text:
Laser tweezers promise better, faster cancer screening
If anything comes close to the anguish accompanying the news that a child has cancer, it's the agony of waiting for a precise diagnosis and the start of treatment to attack that disease. At UC Davis, oncologists meet every day with families struggling with such circumstances. And they are working in earnest to ease their distress.
In a laboratory near the UC Davis Cancer Center, researchers are striving to develop a quick and reliable diagnostic technique to identify all types of cancer from a small blood sample.
Ultimately, they hope their technology based on a new application of Raman spectroscopy could help doctors choose the most suitable drug for a particular cancer and assess the effectiveness of treatment within hours or days.
The work is in the early stages, and the scientists caution that many possible stumbling blocks stand in their way. But if they achieve their goal, cancer patients could get answers and treatment far more quickly than they do today.
"Making diagnoses now is not always the simplest process on the planet, despite what you see on TV," says pediatric oncologist Douglas Taylor, one of two faculty members leading the research. "It involves often archaic technologies and multiple technicians. And it can often take days or occasionally weeks to figure out exactly what type of malignancy someone has."
With Raman spectroscopy, laser beams hold floating cells in place long enough to measure the minute differences that distinguish cancer cells.
Click image for larger version
Taylor has teamed up with physicist Thomas Huser to make his cancer-diagnostic machine a reality. They are developing a novel application of a technique called laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy. The breakthrough application involves using laser beams to hold floating cells in place, measuring the light scattered by their nuclei and, based on these measurements, accurately identifying them as cancer cells.
In January 2006, Taylor, Huser and their colleagues published a paper in the Biophysical Journal showing that they could use the technology to distinguish normal white blood cells from cells taken from leukemia cell lines used in cancer research. Since then, they have successfully repeated those experiments using cells taken from actual leukemia patients.
"Each type of cell has its own biomolecular signature and we were able to use that to distinguish the cancer cells from the normal ones," Taylor explains. Publication of these newer results is pending.
The unique collaboration between Taylor and Huser was made possible by the Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology, a National Science Foundation facility based at UC Davis. Formerly employed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Huser now serves as chief scientist for the center and is a UC Davis associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine. Taylor is director of the UC Davis pediatric stem-cell transplant program and an associate professor of pediatrics.
The center's goal is to spawn partnerships that lead to the application of the physical sciences to medical problems. In this case, the problem is the need for a better, faster and cheaper method for diagnosing cancer. Despite numerous advances in the treatment of cancer, the cornerstone of modern cancer screening is a method developed in the late 1800s. And not all cancers can be identified by the fastest current method, flow cytometry, Taylor says.
The technology behind laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy is not new. Raman spectroscopy was invented in the 1920s, while laser trapping of cells was first developed about a quarter-century ago. It wasn't until spectroscopy could be fine-tuned and lasers became smaller, less expensive and more precise that these technologies could be applied to biological samples.
"The marriage of the two technologies only happened in the last five to six years," Huser says. "Now we can use lasers to optically suspend a cell within the laser focus and then determine its chemical signature."
The amount of laser light that is scattered by the nucleus of a cell depends on the amount and configuration of the biomolecular compounds it contains, such as DNA, RNA and proteins. More specifically, the number, density and type of molecular bonds determine the shift in the wavelength of the scattered light. Although minute, these differences are measurable and so unique that each cell type has its own spectroscopic fingerprint, Huser says.
Using these biomolecular fingerprints to find and define cancer in a blood sample, or elsewhere, would be a huge improvement over many current screening methods. Some diagnostic tests, for example, require patients to ingest radioactive materials and undergo CT scans. All the while, patients and their families are waiting and worrying.
"I think the most distressing part is the waiting, because until the complete problem is known, the complete solution cannot be discussed," Taylor says. "Once the cancer is identified, and folks are marching toward a solution, there's security in that, and an element of solace."
Huser predicts that it will take four to five years for the team to show that the technology is not only safe and effective for widespread use as a diagnostic tool, but also faster than current methods.
"We have shown that Raman spectroscopy works to distinguish cancer cells," Huser says. "Now we just need to show that we can do it ten thousand times faster. At that point, it becomes interesting."
The group's ongoing experiments include automating the technology. They are working toward developing a high-throughput instrument and exploring other applications that promise advancements in patient care.
"In the future, we hope not only to screen for the presence of cancer, but also to quickly determine whether patients are responding to treatment and detect residual disease," Taylor says. "That's the diagnostic nirvana."
As a physician treating leukemia patients, Taylor's biggest hope is to one day use laser-trapping Raman spectroscopy technology to remove cancer cells from a patient's blood and then return the disease-free blood to that patient. While this and the other applications remain at best a distant reality, "in theory, the technology lends itself to these possibilities," Taylor says.
At UC Davis Children's Hospital, Medical Director Anthony Philipps is cheering on his colleagues' work, and waiting hopefully. When it comes to cancer diagnosis, he says, time is of the essence, and Raman spectroscopy could vault the process forward.
"If so, that will mean we can determine a course of treatment quicker, and that's beneficial to the patient," says Philipps, who is also the chair of pediatrics.
In the short-term, Philipps already sees a payoff. By bringing together physical scientists from the Livermore lab and UC Davis physicians, the project has created a fertile environment for collaboration that can only benefit cancer patients.
"It's fun to see it happen," says Philipps, who anticipates more collaboration in the future. "We knew it was going to work. But still, it's great to see the results."
4501 X Street
Sacramento, CA 95817
© 2008 UC Regents. All rights reserved.


text:
Congratulations! You are now on the waiting list, please check your inbox for our confirmation email!
Register Account
The Ashley *PRINTABLE*
Digital Downloads - Alison Gordon Studio
What is a DIGITAL PRINT?
It's art you get instantly! Simply download, print and hang!
SAVE MONEY with NO SHIPPING FEES, just print the item from home or through a professional printer.
Where is MY PURCHASE?
Digital files are available automatically after purchase.
You will also receive an email with download links for your digital purchases.
Does my purchase EXPIRE?
No, they don't! :)
What is INCLUDED?
Your purchase includes high-resolution 300-dpi JPG files in ALL of the following sizes:
- 4"x6"
- 5"x7"
- 6"x8"
- 8"x10"
- 8.5"x11" (letter size)
- 11"x14"
- 11" x 17"
- 12"x18"
- 16"x20"
After your payment clears, the following files will be automatically made available to download in a PDF file containing a link to download ALL SIZES LISTED ABOVE at Dropbox (no account required.) They will also be emailed to you with the email address you provided.
Can I SELL your art?
Digital Art is not available for licensing. If you are interested in licensing any of the art for commercial purposes, please contact Creatif Licensing - https://www.creatiflicensing.com. All artwork purchased from Alison Gordon Studio is for PERSONAL USE ONLY.
Due to differences in monitor and printer calibrations, colours may appear different in print than on screen. The final print quality will depend on the type of printer and paper used. You may take your digital file to a printer for professional printing if desired.
The artwork in this shop is the property of Alison Gordon Studio. The artwork offered here is for personal use only.
© COPYRIGHT / ALISON GORDON STUDIO / Alison Petrie
🚫 Please DO NOT submit files to print wholesale companies such as AliExpress, AliBaba, etc. Contact me for recommended printers. Sharing of files is strictly prohibited.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Wednesday is the deadline for filing income tax returns, a day long associated with the dread of rushing to fill out complicated forms and, perhaps, making a payment to Uncle Sam.
But don't let Tax Day get your down. There are a number of freebies you can cash in on.
The most practical of all tax season freebies is the IRS' Free File program, which allows those who have an adjusted gross income of $58,000 or less to file for free through the agency's website.
Once you have Uncle Sam squared away, you can reward yourself with some Tax Day freebies:
Office Depot is offering two pounds of free document shredding. Staples will do the same for up to five pounds of documents.
Meanwhile, the stressed and the overworked can claim a free massage at participating Hydromassage locations.
Now that you have worked up an appetite, you can enjoy one -- or all -- of the following food freebies:
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Boston Market: Buy One Individual Meal and Get One Individual Meal FREE
Bruegger's Bagels: Big Bagel Bundles are just $10.40 – a $3.50 deduction.
/* Style Definitions */
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
California Tortilla: Free Chips and Quesos.
Great American Cookie: Free Regular Sugar Cookie.
Hard Rock Cafe: Free meal for tax paying singers.
KFC: FREE red velvet cake with the purchase of a 10-piece (or larger) family meal.
McDonald's: Buy one Big Mac or Quarter Pounder with Cheese and get one for a penny.
Pizza Hut: Visit pizzareturn.com for a chance to win Pizza Hut gift cards.
Schlotzsky's: One free small The Original sandwich with the purchase of a 32 oz. drink and a bag of chips.
If you want to use your refund to get away from it all (well, maybe just away from your house if you live in D.C.), some area hotels are offering discounts and freebies for Tax Day.
Marriott: Anyone who books a room on marriott.com can get 25 percent off the chain's best weekend rate for hotels in Washington, D.C. and Arlington from May 2 until Sept. 8.
Kimpton: You will get "The Procrastinator" cocktail for free at Kimpton's 12 hotels in D.C., Alexandria and Baltimore if you can show that you've sent in your taxes.


