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(Pictured: Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman and an old friend.)
Stability or freedom? This is the false choice presented by political analysts and government officials as Egyptians protest day after day in their quest for freedom. On the one hand Egypt is described as our valued, strategic pro-Western ally, aligned with our anti-terrorist and Israeli policies. On the other hand, the Mubarak government's record of corruption, restriction of freedoms, imprisonment of political opponents, torture, and abject poverty for tens of millions of Egyptians is in blatant opposition to our American ideals. The conclusion of the wise men is that the U.S. is in a dilemma, walking a tightrope, and in a delicate balance for our diplomacy. So what is the choice for us?
First, there is no choice between supporting freedom and democracy and supporting a despotic regime for eighty million Egyptians. The entire Arab world has entered a period of readiness for revolution, and we must be ready to support their quest for freedom and democracy just as we treasure it ourselves. Second, the claim that our support of despotic regimes is the reason for some stability ignores the current and past instabilities in the region. Third, supporting despotic regimes promotes anti-Western terrorism. Fourth, if we had supported a democratic transformation in Egypt and the Arab world, we may have avoided past wars. And finally, our support and aid to the Egyptian military and other security services for stability is contrary to our values, promoting anti-democratic policies and adding to the corruption endemic to Arab countries.
Our relationship with the military elite is now especially problematic. Egypt's top generals were trained in our military colleges, and we have maintained our relationships with them. While some may see this as a distinct advantage, the Egyptian people also see the billions of US dollars given to the Egyptian military as money used to maintain control over any political opposition. Current discussions about the transition of Mubarak to his newly-appointed vice president, Omar Suleiman, only serve to magnify our support for the repressive regime. Suleiman, the former military general and director of an intelligence service known for torture of dissidents, is not trusted by the dissidents. Yet, indications are that the U.S. would be very happy with Suleiman's leadership. Our focus on the military for a solution is pregnant with risks since they are the privileged class and have benefited from the regime's corrupt practices.
In the past two weeks, US officials have issued many statements reflecting not only the changing situation in Egypt, but our own ambivalence with practical and moral imperatives. Secretary Clinton claimed that the regime is stable. President Obama expressed the need for an immediate transition plan, allowing for Egyptians to determine their future. But the most disturbing comment came (amid the reports of deaths and injuries among the demonstrators) from the administration's special envoy Frank Wisner: Mubarak must remain in the transition period to ensure stability. While the administration slightly distanced themselves from Mr. Wisner's comments, it appears that many in the West were aligned with his statement. To those demonstrators, and the rest of Egypt waiting for its first breath of freedom, the disappointment must be deep.
The Tahrir square revolution has already succeeded in many fronts. The demonstration in the tens and hundreds of thousands in Tahrir square has continued unabated for two weeks. The demonstrators held to a peaceful path despite the provocation by government thugs. On 2/6/2011, Christians held mass in Tahrir square chanting, "we are one nation" and Muslims protected their Christian brethren – bringing a tear to the eye of many Christian Arabs. For the first time, Mr. Mubarak declared he would not run for another term in the coming September. Moreover, his son Jamal Mubarak will not succeed him. The people of Egypt are no longer afraid to challenge the instruments of oppression – the security forces. Mr. Suleiman has already met, for the first time, with many of the opposition leaders and agreed to form a Committee on Constitutional Reforms. Finally, there are discussions of removing the emergency law ruling Egypt since 1981.
It appears that the U.S. administration's desire is for Suleiman's power to increase and for Mubarak's to gradually diminish. The U.S. will support this transition to democracy as long as it does not threaten any of our interests in the Middle East. But there is so much at stake. As Americans, we must ask ourselves: isn't the liberty that we cherish worth the risk?


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Below is a list of our event marketing members that list Ocean City as a local travel city. Note that this is not an exhaustive list of staff that can work promotional jobs in Ocean City, only members who specifically list Ocean City on their profile.
If you are interested in booking your promotional event - staffing needs in/around Ocean City:Management - Staffing Request Form

subset: commoncrawl


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Washington State issues how-to regs on growing, selling marijuana
Washington State voters approved legalizing marijuana. Now, state officials are working out the regulations for growing, distributing, and selling pot. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, so Uncle Sam is keeping a close eye.
With the eyes of other states – and the US Justice Department – upon them, officials in Washington State have issued draft regulations for growing, distributing, and selling marijuana meant for recreational use.
The details announced this week include the number of shops that will be able to sell pot around the state (334, with locations based on population), the number of shops or growing facilities that a single business can operate (three per individual or corporation), the size of marijuana "grows" (30,000 square feet, or about three-quarters of an acre), the kinds of security systems that must be in place (alarms and video surveillance), and how far such shops must be from schools, parks, and other places where children may gather (1,000 yards).
In all, according to the Washington State Liquor Control Board, the agency tasked with developing polices and regulations, the overall harvest for next year will be capped at 40 metric tons, which pencils out to about 8.25 grams annually per adult in the state.
That harvest level could change in the following years. The idea is to grow enough to compete with the illegal marijuana market without producing so much that it gets transported to other states where the drug remains illegal.
Washington State's new law is the result of a ballot measure last year – I-502 – that legalized recreational marijuana. Coloradoans passed a similar law.
Law enforcement officials in the state are gearing up for enforcement.
"I supported I-502 last year because as a former narcotics detective, I can say with full confidence that the War on Drugs has been a failure," Sheriff John Urquhart of King County (which includes Seattle) said in a news release.
"There has to be a better way," said Sheriff Urquhart, who is scheduled to testify before the US Senate Judiciary Committee next week. "As far as marijuana is concerned, the citizens of Washington have decided legalization for personal use appears to be that 'better way'. Law enforcement needs to respect their decision."
Cannabis is still illegal under US drug law, and this has been a point of contention between the federal government and state officials easing up on criminal enforcement – especially in those 20 states and the District of Columbia where marijuana production, sale, and use for medical purposes has been legalized.
A big step in relieving that state-federal tension came last week when the US Justice Department announced that it would leave it to states to regulate individual marijuana use, recreationally or for medicinal purposes, as long as states "implement strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems."
But this doesn't mean Uncle Sam is backing off entirely.
"If state reinforcement efforts are not sufficiently robust … the federal government may seek to challenge the [state] regulatory scheme itself in addition to continuing to bring individual enforcement actions, including criminal prosecutions…," states the Justice Department memo to US Attorneys.
Under the new federal guidelines, the federal government's top investigative priorities include preventing the distribution of marijuana to minors; preventing sales revenue from going to criminal enterprises, gangs, and cartels; preventing state-authorized marijuana activity from being used as a cover or pretext for the trafficking of other illegal drugs or other illegal activity; preventing violence and the use of firearms in the cultivation and distribution of marijuana; preventing the growing of marijuana on public lands; and preventing the diversion of marijuana outside of states where it is legal under state law.
Still, the trend in public opinion continues to move in the pro-pot direction.
In April, the Pew Research Center for the first time found majority support (52-45 percent) for legalizing marijuana – a noticeable 11 percent increase in support just since 2010. The Pew poll also found that a larger number of Americans – 60 percent – agree that "the federal government should not enforce federal laws prohibiting the use of marijuana in states where it is legal."
Details remain to be worked out with the proposed regulations in Washington State, and there could be legal challenges. As it is now, some counties and cities where pot shops have been approved by the state still outlaw such sales at the local level.
"A controversy that will certainly develop is whether cities and counties can outlaw marijuana," Ryan Espegard, a Seattle attorney who specializes in cannabis regulation, told the Los Angeles Times. "And can employers or landlords ban the use on premises? Can you be fired for using in your spare time? These will be playing out in the next year, next two years."
One former Microsoft executive, who declared his intent to become "big marijuana" by dominating the legal market, reportedly will challenge the three-operation limit on individuals and businesses.
If all goes as planned with the licensing plans, recreational marijuana could be sold in Washington State shops by next summer.


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IWA & OutdoorClassics90471 Nürnberg
With around 1,200 exhibitors in eight halls and over 35,000 trade visitors expected to attend, the IWA & OutdoorClassics in Nuremberg presents the summit meeting of the industry.
The power of attraction of the global range of hunting and sporting guns, ammunition, sport optics and knives continues uninterrupted. IWA & OutdoorClassics is also just as much the home of equipment and clothing for classic outdoor leisure activities.
Besides the already extensive range of guns for official agencies, the Law Enforcement segment is rapidly gaining importance with a large selection of special products for official agencies, special forces and security companies.


