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Doctors predict that in a few years, mankind can start struggle against infectious diseases all over again. And all because two most valuable inventions of mankind in pharmacology – antibiotics and vaccines – in our enlightened XXI century were caught in a web of myths and prejudices.
Antibiotics are substances mainly of natural origin, which are produced as a rule by fungi. They kill or inhibit bacteria growth that cause pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis and are absolutely useless against viruses – causative agents of ARVI, influenza, hepatitis A, chicken pox, measles and other diseases.
Appearance of the first antibiotic – benzylpenicillin, or simply penicillin – in 1928 was an accidental discovery of Alexander Fleming, who discovered that staphylococci culture was dying under mold fungi bacteria action. However, mass production of antibiotics began only 17 years later – in 1945. Emergence of these antibiotics has ceased to be «a rule of thumb», but was determined by bacterial landscape, that is, predominance of particular bacteria type at the moment. Now antibiotics include about 30 classes of drugs and about 150 – 180 registered original drugs. However, according to Canadian Health&Care Mall pharmacologists, production of new antibiotics came to deadlock: during the last 10 years there were created only 2 – 3 new drugs.
Why don't Antibiotics Work?
When hospitals began to use penicillin, mortality rate in maternity hospital from infections caused by staphylococci (most common at that time kind of bacteria), it decreased by hundreds of times, which allowed to save lives of mothers and children. However, after 50 years 99% of staphylococcus bacteria are no longer susceptible to penicillin – they have developed resistance to the drug. After a crazy effect of the first antibiotic, doctors began to prescribe them for infections, which we believe now insignificant and do not require such drugs intake. As a result, during less than a hundred years, antibiotics managed to cover all the way from its dawn to sunset.
The number one problem with antibiotics is now considered development of drug resistance and emergence of 5 – 7 bacteria, which are difficult to treat with existing drugs, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, or pneumococcus.
Development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics was triggered by irrational use of medicines – both by doctors and patients.
For example, a mother with coughing child with high body temperature came to physician. The doctor by the eye can not detect bacterial infection or virus, but to be on the safe side, not to miss dangerous condition, prescribes antibiotics.
Preventive effect as such doesn't present in antibiotics, but there are clear indications to assign antibiotics, for example, at patients with immunodeficiency. But it is easier for the doctor to prescribe antibiotics to protect themselves and patient.
What happens next? Pack of purchased once broad-spectrum antibiotic is present at home, and when a child falls ill again, parents give him the same pills – according to their logic, since the child has the same symptoms, then it should be treated the same way. Introducing antibiotic in the body for a long time (especially at low dosage) leads to development of microbial resistance to the drug.
Antibiotics Side Effects
All antibiotics, according to Canadian Health&Care Mall, one way or another, have side effects that are not always known to doctors, because in some cases they are unobtrusive and do not cause significant harm to patient's health. But some people manage not to pay attention even to «screaming» side effects.
For example, gentamicin antibiotic (related to II generation of aminoglycoside group) has two serious side effects – oto- and nephrotoxicity. As well as entire group of drugs (it is not developed now): Amikacin, Bramitob, Isofra, Kanamycin, Cyrinus, Neomycin, Streptomycin, Toby, Tobramycin and others. Gentamicin can accumulate in middle ear and kidney tissues. On the one hand, it can effectively treat diseases of these bodies, but on the other, they cause serious complications – irreversible deafness and reversible kidney damage.
However, doctors, according to Canadian Health&Care Mall, may not notice this side effects, since deafness may not be complete, but partial. Easy audiometry could help to notice hearing loss, but who will carry it out at pyelonephritis treatment? Therefore, if possible it is better to choose other antibiotics group – not aminoglycosides, but for example, cephalosporins ( Azaran, Vicef, Ceftobiprole, Kefotex, Klaforan, Lyzolin, Maxipime, Nacef, Orzid, Oframax, Proxime, Rocephin, Suprax, Torocef, Fortum, Cefazolin, Ceftriaxone and others).
Vancomycin has a similar ototoxicity effect (Vancomycin, Vancocin, Edicin) – antibiotic of tricyclic glycopeptide group.
Antibiotics of tetracycline group ( Vibramicin, Doxycycline, Xedocine, Unidox Solutab, Tetracycline) do not cause deafness, unlike aminoglycoside, but 100% of men observe spermatogenesis (sperm production) violation which may recover or maybe not. As explained by Canadian Health and Care Mall pharmacologists, tetracycline antibiotics are among the most toxic: they cause violation of bone and teeth formation. Even at local application in the form of ointments, particularly at children, can cause such disorders.
Antibiotics toxic effects are dosage-dependent. This means that the longer and the more you take the medicine, the more possible side effects development is. Therefore, the most important rule when taking antibiotics – strict adherence to intake frequency and therapy duration prescribed by doctor. The least toxic antibiotics are penicillins (Ampicillin, Ecobol and others), and macrolide antibiotics (Azitrox, Wilprafen, Klabax, Claricin, Klacid, Rulid, Sumamed, Sumamox, Fromilid, Erythromycin and others). But this does not mean that they are absolutely safe.
For example, if a person has allergy to antibiotics, most likely, it appears in case of introduction of penicillins and cephalosporins. Thus, for severe allergic reaction – anaphylactic shock, which in 70% of cases leads to death, even a small contact with allergen is enough.
Risk is also in the fact that patient can already suffer from allergy to antibiotics, but he does not know about it – we eat meat, «pumped» with antibiotics, and on this background, additional intake of even small doses of penicillin may cause severe allergic reaction, but can also cause death.
What don't Patients Know?
Most patients taking antibiotics, one way or another, heard about that at this time it is better to abstain from alcohol. The fact is that co-administration of antibiotics and alcohol can not only reduce these drugs effectiveness, but also cause severe side effects, including death.
Ethanol affects liver enzyme activity and its ability to metabolize antibiotics. As a result, when alcohol is used in combination with erythromycin its concentration is simply decreased, but chloramphenicol preparations containing ketoconazole (Nizoral and other antifungal antibiotics), furasolidone chemically interact with alcohol, which leads to serious side effects, even to convulsions, severe dyspnea and death. Drinking alcohol with these antibiotics is strictly contraindicated.
Antibacterials for Children are not Profitable
Another problem with antibiotics remains absence of pharmaceutical forms for children.
Medications is a business. And since main antibiotics consumers are still adults, pharmaceutical companies are not engaged in production of pharmaceutical forms for children because it is unprofitable.
The result is that «adult» pill is divided in half and given to the child. However, in this case, drug effectiveness may simply come to naught.
Pills are protected by special coat that allows them to not be dissolved by hydrochloric acid action in stomach. There are medicines that are particularly sensitive to acid, and if we crush a pill, we break its structure and the drug is simply dissolved and ceases to act. This happens, for example, with erythromycin drugs.
Antibiotics + Probiotic = Money Down the Drain
One of the most unpleasant symptoms of antibiotics side effects, even at proper reception – diarrhea. Advertising and doctors tell us that from the first day of taking medication you need to take drugs that restore intestinal microflora. However, it often turns out that they just make us buy useless medicines.
Diarrhea, which appeared after taking antibiotics, is a side effect of drug action. Our intestines and entire body is inhabited by bacteria, most of them – anaerobic microorganisms. Antibiotics, destroying harmful bacteria, also kill useful, causing short-term diarrhea.
By action spectrum antibiotics may be active against anaerobic bacteria, but may not be. For example, one of toxic antibiotics groups – aminoglycosides – does not cause diarrhea, because it is not active against anaerobic microorganisms that inhabit intestines. But non-toxic macrolide antibiotics can act on bifidus bacteria and cause diarrhea, as well as modern so-called «protected» penicillins and some cephalosporins.
Intestinal microflora killer number one is metronidazole (Trichopol) and clindamycin, according to Canadian HealthCare Mall specialists.
Healthy body is able to independently restore microflora without external intervention. However, it is easier to think that we need to saved by pills. Probiotics, which are recommended to take with antibiotics, are also bacteria, they can also be exposed to antibiotics. Therefore, , doctor should select probiotic drug strictly in accordance with antibiotic activity.
For example, popular Linex drug includes gram-positive organisms, which are easily «killed» by macrolide, tetracycline and penicillin antibiotics. But Bifidumbacterinum includes gram-negative bacilli, which is resistant to most antibiotics, except for some cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones – very popular and commonly prescribed antibiotics.


