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How to Solve Failure Configuring Windows Updates, Reverting Changes Error
The issue we'll talk about today is not a regular one. But once in a while, when you come across this problem, it annoys you more than any other popular internet error. When you face this error, it would be written on your computer screen, Failure Configuring Windows Updates, Reverting Changes.
At first, it might feel annoying but once you learn to solve this issue, you would agree with us that, this annoying error code is quite easy to use.
Methods To Resolve Failure Configuring Windows Updates, Reverting Changes Problem.
If you have kept the auto-updater on, in your PC, then generally Windows updates itself automatically. But as I said, occasionally you could face this issue named Failure Configuring Windows Updates, Reverting Changes. This message is shown on a blue screen with a circle revolving next to it. This probably means that Windows is trying to revert the changes. But if you go by my experience, this process does not have any specific time limit. It could cause you a lot of your valuable time.
So, let's know about some handy methods, which would help you to conquer the Failure Configuring Windows Updates, Reverting Changes error.
Let's see how.
Yes, you can successfully handle this problem, by just keeping your cool. I could not, I know, but that's my bad. If you are patient enough to wait, then it could actually work in your favor.
Just don't panic and wait till your Operating System actually reverts back. But if you're of my kind, and get impulsive too easily, then you have enough options as well. Keep reading.
If you can't wait then the next best way is restarting your system. If it gives you the option of restarting in the middle of the Failure Configuring Windows Updates, Reverting Changes error, then good enough. If not then you'll have to hold the power button for 5-10 seconds to go for a force shutdown.
After successfully restarting your computer, go to Control Panel, click on Updates and try reinstalling the updates again. You can do this in the following way:
- Insert the Windows DVD in your DVD drive.
- Now you'll see the Setup window. Click on Install Now from there.
- Next, select the Go Online To Obtain The Latest Updates option and type your CD key.
- Now you'll have to select the operating system and click on Yes to accept the Microsoft rules and regulations.
- Now select Upgrade.
- Once the installation is done, restart your computer.
I don't know how familiar you are with the phrase "System Restore Point." This feature was first introduced in Windows XP. The whole point of creating this point is safety. It allows users to restore their system to a previous state, without losing any important files and documents.
Windows automatically creates a system restore point every week. But you can create it yourself as well. Here's how.
- First go to Start menu, right-click on Computer and then click on Properties.
- Now click on System Protection on the left, and you'll see a small window being opened.
- Here all you have to do is to click on Create. if you're using Windows 10, then you can directly search for Create a System Restore Point.
Windows has now created a System Restore Point. Now that I would take you through the following steps if by any chance, something goes wrong, all your files will be safe. but this method is optional, and if you're brave enough, you can directly start the fixing methods.
You can get rid of this issue by using Windows' inherent troubleshooter. This process is applicable for the Failure Configuring Windows Updates, Reverting Changes error in case of both Windows 7 and 8.
- First, go to Control Panel and click on Troubleshooting. For your convenience, select Large Icons in the View By section.
- Next click on Fix Problems With Windows Update under System And Security section.
- Now click on Next and wait for Windows to detect the problem.
- Now Windows Updater will detect the problem, solve it automatically and show you the results. And, you are done.
Sometimes, the update cache might be the reason behind the Failure Configuring Windows Updates, Reverting Changes error. In that case, you have to delete the Windows Update Cache.
Follow the below steps.
- Before deleting the update cache, you must stop two services, namely Windows Update Service and Background Intelligent Transfer Service. Unless you do that, Windows won't let you delete the cache files. To stop those services, go to the Start menu and search for "Services.msc" and press Enter.
- In the Services window, scroll down to find the above two services, that is, Windows Update Service and Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
- Click on them one by one, and under General section, you'll find the Stop option. Click on that to stop both the services.
- Now go to C drive (as it is where we generally install Windows). Then click on Windows and Software Distribution folders respectively.
- Then you'll see two folders, namely Data Store and Download. Delete everything inside these folders. This won't delete the updates you have installed before.
- Now start Windows Update Service and Background Intelligent Transfer Service the same way you have stopped them.
Now you've successfully deleted the Windows update cache, and hopefully, you have solved the problem as well.
We all might know about rebooting, but this one a bit different. So, you've to go through a few steps before rebooting.
- First, go to Start option, search for "msconfig" and press Enter.
- Now select Selective Start-Up and Unselect Load Start Up Items respectively.
- Then go to Services section and check the box beside Hide All Microsoft Services.
- Now select Disable All and Apply respectively.
- Now you can reboot your computer.
After the rebooting, you may re-run your Windows update to verify if the problem is solved or not.
Sometimes removable media like DVD, USB cable, Flash Drive, External Hard Disc, etc. Can create you the Failure Configuring Windows Updates, Reverting Changes error, so while restarting, make sure no removable media is connected to your device.
I found these methods useful. Now it is your turn to try them all. So, give these methods a try and see if they resolve the Failure Configuring Windows Updates, Reverting Changes error or not. And don't forget to let me know about your experience.
So give your feedback and stay in touch with us for more.


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Using an InjectableRF® electrode, ThermiTight® uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to heat tissue to a clinician-selected temperature to regenerate collagen. ThermiTight can be used on various areas of the body.
Single treatment
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Bringing accuracy in the attendance system
The manual errors while preparing the pay checks of the employees by the HR department are very obvious. The error could be termed as human error but these errors can deteriorate the morale of the employees who are present and are not paid accurately as per their attendance at the work place. Thus, there are software systems which are being used to register their attendance accurately in the software. Thus, you can have accurate time and attendance tracking system to make the right salary.
Types of software to register the attendance accurately
- Computer web browser: This is one of the methods of getting the attendance registered through the software to ensure accuracy.
- Biometric facial recognition time clock: This could be termed as the most accurate attendance system where no manipulation in the records is possible. As the software recognizes a person on behalf of his or her fingerprints or face thus ensuring the accurate attendance system.
- Mobile Apps: This is another system which is being used to ensure the accuracy of attendance for the employer to calculate the salary of the employees accurately.
- Touch tone application: This is the technology in which you send your attendance through your mobile phone. You may be asked to press specific keys on the touch pad and the same is registered in your name. Thus, when you press the keys the employer knows that you are present at the workplace.
Benefits of system for employees
- Accuracy in pay checks: When the attendance of the employees is registered through the software then he knows about the attendance and the chance of human error is erased completely. Hence, the pay checks are prepared accurately.
- Transparency in system: Since the attendance system is automatic and hence there is no possibility of error and can be shared with the employee in case of any doubt.


