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INTERVIEW: Rob Williams and Henry Flint on Judge Dredd: The Small House
Creative team on new Dredd thriller chat about how they approach the lawman of the future and how this latest series ties into Titan and Enceladus
10 months ago
The landmark 2000 AD Prog 2100 is out now and features a new 10-part Judge Dredd epic, 'The Small House', with Rob Williams and Henry Flint returning to long-form Dredds for the first time since they wrapped up their incredible Titan saga.
"There is a very big moment in Dredd's world coming. We're dealing with it here. But I can't say any more than that" – That's just one of the things writer Rob Williams had to say about events in 'The Small House' in an interview you can find in Prog 2100.
It's a series that promises to tie up many of the threads from Williams' Dredd work that have been in play from Trifecta, Titan, and Enceladus. It could well be the biggest thing to happen to Dredd, The Justice Department, and Mega-City One since Day of Chaos, following up on the mysterious secret team that Dredd's been running in the background for the last couple of years.
In the pages of Prog 2100, Richard Bruton chatted with both Rob and Henry about what we can expect from 'The Small House', but there was so much more than would fit in the pages of the Prog. So here we offer something of a 'DVD extras' section, with all the fascinating stuff that didn't make it into Prog 2100, where we talk all things Dredd with Williams and Flint...
What do you think it is that keeps Judge Dredd so fresh through the years and leads to each new generation picking up the strip?
Rob Williams: It's probably the different voices and visuals and the weekly nature of the strip. Necessity means that new stories keep rolling through, largely by different people using the template set by Wagner, Grant, Mills and co. And it's sci-fi that allows you to reflect the our current world. The news is always a fresh source of material for Dredd.
[With 'The Small House'] I wanted to do a Dredd that confronts the nature of the Judges. The fact that we're telling stories about what is basically an authoritarian regime. if you're going to portray these characters as heroes - and the Judges are, sort of - I think you have to be honest about, well, fascism too. It's a fine line. There's a lot of real-world politics that I felt, needed a bit of refection in Dredd's world. Fascism's on the rise. We probably have a responsibility if we're being creators of Dredd to show that there's a cost.
'The Small House' features the return of a certain tea drinking Judge, but you've also got the separate storyline with another character that's become hugely popular, the magnificently bad SJS Judge Pin, in your Dredd stories with Chris Weston, the Bolland to Flint's McMahon, as they were recently described. What's happening with Judge Pin?
RW: Chris and I have future plans for Pin. We know the end of that story. We just need to get Dredd there. She's a really intriguing character. An SJS serial killer who's been working unknown for years. So many Judges die on the streets, she can cover her bodycount and no one is aware.
Rob, the Titan saga (Titan & Enceladus) was your first big solo outing on Judge Dredd, although, of course, you'd both already been heavily involved in MC-1 (and with Henry) with Low Life.
RW: Yeah, I think it's something you have to build to. Dredd's initially very daunting to write. You feel the weight of all those great stories you grew up reading, and also it is so very easy to see him, and write him, as a robot - which leads to very limited stores. After writing him for a while I kind of felt like I was ready to write a story about the man. Which is why it was called 'Titan' - that's referring to Joe, and that's what Aimee Nixon wanted to rip down. To destroy his legend and prove to him that he was just a killer using the badge and uniform as an excuse. I'm not entirely certain Aimee wasn't right about that.
Also, Titan was originally going to be a Low Life story about Aimee dealing with life up in the prison. But I thought it was a lot more interesting if it was a Dredd and Aimee turned out to be the bad guy. Which was her journey all along.
You've both been involved in the creation of various 2000 AD characters over the years, including Dirty Frank and Aimee Nixon, who both played a major role in Titan. How does that creative process work?
RW: Low Life came about because, if I remember right, Matt Smith asked if I'd like to do an undercover Judge Wally Squad strip. I wanted to make the lead character a hard-edged female - someone who's 'super' power was that she was a great liar. Henry drew her with this broken nose, which was perfect. Dirty Frank showed up on a whim as a background character. Henry drew him to resemble Alan Moore. But Frank just had energy on the page from day one. He sort of demanded more room in the story. That was totally unplanned.
Titan and Enceladus was also the final arc in the Aimee Nixon chronicles you began back in Low Life. How long ago did you envisage this ending for the character?
RW: I'd never intended Aimee to end up dying up on the Enceladus moon or part becoming an alien ice spider creature. Weird where stories go. Aimee was always The Big Man - the Low Life's mystery big bad. I always had her journey to be she eventually realises that she's far more a criminal than she is a hero. So her going to Titan made sense. Enceladus came about because I had the image in my head of her coming back to Mega City One for revenge on Dredd and the Council, and I needed to work out a way of doing that. The best characters usually tell you where the story needs to go.
Henry's art on Titan really was just superb, with a Hershey who just bristled with pissed off authority in practically every scene. And then there's the fabulous colouring throughout, including those really striking pages shot through with red emergency lighting. And that image on Dredd on horseback – a nod to Miller's Dark Knight?
RW: I think Henry said to me at one point that he fancied drawing Dredd on horseback. I'd written a sort of "phantom" horse into my Dredd story 'The Man Comes Around' that RM Guera drew so beautifully. So bringing the horse back at the end of Enceladus - like a symbol of Dredd at the very end - that felt really exciting. Taking Dredd to some primal, guttural place. The subjective walls of reality kind of crumbling a bit.
Henry Flint: I prefer Ronin to Dark Knight. That's his real masterpiece. There's a horse in that one too!
Henry, with a story such as Titan (and 'The Small House'), how do you approach it?
HW: I know Titan is a thriller so I can throw away my cartoony style. Rob writes Dredd with a bit of noir I think it's fair to say. 'What would you do if you were Dredd' type thing. So mood, lighting and lot's of what-the-hell-do-I-do-now close ups are very important.
Having worked with a lot of Dredd writers over the years, how do you describe Rob's writing of the character?
HF: Rob is a great writer to work with, not only the where-will-this-go plots but also the emotional description of panels which fires me up. You could read his scripts without artwork and enjoy them just the same. I need to know what happens in this current story arc so pretty much gripped when an episode pops up in my email.
How does the creative collaboration work between you and Henry?
RW: I send the script to Matt Smith. Matt usually offers a note here and there - and they're usually very good ones as Matt absolutely knows Dredd's world. But for the most part he doesn't meddle too much. I think, as we've been doing this for a while now, there's a degree of trust. Then it goes to Henry and often the next time I see it is when it's in the prog. Matt and Henry have both been doing this so long now, there's a wonderful machine-like quality about it all. And it works.
Rob, your Dredd writing career began in 2007 and, as with all new writers on Dredd, your first excursions into MC-1 were short pieces. Since then you've also been responsible for longer form tales, specifically Titan. Is there a different writing mindset you need to get into when doing short and long Dredds? The economy of storytelling?
RW: The short ones really lend themselves to three act structure. You need a strong high concept. Pages 1-2 will be setup/the world in flux. Pages 3-4 is a goal that needs achieving and obstacles in way. Then a twist, and then a resolution. I enjoy writing them. they're tight. Get in, get out, no fat on the bones.
Longer ones, the structure can get more fluid, but I do try and stick to that basic template in those six pages. The one regret I usually have is that you have to cram so much into a 6-page Dredd that each page ends up being five or six panels and you don't get the chance to let the visuals breathe as much as you like. But I do think it's a page count that leads to a lot of bang for the reader's buck. You can often get what would be a 20-page story in US comic formats into a 6-page Dredd.
I think the most interesting Dredd stories usually say something about him. If he's just the cipher/robot - OK, you can have some fun. But there's not going to be the same character depth or resonance. Wagner did both things so brilliantly, and still does. He can do that fun, quirky, madness of the city thing and he made Dredd this three-dimensional man who could sometimes surprise you. It's what's going on below the surface with Dredd that makes him fun to write. Because he's immensely stoic, and may just offer one word in dialogue but he's feeling all these things beneath.
That's why artists like Henry, Chris Weston, and D'isreali are godsends for the writer in this world - so much of writing Dredd is subtext. He says one thing and we know he wants to beat you death below the surface.
Would you agree that, by having these short form Dredd tales, the comic manages to avoid the issues of overly complex continuity found in the Marvel/DC universes and makes it easier for new readers to simply jump into the world of Dredd without hours of extensive research?
RW: Matt Smith's very good at holding it all together. Dredd's fairly glacial in continuity shifts but they do happen. And the turnover of new stories by new teams necessitates a 'you only have to know the basic setup to get this.' We don't, by and large, have the big writers' room conversations regarding Dredd's world. The only time I can recall something of that was when Day of Chaos happened and Matt sent me and a bunch of Dredd writers some documents that stated Wagner was about to kill off the majority of the city and our stories would need to reflect that. And even that can be summed up pretty quick.
One advantage of the short form Dredds, I'd imagine, is that you don't necessarily have to concern yourself too much with what other writers have going on. No matter what the disaster that may befall Dredd in a mega-epic storyline, he'll still always be out on the streets stopping the petty crims and dealing with the weird shit that MC-1 throws up.
RW: That's largely true. It's a combined effort from a number of writers. John Wagner still rather owns that world. The big moves are his to make. And rightly so. I remember wanting to blow up Titan at the end of Titan and Matt wasn't sure because "John might have plans for it." i argued that the ending needed the stakes. That other writers have to be able to move the world forward somewhat, and we did it. Again, Matt's the arbiter. He keeps it all running smoothly, week on week.
But, when it comes to creating long form Dredd tales, the writer's job is a lot harder, I think. With several writers contributing Dredd stories at any point, the bigger storylines have obvious ramifications and require careful planning. And one thing I think happens is that you all carve out your own little Dredd empires, so to speak – there's Michael Carroll with MC-2, the Sov Sector, Judge Joyce, Judge Dolman and you seem to be casting something of a ring fence around Titan, the SJS Dept, SJS Judge Gerhart, SJS Judge Pin, Judge Smiley and much of the Wally Squad
RW: There's no ring fence as such, i think it just happens naturally. We all have our own characters and we know them and they suggest certain storylines. Gordon Rennie has a few too. Again, it's sort of Matt's role to ensure that no one steps over any lines. If I did have a story idea regarding, say, Dolman, I'd certainly drop Mike a line to run it past him.
Rob, one of your highest profile Dredd tales thus far was 'Closet', which garnered a lot of mainstream media attention for its storyline. How did the storyline come about – wake up one morning with the image of Dredd fitting right in at a gay club, perhaps?
RW: I felt that gay culture hadn't been properly represented in Dredd's world and needed to be. I wanted to do it in a respectful way, and that was pretty scary to write, as I'm not gay and didn't want to fall into lazy stereotypes. But i also didn't want it to be over-earnest. It needed to have the Dreddworld sense of comedy and satire. So that was the line to balance. I think we did it pretty well. The idea of a gay club where people just dress as Dredd was sort of a knowing wink at how bondage-y the Judges can look. The fetishism of the big macho male figure. It drove some rather small-minded readers crazy, which was nice. But at its heart it was about this one kid trying to come to terms with his sexuality. And Dredd and the Judges didn't arrest anyone for being gay. They arrested people for impersonating Judges.
When did you first discover comics, and what were the comics that made you fall for the artform?
HF: My first comic was Jack and Jill when I was 3-4 years old then later had a big thing for Buster, Whoopee and Whizzer & Chips, I'd buy them and others alternately. Then went through a MAD magazine phase and after that got into European and underground comics, incredibly difficult to get any information about in those days. No computers back then you see. It wasn't until a visit to Forbidden Planet when I was 14 that I discovered American comics and thought perhaps I'd been going in the wrong direction. No idea why I fell for comics, they just made sense.
RW: I honestly can't remember. Someone gave me some DC comics - All-Star Comics with the JSA (I still have the issue, although the cover never survived) and an Adam Strange Justice League issue. A Neal Adams Green Lantern that, again, has lost its cover. A neighbour from up the road would give me her son's Victor book for boys every week when he'd finished reading it. I'd read Roy of the Rovers, Whizzer & Chips, and eventually 2000 AD. I sort of always remember loving comics.
And similarly, when did you first pick up a 2000 AD?
HF: It was Prog 1, 2 and 3, then a big gap. Mum thought it too violent, tee-hee.
RW: My first weekly ordered Prog was the Ezquerra one with Dredd and the Fatties 'Umm. Synthi-sausage'… What was that? '83. So I can't say I was there at the start. My mate Martyn was getting Starlord and I have very vivid memories of reading Ro-Busters and Strontium Dog round his house.
What was it about 2000 AD that really turned you into a fan?
HF: You know those little boxes which read 'Thrill 4' with a picture of a gun or a dinosaur underneath, those. A perfect hook! Massimo Belardinelli and Kevin O'Neil were my favourites in the early days.
RW: The enormous amount of hyper-violence. That'll turn a 12-year-old's head.
Was there a moment you thought "one day I'll be in 2000 AD rather than reading it"?
HF: Yeah, when Liam Sharp started drawing for the comic and I thought wait a minute he's only a few years older than I am.
RW: It was never my plan really. I was a freelance journalist in my mid-twenties with no real definite thought of trying to write comics for a living. I sent off a couple of Future Shock ideas. Got turned down. But growing up, it never struck me that it was even possible to be a comic writer for a living.
Can you give us a little insight into how you broke into comics?
HF: I first worked at King Rollo studios colouring animation cells. Then a few comics for Tundra which saw print in Heavy Metal magazine. Then worked for Marvel UK on Death's Head and four issues of Kill Frenzy which never saw print due to Marvel UK's cut backs. Then with a reasonable portfolio moved onto 2000 AD.
RW: I went to my first comic convention at Bristol because I lived there at the time. Saw an advert in the local comic shop. Probably Forever People up on Park St. I'd written a script for what would become Cla$$war. Full script, no pitch. I had no idea. I gave that to Com.X at the convention and a few months later they rang and said they wanted to publish it. After Cla$$war came out, I was at a comics drink up in London and Andy Diggle was there. He said "you should be writing for 2000 AD." That was my way in.


