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Publication Search
Search below then narrow your results using the options on the left.
August 2003This technical report provides information on the sources of fine particles (PM10 – particles less then 10 microns in diameter) in New Zealand. Read more
October 2017This report describes the rainfall indices and datasets used in the measure of rainfall intensity in the Environmental indicators Te taiao Aotearoa series. Read more
July 2020New Directions for Resource Management in New Zealand is a comprehensive review of our resource management system. The review process was an opportunity to design a new system for resource management that delivers better outcomes for our environment, society, economy, and culture. Read more
July 2008The Ministry commissioned an independent review to obtain stakeholder feedback on the readability, content and overall usefulness of the Environment New Zealand 2007 report. Read more
June 2000A background review of the structure and value of periphyton communities in streams, factors controlling growth and composition of periphyton, and the effects of human activities on the community. Read more
New directions for resource management in New Zealand: Report of the Resource Management Review Panel: Summary and key recommendationsJuly 2020This summary outlines the principal reasons which led to the review of the resource management system and the Resource Management Review Panel's main recommendations in their report. Read more
Proposals for revised and new ambient air quality guidelines: A summary of submissions received on the discussion document and proposals for amendmentsSeptember 2001This document summaries submissions received on the revised and new ambient air quality guidelines. Read more
May 2017This report assesses the structure and format of regional rules, and how they vary around New Zealand. Read more
May 2017This report examines the use of spatial planning tools across New Zealand and identifies commonalities and differences. Read more
Building competitive cities: Reform of the urban and infrastructure planning system - A discussion documentOctober 2010This discussion document presents options for improving New Zealand's resource management regulations and processes. Submissions closed 17 December 2010. Read more
May 2017This 2013 report identified practice and trends in the structure, format and electronic delivery of RMA plans in New Zealand. Read more
May 2017This report examines urban zone provisions within district plans throughout New Zealand to better understand the most commonly used provisions and the key differences in the core urban zones. Read more
June 2003Every two years the Ministry for the Environment carries out the Resource Management Act (RMA) survey of all local authorities in New Zealand. The survey includes questions about six key aspects of RMA process. Read more
July 2008This proposed National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management sets out the objective and policies for managing New Zealand's freshwater resources under the Resource Management Act 1991. The NPS came into effect on 1 July 2011. Read more
September 2005During 2005/06 the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) undertook a review of New Zealand's environmental performance. This information sheet outlined the nature and process of the review and how interested individuals and groups could get involved. Read more
August 2011In 2011, the Government consulted on the proposal for an Environmental Reporting Bill. This consultation document sought people's input and views on the proposed options for improving national state of the environment reporting in New Zealand. Submissions closed on 18 October 2011. Read more
May 2017This paper gives an overview of the new National Planning Standards tool. Read more
October 2017This report details the methodologies underlying updated estimates of glacier ice volume change in New Zealand. The estimates were used in the measure of Annual glacier ice volumes in the Environmental indicators Te taiao Aotearoa series. Read more
May 2017This report studies five districts (Kaipara, New Plymouth, Taupo, Waimakariri and Clutha) to understand why district councils use 'effects-based' plans, and the usability and outcomes of such plans. Read more
April 2011The National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation 2011 sets out the objective and policies for renewable electricity generation under the Resource Management Act 1991. The NPS REG came into effect on 13 May 2011. Read more
November 2019The Resource Management Review Panel has been established to undertake a comprehensive review of the Resource Management Act and other significant legislation comprising the resource management system. Read more
June 2011This report contains a summary of the 284 submissions received on options contained in the discussion document Building Competitive Cities: Reform of the urban and infrastructure planning system. Read more
National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2011: Evaluation under Section 32 of the Resource Management Act 1991May 2011An evaluation of alternatives, benefits and costs under section 32 of the Resource Management Act 1991 was carried out before the introduction of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2011. The NES came into effect on 1 July 2011. Read more
November 2015The Government recently consulted on proposed topics for national environmental reporting. This document includes the proposed topic list and supporting information. Submissions closed on 23 December 2015. Read more
Users' guide: National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human HealthApril 2012This users' guide explains the regulations and provides guidance to territorial and unitary authorities on implementing the National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health. Read more
May 2011The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2011 sets out the objectives and policies for freshwater management under the Resource Management Act 1991. The NES came into effect on 1 July 2011. Read more
May 2017This document gives a review of the electronic delivery of planning, and planning systems in five jurisdictions identified by the Ministry for the Environment . Read more
The Trustpower Wairau River Hydro Power Proposal: A review of the processing of the resource consent applicationsOctober 2009To better understand the challenges faced by large resource consent applications, the Ministry commissioned a review of resource consent applications by TrustPower Ltd to construct and operate a hydro power scheme on the Wairau River, Marlborough. This report presents the review findings. Read more
November 2018This report assesses how well we are developing and maintaining the regulatory regimes we are responsible for, including the state of each piece of legislation, any plans for amendments, and our view of important emerging issues. Read more


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[This has been rescheduled due to inclement weather – see updated notice here.]
Next Thursday, January 4th, Todd Morgano, Mantoloking's Construction Official, and Councilman White will be at the Mantoloking Fire Company from 5:00-6:00 (or later) to discuss and answer questions about different subjects regarding construction matters in town. Todd will explain the increase in permit prices just passed by Council. He has also done an analysis of all permits granted over the last year as to what they were for (lifting, rebuilding, etc.) and will provide advice
for any residents who might be in mid-construction or beginning a new project. He will be happy to answer questions about how to be efficient in your work and avoiding pitfalls that could arise. Please feel free to call in if you are not in town. 732-606-6988

subset: commoncrawl


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Get the updates on all the best parties and specials in town! Stay tuned to breaking news in the nightlife industry. Gain access to exclusive content. Join the newsletter simply because it is the cool thing to do.
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September 27, 2007
Oh my GOD, I'm having such a bad morning it has reached the ridiculous level. Seriously, I am at a point where all I can do is laugh. Let's review:
First, Chance managed to find a leftover glass of red wine and spilled it everywhere while I was upstairs. (I had the Bunko/playgroup ladies over last night. Not that we played Bunko; we just sat around until 12:30 talking and eating. But still, I hosted Bunko so I think it's official... I'm now a "mom".) The mess was totally my fault; it was the ONE item I had missed when I cleaned up.
Second, I rear-ended someone on the way to Chance's preschool and work. Looked away for a second, stop and go traffic, yadda yadda yadda. It was minor, but again... my fault. I was/am rattled because I have only been in one fender bender and it was YEARS ago! But still, you know, shake it off, take care of things one a time and move on. No excessive whimpering (except for here). No letting it ruin the rest of your day. That's how I roll.
Third, successfully drop Chance at daycare (yay!), pull into work and realize that I've forgotten the power cord to my laptop. My stupid battery lasts an HOUR! I may have to pick all my work up and go home. Which, I'm fine with, but doesn't look so good to management.
Fourth, sign-in to work only to discover that my contractor badge has expired. Red tape full speed ahead. BUT the ultra-cool receptionist/security gal has an extra power cord for a Dell. Score!
Fifth, can't find anyone that I work with. They've all disappeared (like alien abductions). I know that yet another person is gone due of a family emergency, but I have no idea what I'm supposed to be working on because of that (since I was working with her. Oh, and I found out she was gone from our vendor, not from any actual bosses/co-workers. How fucked up is that?). Decide to blog. (Another great thing to do in front of management. Whatev.)
Finally, at my desk, got the computer up, calling Keen and the insurance agency when... I get a call from the preschool... Chance just got bit by another child. And my reaction on the phone, "Oh good, as long as HE doesn't bite anyone!"
And that's about when I started laughing. (The preschool people probably think I'm crazy.)
Yeah, I'm the universe's happy bitch. - wg


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Dealing With Blisters – Tips for the Backpacker
For most folks hiking is both relaxing and adventurous. On those long hikes with the added weight of a backpack, making your way up and down difficult terrain, you are vulnerable to blisters. It's no secret how these form, but a blister can spoil a good trip, so it's important to understand blister prevention, or properly treat one if you are an unlucky victim.
Follow along to learn some easy steps for prevention and first aid.
Normally blisters will occur because of the friction between your socks and your skin. This is why it is incredibly important for you to select the best quality socks you can for hiking, so you can avoid the possibility of developing a blister all together. Light synthetic socks are excellent choices as they fit very nicely on your foot and there are no bulky seams to cause friction. You should also select a fabric that will quickly draw sweat away to make your feet even more comfortable while you are hiking. Lycra and polyester are great choices of fabric for socks that will be comfortable and keep your feet from sweating too much, and keeping them as dry as possible.
Just as it is important to get the proper hiking socks it is also important to get the right hiking boots. Getting the proper pair of hiking boots will be a huge help in avoiding blisters. When you purchase your hiking boots they will of course be a bit stiff but you should not feel uncomfortable in them when you first put them on. Breaking in your hiking boots before you go on any long hikes will greatly improve your chances of avoiding blisters.A� Wear them around as much as possible for a few weeks before your big hike.
Now you've got some great socks and a fantastic pair of hiking boots. When you are on the trail and decide to dip your feet (or your body!) into a refreshing stream make absolutely certain that your feet are thoroughly dry before putting your boots back on. It's best just to put on a fresh pair of dry socks every time you take off your boots.
Even if you have taken all of these precautions it is still possible to get a blister. Here are some tips for treating it.
Popping a blister increases the risk of infections so if it's a small one, just leave it alone. Dry it as much as possible, clean it with either alcohol or an antibiotic cream, and cover it with a bandage to reduce any friction.
To drain a large painful blister, you will need to clean the area with alcohol. Using a sterile needle, pierce one side of the blister and let it drain. Then apply an antibiotic cream and cover it with a gauze pad or suitable bandage. Never pull away the loose skin as it protects the new skin underneath. Keep the area clean and change the bandage daily or more often if it gets wet.
Wherever you are going to travel, you should bring flameless lighter in anticipation of an emergency, besides that lighter is also very necessary under any circumstances. Given its simple but elegant and easy to carry shape, it is a futuristic lighter without gas.
While you can't always prevent a blister, these tips will help you deal with them more effectively and, hopefully, you will have a much more enjoyable adventure.