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Persevering Through Infertility and Depression: Persephone Maglaya's Fitness Story/
Mind the Mat is in the connection business. People not only train those core-connecting muscular systems that improve strength, but instructors and students alike also form deep connections and friendships at the studios. So it was no surprise that Persephone and I instantly bonded. Anyone who walks through the doors of Mind the Mat is family.
But one day, that connector of all connections, Facebook, announced that Persephone and I went to the same high school, James Madison in Vienna, Virginia! Although she graduated many years after I did (we won't go into detail) it was as if we were high school besties who had been reunited. Because of that bond, I was honored to be along for the ride with Persephone in her baby journey and we are thrilled she is sharing her story…
If you are like I was, you think that getting pregnant is a breeze. You got off birth control and bada-bing-bada-boom you are preggo. When a few months pass and reality sets in that perhaps there is more to this than expected, you feel like you are the only one sans-child while everyone around you is looking at their partner and getting pregnant. I was young, healthy, and fit, so surely this shouldn't be an issue, right?
I'll spare you the extensive nitty-gritty details, but after a series of tests, pricks, prodding, and misdiagnosis, I found myself in a dark depression after more than half a year of trying had led me to Dominion Fertility. Throughout this time, I needed an outlet, some way that would allow me to not hate myself and focus on my body's failure because, yes, this is how I was viewing my infertility at the time. I turned to Mind the Mat and SoulCycle to get my mind and body in check. While my husband and true soulmate and I continued on this journey of failed IUI after failed IUI, I channeled my energy to exercise in every possible form as the ultimate distraction.
After you have failed over and over, you can't help but think "this is my body failing me," so when our fertility doctor told us that we would need to switch our IUI to an IVF cycle, my expectations were low to quite low. So what did I do? I took to MTM even harder and sweat my soul out on the mat. Can we talk meds for a second? These fertility drugs are NO joke. They make you bloat almost immediately so I was highly incentivized to keep the sweat on to minimize this as much as possible.
When the time came for our egg transfer, we opted for only one fertilized egg implantation, which is uncommon, but we were in the mindset of having one child, period. While the 10-day wait is literally the longest wait of your entire life, we were so thrilled that our IVF had succeeded! We were pregnant. Hooray!
We saw the heartbeat, we felt great about it, and went to the Philippines for a vacation. When we returned we went for our second official sonogram when low-and-behold…they found another baby. That's right, I was pregnant with twins and — fun fact — there's only a one percent chance that when you put in one egg, it splits into two!
Now more than ever, staying healthy and fit was important. I was determined to have a fit pregnancy no matter what, so I continued my 4-5 times weekly workouts with appearances at Mind the Mat coupled with cycling . I pushed myself — despite nausea, exhaustion, and all the cute feelings that pregnancy has to offer — to get an hour of movement in each day. I added some higher intensity barre at Xtend Barre in Alexandria just for variety. The day I gave birth, I had taken a class at Xtend and felt a little weird afterwards.
June 29, 2017 my beautiful boys Laurent and Roman entered the world! After getting into the swing of things, I quickly regained the gusto to start working on my bounce back. Quick caveat — this is my journey — it's different for everyone. I listened to my body and never put myself in a compromising position. Within two weeks, I was able to walk up and down hills for 35-45 minutes. I finally built up my strength and confidence to go back to my home away from home, Mind the Mat, for my first post-partum barre class. It was slow, it was low impact, it was mentally and emotionally a huge twin Mama win. Day by day I started to add back more cycling, more barre, more strength-training, and snapped back to my pre-fertility treatment bod, which I credit 110 percent to the work I did before, during, and after.
Now reflecting back, I think about the days that I was too depressed to even get out of bed, but I did. Too tired to lift my 1-lb weight, but I did. Too "big" to hold my plank, but I did that, too. These studios were my therapy mind, body, and soul and continue to give me my safe haven and the inner strength to be the best mom, wife, and daughter I can be.


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Mother's Day Greeting Card - I love you mum
Christmas Greeting Cards
This birthday greeting card comes with a blank interior with a kraft envelope.
Message on the front card: "Merry Christmas"
Inside: blank
SIZE- A6 (105x148mm), printed full color on a premium uncoated 280gsm card to ensure high quality results. The stock we use to produce our cards have the FSC mark (the mark of responsible forestry) with 100% recycled paper envelopes.
This card is designed by Jonathan Sunarho, printed and assembled in Australia.
You could also buy mix and match cards in packs of 6 for great savings!


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Friday, August 17, 2012
Guess whaaat?
Check out the awesome newspaper that just came out!
Sorry there's not too much in this post Jammers ! I didn't have enough time because I'm busy with my family and all.. I'll write more soon! Also I'll be making AJD clubs! Such as the gem donation club, nonmember rights, and more. I also will be joining the Jamaa Movement from snowyclaw's blog! See ya Jammers.
Keep on Jammin'
P.S: Did you go somewhere on vacation? I went to Vermont and Florida! Where did you go? Leave your answer in the comments!
6 comments:
Yaay! You're finally back!! I really missed your posts! :DReplyDelete
And to answer the vacation question, I barely did anything this summer and didn't go on any real vacation other than camping. :\
I went to Dallas, Inks Lake, hmm..... i don't remember anything else! :PReplyDelete
YAY!! Your back! I missed the post! :)ReplyDelete
Hi, I would like you to meet my friend Bunny
( ^.^ )Say hi Bunny! Hai Everybody!
I made Bunny in charge of the comments.
Here are some things you shouldn't put in the comments that Bunny made. You must NEVER put them in comments or else Bunny never will post them (sometimes Bunny gets crazy and bites you if you don't follow the rules...ya I know.. he needs help O.e)
- Inappropriate Behavior or Content
- Bad Language or Personal Threats
- Being Mean to People
- Giving out personal Info
Thank U for following the rules. Also if you know me in real life, please don't say my name in any comments.


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Is it just me, or is it tricky to decorate for Fall and Halloween at the same time? I think September and November are for Fall with October for Halloween, but some don't "do" Halloween, and keep fall decor up the entire time! So I've got a bucket full of fun that I put up in September, took it down for the month, then back up in November. Anyone else? I'm sharing today some of my fall decor. I was contacted by Pier 1 recently to shop their Harvest Collection and share some of my favorite things. I was compensated for this post, but all opinions are 100% my own. I've also got a gift card giveaway at the end of the post!
I only have so many surfaces to place decorative items. On top of my piano and my mantel are the two main places. I was very excited about the tall wheat bundle in the picture above. I couldn't find the official name from the Pier 1 website, but I think it's pretty fab. I need height in my displays, I seem to have so many average/short pieces, it's nice to go taller. What about the scented wire owl? Mmmm, brings the fall right into my house with the cinnamon potpourri! The raffia multi tone pumpkin came in several sizes, this one fit just right.
I fell in LOVE with these adorable forest animals!!!
The Natural Hedgehog, baby porcupine, the fox, the raccoon–too much cuteness! I decorate my home with my kids in mind, and I knew they'd love them, too. I also nabbed the ornament tree to hang my forest animal ornaments, I love that I can even use it during the Christmas holiday with the versatile gold tone.
I was testing my decor out on my green console (our tv is held in the brown stained barn door above) and my piano. Notice the leaf serving bowl added to the mix. I love it on the easel or as a bowl.
Which do you like best??
I'm excited to pull it all out again on November 1st to guide me into Thanksgiving!!
Ok, now who loves Pier 1??? I've got a $50 gift card to a lucky person out there, enter to win below! If you see something you like online, there i a free shipping with code: SHIP4FREE
Kristen Duke
Latest posts by Kristen Duke (see all)
- KICK OFF SUMMER GIVEAWAY - June 1, 2014
- {Gluten Free} Strawberry Shortcakes - May 15, 2014
- How to Start a Photography Business: 25 Pretty Packaging and Branding Ideas - May 13, 2014


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Nicki Minaj's career keeps accelerating! Since her rise to prominence over 10 years ago, Nicki seems to get more and more popular by the day. The star currently has 77 million Instagram followers and has been juggling several different roles, a fashion and style pioneer, a recording artist, and now a model.
Minaj has just signed a deal with Wilhelmina International, one of the most successful modeling and talent agencies in the world. The agency is responsible for models like Gigi Hadid and promoting careers of celebrities like Shawn Mendes and Demi Lovato.
The rapper has joined the agency not long after making history for the most Billboard Hot 100 hits of any female artist in the history of recorded music.
Minaj, who is 34 now, told Vogue that she is up for the challenge.
"I love the synergy between my music and how it inspires my fashion," she said. "My message is always celebrating your own style. I'm thrilled and honored to have signed with Wilhelmina — they get me."
In a press release obtained by PEOPLE Magazine CEO of Wilhelmina, Bill Wachermann, claimed Minaj is a driving force in the world of fashion.
"We're thrilled to work alongside Nicki Minaj and her team," he said. "She is a style pioneer and icon."
Minaj is notorious for her ostentatious brand of style showcased in her music video's, on the red carpet, and even in appearances in movies like The Other Woman with Cameron Diaz and Kate Upton.
According to Vouge, Minaj has brought back the super long hairstyle that was once popularized by singers like Cher.
People in the fashion community have allegedly welcomed Minaj like a breath of fresh air for her original and audacious style and larger-than-life persona that is known to characterize her work.


