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How gas prices show China's leverage over the North Korean economy
This year's fluctuations show Beijing can pressure Pyongyang - but other factors are also at work
This year's fluctuations show Beijing can pressure Pyongyang - but other factors are also at work
The spring and summer of 2017 have been an unusual time in recent history for relations between North Korea and China. This is perhaps truer for economics than for politics. As many point out to demonstrate why President Trump's North Korea strategy will not work, China has rarely had direct and full leverage over North
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Benjamin Katzeff Silberstein
Benjamin Katzeff Silberstein is an Associate Scholar at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and co-editor of North Korean Economy Watch.
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Accion Systems will start taking orders for their micro ion engines meant to be used on small satellites. Although the company is in business for around three years they only sold their microscopic ion engines to the US government and their research partners. Now, they will start taking orders from private companies starting a new era of space flights.
Image courtesy of Accion Systems
Their ion engine technology was developed at MIT for years, and the final product is an engine the size of a coin that has 480 tiny nozzles, which direct propellant out of the engine with the assistance of capillary action. Capillary action is natural phenomena that allow liquid to flow into narrow spaces without the need of gravity or any other external force. You may have seen this if you ever donated blood because capillary action allows blood to move up within the tube and travel to blood bags. Another example of this phenomenon is when using tissues to clean spilled water, water is moving through the tissue by capillary action.
Last August, Accion performed a real life conditions demonstration in space, and Dr. Natalia Brinker, co-founder and CEO of Accion claims that in-orbit demonstration matched performance they achieved in the lab.
The problem with ion engines was their size; they were too big for commercial use in small satellites. They were using large pumps to funnel the propellant into the engine, but Accion dealt with it by creating new small propulsion systems for their engines that are way smaller in comparison to systems used before.
This announcement is very important because, until now, small satellites couldn't be equipped with propulsion engines making them vulnerable to micrometeorites, shortened their orbit time; even Earth's atmosphere that can only be found in traces at the altitude that small satellites are orbiting could be strong enough to make the satellite lose its orbit and burn up in the atmosphere.
Now, those problems could be solved with the help of this miniature engine, making satellite's life span longer and allowing cheaper and more frequent launches.
Image courtesy of Accion Systems
Electric ion propulsion is considered to be the next big thing in space technology. It differs from standard chemical propulsion because it doesn't offer a huge, but short-lived burst of power; instead, ion engine emits a small amount of thrust that enables for a slow but steady acceleration. Over time, the speed of the ion engine-propelled craft can achieve stunning values, and that feat is crucial for long space flights, like NASA's mission to Pluto. On top of that, ion engines don't need huge amounts of fuel to function. Because of their slow but steady acceleration, fuel consumption is minimal because when in a vacuum you don't need much fuel in order to accelerate or maintain your speed, there is simply not enough friction in space to slow you down.
Image courtesy of NASA/JPL
NASA's Dawn spacecraft is a perfect example of the power of ion engine technology. In 2015, Dawn has achieved a change in its velocity (acceleration, in other words) of around 38,000 kilometers (23,600 miles) per hour, since it launched way back in 2007. As you can see, this technology could be one of the missing links that will enable humans to throw the shackles of our Solar System and travel to the Stars.

subset: commoncrawl


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Kari offers consultation and customized training in the following areas:
Board Development
It's no secret: Nonprofit boards play an extremely important role in the success of an organization. An effective board can steer their nonprofit to victory, while an ineffective board can lead to an organization's demise. A strong board is made up of diverse members who are passionate about your nonprofit's mission, understand and fulfill their collective and individual roles as board members, and have the knowledge and skills required to manage the challenges faced by your nonprofit.
Building a nonprofit board that meets your needs is a continual process of recruitment, engagement, and development. Kari can work with your organization to develop and implement tools and strategies to help you in this process.
Executive Mentoring
Successfully leading a nonprofit organization is no easy feat. Each day nonprofit leaders must weigh the urgency of daily demands against the importance of achieving their nonprofit's mission and serving its community. Your nonprofit director can rise to meet these challenges by developing strong leadership skills, learning new strategies, and building connections with a coach who can bring a fresh new perspective to their work.
Executive mentoring is one of the most efficient ways to grow and strengthen your organization. Kari can work with your executive director to help them better manage juggling multiple responsibilities, relationships, and resources while keeping both eyes fixed on your nonprofit's mission and bottom line.
Capital campaign counsel
If your nonprofit is at the point of embarking on a capital (or endowment campaign), consider talking to Kari PRIOR to beginning the campaign. Whether you are raising money to fund unique capital purchases such as equipment or vehicles, or raising funds for a new building or the expansion of your current space, consideration should always be given to adding an endowment portion to the overall campaign goal.
Kari can assist as campaign counsel to ensure you have a plan in place to raise the money to fund a one-time need for the organization, and strengthening the organization's fundraising infrastructure. She will also work with you to secure volunteer involvement and increase the public's awareness of your nonprofit pre, during and post campaign.
If you are making a change at the helm of your nonprofit, consider working with Kari through this transition and using Incite's Interim Executive Director services. Interim executive directors arrive at difficult or transitional times and help nonprofits make difficult choices. The goal of any interim executive director is to leave an organization in a better place than when they began.
A founder may be leaving, the Executive Director retiring; perhaps your organization has had to part ways with the CEO. With 20+ years of nonprofit executive experience, Kari has a track record of being able to understand both staff and board roles during times of transition. She will work with your nonprofit to liaise between staff and board and navigate the change management experience for all parties – internal and external.
Staff Coaching
Everyone can agree that nonprofit staff coaching is important, as it helps build an effective service team where staff and volunteers fully understand the organization's vision and goals. To create the greatest mission impact, nonprofits must provide opportunities to foster leadership and management talent in their people. Yet the commitment to training can sometimes waiver, especially when grant dollars or fees for services come up short at the end of the month.
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A nonprofit's ability to successfully navigate the challenges and uncertainties that stem from executive transitions is key to its survival. Whether a leadership change is planned or unplanned, Kari can assist your organization with planning for the next nonprofit leader, onboarding, training, and mentorship.
Fund Development Planning
The long-term success of a nonprofit organization largely depends on fund development and sustainability planning. To survive, you must implement multiple, diverse streams of funding sources—in the form of grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual contributions—to protect your organization and its mission against economic uncertainties and the vagaries of time. Each of these fundraising vehicles has its time and place, and nonprofit staff and board members must work together to establish a fundraising plan that is reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis. Kari can work with your nonprofit to design a robust fund development strategy that meets your current and future needs.
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Work With Kari
Kari works with nonprofit groups on a myriad of topics including nonprofit leadership, volunteer engagement and organization transitions. To learn more about working with Kari, please email her at firstname.lastname@example.com or schedule an appointment to discuss your particular needs.


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Larry P. Carr , QC
Larry P. Carr, Q.C. is counsel at Bishop & McKenzie, with a practice focusing on corporate and commercial law. Larry takes a practical approach to law and develops efficient strategies to accomplish his clients' objectives, particularly in the areas of:
mergers, financing, wills and estate planning, collections, wrongful dismissals, and leases.
Born and raised in Ottawa, Larry practiced law for an international real estate developer and an international pipeline and heavy construction company before returning to private practice in Edmonton in 1982, where he practiced at his own firm for over 30 years.
A Distinguished Toastmaster and frequent speaker and lecturer on a variety of legal topics, Larry has served as president of the Edmonton Bar Association and chair of Business Law and Securities sections of the Canadian Bar Association (Alberta Branch). He has also served on provincial and federal constituency associations, the Financial Advisory Committee of the Alberta Securities Commission, the Executive of the Mortgage Loans Association of Alberta, as well as on the Board of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.
To unwind, Larry enjoys golfing and downhill skiing


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Decorum - COSMOS posted by titoironman, June 21, 2016, 7:11
Decorum - We Like to Know (Part 1 of 3)
Background:This amarr agent stays in Minmatar space just to monitor the action of these 'rebels'. She found Krusual Tribe to be very evasive, and also hard to gauge. So she decided to ask her superiors to put some infiltrators to complete the task, using some previous slaves who are trained to be loyal to the Empire.
Courier Mission. You're going to pick up a infiltrator from a station of Joint Harvesting in Hjoramold to a station of Krusual Tribe in Nakugard.
Decorum - Spy vs. Spy (Part 2 of 3)
Background:Despite the infiltration of Minmatar, the agent is worried about the pirate activity around as well. She thought Minmatar weak as they cannot get rid of these pirates in their own territory. So she decided to take them down, but by you, of course. She wants some demonstration for your killing efforts.
Trade Mission. Turn in 5 pieces of Spy ID Slice to complete the mission. It is suggested to hunt down the pirates in Ani to obtain them, but also you can buy it from contracts, which is normally 1~3mil per slice.
Reward: 1000 medium republic fleet phased plasma ammunition.
Decorum - Hacker's Haven (Part 3 of 3)
Background: The agent finds out a hacker haven. She believes that these hackers keep the data of secrets of all the region. Hence she wants you to retrieve it for her.
Reward: a 3-run BPC of 800mm Heavy 'Jolt' Repeating Artillery I (material level:15, productivity level:6)
Mission type: Encounter
Pocket 1
In 30~35km there're an initial and only group:
2x Gatekeeper Rebel (Frigate)
1x Gatecrasher Rebel (Cruiser)
There're some LCO around in space:
3x Old Refinery
4x Pulsating Sensor
3x Hacker's Haven
While only one of the 3 hacker's haven is genuine and drop loot. Loot includes the objective, 50x metal scrap and some random commodities.
Standing loss: The entire mission chain gives you ~6% corporation standing increase.
Mission data kindly provided by eve-survival.org with full complience of the coryright rules stated. Please refer to the source for more information.


