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Internationally designed and constructed to European standards, VIVA TOWERS Towers is a prime mixed-use building in the heart of Dar es Salaam. With TWENTY ONE STORIES height, TWELVE FLOORS dedicated to housing luxurious apartments, TWO FLOORS dedicated to premium corporate offices, ONE FLOOR of world-class brand retail space, SIX FLOORS of undercover parking for 300 visitors' cars and ONE FLOOR for recreational area with stylish Gym, Swimming pool, Party hall & Sports Bar, VIVA Towers is certainly an iconic feature on the Tanzanian skyline, and the destination of choice.
With an array of local and international brands such as Rhapsody's Restaurant, V-Marché Supermarket & Bakery, Apple Store, Crocs Footwear, Mont Blanc, Vision 360, Smile Communication and with business address of Mulinational companies like UK Visa & Application Centre, CRDB Bank, I & M Bank, Rwandair, EgyptAir, KLM & Kenya Airways, Consulte of Sychelles, Bon Voyage Travel Centre, Zan Securities, Milembe Insurance, Auric Air Services, Infobip, Arena Real Estate Developers, Imperial Solutions Ltd., Quick Innovation, Helvetas Swiss Corporation, MPA Consultant, Leviticus Consultants, Zak Solutions, Katavi Mining, Ceytun Insaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S & many other VIVA Towers is ideally positioned within walking distance of 5-star Hotels and the rest of the commercial and residential city.
Situated on one of the main roads in Dar es Salaam, Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road, VIVA Towers is the perfect lifestyle, retail and commercial centre for the discerning customer.
VIVA Towers - it's what you have been waiting for!


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Project Description
Emoji are the ideograms or smileys used in Japanese electronic messages and Web pages, the use of which is spreading outside Japan. First created in about 1998, the characters are used much like emoticons but a wider range is available. They are now quite pervasive in the text messages generated by many smart phones, and installed on a wide range of operating systems. This particular example is called "Mischievous Purple Devil", and it's easy to see why. A mischievous smile, eyes that appear to be thinking of some kind of shenanigan to pull, and those horns, all add up to some sort of devilment in the immediate future. This roguish, yet somehow charming, face is surrounded by a pair of dice showing double sixes, and rolls and stacks of $100 bills. Looks like someone has some plans for after the birthday party!

subset: commoncrawl


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Recent subzero temperatures have brought a flood of fur onto the streets. Are attitudes changing toward the trade?
BY Justine Picardie | 17 January 2010
Photo: Daniel Hambury
Photo: Daniel Hambury
Photo: Daniel Hambury
Photo: Daniel Hambury
As temperatures dropped last month and the snow kept falling, I started noticing fur coats in my neighbourhood, the politically correct north London suburb of Crouch End. This is a place with an independently owned organic shop that still flourishes next to Waitrose, where campaigners wave petitions for Greenpeace and against factory farming, and a large population of foxes are sufficiently confident of their welcome to saunter across my road in daylight.
The furs that have suddenly sprouted around here are not the kind that you would see in Mayfair or Knightsbridge - the smooth minks of a Russian oligarch's wife or mistress, say - but vintage (in other words, decidedly second hand). I've spotted them on young mothers wearing Ugg boots, pushing buggies through the slushy streets, and on teenage girls in skinny jeans and red wellies; a constituency that up until this winter would have stuck to their usual uniform of Gap denim jackets or Uniqlo pea coats.
Clearly, it's not just a localised trend, because you'll observe a similar look elsewhere, while the street markets of Camden, Brick Lane and Portobello are doing a roaring trade in old furs for young women. This time last year, you'd barely have seen an animal pelt worn in public, unless it was by foreigners who think the British are sentimental.
Indeed, fur was one of the defining differences between London Fashion Week and Paris, New York and Milan: the British didn't wear it, but everyone else from a cold climate did. Now, according to the British Fur Trade Association, "there has been a significant growth in fur sales" in the UK, which is part of a global increase (worldwide sales totalled $13 billion in 2008, an increase of nearly 60 per cent compared to the end of the 1990s).
As you might expect, the British Fur Trade Association is also touting its wares as a "responsible choice": "Real fur remains a supreme example of a fashion product that derives from a wholly natural, sustainable resource, is long-lasting but ultimately biodegradable. Many 'fake' furs are manufactured with non-renewable petroleum based products… Real fur is a durable material - quite the opposite of disposable fashion."
The opponents of fur remain equally vocal. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is campaigning against Burberry for its use of fur, accusing the fashion house of being "synonymous with cruelty to animals". And the naming and shaming of fur-wearing celebrities continues: PETA's list of ''worst-dressed celebrities'' for 2009 has Madonna at the top, and also lambasts the Olsen twins ("Since fur adds 20 years and 20 pounds, maybe Mary-Kate and Ashley think their matronly wardrobe will deflect the gossip about bulimia"); Maggie Gyllenhaal ("Maggie has gone from being lost in her brother's shadow to being lost inside some really ugly fur coats"); and Elizabeth Hurley ("instead of flaunting the remains of animals, this faded siren might focus on the remains of her career").
Meanwhile, even though fur is creeping into the High Street (in rabbit-trimmings), as well as luxury fashion houses (including Marni, a label much-admired for its boho-chic credentials), there remains a wariness among magazine editors to be seen to support the fur trade.
Sam Baker, editor of Red magazine, says: "We don't shoot fur on Red . As far as I'm concerned it's cruel and completely unnecessary. I'm not a fan of vintage fur either - the animal still suffered. But also, I think the wearing of any fur at all, vintage or otherwise, anaesthetises the wearer. You're only one gold card away from a new fur coat if you've bought an old one."
Alexandra Shulman, the editor of Vogue , is less militant, but tends to avoid the use of fur in the magazine: "We have a no-fur policy, but the odd cuff and collar creep in. The last research I did a couple of years ago showed that people in this country are still broadly against the use of fur in fashion."
Whatever one's view on the rights and wrongs of wearing fur, there seems to have been an unspoken message in the last six or eight weeks that second-hand fur is becoming acceptable in cold weather. For this you can probably blame Kate Moss, who has been out and about in vintage fur, wearing it with the rock and roll insouciance for which she is famous. In doing so, she looks entirely different to a wealthy Milanese matron in a new mink; more like Venus in furs, quite possibly with very little on underneath.
At this point, I should make a confession, which is that at the end of November, with the prospect of a subzero sojourn in the Scottish Highlands, I went to my favourite second-hand shop and asked if they had a "warm coat". The word fur did not cross my lips - I am of the generation that grew up mourning the baby seals clubbed to death in snowy wastes on the other side of the world. During my time working for Vogue , fur did not appear on the fashion pages.
Nevertheless, when the owner of the shop appeared with a furry coat, I did not say: "Is this fake?" I did note that it was modestly priced (less than Topshop), handmade of an indeterminate material, unlabelled, and at least 50 years old. Since then, I have worn it on a daily basis, and slept under it, as well, on the coldest nights when the temperature in Scotland dropped to minus 18.
I suppose I've taken the coward's way out by not knowing its origin; nor do I want to run the gauntlet of animal rights activists, especially after discovering that a fashion editor friend of mine was targeted when she spoke out in favour of fur. "I got some very threatening letters," she says, "including ones that said, 'We know where you live, and where your children go to school.'"
Another friend in the fashion business wears her Italian grandmother's old fur coat, but avoids confrontation on the subject, despite feeling irritated by the inconsistencies awash in her own industry. "I can't understand people who'll buy clothes from Topshop, which still hasn't signed up to the Ethical Trading Initiative, or eat supermarket battery chickens, and then give me a hard time for wearing fur."
She's right, of course, but when did fashion ever flourish under the aegis of logic or consistency? Come the spring, fake leopard-spot prints will be back…


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The new Squarespace Global Headquarters in New York
Bringing theMART to the forefront of Chicago real estate with a new brand and new interior space. Read more at Crain's Chicago Business.
Office features a 2-story art volume installation by James Turrell. Watch the installation video.
A micro-park adds to the greening of the Chicago Riverwalk at the south entrance of the Merchandise Mart.


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| "You guys really made my day and I wish I could repay you. As my token of gratitude I give you this letter. It may not be much but I truly do appreciate your generosity."- MVK Participant
Donate a dream and get a tax write-off for your unused tickets.
You too can make a dream come true - Join our Team!
Leave the work to us, and get access to the best events in town!


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Southwest Pathology Services (SPS) was formed in 2012, and is a joint venture between Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and iPP. SPS delivers full laboratory services to a population of 500,000 patients and over 100 GP practices in Somerset.
SPS brings together the skills and experience of its partners and their parent companies to strengthen the quality, delivery and efficiency of pathology services, providing:
- fully accredited, modern, refurbished, central laboratories.
- new, state of the art equipment;
- optimised layouts that ensure the most efficient use of time and resources;
- industry tested, robust IT systems that are fully integrated and utilised between laboratories and referral sites; and
- deployment of international best working practices that deliver efficiency savings
SPS operates a robust, clinically led, integrated governance structure to deliver services across multiple trusts. Our quality management system ensures our analytical procedures are of the highest quality.
We are committed to delivering quality services across the region, and all laboratories are fully accredited and compliant with the following guidelines and agencies:
SPS carry out more than 1,400 different types of tests across the following Pathology disciplines:
- Histopathology;
- Cytopathology;
- Clinical biochemistry;
- Haematology and Blood Transfusion;
- Microbiology and Infection control;
- Immunology;
- Central Services and Pathology Management
You can find out more information about the testing carried out at each of our sites in the Test Index.
Management Team
Jill Mears
General Manager
Jill is operationally responsible for all aspects of SPS service, quality and performance delivery.
She has extensive operational and managerial experience in NHS Laboratories and has led service re-design and re-engineering in both the NHS and SPS.
Jill holds Fellowship status with the Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Membership status with the Institute of Healthcare Management and has a professional background in Chemical Pathology.


