For more information on these apartments and other apartments or hotel rooms and how to make reservations, follow this link Apartments and Hotel Rooms in Zaporozhye, Ukraine.
To search for apartments and hotel rooms in different cities of Belarus, Moldova, Russia and the Ukraine, follow this link Apartments and Hotel Rooms in Belarus, Moldova, Russia and the Ukraine.


text:
Time: a few hours ago
Place: here
It's holy evening, family all in the church except for atheistic husband and wife who decorate the huge tree wife murdered last weekend.
Presents have been bought, drawn, printed, blow-dried and wrapped. Sticky price tags have been fought with …
X-mas spirit has now won against the few downsides of pre-X-mas period like
– post offices turning into battle arenas
– waiting in a long queue with a guy behind me who suffers
a) from a heavy cold
b) from Tourette syndrome and does
c) murmuring in his best dark psycho voice threats like:"If they don't hurry up soon, I will …"
Maybe he was a very good actor with a brilliant idea how to get faster to the cash desk by scaring the people in front of him away – but I was so lucky to have been able to buy my stuff and leaving dry without being beaten or killed.
Everyone to his taste, I know. Unfortunately there are still people out there who seem to try to trigger epileptic seizures with their X-mas illumination …
Have relaxing, joyful and tasty holidays you all – with all the good and without the bad! Or the ugly.


text:
Product Description
2.5" quaich with Thistle handles and a band of Celtic pattern around the bowl
What is a Quaich?
Not sure what a quaich is? Find out by clicking here: What Is A Quaich?
Also available in 9 other sizes up to 8.5"
Finely made from lead-free pewter
Comes in presentation box
Engraved with our computer controlled diamond tipped engraving machine
Good choice of fonts for text engraving, or supply your own in .ttf format
Personal logos can be engraved if you send us suitably clear graphics
Read full details on our Engraving Information
Product Specifications
|Dimensions (Approx)
|Contact us for dimensions
Delighted Review by Anne Brown
- This was bought as a second item as we were so delighted with the first one we bought. We are equally delighted with this one. A lovely wee quaich at a great price, and yet again, customer service far beyond required standards. I will be singing the praises of this company far and wide, and WILL be returning. (Posted on 05/05/2015)