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Samsung finally pulled the sheet off of the Galaxy S4, their next big flagship Android phone for 2013. Due at the end of April, the phone looks almost exactly like the S3 save a few minor differences, but it's the guts and software that make this a killer device. It will launch on a massive 327 operators in 155 countries for complete global reach.
We'll spare you all the details of the S4, though it does feature 2GB of RAM, an eight-core Samsung Exynos 5410 running at 1.8GHz, a triple-core PowerVR SGX 544 graphics chip with a massive 2600mAh battery. Oh yeah, it also has a swanky 5" 1080P Super AMOLED display at 440 PPI and various sensors, including Infrared gesture, temperature and humidity sensors, which while gimmicky is still really neat. Finally, it sports a 13MP rear and 2MP front camera, with some new "innovations" like two-way shot.
We briefly put it up against our Nokia Lumia 920 in a video and while this is far from a controlled "versus" battle, you can at least get an idea of how Samsung's beast looks against Nokia's.
Should Windows Phone and Microsoft be worried?
As much as we hate to admit it, yes. Samsung is a juggernaut right now with a lot of momentum. Just as the S3 is peaking globally they're showing off the next version, which nicely builds off of its predecessor. For all of Android's faults (and yes there are plenty), since the 4.2 1 update the operating system has stabilized with a more coherent feel to it.
The problem is becoming clearer with every release: Samsung (and other Android OEMs) can out maneuver Microsoft and its partners, both for phones and new iterations of the OS (though carrier updates are a separate issue).
Don't get us wrong, loyal readers, we're not down on Windows Phone at all and still prefer it. But we're not blind either to recognize that tonight, the completion just ratcheted up to a new level. And if you saw the money and determination behind the Galaxy S product line, you'd be concerned too.
For more hands on video of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and more information, head to our sister site Android Central for all the details.
Daniel Rubino Editor-in-chief
"That's your moral compass but what good is it to me? "
Source: http://www.wpcentral.com/quick-take-samsung-galaxy-s4-versus-nokia-lumia-920


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I have had several people ask me to write a book about my nursing experiences. I have a love-hate relationship with this idea. I am a decent story teller, and a book of this nature would give a bird's-eye view to the general population about the human condition. I have a broad spectrum of experience. The down-side is that I'm in no way qualified to write a book…I didn't major in English Lit; I do not have any strings to pull with publishers or editors; and I have seen the process a friend is going through right now to try to get a wonderful book of hers out there. It has been quite the journey for her.
With that said, I will share with you about my day yesterday, because I've found writing is cathartic for me. I have a burden on my heart, and sometimes through writing I find the peace I'm searching for.
At 5:21am my phone rang. I reached for it, still in a haze of sleep, and answered it. There aren't many who call me that early…I get an occassional text from a nurse friend who works nights at 2am. I have another friend who is expecting, and her husband like mine is a firefighter who works through the night many nights. So, I leave my phone on in case she calls to tell me it's time to go to the hospital. The only other place that calls that early is my work. I had plans to go into take a mandatory hazardous materials class yesterday; however another nurse had called in sick, and they needed a nurse to cover her shift. At first I said no, because I was already scheduled to take the hazmat course. After I thought about it, (I would get more pay to go in and work than I would for taking the course) I called back and told them I'd be there at 8am. I had no idea what I'd just agreed to. In the particular ER that I work in there are only two nurses in a 6 bed ER. We have a desk person to register patients, and a tech who is trained to help.
It was a fairly quiet morning, with only a few patiens with minor things. We had one level II trauma- which consisted of an elderly man who tripped and fell, but because he was on a blood thinner, and hit his head, he would need extra tests to determine that he did not have a bleed in his head.
Then at 2:00 pm, we started hearing radio traffic from EMS about an accident on a mountain highway. As we listened, a sense of dread came over me about the patients who would be coming into our ER. I have said in previous posts that I love taking care of a bloody, screaming trauma…but I love it because they are alive-they just need fixing. The radio dispatcher announced that there was a single vehicle rollover, EMS responding reported there were victims ejected from the vehicle, one deceased. I hoped and prayed that it wasn't a family who had just lost a mommy or a daddy, but it was. EMS arrived in our ER at 1452. The mother of two adorable children was sobbing-gut wrenching, heart-breaking sobs that shook her whole body. The EMS responder gave her a long hug as she cried. Then he gave report to me which revealed the whole, horrific story. The family had been driving along- the mother was driving, cruise control set to 65 mph when she came upon a patch of black ice. The vehicle began fishtailing, and she couldn't regain control. Her family was peacefully sleeping just before she hit the ice. The vehicle spun out of control, rolled, ejected her and her husband. The vehicle rolled onto her husband, and killed him. Her babies escaped without a scratch thankfully. She told the story to me in her own words…the fear of searching for her family in the wreckage, and finding her husband mangled (her description is just too graphic, and painful to even write about). She told about desperately shaking him, hoping with all her heart for some sign of life, but realizing he was gone. She could hear her babies crying in the vehicle-and saw that they were okay. People traveling on the highway saw the wreckage, and stoped to help her extricate her babies from the car, and called 911 for her.
All I could do was hug her and cry with her. As she sobbed on my shoulder and asked how she would ever get through this my heart broke into pieces for her. She went on to tell me he was her best friend, and that her babies no longer had a daddy. A grief this deep, and a sadness this raw is something I hate, because it is so hard to reckon with in your own heart, and I still had 4 hours of work to get through before I could get in my pickup and really have a good cry. This one hit so close to home that I still feel horrible for this little family. It's so very hard to remove yourself from this equation, because it could happen to any of us. It's something that causes you to be acutely aware of your priorities in life, and to be so, so thankful for what you have. I write this today to tell you to NEVER take for granted, your family. Love them with all your heart. Lift them up in prayer frequently. Be a light in your family. Most of all care enough to know where their heart is with God.
As for this dear woman, my prayer for her is that she can just focus on breathing…one step at a time, and that her pain will be dulled quickly. I pray that God will wrap his arms of comfort around her, and protect her fragile heart and mind right now. I pray that she will not blame herself for this tragedy. I pray that she can be there for her beautiful babies even on the hardest days. I pray that she can find strength in this wreckage, so that one day she can pass on that strength to another who is struggling in the difficult mire of loss.
This job of mine forces me to deal with the issue of life and death-and it's so very hard. I asked God why He called me to this situation yesterday. I could have just as easily gone to the hazmat class. I believe I heard his answer today. He gave me His heart yesterday-to hurt for this woman to provide heartfelt sympathy in her time of need. He is also forcing me to think about how to provide comfort in devastating situations. My husband and I have always said we would love to do disaster relief after our child rearing days are over, or possibly when our children are old enough to serve alongside us. I have never truly thought about how I will be prepared to care for the most basic need of people after a disaster-their emotional state, and their questions of why me? Why us? I've always just invisioned myself handing out clean water, and helping to re-build houses. God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. I've heard it so many times, but yesterday I actually experienced it. He gave me the strength to do my job, and to care for this hurting woman. I didn't think I could handle it emotionally-I even told the ER doc I didn't think I could do it. I did though, with strength that I would not have had without my Jesus.
When I got home, I immediately found my husband, hugged him, and told him I was so glad he was alive. He laughed and said, "thank you". I went to bed last night with a truly thankful heart that he was lying next to me, and that our baby was sleeping soundly in his crib.
I would like to end this post by thanking counselors out there who listen to troubles of others day after day, and provide hurting people, like this mother with relief from her pain. I could not do their job. Each time this woman was forced to re-tell this gruesome story to family, police, our staff, etc, it drove her pain, and the mental image deeper.
These expreiences have a way of sticking to your heart. Love on your family today and always.
Raw Sadness
I have had several people ask me to write a book about my nursing experiences. I have a love-hate relationship with this idea. I am a decent story teller, and a book of this nature would give a bird's-eye view to the general population about the human condition. I have a broad spectrum of experience. The down-side is that I'm in no way qualified to write a book…I didn't major in English Lit; I do not have any strings to pull with publishers or editors; and I have seen the process a friend is going through right now to try to get a wonderful book of hers out there. It has been quite the journey for her.

