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Fine diamond, jewelry, precious gemstones, and pearlhand selected with care, and sold with integrity.
The Jewelry HutHow to choose Fine pearls; Buying Guide
Celebrating a Special Occasion with Jewelry
Nothing more personal than our response to color. Color is the new language of passion, and nothing captures it better than distinctively styled jewelry.Leave her speechless with our brilliant colorless and fancy colored diamond or bold brilliant gemstone jewelry styles.
The Name you rely on most - the first name in quality, dependability, and service - is now your first choice in style.
Its ....
The Jewelry HutThe Cultured Pearl The Buying Guide
Getting to know GemsHow to select, buy, and care for, and enjoy Pearl Jewelry
Selecting pearls to treasureHow to choose Fine pearls
Today, pearls are available to meet every occasion, every personal style, and every budget; some are rarer than others, some much costlier than others. You may wonder how you will ever be able to balance quality, beauty, and value, but it will come more easily than you can imagine, especially if you follow some simple guidelines.First you must take time to find fine jewelers to explore the many varieties available and decide what type of pearl you really want. Be sure to select reputable, knowledgeable jewelers who will be able to show you a wide selection and help you learn to see subtle differences.Once you know what type of pearl you want, and the range in price, you must decide how to best meet your own needs.
The secret to getting what type of pearl you really want
If you are like most people, you will find that you have a minimum size with which you are comfortable, and may prefer a particular color or shape. Here are some guidelines to help you get what you want without sacrificing important quality factors.
Never sacrifice lustrousness for this is what sets the pearl apart from all other gems and gives it life. Most of all, lustrous pearls will give you many years of pleasure and enjoyment. Such pearls are difficult to find; you wont find them just anywhere, but when you persevere and succeed, you will experience a rare pleasure and pride every time you wear them. You may even find that strangers cant resist the urge to come take a closer look and comment!The secret to getting the pearls you really want is to look for intense luster and orient: the more intense the luster and orient, the less noticeable all other factors become!This is easy to understand if you think about it for a moment; lustrousness actually creates an optical illusion making subtle differences less noticeable;
Whatever type of pearl you choose; saltwater, freshwater, round, baroque, button, white, black, cream, or gold, you will have something wonderful as long as you choose a pearl with rich luster and iridescence.
Choose wisely
When buying pearls, its important to take the time to compare various types, sizes, and qualities to develop an eye for the differences. Be sure too search fine jewelers who are most likely to have a wide selection of pearl types and qualities. Her are some suggestions you might find helpful:
Shopping around can be of tremendous help before you buy pearls. It will help you become familiar with the wide range of pearls available within your price range; it will also develop your eye to distinguish quality differences, and help you decide what color, size, shape, and type are best for you. If you take the time to follow this advice, your pearls will be a source of lasting pleasure and pride.
Pearl choices: A world of variety
Never before have there been so many beautiful pearl choices, from so many different parts of the world. In addition to Japan, where the art of culturing pearls was developed and refined, beautiful cultured pearls are being produced in many other countries including Australia, China, the Cook Island, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Tahiti. Other countries that may become important sources for cultured pearls; some of which were once known for natural pearls, include India, Mexico, Thailand, Venezuela, Vietnam, and in the United States, Hawaii.White pearls have certain characteristics in common no mater what their origin, each country or locality seems to produce a slightly different pearl, varying somewhat in color, orient and lustrousness, size or shape. Here we want to give you a glimpse of some of the wonderful pearls now available from major pearl producing nations. The information and descriptions provided here will help you better understand the varieties now available, how they compare to each other, and what your choices are.Whatever the source, remember that fine pearls are produced in every country, and poor pearls are produced in every country. When making a selection, the basic factors that affect quality must always be considered: luster and orient, color, surface perfection, shape, size, and in fancy color pearls, tone.
Australia: The best of down under
Australia is the worlds largest producer of fine white South Sea pearls, producing round beauties that rival the finest that once came from Burma. The finest Australian pearls; large white pearls, are considered by many experts to be the queen of todays cultured pearl market. Australian keshis are also very fine. They have become very desirable but are becoming increasingly rare.
China: Queen of the freshwater cultured pearl
China has always been a land of contrasts, and so it is today with pearls. It is a land with vast potential, poised to become a world leader in the production of freshwater and saltwater varieties.China now produces most of the worlds freshwater cultured pearls and is producing a steadily supply of saltwater cultured pearls.
The Cook Island: Aubergines to Whet any appetite
While similar to other natural color black pearls being cultured throughout French Polynesia, this newcomer to the world of cultured pearls is producing some of the most distinctive colors; sensual shades in mauve to aubergine. Designers are just discovering this lovely pearl, and creating some luscious creations!
Indonesia and Philippines: A golden future in South Sea cultured pearls
Indonesia and the Philippines have crated more than a ripple with their exotic creamy, yellow and golden pearls; in fact, theyve created a wave!For many years, the more traditional white pearl was clearly preferred to warm cream or yellow colors. That has changed. As pearl buyers have become more sophisticated, and conformity is longer the rule, color has moved center-stage. Fine quality cultured pearls from Indonesia and the Philippines are a wonderful choice fro many who likes warm tones.Here is a glimpse of the exotic, tranquil character of the Philippine cultured pearl. (We regret that Indonesia, which has produced some magnificent deep gold pearls; as well as some lovely, if somewhat spotted, pink pearls, has suffered a major setback following a series of catastrophic natural disasters and production has been greatly reduced. For this reason, we are focusing on the Philippine pearl here, but barring any further setbacks, the near future looks very exciting for Indonesia.)
Japan: Home of Akoya and Biwa cultured pearl
Japans Akoya pearl is for most people the pearl of pearls; magnificent, lustrous, round, and white! While the finest Japanese cultured pearls are very costly, especially in sizes over 8 millimeters, they are much more affordable than the larger and even costlier South Sea pearls.In freshwater category, Japans Biwa pearl (from Lake Biwa) set the standard for freshwater cultured pearls for many years. However, as a result of ecological requirements to protect the lakes shore, production has now ceased almost entirely. (Many freshwater cultured pearls from China are now sent to Japan and sold as Biwa cultured pearl but they are not the same type of pearl, nor do they look like the true Biwa pearls.) Since few Biwa pearls are now available, Japans Akoya cultured pearls are our focus here.
Tahti: Black pearls of paradise
Few things rival Tahiti when it comes to exotic beauty and romance, and this holds equally true for its pearls; naturally black Tahitian cultured pearls are among the most sought after and treasured of all gems. Today, the black cultured pearls of Tahiti set the world standard for black pearls.Most black pearls are in the gray color range, but the term black is used to refer to the overall type produced by a large black lipped oyster. This particular oyster; which measures about 12 inches at maturity, produces a dark nacre that is responsible for the unusual colors seen in this varieties. Be careful not to confuse natural; black pearls with natural pearls; in this care, only the color is natural; the pearl is cultured. (Natural black, natural pearls also occur. These are rare and are typically a less intense, less desirable black to bronze color.)
Occasionally off-color South Sea and Tahitian pearls are artificially colored black through dyeing, exposure to radiation, or silver nitrate solution, and sold as natural black. While not common, these continue to surface from time to time. For this reason, and in light of their very high cost, when buying fine blacks pearls it is recommended obtaining a laboratory report confirming natural color if they are represented as such.With so many variations in color and shape, we recommend searching several fine jewelers before selecting any Tahitian cultured pearl to be sure you have viewed a wide enough selection to make a choice that best meets your personal taste and desires.
United States: A old new look in pearls
It should come as little surprise that the new world; the land known for modern innovation, would be the land to give birth to a daring new type of pearl: the American freshwater cultured pearl. There is no other pearl quite like this American beauty, produced exclusively on pearl farms in the waters of Tennessee. Look for unusual baroque and fancy shapes; if considering a mabe, American freshwater solid blister pearls such as the dome make attractive, much more durable alternatives.
Pearl Prices: Some guidelines
Comparing prices is always a complex issue for which most people seek a simple solution. Many would like to have a simple list of pearl types and prices, by quality and size. Unfortunately, with market conditions constantly changing, and without a universally accepted quality grading system, this is not possible.But this does not mean that one can not be provided with some general guidelines that will help you understand how different types of pearls compare to one another in terms of cost, and how size and quality can affect pricing.
Customer Satisfaction is of paramount important to The Jewelry Hut.
Buy with confidence at The Jewelry Hut.
To Web Masters:
The article above can be used on your web site or newsletter.
When it is published, May I request that you include my name and resource box (the bio., contact and copyright information that follows the article. I would also appreciate if you could send me an e-mail of notification along with a complimentary copy of publication.
Bijan Aziz is the owner and Web Master for The Jewelry Hut.

