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Frame Drum Blooming Tree - Jamtown World Instruments
This traditional drum from Java is comprised of a hand batiked goat skin head with a mango wood frame. While traditionally played by hand, the 9-inch diameter drum includes a drum stick as well as playing instructions and sounds as good as it looks.
Meet the Artisans
The Jamtown vision sees people in North America creating music with friends and family. Not fancy rock songs or orchestra performances, just a little music. Starting with our motto "Play A Beat You Can Repeat" we make it easy and fun for kids AND adults to join the band. Our instruments are special, authentic, and beautifully crafted. Each is handmade ~ from countries all over the world. Artisans utilize ancient knowledge and natural, sustainable materials like bamboo, gourds, and seeds. For the cost of a single cheap guitar, which no one will use, pass out cool instruments to a group of friends and expect to sound good,and feel good! As a member of the Fair Trade Federation we work with small producer groups from developing countries and provide important support to low-income families through fair wages and other valuable assistance.
Orders will be shipped within 48 hours of placement unless specifically stated. Orders are shipped Monday through Friday. The warehouse is closed on holidays and weekends. Orders placed on weekends and holidays are processed the next opened business day. Orders are typically delivered within 2 weeks. Please consult tracking numbers for up to date information.
We offer Priority Mail for US and International orders. Please note international orders may get charged Duty and Taxes by your the country of destination. You are solely responsible for any duty or taxes.
Returns - The Village Country Store
Our policy lasts 14 days. Within 14 days of purchase you can return your goods, no questions asked. If 14 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately we can't offer you a refund or exchange.
General Returns
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it.
Please contact us for a return authorization and shipping instructions. Please include the paperwork you received with your order or a print out of your email confirmation to enable us to process your return.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance.
Damaged Goods
Please notify us by email email@example.com - we will determine if we need the item returned. A replacement will be set.
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Customer Reviews
Great drum, great quality, great service....
I love the products! and love the story with them. Keep up the great work.
Exactly as advertised and an immediate hit with my students.
It's important for me to deal with fair trade companies that create jobs and pay the artisans a decent wage. I was happy to see that the Village Country Store carried JAMTOWN instruments, a fair trade company.
The Juju Shaker is well made and will last a long time. I am very happy with my purchase!
My husband and I picked up this drum for our musically-inclined, behaviorally-challenged nephew. Once in hand, we were impressed with the artistic craftsmanship and options for sound making. We gave it to our nephew while on holiday at the beach so the ocean sound option was timely and soothing. So happy with our purchase!


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Commanding the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2)by Ted Scull
In the history of passenger shipping, few companies can boast a longer or more illustrious history than Cunard, and few vessels are as well known as the line's flagship Queen Elizabeth 2. Commanding the QE2 requires a special
When the QE2 docked at Southampton on April 18 to disembark her British passengers from an around-the-world cruise, Captain Paul Wright turned command back over to Captain Ronald Warwick, who had taken the liner on the first half of the global voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Hong Kong. Captain Warwick would take the ship on the final leg, from the U.K. back to the U.S.
Embarkation began shortly after 2 p.m., swelling the passenger list to nearly 1,500--including many Americans who were on the last leg of the world cruise, plus a large number British, Germans and other Yanks making the year's first westbound transatlantic crossing. I was on the Boat Deck looking up at Captain Warwick, his officers and pilot as the ship slipped her lines.
On this crossing to New York, the captain said that his ship would make less of a northward arc--the Great Circle Route--because of a large storm ahead and drifting ice off Newfoundland. On previous December crossings, Captain Warwick recalled, he has set an even more radical course change, first going southwest to the Azores to avoid a major storm, sometimes several in succession. Even with this diversion adding over 200 nautical miles to the voyage, the QE2's high speed and reserve power usually results in an on-time New York arrival. Once I was aboard when the ship made 31 knots.
Captain Warwick looks every inch the quintessential British captain, bearded and ramrod straight, very much the man in charge. His father, Cunard Commodore William E. Warwick, had commanded the QE2 when she was new in 1969, retiring in 1972 and making the father-son combination unique in the company's 163-year history.
The younger Captain Warwick went to sea in the late 1950s; his first passenger ship was Royal Mail Line's handsome RMS Andes, the very British equivalent to the Cunard's RMS Caronia, the 1948-built Green Goddess. He took to passenger ships, and one day in 1970 after visiting his father aboard the QE2 docked in the port of Kingston, Jamaica, he decided to join Cunard.
He was Chief Officer when the QE2 was requisitioned by the British Government to carry troops and supplies in the 1982 Falklands Campaign following Argentina's attack on the U.K.'s South Atlantic territory. He has lots of memories from that voyage south, including the ship's conversion from the brightest star on the ocean to the darkest: The vessel not only got a military paint job, but had to transport troops without lights or the use of radar, in order to avoid detection. The QE2 was an obvious enemy target.
As the ship neared South Georgia, Chief Officer Warwick remembered mist settling in over an ice field. When the radar was switched for safety reasons, more than 100 icebergs could be seen, each large enough to sink the ship. When the 3,000 British troops were transferred to P&O's Canberra and Norland, the QE2 became the world's largest hospital ship, carrying 640 survivors--some badly injured--from three British navy vessels. Chief Officer Warwick and the QE2 returned to Southampton on June 11 to a tumultuous welcome, had a major refit, and resumed service in August 1982--still painted gray. He said the hull color was difficult to maintain and within months the color reverted to midnight blue.
His first commands were the Cunard Adventurer, Cunard Countess, Cunard Princess (a favorite) and the Cunard Crown Dynasty. On July 26, 1990, he had his first appointment to the QE2 following the retirement of Captain Robin Woodall and became permanent captain in October 1997.
Captain Warwick is a Cunard man through and through. During his time away from the ship, he researches the company's history; he said he has reached the 90 per cent mark in documenting a list of all Cunard Line captains since 1839. He is the author of 'QE2, The Cunard Line flagship Queen Elizabeth 2,' published by W. W. Norton. First published in 1985, the book was updated in 1993 and 1999. The captain's editor is his wife Kim, who is present on this first westbound crossing of 2002 and comes aboard as often as she can. Book signings are part of every crossing and cruise, and sales are invariably brisk.
The captain has a son and a daughter, and he officiated at the marriage of the latter on October 4, 2001 in Boston harbor. This was the first legal marriage in living memory conducted by a Cunard captain. His son does not go to sea except to dive to wrecks on the ocean bottom; he also maintains a QE2 website.
On every voyage, the captain hosts a passengers' question-and-answer session in the Grand Lounge, and he is masterful in handling difficult questions. When asked if the rumor was true that the QE2 had collided with a tall ship during the New York Harbor July 2000 celebrations, he simply said "No," and that was the end of it. I was aboard then and can attest to the veracity of his answer.
Passengers' favorite questions are usually about the worst storm and the roughest crossing. Captain Warwick said the most dramatic came during hurricane Lewis (1996). The ship hove to, making 4-5 knots to maintain steering into the mountainous seas, and he advised passengers to stay in their cabins. The ship encountered a massive rogue wave, estimated at 95 feet high--the same height from the ocean surface as eye level from the bridge.
According to the captain, the white cresting wall looked like the white cliffs of Dover, and he turned aside in case the forward glass windows gave. They held, and a shudder went through the ship, but the only damage was to the foredeck and a tripod mast at the bow. A less well-built vessel might have been in considerable trouble with such a powerful force coming down hard on the forward part of the ship.
Another incident occurred in Milford Sound, a narrow fjord on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. A squall rose as the QE2 entered the sound, and the wind was so powerful that Captain Warwick could not reverse course to make for the open waters of the Tasman Sea. He remembers that the strong winds actually caused the waterfalls along the shore to turn back upward halfway down the cliff face. Finally, he found a relatively quiet turning basin, and with the bow just 15-20 feet from the cliff face, he was able to safely turn his ship.
On our voyage, Captain Warwick talked about his adventure last summer, when he went two and one-half miles below the ocean's surface to the wreck of the Titanic in an untethered submersible. After 35 years sailing the North Atlantic, he had a great interest in the loss of the Titanic, and landing on the ocean floor at the broken bow of the White Star liner was an emotional experience for him. The submersible then traveled along the wreck's hull, where he could see promenade deck windows and cabin portholes broken or opened to allow some to escape. He noted that from disaster often comes good--in the case of the Titanic, the creation of the ice patrol and the "safety of life at sea" (SOLAS) regulations.
He thought that perhaps Titanic's Captain Smith had never known ice to be so far south when he sailed westbound for New York in April 1912. On this QE2 voyage, Captain Warwick had hoped to pause above the Titanic site in remembrance of the tragedy 90 years ago. But once again, the ice had drifted far south into the shipping lanes, and he set a course to pass some 100 miles south of the Titanic grave, which was 20 miles south of the nearest ice.
On Monday, April 22, 90 years and one week after the 1912 sinking, officers, crew and passengers gathered in the QE2's Yacht Club for a service to commit the ashes of former QE2 Chief Engineer William Farmer to the deep. Captain Warwick planned the service, which included a prayer he wrote for the deceased shipmate, who had been his mentor at Cunard until his retirement in 1979. The congregation sang the hymns - "Abide with Me; Nearer Thy God to Thee"; and the Sailors' Hymn - "Eternal Father, Strong to save...For those in peril on the sea."
As the ship steamed ahead at 25 knots in sheeting rain, William Farmer's ashes, accompanied on board by his wife and daughter, were cast into the sea followed by wreaths and flowers.
Captain Warwick appears at two welcome cocktail parties, where he introduces his principal officers and says as little as he can about the weather--especially if it is deteriorating. He saves that for his daily noontime announcements from the bridge. He and his wife Kim host a table in both the Caronia and Mauretania restaurants, and the conversation is never dull when the captain and Kim are in charge. His other public duties include appearing at an evening party in the Queens Room, a Cunard World Club affair for past passengers; and at other gatherings in his private day room, just below the bridge.
The latter invitation is the most prized, and includes a private escort by one's cabin steward as the route is complex and unfamiliar to many passengers. Ship aficionados are always eager to see what new ocean liner paintings may be hanging in the day room. Often they are by maritime artist Stephen Card, who earlier works grace F Stairway.
For the arrival into New York, I offered to give the commentary, and the captain accepted and asked that I be on the bridge by 5:30 a.m., just before the ship would clear the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. It would clear the bridge by 52 feet, according to his calculations, but it appears much less. The new Queen Mary 2, on her triumphant first entry into New York harbor in April 2004, will clear by a mere 10 feet.
Captain Warwick hopes to be in command, and all he can say right now is that he has put his name in for the job. Then like his father, he would move from the older Queen to the newer one, a most fitting cap to an illustrious career on the high seas.

