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Sleeping up to 6 people, Number 14 is the perfect base for families and friends visiting Whitstable. Situated in the heart of the conservation area and footsteps away from Harbour Street, Number 14 is the perfect base for exploring the town. Featuring two beautifully furnished double bedrooms and an attic room with two single beds, this fisherman's cottage ticks all the boxes for a great trip away. The spacious dining room creates a fantastic setting for meals and the decked courtyard garden is ideal for summer evenings.
Continue reading the full details for Number Fourteen
About the Whitstable Accommodation Number Fourteen
Sleeps 6. Two double bedrooms and attic bedroom with 2 single beds. Family bathroom with walk-in shower. Spacious dining room with floor lighting. Courtyard garden with decking. Wi-fi Internet access. Located in the heart of the Conservation Area.
Ground Floor
Sitting room with comfortable seating, digital flat screen TV with Freeview, and Wi-fi Internet. Family bathroom with walk-in shower and WC.
Dining room with floor lighting. Fully-fitted kitchen with washing machine, microwave, fridge/freezer, gas hob and double electric oven. Access to garden with decking and shingle area.
First Floor
Two beautifully furnished double bedrooms.
Second Floor
Attic bedroom with 2 single beds.
- Digital flat-screen television with Freeview
- DVD and CD player
- Wi-fi internet access
- Washing machine
- Microwave
- Ironing facilities
- Gas hob and double electric oven
- Kettle and toaster
- Fridge/freezer
- Central heating
- Two double bedrooms
- Attic bedroom with 2 x singles
- Beautifully furnished
- Bathroom with shower, basin and W.C.
- Courtyard garden with decking
- Street parking
- Linen and towels included
- Please note: the stairs are steep
- Minimum 2 nights stay
Please read our holiday information for answers covering frequently asked questions


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Camp Sylvan Shores 3 bedroom, 2 bath is a fantastic VACATION RENTAL home with great views on beautiful Kiwassa Lake Great spot with expansive view and sandy beach on Kiwassa Lake. Bring you own motor or car top boats. Launch is just around the corner. Enjoy the 32 mile chain of lakes and peaceful sunsets on Kiwassa Lake. Just minutes to Lake Placid and 3 miles into Saranac Lake and all restaurants and shops! NO DRIVE BY's!
87 River St Saranac Lake, NY 12983
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subset: commoncrawl


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We'll be tweeting updates on the whole session, make sure to follow and join in using HT #OEAChronCaracas Chronicles is 100% reader-supported. Support independent Venezuelan journalism by making a donation.
It is official, the OAS is a dysfunctional useless naive body, alien to any sense of urgency and reality.
While they acknowledge the issues, they still believe in a "Dialog and Negotiations" with a group of violent criminals that have never shown any signs of respect for the rule of law and its own citizens, even under tread and overwhelming opposition.
Lets not forget that many diplomats insisted in Dialog & Negotiations with Hitler, Stalin, Hussein, Pol Pot, etc
There is a reason why almost all countries spend crazy amounts of money in weapons, diplomacy is great but has its limits.
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
Fool me tree times, I am a fool and deserve this.
There is a saying that goes, "When all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail." They are diplomats! All they have to offer is diplomacy and dialogue. It is what they do. If you want something else, you will have to look for it somewhere else.
It is high time that the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela and some Caricom states pay the dues they own to the OAS. I propose that If the state is delinquent, its voice might be heard, but the vote should not count.
Arguably, the US tax dollars could be better allocated, rather than being used to facilitate a venue for retired/soon to be retired bureaucrats on a long term vacation ( good restaurants and attractions in town!).
The 800 lb gorilla for the OAS: 90% of the Americas are being held hostage by a few states, mostly in the fringe. The value of the US vote is the same as the vote of a tiny state in the Caribbean with fewer than 50,000 people. Need we say more? Enough!