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text:
The Hours
In 1951, Laura Brown, a pregnant housewife, is planning a party for her husband, but she can't stop reading the novel 'Mrs. Dalloway'. Clarissa Vaughn, a modern woman living in present times is throwing a party for her friend Richard, a famous author dying of AIDS. These two stories are simultaneously linked to the work and life of Virginia Woolf, who's writing the novel mentioned before.
Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Stephen Dillane
Director: Stephen Daldry

subset: commoncrawl


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House In Nyborg
Nordenhusevej, Nyborg, Syddanmark, Denmark
Property Ref:
Yes (max 2)
Description of House In NyborgThis interesting, spacious and well-equipped brick holiday home is situated in a cosy, small holiday home area between Nyborg and Kerteminde. The house is situated on a large nature plot with a lawn, near the beach, in a beautiful area with good possibilities to hike, bicycle, bathe and fish. The pool division contains a swimming pool, a whirlpool for 2 persons, a sauna and a bathroom. The beams in the house create a cosy atmosphere. The two living rooms with colour-TVs and the two bathrooms make this house suitable for several families. One of the bathrooms has a bath tub and a door to a separate room with a solarium. There is an open fireplace on the terrace. A perfect choice for a holiday.
Features of House In Nyborg
Updating Calendar
For information about rates or to make a booking.
Location details for House In Nyborg
(Map marker is an approximate location, precise location provided upon booking)
(All distances and times are approximations)
Funen home.Other locations within the Funen, Langeland, Tåsinge area:


text: Tweet Kalwall Corporation Visit website Submitted ArticlesRelated Articles 1 foundEnveloping with light22/08/2013This stunning space was designed by LSI architects as part of their work at INTO University of East Anglia. It is a dramatic example of [...] 2 foundOpening the way for Kalwall®30/11/2017Structura UK has formed a strategic partnership with RAICO Bautechnik GmbH to develop an adaption of their THERM+ curtain walling system to accommodate Kalwall®, considered [...]Structura UK provides translucent link to Equinix UK data centres03/02/2016The Equinix UK flagship centre in London Slough now has a new 8,000m² LD6 data warehousing facility. This connects the two sister data centres via hundreds [...] ×Contact details 1111 Candia Road PO Box 237 Manchester United States NH 03105 Enquiries firstname.lastname@example.com


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Le Baccara | Casino du Lac-Leamy
Le Baccara
Bold gastronomic pleasure
For a memorable evening with foodies such as yourself, place Le Baccara at the top of your list. Watch the team in the open kitchen perform their magic as they prepare succulent and inventive dishes with local products. From the first bite, you will understand why the CAA-AAA has awarded their Five Diamond rating to Le Baccara year after year.
Are you a lover of fine wines? You will be well served with our prize-winning cellar, one of the richest in Québec, where thousands of fine wines are stored, ready to caress your palate.
Denis Girard
Executive Chef for the Casino du Lac-Leamy and Casino de Mont-Tremblant
The Casino du Lac-Leamy and Casino de Mont-Tremblant have counted on the expertise of Executive Chef Denis Girard since 2003. A graduate of culinary arts and pastry making from the Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec, he perfected his art in some of the best kitchens, including the famous Fairmont Le Montreux Palace in Switzerland. He is one of the most decorated chefs in Québec, and continues to set himself apart after a 35-year career. His dedication to his art was rewarded by the Société des chefs, cuisiniers et pâtissiers du Québec, who named him Québec's Chef of the Year in 2015.
Prize-winning restaurant
As one of the finest restaurants in Québec, Le Baccara has earned a whole range of awards and recognition over the years.
Five Diamonds from 2001 to 2018
Coveted distinction awarded by the Canadian and American Automobile Associations
Best of Award of Excellence from 2004 to 2010
Awarded by Wine Spectator magazine
La Grande Carte d'Or 2009
Awarded by Québec's Collège des ambassadeurs du vin
2008 Epicurians Award – Ottawa Wine & Food Festival
Best restaurant, chef of the year (Serge Rourre) and best wine experience (Danielle Dupont)
2003, 2005 and 2006 Epicurians Award – Ottawa Wine & Food Festival
Two gold medals for best service and best upscale restaurant
2004 Epicurians Award
Gold prize for Best Sommelier
Best wine selection 2004
Awarded by Ottawa City Magazine, 4th Annual Restaurant Awards
Four stars in the Guide Debeur since 1997
Highest distinction by Guide Debeur, who named Le Baccara the restaurant of the year in 2009.
Four Stars rating in 2002
Awarded by Mobil Travel Guide
Table de prestige 2000
Awarded by the Grand Prix du tourisme québécois en gastronomie
One of Ottawa's 10 best restaurants
Ranked among Ottawa's 10 best restaurants by Ottawa Magazine's well-known culinary columnist Chris Knight
Tender lettuce leaves, goat cheese, burnished squash with honey, pressed fresh apple, red endive, oak leaves, small muesli cracker
Bison tartare
Petite-Nation bison tartare, ewe's cheese, truffles, soft-boiled egg yolk in a crispy crust and raspberry vinaigrette
Veal carpacio
Veal carpaccio, grilled eggplant, artichoke cream with Espelette pepper, lemon confit, parmesan chips
Foie gras
Foie gras, seasonal garnish
28 g jar, chef's garnish
Market price
Please note that menus and prices are subject to change without notice.
Prices are in Canadian dollars.
Soup of the day
Creamed squash, toast slice, foie gras, pear chutney with cardamom, pear and lemon aspic
Lobster, saffron cream, apple confit, translucent apple and Israeli couscous
Foie gras
Simply seared Québec foie gras piccata, asparagus and hazelnut vinaigrette
Please note that menus and prices are subject to change without notice.
Prices are in Canadian dollars.
Chef's savoury fish dish, according to season and catch of the day
Beef tenderloin and ribs cooked for 85 hours and coated with coffee, mashed Ratte potatoes with Espresso BellaVitano cheese, asparagus, king trumpet mushroom roasted with coffee, meat glaze with smoked marrow
Veal and lobster
New-style veal filet mignon and lobster, spinach, polenta, Riopelle de l'Isle cheese, pistachios
Lamb loin and belly, pan-fried and puréed green peas, roasted red bell peppers, mint chutney, ewe's cheddar, balsam fir jus
Lobster and scallop
Lobster and scallop, gnudi with ricotta cheese, lightly creamed clam and lobster bouillon, baby vegetables with clam marmalade and nuts
Vegetarian raviolis stuffed with cashew cheese and lemon, asparagus and honey mushrooms
Foie gras: $18.00
Lobster tail: $18.00
Vegetarian dishes can be prepared upon request.
Please note that menus and prices are subject to change without notice.
Prices are in Canadian dollars.
Assorted homemade sorbets
Assorted homemade sorbets or ice cream
Strawberries Forever
Full-flavoured strawberry and cardamom sphere, strawberry jelly with hibiscus, grapefruit sorbet, strawberry souffletine, creamy Vanuari milk chocolate with long pepper
Dumpling Delight
Passion fruit and coconut water jus, Nocciola Del piemonte financier cake, Mojito-flavoured grand cru chocolate dumpling
Rhubarb tart with L'Angélique and peach liqueur, jasmin-flavoured Chantilly, elderberry jelly
Lemony cristal
Light Meyer lemon mousse, Limoncello compote and Kayambé 72% dark chocolate pudding with old-fashioned licorice, black lemon confit
Surprise dessert
Surprise dessert by the pastry chef team, seasonal flavors
Pastry chef's selection
Please note that menus and prices are subject to change without notice.
Prices are in Canadian dollars.
Le Baccara's grands crus are worth the detour. The restaurant's cellar, which has grown over the past twenty years, now holds over 10,000 bottles of wine from all over the world, including an impressive selection of Bordeaux. There are also many private imports, and some are exclusive to Le Baccara. Questions? Our sommeliers will be pleased to suggest pairings.
Le Baccara
Casino du Lac-Leamy, Level 3
1 Boulevard du Casino
Gatineau, QC J8Y 6W3
Information and reservations
819-772-6210 or 1-800-665-2274
Opening hours
Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
(reservations recommended)
Open Monday and Tuesday for group reservations
Business casual attire suggested
Access restricted to persons 18 years of age or older.
Accessible to persons with reduced mobility.
Please note that a 15% gratuity is automatically added for groups of 8 persons or more.