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- Full Description
The Heavy Duty PVC Stable Yard Broom Brush from The National Trust is made from FSC wood and stainless steel.
For use indoors or outdoors, this broom is suitable for yards made form concrete, tarmac, stables, driveways and slabs. It can also be used in wet & dry conditions. This broom is aesthetically pleasing and highly practical and is sealed which protects the lifespan of this product, making sure you have a good broom for a long time.
This product is shipping directly from our supplier so may take a little longer to be delivered
- Environmentally Friendly
- Robust
- Lightweight
- National Trust branded handle
- Unique double locking bracket for a secure attachment
- Ideal for outdoors
- Brush head: L17 x W30 x D9cm Handle: 130cm Weight: 0.66g
- Environmentally Friendly
- Reviews
Write Your Own Review


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HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed it is boosting its online protection ahead of the 31st January 2016 self-assessment tax return deadline.
The tax authority is calling on all of its customers to remain vigilant by keeping their personal details safe online when filing their returns.
In the next six weeks, HMRC will be issuing as many as one-million self-assessment emails to customers, reminding them of the impending 31st January deadline.
HMRC is undoubtedly one of the most phished brands in the world and has strict protocol in place to help customers protect themselves against scammers emailing customers.
It's at this time of the year, with the self-assessment deadline approaching, that scammers carry out increasingly sophisticated frauds. This is often achieved by distributing phishing emails that, on the surface, appear relevant and – more importantly – wholly genuine.
How to check that your HMRC emails are genuine or fraudulent
An HMRC email to customers about personal tax or tax credits will never include or ask for the following:
Personal or financial information of any sort; this includes the customer's full address, full postcode, Unique Tax Reference (UTR), or any bank details.
Financial information which refers to specific figures, tax computations or specific facts about a customer.
Email attachments.
Web links.
An offer of a repayment or refund.
A personal HMRC email address to send a response to.
HMRC asks all customers to be vigilant when filing their online tax return for the 2014-15 tax year. You can keep your personal data safe by ensuring your computer has up-to-date anti-virus protection, the latest version of their internet browser and by keeping passwords safe and changing them regularly.
Jonathan Lloyd White, director of security and information and departmental security officer (DSO), HMRC, said: "Handling the personal details of every taxpayer in the country is a huge responsibility and the security of this data, especially online, is a top priority for HMRC.
"We are committed to customers' online security, but the methods that fraudsters use to get information are constantly changing so people need to be alert.
"When using our online services I would urge all our customers to be vigilant, and remember that HMRC will never send an email to ask for your personal information or password, or include a link or attachment.
"We want to help you stay safe online. Visit cyberstreetwise.com for more advice."
HMRC is not tasked with ensuring you pay the correct amount of tax within your self-assessment tax return. If you are unsure of your tax liabilities then you should consult a professional.
Your local TaxAssist Accountant can work with you to take the worry away when it comes to your 2014-15 tax return, filing it ahead of the deadline to avoid HMRC's late filing penalties and allow you to concentrate on running your business.
For a free initial consultation please don't hesitate to give us a call on 0800 0523 555 or drop us a line.


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On top of the frozen wasteland of Ka-dubarh, brave men defend their families and village from their enemies – the trolls. One man and one troll are the last, will there be peace? Or blood?
The Last of Ka'dubarh is December's flash fiction that'll bring readers into a fantasy themed battle. Experience the story in written word, audio, artwork and soundscape.
The Last of Ka'dubarh
Family means everything. This is something that has been engraved into the hearts of my people for centuries. Our blood is what binds us together. Unity is what makes us strong. The ancestry tree has been carried on for generations, keeping us robust and pure. Each new generation carries on the legacy of the last. We support one another, care for one another, and fight for one another. Even if it means the most significant sacrifice: our own life.
This is why I find myself on the frozen planes of Ka'dubarh, crawling over dozens of frozen corpses. Some of them I recognize, hell, I even had them over for wine and dinner back home. Now, their lifeless, cold faces are empty shells. Their souls have moved onto the afterlife. That leaves me here, alone, as the last.
My feet were numb. Possibly from the blood loss or the icy weather. I didn't know, all I knew was I could no longer feel them, or walk on them. I had to crawl on my arms to push forward. The vast chasm leading out of Ka'dubarh was the one path that protects my people's homeland from outsiders. If I could just keep pushing on, I could crawl down the mountain and back to the warmer wilderness. I could make it back to my family.
I let out a grunt, my arm gave out, and my face collided onto the ice-covered chest of a corpse. Pushing myself up, I looked over to see the head was a wrinkly grey colour with curled tusks and an elongated nose. Green-tinted icicles hung from the tip and the rims of the nostrils. That was no friend, it was one of my enemies.
"Damn trolls," I muttered to myself. If they hadn't been consumed by greed, maybe we would have been able to find some sort of common ground. We aren't that different after all. It is only the names of our faiths that separate us.
A groan came directly under me as the chest began to move.
It Lives!
Oh no, I thought while pushing myself off of the troll. The being slowly lifted his limbs as his yellow eyes flung open. The ice cracked and crumbled as the body came to life.
"Goo'cha abu," the troll muttered to itself while adjusting its helmet.
"Goddamnit," I whispered while patting around my belt, where was my knife? I couldn't find it, I had no weapon on me.
The troll rolled onto his side and looked up at me. His ice-coated face crunched into a scowl as he let out a nasty hiss, saying, "human!"
I extended my one hand, palm, outward, staring at the troll. "The battle is over, foe, we can go our separate ways, back home," I said. Maybe I could reason with him. Perhaps we could come to some form of an agreement and leave this blood-filled snowscape.
The troll attempted to get up but collapsed with a yelp. His leg had an arrow through it, he was as crippled as I was.
"No battle over," the troll said. "Your people shun us, and you will die for the dishonour."
"This can be settled another day," I said. "Go home, and I will do the same."
"We fight, human."
"We have fought! Look around you! Our comrades and friends lay slain. The battle is over."
"No," the troll reached around his belt until he pulled out a large jagged black dagger. "For my fallen brethren!"
I thought the cold was a difficult thing to deal with as is, now, I wish that was all I had. My hopes of survival drastically dwindled as I watched the troll crawl towards me, the knife in his mouth. With all my might, I pushed myself to the side to move away from him. The issue was, the troll was directly in my path leading back to my village. I needed to get around him.
"Humans will pay!" the troll shouted, drool running down his chin.
"Back!" I shouted, feeling the troll's hand slap against my boot – a failed attempt to snag me. I picked up my pace, crawling faster, feeling my arms shake. The troll had longer limbs and would easily be able to catch up to me.
The Chase
The troll's grunting and my panting accompanied by the crunching of snow was all that filled the soundscape as we crawled over our fallen comrades. I kept my eyes focused on the curved path I took around the troll. I could feel my lungs burn as my body begged for me to stop moving. It wanted me to end it all right now, stop trying to push forward.
I couldn't give up. My wife and my son waited for me back home. I didn't come to Ka'dubarh with my comrades to die here. I came here to defend my family and return to them.
A piercing sound filled the air as a sharp pain spiked from my ankle. I let out a cry of pain, realizing the troll had got me.
I glanced back while launching a kick at his face. Despite my numb foot, the boot was still an effective blunt object to my enemy's nose. The blow made a crunching noise, causing the troll to hiss and back off. He let go of the knife in the process.
"Come on," I muttered under my breath. Even with the knife in my ankle, I continued to crawl forward. The sound of the troll picked up, he was on the chase again.
"Your people hate our kind, kill our kind, I will gut you!" the troll called out.
At this moment, I realized I couldn't out-crawl the troll, he had more energy. They were more resilient and had more stamina than humans. He wasn't willing to be reasoned with either. I had to fight him.
"You," I grunted while rolling onto my back, bending my stabbed leg towards my hand. "invaded our land." I coiled my hand around the large knife. "Ka'dubarh is the sacred entrance!" I shouted while yanking the knife out of my ankle. Blood began to pour out of my wound and onto the snow, that wound had to be sealed soon. But first, I had to fend off my final foe on the battlefield.
The troll hissed and snagged both of my legs. "Ka'dubarh hides our holy temple."
"Then why do you shed blood on the holy?" I growled while pushing myself upward, gripping the knife tightly.
I thrust the knife down, aiming for the troll's arms. He let go of my limbs and rolled to the side. My knife stabbed into the ice, and I quickly pulled it out as I fell forward, crawling towards the troll in one smooth movement.
"Our ancient temple belongs to us!" the troll hissed while crawling on top of a troll corpse. He patted the body, searching for some sort of weapon. The troll's face filled with a toothy grin as he pulled out a smaller dagger from the corpse's belt.
"We will claim back our land," the troll said as he scurried off the corpse and towards me.
End of All
Here we go, I thought as the sharp-biting wind picked up, blowing my hair in front of me. This was it, the final battle of Ka'dubarh.
The troll let out a roar as he forced himself onto his knees and slashed the knife at me. I rolled out of the way and plunged the blade into his outer thigh. The dagger pierced into his skin and he let out a roar. He backhanded my face, causing me to pull the dagger out of him as I landed on the snow. Thick forest-green blood oozed from his new wound.
"You will die, human!" the troll thrust the knife down at me, the blade pierced into my gut, and I let out a cry of pain. Gripping my dagger, I stabbed it up into his chest, piercing into his lungs.
The troll pulled his dagger out and thrust it down on me again as I did the same to him. Our weapons punctured our torsos repeatedly, causing green and red blood to spray over both of our bodies.
The troll let out a howl of pain as his body weakened, he nearly fell on top of me, using his one free hand to keep upright as he continued to stab me.
I cried in agony, clenching my teeth. The pain was only a thought in my mind, and I tried to ignore the powerful sensations that erupted from my wounds. I could feel the strength in my system begin to leave, I had no fight left, except for one last attack.
Letting out a roar, I thrust the blade further up from the previous stabs, this one piercing into the troll's heart. He let out a gagging noise as he dropped his knife and his weight collapsed onto me. His tusks scraped against my cheek as his saliva drizzled down onto my face. The vile stench of mould and rotten meat reeked from his body, the typical troll smell. I just didn't think it would be the last smell I ever smelt.
As I lay on the snow, in a pool of blood, my body began to warm up. The light from the sky started to become overpowering, causing all of Ka'dubarh to turn white. My overstimulated senses relaxed. My breathing was slowing down. The vile smell of the troll dwindled and was replaced with a soft sweet aroma. A familiar one. My wife?
My vision faded. Only the white light remained. I was warm now. I felt no pain. I could sense my family. I would reunite with them.


