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The Dimplex Opti-Myst Deluxe Electric Fireplace Cassette Insert gives you the ability to create a custom installation only limited by your own imagination. This incredibly versatile insert allows you to create a custom mantel, built-in or recessed installations and so much more. For a grand effect, consider placing several units together for larger installation areas. The cassette easily works for both traditional as well as contemporary implementations, depending on your personal preference. You'll truly be amazed by the realism created by the Dimplex patented Opti-Myst flame technology. Here's how it works. Ultrasonic technology evaporates water creating the flame and smoke effect which rises as mist through the life-like log set. The unique lighting pattern reflects off the water vapor creating an authentic flame and smoke effect.
The Opti-Myst cassette truly is the most realistic looking flame currently available on the market. It is easy to operate and even easier to maintain. The hidden water reservoir offers up to 14 hours of continuous flame effect before needing refilled. Easily control the electric fireplace from virtually anywhere in your room using the included remote control. The Opti-Myst Deluxe Cassette is perfect for virtually any application. You'll love coming up with different ways to display it.
Ships FREE via Federal Express. The Dimplex Opti-Myst 22-Inch Electric Fireplace Deluxe Cassette Insert w/ Logs - DFI600L ships in and is delivered in
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Perfect -- Realistic
By Jimmy
from Clearwater Beach, FL
About Me Midrange Shopper
Comments about Dimplex Opti-Myst 22-Inch Electric Fireplace Deluxe Cassette Insert w/ Logs - DFI600L:
Perfect -- Realistic.
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
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(2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
Happiness is a Faux Fire
By Linda
from New York City
About Me High-end Shopper
We have a large family, now four generations, and celebrate all holidays and events here in an apartment. I have missed the comfort of a fire since we gave up our house - the fire was always the center of our celebrations. The Opti-Myst fills that void- it warms our hearts, not just our room.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
(3 of 4 customers found this review helpful)
Very Realistic
By Dave H
from Iowa USA
I put this in an entertainment center and everybody was wondering where the chimney was. Its that real looking. Excellent unit to use for an entertainment center.
This Dimplex product includes a 1 Year limited warranty. Click here for Warranty Details or to Register your product.
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© 2018 Mantels Direct and Renovation Brands, LLC. All Rights Reserved.


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Darkyr's Trophy Room
This is Darkyr's personal trophy room. Here you can view all the awards Darkyr has won in our past monthly competitions, as well as a quick rundown of their lifetime playing statistics (to the right).
If you don't have any trophies yet, don't be discouraged, just keep playing! All registered members are automatically entered into each month's competitions, where the top 20 players ranked by point score, solving percentage and average solving time will receive trophies and prize ribbons that will then be displayed here.
View darkyr's Profile »
* Monthly competitions began in February 2007.

subset: commoncrawl


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Groups & Special Events at Hard Rock Cafe Key West
Creating the Pitch-Perfect Event
With a full service event planning staff, modern facilities, and innovative audiovisual options, we have what it takes to bring your vision to life—no matter how large or small your budget! We can even customize our catering, entertainment, and event merchandise services to complement your event. Our talented staff of experienced technicians and expert party planners are on hand to help you create a memorable night for you and your guests.
We are an IDEAL LOCATION for:
- Corporate Events
- Theme Nights
- Social Gatherings
- Meet and Greets
- Business Meetings
- Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
- Weddings
- Wedding Rehearsals
- Birthday Parties
- Photo Shoots
- Team Building
- Breakfast Events
- Happy Hour Events


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Mahopadhyay Sri Vinaysagar is one of the most learned and greatest scholar of Jainism. Especially, he is top in Khartargachchh history. Shri Jain Swetambar Khartar Gachchh Sangh, Jaipur has published collection of his research articles about Khartar Gachchh.
Sri Kamalchand Surana, an eminent businessman unfolded the book in a ceremony at Sanganer Dadabadi on the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima.Sri Vimalchand Surana garlanded Mahopadhyay Sri Vinaysagar, the author. Sri Vijay Mehta felicitated Sri Kamalchand Surana who has unfolded the book.
|Historic twin temples in Sanganer
|Malpura Dadabadi, Dadaguru Jin Kushal Suri
Jyoti Kothari


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West Yorkshire
LEGAL EXECUTIVE who has gained 16 years industry experience initially within insurance before moving across to a legal environment. Currently employed as a Fee Earner within a Personal Injury department. Handles a caseload of 250 cases with some litigated cases. Is responsible for assessing prospects of cases through to conclusion including billing and banking of cheques. Previously as a Personal Injury Claims Technician, handled a caseload of 350-400 RTA cases. Was responsible for determining liability from the outset of the case. Ran cases from inception to conclusion. Made interim payments and placed reserves on files when details of losses were apparent. Seeking an opportunity to return to an insurance company claims environment.
Educated to a good standard.
Jayne Moss
Tel: 0113 244 0846 Mon to Fri 8.30am - 5.30pm.
Email: email@example.com
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Contest: Win Riot Fest Toronto Tickets! (CLOSED)
posted August 17, 2013, 6:49 pm by ROCKthusiast | Filed Under Contest, Festivals | Leave a Comment
Toronto has already experienced flooding and tornado warnings in 2013, but thankfully no riots…that is until the weekend of August 24th and 25th. Historic Fort York will be an appropriate battleground for Riot Fest, the music equivalent of an over the top battle royal – Unfortunately, there's no wrestling like there will be in Chicago and Denver, the other stops on the travelling Riot Fest caravan. Toronto is the first, however, and with this honour comes a reunion that's been 22 years in the making. How long has it been since The Replacements last played together? Kids today aren't even old enough to remember that their song "Can't Hardly Wait" is also the title of a teen movie starring Jennifer Love Hewitt!
Besides The Replacements' big comeback, the rest of the Toronto lineup is nothing to sneeze at. Attendees can look forward to moshing along with rabble rousers such as Iggy and the Stooges, A Day to Remember, in addition to some Canadian bands including Burlington, Ontario's Grade, The Weakerthans from Winnipeg, and The Flatliners, who have members hailing from Richmond Hill. Want to be part of the mob at Fork York: Garrison Common? Music Emissions are pleased as punch to have 2-day general admission passes to give away. All you have to do include @musicemissions and @riotfest in tweet, along with the #RiotFestTO hashtag and the band you're most looking forward to seeing. Not on Twitter? We'll also accept comments on Facebook.com/MusicEmissions (As long as you 'Like' us!)
Winners will be announced after 6PM EST on Thursday, August 22nd, and are responsible for their own transportation and accommodations. You can still buy one-day tickets for Riot Fest at Fort York here: http://riotfest.org/toronto-tickets/
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Jun 28, 201811:25 AM
Let Them Eat Cake
The official blog of New Orleans Bride Magazine, offering a daily dose of all things weddings
Tie One On
Consider bow ties with NOLA ties for your beau
He's a NOLA 'til ya die kinda guy. Something sweet to give him — other than your hand in marriage — could come in the form of a little slice of his beloved city. Ellen Macomber organic cotton silk bow ties and hankies feature a map of New Orleans and come in a variety of colors. Even without a map, we know he'll always find his way home to you. ellenmacomber.com


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SOLIDANIM & ROSS|SOLIDTRACK SOLUTION SHOWCASED AT BROADCAST ASIA Innovative, markerless camera tracking and previz/animation solution for real time visual effects & on-set visualization...Read More
SolidTrack system was utilized for previz and tracking on the film Rogue One : A Star Wars Story, by the famous Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).Read More
SolidAnim, a leader in the development of on-set virtual tracking equipment and visualization software, announced its SolidTrack system was utilized for previz and tracking on the film Warcraft...Read More
SolidAnim presents SolidTrack Unity plug-in and RossSolidTrack solution at NABSHOW 2016 Ultimatte Booth SL-5017 SolidAnim, a leader in virtual production, will introduce the latest version of...Read More
SOLIDANIM SHOWCASES SOLIDTRACK & ANNOUNCES ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH ROSS VIDEO AT CABSAT 2016 Innovative, markerless camera tracking and previz/animation solution for real time visual effects...Read More
Production has begun on 'A Monster Calls,' the new flick from director Juan Antonio Bayona. The film, adapted by Patrick Ness from his award-winning children's fantasy novel, is said to be "a...Read More
SOLIDANIM INTRODUCES SOLIDFRAME FOR 3D ANIMATION AT SIGGRAPH/ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH INRIA (booth 737) Paris, France, August 10, 2015… SolidAnim, a leader in virtual production products, is...Read More
At the 2014 NABShow, SolidTrack Inc. will showcase its real time camera tracking solution on booth SL1105 and SL1519. POST MAGAZINE : http://www.postmagazine.com/Press-Center/Daily-News/2014/NAB-2014Read More
SolidTrack and Encodacam build strong partnership combining their innovative technologies and sharing offices in Los Angeles Paris, France, June 4, 2014 –SolidAnim, a leader in the development of...Read More
SOLIDANIM INTRODUCES SOLIDTRACK AT CABSAT 2015 Innovative, markerless camera tracking and previz solution for real time visual effects & on-set visualization SolidAnim, a leader in...Read More
Solidanim, specialized since 2007 in 3D animation and founded by Isaac Partouche, Emmanuel Linot and Jean-François Szlapka has raised 500€ thousand from business angels and a historic shareholder...Read More
First major star to speak at this FMX , producer James Cameron , Jon Landau. The latter returned to technical advances between the two sides of Avatar. Main novelty, Simulcam . This system has to...Read More
VIZUALIZING VIRTUAL PRODUCTION WITH REVOLUTIONARY NEW WORKFLOWS Film, Broadcast, Videogame Demonstrations for French Entertainment Industry March 18, 2015 Paris, France, March 6, 2015....Read More
Thursday, September 10th, 2015 [Amsterdam, The Netherlands] – Ross Video and SolidAnim jointly announced today that they will join forces to offer the innovative, patented SolidTrack universal...Read More
SolidAnim will be showcasing at FMX 3 novelties: its real time camera tracking solution SolidTrack with new features, the virtual camera SolidVcam both presented on SolidTrack booth 2.4....Read More
SolidTrack will be exhibiting with XD Motion's Muto their common solution at SATIS based in Portes de Versailles. Solidtrack, the real time camera tracking solution will be combined to XD...Read More
Paris, France, DATE, 2015…SolidAnim, a leader in the development of on-set virtual tracking equipment and visualization software, announced that Robert Zemeckis' critically-acclaimed film, The...Read More
Robert Zemeckis' 'The Walk' Wows Opening Night Crowd – New York Film Festival NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 26:Cesar Domboy, Steve Valentine, Ben Schwartz, Clement Sibony, Robert Zemeckis, Joseph...Read More


