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We are coming up short on this year's budget—$1,500 short—and desperately need your help if Intrepid Report is to continue publishing in 2015.
Thanks to the support of our readers, we have been here for you since 1998—as Online Journal until early 2011, when we changed our name to Intrepid Report to better reflect what we do and what we are about. Now in our 17th year, we have continually strived to offer you a fresh perspective on events that the corporate media ignores, distorts, misdirects, propagandizes or underreports. Our editorial policy of not shying away from the unspeakable has remained the same and then some.
Over the years, we have witnessed the corporate media go from bad to worse as they became more enmeshed, manipulated by and beholden to the plutocrats now fully in charge of running the United States, without even a pretense of wanting to throw a few crumbs to the people. This is fascism and it is spreading throughout the Western world but you won't hear, see or read the corporate media say that.
If online publications, such as Intrepid Report, are silenced for a lack of money or the plutocrats succeed in killing net neutrality, we are cooked. We are the last free voices the people have, which make us dangerous to them. As Benjamin Franklin said at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."
To be sure, we all are hurting from the crash the greedy plutocrats inflicted on us. While the corporate media tout "the recovery," cooked unemployment and inflation numbers, only the plutocrats have recovered, at our expense, from the mess they made and are aiming to make again (notice the corporate media's silence on that?). So we don't expect those of you who are struggling to put food on the table and roofs over your heads to shell out to help us. We're only asking those of you who can to make a donation in whatever amount you can afford. All can help by telling others about Intrepid Report.
Our support comes from our readers. We receive no corporate or foundation funding.
We are not asking for a six-figure amount, just $1,500 by December 31.
Bev Conover is the editor and publisher of Intrepid Report. Email her at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Reviews Of Samsung French Door Refrigerators
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As noun
a critical article or report, as in a periodical, on a book, play, recital, or the like; critique; evaluation
the process of going over a subject again in study or recitation in order to fix it in the memory or summarize the facts
an exercise designed or intended for study of this kind
a general survey of something, especially in words; a report or account of something
an inspection or examination by viewing, especially a formal inspection of any military or naval force, parade, or the like
a periodical publication containing articles on current events or affairs, books, art, etc
:a literary review
a judicial reexamination, as by a higher court, of the decision or proceedings in a case
a second or repeated view of something
a viewing of the past; contemplation or consideration of past events, circumstances, or facts
a recapitulation of the bids made by all players
As verb (used with object)
to go over (lessons, studies, work, etc
) in review
to view, look at, or look over again
to inspect, especially formally or officially:to review the troops
to survey mentally; take a survey of:to review the situation
to discuss (a book, play, etc
) in a critical review; write a critical report upon
to look back upon; view retrospectively
to present a survey of in speech or writing
to reexamine judicially:a decision to review the case
to repeat and summarize (all bids made by the players)
As verb (used without object)
to write reviews; review books, movies, etc
, as for a newspaper or periodical:He reviews for some small-town newspaper
As preposition
(used to indicate distance or direction from, separation, deprivation, etc
):within a mile of the church; south of Omaha; to be robbed of one's money
(used to indicate derivation, origin, or source):a man of good family; the plays of Shakespeare; a piece of cake
(used to indicate cause, motive, occasion, or reason):to die of hunger
(used to indicate material, component parts, substance, or contents):a dress of silk; an apartment of three rooms; a book of poems; a package of cheese
(used to indicate apposition or identity):Is that idiot of a salesman calling again?
(used to indicate specific identity or a particular item within a category):the city of Chicago; thoughts of love
(used to indicate possession, connection, or association):the king of France; the property of the church
(used to indicate inclusion in a number, class, or whole):one of us
(used to indicate the objective relation, the object of the action noted by the preceding noun or the application of a verb or adjective):the ringing of bells; He writes her of home; I'm tired of working
(used to indicate reference or respect):There is talk of peace
(used to indicate qualities or attributes):an ambassador of remarkable tact
(used to indicate a specified time):They arrived of an evening
Chiefly Northern U
before the hour of; until:twenty minutes of five
on the part of:It was very mean of you to laugh at me
in respect to:fleet of foot
set aside for or devoted to:a minute of prayer
by:consumed of worms
As adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of France, its inhabitants, or their language, culture, etc
:French cooking
As noun
the people of France and their direct descendants
a Romance language spoken in France, parts of Belgium and Switzerland, and in areas colonized after by France
As verb (used with object)
(often lowercase) to prepare (food) according to a French method
(often lowercase) to cut (snap beans) into slivers or thin strips before cooking
(often lowercase) to trim the meat from the end of (a rib chop)
(often lowercase) to prepare (meat) for cooking by slicing it into strips and pounding
to short-sheet (a bed)
(often lowercase) Slang: Vulgar
to give oral stimulation of the penis or vulva
As noun
a movable, usually solid, barrier for opening and closing an entranceway, cupboard, cabinet, or the like, commonly turning on hinges or sliding in grooves
a doorway:to go through the door
the building, house, etc
, to which a door belongs:My friend lives two doors down the street
any means of approach, admittance, or access:the doors to learning
any gateway marking an entrance or exit from one place or state to another:at heaven's door
As Idioms
lay at someone's door, to hold someone accountable for; blame; impute
leave the door open, to allow the possibility of accommodation or change; be open to reconsideration:The boss rejected our idea but left the door open for discussing it again next year
lie at someone's door, to be the responsibility of; be imputable to:One's mistakes often lie at one's own door
show someone the door, to request or order someone to leave; dismiss:She resented his remark and showed him the door
As noun
a box, room, or cabinet in which food, drink, etc
, are kept cool by means of ice or mechanical refrigeration
the part of a distilling apparatus that cools the volatile material, causing it to condense; condenser; rectifier
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subset: commoncrawl


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Steel City SmackDown
PITTSBURGH -- When you're on top, everyone is gunning for you. This is exactly the position WWE Champion Triple H finds himself in.
The Game had to fend off United States Champion Shelton Benjamin in a Champion vs. Champion bout. The King of Kings was successful, using a Pedigree to down the Gold Standard. But after the bell, Benjamin stunned Triple H by hitting him from behind with his United States title. To add insult to injury, The Great Khali came to the ring and chokeslammed the vulnerable champion. (WATCH)
As an unprecedented five-man WWE Championship Scramble looms at Unforgiven, the reigning champion will continue to have to watch his back. Unforgiven preview …
Nowhere to hide
Since returning from banishment and sending Edge to hell at SummerSlam, Undertaker has been very clear about how he feels about SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero.
"I'm not the forgiving kind," he said at the beginning of SmackDown in a rare ring appearance on the mic. With Vickie, Chavo Guerrero, Bam Neely, and WWE Tag Team Champions Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder watching from a monitor in Vickie's office, The Deadman delivered an ominous warning. "I will be coming for you. And, I will be coming for your soul. And once I take it, you will burn. Burn in hell," he bellowed.
Watch Undertaker's grim warning in SmackDown's Quick Cut
SummerSlam Rematch
After losing to Montel Vontavious Porter at SummerSlam, Jeff Hardy had an opportunity to settle the score in a rematch on SmackDown. From the start, Hardy came at MVP with an aggressive offense. But as the battle wore on, MVP launched his own assault, resulting in a series of near pinfalls. But each time, Hardy found a way to survive.
In the end, the high-flyer dug deep and summoned the energy to deliver a Whisper in the Wind and Swanton Bomb to finish off SmackDown's Franchise Playa. After the bell, United States Champion Shelton Benjamin came to the ring to offer his version of a congratulations. (WATCH)
Jilted giant
Before a winner could be determined in the tag team match pitting Jesse & Festus against WWE Tag Team Champions Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder, Big Show interrupted to deliver a message. Unfortunately for Festus and the tag team champions, they ended up strewn about the ring after the angry giant took out his frustrations on them. The source of his anger? Not being included in last week's series of WWE Championship Scramble Qualifying Matches on SmackDown.
"I will never, ever, be overlooked again," he said. In a sarcastic apology to Guerrero for disrupting the match, The World's Largest Athlete said, "Let's just call it an oversight."
Impressive debut
After enduring some harsh trash talking from Kenny Dykstra before the bell, R-Truth let his actions do the talking throughout their match. Using an impressive corkscrew flying elbow, followed up by a scissors kick, the SmackDown newcomer picked up a debut victory. (WATCH)
Beautiful start
Also making an impressive debut was Brie Bella. Using an inside cradle, SmackDown's newest Diva was able to stun Victoria and get the pinfall.
Blonde brawl
In other Diva action, Maryse & Natalya picked up a win over Divas Champion Michelle McCool & Maria. Using a hard-hitting DDT, Maryse got the pinfall over Maria. But after the bell, Maryse attacked McCool and the two engaged in an all-out brawl that spilled from the ring onto the arena floor. Natalya got involved, holding the All-American Girl so that Maryse could get in a cheap shot. The blow left McCool lifeless on the arena floor, as the victors strutted their stuff on the way out of the arena.
WWE Shows Latest Results
Elimination Chamber 2019 results: Sasha Banks & Bayley make history in chaotic Tag Team Elimination Chamber MatchFull Results
Raw results, Feb. 18, 2019: Ronda Rousey battles all three Riott Squad members as Road to WrestleMania takes a turnFull Results
WWE SmackDown LIVE results, Feb. 19, 2019: New Day, new opportunity: Kofi Kingston to challenge Daniel Bryan for WWE Title at WWE FastlaneFull Results
WWE NXT results, Feb. 20, 2019: Dream wins NXT North American Title from Gargano in thrilling fashionFull Results


