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Having massively enjoyed my last outing to invade Earth as an alien, last Saturday I once again headed down to the Camden Centre to take part in the Megagame Watch the Skies 3 and abduct humans in the name of science/diplomacy/cheap labour/intergalactic cuisine.
Whereas last time I had visited Earth as the Commander of the Federation (who are essentially a race of peaceful and hedonistic space-hippies) this time I would be an Agent on the Association mission to Solaris. In contrast the Association are an aggressive and militaristic civilisation so I was looking forward to a more straight forward approach to dealing with the Earthlings involving less talking and more shooting.
Our team went into the game with a few objectives. The first was to get as much native art and technology and as much exotic flora and fauna off the planet as we could. The second was to develop productive and peaceful relations with the cetaceans (dolphins and whales), who would in this game be represented by two full teams of players. The third was to make sure the humans didn't leave the planet or get their hands on any alien technology. Finally (although not officially in our briefing) we decided we wanted to get a proper interstellar warship deployed to the sector as soon as possible. We felt the Association would feel more comfortable (and be more used to) negotiating from a position where we had enough fire power behind us to wipe a city the size of Tokyo off the map.
This brings me to the final point I should cover before I start my account of the day – which is that the events in this game were taking place a few years after the events of Watch the Skies 2. This meant that a few of the main events from the last game had been written into the canon for this world. For example:
1) Tokyo was starting the game as a smoking pile of rubble,
2) The cetaceans were a playable race, and
3) The humans already knew that aliens existed and each alien faction had a list of a few nations that they'd already made some contact with.
First Contact
When the game kicked off we quickly realised most of the plans we'd made were not going to survive contact with faux-reality. As part of our efforts to ally with the cetaceans we'd been planning to build a base not on the moon, as is traditional for any self-respecting alien race, but underwater. We'd also planned to lend the cetaceans our terraforming technology to help them flood the planet and make it more habitable for them and less suitable for those nasty warlike humans.
Unfortunately we were quickly informed by our High Command (Control) that while we could deploy small pieces of terraforming technology to help clean up pollution there was no way they were going to authorise a full scale terraforming operation to change the fundamental nature of the planet (fair enough, flooding the planet wouldn't have been much fun for the human players). Meanwhile the scientific team attached to our expedition (again Control) advised that while an underwater base was possible it would be much more expensive, take longer to build and require help from them cetaceans. As waiting for several turns before having a secondary base would greatly limit how many shuttles we could send down on missions we decided to settle for a standard moon base like all the other factions.
Our first few turns were relatively uneventful. Chris, our other agent, established diplomatic relations with Mexico, Brazil (and later Canada) and quickly came to an understanding where they would not interfere with our missions in neighbouring Latin American countries where we were hoping to gather a large amounts of flora and fauna. They also seemed very understanding about our need to acquire humans subjects for important scientific purposes.
Jyoti, our Fleet Liaison and deputy Commander, was scouting out Europe for cultural artefact and fighting off a very aggressive European military, who seemed intent on shooting every alien ship out of the sky like some kind of tech pinata.
James, our Commander, had joined our alien neighbours in a Galactic Council to ensure all the civilised nations spoke to each other and didn't start fighting due to a simple lack of communication. He also established a strong bilateral relationship with the Imperium that would serve us well for the rest of the game.
Meanwhile I made contact with the cetaceans. They were not having a good time; the humans were pumping pollution into the oceans and they were having difficulty understanding concepts like "trade', 'ownership' and 'territory' that their whale philosophers seemed to think were cornerstones of the human world view. They were also keen for any intelligence we could provide about events above sea level. This seemed like something we could easily source so we 'converted' some of the humans we'd borrowed from Latin America into a level of 'Native Knowledge and Technology' in exchange for samples of exotic marine wildlife and some crustal minerals and red mercury that they'd found under the waves.
The European Problem
It turned out that we weren't the only faction having problems with Europe. Some nefarious European powers had been inviting down diplomats from the civilised powers and then shooting at them. This was clearly unacceptable behaviour and I felt we needed to send Europe a strong message that such actions would not go unpunished. Also the Republic had had a ship shot down over Russia and were worried about them exploiting it to develop space travel technology.
