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2009 Lexus LS 460 Reviews and Ratings
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The Lexus LS is extremely quiet and extraordinarily smooth. The LS 460 is easy to drive and operate and is less fussy than the German luxury cars. It delivers excellent performance but tilts more to the luxury side of the equation.
The 4.6-liter V8 can propel the LS 460 from 0-60 mph in a mere 5.4 seconds, according to Lexus, yet it gets an EPA-rated 24 mpg Highway. The eight-speed automatic is super smooth and plays a big role in the fuel-economy story. The electrically powered steering system adjusts according to speed. The ride quality and handling are exemplary. It doesn't get any smoother than the Lexus LS and it meets every expectation for refinement and luxury.
The Lexus LS 600h L employs a hybrid powertrain using a 5.0-liter V8 and electric motors rated at 438 total system horsepower. The LS 600h L delivers EPA fuel economy ratings of 20/22 mpg City/Highway. The LS 600h L is certified as a Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV). The LS 600h L comes with all-wheel drive and rides on the long wheelbase.
For 2009, all-wheel drive is available on the LS 460 and LS 460 L for enhanced traction and stability. The all-wheel-drive system features a Torsen limited-slip center differential to distribute torque between the front and rear tires. Normally, the front-to-rear torque split is set at 40:60 but it can vary between 30:70 and 50:50 depending on driving conditions.
The LS is packed with luxury and bristles with technology. The Lexus LS 460 was the first car in the world with a computer-controlled eight-speed automatic transmission. The LS 460 L is a long-wheelbase version that offers reclining heated bucket seats, a cool box, dual-zone rear HVAC controls, a folding table, an ottoman, a shiatsu massager and, of course, DVD with wireless headphones. The list goes on.
The 2009 Lexus LS lineup is largely unchanged from the previous year. The LS 460 was launched for the 2007 model year and the LS 600h joined the line for 2008.
Lexus surpasses other luxury brands in terms of quality, durability, reliability, and desirability among American buyers, an astounding performance. The flagship sedan that started out as the LS 400 and then grew up as the LS 430 is now the Lexus LS 460. The Lexus LS challenges all comers as the best luxury sedan in the world. It competes with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class, BMW 5 Series and 7 Series, and a few others.Model Lineup
The 2009 Lexus LS lineup includes the LS 460 and LS 460 L long-wheelbase model powered by a 4.6-liter V8 and available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and the LS 600h L hybrid, a long-wheelbase model with all-wheel drive and a gas-electric powertrain. The models (with manufacturer's suggested retail prices): LS 460 ($63,825); LS 460 AWD ($67,350); LS 460 L ($73,735); LS 460 L AWD ($77,260); LS 600h L ($106,035)
The standard equipment list is long and the list of optional features is extensive. Options include Comfort Packages; the Navigation system packaged with the Advanced Parking Guidance Parking Package, or the Mark Levinson audio system, or with both the Parking Package and the Mark Levinson audio; a Pre-Collision System; One-Touch power operation of the trunk lid with power door closers; and numerous other conveniences. For the long-wheelbase versions there is an Executive Class Seating Package and a Rear-Seat Upgrade Package.
Safety equipment includes eight standard air bags to ABS (anti-lock brakes), electronic brake assist, ESP (electronic stability program), adaptive headlights, and tire-pressure monitoring. With the optional two-seat rear compartment, there is an additional air bag in the mix. Safety options include a pre-collision system that moves seats to a neutral position, closes the windows and sunroof, and tightens belts when the computers detect an impending collision.Walkaround
Lexus designers have given a lot of attention to aerodynamic considerations that ultimately lead to improved high-speed stability, quieter operation, and better highway fuel mileage. Yet, this has been done without making the LS look like some super-streamlined jellybean. The detailing is impeccable, the fit and finish is precise, and the entire look is one of refined, contemporary elegance.
As the flagship, the Lexus LS gets the most finesse of any of the Lexus L-finesse designs thus far. Its lines flow smoothly from its amazingly complex, crystal-like headlamp units, under the car, up over the roof and around the mirrors, with a short trip over the short rear deck to the integrated rear spoiler. After all that detail work on the exterior, they gave the car a drag coefficient of 0.26, tied with the best in the industry for a four-door sedan. Reducing aerodynamic drag not only helps fuel economy, it also contributes to reduced interior noise levels.
The headlights are automatic-leveling and also aim themselves to the left or right to better illuminate around corners, and the taillamps are LED units which deliver enhanced visibility to other drivers.Interior
To climb into the left front seat of the Lexus LS is to climb into the near-ultimate of luxury cars. The seats are gloriously comfortable, and they are 16-way adjustable for travel and rake and tilt (12-way on the passenger side), with a three-way memory system for each front seat. All models come with perforated leather seats, with the option of semi-aniline leather. The seat bolsters are just wide enough to retain your torso without feeling too tight or intruding on comfort. The front seats are climate-controlled on the standard car, with heated rear seats added to the L version.
Optitron is the name used by Lexus to describe its electroluminescent gauges and displays, and they are lit by bright white LEDs for excellent readability, day or night. Almost all of the needles illuminate, dominated by the large tachometer and speedometer needles. Every single switch on the car is lighted for ultimate convenience. A new thin-film-transistor (TFT) multi-information color display delivers as many as 13 information and setting displays during driving.
New four-spoke tilt-and-telescope leather-and-wood steering wheels (heated on the uplevel versions) feature redundant controls for audio, information, cruise control, radar cruise control option, telephone, and a new brake-hold feature. To use the brake-hold feature, just come to a stop, push down the brake pedal, touch the button on the steering wheel, and the brakes stay on regardless of vehicle attitude until you touch the gas pedal.
The center stack of controls is beautifully integrated, as is every single piece of interior trim, and though there are lots of buttons, they are clearly marked in large type and lighted, so there will be little confusion after a couple of drives. The navigation display is large and bright, and the graphics are crisp and sharp. An auxiliary input is provided for MP3 players, such as the Apple iPod. The standard ten-speaker audio system sounds wonderful until you try the optional Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound system, with 19 speakers and 450 watts, which we think might just be the single best automotive sound system on the market.
The LS is a big, roomy and comfortable luxury sedan, with generous interior dimensions and 18 cubic feet of trunk space, enough for four sets of golf clubs.
The long-wheelbase L versions offer more almost five inches more legroom, by virtue of their greater length, and the option of a luxurious rear-seat setup with two reclining heated bucket seats, a cool box, sunshades, additional climate ducting, and dual-zone rear HVAC control. Yet another configuration, the Executive-Class Seating Package, adds a folding table and a right rear seat with a built-in ottoman section, shiatsu massager, an extra air bag, and a rear roof-mounted 9-inch DVD screen and two sets of wireless headphones. No car manufacturer this side of a $350,000 Maybach offers this kind of rear-seat setup.Driving Impressions
In any version, the Lexus LS is fast, smooth, quiet and efficient. So much so, that there is a low sensation of speed. The car feels under-stressed at normal highway speeds, with a huge reserve of speed and passing power. A BMW 7 Series sedan offers sharper handling, but its larger wheels and lower-profile tires let more road noise through to the cabin and more vibration to the wheel. The Lexus is smoother and quieter. And it's handling is quite good. It can be driven into corners at high rates of speed.
The LS 460 has a base curb weight of 4350 pounds, and its engine is smaller than those in some of the German competitors. Yet it can accelerate from 0-60 mph in a mere 5.4 seconds, and it's good for an EPA rating of 24 mpg Highway. But acceleration is only a tiny part of the story here, and the engine is only a part of that.
The LS 460 is the first car in the world with a computer-controlled eight-speed automatic transmission, a transmission that offers great acceleration with nearly imperceptible upshifts and downshifts, manual or automatic shift control, and that great highway mileage in eighth-gear overdrive.
Moving off from rest with authority and acceleration seems like child's play for the LS 460. The engine, transmission and driveline set the standard for quietness and smoothness. We found the LS 460 to be very, very quiet and nearly vibration-free. It seems much quieter than the competition, whether at 30 mph or 130 mph, its regulated top speed.
The electrically powered steering system is terrific. It doesn't feel any different than hydraulically powered steering, and it has progressive assist that decreases with speed. The steering, brakes and engine are linked together into electronic stability control, which Lexus calls Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM), and which includes all the functions of anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control to help keep the vehicle going where the driver intends and thus to reduce the chance of a spin on a slippery surface.
All-wheel drive is available on all models. The operation and driving feel of the Lexus all-wheel drive system is about as transparent as it can be. There is no sense that it is searching between the front and rear wheels, and has none of the torque steer that accompanies just about all front-drive vehicles and many with all-wheel drive.
Parking and maneuvering are surprisingly easy given the size of the LS 460 L and LS 600h L. Thanks goes to a relatively short turning radius and electronic power steering. The Intuitive Park Assist feature can be used to allow the car to park itself. We tested the Intuitive Park Assist system, thinking anyone who knows how to parallel park will consider this an unnecessary, slightly insulting adornment. However, it really works. Actually, it works great. We found ourselves using it over and over. The trick is to scan in the exact size of the parking space, then keep a foot on the brake while the car automatically maneuvers itself into the spot. It takes about 10 seconds.
The LS 600h L, if anything, is even smoother. The hybrid system, in which the 5.0-liter V8 and the electric motor can work together, can provide performance equivalent to other V10 or V12 powerplants, and smoothness to match. The 389 horsepower of the engine, matched with the enormous torque of the electric motor, means that this car that weighs 5049 pounds can, according to Lexus, accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 5.5 seconds, and it is rated at 20 mpg City, which is more than what you might expect from a mid-size sedan with a V6. While hybrid powertrains deliver excellent fuel economy, their strongest forte lies in reduced emissions. According to Lexus engineers, the LS 600h L produces exhaust emissions nearly 70 percent cleaner than the cleanest competitors.
The hybrid drive system uses two powerful electric motors and a newly developed battery pack that is lighter and stores more electricity than previous systems. The system is capable of driving the car in electric only mode, or with a combination of gas engine and electric motor. The battery system consists of 288-volt DC Nickel Metal Hydride pack located behind the rear seat. In the trunk is a 12-volt auxiliary battery to power the audio system, navigation and lighting. The electric motors, MG1 and MG2, perform specific functions. Each can operate as both a motor and generator. MG2 is the drive motor. MG1 is used as a starter motor and acts as an engine-driven generator to charge the battery pack or provide additional power to the drive motor, MG2, as needed.
The LS 600h can operate in EV Mode, in which the vehicle will stay in electric-only mode at speeds below 25 mph for about a half mile. This feature might be useful to glide into the garage silently if you get home late, or get to a gas station if you ran out of fuel or maybe for use in stop-and-go commuter traffic.
Even though the hybrid is equipped with regenerative brakes, which recharge the battery as the brakes are applied, brake feel is typical of a standard car equipped with strong disc brakes, an impressive engineering achievement.Summary
The Lexus LS line may be the quietest, most serene luxury car available. It offers an excellent combination of comfort, space, quietude, and features. It's also the most electronics-intensive luxury car we've ever experienced and, if it weren't a Lexus, that would give us pause. The LS 460 offers all anyone might want in a luxury car, and at a price that cannot be considered exorbitant. The long-wheelbase version boasts big rear legroom. The LS 600h L features a hybrid powerplant that offers improved fuel efficiency with comparable power and greatly reduced emissions.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Jim McCraw reported from Detroit, with John Stewart reporting from Southern California.
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Sec. Taguiwalo recommends livelihood program of DSWD for consideration of poor Filipinos
MANILA, Philippines, Oct. 14 – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo today said that so long as there are surveys that reveal findings that the poverty or hunger incidence in the country remains high, the national government and all its agencies should take survey results to heart and push to improve and expand access to their services, especially if these services have directly to do with the immediate welfare of Filipinos.
The Social Weather Station (SWS) recently released its 3rd quarter survey on self-rated poverty. It showed that 42% of Filipino families rated themselves as poor, or an estimated 9.2 million – this is a record-low. Also, 30% of Filipino families or an estimated 6.7 million consider the food they eat as food poor, again a new record-low. The survey was conducted on Sept 24 to 27.
"As we have said previously, there has to be a genuine agrarian reform program in the Philippines because this will benefit the greatest number of Filipinos. The largest percentage of our population is comprised of farmers – very poor and mostly landless farmers. A genuine agrarian reform program and sufficient agrarian support services will address the root causes of their poverty, and this immediately lowers the poverty incidence levels in the country," Sec. Taguiwalo said.
As for the DSWD, Sec. Taguiwalo said that the Department will strengthen its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to complement the cash grants provided by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) to its beneficiaries. The program is also open to non-members who have been identified as poor by the DSWD's Listahanan and come from marginalized and vulnerable sectors from 1,605 municipalities all over the country.
"As a community-based capacity building program, the SLP seeks to increase the economic opportunities of Filipinos through the Community-Driven Enterprise Development Approach. We want the SLP to equip poor Filipinos so they can actively contribute to production and labor markets by looking at available resources and accessible markets," said Sec. Taguiwalo.
Towards this end, the SLP offers two tracks for Filipinos in the program: 1) micro-enterprise development which supports micro enterprises to become organizationally and economically viable; and 2) Employment facilitation which assists Filipinos to access appropriate employment opportunities.
The SLP has four key modalities:
Technical-vocational skills training: the SLP provides capacity-building to equip its partner-participants with the appropriate skills for increased employability or for better management of their micro-enterprises.
Pre-Employment Assistance Fund: The SLP assists participants in accessing employment opportunities with guaranteed employers by providing financial assistance for the prompt acquirement of the necessary job application requirements.
Cash for Building Livelihood Assets: The SLP provides short-term employment to partner-participants for the development, rebuilding, and/or protection of physical and natural assets which may be used by the participants and their community for profitable and sustainable livelihood projects.
Seed Capital Fund : The SLP provides a capacity-building grant for the micro-enterprise development of its partner-participants so they can set up a credit and savings facility and/or manage an individual or group enterprise.
In the meantime, Sec. Taguiwalo said that the DSWD is all set to launch "Kamustahan" which is essentially a verification campaign involving the members of Pantawid Pamilya. She said that the department will check on the true status of families under the program to see if they may have to graduate to the other programs so they will not slide back economically at the slightest shock or emergency. (Mindanao Post / DSWD)