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The Digital House Hunt: Real Estate Market Trends Study By NAR and Google
March 5th, 2015
Jason Lusk pointed out the Digital House Hunt study from a couple of years ago to me recently. This study is apparently from early 2013 since that's when this was posted on the NAR website. Some how, I'd managed to totally miss this study when it came out.
While there is nothing particularly new or earth shaking in this report, the 27 page PDF is an excellent summary of the kind of online marketing statistics for real estate that real estate photographers need to have a grasp of and use in their marketing.
Here are some of the report highlights:
- 90% of home buyers search online during their home buying process.
- Real estate related searches on Google.com have grown 253% over the past 4 years.
- Buyers use specific online tools during different phases of the home search process.
- There are important "local" search terms and websites for buyers.
- Mobile technology connects online to offline home buying.
- Video and YouTube helps satisfy buyers' research needs.
- 36% of new home shoppers utilize a mobile device while they are watching TV.
Of course, this report being two years old actually understates the current importance of mobile devices. Mobile devices over took fixed mobile devices in 2014. Right now 30% of you are reading PFRE on mobile devices.
Thanks Jason for pointing this study out to me.


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There was not an exact match for the language you toggled to. You have been redirected to the nearest matching page within this section.
Plane - SAS to Molde or Kr.Sund
Plane - Wideroe to Molde or Kr.Sund
Plane - Norwegian Air Shuttle to Molde
Train - NSB Raumabanen to Åndalsnes
Hurtigruten - to Molde or Kristiansund
Hotels - A room with a view
Cabins - and holiday houses
Camping - Room to roam
Apartments - A homely holiday
Fishermen's Cabins - Watch the sun set in the sea
The Atlantic Road - from Molde
The Atlantic Road - from Kristiansund
Veiholmen - from Kristiansund
Trollstigen - from Molde
Geiranger - from Åndalsnes
Ona - from Molde
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The hunting season for small game and deer in Sunndal run from early September to the end of December, whilst reindeer hunting commences at the end of August and ends mid-September. If you have passed a hunting proficiency test we can arrange deer hunting in the Sunndal region with one of our guides. In coorperation with local landlords we provide hunting permits for deer.
Similar hunting packages with guide can also be arranged for small game hunting.


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October 04, 2007 11:00 ET
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 4, 2007) - MacDonald Mines (TSX VENTURE:BMK) is pleased to announce the signing of a Letter of Agreement with Baltic Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE:BLR) and Temex Resources Corp. (TSX VENTURE:TME) as Joint Venture partners in newly acquired properties in the Webeqie area of the James Bay Lowlands.
In a 50-25-25 joint venture with Baltic Resources, Temex Resources Corp, MacDonald has acquired a further 3 separate parcels of land comprising over 50 claim blocks which represents approximately 12,500 hectares. Under the terms of the agreement, the parties agree to enter into a formal Joint Venture. MacDonald Mines will be the Operator for the Joint Venture and all costs for the acquisition and exploration of the properties will be shared on a 50/25/25 basis for Baltic, Temex and MacDonald Mines respectively. The Joint Venture will form immediately upon payment of the acquisition costs by all parties in accordance with the respective participating interest. A standard dilution clause will be incorporated into the agreement and any party whose participating interest is reduced to less than 10% will have its interest converted to a royalty.
The terms of the agreement are subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.
The properties were staked to reflect an optimum geological setting for potential nickel/copper deposits. This land acquisition strategy positions MacDonald with further nickel-sulphide-potential properties, skilled and experienced business partners and strategic risk spreading for this important but remote mining region of Ontario.
MacDonald and its joint venture partners now have strong land positions covering favorable geology for both nickel and massive sulphide deposits with potential for further discoveries.
MacDonald Mines (as the operator of the Baltic - Temex - MacDonald joint venture) is now coordinating an extensive airborne geophysical survey over the newly acquired claim blocks. This airborne survey is scheduled to commence in the first half of October of this year. Fugro Airborne Surveys has been contracted to conduct a HeliGEOTEM time-domain electromagnetic survey over the newly acquired properties at 100 meter line spacing.
Bill Nielsen P. Geo., Director of MacDonald will manage the exploration team for the Joint Venture.
The Board granted the issuance of 1,350,000 stock options on October 4, 2007 to Directors, Officers and Consultants of the Corporation under the terms of an Incentive Stock Option Plan filed with the TSX Venture Exchange and approved by shareholders at the last AGM held on June 12, 2007. The options are exercisable at $0.285 "per share" for a period of 4 years and are subject to a four month hold period from the date of issuance.
WARNING: The statements made in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results could differ materially from expectations and projections set out herein.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd.J. A. Kirk McKinnonPresident and Chief Executive Officer(416) 364-4986orMacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd.Richard SchlerVice President & CFO(416) 364-4986(416) 364-2753 (FAX)Email: firstname.lastname@example.com: www.MacDonaldMines.com
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|The original idea... a page out of my sketchbook from about 2 years ago.
|Joanna ensuring everything is perfect while Fred prepares to make his 1-2 captures before moving on to the next look. Seriously, we knew it had to be just right, because when you don't shoot digital, you only get a couple of takes.
|Bronte striking her "Joan of Arc" pose. Ok, a true Joan of Arc
pose probably involves armour, but doesn't she look heroic?
|Fred checking focus and Bronte holding still... for a very long time.
|I was really happy this hair, but alas it doesn't show this view in the
final images... of course this is why we have bts images. :)
|Just like the old days, with the photographer's head hidden inside
the black drape to focus the camera.
The final images published in TLC.
To get a copy of TLC magazine (so many more great fashion stories to see), go here. To see bts of the set being made, check out my previous post.
Photography and set prep - Fred Fraser
Styling - Joanna Kulpa
Art direction/hair/make-up/set - Liz Dungate
Model - Bronte @ LizBell


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A First Course in Functional Analysis by Orr Moshe Shalit
English | 16 Mar. 2017 | ISBN: 1498771610 | 256 Pages | PDF(True) | 2.07 MB
English | 16 Mar. 2017 | ISBN: 1498771610 | 256 Pages | PDF(True) | 2.07 MB
Written as a textbook, A First Course in Functional Analysis is an introduction to basic functional analysis and operator theory, with an emphasis on Hilbert space methods. The aim of this book is to introduce the basic notions of functional analysis and operator theory without requiring the student to have taken a course in measure theory as a prerequisite. It is written and structured the way a course would be designed, with an emphasis on clarity and logical development alongside real applications in analysis. The background required for a student taking this course is minimal; basic linear algebra, calculus up to Riemann integration, and some acquaintance with topological and metric spaces.


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"TORINOICHI" : Japanese festival
Yeah, I have been to "TORINOICH" in Asakusa!
"TORINOICH" is a local festival held in many places around Tokyo in Nov. And the most famous is this one at Asakusa's.
There are many stalls lining up and selling the good-luck charm "kumade"(Japanese pitchfork)and many people buy them.
It is said that "kumade" would "sweep in the good-luck to you" so even famous politicians, artists or big companies get them every year. For example, The Governor of Tokyo and the Sony are among them! (I wonder that it's hard for the people other than Japanese to get it !? )
This slidshow is by titanium22 (Hanazono-jinjya at Shinjuku 2006)
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
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- Ameshin


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The origins of your favorite superstitions
Last time I walked under a ladder–make that the last several times I walked under a ladder–the person I was with commented on the bad luck that would ensue. Why is this bad luck? I consider it great luck that the ladder didn't fall on me, or that a can of paint wasn't dropped on my head, or that I didn't trip and get my face stuck between the rungs. Continuing in the spirit of the spooky season, here are some of my favorite superstitions and their origins (my theorized origin, and the 'official' origin according to the internet):
Walking under a ladder is bad luck.
My theory: In 1509, a lonely ugly warlock had just assembled the first ladder in the world, and he put a spell on it–the first witch that walked beneath it would have to marry him. And it was so–Sabrina the middle-aged witch walked beneath the ladder and lo and behold they were married. Ten kids and one divorce later, it was forever known that walking beneath a ladder was the worst decision one could ever make. Ever.
Actual origin: The ladder forms a triangle, whose three points represent the Holy Trinity. By stepping into this holy space and breaking the Trinity you were 'one with the devil' and would incur God's wrath. Now that's a ladder.
Black cats are bad luck.
My theory: Someone who hated cats kicked a black one. Its brethren are out for revenge, and won't stop until they've given every human being a heart attack. Black cats really are bad luck.
Actual origin: During the middle ages, it was believed that witches took the form of, or associated with, black cats. Therefore, they were affiliated with being demonic and being caught with one was blasphemous. (Note: Apparently black cats are sometimes good luck–but don't ask me when)
Breaking a mirror means seven years of bad luck.
My theory: Once upon a time, the evil Queen looked into her gorgeous gold-trimmed mirror and asked "who is the fairest of them all?" The mirror laughed and said "Queen, have you seen me?" It then shattered into a trillion pieces. Exactly seven pieces of glass got wedged into the Queen's left foot and it took exactly seven years to dig them out with a safety pin.
Actual origin: Mirrors were once thought to be reflections of a person's soul. A broken mirror meant the soul was disconnected from the body. The Romans believed that a person's life went in seven-year cycles, and that after seven years was up, the 'bad luck' could be reset.
Thirteen is an unlucky number.
My theory: A man once took thirteen wives, each more beautiful than the next. The wives decided they were more into breaking mirrors than their husband, so they left him. He then spread a rumor around his village that no one should ever do anything involving the number 13 again.
Actual origin: According to MSNBC, "at the Last Supper in Christian theology, there were 13 dinner guests, so that number is unlucky because Christ was betrayed. And in Norse mythology, 12 benevolent gods were gathering in a hall and the evil god Loki attacked the group. Loki was the 13th guest, and the god Balder was killed in the melee." My building doesn't have a 13th floor. It also doesn't have a 14th floor (4 is unlucky in Asian cultures, and I live right next to Chinatown). I feel like there are even more reasons people just don't like the number 13 in general.
Step on a crack and you'll break your mother's back.
My theory: It wasn't a crack in the sidewalk they stepped on.
Actual origin: Apparently this used to be a racist superstition (and I hesitate to even call it a superstition). It sounds more like a rhyme created on the playground by a kid hopped up on prejudice. You can Google search this because I'm not posting it here!
And there you have it, folks–I strongly recommend my versions explaining the origin of these superstitions. Trust me, they're as accurate as they come.