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If you didn't see your industry specifically listed, that's O.K.! We are not limited to just those industries, and we serve many, many more that we have not listed. Please let us know your need and we can custom engineer a solution that meets your specific need.
Here are some other industries we have and can design custom engineered solutions for, to give you an idea to what other 'Infinite Solutions' we can provide:
- Shrimp Boats in the Seafood Industry
- Fractional Yacht Ownership
- Sailboat Charters
- Various Agencies throughout the United States Government
- Remote Workers in various industries throughout the world
The SATATRACK team is as creative as your need is and we are not limited by a certain product or product requirement. If you have any type of asset location, asset management, or remote monitoring need, we would love to hear from you and get started on a custom engineered solution specific to your need!

subset: commoncrawl


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Robert Tjian
Howard Hughes Medical Institute President
Research in our laboratory is directed towards understanding the gene regulatory factors that govern whether embryonic stem cells maintain pluripotency or differentiate. Until recently, it was believed that tissue-specific enhancer binding transcription factors interacted with a general transcription machinery that was universal and invariant between cell types. However, it is now clear that the core transcription machinery can contain components that are cell-type specific. Through biochemical purification and structural studies, reconstituted in vitro transcription reactions and whole genome analyses, we have identified three novel multi-subunit co-factors critical to stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Current projects in the laboratory include characterization of co-activator complexes that interacts with Oct4 and Sox2 to induce Nanog gene expression in self-renewing human embryonic stem cells, and the role of specific TAFs in the differentiation of various mature differentiated cell-types including skeletal muscle, adipocytes and motor neurons. In addition, we have been developing single cell and single molecule super resolution light microscopy to track and study the process of transcriptional regulation in stem cells. Most recently, we have applied the CRSPR genome editing platform to manipulate gene expression and generate new cell systems to probe in vivo mechanisms of gene control in ESCs.


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The AIRE Lynx inflatable kayaks are high performance whitewater models for paddlers of all skill levels. A long time favorite of kayakers, the new solo and tandem Lynx models come standard equipped with AIRECell floors, a rugged yet lightweight addition that makes the kayak easy to roll up and pack in a small bag.
AIRE Lynx inflatable kayaks come in Blue, Dark Purple, Green, Red, and Yellow. List price on the Lynx I is $1,269, and the Lynx II is $1,369. They feature: Cheetah chairs, 2 carry handles, multiple cargo loops, cargo hold, repair kit, and owners manual, and they are covered by a 10-year, worry-free warranty.
Specifications on the AIRE Lynx I:
Compare AIRE Inflatable Kayaks at Amazon
Specifications on the AIRE Lynx II:
Recommended accessories:
AIRE Lynx inflatable kayaks are among the most respected models on the market and the longer Lynx II is AIRE's best selling kayak. It is popular for both tandem trips as well as solo kayakers who want the extra cargo space for more gear. Both boats have great surfing ability and easily punch through waves thanks to the narrow bow design and slick acrylic hull.
A Note on the Super Lynx Touring Kayak
Though it shares the same name, AIRE's Super Lynx is actually a hybrid kayak for moderate whitewater or flat water use. With its V-shaped hull, it tracks well and paddles comfortably for long backcountry treks.
AIRE Lynx inflatable kayaks have three air chambers including the floor, and a hull of 1100 denier base material (Material Weight Oz/Yd: 24/27), with an acrylic top. Each model has three self-bailing drain holes that drain water in less than five seconds —faster than any other inflatables on the market.
You will still occasionally come across an older model Lynx equipped with a closed-cell foam floor, but these are no longer offered by AIRE (though you can probably custom order one). For 2008 and beyond, these AIRECell Air Floor models can be deflated with the floor left in the boat, and rolled up, whereas the foam floor had to be removed so the kayak could be rolled up and bagged separately.
Reviews give the Lynx I and II top marks for stability, reliability, comfort, easy entry, speed, control, great cargo capacity, and that remarkable 10-year warranty. Owners have bragged that they've used their AIRE inflatable kayaks on hundreds of trips down big water, boofing on rocks, sleeping in them, and dragging them over gravel beaches. It's a great design for beginners who want to start out right with high performance equipment, or for an advanced kayaker who has tried other kayaks and wants to step up to better quality.
AIRE Lynx kayaks are more expensive than other whitewater inflatables but they are worth it since AIRE covers them with a 10-year warranty even if the damage to the kayak is your fault. You have to pay for shipping to their repair center, but ripping out a D-ring or puncturing a hole in an air chamber is covered. What other company backs its products like that? For being extremely rugged and versatile, and designed to last for ten years or more, AIRE Lynx inflatable kayaks are highly recommended.
Show me other AIRE Inflatable Kayaks
Return from AIRE Lynx Inflatable Kayaks to the Best Inflatable Boats Home Page
Sea Eagle 124 Super Motormount
Length/Width: 12'4" x 5'6"
Capacity: 4 persons (1560 lbs)
Engine: 6 hp/74 lbs thrust electric
Warranty: 3 years
Sea Eagle 420x Explorer
Dimensions: 14' x 3'1"
Capacity: 3 adults (855 lbs)
Warranty: 3 years
Sea Eagle 440fc FoldCat
Length/Width: 14'3" x 5'11"
Capacity: 4 adults (950 lbs)
Engine: 4 hp gas
Warranty: 3 years
Kayaks $70 - $999
Kayaks $1000+
Boats $85 - $999
Boats $1000+


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M.J. Paulsen
M.J. Paulsen received his Ph.D. from the Department of Entomology at the University
of Nebraska, and is Entomology collection manager of the Nebraska State Museum. His research interests include the phylogeny, ecology,
and taxonomy of New World scarab beetles, and higher-level classification of Lucanidae. For his Ph.D. research,
he revised the genus Pycnosiphorus, a group of
South American stag beetles. He is also interested in the phylogeny,
ecology, and behavior of the Euphoriina (Cetoniinae) and Aphodiini
(Aphodiinae) and systematics of Lucanidae and Ochodaeidae.
Photo: M.J. in Chile on an expedition, January 2004. Photo by Andrew Smith.
University of Nebraska State Museum
W436 Nebraska Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0546
Phone: (402) 472-2664
EMAIL: email@example.com
M.J.'s Scarabs
of Cedar Point Biological Station website has checklists
and images of the scarabs of Keith and Arthur counties in Nebraska.
An illustrated
checklist of Pycnosiphorus, a work in progress,
with Kojiro Shiraiwa.


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I've recently decided that Target is my favorite store. When I'm bored, I go to Target. It's as simple as that. I could literally spend hours (and my whole life savings) in there.
This summer I developed a love for Target's shoes, more specifically their sandals…and I went a little overboard.
In July, I purchased four pairs of their sandals and I wanted to share them here.
– Here's the first pair I got. I saw them and absolutely loved them. They are adorable and actually pretty comfortable!
– You don't want to know what I went through to get these two pairs of sandals. I saw them in May and fell in love — this was when I was still broke from studying abroad and didn't have much money to spend. Every time I went into Target I looked at them and debated getting them, and finally in July I made the decision to get them in brown AND black. I LOVE gladiators and I thought these were super adorable. They, unfortunately, ran out of my size in stores but, after much waiting and constant checking online, I bought them and haven't looked back since! They are so stylish and comfortable and add something to any outfit.
– The last pair is the pair that I wore to both days of Her Conference and I got them the day before I left, when I realized I didn't have shoes to go with either outfit I had planned. They looked great with both of my dresses and I've also worn them to work a few times recently. Definitely a good, dressier pair of sandals.
The best part about Target is their prices. Combined, all four of these pairs of shoes cost about $85! What a deal.
Have you guys bought any cute shoes from Target? Share them in the comments below!


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When Robert Livingston, third proprietor of Livingston Manor, died in 1790, he divided the Manor among five sons. With this act, he abandoned family practice, rejected centuries of English and continental tradition, and endangered the economic power of the family line. Robert's father, Philip, and his father before him, had passed the estate to their eldest sons, bequeathing smaller parcels to their daughters and younger sons. Robert's grandfather had also entailed the estate, forbidding his heir from passing it to anyone but the "heirs male of ye name of Livingston" and enjoining him from selling it "to a Stranger. " Other proprietors did the same, and for good reason. By preventing the division of their estates, they guaranteed the wealth and power of the lineage. 1
But landlords who lived through and supported the Revolution came to see such practices as aristocratic and unfair to younger children. Leasehold proprietors were as anxious as their fellow patriots to eradicate hereditary aristocracy; the elite they wished to create was a "natural" one, based on merit, not birth. Doing so, they believed, meant abolishing a wide range of legal and familial practices—including primogeniture and entail. At the same time, they fell under the influence of new ideals of family life that emphasized the uniqueness of each child. Like Robert Livingston, they began to treat their children equally in their wills. When Johannes Van Rensselaer died in 1784, he divided Claverack among his five children. A few years later, Margaret Beekman Livingston distributed the 753,000-acre estate of her husband, Robert, equally among her 10 offspring. By the 1830s, only Rensselaerwyck and the lands of George C. Clarke remained in the hands of a single proprietor. 2
To make matters worse, young landlords abandoned older practices of using marriage to buttress their families' wealth. Betrothals among colonial proprietors were rarely arranged; children chose their own mates, subject to


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Shanghai Beach is a Brooklyn, New York based act (consisting of Steven Salazar) that performs dark synth pop inspired by dystopian art, Ridley Scott films, and old science fiction novels.
Since the creation of Shanghai Beach in 2014, Salazar has performed all over the United States and Canada with no plans on stopping. He has written, recorded, and released two EPs and two full lengths. Salazar has performed in multiple acts in many genres since his entry into music in 2003.
Since the release of Shanghai Beach's last full length, an obsession with vintage analog synthesizers and modern progressive technology has led Salazar into icy dark sound with an unsettling view of the future.