subset: commoncrawl


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This billboard is currently adorning the westbound side of I-94 in St. Paul:
It's a little hard to tell what's going on in the image when you zoom past at 55 miles per hour, but with repeated viewings I finally realized that it's supposed to be a woman whose skirt has gotten stuck in the waistband of her underwear, revealing her right buttock for all in the office to see.
Ho hum, another attempt to use a woman's body to to sell something, even if it is cancer detection.
But wait... how old would you guess the model in this photo is? 20-something? 30-something?
Definitely not 50-something, right?
Which is the earliest age colonoscopies are recommended for, unless there's a genetic history of early-onset cancer.
So not only does the billboard use skin to get your attention, it misinforms you at the same time. Great. Sounds like a real public service.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Too Young to Scope
This billboard is currently adorning the westbound side of I-94 in St. Paul:
Posted at 4:23 PM
Categories: (Mis)Informed, Out and About


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Columbian Prostitute Secret ServiceA sex scandal involving secret service agents at U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Colombia seems to be getting bigger, on Sunday (4/15/2012).
This occurred after visiting U.S. troops are also associated with the "use" female commercial sex workers.
Nine members of the secret service, known as the handling of security for senior members of the U.S. government was suspended and sent home after allegations of indecent treatment in the resort town of Cartagena, Colombia.
Five U.S. military personnel were also examined for the behavior mentioned in the hotel where the secret service staff were staying. They have been released and was allowed out of barracks.
Obama arrived Friday night at the Cartagena Summit for America. However, cases affecting overshadowing the military secret service and the regional leaders' meeting. The incident remains unclear who actually took place before Obama arrived. However, incidents involving security personnel and a number of female prostitutes.
For the White House, the scandal adds to the complexity of Obama's efforts to retake a region where U.S. influence is fading. It also undermines the reputation of the secret services and raises questions about the quality of protection received by the President. Is considering the behavior of its staff in a country where guerrilla groups and drug gangs are still active.
The secret service did not disclose how the offense occurred. The White House said Obama had been notified of the incident.
Peter King, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security, said on Saturday, nearly all of the 11 agents that bring women into the hotel room that is separate from Obama's hotel stay.
King said he was told that anyone coming to stay at the hotel had to leave identification at the hotel reception and had to leave the hotel prior to 07:00 o'clock.
When a woman does not do that, hotel staff and police check. They found the woman was with a dealer in a hotel room. An argument occurred about whether the agency should pay for it. King said the agency is finally paying her.
The eleven members of the secret service is suspended it is a special agent, and no one was immediately assigned to protect Obama.
Although prostitution is legal in places that have been established in Colombia, such behavior would violate the rules for the secret services, in part because the agents could make it easier squeezed and counterespionage. "It also can help an enemy into security circles," said King.
An official at one of the main summit, said U.S. security contingent composition changed after the incident occurred.


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Blog Archives
Sacrificing Our Kids' Education for the Mission
Currently there is a great discussion in the blogosphere about the missional implications of education. Here's a couple good examples from this discussion: Jamie Arpin-Ricci and Tony Jones. There is not a "one size fits all" approach to education and living on mission. The key is that we pray and discern where God is leading each of our families.
Here's my attempt at explaining our current decision to enroll our kids in a public school and join what God is doing in our neighborhood. My hope is to be descriptive not prescriptive.
When I accepted my current position at Mountair Christian Church, Hillary and I knew that it meant that we needed to move into the neighborhood around the church. At my last church, we learned the benefit of living in the neighborhood where the church building was located. Fundamental to our family's beliefs is the idea that our role as a family is to make the Kingdom of God tangible to our neighbors and community. We are sent to be God's instruments of unconditional love and grace.
We see ourselves as missionaries.
This belief that we are sent as missionaries to our neighborhood and community means that our kids go to the same public elementary school that our neighbors attend. According to our daughters' school, the area they serve is "a low-income, working class community. Approximately 50% of students are in a one parent household, 20% do not have parents, but are being raised by family members or friends. Approximately 20% of our students are homeless, living in foster homes or temporary housing."
We have realized that in some ways we are sacrificing our daughters' education to join what God is doing in our community. They won't necessarily be behind in school but they won't get all the opportunities they might receive in a suburban school. It is up to Hillary and me as their parents to supplement what they are learning at school and give them other opportunities to learn. This is hard to stomach sometimes.
This morning Hillary helped with writing in our daughter's kindergarten class and she noticed that many of the students seemed behind as they start their school experience. Statistics show that some of them may never catch up. Over 80% of the kids are Hispanic so our daughters are in the minority. Parent involvement is low, especially among white parents. Hillary and I have a big role to play in making the Kingdom of God tangible at our daughters' school. We are learning to write grants that would help contribute resources to the school, especially in the area of technology. We are starting to volunteer in the classroom and help kids read. Our daughters look for kids who are learning at a slower pace and find ways to help them out. Our oldest especially is learning leadership skills that she might not learn in a suburban school. And we are all slowly learning Spanish.
I'll admit it's not easy. Most days when I drop them off at school I wonder if we are doing the right thing. I want to protect my girls. But sometimes valuing safety and security can get in the way of living on mission in our community. All I can do is pray and step out in faith as a family.
For our family and for our daughters we know God has put us in our local public school to join what God is already doing there and to make his Kingdom real and tangible.