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Here is ANOTHER comment inspired post - from ConservativeHome again too. Oh dear!
As explained in other comments and IMHO our economic system, based on fractional reserve banking and the necessity for perpetual exponential growth that underpins it, does not HAVE a future. A total re-think that recognises 'Limits to Growth' so-to-speak is what is required and I see precious little sign of that happening short of the cataclysmic force majeur that I judge will occur sooner or later anyway.
Be that as it may, on the assumption that the whole creaking edifice CAN be resurrected and propped up one more time, here is my personal experience of government actions and bailouts to date:
Over a 40 year, mainly self-employed business career, I have built up a modest pension fund (actually by the standards of the Fred Goodwins of this world, 'minuscule' would be a more accurate description). Back in 2004 I could clearly see the storm clouds gathering and moved the lot into deposit-based funds. With the Footsie then nudging 5,000, that turned out to be a little premature although at current levels I am comparatively better placed than most. Anyway, at that time the going rate for annuities at my chosen retirement date was around 7% (A few years earlier nearer 10%). Today it is about 4% - a 43% haircut! Had I not moved to cash, the value of my pot would now be about 30% less, implying a total haircut on the prospective pension of around 70%. That is probably typical of anyone relying on a personal pension whose fund is invested in equities and, given the incessant urgings of government about private pension provision and the obscene levels of such provision enjoyed by those doing the urging, it is nothing short of scandalous.
As if that is not bad enough, when taking benefits I am required to use 75% of the fund to purchase an annuity. From whom? - why an 'Approved Annuity Provider' of course, which in practice means a private Life Assurance Company. Can ANYONE have confidence that those 'approved providers' will be around long enough to pay my pension? I certainly can't and fully expect most of the balance of my little pot to vanish down another 'Black Hole' accompanied by yet more weasel words, crocodile tears and gross incompetence from those ultimately responsible - whilst they continue to draw their own tax-payer funded, protected and indexed pensions. This is the stuff of which revolutions are made.
So, who indeed will save the savers? - Because 'saving' appears to have become a dirty word doesn't it? Saving is anti-social (if not treasonable) when what is needed to save us all is SPENDING. 'Borrow and spend - BORROW AND SPEND' is the mantra - as though the actions that precipitated this whole sorry mess, can now be used to get us out of it. It really is Alice in Wonderland stuff.
When all this permeates through to the consciousness of the average Jo(e), He(She) is going to be as angry as I am - which means pretty damned angry. More weasel words are then likely to be the trigger for riots - as I think TPTB are only too well aware.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Who will save the Savers?
From Sabretache at 12:07 pm
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Unfortunately they had no angora's, but the other bunnies were all adorable, and I loved how all the breeds had different personalities. The little dotted Mini Rex's were our favourite, very active little boys and girls, very curious and not at all nervous. And a lovely coat too. Maybe, one day..
Mission accomplished, she now wants ten rabbits!


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Hispanic Caucus Leader: ICE Raids Keeping Kids from Receiving Medical Care
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.), chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, condemned the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids happening across the nation, arguing that they are resulting in illegal immigrants not seeking medical care for their children.
"We haven't mentioned hospitals. We've got children, some of those children, right? With terminal diseases and issues, highest risk, whose families are … faced with, 'if I go, the outcome is terrible – no one to do this healthcare and take of my children and I'm deported or we all are, but if I don't go I don't receive the healthcare that I know would potentially save my child or at least make sure my child isn't suffering.' I just can't believe this is where we are headed, and the reality is we are seeing these widespread deportations with no due process," the congresswoman said in a news conference with a group of Democratic lawmakers last week at Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church. "This is something that should scare every American."
The lawmakers held the press conference in response to ICE agents apprehending several men outside the church as they were leaving a homeless shelter there last month.
Grisham said many undocumented immigrants help the economy and support Social Security for others since they pay taxes but do not collect Social Security benefits.
"How about this stat? $15 billion to Social Security, which, by the way, in large part doesn't go back, right? And I don't agree with this aspect but just to put it in an economic, just a sheer numbers perspective, it's a windfall for Social Security, which means its supporting everybody else in that pipeline," she said.
Reverend Dr. Keary Kincannon of Rising Hope Mission Church said raids near places of worship should cease.
"This kind of activity has got to stop. What happened here at Rising Hope needs to be the last time that happens here in our community or any community across the United States. It doesn't represent who we are. We are a nation of immigrants. We are a nation who has welcomed people to our lands," he said.
Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said the lawmakers at the press conference stand in "solidarity" with the U.S. immigrant community. He also said Democrats agree with Trump's support for "law and order" but said the nation's laws should be "read in the context of our morals."
"The new policies of the Trump administration exist to incite fear. They exist to spread terror and misunderstanding and insecurity throughout the immigrant neighborhoods to make them feel unwelcome, to make them flee," he said.
"We are a nation of laws and with Mr. Trump we agree we all want law and order. We all want peaceful neighborhoods where criminals are apprehended but morality is deeper than law. Morality is the basis upon which law should be built. Tragically, the U.S. Congress has failed year after year after year to amend the law to keep it in sync with fundamental morality. We refuse to even have a conversation or pass a bill that would yield common-sense, widely evolved enforcement immigration reform," he added.


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Our latest offers and competitions
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Click here to view the Genesis Report Card Instructions
Please read the following information carefully, as there are responses required of you in order to keep your child(ren)'s information current and accurate.
If you did not receive an email from email@example.com notifying you of your Genesis login information, you will need to complete an online form to request an access ID.
You can access Genesis by visiting https://parents.genesisedu.com/branchburg or from the 'Parents' section on the Branchburg website
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Branchburg Township School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, ancestry, or social or economic status.
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dear friend,
i'm writing this to you because i'm thankful
and i can't wait to share my joy with you
i'm thankful to my beloved homeland
i'll always be
for the national security we have
for the vast riches given to us
for the fact that we belong to the most powerful nation on earth
i'm even more thankful for the education i was put through
because without it, i'll never know simple but cold, hard facts such as these:
utah is one heck of a country that is on par with ugoslavia and utopia
those guys from jerusalem shared the same religion as the saudis
we beat the shit out of those japanese in the vietnam war
and fidel castro? he is the bloke who won the latin idol 30 years ago
a triangle has 4 sides
we are powerful enough to supply our money to the folks in england and their queen
north korea is 15 times bigger than their southern neighbours
the possessed girl in 'exorcist' has a brother who is the primer minister of u.k.
john glenn landed on the moon first
there is only one kidney in a human body
everyone on earth is fearing that the 4th world war might come soon
star wars is an epic movie made based on real events
judo and wrestling made hiroshima and nagasaki famous
west bank is in new york
there are ten eiffel towers in the captial city of france
everybody knows that yasser arafat is the president of al-qaeda
impressive, right?!
anyway, i was flabbergasted to meet mr howard on the streets the other day
i even took a picture with him and i can call him my mate from downunder
oh…and that coffee anan? it tasted fabulous at united nations cafe…go try it yourself
last but not least, i'm thankful for my leader
i'll always support anything he says
including going to war against a tiny nation in central asia
and invading one italian-speaking country in our continued effort against terrorism
he says these are efforts to keep my country free
he's from texas, he must be right
aren't you happy for me?
the honest citizen
ps: one question that still baffles me though…which state does kentucky fried chicken come from? help me, please.
(inspired by a serious survey.)


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A giant poster of a girl, specially designed to be captured by satellites, was set up in a village in the northwest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, which is close to the border with Afghanistan to draw the attention to the pilot-less aircraft attacks killing innocent people including children.
Amnesty International suggest 900 people have been killed by strikes in Pakistan since 2004, including 330 children. A representative for the group behind the project said: 'Although there is awareness for drone attacks, it's rarely humanized.'