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Running Time: 104 min.
Release Date: January 29, 2010
DVD: May 18, 2010
Current rating:
based on 0 votes
Rate Movie | Not yet Reviewed
Cast: Jean Dujardin, Michaël Youn, Sylvie Testud, Daniel Prevost, Alexandra Lamy, Melvil Poupaud, André Oumansky, Jean-François Balmer
Fearless gunslinger Lucky Luke (Jean Dujardin) is ordered by the President to bring peace to Daisy Town.
James Huth
Studio: TVA Films
Producer(s): Oscar Kramer, Sonja Shillito
Screenplay: James Huth, Sonja Shilito
Official Site: www.lucky-luke-le-film.com/


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Question one: How do you work with actors to create such strong performances?
Thank you for that question. What I do is I only work with actors who take full responsibility for their characters. There's never a moment in my process where I sit down and explain the character to the actor, I figure that that's their responsibility and their job. If they have any questions about their character from what they see in the script then that we should talk about beforehand, but other than that I like to go to the set and have the actors show up and start doing whatever it is they've prepared.
I like to start filming as quickly as possible. I like to get what the blocking is going to be like and then I like to start filming, rehearsing on film. It amazes me that so many directors rehearse so much - and with great effect I have to say - but I always have this terror that, "What if your actors do it perfect and you're not filming? What if they find exactly the best way to do it and you're sitting there waiting?" Where I do collaborate with the actor has more to do with ideas about a change this way or that way, an emphasis within the body of any particular scene, or maybe perceiving that doing it the crying way isn't working so suggesting doing it the laughing way. I also have a spoken agreement with the actors that this is okay with them. I very much want the actors to feel that they get to do the character the way they have prepared it, to their satisfaction on film. And they have to allow me to express a different way that I would like to see it done and they will do that wholeheartedly for me.
One of the reasons for that is that I feel that in terms of human relations this works better. Acting is by far and away the toughest job, in terms of film-making and maybe even the arts. How they do it I don't know, but they have to be allowed to get their satisfaction. Since bringing that rule in and realising that the best way to get my way is to let them get their way too, I've sometimes discovered in the cutting room that hey, they were right. So I get to get my ideas out of my system and they get to get their ideas out of their system and in the cutting room we find out what works.
Question two: How do you go about choosing composers for your films and how do you decide
that you're just going to use source music?
I was a sort of rock journalist - whatever that is - in London in the late '60s. It was a very exciting time to be a rock journalist, and because I was writing these columns in the music magazines, I got the opportunity to be a musical co-ordinator for Irving Allen, who was an American producer based in London. He was just finishing a film called Eye Witness, with Mark Lester in it, and the producer decided that he wanted a contemporary, kind of rocky, soundtrack. So he hired this stoned-out rock journalist - me - to find some musicians or bands or what have you. So I went to two of my favourite bands: Kaleidoscope, which did a very lyrical, beautiful, lush, emotion-filled music, and Vandergraff Generator. My idea was for Kaleidoscope to do the more romantic sequences in the movie, and Vandergraff Generator were real freak-outs so they could do the suspenseful, terrifying schemes. Ironically, the fact is that Kaleidoscope wound up doing stuff far freakier for the suspense scenes. So I don't know.
In terms of casting a composer, well, I wanted to work with David Byrne because we had such a good time doing Stop Making Sense together. I wanted to warm him up for Bertolucci so that he could get his Oscar nomination, so he did Married to the Mob.
With Beloved, I had been in touch with Rachel Portman because I admired her work so much, and it struck me as great that I'd have a woman to score Beloved. The irony there is that this movie is very much about motherhood, in addition to the other things, and Rachel ended up doing the score while pregnant and having the child and that whole process. It's wall to wall music, and so amazing what she did.
THE GUARDIAN: It's interesting though because a lot of noted directors, especially those who care
so passionately about music as you do, can often work with the same composer over and
over and over again, but you seem to have distinctly decided not to do that. Instead
you've selected a composer per film and put source music and baroque music in it. That's
quite uncommon for a director in some ways, because we know big directors - depending
on scheduling - often work with the same people.
Well I love to work again with someone who I've had a great experience with. In fact, Tak Fujimoto who shot Beloved is one such person. I think this is our thirteenth movie together or something like that. And I do love that, but I also feel that the only thing more gratifying than working with someone who you've worked well with is working with someone new and coming up with something great. Music's tricky too. I think cameramen are always looking for something different to do, but composers seem to have some kind of musical demon to get out of their system and are looking for ways to do this. That probably doesn't make any sense at all. In fact I don't buy it. Next question...
Question three: When you're filming do you know you're onto a good thing?
You finish the day's work and then you go onto dailies and see what you shot yesterday. Usually you go into dailies really tired from the day's work. You got up far too early, you've been working hard and you've had a lot of strain and stress. And if the dailies perk you up again and get you all excited and looking forward to the next day's work then you know you're onto something good. So I think that that's the best gage.
Also, while it's happening, the first three or four movies I made I was always so astonished that I had made it through the process and my name was on the movie. I never had any training as a director and had never aspired to be a director and kind of fell into it in strange kinds of ways, so I didn't really understand what directors were supposed to do. Over time I've come to understand that the trick of making really great movies is to try to find a script that has potential to be a splendid movie in one way or another and then working with fantastic people in all areas. The more you get into that trip, the more the director can relax and enjoy what is going on.
When we made Beloved, more than any other time previously, we got to a certain point in the day, and the cameras rolling, and you realise that there's theatre going on. I feel that I don't even have to wait for dailies now. If you find yourself transported by what's happening then it's got to be good. Well, you've got to believe that it's got to be good anyway.
Question four: Would you call yourself an independent film-maker or would you sign the
three-picture deal with Paramount if the money were right?
You mean if the money was really right? Well it's complicated. I think yes, yes, yes. I mean, Storefront Hitchcock was a Clinica Estetico production - that's a company I'm involved with and our office is paid for, is always being paid for, by one of the big movie studios. In return for that we have to go to them first with any idea that we find interesting - whether it's a script we come across or a story in a magazine, whatever. So long as it isn't tied up elsewhere, we're obliged to take it to Universal - currently that's whom we're working with. So I do have a deal like that, but there's no pressure to make a movie because of that. The pressure is to find something that can be a successful movie to justify the investment they make in keeping the office running all the time.
I think we're very independent though. We're developing a certain amount of exciting ideas for Universal - one with Paul Thomas Anderson (director of Boogie Nights) and various other people - and we're shooting a $3 million, extremely independent movie in New York called The Opportunist, which Christopher Walken is starring in. And hey, we did Storefront Hitchcock and we make documentaries on videotape, so we do all kinds of stuff. I think we are as independent as they get, but we're also deeply enmeshed in the bowels of the industry, as well, because they pay our bills.
Question five: I love the book Beloved, but is the movie compromised at all because it
has been made by such a big company like Buena Vista?
Not in the slightest. We were allowed to make exactly the movie - to the best of our ability - we wanted to make. There are two reasons for that. One of them is that this was a cherished project for Oprah Winfrey. Even Toni Morrison told her, you'll never make a movie out of this book, and I don't know why you want to buy it. Oprah was just utterly committed both to making the movie and playing the part. She has a tremendously successful television show, of course, in America, and that's all very involved with ABC and Disney. So, on one level, Oprah and what she does is such a corporate asset - in the best sense - for Disney and ABC that I can imagine few people there wondering whether to back Oprah's vision here or not! That's one thing.
The other thing is that the guy who was most responsible for running Disney films is a guy called Joe Roth, and he was desperate to make this movie. The only pressure we got from him was to make sure we gave it our collective best shot. So there was no tampering. This is it.
Question six: Do you have final cut?
Yes. It's a beautiful thing to have. Let me elaborate slightly on that. Being the kind of collaborative film-maker that I am I really do believe that it's not just one person making a movie it's a whole bunch of people. My realization is that other people can have ideas as good as mine and sometimes even better. So it's easy to be a sponge-like open receiver of good ideas when you have final cut, because you can take and choose what you want. After having the experience that I had with Swing Shift this is very important. The next film I made after that was at Orion Pictures - who aren't around anymore - and they were noted for giving an implicit final cut to film-makers. Orion's thing was, we're financiers, you're the film-maker, we trust you, and we don't give notes. Starting with Something Wild I had a de facto final cut anyway. And with the success of The Silence of the Lambs, that we did for Orion, my agents were able to build this final cut into the contracts.
Question seven: Why do you make films?
Hey, it's what I do... Well, gosh I don't know. I feel that I need a deep answer to that. I suppose it's because I love movies. I love humanity and I'm fascinated with the way humanity gets at each other, in good ways and bad, and as a film-maker it gives me the opportunity to trip out on that. I love visual things. It's a very exciting job to have.
I don't have an agenda, particularly, although from movie to movie there's a momentary agenda. I really wanted to make a movie that addressed the issue of AIDS. A friend of mine, who I love very much, got AIDS and it really got me in a very intense way how tough life was for people with AIDS. Again Ed Saxon and Ron ... who wrote it had similar motivations to say something like that, and to say something about the unspeakable discrimination that was being visited on people with Aids who were up against a very heroic, tough struggle to begin with. With Beloved, I was given the opportunity to have very intense personal feelings about race relations and the state of racial affairs in my country and indeed the world. I had very strong feelings, so the chance to make a film that deals in an imaginative way with stuff you care tremendously about is a real high. It's a really amazing thing to be able to do.
