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Contract to upgrade A9's Berriedale Braes out to tender
Transport Scotland has put a contract out to tender for work preparing for the upgrading a notorious stretch of the A9 in Caithness.
The trunk road drops from 150m (492ft) to 20m (65ft) as it enters a valley at the Berriedale Braes.
There is also a hairpin bend which lorry drivers can have difficulty negotiating.
Rob Gibson, SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, has welcomed planned improvements at Berriedale.
He said upgrading the stretch of road had been spoken about for 40 years.
"The issue of Berriedale Braes is one that has continually been raised with me," he said.
"I have, along with many others from the county, lobbied the Scottish government and the transport minister over making improvements to the Berriedale Braes."
The MSP added: "Realigning the Berriedale Braes will be a tricky job so it is important that every aspect of the process is carried out rigorously and in great detail."
'Strategic route'
The A9 is Scotland's longest trunk road.
The Scottish government has committed to upgrading the A9 between Perth and Inverness to dual carriageway.
Transport Scotland said the contract was for ground investigation (GI) work and formed part of the preparations for the upgrade of the Berriedale Braes.
A spokesperson said: "This GI work will include the sinking of boreholes both in soil and rock as well as in situ and laboratory tests, leading to the production of reports which will help inform the work to identify a possible solution to this stretch of the northernmost part of the A9.
"We hope to appoint a contractor for this work in September.
"We are determined to work with our partners to ensure that improvements to this strategic route through the Highlands are progressed as a matter of urgency."


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Trish McEnvoy Lash Enhancer
Trish McEnvoy Lash Enhancer Overview
Trish McEnvoy Lash Enhancer is an eyelash conditioner made by Trish McEnvoy.
Trish McEnvoy Lash Enhancer – Product Description
Trish McEnvoy Lash Enhancer is an eyelash conditioner that claims to create longer and fuller eyelashes by simply nourishing the lashes to prevent early breakage. It describes thicker lashes being grown within four to six weeks. Proteins and vitamins are included in the formulation to hydrate and strengthen each lash and to help lashes grow to their own maximum length.
Ingredients for Trish McEnvoy Lash Enhancer are Purified Water, Glycerin, Myristol Pentapeptide-17, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Silk Amino Acids, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Disodium EDTA, and Phenoxyethanol.
Trish McEnvoy Lash Enhancer Advantage
- Lash Enhancer has been dermatologist tested for safety.
- It has also been ophthalmologist tested.
- It has been deemed safe for contact lens wearers.
- Ingredients are listed.
- Free shipping is provided.
- Contact information is available.
- Shopping is done on an easy to use, secure website
Trish McEnvoy Lash Enhancer – Drawback
- Women should speak to a physician if pregnant or breastfeeding before using.
- No free sample is available.
- No money-back guarantee is mentioned.
- No clinical trial information is provided.
- No customer testimonials are currently available.
- Limited information is given.
Trish McEnvoy Lash Enhancer – The Bottom Line
Trish McEnvoy Lash Enhancer doesn't list some of the information that we would prefer from any product, especially an eye product. However it is made by a trusted manufacturer which may balance out some of the concerns. Being dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested, health concerns are probably not an issue, leaving financial concern to be the only issue.
Our Top Eylash Enhancing ProductsDuring our research, the skin care specialists we consulted provided useful tips that contribute to achieving and maintaining beautiful, healthy eyelashes, including the following:
- Be certain to consistently apply the product(s) you choose in accordance with its directions for use;
- Pay special attention to removing any makeup that you have applied both mascara as well as eye shadow prior to bedtime;
- Eating a healthy diet that contains milk and fish can help strenghten eyelashes;
- Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to stay well hydrated;
- Avoid excessive intake of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, as they may contribute to dehydration and exacerbate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; and
- Be sure to get adequate rest every day

subset: commoncrawl


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Eric Pulier is a self made man and did not grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth. He was born and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey. He was certainly very bright and had quite a knack for technology. Eric would read IT manuals and even built his own computer from scratch in fourth grade. In his school he worked at a gas station to make extra money and in his free time programmed computers and studied technology. Eric's hard work paid off and he was able to attend Harvard from 1984 to 1988. He received his Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, in Computer Sciences, Visual & Environmental Studies, and English & American Literature.
This brilliant mind dove into the sea of entrepreneurship and launched his first business in 1991 called People Doing Things. This company would create technology that would help solve huge issues in the healthcare and education field. After a while he sold the company to purse other ventures. Eric has started over a dozen ventures in his career mostly based on technology and how it can better people's lives. Some of those include Desktone, Media Platform, Akana, Starbright World, and ServiceMesh.
Eric Pulier is also passionate about helping people through philanthropy. One of his most notable contributions is with the XPrize Foundation. It is a group of extraordinary people that help solve the world's issues and better peoples lives. He also gives back The Painted Turtle. It is a camp for children with chronic illnesses to
forget their troubles temporarily and have some fun. The Painted Turtle also helps with funding for the children's medical needs. One of Pulier's current ventures (as founder and Chief Executive Officer) is called vAtomic Systems. They used digital devices to help companies connect with their audience. He has four kids, and that means that his days are very busy. He tries to stick to a regular schedule if possible finds that the morning is the best time for read and prepare. Eric also has a pen and paper in tow to write down new ideas that come to him. Instead of hastily jumping on his ideas, he gives them some time and thinks about them. If he could give one piece of advice to other entrepreneurs is to be flexible and persistent. It is a journey and does not always work on the first go around. Be patient and it will happen.
Read More : A Look at Eric Pulier and His Unusually Varied Tech Career


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Rachel Weisz may have steered clear of the kind of bigger films, like "The Mummy" movies, that made her a star in recent years, but the next year will find her back in a big way.
As the female lead in "The Bourne Legacy" opposite Jeremy Renner and one of three witches flying about Sam Raimi's "Oz: The Great and Powerful," out next year, the Academy Award winner should have plenty of time back in the spotlight for 2012 and 2013.
MTV News' Josh Horowitz sat down with Weisz to chat about her upcoming projects, secret powers and the unexpected physical aspect of starring in a "Bourne" movie.
Raimi's take on the world of the Wizard of Oz remains a big mystery, since we haven't heard or seen much from the set, but Weisz was able to confirm that the new movie will go back to the source material, instead of building on the famous film.
"It's absolutely separate from the classic film. Frank L. Baum wrote ten or so volumes of the whole mythology of the Emerald City, Oz, et cetera, so this is the story of how the wizard got there. So it's pre-Dorothy," Weisz said. "It's really nothing to do with 'The Wizard of Oz' in a sense. It's much, much earlier."
Weisz explained that "Oz: The Great and Powerful" takes more of the origin story approach to the classic tales. "It's how the wizard, James Franco, ended up in the Emerald City," Weisz said. "In the Emerald City, there live three witches: GlindaMichelle Williamswho is the good witch, TheodoraMila Kunisand myself are sisters. I'm a big sister, and we both are more on the dark side."
But what's an evil witch without some special powers? Weisz confirmed hers for the movie. "Well, I have a magic power, which is lightning," she said. "That was the key."
Special effects lightning is great and all, but nothing can compare to real action. Weisz experienced more of that than she was expecting for "The Bourne Legacy."
Weisz shared some of her experience filming action sequences in Asia and the perils of making a "Bourne" movie. "I've just been in the Philippines for two months doing stunts, essentially running through the streets of Manila," she said. "Basically, in 'Bourne,' it turns out that you do your own stunts. You just do all of them, and that's kind of normal. I didn't know it was going to be quite as scary as it was, but I feel like more of a man getting through it."
Are you looking forward to "The Bourne Legacy" or "Oz: The Great and Powerful"? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!


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Category: Unlimited Propane
Never Run Low on Propane Whether firing up the grill or warming up a shower, propane can serve a variety of purposes in your home. As an essential source of energy for your home, it is important that you make […] Read More
Never Run Low on Propane AgainFeb
Our professionals at Northwest Propane want to make your propane experience as convenient as possible, and we're here to help remind you when you're running low on your propane supply. Our Dallas TX propane dealers have developed the Auto Fill/Never […] Read More


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Color Wheel Watch
You have a colorful personality. Be brave. Be bold with your accessory choices. Go ahead and release your inner artist with the Color Wheel Watch from the NeatoShop. This evocative watch features the classic artist's color wheel.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Watches.


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So, after over a year of blogging, I have finally hit 2000 views (I'm not sure how many of them are from me :P). It's not that many really... But considering I have had nearly 700 hits in the last month and a half, it's pretty impressive - Yay for increased blog traffic :D You can see from my overall stats just how much more traffic I've had in March and April!
Friday, 13 April 2012
Happy 2000 views!!
Posted by Sarah Odgaard at 8:47 am
0 comments:
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Status: Open
Know more about this business than we do? Cool! Please submit any corrections or missing details you may have.Help us make it right
As your premier Salem, NJ Auto Body shop, Cousins Collision looks forward to making your vehicle look like new. Whether dealing with chipped paint or replacing a side door, we are qualified tradesman.
Insurance Company Approved
20 Yrs Experience
Be the first NJ.com user to add photos or videos of Cousins Garage
These criminals had my car for 8 months and all but destroyed it. Bad work, bad communication, bad everything. Parts on my car were lost, damaged and stolen. STAY FAR AWAY FROM THESE CROOKS. My car was given back to me disassembled, damaged and unpainted. What I got was an ""oh well we tried"" attitude.\r
Cousins Garage is located at 560 Salem Quinton Rd in Salem and has been in the business of Automotive Repair Shops, Nec since 2009.