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How do you describe the indescribable? Narrow your eyes for long enough and the images start to look like the flutter of a billion butterfly wings. Other times, it is a gallery of faces - some haunted, some disturbed - looking out for just a split-second, then gone again; lost in this kaleidoscopic burst of colours, daubed, physically, onto the celluloid. These 'phantom faces' make us question our own role as a prospective audience. Are we the "viewer", passively observing the work presented to us and attempting to glean something meaningful, either a thought or a feeling from the experience; or are we the "viewed", the real objects of significance.
I wonder how many different audiences or viewers a film might see during the course of its lifetime. How different their relationship is to us than ours is to them. An audience may see only a handful of films a year, but the film itself will see literally thousands of these objects of curious interest presented to it during an average day. A very different gallery of faces than the ones imagined here, between the spaces of the frame. Instead, a gallery of faces more like the ones found in Abbas Kiarostami's extraordinary Shirin (2008), in which the spectator becomes the spectacle.
If film was more than just a dead-object brought to life by the gaze of the observer, who enlivens it through personal reflection and subjective opinion, would it be possible for the film, or these faces, to judge us, as a collective work, as we judge it?
As the blur of colours and textures explode and disperse, a second layer of images reveals itself, gradually, over the course of the film. A ghost story - non-narrative, but a story all the same - moving beneath the surface. This spectral play of shadows, where the glimpsed faces become almost explicit, is where the real power of the film rests. Not simply as a tribute to the American filmmaker Maya Derren, as hinted at by the film's title, but as a truly sensory cinematic experience.
In this remarkable montage, every frame has the power of a Pollock or a Kandinsky. On screen for less than the normal time that it might take for our eyes to register its form, but still vivid, vital; a series of images open to interpretation. The accumulative effect of these images when viewed against one another in a quick succession, creates something that is difficult to define, and even more difficult to express in words. It is something that can only be felt through the process of viewing.

subset: commoncrawl


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Hastings Entertainment HAST, +0.00% is up $1, or 20.6 percent, to $5.85, after the Amarillo, Texas, entertainment products retailer reported second-quarter earnings of $878,000, or 7 cents a share, up slightly from its year-ago profit of $783,000, or 7 cents a share. Revenue jumped 4.5 percent in the latest three months to $115 million from $110.1 million in the same period a year earlier. Looking ahead, Hastings raised its outlook to earnings of 60 to 65 cents a share for fiscal 2002 from its previous projection for a profit of 55 to 60 cents a share.
Hastings boosts earnings outlook for FY02
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Peyton wants to wait for new deal
Jim Irsay insists Peyton Manning will be the NFL's highest-paid player next season.
He'll just have to wait until after this season to close the deal.
The Colts owner said Monday he was prepared to make a contract offer to Manning during the team's off week, but Manning and his agent wanted to wait until after the season.
"Any negotiation is a two-way street and we were ready to roll and we had a proposal, but they wanted to wait," Irsay said. "That's OK because every player is different. We had a bye week, and we thought we could have gotten (negotiations) rolling."
Irsay did not divulge details of the proposal that he hopes will keep Manning in blue-and-white for the rest of his career. Manning's current deal expires after the season.
The comments came hours before Manning was to make his 199th consecutive start for the Colts. Indy (4-2) faces Houston (4-2) in the first Monday night game at Lucas Oil Stadium, with the winner claiming sole possession of the AFC South lead.
Irsay has made no secret about his intention to keep the record-setting quarterback in Indy, and has said he will use the hefty franchise tag to keep Manning here, if necessary. He has also repeatedly promised to give Manning, the only four-time MVP in league history, the biggest contract in league history – something he reiterated Monday.
"He is going to be the highest-paid player in the league," Irsay said Monday. "Look we love him, and we'd like to see his career end here."
The baseline for Manning's deal, Irsay said, will be the recent contract signed by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. In September, Brady to a four-year extension worth $18 million annually and $48.5 million guaranteed.
Manning and Brady are generally regarded as the two best quarterbacks in the NFL today and are virtually mirror images in terms of their biggest honors. Brady has won three Super Bowl titles and one MVP Award, while Manning has four MVPs and one Super Bowl title.
The only real question appears to be timing.
"During the season, Peyton wants his only focus to be on preparing for football games," agent Tom Condon told The Associated Press.
Former NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski thought it was the right position to take.
"What I love is the focus on the season," said Jaworski, who is part of ESPN's Monday night broadcast team. "I think the focus on the season is great."
The biggest wrinkle in negotiations may wind up being the one thing out of both sides' control – a new collective bargaining agreement.
Colts President Bill Polian has said he would prefer to see how he could structure Manning's deal under a new CBA.
But with many expecting no new labor deal before March, and a growing consensus among league players to decertify the union in an effort to prevent a lockout, Polian and Irsay may not be able to wait that long.
And Condon doesn't believe that will slow down anything.
"It's probably not any more or any less difficult because of that," Condon said.