While I was in favour of making a few terror raids, a consensus was reached at the Council to shoot down all the satellites above Europe and to raid Moscow to get back as much technology as possible. Results were mixed. We shot down half the satellites against strong resistance (it would have been more if I'd managed to roll something other than a one) and the Conglomerate abducted all the astronauts from the International Space Station. While the Republic's salvage mission got passed the Russian interceptors the research facility was too well guarded for them to retrieve the technology so they left without achieving much. Meanwhile as the Reticulans (a largely peaceful scientific race) has sent down a message explaining why we were shooting down the satellites they ended up getting all the blame for the operation in the press.
Astro-aquatic engineering and the world's dodgiest charity
Meanwhile negotiations with the cetacean were going well, every turn I was popping down in a shuttle to a remote corner of the south Pacific to make nice and pickup the latest collection of items the dolphins didn't know what to do with. This couldn't last forever and soon the dolphins came forward with a request – they wanted to go into space. This seemed like too excellent a request not to help with, also I figured if things went well we could relocate them to another water-based planet we were looking to exploit. I then spent quite a lot of time, and an almost immoral amount of resources (including using the Reticulan Great Minds (massively powerful AI computers) as design consultants) to build a dolphin module to attach to our flying saucers which would allow them to make short trips into space to socialise with the other civilised nations.
During one of my trips down to Earth to update the cetaceans on the construction process I was introduced to an individual from Greenpeace who was able to speak cetacean, claimed to be able to provide information on which human nations were building spaceflight tech and wanted to come up to meet some aliens. This was, frankly, an odd combination of skills, knowledge and desires to find in one individual but I got agreement to bring them up to speak to the Council. However as I was leaving one of the dolphins took me to one side to say that the man from Greenpeace was making them feel "nervous", not the reaction I think that organisation would like to illicit from the beings it was established to help.
Still our Greenpeace representative spoke to the Council, everyone agreed afterward that something very dodgy was going on, especially when they announced they'd happily see humanity extinct in favour of the cetaceans. In the end we agreed it probably wasn't worth engaging with them any further. A feeling that was confirmed next time I met our Greenpeace rep and they said that they'd found the journey to space "painful" and would like the Council to come down to visit them. This was filed under "extremely dodgy". We were all worried about walking into a hostage situation and so this request was promptly ignored, meaning that for the rest of the game I was faced with increasingly irritated Greenpeace lobbying every time I went down to speak to our aquatic allies.
The faults in our stars
It was around this time that the general atmosphere of peace and co-operation at the Galactic Council began to break down. We received reports from High Command that the Conglomerate had started encroaching on our territory and there had been a few border skirmishes (turns out Control were inventing conflict between all the civilised races as we were getting on to well).
On top of that a genuine disagreement had broken out on how to best deal with the humans. Despite our best efforts (or perhaps because some people were secretly giving the humans tech) it looked like sooner or later the humans were going to gain spaceflight technology (which was being made easier by the fact the Conglomerate had built some kind of spaceport above Egypt). We suggested bringing in a Cruiser (medium-sized ship, capable of destroying cities) to established a blockade of Solarius to stop any native build ships leaving the sector. We agreed to provide this ship ourselves, paid for by contribution from all the other races and hand it over to Galactic Council control. Unfortunately the Federation were not happy with this (being much more pro-human than most of the other factions) and declared that they were going to bring their own ship in. Because of this, and the fact that other faction contributions to the cost of the ship were marginal, when our Cruiser turned up we decided not to hand it over to the Council. Soon all the civilised races were racing to bring their own heavy artillery into the skies above earth.
So long and thanks for all the fish
While this was going on I was still hard at work with my dolphin diplomacy. Our initial plan to adapt alien communication tech to allow the dolphins to "sing" about their plight to the rest of the planet failed when we couldn't get the tech to work (Control made it very clear that no-one was going to be allowed to use the megaphone to address all players). So instead my dolphin pal and I strong armed our way into a meeting between the Galactic Council and the UN to try to get the humans to take some meaningful action. This didn't go well; despite some warm words about how much they were already doing to fix global pollution the UN didn't really seem committed to addressing the cetaceans concerns and at one point admitted they were powerless to force human nations to actually do anything. Thoroughly depressed by the tone of the meeting the cetaceans asked if I could arrange for them all to leave the planet and find a new home amongst the stars.