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Magnify Your PC Screen Up to 36 Times with MAGic
No longer will you struggle with type too small to read and images with indecipherable details. MAGic opens up a whole new world of computing for low vision users. Whether creating and reading documents, e-mailing, engaging in social networking, or surfing the Web, MAGic provides tools to work more efficiently.
MAGic features 46 magnification levels from 1x to 36x. MAGic's High Definition text delivers smooth, crisp letters for all fonts, even at the highest magnification.
MAGic with Speech also speaks aloud screen contents.
MAGic Screen Magnification Software Features
Eliminate Distractions and Increase Focus
Choose only the information you want to read from your screen as you navigate through magnified Windows applications. Have MAGic with speech highlight magnified words on the screen as it reads them aloud.
True Dual Monitor Feature
With MAGic's first true dual monitor option, improve your productivity by visually referencing and working with two different applications in two different monitors at the same time. Use full-screen mode or see both magnified and unmagnified areas of your screen simultaneously with partial-screen magnification modes: Lens View, Overlay View, Split View, and Dynamic Lens View.
COMING SOON - Add a MAGic Large Print Keyboard for More Low Vision Benefits
The MAGic Large Print Keyboard provides low vision users with an easy-to-read keyboard with 22 dedicated MAGic keys that make learning and using MAGic screen magnification software easier than ever. Bold high contrast keys with oversized characters provide fast, accurate typing with less of the eye fatigue experienced when straining to locate keys on standard keyboards. Look out for the MAGic Large Print Keyboard in Related Products.
ALSO AVAILABLE: Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA). Contact us for details.
MAGic can be used with all 32-bit versions of Windows® 7 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or later and all 64-bit versions of Windows 7 and Windows Server® 2008 Release 2.
MAGic System Requirements
To use the latest version of MAGic, you need a personal computer running Microsoft Windows with the minimum requirements listed below. Proper licensing is required to run MAGic with Microsoft Windows operating systems.
Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA) also available (see Related Products).
Get started with MAGic today!
Click here to download a free demo of MAGic 14 (32 bit version)
Click here to download a free demo of MAGic 14 (64 bit version)
Purchasing MAGic?
All software products require user registration details. If you are purchasing on behalf of someone else, please provide their name, address and email (where possible) in the Special Instructions box (under Order Review) when checking out.
Where additional details are not provided, the software will be registered as per the Biller Information.


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Credit Transfers
Credits from BTS have been accepted at several evangelical institutions, subject to the policies and degree requirements of each school. The student who expects to receive a degree from an institution other than BTS should write for specific information concerning applicability of work taken through BTS. Several major seminaries have been willing to either accept transfer credit from BTS or recognize a BTS degree as the prerequisite for pursuing advanced degrees.


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Authors : Lynda Lehmann
Celebrating the 'Ubiquitous Beauties of the World'
Abstract Expressionist Lynda Lehmann
Lynda Lehmann studied Art Education at Penn State University and earned her BFA from Hofstra. She studied advertising at Farmingdale College and textile design at the School of Visual Arts, and worked as a commercial artist before pursuing painting at the Art League of Long Island. Lynda has enjoyed writing four middle-grade and YA mainstream novels with environmental and feminist themes, and several short stories in a sociological science fiction genre. She has shown her art in numerous juried and solo shows in the New York area. Her paintings and digital art are abstract, while her photography is realistic.
Artistic Perspectives by Lynda Lehmann
In Praise of Creative Process
What Good Art Does to Us
What is Art? Traditional Versus Abstract
Think Small (No, I'm not Joking...)
Art and Beauty
Lynda Lehmann Interview
The Artist: 'Tortured Soul' or Joyous Participant?
Art and Power


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Bowman's UK stint has a silver lining
HAVING wrapped up his English season in sensational style, Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman leaves London for Australia today with the perfect souvenir of his achievement: the silver saddle.
Bowman was given the award after captaining the Rest of the World team to win the Shergar Cup at Ascot, outriding some of the world's best.
Bowman, who is now preparing for the Sydney and Melbourne spring carnivals, has enjoyed great success during a three-month contract with British trainer Mick Channon, which included his first British group race win at Newmarket in July.
He will ride for Channon again next season, after receiving rave reviews from the trainer and the British racing media.
Bowman's world team defeated teams from Ireland, Europe and Britain, which included Frankie Dettori, Andreas Suborics and Sydney champion Darren Beadman.
Bowman took out the silver saddle award as most successful jockey of the competition, riding the final winner, Benandonner in the Shergar Cup Mile Race, from his six rides to finish with 37 points, five clear of his nearest rival.
"I was surprised and honoured to be asked to compete, let alone captain the team," Bowman said. "Winning the silver saddle was certainly a bonus."
A former apprentice in country NSW, Bowman has proved to be somewhat of a racing rarity, having been educated at Sydney's exclusive Scots College, far better known for producing doctors, lawyers and corporate leaders.
"I always wanted to be a jockey, I've ridden horses since before I can remember," he said.
"The family have been in picnic racing for three or four generations. There has always been a general interest, in the family, and I've always wanted to be a jockey."
Bowman was a prefect at Scots, captained the under-16s rugby team and was cox of the second VIII rowing crew. He has also won three tennis championships, a best-and-fairest in rugby league, two polocrosse titles and numerous equestrian awards.
Beadman had a frustrating day at Ascot, riding three third placings from his six rides, to finish with 24 points. "But it has been a super experience and I've had an absolute ball," he said.
Every Tuesday, The Age sports team will select an outstanding sporting performance of the week. The winner could be any Australian team or individual competing in a major sport. Readers will select the performers of the year by voting online in November. Until then, post your feedback or suggested selections on blogs.theage.com.au/sport/


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Here's a chance to say you saw it first here.
Stop The Train arrives for one night only at platform Hippodrome on a relentless track towards London's West End. The show which has received critical acclaim and is being followed every step of its journey by a Channel 4 documentary crew, has one further stop in Edinburgh next year then it's onto the West End, says singer/songriter and co-creator of the production Rick Guest.
A group opf commuters aboard a train are affected by a strange traveller among them. Great songs and a great story - go online at www.stopthetrainmusical.com where you can see and hear a preview. Better still get along and buy a ticket. Turn to page 21 for full story.


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Likes 5
Playlists feat. this artist
18 songs by 13 artists
The Devil, himself, has 4 main musically inclined artists. God borrowed one for a 60-year gig and I'm the replacement.
See all 21 songs in more detailSongs
Peak position #84
Full 256k version link available in the story/lyrics section.
Peak in sub-genre #24
My only 'finished' song. There may be things I can do to improve it, but they all lie in the 'recording' stage of the song, not the 'compositional' stage.
Peak in sub-genre #25
Originally written by Stephen Foster in 1864. This is my arrangement of his piece. Many people will recognize this song from their childhood.
Peak in sub-genre #35
A message to God.
Peak in sub-genre #35
Americana, Country-esque, Folk Blues. A simple tune.
Peak in sub-genre #36
For maximum enjoyment, wear headphones! (unfinished)
A very dark piece.
Peak in sub-genre #41
This is a little garage-rock-esque piece that I basically improvised. I recorded back in November of 2006, before i hurt my wrist. It's just a fun little piece that I forgot I recorded.
Peak in sub-genre #41
A favorite among friends and family, though I need to clean it up a bit.
Peak in sub-genre #50
This song is a bit abstract. There are many themes and subtexts to this song.
Peak in sub-genre #54
Explaining the 'Tendinosis' concept.
Peak in sub-genre #76
A cry to the heavens, in a field, while sitting beneath a big oak tree.
Paid Promotion