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11th January 2015 - 15:33 | London UK, east forest gate | Age 22
So wer a young asian couple... his 5ft11 slim 27 and im 22 5ft6 curvy size 14 36ff. Want to suprise him with another dirty slut. Weve spoken about it enough times.think its time to put it to action!! Age race not important..please send pics and I will to. I am bisexual also so its the only way I can get my wet tongue inside you..look forward to hearing from you xxx
Ad No: 71075 | Views: 1,969 | Replies: 7 | Report Abuse


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Vashti Bunyan – Lookaftering
Fat Cat Records 2005
[tags: acoustic, folk, 2005]
Listen while reading:
Turning Backs (from Lookafterings)
Feet Of Clay (from Lookaftering)
With one day delay, here is the promised article on Vashti Bunyan's release for 2005: Lookaftering. I told you that I totally dig Vashti's Just Another Diamond Day and that it is one of the best releases I found and discovered. Now, over 35 years later, she turns back into music and releases her second debut, so to say. But can it stand a chance in comparison to her first shining diamond?
First of all: Lookaftering is not a solo album in the meaning of being just Vashti Bunyan and her instruments, more likely it is an album featuring many well known artists such as Max Richter, Davendra Banhard, Joanna Newsom or Adem (along with many more). There roles are different and not every musician is always present, but they help to make this album very wide-ranging. The vocals, however, are always sung by Vashti herself, and her voice is as awesome as it ever was – soft and somehow hovering, lulling and always dreamingly relaxed.
The beginning of Feet Of Clay reminds me strongly of her 1970s debut and then switches to a more modern sound with lots of strings and complex instrumental arrangements. I think this track represents the whole album very good by showing both the roots and the present. But all other tracks on Lookaftering are really good as well, there is no single one that is not worth to be on this neat little disc of acoustic folk music. But together with all the positive feelings I have listening to the record, it is not quite the same level of quality as on Just Another Diamond Day.
I don't mean any harm by saying so, but I think the context sof the albums are quite different because the original hippie era is over and the spirit of her debut came just out of it. Come on, she recorded it in an open commune and she went through the land by trap writing her songs… And now, 35 years later, there is her second outcome. Maybe it is not the right strategy even to compare both albums, but what should one do. I for myself want to be honest with you and I think that Lookaftering is a great acoustic folk record you should get your hands on, but if you want the real deal, you have to listen to Just Another Diamond Day. Lookaftering surely sounds more modern – which is a good thing – but it does not reach the atmosphere of the predecessor (but in 20 years or so, you maybe say that it captured the one of the '00s, who knows?). But still I highly recommend to enjoy both records – you can't do wrong.
To buy Lookaftering or another record of Vashti Bunyan, visit her personal website and choose your store and format by clicking here. Also give some attention to her MySpace site.


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Update – Free download extended from May1st til May 8th!
Tor has been giving away free eBooks to promote their new website. The current selection is a great hard-sf navy tale of pirates and sunstealers, the first of the Virga tetralogy. Tor said:
Virga #1 cover by Stephan Martiniere
Our current free book is Sun of Suns by Karl Schroeder." And Karl added, on his website:
"The first Virga book is a free download from Tor.com
Today Tor Books and I are releasing a free (and DRM-free) ebook version of my novel Sun of Suns. The only "cost" is that you have to register as a member at Tor's soon-to-be-launched cool new science fiction portal, located (not coincidentally) at tor.com."


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Ukraine's Chief Rabbi is announcing prayer times through SMS as well as on television to encourage the Jewish community to attend synagogue on Yom Kippur.
"Every year, more and more people arrive" to synagogues from Ukraine's 300,000-member Jewish community, Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Asman told Arutz Sheva.
"The atmosphere is very good," he said, noting that thousands of Jews traveled from Ukraine and from around the world to Uman for Rosh Hashannah and that thousands also will attend Yom Kippur prayers in Ukraine's synagogues.
"Most of the Jewish community is detached from Judaism," Rabbi Asman said, "and our work is to show them the spark of Judaism.
In order to encourage them to attend synagogue on Yom Kippur, times of prayer are being disseminated not only though SMS and television but also via public announcements, telephone calls, and the Internet."
The rabbis said that many Jews want to attend synagogue throughout the year and that "there is a general return of the community to Judaism."
Security has been beefed during the period of the High Holidays because of rampant anti-Semitism that could cause disturbances. Last Pesach, a young Jew was assaulted and hospitalized for serous injuries. The local Jewish community and the ZAKA rescue service helped to transfer him to Icholov Hospital in Tel Aviv, where his condition improved.


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Corporate Member
Organisation:Insight Acumen
Divisions:Defence; Resources & Infrastructure; Transport; Modelling & Decision Support
Divisions:Defence; Resources & Infrastructure; Transport; Modelling & Decision Support
Insight Acumen was founded in February, 2010 by its current Managing Director, Mr Robert Brownie. The company makes use of its extensive industry knowledge across military and civil domains to provide solutions for its clients. These solutions are intended to provide enhanced business options to decision makers. IA is governed by a board of directors that focusses on the strategic development, corporate governance and sustainability of the company. Clients can thus be confident in the knowledge that they are dealing with a firm with a high level of commitment to corporate governance and ethical business behaviour.


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The company helped transform the fortunes of what had been a stalled residential scheme in Manchester.
Forming part of a wider regeneration scheme for the Ancoats area, Nuovo Apartments provides 166 apartments, 40 of which are affordable homes, along with ground-floor commercial space.
Comprising a 13-storey tower and two lower blocks, the part-built scheme on Great Ancoats Street was on hold for several years prior to our involvement.
With the site subject to a major fire and significant flooding during the project's dormant period, major structural repair works were required.
To understand the condition of the structure, a laser scan was commissioned, with the resulting information used to coordinate alignment of partitions and structural steelwork to avoid clashes.
As part of our investment in the local community, we are assisting neighbouring charity 42nd Street in the refurbishment of an old Victorian shop for it to use in its work providing support services to young people under stress.


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View other arrangements selected for this itinerary.
Golf Courses
FaroRegion: The Algarve
A pre-historic fishing village, Faro, the capital of the Algarve since 1756, became an important port under the Romans. It was captured by the Moors, ransacked by the British and is today a pleasant respite from the neighboring beaches and resorts. The port, with its yachts and fish restaurants leads onto a charming shopping area. Take a stroll through the Arco da Villa up narrow streets to the oldest part of the city, Largo da Se, a square lined with orange trees which houses an 18th century seminary, which is still in use, although it is closed to the public. You can visit the Se opposite, the first Christian church in Faro, dating back to Medieval times.


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William C. Hostetter was named publisher, reporting to Mr. Guccione, CEO; Mr. Hostetter had been senior account manager and category specialist at BusinessWeek since 2002.
"Bill has a deserved reputation as an ad sales leader with a wonderful ability to grow business," Mr. Guccione said in a statement. "Bill brings vision and energy and great imagination to us, and will help continue the resurgence of this long-respected magazine."
Pages up in '07
Discover has made some gains since its acquisition by Mr. Guccione, the founder of Spin and Gear magazines. Its ad pages fell 8.7% to 234.3 last year, according to the Publishers Information Bureau. From January through October of this year, however, its ad pages increased 18.2%, according to the Media Industry Newsletter.
And last year the magazine reported average paid circulation of 711,324, down 14.8% from 834,729 in 2005, when the magazine had a higher rate base. During the first half of 2007, its average paid circulation edged up 0.8%, to 716,922, while newsstand sales gained 8.7%, to 117,108, according to its report to the Audit Bureau of Circulations.


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Last night I attended an interesting presentation organised by the Business Intelligence Group, jointly given by Debbie Senior from Harris Interactive UK and Llinos Jonathan from Invensys Controls. The business is a global provider of control gizmos to the heating, appliance, refrigeration and automotive industries. The presentation was based on their last customer survey with business customers around the world and focused on measuring the levels and drivers of customer loyalty. Continue reading
Author Archives: Steve Hallam
What 'I'll have what she's having' could mean for marketing practice
In a previous post I've outlined why I found Mark Earls new co-authored book interesting but frustrating in relation to what I was looking for. Since then I've come across a great blog post by Mark in which he starts to answer the questions that the book left hanging in the air Continue reading
Consequences for small businesses of Martin Baillie's radical views on the future of market research
In a recent article Martin Baillie suggested that we need to move from ad hoc research to responsive insight. What does this mean? He believes that 'The problem is that in a connected world, marketing should mean always-on collaboration with audiences, working with consumer reactions and making ourselves more and more relevant to them.
However, he says, few clients are structured to deal with continuous, iterative, responsive communication and few agencies have structured themselves to deliver this either (because the clients aren't structured that way yet).'
The way forward
He believes that the way forward is to: Continue reading
I'll have what she's having by Mark Earls – a good book, but not the one I was hoping for
I bought this book, co-authored by Mark Earls, to see if it provides practical, marketing related answers to the questions that Mark posed in 'Herd'. By and large it does not; so if this is your interest I'd suggest waiting for the next one. Continue reading
Does transformational thinking make sense for small businesses?
I recently came across some musings on market research from the vice president of marketing strategy and insights for Coca-Cola. His main points were that too much money is spent on "rear view research"; it makes up to 80% of research budgets. Understanding what happened in the past helps understand mistakes, but he believes that we need a change of mindset. "It's not about following the change as quickly as possible, it's about helping companies to shape the change. Large companies have a responsibility to shape the change, not just respond to change."
Research departments must therefore Continue reading