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NTPC wants more RIL gas for some plants3 min read . Updated: 27 Oct 2009, 01:00 AM IST
NTPC wants more RIL gas for some plants
NTPC wants more RIL gas for some plants
New Delhi: It may be fighting a bitter court battle with Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) over the terms of gas supply to two of its plants in Gujarat, but state-run power utility NTPC Ltd is keen to source gas from the same company—for some of its other plants; at the government-mandated price; and as long as it doesn't compromise its ongoing legal dispute.
The utility has applied for the allocation of 35 million standard cu. m a day (mscmd) of gas at the government-mandated price of $4.2 (Rs195.72) per million British thermal unit (mmBtu) for its projects in the National Capital Region (NCR). The application has been made to the newly constituted empowered group of ministers (eGoM), headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, which is expected to meet on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, RIL has asked the government to immediately name customers for an additional 25 mscmd of gas so as to avoid "irreversible damage" to the field reservoirs because gas flow was being artificially restricted. The gas has to be allotted to customers by the government in keeping with the country's gas utilization policy.
"We have asked for the allocation for NCR projects. It is not for Kawas and Gandhar (the Gujarat) projects for whose expansion we have been fighting the court case with RIL on gas supply," said a top NTPC executive, who did not want to be identified.
Union power secretary H.S. Brahma confirmed NTPC's application for 35 mscmd of gas and said it would be discussed at the meeting of the eGoM—a ministerial group usually set up by the government to resolve knotty issues.
NTPC wants to use the gas to power its plants at Anta, Faridabad, Auraiya and Dadri.
R.S. Sharma, NTPC's chairman and managing director, declined comment on his firm's new application.
"We have requested for additional allocation of 25 mscmd and 20 mscmd on a fallback basis from the KG D6 block in order to establish the full potential of the gas fields and also to maximize production for the benefit of all stakeholders. Of the 2.67 mscmd of gas presently allocated to NTPC for various plants, 2.01 mscmd of gas remains unutilized. We have already requested for this quantity of gas to be reallocated to other customers in line with the gas utilization policy, which entails that there cannot be any 'reservation' of gas if the customer is not in a position to consume the allocated quantity of gas," said an RIL spokesperson in an email response.
NTPC has steered clear of sourcing gas from RIL for the expansion of its two Gujarat projects because it fears that this will jeopardize its ongoing legal dispute with the company in the Bombay high court.
The lawsuit between NTPC and RIL in the Bombay high court dates back to December 2005, with the point of contention being the existence and terms of a valid contract between the two. NTPC claims there is one in which RIL promised to supply 12 mscmd of gas from its D6 block in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin for the expansion of its Kawas and Gandhar power plants for 17 years at a price of $2.34 per mmBtu. RIL claims otherwise.
After RIL started gas production, an eGoM on 9 April allocated 2.67 mscmd of KG D6 gas for projects, including Kawas and Gandhar. NTPC and RIL, however, disagreed on the marketing margin to be paid on this and after extensive discussions, the utility signed a gas sale and purchase agreement on 23 September with RIL for only 0.61 mscmd of gas for its projects at Anta, Dadri and Faridabad.
However, NTPC has softened its stand. Mint had reported on 4 September that the utility was willing to sign agreements at the price set by the government for its projects other than those at Kawas and Gandhar.
A Delhi-based power sector analyst, who did not want to be identified given the sensitive nature of the issue, said: "I am surprised at NTPC's posture and the volumes asked for. Once the Supreme Court judgement in the case between RIL and RNRL (Reliance Natural Resources Ltd) comes in, clarity will emerge." His reference is to the case between RIL and RNRL over the supply of gas by the former to the latter. The outcome of this case is expected to have some bearing on the NTPC-RIL case.
NTPC operates seven power plants fuelled by gas or liquid fuel with a total capacity of 3,955MW and runs a 1,480MW gas-based plant through a joint venture.
Apart from Mukherjee, the members of the new eGoM are petroleum minister Murli Deora, power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, minister for chemicals and fertilizers M.K. Alagiri, home minister P. Chidambaram, law minister M. Veerappa Moily and deputy chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia.


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Following on from parts one and two , I want to conclude this series with one last post on what happens after the engagement shoot. It's an area that doesn't get touched upon much, but as someone that always wants to set expectations with my clients, it is really important to me.
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There's nothing worse than hearing friends and colleagues say that they've waited weeks or even months for their professional images and so I'm proud that I am able to deliver within this time frame.
When it comes to enjoying your images, my clients are sent a link to their own private online gallery where they can view all their engagement photographs. For a normal engagement session I look to present around 20 finished photographs to enjoy. The gallery is active online for one year from delivery and so gives you ample time to enjoy your photographs and make your selections for any products you wish to invest in.
The gallery also has a built in shopping cart facility, to allow yourselves and your loved ones to purchase gift prints & a set digital downloads, should they wish to do so.
On delivery, I also offer clients a special, limited-time 'Friends & Family' voucher code to be used within the first days of delivery, where a significant saving can be made on products.
Many couples choose to use their engagement images to create some wonderful gifts and products for the wedding day itself. I find the most popular are:
Gift Prints
A lovely way to use your engagement portraits is to create beautiful, gift prints in either 6x4, 5x7 or 10x8 sizes, for your parents, grandparents and loved ones, beautifully gift wrapped in a presentation box and read to give. These are great gifts to for family members during the speeches or for special birthday and Christmas gifts, and can be ordered directly from your engagement gallery.
The Digital Engagement Images
You also have the opportunity to purchase a full set of all the digital images from your engagement shoot. On purchase, you will have the facility to download the image files from your online gallery with the permission to print for your own personal use. This download gallery is hosted for one year from purchase. As an optional extra, you also have the opportunity to purchase a USB drive copy of your digital images, alongside your download facility.
If you would love to know more about these, or indeed any other product options you particularly had in mind, just let me know and we can chat, personally.
I hope you've enjoyed this series on engagement shoots and it has given you a little more insight into how I work. As always, if you like what you have read here and you would like to know more about my wedding photography services please get in touch.
Take care


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Showing 2 articles for
13 Cannabis Strains and Their Scary Movie Pairings
Whether you're celebrating Friday the 13th or are just in the mood for a marathon of scary movies, here are 13 strains that each have an appropriately frightening flick to pair together.
Boo! Leafly's Top 5 Strains for Halloween Night
In order to help you truly celebrate Halloween, here's list of Leafly's top five spooky strains.


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Old Testament PDF's
Please note a few rules before proceeding. Under no circumstances should any of the attached be used for commercial uses. These are strictly done for those who desire to use for personal use, witnessing, or teaching purposes such as a bible study group or a Sunday School class. None of this was done for the purpose of selling to others or in any way to make money from others. This work has been done strictly for "whosoever will", that want to learn more about God's Holy Word from an Evangelical standpoint. You will notice that these are done in an expository, scripture by scripture, explanation of every book and verse of the bible.
I will be 78 years old in May of 2017, and I will continue to work and update the rest of the bible (Old Testament), and provide PDF's of those as long as I am able. It is currently the beginning of February and I figure it will take at least until October of this year to complete the program for all Old Testament chapters/sections. I wanted this work to be completed and far outlive me as to the reason I am doing this project. We, who are still on earth waiting for the return of our Savior to take us home, must do this type of work. So, that when all the Christians are raptured, much information will be left for those who must deal with the judgment that is coming in the Tribulation. This is my contribution in providing some of that knowledge for those presently living now and those who will be left behind when Tribulation starts.
Until then, please abide by the rules noted above and "Go and Tell everyone you see, know and love. Time is very short!
For PDF's, select from the following books you want to read by clicking on that book.
You will be able to select the chapter or section you want from that page.
Note: Books below are in order as they appear in the Old Testament
Book of Genesis
Book of Exodus
Book of Leviticus
Book of Numbers
Book of Deuteronomy
Book of Joshua
Book of Judges
Book of Ruth
Book of 1 Samuel
Book of 2 Samuel
Book of 1 Kings
Book of 2 Kings
Book of 1 Chronicles
Book of 2 Chronicles
Book of Ezra
Book of Nehemiah
Book of Esther
Book of Job
Book of Psalms - 1 to 24
Book of Psalms - 25 to 49
Book of Psalms - 50 to 75
Book of Psalms - 76 to 99
Book of Psalms - 100-118
Book of Psalms - 119-125
Book of Psalms - 126-139
Book of Psalms - 140-150
Book of Proverbs
Book of Ecclesiastes
Book of Song Of Solomon
Book of Isaiah
Book of Jeremiah
Book of Lamentations
Book of Ezekiel
Book of Daniel
Book of Hosea
Book of Joel
Book of Amos
Book of Obadiah
Book of Jonah
Book of Micah
Book of Nahum
Book of Habakkuk
Book of Zephaniah
Book of Haggai
Book of Zechariah
Book of Malachi
Home Page | Individual Subjects | Other Books of the Bible
The Meaning of Worship | Can you Lose Your Salvation
News Links, Recommended Books, News Sites, and Bibles on Line
email us at: email@example.com


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How to help your child settle into the Foundation Stage Unit
The best way to help your child settle in is to make sure that they are as independent as possible.
The most useful things that your child needs to be able to do are all very practical things.
Please ensure that the Reception children can dress and undress themselves for PE and that they can get their coat on and, preferably, do it up too.
Your child also needs to be able to take themselves to the toilet and manage their own personal hygiene. For those of you with boys, it would be most helpful if they could be aware of how to use a urinal, as some of the school toilets have one and it can cause some confusion if the children have not used one before! If, for any reason, your child should have an accident, then we will change them into clean, dry clothes. We always have a supply of spare clothes in school. We would be very grateful if you could wash and return the borrowed clothes as soon as possible.
If there are ever any issues that either you or your child are unsure about, then please come and talk to your child's teacher.