THE GUARDIAN: And rock and roll is the lighter side in that sense...
One of the most significant scenes in any movie for me is in Sullivan's Travels when the director wants to make really meaningful movies. He winds up through a series of events taking a walk on the wild side and ends up imprisoned in this hideous work camp in the South and he's there and they show a movie that night. And he sees all these tragic, broken people laughing at the comedy on the screen, and he looks around and he realizes that that's what he should have been doing all the time. There's no greater gift in this kind of field than to make people laugh their socks off.
Question eight: How much artistic control do you give your editors and how do you choose
your editors?
Well until Storefront Hitchcock and Beloved, I'd only worked with one editor since the Melvin and Howard days, which was about twenty years ago. This was an incredibly gifted editor named Craig McKay who is now directing - he's decided now, damn him, to direct!
I give the editor full creative control on the first cut and by the end of the editing process I know exactly why every single cut is exactly on what frame it's on. The "why cut there?" is such a huge question in the making of a movie. Why not sooner or why not later. At first I tried to give the editors a lot of notes about how I wanted them to put the scene together. But once you start working with gifted editors you can always get to see it the way you want to see it - because you're the director - but you only arguably get to see a very gifted editor's first take on this material that's coming in. So I long ago stopped doing that. Now I'm dying to see what the editor is doing to it. We discuss it now, and stand side by side and get a feel for it. I feel it's a director's job to question every take, unless it's really working great.
Question nine: Will we ever get to see the director's cut of Swing Shift?
You must have read that article in Sight and Sound. That was great! When Swing Shift came out the critics universally trashed it, even some of those critics that I particularly admired and even some that I had previously considered almost friends. This motif was running through the reviews: this guy looked as though he had some kind of promise, but looking at this thing, forget about it. And I thought, my God, if my work is bad, then trash me, but this isn't even my work. There was nothing I could say about it. You can't go whining to the press. But then somehow a videotape of the original - the scripted movie - found its way over to Sight and Sound and an article was written saying it was very good the original way. And it went to great pains to enumerate why it was much better than what Warner Brothers had done. But it will never be seen anywhere, because now the videotape's all faded out and the Warner Brothers post-production people trashed all the out takes and our version as soon as I lost control, so you'll just have to take my word for it that it was really something!
Question ten: What advice would you give film students if they really want to become
a director?
To get their hands on a video camera and photograph things that interest them - either make up stories or find a subject. Become a film-maker. The more radical people would say, if you can't buy one, steal one... whatever, but just start filming, because then you're a film-maker. And if you've got something going on then you can get these things seen by agencies and production companies and it happens every day, somebody with that particular kind of drive ends up getting a chance to do it that way.
Question eleven: Did you look at Robyn's concert video from the 1980s before you made
Storefront Hitchcock?
No, I didn't want to pollute my thing. For me it isn't good to do that kind of research. In fact, when I did The Silence of the Lambs I started watching the previous Thomas Harris movie which had Hannibal Lecter in it and, not that it was good or bad, ten minutes into it I suddenly felt that I shouldn't be seeing it. It was the same with Storefront Hitchcock. We diligently tracked down all of Robyn's videos and I started looking at them and again I thought I don't want to see these. I wanted the memory of what he was like in performance and do it as seems best at the time.
Question twelve: Are you interested in the new multi-media technology?
No. I know I should be, but no!
Question thirteen: What's happening with The Silence of the Lambs sequel?
Thomas Harris, author of The Silence of the Lambs, has been working on his new book for the last seven or eight years.
THE GUARDIAN: It's been announced that it's coming out several times hasn't it?
Every couple of years, though it's not necessarily true. Thomas and I have become quite good friends and he's - amazingly - a very delightful man and I don't think that he would mind me telling you this story. I went to visit him in person before shooting the last scene of the movie, because I thought it really important to be as faithful as possible to that book. I thought that the book was so powerful and I didn't want to fall into the trap of trying to improve it in the making of the movie. Now the book ends in a certain kind of way. If you've read it you'll know that it just sort of wafts away. It hits a certain kind of climax with the confrontation between Jame Gumb and Clarice Starling and then there's a series of letters that are exchanged. It ends in a very fascinating way for a book but which wouldn't work, we didn't think, on film.
I had this idea of taking what the book did, which was that in the letters there was a very serious kind of threat to Doctor Chilton, the former keeper of Doctor Lecter, from Doctor Lecter, so we tried to play on that. Ted Tally, the author of the screenplay, and I came up with this idea. But I felt that I didn't want to make this major departure and shoot the ending without Tom Harris's blessing. I'd spoken with him on the phone a couple of times. During our first conversation, I'd told him that when we were having the first cut of the movie he was invited to come and look at it because I'd value the author's criticism - because he'd be likely to be the toughest critic. And he said, "Don't take this the wrong way, I'm glad you're making the movie, but I'll probably never see it." And I asked him why and he said an interesting thing. He said that he read in an interview with John le Carre that after le Carre saw Alec Guinness play Smiley that he could never write Smiley again. This was a character that he thought he would write for the rest of his life, but Alec Guinness had stolen Smiley from him. And he told me this in a very salutary way, because Harris likes to revisit his characters and he didn't want something like that to happen, especially in the hands of someone like Anthony Hopkins. So he gave us his blessing and decided he probably wasn't going to see the movie.
He was very soft spoken on the telephone, a real Southern gentleman, and finally I phoned him up and said I need to come and see you, because I need to get permission to change the ending. So my wife and I went to visit him at his house in Miami Beach. We went outside and had a little food and were chatting, and he was very soft spoken and intense and interesting. And I finally said, "By the way Tom, I need to talk to you about a possible change to the ending to the film." And he says, "I tell you what John, why don't we go to the rose garden and talk about this." And he picks up these great big shears and says, "Well, John, you know, if you're going to make a departure from the book..."
And he told me an interesting thing. I told him that I pictured Hannibal Lecter going to a tropical country, not unlike Haiti and he said the greatest thing. He said, "Well Jonathan, I'll tell you, I imagine Doctor Lecter going to somewhere in Europe. My image is of him strolling round the back streets of Florence or Munich, gazing in the windows of watchmakers. But I'll tell you, if he did go to the tropics he wouldn't sweat!" So if you ever see the movie, you'll notice that everybody's perspiring profusely in the last scene, except Doctor Lecter. Anyway, those of us who made the first movie hope that we'll get the chance to make a movie of his work in progress, which may be finished in a year or so and which we believe includes Doctor Lecter. But my hunch is that it won't be a straight sequel. I don't think that he's the kind of writer to do it that way.
What a tantalizing prospect. I think we've got time for one last question.
Question fourteen: When you cast Tom Hanks in Philadelphia did you think that it was a gamble?
I guess you mean a creative gamble because he'd essentially done lighter parts thus far. We got the script to a place where we felt we could go forward. Sony Pictures were our parent company at the time and financed the development of it. They were adamant that a movie that was going to be about AIDS and homophobia in some way or other - subjects that they didn't think moviegoers were hungering to visualize - really needed some kind of terrific acting and star power. The part that Denzel Washington played was written very much in the hope of attracting someone like Robin Williams or Bill Murray, someone with a comedic profile. We understood what we were up against in getting an audience for a movie about AIDS so we thought that if we could get someone who could send a funny signal - and this character would certainly be amusing - that would be a step in the right direction.
We started seeing actors and a number of things happened. A lot of actors didn't really want to consider playing a gay man with AIDS at that stage. So two things happened. One was that our producing partner, Gary, was on a plane with Denzel. He read the script and called up and said he wanted to play the part of Joe Miller, which really thrilled me. Denzel is obviously one of the great American actors and the idea of casting a black man in that part was fantastic. I got on the phone with Denzel and said that I was very excited by his interest but that we'd really envisaged a comedian playing the part, and he said, "Jonathan, I'm hilarious!" And I said, "This character was written picturing a white man, do you think we have to do any work on this script if we choose to cast you in this movie about prejudice and what have you?" And he said, "Do you?" And I heard myself say, "No", and he said, "Good, I don't either."
But Denzel at that point couldn't get a movie off the ground on his own - well not on that subject anyway. Then we got a phone call that Tom Hanks was going to be in New York, where we were based, and he would love to come by, just for a general meeting. So we thought, great. And we were actually in the editing room, editing our latest Haiti documentary, about the quest for democracy in Haiti, and Tom came in. And we chatted a little bit, and then I walked him to the elevator and he told me he'd read the script for Philadelphia. I wasn't looking for someone like Tom at that time, but he said he'd read it and he'd love to throw his hat in the ring for the part of Andrew. By the way, he said, in case I thought that he'd be appropriate, his agents had been told that the price was not the object. So he was essentially saying that he wanted to play the part and he knew that we had to keep the price down because of the subject matter. By the time I got back to the cutting room from the elevator, I was thinking, my God, we can actually get this movie made.
I trusted that Hanks would be really good, but I have to say he was even better. I thought he was magnificent in the movie, and I never imagined him being as good as he was.
THE GUARDIAN: I think at that point, with that very interesting answer, we're going to have to wrap.
But I still haven't asked you what the significance of the traffic cones is in Storefront
That'll be revealed in the sequel to Storefront Hitchcock.
I'd like to thank everyone for coming out on a school night. Thank you so much.