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The Amon Doc is a Newtype-use transformable mobile armor that appears in the 1 volume manga Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam 1/2 UC 0087: Another Story. The unit is piloted by Wornack.
Technology & Combat Characteristics
- 60mm Vulcan Gun
- 2-tube Grenade Launcher
- Beam Gun
Picture Gallery
External links


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It's crazy to think that Rottweilers and Poodles are in the same family of animals. Or for that matter, Great Danes and Toy Chihuahuas. They are as different as they come. One is 200 pounds, the other is 2.
In much the same way, have you ever realized how many different breeds of people fall under the "survival" umbrella (this is the smooth transition to topic)? In case you haven't, there are tons. And each type of "survivalist" is unique in their own weird ways. Recently, I've been reminded again, of just how funny it actually is. Walk with me:
Food Storage Moms – these are the sweet middle aged moms who equate the idea of survival with having a basement full of canned foods (some of which they probably canned themselves). Probably also soccer moms. They know the importance of stocking those cupboards full!
Apocalyptists – swear that someday soon just about everybody is going to be torched in a giant nuclear explosion, drowned in a flood, frozen to death in another ice age, or abducted by aliens. These guys are the converts of Independence day, I Am Legend, and all the other wonderful Hollywood portrayals.
Tactical Hoo-Rahs – these are the guys that treat everything like it's the battlefield. They borrow all the acronyms, abbreviations and terminology from their military days. These guys are all about stockpiling firepower, blowing things up, and beating the bad guys.
Primitive Skills – the hippies of the group. These are the folks that farmers markets are made of. They love to make their own clothes, build their own homes, grow their own food, and in all other possible ways be "at one" with our mother earth. These guys often have learned a tremendous amount about living off the land.
Camping & Hunting Nuts – LOVE spending time in the outdoors. They can't get enough of hunting, tracking, animal calls, hiding in bushes, and analyzing poop. They like the adventure of making do and doing without, so they do it for fun. To these guys, the concept of "survival" is being alone in the wilderness.
Medical Mavens – pride themselves on being able to perform CPR, first aid, emergency surgeries, treat and dress wounds, triage the victims of mass destruction, and anything else medical. To them, the apex of "survival" is being able to put people back together.
Right Wing Extremists – swear that the government is slowly taking away our freedoms, and that people are being led down the path of "following the system" without questioning. Everything is a conspiracy, nothing should be trusted–especially if it's the Feds. The less government there is, the better.
Boy Scouts – are a close relative of the camping/hunting nuts. Their brand of survival is also largely "wilderness survival." They become more "prepared" by passing off merit badges dealing with the safe and proper way of: building a fire, using a knife, making camp, disposing of waste (paper and otherwise), splitting wood, navigating by map, and more.
Doomsday Economists – these guys prophesy of the times when paper money will be completely worthless, and burnt to keep warm. They put their faith in stockpiling raw goods and precious metals. They invest in foreign markets, and keep their wealth spread around, so that it can't be lost all at once.
I'm sure there are more, but this is just a small cross-section of some of the more prominent survival subsets that I've noticed. I've had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with people from all groups, via Twitter, Facebook, blog posts, and in face to face conversations.
It's eye opening because it really does illustrate how different people choose to deal with problems (or potential problems). And it's comical. It could easily be a t-shirt.
The more I rub shoulders with different mindsets, the more I realize that I borrow from them all. But that's such a safe answer. Everybody would say that crap. To make myself be more specific, I would say I'm a mutt of roughly:
But I'm constantly learning and evolving. We all are. Next year I could largely be a "food storage mom" maybe, who knows? But no matter what brand of survival we are or may call ourselves, it's important to realize that there truly are practical and absurd things about each.
You can't save a kids life with CPR if all you've been doing is collecting guns and blowing stuff up. And by the same token, you can have the Merck medical book memorized and still starve to death without a little food storage. Rather, learn from them all, realize the limitations and craziness inherent to each, and contribute where you can. To sum it up–be real about the journey you are on. Because after all, it will be real soon enough some day.


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For those of you who haven't watched Mad Men yet, the drama serial is about an American advertising agency (Sterling Cooper) set in the 60s. The show revolves around the Creative Director Don Draper and how the company would deal with clients and briefs (and their personal lives) during that era. The show deservingly won the Golden Globe Award for best Television Series (Drama) – 2008, 2009 and 2010 [List of awards Mad Men won].
What I love about the show is the way Don Draper would tackle briefs, so much so that whenever I get a new brief and am not able to "crack" the brief properly, I seriously ask myself – "What would Don Draper do?"
[Click on pic for higher resolution]
Another thing I love about the show is how these Ad people in the show would be chain smoking and drinking right in office as they discussed about work. Such things are not possible today for the obvious reasons (Oh here's a trivia – In the TV show Mad Men, all the people smoke all the time, but since they (actors) are not allowed to smoke cigarettes in the film studio according to California Law, they are actually smoking herbal cigarettes on the sets!)
Recently, I wrote about how I went directly to Lonavala from Mumbai airport after flying back from Delhi. Well, that is when Mad Men kinda happened...
It was one of the most memorable weekend vacations I ever had.
Memorable, because it was different.
Unlike other weekend getaways, this particular trip including the transportation, lodging, food and booze were all sponsored by my company – webchutney.
What we did too, was not just about fun and enjoyment. At 10am in the morning, after inhaling the pristine Lonavala sunrise mist, we had a briefing by our CD and ACDs over coffee and tea. They told us about all the briefs and what we were supposed to conceptualize.
The daily list consisted of around 6-7 big clients/pitches. And so all of us (the Creative Department) went to our happy places - our rooms, by the pool, on the staircase, in the loo etc. alone to think of ideas for the briefs.
Then at 2pm we had a group meeting and all of us individually shared our ideas for each brief with everybody else. There were feedbacks, counter arguments etc for every concept discussed.
After lunch, around 6pm we all met again to finalize the concepts for the respective clients and then the night party started.
The next day, the same routine took place again, for different clients and briefs.
What I loved the most was the fact that we could do anything we want while discussing or thinking about our concepts. Total freedom. And with freedom comes more uninhibited overflowing thoughts of raw ideas.
Eventually, with the entire Creative Department pitching in and bombarding all of us with new ideas and concepts, we had enough "ammunition" to handle our clients/briefs. And sometimes, luck does set in. For example, there was this really awesome idea contributed by one of our junior copywriters, but the idea just didn't seem to fit in with the particular client/brand. And then our ACD said, "Wait a minute... why don't we just change the logo?" And that was it – Voilà, we had an amazing concept for another (completely different) client of ours!
Here are a few pics of that memorable weekend. Workshops like this really should take place frequently. Not only was it refreshing, but we ended up doing a lot of important work too. Two birds with one brain, you know.
Click on the pics for higher resolution.
Set I. Pics courtesy Asha Edwin.
[Group briefing]
[Individual thoughts]
[After Dark discussions followed by dinner]
[Daytime discussions]
SET II. Pics courtesy my Samsung Galaxy S.
[Bonus: Lonavala The Land of Chikki!]
SET III. Pics courtesy Ram Singh
[Bonus: A little animation never hurts.]


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Despite all of us being under the weather, we made it to our local pub to join in the festivities. Charlotte donned her Union Jack onesie:
And I donned my Union Jack hat:
We ordered "full English breakfasts":
Check out that slab butter!!
We all had a great time, but are still not feeling our best:
We are looking forward to spending the afternoon at home. If we're feeling up to it, we've been invited to a garden party at the home of another DC expat later in the day.


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South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun's life was certainly worthy of a movie. The youngest of five kids in a poor, small-town family, he often had to leave school to help out at home. Despite never going to college, Roh passed the bar and became not just a self-taught lawyer but a judge, although it was in the former capacity that he did the civil rights work that became the core of his career. Eventually he was elected to the highest office in the land, at which point he was indicted then reinstated. After leaving that office, he was embroiled in a few controversies around bribery and political corruption. Eventually, he committed suicide by jumping off a mountain. That's a pretty compelling life story!
Yang Woo-seok's The Attorney doesn't follow that biography to the letter of the law but even though the lead character is named Park Byung-ho (Song Kang-ho), and his backstory is somewhat recast as that of an apolitical opportunist who has an ennobling epiphany about his profession when the faultless son (Yim Si-wan) of a big-hearted cafe-owner (Kim Yeong-ae) is illegally held prisoner and tortured for being part of a harmless book-reading group, we know this is about Roh. But stripped of his official identity, the movie also allows us to embrace Roh's accomplishments without being burdened with the sad details that followed his ascent to the presidency. All of this helps make The Attorney a feel-good story.
We like seeing the self-taught litigator outwit his snobby colleagues to become a successful self-made businessman. We like seeing him move into an apartment that he helped to build back in the days when he was doing construction to make ends meet. We like seeing him rise to the occasion when injustice suddenly pops up in his inner circle. And we love his refusal to compromise when the insider deals are offered as if justice could be meted out that way by a stuffy judge (Song Young-chang) with no conscience! That may be the way, people like Park's greedy sidekick (Oh Dal-su) and his stone-faced nemesis (Kwak Do-won) want things to go, but in this Capra-esque tale, no can do!