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Twice in the past few weeks, I have used French lentils, also known as Le Puy lentils, in place of ground beef. Both times I was more than pleasantly pleased. Those little blue spheres of goodness really impress! Of course you already know that lentils pack a wallop of nutrition in every spoonful. More protein than beef, I think..... well, for certain I know that lentils are easier to digest, have loads of fiber, and not a bit of cholesterol. They have tons of iron, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Plus, if you pair them with foods that are rich in vitamin C, that really boosts the iron absorption. But, surely you knew all that.
So at first, the idea of lentil chili seemed like a major commitment in the legume department - you know, beans upon beans and then throw in some lentils. I resisted for many years. But as you know, when you try something for the first time, and it turns out that you actually *like* it, you wonder what all the fuss was about. I combined a few recipes to create this one. The spice combination is perfect as is. This chili is great for lunch and it freezes very well.
Here's what you need:
1 C French lentils, rinsed and drained (I highly recommend French lentils for this soup)
1 T olive oil
1 1/2 chopped onion
1 red pepper, seeded and diced
1 green pepper, seeded and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 t cumin
1/2 t smoked paprika
1 t chipotle hot sauce or 1/2 t chipotle powder
1/2 t chili powder
1/2 t oregano
2 x 14 oz.cans diced tomatoes
4 C tomato juice
2 x 15 oz. cans red kidney beans
Here's what you do:
Cook the lentils in lots of fresh water. Watch them closely, stir them once in a while, simmer gently until done - about 15-20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a large pot, saute onion, peppers and garlic in the oil until the veg is soft, but not brown. add the cumin, paprika, chipotle hot sauce, chili powder and oregano. Stir to incorporate. Add remaining ingredients and allow chili to simmer for about 30-60 minutes. I always allow my soups to sit, covered, for a long time on the stove after the cooking time, to let the flavors really meld together.


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InterWeave working with Customers – typical questions being asked regarding Salesforce to Quickbooks
We work with customers who require a level of integration solution that other vendors cannot provide. For example:
1). If the integration fails because of an 'Open' invoice on the QB side, will it run again automatically?
(answer) Only after Invoice is resaved. We can of course roll back after every error – but in this case the entire batch will be reprocessed, which doesn't make sense to me. Also – if invoices will be processed in batches it will be very easy to ask people not to open them during the run.
2). Sometimes we see two invoices created, after the integration. Could this be an issue for us going forward?
(answer) That is happening only if invoice is locked out and will be corrected after invoice is resaved.
3). We'd like to see a demo of the invoice attachment functionality. How difficult is it to implement, and will it impact anything on the Finance departments process?
(answer) Email setup of the invoice should include our address, which will get the attachment. Email should have invoice number in the subject (preferable) or in the body of the message. When we see all this information – we can configure email gateway and start testing it.
4). Can Payable to be hardcoded in QB (rather than being sent from SFDC), since all invoices will that field as the same? Not sure what SF field you are referring to. I do not see such mapping in your Company Profile.
5). How can we support multiple invoice templates? How do we auto-associate invoices to two different kinds of templates in QB (weekly and bi-weekly)
(answer) That feature is not a part of a standard, out-of-the-box offer. It is about one day of development. Please agree this with Bruce and we will proceed.
These are the typical questions we address every day.


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The first round of 2015 Grammy nominations have been released and you can check out the full list below. There will be more added in the coming days. The Grammys are live on February 8, 2015.
From the first batch of nominees, the big potential winners include Taylor Swift, Meghan Trainor, Ed Sheeran, and Ariana Grande. What do you think of the nominees so far?
First group of nominees listed below:
Record of the Year:
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX, "Fancy"
Sia, "Chandelier"
Sam Smith, "Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)"
Taylor Swift, "Shake It Off"
Meghan Trainor, "All About That Bass"
Best New Artist
Iggy Azalea
Brandy Clark
Sam Smith
Click inside to see nominees for other categories announced so far...
Song of the Year
Meghan Trainor - "All About That Bass"
Sia - "Chandelier"
Taylor Swift - "Shake It Off"
Sam Smith - "Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)"
Hozier - "Take Me to Church"
Best Pop Vocal Album
Coldplay, Ghost Stories
Miley Cyrus, Bangerz
Ariana Grande, My Everything
Katy Perry, Prism
Ed Sheeran, x
Sam Smith, In the Lonely Hour
Best Pop Solo Performance
John Legend, "All of Me (Live Version)"
Sia, "Chandelier"
Sam Smith, "Stay With Me"
Taylor Swift, "Shake It Off"
Pharrell Williams, "Happy"
Best Country Album:
Dierks Bentley, Riser
Eric Church, The Outsiders
Lee Ann Womack, The Way I'm Living
Brandy Clark, 12 Stories
Miranda Lambert, Platinum
Best Country Song
Kenny Chesney, "American Kids"
Miranda Lambert, "Automatic"
Eric Church, "Give Me Back My Hometown"
Glen Campbell, "I'm Not Gonna Miss You"
Tim McGraw feat. Faith Hill, "Meanwhile Back at Mama's"
Best Urban Contemporary Album:
Jhene Aiko, Sail Out
Beyonce, Beyonce
Chris Brown, X
Mali Music, Mail Is
Pharrell Williams, G I R L
Best Rock Song
Paramore, "Ain't It Fun"
Beck, "Blue Moon"
The Black Keys, "Fever"
Ryan Adams, "Gimme Something Good"
Jack White, "Lazaretto"
Best Rock Album
Ryan Adams, Ryan Adam
Beck, Morning Phase
The Black Keys, Turn Blue
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Hypnotic Eye
U2, Songs of Innocence
Best Rap Solo Performance
Childish Gambino - "3005″
Drake - "0 to 100/The Catch Up"
Eminem - "Rap God"
Kendrick Lamar "i"
Lecrae - "All I Need Is You"
Best Reggae Album
Ziggy Marley, Fly Rasta
Lee 'Scratch Perry, Back on the Controls
Sean Paul, Full Frequency
Shaggy, Out of Many, One Music
Sly & Robbie & Spicy Chocolate, The Reggae Power
Soja, Amid the Noise and the Haste
See Now: Eminem Album: 2 Chainz Confirms Collaboration With the King of Hip Hop; Adele, Imagine Dragons, Nicki Minaj Included?
© 2018 Celebeat.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.


text: Profile Osop Abdi Show my name on the attendees list for events I am attending: Yes Last activity: on 16/07/2015 Joined: on 16/07/2015 Design quotient Research 0pt Idea 0pt Evaluation 0pt Collaboration 5pt Total 5pt Recent comments (1) View all link Osop commented on Economically Empowering Refugee Girls and Women in Nairobi, Kenya [Updated: 9/29] 03:16, Jul 16, 2015 In early 2013, Heshima Kenya formally registered our Girls' Empowerment Program (GEP) with the Ministry of Education as an Adult Education Center. This certification allows us to teach a nationally certified curriculum designed to address interrupted education for young adult learners. Unlike the formal school setting, it also provides certification to refugees without documentation. To date over 100 of our young girls and women have been issued with a literacy certificate.