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An Obama Administration that first sought to limit freedom of religion to worship also solicited the content of the prayers of political opponents whose free political speech rights they denied in the Election of 2012.
When Democratic Party-like "satraps" sought to eliminate King Darius's favorite Jew from influencing the Mede then ruling Persia, they conspired to appeal to the King's vanity with an ordinance that:
"…whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions…Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God." – Daniel 6: 7-11
Fast forward approximately 2500 years, and we find Persian satrap-like Obama Democrats seeking to eliminate the influence of pro-life Christians and Jews (together with tea partiers, conservatives and other Republican groups) from influencing We the People voters that are supposed to be ruling the United States of America via elected representatives and the rule of law after election campaigns defined by freedom of speech, press and assembly:
Coalition for Life of Iowa found itself in the IRS's crosshairs when the group applied for tax exempt status in October 2008. Nearly ten months of interrogation about the group's opposition to Planned Parenthood included a demand by a Ms. Richards from the IRS' Cincinnati office unlawfully insisted that all board members sign a sworn declaration promising not to picket/protest Planned Parenthood. Further questioning by the IRS requested detailed information about the content of the group's prayer meetings, educational seminars, and signs their members hold outside Planned Parenthood.
Interestingly, early in the Obama Administration both President Barack Obama and his Secretary of State (and presumed successor) Hillary Clinton sought to relegate prayer and other religious activities to the four walls of churches:
"Freedom of worship" has recently replaced the phrase "freedom of religion" in public pronouncements from the Obama administration. Experts are concerned that the new rhetoric may signal a policy change.
"Freedom of worship" first appeared in President Obama's November remarks at the memorial service for the victims of the Fort Hood shooting. Days later, he referred to worship rather than religion in speeches in Japan and China.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton echoed the shift in language. In a December speech at Georgetown University, she used "freedom of worship" three times but "freedom of religion" not at all. While addressing senators in January, she referred to "freedom of worship" four times and "freedom of religion" once when quoting an earlier Obama speech.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom noted the shift in its 2010 annual report. "This change in phraseology could well be viewed by human rights defenders and officials in other countries as having concrete policy implications," the report said.
The "concrete policy implications", especially after tea partiers helped the GOP re-take the House of Representatives after the 2010 mid-term election, was to shut the mouths and tax-exempt wallets of the political opponents of tax-payer-subsidized morning-after abortion pills, Obamacare, and other job-killing Democratic Party-passed legislation before President Obama sought re-election in 2012.
In approximately 500 B.C., God shut the mouths of the lions in the den, thus restoring Daniel's influence in Persia. In A.D. 2011-2, the mouths and wallets of Jews, Christians and other conservative Republicans were shut by Obama's IRS so that his path to retain power was made easier. It appears that in the nation that threw off rule via distant parliaments and the Divine Right of kings for the constitutional rule of law, an elected president has more dictatorial power than did a king of the ancient Persian empire. What happened to the Separation of Powers?
The First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, religion and assembly to petition the government for a redress of grievances by those opposing the Obama regime, the Democratic Party and their agenda, have been abolished by an Internal Revenue Service dominated by Democrats that admit only of granting "poor customer service."
And we thought We the People were the employers?
Mike DeVine
"One man with courage makes a majority." – Andrew Jackson


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Federal agencies are currently preparing for the possibility of such an event, but questions about the tangible impact of a government shutdown loom - particularly in terms of what it means for millions of Americans who are employed by or rely on the federal government for services.
Below, Hotsheet takes a look at who and what would be directly affected by a government shutdown - who gets paid, who goes home, and whose blackberries go dark - and how that could affect the rest of us.
Federal employees
In the event of a shutdown, the federal government does not actually stop functioning entirely: activities and employees deemed "excepted" (in 1995, the terminology used was "essential") to keeping the nation safe and operational continue to perform. Congress, along with President Obama, presidential appointees and specific judicial employees, are deemed "excepted" and not subject to furlough. Even those excepted federal employees, however, do not get paid until after the government resumes operations.
According to a senior administration official who spoke to reporters in a Wednesday conference call, about 800,000 employees were affected by the shutdown in the government shutdown of 1995 - and a similar number of workers would likely be impacted were the government to close this week.
So how do you know who keeps working and who goes home?
Employers decide who is "excepted" and who gets furloughed - and the latter characterization could fall to any number of the 1.9 million civilian government employees. Plus, according to the Washington Post, "any workers scheduled to take paid leave would not be able to, and some would be eligible for unemployment benefits if a shutdown continued for more than a few days.
Whether or not the furloughed staffers would get paid remains to be seen: they'd only receive back pay if Congress later passed a provision approving it - something that could take months and which may or may not happen.
Additionally, a recent report from Roll Call indicates that some Congress members plan to limit their furloughs and keep their entire staffs at work.
Government services
- Social Security: Social Security recipients would be largely unaffected by a shutdown, according to the administration official. Checks for seniors, those with disabilities, and survivors would go out as usual. But Social Security Administration employees could face furloughs, but the agency is still finalizing its plan.
- Homeland Security: Critical functions, like border control, would continue.
- Mail delivery: The U.S. Postal Service is owned by the government but self-funded - so operations would continue uninterrupted.
- Air traffic control: As a function of maintaining public safety, Air traffic control would be exempt from a shutdown.
- Food inspection: Meat and poultry testing would likely continue, in accordance with federal mandates that those activities deemed "essential to ensure continued public health or safety" continue.
- National parks and monuments: As the New York Times puts it, "The National Zoo would close, but the lions and tigers would get fed." National parks and museums, including those on the National Mall, like the Smithsonian, would shut down - just in time for spring break.
- Passport operations: All operations would be likely suspended, except for in cases of emergency.
- International Revenue Services: (IRS) The IRs would close, but the April tax deadline would stay in place - so Americans would still have to pay their taxes on time. But according to the senior administration official, the processing of paper tax returns (which accounts for about 30 percent of all returns) would be suspended - as would refunds associated with those returns.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA, which is dedicated to supporting small businesses, would suspend approval of applications for business loan guarantees, as well as direct loans to small businesses.
- The Federal Housing Association (FHA): The FHA would be forced to suspend approvals for new loan guarantees during peak home-buying season, according to the administration official.
- Medicare: According to the administration official, Medicare is funded for the short-term - and would likely remain unaffected unless the government were to remain closed for a period of months or more. NIH, however, will not be able to accept new patients or begin new clinical trials.
- Uniformed military personnel would continue to serve, but they would not get paid for their work until the government reopened. (Troops would get one week, not two weeks, pay in their next check, as the shutdown would go into effect in the middle of a pay cycle.) And a number of Pentagon civilians, State Department officials and USAID staff would likely be furloughed.
- Veterans services will largely go uninterrupted, as the Veterans Administration receives its yearly appropriation in advance and thus has the money to fund services for the rest of the year.


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Because 90% of all driving accidents are caused by operator error, automating vehicles through onboard computers would reduce injuries, deaths and related costs by staggering amounts, according to a study released today by the non-profit Eno Center for Transportation.
Alcohol, drugs, inexperience, speeding, wet and icy roads can all contribute to an accident. If computers controlled vehicles, they could sense and anticipate road conditions and objects around them, helping to avoid accidents, the study showed. In fact, if just 10% of all vehicles in the U.S. were self-driving, the number accidents each year would be cut by 211,000; 1,100 lives would be saved; and economic costs would be cut by $22.7B, the study said.
If 90% of vehicles in the U.S. were self-driving, as many as 4.2 million accidents could be avoided, saving 21,700 lives and $450 billion in related costs.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 40% of fatal crashes are the result of alcohol or drug use, driver distraction and/or fatigue. Since computers don't drink or do drugs and they don't become distracted or tired, their use in vehicles would dramatically reduce fatalities, the study concluded.
Through vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, autonomous cars and trucks could reduce freeway and artery congestion by more than 75%, the study said. For one, traffic congestion would also be dramatically reduced through fewer accidents. The Federal Highway Administration estimates that up to 25% of traffic jams are caused by accidents.
Additionally, autonomous vehicles are expected to be able to detect other vehicles around them - even communicating with other cars and trucks about their routes. Therefore, self-driving vehicles could anticipate a lead vehicle's braking and acceleration decisions, allowing for smoother travel and leading to the avoidance of the traffic pileups that occur today.
Anticipating breaking and acceleration in other vehicles would also lead to fuel savings and less brake wear.
Car manufacturers and technology companies, such as Google, have announced plans to launch self-driving vehicle lines by 2020.
As of August, California and Nevada have enacted legislation to allow self-driving car licensing. Florida and Washington D.C. have begun autonomous vehicle testing, and similar legislation is pending in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin, according to the Eno Center study.
"Of course, many such benefits may not be realized until high [numbers of self-driving vehicles] are present. For example, if 10% of all vehicles on a given freeway segment are [autonomous], there will likely be an [autonomous vehicle] in every lane at regular spacing during congested times, which could smooth traffic for all travelers," the study's authors wrote.
Conversely, if just one out of 200 vehicles is autonomous, the impact would be "non-existent or greatly lessened."
There are still many issues to resolve with autonomous vehicles: How much of the functionality would be automated? Could automakers prevent hackers from getting into onboard computers? Will drivers accept computer-controlled vehicles? And who would be liable in the event of an accident in a self-driving car? All are potential stumbling blocks.
Self-driving vehicles "will be driving on our streets and highways within the next decade, but it is uncertain when they will comprise a substantial share of the U.S. fleet," the study said. "As long as...crucial questions go unanswered, the nation will be hampered in its ability to successfully plan for and introduce [autonomous vehicles] into the transportation system."
Lucas Mearian covers storage, disaster recovery and business continuity, financial services infrastructure and health care IT for Computerworld. Follow Lucas on Twitter at @lucasmearian or subscribe to Lucas's RSS feed . His e-mail address is email@example.com.
See more by Lucas Mearian on Computerworld.com.


text: The things you find on Craigslist... A local college student has decided not to do anything with a black '87 635 project car he was given, so he has offered to let Patroonies strip anything they need for salvage yard pricing. How about a nice set of black bucket seats for your Fiver? Seriously, if you need anything that may be transferable let me know. Lots of lower rust, but the components seem sound.


