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20% Off Replay Watch and Step Pedometers
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S2H wants to help motivate you to keep your new year resolutions. Using the promotional code S2H12 you will get 20% off your entire purchase. You can buy the Replay watch which gives you points for every two hours of motion or the Step pedometer which gives you points for every 10,000 steps. Redeem your points for some great prizes that include gift cards to major retailers.
For more information about S2H, refer to my original review of the Replay watch. I do not own the Step to review, but I think I'm going to buy one with this 20% discount.
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Young love is a terrible love that often ends when romance fades, but for those of us who cling to the hopes of fictitious literature rather than reality, young love is everlasting.
That is, until the world's most famous author destroys everything you ever thought was true.
Maybe not everything, per se. J.K. Rowling recently told Wonderland magazine in an interview with Emma Watson that she didn't believe Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were quite the right fit as a couple. Rowling revealed that it was "a form of wish fulfillment," and "there was too much fundamental incompatibility." Both the author and the actress thought Harry Potter and Granger might have been a better match.
Hold up. Let's discuss this further before obliterating an entire fandom's hopes and dreams.
I for one am shocked that such insight has come to light so long after the completion of book seven. My life has been changed for the better by the wizarding world and characters created by Rowling, so the fact that this detail is not as concrete as I once thought is unnerving.
Sure, I've discussed the plausible physics behind an active bludger during a Quidditch game and the philosophy of soullessness in relation to a dementor's kiss, but I've never questioned the relationship development of the main characters. It's difficult to hear such a contradictory opinion from the one person whom millions owe so much of their own imaginations.
Remember that scene in part one of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" when Potter and Granger are dancing in the tent and almost every fan in the world was screaming inside, "She never wrote that bit"? Well, she thought about it.
"When I wrote Hallows, I felt this quite strongly when I had Hermione and Harry together in the tent," Rowling said in the interview. "And actually I liked that scene in the film because it was articulating something I hadn't said but I had felt."
As a devoted fan, I can't help but be annoyed. Rowling's feelings directly conflict with what the fandom knows as truth.
Firstly, to some extent, opposites attract. Weasley is a goofy, awkward kid who feels comfortable using humor as a defense mechanism when things get complicated. Granger likes facts and logic, and she sees the big picture, though humor is not lost on her. To this day, one of my favorite parts of the series is when she tells Weasley that he has the emotional range of a teaspoon.
Granger is strong-willed and slightly critical, whereas Weasley is definitely the underdog of the main character trio. They are different, but they complement each other, especially after years of a growing relationship as friends.
I write music about the Harry Potter series, known as Wizard Rock, and when I write songs, I try to stay away from the general story and work my way to the core of specific characters' situations and their emotions.
I know. It's insanely nerdy and seemingly pointless because these characters aren't even real, right? Wrong. The connection I have with a fictional being can be just as strong as the connection I have with people in real life.
Granger's story in and of itself has always been one of my favorites and equally one of much sorrow. I once wrote a song about Granger's sacrifices so she could be there for her best friends. She and Weasley are best friends, and I think that's what makes their relationship work.
I can also see how the tent scene portrayed the strength of Potter and Granger's friendship, not a romantic spark that foreshadowed a possible future. It was clear in the book and in the film that Weasley's absence from the group was hard on her. She is a loyal friend, but it was evident at that point in the story that her and Weasley were destined for something more than friendship.
Rowling went on to say Weasley and Granger may have gotten along fine with some counseling, but would they really need it? I think not. I can't imagine the issues that might arise as a married couple would ever be more challenging, emotionally or otherwise, than what they'd faced previously in their teen years.
I'm not so naïve to imagine that Granger and Weasley's relationship would have been perfect, but it would have worked. The bond that grew with them during their teen years was too strong to have died away with the destruction of You-Know-Who. It may have been young love, but the experiences they had together were anything but adolescent.

subset: commoncrawl


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News Munchies
Allstate's 'Good Hands' Slap Down Agent
Originally Posted
The insurance industry has the statistics: On balance, if you fare poorly on "credit scoring" formulas, you will file more claims and be a worse -- less profitable -- risk.
So insurers have started withdrawing coverage from otherwise good, God-fearing, regular-paying, low-claim customers, just because they've uncovered what many observers believe to be an unrelated credit "score."
"Enough!" said Allstate Insurance agent John Bryant.
And that was enough for Allstate, who promptly canned the malcontent.
What did Bryant do that was so horrible? He testified in favor of a Maryland bill that would proscribe insurers from using credit histories as screening devices. Within less than a month, Bryant says, Allstate "operatives" and a police officer -- perhaps from the 'thought police' -- showed up at his office and closed him down.
Last year, the ever-watchful Allstate handed agents in the state of Washington a letter demanding that they not testify in state insurance commission hearings.
Let's see, insurance agents prohibited from testifying before the state insurance commission?
That's right. No "publications, speeches, interviews, discussions, or testimony," the letter says; no talking with "legislators or regulators."
Perhaps these folks need to get their 'Good Hands' on a copy of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.


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Since its establishment for 120 years, the Hungarian Electrotechnical Association has been working to raise the standard and improve the efficiency of reliable electricity supply and use, while committing itself to continuous renewal and development.
"Everything that is protection and network control technology" – this was the motto of the Protection and Network Control Technology Online Forum held November 17-19, 2020. by the Hungarian Electrical Engineering Association.
The professional presentations of the three-day online Forum, despite the changed circumstances, offered actual topics to interested participants. Among others, participants could follow the presentation of dr. Attila Kovács, Managing Director of Astron Informatikai Kft. with the title of "Novel concepts and methods in SCADA testing with use of the simulator." on 17th November.
The full online presentation can be downloaded and viewed in mp4 format here or downloaded in pdf.
"We are honored to keep pace with the latest efforts of the long-established Hungarian Electrotechnical Association, and to support effective professional communication between the players of the electricity industry with our presentation on the easily accessible #MEEnet digital interface." – said dr. Attila Kovács, Managing Director of Astron Informatikai Kft.