text:
Teatergaten 37
5010 Bergen
Every year since 1991, a massive feat of engineering (or should that be ginger-neering) has taken place in the heart of Bergen, as the world's largest gingerbread town rises from the ground. This year is no different.
For the 27th time, local kids and volunteers will be united in the spirit of Christmas, constructing this tasty treat of a town made from hand-baked houses, trees, ships and cars.
A lot of the sweet material is delivered from kindergartens and schools in the area, and everyone who takes part is granted free access to the final display (and so are all kids aged 12 and under). This is a mmm-magical wonderland like no other.
Pepperkakebyen, as it's called in Norwegian, is traditionally set in a historic building in the city centre, but this year might be the last one at this iconic location at Teatergaten 37, as the building is about to be refurbished.
Several other cities around Norway are making their own gingerbread towns this year, but this one in Bergen is the best of them all. As icing on the cake, a selection of gingerbread will be for sale too, so you can get your own bite of Bergen! NB: the gingerbread town will be closed on December 25th.
See also:
Visiting Bergen on a budget


text: Weakness in Asian and European bourses are weighing on stock futures in the early going, suggesting U.S. share markets will stumble out of the gate Wednesday. December S&P futures are shedding 4.90 to 879.90, which is about 3 1/4 points below fair value, according to figures provided by HL Camp & Company. Nasdaq 100 futures are down 8.50, or about 7 3/4 points below fair value, at 996.00. Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei 225 Index closed Wednesday at a 19-year low, and London's FTSE 100 and Germany's Xetra Dax were recently down 1.3 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively.


text:
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Our Primary Industries - Unpacking the Apple Story
The humble apple has come a long way since it was first planted in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1819. Did you know that New Zealand is now considered the best apple growing country in the world? During this field trip you will follow the journey of the world's tastiest apples from a Hawke's Bay orchard to the shopping baskets of discerning consumers all around the world.
More info and enrol at http://rata.learnz.org.nz/summary.php?vft=primaryindustries192.


text:
New stuff online
Tuesday June 17th 2008, 3:42 pm
Filed under: News
Filed under: News
We've been very busy getting more of our finding aids and research guides (those things that tell you what we have in our special collections and manuscript collections) online. If you want to get a good idea of what we have in our library, try these featured guides:
- Beauty Pageant Collection
- Spider-Man Collection
- Star Trek Memorabilia Collection
- Somerville Gates Collection
We have many other online guides to help you with our collection. Take a look at our Pop Culture Research Guides!


text:
'Identity Thief'
Someone is going to let Melissa McCarthy realize the comedic promise she showed in Bridesmaids one day, right? Someone -- anyone -- in Hollywood has to see that there's more than her to lowbrow slapstick gags, right? Here's hoping, a sentiment that will require me to forget about Identity Thief just as soon as I have completed my review of it if I'm to fully commit to it.
McCarthy, in what amounts to her first starring role in a feature film, plays a small-time con woman who draws do-gooder-to-a-fault Sandy Patterson (Jason Bateman) into her orbit after she steals his identity and runs up enormous credit card bills under his name. Patterson decides to drive from Denver to Florida to apprehend her personally. His initial success in convincing her to trek back to Colorado sets up what I can only presume director Seth Gordon thought would be "comedic hijinks."
I can accept the borderline insane decision by Bateman's character to leave his wife and children at home while he tracks down a criminal alone. Sometimes absurd comedy requires an absurd, nonsensical decision by one of its characters to get things moving. What was difficult to swallow was pretty much everything else.
McCarthy's signature punchline is a little too literal for my taste -- she punches just about anyone who tries to hold her accountable for her actions in the throat. She's loud, obnoxious and ridiculous throughout, but not in an amusing way. It hardly seems like it's her fault given the material she's working with.
Bateman meanwhile is a watered-down version of Michael Bluth, a straight man in a film that doesn't generate enough laughs to merit a character meant to contrast the outrageousness taking place all around him.
Finally, we have yet another comedy that tries to make hay out of the economic misery that has pervaded America and the rest of the world for the last half-decade. Bateman is a timid accountant motivated to chase McCarthy by the prospect of his own financial ruin. McCarthy, meanwhile, is an orphan with no support system; it's easy to understand why she's stealing credit card information. I wouldn't say it's impossible to turn that misery in to laughs, but I would say that there isn't a good track record to support the idea that it's easy.
Identity Thief is monumentally lousy addition to that poor track record and it does nothing with McCarthy's considerable potential, making it quite the waste of time.


text:
Dokk1nfo (2016-present)
A book finding tool for the largest public library in Scandinavia, Dokk1.
Groundwork for a New Data-Driven Formulation of a Simple Dynamic Wind Farm Model (2015-2016)
My master's thesis.
SunPi (2014-2015)
The SunPi is a completely selfcontained solar powered Raspberry Pi (B+)
NavNav (2015)
A tool for navigating the Navitas building at Aarhus University.
TeString (2014-2015)
A guitarpedal that was supposed to be able to tell the user how worn their strings were. Concept works but has no real commercial value.
Mekanisk slidindikator for musikstrenge (Wear indicator for musical strings) (2012)
My bachelor's thesis: The theory to support TeString.


text:
COLOMBO, Dec. 28 — Sri Lankan authorities are still struggling to assist over 300,000 people affected by floods and repair vital infrastructure to provide relief efficiently, an official said here Friday.
According to the Disaster management Center 342,810 people from 93,435 families have been affected since December 18 when torrential rain caused flash floods and landslides in many parts of the country.
At the height of the crisis 16 out of the 24 districts in the country were affected.
"There have been 42 deaths while 21 people have sustained injuries. A total of 24,502 people of 6,989 families had been evacuated to 148 shelters across the country," DMC spokesman Sarath Lal Kumara told Xinhua.
The floods and landslides in almost all districts of the country had damaged 4,172 houses completely and 10,457 houses partially.
Opposition parties have criticized the government for not assisting affected people. They charge that relief distribution is not taking place efficiently in rural areas with most families having to depend on relatives for help.
However, Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has denied these charges and told local media that every effort is being made. He had insisted that army and navy personnel are also being used to distribute relief, rebuild roads and repair dams in flooded areas. (PNA/Xinhua)


text:
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text:
Date(s) - Jul 20, 2017
10:00am - 4:00pm
This one day workshop provides frameworks and strategies for managing your digital marketing. With practical hands-on application to start developing your digital marketing roadmap.
This assumes some knowledge of digital marketing and / or attendance at the earlier masterclass, digital marketing essentials.
The day starts with a framework to construct your digital marketing plan, based on the knowledge of the current digital status of your business.
You will develop customer segments, that more closely match your business ambitions and will review the customer journey, in particular the 'path to purchase' and remove unnecessary roadblocks, as well as identifying other marketing activity needed. During the day you will learn how to create clever digital marketing objectives that work, using a framework to ensure these are sustainable and meet the company's overall targets. This leads into the understanding of how to construct your digital marketing strategy and identify the resources required to achieve your objectives.
If you bring your laptop or tablet, you will be able to use a range of templates to start creating the plan during the workshop.
You will conclude the day developing a digital action plan to take back into your business.