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Garth Brooks is bringing his Stadium Tour to Autzen Stadium at the University of Oregon in Eugene on June 29. The upcoming stop marks Garth's first performance in Eugene.
Garth's Stadium Tour, which features in-the-round staging, has already visited St. Louis and Glendale, with upcoming stops in Gainesville (April 20), Minneapolis (May 3 and 4), Pittsburgh (May 18) and Denver (June 8).
Tickets for the show in Eugene will go on sale on April 26 at 10 a.m. PT. for $94.95.
photo by NCD


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You never know where you're gonna find the greatest bourbon on the planet. Like last month, I was on a cooking team at a barbecue contest, and one of the guys on it with me was a pretty famous chef. His name is Sean Brock, and his restaurant, Husk, in Charleston, S.C., only serves stuff grown, raised or made below the Mason-Dixon Line. He traffics in all the pharmaceutical-quality narcotics of the southern food junkies: Allan Benton's bacon, Will Harris' beef, and, of course, Julian Van Winkle's whiskey. So we were hanging by the bar at our tent, the day before the cooking began, and I was looking around at all the bourbon we had brought in. He grinned. "You like bourbon?" he asked.
Out came this bottle of Pappy Van Winkle, which is hard enough to get in the first place, but this was special edition stuff, bottled just for Husk, 20 years old and 107 proof. I've never seen a movie star naked, but it's got to be something like this.
"I think it's the best whiskey ever bottled," Brock says, as he handed me the fifth for a swig. "Goddamn. I love it. I love it too much."
If you know what Pappy Van Winkle is, you're already mad at me. If you don't, I'm about to change your life. Pappy, officially called Family Reserve, is the top-of-the-line bourbon made by The Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. It comes in 15, 20, and 23 years old. There's a cult.
I actually met Julian once, in Kentucky. I was sorta shocked he didn't look like Yoda. I've bought out entire stores of Pappy. If I walk in a place, and they've got it, I'm walking out with it. As an experiment for this piece, I decided just now to call a few liquor stores, ask for Pappy, and then write down what each store said.
Here, now, the results of the exclusive Grantland investigation (David Barstow can kiss my ass):
- Charles Street Liquors, Boston, Mass.: "That's a tough one to get. We are trying to order it almost every month. We have none left. Try another source."
- Park Avenue Liquor, New York, N.Y.: "[Laughter.] It was here. It was actually in the store for two or three days a month ago. There are rumors going around it will be around in the fall. It's a mirage, really. If I haven't actually seen a bottle, I wouldn't have believed it exists."
- Corkscrew, Memphis, Tenn.: "Awww. No. Good luck. [Laughter.] I'm sold-out of my Van Winkle. I get so little of it. Most people who know about Pappy will find it, seek it out, and soak it up. I get my allocation in the very beginning of November and I don't put it out until at least December. If I put it out early, it will be gone. I don't let any old schmuck pick it up. I dole it out. You have to prove to me that you know what you're talking about before I will sell you a bottle."
That's what we're dealing with. Call your liquor store if you feel like getting laughed at. (And if they have it, buy all of it right then.) If you can't find it in a store, your best bet is a bar. Now there are all sorts of swanky bourbon bars these days, with long lists of expensive booze, things with fancy names, and a lot of the bartenders are snooty little pricks. But say you want a Pappy and all that bravado melts. The ironic hat almost dissolves on their head. That order announces that a man (or a woman, such as my wife) is here to drink.
When Pappyphiles find a bar that serves it, we make a mental note. There's a Thai restaurant in Columbia, Mo., that sells it, for some reason. In Vegas, there's a bar in the basement of the Venetian. I know a hotel in Lyon, France, and where to go in Birmingham or Atlanta, and just a few days ago in Chicago, I knocked back four of 'em at a restaurant. There are others. You'll have to find your own damn Pappy. It's there, on the shelf of a bar or liquor store, waiting for a lush like you.
There is, to the best of my knowledge, only one airport bar in America that serves Pappy. Not long ago, I missed a connection and, despite it being the middle of the day,. I walked in with a computer bag and a roller-board suitcase, looking like any other road warrior. Then I ordered. The waiter's demeanor visibly changed.
All they had, he told me, was the 15-year-old. I asked for it on the rocks. A few minutes later, he comes back. Amber liquid sashays in the glass in front of me. He leans in.
"Don't tell nobody," he said.
I look at him.
"We're out of the 15," he said. "This is the 23. Just the fact that you know what it is, you're worthy of it."
Wright Thompson is the Pappy and country ham and redeye gravy correspondent for Grantland. He can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Flotek Industries CEO to Present at Young Jewish Presidents' CEO Forum
HOUSTON, March 28, 2017 -- Flotek Industries, Inc. (NYSE: FTK) Chief Executive Officer, President & Chairman of the Board John W. Chisholm will be a featured speaker at the Young Jewish Presidents' CEO Forum in New York on Thursday, March 30, 2017.
He will be joined by an esteemed group of senior executives, including Andreas Fibig of International Flavors & Fragrances; Ivan Seidenberg of Verizon; Frank Blake of Home Depot; Brian Kelley of Green Mountain Coffee; Mark Weinberger of Earnst & Young and Ken Goldman of Yahoo, among others.
About Flotek Industries, Inc.
Flotek is a developer and distributor of prescriptive chemistry-based technology, including specialty chemicals, to clients in the energy, consumer industrials and food & beverage industries. Flotek's inspired chemists draw from the power of solvents and oils of oranges to deliver solutions that enhance energy production, cleaning products, foods & beverages and fragrances. In the oil and gas sector, Flotek serves large and independent energy producers and oilfield service companies, both domestic and international. Flotek Industries, Inc. is a publicly traded company headquartered in Houston, Texas, and its common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "FTK." For additional information, please visit Flotek's web site at www.flotekind.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements set forth in this Press Release constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) regarding Flotek Industries, Inc.'s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Words such as expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements in this Press Release.
Although forward-looking statements in this Press Release reflect the good faith judgment of management, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known to management. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences in results and outcomes include, but are not limited to, demand for oil and natural gas drilling services in the areas and markets in which the Company operates, competition, obsolescence of products and services, the Company's ability to obtain financing to support its operations, environmental and other casualty risks, and the impact of government regulation.
Further information about the risks and uncertainties that may impact the Company are set forth in the Company's most recent filings on Form 10-K (including without limitation in the "Risk Factors" Section), and in the Company's other SEC filings and publicly available documents. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Press Release. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this Press Release.


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Well hello htere internet! I have not been much around it as you can see. Or, actualy: may think, because that's not entirely true. Time away from the internet would do many rather good I think, but I have not reated myself to more books or long walks lately instead, just had more work to dig into and and more emails to answer and workouts to go trough. And take care of other essential things like fixing metallic curls for a robot's wig at three in the morning and putting crystals on tiny pants.
This one has half a banana, froxen mango and a few bits of fresh pineapple, a spoon of organic peanutbutter and was blended out with cashew milk. "So good!", as Dag said.
Thursday, 26 February 2015
Posted by The Freelancer's FashionBlog at 15:37 3 comments
Thursday, 19 February 2015
4 x RANDOMS
I had big hair.
These cherries defied winter and are still hanging in there.
Posted by The Freelancer's FashionBlog at 02:06 5 comments
Labels: hair, instagram, iphone photos, kids, lifestyle, oma elämä, this and that
Monday, 16 February 2015
Posted by The Freelancer's FashionBlog at 01:54 8 comments
Saturday, 14 February 2015
I am contiuing with my tradition of something heart shaped.
The roses are not for me though -Eddi is away in South Africa and I apparently have no secret admirers either ;) but for our students that will receive them after they have performed (for the very first time) at the burlesque debutant ball tonight.
The cholocate however is from me to me.
Posted by The Freelancer's FashionBlog at 18:38 2 comments
Labels: lifestyle, traditions, valentine, winter
Friday, 13 February 2015
My PT sessions are back! To illustrate this I have a highly informative picture of my super shaky hand that feels like it's stuck in grip-mode after a hard workout (and yes you can also check out my nails with their icy winter manicure).
I worked out with my personal trainer for ten weeks last winter, and it was the best money investment I had made in a long time. You really get to push yourself in a new way. Plus get a bunch of new moves to work on. And, it really is something of an investment, not only from the money point of view, but also (cheesy sentence alert:) an investment in yourself because you know, your body is the one thing you have to live with your whole life. So at the end of last year I gave myself a present when the tax return money came and got myself a set of 10 new sessions. A great decision, once again.
I have always worked out, sometimes more, sometimes less, even though it seldom makes it here more than in a mention or two. What I really loved doing was Savate; French (kick) boxing. I've always liked martial arts. I used to do Tae Kwon Do when I was in my late teens. But then my knee got fucked up (a friend sat on my leg so it turned the wrong way, kind of, and things broke) and I had to take a break and then other things came up and I never returned. The reasons I then quit savate about seven years ago were that my working hours in the harbour were so hard I seldom managed to work out on a schedule. That, and that my other knee got fucked up (things broke during a jumping practice) and I had to have an operation and take a 6 month break. Afterwards I returned but when I started performing the bruises all over did not really fit in. Now I live too far from the boxing gym for it to be convenient and my nails are too long to fit in the boxing gloves. But one day I will return! (Add to list of things to take up again). Because, there is no such thing as too old.
Speaking of which; being older today than yesterday, as we all are, I remember reading a blog post from some 19-20-21 year old fashion blogger quite many years ago (I must have been about 26 or 27) where the young author was posting some red carpet celebrity pictures. She was being surprised and impressed that this one celeb woman (can't remember who and don't care) could be in such good shape at the age of thirty four! Well, this of course was met with some amusement from many older (or, "older") readers that stumbled by, and also by me, not because I didn't think thirty-something was that old back then, but mostly because I had always though I would be in a helluvalot of better shape at 34 than I was at, say, 22 or 26. See, even though I was working out regularly at that time I also went out and partied very regularly. I always thought (and was perhaps hoping) that at 30-something I'd be working out more smart and more dedicated, going out less and having less drinks. And so on. And, ta-da, so indeed I am! After childbirth few will have the same measurements back as one had when 21, but I am in better shape now, in a smarter way, than I've ever been before. Moving around for a living also helps, and now of course also because of the pilates training. Being healthy feels good, but I consider myself to be the kind of person that will never get super duper I-will-start-an-instagram-account-about-it fit, neither do I have the need to, because, well, chocolate and red wine are also totally awesome things in this world. But when I'm 34, which is this yearI'm going to be ripped! (or then not, you know, because chocolate. But I like saying it just for fun.)
I also gave myself another treat - a set of vouchers for Liangtse Wellness (a Chinese medicine wellness center). (To illustrate that is the tiny little tea pot you are served tea in when you wait, and later a content me in those small gold pyjamas you get to wear during your treatment.)
I got a gift card there from Eddi for Christmas - I had been planning to of there for years but I am the kind of person who is really bad at getting such things done for myself. Now as I was at it I went all pay-now-think-later and got myself that voucher set. But it was a good pey first think later moment, because nothing beats someone kneading you aching head for half an hour. Well that would then be one whole hour (and perhaps some other things as well. But it definitely makes top ten of certain lists at least!) My relaxation for the ongoing year is guaranteed.
Now if I could only learn to treat myself to do my book keeping on a regular basis and to fall earlier to sleep at night things'd be even better.
Posted by The Freelancer's FashionBlog at 01:28 7 comments
Labels: hyvinvointi, iphone photos, lifestyle, me, oma elämä, savate
Tuesday, 10 February 2015
Posted by The Freelancer's FashionBlog at 01:19 2 comments
Monday, 9 February 2015
I don't like to tease or back-comb my hair. When setting my hair with curls it gets enough volume for what I normally am after, but sometimes when I want something more of a bouffant I go for hair fills rather than teasing. But not all hair fills are the perfect solution either, as I often feel my hair keeps sliding off or forming gaps in the middle.
But you can of course also get some volume into your hairdo by how you choose to lay your hair - this sideway-swirl-do gives some height by itself. You can then add to it by using just a little fill (which also makes securing the 'do eaiser) that will stay well in place.
We'll get back to the how-to in another post really soon, along with a good hint for a light and easy hair fill. But - if you'd like to learn how to roll it live, plus get some other small tips and trix when it comes to different vintage inspired do's, I am throwing a 2-part vintage inspired hairstyling workshop next weekend!
The workshop is held in our studio in Lauttasaari on Friday evening (the 13th) and on Saturday the 14th in the day with setting the hair in the evening and brushing it out and making hairdo's the next day- fancy hair for Valentines Day! Held in Finnish, also English or Swedish if needed. See the event page for more info and how to sign up: Set those curls & style your locks!
Posted by The Freelancer's FashionBlog at 02:45 5 comments
Labels: hair, hints+advice, kauneus
Friday, 6 February 2015
A big part of shooting is just setting it up and preparing and, when outdoors especially, correcting the clothing and props and and and... This time we shot without an assistant so there was a lot of concentrating going on.
Everything is not serious business though, especially not after a couple of hours in the snow.
(Me, actually. I did learn some things as a kid.)
Our last location was just around the corner of our house. Dag joined us and we took the sledge there.
(Note my very gracious winter queen boots and xxx-layers of socks underneath.)
Behind the scenes shots also by Asko.
Posted by The Freelancer's FashionBlog at 01:11 6 comments
Labels: Asko Rantanen, burlesque, lifestyle, modelling, oma elämä, photography, winter
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
I like big skirts in winter because if needed you can hide any warm layers underneath.
Posted by The Freelancer's FashionBlog at 02:05 7 comments
Sunday, 1 February 2015
4 x BREAKFAST
Chia porridge. Or pudding. Of chia seeds and almond milk. With pomegranate and pear.
I am not a fan of slimy things so I made it rather firm. I'm keen on trying a raw version of the classical Nordish lingonberry-semolina dish ("whipped porridge") that's made of chia seeds that I stumbled upon somewhere. Otherwise, more a fan of oats or semolina in a traditional porridge.
Posted by The Freelancer's FashionBlog at 13:31 5 comments
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Alex Godman, the English-raised son of Russian mafia exiles, has spent his life trying to escape the shadow of their past, building his own legitimate business and forging a life with his girlfriend Rebecca. But when a murder forces his family's past to return to threaten them, Alex is drawn into the criminal underworld and must confront his values to protect those he loves.
Views: 441
Director: Hossein Amini, James Watkins
Actors: Aleksey Serebryakov, David Dencik, David Strathairn, Faye Marsay, Igor Pokrajac, James Norton, Juliet Rylance, Kirill Pirogov, Mariya Shukshina, Merab Ninidze, Oshri Cohen, Sofya Lebedeva
Studio: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Cuba Pictures


