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Details/apple/macbook-cases/macbook-pro-cases/smartshell-macbook-pro-13-touch-bar-cases/1106087353.html Speck New MacBook Pro Cases
SmartShell MacBook Pro 13" Cases
Hardshell scratch protection for MacBook Pro 13" with and without Touch Bar (2016 and newer models)
- Free Shipping and returns on U.S. Orders
- 1 Year Warranty
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Speck's SmartShell® case fits the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (2016 and newer models) and the 13-inch MacBook Pro without Touch Bar (2016 and newer).
SmartShell combines a sleek hardshell design with vibrant colors for stylish protection against scratches, dents, and bumps for your Macbook.
SmartShell is designed for superior protection and durability. It is 47% stronger against bumps and punctures than our previous SeeThru cases. Redesigned corner clips hold the case securely onto your 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar and are 60% stronger than the clips on SeeThru cases to prevent breakage.
This lightweight, slim hardshell MacBook Pro 13" Touch Bar case is easy to install and fits closely to protect against scratches. Rubberized feet on the bottom of the case keep your MacBook from sliding around on smooth surfaces.
- SmartShell® fits MacBook Pro 13" with Touch Bar and MacBook Pro 13" without Touch Bar (both 2016 and newer models). View our MacBook Fit Guide.
- Durable, slim protection. This hardshell MacBook Pro 13" Touch Bar case is 47% stronger than SeeThru cases for a more durable design that holds up to scratches, punctures, and dents.
- Stronger clips. Rear corner clips are 60% stronger than clips on SeeThru cases, withstanding up to 34lbs of force to prevent breakage.
- Scratch protection. Form-fitting hardshell keeps scuffs and scratches at bay.
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- #1 best-selling protection. Protect your device with the #1 best-selling hardshell case for all MacBook models*.
*#1 best-selling hardshell MacBook brand. NPD Laptop cases. 2012-2016.


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You may have heard of the first Cut & Dry premiere in LA last month, that didn't go off due to some computer malfunction, but James Buchmann made good with the skaters of LA and had a raincheck premiere on November 5 at the Downtown Independent theater. It was packed and the video blew minds. Check out the photos.
Photos by Ryan Young

subset: commoncrawl


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Digital Production
The Gnomon Workshop offers the most comprehensive set of Digital Production tutorials anywhere. The broad scope of the tutorials contained in this section range from foundational understanding of the software tools all the way to the professional application of these tools and concepts used by artists working in the film and game industries.
Entertainment Design
The Gnomon Workshop is widely regarded as the global leader in training tutorials for the designer working in the entertainment industry. With tutorials ranging from foundational drawing and design concepts to process tutorials from some of the top concept and character designers in the world, there is surely something here to inspire.
As the tattoo industry has seen an explosion in popularity over the last few years, the need training in this field has also grown. In these video tutorials, some of the top tattoo artists in the world share their techniques and their take on the art of tattoo. The tutorials range from absolute beginner level to advanced color and blending techniques used by some of the world's best.
The Gnomon Workshop offers professional training on most of the software applications used in today's digital pipelines. There are foundational titles to introduce users to the software and tools, as well as advanced production titles that discuss application tools and processes vital to the production of digital assets and media.
Professional Training for Artists
The Gnomon Workshop seeks out the most highly-regarded traditional and digital artists and technicians currently working in the entertainment and design industries. Our instructors have shared their practices working at such top studios as Pixar, ILM, Blizzard, and many more.Instructor GalleriesInstructor Interviews
Dominic Qwek is a Character Artist specializing in game art and 3D concept design. He started his career working as a 3D generalist at various post-production studios. A few years later, he made the switch to the games industry where he now specializes in 3D character art. Currently, Dominic works at Blizzard Entertainment as a Senior Cinematic Artist. His recent projects include titles such as Killzone 2, Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty and Heart of the Swarm, Diablo 3 and Hearthstone. His work at Blizzard consists of real-time character and environment asset creation, as well as lighting for in-game cinematics. He also enjoys creating digital sculptures for 3D printing and has a huge passion for designing creatures and monsters.
"Dominic is one of the best character artists in this industry. He has great design skills and with his experience and knowledge of the tools his creations are always amazing. He has one of the best pipelines i know of and its great to be able to have access to it, I'm sure it will be useful even to the most experienced artist."
"Dominic's work really flourished over the last years. His creativity in regard of character and creature design is limitless. His workflow is simple and elegant which allows him to move quickly along his peers. I look forward in learning from his tutorial myself!"
Try a Class on Campus
Gnomon specializes in computer graphics education for careers in the entertainment industry.


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Suspects arrested in Calif. crossbow attack that killed transient, wounded 1 other
EUREKA, Calif. – Authorities in Northern California have arrested a 20-year-old homeless man and a 16-year-old girl suspected of killing a fellow transient by shooting him in the face with a crossbow.
The Humboldt County sheriff's office says the pair were found Monday afternoon near a nature center in Arcata following an intense manhunt.
They surrendered after being spotted by a patrol helicopter.
Police had been searching for the two after two men were attacked in a heavily wooded area Sunday. A 44-year-old man died after suffering a single arrow shot to the face that was fired at close range, and a 41-year-old man suffered three crossbow injuries.
Investigators believe the two targeted the victims because they believed the men had stolen items from their homeless camp.


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Mejicano21 needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 75 designs submitted by 21 freelance designers.
We're creating Transformations to be a serious haven for those that want to lose weight and get into great shape at the same time. We take a multi-faceted approach to helping those acheive their goals by providing everyone a dietary analysis and fun, motivating fitness bootcamp classes - a better, cheaper alternative to the commerical gyms. Our hope is to create a Transformations community here in Hawaii with our classes and provide a retreat in the outdoors where people can escape to.
Our certifications include: Masters of Science in Exercise Science, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, IYCA Youth Fitness Specialist. We love helping people, otherwise we would not be in the fitness business!
Everyone (men, women, kids) that want to have fun and work hard!
We are looking for a logo to symbolize "Transformations" in the best way possible from the description above.
A few things to consider:
1. Since our location is in Hawaii, we're interested to see if you can incorporate a "Hawaiian" feel to the logo. Definitely not a strict requirement though.
2. We would love it to stand out and really bring attention to itself.
3. Maybe you can add in a subtitle right under "Transformations" that reads "Bootcamp". Not neccesary though.
4. Since we'll be outside using different types of equipment (e.g., bands, jump ropes, cones, etc.), please don't incorporate any images with barbells into the logo.
5. I prefer an "army" influenced, rugged, and/or futuristic kind of logo to represent Transformations.
We'll need the logo in a .jpg format and other formats that will be needed for web design (not quite sure what other ones are out there but hopefully you know!)
Thanks for looking!
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Manuel DeLanda & Graham Harman, The Rise of Realism.
Reviewed by
philosophy; book reviews
Full Text:PDF
Copyright (c) 2019 Andrew Ball
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
This journal is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommerical 4.0 International license.
Philosophy in Review
University of Victoria
Victoria, BC


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After initially passing, Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE:WMT) said Wednesday it does plan to attend a White House meeting this week with Vice President Biden's task force on gun violence.
Continue Reading Below
The announcement comes as the Obama Administration attempts to garner support from a number of key groups, including companies that sell firearms, for new gun legislation
Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, said it initially didn't plan to attend Thursday's task force meeting because its senior leaders could not be in Washington.
"We underestimated the expectation to attend the meeting on Thursday in person, so we are sending an appropriate representative to participate," a Wal-Mart spokesman said in an emailed statement. Wal-Mart said it had spoken "in advance" to Biden's office to share its perspective as well.
In addition to the meeting with Biden's group, Wal-Mart said it has been "engaged in a national dialogue" about firearms, having conversations with Congress, sportsmen groups, suppliers as well as with gun-law advocate and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
President Obama has signaled he will push strongly for new laws aimed at reducing gun violence in the wake of last month's mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., that caused the deaths of 28, including 20 elementary school children.
In an effort to sell legislative changes that could prove deeply unpopular among gun advocates, the White House is seeking to rally support from Wal-Mart and other gun retailers for measures that would benefit their businesses, the Washington Post reported.
For example, gun retailers may decide they can boost sales if they support closing a loophole that lets people avoid background checks if they buy firearms at gun shows.
"Over the years we have been very purposeful about striking the right balance between serving hunters and sportsmen and ensuring that we sell firearms responsibly," Wal-Mart said.
The company added, "We take this issue very seriously and are committed [to] staying engaged in this discussion as the Administration and Congress work toward a consensus on the right path forward."
Shares of Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart had little response to the news, trading up 0.09% to $68.65 Wednesday morning. The company's stock has gained about 16% over the past 12 months.
A number of other groups are also planning to attend meetings at the White House on gun violence, including the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the powerful, politically-connected National Rifle Association.


