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Todd Hartley: I'm With Stupid
The Aspen Times
Aspen CO Colorado
As an American, I tend to feel rather proprietary when it comes to the development and dissemination of stupid trends. It's America, after all, that has given us such pinnacles of idiocy as the Hummer H2, teenage vampire movies, Paris Hilton, Perez Hilton, country line dancing, New Kids on the Block, pants worn around one's thighs with one's underwear hanging out, Lindsay Lohan, etc., etc. In short, we're not just dumb; we're the world leader in dumb, and we're damn proud of it.
Mind you, I'm not saying that every moronic trend originates in the U.S. Japan has certainly had its share of success with things like Pokemon, bad animation and slaughtering dolphins, and even Scotland, the home of rancid whiskey and men in kilts, is nothing to scoff at either when it comes to stupid ideas. Still, those countries can't hold a foul-smelling patchouli candle to the U.S.
That's why it pained me earlier this week to learn that another country has beaten us to the punch with what is definitely one of the dumbest ideas yet. Australia, which typically produces worthwhile things like AC/DC, the Crocodile Hunter and Foster's beer, recently gave birth to a fad called "planking" that is, quite literally, painfully stupid. (Actually, come to think of it, Australians gave the world Vegemite too, so maybe they're not so bright after all.)
Planking, for those of you who haven't heard of it, involves lying stiff as a board, face down in odd places for the purpose of a photo op. The craze has been around for awhile, but it really hit its stride a couple of months ago when David "Wolfman" Williams, a professional rugby player and renowned planker, planked in the end zone after scoring a try in a nationally televised game. The YouTube clip of that stunt, by the way, has already registered more than 100,000 hits.
Since then, plankers have upped the ante on their insipid trend, planking on top of animals, in convenience store freezers, on train tracks, on parked police cars and in countless other random locations. In fact, planking has grown so popular in Australia that the "Planking Australia" Facebook page has 141,000 followers, while the "100,000 that Hate Planking" page has a mere six, leaving it just 99,994 short of its stated goal.
Of course, by now you may be wondering why I consider planking painfully stupid. To you, it may just seem like a bit of harmless fun. Dumb, yes, but not something worth getting upset about. Well, a week ago you would have been right. Up to that point, planking was indeed harmless, but in the last few days a couple of episodes have illustrated just how dangerous planking can be when plankers start trying to outdo one another.
The first incident occurred last Sunday, when a man from Brisbane attempted to plank on a balcony railing and fell seven stories to his death. The second took place just two days ago, when a man from New South Wales tried to plank on top of a moving car and fell off. He's currently in an induced coma fighting for his life. Either that or he's setting some kind of record for planking longevity.
Obviously, those two stories are tragic and not at all funny, but I can assure you that's not why I'm upset with planking. Sad as they may be, the death and near death of two such harebrained Darwin Award candidates will probably benefit Australia in the long run, and they're certainly not the sort of thing that is going to worry me. What bothers me is that planking is exactly the sort of inane pursuit that should have been conceived in America and should be claiming American lives.
I harbor no illusions that this is some sort of indication that Americans are getting smarter. If you need proof of this fact, I'd like to point out that this week food Nazis called for McDonald's to retire Ronald McDonald, while "intactivists" in California managed to get a measure on this fall's ballot asking voters to ban circumcision in San Francisco. So, as you can see, we're just as dumb as we ever were. Where we seem to be lagging, though, is in the creativity of our stupidity. Where are all the great moronic ideas (Crystal Pepsi, anyone?) of yesteryear?
I had hoped there was a chance for us reclaim the stupid high ground recently, but then Donald Trump went and decided not to run for president. Pity.
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Before deciding on one general contractor, look into a few contractors, and do background checks on each. These background checks should confirm that all business licenses are current and without disciplinary action, and that the company is insured, as is each employee who will be working on the job. Also, check to see if a contractor belongs to a reputable customer service organization such as the BBB. This reinforces the quality and integrity of the company.
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Once a contractor has been chosen, make sure your contract documents a start date, a finish date, and a clear outline of all work to be done—including an itemized cost of construction, an itemized cost of materials, and a final, overall cost. This includes everything from appliances, to lighting, tile, even small details such as door stops. This remodeling tip will be especially helpful once the project starts.
Always make sure to read the contract in its entirety. This ensures there are no clauses that may effect the project timeline, or spring surprise material costs.
BONUS REMODELING TIP: A reputable company will go over your remodeling contract with you in every detail, so that you're both in agreement to all project specifications. At DM Building, we do just that!
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Musicians, industry folks and Manitoba expats from across the country are making their way to the heart of the continent, Winnipeg, for the 43rd Annual Juno Awards.
Despite the fact that the Junos are in Winnipeg this year, you're not likely to see any musicians who still reside in the city during the live broadcast. Most of the obvious big names like, say, Randy Bachman have long since left the prairie town -- it hits 50 below, after all -- so we'd like to pass some exposure over to Winnipeg's next wave of music-makers.
From the vocoder-laden avant-pop of Royal Canoe to the pummeling noise-rock of KEN mode to the agit-folk of John K. Samson, the below playlist represents the city's burgeoning music scene of today -- be it bands on the come up or local favs that help keep the legacy alive.
Click through the gallery to get acquainted with the city's current crop of buzzed-about and beloved acts. Feel free to add to the list in the comments.
Also on HuffPost