subset: commoncrawl


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San Francisco, Calif. (PRWEB) January 22, 2013
CruiseCompete, the premier online cruise marketplace, has selected Viator, Inc. as its exclusive partner to provide its users with access to shore excursions in ports around the world. Through an integrated connection with Viator's dedicated shore excursion website, CruiseCompete is able to provide its users with seamless access to a vast selection of unique and popular excursions in ports worldwide – at the best prices, guaranteed.
Through the "Shore Excursions" link on the CruiseCompete homepage, cruise passengers can simply select their cruise line and itinerary to discover the excursions available to them in their ports of call. Viator's dedicated shore excursion offering, launched in the spring of 2012, was designed to accommodate the complex nature of such bookings and only presents the traveler with relevant tours and activities that fit within their ship's arrival and departure times in port, making booking quick and easy. Cruise travelers can choose from thousands of itineraries from all major cruise lines including Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruises, Holland America, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas and Royal Caribbean.
"Our goal is to connect cruise travelers with the best cruise to meet their desires offered at the best price to meet their budget," said Bob Levinstein, CEO, CruiseCompete. "By providing access to Viator's shore excursions, including Worry Free Excursions that guarantee an on-time arrival back at port, we are giving our users the opportunity to save as much as 60 percent versus booking excursions through the cruise lines, and, avoid over-crowded activities while having unique experiences their shipmates won't be able to replicate."
"CruiseCompete users are savvy travelers who utilize the site's collection of resources to plan the perfect cruise vacation," said John Gibbs, director of Client Services for Viator. "These are the same knowledgeable and largely self-directed travelers we knew would find value in a trusted and reliable resource for booking excursions independently of the cruise lines, and we are excited to be reaching them now through Viator's partnership with CruiseCompete."
About Viator
Viator® is the world's leading resource to discover and book travel activities, providing online and mobile access to more than 15,000 curated trip activities including tours, attractions, shore excursions and private guides, in more than 1,000 destinations worldwide. In-house travel experts work with trusted local operators to ensure the quality and value of every experience, all backed by Viator's 24/7 customer service and global low-price guarantee. With more than 350,000 verified reviews plus exclusive videos and insider travel tips, Viator has everything a traveler needs to find and book the best things to do worldwide. In addition to the flagship site – Viator.com – travelers can book in advance or in-destination via the Viator Tours and Activities App for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android, the Viator Shore Excursions website as well as local-language sites for European, Latin American and Asian travelers. Viator also provides tours and activities to more than 2,500 affiliate partners including some of the world's top airlines, hotels and online travel agencies. Founded in 1995, Viator is a privately held company headquartered in San Francisco with regional offices in Sydney, London and Las Vegas. Viator – travel with an insider.
About CruiseCompete
CruiseCompete has been the premier online cruise marketplace since 2003 (see media praises). Consumers compare competing offers from trusted travel agents, are able to see consumer reviews of agents and agencies responding, and then contact travel agents directly for more information and to book a cruise.
CruiseCompete CruiseTrends™ offers monthly stats for an inside look at consumer trends and what consumers want in cruise vacations.
CruiseCompete takes top honors in Travel + Leisure Magazine's "Top 60 Best Apps and Websites for Travelers" (September 2012) with an honorable mention. The Wall Street Journal praised CruiseCompete as "Best Cruise Travel Site," The New York Times says, "… independent travel agents compete to offer you the best deal," and follows similar praise from Travel + Leisure, Kiplinger's and The Washington Post. The Street says, "Score luxury cruises at bargain prices."
For more information, please visit http://www.cruisecompete.com/ or http://www.cruisecompetegroups.com/.
CruiseCompete is an Iowa limited liability company and is not a travel agency or owned by a travel agency.
CruiseCompete – Find us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter!
Media Contacts:
Kate Sullivan
1(973) 568-7589
Heidi M. Allison
Shane and Shane, Inc.
(1) 248-651-4491 office
(1) 248-935-3224 mobile


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Have you ever been enchanted by the rainbow of lights glowing in a city? All around the world, the splashiest, most colorful lighting often comes from neon (NEE-on).
The Mini Page talked with a neon artist and with the director of the Neon Museum in Las Vegas, to find out more about the art of neon lighting.
Glowing gas
In 1898, two chemists discovered neon, a gas in its natural state. When they sent electricity through the newly discovered gas, it burst into a bright red light. They called the gas "neon" after the Greek word for "new."
It is the fifth most plentiful element, or substance, in the universe. There are only small amounts in the air around the Earth, however.
Neon is one of several gases that light up when an electrical charge passes through them. Other glowing gases include helium, argon and krypton.
About four years after neon was discovered, a French inventor, Georges Claude, built the first neon lamp. His lamp sent electricity through a glass tube holding neon gas.
In 1910, he demonstrated his neon lamps at a big automobile show in Paris. People were delighted.
Signs of the times
In 1923, a Packard car dealership in Los Angeles displayed the first neon signs in America. American business owners realized how fantastic neon was. The bright, colorful signs attracted attention, and people could read them during the day or night.
In the 1920s, electric lighting was still new and wonderful to many Americans. Although most American cities had electricity, most rural, or country, areas did not. Neon lighting was an exciting sign of modern life.
At that time, the middle class was growing. People had more money, they had cars, and many were able to go on vacations. Hotels and restaurants jumped at the chance to attract vacationing motorists with neon signs.
Businesses didn't even need words to advertise. The glowing sign design was often enough.
Some signs were even animated. A neon shirt "danced" at a dry cleaner's. A cowboy reared up on his horse. A woman blew out her birthday candles.
Traveling salesmen sold neon arrows to businesses across the country. By the 1930s and 1940s, most downtowns, even in small towns, had neon signs.


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Sampson W. Keeble was the first African-American to serve on the TN State Legislature. He represented Davidson County from 1873-1875. Earlier this month I was out at Greenwood Cemetery and happened upon his grave.
As you can see, he is buried with his daughter and son-in-law. The Tennessee State Library & Archives has an online exhibit of black legislators from Tennessee in which Keeble is included. His bio has several details about his personal life and legislative career.
The bio mentions that he last appears in the Nashville City Directory in 1886, and now that Ancestry has Nashville City Directories now from 1879-1899, I was able to quickly look him up. Looks like he lived at 100 N. Spruce St.
Given how new his headstone is, and given that a previous bio of him indicates it was now known where he died, I suspect this marker may have been recently done, perhaps in conjunction w/ the TSLA exhibit?


