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Yesterday, I treated this new Newsweek report that Eric Holder is "leaning toward appointing a prosecutor to investigate the Bush administration's brutal interrogation practices" as something to celebrate. But new facts about what that investigation would entail and, more importantly, would exclude -- facts added by today's Washington Post -- strongly suggest it's the opposite. At least if that article is to be believed -- and it seems clear that Holder dispatched his allies to leak his plans in order to gauge reaction -- the investigation will only target "rogue" CIA interrogators who exceeded the limits of what John Yoo authorized, and would not include high-level policy makers who authorized the torture tactics and implemented America's torture regime:
Any criminal inquiry could face challenges, including potent legal defenses by CIA employees who could argue that attorneys in the Bush Justice Department authorized a wide range of harsh conduct. But the sources said an inquiry would apply only to activities by interrogators, working in bad faith, that fell outside the "four corners" of the legal memos. . . . The actions of higher-level Bush policymakers are not under consideration for possible investigation.
Balloon-Juice's Tim F. is absolutely right that such an approach -- targeting low-level interrogators while shielding high-level policy-makers from prosecution -- would be "something close to the worst of both worlds." That's true not only because it would replicate the disgraceful whitewashing of the Abu Ghraib prosecutions. It would do that, but even worse, it would bolster the principal instrument of executive lawlessness -- the Beltway orthodoxy that any time a President can find a low-level DOJ functionary to authorize what he wants to do, then it is, by definition, "legal" and he's immune from prosecution when he does it, no matter how blatantly criminal it is. As Tim put it:
Hard to believe as it may seem, Holder's probe will take John Yoo's work . . . and treat them as the settled law of the time. Already clear and public evidence that DOJ lawyers drafted those memos entirely in bad faith, on orders from Bush officials who literally dictated what they wanted the memos to say, will be similarly ignored.
It's worth emphasizing here that all of these reports are preliminary and from anonymous DOJ sources, so it's a bit premature to get too worked up over a prosecution approach which Holder hasn't even announced yet. Still, given how many DOJ sources went to multiple newspapers at the same time to disclose Holder's plans, it seems clear that this was a coordinated, approved effort to disseminate Holder's intentions as a "trial balloon" to gauge public reaction. If this is the approach Holder takes -- one that, yet again, shields high-level Bush officials while targeting low-level "rogue" agents -- one can make a strong argument that it is worse than doing nothing, that this will actually further subvert the rule of law rather than strengthen it.
Yesterday, in the context of discussing John Yoo's painfully frivolous justifications for Bush's illegal surveillance programs, I wrote at length of the dangers of this prevailing view that a President is free to do whatever he wants as long he finds some DOJ employee somewhere willing to say it's legal (see point 4). Digby elaborated yesterday on that point:
If it is the case that the president can designate an Office of Legal Counsel functionary to immunize government officials and employees against criminal behavior, then it is true, to all intents and purposes, that "if the president does it it's not illegal."
One could make the argument that the political fallout would be so huge if it were ever revealed that no president would ever attempt it, but we are proving right now that this is a very remote possibility. Ever since Nixon, the political class has reaffirmed the idea that anything the president does as a political leader or in his official capacity is unpunishable. And more recently we've seen that anyone who carries out his orders is also immune, which wasn't always the case. Nixon's people did do time.
If that was the intention of the revolutionaries who broke away from despotic monarchical rule, they could have saved themselves a lot of trouble. At this point, both political parties agree that if the president has a low level lawyer in the Justice Department write a secret memo authorizing him to break the law then all those who broke those laws are legally immunized from any punishment . . . .
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All other things being equal, individual CIA agents who brutalized detainees, using unapproved methods, ought to be prosecuted. If nothing else, our treaty obligations compel that. Even for a country that has rejected the idea of accountability as resoundingly as we have, it seems inconceivable to decide to prosecute nobody in the face of scores of detainee deaths. How can we know that we tortured to death numerous detainees and do nothing? If you were Eric Holder, would you want that decision attached to your name by history?
But just as was true for the Abu Ghraib abuses, many of the worst instances of detainee abuse cannot be extricated from -- but rather are directly attributable to -- the torture policies authorized at the highest levels of the government. To target low-level interrogators while shielding high-level policy makers would further bolster America's two-tiered system of justice, in which ordinary Americans are subjected to merciless punishment while the most powerful elites are vested with virtual immunity from the consequences of their lawbreaking. As Hilzoy put it:
I'd give up all hope of any prosecutions of CIA officials for prosecution of the people who set policy -- people like Cheney and Addington. They created the Bush administration's interrogation policy. They decided to set aside law, morality, and basic humanity. They should bear the consequences.
Prosecuting only obscure "rogue" interrogators while immunizing powerful, high-level officials would not be an act of courage but of cowardice. It would not strengthen the rule of law but would pervert it further. And rather than deter future lawbreaking, it would signal -- yet again -- that our most powerful political officials are free to break the law with impunity. If Holder is too frightened to include the parties truly responsible for America's torture regime in the scope of the investigation he orders, then he ought simply to appoint a strong and independent prosecutor with the mandate to investigate anyone and everyone who might have broken our nation's torture laws, and leave it to the prosecutor to make all decisions without interference (and if a well-regarded prosecutor decided based on standard factors of prosecutorial discretion, rather than as a matter of pre-ordained DOJ "fairness" policy, that the DOJ memos made prosecution too difficult as a practical matter, then so be it). But whatever else is true, the tactics authorized by George Bush and Dick Cheney were patently criminal regardless of how many memos they directed John Yoo to write.
UPDATE: Harper's Scott Horton, who has been working on this story for a couple of weeks using DOJ sources of his, now reports at The Daily Beast that Holder's investigation would be broader than suggested by other reports today:
As he read through the latter two documents, my sources said, Holder came to realize the focal and instrumental role that Department of Justice lawyers had played in constructing the torture regime and in pushing it through when career lawyers raised objection. He also took note of how the entire process was orchestrated from within the Bush White House—so that more-senior lawyers in Justice, sometimes even the attorney general, did not know what was being done. And he noted the fact that the United Nations Convention Against Torture, to which the United States is a party, requires that a criminal inquiry be undertaken whenever credible allegations of torture are presented. . . .
For now, however, it appears that Holder's current decision focuses only on the development of new interrogation techniques and their use at the direction of the Bush administration. Under these terms, the prosecutor would be tasked to look at the role played by Justice Department figures and other government lawyers at various stages of the process; but criminal investigations usually target specific crimes, not individuals, and this would be no exception. The regulations require a "specific factual statement" concerning the matter to be investigated, but drafting such a statement may be difficult. One major issue would be whether the ultimate policy-making echelons in the White House would be affected. One source told me that he would be surprised if Holder "set blinders" on the special prosecutor. Still, the scope of the investigation would clearly be limited to the authorization and use of Bush-era "enhanced interrogation techniques" such as waterboarding, longtime standing, stress positions, and prolonged sleep deprivation. Moreover, President Obama's assurance to CIA officials who relied on the opinions of government lawyers in implementing these programs, an assurance that Holder himself repeated, would have to be worked in. That suggests that the focus would likely be on the lawyers and policymakers who authorized use of the new techniques.
That is virtually the opposite of the reports today suggesting that the DOJ lawyers and policymakers would be excluded from the investigation, which would focus only on rogue interrogators. That's why I cautioned that these preliminary, anonymous reports not be assumed to be the final truth (and the conflicting reports could reflect that the scope of the investigation is still unclear and could be shaped by public reaction). Still, given our political culture, I'll believe that there is a real criminal investigation underway that includes high-level, lawbreaking political leaders only when I see it.