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2017 Prevented Budget Cuts and Legislative Victories
2017 Proposed Budget Cuts Prevented and Legislative Victories
When the legislature convened in January, it faced a Governor's budget that proposed dozens of harmful cuts to the MaineCare, General Assistance, TANF and SNAP (Food Stamp) programs. The strong advocacy of hundreds of caring Mainers who came to the State House and wrote or called legislators protected these essential programs and the people who rely on them from harmful cuts. Every single one of the proposed cuts listed below was eliminated from the final budget.
Your hard work prevented ALL of the following cuts:
- Reduction in MaineCare parent eligibility from 100% to 40% of the federal poverty level. This would have eliminated MaineCare coverage for more than 20,000 parents. These parents will now remain eligible for MaineCare.
- Elimination of MaineCare coverage for 19 and 20 year olds. This would have eliminated MaineCare coverage for 5,500 young adults. These young adults will now remain eligible for MaineCare.
- Repeal of MaineCare temporary coverage. This would have ended the requirement that the Department of Health and Human Services must determine eligibility for MaineCare within 45 days or provide a temporary MaineCare card if they have not. Decisions must still be made within 45 days.
Food Assistance (SNAP/Food Stamps):
- Denial of SNAP benefits for life to people with a felony drug conviction. People who have served their time and who have reentered the community can still get help with food assistance if they meet all other SNAP eligibility requirements.
- Prohibition on Maine seeking federal waivers to extend SNAP benefits for more than 3 months for certain people in areas with high unemployment. The state is still able to request waivers from the 3-month time limit in areas that have high rates of unemployment. This is not likely to happen under this current Administration, but could under the next Governor.
General Assistance:
- Total elimination of the General Assistance program. Maine people will continue to have access to this safety net of last resort.
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF):
- Reduction in TANF lifetime time limit from 60-36 months. 1,500 children would have lost benefits that help families meet their basic needs from this change. The current 60-month time limit will not be changed.
- Denial of TANF benefits for life for any parent with a felony drug conviction. Parents who have served their time and who have reentered the community will still get help meeting their families' basic needs if they meet all other TANF eligibility requirements.
- Establishment of an asset test and an 18-month time limit for Transitional Child Care for families leaving TANF for work. Families leaving TANF for work will still have access to the child care they need until their gross income exceeds 250% of the federal poverty level. This is the current law. There was no change to Transitional Child Care.
- New pre-eligibility job-readiness requirement before a family can get TANF. Families will continue to get TANF without delay. As has been the case they will be subject to a work requirement once they begin getting TANF unless they have good cause – NOT before they start receiving assistance from the program as was proposed.
- Extension of punishment to all family members, including children, the first time a family is sanctioned. This would have overturned the current rule that requires that only the parent and not the children lose benefits on their first sanction.
- Limits on Alternative Aid. This proposal would have prevented families that reached their TANF time limit from getting Alternative Aid and limited access to the program to only once in 24 months. Now, families that reach the TANF time limit will continue to be eligible for Alternative Aid. Families will also continue to eligible for Alternative Aid once a year if they need it.
- Elimination of all Good Cause related to ASPIRE Participation, except for domestic violence. Good Cause will continue to protect people from sanctions in the TANF/ASPIRE Program. Although this change was prevented, this law was altered this session to include some of the individual good cause reasons into a broader definition of good cause. We do not believe that this will cause more people to lose benefits. Please call us if you have any problems getting good cause in the future.
- Limits on the length of time that a parent can participate in the Parents as Scholars (PaS) program and the number of hours that they must participate. People should be able to continue to participate in the PaS program as they do now. There should not be any change in the number of hours a parent is required to participate or any new limit on the time that parents have to complete their degrees.
Programs assisting lawfully-present immigrants, mainly people seeking asylum:
- Elimination of General Assistance (GA) for lawfully present immigrants. This would have prevented asylum seekers and certain other immigrants from receiving General Assistance to meet their basic needs. This would have immediately impacted approximately 1,000 individuals. These individuals will now continue to be eligible for GA.
- Elimination of state-funded SNAP coverage for certain lawfully present immigrants. This would have eliminated food assistance for 693 people. These people will now continue to be eligible for SNAP.
- Elimination of state-funded TANF for certain lawfully present immigrants. This would have eliminated TANF benefits for 136 individuals, including children, which helps families keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. These families will continue to be eligible for TANF.
- Elimination of state-funded SSI for lawfully present immigrants that are over age 65 or have a disability. This would have eliminated this basic cash assistance for 116 aged or disabled lawfully present immigrants. These individuals will continue to be eligible for SSI.
Head Start:
- Cut to Head Start of approximately $2 Million dollars. Not only did this cut not happen, but the Head Start program will get an additional $1 million dollars to continue a prior amount of one-time funding. This will allow Head Start programs statewide to serve additional children over the next two years.
Important Legislative Victories to Strengthen Anti-Poverty Programs
Several key sections of the LIFT bill were included in the budget and have now become law—thanks to Speaker Sara Gideon (D-Freeport) for her diligent work to make this happen:
- The first TANF increase in 16 years is now law! Beginning October 1, 2017 TANF families will see a 20% TANF increase. All 4,500 TANF and Parents as Scholars families will see an increase in their monthly benefit. For example, a family of 3 will see their benefit increase by nearly $100 dollars, from $485 a month, to $582.
- TANF benefits will be increased annually beginning October 1, 2018 to reflect annual increases in the cost of living.
- More help for TANF families with high housing costs! The TANF "housing special need" will both increase AND become available to more families. This is in addition to the increase to the basic grant described above. Here's how it will work. The 1,000 families that now get the housing special needs payment will see this monthly payment increase from $200 to $300 a month. For example, a family of three that qualifies for this special housing payment along with the new maximum TANF monthly benefit will get a total monthly benefit of $882 instead of their current $685 beginning October 1, 2017. In addition, the housing special need will now be available to families with housing costs that equal or exceed 50% of their income. The current rules require housing costs to be at least 75% of their income in order to qualify for this additional benefit. This change means that an estimated 480 families will now qualify for the housing special need for the first time.
- The Working Cars for Working Families Program will help low income families with children get to work! The budget allocated $1.5 Million dollars a year for four years ($6 M total) to create a pilot program to purchase reliable used cars for working families with children eligible for TANF, Parents as Scholars and Alternative Aid. We estimate that this pilot will provide approximately 150 cars a year to working families in each year of this pilot program.
- More heating assistance for low income families with children! The original LIFT bill provided funds for heat pumps to lower heating costs for low income families with children. Instead of this, the final budget includes an additional $3 million dollars a year to provide fuel assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to low income families with children.
Other successful legislation that will help low-income families with children:
- LD 336 will ensure that two-parent families have equal access to TANF benefits. Thanks to Representative Dale Denno (D-Cumberland), two-parent families will now qualify for TANF under the same rules that apply to single parent families. Previously, a two parent family would only qualify if one parent was incapacitated or unemployed. Now, DHHS will only look at the income of these families to determine TANF eligibility. We estimate that just over 500 low income two-parent families will now qualify for TANF because of this change.
- LD 481 will reduce the welfare "cliff" by rewarding TANF families that get and keep a job. One of the biggest complaints from TANF families that get a job is the punishment they feel when their benefits are reduced because they went to work. Thanks to Representative Trey Stewart (R-Presque Isle) for taking an important step to reduce this work penalty. Representative Stewart's bill would give TANF families that get a job a $400 dollar check at the end of four months if they remain employed. This would take some of the pressure and additional cost off family budgets.
Important Note: LD 481 has been vetoed by the Governor. When the legislature returns later this month we will urge lawmakers to override this veto.
- LD 358 will give MaineCare health insurance to an additional 1,000 low income children. This bill, presented by Representative Matt Pouliot (R-Augusta) has been included in the budget. It will eliminate the discriminatory provision that has barred the low income children of Maine state employees from qualifying for MaineCare coverage.
The following bills have yet to pass, but still might pass before the session is finally over. Each of these represents positive reforms that could help people in poverty. They are currently on the "Appropriations Table" waiting for that Committee to decide whether or not to fund them. If funded, they will have a final vote in the Senate and if successful will go to the Governor's desk for his signature or veto.
- LD 106, An Act To Provide MaineCare Coverage for Dental Services to Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder (Rep. Tepler - D - Topsham)
- LD 1070, Resolve, To Alleviate Hunger in Rural Maine in Areas of High Unemployment (Senator Jackson – D - Aroostook)
- LD 1301, An Act To Improve Access to Preventive, Cost-saving Dental Services (Rep. Martin – D - Eagle Lake)
- LD 1008, An Act To Establish the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Populations ( Rep. Talbot-Ross - D-Portland)
We will update you on the status of these bills when the legislature is finally over.


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I am pretty sure that some Turks in the Netherlands are delighted by the following news and I hoop they don't get strange ideas by it:
The Netherlands has come within range of wolves. According to the Dutch Mammal Society, a number of wolf packs in the German federal state of Hessen are now just 200 kilometers away from the Dutch border. As young wolves can roam up to 50 kilometres per day, it is possible that some of them are straying onto Dutch territory. The society suspects the wolves could be attracted by the abundant wildlife in the De Veluwe nature preserve. Wolves were last seen living in the wild in the Netherlands at the end of the 19th century.
This blog is initiated by Hans A.H.C. de Wit, a Dutch living in Istanbul with co-bloggers from Turkey, Greece, the Netherlands, India and the USA. Writing about: politics, cultures, religions, art, daily life, communications, etc. Enjoy! And...At least one post a day!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Wolves in the Netherlands
Posted by Unknown at 6:52 PM
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Day Opening - September 13
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Aqua (Water), Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Parfum*, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Lactic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate, Coumarin, Citral, Farnesol, Benzyl Salicylate.
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New York Knicks Milwaukee Tickets
The BMO Harris Bradley Center is set to be invaded by the liveliest fans in the NBA as their favorite Knicks take on the Bucks on their home ground. This game has all the makings of a classic as the New York based franchise will be looking to put the disappointment of last year behind them and start off on a positive note. Knick star player Carmelo Anthony will be looking to stamp his authority on the game and prove to everyone that he means business this year. This is one game not to be missed; be sure to buy New York Knicks Milwaukee tickets.
New-York-Knicks in Other Cities
One of the oldest single city franchises in the league, the Knicks from New York have a glorious history. Along with the Celtics, the Knicks remain the only team in the NBA that has played throughout its history in one city.
Founding members of the BAA
New York Knicks was formed in 1946 when it was amongst the founding members of the Basketball Association of America. Later, the franchise moved to the NBA when the merger of the BAA with the NBL took place in 1949.
Based in Manhattan
The Knicks are headquartered in Manhattan. The franchise is placed in the Eastern Conference where they play in the Atlantic division. The home court of the Knicks is the famous and glamorous Madison Square Garden.
Highs and Lows
Over the years, Knicks fans have experienced euphoric highs as well as heartbreaking lows as their franchise has spent more than fifty years and counting in the NBA. The initial decade was one of promise as the Lapchick led Knicks made it to three NBA finals. However, the next decade saw the team's performances drop off.
Successful Seventies
Knicks fans regard the era under Red Holzman as one of the most successful. This was the time when the franchise lifted the championship twice during the 70s. The next two decades once again saw near misses and heartbreaking losses. During this time, the Knicks had in their lineup Patrick Ewing who would go on to be inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame. In spite of all Ewing's efforts, the Knicks were not able to replicate the success of the 70s.
New look-new hopes
With the introduction of legendary Phil Jackson as president and ex-Lakers legend Derek Fisher as coach, the Knicks are hopeful for a change in fortune. Buy New York Knicks Milwaukee tickets to see if the team is able to get off to a winning start.