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Plans for a controversial third runway at Heathrow have been ruled illegal, fuelling debate on how the UK can tackle its airport capacity challenge. Mark Broadbent considers the latest on the decades-long airport saga.
A landmark verdict by the Court of Appeal February 27 has ruled that the UK government's decision to expand London Heathrow Airport with a third runway is unlawful because it does not meet the nation's climate change commitments.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the government would review its next move, but will not appeal the judgement. However, Heathrow Ltd has vowed to contest the ruling, renewing uncertainty over just how and where the growing airspace capacity battle can be settled.
Back in 2016, the UK government accepted a recommendation by the Airports Commission to build a third runway at Heathrow. Two years later, MPs voted overwhelmingly – by 415 votes to 119 – in favour of the proposal.
With expansion proving so contentious, a raft of public consultations has taken place, and environmental groups, councils and the current Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, brought the appeal court challenge. The ruling in the activists' favour has provided yet another twist to the long-running saga and set the stage for continuing debate.
Expansion options
The latest Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data shows 80.8m travellers passed through Heathrow in 2019, an annual record and the ninth consecutive year that passenger numbers have increased. This compares to 65m passengers ten years ago, which was up from 61m a decade before that and 42m in 1990.
The Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), the UK government's official line on Heathrow expansion adopted in June 2018, says: "Heathrow is operating at capacity today, Gatwick is operating at capacity at peak times, and the whole London airports system is forecast to be full by the mid-2030s.
"With very limited capability at London's major airports, London is beginning to find that new routes to important long-haul destinations are being set up elsewhere in Europe. This is having an adverse impact on the UK economy and affecting the country's global competitiveness."
The Airports Commission was set up by the coalition government in 2012 to evaluate how to provide additional capacity. As the subsequent ANPS stated, the commission – reporting three years later – concluded a new northwest runway at Heathrow would offer the greatest strategic and economic benefits.
The alternatives, either extending Heathrow's existing northern runway (a proposal from a private company, Heathrow Hub Ltd), or building a second runway at Gatwick (proposed by that airport's owners, Gatwick Airport Ltd), were dismissed. An earlier interim report by the Commission had previously concluded a further option, a new Thames Estuary hub (an idea championed a decade ago by the then London Mayor, now the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson), was unviable.
The ANPS says: "Expansion at Gatwick would not enhance, and would consequently threaten, the UK's global aviation hub status. Gatwick would largely remain a point to point airport, attracting very few transfer passengers. Heathrow would continue to be constrained, outcompeted by competitor hubs which lure away transfer passengers, further weakening the range and frequency of viable routes."
The report adds: "At the UK level, there would be significantly fewer long-haul flights [from Gatwick], with long-haul destinations served less frequently. Expansion at Heathrow is the better option to ensure the number of services on existing routes increases and allows airlines to offer more frequent new routes to vital emerging markets."
The report also cites Heathrow's "substantial freight handling operation" and said it deals with around 20 times more freight by tonnage than Gatwick Airport, saying: "Expansion at Heathrow will further strengthen the connections of firms from across the UK to international markets."
Further consultations
The ANPS states that Heathrow's proposed third runway has to be 11,482ft (3,500m) long and should enable "at least 260,000 additional air transport movements per annum".
As the report notes, the runway is regarded as a "nationally significant infrastructure project" under the Planning Act 2008, so further work to examine the final location of the scheme is required, as well as additional studies on air quality, noise, carbon emissions and "mitigating impacts on affected local communities".
In June 2019 the airport's owners, Heathrow Ltd, unveiled a long-term master plan for the airport involving the new runway, other infrastructure such as terminals and proposals for diverting rivers and road access, including rerouting the M25 through a tunnel under the new runway.
The ANPS document states: "For a scheme to be compliant with the ANPS, the Secretary of State would expect to see these elements comprised in its design, and their implementation and delivery secured."
This led to further public consultations to enable local communities to review the proposals and offer feedback. In December of that year, the CAA said it would limit early spending on the third runway project.
Heathrow Ltd said: "Capping spending has prolonged the construction period of a new third runway and means Heathrow will need to undertake refreshed modelling of key aspects of the plan – including public transport to and from the airport – to evidence that ANPS targets can be met."
Speaking in Parliament in February 2020, the then Transport Minister Paul Maynard said: "Expansion is a private sector project, therefore the cost of the scheme is a matter for Heathrow, who are regulated by the CAA. It is for Heathrow to demonstrate that the project can be financed and built and that the business case is realistic."
A consultation was set for April to June 2020. Heathrow's owners said responses would subsequently be fed into the final application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) required for the project, which was expected to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by the end of this year.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps, would then review the scheme and make the final 'go or no-go' decision. February's court ruling is likely to further delay that announcement.
Arguments for expansion
Coping with increased demand for air travel and strategic economic benefits are key to the case for a new runway.
The ANPS states that London's five primary airports - Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Stansted and Luton - "will all be full by the mid-2030s if we do not take action now" and that four of the five could even be "full by the mid-2020s".
The ANPS says demand at these airports "is expected to outstrip capacity by at least 34%" by 2050, even using a low-demand forecast. It notes: "There is relatively little scope to redistribute demand away from the region to less-heavily utilised capacity elsewhere in the country."
It adds that other European hubs such as Paris CDG, Frankfurt and Amsterdam "have spare capacity and are able to attract new flights to growth markets in China and South America" and noted the competition from the big Gulf hubs.
The ANPS warns: "The consequences of not increasing airport capacity in the southeast of England – the 'do nothing' or 'do the minimum' scenarios – are detrimental to the UK economy and the country's hub status.
"Capacity constraints lead to trade-offs in destinations, and while there is scope to respond to changing demand patterns, this necessarily comes at the expense of other connections. Domestic connectivity into the largest London airports will also decline… The Government believes that not increasing capacity will impose costs on passengers and on the wider economy."
The ANPS says aviation contributes around £20bn to the economy every year and directly supports approximately 230,000 jobs, while also "enabling activity in other important sectors like business services, financial services and the creative industries".
The CBI's infrastructure and energy director Tom Thackray said last year: "We can't wait any longer for the growth in trade we need to see if the UK is to remain a globally competitive economy.
"With the new global links and routes it will bring and the opportunity to unlock jobs right across the UK, a third runway at Heathrow operational by the 2030s will set the UK on course for a bright trading future."
Court of Appeal decision
Business groups reacted furiously to the verdict from the appeal court, with British Chambers of Commerce director general Adam Marshall protesting that firms "risk losing crucial connectivity and access to key markets".
However, the Court of Appeal concluded: "The designation of the ANPS was unlawful by reason of a failure to take into account the government's commitment to the provisions of the Paris Agreement on climate change."
Its ruling says: "The Paris Agreement ought to have been taken into account by the Secretary of State in the preparation of the ANPS and an explanation given as to how it was taken into account, but it was not. That, in our view, is legally fatal to the ANPS in its present form."
However, vocal pressure groups, which work with and through the main No 3rd Runway Coalition, along with environmental campaigners welcomed the Court of Appeal decision.
Friends of the Earth said the ruling was "an absolutely ground-breaking result for climate justice" and the London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, tweeted to say that the judgement is "a major victory for all Londoners who are passionate about tackling the climate emergency and cleaning up our air".
Despite parliament overwhelmingly voting for development, several local MPs in constituencies near Heathrow have repeatedly raised concerns over health impacts and question how more airport capacity is compatible with legally binding climate change targets the government signed up to in the 2015 Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions.
For example, during a February 5, 2020 debate on transport, Twickenham MP Munira Wilson spoke of how a third runway would be "bad for [the] climate, bad for our health and well-being". Similarly, Putney MP Fleur Anderson said that increased noise and air pollution would be "a disaster" for her constituents and others across southwest London.
Both of these MPs obviously welcomed the Court of Appeal's verdict, with Anderson hailing what she claimed was a "historic ruling" and Wilson using a single word: "Victory".
"I see no bulldozers"
So what happens next? Heathrow Ltd said it would appeal the decision at the UK Supreme Court, saying it is "confident that we will be successful" and that, "expanding Heathrow… is essential to achieving the Prime Minister's vision of global Britain". Before the Court of Appeal decision, operators Heathrow Ltd said the runway could open in 2028 or 2029 should the government sign off its development.
Importantly, the Court of Appeal judgement stated it had "not decided, and could not decide, that there will be no third runway at Heathrow". Its decision only means the government "will now have the opportunity to reconsider the ANPS".
A third Heathrow runway could give the Conservative government, elected with a substantial parliamentary majority at the December 2019 general election, another flagship national infrastructure project to bolster its narrative of economic "levelling up". This would follow the recent approval of another equally controversial initiative, the HS2 high-speed railway from London to northern England. However, the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has long been a vocal critic of Heathrow expansion.
More than a decade ago, while Johnson was London mayor, he backed the idea of building the Thames Estuary hub airport instead of enlarging Heathrow. Later, under the Conservative/Lib Dem coalition government of 2010-2015, he claimed that he would "lie down in front of those bulldozers" to stop any construction work proceeding at Heathrow.
Johnson said in the House of Commons on February 11, 2020 when speaking about the HS2 interchange: "Passengers arriving at Birmingham Airport will be able to get to central London by train in 38 minutes, which compares favourably with the time it takes to get from Heathrow by taxi, a point I just draw to the attention of the House."
When asked by Munira Wilson whether he would keep his promise about the bulldozers and scrap the third runway proposal for Heathrow, the PM said: "I see no bulldozers at present, nor any immediate prospect of them arriving."
A 'no' decision to more infrastructure in the southeast could conceivably also play well in UK regions – areas where the Conservatives gained ground at the election and where there are complaints of central government underfunding.
When asked directly about the runway during Prime Minister's Questions on February 12, 2020, Johnson again said he does not support the runway, but would "wait to see the outcome of the various legal processes that are currently under way to see if the promoters of the third runway can satisfy their legal obligations under air quality and noise pollution".
The Court of Appeal's decision only adds to the sense that, as The Guardian put it: "It now looks very easy for a PM with a large majority to kill the third runway."


