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Check-In or not Check-In
This afternoon I read this article from ReadWriteWeb about Google Latitude and its possible deployment as an app for IPhone.
It's a very interesting one as it talks about privacy too. I don't want to go into details about this service (maybe in another post) but primarily focus on the already mentioned geo-location based apps available for most of our smartphones and gives a brief description of those.
So let's say the most popular ones (because I'm sure there are plenty more) are Foursquare, Gowalla, Facebook Places (not mentioned in that article) and Brightkite.
You install the app, and everytime you go to a place, you "checkin" and you get badges and so forth. With Gowalla, you can even add pictures of the places. Facebook now entered this checkin-checkout "business" recently with the Facebook Places through which you basically the same thing (allowing all your Facebook friends to know where you are). They all require a GPS (or an A-GPS) and they are based on Google Maps and Bing Maps mostly.
Of course in this social-digital era, all these apps are linked to some of the most popular websites/social networks so you can connect everyone of them with Twitter and Facebook, apparently the most popular "digital environments" in which users are and connect through each other (although Brightkite has a Facebook-like approach making it totally independent).
You can also add places if you can't find yours (could be a restaurant, a bar, a shop, whatever) and get some recognitions about that.
What they are not? They are not applications like TripAdvisor with which you can write a review about that. I mean, you could but if you check-in in a restaurant before entering it (this is what most of the users do), how can you possibly write a review about your experience? Yes you could but you need to go there again or check-in again after your lunch/dinner (check-out? )
There are 3 main questions on top of my head:
1) What's the business around that
2) Why users should stick to this "game"
3) Who's gonna win.
1) The first one is pretty easy: for Foursquare, for example, many Companies realized the potential of it and so they are publicizing their offers through their Foursquare accounts. Also, when you check-in in a particular place, there's a chance you can get a 5% to 10% discount to that shop (probably if you check-in multiple times).
Also, many exhibits and conferences usually add their locations, including a description of the event, so the attendees can have a more complete experience on the event and have fun checking in everyday. But it's business, remember. Let's call it "Business 2.0" but it's still business. It has the same potential as when an event shows up tweets on the main webpage, making attendees to use a particular hash-tag.
2) Foursquare, for example, is pretty popular in the US (although it crossed the ocean and became popular in Europe and Asia as well) and people from, say, New York and San Francisco, are massive users of it. But I got this question several times: "why should I do it" or "isn't that childish" or even "what about my privacy"?. I get it, and I partially agree. Users are addicted, that's the main answer. Also, users want to share things through these applications so, say you're with some friends in a place, you check-in together with a group photo (there's an application called PicPlz with which you can even tag friends before actually uploading the photo!). But it's not as childish as it seems. Isn't that childish to go and post YouTube videos on Facebook ? Isn't that childish to post your real-time experiences on Twitter? Isn't that childish to connect and share ideas and content with each other? NO ! That is why we have all these features and services around. Do you know anyone not being on Facebook nowadays? I probably know 2 people that are not in there. Do you know anyone who's not using LinkedIN for connect with others for business purpose? Very few I guess.
So, believe it or not, many people are using these apps and, no matter what the purpose is, They like it. and that is set in stone !
The point, at least for me but probably for many other people, is: who's gonna rule the market? Who'll be the winner? You can't check-in with 3 or 4 different apps (some people do though ). Years ago, probably around 2007, there were other real-time micro-blogging engines (like Jaiku for example) but eventually Twitter won.
Probably there won't be a single "winner" application but we'll get even more applications and services with added value in them (making the competition tougher). And the user will decide what's best for him/her, perfectly in line with our digital/social era we are living.
Probably during LeWeb, the most important Web 2.0 event in the World, there's gonna be some announcements about the future but, having heard that there are tons of startups there in Paris as exhibitors, I'm sure no one will be the winner but the user will (or he/she will became addicted, your choice )
08/12/2010 at 19:34
Real nice post Ale. Keep it up 🙂
09/12/2010 at 17:13
I'm quite worried about this. Expecially point 2. I think that people with a little experience doesn't abuse this services, but what about child and not-so-experienced users?
Privacy is a great concern!
Let's do an example: I am going to a restaurant with my lover but don't want my wife to know where I am… If I "auto-check-in" in the restaurant, she can eventually know that I was not in the office… (this is why my wife is not on Facebook, btw!)
So this cannot happen to me, but I can imagine how may divorces or people fired from work will come from the habit of checking-in…
I am just kidding, but I think that scenarios similar to this can be quite common…
So who wins? Mobile operator, of course! 🙂
09/12/2010 at 19:49
You probably right, Igor, especially for the fact that, if you're not used to it, you could probably end up in situations you don't like 🙂
But anyway you can hide your position (or even fake it, but that is an extreme situation): you can just check-in in place but didn't tell anyone… And, BTW, you right: mobile operators always win !
11/12/2010 at 11:36
hello I was luck to find your blog in yahoo
your subject is impressive
I get much in your Topics really thank your very much
btw the theme of you blog is really impressive
where can find it
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Tourism 100 Hours Certificate Course
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Tourism 100 Hours Certificate Course
Tourism course online. Tourism has become a major recreation pursuit, and commercial industry world wide. It is so significant today that some regions (even some countries) economies, are more heavily dependent upon tourism than anything else.
The tourism industry encompasses the provision of all those services used by people when travelling away from home. The reason for travel is most obviously "a holiday"; but may also be "business".
To forge a successful career in Tourism, you will need to:
- Be excited about travel and tourism
- Put your customers' needs first
- Design positive lifetime experiences that people will remember
- Be aware of cultural and religious considerations when proposing destinations
- Know about booking reservations, travel insurance, plus transport such as car hire
- Choose the package tour which best suits your customers' expectations
- Have excellent customer service and office skills, including using the telephone and record keeping etc.
If you have the desire required to be successful in the travel industry, this course will help you to acquire the learning to put your passion for tourism into practice. Empower yourself to stand out from other job applicants at an interview, with a combination of demonstrating an infectious love for travel and the skills an employer is looking for in a new member of their team.
Tourism I includes a Special Project where you will plan an example trip, which will be invaluable as a tool to use during interviews, to help you convince an employer that you are the right person for the job.
Learning Goals: Tourism I BTR103
- Describe the nature and scope of the tourism industry
- To recommend tourism destinations relevant to client needs
- Advise a client on planning for unforseen circumstances on a trip, such as financial, legal
- and insurance issues
- Explain the operation of airlines, including booking procedures
- Explain the operation of car rental services, including booking procedures
- Explain the operation of other transport services including shipping, bus, and rail
- Explain the operation of various accommodation options to a client
- Advise a client on package tour options to satisfy their specified requirements
- Determine appropriate operational systems for management of a tourism service
- Consolidate available information and resources to plan a trip
Lesson Structure: Tourism I BTR103
1 Travel Industry Overview
- The Tourism Industry
- Travellers and Tourists
- Tourism Industry Sectors
- Who Are Tourists?
- What Do People Need to Think About When Travelling?
- Responsible Travel
- Leakage
- Resources
- Set Reading
2 Destinations
- Types of Destinations
- Major and Minor Tourist Destinations
- Tourist Destinations Regions
- What is different About International Travel
- Cultural Differences
- Religion
- Judaism
- Buddhism
- Confuscianism
- Hindu
- Islam
- Christianity
- Cultural Understanding
- Get Healthy Before Leaving
- Set Reading
3 Money, Insurance, Legalities
- Money
- Insurance
- Specialist Insurance
- Making a Claim
- Driving in Other Countries
- Laws
- Travelling with Medicine/Drugs
- Quarantine Laws (in different countries)
- Tariffs/Import Duties
- Passports and Visas
- Health Regulations
- Travel Warnngs
- Set Reading
4 Transport - Airline Reservations
- Air Travel
- Travel Classes on Airlines
- Types of Aircraft and Seating
- Baggage
- Booking Flights
- Air Travel with Animals
- Airport Information
- Airline Codes
- Information Sources
- Set Reading
5 Transport - Car Rental
- Car Rental Services
- The Rental Agreement
- Rental Car Groups
- Booking a Rental Car
- Planning a Driving Holiday
- Set Reading
6 Transport - Other (Boat, Bus, Rail)
- Cruises
- Life on Board
- Point to Point Travel
- Coaches
- Other Transport
- Set Reading
7 Accommodation
- Different Types of Accommodation
- Pets and Travelling
- Selecting Accommodation
- Classification and Rating Schemes
- Examples of Star Ratings
- Accommodation Categories
- Decisions For Tour Operators and Guides
- Accommodation Products
- Accommodation Charges
- Set Reading
8 Package Tours
- Wholesalers
- Tour Operators
- Types of Packages
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Package Tours
- Brochures
- Identifying the Correct Package Tour for the Consumer
- Calculating Prices
- Ticketing
- Set Reading
9 Travel Agency Procedure Systems
- Customer Service and Support
- Awareness
- Office Clerical Duties and Who Does What
- Telephones
- Office Cleaning
- Team Work Skills
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Processing Correspondence
- Record Keeping
- Client Enquiries
- Processing Financial Transactions
- Accommodation Bookings
- Internet
- Set Reading
10 Special Project
- Seasonal Variations
- Socio-Political Influences
- The Project
- Project Aim
- Project Estimated Duration
- Project Requirements: The travel plan, A rationale for your plan, A brief reflection
- Method of Presentation
- Assessment Criteria
- Resources
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
|Course Info
|How Do Our Tuition Fees Compare?
|Full time classroom based Further Education Courses - Approx. £5,000 per year - Part-time classroom based Adult Education Courses - Approx. £7.00 per hour - N.B. classroom tuition means you learn at the pace of the class. One-to-one private tuition - from £15.00 per hour - ADL one-to-one tution fees - From £340 per 100 Hour Course = Average of £3.40 per hour - N.B. one-to-one tuition is tailored to your own individual learning availability and pace.
|Course Start
|Begin your learning at any time.
|Course Prerequisite
|None - Our course levels are an indication of the depth of learning you should receive. They do not describe the level of difficulty.
|Course Qualification (Study Option A)
|Endorsed Qualification from TQUK - Training Qualifications UK, an Ofqual Approved Awarding Organisation - Completed written assignments and final evaluation per course/module to be taken.
|Course Qualification (Study Option B)
|Certificate of Attainment from ADL - Completed written assignments only - no final evaluation.
|Comparative Credits Information
|UK Course Credits: 10 - U.S. Credit Hours: 3 - when compared to regulated courses.
|Course Duration and Deadlines
|Course hours given are a guide only. You will be encouraged to work at your own pace to learn as much as you can, with no assignment deadlines or end date by which you must complete your course by. You are in control!
|Study Support
|Personal tutor/mentor support from industry relevant professionals throughout your whole course. Mentors are contactable by e-mail, telephone and through the Moodle online classroom. They provide assistance with your course material, plus discuss, explain and give advice when needed. They will also mark and grade your assignments, plus provide constructive and helpful feedback vital to your success.
|Suitability for Self Employment and Small Businesses
|Our courses are ideal for sole traders and small business owners and their staff. Customer confidence in what you can do will determine how successful you are in getting clients. Doing the job right using the correct knowledge and skills, leads to repeat business and referrals to friends, family and work colleagues. Completing one or more of our courses for the service you have to offer, will give you the tools to achieve this and grow your business.
|Recognition of Your Course By Employers
|We aim to achieve the correct balance between your qualification being recognised and providing you with the in-depth learning, to empower you to succeed. If you can demonstrate that you have the level of knowledge and transferable skills necessary to an employer, you should stand out from someone who has only received a superficial understanding of what's required - Select study option A when enrolling, so an employer can check the status of the awarding organisation for your qualification on the Ofqual Register.
|Recognition of Your Course By Universities
|As you will see on our Testimonials page, previous students have used their qualification from us to get into university. However each one will have its own entrance criteria and acceptance may also depend on your other qualifications and experience. We can approach up to three universities on your behalf with details of our course before you enrol, so you will know whether it will be accepted as part of their application process. Please complete our contact form and we will begin the process.
|Designing Your Own Qualification
|Bundle up your choice of related courses to form your own qualification. Our Advanced Certificates (4 courses), Diplomas (6 courses), Advanced Diplomas (8 courses) and Higher Advanced Diplomas (12 courses), are used to differentiate between the in-depth knowledge and skills you will acquire in your chosen area of study. e.g. Advanced Certificate in Turf Care Management, which includes individual courses: Turf Care, Sports Turf Care, Turf Repair and Renovation and Turf Grasses.
|How Can I Enrol?
|Online by selecting your study option, learning materials, plus payment option and then clicking the Enrol Now button - By contacting us for an application form - By telephoning us on 01227 789 649 (International: 0044 1227 789 649). Lines open 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays and between Christmas and New Year.
|How Can I Get a Pro-forma Invoice for my Employer?
|Contact us with details and we will email your employer an invoice. We will need: employer's name, address, telephone number, email address and contact name. We will also require your name, telephone number, email address, date of birth and the course and code you wish to enrol for.
Previous Customer Experiences with our Courses
"Fantastic Teacher. Well organised modules. Assignments force me to learn and research more so I can prepare well for exams. I really enjoyed studying via ADL. I can now continue study at Ulster University which accept my certificate from ADL". Level 4, Advanced Certificate in Applied Science, VSC001, Stanislawa, Poland.
Its with great pleasure I am announcing you my new job as 'Park Manager' for a 5 star hotel in Reunion Island. Its definitely my courses with ADL (Botany, Agronomy and Trees for Rehabilitation) which were decisive for my nomination. Accordingly, my sincere thanks goes to all the ADL team.
"The course was a valuable learning experience as it provided me with the knowledge and understanding for me as a Careers Advisor. The feedback was very good from my tutor, and allowed me to build upon my assignments that were marked. The comments were very informative and very useful. Well written course material." Andrew W, Careers Counselling, UKMore Reviews....
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A hotel room in Dublin will now set you back an average of €128 a night, higher than Celtic Tiger levels.
A report, from chartered accountants Crowe Horwath, says the national average price last year was €104, up by €12 on the previous year.
It says increasing visitor numbers and a rise in corporate business are among the reasons for high occupancy rates and rising prices.
However, Irish hotels have been warned they must remain competitive or risk losing out to other European cities.
Hotels in the Midlands and East region showed the highest year-on-year growth in occupancy levels, up from 65% in 2015 to 68.5% in 2016.
Crowe Horwath said Dublin continues to outperform other regions with average room rates increasing by 14.7%, almost twice the level of Western hotels which saw a growth in average nightly room rates of 7.5%.
Room rates in the capital have now surpassed 2006 peak prices of €120.38 by €7.89, it found.
Hotels surveyed attributed their growth to a continued increase in international visitors, particularly high-spending US visitors, as well as increases in corporate business, particularly in the conference market.
The retention of the 9% Vat rate and upgrading and refurbishment of revenue-generating areas within their hotels were also factors, the survey found.
However with occupancy at an all-time high, there is an urgent need for more rooms, particularly in Dublin — while the entire country must remain competitive, the firm said.
The drop in UK visitors because of sterling falls would not be offset by an increase in US visitors if hotels were not competitive, partner Aiden Murphy said.
"Unless more rooms become available, rates will increase to a higher level than we would like. It is not just about losing UK visitors who may not come because of sterling, but also that we are competing with the UK for the US market.
"That competitive tension means we not only have to retain and grow UK visitors, but also retain and grow our US share," he said.
Mr Murphy warned hotels against spiking prices when a special event was taking place, saying it would harm the reputation of the industry.
"We would encourage hoteliers to have a policy of keeping prices within a certain range.
"We've seen prices increase to very high levels with the likes of the Ed Sheeran concerts. The industry does itself no favours when that happens," he said.
Crowe Horwath estimates over 5,000 new rooms will be needed in Dublin, with 2,000 in the regions.