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Saturday, June 27, 2015
Mesmerizing Fire
Are we not mesmerized by fire? I love a fire in the fireplace and can get lost for hours looking into the flames. Fire has always been important to God. He revealed Himself as fire. He was the burning bush, the cloud of fire which led Israel, the tongues of fire at Pentecost. He sent fire to burn up Elijah's sacrifice, He consumed Sodom & Gomorrah with fire, the priests sacrificed with fire. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego walked around in fire and lived to tell about it. And the great city of Babylon will be burned by fire in judgment. God is a consuming fire.
The very nature of fire consumes. It has to be fed with something to even exist. I remember a terrible fire at the beginning of the drought in the Texas panhandle which consumed acres and acres of land. That fire was fed by grass. A bonfire is usually fed by pallets of wood. And we feed a fireplace with logs to keep it burning. But God needs nothing--He is the source. He is the fire which consumes the sacrifice of our flesh. He is the cloud of fire which leads us into the Promised Land.
Instead of being consumed with ourselves, money, fame, or the world...let's be consumed by the Fire of God. That's what the story of Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego is all about. They wouldn't bow and worship the golden idol which King Nebuchadnezzar had created, so he had them bound and thrown into a fire which was 7x hotter than normal. The next thing the king saw were four men--unbound--walking around in the fire. God didn't just spare the lives of Shadrach, Meschach & Abednego, He met with them in the fire. I believe He became the fire and consumed their bondage.
We can lose ourselves in the Fire of God and be loosed...and live to tell about it.
Posted by Becky Dietz at 4:24 AM No comments:
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
A Piece of the Puzzle
Andy & I were talking about different beliefs among Christians. It's so easy to point at someone else and say, "That's not truth!" And we hold our beliefs a little tighter. As we were talking, I had a picture come into my mind. I pictured each of us holding a puzzle piece in our hands and looking at someone across the way who has a different puzzle piece in their hands and telling them, "You're wrong! Your puzzle piece doesn't look like mine!" The problem with that is....we only have a piece of the puzzle. And if every puzzle piece looked the same, it wouldn't even fit together to create anything. It takes each of our pieces to create the whole picture.
The completed puzzle is the truth of God. None of us holds all truth. None. I don't know about you, but I don't even believe the same way me, myself & I did five years ago!! God keeps revealing new things to me. So how can I expect someone else across the way to be holding up the same puzzle piece I possess? I keep finding new pieces and trying them to see if they fit. God is the picture by which we know what we're creating. We have to hold the puzzle piece up against Him to know if it fits.
How much better and how much more fun it would be if we worked together, adding a piece we're holding to a piece someone else is holding, and watching it fit together! It's so exciting and there's such a sense of satisfaction when many hands make a puzzle fit together.
Posted by Becky Dietz at 1:57 PM No comments:
Monday, June 22, 2015
Off to College!
First of all, you have to remember your goal. From the day you gave birth to this child, your goal was to shoot that arrow-child at the target of God's will. You wanted them to leave your home and release them as well-adjusted adults who would impact the kingdom of God. If you didn't have that as your goal, you need to start over. Just kidding!! If that wasn't your goal, you need to make it your goal now and begin praying for that to happen.
I highly recommend before you send your son or daughter off to college, that you bless your child. Have them sit in a chair as you and your spouse speak a blessing over them. Tell them about the greatness you see in them, how you expect them to fulfill God's purpose for their life, and then pray over them. This could be as simple as the two of you doing that or inviting close family and friends and allow everyone to participate. It may feel a little awkward at first, but I can promise a parent's blessing is so important and most kids soak it up. (By the way, you don't have to wait until they graduate to do this and you can do it lots and lots of times!)
What I wish we'd done when our kids were 10-years-old was begin preparing them then for what college would look like for them. (Lot of help that advice does now, right? And...planning ahead and preparing your child on everything is key!) Honestly, we didn't think that far ahead and didn't know what it would look like ourselves. We were not financial planners. There's nothing wrong with expecting your child to pay for their own schooling...it just helps if they know that way in advance. I'm not a big proponent for student loans--we paid on Andy's a few years after we were married. It's just hard starting adult life with debt hanging over your head. But sometimes, that's the only way to do it. Check with Dave Ramsey...he knows a lot more than I do about the subject.
Allow your kids to attend things like Super Summer or specialty camps on nearby college campuses while they're in high school. They'll begin to feel comfortable at certain schools and will consider attending them when they're making that choice. Our kids were on several campuses for Super Summer. It helped prepare them to know what a dorm looked like and how it felt to stay there.
Hopefully, your child has held a job at this point or has at least had to deal with high school counselors on their own. It's so important in building their confidence in being able to deal with adult issues on their own before they go off to college. I just don't think it ever hurts for a student to have a job. I carried a very full load and still worked while at college. If you look at people who've done that, you'll see some pretty determined folks. If some students have too much time on their hands, they tend to find trouble. Not all...but a lot. I'm a firm believer that working builds character and confidence.
Honestly, public vs. private boiled down to expense for us. I know from our days as youth minister, so many parents sent their kids to a Christian college thinking their child would be "safe" there--morally, and in every other way. Sadly, just because a college has "Christian" or a church denomination in front of it's name, doesn't make it a godly place to be. In fact, sometimes it's just the opposite. Because so many people are sending their troubled kids to a Christian school for that same reason, it has the opposite effect. We found that kids are going to find whatever it is they go looking for. If they're looking for trouble, they'll find it at any school. If they're looking for a Christian influence, they'll find it at the Christian campus ministries. Our kids attended a state school where there were great campus ministries. They even had opportunities to lead in them.
Whatever rule you set for grades, make it fair and make it ahead of time. They need to know about dropping classes if they're failing before it affects their grade point average. And they need to know from you when/how many times they can do that. If you expect them to graduate in four years, tell them now. If you're willing to pay for a bachelor's degree which takes them six years--while they discover what they want to be--that's up to you. But I know some parents have set a limit and told their kids if it takes longer than that, they're responsible for the finances. I believe boundaries are healthy and motivating.
So many kids pursue a major and then hate the job that degree plan produces. Encourage them to finish the degree they start. My guess is 75% of the adults aren't in the fields they studied for. (I googled it...and I was right!) I believe God will use whatever they study. Andy's degree is in Radio & Television...but he's used those skills in every church we've been in. If they really don't have a clue what they want to pursue, encourage them to get an associates degree at a junior college or go to a trade school. I just don't think you'll ever go wrong knowing how to do things with your hands.
What about those kids who don't want to go to college? Not all of our kids did. Our philosophy was, "That's fine. But you have to get a job. You will be a responsible adult."
What happens if/when your adult-child messes up? Allow them to suffer the consequences of their choices now. If you don't, the consequences can get much bigger. The goal is for your child to leave home and make good decisions. They need to know you love them and that your door and hearts will always be open to them, but you're not going to rush in and rescue them now. They are adults. But if you're going to tell them they're adults, you have to be willing to treat them like adults. That's the hard part.
Finally, I hope you've taught them not to mix whites with reds while washing clothes...and not to put aluminum foil in the microwave! With those tools, they should be good.
Posted by Becky Dietz at 6:51 PM No comments:
Friday, June 19, 2015
When No One's Looking
We had a man who lost his job and our church, at the time, offered him the job as janitor of the church. He accepted. Jay worked at lightening speed with a cheerful attitude. He never cut a corner. Not only did he clean things well, he began making sure things which hadn't been looked at in a while were maintained. He put up well-made signs asking people to turn the lights off when they left the room to save the church money. He manicured the lawn and detailed the vans. He was always available to anyone who needed his help. He cleaned out closets no one had looked in for years. You could run a gloved hand over the place and not find a speck of dust. I've never seen a janitor do as good a job as he did his. He was a work horse and a cheetah all rolled into one....he worked hard and fast!
You see...Jay wasn't just working hard because he was grateful for a job. He was serving God, not man. And you could see the greatness in him. He wasn't meant to always be a janitor, although there's nothing wrong with that profession, which Jay well-proved! Because Jay gave it his all, he was destined for promotion. And it came.
I've never forgotten about the job Jay did with such excellence! I've used him as an example many, many times because he was an example. He proved every job is worth doing well and to give it your all. He didn't care if anyone was looking or not...he gave his very best to God.
Posted by Becky Dietz at 5:19 PM No comments:
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Living Forever!
God gave us the prescription for a forever-kind-of-life in Ecclesiastes 3:14, "I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it."
So the question begs to be asked, "Am I allowing God to do through me what He wants?" That's the key. Whatever He does is going to last. It will live beyond us. Can you think of people where this is true? Their lives and their legacy have lived beyond them. What about Corrie ten Boom? Hudson Taylor? Lottie Moon? Jim Elliot? I even think of people I've known and loved. Because they allowed God to do whatever He wanted through their lives, their memory will live in my heart as long as I'm alive.
I've been discovering the purpose for which God has created me. I was talking to my sister today and told her it's like I'm throwing things on the wall at this point to see what sticks. Am I supposed to be mentoring people? Blogging? Speaking to women? All I know at this point is to continue doing what I know to do in the power of the Holy Spirit and do it to the best of my ability. And I believe God is going to do a work through me which shall last forever. God will do it. I just have to be submitted to Him.
Posted by Becky Dietz at 11:11 PM 1 comment:
Forgiveness & Reconciliation
I've seen the effects of unforgiveness. I've seen the mental and emotional anguish it causes. I think we carry illnesses and diseases because of it. I've seen families torn apart and friendships destroyed. It's happened because an adult child married someone his parents didn't approve of. It's happened because of business deals, because one sibling seemed to be favored over another, or because one certain person gets to do everything at the church.
You've heard it said before: "Unforgiveness doesn't hurt anyone but you." I don't believe that's true. Unforgiveness hurts us all. It hurts the heart of God. It hurts you, your offender, and the body of Christ. God gave us the greatest example of forgiveness and reconciliation when He sent Jesus to die for our sins. And He gave us that example for a reason...it's our example to follow. We should be quick to forgive. And we should desire to be reconciled to those with whom we have broken relationships.
Don't wait. If you have unforgiveness in your heart, you've already waited too long. Confess it as sin to God and go and be reconciled to your brother, your mother, your child, your friend. You don't want to have any regrets in this life. And waiting could become your biggest regret. God wants truth, life, freedom, and relationship for you. And He will help you if you ask. I can't promise it will be easy. It probably won't be--I know because I've had to do it too often. And I can't promise the other person will receive your apology. But even if they don't, you can live with the peace of mind that you did what you needed to do and that's what you're responsible for. No regrets!!
Helps in Asking Forgiveness
- Humble your heart before you go to ask forgiveness. Make sure your heart is right with God.
- Your apology is as big as your offense. If you sinned by thinking bad thoughts about a person, you don't go to that person to ask forgiveness--you go to God and ask His forgiveness. It was a sin of your thought life and your heart and mind need to be cleansed by asking God's forgiveness. If your offense was an action of doing something to another person, you need to apologize to that person in private. If your offense was a public offense, you need to make a public apology.
- When you apologize, say something like this, "Please forgive me for saying you were ugly. That was so wrong of me and I should never have done that. Will you forgive me?" Always give them room for a response. Don't just go to them and say, "I'm sorry." While that shows that you did something wrong, it's not specific enough and it doesn't allow them to respond.
- Never justify your actions! Don't say, "I shouldn't have said you were ugly...but your makeup was just over the top and your hair was sticking up like a monkey's!" That only adds insult to injury. You are still making it sound as if you were right.