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Here is my latest edition of my positional rankings for the 2020 NFL Draft guys. I have added some of my thoughts and observations on the players this time. So, please check it out and let me know what you all think. Thanks for reading!
1. Joe Burrow, LSU
2. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
3. Justin Herbert, Oregon
4. Jordan Love, Utah St.
5. Jacob Eason, Washington
T-5. Jake Fromm, Georgia
Not much has changed here for me. I still have Joe ranked number 1. Now, if it weren't for Tua's injury concerns, this would be much more difficult to rank but, I am playing it safe and keeping Joe number 1. All that said though, in my mind, it is still very close and who knows, Tua does a shot at being the number 1 overall pick. If I'm running the Bengals, I'd listen to arguments for Tua being number 1 overall. After those 2, I have Herbert. Herbert is the number 3 guy by a good bit. I've watched a lot of Love's film and he scares me. I don't see consistency in his accuracy, decision making and touch. He can deliver wow plays, but he's too much of a risk for me, especially early in this draft. Eason and Fromm both are talented and have potential to be starts in this league. I really respect everything that Fromm has done in SEC for years. I think he will turn out to be a really good pro.
1. J.K. Dobbins, Ohio St.
2. D'Andre Swift, Georgia
3. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
4. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
5. Cam Akers, Florida St.
New addition is Cam Akers. I hadn't watched enough film on him and that was a mistake. This kid is tough, instinctive, and is a sneaky runner. I think all 5 guys are immediate contributors next season and all 5 will be drafted in the first 2 rounds.
1. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
2. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
3. Laviska Shenault, Colorado
4. Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
5. Justin Jefferson, LSU
T-5. Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona St.
T-5. Tee Higgins, Clemson
The obvious strength of this draft, the WRs are going to fly off the boards. CeeDee Lamb has been a beast for the last 2 seasons - you know what you are getting with him, I have a top 10 grade on him. Jeudy has unreal stop/start speed and quickness, fantastic route runner and is deadly in open space. I have a top 15 grade on him. Shenault isn't as polished, he needs to be more consistent, but is a freak of nature. He's scary with the ball in his hands, can score from anywhere - he will be making plays early next year. I have a top 20 grade on him. Ruggs is also a first rounder, Jefferson is a first rounder, and Aiyuk and Higgins would not surprise me to sneak into the first round either. This class is loaded.
1. Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
2. Hunter Bryant, Washington
3. Colby Parkinson, Stanford
4. Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
5. Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt
I am not as impressed with the TE class but I think the Dolphins are pretty good at TE and have many other needs more important. I think its widely known that Kmet is the top TE and if I had to guess I'd say he will probably be a second round pick.
1. Jedrick Willis, Alabama
2. Andrew Thomas, Georgia
3. Mekhi Becton, Lousiville
4. Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
5. Josh Jones, Houston
T-5. Austin Jackson, USC
The Dolphin's need OT help and are in luck because this is a pretty talented crop of offensive tackles. I think all 6 OTs are starters with Jackson being the most raw. I think his pass protection is great but his run blocking needs to improve. Honestly, these guys are talented enough that I think all 6 have a shot to be first round picks. The Dolphins would be wise to try to grab one of them (assuming we don't trade our 3 first rounders for Joe/Tua).
1. Shane Lemieux, Oregon
2. Solomon Kindley, Georgia
3. Tommy Kraemer, Notre Dame
4. Ben Bredeson, Michigan
5. Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon
My top 5 guards has stayed the same. Lemieux is my clear cut top guy, I have a strong second round grade on him. Kindley is a big guy that can move, however I've seen him loose his balance at times/get beat and his overall consistency needs to improve. Kraemer is a huge guy that is somewhat limited athletically. He often looked stiff and I saw him struggle against the bullrush. He is a pretty solid pass protector though and while I saw him struggle at times, there is potential in his film. Bredeson and Throckmorton both are well rounded guys that are a bit raw but should improve into solid pros.
1. Llyod Cushenberry, LSU
2. Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
3. Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin
4. Keith Ismael, San Diego St.
5. Jake Hansen, Oregon
Cushenberry moves to number 1 as my top rated center in this draft. He dominated in Mobile and really made a name for himself during his Senior Bowl week. I think he could be a day 1 starter. Ruiz and Biadasz are also potential day 1 starters. Ismael had a really good Senior Bowl week which caused me to dig up film on him. I am only a couple games into his tape but I'd say there are times when he really impressed me and times when he didn't. He held his own though in Mobile and made himself some money. Hansen is just a consistent center; he uses his hands well and is pretty good in both run and pass blocking. I'd like to see him more nasty and dominate but his film isn't bad.
1. Chase Young, Ohio St.
2. A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
3. Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn St.
4. K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU
5. Marlon Davidson, Auburn
One of Miami's biggest needs, this draft class features some high end talent at the top. Chase Young, who is pretty much unanimously considered the best player in this draft, will be a top 3 pick. His film is so, so much fun to watch - just complete domination. A.J. Epenesa is my clear number 2; guys, I have a top 10 grade on him - he's been too good for too long. I have no idea why all these mocks have him going like 17, 20, 28....I mean crazier things have happened but I'd loose it if the Dolphins were able to select him with our second 1st round pick. He's an immediate starter and a game changer. Gross-Matos is intriguing to me. The potential is through the roof; he could be an elite player, but he definitely needs to bulk up and be better against the run. I have a first round grade on him. Chaisson is a pass rushing specialist. There is certainly tape out there that I do not care for, but he had himself a good season. Pass rushers are hard to find so he will be drafted early. I like him, but Chaisson is the biggest risk out of my top 5. Davidson is a tough and strong DE that isn't super fast or quick. However, he clearly plays with a tremendous amount of strength and has a dominate bull rush. He's not flashy, but I could see Davidson being a pro bowl type player for a long time.
1. Derrick Brown, Auburn
2. Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
3. Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma
4. Ross Blacklock, TCU
5. Jordan Elliott, Missouri
Derrick Brown is a beast, he's going to be a top 5 pick. Kinlaw is inconsistent at times but his tape is phenomenal - he's a top 20 pick. Gallimore is a big DT with a great motor. I never see him give up on a play and at times his play is quite disruptive. Blacklock and Elliot are two guys that just jump out on film. Quick, great hands, disruptive, and strong. I see all 5 of these guys being either 1st or 2nd round picks.
1. Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
2. Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
3. Patrick Queen, LSU
4. Zack Baun, Wisconsin
5. Terrell Lewis, Alabama
T-5. Bradlee Anae, Utah
Simmons is a one of a kind type player who can play probably any position. Murray is a sideline to sideline LB with good speed and quickness. He can be a vicious tackler and always seems to be around the ball. I did seem him struggle against bigger blockers though, so he needs to improve there; but I have a first round grade on him. Queen has been a fast riser as of late, but his tape this year has been incredible. I see him as another sideline to sideline, 3-down LB that flies to the ball, has great instincts and awareness. He's also a strong first round pick. Baun is a guy who is a good pass rusher, good against the run and good in coverage. I think he does a lot of things well, he's just doesn't wow me. Lewis is kind of in the same boat, he's very talented, can do a lot of things, he's just not dominate. Anae is a tough DE/OLB who disengages effectively, plays with good strength and has a good motor. He mainly played with his hand in the dirt, but I think he's versatile enough to play multiple positions. He's not too flashy but I see him being a solid pro.
1. Jeff Okudah, Ohio St.
2. CJ Henderson, Florida
3. Jaylon Johnson, Utah
4. Jeff Gladney, TCU
5. Kristian Fulton, LSU
Okudah is a top 5 pick and should be a starter in the NFL this August. He's instinctive, has good vision, great tackler, is scheme diverse, I could go on and on. Henderson is very athletic and has great change of direction speed. He flies to the ball when he locates it. He's got good speed and can be very physical with WRs. Most agree the main concern with him is his tackling. Johnson is a super talented CB that I view as a potential day 1 starter. He's got great size, physical, good tackler and has good speed to go along with his size. I still have some film to go through on him, but so far I see a strong first round pick. Gladney is a fun player to watch. He's a bit undersized, but he makes up for it in nastiness and toughness. He's a very quick player who has fluid hips, great change of direction speed and good awareness. Lastly, Fulton has good size, toughness, has fluid hips, able to locate the ball in the air and is solid in run support. I have a high second round grade on him.
1. Xavier McKinney, Alabama
2. Grant Delpit, LSU
3. Antoine Winfield, Minnesota
4. Kamren Curl, Arkansas
5. Ashtyn Davis, California
McKinney is my top safety. He's instinctive, has great awareness, tremendous range and is a sure tackler. He flies to the ball and plays with great toughness. I have a top 15 grade on him. Delpit is a bit overrated but still insanely talented. Delpit, like McKinney has great range and can cover ground fast. My main concern with him is his tackling - it will certainly need to improve in the NFL. Winfield is a hard hitting safety with good ball skills. Being undersized and injuries will be red flags to teams with him. Curl is a great tackling safety with decent range and pretty good ball skills. I see flashes in his game that make me excited for his potential. Ashtyn Davis is a tough safety that can hit. He's a good tackler and has pretty solid coverage skills. Davis is a well-rounded safety.
That's it for this edition. Thanks for reading guys!


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Mother of Pearl (16.50cts) earrings in Nickel Free Sterling Silver
hese Mother of Pearl Errings have 16.50 carats of beautiful color play in different lighting as you can see in the photos above. They are a great pair of earrings for a great price.
Total Carat Weight (TCW):16.50 carats
Metal:Nickel Free Sterling Silver
Main Stone Color:Iridescent Pearl
Metal Purity:925
Main Stone:Mother of Pearl


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The Sovereign Fund of Egypt is different than conventional wealth funds around the world as it invests in untapped assets, not returns of national projects, therefore it would not achieve revenues before five years of operation, said the fund's CEO Ayman Soliman.
"When we start to achieve the revenues, we target in the next five years, we will invest the money abroad, to achieve return that future generations can benefit from, as is the case with other funds," he added.
It came on the sidelines of a conference between the government and the private sector organised by the Egyptian Junior Business Association.
Soliman said investors' demand on investing in local debt instruments has put Egypt on the global investment map, which will attract new investors to new projects prepared to be offered to the private sector.
The fund aims to acquire assets with a total value ranging between EGP 70-80bn in the coming period. Soliman noted that these assets include all economic sectors in the country, and that the fund seeks to maximise their value in partnership with the private sector.


