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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Create the Good. All opinions are 100% mine.
Do you have a loved one or friend that you witnessed being a caretaker or maybe you are the caretaker? Today, I'm sharing all about 25 Days 25 Ways to Care by Create the Good and how you can reward the caretaker that you know.
I think most of us all probably know someone close to us that we watched care for another loved one or maybe even friend. In my life, I remember my grandma taking very close care of my great grandma and great aunt. These would be my grandma's mother and aunt. As a little girl, I stayed with my grandma during the day while my mom worked, so I was able to watch her take care of them first hand throughout my childhood.
We spent many days with them both between their homes and my grandma's house, taking them food, making sure they had all they needed. My grandma had them stay with her many times as well. They both had a room at her home and we always loved it when they were staying over for extended periods of time. I remember both of them well. I was actually give my great aunt's recipe collection just a few years ago and I treasure that deeply. I remember their cooking and all the parties and family events they had even up into their 90s!
My daughter is now named after my great grandma, I was around her so much as a little girl and remember how strong she was and the stories I heard about her as well. She used to walk MILES to work and back just to be able to provide for her family and went through so many difficult times far greater than most would experience in a lifetime. I knew that when we had our daughter I wanted her to have a strong name and so we chose, Cora, after my great grandma.
In the midst of all of this my grandma was ALWAYS there. She would do anything and everything they needed at anytime. Now, the baton has passed so to speak and my parents are now in the caretaker roll for my grandma. They oversea everything for her just as she did for her parents.
My grandparents and my parents both have instilled in me that caring for others is a privilege, we are cared for as children, and one day we will then need to care for our elders or maybe there is even a younger person that is to be cared for too.
Caretakers should be honored by the love and devotion they give each day and that's why I'm thrilled to share about 25 Days 25 Ways to Care Create the Good. All you do is nominate someone else, not yourself, and then each day daily random drawings are done over those 25 days. There is even a grand prize donation that will go to the winning nominee's charity of choice! Now, what you need to do is create a little video about the nominee. I can assure you if the nominee sees this, they will treasure it forever. Over the course of 25 Days, there will be a giveaway winner for a gift card each day. The gift card will be awarded to the nominee. If you share it on Facebook and Twitter that just helps even more because the more votes, the better!
How amazing would that be?! I know I would love to give away $2,500, but of course many of us may not have that sitting aside. It would be amazing to see such a blessing on others.
Now, it's time to enter the one in your life that you have witness give back and care for others.
Be sure to read the full Contest Rules.
Thank you for giving back!


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Get 18% off your first order - use WELCOME25 discount code now!
How would the modern world be like without social media? It is almost unimaginable to live without such a revolution in human interaction and communication. To write a compelling essay for your social media assignment, the first step is searching for a great idea for your topic. This article offers some social media essay topics ideas for a high-grade essay.
Additionally, there are some tips on how to write a good social media essay. Let's get into it.
How to write a social media essay
The first stage of writing a good essay is carefully reading the assignment instructions and creating an outline to guide your research. Your outline does not have to contain any factual data but a general plan of the structure of your essay.
A social media essay introduction should cultivate the readers' attention, lay down the background, and clarify the essay's contents. Ensure your introduction leads to a compelling thesis statement that states the main argument of your essay. Here are a few ideas for a great social media essay introduction:
- Use a prominent story that relates to your topic (for example, a story about the ice bucket or blue whale challenge)
- Use social media statistics
- Paint a vivid picture of social media uses (you may use descriptive language to achieve this effect)
Body paragraphs
After the introduction, you should break your ideas into paragraphs. A topic sentence should introduce each paragraph, and transition words should merge all the paragraphs. You should keep in mind the type of essay you are writing to determine your writing style.
Your conclusion heavily relies on the type of essay you are writing. It should reiterate all your points. Your conclusion should have a compelling call to action.
Social media essay topics
Social media is a broad topic that you can write on for your argumentative technology essay. Additionally, it is an excellent platform for sociology research and cause and effect essays. Here are a few social media essay topics ideas to write on:
- Pros and cons of using social media: an individual perspective
- Great things that came about with social media
- Is productivity's main killer social media?
- Is it possible to be addicted to social media?
- What is the effect of social media on identity: perspectives on self-knowledge and online identity theft?
- What is effect does social media have on youth?
- Should hate speech be censored on social media?
- What role does social media play in radicalization?
- Should parents and children be trained on what to post online?
- How does social media accommodate cyberbullying?
- What roles does social media play in promoting education?
- What are the positive and negative effects of social media on human society?
- How does social media impact business?
- Analyze the docuseries Black Mirror. Does this series accurately predict an anti-utopia future?
- Is social media used for mass surveillance? Discuss the benefits and drawbacks.
- Is social media a hindrance to true democracy? Analyze Brexit and the Trump election cases
- Does social media come in the way of real-life communication?
- Describe hiring techniques in the age of social media
- What negative impact of social media should we fight against?
- Discuss management problems surrounding social media
- Coca-Cola company case study: marketing through social media
- Discuss characteristics of social media use among the student population
- Social media monitoring
- Comparative analysis: Who is the most prominent influencer in YouTube versus Instagram, paid more?
- The differences in men and women communication in virtual rooms: a comparative analysis
Social media argumentative essay topics
An argumentative essay is a piece of writing that requires a student to investigate a topic, find resources for evidence, and take a stance on an issue. Below are several examples of social media topics open for investigation:
- Face-to-face communication versus online communication
- Are files saved in social media networks safe from unwanted access?
- What effect do Twitter and Instagram have on young adults?
- Is social media a vessel to achieve political ambition?
- Techniques Facebook uses to promote excellent academic performance
- Critical analysis: liberal bias within social networks
- Should parents limit the interactions of children within social media?
- How effective is Facebook in promoting your business and personal brand?
- Activities children and young adults used to engage in before the invention of social media
- What is the effect of false images in social media on its users?
- What influence does social media have on children?
- Describe the kind of personal details that should be included in a social media account
- Critical analysis on the weakening of human relations due to social media
- Is it safe to make new friends on social media?
- Is social media marred with dubious users?
- To what extent should social media be tolerated in the workplace?
- Is social media a tool that could be used to overcome depression?
- Analyze how social media aids fraud
- Is life meaningless without social media?
- Is Twitter the ideal platform for getting ideas on the most trending topics?
- How does social media affect the minds of children: a cognitive analysis?
- Rumors and false information: the role of social media in fueling these two elements
- Social media advocates for healthy lifestyles among teenagers
- Social media is a distraction to students for their studies
- Social media hinders hard work
- Cybersecurity risks brought by social media
- Comparative analysis of drug addiction versus social media addiction
- An evaluation on the role of media in increasing global crime rates
- Critical evaluation: what other technological invention will replace social media?
- The role of social media in increased suicide rates
- Should user content be censored in social media?
- Discuss how social media has taken over people's lives
- Why should teenagers be extra cautious while engaging in social media sites?
- What are the impacts of social media on people of color?
- How does social media kill self-esteem and confidence?
Social media persuasive essay topics
A persuasive essay is an academic essay where you use logic and reason to get your audience to settle with your point of view. Here are a few suggested topics:
- Social media hypnotizes people
- It is possible to trace an individual over the internet
- Good practices in ensuring online privacy
- The role of pop culture music videos in influencing the lives of people
- The impact of social media on human behavior and mood
- Where do trends come from?
- Should civil and political leaders have social media accounts?
- Explain misleading that could occur when celebrity endorsements are used on social media as a means of attracting a particular clientele
- Discuss the impact of social media on world peace
- Discuss the effectiveness of social media in brand promotion
- Humor versus sex: tactics for social media advertising?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of schools opening up to social media?
- What are the positive outcomes of social media during calamities?
- The importance of social media
- Productivity in the workplace: the effectiveness of barring employees from accessing social media and certain sites during work hours
Essay topics about social media
Social media refers to websites and apps dedicated to interaction, communication, and content-sharing. Below are a few topics for social media research:
- Critical evaluation on the impact of social media fame on one's life
- Constant connection to social media makes people feel lonelier and depressed
- Who is responsible for abusive language used in the comment section on social media sites?
- The evolution of social media
- The best e-tourism strategies on social media: China's culture to the world
- What are the impacts of social media on human resource practices?
- The implementation of mobile social constructs in global marketing
- Implementation of social media by corporations and multinationals: Qatar airways and Deloitte
- Critical analysis on how government and non-profit organizations use social media
- Write about a day in the office without access to the internet
- Men-women interactions and relationships in social media
- What is the relationship between social media and consumer transactions?
- An analysis of Nike's successful use of social media for marketing and brand promotion
- Social media marketing analysis: Las Vegas hotel industry
- Comparative analysis: Twitter versus Instagram versus Google Plus
- What are the impacts of social media on political communication?
- Is social media the best tool to capture present-day reality?
- Innovative and emerging technologies leveraging on social media
- The impacts of social media on policing and law enforcement
- Describe the social media crisis
How does social media affect Hispanic community essay topics
The Hispanic community is comprised of people from a Spanish-speaking background. Below are a few suggested topics on social media's influence on Hispanic essay topics:
- Describe the effect of social media influence on Hispanic culture (social and economic culture)
- What influence has social media had on language among Hispanics?
- What are the impacts of social media on religion among Hispanics?
- Has social media influenced Hispanic cuisine?
- How has social media influenced Hispanic media and entertainment?
Essay on social media advantages and disadvantages
There are several advantages and disadvantages of social media you can write about. You may use your experiences or the internet for an idea of what to write for your essay. Whichever way you come up with a topic, you must find credible sources for your arguments. The suggestions used below could be used to write a persuasive, argumentative, or cause and effect essay:
Advantages of social media
- Promotion of employment opportunities
- Connecting people from all over the world, ease of maintaining relationships, and making new and valuable connections
- An instant communication channel
- Brand awareness, brand perception, and consumer feedback
- Ease of access to knowledge and information (government censorship [ of mainstream media)
- Promoting social initiatives within your community
- Diffusing social stigma and helping individuals be open-minded
- A channel for self-expression: music, art, automotive enthusiasts, etc.
- A social platform for isolated citizens
- Helps prompt reaction to crises worldwide
Disadvantages of social media
- The exposure of manicured and staged lives
- Promotion of cyberbullying
- The usage of social media to manipulate public opinion
- Use of social media by oppressive regimes to dissident targets
- Social media facilitates sex crimes such as sex with minors, first date rapes, and sex trafficking
- The correlation between social media with anxiety and depression is closely linked. Prove that narrative
- The role of social media in creating FOMO (fear of missing out) culture
- Social media: a new source of addiction
- Compromised personal and identity security mitigated by social engineering techniques
- Availability of all the information you like can lead to a distorted point of view without objective facts
Good argumentative essay topics
An argumentative essay is written by an author based on investigating a topic and drawing inferences from facts and books/ journal articles. Here are a few suggestions:
- An analysis of freedom of speech on social media: merits and consequences
- Is it ethical for employers to look at what potential hires or employees post on social media?
- The impacts of social media on the music industry: marketing and copyright issues
- What is the correlation between social media and stalking?
- What influences do social media platforms have on group minds and creating social pressure?
- Does social media bring happiness to an individual?
- The impact of social media in enforcing political and human rights
- Pros and cons of social media marketing
- What are the impacts of social media on food preferences worldwide?
- What role does social media play in managing public relations for companies and organizations?
- How are race and religious issues portrayed in social media?
- Evaluate the biggest and most impactful collaborative projects enabled by social media
- The influence of social media on culture
- What impact does social media have on policymaking?
- Discuss reasons that would lead to the banning of social media
- Discuss the weaponization of social media
- What is the portrayal of immigration on social media?
- What impact does social media have on the presidency?
- Explanatory analysis on how social media affects women's self-image
- Predictive analysis: the future of social media
- What effect has social media had on online journalism?
- How does social media affect delinquency?
- How does social make an individual insecure?
- What advantage do multilingual individuals have in creating discourse in social media?
- Should students be punished for posting inappropriate content outside of school?
Social media topics of discussion
A discussion essay is one in which you have to take a position and write an essay based on it. Browse through the social media essay topics below for some ideas:
- Discuss social media during the COVID-19 pandemic
- How should military personnel conduct themselves on social media?
- Comparative analysis: the use of social media versus the use of the general internet
- Discuss the role of influencers in pushing out brands
- Photos and videos will replace traditional texting in social media networks. Discuss
- How has social media affected eating habits among the world population?
- How does social media influence shopping behavior among consumers?
- What role does gender play in social media influence?
- Perception analysis the portrayal of the U.S.A and China on social media
- What influences does social media have on the fashion industry?
- Book review: Six ways social media affects our mental health by Alice Walton
- What impact has social media had in the makeup industry?
- What are peoples' perceptions of honesty in social media?
- Sports communication: NFL strategies on social media
- What effect has texting had on the detriment of modern language?
- Power of social media in advocating for green consumption
- Critical analysis: body shaming of teenagers on social media
- Analyze how social media has disrupted leadership styles among millennials
- Why do businesses need social media?
- How would a company expand its market through social media?
- Role of social media on political polarization
- Why do professionals use LinkedIn?
- Discuss international social media ban in China
- Discuss the advantages of social media on small businesses
- Can we accurately consider social media as a second learning language?
Social media topics for essay writing
The most crucial thing in writing a good research essay is finding a good topic. Here are a few argumentative essay topics up for exploration:
- Discuss the impact of networking on modern society
- Critical analysis: the safety of online purchasing
- What are the impacts of social media on family relations?
- Can human life and health problems be addressed through social networks?
- The advantages of using social media in higher learning (colleges and universities)
- Does social media level the playing field of unemployment?
- Is it possible to cope with social media addiction?
- How has social media influenced learning?
- What challenges does social media pose on fidelity in marriages and sexual relationships?
- Coronavirus pandemic: misinformation on social media
- The role of personal devices and social media in promoting healthcare
- Critical analysis: is social media becoming a powerful force on geopolitics?
- How can an organization demonstrate ethical behavior on social media?
- Is it ethical for prosecuted individuals to make statements about their case on social media?
- How have filters impacted the cosmetic beauty world?
- Discuss the correlation between social media and youth aggression
- How can we create kid-friendly social media sites?
- The role of social media in activism
- Social media relations: the art of persuasion
- Create an elaborate social media marketing plan
Social media research paper topic ideas
A research paper is an essay based on what you have learned during your course. Below are a few research topics open for exploration:
- Does social media spread or mitigate stereotypes?
- What influence has social media placed on human values over time?
- Discuss the pros and cons of hyper parent protection against social media use in children
- What impact has globalization had on social media?
- What influence does social media play on conflict resolution?
- How has social media impacted the real estate sector?
- How has social media impacted the hospitality sector?
- The merge of cultures: self-representation and ethnicity in social media
- An analysis of new social media marketing tools
- The correlation between data analysis and social media
- What impact does networking have on the environment
- Will social media make newspapers obsolete? An analysis of Twitter
- Is social media making us more narcissistic?
- Is blogging equal to a profession in journalism?
- Financial analysis: social media as a source of income for young people
- Discuss legislative measures on social media in the U.S.A
- How does social media help out vulnerable populations?
- Time management tips for college students: social media approach
- Is online tutoring overtaking traditional college education?
- Comparative analysis: offline bullying and cyberbullying
- What are the drawbacks of the large-scale proliferation of social media sites?
Concluding thoughts
It is unimaginable for the modern world to live without social media. To write compelling social media essays, you need a variety of engaging social media essay topics to choose from. If you are trapped in writing for your social media essay, pick any topic above and research it. Additionally, you may use the topic as a building block of your idea.