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Bariatric Surgery in Harmony
Bariatric surgery, or "weight loss surgery," is a surgical procedure that may help some patients to deal with medical obesity. If you have struggled with obesity, failing on other therapies, you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery. Several types of bariatric surgery including gastric band surgery, Gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery are available. To find out more, you should consult a board certified surgeon who has experience in these procedures.
Bariatric and Other Surgical Procedures in Harmony
Obesity is not merely a cosmetic issue. Medical obesity places a patient at much higher risk for numerous other medical problems. Today, there are several surgical procedures that can help in dealing with obesity, including the gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and gastric lap band. . Many of these are done as laparoscopy procedures, resulting in less pain, scarring, or complications. Dr. Birkedal is a board certified surgeon with long experience in these and numerous other surgical procedures.
Thyroid Treatment in Harmony
The thyroid gland is a sensitive and critical part of the endocrine system. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland influence almost all of the metabolic processes in your body. Thyroid disorders can result in goiter (an enlarged thyroid), hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. Thyroid treatment including thyroid cancer treatment often involves surgery.
Thyroid surgery is a delicate procedure requiring the skill, knowledge and experience of a trained surgeon. Dr. Birkedal has over 15 years of surgical know-how including wide experience in thyroid surgery.
Harmony Hernia Surgery
Surgical hernia repair has been practiced for many years. Traditional hernia surgery involves creating long incisions, but today's laparoscopic surgery techniques require only very small surgical openings. Laparoscopic surgery results in less scarring and pain. Laparoscopic hernia surgery recovery time is faster and laparoscopic surgery reduces the risk of infection or other complications. The goal of both traditional and laparoscopic hernia surgery is to produce a strong, lasting repair. Dr. Birkedal is widely experienced In both techniques.
Vascular Surgery in Harmony
The vascular system includes arteries, veins and the lymphatic system. Vein disorders affect millions of people, producing symptoms ranging from swollen legs to sores that will not heal.
Vascular surgery involves procedures that require a great deal of expertise. After an in-office consultation, Dr. Birkedal can show you the problems with your veins and develop a treatment plan ranging from elevating the legs to vascular surgery.
Gallbladder Surgery in Harmony
The gallbladder is a small organ that stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver before releasing it into the small intestine. Occasionally, the constituents of bile precipitate out while in the gallbladder, causing gall stones. When these stones obstruct the duct leading to the small intestine, surgery is required.
Gallbladder surgery, including gallbladder removal surgery, is now a routine laparoscopy procedure. A single incision is opened at the belly button and the procedure is done entirely through this tiny opening. Gallbladder surgery recovery is speeded, there is less pain and scarring and hospital stays are shorter. Dr. Birkedal does both laparoscopic gallbladder surgery and the older, "open" form.
Bariatric Surgery Cost
Bariatric surgery cost will depend on a number of factors. In many cases, insurance will cover or help to cover the expense. This depends on a patient's medical history, their BMI (body mass index) and other factors. Although gastric bypass surgery may be more costly, it is also the most effective.
Each patient, medical diagnosis and insurance coverage situation is different. Contact Dr. Birkedal's office to get information about the options that are open to you.
Medical Obesity
Obesity is a serious medical condition that affects the health of millions of people. Weight-related diseases like diabetes and hypertension cost the healthcare system billions of dollars each year. Bariatric surgery can help many patients to lose excess weight and improve their overall health
Appointments and Honors
Associate Professor
Eagle Scout
Gastric Bypass Surgery in Harmony
The gastric bypass is one form of bariatric surgery. Following gastric bypass, patients usually experience a rapid and dramatic loss of excess weight. Most physicians feel that the gastric bypass procedure will produce the fastest, most dramatic weight loss of all bariatric surgeries.Gastric bypass not only reduces the size of the stomach, it literally bypasses part of your
digestive system. This means that the volume of food held by the stomach is smaller and the amount of absorption that takes place in the digestive tract is also reduced. Because of this, vitamin and mineral supplements may be needed after gastric bypass. Gastric bypass is more complex than the gastric sleeve technique, but both procedures are normally done using laparoscopic surgery techniques which significantly reduce the chance of surgical complications.
Deciding what bariatric surgery is best for a given patient requires the expert knowledge of an experienced surgeon. Dr. Birkedal and his team will be happy to guide you through this process.
About Doctor Christian Birkedal
Dr. Christian Birkedal practices surgery at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center where he has received the hospital's prestigious Physician Mission Award. This award recognizes staff members who provide exceptional patient care aligned with Florida Hospital's mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ.
A large part of Dr. Birkedal's practice consists of minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic procedures result in less scarring, less pain and much faster healing. Laparoscopy recovery time is shorter and requires less time in the hospital. Single incision, laparoscopic procedure techniques are used in gallbladder surgery, hernia surgery, weight loss surgery and many other areas.
Dr. Berkedal also performs breast surgery procedures, hernia surgery, hiatal hernia surgery, inguinal hernia surgery, umbilical hernia surgery and varicose vein procedures using both catheter treatment and spider vein injections. He considers his success with bariatric surgery especially rewarding. These procedures produce remarkable changes in patients' attitudes and lives. They are truly life-changing treatments.
What Procedures Are Offered?
Dr. Birkedal does adjustable gastric band surgery, gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery to help patients achieve their weight-loss goals. These procedures offer patients a way to lose excess weight, alter their nutritional balance and increase their levels of exercise. He is also experienced in skin grafts, flaps, and advanced wound care, especially with complex, chronic wounds. Other surgical procedures offered include:


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People seek guidance from a registered dietitian for a lot of reasons. Some are highly concerned with wellness, disease prevention, athletic performance enhancement, or feeding concerns with children, while others are trying to manage their medical conditions with food and meal planning. Because it can be difficult to figure out which foods make up a healthy diet, registered dietitians are available to help you create a plan that meets your individual health needs and goals.
Alyse Levine MS, RD - Nutritionbite
LeeAnn Smith Weintraub, MPH, RD Registered Dietitian, Nutrition Consultant
California Dietetic Association
Kitchen Coach By Sarah Mirkin
Elizabeth Baron Cole & Associates
Susan Cohen Diet Specialist
Beller Nutritional Institute
Robyn L Goldberg Rd Consltng
Nutrition Works
Dopart Susan B
Levinthal Joan
Sumner Brooks RD
Jill Place, Registered Dietitian
Tracy Parra, MS, RD
Rebekah Hennes, RDN
Anahit Hovhannisyan, PHD
Emily Mitchell, CDE
Lori Zanini Nutrition
Ashley Koff Approved
MLH Wellness- Holistic Health
Netty Levine, MS
Not On A Diet
LeeAnn Smith Weintraub, MPH, RD, Registered Dietitian, Nutrition Consultant
Nutrition in Recovery
Nutrition Solutions-Juli Keene
Grubiak Katherine A
Stefanie Boone, MS, RD
Kitchen Coach By Sarah Mirkin
Annie McRae, NC
Nelrick Nancy
Healthy Eating and Training, Inc., Lauren Schmitt, Dietitian
Josephine C. Kannike-Martins, DPA
Healthy 4 Life Nutrition
Eat Freely Nutrition
New Metabolism
Dependahl Rachele M
Meadow Nicole D
SuperKids Nutrition Inc
Aaron Flores, RD
Susan Cohen Diet Specialists
Cohen Marsha K
Resch Elyse
Creative Nutrition
Auric Nutrition & Wellness
Devito-Agins Joan
Shawn Phillips Personal Training
Shani M. Verchick, RD
Learn 2 Eat Right
New Performance Nutrition Group Inc
Helping Hand Nutrition by Jana Greene Hand, MS, RD
Vibrant Life Nutrition
Curtis Nutrition
Christopher Crouse - Personal Fitness Trainer & Nutritionist
Fitness Concepts
David Allen Nutrition
Lisa D Fishman Office
Holistic Nutrition
For more Dieticians in Los ANgeles,click here: http://us.wowcity.com/losangeles/?what=Dieticians
Dietitians provide food and nutrition information, and support people to improve their health. They provide advice on nutrition-related matters and can modify diets to help manage conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, overweight and obesity, cancer, food allergies and intolerances.


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As if the news couldn't get worse for Dez Bryant, the 911 call from his mother, which was released Tuesday, adds another disturbing element to an already disturbing case.
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Angela Bryant said during her call to authorities her son "tried to kill me," and that she was going to "put an end to it today."
Angela D. Bryant told police that her son hit her across the face with a ball cap, pulled her hair, tore her shirt and bra, and repeatedly struck her, according to records released by the DeSoto Police Department.
"Babe, I can't keep letting him do this. . . . I can't let him do me like this. I'm tired. I'm going to put an end to it today," the 37–year-old woman could be heard saying during the call.
Dez Bryant was arrested for misdemeanor family violence, after he allegedly grabbed his mother's hair and hit her.
According to the report, the assault started at Angela Bryant's home, but she called from a friend's house nearby before he arrived there.
"He won't go home. I keep telling him to go home. He won't go," she told the dispatcher.
She told the dispatcher no one was using drugs or alcohol, and when asked if anyone was armed, said "not yet" but that her son had picked up a ball and tried to hit her with it.
"And then he grabbed me. You'll see when you get here how my clothes look," she told the dispatcher.
This has been described as Bryant's quietest offseason to date, but the last 24 hours have been anything but.


text: CityK wrote: > John Goacher wrote: > >> I have no problem with the images being added to the wiki, but I would >> prefer if you or some other kind individual would undertake this as >> I've no experience of updating the wiki. >> > > Thanks, I'll add them in a few minutes or so. Okay, done ... had to shrink them some first before uploading, but they still are of good quality: http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Pinnacle_PCTV_Sat_HDTV_Pro_USB_%28452e%29#Overview.2FFeatures Note, as I've added to the wiki article, it would seem to be the case that this is a TechnoTrend rebrand (though, not a great surprise really).


