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1991 -
Below is the text of Mr Major's speech to servicemen and their wives at Munster Army Base in Germany, made on Monday 11th February 1991.
[Quality of initial recording was poor, numerous sections are indistinct]
Thank you very much. I am delighted to be here today and I only regret [indistinct] able to have on this particular occasion. Can I just say something to you first about what is happening out in the Gulf and about the visit I made [indistinct].
I think all of you know why your husbands are out there and why your colleagues are out there in the Gulf; there are serious, important principles at stake. It is not just the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, important though that it is. I think there are wider issues as well and one of the wider issues, of course, is the fact that if a large [indistinct] nation like Iraq is able to invade a small defenceless nation like Kuwait and get away with it, then I wonder how many other small defenceless nations around the world [indistinct] a problem on our hands elsewhere if we do not deal with the problem that exists in Kuwait now.
The second problem, of course, and is that if this were to continue uninterrupted and the Iraqis were to keep control of Kuwait, then I believe very strongly that we would have a much more serious problem on our hands in two or three years time and a much more difficult and widespread problem to deal with. In fact, that it is better to deal with it now, rather than have a much wider and large-
When I went out there early in the New Year, I went out there because I wanted to see for myself because I do not believe, however well you are briefed, you can understand a matter unless you do see it for yourself. I wanted to see for myself what it was actually like out there and I wonder if I can just paint you [indistinct] picture.
I went right out in the desert [indistinct] and they were well dug-
I had the opportunity of having a lot of informal meetings with the boys over there rather like the meeting we have got here except that we were obviously short of microphones and it was just a question of gathering round and talking.
[Indistinct] when I went out there I was not at all certain what I would actually find [indistinct] professional army of course, but a professional army [indistinct] did not expect to be out in a place like the desert [indistinct] that is going on at the present time and I wondered what people would feel about that and I was naturally [indistinct] about the reaction. I do not think I will ever come away feeling so proud of people as I did of those people as I had [indistinct] just after [indistinct] but Iraq was [indistinct]. People knew what they were there for, they knew how difficult the task would be, they were totally and completely confident of their ability to do it and although on many occasions they made it clear how much they missed their families, they were utterly under-
You have all seen what has been happening [indistinct] conflict in the middle of January. The Royal Air Force, the American Air Force and the other allies have done [indistinct] over the period of the last month. They have [indistinct] with the most remarkable skill; you can actually see from photographs out there how military targets have been picked out in the middle of large areas and destroyed [indistinct] have not been damaged at all and it has been a remarkable operation [indistinct] longer than many people imagine. It will go on for a little longer yet, for a very good reason: we want to make sure that if and when it comes to a land battle -
When I was there, I [indistinct] some of the boys I met actually came from and I do assure you that they are totally prepared for what lies ahead.
There were several other things I had the opportunity of discussing with them and that I would like to mention to you today. When this [indistinct] is over we will, I promise you, bring them home just as soon as we can. I do not propose to leave them out there for a lengthy period at the end of this conflict. It may be we will have to bring the troops who are out there back home and replace them for a short while for logistical reasons, clearing up and bringing home equipment, with some other troops; that is a decision to be taken and quite possibly that is what will happen but I will not keep them out there for a lengthy time at the end of this particular conflict.
Let me also just say a word about the future of the army and [indistinct] at the end of this particular conflict what we can learn from it, what it actually may mean in terms of the future size, scale and skills that we need for the Armed Forces generally and for the Army in particular and we also will need to look and see what is needed for the future of individual regiments. That will take a while but I think it is a wise decision to stop, regroup and consider at the end of this conflict though it will not delay a decision unnecessarily because I know of the difficulties and uncertainties that that causes in many people's minds.
One other thing [indistinct] here in Germany [indistinct] I will just say to you I do not know quite how clearly you get a feel of what opinion is like in the United Kingdom but I must say to you that the support that there is for your husbands and for those troops out there in the United Kingdom is so tangible you can [indistinct] feel it, not just in the House of Commons though certainly [indistinct] the House of Commons, but also there among the public at large there is a total and overwhelming support for your husbands out there and tremendous respect for the work that has to be done and is going to be done. I think many people who perhaps often do not think about these matters will have gained new respect for the work of the Armed Forces as a result of what they can see and learn in this the first-
I wish you could feel how strong that support is because I think it would be a comfort and I think to your husbands in the Gulf it certainly would be a great comfort [indistinct] the support that they have.
[Mainly indistinct, but regarding the large number of letters the Prime Minister had received at Downing Street]
[Indistinct] from other people in this country who support has been tremendously important. Your letters are getting through and the fact that they are getting through and the support that you are actually giving to your husbands from here is of the most immense importance. That is one of the things, I believe, why morale out there is so very high and if they cannot be here to say that to you, I am pleased that I am, to say "Thank you" for those letters and to keep on writing to them even though it is not always easy for them to reply and may not be so in the future, I do assure you [indistinct] all the things may not be so in the future, I do assure that [indistinct] receive your letters sent out there is very much appreciated
So thank you very much indeed for your welcome today and I was very pleased to be able to come today. I hope this matter will not drag on too long. I cannot tell you how long it will be because I do not yet know, but I can reiterate finally the promises that I made some time ago that when it is over, we will not delay in bringing your husbands back home to you and I hope that that day will not be far away. [Applause].
[indistinct] but now I have had the opportunity of seeing their families and seeing the tremendous support they are being given by them [indistinct] I am very pleased that I came.
We will, I think, have to consider, at the conclusion of the events in the Gulf, precisely what lessons we have learned from it in order to be sure that we make the right decisions. That is the most important thing: to make sure we make the right decisions to have the right size and nature of army for the threat to be [indistinct] in the future, so that will be my first concern. I will not delay in making those decisions but I think I do have to gather together the facts and the lessons we have learned in order to be able to make them so I am afraid I cannot give you a time-
[Indistinct] people will be coming back home [indistinct] back to Germany?
Back to where their families are. I think that is where they will want to come.
Finally, Prime Minister, do you have any message -
Only that I hope I can understand how they feel at this difficult time. I do understand that it is very easy for people to say it is very necessary but a particular stress and strain is placed upon the families of the troops who are actually out there. I admire them tremendously in the way they have responded to that strain and I hope that that strain will come to an end as soon as possible in the most favourable way.


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Ubisoft is betting that you can develop a meaningful story in such a place, and the publisher is going to try to make it happen in the lush and varied world of Far Cry 2. Game Designer and "Narrative Designer" Patrick Redding of Ubisoft Montreal revealed how he and the rest of the Far Cry 2 team hope to tackle this thorny problem at an advanced and illuminating session during the 2008 Game Developers Conference.
The lush and varied environments of Africa
make for a great setting.
make for a great setting.
Exploring a Heart of Darkness
The Far Cry 2 team decided on Africa as a locale primarily because the environments of the continent are so rich and varied. The team created a 50-square-kilometer region simulating various African ecologies tightly packed together.
That setting leads to an obvious modern-day villain: the idea of African warlords. As the narrative designer, Redding wanted to focus on a kind of "Heart of Darkness" scenario, exploring the impact of war and the loss of humanity. But he needed to do this within the context of an FPS game. This isn't an RPG with lots of dialogue trees; the player's principal form of input into the story is who they shoot.
So to make the story work within the context of a shooter, the team zeroed in on a "Red Harvest" scenario, a storyline similar to the classic Kurasawa movie "Yojimbo." Here, the player is trying to bring down two powerful warlords by pitting them against one another, playing them off each other, and pretending to be working for both. It was the perfect way to create a story driven by the player... and a great excuse for players to take all sorts of missions and shoot just about everybody.
"The player is going to have a hand on the throttle," Redding explained. He stressed that the story would be "pulled" by the players, rather than "pushed" onto them. To that end, there will be what he called "beacons" set up throughout the world to draw players in to specific events from wherever they are. As for the player's main character, he's a blank slate. Redding wants players to put their own ideas into the character, so the design team opted for the "Gordon Freeman route" -- that is to say, the main character never speaks. Instead players can start to identify with a cast of NPCs representing various viewpoints; who you do missions for and spend time talking with is how you define your reaction to the environment.

subset: commoncrawl


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LA Music Festival Buried by Chinatown Censorship Resurfaces Downtown @THE REEF "The Show Must Go On"
Nick Janicki, Producer: +1 (480) 382-3105
Anastasia Lin, Emcee: +1 (416) 953-3659
Kate Vereshaka, Artistic Director: +1 (845) 800-0958
LA Chinatown's Business Improvement District quashed the festival's longstanding agreement with the Park, falsely labeling it "anti-China", and assuming full authority to control the rightful and legal acts of US citizens in a publicly owned space.
The festival is scheduled for July 29 and will feature an eclectic lineup of music acts, including moe., Citizen Cope, Beats Antique, Talib Kweli, The Main Squeeze, Ethio Cali, and Jungle Fire; an outdoor market with over fifty environmentally sensitive, sustainable and green vendors; top chefs at the nexus of cuisine and culture; art, performance, and installations; meditation retreats, and Qigong and Yoga workshops.
"Our eyes are on China but our mission is universal," said festival emcee, human rights activist and Miss World Canada, Anastasia Lin. "We're using our festival to shine light into the darkness, to inspire compassion, and to unite brave artists who speak the truth. The fact that we, ourselves, are now being censored on US soil shows how important this festival is."
Although the situation poses serious ethical and legal questions for the State of California and Chinatown BID, Blacklisted organizers will not be pressing the matter.
"Our whole purpose is to break the silence on injustice and censorship," said organizer, Nick Janicki. "What happened with Chinatown BID has done precisely that, so now people can see it clearly and make a choice for themselves."
In true Woodstock spirit, festival organizers quickly found an alternative location—Magic Box @ The Reef—an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind event venue in Downtown LA, recent host to Entertainment Weekly's Popfest.
"I am extremely grateful to THE REEF management for upholding justice and welcoming our event," said Janicki. "We've worked with producers of major festivals and spent almost a year to get this off the ground. It will be an incredible day out, it's for an incredible cause, and the show must go on."
The all day concert and conscious raising gathering will be hosted in partnership with the International Coalition to End Organ Pillaging in China, with all proceeds dedicated to bringing further awareness to the cause through the medium of the arts, including large scale festivals, music albums, documentaries, and exhibits.
Festival organizers include Producer, Nick Janicki—an Arizona-based conscious entrepreneur—and Artistic Director, Kate Vereshaka—artist, singer/songwriter, and Amnesty International "Woman of Conscience". The beguiling New York based Kate, who performs under the stage name Belle, will perform her heart wrenching original 'Lambs to Slaughter' with her band. The haunting lyrics serve as a backdrop for her indefatigable passion for speaking out in melody. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO8flKzy3_o
Channeling the spirit of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we beg the question. "Where do we go from here?" Answer. Be Courageous, and come out in droves to the "Blacklisted" Music + Arts Festival, July 29, 2017.
Read More:
Though the troubling issues are variegated, the producers of Blacklisted Festival are unwavering in their stance to break the silence. Indifferent to the ramifications they have taken a stand against apathy while intolerable infractions are perpetrated against the citizenry of China and beyond.
The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is broadening their oppressive scope with dissidents, students and an incalculable number of innocents are being targeted by a totalitarian regime driven by a powerful elite that marches in lockstep with multi-national corporations and special interests co-dependent on commerce with China.