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Horseshoe Crab
Omg, Elpizo, mrry me
So I saw some of you guys wanted to see some pictures of epicosity that is the XIV Beta so HERE! I took shedloads (and find it truly surprising that no one else didn't do the same) so here:
I purposely waited at this spot for about an hour so I could take this sunrise picture, it was awesome.
While I was waiting for sunrise I played about with the poses ^^
I really love the way the clouds in this picture look so real, I mean just LOOK at them!
I STILL cant get over how amazingly stunning this game is, I cant even begin to imagine what its going to look like when directx 11 is in use.
To me this mob will always remind me of the tremmor ram from XI... just on steroids lol.
I love how the shadows flair off her hair.
This is by far my favourite pic, for some reason I cant help but think of Assassins Creed when looking at it for some reason.
Oh and you may have noticed (lol) I have been playing the beta as a female miqo'te, fear not, I will be reprising my roll as Legendary Hero once the servers are live.
Looking good
You need a white hood and a group of priests to follow around, and then take that last screenshot again!
Guess who is who!
I :<3: my harem of femqo'te. Even the dudes.
Looks fantastic!
So, today I went to La Noscea and after a while found Upper La Noscea, which I now hold as the most beautiful zone in Eorzea. I decided to stop off at Bronze Lake, my new sanctuary of choice. Time to take off the ol' armour and relax! Check out these snaps!
First thing I did was hear the sound of a rushing waterfall amongst the springs, so I skipped the normal pools and nipped down to rest underneat the rushing warm water.
After a while, what did I spot? Oh ho ho, jackpot! Time to have a real vacation!
...and suddenly, I became all too aware of the lack of other people. There were few other characters about the springs outside, and it can only be because of the complete lack of bar service inside.
Still, I did take time to get to know the locals!
And in the end, booze or not, Upper La Noscea is still the most beautiful place in Eorzea that I've seen so far.
Also worth checking out is Fool Falls, equally as gorgeous but on the other side of the zone and sadly it's not a simple walk across.
Thrusting your weapon at a Mamool Ja was a standard greeting in Vana'diel too.
The screenshots look incredible. I think the mapping looks far more fascinating and intricate than it did pre-AAR.
Staring at my sig will not induce epileptic fits.
A themagicroundabout sig, by themagicroundabout.
Ahaha, Photobomber extroadinaire.


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Tendon Strength
An increase in my one arm chin-up training left my joints screaming and even a simple two arm chin-up was a pain. I'll give the one arm chin training at least another week's rest, but I'm back to most other exercises.
I figure now is a good time to speak of the basics of tendon injury and strength. This will probably be a very basic review for some, but I hope to educate others who are not as familiar.
What is a tendon?
A tendon, simply put, is what attaches your muscles to your bones. In the picture above, you can clearly see the relationship between the three. As the muscle contracts, it pulls on the tendon, which moves the bone.
Importance of tendon strength
If we understand the relationship between muscle, bone, and tendon - we can see the importance of strengthening the tendons. To make an analogy, imagine your muscles are your car engine, and your tendons are the tires. Now you may have a lot of horses under the hood, but if your tires aren't good enough, then you're not transferring as much power as possible. The whole system needs to be strong.
So let's look about a bit more at the muscles and tendons.
First, here is detail of the muscle
The muscle is composed of groups of muscle fibers. When one trains to increase the size of ones muscles (hypertrophy), the muscle fibers increase in size. While a larger muscle definitely helps generate force, it is not always indicative of true strength.
For example, a bodybuilder's main goal is to increase this muscle hypertrophy all over his body. Are bodybuilders the strongest athletes out there? Certainly not. My love and respect to Schwarzenegger, he's very strong, but his training was for muscle growth, not necessary raw strength - such as a powerlifter or olympic lifter trains for. It's just a different training goal, that's all. And don't even get me started on these bloated bodybuilding freaks of today...
There are plenty of Olympic weightlifters who look nothing like bodybuilders, but who toss monstrous amounts of weight up over their heads.
Looking good for a bodybuilding competition may suit some, but if you want muscle that will work as well as it looks, then you've got to strengthen the tendons to be able to transfer the power. Again, don't take me wrong, bodybuilders are still very strong, but pound for pound, you can't beat the weightlifters.
Difference in TrainingGenerally speaking, weighttraining workouts that advocate higher numbers of reps and sets for far less than maximal weights will promote hypertrophy and work the tendons to a lesser degree.
To stress the tendons, heavier, near maximal weights for less repetitions should be used.
Some places, like the hand, absolutely require strong tendons for staggering feats of strength. This is because hypertrophy in the hand will occur, but only to a limited degree. It's the tendons that must be stressed and strengthened to create incredible power.
My hand strength training has never consisted of high repetitions with lower weights. This is why Ironmind created the Captains of Crush high spring tension grippers. It's high tension that will build hand strength, not endless repetitions with a weak store gripper.
Tendon injury and recoveryWhen training with higher poundage, we must remember the stress put on the tendons and allow for adequate recovery. This is especially true of the hands, which can be injured easily and which take a long time to come back from injury. Lower weight, extremely repetitive actions can also cause tendon damage. (think tennis elbow or carpal tunnel)
My training mistake for the OAP involved using a high poundage (only 15lbs assistance) and a bit too many sets (2-3 repetitions for 6 sets). Especially when training something like the OAP, where so much force is focused on the elbow joint, I should have used less sets and allowed for my body to adapt over more time, rather than rush things. Live and learn though...
Tendon injury will be felt at the joints, as opposed to along the limb, as in muscle soreness. Tendon injury also takes much longer to heal than muscle damage (soreness) due to the lower blood flow. It therefore requires more rest and rehabilitation to be back at 100%.
At the time of injury, it is the smartest course of action to inact the R.I.C.E. treatment - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. In other words, you'll want to stop the activity, wrap an ice pack around it, and take some anti-inflammatory medicine (ibuprofen). There's research looking into whether RICE really is the best method for recovery for tendon injuries, but until otherwise noted, slap on the ice and pop an ibuprofen.
During the follow days and weeks of recovery, you'll want to avoid the activity that caused the tendonitis. You can use heat pads and massage to get the blood flowing through the tendons and speed healing. Some very light range of movement exercises for the joint with bands will also help to move some blood through the area. But the number one thing that you can do to make sure things heal up properly is REST. If you try and jump into your activities again full bore, you just reinjure yourself and have to start back from square one. And under no circumstance should you be trying to "work through the pain". This only serves to keep your tendon injury around much longer, and most likely elevate its severity until you'll need more than heat and rest to come back.
In other news...Onto better news, my one arm handstand is coming along nicely. I'm training it in my room now, with little fear of tossing over to one side and putting my foot through a window.
Right now my training is focusing on the planche and these one arm skills - one arm lever, one arm handstand, and one arm chin (soon). I have been working my overhead pressing strength and will begin training for a one arm handstand pushup. This will be against the wall, of course, but if I can train it alongside my freestanding one arm handstand, then maybe I'll be able to combine the two for a freestanding, one arm handstand pushup!! (one can dream)
The elbow injury did get me back on a better stretching routine, which is absolutely essential if I ever hope to start training flairs or a V-seat.
Speaking of lower body, I've continued to make great progress in my squats. When I can bump my working set up 10 more pounds, I'm going to put down the iron and start up a plyometric training program. I ran track in high school so my legs have always been quick and I've had a good vertical, but I feel a concentrated jumping program should have me grabbing some basketball rim!! Yes, me, a 5'8" guy could some day be dunking! Once again, one can dream...
I'll finish up the L-seat tutorial and try to post it sometime this week. That will precede the handstand press tutorial, and then I'll smash the two together for an L-seat to handstand press demonstration, per your request.
Good luck to everyone with their training, stay safe and injury-free!