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AEDs. What are they?
Q: What does AED stand for?
A: AED stands for "Automated External Defibrillator." AEDs are used to deliver lifesaving electroshock therapy to someone who is suffering a cardiac arrest. They are designed to be as straight forward and easy to use as possible, to allow non-medically trained people the best chance possible to save a life.
Q: How does it work?
A: Every AED has two pads (called electrodes) connected to the machine that must be placed on a patient's chest. The AED then analyzes the patient's heart rhythm to determine if a shock will be needed to save the patient. If it is needed, the AED will instruct the rescuer through the steps necessary to save the person's life.
Q: What is SCA?
A: SCA stands for "Sudden Cardiac Arrest". SCA happens when the electrical signals in the heart go into disarray, causing a lack of blood to be pumped to the brain, and the victim to go unconscious. This condition is called "Ventricular Fibrulation". Over 35,000 deaths per year occur from SCA in Canada. When this happens, the victim only has minutes to be saved. Only defibrillation can stop VF.
Q: What is the difference between SCA and a Heart Attack?
A: While SCA is an electrical problem with the heart, a Heart Attack happens when there is blockage in the aorta. While sometimes difficult to tell the difference, a Heart Attack victim will often maintain consciousness, whereas an SCA victim will most often be unconscious.
More Info About Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
- SCA is a condition where the electrical system of the heart short circuits, causing an abnormal rhythm known as ventricular fibrillation.
- A victim of sudden cardiac arrest is unconscious, is not breathing and has no pulse. When the heart stops beating there is a lack of oxygen to the brain and a patient will die unless emergency treatment is given immediately. Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when a blocked artery results in damage to the heart muscle by keeping blood and oxygen flowing to it. A heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest.
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest is one of the leading causes of death around the world.
- It strikes 40,000 people in Canada every year.
- Only 5 – 10% of victims survive.
- Every minute of every day SCA claims a victim.
- Victims of all ages have been documented including teens, athletes, young and older adults.
- The time between the onset of cardiac arrest and defibrillation is the major determinant for success in a resuscitation attempt. While cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can support circulation and ventilation in a victim of cardiac arrest for a short period of time, it is unlikely to convert ventricular fibrillation (VF) to a normal heart rhythm.
Where should you expect to find AEDs?
Q: How do I know if I should get an AED?
A: Anyone can fall victim to SCA at any time, regardless of age, gender or lifestyle (although the risk percentage does increase depending on these factors). AEDs are being placed anywhere there are gatherings of people; in the office or factory, events centres, family cottages, golf courses, condo buildings, etc. The ideal placement of an AED is that no matter where someone has SCA, an AED can be retrieved and brought to the victim in 3 minutes or less. Buildings that contain AEDs usually will have a sticker indicating an AED inside, along with some signage directing to where the AED is kept, on a wall, in a cabinet, in an office, etc.
Q: How do I determine which AED is the best choice for my business/organization/home?
A: While all AEDs function very similarily, there are a few things to look for. Public Access AEDs should be as easy to use as possible for non-medically trained people. Avoid AEDs that may be too confusing for the lay-rescuer, too many visual, audio instructions, too many details on the electrodes, etc. Choosing an AED with escalating energy is also important, as no two body types are the same, and more energy may be needed for more difficult to defibrillate patients.
Q: What does the Heart & Stroke Foundation say about AEDs?
A: The Heart & Stroke is a strong advocate for having publicly accessible defibrillators everywhere there are gatherings of people. You can view the entire Heart & Stroke position on AEDs in the link below. There are many great resources on the Heart & Stroke website!
Heart & Stroke Position Statement on Public Access To Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
How difficult is it to use an AED?
Q: Can I shock someone with an AED if they don't need it?
A: AEDs are designed to be extremely safe to use. AEDs will only deliver a shock when the electrodes have been properly attached to a patient, and the AED reads that the patient has a specific, shockable rhythm.
Q: Is it safe to use an AED on a child?
A: All AEDs have some form of infant/child specific electrodes or settings, for a patient under 8 years of age, or approximately 55 lbs. Even if the AED does not have a set of infant/child pads nearby, it is advised to use the adult electrodes, as any action is better than none. The electrodes are placed on the front and back of the child, rather than front and side as depicted on the electrodes.
Q: Are there any legal implications for using an AED?
A: In Canada there are Provincial and Federal Good Samaritan Laws, stating that as long as the rescuer acted in good faith attempting to save a victim from death, they are protected. Recently, provinces have begun to use language specifically referencing AEDs.
Is there any maintenance for an AED?
Q: How often do I need to change the battery on my AED
A: All AEDs have some variation of a lithium battery pack that must be replaced anywhere from every 2-5 years. The battery may need to be replaced more frequently if the AED is used. The AED will inform you when the battery pak needs to be replaced, however it is important to record when the battery was installed so you can plan for an approximate replacement date.
Our Free AED Registry System can assist you with tracking these expiry dates.
Q: Do the electrodes need to be replaced?
A: The electrode pads for your AED should be replaced approx. every 2 years. The pads are made with a water-based gel, which does eventually dry up over time, so it is important to always have current electrode pads with your AED.

subset: commoncrawl


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There Are Many Things Should to Know About Shopping Mall Trackless Trains
The trackless train is really a popular appearance at most of the shopping malls and kiddies parks across the country. Additionally it is referred to as the road train, land train or Dotto train. It is in fact a road-going articulated vehicle designed to transport passengers. The train compose of a driving vehicle that pulls a number of carriages, which can be connected by draw-bar couplings. You will find similar vehicles useful for the transportation of baggage and freight for short distances like in airports or perhaps in factories. This article provides a comprehensive summary of the shopping mall trackless train sold in Beston.
This type of train usually features a tractor unit to pull a variety of carriages. This tractor unit is powered by an internal combustion engine or an motor unit. A carriage may seat between 4 to 60 passengers according to the purpose of the train. These carriages may be open roofed or close roofed. They are able to have open or closed sides. Interior comforts can vary greatly depending on the purpose the train can be used. Some carriages include interior comforts such as padded seats and also other important facilities. If open roofed, they can comes with a plastic or fiberglass corrugated overhead panel.
This will assist divert the rain and offer some kind of shade towards the passengers. Some carriages use cloth awnings overhead. These carriages could possibly be customized based on the prerequisites from the buyer. The carriages feature chains or latchable doors in order to prevent exit during motion. The bodies of such carriages and the tractor are constructed using aluminum or fiberglass. They might include features as suspension, etc. The tractor is steered with the front wheels using a controls.
Trackless trains are really popular in shopping mall, amusement parks, carnivals and kiddies parks. They are probably the most essential attractions at a large number of places. In case you are an theme park or shopping mall owner, you must choose the best trackless train to your business. Though there are plenty of places where you can buy a trackless train, not all of them are top-notch. This is why it is essential that you research your options when purchasing a trackless train for your business. The internet is the ideal place to locate these trains. Execute a simple search on your chosen search engine for trackless trains. You could find a lot of manufacturers producing such trains. Refer their websites to learn more about these products they feature and also the prices of these products. In this way you are able to purchase an exceptional product for the affordable price of various trackless trains.
In conclusion, picking the best trackless train ought to be done with utmost care. Despite the fact that there are numerous manufacturers of trackless trains, not all are created equal. You have to do your homework before purchasing this kind of train. The net is the greatest place for this specific purpose. This articles provides a comprehensive overview of the shopping mall trackless train.


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South Bend, IN (April 26, 2016) – On April 26th, high schools and partner institutions around the nation will celebrate thousands of students as they decide where the next chapter of their lives will begin. This day is known as College Signing Day, a nationwide event that recognizes and celebrates high school students for making a commitment to higher education. Inspired by the NCAA's National Signing Day for athletic scholarships, College Signing Day provides non-athlete students with the opportunity to be celebrated for the successful completion of high school and the intent to enroll at a post-secondary institution. Created as part of the First Lady's Reach Higher initiative, this movement is a way for all of us to encourage those heading to college.
As a capstone of the ND TRiO Programs experience, the University of Notre Dame TRiO Programs will host the 2nd Annual College Signing Day Celebration on Thursday, May 5th to acknowledge senior class scholars of Upward Bound and Talent Search as they take the next big step towards their future. The event will take place at the Guglielmino Athletics Complex at the University of Notre Dame at 5:00 p.m.
This is a closed event. For additional information or media inquiries, please contact Nijinsky Dix at 574.631.6835 or email@example.com.


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Kasia Organic Salon hosts an array of pure "beautiful health" lifestyle supplements. We'd like to highlight Adaptogen-R3 one of our top selling and result driven supplements through combining a high grade adaptogenic herbs.
Adaptogens nourish the bodies endocrine system, giving the entire body:
Stress Support - adaptogenic herbs increase stress capacity
Rejuvenation - mood boost, supports sense of well being
Balance - adaptogens nourish the hormonal balance
Premier Research Labs Adaptogen R3
Adaptogenic Formula With Proven Herbal Synergists
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Experience our labor of love, the Premier Research Labs Adaptogen , the best of the best.
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The Power of Adaptogens
An adaptogen is a phytonutrient that has the amazing ability to help normalize or adapt the body's physiologic functions to a higher rate of functioning, regardless of the person's current health status (i.e. whether you are an athlete or chronically ill). Adaptogens are able to take you from where you are, so to speak, and then help move you to the next level. Taking them over time can create higher and higher states of well being. This action is thought to be mediated via the hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the pathway linked to longevity. Now you can see why adaptogenic botanicals were so valued in the past – many kings and privileged royalty considered regular consumption of adaptogenic botanicals as the key to great vitality and a long, healthy life
Enter the Premier Energy Zone
Is it possible to feel great all the time? Is it possible to maximize your immune system so that a hard workout leaves you feeling good – not exhausted? Can you really enter the the zone where you feel and perform your very best?
Now, a new genre of world-class adaptogens is available — botanicals that were so special and so treasured in the past that they were reserved only for royalty who closely guarded their use upon pain of death. Now these special agents are available to you – botanicals with thousands of years of secret use throughout history – previously never available to the public. We scanned dozens of sources from Tibet to the Far East to find the very best of these premier-grown adaptogens. Then we truly synergistically combined them to produce this world-class formula, whose benefits far outperform the sum of its individual components and can produce a premier increase in energy and perfomance.
How Does It Work?
Premier Adaptogen-R3 is not a "jolt product," loaded with stimulants that rev up weak adrenals such as high dose guarana or ephedra. Instead, its unique, adaptogenic botanicals are synergistically combined to focus on nourishing the glands and organs, including the adrenals, as well as creating maximal oxygen and nutrient transport to the muscles and connective tissue to ensure optimal support, detoxification and immune function. Higher levels of energy and strength can be yours. Because of the unique adaptogenic effect of Premier Adaptogen Complex, it can produce profound improvements across the full spectrum of fitness: from the competition athlete looking for better running times – to the couch potato who wants to get rid of the flab.
Premier Research Labs Adaptogen Ingredients:
Grade 10 Indian Soma Latha (Sarcostemma acidum)
- Centuries-old support for strength, endurance and the immune system*
- Contains a unique array of immune-promoting phytonutrients, including alpha-amyrin, caoutchouc, lupeol, beta-sitosterol and other phytosterols*
- Sacred Indian herb, revered for many centuries as the "elixir of immortality"; ancient, legendary accounts of its divine power to impart health and strength*
- Rated the highest quality soma, grown in remote mountainous areas of India, procured on-site by our own Indian herbal specialists
Grade 10 Siberian Maral Root (Rhaponticum cartha- moides)
- Rare, oxygen-enhancing Siberian herb which helps increase physical energy, performance, endurance and mental stamina
- Studies show its ability to help increase muscle mass while decreasing body fat (Russian research on athletes)
- Contains a full complex of co-factors and transporters including 20-hydroxyecdysone, a phytonutrient shown to help increase protein production at the cellular level, which in turn helps build muscle tissue*
- Provides significant immune system support (encourages normal levels of IgG and IgA, even during hard exercise)*
- Pure maral root without additives; low-temperature, air-dried; not solvent-extracted
Grade 10 Arctic Root (Rhodiola Rosea)
- A hardy adaptogenic herb "par excellence" from the polar arctic regions of Siberia
- Studies show its ability to help increase longevity, physical endurance, strength and energy: helps activate lipase in long distance runners and swimmers*
- Helps maintain high levels of creatinine phosphate in the mitochondria: for sustained energy helps shorten recovery time from workouts*
- Helps optimize serotonin and dopamine levels as well as other neurotransmitters; benefits mood elevation, attention span, memory and mental performance*
Grade 10 Rhodiola Crenulata (also called "Tibetan Ginseng")
- Famous adaptogen used in Tibet for over 1,500 years to help increase energy, strengthen the heart, lungs, memory, concentration, improve overall well-being and enhance longevity*
- Helps improve oxygen flow and nutrients to the heart; promotes healthy and regular heart beat; nourishes the lungs and eyes; its oxygen and nutrient transport shown more effective than ginseng*
- Contains special phytonutrients, including salidroside, tyrosot, sitosterol, gallic flavones, 35 different trace minerals and 18 amino acids for enhanced support of the nerve, endocrine, cardiovascular and immune systems*
Hand-picked on the snow-capped Himalayas at over 15,000 feet, making it one of the purest, organic herbs on earth; not solvent-extracted or irradiated
Grade 10 Fo Ti Tieng (Polygonum multiflora; Ho Shou Wu)
- Chinese herbal adaptogen called the "elixir of life," used for centuries in China as an invigorating tonic to promote longevity, fertility and vitality*
- Gained immense popularity after it was reported that a Chinese herbalist who lived to be over 200 years old, took this herb daily*
- Contains notable phytonutrients, including anthraquinones, chysophanic acid, emodin, rhein and lecithin which help nourish and detoxify the blood, lubricate the intestines and promote increased energy and health*
- Supports the kidneys, liver, pancreas, adrenals, thymus and blood* Grade 10 quality, grown in rich soil in China; not solvent-extracted, nor irradiated
Grade 10 Nopal Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica)
- Hardy, nutrient-rich cactus adaptogen used for centuries in many cultures
- An abundant nutritional reservoir: rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids; contains mucilage and pectin which support healthy digestion and intestines*
- Promotes healthy urine flow; neutralizes toxins and internal waste; imparts broad-spectrum chemical-protection, immune and endocrine support*
- Supports healthy urinary tract, liver, lung, pancreas and prostate; supports healthy blood sugar levels and insulin response; supports healthy blood pressure and blood lipids* Grade 10 quality; not solvent-extracted, not irradiated