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Instructor: Jamie
Route: 40I, Local
Weather: Scattered clouds, 85 degrees, wind 210 degrees at 7 knots
It may not be instrument training (I know, I'm slacking...) but today's bit of flight instruction let me check off another goal. The Taylorcraft found a home on the rental line last summer. For many years prior she was on floats and the Stewarts kept her up in Michigan during the summers, if I'm recalling the story correctly. Down here in Ohio the floats are no more (well, they're in the hangar) and I've been thinking about flying her for quite a while. Today I finally did.
This afternoon's trusty aerial steed, the Taylorcraft BC-12D
Jamie and I talked about some of the basics while standing under the wing - the preflight isn't all that different than the Cub or Champ, save for a couple things in different places. The biggest difference is that this lovely taildragger has both an electrical system and a starter. No hand-propping and there's even a radio. That's downright luxurious!
We went over the panel in detail (the cabin heat, carb heat, and fuel shutoffs are all next to each other and have nearly identical knobs - what could possibly go wrong?!) and then started the engine. It fired right up after a couple blades and I confirmed we had fuel pressure. With everything in the green, I taxied over to the end of Runway 26. The gear uses bungees like the Cub but it felt like we were wallowing around much more as we rolled over the turf.
Airplane and instructor on the soft grass field
Lined up on the runway, I gently advanced the throttle and a firm push on the yoke brought the tail up off the ground. Soon we were climbing out - quickly. I've heard that Mr. Taylor built a plane that squeezed all the possible performance out of an 85 hp Continental; you won't hear me arguing that point. It was a hot, humid summer afternoon and we climbed at 500+ feet per minute all the way up to around 4,000 feet. Impressive.
I trimmed the plane for cruise and tried some dutch rolls to get a feel for the controls. Because of the way the yoke is shaped, I found it easy to inadvertently push or pull while trying to quickly deflect the ailerons. It took a minute but eventually I managed some relatively yaw-free rolls.
After that I did a couple steep turns in each direction, hitting my wake every time. That's always fun. Then I did a couple power-off stalls; the wing has a tendency to drop more than you see in a Cub, but it's not too bad. Work the rudders, stay coordinated, and you get a clean break with minimal roll. Jamie asked for some slow flight so I slowed down to 45-50 mph and made gentle 90-degree turns with the rudder.
Climbing into the tight cockpit requires some fun anatomical maneuvering
We were already rather nose-high so I pushed in the throttle, held the yoke back, and was rewarded with a very gentle power-on stall. Unlike the Cub, which just kind of suddenly stops flying, there was a noticeable buffet as we approached the stall. Relaxing the stick at that first indication resulted in essentially no altitude loss. I did another and held back longer; the break was still quite gentle.
Need to lose a couple thousand feet? Time for some forward slips. Full rudder to the stops, opposite aileron, and down we went. Not spectacularly fast, however. The airframe is quite streamlined; we never could exceed about -1,400 feet per minute in our descent. There's no vertical speed indicator in the Cub so I can't make a definitive comparison but it certainly seems to drop much faster. I wouldn't be surprised if a J-3 can drop at a clip of -2,000 feet per minute or better in a full-on, to-the-stops slip.
A tad more sophisticated than what you'll find in a Cub!
On my way back to the airport I practiced one turn around a point. It had been a while since I last did any and I spotted a water tower that I've used for similar practice many times before. So I rolled into a gentle turn and held it in position under the left wing. As I said to Jamie, when you've got a GPS logger, even something as simple as flying in a circle can be a little fun...
Google Earth don't lie - I've still got it! ;-)
We entered the pattern and I flew a rather stabilized approach. I knew the sight picture would be different (you sit higher than in the Cub) so I would have a tendency to flare late. To compensate, I added power on short final with the intention of holding the plane off the ground - and we soon touched, ever so softly. Jamie said some nice things and my ego felt good but I'm honest at heart. I told him that it was mostly pure luck - I thought we were higher and it was only that soft because I had added power our descent rate was basically zero.
New sight picture starting to register, we went around twice more. The second landing wasn't anything to write home about. Like I said, that first one was more luck than anything. The third was much better, however, quite gentle if not a perfect three-pointer. At that point, we taxied over to the fuel pump and topped the tanks with nine gallons of 100LL.
Jamie asked if I wanted to fly the pattern solo a couple times. After all, why just taxi back when you're already at the end of the runway and the tiedown is in the middle of the field? I said he'd better stay in that right seat. Not that I thought I'd bend any metal... but I figured it was the smart thing to do.
So I took off for one final lap around the pattern and proved that to be a wise call. Not because I flubbed the landing, mind you. Au contraire - I managed a beautiful, three-point, total greaser where all the wheels gracefully kissed the grass right as I brought the stick all the way back into my chest! Had it been solo you could've dismissed all this as haughty pilot bloggery. But no, now I have a witness. Game, set, match.
My first impression is that the BC-12D certainly is a nice little airplane. It goes faster than the Cub on the same horsepower and feels a tad more stable in cruise once you trim it out. The climb rate is certainly better, too. In short, it would be much more comfortable to take on a trip. In terms of pure fun, however, the Cub's still at the top of my list. The controls are far more responsive (they feel downright sluggish in the T-Craft) and everything just feels sportier in a J-3.
And you can fly it with the door open. Checkmate.
Flight Track: Google Earth KMZ File
Today's Flight: 1.6 hours
Total Time: 271.7 hours


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Lots of laughing ensued especially when Tiff showed us this hilarious British comedian Michael McIntyre. Apparently he is the highest grossing comedian in the world, so probably the rest of the world has heard of him, but I had not. So, what a fun evening we had watching his skits on kids and going to the dentist. I hadn't laughed out loud watching a show in a long time. And you must also watch this funny BBC skit about "apples" and "Blackberries" that is also British. Oh those Brits. Always the best humor. And Tiff picked up a lot of the lingo from staying with her good friends in England for a week and was cracking me up with her "Lovely" statements and "Brilliants" she'd say with the perfect imitation accent.
She'd never met my Lillian, and Cooper hadn't seen her since he was under two! Both were thrilled to have a guest in the house, and especially a fun sister who played and told them stories and cuddled like she knew them forever. She pulled them in the wagon, chased them at the park, made play-doh cut outs and read story upon story to Cooper's never ending questions. Realizing how much I miss my family being so far away from home. I realized it at Christmas as well, but having her here really set in the longing for family close by.
We had a girls day out in Regensburg shopping the town, dinner out, and then a night in a fancy schmancy hotel at the airport together before I hugged her goodbye at her terminal. Two very fast days of fun and catching up, sister chat and laughter. Missing you already.
And a bit of my New Years Resolution below... A portrait of my kids once a week for the entire year. Here is week 1 of Jan. I will have to catch up with posting the other weeks this month as well. Plus, I have a few projects I worked on this month I need to post on here as well.
|Week 1 - Lillian enjoying the warm sun on a cold day.
|Week 1 - Cooper and his gorgeous smile that melts me every time.
|I love this wall in our city park. I'll have to set up a family picture here next. Also love this coat! My mom gave it to Lily for Christmas and Lily says Ho Ho Ho every time she wears it.


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Age: 32.
Title: Partner.
Insight: While mall traffic trends ebb and flow, malls have emerged as the new town centers. Consumers are a captive audience at malls, which they visit an average of three times a month for a growing number of services in addition to shopping.
Tip: Be where the people are. Despite all the hype about stress, consumers have more leisure time than ever before. Themed restaurants and stores have become events unto themselves; tap into the crowds for venue-based marketing.
Opinion: It's no longer enough to simply display products and brands inside malls. Marketers demand promotion modules that measure consumer reaction and results, creating a two-way dialogue. Integrate measurement into the promotion


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There has been a possible sighting of the man wanted in two murders near.
Authorities with the Winnebago Sheriff's Dept tell WGN they are conducting a search north of Rockford after an off duty sheriff's detective spotted Terence Doddy's vehicle around 7 p.m. Thursday.
The vehicle was northbound heading towards Rockton.
It fled north bound at a high rate of speed and driving recklessly.
Doddy is suspected in the murders of 44-year-old Tonya Bargman, whose body was found July 1st at a rest stop near Sterling, Illinois, and 37-year-old Todd Hansmeier who was killed June 30th in Rockford.
He is believed to be traveling in – a gray 2013 Nissan Altima bearing Illinois registration BERGMN2. The images include specific details that include a silver colored "Illini Nissan" decal located at the lower rear bumper of the vehicle.
Police also believe that Doddy may be in possession of a blue dome styled camping tent.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact authorities at 815-632-4010.