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Newport Harbor 2, Baldwin Park 1
NEWPORT BEACH — Newport Harbor sophomore Henry Ramirez scored on a penalty kick in the 36th minute for the game-winner in the nonleague game Wednesday.
Ramirez drew the penalty, as he was taken down in the box. Baldwin Park scored in the 26th minute for a 1-0 lead.


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|26 Mar 2012
unhandled exception c0000005 at address 006f6330
I have just installed GTA Vice City on my 32 bit operating system but when i launch it,a black screen appears and then a window opens saying unhandled exception:c0000005 at address:006f6330.Please help me.
|My System Specs
|26 Mar 2012
These crashes were caused by memory corruption/exception (cx05) probably a driver.
Please run these two tests to verify your memory and find which driver is causing the problem.
* If you are overclocking anything reset to default before running these tests.
In other words STOP!!!
* If you have raid update its Driver.
*Download a copy of Memtest86 and burn the ISO to a CD using Iso Recorder or another ISO burning program. Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool
*Boot from the CD, and leave it running for at least 5 or 6 passes.
Just remember, any time Memtest reports errors, it can be either bad RAM or a bad motherboard slot.
Test the sticks individually, and if you find a good one, test it in all slots.
Any errors are indicative of a memory problem.
If a known good stick fails in a motherboard slot it is probably the slot.
Driver verifier
Using Driver Verifier is an iffy proposition. Most times it'll crash and it'll tell you what the driver is. But sometimes it'll crash and won't tell you the driver. Other times it'll crash before you can log in to Windows. If you can't get to Safe Mode, then you'll have to resort to offline editing of the registry to disable Driver Verifier.
So, I'd suggest that you first backup your stuff and then make sure you've got access to another computer so you can contact us if problems arise. Then make a System Restore point (so you can restore the system using the Vista/Win7 Startup Repair feature).
Then, here's the procedure:
- Go to Start and type in "verifier" (without the quotes) and press Enter
- Select "Create custom settings (for code developers)" and click "Next"
- Select "Select individual settings from a full list" and click "Next"
- Select everything EXCEPT FOR "Special Pool", "Force Pending I/O Requests" and "Low Resource Simulation" and click "Next"
- Select "Select driver names from a list" and click "Next"
Then select all drivers NOT provided by Microsoft and click "Next"
- Select "Finish" on the next page.
Reboot the system and wait for it to crash to the Blue Screen.
Continue to use your system normally, and if you know what causes the crash, do that repeatedly.
The objective here is to get the system to crash because Driver Verifier is stressing the drivers out.
If it doesn't crash for you, then let it run for at least 36 hours of continuous operation.
Reboot into Windows (after the crash) and turn off Driver Verifier by going back in and selecting "Delete existing settings" on the first page, then locate and zip up the memory dump file and upload it with your next post.
If you can't get into Windows because it crashes too soon, try it in Safe Mode.
If you can't get into Safe Mode, try using System Restore from your installation DVD to set the system back to the previous restore point that you created.
|My System Specs
|27 Mar 2012
i used the driver verifier and memtest and there was BSOD error on running driver verifier and it didn't show the driver.plz help me
|My System Specs
|29 Mar 2012
|My System Specs
|30 Mar 2012
The DMP (or dump file) is the log of the crash created when you reboot your computer.
We do need the DMP file as it contains the only record of the sequence of events leading up to the crash, what drivers were loaded, and what was responsible.
If you are overclocking STOP
You may be able to get the DMP files without crashing by booting into safe mode (F8) with networking.
To enable us to assist you with your computer's BSOD symptoms, upload the contents of your "\Windows\Minidump" folder.
The procedure:
* Copy the contents of \Windows\Minidump to another (temporary) location somewhere on your machine.
* Zip up the copy.
* Attach the ZIP archive to your post using the "paperclip" (file attachments) button.
*If the files are too large please upload them to a file sharing service like "Rapidshare" and put a link to them in your reply.
* Go to Start, in the Search Box type: sysdm.cpl, press Enter.
* Under the Advanced tab, click on the Startup and Recovery Settings... button.
* Ensure that Automatically restart is unchecked.
* Under the Write Debugging Information header select Small memory dump (256 kB) in the dropdown box (the 256kb varies).
* Ensure that the Small Dump Directory is listed as %systemroot%\Minidump.
* OK your way out.
* Reboot if changes have been made.
|My System Specs
|01 Apr 2012
They are still memory exceptions.
|My System Specs
|Thread Tools
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|BSOD Help and Support
Unhandled exception
Hi all, I am having a very strange and annoying problem. I see a dialog pop up saying there was an unhandled exception with other information, but before I can read it my PC shuts down. Has anyone seen anything like this? How can I go about figuring out what is wrong and how to fix it? I have...
|General Discussion
Unhandled Exception c0000005 at address 006f6330
I have installed GTA Vice city on my PC, But it is not running ,When i start the game black screen appears and nothing happens, i have reinstalled it, before it was showing message that mss32.dll is missing , i replaced it with the new one ,now it showing "Unhandled exception c0000005 at address...
Hi, everytime i launch AutoCAD2010 i get a message box.. "Unhandled Exception Calibri Bold Caps doesnt support underlined" I tried reinstalling the font..but still occurs Help!
Unhandled exception...
"...has occurred in your application. If you click Continue the application will ignore this error and attempt to continue. If you click Quit, the application will close immediately". I'm sure I'm not the first to see this error message. What is the fix here? Thanks.
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text:
So on February 14th, my mom and I decided to cook a nice, homemade dinner because a) I'm a sad girl whose boyfriend lives in another continent, and b) being budget-friendly is always in fashion. I had been so excited to try this recipe out since I saw it in my cookbook, and my mom finally got all the ingredients we needed. This recipe was under the seafood section, and it's scallops with cirtrus and quinoa. I've never had quinoa before so it was really fun to cook something completely new. It was fairly easy to do, as most of the recipes in this book are done in less than an hour. It didn't require too many ingredients, and most were easy to find.
The scallops were so easy to make! I really liked these.
I'm not going to lie - I wasn't the biggest fan of quinoa. I think I like rice much better. My parents loved it though, I think they're going to start using it as a substitute for rice sometimes. Maybe with another topping I might like it better?
My mom made these delicious little "eggs wrapped in bacon cups" things, they were amazing. I mean, who doesn't love a nice egg wrapped up in bacon. They were so easy to make! This could be a nice breakfast addition too.
The finished plate, presentation is key.
It was so nice to have this dinner with my family, especially since my mom was in the hospital for the most of the last few weeks. She's all better now and I'm so grateful that she's back home. I was the typical third wheel on their Valentine's day dinner, as I have always been ever since I was a kid. My parents hate to not include me on their activities, plus I think we're really appreciating the time we have together before my big move in the summer.
What did you get up to for Valentine's day?
The boyfriend's present is coming to me in the mail soon!
I'm really excited to see what he got me. (:


text:
Can someone help with Software Assignment ?
I Have an assignment I've to define it in 5 Ways software can obtain? I really don't understand what it's mean Maybe it's about freeware, TeamViewer,and shareware so I need assignment help here because this forum about Software can anyone guide in headings?