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I have a few thoughts…
Maybe it makes us see we are not alone,
Its not projected in society (we keep that shit private!)
May not be accepted in this era of never fail and never fear.
Like Brein Brown says, is it confused with weakness? And if so, why and when does it cross that line?
May be painful to see emotions that we can recognize and empathize with.
It may just look crazy and unusual psychosis seems fascinating to most.
It may depend on how much understanding ones self has on issues with vulnerability and the human mind/emotion machine
Or to compare the others 'infraction' to the severity of their own (unless a sociopath of course!) and weigh in on wether they themselves are within the acceptability levels of modern society.
Maybe it is to test ourselves to see if we are truly seeing vulnerability or it is someone manipulating vulnerability?
Also regarding the manipulation of vulnerability… if it is being done, is it being done consciencely or unconsciencely? If unbeknownst to the vulnerable one, is it really defering it to avoid revealing their true vulnerability?
How much vulnerability is acceptable to show ourselves vs. the outside world.
I know i am much more real with myself than i would like the world to know about. The way societal views come in and out of fashion so quickly, will one revealing their vulnerabilities end up being shamed down the road & having it come back to haunt them? Making THEM the one that is then not accepted by society, when while behaving this way back then, it was perfectly normal.
Is it just perspective and point of view as well as personal beliefs and experiences that decide what way we take seeing anothers vulnerabilities? Or maybe it has more to do with how we feel about ourselves at that very moment as to how we feel towards seeing in a state of vulnerability.
I am still not too sure. Where is the line between having empathy for someone's wrong doings vs. judging and writing them off for those acts? It is a very interesting thing for me to ponder….
Related articles
- making myself vulnerable (thesethingschange.wordpress.com)


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BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP) — A federal appeals court says Michigan law doesn't stop employers from firing people who use medical marijuana.
The court on Wednesday upheld a decision by a federal judge in Grand Rapids, who said Wal-Mart Stores could fire an employee who tested positive for marijuana.
Joseph Casias was an inventory-control manager at a Walmart in Battle Creek until he tested positive for marijuana in 2009. He has a Michigan medical-marijuana card and uses pot to alleviate symptoms of an inoperable brain tumor and cancer.
Wal-Mart says marijuana use conflicts with its safety policy in stores.
The appeals court says the state medical marijuana law provides some immunity in criminal cases, but it doesn't offer protection to people in the workplace.


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Sunset Boulevard- Cast List
Congratulations to everyone that auditioned. Please find to follow cast in order of appearance for Sunset Boulevard: Norma Desmond Debbie Owen Joe Gillis Richard Kee Max Von Mayerling Cameron Walker Betty Schaefer Sam Hill Cecil B. De Mille Richard Lecrivain Artie Green Ethan Slack-wynn Sheldrake / Manfred Kurt Hassall Movie Norma Kerensa Osborne Myron To […]
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18 November 2018
My Fair Lady
Proffesor Henry Higgins Kurt Hassall Eliza Doolittle Sian Kyle Colonel Hugh Pickering Robin Cooper Alfred P. Doolittle Andrew Murray Freddy Eynsford-Hill Alex Clark Mrs Pearce Vanessa Holt Mrs Higgins Rachel Cuthbert Jamie Ethan Slack-Wynn Harriet Lucy Warrilow Mrs Eynsford- Hill Leigh Kendal Zoltan Karpathy Deej Hiller Mrs Hopkins Sue Pointon Lots of roles still […]
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14 June 2018
Cast List Aunt Eller Sue Pointon Curly McLain Liam McGrath Laurey Williams Annika Dixon Ike Skidmore Richard Lecrivan Slim Rob Lampitt Fred Rich Kee Will Parker Reiss McSporran Jud Fry Adam Wheeler […]
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19 October 2017
Just So
Cast List The Eldest Magician Reiss McSporran The Elephant's Child Will Hayward The Kolokolo Bird Lydia Farnham The Parsee Lyndsey Bird The Cooking Stove Sue Pointon The Rhino Adam Wheeler The Jaguar Ryan Sayce The Leopard Adam Bradley The Giraffe Natalie Goldup The Zebra Thia Donnelly The Kangaroo Lucy Anderson The Dingo Dog Leigh Kendal […]
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23 April 2017
The Cast: Cinderella – Sammi McSporran and Sian Kyle (dual cast alternate performances) Her Fairy Godmother – Amy Briggs Her Step Mother – Barbara Devey Grace – her awkward step sister – Lyndsey Bird Joy – her sullen step sister – Hannah Palmer Christopher – a charming Prince – Adam Wheeler King Maximillian – his […]
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Looking for Louisiana mobile homes? Home Nation is a family-owned business based in America's Midwest and proud to offer families across the country homes that are both high quality and affordable. Thanks to strategic partnerships with some of the largest mobile home companies in the country, we're able to pass huge savings onto you and your family. Our mobile and modular homes are built to last and can be completely customized to fit your needs and tastes.
If you're ready to learn more about how you can finally own the home of your dreams at an affordable price, call our office today, or feel free to stop and see us in one of our five locations across the U.S. In fact, we're so sure you'll love our homes, we'll even cover the cost of your fuel to drive out to see us!
The beautiful, large 1039 square foot new single wide is the perfect place for your living headquarters. This appealing 3 bedroom/2 bath manufactured home provides styli...View Home
The perfect place for you and your family to call home is this 3 bedroom/2 bath single wide. This beautiful manufactured home offers the space you need at the price you ...View Home
Our #1 selling home! Make your homeowner dreams come true with this lovely, new single wide manufactured home. This delightful 765 square foot mobile home offers both c...View Home
Remarkable in both value and price, this inviting manufactured home takes the prize! This 3 bedroom/2 bath single wide includes a considerable-sized kitchen equipped wit...View Home
This beautiful single wide offers comfort, space and style. This 2 bedroom/2 bath 820 square foot manufactured single wide home is roomy, yet cozy. Two large bedrooms, e...View Home
This MASSIVE 4 bedroom home offers significant space and exceptional value at an affordable price for you and your family. This appealing 1,896 sq. ft. home includes a l...View Home
Amazing 3 bedroom/2 bath double wide with LOTS of space! This generous sized 1,580 square foot home gives you space, convenience and style, at the price you want!With 3 ...View Home
This 3 bedroom/2 bath 1,315 square foot manufactured home is extra spacious and offers bright living spaces.Huge bedroom closets throughout, an open dining/kitchen area w...View Home
Call Us
In more ways than one! Weve got access to a national audience of manufacturers. This means we can get rock-bottom wholesale pricing on nearly all of our flooprlans. Of course, since we only have a few physical locations this means we can keep our costs lower than a typical local dealer. Local dealers will often stock 10 or even up to 50 homes on their lot, and they charge your for the privelage. We understand that, especially with single wides, most floorplans are going to be very similar. So why have 10 of the same? Even at the physical sales lots we DO have, we try to keep a very slim inventory to ensure youre getting the aboslute lowest price you can.
How is a Modular Home different from a Mobile Home?
Although terms like "modular, "mobile," and "manufactured" are often mistakenly used interchangeably, there are a few important differences between them. Let's start with the term "manufactured." A manufactured home is any home that is built inside a factory and then transported to its site. Our website is filled with manufactured home prices, and photos of double wides, so you should be able to easily find the perfect one. "Stick-built" homes, on the other hand, are built directly onsite.
So what does this mean for your home? In essence, when you buy a modular home, your state or even county will determine its building code, just like it would for a conventionally-built home. For this reason, a modular home is indistinguishable from a traditional stick-built home.
Another reason to go with Home Nation, is that we can find you financing for your manufactured home. Most manufactured home dealers won't do this, instead leaving you to fund it yourself. We work closely with several lenders, and can make that process much easier. Just fill out the form on our Financing Page to see if you're eligible for one of our very competitive loans. If you're looking for mobile homes in LA, getting your home funded shouldn't be the obstacle between you and a new home, we can often finance our buyers, even with low credit scores.
If you're located in Labadieville, Louisiana, and need a local lender for manufactured homes in LA, we can help you out. Contact us today to find the perfect lender, and get you payments you can work with.


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Jake Owen's 'Alone With You' Reaches Gold Certification
Congratulations are in order once again for Jake Owen, as his latest single, 'Alone With You,' has reached gold certification for digital downloads exceeding 500,000 copies sold.
In addition to the hot digital sales, the song is also inching closer and closer to the No. 1 position on the country singles chart. This week's chart show the song at No. 2 on Billboard and No. 3 on Mediabase / Country Aircheck.
'Alone With You' is the second release from Owen's 'Barefoot Blue Jean Night' album. The album's title-track spent two weeks at No. 1 late last year, marking the singer's first chart-topping hit. The song has since reached platinum certification. The success of the title track helped the album debut at the top of Billboard's country albums chart last year after first week's sales.
"I've been out on the road touring non-stop for the past six years," says Owen. "My main goal has always been to try to connect with people. Now, it is just such a great feeling to know that 'Alone with You' and 'Barefoot Blue Jean Night' are songs that people are connecting to. In this day and time, I never take anything for granted. To have a gold single and a platinum single from my album means the world to me, and I'm so grateful."
This summer, fans will be able to hear both smash singles — as well as Owen's other hits like as 'Startin' With Me' and 'Don't Think I Can't Love You' — when he joins Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney on their co-headlining Brothers of the Sun tour.
"I can't wait to get out on the road with Kenny and Tim," says Owen. "They are two of the coolest guys in this business. It is going to be an awesome summer!"
The Brothers of the Sun tour kicks off June 2 in Tampa, Fla. Click here for a complete listing of where the tour will be stopping.