text:
Star of GAM2010 Enters Spotlight
12 April 2010
Global Astronomy Month had to have its own VIP star endorsing the event. We went big and invited the best-known star of all time, the closest star to us in the entire Universe - the Sun!
April 11 is a big day for the Sun as it comes under the spotlight during Sun Day! The day also marks the beginning of an entire week dedicated to our star - Solar Week - when astronomers around the world celebrate the Sun by observing it through telescopes with protective filters, participating in virtual observing sessions or making presentations explaining all about the Sun: what it is, how it affects us, the activity we see, and so on.
You are invited to bring out your telescope all day on April 11 to observe the Sun and share the experience with your friends! If weather in your area is not so suitable, switch on your computer, log onto the Internet, and join our online, remote observing session to get a close-up of our closest star. Meet other friends online and share your thoughts with them. You may see the Sun as never before. The Virtual Telescope starts the observing session at 12:30 UT on April 11.
See the Solar Programs section of the web site for more information.
Search IYA2009 Updates
National Nodes: 148
Organisational Nodes: 40
Organisational Associates:33
National Websites: 111
Cornerstone Projects: 12
Special Task Groups: 11
Special Projects:16
Official Products:8
Media Partners:22


text:
Protein & Fiber Hot Oatmeal Cup Variety 12-Pack
Add a little variety to your daily breakfast with this convenient money-saving Protein & Fiber Hot Oatmeal Cup Trial 12-Pack. Perfect for a quick breakfast at home or take them to the office where you start your work day with a nutritious meal. Includes four bowls each of our delicious Farmer's Market Berry Crumble, Madagascar Vanilla with Almonds & Pecans, and Honey Peanut Butter.
Are you sure you want to exit your Auto Delivery?
Your Auto Delivery, , will not be saved.
Congratulations, you have started:
This item has been added to your cart as part of your new Auto Delivery.
You successfully added this item to your confirmed Auto Delivery order!
How fast will I receive my order?


text:
CHICAGO – In her police mug shot, the doe-eyed cartoon heroine with the bowl haircut has a black eye, battered lip and bloody nose.
Dora the Explorer's alleged crime? "Illegal Border Crossing Resisting Arrest."
The doctored picture, one of several circulating widely in the aftermath of Arizona's controversial new immigration law, may seem harmless, ridiculous or even tasteless.
But experts say the pictures and the rhetoric surrounding them online, in newspapers and at public rallies, reveal some Americans' attitudes about race, immigrants and where the immigration reform debate may be headed.
"Dora is kind of like a blank screen onto which people can project their thoughts and feelings about Latinos," said Erynn Masi de Casanova, a sociology professor at the University of Cincinnati. "They feel like they can say negative things because she's only a cartoon character."
It's not the first time a children's character has been dragged into a serious debate.
In the late 1990s, Tinky Winky the Teletubby, a purple children's TV character with a triangle antenna — was called out by Christian leaders for being gay. Sesame Street roommates Bert and Ernie are often involved in statements on same-sex marriage.
Both shows' producers say the characters aren't gay.
In Dora's case, she's an easy target as discussion ramps up on how lawmakers should address the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States.
For about a decade, the pint-sized Latina character has taught millions of children the English alphabet, colors and Spanish phrases on a Nickelodeon TV show and through a global empire. Her smiling cherub face is plastered on everything from backpacks to T-shirts to fruit snacks.
But since the passage of the Arizona law — which requires authorities to question people about their immigration status if there's reason to suspect they're in the country illegally — Dora's life and immigration status have been scrutinized and mocked.
Several websites, including The Huffington Post, have narrated Dora's mock capture by immigration authorities. One picture circulating on Facebook shows an ad for a TV show called "Dora the Illegal Immigrant." On the Facebook page "Dora the Explorer is soo an Illegal Immigrant," there are several images showing her sailing through the air over the U.S.-Mexican border.
Many of the Dora images assume the Latina character is an illegal immigrant from Mexico.
But that's where it gets complicated.
Representatives from Nickelodeon declined to comment on Dora's background, and her place of birth or citizenship have never been clear." She has brown skin, dark hair and speaks Spanish with an American accent.
"She's always been ambiguously constructed," said Angharad Valdivia, who teaches media studies at the University of Illinois and has explored the issue. "In the U.S. the way we understand race is about putting people in categories and we're uncomfortable with people we can't put into categories."
Dora lives in an unidentified location with pyramids that suggest Mexico, but also tropical elements such as palm trees and her friends, Isa the iguana and Boots the monkey. Does that mean she's from South America or Florida?
Then there's oak trees and her fox nemesis Swiper, which are more common to the American Midwest.
The show often plays Salsa-like music, which has some roots in Cuba and is popular across Latin America.
Even the voice actresses behind Dora don't provide insight.
The original Dora voice belonged to Kathleen Herles, whose parents are from Peru. Dora is currently voiced by actress Caitlin Sanchez, a New Jersey-born teen who calls herself Cuban American; her grandparents are Cuban.
As for the mug shot, it's been around since late last year, when Debbie Groben of Sarasota, Fla. created it and entered it in a contest for the fake news site FreakingNews.com.
Since debate over the Arizona law heated up the nation's immigration debate, it's been e-mailed and texted widely and used on signs at rallies.
"My intentions were to do something funny, something and irreverent," said Groben, who said she opposes Arizona's law. "I actually like the little kid."
The issue appears to have resonated little with Dora's biggest fans, the millions of parents and their children who seem mostly unaware of the discussion encircling their beloved cartoon.
Altamise Leach, who has three children, said Dora's ethnicity and citizenship are irrelevant.
The stay-at-home mom credits the cartoon with helping teach her children team work. She even threw her 3-year-old daughter a Dora birthday party, complete with a Dora-like adventure, Dora cake and a woman who dressed up as Dora.
"We have so many diverse cultures, let's try to embrace everybody," Leach said. "She puts a smile on my daughter's face, that's all I want."
Erick Wyatt said he never thought about Dora's origins and his three children never asked.
"I just thought she was a cartoon character that spoke Spanish," the Flint, Mich., man said.
VIDEO: First Lady Tackles Question About Immigration From 2nd Grader
Obama And Mexican President Jointly Condemn Ariz. Immigration Law
LaTosha Brown Is A Black Joy Blazer Who Has Dedicated Her Life To The Cause
Heart In Your Hands: Important Lifestyle Changes For Heart Failure Recovery
Life In Heart Failure Recovery
How To Support A Loved One Who Is Living With Heart Failure
702 Member Irish Grinstead Dies At 43, Sister Says
Suspected White Supremacist Mad He's Getting Death Threats After Allegedly Vowing To 'Kill Me A N*gger'
Lawsuit Will 'Absolutely' Be Filed After Denny's Waitress Refused Serving Black Truckers In Viral Video: Lawyers
'Karen' Arrested After Holding Black Woman Delivering Newspapers At Gunpoint In South Carolina


text: Sam Summers stops by her friends house to pick up her phone that she had accidentally left the night before. Her friend is out, but her friend's brother, Johnny, is hanging out watching TV. Sam had heard rumors at school about his massive tool and is interested and seeing it for herself. This quickly turns into a game of "I'll show you mine if you show me your's" and they're soon both naked on the couch. Sam can't help but take his big dick inside her shaved little pussy and his hot cum on her face. Johnny can't believe he just got to cum on his sister's hot friend.


text:
Shingles, an acute infection caused by varicella zoster (chickenpox) virus (VZV), can be an excruciating condition with painful skin blisters, generally down one side of the body, following the course of the inflamed nerve. Although the worst symptoms subside within a month, the pain can persist for months or even years.
The orthodox approach uses the drug aciclovir, which eases the symptoms, but doesn't cure it. Alternative medicine, on the other hand, offers a large array of ways to rid yourself of this painful condition.
Orthomolecular medicine
This therapeutic approach suggests 6 g of ascorbic acid together with 1 g of the amino acid L-lysine daily, and a 1-mL intramuscular injection of vitamin B12 twice a week. According to the cases reported, all pain was gone within 24 hours and the lesions had begun to heal (Hoffer A, Orthomolecular Medicine for Physicians, New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, 1989). The B12 injections can be replaced by a 20-mcg/day oral dose of B12 taken under the tongue.
Nutritional medicine
Many studies have shown that proteolytic enzymes (160 mg of trypsin, 160 mg of chymotrypsin and 400 mg of papainase), taken five times daily, are as effective as aciclovir against shingles (Fortschr Med, 1995; 113: 39-44; Phytomedicine, 1996; 2: 7-15).
In one Russian study, 150 patients with acute shingles received trypsin alone. Compared with 200 similar patients on the standard antiviral drug therapy, trypsin proved highly effective in reducing symptoms during the acute stage. None of the trypsin group had recurrences or developed postherpetic neuralgia during the three-year follow-up (Vrach Delo, 1991; 3: 86-9).
Adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP), a naturally occurring purine nucleotide, is needed for nucleic acid synthesis. Patients with shingles have abnormally low levels of AMP as well as high levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (JAMA, 1977; 237: 871-2).
In one double-blind study, shingles patients received intramuscular 100-mL AMP injections three times a week for four weeks. The AMP reduced herpetic pain almost immediately and, after four weeks, 88 per cent of the AMP-treated patients were pain-free vs 43 per cent with placebo.
To prevent the chest pain that may follow AMP injection, take half the dose, followed 20 minutes later by the other half (Med Sci Bull, 1985; 7: 86-9; Nutr Heal, 1996; 3: 58-61). One concern is that AMP readily converts to adenosine, which can suppress immune function, although these dosages appear to be too small to have any significant effect. Nevertheless, scientific studies haven't yet ruled out the possibility.
Acupuncture and cupping
Never use acupuncture or cupping (using glass cups to create suction on the skin) on patients with herpes zoster (Shanghai College of Traditional Medicine, O'Connor J, Bensky D, transl, Acupuncture: A Comprehensive Text, Seattle, WA: Eastland Press, 1984: 618).
African medicine
In Africa, the leaf of Plantago major (common plantain), whole or bruised, is applied to the skin affected by shingles lesions.
Experiments have confirmed the plant's microbial-killing action, which facilitates healing (Int Abstr Biol Sci, 1960; 16: 817). The leaves are also reported to be anti-inflammatory and to aid new skin growth, with no adverse side-effects (Am J Pharm, 1950; 122: 24; Int Abstr Biol Sci, 1959; 15: 5414).
European folk medicine
Applying the fresh juice or pulp of the ordinary leek to the affected skin is said to be soothing and to speed up the healing process (Bartram T, Bartram's Encyclopaedia of Herbal Medicine, London: Robinson Publishing, 1998: 227).
Paraphenylenediamine can bring on the symptoms of herpes in healthy individuals (Ann Homéop Françaises, 1963; 10: 57/777-65/785). Try this first at the 6CH potency.
The headaches and myofascial pain syndrome that accompanies shingles and prevents sleep may be effectively relieved by osteopathy (Travell JG, Simons DG, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual, Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1983).
Chinacanthus nutans (or phaya yo in Thai) has been shown to promote healing. In a controlled clinical trial of 51 patients, this herb, in the form of a poultice, was applied five times a day to the skin affected by shingles lesions, for seven to 14 days. This resulted in rapid healing (J Med Assoc Thai, 1995; 78: 624-7). A larger randomised, controlled trial reported the same positive results (Int J Dermatol, 1996; 35: 665-6).
Applying capsaicin (the alkaloid derived from the pod of Capsicum frutescens, cayenne pepper) to the affected skin can relieve long-term pain after an episode of shingles, according to a review of three randomised controlled trials (Fam Pract, 1996; 13: 84-91).
At the very first signs of blisters, applying Melissa (balm) ointment onto the skin can ameliorate the later progression of the shingles outbreak. Tolerance is excellent (Zeitschr Phytother, 1981; VI: 229).
Harald Gaier is a registered homoeopath, naturopath and osteopath.