- If you're the person who was hurt, say something like this, "I was offended when you told people I was pregnant. And I've carried that offense too long. I value our friendship and want things right between us again. Will you forgive me?"
No regrets.
Posted by Becky Dietz at 1:21 AM No comments:
Monday, June 15, 2015
Dallas Week
These are some of my favorite photos from this week. Jay & Amy have been in Ithaca, New York for a wedding. The kids & I have had a busy time and it's been fun watching these kids do summer activities that I used to do...and that their parents used to do. So without commentary...here they are.
Posted by Becky Dietz at 10:28 PM No comments:
Saturday, June 13, 2015
I busted out the big bucks and took these 4 grandkids to the $1.50 movie theater in Dallas. We saw Cinderella. The boys could only be appeased by me telling them they could pick the next Netflix movie. I'm sure it will be some male-worthy, bust-'em-up movie. The girls, on the other hand, came home and donned their Cinderella apparel, including the glass slippers. And they danced.
Because I've been studying the Kingdom of God, I was struck by spiritual applications in this movie. Here are just a few....
- The King and Prince were about to be separated by death and the father was encouraging his son to find an appropriate wife. The Prince had already met a "commoner" and wouldn't agree to marrying someone of position...he wanted to marry for love.
- "Ella" (the name she had prior to working near the cinders) had been a princess to her father and mother. She was well-loved.
- The evil stepmother filled Cinderella's mind with lies and thoughts of worthlessness. She tried to "put Cinderella in her place" by forcing her to do the work of a slave or servant and filling her mind with her insignificance and wretchedness.
- The fairy godmother helped Cinderella. She dressed her in a beautiful garment and glass slippers which would only fit her feet. She was dressed like royalty.
- The Prince came searching for Cinderella. He chose her. He wanted her for his bride.
- Not only would Cinderella's beauty and transformation woo her Prince, but she would become beneficial to the kingdom.
I'm thinking the Grimm brothers had a handle on the kingdom!
Posted by Becky Dietz at 7:48 AM No comments:
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
My Cousin, the Police Officer
This is my cousin, Kristi--who is actually the age of my children. Kristi is a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister...and much, much more. She's someone I love. When Kristi leaves her home to go to work, she puts her life on the line. I know you hear that all the time, but it's true. It becomes even more true when someone you love is doing it. I worry about her...I pray for her...I wish she'd go into a different line of work. But I respect that she is doing what she feels called to do.
Our world feels out of control...mainly because it is. We've started calling right wrong and wrong right. We've lost respect for authority. Where did it go? We're tearing apart the basic fabric of our communities--a part we desperately need! Can you imagine if every police officer just walked off of the job? What would happen to society as we know it?
Are there rogue police officers? Yes, I'm sure there are. Are there rogue doctors? Yes, I imagine so. But that doesn't keep me from having confidence in 99.9% of police officers and doctors and being willing to put my life in their hands. Both professions may even make errors in judgment at times but that doesn't mean they're bad people. I make errors in judgment a lot and I bet you do, too.
I'm not sure what's really going on in our nation. I just know I want Kristi to come home safely each night to her husband and beautiful baby. Please give our law enforcement the benefit of the doubt. Give them respect and teach your children the same. Most are doing the very best they can and leave home each day with "protecting and serving their community with honor" on their minds. I respect what Kristi and her fellow officers do. Thank you, Kristi. I love you. And I won't be mad if you find another line of work. ;-)
Posted by Becky Dietz at 11:56 PM No comments:
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
I recently reviewed a book about how to develop your gifts or interests. The author's philosophy was to do a small project every single day so that you have small successes which will lead to bigger successes which may lead to new opportunities. At the very least, you'll know whether it's a gift you want to pursue or whether you might be better off redirecting your interests. I reviewed this book months ago, but I couldn't get it out of my head!
I've decided to write every day. I'm pretty determined to do that. I've found a private way which suits me and I'll see where it leads. At the very least, it's a good exercise. I'm also going to try to take a photograph every day with my 35 mm camera. I may not be as determined about that. ;) It's just that it's not always convenient to lug a camera around. But I'm going to try. I may even combine the two.
What if God has gifts for me to use and I never develop them or take a risk to see where they lead? Taking something I already love to do...and doing that thing in a small way once a day...may be the beginning of a great adventure with God! I've got my passport ready.
Posted by Becky Dietz at 10:34 PM 1 comment:
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Have you ever taken the DISC personality test? I recently took it for the Living Life by Design retreat. I took it before I went and then it was used in helping us find out our design--how God created us. It was VERY enlightening for me!! I've taken lots of personality tests in the past, but this one is so much more detailed and gives way more insight than I've ever had into myself before. In fact, this morning, I went back to review my own pattern to see if I could gain more insight (if you knew my personality type, you'd know this is hysterical---because it's a reflection of who I am anyway). I didn't just review my own personality, though. I was thinking of my family members and trying to figure them out, too. (Insert laughter)
The conclusion I came to is this: WE'RE ALL A BUNCH OF MISFITS! Seriously!! Why in the world would God leave His kingdom plan in our incapable hands?? If dependent on us, this world is doomed, without hope, destined for failure. Each personality type has some gross weaknesses, judgments, fears, and overuses. And we all have blindspots--weaknesses we don't even realize are there.
But then...hope moved in. We can't do it on our own--and we weren't left to do it on our own! Without the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, the best we can do is try to be better. But with the Holy Spirit at work lopping off some rough edges, developing and growing His fruit in us, quieting our hearts with His truth, and leading us...we can become a force to be reckoned with. And put us together collectively with the Spirit of God doing all of those things, we stand out. All of a sudden, the unity and love between a beautiful myriad of personalities submitted to the Spirit of God makes the world sit up and take notice. We were destined to change the world...together.
We weren't meant to be Lone Rangers. Jesus told us, "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." One of his last prayers was this, "...that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent me." By our love and unity, we are reflecting the kingdom plan of God--so that the world will know that we are His disciples and believe that God sent His son. It's us TOGETHER through the power and unity of the Holy Spirit that the kingdom message is understood.
So now...instead of being misfits, we are being fitted together, growing into a holy temple in the Lord and are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:21-22) And that's a beautiful, 3-dimensional, multi-colored, multi-faceted, well-fitted display of the glory of God. And the world needs to see THAT.
Posted by Becky Dietz at 10:03 AM No comments:
Friday, June 5, 2015
How powerful are they?
How powerful are our words? EXTREMELY powerful. Proverbs 18:21 says that "Life and death are in the power of the tongue..." Life...and Death. That's pretty powerful!
Imagine you've put yourself out there with your particular giftedness...let's take "art" as an example. You're having an art show and because you're new on the scene, no one knows who you are. So you're floating around the room as art show enthusiasts are admiring your canvases. You hear hundreds of people admire what you've done...they can't say enough kind things about the content, texture, dimension and intensity you've achieved. But you come upon one progressive-looking couple who is studying one of your works of art and you overhear them say, "I don't get it. The form is all wrong. The color saturation is off. I just don't think they'll ever make it."
What are you going to remember? The hundreds of people you overheard admire all of your work...or the one couple who just harshly critiqued one painting? I can guarantee you'll remember the one critique. It may even be enough to cause you to give up on art for life.
We know words are powerful whether we admit it or not. Our spirit knows. And we can build up or crush someone's spirit with what we say. Life or Death. And we are on the constant lookout for someone who will build us up--we gravitate towards them. Our spirits are hungry...most are starving. I recently heard Dr. Barry Lenhardt say, "There's no such thing as constructive criticism." Don't you think that usually comes out of a jealous heart? When we're jealous, we're looking for ways to tear down...so we look better. We'll never speak life as long as we're jealous. And our jealousy only makes us look small.
Choose today to build up those around you. Speak words of life and affirmation. Look for things to admire in others and don't just think them--speak them. Everything which God created, He did so with words. He spoke and it existed. See? There is life in words. It may be that something you speak to someone today may restore or create life...maybe even a destiny they'd never imagined. It begins with a generous, willing heart to notice the greatness in others and speak it. Create life with your words! You'll never be more like your Father than when you create with words.
"I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live." Deuteronomy 30:19
Posted by Becky Dietz at 9:21 AM No comments:
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Assaulted by the World
I became overwhelmed last night. Through a series of conversations, news reports, memes on Facebook and online articles, I came to a realization. We are bombarded, overwhelmed, assaulted, strafed with the world's message. Can we, as parents, as the Church, even keep up?
When I was a child, my parents could trust me to go to any other family's house. For the most part, we all had the same belief system. What we heard at home, we heard at our friend's house. What we heard at home, we heard at school. We spent 90% of our time outside of school...outside. The only children's programming on TV appeared on Saturday mornings. Plus, our houses were hot---most of the time it was cooler outside. And our friends were outside! Television went off around 10 o'clock at night. Programming was over for the day. Of course, it didn't matter in most homes because we didn't have it on that much anyway. It was frustrating to watch television back then--someone would have to constantly adjust the TV antenna outside to get a decent picture.
And now? We're inundated by media. We have television, computers, Facebook, Twitter, movies, cell phones. Anything and everything is consistently available to us and we're accessing it constantly. CONSTANTLY!!! We're hearing the message of the world 24/7.
This past week, I've been unplugging...not totally, but for hours at a time. I'm learning just how addicted I am. I'm used to the noise. But I'm also beginning to see how battered we are as a nation because of the attack on our minds. How in the world do we, as parents and the Church, compete for that kind of time? We used to only be concerned for the amount of time our kids spent at school vs. home and whose teaching they were getting. Now we should be concerned for the amount of teaching our kids are getting not just at school, but from the media. And if they're getting teaching at home, is it getting lost in the midst of the barrage of media?
I'm concerned. I'm afraid our kids are getting comfortable with "wrong." Blow by blow, the world is hacking away at "right." The world is offended by God's standards. They don't want someone else telling them that what they're doing is sin...so they make sin acceptable. And it's a message our kids are hearing over and over and over. And not just our kids...we may be buying into it as adults, too.
The solution, as I see it, is we need to unplug from the world. I'm encouraging you as families to unplug as much as possible this summer. And then plug into God. Obviously, you need to be teaching your children God's Word and His principles at home. But then you need to put your kids in places where they're going to be confronted with the same message---VBS, camps, youth groups, other families who live the same way. Pray with your kids. You can't just live for God and hope the message of your life rubs off! You've got to be actively teaching them. Not cramming it down their throats, but using every teachable moment that presents itself. We can't afford to lose this battle!
"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might. And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then] You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets (forehead bands) between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:5-9
Posted by Becky Dietz at 9:33 AM No comments:
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Han Hye Jin Poses for Ceci Magazine With Puppy
Actress Han Hye Jin had a photoshoot with an adorable companion for Ceci's October issue. The photoshoot was for Ceci's "I Love Pat" campaign, which Kim Sae Ron participated in as well with her siblings just recently.
Han Hae Jin's adorable companion was a Chihuahua puppy. She held the puppy in her arms as if she was its owner. The pictures show a happy, eager dog, but Hye Jin with far away looking eyes and perhaps even a sad expression.
A staff member from the photoshoot commented, "It was like Han Hye Jin was the puppy model's real owner. She poured love to it like it was her own. That's why this photoshoot was such a success."
Currently, Han Hye Jin has the duties of emceeing KBS's "Healing Camp".
Look at how that puppy looks at her. Adorable!