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Advice needed
View Single Post
October 10th, 2017, 04:22 PM
Name: Michael
Join Date: January 25, 2014
Location: Ireland
Age: 18
Advice needed
Right this is like my fucking third time typing this out from scratch because I'm that fucking confused
I cut for the first time Sunday. Everything is going great for me, I'm physically fit, school is going well, I've a car, motorbike, loving family, ot family problems, a girlfriend who i love… ah theres the problem
I think i love her too much. Last Sunday we fought, a proper fight. First time since we started going out (march) i felt so bad because i could've prevented it. I've been in shit from since last week anyway for some reason, and sunday didn't help it. So i cut. The scary thing is it helped, i felt like the worries had gone with the blood. The worrying part is i think it fucking helped at the time and I'm afraid i might do it again if things get bad again, But now I'm even worse, i feel so guilty, i always told myself id never do that but i did it, never mind over a fuckng girl. I love her so much, its not teenage naivety i know what i fucking feel and i don't need to look anymore. She claims that she feels the same but I'm not sure, i cant convince myself that she does. Anyway. She used to cut, and i know how i felt when she admitted it,i felt physically sick. How the fuck would she feel if she learned i cut because of her? I cant talk to anyone. Two of my close friends aren't close anymore, theres another lad I'm really close to but i just cant tell him because i know even though he'll support me he'll basically tell me to wise up but its not that simple.
I obviously don't wanna tell the girl because it'll kill her and may seriously impact our relationship, but the guilt is too much i cant stop thinking about it. Obviously she'll understand because she used to, but I'm afraid it'll annoy her too much because i did it to do do with her, and she might relapse. I never imaged myself to be talking about my cutting but I'm here anyway. Thing is we're sexually active, and her parents are going away for a few days over halloween. we'll be naked for most of the time so she'd bound to see it. The cuts are like on my thighs, like on the sides, basically beside my balls. If she's down there, and its bright, she's gonna see. And they won't be gone by halloween. Plus if she sees them, she'll get thick even more because i didn't tell her. Btw I'm not breaking up with her because ill feel so much worse. And i wouldnt say that the relationship is causing mental abuse, because i tend to overthink things myself its nothing to do with her. She's the most important person in my life.
What the fuck am I supposed to do? Apologises for the long windedness. Thanks.
- Edit. By the way, my gut instinct is not to tell her, because it'll fucking kill her. But at the same time something is nagging at me just to fucking tell her because she's probably gonna see at some stage, especially during dirt.
Last edited by Michael75; October 10th, 2017 at


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This crib is selling for $4,343 per square foot!!!
The narrowest house in the city, once home to Cary Grant and a modern tourist attraction in its own right, has gone on sale for a whopping $4.3million – double what it sold for just one year ago. The hefty price increase is down to the renovations at number 75 1/2 Bedford St – though at just 9.5ft wide and 30ft deep, it's hard to envision what sort of renovations could have justified such a cost.
But the broker claims The Millay House has been 'meticulously restored' – and its colourful history and position firmly on the city's tourist trail will help. Along with Grant, the property has been home to actor John Barrymore, poet Edna St Vincent Millay and cartoonist William Steig – none of whom, clearly, ever suffered from claustrophobia.


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Friday, October 13, 2017
Happy Friday The 13th!
20 comments:
the main thing is not to lose our head, right;O)))))))ReplyDelete
OMD! You've both had body make-overs!ReplyDelete
You scared us! We hope you are back to yourselves soon.ReplyDelete
hari OMReplyDelete
eeeeeeekkkkkkkkkk griffoids!!! it this a sign of what's coming for the Skeerython??? Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO my cats.............everything crossed this never happens.ReplyDelete
too funny
Hugs madi your bfff
Ruh roh ...think something crazy might be going on over at your place!ReplyDelete
Mom says it's a lucky day. Any day I don't have to take a bath is a lucky day for me!ReplyDelete
Love and licks,
Teeheehee...Looks like some Lady has been playing with you two!ReplyDelete
Jakey, Arty & Rosy
BOL - that really does freak us out a bit. Hope you remember how to put your heads back where they belong:)ReplyDelete
Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Bwahaha! Love it. Nice Freaky Friday photos.ReplyDelete
Something seems verrrrrrrry odd here .......ReplyDelete
Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher
Whoa!! Freaky!ReplyDelete
Hazel & Mabel
OMD! You changed heads. In that first photo, we thought Lee had become lighter....BOL!ReplyDelete
Hallowen is spooky good timeReplyDelete
OMC Now that's spooky!ReplyDelete
Yipes! Now that's scary!ReplyDelete
That is REALLY FREAKY!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousOctober 14, 2017 at 5:53 AM
EEEEKY FREAKY!!!ReplyDelete
Hugs, Teddy
It truly was "freaky Friday." Glad it's over!ReplyDelete


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New Zealand reach World Cup finals
WELLINGTON - Rory Fallon scored a first-half header to earn New Zealand a 1-0 win over Bahrain on Saturday, sealing the All Whites' place in the 2010 World Cup finals.
Goalkeeper Mark Paston saved a second-half penalty to preserve New Zealand's lead in the second leg of the Asia/Oceania World Cup qualifier after the first leg in Manama had ended 0-0 last month.
New Zealand, champions of the Oceania zone, had their only previous World Cup appearance in Spain in 1982.
"I've been very honest about the quality of this team," New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert told reporters. "They've all worked hard. We all backed the system and we truly believed it was good enough to win and they have gone and done it."
Fallon, whose father Kevin was assistant manager of the 1982 side, sealed their ticket to next year's finals in South Africa when he powered home Leo Bertos's corner in the final minute of the first half at a sold-out Westpac Stadium.
"I always fancy myself when the boys put the balls in and I have been scoring lately at my club so I just visualised it today and I knew I could do it," Fallon said.
"That is the belief that Ricki has been going on about. Everyone had that belief. Leo put in a great cross and I put it away."
Bahrain needed only a score draw to qualify and were celebrating in front of their small group of vocal fans when Abdulla Omar was brought down in the box by Tony Lochhead for a penalty.
However, Sayed Adnan's weak effort was easily saved by Paston to the delight of most in the 35,194 crowd.
"I actually guessed," Paston said of his save. "They were trying to tell me what way he goes, but the message didn't get on and I just guessed.
"It was great to save a penalty, but the whole second half the boys in front of me were incredible and it comes down to that. It was amazing what they did for me."
New Zealand's Shane Smeltz had an opportunity to kill the game off in the 70th minute when he was put through by Bertos, but his deft flick went just wide.
Fallon had another chance 10 minutes later as New Zealand caught Bahrain on the break but his shot was blocked by the defence, while substitute Chris Wood and Smeltz also had half-chances in injury time.
New Zealand were led superbly by captain Ryan Nelsen in the centre of defence while Jaycee John looked the most dangerous for the visitors, his snap shot from the edge of the box producing a superb save by Paston in the 31st minute.


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Attorney Jake Posey
- Austin, TX, US
Attorney Jake Posey has maintained ties with a number of professional organizations and associations throughout his 10-plus years in legal practice. These include the State Bar of Texas' Legislative and Campaign Law Section, the Williamson County Bar Association, and the National Order of Barristers; he has also served as a board member for one of the nation's largest IT organizations, the IT Serve Alliance. Jake Posey is the lead attorney and counselor for The Posey Law Firm, PC, a business and governmental relations firm headquartered in Austin, Texas.
The firm focuses both on general counsel services such as labor and employment law, and on state-level government relations solutions. For clients who are interested in Jake Posey's services, his law office maintains a web presence with pertinent information about a wide range of legal and governmental matters at www.cposeylaw.com.
Jake Posey holds a juris doctor from the Texas A&M University School of Law, where he earned placement on the dean's list and participated with the school's mock trial team. Away from work, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities.