text:
Matthew Week 1: Day 2
Pray and Read:
Pray that God will use his word to shape your mind, affect your heart and change your actions. Read Matthew 23:1-4
Who is Jesus speaking to?
In verses 2 & 3 Jesus performs a rhetorical balancing act – what do you think he is trying to achieve?
How do you think the 'teachers of the law' and 'the Pharisees' place 'heavy and cumbersome loads' on the people's shoulders?
Jesus distinguishes between the importance of the read word of God (v 3a) and the actions of those who read it (3b). The sinful lives of those who read and teach the scriptures do not, in any way, change or denigrate the message of hope and love we share in Christ.
In the case of the Pharisees, they were prescribing additions to the requirements of God's word that made it hard for everyday Israelites to follow God. To make matters worse, it seems that the Pharisees themselves weren't living out their own prescriptions.
We can take two things from this short passage:
1. Jesus himself has already spoken about who God's people should look to as the perfect teacher. In Matthew 11:29-30 he encourages his followers to "29 take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." No only is Jesus the perfect teacher but his teachings will not cause his followers to stumble under extra weight.
2. Making human additions to God's word is always a mistake. We find warnings about 'Gospel +' and how this can lead a believer down a path of self reliance. (Galatians 1:6–9)
Thanks God for Jesus, our ultimate teacher and the one we can follow confidently
Pray that God would help you to fully devote yourselves to the life and teaching Jesus calls us too
Pray that the Christian leaders you know will lead in a way that glorifies God and points people to Jesus


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One of the things I love about Aaptiv is that they put out new challenges for everyone every so often. For the month of October, the challenge is 5k Your Way! I talked a little bit about this before, but I wanted to share more about it here so that you can join in the challenge too!
The whole point of 5k your way is to help you accomplish a goal of running a 5k however you want. Treadmill, elliptical, walking, running, trying to PR, any way you can think of. There are three different levels you can choose to start from. And each level has workouts to help you and push you so you can reach your goal.
One thing I really love about these programs is that it's not just running! A lot of times when you find a running training schedule or plan it doesn't incorporate strength training in there so you have to find where to add it in your schedule and what to do. Each of these plans includes strength into the plan so there really is NO work in planning on your part. You just push start and go!
Then, on October 27 you will participate in a 5k race where ever/whenever you are! By completing the challenge, you could win a home gym or one of 10 runners-up prizes. You can sign up HERE.
Once you sign up, You find the 5k training program.
Choose 5K Your Way
And then choose the level you're wanting to start at.
This year I won't be able to run it this year, because my knee is not happy right now. I need to take this time to really focus on strength training. But, where ever you are at in your training, this would be a great way to meet your goals. And it's FREE! So there's nothing to lose.
Around this time of year, I usually start to pull back on my mileage and just run when my body feels like it. I focus more on strength training or just really listening to my body and what I feel like doing.
If you're interested in doing the 5K Your Way program, you can sign up HERE. If you're looking for an awesome app that helps you workout and stay in shape, you can find that HERE.
How do you keep yourself in shape through the winter?
Have you ever done a virtual 5K?
This will be my first one!


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By: Maggie Leonard
Luke 4:1-13
Reflection—v. 12, do not put the Lord your God to the test
I'd even venture to say, don't put anyone to the test—especially not God. Can we ever test one another and be loving? I think not. When we test one another, we're usually pushing one another toward non-life-giving options. Testing someone is manipulative. To test someone is to set her up for failure for no other reason than to appease one's own gratification or peace of mind. It's a terrible thing to drag one another into extreme situations in life. So many plot-lines of movies, books, and shows revolve around one person testing the goodness/fidelity/love of another, I fear that we don't always see the 'test' as the manipulation that it is. Moreover, to try and define one another through these extreme situations is to reduce another to their lowest or most charitable action—neither is a look at that person in their entirety. In addition to considering what we are tempted by this Lenten season, it might also be helpful to consider who do I tempt? Who do I test? With whom do I bargin? God? A friend? A significant other? A parent? A child? Instead of testing one another, may we each usher one another toward love, good-decisions, and well-being.
Prayer Author of life, help me to trust in the goodness of each of your children. When I feel insecure, may I pull closer to you, not away from others.


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The National LGBT Bar Association, the largest organization of LGBT and allied legal professionals in the country, has announced that Romulo L. Diaz Jr., vice president and general counsel of PECO, will receive the organization's Out & Proud award, which recognizes legal professionals who advance LGBT equality by creating more secure and welcoming workplaces.
The LGBT Bar praised Diaz for his advocacy for the LGBT community.
"Through his work with PECO and his long history of advocating for LGBT equality both in Philadelphia and nationally, Romy has opened doors and broken down barriers," D'Arcy Kemnitz, executive director of the LGBT Bar, said in a statement. "As an out and visible leader within Pennsylvania's largest electric and natural gas utility, and through his service on civic and nonprofit boards in Pennsylvania and across the country, his career has been focused on service, community and the law. We're excited to honor him and recognize his contributions as an attorney and an advocate."
Diaz serves as the chief legal officer of PECO and oversees its team of attorneys, as well as the company's claims department. In 1993, he was appointed deputy chief of staff and counselor to the U.S. Secretary of Energy. In 1998, he was appointed by President Clinton to serve as assistant administrator for management at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. From 2005-08, he served as the city solicitor of Philadelphia.
Diaz said he was very surprised by the news of the award.
"I think it's a great organization," he said. "I was in New York last week for their annual Lavender Law Conference. It's a phenomenal organization. It has great grassroots, corporate and law-firm support. It's a wonderful and humbling honor."
Diaz added that PECO has recognized his award and continues to support his efforts to promote LGBT equality.
"Folks here are aware of it," he said. "We have certainly recognized it and I'm sure it will be reflected in our internal communications as these honors normally are. My way of thinking wouldn't have been possible without the company's support. PECO and our corporate parent, the Exelon Corporation, have been extremely supportive of me and our LGBT employees in the company."
Diaz noted that the company has sponsored the Lavender Law Conference and taken steps "here at the company that should make the community proud of the leadership shown by PECO and Exelon."
Diaz will receive The National LGBT Bar Association's Out & Proud Award Sept. 18 at a reception at Hotel Palomar, 117 S. 17th St. For more information, visit www.LGBTBar.org.


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Dependency-Track incorporates an enterprise-class auditing workflow engine capable of keeping track of audit history, comments and analysis decisions for all findings. Auditing can be performed on a per-project basis, or globally on components themselves.
Project Auditing
If a project relies on specific components, the project has a 'dependency' on those components. Project auditing is the process of triaging findings on the dependencies for each project.
Audit decisions, comments, and audit history performed on a project only affect the findings for said project.
The VULNERABILITY_ANALYSIS permission is required to perform project auditing.
Component Auditing
Dependency-Track includes the ability to globally modify metadata for components. This affects all projects that have a dependency on the components being modified. Like all global component metadata, audit decisions made at the component level have a global effect on all projects that use those components.
Audit decisions, comments, and audit history performed on a component affect all projects that have a dependency on said component. Suppressing findings on individual components will suppress the finding for all projects that have a dependency on the component.
The VULNERABILITY_ANALYSIS and PORTFOLIO_MANAGEMENT permissions are required to perform global component auditing.