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Similarly once the problem of the Swarm was over, the moral police turned on Dr. Holton and the way the problem was identified. When his senility itself came into question, Mandrake and Magnon had to intervene and come to his rescue.
Thanks to the one and only Magnus Magnusson for the color strips.
Download and enjoy the story here.


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W. Somerset Maugham Quotes About PerfectionQuotes about: Perfection
You Europeans know nothing about America. Because we amass large fortunes you think we care for nothing but money. We are nothing for it; the moment we have it we spend it, sometimes well, sometimes ill, but we spend it. Money is nothing to us; it's merely the symbol of success. We are the greatest idealists in the world; I happen to think that we've set our ideal on the wrong objects; I happen to think that the greatest ideal man can set before himself is self-perfection.
The Americans, who are the most efficient people on the earth, have carried [phrase-making] to such a height of perfection and have invented so wide a range of pithy and hackneyed phrases that they can carry on an amusing and animated conversation without giving a moment's reflection to what they are saying and so leave their minds free to consider the more important matters of big business and fornication.
The ballet. I saw in the fugitive beauty of a dancer's gesture a symbol of life. It was achieved at the cost of unending effort but, with all the forces of gravity against it, a fleeting poise in mid-air, a lovely attitude worthy to be made immortal in a bas-relief, it was lost as soon as it was gained and there remained no more than the memory of an exquisite emotion. So life, lived variously and largely, becomes a work of art only when brought to its beautiful conclusion and is reduced to nothingness in the moment when it arrives at perfection.
W. Somerset Maugham
- Born: January 25, 1874
- Died: December 16, 1965
- Occupation: Playwright
- Cite this Page: Citation


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Dice Masters Night
August 30, 2017 @ 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every week that begins at 6:30pm on Wednesday, repeating until December 31, 2017
Every Wednesday evening we host a Dice Masters event. The formats rotate week-to-week. Please check the Wizkids Event System for information about a particular evening.
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We get it - you're mad. You struck out in a big spot, blew a lead, didn't drive the run in, served up a walk-off, went 0 for 5, got pulled in the second inning, or achieved any number of on-field failures - who wouldn't be mad? Ohh, but you're throwing equipment... you must be really mad.
Give me a break. For us hitters, baseball is a game of failure - more often than not, you're not going to get the job done. It's just a fact of the game, something that every player needs to acknowledge and overcome. It's a frustrating sport, one that ranges from incredibly easy to nearly impossible in the span of an at-bat. A series of one-on-one matchups, the game can never be mastered - perfection is unattainable.
So why do guys insist on making a spectacle of themselves when something goes wrong? I understand people deal with failure and anger in all types of ways, but there are few things that bother me more than an on-field meltdown. Sure, sometimes they're fun to watch, but nothing makes my blood boil like a teammate freaking out in the dugout. Breaking bats, throwing gloves, flipping coolers, breaking lights - you name it, I've seen it, and each time I roll my eyes and think to myself, "grow the f*** up."
Don't get me wrong, I've been there - been in slumps you wouldn't believe, made costly errors, struck out with the tying run on third - I've failed with the best of them. But you know who was to blame for all those things? Me. They were my fault - I let the team down. I've felt upset, angry, and hopeless on the baseball field more times than I care to remember, but I would never let my problems go public. My teammates don't need to see me breaking the bat rack to know I care, just like I don't need to see my starting pitcher chuck his glove at the Gatorade cooler to know he's upset about only going 1 1/3 innings.
We all care - we wouldn't play if we didn't. It's an infuriating game, you're allowed to be angry, but you can't let the game break you - because if you let it, it will. I have never in my life seen a guy freak out early in a game then turn around and do anything productive in the following innings. A meltdown might as well be a giant white flag, waving from the dugout informing the other team that you are officially checked out mentally. They no longer have to worry about you - you're already beat. The game of baseball has worn you down - your day is done.
When players have a reputation for being a hot-head, I don't think fans truly appreciate how annoying it is to be their teammate. When Carlos Zambrano takes the mound, you better believe the guy who has the locker next to him in the clubhouse is praying he has a good outing. In fact, I'm sure all the guys in the dugout are crossing their fingers as well. Sure, a good performance by Zambrano will help the ball club, but mainly they just don't want to deal with his antics. Because when Carlos has a problem, he becomes everyone else's problem.
The same can be said about Kevin Youkilis. There are few guys I respect more as a hitter than Youk, but I've never seen someone lose their cool over a first-inning strike out worse than him. It's embarrassing. It's no coincidence that the guys getting in dugout skirmishes with teammates are usually the ones blowing a gasket over every little miscue. Eventually teammates get sick of their childish behavior and confront them - they reach a boiling point.
I can't tell you how much I respect guys who don't show their frustration. God knows ageless knuckle-baller Tim Wakefield has experienced his fair share of ups and downs, but you would never be able to differentiate the two based on his demeanor. Derek Jeter's the same way - never down on himself, always looking to the next play.
I look at keeping your composure as a way of respecting the game. Baseball is hard - it's going to deal you some bad hands. Deal with it. You're a professional, you get paid handsomely to play a game that you love - show it some respect. Baseball doesn't owe any of us a thing. It gives us opportunities, challenges, entertainment, and a lifetime of enjoyment - so what if there's some heartbreak thrown in there once in a while. It's part of the package - it's the reason why the successes feel so darn good.
Baseball is for the mentally tough. Sure you could argue that the guys I mentioned are making millions of dollars and seem to be doing alright for themselves, but could they be better? Or better yet, how many hot-heads with Big League talent are out there that we've never even heard of? When things don't go your way, you don't have to prove to us how angry you are; we know - just go back and do it better the next time. TV Networks may be disappointed, but your teammates will thank you.
SMALLS TALK Series
When did "Can I have your autograph" turn into "Give me a ball"?
Baseball Needs a 24/7 Show
Top 10 Things to Do in the Dugout During a Day Off
The Spit Hit
Being Friends with Pitchers
The Yankee Core
Opening Day
You Play Right Field?
It's Not Always Sunny in Arizona
Tee Work
Helmet for Pitchers?
Approaching Spring Training
Top 5 Things I Won't Miss About My Local Gym
Getting New Equipment
Last Day at Work
My Bat of Choice
The Superstitions and Quirks of a Ballplayer
The Art of the Autograph
Greensboro's 'Bat Dogs'
Tim Kurkjian is a Man Among Boys
Baseball Movie All-Star Game: Starting Lineups
Walk-Out Music
Pre-Draft Medical Questionnaires
The Ryan Howard Namesake
The Magic of the Rally
Jeter and A-Rod, How Times Have Changed
Summer Leagues - Cape Still Cream of the Crop?
SportsCenter Commercials are Better Than Most Shows
Schilling's Bloody Sock
Red Sox Nation Goes Crazy, JD Drew Can't Be Bothered
Minor League Hats are the Way to Go
Who Has the Best Uniforms in College Baseball?