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Every penny counts, but the next time you're staying at a hotel, you'll feel totally justified buying a latte from the Starbucks downstairs when you find out how some people are using that kettle.
Rumor has it some hotel guests are using the appliance as their own washing machine — seriously! Some desperate travellers actually dip their dirty underwear in the kettle to clean them. Ugh, the kettle?! What happened to common sense? As for why the shower in the bathroom isn't good enough, we aren't quite sure.
An Australian man named Guy Bloomberg sent out a tweet asking his fellow travellers if they had ever had to use a kettle to wash their underwear, and, fortunately, the internet collectively said, "What the heck?"
We're assuming that Bloomberg was assuming that the hot water in the kettle would be high enough to kill any nasty bacteria lurking in his undergarments. But according to an expert, that's sadly not the case.
Dr. Heather Hendrickson, who works at the Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences at Massey University in Auckland, New Zeland, calls the habit, "super, super, super, super gross." We couldn't agree more!
Dr. Hendrickson says the hot water will kill most but not all bacteria. Some bacteria, like the kind that causes botulism, create spores that can only be removed by extremely hot temperatures (higher than your kettle can produce or withstand) or periods of high pressure.
"Your friend is unlikely to have a large number of highly heat resistant pathogens in his dirty undergarments but we do not know what he DOES have in there or how sick he might be," she told Gizmodo.
"There are simply too many unknowns, and hotel kettles are not industrial strength cleaning facilities. Be respectful of other people and don't do this!"
That pumpkin spice latte from the shop around the corner is starting to sound way better than coffee from your hotel room, isn't it?
This story originally appeared on First For Women.


text: jmatt 0 Report post Posted April 10, 2019 I downloaded the pdf for the "Watch Parts" lesson from level 1. I wanted to print it for offline study. The diagrams are missing from the pdf. Is this expected or i did I do something wrong? Thanks Jonathan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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Kodie Shane eats spaghetti the way most children (and some adults) wish they could. After sending her first bowl of seafood Taglierini back because it had cherry tomatoes in it, the 18-year-old female rapper picked up each saucy strand one-by-one with her fingers, tilted her head back like she was catching snowflakes, and then slurped them into her mouth. This technique took her about 45 minutes to finish, but in-between bites, we got to talking about her favorite subject: being young and doing whatever you want.
"I feel like most kids right now just want friendship," said Shane on a this particular snowy afternoon at an Italian restaurant in Tribeca. She wore two sweatshirts on top of each other (it was really cold) and took her gold mouthpiece out to chew her food. "But like, a cool one," she continued. "Like the A$AP Mob. Kids want a crew because they are scared to truly be themselves, but then again, this is the generation that's doing anything they want. Generation F!"
Shane herself is a member of Lil Yachty's "Sailing Team," a crew of young Atlanta-born rappers, producers, and creatives including TheGoodPerry (formerly Burberry Perry), Byou, Kay the Yacht, BigBruthaChubba, $oop, Jban$2Turnt, and K$upreme. Shane happens to be the only female.
With Yachty as their captain—the "king of the youth"—they've cruised into the mainstream this year, much to the surprise and chagrin of hip-hop connoisseurs. But their buoyant energy, combined with a certain innocence that could only be of this moment in time, has made their music impossible to ignore.
Take "Sad," for example, a single that Kodie Shane wrote when she was 14 and dropped with Lil Yachty at the end of 2016. In so many words, it incapsulates the kind of inexplicable melancholy you feel only when you're a teenager; when you have nothing really to be sad about, but you just are. "I just wanna be saaaaaaaad!" Yachty wallows in a poignant yet lighthearted auto-tune. If millennial ennui had a sound, it would be that. And for anyone under the age of 25 listening, the response was simply: "#Mood."
In the music video for "Sad," Yachty simultaneously plays "Dr. Boat," Shane's therapist, and an 19-year-old boy just trying (and failing) to get Shane's attention. Outside of the studio though, Yachty and Shane are close friends. One might even call her his lil sister. They've toured America together. ("He only eats Domino's pizza," said Shane. "I've had Domino's in every city.") And he surprised her with her first gold grill for her 18th birthday this October.
In the beginning, Shane had to deal with kids trying to chase her down to get to Yachty, but now she's got a following of her own. On Instagram, she's up to over 260,000, and her "Drip In My Walk" music video garnered over 2 million views on YouTube. In August, when she made her New York debut with Venus X at GHE20G0TH1K, her fans were outside waiting two hours prior. "Three kids showed up outside of the venue with all my favorite snacks and I started crying my eyes out," Shane said. "I'm talking favorite Snapple (fruit punch), favorite chips (barbecue Pringles), favorite candy (pretzel M&M's), all in a bag." So, now you know the keys to a girl's heart.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Shane comes from a family of musicians; her mother is currently her manager. "Music is all I know," she told me. "I can't get a job." She was also named after a cowboy, which feels appropriate given her spaghetti slinging and tomboyish style. But despite appearances, you might be surprised to learn that her favorite movies of all time are The Notebook ("It's the s--t!") and Dirty Dancing; she thinks Coldplay is "fire" and a recent Chainsmokers concert changed her life. ("They wasn't even doing nothing but people were going crazy!") Her favorite books are the Twilight series, and she watched the most recent Victoria's Secret fashion show from start to finish.
"I like that stuff because it's just so not real," said Shane of her proclivity for romance. "And that's why it's kinda real. You know?"
Along with singles like "I Want To" and "Can You Handle It" from her first EP, Zero Gravity, Shane's new mixtape, Big Trouble In Little Jupiter, which dropped Tuesday afternoon on SoundCloud also features softer, lighter, more R&B singles that explore her feminine side. Plus, upbeat songs about not caring what people think, of course. Like with Yachty, the joy of Shane's music ultimately translates through her own apparent satisfaction with herself, whether she's happy or sad.
"For me, experience is everything when it comes to writing," she said. "So now, I feel like I've been through enough that I can actually go deeper. I've grown as a person and become more comfortable with myself and who I am and what I want to be."
As for the distant future, Shane is not one to plan ahead. But she does love dressing up and being in front of a camera, (no skirts or dresses though), and says that in her twenties she might ditch rapping for modeling. Her unfaltering grin makes it hard to tell if she's serious, but the photos don't lie. Victoria's Secret, however, is not in the cards for Shane: "I do not wear thongs, man."
Before we parted ways and after the last piece of spaghetti was slurped, some good news arrived for Shane that was sweeter than dessert: her "Sad" music video had just crossed a million views on Vevo. For the first time all afternoon, she was finally at a loss for words, and instead buried her head in her elbow in a swan-like dab.
Watch Lil Yachty take Manhattan with the Sailing Team, below.


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SLAM DUNK The true Story of Basketball's First Olympic Gold Medal Team assumed published, copyright and written by Beth Fortenberry,
The book's format is a bit unusual in that directly upon opening it, the reader is presented with a note from Carter DeHaven, producer of 'Hoosiers', stating "Soon to be a major motion picture"; then the book title/author pages; a picture of Joe Fortenberry, the Slam Dunk originator, finishing such a shot in the 1936 Olympics; a dedication page; Table of Contents; Praise of Slam Dunk by DeHaven; acknowledgements; and ultimately a prologue followed with 32 chapters and abundant reference material. The narrative describes and follows the life of James Naismith, the husky young Canadian-American graduate theologian, who invented the game while attempting to devise a game to keep athletes fit while in the employ of Dr. Luther Gulick who was charged with preparing teachers-in-training so they could be instructors and coaches in the Y.M.C.A.'s throughout the world. From this simple beginning in the late 1800's the story unfolds the early beginnings of this game, the people who played and developed it, and how it was brought into the 1936 Olympics. Here, the group that included some prominent Jewish team members, along with the thrilling field athletics' black Jesse Owens, walked off with their respective golds to effectively destroy Adolf Hitler's desire to demonstrate to the world the supremacy of the Aryan race.
Discussion: The author has provided a gold mine for readers interested in the historical background of sports. Not only has she disclosed little known facts about the origin of basketball and details of the players involved in these early endeavors – Fortenberry, "Tex" Gibbons, ball hawk Francis Johnson, Sam Balter, the first of the Jews on the Olympic team and others, but has included largely unknown or often overlooked features of prominent people associated with the Olympics and other sports; e.g. coach Jimmy Needles, Phog Allen, Gene Johnson, the mercurial Olympic politician Avery Brundage, Maude Sherman Naismith organizer of the first women's basketball team as well as earlier having devised the first usable football helmet noted by Amos Alonzo Stagg (the legendary football player/coach long association with the Y.M.C.A.). The descriptions of Hitler and Goebbels activities and that of the German people of the era are most appropriately portrayed. In all, this is an interesting book and must read for sports aficionados.
5* Interesting for all; a must read for sports enthusiasts.


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It may not exactly look like a mushroom but the Chaga is still known as the 'Mushroom of Immortality' across its native Russia and China. In fact, its dense, blackened alien mass is exactly where it gets all of its restorative properties. So rich in healthy polyphenols is it that it has been used to treat hypertension, as an immune system booster and even as an anticarcinogen.
Bulk-buy & Wholesale at HealthShop.co.uk - in stock & direct from the manufacturer
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Inonotus obliquus, more commonly known as the Chaga mushroom, has been the source of medical fascination for centuries now. The fascination began when the mushroom was first discovered. A parasitic fungus, the Chaga preys mainly on birch trees and looks like burnt charcoal, such is the unusual nature of this blackened mass.
Put bluntly, it looks nothing like a mushroom. However it is inside this odd curiosity of a shell that it holds all of its secrets. Essentially a highly concentrated black mass of mycelium, it is surprisingly completely non-toxic and is protected by a shell, called the sclerotium.
This hard almost wood-like exterior is completely unique amongst mushrooms and that isn't where its singularity stops either. Its nutritional value is quite unlike any other mushrooms known to man. So much so that it is often referred to as 'Gift from God' by the Siberians who have consumed it for years.
So potent is the healing ability of Swanson Full Spectrum Chaga Mushroom that researchers have even deliberately 'infected' sick trees with it to restore their health.
In order to survive the incredibly harsh climates of Siberia and Northern China, the Chaga mushroom is a fungus with unparalleled nutritive value that it actually uses for its own protection.
Swanson Full Spectrum Chaga Mushroom provides polyphenols (antioxidants), melanin, sterols and betulinic acid. Each of these chemicals have significant antiviral, antioxidant, immune enhancing and even anti-cancer value. For these reasons, Swanson Full Spectrum Chaga Mushroom have been subjected to intense research in connection with future anti pathogens and other future drugs.
But we live in the now and right now, Swanson Full Spectrum Chaga Mushroom can offer very real defence against many of life's obstacles.
Just take one capsule twice a day with a glass of water.
Other Ingredients: Gelatin, brown rice flour, may contain one or both of the following: magnesium stearate, silica.
If you are already taking other medication or suffer from any pre-existing conditions which you believe may contradict this supplement then ALWAYS seek advice from your doctor or health practitioner before taking.
Do not exceed recommended dose.
Do not take if outer seal is broken or damaged upon purchase.
WARNING: Be sure to consult your doctor or healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant or nursing, taking prescription medication, or if you have a medical condition.
Keep all supplements out of sight and reach of young children. Do not exceed the stated recommended intake. Content on this site is not intended to substitute advice given by a medical practitioner, pharmacist, or other licensed health-care professional. Contact your health-care provider immediately if you suspect that you have a medical condition. These products are not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Adverse reactions to supplements are rare, but if you experience an adverse reaction stop taking the product and contact your practitioner. Sometimes a supplement will suit one person but not another.