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Polaroid is rolling out its own line of camera-equipped drones, which will be available at retail outlets across the U.S. starting in spring and summer of this year.
The company says it is targeting the drones for "on-the-go consumers who are ready to fly." The line has an expected MSRP of $59.99-$269.99, according to the longtime camera giant.
Each drone features a six-axis gyroscope flight stabilization system and offers multiple flight speeds. In addition, all models are paired with a dedicated 2.4 GHz remote controller.
The Polaroid PL2500 features three flight speeds with up to 15 minutes of flight time. It also includes a built-in HD 720p camera with Wi-Fi to live stream video and photos to a smartphone or tablet.
The Polaroid PL2300 offers a built-in HD 720p gimbal camera with Wi-Fi to also live-stream video and photos. It comes with three flight speeds and offers up to eight minutes of flight time.
Lastly, the Polaroid PL1000 includes a built-in HD 1080p camera with live stream video capabilities, three flight speeds and 12 minutes of flight time.
The U.S. Polaroid camera drone range is offered by Abrim Enterprises, Inc ., an authorized Polaroid licensee. Polaroid notes that all of the drones in the line weigh enough to require federal registration.
"With the introduction of our U.S. drone line, Polaroid is truly taking the experience of capturing life's most memorable moments to a new level," says Scott W. Hardy, president and CEO of Polaroid.


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Grand prize is open internationally. You must be 18 or older to enter. The hunt will only be open for 72 hours so play fast! Entries sent without the correct phrase or without contact information will not be considered. All entries must be received by May 28 at noon Central Time.
On with the hunt!
Today, I have the pleasure of hosting Katrina Stauss, one of the very first authors I read in the m/m genre and still one of my favorites!
Katrina Strauss discovered her love of romance novels with childhood peeks at her grandmother's paperbacks. As an author, she pays homage to the timeless genre with her own dark, daring twist. She currently lives with her family in Savannah, Georgia. When not writing, she watches entirely too much anime. Find out more about Katrina on her WEBSITE or her BLOG.
It was a bit challenging, as Dusty is blind, so I really had to put myself in the character's shoes. In fact, I wrote it three years ago as the opening chapter to Dusty's spinoff book before other projects forced me to set it on the back burner.
Maybe someday I'll finish writing that particular book. In the meantime I thought I'd publicly share this chapter, for the first time ever, as a Blue Ruin outtake.
** Exclusive outtake from Blue Ruin 4: Need You Tonight -- Dusty's POV **
Dusty knew when they'd left the city. He could tell by the cooler breeze against his face, the fresh scents of pine and grass. Even the faint hint of manure proved a refreshing change. Born blind, he'd never seen colors, yet he associated these scents with the sound of the word "green" and the pure, clear chime of crystal. The city, on the other hand, had always struck him as being a drab-sounding brown or gray. He'd mentioned this impression earlier to his friend Blue, whose colorful name held its own special connotations, while they were stuck in a traffic jam. Blue had told him those colors perfectly described the smoggy haze that had laden the city that past summer. Dusty hadn't known how to explain to Blue it was more than pollution bogging down the crowded metropolis and casting its hue on all that fell in its shadow.
Yes, it was cleaner here outside of the city, not only devoid of the stench of exhaust and fumes, but Dusty's mind was cleaner, less cluttered by the constant buzz he picked up, like radio static, of too many souls packed in close proximity, their thought-streams often as congested as the city streets, the negative ones too often tainting the good. Yes, life in the city could prove unhealthy not only for the body but the mind and, especially, the soul. It was because of this that he'd accepted Blue's offer to arrange a much-needed vacation in a smaller town, about two hours free of the tangled urban sprawl.
That, and Dusty was intrigued by the impressions he picked up whenever Blue mentioned his soon-to-be host, Cameron Carter. Although they'd never met, the mechanic had graciously agreed to let Dusty stay with him a few months, allowing Dusty time to recharge from the drain of the recent murder case he'd helped solve, one which had nearly cost him and Blue their lives. Dusty shuddered, remembering the sheer evil he'd felt as the killer's soul had risen from the shell of its former host and whispered and slithered around him, one final taunt, before taking leave. Some souls were at peace once they left the mortal realm, but not that one -- that one would be back, to wreak havoc and discord elsewhere, as would others, and so Dusty must regain his strength before he was called upon to help again.
A slight change in atmosphere charged the air. "We're almost there," Dusty said.
"Yeah," Blue confirmed. "Just passed a sign that said Bethel Ridge, one mile." When they'd first met, Blue's tone had often rang of surprise at Dusty's offhanded, accurate observations. Now, Blue seemed to accept such moments with bemused curiosity. "How'd you know?"
"I can feel the people." Unlike the city they'd just left, however, the congregation of souls Dusty sensed down the road were fewer, quieter, more relaxed and at ease with life in their simpler surroundings. Yes, Bethel Ridge could prove a welcome break.
"I'll call Cam and let him know we're close." Dusty heard the click of the cell phone being opened, the musical tones of keys being thumbed. "Hey, Cam. Yeah, we're almost there. You said turn left past the McDonald's on Wildflower Drive, fourth house on the left past the row of mailboxes." Blue paused, and his voice softened. "Yeah, it'll be nice to see you, too."
Dusty never searched inside his friends' thoughts without permission, but between plain old intuition, and the details he'd gleaned in conversation, Dusty knew that Blue trusted Cameron, although it had been a hard-earned trust, one which didn't come lightly, and that knowledge was assurance enough that he'd find sanctuary in this stranger's home. Dusty also knew Blue had been intimate with Cameron and cared for him as more than a friend, but that he held those feelings at bay, even lying to himself, so as not to hurt Derek, the man who held the strings to Blue's heart.
Dusty himself had indulged in certain pleasures with both Blue and Derek, but he also understood that no matter how open their relationship, no one could touch what the couple shared. To bask in the love that burned between them, even for only a few passionate encounters, was privilege enough. Not to mention it had been the hottest sex Dusty had enjoyed in his life.
But now Cameron -- Cameron had tried to come between them, and he'd failed. Dusty couldn't help but speculate as to how this made the mechanic feel, to have been left out in the cold, to know he could have Blue on the side but would never be Blue's first choice. It also left Dusty to suspect an ulterior motive on Blue's part in bringing him to Bethel Ridge, but again, he wouldn't pry into his friend's mind. For a born psychic, surprises were few and far between, and sometimes Dusty liked to be surprised.
The car gradually slowed. Dusty knew the choppy puffs of wind paired with intermittent engine sounds meant they were passing buildings and being passed by cars. The tires rolled to a near stop, and he felt the bump of railroad tracks before Blue sped back up.
A familiar, welcome scent filled his nostrils, making his mouth water. "There's the McDonald's," Dusty nodded in the direction of the smell.
"Okay, how the fuck did you know that?"
"I can smell the burgers. Can't you?"
"Not from two blocks back, no," Blue muttered. "And how do you know it's not some other burger place?"
"They have their own unique aroma." Dusty laughed and rubbed his stomach. "Mmm, McSmell."
Blue laughed. The McSmell came and went, but Dusty's hunger remained. He heard the rapid clicking of the turn signal, felt the car veer left. As he swung with it, the butterflies that had tickled his gut since leaving the city now hit full-force with mad flurry. His breath left him a moment, his head spun, and he knew, just as sure as his name was Dusty Sterling, that his life had veered in a new direction as well. Ah, a surprise. Dusty smiled to himself, ready to embrace and explore whatever path had just opened before him.
*** Copyright 2009 by Katrina Strauss
Dark romance for daring readers http://www.katrinastrauss.com ***
The next stop on the Erotic Romance Scavenger Hunt is... Angel Martinez! Good luck!