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Only hotels in Egg Harbor City are listed below. Explore our guide for inexpensive and discount hotel/motel rates in or near Egg Harbor City, NJ for your upcoming personal or group travel. Discover the most favored Egg Harbor City, New Jersey motel and hotel rooms. Browse the Egg Harbor City area hotels to find the perfect lodging! Please use the provided map of the Egg Harbor City hotels. Group booking? Search Egg Harbor City Group Hotel Discounts
The Egg Harbor City center point is about 3 miles northwest of Next Generation FAA Research Park and 4 miles north of Atlantic City Race Course.
How should we direct your call?


text: Good morning, I am using a cluster with the following charactestics: BEOWULF MPI OSCAR 3.0 RED HAT 9 11 NODES: 1 NODE PRINCIPAL 10 SUBNODES: EACH SUBNODE HAS 2 PROCESSOR P4 XEON 2.8 GIGA NO IPERTRADING 2 giga RAM DUAL CHANNEL EACH SUBNODE HAS 200 GIGA: EIDE 7200, 8 MEGA BUFFER I want to use this cluster to test the scalability of a numerical code using 1, 2, 4, 8 processors. For example I would like to test the code with 4 processors but I am not able to force it to use 4 subnodes (that is one processor for each subnode) instead of 2 subnodes (2 processor for each subnode) as the cluster does. In this way the cluster creates local conflict and memory sharing problems in each subnode, decreasing the code performances This is surprising for me since I use the following script to run the simulations in which the line 3 prescribes the use of a processor for each subnode if it possible #!/bin/csh #PBS -m e #PBS -l nodes=4:ppn=1 #PBS -l walltime=9999:00:00 #PBS -M user at domain #PBS -j oe #PBS -o rb.out #PBS -N rb #PBS limit coredumpsize 0 set NN = `cat $PBS_NODEFILE | wc -l` echo "NN = "$NN #cd $PBS_O_WORKDIR cd /home/antonio/test_paper_numerico/RB1E5 pwd cat $PBS_NODEFILE > newlist date time mpirun -machinefile newlist -np $NN rb > nav2.log date I hope that someone can helps me Ciao Antonio -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://www.beowulf.org/pipermail/beowulf/attachments/20041117/0f1397cc/attachment.html>


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Nairobi, 6 May 2013 - On a fact-finding mission to Kenya, film actress Li Bingbing - one of China's most popular celebrities and a rising Hollywood star - has urged greater effort by governments and consumers to combat illegal wildlife trade.
Li Bingbing said citizens and the business community in Asia can play a crucial role in preventing the illegal killing of elephants in Africa by saying no to ivory products. The major recent spike in elephant killings - now at their highest levels in around a decade - is threatening the future of some elephant populations and the livelihoods of millions of people linked to tourism.
The visit marks the first overseas engagement for Li Bingbing, recently named 'Asian Star of the Year' by Variety magazine, in her role as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). A dedicated environmental campaigner, Li Bingbing founded the L.O.V.E Green Movement in 2009 which encourages Chinese citizens to adopt resource-efficient, low-carbon lifestyles. She has extensively promoted the Think.Eat.Save: Reduce Your Foodprint campaign by UNEP and partners across social media networks in China. The campaign aims to reduce food waste and food loss worldwide.
Earlier today, Li Bingbing visited the renowned David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust near Nairobi, where young elephants, many of whom have been orphaned due to poaching, are cared for and often returned to the wild.
"The current poaching crisis raises major concerns about the survival of elephants and rhinos here in Kenya," said Li Bingbing during a press conference at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi.
"But there are also other, far-reaching impacts. Illegal killings of elephants are being linked to organized crime and the funding of armed militia groups. Many consumers in Asia do not realize that by buying ivory, they are playing a role in the illegal wildlife trade and its serious consequences. As global citizens, we need to take responsibility by learning more about the potential impacts of our lifestyle choices," she added.
A regular on red carpets from Hollywood to Cannes, Li Bingbing is among the most recognized faces in China and counts over 20 million followers on Chinese social media networks among her many fans. She has starred in a number of high-profile English-language films, including the most recent installment of the hit 'Resident Evil' series and 'The Forbidden Kingdom' with Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
Rise in Illegal Killing of Elephants
In the past decade, the number of elephants illegally killed in Africa has doubled, while the ivory trade has tripled, according to a recent study by UNEP and partners, Elephants in the Dust
Data from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) monitoring programme 'Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants' (MIKE), shows that 17,000 elephants were illegally killed in 2011. MIKE covers areas home to around 40 per cent of African elephants, meaning the true figures may well be even higher. Indications are that the number of elephants killed in 2012 ran into the tens of thousands.
In Cameroon, up to 450 elephants were killed early last year. Profits from poached ivory are believed by some experts to be supporting armed conflict in the region.
Demand for illegal ivory remains highest in the rapidly growing economies of Asia, particularly China. Large-scale seizures of ivory destined for Asia have doubled since 2009. Weak governance in source, transit and destination countries is also contributing to the problem.
"Rising wildlife crime in Kenya and other parts of Africa is an issue of global concern, impacting many regions of the world. Profits from the high price of elephant ivory and rhino horn are being linked to criminal networks involved in the illegal drugs trade, illegal logging, and human trafficking according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime," said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.
"UNEP, CITES and partners are working together to improve collaboration between customs, police forces and national governments to tackle this black market. But illegal wildlife trade can only be eradicated if the demand for products disappears. Li Bingbing's work to highlight the multiple costs of illegal trade can reach millions of consumers, and encourage sustainable choices that can support the survival of Africa's elephants," added Mr. Steiner.
UNEP recently signed an agreement with the city of Shanghai - home to 23 million people - to display a series of photographs in the underground rail network highlighting illegal wildlife trade. The images by seven leading international wildlife photographers will draw attention to the black market in elephant ivory, rhino horn, skins, fins and flowers, which is threatening the survival of many endangered species.
A film, Elephant in the Room, produced in partnership with CITES, will be displayed in Shanghai's main city square. The film traces the origins of an ornament made from illegally-sourced ivory and ends with the tagline, 'when we stop buying, they stop dying'.
In a joint effort by UNEP and the NGO Save the Elephants, Li Bingbing will travel to the Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya this week, where she will meet with wildlife experts and visit sites where elephants have recently been killed by poachers.
"An excessive demand for ivory is at the root of the rise in the illegal killing of elephants, and attempts to save them will fail unless this is tackled," said Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Founder and CEO of Save the Elephants.
"Appetite for ivory can be changed, as it was in the US, Europe and Japan. The reality of what is happening to elephants in Africa must be communicated - such as through the work of Li Bingbing and other celebrities - in ivory consumer countries. If it is not, the outlook for elephants looks very bleak," he added.
"With the current trend of elephant poaching for ivory across its range, there is a risk of sending elephants to extinction," said Patrick Omondi, Head of Species Conservation and Management at the Kenya Wildlife Service.
"Global citizens need to come together to fight this internationally organized wildlife crime. A clear strategy on demand reduction in consumer states will go along way in saving the African elephants," he added.
Besides illegal killings, elephants are also threatened by the increasing loss of habitat in around 29 per cent of their range areas - primarily as a result of human population growth and agricultural expansion. According to the Elephants in the Dustreport, this figure could rise to 63 per cent by 2050, posing a major additional threat to the long-term survival of the species.
Global Illegal Wildlife Crime
The World Wildlife Fund estimates the global illicit trade in wildlife to be worth at least US$19 billion per year, making it the fourth largest illegal trade in the world after narcotics, counterfeiting and human trafficking.
Reptiles, sharks, great apes, and certain timber species are among the flora and fauna most affected by illegal wildlife trade.
A recent UNEP study showed that almost 3,000 live great apes are being taken from the forests of Africa and Southeast Asia each year. The main markets for the illegal trade in chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans include the tourist entertainment industry, disreputable zoos, and individuals who wish to buy great apes as exotic pets.
Research by UNEP and INTERPOL estimates that between 50 to 90 per cent of logging in key tropical countries of the Amazon basin, Central Africa and South East Asia is being carried out by organized crime. This is threatening attempts to reduce deforestation as well as efforts to combat climate change under initiatives such as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD or REDD+).
Despite ongoing challenges, positive steps are being taken to tackle environmental crime and ensure sustainable trade.
During the recent Conference of the Parties to CITES held in March 2013, some 170 government backed moves to afford increased protection status to hundreds of timber species, certain tortoises and turtles, and other plant and animal species. Five shark species and manta rays were also brought under CITES controls.
Other actions include the establishment of Project Leaf (Law Enforcement Assistance for Forests) - a recent consortium of forests and climate initiatives that aims to combat illegal logging and organized forest crime. The project is led by the INTERPOL Environmental Crime Programme and the UNEP's collaborative centre in Norway (GRID-Arendal), with support from the Government of Norway.