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Close to 1 million back surgeries are performed each year now in United States. The majority of them are elective, meaning that it is a quality-of-life decision to undergo the procedure and not an absolute necessity.
There are multiple factors to consider when making the decision to undergo back surgery. Here are Five of them.
1. The first consideration is whether or not to seek a second opinion. Spine surgery is never a decision to be taken lightly. Therefore, give some serious thought as to whether or not a second set of qualified eyes on your situation would be in your best interest.
Three things may occur from this second opinion. One would be whether or not the surgeon feels like the procedure is indicated. The second thing that may occur is the surgeon may feel like surgery is indicated but a different procedure and what has been planned would be the best option.
And the third thing that could happen is the surgeon feels like you should have the procedure that has been offered. Whichever occurs during the second opinion, at least it will help to have a second set of eyes looking at your situation.
2. The second consideration is to consider whether or not all attempts at conservative treatment have been tried. Because there are risks associated with spinal surgery, considerable nonoperative treatments should be tried first.
This may include physical therapy, Las Vegas Chiropractor treatment, pain medications, interventional Las Vegas Pain Management treatments and maybe even acupuncture. The point is that you want to be able to look at yourself in the mirror down the road and say that you truly tried everything possible before undergoing the procedure.
3. A third consideration prior to undergoing back surgery is a risk assessment. There are quite a few risks associated with some spine procedures, whereas, others have just a few. However, no procedure is risk-free and a risk tolerance needs to be evaluated prior to signing up.
For instance, adult scoliosis procedures have a very high complication rate at over 50%. The risk of complications with a simple laminectomy are well under 5%. Regardless, be sure to listen very closely when your surgeon is describing the risks and benefits of the proposed procedure.
4. Another consideration prior to undergoing back surgery is a reality check on the potential outcomes. While a small percentage of back surgery outcomes are akin to a homerun in baseball, more often than not the outcome would be a double.
This would mean that in the case of degenerative disc disease, a spinal fusion or disc replacement may accomplish 50% pain relief as opposed to complete relief.
For a procedure like adult scoliosis correction, you may obtain 50% pain relief as well. Rarely, do these procedures provide 100% relief.
For instance, when the FDA study was performed looking at spinal fusion versus artificial disc replacement, over half of the patients in both groups were still taking narcotics over a year after the procedures.
5. The fifth thing to keep in mind prior to undergoing back surgery is the timing. Since these are elective procedures, they can be scheduled when an individual has time off from work or the best time and is it her life to accomplish the necessary time for rehab.
A procedure for degenerative disc disease will require at least 6 to 12 weeks of healing, whereas, an adult scoliosis procedure will take 6 to 9 months to fully recover.
With these five considerations, patients will be able to truly establish whether or not back surgery is in the best interest. At that point people will be able to look at themselves in the mirror and say they made the right decision even if a complication occurs.
The top pain management doctors in Las Vegas are with the Nevada Pain Network. Award Winning and Board Certified, the doctors work at Henderson and Las Vegas pain clinics that offer both medical and interventional pain management.
Over 50 insurances are accepted, with multiple clinics for convenience. This includes personal injury doctors in Las Vegas, Workers Compensation claims, PPO's, Medicare and more.
Call (702) 323-0553 for more information and scheduling today!