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Microsoft Office is an important part of our daily computing experience, but the cost of the authentic product makes us keep away from it. But if you know where to look you can find the Microsoft office version for really cheap prices. You can use these tips to get a completely legal discount on the Microsoft office suite.
Option 1 Buy Microsoft Office 2013 Product Key Pack - $30 per license
The Microsoft Office 2013 Home & Student edition allows you to use Microsoft Office 2010 on up to 3 computers in your household. You pay only $100 for it, so only $30 per Microsoft Office 2010 Product Key. This is the best way to buy cheap Microsoft Office product key for your whole family to use.
Keep in mind that the Home and Student edition is limited to non-commercial use only.
Option 2 Microsoft Office 2010 Product Key Discount for College Students - $99
If you are a full time or a part time student at the university then you can avail of the student version for just a mere $100. The original issue is priced at $500 with all the same features and application letting you have a discount of almost 80% off.
Now if your university has an agreement with Microsoft then you could get a deal for prices much cheaper than $100. Look around in the university book store to know more about this deal. In case you are not a college student, read on to see other options to buy Microsoft Office 2010 Product Key at big discounts.
Option 3 Purchase a Key Card for Microsoft Office 2010 Product - 25%-40% off
If you download a trial version of the Microsoft office suite and then Buy a key card for discounted prices for unlocking the trial version then you will be able to secure a discount up to 40% off the original price. The only disadvantage to this situation is the fact that you don't really get an installation disk with this package. In case your computer fails, you will need to download the software again to be able to activate it with the key card. Still it's not much of a problem when it lets you have such hefty discounts.
Option 4 Purchase Microsoft Office 2013 or Office 2010
Unless you have specific needs for the updated software, you can also choose to purchase older versions of the software at discounted prices for online shopping places like Amazon.
Tips: If you have purchased your system with a version of the Microsoft Works Suite installed then you will be able to upgrade your software for a discounted price. This will let you save an additional 20 - 40% on the upgrade. If you combine this with the savings you can make on older versions, you will probably make a very good deal on authentic software. Like you can purchase the Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 UPGRADE at a discount of 62% of the original price at Amazon.
Option 5 Free to Use Microsoft Office 2010 Basic Functions - $0!
If your requirement of Microsoft office suite is extremely basic then you can always use the version available at Microsoft SkyDrive. This includes using basic forms of applications like OneNote, PowerPoint, Word and Excel for free. This feature also lets you access the documents on any computer with an internet connection.
Option 6 Free Alternative to Microsoft Office 2010 - $0!
You can also choose a relatively free alternative to Microsoft Office, if you just need to get the basic work done. Google Docs is a service which has been around longer than SkyDrive and provides similar services can be used. LibreOffice is another complete office application suite which you can use. These formats support the Microsoft file versions and can export and read the same format.
Tags: Microsoft Office 2010 Product Key serial, Microsoft Office 2010 Product Key license


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Hey there, thanks for being a part of the Pilot Program!
The purpose of the Pilot Program is to formulate a garden care model that allow us to provide experiential garden education beyond the BVSD area. Our goal is to provide you resources to help you through the growing season so you feel empowered to care for your school's garden.
Take a look at these resources below where you can find information to help you during the growing season. Looking for pest, disease, plant or harvesting guides? Find those on your school's main webpage at the bottom in the purple box.


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Lady Gaga was one of the big winners on Saturday night at the 23rd annual GLAAD Media Awards, taking home the prize for Outstanding Music Artist for her Born This Way album. The show honors various branches of the media that represent the LGBT community.
The show was hosted by "Glee" stars Cory Monteith and Naya Rivera and included guest spots from Dakota Fanning, "Jersey Shore" nice guy Vinny Guadagnino, talk show host Wendy Williams, "Top Chef" star Padma Lakshmi and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir.
Broadway veteran Bernadette Peters and TV star John Stamos presented the Vito Russo Award to Craig Zadan and Neil Meron for their work on the NBC musical series "Smash." The Russo award is presented annually to openly LGBT media professionals who have made a difference in promoting equality. In accepting the award, Meron said the pair, who were also behind the Oscar-winning movie musical "Chicago" and "Hairspray," have spent a long time trying to "fight, persuade and manipulate" Hollywood into including LGB characters in their work.
Also on hand was openly gay 17-year-old high school student Katy Butler, who received a special award from Weinstein Company co-chairman Harvey Weinstein for her work in launching a Change.org campaign last month to argue for a PG-13 rating for the upcoming documentary, "Bully."
Other winners included: "Dancing With the Stars" (Outstanding Reality Program), for including the story line of transgender dancer Chaz Bono last season, the HBO film "Cinema Verite" (Outstanding TV Movie or Mini Series), a film focused on the life of a black lesbian teenager, "Pariah" (Outstanding Film -- Limited Release), "Battle Against Bullying" from ABC World News with Diane Sawyer (Outstanding TV Journalism Segment) and the "Batwoman" comic book by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman (Outstanding Comic Book).
More awards will be handed out on April 21 in Los Angeles and June 2 in San Francisco.


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Contest Grievance Form and Contestant Suggestion Form
Business Name:
City, State, Zip:
Phone Number:
E-Mail Address:
Suggestion or Grievance (circle one)
Class: Judge:
Grievances should be verbally brought to the attention of the Contest Coordinator stationed at the check-in table located in front of to the contest ring. If the complaint cannot be resolved immediately, then a formal grievance must be presented in writing using this form.
I, the Contest Coordinator have spoken with the above-named person and the complaint was not able to be resolved on site.
Grievances will not be accepted after the close of the show.
By my signature, I am hereby stating that the information provided is true and accurate. Signature:
Click on the link below to Download and/or Print this form:


text:
Teeming – WORD OF THE DAY (for Speaking and Writing Task 2)
Teeming (adjective)
- Improve Your Vocabulary in IELTS Speaking & Writing – Key Word: Thing
- Boost Your Lexical Resource – Key Word: Rule
- Using Collocation to Boost Your IELTS Score – Key Word: promise
- Using Collocation to Boost Your IELTS Score – Key Word: Belief
- Boost Your IELTS Score with Collocations – Key Word: report
Fertile, in abundance, highly productive, be full of
- He walked briskly through the teeming streets
- The streets teem with hustling, bustling humanity, hag-like beggar women, street urchins and drunken revellers urinating against inn walls, all rubbing shoulders with the gentry in their smart clothes and carriages
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text: HomeOverseas property for sale Property Details Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Features Cave Conservatory Double Glazing Full Description Pretty stone village house well located in the medieval centre, in a quiet street and in perfect condition (new roof), offering 92m2 of living space including 2 bedrooms, a beautiful vaulted lounge, a covered terrace (that could be uncovered) and a small charming courtyard. Comfortable with character.LOCATION: Village with all shops, schools, 15 minutes from Pezenas, 5 minutes from Magalas and Roujan, 25 minutes from Beziers and 40 minutes from the coast.GROUND FLOOR (courtyard level): Vaulted cellar of 30 m2, cellar for storage, access to a small courtyard of 12 m2 with summer lounge area.GROUND FLOOR (street level): Entrance onto a lounge/dining room of 22 m2 (upper and lower units, sink, hob, electric oven, extractor) and access to a terrace/veranda of 6 m2, storage room with connection for wc, bedroom of 12 m2.1st FLOOR: Bedroom of 14 m2, washroom of 5.3 m2 (shower, washbasin and wc), attic for storage.MORE DETAILS: New double glazed and electric heating, annual land tax of about 459 euros, new roof.Comfortable and charming.The prices are inclusive of agents fees (paid by the vendors).The notaire's fees have to be paid on top at the actual official rate.NOTE: the location is described in our descriptive but we may not be able to supply the address of the property due to agent / vendor agreement, we can describe the area and will of course inform you if there is any 'blight' or nuisance near the property so you can book a viewing in confidence, ask for more details and we will check if the property is in the right location for your criteria.The department of Herault is in the Languedoc-Roussillon region located in the south of France. It is surrounded by the Pyrenees-Orientales, Ariege, Tarn and Aude departments.Widely regarded as possibly the most dynamic department in Languedoc Roussillon with Montpellier as its capital and the popular seaside resorts of Sete and Grande Motte bringing in millions of tourists every summer, the Herault department is certainly busy and growing.But despite all the activity along the coast, the interior of Herault is as beautiful and unspoiled as it has always been. The Herault countryside is glorious, driving away from the coast into the foothills of the Black Mountains you can get lost in an ocean of vines.Villages in the department of Herault are incredibly pretty. Roquebrun is stunning, with its bridge and old water mill on the river Orb. St Guilhem-le-Desert is also beautiful - and one of Languedoc's top tourist spots.Herault is also a favourite of Brits looking to move to the area. Pezenas and Lodeve are both popular towns - Pezenas used to be the region's capital and is becoming quite chic.In short - the department combines beautiful countryside with the buzz and glamour of a major city (Montpellier).We at Cle France specialise in Property for sale in France through our network of Agents and French Registered High Street Estate Agents. We have sold thousands of houses for sale in France over the years and have helped many find and buy their dream home in France.We can also help you with everything to do with buying a house in France including getting a mortgage, organising currency exchange, renovation advice, property surveys, planning permission, French translation, opening a bank account and everything to do with French property sales.All our prices are quoted as FAI (agency fees included) unless otherwise stated and 'notaire' fees are around 7% (on average) but feel free to ask us for an exact amount on any particular French property for sale you are interested in.Indeed please feel free to use the 'MAKE AN ENQUIRY' tab above to ask us any questions you have about buying a property in France. Our UK based enquiry office and staff will guide you through the entire buying process step by step from your first contact right up to taking ownership and beyond, all free of charge.So when you buy through Cle France you can be confident that you are paying no more than the standard commission rates you would pay anyway, but you have the added benefit of a bi-lingual support team.For everything you need to know about French property visit here More Make an enquiry This property listing (ref: 11500-SLR01607) is an advertisement supplied by Cle France and does not constitute property particulars. While aplaceinthesun.com (APITS Ltd.) requests all advertisers supply correct details, it does not carry out checks on the information supplied and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. Aplaceinthesun.com recommends seeking independent legal advice prior to any overseas property purchase.


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Mata Vaishno Devi.org.in
Mata Vaishno Devi Darshan
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Darshan is famous to be one of the holiest religious destination in world, the shrine of Vaishno Devi is dedicated to the Goddess Shakti. Affectionately also called as Mata Rani and Vaishnavi, the temple is the manifestation of the Mother Goddess which totaly dedicated to Maa Kali , Maa Saraswati and Maa Laxmi. The temple is situated at an altitude of 5200 ft., a distance of approx. 12 kms from Katra.The Holy Cave attracts crore of devotees every year. This is due to the unflinching faith of the devotees who throng the Shrine from world Now you can visit the holy cave by Mata Vaishno Devi Helicopter Service at very Afforadable Rates. Read more
Day-1 Jammu – Katra ( Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Darshan By Helicopter) In the morning transfer to arrival at Jammu, Upon arrival at Jammu, transfer to Katra. Upon arrival at Katra check in at the hotel, In the Afternoon at 1 '0' clock transfer to Helipad to catch the chopper for Shanjichat. From here will start our trek to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, You have to show here your return boarding pass gets priority darshan at the Shrine. After Darshan back to Shanjichat to catch the chopper for Katra. Overnight at hotel.
Day-2 Katra to Patnitop- After Breakfast proceed to Patnitop from Katra (80 kms/3hrs drive) . Patnitop or Patni Top, is a hill top tourist location in Udhampur district on the National Highway 1A, on the way from Udhampur to Srinagar. Patnitop is a distortion of the original name of "Patan Da Talab" meaning "Pond of the Princess". In olden times a pond existed in the meadows and the kings princess often used to have her bath there.Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Patnitop.(includes Nag Temple and excursion to Nathatop and Sanasar)
Day-3 Patnitop to Jammu- Jammu Today After Breakfast , You will Check out From Hotel and move to Jammu Airport or railway station, Upon arrival at Katra, directly transfer to Jammu airport to catch the flight for Home With Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Bless.
Type of Ticket We Offer to you On Request.
Mata Vaishno Devi Helicopter Package with Patnitop
Katra Patnitop Trip
Patnitop offers elegant picnic spots and peaceful walks with mata vasihno devi trip with famliy and friends. At the resort one can enjoy skiing since it gets covered with a thick layer of snow. If you wish to learn skiing, skiing courses
Hotels Details
|Package Category
|Hotel Name
View Hotel/Similar
Hotel Shree Palace / Similar
|Package Category
|Hotel Name
Vardaan Resort / Similer
Shre Hari Niwas / Similer
|Package Category
|Hotel Name
Patnitop Heights /Similer
White Orchid Katra/ Similer
Note : - Minimum 2 pax Booking Accept.
- Cab at disposal with driver including pick up from Airport / Railway station to drop at Airport / Railway Station.
- 03 days local sight seeing at all the places as per the itinerary.
- Pick and Drop from Airport / Station and for local sight seeing.
- All Transportations by Non ac Indica/ similar Car (including Toll, Parking, Driver Bata, Night halt etc.)
- Hotel with Breakfast
- Helicopter Tickets Provide for Mata Vaishnodevi Darshan On Request.
- All applicable taxes and Room Service Charges
- Any optional activities like Boating, Trekking, Paragliding, Shikara Riding.
- Any kind of airfare /train fare.
- Any Still / Video Camera fees applicable at the monuments or activities is chargeable direct.
- Any alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, mineral water, use of mini bar in room and room service.
- Personal expenses such as Laundry, Communication Charges (Phone/Internet).
- Any additional meals / en route meals, sightseeing and activities other than those mentioned in the itinerary.
- Tips and gratuities to drivers, Guides etc. and any other expenses/service not mentioned in the inclusions.