subset: commoncrawl


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Politically correct mainly
Any flavour you want - as long as it's vanilla
Lest anyone imagine the government is talking about "inappropriate behaviour with children", a review of news stories over the last few years reveals dozens of cases where adults guilty of little more than indgulging in consenting legal activity with other adults have been outed and then fired for their pains. In one case, a youth worker who had acted in a porn film some five years previous was suspended and later fired when this fact came to light.
This insistence on the "heteronormative" – basically: sexual freedom, so long as it is mostly straight, non-commercial, lights out and "vanilla" - is beginning to chafe. After all, as Consenting Adult Action Network argues: "If it's not illegal, what business has government to intervene?" But this has not stopped the government going a step further, piloting the right to check out a new partner's "riskiness" on much the same basis.
The government also buys into the theory that economic measures are the way to clamp down on sexual "nastiness". One rationale behind the extreme porn laws was that cutting off demand for a certain sort of image would disrupt the trade. The same thinking appears in recent legislation on prostitution – the Policing and Crime Act 2009 – which makes no bones about going after the punter.
This is despite the counter-argument from organisations representing sex workers, such as the International Union of Sex Workers, that such an approach is ideological, does little to protect those involved, and in the long term may increase the levels of harm inflicted.
So where are we now? There are growing signs that a broad coalition is emerging from a number of disparate sexual interests to challenge the government's credentials over sex. This includes many from the Gay Movement: an increasingly militant "Queer Academy"; sex workers; and politicised practitioners of bdsm.
In that context, 2008 saw some support for the belief that legal sex between consenting adults is no-one's business but those taking part, with the landmark victory by Max Mosley over the News of the World. An English court decided that there was no public interest in lurid exposure of his private life and newspapers have since been treading more carefully – although the Vetting Act seems set to breathe new life into media excuses for delving into individual private lives.
The radical critique of government thinking is based on the accusation that most recent progress has been illusory and "assimilationist": that is, select groups have gained rights only where they play the game and make the effort to appear "normal". As the government looks set to use the Equality Bill now before parliament to roll back rights recently granted to the LGBT section, the radical point of view is gaining ground.
That is: rights should not be granted on the basis of "fitting in" – but should be applied universally. Why, after all, should the debate on sexuality be about which group gets preferential treatment, when discrimination on the grounds of a peculiarly prurient view about sexual propriety remains endemic within our culture?
According to academic and blogger on sexual law, Chris Ashford: "The question must surely be whether the next decade will see growing number of gays, lesbians and queers starting to question the reforms to sexual conduct over the last ten years. Perhaps it is the tribute to how rapid and far-reaching the change has been over the last decade, that gay men and women can actually criticise it."


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We, the Youth in Zion's Army
1.We the youth in Zion's army, Warriors true of righteousness,
Heed the call to spread the kingdom, Saints unite, and nations bless.
Hear, O Lord, our declaration: We are built on stable ground.
Messengers of Thy salvation, May our hearts with Thee be found!
2. Free from Satan's foul oppression, Free to choose a greater plan,
Heeding ever His direction, With Jehovah we shall stand.
3. Guided like a steadfast arrow, Scriptures witnessing the truth,
Hearing prophets warn of peril, Onward, then, O Zion's youth!
4. sound the trumpet! Christ is coming – He who saves uf from defeat.
We'll prepare and serve Him humbly; Christ, our King, we soon shall greet!
Text: Benjamin Salisbury
Music: Benjamin Salisbury
Artist: Salisbury
Album: Music Published in the Church Magazines: New Era
Composition Date: 2012-09-01
More Info: New Era


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Corporate Sustainability in Africa 2012
Corporate Sustainability in Africa 2012 – Living in the Water, Food and Energy Nexus
This conference, hosted by Sustain Our Africa from May 21 -25, aims to provide a platform for business to communicate directly with local, regional and global experts who are already immersed in the Water, Food, Energy Nexus. Unfortunately events such as the World Economic Forum tend to largely exclude mainstream business, additionally most events that deal with Security (Water/Food or Water/Energy or any other combination of the three) tend to be run by government and NGO Lobby groups which also more often than not exclude mainstream business. The Water Food Energy Nexus is a global risk that will touch every person on this planet sooner or later. This conference aims to highlight the seriousness of the problem and explore potential solutions and strategies to mitigate and minimize the risks.
Worldwatch's Danielle Nierenberg is a featured speaker on day three of the event, in a session devoted to the issue of global food security. Nierenberg, who recently spent 18 months traveling in Sub-Saharan Africa, will speak from first-hand experience about innovations that increase farmer income, promote better nutrition, and protect the environment. Additionally, she will highlight the importance of meaningful - and unexpectec - partnerships between business, environmentalists, agricultural development advocates, food activists, and others.


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133 members7 Likes
65 members18 Comments 8 Likes
dale meszaros has not received any gifts yet
Dale, NBR courts at 530pm Thursday. 1800 Tamiami Trl E Naples FL 34112 (courts are located on the left or south side of the property as you enter from Tamiami Trail. See you then. If I'm not there when you arrive look for Mark Kief. Thanks, Curtis
Hi, I'm Mark, the founder of Tennisopolis, the world's largest and most active tennis network. Please share Tennisopolis with your friends by supporting our Facebook page. Click here for a Guide to Meet Tennis Partners.
Have a look at our introduction page which will help you navigate the massive network which now has over 37,000 members and 500 local tennis groups.
Friend me,
Mark, The Mayor of Tennisopolis
© 2019 Created by Mark / The Mayor. Powered by


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A registered sex offender from Lexington is facing an indecent liberties charge after police alleged he committed a sex act at the Lexington Library on South Main Street.
A registered sex offender from Lexington is facing an indecent liberties charge after police alleged he committed a sex act at the Lexington Library on South Main Street.
Wayne Anthony Long, 50, of 38 Mill St., Apt 21, has been charged with felony indecent liberties with a child. The charge rises from an investigation by the Lexington Police Department. Long was placed in the Davidson County Detention Center under a $500,000 secured bond.
Lexington Police allege Long committed the crime Monday. Long was arrested a day later.
The victim's mother told officers, according to a report from the LPD, Long "manipulated the act of masturbation toward her juvenile daughter while inside the Davidson County Library." But a sergeant with the LPD stated in an arrest warrant Long took indecent liberties with a child under 16 years old by masturbating in a public place in full view of the juvenile with the purpose of sexual arousal and gratification.
Capt. Robby Rummage of the Lexington Police Department said the minor was between 12 and 14 years of age.
"The minor was never touched, and there were no physical injuries," Rummage said. "He did do that act in her presence with the purpose of self-gratification."
Rummage said Long did not know the minor. Additional charges could be coming.
"Things are still being looked at and being investigated," he said. "We take this very, very seriously.".
Long has been on the state's registered sex offender list since Sept. 23, 1998. He was previously convicted of indecent liberties with a minor in Davidson County on Feb. 20, 1997.
Long has also been convicted of indecent liberties with a child in 1989.
Long was most recently released from prison in Forsyth County on April 17, 2013, when he served a habitual felon charge consolidated with a stalking charge from 2005.
Long is scheduled to appear Sept. 30 in Lexington District Court.
Wil Petty can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 227, firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow Wil on Twitter: @WilPetty.


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LG15DT Diesel Forklift Engine
LG15DT Diesel Forklift Engine
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LG15DT Diesel Forklift Engine XINCHAINC485BPG (Rated Capacity(1500kg)height(3000mm) (TCM counterpart FD15)
WARRANTY: 1 Year Parts & Services
WITH: After Sales Support
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Our Advantage is that we have complete all parts of our unit for a low low price!
We offer COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE too.
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For faster transactions please visit us at our Showroom located at:
601 A.Bonifacio BPSN Balintawak, Quezon City
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Beside Alcon heavy parts
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Bank To Bank Transfer
Bank Financing
Product Details
- Condition New


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New Movies: 'Oblivion,' 'The Place Beyond the Pines'
We're still two months away from the official start of summer, but we have our first "summer blockbuster"-type film opening this weekend, along with a smaller, darker crime picture with an absurdly good-looking cast.
In this futuristic, sci-fi thriller, a man discovers that Earth—long since abandoned, following a war with aliens—may hold a few big secrets. Can he figure everything out in time to save mankind?
Directed by Joseph Kosinski
Starring Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Olga Kurylenko, Melissa Leo
'The Place Beyond the Pines'
When Luke reconnects with an old flame, he discovers that he has a son. Not long after, he becomes embroiled in a spree of bank robberies and oh my God could this cast be any better-looking? (This film has been out in limited release since March 29.)
Directed by Derek Cianfrance
Starring Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Rose Byrne


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A mother wept as she admitted killing her three young disabled children.
Tania Clarence, 42, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Olivia, four, and three-year-old twins Ben and Max on the grounds of diminished responsibility at the Old Bailey today.
All three suffered from type 2 spinal muscular atrophy, also known as floppy baby syndrome.
The genetic condition leaves children with little control of their movements and can drastically shorten life expectancy.
But Clarence, of New Malden, south London, denied murdering the three children between April 20 and 23.
Clarence was tearful as she entered her pleas in the dock as her husband Gary looked on nearby.
A date was set for a three to four-week trial to start on February 21 next year.
The defendant was remanded to a secure mental hospital.
Police were called to the family's five-bedroom home in Thetford Road in the wealthy south-west London suburb of New Malden at 9.30pm on April 22 where they discovered the children, who were pronounced dead at the scene.
Clarence was treated for cuts at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London, and charged on April 24.
A further pre-trial hearing will take place on October 3.