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While on a modern archeological expedition in 1975 to the Indus Valley (which runs the length of modern Pakistan), Dr. Paolo Rovesti found an unusual terra-cotta apparatus, displayed along with terra-cotta perfume containers, in a Taxila museum. It looked like a primitive still, although the 3000 bc dating would place it 4,000 years earlier than most sources date the invention of distillation. Then a vessel of similar design, from around 2000 bc and unquestionably a still, was discovered in Afghanistan. Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets from the 13th century to the 12th century bc describe elaborate egg-shaped vessels containing coils; again, their function is unknown, but they are quite similar to Arab itriz used much later in the history of the region for distillation.
Even if essential oils were available at such an early date, most man-made fragrance was still in the form of incense and ointments. During the reign of the Egyptian pharaoh Khufu, builder of the Great Pyramid (c. 2700 bc), papyrus manuscripts recorded the use of fragrant herbs, choice oils, perfumes and temple incense, and told of healing salves made of fragrant resins. Throughout the African continent people coated their skin with fragrant oils to protect themselves from the hot, dry sun. This practice extended to the Mediterranean, where athletes were anointed with scented unguents before competing.
From this same era, the Epic of Gilgamesh tells of the legendary king of Ur in Mesopotamia (modem Iraq) burning ntyw, incense of cedarwood and myrrh to put the gods and goddesses into a pleasant mood. A tablet from neighboring Babylonia contains an import order for cedar, myrrh and cypress; another gives a recipe for scented ointments; a third suggests medicinal uses for cypress. Still farther east, the Chinese Yellow Emperor Book of Internal Medicine, written in 2697 bc, explains various uses of aromatic herbs.
Trade routes to obtain fragrant goods were established throughout the Middle East well before 1700 bc and would be well-traveled for the next 30 centuries-until the Portuguese discovered a way around the Cape of Good Hope. The Old Testament describes one group of early traders: "a company of Ishmaelites [Arabs] from Gilead, bearing spicery, balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt." Perhaps as early as 1500 bc, monsoon winds began carrying double-outrigger canoes along the "cinnamon route."
Egypt's penchant for producing unguents and incense was to become legendary. A figure of King Thothraes IV, carved into the base of the Sphinx at Giza, has been offering devotional incense and oil libations since 1425 bc, and there is little doubt that Egyptian aromas were potent: calcite pots filled with spices such as frankincense preserved in fat still gave off a faint odor when opened in King Tutankhamen's tomb 3,000 years later. As depicted on wall paintings, solid ointments of spikenard and other aromatics, called "bitcones," were placed on the heads of dancers and musicians, where they were allowed to gradually-and dramatically-melt down over hair and body.
The most famous Egyptian fragrance, kyphi (the name means "welcome to the gods"), was said to induce hypnotic states. The City of the Sun, Heliopolis, burned resins in the morning, myrrh at noon and kyphi at sunset to the sun god Ra. Kyphi had more than religious uses, however. It could lull one to sleep, alleviate anxieties, increase dreaming, eliminate sorrow, treat asthma and act as a general antidote for toxins. Several recipes are recorded, one of the oldest being a heady blend of calamus, henna, spikenard, frankincense, myrrh, cinnamon, cypress and terebinth (pistachio resin), among other ingredients. Cubes of incense were prepared by mixing ground gums and plants with honey, similar to a technique used by the Babylonians and later adapted by both Romans and Greeks.
The ancient Hebrews employed fragrance to consecrate their temples, altars, candles and priests. The book of Exodus (c. 1200 bc) provides the recipe for the holy anointing oil given to Moses for the initiation of priests: myrrh, cinnamon and calamus, mixed with olive oil. Although Moses decreed severe punishment for anyone who obtained holy oils and incense for secular use, not all aromatics were restricted to religious use. We learn in the book of Proverbs that "ointment and perfume rejoice the heart" (27:9), while in the Song of Solomon we read:
A bundle of myrrh is my beloved unto me;
He shall lie all night between my breasts
My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire [henna]
In the vineyards of En-gedi. (1:13-14)
By the late 5th century, Babylon was the principal market for the perfume trade. The Babylonians used cedar of Lebanon, cypress, pine, fir resin, myrtle, calamus and juniper extensively. When the Jews returned from captivity in Babylon, they brought back a heightened appreciation of fragrance, especially in the form of incense.
The ancient Greek world was also rich in fragrance. Just one Greek word, arómata, describes incense, perfume, spices and aromatic medicines. One such concoction, manufactured by a perfumer named Megallus, was the legendary megaleion, which contained burnt resin, cassia, cinnamon and myrrh, and was used in the treatment of wounds and inflammation. At Delphi, the oracle priestesses sat over smoldering fumes of bay leaves to inspire an intoxicating trance; holes in the floor allowed the smoke to "magically" surround them.
By the 7th century bc, Athens had developed into a mercantile center in which hundreds of perfumers set up shop. Trade was heavy in fragrant herbs such as marjoram, lily, thyme, sage, anise, rose and iris, infused into olive, almond, castor and linseed oils to make thick unguents. These were sold in small, elaborately decorated ceramic pots, similar to the smaller jars still sold in Athens today.
While Socrates heartily disapproved of perfume, worrying that it might blur distinctions between slaves (who smelled of sweat) and free men (who apparently did not), Alexander the Great-who, when he entered the tent of the defeated King Darius after the battle of Issos, contemptuously threw out the king's box of priceless ointments and perfumes-learned to love aromatics after a few years traveling in Asia. He sent deputies to Yemen and Oman to find the source of the Arabian incense with which he anointed his body and which burned constantly by his throne. To his Athenian classmate Theophrastus he sent plant cuttings obtained during his extensive travels, thus establishing a botanical garden in Athens. Theo-phrastus' treatise On Odors covered all the basics: blending perfumes, shelf life, using wine with aromatics, properties that carry scent, and the effect of odor on the mind and body.
As trade routes expanded, Africa, South Arabia and India began to supply spikenard, cymbopogons and ginger to Middle Eastern and Mediterranean civilization; Phoenician merchants traded in Chinese camphor and Indian cinnamon, pepper and sandalwood; Syrians brought fragrant goods to Arabia. True myrrh and frankincense from distant Yemen finally reached the Mediterranean by 300 bc, by way of Persian traders. Traffic on the trade routes continued to swell as demand increased for roses, sweet flag, orris root, narcissus, saffron, mastic, oak moss, cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, nutmeg, ginger, costus, spikenard, aloewood, grasses and gum resins.
By the 1st century ad, Rome was going through about 2,800 tons of imported frankincense and 550 tons of myrrh per year. Nero, Roman emperor in 54 ad, spent the equivalent of $100,000 to scent just one party he was giving. Carved ivory ceilings in his dining rooms were fitted with concealed pipes that sprayed down mists of fragrant waters on guests below, while panels slid aside to shower guests with fresh rose petals. (All this fragrant excess wasn't without its casualties; one unfortunate guest is said to have been asphyxiated by a dense cloud of those petals.) Both men and women literally bathed in perfume while attended by slaves called cosmetae. Three types of perfume were applied to the body: solid unguents, scented oil and perfumed powders, all purchased from the shops of unguentarii, who were regarded every bit as highly as doctors. The Romans even referred to their sweethearts as "my myrrh" and "my cinnamon," much as we use the gustatory endearments "honey" and "sweetie pie."
The Roman historian Pliny, author of the impressive lst-century ad Natural History, mentions 32 remedies prepared from rose, 21 from lily, 17 from violet and 25 from pennyroyal. Famous Roman blends of the era included susinon, which served not only as a perfume but was a diuretic and women's anti-inflammatory tonic, and amarakinon, used to treat indigestion and hemorrhoids, and to encourage menstruation. A similar spikenard ointment was suggested for coughs and laryngitis.
Fragrance occurs, at least symbolically, throughout the New Testament records. The frankincense and myrrh brought to the Christ child were more valuable than the gift of gold (if indeed it was gold; some New Testament scholars speculate that the three wise men may have been carrying gold-colored, fragrant ambergris). One of the most famous gospel scenes involves Judas Iscariot complaining about Mary Magdalene's anointing of Christ's feet with costly spikenard. Even the Greek word for Christ, Christos, means "anointed," from the Greek chriein, to anoint.
Indeed, the 1st century ad was a time of accelerated development of aromatherapy's source sciences. Aromatics was one of five sections covered in Dioscorides' famous Herbal. The first written description of a still in the Western world is of one invented by Maria Prophetissima and described in The Gold-Making of Cleopatra, an Alexandrian text from around the first century. (Her design was used initially to distill essential oils, but also proved useful for alcoholic beverages.) Gnostic Christians from the 1st to the 4th century ad, whose beliefs were deeply rooted in Egyptian philosophy, held fragrance in high regard. Seeking release from the limitations of the material world, they embraced the symbology of essential oils, which represented the soul of the plant.
Distillation of essential oils and use of aromatics also progressed in the Far East. Like the Christian Gnostics, Chinese Taoists believed that extraction of a plant's fragrance represented the liberation of its soul. Like the Greeks, the Chinese had just one word, heang, for perfume, incense and fragrance. Moreover, heang was classified into six basic types, according to the mood induced: tranquil, reclusive, luxurious, beautiful, refined or noble.
The Chinese upper classes made lavish use of fragrance during the T'ang dynasties, which began in the 7th century ad, and continued to do so until the end of the Ming dynasty in the 17th century. Their bodies, baths, clothing, homes and temples were all richly scented, as were ink, paper, sachets tucked into their garments, and cosmetics. The ribs of fans were carved from fragrant sandalwood. Huge, fragrant statues of the Buddha were carved from camphor wood. Spectators at dances and other ceremonies could expect to be pelted with perfumed sachets. China imported jasmine-scented sesame oil from India, Persian rosewater via the silk route and, eventually, Indonesian aromatics-cloves, gum benzoin, ginger, nutmeg and patchouli-through India.
Numerous texts related to aromatherapy were published in China. The Hsian Pu treatise by Hung Chu (1100 ad) describes incense-making. The 16th century saw publication of the famous Chinese Materia Medica Pen Ts'ao, which discusses almost 2,000 herbs, including a separate section on 20 essential oils. Jasmine was used as a general tonic; rose improved digestion, liver and blood; chamomile reduced headaches, dizziness and colds; ginger treated coughs and malaria.


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Plenty of folks have questioned the decision of the Panthers to punt inside Atlanta territory with the game on the line. Add Panthers receiver Brandon LaFell to the list.
"It's fourth and inches, we've got Mike Tolbert, we've got Jonathan Stewart, some of the best power backs in the league," LaFell told WFNZ, via SportsRadioInterviews.com. "I felt like we could have got that yard. And I didn't want to put our defense in that situation, because we should have won the game right there with that possession."
They also have quarterback Cam Newton, who already owns the record for quarterback rushing touchdowns through two NFL seasons, even though he still has 12 games left in his second NFL season.
"I felt like it came down to the offense to win that game, and we should have won that game," LaFell said. "And we just gave it away like that — it just hurts. You just put a lot of work into something, and you just give it away. Like, why? So everybody was down in the locker room, but I feel like we come in tomorrow, we're going to get back right. But this is much harder to get over than the Giants loss."
Yep, LaFell feels the same way many fans do.
"I'd rather get blown out than lose a game like that," LaFell said. "We just gave the game away."
No matter what happens the rest of the way, the Panthers will have a hard time forgetting about the day that they acted in crunch time like they had something to lose.


text: Erik Geschke, Art faculty, has been selected to receive The Ford Family Foundation Fellowship for Oregon artists at the Djerassi Resident Artists Program in Woodside, CA. The mission of the Djerassi Resident Artists Program is to support and enhance the creativity of artists by providing uninterrupted time for work, reflection, and collegial interaction in a setting of great natural beauty, and to preserve the land on which the Program is situated. Erik's residency at Djerassi will be in 2013. http://djerassi.org/