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Tourists travelling to America will have to get authorisation from the United States before crossing the Atlantic.
Around four million Britons a year visit the USA.
They will be able to make applications from August and permission will be granted for two years - unless a passport is renewed in the meantime.
A fresh application will also have to be made if a traveller changes name, such as a woman who gets married.
The online applications will replace the forms that passengers fill out on board an aircraft as it crosses the Atlantic.
They will be expected to answer questions about criminal convictions, communicable diseases and whether a visa application has ever been turned down.
Normally applications should be made 72 hours in advance, but they will be accepted at the last minute.
Anyone turning up without an authorisation to travel is likely to be prevented from boarding – or will be turned away on arriving in the USA.
Passengers have been advised to turn up at the airport with a printout of their electronic authorisation.
It had been thought that the system, known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, would be free.
But announcing the details, it emerged that applications will be free "initially" raising the possibility of charges being introduced at a later date.
A spokesman for Virgin Atlantic warned charging for an application to enter the country would put off tourists.
"Getting this information in advance enables our front-line personnel to determine whether a visa-free traveller presents a threat before boarding an aircraft or arriving on our shores," said Michael Chertoff, the USA's Homeland Security head.
The move is one of a series of measures adopted by Washington as it tries to tighten up border security.
Other plans include fingerprinting passengers as they leave the country.
This will start at certain airports next January, with the US government expecting airlines to do the work.
This, Virgin Atlantic said, could lead to passengers facing long delays as they leave the country.


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Apple has called its Apple TV set-top box a 'hobby' since it first launched the device seven years ago. Since then, Apple has refined the Apple TV repeatedly – adding high-profile streaming content, developing AirPlay as a way to stream content from a Mac or iOS device and adding mobile device management (MDM) features that allow schools and businesses to remotely configure Apple TVs in classrooms and conference rooms.
Despite those advancements, and Apple CEO Tim Cook's acknowledgment last year that Apple has sold 13 million Apple TVs (half of them between 2012 and early 2013), the device has yet to shake its 'hobby' moniker.
There's been a common assumption that Apple's real motive is to develop a platform and needs partnerships to launch a full fledged HDTV, no set-top box required. Predictions along those lines have come from analysts like Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster and were even called out in Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs, where Apple's late CEO said he had "finally cracked" how to disrupt the television industry, much as Jobs and Apple disrupted the music and mobile industries.
But Apple has yet to turn Apple TV into anything more than it is now, and on Monday one of its biggest competitors may have beaten it to the gate.
Roku, which first shipped its own set-top box for streaming internet content in 2008, announced at the CES 2014 trade show in Las Vegas, US that it has partnered with Hisense and TCL of China to bring to market HDTV models ranging in size from 32in screens to 55in screens. All models will include built-in Wi-Fi and deliver the full Roku experience, plus traditional broadcast television channels. Users will get Roku's Channel Store, which boasts 1200 streaming services, many of them developed by broadcast and cable/satellite networks. Users will also be able to navigate content using an iOS or Android app and the devices will feature 'casting' support that will allow users to project content from mobile devices or PCs onto the TV screen – similar to the integration of Apple's AirPlay service in newer Apple TV models.
Roku has been the primary competition for Apple in the smart or connected TV market and the two companies largely dominate that market. While Apple has sold more than 13 million Apple TVs, Roku has wracked up sales of eight million devices across its line-up. According to market research firm Frost and Sullivan, the two companies represented more than three-quarters of the global streaming device market in July 2013. (Apple had 56.1 percent of the market to Roku's 21.5 percent at the time.) A separate study from Park Associates the following month showed Apple in a more precarious place: it found that among US households with a streaming device, 37 percent used Roku hardware while 24 percent had an Apple TV.
The advantages of deep integration
There a number of potential advantages to having deep integration with both the TV and content providers.
The most significant of these is the ability to control the entire user experience. When setting up or using any of Roku's existing devices or an Apple TV, you need to use the remote that came with the TV to navigate to the appropriate input. Although this is rarely a herculean task, there is a clear delineation between the experience of your TV's menu system, some of which are poorly designed and confusing.
The user experience, however, doesn't always stop there. With other devices, like cable boxes, DVRs, Blu-ray players and game consoles that users navigate on a regular basis, each has its own interface making for a disjointed user experience from the get-go.
Apple prides itself on delivering clear, easy to navigate, unified experiences that entertain and 'delight' users. This is so deeply embedded in Apple's culture that user experience goes beyond just the user interface and often includes a product's packaging, the buying experience at an Apple store and the setup process of a new device. That experience is easily compromised when there are half a dozen or more inputs and devices and interfaces. This has been described as the reason an Apple HDTV makes sense for the company and its customers. It's also clear that Roku recognises the challenge, based on the blog post by Roku CEO Anthony Wood announcing Roku TV.
That simplicity also enables easier setup and troubleshooting. Often it can be challenging to determine whether a problem is caused by the TV, a connected device, the cables connecting them or a misconfiguration by the user. As devices become more complex and people add more devices to a single TV, the setup process – and, if needed, the troubleshooting process – can become unwieldy. Building a service directly into the TV means a much clearer process for users, help desk agents or service technicians.
A better remote
One of the points Roku touts about its new TV initiative is a simplified remote control. Apple has already done that with its remotes, which can also be used to control content on a Mac or TV. Apple's remote has been pared down to just seven buttons. Both Roku and Apple also allow users to control devices with their smartphones or tablets, which can streamline functionality even more. The advantage when a service is built directly into the TV is that you only need one remote.
Another advantage is integration with traditional content providers like cable and satellite companies. Roku's Channel Store already includes streaming access to content providers such as Time Warner Cable, HBO Go and WatchESPN. They let customers access live broadcasts, as well as streaming content on demand. With the right set of partnerships, this environment could obviate the need for set-top cable or satellite boxes. The effect, if not the exact technology involved, would be similar to devices like Tivo that use the cable card standard.
This ubiquitous combined access to traditional and internet content from a single interface on a single device is actually the ideal that Google was shooting for with Google TV. But it wasn't able to fully develop the system, in part because it couldn't establish the partnerships needed for success. The challenge for any company is to develop partnerships with content owners, networks and studios and content providers. The ideal service – one that is effortless and delivers a full plate of free, subscription and purchase/rental contenton demand – by nature includes some level of unbundling, something that content owners and providers see as undermining their business models.
Allowing à la carte access to a network or studio's entire library of content poses real risks to most media companies. It is also the approach that most people picture when they see Jobs' comment about cracking the TV industry. That could indeed be as disruptive as iTunes was to the recording industry a decade ago. It's commonly assumed that the reason Apple hasn't come out with its own HDTV is because it hasn't been able to secure the partnerships needed to meet Jobs' vision, though the gradual addition of content apps on Apple TV indicates that may be changing.
How would an Apple HDTV compare to a Roku TV?
It's hard to know how an Apple-made TV would stack up to the Hisense and TCL-made Roku TVs. The one definite difference is that Apple would almost certainly take on the entire design, production and sales processes. Roku, in contrast, is largely presenting existing TV makers with a platform that they can use rather than build their own. Roku is also reported to be open licensing its platform to other manufacturers, which could give it quick dominance in the market if it can line up a range of TVs from manufacturers across the price/feature spectrum.
Apple would most likely focus on the premium segment of the market. That may not drive the greatest marketshare, but it would likely deliver better returns than the typically razor-thin margins for consumer TVs, and better profits. It's essentially the same strategy Apple employs today in in the desktop/notebook, smartphone and tablet markets.
Apple would likely keep much closer tabs on the apps or channels available to users and to the experience that they provide. It's unlikely it would provide a full SDK for the Apple TV and allow anyone and everyone to create apps for the platform.
The other competitors
Roku and Apple may dominate this market at the moment, but they are far from the only players. Google is currently on its third attempt to penetrate the market with its US$35 Chromecast. Although the initial Chromecast feature set was limited, the platform has grown in recent months to include a range of apps and content providers. The biggest appeal of Chromecast is, of course, its price tag, which is significantly lower the Apple TV's US$99 cost and notably lower than Roku's entry-level Roku 1, which retails for US$59.99. Google's two previous efforts included the Google TV platform, which was built into some early smart TV models as well as dedicated set-top boxes and some Blu-ray players; and the Nexus Q streaming device that never made it to market.
Samsung has developed its own smart TV ecosystem that includes an iTunes-style store and integration between the company's other devices, including smartphones and tablets. LG is also announcing a new smart TV platform based on webOS, which the company purchased from HP. Many Blu-ray players, some DVRs like those from TiVo, and game consoles like Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PS3 offer support for streaming content from a handful of services. Lesser known set-top boxes like those from Western Digital also offer streaming of local and internet content.
Out of the living room, into the classroom or conference room
One area where Apple is seeing some success compared to rivals is outside the consumer market altogether. AirPlay is a killer feature of the Apple TV for home users, but it is also a killer feature for schools and businesses. Although Apple didn't initially promote AirPlay in such environments, the company has climbed on board with making the Apple TV education and enterprise friendly.
Because the second and third generation Apple TVs are iOS devices with a unique interface, they can be managed like iPhones and iPads. Apple began introducing management capabilities with Apple Configurator and iOS 6, but has ratcheted up them up significantly with iOS 7. Apple TVs can now be managed over-the-air using the iOS MDM framework, meaning that if a company or school has implemented MDM for iOS devices, basic network configuration and passcode requirements for Apple TVs can be managed just as easily. iOS 7 also allows IT departments to create whitelists of Apple TV devices that can be provided to user iPhones and iPads based on the classrooms (or conference room, theatre space or office) where access is needed. Along with the white list of devices, secure passcodes for approved Apple TVs can be sent to a user's device without the user having to enter or even know those pass codes.
In some respects, this is a market where having a separate device can be an advantage over a TV with built-in smart capabilities. The Apple TV's size and relative ease of setup also makes it a good portable presentation system for business users on the road. The device easily connects to a TV or projector with an HDMI port (and through the use of an adapter with other devices as well. Likewise, it can be connected to a local Wi-Fi network, via ethernet, or even to a portable hotspot or a network created from the user's MacBook or PC notebook.
AirPlay's maturity is also a powerful advantage in these markets. Not only does AirPlay allow projection or casting of content to an Apple TV, it also allows for full screen mirroring for both iOS devices and Macs. For Macs running OS X Mavericks, an Apple TV-equipped TV can serve as an additional screen without mirroring. That delivers immense additional screen real estate at a moment's notice.
Ultimately, it's too early to tell how the smart or connected TV market will evolve. Roku may stand a better chance than many of its competitors or it may suffer a fate similar to Google TV. Apple's plans are, as always, something of a mystery. One thing that does seem clear, however, is that the pressure is mounting for Apple to develop the Apple TV into something more than just a hobby.
by Ryan Faas, Computerworld


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Actor Marcos Arrested For Abusing His Wife
Argentina-born actor Marcos (Marcos Benjamin Lee) was arrested for abusing his wife, professional golfer Ahn Shi Hyun.
Their fight started over a fairly insignificant reason. According to the police, Ahn Shi Hyun asked Marcos to bring her a roll of toilet paper when their daughter peed on the floor. Marcos was in a rush leaving the house to go to a film shoot. An argument started from this, and soon, Marcos threw a vacuum cleaner and Ahn's cell phone onto the floor. Marcos then pulled her hair and hit her twice.Ahn Shi Hyun called the police right after her husband treated her violently, and because of this, Marcos was stuck at the police station for 5 hours. Had he grabbed a toilet paper roll for her, Marcos wouldn't have gone through all this.