text:
As promised, I'm back for another RAD preview from The Greeting Farm! We are so excited to bring you a preview of a brand new new 4x6 set featuring a Miss Anya AND a My Guy Ian! "Later Sk8R" is an adorable and hip new pair of stamps (with sentiments and accessories) that will be available for purchase beginning on Sunday, August 1st! It's been quite a while since we've seen either one of these beloved characters in rubber so the BUZZ is all about the Farm that this is one FUN set!
Once again we are teaming up, Farmers and Team Anya alike for another sample soiree! And today our cards are also made using a FABULOUS Saturday Sketch challenge by Pam!
I stamped both Anya and Ian on my card and once I had them on the paper it looked to me like the two of them had been through a bit of a quarrel and it was time for them to kiss and make up... and I knew just the Kids Quote sentiment to use. :)
Be sure to head on over to Club Anya & Friends for all the details of how to play along this week, and be sure to visit ALL the DT's blogs because ONE LUCKY COMMENTER on the Club Anya and Friend's blog today will WIN THIS SET!!!
Our awesome DT 'force' is waiting for you:
Cindy Haffner
Jessica Diedrich
Kadie Ensley
Kim Nath
Mary Giles
Mercy Kerin
Randi Wall
Tammy Maxvill
Amy Young
Kelly Booth
Kristy Young-Aug Guest Designer CA&F
Kim Costello
Pam Varnell
Traci Porter
Thanks again for stopping by today and we'll see you back TOMORROW NIGHT at 7pm CST for a one hour chat on PCP, our HUGE customer Blog Hop on the TGF blog, and we cannot WAIT to celebrate TGF's second birthday with you!!!
Supply list:cardstock- Bazzill and PTI
paper- My Mind's Eye (magnolia)
stamps- The Greeting Farm (Later SK8R), Inkadinkado (sentiment and heart)
ink- Memento tuxedo black and Colorbox dark brown chalk ink
Pebbles icandy dots
Copic markers:
skin (both)- E000, E00, E11, R20
anya hair- E31, E35, E37, E57, E79
ian hair- T3, T5, T7, T9, 0
anya clothes- B93, B95, B97, B99, E40, E41, 0, BG10, BG11, BG13, BG15, BG18, E44, E47, E49, YR15, YR16, YR14, YG00, YG01, YG03, B21, B23, BG0000
ian clothes-E44, E47, E49, E40, E41, 0, YG01, YG03, YG95, B21, B23, B24, YR15, YR16, YR14, C5, C7, C9, BG0000
grass/sky- YG13, YG17, YG67, BG0000


text:
Jewish World Review May 20, 2003 / 18 Iyar, 5763
Cal Thomas
The threat among ushttp://www.NewsAndOpinion.com | Government officials warn that America remains in danger from Al Qaeda and other terrorist operatives who wish to destroy us. This is not a one-front war, because we also face dangers from within our democratic institutions.
Suppose our enemies have invaded the United States through immigration for the express purpose of organizing themselves politically? Suppose they present themselves as benign and seek to register voters, becoming politically active in order to elect their people to office and change U.S. policy in the Middle East? What if their intentions are the eventual destruction of this nation through its democratic processes and the imposition of a theocratic state? Would that be enough to get our attention?
In at least 16 states, Muslim groups, by their own admission, are organizing voter-registration drives and political consciousness-raising events for this express purpose. One of the advantages the United States has had over its enemies is that that they openly state their goals. One of the advantages our enemies have over the United States is that too many Americans don't take them seriously. We prefer the short-term comfort that denial brings. We fear being labeled "bigots" more than we fear the intentions of those who hate us, and so we are reluctant to speak ill of another person's faith, unless it is the majority faith.
Last Saturday (May 17), the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) opened its newest office in Columbia, S.C., a Southern city with strong Christian roots. The stated purpose of organizers was to discuss "the obligation of Muslims to participate in public affairs, CAIR's achievements and future goals of the organization."
Among those "future goals," according to a CAIR press release, is the elimination of references to "Judeo-Christian" when describing the heritage of the United States. Instead, CAIR and other Muslim groups prefer "Judeo-Christian-Islamic" or "Abrahamic." CAIR wants this new phrase used "in all venues where we normally talk about Judeo-Christian values, starting with the media, academia, statements by politicians and comments made in churches, synagogues and other places." Notice the absence of the word "mosques "in this statement. Muslim groups want Jews and Christians to tolerate them, but there is not a similar call for mosques to include Jewish and Christian beliefs.
You do not have to believe in conspiracies or be a bigot to realize something important is happening with this statement and in these political meetings. As Daniel Pipes, director of the Middle East Forum, wrote last month in JWR: "(CAIR is) on the wrong side in the war on terrorism," consistently defending militant Islamic groups and dictators, while "denouncing" terrorist acts. Pipes refers to a story reported in the San Ramon Valley (Calif.) Herald about CAIR Chairman Omar M. Ahmad, who told a crowd of California Muslims in July, 1998, "Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Koran … should be the highest authority in America and Islam the only accepted religion on Earth."
In Canada, census figures released last week show that for the first time Muslims now outnumber Jews. The Canadian Muslim population increased 128.9 percent in the decade beginning in 1991, making Islam the fastest-growing faith in Canada. Muslims now make up 2 percent of the Canadian population, while Jews have declined from 1.2 to 1.1 percent, according to census data.
You don't have to be paranoid to fear where this can lead in Canada and in the United States -where immigration and births are dramatically increasing the Muslim population. Vote-hungry politicians might easily bow to the political objectives of Muslim voters, many of whom have agendas outside this country and, in fact, outside this world. When Muslims gain political power, the historical and contemporary record is not encouraging for people who hold democratic values and are of the "Judeo-Christian" persuasion.
If politicians succumb to pressure from Muslim activist groups and equate Islam with the religious and political heritage of this country, we will know that an important beachhead has been attained by our enemies. From their behavior in other parts of the world, one can safely predict they will use this beachhead to advance their cause.
Enjoy this writer's work? Why not sign-up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.


text:
More than just hotels
Apartments, cabins, holiday rentals and more, plus millions of reviews from Aussie & Kiwi travellers
Relax with our Price Promise
Find a lower price on a hotel or package online, before your stay, and we'll refund the difference^
Looking for a screaming good time on your next holiday? Water parks combine all the thrills of roller coasters with the lighthearted fun of a day at the beach. They'll make a splash with everyone in your group, whether you're travelling with kids, a group of friends—or even solo. Endless entertainment awaits, and when you've got a Perth water park hotel, endless convenience awaits, too.
Take the plunge at Perth water parks
You could head to the nearest amusement park and hop on a coaster, or take it to the extreme and have a bungy jump. We say you should aim for something in between—water parks are the perfect holiday, and when they've got a hotel onsite, that's even better. You're just steps from your room, so you can easily grab a snack, take a nap, or go back and get that sunscreen you forgot. A water park hotel in Perth is the best of all worlds.
Let the kids splash the day away. You live right next door, so you can always be there when it opens and stay until close. No dragging loads of gear around or competing for parking. Leaving each day will be the hardest part. Travelling with friends? Perth water park hotels add playful touches to any girls' trip or group reunion.
Slide into savings with Wotif
It's time to check visiting a water park in Perth off your list, and do it without even leaving your hotel. Wotif has a sweet selection and awesome deals. Check 'em out and start creating your dream holiday—a splash of convenience, a splash of memories, and a whole lot of fun.
|1,837 hotels
Lowest Price
Highest Price
Popular hotels
|Stay Rottnest


text:
Plus, a FREE Gift! Details Here.
When Tim first released Distress Stains I purchased the original 12 colors immediately after they hit the market. Then I never used them. To be honest, I was scared of them and I had no idea what to do with them. Let's be real, there is a lot of liquid involved and I was scared to ruin my paper. I wanted to use them….I loved the idea…what a great way to get color on a paper quickly with great coverage. So, I might have played around once or twice and maybe used them over paint on a mixed media piece...but that was all. Then I took Tim's first online class Creative Chemistry 101 and that changed it all. Now I am hooked and cannot stop playing with them.
Tim released a second collection consisting of the remaining 24 colors of Distress, making a total of 36 colors plus Picket Fence for a total of 37 colors. Picket Fence is an opaque stain (all other Distress formulations are translucent) that is available as a Stain and a Marker. I now own all 37 colors- and have 2 bottles of Picket Fence Stain on hand. The Stains are so much fun.
There are resources online to she you how to use the Stains. Check them out…you won't regret it. Tim has lots of videos on his site as well as Rangers and Creative Chemistry 101 is available as a self-paced class. Tim has a new Book called A Compendium of Curiosities Vol. 2 which also has Stain techniques. Have fun….
I like the stains for the convenience of use and the fantastic colors.
Adding color directly to a project for a layered look with the applicator, with a paintbrush or dragging project through a puddle are all good. One can deepen color by re-application.
You must be logged in to comment. Please click here to log in.