text:
PPCU is a friendly, member-owned financial institution, conveniently located throughout the Bay Area. Our commitment to our member-owners is to surpass their financial expectations by offering an entire range of financial services from loans, savings and investment accounts to online banking, all at the best possible rates.
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text: Mike_in_Roseville Posted December 20, 2000 Brian, Can't post reply's, however I can on the KTM site, same name and password, Anyone else with the same problem. Stoneyford boys: Hey boys, I will attempt to make on Dec 30th. Last ride for awhile. I am having knee surgery on Jan 9, torn lateral maniscus tear. I have been complaining as you all know , now realty has set in. John, The snip is easy, but relax, don't ride, pack the boys with ice and a jock strap and drink some beer. I made the mistake of deep sea fishing one week after my snip, my buddy Manny hit every wave he could to beat me up, and the boys were in pain. Don't risk it on the bike, trust me on this. I will let you all know next week (after xmas) if I will be there. see ya\ MIke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


text:
A Selection of International Children's and Youth Literature
Frisian / The Netherlands (Friesland)
In nije heit
(A new dad)
Wadman, Thys (text)
Jong, Gerrit de (illus.)
Ljouwert: Afûk, 2014. – 95 p.
Father / Son – Car
Gerke knows – in detail – everything there is to know about cars. His mum always tests him, but he never fails. One night, however, as mum puts him to bed, he feels it is his turn to ask a question. He wants to know whether he can ask for a new dad for his birthday. Gerke believes that he hasn't been very lucky with the dad who is sitting downstairs in the living room. His father doesn't like playing soccer, is not interested in cars and all he ever seems to do is go fishing. His mother promises she will give this strange question some serious consideration. On Gerke's birthday, a strange man called Harm is waiting for him at breakfast and his own father has disappeared. At first Gerke is rather happy with Harm, but after a while he realises that he misses his "former" dad and starts looking for him. This is Thys Wadman's second children's novel, after writing some reading materials for elementary schools. His first children's novel was awarded the Simke Kloosterman prize in 2013. (Age: 10+)


text:
ERIC Number: ED530500
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 337
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: N/A
A Sociolinguistic Study of Sustained Veneto-Spanish Bilingualism in Chipilo, Mexico
Barnes, Hilary
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, The Pennsylvania State University
This dissertation project examines the language contact situation of Chipilo, a Veneto-Spanish bilingual community of immigrant origin in central Mexico, focusing both on the social motivations for the sustained bilingualism observed and the linguistic outcomes in the Spanish of the community. Chipilo is a unique community in that Veneto, a Northern Italian dialect, has been maintained for over 127 years and is the first language of many, if not all, of the bilinguals in Chipilo. Both community languages are ascribed high prestige, therefore slowing the process of language shift from the immigrant language to the national language. Chipilo was founded in 1882 by a homogenous group of approximately 560 immigrants from Veneto-speaking towns in northern Italy as a result of colonization efforts on the part of the Mexican government. During the initial years the town remained relatively isolated and the linguistic homogeneity of the group allowed for the continued use of Veneto as the preferred language of intra-ethnic communication. Today, changing social conditions brought about by the proximity of Puebla, the fourth largest city in Mexico, and an increase in contact with Spanish and mainstream national Mexican culture may affect the bilingualism observed in Chipilo. With respect to the social context of Chipilo, this dissertation explores the differences in language use patterns and language attitudes across different gender, age, and L1 groups. Results reveal significant differences between men and women and across age and L1 groups with respect to language use patterns and attitudes towards both Spanish and Veneto. Women view Veneto as more important both at an individual and societal level and identify more with Veneto than do men. L1 is a strong indicator of language use patterns and attitudes in that L1 Veneto bilinguals use more Veneto and demonstrate more favorable attitudes towards Veneto than L1 Spanish bilinguals. Across age groups, younger generations view Spanish as less important to the community and identify less with Mexican culture than older generations. This is attributed to the positive prestige associated with Veneto and the strong link between Veneto and ethnic identity that persists today in the distinction between "chipilenos and mexicanos". The intense Veneto-Spanish bilingualism observed in the community has linguistic consequences for the contact languages. Sociolinguistic interviews provided speech samples that were transcribed and analyzed for interlingual influence. Instances of language switching, lexical borrowings, and substratum effects, such as double negation, are identified and discussed. Interlingual influence was also examined by reference to the expression of overt subjects. In the case of Chipilo, Veneto and Spanish are both null subject languages, although the languages differ markedly in that Veneto employs obligatory subject clitics that occur in the 2SG, 3SG, and 3 PL verb forms, which could be reanalyzed as subject pronouns in bilingual Chipilo Spanish. Statistical analysis revealed no increase in the overall rate of subject pronoun expression in bilingual Chipilo Spanish. Moreover, patterns of subject expression in this contact variety are similar to/identical to the variables implicated in monolingual varieties: the language-internal factors of person (and number), verb form ambiguity, and co-referentiality were all returned as significant in the expression of subject pronouns in bilingual Chipilo Spanish. Furthermore, the language-external factors of age and gender were also returned as significant. Women and older speakers (Group 3, age 51-64) favor overt forms, whereas men and other age groups favor null forms. This is attributed to the fact that women and older speakers may use more Veneto than Spanish and may be more likely to reanalyze Veneto subject clitics as subject pronouns in Spanish. Properties of the grammar commonly found to be subject to contact effects in other bilingual populations (heritage speakers, L2 learners, attrited speakers) were also examined. Variability in production was attested in bilingual Chipilo Spanish with respect to the preterite/imperfect distinction and variability in the use of imperfect subjunctive, variability in the lexical mapping of psychological predicates and use of the indirect object marker a, and variability in the use of clitic-doubling in inalienable possession constructions. This dissertation contributes to a variety of linguistic fields, including social psychology of language, sociolinguistics, language contact, and theoretical linguistics. The language contact situation in Chipilo provides further insight into the processes of language maintenance and shift and the role that factors such as prestige, language attitudes, and identity play in the maintenance of a minority language. Furthermore, research in Chipilo offers a unique perspective to work in language contact and to the linguistic consequences of bilingualism in a situation of sustained contact. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Language Maintenance, Ethnicity, Linguistic Borrowing, Sociolinguistics, Spanish, Language Variation, Verbs, Language Attitudes, Official Languages, Bilingualism, Italian, Language Usage, Social Change, Native Language, Second Language Learning, Interviews, Morphemes, Form Classes (Languages)
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
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Identifiers - Location: Mexico


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Since August, I've written two and one half versions of chapter 1 of my thesis. I loved version one, and it came straight from the heart. But as it turns out, writing that way will get you an unpublishable screed rather than some reasonable contribution to the literature.
Version two was significantly toned down, and had a more definite target. I was critiquing the account of 'generality' given by Michael Strevens in his 2004 paper (pdf) and 2008 book*. I thought he simply said that the generality of a statement is the number of actual or possible states of a given system that it applies to. I prepared a cutting argument about how 'number' of states is a wrong-headed way of thinking about things, because in real-valued systems there are an uncountably infinite number of possible states! And so I hoped to motivate my own view of generality. But as it turned out, I hadn't read the paper hard enough, and had missed the following:
On the new definition, the degree of abstractness of a model [its degree of generality] is proportional to the number of possible physical systems satisfying the model. More exactly, since a typical model satisfies ranges for one or more real-valued systems, abstractness is proportional to the standard measure (in the mathematical sense) of the set of possible physical systems satisfying the model. (2004, p.170)
Curses! Defining it in terms of measure solved the problem I wanted to raise entirely. It did so in a simple and sexy way. My own solution to this non-existent problem looked clunky and awkward in comparison. It was couched in an ugly and ad-hoc formalism that would probably only ever really make sense to me.
And that's when it happened. I had a moment of insight into the very heart of academic mediocrity. Having already set aside my work of love, and facing the collapse of my compromise version, I thought to myself:
…maybe if I make the formalism dense enough, no one will notice it's wrong.
When it sunk in that I had actually thought that, that I had actually felt it, I was struck with equal parts horror and a feeling of liberation. I had, for at least a moment, become the thing I hate most about the academy. But I also knew for a certainty that I would rather walk away from the whole project than accept that state. I quit the academic life for ever that day, for about 20 minutes.
After gathering my wits for a few weeks, and surviving the holiday season, I'm now in the process of writing v.3 of chapter 1. It's somewhere between v.1 and v.2 in terms of ambition, and it's going fairly well.
* Strevens, M. (2008), Depth: An Account of Scientific Explanation, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
Strevens, M. (2004), 'The causal and Unification Approaches to Explanation Unified – Causally', Noûs 38(1), 154-176.