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Several defensive backs share their thoughts at the NFL Combine, including one comparing himself to Steelers' safety Troy Polamalu.
Justin Gilbert - Cornerback - Oklahoma StateOn what makes him the best CB in draft: "Dedication to the game and the work that I put in day in and day out off the field, watching film, making guys around me better, the younger guys when I was Okla. St. always talking to them and bringing them in and watching film."**
On being CB with size:"You have to be able to use great technique. Because a guy like me you I have long legs, short torso. So it's kind of hard for me to get my hips down and turn around and all that. But the more you work at it, the better you get at it."On playing in pass-happy conference:"I think that Big 12 defensive backs are some of the best DBs in the country and college football. Sometimes we're overlooked because we give up plays, but at the same time we have way more plays coming at us instead of say, for instance, the SEC, they have a lot of run attacks where the corners are not being pressured a lot. So we have a lot to live up to."Kyle Fuller - Cornerback - Virginia TechOn growing up in a football family (brother is Lions WR Corey Fuller):"It means a lot. It definitely makes you want to get to that level. It definitely keeps you humble to continue to work hard to get there. I believe it just shows all the hard work all of my brothers have had to get to this point and we're just thankful and blessed for that."On if there was a lot of sibling rivalry:"I'm very competitive, especially with my brothers. That's helped me to where I am now. We always want to be better than the next guy, each other, no matter how fast we are, the plays we make. We've had a couple races. I won one, Corey won one. Whenever we're home, we'll get it."On what it would mean to be a first-round pick:** "I would love that. That's one of my goals. All I can do is show what I can do and I can believe that I'm a first round pick or whatever, but I'm not focused on that. I just have to do what I have to do and whatever team takes me I'll be happy to be with them."
Dion Bailey - Safety - Southern CaliforniaOn if playing linebacker helped you play safety:*"Definitely helped me read the offensive linemen, read run and pass. I learned how to read the triangle play at linebacker so now in the back end, I have the ability to read high hat, low hat on the offensive linemen. I wasn't one to get fooled on play-action as much as others do because of my experience in the box. I gained a lot more experience to avoid getting blocked by big guys. I feel like that really helped my game playing screens and things like that."
On if he remembers Steelers DB Carnell Lake: "Definitely. Coach Lake, he recruited me when he was the DB coach at UCLA when I was coming out. Me and him have a very strong relationship. Then he was at pro day last year. He led the DB drills, so I talked to him for about an hour and he was giving me advice about what to expect making the transition (to safety) and what I needed to do. It's going to be fun to catch up with him."
On what safety do you pattern your game after: *"I feel like my game resembles Troy Polamalu's game very well. He went through the same transition in college as me, playing linebacker his first couple years and then playing safety. He transitioned to the NFL really well. I'm hoping I have the same career."


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Download and print these Anna Coloring Pages for free. Anna Coloring Pages are a fun way for kids of all ages to develop creativity, focus, motor skills and color recognition.
Get hold of these colouring sheets that are full of Anna pictures and involve your kid in painting them. You may also furnish details as your child gets engrossed. Make sure that the work is done neatly, and it is not forced. Enjoy, and have a nice day!
Anna, Anna Coloring Pages, Anna coloring sheets, free Anna Coloring Pages, Online Anna Coloring Pages, Anna pictures


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We are looking forward to meeting friends old and new at Feis Ghlaschu this week at Woodfarm High School from Saturday 2nd March – Sunday 3rd March.
Tag: irish wig suppliers
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Feis Dunedin – Saturday 29th January 2019
We are looking forward to meeting old friends and making new friends this weekend at Feis Dundein this Saturday 29th January. For all make up, wigs and accessories, come along to our stand in the main vending area.
Paula's Interview in The Irish Voice
Our recent feature in The Irish Voice
Featured in Irish Dancing Magazine
We were in the January edition of Irish Dancing Magazine
We are a leading UK and worldwide supplier of Irish dance wigs and accessories. This was our recent advert in Irish Dancing Magazine. Our services include consultations on colour matches for wigs.


text: We have begun the process of building release EMBL Release 106 building process has started of the European Nucleotide Archive's EMBL-Bank database on Tuesday 30th Nov 2010. Daily updates: For those who work with daily updates from the EBI ftp server (or mirror sites) the last update file for release 106 is placed: ftp://ftp.ebi.ac.uk:pub/databases/embl/new/r106u059.dat.gz The subsequent update file will contain post-release 106 data and be named: ftp://ftp.ebi.ac.uk:pub/databases/embl/new/r107u001.dat.gz as usual. Cumulative update: The cumulative update file in ftp://ftp.ebi.ac.uk:pub/databases/embl/new/cumulative.dat.gz (and cum_* files) will continue to grow with new data until release 105 is built and is publicly available - we expect that to be around 17th December 2010. see http://www.ebi.ac.uk/embl/Documentation/changesdetails.html for more details. Regards, Mikyung Jang European Nucleotide Archive team EMBL-EBI