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Dawson Park will be full of activity over the holiday period. Photo: BELINDA SOOLE Castlereagh Grey will be out to repeat his impressive debut win when he competes at Wellington on Boxing Day. Photo: JANIAN McMILLAN (www.racingphotography苏州美睫培训.au)
THE gap between the close of TAB trade on Christmas Eve and the reopening on Boxing Day is the largest in the entire year, with nothing to bet on for a whole 38 hours or so.
But punters in the central west get a chance to make up for it on Boxing Day, with gallops, greyhounds and harness racing all on the menu.
Quite simply, if you like the racers, chasers or pacers you will be catered for.
Wellington's annual non-TAB gallop meeting will kick off proceedings, with the first of five events scheduled to leave the gates at 2.15pm.
A little more than an hour later greyhound action will kick off at Dawson Park with a 10-race program starting at 3.38pm.
If that isn't enough, when the greyhounds are done you can head down to the Dubbo Showground for a five-race program of harness racing, with the first set down for 7.45pm and the last for 10.15pm.
Boxing Day isn't the only big day for racing in the region, with plenty of greyhound and galloping action over the whole holiday period.
Dubbo Greyhound Racing Club will host meetings on December 30, January 3, January 10 and January 16 while a plethora of race meetings.
Macquarie Picnics will be held at Trangie on December 29, Warren will host a TAB meeting the following day before Gilgandra's two-day carnival starts on New Year's Day.
The club will then hold its cup meeting on January 6, with the feature event carrying $27,000 in prize money.
With that in mind, let's try to find a few winners.
At Wellington on Boxing Day the Bruce Parker-trained Castlereagh Grey will be hard to beat based on its debut win at Warren by more than five lengths.
It goes around in the Jarrod Wykes Electrical Class 1 Handicap (1100m).
At Dubbo dogs, Miss Charlyn should be hard to beat from box six in the Elite State @ Stud Stakes (318m) while later in the meeting Vicki Knows Best gets her chance to add a second win the her resume in the Caretakers Appreciation Stakes (318m).
Finally at the showground, look for the Amanda O'Neill-trained Rattlen Ranji to be hard to beat in the opening race while Sunofbula gets his chance in the Oamps Dubbo Pace (2120m).
Despite being a veteran, he is rated an R12 C8 pacer while the next best, Karinya Mat, is rated an R3 C3. Nathan Carroll takes the drive on Sunofbula, which is trained by his father Mick Carroll.
Central West connections will be eyeing off some of the $250,000 prize money on offer in the Inglis Nursery Stakes (1000m) at Warwick Farm today.
Wellington-based Bell River Thoroughbreds, operated by Andrew Ferguson, will have first-starter Sunshine Royale in the event while Mudgee trainer Jeff Brasch will saddle up Nuclear Snip, to be ridden by Greg Ryan.
Both horses go into the race with barrier trial wins under their belts, with Nuclear Snip scoring over 800m at Narromine and Sunshine Royale over 805m at Warwick Farm.
This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on 苏州美睫培训.


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Who are we?
One more member gives us two more hands to do service in our community, at home and internationally. At Lions we make things happen.
As a member of Lions Australia you will experience a number of personal benefits including leadership skills, a sense of self-worth and purpose, business skills, networking opportunities and lifelong friendships.
What we do
Lions Australia has a proud history of achievement in Disaster and Emergency Relief, Medical Research and Community Service. We were at the coalface for Cyclone Tracy, the Black Saturday bushfires and the Queensland floods.
We were involved with the development of the bionic ear and the cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil, developed by Prof Ian Frazer AC, a former Lions Medical Research Foundation Fellow. We also inspired a young Fred Hollows and continue to provide funding for a range of other research initiatives involving diabetes and autism.
We assist with local community fundraising for special causes and help with the development and building of local parks, community venues, and sporting centres.
Want to know more?
Lions Club
To find out more about what Lions do, please download our brochure.
Read our Latest Lion Magazine.
- Membership is open to all people of the community in good standing.
- Clubs may either provide service or raise money for their community.
- 100% of funds donated by the public through fundraising are directed to the project for which they are intended.


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Most of you have probably never heard of Himekyun Fruit Can. Well, their gimmick is that each of their members is assigned a different fruit and…..well, that's pretty much it really. Himekyun have a habit of changing their sound and appearance a lot so you're never really sure what you're going to get from single to single (cute, sexy, etc) and their latest release "Tatoeba no Monster" is no exception. Read on to hear our thoughts.
In case you haven't already figured it out, I'm the one who put this in our review queue. That probably means that it's at least worth a look, right?
Let's start off with the song, I really like it. Like I mentioned previously you never really know what to expect with Himekyun so when I heard about this PV I didn't really have any kind of expectations going in. When I saw the outfits in some screenshots I figured it'd maybe be a BABYMETAL type deal, which I thought would be a really interesting direction for the group to take but boy was I wrong.
The instrumentals have a folksy feel to them so they appeal to the folk punk fan in me, something I never expected to hear from an idol group. The vocals are also great although perhaps not completely matching the instrumentals. I tip my hat to the person put in charge of mixing this release. All of the girls' voices really compliment each other well and it makes for an enjoyable listening experience overall.
Let's talk about the PV now. Okay so the most obvious thing to note I guess is that there isn't the largest budget in the world here. It's a pretty basic concept with the group performing on stage in front of a crowd of fans. In all honesty I'm a bit of a sucker for "live" PVs so I'm probably not as critical of this as most people would be. One thing that I absolutely hated though was that overhead camera shot. I mean the idea is fantastic but like most ideas it didn't really work when it came to the execution.
I did however think that the costumes were great. A lot of idol groups try to play things too straight or cutesy so it's nice to see there are groups out there that want to inject a little fun into things. Brilliant idea to get the crowd in on it too by the way. A sea of people in skeleton shirts and masks makes for a great visual as you can see in the screenshot above. People can argue that the jumpsuits are unflattering to the girls but I don't really care; I don't need to see skirts and schoolgirl outfits in every damn PV that comes out.
Hopefully this review might convince some of you to check out Himekyun Fruit Can (most of their PV are on Youtube or H!O). They're really a great group of girls who deserve a lot more attention than they're currently getting.
I have not followed Himekyun at all so I had no expectations coming into to this release. I was surprised to hear classic Japanese punk as the style of this song but the issue here is the execution. I've always found Japanese punk to be generic and uninspiring. This song is no exception. If you enjoy Japanese punk rock, you'll enjoy it because this song is faithful to its sound. I just do not like the uninspired instrumentals that tend to happen on most Japanese punk rock recordings. The melody is very straightforward and pretty plain. It certainly doesn't have the kind of hook that I look for in "idol" music. It may just be that the vocals for this song are pretty lackluster but I think the plain melody needs to take some part of the blame for the lack of a catchy hook. I just can't see myself humming the chorus of the song.
The saving grace for this song is the short vocal solo and pre-chorus build up. That was fun to hear and executed well.
The PV feels like a Japanese punk rock video as well. The entire PV is of the live performance with slow-motion mixed in. No fancy tricks, straight to the point and not fooling around. Just like this song.
I like the skeleton outfits worn in the PV. They look like snuggies and are pretty hilarious. If I lived in cold weather, I could see myself wearing this Himekyun skeleton snuggie for warmth and general awesomeness.
I really like the choreography for this song. It's very "genki" and fits the uptempo rock aspect of this song. Lots of fist pumps into the air to show strength! YEAH! The air-guitaring is also a nice touch as well and provide energy to a rather unimpressive song.
Overall, I just can't get myself to really enjoy the song. I was never a fan of classic Japanese punk to begin with so that may be the issue but none of the melodies in the song really grabbed me by the shirt collar and said, "LISTEN TO ME AND HUM MY CHORUS".
If you closed your eyes, you'd think this was a legit Japanese punk band. Its ever-familiar anthem and rustic tune successfuly strikes the heart of all Japanese punk fans, and the vocal stylings are similarly straightforward without frills.
HimeKyun Fruits Kan's latest, 'Tatoeba no Monster', walks the fine line where the main melody works from both a rock and idol standpoint, but the pure rock instrumentals and rhythm push it more towards an honest-to-goodness punk song. This created a slight dilemma for me when judging the song. As far as the idolsphere is concerned, this is something new and fresh; but from a punk rock standpoint, the song is fairly boilerplate. I ended up averaging the two, and I came away from it with positivity.
The exaggerated air guitar moves they do on stage almost makes one wish they could actually play the instruments with the song, since a lot of the choreography are broad moves that aren't integral to the experience. The vocals are exceptionally crisp and styled in a way that is not unlike a real rock arrangement, with the progression of lines and backing vocals. There's also actual harmonizing going on at points in the song which are fairly rare in idol vocals.
The PV in itself is barebones, but it's got personality. Made to look like a live performance in a packed venue, there's a cohesive feel to the design: with a lucha libre wrestling mask as its key motif, and all the members sporting loose pajama hoodies with a cartoonish skeleton print. The crowd seals the deal as they're all sporting the masks and t-shirt versions of the skeleton print. There's an indelible charm to it when you piece the visual elements together; but despite the earnest performances, which is the highlight of the PV, I felt that other elements like the choreography and the lack of variety stretched it a bit thin to be one for repeat viewings.
Overall, the song was enjoyable and the PV is worth watching at least once. Japan has had a long standing love affair with all genres of rock, so it was only natural for it to start seeping into the recent idol boom. Realizing that Himekyun Fruits Kan is a group that jumps from genre to genre, I can't hold my breathe in hopes that they will continue to improve and expand on this particular style, but a good release is a good release.


