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The incautious words of the Australian senator Eric Abetz linking abortion to breast cancer on a television show were still being digested when the calls began.
"Can I ask you something personal?" a patient asks.
"What's the matter?"
"Do you think you could talk to my mother-in-law? She can't stop hinting that my breast cancer is related to my previous abortion – it's making me upset and worried that she now won't help."
I listen in disbelief as she continues, "I am sorry I hid it from you but I had an abortion years ago when I lost my job, couldn't afford rent, and felt insecure about the future. I am not religious but it's awful enough to be considered a sinner without being told that the breast cancer is a by-product of that decision."
"Firstly, I don't need to know about your abortion", I say, thinking furiously about how to salvage the situation quickly. "Secondly, there is no plausible scientific evidence to back this claim. We can discuss how to approach your family but please be clear on one thing – although old reports exist, there is no proven link between abortion and breast cancer."
The prolonged silence prompts me to ask if she is still there.
"But a senator said this", she replies. "I mean, they have access to all kinds of fact-checks and he was on national TV. Could it be that he knows something doctors don't?" I can almost hear the misgivings creep into her tone.
It's my turn to plead with her. "I am not shielding you from the truth, in fact the opposite. I can show you extensive and reputable research that quashes this theory. You have reasons to be upset but this shouldn't be one. Your abortion did not cause your breast cancer."
"Okay", she says, leaving me in no doubt that my reassurance has done little to assuage her distress. I feel frustrated not only on behalf of my patient but countless other women who harbour the fear that they somehow brought the cancer upon themselves.
The senator's words are not merely incautious; I believe they demonstrate a striking lack of judgement as to how mere sound bites uttered by powerful people can affect ordinary individuals who, like my patient, have neither the time nor the wherewithal to conduct a meaningful study of the published research and arrive at their own conclusion.
Elevating radical, religiously driven ideology to the same platform as methodically studied, scientific evidence and then claiming that distinguished professional bodies such as the Australian Medical Association, the American Cancer Society and the World Health Organisation can agree to disagree is not merely careless; it is downright disingenuous. In my experience, such words can cause immediate consternation and sow longer-term doubts in the minds of patients.
Abortions and breast cancer are both common to women. The Better Health Channel Victoria states a 2005 estimate of between 70,000 and 80,000 abortions in Australia annually. Cancer Australia estimates that in 2014, just over 15,000 women will be newly diagnosed with breast cancer. With improved treatment, many will join the approximately 160,000 survivors. The question at the front of every patient's mind is what causes cancer.
While there is a well-established association between smoking and cancer, it remains frustrating but true for many cancers that their trigger is yet undisclosed, waiting for research to illuminate us. Amidst the maelstrom of emotions usually associated with a cancer diagnosis, who would want to add shame, disgust and self-condemnation to the list? Yet, this is precisely what the senator's comments might achieve for many current patients who are already vulnerable to the suggestion that something other than a random genetic event triggered their cancer.
Every day in my office, I hear men and women with cancer blame themselves. Could it be the stress, they wonder, from their son's messy divorce or their grandchild's drug addiction? Maybe it was their diet or exercise which they let slip away. Perhaps it was the strong chemicals from the factory next door or the pollutants in the local water supply. Now, there will be abortion on the list, steering an already emotive conversation into an unnecessary direction. I fear that it will nibble away time from discussing other vital and relevant issues that would actually help patients.
An even greater concern is the way in which this false assertion will continue to creep stealthily into public consciousness long after the media storm has dissipated. For this, one only has to turn to the furore created by a publication in the Lancet linking childhood vaccination to autism. The research was quickly discredited, the paper was partially, then fully retracted, and finally, the researcher was struck off the medical register in 2010. The full dismantling took 12 years and the scientific community was throughout at pains to disavow the fraudulent research. Yet, to this day, the issue is a live one in mothers' groups and on parenting blogs, clothed as a dilemma for conscientious parents who invoke a global conspiracy theory while dismissing their doctors' evidence-based advice that childhood immunisation saves lives. It takes enormous work to undo the results of a false assertion.
Nulliparity, or the lack of any childbearing, is understood to be associated with a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. Nuns experience breast cancer more commonly than other groups of women. However, nulliparity is not the same as abortion and the medical community has worked diligently over the years to disprove the link between abortion and breast cancer. Oncologists do not ask about abortion when assessing risk factors for breast cancer. They do not factor in a history of abortion in their cancer management plan. Their practice won't change as a result of the senator's comments but a woman's extent of silent guilt may well do.
Later reports suggest that the remarks were unfairly edited and the senator feels "sheepish". Unsurprisingly, medical bodies have reacted strongly and angrily to the remarks. The acute anger has to do with the ridiculous content of the claim but those of us who regularly counsel cancer patients also feel dismayed by the undermining of medical integrity that went along with it. We will have to work hard at reassuring women that abortion and breast cancer are not linked.

subset: commoncrawl


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Why Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 2? As a rather inexperienced piano student in New York more than two decades ago, I had never really listened to it properly until I came across a recording of the Second and Third Piano Concertos by my teacher, Jerome Lowenthal, with the London Symphony Orchestra and Sergiu Comissiona. While the Second does not possess the immediate appeal of the immensely popular First Piano Concerto, it does offer something special in its own way.
Tchaikovsky was generally not inspired by the combined sound of piano and strings, so the first movement features large sections in which piano and orchestra are segregated. I personally feel that this imbues an operatic atmosphere to the proceedings. Dramatic outbursts from the orchestra lead to duets between higher and lower instruments, simulating perhaps feminine and masculine voices, while the piano goes through lengthy cadenzas or "recitatives" to further heighten the drama. In fact, in order to better understand the dramatic scope, Tchaikovsky's own annotations in the manuscript show dynamics ranging from 12 p's to 9 f's in the cadenza, and remarks like "With mad speed and insane strength"!
The beautifully heartfelt second movement is unique for a piano concerto, in that the piano shares the limelight with solo violin and solo cello. It also gives me pleasure to share the stage with violinist Askar Salimdjanov, particularly because he is graduating from the Conservatory, and cellist Jamshid Saydikarimov.
In August 2017, I recorded a solo disc that is soon to be released by Centaur Records entitled "Grand Russian", which pairs the Tchaikovsky Grand Sonata in G Major, Op. 37 and the Rachmaninov First Sonata in D minor, Op. 28. There are several parallels between the Grand Sonata and the Second Concerto, apart from the obvious similarity in key. Both opening movements share the same architectural grandeur, while the last movements are frivolously fun.
On a personal note, I would like to dedicate tonight's performance to a friend who passed away quite suddenly last year. During the brief time that I knew him, German pianist Andreas Henkel had a compassionate soul and was an advocate for Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 2. Whenever he proposed it to a conductor or orchestra, their response would invariably be "Why not No.1?", and his retort was always "Why not No.2?"
- Albert Tiu