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Paige Smith is the woman behind paper geodes, art installations implanted throughout the city, deliberately crafted to get you to stop and appreciate your surroundings.
Paige is part innovator, part creative, part designer and part maker. Whenever she embarks on a new venture, it's worth following. Which is why we were so excited when she launched VereVerto, a fine leather goods company that offers super versatile wears that look damn good.
We sat down with Paige to chat about craftsmanship, inspiration, and a bit about a good binge watch.
Who are you?
I'm Paige Smith, creative director and designer for VereVerto handbags. I launched this project with my business partner Consuelo Chozas [pictured above!] in the summer of 2013. Our handbags bridge luxury with functionality for the day-to-night city lifestyle. Which means—with a few subtle switches, a shoulder bag becomes a backpack or a cross-body bag transforms into a clutch. The bags are made of Spanish leather and now (recently) Spanish manufactured.
Outline a day of your life.
I start my day by answering emails in bed, they are usually already piling in my inbox because we have a showroom and clients in New York (one day I'll wake up at 6am!). I'm responsible for everything 'creative' related in the company—from the design of the bags to the graphic design and marketing of the brand. I can have a wide variety of activities in a day, including being on set to shoot our look book, sketching pages of bag designs, drawing tech packs for prototype construction, working with Consuelo to communicate to our Spanish manufacturers and leather tanneries (which happens early in the morning or late at night), and designing all of our materials post shoot days for our website and look books.
Consuelo's sun room in the VereVerto Angelino Heights home/office.
A selection of VereVerto's Mox bags.
What inspires you?
I'm an obsessive reader and I love to travel and am generally constantly trying to learn something new. I'm inspired by cities' dense cultures, with itty bitty things and giant new things to discover each day. Nature is also very important to me in the same way, there's always something to discover and I'm immensely in awe by how things come to be.
What do you listen to while working? While playing? Or alternatively, what TV shows have you binge-watched while geoding or purse-designing? 🙂
Okay, you got me, I really like to binge watch shows while I'm doing more tedious work, it's become my background instead of music lately. Some favorite binges are Dr. Who, Star Trek the Next Generation, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (seriously so good), and 30 Rock. There are more, but I don't think I can publicly admit to them.
"I just moved my studio to the Elysian Heights area of Echo Park. I'm obsessed with walking the trails outside my door and I've recently gotten into listening to podcasts during my walk. I finally just started Serial, and I love Nerdist."
When did you start thinking about creating VereVerto?
VereVerto became a twinkle in my eye almost seven years ago. I was living in San Francisco and commuting to work via bicycle or walking. Every day I begrudged the bags I had, always searching for something more useful, beautiful, and ergonomic for my commute. Eventually I gave in and bought a dorky backpack. Super useful, but really not sexy or practical any other time than when I was commuting. It finally hit me I needed both things, and buying two different bags wouldn't do. Fast forward a few years later—I move to Los Angeles, start interviewing people about bags, meet Consuelo who knows about leather and the fashion industry, and the rest is history.
Can you talk a bit about what goes into making the bags and the craftmanship behind it?
Once a year we go to Spain to visit our tanneries. All of our bags are made with vegetable tanned leather, through processes using native vegetation. The leathers contain no chemicals and so changes color over time; it will darken with continual exposure to sunlight and contact with oils from your skin. This means the bags patina beautifully so that eventually each bag has its own story and is unique to the wearer. These bags are meant to last!
Recently we went to Spain to search for manufacturing. We found the most beautiful southern town completely built on the skill of leather working. We toured a few factories, large and small, all working on some of the largest brands in the world (see: Prada and Loewe). The skill is impressive—hand sanding the edges of each bag is no big deal—and one of the most romantic things we saw was each worker works on a slab of marble. We now manufacture with a small factory in this town, and are continually impressed with their quality and creativity in working with us to see our vision come to life.
What do you keep inside your VereVerto bag at all times?
I tend to keep a smaller bag—I keep my wallet, phone, keys, notebook/pen, and often, geodes and glue. 😉
Anything else you'd like to plug?
I don't think I could leave you without talking more about my double life as an artist. This year I've been working on a couple group shows at Paradigm Gallery and Studio and Esther Klein Gallery, both in Philadelphia. And I've been slowly working on developing an Urban Geode website to create a participatory art community in which people all over the world can receive a package of geodes, put them up in their city, and post their work to the site. I'm hoping to launch that this year!


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LED Military Cool Water Resist Noctilucent Plane Design Digital Watch for Children Size S
Product Features:
The perfect combination of fashion and classic, just design for you!Watch band material: silica gel. Case material: alloy.Size S: Dial 3.6*4.2cm. Suitable for children 6-13 years old.Water resist: 50M (do not press button under water.)Features: week, calendar, alarm clock, back light, stop watch, 24H time formatColorful back light.…
Price as on: 2018-07-20 14:44:21


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Leticia Guzman
Brownsville High Class of 1970
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- 1970
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The bird is a much more prominent mascot in the NFL, where there are five teams with birds as their mascot/logo. In the MLB, there are three: the Blue Jays, Orioles and Cardinals. However, throughout the minor leagues, there are more than a few bird logos making their rounds. A lot of them are unique, unlike the generic ones you tend to see anywhere. Here are ten logos involving birds, and hopefully, you find them as unique as I did.
Rochester Red Wings
This team has been around since 1928, and I couldn't find out exactly when the team went to this muscular looking cardinal type thing logo, as opposed to the Detroit Red Wings….who literally use a red wing. It's a pretty solid logo nonetheless, even if he's wearing a generic hat.
Toledo Mud Hens (cap, 2006-present)
The Mud Hens went through a recent rebranding effort, because of their old logo looking a little sloppy and not too polished. This logo is a lot cleaner, and even though I still have no idea what the difference between a regular hen and a mud hen is, I'll allow it.
Lancaster Jethawks (cap, 2001-2007)
The current Jethawks logo is more of an…abstract design. It looks like a piece of art as opposed to a cartoon. And dammit, that's not cool! I like the old Jethawks logo, where the hawk looks like he's about to hop into a plane. Kind of reminds me of Foghorn Leghorn…
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (2006-present)
When I am thinking of possible mascots and logos for my team, just about the last think I'd come up with is an angry looking pelican perched atop a baseball bat, with the moon and the ocean int he distance. But hey, the team has some very slick hats that I'd consider buying….if the team was still affiliated with my Braves. But, they're not…so that purchase isn't happening.
Great Lakes Loons (cap, 2007-present)
I….can't even. With the red eyes, and the sly smile on its face, the loon looks like it's high. I'm also getting irrationally bothered by the loon having it's foot (or whatever you call it…) up in the air in preparation to take a swing, but it's not looking at the pitcher. HOW IN THE HELL IS IT SUPPOSED TO HIT THE BALL!?!??! I need to stop worrying about this.
South Bend Silver Hawks (alternate, 2009-present)
For one, birds don't have teeth. I think that's what makes me smile about this bad boy so much. The lightning bolt looking eyebrow things are a little striking too..but hey, at least they went offbase instead of the boring looking Atlanta Hawks NBA logo.
Delmarva Shorebirds (2010-present)
The old Shorebirds logo reminded me of something you'd see at a country club. This one is a lot sleeker, though the scale looking things on the left side of the bird's head are a little strange to me. Is "shorebird" just a generic term, or is there an actual species called a shorebird? Or are there a bunch of birds that hang out by the shore that are called shorebirds, but in reality, there's a more proper name for them?
Idaho Falls Chukars (cap, 2004-present)
I really, really don't know what a Chukar is. But this is one of three logos featured on this list from the Pioneer League, so I'm going to assume it's a western mountain type bird thing. Based on the cartoonish logo, it kind of looks like a…hen/hawk combination. OK then.
Missoula Osprey (1999-present)
Pretty much the last bird I'd expect a team after….the osprey. It's just a totally random mascot, and the logo screams 1980s, despite the team not being formed until 1999. Yeah, that sounds about right.
Orem Owlz (2005-present)
This irritates me. CROSSED BATS! BASEBALL FACE! Ending the team name in a Z in an attempt to be "hip"! Come on, now. The Owlz (ugh…) have a pretty sick alternate logo of a talon snatching an O, but this bad boy is uh…not too great. It almost looks like the talons in this are fingers with claws too, as opposed to…well, talons. Oh minor league baseball, never change.