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In memory of the nearly 3,000 people who were killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush asked that each year in the United States we observe Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. Vader Mayor, Ken Smith, has made sure the citizens in his community have an opportunity to do just that. For six of the past 7 years, the City of Vader has engaged in the National Day of Service held on the Saturday closest to September 11.
Several local churches, schools and community organizations have recruited volunteers from all over the area who participated and provided much needed service to the city facilities and private residences. Over the years the volunteers have removed piles of junk and old building materials from fallen down structures, painted fire hydrants and street signs, removed mountains of blackberry bushes and other weeds and brush on city park properties, built fences and repaired roofing for local widows, scraped and painted picnic tables at city parks and cleared weeds from hundreds of feet of drainage ditches roadsides and street corners.
This year the group, 38 volunteers strong, painted the Old City Jail located at Werden Park on A Street in Vader, painted flower boxes and picnic tables at Werden Park and Mc Murphy Park, and assisted a local veteran resident with clearing his overgrown property of weeds and brush.
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[Most Sundays, we give a little hype to a fellow blog, website or other source for all things related to weird music and the people who love it. Check the tag "Sunday Shout-Out" for other recommendations.]
I think it's probably fair to say that without Japan, our blog would not be half as entertaining. From metal to pop to experimental noise, the Japanese have an uncanny knack for taking virtually any genre of music and turning the weirdness factor up to 11. But music, of course, is just the tip of the iceberg. All of Japanese culture is—to us Westerners, at least—pretty bizarre. And one of the most entertaining ways to consume it is via WTF Japan Seriously.
Since 2010, WTF Japan Seriously has been chronicling the "WTFery" of the Land of the Rising Sun in all its glory—everything from TV commercials to game shows to whatever the hell this is. They offer it all with virtually no commentary, because really, no commentary is required—I mean, when you've just seen Tommy Lee Jones shooting lasers out of his eyes to sell coffee in a can, what more is there to add?
If memory serves, we first encountered Kyary Pamyu Pamyu when a reader sent us a link to one of her videos on WTF Japan Seriously. And I'll never forget the day I was surfing their site instead of doing yard work when I stumbled upon this priceless video artifact. For that alone, I feel forever indebted to the folks behind this treasure trove of Japanese pop culture ephemera (Japhemera?)


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A pendant might be the easiest piece of jewellery to wear. It just hangs around your neck in a thin chain: long for the low cut neckline and shorter for a tight neckline. However placed where people see it the most it may have stronger comunicative value than you think, so what is your pendant? a religious symbol, a heart or a blue sapphire that reflects the colour of your mood?
I very much enjoy the art of making little storytelling charms.


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Android Smart Watches
Advancements in the operating systems of both Android and the Apple have led to the introduction of some wonderful gadgets. Android smart watches along with fitness and heart rate monitors would rank among the top such items becoming very popular with each passing day. We have the latest fitness watches, activity tracker and smart watches including the popular smartwatch i5plus, m09, dz09, u8 and id 115 in India.
These watches are ideal for those who are fed up having to look at their smart phones to check notifications. Now by wearing the smart watch on the wrist, they can look at and respond to notifications as per their convenience. We are importers corporate gifts mumbai. The smart watch enables the user to keep his hands free when driving and helps in conserving battery life of the smart phone as well. Thanks to the additional features they come equipped with such as pedometer, heart rate monitor; it is now possible to use them as fitness trackers also.
Android smart watches are available for both men and women at different price ranges, depending on the features they have. The designs too have become sleeker and the user has the flexibility of using a different wall paper on these watches every day.
We are one of the leading suppliers of Android smart watches in Mumbai, smart watch importers India and can offer you competitive rates for bulk order requirements.