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Welcome to today's BEST blog interview with Veterok. Located in Vesilahti, Finland, Veterok makes all things book related - even some of the tools that are used! Educated as an Artisan Binder and currently studying a specialist degree, find a gorgeous collection of her hand bound books for sale under the label Veterok on Etsy.
You currently make your home in Finland, despite traveling quite a bit. What draws you to that part of the world and how, if at all, has this affected your bookbinding?
Finland is my home country. It's good to be a bookbinder in Finland, because there aren't that many: I have gotten to know a circle of great people, and word about events and classes travels around quickly. I guess I have learned from the English, German and Swiss bookbinding traditions because of my location.
I do also see how my location influences the way I see my work. I was raised in the countryside so I have developed a familiarity to everything nature-based. It might serve to explain that to me nature is not always that green thing "with flowers and trees and stuff;" I am more familiar with the seasonal textures, colours and traditions, bare fields in late autumn, the illuminated lakes in summer nights, and the endless dark snow-muffled days of winter. This all shapes one's sense of the world a great deal, so it shows in my philosophical and visual approach to the creative work. I also love to travel a lot, because I'm very interested in cultures and it feeds my imagination, better than any other activity.
You mention that you are educated as a bookbinder and also currently studying for a specialist degree in bookbinding. Tell me more about your journey as a student and your philosophy on learning.
I began in 2007 as a full-time bookbinder student. However, tiredness and confusion got in the way and I quit for a few years, continuing binding on my own. This was actually a great move, because I can see I was in need of some quiet and private time to ponder on my idea of bookbinding.
I went back and finished my degree in 2011, when I also had the chance to start studying the specialist degree. I had found my missing passion for bookbinding and it was easier for me to continue because I already had some grasp about what and how I wanted to learn. I believe that in order to successfully learn something one truly must be enthusiastic about the subject. If the subject is not dear to you in one way or another, why would you spend time learning it? This is important to me as a learner.
As of spring 2013, I have finished my proofs and graduated as a bookbinder artisan while still continuing with my specialist degree. Personally I have found the combination of free alone time, independent studies and evenly scheduled hands-on tuition at the school very good.
The books you create are beautifully designed and made. Do you consider these pieces to be art or craft? Is this something that is important to you?
I personally do like to make the distinction between "crafts" and my work. I don't, for example, fancy the idea of my books being categorized under "paper crafts." Paper is, although obviously important, rarely the defining aspect in my books. "Paper crafts" isn't a bad thing by itself, but it doesn't convey the idea of an established line of products made by skilled professional craftsmen either.
Art to me has always been an empty word, so it's hard for me to consider my books to be "art" either. I have tried to learn it though, so that I can communicate with people! It feels quite odd to call yourself a book artist when it all sounds quite meaningless to you. I guess I prefer to be a maker of objects.
I'm a very big believer in craftsmanship, especially in the Arts and Crafts movement, which in its time produced a myriad of everyday objects of wonderful beauty. I like the idea of creating something that is practical, solid and meant for use, yet with such design and attention to material and detail that it rises above the mundane. In Finland there was the Jugend style, which was characterized by fantastic artist-designed and artist-made furniture, wall hangings, cutlery and home textiles. This is the holistic approach that I like a lot.
There is a common theme through all your social media and on your Etsy shop showing how much you appreciate slow living and traditional skills such as bookbinding. This seems like a lovely and serene way of life. How and when did it all come together like this?
I'm very glad that it shows through - it's very important to me as a maker of objects (!). I'm very home oriented and I need to identify with my surroundings in order to get in the zone. It's in my nature to take much delight in solitude and calm, but I also tend to get easily distracted and then I have a hard time finishing projects. I have always based my life on the belief that I am at my best when I can do as much on my own as I can. All traditional skills and crafts feed each other and benefit from each other, and I'd love to learn to combine them in my work. Having a good set of basic skills (instead of buying readymade, or outsourcing work) also saves money, which I can then invest on tools and materials. I have also learned to make some tools myself, such as brass hand tools and paring knives. I can also see myself turning into a wilderness hermit in the future...
I really appreciate your love of using organic and earth-friendly materials and processes whenever you can. What advice can you give other bookbinders in this regard?
I find organic, natural materials more interesting and comfortable than synthetic and processed ones, but there's also an environmental aspect in it. I think the choice of material is especially important in leather - not only because most tanning processes produce leather unsuitable for bookbinding but also because you can't buy cheap leather and expect it to be produced in eco-friendly and animal-friendly way. I try to buy from companies which have long traditions and which provide me with sufficient information on the material.
Some binders shun everything that is not archival. Recycled materials are rarely archival. In this case one often needs to make some amends: Is it important for this book to last hundreds or thousands of years, or will sixty do as well? In many cases you're binding something just for fun, or for everyday. I sometimes use recycled paper for it has a colour and grain that pleases me. Many binders like to stain paper with tea or coffee and use gray, pulpy millboard because it is easy to find. None of this material is archival, but will still last years in a well-made book.
I wouldn't consider myself to be an expert either; I just have a lot of opinions. But these are the few things that I live by and they have often proved useful to me!
Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful work!
Be sure to visit Veterok's Etsy shop at veterok.etsy.com. You can also keep up by visiting her blog http://veterokforbooks.tumblr.com and like her on facebook.com/veterokforbooks.
Be sure to visit Veterok's Etsy shop at veterok.etsy.com. You can also keep up by visiting her blog http://veterokforbooks.tumblr.com and like her on facebook.com/veterokforbooks.


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Poster for Elle's micro film series "I Love You"
Poster for Gia Coppola's micro film "Casino Moon" (lit. "Las Vegas Moonlight") starring Zhang Jingchu and Robert Schwartzman
Released on June 18
"The Making of Casino Moon"
"Casino Moon"
"Shanghai Strangers" (aka "SARS Sweetheart") poster, directed by Joan Chen, starring Jiang Yiyan and Teo Yoo
"Miao Shan and the Minotaur"/"Love in Paris" starring Zhou Dongyu, Niels Schneider, directed by Stephane Sednaoui
Zhou Dongyu at the SIFF's Elle520 micro film series premiere press conference
Jiang Yiyan, Joan Chen (Sina)
Joan Chen and Jiang Yiyan (below)
Jiang Yiyan
Joan Chen (above), Teo Yoo, Jiang Yiyan
Alexi Tan and Robert Schwartzman (below)
Photos from Weibo
CF: Chinese Actors Can't Hold Their Sexiness Any More, in Vintage Style (Thanks, Valerie!)
Prestigious photographer Chen Man shoot a batch of new photos for cast of the movie "The Last Supper." Director Lu Chuan, actors Daniel Wu, Liu Ye and Chang Chen were seen inside an old public bath house. The pictures will be published on Esquire Magazine
More of Chen Man's recent work
Fan Bingbing on the cover
Chen Kun by Chen Man
Chen Man, herself, on Jessica magazine's 12th anniversary edition
Notice the '12′? (JessicaHK)
China's National Basketball Team shot for Nike and the London Olympics
MSN: Michelle Reis has surgery to remove 8 tumours
When asked about a rumour that she had suffered a miscarriage, she replied, "Nothing of that sort, how inauspicious!"
MSN: Is Cherrie Ying finally pregnant?
MSN: Faye Wong makes yet another pilgrimage
The diva attended the 27th birthday celebrations for the 17th Karmapa (head of a prominent Tibetan Buddhist school) together with other Hong Kong superstars, including Carina Lau, Rosamund Kwan and Kenny Bee, who brought his family along as well.