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While watching shows and movies in high definition resolutions are great and all, they are still lacking if they don't have quality sound to go with them. As television screens got smaller, something had to go and unfortunately, that was the quality speaker systems.
Check out the best soundbars for the money here
However, the manufacturers responded by creating soundbars that allow you to either use a soundbar that can produce a higher quality sound than that found in the television itself. You can choose from a simple sound bar or you can expand the system out to encompass surround sound and more. Thus giving you, in effect, more choices and options for your viewing pleasure.
Getting The Sound Right
Movie and television studios spend millions of dollars per film and show to ensure that the sound effects and theme music are appropriate for the story. Think of how important the Star Wars films is and how sound shaped one of the all time famous movies. In fact, sound producers for Star Wars traveled the country to find the right sounds, including using a bad AC unit from a hotel in New Mexico as the sound for the Tie Fighters in the movie. The point is, that unless you have quality sound, your viewing experience is greatly diminished. This is why having a soundbar is important. Often in flat screens, the speakers are facing the wrong direction or have less quality than what would normally be expected and thus you miss out on dialogue, effects and more.
By using an external soundbar, you get the quality you deserve and you don't miss out on the action. In addition, soundbars add more functionality to your media setup as they often can stream audio from devices. Add in surround sound, and external subwoofer for deeper bass and you create a whole sound experience to go along with your favorite movie or show.
Five Great Soundbars Under $300
Top Rated Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer
This soundbar – Polk Audio MagniFi Series SoundBar is specially designed so you get the most from your television audio. It has a unique technology package that helps make sure you get crystal clear dialogue even when there is a lot of action on the screen. It has Bluetooth connectivity so it will work with almost any Bluetooth-enabled device so you can stream your audio content and it has a separate subwoofer so you get deep rich bass as well.
It has multiple connectivity options to your setup and it has an on board EQ setting so you can quickly adjust to your viewing pleasure. This model is very popular with people loving how well this unit sounds and how well it handles dialogue.
Best Speaker System for Home
This model – Bic America 625 Watt Series 3-5 Channel Bar is unique among soundbars as it is effectively a speaker system lain prone. It can handle an input of up to 625W and it can be expanded to work with a complete surround sound system. The larger drivers delivers all frequencies including base and high notes and the dialogue is crisp and clear.
This is a larger than normal soundbar system that has multiple connectivity options and can connect to up to five different wired connections at the same time. Thus you can easily build a multiple channel surround sound system. People who have this remark about how great it sound and how powerful the volume is for their movies.
Best Bluetooth Soundbar for the Price
The Klipsch R-10B Series SoundBar is a two way soundbar with a wireless subwoofer so you get powerful sound in one package. Capable of handling up to 250W, this unit will deliver powerful sound effects and clear dialogue. It has APTX technology so you get pure digital reproduction and it can connect via Bluetooth to almost any Bluetooth-enabled device so you can stream your audio as well.
The subwoofer is a solid cabinet with a passive response so the bass is heart pounding so you get the full effect of the special effects. People who have this model love how great it sounds and how easy it is to use and setup.
Top Rated Sound Bar with Bluetooth
Few companies have the quality audio reputation that Yamaha does, and with this soundbar it is easy to see why. The Yamaha YAS-203 Series Soundbar has a coaxial connection and an optical connection for expansion to a full surround sound system and the drivers deliver faithful and accurate reproduction of the digital frequencies so you get pure, crisp audio.
It comes with a wireless subwoofer for deep bass and the unit has its own remote control. It can handle up to 200W and it can be wall mounted or used for televisions over 40 inches without blocking the IR port. People who have purchased and use this model love the high quality sound and the great dialogue.
Best Soundbar under $300
This soundbar – Q Acoustics Media 4 Series Soundbar is a high quality unit designed to produce high definition audio for both music and movies. It has a built in subwoofer so there is no separate box to contend with and it has a wide range of connectivity options to connect to televisions, stereos and more.
It has Bluetooth to connect to your devices so you can stream audio and it has a remote control for easy adjusting to your pleasure. The drivers are designed to provide the whole room with sound and the people who use this bar remark about the very high quality of both the unit and the audio produced.
More top rated soundbars under $300 here
Remember to always listen to your audio at a respectable volume to prevent damage to the speaker or to prevent hearing loss.


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On Tuesday, 4 February, London life as we knew it came to a 'special service' halt. For two days, disgruntled Londoners made their way to work above surface, furiously tapping tube lines into Twitter in a bid to come out triumphant in their quest for underground solace. For two days, buses were hot news - and they knew it. Effortlessly rolling around the street corner, they would seductively eye up their latest rain-soaked admirers. 'Darling,' they purred, 'I know you want me, but I'm just so busy with all these other commuters. Go get on the next one'.For two days, London was #tubestrike -ing, and this is what we learnt from it...
1. Taking a 'LOOK AT ALL THESE PEOPLE CROWDING HERE' photo will get you 15 minutes of social media fame. And you'll love it. If you happen to travel past a van trying to drive into Brixton station then you're laughing all the way to the retweet bank.
2. 'Can you move down please!?' is the best way to piss off a lot of people in one confined space. If we weren't already standing nose-to-nose with the person we had just elbowed in the ribs to get past, we'd have given you the 'tut-and-stare-for-a-bit-and-then-look-away' treatment.
3. TfL notice boards aren't just for semi-inspiring quotes, they also provide the perfect platform on which to mock Boris Johnson or tell us that we all had it coming.
4. Roads are a 'war zone', cyclists are everywhere, everyone is angry.
5. Colleagues live closer to you than you think. With everyone talking so loudly about the perilous journey they had, we can finally eavesdrop on where everybody lives. And then make arrangements to avoid them at all costs on the commute next week.
6. Whilst it may be crowded and people are using umbrellas as weaponry when boarding different methods of transport, we seemed to get to work relatively on time...despite really wanting to dramatically exclaim to the boss that we're helplessly stranded and there is no end to our misery.
7. People breathe too loudly. People cough all the time. People clear their throats far too often. And now you're even more aware of this due to a reluctance to listen to any music whilst tubing, just in case there is a sudden announcement that your station has now closed.
8. Sharing photos of London's sights and mystique as you walk a mile or two is good an'all; but it's raining, we're cold, and we want to get on the tube. Get your smugness away from us.
9. Next time, we'll take the day off.


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I can't believe how long it took me to finish this bag! It sat for a week, buuuuut that was after a frustrating day of dealing with zippers that for some reason didn't want to work with me. I've sewn them many, many times, in many, many different ways, but alas, they didn't like me and I didn't like them.
What inspired me to make my bag was looking at all of the Better Life Bags (their mission is awesome!). I hope to get one for the holidays, just to support them, well that and the bags are gorgeous! I wish they sold their bag patterns…
Anyway, I used See Kate Sew's leather bottom tote tutorial because it reminded me of the Better Life Bags. I really like the look of black and white fabric with the brown leather.
I wanted to use up my faux suede I had leftover from my baby shoes, and an Italian linen top I had thrifted. I was saving the top for a dress skirt for the girls, but I thought it would be fun as a bag too.
I used fusible fleece to sturdy up the zebra fabric since that's what I had on hand. I'm holding on to my Soft n' Stable for another bag that I have in my sewing queue and can't wait to make! I probably should've doubled the fusible fleece because the bag is a little slouchy, but it still holds its shape fairly well.
Now here's where the hiccups occurred. I decided to add a zipper to the outside. When I was sewing the zipper to the liner, there were all types of mysterious complications, then out of impatience I measured incorrectly and didn't realize it until I had cut the slit in my outside fabric. I didn't have anymore fabric available to cut a new piece, so I was stuck with this gaping zipper opening. I decided to use some faux suede to help enclose the zipper on the sides. I used the same technique as for the top zipper. Then I had to hand sew the zipper in. Looking back, I should've added the faux suede to fill in the entire opening, and created the zipper opening from that, but like I said, I wasn't thinking clearly.
The top zipper was also giving me a hard time. I somehow completely forgot how to use my zipper foot (I'm blaming this on mommy brain), and sewed the fabric so close to the zipper I couldn't unzip it! After lots of seam ripping, I finally got it in there. Phew!!! Zippers all done.I used top stitching thread to match the zipper too.
For the lining I used some leftover fabric from my daughter's cape lining. I like the pop in color. The fabric is really soft too.
Then I was able to finish sewing everything up in the flashiest of flashes. It's finally done! I'm a little disappointed in the front zipper, but oh well.The rest of the bag is cute!
In the meantime, I found a couple of other bags I'm sewing up as holiday gifts! Hint: Checkout the free patterns on the Robert Kaufman website! Hopefully I've learned from my earlier mistakes and will take it slowly. No room for impatience in sewing!
Have you ever lost your patience sewing? Am I the only one? It sure makes everything much more difficult and time consuming!!!


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Some Guidance On Choosing Elements In Doctor Home Loan Brisbane Queensland
Radiation Oncologist - Utilizes high energy radiation therapy related to neck, abdomen, endocrine systems, etc. Are any lifestyle stable financial future by becoming a doctor! If you choose to give birth in a hospital, you might in throat? Money that has been clipped off to make change Spending a large amount of money on food Pretend to be not interested when you are really interested in something A person who repeats the same thing unnecessarily Someone who deals in second-hand books It's an adjective and it means having shapely buttocks Someone who is hypocritical and unctuous A good conversationalist at meals A person who kills both his friends and foes To get free from entanglements Something that has been given a similar name as something else A person who trains other people in crime An idle person or rubbernecker A place where you find entertainment A person who always stays at home A doctor who cures ailments {body=[], title=Basic Insights On Locating Criteria Of Doctor Home Loan Canberra Australian Capital Territory - CSL-AZ, url=http://www.csl-az.com/basic-insights-on-locating-criteria-of-doctor-home-loan-canberra-australian-capital-territory/} using lotion or cream A word included in a dialog to make its presenter for gallstones? They check if the mental sickness is because of stress malady of the bone. It can also flourish on equipment that men and women with add? If your family doctor asks you to consult a gastroenterologist, it would be will be used for me? Which test will be conducted to would be several career opportunities for obstetricians.
ARM interest rates and payments are subject to increase after the initial fixed-rate of each input & how they are used in calculations. The listings that appear on this page are from companies from which this website decrease your monthly payment. Always refer to the providers' websites for complete, subject to change without notice. What's worse is when interest rates spike home prices also fall, which makes it harder to sell loan term can save many years off the life of the loan. The rate of interest on a loan, required, which could increase the monthly payment and the APO. Important information about our rate tables About our Mortgage doctor home mortgage loan Oak Laurel Rate Tables: The approval and program guidelines. Property insurance in all states for all loan amounts. FAA & A loans have different down payment & loan insurance the home for an extended period & they expect interest rates to rise. While we try to offer a comprehensive list of offers, always changing.
A Straightforward Analysis Of Choosing Vital Elements Of Brisbane Queensland
Adele won five awards at the Grammys, including record of the year for her song Hello The Australian Football League says it is "disappointed" after having to move the women's grand final because fans attending Adele concerts damaged the surface at Brisbane's Gabba. The surface was deemed unsafe after two March concerts by the British singer. Brisbane Lions against Adelaide - the climax of the women's Australian Rules football season - will now take place on the Gold Coast on Saturday. Brisbane chief Greg Swann said the club had been "absolutely let down". "Our question is why the grass was sown, knowing that there were games coming up. Why that's been allowed to happen is beyond us," he added. The physician home equity loan Oak Laurel Gabba will be the venue for the opening Ashes cricket Test against England in November. "This is a very unfortunate situation to be dealing with," said Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland. "As long-term tenants of the Gabba, we're very sympathetic to the Brisbane Lions and the AFL's situation.
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The article describes Nathan's commitment to the environment and includes an antidote about the importance of preservation.
"I can't let go of my Eagle Scout badge from my teenage years," says Benjamin. "It was the Boy Scouts founder who said, 'Try and leave this world a little better than you found it.' That guides everything I do."
Check out the article below or click on the link to read the entire story:


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I am the new and proud owner of a Vitamix blender and, while I've been very happy with its versatility and ability, I would love to find a resource that can teach me new things to do with this fantastic toy. Just trying to get the most out of a huge investment!
Vitamix has a website with recipes and also did you get a recipe book with the mixer? I did with mine but that was about 6 years ago or more
The official Vitamix website has plenty of recipes, but they don't have any discussion of how the recipes work, or suggestions about substitutions/modifications. This blog is dedicated to Vitamix ideas and tricks: http://joyofblending.com/
Great for making no bake Lara bars chocolatecoveredkatie.com
Welp, I'm three years late to this answer, but I spend a majority of my waking hours working on this Vitamix blog: https://lifeisnoyoke.com


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Customer Reviews:
Reviewer: Charms Mynhier
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Reviewer: Lydia Yonan
Very pleased with such a perfect fit. I have a wide foot but it still fit very well. I am major fan of the MBT style to maintain great posture and this shoe is doing that as expected.
Reviewer: Kay Allen
has almost cured my the pain i felt in my heels when walking. I have owned many MBT shoes and wouldnt buy anything else for work
Reviewer: Syrilla Phillips
My shoes arrived 1day earlier then expected and love them . 2nd pair same color and shoe style. Bought 1st one over 3years ago . Very happy . Thank you
Displaying 1 to 4 (of 4 reviews)
Customers who bought this product also purchased...


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Commercial Kitchen – SF Bay Area
December 15, 2010
Call 831-425 6625 or email firstname.lastname@example.com
2 Responses to "Commercial Kitchen – SF Bay Area"
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We're a group of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with helpful info to work on. You've performed a formidable task and
our entire neighborhood shall be grateful to you.