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Hey ReloGeeks! Thanks for joining me for another HumpDay Q&A. Today's topic is all about moving out and helping you get on the right
Founder and creator of ReloAcademy and Haul & Hustle. I'm a brand strategist and business consultant for auto transport brokers and car haulers. Fancy words for: I get to do what I love which is helping you create a unique, personality fused auto transport brand that attracts your ideal clients and makes you money.


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Waste Paper Stripper Machine
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Machine features: 1.PE strapping machine is mainly use in cartons, pit paper, paper boxes, color printing companies. 2...2019-04-02
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Automatic gluing and folding machine and it consist of vacuum adsorption feeding part, gluing and folding part and stack...2019-04-02
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Our office hours are Monday-Friday 9am to 3pm. Please call Dr. Sidhu's office at: 714-871-9357 to speak about scheduling an appointment or click 'Book Online' at the top of the webpage to request an appointment online. Please be aware we will still need to confirm your appointment by phone. So, if you are booking online or leaving a voicemail please provide a phone number where you can be reached to confirm your appointment. We will call you back within 1-2 business days. Also, if you are calling on behalf of someone please be aware that we may still need to speak to the person seeking treatment to confirm the appointment. Once you have a confirmed appointment you will be able to download/print and fill out certain office forms. Please bring these forms to your appointment. We still recommend that you arrive 15 minutes earlier in order to complete any remaining paperwork.
What you need to know for your first appointment:
1. Please download, print, and fill out forms 1 - 3 below and bring them to your first appointment. NOTE: These forms must be completed prior to/by your appointment time.
2. Your payment will be due at the time of service. We accept cash, check, and card but not American Express.
3. If you need to cancel your appointment please provide a 48hr notice so that we may offer this appointment time to someone else in need & so that you can avoid the cancelation fee. The cancelation fee is half the cost of your total visit
4. Please arrive a minimum of 10 minutes early to complete any additional paperwork that we may have for you in the office.
If you would like me to coordinate care with another provider (for example, your psychiatrist, primary care physician, etc.), complete this form to authorize the release of psychotherapy information:
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There's no place like home: study finds home care effective for patients with blood clots
A new study by researchers at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City has found that patients with low-risk blood clots may be better off receiving treatment at home versus being admitted to the hospital.

For the study, published in the journal CHEST, researchers tracked 200 patients who were treated for acute pulmonary embolisms or serious lung blood clots in five Intermountain Healthcare emergency departments, including Intermountain's Level I trauma center, Intermountain Medical Center, from 2013 to 2016. Through a series of tests including echocardiograms and ultrasounds, the patients were determined to have a low risk of developing severe complications from the blood clots.

Instead of being admitted to the hospital, patients were given an outpatient management strategy, which included steps like an oral anticoagulant or blood thinner, and/or blood thinner injections administered at home, and close follow up in clinics.

The patients were then tracked for 90 days. Researchers found that only one out of 200 patients enrolled in the study had any follow-up incidents that required hospitalization, and that patient's hospitalization was the result of an accident. The study also found that patients were much more satisfied with at-home care.

"We found a large subset of patients with blood clots who'd do well at home - in fact who probably did better at home," said Joseph Bledsoe, MD, research director in emergency medicine at Intermountain Medical Center. "When patients are sent home versus staying in the hospital, they're at lower risk of getting another infection. It's a lot less expensive, too."

Currently, the standard of care in the United States for acute pulmonary embolisms, which affect more than 200,000 patients in the U.S. annually, is hospitalization for all patients. That's recommended, in part, because their overall mortality rate is 17 percent.

However, the lower mortality rate among some appropriately risk-stratified patients suggests that at-home care, which has become the norm in some European countries, leads to better outcomes for those patients overall and less chance of a hospital-introduced infection, said Dr. Bledsoe.

"Our findings show that if you appropriately risk stratify patients, there are a lot of people with blood clots who are safe to go home," he said.

Dr. Bledsoe says the next step for researchers is for similar research to be conducted outside of the Intermountain Healthcare system to confirm the results, and with a larger group of people.

###

This study was made available online in February 2018 ahead of publication in the print edition of Chest this month.
Members of the Intermountain Healthcare research team include: Scott Woller, Scott Stevens, Todd Allen, Valerie Aston, Richard Patten, Lydia Dong, James Lloyd, James, Benjamin Horne, Troy Madsen, and Greg Elliott.
Media Contact
Jess C. Gomez


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On October 20, the delegation led by the RA NA President Ara Babloyan met with the Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Marek Kuchciński.
The RA NA President noted that during the quarter of the century the two countries had developed friendly relations, political dialogue at high level, and effective cooperation in different spheres.
Ara Babloyan has underlined that the cooperation in parliamentary format has its important role in enriching the agenda of the Armenian-Polish inter-state relations and in deepening of the existing friendly ties. According to the Head of the RA Parliament, in the development of the Armenian-Polish inter-parliamentary dialogue the activation of the relations between the Friendship Groups in the parliaments can be of significant importance. To Mr Babloyan's conviction, there is great potential of developing the cooperation between the parliamentarians of Armenia and Poland.
The Head of the RA Parliament has noted that the proof of the Armenian and Polish peoples' friendship is the centuries-old activities in Poland, during which the Armenians had shown themselves in their best ways. Today, about 25.000 Armenians live in Poland. Mr Babloyan thanked Mr Kuchciński for the Polish authorities' positive attitude towards the Armenian community.
Talking about the Nagorno Karabakh problem, the RA NA President has underscored that Armenia does not see any alternative to the peaceful settlement. The Head of the Armenian Parliament, touching upon the war unleashed by Azerbaijan in April of the past year, stated that the atrocities committed by the Azerbaijani side once again showed the attitude of the Azerbaijani leadership towards human life.
"I learned with deep pain that yesterday a 19-year old Armenian young man was killed by the military forces of Azerbaijan. We, the doctors, operate on the child born an hour before, take care of the child for the full recovery for many months, and it is not understandable how can numerous people's lives be taken in a few minutes for the reason that they want to solve the problem in peace," the RA NA President said.
Thanking Mr Babloyan for the visit, the Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Marek Kuchciński assured that the cooperation in the parliamentary format would be continued in the best way. The Marshal of the Sejm has talked with satisfaction about the great contribution that the Armenians have in Poland. In his word, the Armenians are the Polish people's friends, and the historical resolution adopted in the Senate the day before is also the vivid evidence of it.
The sides also discussed the cooperation in the bilateral and multilateral directions to develop concrete programmes.
The RA NA President invited the Marshal of the Sejm Marek Kuchciński to Armenia.
Gevorg Gorgisyan's Speech at PABSEC Economic, Trade, Technological and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting
On October 19, the deputy of the RA National Assembly Gevorg Gorgisyan delivered a speech at the PABSEC 49th Economic, Commercial, Technological and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting in Tirana, on the theme Development of the National Innovation Systems in the PABSEC Member Countries."Dear par...
Vahe Enfiajyan's Speech at PABSEC Economic, Trade, Technological and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting
The member of the RA NA Delegation to PABSEC Vahe Enfiajyan delivered a speech at the PABSEC 49th Economic, Commercial, Technological and Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting, which took place in Tirana on October 19-20."Dear Participants,Colleagues,Ladies and Gentlemen,First of all, on behalf of...


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Happy holidays everyone! This little elf turned one month old last week and I can't quite believe it. The first two weeks were a total blur, dotted with wonderful visits from family and friends - and Amazon purchases made at 3am to try and appease a slightly colicky baby. But I feel like we turned the first corner and things get easier every day. It also helps that he's super cute, even while screaming.
In this week's post "Feeding the Beast", the beast I'm referring to is me (pregnancy hunger has nothing on breastfeeding hunger) and also my 13lb infant (!) who eats pretty much every hour or two. If you're breastfeeding, the two main things are to stay hydrated and to allow yourself an extra 300-500 calories in order to make an adequate amount of milk. Breastfeeding uses approximately 500 calories per day so it's important to give into your increased appetite (while making good choices of course!). I know it can be tempting to try and get back to your pre-baby weight quickly, but just remember this is a critical time of nourishment for your body and your baby.
Once your baby has arrived, you likely won't have the time, energy or the free hands to do much in the kitchen, but with a little prep beforehand and following a few simple guidelines once he has arrived, you can sustain your energy and sanity. I can attest that a well-fed mom is a happier mom!
Before baby arrives:
Cook ahead. Fill your freezer with a few meals that you can easily defrost and enjoy such as turkey meatballs, chili and hearty soups. You don't have to dedicate days to cooking if you don't want to, just starting doubling portions in the weeks leading up to D-Day and freeze half of what you make.
Fill your fridge. Stocking up on groceries before you head to the hospital will ensure you have some snacks on hand for when you get home and also, if you are lucky enough to have friends or family around to help, they can whip up some meals for you.
Scout healthy take-out options. When all else fails, make sure you have a few go-to spots for things other than pizza and chinese food.
After baby arrives:
Stay hydrated! The general rule is to drink an 8oz glass of water every time the baby feeds to stay properly hydrated but listen to your body.
Choose nutritious snacks. They should contain a mix of protein, fat and fiber to keep you satiated and a few good examples are hummus, nut butters, avocado, veggies and smoothies. Calcium, iron and vitamin C are a few other key nutrients to dial up in your diet that will benefit both you and baby.
Don't cut back on carbs - just make sure you're choosing the rights ones such as whole grain bread, quinoa or brown rice
Increase your consumption of healthy fats - such as salmon, flax and nuts for those Omega-3's which help with brain and nerve development in your baby
Read nutrition and ingredient labels. Ideally you want to choose foods that:- Do not contain high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils and anything with a number + a color which is a food dye. These can alter hormones in your body.
- Have less than 6 grams of sugar
- Have at least 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein
- Tip: these rules hold true regardless if you are pregnant, postpartum or just trying to be healthy!