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On August 1, 2016, Brandon — the blogger behind financial independence blog the Mad Fientist — retired at 34.
My colleague Libby Kane talked to Brandon — who doesn't use his last name online for privacy reasons — about his journey to early retirement, where he revealed that he saved and invested around 70% of his take-home income in order to reach his goal.
After hearing Brandon's story — and so many others like it — I decided to try my hand at saving the majority of my earnings as well.
While I have no plans to retire early, I wanted to see firsthand how attainable that lifestyle is. After crunching the numbers with my editor for a solid half-hour, we concluded there was no way I could put away 70% of my total income for a month and still afford both rent and food, so I aimed to save 50% of my disposable income instead.
Because I live in New York City, my rent is higher than it would be in most places in the country. And since I wasn't going to move out of NYC just for the duration of a month-long experiment, to make the project more realistic I decided to count disposable income as everything after rent. So after paying rent, I put half of what remained of my monthly paycheck in savings and lived off the other half for the entirety of September.
While I'm lucky to have more than enough to continue to live comfortably, it was immediately challenging to adapt to a much lower budget than I was used to. But it didn't prove impossible.
With 50% of my income in savings, my budget came down to around US$550 for the month -- after taking out some fixed costs.
After determining how much disposable income I'd have for the month -- calculated by subtracting my rent from my monthly take-home income and then dividing by two -- I immediately accounted for non-negotiable expenses. This included $116 toward an unlimited monthly subway pass and $60 dues for a leadership class I'm enrolled in, as well as utilities and tithes.
I'm still on my parents' health insurance, and my gym membership and 401(k) are automatically deducted from my paycheck.
With my fixed costs taken out, I was left with around $550 for the month for everything else, including groceries, laundry, and entertainment.
WEEK 1: I went into the challenge expecting it to be unbelievably hard -- especially in New York City.
I'm frugal by nature, but I still love to indulge in everything New York has to offer. While I monitor my spending, I'm quick to say yes to dinners out, ice cream dates, and spontaneous adventures.
I also knew going in that I needed to save up for a bachelorette party I was attending in Nashville at the end of the month. I considered pushing the challenge back a month, since I knew the party would be hard on my budget. But the thing is, there's always something. If it wasn't the bachelorette party this month, it would be attending two weddings in October, going out of town for Thanksgiving in November, or holiday shopping in December.
But once I mentally committed to the challenge -- and didn't allow myself any leeway for failure -- it became much easier to pare down my spending.
September 1st fell on a Friday, so I started the challenge by tackling weekend spending temptations head-on.
While it's relatively straightforward to curb my spending during the week -- pack a lunch every day, hit the gym instead of the bar after work -- weekends tend to be full of expensive activities, from late-night cab rides and mozzarella stick deliveries to $18 eggs at brunch the next morning.
I started Labour Day weekend off with breakfast with a friend at an oatmeal bar in the West Village. I was more than ready to fork over $5 for a bowl of hearty oats, but my friend graciously bought mine as a belated birthday gift -- before I even had a chance to tell her about my new savings goal. Win!
Besides catching up over breakfast instead of dinner, a few more key decisions kept the three-day weekend under budget. For one, I stayed in town instead of heading out of NYC as several of my friends did. Thanks to multiple other trips and weddings lined up for fall, I opted back in June to save money and stay home for Labour Day.
I took advantage of my free time over Labour Day to relax, cook my own meals, and train for my upcoming half marathon.
My low-key weekend consisted of a lot of running and pasta at home, instead of going shopping or ordering takeout. On Labour Day, a friend and I packed a picnic and headed to Prospect Park in Brooklyn to enjoy the nice weather, rather than spending the day ordering drink after drink at an outdoor bar.
However, I did splurge on a spontaneous dinner out that Saturday -- and I don't feel bad about it. I savoured each bite of my $18 meal -- bell pepper bruschetta and cheesy lasagna -- and wouldn't have given up a single moment of quality time with my friend. Though it was only Day 2, I knew right away I didn't want to spend the month isolating myself and being so frugal that I was miserable.
I also used my laid-back weekend to head to Trader Joe's, where I picked up groceries for the first two weeks of the month.
For around $24.67, I came home with two bushels of $0.19 bananas and three cans of black beans, as well as 'luxury' items, such as kale and red bell pepper. I don't eat much meat and cook pretty simple meals, so my grocery bills tend to be low, but this month I aimed to get them even lower.
Instead of buying all new ingredients for the week, I took stock of what I already had in my apartment -- pasta, lentils, frozen shrimp, and brown rice -- and built out meals from there. I also relied on staple meals such as rice and beans or pasta with veggies. Cheap carbs helped me stretch my budget without sacrificing calories.
I realised that I tend to buy more groceries than I need and end up not using all of them. I get excited when I see a new flavour of tea and buy it before finishing the other three half-used boxes I already have at home, and I've had the same bag of brown rice sitting in my cabinet for months. But this month, I tried to use up my staples instead of spending more money on new items when I felt like I had nothing in the house.
A few days after my shopping trip, I also lucked out when Barilla handed out free meal kits outside of my gym, complete with a full box of pasta and jar of pesto.
WEEK 2: I spent the next weekend basking in the last few days of summer and exploring all the cheap and affordable activities NYC has to offer.
My friend Kelly came to visit the second weekend of September, and we spent our time together as tourists: eating authentic New York bagels, riding the Staten Island ferry, and catching an amateur comedy show.
WEEK 3: I barely made a dent in the number of free activities available in NYC, so the next weekend I set out to check a few more things off my bucket list.
I spent the weekend swiping my unlimited MetroCard like it was an AmEx as a friend and I roamed from brunch in Brooklyn (free, thanks to a press event) to the Roosevelt Island tram to a stroll across the Manhattan Bridge.
Despite my limited budget, I realised I didn't have to sacrifice my social life. Instead of staying in and watching Netflix for a month, I made a point of finding creative ways to fill my time -- and I was rewarded with great memories.
I made another grocery run during the third week of September, where I spent $34 to get through to the end of the month.
The biggest percentage of my disposable income by far goes to meals out each month, so I knew I needed to buy groceries that I would want to eat -- or else it was going to be a long month.
While I consciously tried to keep my grocery bill low, I concentrated more on cooking my own meals than buying the cheapest ingredients available. My budget was stricter than normal, but by no means impossible. Buying quality ingredients helped curb temptation to indulge in more restaurant meals.
I also lucked out with more freebies when an ice cream truck down the street from the Business Insider office provided a free soft serve break.
As the end of the month drew closer, I grew used to saving wherever I could -- but I still missed my old, carefree habits.
Despite falling into a comfortable routine with my limited budget, as the month dragged on it became harder -- and more annoying -- to stick it out. I missed eating out! I wanted to go shopping!
But holding firm to my savings goal forced me to evaluate my priorities and decide what was truly worth spending money on, like dinner with friends or a weekend trip.
The biggest overall expense for the entire month was the weekend I spent in Nashville for my friend's bachelorette party. Throughout the course of four days there, I shelled out $180 on food, Uber rides, and many, many drinks. Prior to the weekend, I also spent $70 on a gift for the bride.
Expensive? Yes. But completely worth it.
Outside of the weekend away, the overwhelming majority of my budget went toward food and drinks -- which shouldn't come as a surprise at all if you've read this far into this story. Including groceries, a handful of meals out, and several bottles of water purchased in the middle of a run, I spent about $200 in this category.
The rest of my monthly expenditures -- roughly $120 -- were split between necessities like shampoo and laundry and little splurges, such as getting cheap pedicures with my roommate and sending a friend flowers after she had a baby.
I was able to stick so closely to my budget partly thanks to long-term decisions made earlier in the year. I booked my ticket to Nashville back in April (on points!), and the women who planned the bachelorette party reserved the Airbnb months in advance, so I only included the things I paid for during the weekend itself in my final tally.
Looking back at the spreadsheet of what I spent, I see places where it would have been possible to cut even more and finish under budget: I could have been more diligent about not eating out or planning ahead to avoid paying for bottles of water.
But I'm glad I didn't. Even $20 over, I was still able to save 49.9% of my disposable income for the month without feeling like I was sacrificing my entire social life.
In addition to boosting my savings, the month taught me a few important lessons about the ways I handle money.
Strategic splurges are worth it.
As I mentioned, I knew my friend's bachelorette party would cost me more than a typical weekend at home. But I was more than happy to do it -- she's a close friend and I'm overjoyed to celebrate her upcoming marriage with her. Though it cut into my limited budget for the month, I carefully planned around expenses like this in my yearlong budget, curbing my shopping and passing on weekends away.
Spending money on experiences and relationships is a worthwhile splurge to me, and the trip to Nashville ended up being one of my favourites of the year.
Don't ignore easy ways to save.
CVS's ridiculously long receipts aren't just a running joke -- they're coupons, and they're actually helpful. I started paying much closer attention to where I could get a few dollars off and how I could combine rewards to maximise my savings, and it paid off. I saved around $12 in September, which might seem like small potatoes at face value, but $12 (or more) a month adds up.
Spending money is not a bad thing, but wasting it on unnecessary purchases is.
I firmly believe that investing in a quality item or splurging on dinner with a friend is a justifiable expense. But I found several avoidable ways I had been wasting cash.
For example, whenever I have plans to meet a friend after work for a non-food-related activity, I stop by Chipotle or somewhere similar to grab dinner. Over the course of the past month, I started packing a quick meal instead and saved at least $50. I plan to continue being mindful about these seemingly innocuous purchases going forward and concentrate on making meals out a social activity, not something I do out of laziness.
Choosing to save so much is a privilege.
Money is personal. And while financial independence or early retirement isn't one of my main priorities, I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to choose to work toward that if I want to. I'm blessed with a good job and comfortable lifestyle, and this challenge reminded me to never that for granted.
Cutting back on spending doesn't have to mean pinching pennies or living on nothing. My biggest takeaway from this challenge is that there's always room to improve my finances -- save more, invest smartly, give generously -- while still enjoying a full lifestyle.
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User Review( votes)
Microsoft first released its Edge Chromium browser as early Canary and Dev builds on Windows last month. While Windows 10 users can test the new browser, Mac owners have been waiting to hear more details about when Edge will be available on macOS. Microsoft doesn't have any solid dates to announce just yet, but the company has started teasing what Edge will look like on macOS.
During the company's Build 2019 developer conference, Microsoft is announcing new features for Edge on Windows and teasing the upcoming macOS release. We understand that the release will be available very soon, and Mac users should be able to access both the Canary and Dev builds of Edge just like Windows.
Microsoft's implementation of Chromium on Edge has so far seen good performance improvements and reliability on Windows. It's not clear if we'll see similar improvements on the macOS side versus Chrome, but at least it gives Mac users another Chromium option with some Microsoft services and sync integration.


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Teeth whitening for anyone with sensitive teeth
Teeth whitening treatments and service have really become more common in the last few years and more is known about it. It is a cosmetic practice that is designed to improve the smile and brighten the teeth. There are many methods of whitening. No matter what system or service you use it is important to inform your whitening specialist as there are different ways of undertaking the laser whitening treatment.
Check out our great Laser whitening deals
The Sensitive feeling in the teeth is most likely caused by hot, cold or sugary food or drink items.
When it happens the pain can feel like it goes right down in past the gums and can arise because there is an exposed nerve sitting near or just below the gum or because a tooth has a hairline crack. In both check with your dentist first.
Find a teeth whitening clinic near you!


text: Currently making my way through one of many books on Storytelling. Its very relevant to my thesis on Storytelling. This book is packed with examples of user experience stories, and illuminates the taxonomy of storytelling experience. I am only on the second chapter at the moment, but it is very well written and the use cases have been compelling. I like the insight on the storytelling triangle between storyteller, audience and user. I will post more as I continue reading. Its been slow going since I'm juggling my thesis at the moment.


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I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client.
Are you a card person? For years and years and years, I wasn't. Then something changed. I started to see the beauty in selecting just the right cards again. I love that bubbly feeling that comes with discovering the card you know someone will love. Though I am far from perfect, I am trying to get better about my use of birthday cards. And stocking up ahead of time helps a ton with that.
Right now, our family is in a busy birthday season.
If you were to plot the birthdays in my family on a map, you'd see something funny — they all seem to be concentrated between June and November. October and November are especially birthday heavy with four birthdays in a four week span (and a lot more, if you consider friends, extended family and much-loved family members who've passed). So when Social Fabric asked me to head to Walmart to check out their selection of Hallmark cards, I had to do it.
Now, let me tell you — the selection is substantial. I must have spent a good 20 minutes selecting cards for a friend and several relatives. Whether you are into the sentimental cards, the no-frills ones or the funny ones, there is literally something for everyone. While I was standing there, I noticed that I wasn't the only one reading cards, putting them back and reading more in search of the perfect one. I also was excited to discover a huge section of really affordable Value cards.
When buying cards, I look for something that will make the receiver giggle. Or tear up. Or get excited. It has to speak to me — and especially to them. The one at the top I bought for a wonderful friend. It wasn't her birthday, but I wanted to send a just-because card to let her know how much I appreciate her.
How do you remember birthdays? I have my family birthdays all committed to memory. But I also make it a point to add birthdays to all our calendars so that everyone can see whose birthday is when really easily. And Facebook alerts? They help too.
Now, to hunt for the presents to go with the cards.
Disclosure: I was compensated for this post but all opinions are my own.