I went back to High Command to see what could be done. After some initial uncertainty I was sent to make my case to the highest possible authority (Jim Wallman – the game's designer). I half expected this to go the same way as my plan to terraform Earth or broadcast whalesong to all the native players. Thankfully Jim was in a generous mood and decided that yes, if we spent enough resources we could convert a transport ship into a flying aquarium that could carry about 1000 of each of the main cetacean species. This process would take a year (4 in game turns) so this wasn't going to happen before we ran out of time but I didn't care – I paid the required resources, told the dolphins and whales we were taking them to a new home and announced our plan to the press. Now all we had to do was survive until the end of the game (and a bit longer) to allow our ship to turn up, and I'd have met my self-created win-condition. How hard could that be…
Apocalypse delayed
Turns out quite hard, as things were not going well with the Galactic Council. The Federation had now been kicked out of the Council by the Reticulans, who had then left the Council themselves as they were unable to maintain order between the remaining 5 civilisations. We had formed a full blown alliance with the Imperium based around the need to contain the humans on Earth, and were pooling our resources to get as much of our combined space armada above Solaris as soon as possible.
The Federation seemed to have joined up with the Republic who were doing the same thing in the name of protection the humans. The Commonwealth were nowhere to be seen. The Conglomerate had now blown up their own spaceport, but looked like they were going to side with the pro-human Federation. Meanwhile the Reticulans were threatening to Mind Control the Federation Fleet if it tried to open fire on the Imperium-Association Alliance (turns out the only thing they liked less than the prospect of interstellar war was the humans leaving Earth).
In an attempt to take out the Republic before the bulk of their fleet arrived the Imperium sent their fighter craft to blow up the Republic moon base, however due to a breakdown in communication (walking away from the map before Control turned up) the final command to open fire was never given. Next turn no such mistakes would be made and it looked like that a giant space battle would soon break out. Then the final whistle went. Honestly I was a bit relieved as things were clearly going to get messy, although hopefully Reticulan mind control would have turned things our way!
Final things
As is probably obvious from this account I had an amazing time again, and am definitely going to try branching out into other megagames. I want to say a massive thankyou to all the Control players for making the day work (especially Alien Control) and to all the Alien, Cetacean and "Other" players who I interacted with over the course of the day for being so much fun.
I'm going to end with 4 more snippets of things the aliens got up to which I couldn't work into the main narrative.
- Our Fleet Liaison Officer going down to Earth to make a public safety announcement to the press about the dangers of unsupervised use of alien technology. "Unsupervised use of alien artefact may lead to sleepiness, dizziness, irritable bowels or the plasmatic bombardment of nearby populated settlements. Please do not approach and call an alien extraction team who will safely dispose of the materials"
- Our allies, the Imperium, attempting to infiltrate Israel to start a nuclear war with Iran on the bases it would then be easier to grab all the resources in the area.
- When this failed the Imperium arranged to relocate the entire population of Israel to the "promised land" in the stars, when in reality they were just going to use them as cheap slave labour in mining colonies.
- Our Commander going down to France to kidnap all the mimes on the basis that they counted as both Exotic Fauna and Native Art and therefore fulfilled two of our objectives.