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Our roots are truly in San Francisco. Since our 1965 founding on Clay Street, Gensler has thrived with the City, growing from a 3-person team to a global collective of multi-disciplined designers working in architecture, interior design, brand, urban planning and product design. We believe in transforming how people experience the world—through design that makes living, working and enjoying more inspiring, more resilient and more impactful.
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Thailand is a great country not only just for site-seeing but for the art and photography scene as well. Lots of great stuff out there. Spent my birthday there last year which happens to be during Songkran and although I spent most of my time in the car driving, I did get the chance to see a lot of the non-touristy side of the country. Fast forwarding to 2012 and here we are situated in the Grand Deluxe Suite at The Peninsula Bangkok. Can't thank the staff enough for their generosity.
Here's a little tour of the room:
Living room.
Not just a living room but a living room with river view.
Controls and things.
Entering the bathroom area.
Sink #1.
Sink #2.
Up close.
I could sit in here all day.
The bedroom.
Workspace near the entrance.
Let's get the suite room party started!
Hallway into the bathroom and bedroom area.
Just out back of the hotel hopping onto the ferry.
Part II coming soon...


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Youtube started as a dating site
In addition to TV clips, Veoh has lots of music content across a wide range of genres.
It also has a movie section that includes some full-length features, as well as memorable clips from a large number of films.
While it does also have some newer content, some of its best videos are older and obscure news reports, TV series, and movies that are typically harder to find on other sites.
Like many other sites, users can also upload videos to the Internet Archive.
The site was the first on the web to support high-definition videos, and while it does include a selection of user-generated fare, its emphasis is more on high-quality content.
Among other things, Vimeo features a number of well-known movies and TV series, such as E! Making it unforgettable, however, is a lot tougher.
Even if you visit You Tube on a regular basis, it's worth adding Vimeo to your regular rotation of video sites.When uploading videos, H.264 is the common video coding format used.Owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, think of Crackle as a sort of online TV channel that features both original shows for the web, as well as Hollywood movies and TV shows from various networks.Those who want to take a deeper dive can click the drop-down menu on the left, which features a more extensive list of 16 video categories.Originating from Israeli startup Qlipso, Veoh describes itself as an internet TV company.


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Socket AM3: AMD's Phenom II Gets DDR3
Page 1:Introduction
Page 2:A Slew Of New CPUs
Page 3:Inside AM3
Page 4:Modding And Overclocking–Doable?
Page 5:Test Setup And Benchmarks
Page 6:Benchmark Results: Synthetics
Page 7:Benchmark Results: Productivity
Page 8:Benchmark Results: A/V Encoding
Page 9:Benchmark Results: Crysis And Far Cry 2
Page 10:Benchmark Results: Call of Duty And Left 4 Dead
Page 11:Power Consumption
Page 12:Conclusion
Benchmark Results: Productivity
Intel rules our 3ds Max rendering project by a commanding margin. Given its threading optimizations, it's hardly a surprise to see AMD's Phenom II X4 940 sneak in second place, followed by the rest of AMD's quad-core offerings. The triple-core X3 720 ties Intel's dual-core E8500. Meanwhile, the older X3 8750 is outclassed by the dual-core chip.
Another threaded test, WinRAR favors AMD's 2.6 GHz Phenom II X4 810 over the triple-core X3 720 BE, despite the X3's clock speed lead. Interestingly, the X4 810 also outperforms our simulated X4 910, even though it has 2 MB less L3 cache. Considering the only other difference between the two setups is DDR3 memory running at 1,333 MHz, we have to give credit to the more modern memory technology here.
WinZip runs on two cores, which is why the 2.8 GHz X3 turns in better times than the 2.6 GHz X4 810 does (not to mention the 3.16 GHz Core 2 Duo beating every other processor tested).
Our AVG test is able to take advantage of our quad-core contenders. Intel's Core i7 runs away with a strong lead and AMD's quad-core chips all place close to each other behind it. As you start taking away cores, the X3s fall further behind and Intel's dual-core Core 2 Duo E8500 places last.
- Introduction
- A Slew Of New CPUs
- Inside AM3
- Modding And Overclocking–Doable?
- Test Setup And Benchmarks
- Benchmark Results: Synthetics
- Benchmark Results: Productivity
- Benchmark Results: A/V Encoding
- Benchmark Results: Crysis And Far Cry 2
- Benchmark Results: Call of Duty And Left 4 Dead
- Power Consumption
- Conclusion
kelfenCheering the underdog in hopes for better compitition to benifit the consumer!
grooI sure don't see the point of spending cash on DDR3 unless you are also spending cash on i7. I woudn't mind a CPU that can handle DDR3 in the future, but there sure isn't a reason toupgrade to it at today's memory prices.
Aatishnice review... but....
strangely AMD is performing better than core i7 920!
what did I miss? in previous benchmark done by you guys showed AMD performing quite less than what I see in this benchmark! can anyone clear my confusion? please!:)
CommlockVery good test indeed that shows, IMHO, to go with an overclocked Core i7 if DDR3 is to be preferred. Otherwise, sticking with DDR2 RAM, an AM2+ MoBo and A Phenom II 940-like CPU seems the best optimized system. However, concerns can be put forward on the continuity of the system in couple of years' time, where simply upgrading without major component changes can be discussed.
soheian AM2 mobo is compatible with AM3?
I understand the fact that you guys compare cpu's in the same price region plus whats available to you and the socket upgrade and all that. But i would really like to see how the AMD 940 Black Edition compare to Intel Corei7 EE 965. And maybe include the corei7 940 to. An all out performance battle with just the benchmark figures that counts
waffle911Quote:The 940 runs at 3 GHz. The 920 and 720 both cruise at 2.8 GHz. But the 910, 810, and 710 all run at 2.6 GHz. There goes the idea that each increment of 10 corresponds to 100 MHz. The 805 chugs along at 2.5 GHz.
Looks to me like every increment of 10 in the designation yields a 200MHz clock increment, and 5 being 100MHz. But then either the 940 should actually be the 930. Then again, Volvo's recent product nomenclature doesn't add up, either. the V50 is the wagon variant of the S40, and the V70 was the wagon variant of the S60, but is now of the new S80. But they can't change it to V90 because then the Cross-Country variant of the V70 would have to be called he XC90 instead of XC70—but they already have an XC90 SUV. Digging themselves into a hole of consumer confusion, AMD and Volvo both.
But why is AMD shafting early adopters by shutting out AM2+ PhenomII from the AM3 platform without even offering an AM3 920/940?
Well, can't agree with socket chart.
Let's see (long run)
AMD&Intel: Socket 7 (intel up to some 266MHz?, AMD up to 550MHz)
Intel Slot 1 - with FCPGA adapters up to some 1200MHz?
AMD SlotA - with socketA adapters up to some 1600MHz?
PPGA s370 ~ 600MHz?
FCPGA (coppermine) 1100MHz
FCPGA2 (tualatin) 1500MHz?
Guess what...PPGA/FCPGA/FCPGA2 were the same socket (s370).
Now...SocketA ranged from 800MHz Durons to 2GHz AthlonXP 3200+
P4 start was with socket 423, but intel soon abandoned it for 478, however there were some adapters for some CPUs which allowed s478 CPUs to work on s423 mobos.
AMD with A64 introduced single channel DDR platform on s754. Later in 939 there was enhancement with dual channel and dual core. But then DDR2 appeared with quite low prices - so they moved to AM2.
Intel brought LGA775, but most chipsets for Prescott couldn't handle Core 2, later C2D FSB800MHz chipsets couldn't handle FSB1066 and 1333MHz C2D/C2Q cpus. And now we get LGA1366, 1156 and some more for the same familly. Well, I guess intel is more disruptive than AMD. I can put PhenomII 810 AM3 to my AM2 mobo on M1695+NF3, some NF3 ASRock users can do that too. AM2/2+/3 is on the best way to be worthy SocketA successor.
raden_muazI've been waiting for so long for this phenom ii to come.
At last, phenom beats i7 in some kind of way.
Anyway, I never bought Intel for years because:
soheithere are 5 sokets technically but 2 physically
my question is : somebody try a am2/am2+ with a am3 cpu?
what did you expected from intel ? guess who they are ? the same who (probably) massacred your (i think) nation.
that's why i won't ever buy anything that is related to intel
nerrawgNice to see some OC friendly chips from AMD!
I do expect Intel to excel far better than AMD (I'd love to buy an i7, but I just can't)
About the massacred nation - I'm a Malaysian - they massacred my muslims brothers in Gaza.
VTOLfreakThere's something funny about these i7 920 scores. I replaced a Q6600 OCed to 3.2GHz for a i7 920 and the 920 wiped the floor with the Q6600 3.2GHz without any overclocking. So how can a E8500 with only 2 cores at 3.16GHz outrun a i7 920?
After I overclocked my i7 920 to 3.6GHz, my old Q6600 rig started looking like a mule in comparison.
soheie 8400,e 8500 are better in games comparative with q 6600 (with stock clocks)
it is easy to synchronize 2 cores at 3 ghz than 4 at 3 ghz
this is the problem with multicore technology ...n+1 cores = n-1 efficiency ..it's like engines you want torque or speed?
in games GHz are more important than other things
soheithis amd cpus are great!with stock voltages you can pass 3 ghz easily ..... yaaaamaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
a new species of velocity raptor
neiroatopelccSo in theory I could buy a new 720BE cpu and use it in my old tforce 550 (nforce 550 chipset) board?
jameskangsterOk, I must be missing something here. I compared the AM3, AM2+ reviews from Tom's Hardware and Anandtech (http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3512), and the results seem to contradict each other specifically relating to the game benchmarks. I understand there are subtle differences in the configuration setup, but i7 performs not so favorably according to Tom's Hardware's benchmarks, whereas at Anandtech's review, it pretty much stays on top in every benchmark.
well, theoretically that's the plan.
I'm also wondering, if my asus m2a-vm mobo will support these new cpus. that would be great
jameskangsterI apologize for keep posting other site's reviews, but it just bugs me that the other site's have different results posted compared to Tom's Hardware. Extremetech's review (http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2340569,00.asp) benchmarks are also similar to Anandtech's results. Although, they use Nvidia 9800 GTX. Maybe Tom's Hardware could review its performance tests and systems setup?
neiroatopelccI'm in no position to judge who are right, but ever since the first i7 review it's been clear that the old core2 processors deal better with most games. If that's due to lack of optimization for new features, or if i7 just isn't a gamers cpu I can't tell. But toms hardware has consistently shown that core 2 does better in games than i7. If they're right or wrong I cant say though. I don't have both platforms at home to play with.
jameskangsterI totally agree about old Core2 processors performing better than i7 in most/certain games. I just didn't understand how i7 performed worse than AM3, AM2 + Phenom II according to Tom's Hardware's benchmarks when at other tech site's performance reviews, i7 have consistently done better than the AMD solution. Again, I could have missed something, but like you I don't have all the right platforms to do my own benchmarks...
soheiBenchmark Results: A/V Encoding
h264 : http://www.extremetech.com ..96 sec
toms 98 sec
man 2-3 % difference?
look again
jameskangsterTo Sohei:
I was talking about the gaming performance benchmarks, if you read my comments.