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Corps of Cadets Changing with TimesBy Nigel Hatton, University Relations intern
Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 16 - January 19, 1995
The Virginia Tech Corp of Cadets (VTCC) has undergone many changes since its inception in the last century. Today, the organization continues to offer students the opportunity for leadership skills, discipline and a quality education.
"The biggest change we've made is in the way we train," said Ret. Major General Stanton R. Musser, commandant of the Corp of Cadets. "We now use positive reinforcement-taking what they have, what they've learned from their background and building on that- rather than tearing them down and building them in our own image."
When Tech-then the all-male Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College-first opened its doors, every able-bodied student was a member of the Corps.
Participation in the Corps became voluntary in the fall of 1964, dropping enrollment in the program immensely. Women were admitted to the Corps in the fall of 1973 as a separate unit called Squadron L. In February 1979, women were fully integrated into the program.
Tech and Texas A&M University are the only two schools in the nation that couple a full-time Corps of Cadets with a large civilian student body.
Musser said many land-grant universities started out with Corps of Cadet programs similar to Tech's. "Others finally decided it was too much to keep going. Their universities were growing," he said. "There wasn't that pride and ownership of their Corps like Tech and Texas A&M have."
While Musser is pleased with the VTCC's ability to endure over time, he continues to reach for new heights. "One of them is to build the Corps back up to 1,000 cadets by the year 2000," he said. This fall, the VTCC began with 136 new cadets and a total enrollment of 417. An incoming class of 400 cadets is needed each year to maintain a VTCC of 1,000 cadets, he said. Factors such as scholarships and alumni support make the idea of a 1,000-member VTCC an attainable goal, Musser said.
"The Corps Alumni Association is strong and they want to see this continue," he said. "And so does our administration- President Torgersen and Dr. Goodale are strong supporters of the Corps. If you lose the backing of your administration, it's hard to maintain a Corps of Cadets."
Not even budget cuts worry Musser. "We've taken the same budget cuts everyone else has, but my budget has been very small. The Corps Alumni Association has really picked up the ball with a $5-million endowment goal for scholarships for freshman," he said. "The budget cuts we've taken from the state, the alumni association has supplemented."
R.B. Pamplin Sr. and R.B. Pamplin Jr. have pledged to match each of the next million dollars pledged towards the $5-million goal, Musser said. "If it's matched by other alumni, we'll be up to $4 million of the $5 million we're trying to get."
Although money and alumni support can help bring new cadets to the university, another philosophy is necessary to keep the students in uniform. Corps life requires 7-11 p.m. study halls, wearing a uniform every day, and proper time management. "It's probably the hardest Corps to stay in," Musser said. "You're going to class with people in jeans and shirts. "At VMI or the Air Force Academy-you quit there and you have to quit the university or the school," he said. "Here it takes a sort of fortitude."
Musser said new cadets have the option to leave the program after six weeks. "This is the best year for retention since I've been here," he said. "Normally we lose 25 percent of the freshman the first semester. Right now, we've lost less than 15 percent. That's really good."
Musser said the benefits for remaining in the VTCC are endless. "Every person who graduates from this Corps of Cadets gets a job," Musser said. "They have had some experience in leadership."
Most of cadets in the VTCC are enrolled in ROTC programs with either the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines. They are on track to become either active-duty or reserve officers in the military, Musser said. "Some stay for a career," he said. Others honor their commitments and return to civilian life. "Each of the ROTC's differ on commitments, some four years, some five," he said. Twenty-five percent of Corps members are not enrolled in the ROTC, according to Musser. Tech is the only institution that allows a non-ROTC student to enroll in the Corps. Musser said the students do it for the leadership training. He and the ROTC's eventually want to establish a leadership-development minor at the university. It would be awarded to students enrolled in the Corps. "The Corps experience itself is a part of it," he said. "If you graduate from here with a minor in leadership, that's going to look tremendous on a resume."
Musser hopes to make the Corps an entire leadership program, he said. When new cadets arrive as freshman in the fall, Musser said they become "total followers." As sophomores, they are given additional responsibility and opportunities to lead, he said. By the junior year, cadets are non commissioned officers-"sergeants who end up being squad leaders and actual trainers of new cadets. Senior year, as an officer, you run an entire regiment with guidance from myself and deputy commandants," he said.
Although Corps life is very time consuming, Musser said cadets are urged to participate in other organizations throughout the university. He wants civilian students to become aware of the Corps and its importance to the university, he said. "We're pushing involvement in sororities, frats, SGA, and other social things," he said. "Cadets are resident advisors. Three years ago we made an attempt to get in the RA business so we'd intermingle with other students."
One aspect of the Corps students are already familiar with is the Highty Tighties. The band is the largest of the Corps' nine companies. It consists of 75-80 members, while other companies have about 50 cadets, Musser said. The Highty Tighties date back to 1883 and have played in parades and band festivals around the country. In April the group participated in the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, D.C., and the Azalea Festival in Norfolk. "It's a great recruiting tool," he said.
Musser said he is satisfied with all the positives happening for the Corps these days. His theme of leadership has been well received, and recruiting efforts are on the rise.


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The scariest part of Sky FactoryJanuary 2, 2015
We're back in our Magic Farm 2 kitchen this week to cook up a light meal of grilled asparagus (because we don't have tempura), miso [...]
Cooking With Sarah S2 E6: Simple SushiFebruary 23, 2014
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Resonant Rise Pt. 33: Cactus Hunting & Dartcraft for DumbbuttsFebruary 21, 2014
I finally fight my way back up to the kitchen in Duosric's temple in hopes of finding my stuff, but it's already gone. Now I have no [...]
The Legend of Stumpelda Ep. 15: Clearing the AirFebruary 19, 2014
Not one, not two, but THREE different kinds of farms get worked on today! First, I finally put all those spawners to work (why oh why did I think [...]
Resonant Rise Pt. 32: Old MacStumpy Has Some FarmsFebruary 17, 2014
What we're cooking today isn't for eating… unless you like the taste of wood ash and poisonous flowers. Today we're [...]
Cooking With Sarah S2 E5: Witchy KitchenFebruary 16, 2014
Hey, remember that time I was a dumb butt and went to the Twilight and jumped into a labyrinth totally unprepared and died and for some reason my [...]
Resonant Rise Pt. 31: Twilight Revenge!February 14, 2014
The Legend of Stumpelda Ep. 10: Unabeth Explains it AllJanuary 16, 2014


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His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah officiated the inauguration ceremony of Casa Del Rio Hotel in Malacca, last Friday. The construction of the hotel cost about RM100 million and consist of 66 rooms. Also attended the ceremony were His Excellency the Yang Dipertua Negeri (Head of State) of Melaka, Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob and Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Casa Del Rio inauguration ceremony
Posted by Radin87 at 9:30 AM
Labels: Govenorate Portal, Melaka, Royal Portal, Selangor
0 comments:
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Without further ado, here are things that never made sense to me about the story of Jesus Christ:
- God is Jesus, and Jesus is God. God is omnipotent and cannot die. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice of death by crucifixion to absolve humanity of its sins. If someone is all-powerful and eternal, can "dying" be considered a sacrifice? It seems very hollow, especially when Jesus knew that he wasn't truly dying, but rather being inconvenienced for a few nights.
- God is omniscient. God's plan with Jesus was to use him as a tool to absolve humanity of its sins through an eventual death by crucifixion. Judas played an integral role in God's plan by indicating Jesus to the Romans who sought to capture him. This was considered a betrayal, and Christians revile Judas. However, God of course knew that Judas was going to do this, and Judas' actions were, in fact, integral to God's plan succeeding. In other words, without Judas doing what God knew he would do, God's desires would not have been met, and humanity would still be with sin and would be without a martyred savior. How, then, is Judas not considered a Christian hero?
- Nowhere in The Bible does it explain why the sacrifice is truly necessary. God (pictured at right, in Morgan Freeman form) is omnipotent, benevolent, merciful, and omniscient. If He cared for His creations and was truly omnipotent, why not simply absolve us of our sins? Why go through all of the pointless pageantry of Jesus' life?
Here's a step-by-step, abridged rewording of the story of Jesus' sacrifice:
- An all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, un-killable God exists.
- God -- who, again, is all-loving -- has been purposefully sending many of His creations to live in eternal torment.
- God decided that He wasn't entirely OK with sending so many of His creations to live in eternal torment.
- This being the case, God sent another version of Himself -- Jesus, His only son -- as a sacrifice, knowing that Jesus would eventually be killed. On a related note, Jesus can't technically be killed, because he's God, and God can't die.
- Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice by giving up a little bit of something that he had an infinite amount of -- his life. (As with any good sacrifice, the ultimate ones are the ones that you don't have to sacrifice anything to make.)
- After His only son successfully completed the suicide mission he'd been sent on, God had successfully saved us from Himself. The all-powerful God never again had to unwillingly send His creation to a place He didn't really want to send them (because He's all-loving). And so He never did again -- unless you count the times that He still does, and those times make Him really sad.
- ?????
- Profit.
Also, Venn diagrams are always funny.
Here's some recommended reading for those of you with skeptical, inquisitive minds:
And, of course, I personally think The Bible presents the best case against itself if read with an unbiased, critical eye, cover to cover. That isn't meant as a low blow, I truly mean that.
-- The Atheist Apologist --
(Inspiration for this post, in part, came from a hilarious list of 25 Retarded Bible Verses. Most of the images were found at lolBlog.)


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Recently my wife had minor surgery on her arm that was accompanied by an allergic reaction on her skin. She called her doctor who asked for a description. She provided, as best she could, a lay person's description. The doctor listened to the description over the phone and provided some simple recommendations. This was relatively efficient telemedicine for a non-serious situation. There was no visit required, just a couple of minutes of the Doctor's time and everything worked out fine.
It occurred to me later that we could easily have taken a quick well lighted digital photo with my iPhone and emailed the digital photo to our Doctor for review, reference and inclusion in our electronic healthcare records as well. Why not? It would likely have provided better and more accurate information. I wonder how many simple health related issues could be resolved using telemedicine and integrated digital photos sent by the patient?
We are at a transition point in the evolution of mobile technologies. The mobile technology is available and relatively inexpensive, but not yet integrated into even basic services in many cases. We need industry healthcare experts to start implementing these basic technology steps that improve efficiencies and reduce costs for both the provider and the patient.
I am reminded of a call I made to a plumber a few years back. I called and said I need a plumber to do a task. I said, I will send over a series of digital photos that show exactly what I need with measurements. The plumber said, I don't know how to receive and view digital photos. As a result, he drove out, looked at the scene I could have emailed him, left for another hour to purchase the parts and returned. He turned a quick 30 minute job into a 3 hour job with the added fuel and travel costs.
Healthcare providers need not be like the plumber. Telemedicine, digital images, and remote wireless health monitoring devices that send data to the Doctor's office at regular intervals could provide incredible efficiencies.
I would like your thoughts and comments on telemedicine and using mobile and wireless devices for providing healthcare services.
Author Kevin Benedict
Independent Mobile Strategist, Sales, Marketing and Business Consultant


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Specialized Furniture Carriers Directory
Cooke Trucking Company Inc
Common Carriers, Transportation.
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One of the oldest and largest specialized home delivery carriers in America, CORY Home Delivery, founded by Joseph Cory in 1934, today is in its third generation of family management and ownership.
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CVI, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is a family-owned provider of logistics services to and from anywhere in the world.