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Modified Mustangs & FordsFeatured Vehicles
1966 Ford Mustang Fastback - More Than Meets The Eye
A formerly forlorn fastback gets back on the fast track with subtle mods and fantastic attention to detail
They don't make them like they used to. True enough—but they also don't make as many of them as they used to.
There were more than 607,000 Mustangs built in 1966. No matter how you slice it, that was a lot of cars—especially compared with industry sales today. In 2012, for example, the best-selling vehicle in America was the Ford F-150 and "only" 434,585 of them were sold. The number-two seller was the ubiquitous Toyota Camry, which rang in with a mere 359,241 sales. For the record, Ford moved 82,995 Mustangs in 2012.
So, nearly 50 years ago, the Mustang was a market champ with volumes that would make today's dealership sales departments drop to their collective knees in thanksgiving. They were flying off the lines in Dearborn, San Jose, and Metuchen with the thrust of a Pan Am 727 blasting out of LaGuardia, but for all its marketplace muscle, the iconic fastback body style was pretty much left in the dust of the Mustang's gallop. Of the 607,566 '66 Mustangs produced, only 35,698 were fastbacks, representing less than 6 percent of the total production. Heck, there were twice as many fastbacks sold that year.
Rust claimed more than its share of vintage Mustangs, making the remaining fastback examples understandably rare and desirable. So, when construction yard manager Tony Seader and his wife, Tammy, spotted one on a used-car lot about a decade ago, they quickly inquired about it. They had been on the lookout for a daily driver companion to their '66 coupe, which—like so many projects—started with the intention of daily driving duty, but quickly spiraled into a show-winning weekend warrior. Another coupe—this time a '65 six-cylinder—filled the bill as a daily driver for about four months, which is when they spotted the fastback in their hometown of LaSalle, Colorado. By then, the '65 coupe had been restored by Keith Thomas.
"If we were going to buy the fastback, we had to sell off the second coupe," says Tony Seader. "We decided to take it to a small, local car show and stick a for-sale sign in the window. We ended up with a first-place trophy for it—and we sold the car with enough profit to purchase the fastback."
They found out that while it looked good enough from across the street, it was a pony that could barely canter.
"The car had been for sale for some time and seemed to have made its way through five owners in about one year," says Seader. "Apparently the car had issues with the charging system, but we decided to buy it and work through the problems. In fact, despite the car running well enough during the testdrive, it wouldn't start when we returned to pick it up."
After a jump-start, the electrically challenged fastback made it home. Turns out the car had the incorrect wiring harness from a '65 Mustang, so once we replaced it with the correct harness and a new voltage regulator, the charging issue was solved. The fix got the Mustang on the road, but didn't solve its cosmetic issues and the Seaders pretty much stuck to their daily driver plan. They did what was necessary to make it safe for the highway, but left the sun-baked, oxidized red paintjob and pretty good black interior intact.
"We drove it for about three years, replacing only the wheels and tires, shocks, leaf springs and coil springs—items the car sorely needed," says Seader. "The suspension was basically in all-original condition and that condition was shabby, so we couldn't leave them."
The engine compartment wasn't looking so hot, either.
"It looked like a battery had exploded in there, or something like that," he says. "Again, it ran well enough, but it sure wasn't pretty under there."
While at a Mustang show, the Seaders met Dan Ambrosio, of Ambrosio Concepts in Westminster, Colorado, who would ultimately take the reigns on the car's transformation from forlorn to formidable. They discussed their vision for the fastback and a desire to build a car that would transcend typical restoration and resto-mod aesthetics.
"We wanted to go out of the box with the car and Dan was excited to participate," says Seader. "It was a great match and we're glad we found him at that Mustang show."
Before leaving the car with Ambrosio, Tony and Tammy completely disassembled the car and sent out the body shell for media blasting. After that, the car was quickly sprayed with a protective layer of primer to prevent rust from taking hold of the vintage, bare steel. It was then trailered to Ambrosio Concepts for custom bodywork and paint.
"Before we dropped the car off to Dan, we knew wanted something unique. We didn't really have a firm idea of what we wanted the paint scheme to look like, other than it needed to include a two-tone layout with orange incorporated in it," says Tony Seader. "We sat down with Dan in front of a computer and designed the paint scheme just as it appears on the car."
In the months that followed, Ambrosio funneled concept into reality by performing a host of subtle, yet effective body modifications. You have to look twice or more at the car to spot them all; they include the elimination of the rear quarter vents, cowl vents, driprails and more. A rear spoiler inspired by the later California Special coupes was also molded into the body, along with a front apron sporting a deep spoiler. The bodywork continued inside and under the hood, as well, as the factory dashpad was eliminated and the Ambrosio filled, smoothed and rounded the underlying steel of the dashboard for a cleaner overall appearance. And in the engine compartment, a G.T. 350-style hoodscoop formed the basis for an air scoop that bolts directly to the carburetor and pokes through the hood. It's a great, unexpected detail that speaks volumes about the car's overall attention to detail.
That attention extends to the paint scheme the Seaders and Ambrosio finally came up with, which lays Sunset Orange Metallic over a PPG white foundation, with tribal-inspired sweeps of the white into the orange—all separated by a perfect purple pinstripe accent. The formerly fouled engine compartment was freshened by moving the battery to the trunk, removing the battery tray, smoothing the battery apron corner, dipping the whole compartment in the Sunset Orange paint, and accenting it with restrained used of chrome and bright work, including the export brace and Monte Carlo bar. The engine block was also sprayed body color, complementing the compartment with devastatingly effective simplicity.
Keep looking at the photos, because the more you do, the more you'll see in the body of this stylized stallion. The same goes for the interior, which was transformed from stock black to Oyster-colored leather with white and Sunset Orange accents that mirror the exterior scheme. Like the exterior and engine compartment, the fastback's cabin is awash in subtle details, from the owner-designed horse head motifs on the seats to white-face gauges and even the color-coordinated shift knob that Tammy designed. The graphic cues of the exterior are also picked up on the door panels. Upholsterer Dirk Trevarton, of Loveland, Colorado, handled the majority of the interior's makeover.
When it came to the powertrain, the Seaders kept it simple, with a dressed-up original A-code 289 and Toploader four-speed manual transmission. With a factory rating of 225 horses, it's not horsepower that will win the Kentucky Derby, but it's plenty enough for a car designed for easy, trouble-free driving.
Even the brakes are stock-spec drums at all four corners, but they're hidden with disc-like covers that Tony Seader built himself. Crisscrossing the Rocky Mountains with four-wheel drums seems like more of a hair-raising driving experience than we'd prefer, but hey, some of us think ketchup is too spicy and some take showers while wearing a bike helmet out of the fear of slipping and falling.
The stock powertrain and brakes may not garner any Optima Challenge trophies, but that's just fine, because the Seaders' trophy case is filling up with plenty of awards from shows throughout Colorado and beyond.
"From the moment the car was finished, we wasted no time in getting in it and enjoying it—that's exactly why we built it," says Seader. "We have had loads of wonderful experiences in it, including many family trips to the Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado."
Indeed, with the success they've had there year after year, it would be hard to stay away. The two-tone fastback has nabbed three people's choice awards, a vendor award from Yokohama tires, and a number of excellence awards. Not surprisingly, the car's trophy haul has been just as plentiful at other shows.
"The show awards are great, but we honestly get the biggest thrill from the reaction the car generates from people on the street," says Seader. "We get thumbs-up all the time while driving down the street and strangers ask to take pictures of it. That's a lot of fun for us and very rewarding."
Such adulation is a far cry from the faded filly the Seaders started with about a decade ago, and we're sure a high degree of the attention comes from the great-looking fastback body style, which is an increasingly rare sight in either original and modified forms these days. Theirs takes the design into the 21st century without losing the characteristic form that makes it a true classic. Talk about a Rocky Mountain high.
The Details
Tony and Tammy Seader's '66 Mustang Fastback
'66 Ford A-code 289 cubic-inch V-8
4.00-inch bore
2.87-inch stroke
Stock nodular-iron crankshaft
Stock iron connecting rods
Stock aluminum flat-top pistons
Stock iron cylinder heads—stock ports and stock 1.77-inch intake/1.42-inch exhaust valves
Stock camshaft and hydraulic lifters
Edelbrock RPM Air Gap aluminum intake manifold
Edelbrock 650-cfm four-barrel carburetor
Ford Racing valve covers, chrome valve covers, chrome alternator and brackets
Billet single-groove pulley set
Stock single-point distributor with vacuum advance
9.8:1 compression ratio
225 hp at 4,800 rpm
305 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm
Ford Top Loader four-speed manual (2.32 First gear)
Stock-type 10-inch clutch
Stock shifter
Ford 8-inch
2.80 gears
Stock open differential
JBA "shorty" headers with stainless steel primary tubes
MagnaFlow mufflers
2.5-inch exhaust system by Exhaust Pros, Northglenn, Colorado
Front: Stock-type with Grab-A-Trak 620 coil springs (1-inch lowering), shocks, 1-inch stabilizer bar and polyurethane bushings; chrome export brace and Monte Carlo bar
Rear: Stock with Grab-A-Trak five-leaf/mid-eye leaf springs, shocks, ¾-inch stabilizer bar and polyurethane bushings
Stock Ford recirculating-ball (no power assist)
Stock steering column
Front: Stock drum
Rear: Stock drum
Front: American Racing Torq Thrust II, 17x8-inch
Rear: American Racing Torq Thrust II, 17x8-inch
Front: Yokohama A520, P235/45/ZR17
Rear: Yokohama A520, P235/45/ZR17
Modified by Dirk Trevarton (Loveland, CO), oyster-color leather upholstery with dark orange carpeting, Procar Elite Series 1100 front seats and stock rear seats, two-tone orange horse motif embroidered on seatbacks, Colorado Custom steering wheel, stock dashpad deleted and dashboard rounded/smoothed, and stock gauges with white faces
Modifications by Ambrosio Concepts (Westminster, CO); Sunset Orange Metallic and white exterior colors, separated by purple pin stripe; upper cowl vents, radio antenna, side mirrors and rear quarter vents deleted; Ford Racing fiberglass front apron with spoiler; molded-in rear corner extensions and rear spoiler; Mustang Deluxe billet grille insert with matching lower billet grille insert; functional Shaker-style air scoop crafted from a G.T.3 50-style scoop and bolted onto the engine; windshield and rear window "glued" in place—window seals and moldings deleted; and owner-made polished drum brake covers


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MarkusXXL needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 56 designs submitted by 26 freelance designers.
The esport nation is supposed to be the home for online gamers ( PC, Consoles ). Logo should be easily identifyable and cool. ( Examples included )
The Esport Nation / Home of the gamers / Join the Nation! / etc.
Desired Color Scheme:
Catchy colors. No real restrictions
Desired Style:
Unique identity, cool and catchy
Accepted File Formats:
Vector Formats (.eps, .pdf or .ai); Layered Formats (.psd or .tiff)
The Esport Nation ( ESNation ) should be a home for every online gamer ( PC, Consoles ). It should have a heavily identifyable logo and possibly a manga character ( or space for such ) next to it.
The logo will be used on the website, in gallery pictures and so on. I'm really looking at something to create a unique brand identity, just like FedEX, ESPN, NBAÂ have with their logo - you see it, you know it's us!
**FIXED** : Examples of some ideas can be found here : http://www.regroup-esports.com/gfx/…tion5.pngÂ, http://www.regroup-esports.com/gfx/esnation6.png
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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H.R.3436 - To require the Director of the National Security Agency and the Inspector General of the National Security Agency to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and for other purposes.113th Congress (2013-2014)
BillHide Overview
|Rep. Sanford, Mark [R-SC-1] (Introduced 10/30/2013)
|House - Intelligence (Permanent Select); Oversight and Government Reform
|Latest Action:
|House - 10/30/2013 Referred to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (All Actions)
This bill has the status Introduced
Here are the steps for Status of Legislation:
- Introduced
Subject — Policy Area:
- Armed Forces and National Security
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Summary: H.R.3436 — 113th Congress (2013-2014)All Information (Except Text)
There is one summary for H.R.3436. Bill summaries are authored by CRS.
Shown Here:
Introduced in House (10/30/2013)
Amends the National Security Agency Act of 1959 and the Inspector General Act of 1978 to require the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Inspector General of NSA to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.


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Oops... that isn't a valid coupon.
Camille Roskelley teaches her tricks for a quick start to quilting success. Even brand-new quilters will see immediate results using pre-cut fabrics.
Camille Roskelley, quilter, author, fabric designer, blogger, wife and mother of three, proves that not only can you find the time, you can do it with style. Pre-Cut Piecing Made Simple is ideal for new and novice quilters. Or, if you have let your hobby slide because of the time commitment, this class is also for you. Camille guides you step-by-step through four patterns, from choosing fabrics through quilting and binding.
If you're not delighted with your Bluprint experience, we'll make it right or give you a full refund.