subset: commoncrawl


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Matira Camp
Matira Camp was started and established by Antony and Monika great travelers who have passion for nature and conservation. Matira Camp is located on the ultimate heart of the national reserve , designed with typical local materials as required by the conservation acts of nature, suited in the middle of forest surrounded by the river attracts wide range of wildlife to come near the camp, Guests see animals roam around the camp in the morning and evening time.
The camp strategic location just a throw of stone away from the main Mara River and Talek River where the great migration always occurs just a walk in distance. The camp is also the birding paradise that attracts great birders and permanent operating year around founded by locals they have great experience of the area and surrounding locality.
Matira Camp is divided in to tw the Adventure camp and the main camp, the main camp has 10 comfortable safari tents with single, double and twin beds all with ensuite bathrooms and fully furnished. The Camp has big dining area where the guests all collect for meals and they prepare both local and international dishes.
The Adventure Camp is located across the local natural Matira Bridge and it has 6 fully furnished safari tents with single, double and twin occupancy, hot and cold water showers with flushing toilets. Matira Camp adventure camp is always open all year round.


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Cannabidiol (CBD) may relieve pain while reducing inflammation, with a few pieces of research suggesting that CBD oil can help effectively treat migraine. The growth in research meant that Cannabidiol helps relieve pain, particularly neurological pain, as it is linked with various conditions. More CBD oil promises migraine treatment with specific methods, as found in the American Migraine foundation report. At the same time, the foundation acknowledges that there are no shreds of evidence that it is helpful and effective in migraine treatment. The researchers pointed out the evidence with a general lack of formal research for CBD oil.
It is concluded after the research that CBD may still be a viable option for some patients who come with problems in their joint and muscle pain that are associated with migraine. Still, there is no evidence about using CBD oil for migraine treatment with practical options. Yet, researchers have not fully approved that people can use CBD oil for migraine treatment by looking into its effectiveness, legality, and safety.
Why Could CBD Oil Reduce Migraine?
As you already know, CBD is present in the cannabis plant and is different from tetra-hydro-cannabin. THC is the compound in cannabis that produces highness. In contrast, there is no evidence that CBD has highness, and it is noted that there are other effects in the patient's body that might relieve the pain with the inflammation reduction. For example, CBD oil for migraines may reduce pain by affecting the brain's receptors that can reduce migraine. The receptors in the mind are a part of the endocannabinoid system that is essential in relieving pain and body inflammation.
The research linked medical cannabis with the following effects relevant to migraine treatment:
- Pain relief
- Reducing inflammation
- Anticonvulsive effects
- Easing nausea
However, minimal research on safety and cannabis effectiveness for migraine has been done due to legal restrictions on research that involves cannabis plants. Moreover, many researchers provided a few studies showing how it could improve migration treatment.
Much evidence suggests taking cannabis with modest benefits while releasing chronic pain. Likewise, a 2020 review found that CBD can help relieve chronic pain, improve sleeping habits, and reduce inflammation in a few circumstances. In addition, a few studies' results indicate that cannabis reduced headaches industry where the studies did not investigate CBD oil as it covers cannabis. Whereas, in 2018 review with relevant research reported that cannabis seems to be a promising method to relieve pain, including pain from migraine.
In comparison, the investigations in the 2017 review concluded that anecdotal evidence and findings warrant the research and high-quality clinical trials for CBD. Meanwhile, the researchers have explored the cannabis compounding treatment for chronic pain in people who take opioids for a more extended period and want to reduce the use of CBD.
"The little health company" provides alcohol-free CBD product that focuses on complete immune functions while taking control of health and wellness. You can search for CBD oil near me or you can visit Thelittlehealthcompany.com for purchase and more information.