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Uber to Pay $20 Million for Allegedly Misleading Drivers
January 23rd, 2017
Ride-hailing service exaggerated earnings claims for drivers, FTC says.
January 23rd, 2017
Ride-hailing service exaggerated earnings claims for drivers, FTC says.
March 20th, 2015
Company agrees to stop telling MINI car owners that all repair and maintenance work must be done at dealerships.
December 15th, 2014
While consumers' heads were a-spinning, important information went a-hiding.
July 23rd, 2014
Letter to FTC from consumer groups weighs in on deceptive mileage claims in car ads.
February 17th, 2014
The airways are full of car commercials on President's Day, but here are some things the ads often don't reveal.
January 23rd, 2014
Commercial for Frontier truck at issue.
January 9th, 2014
Can you spot what's wrong with these ads?
November 1st, 2013
It's all in the math and how you define some terms.
April 9th, 2013
The FTC proposed changes to their Used Car Rule, but consumers groups are unhappy with the revisions.
March 21st, 2013
The ASA ruled that Volkswagen overstated mileage claims on the Audi A3 TDI.
June 26th, 2012
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) was not very happy when the FTC wanted to implement rules that would require
January 23rd, 2012
Over $10 billion a year is spent on advertising cars and trucks, which results in an endless stream of television,
January 23rd, 2012
Maintenance plans – also commonly referred to as "service plans" – are sold by car dealerships at the time of
January 23rd, 2012
The age-old debate: to lease or to buy? We could go on and on about depreciation and interest costs, what


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To clear back acne, start with taking a salt water bath and using an acne-fighting soap to wash your back. Follow the bath with an oatmeal mask, and then apply a spot treatment to the blemishes. It can take a few weeks for the acne to clear completely.
- Prepare a salt water bath
Run a warm bath. Pour 2 to 3 cups of either sea salt or Epsom salt into the water. Allow it to dissolve completely.
- Soak in the bath
Sit in the bathtub with your back submerged in the water for approximately 30 minutes.
- Wash your back with acne-fighting soap
Drain the tub. Wash off the salt with a soap that contains salicylic acid, concentrating on the area of acne breakouts.
- Make an oatmeal mask
Follow the shower with an oatmeal mask. Cook the oatmeal in water until it is soft. Add 3 tablespoons of honey to the oatmeal, and allow the mask to cool.
- Apply the oatmeal mask
After showering, slather the area of back acne with a generous portion of the oatmeal mask. Allow the mask to sit for 20 minutes. Rinse the mask off with lukewarm water.
- Use spot treatments
After rinsing away the mask, apply an over-the-counter spot treatment to each blemish. Look for spot treatments that contain salicylic acid over benzoyl peroxide, as peroxide can bleach your clothes.


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Here is yet another beautiful-looking Bruce Timm illustration from the Masters of the Universe minicomic "The Terror Claws Strike!" Bruce Timm's Jack Kirby-inspired artwork was always worthy of splash page artwork, and the colors on this page compliment the artwork so perfectly. I always loved Bruce's ability to illustrate certain overly-dramatic poses, something he would go on to perfect for Batman: The Animated Series.
(click on the image to see it at full-size)


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Learn More About Women's Issues
Our informational videos are designed to educate you on the various treatment options available to you when it comes to women's health. Click on the videos below to learn more.
Women's Connection at SouthWest Urology
When conditions affect a woman's health and quality of life, the experts at the Women's Connection at SouthWest Urology have the advanced solutions needed to treat a wide variety of problems. Our specialists can diagnose and cure many common to advanced female urology problems while at the same time providing comprehensive medical management.
Visit Women's Connection >


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Rail against privatisation
IT IS the New Year tradition that we could well do without. Every year, Britain's rail users, who already pay the highest fares in Europe, are hit with increases on their first day back to work. Happy New Year? Our greedy rail companies make sure that the goodwill lasts only one day.
Although Chancellor George Osborne capped this year's increase in regulated fares to the RPI rate of inflation, the 3.1 per cent average rise in season tickets and the average rise of 2.8 per cent for all tickets is still a big blow for hard-hit commuters.
It comes at a time of falling real wages and on the back of a 50 per cent rise in fares in the past 10 years. The increases mean that some commuters will now have to pay more than £5,000 for their annual season tickets. Some tickets have gone up by more than £1,000 since 2008.
How did we get to this sorry situation? The misery began with the misguided privatisation by John Major's Conservative Government in 1996. Supporters said greater competition would lead to better services and a more efficient, cheaper railway but the opposite has happened.
Our privatised railway companies have received up to five times more in taxpayers' subsidy than the state-owned British Rail did. A TUC-commissioned report in 2013 revealed that the five largest private train companies received nearly £3billion in taxpayer support between 2007 and 2011. Since privatisation, fares have risen regularly above inflation, with more than 90 per cent of the train companies' profits being paid out to shareholders.
While fare caps are welcome, renationalising the railways, which opinion polls show is supported by a clear majority, is the only long-term solution, as it would make our railways cheaper to operate.
We don't need to look far to see the benefits that a publicly owned railway can bring. The East Coast Main Line has been run by Directly Operated Railways, a holding company owned by the Department for Transport, since private operator National Express East Coast gave up the franchise in 2009.
The line has been a great success in public ownership, with figures from the Office of Rail Regulation showing it is Britain's most efficient franchise, requiring less subsidy than any private operator.
During 2009-12 it paid back more money to the taxpayer in real terms than any previous franchisee: last year it returned more than £208million to the Exchequer. Revealingly, while other private operators raised their fares last week, the East Coast line has frozen more than half of them. Last year, customer satisfaction reached a record high of 92 per cent.
Another part of the network where fares are being frozen is Northern Ireland, where railways remain in public ownership. Yet despite this very clear evidence of how publicly owned railways can save money for taxpayers and passengers, the Government seems wedded to the expensive and inefficient privatisation model, which adds £1.2billion to running costs every year. Incredibly, it plans to privatise the East Coast mainline later this year.
Our political elite seems opposed to the idea of British state ownership of our railways but does not seem to have any concerns about state-owned firms from other European countries owning large chunks.
Greedy train firms which put up fares ensure that any New Year happiness does not last long
Arriva, which runs many services in Britain, including CrossCountry, is owned by the German state railway company Deutsche Bahn, which also owns our largest rail freight company.
Abellio, which operates services across Britain, is owned by Nederlandse Spoorwegen, the Dutch state railway.
Among the bidders for the East Coast franchise are Eurostar and Keolis, both majority owned by the French state railway company SNCF. Overall 65 per cent of our operators are now owned by European state-owned firms.
Why is it deemed acceptable for state-owned companies from Germany, France and the Netherlands to operate services on our network, and receive generous subsidies from the British taxpayer, but not a British state-owned company?
Do we honestly think other European countries would allow a British state-owned railway firm to own and operate large parts of their networks and that the governments of those countries would subsidise it? We must be mad to allow British taxpayers to effectively subsidise rail users in other European countries but that is what is happening.
Rail privatisation is a good example of politicians putting dogma before common sense. There are no advantages, either for passengers or for taxpayers, in sticking with the current flawed model. The first of our three major parties which changes tack and makes a firm commitment to renationalise our railways would not only be doing the right thing, it would reap the electoral benefit from a public fed up with being ripped off when they go to buy a railway ticket.
It has been calculated that the savings made from bringing the railways back into public ownership would enable an 18 per cent cut in fares. Now wouldn't that be a much better New Year present for long-suffering rail commuters than yet another round of fare increases?
Neil Clark is the co-founder of the Campaign for Public Ownership; Twitter @PublicOwnership


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About MFW Ashford
MFW Accountants Ashford retains a strong farming connection with a substantial portfolio of clients associated with agriculture. This office has a long history of assisting farmers and the wider agricultural community with a range of accounting, audit, taxation and business development help. To this day we continue to work for a large number of clients in this sector.
Our core services include:
- Auditing
- Annual accounts
- Management accounts
- Book-keeping and VAT returns
- Payroll bureau
- Auto-enrolment implementation and compliance
- Tax returns and tax compliance work, including capital gains tax calculations
- Tax planning advice, including inheritance tax
- Construction Industry contractor's returns
- Charities and not for profit organisations
Our sector specialisms
As well as a strong specialist sector we have the following sector specialisms:
- Academies
- Charities and other Not for profit organisations
- Construction
- Restaurants and Public houses
In addition, our Ashford office manages the tax affairs of our business clients and a large number of high worth individuals and we work to ensure our clients keep more of what they earn whilst ensuring that all tax liabilities are fully met.
MFW Ashford team
The partners and staff of the Ashford office take great satisfaction in helping their clients not just to comply with their legal accountancy and taxation obligations but also in helping and advising them on how to develop their businesses. They also pride themselves on their approachability and their ability to translate the often complex language of accountancy into plain English.
How to find us
Our Ashford office is ideally located next to Ashford Market, just off Junction 10 of the M20. Free parking is available.
Free consultation
If you are searching for an accountant in Ashford, Kent please call us for a free and no obligation initial consultation and see how our Ashford office could help you.


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Blood Fugue - Archieved Post
Blood Fugue
Author: Joseph D'Lacey
Publisher: Proxima Books
Page count: 272pp
Release Date: 16th Nov 2012
Reviewer: Theresa Derwin
Journalist Jim Kerrigan lives on his own in a cabin in the woods . . . so you know there's going to be trouble! The locals have a problem with him because he chose, some years previous, to leave Hobson's Valley then had returned as a hermit.
A virus, the Fugue of the title, is attacking the town's folk making them crave bodily fluids. At the same time, the Jiminez family, on a visit from Spain, seek directions from Jim to find the remains of their ancestor to pay their respects. All of these plot points interweave and come together as the novel progresses.
The tension in this alternate vampire mythology/body horror starts immediately. D'Lacey excels at building scenery and atmosphere as the Jiminez family work their way through the woods as the creature stalks them. The creatures, these alternate vampires who feed on the body juices of their victims, attack with snakelike trifurcated tongues protruding from different parts of the body.
Graphic, visceral and with a deep eroticism running through the text and the infected, Blood Fugue is an uncomfortable read in the best way that horror fiction should be. This is a welcome return for D'Lacey to the horror genre and is a great addition to the body horror sub-genre.
The bit with the cookies is priceless!
Great stuff!


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We end the rush hour with a few places where traffic is tight and drivers are spending extra time on the road.
Those include northbound Hwy. 169 from County Road 18 to 494. That's 22 minutes due to the work on the Bloomington Ferry Bridge and a crash on the ramp from westbound Hwy. 101 to northbound 169.
Look for some activity on Flying Cloud Drive at Flying Cloud Airport. Word is a plane might have slipped off a runway. Look for southbound Flying Cloud to be closed at Pioneer Trail.
Animals are wandering on the road on southbound Hwy. 65 at Main Street in Isanti.
Northbound 35 and 35W is plagued by flooding at Crystal Lake Road and congestion from County Road 42 up to the Minnesota River Bridge.
Crosstown and 494 in both directions between Hwy. 100 to Cedar Avenue is about 20 minutes. Look for a crash on westbound 494 at Lyndale Avenue.
Eastbound Hwy. 13 from Vernon Avenue to 35W is clogged. Plan on big delays through Savage and Burnsville.
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Comments will be reviewed before being published.