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Whether you're new to the sport, or have been playing for years, we've got classes, programs and leagues to match your ability and interest. Toss on your gear and take your shot!
Practice skating and run shooting drills during Take-A-Shot slot or play a pickup game during our Drop-in Hockey slot. Check the open skate South Suburban Ice Arena and Family Sports Ice Arena monthly schedules for days and times.
The best adult ice hockey programs in the Denver, Colorado area is right in your own backyard!
REGISTER online now for 2019 Summer Leagues
See Information, Code of Conduct as well as Additional Rules for Summer Playoffs.
Note: Team Captain or Team Rep signature required on last page
Visit SSAHL on Pointstreak to see upcoming games, standings, and other important league information.
Family Sports Ice Arena
April 9 - May 2, Tue and Thu, 7:40 - 9 pm
Ages 18 and up, Co-ed
Class #500904, Players: $175 Resident, $185 Nonresident
Class #500914, Goalies: $90 Resident, $100 Nonresident
REGISTER online now for 2019 - 2020 Fall Winter Leagues
See Information, Code of Conduct as well as Additional Rules for Playoffs.
Note: Team Captain or Team Rep signature required on last page
Free Agent Form
Please only use black ink on the Free Agent for clarity and accuracy.
Please see photos of these league winners' at the end of the season on the South Suburban facebook page.
All photos of league winners before 2017-18 winter leagues will remain on this page.
Ogilthorpes (40+ Division)
Loan Rangers(C Division)
Happy Hour(D2 North)
Phantom 8 (D3 South)
Outcasts (D3 Central)
Ice Dawgs (D4)
Zuper Stars (D2 West)
Crease Beavers (D2 South)
Heinous Rats (D3 North)
Nulite (40+ North Division)
Fat Pucks(D2 North)
White Shadow (D3 South)
Heinous Rats (D3 Central)
Zamboloni (D4)
Bison (A)
Mile High (D2 West)
Business Class (D2 South)
Coco-Nuts (D3 North)
Bushwackers (40+ Division)
Loan Rangers (C Division)
Scoregasmic Outlaws (D2 North Division)
Trainwreck (D2 South Division)
Pull the Goalie (D2 West Division)
Fighting Amish (D3 North Division)
Mountaineers (D3 South Division)
Nulite (40+ North Division)
Magnets (40+ South Division)
JD's Bait Shop (C Division)
Red Rockets (D2 North)
Trainwreck (D2 South)
Thunderbirds (D2 West)
El chupacabre (D3 North)
Beantown Bruins (D3 South)
Mountaineers (D3 East)
Adult Hockey Coordinator
Peter Hunt
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It happened.
It finally happened.
And I did not enjoy it in the least bit.
The temper-tantrum.
The full on, scream...cry...throw yourself on the floor... red face...every body is looking... I'm clinching my teeth... holding my cool... embarrassed beyond all get out... temper-tantrum.
And no it was not Steve.
All because Rylee wanted to ride in the shopping cart and not walk.
Simple solution would be to get a double one.
Yes that would have been.
But there were none.
We were at Kohls... a lovely store, yes. But they did not have any doubles. On a usual, normal day, Rylee would have been more than fine to walk. She loves to walk... infact, she always asks to get out of the cart and push or hang off the side of the cart.. And maybe she saw a mouse and freaked out and couldn't communicate that to me in between all the drama, screams, and tears, and if that is so... I sincerely apologize Rylee. I probably would have acted that way too.
But instead, my at-the-moment bi-polar child decided to cause a scene flopping and rolling and crying like she was on fire. Luckily, the parking lot was nearly empty and only a few gray-haired individuals were shopping. They've most likely had kids and they grew up in the days that were not so "sensitive." So I felt comfortable, "dealing" with the dreadful situation. Luckily, if there is a luckily, Hudson just kept smiling away keeping my emotions in check.
But we made it through. We made it home. My teeth unclenched and we made up after a very, very extremely long time out.
But I never did get to shop for my hand-held milk frother that I so desperately wanted and have been waiting for to snoody up my afternoon coffee time. And I'm not sure I'm ready to head back into Kohls to get one.
Plus, I'm sure the Kohl's break-room is enjoying a few laughs from the video surveillance from the whole ordeal.
I should ask them for a copy.
Leverage for her teenage years.


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A melodic and flowing piece with royal qualities, featuring marimba and strings that create a romantic and lively mood.
The main track and several edits are included with each download and are available in the preview. The times for the main track and edits are as follows:
Item 1: 2:49
Item 2: 0:15
Item 3: 0:30
Item 4: 1:00
Source link


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Find all of the Ingersoll Rand parts you need for your equipment at AGA Parts. We offer the lowest prices on high quality aftermarket and genuine Ingersoll Rand parts online. If you are looking for competitive prices, superior customer service and fast, global shipping, contact AGA Parts for a free quote.
Ingersoll-Rand is an Irish global manufacturing company formed in 1905 from the merger of Ingersoll-Sergeant Drill Company and Rand Drill Company, rival companies that had each been founded in 1871. Ingersoll-Rand has a wide range of products in different applications including air solutions, tools, materials handling, utility vehicles commercial and residential air conditioning, and more. It has approximately 52,000 employees and includes global brands Thermo King, Trane, American Standard, Club Car and ARO, all of which were acquisitions that is part of the company's growth over the years. Ingersoll-Rand's legal headquarters is located in County Dublin, Ireland, while its administrative headquarters is located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
With Ingersoll Rand equipment being available in every region of the world, it is important to have a parts supplier that is reliable and can ship your replacement parts at a moment's notice. Call us today for a free quote and see how much you can save on your next Ingersoll Rand parts order.


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There has been lots of reporting on the National Security Agency's surveillance programs in recent months.
But the most politically significant moment might well have been Barton Gellman's revelation late Thursday that the NSA in recent years has committed thousands of privacy violations — per year.
No longer is this issue about the potential for abuse and the scope of the government's powers; it's now about actual violations of those powers and how far it went.
Gellman's story is sure to put wind in the sails of privacy advocates and libertarian-leaning members of Congress. It also poses a significant problem for the Obama administration, which as recently as last week maintained that Americans' privacy was being protected, even as the president admitted the potential for abuse was evident.
Obama said a week ago Friday that "I am comfortable that the program currently is not being abused."
Here's more of what Obama said:
If you look at the reports, even the disclosures that Mr. Snowden's put forward, all the stories that have been written, what you're not reading about is the government actually abusing these programs and, you know, listening in on people's phone calls or inappropriately reading people's e-mails.
What you're hearing about is the prospect that these could be abused. Now part of the reason they're not abused is because they're — these checks are in place, and those abuses would be against the law and would be against the orders of the FISC [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court].
As The Switch notes, Gellman's reporting pretty directly contradicts what Obama said just one week ago. Not only have there been numerous violations, but a companion story by The Post's Carol D. Leonnig quotes the chief judge on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court saying it is limited in its ability to keep these programs in check.
Suddenly, an administration which just announced new safeguards against hypothetical and potential abuses must respond to a report about actual violations. And it must answer questions about why it has long maintained that such abuses were not happening.
(Worth noting: The line between "abuse" of the programs -- the word Obama used -- and violations that may not have been deliberate is a fine one, and it will likely be the crux of the debate going forward.)
On the congressional side, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) has already announced that the reported violations will be the subject of a hearing, and given that the House nearly voted last month to defund the NSA's phone record collection program, it seems likely we'll see similar efforts in the weeks and months ahead -- perhaps with more momentum behind them.
Outside the administration, the revelation could very well shape the debate in the Republican Party, where Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have effectively declared themselves the leaders of the privacy and national security wings of the party, respectively.
While Christie has taken a hard line against the "esoteric" arguments being made by libertarian-leaning members of Congress, Thursday's revelations start to make those arguments sound a whole lot less esoteric.
The big question from here is whether these violations will be written off as minor mistakes in a vast and vital national security apparatus or as the smoking gun for an apparatus that routinely goes too far.
If you had asked us last week whether the Christies of the world or the Pauls of the world had the upper hand in this debate, we would have said the Christies.
This Friday morning, it's a whole lot less clear that that's the case.
Updated at 12:45 p.m.