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Dwight D. Eisenhower
34th U.S. President
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army during World War II and served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe.
Born: October 14, 1890, Denison, TX
Died: March 28, 1969, Washington, D.C.
Predecessor: Harry S. Truman
Successor: John F. Kennedy
Parents: David Jacob Eisenhower, Ida Stover Eisenhower
As supreme commander of Allied forces in Western Europe during World War II, Dwight D. Eisenhower led the massive invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe that began on D-Day (June 6, 1944). In 1952, leading Republicans convinced Eisenhower (then in command of NATO forces in Europe) to run for president; he won a convincing victory over Democrat Adlai Stevenson and would serve two terms in the White House (1953-1961). During his presidency, Eisenhower managed Cold War-era tensions with the Soviet Union under the looming threat of nuclear weapons, ended the war in Korea in 1953 and authorized a number of covert anti-communist operations by the CIA around the world. On the home front, where America was enjoying a period of relative prosperity, Eisenhower strengthened Social Security, created the massive new Interstate Highway System and maneuvered behind the scenes to discredit the rabid anti-Communist Senator Joseph McCarthy. Though popular throughout his administration, he faltered in the protection of civil rights for African-Americans by failing to fully enforce the Supreme Court's mandate for the desegregation of schools in Brown v. Board of Education (1954).
In 1948, Eisenhower left active duty and became president of New York City's Columbia University. His brief return to civilian life ended in 1950, however, when President Harry S. Truman asked him to take command of the new North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces in Europe. In that position, Eisenhower worked to create a unified military organization that would combat potential communist aggression around the globe.
In 1952, with Truman's popularity sagging during the ongoing war in Korea, leading Republicans approached Eisenhower and persuaded him to make a run for president. After mixed results in primary elections against the Republican front-runner, Senator Robert A. Taft of Ohio, Eisenhower resigned his commission in the Army and returned from his NATO base in Paris in June 1952. At the party's national convention that July, he won the Republican nomination on the first ballot. Under the slogan "I Like Ike" and with Senator Richard M. Nixon of California as his running mate, Eisenhower then defeated Adlai Stevenson to become the 34th president of the United States. (Eisenhower would beat Stevenson again four years later in a landslide to win reelection, despite health concerns after suffering a heart attack in 1955.)
As a moderate Republican, Eisenhower was able to achieve numerous legislative victories despite a Democratic majority in Congress during six of his eight years in office. In addition to continuing most of the New Deal and Fair Deal programs of his predecessors (Franklin Roosevelt and Truman, respectively), he strengthened the Social Security program, increased the minimum wage and created the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. In 1956, Eisenhower created the Interstate Highway System, the single largest public works program in U.S. history, which would construct 41,000 miles of roads across the country.
During Eisenhower's first term, Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-Communist crusade violated the civil liberties of many citizens, culminating in a series of sensational televised hearings in the spring of 1954. To preserve party unity, Eisenhower refrained from publicly criticizing McCarthy, though he privately disliked the senator and worked behind the scenes to diminish McCarthy's influence and eventually discredit him. Eisenhower was even more hesitant, however, in the realm of civil rights for African Americans. In 1954, in the case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that school segregation was unconstitutional. Eisenhower believed that desegregation should proceed slowly, and was reluctant to use his presidential authority to back up the enforcement of the Court's verdict, though he did send federal troops to Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957 to enforce integration of a high school there. Eisenhower did sign civil rights legislation in 1957 and 1960 providing federal protection for black voters; it was the first such legislation passed in the United States since Reconstruction.
Soon after taking office, Eisenhower signed an armistice ending the Korean War. Aside from sending combat troops into Lebanon in 1958, he would send no other armed forces into active duty throughout his presidency, though he did not hesitate to authorize defense spending. He also authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to undertake covert operations against communism around the world, two of which toppled the governments of Iran in 1953 and Guatemala in 1954. In 1954, Eisenhower decided against authorizing an air strike to rescue French troops from defeat at Dien Bien Phu, avoiding a war in Indochina, though his support for the anti-communist government in South Vietnam would sow the seeds of future U.S. participation in the Vietnam War.
Eisenhower sought to improve Cold War-era relations with the Soviet Union, especially after the death of Josef Stalin in 1953. In July 1955, when Eisenhower met with British, French and Russian leaders in Geneva, Switzerland, he proposed an "open skies" policy, in which the United States and Soviet Union would conduct air inspections of each other's military programs; the U.S.S.R. rejected the proposal, though it won international approval. Under the rising threat of Soviet nuclear weapons technology, Eisenhower and Secretary of State John Foster Dulles did succeed in strengthening NATO and in creating the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) to combat communist expansion in that region.
Though U.S.-Soviet relations remained relatively cordial throughout his presidency, including a summit meeting with Premier Nikita Khrushchev in 1959, the Soviet shooting of a U.S. U-2 reconnaissance plane in May 1960 dashed Eisenhower's hopes for a treaty before he left office. In his farewell address of January 1961, Eisenhower spoke of the dangers inherent in what he called the "military-industrial complex." Due to the combination of national defense needs with advances in technology, he warned, a partnership between the military establishment and big business threatened to exert an undue influence on the course of American government. His warnings would go unheeded, however, amid the ongoing tensions of the Cold War era.
While weathering criticism from both left and right, Eisenhower enjoyed high approval ratings throughout his administration. After leaving office in January 1961, he retired to his farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He worked largely on his memoirs, and would publish several books over the following years. He died on March 28, 1969, after a long illness


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Nation branding is a fairly new concept. When a different country approaches a marketer to create a brand identity for their homeland, the approach is definitely going to differ from a B2B or B2C marketing. After all, branding a city is about emphasizing and presenting the identity of millions. At the same time, it also involves marketing certain characteristics and attributes of the destination. Jackson Tan, the creative director and co-founder of one of Singapore's leading creative agency BLACK, shares what it takes to build a national brand identity. The man behind Singapore's iconic SG50 logo, Tan has been instrumental in promoting the creative economy of Kanto, Japan. He has also worked with the Kaohsiung City Bureau of Cultural Affairs in Taiwan to curate and present 'CREATIVE©ITIES', an exhibition where he created icons for cities like Kaohsiung, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo.
SG50 was a very successful campaign and the design was much talked about. What was the idea behind it and what according to you, is the role in design when it comes to branding an entire nation?
The most important role that design plays in brand communication is that of clarity. SG50 was very interesting because it was coming of age for Singapore. From a developing country to what it is now, a first world country. It only took one generation in 50 years to get to where we are. So, the challenge was to show all that history in one symbol. There were so many things to show as we have a lot of diversity in Singapore. But the message was very clear. It was really about celebrating the red dot and what it means to the people of Singapore. Singapore is represented by a tiny red dot on the world map. However, this tiny red dot represents a lot of things. Even though Singapore is limited by our physical size and resources, our dreams and aspirations have always been bigger than that. Singaporeans were always looking and thinking beyond what the size of the country can do. So, the role of design whether it is branding products or an entire nation – I feel it should have the ability to deliver a certain message, a certain position.
You have rebranded a number of cities – Taiwan, Japan's Kanto region. What are the biggest challenges of designing a brand identity for a nation?
The challenge is to distill all the diverse influences and cultures. You need to know all their histories and stories and then give a very single minded, clear message to your audience. It is a big challenge to do ample research and really understand all those stories before making a brand identity for these nations.
How do you handle the different consumer mindsets and varied and cultural messages in your design projects?
I always try to go back to the most universal thing. I always ask the question – WHY? Why are we doing the things we do? Why does this city need to exist? Why should it matter to anyone if this city is there or not there? And that usually gives me the right answers. A country is just a name. It is the people who make the country. The most important things to remember when branding or designing for a nation is that we are doing it for its people. They represent the place.
Over the last few years, how do think consumers are viewing designs, when it comes to brands?
In the last 10 years, design along with technology has really impacted brands. Take the example of Apple – I think that brand has really changed the way how we communicate and live our lives. Cities are also rebranding themselves. It is no more the age of manufacturing. Now, times have changed because of technological disruption. We are trying to make our cities more livable. Also, when it comes to rebranding nations, I just have to say that the world is getting more and more globalized. You can already see all sorts of artwork on the web. The tastes and the ideas of different consumers are starting to match. Everything has started to mix. It is really interesting to observe how this will impact various countries, in time to come. In fact, if I had to design a brand identity for India, the first thing I would need to do would be to speak to at least a 1000 Indians and then I will try to aggregate all opinions and icons together. That will be interesting.


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Karl Frank, professor emeritus in structural engineering, received an AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors individuals who have made a difference in the advancement of the structural steel design and construction industry. The award gives special recognition to individuals who have provided outstanding service over a sustained period of years to AISC and the structural steel design/construction/academic community.
Karl is widely regarded as one of the world's foremost authorities on the design and behavior of structural steel bridges. As a Professor of Civil Engineering and Researcher at the Ferguson Structural Engineering Lab, he made extraordinary contributions to improving the understanding of the fatigue and fracture behavior of structural steel as well as towards the design and behavior of bolted and welded connections. His research made significant contributions to the AASHTO Specifications related to steel bridges. He is the newest member of the AISC Partners in Education committee, and also serves as a member of the Research Council on Structural Connections.
After retiring from The University of Texas, Karl joined Hirschfeld Industries as Chief Engineer where he is instrumental in research and development. He continues to be a strong supporter of the Ferguson Lab and encourages partnerships with leaders in the steel and building industry.


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Ramsey Kropf has had a renowned career in water rights law and has been impacting some of the West's most challenging water issues for over two decades. Her experience is built on a unique combination of high-level legal work in both the private and public sectors where she has successfully handled cases with far-reaching, national implications.
A shareholder in Somach Simmons & Dunn's Boulder, Colorado office, Ramsey joined the firm after completing work as the Deputy Solicitor in the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C., where she was the principal advisor to the Solicitor for all water resources issues, including Indian water rights settlements and litigation, reclamation law and water rights for the National Park Service. In her post, she was also Counsel to the Secretary, Secretariat offices, Bureaus and all Departmental officials regarding water law. Key matters she worked on included the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement, Colorado River negotiations, New Mexico's Middle Rio Grande issues, numerous Indian water settlements and water settlements for both Arches and Bryce National Parks.
An accomplished background in the private sector bolsters her public sector work, where she spent seventeen years with the Patrick Miller Kropf Noto law firm based in Aspen, Colorado. Among her clients were municipalities, major resort developments and energy companies, and work as a judicial officer – serving as Special Master in Wyoming's general stream adjudication. She is admitted to practice law in Colorado, Arizona and Wyoming as well as the Federal District Court, Colorado, and the United States Supreme Court. She has also served as Chair of the Water Resources Committee of the American Bar Association.
Throughout her career, her work has been bolstered by a keen understanding of all the varying sides of water law issues. Whether working for a developer to satisfy a municipal requirement for an adequate water supply, or working with public entities whose role is to plan for future water supply, she understands the varying perspectives of the West's most pressing water supply and water rights challenges.
Ramsey grew up ski racing in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, and continues to count powder days at ski resorts and by backcountry skiing in remote mountain areas — including stops at Tenth Mountain Huts.