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**Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
When 12-year-old John Watson is sent to Candlewood boarding school, he makes quick friends with a boy named Sherlock Holmes, a universally disliked know-it-all and amateur sleuth. Before long, Sherlock embroils his new friend in a covert investigation of the mysterious disappearances blamed on a vengeful ghost. Dodging the meaty fists of the bully Moriarty, and aided by bumbling patrolman Lestrade, they uncover a deadly secret hidden deep underneath Candlewood. But does the duo have the brains–and the brawn–to crack this dangerous case?
Helpful Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
My Review~
I love Sherlock Holmes! There I said it. Sorry it had to be said.
Do you know what else I love? Getting a glimpse at the best detective team, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson at a young age. What could be better? Finally I have an idea of what these two characters might have been like before they became famous. In the eyes of Jose Prendes Sherlock begins his quest of being the best detective at the very ripe age of 12, where he is already eccentric and very inquisitive. He sees and knows everything... well except emotions. But what he lacks his new and quick friend John Watson more than makes up for.
When John first shows up at Candlewood he is instantly drawn into Sherlock's crazy world. Suddenly they are chasing ghosts and trying to solve the case of the missing girls. Naturally Sherlock believes he is the only one who can solve the case.
Together Sherlock and John go on an adventure of the lifetime. Chasing ghosts, bad guys, and battling pirates... well sort of. There is a lot of danger, humor, and of course Elementary! Haha, get it? Okay, whatever.
Elementary My Dear Watson is a fun and quick read that will have you in the mind of Sherlock before you know it. The characters are just how you imagine they would be and you instantly connect them with the Sherlock and Watson you have always loved. The story is fun and instantly pulls you into the case and is definitely a joy to read.


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I used my January hip kits to cut out all the designs. I chose three different pattern papers and I cut three squares out of each one of them.
I backed all the squares with vellum and then I randomly picked a few of them to turn them into shaker cards.
To embellish the page I used a few ephemera pieces from the Pink Paislee "Moonstruck" collection. I didn't want to over-embellish and cover my lovely cards so I kept things minimal.
Because my base was white, I decided to mount my layout of a lovely polka dot paper to give it a border.
So that was my layout for today. I really hope you enjoyed it and you will give this a go. Until next time, happy scrapping.


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Information and Communication Technology
To provide expertise and services on application of ICT to the Office.
The Unit will perform the following activities:-
(i) Implement ICT and e-Government policy;
(ii) Develop and coordinate Integrated Information and Communication Technology for the Office;
(iii) Ensure that hardware and software are well maintained;
(iv) Coordinate and provide support on procurement of software and hardware in the Office;
(v) Establish and coordinate use of electronic mail communications on LAN and WAN; and
(vi) Carryout studies and propose areas of using ICT as an instrument to improve service delivery to the whole Office.
The Unit will be led by a Principal Computer Systems Analyst.


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Need a Institute/Coaching Class?
IT Courses / Govt Exam Preparation
Higher Studies / Studies Abroad
Job Summary
Country Holidays Inn & Suites is your ideal travel partner when you talk about leisure travels. For excellent service, cost savings and convenient worldwide hospitality solutions from professional travel managers, administrators and business travelers connect with us. We understand the challenges you face in this competitive marketplace while booking hotels and flights. We will cater to your special demands and offer best discounts on the flights/Hotels. Save exceptionally on hospitality with Country Holidays Inn & Suites. We have more than 100 associated and leased properties in our portfolio.
Fully solved online mock placement papers with latest test pattern,count down timer,detail test analysis with answer and explanation is available at Power Placement Preparation:P3.
Start your preparation now with P3 and increase your success probabiltiy.


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Authors: Kathy Reichs and Brendan Reichs
Pages: 512
Genre: Young Adult
First Published: January 2011
Buy it: Bookdepository
Ever since Tory Brennan and her friends rescued Cooper, a kidnapped wolf pup with a rare strain of canine parvovirus, they've turned from regular kids into a crime-solving pack! But now the very place that brought them together - the Loggerhead Island Research Institute - is out of funding and will have to shut down. That is, unless the Virals can figure out a way to save it!
So when Tory learns of an old Charleston legend about a famous she-pirate, Anne Bonney, whose fortune was never found, she can't believe her luck - buried treasure is exactly what she needs to save the Institute on Loggerhead! Trouble is, she and her friends aren't the only ones looking for it. And this time, the Virals' special powers may not be enough to dig them out of trouble..
If I'm being completely honest, I have to say that I wasn't pulled into the book immediately. Maybe that's because it has been a while since I read the first book. But eventually the story got so good that I couldn't stop reading anymore. What's so great about this book, (and if I remember correctly, the first book had it too) is that almost every chapter ends with a cliffhanger. My compliments to the writers for that, because normally I always want to finish the chapter before I stop reading but now I just had to keep reading. I don't think anybody can stop reading after those cliffhangers.
The thing I still find a little unbelievable is Tory's age. I just can't wrap my brain around the fact that she's supposed to be only fourteen. But despite that fact, I was kind of hoping for a little bit of romance. Maybe in the next book? We have Ben, Jason and Chance so there enough guys for Tory to choose from.
Seizure is getting 4,5 stars from me. I recommend this series to all of you YA lovers out there. It has mystery, adventure, action, humor and sci-fi, which is a great combination, believe me!


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Prevent Tick Bites and Control Mosquitoes
Last year, 70 thousand households chose Mosquito Squad to provide their mosquito and tick control all season long. Contact us today to find out what solutions we can offer you.
Mosquito Squad is the largest company dedicated to focusing exclusively on safely controlling mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Specifically, Mosquito Squad is locally owned and operated by a homeowner who loves to enjoy outdoor living as much as everyone in the area. Our staff is all local too, giving them the ability to easily identify the issues you have and create custom solutions to meet your needs. They're also certified, licensed, and bonded for Connecticut and New York.
Our control methods are registered with the EPA and follow all mandated requirements to safely eliminate the pests that put your friends, family, and pets at risk of disease. This includes an all-natural option. We also provide a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.


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Hi friends,
This week I have compared the different colored crayons from a box to the 4 different kinds of personality types we meet in life. Hope you enjoy reading this post as much as I enjoyed writing it! 🙂
Each of us is given a box of crayons to color with.
Firstly, there are colors like orange & pink that brighten our picture- Just like the bubbly, upbeat sanguine personality types who brighten up our lives.
Next are the loud red and yellows much like the choleric personalities who though domineering, are the real Initiators who make things happen.
Then there are the blues, purple and the black which darkens our picture. These are the melancholic personalities; the thinkers and analyzers who bring to our attention details for notice.
Finally, there are the "cool" colors like green and brown ; who are like the easy going phlegmatic personalities – so flexible and relaxed that they make the best out of any color combination.
Just as we need all of the above colors to make a beautiful portrait on the white paper, in the same way, we need all 4 personality types to make our life colorful.
Also remember, "You have to color outside the lines once in a while to make your life a Masterpiece!"
Nugget of Life: Just because you don't look like the other "crayons" in the box, that does not mean you cannot make the most beautiful pictures! Don't ever give up on You!
Have a colorful week,
Sparky Laurie


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The power to generate, conjure, and manipulate Nether, the essence that flows through the realms of the Living and the Dead. The source of powers such as Death-Force Manipulation, Dark Arts, Necromancy, and Mediumship. Not to be confused with Dark Energy Manipulation. Opposite to Aether Manipulation.
Also Called
- Achlys
- Achlykinesis
- Cthonikinesis
- Dark Aether (The Legend of Spyro series)
- Entropy
- Netherkinesis
- The Chthonian Element
- The Final Element
- The Last Element
User can create, shape and manipulate Nether, the "Chthonian Element" that flows through the realms of the living, and the Dead. Nether is most known as the substance that makes up the Underworld, a subterranean dimension where all souls go when they pass on. Nether is very similar to Aether "the Celestial Element" in that it is from a Plane that exists between the planes of both matter, and energy. However, although it can partake in the nature of either substances, Nether is neither of these things.
Despite being often considered "Death-Force" Nether is more than the source of what drains life away from living things, it is the destructive aspect of reality, the source and very concept of entropy and destruction, disasters and all degeneration in matter, energy and concepts. It is the power that makes possible and ensures severing the soul's connection to their mortal body, so they can pass onto the after life. It is also the power that summons and controls the souls of the deceased. Users of this power acknowledge that Nether exists in Elemental, Cosmic, and Spiritual forces. Nether exists in the cosmos as sort of a gateway between the land of the Living and the Dead, stretching out to anywhere where death has potential to occur.
Like Aether, Nether is a Spiritual Element, which means it cannot be perceived by any physical sense. The only way Nether can be seen is if it were mixed with an Element of the Physical Realm (Most often Darkness, Fire, or Earth).
- Anti-Regeneration: Unmake healthy beings worsening healthy conditions.
- Cosmological Force Manipulation: Control Spiritual, Cosmic, and Elemental forces.
- Astral Manipulation: Being well adjusted to souls, users can control spiritual energy.
- Cosmic Manipulation: Control forces of the cosmos.
- Dark Energy Manipulation: Manipulate powerful and destructive forces of dark energy.
- Death-Force Manipulation: Gain immense power from the forces of death.
- Destructive Energy Manipulation: Control all forms of destructive energy.
- Elemental Manipulation: Control the forces of the physical and Nether Realms.
- Dark Element Manipulation: Control the dark-side of elements.
- Nothingness Manipulation: Control the power of oblivion.
- Non-Life Essence Manipulation: Control the essence of death/dead.
- Death Transcendence
- Entropy Manipulation: Manipulate entropic forces.
- Destruction: Collapse anything into oblivion.
- Decomposition Manipulation: Manipulate the rate of degeneration in all.
- Disaster Manipulation: Control the destructive forces of nature.
- Magic: Control the Mystical energies.
- Dark Arts: Wield dark magic.
- Epidemic Creation: Cause a rapid outbreak of any manner of afflictions.
- Inhibition Release: Unleash the darkest impulses in others.
- Necromancy: Magic involving the dead, life-force and/or souls.
- Omni-Negation: Designate whatever comes to face moot.
- Phenomenon Inducement: Project all manor of disruptive effects
- Transformation Field Projection: Twist and reform the inhabited area and its occupants around.
- Warping: Have an effect on everything in a way that it disrupts it.
- Reality Sundering: Rupture the very fabric of existence.
- Supernatural Manipulation: Will the laws of nature to whatever extent desired.
- Unnatural Presence: By simply existing one can adversely the surroundings
- Nether Attacks
- Nether Generation
- Ethereal Manipulation
- Nether Weaponry
- Transcendent Energy Manipulation
- Underworld Lordship
Universe Variations
In certain variations, Nether is the sixth of the Classical Elements.
Known Users
- The Entity (AT4W)
- Swarm of Night (The Chathrand Voyages)
- Sephiroth (Compilation of Final Fantasy VII)
- Lu/Ciel (Elsword)
- Achlys (Greek Mythology)
- Yggdrasil (History of the Jotunn)
- Death (Marvel)
- Shinnok (Mortal Kombat series)
- Nethers (Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus)
- Death (Valkyrie Crusade)
- Netherworld Princess (Valkyrie Crusade)
- Yakumo (Yu Yu Hakusho the Movie: Poltergeist Report)