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Why I still do Guest Blogging
This YouMoz entry was submitted by one of our community members. The author's views are entirely their own (excluding an unlikely case of hypnosis) and may not reflect the views of Moz.
The SEO community is quite sentimental and often exaggerates many issues. You have experienced this situation many times in your SEO career, but enough is enough. Now stop blaming Google and start blaming yourself. "Abuse of anything can be dangerous", but as SEOs, we often overlook the statement and mishandle every SEO technique. We already ignored the core value of guest blogging a while ago but still stretching it to limits. At-last Google's spam protection teem make his mind to stop this sh** and give the clear statement. May be we can see another animal from the Google Zoo which eats all our low quality guest posts.
Let's have a look on Matt Cutts' wording again.
"Okay, I'm calling it: if you're using guest blogging as a way to gain links in 2014, you should probably stop. Why? Because over time it's become a more and more spammy practice, and if you're doing a lot of guest blogging then you're hanging out with really bad company.
Back in the day, guest blogging used to be a respectable thing, much like getting a coveted, respected author to write the introduction of your book. It's not that way anymore"
But then again I'll still do guest blogging why let me explain.
Why I still do Guest Blogging
Each link building technique has a byproduct which we often overlook. These byproducts are much powerful than the original benefits. When you look at the Matt Cutts' wording, it clearly indicates that guest blogging for links is dead but if we take guest blogging as a business technique, we can still use guest blogging. We just have to ignore the link prospect from it. Here are some byproducts which encourage me to continue guest blogging.
Free Advertising
It gives the opportunity for free advertising. I know, you can say writing a good guest post will take time, research, and effort, which all have their own value. When you do the math you can easily understand it's almost free as compared to original advertisement cost. With a guest post, you will be featured in front of their audience in all forms i.e. on their blog, their social media account and on their RSS subscribers which otherwise cost you a lot.
Let's do the math of the advertisement cost of Search Engine Journal.
But you can have permanent advertisement using guest post with just1-2 hours of writing, costing you just ~ 300 - 350$.
Side note: Advertisement doesn't increase the credibility but guest posts do.
Diversify Traffic Sources
As we know, search engines are leading traffic source, but what happen if your site suddenly gets penalized and causes you to loss all your business? However, if you have some other source of traffic, you can still have some time to rethink your business strategy and regain your search position. Anyone who has personal experience in doing guest posts for leading sites can tell how much targeted traffic a leading blog can shift towards your business. Referral traffic from guest posts often exceeds the search traffic of same day.
Here is an example of my personal SEO blog.
You can clearly see over 70% of my traffic comes from referral sites, and all of them are through guest posts. I do not have any fear of a Google penalty anymore until my search traffic exceeds my referral traffic.
Side note: I knew it's difficult to beat big SEO giants in search so I chose other way to survive.
Build Relationships
The best thing about the guest blogging is relationships, which we often ignore. Strategies would not fail if we humanize it. Here is the example email shared by Matt Cutts:
"My name is XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX and I work as a content marketer for a high end digital marketing agency in [a city halfway around the world]. I have been promoting high quality content in select niches for our clients.
We are always on the lookout for professional, high class sites to further promote our clients and when I came across your blog I was very impressed with the fan following that you have established.I [sic] would love to speak to you regarding the possibility of posting some guest articles on your blog. Should you be open to the idea, we can consider making suitable contribution, befitting to high standard of services that your blog offers to larger audience……"
Can this build an ethical relationship? Obviously not, so instead of reaching out the random, blogger you can reach out to your friend. To survive in today's era of guest blogging, you have to add one more step in your strategy. Before reaching out for guest post you have to be a friend of a blogger because leading blogs will not publish a guest post from a stranger. This strategy is little bit time consuming and difficult, yet it increases the chance of approval of your request. It will often build the long-term relationship instead of a one-time deal and open new doors of guest posts series.
You can the strategy in action in the Guest Post section of this post. Another great example is how Turnbull (founder, SEO Jo Blogs) built the relationship to achieve marketing goals.
Bring Traffic
You are happy with X number of visitors from search engines, but if I say I can lead more traffic towards your blog, will you refuse it? Of course not, you can get additional traffic from various leading blogs using the guest post. Traffic from referral blogs is often more loyal than the traffic comes from search engines.
Let's have example from my own blog again.
Build Authority
The trust factor plays an important role in any business success, yet building trust is not an easy task. Guest blogging helps in this regard as well. It builds authority in the eyes of your targeted audience. I will explain this with two simple examples.
- My friends trust my words and try my recommendations. Will they refuse if I recommend someone? The same case applies on guest blogging. When you are featured on the industries' leading blog, the blog is actually referring you and your business to their audience. Their audiences starts thinking of you as an authority because you are referred by an authority.
- Answer the simple question. Did you know me before reading this post? Of course not. Before featured on Moz, I am random SEO guy, but now Moz credibility is attached with me and I became a little more credible SEO.
Get Feedback
When you do a guest post, you will get different kinds of responses as compared to your audience, because it's not your audience which already love your work; they are loyal to someone else's work. When you expose your work to them, you can have a truer picture of your brand. They can criticize or appreciate your work. In the matter of time you have a clear image of your brand.
Here is a live example when you reach out to a new community this can happens some time
Do read the comments carefully.
How Guest Blogging help the brands - Case Studies
Let me share some success stories of guest blogging which might motivate you to do guest blogging even after Google's direct warning. You can see how big brands take advantage of guest blogging which lead them to success.
Brian Dean explains how big brands like Buffer App use guest posting to achieve their marketing goals.
This is actually a great piece of content which described the strategy of guest posting used by leading brands including Intel & Xbox.
Jon Cooper (PointBlankSEO), a well-know name in the SEO community explains how he attracts more visitors after doing guest post on Moz.
A Few Key Takeaways for the Case Studies
- If your brand is unable to reach out to leading blogs, hire a professional blogger who writes for targeted blogs. They can act as a brand ambassador and promote your business.
- If you are not an established brand, mentioning industry leaders in your own blog will not work, but if this is done on leading blog it surely attracts the leader's attention.
- Promoting the brand's motive is much easier than promoting the brand. So instead of promoting the brand, start promoting the brand motive.
- Do guest blogging as a team. Involve every employee to write epic content.
- Chose the blog for the guest post wisely.
Continue guest blogging
Having a direct warning from Google is such a nightmare, but we still can do guest blogging with some precautionary measures.
- Start writing Good content for Guest post. Every piece of content should have a clear purpose.
- Swap the structure of guest blogging. Relationship and traffic should be target of guest blogging and link should be the byproduct.
- Stop bargaining for the links. Instead of bargaining with webmaster to give one or two links with exact anchor text, you can lead it to long-tail keywords for blog post on your own blog.
- Forget about the typical use of author bio with exact anchor text. Make a habit to use your brand name as an anchor text in author bio.
- To remain on a safe side use nofollow links in Guest posts.
- Last but not the least, do not abuse guest blogging. Excess of anything can be dangerous, so just you like to diversify your traffic sources, diversify the strategy of link building and go for inbound marketing as a whole.


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…and the pleasure endless 🙂
"Across the Pond" direct from the publisher Ylva
"Across the Pond" available at Bella Books
After having been betrayed by her partner of thirteen years, Janalyn isn't looking for another relationship, especially not one separated by miles of ocean. But when she travels to Devon, England, for a conference and meets a sporty Brit named Robin, desires Janalyn thought were permanently lost are suddenly back and stronger than ever. Despite cultural differences, poking fun at each other's use of the English language, and Robin coming off as a player, Janalyn can't help the attraction she feels, no matter how hard she tries. Can she and Robin find a common ground upon which to make a life together? Will Janalyn throw caution to the wind and risk her heart again? If Janalyn does indeed venture across the pond, will love be her life preserver?


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Nick Harkaway's first novel, The Gone Away World, was a silly surreal revelation, so we've been anxiously awaiting the follow-up, Angelmaker. And now it looks like we might not have to wait much longer — Knopf says it's out March 2012 in the U.S. And here's the cover.
Not only that, but there are two new synopses. Via Knopf:
From the author of the international best seller The Gone-Away World—a new riveting action spy thriller, blistering gangster noir, and howling absurdist comedy: a propulsively entertaining tale about a mobster's son and a retired secret agent who team up to save the world.
Joe Spork repairs clocks, a far cry from his late father, a flashy London gangster. But when Joe fixes one particularly unusual device, his life is suddenly upended. Joe's client, Edie Banister, is more than just a kindly old lady—she's a former superspy. And the device? It's a 1950s doomsday machine. And having triggered it, Joe now faces the wrath of both the government and a diabolical South Asian dictator, Edie's old arch-nemesis. With Joe's once-quiet world now populated with mad monks, psychopathic serial killers, scientific geniuses, girls in pink leather, and threats to the future of conscious life in the universe, he realizes that the only way to survive is to muster the courage to fight, help Edie complete a mission she gave up years ago, and pick up his father's old gun...
And here's a longer, more detailed synopsis, via Conville & Walsh Literary Agency:
All Joe Spork wants to do is live quietly. He repairs clockwork and lives above his shop in a wet, unknown bit of London. The bills don't always get paid and he's single and in his mid thirties and he has no prospects of improving his lot, but at least he's not trying to compete with the reputation of Mathew "Tommy Gun" Spork, his infamous criminal dad.
Edie Banister lives quietly and wishes she didn't. She's nearly ninety and remembers when she wasn't. She used to be a spy, and now she's… well… old. Worse yet, the things she fought to save don't seem to exist anymore, and she's beginning to wonder if they ever did.
When Joe repairs one particularly unusual clockwork mechanism, his quiet life is blown apart. Suddenly he's getting visits from sinister cultists and even more sinister lawyers. One of his friends is murdered and it looks as if he may be in the frame. Oh, and in case that wasn't enough, he seems to have switched on a 1950s doomsday machine - or is it something even more alarming?
Edie's story and Joe's have collided. From here on in, nothing will be the same - Joe's world is now full of mad monks, psychopaths, villainous potentates, scientific geniuses, giant submarines, girls in pink leather engine driver's couture, and threats to the future of conscious life in the universe - and if Joe's going to fix it or even survive, he must show that he can be everything Mathew was, and much, much more.
I love the idea of a young guy teaming up with an older woman to save the world. Rock on. [via Sensawunda]