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TRIBUTE bands are not really my cup of tea, and I'm not particularly a Pink Floyd aficionado, so it was with some trepidation that I approached this combination of the two.
But to call The Australian Pink Floyd Show (TAPFS) a tribute act would be to do them an incredible disservice – they are so much more than that.
This was a show, a spectacle, an event, an homage – with note-perfect Floyd music anchoring a performance full of visual effects.
Fast approaching their 30th year and still packing out large venues, TAPFS seem to get better and more extravagant. This is now a major brand, an Australian success story.
Here, the 10-piece band – still led by founders Jason Sawford and Steve Mac but a relatively fluid affair – played the classic album Dark Side Of The Moon in its entirety in the first half and a driving selection of tunes after the interval.
Vocalist Chris Barnes, coolly exiting the stage during the inevitably long instrumental sections, is a perfect fit for TAPFS along with relatively new bassist/singer Ricky Howard, who voiced the mellower moments.
And it was good for once to hear something loud enough to feel the bass thudding through your body, such as on the DSotM epic Money.
Another Brick In The Wall Parts 1 and 2 was the first half show-stopper, with a giant, inflatable teacher character only slightly letting the side down by deflating halfway through.
TAPFS really do chuck the kitchen sink at the performance in terms of their sensational light show – the breath-taking lasers never better than when replicating twanging guitar strings during the intro to Wish You Were Here.
The fast-paced video clips are brilliantly done: referencing the songs being played; getting political at the right moments and reverently remembering the late, great Floyd stars Syd Barrett and Rick Wright.
And the whole thing is put together with Aussie humour, such as the inflatable dancing kangaroo, the Kylie/Neighbours/AC DC/Men At Work mentions and the inevitable giant floating pig.
Tracks included Arnold Layne, Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Learning To Fly, Sheep, One Of These Days, Run Like Hell and a storming finale Comfortably Numb, by which time then audience had hauled themselves to their feet.
A memorable evening – highly recommended to even the most strident tribute band/progressive rock critics.
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London-based fashion photographer Mert Alas has launched a new gin influenced by perfume-making techniques.
Made in Rotterdam, Seventy One Gin was created in collaboration with master distiller Steve Wilson, the former president of Diageo Reserve. Botanicals used in the expression include juniper, angelica, lemon, damask rose, grapefruit and cinchona, which are individually distilled using techniques such as cold infusion, slow infusion, vacuum and copper pot distillation.
The gin is then matured for 71 days in three types of oak virgin casks from Spain, PX Sherry barrels, and French oak. Finally, a distillate of the night-flowering cactus Selenicereus grandiflorus is added to the blend. Grown in extreme conditions, this rare and unusual flower only blooms at night for a few hours once a year
"For me, Seventy One Gin is about reconstructing the idea of what gin means today," said Mert Alas, who is one half of the photography duo Mert + Marcus, and is known for his celebrity portraits and high-end fashion campaigns.
"I Am obsessed with masterful creations that hold a sense of the strange and beautiful. Seventy one gin is not a spontaneous beauty, it is a carefully meticulous beauty."
On the nose, the gin is said to deliver layers of "fresh ripe green notes to warm, earthy aromatics, and a distinctive sweetness," with the addition of the night-flowering cactus lending "a potent vanillin bouquet." It is caffeinated due to the addition of guayasa tea leaves, and its time in oak gives the liquid an amber colour.
For more information, go to seventyonegin.com


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Diane Baker and John Leyton examine a map of Krakatoa to see where the greatest volcantic eruption on record is about to hit. The adventure film Krakatoa, East of Java ( 1968 ) boasted an all-star cast which included Brian Keith, Sal Mineo, Maximilian Schell, and Rossano Brazzi.
From the Archives is our latest series of posts where we share photos from the Silverbanks Pictures collection. Some of these may have been sold in the past, and others may still be available for purchase at our eBay store : http://stores.ebay.com/Silverbanks-Pictures


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- September 26, 2018
- Vox, CEPR Policy Portal
Ownership and Power Structure: Together at Last
By: Laura Alfaro, Nicholas Bloom, Paola Conconi, Harald Fadinger, Patrick Legros, Andrew Newman, Raffaella Sadun and John Van Reenen
Economists have largely ignored the deep interdependency between integration and delegation. This column describes a new theory of integration and delegation choices aimed at shedding light on how these distinct elements of organizational design interact. Contrary to what is suggested by a naïve one-dimensional approach, the model predicts that delegation and outsourcing should be negatively correlated, a prediction that holds up well when the model is applied to data for thousands of firms across many industries and countries.
Alfaro, Laura, Nicholas Bloom, Paola Conconi, Harald Fadinger, Patrick Legros, Andrew Newman, Raffaella Sadun, and John Van Reenen. "Ownership and Power Structure: Together at Last." Vox, CEPR Policy Portal (September 26, 2018).


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No, it's not the next Rambo movie, wherein an ancient, arthritic vet finally loses faith with his firearms and decides to do an Erin Brockovich on Remington. The Rambo in question is Jay Rambo, an Alaskan hunter who claims he was seriously injured on September 11, 2009 when his Remington rifle went off all by itself. "His Complaint alleges that as his father was loading the .338 Caliber Model 700 Remington Rifle, it fired without the trigger being touched," the Drinnon Law Firm asserts. "The high velocity 200 grain bullet struck Jay Rambo in the forearm as well as his right gluteus according to the complaint." That's his butt to you and me. The ambulance chasers—I mean contingency fee-based product liability lawyers—are all over this one. Have been for some time. With some success. But first, more details of the rifle equivalent of Steven King's Christine . . .
In his opinion based on his investigation thus far, attorney Stephen Drinnon believes the factual evidence demonstrates that the bullet first struck the end of an open rifle case before ricocheting into Jay. He said the gun was resting on the foam of the open gun case as it was being loaded by Jay's father, Dale Rambo.
Mr. Drinnon further opined that he believes a jury will seriously consider a finding of punitive damages based largely in part on Remington's own documents, which he believes will demonstrate that Remington has known about the trigger's dangerous propensity to fire without a trigger pull for decades.
Decades during which lawyers have already wrested significant settlements from the American gunmaker. Thanks in no small part to the above-mentioned documents. Click here to get to grips one of Remington's smoking guns (so to speak).
Now how much would they pay? But wait! Here's a description of the defect in question from drinnonlaw.com:
Remington's trigger mechanism uses an internal component called a "connector" – a design component not used by any other rifle manufacturer. The connector floats on top of the trigger body inside of the gun, but is not physically bound to the trigger in any way other than tension from a spring. When the trigger is pulled, the connecter is pushed forward by the trigger, allowing the sear to fall and fire the rifle.
The proper position of the connector under the sear is an overlap of only 25/1000ths of an inch, but because the connector is not bound to the trigger, the connector separates from the trigger body when the rifle is fired and creates a gap between the two parts.
Any dirt, debris or manufacturing scrap can then become lodged in the space created between the connector and the trigger, preventing the connector from returning to its original position.
Remington's defective fire control could have been redesigned to eliminate the harm or danger very inexpensively. There is no valid engineering reason why the successfully utilized connectorless designs could not have been used by Remington in its Model 700 and 710.
In fact, Remington has recently done just that for the Model 700 with a newly designed trigger, the X-Mark Pro. That design, which eliminates the connector, was completed in 2002. However, Remington chose to continue with its prior unsafe design for financial reasons, never warning the public. Even today, Remington installs the new fire control into some but not all of its bolt-action rifles, leaving many users at risk with the old and defective design.
That doesn't sound good. Unless you're the lawyer on the other side of the table from Remington. In which case it sounds like a cash register opening its drawers. Drinnon breathlessly (i.e. using italics) reports that Remington has quietly paid almost $20 million to settle claims out of court, finally replacing the fire control only in 2007. To wit:
In 1994, a Texas jury rendered a verdict in Collins v. Remington after Glenn Collins lost this foot to a Model 700 accidental discharge. The jury found that the fire control was defective and awarded a $15 million in exemplary damages. The total verdict was in excess of $17 million. [Click here to review Business Week article entitled "Remington Faces A Misfiring Squad".]
Looks like Remington should have issued a recall, paid off the relevant parties and drawn a line under this. What's the bet they set aside some cash to deal. We shall see . . .


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ERIC Number: ED448505
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 2000
Pages: 227
Abstractor: N/A
Comprehensive School Reform: Research-Based Strategies To Achieve High Standards. A Guidebook on School-Wide Improvement.
Hale, Sylvie van Heusden
This guidebook provides a framework for planning schoolwide improvements. It is intended to help educators redesign schools, move beyond piecemeal reforms, and reconfigure entire academic programs to help every student meet challenging standards. The guidebook describes the context of comprehensive school reform and offers a process for conducting comprehensive data analysis, planning, and implementation. It includes tools and activities to facilitate planning and implementation, profiles of successful schools, and lists of additional resources. The first of nine sections offers an introduction and the purpose of the guide, which is followed by a discussion of the context of comprehensive school reform. The next five sections discuss the key elements of comprehensive school reform and include an explication of a demonstration program; notes on how to build a solid foundation for schoolwide reform; advice on gathering information and then planning, implementing, and sustaining comprehensive schoolwide reform; and a list of tools and activities needed for reform efforts. The document includes seven profiles of successful schools and lists various resources that can be used to aid the reform effort. Two videotapes that provide an overview of comprehensive school reform and document visits to several schools as they implemented reform efforts are included. (RJM)
Descriptors: Change Strategies, Comprehensive Programs, Educational Change, Educational Improvement, Elementary Secondary Education, Instructional Improvement, Strategic Planning
WestEd, Attn: Publications, 730 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 (190-page guidebook, 15-minute overview video and 30-minute school profiles video, $59.95). Tel: 415-615-3144; Fax: 415-512-2024. For full text: http://www.wested.org/csrd/guidebook.
Publication Type: Guides - Non-Classroom
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Administrators; Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: WestEd, San Francisco, CA. Northern California Comprehensive Assistance Center.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: The overview and school profiles videotapes are not available from ERIC. Produced with the Region XI Northern California Comprehensive Assistance Center.


