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RBI tells Banks to continue lending to microfinance sector
Submitted by mfadmin on Wed, 12/22/2010 - 19:36
Microfinance Focus, December 22, 2010: In a meeting that was held in Mumbai today, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked bankers to continue lending to microfinance institutions as it is an important sector for the growth of the country, a bank official told Microfinance Focus.
During the meet, banks proposed consortium financing for the sector and discussed issues of over-indebtedness, high interest rates and lending practices of microfinance institutions.
Under consortium financing, several banks (or financial institutions) finance a single borrower with common appraisal, common documentation, joint supervision and follow-up exercises, these banks have a common agreement between them.
Banks lending to microfinance institutions declined sharply post promulgation of Andhra Pradesh microfinance ordinance in October. Bankers are keenly awaiting RBI's Malegam Committee report on the sector which is expected to come by mid January.
The RBI suggestions can be viewed as a positive move to address the pressing concern of liquidity crisis which is impairing the microfinance sector.
RBI tells Banks to continue lending to microfinance sector
Submitted by SENTHILKUMAR.GROUP CEO,vini Financial and management pvt Ltd (not verified) on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 12:27.
dear sir/madam,
Most of Rural women need credit without any security against loan amount from Micro finance through out india .at that same time some MFI's amd NGO MFI's collect high interest rate from their clients.in the mean time so many NGO-MFI and MFI's Livelihoods and income lighting to rural poor-women's and semi-urban city. in this way I need RBI involved is very must to control MFI's Rate of interest.Matters.
Apprecable decision. Good for
Submitted by Mehul Kumar (not verified) on Thu, 12/23/2010 - 15:56.
Vote up!
Apprecable decision. Good for idustry and country.
Is microfinance the magic bullet?
Submitted by Saswati (not verified) on Thu, 12/23/2010 - 14:04.
Vote up!
I have no doubt in my mind that credit plays a crucial loan in economic growth and development, but I doubt that microfinance is the right answer.
"poor need microfinance to undertake economic activity, smoothen consumption, mitigate vulnerability to income shocks, increase savings, and self-employment."
A source of steady income is the answer to income shocks, smooth consumption and savings for consumption. I am not sure if self-employment can be a source of steady income. Poor people need a system to mitigate local shocks and have access to bigger potential market for long-term growth. May be it is time that central banks should take a step back and test the effects of microcredit/ individual credit and small business credit on economic development indicators.
Also, it is time to know if poor people prefer self-employment or a job. May be lack of job opportunities is forcing them to take microloans. Does MF have an answer?
Entrepreneurship/self-employment versus (salaried) employment
Submitted by Machiavelli (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2010 - 23:36.
It is interesting to read Saswati questioning the importance of self-employment and, therefore, entrepreneurship.
In the western world, economists in the Schumpeterian tradition ascribe innovation and technological change (and therefore the bulk of economic growth) to entrepreneurship - and the success of both Anglo-Saxon (US) and German economic models derives from innovation by technology start-ups and the Mittelstand respectively. Yet in emerging markets and transformation (i.e. former communist) economies there appears to be a general bias against small enterprise and entrepreneurship, with governments often bent on raising barriers to the creation of new enterprise.
Micro (and SME) finance in its different guises attempts to serve precisely this segment of the market, which - in western eyes - represents an important motor of innovation and economic growth. The debate that seems to have gripped India in the wake of events in Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere seems to question this basic tener of modern capitalism, whereas many of the apparent problems associated with the rapid growth of micro lending in India are probably caused more by a microfinance model what is closer to consumer than enterprise lending.
RBI tells Banks to continue lending to microfinance sector
Submitted by Prof.P.Madhu Sudana Rao (not verified) on Wed, 12/22/2010 - 20:18.
Lending to MFI should continue by commercial banks.Micro finance borrowers mostly do not have a security to offer to the banks. Hence there is risk associated with the financing.Hence MFI's lend at a higher rate to cover the risk factor.
To overcome the problem the banks should ask for group guarantee,which ensures discipline on the part of the borrowers.
However RBI should take care that interest spread should not exceed a particular range.Otherwise they may charge a very high rate of interest or some hidden charges.
The borrowers are mostly poor people who are forced to pay very high rates of interest and also take high profits to compensate the high interest


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7 Deadly Sins- Tierra Taylor
The following project draws on stories from the bible that can teach lessons about the 7 deadly sins. The Tower of Babel is a famous story about pride. I choose to go with a simple design that used an "icon" to represent the story. The tower is the symbol for this story. With the design of the tower, I chose to use layers of metaphors to allude to both the story and "pride."
The tower is unfinished and is composed as "detached" because I wanted to represent something that was unaccomplished. This is what happens in the story. In a sense, I am trying to tell the story before one actually reads the story.
I chose to use variations of purple for this project. Purple is a color that represents pride. Color acts as another layer of metaphor to allude to the sin. My goal was to create something that could "say pride" even if the word did not appear on it.
The interactivity is simple. Two things are clickable. The cloud leads you to the bible story, and the word pride leads you to the virtue lesson for the sin. My audience is younger and therefore, I didn't want to complicate it.
I believe all the elements of this project work well together to not only convey the sin of pride but to also teach a lesson on how to overcome that sin.

subset: commoncrawl


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Roosters v Sharks
Allianz Stadium
Saturday July 5 – 7:35 PM (AEST)
It's been said so many times this year, but this is definitely a season to forget for the Cronulla Sharks . It should have been a time for celebration after they finally snapped their five-game losing streak against the Broncos on Friday night. But once again, more off-field incidents have dampened their celebrations. Todd Carney is no longer a Shark and coach Peter Sharp is bailing on a sinking ship. To make matters worse, they are facing a Sydney Roosters team that will be hell-bent on atoning for a poor second half against the Sea Eagles which cost them the game last Friday.
It really can't get any worse for the Sharks. They lost their coach at the start of the year, their captain for the majority of the first half of the season and the ASADA saga continues to haunt them. The last thing they needed was another spanner in the works. But that's exactly what they got. If you don't know what Todd Carney got sacked for you have been living under a rock and the resignation of Sharp was the icing on a very sour cake. Thankfully Origin is almost over and the Sharks can welcome back Paul Gallen fulltime to the squad. With both Gallen and Luke Lewis away on rep duties, Bryce Gibbs and Tinirau Arona both come into the starting side. Tupou Sopoaga, Junior Roqica, Tim Robinson, Sione Masima and Pat Politoni make up the extend bench.
Good news for Roosters fans - the Premiers are almost back to their blistering best. After a strong first half against the Sea Eagles last week, they faded a little and were unable to recover, going down 24-16 in the Grand Final rematch. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is playing out of his skin. His footwork is so quick, there isn't much defenders can do against to combat his dazzling displays. Give him the ball out wide, or even in the middle, and he can somehow find a way through the defence. Daniel Tupou, Aiden Guerra and Boyd Cordner are all away on Origin duty, bringing Nene Macdonald onto the wing and Dylan Napa into the starting side. Frenchman Rèmi Casty and Kane Evans have both been added to the bench.
The only thing that will cause the Roosters to lose this one is themselves. Too many times this year they have shot themselves in the foot, and let the game slip away. Nothing is impossible, but the Sharks coming away with this one is pretty close.
LIVE on FoxSports 1


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My hair is fine, thin, and straight. I've been annoyed with its tendency to flatten to the sides of my head and limply droop into my eyes for my entire life. Even with a variety of fancy products, it will barely hold a curl or even fluff up off my scalp. And my decades long habit of creating the same severe side part probably wasn't helping things.
My stylist, Jenn, has always gently encouraged me to move my part around, wash my hair less often, and avoid heat styling. At first, I resisted. I had been an every other day washer since childhood and even then the second day was borderline greaseball. Plus, the only thing that seemed to make my hair look soft and fluffy was a good blow dry.
However, I got pretty exasperated with how fried my hair looked, and I started to make some changes. This past year, I finally committed to a totally new strategy. And of course, Jenn was right! I just got a fresh chop, and she was so happy with how healthy my hair is now.
Here's what I do:
· Wash and condition with moisturizing shampoo and conditioner every three days. Conditioner only goes on ends.
· Wring out and comb hair, then wrap it in a microfiber towel until halfway dry.
· Remove microfiber towel, lightly finger comb hair straight back from face, and leave it alone until totally dry.
Um, that's it. Sometimes I throw a little dry shampoo in there if I have to be acceptable for public viewing on third day hair.
Of course, there are caveats. I do have a specific hair type and realize that my strategy probably won't work for everyone. I encourage you to consult a stylist you trust to develop your own healthy hair routine! Also, I have to admit that it took awhile to see a difference with this routine, especially since I made the transition gradually. This is no overnight fix, but I do think it was worth it for me.
And of course, the best part of this whole thing is that it's simple, straightforward, and has become an easy habit that doesn't take up a lot of space in either my bathroom or my brain. Plus, there's no pressure to research or shop for products, which saves me both time and money.
I do believe that as we get older, natural beauty can appear more youthful, which is why my makeup and hair routines are so simple. I may change my mind in the future, but for now it's all about that fresh faced look!


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Picks of the Month: June
Movie: Prometheus
The highly anticipated science thriller will be released on June 8. The film will revolve around an unknown alien attack among civilians who travel to another world.
Album: What We Saw From The Cheap Seats
The sixth album, "What We Saw From The Cheap Seats," from the classically trained pianist, Regina Spektor, was released on May 29.
Below is a link to one of the songs on the album, "How."
App: Draw Something
One of the highest selling apps on the iTunes store has gone viral. "Draw Something" allows friends to compete against one another in a competitive drawing game.
TV Show: Pretty Little Liars
ABC's critically acclaimed TV hit will be back for its third season on June 5. The series follows four girls on their journey to uncover the mysterious death of their friend, Alison.
YouTube Video: Lamborghini Crashes in Chicago Suburb
The two minute video gained over 7 million views on its first day of release and has since reached over 13 million. The crash took place on Wheeling Road.
Book: 11th Hour
James Patterson's most recent novel revolves around Lindsay Boxer whose life takes a sudden turn as a series of unexplained deaths lead to Lindsay uncovering the murderer.