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Does celibacy create concern?
by Kenneth Bagnell
It's now well beyond a week since Paul Shanley, a former American Catholic priest in Boston, ended a long imprisonment for sexual exploitation which he'd introduced to his Catholic prey around Boston. (When years back he exploited the children he introduced his ugly acts as "special duties.") Prosecutors wanted a life sentence. Over the years he snared innocent boys by claiming he had a "youth counselling service" through which he managed intimacy with scores of them. On his faked front he called it "a ministry for alienated youth" from 1969 into the 1970s. (The lawyer who represented the boys in Shanley's trial years ago had deep reservation about his new freedom, stating he was outraged at his release from prison. One of the fathers of a boy is so angry at the release – his son was raped by the priest – said: "I want him to die in prison… however he dies, I hope it's slow and painful."
It's time to look not just at this terrible act of one man, but to look at the so-called big picture. It's happened almost everywhere with the Jesuit order being "virtually free" (but not totally) from the terrible blemish. The major question – why the priests? – is not well examined. In Australia not long ago thousands of priests were charged. Why always priests? Why? Why? And Why?
It can't be basic celibacy, since we know many a single man and he's comfortably independent from seduction. Yet the most respected order, The Jesuits — the intellectuals of Catholicism –-were not free from the ugly acts. It happened in the Pacific Northwest, where the Jesuit order paid what a lawyer representing the organization describes as, "The largest settlement between a religious order and abuse victims in the history of the United States." The penalty cost the order a very severe bundle — $166 million. The exploitation of the boys was dreadfully devastating, as it must have wounded devout Catholic lay people, given the respect of the Jesuit order. Nonetheless, the dreadful operation has left countless children in a condition which may have wounded them forever as well as leaving the highly respected order with a horrible historical scar.
One of the attorneys representing the exploited children, Blaine Tamaki, of Washington, said: "Over 450 native American children were sexually abused repeatedly, from rape to sodomy, for decades throughout the Northwest. Instead of teaching these children how to read and write, Jesuit priests were teaching them distrust and shame." That was, I'm sure, a devastating time in Jesuit history, as I have known Jesuits and have respected their ethics as well as their high intellectual gifts.
Australia's enormous problem has given social scientists – psychologists, sociologists and so on – a reason for delving deeper than toward other cultures. The resulting numerous essays, lectures and, of course, books, one of which is The Impact of Child Sexual Abuse, is written by Richard Boyd, a well-respected psychotherapist in Western Australia. It's quite evident that adult sexual activity with a child is always destructive maybe disastrous in one form or another. "Childhood abuse," he writes, " is considered one of the worst forms of trauma, and its effects, long term signs and symptoms are now found to span a large range of conditions documented in the psychiatric reference manual known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders….Sexual abuse is considered 'soul murder' as it literally robs the child victim of their innocence, severely disrupts their developing sense of self and will later distort the then adult's ability to form healthy relationships with themselves and others." His book is well researched and clearly written. Boyd notes in passing that "there have been shifts in attitudes to incest and sexual abuse within Australia since the 1960s…. the social rights movement and liberation of women's rights has assisted in this regard…" Australia's Royal Commission on Sexual Abuse has reported sadly but firmly that ten religious orders have had members now charged. That's almost 8 percent of the Catholic clergy of Australia. Gail Furness, the lead lawyer on the Commission claimed that about 1,000 institutions were named regarding sexual abuse by alleged clergy. The average age of assumed victims were ten year old girls and eleven year old boys.
Given this frightening –- if dreadfully destructive — reality, what path should a Catholic parent take in advising a son or daughter on his relationship with the priests? It must be extremely painful to many and good Catholic clergy. But the worldwide publicity has deeply tainted the calling. Hence, I'm not sure but I'm inclined to what the late John Ruskin said back in the late 1890s: "It's restraint that's honorable to a person, not his liberty."
As for the thousands who have acted disgracefully, were they not aware of the many passages in the scriptures that children are to be treated with great care, not exploited sexually and thereby probably wounded for life? One for the firm and foremost examples is simply this one in the book of Matthew. Just consider it and as you do think of the 4,441 Australian priests who are now charged with sexual abuse. Here it is: "If anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their necks and be drowned in the depth of the sea…" Yet look at the horrible mess! Have these guys gone to a seminary where they have what's called, "theological scholars." I truly wonder.
Moreover, it goes further in that it emphasizes the treasure of children, and while it does not denigrate, does more affirmation for children than for adulthood. For one example its passages indicate that historians have seen how improper abuse is when it's applied to a child. It still is. As a New Testament scholar puts it simply but clearly: "The Bible encourages child blessing not child abuse." Imagine then how this admonition squares with the Australian mass of children or, those whom Paul Shanley abused have been left a wreck. After all, common sense from any social worker or clinical psychologist, or informed biblical scholar will tell you, in some form, this principle: "The Bible prohibits child abuse in its condemnation of sexual sin. Sexual abuse or molestation is particularly devastating, and warnings against sexual sin are in scripture. To force sexual acts upon a child is a horrible, evil offense… In addition to committing a sexual sin, the perpetrator is also attacking the innocence of one of the world's most vulnerable persons."
All blogs are archived on my website: www.kennethbagnell.com . Your comments are welcome there.
2 Comments
Some thoughts have come to mind since reading your blog. Four thousand , four hundred and forty one priests being charged with sexual crimes seems incomprehensible given the 2000 year old understanding of Christian ethics in the area of sexuality.
One thing that comes to mind is the practice of confession with its forgiveness of sins and absolute privacy about what is confessed.
In the British PBS television program FATHER BROWN , it is clear that the contents of confession however serious, will not be divulged to either police or bishop.
And for those who give in to their desires though it is contrary to the accepted ethics of the Christian faith and likely also their own personal Christian ideals , it may be very reassuring to feel forgiven following confession and given another chance. It comes to mind to wonder if one gets accustomed to it , if it happens repeatedly.
It is generally agreed that alcohol tends to reduce "inhibitions". Is it possible that ready access to communion wine could play a part in giving into sexual temptation for priests as well as for lots of other people?
In the course of my ministry of 37 years I knew one priest well enough that he spoke very candidly about some aspects of his life as a priest. He said that when he entered the priesthood there was always a housekeeper looking after things. Now he had no housekeeper and had to do everything himself. He said that if he had known that was going to happens , instead of entering the priesthood , he would have " been off like a deer." During the time I knew him he started going to alcoholics anonymous.
It also comes to mind to wonder about the interpretation and application of love which is such a prominent part of the New Testament and there is much admonition about love in both church and society today .
Perhaps religious authorities as well as secular ones and others who are aware of what has happened are stressed and conflicted as they consider the practical application of love toward the perpetrator and toward the victim . It would appear that there has long been much error in judgment regarding love in favour of the perpetrators rather than the practical application of love toward the victims and potential victims which would involve protection.
There also comes to mind Jesus words of Matthew 7 and verses 13 and 14 " Enter through the narrow gate: for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it." To me those verses urge self discipline and the resistance of temptation. They also seem to be very much out of harmony with the temper of our time . Quite often nowadays one hears of people " pushing envelopes" as they advocate against previously held values and ideals. I remember well a T- shirt I noticed a few years ago with the slogan " Just Do It."