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Strategic Human Resource Management - Strategic human resource management is designed to help companies best meet the needs of their employees while promoting company goals. Human resource management deals with any aspects of a business that affects employees, such as hiring and firing, pay, benefits, training, and administration. Human resources may also provide work incentives, safety procedure information, and sick or vacation days.Strategic human resource management is the proactive management of people. It requires thinking ahead, and planning ways for a company to better meet the needs of its employees, and for the employees to better meet the needs of the company.
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If you're not familiar with the Four Factors as featured on KenPom.com, the concept is very simple: There are four main parts of a basketball game that contribute to a team's success. They are:
- effective field goal percentage, or FG% with a bonus for made three pointers
- turnover rate, or the % of possessions that end in a turnover
- offensive rebound rate, or the % of possible offensive rebounds that the team grabbed
- and free throw rate, or the ratio of free throws attempted to field goals attempted expressed as a percentage
We'll look at the numbers for Marquette and their opponent in both categories for each game. The opponent number doubles as Marquette's defensive numbers, since it's what they're allowing. Along side each of the individual game numbers, you'll see two numbers after that. The first one is the season long average for the Golden Eagles, and the next is where they rank on a national level on KenPom.com.
Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%)
Marquette: 63.6% (This Season: 56.7%, #22)
Houston Baptist: 50.7% (This Season: 48.1%, #116)
Somewhat quietly, this was Marquette's third worst shooting defense performance of the season, trailing only the losses to Michigan and Pitt. This is largely because of a second half where the Huskies had an eFG% of 58.3%. They went 6-for-10 from behind the arc, with Colter Lasher and Asa Cantwell both making two of their three long range attempts. If you're one of the people who was annoyed by the Golden Eagles giving up 79 points in 76 possessions to HBU, there's your major issue. The defense was great in the first half with an eFG% allowed of under 42%. It just went sideways after halftime, which is largely why Marquette and Houston Baptist just kind of floated around that 20 point margin.
You can't be bummed out about Marquette matching HBU's second half effort pretty closely with a 56.3%. That's right about what they've been doing this season, and that's pretty good, relatively speaking. Their first half shooting was essentially one long Johnny Storm impression with only Duane Wilson and Haanif Cheatham missing more than two shots.
Want to hear something fun? If you remove Katin Reinhardt's 0-for-6 on long range shots from the equation, Marquette's eFG% jumps to 70% even.
Turnover Rate (TO%)
Marquette: 14.4% (This Season: 16.4%, #58)
Houston Baptist: 15.9% (This Season: 20.1%, #130)
Whatever Steve Wojciechowski is drilling in practice, or whatever adjustments he's made to the offense to simplify the passing and decision making, it's working. Marquette's turnovers are way, way down this season, and this game was just another example of how well the Golden Eagles can be at keeping track of the ball. After compiling six giveaways in the opening 20 minutes, they turned it over just five times after the break. Markus Howard (3), Luke Fischer (2), and Katin Reinhardt (2) were the only Marquette players that had more than one turnover on the night, and five guys didn't have any. That includes Sam Hauser, who played a team high 28 minutes.
The defensive side leaves a little to be desired. The season long average is actually better than last year, but the ranking is a little lower, but I suspect there's some cupcake sweetening involved there. Marquette does need to combat their lack of size with forcing possessions to end without a shot on a frequent basis, but outside of 6'11" Josh Ibarra, the Huskies didn't have a lot of noticeable size, either. MU got away with one here, but it won't work all the time.
Offensive Rebounding Rate (OR%)
Marquette: 34.5% (This Season: 26.8%, #248)
Houston Baptist: 27.9% (This Season: 26.8%, #89)
High offensive rebounding, low enough defensive rebounding! This game was fun when you look at it through Windex tinted glasses!
Luke Fischer was particularly effective on the offensive glass, grabbing up five of Marquette's 10 offensive rebounds on the night. At least two of his caroms were immediately flushed back down for tip in dunks, and tip in dunks are the best kind of dunks.
Houston Baptist didn't do particularly well on the offensive glass, but they did have multiple players who recorded multiple offensive rebounds. They did push their OR% up to nearly 32% in the second half, which almost assuredly contributed to the overall sense that the half was not going well for Marquette.
Free Throw Rate (FTR)
Marquette: 30.3% (This Season: 28.0%, #298)
Houston Baptist: 26.9% (This Season: 37.9%, #204)
This seems to be moving in a positive direction for the Golden Eagles. It's their first game of the season with an FTR under 30%, and they accomplished that feat by keeping it under 30% in both halves. It's the third worst (out of 6) FTR night on offense, but when 42% of your shots are three point attempts, you have to learn to live with a low offensive FTR. Luke Fischer was, again, very helpful in this category, posting a personal 50% FTR, and Haanif Cheatham's 54% (7 FTA/13 FGA) also worked wonders for the Marquette.


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SOC 1 (Service Organization Control 1) certification is a type of audit and attestation report that focuses on the controls related to an organization's financial reporting. The purpose of a SOC 1 report is to provide assurance to stakeholders, such as clients or customers, that the organization has adequate controls in place to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of financial data processed by its systems.
SOC 1 Certification in Bangalore is specifically designed for service organizations that provide financial reporting services, such as payroll processing, accounting services, or data processing. The certification process involves an independent auditor performing a detailed review of the organization's controls, procedures, and systems, and issuing a report that summarizes their findings.
Organizations that achieve SOC 1 Certification can demonstrate to their stakeholders that they have a strong control environment, providing them with a competitive advantage and increased confidence in the accuracy and reliability of their financial reporting. Additionally, achieving SOC 1 certification can help organizations to meet regulatory requirements, such as those related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
Financial services companies, such as banks, credit unions, and investment firms, often require SOC 1 Certification from their service providers to ensure the security and confidentiality of their financial data. Outsourcing companies, such as those that provide human resources, payroll, and IT services, may also require SOC 1 Certification. Topcertifier provides both on-site and online consultation services for SOC 1 Certification in Bangalore, providing you with everything you need to guarantee a 100% successful SOC 1 certification audit within the allotted project completion time.
TopCertifier is a leading global consulting firm providing comprehensive business advisory, training, process consultation, and certification services in Bangalore. With operations in 30+ countries and successful completion of 4500+ projects across various standards, we are a one-stop solution provider for all your certification needs. Our SOC 1 Certification Services in Bangalore include Gap Analysis, Documentation, Training, Internal and External Audits, and other essential services.
TopCertifier can assist you in preparing for a SOC 1 audit, constructing the required controls, advising on the right report type to meet your objectives, and working with your auditor to finish the audit process. Our specialists have developed and managed many SOC 1 security programs, guiding those companies through their initial and subsequent audits. Hence TopCertifier is considered to be one of the best SOC 1 Consultants in Bangalore.
SOC 1 readiness assessment: Conduct a SOC 1 readiness assessment to evaluate an organization's current controls and identify any gaps or deficiencies that need to be addressed in order to achieve compliance.
SOC 1 gap analysis: Perform a SOC 1 gap analysis to compare an organization's current controls against the requirements of the SOC 1 Trust Services Criteria and identify any areas where the organization falls short of the requirements.
SOC 1 implementation: Help an organization to design and implement effective controls to achieve SOC 1 compliance. This may include providing guidance on the development of policies and procedures, as well as providing support for the implementation of technical controls.
SOC 1 audit preparation: Assist an organization in preparing for a SOC 1 audit, including helping to gather and organize documentation, providing guidance on the audit process, and conducting mock audits to ensure that the organization is prepared for the actual audit.
SOC 1 audit support: Provide support to an organization during the SOC 1 audit process, including working with the auditor to answer any questions and address any issues that arise during the audit.
SOC 1 compliance is a certification that demonstrates that an organization has implemented and maintained effective controls over its financial reporting processes.
Any organization that provides services that affect their clients' financial reporting, such as financial processing or accounting services, may need SOC 1 compliance.
The key component of SOC 1 compliance is the evaluation of the organization's financial reporting controls, including the design and operating effectiveness of those controls.
SOC 1 compliance focuses on financial reporting controls, while SOC 2 compliance is concerned with controls related to the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of data.
To achieve SOC 1 compliance, an organization must first identify the relevant financial reporting controls and implement appropriate controls to address them. An independent auditor must then perform an audit to verify that these controls are effective.
SOC 1 compliance is not a one-time event, but rather an ongoing process. Organizations must regularly assess and update their controls to maintain compliance and typically undergo an audit on an annual basis.
SOC 1 compliance can provide several benefits, including increased customer trust, improved financial reporting practices, and a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
The cost of SOC 1 compliance varies depending on factors such as the size and complexity of the organization and the scope of the audit. However, the benefits of compliance often outweigh the costs in terms of improved financial reporting practices and increased customer confidence.