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It's the hottest day of the year and walking into Casa Do Franco feels almost surreal.
The establishment is a glorious first-floor space, all wood floors and exposed bricks with huge windows that flood the place in natural light. Beams are artfully exposed, foliage purposefully placed and old schools ceiling fans in full swing. It's stunning.
My terrible iPhone photos below really do it no justice.
Since it has been dubbed as the "posh Nandos", you won't be surprised to hear that there isn't a refillable Coke and gelato machine in sight. We're not in Nando's any more, Toto.
The same friendly, relaxed vibe is however still very much present and the staff are extremely helpful. We hadn't booked and despite it being the hottest day of the year (yes I'm still going on about the god awful weather!) the restaurant was heaving. Luckily we were able to get a seat straight away.
Casa Do Frango aka House of chicken serves up Algarvian-style piri piri chicken cooked over a wood fire. In fact they're so committed to authenticity that they've even brought over Portuguese pitmaster, Lucidio da Fonseca Monteiro to London for the job.
I checked in with the restaurant to find out if the chicken was halal and they confirmed that it was.
The menu is pretty straightforward despite looking complex on first glance. Frango (Portuguese for chicken) is the only large plate: half a free-range bird brushed with piri piri, lemon or oregano for £10. This include no sides.
Personally I think it's reasonable considering how the chicken is cooked and the fact that we're not actually in Nando's!
We decided to opt for: The chicken (duh), Sweet potato Feijoada and Batatas Fritas.
The food took a little bit longer to come out than I wanted but the restaurant was packed out and of course everything was cooked fresh so I couldn't complain really.
The chicken was barbequeued to perfection. It was juicy and came off the bone really well. However I did think it was a tad…bland. I like lots of sauce so the little shot glass of sauce didn't cut it for me and I had to ask for 5. Having drenched the chicken it was the best chicken I've had in a long time. A really really long time.
The Batatas Fritas were standard hand cut fries, if I'm honest, they weren't anything spectacular but I mean who doesn't like chips.
The Sweet Potato Feijoada – crispy artichoke, Mushroom, White beans and oregano croutons was ordered on a whim. This dish was pretty unusual to me but surprisingly nice. Extremely light starter that was yum but didn't touch the sides since I was famished. Still good though.
Next time I would definitely go for a salad to accompany the chicken though.
That's right, There definitely will be a next time. The food, atmosphere and service scored top marks with me and considering it's a "posh Nando's" the price wasn't too bad either.
Aside from missing the unlimited bottles of sauce (it became tiresome to keep asking for more), I loved it. Casa Do Frango have hit the nail on the head.
Would I recommend it? If you want to woo your date or just chill at a leisurely lunch with your mates whilst feeling like you're in a European country somewhere then this is definitely the restaurant for you.
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Am I nervous about getting married – YES. ABSOLUTELY.
At first, I just felt this unreal distress about our wedding. I couldn't pin point what the anxiety came from or what it meant, and it made me very confused. Don't get me wrong – I love being engaged to Märta and I love the fact that she asked ME and that she is so cool about all this wedding planning. And I love HER. ❤
After we went to look at the church where we are planning on having the ceremony I knew what has freaked me out. Feelings.
I saw myself standing in front of family and friends bursting into tears and showing my feelings for everyone to see. I'm not an emotional person, or at least I haven't been before, but everything changes. And I need to get used to it. I know that I will not be able to go through the wedding ceremony without crying and it scares the shit out of me. On so many levels.
I also feel uncomfortable being in the center of attention for a whole day. You might not think so, but it's true. Maybe it's appropriate to say God help me now that I'm getting married in a church ? something I never thought I would do.
Always imagined I was getting married in a skyscraper or at the beach in some warm place like Hawaii.
Where did you get married or want to get married? Comment below. ?


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Psychic Clairvoyant Maria Duval Austria Interview.
Psychic powers for beginners cannot be achieved overnight. They require regular practice of certain steps to be able to awaken the spiritual powers. Every person who wishes to develop his/her psychic abilities has to take some training before being able to acquire any form of psychic powers. The steps towards developing psychic powers for beginners heighten the spiritual powers of an individual. Though it might seem a bit difficult at the very start, with regular practice it is definitely possible to be psychic. It is recommended that you start off towards achieving psychic powers for beginners with certain exercises. These are the basic steps which are extremely important for you to develop your spiritual powers.
Psychic Maria Duval Interview
Maria Duval - Money as a form of Love
There is an energy that is the source of all life. It comes from the Universe and hence is called the universal cosmic energy. It pervades the entire Creation at all levels of existence, from the galaxies, our planets, vibrant living organism and to the cells that are the building blocks of life.
Maria Duval says this is the energy from the universe and is itself a manifestation of the Divine Love. It is the same with money, which is a material element of divine origin.
Money is also an energy that serves as a means of exchange and the truth is that money is the physical representation of love.
When I was small, my parents gave me ample pocket money and told me that was their love for me. This is the best example to describe what i mean.
When you consider it as an energy force, money really does offer a privileged understanding to the lessons inherent to the material world. Without it we can't live joyfully and money is also a part of the society which we live, so we need to know what lessons we can learn from it for our spiritual evolutions.
Lucid Dreaming
Lucid dreaming is a skill that can be learned, and anyone who has the interest to learn can easily do so. There's science behind lucid dreaming, though. Lucid Dreaming is knowing that you are dreaming while you are doing it. When you know that you are dreaming, you can also alter the dream course.
Lucid dreaming is usually induced by some sort of cue,something that indicates to the person that what they are experiencing is a dream, and not reality. These cues are often referred to as dream signs. Lucid dreaming is when you have a dream and you are aware that you are dreaming. This awareness gives room for control, manipulation, etc. Lucid dreaming is an excellent way to harness creative mind and use its power to the ultimate. When you become aware in a dream that you are dreaming, and that you have the power to control the outcome of the dream, you have unlimited power.
Lucid dreaming is the ability to know when one is dreaming, and be able to influence what will be dreamt. A normal dream is much like passively watching a movie take place in your skull. Lucid dreaming is an ancient art form, experienced by all human cultures throughout recorded history. As there are literally dozens of terms used to describe this phenomenon, the important thing is that they all refer to a spectrum of consciousness that we each experience every day and night. Lucid dreaming is a very simple concept but for most it will take patience and determination to achieve. Many people seem ignorant of the distinction between having a lucid dream, and controlling a dream.
Lucid dreaming is sometimes considered as a skill needed for even more exciting skills, like astral traveling. Not given as an example by the respondents, but some people also consider lucid dreaming helpful for getting telepathic dreams. Lucid dreaming is more than just an inexpensive vacation; it can have effective psychological applications, including creative problem-solving. For instance, there was a musician who suffered from paralyzing stage fright and would use his sleep time to practice in front of an audience. Lucid dreaming is, indeed, a profound test of self-reality, utilizing the surreal nature of dreaming to question and manipulate the complexities of selfhood. In waking life, these complexities can be analyzed and tested but under circumstances where social rules seem to be hegemonic.
Lucid dreaming is a paradoxical state in which the window of consciousness is seemingly closed to the outside world but open to an inner one. Lucid dreamers know they're dreaming, and if truly adept can return to the same dream night after night and manipulate the content, all without waking up.
Lucid Dreaming is not a modern discovery. Even though it has only come to the attention of the general public in the last few decades, even as early as the fifth century people were having lucid dreams. Lucid dreaming is something that everybody can experience and it's possible to see results in a matter of days.
Lucid dreaming is a harmless practice and can even help some combat the demons (which are manifestations of real life fears) on a real life daily basis. People can be more intimate, more outspoken, more aggressive and be real achievers in their dream worlds. Lucid dreaming is not for everyone. At times, it's healthy to just let your mind take you where it thinks you need to be (in your dreams).
If you wish to explore this topic further and other related subject matter, I've discovered a great resource, and you can find it By Clicking Here Now !Author: J. Foley Has A Site Entitled "Dreams" And You Can Find More About Your Dreams By Going Here Now!
Maria Duval on Money as a Symbol
One is unable to quantify money until one puts the mind how and on what to use it. It is through this impression that gives money as a symbol for power and success. With this statement, it goes to show that money is just a tool or simply a medium.
Similarly, your mind is also just a tool and it has the power to make money work for you when and how in the ways you want it to work for you. Therefore, in the end, it is your own mind and determination and thoughts that will give money its best quality to represent you as the owner. Hence without you being the owner, money is just a stack of papers that needs you to give it "life".
Maria Duval adds that it is us that programme its use, and from there, it takes on a very different link between you and your money. A very close relationship. The nice thing about this lies in the way you utilise your money, and making it circulate for you and increase its spiritual energy for you. Therefore it is a magic creative act.
To sum up, Maria Duval has just taught you one important fundamental, which is the magic action of the mind over money.
Maria Duval - Money
Having lots of money is one of the most wondrous feeling in life, isn't it? Imagine what money can do to your life and how you can put to good use of having this wealth by helping the rest of the society. I really hope more rich people will do more to help those who are left out. Maria Duval says money is a mysterious symbol and men's most basic drive for existence and something to make our life better.
While money is good for us, sometimes it may "betray" us as it allows us to buy goods or do turns which turn out to be a source of problems instead of the goodies we come to expect.
Money is like a double-edged sword. Either it saves or it kills. Life can be improved or life can be ruined due to excessive greed. Therefore, there is magic in it, as with it, we can nearly work wonders in life.
Maria Duval advises that money itself is however neutral as it is the person who handles it that is critical, because the state of mind of the owner matters.
To sum up, money is whatever you want it to be.
Maria Duval - How you view yourself in terms of personal worth
Maria Duval says it is a common misconception for people to view life as generally tough and hard. Unfortunately this is the case and people always shrug it off as "that's life!", not knowing there is a substantial impact on their own standard of living. One example is people thing that to make a good living, they must "working hard".
The question is, why must we "earn" what we already have? This is the divine power of life which everyone is equally entitled in their lives!
One important point in which all the spiritual groups of diverse cultures agrees upon is that, human beings were created in the image of God, and life is a sacred and spiritual gift. All human beings have an essential right to live and deserve to be happy and abundant in life.
Hence there is no need to prove your worth to take your place in the world.
There are church groups which deem money and wealth as bad for the overall development of the religious disciple. Yet it is known that churches have amassed a lot of wealth through the tithes and donations.
What Maria Duval is trying to say is that a lot of people's self worth about personal wealth is heavily shaped by their own religious beliefs... So many of them are unaware of their divine nature, and develop a negative self image, based on their insecurity, lack of self confidence and the feeling of powerlessness. As a result, there is a lack of self esteem leading to subconscious thinking that they do not deserve wealth and money in this life.
This is a detrimental thought to the overall spiritual development of a person. This kind of thought will not bring your prosperity and happiness. If you are seriously lack of money, it means you are really suffering from lack of faith in your personal value. To sum up, this means you do not like yourself.