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Sun, Oct 29, 2017, 04:00 PM - Sun, Oct 29, 2017, 10:00 PM
DAY 2- New Wave Asia
Date: 29th October'17
Entry: FREE
Getting India and the rest of Asia, together.
Flying Kik: Based out of Thimphu, Bhutan and 1 out of 2 represents from the country this year at New Wave Asia, Flying Kik's getting a heavy mix of Reggae and Rap Metal to the floors this year. It's been sometime for Rap Metal though.
Music: https://m.facebook.com/
jwala: An exclusively-curated jwala set featuring young guns namelyChrms, Three Oscillators and Mug£n. Sigh, this combo bombo is making us go gonzo!
Music: SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/
United Machines: Mumbai based synthesist, multi-instrumentalist and equipment collector Himanshu Pandey conceptualised United Machines in 2013 as a live, improvisational act that moves across genres and setups for each unique set.
Since 2001, Himanshu has been obsessively building the largest private collection of samplers, sequencers, synthesizers and drum machines in the country (including vintage equipment sourced from Bollywood studios), while actively encouraging and developing the community through workshops, mentorship and open jam sessions.
Listen to this and DON'T stop boogeying!
Raghav Meattle: Singer-songwriter based out of Mumbai, Raghav was the semifinalist of second season of The Stage, India's only English reality show airing on Colors Infinity (Viacom18). 'Simple and catchy' is how he would best describe his music.
Looking forward to what he has to offer at the fest!
Music: https://www.youtube.com/
Awkward Silence: "Our music talks about things that people don't openly talk about. The emotions that people are afraid to express. We want to liberate our audience with our music by emancipating listeners and breaking the chains that prevent people from dealing with things that aren't such a big deal in reality."
Are you waiting to feel liberated!? The wait stops here, eh?
Music: https://www.youtube.com/
Wed 07-Feb-2018
Tue 06-Mar-2018
Fri 11-May-2018
Wed 14-Nov-2018
Fri 16-Nov-2018
Mon 31-Dec-2018
Sat 19-Jan-2019
Mon 03-Feb-2020
Wed 30-Oct-2019
Fri 11-Oct-2019
Wed 20-Nov-2019
Wed 20-Nov-2019
Thu 14-Nov-2019
Thu 14-Nov-2019
Mon 15-Apr-2019
Tue 23-Apr-2019
Fri 29-Nov-2019
Thu 05-Sep-2019


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Diana Taurasi scored 30 points and Candice Dupree had a season-high 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Phoenix Mercury to a 98-89 victory over the Sparks on Tuesday night at Staples Center.
DeWanna Bonner added 16 points for the Mercury (7-11), who have won two straight since ending a six-game skid.
"We're just playing a little more consistent throughout the game," Taurasi said of the Mercury's recent improvement. "Sometimes, that's all it is: just playing with more energy and a little bit harder for the 40 minutes."
DeLisha Milton-Jones had 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Sparks (4-13), who have lost six of seven. Noelle Quinn (Bishop Montgomery, UCLA) added 18 points and Kristi Toliver had 16.
Taurasi scored 11 points and Dupree had eight points and seven rebounds as the Mercury built a 30-10 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Phoenix made 13 of 20 shots and outrebounded the Sparks 14-5 in the period.
"We just didn't come out with the sense of urgency that we should have," Sparks coach Jennifer Gillom said. "If we're not scoring, that doesn't mean we don't play defense. Our defense needs to be more aggressive."
The game was the first the two teams played without the Sparks' Candace Parker, who separated her left shoulder June 13. The previous three meetings were decided by a total of three points.
"You don't have her long arms in there on defense," Dupree said of Parker. "They're obviously a little bit smaller because they've got to drop their guards in to defend our (post players). That's probably the biggest thing."
The Sparks, who trailed by as many as 23 points, narrowed their deficit to 70-64 with 2:04 left in the third quarter. But Dupree and Bonner each had four points in an 8-2 spurt to make it 78-66 with 8:35 to play.
Phoenix played without guard Ketia Swanier, who was serving a one-game suspension for coming off the bench during an altercation in Saturday's game against New York.


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Several weeks ago I became interested in Buddhism. Long story short, all the various types of meditations and mindfulness practices my counselor had spoken with me about months ago seemed more appealing to me now. One of them, walking meditation, I continued to do on a fairly regular basis. So I was kind of looking online for "other tips" or other practices when I somehow stumbled upon a review of the book "The Buddha & The Borderline" here. This led me to purchase an online course to learn about Mahayana Buddhism from The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). It is a two year program that is meant to be a way of life, not to study academically.
It is just what I needed and falls in line with what my counselor and I were discussing in our last episode. I may not be able to make this internal chaos go away but I can recognize it and make it bearable. Recognizing it is what I am currently attempting to do in therapy and meditation and contemplation…"looking within" as she once told me is one way to achieve that.
Strange that Buddha means to be fully awake. Made me think of a song by Katy Perry, so I added below. The song can be interpreted many different ways. But as for being awake, I have just realized that I am asleep. And so here is to my journey…


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Festival of the Arts Regional Exhibition 2015
June 3, 2015 - July 26, 2015
Admission to UICA will be free to the public from June 3 – 7 in celebration of Festival of the Arts.
The annual Festival Regional Arts Exhibition returns this year to UICA. The juried exhibition, on display June 03 – July 26, features paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, and other mediums. Artists from Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa Counties were eligible to apply. The Festival Weekend is June 5, 6, and 7 and features food, performances, and activities throughout downtown Grand Rapids.
Festival of the Arts: June 5, 6, and 7
Festival Regional Arts Exhibition: June 3 - July 26
For more information about Festival of the Arts, visit festivalgr.org
Richard Aardsma
Molly Alicki Corriveau
Gabriela Amaya-Baron
Lisa Ambrose
Mary E. Andersen
John Andersen
Jan Andre
Maggie Bandstra
Kathleen Bechtel
Jerry Berta
David Besteman
Terry Bidgood
Jonathan Biggs
James Bleeker
Mel Blohm
Larry Blovits
Katherine Bourdon
Laura Boyea
Dian Brigham
Mike Bryant
Sheryl Budnik
Margo Burian
Eric Burke
Nona Bushman
Ronald G Campbell
Sarabeth Carr
Dianne Carroll Burdick
Bill Chardon
Rosanne Coty
Anne T. Crans
Jodi Danley
Robert Day
Holly DeGarmo
Richard Deming Jr.
Cheryl Den Boer
Lisa Dionne
Georgia Donovan
Christi Dreese
Henry Droski
Chris Dudley
Sarah Ellis
Susan Ellison
Linda Foley
Diane Gietzen
Kimnerly Gill
Joe Goeldel
Loralee Grace
Alynn Guerra
Shirley J. Haan
Tatsuki Hakoyama
Elaine Hannink
Kathleen Harris
Debie Hartman
Devin Hendrick
Marianna Heule
Erin Hoffman
Joseph Hollenbeck
David Huang
Sally Jenks
Robin Jensen
James Johnson
Ann-Marie Jurek
Madeline Kaczmarczyk
Kathleen Kalinowski
Donald Karel
Don Ketchel
Sarah Knill
Michael Koole
Joe Krajkiewcz
Shawn Krueger
Colton Kruizenga
Kyle Kulchar
Doris Larson
Carol Laurn
Robert Lee
Diann Lemmen
Katherine Lewis
Ralph Lindholm
Natalie Lopez
Leon Lou
Sandi Lummen
Nancy MacLachlan
Daniel Mansel
Jim Markle
Taylor Mazer
Sri Soekarmoen McCarthy
Catherine McClung
Leanne McGann
Robert Miller
Kathy Mohl
Mark Muyskens
Karin Nelson
Douglas Neuman
Dennis Nielsen
Randall Nyhof
Lisa Olsen
Christine Olson
Dennis O'Mara
Jean Orians
Jim O'Rourke
Sarah Ouellette
Janice Paulson
Sara Pearson
Stone Peng
Michelle Pittman
Robyn Porteen
David Rasmusson
Maryedith Rasmusson
Frederic Reinecke
Steven Reynolds
John Riepma
Joshua Adam Risner
Kevin Rowley
Sherri Russell
Patti Salka
Tom Sampson
Gene Sampson
Steven Scarbourough
Richard Schaf
Matthew Schenk
Steven Scherbinski
Barbara Schilling
Douglas Schwentor
Janet Seaman-McDonald
Patti Sevensma
John Smith
Flynn Sochon
Chad Stanton
Robert Starr
Monica Stegeman
Robert Stone
Renae Stritzinger
Joanne Swann
Kylee Szczepaniuk
Jeane TerHaar
Maxine Terry
Renee Therriault
Barbara Thorne
Dennis Timmons
Ann Trowbridge
Florence Truskowski
Dave Valko
Richard Vanderputte
Debra VanDeusen
Ronald Varga
Steven Vinson
Julia Voake
Kelly Walkotten
John Walson
Jerry Ward
Jaimie Watson
Mary Jo Westenberg
Amy Wilkinson
Paul Willis


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Come for the Apple stuff, stay for a 15-minute tour of this week's market momentum by the co-founder of StockTwits.
I knew about StockTwits, of course, but I didn't know anything about Howard Lindzon. And if he hadn't posted a link to an Apple 3.0 post on his blog last week, I wouldn't have stumbled upon this week's Momentum Monday, the latest in what I gather is a long-running YouTube series. (Long enough, anyway, to collect a sponsor.)
The latest episode—my first—is entitled The FANG/FAANG Blues and Mood Matters and begins with Lindzon in evident pain at seeing the crown jewel of his portfolio getting hammered. "It's my biggest position, and down 10%, almost 15%, is real," he says. "This is what investing looks like when you're a long-term investor."
My take: This may be old hat to some of you, but I got a useful, chart-rich overview of a bunch of names—from Xilinx, a semiconductor manufacturer, to Starbucks, which Lindzon considers a technology company. A welcome break from Screaming Jim Cramer.