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Dozen Street Bar, located at 12th and Chicon, is more than just an art bar. The cocktails, live music, unique events and inviting decor create a welcoming space for Austinites to feel at home, whether they're artistically inclined or just admirers.
First Impressions
Once I spotted the mirror mosaic peacock door, I was more intrigued than ever to enter Dozen Street. While walking in, I was greeted with moody lighting above two pool tables, and walls textured with square panels of different materials.
Strolling further into the long venue, a full color peacock mosaic caught my eye. The welcoming bar, stage and cozy seating completed the indoor experience.
The back patio opens up to seating under a tent of fabric, a fence painted like a piano and Unconventional Oven, the resident pizza trailer.
At this point, I was already thinking about who I was going to invite to come out to Dozen Street the next time I visited, to experience the homey yet funky feel with me.
Sitting at the Bar
After my initial tour, I felt excited to get to know the people who give Dozen Street its warmth. I sat down at the bar and, after glancing over the menus and trying to hide my giddiness over the stellar cocktail selection, I ordered an Aviation from the bar manager, Mathias. Mathias is full of knowledge about cocktails, and his excitement and interest in the history of these drinks and the ingredients that make them is very contagious.
Dozen Street's gin drinks feature Austin Reserve Gin, and I highly recommend giving them a taste. If you are not a gin drinker, Mathias can still dream up something delicious for you.
While warming up with my cocktail, I met Ashley, who makes a special nonalcoholic drink featured at Dozen Street called Kava Chill. Kava is made from a root, and this earthy tasting drink is not available in many Austin locations.
Kava Chill is made in-house with a secret recipe and is sweeter and smoother than most kava. After drinking it, a tingling or numbing sensation may take place in your lips or mouth because of the anesthetic properties. After about 30 minutes, a relaxing sensation takes over.
Creating an Atmosphere
Dozen Street Bar has already evolved. It opened in late May 2014, but — due to complications — they were not able to put out their own signage until September. Though the venue is still new, they already have regulars thanks to word of mouth, friends and neighbors and hosting events 7 nights a week.
To learn more about how Dozen Street opened, I spoke with owner Maydee Distefano. Maydee wanted to create a space where all kinds of people could feel comfortable and at home. Dozen Street even has events on holidays, like their recent Thanksgiving Potluck.
Along with the diverse crowd, focus on soul and funk music and "be nice or go home" attitude, Dozen Street has cultivated an eclectic family-like atmosphere. Speaking further to the family vibe, Maydee's sister, Stefanie Distefano, who I recently interviewed about her unusual home, created the wonderful mosaics seen at Dozen Street.
Unconventional Oven rounds out the family feel as this pizza trailer (complete with wood fire brick oven) is owned by a husband and wife team.
Maydee's successful career in the theater in Philadelphia has given her a great appreciation and understanding of what makes a dynamic stage. A German piano, over 100 years old, sits on the the Dozen Street stage, which already has a budding history of great performances.
As soon as Maydee finished building the stage, she immediately performed a bare-bones version of her award-winning one woman show, Popsicle's Departure, 1989. (Popsicle's Departure, 1989 focuses on the late 80s hard-core scene in Boston).
Another one of Maydee's favorite memories of the stage took place during a Friday happy hour. Ezra Reynolds was playing piano when a man approached the stage rapping. Gradually, they both started improvising off of each other.
Needless to say, there is an incredible amount of creativity floating around in Dozen Street.
A Tasty Event
Following my interview with Maydee, I joined in on the special event of the evening – cookie decorating! During the holiday season in Philadelphia, Maydee held a cookie decorating party with hundreds of blank sugar cookies ready to be painted with colored icing and sprinkles. Since knowledge of the cookie decorating festivities has not become widespread in Austin yet, I felt like I was getting to experience it before it becomes an Austin holiday staple.
Everyone was in good spirits, and people chatted with me enthusiastically even when they had no idea I was writing an article about the bar. Thoughtfully, while stuffing myself with cookies, cocktails and some hushpuppies that wondorously appeared in front of me, I decided – I want to become a regular.
Becoming a Regular at Dozen Street
Dozen Street Bar is located at 1808 East 12th Street. Check out their website, Facebook and Twitter for weekly events. They are open from 5 PM-2 AM every day, and there is usually free parking across the street. I'll see you there!
@MadameKLM wants to know:
Do you have a favorite cocktail at Dozen Street?


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On May 30, 1921, a young Black Greenwood resident was arrested for allegedly assaulting a white woman in a downtown elevator. The next day, mobs of white Tulsans, thwarted in their attempt to lynch the man, invaded the district with murderous intent.
They set fire to businesses, churches, schools, a library, a hospital and more than 1,200 homes. In fewer than 24 hours, the thriving neighborhood had been reduced ash. These living witnesses remember and recall the harrowing events of May 31, 1921 and surviving the Tulsa Massacre, one of the most terrible racially-motivated massacres in American history.
Learn more about GOIN' BACK TO T-TOWN, including where to watch the documentary: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexpe…
Goin' Back to T-Town tells the story of Greenwood, an extraordinary Black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that prospered during the 1920s and 30s despite rampant and hostile segregation. Torn apart in 1921 by one of the worst racially-motivated massacres in the nation's history, the neighborhood rose from the ashes, and by 1936 boasted the largest concentration of Black-owned businesses in the U.S., known as "Black Wall Street." Ironically, it could not survive the progressive policies of integration and urban renewal of the 1960s. Told through the memories of those who lived through the events, the film is a bittersweet celebration of small-town life and the resilience of a community's spirit.


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Showing results for tags 'Samuel Vimes'.
This is Micro Art Studio's 30mm Sam Vimes, a grizzled but goodhearted veteran of the Ankh-Morpork night watch in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. In Vimes' first book, "Guards! Guards!" after Vimes narrowly escapes a dragon attack he is nursed to health by the goodhearted, lonely and ridiculously aristocratic Lady Sybil Ramkin, a swamp dragon breeder from the poshest of families. Swamp dragons are pathetic little nervous highly-bred things prone to exploding. The city is being menaced by a much vaster and more sinister, almost mythic dragon. When an angry mob decides to take out its wrath by attempting to massacre Sibyl's pets, Sam leaps out of his sickbed and, well ... And a touch later: Sam Vimes is the other of my husband's favorite characters from the Discworld books, along with Granny Weatherwax. Although this figure isn't as resplendent as Mistress Weatherwax in her evening finery, I enjoyed painting him. As with Granny Weatherwax, I played around with a few backgrounds, trying to put him in a context of the Ramkin estates.
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Accenture expands business in Hungary
wikimedia commons
After hiring an additional 150 employees in Hungary last year, the local unit of global professional services firm Accenture is looking at hiring a further 200 in 2018. In addition, it is expanding its Accenture Technology Services and Accenture Digital capabilities in Hungary via the new Accenture Advanced Technology Center in Budapest.
Accenture is expanding its local footprint in Hungary, following the opening of a new location in Budapest in November 2016, its second location in the country, and the creation of new job opportunities for an additional 200 people over the next 12 months, a press release sent to the Budapest Business Journal reveals.
Recruiting efforts are focusing on university graduates and local professionals, contributing to Accenture's global goal of a gender-balanced workforce, with 50% women and 50% men by 2025.
Accenture currently employs approximately 350 professionals in Hungary located at two offices in Budapest, delivering services and solutions in consulting, digital, technology and operations, with a focus mainly in Europe.
From its Hauszmann utca location, Accenture's Digital Industry X.0 practice is working on industrial internet of things (IoT) services, while at the new center at the Váci Greens office park, Accenture Technology is delivering advanced technology services to clients.
The new Váci Greens location in Budapest is part of the Accenture Global Delivery Network and will offer a collaborative environment with access to a global network of Accenture professionals, especially in North America and Western Europe, notes the press release.
As of January 2018, all of Accenture's Technology Delivery Centers – part of the Accenture Global Delivery Network, with 318,000 professionals in more than 50 centers - will become Advanced Technology Centers, emphasizing an increased focus on innovation and new advanced technologies.
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For 27 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.
Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.


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[TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZZETE OF INDIA, EXTRAORDINARY, PART II, SECTION 3, SUB-SECTION (i)]
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
(Department of Revenue)
Notification No. 26/2019- Central Tax (Rate)
New Delhi, the 22nd November, 2019
G.S.R......(E).- In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 11 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (12 of 2017), the Central Government, on the recommendations of the Council, and on being satisfied that it is necessary so to do, hereby makes the following further amendment in the notification of the Government of India, in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) No.11/2017- Central Tax (Rate), dated the 28th June, 2017, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R. 690(E), dated the 28thJune, 2017. In the said notification, in the Table, against serial number 26, in column (3), in item (ic), the following Explanation shall be inserted, namely: -
"Explanation- For the purposes of this entry, the term "bus body building" shall include building of body on chassis of any vehicle falling under chapter 87 in the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975."
[F. No.354/150/2019 -TRU]
(Pramod Kumar)
Director, Government of India
Note: -The principal notification No. 11/2017 - Central Tax (Rate), dated the 28th June, 2017 was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, vide number G.S.R. 690 (E), dated the 28th June, 2017 and was last amended by notification No. 20/2019-Central Tax (Rate), dated the 30th September, 2019 vide number G.S.R. 731(E), dated the 30th September, 2019.