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Rockalily Style: Cheeky Cherries/
Another ex-teaching dress from me today. I think I stopped wearing it (or only with leggings) as the slits are a little too high up the side! But now I'm not responsible for 30 little ones, it doesn't matter so much!
*Red Bandana
*Rockette Red Rockalily Lipstick
*Cherry Print Dress - Jasmine Guiness from Oli
*Black Patent Pumps - Clarks


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Skills Management Software provides the ability to effectively manage and coordinate employee skills in the workplace to better achieve the businesses goals and objectives. By using skill management software to assess your employees you can put the right person in the right place at the right time.
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Dorothy's Battle
I was recently diagnosed with skin cancer, and since May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, I'd like to share my story with you – actually it's my grandmother's story as much as it is my story.
When I was about six years old, my grandmother, Dorothy, found a small scrape on the bridge of her nose. Several weeks passed, then several months and it didn't heal. In fact, it began to look inflamed and appear to grow. After several months of this scrape looking worse and worse, she finally visited a doctor and was diagnosed with basil cell skin cancer.
Just months before my grandmother was diagnosed, a dear family-friend was also diagnosed, and chose to begin immediate treatment. This was the mid-seventies so the treatments were, by today's standards, archaic. The treatment was worse than the disease, painful, long, often leaving burns. It all turned out to be more than our family-friend could bare, and she sadly took her own life. This had a profound impact on my grandmother, and as a result she refused to undergo treatment for her skin cancer. As time went on, what started as a small scrape grew – it became red, and took the appearance of an infected wound. She began to cover it with a bandage, partially to keep the wound clean an partially to protect the rest of her family from seeing the severity of the disease as it been to consume her nose. After a time, the bridge of her nose disappeared, the sides, even the nostrils, until all that remained was the small piece between the nostrils (the Columella). By this point, a bandage would not cover the damage, so my grandmother began to use a large white gauze pad and strips of tape. Going out in public was hell for her, the looks, the whispers, the stares. I can only imagine how she felt to have people look at her the way they did.
I remember vividly the day she lost the last bit of her nose, it was as if the battle was over. She seemed saddened, yet somehow relieved, like the battle was over. I later found a small note she had written to no one in particular, that said "good-bye nose, good-bye". Some time later, while the disease continued to spread, she finally relented ad went to a doctor, who outlined a treatment program for her that was nothing like she expected, easy, pain-free, and most importantly – effective. Within a very short time, they completely stopped the growth. If she had sought treatment earlier, she may had been able to save her nose and avoid a suffering I can't imagine.
In a sad turn of fate, within months of the basal cell being stopped, she noticed a small growth on her jaw. It looked like a pimple, but had doubled in size within only a matter of days. This time, she took rapid action, and saw her doctor. They diagnosed it as Squamis cell skin cancer and outlined a treatment option, that was more aggressive, and that frightened her. So much so that she refused to enter treatment, as a result this cancer grew. Unlike the basal cell, this cancer grew fast, and was vicious. On the night before Thanksgiving, the growth was the size of the tip of my thumb, by the next day, it had doubled in size. This one was different than the one that attacked her nose, this one was vile and grotesque – leaking, oozing with a strong stench I will never forget. It rapidly ate a hole in her jaw, so large that eating became almost impossible for her. We pleaded her to go on the treatment program, but by this point she had given up and was waiting for the inevitable. She was consuming massive amounts of morphine to deal with the pain. Several times she asked me to go buy her a bottle of whiskey, so she could wash a bottle of her pills down with it and just end her journey. I could never bring myself to do that for her, but I often wrestle with the question of what if I had. Would it have spared her a few days or weeks of pain? My grandmother noticed this small growth on her jaw in late October, and passed away in May. It's been over twenty years since she passed away and I still miss her very much.
Flash forward to a few months ago, when I noticed a small – what I thought was a bite next to my left ear, really just larger than a pinhole. After two months, it didn't appear to be healing, so at my wife's urging, I scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist. As you might guess, this little sore, was diagnosed as basal cell cancer. Of course this was frightening, all be it not surprising. The doctor outlined a very simple treatment that takes only a matter of minutes, based on how advanced the cancer is. Here's the thing, as the doctor examined me for other potential issues, she paused a moment to look at the bridge of my nose. Now this didn't surprise me because I wear reading glasses and they leave a small irritation/indent on the bridge of my nose what surprised me when she wanted to take a biopsy. Shockingly, this came back positive as squamis cell. This little spot on my nose, that I saw everyday and never thought twice about, was skin cancer! I was lucky, the problems were detected early, I found a fantastic team of doctors and the problem is under control.
Early detection is key, even if you aren't sure, if you see something that makes you question – have it looked at, it's so much easier to schedule a doctors appointment that finds nothing, than to learn you have something when it's progressed so far along, the treatments are more arduous, painful and frightening.


text: The active fund industry is a marketing machine; ready to pitch short term outperformance as an indication of manager skill. Investors subsequently make a large allocation to these "winners" and more often than not end up earning less than stellar performance thereafter. Nonetheless, there is a brand new set of "winners" that are highlighted and investors follow suit. Wash, rinse, repeat….all towards inferior investment performance. Why is this case? What many investors fail to recognize that there is a more than likely chance that any type of short term outperformance is completely due to luck. Yes, Lady Luck and her temptation to fool us all by choosing the heroes and duds of the investment industry. Fortunately for us, we can use statistics, large datasets, and an academic (not marketing) approach to discovering the truth about our 5-star money managers. Eugene Fama and Ken French produced a paper (2009) entitled Luck Versus Skill in the Cross Section of Mutual Fund Performance where they examined the performance of 3,156 different mutual funds from 1984-2006 through the lens of their original Fama/French 3 Factor Model. As a quick reminder, their original model extends from Bill Sharpe's original CAPM model, which exclusively looked at Beta or market risk, into further dimensions of stock returns; that is size and relative-price (value). What they discovered was that the entire active fund universe during that time period underperformed the market, on average, by about the fees they charge for their services. Nobel Laureate, Bill Sharpe, predicted this outcome almost 2 decades earlier in his famous paper The Arithmetic of Active Management (1991). Did some managers outperform the market? Yes they did! But the number that did outperform the market with a high degree of certainty (t-stat>2) was less than what is expected by random chance. The best way to explain this concept is to give an analogy. If we filled Yankee Stadium (54,251 max capacity) and gave everyone a coin to flip, just by random chance a handful of individuals might get 10 heads in a row. Are they skilled coin flippers? Of course not! The big takeaway for investors is that if you are trying to find the next best manager that can outperform the market, looking at past performance may be setting you up to be fooled by randomness. Over the last 4 years, further research in the field of empirical finance has produced two more dimensions of expected return, which are highlighted in Fama and French's 2014 paper A Five-Factor Asset Pricing Model. Building off of their original 3-factor model, Fama and French add profitability and investment factors. These factors helped in explaining certain anomalies that couldn't be explained by their original model. Dimensional Fund Advisors recently updated Fama and French's original 2009 study of mutual fund performance by examining it under the lens of the updated 5-factor model.[1] Using a sample of 3,870 individual active mutual funds, researches looked at their performance over the 32-year period from 1984 to 2015. In aggregate, they found that the active mutual fund industry, as a whole, underperformed the Russell 3000 Index by 1.34% per year. Similarly, they found that the original 3-factor and the new 5-factor model explained 99% of the variation in active mutual fund returns, which underperformed both models by -0.08% and -0.06% per month, respectively. This is roughly in line with the average actively managed fund expense ratio and once again Bill Sharpe's now 25-year old prediction. The figures in parentheses represent the t-statistic of the explanatory factors on the aggregate active US equity mutual fund returns. As you can see, most of these figures are well above the level 2 threshold (95% confidence level) that is that standard in scientific research. You can interpret these t-statistics as indicating very high degrees of certainty in regards to the monthly estimates of the explanatory variables. For example, using the 5-factor regression, the estimate of 0.09 on the size factor with a 8.52 t-statistic means that we can be over 99.9% confident that the aggregate active US Equity Mutual Fund was slightly smaller in terms of market capitalization than the overall market from 1984-2015. Also similar to Fama and French's 2009 conclusions, the number of active managers that outperformed the 3-Factor and 5-Factor Models with a high degree of confidence (t-stat>2) was less than was is expected by random chance. The chart below shows three different distributions. First, there is a distribution that looks identical to a normal distribution. This distribution represents the potential range of the t-statistics of alpha of active US equity managers based on chance alone. In any given year, we would expect 1 out of every 40 active managers to have a t-stat greater than 2 by chance alone. On the right side of the distribution we have the potential outcomes for the extremely lucky managers and on the left side we have the potential outcomes for the extremely unlucky managers. The other 2 distributions represent the actual t-statistics of alpha for active US equity managers after they have been adjusted by the 3-Factor and 5-Factor regression models. What is very telling is the significant left of both distributions compared to the "by-chance" distribution. This means that a significant number of active US equity managers had t-statistics of alpha that were significantly less than what is expected just by random chance alone. 2.4% had alphas with a t-stat greater than 2 where we would expect 2.9 just by random chance. As in the author's own words, "these funds do as well as would be expected by extremely lucky funds found in a zero-alpha world." Research has given us insight into the wide world of investing. While many fund companies are quick to highlight their own outperformance over any given time period, a large study of active management indicates that there is a more than probable chance that this outperformance is a result of luck. In the context of an individual investor, the question you have to ask yourself is, "is it worth it to gamble with my life's savings in order to possibly earn an above average return?" The risk is that you end up being apart of the extremely unlucky group of managers and subsequently harm your financial future. We don't believe the risk is worth it and there is no evidence that suggests it is in investor's best interest to begin with. The more prudent approach would be to buy and hold a globally diversified portfolio of index funds. [1] Meyer-Brauns, Philipp. "Mutual Fund Performance through a Five-Factor Lens." Dimensional Fund Advisors, LP. August 2016. Step 4LuckSkillMutual Fund PerformanceEugene FamaKen FrenchMarketThree-Factor Model Previous Article Next Article All Articles About Index Fund Advisors Index Fund Advisors, Inc. (IFA) is a fee-only advisory and wealth management firm that provides risk-appropriate, returns-optimized, globally-diversified and tax-managed investment strategies with a fiduciary standard of care. Founded in 1999, IFA is a Registered Investment Adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that provides investment advice to individuals, trusts, corporations, non-profits, and public and private institutions. Based in Irvine, California, IFA manages individual and institutional accounts, including IRA, 401(k), 403(b), profit sharing, pensions, endowments and all other investment accounts. IFA also facilitates IRA rollovers from 401(k)s and 403(b)s. To find out more about the value of IFA click here. To determine your risk capacity, take the Risk Capacity Survey. About the AuthorsTom AllenTom Allen is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), Certified Cash Balance Consultant (CBC) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Level III Candidate. Tom received his Bachelor of Science in Management Science as well as his Bachelor of Art in Philosophy from the University of California, San Diego. Mark Hebner - Founder, Index Fund Advisors, Inc. Founder and President of Index Fund Advisors, Inc., and author of Index Funds: The 12-Step Recovery Program for Active Investors. He is a Wealth Advisor, with an MBA from the University of California at Irvine and a BS in Pharmacy from the University of New Mexico with a specialization in Nuclear Pharmacy.