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In the 1970s, as a vice president in the loan administration department of the San Francisco subsidiary of a major European international bank, I was wearing several hats: Loan Administrator, Commercial Loan Officer, Real Estate Loan Officer, Loan Adjuster.
The president of the bank, a senior international officer of the parent bank, was hoodwinked by a couple of real estate developers at a cocktail party into making an open $250,000 commitment for the financing of a coke coal venture in Kentucky.
The plan was to harvest coal, from a leased coalfield, for sale under contract to the government of the country in which the parent bank was headquartered.
The plan, however, did not work out as proposed, owing to a number of mishaps.
First, heavy rains flooded the field, and prevented the harvesting of the coal. The two entrepreneurs were compelled to buy coal from another operator to meet their commitment.
This coal was dutifully analyzed to ascertain that it met the required quality standard, and then shipped by barge down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, where it was loaded on a ship.
But then the government chemist aboard the ship analyzed the coal, and found it not to be of the quality contracted for, but inferior, and worth only half as much.
The loan went into default, and the president of the subsidiary bank sent me to meet with the entrepreneurs, in their plush Beverly Hills office, to discuss the default.
The two gentlemen could not explain the metamorphosis which had befallen the coal during transit down the river.
What happened, and this is the only possible explanation, is that the barge operator, along the way down river, stopped at a coal station, sold the good quality coal and purchased a substitute of inferior quality at a handsome net profit.
An examination of their personal financial statements, exhibiting over a million dollars net worth for each, revealed the assets to be encumbered and unavailable.
Of the payment for the coal, albeit reduced, no trace could be found. Obviously, the borrowers had absconded with the money.
In the final analysis, the loan was a total loss.
Many invaluable lessons may be learned from this debacle.
Foreign banking is different from American banking. Thus, foreign bankers' experience, however excellent it may be, cannot be translated into American banking experience by "fiat."
Here we find a bank president, who makes a loan commitment over a Martini – if I may be facetious – without even looking if there is an olive in the glass.
The commitment was made to two real estate developers venturing in the coal business, in which, as we shall see, they had little, if any, experience.
This violated a fundamental principle of lending, which demands that a borrower be experienced in the line of business he endeavors to work.
Had the borrowers been experienced, they might have not chosen a rainy season to lease a coalfield. They would have sat on the coal traveling to New Orleans aboard the barge, or hired some guards from an agency like Pinkerton, or purchased a bond ensuring delivery.
Had the banker been experienced in American banking and commerce, he would have demanded that the coal be protected, because the proceeds of its sale constituted the primary, and only, source of repayment.
There was no secondary source of repayment. The banker had failed to analyze the borrowers' financial statements, which, lacking in substance, did not support the credit.
Over his 50-year career in banking, Ugo Nardi worked his way up from a teller to an auditor, lending officer, state bank examiner, and a bank president. He retired in 2000.


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Orlando Air Conditioning Repair, Service and Installation Pros
CALL TODAY for a free quote. (321) 436-6595
DC / AC Air and Heat has been keeping Orlando's Air Conditioning ICE COLD for over 25 years! You can count on the DC / AC Air and Heat team to repair, replace or maintain your air conditioning system. We can repair all makes and models of air conditioners, heat pumps and HVAC systems. Our HVAC technicians have the experience and knowledge to investigate, diagnose and provide the proper air conditioning repair your system needs. We are committed to unmatched customer service and want to be the company you call when you need an air conditioning contractor in Orlando.We're very thankful to be recognized as one of the most respected air conditioning and heating companies in Orlando, Florida. That's why we ensure that only licensed, highly trained technicians with extensive AC repair Orlando experience are put to work for you. We work hard to make your experience as positive and hassle-free as possible. With over 25 years of experience, we continue to provide excellent customer service. We maintain highly trained personnel and focus on giving you the individual attention you deserve. Our technicians are courteous, dependable and very knowledgeable about all things A/C and commercial refrigeration. And, we are EPA Certified, Licensed and Insured to handle any AC repair Orlando residents need.
Orlando HVAC Repair – Covering Orlando & Surrounding Suburbs
DC / AC Air and Heat is your #1 source for HVAC repair and service in Orlando and its surrounding Central Florida suburbs. Whether you're looking to repair, replace or maintain your HVAC system, our team of A/C repair technicians and installation contractors are there for you and your family.
Here's why you should choose DC / AC for your next air conditioning repair, refrigeration, or air quality service…
- BBB Accredited – Better Business Bureau Accreditation means that we are committed to providing the highest standard of service to YOU
- On-Time – We understand that your time is important and you'd rather not spend any more time than you have to dealing with service issues. That's why we guarantee we'll be on time, every time we provide you with A/C, refrigeration, air quality or insulation service
- Trusted – We know you have a lot of choices when it comes to A/C Companies. Be assured that you'll get the same quality service that we've been providing customers in Central Florida just like you for over 25 years
- Experienced – There's no substitute for experience. For over 25 years we've built a steadfast expertise for A/C repair & installation, refrigeration and air quality services. When you call us you're putting our experience and expertise to work for you
Reputation Matters for your Orlando AC Repair Company
There's a reason we have the best reputation in the industry. It is because we go above and beyond the basic standards by offering a timely and superior service that is focused on your requirements. We are professional, reliable, and responsive. Whether you choose DC / AC Air and Heat for the ongoing maintenance of your A/C system or for the installation of a new AC system, we are passionate about what we do and will make sure you are completely satisfied.
CALL TODAY for a free quote. (321) 436-6595
"Keeping Central Florida Cool For Over 25 Years!"


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Hilarious 89-year-old's first-ever attempt at standup comedy quickly goes viral
It's never too late, as they always say, and a funny dude named Chuck Esterly is living proof of that. Just recently, a video of the 89-year-old taking to the stage at a comedy club and performing his first-ever standup routine was uploaded onto YouTube, and the hilarious clip of his debut set viral.
Standing on a stage and trying to make a room full of people who are just sitting there and waiting for you to make them laugh is no easy feat. That's why, even though many funny (and not-so-funny) people think they can do standup comedy, not so many attempt it even if they want to because it takes a lot of guts to get behind that microphone and tell strangers jokes. Just the idea of doing standup is intimidating to a lot of people.
Chuck Esterly from Cincinnati had always wanted to try standup comedy. It was always something he loved, but he just never had the opportunity. He was always working, taking care of his family, and too occupied by his many responsibilities. But now that he was retired and had some time on his hands, he decided to go for it. He wrote a routine, practiced it, and took his act to the local comedy club. As seen in the video below, audience members loved it, giving Chuck their undivided attention and laughing at his hilarious jokes which touched on, you guessed it, being old. That's right — it's never too late. Because what better age to try something new than 89 years old?
If only we all could age this gracefully.
* Just a little warning: Some of his jokes contain sexual references
What did you think of his routine?
See sparks fly as Alice Ke and Roy Chiu reunite in the romantic comedy Marry Me or Not:


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Samsung W9600At CES 2010, Tom Merritt checks out the Samsung W9600.
^M00:00:01 [ Music ] ^M00:00:04 >> Hey, I'm Tom Merritt at cnet.com, here at CES 2010, we're taking a look Samsung W9600, uh, this is a nice lightweight phone with a pico projector built into the top. So, I'm actually watching some exports here, you can't see it on the screen because it is projecting out the back, like that. Now, we're in a nice bright hall, and the picture is still pretty good, it's a little small though, you can make it, like say, up to 60 inches. Of course, in a big brighted room like this, it's not going to look very good, so you'll need a darker room. But it's good for showing, uh, movies or anything on a nice large screen from a nice light device, or you could do PowerPoint presentations with it. There's no pricing and availability for it, of course, it's going to go to overseas markets first before it hits the U.S. But they do expect it to kind of follow in the previous ways, that this series has gone. Once again; it's the Samsung W9600 with a brighter Texas Instrument DLP pico projector. At CES 2010, I'm Tom Merritt. ^M00:01:00 [ Music ] ^M00:01:04


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Within the pages of Drawing Out the Muses artists and others will find a clear understanding of the nature of visual creativity, countless new ideas to use, different ways of seeing things, and step-by-step processes. Over 300 projects, both simple and complex, which are designed for the purposes of seeing, thinking, doing and/or awakening creative potential, will give you years worth of exercises to follow and a lifetime of understanding for developing your own creative ability.
This book is based on the premise that visual inspiration can be found anywhere; in nature, though sound, using raw visual elements, dreams and even from being uninspired. Written for artists, in any medium including crafts, and at any level from professional to beginner. Designers, students, hobbyists, educators, workshop leaders and event planners will also find this great value in Drawing Out the Muses.
Drawing Out the Muses is the newly revised and updated version of Creatively Unblocking Creative Blocks.
Order in print here:
Click here to order at Amazon
Click here to order at Create Space
Order in ebook format here:
Click here for Amazon Kindle
Click here for Barnes and Noble Nook
Click here for Kobo
Pricing Your Artwork with Confidence is the only detailed guide dedicated to helping artists understand and calculate the actual cost of creating their artwork. This one-of-a-kind book is the path to clarity on a subject that all-too-often has been shrouded in mystery. There is no reason for guesswork anymore.
Written by an artist with a mind for math, logic and perception, as well as a deep interest in fair-play for her fellow artists, this book lays out step-by-step means of coming to a solid pricing structure for your creative work. Cold, hard, yet simple, math is balanced with measuring the realities of the marketplace and where you find yourself at this time within the artworld. Chapters on growth, moving forward, and valuing what you do are included.
Pricing Your Artwork with Confidence is a must-have for any artist serious about their professional career.
Pricing Your Artwork with Confidence has recently been revised and updated from the original printing from 2003.
Order in print here:
Click here to order at Amazon
Click here to order at Create Space
Order in ebook format here:
Click here for Amazon Kindle
Click here for Barnes and Noble Nook
Click here for Kobo
Please feel welcome to pin any book images or page links from this site.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
New book in progress...
Review excerpt from 'Not enough book shelves' at Amazon:
"...The author speaks to her readers in an easy, whimsical, and relaxed way throughout the book. Her writing voice is so comfortable I can envision sitting in her kitchen, drinking tea, and having a brainstorming session with my newfound friend... Anyone stuck in a creative rut and in need of a change, looking for new ideas or a different way of approaching projects would benefit from Drawing Out the Muses. Thank you, Ms. Levin, for a treasure of a book."


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A list of stores within a maximum of 50 miles of your search location will appear here.
Search Suggestions:
Simpson Strong-Tie straps and plates join and reinforce joints with simple, versatile solutions for a wide range of connections. Available in many lengths, widths and thicknesses, straps can be used on the wide or narrow face of lumber for light repairs or heavy-duty projects. Many straps are designed to be used back-to-back on a piece of lumber without fastener interference.


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The Orion Tent by Exped. Orion offers the space of a tunnel tent in a fully freestanding design. Dual doors and vestibules add comfort, storage space and anhance ventilation. The perfect expedition tent.
So sorry, but only 4 items are allowed for comparison, so we're comparing the first 4. I blame the gnomes and so should you.
Would you like to compare the products you have selected now?