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Definition of demon
- angels and demons
- the demons of drug and alcohol addiction
- confronting the demons of his childhood
- a demon for work
- Doug, putting like a demon, had birdies on the third and sixth …
- —Fred Tupper
- A mailer daemon installed on an e-mail system can respond to a piece of incorrectly addressed e-mail by generating an automated message to the sender that the message was undeliverable.
- —J. D. Biersdorfer


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Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has insisted his side will strive to win every game until the end of the season as they attempt to cut down Manchester United's lead at the top.
Roberto Mancini's side fell 12 points behind their local rivals following defeat to Southampton at St Mary's but the Argentine believes that disappointment is now forgotten.
"The boost of winning well against Leeds and getting the Southampton defeat out of our system was just what we needed," Aguero told the club's official website.
"The chances of ending this championship in the best possible fashion have only improved, but we know what we are capable of and have done for a long time. This is a team that always goes for the win in every game."
City face third-placed Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon and Aguero is expecting a tough game, despite the Blues' recent run of indifferent form.
"Chelsea are a great team," he added.
"They've won the Champions League for a reason and even if they were eliminated from that tournament and haven't had as good as season as they might have expected in the League, they are still a great team with many fantastic players - but so are we.
"But we are even stronger at Etihad so while I hope it's a good match, it goes without saying I hope it goes our way."
The former Atletico Madrid forward went on to dismiss speculation over his future, revealing his happiness with life at the club.
"I'm very happy at City and I feel appreciated and loved here which means a lot to me," he continued.
"It's been barely more than a year and a half since I've arrived and sometimes I feel like I've been here for all my life.
"I keep a symbiotic relationship with our fans which always reminds me of our title triumph and that goal against QPR. How could I forget that? More to the point, why would I want to forget that?"


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Mi Barrio
Despite its unassuming exterior connected to a gas station, Mi Barrio (5023 Wake Forest Rd) has some decent eats.
We started with some free chips and salsa (one red, one green, both good), and an extremely refreshing michelada (beer with lime, tomato juice, and a lovely salted rim — $4.50). It's much better than it sounds. Unless you think it sounds really good, I guess.
The highlight of the meal was also the unhealthiest: Camarones Mi Barrio (shrimp wrapped in bacon and covered in monterey jack cheese over a bed of sautéed onions and peppers — $11.95). This tasted exactly like it sounds, and it was delicious, if unsurprising. It's pretty hard to go wrong with anything wrapped in bacon, and the sauteed vegetables were also done well. Also, you might be able to see a bit of the steam that was coming off this dish. There is just something about food that comes out sizzling.
Our second favorite dish was the Chamorro de Puerco ($9.95), a marinated pork shank with a side of Guadalajara sauce. The meat had great flavor, but the Guadalajara sauce got a thumbs down from GNR. Luckily it was on the side, and the sauce the meat was cooked in was great on its own.
We also had the Chile Verde ($9.95), pork loin braised in a green sauce of fresh tomatillos, green peppers, onions, and spices. The sauce was not bad but not the most flavorful green sauce on the table–that went to the spicy green salsa that came with chips. The pork was also a bit fattier than we would have liked.
The refried beans and rice that came with our meals were well-made–not thrilling, but a bit better than your average sides. We were originally brought flour tortillas, but they were happy to oblige when we asked for corn tortillas instead. They were not homemade though.
For dessert, we had a simple but pretty delicious banana wrapped in a fried flour tortilla, topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and cinnamon. The cinnamon really brought it all together.
If I lived remotely near this place I would go back often if just for the green salsa and the micheladas and the cheerful decor. But the menu was also huge and had a lot of good-looking dishes on it–definitely worth checking out, even if it may not be the absolute best Mexican in town.


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Live updates
Yorkshire runners up in national photography competition
Photos of Halifax in West Yorkshire and Ribblehead in the Yorkshire Dales have both been named runners up in the Network Rail Lines in the Landscape award as part of the Take a View Landscape Photographer of the Year competition.
The images by Mark Voce from West Yorkshire and Graham Roose from Lancashire were joined in the runners up by an image of Berwick-upon-Tweed by Jack Beeston from East Yorkshire.
They were pipped at the post by Graham Hobbs from Dorset who was chosen by Charlie Waite, renowned landscape photographer and founder of the competition.


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disability-- do you know nurses with disabilities?
If I have a disability and applied for disability will it hurt my chances getting into nursing program. I have a hard time writing my papers in an hour without errors and think I have a little disability but nothing major. i am getting better in my writing but I need to take English 1 & 2 and take the regents exam.I am at a community college, and I would like to transfer to a university. I have a speech impair. Am I wasting my time trying get into nursing program or should I do something different? thanks!
Sorry , I was taking about a learning disability. I learn fast but not quiet as fast as others plus I have a speak slight speach impair so didn't know if it hurt my chances getting into nursing school. I think some of my problem is confidences in myself too. Thank you for you help.Last edit by alison-z on Oct 12, '04
About alison-z
Joined: Nov '03; Posts: 11Oct 9, '04Not sure what kind of a disability you mean when you say you 'think' you have a disability...
I once worked with a nurse who was totally deaf, but she was able to communicate with other staff and with the patients.Oct 9, '04I think it will largely depend on your disability. If you applied for disability I am certain it would not affect your ability to go to nursing school (unless perhaps it is a mental disorder). When you get a job you will lose your disability, though.Oct 12, '04Quote from jembNot sure what kind of a disability you mean when you say you 'think' you have a disability...
I once worked with a nurse who was totally deaf, but she was able to communicate with other staff and with the patients.
If somone worked in nursing that is deaf than I shouldn't have any problems because My eyes and hearing are good. I have looked into other fields, and I always felt nursing or teacher was the only things I would like to do.Oct 12, '04I know a very good nurse with a severe stutter. She does a great job and it's never been an issue.Oct 12, '04I went to school with a young gal who was dyslexic. She struggled mightily just to get through the required reading, scored poorly on written work and tests, and more than once was put on academic probation.......but she was one of the best nurses to come out of our class! Luckily for all concerned, our instructors found a way to test her orally, and she also got to take the NCLEX as an oral exam, which she aced.Oct 13, '04I worked with a girl who had a cleft palate, another one was blind in one eye, another deaf in one ear with diminished hearing in the other. There was also a LE amputee,and a nurse with a significant limb shortening.
Go ahead with your dream. It comes in stages. First you have recognised a potential difficulty. Take the courses, interview, take the English courses and ask for extra help. You will never know unless you try.Oct 14, '04Accurate written and oral communication is essential in nursing, BUT there are stratagies to make this work when these skills are not your strong points.
Really, I think us nurses write the same stuff all the time. We have built up a vocabulary of terminolgy, abbreviations and phrases that we use over and over. We use the same format for writing medications and orders, assessment findings and narrative notes. The specifics in those writings change with each patient, but we have an ever growing vocabulay for those specifics.
Adhering to those formats and carrying a medical terminology spell checker helps. Unfortunately, in school the formats for documentation change all the time. Each semester can have different forms and requirements for written work. You may be able to get extra and early help with learnig the style of documentation needed for your courses. Does your school have an office for support of students with disabilities? (I think that's required.)
I find "nursing writing" much easier than the creative writing required for an english class. It's much more factual and measureable. And when I get stuck, there is always a text or terminology book or knowledgeable co-worker to check with for just the right word for that "funny looking lesion on my patient's nose".
Good luck to you. Let us know how you make out.Oct 16, '04At the facility I work at there is actually a Resident that is a Quad! He has a personal assistant to help him with his assessments, etc...from what I have heard he is a good resident and the patients really like him. He plans on going into rehab and working at the rehab facility he was in after his accident! So if he can get through med school and be going through residency as a QUAD I think that says a lot of what people are capable of!!!Oct 16, '04I think it is very case by case! I mean, I haven't worked with a nurse that has admitted to any disablities, or seemed to have one...so I haven't had the experience...
BUT, I have worked with my hubby's company on ride alongs (paramedic), and they have a paramedic who has narcolepsy..okay what a condition to have in an ambulance! LOL. But they have made changes to accomidate him, and he may have a spell once a year during work hours (he doesn't get to drive much..LOL!). He is a great paramedic with 20 years experience, so to fire him or let him go would be a loss to our community! Thank goodness we have a great ambulance company that appreciates the tallent and willing to work with most disablities (I mean, some you can't work with...a wc bound paramedic wouldn't work...or someone that has substantial physical limitations (and I am talking in ambulance work...office or education no probelm!!! )..and I don't consider that discriminatory...just common sence towards realistic expectations for the job itself! It is a very physical job!!!).
Be honest with yourself and your own personal limitations...and don't go into something that will be too much for yourself...nursing can be hard enough on its own without putting other challenges into the mix .
Oh yeah...and me, I have to be very careful with numbers! I tend to reverse numbers when stressed...I deal with that by double checking everything I do in regards to numbers...even if it takes a while. And for emergency meds and such...those I practice till it is second nature...because I know I may have a limitation there, and practice may not mean perfect...but sure helps!Last edit by Antikigirl on Oct 16, '04Oct 16, '04I beat limitations by studing hard, and I usually make A's or B's in all my classes. I think my biggest worry is being discriminated against by the teachers or the teachers being hateful because i am alittle different. I went to lpn and dropped out because I felt like the teacher was so going faill me even if i passed. well, thank you for all the encouragement. Which program would be easier to do, BSN or ASN? thanks for your help.Aug 18, '07define disability:
I have worked with several nurses who could have applied for disabiltiy and choose to work.
height, yes knew a nurse that legally qualified as a midget.
Each person must decide for themselves if nursing can accomadate that specific disability. and if so go for it. Some disabiled nurses are the most caring and empathetic nurses that there are. Patients can sometimes relate to them, especially in rehab. Find it a real asset when you take something considered negative by society and turn it into a positive for your career. good luckAug 22, '07I used to work with a RN who was hard of hearing--it caused some problems in the Peds office we worked in. She would assess kids with colds but not be able to hear them wheezing, esp if they didn't have retractions or accessory muscle use. This would cause a delay in tx as they "looked ok" to her and then they would wait another 45 min to 2 hr to be seen. (The MD was the only Ped. in 50 miles and frequently left office to go to ER/Newborn nursery) It was a small office and we didn't have the luxury of having both of us on at the same time--she quit after a child had to be 911 into the hospital due to inability to fully assess his resp. status.
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SymptomsI want to purchase, download and install Windows 7 from the Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac menu, but cannot find this as an option.
CauseThe option to purchase, download and install Windows 7 from inside Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac is available for US and Canadian users only.
ResolutionIf you are a US or Canadian citizen and this option is still unavailable, please make sure you are not using VPN.
Also, purchasing Windows 7 from within Parallels Desktop 7 may be unavailable if you are using your computer outside your home country.
When the option to purchase Windows 7 is available, you should see it when creating a new virtual machine:


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Could Your Short Film be Your Big Break?!
Zooppa would like to extend a warm welcome to The Smalls–the newest addition to our Creative Network. We really love what these guys are doing for independent creatives! Looking for a great place to showcase your short films, meet other… Continue Reading


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Dec 1, 2014
Antec should be known by now for its mostly great, affordable accessories; we've had the opportunity to look at several of its offerings. Its line of headphones, as exemplified by the PULSE (which we reviewed a few months ago), are nice value propositions, and we expected similar of the Antec PULSE Lite Bluetooth Headphones that were sent to us to review.
So what comes in the box? Well, there's the white headphones, matching white micro-USB charging cable, and ( I liked this small touch) a simple black drawstring carrying pouch.
The unit itself has a mostly hard plastic finish, with soft vinyl framing the ear cups. The headband is fairly thin, and is extensible by making use of a sliding mechanism that allows it to be adjusted to head size. The headphones have an interesting joint configuration at the cups, such that the cups can be turned "out" and folded up, making them more compact — and essentially, more portable — when not in use. The left cup is the business cup, housing the volume dial, micro-USB port and LED. The volume dial also serves as the Play/Pause and power button.
Altogether, it feels well constructed, and is reasonably comfortable on head.
Pairing it involved getting it juiced up, and then using the aforementioned power button to put the device into pairing mode. After pairing, we got to try out the unit in the real world. It works surprisingly well, providing decent output; it works well with different type of audio, with decent bass presentation. True audiophiles might consider some aspects of the output a bit muddy, but for the most part, it reflects sound quite well. The built-in microphone means calls can be handled if paired with a telephony device.
When compared to its big brother, the Pulse, one does notice the design differences; for example, I believe the former is more comfortable,and manages to be a better sound source overall. The range is on the low end, and I did notice infrequent interference when walls blocked line of sight. One thing I would have dearly loved is optional wired output, but hey, to be fair, more features equals less affordability.
All in all, at $48.99 (via Amazon), it won't break the bank, and is a decent offering for the price range.


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What I find hilarious about this picture isn't that he's lighting a cigar with a few hundred dollar bills (looks like a Photoshop job if you ask me) but because the website that reports on Web 2.0 Internet Startups probably makes more money than the Internet Startups it reports on. How many Web 2.0 companies can report that they are making at least $60,000 in revenue a month? … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2006
GYM's Shitting On Your Startup
By now you've probably heard that The Little Calendar App That Could(n't) Kiko has been absolved and is being sold on eBay alongside diapers, that's a tough ending, especially for a fledgling company funded through Paul Graham's prestigious Y Combinator warm incubator. From Paul's Kiko eulogy: "What nailed Kiko was Google Calendar. Once that came out, not only did Kiko's … [Read more...]
The Web 2.0 Exit Strategy: Sell It On eBay
Kiko, an online calendar application incubated by Y Combinator, is up for sale on eBay. The starting price of $49,999 has not been met yet, so we'll see how it goes. Traditional exit strategies for companies include being acquired or an IPO, but that's normally for companies that have at least an inkling of an idea about how to make money. Unfortunately for many "Web 2.0" … [Read more...]
Why Some Startups Stumble And Others Succeed: User Generated Quid Pro Quo
The harsh truth that tech and "Web 2.0" industry pundits don't like to talk about is that the vast majority of these new "Web 2.0" companies are failing. New companies are starting, mashing up, trying to innovate, but none are close to approaching the success of MySpace, Digg and YouTube and there's a very good reason for that: They don't "pay" their users enough. Now … [Read more...]
2006 WWDC Anti-Predictions
The day that Mac geeks wait for every year has arrived, and instead of doing the usual "what's going to be said" blog entry, I'm going the opposite route and predicting what won't be announced. Let's do it! No iPhone. I say this one more because I hope I'm proved wrong, but to be honest, I don't think it's coming on Monday. New cellphones have to be approved by the FCC … [Read more...]


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KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Spring 2005
This was the road I traveled to and from work, every day for 8 weeks, during a film shoot in South Africa. Every day, as we drove off into the sunset, we were rewarded with the ever-changing spectacle performed by sun, clouds, atmosphere and heat. This is what we'd be blessed with, as we crossed the tracks and left the Zulu Nyala Reserve behind and ventured back to our dwellings. This photo was taken on a Friday. I remember that day well.
buona notte


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Cheap Thrills Love Child
Cheap Thrills Love Child. What? On November 30, 1968 two ladies were at #1. Diana Ross & the Supremes with their "Love Child" single and Big Brother & the Holding Company's Janis Joplin's "Cheap Thrills" album. I would never compare these great singers. The sexy silky smooth Motown's Ms Ross. The tough as nuts, sensitive as a teenager's ego Texas Janis. We Baby Boomers were fortunate to have such women sing to us. Cheap Thrills Love Child.
On November 30 (until December 13, 1968) Diana Ross & the Supremes' single, "Love Child" became the Billboard #1 single. It was their 11th #1 single in the US. It knocked the Beatles' "Hey Jude" out of the #1 spot, a spot "Hey Jude" had held for two months.
Cheap Thrills Love Child.
I started my life in an old, cold, rundown tenement slum My father left, he never even married Mom I shared the guilt my mama knew So afraid that others knew I had no name
Cheap Thrills Love Child
On the same date, November 30 (thru December 20, 1968) Big Brother and the Holding Company's Cheap Thrills returned to the Billboard #1 album spot. It had alrady been there from October 12 to November 15 when Jimi Hendrix's Electric Landland album replaced it for two weeks.
It's tough to choose one song from Thrills, but to my mind "Ball and Chain" has one of the greatest starts to any song ever. It leaves you hanging...and then simply drops you!
Janis loved comic artists. R. Crumb in particular. She asked him to do something and what he came up with is an unforgettable album cover, one for the ages and one that listeners held and stared at while the album spun -- over and over.
According to Columbia's art director John Berg: [Janis] Joplin commissioned it, and she delivered Cheap Thrills to me personally in the office. There were no changes with R. Crumb. He refused to be paid, saying, "I don't want Columbia's filthy lucre."
Janis Joplin was only with Big Brother from 1966 to 1969 and Cheap Thrills was her last album with them. But what an album! Rolling Stone magazine's review didn't quite think so, but the NYT wrote quite a bit about Big Brother & Janis. Ironically, today the cover is ranked number 9 on Rolling Stone's list of one hundred greatest album covers. Cheap Thrills Love Child.
Cheap Thrills Love Child. Cheap Thrills Love Child. Cheap Thrills Love Child.
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I read this blog post last night after following a link on Twitter – "Social Media for Administrators" - http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/2867 :
"There can no longer be an "opt out" clause when dealing with technology in our schools, especially from our administrators. We need to prepare our kids to live in this world now and in the future. Change may feel hard, but it is part of learning. We expect it from our kids, we need to expect it from ourselves."
There have been some key markers for me that have made me become a successful digital immigrant; though maybe I'm one of the early colonists.
For a start, I've always liked science fiction. I was an avid viewer of Star Trek right from the sixties and ingested sci fi novels at a great rate from the age of about eight. I became aware of the way real life imitated art: Asimov's "I Robot" was influential in the development of robots. The flip phone and tablet had their early equivalents on Star Trek.
Also impressive were the messages the series gave this young viewer: the importance of connecting, communicating and collaborating. Like the NZ Curriculum vision, their vision was to value being:
a) Confident - positive in their own identity, motivated and reliable, resourceful, enterprising (sic) , entrepreneurial, resilient
b) Connected - able to relate well to others, effective users of communication tools, connected to the land and environment, members of communities, international (inter-galaxy) citizens
c) Actively involved - participants in a range of life contexts, contributors to the well-being of New Zealand (the universe) – social, cultural, economic, and environmental
d) Lifelong learners - literate and numerate, critical and creative thinkers, active seekers, users, and creators of knowledge, informed decision makers.
Alright, Captain Kirk had a bit of biffo regularly, but that was more to do with TV ratings. What always stood out was that lack of fear of the new and unknown.
A lot like our kids. They aren't afraid to get out there and "boldly go where no one has gone before." I watched my young daughter pick up the new pair of mobile phones, and after a few minutes announce that she'd worked out how to set up the address book and remotely send it to the other phone. No fear of the alien at all! This was another key moment, when I realised that I had to have that ability to explore, without fear of getting something wrong.
At Learning At School 2012, Simon Breakspear said it: "Fail fast. Fail forward. Accelerate learning." We learn from our mistakes, so make them quickly. http://www.slideshare.net/manaeducation/simon-breakspear-wrppa-keynote-2
Captain Kirk kept a log – we keep a blog. The third key marker is being selected to go to a workshop about blogging. I'd heard the term way back in 2004, but never seen one. Instantly I was hooked! My class had a blog and published their writing. Mum, Dad and Grandma in England could leave a comment. Wow! The cluster map showed that we had hundreds of readers, and we were excited. I remember one young writer's eyes opening wide when she realised that her little post had received 235 hits. It was empowering.
We connected with a class in Malaysia through our blog to find out what they thought was a healthy breakfast. We followed the travels of our teacher aide through words, photos and video as she travelled through Asia. What a way to study Vietnam!
The fourth marker was a slideshow using Photostory, recounting one young man's experiences on athletics day, which he created with the collaboration of a buddy. He communicated a story of photos with captions. He was proud of the quality of the presentation, and he shared it with his mother. All firsts. She had never come to the parent interviews before.
The fifth marker has to be what I see in my household: three young women who communicate by text and Facebook. We Skype when they are at uni. We buy our groceries and do our banking online. We research with Google rather than a set of encyclopaedia. I have an iphone, ipad and laptop, and can never find a pen. This is my present, and I'm charged with preparing students for a future that we can't predict.
So fellow educators, it's time to get on board the Enterprise. It's already on its way, and has been for a while. Be one of those who "boldly go where no one has gone before." Take that hyperlink.