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Every Friday, Riptide brings you the most eye-catching mugshots taken the previous week in Miami-Dade County. Yes, there is some mockery of bad neck tattoos, but also adulation directed at perps who just plain look more badass than we ever will. This is the italicized intro to that series.
Arrested: 3/24
Charged with: Criminal mischief
The man loves his mother.
Charged with:Lewd and laviscious conduct on a child, aggravated stalking of a minor
What is it, Inscrutable Neck Tattoo Week?
Arrested: 3/23
Charged with: Cocaine possession, cannabis possession
Nothing more satisfying that a big ol' gap in your teeth. You can compulsively dart the tip of your tongue through it, and even spray Mountain Dew through it. Plus, it makes for a great mugshot.
Arrested: 3/23
Charged with: Aggravated stalking, aggravated battery with great bodily harm
Can you imagine being stalked by this Mushroom-from-Mario-Land lady? Every time you felt eyes on you and turned around, all you'd see was a blonde volcano on the horizon.
Arrested: 3/21
Charged with: Strongarmed robbery
This looks like the guy who makes his entrances in pornos with some line like: "Is this where the job interview is?" (He's wearing some ill-fitting suit and holding a briefcase.) We're so tired of seeing close-ups of this guy's balls.
Arrested: 3/21
Charged with: Criminal mischief
Well aren't you a South Beach wood nymph version of a British barrister.
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Arrested: 3/23
Charged with: Disorderly conduct, trespassing
We try not to feature too many mugshots of men in womens' clothing because, you know, talk about shooting fish in a barrel. But when you look like a mirthful Nathan Lane and you're wearing our little sister's bathing suit, we'll find room for you.
Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.


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Lingering a little longer.
Moving a little slower.
Inhaling it all in. The simplicity..the beauty that surrounds.
Letting things gently..softly..quietly be. For just one day - offering up a little self-kindness..a little self-love...a little self-compassion and care.
It's all perfectly okay. Just as it is - today.
We show up.
We burn brightly.
And then - when all is said and done...we let it all go.


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Thistles Way
Lois' Journey to Thistles Flower Market
The year was 1967. Lois was a 20-year-old college student transferring back to her hometown of Pella, Iowa to acquire her degree in Elementary Education from Central College. College funds were dwindling, and Lois needed a job. While searching the town, she found employment at a little floral shop on Main Street named DeJong Florist. There she worked for Luella Van Maanen and spent her days cleaning, delivering orders, and helping move the shop's location over to Franklin Street which entailed more cleaning and painting. Throughout this experience Lois' love for flowers and flower design began to grow.
In 1971, after teaching fourth grade for a couple of years, Lois married Bob Vermeer and they had three children. She found herself caring for her home and family full-time, while also volunteering in the community and participating in the Pella Garden Club. Once again, she surrounded herself with flowers, plants, design, and creativity.
Fast forward several years. Janet Fogle, the owner of Thistles Flower Shop, where Bob and Lois were frequent customers, asked if they knew of anyone who would like to buy a flower shop. Lois replied that they would think about possible buyers, but inside her head, a neon sign was flashing, "Me, me, me!" She thought to herself, "Pella needs to keep this flower shop." After talking with her husband and family, Lois agreed to purchase Thistles Flower Shop. The staff , with Shirley Vermeer at the helm as store manager, was crucial in the smooth transition.
Lois feels at home in the shop. She appreciates the beauty of the florals and the atmosphere of creativity and positivity that presents itself there. At first, she questioned the name of the business. "Thistles" was an unusual name for a floral shop, but yet unique and memorable. After reflecting on the variety customers, events, and reasons for giving flowers, it was obvious that "Thistles" was a perfect fit. It is a flower with a lovely bloom, yet also has thorns and prickles, much like life and the stories shared through her customers. Los has the goal as Thistles serves people: "We are blessed to be a blessing to others."
Recently Bob and Lois purchased the historic 120-year old building Thistles has been residing in and have expanded into "Thistle Flower Market." Thistles now has more floor space to display the many creative arrangements, gifting options and unique home décor. Lois invites you in to experience all that Thistles Flower Market has to offer.


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Our People
The Leeco Steel Trading team is comprised of the industry's best people because you aren't just buying steel, you're buying Leeco Steel.
Jason Fredstrom is the Executive Vice President of Leeco Steel responsible for strategic initiatives, commercial sales and company-wide growth. He has more than 20 years of industry experience and qualifications. He speaks fluent English.
Antonio Rosset is Leeco Steel's man on the ground in Mexico and South America, while also covering all global accounts. He has nearly twenty years of experience in steel trading and has worked with a large variety of industries. Languages spoken: Portuguese, Spanish, German, English and Russian. Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com


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An Uber Ride In Malaysia
I'd be lying if I said I was 100% comfortable visiting a predominantly Muslim country, but with a culture being known for its hospitality, I was open to exploring it. The morning my husband and I landed in Kuala Lumpur, we called an Uber. Cab rides are always prime time to hear about an area from a local's perspective. "Where do you hang out? What food should we try? Is this attraction worth it? Tell us everything," spilled out of my mouth. The gabby ride was insightful and our uber friendly (no pun intended) and willing-to-help driver shared his contact to use during our stay. His name, Umar.
The following day we received a text. "How are you Marc & Cydny? Do you need a ride today? I was thinking, I can show you a lot of the spots we spoke about. Would you like me to take you as your guide?"
Scam. Fraud. Beware. I tried to refrain from thinking like a New Yorker. Umar gave his price for a day's worth of sightseeing and we were intrigued. Unfortunately, the day before our scheduled outing Umar realized it landed on a Muslim holiday. Apologetically, he offered to either have his buddy guide us. Or even better, we could spend the traditional Muslim celebration with his family. Why was he being so kind and willing to please a stranger? As quickly as my excitement increased, my worry amplified. People aren't this friendly. What is the possibility this could this turn into a CNN story? American Couple Kidnapped in Malaysia. Damn the news and its dictation over my thoughts. Concern won.
However, I sincerely wanted to believe Umar was genuine. Therefore the least we could do was ask him for a ride back to the airport. His reply? "I'm going to pick you up early and treat you to a traditional Malaysian breakfast." Is he for real?
Umar arrived with his wife, Rien, in the passenger seat. We exchanged hellos and headed to their favorite breakfast joint. He ordered for the table and cheerfully explained each of our dishes. Like a normal morning at the diner, we chatted about life, family, and adventure. We laughed, shared our cultures, and posted a group selfie. When the bill arrived, Umar refused to take our cash. I regretted not trusting Umar from the beginning, knowing better than to let the whispers of the news command my thoughts. The world is much more down-to-earth than what is portrayed on TV and, as a traveler, I know better to not fall into that trap. We arrived at the airport, gave hugs and said goodbye to what felt like long time friends, and took off.


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This corner site presented as a roughly square, nearly level front garden that was fully exposed to the street on two sides. The client wanted to increase their privacy without screening off completely. There were several existing trees and shrubs, none of which were worth retaining, and a mature Canary Island Date Palm in the centre of the space that the client did want to retain. Her brief was to create a rambling, wild, English-style garden and an open lawn space with sufficient paving for entertaining.
A curved border around the mature palm defined a central lawn area; beds adjacent to the house and western fence line followed these straight lines. To effect the desired screening from the main road a mixture of hardy flowering evergreen shrubs, deciduous feature trees and architectural foliage plants were combined in layers. None could exceed five metres in height due to adjacent powerlines. Sinuous paths wander through the deepest parts of the garden beds to enable access and to immerse oneself in the planted space.
A custom made, oversize iron arbour supports a heavily scented Wisteria; once the remainder of the garden has grown this will look more in scale. A rectilinear paved space adjacent to the verandah and front path is big enough for a dining table and chairs, or standing space for twenty. South facing garden beds adjacent to the house are filled with shade tolerant ferns, Japanese Maples and other foliage plants.
Again, scented species have been selected and placed near windows and paths for optimal effect. As well as choosing plants that are easily propagated to fill in gaps, it was recommended that the whole site be oversewn with self-seeding annuals and perennials, to further encourage the chaotic, intermingling effect desired.


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Free breakfasts are being served up to Pool Academy students to give them extra fuel during exam season.
Staff members at the school are serving the early morning meals to Year 11s every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 8am until 8.25am
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and toast is on offer for youngsters, before lessons begin. It is hoped one day the initiative could be offered to other year groups across the academy.
Nick Hamblin, from Pool Academy, said: "We started doing this in response to the wealth of evidence recognising that breakfast is very important in getting students started, ready to learn and to fuel them to take a full part in the day ahead.
"This is even more important during exam season.
"We offer tea, coffee, hot chocolate and as much toast as students wish us to make."
He said the service, which is hosted at the school bungalow, is used regularly by students at the moment.
The breakfast is provided by Pool Academy.
Debbie Mitchelmore, from Pool Academy, said: "The breakfast club is a great way to start the day in a relaxing atmosphere with friends and the added bonus of tea and toast."
Jordan Pidwell, a student who uses the service, said: "Breakfast club is a vital part of the school week which allows students to interact with staff and other students outside of the normal school format.
"We are able to communicate and joke with the staff every week and it is a very positive start to the day, as well as setting us up with food and drink ready to learn."