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President Obama made history today by being the first president to visit Cuba since 1928. "The history-making trip is designed to cement the Administration's diplomatic outreach to Cuba, making it hard for any future president to return to the half-century old policy of isolation that Obama and his team consider a failure," NPR writes, in a recent article.
The Tampa Bay Rays also landed in Cuba on Sunday to play an exhibition baseball game against the Cuban national team this Tuesday. "The contest is a nod to the popular past-time the two countries share, and comes as Major League Baseball is negotiating a deal to let Cuban ballplayers sign with big league teams without having to defect," NPR writes. The team was picked at random from a lottery of teams that volunteered for the trip.
So, in the spirit of the U.S. and Cuba finally getting along, and with promises from airlines to start scheduling more flights to the Caribbean country – here are some beautiful architectural sites to visit!
It has been said that traveling to Havana, Cuba is like traveling back in time: the weathered buildings, the old classic cars and the rich, almost mysterious history of a city that so many Americans have not been able to travel to for so many years. It's less known however, that at the beginning of the 20th century, Havana underwent an extraordinary boom period, bringing an enriching architectural movement with international influences such as art nouveau, art deco and eclectic design.
Maxfield Parrish reliefs grace the Art Deco Bacardi Building in Old Havana.
Havana's domed capitol dominates the historic heart of the city.
Cristóbal Colón Cemetery.
The garden room at Casa de la Amistad, a 1920s house in the Vedado neighborhood that is now a restaurant and bar.
Standards of the Havana streetscape—arcaded pastel buildings and brightly colored pre-1960 American automobiles.
The Hemingway Museum at Finca Vigía, the Havana-area farm where the novelist lived from 1939 to 1960.
Original furnishings lend a Mad Men vibe to Hotel Habana Riviera, which U.S. mobster Meyer Lansky opened in 1957.
Hotel Saratoga's Bar Mezzanine.
At the grand entrance to La Guarida restaurant in Old Havana, a hand-painted revolutionary speech joins a headless statue.
The staircase of the Museum of Decorative Arts, a former sugar magnate's mansion dating from the '20s.
Enrique Ávila Gonzales's sculpture of Socialist hero Camilo Cienfuegos dominates a building on Revolution Plaza; it bears the famous Cienfuegos comment YOU'RE DOING FINE, FIDEL.
The Hotel Nacional de Cuba, completed in 1930, is a work by the American architecture firm McKim, Mead & White.
African villages inspired one section of the National Art Schools (now the University of Arts of Cuba), a 1960s masterpiece by architects Ricardo Porro, Roberto Gottardi, and Vittorio Garatti.
If architecture isn't your forte, Cuba is also known for its white-sand beaches, rolling mountains, cigars and rum! And don't forget the dancing! Salsa emanates from the city's dance clubs and cabaret shows are performed at the famed Tropicana.
Photos and descriptions provided by Architectural Digest.


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Sorry for the shocking photo but this tray is made up of a container of rounded gems/balls/beads, a baby's safety bath grip turned upside down and a pair of tweezers. The idea is to transfer the beads individually over to each suction cap on the grip with the tweezers without dropping them. The rounder the bead the harder it is to get a hold of them and the pressure applied to the tweezers needs to be firm to carry them but not too firm or they will flick off.
I caught Tara in the middle of this activity while i was busy doing something else so usually it should be done at a table.


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I consider ourselves so blessed that my hubby and I both get to work from home. We even get to choose when and how much we work. We manage a manufactured home park and live on site. It's a blessing and a curse, but I'll save that for another post soon. I consider myself a stay at home mom. We don't seem to have much of a routine. The closest thing I can think of to having a routine is working off my eight month old's sleep/nap/bottle/eat thing he does each day. We are up between 7-8am andhave a bottle than breakfast. Naptime is around 11am for an hour or so and wake up for more food and bottle. Second nap comes (usually) around 3pm following more food and drink. And ending with another bottle and a snuggle before the seemingly never ending bedtime battle. I should have some more daily things planned, especially something for my three year old. What sort of routine do you have with your kid? Do you follow it strict or however the day comes along?
Daily routine


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DEAR BELLA: My husband's children hate meDominica News Online - Wednesday, August 30th, 2017 at 12:37 PM
Dear Bella,
My husband's children hate me. Notice I didn't say "step-kids" because Bella I don't even want them on my "Step". These children are brazen. Terrible, just like the woman who gave birth to them.
My husband and I have been married for two years now and the kids are over 30 and they both have jobs. He divorced his wife who took everything he had and fled with some young boy (so I have heard).
So, when I met my husband he had nothing, no assets, only a good job and a car because he left the home for his kids. Now Bella two years in the making and he is slowly getting back on his feet.
He lives with me and he is now saving so he can start over, build a new home and so on.
But these children "shayshaying" my husband. Always want something. If it isn't money for food, clothes and medicals they always come up with some "never heard about" dilemma.
I am believing that they are simply using him. In the two years, we were together he never got a birthday card, Christmas gift or nothing.
Only when I see them is when they picking up money and when they come to raid my fridge.
I am sick and tired of these terrible children. I want to ask them to stay away from my home but I can't.
I want to tell my husband be careful about giving them so much but Dominican men always find an excuse to harbor their children. What should I
What should I do?
I am fed up Bella. Trust me!
Fed Up
Dear Fed Up,
If it's one thing I realize from your letter is that you do sound frustrated and if what you've said it true, that can drive anybody up the wall.
You need to sit with your husband and speak with him about your concerns.
But you cannot go to him with that kind of anger because that can turn him off. Be as subtle as you can.
Of course his children are his, and he will feel a level of loyalty to them but they are grown people and should be able to provide basic needs for themselves.
If he is to bounce back from walking out of marriage with nothing, then he cannot be giving money loosely to children who are adults.
There will be instances where parents may have to lend financial support to their children given the circumstances and you cannot be angry at that.
But if they employed they should be able to buy their own food, cloths and take care of the financial needs. If not, then they might as well quit their jobs.
Having a conversation with your husband could be the beginning of the end of this situation.
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21 Comments
my girl give it to the lord.. And he will direct your path. I believe these children doing that deliberately. They want to mess up your life but it's up to u. Just ask god to help he will and tell the man how u feel. U can't go with anger just tell him how u feel and what is expected of the situation. remind his kids are already grown and its your lives…. Their mother put them up to it…
Dear Fed Up,
Don't listen to all those people here who talking about leave him..That is nonsense. The man children are above 30, so he probably close to 60, and you might be up there in age too. Loneliness is no joke. If the man giving to his children is the only issue, that is nothing that you can't work out. Is the man cheating? Is he beating you? Is he an addict? Your problem is small and is not worth leaving your husband for. Give the man some more good loving, calm yourself down and stop worrying about the children. One night while you massaging him, tell him in a real sad voice that you are not happy and explain to him how the children are affecting you and your marriage. He will listen and call them low life kids and set them straight.
Kids need to grow up and take responsibility for themselves… husband need to invest in his and your future and you need to be clear about you expect from him and what you want for him. Write out the financial plan and follow up every month to make sure you two are saving, investing, paying bills and having fun with the rest.
When his kids see that your financial planning is successful, teach them to do the same. If they don't follow it then…
Bella your advice to FedUp is too light.
Fedup let me tell you something if your needs are met, clothing shelter food and necessities are met why create problems in your marriage or try create issues with husband. You love drama.
Fedup based on what I read you come across as woman who wants a bigger share.of your husbands.money. Just say that. If the man gives his children money and its not taking anything away from you. Are they shopping from your fridge?
People have to becareful when marrying people with children grown or otherwise. There is more to your rant and frustration than you are letting us know. Stop being greedy.
This is pure common sense and a man should see this. As much as you love your children how much do you love your wife? She took you in with nothing, and you are putting her at a disadvantage for your grown, working adult children? Anyway Bella is right, speak to him, not in rage but reasonably. Please do not sacrifice your life for this if he does not budge, it would mean that he is just using your for a start up. A loving husband should be able to see right through this. The children are doing this on purpose maybe on instructions from the mom. This sounds like an aviege family. If it means you have to run, run for your life.