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Content Marketing 101 – Everything About Content Marketing
Yesterday, while I was using some tools for better content marketing, I thought I could write a new post mentioning all those exceptionally brilliant tools that can help you in going viral. The same as I told one of my friends and the immediate response I got was a question- "what actually is content marketing?". That's a brilliant idea to get started with, I thought and replied with a thanks.
Even I got to understand this term only few months back and I subscribed to all content marketing blogs immediately. Don't you surprise; the results are amazing with content marketing. Yes, positively.
If you are a business owner (or work for any business), content marketing can surely bring you the best results ever.
So, What is Content Marketing?
"Content marketing is yet another marketing strategy where content is produced in many interactive formats and is used to connect and engage with the target audience to create a stronger bond."
Content marketing is actually a cleverly process. Here, you don't send them annoying product promotion emails, yet you present content, which makes them realize how important your product is. Providing more valuable information to make your customer more intelligent is what you're supposed to do. Persuasive content is what you should give here.
Let me explain you. A few months back, I wrote this post on Press Releases and as a part of research, I was browsing through countless random blogs related to press releases. And, unsurprisingly, most of the blogs are PR agencies , which offer press release writing and publishing services to their customers.
So, when someone searches for press release writing tips on Google, he obviously lands on any of their PR agency's blog. Of course, the content is outstandingly valuable and correct, that he won't stop reading it. He continues to the author bio and there he finds about the author/company, who/which offers press release writing services. You see, the company has just bagged a potential customer through content.
Content Formats
Content, in terms of blogging is words but not in terms of content marketing. Here, content can be any visual form , which is interactive. It can also be a little game but should be able to educate the reader.
How would you like to get updates of FIFA world cup? Not through a radio and better be a television, right? The same here. When you have the chances of presenting the text in a more interactive way, why should you opt-in for the old-school strategies?
The type of content you create directly decides how influential your content is. The percentage of influence the very format shows is as follows-
- Social Media – 79%
- Article Posting – 78%
- Case Studies – 55%
- Blogs – 53%
- White Papers – 43%
- Webinars – 42%
- Videos – 41%
- Podcasts – 16%
- Ebooks – 9%
Now, you can start working on the very specific format as you knew how big the reach and influence would be.
Wait! Maybe, you can act better once you know how the audience would actually like to see. It can be easier for you to produce the content, then.
- 37% prefer email newsletters
- 33% like the business page on Facebook
- 23% love to watch videos
- 15% play games
- 9% follow updates on Twitter
- Only 7% comment on blogs
Yet, it is obvious.
Inserting images/videos at proper places will make sure the engagement with the audience.
Social Media
Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms are the best place to find the target audience. Because, today, everyone started using these social networks and, this is your chance to make the right use of it.
As the primary goal of yours should be create relevant and engaging content, you can expect a lot of response on social media platforms unlike the others.
I know you already liked (I'm talking about the Facebook like) the Coco-cola fan page on Facebook (except in the worst cases). It is the third largest fan page on Facebook with 62,861,297 likes, followed by Facebook and YouTube. With attractive and creative images, videos and some contests too, Coco-cola keeps itself trending all the time. Just between 2011 and 2013, it has increased its fan-base by 65%. Few other brands also, are creating such trending stories on Facebook, like MTV, Disney, Starbucks, Oreo, McDonald's etc.,
Even on Twitter, we can see Huffington Post, YouTube, Instagram, MTV, UberSocial, NBA, The Onion and other brands in the most powerful list.
Article Posting
This can often be taken as posting relevant articles on the web (for global reach). No different from guest blogging, in a perspective.
If you are aware of Bill Gate's The Gates Notes, where he writes about the future of food; he recently posted an article Food is Ripe for Innovation on Mashable. This would've surely given him a positive response.
Case Study
For your knowledge, here's how Red Bull's content strategy got its wings.
You see, I just shared this article published on Contently. Because, it's worth it. Now, this case study has helped contently in going viral, if you analyze. This is how you get a lot of attention.
Moreover, bloggers today, are also doing their case studies on the most interesting niche topics and are stunning their readers with amazing reports.
Here's the latest case study published on my favorite, Copyblogger- How to Build a Vast Audience by Mastering the Art of the Interview
Are you new to this term, by any chance? I hope not. Because, what you are reading now, is published on a (my) blog.
It has become so easy to setup a blog, now. All you've to have is a domain and space to host your site. Once you install, Google (no, Bing!) will teach you everything.
It is highly recommended for every business to have a blog. You get more exposure and so do consumers, if you've a business blog.
It is also noticed that companies with blogs get more inbound links than the usual.
Bonus: To make your blog posts go viral, write super-long blog posts. Break the old-school 700-word rule and write posts like Glen (of ViperChill).
White papers are all different from blogs. Length is what, that separates them. Because, a white paper is generally short in contextual data.
It provides short and accurate data about the considered resource. Leads are seen faster through white papers and not blogs and that is why marketers start white paper marketing, as a blog generally takes more than six months to start generating leads.
This live example from Hubspot can throw more light on it.
Webinars help extremely. Both to the consumer and marketer. Because, a consumer/reader can really learn a lot.
Last week, I attended a webinar on Guest Blogging and it did really help a lot in executing new strategies.
Today, you can see every top-notch blog organizes free/paid webinars to increase their leads/sales/whatever.
Videos, in other words helps your site with decreased bounce rate. Because, we can't expect a video to be less than a minute (except in worst-cases). And, readers will spend an extra minute on your blog , which obviously reduces your site's bounce rate.
Content Marketing Institute and Hubspot create a lot of videos to engage with their readers. And, creative videos can easily go viral. Because, they however have quality content and added with a creative execution, you hit it!
Derek Halpern also uses this strategy to engage with his blog readers.
If you can't possibly make a video, go with an audio. There are people who love listening to podcasts.
Ileane Smith of BasicBlogTips loves to create podcasts. Give a look to get an idea (a better idea, in fact).
Scribe Library, Hubspot Ebooks, Content Marketing Institute Ebooks and ton more. Ebooks are now everywhere.
Free ebooks are yet considered to be the best giveaway to get started with building a list.
With your ebook, you can market your content more effectively and expect better results, as well.


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Obama Style
We were inspired by Barack Obama's election posters. The original was done by Shepard Fairey. By reducing the image to a simple "3-color tone image" great effects can be created. It also happens to be extremely flattering! Choose to write your own name or a message to make it look like a real "propaganda" poster.
Normal lead time is 8-10 working days. Rush order is 4-5 working days. Custom sizes also available. (Mural size up to 40 inches by 90 inches)


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Directed by David Fincher and excellently rendered by top brass actors – Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey and Brad Pitt, this movie show cases not just the underbelly of an American metropolis but also the ugly underbelly of the human mind.
Somerset (Freeman) is a seasoned detective who has seen too much of the dark side of the human nature, and while he's the best in his field he still regrets the many murders that went unpunished. Mills (Pitt) is a passionate and enthusiastic detective who is not aware of how easily the psychopath, John Doe (Spacey), can manipulate his emotions.
Many people may find this movie too graphic for their taste. It however has some very insightful dialogues on the human condition and urban crime in an American metropolitan city, the name of which is not specified in the movie, but appears to be New York.
The name of the film is derived from the seven deadly or cardinal sins according to popular Christian beliefs prevailing in the fourth century AD. They are pride, greed, lust, envy, sloth, wrath and gluttony.
John Doe:…..We see a deadly sin on every street corner, in every home, and we tolerate it. We tolerate it because it's common, it's trivial. We tolerate it morning, noon, and night. Well, not anymore. I'm setting the example. What I've done is going to be puzzled over and studied and followed… forever.
William Somerset: David. If you kill him, he will win.
William Somerset: I just don't think I can continue to live in a place that embraces and nurtures apathy as if it was virtue.
David Mills: You're no different. You're no better.
William Somerset: I didn't say I was different or better. I'm not. Hell, I sympathize; I sympathize completely. Apathy is the solution. I mean, it's easier to lose yourself in drugs than it is to cope with life. It's easier to steal what you want than it is to earn it. It's easier to beat a child than it is to raise it. Hell, love costs: it takes effort and work.
John Doe: What sick ridiculous puppets we are / and what gross little stage we dance on / Not a care in the world / Not knowing that we are nothing / We are not what was intended.
Dr. Beardsley: He's experienced about as much pain and suffering as anyone I've encountered, give or take, and he still has Hell to look forward to.
William Somerset: [Reading from one of John Doe's journals] On the subway today, a man came up to me to start a conversation. He made small talk, a lonely man talking about the weather and other things. I tried to be pleasant and accommodating, but my head hurt from his banality. I almost didn't notice it had happened, but I suddenly threw up all over him. He was not pleased, and I couldn't stop laughing.
David Mills: Yeah, a landlord's dream: a paralyzed tenant with no tongue.
William Somerset: Who pays the rent on time.
William Somerset: But you gotta be a, a hero. You want to be a champion. Well, let me tell you. People don't want a champion. They want to eat cheeseburgers, play the lotto and watch television.
William Somerset: It's impressive to see a man feeding off his emotions.
William Somerset: Hemingway once wrote, "The world's a fine place and worth fighting for." I agree with the second part.
William Somerset: Gentlemen, gentlemen… I'll never understand. All these books, a world of knowledge at your fingertips. What do you do? You play poker all night.
Library Guard: Hey! We've got culture! We've got culture comin' out our ass!
Library Night Guard: [turns on classical music] How's this for culture?
Somerset : I wish I still thought the way you do.
Mills : Why don't you tell me what the hell it is you think we're doing?
Somerset : Picking up the pieces. We're collecting all the evidence, taking all the pictures and samples, writing everything down, noting the time things happen.
Mills : That's all ?
Somerset : That's all. Putting everything into neat little piles and filing it away on the off chance that it will ever be needed in the courtroom. Picking up diamonds on a deserted island, saving them in case we get rescued.
Mills : Bullshit.
Somerset : Even the most promising clues usually only lead to others. So many corpses roll away unrevenged.
John Doe: People will barely be able to comprehend it, but they won't be able to deny it.
And finally the classic library scene where Somerset is in the library going through Dante's Purgatory while Mills is at home, going through the case files and brutally graphic photos of John Doe's murdered victims. In stark contrast you have the beautiful composition – Bach's Air on The G String record playing. There is pathos, sadness, violence, anguish and agony of the human condition.