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Teamwork & Overcoming Challenges
On Monday, Aug 20, APCO International 2012 Conference & Expo attendees had the opportunity to hear from an Iditarod champion as they attended the Opening General Session. The session was both inspirational and motivational, and allowed attendees to acknowledge performances from the past as well as look toward the future.
In his opening remarks, APCO International Gregg Riddle stated that the Conference & Expo provides an opportunity for networking, learning new skills and seeing the latest technology. The Minnesota Chapter, especially the Conference Committee, was thanked for welcoming APCO and conference attendees to its city.
Police commissioner Ramona Dohman spoke about the professional enrichment opportunities that this conference will provide. She also pointed out that the networking that can be done here is just as valuable as the educational opportunities. The crowd responded enthusiastically to Dohman's statement that the members of the audience are the first first responders.
Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek was also in attendance and discussed the bridge collapse that occurred on I-35W. This tragedy challenged all first responders and helped shape response today. He also remarked on the new center that is being built that will provide additional room for calltakers and dispatchers for improved service to the community.
Following Sheriff Stanek's comments, there was the presentation of the PSAP Awards. APCO International Executive Director Derek Poarch said, "The PSAP awards represent the very best of our membership as they do their jobs in public safety communications every day." He said that the award winners are the backbone of public safety communications. The award winners are (Learn more.):
- Corey Nelson, 2012 Information Technologist of the Year, sponsored by APCO Communications Center & 9-1-1 Services Dept
- Craig Haddock, 2012 RF Technologist of the Year, sponsored by Motorola
- Donna Kelly, 2012 Telecommunicator of the Year, sponsored by Intrado
- Doreen Wasick, 2012 Trainer of the Year, sponsored by Sprint
- Karen Stephenson, 2012 Line Supervisor of the Year, sponsored by Comcast
- Citrus Heights Police Department, 2012 Communications Team Award of the Year, sponsored by Cassidian
- Carol W. Adams, 2012 Communications Center Director of the Year, sponsored by Verizon Enterprise Solutions
Dr. Rebecca Blank, acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, then spoke about how resilience and hard work are the American way. She discussed FirstNet and shared the names of the newly appointed board members. She also stated that the network needs involvement beyond the board members appointed.
Don Brittingham, vice president, national security and public safety policy from Verizon, introduced Martin Buser, the keynote speaker. Presenting a message of teamwork and leadership, Martin Buser spoke about the hard work and dedication that it takes to be successful while competing in the Iditarod, the longest race in the world. Buser remarked that this same hard work and dedication are necessary in finding success in any work environment and leadership role. Teambuilding and teamwork on the trail are imperative, as they are in the comm center.
Poarch closed the session, saying, "Leadership and teamwork are key tenets of our work."
With the end of the session, it is clear that while many things have changed throughout last century, the value of teamwork remains constant.


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Two weeks after Presidents Cup, Tom Kim admits he still watches the video of his amazing putt
It might not be the putt heard 'round the world, but Tom Kim's clinching putt on Saturday at the 2022 Presidents Cup and ensuing celebration was the definitive highlight of the week, despite Kim's International squad loss.
Kim had already burst onto the golf scene with his Wyndham Championship win two months ago but it was his performance—and youthful exuberance—than won over the hearts and minds of golf fans.
To reset the stage, Kim had teamed up with Si Woo Kim for their afternoon match against the previously undefeated pairing of Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele. On 18, Kim poured in a 10-footer for birdie, walking off the putt before it even dropped and then celebrating with his teammates.
The heart of the @IntlTeam: @joohyungkim0621 #PresidentsCup || #IntlTeam pic.twitter.com/b5GugWlVoh
— Presidents Cup (@PresidentsCup) September 25, 2022
The highlight made an impression on everyone watching. It also made for a great memory for Kim.
"I can remember every single moment of me walking up to that green and looking at that putt, seeing my whole team there," Kim said Wednesday ahead of the Shriners Children's Open, his third PGA Tour start since winning the Wyndham. "I was just looking down and thinking to myself that 'Man, I want this putt to go in more than anything in the world', because I'm just not playing for myself, I'm playing for everyone on that team."
Shriners: PGA Tour Live streaming on ESPN+
The prognosticators pegged the U.S. team as heavy favorites and after the first two days, the Americans led 8-2. But Saturday brought an International surge.
"With where we were at on Saturday, knowing that one, two points is just a huge difference, and once I hit that putt. … I was putting so well that all I needed to do was just have the right speed on it," Kim said.
"As soon as I hit it, I knew it was going to go in."
So has he gone back to watch the video?
"I've watched it a lot of times," Kim said, smiling. "I still watch it sometimes because it gives me motivation.
"The funny thing is PGA Tour did like a five-minute video thing on YouTube. They had the whole routine and everything. But what's funny is that after that video finishes, Max [Homa] goes and says, 'Subscribe here and like here', and I wish I would have turned it off because I'm still kind of angered at losing to Max."
Homa is also competing in the Shriners Children's Open this week and had high praise for the 20-year-old Kim. The two had a memorable Sunday singles match at Quail Hollow.
"Tom is obviously a rock star," Homa said. "I think first and foremost, he's an amazingly nice person. I've listened to him on podcasts as of late, and he's great. He's got like that fresh outlook on the game of golf, which is cool. He's 20 years old, so that's amazing to even be out here.
"To be able to qualify for the Presidents Cup at that age is crazy to me. He played awesome all week. He was the catalyst of the team I felt like. His emotion was cool."
Fellow Korean and Presidents Cup teammate Sungjae Im, in Vegas to defend his title, said Kim has "great potential to become a big star. I'm glad he's doing well. I'm happy as a competitor, as a friend. Him doing well motivates me to do well, and likewise the other way. I think we're going to have some good competition and good friendship."
As far as this week, Kim says he thinks the TPC Summerlin golf course fits his game.
"I think it's a great golf course for me. It's a great setup. I really like the way it's designed and it kind of suits my eye a little bit. I'm really excited to be here.
"I was actually here last year in Vegas. I didn't play this event, but I was here during that week, and I remember I wanted to play, and I'm excited to finally be able to play here this week."


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Contact Info
65 S. Sandusky St.
Delaware, OH 43015
E firstname.lastname@example.com
David Markwardt, Associate Dean of the OWU Connection
Project Title: In Service to Cathleen: Exploring a Feminine Ireland and Irish Femininity in "The Lost Land"
Student: Chloe Dyer '18
Mentor: Dr. Nancy Comorau
Ireland is rich in mythological and literary traditions. Irish nationalist mythology often personifies Ireland as female, such as in the characters of Cathleen ni Houlihan, Sean Bhean Bhocht, Erin, Dark Rosaleen, or more generically as a queen, mother, or mistress. While in some instances Irish women have capitalized on this mythology to gain power and legitimacy in the political sphere, it has also served to profoundly restrict them in everyday life. Just as the female personifications of Ireland were often passive and in need of male defenders, women in traditional Irish society are expected to be passive, to remain in the home, become mothers, and not participate in the public sphere; modern Ireland has low female political participation and high rates of domestic violence. This paper examines perceptions of Irish nationalism, identity, and the role of women as participants in Irish society in the poetry of The Lost Land by Eavan Boland.
A female poet, Boland challenges the male-dominated Irish literary tradition. Her work juxtaposes cultural ideals with lived experiences of Irish women, exploring domesticity, femininity, and motherhood/daughterhood. She does not actively challenge the conflation of Irish identity and femininity, or conform to the tropes women are expected to occupy; rather, she conveys a more accurate, honest experience of Irish women, and portrays women as occupying roles as mothers and homemakers with power and agency. In poems such as "Ceres Looks at the Morning" and "Daughter," Boland ties the mother-daughter relationship to nature as well as to Irish politics. Other poems, such as "Blossom," reinforce the feminine, natural aspect of motherhood, without male or political influence, while some such as "Mother Ireland" focus on how the roles of women are tied to Irish political history.