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I'm not sure how many folks might need this but I would dearly love to have a burst mode for the INADC command. My ideal command would be:
ARRAY = INADC(<pin#>,<number of samples>,<time between samples>)
The ADC on the LP2138 claims speeds up to 2.4 uSec between samples. I would be happy with multiples of 10 uSec. I'm thinking of an application that would need 128 samples per burst but more would be better, of course.
Calling INADC with only one parameter could operate just as it does now.
Here's hoping...


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Since all of you have put up with my long stammering blog posts the past few days I am going to do something new!
A Giveaway!
I am going to giveaway one of my Poot & Boogie gnomes. I only have about 8 of these, and I have been holding on to them for a special occasion! These little guys are so cute, and are printed on both sides.
All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and you are entered!
I will do the old fashioned thing and draw names from a hat! You have until next Sunday morning to leave a comment and I will announce a winner after lunch! Then you just have to email me with your info and Whammo! you got yourself a cute little gnome stuffy!
Good Luck!
and just in case you are wondering what the heck this has to do with Down syndrome....
When I was coming out of my nitrous oxide haze after having Ola. I said "oh look...she looks like a little gnome!" what I meant to say was elf...but whatever... I was drugged!
So there you go, a little fun for Ds awareness!
Take a look around
Monday, October 11, 2010
Ds Awareness day #11 and a GIVEAWAY!!!!
Posted by Poot & Boogie at 9:46 PM
5 comments:
- Mrs. Merriman said...
I love your gnomes! And your sweet Ola bear :) xo
- October 11, 2010 at 10:00 PM
- The Wilsons said...
I love your dolls. And I find it very brave and enlightening to read your family's story. Thank you for sharing!
- October 12, 2010 at 8:05 AM
That's so cute - I'm in!
- October 12, 2010 at 9:04 PM
- April said...
Thank you for your honesty and candor. I love reading your blog! xo
- October 14, 2010 at 9:26 PM
- siayla said...
Boo hoo I missed this :( Congrats to the Wilsons!
- October 20, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text: On Wed, Apr 23, 2008 at 09:14:47AM +0100, Alistair Crooks wrote: > Oh, and rather than wrapping it in yet another tarball, just append > the digital sig to the end of an existing tarball - that was mycroft's > suggestion some time ago, and was the same one I explained to you > yesterday. tar should treat the sig as noise. There is no need for > multiple hashes - either a package has been tampered with, or it hasn't, > and so one signature covering the whole binary package is sufficient. It makes it impossible to process the package as stream. You have to either buffer the full stream or write it to disk first. Writing the signature first makes it possible to stream it. > But I always come back to the question - we already have something > that works - why are you reinventing the wheel as multiple square > objects? It only works for a single very limited case -- local files. For local files it has very limited use because you can just do it once in advance. It does not handle remote packages and that's where missing trust is a lot more likely. Joerg


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Scrap Car Perivale, UB6, Scrap your car for free
The free scrap car collection service in Perivale (UB6), London. A lot of car owners are unaware that if they have a scrap car it will still need to be taxed even if the vehicle is not in use. Do not pay a company to collect your scrap car. We can take away your scrap car for free!
Recent News in Perivale (UB6), London
As well as offering a completely free collection, we are also currently able to offer cash for scrap cars in Perivale depending upon the weight of the vehicle!
If you'd like us to make you an offer just ask when calling or add 'CASH QUOTE PLEASE' in the 'Additional Info' box when submitting our online form.
- Nationwide coverage
- DVLA notification
- Convenient collection times
- Completely free collection!
- Environment agency approved recycling facilities
Pick up the phone and call 0800 043 5100 or simply fill out our online form to the right!
Choose Scrap Car Perivale
After trading in London for over a decade we have built up our company based on very happy customers. We know the area so well we can be out to you within 30 minutes. We are proud of our reputation of a prompt and reliable service we will always be with you at the agreed time slot. Our collection service is there for you so we will dedicate a specific time slot to work around any commitments you may have.
We make sure that you vehicle is correctly disposed of. Some scrap car companies might sell your car and not scrap it, sometimes not even informing the DVLA that your vehicle has changed ownership. This can leave you a target for receiving a fine that you do not need to get. Scrap Car Perivale will always notify the DVLA that your vehicle has been scrapped, meaning you can rest assured that you are in the very safest of hands. When we dispose of an old car we always ensure that whatever can be recycled is and we often reuse a lot of parts, keeping the impact on out environment as low as possible.
By ensuring that your car is collected by a reputable company like us, you can rest assured that the streets of London are kept clean and tidy of abandoned vehicles. When the road is littered with old useless cars it can seriously damage the image of any reputable town, so do your bit and scrap that car. Get rid of that old car, book today!
The car scrappage scheme
The scrappage scheme may seem like a superb idea. However, you are in fact limited to what type of new car you can get. You won't be able to go and purchase any car you wish. This can cause people a lot of misery as you might have your heart set on a particular car only to be told that, "the vehicle is not in the scrappage scheme".
How to scrap your car
We make it simple to scrap your car in Perivale. Just by picking up the phone you can learn the process from our helpful phone operators. Otherwise, please feel free to take a look at our guide to help you scrap your car before you call or book.
Reasons to scrap your car
There will be many reasons for you to scrap your car. One of the main reasons for scrapping a car will be that it has failed its MOT, and the work costs to much to put it right. If you have a scrap car that is unusable you need to either declare it off the road or scrap it, otherwise your will continue to need to pay road tax on the car.
Just call us on 0800 043 5100 or fill out the following form:


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You're a dirty bunch.
I actually had a review planned for today but the polish I wanted to use for a base (Cult Nails Time Traveler) bubbled like crazy and I don't know. The formula was just off. So instead I'm doing this.
Yes it's true I can't swallow pills. Now before you start giving me advice know that I have heard it all. "It's easy," "Throw it to the back of your throat then just drink water," "Put water in your mouth first then pop it in. That way you don't know it's there." I get it guys. Let me start by saying it is a head thing. In theory I know it's not hard to do but I just can't do it. There is something that just stops me and that is the hard thing to get over. I can swallow food and...other things(;P) but for some reason whole idea seems hard for people to understand.
Now you are probably wondering how do I take medicine?
1) Things like Oxycodone or Acetaminophen that aren't coated I put in hot chocolate and let it dissolve completely. So long as it's not cotaed it's wicked easy to dissolve. The hot chocolate generally tastes a bit less sweet but it's not bad.
Other drugs I wont mix apart from coated are iron(it made the hot chocolate taste like blood), and antibiotics(It tastes like licking the floor on the deepest darkest pits of hell.)
2) When I had my wisdom teeth out they prescribed antibiotics. They originally gave me "easy swallow" capsules. And let's be honest that really wasn't the time to learn and they ended up tasting horrific in hot chocolate. I eventually got the drug in liquid form. It tasted pretty good! So I will get stuff in liquid form. Loads of drugs come in liquid form you just have to ask.
3) Gummies. I take my multivitamin in gummy form(they make them for adults). It's actually the worst because you want to eat them all.
4) Things like ibuprofen generally come coated or in gel. If you dissolve these they are horrific. They are generally too harsh and will burn going down. So when I have aches and pains(like my back the other week) I will sometimes use children's medicine. I don't actually take a higher dosage because they recommend if possible you dose by weight. I fall just outside the highest dosage by a couple pounds. And yes, it does work AND taste like fruit punch.
I just keep getting weirder and weirder. Questions?