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A little while back, we saw an Inception-style, universe imploding Raspberry Pi-powered Minecraft server packed into a Lego block. This week, Mojang, the creators behind Minecraft, announced that it will officially bring our favorite virtual landscaping game to the Raspberry Pi with Minecraft: Pi Edition.
Minecraft: Pi Edition, as spotted by Engadget, will actually be a port of Minecraft: Pocket Edition for iOS and Android. On top of breaking bricks and laying them out, Minecraft: Pi Edition will actually let you change some of the game's underlying code in multiple programming languages.
Mojang announced the new Raspberry Pi flavor of Minecraft at Minecon in Paris. There's no official release date, but it will be a free download when it does drop.
In a bit of related Raspberry Pi news, the $35 Linux computer on a stick will also be getting an official$25 camera add-on. The Raspberry Pi team demoed the new five-megapixel camera unit at the Electronica 2012 in Germany over the Thanksgiving weekend.
The camera will be able to capture 1080p video at 30 frames per second, and it'll plug directly to the board's CSI pins. The camera add-on is expected to arrive sometime next year, after which we anticipate an explosion of pocketable-camera hacks.
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This story, "Raspberry Pi will get its own version of Minecraft" was originally published by TechHive.


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PowerShot A2300 Black
Slim & Stylish Cameras
Canon Store: $
Register now and receive exclusive benefits at the Canon Online Store
PowerShot A2300
Advanced to Make Shooting Simple
Simple and stylish, this chic compact camera is packed with advancements that make it easy to get a great shot every time. Smart AUTO recognizes 32 predefined shooting situations, then automatically picks the proper camera settings for you. Saving memories in breathtakingly realistic 720p HD is as easy as pressing the dedicated movie button. You'll see extraordinary resolution and fast performance with the 16.0 Megapixel Image Sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor, and capture more dynamic, exciting images with the 5x Optical Zoom with 28mm Wide-Angle lens. New Digital IS greatly reduces blur by recognizing the main subject and applying the best camera shake correction. Easy quality that's easily affordable: that's the PowerShot A2300 digital camera!
Photographers of all levels appreciate a camera - especially a go-anywhere compact digital - that takes the hassle out of capturing beautiful images. The PowerShot A2300 gives you Smart AUTO - sophisticated Canon technology that makes getting that great shot as simple as pressing the shutter button. Smart AUTO automatically detects scenes by assessing various factors in both the background and the subject. Detected scenes are analyzed using 32 predefined shooting situations. The camera then makes optimal settings to ensure the best possible image capture when shooting still images. Smart AUTO also includes Advanced Subject Detection, which allows the camera to detect and track non-human moving subjects like animals and vehicles. With Smart AUTO, all you have to do is frame your shot and capture away.
Shooting Modes/Special Scene Modes
Smart AUTO - The camera automatically selects the best shooting settings for optimal quality based on subjects and environmental factors to provide point-and-shoot simplicity.
Program - The camera automatically and intelligently selects the aperture/shutter speed combination based on the shooting conditions.
Live View Control - Enables Brightness, Color, and Tone adjustments to your images using easy-to-understand controls.
Digital IS - The camera digitally corrects image blur by analyzing the subject prior to choosing the best correction method.
Portrait - Brings the subject into focus while beautifully blurring the background.
Face Self-timer - The camera waits for a face to enter the frame before releasing the shutter.
Low Light - For high quality image capture in an amazing range of dimly lit situations.
Fisheye Effect - Now you can get the fisheye effect - a classic photographic distortion - without a fisheye lens.
Miniature Effect - Give images a miniature look with an effect that emphasizes perspective by blurring the top and bottom of the image.
Toy Camera Effect - Simulates photos taken with "toy" or pinhole cameras, darkening the image at the edges to create a vignette effect.
Monochrome - Choose from three single-tone effects: Black-and-White, Sepia, or Blue.
Super Vivid - Super Vivid intensifies existing hues, saturating the scene with bright colors.
Poster Effect - Poster Effect combines several similar shades into one color, turning subtle gradations into eye-catching, scene-popping contrasts.
Snow - Shoot clear snow scenes without darkened subjects or an unnatural bluish tint.
Fireworks - Create brilliant images of skyrocketing fireworks.
Long Shutter - Use to blur moving subjects for artistic effect, ideal for urban night photography.
Discreet Mode - Disables flash, AF assist beam, and all camera sounds with one mode dial setting-so you can capture images in quiet areas.
iFrame Movie - The Apple® movie format, iFrame, makes it easier and quicker to import and upload videos while retaining high image quality.
Actual results may vary from examples shown above.
Final image may vary depending on picture composition.
You can shoot high definition video anytime, anywhere right from the pocket-sized A2300 digital camera. With a simple push of the dedicated movie button, you'll be able to instantly record every moment in motion. 720p HD video is smooth, vivid, and beautifully lifelike, making it an ideal way to capture special memories. In addition to being able to shoot 720p HD video at 25 frames per second, the PowerShot A2300 can also shoot 640 x 480 VGA video at 30* frames per second.
*Actual frame rate is 29.97 fps.
Dedicated Movie Button for Easy Video Capture
It's never been easier to shoot videos with a PowerShot digital camera. To make shooting video as natural as snapping pictures, the PowerShot A2300 has a dedicated movie button. No need to plan ahead, no need to search through menus on the LCD screen; when you feel a moment would be best captured in 720p HD, simply press the button and recording begins. The camera is always ready to shoot stills or video whenever you want.
With the PowerShot A2300 digital camera, you can also shoot video in the Apple® iFrame format, which is a computer-friendly standard that speeds up importing and editing of videos. It keeps file sizes small, making it more convenient to upload or e-mail high-quality videos. The iFrame format enjoys native support in compatible Mac and Windows video applications, making it unnecessary to perform time-consuming and often quality-degrading conversions.
With the camera's 16.0 Megapixels of resolution, your images are rich and clear, with textures and tiny details faithfully reproduced even at the long end of the 5x Optical Zoom. This high level of resolution is ideal for creating the largest prints, and allows you the flexibility to blow up and crop any section of an image to express your creativity. The DIGIC 4 Image Processor powers the camera's advanced systems and features, ensuring fast, reliable performance with low battery consumption.
DIGIC 4 Image Processor
Canon DIGIC Image Processors have set the standard for functionality and performance since their groundbreaking introduction in 1999. With each successive generation, DIGIC processors have brought elevated performance and powerful new features to PowerShot digital cameras. The DIGIC 4 Image Processor has ushered in a new level of picture quality and accelerated processing, making possible features such as high-speed continuous shooting, HD video and Face Detection Self-timer.
The 5x Optical Zoom (35mm equivalent: 28-140mm) in PowerShot A2300 digital camera delivers outstanding optical performance and versatility. It gives you a great range of potential images from a single location, which is perfect for sporting events and other occasions when your shooting stance is fixed, or times when moving in too close might disrupt the action you're trying to capture. The lens's 28mm wide-angle perspective puts more image in every frame for dynamic, exciting shots.
Digital IS beats the blur that mars many shots by recognizing the main subject, then automatically applying the camera shake correction that best suits the situation. If the subject is a person, blur reduction processing is performed. For landscapes, cityscapes and other still scenes, the camera takes 3 quick successive shots and composes them into a single clear image. If the subject is moving, the camera takes 3 successive shots, then automatically saves the clearest image.
The PowerShot A2300 digital camera is designed to be fun and easy to use, even for beginners. A new Help Button on the camera's exterior brings up the help menu any time you need it, right on the LCD screen. From here, you can scroll through a variety of topics that answer your questions with clear explanations, offer helpful shooting advice, and show you diagrams highlighting the position of any buttons you'll need.
The Canon PowerShot A2300 digital camera uses a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. This compact, powerful battery helps make it a lightweight and slim camera. Charge-up is quick and easy, so the PowerShot A2300 will be ready and waiting for those special moments.
While the classic black camera will always be right for a lot of photographers, Canon recognizes that others will long for colors that express their individuality. Accordingly, the PowerShot A2300 digital camera is offered in a range of hues from subtle to vibrant, fun to chic. Take your pick from black, silver, blue, and red.
Compact digital camera with built-in flash, 5x Optical, 4x Digital, and 20x Combined Zoom
16.0 Megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD
Total Pixels
16.6 Megapixels
Effective Pixels
16.0 Megapixels
Focal Length
5.0 (W) - 25.0 (T) mm (35mm film equivalent: 28 (W) - 140 (T) mm)
Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom
Focusing Range
Normal: 2.0 in. (5cm) - infinity (W), 3.9 ft. (1.2m) - infinity (T)
Auto: 1.2 in. (3cm) - infinity (W), 3.9 ft. (1.2m) - infinity (T)Macro: 1.2 in. - 2.0 ft. (3-60cm) (W)
Autofocus System
TTL Autofocus
Optical Viewfinder
LCD Monitor
2.7-inch TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
LCD Pixels
Approx. 230,000 dots
LCD Coverage
Approx. 100%
Maximum Aperture
f/2.8 (W) - f/6.9 (T)
Shutter Speed
1 - 1/2000 sec.
15 - 1/2000 sec. (Total shutter speed range)
Auto, ISO 100/200/400/800/1600 (in P mode)
Light Metering Method
Evaluative*, Center-weighted average, Spot**
* Facial brightness is evaluated in Face Detect (Face Detect AE)
** Fixed to center
Exposure Control Method
AE Lock
Exposure Compensation
+/-2 stops in 1/3 stop increments(Not available when shooting movies)
White Balance Control
Auto*, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom*Facial color is evaluated in Face Detect (Face Detect WB)
Built-in Flash
Auto, On, Slow Synchro, Off
Facial brightness is also evaluated in Face Detect.
Flash Range
1.6 - 9.8 ft. (W), 3.3 - 6.6 ft. (T) (50 cm - 3.0 m (W), 1.0 - 2.0 m (T)
Recycling Time
10 seconds or less (Battery Voltage: 3.7V)
Flash Exposure Compensation
Shooting Modes
Auto, P, Live View Control, Digital IS, Portrait, Face Self-timer, Low Light, Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Snow, Fireworks, Long Shutter, Discreet, iFrame Movie*
*Shooting movies is possible with the movie button.
Photo Effects
Self Timer
Approx. 10-sec delay/approx 2-sec delay/custom*
* Delay time (0 - 15 sec. (in one-second increments), 20/25/30 sec.) and number of shots (1 - 10 shots (in one-shot increments) can be specified.
Wireless Control
Continuous Shooting
Approx: 0.8 shots/sec. (In P Mode)
Approx. 2.8 shots/sec. (In Low Light Mode)
Storage Media
SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
File Format
Design rule for Camera File System, DPOF (Version 1.1) compliant
JPEG Compression Mode
Still Images: Exif 2.3 (JPEG)
Movies: MOV (Image data: H.264; Audio data: Linear PCM (2 channel monoaural))
Number of Recording Pixels
Still Images:[Large]: 4608 x 3456
[Medium 1]: 3264 x 2448
[Medium 2]: 1600 x 1200
[Small]: 640 x 480
[Widescreen]: 4608 x 2592Movies:[Miniature Effect]
1280 x 720*1, 640 x 480*2[iFrame Movie]
1280 x 720 (25 fps)[Other than the above]
1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps*3)*1 Shooting: 5 fps / 2.5 fps / 1.25 fps
Playback: 25 fps
*2 Shooting: 6 fps / 3 fps / 1.5 fps
Playback: 30 fps*3 *3 Actual frame rate is 29.97 fps.
Image data
*When shooting in Digital IS or Low Light*The approximate number of images recordable on memory cards other than the above can be calculated by using the above figures as a reference and extrapolating accordingly.
Movie data
*The approximate number of images recordable on memory cards other than the above can be calculated by using the above figures as a reference and extrapolating accordingly.
Playback Modes File
Still Images and Movies:
Discreet, Auto Rotate, Rotate, Search Jump (Shot Date, 10 images, 100 images, Movies, Still Images), Slideshow
Still Images:
Single, Index (4-100 Thumbnails), Magnification (Approx. 2x-10x), Information Display, Histogram, Overexposure Warning, Resume Playback, Red-Eye Correction, i-Contrast, Resize
Normal Playback*1, Pause, Skip Backward*2, Previous Frame*3, Next Frame*3, Skip Forward*2 Displays playback position and shooting time*1 Audio settings available in 5 levels
*2 Approximately 4 seconds
*3 Rewind and Fast-forward are also available
Erase Modes
Single Image*, Erase All. The image data in the memory card stored with the design rule for camera file systems format can be erased (however, protected images cannot be erased).* Movies can be erased individually.
Computer Interface
Hi-Speed USB*1 (Dedicated connector (female) with unified type of digital, audio and video*2)*1 Use of USB logo mark is not allowed.*2 mini-B compatible.
Video Out
NTSC/PAL (unified type dedicated connector (female)) with digital, audio and video
Audio Out
Monaural (unified type dedicated connector (female)) with digital, audio and video
Memory card slot; direct connection to Canon SELPHY Compact Photo Printers, PIXMA Inkjet Photo Printers and PictBridge-compatible printers via camera's USB 2.0 Hi-Speed cable
Power Source
1. Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery NB-11L
2. Compact Power Adapter CA-DC10 (included with AC Adapter Kit ACK-DC90)
Shooting Capacity
Approx. 210 shots
Playback Time
Approx. 5 hours
Operating Temperature
Operating Humidity
Dimensions (W x H x D)
3.72 x 2.13 x 0.79 in. (94.4 x 54.2 x 20.1mm)
Approx. 4.41 oz. / 125 g (Including the battery and memory card)
Approx. 3.84 oz. / 109 g (Camera body only)Note: 30 display languages provided (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Ukrainian, Malaysian, Indonesian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Russian, Portuguese, Hungarian, Polish, Czech, Greek, Turkish, Thai, Arabic, Romanian, Farsi, Hindi, Vietnamese, and Japanese)
All data are based on Canon's Standard Test Method. Subject to change without notice.
Canon, DIGIC, ELPH, PIXMA, PowerShot and SELPHY are registered trademarks of Canon Inc. in the United States and may also be registered trademarks or trademarks in other countries. Microsoft, Windows and Windows Vista are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Mac is a trademark of Apple, Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. All other products and brand names are registered trademarks, trademarks or service marks of their respective owners in the United States and/or other countries.
PowerShot A2300
Compatible Supplies & Accessories
Canon offers a wide range of compatible supplies and accessories that can enhance your user experience with you PowerShot A2300 that you can purchase direct. Scroll down to easily select items to add to your shopping cart for a faster, easier checkout. Visit the Canon Online Store
AV Cable AVC-DC400
The AVC-DC400 Video Interface Cable is used to connect your Canon PowerShot SD Series Digital Camera to most televisions via the RCA type video-in terminals. It allows viewing of recorded images from the Canon Powershot Digital Cameras.
Adapter ACK-DC90
Adapter kit for the NB-11L.
Battery Charger CB-2LD
Charger for the NB-11L batteries. Plugs directly into an AC power source allowing for uninterrupted recording of your special events and keeps your batteries ready to go.
Battery Charger CB-2LF
Charger for the NB-11L batteries. Compact and lightweight, the CB-2LF plugs directly into an AC outlet.
Battery Pack NB-11L
Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery ( mAh).
Battery Pack NB-11LH
Battery Pack for selected ELPH and SX-series models.
Deluxe Leather Case PSC-600
Deluxe Leather Case designed to fit the PowerShot A series digital camera safely and securely.
Deluxe Soft Case PSC-2070 Red
Canon PSC-2070 Deluxe Case
Deluxe Soft Case PSC-600
Deluxe Leather Case designed to fit the select PowerShot A series and ELPH series digital cameras safely and securely.
Canon PSC-2070 Deluxe Soft Case
High-Power Flash HF-DC1
Powerful slave flash, fired by the camera's pre-flash. Effectively doubles the flash range of the camera. Comes with mounting bracket.
High-Power Flash HF-DC2
Powerful slave flash, fired by the camera's pre-flash. Effectively doubles the flash range of the camera. Comes with mounting bracket.
Interface Cable IFC-400PCU
The Canon IFC-400PCU USB Interface Cable enables you to transfer your camera pictures to a computer fast. The cable connects to your camera and to the USB port on your PC or MAC Computer. Comes standard with the EOS 1Ds Mark III, 1D Mark IV, 1D Mark III, 1Ds Mark II, 1D Mark II N, 1D Mark II, 5D Mark II, 7D, 5D, 50D, 40D, 30D, 20D, 10D, Digital Rebel XTi, Digital Rebel XT and Digital Rebel. Please see Compatibility tab for compatible models.
PowerShot Case PSC-55
This black leather case was designed specifically for most PowerShot SD series cameras for added protection so you can take them wherever you go.
PowerShot: CarePAK PLUS (2YR)
CarePAK PLUS offers protection from accidental damage such as drops, spills, power surges, and more, including normal wear and tear, beyond the standard warranty period. It also includes Image Recovery (included with Cameras, Camcorders, and Printers with a memory card slot only), priority repair service, free return shipping, $0 deductible, genuine Canon factory service with only genuine Canon parts, and is transferable if you sell or gift your product. With a CarePAK PLUS, a damaged product will be repaired to good working condition or replaced with an equivalent product.
† Prices and specifications subject to change without notice. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.
- ${title}${badge}