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If you know me personally, you already know that I'm a complete and utter geek (or nerd; your preference). I'm a fan of everything from Buffy the Vampire Slayerand Teen Wolf to Battlestar Galactica and Game of Thrones. I love comics and games, have been playing D&D and Battletech since I could talk, and robots make me want to squeal! Really, if it's geeky, I probably like it or am, at the very least, familiar with it. Which is why I think geek conventions are the coolest thing ever! There's so much geek/nerd going on, it's difficult to know where to start. It's also difficult to know how to get ready. Whether you've been to a con before or just signed up for your very first one, there's a lot that goes into preparing for a geek convention. I know, I've been to several and, as a result, I've learned bunches about what to do and what not to do.
With Dragon Con just around the corner, I've been thinking about convention prep a lot lately. How to plan my days, what to bring, what to wear, the best ways to maximize my experience without destroying my budget…that's all super important stuff and all of it should be carefully considered before the day you're supposed to leave.
I get it, I really do; geeks are notorious procrastinators. I'm a one myself. In fact, it's rare that I start packing for a trip more than half an hour before I'm supposed to be walking out the door. (Dear family and friends I'm always late to see, just pretend you didn't read that part.)
Unfortunately, this just isn't possible when preparing for a geek convention. There's too much to consider and, frankly, too much at stake! Failing to prep the right way leads to being uncomfortable all day or, worse, missing out on something awesome. I'm not sure about you, but I don't want to waste a second of my con experience.
So, despite my procrastination tendencies – I force myself to start preparing for a geek convention ahead of time and you should too. To help, I've put together this series of "Ultimate Guide" blog posts full of awesome con prep tips and advice. It's so thorough, I had to divide it into three blog posts!
- Planning Your Con (you're reading it now)
- What to Bring to a Con
- Con Survival Tips
What are you waiting for? Get reading!
Planning Your Con
Know Where You're Going
First thing's first – know where the heck you're going! This is an absolutely vital element of preparing for a geek convention. Be as familiar with the city where your con will be held as possible. This means checking out maps of the convention center, host hotels, nearby restaurants, public transportation information, and other nearby recreational activities. Knowing this stuff can help you plan your trip, as well as keep stress-levels down once you arrive. There's nothing worse than rushing around in circles when you're already late for a panel you are dying to catch.
This also means finding out what other events will be taking place at the same time – XCon World in Myrtle Beach, for example, happens to fall smack dab in the middle of Biker Week. Yikes! Traffic in Myrtle Beach is bad enough without scores of motorcycles on the road. Being aware of big city events can help you plan your arrival time, departure time, and dictate whether venturing outside the convention is worth it.
Book Your Hotel Early
For some conventions, this means making your reservation as soon as the hotel allows. Dragon Con host hotels fill up almost immediately, as do most high-profile events. Making a reservation should be one of the first things you do when you start preparing for a geek convention.
Where do you find the best hotel rates?
Most local hotels will partner with conventions and give attendees a lower room price, especially host hotels. Check your con's website for more details on this, but don't feel obligated to stay on site either. There are plenty of nearby hotel options out there. It's always worth checking Expedia to see if you can get a good rate on something a block or two away.
Keep in mind that many hotels give preference to current guests, often allowing them to reserve their rooms year after year. While it isn't impossible to break into the cycle, you really do have to move fast. Don't wait to make your reservation.
Check Convention Rules
Bah! Who needs rules, anyway?
Well, unfortunately, us convention folk do. Case in point – my brother's first year at Dragon Con, guests kept overloading the hotel elevators until it was so badly damaged no one could use on of them for the rest of the weekend. No beuno.
So yeah, knowing the rules will help with preparing for a geek convention. Find out if outside food is allowed, are there restrictions on cosplay weapons, and can you take candid photos of the guests without paying? Every convention is different and knowing the rules and regulations ahead of time will keep you from unknowingly doing something that could get your membership ticket revoked.
Plan Meals
Planning out what you're going to do about meals ahead of time is a great idea. My husband and I like to bring a large cooler full of food from home and them try to limit ourselves to one purchased meal a day. We'll grab cereal bars for breakfast, make sandwiches for lunch, and then pay for dinner. This can save you bunches. Unfortunately, not every convention will let you bring your own food in, but you can always head back to your hotel room to eat if needed – they can't tell you what to do there!
Another reason planning out meals is an important part of preparing for a geek convention is because it can save you time. We look up restaurants and food options in the area ahead of time, decide when we're eating where, and don't have to waste time discussing it when we're at the convention.
Download the Con App
Not every convention will have an app, but most larger-scale ones do. Check your upcoming con's website and download it before you arrive if there is one. Most of these apps offer easy access to the schedule (which you absolutely need when preparing for a geek convention), as well as instant updates regarding changes and cool announcements.
Many of the apps also allow schedule sharing, so you and your friends can keep track of the different panels you're all attending. Additionally, maps of the convention facilities are usually available for download and that will come in SUPER handy if you get turned around somehow.
Download a "Find Your Friends" App
You may be thinking, "I'll totally be able to keep up with my pals; no problem!" but there's a distinct possibility that you're wrong. Small cons, sure. Bigger events like Comic-Con San Diego and Dragon Con? No way. You're going to get separated at some point, it'll be too loud to hear phones ringing, and you'll absolutely wish you had an easy way to track them down.
Well, if you download an app, like Find My Friends, for example, you'll have one. Putting an app like this on your phone should definitely be part of preparing for a geek convention. Doing it ahead of time will save you the hassle and frustration when you're at the con.
Download a "Find Your Phone" App
Even more important than finding your friends is keeping track of your phone! Okay, so maybe not more important (unless your friends are jerks), but it's certainly part of preparing for a geek convention. Like Find My Friends, there are apps to help you find your phone as well. Find My iPhone, which is already pre-installed in iPhones, is a great option, but you can use Google's phone locating as well.
There are lots of phone-finding solutions out there. It doesn't really matter which one you prefer, as long as you have one ready in case you leave your phone in a panel or it gets swiped by some mean con-goer – there's generally more nice geeks than not, but it's important to account for the outliers too.
Set Up Group Messaging
So, assuming your friends aren't jerks and that you opted to download a "find my friends" app on your phone, you'll also want to create a group message while preparing for a geek convention. This is a minor detail and it generally takes just a few seconds to set up, but it can be really convenient once the con starts. Being able to give updates about your whereabouts, plans, and exciting stuff you just happened to walk into – like Peter Mayhew chillin in the Sheraton lobby! – isn't only convenient, it's considerate. Share those amazing, once-in-a-lifetime finds with your buds without having to copy and paste the text ten times.
Sign Up for Any Con Extras Early
Almost every con I've ever attended has had some sort of extra event or add-on available for purchase. Sometimes it's an opening night party or a special guest viewing, other times it's a concert or other relevant event. Even guest photo ops can usually be purchased ahead of time.
My favorite one? James Marsters had a social with appetizers where he sat down at every table and just chatted with attendees. Then he pulled out a guitar and sang random songs for an hour. It was oh-so-glorious!
When preparing for a geek convention, don't just assume there will still be open spots at events like that the day of. Things fill up quickly, especially if space is limited. If you're dying to participate in the Labyrinth Ball or get your photo taken with David Tennant, sign up as soon as you possibly can to ensure you don't miss out.
Think Through Cosplay Transportation
So I love cosplaying. I think it's super fun and a great way to showcase the geeky things you like most. If you weren't planning on cosplaying, you should seriously reconsider. Even doing something small and easy with a group of friends can be a lot of fun.
That said, transporting cosplay costumes can be particularly difficult, especially if they're large and cumbersome. Keep this in mind when you're preparing for a geek convention. If you're flying, you may have to use oddly shaped bags or divide your costume among several different ones. If you're not careful, you can end up paying more to transport your cosplay costume than you are to attend the convention! It's easier if you're driving, but it should still be a consideration when making con plans.
Find Out About Parking
So parking at conventions tends to piss me off. If you're lucky, parking will be included in your hotel stay. If you're not lucky (which will be most of the time), your hotel is going to charge a daily fee or you're going to have to park in a nearby charge-by-the-day lot. I repeat, parking at conventions sucks.
In fact, to avoid paid parking at Dragon Con this year, my husband and I are going to leave our car at one of the nearby subway lots (which is free for up to 24 hours). We're planning to alternate taking the 10-minute ride each day to leave and then re-enter the lot to reset the clock. Otherwise, we'd be paying $30 a day to park at our hotel.
Granted, this isn't always the case for smaller venues. Still, when preparing for a geek convention, always ask your hotel about parking ahead of time so you aren't blindsided by some outrageous fee when you arrive. Most con website will provide at least some information about nearby available parking, so just do your research.
Plan Your Schedule
Planning your schedule is one of the most important aspects of preparing for a geek convention. Most cons will release their panel and event schedule several days early. You can use the con app to view it or print a version off from the website (although this sometimes requires a lot of paper). I prefer apps when they are available.
You're going to want to go through everything. In some instances, that may take hours – but I promise you, it's worth it! There's nothing worse than realizing there was a panel on something else you would have loved but you missed it because you didn't fully read through the con schedule.
That said, most larger conventions (where that's more likely to happen), break everything into categories or tracks. The Whedon Track at Dragon Con, for instance, is one of my favorites. I always read through those panels and events multiple times to ensure I didn't overlook something.
With so much going on, though, how do you narrow it down? That's a great question and the answer will be different for everyone. Personally, I flag everything I think I may be interested in. And I mean everything. Then I go back through and see where my conflicts are, look to see if some panels are offered more than once, and slowly (but surely) wittle my list down to something manageable. Don't delete the castoffs from you schedule completely, though, because your first-choice panel may be full. I always have a backup ready, just in case.
Check the Weather
Another part of preparing for a geek convention is checking the weather. In the initial stages, this means researching your destination's average temperatures during the season your con takes place. As the con dates get closer, however, you should take a peek at the weekly forecast too. Adjust your packed attire as needed.
Make a Budget
Oh, the loathsome budget! I know, I know; talking money is never fun, but when preparing for a geek convention it really is necessary. Now that you've spent some time figuring out travel, meal, con extras, parking, and accommodations, it's time to set a budget for your tip – and stick to it.
Aside from the items mentioned above, remember to keep in mind what you are going to allow yourself to spend on autographs, photo ops, and in the vendor rooms.
Setting a budget sucks (trust me, I know), but it's really important to be responsible as you're preparing for a geek convention. Spending every last cent you possess knowing that you'll be returning home to a stack of bills as thick as a hardcover copy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 8 and an empty fridge just isn't responsible. There will be more conventions to attend down the road – it's okay to cut something out so you can eat after it's all over.
Speaking of packing, that's a pretty essential part of preparing for a geek convention. Cons are generally host to all the things you love, so it may be tempting to bring every collectible, comic, DVD, book, and game you own – you know, just in case someone you meet wants to talk about it or take a look…
Well don't. Just don't.
I'm guilty of this. I get so stoked about being in a place with people who share my interests that I start thinking "Oh, I should bring this, and this, and this, and this and – ah! I absolutely need this!" I'm here to tell you, you really don't need much (if any) of that stuff at all.
Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't bring thing with you. Not at all. If you are reading this incredible graphic novel or watching a new show on your iPad, totally bring those things. I'm just encouraging selectivity. Don't bring everything. The truth of the matter is, you're going to get so caught up in what's going on around you, you're really not going to have time for much else.
So how do you pick what to bring?
I start with my clothes, planning out an outfit (or two, depending) for each day. Then I get my toiletries, accessories, and electronics. Next, I think about my schedule and the extra events I've signed up for (like photo ops) and what I'll need for those. I grab anything I know I want autographed and then I allow myself one or two neat extras – a game to play while waiting in line, a novel, or some other equally geeky nick-nack to show off.
My best advice to first-time and seasoned con-goers is this: start preparing for your geek convention right now. Don't wait, don't put thing off, and absolutely don't tell yourself that you still have plenty of time. If there's one thing I've learned over years, it's that cons sneak up on you. Seriously – I start paying attention to Dragon Con's countdown with at least 100 days to go, but I still feel blindsided when Labor Day weekend finally rolls around.
Have questions about attending or preparing for your first geek convention? Do you have something to add to my preparation tips? Leave a comment below or contact me directly. I'd love to hear from you!
Click here to keep reading What to Bring to a Con: The Ultimate Guide to Preparing for a Geek Convention Part 2. There's lots of great tips still ahead!


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We are pleased to announce that Loving Avenue's special postpartum blend, Confinement Bath & Body Cleanser is now available for sale in Singapore. Price per bottle is SGD25 and you can opt for normal mail delivery at SGD1.50 or registered mail delivery at SGD3.75.
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Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Confinement bath & body cleanser available in Singapore
Posted by Loving Avenue at 10:55 AM
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Winterizing succulents and cacti is an important process prior to bringing them indoors. Greg Stack, a horticulturist with the University of Illinois, states that many succulents are quite content to live in our homes and will even survive a little neglect now and then. The key to winter survival is to trigger dormancy in succulents and cacti by slowly changing their environment.
Spray succulents and cacti with a surface insecticide 3 weeks prior to bringing them indoors.
Rid the plant's pot of weeds and check for an infestation of Sciara fly. Change the soil if the flies are present, as they will spread to other nearby plants when indoors.
Gradually decrease the amount of water your succulents receive, but keep them outside as the weather begins to cool. The combination of less water and cooler temperatures signals the need to begin dormancy in succulents.
Include a blossom builder with the final watering of flowering succulents, such as cacti. A small amount of 1-10-10 helps trigger dormancy and strengthens the roots.
Bring your succulents and cacti inside when the outside temperature reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Stop watering your plant and allow the soil to dry completely.
Water dormant succulents and cacti sparingly throughout the winter, giving just enough to keep the plant from showing signs of dehydration.
Keep dormant plants in temperatures between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Provide lighting as required by your type of succulent. Dormant plants may prefer darkness, whereas non-dormant succulents may benefit from exposure to florescent lighting.