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It's been awhile since I've walked around the flea market. Part of that has to do with laziness (warm bed trumps dirty flea markets), but the weather has played a role too.
Thursday is usually the best day to find deals at Capitol, but sadly my first trip of 2017 was pretty uneventful. There were a few guys with sports memorabilia, but only one guy had reasonable prices.
Anyone remember the "Box Bottom" guy who normally sets up at the Branham Flea Market? He was out there, but didn't have anything new that really stood out to me. However... after hanging out at his table for 20 minutes digging through his boxes, I felt like I should at least buy something.
I grabbed two cards...
Card #1: Steve Garvey Parallel
The first card I set aside was this low serial numbered card of Steve Garvey, who happens to be one of my favorite Hall of Very Good members. My only complaint is that Playoff chose to include him in this set as a Dodger. Go Padres!
Card #2: Joe Panik Auto
Even though I'm not a Giants fan, I enjoy cheering for a few of their players. Panik is one of them. Back in 2012, I saw him play when he was with the San Jose Giants and I've been following his career ever since. His first two years in San Francisco were pretty solid, but last year he really struggled. Hopefully he'll bounce back in 2017.
The guy was asking $2 for the Garvey and $8 for the Panik, but everything was half off, so I handed over a five spot. It's not quite up there in terms of "Greatest Flea Market Finds", but like I said... I kinda felt pressured into making this purchase.
Now that it's starting to get warmer... I'll probably start heading back out to my local flea markets in search of hidden treasures. Then again... do I really need more crap cluttering my office and my parent's garage? Who knows? As soon as I figure things out... you'll be the first to know.
Happy Thursday and sayonara!


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Two wounded in Maryland school shooting; student gunman dies
A 17-year-old student opened fire at a Maryland high school on Tuesday, in an attack that left two fellow students wounded, then died after a gunfight with an officer stationed there, amid a renewed debate over gun violence in schools. The shooting in St. Mary's County followed last month's Florida high school massacre and came just days ahead of a national march backing stronger gun laws. The gunfire erupted shortly before 8 a.m. (1200 GMT) at Great Mills High School, about 70 miles (110 km) south of Washington, county Sheriff Timothy Cameron said.


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I'm encouraged by the coverage of the recent developments here at the Pangrammaticon offered by Laura and enowning. I'm beginning to feel a bit like this.
On this wave of hubris, I want to try presenting two edits of a strophe in Bill Clinton's first inaugural address. Inaugural addresses make for interesting reading because their prose seems, in hindsight, needlessly poor. At the time, I'm sure a great deal of thought went into finding just the right balance of rhetorical tensions. In the example below I was struck by just how clumsy the sentences are, forever retracting a sentiment before it has been fully articulated. They seem bent on thwarting our attempts to engage with the language used. That's what I've tried to fix in my edits.
The first version is an attempt to approach something Lincoln might do with the idea. (Like I say, I'm overwhelmed by hubris.) The second is an attempt to write a poem without completely disposing of the materials provided. Comments are always welcome.
Today, a generation raised in the shadows of the Cold War assumes new responsibilities in a world warmed by the sunshine of freedom but threatened still by ancient hatreds and new plagues. Raised in unrivalled prosperity, we inherit an economy that is still the world's strongest but is weakened by business failures, stagnant wages, increasing inequality, and deep divisions among our own people.
Version 1
A generation raised in the shadows of the Cold War today assumes new responsibilities. Ours is a world warmed by the sun of freedom and blessed with unrivaled prosperity. But it remains threatened by ancient hatreds and new plagues. There is increasing inequality and deep divisions among our people. But there is hope. Although weakened by business failures and stagnant wages, we inherit the world's strongest economy and are entrusted with it to do what we can.
Version 2
Raised in prosperity,
raised in the shadows,
the Cold War generation
assumes new responsibilities.
The sun of freedom
warms the ancient hatreds,
the new plagues.
We inherit the world's economy,
strongest at its weakest:
business failures,we are among our own people.
stagnant wages,
increasing inequality,
and deep divisions:


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We act in line with principals of sustainable growth and environmental consciousness.
We are committed to:
- comply with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements and all other undertaken responsibilities
- supervise regularly the impact of our activity on environment and the way how we can reduce the most adverse effects
- reduce environmental pollution and avoid environmental disasters wherever possibile during our operations
- prevent undesired incidences by the conducted and regularly revised risk assessments
- follow up the implementation of our environmental policy
- maintain consciousness for environmental protection of our employees
- evaluate the impact on environment of our suppliers and subconstructors
"The ISO 14000 family of standards provides practical tools for companies and organizations of all kinds looking to manage their environmental responsibilities.
ISO 14001 sets out the criteria for an environmental management system and can be certified to. It maps out a framework that a company or organization can follow to set up an effective environmental management system. It can be used by any organization regardless of its activity or sector.
Using ISO 14001 can provide assurance to company management and employees as well as external stakeholders that environmental impact is being measured and improved."
Source: http://www.iso.org/iso/home/standards/management-standards/iso14000.htm


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Archives: October 2009
My PASS Summit 2009 Schedule
Hooray! The PASS Summit is upon us (finally)! Here's what my plans look like for next week:
My week starts with the cross country flight from Orlando to Seattle-Tacoma International, arriving at 1:30 PM (Want to split the fare for a ride into town? Drop a comment, send me… Read more
1 comments, 646 reads
Posted in Kendal Van Dyke on 29 October 2009
SQL Saturday #21 (Orlando) Presentation Downloads
Here are the slide decks and code samples from my sessions at SQL Saturday #21 Orlando on 10\17. I've also cross posted these over on the SQL Saturday #21 event site.
Download: Performance Tuning With DMVs
Download: Configuring SQL Access for the Web Developer & Admin
0 comments, 404 reads
Posted in Kendal Van Dyke on 26 October 2009
SQL Saturday #21 (Orlando) Recap
Saturday, 10\17, marked the third year for SQL Saturday here in Orlando and each year it gets bigger and better. With 56(!) sessions across 9 tracks and some big name speakers there was plenty of SQL goodness for everyone who came out for the day.
Pre-Event Happenings
Although the main… Read more
0 comments, 784 reads
Posted in Kendal Van Dyke on 26 October 2009
Off-Hours Work: A Guide For Non-Managers
In my last post I talked about how I think managers should approach off-hours work with their teams. It's a two way street, however, so today I'll share my thoughts on how non-managers (i.e. the rest of us!) should handle the situation.
Understand what's expected of you
Imagine you've been… Read more
0 comments, 511 reads
Posted in Kendal Van Dyke on 15 October 2009


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Crossover Style Tool Box
Aluminum Cross Bed Boxes Cross bed boxes are designed to fit most full-size trucks and allow storage under the box. Several models to choose from include Gull-wing or Full (single) lid. Our low profile truck boxes provide our customers with maximum rear window visibility and aerodynamic styling for today's sleek truck designs. One piece no sag design, hand wielded by specially trained craftsmen and with weatherproof gaskets to prevent leaks. Tradesman makes some of the most durable and finest cross bed truck boxes. When you buy from Tool-Boxes.net you can be assured you will receive superior customer service and shipping is always free.


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"In Haiti, order, safety, comfort, all perished. But the first to die was dignity." -Time Magazine
Foyer Notre Dame
A home for indigent elderly run by the Society of St. Margaret, a community of Episcopal nuns working in the Diocese of Haiti.
What service does Foyer Notre Dame provide?
- A home for the poorest of the poor in Haiti.
- A loving home for elderly indigent church members who are alone or whose families cannot care for them.
- In a time of transition in the country, people are faced with struggles of family income, a place to stay, and food to eat. The Foyer provides spiritual support and a gentle and stable home of dignity all the way through to death and burial.
Why should we respond to the need in Haiti?
- Tens of thousands lack shelter, water, food.
- Basic community services were destroyed and lost.
- A cholera epidemic followed.
- St. Margaret's Convent has been destroyed completely. One building of the Foyer Notre Dame, the home for the elderly, has been badly damaged, and the other has been demolished.
…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me… Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. (Matt 25:35-36, 40, NRSV)
How can the we help?
- Parish or parishes can support Foyer Notre Dame by "adopting" one or more residents, providing them with a place of dignity.
- Raise funds for the construction of new facilities to replace those damaged or destroyed during earthquake.
Checks may be made payable to The Convent of St. Margaret, Port au Prince. Please write Foyer Notre Dame in the memo line. Use regular US Postage.
Allow considerable time for acknowledgement and check clearance. Agape Flights takes the mail to Haiti whenever they go, but perhaps not on a regular schedule, and banking processes take longer in Haiti. Return acknowledgement may take longer than you are use to.
Mailing Address
Sister Marie Margaret Fenelon
St. Margaret's Convent Port au Prince
c/o Agape Flights
100 Airport Avenue
Venice, FL 34285-3901
Web Address: www.ssmbos.com
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Help Haitian Women! Order altar linens from the Sisters of Saint Margaret.