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National Park Service (NPS) and concession facilities within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are now operating on a spring schedule. The Carl Hayden Visitor Center and Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center are open daily from 8 a.m. -5 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time- MST). The NPS entrance stations will be opening on Friday, March 19. Launch ramp hours are as follows:
Boaters are reminded that a mussel free certificate is required prior to launching any watercraft. Please check the website at www.nps.gov/glca for the latest lakewide ramp times and certification requirements. The launching of motorized watercraft is currently prohibited at Lone Rock and Stanton Creek Beaches.
Dangling Rope Marina opened on March 1, allowing boaters the opportunity to purchase fuel between Wahweap and Bullfrog. Other Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas facilities are open or will be opening soon. Visitors should call the resort to get the latest information. For the Wahweap area, the number is 928-645-1125. For the Bullfrog area the number is 435-684-3000.
Antelope Point facilities are also getting ready for the coming season. To get the latest information on openings, visitors should call 928-645-5900.
Colorado River Discovery began their river trips in early March. For more information visitors may call 888-522-6644.
Please come out to enjoy springtime in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, but remember that weather conditions vary widely and can change rapidly at this time of year. Boaters are advised to obtain frequent weather updates.
Last updated: February 24, 2015


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Mfg Item #: S65CM
Winchester Ammunition Match Ammunition, 6.5 CREEDMOOR, 140 Grain, Boat Tail Hollow Point, 20 Round Box S65CM
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Drive Your Vegetables
By Stett Holbrook
I NEED a new car. The Honda I'm driving now has 116,000 miles on it and I want to sell it while it's still running. I'm not sure what kind of car I'll get, but I'm leaning toward a diesel vehicle because I want to run the car on biodiesel. There are so many reasons to go biodiesel. Biodiesel is made from refined vegetable oil. It is not a petroleum product. Biodiesel is biodegradable, nontoxic and smells like popcorn coming out of a car's tail pipe. Biodiesel cuts smog-producing emissions by almost 50 percent and reduces global warming causing carbon dioxide emissions by 78 percent. As a plant-based fuel, biodiesel is a renewable resource that's not dependent on the petro-dictatorships of the Middle East or fouling wilderness and offshore waters with oil drilling. It's also one of the best ways to hoist a mighty middle finger to oil companies and warmongering oilmen like President Bush and his boss Dick Cheney and say, "I don't need your stinking oil anymore."
According to biodiesel.org, the website for the National Biodiesel Board, if the true cost of using foreign oil were imposed on the price of imported fuel, renewable fuels, such as biodiesel, probably would be the most viable option. In 1996 it was estimated that the military cost of securing foreign oil was $57 billion annually. Foreign tax credits accounted for another estimated $4 billion annually, and environmental costs were estimated at $45 per barrel. For every billion dollars spent on foreign oil, America lost 10,000-25,000 jobs. With biodiesel selling for just about $3.26 a gallon (about 10 cents more than the average price of gasoline this week), what's not to like?
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Relocating to San Jose or Silicon Valley? Let San Jose.com introduce you to some expert area real estate agents.
The trouble with biodiesel is deciding on the right vehicle and finding gas stations that sell the fuel. I don't want to buy a diesel pickup truck, so that basically leaves a diesel Volkswagen or Mercedes. The bigger issue is the availability of the fuel. Currently, there are just a handful of gas stations that sell biodiesel in the Bay Area. That makes filling up less than convenient. I have fantasies about striking deals with local fast food restaurants to cart off their used fryer oil and pour it in the tank. While using unrefined oil like this requires some minor engine modifications, pulling up at a biodiesel gas station would be a lot easier. But the only biodiesel gas station in Silicon Valley is in San Jose, way down on 10th Street at Western States Oil.
The good news is that San Jose will soon be home to the largest biodiesel refinery in the state. Golden Gate Petroleum, a Martinez-based fuel distributor, has partnered with BayBioFuels to open the refinery near the San Jose International Airport. In the first year the company is expected to produce 5 million gallons of biodiesel and 10 million gallons the next year. The company hopes to open its facility this fall and plans to open a retail outlet in the city as well. If sales go well, the company may open other outlets on the peninsula or in Marin County.
Krispin Miller, operation manager for Golden Gate Petroleum, says his company chose San Jose in part because the facility will have access to a railroad spur, allowing soybean oil to be shipped directly to the plant. While having a local refinery won't drive down the cost of biodiesel, Miller said his company is exploring regional sources of soybean oil that don't require such long distance shipping. Currently most soybean oil comes from the Midwest, but more local sources could mean lower costs at the pump.
Kicking the petroleum habit and going biodiesel has never looked so appealing.
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text: All the information provided on this website is related to health and dietary supplements. The products, which we publicize here are evaluated by the health experts that are 100% authentic and pure. All the information you gain from this website is completely accurate and based on the products. All the supplements are GMP approved and formulated in the laboratories. The products advertised by us are not intended to diagnose any diseases or medical treatment.


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Improving therapeutic outcomes for patients with myelosuppressive conditions, marrow failure states, or myeloproliferative disorders by glycan engineering.
Regenerative Medicine: Homing in on Adult Stem Cells – Implications for Future Clinical Management
Medical Grand Rounds (Feb. 4, 2004) – University of Miami
(Dr. Robert Sackstein)
A series of lectures are available on YouTube that provide information relevant to research efforts of the PEG. These lectures describe how glycans orchestrate both cell migration and cell development.


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Despite all its negative elements, the heat of summer has one very wonderful effect: it ripens all the berries! Fruit stands and farmer's markets are bursting with fresh fruit just waiting to be washed and consumed. The fourth of July offered opportunities to make those fancy Pinterest desserts overflowing with strawberries and blueberries. If you have some leftovers, or like me, just can't get enough blueberries, then you'll be happy to know that today is actually National (Gluten Free) Blueberry Muffin Day! 🙂 Just another reason to celebrate these little, delectable berries.
In honor of this awesome holiday and our gluten-free lifestyle, we've rounded up some of the best gf blueberry muffin recipes we could find and, of course, added our own for you to try. We found many different kinds of muffins, from ones with a tropical twist to berry-chocolate combinations! Be sure to try a couple recipes out and let us know what you liked, and also let the original blogs know we sent you!
Blueberry Pamelas
Confessions of a GF Mom has a great little secret for making super-quick muffins, or as she calls them, pamelas: Gluten-free pancake mix! She also uses coconut milk to add texture and moisture to the batter. If you're in a hurry, this may be the recipe for you!
Muffins for Two
The Minimalist Bakers Dana and John admit to often throwing away leftovers, so they find that making just a couple muffins in ramekins is better for them. Their vegan muffins are pretty good size, but don't have the traditional muffin top. Brown sugar and almond milk make for a richer sweetness. If you're having a good friend over, these might be just right to pop into the oven before you brew the coffee.
A Healthy Option
Dr. Axe believes that our food is Medicine, and his gluten-free blueberry muffins follow this ideology. Almond flour makes for a crumbly texture and raw honey is used to sweeten up this cute little dozen.
Tropically Twisted
If you don't mind a touch of the islands or a little crunch to your muffins, Fearless Dining might have made you the perfect coconut blueberry muffin! Shredded coconut transports your simple muffin into a tropical getaway, if only for a few minutes.
Heavenly Heavy
If you prefer your muffins to stick to your ribs, consider cHow Divine's Guilt Free, Gluten Free Blueberry Muffins. Her "Korean Flair" baked delights use flax eggs, applesauce instead of oil, almonds for protein and a decadent topping, and dates to add sweetness. These are a great options to fill a breakfast slot in a meal plan.
Though Gluten Free If You Please made their Gluten Free Mixed Berry Chia Seed Muffin with both raspberries and blueberries, I'm sure if only blueberries were used, it would still be amazing! Chia seeds add nutritional value and a wonderful texture, and a rich maple syrup gives it a breakfast flavor.
Coconut and Chocolate and Blueberries, Oh My!
Vegan Richa claims that chocolate and blueberries do go together and then proves it with these scrumptious Vegan, Gluten Free Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffins. Oat, almond, and coconut flours combine for a wonderful texture, so much that no gums are needed in the recipe! The addition of non-dairy yogurt offers moisture and a tangy flavor to the mix.
Gluten-Free-Bread.org Blueberry Muffin
Of course, you have to check out our delicious gluten free blueberry muffin, complete with a crumble topping! While you're there, check out our avocado chocolate muffin too, as they're sharing the post! They're fluffy, light, and child pleasers!
Blueberry muffins are a wonderful reason to bake and a great way to start a summer morning.
Have a wonderful National (Gluten Free) Blueberry Muffin Day!
P.S. Have you gotten your never-been-published recipe collection yet? It's free – check it out below!