text:
Image and text by Danielle Baker
I am not one to tell other people how to live their lives. I am usually the supportive friend, the one you go to when you know your life decision is terrible but you want someone to agree with you. Recently, however, I have had to restrain myself from opening my living room window, leaning out in my pajamas with mascara under my eyes and shaking my fist like an old person while yelling at the douchebag riding by without a helmet on. He rides by every morning and I have actually thought about lying in wait and jumping out from behind a parked car to push him off his bike just to prove my point. What's my point?
Riding without a helmet is a total douche move.
"A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that cyclists who ride without a helmet are three times more likely to die of a head injury than those who wear the protective headwear." This is what I would be yelling at him if I could ever get my window opened in time.
Two years ago I didn't have much of an opinion on the subject. I didn't own or ride a bike between the ages of 8 and 24, when I started again the first bike I bought was a downhill bike. I always wore a helmet when riding; it is just what you did as a mountain biker. Back then it never crossed my mind to judge the people I saw riding in the city without helmets; I just assumed that they were better at life than me, or at least better at riding a bike.
Then a year and a half ago I crashed and forgot who I was for the scariest fifteen minutes of my life. After years of mountain biking and some pretty decent wrecks, it was a shock to wake up on the side of a highway. I had crashed on my road bike. Going about 40 miles an hour I had landed on my head. My last memory was vivid, I had felt my bike lose control and had clearly thought to myself "Fuck, this is going to suck". That was an accurate prediction. Two hospitals, some X-rays, and a CT Scan later I was diagnosed with a brain bleed, broken collarbone, and broken ribs. My doctor showed me my demolished helmet and explained in no uncertain terms that I would be dead if I hadn't been wearing it.
I wasn't dead, this was a plus, but I had a brain bleed. I had no idea what that meant or what the impact was going to be, it sounded terrifying and I was alone in a hospital trying not to panic. Every time I sat up the world would spin and I would vomit. I ran through every terrifying brain injury scenario I had ever heard or seen on TV. Would I know the right words for things? Would I say "fork" and mean "spoon"? Would I say "bunny" and mean "fuck off"?
It is an odd conundrum to be in when the only tool you have to find answers is the tool that is potentially damaged. I would test my long-term memory and become distraught when I couldn't remember the name of a friend's pet turtle from grade two. Clearly it meant that there was something very wrong. The brain is complicated and fragile; it is who we are and how we interpret the world.
I like who I am, I like how I interact with the world. I am okay with the fact that my quirky personality causes most people to assume I have already hit my head a few times. Truth be told, I have. There was that time I fell off the ice-cream store roof while trying to change the sign from 'Scoops!' to 'oops!' and the time I got up on the shoulders of a friend with a bad knee at a small community show and didn't know how to get down. Facing the idea that your perception of the world, your abilities, and who you are, may be permanently altered is a lot to come to terms with. I was scared. I am not good with change.
For months after my accident I had to prepare myself before I stood up and every time I lay down I had the bed spins of a teenage alcoholic. I couldn't ride my bike and my world felt different. I was injured and it slowed me down.
All of my friends were so nice to me that I started to wonder if I did have a brain injury. People I barely knew would hug me and tell me that they were so happy that I was okay. I felt like I would get a round of applause just for tying my shoelaces. I wondered if people were just being polite, like when someone doesn't tell you that you have something stuck in your teeth or that you are drooling. It freaked me the fuck out. Still, now whenever I have to reach for a name or I forget plans, part of me wonders if it's because I hit my head.
My accident had a ripple effect through my friends and family. My parents refused to ride their bikes until they bought helmets and went so far as to implement mandatory helmet wearing amongst their group of cruiser-riding friends. Peer pressure in your sixties is a real thing. My grandma, out for an afternoon stroll, reduced a helmetless bike rider to tears by telling her about what had happened to me and what could happen to her. My grandma has probably sold more helmets than you your local bike shop sales associate this year.
Friends who have had multiple concussions took to telling me about their experiences; their mood swings and irritability that had resulted from the damage they had sustained. These intense interactions were a little frightening to someone who wasn't sure what the end result of their injury was yet. For the last year I have been fairly certain that my accident has had no lasting effect, but now I wonder if it has. Is it possible that my brain bleed has caused selective turrets that is only present when helmetless fucktards ride by?
The crash that almost ended my life was caused by an impact with pavement. Why is it then that I have seen three more commuters ride by without helmets on while writing this? It is shocking to me that anyone would ride without a helmet; death is one thing, but becoming a drooling burden on your family when you could have taken a step to prevent it is deplorable. Brain injuries are a real thing that can happen whether you are wearing a helmet or not, but I am much more sympathetic to a friend crying over a pregnancy scare if there was a condom somehow involved.


text:
But for now, the videos of my speech are below (courtesy of TOC), with the prepared text of my speech which I have updated to reflect the actual delivered speech as closely as possible (although I know I made some other changes on the fly which are not reflected here) below them. Also, the results of the TOC street poll can be found here.
Part 1:
Part 2:
1. Mr Speaker Sir, thank you for allowing me to participate in this debate. I rise in support of the motion.
2. This motion was filed by Professor Thio and Dr. Loo, in the wake of the passing away of Dr. Ong Chit Chung, an elected Member for Jurong GRC. The Government has indicated that it will not be calling for a by-election in Jurong GRC. Instead, the other elected Members in the GRC will take turns to cover the duties of Dr. Ong. This was the same approach taken in 1993, when Dr. Tay Eng Soon, then an elected Member for Eunos GRC, passed away, and in 1999 when Mr Choo Wee Khiang of Jalan Besar GRC resigned.
3. The motion has three parts. Firstly, it calls upon this House to affirm the importance of representative democracy. Secondly, it proposes a fine-tuning of the electoral system, to provide for by-elections in certain circumstances. Finally, it calls for all by-elections to be called within 3 months of the date of vacancy, unless general elections are imminent.
Representative democracy
4. Sir, the first part of the motion on the importance of representative democracy must surely be beyond doubt and beyond debate. We are a parliamentary democracy, and the elected Members of this House represent the people. The people have voted the Government into power, and that is where the Government draws its legitimacy from. Without representative democracy, the Government would have zero legitimacy, and that is the source of the Government's right to rule.
5. I cannot imagine any Member disputing or disagreeing with the importance of representative democracy, and I cannot imagine any Member not agreeing with this first part of the motion. Indeed, any elected Member who is reluctant to affirm the importance of representative democracy should consider whether he or she should continue as a Member of this House.
Time-frame for calling a by-election
6. I will now touch briefly on the third part of the motion. As I cannot do better than the learned Professor Thio here, I will simply say that I fully endorse her speech on this aspect.
7. The Nominated member has described to this House the different approaches of a number of countries. With such a divergence of practice, the proposed 3-month timeframe seems to me eminently reasonable, especially when the motion also envisages the need for an exception where general elections are imminent. So I also support this third part of the motion.
8. Mr Hri Kumar points to the UK, and says that the 3-month timeline cited by Professor Thio is only a convention. Well, as Mr Hri Kumar no doubt knows, the UK does not have a codified, written Constitution, and Westminster conventions are regarded as being as good as law.
When a by-election should be called
9. I now move on to the second part of the motion, which in my view represents the meat of the motion. This second part asks this House to call on the Government to fine-tune the electoral system, by introducing amendments to the Parliamentary Elections Act requiring a by-election in certain stipulated circumstances. These circumstances are where a Member of a GRC belonging to a minority community within the terms of section 8A(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act vacates his or her seat for any reason; where half or more of the elected Members for a GRC vacate their seats for any reason; or where the elected Members for a single member constituency vacates his or her seat for any reason.
10. Sir, my own view is a little different. I firmly believe that a by-election should be called whenever there is any vacancy in a GRC, not just when the vacancy is left by the minority Member, or when half or more of the elected Members vacate their seats. I would therefore argue that a by-election should be called in Jurong GRC, as a result of the vacancy caused by the passing away of Dr. Ong Chit Chung.
11. It does seem from the previous speakers' speeches, that I may be alone in this House in this regard. And I also recognize that this specific point, of whether there should be a by-election where there is a single vacancy in a GRC, has been debated in the past. Nevertheless, I ask for the indulgence of this House, while I spend a few minutes on what I call the "3 Ps" – Principle, Practicality, and the People.
The first P: Principle
12. Sir, the starting point must surely be the principle of representative democracy, as recognized in the first part of the motion. This principle is the first P. I think Mr Hri Kumar said that there is no universal definition for this. But I disagree. I see this very simply.
13. In Singapore, the people elect their representatives to Parliament. Where the seat in a single member constituency is vacated for any reason, the people cease to be represented. To avoid this situation, a by-election should be called.
14. The logic is simple and clear for single member constituencies, and I think there should be no dispute or disagreement insofar as the motion calls for a writ for by-election to be issued in the event of a vacancy in a single member constituency for any reason.
15. The situation is muddied somewhat by the GRC scheme, because there would remain other elected Members for that GRC. And that is the nub of the issue here.
16. As I have said, elected Members have the legitimacy of the people's endorsement, of representing the will of the people. The mandate from the people is fundamental to a functioning democracy.
17. So when the electors in a GRC elect a team of candidates, what is the mandate being given? Well, in the 2006 general elections, I was a voter in Ang Mo Kio GRC, voting for a team of candidates. And to me, the mandate was to the team as a whole.
18. I think the mandate is for the team of candidates, as elected by the voters, to represent the GRC in Parliament. And if the composition of the team changes for any reason, then it by definition becomes a different team. It ceases to be the team elected by the voters. In that situation, surely a fresh mandate from the voters is necessary.
19. Jurong GRC was uncontested in the 2006 general elections, and so the team there entered Parliament by way of a walk-over. But this does not change the fact that the team today is different from the team that was nominated, and that entered Parliament, in 2006.
20. So on principle, I would say that a by-election is required in Jurong GRC.
The second P: Practicality
21. I think that the principle of representative democracy should by itself settle the issue. But some have cited reasons based on practicality, in arguing against having a by-election. In the first place, I do not think that practical considerations should ever be allowed to trump a principle that is so fundamental to the concept of democracy. But even if we are to accept that this second P of practicality is relevant to the discussion, to my mind, it also points in favour of a by-election.
22. The first reason that some may cite to justify not calling for a by-election, is that the law does not require it. Well, Professor Thio has spoken on what the law is, and she has done so far more ably than I ever could.
23. But I do not believe that this House should feel bound by what the law today says. This House makes law for Singapore. It would be odd – no, it would be nothing less than sheer abdication of Constitutional responsibility -- for this House to say that it is bound by existing law and to stop there, instead of considering what the law should say, and then changing the law to say that.
24. The law should reflect correct principle, and we should not distort principle to accommodate existing law or contort our thinking to justify incorrect law. If the law is unclear or just plain wrong, then this House is duty-bound to clarify or correct it, instead of hiding behind such an unclear or wrongful law and perpetuating an undesirable state of affairs. So I would not place too much weight on the fact that the existing law does not require a by-election.
25. Another reason that has been cited is that a by-election would distract Singaporeans from the pressing issues posed by a slowing economy and rising inflation. This was also the reason cited when Dr. Tay Eng Soon passed away in 1993.
26. Sir, surely this argument cannot stand. It implies that voting and elections are luxuries, that they are really just so much fun and games to be left for good times, and inappropriate and unnecessary in bad times. It suggests that the right of voters to be represented by the team they have elected, is in reality a privilege and not an entitlement. It means that the principle of representative democracy is not fundamental to our society, and can be waived by the Government of the day when deemed inexpedient.
27. I think that cannot be right. Either a by-election is necessary, or it is not. Either the people have a right to be represented by the team they have elected, and hence the right to select a fresh team if the elected team changes, or they do not. Either the principle of representative democracy is important, or it is not. The prevailing economic conditions should have no role to play in this, and certainly should not be allowed to trump these considerations.
28. A third reason that is often cited is that the remaining Members in the GRC can cover the duties of the Member who has vacated his or her seat, and so voters are none the worse off.
29. Sir, this argument belittles the contributions of elected Members. Exactly as Professor Thio has said, ever since my own appointment as a Nominated Member, I have come to appreciate the heavy duties and burdens of elected Members. I, as an unelected Member of this House, am utterly dismayed by the suggestion that it is perfectly all right for the remaining Members in a GRC to cover the duties of a Member who has vacated his or her seat, and that nobody should think twice about it. It trivializes and downplays the contributions of elected Members, in a way that I think is unfair and unjustified. Do the elected Members of this House really stand for this view? What are they saying about what they do? So I do not accept this argument either, and I urge my elected colleagues not to accept it either. I therefore echo the call of Dr. Loo for the Whip to be liefted, so that the elected Members can vote freely on this.
30. Furthermore, as Professor Thio and Dr. Loo have said, how can Parliamentary duties be covered by other Members? Are those who rely on this argument, saying that all elected GRC Members in this House are interchangeable?
31. Instead, I would argue that practicality demands a by-election, and certainly in Jurong GRC. Of the four remaining Members, two are full Cabinet ministers, one is a Senior Minister of State in two ministries, and the fourth is a veteran backbencher with numerous appointments. It is a question mark whether they can adequately discharge the duties in connection of the vacated seat. Even trying to do so, will impose a tremendous burden on them. Just as an example, do we really want to risk over-burdening the Minister of Finance in these trying economic times? Surely it would be more practical to call for a by-election, to ensure a full complement of elected Members in Jurong GRC.
The third P: the People
32. Sir, my third P refers to the people. Much has been said about the question of whether a by-election is required in Jurong GRC, whether in the press, on the Internet, and in this House today. But what do the people themselves think?
33. Madam Halimah, who is from Jurong GRC, has talked about the MPs' discussions with the grassroots leaders in Jurong GRC. But the grassroots leaders are not the people.
34. The Singapore blogsite The Online Citizen decided to find out what the people thought, from them directly. It conducted a street poll last Saturday, to find out whether Singaporeans, and in particular residents of Jurong GRC, think there should be a by-election. I was one of the volunteers who helped conduct the poll, and as I understand it, the results were published a short while ago today.
35. The question asked was a simple one:
Dr. Ong Chit Chung passed away recently. Do you think that there should be a by-election in Jurong GRC?36. A total of 478 Singapore citizens were polled, of which 312 were residents of Jurong GRC and 166 were non-residents. Of these 478 respondents, 122 or 25.5% did not know. Of the remainder, 214 respondents, or 60.1% of respondents who had an opinion either way, felt that a by-election should be held in Jurong GRC. 142 respondents, or 39.9% of respondents who had an opinion, disagreed.
37. So much for Singaporeans as a whole. What about Jurong GRC residents? Well, of the 312 residents polled, 85 or 27.2% did not know whether a by-election should be held. 129 residents, or 56.8% of residents who had an opinion, thought that a by-election should be held, while 98 residents, or 43.2% of residents who had an opinion, did not think so.
38. This was a street poll. It was anonymous, it was random, and it does not purport to be statistically valid or representative of Singaporeans or any other group.
39. But I think the results are nevertheless very interesting and very instructive. Putting aside all those respondents who did not have an opinion -- and here I must say it was a disturbingly high number -- the majority of Singaporeans, and the majority of Jurong GRC residents, felt that a by-election should be held. Even including those respondents who did not have an opinion, it is quite clear that more Singaporeans and more Jurong GRC residents wanted a by-election, than those who did not.
40. Sir, we are here today to debate the nature of democracy in Singapore. Democracy is about the people, about how they have the power. And the people have spoken. They have spoken, their voice rings loud and clear, and they want a by-election.
41. So on principle, on practicality and on the voice of the people, based on these 3 Ps, I believe that a by-election should be held for a GRC, whenever there is even a single vacancy, regardless of whether it is the minority Member or not.
The motion
42. Be that as it may, the issue of whether a by-election should be called when there is a single vacancy in a GRC has been debated before in this House, and I do not expect the Government to change its position today. The motion before this House also advocates a different position.
43. Nevertheless, I support the motion. My position is more expansive than this motion, and so my position encompasses this motion. There is no inconsistency. Just as I believe that there should be a by-election when there is a single vacancy in a GRC, I also believe that there should be a by-election when there is a single vacancy in a GRC caused by the minority Member vacating his or her seat, and I also believe that there should be a by-election when half or more of the Members in a GRC vacate their seats. I see the motion as positive movement in the right direction, and so I am comfortable supporting it.
44. To me, this motion is fundamentally about setting in place the right principles for calling by-elections when there are vacancies in a GRC, instead of leaving it to the discretion of the Government of the day. The motion goes about this in a deliberate and measured manner. It calls for a by-election when it is the minority Member who vacates his or her seat. It also calls for a by-election when half or more of the Members in a GRC vacate their seats. Both are eminently reasonable.
45. It is important to lay these foundations now, so that we do not scramble or leave things to discretion if and when the situations envisaged in the second part of the motion arise. We profess to be a forward-looking state. Well, this is too important an issue to not look forward on. We should set the policy now, so that we have a consistent approach to such situations moving forward. When the day comes, we will know what to do, and nothing is left to discretion or chance.
46. Professor Thio has outlined an explanation grounded in logic and in law, for why a by-election is required when a minority Member in a GRC vacates his or her seat. That must surely be so, given that the fundamental justification and purpose of GRCs is to ensure some minimum amount of minority representation in Parliament. I disagree with Mr Hri Kumar's comments on this. I cannot see how any other position can be sustainable, as it would severely undercut and undermine the foundations of the GRC scheme.
47. Ms. Sylvia Lim, Madam Halimah and Mr Hri Kumar have spoken about the potential for a single member in a GRC team to hold the rest of the team, or even the Government, to ransom. My short response to that, is that the political parties have to select their candidates carefully. Extending their argument further, a group of elected Members can get together and blackmail their party. Where do we stop? Party discipline is the mechanism to address this issue, not an imperfect law.
48. Similarly, where half or more of the elected Members for a GRC vacate their seats for any reason, then surely there can be no doubt that it is no longer the team that electors have voted for. And surely it cannot be argued that the remaining Members can perform the duties of the other Members who have vacated their seats. It would stretch reason and credulity to argue that a by-election is not necessary, even if half or more of the elected Members for a GRC have vacated their seats.
49. Sir, this motion presents an opportunity for this House to advance the cause of representative democracy in Singapore. I support it, even if it does not go as far as I would like it.
50. Sir, with that, I support the motion.