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Backup Azure Virtual Machine Disks with Incremental Snapshots
In this sample, we demonstrate the basics of how to maintain backups of virtual machine disks using snapshots. You can use this methodology when you choose not to use Azure Backup and Recovery Service, and wish to create a custom backup strategy for your virtual machine disks.
If you don't have a Microsoft Azure subscription you can get a FREE trial account here.
Running this sample
This sample can be run using either the Azure Storage Emulator that installs as part of the Azure SDK (In Windows only) - or by updating the storage connection strings in the app.config file.
To run the sample using the Storage Emulator (Azure SDK):
- Download and Install the Azure Storage Emulator here.
- Start the Azure Storage Emulator (once only) by pressing the Start button or the Windows key and searching for it by typing "Azure Storage Emulator". Select it from the list of applications to start it.
- Set breakpoints and run the project using F10.
To run the sample using the Storage Service
- Open the app.config file and comment out the connection string for the emulator (UseDevelopmentStorage=True) and uncomment the connection string for the storage service (AccountName=[]...)
- Create a two Storage Accounts through the Azure Portal (one primary, one for backup)
- Provide your [AccountName] and [AccountKey] in the App.Config file for each of the keys: "StorageConnectionString" and "BackupStorageConnectionString".
- Set breakpoints and run the project using F10.