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It seems appropriate that the new Avatar Land coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom will be located in an area of the Florida theme park originally set aside for a never-built land devoted to mythical and legendary creatures.
Instead of a Beastly Kingdom dedicated to dragons, unicorns and sea creatures, the otherworldly Avatar Land debuting in 2017 at the Walt Disney World park will be populated by blue-skinned Na'vi people, bioluminescent trees and flying banshees from the 2009 "Avatar" movie.
The new themed land will be tied to a trio of sequels continuing the story set forth in the highest-grossing film of all time. James Cameron, who directed, wrote and produced the original science fiction epic, promises Avatar Land will let visitors "live, eat, breathe and smell Pandora."
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During a recent visit to Disney's Animal Kingdom, I found most of Avatar Land hidden behind construction walls in the former Camp Minnie-Mickey area between the Africa and Oasis sections of the park. The framework of a large show building surrounded by towering cranes can be seen rising from nearby roadways.
Avatar Land will take over a location once occupied by the Disney character meet-and-greet area and the "Festival of the Lion King" show, which has been relocated to a new theater.
The alien land's marquee attraction will be an E-Ticket banshee flight simulator similar to Soarin' at Epcot and Soarin' Over California at Disney California Adventure. Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde, who is spearheading the project, says the new ride system will be "considerably more thrilling" than the original Soarin'.
A D-Ticket indoor boat ride similar to Pirates of the Caribbean will take riders on a river journey through the illuminated forest of Pandora.
A new nighttime spectacular featuring music, performers and water screen projections will take place on Discovery River, similar to World of Color at Disney California Adventure. For the new show, Disney is reportedly teaming up with Cirque du Soleil and WET, the design firm responsible for the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas.
After dark, lighting effects will play a prominent role in Avatar Land, with LED-lighted sidewalks and illuminated plants that respond to the touch. The man-made Tree of Life, the centerpiece of the park, is expected to undergo a major makeover that will incorporate lighting effects into every branch and leaf.
By day, the futuristic Avatar Land will be populated by lush jungle foliage, floating mountains and the ruins of a military base camp sprinkled with audio-animatronics, 3-D projections and hologram effects. An area themed as the Pandora landing station mess hall could serve as a quick-service restaurant.
It remains to be seen if Disney will incorporate any actual flying creatures into Avatar Land. A "flying entertainment vehicle" ultralight aircraft that looks remarkably similar to an "Avatar" dragon made its debut in late 2012 during the reopening of Fantasyland at Disney World.
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Vegans have quickly embraced aquafaba, since it was discovered to be a good substitute for egg whites in certain recipes. Aquafaba translates to bean water, because it's simply the juice you find in a can of chickpeas.
We decided to see how easy it was to cook with by making vegan mayonnaise. Check out the recipe here.
Produced by Grace Raver. Camera by Zach Wasser.
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The Sunken Cemetery of Camiguin is one of the must-see attractions in the island, eerie as it may be to visit a place of death, with thousands of departed buried underneath. As you might have guessed, the cemetery was not submerged by waters in the past. When Mt. Vulcan was born, the eruptions lasted from 1871 to 1875, something that also caused some areas to sink down below sea level. Some parts of the town of Bonbon sank, along with the cemetery.
Press Release | Special Holiday Flights for the Christmas Season by SEAIR
Manila, December 18, 2013. SEAIR International (SEAIR I) will fly Special Holiday Flights for the Christmas Season.
Guest Post | Swerve the Beijing Beaten Track
Like most travel destinations growing in popularity, Beijing has a million and one guide books available to travellers, most of which are out of date not long after they hit the shelves.
SnapShot | Lights and Sound Show at Ayala Triangle
SnapShot | A sub-district of Makati, Ayala Triangle is a perfect barkada/ family's tambayan during Christmas Season. More or less 800,000 colorful LED lights comes to life on its month-long lights and sound show. The enchanting show is available every 30 minutes from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. This year's show was dedicated to the survivors of typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas.
Dinagyang Festival 2014 Schedule of Activities
The Dinagyang Festival is an annual celebration held in Iloilo City every fourth weekend of January; although relevant activities already start even during the first week of the month. This cultural and religious festival is held in honor of the Sto. Niño but is also a celebration of the arrival of the Malay settlers in Panay.
Sinulog Festival 2014 Schedule of Activities
The Sinulog Festival is an annual festival held in Cebu City every third Sunday of January, drawing tens of thousands of Santo Niño devotees from across the Visayas region and even from all over the country.
Ati-atihan Festival 2014 Schedule of Activities
The Ati-atihan Festival is a week-long annual celebration held in Kalibo, Aklan, ending every third Sunday of January but relevant festivities are enjoyed even weeks before the main event. The festival is made in honor of the Santo Niño (Infant Jesus) but also recognizes the primary settlers in the islands, the Aetas or Atis.
Guest Post | Havana Good Time in Cuba
If you're looking for a holiday destination with fascinating history, stunning beaches, the finest mojitos, cracking nightlife and cars more colourful than Simon Cowells love life, then there's only one destination right? Of course I'm talking about Cuba. They also have a thriving bird watching community apparently, but let's forget about that and focus on what makes the Caribbean's' largest Island a must go destination for those who want it all.
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The Importance of Performing Due Diligence When Buying or Selling a Business
By JoAnn Lombardi, President of VR Business Brokers
There is no such thing as a short cut when approaching due diligence. As time consuming and cumbersome as the process may be, it is not to be taken lightly. The examination has to be comprehensive and thorough for both the buyer and the seller.
… performing due diligence thoroughly and comprehensively will only help you as you move closer to buying or the selling a business.
Read more about Performing Due Diligence When Buying or Selling a Business
VR Business Brokers can also assist with preparing documents and proper valuations of a business.
For more information please contact our VR Headquarters at 1.800.377.8722


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Friday, February 24, 2012
Paleo Pizza
11 comments:
your cauliflower head must have been small... I got a lot more dough than you did and it turned out mushy. I am not the best cook, though. It looked good. My toppings were ground turkey, chives, cilantro, green pepper and artichoke hearts. Those were good at least ;)ReplyDelete
Mine needed to cook much longer but other than that , perfect! I also flipped mine using parchment paper after 20 min.and then cooked for add. 10 before cooking with sauce and veggies.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMarch 5, 2014 at 10:55 PM
Well that's what I get for not following baking instructions to a T. But it turned out pretty decent anyways! Thanks for this post. It was my first ever paleo pizza. http://www.inkzoid.com/mostly-paleo/paleo-pizza-cauliflower-crustReplyDelete
Hi, we tried this today and enjoyed it although the dough was still a bit mushy. Any tips on how to get this more crunshy??ReplyDelete
Cauliflower retains a lot of moisture. Try squeezing as much water as possible. I have used a clean dish towel. You'll be amazed at how much water you can squeeze out.ReplyDelete
I'm going to make this tonight but I'm not going to steam or cook the Cauliflower ... I'll let you know how it turns out!!ReplyDelete
I'm going to make this tonight but I'm not going to steam or cook the Cauliflower ... I'll let you know how it turns out!!ReplyDelete
What can be used instead of almond meal? We have a tree nut allergy.ReplyDelete
3 Researches SHOW Why Coconut Oil Kills Waist Fat.ReplyDelete
This means that you actually kill fat by consuming Coconut Fat (in addition to coconut milk, coconut cream and coconut oil).
These 3 researches from major medical magazines are sure to turn the conventional nutrition world upside down!
I'm going to try this this week! I'm eager to eat pizza again but even using a thin regular tortilla makes me sick!ReplyDelete


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Anatomically, the nose is made up of an inner lining, a middle support layer of bone and cartilage, and an outer covering of skin which matches the face in color and texture. Aesthetically, plastic surgeons describe the nose in terms of units and subunits. These are characteristic areas of expected skin quality, border outline, and 3-dimensional contour which define what a normal appearance is. The nose is divided into the tip, the columella (the post between the nostrils), dorsum (bridge) and bilateral ala (the oblong subunits above each nostril rim), soft triangles, and sidewalls. Defects vary in size, location, shape and depth. They also vary in the affected thickness or anatomic layers injured (cover, lining, or support). But… the 'normal' does not change.
- Anesthesia: General or Sedation
- Length of procedure: 1 to 3 hours
- Length of stay: Home same day
- Discomfort: Mild to moderate. If nasal bones are broken as part of the surgery, expect 5 to 10 days of prescription pain medication.
- Anticipate: Swelling for 1 to 6 months and bruising 7 to 10 days
- Recovery: May require a cast/splint for 5 to 7 days
- Final result: 1 to 2 years as the tissues settle and swelling resolves
- Duration of results: Lasting
The approach used for surgery depends on the desired results and the surgeon's decision on how to perform the procedure. There are many methods to heal or 'fix' a wound.
Options for 'Nasal Reconstruction' include:
- Simple Closure
- Healing by Secondary Intention
- Skin Grafts:
- Full-Thickness
- Partial-Thickness
- Local Flap Reconstruction
- Regional Flap Reconstruction
Dr. Matthew Malamet will discuss the best options based upon your particular situation. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Malamet.