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If you've worked with me over the past few years, you'll know how much I enjoy making up incredibly long, stupid names to describe otherwise mundane objects. When I was a manager, I frequently labeled my organizational piece the "Clipboard of Justice" or the "Binder of Incredible Awesomeness." It's obviously a juvenile thing to do, but it often made the object easier to focus on. Ask my managers at our Menifee Sport Chalet what preposition appeared before every binder title. Hint: it involved my painstaking dedication to bettering my German accent. It also helped me remember ze fax number.
Always these objects involved a P-Touch label on some tangible object. I would pride myself in being able to come up with a name so long that the P-Touch label would span the length of the binder or clipboard. You might laugh, but coming up with these titles was a stroke of genius and quite the creative exercise.
Today I'm attaching a similar label but to a tool that is completely intangible.
I've reflected entirely too much on my return to school and I still have a difficult time convincing myself that I'm actually where I am. Upon graduating high school and achieving jack squat in community college, I assumed that when I left school I could never go back or if I did it would be for some technical school or some certification to be a teacher. I don't want to short change the people that dedicate themselves to these pursuits (especially as I do see myself teaching though in the further future), but I felt that these pursuits were my ceiling, especially as I became disillusioned with my career as a retail manager. It occurred to me that any chance of getting into an even moderately respectable university would be slim for a guy who left school to become a businessman and a relatively jaded and unsuccessful one at that. The decision to go back was as much a desperate leap as leaving college so many years ago.
Oddly enough it was a conversation with someone who would prove to me just how low my quantitative reasoning ceiling actually was that would prove to be the genesis of the return journey. While my physics professor did his damnedest to make us feel stupid in class, he also made it abundantly clear that by working hard and putting in the time, you could go anywhere. We were in a class at Palomar College – not exactly Harvard – learning how to derive the formula for circular motion with constant acceleration (it's actually some basic calculus – but I struggle to remember all of the steps). We are racking our brains and it was during this time that I suddenly realized I was not interested in figure it out. I was intrigued by the process but not enough to really want to shine a light on the nuance.
It is only recently that I've been able to put a name to this phenomenon that seems to exist independently within the confines of my mind – the Beacon of Inquisitiveness.
Now I'm going to spend a little bit of time explaining what the Beacon is so as to more accurately trace my journey – a journey it has subtly steered me on over time. I originally thought of this as more of a light that I would choose to shine in a direction (which isn't really a beacon's purpose) but it occurred to me that I would be giving myself too much agency with that metaphor. It feels like I gravitate toward something and, upon arrival, I begin to investigate it more fully. This analogy is better-served as I would almost certainly describe my early interests as things I "stumbled upon." I certainly did not seek out amazing TEDTalks by Simon Sinek and Michael Shermer and Andrew Stanton – they were directions I was heading merely because something over there caught my eye, like a light in the distance.
A TEDTalk I identify with quite readily and which describes this beacon idea couched in more technical terms is this one, by Emilie Wapnick called "Why Some of Us Don't Have One True Calling." Emilie describes this feeling people like us have and refers to them as "multipotentialites." There was a television show called "The Pretender" that was basically our dream – being quite adept at doing just about anything you find interesting and becoming adept at it quickly. I can say that while it's a bit of a humble-brag to say I feel that way about a lot (and the things I don't excel at – language learning for example – are quite the kick in the pants), I can also say that what follows is only a temporary disquieting of a passion. Multipotentialites have a tendency to lose interest in something after we've thrown ourselves at it at full speed. But what we lose in passion we more than make up for in perspective. When I first returned to school to study astrophysics I had already purchased a telescope and taken great interest in learning the locations of various planets and the mechanics that led to how they would appear and when. Don't ask me to do the math, but I can certainly explain celestial mechanics on the essential level. While I no longer use my telescope nearly as much, I still break it out occasionally and I still possess a great deal of knowledge that is immediately applicable to teaching trig, navigating using only the stars, and even reading the time and time of year. We live in a digital age where most of what I just described is unnecessary but you don't survival train for every day life – and you don't build a storm shelter to live in.
The Beacon of Inquisitiveness is within all of us and it is a curiosity that is difficult to quell. In fact, it only seems to go away when we rationalize it away. We doubt our ability to complete a book, understand a concept, finish a project. We look at that light so far away and think about how great it would be to get there, but the beacon does not light the way, does it? It reveals a destination that you must journey towards and take all of the bumps and detours necessary to get there. If you're interested enough.
For me, the Beacon has routinely jumped around and without warning. While I have since come to understand that it seemed to be honing in on a single theme (or region, if you want to continue to follow the analogy), that was not so obvious when floating in the intellectual dark looking for land. Look! Planets! You like space shit, right?! Here, binge-watch these two seasons of The Universe and become obsessed with planetary possibilities (and disasters). There's a new season coming out. Meh.
Hey! Look at this Lord of the Rings thing! You watched that one movie with your brother (thank you, Jonathan, for making me watch Fellowship of the Ring – you lit a beacon that has informed me almost as much as any science class), and there are books Tolkien wrote about the genesis of this incredibly universe he made! You could learn Elvish! I didn't, thank god. But Lord of the Rings did grasp my attention for some time, specifically the lessons on leadership and ethics that oozed out of Gandalf and Aragorn. Hey! You like leadership! Watch this short video about how great leaders you're obsessed with (like Martin Luther King, Jr.) get people to achieve extraordinary things! That TED Talk – How Great Leaders Inspire Action by Simon Sinek – has led to a lifelong study of Simon's amazing ideas and applying many of those lessons to working as a leader with people.
Okay, that's a snippet of the directions the Beacon led me towards before returning to school was ever a rain drop in my pond. If you only had that set of data points – what would YOU think was my interest? Seriously, if you've read this much, please take a moment to consider. What is this guy interested in?
It would take a return to school toward another Beacon, one surrounded by Neil deGrasse Tyson, NASA, and manned deep-space missions, before any semblance of land would really take shape. Even then my goal when pursuing a degree in astrophysics was to work in astrodynamics and be the guy responsible for keeping people alive in a spaceship, millions of miles away. I would be the one to tell you which direction to point the rocket and when to hit the gas and for how long. When I was in that physics class and struggling with yet another lab assignment I began to have an existential crisis and began to look in earnest at the pattern of beacons that had been present in the last few years of my life. It became abundantly clear that I wanted to be in charge of the people in the ship, not be in charge of the computations that would benefit them. That was the day the Beacon of Inquisitiveness lit up.
I just finished reading a remarkable book by Gavin de Becker called " The Gift of Fear." In it, de Becker makes a strong case for listening to intuition. Namely, he asks you to listen to it when you feel very real fear. In many cases, your intuition has already made an assessment of the situation and is already steering you toward a path to safety. He makes a series of exceptionally strong cases on how to turn off false sirens like anxiety or worry and just pay attention to where you are and let the growing sense of fear be the only siren available. It is a remarkably paradoxical recommendation at first glance – stop worrying so you can fear properly – but it becomes readily apparent when you couple it with meditative exercise and really pay attention to the source of thoughts and emotions. Intuition is a powerful force that, I would argue, is at play even when you're not in danger. There's a subtle interest in what's going on around you and your brain (and gut – the enteric nervous system – yes, your gut can "think," albeit on a symbolic level) steers you "subconsciously" towards the things you are interested in. de Becker uses traffic accidents as a near-universal interest. We slow down because we have something to learn – some result in that accident can teach us about how to avoid meeting a similar fate ourselves. Our "morbid fascination" is rooted in a deep sense of self-preservation. By looking at it we can ascertain a cause, maybe a deadly incorrect choice, and a possible alternative or at least mental simulation on what we would do if we found ourselves in the same position. I like to think that in matters not related to life and death our brains do something similar but in the broad interest of the world it is much less compelling but no less real – our brain is looking for something that will help us understand ourselves better. And thusly answer important questions like "why are we here?" and "what is the meaning of life?"
That system I feel is at least partially (if not mostly) responsible for my Beacon of Inquisitiveness. The beacons are the distant ideas we'd like to understand more and in my case those beacons have always been lit around a territory that at least one group of people are trying to call "anthropogeny" or "the study of the origin of human kind." More important than the seemingly-top questions above, I think a rather important question that will lead to even more important questions is "what are we?" This is a loaded question and when you try to consider all of the angles for answering it, you begin to realize just how daunting the task of explaining what we are is. Some glib remarks come to mind in the vein of George Carlin's "monkeys with baseball caps and automatic weapons." Some vacuous claims can be made by religionists and that's fair. But when we try to make a philosophically airtight case for what humans are I think we have to acknowledge that the answer is far more complex than most any of us are capable of understanding.
And this brings me to my new Beacon of Inquisitiveness, one I believe I have spotted and now that I understand the nature of these beacons I'm able to better plan where the next one will be. Or at least how to navigate the water so as to arrive at a much more desirable landing place.
The beacon itself seems to be located deep in the bowels of a couple of fields (regions) – namely evolutionary psychology and psychological anthropology. The terms are a bit of a mouthful but straightforward. More importantly, they currently seem to be the resting place of a signal that I am calling "The Conflict Beacon." It has long been an interest of mine to find ways to get the most out of people – to inspire them to work with each other and to achieve great things as a group. It is often forgotten but one of the key pieces to building a successful team is conflict resolution, a skill vastly more important than team-building given how rarely we are able to build a core from scratch. In nearly every necessary human endeavor, we are asked to put disparate pieces to work, pieces that are at each other's' throats. It is not only callous but deeply unethical to toss any piece aside. I have spent a great deal of my career (both in and out of the classroom) learning about and applying methods to promote cooperation and resolve conflict with varying levels of success. There are no simple solutions and by first admitting the complexity of an individual and second learning how individuals' thought processes have adapted over time, we come to a better consensus on how to handle conflict. The fields I listed above are focused on the origins of human motivation in the former and in the application of current psychological processes in the latter. Both are of massive import to cultivating my future understanding of the origins of conflict and cooperation.
The Beacon of Inquisitiveness is certainly leading me toward an end-game though I am confident that where it currently sits is unlikely to be a final resting place. I have very few doubts that I will reach this beacon and, upon exploring the surrounding landscape, discover yet another signal on the horizon grabbing my attention, helping to refine the understanding of the human condition.
The name is silly and while I created real, tangible items with much sillier names in the past, I have no intention of even drawing this thing but rather keeping it as a sort of analogous method of interpreting my interests. Each time something pops up that I have a sudden draw toward, I want to put it into the context of the Beacon, reminding myself that I am only seeing these slivers of land because of an intentional stare in a deliberately-chosen direction. I'm relying on a significant amount of unspoken imagery and I think that is not by mere circumstance – as I feel we all have something similar stirring within our brains on a symbolic level. I'm using the beacon analogy to put it into words your neocortex can understand but ultimately I wish to speak to your limbic brain – the one that listens to imagery and makes decisions. By providing an image of a beacon I'm giving not only myself but you a visual (without words) or set of visuals that are accompanied by a host of emotions. You may see it at dusk, providing enough of a silhouette of the surrounding area and filling your heart with joy. You may see it only at night in rough seas, wondering if you're moving too quickly toward land and in danger of crashing (and burning) or so out of control that you're not sure you'll ever reach the light in the sky. Whatever your image in the analogy, you can conjure up the appropriate emotion to carry along with it – and the analogy itself is a far more powerful tool than any type-written tome. Before you read the next paragraph, you've likely already imagined the scene and possibly attached sounds, smells, and moods to it. Within the context of my own story I've provided above, you can probably attach them relative to my experience reasonably accurately as well. Such is the power of our emotional and symbolic non-spoken language. Its why a single look from a stranger can tell you more than their autobiography.
While the Beacon of Inquisitiveness is something of my own making, a tool of my imagination to help me understand the cravings I have for knowledge in the world, I encourage you to make up your own. Perhaps you appreciate the beacon analogy and perhaps you do not. To be honest, I don't really care as I'm not emotionally attached to it as an idea. But I do care about building bridges of emotive language – a language that all of us are born understanding without prompting from our culture. I rather ashamedly don't have the proof in front of me, but I recently read (or heard) that some 61 gestures are universally understood across world cultures – with things like "stop" (two hands extended), or "calm down" (pushing hands down), or "I surrender" (hands in the air), or "I don't know" (shoulder shrug). Consider how amazing that is – we desperately struggle to learn a second or third language and yet without spending a single day with a foreign language teacher there are certain universal symbols we are all born with and can instinctively communicate without exposure to a culture. That is a remarkable fact and an incredibly powerful tool for informing our decisions in conflict.
The Beacon of Inquisitiveness is one of the most important revelations I've had in the last 15 years or so of my life and I have no doubt that its important lessons both in understanding and direction will inform me for 15 more years at the very least.