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Nerve-damaging condition (medical condition): Any condition affecting the nerves. Nerves are groups of fibers that carry signals to and from the brain. These signals carry messages ...more
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text: Hello Mikhail, I am currently evaluating an Intel Pro/1000 fiber in a PCI 64/66 slot. The information about PCI 64/66 is found in the driver info: cat /proc/net/PRO_LAN_Adapters/eth0.info Description Intel(R) PRO/1000 Network Connection Part_Number a38888-002 Driver_Name e1000 Driver_Version 3.1.23 PCI_Vendor 0x8086 PCI_Device_ID 0x1001 PCI_Subsystem_Vendor 0x8086 PCI_Subsystem_ID 0x1003 PCI_Revision_ID 0x02 PCI_Bus 0 PCI_Slot 9 PCI_Bus_Type PCI PCI_Bus_Speed 66MHz PCI_Bus_Width 64-bit I have tested bandwidth with ttcp talking to 19 100Mb/s machine and got 930 Mbit/s bandwidth in either direction. I am currently having problem with fullduplex; the driver and my switch are telling fullduplex, but doing ttcp in both direction simultaneously gives only 520Mbit/s in both direction (a total of 1040Mbit were I expect 1800Mbit). Is there (objective) comparison chart (bandwidth + latency) of Gigabit ethernet vs Myrinet vs Dolphin ? Thanks in advance. Mikhail Kuzminsky wrote: > > Dear netters. > > I want to find some confirmation that my installed > RH 7.2 "understand" that it works with PCI-64. > (We are using some dual mobos from Tyan which supports > 64-bit PCI slots). We have Intel Pro1000T NICs installed > in PCI-64 slots, but I didn't find any information > that Linux works in "PCI-64" mode. > > May be this information must be presented somewhere > (/proc/pci, /var/log/messages etc ) ? > > Thanks for help ! > > Mikhail Kuzminsky > Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry > Moscow > > _______________________________________________ > Beowulf mailing list, Beowulf at beowulf.org > To change your subscription (digest mode or unsubscribe) visit http://www.beowulf.org/mailman/listinfo/beowulf


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The NCAA Final Four national semifinals and the NCAA National Championship game will be broadcast on TBC and CBS respectively in 2014 and 2015, it has been confirmed.
In addition, for ten years from 2014 coverage of the Regional Semifinals and Regional Finals games will be split by both television broadcasters. Earlier coverage of the tournament will be televised across four national networks - CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV.
Turner Sports announced a 14-year exclusive media rights partnership to broadcast Division I Men's Basketball Championship from 2011 with the NCAA in 2010 and David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports with TBS said he was pleased with the new broadcast arrangements.
"Since the inception of our partnership, I don't think we could have envisioned such a seamless collaboration between our two companies both in front of and behind the cameras.
"Coming off another incredible year of strong ratings and exciting games, the popularity of the NCAA Tournament and Final Four continues to resonate with fans across the country. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to televise the Final Four national semifinal games and two of the Elite Eight games on TBS beginning next year, and for the network to televise its first National Championship game in 2016."
As part of the agreement from 2010, coverage of the Final Four national semi-final games and National Championship game will alternate between both networks from 2016.
"From the beginning, our partnership with Turner Sports has exceeded every one of our expectations," said Sean McManus, chairman of CBS Sports.
"Today's news represents another win-win arrangement that continues to help us extend the reach of this marquee property by combining the resources of our two organizations. As we have done since 1982, CBS is pleased to showcase the National Championship game in 2014 and 2015."