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Here we go, again. Last year we nervously watched the clock tick down, everyone hoped that someone somewhere would pull something out of a hat. The radio and TV stations in the DC area were running stories of gloom and doom "countdown to sequestration" with the requisite dirge-like music and solemn faced TV type reporting live from in front of a Federal Building or across the street from the Pentagon. Then after much trumpeting of "values" and vague threats of future generations being bowed down with debt, the House and the White House came to a magic agreement to kick the can down the road until, well, right about now.
As I said to a friend when she asked me what I know about this looming fiasco and how to explain it to anyone who wasn't in our little military family or Department of Defense/civilian employee – there is "the general feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop, or actually for the axe to fall…" You see, this isn't just a 45 second blurb on the evening news to us. This is our community. Right now, in offices across the DC metro area, on Ft. Belvoir, at the Navy Yard, at Andrews Air Force Base, and up and down the contractor corridor along the Beltway, men and women are trying to do their jobs while wondering if they will be back next month. Some have been "furloughed". What a nice way to say "go home without pay for a week, or two, or three.. and by the way, all those emergency savings – time to pull them out of the bank to pay the mortgage!" The same stone has been tossed into ponds called Fort Bragg, Fort Sam Houston, Fort Riley, San Diego Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, Lackland Air Force Base, Quantico and Camp LeJeune.
These Federal Employees, many of whom haven't seen a decent raise in years, aren't some faceless bureaucrats who spend their days making the lives of "ordinary hard working Amurricans" miserable. They are the lab techs who work at government labs, making sure the food we eat won't kill you; they are the administrative assistants who make sure that the right parts go to the right place. And in my community – they are the folks at Army Community Service, who help the family members of the deployed soldiers of my post when they have nowhere else to turn, when their whole support system and family are in Iowa or Montana and can't help them with an emergency. They are the nurses and lab techs at military and VA hospitals, they are the plumber and electricians at the refit yards keeping our ships in working order and able to go to sea.
The belt tightening is reaching, according to the stories I'm hearing from friends, to units training to go to Afghanistan – limiting or in some cases canceling training. This training isn't make work, the infamous painting of rocks. This is training to keep people alive when they are in what is termed "harms way" – you know, that place where people are shooting at you, or planting an IED on the road to the next village or driving a car bomb into a bus. The Navy has cancelled deployments of ships – let's hope really hard that nothing "untoward" happens in the Middle East! I'm hearing that civilians who are teaching and training have been told to take a day a week off , until October, without pay. WITHOUT PAY!
Before everyone mutters about lazy bureaucrats getting fat off YOUR tax dollars – these are not faceless anonymous drones here. These are neighbors, who are going to have to give up 20% of their pay. Could YOU do that? That's going to mean a lot less money in the economy. How many of the small businesses that exist to serve that population – the sandwich shops, the cafes, the plumbers and barbers, the small clothing stores and the local mom and pop family restaurant – are going to suffer. Because when 20% less money is coming into your bank account, you are going to cut back. Those ballet lessons, or the once a week dinner out; the new dress or the haircut and manicure – those are luxuries. But those luxuries put food on the table of the waitress at the restaurant, the manicurist, the ballet teacher – and when they can't pay their bills? The ripples of this stone dropped into our pond, are going to reach far and wide. Not just in the offices of Lockheed or Jeep, but also in the malls and grocery stores of Manassas Virginia, San Diego California, Groton Connecticut, Savannah Georgia, San Antonio Texas, Leavenworth Kansas.
So take a moment to pick out the faces in that amorphous mass called "the military" or "Federal Employees" – is that your cousin, your high school friend, your sorority sister? And if you can spare a few minutes, call your congressperson, tell them we cannot afford to drive off that sequestration cliff, the ripples are just too high.
Photo Credit: Photobucket/believersinmiracles16


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Love is a Sugar Faced Golden Retriever - iPhone 5/5s/Se, 6/6s, 6/6s Plus Case
We all LOVE our Sugar Faced puppies, don't we? We all want to show the world our LOVE for our Sugar Faced puppies, don't we?
This is your chance to get a Limited Edition, "Love is a Sugar Faced Golden Retriever" iPhone Case, specially made for your iPhone 5/5s/Se, 6/6 & 6/6s Plus!
These cases are not sold in stores! Very limited edition!
For a limited time *FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $75*
This hybrid case combines a solid polycarbonate back, with flexible, rigid sides. It fits your phone perfectly, and protects from scratches, dust, oil, and dirt.
- Made of a hybrid Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) and Polycarbonate (PC) material
- Solid, durable polycarbonate back
- Flexible, rigid thermoplastic polyurethane sides
- Precisely aligned cuts and holes that match your phone's functions
- Easy to take on and off
- .5 mm raised bezel that keeps your phone's screen and camera from scratching on surfaces
- Printed in the USA
We Also Recommend
Golden Retriever Mug - Covering the World One Paw at a Time
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Love is a Sugar Faced Labrador Retriever - iPhone 5/5s/Se, 6/6s, 6/6s Plus Case