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In addition to illustrations by Maira Kalman, Michael Pollan has added nineteen new rules to the illustrated edition of Food Rules. For the next week leading up to the November 1st release, he will be counting down his favorite new rules and posting them here. Fingers crossed that yours truly's new rule, "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is," made the cut!
Pollan is also giving a lecture in nearby Bethesda, MD at 8:00pm tonight at the Strathmore Hall Foundation. Tickets and details here.


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At 1,283,706 hectares, the Rudall River National Park is the largest national park in Western Australia and one of the largest in the world. In fact, it is more than two-and-a-half times a large as the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. But as well as being so vast, it is also one of the most remote places in the world.
The park sits on the boundary between the Great Sandy and Little Sandy Deserts and includes the watershed of the Rudall River. Salt lakes, which are part of a palaeodrainage system, are characteristic of these desert regions. Lakes Dora, Blanche, Winifred, George and Auld form a U-shaped group east of Rudall River, with only Lakes Dora and Blanche lying inside the park boundary. Lake Dora is 198 metres above sea level and it is only for a short time after particularly heavy rains that there is any appreciable quantity of surface water in this or any of the other lakes.
Sand dunes cover much of the desert areas in the eastern and south-western parts of the park. They form parallel ridges of between 20-40 metres high, trending mainly south-east to north-west, lying between 200 metres and six kilometres apart and often extending for more than 40 kilometres in length. The central rocky area, between the two desert areas, is flatter and it is here where the main tracks cross the park: from Telfer in the north to the Talawana Track in the south, and westwards from the Rudall River crossing to Hanging Rock, on the western boundary of the park.
Rudall River National Park can be roughly divided into three landscapes -- the Little Sandy Desert in the south-west, a central belt of stony hills and flattish plains, and the Great Sandy Desert to the north-east.
A mosaic or variable mixture of tree and shrub steppe cover sand dunes and rocky hills. The main variations are around the watercourses, where there are eucalyptus tree savanna, depressions with teatree scrub, and small patches of mulga (Acacia aneura). Common species include desert bloodwood (Eucalyptus chippendalei) near the dune crests, with feathertop spinifex (Plechtrachne schinzii) mostly along the flanks; kanji (Acacia pyrifolia) on the stony plateaus and sandplains; waterwood (A. coriacea), cork tree (Hakea suberea) and occasionally jaradinty (H. macrocarpa) and Melaleuca lasiandra on the low-lying sandplains. Between the sandhills is a mixed shrub of acacias and spinifex, occasionally with tree species, that varies with soil type. Kanji and waterwood grow on the coarse sands, but on the lighter sands Acacia pachycarpa are found, often with Wickham's grevillea (G. wickhami). Thick-leaved mallee (E. pachyphylla) and twin-leaf mallee (E. gamophylla) occur on laterised soils, while desert oaks (Allocasuarina decaisneana) can be found growing in isolated scattered clumps or dense groves in depressions, often with teatrees.
Eucalyptus tree savanna is restricted to the river flats of the Rudall River itself and is characterised by river redgum (E. victorix) near the waterline, with coolabah (E. microtheca) on flats away from the river, creeks and billabongs. A small, 20-kilometre area of teatree scrub grows near the mouth of the Rudall River, where an outwash plain has formed. Melaleuca lasiandra and M. glomerata shrubs are dominant, but other shrubs, including native willow (A. salicina) and quandong (Santalum acuminatum) may also occur.
Some lower order plants such as lichens, algae and fungi have been collected in or near the park. A species of Lichenothelia, collected from a quartz pebble near Number 11 Pool in July 1982, was only the second record of this unnamed species from Western Australia, the other being in the Pilbara. Two species of the slime algae Spirogyra sp. and the brittle algae (Nitella affin. lhotzkyi) were also collected from Number 11 Pool. Other brittle algae (Chara spp.) were collected at Curran Curran Rockhole and in pools along the Rudall River. Despite extensive searches, only two fungi species have been collected in the park.
Of the animals occurring in the park, birds are better known than any other group, as they have been recorded in a number of surveys. More than 90 species have been recorded, with most being found near the Rudall River and other stream lines. The list includes more than a dozen waterbirds, which have been seen on pools, especially on the Rudall. Some, including the pacific black duck and Australasian grebe, have been recorded breeding. Species often seen coming to drink at pools include the spectacular painted finch, spinifex pigeons, which fly up with a clatter of wings, and the fairly plain-coloured white-plumed honeyeater and grey-headed honeyeaters. Some species, including the crimson chat and little button quail, arrive in good seasons and may stay to breed, often from far water. Others, like the spinifexbird and white-winged fairly-wren, also occur far from water, but appear to be resident through good seasons and poor.
Though there is little evidence to suggest changes in bird populations, the wedge-tailed eagle has apparently become less common, probably the result of the decline in medium size mammals, such as various species of bandicoot and wallaby, from the western desert regions. There is evidence to suggest that this decline in medium-sized mammals corresponds with the cessation of the regular burning of vegetation through 'fire stick farming' methods adopted by the Aborigines and the arrival of foxes in the area. The Aborigines believe that it is also coupled with the cessation of increasing ceremonies, designed to maintain species numbers.
Although 37 native mammal species have been recorded in the Great Sandy Desert, surveys in the 1980s identified only 12 species in the park, and the WA Museum's list totals only 17. These include the dingo (Canis lupus dingo), the lesser hairy-footed dunnart (Sminthopsis youngsoni), tarrkawarra or spinifex hopping mouse (Notomys alexis), ngadji or pebble-mound mouse (Pseudomys chapmani), mingkiri or sandy inland mouse (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis) and Gould's wattled bat (Chalinolobus gouldi). Further research is required to establish the present status of mammals in the park. The WA Museum has records of seven frog species (four tree frogs and three ground frogs), 13 geckos, seven dragon lizards, 21 skinks, two goannas, four legless lizards and five snakes in the park.
The Rudall River was named by Frank Hann after the surveyor and explorer William Frederick Rudall (pronounced Roo-dal, with stress on the second syllable). To the Aboriginal people who live in this remote desert region, it is called Karlamilyi.
These desert-dwelling Aborigines belong to the Warnman, Gardutjarra, Mandjildjarra and Ngulibardu language groups. The Warnman ranged from the headwaters of Karlamilyi (Rudall River), south to about the 23rd parallel, east to the Canning Stock Route and north to take in Lakes Dora, Blanche, George and Auld.
The Rudall River is unique in the region -- being a major watercourse with reliable water sources and permanent pools. This, together with the abundant wildlife it attracts, makes it an oasis for desert dwellers and one that would have featured significantly in stories of mythical heroes from the Dreaming as well as in their day-to-day lives. The western deserts are criss-crossed by a large number of song lines or Dreaming tracks associated with creative beings. Among these, are two within the area now covered by the park. One involves the travels of Wadi Gudjara (two men) along the river, whereas the other involves two snakes and the areas of Lakes Dora and Blanche, at the 'mouth' of the river. Lake Dora is the believed to be the place where the snakes disappeared beneath the ground.
Lake Disappointment, just south of the park, was strictly avoided by all the groups whose territories bounded on it. Being a salt lake, it offered little in the way of resources for the Aboriginal people, but it was more than this that kept them away. They had a great fear of the Ngayurnangalku mythological beings, who lived in a subterranean world beneath the lake, and not even the bravest of the desert dwellers would dare set foot there. Today, the lake, its surroundings and even the airspace above it, are still considered to be taboo areas to all humans, as the Ngayurnangalku are believed to have the power to pull aircraft down from the sky to crash on the lake's surface.
The Europeans Arrive
The western desert people were one of the last in Australia to be affected by European encroachment. It was not until the late 1800s that explorers began crossing this region. From 1872-74, Colonel Peter Egerton Warburton crossed the western deserts, north of Rudall River, on his journey from Alice Springs to Roebourne. It was during this journey that he incorrectly fixed the position of Joanna Spring, a mistake that partly contributed to the deaths of two men from the Calvert Expedition of 1896 (see the 'Land of the Lost' feature), which passed east of the area now covered by the park.
The first European explorations of the Rudall River area itself came in 1896-97, when surveyor William Frederick Rudall led a party of men in search of George Jones and Charles Wells, the missing men from the Calvert Expedition. Rudall made three trips through the present park area, during which he named several of its features -- including Mt Connaughton, after one of the members of the search party, and Hanging Rock-or recorded their Aboriginal names. At that time, Rudall noted that there was good gold-bearing land, but that the remoteness and sheer inhospitality of the area made it uneconomical to investigate further. He crossed the river several times and in his account of the search, written a few years later, he commented that:
"The Rudall River is a series of deep gulches 8-10 feet between banks and altogether is about 200 yards wide. There must be large quantities of water run down it in a rainy season." Someone else who was in the area at about the same time was Frank H Hann. Hann was a versatile and wide-ranging prospector, surveyor and explorer who was investigating the area for stockgrazing. Hann, then about 60 years old, entered the Broadhurst Range, just north of the park, on 31 May, 1897. He continued south to the river, then north-east to Lake Misery (later renamed Lake Dora by Rudall after his fiancee Dora M™ller). He tried his hand prospecting for gold near Mt Eva before heading south to the McKay Range and then westwards. As he approached the area near Hanging Rock, and was running short of water, he saw smoke in the distance. He followed the smoke and 'bumped into' Rudall and his search party in a place later named Meeting Gorge. Rudall described him as, "a hardy old bushman".
Apart from naming the Rudall River, Hann also named several other features in the park including a variety of mounts, lakes and ranges after Eva Broadhurst -- the one-time owner of Pyramid Station in the northern Pilbara, whose grave can still be found near the homestead and for whom Hann held a fondness and deep respect.
The Aborigines Leave
In the following years there were several other explorations in or near to the Rudall River -- the most notable being the exploration and establishment of the Canning Stock Route. The first geological survey of the area was in 1908-9 by W H B Talbot. It was these explorations and the uptake of pastoral leases that led to the migration of Aboriginal groups from the desert to outlying stations and settlements.
Aboriginal groups began leaving the desert in droves as early as the start of this century. They were attracted to the Europeans by prized materials and sometimes food. Most returned to their lands, but others, whose lands were alienated by leases, were encouraged to stay and work on stations or mining leases. Jigalong, which was originally a depot on the No.1 Rabbit Proof Fence, became a ration issue point for Aborigines in the early 1900s and by 1930 was beginning to attract desert people from farther east.
During the 20 years after World War II virtually all the western desert Aborigines left their country. Jigalong became a Christian mission and, by 1950, was attracting Mandjildjarra people from east of the lakes, and other missions sprang up at Strelley and La Grange, north-west of Rudall River near the coast. A string of waterholes from the Canning Stock Route along the Rudall River and down to Talawana Station was the major route used by the Warnman and Mandjildjarra people as they left their traditional homelands.
Another factor in the movement of Aborigines from the desert was the establishment of a rocket testing site for the British Government in the late 1950s and early 1960s. One rocket was reported to have gone off target, falling to earth near Lake Percival and frightening a group of Aborigines there for several days.
By the mid-1960s, when the last groups had emigrated or been evacuated from the deserts, the main area of residence was the Rudall River, because of its good water and food resources. This area became the final staging place for a mixed group of Aborigines from the original language groups as they headed for the missions and stations, or farther afield to outback towns.
The Rudall River National Park was declared on 22 April 1977.
. . . and Return
During the 1980s, a number of Aboriginal groups began returning to the Rudall River area. In 1982, a group from Strelley returned to an area near Lake Dora. This settlement is now known as the Punmu community, and elders from the group make periodic visits to significant areas to ensure the maintenance of ceremonial and other sites.
Towards the end of 1984, a group of Aborigines from the Jigalong Reserve moved into the National Park and established a community at Cotten Creek, near Mt Cotten. This settlement is known as the Parnngurr community. These groups are now well established within the national park.
Visiting the Park
Since those earliest visits 100 years ago by Rudall and Hann, there were probably been few other visitors except for pastoralists, prospectors, mining surveyors and naturalists until the creation of the Telfer townsite in 1975. Since then, there has been an increasing (but still very low) number of people visiting the park for recreation.
Nevertheless, it must be stressed that you should not visit the park unless you are well prepared and have sufficient food, water, medical and mechanical supplies. There are no facilities for visitors by way of fresh water supplies, signage, park ranger services, camping facilities or picnic areas, and neither the mining companies nor the Aboriginal communities have stores of food, water or fuel for travellers.
Travellers in remote areas such as this are advised to attend one of CALM's Bushcraft Courses. The course provides a basic understanding of the skills required to survive in outback Western Australia and how to prevent a mishap becoming a disaster. If you do decide to visit the park, make sure that you give details of your route and your expected date of exit from the park to a friend or other reliable person, and be sure to notify them as soon as you can after leaving the area. This is a precautionary measure for your safety.
Contact with the Aboriginal communities at Lake Dora and Cotten Creek should be avoided if possible. There are signs at the approach road to the communities asking visitors to stay away unless prior arrangements have been made. It is not that the communities are inhospitable, rather that they are attempting to live in as near a traditional way as possible by maintaining their cultural connections with the land, free from outside influence.
The Rudall River National Park is a beautiful and haunting place, rich in history and culture. This ancient land is one of only a few areas in Australia that remain rarely visited. Its secrets are known only to all a few hardy travellers, scientists, researchers and explorers, and of course, the traditional Aboriginal groups, who have lived there for tens of thousands of years.
Access within Rudall River (Karlamilyi) National Park is via unmaintained four wheel drive tracks.
The Department of Conservation and Land Management do not recommend visitors attempt to travel through the national park unless they are prepared and equipped for highly challenging off-road conditions, with support vehicles and the ability to communicate, in case of emergency. Extreme caution is advised when travelling in the remote outback.
Recent heavy rains up until May 2004 have resulted in significant damage to the existing tracks to locations within the national, including major wash-outs. Flood damage has caused many parts of the existing tracks to become impassable and new bypass tracks are being created to avoid drainage channels that are metres deep. The following advice is current as of mid-June 2004:
>>Southern access to Rudall River from the Talawana track is accessible to 4WD. The southern bore pump (water) is currently inoperative. >>Western access to the national park via Balfour Downs station is currently inaccessible to all vehicles due to flood damage, and the station owner's advice is to avoid the area as it remains very wet in sections. >>Northern access above the Desert Queen Baths section of the track is very rough. The northern bore pump (water) is currently operative.
Recent information advises access into Desert Queen Baths is slow due to burnt vegetation alongside the track and high risk for tyre damage. Access to Hanging Rock is very rough with deep wash-outs creating serious vehicle hazards. This track was considered impassable.
It is requested that contact be made with the Western Desert Puntukunupanu Aboriginal Corporation (WDPAC), telephone (08) 9172 3299 or fax (08)9172 3132, or the Parnngurr (Cotton Creek) Aboriginal Community, before you travel through their traditional lands when visiting the national park.
The Shire of East Pilbara (08) 9175 1924, the Newman Visitor Centre (08) 9175 2888 and the Newman Police (08) 9175 1201 are also important contacts for further information regarding local conditions.
The Department of Conservation and Land Management Karratha office is available more information on Pilbara national parks, including Rudall River (Karlamilyi) National Park (08) 9143 1488.
Where is it?
The park is 420 km from Marble Bar and 260 km from Newman. Access to the park is difficult, the conditions rough and facilities non-existent. The public are not encouraged to visit Rudall River unless they are extremely well equipped for desert travel.
Travelling time: Approximately 3 days from Perth. Access to the areas of desert east of the Great Northern Highway is by four-wheel-drive vehicle only.
What to do: Sightseeing, historical research, photography and painting, bush camping, bushwalking.
Facilities: No formal facilities are available in the park and visitors are advised to take plenty of water with them. The nearest fuel supplies are at Capricorn Roadhouse on the Great Northern Highway. If you intend travelling in the Rudall River area for an extended period, you should make arrangements with the roadhouse for a fuel dump.
Best season: Winter for wildflowers and lower temperatures.
Nearest CALM office: CALM Regional Office Karratha
Information for this National Park has been supplied courtesy of The Western Australia Department of Conservation and Land Management
Lamington National Park
Bald Rock National Park
Twelve Apostles