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Look, I understand the implications of posting about carbs and whipped cream immediately after posting about being unhappy with my weight but it's berry season and I never claimed to be perfect.
I missed this year's local strawberry crop (sad face) but blueberry shortcake was surprisingly satisfying. I used this strawberry shortcake recipe but I added the zest of one lemon to the cream scones. The subtle lemon zing worked perfectly with the sweetness of the blueberries. Plus, you know, antioxidants. It's practically health food. #science


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Hi Justin,
"We host most of those videos on our YouTube channel, and I think that is the way to go rather then serving videos directly hosted on your site.:"
You must be assuming one does not have the bandwidth, storage space, etc on a website to host videos. Also, why use PowerGallery when I can use all the other free gallery hosting sites out there right?
No, simply put YouTube and others has to many limitations for uploading and viewing videos. ie Some content is prohibited. Your limited by length of video time. etc
We need a PowerMultimedia extension from WebAssist with the ability to use YouTube or host the videos on our own website. While i'm at it, heck let make sure we add capabilty for all multimedia. :)


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Holiday Concerts Happening In & Around Pittsburgh
It really is the most wonderful time of the year!
From tree lighting ceremonies to shopping, there is so much going on around the city that you don't even mind the cold weather!
This time of year also brings holiday shows to the city, putting an extra level of holiday cheer to the Burgh.
Here are some of the holiday shows happening around the city over the next month:
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre - The Nutcracker
Going on now through December 27th
Benedum Center
Tickets: $62-749
Lindsey Stirling: Warmer in the Winter
Monday, December 10th
Benedum Center
Tickets: $52.75-349.00
A Magical Cirque Christmas
Thursday, December 13th
Benedum Center
Ingrid Michaelson Trio Presents: Songs For The Season
Tuesday, December 11th
Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead
Tickets: $54-396
Listen to win tickets on 100.7 Star!
A Hip Hop Nutcracker
Tuesday, December 11th & Wednesday, December 12th
Benedum Center
Tickets: $95-755
Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters and A Carpenters' Christmas
Wednesday, December 12th
Caregie Library Music Hall of Homestead
Tickets: $18.75 - $39.00
A Benedum Christmas – Home for the Holidays
Wednesday, December 19th
Benedum Center
Tickets start at $29


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Seeking Alpha/
I have been a regular visitor to Seeking Alpha for a few years. The site is full of investment articles with daily updates. It was founded more than 10 years ago -- it has real staying power with a diverse community of individual and professional contributors. The focus is on the individual investor.
I am especially impressed with the ETF Investing Guide which covers many issues that an individual should consider when constructing and managing an investment portfolio. As a minimum I recommend reading the Introduction and the One Page Summary (actually its longer than one page).
The guide explains how ETFs can be the basis for a core portfolio. It makes a good case for taking control of your portfolio as compared with paying potentially high fees in managed funds and to investment advisors. This is, of course, the same theme that StateSpaceTech preaches.
One of the topics in the guide is rebalancing, which is helpful. It does not cover all rebalancing issues, but its a start. Of course, our website goes into great depth in discussion of rebalancing. And our product Balancing Act makes it possible for both new and experienced investors to expertly rebalance their portfolios, regardless of portfolio value or complexity.
The Seeking Alpha guide is especially impressive in that it was published 10 years ago but is fully relevant today. This was leading edge advice. One notable missing component is a discussion of robo-advisors, which appeared in the last few years. It would be nice to see the guide updated to reflect this option that may suit some investors.


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The collaboration includes enabling the casting of video content from the ICC mobile app on Cast enabled devices, like Chromecast and Google Home Hub, allowing fans around the world to get closer to the final stages of the event and stay up to date on the teams, matches and favourite players on a plethora of devices. This includes in-match clips and short form highlights.
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: "This is a hugely exciting collaboration for cricket and I'm delighted to welcome Google on board with the ICC Women's World T20 in the West Indies. Connecting with fans and giving more of the world the chance to enjoy our sport is vital and our partnership with Google enables us to do that.
"Cricket may be a sport steeped in tradition, but it is one that has consistently embraced technology on and off the field to improve the game and the fan experience and we must continue to innovate. The fact that a fan can now enjoy the ICC App content on Cast enabled devices for the first time ever for a cricket event is great news."
ICC Media Release


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Check out the
Peoria Blog
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Peoria Wedding!
Find a directory of:
Peoria Churches
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Peoria Flowers
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contest winners!
See them all HERE!


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Phone: (989) 493-2940
I think we can all agree, 401Ks are a great way to save. But there are a few problems that many of us may encounter.
First, for the majority of employees there's the big question of how much should I be saving to retire on time? And the problem is their number won't be the same as yours or mine! Think about what you want to do in retirement. Travel? Spend time with grandkids? Pursue hobbies? Everyone will have different activities but one thing remains true, none of us want to go back to work after being in retirement.
Solution: Do you see the column on the left? We offer that to every single employee. No one gets left behind. Whether you're the CEO or an hourly employee you get the same exact service tailored to your personal objectives. You might be thinking as a business owner, well "I don't want to pay for that" and that's fine because you won't. As a business all you pay for is exactly what you pay for now, the annual plan administration.
Second problem, what should you be investing in? Typically you are handed a list of 3-25 funds and it's up to you to pick what you should be in.
Solution: As an unbiased financial advisor, we only have one loyalty: the clients. We open up the world to any bond available, 10,734 stocks and over 19,000 funds. We will build a portfolio customized to each and every employee.
Third problem, the majority of employees don't know how much of their portfolio should be allocated in stocks or bonds. This is a major concern because if your portfolio is out of balance and you have a recession hit, you could see your goals crumble in front of you and you could be working much longer than expected.
Solution: We keep an eye on all of our client's portfolios to make sure that as time goes on, we are staying current with the relationship between their goals and their investments. Not only that we meet yearly with our clients to make sure we are staying on track and our goals are current.
Fee-only planning is developing a plan for the major aspects of your financial life to meet your goals. Maybe it's a new sports car, paying off your mortgage, buying a new home, vacation home, saving for your children's education or the biggest one retirement! When you think about these goals you should be thinking:
Don't just "throw a dart at a board." Let us put you on a plan that will see these goals come to life.
At Brown Financial we are in a very unique spot as the majority of your local "big box" shops don't offer comprehensive financial planning. We build long lasting relationships by taking your goals and creating strategies to be sure that you're going to see your dreams happen. Because we don't offer proprietary funds we open up the world to your investments and only choose the ones suitable for your current scenario. Think about this, you don't have the same goals as your neighbors, just like I don't have the same as my neighbors. Let's hand select investments to build a tailored plan.
We see proprietary funds as a large conflict of interest. We do not accept payments from any outside source and will never take a commission. We aren't your typical "old school" advisor, we don't sell any insurances or investment products. We shouldn't be paid on what we sell you, we should be paid for the services we offer right? We sell advice, not services.
It is often hard to coordinate all of the major aspects of your life together into a cohesive plan. You don't need a fortune to start building wealth, the hardest step is simply calling us and scheduling a meeting!
You should never settle for average. You don't owe them anything, you're on the back burner, just another account. Take a step towards your financial freedom and get the service you deserve.


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Number one choice in powerful vibrators, Magic Wand proves to be a quality pleasure experience every time. Two powerful modes send deep vinrations along the shaft of your cock, under the balls, on the clitoris, anus, and any place your imagination goes. Insert a glass or steel butt plug or urethral sounds to send vibrations to the most sensistive parts inside your body.
For an exciting bondage experience, use with Forced Orgasm Belt lock in on the pleasure spot and drive your submissive wild.


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We will send you an email when your
Balsam Hill product is in stock.
Inspired by the flawless, manicured look of estate gardens, our newly redesigned Battery-Operated Boxwood Topiaries lend a graceful touch to your home all year-round. Consisting of single ball, double ball, finial, and spiral topiaries, this collection is crafted with highly-realistic boxwood tips, UV-protected to resist fading from sunlight. These artificial boxwood topiaries are set in nursery pots filled with river stones and are ready to be set in your favourite decorative urn. Hand-strung with battery-operated clear LED lights, our topiaries also feature a timer function to help conserve battery life. Welcome your guests with the elegant look and radiant glow of our lifelike artificial greenery.
All orders qualify for FREE delivery within Australia via Australian Post/Star Track.
For more detailed delivery information, please see our Delivery Information FAQs.
Balsam Hill™ is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. Please call us at 02 8046 6228 or contact us via email at email@example.com. For current customer service hours, see our Contact Us page.