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I am having trouble opening my VB6 code on my new workstation. First, here is the error (as an example from one of my programs):
When I double click to open the .vbp project the following two errors occur.
"Object Library Not Registered"
"Continue Loading Project" / Yes
I click Yes and I'm referred to Form1.log. When I open the Form1.log. The following details are displayed.
Line 13: Class MSComctlLib.ProgressBar of control ProgressBar1 was not a loaded control class.
Line 24: Class MSComctlLib.StatusBar of control StatusBar1 was not a loaded control class.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I've read several articles on this issue and here's what I've tried. I've taken the following file (mscomct2.ocx) and copied it into C:\Windows\SysWOW64\. Then I followed the following instructions regarding this component:
Manually register this component when VB6 controls are missing
1. Copy component under folders:
C:\Windows\sysWow64 >64
C:\Windows\system32 >32
2. Open DOS cmd prompt with Administrator rights
3. Point to "C:\Windows\sysWow64"
4. Execute command:
regsvr32 mscomct2.ocx
When I run this, I get the following message:
DllRegisterServer in mscomct2.ocx succeeded.
However, after I've run these steps. The same error messages and the same log entries occur. Is there a step that I'm missing?
Thank you


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Archives for posts tagged as "centennial"
For at least 11,000 years Native Americans have lived near the headwaters of "Mi tsi a-da-zi", the Rock Yellow River. Not so long ago in 1872, the U.S. Congress and President Grant established the country's first national park in this watershed. This grand ecosystem in Wyoming is our beloved Yellowstone– 3,468.4 square miles of lakes, canyons, rivers, mountains, and the largest supervolcano on the continent. Half of the world's geothermal features are in Yellowstone, and is rightly held to be the first national park in the world, not just the United States'.
After 1872, 35 additional national parks and monuments had been established by several presidents. On August 25th, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act into law officially forming the National Park Service (NPS). NPS was established to manage and prevent neglect of these sites, and ensured the health of the now 84 million acres of land, monuments, reserves and historical sites under NPS protection. In 2016, NPS manages 411 national treasures in the form of parks, monuments, preserves, bodies of water, and other historical sites.Read more


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TRENTON – Tonight's Powerball jackpot is worth $158 million. No one has matched all five numbers plus the Red Power Ball since June 23.
In the Saturday, July 28, drawing, 39,860 New Jersey players took home an estimated $224,805 in prizes ranging from $4 to $200, according to NJ Lottery Executive Director Carole Hedinger. The winning numbers were: 05, 06, 13, 36, and 50. The Red Power Ball number was 13.
Tonight's Powerball drawing will be broadcast live on the New Jersey Lottery's website, NJLottery.net, at 11 p.m.
Connect with NJTODAY.NET
Join NJTODAY.NET's free Email List to receive occasional updates delivered right to your email address!


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My US$200 laptop can beat your US$500 tablet
Everywhere I go these days, my friends slam laptops. They tell me my PC of choice is a dying breed and sing the praises of their new, "post-PC" Apple iPad.
They carefully pull out their Apple device. I admire it, then ask: "So where do you insert the DVD, how do you bang out a long e-mail on a touch keyboard, and do you know what I paid for my little (Lenovo ThinkPad X30) laptop compared to what you paid for this iPad?"
I do understand the iPad is thin, light, and easy to travel with. I get the advantages of portable entertainment. But if you don't need the prestige of having the latest-and-greatest tech, I believe you can get all that and much more for much less than the cost of a new tablet. All you have to do is tote around another measly pound or two.
If you're willing to take a chance on used equipment, Craigslist fans have the opportunity to find slightly older laptops starting at about $200.
My Reasons
Here are the top reasons I think my used ThinkPad--which I paid about $200 for--crushes your iPad 2, which new, starts at $499 and can run more than $800, depending on the configuration. (Of course, a used iPad 1's price would be lower. Prices for formerly owned original iPads started at around $400 on Craigslist the day I checked.)
A Laptop's CD and DVD Player/Burner: If you're into permanently saving photos, music, or movies, or if you're serious about backing up your hard drive and programs, you probably need to burn the occasional disk. Those relatives in Indiana need a copy of the video of cousin Paul's drum recital or they'd love to look at a CD with the pictures from your night trip to Alcatraz. You can't cram everything onto Facebook.
A Laptop's Keyboard: Most iPad users readily admit it's difficult to type anything that is data intensive on the touch keyboard that appears on the screen. I'll go further: I detest typing on a touch keyboard. As my friend and PCWorld reviewer Jon Jacobi sarcastically puts it: "Overpriced pads: Touchscreens without keyboards. How innovative." Flimsy, add-on keyboards don't cut it. Give me a solid, built-in board like the one on my ThinkPad. It's one of the best laptop keyboards ever, and I still like the old-school Trackpoint eraserhead cursor control.
Sign up for Computerworld eNewsletters.


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3 Elle Macpherson secrets to being the hottest grandma on the planet
Elle Macpherson is the hottest grandma around by, like, a mile.
More: Wedding bells for Elle Macpherson
OK, she isn't actually a grandma… but she's old enough to be one. At almost 51 years old, the model showed off her super-fit, bronzed body in a tiny black bikini during a beach shoot for Harper's Bazaar Australia.
For Macpherson, wellness is a pretty big deal. She's been outspoken about taking good care of her body, especially as she ages. She even cofounded a wellness and health supplement company called WelleCo, which tweeted, "Wellness has been a way of life for @ellemacpherson and doesn't it show! In The (sic) Bahamas for @BAZAARAustralia today."
The photos accompanying WelleCo's tweets about the shoot say it all: Elle is looking absolutely amazing. Literally no one would guess she's 50 years old. But it hasn't been easy to maintain that youthful look as she's aged, the model told Ocean Drive magazine last year.
"'Beauty at every age' is such a boring cliché, but beauty is not just reserved for youth," she said. "There's a big movement that supports that. I didn't feel any kind of milestone pressure turning 50 at all, perhaps because I've been preparing for this stage of my life for a long time."
More: Elle Macpherson tells us her anti-aging secret is poor eyesight
Elle is a mom of two and, in addition to helping start WelleCo, she has a lingerie line and a collection of beauty products. How does such a busy lady prepare to turn 50 — and look so great doing it?
"In my 40s, I started to focus on health and wellness; I stopped drinking and taking any drugs — even aspirin — and I began really cleaning out my system," she dished. "By the time I hit 50, I didn't feel any sort of plateau physically, and it didn't feel like a shock emotionally either. It wasn't like, Oh my gosh, I'd better get myself together before I turn 50; it was more like I was reborn."
So there you have it. The secrets to looking as damn fine as Elle Macpherson once you hit grandma age are as follows:
1. Look perfect from birth.
2. No booze.
3. No drugs — even painkillers.
More: Fabulous at any age: Elle Macpherson poses topless at 49