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Lehle Julian--Pro Equipment Pedal
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A versatile boost to help shape your sound to perfection.
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The treble control completes the sonic performance. And the best: all settings from "muffled" to "edgy" are always audio friendly, there is no dull or piercing sound. The overdrive grade of the connected amp can be fine-tuned with the gain pot by +/- 15 dB ranging from super clean to distorted.
The Lehle Julian always delivers a clean output thanks to its JFET input stage. Its personal dynamic derives from the fact that the incoming current is rectified, stabilized and doubled to 18V right after the powersocket.
In OFF status, the Lehle Julian provides two different modes of operation - in TB (= True Bypass) mode, the input and output are linked with zero losses to one another via a switch with gold-plated contacts. True Bypass mode is the best option for a small set-up with short cable routings and when a classical fuzz pedal is looped in after the Lehle Julian. The line-driver function, located at the start of the train or in an effect chain, is the better solution for long cables and for complex effect board configurations. Running the Lehle Julian in TS mode (= True Sound) it becomes active as a buffer, but without amplifying or coloring the signal. The Bypass mode option enables the Lehle Julian to integrate ideally into any set-up, whether as a battery-operated stand-alone unit, or in an existing pedal board.
- HZ/LZ switch lets you select input impedance
- TS/TB selector switch allows you to select the bypass mode you want
- Multiple LEDs to display your switching state
- Gain, Frequency, Boost and Treble controls


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The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) will perform a FREE concert at the Miller Bandshell in Niawanda Park. Stefan Sanders conducts. Funding for this concert is provided by New York State Assemblyman Robin Schimminger and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Please note, Niagara Street will be closed between Bouck and Kohler Streets.
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: July 8City of Tonawanda Farmers/Community Market
Later Event: July 11Wednesday Concerts on the Canal


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XData targets Windows OS and its distribution method is currently unknown. Once a system is infected, XData scans for files on local drives and unmapped network shares. It uses the AES encryption algorithm, appends .~xdata~ to the names of encrypted files, and drops a ransom note named HOW_CAN_I_DECRYPT_MY_FILES.txt. Other files that XData creates on infected systems include: mssql.exe, msdns.exe, msdcom.exe, and mscomrpc.exe. Email addresses associated with this campaign include: email@example.com, firstname.lastname@example.com, email@example.com, email@example.com, email@example.com, firstname.lastname@example.com.
XData was discovered on May 19, 2017 by malware researchers who expressed concern that this campaign could be a successor to WannaCry as it quickly impacted hundreds of computers across Ukraine and began infecting victims in Russia, Germany, and Estonia.
This profile will be updated as more information becomes available and the NJCCIC will send out an alert to members should the XData ransomware campaign begin to pose a threat to New Jersey and the United States.
- Bleeping Computer provides more information about XData here.
- Avast provides a free decryption tool for XData, available here.
Media Reporting:
- In WannaCry's Wake, a New Rapidly Spreading Ransomware Attack Appeared Today (Gizmodo)
- Another Ransomware Nightmare Could Be Brewing In Ukraine (Wired)
Image Source: Bleeping Computer


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M.Tech Admission 2018 at DTE Kerala – Eligibility, Application Form, Selection Procedure, Important Dates and more details
DTE Kerala M.Tech Admission 2018: Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) has invited application for admission to PG Degree Course in Engineering (M.Tech Admission) for 2018 sessions.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicants shall be an Indian National.
The applicants must have studied the Graduate course in an institution approved by the AICTE / Deemed Universities in India.
Applicants must have a minimum of 60% aggregate marks in the Engineering Degree exam; for SC/ST applicants a pass in the Engineering Degree course is sufficient. For SEBC (OBC) students, a minimum of 54% aggregate marks in the Engineering Degree Exam is mandatory.
Applicants, who have passed AMIE/AMIETE Exams and satisfying the following conditions, are eligible for admission.
(a) They must have valid GATE score.
(b) A minimum of 55% marks for section B in AMIE/AMIETE exam.
Applicants who have appeared for the final semester exam can also apply, provided he/she has passed all the subjects up to and including the 6th Semester Exam (8th Semester for B.Arch students).
Admission shall normally be restricted to those with valid GATE score. However, this stipulation is relaxed in the case of Sponsored applicants.
In case seats remain vacant due to lack of applicants with valid GATE score, applicants from Kerala State without valid GATE score will be considered against such vacancies.
DTE Kerala M.Tech Admission 2018 Application Procedure
Applications should be filled online logging on to the website www.dtekerala.gov.in or www.cet.ac.in.
The different entries in the application are to be filled with extreme care, as this information is used for preparing the rank list. After submitting the application online, an application Fee of Rs.500/- (Rs.100/- in case of SC/ST Applicants) is to be remitted in any specified branch of State Bank of Travancore.
A printout of the filled up application should be taken and sent with self-attested copies of the following documents, to the Principal, College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram-695016.
DTE Kerala M.Tech Admission 2018 Important Dates
Filling up of Online application form from June 01st 2018 to June 12th 2018
Last Date to receive the printed application form in CET: June 16th 2018, 05.00 pm
Date of publishing Draft Rank List: June 30th 2018
Date of publishing final Rank List: July 04th 2018
First Allotment: July 07th 2018
Date of remittance of fee Up to: July 11th 2018
Option Rearrangement: 14th July 2018 to 16th July 2018
Second allotment: July 19th 2018
Date of remittance of fee Up to: July 23rd 2018
Date of Joining: 26th July 2018 & 27th July 2018
Date of receipt of non-join report in CET: July 28th 2018, 11 am
Commencement of Classes: August 01st 2018
DTE Kerala M.Tech Admission 2018 Selection Procedure
Applicants will have to register their option while submitting the application.
The selection committee consisting of the Director of Technical Education (Chairman), the Senior Joint Director (ECS) and the Principal will supervise the selection of Applicants. College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram.
The Principal, College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram will be the coordinator and venue of admission work is College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram.
Selection of applicants will be based on the GATE score. In case of tie, the advantage will be given to the applicants who secure the highest aggregate marks up to 6th semester in their qualifying Exam (8th semester for B.Arch students).
For Private Self Financing Eng. Colleges in the State:
A rank list will be prepared, which will include all the eligible applicants as per clause V. Institutions will conduct admission by themselves from this rank list, after inviting separate applications and ascertaining the eligibility for admission as per the norms.
For filling up of 50% Seats, the Concerned Principals should resort the Rank List published by the Directorate of Technical Education, and in the absence of applicants in the Rank List by DTE, other eligible applicants from the Rank List prepared by the institutions can be considered.
Reservation of Seats
a) 5% Seats are reserved for applicants belonging to socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC). Applicants belonging to SEBC (OBC) and OEC should produce a certificate to the extent that the applicant belongs to the community which is designated as an SEBC (OBC) / OEC and does not belong to the category of Creamy Layer.
b) 15% Seats are reserved for SC/ST Applicants.


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Student Interview with Sarah Geloni
In August 2017 we had one of our Remarkable students, Sarah Geloni undertake work experience with us for the summer. Sarah got to enjoy the full Remark! experience working in the Remark! office and also out and about with he projects our charity arm Remark! Community delivers including playschemes and lunch clubs.
We grabbed 5 minutes with Sarah to tell us about her BSL Journey to date…
What is your favourite thing about studying BSL?
My favourite thing about studying BSL is the signing itself. I love learning to communicate using another channel I had not explored before. Signing is a skill that far too many hearing people do not even consider acquiring. It is a big mistake. Signing develops a part of the brain we keep dormant.
What is the most recent Deaf event you have been to?
The most recent deaf event I attended was Lunch Club in Beckenham on August 17th
What is your favourite thing about the Deaf world?
My favourite thing about the deaf world is people's warmth and spontaneity. Also it is very uplifting to see how they support each other. I saw Aya, a very mature deaf teenager I met at Playscheme in London, explaining her mates to be supportive of each other, on the ground that they are all deaf and need each other. I feel in the hearing community we tend to be more individualistic, which does not help to go through life.
Describe Remark! in three words…
Remark! in 3 words: Taking Amazing Initiatives
Tell us about the BSL tutors at Remark!?
I had 3 tutors so far, 1 per Level. They are all extremely engaging, well prepared and enthusiastic. I remember my first day at Level 1. I stepped into the then unknown Remark! classroom and before I knew it I was completely engaged in the lesson, thanks to the tutor's charismatic approach to teaching.
What are the classes like and what is your favourite thing in class?
When it comes to classes I have had quite a varied experience. I took my Level 1 in a group, in the summer intensive course 4 years ago. Every day we learnt something new in a fun environment. The course had a laid back, yet professional feeling to it.
As for Level 2, I studied by myself at home and had some help from a external tutor. Then I practiced for my assessments with Deborah, who polished my signing and gave me the confidence I needed to sit the exams.
As for Level 3, I took the 1to1 online course with Alison. It was amazing. I would get to class time quite tired, after interpreting for 6 hours back home in Barcelona. But Alison managed to get my full attention in a jiffy and make me even more determined to become a fluent signer.
Why did you decide to learn BSL?
I decided to learn BSL after meeting a hearing little girl in Barcelona, a CODA. I was fascinated by how the communication was flowing in her family. Her parents signing to each other, signing/speaking to her. She half gestured, half spoke very slowly and clearly to them. I found their dialogues were soothing.
A few months later I met a group of Irish deaf women in Barcelona. They came to a party with their interpreter, whose skills I found fascinating.
After these 2 encounters I felt the urge to learn to sign too.
What is your favourite sign?
My favourite sign is the first sign I learnt, i.e. Primary School Teacher (there were 3 teachers in my Level 1 class). It is a hyper visual sign. When someone signs it I can picture a group of kids looking at the teacher and waiting impatiently for instructions/permission to do something.
How does learning sign language benefit you?
I did not expect sign language would help me with my job, simultaneous interpretation. It is making my spoken communication more structured and with less redundancies.
Nor did I expect it to open up a new world to me, the deaf community, both in London and in Barcelona, where I am based.
It is a continuous discovery.
What are your aims for the future with your BSL qualifications?
I hope to be able to work with BSL. The ultimate goal would be to qualify as an interpreter. In my very optimistic mind I can see myself working both in Barcelona and in London, as an interpreter, in both spoken and signed languages.
Should I not reach this aim… no worries. I have an insatiable curiosity and learning sign language serves it well.