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canyon exploring with Michele Angileri Fosso della Matassa
The abandoned village called Scoppio stands in a well defendable position, perched on a rock (the Scoppio) amidst the valleys of two normally dry streams
that come together at the foot of the cliff. They are the two branches of Fosso della Matassa.
  I remember ...Known since the '90s, the gorges of Fosso della Matassa have been traveled by skilled canyoneers as well as by beginners, coming from Italy and other countries.
Copyright © 2002- Michele Angileri. All rights reserved. |


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The Rest of my Life by Sheryl Browne – Book Review
The Rest of my Life by Sheryl Browne – Book Review
Author – Sheryl Browne
Publisher – Choc Lit
Pages – 320
Release Date – 10th July 2015
Format – ebook, paperback, audio
Reviewer – Stacey
I received a free copy of this book
Post Contains Affiliate Links
You can't run away from commitment forever …
Adam Hamilton-Shaw has more reason than most to avoid commitment. Living on a houseboat in the Severn Valley, his dream is to sail into the sunset – preferably with a woman waiting in every port. But lately, his life looks more like a road to destruction than an idyllic boat ride…
Would-be screenplay writer Sienna Meadows realises that everything about Adam spells trouble – but she can't ignore the feeling that there is more to him than just his bad reputation. Nor can she ignore the intense physical attraction that exists between them.
And it just so happens that Adam sees Sienna as the kind of woman he could commit to. But can he change his damaging behaviour – or is the road to destruction a one-way street?
'The Rest of My Life', is a fun, sexy, romantic tale of two people who need to find themselves in order to find each other.
Adam is the talk of the town. His houseboat has seen more action whilst moored in the marina than out at sea, with the string of women that come and go, many of them married. He is swooned after by the women in Worcestershire, whilst despised by the men who want to run him out of town.
Sienna is the newcomer to the village after moving into a little cottage overlooking the marina. She is a scriptwriter and hoping to get her big break, if only she can get one scene spot on. To make the scene work she may just be required to do some physical research, this is where Adam could come in handy.
Will these two ever be more than friends when they are both carrying emotional baggage, and Adam is set on a course for self destruction?
The synopsis had me hooked right away as I knew it wasn't going to be some easy cushy romantic book. I did however struggle with the first few chapters and wondered what I had let myself in for.
At the beginning, Adam really irked me. His behaviour was like a man on a mission to bed all the town's women and drink himself to death. He didn't care whether the women were married or not. If it was offered to him on a plate, who was he to turn it down.
Sienna also started off as this young, naive girl who had just moved away from home. On seeing Adam for the first time she was instantly attracted and tried to make herself noticed. She bugged me that she knew his reputation and even though he was horrible to her she still wanted him.
As the story progressed, I came to understand why they both acted the way they did. Adam is emotionally damaged and is looking to be intimate with women without the attachment, which he feels he will never be able to give again. He's frightened of not only getting hurt, but also hurting others.
He can't forgive himself for his past actions, even if the past is trying to help him move on with his life, he just needs to realise that.
As I read more about Sienna I became to understand her caring and kind nature and why see's something in Adam that no-one else can, even himself.
She has this nurturing instinct and you get the feeling that she wants to be the one to save Adam from himself. The more I got into the plot, the more I liked Sienna, even if she is quite young in the way she approaches situations.
I loved the added touch of Emily. I had kind of worked out what had happened to her, yet I did have my doubts until the truth was outed. She really must of loved Adam with all of her heart to want to help him, and see him in a better place.
There are some fabulous secondary characters, but Nathaniel (Nate), was my favourite. He is like the 'boy next door', the one all the girls love, in a friends way, but not boyfriend material. He was a bit of a mother hen, which made a nice change to see a man doing the nagging in a book and not a woman.
Sheryl Browne has written an adorable, sweet book, that is also sassy, with an emotional core to it. It does contain slight 'sexy' scenes, but it is done within the context of the story and naturally written.
The Rest of my Life had so many levels to it that when I peeled them back, to me the story was about showing how much the past can destroy the present, and the future, if you let it. To move on in life sometimes you have to make peace with the past and leave it exactly where it should be.
Book Reviewed by Stacey
Purchase Links
Heartache, humour, love, loss & betrayal, Sheryl Browne brings you edgy, sexy, poignant fiction. A member of the Crime Writers' Association, Romantic Novelists' Association and shortlisted for the Best Romantic e-book Love Stories Award 2015, Sheryl has seven books published and two short stories in Birmingham City University anthologies.
Sheryl's new contemporary romance novel was recommended to the publisher by the WH Smith Travel fiction buyer. 'THE REST OF MY LIFE' comes to you from award winning Choc Lit.


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Streams in the Desert for Kids
Streams in the Desert for Kids is a year-long devotional that speaks to kids where they are today, providing the same kind of wisdom and comfort for life found in the classic Streams in the Desert by Oswald Chambers, but with a modern and relatable twist kids eight to twelve will relate to.
No one has to tell you life is sometimes hard. And for your kids, navigating the confusing, everyday feelings of sadness, fear, loneliness, and anxiety can be difficult. To help your child through those times, Streams in the Desert for Kids contains 365 daily devotions that provide comfort and advice centered on God's promises to protect us and always stay near. It also contains sports information, scientific facts, and interesting stories to keep your kids engaged, with timeless wisdom and biblical facts that provide a strong spiritual foundation as they grow.
Streams in the Desert for Kids:
- contains NIV scripture that ties in all the time-tested insights from the original Streams in the Desert to help apply each day's reading to your child's life
- has devotions that take only minutes to read, allowing you to fit each day's reading into any schedule
- is perfect for daily devotions in the morning, at mealtimes, or before bed
- contains a sample prayer for each day to help make connecting with God easy and natural for your child


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Pervasive Connections- Instructions included
Pervasive Connections was an event organised by SPACE Media Arts and Iniva 'focusing on opportunities for artists to work with new social technologies'. The day comprised of presentations, workshops and panel discussions and tickets were sold out, mainly to artists, arts organisers and producers. Let's Do Lunch by Take2030 which 'tracks Hackney's public access wireless nodes and its lunch menus along bus route 26 in the form of a series of documentary videos' was also installed in the Space gallery.
A recurring theme was artists' arguably halting adoption of wireless and locative technologies and the lag in their response to the cultural questions and opportunities they give rise to. Peter Chauncy, Space's wireless specialist and organiser of Bow Wireless Festival, pointed out that artists working with new and networked media are not necessarily in communication, either with each other or with the technical development communities, who have been hard at work in the capital for many years now.
Alexie Blinov (one of the Take2030 crew) expressed his frustration at many artists' reluctance to engage with the technology on a practical level, to even start to read technical instructions and more generally their defeatist and phobic attitudes in the face of unfamiliar terminology.
These limitations are understandable, given the popular belief that technology is there for the convenience of the user, to do things that they can't do themselves and to do it very quickly. Let's compare learning to work with technology as an artistic medium with learning a musical instrument? What musician complains that their instrument should be made more convenient to learn? Any musician understands that learning to play an instrument means learning to do things that feel unnatural and that change the way their bodies work. Fingers become more dextrous, lungs develop a greater capacity. It may mean taking some lessons, seeking demonstrations, workshops, learning some technical terms and some theory. I've asked a few software programmers about this recently and they all concur- learning programming changes the way you think and feel in your body.
Perhaps this is where contemporary artists' relatively recent disengagement with physical substance and craft in favour of more conceptual media has created out-of-body art process (think Martin Creed's Turner Prize light switch) and so created a collective blind spot. Combine this with the Saatchi-supported tradition of artists working in isolation (or at most in partnership) to develop a unique personal (marketable and easy to manage) vision and we can understand the limited success of London-based artists in activating and transforming digital media with the same grass-roots dynamism that is evident in the activities of social-tech-devevlopment tribes such as Consume and NTK.
Let's Do Lunch by Take2030 was presented by Alexie and Ilse Black and is one in a series of works in the Rich Air series. This is a rare example of an artwork that uses scenario, live action, sound, crafted technological objects and documentary video to explore the dramatic and imaginative potentials and futures of wireless media. Sometimes the significance of the work is hard to grasp because it represents the existence of something that is invisible to our immediate senses. But it does use a range of strategies to make the emerging technological and socio-political reality more tangible which offers a sideways resistance to technological and communication monopolies. The visible traces of this project have included bands of sassily dressed roller-girls distributing wireless bandwidth to locals via beautifully crafted, portable 'lunch boxes' and an installation of videoed lunch conversations between activists and enthusiasts.
Mongrel currently based at the Jellied Eel Shed in Southend presented another kind of social software art. For PhoneSlam they created telephony-over-IP software to facilitate unmediated voice broadcast of raucous 'Southend- SoundBites'. These projects both offer a welcome alternative to the ubiquitous, (and superficially politically neutral) map of a walk and the more troubling mapping and GPS tracking of 'participants' and the things they tag using expensive, branded, mobile devices, more usually associated with the label 'locative' in media arts. |
It's an old line....Internet years are like dog years. Bearing this in mind, what follows is not intended for the old dogs of free wireless networking in London but more for artists with a new and perhaps tentative interest in wireless.
In addition to the presentations, discussions and exhibition, participants were invited to join in one of four workshops. I chose 'Network Self Provision' run by James Stevens of Consume, ConsumeX and DeckSpace, and Alexie Blinov of Take2030.
The holy grail for London's free wireless networking enthusiasts is the free, mesh network which would allow citizens to create a blanket of nomadic-noded, ad hoc, local area networks with their wirelessly connected laptops. Relatively independent of the Internet as supplied by telecoms the nodes would form parallel networks, dark-nets, clouds of promiscuous file exchange and digital communication.
OLSR is the routing protocol for mesh networks which daisy chain mobile nodes allowing them to join and leave the network in real-time. The current limits lie with the radio transmitters/receivers which either listen or broadcast but cannot do both at once. No one has yet invented a cheap solution to this problem.
The next best thing is what has been explored and promoted by Consume in the UK (and wireless network communities around the world)since the late 90s and more recently in a project called Boundless. Using strategically positioned D-link omnidirectional antennas (as well as a range of others produced by the DIY 2.4 Ghz community) to broadcast bandwidth across 4 mile range, this project aims to provide free wireless internet access across the whole borough of Lewisham to its local government workers and its constituents.
During this heavily over-subscribed but relaxed workshop I think I learned enough to build a DIY wireless network node, Consume style. Below, are my notes- technical and anecdotal- reflecting the style of the workshop and in a form that I can digest. If you prefer your instructions dry check out the Consume FAQs |
Instructions Included
Notes on creating a high bandwidth wireless node Consume style
1) Download meshAP from locustworld.com and copy to CD
this software was created by Jon Anderson (famous for his sms club. He also works in the commercial sector - 'brand to hand sms'.
meshAP utilises old computers (often found in skips).
meshAP installs its own operating system and offers a gui interface for network administrators. Features include military level security encryption and a customisable splash page with which you, the network administrator, can inform users of terms and conditions of entry to the free network, wish them an anarchistic day and share bandwidth and share the love.
2) Find an old computer in a skip (cheap and totally do-able option in London)
minimum spec: 128mb ram 60mb harddrive (it doesn't need this high power, but it's what old computers generally come with- it only needs the equivalent power of a compact flash card)
3) Buy or find a PCI wireless card (approx £50 new)
stick it in the computer
4) Plug an ethernet cable with access to the internet into the computer.
5) Reboot the computer from the meshAP CD
it will throw up the GUI interface
6) Register your wireless node with WIANA
Once the machine has fully booted you, the network administrator, connect via the internet to www.wiana.org who register every node on the wireless network and assigns a unique IP number to each.
7) Go into UNIX
Keys Ctrl alt backspace on a PC
login : root
password : terra7
: ping [the ip]
: wianaregister
8) Connect the Antenna
from the wireless access point at the back of the machine, along a cable called a Pigtail through a surface mounted n-type connector to a 2.4ghz antenna that you find listed on any DIY 2.4ghz antenna website.
This article is also featured on Furtherfield.org
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Patient Rooms Get Outlet Upgrades
Electronic devices help us stay in touch, and these devices become even more important when a loved one is in the hospital. Through a grant from the HaysMed Foundation, inpatient rooms will soon be equipped with a USB ready wall outlet. These USB ready outlets provide safe and convenient charging for electronic devises.