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Monday, August 30, 2010
My Dear Scarlett, I DO Give a Damn!!!
Done. *sigh* You know that rush you feel when you turn the last page? When you read the last sentence? Especially after you've stayed up way later than you should have? But it was just SO worth it—It was just SO GOOD! And I would do it all over again. *sigh*
If you're lucky, you can fall asleep contented. If you're really lucky, you can still get more than a couple hours sleep. And sometimes, if you're extra extra lucky, you can pick up that same book and relive all the anticipation and excitement that were there the first time you read the story.
My eyes started getting blurry after a few hours, and I rubbed at them, which only made it worse, but my eye-drops were out of arms-reach and I was stuck—I couldn't tear myself away from the story—both knowing what was going to happen and at the same time not being able to stop reading until I found out how it happened…Even though I'd read the book over a decade ago, I was just as caught up in it as the first time I read it!
At the time I first read Gone with the Wind, I was a freshman in high school and my favorite book was already The Thorn Birds, which was my standard for thick books. Gone with the Wind more than doubled that.
Honestly, I was surprised at how much I really enjoyed Gone with the Wind, and so after I finished it I picked up the sequel, Scarlett. I'm always a little skeptical when the sequel isn't written by the same author as the original. I had no idea if Alexandra Ripley could do justice to Margaret Mitchell.
But I loved it!!!! I was absolutely swept away by the romance and adventure, the love of the South, and of
. Scarlett is an epic in its own right, and I think very much does justice to its predecessor. Ireland
On first read, my only criticism was that I wasn't sure that Scarlett's Scarlett was really the same character as Gone with the Wind's Scarlett. While both were fiercely strong-willed, independent, staunch Southern women, there was just something about the sequel's Scarlett that didn't feel like the originals. It's something that's been hard for me to put into words, because I absolutely adored both characters…But the separation was significant enough for me, at the time, that it was easier to treat the books as separate stories with their own characters, rather than reading it as a sequel. But I loved them both, nonetheless.
At the time I read them, Gone with the Wind and Scarlett felt like such epic books; once in a lifetime books. I kept them, and treasured them, but never reread them. Only recently, for whatever reason, I started having a craving…missing it, wanting to read them again. A lot of my books are still at home, with my parents, so I probably would have just ended up at the library, but I happened to be at a second-hand store where a (cheap!!!!) used copy of Scarlett caught my eye. Perfect timing!!!!
And then I let it sit on my desk for a week and a half, 'cause it's a frackin' ginormous book, and I wasn't really sure if I wanted to put in the commitment just yet. But I kept staring at it. And staring at it. The next thing I know, I've decided that I just want to read a little bit before bed…but I wanted something familiar. So I grabbed a couple of books I'd set aside to read, along with Scarlett, the one I REALLY wanted to read. I wanted a couple books to choose from, in case I didn't get into the story right away.
Yeah…so um, I LOVE to read before bed…but when I get into a good book, I have no self-control—I can't stop myself. And of course I picked up the biggest book I have, and within the first sentence I was absolutely captivated. I read 34 chapters that night. To 61 the next night, and finished it the third night.
And every night, when I closed my eyes, I saw (hot) flashes of the post-war South, of
Georgia, and Charleston, and Savanah contrasting the sweeping landscapes of . It was one of the richest, most epic, divine stories—The colors, the land, the characters, the clothes—There is nothing small about this book. Ireland
Rereading Scarlett and looking back, I still concede to my original view, that Scarlett, as glorious as she is, may not be completely herself. But considering the sequel was written by a completely different author, I would say she's an absolutely tremendous replica. I would also say, for anyone who hasn't read either, that the books could be read well both separately and together. I think Scarlett is a great compliment for everyone who loved Gone with the Wind and wants to know what's next. But I think Scarlett is a fantastic story in its own right, and explains itself well enough to be read on its own.
I think the first time I read the story I was simply reading it for the story, for the thrill and the adventure. I feel like I've gained so much more by rereading it—The excitement and feelings of being swept up into something magnificent were still there. But I think Alexandra Ripley also does an amazing job of analyzing the original Scarlett through the telling of the sequel. Ripley shows us Scarlett's innermost motivations, motivations which don't always correspond with the customs of the society Scarlett lives in. And we get a chance to see Scarlett grow. After being married three times, widowed twice, and becoming a mother, all during a war, it's easy to forget how young Scarlett was in Gone with the Wind, and how fast she was forced to grow up. In the sequel, it's almost as if Scarlett becomes a child again; she sees a chance to start over and she looks for redemption. But without the wild pace and pressure of the war looming over Scarlett, she finally has a chance to take stock of her surroundings, to see herself and others for who they really are, to see the pretense of old customs, and the legacy of traditions.
*sigh* I've still got a reader's high from finishing Scarlett. *sigh* Absolutely epic. It gives me that sated feeling, if I didn't fear for my future sleep-loss I think I've started rereading it all over again. As it is, it makes me want to pick up some more of my old favorites. *sigh*
Posted by nymfaux at 1:35 AM 11 comments
Links to this post Labels: books, Gone with the Wind, review, Scarlett
Sunday, August 29, 2010
I'm Not Afraid of No Ghosts!!!
AND...be sure to check out Marley's site for her own super-extra-special-amazing giveaway!!!!
- A *SIGNED* copy of THE COUNSELING
- A *HANDMADE* Ghost Hunting blanket, perfect for spooky nights at home alone ;)
- (How cool is this!??!?!?!?) A rose quartz pendulum, like Kendal uses for ghost hunting!!!
- A copy of Marley's book, The Other Side: A Teen's Guide to Ghosthunting and the Paranormal, co-written by Patrick Burns and Dave Schrader
All you have to do to enter any of these contests is to visit the sites and comment in their comment sections, but you can get extra points for Marley's contest by helping her spread the word--as she says, the more people reading the series, the longer the series can continue!!!!! Marley's contest ends September 15!!!
I haven't read these yet, but they look super-good!!!! I especially want to read the newest one, The Counseling, because the main character, Kendall, gets to go to a camp in the Sierras, and I used to work at a camp outside of Yosemite and I've been feeling homesick for it! I can't bear to read the books out of order, so I'll have to find a way to get the whole series ASAP!!!! ;)
Are any of you Ghost Huntress reader??? I'd LOVE to hear more about the books and what you think of the series!!!!!!
Has anyone ghost-hunted??? I've been to the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose a couple of times, the closest I've ever been to a real haunted house--VERY spooky!!!!
Posted by nymfaux at 1:21 PM 0 comments
IMM Gonna Wash That Man Right Oughta My Hair (IMM6)
This was a fun week for me!!! After my surprise find of Mamma's Boarding House by John D. Fitzgerald a couple weeks ago, I did a little more research and found another book of his that I'd never heard of—Brave Buffalo Fighter!!!! And the best part was I found it through half.com, so it was super cheap!!!! It just arrived yesterday and completely made my week!!!!
And Barnes&Noble is completely spoiling my Nook with all their free books, but Nook and I aren't complaining…we're just trying to figure out what to read first!!!!
by Anonymous
by Walt Whitman
by Plato
by T. S. Eliot
So…That's my haul for the week!!! I can only hope the rest of you did as well!!!! I hope you're all having a fantastic weekend!!!!
*In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren* So head over there if you want to check out what everyone else got, or if you want to find out how to participate!!!
Posted by nymfaux at 2:43 AM 6 comments
Links to this post Labels: books, IMM
Friday, August 27, 2010
Happy Friday Everyone!!!!!!!
Ok...so I feel like I've disappeared a little lately...and this could have a couple of reasons...first I was working this week--YEA!!!!!! I've just moved recently, and until being a full-time blogger becomes a real job, I'm currently taking temp jobs--This one was super-fun, because I got to work in a college bookstore...and I LOVE being around all the new books for the English classes, and film classes, and language classes. *sigh*
And secondly, even though I have a ton (a reasonable) amount of new books sitting on my desk, looking at me longingly, wishing I would read them right away...I've been craving some of my old books...And was it the quick little 90 page read? Ok, well, yes, I want to reread that one, too...But I just had to pick up Scarlett (the sequel to Gone with the Wind?). And once I did, it was as good as I remembered....And still as long, but I'm closing in on the end!!!!
Well, I'll tell you more later...because I have to be off to work in a minute, but I just wanted to say I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!
Ok...so I feel like I've disappeared a little lately...and this could have a couple of reasons...first I was working this week--YEA!!!!!! I've just moved recently, and until being a full-time blogger becomes a real job, I'm currently taking temp jobs--This one was super-fun, because I got to work in a college bookstore...and I LOVE being around all the new books for the English classes, and film classes, and language classes. *sigh*
And secondly, even though I have a ton (a reasonable) amount of new books sitting on my desk, looking at me longingly, wishing I would read them right away...I've been craving some of my old books...And was it the quick little 90 page read? Ok, well, yes, I want to reread that one, too...But I just had to pick up Scarlett (the sequel to Gone with the Wind?). And once I did, it was as good as I remembered....And still as long, but I'm closing in on the end!!!!
Well, I'll tell you more later...because I have to be off to work in a minute, but I just wanted to say I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!
Posted by nymfaux at 11:05 AM 5 comments
Links to this post Labels: randomness
Monday, August 23, 2010
What the Buzz!??!!?
So...I've been thinking (ouch! that hurts!!!)(ha ha)....so anyway...I was looking at some of the reviews I'm working on, and realized I never would have found these books, or their fabulous authors, if I hadn't come across a certain blog...And as a faithful spreader of all good reading, I just felt it my duty to share this awesome book blog with you...
Ok, if you guys don't know already, you need to be checking out the Books, Boys, Buzz... blog…It's one of my absolute favorites that I check everyday…mostly for the content, but I don't think anyone would ever say the Buzz girls are stingy about contests!!! ;) I found them one day…while stalking Tera Lynn Childs, who is not only one of my favorite authors, but also amazingly well-connected in the internet world. And I became a devoted follower when I saw what all the buzz was about…YA books…and especially once I saw who was buzzing…Tera Lynn Childs, Wendy Toliver, Heather Davis, Tina Ferraro, Marley Gibson, Dona Sarkar-Mishra, and Stephanie Hale.
I had been going through a little YA withdrawal at the time, and suddenly I hit the jackpot!—Seven Buzz Girls, seven authors, and books galore!!!! I haven't gotten a chance to read all of their books yet, but every book I pick up just seems to get better and better!!!!
What I've read so far…
Everything by Tera Lynn Childs—Forgive My Fins, Oh.My.Gods., and Goddess Bootcamp
Lifted and The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren, by Wendy Toliver
Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis
The Alpha Bet by Stephanie Hale
And everybody else is on my TBR list! So, if you haven't checked out the Buzz girls yet, it's time to go see what you've been missing!!!!
Posted by nymfaux at 11:54 PM 7 comments
Sunday, August 22, 2010
IMM a Little Tea Pot (IMM5)
Hello! Hello!!!!!! I hope everybody is having a great weekend!!!! My sinuses/allergies have been crazy all week…and I don't know how you guys are, but when I get sinus pressure and sinus headaches, it usually means I'm not able to get a lot of reading in, no matter how hard I try. Let me just say thank you to my Neti Pot, which is a miracle worker!!!! (ok, it's not exactly an IMM thing, more of an In My Shower thing)(IMS??)(but still, it totally deserves a shout out for enabling me to breathe this week!!!!)
Allergies aside, I got a couple of books that I am SUPER-EXCITED about!!!!!!!!
First, an *AUTOGRAPHED* copy of Thornspell by Helen Lowe!!!!!!!! I've been stalking Helen on the Supernatural Underground (seriously, you guys have to check out this blog!!!!!)—And then I followed Helen to her own blog, where I entered and won her It's All About the Characters contest!!!!! Thornspell is a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale from the prince's point of view—and it's a good thing this a hardcover, because I've totally been drooling all over it!!!! ;)
And secondly….I won a *SIGNED* ARC of J.K. Beck's When Blood Calls!!!!!! It's the first book of her new Shadow Keepers trilogy being released this year and it looks SUPER STEAMY!!!!!!! I have to read this one quick before my sister steals it!!!!! —Actually, I really need to thank my sister, because she's the one who told me about the contest…So I keep wondering if I should feel guilty for winning her book, but hey, what are sister's for??? ;)
I want to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to both Helen Lowe and to J.K. Beck for their contests and AWESOME AMAZING SUPER FANTASTIC books!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And just so my Nook isn't jealous…More Nookie!!!!!
—*FREE* eBooks to make my Nook happy!!!!!!!! :)(from Barnes&Noble, of course!!!)
And just so my Nook isn't jealous…More Nookie!!!!!
—*FREE* eBooks to make my Nook happy!!!!!!!! :)
(from Barnes&Noble, of course!!!)
So….How did the rest of you do??? Happy reading everyone!!!!!! Hope you all had a great week and hope next week is even better!!!!!!
*In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren* So head over there if you want to check out what everyone else got, or if you want to find out how to participate!!!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Yea!!!!!! I LOVE contests!!!!!!! Especially ones with ARCs!!!!!!!!
And Sara from Babbling Flow is having a MAJOR ARC GIVEAWAY!!!!!!! And by MAJOR, I mean 7 (SEVEN!!!!!!)!!!!!!
I'm most excited about the *SIGNED* set of Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl!!!!!!
Not that I would turn down any of these goodies:
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Rot & Ruin by Jonathon Maberry
The Unidentified by Rae Mariz
Halt's Peril (the 9th book in the Ranger's Apprentice series) by John Flanagan
The Goblin Gate (sequel to The Goblin Wood) by Hilari Bell
Jane by April Lindner
The Winds of Heaven by Judith Clarke