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Should you tag your sheep?
While there are several reasons farmers might choose not to ear tag their sheep (not having enough time or the costs associated with doing so are two major reasons), ear tagging livestock is a good idea.
Not only is ear tagging recommended by the USDA for any animals that will leave your farm (whether that's to go to the fair, the vet's office, or to auction), it's a good way to help you stay organized.
Here are some tips on how to ear tag your sheep – and a few things to keep in mind.
What is Tagging?
Ear tagging is a process that involves inserting a premade ear tag (typically made out of plastic) into a sheep's ear. It requires a specialized tool to make a clean, sanitary hole through which the ear tag is automatically inserted.
This is an important flock management practice that is inexpensive (though with a large flock of sheep it can incur a significant cost) but beneficial. It can take some time to tag an entire flock, but it will make it easier to keep track of your herd.
Most ear tags are imprinted with a number. They are often color-coded and can contain other identifying information, like the name of a farm. You can often customize your farm's ear tags to contain any information that you might find relevant.
In addition to basic plastic clip ear tags, there are also flag-shaped ear tags in which two discs join through the ear. There are button-shaped tags, which also join through the ear, and metal ear tags. You can even buy electronic identification tags. Though more expensive, they are ideal for large farms where security is essential.
Benefits of Ear Tagging
Ear tagging sheep (as well as other types of livestock) is beneficial for so many reasons.
Here's a quick overview but know that ultimately, ear tagging's biggest convenience is that it can help you keep your farm more organized and streamlined. When you aren't constantly having to check records for information, you can go about your daily chores far more efficiently.
1. Indicating Sex
Sure, you can always check the sex of an animal by looking at its "parts." However, this can be time-consuming, and sometimes, it's impractical to "check the plumbing." Not to mention, ear tagging will let you get this information immediately without getting your hands dirty.
You can insert the primary tag in different ears for either gender. That way, you can rapidly sort animals for breeding.
2. Determining Year of Birth
You can also use ear tags to depict the year of birth. Many farmers print the year on the ear tag or just use different colored tags for each year (or both). That way, you'll know exactly how old an animal is without having to get up close or check teeth.
3. Noting Problems for Culling and Medicating
If you have animals that are known to have issues like mastitis, foot problems, prolapse, and so on, ear tagging them is a great way to indicate these problems in large herds.
Since you obviously will not know which animals are going to be problematic when you tag them at birth, you can simply insert another cull tag later on or mark the tags with a permanent marker.
4. Indicating Dam and Sire
When you're trying to breed animals efficiently (and rule out potential breeding-related issues), indicating the sire and dam with a simple ear tagging system is smart. You can use a different colored second tag for each sire or print the name of the sire or dam on the tag of its offspring.
5. Referencing Singles, Twins, or Triplets
Finally, ear tags can be used to indicate which animals were singletons as well as those that were part of pairs or trios. This can speed things up when you're sorting out animals to be bred or sold. No record-checking is necessary!
How to Ear Tag Sheep
Some people are hesitant to ear tag their sheep, assuming it will cause their animals a great deal of discomfort. When done correctly, though, this process is no more painful than piercing your ears.
1. Educate Yourself on Timing and Placement
Ear tag young lambs for the best (least painful) results.
When you tag, place the ear tag no more than 2-inches from the base of the ear. Going too far away from the head will make it more likely that the sheep will tear the tag on fencing. It can also cause the ear to droop from the excess weight (though it's important to note that it is very common for the ears of young lambs to droop when they are tagged, regardless of the spacing).
Also, take note of the vein that runs down the center of the ear. Put the tag either above or below the vein. It should be below the vein if you are showing your sheep in exhibitions.
You can use ear tags of any size, color, and number, and you can place tags in any ear. Just be consistent.
When choosing the proper size, know that larger tags are easier to see from a distance, but you may have to wait longer to tag your lambs. You can always re-tag with a larger tag later to prevent young sheep from catching them on fencing or brush.
Finally, try to apply ear tags when it's warm, if possible. This will make it easier for the plastic to be pushed through the ear since it's more pliable in warm weather. If you must tag in the cold, keep the tags in a bucket of warm water until you're ready to use them.
2. Decide on a System
I gave you a few ideas for potential tagging systems above – but feel free to come up with your own. As long as you stick to the system, it doesn't matter what kind of methods you choose.
3. Prepare the Tagger
You'll need a specialized tool to apply the tags to your sheep's ears. This looks like a large pair of pliers with a thin needle on one side and a spring-loaded clip on the other. This will let you center the female end and release it once the tag is securely in the ear.
Make sure your ear tagger is compatible with the type of tags you've purchased (most stores sell these together). Ensure that it's sterilized and you know how to use it before you get started.
4. Insert and Align the Tag
Put the female end of the ear tag underneath the spring-loaded clip of your tagger. Then, slide the male side of the tag onto the needle end.
Align the hole in the female side of the tag with the male side. Disinfect both the tag and tagger once more before you get started.
5. Position the Tag on the Ear
Get the ear tagger on the ear with the tag in the proper position. Double-check to make sure it's where you want it to be.
A side note – it can be helpful to have a second person working with you on this task. Even if you're tagging smaller, lighter lambs, they can be squirmy and difficult to hold, which can increase the likelihood of making a mistake or slipping.
6. Squeeze and Release
Squeeze the trigger of the ear tagger to pierce the ear. The ear tag should be applied! Press the clip on the tagger to release the ear tag, make sure it's in the proper position, and ensure that there is no bleeding.
The insertion site shouldn't bleed if you did the tagging correctly – but if you notice any blood, simply spray it with some Blu-Kote or Red-Kote (or a similar wound-stopping spray) to make sure your animal does not get infected.
Release the sheep and monitor the tagging site for the next few days. That's all there is to it!
Ear Tag When Your Sheep Are Young
Ear tags can help you keep track of your animals without too much confusion. Whether you're trying to identify animals based on their parentage, sex, or year of birth, using tags is a smart choice.
Of course, this is something you'll need to commit to when your animals are young. Ear tag wounds in young lambs heal much faster than those in older animals (and with less risk of infection). Even if the smaller tag eventually becomes less useful or falls out, you'll have a clean hole where you can install a larger tag later on.
Consider these tips for ear tagging your sheep – it's a smart way to stay organized on the farm!


text:
Forumer you are complaining against:
Mr. KOK CHUN YEN billhambridge
Maybank 112028138548 , Hp 0126363654
IC No. 901020-43-5369
ADdress 21, Jalan Seksyen 2/3, Taman Kajang Utama
Item being sold/bought: 50" Plasma TV
Date of transaction: 15 June 2010
Details of the complaint :
Saw This Guy Selling Quite Alot TV Product With Good Price. Request Him Wether He Got Good Price For Samsung 50" Plasma TV Or Not. He Said Got, But Need To Wait 3Weeks With RM500 Deposit For Booking. Well, Tried To Check His Trade Record. Seem Doing Quite Alot Transaction, No Doubt, I Bank In RM500 To Him And Patiently Wait For 3Weeks Time.
3Weeks Later, Bad Thing Happened, Someone File A Dispute Thread Regarding Him Ran Away For Deposit. I Tried To Contact Him Quite Sometimes, He Replied Me Give Him Sometimes To Source For Me. Well I Wait For Another 2Weeks+, MIA Already. SMS Also No Reply.
Yesterday I Called Him, He Hang Up My First Call, Second Call He Answer The Call But Keep Silent & Open Loud Music. SMS Him Request For My Money, No Reply.
So I Got No Choice, Try To Seek Help From Dispute Corner, Hope It Help.
This post has been edited by SeaMonster: Jul 28 2010, 04:26 PM
[Wanted]Conman KOK CHUN YEN billhambridge, IC No. Updated & Address


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As a community property state, California has complex rules regarding the division of property in a divorce. Community property is income earned, or assets and debts acquired during a marriage or registered domestic partnership. Separate property is income earned or assets and debts acquired before marriage or after separation. Inheritance and gifts are considered separate property regardless of timing. There are exceptions to these rules and determining exactly which assets and debts to include in the process is not always easy and may be contested. Absent a prenuptial agreement, the law states that community property should be divided equally between the parties.
At Moradi Saslaw, our attorneys are strong advocates for our clients during the property division process. We are experienced with dividing and valuing almost every type of asset, including limited partnerships, stock options, and professional practices, and other high-value assets. Our financial and business education and experience allow us to guide clients effectively and litigate any disputes that arise.
Our lawyers can assist with valuing and dividing all types of marital property, including:
When appropriate, we consult with forensic accountants to establish separate property and determine the value of businesses and other assets and investments. Our high-value property division attorneys specialize in high-value property division and will prepare an analysis of your assets and property that will allow you to consider various settlement possibilities and make informed decisions about your future.
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The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama will lead the Nigerian delegation to participate at the Eleventh Extraordinary Session of the African Union scheduled for 14th– 18th November, 2018 at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Spokesperson of the Ministry, George Ehidiamen Edokpa who made this announcement in a statement in Abuja also added that the Executive Council Meeting of the Extraordinary Session is scheduled for 14th -15th November, 2018 while the General Assembly is expected to hold from 17th – 18th November, 2018.
The Key issues in the Agenda of the summit Edokpa said include, "Review of the African Union Institutional Reform Process; Financing of the Union; General Overview of Partnerships and the mandate of the AU Development Agency (AUDA); African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM); and Strengthening the Political and Security Council".
The Spokesperson concluded that Nigeria is committed to the reform process of the African Union and is expected to engage in fruitful discussions at the summit.


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After discovering their music in the summer, the DopeHouse has been fans of the musical duo VanJess. So naturally, we're ecstatic to see them team with Kelechi on his new single, "Heavenly Mother."
The track serves as the eighth release from Kelechi's Quarter Life Crisis project. "Maybe God's a lady and She loves me," he croons on the track, as VanJess sings from the perspective of the female deity. Suffice to say, we're here for all of this.
Listen to it below.


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Further proof that children require more time comes via a study to be published today in Developmental Science asserting that the fast pace expected by adults–both parents and educators–can be beyond chindren's perceptual abilities.
"Children are increasingly being expected to provide an adult-level of detail and information," says David Shore, associate professor in McMaster University's Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour. "Adults have had years to hone their perceptual skills; children–even 10 year olds–are just starting out."
The study is the first to probe so-called change blindness in children, a hot topic in psychology circles especially when it pertains to gauging the veracity of children who are called upon to give eye-witness testimony in court.
The results surprised Shore.
"When it comes to many aspects of attention, an eight-year-old's skill is adult-like," says Shore. "But on this particular skill we never thought 10-year-olds would differ so dramatically from adults. Kids do not appear adult-like in this regard until their early teens."
Shore's study looked at the development of change detection in children ranging from ages six to 10 and found that, contrary to societal perception, even 10-year-olds cannot be relied upon to provide adult-like details. The reason is that children have undeveloped and, therefore, imprecise attention, he says. Their difficulties with eyewitness testimony may not stem from memory errors alone but may arise due to difficulty in perceiving some critical aspects of a scene in the first place.
"We expect children to be adult-like, because of their proficiency on computers or because they display adult-like speech," he says, "so we give them instructions and get impatient when they can't understand what we tell them the first time. Children learn through repetition, at a pace suitable to the child, not to the curriculum. Once upon a time, kids controlled their own pace; now that pace is controlled by adults."
From McMaster University


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Bella Thorne is moving into enterprise with Fox, signing a growth deal for each scripted and unscripted content material with the community. Thorne additionally was a part of a serious reveal tonight on Fox's The Masked Singer, the place she was unmasked because the Swan.
Best recognized for roles in The Duff, Netflix's The Babysitter, Assassination Nation and Disney Channel's Shake it Up, Thorne has been capturing indie movie Habit from the producer of Mudbound, and is ready to star in director Mitzi Peirone's post-apocalyptic thriller The Uncanny. She additionally has been solid within the house invasion thriller Masquerade and might be making her characteristic directorial debut with an elevated thriller written by Zander Coté, the story of which is being saved below wraps. On tv, she beforehand headlined Famous In Love, which aired for two seasons on Freeform, amongst many different credit.
The actress, best-selling writer, director, philanthropist, musician and entrepreneur entered the leisure enterprise at six months of age. Now at 21, she has amassed an empire that stretches from appearing to numerous entrepreneurial ventures and philanthropic endeavors.
Thorne joins a rising listing of expertise that has entered growth partnerships with Fox, together with author/producer Kyle Killen (Halo, Mind Games), Mara Brock Akil (Black Lighting, Love Is …), Jeff Davis (Criminal Minds, Teen Wolf) and Sarah Watson (Fox's Untitled Film Re-Enactment Drama Pilot, The Bold Type).