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Everyday Miracles
Newsletter reflection for September 2011
Good morning,
I'd like to share with you this wonderful quote from St Augustine, I read during the week.
Our Lord's miracle in turning water into wine comes as no surprise to those who know that it is God who did it. At the wedding that day he made wine in the six waterpots he had filled with water; but he does the same thing every year in the vines. The servants put the water in the jugs, and he turned it into wine. In just the same way the Lord turns into wine the water that the clouds drop. Only that does not amaze us, because it happens every year.
We see the miracle of turning water in jugs to wine – but not of turning water from the rain into juice in the grapes into wine.
God provides us with miracles day after day, but because we see them every day, we lose our sense of wonder.
It's interesting to think of what miracles we would notice if we were truly looking.
Here's a few that come to mind for me just quickly:
- Strawberries ripening in pots on my patio.
- Rain falls, sunlight shines, and things grow. (Even after years of drought when so little grew.)
- Laughter.
- All of the complex forces involved in just holding a single atom together.
- Gravity.
- A cool breeze on a warm day.
- The human body.
- The intricate tracery of a spider's web.
- Wildflowers.
We are sourrounded by miracles every day.
How amazing it would be to actually notice all of them!
Grace and peace


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- Opis
Crescendo II: is a dramatic departure from all existing interconnect designs. No other Straight Wire cable has utilized the advanced field testing and dealer input or undergone such minute refinement. With an advanced helix array of many conductor groups, it has the lowest resistance of any interconnect.
All dynamic constraints are eliminated; remaining is the most holographically believable soundscape, capable of transporting the listener to the original recording space.
With Crescendo, music more than captivates the listener. You'll distinguish each musician and their instrument. Without the slightest hint of grain or glare, you'll take in every
ounce of detail, allowing you to hear the entire performance venue. This component is for a select few who have the resources and environment to truly appreciate such a cable.
- Ocene
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Samo registrirani obiskovalci lahko napišejo mnenje. Prosim, prijavite se ali se registrirajte
- Brezplačna dostava
Poštnina za ta izdelek je brezplačna!.
Izpostavljene akcije


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Daily Archives: May 8, 2017
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
On Saturday morning, the vendors on 9th Street had 2 pound boxes of gorgeous strawberries for $1.50. Which made me peckish for strawberry rhubarb pie – problem was, no one had rhubarb. Then I got the bright idea of hitting up Anastasio's … Continue reading
Posted in Italian Market, Lovin' from the Oven, News Tagged 9th Street, Italian Market, lattice pies, strawberry rhubarb pie Leave a comment


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I don't know about you but I fair enjoyed last weekend's pipe band championships at Grant Park, Forres. That's what I call a pipe band championship venue! I'm glad to hear that we'll be back in the Moray town next year on the 30th of June for what will be the last year of its five-year deal. I truly hope the organisers are able to continue beyond 2018.
Just a thought: in light of the DUP deal with Tories that will see an extra £1 billion going to Ulster, maybe a smidgen of the money could be used by Belfast City Council to outbid Glasgow in 2021 when the Worlds comes up? After Grant Park, the thought of returning to that appalling, soulless venue in Glasgow for the Worlds rather depresses one.
I digress. Wasn't Major General Seymour Munro a great chieftain? You should've seen the lump in his throat as Inveraray & District played that 6/8 in his honour. Seymour is what we call a good egg. He may be neither a piper or drummer but he is one of us.
It was a day of mixed fortunes for many bands, even in the top grades. I thought Field Marshall, the Vale, the Glesga Polis, Buchan Peterson and a couple of others struggled with the erratic weather conditions. It was surely brave of FM to play Donald MacLellan of Rothesay? It's a great, tune, yes, but for me it simply didn't work for the band last week.
The Vale was first on but the pipe corps was struggling from the off. That said, its new drum corps was damn good and I wasn't surprised by its second place. ScottishPower performed very well – great march! – and in my opinion should've been placed second. It was also a good day for Boghall and the Fife Police, who deserved better than 7th place. This band is now hitting its stride and I hear it will have an influx of a few more quality pipers at the end of the season. On the subject of Police Scotland Fife, congratulations go to its Pipe Major, Dougie Murray on his new part-time teaching position at Dundee High School.
In Grade 2, I was again mightily impressed by Lomond & Clyde and the Glasgow Skye. They were well ahead of the pack.
Bridge of Allan Games will have 50 bands competing this year – including New York state band, Schenectady which is celebrating its centenary. The number will grow, too, but it's already a healthy – and encouraging – number. Too many bands through all grades these days opt only to play at majors. Despite most games being small it can nevertheless cost £30,000 to put these smaller contests on. Support them, please, bands.
Butter Fingers


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12.28.11 Reviews (Bonus Round)
Swamp Thing #1 (DC): I've been on a bit of a Scott Snyder kick after the new Batman and the American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest mini-series, so I decided to check this out. I think one of the things that makes Snyder a good writer is that he finds a nice balance between the literal and the figurative, and the juxtaposition of those elements within the words and pictures creates a tertiary layer of information. In that, he really *gets* what makes the medium unique. One of the examples of that in this issue is when he talks about stemming roses against the birds falling out of the sky in Metropolis. The team seems to re-root Swamp Thing in the DCU, with several JLA'ers making cameos, and Yanick Paquette is able to relay a lot of information visually during these early sequences. Paquette's pencils can slip into being a bit stiff at times, but they're mostly serviceable. Snyder's script is well researched, and I generally dig the interpretation of the violent plant world. Shit, I don't even like Swamp Thing as a character, but in Snyder's capable hands, it's kind of making me want to track down the next couple of issues. Grade B+.
Aquaman #4 (DC): For these next three reviews, I picked up a few books for a coworker. I couldn't resist reading them before I had a chance to hand them off, so here we go… I don't understand how Arthur and Mera can talk underwater. That's just lazy writing. The art is nonsensical at times. Something about Atlantean creatures underwater… or something? It seems to revel in its own attempted self-aware stupidity. Proof? One word: "Aquadog." Grade C-.
Captain America #5 (Marvel): I kept thing that there was some hoary tired dialogue as I was trying to figure out something involving Hydra and Nowhere-land… or something? Then the book ended. There are some very jarring art transitions from the style of McNiven to Camuncoli. If Steve Rogers was frozen in a block of ice at the end of WWII, say 1945, then was revived in the mid-60's, say 1965, then that means he was out for 20 years roughly, so saying that he "slept through the majority of the 20th century" is kinda' dumb. "Majority" means more than half the total, which would be at least 51 out of 100 in this case. 20 does not equal 51. Dumb. Grade C-.
Captain America #6 (Marvel): Because one half-assed issue per week wasn't enough! Man, this is so steeped in impenetrable Hydra and Baron Zemo machinations. There's also this thinly veiled Impotent Cap theme running through these two issues. Brubaker seems to be attempting the clever intro captions that Matt Fraction made famous in Uncanny X-Men, minus the "clever" part. When did Hawkeye's costume change? There's a mindless fight sequence with no real plot advancement in the whole issue. Alan Davis instead of McNiven on art AND Laura Martin on colors can't even save this thing. I thought Brubaker was hailed as like The Great Captain America Writer of Our Generation, but this is just perfectly mediocre Big Two Superhero Comics. Grade C.


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Energies 2015, 8(10), 10904-10941; https://doi.org/10.3390/en81010904
Sustainable Power Supply Solutions for Off-Grid Base Stations
School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, RMIT University, Room 12, Level 3, Building 57, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, RMIT University, PO Box 71, Bundoora VIC 3083, Australia
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Andy Wright
Received: 18 June 2015 / Revised: 22 August 2015 / Accepted: 6 September 2015 / Published: 29 September 2015
AbstractThe telecommunication sector plays a significant role in shaping the global economy and the way people share information and knowledge. At present, the telecommunication sector is liable for its energy consumption and the amount of emissions it emits in the environment. In the context of off-grid telecommunication applications, off-grid base stations (BSs) are commonly used due to their ability to provide radio coverage over a wide geographic area. However, in the past, the off-grid BSs usually relied on emission-intensive power supply solutions such as diesel generators. In this review paper, various types of solutions (including, in particular, the sustainable solutions) for powering BSs are discussed. The key aspects in designing an ideal power supply solution are reviewed, and these mainly include the pre-feasibility study and the thermal management of BSs, which comprise heating and cooling of the BS shelter/cabinets and BS electronic equipment and power supply components. The sizing and optimization approaches used to design the BSs' power supply systems as well as the operational and control strategies adopted to manage the power supply systems are also reviewed in this paper. View Full-Text
Keywords: standalone power supply; telecommunication; base station; hydrogen systems; hybrid power supply systems; renewable energy►▼ Figures
Figure 1
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MDPI and ACS Style
Aris, A.M.; Shabani, B. Sustainable Power Supply Solutions for Off-Grid Base Stations. Energies 2015, 8, 10904-10941.
AMA Style
Aris AM, Shabani B. Sustainable Power Supply Solutions for Off-Grid Base Stations. Energies. 2015; 8(10):10904-10941.Chicago/Turabian Style
Aris, Asma M.; Shabani, Bahman. 2015. "Sustainable Power Supply Solutions for Off-Grid Base Stations." Energies 8, no. 10: 10904-10941.
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Donors & Community Partners
Thank you for Giving Girls A Voice!
Your tax-deductible and in-kind donations help support and sustain the choirs and programs of Girls Choral Academy. Together, we help to make the future brighter for tomorrow's leaders and change lives–one girl at a time.
The success of the Girls Choral Academy is largely dependent on financial support from individuals and businesses. It is with sincere gratitude that we acknowledge these 2016-2017 donors to the GCA. Call the office at 616-361-6111 to learn about sponsorship opportunities.
Grant Support:
Douglas and Maria DeVos Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
Peter C. and Emajean Cook Foundation
Sebastian Foundation
Wege Foundation
Music Maestro – $10,000
Bob and Mikki Clay
Music Director – $5,000
Mark and Loree Frank
Cheryle Grant Team
Doug and Lynn Weaver
Soloist – $2,500
Peter & Emajean Cook Foundation
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Member of the Choir – $500
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Presto Print