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Our offices will be closed on Monday, August 6th through Friday, August 10th. We will reopen on Monday, August 13th. Thank you!
Dr. Patricia Gomez Dinger is a board certified Allergist. As someone specially trained to diagnose and treat pediatric and adult allergies, asthma, and related conditions, you can feel assured knowing Dr. Gomez Dinger has the medical expertise, knowledge, and experience to effectively treat your specific condition.
At Advanced Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Center, we cater to the need of our patients. We spend time explaining your diagnosis, available testing, and treatment options. We keep up to date with the latest research to provide you and your family with the most advanced allergy care.
Peanut Oral Immunotherapy (POIT)
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)
Head over to our news page to catch up on the latest videos from our office.
We like to blog about the allergy and asthma news and information that's important to you and your health.
Follow our blog for the latest on what Advanced Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, what's new in our office and with our patients, and the impact we are making in our community.
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Stone Oak:
Monday 8-11:30, 1:30-5:30
Tuesday 8-11:30, 1:30-5:00
Wednesday 7 - 3
Thursday 8-11:30, 12:30-5
Friday 8-11:30, 1:30-4
Monday 12:30-5
Tuesday 8-12
Wednesday 12:30-5
You will see a Board Certified Allergist at every initial visit!
Dr. Gomez Dinger spends a considerable amount of time explaining your diagnosis, available testing, and treatment plan. All of the patients that leave our office are properly trained by our nurses in the use of all medications and medical devices. We keep up with the latest research to provide you with the most advanced allergy care!
540 Madison Oak Suite 210
San Antonio, TX 78258
17323 IH-35N, Ste. 108
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The composer we are currently featuring is Robert Muczynski. Born in Chicago in 1929, Muczynski has lived for more than forty years in Tucson, where he was composer-in-residence at the University of Arizona. Muczynski has concentrated largely on music for piano solo and for small chamber combinations. Although his name rarely appears in discussions of major contemporary composers, many of his works--especially those for flute, clarinet, saxophone, woodwind quintet, and piano solo--are performed regularly all over the world.
Muczynski's music is earnest and unpretentious in character. His pieces tend to be short because his music is pure substance--nothing but the aesthetic basics: distinctive motifs woven into clear, transparent textures, developed logically but imaginatively into concise, satisfying, compelling formal entities. The result is a friendly modernism--tonal but not reactionary, peppered with light dissonance and energetic asymmetries of rhythm--always expertly tailored to highlight the artistry of the performer in a manner idiomatic to the featured instrument.
A fine pianist, Muczynski has recorded much of his own music on two CDs recently issued by Laurel. I selected this set as one of my "Five Picks" for 2001.
Previous Featured Composer: Lee Hoiby
Cisler -- Writings on Muczynski. Contact her
with any questions.


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Research Taradale real estate information of community real estate reviews, Taradale luxury homes, condos for sale, maps, townhomes and REALTORS®. Find today's Taradale real estate statistics, public schools explore community information parks and daily breaking news. The Taradale real estate market is changing you need experienced Top rated real estate agents local experts and are ready to answer your questions about Attached, Detached homes, neighborhoods, schools, and the newest listings for sale in Taradale. Compare golf courses, Google maps, streetview, Taradale real estate maps , wonderful restaurants, shops, off leash dog parks and of course the people! IF buying or selling real estate, you can expect expert advice, high quality service, straight forward communication plus attention to detail. Taradale information on homes for sale, investments, Foreclosures, Acreages, Farm & Land, Lake homes, New Construction & Luxury Homes.
Find new Taradale Homes For Sale, compare Taradale homes with attached, detached and single family homes. Taradale is a residential neighbourhood in Ne quadrant of Calgary with plenty of open area parks and recreation.


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Location: College Union Building
Phone: (717) 337-6362
Payment Accepted: Cash, Credit Cards, Dining Dollars, Department Charge
Located on the first floor of the College Union Building, the Commons Cafe serves the campus community as a premier coffee shop. The Commons Cafe proudly serves Starbucks coffee as well as a variety of pastries, soups, salads and snacks.
Academic Year - September through May
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.


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Later, summer. Take 20% off sitewide for back to school with code BACK2SCHOOL
Scarborough,North Yorkshire was the UK's first seaside resort.
Pentax K10D 18-55mm lens1/45 f16 ISO 400 focal length 35mm9 March 2010
5 images processed in Photomatix Pro3 and CS3
boats harbour north scarborough sea walls water yorkshire
Fresh photography Trevor!! :))
thank you very much Vicki
wonderful again
thanks S & L
Great harbour scene, Trevor!
thanks very much my friend Adri
Thank you for sharing your work with the Photomatix HDR Group. This wonderful example of a Photomatix-processed image has been accepted into the Group!
thank you
Wonderful scene and pov
thank you Ray much appreciated.
Your cohosts,Cee and Chris
Thank you Audrey
thank you Angie
many thanks Kathy
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Chronicles of a three-day work week
Come Sunday, the beginning of another work week looms ahead. Friends, family, neighbors and the like constantly verbalize their envy of my three-day work week as a nurse. Sure, from the outside looking in it would appear that my schedule is ideal, convenient, perhaps some would say easy. Besides, what other profession gets four days off per week? Well, my friends, I am here to agree in some aspects that yes, my schedule is pretty darn good. But easy? Not so much. I would attempt to outline a "typical" work week, but there is no typical, no routine, no rhyme or reason to a week of night shifts or a 14-hour work day. So instead I will parallel your "typical" work week with my, well, not-so-typical one. (Keep in mind: my shifts vary from week to week, days to nights, weekdays to weekends.)
Normal business hours lass (a.k.a NBHL for this post) vs. Me (nurse)
NBHL: Sleep in, church, brunch, park, errands, gym, dinner, check emails, TV, to bed early to prepare for week ahead
Me: Trying to figure out whether to sleep in or wake up early because I have to nap this afternoon in preparation for tonight's shift, church, brunch, gym, nap, dinner, go to work (6:30pm- …)
NBHL: 7am wake up, gym, work (9-5), dog park, dinner with friends, paperwork, Facebook, bed
Me: (…- 8am), crawl into bed, 10am- let dog out, sleep, noon- let cable guy in, sleep, 2pm- awake to roofers patching neighbor's house, sleep, 4pm- alarm, run, breakfast?, work (6:30pm- …)
NBHL: 8am wake up, work (9-5), gym, dinner, out for a drink, bed
Me: (…- 8:30am), crawl into bed, 1pm- curse my alarm for going off so early but I have to get up or else I won't be able to sleep tonight, breakfast?, too tired for gym, TV, dinner with friends, bed by 9pm… wide awake at 3am, sigh.
NBHL: 7am wake up, gym, work (9-5), dog park, dinner, trivia, bed
Me: Sleep in since I didn't sleep last night, breakfast?, errands, gym, blog, dog park, dinner, trivia, bed
NBHL: 8am wake up, work (9-5), dinner, yoga, bed
Me: 5:30am wake up, work (6:30am-8:30pm), late night snack, bed
NBHL: 7am wake up, gym, work (9-4), happy hour, dinner, it's the weekend!
Me: Sleep in, breakfast?, clean, gym, happy hour, dinner, it's the weekend!
Alas, I do indeed ONLY work three days a week, and yes, I do get four WHOLE days off. But a closer look will prove that nurses do work just as hard as Monday-Friday employed individuals. Bottom line, perhaps the grass is always greener. But most importantly, I wouldn't want it any other way
Career, New Nurse, Nursing Blogs, Your First Years
Nicole Lehr is a pediatric nurse. She can be described in three adjectives: content, thankful and fortunate. All credit for the aforementioned description can be given to the love she has for her profession as an RN. She graduated from University of Florida with her Bachelor's in Nursing and moved to Atlanta to work at the Cardiac Stepdown Unit at Children's — her dream job.
By Nicole Lehr
Post a Comment
2 Responses to Chronicles of a three-day work week
When did you get to be such a good writer?
Warm regards,
P.S. Fact error. I'm up at 5:40 a.m. M-F.
we may get 4 whole days off…but we spend those 4 days catching up on sleep, housework, shopping, and numerous other things because during our work days we get none of the above mentioned done…at all! We're lucky if we sleep between shifts!