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I have three children and I always look for books that provide parenting tips or stories of how others handled a situation with their kids. This book looked very interesting because, just like the title, I've had to love my kids, no matter what. Each child of mine has their unique way of making choices. I know that my husband and I are an influence on their decisions at this point, but we've had our fair share of decisions we don't agree on. I was intrigued by how she shared her struggles and than her daughter would discuss her thoughts.
This was one of my favorite quotes...
Our hearts should be open toward our children so we can do whatever we are called upon to do for their benefit--whatever says to them, "I love you no matter what."
The book comes from Brenda's own struggles with her daughter Katie. She talks about her daughter wanting to move out and other families shared about their kids' drug and alcohol problems.
One section in the book was about Wrong Motives For Parents. When you make yourself the primary issue, you are reacting from wrong motives instead of considering what is best for your child. Your wrong motives might include some of the following:
*Pride--you want to keep your reputation and your child's reputation intact.
*Your expectations--you want your dreams for your child fulfilled, especially since you know best.
*Your needs--you want everything to stay the same so your needs will continue to be met through your relationship with your child.
*Selfishness--you want to parent the way you always have. You don't want to find new ways to effectively reach your child.
*Comfort--you don't want your child to venture where you yourself are uncomfortable.
Have you found yourself having any of these wrong motives? The nice thing about reviewing these is that I can reflect on how I am parenting. If I find myself coming from a state of selfishness, then I can work on that and figure out a better way to make my request known.
Brenda shares that our stress is amplified when we try to look at our new situation through the old glasses. Our new situation--one in which our child is making decisions we don't agree with--requires a new paradigm. Our "normal life" is no longer what it once was. We have a different life--not the one we expected, but one that God knew was coming. If we are to be effective in it, enjoy it, and move ahead with our children, we must adjust our thinking. But that is the essence of life, isn't it? We never know what's coming next.
Many of the parents tips were very helpful. It's very important in my family to establish our ground rules and to stay involved with our kids. One of my favorite suggestions was to fill your kids with love.
Brenda's daughter Katie shared how once she was at a restaurant with her college friends and there was a family celebrating a birthday party. Several of Katie's friends said that they had never had a birthday party and missed that experience. Katie's parents always had birthday parties and deposited love in her heart.
Know that the love you deposited in your child's heart is still there, and they know it.
For families that struggle with their children's drug and alcohol problems, the book suggested finding a support group. Teen challenge was recommended and it helped the families find counselors and a place for their child to learn ways to make better choices.
Brenda Garrison is an enthusiastic and authentic speaker and author. She ministers to women in all stages of life but especially to moms--encouraging them by keeping it real and based on God's Word.
Visit her website at www.brendagarrison.com
I am a proud member of BookSneeze where I get to read books and review them for authors! I can browse their list of books they have and pick the one that interests me then I have to post my honest review of the book on my blog and a consumer retail website.
Get more Tips, Savings, & Heartfelt News : Subscribe to Heartbeat Magazine News


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CBU is a unit within the Division of Adult Institutions whose mission is to transfer inmates out of state for the purpose of temporarily alleviating overcrowding within existing institutions, and to oversee the coordination and support of a MCCF program. In addition, CBU also manages and provides oversight to other various contracts, including the Alternative Custody Program, Medical Paroles, Contract Back Beds, and the Sacramento Control Office/ Western Interstate Corrections Compact.
5501 North La Palma Road
Eloy, Arizona 85131
Main Phone : (800) 624-2931
CBU Activation date: 07/12/2008
Title 15 Section 3379 - Inmate Transfers
View the policy regarding the transfer of inmates to the California Out-of-State Correctional Facility. When the document opens, type in 3379 as the search criteria, then press [enter].
Title 15, Division 3
Joseph W. Moss,
Chief, Contract Beds Unit
10961 Sun Center Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(916) 464-4001
FAX numbers:
(916) 464-3780 (Main)
(916) 464-3766 (Records)
(916) 464-3768 (Field Team)
(916) 323-2348 (Medical)
Division of Adult Institutions
P. O. Box 942883
Sacramento CA. 94283
Phone: (916) 445-7688


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- Description
Equipped with 28L of storage capacity, a flexible but supportive suspension system, and an array of high-performance features, the sleek Pace 28 SL Women's pack delivers the fit and functionality for adventure racing, snow sports, or alpine climbing.
The Pace 28 SL Women's utilizes Deuter's Speed Lite Back System. Consisting of a flexible, tensioned Delrin U-frame and a padded, breathable backpanel, the suspension delivers a snug, comfortable fit while allowing the pack to weigh in at 1 pound, 14 ounces. The Delrin rod aids in load stabilization but can be removed entirely when you're carrying light or want to store the pack in a compressed state. Perforated 3D AirMesh in the backpanel improves ventilation during aerobic activity. An adjustable sternum strap and a broad, but minimalist-style hipbelt further enhance fit and stability.
A lidded, top-accessed packbag provides the Pace 28 SL Women's pack with over 1700 cubic inches of storage capacity. A spacious front "shove it" panel lets you stow gloves and discarded layers while keeping them close at hand. The lid protects contents and also houses a zippered valuables pocket. A cinch-closure spindrift collar beneath the lid adds further protection for the contents of the pack. There is also a separate "wet laundry" compartment to keep wet and dry contents separate and organized. Stretch side pockets are ideal for water bottles or other small items.
Integrated attachment points give you the option of carrying skis vertically or in an A-frame position. Compression straps help secure gear externally and there are integrated ice axe and trekking pole attachments on the front of the pack. A built-in tube exit point makes the Pace 28 SL Women's pack hydration-system (not included) compatible.
The Deuter Pace 28 SL Women's ski/snow pack is available in your choice of color options.
- LITE back system
- Large front stretch pocket
- Vertical ski, snowboard, and snowshoe carry system
- Stretch-woven side pockets
- Hydration system (sold separately) compatible
- Specs
Best Use Hiking, Snow Sports Warranty Lifetime Volume 1700 cu in Type Ski/Snow Pack Sternum Strap Yes; Adjustable Item Weight 1 lb, 14 oz Frame Material Delrin U-Frame
- Reviews
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Microsoft fixed eight vulnerabilities in the Windows kernel, Windows Media Player and developer tools as part of January's Patch Tuesday update.
Of the seven bulletins, only one was rated "critical," according to Microsoft's security bulletin summary released Jan. 10. The remaining bulletins were rated "important." There was a reduction in the number of patches rated critical in 2011, according to Paul Henry, security and forensic analyst at Lumension. Microsoft is expected to bolster its "defense-in-depth" efforts, and more patches will be rated important, Henry said.
"Historically, January has a been a light month for Microsoft patches and, so far, this year is no different," said Andrew Storms, director of security operations at nCircle.
The critical bulletin addressing two vulnerabilities in Windows Media Player for Windows Vista and XP (MS12-004) should be the highest priority, according to Storms. One of the bugs was a critical remote code execution flaw that could be exploited via a drive-by attack, according to Storms.
Further reading
Both vulnerabilities are relatively easy to trigger with a specially crafted media input file, according to Wolfgang Kandek, CTO of Qualys. Attacks can be launched from an email attachment or from a file hosted on a Website, he said.
Attackers will continue exploiting client applications, such as media players and browsers, according to Marcus Carey, a security researcher at Rapid7. Media players are frequently the target of non-stop fuzzing, or the "process of throwing the kitchen sink at an application to find where it breaks," Carey said.
The Windows Media Player flaws provide "yet another reason" to upgrade to Windows 7, since those users would not be affected by the drive-by exploit, according to Storms.
As the media player vulnerability is a memory-corruption issue, it would be a bit difficult to exploit, according to Joshua Talbot, security intelligence manager of Symantec Security Response. Even though Microsoft rated it as "important," Talbot said he considered the flaw with the .NET packager (MS12-005) as the "most severe issue." To exploit the vulnerability, the attacker has to convince the user to open the maliciously crafted Office document, according to Microsoft.
Email attachments will likely be the most common attack method in which this flaw is exploited, according to Talbot. Attackers would be able to run malware as soon as the user opens the compromised Word or PowerPoint file, he said.
There was also a new security classification, "Security Feature Bypass," in this month's release. This classification covers vulnerabilities that are not directly accessible, but could be used to facilitate an attack using a different vulnerability, according to Henry. Examples include turning off user access control, data execution prevention or address space layout randomization before running another exploit.
Older versions of Microsoft's Visual C compiler (2003 RTM) implemented the SAFESEH security measure in such a way that Windows XP, 2003, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 could not read the information and defaulted to running the binary without the security protection, Matt Miller, a security engineer on the security science team within Microsoft's Security Engineering Center, wrote on the Security Research and Defense blog. Binaries compiled with the later versions of Visual-C were generated correctly. This patch (MS12-001) updates all versions of the Windows operating system to be able to read the older files.
"There is no direct vulnerability here, but an attacker would have to identify software compiled with the old version of Visual-C, find the vulnerability in it and code an exploit that would use the SEH exploit mechanism," Kandek said.
The fix against BEAST attacks (MS12-006) should be deployed on all Web servers, Kandek said. A cryptographic attack against the secure socket layer that allows attackers to decode and eavesdrop on HTTPS traffic, BEAST was demonstrated at the Ekoparty conference in Buenos Aires in September.
If administrators have not yet deployed the out-of-band patch that was released in late December to fix an ASP.NET vulnerability that could enable a denial-of-service attack, they should do so soon. A user named HybrisDisaster has released a proof-of-concept exploit code for the vulnerability on the Full Disclosure mailing list. Available for download from code repository site GitHub, the proof of concept exploits the way ASP.NET handles certain HTTP post requests.
First disclosed in late December at the Chaos Communications Congress in Germany, the problem affects a variety of languages and applications other than ASP.NET. Microsoft shipped the emergency patch on Dec. 29 and recommended that users install it as quickly as possible.