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Community Action & Engagement
Community Action and Engagement programs are all about people helping people – nurturing connections, linking to resources, and building the support that enables our community to thrive.
Arrowhead Clubhouse
Arrowhead promotes recovery of persons with Mental Illness. Learn More
Better At Home
Better at Home helps seniors with simple day-to-day tasks, thereby helping seniors maintain their independence and stay connected with their community. Learn More
Food Bank
A dedicated team of volunteers gathers, stores and distributes food to community members in need on a weekly basis, under the guidance of our Food Security Lead. Learn More
Keeping People Housed
Keeping People Housed offers an interest-free loan to families and individuals on the Sunshine Coast who meet the eligibility requirements during a temporary and unexpected financial crisis. Learn More
Thrift Store
At the Community Services Thrift Store, you can find all sorts of gems! Learn More
Welcoming Communities
The Welcoming Communities program, with the support of funders, partnering organizations, and interested community members, assists, informs, and connects immigrants on the Sunshine Coast. Learn More


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Cookies on Southampton City Council's website
We use cookies on our website to make sure you get the most out of your visit. We also collect non-essential, anonymous cookies to help us improve future visits. By continuing to view our web site without changing your browser settings, we'll assume that you are happy to accept the cookies on our site. Your cookie settings can be changed at any time.
More information
Our advertising guidance
The council is collecting this information to enable us to carry out this service effectively, and you may be contacted if we need further information that will assist us.
Your information may be shared amongst the council's own departments when it is considered that it will improve working practices, or with other organisations where provided for by law.
Your personal information may also be included in data matching exercises, which may allow potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Your information will only be held for as long as necessary for the delivery of the service or the council's statutory functions.
For more information, please read our Privacy Policy.
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2017 Ignatian 5-Month Prayer Retreat
Presented by Renewal Ministries Northwest
Hearing, Recognizing and Responding to the Voice of Jesus through Prayer
"and his sheep follow him because they know his voice."— John 10:4
A Guided 5-Month Prayer Retreat This retreat introduces you to the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola (16th century). They will help you to engage in a regular practice of " me apart with God" while going about your everyday life. Through these prayer practices, you will grow in your ability to be attentive and aware of God's presence and to listen to God speak into your life.


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Hints οf Finding thе Best Florist Delivery Service
An eminent tone fοr уουr business event, opening οr οthеr cardinal event саn bе achieved bу employing thе revitalizing blossom οf flowers custom-built fοr thаt event. Yου shouldn't hаνе tο bear аll thе trουblе οf picking thе rіght flower assortment whеn уου саn gеt аѕѕіѕtаnсе frοm experts. Yου аrе аt liberty tο inquire іf уου hаνе gοt уουr personal taste bυt a professed florist wіll bе thеrе tο take care οf everything fοr уου. Nο fuss trying tο hand-pick thе сοrrесt set οf flowers fοr аn impressive placement, аll уου hаνе tο dο іѕ wait fοr thе flowers tο bе presented tο уου. Particularly fοr starters whο hаνе never hаd flower decoration done before, іt саn bе rаthеr challenging іn picking thе rіght florist tο associate wіth. Fοr outstanding experience, thе following аrе ѕοmе οf thе clues уου need tο consider whіlе outsourcing florist services.
Technological aptitude οf a florist outlet shop ѕhουld bе regarded. Flowers аrе very perishable products thаt need specialized handling lіkе. Yου need tο bе sure thаt thе serving individual hаѕ gοt thе latest preservation technologies lіkе modern refrigeration. Transportation саn cause a lot οf flower dаmаgе іf thе techniques аnd tools used аrе nοt sufficient fοr thе job. Prevention οf such losses саn bе backed bу such technologies.
Thе price οf thе delivery service ѕhουld agree wіth thе quality οf services being offered bу thе delivery agent. Wіth varied delivery services іn thе market, іt іѕ best іf уου саn gеt price listing fοr differentiated οr similar services frοm diverse sufficient number οf providers tο hеlр уου whіlе doing уουr comparison. Price being charged ѕhουld nοt greatly influence уουr pick аt expense tο thе service quality considering thе perishable nature οf flowers. Dο nοt lеt impulsive low prices lure уου іntο closing thе deal ѕіnсе thаt сουld means thеіr service quality іѕ poor аnd mау spoil уουr flowers. Fаlѕе publicity wіth hidden charges ѕhουld bе avoided. It won't hυrt getting suggestion frοm previous clients οf thе provider аnd pros іn thе delivery industry, уου wіll avoid malice price deals. In аn effort tο build patriotic customer base, ѕοmе service providers include free additional services tο thеіr bundle such аѕ flower arrangement аt thе venue.
Hiring market acknowledged florists wіll warrant a lasting gοοd image fοr уουr event. Thеrе аrе a lot οf market whisperers whеrе уου саn deduce thе image οf a florist service before signing thеm up. Detailed info аbουt service provider іѕ normally posted online wіth a section whеrе customers саn comment аbουt thеіr satisfaction. Visit those site аnd οthеr blogs οr social groups tο access relevant comments аnd οr complaints.
Authenticity οf a provider ought tο bе ascertained, based οn legal standings, bу checking legalizing documents granting thеm rіght tο serve thаt region. Throughout thе contract, those legal documents ѕhουld remain credible.
Florists – Getting Stаrtеd & Next Steps


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Are you looking for new choir members?
The requirements of the choir change from time to time.
However gentlemen are always in demand! If you are interested please send a mail to email@example.com or come along to one of our Open Evenings .
Do you have to work for Dublin Airport?
You will be glad to hear that no, you don't need to work for Dublin Airport. The name comes from our original Musical Director, Tony Madden who worked at Dublin Airport when he founded the choir over 20 years ago. However now we have choir members from all walks of life and from all areas of Dublin.
Do I need to be able to read music?
No, it's not essential although having even a basic grasp can be useful. Our Musical Director incorporates the rudiments of sight reading into our rehearsal as having a musically literate choir means we can practice more efficiently. So choir members are encouraged to learn.
Are you looking for Pavarotti/Kiri Te Kanawa?
We are looking for committed people who have a decent enough voice, a good ear and who can 'hold a tune'. One of the benefits of singing with DAS is that you will be given excellent vocal training and most of our members would agree that their voices have strengthened and improved under this tutelage. Before joining the choir, you will be given a short informal audition with our Musical Director, Paul Deegan.
Who is responsible for the Repertoire?
Paul Deegan is responsible for selecting the repertoire. Being such a well-established choir we have a substantial back catalogue that we dip into and refresh from time to time but in the main, Paul selects new pieces to work on.
Do you do many concerts?
We aim to perform in at least two or three concerts every season. We have a long-established and successful concert of Seasonal Music which we hold in All Hallows every Christmas. In the past we have sung at Farmleigh, Malahide Castle, the Helix and Phizzfest.
In the past we have entered various competitions at Choral Festivals including New Ross, Navan and Cork. We have also been represented in various Festivals abroad. We travelled to Krakow, Poland, Yorkshire and have been to Italy and Austria in the past few years.
Is it very serious? What are the other members like?
The DAS work hard and are committed to delivering the best possible performance we can.
However it is also a fun, friendly choir and we try to get together at least twice a year for a party and a sing-song. The friendships that have developed and the laughs we share are just as important as the work. And we welcome newcomers – after all they are the lifeblood of our choir and ensure its ongoing viability and success.
What sort of commitment would I need to give?
Choir members are required to attend all scheduled rehearsals which take place every Tuesday. In addition coming up to a competition or concert we may need to schedule extra rehearsals and it's vital that members take some time to practice at home during the week, if only for a short while.
Where do you practice?
We meet every Tuesday evening (7.30pm for the men, 8pm for the women) in St Vincent's School Hall, Griffith Avenue, Marino, Dublin 3. Rehearsals finish at 10pm.
How are you organised?
Every year an AGM is held and committee members are voted in to work with Paul and Celine on the programme for the coming year.


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Discover Why the Great Fire of 1892 Was So Deadly
Every week we bring you a new piece of quick trivia about our fair city of Missoula, Montana and the surrounding region. Have 30 seconds to spare? Spend it with us!
Special thanks to our friends from the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula for providing our facts!
Discover more facts about Missoula's past!


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God's Next Army
"Conservative Evangelical Christians are on the march in America. Flush with victories in recent elections, they enjoy more access to power than ever before. Now, plans are being made to extend that influence far into the future…A new well-connected college…takes the brightest sons and daughters from the Christian heartland of America and prepares them for political warfare."
God's Next Army investigates Patrick Henry College (PHC), set up five years ago in Virginia, near Washington DC. Its mission is to train young fundamentalist Christians to become the next generation of America's cultural and political leaders. Though the separation of church and state is enshrined in the US Constitution, with financial backing from the evangelical community the college aims to 'rechristianise' America; to 'preserve the world from the sinfulness of man'.
PHC students are an isolated group who come from close-knit communities where everyone prays together and shares moral certainties. Most have been educated at home and have had no contact with either the social diversity or the political and intellectual cut and thrust of mainstream schools. Derek Archer, a prospective PHC student believes home-schooling has protected him from the 'moral decay of the world'.
Once at the college, the students ceremonially sign a covenant which commits them to a strict behaviour code: no alcohol, drugs or obscene literature; sex will be reserved for marriage; personal conflicts will be resolved biblically; the students will be above reproach, will uphold the tenets of evangelical Christianity and lead the nation for Christ. (Excerpt from main website)