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tap to bring up your browser menu and select 'Add to homescreen' to pin the The News web appGot it!
tap to bring up your browser menu and select 'Add to homescreen' to pin the The News web appGot it!
ISLAMABAD: In 2010 and 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) passed two resolutions to combat the defamation of religions, religious symbols, venerated persons, and even an insult to Islam and the Muslims but when it comes to implementing these resolutions to check the latest anti-Islam American video and the follow-up publication of Prophet's (SAW) caricatures by French and other European countries, the UN is turning a blind eye to its own resolve.
In 2010, the UNHRC passed a resolution called 'Combating Defamation of Religions'. In March 2011, another resolution 16/18 called 'Combating Intolerance, Negative Stereotyping and Stigmatisation of, and Discrimination, Incitement to Violence and Violence Against, Persons Based on Religion or Belief' was adopted.
However, these resolutions are serving as redundant pieces of papers in the present controversy revolving around the blasphemous US-made video that has resulted in widespread protests by Muslims all over the world.
The 2010 resolution 'Combating Defamation of Religions' contained certain Islam-specific points, one of which reads as: "Expresses deep concern in this respect that Islam is frequently and wrongly associated with human rights violations and terrorism and in this regard regrets the laws or administrative measures specifically designed to control and monitor the Muslim minorities, thereby stigmatising them and legitimising the discrimination they experience."
Otherwise, the same resolution deplored the use of the print, audio-visual and electronic media, including the Internet, and any other means to incite acts of violence, xenophobia or related intolerance and discrimination towards any religion, as well as targeting of religious symbols and venerated persons.
It also condemned any advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, whether it involves the use of print, audio-visual or electronic media or
any other means.
The resolution also emphasised that, as stipulated in international human rights law including articles 19 and 29 of UDHR and 19 and 20 of ICCPR, everyone has the right to hold opinions without interference, and has the right to freedom of expression, the exercise of which carries with it special duties and responsibilities and may therefore be subject to limitations as are provided for by law and are necessary for respect of the rights or reputations of others, protection of national security or of public order, public health or morals, and general welfare.
The March 2011 resolution also expressed deep concern at the continued serious instances of deliberate stereotyping of religions, their adherents and sacred persons in the media, as well as programmes and agendas pursued by extremist organisations and groups aimed at creating and perpetuating stereotypes about certain religions, in particular when condoned by the governments.
The provisions of the UNHRC as stated above are enough to seek explanations from the US government, European states and their media involved in anti-Islam campaign like producing blasphemous video and printing caricatures of the Prophet (SAW). However, the UN and its Human Rights Council are insensitive to these devious attacks by sick minds on Islam and its followers.
All the states, under the Charter of the United Nations, are bound to promote and encourage universal respect for and observance of all human rights and fundamental freedoms without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.
The UN is also turning a blind eye to the 2005 World Summit Outcome adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 60/1 of Oct 24, 2005, in which the assembly emphasised the responsibilities of all the states, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and acknowledged the importance of respect and understanding for religious and cultural diversity throughout the world.
The UNHRC through these resolution had also noted with deep concern the instances of intolerance, discrimination and acts of violence against followers of certain faiths, occurring in many parts of the world, in addition to the negative projection of certain religions in the media and the introduction and enforcement of laws and administrative measures that specifically discriminate against and target persons with certain ethnic and religious backgrounds, particularly the Muslim minorities following the events of Sept 11, 2001, and that threaten to impede their full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
These resolutions stress that defamation of religions is a serious affront to human dignity leading to restriction on the freedom of religion of their adherents and incitement to religious hatred and violence. It is also noted in these resolutions that defamation of religions, and incitement to religious hatred in general, could lead to social disharmony and violations of human rights, and alarmed at the inaction of some states to combat this burgeoning trend and the resulting discriminatory practices against adherents of certain religions and in this context stressing the need to effectively combat defamation of all the religions and incitement to religious hatred in general and against Islam and the Muslims in particular.


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One of the best apps for young girls that I have seen is Cover Creator by Discovery Girls. This fun app for the iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, is geared towards girls ages 8 and up, but even my 5 year old had a blast with it. Cover Creator allows girls to either take a photo or pick a photo and design a magazine cover with it. Cover Creator has hundreds of template with many choices of titles and cover lines, or have the freedom to design your own. Embellish your cover with stamps, pictures or your own art creations. When you are done, save it, email it or delete it!
My daughters, ages five and eight, have really enjoyed playing with this. Here are a few of their creations.
You can purchase this app at iTunes app store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cover-creator-for-ipad/id519149535?mt=8. Or maybe you want to try to win it, along with a subscription to Discovery Girls magazine.
A little about the creators of Cover Creator and Discovery Girls. This company was created by a mother who wanted her 8 year old daughter to know she wasn't alone in the changes she was facing. When she went to look for a magazine for her daughter, she discovered that the available choices were too young or too old. There was nothing age appropriate for 8-12 year old girls that empowered them to grow be confident young women. So, she sat down with 12 local girls to brainstorm ideas. What came from it was Discovery Girls Magazine. I love that they never use models on the covers, but real girls--their readers! The magazine promotes positive self-esteem in young girls. Here is a great video to watch to learn more about it.
Disclosure: I received the Cover Creator app for review purposes. I will also receive a free magazine subscription. As always, this post contains my honest opinions.


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Mary M. obtained her real estate license fresh out of college in the 1990s, began working at Coldwell Banker, and by the late 1990s was the top agent at her local Prudential office.
In 2002, she had a daughter, and began working part-time as an agent and full time as a mother. Six years later, with her daughter about to enter first grade, Mary was ready to jump back into real estate full time.
Before Zurple
Mary found that her old school methods of networking and door knocking were not producing the same results that they did for her in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Starting with Zurple
In 2009, Mary began using Zurple on a domination package. She was receiving approximately 100 to 200 leads per month. In her first four months she had no closings through Zurple clients, but a database of approximately 600 leads.
The results were not immediate, but Mary recognized that Zurple was generating a lot of leads, more than she ever experienced with networking. Zurple was also generating conversations. Potential home buyers were responding to Zurple's automated yet personalized emails.
Results Three Years Later with Zurple
By the end of 2011, Mary was not only the #1 agent in her office, she was also the #1 agent in her city.
Mary noticed that in addition to a significantly higher transaction volume than she had ever experienced, her client profile had changed. Whereas before most of her business tended to be near her age group, Zurple was introducing her to clients that were significantly older and younger.
"I have had my agent license for 20+ years, and I would say over that time the two best career decisions I have made are concentrating on one area rather than spreading myself thin over many areas, and using Zurple. I cannot recommend Zurple highly enough."
– Mary M.


text: Skin Lesions Treatment Be confident in your skin At Ottawa's Dermis Advanced Skin Care clinic, our professional and highly experienced clinicians use Cutera's ExcelHR® laser technology as well as Lutronic's Spectra Dual-Wavelength laser technology to safely and effectively remove unwanted skin lesions. Lesions we treat include: Skin tags Sun spots Epidermal Nevi Lentigines Liver spots Melasma Solar keratoses Warts Angiomas Port wine stains And many other pigmented lessons These conditions can be embarrassing and unsightly. We want you to be confident in your skin, so don't wait! Contact us for more information on treating your skin lesions. Book a Free Consultation for Skin Lesion Removal Today!


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There has been much discussion and debate concerning fans' anticipation of an Adam Lambert/Tommy Joe Ratliff kiss (and/or more!!) during concerts on Adam's GlamNation tour. This subject has been almost as popular as Adam's hair cut a couple of weeks ago! The New York Times even wrote about The Kiss (or was it a lick??) in a concert review at the June 22nd performance at the Nokia Theater:
"The dancers' choreographed embraces were heterosexual; a later kiss from the bass player was just a quick peck on the shoulder."
The Times promptly wrote a retraction saying
"A music review on Thursday about a concert at the Nokia Theater on Tuesday night by the singer Adam Lambert referred incorrectly to kissing between Mr. Lambert and his bass player, Tommy Joe Ratliff. During the song "Fever," they licked each other's lips; Mr. Ratliff did not merely give Mr. Lambert a quick peck on the shoulder. (He did that later in the show.)"
Here's a snippet of Fever including The Kiss from the 9:30 Club in Washington DC June 28th:
Some fans CAN"T WAIT for the Adommy action on stage, while others feel the concert should be all about Adam's talent and the music.
Which side of the debate are you on? Weigh in your thoughts and opinions in the "Leave A Reply" section below!!
P.S. Check out a great concert synopsis at http://adam-lambert.org/glam-nation-washington-dc-06282010/ and an adorable interview from MIX 107.3 at http://www.mix1073fm.com/article.asp?id=1857352!


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My mad for pink friend, Shannon is turning 30-something and this is what she is getting for her birthday.
All pink, all the time. This is called the "Yarn Party" Scarf which is a variation of the "Shape-It" Scarf by Sally Melville, of which I have made several, and do I have one for myself? No, and why is that?
Because everybody wants one of these babies! Its a unique scarf in that it starts out like a triangle shaped shawl and ends up being a long cozy rectangle shape at each end. You can wear it so many ways. Like with the triangle shape in front, or back or on the head like a hood…its really versatile!
I went stash diving for the three different recommended types of yarns which are: a ribbon yarn, a shiny yarn and a fuzzy yarn. It is definitely a good stash busting project. I have had the CPY Party ribbon for a few years, it was a "one -er" that I bought in the half price bin and thought I would use "someday". Well, here it is folks, proof that "someday" eventually comes!
Yarns used : Crystal Palace Yarns Party (a ribbon yarn), Berrocco Glace( a shiny rayon yarn) , and Katia Danubio (a slightly fuzzy yarn).
Its all done now, except weaving in the ends. (I ran out of movies, made this while watching Jude Law and Julia Orman in two different but excellent WWII era movies.) Hope she likes it.


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What do hockey and business have in common? For Kelsey Hahn (BComm'12), they both build character.
Hahn is a young business-professional in downtown Calgary where she manages Viewpoint Research, a Canadian-based leadership centre. She is quick to point out that her success as a professional has come from learned-traits that have stuck since her time as a Huskie athlete.
"From teaching me about time management, determination and focus, to teamwork and leadership skills, the diligence of playing a sport taught me more than any textbook ever did," Hahn explains. "Being a student-athlete built a solid foundation for my life and subsequent career path —I owe more than I can ever repay to the game, to Huskie Athletics, and to the University of Saskatchewan."
For many athletes, it's the games they won and the moments of fierce competition that stick in their memories, but for Hahn, she fondly remembers the time spent in-between.
"I can remember pitching in as a team to shovel the ice in between men's and women's practices, when the ice plant and Zamboni broke down," she recalls. "Looking back now, I feel lucky to have gotten to be a part of the tail-end of Rutherford's history, though the next generation of Huskie athletics is very lucky to be able to use and enjoy a new world-class facility."
It was a natural move for Hahn to get involved with the Home Ice Campaign as a way to pay tribute to her alma mater. After a number years of attempts with a campaign for a new rink, Hahn credits President Stoicheff for the support that began to build momentum with a number of dedicated individuals. With the support of fellow volunteers in Calgary — in particular, team lead, Dell Chapman — Hahn visited various alumni, business leaders, community members, and "friends of the Huskies" in Calgary to share the news about the rink and seek support for the project.
As the only women's Huskie alumna in the group, she was thrilled to meet with lots of current and former women's team supporters. "Being a part of such a devoted and strong group of volunteers has been one of the most rewarding experiences. Our Calgary team was full of very busy, yet selfless individuals who committed many hours to the campaign. I was amazed at how deep the alumni roots ran for these people."
For Hahn, the engagement of supporters speaks volumes to the community that the Huskies has created, not just in the hearts of former and existing players, but in those who choose to rally around an asset to the province. "When I think about Merlis Belsher Place finally becoming a reality, I am also reminded of the incredible alumni, donors, and Huskie community that stepped up to make this possible," she says. "Mr. Belsher in particular who was, and continues to be, a true passionate champion throughout the campaign. The generosity and comradery of Saskatchewan people is an amazing thing. Huskie Athletics have a bright and promising future enabled by this new facility."