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Greetings from your outpost of dynamic and Christ centered ministry each and everyday in Downtown Memphis! I am absolutely amazed at how much has taken place in the last year at First Church. The most visible event is obviously the building of the new sanctuary. As I have said so many times before, this sanctuary is just the beginning of what I believe is an incredible new chapter in the life of First Church. As we are able to expand our capacity to reach others in worship, we will be able to expand the impact the people of First Church will have for God's Kingdom.
Where are we now in the sanctuary building process?
As you know a little less than a year ago we signed a contract with Chris Woods Construction to begin construction of the exterior of the sanctuary based on the amount of money we had on hand and add the interior portions of the sanctuary as money was raised. At this point we needed to raise over 2 million dollars to be able to complete the sanctuary. As construction was starting, we had a series of vision banquets leading up to a Sunday of celebration as our congregation pledged to give just over $400,000 towards the building of the sanctuary over three years. As of today, we have already received about half the money pledged and we are still in our first year of giving!
In September we received another $500,000 from Mrs. Hamilton getting us very close to having enough funds to at least get us a certificate of occupancy and be able to worship in an unfurnished and very much bare building. After a lot of hard work from our fund raising committee, we received another gift of $500,000 from Robert and Carolyn Rogers as well as other generous gifts allowing us to add a significant portion of the sanctuary interior to our contract as well as meet the very basics of our audio needs. We need to raise approximately $500 - $700,000 more for furnishings, complete Audio and Video, and installation of the Whitehaven organ.
Every step along the way, there have been significant challenges and even times where we have wondered how in the world we would be able to complete this huge project. This a few Sunday's ago I preached on the story of Jesus inviting Peter to join him as he walked on the water. Peter did great walking on water until he began to question his ability to walk on water. Of course he couldn't walk on water! At least, not on his own power. We learn through Peter that Jesus always provides whatever we need to do what he has called us to do! Plus, Jesus is even there to pick us up and put on back on our feet after we lose faith and fall!
Let us make sure we keep our eyes on Jesus at this critical time in the life of First Church. If we do, we will not only see a new building erected at the corner of 2nd St and Poplar, we will see a sanctuary filled with people experiencing the presence of God and going out each week to reach our City for Christ!
Grace and Peace
Andy Rambo, Pastor


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What's Nearby?
CPS Energy – Power Company
CPS Energy is the the nation's largest municipally owned gas and electric utility providing electrical power services to residents and businesses in the San Antonio, Texas and surrounding areas.
San Antonio Water System – Water Company
SAWS is a public utility owned by the City of San Antonio. Since the formation of SAWS, San Antonio has been recognized nationally for its leadership in conservation and proactive water supply management, making San Antonio... Waterful.
Grey Forest Utilities – Gas Company
Grey Forest Utilities provides natural gas distribution services for customers located in a 600 square mile service area in northwest metropolitan San Antonio, Texas area.
Waste Management – Trash & Recycling Pickup
The Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) proudly serves City of San Antonio Solid Waste customers by providing them with a myriad of programs and services that effectively and efficiently manage municipal solid waste generated within the City of San Antonio.
US Post Office
The United States Postal Service (USPS; also known as the Post Office, U.S. Mail, or Postal Service) is an independent agency of the United States federal government responsible for providing postal service in the United States, including its insular areas and associated states. It is one of the few government agencies explicitly authorized by the United States Constitution.
The Dominion Country Club
The Dominion Country Club is the Premier Private Club in San Antonio, offering golf, tennis, fine dining as well as Junior Camps and programs.
Leon Springs Elementary School – Northside School District
Leon Springs Elementary School NS1 is a School located in San Antonio, TX 78257. They can be reached by calling
Ed Rawlinson Middle School
Ed Rawlinson Middle School is a Middle School located in San Antonio, TX 78249. They can be reached by calling 210-397-4900
TMI Episcopal
TMI Episcopal is a private school located in San Antonio, TX 78257. They can be reached by calling 210-698-7171
Clark High School
Clark High School is a High School located in San Antonio, TX 78249. They can be reached by calling 210-397-5150


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Upper Limb Fractures and Injuries
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10 tasty ways to top up on calcium
We need to regularly replace calcium in our bodies to keep our bones and teeth strong, but it's not just milk that can boost your calcium levels. Here's our guide to some of the more surprising calcium-packed foods.


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Eastern Europe
I'm currently hanging out in Riga, Latvia on my best friend and cousin's stag weekend. Taken lots of pictures and had lots of fun on the first day in town. Hopefully have lots to share over the next week. Hope you all have a fantastic Easter weekend.
Have fun


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Thanks to Coalition member Briggs Marine for sharing their apprentice Dylan's experience of apprenticeship with us to mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2018.
Their Apprentice, Dylan Cooper, is following the Craft Modern Apprenticeship route featuring the five Core Skills; Foundation Phase Performing Engineering Operations Level 2, Academic Enhancement NC Fabrication and Welding Engineering, Sector Specific SVQ Fabrication and Welding Level 3 and Platework Pathway.
The SVQ Level 3 is delivered in the workplace and involves him being trained and assessed to National Occupational Standards for:
· Complying with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements
· Using and interpreting engineering data and documentation
· Working efficiently and effectively in engineering
· Developing and marking out templates for metalwork
· Cutting plate and sections using shearing machines
· Cutting and shaping materials using portable thermal cutting equipment
· Forming platework using power rolling machines
· Producing and finishing holes using drilling machines
· Joining fabricated components using mechanical fasteners
· Producing fillet welded joints using a manual welding process
This is a four year apprenticeship programme. The first year is spent at College where the curriculum is split between theoretical and practical work. During years two to four, the Apprentice is in full time employment with the workforce. They follow the framework set out within the SQV Level 3 requirements. During the course of each year, their work is assessed by the College Assessor. All aspects of the work carried out is supported by a written project and the Assessor determines what progress is being made, where the strengths and weaknesses lie and what further support may be required.
Dylan is the second person to have followed this MA, the first being Ben Anthony who qualified in 2015 and has since gone on to become a full time Coded Welder at Briggs' base in Burntisland.


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Maloney touts rail project at Sunnyside Yds.
Posted on May 26, 2011 by Rebecca Henely in City Council, City Offices, Congress, District 12, District 14, District 26, State Senate, U.S. House
U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) visited Sunnyside Yards last Thursday to tout not only a federal grant to fix the bottlenecking of trains at the yards and prepare the yards for high-speed rail, but also the jobs and economic boost expected to come from the construction work.
"The first high-speed rail project in America is going to be this one," Maloney said.
The congresswoman was joined by state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria), City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) and representatives from the transportation and contractor fields when she visited the yards to explain the benefits of the grant, which New York received after Florida rejected $2 million in federal funds for high-speed rail.
Within the $354 million allotted to New York state, $294.7 million will be used to improve the Harold Interlocking at Sunnyside Yards in Sunnyside near Skillman Avenue and 39th Street. This part of the yards, named after the former moniker of Skillman Avenue, "Harold Avenue," services multiple divisions of the Long Island Rail Road, Amtrak and New Jersey Transit, which use the Sunnyside Yards to turn around after coming out of the four East River Tunnels from Penn Station in Manhattan. The interlocking is crisscrossed by about 800 trains a day, many of them using the same tracks.
Denise Richardson, managing director of the General Contractors Association of New York, said the grant will reconfigure the tracks so each company has its own and will allow them to add signaling and switches for the purpose. Some overlays will also be built to create the equivalent of rail bridges over existing tracks. This project will enable Amtrak to create a high-speed rail line from New York to Boston.
"The objective here is to take what we have and make it work more efficiently," Richardson said.
Maloney predicted during the five years it will take to improve the Harold Interlocking that the project would create 9,213 jobs and after it is done would give a $585.9 million boost to the economy, create millions in tax revenue, reduce commuter times along all three lines and establish tens of thousands of jobs throughout the economy.
"Florida's loss in high-speed rail money is New York's gain," she said.
Gianaris called the grant a tremendous success. Van Bramer also praised Maloney's ability to bring resources into the neighborhood.
"We need jobs now more than ever and we need good jobs," Van Bramer said.
Richardson praised Maloney for the investment in high-speed rail, saying it would boost the economy like the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad or the Interstate Highway System.
"This country developed around infrastructure," Richardson said.