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With CES Vegas opening today, I was inspired to put together a post showcasing my current gear setup, how I use it, and what's used when.
Originally I was going to call this post something along the lines of "What's in My Tech Bag", but that wouldn't be an accurate title since every trip, event or journey involves an ever-rotating assortment of cameras, chargers, headphones and cables.
BTW, the above shot was taken using my Nikon D90 with a 18-200mm lens. I mostly use the Nikon these days for in-office photo shoots.
I rarely take my MacBook Pro out of town. My trusty 13" laptop is a homebody and occasionally makes appearances at cafés or meetings. Since I'm often packing at least one camera, phone, charger, headphones and a tripod into my backpack, I slip an iPad Air 2 into the ClamCase Bluetooth keyboard.
Sadly, now that Incipio's bought out ClamCase, this amazing keyboard is no longer being produced. I hold onto mine for dear life as I can pretty much use it open at any angle and the battery life is pretty sweet too.
I own two BOSE noise-cancelling headphones for two specific scenarios. My white and silver QuietComfort 25 headphones are ideal for zoning out when writing on my iPad. Because more recent iPhones no longer support headphone jacks, I had Belkin send me their handy Audio + Charge RockStar adapter so I can listen to tunes on both BOSE noise-cancelling headphones while charging my phone.
My BOSE QuietComfort 20 headphones are super compact and work miracles during a flight. I often travel with these and leave the larger headphones at the office, so I can pack more gear along for the ride. If I want to listen music without needing the Belkin adapter, I pack along their portable Rockstar Headphones with Lightning connector to trim down my gear weight.
Over the years, I've gotten a lot of use out of my LUMIX LX-100 micro four-thirds camera, but to be honest, last year I got an iPhone Xr and the photo quality I get from that is almost on par with the LUMIX.
As for GoPro and gear, I take along my HERO 7 Black for travel, especially when it involves snorkeling, boating and/or kayaking. My two fave GoPro accessories are The Handler (floating hand grip) with wrist strap and JOBY's GorillaPod, which I've owned for ages (it comes with both ¼-20 tripod and GoPro mounts, swappable via the quick-release plate, great for time-lapses on both cameras).
[I've had my JOBY GorillaPod since owning a GoPro HERO 3!]
Whether walking laps on cruise ship decks, getting in a hotel gym workout or power-walking around the hood, I pack a tiny iPod Shuffle for two reasons: 1) obviously it's tiny and 2) all it has is music so I don't wind up taking my phone and being distracted by emails and texts.
That brings me down to one final must-have gadget: a solid charger. I've been using Belkin's BOOST CHARGE 10K Power Bank with Lightning connector. It'll charge up anything with a USB connector, plus having the Lightning connector means only having to bring along one USB to Lightning charger in my bag!
My collection has grown and changed up over the past decade, but this is my gear and how I get the most use out of it.
What's your go-to tech assortment? Leave a comment; we're always looking for new ways to streamline and learn about the latest and greatest tech on the market.


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Mother's Day Bird Tree Pop-Up Card
Mother's Day Bird Tree Pop-Up Card
The front of this Mother's Day card features a cheerful message written in a playful blue font atop a pink background. A bird sitting on a flowering branch accents the words for a little extra flair. Open the card to reveal a pop-up tree, which is full of birds and flowering branches. The blues, oranges, and purples of the birds are fun to spot between the busy twigs and spring blooms. The bird tree shades a background of leaves, flowers, and bird silhouettes, creating a playful springtime scene.
The Mother's Day Bird Tree card is the perfect gift for a mom in your life this Mother's Day. With lots of intricate details, she'll enjoy the pop-up features and lively characters in her card. Once you've added your special message, this is a card she will cherish and can come back to again and again.
The Mother's Day Bird Tree pop-up card is 5 inches wide by 7 inches tall.
One Lovepop with one blank envelope and the Lovepop Note, a little note card that slides away with your own personal touch.


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Ukraine to renew public transport in 18 more cities
Next 18 cities have been preliminary chosen to take part in the second phase of the project "Urban Public Transport of Ukraine II". The project is implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine and the European Investment Bank, with the active involvement of local authorities
In cooperation with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and enterprising local authorities, the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine (MIU) continues work on the development of the second phase of the project "Urban Public Transport of Ukraine II", which involves the renewal of public transport in next 18 cities of the country, namely in Severodonetsk, Vinnytsia, Uzhhorod, Cherkasy, Bila Tserkva, Melitopol, Kamyanske, Khmelnytsky, Ternopil, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, Lutsk, Zaporizhia, Lviv, Poltava, Odessa and Chernivtsi, the MIU reported.
The Ministry says that the EIB upholds the Ukraine's initiative in respect to the project, considering it a step of a great importance for Ukrainian cities:
"We have already prepared a preliminary list consisting of 18 cities participating in the second phase of the project "Urban Public Transport of Ukraine II". The final list will be drawn up after the ratification of the relevant financing agreement between Ukraine and the EIB", the MIU said.
This time, the project "Urban Public Transport II" will only consist of subprojects aiming at the development of eco-friendly public transport by purchasing trams, trolleybuses, subway rolling stock and electric buses.
A financing agreement between the MIU and the EIB for the implementation of the project "Urban Public Transport of Ukraine II" worth EUR 200 million is planned to be signed in December 2020.
Note that the total estimated value of the project exceeds EUR 400 million. The fund will be allocated for purchasing more than 280 trolleybuses, 65 electric buses with and without charging stations, 24 trams, and about 10 tram cars. Also, the whole project includes construction and modernization of tram tracks and trolleybus lines, overhaul of tram cars, and other works.
The European Investment Bank has been a financial partner investing to the development of public transport infrastructure of Ukraine since 2007. The EIB-funded project "Urban Public Transport of Ukraine" contributes to successful renovation of urban public transport of the country, the goal implemented by the MIU and the authorities of participating cities.
The project is also expected to boost road safety in rural areas by relieving pressure on busy transport routes, as well as by encouraging the shift of passenger traffic from private to public transport. In addition, the implementation of the project is gradually bringing Ukraine closer to the EU current technical standards.
Tags: electric transport, European Investment Bank (EIB), financing, Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine (MIU), urban public transport of Ukraine