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Forget Napa! Spain is making so many exciting Cabernet Sauvignon's, the trend has spread to Navarra, where the variety is capturing the distinctive character of the region's terroir. The Reino de Altuzarra Cabernet Sauvignon... Read More
Clear, medium intensity, ruby colour wine. Clean, high intensity aromas of red fruit such us raspberry, strawberry, red cheery, also black pepper and earthy notes. Dry and fresh, soft tannins and medium body. Red fruits flavours,... Read More


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Fifty years ago, divorce was relatively uncommon. Most couples stuck together through thick and thin regardless of whether or not things get rough. These days, getting married and divorced is almost as easy as ordering a pair of shoes online. We marry on a whim and file for divorce almost before the ink is dry on the marriage certificate.
There is no doubt that divorce and relationship breakdown affects kids. The statistics are harsh. Children from broken homes are far more likely to suffer mental health problems – some research studies put the figure at five times as likely. Another survey found that children from broken homes were nine times more likely to commit crimes. The truth is that relationship failures don't just affect adults; they affect the kids too. But, just because you can't live with your other half any longer, it doesn't mean your kids have to suffer.
Kids Come First
The most important thing to remember when a relationship ends is that the kids should always come first. No matter how much you despise your ex – and you may hate them with a passion – your kids have done nothing wrong and they do not deserve to suffer.
All too many couples use their children as bargaining chips. They fight over who is going to have custody, they use the kids as weapons in a war of words, and they do their best to poison their children's minds against the other parent. Nobody wins except the lawyers thrashing out a financial settlement through the family court system. The children end up emotionally damaged and the parents lose everything, including their dignity. Some kids struggle through, but others need help from a child therapist to help them work through their complex emotions.
Handle with Care
Even a divorce handled with the utmost care is traumatic for children. Many kids feel in some way responsible for their parents falling out of love or leaving with a third party. They may not ever know what's going on because nobody thought to tell them. Younger kids end up being shunted back and forth and older kids are caught in the crossfire when each parent starts playing the 'blame game'.
The only way to minimize the emotional damage is to act like adults. Just because you can't stand the sight of your ex and you would be happier if you never saw them again, they are still the father/mother of your children, so in the interests of the kids, you need to treat them with respect at all times.
Keep the Lines of Communication Open
Unless your ex is violent or dangerous in some way, keep the lines of communication open. Discuss the needs of the children with them and agree to share responsibility equally. If you want an argument, wait until the kids are somewhere else. Do not share your pain with the kids. It is not their job to act as an armchair therapist. If you need to sound off about something that your ex-partner said or did, call your best friend or speak to a therapist.
Always put your kids' needs first when a relationship ends. They didn't ask to be stuck in the middle, so why should they suffer?


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We help businesses drive traffic to their online stores and generate revenues. We use several marketing tools and advanced digital marketing techniques to increase conversion rates. Partner with the team at Zebra Advertisement and we make sure your brand gets the attention it deserves from potential customers.
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Our March newsletter, The Unitarian, is full of information about upcoming events and activities, as well as updates from staff and Parish Committee leaders. Open the newsletter to find out about:
- Stewardship Kick-Off
- Rummage Kick-Off
- Tundra wolves at Music Sunday
- Our March Theme: "Mercy"
- A Death and Dying Workshop
- A Spring Fling
- The Youth Service
- Theology on Tap with the Rev.
- Why we do Community Life
- The challenges of faith formation
- Two meditation groups
…And so much more!