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Brett Favre's (alleged!) penis is back in the news and now it's because he doesn't want it shown off. We told you last week about the two former Jets masseuses who, as part of their ongoing lawsuit against Favre alleging sexual harassment and retaliation, tried to get him to admit that photographs published on this "sports gossip site" were, in fact, photos of his own personal penis.
His lawyers are fighting the demand, but will they succeed? Will Brett Favre have to discuss his penis under oath? We'll try to sort it all out for you.
What's the legal procedure for trying to make Brett Favre talk about his penis?
The plaintiffs brought up the penis photos through a Notice to Admit, which is one of the finest pieces of Gotcha Lawyering available in New York civil practice. The purpose of a Notice to Admit is to establish a set of facts that are not in dispute. It's a series of statements sent to an opposing party, which must be either admitted or denied, under oath, by the party (not his or her attorney). Any statement in the notice that Favre doesn't specifically admit or deny will be deemed to have been admitted.
So a Notice to Admit is meant to establish background information that everyone agrees on, so nobody wastes time establishing them in court. For instance, the first item in this Notice to Admit requests that Favre admit or deny that "Brett Favre ("Favre") was a member of the New York Jets Football team for the 2008-2009 NFL season." That's not an "ultimate issue" or anything that goes to "the heart of the matter."
But since any failure to respond is deemed an admission, lawyers love to load up a Notice to Admit with all sorts of material that does go to the heart of the matter, and to deliver it buried in a stack of other discovery devices in the hopes some of it goes through. Nothing to lose, everything to gain.
What are Favre's attorneys objecting to?
One thing they're arguing is that the Notice to Admit wasn't filed in agreement with the schedule of discovery. That timing argument is one they have to make, but it almost never works. If it did, it would amount to malpractice by the plaintiffs' attorneys, and courts don't want to do that unless the attorney is a major, major asshole. So forget that.
Favre's lawyers also are arguing that the Notice to Admit does seek admissions on facts that should be determined at trial (such as whether Favre sexually harassed the masseuses via text message) and is therefore improper. And they argue that the part about the penis pics is only meant to embarrass and "vex" their client, because they're penis pictures and because they were allegedly sent to Jenn Sterger, not to the plaintiffs in this particular case.
How would Favre's attorneys prevent discussion of the penis photos?
They are asking for a protective order ruling that the Notice to Admit is improper on its face, so Favre wouldn't have to admit or deny its contents. Alternatively, they would have the court strike any particular portions that it deems improper.
In the latter case, it would still be possible to ask about the penis photos in a pretrial deposition. A protective order is a fairly drastic measure, since the purpose of discovery is, you know, to discover information. So it has to be particularly embarrassing and vexatious.
What will Justice Milton A. Tingling rule?
If Tingling does anything, he will likely have plaintiffs withdraw the Notice to Admit and furnish another, less inflammatory version, providing guidelines for what will and will not be permissible in the new notice. Or he may just amend the current version under the same guidelines—"You can ask this, but you can't ask that."
Wait, wait, wait. "Tingling"?
That is, in fact, his real name. Milton A. Tingling, JSC. I appeared before him a fair amount in my time as hotshot attorney with the budget suit. He is a very nice judge and not at all one of those grumps you always see on TV. He's pretty fair and thoughtful and doesn't make snap decisions. Tingling will marinate on Favre's penis for some time. Whether or not he begins all court sessions by playing the last 25 seconds of this song is something I cannot tell you. Trade secrets.
Have you ever mistakenly called him "Judge Sensation?"
[Files motion for protective order]
If the judge removes the penis-photo part of the Notice to Admit, are there other ways we might get to hear Brett Favre talk about his penis?
Yes! There are several other discovery devices available to litigants, the most important being the deposition—which is called an examination before trial (EBT) in New York, for some annoying reason. Plaintiff's lawyers will most definitely try to ask about the penis pics again during the EBT, if this case gets that far. EBT's are like regular trial testimony in that you can't lead your own witness, there are exhibits entered and marked, and the deponent is under oath. It is unlike trial testimony in that almost anything goes, and any question asked must be answered.
That's a pretty stark rule. Are there any exceptions?
Yes, there are exceptions. There are always exceptions. There are three, here. A question can go unanswered if answering it would violate a privilege, if such a line of questioning had been banned by prior court order, or if such a question is "plainly improper" and answering it would cause significant prejudice. Team Favre is looking like they will argue "plainly improper."
So, how will this work?
Plaintiffs' lawyers will absolutely show up to Brett Favre's EBT with the pictures of Brett Favre's alleged penis as shown on Deadspin and try to make it part of the record—"Have you ever seen this before?" "Do you know what this is a picture of?" "Do you know the website depicted?" "Do you know the story it is connected to?" "Do you, or did you at any point in time, own a pair of orange Crocs?"—so they can ask Brett Favre if the picture from Deadspin on the story about Brett Favre allegedly sending pictures of his penis to Jenn Sterger actually is a photograph of his penis.
Now, there is no way Brett Favre does not know that the pictures were on Deadspin in a story about Brett Favre sending penis pics to Jenn Sterger. He was investigated by the NFL and is being sued, in large part, because of the existence of that Deadspin story. So he cannot credibly deny knowing these things exist.
What would this look like if you were sitting in on the EBT?
It would be spectacular. Brett Favre's lawyers will immediately object to the pictures being introduced and instruct their client not to answer. Plaintiffs' lawyers will then say something to the effect of, "Are you instructing your client not to answer my question?" Defendant's lawyers: "It's plainly improper and would cause my client significant prejudice." Plaintiffs': "Are you instructing him not to answer? OK, mark it for a ruling and we'll ask the judge."
Tingling will be called, and he will be pissed about it. This would be an incredible case to be some meaningless co-defendant on, just taking notes at the deposition with no real responsibility, billing for your time spent there as you listen to an artful discussion on speakerphone between a handful of attorneys and a learned judge over the merits of a question about a picture of a penis being held by a guy wearing nothing but a digital watch and some sandals.
Favre's lawyers will make the same argument they did with regard to the Notice to Admit, but this time there's even less of a chance that Tingling rules in their favor. Almost anything goes in an EBT. Even if the objecting party's objection is totally valid, the question must still be answered. There could be any number of reasons that these plaintiffs are inquiring about these alleged pictures.
Like what?
Brett Favre's character, for instance. "What kind of person, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, sends an unwanted picture of his penis to a woman? A trustworthy person? A good person? A person deserving of a benefit of the doubt?" You get the idea. It could also establish a pattern of behavior. A pattern of behavior that goes to the very heart of this specific case. Of course, whether or not that actual penis is actually Brett Favre's obviously does not prove that Brett Favre sexually harassed these two masseuses.
So then they are just trying to embarrass and vex the Ol' Gunslinger?
Nope. Well, yeah, they are doing that, too, but they also have a legitimate use for the penis pics. The pictures are being used here because the question of whether or not Brett Favre tried to woo another woman affiliated with the New York Jets by sending her an unrequested photo of his penis has bearing on the plaintiffs' assertion that Brett Favre is the kind of guy who makes unwanted advances on women (affiliated with the Jets or otherwise). It's like a car accident: "Oh, you were in how many accidents before this one? Sixteen, you say? Hmm. Not a very good driver, huh?"
At the very least, in a classic case of he-said-she-said it could be offered to show that Brett Favre once did this disgusting thing, and jurors should give more weight to what the shes are saying.
Whatever the reason, it is a virtual lock that as the case unfolds, Brett Favre's defenses will be stripped away till he's standing there exposed, revealing the legally binding answer to the question, "Is that your penis?" At last, America, our day of cockening is nigh.


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DEVINA - 3d Printed Pendant - Sterling Silver
- Description
- Size & Fit
- How It's Made
- Shipping, Etc.,
Devina - 3d Printed Pendant in Sterling Silver:
This ornate sphere within a sphere is cast in one piece. A chain runs through the caged inner volume to suspend the interlocking globes. An intricate parametric pattern fragments the sphere, reflecting light in all directions.
This pendant measures approximately 1 inch tall. *It comes with a 36 inch long sterling silver snake chain, the perfect length to wear with a sweater or tunic.
We see our Techno Deco series as dovetailing into the design precedents set by 70s High Tech Architecture and 30s Art Deco.
Each of our pendant designs has unique dimensions, as listed above in the description.
All our pendants include an 18 inch chain. This length is well framed by a deep v-neckline and also sits nicely over a high necked top.
We design all our pieces from our Los Angeles apartment, using advanced computational and digital sculpting tools.
Our Sterling Silver and Gold-Plated-Brass pieces are first 3d printed in wax. Next they are cast in the final material in a traditional lost-wax casting process.
Our designs are intended to express the unique capabilities of 3d printing and are only possible to produce through this technology.
We often prototype with our desktop 3d printer. However, due to the high cost of professional quality machinery, we currently partner with dedicated fabricators to produce all items we offer for sale.
You can read more info about the materials we use here.
Our items are made to order and require up to three weeks of fabrication time before shipping. We generally ship orders as soon as they are ready unless you contact us beforehand about other arrangements.
If you need something sooner, please get in touch to confirm if we have stock on hand or to see if rush production is available.
All of the items in your order will ship together. So, the item with the longest fabrication time will determine when the whole order is shipped.
(Items in steel generally require the longest fabrication time.)
Shipping time will depend on the shipping method you select at check out. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee strict delivery deadlines. We rely on external delivery services such as USPS and UPS to deliver our packages. And the date by which they deliver is entirely their responsibility.
That said, we are here to help sort out any shipping issues, so please reach out if you encounter one.
Check out our FAQ page for more info. And feel free to email me at email@example.com (or use our contact form) if you have any questions or concerns.