text:
package MyPackage; {$R *.res} {$ALIGN 8} {$ASSERTIONS ON} {$BOOLEVAL OFF} {$DEBUGINFO ON} {$EXTENDEDSYNTAX ON} {$IMPORTEDDATA ON} {$IOCHECKS ON} {$LOCALSYMBOLS ON} {$LONGSTRINGS ON} {$OPENSTRINGS ON} {$OPTIMIZATION OFF} {$OVERFLOWCHECKS OFF} {$RANGECHECKS OFF} {$REFERENCEINFO ON} {$SAFEDIVIDE OFF} {$STACKFRAMES OFF} {$TYPEDADDRESS OFF} {$VARSTRINGCHECKS ON} {$WRITEABLECONST OFF} {$MINENUMSIZE 1} {$IMAGEBASE $400000} {$DESCRIPTION 'E Stream Software - Runtime Library'} {$LIBPREFIX 'SQL.'} {$RUNONLY} {$IMPLICITBUILD OFF} {$DEFINE DEBUG}The DPK files already has built in compiler directives. It has priority over the switches you specified in command lines. As stated by Allen Bauer in the post:
The IDE supports a very little know feature where you can continue to control these options while in the IDE, yet allow the command-line be able to also control the options. In a package file, all the options listed there are propagated to all the contained units. This is different than a normal .dpr program/library file. In order to do this, all you need to do is replace the '$' with a ' ' (that's aThe solution is replace $ with a space character (' ') for all compiler directives only:
). Then when you open the dpk in the IDE, you can toggle those options as much as you like, but when you compile on the command-line, you can still control them. This is how we build all our packages for the product itself. All of the Borland built packages have DEBUGINFO, STACKFRAMES, ASSERTIONS, OPTIMIZATION, LOCALSYMBOLS setup this way because like you, we wan't to be able to control those options from the command-line. The developers will typically do a complete "debug" build, whereas the integration team will not. $DEFINES will sort of work the same way, in that if you replace the '$' with a ' ', the IDE will still recognize the defines and apply them, but any other modifications to the dpk source will re-insert the '$' character.
package MyPackage; {$R *.res} {$ALIGN 8} { ASSERTIONS ON} { BOOLEVAL OFF} { DEBUGINFO ON} { EXTENDEDSYNTAX ON} { IMPORTEDDATA ON} { IOCHECKS ON} { LOCALSYMBOLS ON} { LONGSTRINGS ON} { OPENSTRINGS ON} { OPTIMIZATION OFF} { OVERFLOWCHECKS OFF} { RANGECHECKS OFF} { REFERENCEINFO ON} { SAFEDIVIDE OFF} { STACKFRAMES OFF} { TYPEDADDRESS OFF} { VARSTRINGCHECKS ON} { WRITEABLECONST OFF} { MINENUMSIZE 1} {$IMAGEBASE $400000} {$DESCRIPTION 'E Stream Software - Runtime Library'} {$LIBPREFIX 'SQL.'} {$RUNONLY} {$IMPLICITBUILD OFF} {$DEFINE DEBUG}By doing so, both the IDE and DCC32 will respect the switches and yield expected results and. The output files (DLL, BPL or EXE) do not contain any debugging information even if you turn on the debugging switches. Those debugging information are stored in DCU or DCP files. To keep the debug information in DLL, BPL or EXE, turn on the Include TD32 debug info or use -V switch with DCC32.


text:
Career Search And More is your guide to a better career!
"Where do I go to start searching for a career?"
"How do I find the career that is right for me?"
"I know what I want to do, but how do I do it?"
As college and career counselors, we hear these questions and more every day! If you aren't sure what profession is right for you, it can be hard to know where to start. We've been there ourselves and know how scary it can be to start a new path in life.
There is so much career information out there, but we have found that the best way to determine if a career is right for you is to ask yourself some hard questions. We can help you ask those tough questions (And boy are they tough!).
So, what if you've done the soul searching and that dream job is now looking more like a nightmare? We can point you in another direction that you may not have thought of!
And once you've found the career that fits you best, the search is over . . .Right? Not so fast! Now you need to take the steps to make that dream a reality.
We have helped countless people make the educational and professional decisions that have changed their lives. Wherever you are at with your career search from researching careers, resume writing, and career assessment, we are here to help you find your way!
Nervous to make a decision that is not the right one?
Don't worry. We are here to help!
Looking for something specific? This search feature can help you sort through our collection of career search topics and articles. Enter your keywords below and search Career Search and More.


text:
Buying & Selling a Business Melville NY
In order to make an accounting solution a dynamic force for business and personal growth, you need 'Accounting Beyond the Numbers'. Buying & Selling a Business Melville NY. From the numbers, you need to draw conclusions, identify trends, understand abstract influences and create meaningful and effective strategies and initiatives.
WZ sees financial and business consulting as a key component of any accounting solution. Some of the consulting services we provide include but are not limited to:
- Business Succession Planning
- Business Valuations
- Buying & Selling a Business
- Accounting Software Selection & Implementation
- Pension & Profit Sharing Plans
- Investment Review
- Payroll Services
- Debt & Financing Services
- Business Entity Tax Structure Selection
- Management Advisory Services
When WZ doesn't possess the expertise required by a client, we call on a robust network of strategic partners.
When we look at your business we don't see a set of accounting tasks, we see an enormously valuable asset for you, our client. We see opportunities for growth and wealth and social good. In many cases we also see opportunities for our firm to make a game changing difference.
Other Services & Solutions Include:
Visit our set of Financial Calculators for quick answers on topics such as your IRA, investments, your child's college tuition, and your mortgage or credit card calculations.


text:
Submit a Listing
Cemetery Lookups
Historical Societies
Vital Records
This list of over 70 free resources includes places where you can download free charts, forms, and software.
Free Genealogy
There are also sites that offer free online courses in genealogy, or free web hosting services for your family tree, others offer online calculators and helpful guides.
[Alberta Obituaries]
[British Columbia Obituaries]
[Manitoba Obituaries]
[New Brunswick Obituaries]
[Newfoundland Obituaries]
[Northwest Territories Obituaries]
[Nova Scotia Obituaries]
[Ontario Obituaries]
[Prince Edward Island Obituaries]
[Quebec Obituaries]
[Saskatchewan Obituaries]
[Yukon Territory Obituaries]
To avoid violating the copyright protection exercised by many newspapers over complete obituaries, our database simply cites the individual, date of death, age at death, newspaper name, date of paper and page of citation. We attach a link to the newspaper website (when available) so you can contact them directly to obtain the full obituary.
Enter a name (or partial name) and search through our obituaries for the United States.
Genealogy Directory


text:
niko pirosmani, a georgian painter. (went to see his works last october.)
i took it from the library but found it on youtube, without subtitles though. every image in it is beautiful!!!
Feb 27, 2013
Feb 25, 2013
Feb 24, 2013
snowy purim ☃
estelle hanania, she made a few more. look at this traffic light costume! so nice!
+ daniel as a snowman ♡
+ daniel as a snowman ♡
op 16:06 4 comments:
Feb 22, 2013
too cold
op 13:43 5 comments:
Feb 20, 2013
some things...
christian. it's called 'i believe in a dancer'. website update soon!
op 23:54 4 comments:
Labels: apartments
Feb 17, 2013
from today
op 17:25 8 comments:
Feb 16, 2013
alyne harris
such nice paintings. from alyne harris. you can buy them really cheap on ebay :)
op 16:42 3 comments:
Labels: art, outsider art
Feb 15, 2013
in a line
in the meanwhile in a dustin hoffman mood. after seeing the graduate again, started to look at the others. kramer vs kramer was the first one and higly recommended if you want to see something easy, but good!
op 15:15 5 comments:
Labels: collections, movie
Feb 13, 2013
madelon's objects
this book about madelon vriesendorp. you can see why we can relate to her :) images from her work some other time...
op 22:53 1 comment:
Feb 12, 2013
pancake day
this morning i was told by a friend it was "pancake day" today. never heard of that, but anyway, i decided to make a more healthy version with oatmeal for lunch. the pretzel is hanging on chartlotte's wall and made this post more festive.
remember our kolobok dinner?
op 20:07 3 comments:
Feb 11, 2013
ksenia galiaeva has a new blog-like website which is really very nice! so many nice associations and stories, and a lot more to come, so be sure to check again, we'll put the link here on the right side...
op 23:14 2 comments:
Labels: art
Feb 10, 2013
these days it's still cold, but somehow there is a little bit of spring in the air already. all the plants are doing well, especially the figue trees are growing fast now.
op 17:49 5 comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
App for Crime reporting, Tenant verification, Servant verification, Search vehicle
details and Alert Police in case help is required.
How to download App:
Search for "Rajasthan Police" in Google Play Store or
Click here
With the advent of independence in August 1947, the 563 princely States of India were gradually integrated into different administrative homogeneous units. The State of Rajasthan, in its present form came into being in different stages. The Matsya union comprising Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur and Karauli were the first to be ushered in on March 18, 1948. They were joined a week later by Banswara, Bundi, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Kishangarh, Kushalgarh, Kota, Pratapgarh, Shahpura, Tonk and Udaipur. Exactly a year later, the four larger States viz. Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer also joined in. Together they formed the Greater Rajasthan, which was inaugurated by Home Minister of India Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel on 31st March, 1949. Though the process had started immediately after independence, it was not until 1956 that all the States came together to form the present Rajasthan.
The erstwhile princely States constituting Rajasthan varied considerably in size, population, revenue resources, administrative procedures and practices. This was duly reflected in the composition and capability of security forces they had maintained for law and order functions. However, with the merger of these States, their police forces were amalgamated into a single police force, which was known as Rajasthan Police.
In the intial years after its inception, the Rajasthan Police was headed by officers on deputation and the first Inspector General of Police was Shri R.Banerji, who took over on 7th April, 1949. Shri Banerji held this post for seven months and devoted most of that period to the necessary preliminaries of integration of the various police forces. He chalked out a common police code for the United State of Rajasthan in the Rajasthan Police Regulations.
The Rajasthan Police Service was formed in January 1951 and eligible officers from all over the State were appointed. This marked the beginning of Rajasthan Police as we know it today.
Act | Rajasthan Police Act-07 | Rajasthan Police Rules, 2008 (English)
| Rajasthan Police Rules, 2008 (Hindi) |
Rajasthan Police Subordinate Service Rules 1989 |
Calendar-2023 |
Citizen App Terms and Conditions |RajCop
Official App Terms and Conditions | Disclaimer | Copyright © 2018
Police. | All rights reserved.
Website Updated on
Sep 22, 2023
Nodal Officer :
Sharat Kaviraj, IGP SCRB, Rajasthan