The contest is open INTERNATIONALLY, but you MUST BE A FOLLOWER to enter. The contest closes September 8, 2010.
For bonus entries, you can follow Sara on facebook, twitter, and goodreads; tweet and blog about the contest (like me!!!)...And according to Sara, you may also want to check out her blog this Monday, August 23 for MORE ways to win...Well, I'm definitely curious!!!!
Ok, you have the details, go check it out!!!!
Good luck to everyone who enters!!!! :)
Yea!!!!!! I LOVE contests!!!!!!! Especially ones with ARCs!!!!!!!!
And Sara from Babbling Flow is having a MAJOR ARC GIVEAWAY!!!!!!! And by MAJOR, I mean 7 (SEVEN!!!!!!)!!!!!!
I'm most excited about the *SIGNED* set of Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl!!!!!!
Not that I would turn down any of these goodies:
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Rot & Ruin by Jonathon Maberry
The Unidentified by Rae Mariz
Halt's Peril (the 9th book in the Ranger's Apprentice series) by John Flanagan
The Goblin Gate (sequel to The Goblin Wood) by Hilari Bell
Jane by April Lindner
The Winds of Heaven by Judith Clarke
The contest is open INTERNATIONALLY, but you MUST BE A FOLLOWER to enter. The contest closes September 8, 2010.
For bonus entries, you can follow Sara on facebook, twitter, and goodreads; tweet and blog about the contest (like me!!!)...And according to Sara, you may also want to check out her blog this Monday, August 23 for MORE ways to win...Well, I'm definitely curious!!!!
Ok, you have the details, go check it out!!!!
Good luck to everyone who enters!!!! :)
Posted by nymfaux at 10:12 PM 5 comments
Links to this post Labels: books, contests
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Sea Can't Wait
So….You know what book I am totally loving right now? Sea, by Heidi R. Kling.
It was so not what I expected…and so much more!!!!
I kind of didn't know what to expect. I'd never heard of it before, and then all of a sudden I was hearing about it EVERYWHERE!!!! And that's the kind of thing that always makes me intrigued…
I was a little hesitant about Sea, because the first time I heard it was, like, 10 seconds after I'd read Tera Lynn Childs' Forgive My Fins. And when I heard the title, Sea, I thought to myself, another mermaid book? Until this summer, mermaids were pretty few and far between. As a long time fan of Tera's, I already had my favorite picked out in my head, which was only confirmed after I read Forgive My Fins.
But suddenly Sea was all over twitter and every blog I was reading, and I was starting to think that it wasn't about mermaids after all. I still wasn't exactly sure what it was about, but I was totally curious by now, and then I happened to win a contest…So thanks to Courtney, from Courtney Reads, I became the proud new owner of Sea…which Courtney assured me was absolutely fabulous.
And she was more than right!!!! Sea is Heidi R. Kling's debut novel, and she totally blew me out of the water!!!!!! (sorry, it was too true not to say it!)
Sienna's life was kind of perfect, until a tropical storm took out her mom's plane. When she lost her mom, Sienna lost herself. Three years later, Sienna doesn't know what to trust anymore, and she doesn't know how to put the pieces of her life back together. Sienna's father thinks returning to his overseas work, and bringing Sienna with him, will help them deal with their grief, and help their family start to heal. Sienna is afraid that going back to the place her mother died, will only reopen a wound that will never close. But Sienna doesn't really have a choice.
When they arrive in
, Sienna soon discovers, she's not the only one hurting and suffering. She's not the only one that Mother Nature has wronged. And by putting aside her own helplessness, and trying to help other victims of the storm, other survivors—Sienna's own wounds slowly start to heal. Indonesia
Sienna's journey is amazing and epic. The characters are so vivid, and the landscape feels so real, I could hardly believe I wasn't reading someone's diary, or looking through a scrapbook. Honestly, I had to double-check that there weren't any actual pictures in the book, and I still feel as if I spent a night looking at snapshots from someone's vacation.
Sea was a surprise and a delight, and definitely did not disappoint!!!! I can't wait to see what Ms. Kling comes out with next!!!!
Posted by nymfaux at 11:40 PM 4 comments
Links to this post Labels: books, review, Sea
Sunday, August 15, 2010
IMM Back!!! (IMM4) +Awards!!!!
Happy Sunday everyone!!!!
So first off, I got 2 (TWO)(TO)(TOO)(II)(TOUT) VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARDS!!!!!!!!
I'm pretty psyched, and I am TOTALLY feeling the love!!!!!
(in case you haven't been counting, that's a total of FOUR for me)
I would like to say
to Courtney from Courtney Reads
to the Crazy Cat Lady at the Crazy Cat Lady's Library
both of which are some AWESOME blogs, so make sure to check them out!!!!
The Sacred Rules of the Coveted
are as follows:
- (no brainer) Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
- Share 7 things about yourself.
- Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic.
- Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award!
So, 7 things about me?
- I was a HUGE Punky Brewster fan, and even had some pinkish/purple Punky hi-tops I wore EVERYWHERE.
- I'm a Libra.
- I have five ear-piercings, but have worn up to ten earrings at a time.
- I had to get eight stitches once, because it didn't cross my mind to thaw the chicken in the microwave and my knife slipped.
- I have seen the various Harry Potter movies in theaters in at least four states, and on video in five.
- I used to wake up early to watch Saturday morning cartoons.
- I have seen the sunrise from my sleeping bag on an island beach.
And 15 bloggers who I absolutely think are fantastic...
- Forever Young Adult
- The Story Siren
- Strange Candy Reviews
- Moonlight Book Reviews
- Reading Angel
- The Grammarian's Reviews
- Vision Quest Fail
- The Unread Reader
- Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing
- Bibliophilic Monologues
- Smash Attack Reads!
- Obsessed!
- Reading Is Sexy
- From the TBR Pile
- Crazy Bookworm
Thanks again to Courtney and the Crazy Cat Lady!!!!
And congrats to all my fellow bloggers!!!!
I actually ran into a new author at the gym this week!!! How crazy is that!?!??!?! She happened to have a copy of her book with her, so I picked it up...It's a self-published *SIGNED* autobiography called Up the Wooden Hill by Jill Schaefer, about her experiences and her husband's experiences surrounding WWII.
And my other major score...
One of my friends was in town this week and gave me a *SIGNED* copy of his self-published book, Moments and Memories; As Seen Through The Lenses of William McCave.
It's a gorgeous book filled with some of his fantastic photographs, along with some thoughts to ponder.
No ebooks this week, however I did drag my sister back to the second-hand store for another look, and I came home with:
Two oldies, but goodies--I've read these before, but have been having the itch to reread them, so I picked them up as soon as I saw them:
Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley, the sequel to Gone With the Wind
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
And one that was new to me:
The 8th Confession by James Patterson (A Women's Murder Club Mystery)
So...How did the rest of you do????
*In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren* So head over there if you want to check out what everyone else got, or if you want to find out how to participate!!!
Posted by nymfaux at 2:16 AM 14 comments
Links to this post Labels: awards, books, IMM
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Fatal Attraction
Are you busy? Can we talk about Twilight for a second?
But before we talk about Bella, which is what I really want to talk about…Let's talk about how I almost never read this book. Almost never even heard about it.
What? Was I living under a rock?—Well, close enough. I was living in a tent…well, actually, as summer came to an end, I was upgraded to a cabin with walls. You have no idea how excited I was to have a door!!! Not that I didn't LOVE living in a tent, because I TOTALLY did…Besides, when I say I was excited about having walls and a door, that was pretty much the extent of my extravagance; you may not believe it, but my cabin was actually smaller than my tent.
And, on top of all my plush accommodations, I was living 20 miles outside of nowhere—in every direction. Not only did my cell-phone not work, but the phone company actually removed our pay phone.
I'm not complaining—this was BY FAR, the most AWESOME AMAZING job I've ever had; I'm just trying to convey to you that I'm not kidding or exaggerating when I tell you I was living in a void of civilization.
But somehow, one of my friends had a copy of Twilight. In the middle of nowhere. I was kind of iffy at the time…not sure if I should read it or not. I had cut myself off from YA when I went off to college, but up until then, I would read anything I could get my hands on. I mean, I had already caved and become a complete Harry Potter addict, but if I read this book, would it mean a complete devolution of my reading habits?
Yes, as it turns out. I have completely regressed, and now choose to blatantly read anything I feel like, whether it looks mature or not, simply because I enjoy it.
And I loved Twilight—It totally reminded me of the L.J. Smith books, and the Cate Tiernan books I used to crave before I swore off YA. And the only reason I stopped reading them, is because they stopped writing!!! (And I'm SO glad they've started writing again!!!!)
But there still seems to be a stigma on YA, or Twilight, or Harry Potter, or just whatever happens to be popular at the moment. People seem to be threatened by these books—I mean, what's the big deal? If you don't like it, don't read it. That's all I'm saying.
Now. On to Bella. I keep hearing people say she's wimpy. She has to be saved all the time. And while I understand this perfectly, because, yes, most of us would be able to fight off super-powerful vampires on our own…Here's my theory:
From the first time I read Twilight, I believed, unlike Edward (and pretty much every other character), that Bella was SUPPOSED to die.
All her life, Bella is known for her klutziness. She's not good at being human. Bella is several fatal accidents waiting to happen.
And what's your first clue? Yeah, she moves to a town with vampires. Which actually isn't a problem for ANYONE else in town—Because they're vegetarian vampires, who don't attack humans…except in Bella's case. Until Bella came along, no one was getting hunted or eaten, the Cullens were happy being sullen, alone, and aloof. She walks into town, and suddenly Edward's diet is about to disintegrate into binge mode.
Then there's the car spinning out of control in the icy parking lot, and the fact that her other best friend is a werewolf. Getting a paper-cut and bleeding right in front of bloodthirsty vampires? Death defying motor-cycle rides and cliff jumps. Walking into a DEN of the most powerful vampires on earth? Being hunted by an army of newborn vampires, and a crazy-stalker vampire? Trying to not have your vampire boyfriend kill you while the two of you are making out? These are all things that would kill most people.
And frankly, I think they should have…because as we find out in Breaking Dawn, Bella is A LOT happier dead. And she totally rocks the dead thing—Who's a better newborn vampire than her??? Um. No one??? She's a natural. All this time, she totally sucked at living and was literally asking to die, and it turns out that everyone's efforts to save her have been in vain.
So that's my response to everybody who is criticizing Bella for being too much of damsel in distress—She never needed saving; she needed killing. But that's just my opinion.
Posted by nymfaux at 6:56 PM 13 comments
Links to this post Labels: books, randomness, Twilight
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text:
Secret In Being 117 Years Old
Emma Morano, a 117 year old woman, believed that the secret behind her long life was eating three raw eggs daily and being alone most of her life.
I dug deep into her lifestyle. What I found will amaze you…
She had a positive attitude towards life, had devoted friends, faith and loved her pets.
If you haven't heard, she died 2 months ago. She was the last living woman to be born in the 1800s.
Until she was 115, she did not have live-in caregivers. She cooked herself until she was 112 years old.
She usually cooked pasta and raw ground beef. But rarely ate vegetables and fruits!
Eggs, chicken, an ommellete, here and there, pasta and meat is what dominated her diet.
She lived a life of simplicity. Her apartment was clean and simple.
Gut instincts, faith and simple pleasures was all she truly followed.
Those of you consumed by consumerism will have difficulty understanding Emma, you just have too many material things in your life.
Emma was too simple for you.
People think that dieting is a way to longevity, but she changed her diet only 1 year ago when she cut out her meat intake because someone told her it could lead to a tumor.
The reason why she lived a solitary life is that she was in love with a boy that died in WORLD WAR ONE, so she refused to be with anyone else afterwards.
What I like the most about her is that she refused to go to the hospital when she was ill.
A strong will to live, curiosity and an interest in the world around her were the fuel that drove her long and happy life.
A study done on 100 seniors averaging 81 years of age, showed that those who were exposed to positive words such as "creative" or "fit" where physically stronger while those exposed to negative words where physically weaker.
Most 100 year olds don't feel old, they say they feel decades younger.
Real food plays into the equation.
Keeping it simple adds years onto the back of your life.
The second oldest person is a Jamaican woman that consumes only home-cooked staff such as fish, meat and vegetables.
In Japan, where many people live to be 100, they have an interesting practice called hara hachi bu, which means that they eat only until they are 80 percent full.
The quality and quantity of one's social relationships Is not only linked to mental health, but also to morbidity and mortality.
A study done on 310,000 participants had proven this to be truth.
In fact, it found out that there is 50 percent likelihood of longer life by just having positive relationships.
Successful dealing with stress, being a hard worker and having goals in life is all it takes to ensure your life to be long living.
One such claim by Howard S. Friedman author of "The Longevity Project" states:
"Studies suggest that it is a society with more conscientious and goal-oriented citizens, well-integrated into their communities, that is likely to be important to health and long life. These changes involve slow, step-by-step alterations that unfold across many years. But so does health. For example, connecting with and helping others is more important than obsessing over a rigorous exercise program." (http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/12/longer-life.aspx)
Volunteering on other hand yields mental health benefits to older people.
Being a Volunter gives you access to social and psychological resources, which counter negative moods such as depression and anxiety.
Analysis of data from the Americans Changing Lives data reveals that volunteering really does lower depression levels for those over 65 years old.
It is because it encourages the social integration that the secret lies into.
The ability to get along with people, spend time and live with is all it takes to successful aging.
Those who view their work as important are the ones that work past the "retirement" age.
These small things it what it takes, the will to live is all it can boil down to.