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A large chalkboard banner is a beautiful - and reusable - way to decorate! Simply change the message to fit the season or the occasion.
Each of these chalkboard banners includes large triangle pennants and 5 feet of jute cord. Individual chalkboard pennant shapes measure about 5.75 inches wide and 8 inches long.


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NEW YORK (06/28/2000) - Avid readers have been a tough sell for companies trying to convince them that an electronic book is as enjoyable and easy to read as a traditional paperback or hardcover. Electronic books have been hard on the eyes, clunky to use and, worst of all, extremely limited in their content.
Hoping to remove these objections, Franklin Electronic Publishers Inc. this week announced a sleek line of handheld electronic books that look very much like Palm Inc. PDAs (and actually offer some PDA features like schedulers and to do lists), have large 240 X 200 pixel LCD displays, and will give owners access to thousands of books that they can read, or hear as audio titles.
Three models in the handheld eBookman line will ship this fall, the company says. The devices will be priced at US$129.95, $179.95, and $229.95.
Lack of content has been a substantial issue for electronic book companies.
Other than reference or public domain titles (like the Bible), traditional publishers have been hesitant to make their most saleable titles available in digital formats because of concerns about copyright and piracy.
The eBookman series erases this concern with an "open but secure" architecture that will allow customers to access titles from the Internet without compromising copyright protections, the company says. As a result, the company expects 12,000 audio titles that can be heard on the devices will be available when the products launch this fall. The company also expects "thousands" of text works that can be downloaded and read on the new product line to be made available.
Judging by a brief handling of the products, reading text on an eBookman should be a reasonably pleasant experience, at least in the short term. This is due to large LCD displays, which present at least 80 percent more content than the typical Palm-type handheld device.
The $129.95 device features 8MB of memory, while the $179.95 product adds backlight and an enhanced LCD display. The $229.95, top-of-the line model features 16MB of memory, additional content download offerings, and enhanced backlighting for the display.
All of the devices also offer the ability to download and play back electronic books, audio books, and MP3 music files. The products are also able to synchronize bundled PIM applications with Microsoft Outlook.
The company also announced that it is collaborating with Microsoft to bring Microsoft Reader software to the eBookman series and says that it had also struck a deal with Audible to bring audio books to the eBookman line.


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Starting at $10,499†. About $6 bucks a day. 48 mpg (combined city/hwy)††. (More do-able than you think.)
Starting at $10,499†. About $6 bucks a day. 48 mpg (combined city/hwy)††. (More do-able than you think.)
example, a vivid black 2010 Sportster Forty-Eight motorcycle with a $
10,499 MSRP, 10% down payment and amount financed of $9,449.10, a
72-month repayment term and 8.99% APR, would result in monthly payments
of $170.28. MSRP does not include tax, license, title, registration,
documentation fees, options such as color, and delivery charges. The APR
will vary based on the applicant's past credit performance and the term
of the loan, which can vary from 24-72 months. APR is calculated
according to the simple interest method. Dealer prices may vary. Model
shown includes custom features that may vary price and monthly payments.
Not all applicants will qualify. Not valid in conjunction with other
offers. Other terms, conditions, and limitations may apply. Financing
offer is subject to change or cancellation at anytime. See dealer for
†† Estimated from fuel economy tests on a sample motorcycle from the corresponding family conducted by Harley-Davidson under ideal laboratory conditions. Not all motorcycle models undergo fuel economy testing. Fuel and mileage may vary among motorcycle models within a family. Your mileage may vary depending on your personal riding habits, weather conditions, trip length, vehicle condition and vehicle configuration and other conditions. Break-in mileage may vary.


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Staples memberships could save you more | Learn More
Baudville® Office gift set with "Thanks for all you do!" theme features a trendy four colored artwork in all the pieces. Includes 575-sheet adhesive note cube, coordinating pen, 14 oz travel mug and a kraft bag with tissue for presenting.
|Gift Set Type
|Office Set


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Bringing Traditional Knitting into the 21st Century
5 months ago
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware (Martin Buber)
Looks fabulous, Laura. Stephen has really made a big name for himself the past few months especially his shawlette scarf designs. Your write-up on the design really got my attention--curious about how it twists and takes the wild turns...Jaap will sure get a lot of envious stares. Great knit.
Thank you Sarah - yes, the decrease is a bit baffling at first, outside the box so to speak, but it renders a perfectly fitting hat!


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1 The Official Chat Topic on Sat 23 Oct 2010, 5:21 pm
Welcome to the chat topic of WWN! You may chat about absolutely anything that does not break the rules.
I'll start us: Hi.
I'll start us: Hi.
Last edited by hoodedwarbler12 on Fri 18 Mar 2011, 8:54 pm; edited 1 time in total
Wacky's Webkinz Newz
Wacky's Webkinz Newz


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Carp's Complete Exteriors is proud to be Nebraska's only James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor.
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Carp's Complete Exteriors earned the highest level of homeowner recommendations based on customer satisfaction data from GuildQuality, the industry leader in third party surveying. Read more of Carp's recommendations at GuildQuality.com.
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Contact Carp's Complete Exteriors for your free James Hardie siding estimate, and take 50% off James Hardie lap siding!
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Choose James Hardie Siding Installation from Carp's for Superior Siding
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Compare James Hardie® Siding Products To Vinyl Siding and Wood Siding Panels
There are many reasons to choose James Hardie siding over other types of siding, the first of which is appearance. James Hardie siding is over five times thicker than vinyl, allowing for deeper grooves and a more authentic wood-grain effect. The result is more elegant than vinyl (which is plastic), particularly on siding for a historic home.
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Carp's Complete Exteriors is a Preferred James Hardie Remodeler for the Omaha, NE Metro Area
|Feel confident in choosing an exterior siding product designed for both beauty and durability, that's installed by a James Hardie Preferred Remodeler.
|For a limited time, contact Carp's Complete Exteriors to receive 50% off Hardieplank lap siding! Your James Hardie prefinished concrete siding will not have to be repainted for at least 15 years. Plus, you may be able to save up to 20% on your homeowners insurance. Contact Carp's Complete Exteriors to install your James Hardie concrete siding - and love your new home.
What Carp's Customers are Saying:
"Hired Carp's to replace the siding and fix a serious issue around the chimney. I am very satisfied with the entire experience. It was completed timely and the charges were as estimated."
-Bonnie McCormick, Omaha, NE
"The guys at Carp's were able to answer any and all questions. Feeling like a valued customer over a payday is always a good experience. When it comes to this kind of work, quality is WAY more important than cost. Will be contacting Carp's in the future for siding. Thanks again!"
-Philip Ausherman
"I hired Carp's after receiving a flyer in the mail. Called them, scheduled an estimate and received a bid for replacement siding the same day. Was happy with the estimate and told them to go ahead. The work was completed within two weeks. Carps is outstanding, will hire them for all future work!"
-Dean Kennedy, Omaha, NE
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-Kenneth Sirnes, Bellevue, NE
Get Peace of Mind and Return on Your Investment with James Hardie Siding Installation from Carp's
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Since James Hardie fiber cement board siding (unlike vinyl or wood) is non-combustible and resistant to hail-damage, it can sometimes help homeowners reduce their insurance premiums. Talk to your agent for more information.
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James Hardie plank, panel, shingle and soffit products come with a 30-year, non-prorated limited warranty, and trim products have a 15-year non-prorated limited warranty. James Hardie products with ColorPlus® Technology finishes come with a 15-year limited warranty that covers paint and labor, protecting against peeling, cracking, and chipping.
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Carp's Complete Exteriors is a professional siding contractor you can trust. As an aligned James Hardie Installer, Carp's Complete Exteriors strives to exceed your expectations. We hold ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to your home's exterior siding project. We ensure your complete, guaranteed satisfaction. Our trained and certified crews are dedicated to clean jobsites, and careful workmanship with attention to every detail. Carp's gives homeowners peace of mind with our expert installation, high quality siding products, and the area's best warranties. Carp's Complete Exteriors is known throughout the Omaha, NE area for our top notch customer service and proactive project updates.
Ensure the beauty and longevity of your home with James Hardie Siding Installation from Carp's Complete Exteriors
Installed on over 5.5 million homes from coast to coast, James Hardie® siding products are designed to resist the most extreme conditions while romancing the senses. You will enjoy the warm, natural character of the leading siding product on the market with unprecedented peace of mind.
If your home is in need of siding repair, new exterior siding, or you're wondering, "Can you paint vinyl siding?" you might need to stop and look at your options!
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Fiber Cement Siding with Superior Finish Adhesion
The proprietary coating is engineered for superior adhesion to James Hardie substrate. Carp's Complete Exteriors can apply this to all surfaces, edges and features for durable siding performance. Unlike other types of siding, such as vinyl or aluminum, James Hardie fiber cement siding is finished for superior color retention and natural weather resistance.
Superior Siding Colors and UV Resistance
James Hardie siding colors offer homeowners an array of options. For James Hardie colors, the finish is cured onto boards after each coating step for a stronger bond, which allows for exceptional resistance to cracking, peeling and chipping.
Compared to vinyl siding and paint on other siding products, the James Hardie multi-coat, baked-on finish retains its vibrancy longer - in all UV conditions.
Read more about James Hardie Colors and Design >>
Carp's Complete Exteriors: Your One-Stop-Shop, Hail Damage Repair Service
When it comes to what's best for your home and your wallet, make Carp's Complete Exteriors your choice for exterior home repair. We're a one-stop-shop: a local roofing contractor that also specializes in siding installation, window replacement, gutter repair, painting and more.
Recent Hail Damage in the Omaha, Nebraska Area
The Elkhorn Skyline neighborhood and other Northwest Omaha areas recently received up to two inches of hail. As a result, many homeowners experienced significant hail damage to roofs, siding, gutters and windows. If you have hail damage to the exterior of your home, please call Carp's Complete Exteriors at 402-651-1493 for a free inspection and estimate. We are one of Omaha's most trusted home repair contractors who can handle your storm damage repair needs from claim to installation.
TIP: Homeowners with storm damage are cautioned to avoid contractors from out-of-state. Some of these contractors solicit neighborhoods recently affected by storms, but do not take full accountability for poor quality work, and won't follow up properly after the job is complete. In the end, many out-of-state contractors may never be seen or heard from again. Instead, seek estimates from local contractors that you trust will see the job through.
At Carp's, we know dealing with mother nature can be frustrating enough, let alone filing insurance claims and waiting for exterior fixes and roof restoration to be complete. When it comes to exterior repairs and replacements due to storm damage, Carp's priority is to facilitate and streamline the claims process for you, the homeowner. We will work as a third party with your insurance, and restore your home exterior to its previous state, so you don't have to deal with multiple companies! Call 402-651-1493 for your free consultation today.
Carp's Whole Home Repair Service Restores the Beauty and Comfort of Your Home
Carp's exterior specialists have one goal: to make your home improvement projects enjoyable and affordable - ones that you will enjoy for years to come.
We use only the highest quality materials and brand names, including James Hardie siding products that are engineered specifically for the harsh Midwest climate. We stand by James Hardie siding products because they are resistant to just about anything Mother Nature can throw at them.
For Virtually Hail-Proof Exterior Siding Options, Choose James Hardie Products
Carp's Complete Exteriors is Omaha's Preferred Remodeler for James Hardie siding installation. Unlike vinyl and wood based siding products that can rot, curl, warp, or split from extended exposure to freeze and thaw cycles typically found in this part of the country, James Hardie siding products are designed to resist the harshest weather conditions. The innovative fiber cement design prolongs the life of the siding, and makes it durable, fire resistant, pest resistant and virtually hail-proof. You will have peace of mind knowing your home is fully protected in any storm.
Contact Carp's for a James Hardie siding price estimate.