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FFA helps build next-gen leaders
Today's students are tomorrow's leaders in agriculture, and no organization prepares them to rise up and meet the challenges that lie ahead like the National FFA Organization. Not only is FFA shaping the future farmers of America, it's also shaping the future chemists, engineers and biofuel producers of America. Growth Energy is a proud partner of FFA for that very reason. We recognize the importance of investing in the next generation of hard workers who will fuel America and feed the world.
Students whose lives are impacted by FFA and agricultural education achieve academic and personal growth, strengthen American agriculture and build healthy local communities, a strong nation and a sustainable world. FFA helps its members develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways. We want these educated, empowered leaders to know that our industry is looking for young people with their skill sets to help us improve our economy, environment and national security with homegrown renewable fuels. Growth Energy is thrilled to support several important FFA programs that help us achieve these goals.
Our partnership with FFA focuses on assistance in supporting the Curriculum for Ag Science Education, as well as an online personalized career exploration and development resource called "My Journey." Growth Energy also supports the TeachAg program and has committed an additional investment into a scholarship program in efforts to attract more teachers for the enhanced education of FFA members. There is a serious need for more agriculture teachers, an improved biofuels curriculum and updated facts about our industry. It is a need that we are determined to meet. We want these future leaders, who will someday live and work in rural America, to be involved in the production of biofuel feedstocks and pursue careers in biorefineries, to hear our industry's message now.
We're spreading our message in person at the 2015 National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, Kentucky. As an Expo exhibitor, Growth Energy will have the opportunity to help thousands of young leaders explore career and educational opportunities in the biofuels industry. We will present information in a fun, engaging way and have created an outreach tool that allows FFA members to identify nearby ethanol plants and sign up for plant tours. That way, after learning about biofuels at our booth, students and their instructors will have the opportunity experience a plant first hand.
In total, the National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 629,367 student members who belong to one of 7,757 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. I was once an FFA member, and so was Jeff Broin, the co-chairman of Growth Energy's board of directors, along with many, many other leaders in the ethanol industry. I can say, without a doubt, that the programs and services FFA provides are invaluable and make a positive difference in the lives of students. We want the best and brightest to live and work in rural America, and we are proud to support FFA's efforts to make that happen.
Author: Tom Buis
CEO, Growth Energy


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Leading Lines: Dog Photography 52 Week Project - Week 14
Leading lines are the topic of week 14 in the 52 week dog photography project. Using leading lines in photography is a technique where the photographer uses lines to draw the viewer's eye to the subject. Sometimes leading lines can be subtle. Sometimes they are really obvious.
When I think of images with obvious leading lines I think of train tracks. I have really mixed emotions about photos with train tracks. I actually cringe when I see them because they can be so unsafe but some of the photos are quite beautiful. In the US it is illegal to shoot on them. I don't know the statistics but too many times I have read about deaths on train tracks during a photo shoot. I don't know of any abandon tracks near me so I've never shot on them.
I also think about boat docks when I think of leading lines. I love photos of a dog sitting on a dock that leads out to the water. Unfortunately I've not taken any of these types of shots myself but I've seen other photographers who have and I always love them.
I was recently photographing my photography assistant Kelly with her dog Jerry. We took a lot of photos but in these, I was taking photos of her taking selfies. These two are adorable together and I thought these photos were cute. The sidewalk provides the leading lines to the subjects particularly in the 2nd photo but I think I prefer the first photo.
This is a short and sweet post for me this week. Thanks for reading and be sure to click the link at the bottom of each post to read the other photographer's blogs on leading lines. Next up is Tim Evans Photography, photographing people and pets in Mississippi.


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From an under-the-sun perspective, the field of the world looks increasingly like a weed field. Everywhere, it seems, the good seed of the Kingdom is being choked out, and ugly tares of corruption, immorality, godlessness, and narcissism are flourishing. But when we look at the world from God's perspective, under the heavens, a different scenario unfolds.
Understanding the Times, Part 7: God's Economy
Available Downloads


text: If you are wanting to get info about independent stylist operated suites then you have come to the best place here at Salon and Spa Galleria. There are many things that we will have the answers to such as what is a barber chair rental agreement and are hair stylist jobs hard to find. If you would like to know more then all you will have to doo is contact us and we will gladly answer as many questions as possible. We have suite rental salons all over the DFW area so that you can do beauty salon booth rental and make your own income. If your styling career has come to a stand still and you would like to give a push then you should really think about a hair salon chair rental or suite rental because you as a hair care professional will be able to have your very own business. So, before you look to find employment at a salon that will pay you only a portion of the amount that you charge then give us a call first. We have salons located all over the DFW area that include Arlington,Grapevine,Mansfield and Fort Worth so that you will have a location near you. We have many sizes and options that you can choose from so that you find the suite that will fit all of your needs the very best that they can. We have remodeled and made all of our suite rental salons a great choice for any stylist that is looking to start their own business or to grow the one that they already have. So, if you would like to get more information about what we have available and what the rates are then please feel free to contact us and will answer your questions.


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Baton Rouge Federal Charges Attorney
People under indictment on federal charges need an experienced attorney who understands the unique nature of federal criminal law. First, the rules of procedure governing discovery, how evidence and witness testimony is handled, as well as what prosecutors can and cannot do, are very different at the federal level than how things operate in state court. Secondly, federal investigators often spend months — if not years — gathering evidence against a suspect. As a result, cases at the federal level tend to be thorough, well-prepared, and supported by a great deal of evidence.
Criminal defense attorney James E. Boren has over 35 years of experience defending people at the federal level. As a result, our office has the resources and experience needed to develop the sophisticated defense necessary to put federal prosecutors on the defensive and make clear arguments for a not guilty verdict.
To schedule a confidential consultation regarding your case, contact federal criminal defense lawyer James E. Boren today. Our experience means we understand how to undermine the charges against you and call into question the motives of paid informants, government witnesses, and federal investigators.
Federal Criminal Charges
The James E. Boren counsels and defends clients facing the following kinds of federal criminal charges:
- Drug possession
- Manufacturing and distributing narcotics
- Drug trafficking
- Possession of child pornography
- Weapons violations
- Tax fraud
- Overbilling the government
- Money laundering
- Counterfeiting
- Bribery of a public official
- Embezzlement
- Bid rigging
- Racketeering involving Indian casinos
- Hurricane Katrina fraud cases
- Kidnapping
As your Baton Rouge federal charges lawyer, James E. Boren meticulously investigates the claims of witnesses, exposing contradictions and ulterior motives that can influence prosecutors to ignore other reliable leads and credible testimony.
He investigates leads the government ignores, tracks down eyewitnesses excluded from the prosecution's list of witnesses, and advises our clients through all stages of an investigation or trial.
A Louisiana Criminal Defense Attorney Committed to Protecting the Rights of the Accused
To schedule an appointment and learn how we can help you, contact federal criminal defense attorney James E. Boren today.


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At 6822 Mimosa Lane, floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a large pool and waterfall. Listed for $1,329,000. Photos / Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty
The rain finally stopped. The sun is shining. It's time to kick back for summer fun. The best place to enjoy the warm days and nights is in your own dream home. Here are six exceptional homes with pools made for fun.
4604 Wildwood Road | Bluffview | Listed for $2,799,000
Built for his bride by a well-known architect, this cozy two-bedroom Bluffview home has a magical charm with European woods and appointments installed with the finest workmanship. Swim in your own pool and roast marshmallows in the pavilion's wood-burning fireplace.
6822 Mimosa Lane | Preston Hollow | Listed for $1,329,000
Invite friends and family to enjoy your Geoffrey Grant-built home on a prime Preston Hollow lot. Double glass and wrought-iron doors open to several entertaining areas in this six-bedroom home. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a large pool and waterfall.
3520 Granada Avenue | University Park | Listed for $1,575,000
Close to SMU and the President George W. Bush Library, this four-bedroom home has a downstairs master suite and family room that overlook a well-landscaped pool. A covered outdoor dining area invites lively gatherings. A grassy area is large enough for yard toys, pets or serious gardening.
5841 Dexter Drive | Preston Hollow | Listed for $2,300,000
This classic Mediterranean-style home sits on a private lake shared with only six other homes. With five bedrooms, the home has five living areas. Outside enjoy a patio that feels like an Italian resort. The covered patio with Italian columns overlooks a pool and fountain.
10718 Bridge Hollow Court | Creeks of Preston Hollow | Listed for $5,995,000
In the exclusive Creeks of Preston Hollow with 24-hour concierge service is a beautiful five-bedroom Italian villa that features flowing water and aromatic herbs. A wine cellar is near the outdoor living area which has a pool surrounded by mature landscaping.
4405 Windsor Ridge Drive | Windsor Ridge/Irving | Listed for $850,000
Swim in one of the largest pools in Windsor Ridge, relax in the spa beside a running waterfall or take it all in sitting on a covered balcony or a covered patio. This four-bedroom home is in a gated, guarded golf course community next to the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Las Colinas.
For more luxury homes throughout the Metroplex, see briggsfreeman.com. Click here to see the latest in real estate news. President and CEO Robbie Briggs independently owns and operates Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty with seven offices in Dallas, Fort Worth, Uptown, Lakewood, Ranch and Land, The Ballpark and Southlake.