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Monthly Archives: December 2013
A Satisfied Soul or My Year In Review
Posted on December 26, 2013 1 Comment
This has been an incredible year. I have been working very hard this year and through all of this work, productivity, and accomplishment, the main thing that 2013 has taught me are basic (and really crucial) life lessons. They became so crucial, that I am not sure how to even capture the extent to […]


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Where do you live/work? What do you love about working/living there? What don't you like?
II live right in the very middle of England in a county called Northamptonshire, also know as the 'Heart of the Shires'. This part of England is famous for shoe making. My house is in a tiny village and used to be the Old Co-op shop! My husband remembers buying sweets from it when he was a little boy.li
I work in a little room at the top of my house where I have everything I need. I love working at home as I can listen to the radio and sing along and no one can tell me off! I'm very close to London and love getting the train in to meet clients or Hannah and Mark. I also love coming home again to the countryside! I suppose the only downside of working on my own is that I have to make my own cups of tea.
What do you love most about being an illustrator?
I couldn't choose! I love everything about it and it is all I've ever really wanted to do. I get to be a fashion designer, an interior designer, a landscape architect, all in one job! I adore being surrounded by colour and pattern and imagination. It makes me very happy. I think if I had to choose though, the BEST thing about my job is getting a letter or an email from a child, (or usually their mummy), telling me they have enjoyed reading my books and looking at my pictures.
How do you work?
That is top secret!
What's the hardest part of your job?
I suppose I don't like scanning in all my artwork much, that's very boring.
What/who inspires you?
I find inspiration all over the place. I might be listening to music, or watching a film or washing my socks and suddenly an idea will pop into my head. I have lots of sketchbooks dotted all over the house so I can doodle down ideas. I particularly love the art of French illustrator Rebecca Dautremer, I think she's the bees' knees.
What do you like to do when you're not illustrating?
I like sewing little mice. I make hundreds of them and sell them in a little shop I have online. I love growing vegetables too, especially pumpkins. I also like to paint pictures that aren't for 'work' - no brief, just what I like to paint.
How did you get into illustration?
I started at the age of five by adding some 'extra' illustrations to my copy of Alice in Wonderland but it wasn't until many years later that I started getting paid to do the same. I went to college where I gained an HND in illustration and then became a waitress. Eventually I convinced the local archaeology unit to give me a job as an illustrator/historic building surveyor, I even got to go to the Middle East on a dig for four months which was very exciting! I relentlessly sent out 'mail shots' of my children's book work until I was lucky enough to get some commissions. Then Plum Pudding took me under their wing and I've never looked back!
Any tips for aspiring illustrators?
If you really, really want to be an illustrator then you must never, ever give up! It's very competitive and you will receive countless rejections. That doesn't mean nobody likes your work, it just means it's not exactly what they're looking for at that exact moment in time. Keep plugging away and your dreams will come true eventually! And if children's books is the way you want to go, make sure your portfolio is full of children and animals! You have to be able to draw children and animals...
Hmmmmm, to be doing exactly what I'm doing now until I'm a very old lady with wobbly legs and knock knees, only in a grand manoir in south west France. With some chickens...and a pumpkin patch.


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Come Sept 1, all discounts in the sale of cigarettes will be banned and only 20-stick cigarette packs will be allowed for sale in Malaysia.
This is part of a new directive issued by the Health Ministry to standardize cigarette pack sizes with RM7 as the minimum retail price.
"All (cigarette) manufacturers will only be allowed to sell cigarettes in a 20-stick pack and every carton of cigarettes may only contain 10 packs each.
More..New rules for cigarettes


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Inspired by the contributions and passions of citizen scientists
Hi – I'm a Feederwatch participant and wanted to see some of the other things you offer. Thanks for a site to share what we see. The eagles are nesting on the Susquehanna again this year – last year, they didn't , so it's very nice to see them back on their nest this year. With any luck, I'll get some pictures of the kids again this year. Thank You!
May 23, 2015, I spotted a male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak at Zip Code 90807, Long Beach, CA
March 1984 I saw a cardinal in Ukraine. It was Tuesday.
I have participated in NestWatch and wanted to share an experience from a few years ago.
I went out to check a Mourning Dove nest one day, and when I got close to the nest an American Robin started scolding me. I knew I must have been close to its nest, so I tried to find it but could not. However, next time I went to check the dove nest, the dove was on the nest, and the robin was sitting on the branch beside the nest. When I looked into the nest, to my surprise, there were two dove eggs and one robin egg in the same nest! I had never heard of birds of two species using one nest. It appeared that the dove had built its stick platform nest and the robin had built a mud-and-grass nest on top. Unfortunately, the robin egg never hatched, and the dove chicks hatched but died later when apparently the nest was abandoned. As I have seen, you can learn many things by participating in NestWatch. Has anyone else seen this behavior?
thanks it is a great job what you do
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A lot of the people who end up in my office have an unspoken question that comes with them. "Am I crazy?" Why would they think this? (Granted, once in a great while, it's because they actually are...) But really... it's usually because the thing that is happening with their body is not responding to standard medical care. The bloodwork seems to be in order, the numbers look good, the imaging is clean, therefore the conclusion becomes "It must be in your head." When the symptoms appear worse with stress, the patient is often told, "It sounds like you're stressed." (No kidding!) The "solution" is often a drug to suppress the symptoms - the anxiety, the depression, the insomnia - but anyone who's ever been on these drugs know that they come with unpleasant side-effects, suppressing the symptoms, perhaps, but often suppressing other things, too (access to positive emotions, focus, energy, etc.) that put a high quality of life out of reach! Who wants to live a muted life?
So if they're not crazy, then what is the problem, and why isn't there a good solution available in mainstream medicine?! While it's true that the basic problem is "stress," the problem is that each person's body has unique definitions of what and why certain conditions constitute "stress," and also very unique physiological responses to that stress! This is because each person's stress response and physiology is the result of countless individual factors ranging from individual genetics to environmental factors (current and also from childhood years), nutrition and injury history. Do you freak out inside of elevators? Most people don't, but what if you had been trapped in one as a child? Your nervous system might have been calibrated to associate elevators with danger. It's simple conditioning - just like Pavlov's dogs. How many stressful events do we accumulate over time that condition our nervous systems to stress? It doesn't matter whether or nor they're logical - especially the key conditioning stress events from childhood. When you were small, you didn't have much in the way of logic and reasoning, but you had a highly developed and advanced nervous system that tracked more than you can ever imagine in its task of keeping you alive and safe! So what are some of the key stress events that may have marked your nervous system? Were you bullied for stuttering? Were you made to feel like a disappointment for not succeeding in the areas that were important to your parents? Were you given up for adoption? Did you lose a parent, a friend or a sibling at a young age? Were your hospitalized as a child? Did you have a traumatic birth? Was your parent an addict? Were you sexually abused? Were you always the last kid to get picked for the team? Were you considered the fat kid? The poor kid? The geeky kid? All of the above?! Nobody's life path is the same, but one thing is for sure: every single one of us has been uniquely conditioned to respond physiologically to stress. Because of the uniqueness of the factors that go into this conditioning, there will never be a solution so standardized as a drug - or even 4 or 5 drugs to choose from - that can help people with physical manifestations (pain, allergy, anxiety, insomnia, etc.) of stress conditioning. And because these are unconscious physical responses, they also don't tend to respond to traditional talk therapy.
So to that I say, thank gawd for NET!!! NET (Neuro Emotional Technique) is a tool for finding and recalibrating physiological stress responses so that the body can keep in balance in spite of external stressors. It utilizes a form of biofeedback to discover the specific stress triggers which are affecting a person's body, and then incorporates cutting edge mindbody technology for changing the body's response to that same trigger. NET is easily the most profound and life-changing modality that I use in the office.
I'm not sure how to end this blog post... It's true that if the above resonates with you, then you would likely benefit from NET, and should find a good NET practitioner nearby asap. But I want you to know that I'm not just speaking from theoretical knowledge or something that I have only seen working in others. I myself used to have very extreme physical reactions to certain types of stress. I used to get migraines and vomit if I had to go to crowded events - even seminars of friendly like-minded professionals! I used to get the same throw-up/headache combo if I had to see a lot of people in my office on a single day. (Unfortunately, "a lot" apparently meant "more than 5.") I would "coincidentally" fall ill - stomach virus, common cold, etc. - if I was expected to attend a party - even among friends! I thought that I was damaged goods - maybe just crazy - and doomed to a lifetime of either isolation or great physical discomfort among people. It was only thanks to NET that I was able to update my body's stress responses! While I'm still an introvert - a person who recharges their energy alone - I no longer get those debilitating headaches, etc. Regular medicine - which is awesome for crisis and emergency care - had no answers or solutions for me. NET did!
And that is all I have to say about that!


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BT's lacklustre broadband rollout, noted
You may recall that BT made a deal with the British government, in a bid to get broadband rolled out across the country. Well, it isn't happening quickly enough, and millions still don't have a proper internet connection.
In addition to that, Openreach has doled out slower speeds that originally advertised. It is all a bit rubbish, frankly.
The target that was set originally was to have 95% of the UK covered by 2015, however, that date is now being pushed back to 2017, and even with the revised date, BT reckon that it'll be more like 2018 by the time they reach 95% coverage. And it'll be longer still before they reach every citizen in Britain.
Another thing that might cause delays is an Ofcom investigation into a monopoly on government contracts. The government gave 44 out of 44 contracts to BT, even though there's the option of TalkTalk, Virgin Media, and Sky. And now, David Cameron is showing signs of frustration, unhappy at the speed of the rollout.
BT have missed tagrets of speeds of at least 5 Mbps or 24 Mbps, and reports show that new Openreach customers are getting under 2 Mbps on a typical day. Given that countries like Sweden, Czech Republic, Finland, Romania, Lithuania, and Hungary have all been getting faster average speeds, with a lower cost of implementing the services, to say this whole thing is unsatisfactory is something of an understatement.
Given that the UK is the fifth largest economy, it really shouldn't be this slow when it comes to rolling out such things. BT - pull your finger out.


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For everyone kind enough to send birthday wishes to Benjamin, or to anyone interested, here is a peak at some of the birthday festivities. Thank you all for helping us celebrated our little man, and a special thank you to my brother for the above photograph.
This one of Ben's three cakes; spiced banana cake layers with carmelized banana filling, topped with brown sugar cream cheese frosting and a bit of salted mixed nut crumble.
Edited to add: For those interested in the recipe, the cake is a spiced variation on the banana layer cake with mascapone frosting from Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook. The frosting I use is Ina Garten's, with a bit of the icing sugar substituted for golden brown. Finally, I top it with a salted-nut praline crumble, of my own recipe.