text:
Paula Broadwell has reportedly signed a $3 million deal to pose naked for Playboy.
Hugh Hefner said that he's always wanted to include more military women in the pages of Playboy and his dream has finally come true. Paula Broadwell, with the help of General David Petraeus, negotiated a deal for a full spread in Playboy.
"The Playboy pictorial will be tied in to her book on David Petraeus, entitled 'All In'," said a source close to Playboy. "We tried to get General Petraeus to pose in some of the pictures with Paula, but he declined to do so at this time. Perhaps next year."
Broadwell will reportedly receive $3 million dollars for her "work" in Playboy.
Not to be outdone, Hustler has gone after the socialite at the center of the scandal, Jill Kelley, and her twin sister. "In our opinion, these women have a lot more to offer our readers than Paula Broadwell. They really work well together," said a source close to Hustler. "We are also including pictures of shirtless men in the spread. It's a lot of fun."
Broadwell is excited about being in Playboy. "It's really been one of her dreams. And there are very few of her dreams that have not come true," said a hair stylist in Broadwell's hometown. "Paula always told me she wanted to have an affair with a four-star general and ruin her life by doing so. And she's done it. Now, she's ready to reap the financial rewards of her dream come true. And that has led her to Playboy. She really is a hero around here."
The photo shoot is taking place in a bunker somewhere in Afghanistan. "Hugh is flying to Afghanistan right now to be part of the shoot. He's very excited about this and Paula," said a source in Playboy.


text:
Significant Leaps in POD® X3 Functionality with GearBox™ 3.6
POD X3 and POD X3 Live users can now join the legions of POD owners who create, edit and store their tones on their computers, share tones on CustomTone.com, and enjoy other great POD benefits!
With GearBox 3.6, create, edit and store your tones using the intuitive, easy-to-use interface. GearBox 3.6 displays your entire signal path with great graphics making it easy to add effects, change models and tweak your tone in an instant. And, since you're already plugged into your computer using a lightening-fast USB 2.0 connection, take advantage of GuitarPort® Online and CustomTone.com!
Browse, download and share tones at CustomTone.com, the free public tone exchange. Tons of players log into CustomTone.com every day to share their own creations, download tones based on their favorite songs and explore the most popular downloads. The Custom Tone library features thousands of free tones!
GearBox 3.6 also lets you take your playing to the next level with GuitarPort Online, which offers hundreds of accurate tabs, tracks, lessons and instructional videos. GearBox 3.6 now lets you use POD X3 or POD X3 Live as your interface to learn the best guitar songs, riffs and tricks available.
For guitarists who own a POD X3 Live and a Variax Electric or Acoustic 700 guitar, this GearBox update also allows them to use the free download Variax Workbench to customize the settings of their Variax. Using the POD X3 Live as the interface, they can build their own custom guitars by specifying body, pickup, tunings and more, and downloading them to their Variax.
Experienced Line 6 users are already aware of the awesome power of Line 6 Monkey™, and were probably made aware of the GearBox update mere nanoseconds after its release. Line 6 Monkey makes sure you know when the new firmware and software updates are available for all your Line 6 gear. (Don't worry, Line 6 Monkey is included as part of the GearBox 3.6 installation so you'll be able to run it and check for software updates in the future.)
Click here to get GearBox 3.6 and get the most from POD X3 and POD X3 Live!


text:
Running all day: My NBA season preview.
More: MVP | Coach | Storylines | Rankings
I know who I'm NOT picking for Rookie of the Year: Adam Morrison. His preseason didn't live up to the hype. Not even close.
He can't play D. He doesn't rebound or create assists. He was supposed to be this great scorer, but his 36 percent FG shooting in the preseason was horrible. What are you left with? A lot of commercial appeal, but no Rookie of the Year Award.
What does a top
Minutes, for starters. That's why Marcus Williams might be the "per-48-minutes"
Stat-stuffing helps, too. Points, rebounds, assists, the whole thing. That's why I'm on the Brandon Roy bandwagon. The Blazers NEED him to be the leader, and so far, he's shown an interest in assuming the role.
(Looking for a darkhorse? How about second-round phenom Paul Millsap? What if the Jazz forward can get enough minutes to expand on his rookie-leading 7.4 rpg (in only 17 mpg).
Comments Question: Who is YOUR prediction for NBA Rookie of the Year? Who will be in contention? Who will be this year's surprise?-- D.S.


text:
Los Angeles (L.A.) is the second-most populous city in the United States.
The people, institutions of knowledge, great climate, and infrastructure have enabled the Los Angeles region to emerge as a leading business, trade, and cultural center. Los Angeles is the largest major manufacturing center in the United States. Los Angeles, CA is also home to a Logistics Plus office where we proudly serve small and large businesses throughout the region. At Logistics Plus, we are more than just a local logistics company – we are a team of talented and caring professionals that share a passion for excellence, service, and community.
Whether it is working as your 3PL or 4PL partner, our services include total logistics management, LTL and truckload transportation, rail and intermodal services, project cargo and project management, import/export services, air and ocean freight forwarding, warehousing and distribution, global trade compliance services, and logistics and technology solutions.
If you're located in Los Angeles, CA, or any other surrounding community, your friends at Logistics Plus are ready to provide you with local, domestic, and global transportation and logistics services. Additionally, we'll show you how our people in Los Angeles put the "plus" in Logistics Plus by doing the big things properly and the countless little things that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success!
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Logistics Plus Inc.
8975 Remington Ave
Chino, CA 91710


text:
The one and only powder you will ever need. This ultra fine, light reflective powder is the ultimate finish to perfect looking skin. A virtually invisible powder that minimizes the appearance of pores, softens the skin and absorbs oil.
Works synergistically with rms beauty "un" cover-up to create a silky second skin.
Suits every skin tone and adds no white residue.
Talc free, silicone free, perfume free and paraben free.
9 g (0.32 oz)
To minimize shine, apply lightly with powder puff or brush, concentrating on the T-zone area. The included puff is preferred for a better controlled application as puffs tend to deposit less powder onto the skin.


text:
Salem Home for the Aged (Hillsboro, Kansas, USA)
Salem Home for the Aged began on 17 March 1889, when a frame building was dedicated as a "Home for the Friendless." A group of Krimmer Mennonite Brethren (KMB) ministers and laymen of the Gnadenau congregation, with Tobias Martin and Amanda Dohner and other public-minded citizens, agreed to operate an orphans' home 2½ miles southeast of Hillsboro, Kansas. On 23 October 1893, it was decided that a larger building was needed and a four-story stone structure, 40 x 50 feet, was completed and dedicated on 18 October 1896, as the "I[[Industrial School and Hygiene Home for Friendless Persons (Hillsboro, Kansas, USA)|ndustrial School and Hygiene Home for the Friendless]]." The institution owned 105 acres of land. On 10 May 1915, the institution was rechartered as the "Salem Home and Hospital," and rearranged to serve the aged and ill. On 29 April 1944, the building was struck by lightning and completely destroyed by fire and the inmates were moved to the Salem Hospital Annex at Hillsboro. In 1956 a new modern hospital was built at a different site and the entire former Salem Hospital and Annex was converted into a larger home for the aged, known as the "Salem Home for the Aged." The remodeled building was dedicated 3 November 1957. During the late 1950s Mrs. Ed. Penner and Mrs. Frank V. Wiebe were the superintendents of the institution. At the time of dedication the home had 43 inmates. More facilities were to be added. The Salem Home for the Aged is operated by a corporation (Home for the Aged, Inc.) representing seventeen churches of the Hillsboro area, including General Conference Mennonite, Mennonite Brethren, KMB, and non-Mennonite congregations.
|David V Wiebe
|Date Published
Cite This Article
MLA style
Wiebe, David V. "Salem Home for the Aged (Hillsboro, Kansas, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1959. Web. 22 Sep 2023. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Salem_Home_for_the_Aged_(Hillsboro,_Kansas,_USA)&oldid=77338.
APA style
Wiebe, David V. (1959). Salem Home for the Aged (Hillsboro, Kansas, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 22 September 2023, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Salem_Home_for_the_Aged_(Hillsboro,_Kansas,_USA)&oldid=77338.
Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 404. All rights reserved.
©1996-2023 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.


text:
I thought I'd share two recent interviews with you. First off, I was interviewed for an Endurance Planet podcast about the 2010 Western States 100. You'll find out how the race played out as well as how well I function (or don't) on 3 hours of sleep.
I've also been meaning to let you know about a recent interview I did with Dirt Dawg podcasts. This interview focuses on how I came to be the Runner-in-Chief at iRunFar and my take on various aspects of the trail running and ultramarathon worlds.