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Posted on: OctValu Recognized As Serving New York In 2014
We are honored to be acknowledged by the New York State Broadcasters Association as Serving New York in 2014. This award recognizes New York State's broadcasters serving in the public interest every day. Along with WKBW and Habitat for Humanity, we were very proud to receive this designation. Thank you to our outstanding customers who continue to support our efforts to promote charitable organizations in our community!
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It is not great to read that a School closes due to Safety Concerns. This is disruptive to the pupils and immensely frustrating to their families. A brand new, state-of-the-art School in Dumfries has closed on safety grounds, just a month after opening. This follows two safety incidents at the North West Community Campus.
In the latest incident, a pupil was reportedly hit by an interactive whiteboard which had been mounted to a wall. The boy was not seriously injured. In response Graham (the contractors for the project) conducted an investigation and concluded that "excessive force" had been used on the smart screen.
A statement from Dumfries and Galloway council read:
Dumfries and Galloway Council has taken the immediate decision to close the North West Community Campus until independent assurances can be given on the safety of the building.
We have reached a stage where the Council has lost confidence in any assurances we have been given in relation to the building. We understand and share the anger and frustration of pupils, parents and our staff. Our only concern is their safety.
We are appalled by this latest incident and will not be re-opening the school until we are absolutely confident and have the independent third party assurances that every bolt, screw and fitting has been checked, double checked and is certified safe.
The incident comes just a couple of weeks after a different pupil suffered 'superficial bruising' when she was hit by a sliding door, which came off its rails. On that occasion, the school was shut for two days.
A School closes due to Safety Concerns – the school has had issues right from the outset: part of a ceiling reportedly collapsed prior to opening, due to the failing of a sprinkler system.


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Originally from Tuscany, Italy, Fulbright Scholar Alessandro Langer credits Columbia University's Master of Science in Applied Analytics program, from which he graduated in May, for the opportunity to work for the Global Investment Research division of Goldman Sachs.
Why did you want a graduate degree in Applied Analytics, and what made Columbia the right choice for you?
I received my bachelor's degree in economics from Bocconi University in Milan and I was looking for a program that would give me the tangible skills to interpret business and society. Columbia was an easy choice. Its renowned faculty, its holistic approach to education, and the possibility to customize the curriculum gives students the opportunity to personalize their experience. In particular, the master's in Applied Analytics is designed to equip students with both the technical and soft skills needed to succeed in today's world. It is optimal for students preparing for careers in management consulting, business analysis, and product management. Moreover, the fact that the program partners with companies like Google, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Intel was definitely a plus.
What professional opportunities did the program provide?
Through one of the program's block week courses, I had the opportunity to work on a project focusing on machine learning for the Global Investment Research division of Goldman Sachs. After the course ended, the collaboration was extended, and I am continuing to work on an academic paper on the same topic. This opportunity enabled me to strengthen my machine learning skills. It was exciting to use these skills to create a product that addresses employees' pain points by building a UX-friendly platform and putting the variety of skills I learned through the program to use.
What were some other advantages of the program?
One of the greatest advantages of the program is the opportunity to learn from, study with, and work with not only professors who are experienced professionals, but fellow students who have years of diverse work experience. A distinction of this program is the diversity in background and experience of the cohort: there are MBAs, software engineers, business majors, lawyers, and even bankers and CEOs. As a 23-year-old student, this learning opportunity has made a real difference and has made my experience so enriching.
Is there any advice you would give to someone interested in the program?
The academics are demanding and diving into analytics requires passion and the willingness to work hard. Besides that, I would encourage students to customize their study through elective coursework, and take part in the extracurricular activities offered on campus. Personally, I joined the Columbia Consulting Club where I was able to represent the school at the Yale Graduate Case Competition.


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CampusMuster is an educational website comprising of Campus Music, Campus Plaza, Campus Life, Campus Tech and Guide, Nigerian School News, Campus Health, Musterpreneur and an Online Radio with inspirational, motivational and entertaining shows and podcast from students from various colleges in the world.
Does it sound confusing? Hang let me break it down for you.
CampusMuster is a voice for students who are willing to create a change, students who know the truth and are ready to stand by it.
- It's a directory where students who have impacted the world can leave a note of hope, inspiration, and motivation to fellows who find it difficult to believe in themselves.
Campus Music
Campus Music is the largest collection of hot, trending and latest music, tracks, and albums from student artist across various Nigerian universities. We also have spoken word, motivational and inspiration podcasts from students art, campus chapels and speaker.
DJs and Producers are not left out. We are monthly mixtapes from the hottest DJs on your campus and free instrumentals for your listening pleasures.
Musterpreneur is a subsidiary of CampusMuster were dreams and imagination are converted and optimized. Branding it to become an establishment benefiting to the student and its environment. We connect the students to investors.
It is a platform where young college entrepreneurs with lucrative, witty and innovative ideas, inventions but unable to afford advertisement fee on popular magazines, websites, the radio or TV stations due to the high price of promotion can simply advertise and promote their businesses for free.
Campus Games
We understand that all work without play makes Jake dull that is why we have refused to deprive you of your amusement.
Campus Games helps student refresh their mind after a hectic day or stressful school activity. In case your test did not turn out the way you expected, please note; you cannot come and go and kill yourself. Let Campus Game help you stay positive and optimistic.
Try Games Like:
- Top 15 Most Magnificient Schools By Architecture – Please Don't Hate Your School
- Most Popular Campus in Nigeria
- Stupid Frequently Asked Questions in Nigeria
- Nigerian Current Affairs Test Questions
We create opportunities for students through the introduction advertisement from student aimed investors (The Why, When and Where to participate in an internship during vacations.
The list is inexhaustible. We might create a Wikipedia if we try to explain all our goodies but as your need increases we upgrade and introduce more programs all for you. Never miss out on anything.
Do not fantasize about these descriptions. Visit the CampusMuster.com and see it all for yourself.


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The Daily Mail reports that the elegant art dealer who became Diana's lover died of cancer.
His romance with Diana ended when his wife threatened to divorce, but not before a guard found him half-naked behind a potted laurel in a palace corridor, smoking a cigar. May his soul rest in peace.


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Sales & Marketing Section Head
- Bekasi, Indonesia
- Contract
Company Description
FLN is a leading manufacturer of plastic and polyurethane (PU) products within Indonesia and throughout Southeast Asia. We specialize in plastics and polyurethane production, with process capabilities spanning extrusion blow molding, vacuum forming, polyurethane injection, plastic injection, and compression molding.
Our main asset is our team. Starting with a rigorous recruiting process, FLN selects only the best and brightest candidates for employment. FLN then provides continuing education in specific vocational skills to increase productivity and enhance process quality. English training programs are provided regularly to ease communication with international clients. Practices such as promotion from within and cross-training between departments ensure sound business knowledge throughout the organization. Employee retention levels are consistently high, with an average of over seven years of service.
Learn more about us at http://fln.co.id and apply today!
Sales & Marketing Section Head (Automotive/Non Automotive)
* Male or Female, max. 35 years old
* Min. S-1 Business Management, Marketing Management, or equivalent from a reputable university
* At least 3 years of working experiences as Marketing, preferably from automotive / plastics manufacturing company
* Having work experiences in B2B plastics business
* Having experiences in 5R implementation
* Solid skill in sales and marketing activities, brand and product management, sales forecast, and on time delivery
* Good communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
* Good leadership, fast learner, and customer oriented
* Good project management skill
* Good analythical thinking and problem solving skill
* Good communication skills in English
* Having knowledge about ISO Documentation, preferably ISO TS 16949
* Willing to work in Sentul and Cikarang
Please send your CV and recent photograph to : [email protected]
Additional Information
Please click Apply Now, or send your Application Letter, CV and new recent of photograph to:


text: Alberta seeking public input on workplace health and safety rules By Amanda Silliker 11/04/2014| www.cos-mag.com The government of Alberta is asking for the public's opinion on proposed changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Code."This is a time when every Albertan can offer their input on ways to make the health and safety code more relevant," said MLA David Xiao when he announced the initiative at the Alberta Health & Safety Conference in Edmonton on Nov. 3. "This consultation encourages you to embrace the changes you see in the workplace."As part of a regular review of Alberta's OHS code, which takes place every five years, Albertans can share their views by completing an online survey. The survey will be open until Jan. 31. Feedback is also being sought on a variety of areas, including:•bullying and harassment•health and safety management systems in the oil and gas sector•workplace air quality•underground mines."This includes historical topics, such as air quality, but we also include new topics such as aspects of mental health... which are indications that our expectations of what constitutes a healthy workplace are changing," said Xiao. © Copyright Canadian Occupational Safety, HAB Press. All rights reserved. See More Articles in Safety ▶ Add Comment * Title * Name * Email Anonymous * Comment Submit


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Stock Up with Libby's Canned Veggies for $0.25 at Dollar General!
Thru 9-1-18 you can find Libby's on sale again at Dollar General. If you have yet to pick up this deal if you have these coupons you better get to your store!
Dollar General
Libby's Canned Veggies – 2 for $1.00
Use $1/4 Libby's Vegetable Products, exp. 9/30/18 (RMN 08/26/18) [14-15.25-oz. cans or pouches]
Pay $0.25 each wyb 4
See more Dollar General Deals!
Learn how Dollar General Digital Coupons Work – they can save you tons! Then check out our Couponing 101 for Dollar General. Be sure to JOIN the Dollar General Deals Facebook group where we work together as a community to help each other save each week.