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A Highly Selective Electrochemical DNA-Based Sensor That Employs Steric Hindrance Effects to Detect Proteins Directly in Whole Blood
Sahar Sadat Mahshid†, Sébastien Camiré†, Francesco Ricci‡, and Alexis Vallée-Bélisle*†
† Laboratory of Biosensors & Nanomachines, Département de Chimie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada
‡ Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy
J. Am. Chem. Soc., Article ASAP
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b04942
Publication Date (Web): September 4, 2015
Copyright © 2015 American Chemical Society
Here we describe a highly selective DNA-based electrochemical sensor that utilizes steric hindrance effects to signal the presence of large macromolecules in a single-step procedure. We first show that a large macromolecule, such as a protein, when bound to a signaling DNA strand generates steric hindrance effects, which limits the ability of this DNA to hybridize to a surface-attached complementary strand. We demonstrate that the efficiency of hybridization of this signaling DNA is inversely correlated with the size of the molecule attached to it, following a semilogarithmic relationship. Using this steric hindrance hybridization assay in an electrochemical format (eSHHA), we demonstrate the multiplexed, quantitative, one-step detection of various macromolecules in the low nanomolar range, in <10 min directly in whole blood. We discuss the potential applications of this novel signaling mechanism in the field of point-of-care diagnostic sensors.
http://www.nouvelles.umontreal.ca/udem- ... g-dna.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/montr ... -1.3243022
Montreal scientists score possible breakthrough for rapid diagnostic medical tests
Technique using DNA and electricity can detect a dozen antibodies at once – all in minutes
CBC News Posted: Sep 25, 2015 5:00 AM ET Last Updated: Sep 25, 2015 8:48 AM ET
A simple and fast chemical process developed by scientists in Montreal could allow family doctors to one day use equipment as straightforward and cheap as a diabetic's blood sugar tests to diagnose a range of diseases in minutes from their offices, instead of waiting days for results to come back from a lab.
"What these tests are looking for is antibodies — proteins that are generated by the body in response to viruses or bacteria. The highlight of the technique we developed is you put a drop of blood on our electrodes, and in five or 10 minutes you can know if you have the antibody. And in principle, you can detect any antibody you want."
Electrical current
Vallée-Belisle and his team, working with a chemist from the University of Rome, came up with a way to detect antibodies by having them bind to loose, single strands of DNA. Those single strands then attempt to pair up with nearby complementary strands to form the characteristic DNA double helix.
The researchers designed the single DNA strands so that if no antibodies are present when they bind with their complementary pairs, a detectable electrical current flows. But if antibodies are present and attached to the loose strands, the current drops. The drop is so precisely measurable that the test can even be used to determine how much antibody is in a sample, instead of simply indicating its presence or absence.
They call the process "electrochemical steric-hindrance hybridization assay," or eSHHA, because it takes advantage of how the DNA molecules react in the presence of other larger particles, an effect known as "steric hindrance."
Biochemistry professor Kevin Plaxco of the University of California at Santa Barbara, who supervised Vallée-Belisle's previous postdoctoral work and who is himself an expert in electrochemical methods to detect antibodies, called the results "clever" and "very simple and elegant."
"They're detecting the molecules in a way that has some rather interesting advantages," he said Thursday.


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Sixwonsix has always been a trendsetter in aggressive skating. This Sixwonsix Logo Blade Tee provides a classic Sixwonsix look with a splash of new school taste. This new Sixwonsix tee reps a clean design that will keep peoples' eyes glued to your tee. Rep your love for Sixwonsix with this new Sixwonsix tee!
Sixwonsix is well known for it's top quality skate hoodies, skate tees… along with sick designs to go along with em. If you like this skate tee, you should definitely check out the rest of the new line of Sixwonsix tees because you're for sure to find more to your liking.
Check out the Sixwonsix Logo Blade Tee and all other Sixwonsix Tees at the skate shop that's constantly swaggin hella hard, Roller Warehouse. Be sure to give us a call at 1-800-772-2502 with any aggressive skating questions.
Ya gotta love the tagless tag, no more itching and scratching the back of your neck! But still a clean and crisp look at all the details.
The white tee features a red theme, while the black features a blue theme.. buy both of em because they're just that sick!
Sixwonsix all does it proper with the classic SWS design on the back left shoulder, it's the little things that make this t-shirt sick!
Again, a look at the SWS logo in the back, this time in the black/blue scheme. Cop it!


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For over twenty years, Eric has developed innovative solutions to address problems in urban planning, community and economic development, and criminal justice. He is a trusted advisor to elected officials, senior government staff, and not-for-profit executives in New York and nationally.
At Bennett Midland, Eric has advised numerous municipal leaders, including mayors in Atlanta, Memphis, New Orleans, and Newark, on the development and implementation of public safety policies. Eric has served as a strategic thinking partner to leading national foundations, among them Bloomberg Philanthropies and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Eric has helped a number of new and established non-for-profit organizations—including the Innocence Project, Friends of the High Line, the New Museum, Sanctuary for Families, and Spark MicroGrants—develop pragmatic, data-driven plans for growth.
Before founding Bennett Midland, Eric served as a senior policy advisor to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. In this capacity, he developed initiatives that strengthened New York's public safety policies, contributing to a historic drop in crime. Prior to working in the Mayor's Office, Eric was a founding director of the Center for Court Innovation, a public and private partnership that promotes new thinking about how courts and communities solve difficult problems like addiction, quality-of-life crime, domestic violence, and child neglect.
Eric serves on the board of directors of Transit Center and the Center for an Urban Future. Eric holds a Master's degree in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles.


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HB Gold, a girls' soccer team out of Region 56 (Huntington Beach), won the Under-12 division title Saturday at the AYSO Area K All-Star tournament at Centennial Park in Santa Ana.
HB Gold captured the crown by defeating another Huntington Beach program, Region 55, 4-2, in Saturday's final. The teams had played to a 2-2 tie in an early tournament game.
The tournament was played during the last three weekends in January and included teams from eight AYSO regions, including three (regions 55, 56, 143) from Huntington Beach and two (regions 5, 117) from Fountain Valley.
In Saturday's final, HB Gold struck first when midfielder Julia Shively scored on a penalty kick. Region 55 then countered minutes later to score the tying goal on a penalty kick, then took the lead on a free kick. HB Gold tied the score again just before the half when forward Caitlin Tracy scored off a well-place corner by halfback Sarah Horner.


text: Samurai Stock Vector (Royalty Free) 359928662 - Shutterstock View Preview Save Try Share Edit Sign In We're Sorry! Sign in to our Contributor site. Forgot your password? Sign In Don't have an account? Sign Up Create your Free Account Please send me product announcements, helpful advice, and special promotions. Download By creating an account, I agree to Shutterstock's Website Terms, Privacy Policy, and Licensing Terms. Already have an account? Sign In By Tiar Prayoga Royalty-free stock vector ID: 359928662 Samurai - Vector samurai vector armor art japanese mask sword warrior Show more Show less Categories: The Arts, Vintage Similar images See all Same model See all Same artist See all