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by Beth Hinson. Hinson is an International Studies student in the South Carolina Honors College at USC. This paper was written for the Fall 2007 class "Folklife in America."
I have decided to address a very personal topic, the folklore created by my roommates and me in the apartment we share on campus. A rich and diverse group of traditions, objects, and tales have been building up among the residents of my apartment since we first decided to live together. Traditions have been forming for a bout a year now, starting when we finalized the living arrangements in February. However, most of the significant folklore for the apartment was quickly created upon arrival. Traditions like movie nights were thrown together spontaneously. Other lore and oral traditions have arisen during different shared experiences, from funny moments, inside jokes, and pop culture references. A plethora of material lore also emerged, ranging from maps that decorate the common room walls, pictures on bedroom doors, and even a "Grow Your Own Gnome" kit. Most of the lore serves the purpose of unifying the apartment by recalling shared experiences or interests. Other articles serve to bridge the gap between dorm life and apartment living.
Because it is difficult to view this topic objectively, I have tried to include lots of input from my roommates, the other creators of the folklore. They were all enthusiastic to talk about the traditions we have created so far this year. While it is difficult to fully portray my roommate's personalities since I know all of them at such length, I have tried to include important details where when necessary. While I am able to touch on much of the folklore crated for the apartment, there is still much more that cannot fit in this paper. Some stories and anecdotes could not be easily understood without significant prior knowledge of my roommates and me. I believe that the traditions I will describe are folklore because they are created and taught in an informal manner, and they are constantly changing. Even traditions that we picked up from another source have been personalized to our tastes and interests.
The actual apartment is fairly nondescript, it contains four bedrooms of identical size, two bathrooms, and a common kitchen and living room. It is located on campus, in West Quad or The Green Quad. The common room is in the middle of the apartment with two bedrooms and a bathroom on each side. These three smaller rooms are separated by a short hall. The apartment is handicapped accessible, so my side has an abnormally large bathroom with a fold down bench in the shower. There are five other apartments like this on the hall, and there are four floors in the building. Our building is the smallest in the Quad.
My roommates and I met in the freshman honors dorm, Maxcy College. One roommate, Katie, was also my friend in high school and roommate last year. The other girls lived on the floor above us. Unlike Maxcy, the social setting in the quad is very quiet and reserved. Although there are many common spaces, few people utilize them. Social interaction with neighbors is extremely limited. The only people who actively use the common areas are smokers and their friends. Unlike the hyper social freshman dorm we all lived in, neighbors did not make introductions at the beginning of the year, and the general trend remains that everyone keeps to themselves. The only neighbors we are familiar with are ones from Maxcy, or who we have encountered by chance outside of the apartment building.
We all decided to live together before winter break, last year. As we were all unfamiliar with how Honors housing assignments would work, everyone set their sights on an apartment on the Horseshoe, near all the other Maxcy residents. However this did not come to fruition and we ended up with the bottom of the barrel choices, West Quad or nothing. We took the spot in a quad but only begrudgingly. While this created some general bad feelings about the living situation at first, they were quickly overcome upon realizing all the advantageous things about living in this unfamiliar place. We were excited about the new building, Maxcy is fairly run down. Janet especially was excited for the emphasis on sustainable living.
At times the separation from friends and acquaintances from Maxcy has been trying, and it is easy to feel isolated when you're across campus from everyone you knew last year. This has helped to create an even tighter sense of community among my roommates, frequent visitors, and myself. While the folklore I will discuss mostly involves my three roommates, Janet, Kathleen, and Katie, a small group of outside friends are also heavily involved and are familiar with our customs, traditions, and jokes.
My roommates are all sophomore liberal arts majors, a common theme that serves to unify the apartment and lots of its décor. Katie, my roommate from freshman year, is anthropology major and an art minor. Kathleen is an English major with a Spanish minor. Janet is a Latin-American Studies and Spanish major. Our mix of majors and interests has lead to an emphasis on studying and celebrating other cultures. Kathleen and Janet often speak Spanish with each other and insist on trying to speak it to Katie and me as well. This generally is to no avail as we both took German, which we rarely speak with each other.
Another common thread among my roommates is a political and social openness. Kathleen and I founded a group that is a campus affiliate of Planned Parenthood, and Katie is an officer in it. Janet is accepting of our group but has strong pro-life feelings. Political discussions are common, but they rarely become heated. We all define ourselves as feminists (most of the time for Janet) and everyone falls somewhere between liberal and moderate on the political spectrum. This openness towards political discussions is shared by most visitors and friends. We have created a small amount of feminist-themed folklore, mainly off color jokes that are not politically correct, mocking the beliefs that we all have. Similarly, politically incorrect jokes about race, religion, or class are common, because we all know that those feelings are not actually held by the joker.
The two most important traditions from the apartment are baking /cooking behavior and movie nights. Movie nights started last year in Maxcy, and were generally planned. This year they occur sporadically, often when multiple residents are trying to avoid doing work. There is little structure to movie nights and often people will move in and out of the room during the film. Frequently there are other activities going on during films, like knitting, painting (from our art major resident), studying, writing, coloring, or eating. With little emphasis on enjoying the movie it becomes predominately a social activity. Kathleen said that for her, some of the entertainment value in movie nights comes from the commentary made during the film and other reactions. Katie characterized movie nights as including these events: eating some kind of food, watching the movie, then viewing internet videos, and taking pictures. Movie nights have become such an important tradition that they made it into our roommate contract. Under noise in the apartment, we have listed that you can ask others to turn down the television, unless it is during a previously scheduled movie night. Janet pointed out that this rule was created after a particularly eventful viewing of High School Musical 2, which was the first big movie night in the apartment. Talking during movies is encouraged. It is almost always acceptable to make fun of the movie we are watching, unless it is someone's favorite film.
Kathleen cited a viewing of Westside Story during which Janet was coming in and out, seeing only certain parts of the film, which she had never seen before. Her response to the racially charged film was to create sign for each girl's door that would display a different racial slur, each representing a culture that we were interested in. Janet, a Latin American Studies major, put "Spic" on her own door, "Polack" was placed on my door, and Katie and Kathleen got terms for Italians and Irish respectively. While outsiders would possibly be offended by these flowery, colorful signs, they are used almost lovingly. Anyone who knows Janet would be aware of her love for Latin American culture and know that she would never use racial or ethnic stereotypes.
Baking traditions and food culture have also become an important part of the apartment's culture. Kathleen is the main supplier of homemade food in the apartment, she is an avid baker. She frequently makes cookies, brownies, fudge, and cake for various sales, special occasions, or just on a whim. This can become a group activity, when others gather to talk wile she is baking, or after to eat. Janet noted that this different from her experiences baking at home with her mom, because there is more sharing involved. She also listed the mess and cleanup as parts of the tradition, the mess can be a source of humor. How and which food is shared is also important. This is the main way in which boundaries and manners have been established. Buying "communal" or shared products forces a sense of responsibility on each girl, since there is no set schedule for when to buy these items. Instead we just try to make sure that no one has been uncompensated for buying most of these products. The general attitude about private objects is that they can be shared in small quantities if first asked.
Other traditions that were listed by my roommates include spontaneous clean up time, the ritual of "awkward turtle", viewing neighbors, watching TV shows, and photo shoots. Some traditions from last year were carried over initially, but then faded out. A prime example is salsa class on Friday nights. This was a very strict tradition last year which involved walking across campus for a 90-minute salsa class. Although we are right next to the building this year, the tradition died within the first month of being back. A new tradition for this year is Ruckus sharing. Ruckus is a free and legal music downloading service provided by the university, and we have used it often in group settings. Some very obscure songs have been popularized within the apartment through Ruckus. Janet introduced us to the multilingual versions of Avril Lavignes's atrocious hit song "Girl Friend", namely the Mandarin version. Janet's favorite Ruckus memory is from a week when Kathleen's computer had broken and she primarily used Janet's instead. During this week Kathleen downloaded lots of her favorite music to Janet's Ruckus, forcing Janet to listen to it. This period introduced Janet to some music she ended up liking, and other types that she did not like, some of which turned into standing jokes.
Decorations in the apartment consist of those on doors, the refrigerator, cabinets, walls and other surfaces in the common room. While some items reflect group values and preferences, others are more personal to those who provided them. They provide a unifying theme in the common room, which is covered in maps and other objects from foreign travels. According to Kathleen, the maps were a good idea because something was needed that all four of us could agree on, and the thing that we most have in common is our focus on liberal arts, especially as they relate to foreign countries. The maps came from Janet's parents who have a collection of National Geographic maps spanning 30 years. The ones chosen for the walls are rarely just political maps. Most provide a historical, social, or environmental perspective. The maps are a form of aesthetic recycling. They were meant to be purely functional, but we have turned them into posters and decorations.
Decorating with the maps also provided a group bonding experience within the first few weeks of school. The process was labor intensive, as the room was first wall papered with these maps. However after one night of rain the maps all came down and we were forced to be more selective about which ones were placed on the walls. For Janet the build up to and memory of this first decorating session is an important piece of apartment history. The most popular maps have people on them, such as the "Peoples of the Soviet Union" map or the "Celtic Europe" map. Both discuss the peoples of different lands in a fairly outdated manner. According to Kathleen, the peoples of the Soviet Union map stuck because it is funny and poorly written, "It reads like a travel guide". It contains some outlandish descriptions of ethnic groups, like saying that Jews are a frugal people who make lots of money. Some maps have been personalized with the addition of stickers or pictures. People on some maps have become characters in the apartment. For example, the "Celtic Europe" map contains a naked Viking who appears to be skipping over Italy. They naked Viking has become a commonly referenced character, along with the "Saucy Koala" from the Australia map. The characters that stuck were generally discussed as the maps were going up at the beginning of the year. Unlike some other folklore, few if any, outside of the apartment are aware of their origins making them an exclusive bond shared by roommates. Different maps have been assigned to individuals as well. If one starts to fall down it is the "owner's" responsibility to fix it. Often, when the World War II in Europe and North Africa map falls, I am called to come fix my Nazi's or Swastika's. This map was assigned to me because of my interest in the Holocaust and WWII history.
Door decorations were typically created as sets, one for each girl's door. They are mostly physical manifestations of our pop culture obsessions. They are also reminiscent of the door art which was extremely popular in Maxcy. While there is little of this on doors in the West quad, we have used it throughout the inside of the apartment. For example, each bedroom door has a picture of the "Potter Puppet Pals" on it. These signs were created by Katie, using an internet program that allowed her to pose the characters and add dialog. According to Katie the signs were determined by individual's favorite scenes or traits that were connected to the scene. Other door art reflects the individual's interests, jokes that have been played on them, or notes left by others. Kathleen's door is probably the most diverse in kinds of decorations. It contains many notes left by others, an order form for a disgusting looking doll, some functional reminder notes.
Katie's door displays several pictures of cats with funny captions on them. She has also placed posits with some of her favorite quotes on them. Katie says that the quotes, from the TV show Psych, reflect her verbose sense of humor. Katie's' cats have spread to other doors when she thought they would be appreciated. She attached a sign to my door with a serious looking cat that has been labeled "Clark Gable Cat". For me, this reflects Katie's love of all things associated with Gone With the Wind as well as silly looking animals.
Decorations on the refrigerator are another highly social form of art . They represent some traditions carried over from last year, as well as new ones. Most serve as jokes appreciated by the group, or art created in a group setting. A set of "Pick-up line" magnets that Katie purchased at the beginning of freshman year are prominently featured. They are often rearranged to crate new phrases, sometimes ones that we have heard used. A recent addition is the Disney Princess coloring pages. They were created during a viewing of Robin hood Prince of Thieves. Most were done in the typical fashion, but Janet took lots of creative liberties with two, personalizing them to reflect her concerns about mid terms, her loyalty to USC, and a quote from a movie she had recently viewed. These coloring pages are reflective of our love of Disney movies, as well as our penchant for participating in child like activities. They were an excuse for a fun group activity and also a way to personalize a large section of the previously blank refrigerator. In posting them on the refrigerator we were able to participate in the grand tradition of hanging children's bad artwork on the appliance, even though we are fully capable of producing more proficient pieces.
One of the most popular items on the refrigerator is the ad for a perverse looking porcelain doll, Baby Jasmine. I brought the ad after finding it in the mail over the summer. After Janet and I discovered that were both received it and were shocked by the extremely ugly baby doll being marketed as a "collectors item", we placed it in a common spot. The order form has been filled out with Kathleen's information and placed on her door. Jasmine has become almost character in the apartment, allowing us to mock some parts of culture that we find strange, such as doll collecting.
One of the most dynamic decorations in the apartment is the Bitch Board. This is another tradition started in Maxcy that we carried over and made our own. It started around finals first semester when the Maxcy hall association posted a wall size "Bitch Board" in the lounge. The board was available to all residents so they might air their complaints about finals in an anonymous and fun manner. Our board is only poster board size, but is identical in purpose. The complaints reflect a new set of worries, most from the beginning of the semester, and many about the new residence hall. However, the board is rarely used for serious problems, most stick to light hearted complaints. We have agreed that big problems are not bitch board appropriate, instead they would be awkward. Katie said that she uses it if she can find a funny way to word her problem. Kathleen characterized activity on the board as coming in spurts. For her it can also serve as a reminder of problems she has had. Janet also said the board serves as a reminder of things that have happened to each girl. Another decoration that frequently changes is the dry erase board. It contains some funny story, set of jokes, or anecdotes that relate to current things going on with roommates. It first was a tribute to High School Musical 2, then it was making fun of one of Kathleen's favorite songs. My roommates said that it serves a similar purpose to the Bitch Board.
Pet Substitutes
One of the most favored objects in the apartment is the "Grow Your Own Gnome" that Kathleen bought at the beginning of the year. It has occupied a clear Tupperware container on top of the TV or end table for most of the year and has been a constant source of amusement. It was named Mystery after a character from a TV show we were all watching at the beginning of the year. The real Mystery is a sleazy guy who claims to be a master pickup artist, and was training other men to become pickup artists themselves. Mystery had an affinity for strange and outrageous clothes, which we all mocked, especially his crazy hats. The justification for naming the gnome after him was that they both wear large, ostentatious hats. Mystery has come to function almost as a pet for us. He occupies what is basically a makeshift aquarium, he is a dynamic object, because his size, color, and shape constantly change. A recent addition to Mystery's tank is a "grow your own skeleton". After we all attended a showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, he was named Tim Curry. Although this new toy has been the source of some amusement, he has not become a big deal in the way mystery did. Janet explained that she did not feel as connected to Tim Curry (the skeleton) because the name we gave it was not one she cared about as much. While Tim Curry was named after a one time group activity, Mystery stood for a tradition that lasted for a couple months.
Neighbor lore
Unlike our residence hall from last year, apartment style living is decidedly antisocial. There is no emphasis on knowing one's neighbors, unless they are causing you problems. This is a huge departure from the close quarters of a small freshman dormitory, where everyone knows what everyone else is doing. Consequently, there has been a false creation of the community that is lacking from these new living arrangements.
The center of this neighbor lore can be summarized as Lonnie lore. This specific type of joke or oral tale involves the across the hall neighbor Lonnie, who remains a stranger to all residents of the apartment. My recollection is that on the first night the name Lonnie was spotted on the door across the hall, and the first Lonnie tale began. Although no one has ever met Lonnie he remains a central person to the oral traditions of the apartment, and mainly serves a way of joking about the fact that our building is so abnormally antisocial. Lonnie was picked as the subject of this attention because of his slightly unusual name. All the roommates agreed that Lonnie stood out on hall full of Matthews and Kevins. There is a standard format for Lonnie jokes and stories. One of the most common forms of Lonnie jokes occurs when someone is at the door. After letting them in, you would express disappointment in the person not being Lonnie. Actual sightings of Lonnie are also prime material for jokes. If you see Lonnie in the hall or Russell House, you might joke that you had a moment, even though he doesn't know you at all. A central point in Lonnie lore is his remaining a stranger. If one of us were to become aquatinted with him, he would have to become a real person and the personality that we have created for him would disappear. Kathleen said that for her, our treatment of Lonnie is akin to making him into our own celebrity. Katie was similarly of the opinion that if we ever actually met Lonnie he would not live up to the hype. She also pointed out that all "Lonnie lore" conveniently ignores the little information we do have about him, such as the fact that he is engaged.
Other neighbors have generated folklore, namely Lonnie's roommate with whom three of our occupants had an awkward encounter. We were introduced to him through a mutual friend in the restaurant in West quad. As we later discovered he was having a bad day and was acting very antisocial. Consequently one roommate, Kathleen, who is afraid of silence, made a rambling speech at him in hopes of opening him up. Unfortunately he just seemed to be disturbed by this. The meeting was so memorable that it became a folktale in the apartment. It is often brought up in other awkward meetings, when excerpts will be recited to the unsuspecting party. Katie's version of Kathleen's monologue was transcribed onto the dry erase board in the common room. It's last line sums up the reason for the drawn out meeting, her fear of silence. This last line includes inside knowledge that only close friends or residents of the apartment would have. Every time the story is told, lines change, but the point is always the same.
Pop Culture-related Lore
Most folklore from pop culture stems from television shows or videos found on the internet. References to these clips which have become popular among our apartment, are often made in fitting situations outside of the apartment, and have become a kind of inside joke. Some TV shows that have been very influential sources of folklore include, The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll, The Pickup Artist, and America's Next Top Model. These programs are connected by their placement in the reality genre, and by their general lack of any intellectual quality. Instead of being quality shows they have proven to be fun and entertaining shows to watch in a group. Janet characterized the shows as ones she would never watch on her own, but that are fun to see with a group, especially when mocking is encouraged.
During group viewings of these programs interjections and mocking of characters is allowed and sometimes encouraged. Since all of the shows are reality competitions they try to teach contestants lessons each week. These lessons have become qualities that are frequently referred to among the roommates. For example The Pick Up Artist contains an entire vocabulary for talking about picking up women. We have made this vocabulary our own, using it in situations where a man may be unsuccessfully trying to pick up a woman or even in ones where it does not apply at all. In the show the term "day game" is used to describe how a man would approach a woman outside of a nightclub/ bar setting, in a grocery store or park. Terms from other shows include "creating a persona" and being "fierce" these are often used with great amounts of sarcasm, for example: "Wow, those pajamas are fierce" or "Is being mean part of your persona?" Phrases such as these ones have become part of our vocabulary, but have meaning only in context of the television reference. They serve as inside jokes and ways of communicating with each other when others are around.
Other traditions and practices from pop culture involve videos from YouTube. Some the favorites include Saturday Night Lives' parody of Dora the Explorer, variations of the rap song "Soulja Boy", and a SNL skit about prom dress shopping. These videos are generally found by one girl, and then shared with others. The ones that really stick are usually viewed by all residents at the same time. References to them become a way of identifying who is in the group, or in on the joke, and who is not. Again, vocabulary from these skits has become part of our everyday conversations. While an outsider might not recognize the meaning or origin of the phrase "whycome?" it is used within the apartment to make any statement lighthearted and silly. It was derived from the SNL dress shop skit, in which the girl's mother asks "Whycome my baby can't get that dress?" This phrase stuck with all of us because we have heard similar statements made in real life, with similar inflection and bad grammar. Videos such as these ones are often viewed after some other group activity, when one girl decides she needs to share a video that the others would appreciate.
Videos are also shared through Facebook, but this can make the viewing process more of a solitary one. In an example of the group nature of internet videos, Janet recently postponed watching a video Kathleen sent her through Facebook. Janet received the dancing cat video over Thanksgiving break, watched a little of if and then decided to wait to finish it because she wanted to watch it with other people. She said it looked funny so she waited in order to watch it with Kathleen. Videos that are viewed in a group setting are very likely to become part of the apartment's customs. In this case, as they viewed the dancing cat they reenacted the dance and later sang the song as they watched it again. By celebrating this as a group experience it is likely to become a tradition to perform the cat song and dance when the right moment strikes. Janet noted that YouTube parties have become a random occurrence, but once they start they become a pretty big production. There is a certain structure to these events, generally new videos are shown, then old ones that we are all familiar with. There are certain expected responses from the audience. It would be odd if we did not recite the words or act along with videos that we have seen before. There is a recognized audience, roommates or close friends. These performances would never take place around people we do not know, who would not understand our sense of humor.
Most folklore in my apartment serves as a mechanism for bonding my roommates and me as a group. We use it to celebrate things we all enjoy and to make fun of things that have caused us problems. Our material folklore shows the mixing of interests and tastes that occurred from living in such close quarters. And although much of our lore started somewhere else everything has been personalized to apply to us. Maps reflect favorite singers, areas of study, even character traits in animals. Our use of language from popular culture has become something that only we can understand and recognize. While a few others friends are aware of most of the lore, most was created by the four roommates. Tales about neighbors allow us to joke abut the difficult transition from one kind of living situation to another. The building we live in has become part of the folklore, by virtue of its distant location, idiosyncrasies, and social setting. Creating folklore has given us rules for acceptable behavior and shaped how we interact with each other. Most group activities are likely to be incorporated into our folklore, from watching a movie to having an unfortunate conversation with a neighbor. Folklore of our creation has become an integral part of our everyday lives.