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colloquially referred to simply as 'gradu is the dissertation for master's degrees, which make up the majority of degrees conferred in Finland, and this is therefore the most common type of thesis submitted in the country. The word "dissertation" can at times be used to describe a treatise without relation to obtaining an academic degree. The list should include a short title for each figure but not the whole caption. Malaysia edit Like the British model, the PHD or MPhil student is required to submit their theses or dissertation for examination by two or three examiners. Tables (where more than 1-2 pages). Takes a stand, meaning it announces your position towards a particular topic. Break up your results into logical segments by using subheadings Key results should be stated in clear sentences at the beginning of paragraphs. . Some suggestions on how to shorten your paper: Use tables for repetitive information. The goals of your paper will help you find the best thesis. If you're unsure about the selection of a project, let us know and we'll try to connect you with someone.
These projects are called "senior projects" or "senior theses they are generally done in the senior year near graduation after having completed other courses, the independent study period, and the internship or student teaching period (the completion of most of the requirements before the writing. You can master thesis proposal writing by following the easy steps we offer on our website. You should address a single issue in great detail so that your points can be fully supported in the body of the paper. 9 Correspondingly to the academic degree, the last phase of an academic thesis is called in Spanish a defensa de grado, defensa magistral or defensa doctoral in cases in which the university candidate is finalizing his or her licentiate, master's, or PhD program.
Avoid unnecessary repetition and irrelevant tangents.
Necessary repetition: the main theme should be developed in the introduction as a motivation or working.
This handout describes what a thesis statement is, how thesis statements work in your writing, and how you can craft or refine one for your draft.
Writing in college often takes the form of persuasionconvincing others that you have an interesting, logical point.
Women in the french revolution thesis
Wife of bath thesis
Avoid unnecessary repetition and irrelevant tangents. Not all essays persuade, and not all essays teach. These generalizations should not be taken too seriously, especially if you are working on a labor-intensive lab project. The Director may be involved with regular supervision along with the other supervisors, or may have more of an oversight role, with the other supervisors taking on the more day-to-day responsibilities of supervision. Why We Should Assign Your Proposal to Our Thesis Writer.


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5 Things That Are Essential To Our Daily Life
When we think about the path we have taken in our lives, when people ask us what we need for our well-being or to feel at home, we can find many different answers, as we know that life is not stable and we believe that our needs change according to time, place and environment... But wherever we are, some things are just essential for our happy daily life:
The sound of the birds singing, the rain falling through the window, the children laughing, or the wind touching the leaves... Music is present in our lives since we are babies - on the radio, in supermarkets, on the streets and even in the most sacred temples - music is everywhere.
We all know that music reduces stress and anxiety, decreases pain, helps with mental problems and other diseases. But for us, it is much more than that. Music represents the words we can't express, our thoughts, the way we feel and our emotional side. It is a communication tool, it shapes behaviours and influences relationships.
Plants and animals have a very important role in human life, they make us feel calm, compassionate and real. They provide us food, labor and tools, but they also have given us their company over generations, and that is very important as we are social beings - nature is everything. Plants make us feel fresh, renewed, in peace. We love long walks in nature, filling our body with fresh air and rejuvenating our mind.
Wherever we go, we feel a really deep connection with animals, especially dogs, they have something in their eyes that make us fall in love at first sight! Our love for animals is also one of the reasons why we choose a vegan lifestyle.
Food is one of those happy things that help us appreciate life so much more! We love cooking together, trying different recipes, finding new places with delicious food, or sharing dinner with friends and family. We love that happiness at the table, and sharing life stories while eating and drinking together is one of our favourite things to do with those we love. But especially good food - whole, organic and plant-based - it gives us energy, uplifts our mood and fills our stomach with the healthiest love. We believe that eating is creating memories, and we have really good ones at the table.
and by people we mean real people!
Different cultures, small communities, happy children, wise adults - sharing, learning, giving, loving, growing together! We feel a deep desire to not following a routine, not being in the same place for too long, make real connections with real people. We love being inspired by people's personalities, listening to their life stories, learning about their traditions, helping to fulfill their dreams and sharing smiles.
No matter the country, the time or the moment we are going through, we like to look at ourselves as individual beings. Although we are a couple, we have different needs, tastes and personalities. We never stop being ourselves because of the presence of the other, but sometimes it is good to spend some time alone to reconnect with the essence of our own being. Each person has unique characteristics that must be respected and nurtured, that's what keep us so special.


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The Brief
Vantage Wealth were looking for a client entertainment event other than the traditional 'drinks and food' option.
The Solution
We organised a tour of Liberation Brewery for a select group of Vantage Wealth clients, handling the event in its entirety, from distributing and managing the invitations, liaising with the venue and sourcing corporate gifts. Outsourcing the event management meant that Vantage Wealth could concentrate on looking after its clients knowing that all the logistics and administration were being taken good care of.