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What is Futuresay Personal?
How Can Futuresay Help Me?
FocusEveryone need an objective. We help to define yours. Then we set monthly targets.
ReportingAfter each lesson, you get a report with new words, corrections and concepts.
AssessmentYour supervisor interviews you each month and gives an assessment of your progress.
ExcellenceWe aim to excel in everything that we do. We help you to share our ambition.
ActiveIn Futuresay lessons, you do most of the speaking. The role of our teachers is to guide you.
EfficiencyWe teach you things that you can't learn on your own. You don't pay to read grammar exercises.
Who Have We Helped?
Albert Grigorian, CEO Gaz de France Russia
Pavel Bestavashvili, Head of Live Services
Sophia Nikitchuk, Runner Up, Miss World 2015
Questions and Answers
What's the preliminary assessment?
Your teacher will always support and encourage you. You also need an independent opinion. That's why everyone who learns with Futuresay has a separate personal supervisor. Her role is to keep you focused and to review your progress at regular intervals. Your relationship with Futuresay begins with her.
The first step is to diagnose your current weaknesses and to set your targets. This is the purpose of the preliminary assessment. It's a 15-minute interview that we conduct on Skype. We use this information to match you with the right teacher. You'll have a long-term target and a short-term target: this gives you inspiration and direction.
Who will be my teacher?
After your assessment we will choose a teacher for you, our choice is based on your profession, interests and goals. If you wish to change teachers, we can arrange this.
All of our teachers have at least two years experience. Our teachers never teach more than two screen-to-screen lessons in a single day. They spend the rest of the day away from the computer. This is why they're so energetic and enthusiastic in your lessons!
Do you have teachers that specialise in particular sectors?
Yes, if you would like to find out more please get in touch by phone or email.
What materials do you use?
We use different materials depending on what style of learning you demonstrate and what interests you have. With other clients we sometimes use articles on topics they find interesting, videos, personalised grammar exercises. You choose.
Reporting & Assessment
How do you measure my progress?
Your supervisor is responsible for measuring your progress. In your regular assessments together, you'll review your personal goals.
We also think it's important to give you an internationally-recognised indication of your progress. For every assessment, your supervisor will give you an estimate of your expected score in the IELTS speaking assessments. Where suitable, our supervisors will also mark your written work.
Can you tell me more about the assessments?
Every eight lessons, we ask you to sign up for online for a speaking assessment or interview. If you wish, you may also submit a written essay or presentation. Both parts of the assessment are done by an independent examiner. You will receive a mark and feedback for both the essay and the interview, according to the IELTS mark scheme.
How does the report system work?
After every lesson you will receive a written report about your lesson, containing both a summary of the lesson and a list of your mistakes.
How often can I have lessons?
You can have lessons as often as you like. Typically clients have either one or two lessons a week.
What happens if I need to reschedule a lesson?
It is possible to reschedule lessons, although we encourage learners to allocate a set time for their lessons each week. You are able to reschedule lessons once every 30 days, as long as you give at least 24 hours' notice. If you wish to reschedule more than one lesson in a 30-day period, you will require your teacher's approval.
When do lessons take place?
Lessons take place at a time of your choosing. We recommend that lessons to occur at regular times each week e.g. every Monday and Thursday evening from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
How much does a lesson cost?
We set our prices in British pounds because our company, Learn2 UK Limited, is registered in the United Kingdom. We also provide an option for you to pay in U.S. dollars. The price per 60-minute lesson is £25, assuming that you book at least four lessons at once. It's slightly cheaper if you book eight lessons. We update our dollar prices at the start of each month because they're based on the average exchange rate for the previous month. You can see the current rates here.
How do I pay
You pay at the beginning of each month for the number of lessons you would like to have in that month.
Can I have a refund for unused lessons
For packages of 4 and 8 lessons, if you attend your first lesson and are unsatisfied, you may request a full refund up to 24 hours after the lesson is completed. After this, no refunds are given.
What software do you use for lessons
We use Skype for our screen to screen lessons, we have found it to be the simplest and most effective choice. If you would prefer to use a different platform, we are happy to facilitate this.
Other questions
Who do you teach?
We primarily teach professionals who work in the technology sector, but we can help you no matter where you work.
Why do you provide personal screen-to-screen lessons but not personal face-to-face lessons?
We want to provide you with the world's best English teachers at a reasonable price. We also want to provide you with short and regular assessments from independent supervisors. You can schedule screen-to-screen lessons whenever you want and you can be wherever you want. For people who want personal lessons, we can provide a much better service by focusing on screen-to-screen lessons.
Do you provide group lessons?
Yes, we do. If you would like to find out more please write to email@example.com or give us a call on +7 (499) 5042871.
Any other questions?
You should find them answered on our terms and conditions page.
Simple price plans
- 1 lesson one-to-one
- Additional lessons at £27.5
- Written report after the lesson
- 4 lessons one-to-one
- Additional lessons at £25
- Written reports for each lesson
- Initial personal assessment
- 8 lessons one-to-one
- Additional lessons at £24.50
- Written reports for each lesson
- Initial personal assessment
- IELTS-Scored Follow-up Assessment


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Apple is being sued by its largest reseller in France. Profit by eBizcuss's 16 locations dropped 30 percent during the third quarter due to Apple cutting the number of iPad 2s and MacBook Airs shipped, claims CEO Francois Prudent. The tipping point appeared when the tech giant opened its first French retail location in 2009, the lawsuit alleges.
Prudent added his chain of Apple resellers have not been able to get iPhone 4S handsets during the all-important fourth quarter. The lawsuit is just the latest as resellers bristle from Apple's increasingly aggressive move into retailing and in pursuit of small business.
The lawsuit also claims eBizcuss spent $6.5 million to bring the stores' point-of-sale systems up to Apple's snuff. Additionally, Prudent claims the Cupertino, Calif. company is taking small business customers by undercutting his prices. "The proposals submitted to Apple commercial enterprises are lower than the prices at which we buy the equipment," according to the lawsuit reported by France's Le Figaro.
In 2009, Apple opened its first retail store in France at the Carousel del Louvre in Paris. The lawsuit charges the company then began favoring its own retail locations over those of resellers. Earlier this week, Apple's retail operations in Italy came under fire after one government arm fined the company $1.2 million for what was described as "unfair" practices that did not fully explain product warranties.


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In order to remain academically eligible to compete in athletics, students must be passing FIVE credits.
By IHSAA rule, an "I" (incomplete) is considered a failing grade when determining eligibility. Grade checks are made after 9 weeks and at the semester. Any student athlete who has not passed FIVE (5) credits on the following date(s) at 4:00 p.m., will be declared ineligible for the remainder of the next grading period.
Academic Checks are made on these dates during the 2018-19 season:
October 17th, January 8th, March 20th, May 31st
4310 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46814
Fax 260-431-2299
Preparing today's learners for tomorrow's opportunities


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Fresh Your Wall with Wallpaper Decoration : Green Designs in Purple Photos
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Doug Coleman
Somerville High Somerville, NJ Class of 1972
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Not really a debate
January 31, 2009 5 Comments
What happened in Somerset County today was no debate.
Rather, the four gubernatorial candidates simply had about 5 minutes to state their cases. It was a good program. but it was a shame there was no opportunity for any give and take, or even questions from the audience.
Rick Merkt drew the biggest cheer when he vowed to end COAH — the Coalition on Affordable Housing — by "driving a stake through its heart." There's some rhetorical flourish, for you.
The morning marked one of the first times the acclaimed frontrunner for the nomination, Chris Christie, spoke about his gubernatorial bid. He said that the public should not be fooled into thinking that the state can not cut spending. And he faulted Gov. Jon Corzine for putting too much blame on local towns for high property taxes.
That was a fair point, but no one should let local towns and school districts off the hook. After all, they are the ones who raise and spend property taxes, not the state.


text: Malossi Racing clutch spring set. Springs suitable for various Maxi scooters with original 3 shoe clutches from 125-200cc. Set comprises 3 different strengths of spring: White = light Yellow = medium Red = hard Harder springs engage the clutch later. Makes good sense if you have a tuned engine. Easy installation.