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Force Majeure, in its most literal sense, refers to an unavoidable incident, a "superior force", which is precisely the type of event which cleanly replaces the delicate balance of one swedish family with certain anarchy. When I refer to the "balance" of the family, I mean to cite its conceptual dynamics, more specifically the uneasy power play of its members. The film is no standard natural disaster flick. The disaster here wreaks ruin in the most unusual way. During a ski holiday in the French Alps, a family is enjoying a meal on a rooftop restaurant when they are graced with what initially appears to be nothing more than a natural spectacle, a small, "controlled" avalanche. But as the formidable mass of snow nears, panic rises and the dear father of the family, Tomas, reassuring his family only moments earlier, is nowhere to be seen. Reliable mother Ebba, clings desperately to her children and in many fruitless attempts, calls out persistently for her husband. But soon, the snow settles, the impending disaster never occurs, giving way to embarrassment and an ugly reality, as the sheepish father returns to the dining table and resumes his meal.
During the remainder of the ski trip, Tomas's deplorable reaction to the avalanche slowly consumes the entire family. No confrontation immediately occurs, rather each of the characters allow time to fully comprehend the details of the incident. Ebba's anguish gradually reveals itself, somewhat exclusively in the presence of various of friends and acquaintances. The result is a strange intrigue as the unwitting jury attempts to reason with and appease the couple. The issues and weaknesses of the modern marriage, once hidden neatly in the shadows, are at once amplified and the state of the entire family heads into ready crisis. The situation is analysed from every angle, every possible perception of Tomas' actions are examined. From a sympathetic angle, Tomas is no more than a slave and victim to his own survival instincts. The irony of the situation is that his self-preservation has lead only to self-sabotage - the respect and trust of his family once keenly held at the palm of his hand has now dissipated. In the worst light however, Tomas's has been exposed as a self-orientated man, far removed from his family and devoid of the necessary devotion and sacrifice that keeps the family unit alive. What director Ruben Östlund offers the audience however, is not an easy resolution- a definitive answer is never provided. What Östlund does offer is an astoundingly objective exposition of an ethical predicament. It is for the audience to dispute and decide.
Östlund strives to give depth to his film and yet neglects not in the visual presentation of Force Majeure. The feature is effortlessly stylish, the framing impeccable and whilst the landscape itself is notably stunning, it is not this which draws the audience's attention but the unusual way in which this landscape is shot. Each sequence from the various wordless skiing scenes to the climactic avalanche scene to the humorous, insightful group discussions are beautifully staged, rich and fascinating. The feature is further complemented by an intentionally jarring score consisting of dramatic strings tactically interrupting the action in short, sharp bursts.
Vibrant and astute, Force Majeure competently examines family dynamics and gender roles in a deeply satirical and situational manner. The feature is enriched with prickly sentiment and a self-aware humour, naturalistic yet intriguing dialogue and bravado performances all-round. In the lead roles of Tomas and Ebba, Johannes Kuhnke and Lida Loven Kongsli play to their strengths and emerge triumphant, their performances utterly convincing, hitting all the right notes in comedic and dramatic spirit. A fascinating, candid insight into contemporary family structures and the human instinct, Force Majeure illuminates humans as the shameful creatures we are - struggling day-by-day to live up to our individual ideals and values. It is that rare film, unnerving in its honesty and liberating in its perceptiveness.