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Jerry Yang to Retire from Cisco's Board
After 12 years of dedicated service, Jerry Yang has chosen to retire from Cisco's Board of Directors to more fully pursue new personal and business interests.
Jerry has been an active member of our Board of Directors since July 2000. As the co-founder of Yahoo! Inc. and with his background in information technology and technology development, Jerry's strategy and leadership skills on the board have been invaluable. Jerry will continue to serve as a director until Cisco's 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on November 15, 2012.
During Jerry's tenure on the board, Cisco has more than doubled annual revenue from approximately $19 billion to $46 billion, tripled profits from $2.7 billion to $8.0 billion, and grown headcount from 34,000 to approximately 67,000 employees. On behalf of Cisco's Board of Directors, we are extremely proud to have worked with Jerry on these accomplishments, and he will certainly be missed by me, our fellow board members and our entire company.
Thank you for your great service to Cisco, Jerry.
In an effort to keep conversations fresh, Cisco Blogs closes comments after 60 days. Please visit the Cisco Blogs hub page for the latest content.
1 Comments
Dr. Jose A. Wong - Perez
…Good luck in his new personal and business interests…


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St. Albans vs. Braintree Bantams, Jan. 15, 2012
All galleries are unedited for quicker upload times. You can crop photos when you purchase them. You can download* any image for 99 cents. You can buy 4x6 prints, enlargements, wallets, mugs, shirts, etc ... starting at $1.99 per 4x6s. Email me with questions or comments *Digital download instructions: Click on the photo, click the buy button, select download from the tab at the top. It's very easy, really. The high-quality file will be sent to you within minutes.Read More


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This incredible muscle car - the 2007 Ford Saleen Mustang Parnelli Jones 302 is set for sale at RK Motors Charlotte and here we present you the description and hi-res image gallery of this baby!
The biggest name in hot rod Mustangs for the past 20 years was Saleen Incorporated. By offering limited edition, high performance turnkey sports cars, Steve Saleen took his company from a garage bay tuner to a highly respected OEM level manufacturer. And as one of only 500 cars produced to honor legendary Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones, this spotless 2007 Parnelli Jones 302 is perhaps his coolest creation. Painted in Grabber Orange, outfitted with one of the most complete and cohesive performance packages ever produced and showing a mere 40 showroom shuffling miles, this 2007 Saleen is quite possibly the last essentially new car of its kind. If you're a savvy car collector who is looking for the opportunity to own a red hot future collector's item that is an absolute thrill to drive, here's your chance! Read more - see the hi-res gallery!
The cars original dealership sticker is still adhered to its passenger's side window and lists the following Saleen equipment:
Saleen/Parnelli Jones high compression 3-valve 5.0 liter 302 cubic inch V8 with 400hp and 390lb./ft. of torque
Saleen PowerFlash performance calibration
Saleen 2.5 inch performance dual exhaust with dual stainless steel tips
Saleen power pulleys and SFI approved damper
Saleen design shaker hood with hi-flow inlet tube, air box cover and Saleen performance air filter
Saleen forged aluminum pistons
Saleen forged steel connecting rods
Saleen ported aluminum cylinder heads with performance springs
Saleen performance camshaft
Saleen 5-speed manual transmission with Saleen close ratio shifter
Saleen lightweight aluminum flywheel
Saleen 8.8 inch differential with 3.73 gears
Limited Edition exclusive Grabber Orange paint with black hood stripe, black side stripe and black decklid
Limited Edition injection molded TPO front fascia with race inspired air dam
Limited Edition hood pins
Limited Edition chrome trim front and rear
Saleen/Parnelli Jones Limited Edition injection molded TPO side skirts
Limited Edition injection molded TPO rear fascia
Limited Edition injection molded TPO quarter window panels
Limited Edition "1970" replica wing
Limited Edition rear window sports slats
Racing inspired billet aluminum fuel door
Limited Edition reusable static cling race and name decals
Limited Edition badging
Limited Edition "1970" championship wreath
Saleen design aluminum shaker hood
Saleen integrated front turn signals
Saleen design center rear body panel
Saleen Racecraft suspension system
Saleen specific-rate front and rear springs
Macpherson strut with lower control arm
Saleen front struts with Saleen linear-rate coil over springs
Front 1.38 inch tubular stabilizer (anti-roll bar) with urethane pivot bushings
Rear .945 inch stabilizer (anti-roll) bar
Specifically calibrated suspension settings
Three link live rear axle plus Saleen Competition Watt's Link
Direct-acting linear rate coil springs and N2 shocks
Saleen 14 inch slotted and vented front disc brake system with Saleen 4 piston calipers
19 inch Saleen Mini-lite inspired aluminum wheels with Limited Edition center caps
Pirelli extreme performance tires
Saleen tire pressure monitoring system
Saleen valve stem caps
Limited Edition orange and black leather sports seats with badging
Limited Edition instrument cluster with 180 MPH black faced gauges
Limited Edition gauge pod with oil pressure and temp gauge
Limited Edition floor mats, shift knob, steering wheel emblem and sill plates
Limited Edition performance driving pedals
Limited Edition graphics, badging and serialized number
Limited Edition console plaque and serialized engine bay plaque
Saleen/Parnelli Jones key fob and Saleen Eagle One detail kit
Original signatures on center dash panel
According to Steve Saleen, the Parnelli Jones 302 was designed to capture the raw, aggressive attitude with which Parnelli raced; therefore, you could order any color car you wanted so long as it was Grabber Orange. Naturally, since this is an essentially new car, the paint looks simply amazing and has barely even seen sunlight, much less rain or inclement weather. Get up close to the panels and you'll find a sea of pristine, wet looking orange paint that doesn't display any of the buff marks, blemishes and haze that are typical of even expertly detailed show cars. Fit and finish is exceptional, thanks to the largely hand-built nature of the custom Saleen add-ons. And despite performing everyday tasks as flawlessly as a stock Mustang, the car has been completely re-envisioned to incorporate many subtle tweaks which recall the glory days of Trans Am racing.
To create that road ready, Trans Am racer appearance, Saleen equipped the Parnelli Jones 302 with every cosmetic trick in their book. At the front of the car, a re-designed front bumper cover hangs a chrome trimmed grille and injection molded headlight dividers above a black serial number and racing style air dam. Behind that bumper, a black striped and fully functional shaker hood holds race derived hood pins, which still carry their factory plastic covers, in front of excellent looking satin finished "S302" emblems. At the sides of the car, ornamentation is kept to a minimum with black 302 side stripes, a Saleen branded billet racing style gas cap and static cling door roundels, which feature Parnellis legendary number 15, providing the only breaks in the cars paint. And Fords classic Mustang profile is augmented by aggressive Saleen side skirts and throwback C-pillar vents which recall classic Shelbys of the 1960s. At the back of the car, a louvered, satin black rear window visor sits above a traditional Saleen championship decal, and a satin black trunk deck props a clean '70 Boss replica wing. Below that wing, a custom chrome trimmed rear valence displays both a custom Saleen Parnelli Jones emblem and a traditional Ford emblem, and a custom rear bumper weaves a black splitter around pristine stainless exhaust tips.
Lift Parnelli Jones #87s custom shaker hood and you'll find a crisp new 302 cubic inch Saleen built SOHC three valve V8 which produces an SAE certified 400 horsepower and 390 lb./ft. of torque. Equipped with a high compression, high revving valve train, this blue printed small block V8 utilizes a lightweight aluminum flywheel, a Saleen spec forged and internally balanced American crank, forged 4340 H-beam American rods, forged pistons, hand ported heads, Saleen spec Comp Cams with matching valve springs, Saleen spec variable cam timing and a Saleen PowerFlash tune to provide thrilling acceleration all the way up to its 7000 RPM redline. The hand assembled block sees a bump in displacement thanks to an increased stroke and little details like bore honing, a billet harmonic balancer, Saleen pulleys, new cylinder head bolts and Fel-Pro gaskets ensure the OEM reliability that goes hand in hand with a new car. What that means for you is a rocket-like sprint to triple digit speeds from an engine that never seems to feel like it's out of breath. And, like the legendary Trans Am Fords it honors, this car doesn't carry the imbalanced weight and mechanical stigma of having a big engine shoehorned into a tight engine bay. The pristine small block fits naturally between the cars glossy Grabber Orange fenders and presents a factory fresh appearance with no grease or renegade fluids anywhere to be found. It's exceptionally clean, nothing is out of place and there is absolutely no dirt or other signs of wear and tear.
In keeping with both Steve Saleen and Parnelli Jones race ancestry, this limited edition Mustang was designed utilizing Saleens own precision suspension. The all new, yet classic Watts-Link suspension is derived from racing and performance applications, and offers the purest race handling found in any OEM street car. Behind small block engine, a rugged Tremec 5-speed manual transmission drives a tall 3.73 rear end, which makes for some spectacular wheel spin in first and second gear, and astounding acceleration when you get the launch just right. Years ago, Saleens were criticized for their harsh ride, but those days are long gone. Taking advantage of the new Mustang's more rigid Macpherson front and 3 link rear chassis, Saleen engineers carefully chose springs, shocks, and sway bars that improve responsiveness without sacrificing ride quality. In fact, this may be the greatest improvement granted by the new Mustang platform: the ability to corner and handle like a thoroughbred without the hammering of previous performance suspensions. Exhaust is expelled through a traditional Saleen stainless steel system that provides their legacy low resonating sound. And braking is handled by "Saleen" branded four piston front calipers which clamp large slotted rotors and OEM Ford rear calipers which squeeze original factory rotors. At the corners, 19 inch Mini-lite style racing wheels feature cool Saleen/Parnelli Jones center caps and wear red labeled 275/35 front and 275/40 rear Pirelli P-Zero performance radials.
Inside, Saleen makes the Ford interior its own with leather upholstery and plenty of signage. The brand new leather seats have been fitted with bright Grabber Orange inserts, orange stitching and centered Parnelli Jones emblems, and the ornate Mustang dash houses a Saleen vintage instrumentation panel which displays "Saleen Parnelli Jones Edition" scripts among white letters on black backgrounds. At the center of the dash, an integrated twin gauge pod which displays oil pressure and temperature sits above both Steve Saleen and Parnelli Jones autographs. In front of the driver, a traditional Mustang steering wheel has been fitted with a "Saleen Parnelli Jones Edition" emblem, and in front of the passenger, a Bud Moore autograph sits above the cars serialized Limited Edition dash plaque. Between the seats, a traditional Ford console holds a Saleen Quick Shifter that's complete with a custom satin finished Parnelli Jones shift knob. And above the seats, a tight headliner is stretched above visors which are still sealed in their factory plastic. Of course all the usual power windows, locks, and other Mustang GT items are on hand, and a slick set of clean Saleen sill plates welcome passengers to the new smelling interior.
Included with this sale is the cars original, pristine window sticker, all of its original books and manuals, its original floor mats which are still in plastic, its original air compressor that is still in plastic and an original, unopened Eagle One detailing kit.
With Saleen now relegated to memory, many feel that their 2007 cars will be highly sought after by collectors now, and in the future. This Parnelli Jones 302 is the ultimate Saleen when it comes to total driving experience, and with only 40 miles of drive time, it's an essentially brand new piece of Mustang and Saleen history. Don't miss this opportunity to acquire what may very well be the coolest Mustang ever built!