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Sandgrens New York Boots Review
Wanna know what my favorite part of fall is? I get to break out the boots and not feel like a fashion don't! I'm crazy about boots which is why I'm so excited to share one of my newest finds with you. I received these boots to review, but you know that didn't encourage my words. They are the New York Boots in black from Sandgrens.
Who is Sandgrens
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Sandgrens, they are are a shoe company that specializes in Swedish Clogs. I know, I know – the thought of wood on your feet isn't appealing but these are made with comfort and quality in mind! They are handmade in Påryd, Sweden using all natural materials.
What About the Boots?
Honestly, I was a little scared at the thought of clog boots, but once I slipped my foot inside and took the first few steps I was in awe. I had never felt so balanced in elevated shoes before. I actually felt safe walking down the stairs when normally I hang on for dear life if I'm wearing any type of heel. The shell at the bottom of the boot helps keep me balanced; at least, that's what it seems like.
Speaking of the shell, that is the only feature I don't like about these shoes. When I first put them on it causes some irritation to my heel. This irritation goes away after taking the first couple steps but I could definitely do without it.
Final Thoughts
Aside from the initial discomfort, I am extremely thrilled with how the New York Boots fit into my lifestyle. They are a great boot for date nights or dancing. Yes, I suggested dancing in heeled boots only because the balance is superb.
I'd love for you to check out Sandgrens and let me know what you think. You can find the New York Boots and more great styles on the Sandgrens website. Be sure to connect with Sandgrens on their social media sites below.
Sandgrens' Social Media Sites
Who Else is Talking About Sandgrens?
I know it's hard to take 1 persons word for product recommendations so I've found some other reviews for you to check out.


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I wanted to tell a cute story of my kids (that's the most fun to write about). Except I realized, I haven't spent any time with them lately. I mean, I saw them. I've eaten with them. I've helped with homework. It's just that my attention has been on this book.
"Okay, Mom has to work now. Snack? Sure whatever. TV? Make sure it's not too loud. Matches? Go for it, just don't burn the house down."
Er... not really that last one. I think I would notice if they asked to play with matches. Maybe.
I was considering writing a tongue-in-cheek post entitled: Editing, As Fun As A Gynecological Exam. But nixed it because I felt that it might alienate my one (or two) male readers. No, really, I think I have about four. Hi all you XYers!
I want to post the blurb for my SNI (but can't) because it cracks me up every time I read it. I have mentioned previously that I write my blurbs before the book. And then during one of my breaks from editing (where I wasn't stuffing my face with ice cream cake) I was catching up on Query Shark. Love!
It occurred to me that most new writers (1st time in the query trenches) don't understand the basic principles of blurbing a book. Blurbing isn't just important for querying. You still need to know how to do it after you have an agent. In my mind, it's the essential first step to every book.
I thought (for all of five seconds) I should do a post on how to write one. Not "this is how to fix yours" because I think that most writers are too close to their own book and miss the point of how a blurb should read. It would have to be a new idea, one I'd never use. And where would I get that idea? Then the post became a lot of work in my mind and I wondered, would anyone be interested? Because I will write it, if you are.
Back to editing. :)


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Sunday, July 6, 2008
Flex 5000 Driver Distortion vs. Final Distortion
This mp3 again contains two recordings, but this time the source of both recordings is the same 5K (and again, feeding into a second SDR-1K as RF-demodulator/recorder). One recording was made by demodulating the RF received from the 5K's output antenna connector (in other words, the output from the 5K's PA), while the other recording was made by demodulating the RF tapped from the coupling transformer between the Driver and Final stages of the 5k's PA.
In both cases, the 5K was operated at full power (100 watts) and fed into a dummy load. I sampled the Final output by attaching an RF "tap" (essentially a 100:1 voltage divider) between the 5K's antenna connector and my external dummy load. The tap's output was then fed to my "receive" SDR-1K via a big attenuator.
To sample the signal from the 5K's Driver stage (to the Final stage input), I added a single turn link to the transformer between these two stages which I then connected to a BNC. I then disconnected the coax that had been connected to the RF tap (the other end goes to the 1K) and connected it instead to this new BNC at the Driver output. I kept the same big attenuator that I had attached at the input to the 1K receiver. In this configuration signal levels (at the 1K) are essentially equivalent for both configurations when measured with the 5K in TUNE mode.
Again, I used my Heil PR-40 mic as the audio input, and I read the same phrase for each test. TX bandwidth was 100 - 5KHz.
The first recording is from the Driver stage output. The second is from the Final stage (i.e. taken from my external "RF tap" attached to the 5K antenna output). Notice how the Driver stage sounds clean and the output from the PA stage sounds worse? This points to the PA stage (the final two FETs) as being the main source of my Flex 5000 transmit distortion.
5 comments:
- This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
- July 7, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I hear distortion in all 3 recordings. The distortion occurs in different places in each recording but in all cases the deterioration into distortion seems to get worse over time.
- July 7, 2008 at 10:52 AM
- Jon K said...
I believe you've nailed it. The third recording is definitive. I don't suppose it's something easy to fix like the bias on the MOSFETs.
- July 7, 2008 at 6:34 PM
- Jeff said...
Thanks to all!
Jon - I tried bias recalibrations (and experiments) with my first 5k, all to no avail. But it wouldn't hurt to do a recal with this new radio...
- July 7, 2008 at 7:27 PM
- Blair said...
Jeff, I had problem with xmit audio on two separate 5k's. I sent first back, an early unit, for refund. Bought one another around December. I had xmit audio problems too. It seem like some reverb type of distortion would show up an only complete shutdown had any effect on it. I got rid of radio and went back to the 1K. No problem with it.
- July 9, 2008 at 5:50 AM


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Returning to where it all began, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke with students and admirers at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland before joining a discussion about the mental wellbeing of young people on Friday, E! News reports. Prince William had a conversation with an eight year old girl about not liking Maths, while Kate Middleton told a lady she and William 'weren't very good' at Scottish country dancing. Charming.
But, as always, the bit you've been waiting for has to do with Prince George, who apparently has aspirations to ride motorbikes like Papa William.
'He's still riding it,' the three-time tiara wearing Duchess told a guy named Fearghas. 'It always fills me with horror when he goes out on it. I'm terrified. Hopefully, I'm going to keep [Prince George] off it.'
Girl, good luck with that.
Words: Chelsea Peng
Source: ELLE US
From: ELLE US


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So, i am STILL sick at home... and what's better than edit some snapshot
Not to mention, i wanted to give my answer to the new Strawberry Singh's Monday Meme, Second Life Made Me Learn Challenge!
Meme instructions: Share things that you have learned because of your involvement in Second Life, either personally or professionally. Don't forget to leave a link to your post in the comments so others can come by and read your answers as well!
- Photoshop: Before SL, i always used Photoshop for graphic purposes. I used to have a personal blog on a now-dead italian platform (i miss you, Splinder!), and i've always done graphics and templates by myself. I used to run a graphic blog too. On SL i started to edit snapshot just for fun but then i started to really enjoy it, and it became a work too. So my skills get better thanks to this little hobby.
- Poses: Obviously, when i discovered the pleasure in edit snapshot, i started to need poses, but sometimes i found myself in need of particular poses that i couldn't find in my inventory or in pose shops. So i decided to learn to do poses by myself and luckily QAvimator was really easy to use. Now i have the habit to do particular poses by myself (like the one i used for this picture) if i can't found anything that suits my ideas.
- Growing a thicker skin: i steal the title for this point from Miss Singh because it really suits my thoughts. Because i had to become more... strong, to survive. I had a lot of nasty personal experiences on SL on the personal side, and one of the worst was the one that has make me quit four years ago. I know i have made my mistakes back then, i admit it, But i found myself in a mess bigger than me, with almost no one by my side... and everything i have done was for... love? Well i dunno if it was love, but surely i was really into it.
TL;DR now i have even more trust issues than before, lol.
Skin: La Malvada Mujer*
Hair: Little Bones (gacha item)
Ears: Illusions (old, discontinued)
Horns: 8f8
Tattoo: Speakeasy (past freebie)
Makeup: Sn@tch
Lips: JM:Mai
Piercings: Punctured PinUp
Top&Skirt: Pixicat (for The Fantasy Collective)
Hands: SLink
Pose: Handmade
*Review copies or gifts


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Stretch marks occur as a result of pregnancy or significant changes in weight. While not harmful, they may cause loss of self-esteem or even depression. Laser surgery is an expensive cosmetic procedure that correct stretch marks and can cost thousands of dollars.
Laser Surgery
A high-energy laser beam is used to remove layers of scarred skin around the stretch marks. This treatment is most effective on new stretch marks and those with a pinkish-brown appearance. Older, silvery stretch marks are harder to remove.
Costs depend on the prevalence of stretch marks, the surgeon's expertise and reputation and location. Removal procedures for fresh marks may be quicker and less expensive than for older, more widespread marks. Established, reputable surgeons would cost more. Broadly speaking, as of June 2010, costs range from $200 to $1,500 per treatment session.
Multiple Treatments
Laser treatment for stretch marks normally requires several sessions, possibly as many as 10. Total treatment expenses could range from $2,000 to $8,000, with a national average cost of $5,100, as of June 2010.
Stretch mark removal is a cosmetic procedure and is not normally covered by most insurance plans.
Payment Plans
Clinics recognize that laser surgery is expensive, and offer a variety of payment plans. Plans are flexible, based on your budget and payment capacity. Plans involve smaller payments in affordable installments that spread the cost of your treatment over a few years.