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Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega
Soldiers to ASG: surrender and live; Human Rights, IMT visit Sulu
Camp Bautista, Sulu, Oct 20, 2016- Abu Sayyaf members must surrender to preserve countless lives. This is the sentiment of soldiers in Sulu as the BaSulTa Sub-Regional Human Rights Commission (RHRC) and Intenational Monitoring Team (IMT) for the peace process visit Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) 4pm Wednesday and whole of Thursday respectively.
The ARMM BaSulTa Sub-RHRC led by Atty Edy Lyn Santiago conferred with JTFS officers on status of human rights awareness of troops and was assured of the compliance of soldiers on Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and the Rule of Law. JTFS officials cited the case of suspected ASG Pauji Asgari who was arrested last Tuesday. Asgari was treated well, brought to the hospital for medical check-up and was immediately given food.
The IMT on the other hand was led by Malaysian Maj. Gen. Datuk Wir Zamrose who conferred with JTFS and LGU officials on the status of peace process in the province.
Soldiers in Sulu are calling on the ASG to surrender in light of successive encounters which resulted to the death of many ASG members including the neutralization of the notorious Muktadil brothers and the arrest of Asgari by Army troops in Talipao, Sulu on Tuesday.
Soldiers said the arrest of Asgari is essentially a surrender since he did not put a fight. Troops of 41st Infantry Battalion pursuing a group of armed men apprehended Asgari on information of local residents and recovered an M16 assault rifle, ammunition, electric cords, combat pack, cellphone, hammock, motorcycle and Marine Battle Dress Attire.
Soldiers speaking in vernacular said "Its good he did not resist. He and his mother are now glad he is alive. We dont want anyone being killed but if he tried to shoot at us, we will have no choice but to shoot back".
Asgari's mother showed up a day after his arrest and thanked soldiers for their kind treatment on his son. JTFS officials assured her and all relatives of ASG that surrenderees will be treated well.
It may be recalled that AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Ricardo Visaya made a call for the ASG to surrender to preserve lives and for them to have a new life. A week after, 21 ASG from Basilan surrendered.
Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, JTFS commander is echoing the same, "We are calling on the ASG to surrender and stop these kidnapings and all un-Islamic activities so that they may be given chance to live, atone for their crimes and be with their families".
Reports from communities indicate that many ASG want to surrender but are being held and intimidated by their leaders saying they will be killed by soldiers if they surrender. However, authorities say that is far from truth and that is part of coercion and misinformation ASG leaders feed to their members.
Brig. Gen. Dela Vega said "The humane treatment of our soldiers to the arrested ASG is a proof of the commitment of our toops in respecting Human Rights and protecting the lives of others even those of criminals".
"We are all losers in this war specially the victims and the people of Sulu. Our soldiers die, many more on the ASG are killed and those who suffer most are the victims and innocent people being displaced due to the atrocities of the ASG", Brig. Gen. Dela Vega concluded.
Since July, a total of 36 ASG were killed in Sulu and scores were wounded while the AFP suffered 15 killed in action and 28 wounded in action.
The focused military operation launched by the AFP since July resulted to the rescue and recovery of 16 hostages while a total of 12 kidnap victims remain to be rescued.
Released by: Information Support Team, JTF Sulu
Soldiers undergo combat stress debriefing in Sulu
Camp Bautista, Sulu, Oct 4, 2016- Soldiers at the forefront of the relentless combat operations against the bandit group Abu Sayyaf (ASG) in Sulu are undergoing continuous combat stress debriefing to cope with psychological rigors of their job.
Three companies from different battalions have so far undergone the combat stress debriefing being conducted by a steady flow of medical teams coming from the AFP Medical Center.
This is the third week of debriefing with medical teams composed of health professionals from various specializations with majority from the Psychological Health Department. Priests from the Chaplain Service are also part of the teams.
Two teams from AFP medical center have so far completed the three-week process and are set to be replaced by another team from Manila.
The combat stress debriefing is a mechanism to ensure the psychological health, morale and welfare of troops involved in highly dangerous combat operations. Such type of stress was first observed on American troops during the Vietnam War by medical personnel and was found out to be a type of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.
The debriefing aims to address possible cases of PTSD among troops, a sickness that is beyond superficial wounds common among soldiers, policemen and other law enforcers who have been to combat zones or some life threatening situations.
Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of JTF Sulu said, "Combat stress debriefing is part of the program of the AFP to take care of the health and welfare of troops involved in combat. The AFP provides a continuing healthcare program to our soldiers from the moment officers and troops get commissioned or enlisted until they retire from the service".
Combat fatigue and battle stress debriefing are provided to our soldiers in view of their perilous mission. This is to address any possible problem or stress that may affect the performance; and medical and psychological health of soldiers assigned in combat zones.
Released by: Information Support Team, JTF Sulu
Wounded soldiers in Sulu receive medals, rescue efforts continue
Camp Bautista, Sulu, Sep 30, 2016- Five soldiers wounded in different encounters against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were given medals by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a simple ceremony at Camp Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo 9am Friday.
Awarded with the Wounded Personnel Medal were 2Lt Joelimar Sulit, TSg Mario de Guzman Jr., Sgt Berhamin Jumdana, Pfc Deborah Paracuelles and Pvt Michael Andre Atega.
Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of JTF Sulu personally pinned the medals on the wounded troops who are recuperating at the Station Hospital.
"This is one way of recognizing the bravery and services of our troops in protecting the people of Sulu", Brig. Gen. Dela Vega said.
Soldiers continue to scour suspected ASG lairs in Sulu to rescue the remaining kidnap victims. Thirteen hostages; six Indonesians, six Filipinos and one Norwegian have been rescued or released since the assumption of Pres Duterte and ordered an intensified focused military operations to destroy the ASG and rescue the remaining victims .
Five ASG including the notorious Muktadil brothers were killed in the latest operations this week in diferrent parts of Sulu.
Several ASG involved in the drug trade were also arrested in Zamboanga City and in Metro Manila by combined AFP-PNP forces.
Former hostages revealed that ASG members were usually high on drugs and were personally seen by them taking Shabu. Reports from line units indicate that drug money is being used by ASG to finance its daily operations in conducting criminal acts, terrorism and anti-Islamic activities.
POC:Col Rodrigo Gregorio / 09175595622 / Released by:Information Support Team, JTF Sulu
Sulu troops extend Eid'l Adha greetings, soldiers' hospital blessed
Camp Bautista, Sulu – Troops in Sulu greet all Muslims and Christians alike a Happy Eid'l Adha as Muslims around the world gather and celebrate.
This is the message of solidarity of troops as mass is celebrated Sunday during the blessing of a newly constructed hospital inside Camp Bautista.
The newly constructed station hospital is expected to enhance the survival of wounded troops and widen the medical care that can be given to soldiers and their families while stationed in Sulu.
Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Commander of Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) said, "Soldiers in Sulu and those assigned generally in Mindanao have learned to understand and respect the religion and culture of Moros".
"We extend our sincere desire for a peaceful Eid'l Adha and we again appeal to the people of Sulu for their continued cooperation to ensure the safety of all members of the community" Brig. Gen. dela Vega stated.
The ongoing rescue efforts of kidnap victims in Sulu have been intensified since the order of President Duterte last August after a local Muslim Jolo resident, Patrick James Almodovar was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) after the Family of the 18 year old Almodovar failed to raise the P1,000,000 ransom.
The President visited troops a few weeks back while the AFP Chief of Staff, Gen Ricardo Visaya visited soldiers in Jolo five times with the latest on Saturday.
The focused military operations to destroy the ASG and rescue the hostages took the lives of 15 soldiers and 27 were wounded in Sulu while three were killed and one wounded in Basilan totalling 18 killled in action and 28 wounded in action.
Atleast 32 ASG were killed in Sulu in the ongoing focused military operations while 27 were killed in Basilan totalling 59 ASG dead and scores wounded.
POC: Col Rodrigo Gregorio / 09175595622
Released by: Information Support Team, JTF Sulu


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Hello to my favorite people on earth!
I just love reading all of your emails and hearing all the great experiences that you have each week!! Don't worry Mom, as Allison moves out, I'll move in for a little bit in about 6 and a half months! Crazy! But that is weird to think that all of us are all grown up. But we thank you guys for raising us up in the Gospel and always being there for us and all of the sacrifices that you have done for us. Thank you.
I'm glad that all of you guys have a job and that you love what you do. I am glad that we are strong as a family. Even though we have struggles, I have learned something on my mission. -Sometimes we pray to Heavenly Father so that things will be a lot easier, but we should pray and ask that we will be made stronger- It is so true. Let us all pray that we may be strong to overcome our trials. We have had many, we have many, and we will always continue to have many more to come. But Heavenly Father wants us to grow. I love you guys.
Well as I told you...they didn't really tell me anything about my back. They said that it is just muscle fatigue because of all the walking that I am doing and so they have given me pills and it has been helping a little. But I'm okay (:
Renzo is doing well!! He was going to get baptized this weekend but we have moved it to next week for the 30th of August because we want to prepare him more. He told us this past week that as a baby, his Mom abandoned him and his Dad died. He lives with his Aunt and little sister. His Aunt isn't a member. But the sister of the Aunt is a member and she has been helping us. Poor kid. He is really cool though and we are excited to prepare him a little more for his baptism.
This past week we had changes and we had to go Tuesday morning bright and early to the airport to help pick up the bags for all the missionaries and leave them in the office. That afternoon 2 new elders came out with us. One from Idaho and the other from Utah. It was fun to talk to them. It made me think of my first day in the field and how lost I was. But anyways, those 2 elders went to Jaen! So we were able to talk to them all about it since my comp and I served there a year ago!
Me and my comp having a pillow fight! He's the best!
There isn't too much to tell this week. But I will end with a funny/scary story as I always like to do that happened to me this past week.
Late at night we were walking back home from a member's house. We were walking on the sidewalk next to a small mud fence that surrounded some bushes and little trees. Well the member told us to be careful because there was a dog that was there and the dog I guess is a mean one. Well I didn't even hear the member and so I continued walking as my companion went to the street. As the little mud fence ended the dog came running around the corner and I just saw a big black blur come up right on me! The dog tried to bite me a few times but luckily it only got me once on the bum! Haha but it didn't hurt at all. At first I was terrified and didn't even know what to do! But after 5 seconds or so it got off and ran away. After we just had a huge laugh but man! It was nuts!!
This is what was left of me after my dog attack!
I hope you guys are doing well. Thanks for your prayers every day.
I love you.
He loves you.
Elder Smith


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Yusuf, ailing son of President Muhammadu Buhari, is still unconscious, DAILY POST has been reliably informed.
Also, Aisha, his mother and the country's First Lady, has been admitted for high blood pressure.
Both Yusuf and Aisha are on admission at Cedarcrest Hospital in the nation's capital, Abuja.
Recall that this newspaper reported Thursday night that Aisha was placed on bed rest.
But our source confirmed Friday afternoon that her condition has worsened.
"This is a trying period for the family. Both son and mother are not in good state.
"Yusuf still unconscious, still not talking.
"Mrs Aisha has been fully admitted. She was initially on bed rest but doctors won't let her go because she now has high BP," the source added.
Meanwhile, more family members, relatives, friends, officials of federal and state governments, lawmakers, envoys among others are trooping to the private health facility to show concern.
The development has led to increase in security at the hospital.


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Sony sent us their new Xperia Z5 to play with this week.
The Japanese company has put a lot of work into marketing the device's camera, calling it "our best camera phone" and "revolutionary." We have a full review on its way. But first I wanted to compare Z5's much-touted camera to the most well-regarded pocket shooter in the industry: the iPhone 6s.
The first thing you notice with the Z5's camera is the speed of its autofocus feature. Sony claims it'll ready a shot in 0.03 seconds in ideal situations. While I never experienced quite that level of fast, it was remarkable — and noticeably faster than the iPhone 6s.
Below are some images testing the two devices in various situations — outdoors, indoors, in mixed light, and in the dark. The Z5's lens is wider, and its sensor uses a narrower aspect ratio than the 6s. So you'll notice the compositions vary a little between the images. Also, I left both cameras in automatic mode, choosing not to take advantage of the manual settings Sony offers hardcore photographers.
Here's how the two smartphone cameras stacked up.
In broad daylight, there was a surprising degree of difference between the Xperia Z5 and iPhone 6s
The iPhone's camera system did a much better job here. An unmoving daylight scene is usually the easiest situation for a camera to nail, but the Z5 made some obvious mistakes.
First, the Z5 went a bit too bright, blowing out the clouds and reducing the overall contrast of the image. It also selected a cooler white balance, taking the punch out of the reflected sunlight and flattening the scene's colors across the board. The iPhone went with a warm tone that lent richness and depth to the image's colors.
The Xperia Z5, a 23 megapixel device, offered less detail than the 12 megapixel iPhone 6s. Don't see it? Look at the stars on that American flag. This is partly because the Z5 uses its 23 megapixels less efficiently across a much wider frame, but also because megapixels don't actually matter.
Open apertures can throw the background more nicely out of focus, but the difference between the Z5 and the iPhone is unnoticeable. (More on aperture here.)
I like to test cameras in fancy sneaker stores because of the combination of intense color, bright lights, and dark backgrounds. The difference between the cameras in these two shots amazed me. Even with hard focus taps right on that yellow shoe, the Xperia Z5 blew it out on several attempts. The iPhone 6s exposed every part of the shot perfectly on the first try.
Blown up, the iPhone's image is grainier, while the Xperia Z5 shows some unfortunate software effects
You can see here that the iPhone still landed a better focus in the dark in one shot than the Xperia Z5 after several tries. The iPhone's software left more grain in the image, while the Z5's removed it. This is a matter of personal preference, but I don't like the Xperia's JPEG-y product as much as the iPhone's grain.