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Samarkand, Bukhara, Kabul, Aktau, Dushanbe, Kashgar…the road signs we pass just before leaving the tree-lined streets of Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital city, remind us that we're following the well-worn trails of the ancient Silk Road. At the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Central Asia was once a global center for the exchange of goods, ideas, and people. Today, the region is among the least economically connected areas in the world. I'm visiting Uzbekistan to explore how the United States can help promote what Secretary Clinton has envisioned as a "New Silk Road," restoring transit, trade, commercial, and people-to-people linkages between Central and South Asia, with Afghanistan at its heart.
The idea behind the New Silk Road vision is to use economic engagement to complement gains on the security and political transitions in Afghanistan. By connecting the Afghan economy to more established markets in the region, Afghanistan will become less reliant on international assistance and will be better able to achieve economic growth, prosperity, and long-term stability. Stronger economic ties will benefit Afghanistan's neighbors too, open new markets for U.S. businesses, and help lift millions of people out of poverty.
We head to Navoi, a city of more than 100,000 people in southwest Uzbekistan, to visit a cargo transit and shipment facility. Driving there from the capital of Tashkent takes about seven hours, through miles of freshly harvested cotton fields, and mountains of picked cotton, covered and waiting for transport. This year, with strong encouragement from the United States, the government officially prohibited children under the age of fifteen to pick cotton. However, without the elimination of the system of setting quotas and paying farmers artificially low prices for the cotton they grow, the compelled participation of older children and adults will likely continue. The drive along the empty cotton fields is punctuated only by the occasional deserted fuel station. Luckily, we bought fuel in Tashkent before departing, aware that in winter, gas shortages and long lines at the pump are common.
At lunchtime, we stop just outside of Samarkand, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. The city was established in 700 BC, and we settle into our table with a view of the blue-domed tomb of Tamarlane's wife, rising above the ancient city walls. History is everywhere.
The local restaurant we enter is full of men in fur hats and women wearing colorful headscarves. Many of the men and women have plated their teeth in gold as a display of wealth, and all are in the midst of a joyous "meeting party" in which the extended families of betrothed young people meet for the first time. Both families drink gallons of vodka and dance to a mix of Tupac, Gwen Stefani, and traditional songs, while a videographer records everything for posterity, including me. The atmosphere is rich, and matches the delicious homemade bread, roasted lamb, and potatoes. I'm glad I have a seat at the table.
Editor's Note: This is the first in a two part series of entries by Siriana Nair, who recently traveled to Uzbekistan.


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About Taxi Marin
Taxi Marin is an independent taxi operator licensed and regulated by the Marin General Services Authority, a taxi regulation program. We provide taxi service in the Marin County area in California. We offer an efficient, reliable and timely service.
Taxi Marin cabs are driven by professional drivers who have passed a background check and possess a clean driving record. They are also randomly tested for drug and Alcohol abuse through the Marin Taxi regulation program. Our drivers also hold a valid driver's permit issued by the program and is always carried by the driver. It is available upon request by the client. We care about you.


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how does rise time work?
i have a general question to all those experienced bakers.
let's say a recipe says to let the dough rise until doubled, or about 2 hours. then punch it down/fold andd let rise again.
what if my schedule is such that i have to do the folding before the dough has doubled in size? can i compensate with a longer 2nd rise?
i'm making a ciabatta and i see that the ponsford recipe calls for folding at 20 minute intervals for an hour. how would this differ from doing all 4 folds at the same time and letting it rise for an hour thereafter?


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This being the final Tech PR War Stories podcast for 2007, David and Paul thought they'd stretch out a little and ruminate on what's ahead for 2008. Here, in no particular order, are their predictions. It's going to be another wild year for tech PR, but one in which savvy PR pros can elevate their status with employers and clients:
- The end of beats at technology publications. Reporters will become more generalized and contract experts will contribute more of the specialized coverage;
- Fragmentation in coverage of technology; it will come from a variety of sources;
- Google will buy Second Life and Skype. Paul sees big opportunities for the search giant to leverage those core technologies into franchise businesses;
- PR pros will have to do a better job at creating meaningful relationships with press. They'll also have to reach out to unexpected places for coverage;
- Increasing concerns about privacy in social networks. Facebook's Beacon was just the tip of the iceberg;
- The Wall Street Journal will become a free service. Rupert Murdoch has already made it clear that he wants to take the paper in this direction and that will have big implications for tech coverage as the Journal asserts itself as a major online news force;
- The rise of social search, addressing some of the inherent limitations of search. Mahalo and WikiaSearch are early proofs of concept of an evolution of the search utility;
- Vendors will increasingly become publishers and will need help from PR people to create useful and interesting content.
What do you think? Post your comments below and please continue to offer suggestions and sources for future Tech PR War Stories podcasts.
Download the podcast here (19:00).


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Gylfi Sigurdsson believes he was right to join Tottenham instead of Liverpool
Gylfi Sigurdsson believes Tottenham's win over Inter Milan showed he was right to join Spurs rather than Liverpool.
Last Updated: 10/03/13 3:07pm
Liverpool were clear favourites to sign Sigurdsson because of the Iceland international's close relationship with Reds manager Brendan Rodgers, who managed him at Reading and Swansea.
Sigurdsson surprised many when he decided to join Spurs instead after they had an £8million bid accepted for the 23-year-old.
Sigurdsson says he moved to Tottenham because he was convinced the club's recent league finishes indicated that they were more likely to achieve success, and a quick glance at the Barclays Premier League table suggests he was right.
Tottenham sit third in the division, some 12 points in front of Liverpool, and the Londoners beat Inter Milan 3-0 last night to all but book their place in the last eight of the Europa League - a competition which Rodgers' men were eliminated from last month.
"It was hard to turn down Liverpool because I know Brendan," said Sigurdsson.
"It was more about that than any of the history Liverpool have.
"When Tottenham came in, I had seen how they were last year and in the previous two years.
"They finished fourth last year and were unlucky not to get Champions League football, and you could see tonight that this is a great club with fantastic players.
"I'm really pleased I made that choice. There are so many good players here and hopefully we can be in the Champions League next season."
When he made him his first signing, Villas-Boas hoped Sigurdsson would slot directly in to the number 10 role which was then occupied by Hamburg-bound Rafael van der Vaart.
The Iceland forward had excelled in a similar role for Swansea last term, scoring seven goals and providing many assists during a memorable year for Rodgers and the Welsh club.
But Sigurdsson initially struggled to make the same impact at White Hart Lane, and he admitted recently that he would have considered leaving the club had they accepted one of three bids Reading lodged for him on transfer deadline day.
Sigurdsson has found himself back in the first-team of late, however, thanks to a series of impressive performances, most notably against West Ham and Arsenal.
He scored and set one up in the club's Europa League win last night and he admits his confidence is growing by the minute.
"It's important for every player to get a run in the team," Sigurdsson said.
"You see Gareth Bale now, he's got a lot of confidence and he's scoring every game.
"I know he's got an unbelievable amount of talent but it's different when you've got confidence: you can do those things you wouldn't do without it. It's really important.
"I think (the Inter game) was my best game for Spurs. It is good to get two starts in a row and these are the games you want to play in.
"It was really important to get my first league goal (against West Ham). Now I've got my second European goal.
"It gave me a bit of a lift and hopefully we can continue that run and build on it."
Spurs never looked like coming away from last night's last-16 first leg tie with anything other than a comprehensive victory.
Given that man of the moment Bale is out for the second leg after being cautioned for diving, Sigurdsson knows his team-mates must not think they are already in the hat for the quarter-finals, however.
"They are a top Italian team, but we created a lot of chances and dominated the game," Sigurdsson said.
"But the job is not done. We have to make sure we get one or two away goals to make it really hard for them. We know they're really tough to beat at San Siro, so it's only half-time and we have to make sure we're ready for that when we come to that game."


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The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is awarded upon completion of 120 credits, as designated by the program. A maximum of 60 credits can be transferred. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and fulfill all requirements in a timely
For a complete listing of courses and course descriptions, visit the university course catalog.
Note: This curriculum applies to students who enter Parsons as first-year students in fall 2013 and after. Current students who entered Parsons in a prior academic year and incoming and prospective transfer students with sophomore or junior standing should
refer to the Parsons catalog appropriate to their catalog year. See Academic Policies for more details.
* Objects as History and Sustainable Systems can be taken in any sequence, one in the fall semester and one in the spring.
** The three first-year studio courses—Drawing/Imaging, Space/Materiality, and Time—can be taken in any sequence, two in the fall semester and one in the spring.


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USS ENTERPRISE, AT SEA — Although Marines and sailors in the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group were on duty on the USS Enterprise in the Persian Gulf, they were still able to run in the seventh annual Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon held on Aug. 30 in Virginia Beach, VA, thanks to the Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) department's creative efforts. Due to weather and lack of space, the race was completed on treadmills from the flag bridge.
Six four-member teams completed the marathon in 3.25-mile shifts, and one sailor finished the run on his own. The marathon's top male and female finishers at each command received a special trophy. All race participants received an official finisher's medal. Also, as a sign of camaraderie, runners and walkers who competed in the half marathon in Virginia Beach, VA, sent letters of encouragement to deployed participants.