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As of last year, more people were getting their news for free on the Internet than were paying for newspapers and magazines. We hear proposals for preserving journalism as we've come to know it and for creating new ways of serving consumers of information. Also, President Obama warns mayors against misusing stimulus-package funds, and it's time again for the Oscars on Sunday evening. We talk to the President of the National Society of Film Critics.
Banner image: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images


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Check out my review for the first book Touch of Frost.
What is it with me and series enders this year?
Mythos Academy is yet another series I've been following for years, another series I've enjoyed overall, and, devastatingly, another series I'm DNF-ing on the final installment.
Full disclosure? I knew the Mythos Academy series wasn't the strongest out there. The plots have always been on the weaker side (and steadily getting weaker), narrator Gwen tends to get really (really, really) repetitive, and ever since book three, Mythos Academy has had a serious case of series stretching.
But that's ok. Why? Because I'm a character girl.
Gwen was dorky and shy, Daphne was brash and totally unexpected, Vic is a bloodthirsty talking sword! Plus, all the other characters, creatures, and mythological little details MORE than made up for the series' weaknesses.
Except, bit by bit, book by book, the things I loved about the series were slowly whittled away. Daphne had less page time, Carson practically disappeared. Instead, I got to spend time with new characters, and I don't like them (I loathe Gwen's cousin. She is the Mallory of this Babysitters' Club. The flat-footed Skipper to Daphne's pink sparkly Barbie).
Worst of all is Gwen. I LOVED Gwen. BFF charms, sleepover party invites, a permanent seat at my lunch table. I was that serious.
But no more. Gwen went from an awkward wallflower who I could totally bond with to The Chosen One, complete with sulky "no one gets it like I do!" specialness and Mary Sue Amazingness.
Which would be fine, I guess, if Gwen were actually smarter than everyone. But she's not. She spent almost all of the 188 pages I read lone-wolfing it on the dumbest kick EVER (honey, there were, like, FIFTY other options to your problem! ALL of them better than your half-baked plan!) all while grumbling about how everyone else was wrong *foot stomp*
I just cannot abide that sort of thing.


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"I would like to engage young people in the political process at the earliest point in time. If young people get invested in the process earlier, they'll be likelier to vote," Jackson said Monday.
To my mind, the reason Jackson is pushing this bill is clear. She's a Democrat. She wants to boost Democratic voter registration. What better way to find Democrats than to recruit kids before they have earned a paycheck or paid a dime in income taxes?
Not to mention: They're not old enough to vote, not old enough to enlist in the military and years from being old enough to buy alcohol or cigarettes.
Jackson told me I'm wrong. Her Senate Bill 113 is not a means to increase Democratic ranks. Both parties will have an opportunity to earn the affiliation of new voters. SB 113 should increase the number of young adults who participate in elections.
It's true that younger voters are underrepresented. The Public Policy Institute of California reported last year that 86 percent of adults who are 65 or older are registered; among adults younger than 25, only 54 percent are registered voters.
"We aren't doing a very good job at registering 18-year-olds," said Mindy Romero, director of the California Civic Engagement Project.
OK, but it's not as if it's difficult to register to vote in California. You can do it at the Department of Motor Vehicles. You can fill out a form at the library. You can do it online. If young adults aren't registering, I figure they probably don't care enough to keep informed.
Besides, though younger people are less likely to vote, at least when they grow older and wiser they are likelier to participate.
I asked Romero why young adults don't register. She answered, "Registering has costs to it, even online registration." Those who don't register often have "fewer resources."
What does that mean? Romero answered that some adults aren't familiar with voting. They need outreach to become invested in elections. They need someone or something to "walk them through the system."
She added, "A fundamental element of our democracy is representation." When too many voters are not represented, democracy suffers.
Will Gov. Jerry Brown sign the bill if it makes it to his desk? Jackson thinks Brown will because he's a "visionary."
I share Romero's belief that it is not good for democracy if poor people are less likely to vote than members of the middle class. But I do not share Jackson's belief that California should preregister 15-year-olds, at the Department of Motor Vehicles or elsewhere, to entice them to the ballot box when they're old enough to vote.
(Besides, what if 18-year-olds think they're registered because of SB 113 but are not on the voter rolls because they moved? "That's part of the support that they would need," Romero answered.)
To recap: It's not enough that California makes it easy for citizens to register. The state needs to preregister 15-year-olds in case they don't register when they're old enough to vote. Then the state needs to remind 18-year-olds to make sure they're registered to vote and to vote, because they're old enough to vote -- but not to remember.


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BKLYN BLEND Bed Stuy Bed Stuy-Tompkins ave
Brew Bar
Specialty Brew
Brooklyn Tea
Prospect Park Power
Strawberries, banana, pineapple, vegan protein powder
BK Nets
Almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, peanut butter, spices, vanilla, agave
Brownsville Nut
Peanut butter, oats, spices, vanilla, agave
Church Ave Special
Banana, oats, spices, vanilla, agave
Marine Park
Soursop, seamoss, pumpkin seeds, vanilla, agave
Cashews, oats, bananas, seamoss, spices, vanilla, agave
Broadway Junction
Papaya, mango, pineapple, agave
Ralph Ave (Pop's Special)
Cashews, oats, pumpkin seeds, granola, blueberries, bananas, seamoss, almonds, vanilla, spices, agave
In the East (NY) Large
Bananas, peanut butter, seamoss, 1 oz BK Chinatown, spices, vanilla, agave
Fulton Street
Blueberries, banana, peanut butter, spices, vanilla, agave
Canarsie Cranberry
Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, cranberry nectar, agave
Eastern Pkwy Express
Passion fruit, mango, passion fruit nectar, agave
Pineapple, strawberries, banana, guava nectar, agave
Greenwood Mango
Mango, pineapple, spinach, mango nectar, agave
Marcy Mango
Mango, pineapple, mango nectar, agave
Bedford Ave
Strawberry, mango, lemon, mango nectar, agave
Sheepshead Bay Breeze
Strawberry, lemon, mint, simple syrup
Carrol Gardens
Carrots, orange, mango, agave
Pennsylvania Peach
Strawberry, peach, peach nectar, agave
Fort Greene Park (Seasonal)
Watermelon, cantaloupe, lemon, mint, agave
Extra Seamoss
Cup of Ice
Midwood High
Apple, beets, carrot, ginger *Help to boost stamina and strengthens the immunity
Transfer at Atlantic
Apple, ginger, celery, lemon, spinach •Refreshes the body and helps get rid of toxins
The 4 Train
Apple, carrot, spinach, kale, ginger •Helps strengthen your immunity
Brighton Beach Refresher
Carrot, orange, celery, ginger *Works as an anti-inflammatory
Von King Park
Kale, spinach, cucumber, celery *High in fiber. Aids digestion. Prevents constipation
Crown Heights Cold Buster
Oranges, ginger, grapefruit, lemon, pineapple, honey •great for detoxing. Immune booster
The Promenade
Kale, apple, celery, lemon, spinach *Helps boost your energy
Orange Juice
Bed-Stuy Beet
Carrot, orange, apple, beets, lemon *Helps strengthen the immune system
Park Slope Salmon Sandwich
Salmon, lettuce, tomato, onion, chipotle sauce
Navy Yard Tuna Steak Sandwich
Tuna steak, lettuce, tomato, onion, chipotle sauce
Saratoga Shrimp Sandwich
Shrimp, avocado, lettuce, pineapple, BBQ sauce
Seaview Swai Sandwich
Swai, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, chipotle sauce, tartar sauce
Montague Mushroom Sandwich
Portobello mushroom, avocado, spinach, pesto sauce
Brooklyn Reu-blend
Turkey pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, house Russian dressing
Vanderbilt Veggie Burger
Chickpea, lentil, carrot, onions, celery, lettuce, tomatoes, pickle vegetables, chipotle sauce
Fountain Ave Falafel Roll
Grilled pineapple, falafel, lettuce, tomato, vegan garlic sauce
Fountain Ave Falafel Wrap
Grilled pineapple, falafel, lettuce, tomato, vegan garlic sauce
Fountain Ave Falafel Wrap
Grilled pineapple, falafel, lettuce, tomato, vegan garlic sauce
Turkey Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato on Turmeric Toast
Extra Dressing
Beyond Brooklyn Burger
Chipotle, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, grilled pineapple
Atlantic Ave-cado Toast
Turmeric toast, avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, onions
Park Slope Smoked Salmon Salad
Salmon, red leaf lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, onions, cranberries, cucumbers, green apples
Navy Yard Tuna Steak Salad
Tuna steak, red leaf lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, onions, cranberries, cucumbers, green apples
Saratoga Shrimp Salad
Jumbo shrimp, avocado, kale, cranberries, onions, cucumbers
Seaview Swai Salad
Swai, avocado, red leaf lettuce, onions, heirloom tomatoes, cranberries, cucumbers, green apples
Red Hook Tossed Salad
Red leaf lettuce, avocado, heirloom tomatoes, cranberries, onions, cucumbers, green apples
Cobble Hill Cobb Salad
Red leaf lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, corn, turkey bacon, onions, cucumbers, avocado
Extra Dressing
Grilled Pineapple
Roasted Fingerlings
Wild Rice Only
Quinoa Only
Extra Dressing
Turmeric Toast
Sheffield Soup of the Day
Salmon Filet
Turmeric Roll
Turmeric Roll
Side of Sautéed Mushrooms
Side of Spinach
Side of Shrimp
Side of Turkey bacon
Side of Lox
Sweet Potato Fries
Livonia location (only)


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Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - December - 2006 Issue
For Boston from the Antiquariaat Forum
By Michael Stillman
The Antiquariaat Forum of Utrecht, the Netherlands, published a pamphlet of items for the recent Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair. The Antiquariaat Forum is a regular participant at major book fairs around the world, and generally prints up small catalogues of material they exhibit. Naturally, there is no requirement that the items be purchased at the fair, so anything in the listings still available is fair game for other buyers. Here are a few of the items they displayed in Boston.
Bianca Cappello was born of one of Venice's wealthiest and most influential families of the 16th century. However, she forsook it all for the hand of a poor young clerk from Florence in 1563. They settled down, had a daughter, and were poor but happy. It has all the makings of a Disney story. Not so fast. Ms. Cappello was a beauteous woman, and perhaps all that poverty for love was not quite so appealing after all. She caught the eye of young Francesco de Medici, son of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and a high living son of privilege and power, typical of his infamous family. He seduced Ms. Cappello, while buying off her husband with a court job and women of his own. The husband was murdered on the street in 1572. Francesco already had a wife at the time, but this was not an impediment for the Medicis. His wife Joan was the ugly daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor, married for her connections. When the sickly Joan died, Francesco married his longtime mistress. Item 20, Feste nelle nozze del serenissimo don Francesco Medici gran duca di Toscano, celebrates the coronation of Duchess Bianca in 1579. They would spend eight years together before dying a day apart in 1587, with historians debating whether their deaths resulted from malaria, or poisoning, intentional or accidental. Priced at $63,450.
Charles Chauncy was one of America's most influential 18th century preachers. During the period of the Great Awakening, spurred on by Jonathan Edwards, Chauncy found himself on the other side. Chauncy's was a calmer, more reason based religion than the emotional sects forming during the era. He would lead the First Church in Boston for six decades, from 1727 until he died in 1787. However, he would also oppose the influence of the Anglican Church, being a supporter of America's revolution. Item 11 is a Chauncy sermon from 1737, Prayer for help, a seasonable duty upon the Ceasing of Godly and Faithful men. $760.