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Main Content:
Maternity Jeans Sale
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POP Places – Atlantic City
Best Pool Parties in the World
When you are looking to keep the party going from the night before into the day, we have the options…More
How To Pool Party Like A Pro
Summertime basically means pool parties and week long trips to the beach. Simply stated, there is nothing like partying with…More
To Update or Not To Update, That Is The Question?
I have been in the middle of the heated Apple IPhone debate for months and months now, to update or…More
Atlantic City Weekend Guide September 17th-21st
Looking for the best events in your city this Labor Day Weekend? Popfeeder has decided to use our expertise to…More
Atlantic City Weekend Guide September 3rd-7th
Looking for the best events in your city this Labor Day Weekend? Popfeeder has decided to use our expertise to…More
What exactly is NightSwim with Blasterjaxx?
If you like pool parties as much as we do, then the only thing better then going to a pool…More
British Sensation Mark Eteson to headline AC Daylife this Saturday
British turntable sensation Mark Eteson is no stranger to the world of dance music. He has been brought up with…More
AC Daylife to close out this season at NIGHT featuring Blasterjaxx!
With Labor Day weekend looming near, AC Daylife has a very nice surprise for everyone. As it has never been…More


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"Every once in a glorious while, a cabaret entertainer comes along that makes the spectator gasp. So it goes with Sandra Bargman, a dynamite powerhouse of talent and energy. A mix of cabaret, performance art, and Universalist revival meeting… absolutely heaven-sent! Bargman masterfully delivers the goods, it's an extremely well-thought-out show that never disappoints for a moment."
- Andrew Martin, Cabaret Exchange
"Her cabaret performance at The Duplex in New York City's West Village is not only dynamic but powerfully spiritual. The talented Bargman expresses an eclectic spirituality not a specific ideology. She combines a contemporary vibe with a depth and wisdom moving vertically rather than horizontally through her clever performance. Bargman is an oversized sunflower with a distinctive voice."
- Karen Feld, Pushing The Edges on Political Mavens
"Sandra Bargman advanced through the audience channeling her inner Sophie Tucker, filling the room with her charisma. She managed to translate her zeal into a fascinating evening of song. "
- Joel Benjamin, Theater Pizzazz
"Guess what kind of a show a self-proclaimed "Queen Bee" (Loose translation: cabaret diva) who's an ordained Interfaith minister with strong, sultry singing does? Barnstorming Bargman pontificates pluckily… it's food for (deep) thought."
- Rob Lester, Cabaret Scenes
"Congratulations. The show is wonderful. I knew it would be but better than that. You are an incredible bridge. People attending your "chapel" will leave more enlightened than when they came in, even if they didn't have a clue that was what was going to happen. Of course your voice and style...and beauty...are unique...and infused with your shining spirit, the latter of which put the power to it all."
- Gloria Karpinski, Author, Medical Intuitive, Spiritual Leader and Teacher
"Sandra took it right to the EDGE! She has the uncanny ability to educate, entertain and enlighten simultaneously. No small feat! A glorious voice and an enormous heart... Moving and funny... BEE-lieve it!"
- Claire Beckman, Founder, Brave New World Theatre
"The Edge of Everyday is a masterclass show with an inspiring universal spiritual message. It's artisticly creative, musically eclectic, highly entertaining and deftly performed. It's among only a handful of the many one person shows I've seen in my 20 years in New York City that I can endorse this highly."
- Eva Swan, Executive Director of Vocal Ease, Inc.
"Sandra Bargman is a breath of fresh air, a beautiful amazon. She delivers a show jam-packed with insight, humor and her own unique take on life, all wrapped in her glorious voice. Go experience Sandra." - Laura Patinkin Urken, NYC
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17 May Former Resident Raises $1,000
By Heather Radu –
Many generous donors sponsor children, conduct fund-raising events, and give to keep Dorie's Promise running. But we recently learned about the most unique fund-raising effort conducted in 2016: a former resident organized it.
Nine-year-old Abigail Standifer was one of our last children involved in an international adoption, becoming John and Susan Standifer's daughter in 2008.
While John sent us a check in late December for $1,000, he only recently shared the full story. Abigail raised those funds by appealing to family, neighbors and friends for donations.
Originally, she told nearby residents she was raising money for children in an orphanage in Guatemala. When she and a friend set up a lemonade stand, Abigail made a Guatemalan flag to attach to their collection jar.
"After that, she took the flag jar and went to some other neighbors," says John, the sales manager for a small pharmaceutical company in Knoxville, Tennessee. "With our extended family, we used a letter from Forever Changed to discuss specific needs. She explained to everyone that this was the orphanage where she was born."
The fund-raising effort took two months. The largest single donation of $250 came from one of Abigail's aunts.
However, another one that really touched her heart came from a 22-year-old cousin. After she talked about the drive, he gave her everything in his wallet—twenty dollars. $20. She tried to return it, but he insisted she keep it.
While Abigail felt good about her campaign, later she wondered whether she had raised enough. However, FCI's letter of thanks that explained its significance helped her better understand her accomplishment.
"We are so proud of Abigail," her father says. "She has this huge heart and desire to help people, and talks about this quite a bit. We were not surprised when she decided she wanted to raise money for her orphanage. I suspect she will want to do it again."
In addition, Abigail has sparked interest among family members about visiting Dorie's Promise. One of her cousins took a mission trip this spring; he had his choice of destinations and picked Guatemala because of Abigail's influence.
The Standifers hope to return, too, especially since their daughter has been asking about going. Though much younger than brothers Weston (17) and Cade (13), John says Abigail has made their family complete.
Noting that Abigail's name means "a father's joy," he says Susan felt like God placed that word in her heart during the adoption process.
"When we got the call about Abigail, we knew immediately she was our daughter," John says. "She has brought tons of joy into our house since day one. We have friends who nicknamed her 'Smiley.' We can't imagine her not being here."
Such stories put a smile on our face, too.


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INTERCOT > News
> October 2012
News Archive - October 2012
October 30,
Disney buys
LucasFilm for $4.05 Billion
Internet exploded with excitement, worry, rumors and speculation when Disney
announced it had signed a deal to buy LucasFilm, and all of its properties
including Star Wars, for $4.05 billion in cash and stock. George Lucas
signed the deal with Bob Iger. Lucas later said in a statement that "it is
now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers."
Plans for a new film, Episode VII have been announced for 2015 and there is
now a new hope for an expansion of Star Wars and other Lucas properties in
the parks.
October 18,
INTERCOT Insider
Live Podcast - Episode 41:
The Space Time Continuum
can characters be on both coasts at the same time? The Space Time Continuum
of course. How sick can you be and still run a 10k race? How's the weather
where you're at? How many times can we mention Ian staying in the castle?
This and other pressing questions are answered in Episode 41 of The INTERCOT
Insider Live Podcast - here just in time for your trip to INTERCOT 15!
& Download Here
on iTunes / Zune
Marketplace / Android
Episode 41 Here
October 15,
Reserve a Last-Minute Fall Vacation to Orlando at Lighthouse Key Resort &
Spa and Receive FREE Nights from All Star Vacation Homes!
a last-minute trip to Orlando with this special offer now at Lighthouse Key
Resort & Spa! The longer the vacation you reserve, the more you save! Stay 2
nights, receive the 3rd night FREE; stay 3 nights, receive the 4th and 5th
night FREE or stay 4 nights and receive the 5th, 6th and 7th night FREE at
Lighthouse Key Resort & Spa when traveling this fall. See website for
eligible dates and details. Valid on new reservations only. Blackout dates
apply. Not valid during holiday season or with any other special.
Visit All
Star Vacation Homes to learn
October 2,
Epcot 30th Anniversary
Illuminations in HD!
On October 1,
2012 - Epcot celebrated it's 30th Birthday with a special
tag to Illuminations: Reflections of Earth and INTERCOT was there capturing
it in high definition for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
INTERCOT Videos on our YouTube Channel
October 1,
The YETI is Down T-Shirts &
Hooded Sweatshirts Now Available in the INTERCOT Shop!
YETI is Down and he's feeling blue, or pink or green or - - oh, you get the
idea. The snow beast may be impaired but he's not lost his color - and
we've got a wide selection of choices for you to sport your support for the
INTERCOT Insider Podcast and the adorable Yeti with either a t-shirt ($20),
hooded sweatshirt ($30), or BOTH!
& Ordering Here
INTERCOT Insider
Live Podcast - Episode 40:
The Birds Got Me Dressed
of all, we'd like to apologize to Ian - the birds did it. Then on to the
controversial topic of Be Our Guest serving alcohol in the Magic Kingdom.
From there, the podcast crew heads to the ICOT 15 Celebration, chocolate
bacon, Pirates, the Food and Wine Festival, Gary's puppet man, and Ian in
the castle - AGAIN. It's one the the laugh-out-loud funniest episodes ever
on Episode 40 of the INTERCOT Insider Live! Tell a friend or ten!
& Download Here
on iTunes / Zune
Marketplace / Android
Episode 40 Here
INTERCOT Insider is a twice monthly email
update with tips and
informative articles.
To subscribe, enter your email address:


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Expert Asphalt Company Near Shoreline WA
When You Need The Leading Asphalt Company in Shoreline WA, Contact Roads Paving!
We've stayed true to the framework that was originally established in 1956, and it has helped us evolve into the company that we are today. In addition to these values, Roads Paving owns all of the equipment used on each job site, eliminating the need for subcontractors or leases. This passes the savings on to you, allowing us to provide quality work for affordable prices. It is our goal to be the asphalt contractor of choice for the individual homeowner, as well as large-scale commercial businesses. Give us a call today for a bid. We are excited to meet you and welcome the opportunity to earn your business and your trust.
Offering the best quality paving experience for our clients has earned us the positive referral-based reputation we have built our company upon. We are a data-driven company, using it to improve our customer relationships, power our marketing efforts and help us continue to gain repeat customers. We use data to ensure that our team is working in the most efficient way, to ensure the jobs we do are done to the highest standard and to ensure proper timing in cost.
Today, three sons work alongside Thomas daily. It is our hope that you will see many generations to come, paving roads and driveways across Washington and keeping us united with the community.
play_arrow Residential Roads and Private Drive Paving
Whether you live in Seattle, Everett, Tacoma, Kent or anywhere in between, if you need residential asphalt paving, asphalt driveway maintenance, seal coating or crack filling and repair, Roads Paving covers all your needs! Our thoroughness and commitment to quality and customer service has established us as a leader in the residential paving industry. Our experts will evaluate your asphalt needs and provide you with a solution that best suits your situation, from asphalt overlays, regular driveway maintenance or complete removal and replacement. We are more affordable than other paving contractors in the Washington area, and our asphalt experts hold a higher standard of work.
play_arrow Protect Your New Driveway with Sealcoating
To help maintain your asphalt and protect it against the need for mostly driveway repairs, sealcoating can help improve your paved driveway's appearance while also bolstering its level of protection from water damage, cracking or oil and gas stains. Wondering if you could do the sealcoating yourself? The answer is yes, but it is a very labor-intensive project and very messy. Seal coat is very thick and sticky, and can burn if it contacts your skin. It is recommended that the initial application be done by hand. Then, if practical, every application thereafter can applied with a spray unit.
play_arrowParking Lot & Driveway Repair
The asphalt of your driveway or parking lot can deteriorate for a number of reasons. For example, water can seep into cracks and expand, turning small fissures into huge holes. At Roads Paving, our skilled crew can perform an entire range of asphalt repairs and maintenance, from asphalt patching and seal coating to crack filling and pothole repair. By catching small problems with your asphalt paving early and repairing them quickly, you can stop issues from progressing to the point where costly repairs or repaving is required.
play_arrowCommercial Asphalt Company
Parking lots are the welcome mat of your business and the first impression your customers will see. When a lot looks attractive, clean and tended, your customers will feel more welcome. Whether you need parking lot paving services to patch up a few potholes and cracks or you need an entirely new parking lot poured, Roads Paving is the company to trust in Seattle, Washington and the surrounding areas.
"It took several weeks before they could make it to my house to do the asphalt seal-coating work because they had so many customer taking advantage of their seal-coating special. When they came to the house they were very courteous and worked quickly. They completed the project in about an hour. (They burned and scrubbed clean the driveway of moss and dirt then sealed the driveway) they taped off the driveway so that nobody would drive over the seal-coating for 24 hours. Two of my neighbors like the work that Roads Paving did they hired them to (add) asphalt to extend their driveways. Roads Paving did a really nice job for myself and my neighbors."
Michael -- Kent, WA
"Roads did an excellent job for us in July of 2013 and again in June of 2014. Roads removed our old asphalt, some of it 18-24? thick, graded our driveway with 1-1/4 " rock then fine graded it for proper pitch and water flow, then put down 2? base coat and 2? topcoat and curbs plus a lite seal coat. This was a large 4 day project that took 10 men, 3 large dump trucks, a track hoe, 2 bobcats and lots of paving equipment to accomplish. Roads paving did an excellent job and the owner, Norm had many helpful suggestions that improved the job. His staff are well trained and hard working. I would recommend them for any size job."


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It tried, but not even the rain could stop the Legends of Classic Rock concert last night at the Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion.
It tried, but not even the rain could stop the Legends of Classic Rock concert last night at the Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion.
About 20 minutes before this Picnic with the Pops concert was to start, the rain fell hard and heavy. Despite the downpour, Columbus Commons was filled with drenched fans in good spirits. When the rain finally let up 35 minutes later, some of the Columbus Symphony musicians left the stage, compounding the confusion. However, word was given that the show would start in another half hour, and concertgoers returned to waterlogged catered meals and soggy blankets.
The symphony and the rock band then were given towels to dry their instruments from the humidity that returned as the precipitation left. Miraculously, not a raindrop was felt until after the show, continuing the symphony�s remarkable record of rare rainouts.
Because it had rained on everyone�s picnic, the symphony turned to Plan B. The remaining audience thus didn�t get to hear the orchestra perform medleys of Marvin Hamlisch and Irving Berlin as originally scheduled. Instead, the rockers played the entire concert with the symphony, led by maestro Peter Stafford Wilson.
The concert continued its inauspicious start when the Legends opened with Toto�s megahit Rosanna. When one thinks of classic rock, this isn�t the first song that crosses one�s mind.
�Since we�re on limited time, we�re gonna get right to the good stuff,� singer Christine LaFond said. Some listeners were dubious, but things improved somewhat with the next song, Led Zeppelin�s Kashmir. Guitarist Michael Johnson�s vocals were so-so, but the symphony cranked out the relentless, rhythmic riff that was one of Zep�s finest concoctions.
LaFond, who said the band was from Las Vegas and wasn�t used to seeing rain, then tackled Journey�s Separate Ways. A powerhouse vocalist who was later featured on a medley of Heart�s Heartless and Barracuda, LaFond was the best part of the group.
John Elefante, who presumably was the star of the show, then came out to sing. Elefante, 56, was the lead singer of classic rock band Kansas from 1981-84, and has since produced and performed Christian music. People began dancing when he sang the Kansas song Carry on Wayward Son.
Elefante also was featured on some of Kansas� best songs � Dust in the Wind, Hold On and Point of Know Return.
Elefante also sung Foreigner�s Cold as Ice and I Want to Know What Love Is, but interestingly, two hits from Elefante�s tenure with Kansas, Fight Fire with Fire and Play the Game Tonight, were not performed.
The encore, an all-out version of Journey�s Don�t Stop Believing, finally delivered the classic rock the hardy picnickers deserved.


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Me in the Kitchen, busy at work.My Turkey My Plate, soo yummy. Kids enjoying the food.
Logan digging in.
Lola spilled some water and decided to lick it up like a dog, ahh that girl.
After Lola started acting like a dog, Logan did too!
My Pecan casserole.
Homemade Rolls, warm and yummy!!
My Favorite Homemade Chocolate dessert, Chocolate Eclair.


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innovationXchange is DFAT's development innovation hub.
A celebration of Australia delivered in a country or region of strategic significance.
Ensuring Australia continues to build soft power and exercise influence effectively.
To help Australians avoid difficulties overseas, we maintain travel advisories for more than 170 destinations.
The Australian Passport Office and its agents are committed to providing a secure, efficient and responsive passport service for Australia.
The information you provide will help us contact you in an emergency.
Imagine you want to go to school but the classrooms are on the second floor and you can't get up the stairs. Perhaps instead you decide to look for a job. What if your potential employers think that you don't have anything to contribute to their business? Maybe you are passionate about making a difference in your country. But what if no-one understood you when you spoke and after a while the people around you stopped listening? These are the types of barriers that people with disability face every day in the countries where Australia delivers its aid program. The challenges vary from country to country, as do the needs of each of the people our programs reach.
Australian volunteers have an important role to play in enabling people with disabilities to fulfil their potential. That is why I am pleased to introduce this edition of the AVID e-newsletter, which features volunteers who have been on assignments who work with people with disabilities to improve their quality of life.
All assignments have scope to be more inclusive, whether you are working with a government ministry on education policy, an NGO to provide access to water, sanitation and hygiene, or a UN agency on disaster risk reduction.
Inclusive development is effective development. People with disability are the world's largest and most disadvantaged minority, accounting for about 15 per cent of the global population. They are disproportionately represented among the poorest people. If our development efforts are not reaching people with disabilities, we are falling short.
In May 2015, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP, released Development for All 2015-2020: Strategy for strengthening disability-inclusive development in Australia's aid program. The strategy recognises that if we fail to account for the needs of people with disabilities we seriously undermine our efforts to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth. It supports our commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
We have made progress. Our recent efforts included a focus on mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. People with disabilities are explicitly mentioned in five of the Sustainable Development Goals and seven of the associated targets. As countries implement and monitor these goals, Australia is supporting work to strengthen internationally comparable disability data collection and analysis. This is so that people with disabilities are visible in the global development agenda, so that we can work towards the aim of 'leaving no-one behind'. But we still have a long way to go.
As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to change some of the negative perceptions that people with disabilities often face. You can influence attitudes, awareness and development practice among your local counterparts, host organisations, and the broader communities in which you live and work.
I encourage all volunteers to seek opportunities to contribute to disability-inclusive development through their assignments. Your efforts will move us closer towards our ultimate goal – of contributing to real change for the better in the daily experiences of people with disabilities.
Katie Magee
Disability Section, DFAT


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Hello mixed media friends! Anastasia here and I want to share with you a way for decorating a glass jar. I took a small jar that is usually used for a cream and I decorated it with a wooden cat.
I did almost nothing with the jar (only added wax and gold paint at the end), but I worked with the cat which is a focal point of the whole project. I decorated it with various metal embellishments and I decided that my cat would be glamorous. So I used wonderful pink colors - Romance Pink and Wild Fuchsia, and embellished his hat with flowers and feathers.After the cat became a glamorous beauty I glued it to the jar. I used Heavy Body Gel which is one of my favorite Finnabair products for mixed media, because it fix firmly even heavy elements. The last step was decoration of joints with art stones and flowers.
I prepared a video tutorial for you:
Mixed Media Place supplies:


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Main Content
Meeting a Guide Dog Team: Some Words of Advice
When You Meet a Working Guide Dog Team
- As tempting as it may be to pet a guide dog, remember that this dog is responsible for leading someone who cannot see. The dog should never be distracted from that duty. A person's safety may depend on their dog's alertness and concentration.
- It is okay to ask someone if you may pet their guide. Many people enjoy introducing their dogs when they have the time. The dog's primary responsibility is to its blind partner and it is important that the dog not become solicitous.
- A guide dog should never be offered food or other distracting treats. Food rewards are used as a motivational and training tool by GDB both in our dog training and by our alumni with their working guide dogs, but those rewards are only given to the dogs by their handlers.
- Although guide dogs cannot read traffic signals, they are responsible for helping their handlers safely cross a street. Calling out to a guide dog or intentionally obstructing its path can be dangerous for the team as it could break the dog's concentration on its work.
- Listening for traffic flow has become harder for guide dog handlers due to quieter car engines and the increasing number of cars on the road. Please don't honk your horn or call out from your car to signal when it is safe to cross, which can be distracting and confusing. Be especially careful of pedestrians in crosswalks when turning right on red.
- It's not all work and no play for a guide dog. When they are not in harness, they are treated in much the same way as pets. However, for their safety they are only allowed to play with specific toys. Please don't offer them toys without first asking their handler's permission.
- In some situations, working with a guide dog may not be appropriate. Instead, the handler may prefer to take your arm just above the elbow and allow their dog to heel. Others will prefer to have their dog follow you. In this case, be sure to talk to the handler and not the dog when giving directions for turns.
- You may encounter a guide dog wearing a head collar, which is a humane training tool that helps a dog become calm and focused when distracted. The head collar is not a muzzle and is designed to permit the dog to fully open its mouth and can even be worn when the dog is eating, drinking, or playing.
- Access laws in the U.S. and Canada, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, permit guide dogs to accompany their handlers anywhere the general public is allowed, including taxis and buses, restaurants, theaters, stores, schools, hotels, apartment and office buildings. Guide dogs are trained to stand, sit, or lie quietly in public places when not leading.


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- HirikoLe commented on HirikoLe's instructable Milk Carton Pouf3 years agoView Instructable »
Hi Elinazariel,I used 52 cartons. I suggest inserting another milk carton inside each one in order to make it strong enough to support weight. Wishing you good luck with it!!
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- 215 College Gallery, Burlington, VT
- Alands Konstmuseum, Maariehamn, Finland
- Arts and Humanities Council, Harwelden, Tulsa, OK
- AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon, NH
- DeMena Gallery, New York, NY
- Franconia College, Franconia, NH
- Gallerie Artek, Helsinki, Finland
- Gallerie Reckerman, Koln, Germany
- Instituto Mexico Norteamericano (USIS),
Mexico City, Mexico
- Johnson State College, Julian Scott Memorial Gallery, Johnson, VT
- Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY
- New York City Community College, Grace Gallery,
New York, NY
- New York University, Robert F Wagner School, New York, NY
- Museum of Modern Art, Tampere, Finland
- Pace University, New York, NY
- Sterling College, Craftsbury Common, VT
- St. Johnsbury Athenaeum at Summer Street,
- St. Johnsbury, VT
- St. Michael's College, McCarthy Arts Center Gallery,
Colchester, VT
- Supreme Court of Vermont, Montpelier, VT
- "Ten Years, Ten Paintings, Ten Days" Studio Exhibition,
New York, NY
- The Governor's Office, Montpelier, VT
- The Millers Thumb Gallery, Greensboro, VT
- TM Galleria, Helsinki, Finland
- Trias Gallery, New York, NY
- Vermont Arts Council Spotlight Gallery, Montpelier, VT
- Waino Aaltonen Museum, Turku, Finland
- Warebrook Contemporary Music Festival, Irasburg, VT
- Art Path Gallery, Burlington,VT
- Atea Ring Gallery, Westport, NY
- Chelsea Art Festival, New York, NY
- Chelsea Art Museum, New York, NY
- Contemporary Gallery, Dallas, TX
- Fordham University, New York, NY
- Galerie Aronowiksch, Stockholm, Sweden
- Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, VT
- Holland Hall Book and Art Fair, Tulsa, OK
- Kent Museum, Calais,VT
- K297 Gallery, Amsterdam, Holland
- Museum of Modern Art, Munchen, Germany
- New York University, New York, NY
- "Art Annual One", Tulsa, OK
- Roy G. Biv Gallery, New York, NY
- St. Lawrence University, Griffiths Art Center, Canton, NY
- Sally Bachman Gallery, Tulsa, OK
- Studio Place Arts, Barre, VT
- Supreme Court of Vermont 10th Anniversary Exhibition,
Montpelier, VT
- Tamarack Gallery, East Craftsbury, VT
- Union Carbide Exhibition, New York, NY
- University of Texas Art Museum, Austin, TX
- Visual Arts Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
- Wanamaker Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
- West Branch Gallery, Stowe, VT
- White Water Gallery, East Hardwick, VT
- T. W. Wood Gallery, Montpelier, VT
- Amos Anderson Museum, Helsinki, Finland
- Art Students League, New York, NY.
- Blanton Museum of Art, University of Texas, Austin, TX
- J.P. Morgan Chase, New York, NY.
- Cluett Peabody & Co., New York, NY
- C.J. af Forselles Collection, Helsinki, Finland
- Garrison Art Center, Garrison, New York
- Griffith Art Center, St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY
- Hiroki Endo Collection, Tokyo, Japan
- Instituto Norteamericano, Mexico City, Mexico
- Johnson State College, Johnson, VT
- Kalevi Hujanen, Helsinki, Finland
- Kunsthandel K276 Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Modern Art Museum, Munich, Germany
- NYU/Wagner School, New York, NY
- Pace University, New York, NY
- Ploman Collection, Stockholm, Sweden
- David and Barbara Roby Collection, Lyme, NH
- St. Michael's College, Colchester, VT
- Rolf Soderstrom Collection, Porvoo, Finland
- State of Vermont Collection, Montpelier, VT
- Robert David Straus Collection, Houston, TX
- Waino Aaltonens Museum, Turku, Finland
- Wichita State University Museum, Wichita, KS


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Articles 2,553
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The latest issue of the 9th Scroll is here! You can read all about it in the news.
Our beta phase is finally over. Download The Ninth Age: Fantasy Battles, 2nd Edition now!
To say that I was happy with Victrix would be an understatement. I did my best to avoid any real distinct pictures of their models so I would have fresh eyes on the sprues when they came in, and I was floored from what I saw. The amount of models you get for the price you pay is in league with Perry and Fire Forge, and the amount of detail is astronomical on these models. There is also a delicious amount of bits and options, and a single sprue is a modelers dream when it comes to customizing units just how you want them. I will keep the words short on this one, but let the pictures and video speak for themselves.
youtu.be/3nKZtsEO998 [Read More]
Good evening!
I got another episode for you, this time about the Organization behind the project that is The 9th Age. I think I've managed to solve my volume issue this time, but to compensate my voice failed me so prepare for a lot of moans and guttural throat sounds.
Other than that, I can only say that I hope you enjoy it.
The models being painted are the Triarii by Dragon Claw Miniatures:
Tabletop Playground, gaming in VR:
Tabletop Playground supports 9th Age: Looking for beta testers!
Krakon Games, Evil Eye Clan:
Last Sword Miniatures, undead kickstarter:
Terrain by Shieldwolf Miniatures:
A guided tour of T9A factory and offices:
Guided tour of T9A Factory and Offices (part 1)
Until next time
Cheers! [Read More]
Wow, what a tournament! Now all the batreps are out (no spoilers here though ), we can focus on the good stuff - the players! Tried to get a good mix of hobbyists, elite players - and of course the Master himself! - but as always, we didn't get nearly as many as we would've hoped. Still the ones we did are golden so stop complaining yeah! Lots of fun and a big thanks to all those that did get involved with us on this. There really isn't a lot of time in between games at a tournament so we really appreciate it!
Barry Lynch
Ed Murdoch - @Scottish Knight
Nav "THE MASTER" Hussain - @Navster
Warren Brewster - @Warren01
Goblins Grotto - @Thegoblinsgrotto
Felix Newman - @Fthunder
Shane Sheppard, Callum Mellis & James Hodges (TOs & Tech guy!) - @Flipper boy, @cm284
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Wow, we have finally reached the last battle of the tournament for each of us. Both of us sitting on 3/4 wins and looking to continue the trend and end on a high! @PTG - Hyper-G pits his wits against a fellow Highborn player - complete with Dragon mage (good ol' boy!) - while I get a rather favorable match up against a Beast herd army with plenty of hitting power. Lots of highs and lows, but as always plenty of fun throughout! Make sure you stick with it to the end to hear some of the final standings of the PTG boys!
...is it bad that i'm routing for the elf player?!?!
Saurian Ancients vs Highborn Elves
Highborn Elves vs Beast Herds
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Hey all!On this show, Tony, Tom and I discuss our adventures up north to sunny Stockport and our experience of The English Championships! Sit back and brace yourselves – it's a long one…
Catch us on iTunes or, for MP3 download, visit www.tfwp.podomatic.com
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Show Links:
Free rules for The 9th Age – the-ninth-age.com/
9th Age Tournament Updates - www.Tourneykeeper.net
Printed 9th Age Rule Book - amazon.co.uk/9th-Age-Fantasy-R…s=the+ninth+age+rule+book
Proxy Table Gaming link - youtube.com/channel/UC6RqtSiZ_YeZP_Sif7Cf65Q?reload=9
Credits Due:
Music from the Freemusicarchive.org:
Into - Jan Morgenstern - Circling Dragons
Outro - BoxCat Games - Battle 'Special'
Sponsor music – Ice Man – SI-PML
Sound effects from FreeSFX.co.uk [Read More]
A friend of mine had a wonderful idea while drawing some parallels between the Dread elves book and the Army he wanted. Instead of going for the normal dark, moody dread elf look, he decided to go in a very different direction by incorporating Roman style troops. He came to this conclusion, I assume, because of the similarities of the Greek Monsters of Tales and the Monsters in the book, then pointed a finger in the Roman directions. Personally I loved the idea, and even more so because he introduced me to Victrix Models.
The Models themselves are highly detailed, and come with a LOT of options when it comes to standards and other such bits. Even after putting together a full command+ for a single 25 man unit, there we still a TON of bits left over, which always make a modeler and gamer happy.
I mean look at all those heads! All of them are extremely detailed, and have a matching cape to adorn the back of the fully armored model. Was extremely nice to see from a company. Unfortunately there is only one sprue like this in the pack, and they dont seem to sell them separately as far as im aware.
I have some Vikings on the way from Victrix, and I'll be doing a video and a post here about them as well,
[Read More]