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Our Vietnam customer bought one set 10T waste tire pyrolysis plant from our company, Henan Doing Mechanical Equipment Co.,Ltd is a leading manufacturer specialized in waste tire /plastic/rubber pyrolysis plant, waste tire & rubber pyrolysis plant, waste tire/plastic/rubber crude oil distillation plant ranging from Research & Development, Design, Manufacturing to Installation & Commissioning.
Now, our engineer Mr Zhu is installing the whole system for our customers.
Vietnam instlling 10T capacity waste tire pyrolysis plant
The waste tire pyrolysis plant for our Vietnam customer is the newest design pyrolysis plants, unlike other recycling systems in use today, the waste tire pyrolysis plant process does not involve any pre-processing of feedstock. It can process whole tire up to 1.5 meters in diameter – continuously. The waste tire pyrolysis system produces high quality carbon black and oil at a lower cost than any other recycling system and is extremely energy efficient.
Now let us see the installation of waste tire pyrolysis plant for our Vietnam customer.
10T capacity waste tire pyrolysis plant in Vietnam
10T capacity waste tire pyrolysis plant final product and aplication
Fuel Oil (40% to 45%)
The main application of oil products produced by our waste tire pyrolysis is the fuel oil that is wide used for industrial and commercial purposes. Such as power plant factory,glass factory,cement factory,ceramic fatory.
Carbon Black Powder (30% to 35%)
Carbon black application
The second product of waste tire pyrolysis plant is carbon black. The quantity of carbon black is about 30% to 35% according to tire quality. Carbon black can application to electric cable jacketing,black nylon bag,rubber additive.
Exhaust gas (About 10%)
We get about 10% pyrolytic gases during pyrolysis process. The main component of this gases are methane (CH4), so we can not condense and store this gases. We use this gases to heat the reactor and we can use exceed gases for other heating application.
Steel Wire (10% to 15%)
The third product of waste tire pyrolysis plant is steel wire, the quantity of steel wire is about 10% to 15% according to tyre quality. It is very easy to sell steel wire scrape in local market.


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Yep, you heard it here first. For the last 5 years, we've been working diligently to try and develop an environment where Christians can have real conversations with Muslims, and vice versa. Yesterday, we reached another Milestone.
Setting the Stage
We've had an incredible partnership with our friends from Jordan over the last several years. We've opened our gates, our minds, and our hearts, to see how we (American Christians) can welcome people from a different place, a different faith perspective, and a different culture, to a place where we can all just have fun.
That's our agenda
We're just trying to learn from one another and see how we can engage together; mainly Western Students and Middle East Students.
Our rules are pretty simple:
- Nobody is allowed to convert anyone.
- We always ask honest questions. (no skirting the issues just to be nice.)
- We respect one another at all times
- Everything is on the table.
Yesterday's Session
Yesterday, I invited my dear friend Ra'd to come teach with me from the stage. We set up the conversation as if we were having a dialogue, and ANY time the students (about 100) wanted to ask a question we would stop and answer. We started at 1:30 in the afternoon, and the session went well into the 6:00 pm hour. (yes…we took lots of breaks)
Overall, it was AMAZING.
We asked the students what they wanted to know from a Christian perspective, and then we countered the Christian idea with a Muslim perspective. Honestly, as we talked through our views of God, Jesus, the Bible, the Quran, the origins of both faiths, and the various bias' we both have for "the other"; we found that 90% of what we talk about is pretty similar.
Of course there are differences, and we were careful to cover those with love and respect. But ultimately, I think the students were thankful for a balanced approach to two men who are trying to live out different faith perspectives and show that we can still be friends in spite of our differences.
Yesterday's Concern
My immediate concern after leaving yesterday's session is the overall ignorance we show when dealing with other people. I don't mean ignorance in a demeaning way, but in a way that we just don't have a place where we can have these types of discussions without someone flaring up into anger.
I could tell, some of the Christian kids were trying their best to set the stage for some kind of argument. "Well, if you believe in Jesus, don't you think he said…" and then try and lead my friend into a conversion experience. One girl even said, "What do you think about Jesus in your heart?" And Ra'd looked at me with confusion, "What is she talking about? Jesus in my heart? Like…he's in here?" pointing to his chest.
There's just so much divide due to the constant barrage of media in our world. The students started wanting to know about ISIS, to which my friend furrowed his brow and asked, "Do we want to talk about Islam? or do we want to talk about war?" And that was probably the road we tried to walk down the most , differentiating Sunni from Shia, trying to understand the current world of Terrorism, and ultimately how do we respond to each other's tradition.
The Beauty
After it was over, I think we showed students that we both care for Jesus (Isa for my friend). And even though there are some major theological differences from where we come, there are also some great common places where we can learn how to follow Jesus together.
Maybe, and I'm just trying to wrap my head around this one recently, but just maybe; there's a place in the world where words like "Christian" and "Muslim" can take a back seat to friendship and commonality. Of course, in any relationship there will be disagreements, but what would happen if both parties decided they might drop the labels for just a little while and discover who Jesus is together?
I hope we gave the students something interesting to think about. I sure had fun laughing, sharing, and praying with my friend. I hope we showed the world, it's possible to love deeply, care compassionately, and have fun together despite our different world views.


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Brochure on FiDiPro Programme out now
A new brochure, Teaming up with the best, presenting the FiDiPro programme has come out. The brochure describes the aims and application process of the programme in a nutshell. It also includes comments on the programme by some of the FiDiPro Professors.
The brochure is available as a PDF download on the FiDiPro website. It can also be ordered from the Academy of Finland (viestinta(at)aka.fi) or Tekes (info(at)tekes.fi).
The Finland Distinguished Professor Programme (FiDiPro) is a funding programme led and funded by the Academy of Finland and Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation. The programme provides distinguished researchers, both foreign and expatriates, an opportunity to work and team up with the 'best of the best' in Finnish academic research, creating long-term synergy in science and technology. FiDiPro raises scientific and technological excellence by establishing long-term international collaboration among outstanding researchers around the world.


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The annual national book fair in France, the Salon du Livre, always has an international focus. Traditionally, another country has been the "guest" and its writers featured in the displays and events at the Salon. When the WESS European Conference visited the Salon in March 2004, the "guest" was China.
This spring the focus varied: instead of a single country, all Francophone countries were featured, as the kick-off a seven-month celebration of "francofffonies!" (see http://www.francofffonies.fr/) and to observe the centenary of the birth of Léopold Sédar Senghor, perhaps the most noted Francophone author and statesman.
Forty authors˜a canonical number˜were invited to the Salon for special attention. Their bio-bibliographies were listed in a special booklet available in pdf at http://www.salondulivreparis.com/pdf/brochure_ecrivains.pdf. As a consequence, the 2006 Salon du Livre was an opportunity to renew acquaintance with known publishers (for example, the forthcoming web version of Le Grand Robert was announced informally), but also to expand one's horizons beyond the Hexagon.
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text: "This website lists and explains every idea generation method I've encountered during the past 15 years. It is the result of extensive research; my many sources include books, management journals, websites, academics, consultants and colleagues. The methods have been drawn not just from the worlds of creative problem solving and innovation, but also from other worlds such as organisational change, strategic planning, psychotherapy, the new sciences and the creative arts."


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Fat Bike Wednesdays
We are excited to bring you Fat Wednesdays, group fat bike rides on (as the name implies) Wednesday evenings starting November 2oth, 2019. These rides are intended to be both fun and social. The group rides are from 6:00 to 8:00 pm with a campfire to follow. Please expect to use the self- serve method of paying until January 1st. Please see self-serve instructions on the Hub's window, in the parking lot. A trail pass of $9.00 is required unless you have a seasons pass. After January 1st rentals (limited at 6) are available at a discounted, intro rate of $20.00/bike for the group ride. Please bring your Headlamp. Fat bikes only (at least 3.8″ tires).