text: Brand NewTop Sellers By Price SALE! Garden Delight PreviousNext Enlarge image × Details :SALE! Garden Delight Catalog #:CFE644This item is a Cactus Flower Exclusive and can be delivered in the Phoenix metro area only.SALE! This lush planter adds instant beauty to a patio or front entry! Packed with trailing ivy, blooming kalanchoe, bromeliad and green plants, it delivers easy care and serene beauty in one glorious package! Originally $89.99.Standard :$74.99OR Pick up in store Your delivery date is Leave Comment


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Golden dragon by telthonaWatch
©2011-2018 telthona
Another golden dragon This time - young and very friendly ^^
Hope you like it :>
Hope you like it :>
This is absolutely amazing! Beautiful, I love how detailed the scales are and how realistic this looks!
this is EPIC
Golden dragons are magnificent... His scales are so beautiful! I like his design, and eyes... So charming. <3
Great piece of work! A picture close to my heart
That... is... so beautiful. /)O.O)
Good work!
Golden color is pretty.
Golden color is pretty.
Wow, this is awesome! that bright blue eye looks great against the gold. Would you mind if I used this in a custom dust jacket? I'm replacing the ones I've lost for my copies of the Inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini. It would only be for personal use.
So beautifull, i love it! I wrote a little story about a gigant golden Dragon, but in German. This one fits perfectly to my fantasy
I used this as a bit of a stock image for my drawing
I hope you don't mind. If you have any specifications on me using your art just let me know.
Who that's pretty neat I agree cool colour and is that hair or hones
nice colors
Awesome 8D
Good Job
its so pretty!
for some reason it reminds me of Olympus
It could be like a gaurd dragon ^.^
its so pretty!
for some reason it reminds me of Olympus
It could be like a gaurd dragon ^.^
XD the detail is so lovely! u get my fav!
i love the eye colour you chose (i love everything about the dragon) it stands out nicely and i think the blue looks great with the gold and the backround makes the coulours stand out even more
aw so cute
Yes, yes, I like much this ! Good job : in my favourites !
Awwww! He is so cuteeee!!!
*hugs the golden dragon*
*hugs the golden dragon*
I do like it!
Awwwwww, wish I could hug him ^_^
Love it! Hope you make a female gold dragon, friendly one, sometime. :3
haha, it's amazing because I'm painting female golden dragon already With her children
Jaki śliczny :3 Te turkusowe oczka przykuwają uwagę
I really do.
Nice detail.
Oh, he's so beautiful and prideful!
Really shines! Love it so much!
Really shines! Love it so much!
Zajebiste, ale ty to już wiesz to co ci bedę słodził
So.. you're also the mistress of dragons, with gods and spirits. Always amazed by your skills!
can i keep him?
slodziasty, ale skoro mlody to moze i mniejsze (i mniej masywne) przednie lapy by sie przydaly
slodziasty, ale skoro mlody to moze i mniejsze (i mniej masywne) przednie lapy by sie przydaly
simply amazing ! I love the contrast of the bright gold against the grayish background, and the detailed face!
Woaaaaah *w*
woah, the scales, the eye, the lights! It's gorgeous, nice job *O*
I love the clear, blue eye against all those golden scales. The expression is very trusting.
wowww incredible detail and sense of where the lighting is 8DD I love how it seems to glow 8D


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Probably the best of a number of edgy and exciting albums recorded during one of Miles Davis' most creative periods, E.S.P. sessions from 1965 and features one of his greatest ...
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Miles Davis (1926—1991) American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader
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I liked this book so much I put it on my Amazon.com wish list. (Use Amazon's "Look Inside" feature for a peek at the book.)
It's always a challenge to come up with new and interesting recipes that are quick, easy, and healthy. So Easy: Luscious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Week by Ellie Krieger is a great resource for fast, nutritious meals, and I can see myself going back again and again to try new recipes or make a favorite. In this clip, featuring some of the recipes from her book, Ellie explains how a pantry stocked with some of her favorite basic ingredients can make a healthy, delicious, quick meal "so easy."
I'm familiar with Ellie Krieger through her "The Good Life" column which appears in each issue of Fine Cooking. I've never seen her Food Network show called "Healthy Appetite," but I'm sure it's good. I love that Ellie embraces the "lusciousness" of food and the enjoyment of eating foremost while gracefully incorporating a nutritonal approach to cooking.
I immediately liked the way the book was organized. She offers two chapters for each meal: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and two for dessert as well. The first chapter for each meal is focused on super quick recipes. The second chapter contains recipes that are still quick and easy but might take a little more time.
As a registered dietician, Ellie knows caloric and nutritional information are important for the health-conscious cook so each recipe is accompanied by a breakdown of calories, fat, protein, carbs, etc. One of my favorite things about Ellie's book is that her serving sizes are reasonable--meaning not too small! My evening meal is something I look forward to all day, so I want to leave the dinner table satisfied, not longing for more. Another thing I love is the abundance of pictures so I can really get an idea of how a dish will turn out.
Sure, there are a few recipes that are so easy they don't seem to merit inclusion ("I could've thought of that" kind of recipes), but the fact is when I'm tired or just in a rut I really can't think of something good to cook, and that's exactly why I'd like to own this book.
When I do get my hands back on So Easy I can't wait to try "Beef Stroganoff," and "Prosciutto-Wrapped Cod," and "Ratatouille with Red Snapper," and "Blueberry-Almond French Toast Bake," and ...


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For close to 20 years, F.M. East River Pipe Cornog has been writing aching, cynical pop songs about New Jerseys downwardly mobile, as immediately melodic as The Byrds and as ruthlessly bitter as Bukowski. Hes been covered by everyone from For Against to Lambchop to David Byrne, but he only puts out a new album every four or five years and considers himself too volatile to tour. (Much of his inspiration comes from being a homeless drug addict in the years before he found equilibrium in his home studio.) So, hes not particularly well recognized.
Thats unlikely to change on account of We Live In Rented Rooms, his fifth proper studio dispatch. Nevertheless, this is arguably his finest work, at least since The Gasoline Age, his 99 ode to petrol-guzzling beaters and strip-mall deadbeats. The new one is similar in scope, but unprecedented in its sound quality. Its an uncommonly rich record about common poverty.
Unlike his last few slabs, We Live In Rented Rooms has no specific theme. While Garbageheads On Endless Stun was sort of about economics and What Are You On? was ostensibly his drug album, Rented Rooms hits all the familiar buzzers: doomed romance on Summer Boy, empty decadence on When You Were Doing Cocaine, creative block on Tommy Made a Movie and corporate chicanery on Backroom Deals. Its about nothing less than the great American hangover.
Although the lyrics are still blunt and dour, and the narrators remain hopelessly dysfunctional, We Live In Rented Rooms doesnt feel bitter and petty like much of What Are You On?. Its less angry and more genuinely sad.
That may have something to do with its dramatically improved production. Cornog must have upgraded his rig, or at least cracked the owners manual. Its still gilded with simple guitar hooks and grounded in cheap synths, but the textures are richer and the reverb is more haunting. Its the first ERP disc that is significantly more engaging, and sometimes downright psychedelic, through decent headphones.
Yes, Cornog has been on the margins of American indie-pop forever, but its never a bad time to discover him. It may be a long time before another one of these collections of misanthropic Pet Shop Boys ballads about suburban burnouts hits the streets, and this one is the perfect introduction.
By Emerson Dameron


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Photo Gallery
Blue Hill Fair
All's fair at the Blue Hill Fair
Up and over
Toby the dog clears a jump of almost four feet.
Blue Hill Fair winners
M. Gross, of Penobscot, was a blue ribbon winner for a crocheted afghan, while the Castine Grange took first place for its exhibit.
Blue ribbon winner
The exhibition hall shelves of vegetables and fruits were a riot of color and a demonstration of local green thumbs, like this 1st place blue ribbon winner, above.
Ferris wheel
The ferris wheel at the Blue Hill Fair.
Passengers in the Skydiver wave to those below.
Demolition Derby
Driver James Wootten of Blue Hill, at bottom, finds himself in a precarious position as a contestant in the Demolition Derby at this year's Blue Hill Fair. Later another car helped to dislodge the two.
Obedient sheep
Sheep obey their sheepdog as best they can during the Blue Hill Sheepdog Trials, a display of the dog's training and herding ability.
In praise of lime fizz
Enjoying Boop's Lime Fizz, a fair special, on the Grandstand are, from left, Peter Beerits of Deer Isle, Bob Burke, of Brooklin, and David Baily of Brooklin and Arkansas.