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Big Tits Teens Alexia Rae and Haley Cummings Doing It All
fucking Porn Pros are NOT called PROS for nothing!.. man, they just added such fantastic scene over @ PornPros Network, my balls feel like they're gonna explode.. they brought together Alexia Rae and Haley Cummings, two of the most amazing, ALL NATURAL, big titted teen newcumers.. these babes are at the same time so freaking real, regular, and next door, and again, so incredible sexy, horny, big titted, and ready to tease and play naughty!!!.. they start off a scene being total girly girls, trying on each other clothes, feeling each others oversized boobs, and being generally super cute.. but it doesn't take long for their "little horny whore" side to come out, and that is when they start eating each other out, fingering, scissor fucking each other, and being generally super horny!.. and just when you think things can't get much hotter, Haley grabs her phone, and calls his fuck buddy… this guy shows up, and these 2 young, big titted sluts basically start competing in whos gonna serve him better and get the title of a true Porn Pro.. taking turns sucking his dick, licking his balls, riding his dick, sitting on his face, constantly eating out and fingering eachother, and playing with those great big fucking tits of theirs… if you ever dreamt of fucking 2 girls, THIS is most likely what you had in mind:
and this scene shows you exactly what PornPros Network is all about – finest, hottest, freshest, and most talented porn bitches in raw, uncensored, unscripted, hardcore action.. and once you see all the website included in this great network, and all the fetishes covered, you're gonna see that as with everything else in life, when you're looking for a great porn, talk to the professionals – PornPros Network!
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2 Responses to Big Tits Teens Alexia Rae and Haley Cummings Doing It All
FYI Krisztina Sereny (Busty Fitness Model) now she's doing Hardcore !!!
Haley looks like Jessica Simpson is a good way. As John Maher says…sexual napalm.
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AuroraPlay v1.0.1 Signed
- Last update: 21 May 2013
- File size: 150.10 MB
- Version: 1.0.1
- Downloaded: 1658
- Author: Spizzy
- License: GPL
Your warranty is now void... I am not responsible for bricked devices, dead SD cards, thermonuclear war, or you getting fired because your phone bootloops and your alarm does not go off. Please do some research if you have any concerns about features included in my ROM before using it! YOU and only YOU are choosing to make these modifications.
Click here to see XDA thread - (Recommended)
AuroraPlay, since v0.7, has had extensive changes in comparison to previous versions (v0.6 and below), please see the changelog for details.
Note: AuroraPlay has been confirmed to work on the Sony Neo L as well as the Xperia Play. Those who wish to use AuroraPlay on their Neo L do so at their own risk as with any phone/ROM however I can confirm that this combination has worked for some users over at XDA. Full support for the phone may be brought in to the ROM at a later date.
Unlocked Bootloaders
- Perform a Nandroid backup of your current ROM
- Install firmware 4.0.2.A.0.58 Enhanced from the downloads section below. (Only required if you don't already have it installed - This is used to get the right baseband and 420mb DATA partition.)
- Install DoomLord's V14 DoomKernel (See download section below) - the LuPuS GB Kernel is also compatible, and in some cases better than the DoomKernel.
- Perform factory reset (wipe Data/Cache) - If you had a GB ROM installed previous, you MIGHT not have to do this. However if the ROM isn't working right after install, it is recommended you perform a reinstall & factory reset.
- Format System (Mounts & Storage in ClockWorkMod)
- Flash ROM from the downloads section below
- Install DoomKernel's V14 Wifi Modules (Link in downloads section)
- After initial boot, perform an additional reboot to ensure everything is settled
Locked Bootloaders
- Download [Firmware] [GSM] R800i 4.0.2.A.0.58 EnhancedV2. - http://www.mediafire.com/?s93d99wisca54es
- Flash it using Flashtool.
- Root it using Flashtool.
- Install X-Parts Recovery - https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...instaler&hl=en
- Download AuroraPlay, Copy it to your SD Card and flash it using ClockWorkMod/Recovery.
- Boot into the ROM.
- Reboot a second time (ICS Keyboard will not be loaded on first boot)


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Accurate news reporting in the age of President Donald Trump's administration is as necessary as ever—and, it seems particularly difficult to find. As Trump continues his ongoing cabinet appointments and meetings with international leaders, staying informed about current events is so important under this difficult and unpredictable administration.
While finding completely unbiased news is difficult, it is not too difficult to regularly research and to check up on daily political news and events just to stay casually informed about what is going on in our government.
Since I don't have too much time during the day to sit down and to read in-depth about the news, Twitter notifications from the Associated Press and other similar news organizations allow me to stay somewhat informed about current politics while navigating school and work every day.
This influx of notifications, however—and the ongoing discourse surrounding the quality of journalism and certain news outlets—is overwhelming, to say the least. While it is extremely important to stay informed about current events under Trump's administration, it is tempting to want to step off the grid and separate oneself from the dizzying Internet news world.
I believe that despite some people's desire to keep politics out of their personal lives, it is harmful and ignorant to be passive about politics. It is a privilege to be able to stay out of political discussions or to stay uninformed, as this shows that one may be in a comfortable position where some crucial political decisions—such as the defunding of Planned Parenthood or the immigration ban—will not affect oneself or one's family.
Although it is tiring and stressful—both mentally and emotionally—to engage oneself in disappointing and frustrating politics on a regular basis, it keeps us citizens on our toes and ready to keep our government and politicians accountable for their actions.
Dozens of notifications about Trump's scandals with Russian officials and Senate members are not the most uplifting things to read in the morning—but to choose ignorance over information harms society in the long run.
Trump's grievances about corrupt news outlets are a ploy to further build Americans' distrust of the media. While criticism of the media is a valid viewpoint, we must retaliate by reading as much diverse media as possible—instead of just ignoring it and blaming bias.
Giving yourself a break from reading or watching disheartening and frightening political news is absolutely welcomed. But for those who are privileged, we cannot let our discomfort and cognitive dissonance move us toward a side of ignorance and neutrality against oppressors.
The best weapon a citizen has against the government is knowledge. The more we know about what is going on behind closed doors in the White House, the better chance we have of making positive differences in local government and in future federal administrations.


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That woman with the braids on her head, struggling to walk through lashing rain, falling in the mud, determinedly fleeing we don't know what – in the dramatic opening of Cary Joji Fukunaga's new film, she could be any fiery 19th century heroine, from Tess of the D'Urbervilles to Cathy in Wuthering Heights. Yet within minutes we see she could only be Jane Eyre.
Mia Wasikowska may be the most self-possessed Jane ever, and Michael Fassbender the most romantic Rochester, yet together they seem miraculously true in this dazzling new version, which hands us the essence of Charlotte Bronte's fanatically-adored novel.
Bronte has given readers many different reasons for responding to her story of the unloved orphan turned governess, who falls for her gruff employer, only to find on their wedding day that he has a mad wife stashed in a hidden room. The wonder of Fukunaga's film – faithful overall, inventive when it needs to be – is that it weaves all those elements together, capturing the novel's over-the-top romanticism, its exquisite sense of tortured emotions, its fairy-tale and Gothic plot twists, its moralistic sense that happiness comes at a cost.
Wasikowska is an ideal, complex Jane, maybe the best. As governess to Rochester's ward at Thornfield Hall, she is reticent and subdued, outspoken when pressed – she looks everyone in the eye — sure of her own worth even when the world undervalues her. It is a flawless, graceful, natural performance.
At first Fassbender hardly seems like a romantic hero; muttonchops never make a man look as attractive as he might. But as he becomes passionate about Jane, a lock of his hair seems always to be falling over his forehead. (See some earlier, too-dreamy Rochesters here.) He may be romanticized – Jane herself often sees him that way – yet Fassbender lets us glimpse the conflict under the surface.
Their scenes together are the soul of the film, simply, directly shot. Their first, long conversation by the fire is novelistic in texture. "What is your tale of woe?" he asks and proud Jane insists she does not have one. Their love scenes evoke iconic images; think of Rhett Butler leaning over Scarlett O'Hara in the famous poster for Gone With the Wind, but without Atlanta blazing in the background. When Rochester begs her to defy convention, to stay despite his wife, and she refuses, we can feel both their hearts break.
Of course, we know how the story ends. "Reader, I married him" is one of the most famous lines in all literature. Moira Buffini's thoroughly cinematic screenplay pulls off the near-impossible job of taking us through Jane Eyre without Jane's voice to guide us. Her major change is to juggle the chronology.
When we first see Jane fleeing through the rain, she has discovered the truth about Rochester's wife, and is soon taken in by the wet-blanket minister St. John Rivers (Jamie Bell, more mutton-chops) and his sisters. The major advantage: Wasikowska takes command right away, no waiting for the child-actress to grow up. In brief flashbacks we see Jane's miserable childhood at Lowood school, and in the extended flashback that is most of the film, her life at Thornfield.
Judi Dench is finely understated as Thornfield's caring housekeeper, Mrs. Fairfax. The ancient house is shot in subdued colors and lighting, suggesting its dark secrets without veering into gloom. Fukunaga handles the story's Gothic touches with flair and restraint, even when Jane is saving Rochester from the bed his wife has set on fire. (This is only the director's second feature, following Sin Nombre.) Our one look at the wife is the only scene that goes too far; her wild hair and eyes are enough, she really doesn't have to eat flies.
There are rare moments when Jane's lines sound jarringly contemporary. "I wish a woman could have action in her life like a man," she tells Mrs. Fairfax as they stare out a window at the wide world. But whatever flaws the film has are minor. Embracing Bronte's wildest emotions, this glorious Jane Eyre proves that sometimes a movie can make you love the novel more.
Here is a clip of the first swoony romantic scene, after Jane has saved Rochester from the fire:
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The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce is in its third decade of serving the community, and currently has over 500 members. A two person professional staff carries out day-to-day operations, under the leadership of a 14-member Board of Directors.
Phone: 618-667-8769
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
This job opportunity was found at www.troymaryvillecoc.com.
New job opportunities are listed regularly.