text:
Monday, Dec 1, 2014
Gallagher has added another esteemed award to its growing list of accolades after the company won at The New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards held in Auckland on Friday 28 November. The award for New Zealand Engineering Innovators of the Year was presented to a Gallagher product development team responsible for designing two world-leading perimeter security technology devices: the K20 Tensioner Link System, and Z10 Tension Sensor.
Senior Product Manager, Craig Malins, said the team were thrilled at winning the award. There were many people at Gallagher involved in this project along the way. Were honoured to have been selected alongside some of New Zealands top engineers, as winners of such a prestigious award said Malins.
Gallagher has been collecting a number of honours across the world for its strength in the design and manufacture of security products. This latest award recognises a commitment to innovation and excellence in engineering by an individual or a team.
Were very proud of our people said Gallagher Group CEO, Sir William Gallagher. Its wonderful to receive an award that recognises how brilliant and innovative our team is.
The New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards are run by the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) and celebrate the finest engineering work undertaken by companies throughout the country.
Gallaghers winning team comprised four core members of the wider Gallagher product development team: Senior Product Manager, Craig Malins; Technical Engineer, Paul Reid; Senior Electronics Engineer, Keith Gallagher; and Technical Leader, Andrew Bealing.


text:
Patrick Caulfield
17 January - 29 March 2014
A simplified style combined with an astute commentary on modern life cast Patrick Caulfield as one of the originators of Pop Art in England – a label he rejected. Delving further into Caulfield's work reveals a timeless subject matter executed with deadpan humour all contained within his characteristic solid black outlines. This exhibition explores Caulfield's unique style beginning with his inspiration from artists such as Juan Gris, Georges Braque and Fernand Léger, to his subtle construction of the interior and engagement with the still life tradition.
'This new exhibition… stresses the influences on Caulfield of modern masters. Caulfield fixed his artistic gaze more keenly on France…embracing both the decorative brilliance of Matisse and the stylisation of Léger. The show will question if Caulfield was the last first-rate painter in still life's long illustrious tradition.' The Daily Telegraph critic Alastair Smart's 'Hot Ticket'


text:
Caitríona Farrell, inspired by autumn's vibrant yet vanishing hues, explains why nature transforms its leafy decor
The rich shades of terracotta, amber and burgundy mean that the season's trends ablaze this autumn. It wouldn't surprise me if fairy lights were invented to compensate for the lack of flamboyant colour ignited by autumn in a bid to allow a more graduated transition from autumn to winter.
Autumn really basks us in that golden warm glow despite bringing our days to a shorter close. Scattered around the place is some remaining evidence of last season's bright styles. The planet's fashion trend luckily is very predictable and this autumn gone by proved no different to any other. Earth's biological cycle doesn't fail to fuel our greenery with the over-familiar hints that signal autumn's arrival.
The green leaves of the summer months saturated in the pigment of chlorophyll, reflects the underlying process of photosynthesis. The green plant is itself a molecular factory, fulfilling the important transformation of carbon dioxide and light into glucose, which serves as an excellent energy source for growth and storage. The removal of chlorophyll uncovers autumn's spectrum of oranges, yellows, browns – even reds and purples – that leave any artist or onlooker in awe.
Leaves sweat through pores called stomata on the high surface area to exert a force of suction through the tree, and draw water from the ground in summer. Wintertime poses a different scenario: these leaves could cause the trees to dry out and die. As a natural defence mechanism, the trees need to shed the leaves – so nature allows for this with a process known as abscission.
In autumn many chemical changes arise and the abscission zone begins to swell, preventing the flow of nutrients from tree to leaf and vice-versa. Following this, the zone begins to tear and the leaf falls off or is carried by the wind. A protective layer seals the wound, preventing water evaporation and any entry of bugs.
The shorter days which stimulate the abscission process also initiate another process in the leaves of certain trees, to produce a group of chemicals called anthocyanins, which are deep red or purple in colour. The red colours are used to conceal the shades of yellow which attract aphids. Effectively trees which are more susceptible to aphids, or are native to habitats where aphids are a problem, are able to confuse their enemies and survive until another spring.
Evergreens have adapted, protecting their needle-like foliage from freezing by adopting waxy coatings and natural "antifreezes" – but broadleaf plants, like sugar maples, birches, and sumacs have no such protections, resulting in them shedding their leaves. Before they shed their leaves, the plants first try to retain important nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.
Leaves contain carotenoids, a kind of natural pigment, which produce yellow, orange, and brown colours in plants. These carotenoids are always present but their colours are easily disguised by green chlorophyll, until autumn brings with it a shorter day and reduced temperature. Factors influencing nature's rate and general operation such as soil moisture and weather ensure that no two autumns are identical.
Cooler temperatures, shorter days, and the changing angle of the sun's rays upon the plant leaves are indicators for the plant to stop producing chlorophyll. The internal process being carried out in the leaves ceases, reducing the amount of green pigment. As the green pigment decreases, the other pigments play a more predominant role such as xanthophyll (a yellow pigment) and carotene (an orange pigment).
Observers have long noted, however, that the predominant colour found in autumn foliage in North America contains shades of red, while Scientists have long questioned why the main autumn leaf colour in North America is red and in Europe, yellow.
Of course the type of tree will come into play but this only slightly justifies this contrast. At Israel's University of Haifa and at the University of Kuopio in Finland, however, two scientists have recently proposed a theory based on geography, insects, and climate change to explain this observance.
The two professors in Finland have constructed their research around the idea that evolution during the Ice Ages influenced leaf colour. According to the researchers, large portions of the world were covered by evergreen jungles. As the climate shifted from tropical to cold and the Ice Ages began, dry spells were common and deciduous tree species evolved.
Their reasoning is that North America and East Asia contain mountain chains that run north-south, so animals and insects migrated southwards as the glaciers advanced as a result of the Ice Age. In Europe, the mountain chains run east to west, and insects and animals could not possibly migrate to escape the ice age. Over time, the trees adapted to the insects, the red leafed tree surviving better in the United States.
In Europe, however, the lack of migration meant that trees that couldn't survive the ice ages died, along with the insects dependent on them for survival. Therefore these trees maintained their common yellow colour in the autumn opposed to the predominant red colour visible in the U.S.
In other words, North American trees had adapted to repel insects and thrived to produce red leaf colours. In Europe, there was no need for the red to survive and the yellow emerged as predominant.
This theory is fairly recent, but it is intriguing that this evolutionary process may have in fact dictated the colour palette of our 21st century autumn. Trees are a monkey puzzle – a puzzling natural structure – and we still haven't figured them out to their full extent. Leaves' veins are effectively networks communicating with the surrounding ecosystem.
In the words of the famous poet Emily Brontë, "Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." Science voices itself in our global forest, each distinctive tone on each patterned leaf signifying change and the cycle's next revolution.


text: Hi all I'm new to the forum. Work have asked me to research Android tablets and given the budget, approx £100/$150, I'm looking at the low end of the market. Only requirements are at least a 7" screen and Android 3.0 or newer. There is so much out there and most are brands I have never heard of. Can anyone recommend something that stands out from the crowd? Is there a comparison somewhere?