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This section contains 2,734 words
(approx. 7 pages at 400 words per page)
"Karen: It's funny. We always talk about [Mary] as if she were a grown woman. Martha: There's something the matter with the kid ... she causes trouble here; she's bad for the other girls ... it's a feeling I've got that it's wrong somewhere ..." The Children's Hour, p. 14.
"Every time that man comes into this house, you have a fit. It seems like you just can't stand the idea of them being together ... you're fonder of Karen ... and it's unnatural, just as unnatural as it can be. You were always like that even as a child ... well, you'd better get a beau of your own now - a woman of your age." Ibid, Mrs. Mortar to Martha, p. 20
"I'll think of something to tell her. I can always do it better on the spur of the moment ... Grandma's very fond of me, on account my father was her favorite son...
This section contains 2,734 words
(approx. 7 pages at 400 words per page)


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Ever since "back in the day", when Richard and Judy were the presenters and the weather was announced on a great big floating map, the UK has had a massive soft spot for ITV's This Morning breakfast-ish show. Characterised by fantastic presenters, giggles and the massive This Morning competition prize draw, Thismorning continues to be a popular television show across the UK.
Nearly every week there is a new prize up for grabs as the This Morning competition announces another massive prize draw. Sometimes the prizes are so big they span several weeks. This is usually the case for biggies such as mortgage repayments or large cash prizes, and can be worth more than £100k!
Most of the time the This Morning competition is via a question/answer, but sometimes it is a simple prize draw…
Latest This Morning Competitions
Click to view ALL TV COMPETITIONS
We bring you the question, answer & links so you can easily enter the competition at your leisure!
Some of the content on this page is out of date!
Apologies for the inconvenience - we'll be updating it ASAP.
If there is a question, the answer is always very easy and in an itv "multiple choice" A,B or C format. However quite often you miss the question, or perhaps you work & cannot get to watch the show. We at ITV competitions make it easy for you to enter by posting all the This Morning competitions in one place…making it much easier for you to find and enter the competitions.
Save Money – Enter Online
There are several ways you can enter the This Morning competition, however the only free method is online at itv.com. If you enter by telephone or text message you can expect to pay around £1.50, but if you enter online is is completely free – all you need is an internet connection (& often some patience; the itv.com website is big & it can be difficult to find what you're looking for). Another advantage of entering online is that they give you extra time – so no excuses for missing it!
This Morning Allows Multiple Entries
Although terms and conditions do change, and they can change from week-to-week, most this morning competitions offer the chance to enter more than once. At the time of writing this article itv.com allowed "up to 6 entries per phone number". We recommend you always check the T&Cs before entering competitions. You can find a list of all itv.com competitions T&Cs here. It's worth entering as many times as you can; each entry increases the odds of a win!
The Prizes
This Morning is one of the monster TV competitions. The prizes on offer are always massive; often worth in excess of £50,000, and rarely worth less than £30,000. Entering This Morning competition is like being given free tickets to a mini-lottery; that's how great the prizes are. We're talking luxury all-inclusive holidays, tax-free cash, sports cars and family saloons, bags full of the latest gadgets and slightly more random prizes such as campervans. Larger prizes, in excess of around £30,000 often span a number of weeks.
As you can see, This Morning is light-hearted, you can view some videos here. There are many times through out the history of the show when fits of giggles took over the presenters…it's this light heartedness which makes us enjoy the show so much. Does anyone remember the naked streaker on the This Morning weather map? I was only a kid, but I remember it clearly; classic!!
This Morning Competition Winners
As with all itv.com competitions, the This Morning show publish many of their winners directly on their website. They come from all over the UK; England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland. Next time it could be you…so if you have a name, address, email & phone number be sure to enter the This morning competition every week!


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A renaissance in the domestic oil and gas industry
Two innovations that led to a boom in domestic natural gas and oil production—horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing—are creating opportunities as well as challenges across the value chain.
The US oil and gas (O&G) sector has experienced a renaissance thanks to two innovations—horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing—that have led to a boom in domestic production of natural gas and oil. O&G leaders have been navigating this reality for years. Strategists in other sectors, though, have not fully understood the trend and what it may mean for their companies and their sectors.
Major oil producers have invested billions to gain access to shale gas in Pennsylvania and neighboring states and are evaluating and investing in foreign shale gas assets, while foreign buyers, including national oil companies, are investing billions in US and Canadian assets.1 In Ohio, natural gas processing facilities and pipelines worth over $7 billion are under construction, with additional pipelines worth billions expected.2
The US O&G sector is experiencing a sustained wave of innovation, investment, and change, which has extended to a range of downstream industries from petrochemicals to steel and other energy-intensive manufacturing sectors. This is due to two primary factors:
- The dramatic expansion of domestic O&G production and the accompanying downward pressure on natural gas prices nationally and oil prices regionally
- The new geography of domestic oil and gas production, which has created a need for entirely new or greatly expanded supply chains and distribution networks
The facts and projections about US oil and natural gas production are striking:
- US oil production recently hit a 20-year high and could surpass Saudi Arabia's output by 2019.3
- The United States, with a 100-year supply of natural gas, will be the world's largest natural gas producer by 2015.4
- Natural gas prices in the United States are one-half to one-fourth the gas prices in most international markets.5
- Seeing a lucrative export opportunity, developers have submitted more than 15 liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects to the Department of Energy for approval,6 each of which would cost billions of dollars to build. Only a few years ago, the United States was preparing to become a major importer of natural gas.
This turnaround in the US energy situation is largely due to the combination of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling—a technological innovation that has enabled the efficient production of oil, gas, and natural gas liquids from low-permeability oil and gas geologic structures. O&G companies have continued to improve their use of this technology, resulting in a dramatic increase in production. (Domestic crude oil production jumped 14 percent between 2008 and 2011; natural gas production increased 10 percent during that period.7) This has sent natural gas prices to lows not seen in 10 years. In fact, the United States has transitioned from one of the highest-cost natural gas markets to one of the lowest in only five years.
The abundant, low-cost supplies of domestic gas and natural gas liquids that shale production has made available are already having major impacts across the US economy—in the power and utilities sector; among big users of hydrocarbon feedstock, such as the petrochemical subsector; and in energy-intensive manufacturing subsectors such as food, bulk chemicals, refining, glass, cement, steel, and aluminum.
The changes within the O&G sector span the entire value chain from upstream to downstream, creating both opportunities and challenges.
Upstream (exploration and production)
- Oil and gas producers need to consider optimizing procurement, logistics, and supply chain management. New oil, gas, and gas liquids production is happening across the United States, far from traditional producing areas. Energy producers thus need to create new supply chains that draw on local suppliers for many of the products and services used in drilling wells and producing oil and natural gas. A mastery of logistics and lean operations is critical to profitability in this era of low natural gas prices.
- Operating in new geographies means that producers need to comply with unfamiliar regulations, including local codes governing fees as well as sales and use taxes. They also need to understand and comply with local environmental and other regulations.
- Information management is a challenge for producers, given the large volume of transactions required for unconventional onshore operation. Companies have to manage royalty payments to mineral rights holders, who may number in the hundreds, and validate and pay hundreds or thousands of invoices to a supplier base that may consist of numerous small businesses.
- Producers need to carefully evaluate and manage capital projects. KKR estimates that $2 trillion in upstream investments for natural gas production will be required by 2035.8
- Producers will also likely engage in a range of pre- and post-merger activities such as valuation, due diligence, and post-merger integration. According to PLS, the North American O&G sector witnessed over 400 M&A transactions worth nearly $200 billion in 2012,9 including the acquisition of upstream assets worth over $16 billion by foreign O&G companies.10
- Foreign companies looking to invest in US and Canadian shale plays through joint ventures must navigate cross-border accounting and tax issues and implement new operating models.
Midstream (transport, storage, marketing) and downstream
- Vast new infrastructures are being constructed to transport gas and oil from new or newly productive regions to markets across the country. A widely cited estimate for midstream infrastructure investment alone through 2035 exceeds $200 billion.11 Midstream companies must address the related contracting and regulatory issues.
- Private equity firms, which are channeling capital into the sector and rolling up midstream companies, need to conduct effective commercial and environmental due diligence.
- Firms developing port and dock facilities for exporting refined petroleum products, gas processing plants, and LNG export terminals must find ways to manage major capital projects.
Energy-intensive industries
- A range of industries for which oil and gas are strategically important inputs, from petrochemicals to utilities to steel, are facing new choices and need to make strategic plans. These include thinking through issues such as how to secure supplies of natural gas, oil, or refined products at predictable prices, as well as making decisions about whether to invest in new facilities to take advantage of new sources of supply.
The dramatic expansion of oil and gas production from shale formations is precipitating an epochal transformation of the O&G sector that heralds decades of continued investment, innovation, and economic benefits for the US and global economies. The energy renaissance is not without risk, however. Companies seeking to take advantage of expanded US supplies of oil and natural gas face execution risks as they undertake major capital expansion projects. And those dependent on coal or pricier non-US sources of natural gas are challenged by uncompetitive costs.
John England is Vice Chairman and US Oil & Gas leader for Deloitte LLP.
Tel: +1 713 982 2556
Vikram Mahidhar is a director in Deloitte LLP's innovation group. He focuses on identifying emerging business ideas and driving development and commercialization of emerging products and services.
Tel: +1 617 437 2928
David Schatsky is a senior manager with Deloitte LLP. His focus is analyzing emerging business and technology trends.
Tel: +1 646 582 5209


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15th March 2011
You don't know how reassuring it is to read your post Choclette! I have never dared to try making macaroons like these, I read loads about it last year and decided that I wasn't up to it. Maybe I will be brave one day. Yours look delectable and I am sure they tasted as good as they look! Thank you!