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Someone's found 'absolute peak Lib Dem'
Polly Mackenzie, former right hand woman to Nick Clegg, is naturally very excited about the government's new crusade against plastic. Quite right too.
Except in claiming credit for the Lib Dems in pushing through the original 5p plastic bag charge when they were in coalition with the Tories, she had this to say.
absolute peak Lib Dem pic.twitter.com/qrXpCAcliN
— tom (@malaiseforever) April 19, 2018
You genuinely get the impression they think this is smart politics, not being incredibly callous.
— Nick Blake (@Nightwarbler) April 19, 2018
Except it wasn't quite the end of the story.
PS the benefit sanction turned out to be illegal and never went ahead. Ha Ha.
— Polly Mackenzie (@pollymackenzie) April 19, 2018
But they were prepared to risk it?
— BanJon (@beardybanjo) April 19, 2018
I guess they sensed the tightening of benefit sanctions wouldn't get through. Which apparently it didn't. So… good work Lib Dems then.
— JC Browne 🔰 (@thejcbrowne) April 19, 2018
yes, let's rely on the savvy political foresight of the Lib Dems, who lost 85% of their seats in one election
— the wilk (@BimboLimboSpam) April 19, 2018
Still, hurray for no plastic bags, right?


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This module includes all of the experiments from the Causal Inference Bootcamp and discusses how treatments and controls can exhibit causal effects.
This module covers different examples of social science experiments to show you how they're set up and what they can reveal.
Get started with the basics of social science experiments in this module.
This module goes through a few examples of how natural experiments have been used to discover causal effects.
When experiment subjects don't do as requested, it can cause problems with your experiment and your data collection. This module covers some of the basic ways to deal with noncompliance.
When survey subjects don't respond as instructed, it can create issues for your survey data. This module covers what options researchers have for proceeding when subjects don't answer questions.
This module describes the basics of setting up and analyzing a randomized experiment, and why they can be hard to find in social science.
The deadly London Cholera Outbreak of 1886 is a fascinating and pivotal moment in the history of public policy, epidemiology, and social science. Learn about what happened, and how one early scientific trailblazer turned it into a critical teaching moment.
The Oregon Healthcare Experiment was one of the most comprehensive studies ever done on the effect of healthcare coverage. In this module, we cover it from initial assumptions and setup to its results.
This landmark study examined the long-term effects of providing preschool to underprivileged children. This module describes how the scientists were able to find causal effects in the study.
When the Argentinian government gave property rights to squatters living on largely unclaimed land, the opportunities for natural experiments arose to see what health, economic, and other effects might come from this policy change. This module walks through a couple of examples.
Experiments don't always go smoothly. This module covers some of the main challenges you might face when planning and conducting an experiment.
If you run an experiment, what are the best ways to deal with the data you get out of it? What are the pitfalls you should avoid? This module will get you started.
ModU is part of the Social Science Research Institute
140 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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Email Us
duke.edu ssri.duke.edu modu.ssri.duke.edu


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Video Fun Box Download Page
Contacting download site... please wait
Windows XP SP2 Users
Click here to start your download manually.
- Video Fun Box
- Version: 1.08 File size: 1695 (KB)
- Video fun box is more than just a video titling package!
- If your download does not start automatically, click here


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If you consider tea tree oil just an essential oil then you under-estimate it's value, as this oil is now hailed as one of the magical potion for skin care that can keep a number of skin issues at bay.
Loaded with anti-septic, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, this oil is perfect solution for oily skin and problems related to it as acne, breakouts etc. That's why many skin care brands include tea tree oil in their products as key ingredient and one such product is face wash. Tree oil face wash not only cleanses your face gently but also reduces excess oil production and banishes bacteria that cause acne. Hence if you too struggling with acne problem and looking for a perfect face cleanser here we give you 5 tea tree oil face washes that worth a try.
Here Are The Top 5 Tea Tree Oil Face Washes Available In India:
The Fab India Tea Tree Face Wash
Topping the list with one of the best tea tree oil around is the fab india tea tree oil. Formulated with the anti-bacterial and anti-septic properties of tea tree oil and turmeric this face wash is perfect for oily skin as it minimizes excess sebum fluid secretion and keep acne or pimple at bay. This face wash is also works great to eliminate blemishes.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Facial Wash
Next comes face wash that belongs to one of the leading skin care brand, the body shop tea tree oil. A perfect face cleanser that cleanses your skin mildly and flushes out the extra oil from the skin surface and thus prevent pimple or acne. it also fights off the bacteria that cause acne or pimple.
The VLCC Alpine Mint And Tea Tree Face Wash
This tea tree oil from VLCC is also a great option for all skin type and definitely worth a try. It contains anti-bacterial and anti-septic compounds that banishes pimple or break outs and provides you oil free skin. Formulated with cellulose granules this face wash also helps to lighten your skin tone and treats blemishes or large pores.
Lotus Tea Tree Oil-Control Face Wash
If you are struggling with severe oily skin problem then you can give this face wash a try. The goodness of tea tree oil and cinnamon keep excess sebum fluid production at check at one hand. While the oak bark properties work as exfoliant and wards off the dirt, pollution and dead cells from the skin pores on the other but without leaving your skin dried out.
Oriflame Pure Nature Organic Tea Tree Oil And Rosemary Purifying Wash And Tone Gel
Comes from the very popular Swedish cosmetic product marquee, Oriflame, this face wash has a gel technology that deeply cleanses your skin pores from the excess oil and impurities and thus reduces the chances of pimple and break outs. Its also effective in treating blemishes.


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|Released 2017 FallWinter
|Item Function Chrono, Date
|Movement Quartz
|Packaging Standard
|Water Resistance 3 Bar
|Color White
|Strap Color White
|Strap Material Silicone
|Clasp Material Plastic
|Clasp Type Buckle
|Dial Color White
|Case Color White
|Case Shape Round
|Case Material Plastic
|Warranty Two (2) year limited
|Case Dimensions Width mm 42.00 Thickness mm : 14.03 Height mm : 50.10
Moving up in the world? Try ESCALATOR (SUSW408), the striking model that is sure to take you onwards and upwards. Its gray with multi-colored print dial has three subdials and is housed in a matte white plastic bezel case and a day-date window at 6 o'clock. A savvy strap in matte structured white, black and gray silicone gives the impression of a central escalator belt, completed with a white silicone loop and matte white plastic buckle.


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>So... I didn't plan to log on again until later this week, but then again, I also didn't plan to fall off of a slippery rock and land on a very angry sea urchin, which showed its displeasure by lodging dozens of barbed spines into the bottom of my right foot and toes on my left tootsie, rendering me unable to walk without lots o' pain. (Wow, that was a long sentence.)
To save a couple hundred bucks, Husband and I decided to hike a two mile trail that descends 1300 feet to the Capt. Cook Monument instead of booking a snorkeling excursion. (We also were excited for the hike.) Everything began hunky dory. We found the trail (an abandoned dirt road) easily and handled the rocky trail well. It took about 90 minutes to reach the beach, which was already crowded with kayaks and boat tours. As we stripped off our sweaty pants and t-shirts to our bathing suits, we overheard a kayak guide tell his clients that he was a registered nurse. I asked him the best way into the water, and he suggested walking down the lava rocks.
The problem with the lava rocks, I discovered, is that the ones in the water are covered with moss or whatever and slippery as fuck. As I attempted to gingerly step into the water, I slipped off the rock. My feet got caught on a very rocky bottom and my water shoes came off. Then I felt a horrific stinging. I managed to pull myself onto the dry rock pile and discovered many spines sticking out of my feet.
Long story short, Husband went to look for the nurse guide and I crawled onto shore. Clearly there was no way I could walk back up the trail, so I called 911. After an extremely surreal conversation (the dispatcher didn't entirely believe where I was or how I got there, but this could partially be because I claimed stepped on a sea anonomae while I was SCUBA diving), she said she'd send a rescue crew. Then the nurse tour guide appeared and used his first aid kit to pick the remaining spines out of my feet. He said that there is nothing I could do about the barbs, which are made of calcium, and would remain in my skin until they were absorbed. I mentioned that I called 911 and he said the Coast Guard boat shouldn't be too long.
We sat around a while longer and then a Coast Guard guy called me on my cell phone to explain where the helicopter would pick me up. Yes. Helicopter. Seriously. For reasons I cannot understand, they decided to send a helicopter. I explained that I only needed help getting out and probably a helicopter was excessive, but he said that's what they decided to send. This involved hiking back a little ways on the path, which was not fun.
Even less cool, there was no room for Husband. The poor man had to hike two miles uphill alone after I was evacuated. I felt like crap about the whole thing. First, I ruin his chance to snorkel by falling on a sea urchin. Then, he has to hike back alone to meet me in the hospital. And it started to rain. Oy.
So, long story long, I was choppered out and met by an ambulance. I repeatedly told the rescue and EMT guys how mortified I was that they had to waste their time and resources just because I couldn't hike back. The EMT guys were not only cheerful, but adorable, and told me that they were glad I needed help since they were bored. At the hospital, I soaked my feet in vinegar. Husband eventually arrived, and I was relieved that he got off the trail safely. A doctor came in and took a cursory look at my many punctures and barbs and told me I had no infection. I was also told that the ink from the spine may never go away completely, hence my potential new series of tattoos.
That was my last day in Hawaii. Hopefully, the guy at my hotel who told me that the pain goes away in a few days will be right because otherwise the rest of the trip is going to suck for poor Husband since I can't hike until the pain is a little less, which is very upsetting.
Merry Christmas! (Mele Kalikemaka!)