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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Danity Kane has broken up again.
The girl group reunited in August 2013, but has reportedly disbanded once more following a fight between Dawn Richard and Aubrey O'Day.
TMZ reports the group were in the studio Monday when Richard and O'Day got into a disagreement. Richard reportedly punched O'Day in the head, and O'Day subsequently filed a battery report. Police are investigating the incident.
"Sadness does not even remotely begin to describe what I feel right now," O'Day said in a statement. Third member Shannon Bex, who unsuccessfully tried to break up the fight, said separately, "I now must walk away feeling used and manipulated."
Danity Kane came to fame as a Diddy-produced group on MTV's Making the Band in 2005. The original lineup consisted of Richard, O'Day, Bex, Aundrea Fimbres and Wanita Woodgett. Diddy removed O'Day and Woodgett from the group on the Making the Band 4 finale in 2008, and the remaining members disbanded in 2009. Richard, O'Day, Bex and Fimbres announced their reunion at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, but Fimbres dropped out soon after.
Richard, O'Day and Bex had a new studio album in the works, but it is unclear if it will be released.


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Tuesday, November 29, 2011
VS Backstage
I don't know about you but to me, the angels backstage are far more fun than onstage!!!
Here are some of my favourite girls while getting ready for the show...and if you want to watch the whole thing, don't miss it tonight, November 29th, on CBS at 10/9c.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
SALE - My picks @ Net-A-Porter.com
(Kenneth Jay Lane)
(Meredith Wendell)
(Michael Kors)
(Burberry Prorsum)
I've been eating so much turkey in the past few days that I completely forgot about Thanksgiving sale!!! Lucky me online shopping is just a clic away!
Net-a-porter.com is having their semi-annual sale and everything is up to 50% off!!! And here are my picks:
- KJL Swarovski crystal-embellished 22-karat gold-plated cuff - Reg $325 Now $195 ('cause it's the best bang-for-the-bucks)
- YSL Gold-plated agate cuff - Reg $1,045 Now $731.50 ('cause it's a cult favourite)
- Meredith Wendell Bucket leather and canvas shoulder bag - Reg $795 Now $477 ('cause it will brighten any grey winter day)
- Michael Kors Python shoulder bag - Reg $1,295 Now $647.50 ('cause it's just soooo pretty)
- Burberry Prorsum Suede and canvas lace-up platform pumps - Reg $850 Now $425 ('cause it's like wearing flats but will actually make you 6 inches taller!!!)
- Chloe Tucson textured-leather thigh boots - Reg $1,380 Now $966 ('cause all girls need a good pair of flat boots that are actually flattering)
OUTFIT DU JOUR - What are you laughing at?
I was getting ready to go out and listening to Natalia Kill on my iPod. Had so much fun dancing around in our studio almost lost track of time!!! Can't be late for my meeting with the contractor; I really need to get my condo repainted before Ayden moves to Shanghai in January!
Oh...almost forgot to say that I found "Shanghai Mommy", a group of expat moms who gathers once in a while and share tips/advice on everything kids related. Ayden will have so many playdates when he gets here...in fact, some of the kids are already looking forward to see him!! I can tell that the little guy will be the centre of attention...as usual!
Leather jacket - V. SP; Shearling vest - Jessica Simpson; Skirt - Versace for H&M; T-shirt - Random boutique in HK; Purse - Givenchy; Sandals - Modern Vintage; Necklace - Street Vendor
Saturday, November 26, 2011
In most outfits, the frame is pretty straight forward. What makes the combination of a few basic pieces interesting is all about the details.
Here's a little sneak peak of the details I'll wearing today.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
What's in my purse?
I guess I should rather call this post "What's in my clutch?" but oh well...
So here's the breakdown: my Prada wallet, my IPhone, Halls (cannot live or breath without it for the past two weeks), Kiehl's lip balm, MAC Lipgelee in Saplicious, La Prairie hand cream, Keys with lotus flower charm, Goody hair clip and my Prada limited edition Baroque Sunglasses.
OUTFIT DU JOUR - Rich & Preppy
Busy cleaning the house and doing laundry...I need a small distraction from my daily routine. Let's go to IKEA! Maybe I can get a few thing and some fresh air!!!
Blazer - Club Monaco; Skirt - Zara; T-shirt - Hubby's; Fur collar - Vintage - Booties (sorry you can't see them) Modern Vintage
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
SAVE MY SKIN - La Mer
(La Mer Luxury Essentials)
(La Mer Luxury Essentials Eye Edition)
(La Mer Discovery Collection)
Now, for those of us who started suffering from the cold wind outdoors and the dry heater indoors, let's start taking things in our own hands instead further damaging our skin (it's not as easy to replace as an old t-shirt).
I've been personally using Creme de La Mer on and off (depending on where I live) for the past 10 years. I first only bought the 2 oz jar cream, which by the way lasts a full year given the fact that I only use during winter months. Even at such a steep price tag, it was actually very economical for me since I also used it as eye cream. Really, if you think about it, $260 for a full year of cream/eye cream is not bad at all!
But then discovered that the eye cream and serum is pretty fabulous too!!! Damn...now, it's really adding up! In fact, after trying the lotion, I'm now convinced that it's the best thing for my combination skin year-round.
So, maybe instead of buying another pair of shoes for this holidays, I'll buy myself a La Mer set for my 30year old skin...
Monday, November 21, 2011
OBSESSION DU JOUR - Card Holder
(Hermes Calvi case)
(YSL Chyc case)
(Chanel CC quilted case)
(PS1 Wallet)
We finally got our business cards ready and I realized one major detail: I HAVE NOT CARD HOLDER!!! Ok, this does not call for a case of state emergency, but I can't possibly just pull our my cards from the bottom of my purse with possible smudged chocolate and bread crumbs...
So, to resolve this problem, I came out with a set of 4 potentials: the Hermes Calvi card holder (preferably in orange goat skin), the Chanel quilted card case (preferable in taupe patent skin), the YSL Chyc card holder (preferably in blue leather) or the PS1 wallet (preferably in violet leather).
Given the choices and availability, I think my best bet is the PS1 at only $165. Not bad, right?
ACCESSORY TREND - Statement Earrings
(Marni Spring 2012)
(Oscar de la Renta Spring 2012)
(Missoni Spring 2012)
(Catherine Baba)
Statement earrings were all over the runway for Spring 2012 and we're already seeing them on the industry's regulars. With the holidays approaching, these bubbles (or hoops, or mesh, or even feathers) can be the "it" piece to brighten up your trusted, but somewhat boring LBD! Or if you are a maximalist, then feel free to add some chandeliers to your piles of necklaces and bracelet and tiara...
But let's admit one thing, stylist Catherine Baba gets the last word on statement earrings with her theatre-size curtain holder earrings!!!
source: style.com
Sunday, November 20, 2011
SHOE PORN - Prada Spring 2012
Saturday, November 19, 2011
HOUSE ENVY - Jenna Lyon
This is exactly how I envisioned my house to be: the high ceiling, the chandeliers, the fireplace, the bathtub...everything to the smallest detail like the bowl of lemons in the kitchen.
Well, it's Jenna Lyon's townhouse up for sale at $3.75M USD. Anyone has that kind of change in their pockets to lend me???
source: Sotheby
OUTFIT DU JOUR - Milanese in Shanghai
Going to a birthday party tonight and cannot wait to wear my new Canari Yellow studded dress by Versace for H&M! It's getting a little cooler today in Shanghai (so hot and humid in the last few days) so I just threw on a few layers...yup, nothing complicated for me, please!
I also decided that my panther choker would look best on my wrist; what do you think?
Dress - Versace for H&M; Kimono jacket - Zara; Faux fur vest - Zara; Shoes - Christian Louboutin; Belt - Miu Miu; Choker (worn as bracelet) - Versace for H&M; Ring - YSL; Earrings - BCBG; Sunglasses - Prada
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16-20 North Jiao Men Road, 000000 Beijing, China Show on the map
Excellent location
Choose your room
- Hotel
Year Built - 2010
Additional Property Description -
Super 8 Beijing Ma Jia Pu Jiao Men is located in Door
1, Floor 2, 16-20 North Jiao Men Road, Fengtai
District, Beijing, China. Close to Xidan Commercial
Center, DaHongmen clothing market, and Beijing South
Station . The hotel provides free parking space and
free broadband internet access. Sorry, no pets allowed.