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Nearshoring in the United States
Image © Gensler
Editor's Note: This post is part of a series on the state of the financial services industry.
"Everybody's doing it!" No, they're not dancing to that great Irving Berlin song. The "it" that everybody's doing in the world of financial services is "nearshoring." Nearshoring? What on earth is nearshoring? You might ask, "Do I want to be doing it? What are the consequences?"
Nearshoring is a cousin of offshoring in that it locates certain segments of a firm's operations to locales that are remote from headquarters, but, as the title suggests, "nearer" to headquarters than an off-shore site. The proximity affords the firm with similar language and cultural practices, often within similar time zones with the added benefit of diversity in locations, which can provide a back-up site if one site unexpectedly goes down.
But these are secondary benefits. The primary driver that has ignited the trend is economics, real estate, taxes and labor costs, all of which tend to be lower in regional centers than the main urban centers. It is the regional cities, sometimes and somewhat disparagingly referred to as second-tier cities, which have attracted firms looking for new homes for their business support activities. While headquarters remain in the large global urban centers of New York, Chicago and San Francisco, other cities, such as Phoenix, Tampa and Charlotte, have all become attractive locales. These cities offer not only primary economic benefits to these companies, but also strong secondary benefits in access to a different talent pool while affording the employees a different urban quality of life.
The departments in financial services firms initially targeted for nearshoring are legal, human resources and accounting. These activities require sophisticated language skills, an innate understanding of cultural practices and adept knowledge of regulations and standard practices, yet they don't necessarily need to be under the same roof or in the same region as the headquarters.
Of course, the great enabler that has fanned the sparks of this trend is technology. Cloud computing and Skype provide equal access to information and each other, no matter the location. Without these capabilities, we'd all be getting on planes, trains and automobiles to interact and collaborate.
It all seems seamless with happy consequences of a reduced transportation carbon footprint, revitalized urban centers and a redistribution of talents. But are there unintended consequences? As the business support teams are being transferred away from the main urban centers what is left behind? On the one hand, it's a less stressed infrastructure; I don't think New York's subway or London's tube can handle many more riders. On the other hand, it can leave behind swaths of unemployed people, emptied buildings and vacant car parks whose carbon footprint to build cannot be ignored. And, reduced tax coffers can limit a community's ability to provide the numerous public services that knit together its population.
It's one strategy to locate new capabilities and needs to new locales with all its happy consequences. It's quite a different strategy to re-locate existing functions, leaving behind under-utilized talents, disrupted lives and torn communities.
So should you do 'it'? We should all dance to great songs, but nearshoring? That requires a long hard look to balance the happy consequences and the unhappy consequences before taking on such a disbursement initiative.
Belinda Watts moved to New York after graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Curtin University in Perth, Australia and went on to receive a Master of Architecture degree from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. She is regional leader for Gensler's NE Region financial services practice area, with a focus on the private investment sector. She continues to work with many long-term clients, including The Carlyle Group, JC Flowers & Company, Fiduciary Trust, and Franklin Templeton. Her leadership within the Financial Services sector is reinforced by a broad experience across many industries and project types ranging from building adaptive re-use to high-end retail. She brings to each project a deep understanding of workplace modes and an extensive knowledge of the project process. Contact her at email@example.com.


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So, imagine an igloo. Except there's no snow. And it's made of wood. And there's a fricking HUGE metal tube thing stretched across the ceiling. Those in the know – our Bert – call it a telescope.
Blogging with style and substance, May Contain Nuts is a blog about reading, writing, fatherhood, movies and pretty much anything else that pops into my head. All material, copyright ©2014 Michael Malone. All rights reserved. Material here may not be used in any medium without the permission of the author. His latest book, written with Bashir Saoudi is, The Guillotine Choice
Saturday, 29 September 2012
Up The Tower ... at Bloody Scotland
6 comments:
What an eccentric performance! I'm sure the Wallace Tower was a lovely sight, all lit up like that. Bert sounds adorable :)ReplyDelete
It was eccentric, Catherine - and if I was a gentleman I would now add that I was exaggerating.ReplyDelete
But I'm not. #wickedgrin
wish I was in that company, sounds like such a cool crowd!ReplyDelete
Very cool, Dez. So cool, we really don't care that you think Roger Moore was the best Bond.ReplyDeleteReplies
ah, I knew that thing would haunt me forever :) Hope brave Scotland will forgive me, since I do support the independence wholeheartedly and have always been a huge support to the Scottish lads such as McAvoy, Dougray Scott, Gerry Butler :)Delete


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A Secret Weapon For does steam cleaning carpet get rid of pet dander
VIP Carpet and Tile Cleaning
Round Rock, TX, USA
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Wilmslow Hockey Club men's 1st team welcomed Lytham to Oakwood Farm in the latest instalment of their thrilling promotion push.
As expected, Lytham began the game with a defensive mindset which stifled a number of early Wilmslow attacks. Wilmslow did however make the first breakthrough after good work from Pete Hallinan in the D led to an easy chance for Andy Hunt, who converted into the bottom corner as Wilmslow drew first blood.
This goal shocked Lytham into life, as a number of counter attacks were initially repelled by the Wilmslow defence. Poor marking in the defensive D eventually led to a short corner after Adam Ford made a sharp save, although Ford was unable to save the resulting corner as Lytham drew level with a short corner routine that resulted in the ball sneaking between Ford and Hallinan on the line.
Wilmslow regained the lead shortly after, as Mark Lumb found space to apply a smart finish at the end of a flowing Wilmslow move. The last 10 minutes of the first half was like watching paint dry, and half time gave Wilmslow coach Rob Turner an opportunity to give a rousing speech to his troops.
Wilmslow started the second period in a controlling fashion, and dominance in midfield and at the back enabled more attacking freedom to cut through Lytham. This pressure enabled Wilmslow to add to their tally as Lumb selflessly squared the ball for Hunt to tap in. It was an okay goal. Matt Westbrook increased the lead shortly after with a trademark drag flick low past the helpless Lytham goalkeeper from a penalty corner.
Wilmslow's intensity was creating space and chances around the opposition D. Steve Edmonds wriggled through the Lytham defence and the ball broke kindly for inspiring midfield dynamo Ben James, who on a rare foray forward managed to keep his composure and his eyes open and rocketed the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the D to make it 5-1. The sheer beauty of the goal sparked wild celebrations from the Wilmslow players and loyal fans on the sideline. During a post-match interview, James agreed that it may well be considered the 'goal of the century' as he transcended into hockey legend.
The celebrations continued when Hunt completed his hat-trick after great work from Chris Stott, who stole the ball in midfield and broke forward before playing Hunt in with an accurate and 'intentional' reverse pass. Edmonds added his name to the scoresheet shortly afterwards, with a smart back foot shot across the goalkeeper into the corner after a strong run from Sam Dawson. By this point, top scorer Hallinan was craving a goal, and completed the scoring in the 8-1 victory with a composed finish into the top corner after a sharp counter attack.
Next up for Wilmslow is a top of the table clash with Brooklands, with Wilmslow looking to continue this season's impressive record.
The men's 2nd team produced one of their best away performances of the season to see off a strong Bramhall side 5-2, in a top of the table clash. They got off to a shaky start, finding themselves two-nil down in the opening five minutes, but after a tactical switch that saw Iain Campbell drop back into defence, Wilmslow showed their character as they mounted a stirring comeback.
Ric Pheiffer halved the deficit from a short corner before levelling matters with an angled shot that squirmed under the keeper. Paul Hallam then capped a fine performance with a well-taken finish under the advancing keeper, before James Bell's shot was illegally blocked on the line, presenting Pheiffer with the chance to complete a first-half hat-trick from the penalty spot. After the break the game was much tighter, the only goal coming from Matt Bonner after a well-executed short corner routine, Wilmslow's solid back line ensuring another important success for the high-flying visitors.
Elsewhere the men's 3rd team beat Triton 3-1, but the men's 4th team were unlucky to lose 5-4 to Sandbach. The ladies 1st team drew 1 all with Didsbury, whilst the ladies 2nd team displayed an outstanding performance against Bowdon to win 8-0 to put them 10 points clear at the top of the table, with 5 goals from Jen Nurmi, and Grace Kerner, Jacinta Kynaston and Jen Middleton-Egan all scoring 1 goal each. The ladies 3rd team showed great determination to draw 2 all with Whitchurch, with goals from Hannah Clare and Becki Eastwood. Whilst the ladies 4th team had an outstanding game beating Neston 13-2.
Match report by Amy Bracegirdle.