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We all occasionally need a break from the slog and grind of daily life and while sitting down with some popcorn and a movie is a good de-stressor, if you are looking for something a little more exciting and glamorous, an island getaway may be just what the doctor ordered.
Tropical gems such as Mauritius, the Caribbean Islands, Seychelles and the Maldives are well known for providing idyllic island holidays, however, the science behind the healing power of sunlight, or heliotherapy, is not as well known. That's right, it's got a name, it is a science, it is good for you, and the tropical islands have it in buckets full. No need to visit the doctor for this medication as everything you need to know about getting your perfect fix of Vitamin D is right here in our selection of chic and exclusive tropical island getaways.
I think we're alone now
Well, you will be if you are on Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson's private island paradise and possibly one of the most exclusive addresses on the planet. Situated in the Caribbean in the unspoilt and beautiful British Virgin Islands awaits a holiday destination of grand proportions. Sir Richard Branson is famed for his flamboyant, hedonistic and slightly quirky lifestyle, all of which you get the feel of when stepping onto Necker Island. Surrounding yourself with beauty, feeling it and seeing it is what this private retreat is all about, leading you serenely down a heavenly path to a state of absolute bliss.
While the island can cater for a private party of up to 30 people, if you prefer to go solo then one of the celebration weeks is what you are looking for, when individual suites are available as opposed to hiring out the whole shebang. Whichever you prefer, your ultimate satisfaction is undoubtedly guaranteed.
From the infinity pool right on the beach with its own swim-up bar, to the enormous Jacuzzi, and plush hammocks and sofas scattered all around, the island tempts you with its seductive and sensual atmosphere. Enjoy sushi from a kayak, adorned with flowers that floats around the beach pool (and usually guided along by some eye candy), or feel the warmth and glow of all things romantic with an enchanting candle-lit dinner on the shore. With two private beaches, the most opulent and sumptuous in Balinese accommodation, tennis courts, a personal chef, tons of water sports and at least three staff members to each guest, your every whim is sure to be met.
Lifestyles of the rich and famous
Approximately 120 miles south-east of the British Virgin Islands floats the exclusive, volcanic island of St Barths. The area is legendary as a playground for the rich and famous and oozes elite and chic on every stylish corner. Million-dollar luxury yachts bob around in the port while the elegant and quaint waterfront is a myriad of trendy boutiques, upmarket jewellery stores and chic cafes. This "adult sandbox" — as it is sometimes referred to — is filled with toned, tanned bodies, designer bikinis and expensive hair dos. Gorgeously sunny weather, a choice of 14 uncrowded beaches and some of the best cuisine in the Caribbean keep the rich, polished and good looking entertained and sun-kissed.
So while fame, fortune and good genes are not equally bestowed on all of us — and there are few between us who are blessed enough to own a private villa on the island — there are still plenty of accommodation options available in St Barths.
Eden Rock has been described as one of the most desirable resorts in the world, a place that is beyond perfect, providing you with the ultimate in elite, discreet luxury. You will find this hotel, the first built on the island, perched on a cliff above the white sandy beach of St Jean Bay, offering refreshing sea breezes and heavenly views of the bay below. This swanky resort is by no means demure; full of colour and texture pulled together by unique and beautiful works of art. There are two superb restaurants to choose from and with 34 rooms the hotel has enough going on to keep you interested, yet limited enough in number to allow for that unrushed, exclusive feeling of good living.
Sunshine and smiles every day
Many miles away, the calm, warm waters of the Indian Ocean house their own idyllic appeal that is slightly more gentle and laid back.
Mauritius, the Seychelles and the Maldives are all exotic, tropical island destinations off the west coast of Africa. Surrounded by colourful coral reefs, they offer fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities as well as plenty of sunshine to sooth and revive the soul.
The charm of Mauritius is impossible to ignore, filled with genuine smiles and colourful Creole culture. The island has long been viewed as a perfect holiday destination thanks to its shallow warm sea ideal for swimming and water sports, and a whole host of other activities. There are also heaps of places of interest to keep you busy if you've had too much sun. Mauritius is a firm favourite for family getaways and romantic honeymooners alike with just about all the resorts offering kids' clubs to keep the young ones amused and romantic candle-lit dinners to get mom and dad snuggling up.
The island is awash with resorts and villas, but tucked away on the east coast and set amid lush tropical gardens lies the luxurious Lux Belle Mare. Here the air is scented with the fragrant smell of flowers as waves lap lazily on the shoreline. Heavenly bliss is all about from the soft, white sand to the comfortable sun loungers that are dotted around the swimming pool – apparently the largest in Mauritius. Spoil yourself and book one of the 12 amazing villas where you will have access to your own private dining area and pool. Your cool and indulgent accommodation will have views of the nearby lagoon and enticing sounding Sleep Tight beds. Whether you are travelling with the family or looking for a bit of seclusion and romance, this luxury resort has something for everyone.
Afternoon cocktails and moonlit nights
If you don't like snakes but love bananas then the Seychelles archipelago should be on the top of your bucket list. Aside from not having any snakes, monkeys or tigers, the 17 different types of bananas found on this exotic cluster of islands just south of the equator ranks as one of the most beautiful and safe holiday destinations in the world.
The Seychelles is made up of 115 individual islands, one of them being the exquisite, sand encircled Desroches. The resort is the only one on this slice of utopia and offers up the ultimate in privacy and first-class relaxation and pampering. Finding your favourite spot along the 14 kilometres of beach that you have access to will be the hardest part of your stay. Desroches will take care of the rest, right down to making you a picnic lunch to savour and enjoy on the sand. Diving, snorkelling and fishing will keep active guests happy and you will be given a complimentary bicycle to explore the island at your leisure. Aglow with sunshine and warm by day, romantic and peaceful by night, this is one island getaway not to be missed.
The magic of the Maldives
Topping off our list of the best tropical island destinations is, of course, the Maldives, famed for its stunning coral atolls, calm clear lagoons and exclusive and stylish accommodation. All the resorts and hotels in the Maldives are designed to take advantage of their spectacular natural setting with an emphasis on exclusivity and privacy, allowing guests to sit back, relax and enjoy the finer things in life. Nowhere else will you glimpse sand so white and water so blue, so if you find yourself in this little the piece of paradise then you may as well splash out and take advantage of the finest accommodation Maldives has to offer.
On the northern-most Haa Alif private island you will find JA Manafaru, gracefully spread across 35 acres of gloriously soft sand. The resort is fantastically isolated and hovers above miles and miles of azure water, making one feel as if you have indeed found your own cloud in heaven. There are plenty of activities available with everything from tennis courts to a divine spa and private infinity pools. Although the resort is family friendly, the utmost importance is given to privacy with each suite perfectly hidden and providing you with your own secluded outdoor area. Don't forget the sunscreen and your bathing suit, in fact pack a few as you won't be tempted to wear much else with sunshine and warm water all around.
Go and get away from it all
No matter how far you try to think out of the box, the idea of a spa aquarium may sound rather odd. Well, it's real, there is one, at Amilla Fushi Resort and Spa. Expect to be wowed, as you unwind in the hands of an expert masseuse and gaze through huge glass windows at the fabulous tropical fish swimming right by you. The underwater treatment rooms at this resort are a world first and akin to sitting in a fish bowl, except in this scenario you are the fish!
This gorgeously appointed resort hotel in the North Malé atoll defies the boundaries of luxury and blows you away at every turn. The dreamy island is a place to make your fantasies come alive as you are pampered into a lulling state of ecstasy. The enormous suites are fitted with Jacuzzis and private plunge pools and offer everything is that chic, stylish and extravagant. Prepare yourself for your first-class ticket to heaven, the seaplane is leaving now.
So we suggest you get yourself comfortable and put your feet up because taking your pick from the selection above is going to take some time. But with so many great options to choose from there is one thing we can guarantee – you are sure to have a blast with world class accommodation, plenty of soothing sun and good reason to spend most of your time wearing very little. It's sexy, good for you and don't forget, it's a science.
The post Chic Tropical Island Getaways appeared first on Chic Collection.