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ISO 6892-1:2016 Tensile Testing Metallic Materials
This European standard was introduced in July 2016, superseding the 2009 version which replaced the withdrawn EN 10002-1:2001 standard. It specifies the method for tensile testing of metallic materials and defines the mechanical properties that can be determined at ambient temperature. Instron® participates on the committee, ensuring our products are compliant and our team is educated about the changes and the effect they will have.
Products that may be tested in accordance with this standard include metallic sheets and plates, wire, bar or section, rebar, and tubes. Specimens need to be gripped securely ensuring axial alignment in order to minimize bending. The specimen is then strained in tension until failure using either Method A1/A2 or Method B control modes. During this time, the load, crosshead extension, time, and strain data are recorded to determine the material characteristics. The typical calculations include: Yield Point (Rp, Reh, Rel), Ultimate Tensile Stress (Rm), and specific strain values at calculations (A, Agt etc.). ISO 6892-1 also specifies the specimen geometries that should be used depending on the type of product that is being tested.
In 2009, ISO 6892-1 introduced Method A, the method of test control based on maintaining a strain rate. The more traditional method, now known as Method B, was based on maintaining a stress rate during the elastic region of tensile test. There could be confusion around the introduction of Method A. Many understood this as only being achievable using equipment capable of closed-loop strain control, but this is not true. It is possible to conform to Method A using a constant crosshead separation rate.
To make this more clear, ISO 6892-1:2016 incorporated additional separation of methods, introducing Method A1 (Closed-Loop Strain Control) and Method A2 (Constant Crosshead Separation Rate).
The goal is that this further clarification will assist with test labs that are transitioning from Method B towards Method A and monitoring the specimen strain rate. The benefits remain the same: Method A is intended to minimize the variation of the test rates during the moment when strain-rate sensitive parameters are determined and to minimize the measurement uncertainty of the test results. Implementing Method A1 strain control, significantly improves testing throughput as well as a decreases result variability across machines and laboratories.The challenges of testing to this standard are:
- Conforming to stringent control modes
- Comparability of results
- Accurate strain measurement
- Automatic compliant calculations
- Secure gripping of varying specimens
Instron's Solution:
- Conforming to Stringent Control Modes – Using advanced controller technology, it is possible to achieve up to a 40% decrease in test time using Method A Closed Loop Strain Control, ultimately improving throughput
- Comparability of Results – When testing to Method B where the strain rate on the specimen will vary system to system, using a stiff Instron frame will ensure accurate results for improved comparability across different sites
- Secure Gripping of Varying Specimens – Varying gripping techniques from DuraSync Side Acting Grips to manual wedge grips with optimized tooth pattern ensures no slippage occurs
- Automatic compliant calculations – Instron Bluehill® testing software has advance pre-built methods available with pre-configured metal-specific calculations helping to ensure compliance
- Accurate Strain Measurement – Advanced strain solutions for contacting and non-contacting stain measurement that can meet or exceed the accuracy requirements of ISO 6892-1
It is important to review ISO 6892-1:2016 in order to fully understand the test setup, procedure, and results requirements.
ISO 6892-1:2016 Ambient Tensile Testing of Metallic Materials
The imminent release of ISO 6892-1:2016 will provide further clarification on the significant changes that were introduced in ISO 6892-1:2009, including the testing rates based on strain rate (Method A). To better clarify the requirements of Method A, ISO 6892-1:2016 now includes two clearly defined approaches, Method A1 (Closed-Loop Strain Control) and Method A2 (Constant Crosshead Separation Rate).
- Whitepapers
- 4/18/2016
ISO 6892-1:2009 Whitepaper : Metallic Materials for Tensile Testing
This whitepaper provides an in-depth description of how the new standard replaces both the previous version of ISO 6892 and the widely-used EN 10002-1:2001 standard. It is highly relevant reading for anyone performing tensile tests on metallic materials. Instron testing machines are able to meet the demanding requirements of ISO 6892-1:2009, both Method A, based on strain rate control, and Method B, based on stress rate.
- Whitepapers
- 2/14/2013
Automatic Contacting Extensometer - Model AutoX 750
The AutoX 750 is a high-resolution, long-travel automatic contacting extensometer. It can be mounted onto any electromechanical 3300, 5500, or 5900 table top and floor model systems, as well as LX, DX, HDX, and KN static hydraulic testing systems. It is well suited for applications involving plastics, metals, biomedical, composites, elastomers, and more. The AutoX has a maximum travel of 750 mm and accuracy of ± 1 µm.
- Products
- 8/15/2013
Industrial Series LX Models
Featuring a large, single test space and single footprint, LX Models are designed for high-capacity tension, compression, bend/flex, and shear testing.
- Products
- 11/20/2017
5900 Series Premier Testing Systems Brochure
5900 Universal Testing Systems are engineered for precision, built for durability, and offer the flexibility for changing requirements. They are designed with standard and optional features that increase testing efficiency and improve the testing experience for the operator. A wide range of models are available for testing capacities from < 100N up to 600kN.
- Products
- 1/22/2019
Bluehill® Universal Software
Bluehill Universal Software is built from the ground-up for touch interaction and an intuitive user experience. Discover simpler and smarter testing with features such as pre-loaded test methods, QuickTest in seconds, enhanced data exporting: and Instron Connect – a new feature that provides a direct communication link to Service. Users of previous versions of software such as Bluehill 2 and Bluehill 3 can easily upgrade to the newest version of Bluehill.
- Products
- 2/26/2017


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Information courtesy of Archer Financial Services. Contact Scott at 800-933-3996 or email@example.com
It was a roller-coaster start to the week for the grain markets, as day-to-day adjustments to the mid-range weather forecasts kept traders and producers on their toes. New-crop corn values ended the week $.08 ½ lower, yet managed once again to close above $5.
Since the surprising acreage report on June 28, December corn has challenged the $5 level several times, but managed only one close below $5 on low-volume holiday trade, July 5. Given the hurdles that the U.S. corn crop has had to endure this year, it seems that there is simply little interest in pressing December corn much below $5 at this time. December corn has traded to $4.91 early in the session on Friday, leaving last week's low and support at $4.90 in place.
The mid-day weather forecasts backed off of the rain for Iowa for next week. Most of the focus in the trade is on the largest corn- and soybean-producing state. Where the rain falls over the weekend and the position of any ridging for late next week will set the tone for the trade on Sunday night.
This seems to be a corn market that will stay in a very tight trading range up until the August supply and demand report, when at least some questions regarding acres and yield may be answered. In addition, the various crop tours that are set to take place will have added importance this year, perhaps delaying any larger price moves.
We look for December corn to sit in a $4.90-$5.30 range for at least the next three weeks. We used the weakness on Friday to lift some hedge protection with the expectation of replacing that hedge protection on a move toward $5.30.