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Hot Trend: Pastel PinkAfter a hurricane of bright, neon colors, the sweet pastel tone is taking over. The color made a splash on the runway as a number of big names chose this candy color trend to bring out their models' lovely skintones.
Charlize Theron
At the Golden Globes 2012 in Los Angeles, Charlize Theron knocked everybody out in a very revealing pink Dior dress. (January 15, 2012)
Jessica Biel
Jessica Biel at the 'Total Recall' press conference in Cancún, Mexico, in a classic powder rose and black combination. (April 18, 2012)
Marion Cotillard
Wearing a Dior cocktail dress, Marion Cotillard posed at the 'Rust and Bone' photocall at Cannes Festival 2012. (May 17, 2012)
Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley made heads turn at the London premiere of 'Anna Karenina' with a Chanel embroidered creation from the Fall 2012 collection. (September 4, 2012)
Rihanna looked fantastic performing in the 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York City. She stole the show in this sheer laced pink outfit. (November 7, 2012)
Kesha chose a sleek flowery laced dress to walk the 40th American Music Awards red carpet in Los Angeles. (November 18, 2012)


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CBS will rise for another big effort next season
For the third successive year Kilkenny CBS were left to pick up the pieces after a losing effort in the All-Ireland colleges senior hurling final, but they will drive on.
"This is heartbreaking," insisted team manager, Niall Tyrrell after the CBS were shot down by St Kieran's College in the first all Kilkenny decider. "Thankfully we have some silverware to show after the season.
"The players have to be positive. You don't get to an All-Ireland final, beat the quality they beat on the way, without being a good team. It is heartbreaking to lose three in-a-row. We are knocking on the door. We have to be doing something right. We are in the top two in Ireland for three years, but we haven't been able to get over the line.
"That is hard to take. We have eight or nine of the team under age again next year, so we will have another go at things. That is life in sport. You are knocked down, but you pick yourself up for the next challenge. That's what we will do."
Mr Tyrrell admitted that it was very, very difficult to speak to the players afterwards. The three in-a-row issue was never mentioned. It wasn't a motivating factor along the way, so it wasn't mentioned in the run up to the final.
"We have an incredible group of lads," the James Stephens clubman continued. "They gave us absolutely everything. They didn't deserve to lose the way they did. That is sport. It is hurling. It can be cruel at times.
"We opened so well, we looked good. It is amazing what a goal can do. We got a great start to both halves. When we went five points up, if we had scored a goal then, maybe we could have pushed on. Who knows? To be fair to St Kieran's, they got the goals at the right times and they drove on.
"We got them in the Leinster final. I remember saying after the Leinster final that we got the lucky breaks; we got two goals. St Kieran's are great the way they take to this championship. There is just no end to them. We knew well after the Leinster final that we could meet them again."
He reminded that the CBS beat Kieran's by six points in the Leinster final, but they knew there wasn't six points between them.
"We had a fair idea we would meet them again," he said. "Coming into the game it was a 50/50 shot. I didn't see that margin of defeat. But that is hurling.
"The players are, naturally, disappointed but they cannot judge the entire season on the closing 30 minutes of the final. At the end of the day they won two Leinster championships in-a-row. For our school that is huge. It never happened before. That is special. These players are part of that achievement."
Next year, he continued, will bring a whole new challenge and the CBS will rise again. What happened in Nowlan Park happened.
"It has to be a learning experience for us," he insisted again. "We have to remain positive. They are young lads. They will get over this, and please god the experience will make them better. We will keep trying and we will get there eventually.
"These lads have bright futures ahead of them," Mr Tyrrell insisted. "They didn't win an All-Ireland today, but they must believe there are better days ahead, maybe in a Kilkenny jersey. We will give them a few days to work this out in their heads, and we will chat with them again."


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Why Kate has changed outside?пятница мая 27, 2016 - Автор: admin
Many fans ask the question, or simply notice: Kate Walker's changed outside. Why?
We do not have an answer. But can @Microids_off knows?
In Syberia 1/2 Kate was more happy. She has a hairdo. Her hair was straight and neat. Her skin has sun's tan.
In Syberia 3 Kate became pale, her hair became "sticky", facial expression has become a sad type.
All of this can be seen in the screenshots from the video in Syberia 1/2 compared with the gameplay Syberia 3. And in the video, and in game process of the 2D game Syberia 1/2 Kate has different from the new Kate from 3rd part. Why? Maybe model of Kate is created again and no repeated the old contours of Kate?
(screenshots below)
No Comments - Категории: Fan-zone


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Alibaba to Invest $15 Billion in R&D Over Next 3 Years
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Chinese e-commerce behemoth Alibaba (BABA) has pledged to invest RMB 100 billion (US$15 billion) on research and development over the next three years through its newly established Alibaba DAMO Academy.
The company said in a statement the Academy, which stands for the "Academy for Discovery, Adventure, Momentum and Outlook," will cover data intelligence, the Internet of Things, fintech, quantum computing and human-machine interaction. Within those areas, it will focus on real-world applications like machine learning, network security, visual computing and Natural Language Processing.
Alibaba Group's Chief Technology Officer, Jeff Zhang, who will head the initiative said:
"The Alibaba DAMO Academy will be at the forefront of developing next-generation technology that will spur the growth of Alibaba and our partners. We aim to discover breakthrough technologies that will enable greater efficiency, network security and ecosystem synergy for end-users and businesses everywhere."
"Over the past 18 years, we have developed a robust technology infrastructure that supports the rapid growth of our business. With our global expansion, we have grown and refined our technology manifold. We are now looking for talented and driven researchers to join us in the quest for new disruptive technologies that would advance our every-day lives, benefit small businesses and narrow the technology gap to make our world a more inclusive place."
Alibaba shares closed 0.56% up yesterday at $183.12 a share giving it a market cap of $460.6 billion, compared to Amazon's market cap of $476.1 billion.


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Bethesda Softworks, publisher of last week's long-awaited The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, has announced that its latest game has shipped seven million copies globally across the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Windows PC. Digital distribution platforms such as Steam also seem to be counted towards this figure.
It's important to note that "shipped" is not the same as "sold." By comparison, Battlefield 3 sold five million copies in its first week, making it the biggest ever game launch for publisher Electronic Arts, while Activision's Modern Warfare 3 has sold over 12 million copies during the same period, making it the biggest launch in entertainment history. Modern Warfare 3 was released on Nov. 8, three days before the release of Skyrim.
Still, shipping 7 million games to retailers is a good indicator; those retailers wouldn't take the games if they didn't think they could sell them. The question is whether or not they'll be placing reorders soon as well.
Previous Bethesda games include the award-winning The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and Fallout 3, both developed internally. Although the studio, owned by Zenimax Media Inc., only publishes a couple of games each year, they tend to be extraordinary successes such as Skyrim and id Software's RAGE, or very poorly received products such as 2009's Rogue Warrior, which currently has a 27 on Metacritic. Bethesda also released Hunted: Demon's Forge and Brink to disappointingly low reviews earlier this year. However, even Bethesda's most well-received titles, including Skyrim and last year's Fallout: New Vegas, are notoriously plagued by technical issues.
You can read VentureBeat's Skyrim review here and our tips guide here. Although we agree the game is definitely worth playing, we cited more than a few glaring flaws that prevent it from being the masterpiece it truly had the potential to be.