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Wednesday, May 10, 2017
[Video] Lea Porcelain - Remember
The latest from Berlin-based electronic duo Julien Bracht and Markus Nikolaus, aka Lea Porcelain, is the video for new single, 'Remember'.
Taken from the forthcoming full-length debut 'Hymns To The Night', out June 16, they say of the video (which was directed by Micki Rosi Richter and Lea Porcelain): "This video somehow symbolises this journey and our train of thought to be patient and to find that special something, that spark. And as we found it, it was so extraordinary but on the other hand so familiar as if it had been there forever. In the end this video became a journey for us as well to find and remember the essential things in life".
Lea Porcelain return to the UK in June to play two instores: June 14, Nottingham Rough Trade, and June 15 at London"s Rough Trade East. They also play Latitude festival on July 16.
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Five Charts Show Why European Stocks Are Developed World's Worst
(Bloomberg) -- Investors' patience with European stocks is wearing thin.
This year was supposed to be the moment when European equities would finally catch up with the U.S. stock market, lifted by a revival in economic growth and corporate earnings while worries over the region's populist leaders was set to fade. Instead, Europe has been the worst performer among developed countries in the first half of the year.
Unnerved investors, including Schroders Plc, have pulled out of overweight positions on concerns spanning from Italy's political crisis to the damage from a simmering trade war and the European Central Bank's dithering on the interest rate outlook. The level of disenchantment has been so strong that the region's stock valuations have tumbled to near 2016 levels, prompting a number of contrarian asset managers to start shopping for bargains.
Here are five charts that look at key features of European stocks following their roller-coaster rise in the second quarter:
The biggest European equities-focused exchange-traded fund Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF has had a rough time in the past three months, seeing outflows of about $1.5 billion. This is the biggest redemption since the the third quarter of 2016. The region's equities have been a laggard among global stocks this year in terms of investments, suffering $23 billion in outflows, according to Barclays Plc strategists.
In contrast, global, Japanese and emerging funds have been seeing inflows in 2018, with the U.S. catching up in May thanks to fresh investor contributions. Some investors may have rotated out of European equities and into the U.S. market, spooked by renewed worries over the future of the euro area as Italian populist parties made a deal to form a new government.
While the S&P 500 Index has been advancing steadily since 2009, reaching a record high in January after gains of about 300 percent, the Stoxx 600 Europe Index rose just 130 percent in the same period and has continued to lag, widening its valuation discount over the past month. The Stoxx 600 now trades at a price-to-book ratio that is almost half that of the S&P 500 Index.
Europe-specific concerns, as well as Trump's tariff threats against the region's automakers, have been weighing on the sentiment. In contrast, the U.S. stock market has benefited from brisk gains in tech shares, a sector that represents about a quarter of the S&P 500 benchmark.
The plunge in European banking stocks has been a key factor in the region's underperformance this year, after rallying last year on bets the ECB was getting closer to raising interest rates. Higher rates are expected to boost the profitability of banks, still reeling from the region's sovereign debt crisis. However, concerns about the financial strength of Italian lenders, Deutsche Bank's AG struggle to revamp its strategy as well as the ECB's pledge this month to keep the key rate at zero until at least next summer have turned the sector into the worst performer of 2018.
The concerns are very similar to those seen two years ago, when the market was shaken by jitters over Deutsche Bank's future and an extended period of low interest rates. As a result, European banking stocks are now trading at the lowest price-to-estimated earnings ratio since August 2016.
The Relative Rotation Graph shows that the indexes for banking stocks (SX7P) and automakers (SXAP) are moving from the weakening quadrant to the lagging one, a sign that these sectors are losing investors' favor. Carmakers are also one of the worst performing European industries this year with a loss of 11 percent, hurt by jitters over potential U.S. tariffs on the sector. On the other hand, the oil stocks index (SXEP) has moved from the weakening to the leading quadrant in a bullish sign. Energy shares have been this year's top performer among sectors, due to a recovery in oil prices amid expectations of global supply disruptions.
A Citigroup Inc. index tracking earnings revisions in Europe, which in January rose to the highest level in seven months, dropped last week to a two-month low, signaling that the number of analysts who cut profit estimates for the region's companies outnumbered those who raised them.
To be sure, the relative caution on European equities may offer some upside for the market, just when the much-awaited rebound in euro-area growth momentum may have finally begun after the composite PMI rose in June. However, analysts and investors remain prudent about the impact of the U.S.-China trade spat on global growth.
©2018 Bloomberg L.P.


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Tributes have poured in on social media for tragic Malachi Mitchell Thomas who died following a crash at the North West 200 motorcycle races.
The 20-year-old rider from Chorley in Lancashire crashed his bike during the Supertwins race.
He had been riding for the Cookstown BE Racing team.
Mr Thomas was treated by medical staff at the scene but died from his injuries.
The accident happened on the course at Dhu Varren, Portrush.
On Facebook Robert Burrows said: "Devastated is an understatement, to have u stay at our house last weekend and you worked on your other love your car, I just can't believe it such a talent and fantastic young guy, you will be missed so so much,sleep easy dude you will never be forgotten."
Also on Facebook Andy Neill said: "What a talented rider, the first ive seen of him the past few days at the north west 200, and he clearly made a great impression...RIP".
Rachel Morrison also said: "Such a beautiful week this year for the North West 200 but sadly a fatality of a young rider today brings it all home to many. RIP young man my heart goes out to all. A mother and fathers son so sad".
And Sarah Dixon said: "Devastating news. Thoughts and prayers to Kev and Vicky and rest of the family. God knows how ther Guna get through this RIP Malachi"
Meanwhile a statement from the organisers of The International North West 200 released this morning has given an update on the condition of riders who remain in hospital.
They said "Ryan Farquhar remains seriously ill in intensive care in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
"Nico Mawhinney is in a stable condition in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
"Ben Wilson has returned to hospital in England for treatment to a fractured leg."


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I'm furiously trying to wrap up about six deadlines to clear my schedule for our vacation next week, but I had to leave you with this recipe for ribs.
I served up a mammoth platter of sticky, cider-braised, barbecued-finished ribs to friends at our recent Canada Day party. And they were a massive hit. And it was my first time to ever – ever– prepare ribs. So I'm here to tell you, this is not only a great recipe for entertaining, but it's also one for the novice rib cook.
Along with the rib recipe, I've included a peek at our menu for the party. It was super easy to pull together; keep reading and you'll see why.
First off, a big thanks to my friend Tim for capturing these photos of our spread. I was busy shaking up Bloody Caesars for my friends and didn't touch a camera the whole evening.
So, I asked guests to bring salads and I prepared three main dishes: two cold and one hot off the grill. I boiled a big pot of sweet corn out on the patio with a propane burner.
Mains, salads and corn – that was our feast!
A day in advance, I prepared my Black Pepper Beef Filet with Horseradish Cream (I hope this one is on your must-make list for summer entertaining) and sliced it thinly just before the party. So simple, and a great option to have for those who don't like fish.
The morning of the party, I roasted off a large filet of salmon and presented it on a platter with loads of herbs, sliced lemon, cold boiled eggs and a jar of tzatziki. A homemade aioli would also be delicious here, but I was going for very simple. And yes, I totally bought that tzatziki.
And then there were ribs! I'll get to those in a bit.
Danny served up his homebrew on tap, which was very popular, but I started folks off with a classically Canadian Bloody Caesar. After a veeeery wet Saturday (the official Canada Day) our party day was hot and sunny, and cocktails on the patio felt absolutely glorious.
As always, my guests delivered the most amazing selection of salads (yes we do co-ordinate a bit on a Facebook event page) including pasta, potato, cucumber, broccoli, kale and the super creative Canadian lentil & feta salad in the photo above. I adore lentils in a salad, like this Bacon, Lentil & Tomato (BLT) Salad from the archives.
Back to the ribs!
I wanted to serve a classic barbecued main dish, but I didn't want to have to stand by the grill and watch the protein closely or have to think about even cooking. These ribs are first braised in the oven – in a maple syrup and apple cider sauce that is as Canadian as they come – so they are fully cooked when they hit the grill and only need to be reheated. They picked up some smokiness from the charcoal and were fall-off-the-bone tender, like all great barbecue should be.
I based my version off of a fantastic recipe out of Olive magazine, one of the many UK mags I brought back with me from London. It promised a freezer-friendly dish for a stress-free barbecue and it definitely delivered. I think the time in the freezer contributes to a more tender and flavourful result.
We're kind of into ribs now. How do you feel about this barbecue specialty? My kids are all huge fans, so I guess this recipe will be on repeat throughout the summer.
|Do-Ahead Cider Ribs
- 1.5kg (3lbs) pork rib racks
- 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar, such as muscovado
- 2 Tbsp fine sea salt
- 1Tbsp english mustard powder
- 1Tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- zest of 2 oranges
- 2 bay leaves
- 400g canned diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 3 Tbsp cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 500ml apple cider (hard cider not fresh pressed)
- 1 star anise
- Place the ribs in a shallow roasting pan. In a food processor, whizz all of the dry brine ingredients, except the bay leaves. Pour over the ribs, tear over the bay leaves, and rub in. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight.
- Heat the oven to 325F.
- Lightly rinse the dry brine from the ribs and return to the roasting pan. Whizz all of the sauce ingredients, except the star anise, in a food processor. Pour the sauce over the ribs, add the star anise and cover the pan tightly with a double layer of foil.
- Cook in the oven for 2.5 hours, basting regularly, then remove the foil and cook for a further 30 minutes to reduce the sauce.
- Cool the ribs completely, then transfer them into freezer bags, along with the sauce and freeze. To defrost, leave in the fridge overnight.
- To finish the ribs, heat a grill or barbecue to high and put the ribs directly onto the barbecue on indirect heat. Grill for 15-20 minutes, carefully turning occasionally. When ribs are heated through, pile into a serving dish.
- Serve hot, topped with grilled garlic scapes or grilled green onions, if desired.
All photos by Tim Chin