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ISX12 for 2013. Better. Where It Counts.Better And Better.The ISX12 was introduced in 2012 as the ideal combination of proven technology from the ISX15 in a compact package. It proved to be an excellent fit for many mid-size pieces of fire apparatus, delivering exceptional performance and fuel economy with the reliability and durability customer expect. For 2013, we're taking this technology to the next level – meeting new emissions and fuel economy standards a year ahead of schedule. All while providing the power you need, with ratings from 370-500 hp (276-373 kW).Better. In Every Way.Cummins ISX12 is designed to deliver better performance, reliability, fuel economy and durability. The ISX12 is easily customizable, including many electronic engine features and adjustable parameters. Maintenance is virtually unchanged from previous models. Plus, every ISX12 is backed by the largest and most capable customer support network in the business, with Cummins Care representatives available at 1-800-DIESELS™ to answer product questions and provide assistance during a repair or service event.For high performance and reliability with low maintenance and overall costs, you can't do better than Cummins ISX12 for 2013.Better Optimization.Cummins is the only engine manufacturer to design, develop and support every component from the air intake to the exhaust aftertreatment in a totally integrated system. This allows us to optimize critical systems and deliver performance to emergency responders in a way that other engine manufacturers using outside suppliers can't match.Better Coverage.In addition to a comprehensive base warranty, Cummins ISX12 offers you a variety of extended coverage plans for up to 10 years/200,000 miles (321,869 km).
Cummins PowerSpec is an electronic tool that makes it possible to tailor the operation of Cummins engines in every on-highway application.
Advertised Horsepower
370-500 hp
276-373 kW
Peak Torque
1450-1645 lb-ft
1966-2232 Nm
Governed Speed
2100 rpm
Clutch Engagement Torque
800 lb-ft
1,085 Nm
Number of Cylinders
System Weight
2880 lb
1306 kg
Engine (Dry)
2640 lb
1197 kg
Aftertreatment System*
204 lb
*Increase over standard muffler; does not include chassis OEM-supplied components
*Restricted ratings
VGT™ Turbocharger from Cummins Turbo Technologies – The patented design is widely recognized as the industry leader for performance. Electric actuation improves precision and responsiveness. The VGT Turbocharger also increases fuel economy and braking horsepower.XPI Fuel System From Cummins Fuel Systems – Delivers superior performance regardless of engine rpm. Multiple injection events per cycle improve fuel efficiency and enable smoother, quieter operation.Cummins Aftertreatment System from Cummins Emission Solutions – Proprietary system consists of a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology for near-zero emissions.Fleetguard® Fuel Filters, Lube Filters and DEF from Cummins Filtration – Fleetguard filters protect against corrosion and contaminants that can cause performance issues. High quality DEF is widely available at authorized Cummins and Fleetguard locations, as well as in bulk delivery.Single High-Capacity Electronic Control Module (ECM) – A single ECM manages the engine and aftertreatment system for optimum performance and fuel efficiency.
Maintenance Item
Oil & Filter
15,000 mi24,000 km
Fuel Filter
30,000 mi48,000 km
Coolant Filter**
50,000 mi80,000 km
Standard Coolant
250,000 mi400,000 km
Valve Adjustment
Crankcase Breather Filter
150,000 mi240,000 km
DEF Filter
300,000 mi480,000 km
Particulate Filter
200,000 mi320,000 km
Consult your Operations and Maintenance Manual for more information.*Assuming severe duty cycle for fire/emergency vehicle applications and using CJ-4 oils meeting CES 20081**With appropriate filter
Cummins Inc, Box 3005,
Columbus, IN 47202-3005 USA
©2014-2018 Cummins Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy and Legal


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New films
YouTube, owned by Google, has become one of the most powerful online media platforms in the world, fast to be replacing the viewership of television with over 30 billion hours watched per month in 2017. Young people flock to the platform in the hopes of fame and fortune, which comes for a select few, but not all, hence the allure to 'make it.' YouTube celebrities are now mainstream celebrities. The result is troves competing to live their lives as monetised open-wounds for the corporate platform, constantly pleading for subscribers, attention and engagement, all at the hands of Google, its secret algorithms, and the screen culture of spectacle, pornography, and targeted advertising. On both sides of the screen, the treadmill is all about keeping the ad dollars constantly rolling. YouTube, YouTubers and You offers a glimpse into this new media and advertising world, pondering how this culture may continue to undermine our future media and informational landscape. What sort of people and world is this culture creating and perpetuating?
We live in a world of screens. The average adult spends the majority of their waking hours in front of some sort of screen or device. We're enthralled, we're addicted to these machines. How did we get here? Who benefits? What are the cumulative impacts on people, society and the environment? What may come next if this culture is left unchecked, to its end trajectory, and is that what we want? Stare Into The Lights My Pretties investigates these questions with an urge to return to the real physical world, to form a critical view of technological escalation driven rapacious and pervasive corporate interest. Covering themes of addiction, privacy, surveillance, information manipulation, behaviour modification and social control, the film lays the foundations as to why we may feel like we're sleeprunning into some dystopian nightmare with the machines at the helm. Because we are, if we don't seriously avert our eyes to stop this culture from destroying what is left of the real world.


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Free Your Inner Racer
The Vertical Challenge adds a whole new level of excitement to your family's day on the slopes - for free. Skiers and snowboarders of every age and ability level participate in casual, though competitive, races down some of the Northeast's best mountains. In addition to the racing, everybody enjoys the festival atmosphere, as our friendly crew hosts fun, family-friendly activities to make your day at the Vertical Challenge the most fun you've ever had in the snow.
Vertical Challenge Event Information
Race Registration Opens at 7:30 a.m.
The Vertical Challenge Race starts at 11:00 a.m.
Race Awards and Victory Party at 2:30 p.m.
(*All times subject to change. Please check registration on race day for updates.)


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Renaissance started its life in March 1992 with a manifesto of bringing quality to the UK dance music scene in terms of its imagery, venues and music. Along with the ...
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Harwoods BMW is located in Basingstoke – where we are proud to serve customers from across Hampshire and beyond. Our dedication to high-quality products and services makes us a leading choice among discerning BWW motorists. We also work closely with the German automaker to bring you competitive prices and limited-time special offers.
If you want to exchange or sell your current vehicle, then we can certainly help you out. Harwoods BMW provides great part-exchange deals when you trade in your old vehicle for something new or new-to-you. Alternatively, if you just want to sell your current car, we can offer you a purchase price instead. Let us know what you want and we will work with you to come to an agreement.
We know that you want to get the absolute best price for your old vehicle, and we agree that it's only fair that you do. We promise to offer you a fair deal when you choose to sell or part-exchange with us – and it's never been quicker or easier to find out the value of your car.
Simply by using our straightforward online tool, you can find out how much your car is worth. It uses reputable data from CAP to provide an approximate notion of your car's current value, and sends an estimate straight to your inbox. It really is as easy as that.
All you need to do is enter the vehicle registration number of your current vehicle, along with a few of your details, and you will receive a free, no-obligation estimate in no time. It's well worth double-checking that you've entered your email address correctly, or else you won't receive your valuation.
You can use this quotation to help establish a budget for your next purchase from Harwoods BMW. If you would like our team to make an assessment in person regarding the value of your vehicle, that's no problem – just head to your local dealership and ask for a member of the team to help you out.
If you have any questions, get in touch with us today – make an enquiry online, via Live Chat or call us directly.


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I love to craft, I love to crochet and I love to give presents - and that is what this blog is about. I'll try to post regular updates on crafting and/or crocheting projects I'm working on, give tips on certain techniques, tell you about great patterns, etc.
I know that at this very moment my blog is far from being 'ready for go-live'. It doesn't have a proper header, there's no real background picture, no colour, no nothing and the list of links on the right side contains only one tiny entry so far. Well, I promise things will get better during the next days/weeks. But yet, despite of all the things that are still missing here, I decided to make this blog public at this stage. For me, crocheting and crafting means therapy. I'm neither physically nor psychologically ill, I'm just that average person whose soul needs some relaxing, some downtime from real life, some therapy from time to time. That's it, that's my excuse.
- Uta -


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Boxing Day strike nightmare edges closer as union rejects pay offer
The threat of a Boxing Day strike by London Underground drivers looks more likely after union bosses refused an offer to end an ongoing row over pay.
Branding proposals from Tube bosses as 'completely unacceptable', Aslef said that drivers would vote in the next few weeks on whether to strike for a second year on December 26.
The result of the strike ballot is expected on December 17.
'The proposal is a step back rather than one forward,' said a union spokesman.
'LU is acting as if they are manufacturing a Boxing Day strike rather than seeking a solution.
'We will ballot our members as soon as we can.'
But Howard Collins, LU's chief operating officer, said that the company had made 'a very fair offer' after discussions with the union.
'LU has a long-standing agreement with all trade unions which cover working arrangements on bank holidays, including Boxing Day.
'However, we have shown good faith and tried to find ways forward.
'Last year we reviewed the level of service of required for Boxing Day to closely match customer demand.
'This year we have offered to roster staff on leave and operate the service with staff who volunteer to work on Boxing Day, thereby offering staff greater flexibility when it comes to their leave over Christmas.
'Further industrial action will not achieve anything and I would urge the Aslef leadership to take this offer to their members and work towards resolving this dispute.'