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- Brand name:KENDE
- Place of Origin:China
- Type:IGBT Module
- Usage:Welding
- Packing:Color box
- Technology:IGBT Inverter Welding
- Certification:provide relevant certification,such as GS/CE and EMF safety certificates etc
- Accessories:MIG gun,electrode holder,earth clamp,welding cable,brush/hammer,protective mask,etc.
- weight:70.000kg
- Condition:New
- Rated supply voltage:380/400V
- Supply frequency:50/60Hz
- Rated input capacity:14.4KVA
- Rated supply current:25A
- No-load voltage:90V
- Welding current range:25-350A
- Rated welding current:350A
- Rated welding voltage:31.5V
- Rated duty cycle:60%
- Usable wire:0.8-1.6mm
- Efficiency:85%
- Power factor:0.9Cos
- Degrees of protecction:IP21S
- Class of insulation:H
- Net weight:70kg
- Machine size:L1200*W650*H1500mm
Product Description
1.Use powerful IGBT mouldes switches and advanced inverter control technology.
2.Use all digital,intelligent and PMW control technology,The products belong to a high technology inverter welding machine.
3.Excellent arc characteristics,good welding performance and little spatter.
4.High weld quality ,deep bath and strength.Lower heat input,small deformation after welding.
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6.Welding gun switch control mode (2T,4T,S (special) -4T,etc) can be selected.
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8.Minimizing,lightness,it can be moved easily,and energy savings up to 30%.
9.With auto protection functions of water cooling,over current and over-heat.
10.The welding material of the thin, medium and heavy plate can be welded.
11.Be able to weld all kinds of metal,for example,carbon steel,stainless steel,aluminum alloy,etc.
With complete accessories:
MIG gun,electrode holder,earth clamp,welding cable,brush/hammer,protective mask,etc.
Product Show
Other products
Company Profile
Company Profile
Kende:The home of Welding,Cutting,Charging and Heating.Kende leads the market of arc welding,spot welding,plasma cutting,heaters,chargers and starters.we are always ready to exceed to our customer's expectations.Kende is a company system certified according to ISO9001:2008,ISO 14001:2004 and OHSMS1800.Kende as a leader in technology,all design activities must aim not only for high performance,but also for reducing energy consumption and RoHS-compliant raw material/components,within the framework of sustainable development.the first chinese enterprise who obtains GS/CE and EMF safety certificates of welding machine.and we fulfill the sound quality management system,all the products meet the safety standard requiement of the selling countries(EN60974-1 or IEC60974-1 for European countries UL551 for America,etc.)
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A:We offer 1 year warranty for your welding machine.
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we have profressional overseas service center available after you purchase our goods if have any issue.We are committed to year-roung 24-hour service during holidays,in line policy of always providing "a response within 15 minutes and job completion within 24 hours.
After-market worry-free service
We are committed to providing after-market services,including trade-ins,overhauls,and recycling.we always stick to responsibility and mission of handing your concerns as best we can.Quality warranty
We grant our clients a twelve-month or 2000-hour warranty for any machine purchased from us .


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I'd posted about The House at Tyneford in one of my "women in WWII" roundups and bought a copy based on friends' and reviewers' recommendations. It didn't disappoint. It offers a perspective on the World War II years I hadn't seen before; the narrator is Elise Landau, a young woman from an upper-class Austrian Jewish family of artists. She is an outsider in several respects.
In 1938, to keep her safe from whatever may come, her parents send her to England, where she becomes a parlor maid at Tyneford House on the Dorset coast. Elise knows little English, and the charming, awkwardly worded "refugee advertisement" she'd placed in the London Times had persuaded Mr. Rivers of Tyneford to hire her.
Given her lack of training and her distinctive background, her presence upsets the natural order of things, just as one of her fellow servants predicts. When she becomes good friends with Kit, Mr. Rivers' Cambridge-educated son, no one seems to know how to treat her. Meanwhile, she writes letters to her married sister in California and waits, desperately, to hear from her parents that their overseas visa has been secured.
The House at Tyneford does an excellent job depicting a world in transition from the viewpoint of a woman who sits uncertainly between two social strata. The book's British title (The Novel in the Viola) reflects one of the items Elise carries with her to England: her father's last novel, hidden within a viola, which she hopes to have published one day.
The novel has a gentle, melancholy atmosphere, for war changes everything, and few of anyone's plans turn out as expected. Despite blurbs that compare it to Kate Morton's novels, I didn't really see it, except in the many details of English country life and its saga aspect. There is no real Gothic mystery, just a nostalgic tone of longing that the opening line conveys very well. Tyneford is based on Tyneham, an English "ghost village" that was requisitioned by Britain's Ministry of Defence in 1943; its residents were never allowed to return.
The House at Tyneford was published by Plume in December in trade paperback at $15. If you'd like a chance to win a copy (US and Canadian residents), please fill out the form below. Deadline Sunday, April 15th.


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Corporate Quality Strategy
E-T-A products make a vital contribution to the safe operation of equipment, frequently serving to protect human life as well. The achievement of the highest standards of safety and reliability is therefore a fundamental part of our corporate culture.
Today the competitive challenges we face are intensifying, both locally and from manufacturers from around the world. Product quality, fast delivery times, first class service and cost-effective pricing will be the differentiators which will ensure our competitive edge in the fast-moving global marketplace, both now and into the future.
Primary goal
Through our commitment to a zero-defect regime, we will maintain and even increase the quality-driven market leadership we have established in all the sectors of industry we serve.


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According to Jasper White, the author of The Summer Shack Cookbook, the trick to making great fish and chips at home is to forget the chips and focus exclusively on the fish: "I have decided that making fish and chips in a home kitchen is crazy."
The issue? While both can be cooked in a big pot of a oil, each requires different temperatures and times—you either need two pots of bubbling oil or cook one before the other. Unfortunately, both taste best when eaten immediately. So do what I did and serve the fish with some coleslaw or broccoli instead of chips, and give the fish a little more attention.
And what a fish recipe this is. The batter is a mix of flour and cornstarch, which comes out shatteringly crisp and remarkably un-greasy. A nice English ale is the preferred beer of choice, though I imagine any good lager would work, too. Of course, it helps to have a nice fillet underneath; the cod I used worked perfectly. The fish was tender and flaky, and some malt vinegar added a nice bite.
- For the Batter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornstarch
- one 12-ounce can beer (ale, larger)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- For the Fish
- 6 cups peanut or canola oil
- 1 ½ pounds skinless fillets (cod, flounder, fluke, or haddock), cut into four pieces, less than ¾-inch thick
- salt and pepper
- malt vinegar, or lemon
- 1.
For the Batter: Whisk together flour, cornstarch, beer, egg, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Make sure there are no lumps. Cover bowl and place in fridge for at least 20 minutes, and up to 3 hours.
- 2.
For the Fish: Pour oil into a large dutch oven. Turn heat to medium and bring to a temperature of 375°F.
- 3.
Dry fish fillets with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Drop each piece into the bowl of batter.
- 4.
When oil is at 375°F., remove one piece of fish out with a pair of tongs, letting the excess batter drip back into the bowl. Then lower it into the oil, holding on to it for a few seconds to keep it from sticking to the bottom. Repeat process with other fillets. Adjust heat to medium-high to keep temperature at about 350°F. Cook until fillets are golden brown, about five minutes.
- 5.
Drain fish fillets on a baking sheet covered with paper towels. Serve with cole slaw, malt vinegar, lemon, or whatever you like best.
Source: Read Full Article


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In the kitchen, when culture matters
Each religious holiday has its own ritual that is expressed in customs and ceremonies.
The preparation of ethnic food enhances its culture and emits symbols, flavors, perfumes, and, of course, the memories that recall its pleasures. It creates permanent emotional responses, thanks to the creativity and individual taste of the chef, just as an artist does in his domain.
An ingredient always present in Hanukkah food is olive oil.
9 recipes have been selected: 8 for each day of the holiday, and one, the -cake-, an homage to the Shamash. In every home, grandma has a cake ready for her grandchildren on the holidays.
(Please note: when quantities are not indicated, use your judgement. Grandma's recipes can be somewhat empirical, but very good).
The recipes "book" of Rosina Leblis Donati, born at Casale Monferrato in 1849.
Four hand-written pages, stitched together by a poor string, a paper cover heavily stained by time and use, casual scratches and traces of everyday work.
Here you can see how material tradition was transmitted in a typical Piedmontese Jewish middle-class home. "Jewish" (where everybody, men and women, had to learn how to read and write, in order to be part of the community) and "middle-class" (the social and political class that led Italy to unification and flourishing).
A legacy left by a housewife who, in an age when writing was still a privilege of a few, felt a need to leave a trace of herself.