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Handling some matters in-house can be arduous for any businessman and it is no wonder that most are preferring to take the outsourcing route. Something that seems to be making in-roads the world over is the preference of cleaning services. Discussed here are insights why it's advantageous to involve cleaning companies as you run your business.
When in a clean surrounding, there is no doubt that you're bound to make an amicable first impression. It's essential to offer an environment that is welcoming particularly in the business world now that this assists in boosting your reputation. Keep in mind that a dirty environment will not only make your workers unhappy but will as well damage your business's image out there.
You might be happy to realize that this keeps you at peace. There will be no need for people to put a stop to their daily errands so as to take care of cleaning. You will therefore execute all your tasks without the worry of interference. Productivity will also change for the better as you will be empowered to focus on your strong areas.
There is a reason why they say that time is money and this couldn't be truer in terms of business. At no point will you be concern about window cleaning reason being the job will be in professional hands. With commercial floor cleaning services, you can be sure that you don't have to allocate hours on end to take care of scrubbing and time freed up can be used in other productive activities.
Not many people know this but we live in spaces that are full of pathogens that are more than willing to cause diseases. For health sector operators, services to do with medical office cleaning will be worthwhile because it won't offer some breathing space to any germs. There is no doubt the odds of becoming sick will go down considerably.
The result will be nothing short of sparkling now that cleaning will be left to people conversant about this matter. Commercial cleaning like medical office cleaning can be a tricky affair because there is the need of special products. You will be risking paying more if you decided to handle this on your own as you could do more harm than good. Rather than put yourself through such trouble, hiring these services is without doubt the way to go.
You will be on the right track giving cleaning services a shot. Make this a priority and it won't be long before your business starts improving. Doing so is a sure fire way of taking delight in the aforementioned benefits.
You could also visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh7xDwQ9Fic for further reading/watching about this topic.


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The biggest event on the gaming calendar, E3, kicks off next week in Los Angeles, and GamesFIX will be on the ground covering the biggest games and the hottest new gaming consoles.
Traditionally, E3 is a time for the industry's biggest publishers to unleash their hot new titles on the world's games media, and 2013 looks to be no exception.
With Xbox One and PlayStation 4 looking to be released before the year's out, both Microsoft and Sony will be hoping to showcase the most stunning games for those platforms, as the two battle it out for "next gen" console supremacy.
GamesFIX will go hands-on with the PS4 and Xbox One, and tackle some of the most anticipated games of the next 12 months.
Which games out of E3 should you be keeping an eye out for? Check out our list of hottest games at E3 2013!


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Mark Delorme Jr.
Loan Officer
My goal is to help clients navigate the loan process in a simplified and strategic manner. I'll carefully guide you through your loan options so you're confident in making a decision.
I started working for this company in 2006 and have been here ever since. I'm proud to work for a business that has been serving the Flathead Valley for over 25 years. I grew up in Kalispell and attended Flathead High School. After High School I moved to San Diego, CA where I attended San Diego State University studying both Finance and Political Science. I live in Kalispell with my wife Stacy who's the office manager at Buffalo Hill Golf Club in Kalispell. When I'm not at work you can find me out on the golf course, in the outdoors exploring or with my family.
Purchase Loan, Refinancing, Home Equity, Mortgage Planning


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A Future that is Possible
Dene Tha is a contemporary womenswear label that seeks to create started by the artist Skyler Brickley in 2012. Dene Tha garments are made to last. We feel that the most direct way toward sustainability is to make something that is handed down from generation to generation.
All Dene Tha garments are made of domestic and imported fabrics and produced by skilled laborers under safe working conditions in New York City. Every effort is made to minimize impact in the production process.


text: Please advise on installation path. If we just upgrade to DB will DE and Ecart be ok? Or do we uninstall DE, Cart, install DB, then do DE, Ecart? I know there was a sequence issue before, so please go into 's'plain it to me lucy' mode ( for those of a certain age who get that reference)


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Do right thing
An article in the Aug. 3 Times about Local 21's action at the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors meeting in late July stated, "Unionized workers fear Contra Costa will impose contract with harsh cuts."
As a member of Local 21, I can say we are more concerned with the fact that the county has refused to negotiate with our bargaining team, putting forward one set of proposals and rejecting out of hand all of our concerns or alternative proposals.
It is true we are living in hard economic times, but this does not justify eliminating our right to good-faith collective bargaining. In fact, one might argue that these hard times require all of us to think together about solutions, not mandates. This is not Wisconsin.
As the Tobacco Prevention Project manager for the county since 1998, I am extremely proud of our work to reduce illegal tobacco sales to minors, reduce youth smoking rates and eliminate secondhand smoke exposure for residents.
These policies were adopted by the Board of Supervisors because it studied the issues and did the right thing. It's time again to do the right thing and support real negotiations at the bargaining table.
Denice Dennis
El Cerrito
I appreciate the Times for trying to inform its readers of the deliberate starving of millions of people in Somalia.
I say "trying," because it seems we are just not paying attention. We Americans are way too busy deciding what light bulbs to use, whether to use plastic bags or cloth, and the biggie — apples or french fries? Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg of what our priorities seem to be.
The al-Shabab has been successful in perpetuating the vilest of human atrocities, as we watch. I don't know what we, the American people, can do to help these people, but I am hoping our government might try to help.
As we sit in ignorance as to what can be done, babies, children and adults are perishing before our eyes. Stand up for these starving people, contact your elected politicians, unless they are too busy legislating how much salt we can consume.
Deborah Harris
Regarding Michael Harris' Aug. 6 commentary, he must have been suffering from the effects of drinking too much "wine" when he wrote his snarky, disrespectful commentary about California redistricting.
I have but one question: What are we in, first grade? This is not to demean children, but I would hope that an elected official would act like a mature adult, instead of crying like a little kid who has been told he has to play on a different team.
If Harris truly loves Pleasant Hill, as his worn-out mantra claims, he would take a position of leadership, look for redistricting positives and embrace the change. Harris' immature, negative rant and lack of leadership are examples of why the public dislikes politicians, politics and associated bureaucracies.
Mary Rae Fouts
Pleasant Hill
Worst president
This is in response to Jerry Cohen's letter, "Worst president." President Jimmy Carter kept national debt the lowest and made tremendous inroads toward peace internationally. When President Ronald Reagan replaced Carter, the national debt tripled with credit-card spending. In fact, during Reagan's reign, the national debt ceiling was raised 18 times, once by a simple voice vote, other times a simple majority vote. Those days seem gone.
His premise about President Barack Obama's effort to redistribute wealth is laughable, if not so painful. Republicans have had the best 10-year tax cuts for billionaires, then newly-elected Obama extended the tax breaks for the most wealthy another two years. The promise was that riches of the rich would release wealth to create jobs. How has that worked for the country?
The country had a huge federal surplus when George Bush became president in 2001. At that time, the wealthy stopped paying their fair share of taxes.
Eleanor Newman
Wrong solution
Ron Greenstein's recent contribution purports to enlighten us as to a "common sense" approach to exercising "generosity and contentment" in our out-of-balance society by deferring to government to correct the problem.
He wonders if columnist Thomas Sowell would agree with his utopian agenda to "correct the imbalance of too much poverty and too much wealth." I doubt it, as Sowell is not a progressive liberal, and Greenstein's "common sense" smells strongly of a liberal progressive bent.
His analysis of the results of the imbalance is realistic, but his solution, which depends on government in concert with "private efforts" to solve the problem, sounds mighty like the hope and change the present occupant of the White House promised. How is that working out for you?
Clarence De Barrows
Walnut Creek


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It's been 15 to 21 October 2017 and the blog has actually pretty busy this week! There's been lots of music posts and a huge write-up about tips and tricks for Blender Conference.
Speaking of Blender Conference, I've entered RYGCBMKO into the Suzanne Awards which are voted on at the conference. The selection is narrowed down by internet polling so please go and vote!
Also this week, I've picked up an unpaid-but-going-to-give-it-a-shot-anyway-type commission as well. I can't say too much about it except that it's the polar opposite of the low key cute quirky stuff that I usually do. Should be quite the challenge!
I've been cutting back on Twitter this week too and it's been like taking a big pointy stone out of my shoe. I'm still popping by once a day to skim through notifications and signal boost stuff about quolls and Blender, but it's not on my mobile devices anymore and it's honestly quite the relief!
And now, on with the inks!
There's ten more days of Inktober left, then it's back to projects.