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The Emerging Learning Design Conference will take place on June 3rd on the campus of Montclair State University.
This one-day event will be to bring together educators from a wide variety of settings to learn about exemplary practices in hybrid, online, and emerging instructional technology pedagogy.
There to be an eclectic mix of substantive keynotes, featured speakers, and concurrent sessions. Attendees will finish the day having seen something (or many things) that they either want to try themselves or that sparked an idea for something they want to look into.


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A 17-year-old naked model had her eyes gouged out and her ears cut off after allegedly being hacked to death by her 'envious' drug-fuelled older sister. Stefania Dubrovina, was killed in the St Petersburg, Russia flat of an unnamed 42-year-old man on February 24. Her sister, 19-year-old Elizaveta, is in detention suspected of murdering her and mutilating her body.
Although she posed for naked photographs, St Petersburg showman Stas Baretsky denied she had taken part in any porn movies, and also insisted rumours that she worked as an escort girl were untrue.
An unnamed female friend told newspaper that on the night she died she had gone to see a man who has not been identified.
'It is not 100 per cent proved that she had romantic relations with his man,' said the friend. 'We are only sure that this man organised photo sessions for Stefania. She visited him a week before too.'
On 23 February, Stefania's sister Elizaveta joined her.
A police source told that the three of them had 'a great party' and by midnight they ran out of alcohol and the man went out to buy some more. But as soon the man had shut the door behind him, it is alleged that Elizaveta attacked her sister with a knife.
A police source said the killer cut off the ears of her victims, gouged out her eyes and cut the whole body.
A friend claimed Stefania's sister was always 'a bit crazy' and there were reports she was treated in a psychiatric clinic . Elizaveta also tried to look as glamorous and 'copied the image of her younger sister - the same hair colour, the same lipstick,' according to the newspaper report.
'There are photographs of both sisters hugging each other but there is no doubt that the elder sister envied the younger one.'
The girls were orphans, part of a larger family whose children were removed from their parents.


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Cosden H Const Co is located at 79 Pike Dr, Wayne, NJ..


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'Dancing' host Samantha Harris picks top contender
NEW YORK (AP) -- The new season of "Dancing With the Stars" hasn't even begun, but host Samantha Harris already has an idea who could be a top contender.
Harris has her eye on Olympic gold-medal gymnast Shawn Johnson, who's among the 13 celebrities vying for the mirror-ball trophy when the ABC dance competition returns March 9.
Olympians have a good track record on the show, with past "Dancing" champs like figures skater Kristi Yamaguchi and speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno.
"As we saw with Kristi, that Olympian mentality translates very well to the competitive sport of ballroom dance. ... I'm sure Shawn will be a front-runner, but I'm sure the judges will also be very hard on her right out of the gate," Harris said Friday, before walking the runway at the Heart Truth fashion show during New York Fashion Week.
Harris joined 19 other celebs — among them, "Dancing" alums Yamaguchi and Vivica A. Fox — to strut the catwalk for the annual event in which stars wear red dresses created for them by famous designers. Heart Truth is a campaign to raise awareness about heart disease in women.
A smiling Harris stepped out in a one-shoulder gown by David Meister, receiving generous applause from actor Gerard Butler sitting in the front row.
"She looked amazing and her dress was out of this world.She was having a great time. That's the other thing. It's amazing: the ones that look relaxed and like they're having fun, have much more (fun)," Butler said after the show.
We Recommend
- Aug. 17, 2018 These stars are turning 70 in 2018
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CNET First Look
iPad Mini packs a big punchThe wait is over: Apple introduces the new iPad Mini. The device is 7.2mm thick, weighs 0.68 pound, has a dual-core A5 processor, and offers Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity. The price starts at $329 and ships November 2.
Transcription not available for iPad Mini packs a big punch.


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|06 Jul 2010
Font Synchronization
Hi All,
We are in need of a way to sync fonts between 5/6 Windows 7 machines. Does anyone have any ideas on how we can accomplish this? We want our base fonts to be updated dynamically (without the user having to update it) anytime we add one font to one machine, so that they all receive the updated/new font.
We have tried a few 3rd party programs but none seemed to do the task that we need. We have also tried a series of batch files but those required us to reduce security settings and take ownership of the font folder (which seems a bit risky as well), edit the registry and in the end, didn't work correctly.
This task seems like such a simple thing, but we are at a loss as to what would work at this point.
Thanks for any suggestions.
|My System Specs
|Thread Tools
|Similar help and support threads
synchronization and reset?
Hi, I have a bit of problem with my ISP.I should have 10mbps instead I have 1.5.When I call them they say that synchronization is out (what ever that means) and that they need to reset the connection and even then I get only 5-6Mbps.They send a team which concluded that the problem is on their side...
|Network & Sharing
MS Feeds Synchronization
hi everyone i need some help again. i have online games in my internet cafe. most of them are copy paste. i have one program that synchronize or update the games in ease. the program is called gcafe pro wherein it compares its the index of the game. once there are changes or difference between...
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Folder Synchronization
hi, i would like to know if there is an option in win 7 to synchronize folders. what i mean, if i have for instance a laptop and a desktop, on both of them i have a music or photos folder and i add files randomly once on the laptop and once on the desktop. is there a way to synchronize it?...
|Network & Sharing
File Synchronization
I have been reading through some of the threads on this subject and please indulge my ignorance or more appropriately my apprehension of losing data. We have started a small business and for those of you that have done this you know how tight resources can be at times so I am trying to do things...
|Network & Sharing
windows time synchronization
it syncs once per week. is there a config place to change this setting?
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Sunday, 19 August, 2018
Popularity: Page View: 979 Site Visit: 45
Candle-lite has long been recognized as the leader in the decorative candle manufacturing industry. We proudly celebrate 160 years of continuous candle making. Our history is as interesting as the depth and breadth of our current candle product line. Candle-lite's roots go back to the year 1840, when an English settler by the name of Thomas Emery traveled door to door selling candles and numerous other household items.


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About Me
Hi, I'm Laurie.. and I'm so glad you've come to visit me here.
I can't tell you how many times I have written and taken down my "about" section.
It's not that I don't want to share.. I probably have way too much to say... but I'm one of those gals who would rather sit for long hours with you over a cup of tea and get to know the "real" you. I'm rather reserved in a large crowd, but love and find joy and laughter in the presence of my friends and family. You would think by this blog that my favorite conversation would revolve around food and photography, believe it or not, they would probably come third right after my family, which is my second favorite topic to chat about. My favorite conversation and what I spend the majority of my thoughts on is my Savior and best friend, Jesus Christ. As I sit here typing this out, I am playing a song (on repeat mode) :) called "How He Loves" by David Crowder. "We are His portion and He is our prize, drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes.. and oh, how He loves us, how He loves us all." https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/how-he-loves-single/id319199847
With all assurance I can tell you that the love of God is so great towards you and me, that He sent His son to fulfill a promise of redemption; to draw a broken and sinful world back into fellowship with Him. I find peace and solace, joy and excitement at reading and studying the bible everyday. I never tire of the words in His book. "Lord, to whom shall I go? You have the words of eternal life and I have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
As far as food and photography, I believe these are a gifting from Him to me. The artsy gal who spent hours in the kitchen as a child with my Italian grandparents, my mom, dad and sisters. Growing up I never quite knew what I was fond of most; cooking, sports, art, music, literature.. It all just made sense within marriage and the family life, when cooking seemed to outweigh them all. Hah! A hungry family indeed!
Through this blog photography entered my creative world and "Wow"! With my camera I'm able to recapture some of those artistic moments that I have yet to bring back into my life. So here is my muse and my palate. I hope you enjoy the art you find here!
P.S. I meant what I said about getting to know the real "you", drop me a note if you'd like to chat!


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Sept 5 (Reuters) - U.S. refiner Marathon Petroleum Corp said on Tuesday it would keep its Speedway business, which runs a chain of gasoline stations and convenience stores, a decision that was backed by hedge fund Elliott management.
The Ohio-based refiner announced in January a series of steps to increase its stock price amid pressure from Elliott, including the possible separation of Speedway.
Elliott unveiled a 4 percent stake in Marathon last November but has since reduced its holding to about 1 percent.
Marathon's shares were down 2.4 percent at $52.98. (Reporting by John Benny in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)


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Natural Cut Fries
We patiently wait until we hear the magic words "and an order of fries, please" before our fries dive into a ninety-second hot bath to be fresh for their date with your mouth.
Large, regular and small sizes available.
+ Nutritional Info
260 Calories
11 Fat (g)
3.5 Saturated Fat (g)
380 Sodium (mg)
38 Carbs (g)
5 Fiber (g)
1 Sugar (g)
3 Protein (g)
45 Vitamin C (%DV)
2 Calcium (%DV)
6 Iron (%DV)
Ingredients: Potatoes, Salt, Fry Oil


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College and Career Center Resources
The College and Career Resource Center is a facility devoted to college and career exploration. It provides conveniently organized resources for students and parents to use there or to check out.
You will find:
- Circulating library of post-high school planning materials
- Commercially-published guidebooks
- College catalogs
- Files on colleges, universities and professional schools
- Computer programs and Internet sites to help you research colleges and careers
- DVD's of colleges and universities
- Financial aid information
- Career exploration materials
- Career testing
- Armed Services information
- GED information
- Alternative programs
- Summer opportunities and educational travel
- Scheduled visits by college representatives who talk about their schools and answer specific questions