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Japan is one of the most exotic countries in the world, a place where every single ritual, each stage of social position is connected with ancestors by its historical roots. Cinema production in Japan is also soaked in the daily routine and mindset of the country where `the Sun rises`, as the Japanese like to say. Japanese cinema is filled with fascinating stories about culture, birth, life, and death, which we will explore together in our special cycle of articles about the Japanese movie industry. In this article, we will talk about Hayao Miyazaki.
A child always lives in everyone
Talking about Asian cinema, we cannot overlook another genius, Hayao Miyazaki. His works are not just children's cartoons, but histories with profound sensibilities, sometimes not entirely meant for kids.
Nonetheless, Miyazaki has been willing for us to see things as small children might, even though his viewers might be 30, 40, or 50 years old. After all, a child always lives in everyone. Naughty, dreamy, winged. However, every single story shows us how Hayao rises up his and our emotions. The agendas of cartoons change together with world accepting and how we act our age: from children views to mature characters.
With this intention a huge review about Hayao Miyazaki role will be divided into two parts. Therefore, this article covers the topic of childish feelings. Particularly, how the brightest animations – `My Neighbor Totoro` and `Spirited Away`– combined the imaginary world for each of us and preparation to live as an adult. Let our trip begins!
The immersion into childhood memories
A child sees this world as a fascinating trip, filled with many fantasies, imaginary characters, with protectors and monsters. At the same time, all children perceive with purity and sincerity. Everyone knows who they want to be in the future.
Still not completely obscured by stereotypes, children radiate love and joy. They strive to conquer the peaks, sincerely believe that miracles abound. What's left from childhood in us? When the whole world is no longer a cave with dragons, and clouds are not, in fact, a candy floss? Where did the enthusiasm go, while the world has not changed at all?
Thus, Hayao`s cartoons are a deep immersion in the memories of childhood, but with a projection into serious, sometimes philosophical themes. And it is probably more appropriate to look through the eyes of a ten-year-old child, because the same romantic and adventurer, a little boy called Hayao, created them.
Why fear and safety are always beside in `My Neighbor Totoro`
Miyazaki's cartoons show subtly how a small child perceives the world, as in the animated film `My Neighbor Totoro`. Being naturally stressed and afraid, a child is always looking for protection, as from the protector spirit of the forest, Totoro. Moreover, for small kids every creation, even from mythology or imagination, is real and could be its own hero to be safe.
Hayao Miyazaki shows a family, where a father and two small daughters are forced to move from Tokyo to a village. Mother is ill and is treated in a hospital. For the girls, this is a doubly stressful experience, when the most important defender – the mother – is in danger, and there is nobody to rely on. Moreover, changing the location of the home is also a risky time for a small consciousness.
They took it as a wake up call, and unknown forces concentrate at the periphery of what is comfortable and familiar. We know that a child perceives parents, especially mom, as an ideal of protection and peace. And if, for certain reasons, the connection between the parent and the child is not broken, this feeling might persist throughout life. But it is uniquely challenging if something happens to mom, and for a child this could also mean a complete loss of fearlessness and then each event brings enormous measures of fear.
There is a desire to find someone to protect you from the world and its cruelty. Then fictional friends may arise, also faith in spirits and good drums, as in a cartoon. Reality can become complete in a child's imagination, which is limitless.
Spirits as symbols of braveness
When you need to explore the world, such confidence is necessary. Therefore, the spirit of the forest, Totoro, appears in the cartoon. But Japan is a country of the highest spiritual presence, even though the world is changing now. It has still preserved the foundation of ancestors and faith.
A belief in spirits helps to cope with inner anxiety. And also, when you are a kid, the fantasy itself creates a safe place as something big, soft, fluffy, kind, a place where you can feel warm and fall asleep in a calm atmosphere. And the special symbol of the forest, as ancient protector, perfectly complements the theme of ancestors and their connection with nature.
However, as the plot evolves, Satsuki, the elder daughter, becomes increasingly brave and takes on more responsibility. When the sister May disappears, she shows herself a brave girl, and goes alone to find her. If, for adults, this may seem an expressive part of the story, for a child it is a feat. This cartoon also teaches the viewer how to notice the reaction of children and their behavior, to remember your own childhood and get close, not so much with your family, as with your inner child.
How `Spirited away` teaches to appreciate our lives from the first episode
`Spirited Away` is a cartoon that I`ve seen twice. For me, the main idea is to explain the depths of Japanese culture and how children are willing to understand it. Especially respecting ethical matters such as relations with others, kindness, mutual understanding, and support.
A particular question in Asian countries is the meaning of death. As I wrote in the previous review, Japan is a place where the culture of the ancestors and their connection with the world of the living create a solid foundation for faith. Thus, the topic of death and respect for those who have passed away, as well as living a decent life, are the basics for Eastern philosophy.
The cartoon begins with the fact that the family moves to a village where they all must start from scratch. By mistake, the father turns off onto a bad road and speeds up and almost gets into an accident. A collision with an ancient stone statuette of the Deity saves his family from certain death.
I have thought about what that episode really means? For instance, if we know that faith in being saved by God is a constant, the notion of the death accident gets more real.
The car could easily fly off a cliff or run off the road. Then the whole family would perish. And the phantom of the Divine city itself illustrates one way of leaving the real world. And more so, is the dark tunnel a way of transition into celestial matter? Isn`t it? However, if we come up with the notion that the heroes are saved, then a stone statue is just a stop signal to revise your actions. Dad manages to slow down in time, and thanks to magical forces. After situations like this, people always think about the meaning of life and how they had lived it before.
Material goods will not pay for spiritual greatness
But meanwhile, Miyazaki uses a great technique to convey the value of each person through animation. For little Chihiro, the kingdom of the Gods gets a disciplined character. First of all, stories about ancestors and Gods have a profound effect on how children accept the presence of majesties. This is the beginning of developing respect for elders and gratitude for their help, and what is wrong and right. Respect for others and their work. The ability to make real friends and maintain a good attitude towards other people, even if they are not doing well.
Chihiro discovers her own faith in a friend, the dragon-boy Haku, her peer. After all, each child can find the personal good in which he or she believes. It becomes even more fun with children the same age. Also another reason that we could be taught is the need to remain ourselves no matter what happens. In the episode with the sorceress, Yubaba decides to cheat her and choose her parents from a bewitched herd of pigs. Deception is a manipulation; and a person, especially a child, can easily imagine being a slave. But Chihiro does not believe in the tricks of the evil Yubaba. This moment teaches you to keep your wits about you. And do not forget that every child copies behavior from his parents. And for adults – this is a great opportunity to understand that unconscious actions affect the feelings of the child.
Summing up what Hayao has been willing to say: live not forgetting that we are all children, happy and emotional. Afterwards, we can share our love, absolute sincerity and happiness only in connection with our inner child. Perhaps this is the theme that Hayao Miyazaki has been conveying to us all along!
Photos: MovieStillsDB
Read more reviews from the author.
Deconstructing the Film "Departures" In a New Chapter of Japanese Cinema
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Annette John-Hall | The weak hand plays race card
Well, now. Talk about black-on-black crime. I'm not referring to the city's exploding homicide total, now at an abysmal 139, by the way. I'm talking about Chaka Fattah's drive-by in the debate Monday night, the underhanded and unseemly shot he took at Michael Nutter in an attempt to undermine his candidacy for mayor.
Well, now. Talk about black-on-black crime.
I'm not referring to the city's exploding homicide total, now at an abysmal 139, by the way. I'm talking about Chaka Fattah's drive-by in the debate Monday night, the underhanded and unseemly shot he took at Michael Nutter in an attempt to undermine his candidacy for mayor.
In a Democratic primary that grows more combative by the day (white candidates pounding each other in this corner, black hopefuls trying to knock each other out in that corner), the floundering Fattah has the surging Nutter squarely in his cross hairs - and is taking direct aim.
Not racial profiling
Defending charges from opponents that his proposal to stop and frisk those suspected of carrying illegal weapons was a racist tactic, Nutter insisted his plan wasn't about race. "It's about criminals. As a person who's been black for 49 years, I think I know a little about racial profiling."
Though the subject then changed, Fattah was ready and loaded when he got his chance to speak, chiding Nutter, "I'm sorry the councilman has to remind himself he's an African American."
Say what?
Did Fattah really go Milton Street on us, so transparently trying to portray Nutter as not black enough?
No wonder the audience gasped.
It's one thing for the ludicrous Milton Street to sling "Watermelon Man" slurs, but for a seven-term U.S. congressman to stoop so low is astoundingly stupid. Fattah ought to be ashamed of himself.
You could almost see this coming. For the past few weeks, Fattah has been inching up to this, target practicing here and there, accusing Nutter of not caring about the poor and the city's neighborhoods, but making little headway.
At this point, civility may be too much to ask for. With less than a week to go, this campaign has quickly deteriorated into napless nursery school, with the kids all cranky and whining. You've got Bob Brady and Tom Knox threatening to kick each other's butts on TV, Fattah race-slinging at Nutter, and the cellar-dwelling Dwight Evans taking on all comers.
That's politics at crunch time, especially when you've got an electorate that is almost 27 percent undecided. The only surprising thing has been that it has taken this long for the gloves to come off.
"Nutter is the perceived front-runner, so Chaka is going after him for the undecided black votes. It's the same reason Brady is going after Knox, because Knox is Brady's competition for white votes," Thad Mathis, Temple professor of social administration tells me.
Still, Fattah's uncharacteristic race-baiting and backstabbing for black votes is a new low.
Makes you wonder why Fattah has enlisted presidential hopeful Barack Obama - no stranger to "black enough" accusations - to help him raise funds.
Speaking up
Nutter may look like a geek and appeal to white liberals, but so far he's the only black leader to call the uncontrolled killing in the city exactly what it is.
After an especially bloody April weekend that ended with 10 slayings, Nutter called the carnage "one of the worst human tragedies the city has ever seen. The bell should be tolling at 12 o'clock," he said, "for the black genocide that has been taking place in this city."
That's right. Black genocide. Because that's what it is.
No other black leader - not Mayor Street, not Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson, and, no, not even U.S. Rep. Fattah - has had the courage to speak the truth. It took a strong black man in the form of the wonkish Nutter to use such a call-to-action term to describe an epidemic that threatens to take out a generation of African American men.
Cynical observers might say he ratcheted up the rhetoric to attract some of the black vote, but it sounded to me like a black man who cares. Is that black enough?
Fattah's race-baiting antics sounded like a desperate move from a desperate man.
Fattah's next move should be to apologize for insulting the intelligence of black voters. We're better than this.