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"We want to provide students with the correct information right now and hope their mindsets will shift given the information," said Yonatan Araia '19, the organization's treasurer. "Our primary goal is not to have students leaving the talks thinking psychedelics are good. It's for students to leave with information and research indicating objectively what we know about these things now."
Four students have established the Yale Undergraduate Think Tank, an organization that purports to make students aware of infrequently-discussed ideas that have "the potential to greatly affect the human experience" — starting with psychedelic drugs. The four-person organization began with the realization that there are a wide range of topics being researched but not under discussion by Yale undergraduates, according to president John Koch '19... While Yale students have previously established thought incubators, they have focused on debate rather than providing information to inform policy decisions, Koch added. "There are a couple of key issues that we want to raise awareness for undergraduates, the first one being psychedelics," said Koch. "There was promising research in the mid-to-late '90s about using psychedelics to treat addiction, PTSD and end-of-life anxiety, so this semester the theme is psychedelics."
From the Article: New undergraduate think tank explores psychedelics
Published by: Yale Daily News
Original Link: http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2017/01/20/new-undergraduate-think-tank-explores-psychedelics/
Artwork Fair Use: By Pmillerrhodes - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18005003
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In addition to our extensive lending library located in Eugene/Springfield, we aim to direct our community to the recent news related to ethnobotanicals and other plant-based/inspired derivatives. Please support the work of these journals, publishers, and writers in their attempts to translate the ethnobotanical phenomenon for a worldwide audience.
January 2019
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HomeAway.co.uk, the home of Holiday-Rentals®, is part of the HomeAway family. As the world leader in holiday rentals, we offer the largest selection of properties for any travel occasion and every budget. We're committed to helping families and friends find the perfect holiday rental to create unforgettable travel experiences together.
Le Mayrinet hosted us for ten wonderful days, and we left it wishing we could have added at least another ten. Good wine needs no bush, so here are three of the umpteen good reasons for visiting:
- A cozy, well-furnished house, a big pool and a spacious garden surrounded by trees (plus more figs and plums than you'll be able to eat in one summer). The location has all the trappings of a sanctuary.
- The warm hospitality of Kevin and his son William, who have a talent for making you feel at ease and at home from the moment you arrive.
- The undulating landscape of the Garonne and all it has to offer: marvelous sights, smells and taste to children and adults alike.
We enjoyed a lovely week at Las Mothes. The location and surrounding area was stunning. The house did not disappoint and we would certainly recommend it to anyone wanting a peaceful and tranquil time away.


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Wow, where to start. We've had a little more than two weeks as a family and reality will hit Monday morning. I do not want reality to hit and am firmly in denial that I will have to drag my butt out of bed at six in the morning. Nope. Nope. Annnnnnd nope!
We began the season with presents at my in-laws. They helped us by a new TV so their gifts to us were light, which was perfect. They got the kids one outfit, books and ornaments. Cole also got a game. I received a pretty, new infinity scarf that I just love. I wear alot of solid colors (in short, I have the wardrobe of a goth business professional) so I love scarves to brighten things up!
Christmas was awesome. I had a touch of insomnia and was awake beginning at 3:30. It was actually very peaceful to sit cuddled in the recliner, typing, with the Christmas lights and presents around me. Camille and George woke at six but played in her room for 45 minutes until everyone got up. Santa brought baseball cards and chocolate in their stockings which kept them occupied until the coffee brewed. Once we were all fully awake, they tore into their presents: a Sonic Screwdriver, Chicken AT-AT walker... thing ("MOM! IT IS NOT A THING!"), a sewing kit so someone leaves my sewing stuff alone, lots of Star Wars and Percy Jackson.... and science kits. Oh, and LEGO. For a solid week the kids have played nicely with each other. There has been some Star Wars/LEGO mash up going on in the dining room and a Nerf war daily. Happy kids, happy parents.
The day after Christmas our music teacher, and friend, took the little boys to see Big Hero 6 while we took the older kids to see A Christmas Carol at the KC Rep! I won tickets through a website and the show was awesome! It had some cool special effects and just the right amount of audience interaction. Joe was "meh" about the whole thing but Camille really liked it!
I've been so spoiled. Adam and I have taken turns sleeping in and the kids are old enough to get their own breakfast, so we can sleep past seven. Everyone has been helping with the cleaning. It's so nice to see my husband for more than just and hour in the evening. We've been watching lots of Doctor Who together and drinking pots of tea. He's even watched a couple episodes of "Outlander" with me. He doesn't care much for the show but he doesn't hate it, so there's that. (Kinda like me and "Top Gear." It's okay but I'm not in love with it.) I've had help with the speech therapy runs and TKD. I'm not ready to go back to school and work! Bah!