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. . . is something I would like on a Sunday morning if I had a really cute boyfriend. I'd wake up after a long night of passion, and I'd look next to me, and I'd be all, where is my really cute boyfriend?
"Here I am!" he'd declare, dashing back into the bedroom with a coffee cup twittering on a saucer and a copy of the Sunday New York Post. "I just wanted to bring you black coffee in bed, because I adore you so much and you are so beautiful and I am the luckiest man alive!"
Even though I prefer Equal in my coffee, I'd be completely okay and thrilled that I have a partner who aimed to please. Plus, I love Squeeze.
Alas, there IS no really cute boyfriend. There's not even a really ugly one. And 30 is just 1 month and 8 days away, so we got to go on match.com soon. Eek!
While I may not drink black coffee in bed, I do get it for free at work--we have a Starbucks machine in our office. Today was even more special as an outside vendor brought special gourmet coffee in for us to taste. I drank an iced coffee flavored with a shot of hazelnut. Delish!
Now I've got to go to bed. Your girl Liz is going to the Hamptons this weekend. Maybe she'll drink some black coffee in bed with a stranger! NOT! Hehe, hehe! Happy 4th!!!
Eileen's "Special" Cheese Cake
10 years ago


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After 2 weeks in a closed environment in which I was almost always the youngest person in any gathering (and that by quite a long way), I was desperate to spend some time with a few age peers – although obviously that wasn't the only reason I was so keen to see my friends. So it was with great relief and anticipation that I stepped off the Queen Mary 2 in Southampton.
England was, of course, cold and wet (as is obvious in the movie above) – but the debarking process at the Southampton docks was so slick and trouble-free that it almost made up for the weather. And despite the rain and mist, it was a special day for Cunard too – when the Queen Mary 2 left Southampton later that day, en route to New York, it was joined by the two other 'queens' in the Cunard fleet – the Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Victoria. There are some lovely pics here:
My ex-South African friends Michele, Chris and Ruth have all lived (separately) in the UK their entire adult lives. They were among my closest friends in Cape Town in the mid to late 1980s, when we all worked as juniors at various jobs, earning very little money, lived in communes with a range of folk (some odder than others; and sometimes we were the odd ones), and drove jalopies if we were lucky enough to have a car at all (we were often reliant on bicycles or other people with cars). We jolled at the River Club, played pool at The Lounge in Long Street or Stones in Obs, danced at Deviate, smoked zol in the outside roof-garden at The Loft, had late-night Irishes at Café Camissa, and slummed it at the Crow Bar or the George.
We haven't all been together in 27 years (since my 1988 wedding), and we wouldn't be on this trip either, as Ruth had to go to America on business, but we grabbed what time was available to us, and I spent Sunday with Ruth and her family at their lovely home in the Hog's Back in Surrey.
Above: Me and Ruth in 1987 (at our commune in New Church Street, Cape Town)
Below: Me and Ruth in 2015 (in Ruth's garden in Surrey, UK)
Above: As if I hadn't been spoilt enough for food on the Queen Mary 2, the Derseys treated me to a full-on English roast Sunday lunch – cooked, a little ironically, by Julien, a Frenchman.
Above: The Derseys at home – Annabel, Ruth and Julien.
Above: Ruth (on piano) and Anni (on violin)
On the Monday, I travelled by rail to Ashford International – and it's worth a word here about two things: the price of public transport (and everything else) in the UK; and the lack of clear and understandable rail timetables – something that put the Gautrain's ridiculously opaque ticket-buying system at Johannesburg International airport into perspective.
First, South Africans spending rands are dead in the water in the UK. Not only is the exchange rate risible (it was about 18 to 1 when I was there; I think it's nearer 20 to 1 today), our actual spending power in the face of the astonishingly high cost of living in the UK is so weak as to be almost nonexistent. So, thank god for my lovely lovely friends, who paid for all my rail travel while I was there, and also, for that matter, for everything else.
As for the rail timetables – Ruth and I asked a few different people how I should go about getting to Ashford International, which seemed to involve several changes. The guy at the ticket counter gave us information that was dead wrong. A helpful commuter who looked online on her phone for us while we waited on the platform got it half-right. And the only reason I actually ended up in the right place was because a train driver, seeing me sitting reading a book on some random platform in the southeast of England, took it into my his head (for reasons I don't know) to ask me if I was waiting for the Ashford International train. 'Yes,' I replied. 'Well, this is it,' he said, pointing. 'You'd better get on right now – I'm about to close the doors.'
Michele had had a more successful rail journey southwards, and was waiting at Ashford International with Chris when I arrived there.
Above: Me and Michele in 1987 (at Lady Anne Barnard's Garden, Groot Constantia, Cape Town)
Below: Michele and me in 2015 (in Rye, UK)
Above: Chris and me in 1987 (at Algeria campsite, Cedarberg, western Cape)
Below: Chris and me in 2015 (in Dungeness, Kent, UK)
The three of us set off to Chris's Dungeness home in his trusty little Land Rover, stopping briefly en route to have a look at the small farm where he aims to breed alpacas. (The farm is beautiful and alpacas are gorgeous – what a goodlooking new career Chris is going to have!)
Chris's house at Dungeness (a headland on the wild coast of Kent, made largely of a shingle beach, and loomed over by a gigantic nuclear power station) is every bit as interesting as the place itself. It looks – like all the other shacks in the area – modest from the outside; inside, it's a little work of art.
The burnt-out shell of a train carriage, roughly refurbished on the outside and with every necessary modcon inside, is Chris's kitchen – it's sited within the 'bowl' of the wineglass-shaped house, with the 'open' part of the wineglass made up of a huge window facing the sea.
Above: The view of Chris's house from the lighthouse (his house is second from the right).
Below: The view of the lighthouse from inside Chris's house (from his bedroom)
Below: Fun with friends – a walk along the shingle at Dungeness; 'at the beach' (haha); Chris and Michele in front of the power station; me and Chris in a real English bluebell wood.
It's such a sad truism that all good things must come to an end, and I wasn't happy to leave first Chris, as Michele and I set off on our train journey back to London; and then Michele, after we'd negotiated the Tube to St Pancras and I'd found the Heathrow Express. But it was good to see my dad again at Heathrow after a week apart (he'd spent time with his UK family), and I was excited to get home after 3 weeks away.
I loved every second of my trip but it was marvellous beyond words to get back to my kids of all kinds (flesh, fur and feathers), and also to South Africa's wonderful climate, beautiful wide-open spaces, and lovely people of every colour and culture.
We do indeed have our problems in South Africa but we live in such a gorgeous country, with interesting and largely well-meaning and hardworking people (excluding, obviously, practically everyone at almost every level of the ANC government). For South Africans who aren't as lucky as I've been this year, and get an opportunity to step outside our borders for a while and see what's happening elsewhere in the world, and also to miss home, let me reassure you: the grass may be greener on the other side, but that's just because it rains there all the time!


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Product Description
The ceiling mounted MSP02.4c is a PIR sensor and Lux sensor, the module supports 2 logic inputs and has 24 logic blocks with each block having 20 output targets. Both OR & AND logic states can be output and each state has a universal switch and an auto shutoff function.
Motion sensor
The HDL-MSPU02.4C is a dedicated ceiling mounted PIR sensor (range 6m), and lLux sensor (0-500 Lux) with adjustable sensitivity. The unit is used to detect movement, and transmit a signal to an output target enabling it to activate. Installation can be quickly and simply achieved via its screw or spring bracket.
Dual logic inputs
Dual logic inputs can be used, giving immense versatility to end users. Coupled with this the unit has 24 logic blocks, with each block having 20 output targets. The output logic is OR & AND, with each logic state also having a universal switch and an auto shutoff function.
Additional Information
|Call For Price


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Another three points for Erik ten Hag's team thanks to 3-1 victory over Sparta Rotterdam.
FC Utrecht have again taken the full three points. The Dom City team were too strong for Sparta Rotterdam in Het Kasteel this afternoon (Sunday); trainer/coach Erik ten Hag's team won 3-1.
'Now, let's make sure we intercept the cross,' you could see the Spartans thinking after 70 minutes' play in Het Kasteel. It was 1-1 at the time and Zakaria Labyad had positioned himself behind the ball and the ball was on the left flank. The free kick he was about to take was an indirect one. So much was clear, everyone knew that much.
Labyad happened
Apart from Labyad. The Utrechter has his own plan. A crafty plan. The kind of plan that can win a game. As long as the execution is perfect of course. Labyad was thinking, 'I'll smash the ball into the top corner at the near post. And the execution? Perfect! Ball. Near post. Top corner. Not 1-1 any more: 2-1! Keeper Roy Kortsmit looked stunned. 'What happened?' Labyad happened. That's what happened.
Perfect plan, perfect execution
Sparta Rotterdam were overwhelmed. And the 2-1 lead gave Utrecht an extra boost. A kick, a rush that would be strengthened four minutes later. Gyrano Kerk swept past Sherel Floranus and Michel Breuer and was about to cross to the surging Labyad. Fooled you! Another Utrecht player did what wasn't expected in Spangen, and once again it was a perfectly executed plan. Labyad was just a diversion. Kerk decided to shoot and he scored. The ball went in at the far post. From 2-1 to 3-1. From 'Tense' to 'We're sitting pretty'.
The Utreg way
And Utrecht were sitting very pretty. There were no more goals in the last 15 minutes. Utrecht took the points – points that they had laid claim to after 36 seconds. Labyad had shot the ball into the net in the very first minute after a strong run by Kerk. The fastest goal in the Eredivisie this season meant it was 1-0, but Nick Proschwitz equalised for Sparta ten minutes after half time: 1-1. It proved to be a consolation goal for Labyad scored from the free kick half an hour later. Utrecht won in Het Kasteel in the Utreg way.
Rotterdam double
The 3-1 win against Sparta Rotterdam completed a Rotterdam double. Last week Utrecht had been too strong for Excelsior, winning 3-1 at home. The Rotterdam triple can be won on Sunday 10 December, when Feyenoord are the visitors in the Galgenwaard. In the meantime Utrecht will be playing away against PEC Zwolle. The match against the number four in the league kicks off in Overijssel on Friday at 20.00 and tickets are still on sale for travelling fans.
Sparta Rotterdam - FC Utrecht 1-3 (0-1)
1. Zakaria Labyad 0-1
55. Nick Proschwitz 1-1
71. Zakaria Labyad 1-2
75. Gyrano Kerk 1-3
Yellow cards: Craig Goodwin (Sparta Rotterdam), Rico Strieder and Mark van der Maarel (both FC Utrecht).
Attendance: 10,432.
Referee: Allard Lindhout.
Sparta Rotterdam line-up:
Roy Kortsmit; Frederik Holst, Sander Fischer, Michel Breuer (80. Ragnar Ache), Sherel Floranus; Kenneth Dougall, Ryan Sanusi, Deroy Duarte, Robert Mühren; Nick Proschwitz, Craig Goodwin.
FC Utrecht line-up:
David Jensen; Sean Klaiber, Mark van der Maarel, Ramon Leeuwin, Willem Janssen, Urby Emanuelson; Rico Strieder, Sander van de Streek, Yassin Ayoub (87. Dario Dumic); Gyrano Kerk, Zakaria Labyad.