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Time's Running Out To Claim 2012 Refund Checks
If you are one of the nearly one million taxpayers who didn't file a tax return in 2012, you may be eligible to receive an additional refund check from Uncle Sam. But if you don't act fast you will miss your chance to claim your portion of the $950 million.
Funds that are not claimed by April 18, 2016 will become the property of the U.S. Treasury.
Were you a student in 2012 or was your income such that you weren't legally required to file a 2012 tax return? It's possible that, at that time, you had too much withheld from your wages (or paid higher quarterly estimated payments) than was actually necessary. And now the government owes you a refund. Additionally, depending on your particular circumstances, you could have also been eligible to claim certain tax credits, which are also just sitting there … waiting for somebody to claim them.
Read Also: From Toddler To Teen And Beyond: Tax Breaks For Families
According to IRS estimates, half the potential refunds are for more than $715. Unfortunately, if you don't claim this money now, you never will. Taxpayers have three years to file a claim for a tax refund. Funds not claimed in time will become government property.
Here are a few other points to remember if you plan on claiming your share of unclaimed funds.
- You must file a 2012 federal income tax return to claim your refund. The IRS needs to make sure you don't owe any federal or state taxes for 2013 or 2014 as well, so if you haven't filed those returns yet, the IRS may hold your refund to satisfy any tax debts that are owed as well as any past due child support or federal debts, such as student loans.
- To claim your refund, you must properly address, mail and postmark your tax return no later than this year's tax deadline (April 18, 2016).
- Be sure to collect any and all necessary forms and include them with your return, including Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498. If you are missing a form or two, you can request copies from your employer (current and/or previous), your bank or another payer.
If you didn't file a 2012 tax return and think the government owes you money, you have no time to waste. The IRS provides taxpayers with current and prior year tax forms and instructions on its website or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). You can find additional help, such as tax calculators, refund tracker, record retention schedule and more in the financial resources section of the Rea & Associates website. Check it out!
By Lesley Mast, CPA, MAcc-Taxation (Wooster office)
Check out these articles for more last-minute tax help?
How To Make Dealing With The IRS Less Stressful


text:
Hand Bound Coptic-Style Books
Course #5000003
Materials fee: $20.00*
This covers the cost of shared materials pre-purchased by your instructor. Please bring cash or check payable to the instructor to your FIRST CLASS SESSION.
*This fee DOES NOT cover the cost of materials listed below.
Required materials for the FIRST class:
awl (finer point is best)
straightedge/ruler (metal is best)
square or triangle with 90 degree angle
x-acto knife and blades or similar
cutting mat or non-corrugated cardboard
small brush for adhesives
additional bookbinding tools are welcome!
Suggested Art Supply Stores:
New York Central Art Supply: 62 Third Avenue
Utrecht: 111 East 4th Avenue
Dick Blick: 1-5 Bond Street
Pearl Paint: 308 Canal Street
DaVinci Art Supply: 137 East 23rd St.
Talas: 20 West 20th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10011
212-219-0770 (check hours before you go to the store)


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Number: 105-7
Date: August 1, 1997
IOn July 31, 1997, the House and Senate passed the conference accompanying H.R. 2014, the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1997, by votes of 389 to 43 and 92 to 8, respectively. Provisions of interest to SSA are as follows:
Expanded SSA Records for Tax Collection
Provides that, for an application for an SSN for a person under age 18, SSA must collect the SSNs of each parent in addition to currently required evidence of age, identity, and citizenship. SSA must share this information with IRS for administration of tax benefits based on support or residency of a child.
Provides that States must make available to SSA each parent's name and SSN collected in the birth certification process. SSA must share this information with IRS.
SSA collection of parents' SSNs is effective for SSN applications made more than 180 days after the date of enactment. States' sharing of birth certificate information with SSA and SSA sharing of such informat ion with IRS applies to information obtained on, before, or after the date of enactment.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit
Adds qualified SSI recipients to the "targeted group" list, thus making their employers eligible for the tax credit. Also, increases the percentage of the existing tax credit to 40 percent of a "targeted group" individual's wages for qualified individuals working more that 400 hours a year, 25 percent for qualified individuals working 120-140 hours a year, and deny the credit for qualified individuals working less than 120 hours. In addition, extends the expiration date of the tax credit from September 30, 1997 to July I , 1998, and makes conforming amendments to welfare-to-work provisions in PRWORA.
Exclusion of Termination Payments Made to Insurance Salesmen
Excludes for Social Security purposes payments made to a self-employed insurance salesman after his agreement to work for the insurance company has terminated if: he performed no additional work for the company in that taxable year; he entered into a covenant not to compete with the company ; and the amount of the payment was based entire ly on the policies he sold or was credited with selling during the last yea r of the agreement which rema in in force rather than on his length of service or overall earnings from the company.
Status of Representatives of Security Broker-Dealers
Provides that, in determining whether a registered representative of a securities broker-dealer is an employee or independent contractor, no weight is to be given to instructions from a service recipient which imposed in order to comply with government-imposed investor protection standards.
Employer-Provided Educational Assistance
Reinstates a provision that expired in June 1997. under which ce rtain employer provided educational assi stance was excluded for Social Security and income tax purposes.
Magnetic Media
Requires partnerships with more than 100 partners to report on magnetic media.
Fringe Benefits
Broadens the exclusion of employer-provided fringe benefits for Social Security and income tax purposes to apply to qualified parking provided in lieu of compensation.


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Mohawk hairstyles for girls can give you a bold look without sacrificing your fun side. Try one of the many variations of the mohawk girl hairstyle and make it work for your locks. The traditional upward spikes aren't the hottest look anymore, with many girls and celebrities trying interpretations of the mohawk that both give a more stylish look and are less demanding on the hair. Color accents do wonders for most alternative hairstyles, especially girl mohawk hairstyles, adding texture and dimension to the updo. Check out the most ... Read More


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Kerrie Callahan Donahue Writes in response to my Sista's Dish Post, posted yesterday regarding the Common Eider sighting on Roger Street~ I love it, Felicia Ciaramitaro Mohan! You are quick on the draw with your camera, catching the best moments!! Ty
Sista Felicia Writes~ Kerrie, I will be sure to save this photo in a safe place for his 21st Birthday and Wedding Video!
tommy 2tommy 3
Click Link below for more details of my post yesterday!


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Politics & Government
Dan Walters: Detroit bankruptcy ruling puts public employee pensions on the table in California
A legal showdown over pension obligations in municipal bankruptcies was averted in both Vallejo and Stockton, largely because officials in both chose not to make that fight.
No small factor was a rather heavy-handed threat by the California Public Employees' Retirement System to wage high-octane legal war should either city seek to "impair" pension obligations.
The bankruptcy judge in Stockton's case implied that he was receptive to including pension obligations as a debt to be reduced under federal bankruptcy law despite their seemingly impregnable standing in the state constitution. And insurers of the city's bonds took a stab at including them.
However, the issue was sidestepped when most of the bondholders and their insurers cut a deal with the city that excluded pensions.
San Bernardino is a different story. It stopped making payments to CalPERS for a while, still owes $15 million in past-due payments, and indicated in its bankruptcy filing that it wants pension debts on the table. And the huge retirement fund did what it threatened to do in Stockton and Vallejo – wage legal war.
CalPERS tried, unsuccessfully, to persuade the judge hearing San Bernardino's petition to block bankruptcy, but whether the case eventually hinges on pension obligations remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, a bankruptcy judge in Detroit ruled Tuesday that the city's truly massive bankruptcy can include a pension reduction, saying, "it has long been understood that bankruptcy law entails the impairment of contracts."
That's almost word-for-word what the Stockton bankruptcy judge, Christopher Klein, had said during one proceeding.
The uncanny similarity of the Detroit case to those in California extends to the almost identical provisions in the California and Michigan state constitutions that prohibit "impairment of contracts."
Michigan pension officials, and the state's public employee unions, are just as adamantly opposed to having pension obligations on the table as those in California, and if Detroit's bankruptcy culminates in a reduction of pensions, either retroactively or prospectively, the subsequent legal battle is destined for the U.S. Supreme Court.
The potential fallout is immense. If pensions can be reduced in bankruptcy, California cities, struggling with ever-increasing demands for pension fund payments, will use it as leverage to demand concessions from their unions.
Moreover, the unsettled situation could affect the outcome of a proposed 2014 or 2016 ballot measure, sponsored by San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, that would allow local officials to modify future pension benefits. If Reed gets his measure on the ballot, he could – and would – contend that doing something about mounting pension payments through that process would be better than leaving it to the complexities of bankruptcy.