text:
ROBERT SIEGEL, host:
From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Robert Siegel.
MICHELE NORRIS, host:
And I'm Michele Norris.
In northern Israel, there are very few physical reminders of last year's war with Hezbollah. Tourists have returned, hotels are fully booked. But many residents say life has not yet returned to normal and there are fears of a new conflict. Yesterday, we heard from Lebanon, a year after the war.
Today, NPR's Linda Gradstein is in Israel.
(Soundbite of people singing)
LINDA GRADSTEIN: About a hundred Israelis sit around a camp fire in a forest clearing less than two miles from the border with Lebanon. From here, you can clearly see the lights of several Lebanese villages.
Andy Friedman, who lives in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, has come here with his wife and three sons for a weeklong vacation.
Mr. ANDY FRIEDMAN (Tourist): Because it's beautiful, because it's green, because it's cool, because there are places to swim. It's a great time to be with the family.
GRADSTEIN: Friedman says his choice of a vacation destination was at least partly political, like almost everything in Israel.
Mr. FRIEDMAN: For us, there was a double push, if you will. One is to show Hezbollah, to show people that would have us not be here, that we are here and that we're not going anywhere. And number two is to give some support to the residents that are feeling very strongly that the country has not totally recovered from the war.
GRADSTEIN: One of the most popular pursuits here is kayaking down the Hatzbani River, which flows across the Lebanese border. Whole families crowd into the boats, laughing and yelling as they crash into riverbanks and other kayaks.
It's all music to Eitan Rahimi's ears. Rahimi is the general manager of the 120-room hotel at Kibbutz Hagoshrim. When the war broke out last year, all of the guests left. He kept the hotel open and it became a media center for journalists covering the war. Now, he says, the hotel is fully booked with Israeli families for the rest of the summer and into the fall during the Jewish holidays.
He says the memories of the war have quickly faded.
Mr. EITAN RAHIMI (General Manager, Kibbutz Hagoshrim): The memory of the people is short. We get used to back to the normal life quick as we can. You cannot all the time remember what happened, and we have to look forward.
GRADSTEIN: But not everyone here can do that. The nearby town of Kiryat Shmona was pounded with more than a thousand rockets during the war. Many of the residents like 52-year-old Morris Manan left, taking refuge with relatives in the center of the country. On the last day of the war, says Manan, a Katyusha scored a direct hit on his house.
Mr. MORRIS MANAN: (Through translator) Both the house and the air-conditioning business I had in the front yard were heavily damaged. My car was also burned. I've rebuilt the house but I haven't restarted the business. I just don't have the energy.
GRADSTEIN: Manan says the government compensation didn't cover his rebuilding costs, and he has to dig in to his savings. A part of the wall inside the front door remains unrepaired. He says he is not sure why he's left it that way.
The war began when Hezbollah guerillas captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid, prompting massive Israeli air and ground attacks. There's been no sign of life from either of those soldiers. Israeli media have reported that at least one of them is believed to have died from his injuries soon after his capture.
Getting the soldiers back was one stated aim of the war. The other was to destroy Hezbollah. But a year later, a senior Israeli military official says Hezbollah has rebuilt its medium- and long-range rocket capability. The official says that while the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers are now deployed in South Lebanon, Hezbollah has simply moved its operations a few miles northward.
Yossi Nahari sits in his deserted falafel shop in Kiryat Shmona. He's lived in this town for more than 40 years and he's certain another war is only a matter of time.
Mr. YOSSI NAHARI: (Through translator) From all the signs and everything we feel here, there could be a war any minute. The situation with the Syrians, Iran, with Hezbollah - if there isn't a war, that will be a miracle.
GRADSTEIN: Linda Gradstein, NPR News, Kiryat Shmona.
Copyright © 2007 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio record.


text:
By Andrew Anders • Photos by Joni Strickfaden
A motivation rooted in compassion
A journey born of determination
Discovery of the way of peace
in mind and body
Over a decade ago, I was presented with difficulty and blessed with the opportunity to learn about Reiki. What started out as a passing curiosity and sincere desire to help my ailing mother, turned into what is now a lifelong journey of healing and personal growth.
Coming of age in the '90s and early 2000s, I had unrestricted access to many unconventional ideas and perspectives, all via dial-up connection. This era of information introduced me to new age trends, Veritas communities, Eastern thought systems, Mayan prophecies, and so on. I read about all sorts of ideas, like healing with gemstones, guided meditation, visualization, and energy healing techniques. I was an open-minded kid with keys to a world much bigger than the south side of Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, my mother had been laid off again. She was a very sensitive, compassionate, and hard-working woman, proud to provide her fair share for the family. Apparently she was also quite stubborn, socially reserved, and set in her ways. Upon losing her second job after re-entering the workforce (she raised me and my siblings at home), she fell into a depression of the likes that I don't believe she ever recovered from.
Unable to provide and feeling the burden of a single-income household, my mother's stress turned into a very real and very uncomfortable pain. Despite numerous visits to the doctor, no single cause was found. Eventually, she was offered medication for her pain with no permanent solution in sight. I later learned this is another way to understand the expression "practicing medicine" — there are no guarantees.
One night I was startled awake by my Dad's voice, yelling for my older brother and looking for help. Mom was having a seizure and my father had no idea how to react. Unfortunately, this was the beginning of what would soon be an all-too-common occurrence. Calling the ambulance and rushing off to the hospital almost became routine after a few years.
Being young and naive, I decided the doctors knew nothing and that I would take matters into my own hands. Little did I know how literal that expression would come to be.
Discovering Reiki
My journey officially began upon seeing a co-worker waving his hands around a colleague. Upon further investigation, I learned he was "doing Reiki" to help her headache. No more than maybe a month later, he taught me his style and approach to Reiki.
Following this experience, I moved on with great interest, and pursued further education with the International Center for Reiki Training, earning certification in level 1 and level 2. The experience was life changing. I still had many questions, but that was for later. The top priority was to go home and hopefully heal my mother.
Thankfully, Mom was very open to my spiritual curiosity and studies. However, even with her support, in the many times I offered a healing session, Mom kindly declined, deciding she just wasn't ready for Reiki healing right at that moment. In my mind, this was nothing to worry about. I'd be there for her when she was ready.
In the years following, I played with Reiki techniques, satisfied with my certification and warm healing hands. Eventually, I pursued Reiki mastership, looking for a chance to "increase my healing powers."
No more than two months after completing the master level, my Mom suddenly passed away. I'd lost my chance to fix things. In one of my last moments of seeing her, I made a vow to do my best and help as many people as possible in her memory.
Toward Usui Reiki Ryoho
The vow I made pushed me headfirst into the world of all things Reiki. Despite being a "master" at that point, I realized just how little I really knew. So I set out to find the answers to the questions I still had, in pursuit to be the best practitioner I could be.
I traveled all over the U.S., beginning with an understanding of Reiki as a palm-healing "energy-medicine" technique. I eventually landed in Japan, the birth place of Usui Reiki Ryoho, with an understanding of Reiki as a deep inner practice for holistic healing in mind and body.
Usui Reiki Ryoho is a traditional Japanese inward-contemplative practice, established by Mikao Usui for healing in mind and body. Usui Shiki Ryoho is a later development based on Mikao Usui's method, generally emphasizing palm-healing techniques. The majority of modern "Reiki" traditions teach a variation of Usui Shiki Ryoho, highlighting palm-healing techniques for stress release and relaxation. Initially, I focused on this approach, and the motivation to trace it back to its origins pushed me to New England, in search of the early teachings of Hawayo Takata.
Hawayo Takata is a very important person in the history of Reiki. She brought the practice from Japan to America in the early twentieth century, teaching the methods of Usui Shiki Ryoho. One of her earliest students, John Harvey Gray, was still living and teaching students in the New Hampshire area, so I traveled there to take classes at his healing center. As Mr. Gray was quite advanced in age, I ended up training with Dr. Lourdes Gray, the late Mr. Gray's wife and now director of their Reiki center.
Dr. Gray stressed "Reiki with no short cuts," and taught level 1 and level 2 separately (they are usually taught together in a one-weekend seminar). Her classes referenced Mrs. Takata's teachings directly, while also introducing new age healing ideas, such as aura reading and chakra balancing.
Upon returning home from New England, I entered the Reiki therapy program at Beaumont Health System in Michigan. Their therapy program de-emphasized the origins and history of Reiki and helped me to understand it from an integrative medicine paradigm. Whereas Dr. Gray's method focused more on tradition, the Beaumont program emphasized research and statistical evidence.
After the Beaumont program, I went on to New York to study further, but eventually, I realized that despite all of my training, I still felt unclear about something — how Reiki "works." Although the word "Reiki" translates directly to "spiritual essence," it is often understood to be an almost magical hands-on, palm healing technique. None of my teachers offered a direct explanation for how it works and why, and instead focused on traditions and applications.
A Deeper Understanding
Later, I found the deeper understanding I was looking for in the traditional Japanese approach to Reiki, originally called Usui Reiki Ryoho (臼井靈氣療法). In this tradition, meditation is emphasized. Daily meditation with Usui's methods (precepts, breathing, symbols, etc.) allows a deeper embodiment of Reiki and promotes the body's natural healing potential. This holistic approach to Reiki changed my life. I realized that only by my own effort would I understand Reiki. Fewer teachings — more practice. With this, healing was much deeper and more effective, both personally and for others, allowing me a conscious way to be the best practitioner I could be.
After years of daily practice, I learned that Reiki is nothing esoteric or mystical. It's actually one of the most natural things we all have. A peaceful mind and healthy body doesn't require "magic," when we allow ourselves to be grateful for and compassionate to what's already inside and around us.
It is in the spirit of this understanding that I offer this writing and sincerely wish that all beings heal, be free, and be at peace in mind and body.
Andrew Anders is a professional Reiki teacher and Reiki practitioner trained in Usui Reiki Ryoho, Usui Shiki Ryoho, and Usui/Tibetan Reiki. He is also a 4th degree master instructor in two Korean martial art systems: Kukki Taekwondo and Hoijeon Moosool. He is the principal Reiki instructor at Washtenaw Community College, and conducts Reiki healing sessions and monthly practice circles out of the Lotus Center. Lastly, he pays the bills as a full time university programmer/analyst. He can be contacted at http://michiganreiki.org; email@example.com; or (734) 480-8107.


text:
Get help on our Front End Development projects.
getJSON() method (which is a just a shorthand for a specific use of the
ajax() method). unfortunately i don't have any good tutorials to direct you to, but i'm sure that if you google around, you should be able to find a ton of them.
:warning: omadoyeabraham already gave h4r1m4u points
'https://plnkr.co/edit/ZqTlS9su3ifIHiGxqmKx?p=preview' was loaded over HTTPS, but requested an insecure XMLHttpRequest endpoint 'http://nairuzabulhul.esy.es/data.json'. This request has been blocked; the content must be served over HTTPS.
$.getJSON('https://api.github.com/users/octocat', function (data) {