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This summer, New York public radio host Leonard Lopate launched a campaign pushing listeners to quit their takeout habit and start bringing lunch from home. Citing statistics about how much money Americans spend—and how many extra calories they absorb—eating lunch out, Lopate asserted, "We need to change our lunch habits, together."
Lopate's campaign reflected the conventional wisdom: Bringing lunch from home is better, for your health and your wallet, than eating lunch out. You can find online calculators that take your cost of making a bagged lunch and buying lunch out—it's taken for granted that the former is less expensive than the latter—and tell you how much you'd end up with if you invested the difference instead. There are entire books devoted to converting readers to the bagged-lunch cause. The subtly titled Huffington Post essay "Buying Your Lunch Is a Terrible Idea. The End. No More Debates" has been Liked on Facebook more than 14,000 times.
I'm sick of this bring-your-lunch consensus. It's based on questionable assumptions about what's inside your brown bag and how much you paid for the ingredients. It's also obnoxiously moralistic—which makes sense, since it's about diet and money, the topics Americans most enjoy lecturing one another about.
First, the math. It's probably true that the average takeout lunch is more expensive than the average homemade lunch, but the numbers vary a ton depending on what you're eating. Sure, if you compare a homemade turkey sandwich (the HuffPo writer's lunch of choice) to a Chipotle burrito bowl, you'll come out ahead when you brown-bag it. But if you try to replicate that Chipotle meal at home, guacamole and all, your savings are a lot slimmer. (The Billfold's Mike Dang calculated that a homemade Chipotle bowl cost $4.03 when assembled from cheap ingredients from Trader Joe's, but (a) most grocery stores are more expensive than Trader Joe's, and (b) Dang budgeted a quarter of an avocado per serving, which is not nearly enough avocado.) And the cost of ingredients ignores the time and labor it takes to shop for, cook, and assemble your burrito bowls—time and labor that you could spend on more lucrative or more enjoyable activities. If you dislike cooking and have a bit of disposable income, it might be rational to outsource lunch.
Secondly, homemade lunches are not necessarily healthier than takeout lunches. That turkey sandwich leaves a lot to be desired, nutritionally, and even if it's lower in calories, that doesn't make it healthier than a burrito bowl. It's true that you have more control over your ingredients when you make your own lunch, which is especially useful if you have a dietary restriction, but there are plenty of new fast-food options that serve vegetables, beans, and whole grains—like the salad joint Sweetgreen and the Asian rice-bowl concept ShopHouse. I often patronize Dig Inn, a New York chain that serves a variety of interesting salads and freshly cooked vegetables (a selection of three costs only $6). Obviously, whether you have access to a healthy takeout restaurant depends on where you work—you'll have more choices in a major city. But the notion that takeout food is intrinsically bad for you grows less and less true with each passing year.
It should go without saying that the healthfulness and cost of your lunch depend more on what you eat than on where it came from. And yet so much of the discourse around lunch insists on the oversimplified dichotomy homemade lunch good, takeout lunch bad. The aforementioned HuffPo article derides the notion that going out for lunch makes some people happy by saying, "Think of how happy your future children will be when you can fund their college education, people!" The press release for the study cited by Lopate quotes an expert saying, "Going into debt for a tuna sandwich isn't worth it," which is helpful advice if you're an insane straw man. (The study, by the way, found that the average American spends a total of $936 eating lunch out each year, which doesn't strike me as an outrageous sum.) A Time article on lunch begins with what may be the most condescending lead of all time:
For years—no, decades—I've marveled at the lunch habits of my friends and colleagues. Where did they get the money to eat out every day? And even if they earned decent incomes, why did they choose to spend them this way?
The brown-bag crowd ignores not only the evidence that homemade lunches are not necessarily cheaper and healthier than the alternative, but also the fact that preferences vary from person to person. Not everyone values saving money more than they value the pleasure and convenience of a takeout meal. This doesn't make people who buy lunch reckless ignoramuses; it makes them human beings. (Also: If you find that you can't save money, it probably has more to do with flat wages and rising housing, education, and health care costs than with your profligate lunchtime spending—but that's a topic for my colleague Helaine Olen.)
As I write this, I'm eating a lunch I brought from home: leftovers from last night's brown rice–tomato pilaf. As much as I hate the moral smugness of brown-bag evangelists, I confess that I like bringing lunch from home. It's not about cost or health so much as it's about feeling like a competent adult—or engaging in "self-care," if you prefer. I also feel less wasteful when I'm not throwing away tons of packaging from takeout meals. This pilaf tastes fine, and it's relatively cheap and healthy, but I wouldn't want to eat it every day. Which is why I'll be going out for lunch tomorrow, and refusing to feel guilty about it.


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From a distant galaxy in an alternate universe 4 groove crusaders heard the cries of boredom from a little blue planet called "Earth". On a mission to cleanse the galaxy of boredom, Tupper Ware Remix Party crash landed on Earth to entertain the masses. With a Decade on this planet they have amassed a following of earthlings affectionately referred to as "Tup-Tups". Here 5 of these Tup-Tups have gathered to discuss the music, lore, and history of TWRP. Host @Decoy Photon is joined by his internet friendships @Phycotria, JRub, Logan, and @worldmind to review songs from post 2012 era TWRP Albums, TWRP Remixes and TWRP fanart from the growing TWRP community. Welcome to the TWRP Podcast.
Find us on Apple Podcasts & Google Play.


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Have you heard of She Reads Truth? It's a community of women reading the Bible together. You can read more about how it all started here and find out how to join in here.
Today marks the beginning of a new reading plan: Proverbs. I'm so excited to dig into it!
I'll be back tomorrow with more ways to keep those little ones busy. I have a few fun ideas for things to do outside. They're great for camping or for hanging out in the yard/park. I hope you see you back here tomorrow!


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I wonder for how much longer..
Sep 24, 2008 clicker updates
This printer is sitting here in NY, but it's not on the Google network, so my guess is that it won't last long, so glad I took a photo.. Grappone was a good IT and basketball player.. whereever he is now, hey Jeff!
|From Drop Box
No longer a CDN, now a DDN
Sep 18, 2008 clicker updates
CDNs are content delivery networks.
Dropping like flies..
Sep 18, 2008 clicker updates
We knew these days were coming.. 6 months or thereabouts.. the string of good-bye emails seems to have quieted a bit, although there may be some more before it's all said and done.
Chapters ending..
Sep 11, 2008 clicker updates
it's official – performics is now part of publicis, more like part of VivaKi. i will say, when we first bought performics (project "sherlock"), i wasn't really sure what it all meant.. at first, i understood we'd learn about search from them.. and then realized how adjacent affiliate was, then realized they were a full-serve serve firm, like an agency. overall, people like nick beil, eric sanders, cam balzer, and the many other great people who work there taught me and many others here about the search and affiliate business, it's been a great learning experience and it's sad to see them go, as much as it makes sense and all. i hope they all thrive, and as they are now a strategic customer, i'll have to work to enable that


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Bob Diamond has failed to secure the additional $400 million he was targeting for his African venture after some investors balked at the second fundraising in six months, according to two people familiar with the situation.
The setback comes as some investors hesitated over pouring significant amounts of money into what is still an illiquid stock. Other investors, who did not participate in the current fundraising, added that Mr Diamond had demonstrated so far his M&A ability, but had yet to show he could make money running a bank in Africa.


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It is always nice to hear from visitors to this blog and receive their comments and input. So I am extremely grateful to Christian Roy - one of our regular readers - for sending me this image and email.
"Dear Clement,
It might be of interest to you to know that a French pocketbook intended for young people (from 14 on), called Marabout Junior, was available in the 50s.
The 2nd issue (of many to follow) was devoted to the novel called Robin des Bois, le Proscrit, which was written by Alexandre Dumas of Three Muskeeters fame. It may be doubtful though it was written by him.
Anyway, the cover of the Marabout book is interesting in that it acknowledges the source, that is to say the 1952 Disney RKO Picture.
In its own right, it is also a beautiful colourful depiction of my favourite film of all times!
Hope it is a worthy addition to your collection, also to share with fans."
(Christian Roy)
(Christian Roy)
Many thanks Christian. The image on the book cover has been taken from the poster that originally advertised the film. We have seen various examples of this happening since this blog started and although this particular book cover had permission by Disney, many products did not. This forced the Disney organisation to later enforce strict copyright laws on all their products.
Le Prince des Voleurs (The Prince of Thieves) was written by Alexandre Dumas and published in 1872 (after his death in 1870) in an edition of his complete works (published and edited by Michel Levy, 1862-89).


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VIEW 11 of 11 COMMENTS
Just stumbled across this video on YouKnowYouLuvPron's Tumblr page... Surprisingly hot and worth watching...
Hysterical Literature: Session One: Stoya
Hysterical Literature: Session One: Stoya
VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
A pain stabbed my heart as it did every time I saw a girl I loved who was going the opposite direction in this too-big world.
Jack Kerouac
Jack Kerouac
VIEW 5 of 5 COMMENTS
"What is even more difficult than failure is when you are perceived as a 'success' and you are failing"...
Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson
VIEW 25 of 40 COMMENTS
VIEW 27 of 27 COMMENTS
VIEW 25 of 52 COMMENTS
Hey thanks so much for the thoughtful comment on my set ... I love Henry Rollins... the shit he says between his sets is so hillarious. He should do standup if he ever quits being a musician <3 DC
VIEW 19 of 19 COMMENTS
It's the number of words in the novel I wrote in 30 days last November (www.nanowrimo.org)
VIEW 10 of 10 COMMENTS
"haven't dropped a line in years"???
I wonder what you mean by that, or are you just trying to make me feel old?
I wonder what you mean by that, or are you just trying to make me feel old?
That first Henry quote reminds me of the Count of Monte Cristo how he writes. Thank you for your sage advice and sweet compliments as always. Did I tell you I moved to Pennsylvania? I love it.. So what's up with you wise man? I see you wrote that journal quite a long time ago..elbow-elbow... Mr. "I'll be around a lot more often from now on"
VIEW 25 of 60 COMMENTS
VIEW 18 of 18 COMMENTS