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Many of you have been asking for intuitive and psychic development classes. We heard you, and are excited to announce a very special visit from medium Julie MacDonald! Julie is a minister, author, teacher and trance medium who resides in Massachusetts. Some of you may remember her from her wildly popular events and sessions the last time she visited Evolve, in April of 2016. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an exceptionally gifted teacher and medium!
In her Intuitive Unfoldment Level One course, you will learn about the following:
- Intuition basics.
- Different ways people receive messages.
- The personal, inborn talents of each individual, known as the "Clairs:"
- Clairvoyance. (clear seeing)
- Claircognizance. (clear knowing)
- Clairaudience. (clear hearing)
- Clairempathy. (clear emotional feeling)
- Clairgustance. (clear tasting)
- Clairsentience. (clear physical feeling)
- Clairtangency. (clear touching)
- Clairsalience. (clear smelling)
- Discerning messages and information.
- Controlling and directing your connection/intuition.
- Protecting yourself from negative energies and spiritual vampires.
- Raising your vibrational frequency for more ease of connection and clarity.
In her Expanded Intuitive Unfoldment Level Two course, you will learn about the following:
- Increasing your energy sensitivity, control, and protection.
- Working with others.
- Construction and format of delivering messages.
- Ethics.
- Ancestral Connections.
- Calling in help: sources of divine guidance: angels, guides, etc.
- Meditation and communion.
- Dream travel.
- Boundaries.
- Shortcuts to achieving greater clarity.
- Quick access and the "spirit interview process."
Registration info:
Intuitive Unfoldment Level One with Julie MacDonald
Saturday, September 29th from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, September 30th from Noon – 5:00 pm
This class is open to all levels, anyone can join.
Expanded Intuitive Unfoldment Level Two with Julie MacDonald
Saturday, October 6th from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 7th from Noon – 5:00 pm
Prerequisite: This class requires completion of Intuitive Unfoldment Level One, or permission of instructor.
Intuitive Unfoldment Level One: $225
Expanded Intuitive Unfoldment Level Two: $250
Earlybird special: If you register and prepay for both weekends prior to September 15th, your total price is just $425 (a savings of $50). After September 15th, the price for both classes is $475.
To register:
Please visit https://www.evolveforinnerpeace.com/julie-macdonald-intuitive-development-evolve-2018. You may also register and prepay in person at Evolve or give us a call at 815-444-9905 to get signed up by phone. Early signup is encouraged as class sizes are limited.


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West Park Church
Independent Evangelical Church, Wolverhampton
About Our Church
The Church By The Park
Situated on the corner of Park Road West and Connaught Road is a church building that enjoys a privileged position. It is a building many people walk past and wonder about. Occasionally, in the summer months, people wander into services on their way to or from West Park. The building has stood opposite the park since the early 1900s. Originally built for a Unitarian congregation, the building is thought to have been designed by W.H. Ward who also designed the Great Western Arcade in Birmingham.
The building is now home to West Park Church, a congregation of believers that first formed in 1968 as Merridale Church. Most of that original gathering of believers had been members of the Methodist Church on Lord Street before its closure. United by a belief in the authority of the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice the young congregation began to worship together and to seek out new premises. After a period of time in Retreat Street the congregation purchased their current home in the early 1980s.
The building at West Park was in poor condition and the first job was to make the wooden hut at the rear of the building (now gone) usable for worship. Then came the hard work renovating the main building and creating a modern space for worship and other activities. The stories of fellowship, of hard work and of God's provision could fill any number of pages but it is not these that make West Park Church what it is today.
From the very beginning the congregation were committed to the Bible as the inerrant word of God and to Jesus as the only way to God. The church has been shaped by this belief and today preaching is still central to the worship of the church. Usually the weekly ministry will work its way through a book of the Bible or, occasionally through a topic of Bible teaching. In every case the aim is to better understand God's revelation that He might be glorified more, the church be built up in faith and both individually and collectively the church might be used by God to extend His Kingdom. Over the years the church has come to cherish the Bible's teaching about God's sovereignty in all things and of the centrality of Jesus to everything.
Soon after forming the congregation became convinced that the Bible teaches that baptism is to be applied to believers by full immersion. As a result they found a church with a baptistery and conducted a service in which the elders and most of the congregation were baptised. During the renovations of the building at West Park a baptistery was installed and over the years numerous people have been baptised by immersion on profession of their faith in Jesus.
West Park Church has never chosen to join a denomination but has happily shared fellowship with other like-minded congregations. The congregation has been described by others as an independent evangelical church and as a reformed baptist church but has studiously avoided using labels to describe itself. Labels can become limitations and the church at West Park has wanted to define itself not by denominational allegiance but by its commitment to keeping God's word. Calling itself West Park Church the congregation simply invites people to come and hear the word of God.


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A blaze in a hayfield, which firemen battled through the night to put out, is believed to have been started deliberately.
About 200 tonnes of hay went up in flames at Grange Villa Farm, to the north of Grange Villa, in County Durham.
Firemen were called after a woman driving past spotted flames.
A Durham fire brigade spokesman said: "If we hadn't got the call then it could have been worse as there were thousands of tonnes of hay packed together." The blaze was extinguished at 4am and firemen believe it was arson.


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SPECIAL DAY: Laurie Philpotts (right) and Allan Wilmot (centre) of the West Indian Ex-serviceman and Women's Association, with The Queen
THE COMMONWEALTH has been at the heart of the 60 years reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Indeed, her reign has been contemporary with the development from Empire to Commonwealth.
When she came to the throne in 1952 the Commonwealth comprised a few white dominions and the newly-independent countries of the Indian sub-continent and today it embraces some 54 free states of varying ethnic, political and social complexion, religions and cultural diversity. Whatever their political orientation the Queen has provided a point of common focus.
Caribbean people have been particularly patriotic and loyal to the concept of the monarchy. Those who joined up for service in the Second World War, a good number of whom are happily still with us, but many more, unfortunately, have passed on, did so to answer the call of "king and country" in the defence of liberty against tyranny.
It was their "king and country", as much of that of anybody else, and was synonymous with that freedom for which they gave life, limb and aspirations to protect. They had done the same in the previous War, and their children can be found in the British armed forces wherever they are summoned to serve.
In the case of Jamaica, whatever are the very understandable reasons for wanting an independent head of state, a president, few that I know, if any, hold that in any way against their queen, Elizabeth II.
Even if a republic were to be declared overnight in Jamaica or the United Kingdom even the most ardent supporters of the new regime would see the then Elizabeth (Mountbatten) Windsor as having the necessary qualities of being as admirable head of state as she is for the present – and, of course, she would remain Head of the Commonwealth.
That has not come about by chance. There is hardly a part of the Commonwealth that she has not visited and nowhere that has not been touched by her concern.
These past 60 years have not been easy. You need think only of the riots at Notting Hill, the New Cross fire, the rise and (fortunately) fall of racist and extremist movements and the inflammatory oratory of politicians, economic recession and, in some cases, social repression, and a country and Commonwealth facing uncertain and difficult choices.
At least, that is what you would gather from politicians of all parties who seem so often to be unsure of the way they are going, where they want to go, and what they want to do when they get there.
In contrast Queen Elizabeth II has given an impression of assurance in almost all she has undertaken – confidence, consolation and compassion in her dealings with the people whether it is in public celebration or private achievement, public tragedy or private grief.
Often enough a royal visit, a word of solace or encouragement, a smile and a handshake, have taken the edge out of a delicate situation. Her Majesty is welcome as much, if not more, in the urban inner-city of lost dreams and opportunities denied as she is in the affluent rural estates. She continues to go into many areas in which the leaders of society, politics and commerce deign not to tread.
The award of an MBE (or similar honour) or invitation to a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace is still highly valued – even by the most vociferous anti-monarchist: well, how many people do you know who have refused to accept one when offered?
At other times the Queen has provided an example to the nation "just by being there". In my childhood polio was still a rampant and killer disease but we were unsure whether the newly-produced vaccine would be worse than the condition itself. When the Queen had her own children, Charles and Anne, vaccinated our parents were re-assured – "they wouldn't give it to her children if there was any danger" – and, as a result, polio was eliminated as an epidemic.
Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne just four years after the arrival of the Empire Windrush taking the first set of migrants from the Caribbean. She has been there for almost as long as there has been a West Indian heritage community in this country.
She was proclaimed monarch in the year that Jamaica's athletes set a new world record for the men's 4 x 400 metres relay at the Olympic Games in Helsinki and she has survived to see Usain Bolt and his generation of world-beaters; she has seen several ages in the invincibility of West Indian cricket (and is one of the few able to remember it!); she has witnessed the birth of Reggae as well as Rock 'n' Roll and punk (and of independent, satellite and digital television); she has reigned through the age of the wireless into that of the computer; she has followed former erstwhile colonies grow into maturity and their citizens going on to achieve Nobel Prize laurels and many other international awards of distinction; and she has ruled while the United Kingdom has developed from a monochrome to the multi-faceted but essentially cohesive country that it is today.
That is certainly something for us to celebrate.
How much of that is due to Queen Elizabeth II, herself, and how much to the people? Surely, it has been a partnership – that's the point. When her father, King George VI (and the Queen Mother), visited the bombed-out East End of London somebody in the crowd shouted out "Thank God for a Good King" to which he replied instantaneously "Thank God for a Good People".
I know well the arguments against monarchy in general, and, indeed, have some sympathy, but would these last 60 years have been the same if somebody else had been at the helm – a (here today, gone tomorrow) politician, an autocrat or a less responsible royal, and we can all think of numerous examples of those categories.
No, I think not. And that, too, is a cause for celebration.