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He is a unique brand of sexy. Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes can rap, sing, and is an over all goof ball, but that's why we love him. Keep doing ya thing hun hehe
- Doe Chee$e
Posted by Doe Cheese at 12:17 PM 0 comments
Labels: Eye Candy, travis mccoy


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Chandley-class heavy frigate on active duty in Starfleet during the late 23rd century. The initial bloc of these ships were commissioned in the 2270s. The ship was named after Admiral Abel Niwen, commanding officer of the Sixth Terran Fleet when it made first contact with the Tellarites.USS Niwen (NCC-2306) was a
On stardate 8347.6, Niwen was commanded by Commodore Michael A. Pollard and was on routine patrol duty along the Romulan Neutral Zone. (FASA RPG: Where Has All The Glory Gone?)
|Chandley-class starships
|USS Blackheart - USS Chandley - USS Fife - USS Hanson - USS Jayapura - USS Monson - USS Niwen
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We all know Google Play Music's days are numbered and it is only been enjoying 2d mess around to YouTube Music for over a yr. You can not unring that bell, however a minimum of Play Music is getting the chance to experience its swan tune: the app has now crossed 5 billion downloads at the Play Store.
Play Music is the 6th app to achieve this spectacular milestone. YouTube, Maps, Search, Gmail, and Chrome had been first; all of those come pre-installed on Android units, thus serving to their numbers. With YouTube Music changing into the default app on Android 10, its predecessor should face the track: Its set up quantity expansion will stall and can sooner or later fade out.
Don't you dare inform that to Play Music's many enthusiasts, despite the fact that. They'll sing its praises, repeating that they would possibly not transfer till the YouTube choice gives a minimum of a non-public track add possibility. Other lacking options have slowly been added, so everyone seems to be hoping YouTube Music might be correctly jazzed up sooner than Play Music's sunsetting. However, it has an extended technique to cross sooner than it hits all of the proper notes and makes track enthusiasts exchange their music.
Until then, if Play Music moves a chord with you, there may be not anything preventing you from the usage of it, and that should be track on your ears.


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The coach who has engineered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college basketball history refuses to praise himself.
Scott Drew finds creative new ways to deflect credit even when asked questions designed to force him to reflect on his own achievements.
How did Drew transform scandal-tainted, tradition-bereft Baylor from a national laughingstock into a perennial NCAA tournament team? "We've been blessed to have not only good players but high-character people who have helped build our program."
What enabled Baylor to spend five weeks ranked No. 1 this season without a blue-chip recruit or projected NBA draft pick on its roster? "You really need to have self starters, guys that want to get in the gym on their own and get better."
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Which of Drew's adjustments contributed most to Baylor's finest regular season in school history? "The longer I've coached, the better I've gotten at delegating responsibility. Many hands make light work, and our staff has done an unbelievable job with this team."
Drew may go to great lengths to avoid patting himself on the back, but he can do nothing about the deluge of compliments others have heaped on him this season. He's the most deserving candidate to be named college basketball's national coach of the year, a tick ahead of Dayton's Anthony Grant and San Diego State's Brian Dutcher.
Never before has Baylor received better than a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Bears (26-3) will almost certainly be on the top seed line a week from Sunday when this year's bracket is unveiled.
Never before has Baylor finished better than a tie for second in the powerful Big 12 conference. The Bears can grab a share of first place if they win at West Virginia on Saturday and Kansas falls at Texas Tech.
Never before has Baylor advanced beyond the Elite Eight since the NCAA tournament expanded to include more than eight teams. The Bears have 6-1 odds of winning a championship next month according to MGM, tied for the lowest along with Kansas and Gonzaga.
Baylor's path to basketball relevance began 17 years ago when the school hired Drew to revive a long-struggling program rocked by maybe the darkest scandal in college sports history.
On August 8, 2003, Dave Bliss resigned as Baylor coach after the arrest of one of his players, Carlton Dotson, for the murder of teammate Patrick Dennehy. Hoping to cover up under-the-table payments that he had made in violation of NCAA rules, Bliss sullied Dennehy's name after his death by concocting a story that Dennehy obtained the money by dealing drugs instead.
The mess that Drew inherited was even worse than he envisioned when he took the job. So many of Baylor's top players transferred that Drew had to scour his own campus for potential walk-ons in an effort to have enough warm bodies to practice.
Baylor won a total of four league games during Drew's first two seasons and four apiece in years three and four, but by 2008 the Bears were no longer an easy win for their Big 12 foes. Drew gradually transformed Baylor into an unlikely destination for top recruits, first securing Rivals 150 prospects like Curtis Jerrells, Tweety Carter and LaceDarius Dunn and later landing McDonald's All-Americans Perry Jones III, Quincy Miller and Isaiah Austin.
As Drew began luring ballyhooed prospects a tier or two above those that Baylor had previously signed, other Big 12 coaches privately questioned how he was doing it and seethed about his unusually aggressive recruiting tactics.
Drew once created a position on his staff for the AAU coach of John Wall in a failed attempt to land the future Kentucky star. Another time, Drew sent out a flier to recruits asking which of these Big 12 coaches had signed a McDonald's All-American before. Pictures of Bob Knight and Billy Gillispie were crossed out, leaving only a photo of the Baylor coach.
Complaints about Baylor's recruiting prompted an NCAA investigation that concluded in 2012. The only violations that investigators unearthed were impermissible calls and texts from assistant coaches to recruits, a modest offense that only resulted in a two-game suspension for Drew but also substantiated some of the accusations he had faced.
Critics of Drew were also quick to point out that some of his most talented teams failed to live up to expectations. While Drew led Baylor to the Elite Eight in 2010 and 2012, his 2011 team did not qualify for the postseason and his 2013 squad settled for an NIT appearance.
Baylor's inconsistency during that stretch inspired Drew to rethink his approach to recruiting. He has become more selective with who he takes, still targeting the occasional high-character five-star McDonald's All-American but focusing more on scouring the next tier of prospects for hard workers who are driven to reach their potential.
"What we've tried to do is identify who fits with our culture and chemistry," Drew said. "If the right five-star guy, the right McDonald's All-American, came along, would we take him? Absolutely. But we've put an emphasis on finding high-character guys who want to be in the gym, who want to get better and who care about winning."
Baylor's success at developing players during their redshirt years has also helped the program become an appealing destination for transfers who have to sit out a season. Transfers are often eager to follow in the footsteps of Ekpe Udoh, who left Michigan a role player and became a lottery pick at Baylor, or Johnathan Motley and Cory Jefferson, who also made big leaps as upperclassmen after taking a redshirt year.
The roster that Drew has assembled this season reflects his evolving recruiting philosophy and knack for player development. Not a single Baylor player was a consensus top 50 prospect in his recruiting class. Three of the Bears' top players began their careers at other schools.
Davion Mitchell left Auburn after his freshman year because he could not beat out Jerod Harper for the starting point guard job. He has blossomed into a defensive dynamo whose ball pressure is the catalyst for Baylor's smothering man-to-man.
MaCio Teague wanted to prove himself at a higher level after leading UNC Asheville in scoring as a sophomore. The 6-foot-3 guard has made a seamless transition from the Big South to the Big 12 and is averaging 14.1 points per game.
Freddie Gillespie, a transfer from Division III Carleton College, is the quintessential example of Baylor's knack for player development. The late-blooming 6-foot-9 former walk-on arrived at Baylor as raw as sushi three years ago and leaves as the Bears' starting center and a fringe NBA prospect.
"Our staff did a great job with Freddie, but at the end of the day, it took Freddie believing in himself and wanting to get in the gym and get better," Drew said. "I always say that if you wanted to send Freddie mail his first year at Baylor, you could have sent it to the practice gym. I mean, he lived in there and that's why he's the player he is today."
In addition to establishing a culture of grit and determination, Drew has also done an excellent job adapting to his roster and putting his players in position to succeed. Whereas Drew has traditionally favored a zone defense because of all the long, athletic wings he has coached, he was smart enough to recognize that this year's smaller, quicker roster was better suited for aggressive man-to-man.
Baylor's formidable no-middles defense specializes in forcing the ball to the baseline, icing or switching ball screens and giving maximum effort recovering to shooters in scramble situations. The quick hands and lock-down perimeter defense of Mitchell is a big reason Baylor ranks fourth nationally in defensive efficiency, as is Gillespie's ability to protect the rim or switch onto smaller guards and Mark Vital's versatility to defend multiple positions.
"The best coaches are supposed to adapt to what they have rather than what they feel most comfortable teaching," Drew said. "Having a smaller, more athletic lineup lent itself better to playing pressure man-to-man than it did zone."
Dominant defense has helped Baylor overcome the injuries that have slowed standout big man Tristan Clark and the unexpected September defection of last year's third-leading scorer, Mario Kegler. What the Bears have lost in the efficiency of their half-court offense they offset by using their defensive pressure to generate fast-break opportunities.
Drew had an inkling this Baylor team would be pretty good after the Bears defeated Villanova, Arizona and Butler in a three-week span before Christmas. They then validated that by winning 13 straight games to open Big 12 play including Drew's first-ever win against Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse.
Though Baylor dropped the rematch against Kansas on Feb. 22 and suffered an unexpected road loss at TCU last Saturday, the Bears' grip on a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament remains firm. Only Kansas has as many Quadrant 1 victories as Baylor's 11, and only San Diego State, Gonzaga and Dayton have fewer losses than the Bears' three.
Ask Drew what it would mean to him to lead Baylor to the program's first Final Four appearance in 70 years, and his response is predictably selfless. He insists he would savor the happiness it would bring his team and the Waco community more than any personal glory.
"What it would do for these players for the rest of their lives and what it would mean for the past players and coaches who were part of building this, that would mean much more than anything on a personal level," Drew said. "That would be the highlight for me."
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