text:
|Created with www.canva.com.
Time flies! We've been writing this blog for almost six years, and we have published almost 500 posts. Not bad, huh? In 2010, we published a book (The Entrepreneurial Linguist: The Business-School Approach to Freelance Translation), which has sold more than 3,500 copies around the world (thank you!) and contains pretty much everything we know. However, we are delighted to keep on writing and sharing, as we get so much positive feedback and we really enjoy it. Even though we publish a lot of free information for beginning and advanced linguists, oftentimes new colleagues ask us at conferences: "What do I have to do to be successful?" There is no easy answer, so we usually say that it would take us the rest of the evening to even attempt to answer that question. However, we also like to come prepared with some memorable (or not) short pieces of advice that might be helpful for those who want some quick nuggets of information. We finally decided to compile some of these pieces of advice here after a new colleague approached Judy at a workshop a few weeks ago. She was frustrated that she wasn't getting the results that she wanted, yet she hadn't invested in herself or her professional presence. A lot of our advice has to do with exactly that: personal growth, outreach, marketing, and customer service.
We have no idea how we ended up with a list of 62 pieces of advice, and these are not ranked in order of importance, nor is this list (obviously) exhaustive. We simply wanted to compile some of the things we think are essential for every translator and/or interpreter and, of course, for entrepreneurial linguists. There are all things you've heard us say before or have seen us write about before, but here they are, for the first time, in one handy-dandy list: 62 pieces of advice on translation, interpretation, and business.
Please read at your own risk and take this with a grain of salt. Yes, we've included some tough love and straightforward advice.
1. Running a small business is hard. If it were easy, everyone would do it.
2. You are not entitled to be successful.
3. There are no real secrets to success, but start by working hard and by making smart decisions.
4. Don't compete on price. Find your competitive advantage instead. Don't become a commodity.
5. Get a website and a professional e-mail address. If you want to be taken seriously as a professional, you need a professional presence.
6. Your success will depend on the quality of relationships you form.
7. Translators are writers. Are you a top-notch writer?
8. The internet is your friend. Online marketing is mostly free and easy. Use it to your advantage.
9. No translator or interpreter is an island.
10. Have a positive attitude.
11. Avoid making the same mistake twice.
12. One missed deadline might very well have a negative impact on your career.
13. Don't start work on a project until you have written confirmation from the client.
14. Play nicely with others.
15. Set realistic goals and make a plan as to how you will achieve them.
16. Take an honest look at your skills and improve them. You can always become a better interpreter/translator.
17. No one lands high-paying clients by mistake.
18. Translation and interpretation require completely different sets of skills.
19. Take feedback for what it is: a valuable gift.
20. Without clients, you have nothing.
21. Be reasonable, even when others are not.
22. Think before you send an angry e-mail.
23. Learn to be self-sufficient in terms of IT and software.
24. Invest in your business by purchasing the best tools, dictionaries and gadgets you can afford.
25. Keep your personal and business finances separate.
26. Improve your typing speed.
27. Take very good care of your voice if you are an interpreter.
28. When asking others for advice, be respectful of their time and offer to take them to dinner.
29. Translators: read, read, read. There really is no substitute.
30. Don't complain about your clients publicly. Ever.
31. Don't complain about your colleagues publicly. Ever.
32. Your reputation is the most important thing you have.
33. Your time is the only resource you have. Spend it wisely.
34. Stop talking about yourself. Ask questions instead.
35. Learn how to really, truly listen.
36. Educate your clients about what you do without wagging your finger. No one wants an arrogant translator or interpreter.
37. Tread lightly when correcting source texts. Be respectful with your comments.
38. You earn others' respect by providing high-quality work and by being helpful, friendly and kind.
39. Join your local T&I association, a national association, and at least one association in your specialization.
40. Get out of your comfort zone.
41. Work on your weaknesses.
42. If a client corrects you during an interpreting assignment, stay calm and be professional.
43. Surround yourself with positive and good people.
44. Invest in your professional development by attending conferences, workshops and webinars.
45. Volunteer your time. Learn to give before you expect others to give things to you.
46. Take care of your eyes and look away from the computer for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
47. Exceed your clients' expectations. Go the extra mile.
48. Send holiday cards and/or gifts.
49. Keep a list of customer preferences. Become a customer concierge.
50. If you don't know a word during an interpreting assignment, say so. It's no fun, but you must be honest.
51. Work on your memory so you remember people's names.
52. Keep all your client files organized and back up your computer every day.
53. Contribute to a retirement fund.
54. Take care of your health and get exercise.
55. You can be in your bunny slippers, but there's no reason your client should know that.
56. Don't use your client as a sounding board.
57. Have a plan B if your internet is down at home.
58. Keep confidential things confidential. Buy a good shredder.
59. Consider joining a co-working space.
60. Go to at least one networking event a week, even if you don't feel like it.
61. Your business will grow when you do great work and more people know that you exist. How will you accomplish that?
62. Be humble. Every great translator and interpreter can learn from others. If you think you can't, you are wrong.
We hope you have enjoyed this (relatively) short list, dear friends and colleagues! Which pieces of advice would you add? We'd love to hear your thoughts to add to this endless list.


text:
Mission Statement
The Department of Public Works provides a wide range of services to the citizens of Laurel. Services include residential and commercial refuse and recycling collection, street and sidewalk maintenance and repair, storm drain maintenance, tree management, engineering solutions for public safety, effective management of the Capital Improvement Program, which includes upgrading roads, sidewalks and curb and gutters, maintenance of the automotive fleet, snow and ice removal and quick and effective responses to inclement weather damage.
The mission of the Department is to provide the best possible services to our residents in the most efficient, professional and economical way possible.
Hours of Operation
We are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays). Residents are welcome to stop by and see us or they can contact us by phone or send us an e-mail [email protected].
During off-duty hours, please call the communications clerk at the Police Department Non-Emergency phone at 301- 498-0092 or the Police Emergency Line at 301-725-3000.


text:
Remember when Olympic officials said they weren't going to murder stray animals in Sochi? Well, turns out they are definitely murdering stray dogs now.
The city has a contract with a "pest control firm" in the area for the express purpose of exterminating stray dogs throughout the Olympics, which begin this Friday. Alexei Sorokin, the company's director general, said they'd be "catching and disposing" of the dogs, but would not elaborate on the part between the catching and the disposing. (The murdering). He only discussed how problematic the dogs had become.
The dogs have been causing numerous problems, Sorokin said Monday, including "biting children."
He said he was stunned last week when he attended a rehearsal for the opening ceremony and saw a stray dog walking in on the performers.
"A dog ran into the Fisht Stadium, we took it away," he said. "God forbid something like this happens at the actual opening ceremony. This will be a disgrace for the whole country."
It sounds like there are a lot of dogs running wild over there and it sounds (unsurprisingly) like it's mostly the fault of humans. These dogs are not sterilized and regularly abandoned, so they breed like crazy. Instead of teaching people to not abandon non-sterilized dogs all over the place, Sochi is just going to kill all the dogs until they're gone.
Image via Twitter
Sochi City Hall Orders Killing of Stray DogsSochi City Hall Orders Killing of Stray Dogs [AP]


text:
It's amazing when you stand back and think about it. The fastest-growing industry in the world's most powerful economy can scarcely pay its workers enough to live.
No wonder thousands of fast-food workers have gone on strike to protest their measly wages and non-existent benefits, demanding a $15-per-hour minimum wage, which would more than double some of their hourly income. These aren't teenagers, after all. A quarter of fast-food workers are raising a child. Forty percent are older than 25.
But sympathy and optimism are two separate things. And when it comes to the fast-food worker strikes and dramatically raising wages for food service employees, I'm only feeling the former.
Let's begin by acknowledging that it's still early, you can't rush to measure the success of a national protest movement, and workers have already achieved some small, store-specific victories, "from scheduling changes, to raises, to the restoration of a tip jar."
But let's also be realistic. The strikes would have a much better shot at inspiring a change in franchise- and corporate-level policy if fast-food chains perceived one of two threats: (a) a threat to the steady supply of food-service workers who want to be employed at any wage and (b) a threat from consumers demanding higher wages for their fast-food clerks by not buying burgers and fries at McDonald's.
Instead, the big-picture doesn't reveal either of these pressure points. Fast-food jobs aren't merely scattered among the most despondent corners of the economy. They're growing fastest among some of the richest and most-educated metros. Bridgeport, Conn., Salt Lake City, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Washington, D.C., are among the five areas with the most growth in food service work between 2010 and 2013.
Study this graph. It shows the post-1990 change in three big industries' share of total employment. All three historically attract young, low-educated workers—the bread and butter of fast-food employment. Manufacturing's share of all jobs fell by nearly 50%. Retail, which absorbed a lot of the slack from manufacturing's slowdown in the 1970s and 1980s, has flat-lined. Food services? Shot up by 25%.
This graph doesn't tell us everything you need to know about why low wages in food services are probably here to stay. But it does suggest that the collapse of middle-income stalwarts like manufacturing has left a glut of young low-skill workers who are rushing into to fill local service-sector needs at big-box stores and fast-food chains. And that, to me, suggests another thing: That there are more people willing to do these jobs than there are people willing to strike.
This isn't to say that intervention is impossible. Congress could decide in September to double the minimum wage or triple the Earned Income Tax Credit. But it won't. And without some sort of third-party intervention, it is hard for me to see how the higher-wage movement succeeds on the streets.
Derek Thompson is a senior editor at The Atlantic, where he oversees business coverage for the website.
This originally appeared on The Atlantic. Also on our sister site:
The magical world where McDonald's pays $15 an hour? It's Australia.
If you love Netflix, thank Cable.