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I finished one of my current reads on Sunday, and most of another one. It felt so good.
There is nothing to a bibliophile like having time to read, and reading two hundred pages on a Sunday is the most refreshing kind of rest there is. Not just two hundred pages, but two hundred enjoyable and relaxing ones. There are some that aren't, let me assure you, but these were, and fueled me up to start in on a 900 page trilogy I'm supposed to review soon.
One book was a brand new non-fiction biography release, and one was a brand-new suspense fiction.
Since I like guilty pleasures, let's start with the suspense fiction today. I liked the other one very well, but putting the suspense fiction after Eric Metaxas' 7 Men is like serving homemade cake and then trying to pass around the store-bought version. Doesn't taste quite as good. So we'll talk about the guilty pleasure first and then ease into the really deep stuff.
Today's book review is about Strait of Hormuz by Davis Bunn, the third in the Marc Royce Adventures series. Though you could read these books as stand-alone novels, they are meant to go in consecutive order, and you would probably enjoy them, as well as Marc's character development, in the order in which they are written. The first in the series (and I think the best) is Lion of Babylon. The second, Rare Earth, I have reviewed here.
The Book
When he enters the art gallery, he finds someone has been there before him. The owner, Sylvan Gollet, lies dead on the floor, and Marc just has a moment to get out before he falls to the same fate.
The fact that a friend of his--a very good, former friend--shows up at the last minute to join him in his mission only complicates everything.
Before the story opens, Marc tells Kitra Korban that though he has a very great affection for her, his life mission is not to run an Israeli kibbutz community, and no matter how much she wants him to, he can't do it. Kitra, who thinks that to be happy she must have both the kibbutz and Marc, is very upset. And now they have to work together, without 'official' government sanction, on a very confusing case. And while they're working together, they decide to determine the future of their relationship at the same time.
Don't worry. This plot is quite good, and Bunn wrote it well.
Marc's able to piece a little more of the case together following the murder, and it all begins to take shape. The money isn't being used by the gallery owner at all. There's someone much bigger behind this, selling art for high prices and squeezing financial help out of his minions. After Gollet is removed, the mastermind turns to Rhana Mandana to sell more art for him. And what this man is financing is missile production in Iran and North Korea. They've already produced the parts for the missiles, the parts are en route to the place where they will be set off, and Iran is readying to create an international incident. Not only with the United States, but also the nation of Israel.
All this much is obvious after a little research, and when Marc traces down the vessel bearing the factory parts for the missiles, he realizes just how great a threat they're facing. But some of the American government is not in agreement with Marc's supervisors. They think he's on the wrong track, and he has seven days before the US boards and searches an Iran vessel entering the Strait of Hormuz. Marc knows the vessel is a decoy, not only to provoke war, but also to keep US attention off the real target.
So he teams up with an Israeli nurse, a Swiss police officer, a Swiss intel agent, and a Iranian art gallery owner, to expose the truth.
My Thoughts
Being a bibliophile and lover of classic literature, I must save my threatened reputation by saying that it is not my habit to read suspense fiction. But I like a good book too much to turn up my nose when I see it, and this series was hand-picked for several different reasons. I don't like all of Davis Bunn's works, but I think his career switch into suspense fiction was a very wise choice after he tried a run of the romance novels. He was made to write suspense fiction, and he does a much better job at that, and it feels more natural to his writing style. It's always neat to see when an author finds their niche, and he certainly found his. This is not lit fiction, folks, but it's a very good example of worthwhile pop fiction.
When you have suspense fiction with an Israel/Iran focus, chemical weapons, and international espionage, it has all the proper ingredients to grab people's attention. Strait of Hormuz is definitely an attention-grabber, and I found it quite enjoyable for a day's read. The plot was fairly original, and the romance was something fresh and new. There were only two paragraphs that were rather over-emotional, one from Marc's perspective and one from Kitra's, and they really weren't necessary to the plot. Understatement works better with these two characters, and felt the most natural. At first I really was dead-set against Marc and Kitra, though I knew it was inevitable, but Bunn persuaded me around to his viewpoint, and I was pleasantly surprised.
For the most part, though there are plenty of female government workers in this story, Bunn does not promote a feminist agenda with them. But in spite of that, there are generally a couple of times where I don't like the female attitudes, and in this book I didn't like first conversation that Marc had with some Washington high-ups. There were two men and a woman, and the woman overruled one of the men every single time he opened his mouth. This is not how ladies should behave, even in the workforce, and I do hope that most readers would recognize that this example is not one to be imitated.
I loved the names in this book. Some books stand out specifically for their good names, and this is one of them. Rhana, the Iranian art gallery owner, changed her name to one of Persian origin because of her life mission. Kitra, Marc, and Amin--each adds a spark of life to the characters' personalities. Names are almost as vital as personalities, and I like ones that are easy to pronounce, and yet different from the normal selection.
I would have liked to see Rhana's past get just a little more forefront in her plot. I read most of the book in one day, and I still missed the connection between her father's death and her thirst for revenge. I'm known for missing the obvious in my quest for the deeply hidden, but I think the explanation was only given to the reader once, and it would have been easier to remember along with everything else that was happening if it had been reiterated again. Rhana's motives and inner struggles are a huge part of the information that Marc finds, so it's important the reader is able to stay connected.
I think my favorite part of this book, besides a good adventure, was the faith of the main character. Bunn always had it in this series, and I applaud him for the way he incorporated it so openly. He didn't hide Marc's faith, but often created whole scenes around his inner character growth. Quietly folded in amongst shattering bullets and assassins, there are times where the characters have genuine moments of surrendering to the Lord. Not the cheesy kind, but facing their Creator in a real and authentic way, (especially on Marc and Kitra's part), and finding new depths to Him, through Scripture and prayer. Letting go of their own desires, their own attempted manipulations, and praying that the Lord would show them the path which they should follow. Hard to believe, I know, with suspense fiction. But it's there all the same.
If you're ever in need of a quick and light read, Davis Bunn's Strait of Hormuz should fit the bill. It will give you the flash of adventure you're craving, and a main character worth making the acquaintance of.
Lady Bibliophile
*This book was given to me for free by the Bethany House Blogging for Books program. I was not obligated to give a favorable review, and have expressed my honest opinion.*
"Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider." ~Francis Bacon
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Strait of Hormuz
1 comment:
- Carrie-GraceNovember 12, 2013 at 8:54 PM
I'm glad you were able to read the whole series! It's nice to see that Bunn has finally found his niche. ;)ReplyDelete
I'm glad you enjoyed it! :D
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Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Lavery's Bunker
Here are some type treatments I've been doing for a club in Belfast. Their "Bunker" is actually on the middle floor, so I thats why the arrows are in there. I was asked to create something that would appeal to freshers as this is going to be used for a large format banner during freshers week and maybe some other stuff.
Posted by Tony Moore at 16:28
2 comments:
- Anti said...
I'm liking it!
- 11 August 2009 at 22:39
- Gary Bovill said...
I am also loking it Tony, is there where we went to see that band?
- 12 August 2009 at 15:30
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14221 Ballantyne Country Club Dr.
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2005 Michigan Psychoanalytic Foundation Benefit
The 2005 benefit will be held on Friday, November 11th at the Somerset Inn in Troy. The evening will begin at 7:30 with a wine and music reception.
This year's entertainment should be appealing to young and old alike. The singing group Vision from the Detroit High School of Performing Arts, which was a huge hit at last year's benefit, will be performing a whole new repertoire of songs. Vision will be followed by Los Angeles comedian Wayne Cotter, of whom Jay Leno has said, "If I'm not available, I tell people to get Wayne Cotter." With material that is both squeaky clean and uniquely clever, Cotter has an ability to adapt his show to each particular audience. He has appeared on all of the late-night talk shows, on Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect, as host of the Fox TV series Comic Strip Live, and has been nominated as Best Standup Comedian by the American Comedy Awards.
The evening will conclude with a lavish dessert buffet. The benefit is the only major fundraising event of the Foundation. It supports the programs and operations of the Institute. The Benefit Committee is confident that the 2005 event will be an enjoyable evening for everyone. Please contact the Institute office for information and tickets (248-851-3380).


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HOPE – The Hope High School/Southwest Arkansas Arts Council production of "The Rose" goes live on the Bobcat Studios YouTube channel and HHS website this week.
The student-written and produced video play has been in production since January as a collaboration between the HHS English and Art departments, the HHS East Lab, and the Artist in Residence Program of the SWAAC.
"It was amazing to see how it all came together," Janet Banister, HHS AP language and senior English teacher, said as editing of the video, under the direction of artist in residence Mike Merritt, concluded earlier this month.
Banister said she enjoyed the different interactions within the production process.
"The students enjoyed taking a break from the regular curriculum," she said. "It was fun watching them learn by creating a play. Although my involvement in the production of the play was limited, I saw students who normally sit back and let others take charge come alive."
Artist in residence Repha Buckman facilitated the production of the script in Banister's 10th grade Pre-Advanced Placement classes; and Fayetteville-based artist in residence Chelsye Ginn directed the play from the script produced by the students.
"They enjoyed the acting and the interaction with the producer and director of the film," Banister said.
Merritt said that was part of the point.
"I'm trying to get something that fits well with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics)," he said. "We're showing students how to write, edit and shoot."
Using hand-held digital technology, Merritt produced the video while Ginn directed the principal action; then, Merritt took over to produce special effects and setting action.
"This prepares them to study in college," he said, noting that colleges take note of students with digital media training.
"Not everybody is LeBron James or Taylor Swift," Merritt quipped. "But, having access to technology allows them to tell their stories.
Merritt hails from Monticello, and he studied at film school in New York.
"I was a workaholic in college," he explained. "I had the opportunity to go to my high school reunion or interview Spike Lee."
He chose to interview the cutting edge director.
Based from Little Rock, Merritt tries to tackle at least one artist in residence student-produced project per year, he said. In his 20 years in the business, Merritt said some of his most satisfying work in film came in the theatrical thriller "Dark Water."
"Making it rain on Park Avenue in New York in the middle of the day; that was amazing," he quipped.
So, using the Hope High School campus for the backdrop of the video, Merritt and cast members include Isaiah Glover as Kamal, Alyssa Fincher as Brittany, Xena Kimble as Doris, Phillip Knighton as Eric, Gianni Trotter as Lily, Daniel Dyer as Derrick, A'lecia Conway as Shalya, Dominic Dellaso as Rico, and Geona Ketton as Kattie created a realistic feel to the story of a high school student who is part of a mentoring group, but is faced with personal tragedy which produces a dramatic result as the others attempt to help him.
Art students under HHS art teacher Kendrick Adams worked with multiple mediums to produce set pieces for the production.
"They did things that would be appropriate for a restaurant scene," Adams said. "They had all kinds of options."
Some 50 HHS art students worked on individual projects in much the same manner as another project produced by students entitled "Hope Quotes."
"They featured that film at the college at a film festival," Adams said.
Currently in his third year at HHS, Adams formerly worked as a professional illustrator for a national religious publishing firm. He holds a bachelor's degree in Bible studies from Central Baptist College in Conway and a master's degree in religious education from Luther Rice University in Georgia.
"My emphasis at the publishing house was to draw for teen literature," Adams said.
At the conclusion of principal photography, the production went into editing in Adrianne Ware's EAST Lab class, where Ms. Ware facilitated Merritt's technical expertise.
"I thought Mr. Merritt did an excellent job in presenting the information to the students," Ware said. "The students will be able to take his expertise and instruction, and apply them to their future video projects."
Banister said she is pleased with the collaborative nature of the project.
"I am looking forward to seeing the film and hope that the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council will partner with HHS again, so we can continue to discover new talents of our students," she said.
(See more photos on Facebook.)