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Brandt Tractor Ltd.P.O. Box 317 - 13th Avenue & Pinkie Road
Regina, SK
- Toll Free:: 1-866-4-Brandt (1-866-427-2638)
- Website: www.brandttractor.com/
- Follow us:
About Brandt
Powerful Value, Delivered is much more than a tagline at Brandt. It's our company-wide promise to help our customers succeed by empowering them with the outstanding performance of our people and the uncompromising quality of our products and services.
Grown from the seeds of an entrepreneurial spirit over 80 years ago, Brandt has a long history of providing powerful value to our customers through a solid commitment to strong core values; Quality, Innovation, Commitment and Customer Focus. Originally Brandt Electric designed and built innovative products including one of the first grain augers available in Canada. Eventually, Brandt Electric became Brandt Industries Ltd. Today, Brandt is a growing, dynamic and diverse group of companies headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan. Brandt employs more than 1800 people across Canada and the US and services markets in over 20 countries and six continents. Brandt is the largest privately owned company in Saskatchewan and a Platinum Member of the Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies program.
Brandt Agricultural Products. engineers and manufactures quality agricultural equipment and markets these products through a dealer network in North America, Europe and Australia.
Brandt Developments Ltd. is a community-oriented real estate developer with the financial resources and proven expertise in the design, build, and management of highly-efficient, environmentally considerate and technologically advanced commercial business sites.
Brandt Engineered Products(ISO 9001-2008) specializes in innovative machine and system design, manufacturing, installation, and commissioning for the tube and pipe and mining industries around the world.
Brandt Equipment Solutions specializes in the design and manufacture of customized attachments and guarding for heavy-duty construction equipment.
Brandt Finance Ltd. provides financing for new and used equipment, including non-Brandt products.
Brandt Positioning Technology is the exclusive Topcon Dealer in Western and Atlantic Canada for construction, survey/engineering/GIS, and agriculture positioning technologies.
Brandt Road Rail manufactures and markets railway maintenance equipment to customers throughout the world.
Brandt Tractor Ltd. is the largest privately held John Deere construction and forestry dealership in the world with 27 locations across Canada from coast to coast.
Brandt believes in safe workplaces. To achieve this goal, we employ a number of safety risk mitigation measures including, but not limited to, safety awareness training, risk identification practices, education and instruction, operating standards, and compliance management procedures. Awareness, risk identification, education programs, and rigid safety standards ensure that we employ every measure possible to make our worksite safe places for our people.
Our commitment to responsible environmental practices in all aspects of our company is also a key priority. Our concern extends wellpast regulatory compliance to reflect our respect for nature and our responsible management and stewardship of resources.
Integrity has been defined as doing the right thing, even when no one is watching you. This belief governs how Brandt operates and conducts business every minute of every day. We set a high standard for ourselves and we expect the same from everyone who works for, or acts on behalf of, every Brandt division. Trust takes years to build and only seconds to tear down. We believe that upholding the highest ethical standards in all of our business activities is the key to maintaining the great relationships we've built with our employees, our customers, and the communities we've invested in.
Brandt recently surpassed $1billion in annual revenue. To celebrate and show our gratitude to the people who made this milestone happen, we're making special "Thanks a Billion" donations to charities, offering rebates to customers, sharing bonus rewards with employees, and hosting multiple community events across Western Canada
"Despite our 80 years of perpetual growth and success, in many ways it feels like we're just getting started. Look for many exciting things to come from Brandt. The best is yet to come." - Shaun Semple, President


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Dear UN Retirees (who are 1/3 lump recipients)
Probably some of you are aware that a number of retirees submitted a common cause appeal to the Standing Committee of the UNJSPB requesting restoration of full pension once the lump-sum amount + interest get fully recovered by UNJSPF in about 11-13 year period, thus ensuring equity among all pensioners. The Standing Committee turned down the request without even bothering to hear any of the appellants (a requirement under UN Disputes Tribunal) and decreed that the reduced pension shall remain for life.
Disappointed and not convinced of the justifiability of the decision, we have now filed a common cause appeal at the UN Appeals Tribunal as its inaugural case (Case # UNAT 2009-001) of its coming into being with a promise to uphold true justice. Have also appealed for oral hearing when the UNAT is ready to review the case.
Our appeal is based inter alia on the following principles:
1) As UN agency, UNJSPF regulations, rules and procedures/methods should remain consistent with the foundational principles of the UN, viz. UN Charter and UDHR (especially relevant to equity, fairness and Justice).
2) Nowhere in these regulations, forms et al, is there any explicit clause, statement or any mention to indicate life time denial of full pension (for 1/3 lump sum recipients). Is this not a very important element of any rule that should not be left for speculation?
3) Pension commutation being a usual procedure in civil service pension schemes, the provision to "commute" - meaning exchange or substitute for another - cannot remain open-ended for life but specifically quantified and articulated. This is not the case with UNJSPF regulations.
4) Since the lump sum is recovered by way of reduced monthly pension - what should this requirement be called except "indebtedness to the Pension Fund"? Is this indebtedness any different from any money owed to the Pension Fund under Article 43? If this indebtedness is in any manner different , then why is it not finding a separate/special mention in this Article 43?
5) Once the indebtedness to Pension Fund is fully paid, then why should not all pensioners be treated on the basis of equity? Is it something that the lump sum recipients have no business to remain alive beyond the originally estimated actuarial age of life expectancy? Is it not a "remediable injustice" that can be eliminated with reason and good governance?
6) Even the premature death of beneficiaries before they had repaid the lump sum does not drain the fund, since, had they lived their full life, they would have drawn the two-third pension, which is more than the one-third which the Fund doesn't get.
7) Contrary to imagined concerns, by restoring full pension to 1/3 lump sum recipients, no one, i.e., those who did not take the lump sum, will not lose one penny.
8) Under the present procedure, the Fund stands to gain an unconscionable amount of gains -- at the expense of a group of beneficiaries -- against all principles of fairness and morality.
9) Not confusing the above fundamentals with other fiduciary and economic issues, the real "remediable injustice" can always be addressed within the economic and other operational framework, without sacrificing basics - equity, fairness and justice.
Our hope and prayer is that our common cause appeal will be heard expeditiously and real justice is rendered in the not too distant future.
Please do share your comments and views as these could be of help should there be an opportunity (which we have requested) of arguing our common cause appeal.
S.P. Sundaram/V.Muthuswami/G.S.Srinivasan - Chennai, India
Appellants of the Common Cause Appeal and also
on behalf of UN retirees who value life and life's values
email: firstname.lastname@example.com; email@example.com


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Helping control air pollution
NPL helps develop a new way of regulating refinery gas flares.
NPL scientists used their own pioneering technique - DIAL (differential absorption lidar - a highly flexible way of measuring air quality) in a pioneering study by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) which enabled development of a new approach to air quality regulation within the oil and gas sector.
The Challenge
A problem in reducing air pollution from release of volatile organic carbons (VOCs) by petroleum refineries and crude oil stores is the difficulty of measuring the concentration of these gases at the point of release.
In 2007, NPL worked with the TCEQ to focus on the release of VOCs in Texas City, an area in Houston which is a centre for port operations involving the storage and refining of crude oil and petroleum.
The Solution
NPL's mobile DIAL facility can remotely measure pollutants in the air from the way visible, UV and IR laser pulses interact with gases in the air.
NPL used DIAL to show that, whereas emissions from tanks of petroleum products were close to what was predicted by AP-42 (the industry standard method of estimating emissions), VOC emissions from crude oil storage tanks were several times greater than AP-42 predicted at the time of measurement.
Attention then turned to the area's waste gas flares - many flares are intended to be temporary, but in some flares, which are needed to remain in place for long periods, it is usual to inject steam into the gas exhaust stream to control smoke and reduce the flame's intensity.
Conventional wisdom had been that, whereas temporary flares might well be polluting, the carefully-managed semi-permanent flares were 'cleaner' in that they emitted lower levels of VOCs. NPL's DIAL measurements of flares in Texas City showed the exact opposite, opening the way for a rational policy on regulation of flares.
The Impact
This NPL study increased understanding of the causes of certain types of air pollution, which in turn enables the economic burden of pollution to be reduced, helps cut the cost of enforcing regulations, and helps companies reduce their environmental impact.
Please note that the information will not be divulged to third parties, or used without your permission