text:
Vandals Systematically Sabotage Dam – November 28, 2012
Eye Editor
ARCATA COMMUNITY FOREST – Sometime during the first week of November, unknown suspects intentionally plugged the water inlet at the Jolly Giant Dam. Water has risen in the reservoir, though no danger to citizens or property is foreseen.
The dam, built in the 1930s by the Union Water Company, once provided Arcata with a water supply. It is located about one mile east of Humboldt State University in the Arcata Community Forest near Trail No. 8. It and the former reservoir to its east haven't been used for water detention and storage since the 1960s, and the City recently began installing improvements to make the aging structure safe and stable.
One of the improvements was a new inlet installed just last year, which sends water through a pipe to the newly-reinforced spillway. The locking inlet was part of a response to a previous, similar vandalism incident in 2004, in which camping gear – tents, tarps and even jackets – were used to plug up the previous, unsecured inlet pipe.
In the most recent attack on the dam, the suspects used a hacksaw to cut the lock to a steel grate lid leading to the outlet control structure on the dam exposing the pipe that drains the reservoir.
They then stuffed it with a variety of available materials – a large, jagged rock, loads of pea gravel and wadded-up pampas grass, reducing to a trickle water flow from Jolly Giant Reservoir into the creek.
Compounding the maliciousness, the cut lock was then replaced on the inlet's door to conceal the vandalism. The tactic worked – it wasn't until water levels had risen above the top of the inlet that the vandalism was discovered.
The culprits also rolled a large concrete pipe down a slope from where it had been staged for further work next year. "It takes more than one person, because they're heavy," said Environmental Services Director Mark Andre.
The Arcata Public Works department was able to remove some of the debris, but the drain pipe remains partially plugged, restricting water flow.
Completely clearing the lodged debris from the drainage pipe will be a complicated and costly project, a perilous confined space job which can't be undertaken as long as the structure and its "vault" are submerged. (See Update, below.)
"It's expensive, it's a hassle and potentially very dangerous," said Environmental Services Director Mark Andre.
Environmental Services is closely monitoring the structure. In a worst-case scenario – that which the dam renovations are being implemented in order to avert, such as a 500-year flood – the restricted flow could cause the reservoir's water level to rise and potentially compromise the dam.
While the water level remains 40 feet or so below the crest of the dam, it may not take a full reservoir to cause the aged structure to fail. That's why next year, a 36-inch pipe will be installed some 15 feet below the top of the dam.
"This is a very unfortunate situation. Plugging the outlet pipe from the Jolly Giant Dam could result in a serious structure failure that would jeopardize life and property as well as natural resources located downstream," Andre said.
Were the dam to fail, tons of sediment and debris would flow violently down Jolly Giant Creek, destroying riparian habitat for miles, not to mention the property damage and risk to human life. "It would set the creek back decades," Andre said. "You'd have cars floating out onto 101."
The Arcata Police Department is actively investigating the vandalism to the Jolly Giant Dam and is asking anyone with information regarding this crime to contact the Arcata Police Department at 822-2428.
The cost of the damage is unknown at this time, but is expected to be significant.
The City of Arcata is offering a reward of $500 to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the vandalism to Jolly Giant Dam.
Given that the effort took at least two people and a persistent effort to accomplish along the busy intersection of trails, the City is hoping that a witness will step forward with information.
"We're hoping somebody saw something up there," Andre said.
On Tuesday, Nov. 27, the water inlet was cleared thanks to a sustained effort by the City's Public Works and Environmental Services workers.
According to Andre, employee Gary Osborne climbed down into the hole, and with water pouring around him for 45 minutes or so, dug, pryed and pulled pipe clogging rock and organic vegetation until the plug was cleared.
Additional Public Works staff assisted with pumps, shovels and hauling rock out of the hole with buckets and bins until the clog was removed.
"I saw Gary lift out a 100lb cement chunk from down in the pipe, as well as a few smaller sized rocks, cement chunks and gravel," Andre said. "Someone brought a very large plastic tub which they tied ropes to and we were able to hoist the 100 lb. cement chunk (and all other debris) out of the structure. The crew did a great job and replaced the chains and locks with hardened steel ones that will be much harder to remove. The downstream end was visibly flowing more and when plug was removed from inlet pipe, the box drained like a bathtub."


text:
Sponsored Listings
Search Results
RI Mind Reader Lon Cerel18 PINEWOOD AVENUE, Johnston, RI★Featured ListingLon Cerel dazzles audiences with his astonishing mental abilities and astute penetrating intuitive skills. Entertaining with comedy and wit, Lon uses his five natural senses to create the illusion of a...Read more
DJ Alex Brown68 Deer Run Trl, Smithfield, RI★Featured ListingDJ Alex Brown provides high skill DJ services for weddings, parties, and other events in Rhode Island and the surrounding areas. He can also service destination weddings. With nearly a decades experien...Read more
JPO Productions LLCMystic, CT★Featured ListingJPO Productions LLC (Formerly Known as Djjpo Productions) is here to provide you with entertainment that you have always wanted to enjoy.
If you are looking for a full-service DJ Company for your ev...Read more
Personalized Wedding Entertainment94 Wyoming Dr., Holden, MA★Featured ListingIf you're like many of my clients, you're tired of the cheesy, cookie cutter wedding DJs. You want a smooth flowing, stress-free wedding day, you're looking for a fun, unique, and memorable wedding rec...Read more
Magic Mike Entertainment & Photography94 Wyoming Dr, Holden, MA★Featured ListingMagic Mike Entertainment provides a high quality DJ entertainment experience to restaurants, bars, and night clubs. From Karaoke to trivia to music videos, your bar will benefit from our experience in ...Read more
KinetiCreations800 Boylston st, Boston, MA★Featured ListingKinetiCreations is a game building workshop for kids grades K-8 where imagination gains momentum! In our Prudential Mall location, or at your home we up cycle every day materials to help children dream...Read more
Birthday Parties RIP.O. Box 19625, Johnston, RICharacter and super hero's Parties and birthday parties of RI.....Have a super hero or character come to your child's next birthday party or special event. ....We currently serve all of Rhode Island, a...Read more
Mat Franco Magic494 Woonasquatucket, North Providence, RIMat Franco is a Rhode Island magician providing live entertainment at colleges, corporate events, schools, and birthday parties. Mat is one of the busiest magicians in RI. He also performs regularly in...Read more
Rockin Rhythm EntertainmentProvidence, RIYour Party is our Priority.
With over 20yrs of experience & a music library of over 85.000 songs in multiple genres, we will have your guests dancing the night away.
We provide affordable entertainme...Read more
Ronald G Shapiro, Ph. D.Providence, RIEducation and Entertainment (EduTainment) at its best. TV Game Show Style presentations include: Activities to Facilitate Career Planning & Gaining Meaningful Employment, Discovering What People Can an...Read more
Domino The Great250 Esten Ave, Suite 203d, Pawtucket, RII'm a full-time professional Rhode Island magician and educational entertainer for children! Domino provides high energy, family friendly comedy magic shows for kids birthday parties, cub scouts, libra...Read more
Farm Visits92 Purchase Street, Rehoboth, MAFarm Visits is a fun and educational traveling petting farm that will bring baby farm animals to any occasion or special event year round, inside or outside.
Farm Visits can accommodate birthday par...Read more
A Palace of MusicView details71 Penn Street, Providence, RI
Once Upon A Time PartiesView detailsPawtucket, RI
Dave DownsView details632 Oak Hill Ave., Attleboro, MA
Sponsored Listings
Search for entertainers in Hope, Rhode Island to find unique entertainment for your party. Keeping guests entertained is key to hosting a fabulous party. As expected, Hope entertainers will vary depending on the type of event. For example, you might want a party clown for a kid's birthday or a magic show for a corporate party.
There's definitely no shortage of unique and talented Hope, Rhode Is...Read more
There's definitely no shortage of unique and talented Hope, Rhode Is...Read more


text:
New Edition was formed in the Roxbury section of Boston, MA, by Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Bobby Brown, who began singing together in 1978 while still in elementary school, hoping to perform for pocket cash. They eventually recruited friend Ralph Tresvant as a fourth member, and after winning a talent show in 1980, also added Ronnie Bell. More talent show victories followed, including a prestigious gig at the local Strand Theater, where they performed the Jackson 5's "The Love You Save." They were discovered by writer/producer/impresario Maurice Starr, who signed the group to his small Streetwise label in hopes of launching a Jackson 5 phenomenon for the '80s. "Candy Girl," a song Starr co-wrote for the group, was released as their first single in 1983, when the members ranged in age from 13 to 15. Despite a lack of major-label interest in the group, "Candy Girl" was a smash, topping the R&B charts. Their debut album, also titled Candy Girl, spawned two more R&B hits in "Popcorn Love" and "Is This the End?," and MCA offered the group a deal. Starr however, wanted the group to remain with Streetwise; New Edition summarily fired him as their manager and signed with MCA. Starr attempted to sue the group for their name, unsuccessfully claiming that "New Edition" actually referred to a whole new style of pop music he'd created. Starr of course, would go on to strike it rich with a similar concept, assembling a quintet of white teenagers he dubbed New Kids On The Block.
New Edition, meanwhile, released their eponymous MCA debut in 1984 and scored their biggest pop hit with the Top Five smash "Cool It Now," which ended with a short rap section. The Ray Parker Jr-penned "Mr. Telephone Man" soon became their third R&B chart-topper, and the group had reached full-fledged teen idol status. Yet they were growing up fast, as demonstrated on their next album, 1985's All for Love. Not only were their voices changing, but their material was becoming more adult, with harder-edged funk and more mature romantic ballads. Later that year, they also released a holiday album, Christmas All Over The World, and struck an endorsement deal with Coke. However, rumors of Brown's growing dissatisfaction proved true and he left for a solo career in 1986. Temporarily down to a quartet, the rest of the group recorded the covers album UNder the Blue Moon, a set of vintage doo wop and R&B numbers from the '50s and '60s; it produced a hit revival of the Penquins' "Earth Angel."
Brown'sreplacement came in the form of Johnn Gill, a deep-voiced friend of the group who'd been recording as a solo artist without much luck. Gill made his debut on the 1989 album Heart Break, which found New Edition working with star producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The move paid immediate dividends, as they scored several R&B hits from the album, including the number one "Can You Stand the Rain." Meanwhile, Brown had become a superstar with his second album, the new jack swing landmark Don't Be Cruel. Feeling vindicated by Heart Break, New Edition split up to work on other projects. Gill returned to his solo career, with considerably more success this time around, and Tresvant also went solo. The remainder of the group teamed as Bell Biv DeVoe and wound up having greater success than anyone save Brown; their debut album, Poisen, was another new jack style-setter and Bivins' interest in developing new talent gave Boyz II Men their big break.
By the mid-'90s, new jack swing was giving way to new fusions of hip-hop and soul that were alternately more organic or aggressive. Although their status as innovators was secure, many of the New Edition splinter acts had a hard time keeping up and maintaining their career momentum. Thus, given their individually positive reputations, it made sense for the group to announce its triumphant reunion, with all six members participating in what was essentially an R&B supergroup. The public loved the idea; when the comeback album Home Again was finally released in 1996, it debuted at number one, and the first single, "Hit Me Off," was a smash, hitting number one on the R&B charts. The follow-up, "I'm Still in Love With You," was another big hit, and the group embarked on a blockbuster tour that, while popular, found relationships between some of the members fraying. After the tour, New Edition returned to their various prior projects, with the prospect of any future reunions looking dim. Those prospects increased significantly when it was learned that P. Diddy had signed the group to his Bad Boy label for the release of another comeback, 2004's One Love.
by Steve Huey allmusic.com