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Welcome to the amazing hobby of photography! The creative possibilities and techniques for great results are endless with the fascinating hobby of photography. Where do you start to express yourself with your photos without being overwhelmed? The information provided below may help you to learn where to start.
A dSLR is an essential tool for you. This type of digital camera will give you the most accurate view of your subject as you snap the picture. Preferably, you want a full-frame DSLR, which will provide the biggest image sensor and the most detailed photos.
Keep your picture-taking process as simple as you can. Photographs can capture something wonderful, even without knowing how a single setting works.
While holding onto the camera, your arms should be closely beside the body. Hands should be beside and under the camera. This keeps the camera steady and reduces the number of blurred shots you take. By cradling the camera from below, it will help to prevent you from dropping the camera accidentally.
Keep settings for your camera simple. You should learn to use one camera setting at a time. That way, you can focus your attention on taking pictures instead of toying with the camera as you miss golden photo opportunities.
Tinker with your cameras manual white balance. Taking indoor pictures is tricky because of the yellow tone the lightbulbs give off. It is often easier to change the white balance setting on the camera than to adjust the lighting in your room. You will see your photos come out much more professionally.
If your goal is to produce professional looking photos, you will have a much easier time if you purchase a professional-level camera. You can get the best photos from a DSLR. Pro photographers don't settle for anything less than a DSLR, so neither should you.
Be careful when packing cameras and other photography equipment prior to a trip. Take all the lenses you need and don't forget to pack extra batteries and cleaning tools! Don't take more than you need, and think about what you can carry for your trip.
Choose your very best pictures if you are going to expose your work. Don't show every picture you've ever shot, and don't show too many photos with the same theme or subject. Those viewing your photos are sure to quickly bore from seeing the same subject repeatedly. Aim to show a collection of distinctly different photographs that demonstrate a wide range of your photography skills.
While traveling you should take as many pictures as possible. Some things may seem unimportant at the time you shoot the photo, but when you return home, every photograph will help recreate memories and ambiance. Take pictures of street signs, strange products sold in stores or even small objects, like coins or bus tickets.
Try out different adjustments in the white balance feature. Often, incandescent bulbs commonly found in homes and businesses result in a yellow tinge to photographs taken indoors. You don't need to worry about adjusting the lighting in the room. Simply change the white balance setting to get the perfect shot. Implementing this feature will create a look of professionalism in the images you produce.
Practice taking pictures of people. Make sure to always get their permission, though. The pictures can become great memories of the places you've been or people you've seen. They will make excellent companions during a travel and can transport you to a unique moment preserved in time. Find casual clothing and candid expression.
ISO, shutter speed and aperture are important settings, and you may have to try different settings for the best results. These are the elements that determine exposure when you are photographing subjects. Underexposed or overexposed pictures should be avoided, unless that's the shot you are going for. Do a little experimenting and you will soon understand the relationship between these three features.
Whether you want to pursue photography as a profession or just want to take better amateur photos, you should learn everything there is to know about photo composition. Composition is important in most art forms. Without a good composition, your pictures will look dull. Study the composition of famous photographers and keep it in mind when you shoot your own pictures in order to improve your composing skills.
Giving yourself some limitations can help you be more creative. Focus on specific concepts to narrow the scope of your photography. Try taking 100 photographs, all from the same location, and attempt to make each unique. By doing this, you train yourself to create unique photos under the circumstances you have created.
Balance is prized in most endeavors, and there is a natural tendency to prioritize what lies at the center of an image. Though an even, centered approach to life can be good in many areas – when considering photography, off-centered can sometimes be the best approach. If your camera has an auto-focus feature, it may try to lock onto whatever appears in the middle of the frame. You should be able to set the focus manually and lock it down before actually shooting your picture.
Subject Focus
Whenever you are taking photographs of landscapes, your pictures should always have three key aspects. These include the foreground, mid-ground and background of the image. These are the original basics that apply to all types of art, including photography.
A lot of times in photography, people will stare right into the camera. Try to capture different feelings, by having your subject focus on something other than the camera, off in the distance. Or, you could have your subject focus their gaze on something or someone else in the frame.
Make sure you read the manual that came with your camera. The size of a manual often makes them prohibitive to reading. Often, people put them in a file drawer or throw them in the garbage. Rather than throwing the manual away, you should read it. The manual can teach you how to take higher-quality pictures and avoid simple mistakes.
Always pay close attention to the natural light in the environment. If you are taking pictures outside, then work with the light by staging your sessions early in the morning or late in the afternoon. If the sun is too high, you will have a hard time getting rid of shadows, and your subject might be bothered by the light. Use sunlight, candlelight and artificial light to see how each affects the subject of your photographs.
Try to have frames in each of the shots you take. Not a physical frame, but one that is totally natural. When you are taking a picture, you should look for a natural frame for your subject. Doing so can help to improve composition.
Carefully read the entire manual that came with your camera. Manuals are usually thick and heavy. Therefore, most of the time they end up getting stuffed in a drawer or simply thrown in the trash. Take your time to read and study your manual instead of just throwing it away. You will avoid simple errors and improve your skill.
Manually adjust the white balance before you snap a photo. This gives you a greater amount of control over your photographs, allowing you to alter the mood. It takes a while to learn exactly what looks the best, but using this feature will allow more creativity to come through in your photos.
Feel free to try them out, without being too worried about them being perfect, so you do not miss out on a great shot. You don't want a preset where the camera chooses your settings. Pick the elements you want to have control over, and choose a setting that gives you the freedom you need.
When you have a terrific photo opportunity, don't let the moment pass and lose the photo while you are busy adjusting settings. Do not use preset settings or your camera will use default adjustments. Look at your options to use the setting that lets you change what you need to change.
Do your own photo editing. There are lots of different editing software programs you can use. Look for one that has an unlimited amount of ways to edit photos that you have already taken. And make sure it is simple to learn to use.
Figure out different ways to adjust your shutter speeds. Using fast shutter speeds is common practice to prevent blur, but think about how you can use slow shutter speeds to intentionally blur your photos for creative reasons. For example, consider the cyclist as he rushes by you. The background will show the speed of the cyclist, while they themselves will appear crisp and clear.
When using a camera that requires film, it is important to carefully consider the brand of film you are using. Every person that takes photographs has a different taste in what kind of film they like to use. The differences between brands are so small that you shouldn't let them get in the way of personal preference. This is a personal decision.
Your camera should be used as a tool, this will allow you to get the shots you want. Use a shallower depth of field to blur the background and focus attention on the subject of the photograph.
Be sure to mind the background of your image, because you can actually enhance your subject by doing so. A simple flower, leaf, or bug could give the shot an amazing focus and appeal. The main subject will be emphasized and the entire frame can now be seen.
Think about different brands of film before purchasing film for your camera. Every photographer has a certain film that they prefer to use, because they feel that it works best for them. No distinct film brand offers significant advantages that places it head and shoulders above the rest. Experiment and figure out which one you like best.
Becoming a more knowledgeable photographer can open up your artistic possibilities, making them practically limitless. There's a style to suit everyone in photography; through experimentation you will be able to find a technique that you are comfortable with. These tips will have hopefully given you a place to begin.
It's important to use the correct camera settings when you are taking photographs of objects which are moving quickly. Increase your ISO to do this. This will cause your camera's shutter to open and shut faster, enabling you to take clear, crisp shots that would otherwise be blurry.
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