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- (Manufactured on Demand)
- Format: CD
- Release Date: 3/12/1996
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Their sound can be described as 2 parts Black Sabbath and 1 part Dead Kennedys. This punk/hard rock band from Seattle has been making noise (literally and figuratively) on the indie music scene for several years. With their debut release on Atlantic (their third overall), the female quartet have made yet another critically acclaimed album. Tracks include "24,900 Miles Per Hour," "Miss Understood," "Whoopie Cat" and "Sore Subject." [Note: This product is an authorized, licensed CD and is manufactured on demand]
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your version of Flash Player.


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Last month I had a chance to meet one of the most famous writer from Chennai, Timeri N Murari, through our Sans Serif Book Club, where we had invited him to interact and share his personal thoughts on the books that he has written. This post is about the book which chronicles his travel to Mount Kailash, Heavenly abode of Lord Shiva, "Limping To The Center of The World" – AN AMAZING BOOK
I usually don't read hard core fiction. Murder Plots are the last on my list of fun but when, I did a little bit of research, felt little relieved that there must be something more than blood and gore. The book seemed to be one of the biggest – selling Japanese thrillers ever and the inspiration for a cult film. And yes it took me by surprise and really enjoyed reading it. It was a good book, perfectly portraying the mind of a genius mathematician Ishigami and his college mate and kind of competitor, Physics Professor Yukawa in the back drop of the accidental murder of Togashi, ex Husband of the heroine Yasuko.
The three keys to become a published author…
There are many reasons; creative people of Chennai eagerly wait for the Hindu Lit For Life Festival that started happening annually since 2010. Some of them, are there to get their 'fix' of 15 seconds of fame by standing up and giving their piece of 'Gyan', instead of asking questions, or proudly claiming to be better than those on the stage and some are out right blatant, promoting their blog or whatever they do, crying hoarse that no one is listening to their pearls of wisdom. But thankfully they are less in numbers and are contained by the sheer power of brilliance that Nirmala Lakshman and Hindu Team, brings forward on the stage.
Rishikesh, one of the most serene and spiritual places of the world, has always filled my heart with peace and tranquility. This time, as there was International Yoga Festival, (1st to 7th March, 2014) Dev Bhoomi (Land of Gods) has a different color and atmosphere. As my younger brother has come from Singapore, so he thought of joining me from Delhi… So here are some of my impressions from the trip... through some of the pictures that I took there…
Hidden in the thousands of valleys, surrounded by tall, serene and mysterious Himalayan peaks, one always find some secluded spot, where all the nature focuses its energy of creations to manifest the power of supreme consciousness, in physical things, which the mankind can feel if not see... And one such place, I came to be in last November, is Tadkeshwar Temple.
When you are in wilderness, and come across a signboard like the one below, that has a Tiger's fierce face and reads "This Is My Kingdom", be very very careful. It was an interesting journey last November on the trail of wild Tigers and here are some of my images from the adventure.... Come lets get lost in the Kingdom of Wild Tigers....
Though I have had attended all of the Indi Blogger meets in Chennai, it was my first Indiblogger meet in Delhi on 28th March. Sky scanner Indiblogger meet became all the more important to me, as I have had the opportunity to present to a large group of bloggers, the idea of Indi Blogger for Social Action (IBSA).
After 7 years of making of the Shiva's Temple, based on the South Indian Temple Architecture - by the sthapati's (The builders of Temples based on Vedic Rituals and style) of Famous Madurai Minakshi Temple at one of my friend Karuna's village, it was a pleasure to be there once again.... And this time it was to be socially responsible, as Karuna says... and we arranged Sangat Pangat event on the lines of the Famous Acharya Kishore Kunal, where we planned to have food with villagers without thinking about Caste and creed... and I loved it.
From the very beginning, Light house's have fascinated me and when there was a talk of visiting Chennai Light house as it has been recently opened for public at our Chennai Bloggers Club, I was ready to join with my handy camera..
Hope you will enjoy this edition... look forward to your comments and visit to the next Edition... please click on the "Join this Site" button on the right hand side top corner to follow my posts on this blog... I will be grateful.
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya


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The Perils of 21st Century Piracy
We are becoming experts of geography, or at the very minimum, we're intrigued by the region's sea lanes -- and 21st century piracy off the coast of Somalia.
Needless to say, having two key arteries for hard goods and up to 40 percent of the world's oil passing through an area can pique one's interest.
Welcome to the Suez Canal, feeding into the Gulf of Aden and the Strait of Hormuz that funnels into the Arabian Sea. The two passageways were taken for granted until the swashbuckling style of these less-than-modern-day pirates threw trade off kilter and confidence for a loop.
We have heard from scores of experts on the subject, with the average television viewer peering into the coverage wondering the obvious: why is it that a flotilla of military vessels cannot wrestle complete control of the seas off the coast of Somalia?
Now that U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has expressed Washington's desire to rally for tighter international patrols and coordination, we are likely to see more action -- but also more challenges -- from the pirates.
First and foremost, in one of the poorest and least governed countries in the world, these pirates must believe the upside potential is superb, with the downside risks relatively controlled by their track record of success. According to a handful of sources, the pirates brought in about $80 million dollars last year –- with the Sirius Star carrying a $100 million payload of Saudi crude the biggest target to date.
In researching this topic you learn quite a bit along the way. Slow-moving ships are the most vulnerable, anything travelling under 16 knots. The very large crew carriers (VLCCs) are rare targets, unless carrying a huge load, which slows them down.
Martin Murphy is one who now spends his life tracking the perilous seas, and says we may be lacking perspective. He is the author of "Small Boats, Weak States, and Dirty Money: Piracy and Maritime Terrorism in the Modern World." His research indicates that no more than one percent of the ships passing through the Gulf of Aden have been either attacked or hijacked.
"The bigger impact is the psychological effect on the owners and the operators. Almost any crew man that has been pirated over any stage of their career never goes to sea again," says Murphy.
Captain Richard Phillips, as a free man, standing on soil must wonder whether his life should still be on the high seas.
When exploring the numbers, it would appear that shipping companies are steering clear of the Gulf of Aden for security reasons. Murphy invites us to think again -- he says it is more about the fees being charged by the Suez Canal Company and, therefore, the Egyptian government.
Revenues through the Suez Canal are down 21 percent year over year, partially due to those higher fees and the fact that trade is projected to be down nine percent this year, according to the World Trade Organization. The number of vessels going through the canal was down 20 percent in the same period for these very reasons.
Passage fees, according to those tracking the industry, have surged up to between $300,000 and $600,000 per vessel. Specialty piracy insurance only adds an additional cost along the way since Lloyds of London has declared large parts of the Gulf of Aden a war risk.
Sounds ominous, but again we need a bit of perspective according to Murphy. "When you compare Somali piracy to piracy in other areas of the world," says the King's College scholar, "The level of violence we see in other parts of the world, Nigeria, the Philippines, Somali piracy is uncomfortable but relatively benign."
That is certainly not our perception at the moment, but images can outgun reality anytime in this world of 24 hour news and internet activity.
This brings us to another point: the lasting impact we may see as a result of the latest rounds of attacks. Security will be fortified. The pirates will raise the stakes, and new strategies to counter their attacks are being discussed.
In a post 9/11 world, I asked Murphy if it wouldn't be wiser to deploy armed marshals on board, as some of the airlines do. "This is a lively debate within the maritime shipping community," he said, adding that the bulk of the shipping community believes that armed guards "are inappropriate for merchant vessels." Some believe putting armed guards on board will only import more danger.
If one were to take a helicopter view of the situation, using a mix of security and diplomatic tools makes the most sense. Yes, it needs to be addressed onshore with the governments (or quasi-governments); yes, a flotilla of military ships to serve as escorts should continue; and finally, some added security onboard to fend off these renegades seems not dangerous, but logical.
And finally, let's not overlook the impact this may have on the region in general. Countries that line the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden have active ports; even the smaller territories such as Djibouti have attracted foreign direct investment on the back of regional growth. If the pirates are not brought under control, don't expect foreign investors to ignore the dangers that are flaring up far too often.
Labels: piracy, suez canal
The most challenging issue at the moment are the Pirates in the Somalia, Oil price will go up if this goes on
John, Very nice writeup and I think you hit it perfectly as to the true perils these pirates have brought to these waters in the Middle East. We cannot let these
crimes continue and we must be more aggresssive as a whole to combat this.
ABOUT THIS BLOGJohn Defterios' blog accompanies the weekly business program, Marketplace Middle East (MME) that is dedicated to the latest financial news from the Middle East. As MME anchor, John Defterios talks to the people in the know, finding out their opinions on the big business moves in the region, he provides his views via this weekly blog. We hope you will join the discussion around the issues raised.
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