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The Summer School 'Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights' has come to its 4th edition. Our goal is to introduce students who study health sciences, humanities, medical and social sciences to the reciprocal concepts of Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights in an international context. To reach this goal, we aim to attract students from different backgrounds and nationalities as much as possible. Thus, we aim to stimulate a culturally diverse, interesting debate and broaden the view on the different subjects. The Summer School 'Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights' is open for students of the faculty of medicine and health sciences, Psychology, Social and political sciences, Law, Linguistics and Philosophy.
Stay up to date and follow our socials
"I am currently studying the degree of medicine, however, I feel that in an ever more globalized society, little attention is payed to the fact that our patients come from many different places, and this will alter the likelihood of suffering from different diseases. Practicing medicine in a multicultural environment is our new challenge, yet it is also a situation which offers great opportunities. This is the reason that took me to Ghent, where I received training from international experts.
The University of Ghent offers a very interesting course on 'Health & Migration' which no other university can rival. Additionally, it counts with an incredible social program which makes learning even more enjoyable.
I found the content of the program very enriching and learnt a lot. Plus, I had great fun and made lots of friends!"Paula, Spain
"To me, Summer School in Ghent was a fully enriching experience: the classes were challenging and nuanced, the other students were lovely, the organizers were genuine and extremely competent, and the social program was interesting and fun – all in a dazzling setting! "Julia, Canada
"How Summer School impacted my life. Before the Summer School, I envisaged to be part of an intercultural learning society. Later I realized that joining the Summer School was the best decision I ever made. I really want to thank the UGent representatives for giving us friendship, knowledge, love, reason and above all a sense of belonging to a community. The immense wisdom of some of the professors changed my life. Prior to the Summer School, I did not know what to do with my life and how to help people in the best way possible. I was not motivated to continue my studies, but after this experience I knew I want to be a teacher in the medical school. As it helped me a lot and it is helping others, I think it is a good system. I secretly miss it every now and then and would love to come back. Thank you. "


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Arsenal's poor away form is cause for concern ahead of their Monday night trip to in-form Watford, who are confident after progressing to the FA Cup final.
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Arsenal hasn't kept a clean sheet this season away from the Emirates in the Premier League and they have won only one of their last nine on the road, at bottom club Huddersfield.
Watford is unbeaten in their last six matches at home in all competitions, winning their last four but they have lost to Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea when they have visited Vicarage Road. It should give the Gunners some hope and the added fact that Watford could have one eye on the FA Cup final after their late heroic victory against Wolves.
With over each of Watford's last six home matches across all competitions against Arsenal featuring over 2.5 goals, we expect more of the same here.
Team news & men to watch 🌟
Troy Deeney is likely to be partnered up front by Gerard Deulofeu after the Spaniard's heroics in the FA Cup semifinal. Heurelho Gomes will make way for Ben Foster, arguably Watford's best performer this season and one of the division's best this campaign. Daryl Janmaat could come in at right-back for Kiko Femenia. Tom Cleverley and Isacc Success are both likely to miss out.
For Arsenal, commanding centre back Sokratis Papastathopoulos is suspended, meaning that Laurent Koscielny will start again despite ongoing concerns about his fitness. Alex Iwobi, Lucas Torreira & Aaron Ramsey all should start too.
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Read More: Harry Kane back in Spurs training


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Educational Leadership PGCert
Educational Leadership PGCert
Part time: 9 months
The Educational Leadership PGCert is for practising educators in any educational sector, particularly those in leadership roles or aspiring leaders. You will develop both 'know how' and 'know why' in relation to educational leadership.
On completing the course you will have a good, critical understanding of
- current thinking and key issues of leadership and strategic management of educational institutions
- relevant leadership theories and their significance for educational leadership
The course will help you to use approaches of practitioner enquiry as a means for professional practice, educational effectiveness and improvement of educational organisations.
At the beginning of the course, you will be asked to complete a formatively assessed written task to tailor the teaching and reading list to your development needs. This personalised approach has been identified by previous students as a particular strength of the course.
Through the educational leadership enquiry task you will acquire a critical understanding of research methodologies, methods and theory of research, and practical experience in approaches to encourage educational effectiveness and improvement.
Course tutors are active scholars, have had or hold leadership roles within the education sector and all teach and supervise across a range of courses. This provides them with a wide knowledge base and a genuine concern for the challenges of educational contexts. The PGCert in Educational Leadership is led by the director of the North Leadership Centre, René Koglbauer.
The course draws on the expertise developed in the North Leadership Centre and the Research Centre for Learning and Teaching which are based in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences.
The North Leadership Centre is one of the seven founding partners of NETSP (North East Teaching Schools Partnership), which holds the license for the National Leadership Curriculum by the National College for Teaching and Leadership:
- National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership (NPQML)
- National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL)
- National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH)
The course is made up of two modules. The first module is taught in evening sessions (from 4.30pm to 7pm) during the autumn term. The second module is taught in two full days and an evening session during the spring term. In addition, you will have the opportunity to attend tutorials with the module leaders.
Sessions are taught interactively. Weekly tasks are built into the course so that you actively contribute to each session. The learning from the modules extends into practical and reflective engagement with the workplace.
Modules can be combined with other Master's level credits (including the PGCE), to complete a full Master's with a dissertation.
You are expected to work or volunteer in a professional educational setting. This provides the context for much of your practitioner enquiry.
You will be taught in the King George VI Building. You have access to the Education Resource Centre and associated borrowing rights.
In the news
How much do you know about the benefits of postgraduate study?
published on: 1 July 2019
How much do you know about the application process? Try our application quiz!
published on: 26 June 2019
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
If you have successfully completed the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership (NPQML) or the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) your module selection will be different.
Modules for 2019 entry
Compulsory modulesCompulsory modules
Compulsory modules
Optional modulesOptional modules
You will take further optional modules to a value of 20 credits from:
Module changes
Course content changes
The information above is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Fees & Funding
2020-2021 fees
The fees displayed here are per course.
Part time: £2,600
Part time: £2,600
Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.
EU students starting at Newcastle in 2020 will pay the UK (Home) tuition fee for the full duration of their course.
Entry Requirements
An undergraduate degree and relevant professional experience in an educational context.
We don't need your employer's permission for entry to the course, but you should discuss the focus of your assignments (where necessary) with appropriate colleagues/line managers.
You will need to have current access to educational workplaces (eg through employment or educational consultancy), but you do not need to be in a leadership role.
Find out the equivalent qualifications for your country.
Use the drop down above to find your country. If your country isn't listed please email: firstname.lastname@example.com for further information.
English Language Requirements
Select an English language test from the list to view our English language entry requirements.
Please email us at email@example.com for further information.
Pre-sessional English Course RequirementsPre-sessional English Course Requirements
- 6 week Pre-sessional entry: IELTS 6.0 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in all other sub-skills)
- 10 week Pre-sessional entry: IELTS 6.0 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills)
You can study our Pre-sessional English course at the INTO Newcastle Centre.
International students must follow a full time degree course to receive a student visa. If you have a working visa you may be eligible for part time study on this course.
How to Apply
You apply online, track your application and contact the admissions team via our applicant portal. Our step-by-step guide can help you on your way.
Start dates
There are two intakes for this course each year:
- September
- January
There is no application closing date for this course.
School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences
Telephone:+44 (0) 191 208 6799
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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No worries, my friend. I have ordered 15 pizzas so, hopefully, we have enough.Sorry @dantimdad I just saw I hadn't stickied this thread. Been a very busy month. It's done now so maybe more people will see it.
And I should still be good to be there.


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The Bible is one of the best places to find Valentine's Day quotes about love. Love is mentioned frequently in the Bible, and many of our modern conceptions about the meaning of love can be traced back to a Bible verse.
Bible verses can be a wonderful way to show some love this Valentine's Day. Simply choose your favorite Bible quote and write it in a Valentine's Day card. Bible quotes for Valentine's Day can be sent to loved ones, neighbors, friends, or your religious leaders. A simple Bible love quote will brighten anyone's day this Valentines Day.
All Bible verses are from the New International Version Bible.
1. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
2. "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." (1 John 4:12)
3. "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalms 37:4)
4. "To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." (Mark 12:33)
5. "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)
6. "Place me like a seal overe your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unyielding as the grave. It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame." (Song of Solomon 8:6)
7. Therefore be imitators of God as well-beloved children." (Ephesians 5:1)
8. "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth." (1 John 3:18)
9. "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)
10. "My lover is mine, and I am his." (Song of Solomon 2:16)
11. "Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." (1 John 4:7)
12. "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:14)
13. "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal." (1 Corinthians 13:1)
14. "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (Romans 5:5)
15. "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)