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Turning of the Year: Celtic Celebration
Celtic Holiday Mini-Fest:
John Whelan, Low Lily & Katie McNally
"Spirited…lively!…memorable musical celebration…the warmth and good cheer would have felt good in any season"
The Eighth Step presents TURNING OF THE YEAR: A Celtic Holiday Mini-Fest, an intergenerational extravaganza of traditional Irish button accordion, Scottish & Cape Breton fiddle, guitars, mandolin and harmony singing!
Alongside fast jigs and reels will be lesser-known Christmas carols and wintry classics: two fiddles, accordion, guitars, mandolin, double bass and lush, layered vocals. The generations come together for a fresh new take on roots music from both sides of the pond. Traditional and original music from Ireland, Scotland and America makes for a diverse and high-energy evening to help usher in the holiday season.
Seven Times All-Ireland Fiddle Champion and Narada recording artist JOHN WHELAN teams up with American Roots Band LOW LILY, and KATIE McNALLY on Scottish and Cape Breton fiddle. The ensemble brings an exciting, mix of Irish and Scottish music, modern American string band music and harmonious vocals to celebrate the upcoming Winter holidays.
Whelan, original Riverdance cast member, leads the ensemble with seemingly endless personality and energy. Long-time fans remember his Irish fusion band Kips Bay Coeli Band, a powerhouse of immigrant talent, or his fabulous duo performances on our stage with band mate Pat Kilbride.
Low Lily is Liz Simmons on vocals & guitar, Flynn Cohen on vocals, guitar, mandolin, and Lissa Schneckenburge on vocals, fiddle.
This evening brings more than a triple bill – the artists mix solos, duos and everything-in-between. From the sweet sound of the accordion with simple but lush guitar textures behind it, to a blast of reels with everyone playing, to an American song ringing with soaring three-part harmony, this show bursts with life!
Personal Responsibility Statement: Proctors prides itself on offering a diverse selection of arts entertainment. Not all productions may appeal to or be appropriate for every person or for all ages. Patrons are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the shows we offer in order to make informed decisions prior to purchasing tickets.
FREE PARKING in the Broadway parking garage is provided by Upstate Ford Dealers. WE ARE IN YOUR AREA.


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- About
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The 7th of October was a closing day for Offshore Marintec Russia, an international exhibition and conference on shipbuilding and R&D of high-technology equipment for development of the Arctic and continental shelf.
International exhibition and conference on shipbuilding and development of the Arctic and the continental shelf Offshore Marintec Russia finishes its work. For the second time the leading players of the market of energy resources gathered on the platform CEC "Expoforum" for demonstration of the latest developments in the sphere of oil and gas production, and also for discussion and development of ways of upgrading the processes of development, drilling, production and transportation of energy resources.
The 3rd day of the international forum and exhibition Offshore Marintec Russia and St.Petersburg International Energy Forum was rich for round tables and special sections of different subjects: new technologies for research of the continental shelf, safety on objects of the North Navy Way, development of infrastructure of the water and shelf territory.
The second day of the international exhibition and conference "Offshore Marintec Russia" and the 16th St. Petersburg International Energy Forum has opened the Plenary session on the subject "Strategic objectives and priorities of development of the Arctic and continental shelf of the Russian Federation".
According to the Chairman of the Program committee of a conference, the chairman of Scientific Council of RAS on geology and development of oil and gas fields, the academician of RAS Alexey Kontorovich, at this discussion platform for more than 20 years the main questions of ideological policy in the field of oil production and power are brought up and solved.
In St. Petersburg, in hall H, CEC "Expoforum" an International Conference and Exhibition on shipbuilding and the development of the continental shelf infrastructure «Offshore Marintec Russia» and the 16th St. Petersburg International Energy Forum have already started. It is the largest in the region congress and exhibition project. The leading Russian and international companies share here their experience in technological support, shipbuilding to offshore development, development of integrated marine structures.
The full Conference program of Offshore Marintec Russia is now available on the website of the event. Offshore Marintec Russia International Offshore and Maritime Exhibition and Conference will be held from 4 – 7 October 2016 in ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Center, St. Petersburg, Russia. The Conference for shipbuilding and offshore oil and gas development is the congress event accompanying OMR Exhibition. The Conference Program includes a plenary session and commercial and technical conference sessions. Leading Russian and international companies will share their knowledge on the most challenging issues for the technology and equipment support of offshore oil and gas production, shipbuilding for the shelf exploration, development of complex marine structures etc.
The 2nd International Offshore аnd Maritime Exhibition & Conference Offshore Marintec Russia co-organized by Restec Exhibitions & UBM takes place in ExpoForum, St. Petersburg, 4-7 October 2016. The event offers an opportunity to have a complete grasp of modern technical means necessary at all stages of offshore energy resources development from geological prospecting and producing to transportation and storage. Gazprom is the general sponsor of the event; Gazprom neft has become an official sponsor of OMR 2016. Key participants include: Gazprom, Gazprom neft, Lukoil, United Shipbuilding Corporation, Far Eastern Center of Shipbuilding and Shiprepair, Valcom, Krylov State Research Center, Elektropribor, Concern Morinformsystem-Agat, Kurchatov Institute, and others.
Offshore Marintec Russia includes a rich business program devoted to development of the continental shelf infrastructure and shipbuilding. Leading Russian and international market players will share their experience in technological support, shipbuilding, shelf development, development of integrated marine structures — during various plenary sessions and round-table discussions on technical and economic issues.
The Mikhail Barskov tanker is the first of two ships to be built in Vladivostok for the Pacific Fleet and it is scheduled to be delivered in November 2017.
DNV GL has secured a contract to provide in-service verification and classification services to a range of facilities at the Ichthys LNG project in Australia.
In the context of Round table "Development of the fleet for shelf oil and gas exploration" experts discussed the experience and prospects of Russian shipbuilding in conditions of new economic reality and development of high-technological production.
In the context of Round table "Development of the fleet for shelf oil and gas exploration" experts discussed the experience and prospects of Russian shipbuilding in conditions of new economic reality and development of high-technological production.
Schlumberger Limited (NYSE: SLB) and Cameron (NYSE: CAM) today jointly announced a definitive merger agreement in which the companies will combine in a stock and cash transaction. The agreement was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies.
A new law might force shipping companies to sail in the Arctic only under Russian flag.
The oil company wants to build another Arctic oil terminal, similar to the one in Varandey, but might be stopped by Rosneft.
The Russian Navy has received a brand new oceanographic research vessel, the Yantar, which is equipped with two self-propelled deep submergence vehicles; the ship was built at the Russian Baltic shipyard of the same name, Yantar, and is slated to be used for deep-sea research and rescue operations.
The Russian Government has allocated more than 205 million rubles for resuming operation of floating research stations in the Arctic.
Russia is building an armada of new icebreakers which will substantially strengthen its presence in Arctic waters.
Following a workshop on the development of Russia's shipbuilding sector Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev charged the ministries and departments with the task of working out a strategy to support the country's shipbuilders, the Russian Government's official website said.
Vyborg Shipyard (United Shipbuilding Corporation) will build two 22 MW multi-purpose diesel-electric icebreakers for Gazprom Neft Novy Port (subsidiary of Gazprom Neft, operator of Novy Port project).


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It's been raining here for the last two days. The rain stopped this afternoon and the sky is beautiful. But the water is still here.
Our yard always seems to collect the water and squishes excessively after rain. I've become accustomed to this and try to walk lightly (if that's possible). On my way to the library I noticed a weird noise in the grass. I think you can actually hear the water seeping through the ground. Most of the way up the hill I heard small trickling noises in the grass.
I think this is really exciting, obviously, since I'm writing about it. In Florida, rainwater just sits and habors mosquitoes.


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Canna Care Docs
Call to book an appointment today!
About Us
Canna Care Docs of Cape Cod is located on the scenic, Route 6A, in the historical district of Yarmouthport, Massachusetts. Just a skip to the beach, the Cape Cod CCD office is tucked away in between Oliver's Restaurant and Peterson's Market on the corner of Bray Farm Road and Main Street. We are happy to serve year-round and long-term seasonal Massachusetts Residents in nearby communities including Cape Cod and the Islands, Barnstable County, Plymouth County and the South Shore Community. Canna Care Docs of Cape Cod offers compassionate and compliant care to those seeking medical cannabis therapy.
Canna Care Docs qualifies patients who live in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, the District of Columbia and Canada into medical marijuana programs.
Canna Care Docs is committed to the medicinal value cannabis brings to your holistic healthcare treatment, while providing safe and compliant access to medical marijuana programs. At Canna Care Docs you will spend time with a caring, non-judgmental medical professional who can discuss your qualifying conditions for medical marijuana, and determine how cannabis relates to your needs as a patient.