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Marcy is a soulful, kind and a very strong woman whom I felt I could trust immediately after our first meeting. She made me feel confident about her abilities as a midwife and also I knew that she would know exactly what to do if anything unexpected happened during labor. She was very good at scheduling our meetings and very present throughout the journey. Her long time experience really also speaks about her hands on experience. She was always available for phone calls and had really good knowledge if I had any concerns or questions along the way. She came to our house for each examination and made it very comfortable and efficient time wise and would always make sure our expectations were met. She is extremely nice and really professional. I recommend Marcy as a midwife very, very, very, strongly, she is a compassionate and extremely strong and grounded woman, and my experience with her was unique and good. At the birth, she helped me focus my energy and told me exactly what I needed to hear to help me go through the pain and helped me through my contractions, which were very fast. I was overwhelmed by this energy and she was really focused and present and that helped me take control over the labor and birth. Also, the follow up the day after the birth was really good and helpful. Everything went so well with my home birth with Marcy, she is absolutely terrific. Our baby girl Melody is happy, healthy and the recovery at home with her made it very easy and convenient to heal and move forward in a known environment, safe and familiar.
- Genevieve and daughter Melody


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In the international forum jungle, roamed by the big beasts such as Davos, Bloomberg and CERAWeek, how does a middle-ranking player like the Milken Institute compete?
Richard Ditizio, the institute's president and chief operating officer, responded confidently: "What differentiates the institute is that we operate at the intersection of health and finance."
If that seems a little specialized, Ditizio goes to great lengths to explain that health is not just about clinics or treatments, but is the totality of human well-being, from demography through to mortality; and finance is not just about raising money, but is the complete spectrum of activities by which people provide the resources for their lives.
Health and finance, he believes, are at the heart of everything else. The institute calls itself an "independent economic think tank," but its raison d'etre is to "apply market-based principles" to "social issues," which in effect boils down to health and finance. "There is lots of robust territory for us where those two meet," Ditizio said.
The institute's lineage demonstrates those values. It was founded in 1991 by Michael Milken, the financial innovator who virtually invented the idea of the "junk bond" (high-yielding corporate debt).
When the world of finance went sour, Milken devoted a considerable portion of his time and wealth to health issues, funding philanthropic initiatives to tackle intractable medical problems, such as melanoma and other life-threatening diseases. In 2004, Fortune magazine gave him a front page with the title "The man who changed medicine."
Ditizio will be in Abu Dhabi this week, heading the second MENA summit that the institute has held in the region. The Middle East is a virtual petri dish for institute theory, as he explained.
"I've just come from Japan, where the problem is the aging population, but in MENA it's the exact opposite. Here the issue is how to make youth function as part of a workforce at 40, 50 or 60 years old," he said.
This, of course, is one of the main aims of the Vision 2030 strategy in Saudi Arabia: To provide meaningful economic lives for the Kingdom's large youthful population, in a situation where the state will not be able to provide public-sector employment forever.
Ditizio likes what he has seen and heard of the Saudi strategy. "Having a plan is a good thing, for a nation or a business. Diversification, education, health and gender are the areas we see as important, and these are the key areas of Vision 2030, too.
"You can always tweak strategy as you go along, but I think it is heading in the right direction. If there are episodic things that distract from the norm, the strategy will help you get back on track. It is a touchstone to overcome obstacles," he said.
However, he warned of the risk that big transformations such as those being undertaken in Saudi Arabia might destabilize society. "Stability is paramount. People beholden to the old way of life may find it tougher. It could get messy along the way, but the overall results will be positive," he said.
Women's empowerment is a big theme for the institute. Did Ditizio think that the changes in women's status in the Kingdom were happening fast enough?
"You don't want to permanently exclude 50 percent of your workforce from participating in the economy. Growth in gross domestic product will escalate if women are allowed to participate, and if you allow women to balance their personal and professional lives, it will grow the pool and lift everyone," he said.
To some extent, the institute practices what is preaches with regard to gender. In comparison with some other global forums, which are still overwhelmingly male dominated, Milken has more than half of its workforce made up of women, and has a target of 30 percent female participation at its events.
"Lots of studies show that companies with more diverse boards have better financial performance. Those that don't often fall behind," he said.
Like all big think tanks, the Milken Institute has to gauge its initiatives on issues such as health and gender equality against the broader backdrop of geopolitical and economy performance. There is little point planning a long-term strategy on medical or social issues if the world is going to be turned upside down by, for example, a confrontation between the US and China on trade, or another financial crisis.
Stability is paramount. People beholden to the old way of life may find it tougher. It could get messy ... but the overall results will be positive.
Richard Ditizio
The analogy Ditizio uses — especially in relation to fears of a US-China trade war — is illuminating. "It's like the difference between climate change and weather. There was a polar vortex in the US recently, but one cold spell doesn't mean climate change isn't happening.
"So although there may be an acute trade spat at the moment between the US and China, each country is so important to the other that I don't think long term they are going to set out to derail each other's economies," he said.
Ditizio applies the same reasoning — long-term progress versus short-term "episodic" events — to the Middle East, too. "In MENA, we are all aware of the specific risks, but are they systemic, life-changing risks? If you develop economies in order to give people a more prosperous life, they are less likely to get involved in terrorism."
That introduces another key theme of the Milken Institute's thinking — the power of financial market forces to bring about desirable social and economic change.
"There are pockets of capital around the world, some estimate it at $30 trillion, that are not being deployed. They are on the sidelines of the global economic system, in offshore funds, invested in other things outside the system. It's capital that is not being used. If you can deploy that, you can help lift economies and generate a nice financial return," he said.
That brought us to one of the big debates in the forum circuit at the moment: The role and power of philanthropy. At the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, there was a disagreement between major donors such as Bill Gates and those who felt that big-name philanthropy was overrated and should now step aside in favor of a more efficient global tax system.
It is an area where Ditizio, as a former head of private banking for Citi North America, dealing with high-net-worth individuals on a daily basis, has some expertise.
"I think there is a disproportionate amount of attention given to the big-name philanthropists. There was something like
$350 billion donated in the US last year, and most of it was not by the 'big' philanthropists. But philanthropy still has a role, and that's especially true of the Middle East, with the system of voluntary giving via zakat (Islamic charitable giving)," he said.
The other theme that he predicts will emerge at the MENA summit this week is technology, and its potential to upend traditional ways of thinking across health, finance and the regulatory systems that govern them.
"We are seeing it in fintech, and how that is changing the regulatory relationship; we're seeing it in the clinical field, where artificial intelligence (AI) could be running synthetic trials of medicines," he said.
The changes wrought by technology are fundamental. "Today we cannot live without an iPhone. Twenty years ago we had nothing," he said.


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President Nana Akufo-Addo is to propose legislation to designate August 4 as Founders Day. This is according to a statement from the Presidency signed by its Director of Communications, Eugine Arhin. The birthday of Ghana's first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, on September 21, will be observed as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial …Read More »
Home / Tag Archives: UGCC
Nana Addo marks UGCC 70th anniversary at Saltpond
President Nana Akufo-Addo is at the Saltpond Methodist Church for a Memorial Service to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC). This is the first time a sitting president has visited the town, where the UGCC was founded to mark the anniversary. The …Read More »