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Ren and Kuko lay on their backs beneath chequered blankets gazing up at the clear night sky. Ren and Kuko's favourite thing in the whole world was star gazing and every night Ren would visit Kuko and they would lie outside in the garden and stare upwards counting the stars and naming the constellations. Often they would make up their own by tracing invisible lines from star to star with their fingers and conjure up wonderful stories about how those constellations came to be.
Kuko's favourite constellation was called Sorla the Star Catcher. Long ago Sorla had caught all the stars in the sky with her net and offered them to the love of her life as a gift. Kuko had been very proud of her story but little did she know it had also given Ren an idea.
Ren had a secret that he had never shared with Kuko; there was one thing that Ren loved more than star gazing: Ren loved Kuko.
When Kuko had made up the story about Sorla the Star Catcher Ren told her that he too would catch the stars and give them to Kuko as a gift.
Kuko laughed at him. 'You're so silly Ren,' she said.
But Ren had another secret he had not shared with Kuko: Ren knew where he could find some stars.
One evening, before he went to meet Kuko, Ren climbed the Hill. The Hill was the highest place in all the land and had never been given a name. It was once believed that as it was high enough to touch the sky it belonged to the heavens and as such could only be named by those that dwelled in there. To those who lived beneath its peak it was known only as the Hill.
At the very top of the Hill was a tree. It stood at the highest point on the hill and had a slender delicate trunk which supported a dozen or so thin twisting branches that spiralled round each other before stretching up toward the sky. Hanging down from these branches were long silvery threads which held the fruits of the tree. They cradled the tree's fruits delicately and they swung gently in the breeze that brushed across the hill. The fruits were stars for it was a Star Tree that Ren had discovered and dozens of them winked and twinkled at Ren as he marched up the hill.
In his hands he clutched a pair of sharp garden shears and a wicker basket and his brow was a solid mask of determination.
As he approached the Star Tree it spoke to him. 'Are you going to take my stars?' the tree asked.
The words came to Ren like tinkling bells and he stopped beneath the tree's branches startled but unafraid. 'I need your stars,' he said.
The Star Tree's precious fruits rang out softly as another breeze swept gently by. 'If you take my stars I will die,' Ren heard the tree say.
Ren moved toward the tree's trunk and began to climb onto the lower branches. 'I'm sorry, but I need your fruit. They are for the girl I love. She loves the stars more than she loves me so if I can give her your stars as a gift she will love me as much as I love her.' With one snip of the garden shears a dozen stars fell from the tree and landed with a soft thud on the grass below.
'As you wish,' the Star Tree sang. 'I hope my fruit will bring you the love you desire.'
The Star Tree said no more as Ren cut the remaining threads. He then climbed down from the tree and collected the mass of stars and placed them in his basket arranging them neatly so that the brightest of stars were on the top. The stars shimmered and sparkled like a nest of glittering jewels. It would be difficult to part with something so beautiful but Ren would have swapped the entire world for Kuko's love. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen; more beautiful than the stars in the sky, more beautiful even than a Star Tree.
He left the Hill and hurried back to Kuko's house. She was waiting for him in the garden wrapped in a blanket and sipping tea from a flask. Beside her was another blanket for Ren, folded up neatly in a square.
'I have a gift for you Kuko,' Ren announced eagerly. He held out the basket to her. Kuko looked down at the basket's contents curiously. His heart was racing as he said the words he had wanted to say for so long. 'I love you Kuko. These stars are for you to show you how much I love you.'
Ren tried to read the expression on Kuko's face. Where was her perfect smile? Her eyebrows were arched in a frown and she glanced up at the sky searching for something.
Ren glanced up at the sky too.
It was empty.
The sky was an empty black void without a single star anywhere to be seen. It was as if someone had come along and painted over them with thick black paint.
Kuko looked at the basket and recoiled from it in horror. 'What have you done Ren?'
Panicked Ren took a step toward her pushing the glittering stars in her direction. 'They're for you Kuko,' he said anxiously.
Ren pulled away from him. 'You've stolen the stars from the sky! How could you?' Kuko turned her back on him and ran into the house sobbing. The door slammed shut behind her.
Ren was left alone with his basket of stars.
His chest felt hollow and his heart was as empty and dark as the sky above. He stood there in the garden clutching the basket of stars and staring at Kuko's door for a long time. Finally he trudged back to the Hill.
When he reached the top the Star Tree was gone. All that remained was a blackened stump as if it had been set on fire and burned.
What had he done? Ren dropped to his knees. He had lost Kuko forever, he had ruined the night sky and he had killed the Star Tree all in one evening. Even the moon was refusing to come out. It hid on the horizon unmoving, a thin slice peeking above the edge of the world.
'Why won't you come out moon?' Ren called to it.
Ren heard the moon's voice as a whisper in the air. 'It's lonely up there without my stars.'
Ren lashed out at the basket of stars beside him. It fell on its side and the stars spilled out across the grass. 'I'm lonely too,' he said gloomily.
By the time the night had ended and the sun had risen Ren was exhausted. His eyes itched from salty tears and lack of sleep. He had stayed on the Hill all night. The morning sun was warm on his skin and as it rose Ren watched the flowers dotted around the Hill blossom in the sunshine and open out to bask in its warmth.
It gave Ren an idea.
He dug a small hole in the soil not far from the black stump of the Star Tree and selected one of the stars from the toppled basket. He placed it in the hole and carefully covered it with soil. There was a stream that ran down the other side of the Hill where Ren fetched some water. He poured a little over the mound of earth where the star was planted.
Every day Ren returned to the Hill to add a little water to the seed but every day he was disappointed. No tree would grow. After three weeks of frustration he screamed out angrily. 'Why won't this star grow?'
The sun, who had been watching Ren's endeavours with amusement each day, laughed. Ren heard the sun's voice on the rustle of the grass. 'My sunshine will not grow a Star Tree,' the sun said. 'They are the flowers of the moon.'
Ren could have kicked himself. He returned to the Hill that evening and looked for the moon. As it had done every night since Ren had taken the stars away it hid on the horizon refusing to rise into a lonely sky.
Ren called out to it. 'Please moon, rise just a little. I need your moonshine to grow new stars.'
The moon was quiet for a long time. Finally a breeze touched Ren's ears and he heard the moon's voice. 'But it is so lonely without my stars.'
'Please moon,' Ren begged. 'I can grow more stars for you if you give me your moonshine. I'm lonely too. Without the stars the love of my life is gone. Please come out, we can keep each other company.'
The moon said nothing but after a time had passed it rose ever so slightly above the horizon.
Ren checked the star he had planted. Moonshine fell upon the little mound of earth. Now all they had to do was wait.
Each night Ren returned to the Hill and kept the moon company. They talked through the night about the moon's love of the stars and Ren's love of Kuko and each night they both felt a little less lonely. The moon rose slightly higher each night until eventually it was as high in the sky as it had been when the stars were there.
That evening Ren saw the first shoots of a new Star Tree.
'Look, look,' he cried to the moon. 'It's growing, it's finally growing!'
When Ren returned the next night the shoot was already a sapling with the beginnings of branches already twisting and turning up toward the sky.
On the third night Ren saw tiny buds on the branches that shone like bright little fireflies.
On the fourth night the tree was almost fully grown and the buds had opened. Silver threads dropped from the buds and stars had started to grow at the end of the threads.
On the fifth night the stars blossomed.
The moon was high in the sky and Ren could hear its laugh in the wind. The stars had come back out winking down at Ren from above. The moon was in love again.
Inspired Ren ran down the Hill all the way to Kuko's house. It had been so long since he had seen her, so long since he had upset her. When she opened the door to him she looked even more beautiful than he remembered.
'I've fixed it Kuko,' Ren told her excitedly. 'The stars are back.'
Kuko couldn't quite meet his eyes. 'I'm sorry Ren,' she struggled to say. Her voice faltered. 'You should never have taken them in the first place. I'm not ready to forgive you yet.'
The door closed slowly.
Ren walked away dismayed. At least she had said 'yet.' He made his way back to the new Star Tree and sat with his back against the trunk. A chorus of chiming stars sang in the branches above and he watched the star lights dance to the sound of their own song. No wonder Kuko loved stars, Ren thought. They were wonderful.
Not far from where he sat the basket of stars lay discarded, its contents spilled on the ground. An idea suddenly came to him.
He ran to the basket and gathered up a handful of stars. With his free hand he dug a hole in the ground and planted one of the stars and covered it with earth. Then, moving several paces away, he repeated the process with another star. A few hours later he had planted every single star and had covered the Hill with dozens of tiny little mounds of earth.
The moon was a huge white disc in the sky that night and it seemed so near that he could almost reach out and touch it. He heard it laughing on the wind and he grinned back at it before leaving the Hill satisfied that his plan might just work.
The next night when Ren returned he saw dozens of little shoots climbing up through the earth reaching for the moon. Ren clapped his hands gleefully.
On the second night the shoots had grown into saplings with slender branches that twisted and spiralled toward the sky.
On the third night Ren could see the new Star Trees from the bottom of the hill. The little buds of light twinkled like a little forest of Christmas trees.
By the fourth night the buds had opened into silver threads that hung down from the branches and held the seeds of brand new stars. Ren ran through the lines of trees leaping in delight at the wonder he had helped create.
On the fifth night Ren did not immediately go to the Hill. Instead he visited Kuko's house and knocked on her door. When she answered his heart quickened and he spoke quickly in case she might close the door on him again. 'Kuko, I've made something for you. Not just for you but for everyone. Will you let me show you?'
Kuko hesitated and those few seconds felt like aeons to Ren.
'Please just give me one last chance,' he pleaded.
She looked at him unsure but at last she agreed and followed Ren out of the house and back to the Hill.
Though Ren was eager to reach the top he waited patiently for Kuko who had never climbed the Hill before. When she saw the bright lights at the top she stopped and raised an eyebrow at him. 'What have you done now Ren?'
It took all of Ren's will to convince her to keep going.
When they reached the top they were both stunned into silence.
All across the Hill were rows and rows of the most magnificent Star Trees abundant with thousands of bright shining stars. Their branches coiled together creating star lined arches between the lines of trees and the fruits of the Star Trees glittered, twinkled, shimmered and shone as they sang out in an endless chiming chorus of song. Above their heads the night sky mirrored the Hill and was filled with more stars than even the moon could have imagined.
'Ren,' Kuko gasped, 'what have you done?'
Ren, himself shocked as to how beautiful the sight before them was, found his voice. 'I've made you an orchard of stars,' he said. 'I know how much you love them. Now there are enough for both you and the sky. My only wish is that you forgive me and perhaps one day you might love me a fraction as much as you love the stars.'
Ren turned to him smiling from ear to ear. Her eyes were wet and the fruits of the Star Trees were reflected there, sparkling and bright. 'You're so silly Ren,' Kuko told him. 'What I loved about watching the stars was that you were by my side.'
Ren opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.
Kuko giggled at him and took his hand in hers. She squeezed it tightly and together they ran through the orchard of stars dancing and laughing to the sound of the moon, the stars and the bright shining Star Trees.