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Build Your {{ fullmodelname }}
MSRP: {{selectedEngine.price | currency: '$':2}} Base Model, Standard EquipmentStandard Features
Build Your {{ fullmodelname }}Change Boat
Standard Features
Hull and Deck
- Anchor locker, notch in lid for line
- Bow and stern eyes, stainless steel
- Bow rails, stainless steel
- Bow scuff plate
- Cleats, pull-up, stainless steel
- Docking lights
- Fiberglass stringers
- Meets applicable USCG & Canadian Regs; NMMA Certified using ABYC Stds.
- Navigation lights
- Port light window, head
- Rub rail, rigid white vinyl w/ stainless steel insert
- Stable-Vee® hull
- Swim platform, ladder, angled, deep-reach, hidden with wide step-pads
- Swim platform, fwd, w/ ladder
- Swim platform mat, grey
- Thru-hull fittings, stainless steel
- Winning Edge Owner Protection Plan
- Horn
- Ladder, bow, extra-wide
- Swim platform, integrated
- Windshield w/ walk-thru, low profile
Tow Sports
- Ski tow, stainless steel
- Zero off speed control
- Wake enhancement tabs
- Ballast system
- Touch Screen Command Center
- Assist handle(s), stainless steel
- Beverage holder(s), stainless steel
- Cooler(s), built-in
- Cooler, carry-on w/ designated storage (n/a w/ vacu-flush)
- Courtesy lights
- Engine compartment, molded fiberglass engine compartment liner
- Fiberglass liner, skid-resistant, with built in drains
- Interior, RS w/ shark skin texture vinyl, color matched
- Side panels, rich hand-fitted vinyl w/ comfort padding
- Seating, bow, hinged cushions
- Self bailing cockpit
- Ski locker, in-floor, molded fiberglass finish, w/mat*(mat n/a on Freedom)
- Storage, bow, behind backrest at helm
- Storage, bow & cockpit, beneath seats
- Swim platform lounge seat(s)
- Walk-thru transom
- Water intrusion management system
- Storage, cockpit, sidewall storage w/ beverage holders
- Bucket seat(s), w/ flip-up bolster
- Cockpit flooring, reed mat, ash (grey)
- Speakers, 4
- Stereo, AM/FM/Bluetooth® Connectivity
- Dash, rich hand-fitted vinyl, LED accent lighting *(LED NA 290)
- Depth sounder w/ shallow water alarm, water & air temperature
- Emergency engine shut-off
- Four Winns custom gauges, fog-resistant
- Lighted switches
- Steering wheel, deluxe, tilt
- Instrumentation, helm: digital engine system matched gauges, depth sounder air/water temp
- USB charge port
Engine / Systems / Drive
- Battery(ies)
- Batteries dual w/ on-off switch
- Bilge pump(s), automatic
- Trim switch, power at transom
- Wiring harness w/ sealed connectors and tin coating for corrosion resistance
- Freshwater system
- Wheels, aluminum, 4
- Four Winns custom-matched trailer, FWD, brakes & swing away tongue, tandem (required for FWD drive engine)
- Bimini top (Incl. w/ wakeboard tower), Sunbrella®
- Surf Package


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Please provide comments to the issue below as part of the 2012 WCB cost model virtual workshop for inclusion in the record. Comments are moderated for conformity to the workshop's guidelines.
Hybrid Cost Proxy Model: In developing the HCPM, the Commission concluded that a clustering algorithm should group customer locations into serving areas in an efficient manner to minimize costs while maintaining a specified level of network performance quality. Efficient clustering of customers leads to a least-cost and most-efficient network design that is consistent with forward-looking modeling principles.
The HCPM limits clusters by engineering constraints. It attempts to group customers so that they are no further away than allowed by network design, and so that no more customers are attached to a digital loop carrier remote terminal (DLC) than is permitted by network design. Initially, the model groups all customer locations into one cluster, then divides the cluster if one or more of the engineering constraints is violated. The model then uses several optimization routines that reassign certain customers to different clusters in order to lower the cost of constructing distribution areas.
CQBAT: The CQBAT model largely uses the same clustering approach as the HCPM, but uses road-based routing to determine the maximum size of the clusters. Thus, clusters defined by CQBAT are likely smaller but more realistic estimates of cluster size; by using road segments in clustering, CQBAT avoids the problem of having the length of some loops along roads exceed maximum loop length.
Questions for Comment
- The approach taken by CQBAT appears to be appropriate. Is there any reason to deviate from this approach? Are there any incremental improvements that should be made to CQBAT's clustering approach?
- Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, Forward-Looking Mechanism for High Cost Support for Non-Rural LECs, CC Docket Nos. 96-45, 97-160, Fifth Report and Order, 13 FCC Rcd 21323, 21342-44, paras. 44, 45, 49, 50 (1998) (Platform Order).


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And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This [man] blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, [Thy] sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. Matthew 9:2-7
I have three observations from this passage.
1. Jesus Christ saw that this man had faith and then acted. Thus, faith was prior. This contradicts the curious doctrine held by many Reformed or Calvinistic believers that regeneration precedes faith. Now this doctrine has some merit, but only from an eternal viewpoint, from the perspective of the transcendent God who exists outside of time. This transcendent God chose His people, the ones who would be saved, from before the foundation of the world, and when He did so, it was done. Those people were considered saved, spared the wrath to come, and nothing could be done to nullify or revoke this fact. However, the eternal viewpoint is not the only viewpoint. God is not only transcendent, apart from time and creation (denying this, making God a part of creation, is the bedrock of so many false religions) but immanent with respect to creation, meaning that God does maintain a presence in time-space – indeed this presence is omnipresent – and sustains it (denying this is deism, among many other false systems), and then there was immanence par excellence by way of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. So while the salvation of the elect was an accomplished matter as soon as God decreed it before the foundation of the world, the regeneration of human beings happens at a specific time and place that God has also decreed. Compare this with the death of Jesus Christ for the sins of the elect on the cross. That Jesus Christ would do this thing was decreed by God the Father in eternity before creation was accomplished. However, God also declared that accomplishing atonement would happen by way of His Son's entering space-time, dying on the cross at a specified time and place in a manner that fulfilled prophecies from earlier times and diverse places, and being likewise raised from the dead. Though this act accomplished salvation for all the elect regardless of time, the cross nonetheless happened at a particular time. It would be therefore be improper to say "the atonement preceded Jesus Christ going to the cross" if for no other reason than the Bible's specifically stating otherwise. In like manner, this example shows that one cannot say that regeneration precedes faith. In this text, Jesus Christ saw that faith already present in the man, and forgave his sins. Though faith is not of man but of God, a gift of the Holy Spirit sovereignly bestowed upon the elect according to the decree before the foundation of the world of the Ancient of Days, who is God the Father, this example shows that the Godhead is glorified by the Holy Spirit's first giving a person faith and then accomplishing the work of regeneration that Jesus Christ's death on the cross made possible. (I am aware that people were regenerated by the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament prior to Jesus Christ's atonement, with the deathless ascensions of Enoch and Elijah being the chief examples, but this was based on looking forward to the atoning act that Jesus Christ would accomplish at a particular place in time. Even in these cases, regeneration did not precede faith, and as the epistle to the Hebrews conclusively lays out, atonement did not precede the cross.)
2. Though "regeneration precedes faith" is a doctrinal aberration adhered to by some Calvinists, Reformed soteriology is also confirmed by this text. For at what point did the paralytic man exercise his free will? At what point did this paralytic man ask for his sins to be forgiven and to be saved? This paralytic man did have faith, mind you, and this faith was in whatever relevation of the Person of Jesus Christ that he had access to (for the Lord was not yet lifted up on the cross for sins, nor had He yet risen from the dead). But make no mistake: he came to Jesus Christ expecting to be healed! Even if he presumed that his paralysis was due to sin on his part (and the Bible makes it clear in the book of Job and when Jesus Christ healed the man born blind in the gospel of John that such is a false assumption!) the text and the context of this episode does not reveal that this paralytic had the priestly role of Jesus Christ in mind when he sought the Christ's aid. It should also be noted that even the unbelievers in this episode did not challenge Jesus Christ's ability to heal this man, but to forgive his sins! So, this man went to Jesus Christ expecting to be physically healed and thereby fulfilled his human responsibility of exercising his God-given faith (though this faith existed in the context of limited human knowledge) and when Jesus Christ being sovereign God saw that the faith given by the sovereign God the Holy Spirit was present in this man, Jesus Christ acted sovereignly, of His own initiative, unasked and uninvited (this man did not "ask Jesus Christ into his heart" or "say a sinner's prayer"!) to save this man from his sins! And when the sovereign God acted in this manner, the paralytic had no say in the manner. He could not reject, refuse or undo it, nor could he truly even consent to it! This text, this example clearly demonstrates unconditional election and irresistible grace.
3. Point 1, that regeneration does not precede faith, and point 2, that unconditional election and irresistible grace are true doctrines, should inform our evangelism. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God says God the Holy Spirit in Romans 10:17. Regeneration happens when – in accordance with the time and place chosen by the Ancient of Days – one who has been elected unto salvation and given to Jesus Christ in eternity but from the temporal perspective is unregenerate encounters Jesus Christ through the preaching of the gospel, receives the gift of faith from the Holy Spirit, and is saved by the work of the Holy Spirit. Romans 10:14 asks us rhetorically "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" The Holy Spirit does not give faith apart from the preaching of the gospel, and the Holy Spirit does not regenerate in the absence of this faith.
Yet, the gospel is oft not being preached! A form of the gospel, perhaps, but not the gospel. The gospel of good works is often substituted where we try to draw people to Jesus Christ by being good, loving moral people so that we won't have to use words. The Roman Catholic Francis of Assisi did say "preach the gospel, and use words if necessary", but that is not Romans 10:14 or Romans 10:17. Also, a gospel of politics and social action is offered up to draw people to Jesus Christ, whether it is the conservative one of opposing abortion and homosexuality or the liberal one of relieving poverty and opposing political oppression. Yes, the Bible speaks of morality and justice on a personal and societal level, but those are in the interests of revealing God's attributes and nature to mankind, and accepting only some of God's attributes and not God Himself is but idolatry. Yet, these and other such flawed, distorted gospel presentations, which amounts to either Christless evangelism or evangelism that presents a false Christ, are common, even dominant.
Why? Well the answer is given in the text. When Jesus Christ presented the gospel – presented Himself in His priestly role and His divine prerogatives that bore witness to His identity as God in the flesh – what happened? He was opposed. He was hated. He was rejected. He experienced trials and persecution. "And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This [man] blasphemeth." And the same thing happens to us when we present Jesus Christ as God who is not only Savior but Lord and Judge! That is what happens when we tell people that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, and unless we repent of our sins, believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation and love Him by keeping His commandments! We experience opposition! We face persecution!
Now instead of accepting what the Bible says when it tells us that we will receive opposition just as Jesus Christ did, that we will be scorned and rejected just as Jesus Christ was, because He is our Master and the servant is not greater than his master, we decide that the problem is either us or the message. We decide that if we are experiencing opposition, it is because something is wrong with us and we need to change. We decide that if we are experiencing rejection, it is because something is wrong with the message and the message needs to change. So, in order to gain carnal acceptance, we take Christ out of the message. When we deny that Jesus Christ is the only way, we deny Christ. When we deny that true repentance means turning away from sins and living in obedience to Jesus Christ, we deny Jesus Christ. When we deny that God alone saves us, and not works or membership in a church, we deny Jesus Christ. And when we deny or omit the reality of eternal judgment and damnation for sinners, we deny Jesus Christ.
And why do we do this? Go back to the text. "For whether is easier, to say, [Thy] sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?" We do it because it is easier! Again, the scribes who persecuted Jesus Christ with their blasphemy in this episode were willing to accept Jesus Christ the teacher, because there were many teachers. They were willing to accept Jesus Christ the prophet, for there had been several prophets. They were willing to accept Jesus Christ the priest, for there were many priests. They were willing to accept Jesus Christ the king, for there had been several kings. They were willing to accept Jesus Christ the miracle-worker, for there had been miracle workers. What they were not willing to accept was Jesus Christ as God, as the one God, as their God! Had Jesus Christ merely been willing to be accepted, He could have just healed the man's paralysis and ignored that man's sin. For what? So that man would have been well and whole and therefore able to walk into the lake of fire for eternity instead of being carried there? Is that what would have been in that man's interests? How? Or had Jesus Christ merely been willing to avoid rejection by His own people and persecution, even the death on the cross, He could have just overthrown the Romans and been made emperor of the world with Jerusalem as the capital and Israel the chief people. After all, didn't Satan offer Jesus Christ the very same deal during His temptation in the desert? But the people would have enjoyed the earthly benefits of Jesus Christ's imperial rule during their lives only to be cast into the lake of fire after they died, because no atonement would have been made for their sins!
So, Jesus Christ didn't just take the easy way in merely presenting Himself to this man as his Healer, a role that He knew that the faithless unelect would accept Him. Instead, He presented Himself to this man as his God, a role that He knew would be rejected by the faithless and the reprobate! Jesus Christ took the hard way! He asked "Which is it easier to do, forgive his sins or heal him" and did the hard part, which was promise this man's salvation at that time, and then be the personal guarantor, the personal surety of that salvation when He went to the cross later! But now, so many of us who presume to speak and teach in Jesus Christ's Name despise the hard road that Jesus Christ took for the easy road. Which is easier to say? Repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ lest you perish for eternity? Or "I am pro-life?" Or "I support family values?" Or "America is a Christian nation founded on Biblical principles?" Or "marriage was created by God to be between one man and one woman?" Or "I stand with Israel?" Or "no justice, no peace!" Or "help the poor, the orphans and the widows"? Or "judge not"? Or "let he who is without sin cast the first stone!" Or "we must be good stewards of the environment and of our bodies?" Or "God is love"? While Biblical support can be found for all of those notions (provided that they are given in context) the point is that they fall short of the message of Jesus Christ, and fall particularly fall short of the message of Jesus Christ crucified for our sins and resurrected for our justification! The message of eternal life and worship of God to those who believe, and of woe and sorrow exceeding for those who do not!
And why do we avoid persecution by saying the easy things instead of the hard ones? Because though we profess to love God first with all our heart, soul and strength as the chief commandment requires us, the truth is that we love ourselves more. Because we love ourselves more, we love the world and the things in it more. That is being double-minded, and the epistle of James reminds us that such a person will never receive a thing from God, and that includes the free gift of salvation. So, Christian evangelist, I urge you to make your calling and election sure. Get off the easy way and take the hard way. Bear witness of the true Jesus Christ with the true gospel today, and do not withhold Jesus Christ and the gift of faith from your fellow man because you value yourself so much than you value your fellow man. If you are unwilling to experience persecution to liberate your fellow man from sin and death by preaching him the gospel, how can you say that you love him? And if you do not love your fellow man, whom you see every day, how can you say that you love God whom you do not see? The Bible asks the same question and you know the answer. Do not blaspheme Christ by saying that which is easy! Glorify Jesus Christ by telling the world the truth of Him.
If you have not believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, I urge you to do so right now.