text:
I never drank coffee before I was 21 and almost fainted in a doctor's office after he gave me a shot and a big cup of coffee to keep me from going down all the way. Slowly but surely over the next few months I built up a taste to it and by the time I started living in recording studios in the late 70's when I got my big break with Earth Wind & Fire I was up to 20+ cups a day as social breaks at the coffee machine and playing Pong was the only time I ever saw sunshine.
I never actually used this cup to drink out of, mainly because it was too heavy to pick up full and take a delicate sip from and the coffee was too cold by the time the weight was manageable. So it's spent three decades as a candy dish, pen holder and even made it on to MTV from 1989-91 as part of "Just Say Julie", the first music video clip show ever, when it hung in Uptown Julie Brown's set that I art-directed.
I used to work around the clock. Now I'm at a more human 12 – 16 hours a day. But oftentimes the nights still seem like a bottomless cup.


text:
NEW YORK — Joan Rivers, who for more than a half-century has turned her life inside out for comedy, is starting her fourth season doing just that for the reality show she shares with her daughter, Melissa.
"Joan &Melissa: Joan Knows Best?" (10 p.m. today on WEtv, 502 on Comcast digital) finds Joan making a sex tape. Attending a lacrosse game where Melissa picks a fight with her teenage son's coach. Consoling Melissa after her boyfriend is caught in a compromising position.
She also mourns the death of her beloved dog, Max, then stages a splendiferous funeral that includes a chorus, an avant-garde poet and a male ballerina in a tutu.
"The vet said Max could have been anywhere from 11 to 14 years old," says Joan solemnly, then eases into a wisecrack: "You can usually check a dog's teeth, but Max lived for a while in California, so they were capped."
She and Melissa have invited a reporter to hear about their show's new season, which tracks this mother-daughter duo in their professional pursuits (including production of their weekly E! series, "Fashion Police," and her online talk show, "In Bed With Joan") as well as shining a glaring light into their personal lives.
"It's no-holds-barred," says Joan proudly.
Item: On one episode, Rivers, at 80 years old, goes to heroic lengths to undo her history as a fashionista and a frequent flier to her plastic surgeon's office. She wants to look more age-appropriate to land an acting role as a senior on a proposed TV drama series, and prepares herself, stripped of any vanity, with what she calls — no, not a makeover — but instead "a make-UNDER."
For this interview, though, she is every bit the Joan the world knows and loves: nipped, tucked and coiffed to a T. You ask who is she wearing? A shocking pink Armani jacket, Chanel slacks, Manolas, a necklace from her own Joan Rivers collection "and a Hermes knockoff that I got in China. Come as close as you want, mister," she boasts as she holds up the baby-soft handbag, "you're not gonna tell the difference!"
"Joan &Melissa" came about when Joan, who lives on the Upper East Side, began routinely crashing with her daughter, an Angeleno, to tape the L.A.-based "Fashion Police."
"She'd be in my house two or three days a week," Melissa recalls. "Then, during one of our many moments of chaos, someone said, 'This is truly like a reality show.' And the next thing you know, it's an ACTUAL reality show."
Melissa, clad hopefully spring-ish on this frigid day in a turtleneck and brightly patterned Alexander McQueen skirt, first partnered on-air with Joan 20 years ago to cover red carpet awards events for E!
Live fashion coverage was new to TV, and mother and daughter were slammed for indulging in such shallowness.
Joan shrugs. "What are the stars wearing? Are they drunk, are they high? And do they look like they're still happy together? That's what your friends are talking about! Luckily, we were both very shallow, so that's what we talked about, too. And still do, as reflected in both 'Joan &Melissa' and 'Fashion Police."'
"We promote shallowness across all platforms," says Melissa with a laugh.
But living life, however shallow, on a reality show can get deeply complicated for those it exposes.
"You come down in the morning and bump into crew members on the stairs," Joan says.
"They come into my room while I'm asleep to pre-light," says Melissa. "I pull the covers over my head."
"It's going to be easier next year," Joan predicts. "We're gonna use drones."
This year, there was one development the probing cameras didn't catch: Joan got a tattoo.
A couple of seasons ago, viewers saw her visit a tattoo parlor with a chum, then, in her words, "chicken out" before her chosen bumblebee design found its way to her derriere.
Three weeks ago, with her same friend in tow, she got inked.
"Margie and I walk into this Village tattoo parlor, two old blond Jewish women," she laughs as she slides up her left sleeve. In simple characters each barely a half-inch tall, "6M" is tattooed on the inside of her arm.
"It stands for the 6 million Jews that were killed in Auschwitz," she says. "I didn't put this in the show, because it's a serious thing. I didn't tell anybody until it was over: 'Guess what I did this afternoon?"'
Since the subject has been raised, Melissa now has an announcement: She's considering a tattoo on her wrist. Joan isn't pleased: It might be too big and too visible.
"You'll be terribly sorry," she warns.
"I already have TWO!"
"Yeah, but they're hidden. I'm just pleading with you," she persists. "You may, in five years, not want something there. And apparently it's agony to get it off."
"Mom! I've had two."
"They're hidden."
"One's on my ankle."
"But we don't look at your ankles," Joan says. "And you can always cover them."
Yes, this makes a pretty great reality show.
Talk to us
- You can tell us about news and ask us about our journalism by emailing email@example.com or by calling 425-339-3428.
- If you have an opinion you wish to share for publication, send a letter to the editor to email@example.com or by regular mail to The Daily Herald, Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.
- More contact information is here.


text:
Pros: Nice, simple design that accentuates the iPod mini's already good looks, works well with Griffin's iTrip mini.
Cons: No Click Wheel or screen protection, not the best case option for those who demand complete protection, or those without the iTrip mini.
Silicone rubber cases for the iPod mini are now fairly common, and we've seen many that are good, with some that are even great. On first inspection, small Japanese company Tunewear's premiere iPod product Icewear seems like just another silicone rubber case comparable to cases made by established iPod case makers Lajo and DLO, but thankfully Tunewear included three small but distinctive features that may interest some iPod mini owners.
Icewear is a transparent case – slightly more glassine than frosted – that protects everything except the iPod mini's screen, Click Wheel, top, and Dock Connector port. From the front, it looks almost identical to Lajo's standard exomini case, though it lacks the tiny strap loop that Lajo cases always include, and instead incorporates a set of prominent rubber ribs on each side. These ribs make Icewear easier to grasp, matching an elevated square box that surrounds the iPod mini's screen, and giving Tunewear's design an extra hint of coolness.
Otherwise, the case is very similar in look and feel to Lajo's exomini, and for that matter DLO's Jam Jacket Pro mini (minus the armband), offering plenty of anti-scratch and limited anti-drop protection for all the surfaces it covers. Unlike these cases, however, the hole for the Dock Connector port is large enough to accommodate most oversized connectors, a nice (if slightly less scratch-protective) touch.
In the past, we've had mixed feelings about the lack of top protection on some iPod mini cases: initially a no-top case design seemed like a bad idea given that the iPod mini's plastic top and bottom surfaces are the most easily scratched, and especially since iSkin's first mini case found a smart way to cover the iPod without precluding the use of many top-mounting accessories. But ever since the release of Griffin's iTrip mini – perhaps the most appealing top-mounted accessory made for the iPod mini, which just happens not to fit with the iSkin mini case – suddenly an open-topped case seems like a good idea for some users. Since neither Lajo nor iSkin currently offers an open-topped case, Icewear is therefore a better match for the iSkin mini than these cases, comparable in this regard only to DLO's Jam Jacket Pro.
Icewear's third and final interesting feature is a rear design that includes two slits to make the case belt mountable.
Instead of requiring a belt clip, Tunewear has assumed that you can slide your belt through the slits and keep the iPod mini mounted without additional accessories – a fair enough assumption, though some may prefer an actual clip. Of course, with Tunewear's design, you'll need to undo your belt to remove the iPod mini unless you want to remove it from the Icewear case, but if that's not a concern, this is a viable option.
Overall, we like the Icewear case, and think that it's a good choice for users who have or plan to buy Griffin's iTrip mini. While it's not the most protective silicone rubber case we've seen for the iPod mini, and we would strongly urge Tunewear to at least offer some sort of screen protector in the future, Icewear's simple design is an attractive first product from a new company. We certainly look forward to seeing their future offerings.
Jeremy Horwitz is a consumer electronics fanatic who practices intellectual property law in his spare time.


text:
This is what I'm currently wearing: Zoya Ali with Lynnderella Connect the Dots.
I used two coats of each polish and then followed it with Gelous and Seche Vite.
I have to apologize because these pictures are terribly color inaccurate! Ali is a tricky beast. She is more pink than what it appears here, although not a true straight-up neon pink. I'd call her neon salmon pink. Almost coral, but not quite.
The polish actuals appears more like what you see in the bottle above, in real life.
I love this picture above (and below!) for showing more of the magnificent micro shimmer that is in the otherwise clear base of Connect the Dots.
Yesterday at work, a more mature woman surprised me by telling me that she liked my nails. :)