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Oct. 28 Pablo Sandoval postgame interview
Q. First of all, would you describe the play on that bunt where you and Cain almost came together there?
PABLO SANDOVAL: Yeah, it was a tough play. I just tried to make a play. I called it late. But he got out of the way so quickly, so we made the play easy.
Q. First of all, would you describe the play on that bunt where you and Cain almost came together there?
PABLO SANDOVAL: Yeah, it was a tough play. I just tried to make a play. I called it late. But he got out of the way so quickly, so we made the play easy.
Q. What did you feel when the ball hit by Scutaro hit the ground?
PABLO SANDOVAL: It's one of the moments like he always be a clutch hitter. He always be a clutch hitter in this postseason. I was waiting for that moment when he came at‑bat. He did a lot of things for the team. He earned this situation right here, the World Series champ. He's been through a lot of things in his career, so he earned this.
Q. What kind of moment goes through your mind today after all the trials you've had, the benching two years ago, the weight, the running in the desert? Does it seem like it was a long journey?
PABLO SANDOVAL: You know, you learn. You learn from the things that happen in your career. You get up and down. You never give up. All the things that happened in my career, thank God it happened early rather than late in my career. I'm just blessed to be here and part of the 2012 World Series.
Q. Did you ever doubt that you could get here?
PABLO SANDOVAL: I was ready for the moment. I was waiting for the opportunity to be in the playoffs again, so I pulled everything and work together.
Q. To which extent would you say that your three home runs in Game 1 really shook Justin Verlander and the Tigers contributed to sending the series into a whole different direction?
PABLO SANDOVAL: You know, I still can't believe that game. It's the game of your dreams. You don't want to wake up. I think this is one of the keys, you know you fight and you win to ‑‑ you do a lot of things to win that game because one of the best pitchers in the league, you want to try and face him and try and win the game.
Q. Marco and Gregor said that you helped them a lot during the whole season. How does it feel having them both doing so great in the Championship Series and now in the World Series?
PABLO SANDOVAL: You know, I'm happy to have two teammates from Venezuela, one the clutch hitter and the other one the Gold Glove. That is what I call it every time. I was just happy to be part of that group, the beautiful group we got here.
I think they earned, they're working hard, 162 games to be part of this.
Q. Do you think one reason you guys have won this championship is because you just have so much fun together as a team and you don't feel a lot of pressure?
PABLO SANDOVAL: Yeah, it's one of the things. When our backs are on the wall, that's the time when we enjoy having fun, relax out there, do our thing, don't get the pressure on, see the results, day by day, game by game.
Q. How do you account for your offensive explosion in the playoffs and in the series? You had a pretty good season but you didn't hit for a lot of home runs, all of a sudden you come out home runs, singles, it's like you, boom, exploded.
PABLO SANDOVAL: You know, up and down, up and down in your career. I got surgery again, I lost muscle, I lost strength. I think strength came back at the right moment. All the pressure I put together to get my strength back at the right time, things came together at the right time.
Q. When Barry gave you the nickname, did you think it would stick to you? And now with this World Series do you think it's known beyond the Bay Area and really through all baseball fans?
PABLO SANDOVAL: You know, when I get that nickname is when I think, it's me. It's me. The character is me, have fun, like a little kid, fight for everything, never lose faith. It's important when you have teammates thinking that way, you are that guy.
Q. With so many guys playing well in this series, what's it mean to you to be the MVP, to be the guy that wins this award?
PABLO SANDOVAL: You know, it's a team. It's a team. I say thank you to my team to give me the opportunity to be here. They fight 162 games, fight in the two last series, win six elimination games is tough. But I'm happy. I'm happy. I learned. I learned from my mistakes. But when you learn, you see all the results, you look more mature and you put all the pieces together.


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by Wendy A. Horwitz
Most styling and barber shops in the city serve particular ethnic groups, but Thomasson's Hair Salon, 7014 McCallum St. in Mt. Airy, is a gathering place for all, what Joyce Thomasson, owner and solo stylist, describes as a "reflection of Mt. Airy." She snips a stray wisp at the nape of a toddler's neck and listens to the earnest account of a Disney film. Later, Thomasson shapes a woman's silvery bob as they talk quietly about money, a leaking basement. An African-American teenager banters with her while getting a "faux-hawk," and a girl with long blond hair waits with her two moms for a trim.
Thomasson has been barbering for 37 of her 57 years. When I interviewed her 10 years ago, she said she'd used a stipend from CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, 1973) to attend barber school in Harrisburg. In the 1990s, Thomasson taught at Tri-City Barber School in Philadelphia where students and teachers were mostly African-American men. Proving herself was a challenge.
"But I was always a rebel," she explains, "Dropped out of college, got married young, didn't do things the way my mother thought I should." Laughing, she breaks into a rendition of Frank Sinatra's "My Way." "Seriously, at my 55th birthday, I realized I had done things on my own terms and succeeded." She stood up to her family, bought a house in Mt. Airy, put her son, Casey, 28, through college and built a regular, diverse clientele of 350.
That number has been steady despite the economic downturn. "Those who couldn't afford high salon prices elsewhere came to me since I'm priced in the middle," she says. This gain compensated for customers who left for less expensive barbers. The demographic mix remains, though her reputation among older clients has grown; Thomasson once worked as a hairdresser in a nursing home and still does institutional and home visits.
During the 10 years in her own shop, Thomasson has maintained the cozy atmosphere, despite some changes. The over-stuffed couch and hand-painted furniture are still there; so are the children's books and bright murals of "cosmic clouds and hair" by Phyllis Hochberg. A jar of whole-grain pretzels now sits by the glass of chocolates. Her beloved dog, Roshi, no longer sprawls in "his" chair, lackadaisically accepting affection. (He died in 2011.) Thomasson has added bamboo flooring and new barber chairs.
"I've changed, too," she says. "I listen more carefully, I'm not on automatic as much." She attributes her fuller attention to maturity, having a grown child and caring for her aging mother. Every six weeks for a half-hour, she sees most hairstyling clients. "It is an honor to hear people's stories (while she is working on their hair). Kids say things they don't want their parents to know. I meet new babies; people tell me about their new lovers, their divorces. I've become a confidante." Loss, too, is part of the job: "Four or five deaths a year; the elders are going." She smiles gently. " We're all heading that direction, aren't we?"
Thomasson feels more exhausted at the end of the day but balances that with walks in the woods to reflect. "But the talk is satisfying, and I get as much back. Anyway," she laughs, "I don't need a therapist; I have 350 therapists!" She compares clients' lives to "the neighborhood growing up," e.g., the expansion of Weavers Way, Goat Hollow Restaurant's reemergence and the blossoming community garden at Ellet and McCallum Streets.
Thomasson is rooted in Mt. Airy and loves that people always greet her, but she adds, "I can't really hide; I'm never anonymous." With a client as business partner, she recently purchased a farmhouse and grange hall on one-and-a-half acres outside Ithaca, NY. "Maybe it wasn't the 'right' time," Thomasson says, "but the opportunity was there." For her, Ithaca is "Mt. Airy in the mountains," with its similar atmosphere and "creature comforts." When she retires, she'll move to the farm, write and turn the grange into a dance hall. "I'd open it to the community," she says. "Ballroom, rock, you name it. Dance, play! That's the plan."
She'll also travel, having already visited China, Japan and France. The next journey she wants to do her way: "I could do a TV spot on a travel show, visiting barbershops around the world. It could be a window onto the culture, the demographics, the people." She also imagines a National Geographic-style book.
If the community feeling in her shop are any indication, we'll be watching Joyce Thomasson schmoozing with barbers from Beijing to Barcelona. They'll be lucky to have her to talk to.
For more information, call 215-848-9088.


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Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Blues halt slump
Frank Lampard scored his 198th Chelsea goal to seal a 4-1 victory over Wigan, end a four-match winless run and ease the pressure on interim boss Rafael Benitez.
When Eden Hazard scored after 56 minutes, doubling the advantage provided by Ramires' 23rd-minute opener, Chelsea appeared to be cruising towards three points and a return to third place in the Barclays Premier League but Shaun Maloney seized on yet another defensive mistake to halve the deficit
Again it fell to Lampard, whose future is uncertain, to save the Blues, his 86th-minute third moving him within four of Bobby Tambling's club goalscoring record of 202, before substitute Marko Marin added a stoppage-time fourth.
Petr Cech, who was playing with a finger injury, was tested twice early on, firstly when Franco Di Santo forced him to save smartly with his feet and then when Maloney curled a left-footed effort from the right channel to stretch the goalkeeper.
Fernando Torres had a key role in the opening goal, turning provider when he dropped deep to meet David Luiz's pass and played the ball on first time for Ramires, rampaging into the right channel. The Brazilian showed composure to lift the ball over the on-rushing Ali Al Habsi.
Chelsea doubled their advantage when Gary Cahill's free-kick found Cesar Azpilicueta, who cut inside and rolled a pass to Hazard. He struck a first-time shot into the net to celebrate his return from a three-match ban for kicking a ball boy.
As has happened all too often lately when ahead, the Blues relaxed a little too much and Wigan pounced. Maloney beat the offside trap wide on the right to meet James McArthur's pass and Cech raced to meet him. The goalkeeper was unable to reach the ball and was rounded by the Scot, who netted from a narrow angle.
Wigan appealed for a penalty when a Ronnie Stam shot appeared to hit Ashley Cole's arm before substitute Arouna Kone was allowed to make space for a shot, which did not trouble Cech.
It was tense until Lampard's intervention. Hazard took the ball down the left and passed to the edge of the area. Juan Mata stepped over the ball, leaving it for Lampard, who drilled into the bottom corner with trademark precision.
A fourth came when Al Habsi could only parry a swerving shot from Azpilicueta and substitute Marin headed in the rebound for his first Chelsea goal.