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Deck Enclosures in Cumming, GA
Deck enclosures in Cumming, GA will provide your friends and family with shade and protection from mosquitoes and other creepy insects. There are a lot of homeowners who call us up on a regular basis and ask what exactly a deck enclosure is and how it's built. A deck enclosure will be attached to your home's exterior and will enclose the entire deck, or just a section of the deck. They are practically a necessity for warm summer evenings when the bug population is out and about in Cumming.
Protect your friends and loved ones from bug bites, and from the rain and sunlight with the installation of a beautiful, functional deck enclosure. Let us help you create an extended living space on your home with a useful, new deck enclosure! Learn more about our deck enclosures.
Deck Enclosure Designers Cumming, Georgia
If you and your family love the outdoors throughout all seasons of the year in Cumming, Georgia, our deck enclosure designers will help you to develop an enclosed area which will meet all your specs. These deck additions can protect you from harmful UV rays in the summer and provide you with cover on those days when you want to be outside but it happens to be raining. Also, these deck enclosures can have fans installed in them to help keep the air moving and they'll create a nice breeze to keep you cool on those hot Cumming days.
When building a deck enclosure, you have a variety of materials to choose from, such as aluminum, wood, and steel. You'll also get to pick an exterior style for the perimeter of the enclosure. There are a multitude of framing options and screens which can be set up to give your deck enclosure a unique look and feel.
Also, you will need to pick out furniture for this new deck addition. Many homeowners choose to put in bar stools, benches, chairs, chaise lounges, patio bars, tables, bistro sets, and other kinds of furniture to make the area nice and cozy.


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Current Law Students / Re: Voice recorders for recording lectures« on: June 24, 2005, 08:05:03 PM »
OK, some of you are just WAY more brilliant than I am when it comes to electronics/computer stuff. Maybe you guys can give me suggestions and help me out.
I have Onenote that I would like to try using because I like the feature that will allow me to record what is being said so that I can replay that part of the lecture if I miss something. I would also like to be able to record my lectures and burn them onto CDs so that I have something to listen to during the 40-minute commute.
I am trying to figure out if there is a voice recorder (of decent quality) that I can plug into my computer as it records (so I can be using it with Onenote), but that will also allow me to then burn the recordings onto CD. Some, I'm wanting to kill two birds with one stone where I would otherwise theoretically be recording the same lecture twice. Can anyone help with this? Maybe, all I need is a great microphone to be able to use with Onenote and then do this (I haven't gotten that far in my Onenote ventures). But, I would love to have a voice recorder that could potentially be used alone.
So, can any of you tech-Gods help?
You were on the right track. As long as your laptop has a mic-in jack, all you need is a good mic, one designed for large lecture halls, not dictation. There are good ones that can do both though. When you use the OneNote record function, it saves the recording as a WMA file in the OneNote directory. All you have to do is use Microsoft's Media Player, or another media player that recognizes WMA files, to burn them to CD. If you use Media Player, just have it continuously monitor your OneNote directory for new files. Then, every time you do a new recording it will automatically show up in Media Player and you can burn it. Also, if you own a digital music player other than an iPod, you can just sync your recordings with it and then listen to them with your DMP. It'll save you on burn time and CDs and allow you to listen whenever/wherever you want.


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Groupon... And The Difference Between Idea & Execution
from the all-about-the-execution deptAbout a month ago, the folks at Planet Money did a nice podcast on the economics of Groupon. There's no doubt that there's a bit of a "coupon" bubble going on these days, with tons of companies crowding into the space, and (as the Podcast notes) a bunch of ex-Wall St. types jumping into the space with talk of creating derivatives on coupons/deals. At the same time, plenty of people have mocked Groupon and insisted that its model isn't sustainable and others can easily come in and kill Groupon. In fact, some of the Wall St. guys who stayed on Wall St. are saying that Groupon's value shouldn't be that high because anyone with a phone can copy them.
Lots of people are discussing Felix Salmon's excellent analysis of the economics of Groupon, which is really more about the fact that Groupon has dominated the space because it executes well. That is, it's not about the idea, it's about the execution. The fact that it has remained dominant despite so many copycats shows that just copying isn't enough. This doesn't mean that Groupon will always be the best at executing (in fact, I doubt it will be). But it's not so simple as just coming in and copying.
This is an issue that comes up all the time when we talk about business and intellectual property. People who haven't built up businesses like this assume that all you need is the idea -- and if an idea can be copied, then the company can't succeed. But that ignores just how important the execution element is. Salmon talks about how hard Groupon works to make sure its advertisers are happy with the results, to a level beyond most of its competitors. However, I think there's another element of Groupon's execution that hasn't received nearly enough attention: how enjoyable it makes the whole thing for consumers.
Groupon employs a bunch of writers who work hard to make sure all of the deals are compelling, enjoyable and fun. It always amazes me how much people underestimate the value of the quality of the writing in Groupon's offers. However, where it really struck me was a few months back, when I was researching some newer competitors to Groupon -- in particular, newspapers that were offering deals directly to compete with Groupon. In theory, newspapers should be able to absolutely destroy Groupon. If you're just standing on the mountain looking down, and seeing who has the advantages here, it's clearly the newspapers. Newspapers already rely on local advertising and deals, and have established long-term relationships in the market. On top of that, newspapers employ a ton of (mostly) high quality writers as well, so they should be able to create similarly compelling content.
And yet, when I was looking at various newspaper Groupon clones, what struck me was how boring and dull their offers were. Even if the deals themselves were comparable (and they often weren't), they just weren't that interesting or compelling to read. And that's because the newspapers -- like the Wall St. analyst above -- are engaging in cargo cult copying, where they think that all that matters is copying the superficial idea -- while missing the secret sauce that goes into the less obvious execution.
As a final aside, the quality of Groupon's content highlights another key point that we've raised many times before: how "infinite goods" like content make scarce goods more valuable. In this case, the "content" created by Groupon's writers (and, yes, this is also an example of how advertising is content) is valuable. But no one's selling the "content." What Groupon is doing is using that good content to make the scarcity of the deals more valuable, making more people willing to buy them.
In the end, I will admit that I have my doubts about the overall sustainability of Groupon itself, but it's not because "the idea" is easily copyable. I'm just not convinced that Groupon can continue to execute as well, and some aspects of what it's offering have some elements of a fad written all over them. But claiming that the company is overvalued because the "idea" is too easy makes little sense.
Filed Under: content, coupons, creation, deals, economics, execution, idea, innovation
Companies: groupon