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Sunday, June 12, 2011
I am not a big fat quitter!
I know you all think I just quit my blog, but I promise I am going to make a really good effort to get back into it! It has been just about a year since my last blog post, and a whole lot has happened! The major event was the birth of my adorable bright eyed baby boy! More to come and a whole lotta pics to be shared! xoxo
3 comments:
Yay!! I was so happy to see your post :) I know we talked about it the other day but I am glad to see you are back! Love you lots!!ReplyDelete
Yay!!! I will read. :)ReplyDelete
Ash and Cake - Glad to be back in the bloggy world. I just got done catching up with your blogs and I just love you both to pieces!ReplyDelete
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Set Dates & Guests
Know Before You Go...
At Rocky Point, you have the opportunity for privacy and excitement, as well as spectacular ocean views. This three-bedroom villa offers two acres of sand and beach, tropical vegetation, and plenty of space. The villa's design allows you to live both inside and out while enjoying the screened porches, outdoor dining area, or the pool deck. Head to the garden's tiki hut for a massage after a long day. If you want a break from the quiet, the main resort is just a mile away. You will find shops, restaurants, a boutique, bars, a community pool with sun loungers, and an all-inclusive spa.
Andrew , 214-350-6220 x9104
Beachfront Estate!
Rocky Point at COMO Parrot Cay is located on nearly two acres of beachfront property on a private island off the coast of North Caicos. This fully air-conditioned villa is ideal for a family vacation or couples' getaway, and has stunning views.
Rocky Point has access to resort fitness facilities, and is near water sports and tennis. The villa has direct beach access, and is just a few minutes' walk from coconut and banana plantations. Guests can swim in the villa's 45-foot x 16-foot heated, negative-edge pool or sunbathe in loungers around the deck. Dine al fresco or walk to the tiki hut for massages. On the pool deck and veranda, guests will find comfortable daybeds for afternoon naps. Wood-framed sliding glass doors replace walls in many of the rooms to create an open-air ambiance and allow interior access from any point on the deck.
The living room wraps around the deck and borders the kitchen and dining area. Enjoy the entertainment system, complete with a satellite flatscreen TV and DVD player. Wooden floors, whitewashed walls, and modern accents decorate the interior. The kitchen has a butler's entrance and stainless steel appliances, and the dining table seats 8. There's also a powder room near the dining table. In the Main House, there's a bedroom on each side of the common area. Both suites have a king-sized bed, study, and an ensuite bathroom with an outdoor shower. They each have access to the pool deck and the living room, and have a private porch with ocean views. The air-conditioned Master Suite is separate from the Main House, and has its own living room with an entertainment system and a private porch with views.
Rocky Point is about one mile from the main resort. COMO Parrot Cay is an award-winning Turks and Caicos luxury resort set on its own private island. With 1,000 unspoiled acres and a mile-long beach, COMO Parrot Cay delivers relaxing, island-style luxury.
|Apr 28, 2019 to Nov 23, 2019
3 Night Minimum
|1-6 people
|Nov 24, 2019 to Nov 30, 2019
7 Night Minimum
|1-6 people
|Dec 1, 2019 to Dec 19, 2019
3 Night Minimum
|1-6 people
|Dec 20, 2019 to Jan 4, 2020
10 Night Minimum
|1-6 people
|Jan 5, 2020 to Apr 30, 2020
3 Night Minimum
|1-6 people
|May 1, 2020 to Nov 21, 2020
3 Night Minimum
|1-6 people
|Nov 22, 2020 to Nov 28, 2020
7 Night Minimum
|1-6 people
|Nov 29, 2020 to Dec 17, 2020
3 Night Minimum
|1-6 people
|Dec 18, 2020 to Jan 3, 2021
10 Night Minimum
|1-6 people
|Rates Upon Request
|Jan 4, 2021 to Mar 31, 2021
3 Night Minimum
|1-6 people
Notes on Rates:
- All rental rates are based on two persons per bedroom.
- This property charges rates in US Dollars (USD).
- Rates do not include: tax of 12%, island charges of 15%.
- Rates are subject to change.
Choosing the right villa is just the first step in creating the perfect vacation experience. We help you plan every element of your villa vacation, from rental cars to spa treatments, completely personalized to you.
- spa services
- chef/cook services
- butler service
- car rental
- restaurant reservations
- activity and sightseeing
- ferry/airport transfers
- grocery provisioning
- laundry service
- Bedroom 1: Main Level
- 1 King, Air Conditioning, Phone, Ceiling Fan, TV, iPhone Doc, Safe, DVD Player, Ocean View, Exterior Access
- Ensuite Full Bath with Shower, Outdoor Shower, Tub
- Bedroom 2: Main Level
- 1 King, Air Conditioning, Phone, Ceiling Fan, TV, Safe, DVD Player, Ocean View, Exterior Access
- Ensuite Full Bath with Shower, Outdoor Shower, Tub
- Bedroom 3: Main Level
- 2 Twins, Air Conditioning, Phone, Ceiling Fan, TV, iPhone Doc, Safe, DVD Player, Ocean View
- Ensuite Full Bath with Shower, Outdoor Shower, Tub
- Living Area
- 1 Rollaway, Air Conditioning
Beds & Baths
Main House
- 1 Butler: Daily
- 1 Housekeeper: Daily
- Bathtub
- Beach Umbrellas
- Beachfront
- Big Screen Television
- CD Player
- Ceiling Fans
- Coffee Maker
- Dishwasher
- Docking Station
- DVD Player
- Family
- Fax
- Fridge
- Great Views
- Hair Dryers
- Heated Pool
- Ice maker
- Internet Access/WiFi
- Microwave
- Oven/Stove
- Pool at Villa
- Pool Shower
- Private Island
- Radio
- Resort Fitness Facilities
- Resort Villas
- Safe
- Satellite
- Screened Porch
- Stereo System
- Telephone
- Television
- Tennis Nearby
- Toaster
- Water Sports Equipment
- Water Sports Nearby
- Waterfront
|pool size 45 ft. x 16 ft., Negative edge
|Air Conditioning
|A/C throughout villa
|Rocky Point
|Sq Ft.
|Beachfront property.
|7 minutes by car
|15 minutes walking, 7 minutes by car
|Upon arrival at the Providenciales Airport guests will be be greeted by the welcome team from COMO Parrot Cay, and transferred to a private marina for the boat transfer to the island. Upon arrival at Como Parrot Cay, guests will be taken to their villa. (Transfer is guest expense)
|Dining room seats 6
|Welcome amenities, signature welcome beverage, daily gourmet breakfast by the Terrace Restaurant, afternoon tea by the resort library, PressReader, participation in daily scheduled activities, and Children's activities such as Play by COMO.
|Welcome- Babysitting services and child-friendly menus are available.
|Private chef, grocery and beverage shopping (pre-arrival and during your stay), liquor and wine delivery, nanny service, baby equipment, spa services, yoga and personal training, photography, and private airport transfer/car service can be arranged for an additional fee.
Add-On Items
50% off Airport Transfer!!
Family Estate - (4 or more people traveling together and staying in the same accommodation)
*Offer combinable with "More at Como Parrot Cay Credit "
Good for stays from Jun 1, 2019 to Oct 31, 2019.
More at COMO Parrot Cay!!
$500 resort credit per night per Private Estate
Kids Eat for Free ( 12 and under)
*Kids Eat for free (kids menu only): 2 courses lunch, 3 courses dinner. Providing one adult dining with the kid(s).
Resort credit applicable toward Food and Beverage or COMO Shambhala wellness session 60 minutes or more
Good for stays from Apr 1, 2019 to Dec 18, 2019.


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Best iPad Games That Don't Require WiFi
Best iPad Games That Don't Require WiFi is a post by Craig Lloyd from Gotta Be Mobile.
If you're looking for some iPad games to play in order to pass the time, here are a handful of the best iPad games that don't require a WiFi connection.
You're about to board a plane and you don't want to cough up $12 to get WiFi access just for a couple of hours, so you need some games to play on your iPad that don't require you to connect to WiFi in order to pass the time.
While this may seem impossible since many iPad games need a WiFi connection to work, including many newer games, there are still a handful of titles that you can play completely internet free that are just as addicting as the WiFi-enabled ones.
There are a lot of awesome iPad games that don't require WiFi, and you might be surprised by the fact that some of them don't need internet to work properly. There are even some newer games that can be played without being connected to the internet, despite most new games requiring it.
In any case, if you find yourself in need of some games to play in order to pass the time without access to WiFi, here are some of the best iPad games that you should download right now.
Fallout Shelter
One of the biggest new games to hit the iPad is Fallout Shelter, which is the mobile version of the Fallout series that has been incredibly popular for several years now on the console.
Fallout Shelter is a bit different than the console versions of the game, though. In the mobile version, you build and manage an underground bunker full of people that are sheltering from the outside wasteland and you must keep the occupants happy.
It's somewhat similar to the classic SimTower game where you would build a skyscraper and manage all aspects of it, while trying to keep all of the people happy. However, in Fallout Shelter, it's a fallout shelter that you have to build and manage instead of a skyscraper.
The game doesn't require WiFi at all to play, and if you're looking for an edge, here are some tips and strategies that you can use.
Grand Theft Auto
Perhaps one of the most fun-filled games to play on the iPad, the Grand Theft Auto series is one that doesn't require WiFi in order to play.
While the on-screen controls can be a bit wonky at first, they're fairly easy to get used to, and players have access to a sandbox world where they can take their character all around the virtual city and pretty much do anything, all from an iPad.
Of course, you probably know all about Grand Theft Auto in the first place, since it's such a popular game on the console, but you can enjoy that same experience on your iPad wherever you go, whether you have WiFi or not.
Plants vs. Zombies
Perhaps one of the most fun games to play is Plants vs. Zombies, which tasks you with equipping your lawn with various weaponized plants to ward off incoming zombies.
It's a really fun game to play, but also very frustrating at times, which only adds to the game's replay value.
Plants vs. Zombies also has a Zen Garden, which you can manage and add plants to to get more coins to buy special power-ups and tools to use in-game, making it even more fun to play when you're bored without WiFi.
Monument Valley
Perhaps one of the biggest breakout games in 2014, Monument Valley is a great iPad game to play when you don't have a WiFi connection.
The object of the game is to get your character (the princess) through all of the different levels, which consists of mazes and different twists and turns that provide a bit of a challenge.
However, the biggest feature of the game is the beautiful artwork and overall design of the game that makes it truly unique. In fact, Monument Valley won Apple's Design Award last year.
The game hasn't been updated in well over a year, but it's a classic that everyone should Play. Peggle is a simple game that tasks you with clearing all of pegs from the board using a bouncing ball that you can aim using strategy.
From the makers of Plants vs. Zombies, Peggle is a game that's also great for kids to play, so if you're on a plane and need to keep the kids occupied, this is one game that can easily do that without a problem.
While Candy Crush Saga has been one of the most popular mobile games of all time, Bejeweled was actually the first game to release in this category, so it's the original Candy Crush Saga, if you will. Plus, it's the superior choice anyway.
Bejeweled is simple, and the rules are similar to Candy Crush Saga. Simply line up at least three gems that are the same color by switching around gems by swiping. Lining up more than three will give you more points and bonuses.
There are different game modes that you can choose from and play, like a timed game, as well as a zen version that's more relaxing and mostly just for fun to pass the time without any encouragement to get a high score.
Tiny Wings
If you want a platformer that will take up hours of your time if you're not around WiFi, Tiny Wings is a great option.
It's a simple game, but one that requires a little bit of skill and good timing in order to go far (literally). By holding down and releasing at the right time, you can make your bird fly farther in order to gain more points, but release at the wrong time and you can easily lose momentum.
Best iPad Games That Don't Require WiFi is a post by Craig Lloyd from Gotta Be Mobile.