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Yesterday I was having a conversation with a very sexy person. A person who I wanted to touch. A lot. In happy ways, in dirty ways, and in ways that combine the two feelings to great effect.
And I did, some. There was a touch here for emphasis, a touch there just because. A hug started our meeting, and a wonderful hug (accompanied by a bit of growling) finished it.
And it was wonderful.
And I felt comfortable.
Ah. NRE.
Although it's not really an R. More like the exploration of the potential for, but my body doesn't know that, and is gung ho in pretty much every way I can measure right now…
And so, wanting LOTS of touch. Craving it. Obsessing over it. Mmmm.
This person and I discussed how touch often disappears from relationships as NRE wears off, and those high love/lust inducing dumps of dopamine, vasopressin and oxytocin go on the decline, starkly revealing to us that the haze of happiness is not long-term enough to excuse the heinous crime of squeezing a tub of toothpaste from the center for the rest of our lives.
Or, I think that's what we said.
I was a bit twitterpated.
But I'm pretty sure that's what we talked about. At least some of the time.
And I said that I refuse a relationship where touch—both affectionate and sexual—dies off. And they countered with a version of "It always does."
And while I know this isn't TRUE, it is true for many.
And also for many, their daily lives are not full of casual touch, either. No hugging friends, patting the back or arm of a colleague, no holding hands, or accidentally brushing fingers with the delivery person as you take a package…
Add to that the idea that touch is a potential infringement on others' human rights (it is), and we have a society increasingly touch deprived.
And that's sad.
Pet's strongest love language is touch. I touch him a lot. So much, and with such glee and importance, that he is convinced that it's my love language as well.
It's not.
Those are gifts and quality time.
Touch is not a love language. It's a requirement for survival that thrival in my life.
- Touch release oxytocin, which bonds me to people and they to me.
- Touch increases feelings of social inclusion and reduces depression through seratonin.
- Touch slows down heart rate, blood pressure and the release of cortisol, reducing stress and increasing health.
- Touch encourages better sleep.
- Touch boosts our immune systems.
And on and on. It's like food. Or air.
A bare minimum in my life, on which other things like a sexy mouth, agile mind and sexual insatiability are added.
Touch is not my love language, but it is my core.