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Join us for Detox + Retox at The Rock Boxx! With tall ceilings, skylights and towering boulders, our yoga class has a very special vibe. In this space we have a little perk to class, you get to stick around and climb afterwards if you'd like!
This Yoga + Beer event will begin with at 75 minute all levels, flow yoga class taught by Beer Yogi and Yoga Instructor, Chantal Barton. After class, yogis are invited to stay and enjoy a pint from their upstairs taphouse (The Crash Pad).
Things to know:
- Cost: By Donation. Pay what you can for class - with a suggested donation of $5 per yogi. You can make a donation when you register for class - or you can do so the day of class. Tokens of gratitude (i.e. chocolate, thank you notes, coffee cards, homemade gifts) are also accepted.
- Please register in advance to reserve your spot
- Feel free to bring a snack since there is no food available for purchase after class.
- Please arrive 5-10 minutes early, if possible.
- Class is open to yogis of all ages.
- Please bring your own mat if you can, although we always have extras to borrow.


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I'm speechless.
As in I don't know where to start – not that the book wasn't good!
I'm OVERCOME by so many emotions and so many feels, it's like WOW!
There are very few authors I hold in high esteem, and Karen Marie Moning is definitely one of them.
I will start off by saying Feverborn is an improvement from the previous novel Burned and I do have my reasons for saying this, which I will explain further on.
Reading a Fever Novel, if you're as obsessed with the series as I am, is like coming home after a year (or longer, depending how much time passes between book releases). You miss the characters, you miss their thoughts, their personalities, you miss their witty replies, you miss being in their head, and you end up clinging to every page (I know I did). All I know is I'm anxious to share my thoughts and anxious for the next book! (I swear every time I read the next book in the series it just makes me want to read the series from the beginning – it's just THAT good).
The black holes that have been popping around the city are becoming a problem. One wrong move and you could be swallowed into oblivion. Now Mac, Barrons, Jada, Ryodan, and the rest of the gang need to find a way to stop them from growing and swallowing the world whole. But they have other problems to face.
Unlikely alliances and secrets may make or break relationships. Mac and Jada are going to have to learn to trust and work with each other again, and Mac is going to have to learn to forgive herself before she can ever move on. Meanwhile, Jada has her own issues to deal with – being home, being surrounded by the people she used to look up to, she is an all powerful butt-kicking sidhe-seer now and yet they all look at her as if she's a child or different somehow. She's going to have to learn to work with them again if she wants to save their world and rebuild the bridges she had with everyone. When powerful Fae seeking the end of the world are involved you can't afford to lose your friends, or your allies.
This book was A LOT to take in, and I mean that in a good way. There was just SO MUCH going on and a lot of details to remember, but I promise it wasn't hard. The Fever series is a book you can easily get lost in as you become obsessed and submerge yourself into the Fever World. It can be challenging because there are so many characters and so many things to like about all of them – it's hard to pick a favourite.
One thing I did find myself thinking a lot was, "What's going on with so and so, and why don't they have a bigger part?!" I can't say who this is specifically about but with so many characters I can understand why Moning didn't have time to touch on them all. HOWEVER! Don't be too disappointed! Because there's A LOT of Mac and Barrons and a lot of Jada and Ryodan in this book which, personally I think, makes up for it….if you know what I mean ;).
"What we achieve at our best moment doesn't say much about who we are. It all boils down to what we become at our worst moment."
I cannot stress this enough… BARRONS IS EVERYTHING!
Like, that's all I need to say. Anything and everything that has to do with him is like Aside from Barrons….RYODAN is second everything, Lor is currently third (since he's had like the third most book time, and because he's hilarious, like I'd love to have him as a best friend/big brother type, like how he looks at Dani/Jada). He and Jada definitely hit it off in this book which I'm very happy for, I only wish there were MORE of them together… Seriously like…get on that! 😛
"For **** sake, you vanished and I couldn't find you. Do you really think I'm going to let that happen again? If you believe nothing else, concede it will work for that reason alone. I don't lose things that are mine."
The story was very evenly paced and thorough with everyone's POV. I do wish we got some more POV than others (can't say cause spoilers) but I do feel like I was THOROUGHLY SATISFIED, like everyone who needed to be seen was seen and seen enough. As much as I love Mac, and I do love Mac, I was more excited for Jada's parts than anything. I really liked how she was more human in this book than in Burned where she was just an unfeeling machine/robot/thing with literally no feelings (at least it seemed that way). Dani has definitely grown into Jada but it's also nice seeing Jada finally act more human and more like Dani, you know? That she hasn't completely cut herself off from who she used to be. Humans are flawed and I think that's what makes them beautiful. Heck, I'd go as far as saying even the Nine are flawed and that is also what makes them so irresistible. Borrowing a quote from the Avengers: Age of Ultron, "There is grace in their failings."
I seriously can't wait until all the loose ends are tied up and all the secrets revealed. Moning has assured readers that she has a plan and I can't wait to see it executed!
With the way this book and story is going, I'm sure Feversong is going to be a crazy ride! I just hope we're not left with too many cliffhangers by the end of it…haha!
4.5/5 Hearts of Love


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Muppets fan Jason Segel (who also co-wrote the script) travels to Hollywood with his chirpy girlfriend (Amy Adams) to find out what has happened to his heroes in this really funny family comedy.
Learning that a wicked oil tycoon (Chris Cooper) is planning to tear down the Muppet Studios, Segel, Adams and his shy brother Walter (who resembles a Muppet himself) strive to rally the old gang to save the day.
They find Kermit living in seclusion in his Bel Air mansion, Fozzie Bear performing with a dreadful Muppets tribute band in Reno and Miss Piggy working as the Plus-Size Editor of French Vogue in Paris (Emily Blunt, in an amusing nod to her role in The Devil Wears Prada, plays her receptionist).
Soon enough, the former colleagues are back together, preparing to stage a telethon in their old theatre to raise the $10million they need.
Along the way, there are scores of knowing in-jokes, fleeting 1980s references and witty cameos (Neil Patrick Harris and Whoopi Goldberg are among those staffing the telethon phones and Mickey Rooney, archetype of the 'putting-on-a-show-to-save-the-day' cliché, briefly pops up, too).
And, beneath the cleverness, you'll find warmth, sweetness and real affection for our beloved felt friends.


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Stitching and Philosophy
What are the things that you think about when you stitch; the pattern, family, crisis of the day or just a calm sense of relief that you can sit and stitch. The emptiness is great, sometimes. Watching an old but favorite movie while stitching is like being with an old friend; stitching and Agatha Christie do it for me. I'm a lover of British mysteries, where the complex, confusing, no sense death and destruction end with a neat explanation of the complexities and answer to the "Why" and the "How"? Wish everyday could end with the "Why" and the "How". I found Dorothy Sayers and PD James late in life. They are such great authors where every word is well placed, necessary, important, and all absolutely needed for the "Why" and the "How". The same is true of the stitch. The project seems so great, so large, so complex, but the, stitch one by one builds toward the end; very much like a good murder mystery. Very much like life. You stitch and stitch and at the end the puzzle is done, the colors blend; you have a work of art. I finish my needlework as works of arts. I gaze at them from time to time and marvel at the beauty. The finished project is more than the thread and the canvas and the finished project; somehow my thoughts got woven into the work along the way.There is an Agatha Christie story where Hercules Poirot solves the mystery by examining a sculpture made by an artist who is a potential suspect. He sees the "thoughts" of the sculpture in her work. The truth is revealed and the mystery of this life is solved. I like to think my thoughts are intertwined with the stitches.