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I find myself leaving nothing but space with time.
I find myself with no light of my own to shine.
Working hard to gain reason for pride.
Digging out and finding nothing inside.
Alone or lonely? To belong to myself only.
Caged or free? Doesn't matter much to me.
You love now but later will only feel shame.
For having no power over a heart you wanted to tame.
With your wool dyed black.
You have no hope of turning back.
Do you think anyone would care?
If you vanished into thin air?
Denying the legion, committing family treason.
Breaking the ties and losing the value assigned to you with their eyes.
Is it a crime to cut your own tree down?
And to melt down that tarnished old crown?
Looking for guidance, not in my credence.
In myself only, seeking to make self-reliance.
Leaving the dust to rule my abandoned throne.
Sin? Disobedience? No urge to atone.
No longer stained with the names of fathers.
No longer in the affectionate hands of our mothers.
Willing to treat with equality as if like brothers.
There's no telling what we have left to discover.


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Grandma have been the one who was feeding Keith solids most of the time. Elaine and I only got to do it on our day off. But recently we got to do it a little more often since Keith is spending more time with us in the restaurant.
Aunty May gave us some biscuits, that Yong Jin have been taking, for Keith to try.
Grandma informed us that he would wanna have his bottle of milk after his solid feedings
Taking his milk also wanna pose for his dad lor :P
It is a norm that we were advised to let the lil' one have a bottle of milk before their solid feeding but seems like Keith is the other way around...... even after his solid feeding he can still finish his normal 4.5oz bottle of milk.


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Blasé and confusing comments suggest the Microsoft CEO's curiosity is definitely peaked.
You wouldn't have expected anything less, surely…?
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has come out and given Google Chrome OS the jabs we all expected.
"I will be respectful," Ballmer explained at a Microsoft conference for technology partners in New Orleans that was live streamed over the Internet. "Who knows what this thing is? To me, the Chrome OS thing is highly interesting," he said, his tone garnering several laughs from the crowd. "It won't happen for a year and a half and they already announced an operating system (Android). I don't know if they can't make up their mind or what the problem is over there, but the last time I checked, you don't need two client operating systems."
Two points here:
1. Microsoft "'has"' two client operating systems: Windows for PCs, laptops and netbooks and Windows Mobile for handsets. Furthermore, Google rarely deals with 'versions' instead incrementally updating its products. With Google there would be 'Windows' not Windows 95, 97, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, etc etc so this seems a cheap shot. I could easily argue Microsoft has had double figures of client operating systems in the last ten years on the consumer side alone.
2. While specifics have yet to come out we do at least know "what this thing is". It's a Linux and browser based OS that aims to make itself as transparent as possible in order to embrace Cloud computing. Technology such as Google Gears will allow offline access to services such as Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Docs to emulate the primary benefits of the desktop experience. Hope that helps you out Steve?
In all seriousness, it is clear Microsoft knows its number one rival is Google and though Steve plays dumb here services such as {Windows Azure, Web Office and a potential Spotify rival show it has a strong grasp on the importance of Cloud computing. Perhaps more to the point, I'd suggest Microsoft's primary concern is Chrome OS is attempting something it understands is inevitable but didn't think would be relevant to the general public for a number of years.
Ballmer may well be right about this, but if he's wrong expect the quips to end very quickly…
via Reuters


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3563 E. Hidden Springs Drive
Washington, UT 84780
Price: $309,500
Bedrooms: 3
Beautiful, Private Backyard
Bathrooms: 2
Garage: 2.
Square Footage: 1,686
This Coral Canyon home is new on the market, you won't want to miss it! It's been recently renovated and updated and it's in wonderful condition. Coral Canyon is easy access right off the Hurricane Exit to Zion, about 5 miles north of St George. Surrounded by red mountains, an extensive paved trail system, a very popular golf course, an HOA included pool and clubhouse, parks, and sprawling open space…. you'll find everything to do right in your neighborhood. Only minutes from Quail Lake and Sand Hollow, this community is among the most centrally located to everything from St George to Zion.
Located on a quiet street to the north and west of the community, you'll first notice the well-manicured lawn. As you walk in, the recent renovations will stand out featuring new flooring, paint, window shutters, and stainless-steel appliances. The neutral tones throughout will make it easy to decorate to suit anyone's style. The plank floors look and feel like wood with less maintenance involved and easy to clean, as well as being water resistant. The cabinets were professionally painted and a new backsplash finished off the large kitchen with ample storage and counter space. There is counter seating as well as a large dining space within the kitchen as well as having dining or flex space between the kitchen and great room. As you look out to the very large, pool size, backyard—you'll enjoy the privacy and the beautiful hillside with natural landscaping that makes you feel as though your hiking though our red desert.
The inviting double door entry owner's bedroom also has a door leading out to the back patio and views to the beautiful red hillside. There is a separate tub and shower combination and a generous sized walk in closet. Down the hall your find two additional bedrooms, all having ceiling fans and natural light filling each room. There is another full bath just off the two guest rooms. There is a laundry room and two car garage.
This home will be perfect for everyone. Being single level and very open, close to everything, and in wonderful condition, it will be easy to enjoy by first time buyers as well as retirees or a second home. The large backyard offers privacy and room to do anything you want and the low maintenance, no fuss, landscape will make it easy to maintain or "lock and leave" if you're looking for a second home. This home was already in wonderful condition, then the current owners have added some beautiful upgrades and renovations all the while keeping the home in pristine condition. You won't have to do anything, but simply enjoy this beautiful home. Make an appointment today to see it with your buyers' agent, or if you're not working with an agent, call Paula Smith and schedule a tour!


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Alderman wants to dial down Chicago's public performers
The April meeting of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) at 130 N. Garland Ct. included a lengthy discussion between residents, police officers and a representative of Alderman Brendan Reilly's office about the volume of street performers near Michigan Ave. and Lake St.
A local resident explained that music played outdoors sounds like noise to people indoors. Others implied that at least one of the performers is unable to play more than two songs.
An officer present stated that he had responded to several complaints in the past. He informed the group that most of the alleged sonic violators were licensed to perform by the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). In such cases, he continued, the CPD can ask musicians to move to another location, but not order them to stop playing.
Although some acknowledged that passersby and tourists seem to enjoy street musicians, they felt that restrictions on licenses, volume, locations and/or hours are necessary to reduce the aural strain on the local residency.
A representative from the Alderman's office remarked that "Alderman Reilly in a million years would never issue these permits." She encouraged residents to join Alderman Reilly in a letter writing campaign directed towards Michelle T. Boone, Commissioner of DCASE, as a "pre-cursor to an ordinance campaign."
"At the end of the day," she explained, "we want the person who issues these permits to understand how the performers effect the quality of your life."
The Commissioner's office responded to a request for comment by noting via email that it had "not heard about" the Alderman's intentions but looks forward to seeing his proposal and is "always happy to hear from the public."
Alderman Reilly's office did not respond to a request for additional information.
(Photo: Larry Bluesman on the Jackson Red Line platform in Chicago, by Daniel Patton)
— Daniel Patton, Staff Writer


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I'm ready for the racists says defiant Malema
EFF leader Julius Malema said on Thursday he was prepared to face prosecution for fraud and corruption.
"Bring it on bloody racists' you don't scare me at all. I'm born ready!" Malema tweeted.
Advocate Gerrie Nel announced on Thursday that he planned a private prosecution against Malema. The allegations involve a lucrative infrastructure tender granted by the Limpopo government to On-Point Engineering' of which Malema was a director.
Nel' a former public prosecutor' last year joined rights group AfriForum to head up their private prosecutions unit. Nel said on Thursday that the On-Point case had been struck off the roll in 2015 because one of the accused was ill.
"We have done a search and found the accused has recovered from his illness'" he said.
Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela also investigated the On-Point allegations and found Malema had improperly benefited from the contract.
Malema said on Thursday he was unafraid of the charges being revived.
Bring it on bloody racists, you don't scare me at all. I'm born ready! No white man will decide my destiny, the poor masses of our people will... pic.twitter.com/nKkjHbXqYv— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) April 19, 2018


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Location: Bangkok
Salary: 20-50K
• Bachelor degree in computer engineering or related fields.
• Can be fresh graduated or has 1-5 year experience.
• Service mind and flexible.
• MS-Windows Server and MS-Windows SQL basic knowledge.
• Java or .Net programming basic knowledge.
• C or C++ programming knowledge is an advantage.