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2014 Tswwassen swap meet - CANCELLED
April 27th 2014 Tsawwassen M/C Swap Meet and Show N Shine CANCELLED!!!
Due to circumstances beyond our control the April 27th Tsawwassen M/C Swap Meet and Show N Shine has been CANCELLED.
We ask that you pass this information along to your motorcycling buddies as we wish to notify everyone possible so that no one shows up on the 27th looking for the swap meet.
The Mt Vernon WVM Swap Meet is on Saturday April 26th and we hope you will support them. www.washingtonvintagemotorcyclists.org
We would like to thank everyone for their past support and look forward to seeing you in 2015.
Todd, Barbara & Mack


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Jennifer Lopez – A.K.A (Album Review)
So after a short break whilst on the American Idol panel, Jennifer Lopez returns with a new album boasting that she is still the same girl from the block that we once knew and loved. She's said in recent interviews that this album will feature more R&B than her previous albums which were mostly produced by Red One and has enlisted the help of some rappers aside from Pitbull such as French Montana, Iggy Azalea and even Nas. This is a risky move from J-Lo since dance hits such as On The Floor and Follow The Leader put her back on the map. So will this album be able to deliver the nostalgia of some of her arguably most iconic singles from the start of her career? Let's hope so.
A.K.A (Feat T.I)
A few seconds into this track you begin to think that J-Lo lied to you when she said she'd take it back to R&B since the synthesiser within the track is dance. In addition to this, the first lyric states that "this is not the same girl you knew" which is a complete contradiction to the Same Girl promotion. It's a good intro for the album because the tempo is not too fast nor too slow which is a good representation of the album as a whole. Jennifer Lopez also sings confidently that she's "switching up her style" presumably from EDM to R&B/Pop. The lyrics are a little generic and simple and make you feel as if the song could have been cut down to one minute thirty seconds literally just as an intro. Overall, it's a good listen.
First Love
This song is made for the summer radio however it does sound a little bit dated. It's not the catchiest song and lacks an identity to separate J-Lo from any other artist on the radio. It's understandable why they'd make this a first single due to its radio friendly sound but it doesn't make her stand out in anyway and doesn't make me believe she's the same girl she spoke about. The song is basically about wishing the person she's currently in love with was the first person to come into her life so she wouldn't have had to have so many failed romances. Overall, it's listenable but rather disposable.
Never Satisfied
This song is an unexpected ballad. The problem here is that a ballad normally features either a great vocalist or great lyrics. Never Satisfied is unfortunately distant from both. This is because the lyrics are very cliché and have been used in almost every generic ballad. "One taste is never enough… I'm thinking about your sweet love all of the time" these lyrics don't make J-Lo or the track stand out in any way. Overall, this song doesn't hit as much as it should because there's been better songs about needing somebody. Nevertheless, it's probably the first track on the album that represents a different style.
I Luh Ya Papi (Feat French Montana)
On a first listen, this song can come across as quite uninspiring and monotonous. But the hook is rather catchy and it's surprising that it didn't perform better in the charts since it's not much different to other songs in the mainstream. The verses are what makes the song uninteresting, yet again the lyrics aren't captivating as she talks about how hot she is and how hot the guy she's pursuing is. There isn't enough memorable lyrics for the general listener to sing along which means the song is only good for 30 seconds. French Montana's rap isn't catchy or memorable and adds nothing to the track. I Luh Ya Papi shouldn't have been picked as the first single since there isn't enough energy to keep you entertained. The beat is also a letdown as it doesn't climate to anything. Overall, this track is forgettable.
Acting Like That (Feat Iggy Azalea)
When I saw she had a track with Iggy Azalea I wondered why it wasn't immediately the first single since Azalea is on fire right now. But the reason is because the song is sonically dull. It's as if Lopez decided to drop the dance instrumentals for a R&B/Pop sound but kept the same dance lyrics and vocal tendencies you'd hear on a dance track making it repetitive and lacklustre. Iggy's rap fails to even rhyme and sounds like a forced feature where you can tell the artists didn't even meet for a drink beforehand. It's a shame since her latest collaboration with Ariana Grande was very good. On top of that, the song doesn't have a decisive ending leaving you feeling underwhelmed. After listening to the song a couple of times, it grows on you within the hook leaving the song not a complete failure.
You can tell Jennifer Lopez doesn't sing this song effortlessly. It's unusual for J-Lo to sing out of her comfort zone vocally but lyrically this is one of the best songs on the album. It may even be the most personal whereas other songs leave you unsure whether they are related to J-Lo's personal life at all. The production is stripped backed so you can hear the vulnerability in her voice. A gripe with this song is that the melody of which she sings doesn't match the beat making it sound awkward. The hook "Someone took my emotions" is quite catchy and you might find yourself singing it in public like the person writing this review. Overall, a decent track!
So Good
This song sounds like a part two to Emotions as she's not fazed by the hate she's received from her last relationship. Yet again this sounds more personal and believable for J-Lo and although the song isn't necessarily gripping it's not bad. Yet again, I think the production is lacking and fails to stand out. Weirdly enough, the beat sounds reminiscent of a GTAV soundtrack that I can't quite put my finger on.
Let It Be Me
Let It Be Me sounds like old school J-Lo with the Spanish guitar at the beginning. The lyrics are also an improvement from the previous tracks. The quiet, mysterious production leaves you intrigued. It's a little cheesy as it sounds similar to a lullaby but it's still enrapturing. This song is a soft ballad about letting it be known that she's the one you love. This song is one of the few where J-Lo's vocals don't sound too thin and suit the song perfectly. Overall, it's a good track to chill to.
Worry No More (Feat Rick Ross)
The production is similar to the other songs on A.K.A but sonically it's more interesting. I feel as if these songs were made for rappers since they lack melody which makes it hard for J-Lo's vocals to resonate properly. Rick Ross suits this song perfectly and could easily pass as his own as he almost steals the show. Otherwise, the lyrics are unexciting leaving the instrumental as the highlight of the track.
Booty (Feat Pitbull)
The opening to Booty sounds very similar to Goin In when the kicks start. It's certainly up-tempo but a slightly darker version of dance. I wouldn't say this is different from her last album. You can immediately tell this is the best single for the album. It's got a catchy hook and features the predispositions of a general dance song. Lopez's monotone vocals work well with the beat as they sync together perfectly. You can tell she feels more comfortable with up-tempo music as she confidently handles the beat. Pitbull is one of Lopez's long time collaborators that no one asked for. I personally feel as if Ciara would have been a great feature on this track. Imagine the music video choreography? It would really work for both of them and I don't remember the last time Lopez collaborated with someone that wasn't a rapper. Pitbull's rap is stereotypical of him as it doesn't add much to the song and could easily be edited out. It's not as good as On The Floor but it's better than her previous dance singles she's released of late.
Tens (feat jack Mizrahi)
This song is interesting even if Mizrahi's voice sounds like an 80's action figure. This is a very sassy track and sounds very much inspired by Lady Gaga's Born This Way and Britney Spears' Work Bitch. It really works for J-Lo since she's such a fashion icon and has been known to be a diva, I could see this as a third single. This song could be even bigger if she collaborated with Lady Gaga for a full on vogue session. Overall, the song is enjoyable and a different style that works.
Troubeaux (Feat Nas)
This track works melodically in comparison to other tracks on A.K.A. Troubeaux could easily pass as a song from an old school Jennifer Lopez album and is the closest to R&B/Hip Hop on the album. Nas' rap is good and takes me back to their previous collaboration on "I'm gonna be alright". Overall, it's a great track.
Expertease reminds me of First Love but it sounds a little more interesting. It suffers the same fate as First Love where this song could be given to anyone (like Nicole Scherzinger) as it lacks an identity. It doesn't really show Jennifer Lopez in a unique way but it's a nice track to chill to.
Same Girl
Unfortunately Same Girl sounds rather dated as if it were released in 2007. You can tell Chris Brown helped with the track since it sounds similar to Champion. Luckily it was just a bonus track and not a single like it was first rumoured. Overall this song isn't really relatable to anyone. It sounds like it could be on a soundtrack for a Step Up film on a montage scene.
A.K.A doesn't necessarily bring back the old Jennifer Lopez we knew and loved it. It does have hints of the old school R&B/Latin tracks that she used to produce with songs like Let It Be Me and Troubeaux but overall it sounds like a watered down version of the dance music she's released. It's almost as if it's a transition album from dance to pop with R&B influences but it hasn't quite reached its destination yet which leaves the album sounding somewhat unsparingly mediocre. This is because the lyrics are similar to what you'd hear on a dance track but it's coincided with minimal pop/R&B production leaving you with nothing to hold on to that you actually like. Some tracks do stand out however, such as Let It Be Me, Booty and Tens are all different in their own way. The sassiness of Tens works so well within J-Lo's favour and I'm amazed she hasn't ventured into that territory before as it doesn't require much singing but some catchy hooks which Jennifer Lopez is very good at. Booty is no departure from her previous album and it seems as if Jennifer Lopez's vocals are a lot more comfortable on a dance production than an R&B instrumental that leaves her vulnerable. The more interesting tracks are bonus tracks which are an amazing oversight since Nas was the best feature on the album and Expertease and Tens had single potential. Overall, it's hard to place this album, because half of the songs are OK (provided you listen to the deluxe version) and half of them are forgettable. I would say it's Ok but it lacks replay-ability. It doesn't have any tracks that will have you playing it for a whole year and in comparison to her older albums it's not a cohesive album. If you are going to purchase this album I would definitely recommend you make the most of your money and buy the deluxe version since the majority of the best tracks are featured as bonuses. Otherwise, I don't know if this is the right direction Jennifer Lopez should go. The best tracks are the dance tracks where her vocals are most comfortable. Her R&B attempts just aren't believable and I wonder if J-Lo can really relate to them herself. I hope Jennifer Lopez looks at this album as a work in progress and takes her time to perfect the next album.
Tens, Let It Be Me, Troubeaux, Booty
Acting Like That, Never Satisfied, Best songs were bonus tracks
Rating: Lacks replay-ability
Tune in next Saturday as I review Lana Del Rey's "Ultraviolence" album