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Proofs That God Inspired the Bible
Randall Ricker
In the Bible study, "Two Ways That God Proves Himself to Us," this writer gave two proofs of the existence of God: creation and miracles. Once a person is convinced that there is a supreme being, he must find out how that being communicates to humans. The Bible claims to be inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16). Let's prove that God inspired the Bible.
The Bible gives accurate accounts of events that can be confirmed by secular writers. The reader may choose to research this independently.
There are numerous references to Jesus Christ in the Hebrew scriptures, often called the Old Testament. However, this would not be very convincing to a skeptic. It does show that there is consistency among all the writers of the books of the Bible.
The Bible teaches a way of life. A person can prove that way of life is correct by looking at the result of obeying or breaking the laws of God put forth in the Bible. This is perhaps the most convincing proof, but it takes time to see the results.
God predicts events in the Bible, and He makes them happen (Is. 46:9-10). Only God can do that. Here are several examples of prophesies that can be proven from history to have happened.
The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and demanded that the wise men of the kingdom tell him what the dream was and what it meant. Read Daniel chapter 2:26-35. Daniel was able to accurately describe the dream about a great image. We don't have to guess what the dream meant: if we keep reading, we find that the Bible interprets its own symbols. Daniel interpreted the dream in verses 36-43. He talked about four great kingdoms. History shows that there were four great ancient kingdoms: Babylon, then Persia, then Greece, and then Rome. (The kingdom he describes in verses 44 and 45 is the kingdom of God, which is yet in the future.)
In Daniel 7:2-7 we read of Daniel's vision of four beasts. His vision is interpreted in verses 16-24. These four beasts represent four kingdoms. Again, history shows that these four ancient kingdoms of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome existed. In verse 6, the third beast had four heads. Those represented the four generals who divided Greece after the death of Alexander the Great. The Bible even includes this detail.
Ancient Egypt is also mentioned in the Bible. The historian Herodotus wrote that Pharaoh Hophra boasted that no god could deprive him of his kingdom. Read Jeremiah 44:29-30. Soon after this boasting by Hophra, he was dethroned by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. Egypt is further described in Ezekiel 29:1-2, 8-16 and Egypt has become among the lowliest of kingdoms (verse 15). It is a poor nation with very little political influence. The prophecy for Egypt continues in Ezekiel 30:10-13. In verse 13 it says, "There shall no longer be princes from the land of Egypt." That is exactly what happened; the pharaoh of that time was the last pharaoh. Egypt was then ruled by Persians and then Greeks. A descendant of one of Alexander the Great's Greek generals began a line of foreign pharaohs that ruled until 152 B.C. These were not native Egyptian pharaohs. Egypt was then ruled by Romans, Muslims, Turks, French (who built the Suez Canal), and British. It finally became a republic in 1953. Most of the people in Egypt are Arabs, not necessarily descendants of the people who lived there during Ezekiel's prophecy.
A prophecy for the city of Babylon was written in Isaiah 13:17-22, which was written in the 700s B.C. History proves that the city of Babylon was conquered by the Medes in 539 B.C. These verses show it would never be inhabited. The late Herbert W. Armstrong visited the ruins of Babylon, and he asked the museum caretaker if he lived there. The man said nobody lived there. Verse 20 says, "Nor will the Arabian pitch tents there." Mr. Armstrong asked the museum caretaker if Arabs pitch tents there. The man told him that they never do; there was a superstition against it. Isaiah wrote more about Babylon in Isaiah 44:28 and Isaiah 45:1-3. For a man to rebuild Jerusalem and lay the foundation of the temple, he had to defeat the kingdom that possessed that region. The kingdom was Babylon. Isaiah named the man who would conquer Babylon, Cyrus, 150 years before he was born. In verse 1, the double doors refer to the two-leaved gates of Babylon. In 539 B.C. Cyrus diverted the Euphrates River that flowed under the gates of the city. The water level decreased to the point where soldiers could wade into the city and open the gates for the rest of the army to enter.
There is a prophecy for a time after this in Daniel 8:1-22. We don't have to wonder what the ram and the male goat represent: verse 20 interprets the ram as the kings of Media and Persia, and the male goat as the kingdom of Greece. History shows that its first king was Alexander. The four kingdoms that arise out of Greece in verse 22 were divided among the four generals of Alexander after his death.
The events that we have studied were predicted in advance in the Bible, a proof that the Bible was inspired by God. Once we are convinced that the Bible is the word of God, we should read it to learn about the beautiful mind of God, the purpose of our lives, and what God expects of us.


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The Baby Soul
Within each soul age there are seven levels [more about those in a later post] so, by the time the soul reaches the Baby Soul Age, it has lived at least 7 lifetimes and probably more like 20 to 40. The Infant stage is, often, fairly long because so many of its lives are short. Therefore, it takes more lives to learn the Infant lessons than it takes to learn later ones as the soul matures.
When the soul moves from the Infant level of consciousness to the Baby level, it has its survival skills down pat. Now, it's ready to get civilized. It wants to know the rules of society and will move into more and more sophisticated communities around the planet in order to learn how different cultures organize themselves.
Baby souls go through a lot of changes in their growing-up process. This is an energetic and exploratory period. Baby souls are like adolescents: eager to get out into the world and demonstrate that they know how to 'do it right'. There is still a basic lack of understanding and they have an immature perspective. They are almost, but not quite, ready to make the big leap to independence and self-regulated behavior.
The Baby soul age is like the stereotypical pre-teen/early teenage know-it-all stage. Babies, having less understanding and insight than older souls, tend not to see the bigger picture. They are likely to dismiss the ideas or suggestions of those older ones and cling fiercely to their views of us-vs.-them, for instance, or the zero-sum-game.
The Baby soul often thinks and acts in ways dictated by his or her peers. S/he is putting limited experience to work and, therefore, is pretty narrowly focused—especially if s/he is surrounded by Baby Soul peers.
Babies tend to live in small towns where there are, typically, lots of other Babies to pal around with. This way, they can live fairly comfortably without feeling too threatened by all those older souls in the big cities who WANT to deal with the bigger picture. Babies are usually perfectly content with the smaller picture, thankyouverymuch.
The cop walking his or her beat is often a Baby learning about law-and-order. The same is true of the prostitute turning a trick. Or the mayor of a small town [Babies like to be big fish in small ponds].
Another way to learn about the legal system is to commit crimes—sometimes violent ones. When they DO land in a large city, getting involved with a gang works well for getting this perspective. Commit a crime, get caught, go through the legal system including the prison hierarchy. Get out of prison and go through the parole system/halfway-house. Repeat.
It's all good [although from the earth-bound perspective it doesn't always look that way.] The perspective from the Causal Plane is different from that of earth, however [Michael exists on the Causal Plane.] From there, every earthly experience is perceived as valid—as in: an opportunity for learning.
Many, many Babies live in small-town-America. Many [though by no means all] are upstanding members of their communities. One motto often adhered to is, 'Do it right or not at all.' Their lawns are weeded and watered; their homes are clean; they don't want your car parked in front of their homes and they certainly won't park in no-parking zones, themselves. They are proper and mannerly, following the rules of etiquette.
The "do it right" attitude extends to the area of sexuality, as well. More often than not, Baby souls approach sex prudishly both in public expression and private practice. Moralistic in their value system, Baby souls regard the missionary position as, of course, the right way to do it, and only within marriage.
The current focus on condemning such practices as condom distribution—even in an effort to control the spread of deadly disease—is distinctly a Baby point of view being manifest. This can extend to the vengeful viewpoint: 'those people [people with AIDS, for instance] deserve what they get anyway. I'M not going to give out condoms to keep "them" from getting sick.' [The US VS THEM dynamic is a very Baby perception.]
They see moral issues as black/white—either/or, with no shades of gray, and of course they identify themselves with the white—good. Anything they do not understand they identify with the black—evil.
Even the idea of other people having a different opinion from their own will puzzle the Baby Soul and, if they perceive the issue as important enough, may bring out a tendency toward violence. Think about abortion-clinic bombings, for instance.
They borrow simple concepts of right and wrong from the rules of society, or better still, from what they perceive to be the laws of God, and then stick doggedly to them all their lives. They tend to blame the world when things go wrong: attributing such occurrences to "evil forces" at work. They find it difficult to accept the error of their own ways, since they believe they are doing what is right. Self-righteousness is a common personal viewpoint.
As to religion, Baby souls tend toward fundamentalism or an evangelical point of view. The personification of the deity is more natural to this Age than any other. To them God seems anthropomorphic —like one of them: more knowledgeable and powerful to be sure, but still merely a glorified human being— and a male human because males are perceived in the majority of earthly institutions [and certainly by the Babies within them] as the primary authority figures.
Babies believe in the forces of evil, and these forces are also typically personified as an anthropomorphic "Satan" figure.
The "Word of God"—whatever sacred text the individual's religion follows—is interpreted literally.
When their children get into trouble at school, no matter the circumstances, the typical Baby Soul parent will side with the authority rather than their child and will work to make their child acceptable to the authority figures of the school.
But, Babies are more complex than the simple statement, 'What are the rules? Ok, that's what we'll do.' Hitler, for instance, was a 5th level Baby soul. Richard Nixon, too, was a Baby [7th level, I think though I'm not absolutely sure of that.] And, though I've never found any reference to him, I'm almost certain G. W. Bush is a Baby.
On the rare occasions when Babies get into lofty authority levels they tend to 1] go overboard and 2] believe that they are free to create the rules they would be slavishly following if they weren't in positions of great power.
From their limited perspectives, they don't perceive the principles more mature souls are following when they create social rules. They simply see the end results. So, while an older soul may create workplace safety rules that actually help the people they are regulating, Babies are more likely to make rules they, themselves, don't have to follow. Or create rules designed to give themselves the edge over other people within the society they are regulating. Or create rules that oppress others rather than help them live more fruitful lives. When they do this Babies are, generally speaking, creating lots and lots of karma they'll need to balance at some later date.
The political perceptions of the Baby soul are quite conservative, if not downright reactionary. An excellent example from current history is "The Moral Majority" in the U.S. which was led by Jerry Falwell. I think you could tell simply by looking at the man's physical characteristics that he was a baby soul. He looked every inch the self-contented toddler, didn't he?
And the members of the church in Topeka who have been issued a court order to stay away from military funerals because they were haranguing mourners with their condemnations of gay people personify the Baby perception.
They want to impose their strict and narrow standards on everyone else because they regard the perfect society as an obedient society—faithful to a righteous law. There is little room for individual liberties and free expression.
As Michael says, the Baby soul sees itself as "me" and other people as "many other mes". The meaning of this is that Babies expect others to be like themselves, and are surprised and bewildered when this proves to be incorrect. They don't know how to deal with the differences they see in other people. They avoid people not of their own race, nation, tribe, culture, religion, socioeconomic status, political party, special interest group, etc. Baby souls, of all the soul ages, feel most comfortable with their own kind, whatever they perceive that to be. Their sense of identity is reinforced by the groups they belong to. They perceive the differences in others as evil and distance themselves from any perceived 'otherness'.
Baby souls are "uptight" about life in general. Who wouldn't be under the stress of always having to be right? They live by popular stereotypes and standard clichés. Baby souls have very little sense of humor.
When they seek employment it will be as followers. You won't find Baby Souls setting up their own businesses. They much prefer to be told what to do—and then they will do it without questioning the rightness or wrongness of most business decisions unless those decisions go against some moral conviction taught them by some 'higher authority' such as the minister in their fundamentalist church. Even then, they will likely seek counsel from their minister rather than make a decision, on their own, to 'blow the whistle'. Almost always, Baby souls will leave all decisions to Young Souls who will be more than happy to make those decisions as we shall see.
Next Post: The Young Soul.