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One of the founding principles of life in this country is that if you work hard, no matter your starting point, you can achieve the American Dream. In the final installment of our series North Carolina Voices: Understanding Poverty, host Melinda Penkava leads a discussion about the nature of the American Dream. Is it as attainable as it once was? Is it possible to rise out of poverty simply by working hard? Guests include: Noah Pickus, professor of public policy at Duke University; Andrea Harris, president of the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development; and Rick Martinez, editorial page columnist for the Raleigh News & Observer. Listener Call In. (59:00)
Archive for the 'Understanding Poverty' Category
Poverty and the American DreamFriday, April 22nd, 2005
Legislative Update/Education and the American DreamThursday, April 21st, 2005
State Legislature Update: Host Melinda Penkava checks in with Laura Leslie, North Carolina Public Radio — WUNC's Capitol Reporter. (12:00)
Education and Pursuing The American Dream: The less education a person has, the more likely they are to live below or near the poverty line. Is finishing high school a guarantee of a better life? Is a college degree a ticket out of poverty? Host Melinda Penkava leads a conversation about the link between poverty and education. Listener Call-In. (40:00)
Church & StateWednesday, April 20th, 2005
Last year, federal social service agencies awarded $2 billion to faith-based organizations. The Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives officially recognizes the role of faith-based groups in social service work, but faith groups have always been involved in charity in the US. Host Melinda Penkava leads a conversation about the role of churches in poverty alleviation in North Carolina. When do people turn to their churches for help, and what kind of help are churches prepared to provide? Guests include: Bob Wineburg, professor of social work at UNC-Greensboro; Barbara Zelter, program associate at the North Carolina Council of Churches; and Odell Cleveland, president of the Welfare Reform Liaison Project in Greensboro. Listener Call-In. (59:00)
Rural PovertyTuesday, April 19th, 2005
While the number of North Carolinians living in poverty has declined dramatically since the 1960s, there are still more than half a million rural people living in poverty today. Host Melinda Penkava leads a discussion about rural poverty in North Carolina: what's changed, what's remained the same, and how our strategies for addressing the conditions of poverty have evolved. Guests include Jason Gray, research and policy director with the Southern Rural Development Initiative; Al Delia, associate vice chancellor of Research Economic Development, and Community Engagement at East Carolina University; and Leslie Scott, director of the Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship at the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center. Listener Call-In. (59:00)
Poverty and the Health Care SystemMonday, April 18th, 2005
In America, your life expectancy is seven years shorter if you're born into a family living beneath the poverty line. And, if you're born into poverty and are uninsured, chances are you'll live an even shorter life. Host Melinda Penkava speaks with Dr. Nortin Hadler, professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Chris Conover, professor of public policy at Duke, about the epidemiology of poverty, health insurance and wellness. Listener Call-In. (54:00)
Commentary: Leza Wainwright, deputy director of the North Carolina Department of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, offers a commentary on the proposed change to the mental health services that are provided and delivered to children and families of North Carolina. (5:00)


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"Laughter" T-Shirt Yarn ~160 yds, 145 m$ 14.75
These beautiful t-shirt yarn skeins are great for making handbags, cell phone cases, laptop sleeves, mats, baskets, bracelets, necklaces or any other accessory you can dream up! T-shirt yarn is rugged and durable and can really take on everyday wear and tear. Join the thousands of people who are making new, creative projects with Fab-U-Loop yarn every day.
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Giveaways! Use the hashtag #Fabuloop online to be entered into our weekly giveaways!
Number of Skeins: One
Recommended needle size is US15 (10mm).
Each skein is approximately 1.5 lbs, 5 - 6 inches tall and varies slightly in length.
The pictures and descriptions above are provided to describe the colors and sizes. However, there may be times when the color in the picture does not exactly match the color in stock.
Please note: Although rare, some skeins may include slight imperfections such as seams or places where the yarn has been connected together due to the up-cycled nature of the t-shirt yarn. While this is part of the character of the t-shirt yarn, these rare imperfections can be hidden during knitting.


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On last night's I'm a Celebrity…, Janice told Stephen Baldwin about a nightmare she had; Stephen interpreted it as proof that Janice's subconscious needs to be saved by Jesus. She cried, saying, "I don't want to be who I am."
And that makes me cry, because I need her to be who she is. You know, the kind of woman who can face anything.
The campers were given some paper and pencils and asked to draw pictures of their experiences in the jungle. Most of them drew scenes of themselves in the river, or the view of the trees from their cots. Stephen Baldwin sketched himself topless, with the Bible:
He's also taken to calling himself Stevie B. And that brings us full circle to Janice's dream:


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We try our best to be the best company through continuous communication with our customers to obtain sustainability of cooperation and success.
Fluctuation Bono treatment; deep engagement enabler equality resourceful, significant; Action Against Hunger affordable health care empower social good fight against malnutrition.
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Katie Holmes looks absolutely gorgeous in her second campaign for H. Stern lensed by renowned fashion photographer Tom Munro. The 32-year-old actress was named the face of the Brazilian brand earlier this year and she has already done some shoots in April. Katie follows in the footsteps of other celebrities like Catherine Deneuve and Kate Moss as the face of the jewelry line. The actress perfectly enhances the beauty of the H. Stern pieces characterized by simplicity, creativity and elegance. The new campaign, called "Coleccion Ancie... Read More


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Tudor collections
Related Articles of Tudor
Tudor Luxury Watches
Swiss brand "The Tudor" also known as Tudor, a subsidiary brand under Rolex, was born in February of 1926 in Geneva. The idea of the brand came when Hans Wilsdorf, one of the Rolex founders, wanted to create a more affordable watch that could appeal to the masses. The importance of Tudor brand watches that Wilsdorf wanted to emulate is that it would follow suit in dependability similar to what Rolex is renowned for.
The first set of watches was released in the Australian market in 1932, exclusively to the Willis company to distribute them only to the best jewelry stores across the country. The initial design of Tudor watches appeared in a rectangular shape with beveled sides. On these Tudor-signed watches, the Tudor logo can be seen as a signature with a "long T" above the other letters.
On some rare vintage Tudor watches, some may even find the Rolex name on these pieces to guarantee Tudor's quality in its field as the company began to build its brand. During this time, some luxury watches even featured double named dials depending where they were retailed. Leading up to 1990, many timepieces actually used Rolex Oyster cases and crowns before they manufactured their own independent materials in house. Tudor's designs were thoughtful, functional, and contemporary with watches designed for both men and women in mind.
By 1946, Hans Wilsdorf formally expanded the brand and focused on cultivating its identity under the "Montres TUDOR S.A." company. It was apparent that Wilsdorf wanted Tudor to have the same reliability and integrity of Rolex. He was confident and ready to take this brand onto the next chapter in history. For Tudor specifically, he included the Oyster case and auto wind movement along with the full Rolex guarantee – which still stands today.
In 1936, Tudor's logo changed from having only the signature to shield bearing the Tudor rose. From 1947 and on, Tudor has embraced an updated logo that consisted of a finely drawn company name and rose, disappearing the shield. By 1969, the company has evolved into its current logo resurfacing the shield leaving the rose behind.
As the company went on to create more innovative and functional timepieces, the brand introduced their first Tudor dive watch in 1954, known as the Tudor Oyster Price Submariner reference 7922. With numerous versions and improvements over time, their Submariners were able to advance in many sectors to reach new depths and heights in result of creating an optimal divers' watch. A few of Tudor's excellent dive watches is the Tudor Pelagos, the complete mechanical divers' watch with waterproof levels up to 500 metres and the Tudor Heritage Black Bay, an iconic collection for over 60 years.
The Tudor Black Bay series has evolved with newer models. The company released the Tudor Black Bay Chrono at Baselworld 2017 which is now available and features a self-winding movement powered by the brand's very own manufactured caliber MT5813. Currently, the latest model released is Tudor Heritage Black Bay Fifty-Eight, launched in July 2018. This watch is designed for slims wrists and vintage fanatics. The brand had to downsize its previous 41mm in diameter with 14.75mm thickness to a new thinner model measuring 39mm in diameter and only 11.9mm in height. Therefore, this watch was only possible with the creation of a new slimmer caliber – the MT5402, manufactured by Tudor themselves.
To cover more on Tudor's tool watches, the Tudor Fastrider was first developed during a collaboration between Tudor and Ducati back in 2011. Its endeavor was to create a functional watch, dedicated to its sport and appealing in style. The sporty line is visually pleasing, dressed in bold colors, with impeccable details. For the Tudor Fastrider Black shield edition, this wristwatch features a precisely cut high-tech ceramic case to ensure the high quality and resistance offered. The high-tech ceramic itself is tough, sturdy, and scratch proof.
As Tudor continues to express its creativity and explore alternate styles, one of their iconic choices they made was to equip their watches with fabric straps. Since 2009, Tudor began offering fabric straps with their watches that has now become a part of Tudor's identity. Tudor, working with Julien Faure – innovators in the fabric manufacturing industry with exception skills in weaving jacquard ribbons – engineered an incredible fabric with over 500 threads per centimeter in length.
For a more refined look, the timeless Tudor Classic collection makes a fine choice for professionals. Available in both Tudor ladies watch and Tudor mens watch, this collection is divided under the Tudor Classic and the Classic Date-Day with a variety of case dimensions to choose from. Those looking to buy Tudor watches online can compare the various styles available at Watchshopping.com.
We make luxury watch online shopping convenient for shoppers to browse through our extensive collection of Tudor watches. Whether you are looking for a Tudor men's watches, a Tudor women's watch or even a Tudor gold watch for sale - we will do our best to provide you with our best prices available.


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Thoroughly unconvincingWe've played some shite sides and we have been shite too but hey hoA wins a win
E V E R T O N, We're Everton and we'll be Everton forevverrrrr
Yeah, it would have been if you'd put more than your pocket money on like.
I think the standouts remain Holgate, Calvert Lewin and Kenny but it's good to see Gueye returning to form, he was very good today
We played some nice stuff in the last 30'.Allardyce should have no questions about what his best eleven is after that.
Kenny was my motm again, hopefully Coleman comes back in and gets back to his best but if he doesn't i'm not worried at all.
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I've decided that I don't want to buy new consoles at launch anymore for a variety of reasons. Many of them are highlighted in this wonderful School House Rock style video. How about you?
Game Launch Rock! [brentalfloss@YouTube]
To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter @Brian_Ashcraft.