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Whether you are a first year teacher or a veteran teacher, there are certain supplies that will make your teaching year so much easier. These would also be great gifts for student teachers and new teacher graduates!
I give my own personal opinions and preferences throughout the post. My feeling won't be hurt if we don't agree on each item. 😁
If you want to do a little shopping, I have linked each picture to Amazon or the website where I purchase each of these items.
1. Planner
I know that lots of people are in love with a digital lesson planner. If that is you, I highly recommend Plan Book. It's very inexpensive, super use friendly and allows you to create templates that will save you time.
If you are a bit old school like me, you might prefer to write your plans. It's just the way that my mind works best! I LOVE Plum Paper planners. They are super cute, durable and less expensive than many other custom planners. The best part is that you get to customize the planner with your schedule so that you are not writing in the subjects and times every week.
2. Pencil Sharpener
Every teacher must have a quality pencil sharpener. Seriously, it is a MUST!
I love this pencil sharpener. It is the only one that held up for me. Others would only last a few months.
Even with a quality sharpener, make sure that you are only using it for traditional yellow pencils. The cute painted pencils, colored pencils and crayons will ruin the pencil sharpener pretty quick.
3. Stapler
I am a stapler snob. I believe that everyone should have a One-Touch Stapler. They work so much better than every other stapler out there!
The stapler doesn't get clogged often, can be used with just one hand and does not require a muscle builder to put staples into surfaces as hard as a wall.
4. Paper Cutter
Having a good paper cutter will just save you time. You can cut through a stack of paper at one time. I could even cut through lamination with mine!
5. Personal Laminator
It was my third year teaching and I had a parent volunteering to cut lamination for me. Woot!
She asked me, "Why don't you have your own laminator?" Ummmmm....why don't I?! I guess I just assumed that they would be expensive. I was wrong. They are super affordable.
I have had my Scotch laminator for many years and it gets a crazy amount of use. It's still going strong.
Having your own laminator gives you more flexibility. You can procrastinate more because you don't have to rely on the school laminator. It's life changing.
Don't forget to get some decent laminating sleeves! I always order Scotch brand ones from Amazon.
6. Bag
You are going to need a durable bag for carrying things home and back to school. Plus, you'll want it to be cute! Obviously!
Lots of teachers like Thirty-One bags. I really don't. They are big and bulky to carry. Plus, totes make my shoulders hurt.
I much prefer to use a backpack for comfort. That doesn't mean it can't be cute. My very favorite backpacks are Vera Bradley. They have tons of pockets for my always growing pen collection and they come in lots of beautiful patterns. You can even have them customized with your name or monogram!
7. Astrobrights Paper
If pretty colored paper makes you smile, then you were meant to be a teacher!
But seriously, I use Astrobrights paper all the time! It's great for color coding group work or differentiated work. It's fantastic for centers, crafts and notes home.
Some schools may provide this, but most don't.
8. Color Printer
Some teachers are lucky and their school allows them to print materials on their color printer. Most teachers are very limited. It is SOOO nice to have your own printer to use.
Everything does not NEED to be printed in color, but sometimes it's just nice!
Something to check into is HP Instant Ink program. It's a great way to get more affordable ink delivered to your door before you have a chance to run out. Use THIS link to get a free month of ink for free!
I hope that these ideas help you with your teacher supply back to school shopping!
Have a Not So Wimpy day,


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What is trust?
I think trust is being able to speak to someone completely without boundaries, with the feeling that you're not going to be judged. That you can say absolutely anything that you want and that it's not going to leave, not the only the room, but the other person. The word 'trust' can be thrown around quite often… too often. I'm contrary – on the one hand, I think that you've got to know someone for a really long time to have deep, meaningful trust. But then I also think that sometimes you can meet someone and form a connection or bond so quickly, suddenly trusting them more than someone you've known for the past 20 or 30 years. I think on paper I can appear as though I trust everyone. But in reality, only myself.
What does it mean to be a woman?
Sophie - I do wonder to myself, if I could go back to the womb, would I choose to be a man or a woman? To me, being a man sometimes appears a lot easier than being a woman. Maybe to me, being a woman represents struggle. When I think of the differences between a man and a woman, I always think about the added negatives that being a female has: giving birth, periods, the fact that you're hypersensitive, super emotional. But then at the same time, I take the same things and I think, actually maybe they're the positives: carrying your child, heightened empathy. I couldn't sum it up in a sentence.
"I think about soul mates sometimes"
What do you hide from yourself or others?
Sophie - I hide a lot from others. Nothing specific. I present myself as someone confident and outgoing, but that is definitely a mask. I'm one of these people that is constantly comparing myself to others, which you might not necessarily assume. I think with things like Facebook and Instagram, it's become almost impossible to not compare yourself to others. Like, "why is that person that I went to school with already married with two children"… or "why has this person I knew from uni got a fantastic job"… and then I think to myself, would I want to be married with two children? Probably not. Do I actually want that job? Probably not. I definitely hide from other people how insecure I am. The funny thing is, if they looked at my Facebook or Instagram they might think the same. Not because I am at all superior, but because we choose to put very selective things on social media – only the highlights.
I do think I'm honest with myself. I'm a thoughtful person, I'm quite considered, and am constantly in my own head. So I don't think I have the capacity to hide a lot from myself. The things I keep buried are more to do with my past. I don't think that's necessarily hiding things, it's more keeping certain memories below the surface so that you're not overwhelmed all the time, so you can continue to function. It's more a means of survival.
What is your inner strength? Something you believe in?
Sophie - I wouldn't say there's one particular thing I believe strongly in. I'm one of these people who, if something terribly sad has happened, I might suddenly turn to God. And then in six months when everything has plateaued and is fine, He doesn't really enters my thoughts. In the past, when I've been through heartbreak, or bereavement, or disappointment, I've become more spiritual. I've turned to tarot cards, meditation, astrology… I think because I wanted answers, and I wanted something to believe in so badly. It's the need to find something to make me think "actually, everything is going to be ok" and if I concentrate my energy on x, y or z', that's going to help things become better. So I very much flicker between different religions, different beliefs, different elements of spirituality. I don't have a steadfast belief system, which is probably a weakness. You shouldn't just jump from one to the other. I'm currently placing a lot of belief in fate. And that shows that I'm plateauing, that I'm quite content at the moment.
What are you grateful for?
Sophie - To an extent, I'm grateful for everything. I consider myself a very privileged person, in the grand scheme of things. I mean, it's true that I haven't had the best life. But I've also not had the worst, by any stretch of the imagination. So when I'm starting to feel a bit down, or sorry for myself, I try to think "for goodness' sake Sophie, you could have it a whole lot worse, you could have been born in a different country, a different era, a different anything". So I try to remain grateful for every tiny little thing in my life. The fact that I've got a job, a roof over my head, this bit of calamari I'm eating. I've got a boyfriend, I've got good friends, a family. These are all things that, as a society, I think we take for granted. And I try my best not to. I'm grateful specifically for the people around me. I've got a really strong group of close friends that I can turn to, for just about anything. I think about soul mates sometimes. I don't believe in a soulmate at all. But I believe in a group of soulmates, the people you meet by chance - school, university, work or whatever, and actually you're like "I don't think I can imagine my life without you". So I'm grateful for the people who have come my way and that I've chosen to surround myself with and who have decided to stick with me. I'm very grateful for the people in my life.


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Ban shark fin soup in Ohio
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Global conservation is not a salient issue and this mere fact slows our progress in making meaningful effects for imperiled species abroad. Thus, activating and motivating legislators in inland states can begin a process of local change to help address global conservation issues, like shark conservation. This project examines how to make real and actionable change in states that are land-locked, like Ohio. In fact, there are many issues to discuss with shark conservation and this is a reason the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has listed sharks on the Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) list.
The overall master plan of my Global Field Program work is focusing on shark conservation. While there are many issues to explore with shark conservation, one that will be discussed is shark finning. Shark Finning, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is the process of removing shark fins at sea and discarding the rest of the shark overboard (NOAA, 2013). Shark finning in the United States is a problem that needs to be addressed. Even though the physical act of shark finning is illegal in United States waters, shark fins are still bought and sold throughout the country (Vorphal, 2016). Not only in coastal states but also inland as well. The mid-western part of the United States has just as much responsibility in protecting shark species as do inhabitants of the coast. Currently, only twelve of the fifty states have banned shark finning (Pfleger, 2017). Unfortunately, that means thirty-eight states have yet to do so. One of these states that has yet to ban shark finning is Ohio. According to National Geographic, 100 million sharks are killed per year, 273,000 per day, and 11 thousand sharks are killed per hour for their fins (Vance, 2016).
A major driving force behind the decline in shark populations over the past decades is due to shark fin soup. This soup is very popular in many Asian countries and can cost as much as $150 a bowl. This soup is generally served at weddings and celebrations. Hong Kong, China, is renowned as the leader in shark fin soup consumption and trade (Mahr, 2010). Even though it's more prevalent in Asian countries, shark fin soup is still found in abundance in the United States and other countries as well. Amanda Morgan, shark biologist from Australia, has created a "fin free" logo that restaurants from around the world are adopting to let consumers know they do not serve shark fin soup (Bowling, 2016). Below is the logo that Morgan created.
Engaging community members is what ultimately drew me to the Global Field Program. Taking action is such a critical component of conservation. We can talk all that we want…but until we put words into action then we can truly make a difference. To engage the community of Ohio, all 11,658,609 of them (U.S. Census bureau), I will be incorporating the technology of facebook live and an online petition forum called change.org.
"Sharks have everything a scientist dreams of. They're beautiful―God, how beautiful they are! They're like an impossibly perfect piece of machinery. They're as graceful as any bird. They're as mysterious as any animal on earth. No one knows for sure how long they live or what impulses―except for hunger―they respond to. There are more than two hundred and fifty species of shark, and everyone is different from every other one." Peter Benchley, Jaws.
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