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Pakistanis: Pakistan has a HUGE population and cultural diversity. It is common to find a variety of people with different opinions, upbringings and values.
Here are just the few kinds of people Pakistan has!
1. Mango People – The desi 'aam' log who just want to get through the day.
2. Burger People – The ones who don't want anything to do with Pakistan.
3. The Snatchers – They usually ride bikes and make your heart beat faster… Not in a good way.
4. The Ignorant – The Pakistani who has no idea what's going on.
5. The Patriotic Citizen – The person who is hopelessly in love with Pakistan and has total faith in it.
6. The Pessimist – The Pakistani who 'hates' the system
7. The Logical Pakistani – They are way too reasonable for their own good.
8. The Frandshippers – Usually found on Facebook's 'other' inbox.
9. The Preachers – The ones who keep an eye on how you wear your dupatta.
10. The Pseudo-Liberals – They struggle with the freedom of speech.
11. The Opportunity Seeker – They know how to take advantage of everything.
12. The Optimist – The Pakistani who thinks everything about Pakistan is awesome.
13. The Pakis – The ones who visit Pakistan during the holidays.
14. The Wannabes – The snobs with the DSLR.
15. The Sheep – They suffer from herd mentality.
Which one are you?


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Sailing on the seas of history
Meera Abraham offered a rare glimpse into the trading traditions of peninsular India and the link between South Indian and Roman merchants. Gopalkrishna Gandhi writes.columns Updated: Oct 18, 2014 08:50 IST
Some leave life's harbour with a splash, some glide gently into the deep.
Meera Abraham, historian of Indian sea-faring merchant trade, crossed over to the Great Beyond from the coastal Kerala village of Kadapra last month, with the dignity of age and the repose of wisdom.
The New Delhi of momentous farewells, and the Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata of headline departures, will not know the place that bade this woman of formidable intellect just the kind of farewell she would have liked: no fuss, no pomp, only very tender, very real affection.
The place was a niche in a niche of south India.
And Meera Abraham was herself a niche historian, the more valuable and rarer for being so. Her book Two Medieval Merchant Guilds of South India (Manohar, 1988) discusses a subject that, even among historians, would be regarded as heavily specialised, technical, almost. The theme of the two merchant guilds, Manigramam and Ayyavole, which flourished between the 9th and 14th centuries, cannot interest too many readers. The South Asia Institute of Heidelberg University, which sponsored the study, obviously found it more than interesting, but how many would want to deepen their ethnographic means to understanding the relations between South India and Roman traders in those times? Very, very few.
But then that is what real scholarship is about. The retrieval of meaning from evidence is a form of redeeming truth from legend, reality from myth-making. The shaping of India's ethnic mosaic has been the playground of myths. With no predispositions, except to accuracy, Meera Abraham explored the control south India's ancient towns and capital had over sea trade and tracked the link between Christianity and medieval commerce.
With the drive to work with and yet work better than China in trade in the region of our seas, Meera Abraham would have very likely been turned to for a historian's perspective on political and cultural diplomacy in the wake of sea-borne trade, especially on our south-western and south-eastern seaboards. She would have welcomed a serious discussion on the subject but it is doubtful if she would have too readily obliged opportunistic, short-termist queries. Being a historian, she would have been impatient with anyone wanting tendentious history 'inputs'. And being Meera Abraham, she would have politely but firmly discouraged tattle.
Married to the distinguished diplomat Thomas Abraham, who, at 87, is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge, she travelled to and lived in almost all the major capitals of the world, with both Moscow and Washington being of course high on that list but no less pertinently Singapore and Colombo. In these diplomatic postings, she did with finesse what was expected of a 'Her Excellency' but with her historian's mind fully awake, absorbing all that was worth observing and analysing. She established quite simply by what she was — the salutary point that a spouse is not just a decoration in the Embassy, not a living object d'art, but a thought-sharer.
Those who had the privilege of serving under high commissioner Thomas Abraham in our high commission in Colombo (1978 to 1982) remember with pride the manner in which he stood up for the rights, privileges and self-respect of thousands of Indian citizens and prospective Indian citizens among Sri Lanka's plantation workers. High commissioner Abraham's sense of the history of Indian indenture, of the kangani system which brought these workers' forbearers from the Tamil countryside when it was hit by drought, their struggles, including struggles for basic human rights and labour rights, was supplemented by Meera Abraham's deep understanding of the cross-currents of South Asian history. Not just because India is India but because Thomas Abraham is what he is, the president and prime minister of Sri Lanka heard him whenever he wanted to be heard. They knew his razor-sharp awareness of the history of the region gave him a phenomenal grasp and equal credence to speak facts bluntly. And they knew Meera Abraham's unobtrusive but highly informed awareness of the India-Lanka time-lines and story-lines was for him and for the Indian high commission an added asset. She would ask incisive questions about the larger India-Lankan picture, its whys and wherefores and, doing just that, show events to be more than 'episodes', rather, an inter-leaved 'work in progress'.
One major perspectival correction some of us received from Meera Abraham was about the origins of the Sinhala population of Sri Lanka. Most assume that while the Tamils of Sri Lanka are, well, of Tamil origin, the Sinhalas have an east Indian, and, specifically, Bengali or Odishan descent and if there is any south Indian 'touch' in them, it is Keralite. In her soft voice that could contain hard truths, she explained that continental migrations are like voyages, not hopping or non-stop air flights. They are a slow process, with multiple streams, some dominant at one time, others at other times flowing into each other; no one is superior, anterior or 'original' and there is no such thing as 'a pure race'.
To see Sri Lankan Tamil questions as, basically, a matter of Dravidian sentiment is as erroneous and dangerous as seeing Kashmir as a separatism issue. "From Kashmir to Kanyakumari" is a tedious cliché in Indian political discourse. It hides the truth that neither of those two 'poles' is really understood by the vast hinterland of India's north and 'centre', the home-ground of its power-wielders.
"I do not know what is happening to our country," Thomas Abraham said to me recently. "Everything about India now seems to be about North India … I wonder if Delhi has any sense of the India south of Nagpur."
The rise and fall of various Delhis, plunders, wars, resistance and revenge obsess us. Voyages that took place around peninsular India need to enter our consciousness as well. Our south is not all about conquests, conversion and coercion. It has made us real 'peoples', rather than a mythic 'race'.
And yet how many in the north will take the trouble to pronounce 'Thiruvananthapuram' right? Or say 'Kerala' as it should be said, and not by the Hindi for bitter gourd?
Gopalkrishna Gandhi is senior fellow, Centre for Public Affairs and Critical Theory, Shiv Nadar University
The views expressed by the author are personal
First Published: Oct 18, 2014 00:05 IST