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South Tipperary councillors vote to support new property tax following heated debate
Families 'at the pin of their collars', meeting told
Eamonn Lacey
South Tipperary County Council has given its seal of approval for the introduction of a property tax.
Members voted by ten votes to six to reject a motion calling on the government not to introduce a property tax at their meeting on Monday.
Fine Gael's Michael Fitzgerald and Liam Ahearn both objected to the motion being put to a vote at the end of a heated discussion but a vote was taken after the motion was proposed by Cllr. Sylvia Sheehan Cooney and seconded by Cllr. Pat English.
Ten Fine Gael members voted against the motion while Three fianna Fail, two WUAGs and one Labour councillor voted for the motion.
Speaking to the motion Cllr. Sheehan Cooney, who was constantly interrupted by Fine Gael's Tom Acheson who reminded her what party had made the mess the country was in, said people could just not afford to pay a property tax.
"This is not the time or the place for a property tax. It's disgraceful that this government is going to put a property tax on the people of Ireland who are at the pin of their collar," said Cllr. Sheehan Cooney.
People, she said, were scared 'out of their wits' at what was coming down the road as they desperately struggled to cope with massive increases in petrol and heating fuel costs, health insurance, and third level costs.
She called on the government to go after the bonuses, increments and expenses being paid out to the 'fat cats' who were loaded with money.
"Your memory is very short, Fianna Fail broke this country" interjected Cllr. Acheson.
Cllr.Sheehan Cooney said the past could not be changed and she called on the government not to pay for what happened in the past 'on the backs of the ordinary people'
"If people cannot pay the €100 household charge what hope have hey of paying up to €700 in a property tax next year," she warned.
Cllr. Marie Murphy said the previous government agreed to the property tax with the troika and the current government had no choice but to implement the agreement with the troika.
Cllr. Billy Shoer said that 35% of the people in the county had not paid the household charge.
"Some cannot afford it and other won't pay it. That 35% will be 65% this time next year. People cannot afford to pay,the government cannot keep taking money out of people's pockets," said Cllr. Shoer.
He informed the meeting that the Mayor's Fund in Clonmel collapsed last year going from a €12,000 collection to €1,500 which was distributed to the needy in Clonmel.
"People just did not have the money to give, it just was not there," said Cllr. Shoer.
Cllr. Joe Brennan said the property tax was going to be introduced and he hoped something would be done to protect people on low incomes.
Cllr. Pat English said ordinary people were being hounded while the wealthy were not.
"They should go after the people with the money," insisted Cllr. English.
Cllr. Acheson, who was interrupted by Cllr. Sheehan Cooney as he spoke, said the government had an obligation to balance the books and Ireland was one of the few countries in Europe not to have a property tax.
"We either increase income tax on the coping classes or bring in a property tax" said Cllr. Acheson.
Cllr. Bobby Fitzgerald said the property tax was signed up to because of the IMF agreement. Cllr.Fitzgerald said the previous government got a bad deal with the Croke Park agreement.
"County managers earn more than the Spanish Prime Minister, 7,000 civil servants earn over €130,000," said Cllr. Fitzgerald.
He acknowledged that others in the public sector were inadequately paid, those that were working in the frontline, but that nothing would be changed while Croke Park was in existence.
Cllr. Fitzgerald said his own party was also responsible for the situation and he said ordinary people in society werebeing affected due to the adherence of the government to maintain the Croke Park agreement.
Cllr. Michael Anglim said he noticed that the county council had served notice to quit letters to twenty nine people. He asked how those people could afford a property tax.
"The Croke Park agreement should be torn up, things change, it's a different society now," said Cllr. Sheehan Cooney.
Cllr. Liam Ahearn told officials that there was no need to put the motion to a vote because the council had no say over government policy.
He was supported by party colleague Cllr.Michael Fitzgerald who said there was no need to vote.
Cllr. Sheehan Cooney insisted on a vote being taken. Her motion was seconded by Cllr.Pat English.
Ten Fine Gael councillors - John Crosse (Chairman), Liam Ahearn, Tom Acheson, Joe Brennan, Jack Crowe, Michael Fitzgerald, Marie Murphy, Michael Murphy, Mary Hanna Hourigan and John Fahey voted to reject the motion.
Cllr.Sheehan Cooney (FF) voted for the motion as did party colleagues Joe Donovan, and Michael Anglim, WUAG councillors Pat English and Billy Shoer. Labour councillor Bobby Fitzgerald also voted for the motion.
Ten members of the council were not present at the time of the vote. They were FG's Louise McLoughlin and Jimmy O Brien, Fianna Fail's Siobhan Ambrose, Dr.Sean McCarthy, Labour's Sean Lonergan and Darren Ryan, and Independents Denis Leahy, Richie Molloy. Tom Wood and Eddie O'Meara.


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October 20, 2010
World's largest ferry will use common rail technology
A RoPax ferry ordered by Tunisia's COTUNAV (Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation) at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (DSME) of Korea will have four common-rail 12V48/60CR Tier-II engines from MAN Diesel & Turbo as prime movers.
With a length of 210 m and breadth of 30 m, the ferry will be the world's largest. It will have a capacity of 3,200 passengers and 1,060 vehicles, and a top speed of 27.5 knots. Amenities will includes a shopping center, restaurants, swimming pool and multiple entertainment facilities. Delivery is due in the first half of 2012. The newbuilding will reinforce COTUNAV's existing main routes between Tunisia, Italy and France.
The common-rail engines have an output of 14,400 kW each.
The 48/60CR injection system uses the latest common-rail technology that allows independent setting of injection timing, duration and pressure for each cylinder. This flexibility allows optimization of the 48/60CR's fuel consumption, NOx and smoke emissions at any point on its operating profile, especially at part-load.
The common-rail system is based on a safety concept that features screened or double-wall high-pressure pipes, and flow-limiting valves to prevent uncontrolled injection. The system has redundant high-pressure pumps as well as twin-type pressure and speed sensors to ensure engine operation, even in the event of failures.
Electronics The 48/60CR is equipped with MAN Diesel & Turbo's SaCoSone engine-management system. SaCoSone is an innovative system that gathers all functions of modern engine management together. It offers:
NOx-eliminating features of the 48/60CR: Retarded injection timing delays combustion-heat release, thus lowering combustion chamber temperature peaks and NOx emission. A new piston design provides a higher compression ratio and faster temperature reduction after ignition, further reducing NOx formation. Variable valve timing enables variations in the opening and closing of the inlet valves, thus providing an additional contribution to the minimization of the SFOC versus NOx emission trade-off.
The RoPax ferry is a twin-screw vessel. Its two CP propellers that will be type VBS1800-ODF MAN Alpha units twith a propeller diameter of 5,600 mm and a power density corresponding to 1,169 kW/m2. Each propeller is driven by a twin-in/single-out gearbox and will be powered by two of the 12V48/60CR main-engines.
The ferry is designed with two separate engine-rooms with the propeller shaft-lines having different lengths of well over 40 meters. The final propeller-blade design will be hydrodynamically optimized and carefully balanced with a special focus on propulsion efficiency, low noise, and cavitation levels.
The total weight of the propeller equipment amounts to almost 300 tons.
Propulsion control and maeuvering will be managed by MAN's Alphatronic PCS system courtesy of a complete setup with control consoles in the engine-control room, the forward bridge and the bridge wings.


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John Cho & Karen Gillan dance to Crayon Pop on ABC's Selfie
ABC's new comedy Selfie is an adorable modern version of My Fair Lady. Karen Gillan plays the role of Eliza Dooley, who is a very self-obsessed internet famous woman who is desperate to learn how to be a nicer person in real life. John Cho plays Henry Higgs, who is a straight-laced man who has only ever focused on work. The show starts off with Henry trying to help Eliza change, but soon she starts to change him too for the better!
During the most recent episode of Selfie titled "Nugget Of Wisdom," Eliza and Henry find themselves babysitting for a friend. This is when the hilarious dance scene involving Crayon Pop comes in! In an attempt to create the illusion of an awesome party for Eliza's Instagram, the two, along with their co-worker's son (who is the DJ!), jam out to Crayon Pop's "Bar Bar Bar!" Check out the adorable scene below!
Can Rain and Krystal overcome a tragic past to find new love? Find out in My Lovable Girl
For those of you who want to, you can catch up on Selfie directly on ABC's website HERE! Have you already or will you watch?


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|P is for Practical
Water or Coke?by princepawn (Parson)
|on Oct 20, 2001 at 04:41 UTC ( #120185=note: print w/replies, xml )
|Need Help??
I, Terrence Brannon (firstname.lastname@example.com), reprint the following without permission of The Rationalist Society of St. Louis, Po Box 2931, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA from No. 608 May 2001 "Secular Subjects" in which it was originally published and also without the permission of "Indian Skeptic" (http://www.indian-skeptic.org/html/) which is where I read it and was floored by it.
Water or Coke?
In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.
One glass of water shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a U-Washington study. Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or a printed page.
Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day?
NO Wonder coke tastes soooo good.
1. In many states (in the USA) the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the truck to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.
2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of coke and it will be gone in two days.
3. To clean a toilet, pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.
4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers : rub the bumper with a crumpled-up piece of Reynolds wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.
5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals : pur a can of Coke-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.
6. To loosen a rusted bolt: apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
7. To remove grease from clothes, Empty a can of coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help lossen grease stains. it will also clean road-haze from your windshield.
1. The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. Its pH is 2.8. It will dissolve a nail in about 4 days.
2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial truck must use the Hazardous material place cards reserved for Highly corrosive materials.
3. The distributors of coke have been using it to clean the engines of their trucks for about 20 years.
Now the question is, would you like a glass of water or a coke?
In Section Past Polls