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May 3 — June 21, 2014
LENORA DE BARROS (São Paulo / New York, *1953)
GINA PANE (Paris, 1939-1990)
ROSEMARIE CASTORO (New York, *1939)
BARBRO ÖSTLIHN (Stockholm /New York / Paris, 1930-1995)
LYGIA PAPE (Rio de Janeiro, 1927-2004)
DORA MAURER (Budapest, *1937)
LYDIA OKUMURA (São Paulo / New York, *1948)
MARTHA ARAÚJO (Maceió, Brazil *1943)
PALOMA BOSQUE (São Paulo, *1982)
SAMIA HALABY (New York, *1936)
This show takes its title from a text painting by Brazilian artist Lenora de Barros. In Portuguese "ultrapassado" translates into the idea of exceeding, transcending, and overcoming.
[read more]
This exhibition explores the highly formulated and transitional status of geometrical abstraction in the work of women artists from three generations: beginning with (Neo)concrete works on paper from the 1950s by Lygia Pape, to Minimal and Color Field paintings from the 1960s by Rosemarie Castoro and Gina Pane, the 1960-80s Pop Art influenced pattern paintings by Barbro Östlihn, to post-Concretist installations, structural and systemic experiments and text pieces from the 1970s and 80s by Lydia Okumura, Lenora de Barros, Martha Araújo, Dóra Maurer and Samia Halaby, to the original contemporary formulations of this history by Paloma Bosquê.
Women artists in parallel geographic milieus of a shared aesthetic affiliation with geometric art, were often invested into abstraction in an experimental, process, and 'open form' oriented way. The engagement with geometric and systematic abstraction was then realized as a non-hierarchical practice or passage; one form spectrum favored at a certain time with the same status as parallel or later experiments with conceptual forms, visual poetry, performance and dance, land art, site-specific and time based work. We can see this passage to new practices particularly in the work of Lygia Pape, Rosemarie Castoro, Gina Pane, Lydia Okumura, Martha Araújo and Dóra Maurer.
In the late 1950s in Brazil Lygia Pape, Lygia Clark and Hélio Oiticica broke away from the formalist constraints of Concretism with their Manifesto for Neoconcrete Art in which a more open and experimental form was advocated as crossing the boundaries into physical and spatial reality, social interaction, and specific experience.
Meanwhile in New York, Minimalist Rosemarie Castoro began her career as a dancer and choreographer. The decision to determine her practice in the mid 1960s onto the two-dimensional picture plane was based on the exploration of space and the mind/body axis of the work exemplified by the artist's continued performative interactions with her work in her studio in front of a self-timed camera, further documented in diaristic conceptual writing.
In Paris, Gina Pane began her career with exceptional geometric color field paintings and minimalist sculptures, associated with her concept of the 'Structures affirmées'. Her programmatic piece of transition is Action, Stripe, Rake (1969). In a corner of a space one sees a precisely combed square of sand on which sits a smaller square of dark brown humus. Against the wall leans a rake, inviting the audience to use it to rake the sand with the risk of diffusing the black square. The piece is a humorous homage to Malevitch whose work Pane had studied intensely. Henceforth Pane would explore outdoor primal landscapes using her body as the medium of her art in actions and performances. In the 1980s, however, she would return to a more spiritualist form of abstraction based on the idea of 'transubstantiation'.
Barbro Östlihn's large-scale pattern paintings from the 1960s and 70s were abstractions from architectural detail and urban sites. Her emblematic aesthetic and the artistic milieu she was newly socializing in after her move in 1961 (with her husband Öyvind Fahlström) from Sweden to New York, associated her with the burgeoning Pop Art movement. However, her paintings were described as abstract and 'precisionist'. Consequently Östlihn moved forward in the 1970s and 80s towards entirely abstracted compositions and a uniquely facetted monochromatic palette, a body of work that can best be termed 'Pop-abstraction'.
The reason for a less style and genre-fixated practice in the work of these artists is historically and politically complex. It has its roots as much in biographical and individual stories as in a meta-personal perspective. Female artists were particularly in the 50s, 60s and 70s in a different position in terms of recognition and support. Their work was often not accepted in the center of the argument of the time, and geometric abstraction was, per se, associated as a male dominated practice or regarded as gender-neutral, and in political terms non-representative language. Commitment by female artists to a newly established avant-garde discourse and language, – however pioneering and radically formulated -, was not a guarantee for acceptance, visibility and inclusion.
As a consequence, women artists of this period at times moved-on from certain detected limitations inherent in formalist constrain faster, or they incorporated and transformed abstraction into an expanded practice. In some cases the lack of acceptance freed or pushed these artists forward to explore other forms.
Abstraction is, in most of these artists' works, an agent of formal rigor and innovation as much as that of transition and spatial and social exploration. One could argue that some female artists took from the beginning on and throughout an internally critical perspective on the avant-garde movements they were part of. Could it be argued that these artists were producing works of formal determination while referencing the idea of formalist rigor from a creative distance in the very same artistic operation? And was this perspective providing and requiring a greater diversity and less comfort in a purely formalist containment in their choices of style and practice?
While the geometrical works of Lygia Pape, Rosemarie Castoro, and Gina Pane show a period related commitment to a rationalist and controlled form of abstraction, one can see in the work of e.g. Lenora de Barros – as the next generation – a clear commentary on these forms, almost a playful bastardization of an earlier language. Daughter of first generation Concretist painter Geraldo de Barros, Lenora de Barros engaged with a Neo-Concretist poetry scene in Brazil since the 1970s. In her prototype chair pieces, Lenora de Barros creates homage to the Russian Constructivist history as much as to the Brazilian design collective UNILABOR, founded by Geraldo de Barros.
Recently abstraction has gained a new aesthetic currency in contemporary art while a serious discourse and commitment to what post-avant-garde formalism could imply, seems at times underinvested.
The contribution of the artists in this show to the aesthetic milieu of geometric abstraction is immensely rich and documented in the enormously varying concerns and the radical diversified sensibilities of their formal experimentation. At the same time one can see an internationalist concurrence of formalist process and experiment in different cultural-political geographies creating interesting juxtapositions as exemplified in the drawing and print work of Pape, Castoro, Maurer and Samia Halaby.
As a contemporary artist Paloma Bosquê materializes in her work a convincing proposition of how the legacy of abstraction can be translated into a meaningful and transcending contemporary practice without losing the appeal of rigor and by conquering the challenges of this still today perfectly relevant language.
Anke Kempkes, April 2014
The following individuals and institutions have provided substantial collaboration and assistance in relation to the production of the exhibition and accompanying catalog publication:
Galeria Jaqueline Martins, São Paolo, Brazil
The Collection of Camilla and Fernando Abdalla
Mendes Wood Gallery, São Paolo, Brazil
Vintage Galeria, Budapest, Hungary
The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
Julie Martin
Annika Öhrner
Anne Marchand
Galerie Kammel Mennour, Paris, France
Paula Pape and The Estate of Lygia Pape
Galeria Pilar, São Paolo, Brazil
Galeria Bergamin, São Paolo, Brazil
Ana Sokoloff
Fernanda Brenner / PIVȎ, São Paolo, Brazil
Marcos Augusto Gonçalves


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|Digital Image by Felixco, Inc. ~ Thanks
Online Lectures & Courses
One of the discussion topics focused on online lectures and webinars ~ their availability, the costs associated with them, and how to value them. Since this is a Thankful Thursday post, I would just like to say thank you to the individuals and organizations that provide online lectures and webinars for our benefit. A special thank you to FamilySearch which gathers lectures from a variety of sources and makes them available at its website. Kudos to the following organizations and individuals for placing their lectures with FamilySearch-Learn and making these lectures available to all of us:
- Midwest Genealogy Center
- Library of Congress
- Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society
- Tulsa City-County Library
- Association of Professional Genealogists
- Board for Certification of Genealogists
- ICAPGen
- Several Individuals who provide their lectures through the above organizations, individually or through their employment or in their volunteer capacity at the Family History Library
Yesterday I attended AncestryTrees with DearMyrtle, a webinar that focused on publishing your family tree online. As usual, DearMyrtle gave an excellent presentation. I have attended some of her in-person presentations as well as presentations through Legacy Family Tree webinars and now her own webinar presentations. She is one of the most comfortable, "go with the flow" presenters I have encountered. She is extremely personable, stays focused on the major points of her presentation, provides useful PowerPoint presentations, and organizes her presentations to include a lengthy question and answer period.
In this presentation, DearMyrtle explained why and how she began using online trees, walked the attendees through the process of setting up and using a tree on Ancestry.com, together with her co-presenter she showed attendees how to make a GEDCOM and upload it to Ancestry.com, and answered attendees' questions. There were about 100 attendees at the webinar ~ at least one was from Sweden, a few were from England, and several were housebound (either in wheelchairs or unable to attend an in-person presentation due to medical conditions). The webinar was interesting, she addressed the pluses and minuses of publishing a tree on Ancestry.com, and I think made the attendees comfortable with the idea of publishing their trees (whether on Ancestry.com or another website). DearMyrtle recorded the presentation but I am not sure how or when it will be available ~ you might want to check out DearMyrtle's blog. FYI ~ she has a Facebook webinar/workshop coming up on May 18, 2011.
If you haven't checked out the GeneaWebinars Schedule posted by Geneabloggers, take a look and see if there is something you would like to learn. I make it a point to check out the schedule, sign up for webinars and put them in my calendar. While attending the webinar, I take notes and make screenshots in my OneNote program for further reference (and because I like to noodle around a bit with the concepts). These webinars have been a huge help to me. I have used them to:
- make improvements to my blog (Blogging for Beginners, More Blogging for Beginners, and Building a Research Toolbox)
- check out online storage and cloud computing (Dropbox for Genealogists)
- decide whether to use some additional social media (Twitter and Tweet Deck with DearMyrtle)
- learn more about add-on software (Map & Explore Your Family Tree with Family Atlas)
- improve my genealogy research skills (What Is A Reasonably Exhaustive Search? and Silent Voices: Tip & Tricks for Tracing Female Ancestors) and, most recently
- decide whether to publish an online tree (AncestryTrees with DearMyrtle)


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Home > STUDENTLIFE > CRISSCROSS > Vol. 3 (2015) > Iss. 1
Unleashing Music's Hidden Blueprint: An Analysis of Mathematical Symmetries Used in Music
Natalie Hoijer
Text to Screen Adaptation: Examining Reverse Ekphrasis in Joe Wright's Films Adapting for
Hannah Dhue
A Computational Study of Icart's Function
Thomas Simmons
Your Story Matters: Theatre for Community in Practice with the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal
Sarah Menke


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As a classroom teacher, sometimes I didn't feel like I was heard or even noticed by my administration on my campus. And it's not that they weren't a great administration. They WERE! But they got so busy, sometimes I felt forgotten.
As an administrator myself now, I wanted to make sure I never made my team feel that way. One thing that I've chosen to do as the Lead Learner is that once a month each team member will meet with me for about 5-15 minutes just to talk and get one on one time.
This week is our first week of school. There's a LOT going on. I didn't want them to get lost in the shuffle. So for the last two days I've given up about 2 1/2 hours of my day to listen to each person during their conference time. I am so glad I did.
I just asked them how the first days have been. What's your biggest concern? How can I better support you? What do you need that you're not getting?
It was so wonderful just to sit and listen. Were there a thousand things on my list that I needed to accomplish? Of course. But I'm so thankful I took the time. I even spent over an hour after school each day meeting with my admin team to fill them in on what happened and how we can better support.
Sometimes as adults, we want nothing more then to be heard. Then to know someone cares. I love my team and never for a second want them to think I've forgotten about them. I don't want to be that person who doesn't take the time to listen. I just hope my staff knows how heavily they are on my heart.