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Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Learn from CJ Panganiban
There is no need to reinvent the wheel. All that the JBC needs to do is to look at the process implemented by the JBC under the leadership of then CJ Panganiban. Under his leadership, the JBC was able to reduce the vacancy in the judiciary to 16 percent from a high of 32 percent.Today it is back to 25 percent. Instead of pushing on to bring the vacancy to single digit levels, the process regressed under succeeding chief justices and hence the vacancy rate ballooned back to unacceptable levels.
The workshop should review the minutes of previous JBC meetings held during CJ Panganiban's time. Here they will discover that at one point the JBC interviewed up to thirty applicants daily for a period of four months, thereby speeding up the nomination process tremendoulsy. If we, in the JBC, were able to reduce the vacancy rates from 32 percent to 16 percent then, there is no reason why the JBC cannot do it now. We slashed the vacancies in half. The JBC today should be able to accomplish this and more. The target should be to reduce the vacancy rate to single digits in a year's time. This will require an aggressive recruitement effort where the JBC goes to the provinces to urge lawyers to take on the challenge of public service.
CJ Sereno who is young and energetic should lead the charge and undertake an all encompassing search for the best and the brigtest to join the judiciary and help in putting in place the reforms it so urgently needs.
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'Rangoli' summer jacket
'Rangoli' summer jacket
Season - Spring/Summer'16
Fabric - 100% cotton;fully lined
Make - This long hand-printed coat is ideal for a casual summer day out. These vivd motifs are a contemporary form of the traditional indian art called 'rangoli'. Plum cotton extended collar makes the coat notable for this summer.
Our fabrics do not stretch;please refer to our size guide before placing an order.
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Sermon: Sunday, 01 September 2013
Sermon for 01 September 2013, Proper 17, Year C
The Rev. Theo Park
A printable PDF file of this sermon is available here: 20130901 - Proper 17, Year C - The Rev. Theo Park
An audio recording of this sermon is available here: https://soundcloud.com/amindtowork-org/sermon-20130901
An audio recording of the day's gospel reading is available here: https://soundcloud.com/amindtowork-org/gospel-20130901
This morning's passage from Proverbs has got to be the shortest reading in the lectionary! Man…blink and you missed it. And yet Jesus evidently paid great attention to this pithy little saying, or one like it. Of course, at the same time Jesus turns the saying on its head, but then this is what we expect of him.
It must have seemed like such a great idea. The Pharisees invite Jesus over for dinner thinking, no doubt, that they could humble him. That is surely what is meant by the words, "they were watching him." You know, they're going to knock him down a few pegs. Expose him for the fraud he must surely be. It would be the only way to stop those crowds from following him around; those scruffy, dirty, filthy crowds of little people.
What the upright religious community would learn— what the guardians of such fine things as virtue, character, and values were to learn— is that you cannot humble one who chooses to humble himself.
And what a rude guest he turns out to be. Would any of us really welcome such a man? A man who comes into the house and proceeds to lecture your other guests? There they were, leaning their chairs up against the table to be sure they would be able to sit where and with whom they wished— the people they ought to sit with and so on— and Jesus lambastes them for what is surely natural human behavior.
Then when Jesus is finished with the guests, he lectures his host about the guest list itself. Don't invite your friends, brothers, kinsmen, neighbors and the like. Invite those without the power and without the resources to reciprocate your hospitality in any way at all.
What kind of guest is this, anyway? I suspect that dinners in most of our homes look a lot more like dinner with the Pharisees than anything Jesus seems to have in mind. Imagine him arriving at a parish potluck and pulling back all the chairs that have been placed against the tables and lecturing everyone left and right about not saving places. And then telling us to go over to the Drake to find some poor (literally) strangers to have a feast on our tab. It's rather overwhelming. More than just a few of us would be upset if not down right mad at this behavior! It is clear from this encounter that meals with Jesus are not going to be nice, mannerly, carefully arranged events. And based on the readings of the last couple of weeks he probably isn't just talking about dinner parties. At least not as he is portrayed in Luke.
I don't know about you, but this is the Jesus who haunts my more reflective moments. The one who looms over my shoulder when someone turns up at the door looking for help with the rent or groceries or a tank of gas and I say "No" and then return at the end of the day to my well-appointed 22nd floor condominium overlooking the river. It doesn't matter that I really have no ready money, either in my church or personal account. It doesn't matter that I know that some of these stories are scams or at least that some of those asking make a living doing this. It doesn't matter that I am already known on the circuit as a sure soft touch. I hear Jesus saying, "Invite the anawim, the outcast and the destitute, those who are dependent on God alone. Whatever you do for them, you do for me." And I look at my behavior and I cringe. I can't say that I have an answer for the social ills of our world. I don't presume to tell you what to do. But I certainly have an opinion about what Jesus would have me do. And it isn't easy. Perhaps that's as much as can be expected of us, at least to start with: that we feel the discomfort and shine its light on our choices and actions.
Robert Coles, author of The Spiritual Lives of Children, among other things, tells a story about his first encounter with the great social reformer Dorothy Day, who was living and working with the poor in the slums of New York City. Coles was in Harvard Medical School at the time, studying to be a psychiatrist, proud of his status, and also proud that he had volunteered to work with Dorothy Day in helping the poor. He arrived for his first meeting to discover Day sitting at a table, deep in conversation with a very disheveled street person. She didn't notice Coles had come into the room until they had finished their conversation. Then she asked, "Do you want to speak to one of us?" Robert Coles was astounded by Day's humility. She had identified so completely with a so-called "nobody" as to remove all distinction between them. Coles said it changed his life. He said he learned more in that moment than in his four years at Harvard. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. In this statement, we hear a great truth about humility. In emptying ourselves, we will find fulfillment. In humbling ourselves, we will be exalted. In a culture that prizes "the secrets of highly successful people" and urges us to "awaken our inner giant," this sounds rather counterintuitive. But is it true? Is Jesus right? Does Dorothy Day indeed point us to the truth of Jesus' statement? Let's submit this statement to the test of human experience. Can we walk through life on a perpetual high? Once we have found fulfillment, do we live from that place from then on? Or does the universe have a way of knocking us off our perches and emptying us out? Isn't it more often like the latter than the former. Even for those who have powerfully known and experienced the grace and mercy of God in Jesus Christ, who have known in our hearts and minds the peace of God that passes understanding, they have also known the dark night of the soul and the fear and trembling of salvation. Is this surprising? Disappointing? Should it be? After all, when Jesus called his disciples he didn't promise them that they would be able to achieve anything in one year, as a popular self-help book did not long ago. Rather, he said, "Leave everything behind, follow me and be transformed." It seems that we are constantly moving back and forth between emptiness and fulfillment, between humility and exaltation, between death and resurrection. Life still knocks the wind out of us. The universe still reduces us to tears. Death and loss still bring us to our knees. But rather than try to awaken the giant or the hero within, we who try to follow Christ are called to remember the truth and the promise that all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
It is a paradox, really, that Jesus brings to the dinner table. The people with whom Jesus identifies himself are those society judges to be misfits. Jesus says he is the person who is poor. He is that person who is hungry. He is that broken woman who has lived all those years with pain and rejection. We recognize this every time we promise to seek and serve him in all persons, to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Wouldn't it be simply fantastic if it turned out to be true? Wouldn't it be absolutely extraordinary if we all discovered this? Wouldn't the face of the world be changed? If we could just become friends with the people Jesus befriended, wouldn't we be blessed?
This sermon was created by The Rev. Theo Park for The Episcopal Church of Gethsemane, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sources are credited where applicable.


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I bought the ticket on a whim, just a few weeks before departure. After dreaming of a trip to England for most of my life, I saw an opening, felt the chill of winter at the back of the wardrobe, and ran after it.
I like to know things. I like to know what is coming next. But I also cherish the unknown, the mystery of how a whole universe spins around us every day. I crave adventure.
At first, in the days after my ticket purchase, I felt like a badass. Like a woman who takes charge of her own damn destiny. But of course that quickly gave way to fear (we'll come back to that in a minute).
And then a conversation with a new friend, in which I found myself making excuses for my passions and how I haven't been pursuing them. I am made to write, I said, sipping at a pint of Porter, but there's no time.
There's always time, though. And also never time. We only have now, and in the now, we have all the time we need.
I bought the ticket because I'm thirty-five years old and if not now, when? I never believed I was immortal, but lived as if I had no end. There was always plenty of time, endless time, until, like the rest of us, I learned the hard way that that's not the case.
Life ends and begins in a moment, and if I have the time and the willingness and the dream to do a thing, a thing that brings joy and that challenges and delights and grows the self -- why am I not doing it now? Why am I waiting for tomorrow, which may never come?
I bought the ticket.
I haven't begun writing again (unless you count this post), but I feel the words calling.
I am afraid.
Afraid that the flesh and blood adventure I'm taking, the trip that has turned into something of a pilgrimage, won't stand up to the one I've dreamed of for decades. That I'll be crippled by anxiety or laid low by depression (these fears are not unfounded). Afraid that the words will come out stilted and broken, that they don't matter, that nothing matters in the end.
I am writing this from the airport, where the unknown stories of the travelers traipsing, the different skin tones, the slow dance of the planes outside both soothe and excite me.
I am here, taking the first steps of the adventure. I am writing, perhaps stilted, perhaps broken.
In the end, I will have gone on the trip and returned. I will have picked up the proverbial pen and used it. I will not have to wonder "what if," and although the fear is real, my gut says that even if this is all that these ventures give me, it will be enough.


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The El Dorado Hills Library invites readers of all ages to join the Summer Reading Challenge 2017; "Build a Better World". Bubblemania will be hosting an outdoor bubble party for the little ones, while older kids can compete in the Stomp Rocket launch. Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge and enjoy a free popsicle!
Sacramento4Kids is an online family resource guide for kids within the Greater Sacramento area. From Events, Arts & Music, Birthday Parties, Camps, Child Care, Classes, Deals, Discounts, Schools, Field Trips, Health Providers, Kids Eat Free venues, Places To Go, Sports, and for Special Needs children.
9245 Laguna Springs Dr.
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