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Saturday, November 08, 2008
Jury Finds Japanese Attacker Guilty, Mentally Ill
Associated Press
SANTA FE A Santa Fe jury has found a Japanese man "guilty but mentally ill" in the stabbing of an English biologist as he was speaking on "thought transference" during an international conference.
The verdict Friday requires the state to treat Kazuki Hirano of Yokohama for his illness while incarcerated. Hirano had accused the victim, Rupert Sheldrake, of controlling his thoughts.
Hirano, 34, faces up to three years behind bars, less the seven months he has already spent, for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The jury declined to convict Hirano of attempted murder or attempted manslaughter.
State District Judge Michael Vigil will sentence Hirano Dec. 5.
Sheldrake, an expert on mental telepathy, was stabbed in the leg April 2 as he finished his lecture at the 10th International Conference on Science and Consciousness at a Santa Fe hotel.
Sheldrake had said that Hirano told him the day before that he heard voices and thought people were trying to communicate with him telepathically.
"I'm sorry they didn't find him guilty of attempted murder because that's what I think he was trying to do," Sheldrake said before leaving Santa Fe to return to London. "I think he obviously needs help and I very much hope he gets it and I'm very concerned if he's released before he's been cured he could be a danger to himself and others."
Hirano's defense attorney, Sydney West, is skeptical about the quality of the mental health treatment Hirano would get while incarcerated.
Copyright ©2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and his wife, Candice, shared family photos along with Rivers, 3, and Hawkins, 5, with People Magazine.
The couple awaits the arrival of their third child in August.
Candice confirms she's expecting a third boy and that both she and Tony like to know the gender ahead of time. She tells People she loves being a "boy mom."
The latest news from around North Texas.
She says they have a narrowed down list of names, but haven't settled on a name yet.
As for the new baby's brothers, Candice says they're excited and like to keep up with the baby's growth and listening to baby's heartbeat.
Candice says she "thinks" they're done after the third baby arrives but adds "you never say never."
Candice also talked about Hawk + Sloane, the company she co-founded, which creates sprays for what she calls "natural parenting."
MORE: People.com - Tony Romo and Pregnant Wife Candice Crawford Romo Pose for Stunning Maternity Shoot


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Indian Railways have embarked upon expansion program as per Vision Document 2020. Metro Railways are being constructed in major cities all over country. Over the next 10-12 years, the Railways are looking at investing US$500 billion to increase capacity and upgrade existing infrastructure.
MBL has completed two RUBs at Narela & Badli and two ROBs at Faridabad and Sonepat. MBL is executing two ROBs at Sonepat, Haryana.


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Open Access Article Registration | Inclusive Museum Journal
Authors published in The International Journal of the Inclusive Museum and authors of an article currently in-press with The International Journal of the Inclusive Museum can register for open access publication of their article. Our open access publications are licensed using the Creative Commons license, ¡°Attribution-Non-Commercial-No-Derivatives 4.0 International¡± (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). For more information about our hybrid open access journals, please visit: (http://cgnetworks.org/journals/hybrid-open-access). After completing your payment, please download the PDF of the Open Access Agreement and follow the instructions enclosed so that our staff can finalize your article's open access status.


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Yes, we Canadians have been dispelling the cold and the darkness of winter... not to mention scurvy... for many long years now.
It all began when the original French settlers came to Canada (or New France as they called it) and settled down for their first winter on Ste. Croix Island in the Bay of Fundy. Only about half the inhabitants made it through that first winter, the rest dying from starvation and scurvy. In the spring, Samuel de Champlain moved the survivors to the north side of the Bay of Fundy, and on the shores of Annapolis Basin, they created the settlement of Port Royal. And to help his people survive the winter both physically and emotionally, Champlain decreed that they would establish the "Ordre de Bon Temps" or the Order of Good Cheer.
The settlers were often joined by leaders of the nearby native Mi'kmaq community, who if truth be told were probably instrumental in these newcomers being able to find the fish and game to begin with. And so the winter passed in a most pleasant manner. There was not only good food, but music, amateur dramatics, good conversation, laughter, and no scurvy. As Champlain himself wrote, "We passed the winter most joyously, and fared lavishly" (The Canadian Encyclopedia.)
|Port Royal Historic Site in Nova Scotia
And so Hubby and I (and about forty friends) continued the tradition when, on the Friday night before Christmas, we got dolled up for the annual 'partay' and feast at the home of our friends Ace and Michelle. Every year they host a fabulous Christmas party in their lovely log home.
Most of the revelers are members of the "hockey gang." This is a large group of guys with whom my husband has played hockey for years (and years) and their wives or girlfriends. When I first met my husband, a scant thirty years ago, they had already been a tight-knit group for at least a decade. Since then we've been through a lot together: divorces, new partners, retirements, the challenges of illness and the loss of some really close friends. No to mention lots of great parties and funny stories... many, many stories. These people are family, now.
Michelle and Ace always lay on a great feast. And Friday night did not disappoint. This is just the appetizer table.
As per tradition, after the first round of food and drinks, the singing commenced. Accompanied by Ace's sister-in-law on the piano, we had to sing for our supper.
These ladies are doing some serious singing. Always happy to oblige, they carried most of the rest of us. Well, some of the rest of us.... well, me at least. I can't carry a tune... so I joined in on the chorus, mostly
Our final song was a rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," lead by Jan, who is a talented blues singer and musician. That's her in the red dress. Jan announced that we would be performing the song with accompanying actions....so... "on your feet, people!" Jan was assisted by M.L and Sue... as moral support, I think. Or maybe to chastise any rowdies who might disrupt the festivities. This was a crowd that included many retired teachers, after all.... experienced disrupters.


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Among all the adorableness of the Prince of Cambridge's first public appearance today is a moment much more subtle than William's hair quip. Kate emerged from St. Mary's Lindo Wing wearing a precious polka-dot Jenny Packham number — a frock strikingly similar to Princess Diana's outfit for William's birth. While it's a heartbreaking reminder of Lady Di's untimely passing, it's also a beautiful homage to William's late mother, and an indication of Middleton's continued efforts to keep her memory alive. We hope this is just the beginning of sweet traditions for the brand new family. Now, before we get too sappy, who wants to take bets on when the replica version hits the Internet?
Photos: Rex USA


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The top three mayoral contenders squared-off Friday at a debate in Barrio Logan - at times taking swipes at each other over leadership skills and predicted negative campaigning.
Former Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher shifted the conversation away from a question posed about emergency response times to dare his opponents to run clean campaigns.
"I'm here today to pledge to you today that my campaign will talk about me, my ideas, my vision for the future and will not attack either of these other two gentlemen who are fine men who care about our community," Fletcher said, largely setting the tone for the rest of the forum. "I'll also call on every organization whose endorsed me to do the same and I will publicly denounce any group affiliated with me that doesn't do that ... "
As the front-runner in the race, Fletcher, a Qualcomm executive, has already faced heavy criticism from both the left and the right for switching views as he morphed from a Republican to a Democrat with a brief interlude as an Independent who called on an end to petty political games during the 2012 mayoral primaries.
Councilmen Kevin Faulconer and David Alvarez did not acknowledge Fletcher's request during the debate, but both said after the event that pointing out voting records of other candidates would remain in their repertoire.
"My campaign is going out there talking about the facts," Faulconer said. "We're talking about differences of policy positions. Particularly about principles and not changing those principles and staying consistent, which is something I feel very strongly about."
During the debate, Alvarez responded to Fletcher's pledge request by indicating he was more interested in answering the questions from the forum, hosted in the community he grew up in and currently represents on the City Council.
"I don't know why he's bringing that up. It's not occurring," Alvarez said afterwards, referring to negative campaigning. "It's a short campaign and what I have to worry about is letting people know who I am and that's what I'm going to focus on."
A campaign mailer landed this week questioning Fletcher's shift on pension reform, managed competition, tax increases and project labor agreements, among other positions.
When filling out paperwork to qualify as a mayoral candidates, all hopefuls are asked by the City Clerk's office to sign a statement, per state law, promising "decency, honesty and fair play" during the campaign.
The pledge states the candidate will not use "character defamation, whispering campaigns, libel, slander or scurrilous attacks on any candidate or his or her personal or family life."
But, it also leaves room for criticizing an opponents record, policies and political parties, "which merit such criticism," the paperwork states. All candidates, including Fletcher, Alvarez and Faulconer signed and returned the pledge last week.
The "Spirit of Barrio Logan" debate hosted by Family Health Centers of San Diego lasted about 30 minutes before a packed house of more than 100 guests. It included topics such as neighborhoods, the Barrio Logan Community Plan Update, the emergency response times (although a sidetracked topic) and homelessness.