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Search Results
Choose a directory to filter your results
- Families (609)
- Youth (280)
- Adults (276)
- Practitioners (26)
- City Health (430)
Family Nurse Partnership Service (Tower Hamlets)
Block B, 3rd FloorBancroft RoadLondonE1 4DG
Family Planning Association
FPA London office23–28 Penn StreetLondon
Fatherhood Institute
Fawcett Society
Unit 222, Southbank HouseBlack Prince RoadLondonSE1 7SJ
Festival of Play
20 - 21 July 2019, 11Play is for everyone. Help us celebrate all things play over this two-day festival filled with worskshops, games, and activities designed for all ages. An event in partnership with UCL's Playing the Archive research project. PROGRAMME Build, break & re-build 11:00 - 16:30Work with artist Matt…
V&A Museum of ChildhoodCamrbidge Heath RoadBethnal GreenLondonE2 9PA
Fight City Gym
Fight City Gyms Ltd, 15Worship StreetLondonEC2A 2DT
Find Apprenticeships
Find Psychological therapies (IAPT)
Finding Space
Mare StLondonE8 4SA
Finsbury Leisure Centre
Norman StreetLondonEC1V 3PU

subset: commoncrawl


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Types of falsification include:
- not making enough to support yourself, and drawing from other sources of income (often family money)
- not reporting the free labor of spouses
- "forgetting to mention" a full-time job
- lying
Why should we care? Many people playing at a webcomic career don't care, and get irritable when you present the facts. I've had otherwise solid comic creators pursue me across blogs and forums to argue their blind faith in undocumented claims by others.
For anyone with the passion and determination to attempt a webcomic career, these false case studies matter because they muddle the process of becoming successful. If you copy a faulty role model, you can't expect success.
Outing people who cheat at stuff is entertaining but tiresome, as they bombard you with slovenly argued letters in their defense, or, in some cases, epithets. They call you a "hater," for the crime of questioning them.
Instead of relying on people like me to name names, it's better for readers to learn the warning signs:
- They talk about themselves a lot, usually without self-awareness. An extreme example, but memorable, is the cartoonist who filled a long column with graphic details of his toilet-related practices
- They could probably update more frequently without breaking a sweat, or go the extra 10% and work in color, or give up a reliance on cut-and-paste
- They make lots of noise about being broke, but jet around to cons to hustle cash
- Alternately, they make a lot of noise about their success, but close analysis doesn't support it
- They dress down and generally don't act their age
- They often show signs of recreational drug and alcohol use
- They love the spotlight, and often have slick, carnival "charm" personalities they turn on for cons. Newcomers wander off muttering, "Gee, what a nice guy"
- They live in New England of the Mid-Atlantic states, or Texas (primarily "old money" states)
- Though the more savvy ones run for cover, the ones with the most dubious claims to fame are prickly, and will bombard you with mail, alternating fake seductiveness and baritone threats, should you be the lucky journalist who outs them
- They may do decent comics, but they never seem to do brilliant comics
In short: webcomics are their sole claim to legitimacy, and they will lie, cheat and steal (mainly via tax evasion) to protect their self-image.
Compare that with the most successful webcomics:
- They usually avoid the "webcomics scene," especially time sinks like snarky forums and Twitter
- Their output is notable
- If they sell anthologies, they actually shift enough copies to be on publishers' radar (though I am all for self-publishing if you can execute it)
- Sometimes they have a business manager, a webmaster and/or an agency that promotes them for public appearances. Alternately, they may have a creative team, like Cyanide and Happiness
- They tend to update 5-7 days/week
- Asked to name the most successful webcomics, the average webcomics reader will miss half of them in favor of fake successes
- They are disproportionately creators of humor comics
- They generally skip conventions, as they don't need the hassle for the cash
- Though their reticence sometimes earns them charges of snobbery, the majority seem to be decent people who return professional courtesies
The pretense of not judging people is, to me, for wimps. We judge people all the time. The problem is that we are prone to doing it naively. Sharpen your skills and you won't get duped.


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Saturday, March 30, 2013
Nightly Megathread #180
Did you know that a Nightly Megathread never runs out of videos? Of course you do, this is #180, for Celestia's sake...
Tonight's is dedicated to all those that do send us videos specifically for these kinds of posts... with some extra videos on the side...
Posted by FPLOON the Wizard at 10:00 PM
Nightly Megathread #180
FPLOON the Wizard
Megathread | Nightly Megathread |Comments
Labels: Megathread , Nightly Megathread
Artsy-Wartsy Stuff #211_2
Posted by Sleepy at 8:55 PM
Artsy-Wartsy Stuff #211_2
art | Artsy-Wartsy Stuff | media |Comments
Labels: art , Artsy-Wartsy Stuff , media
The Music Hour (#DDMusicHour)
I'm a gonna take off Lamborghini top off
Own line air head same color space off
Futuristic Lela Ralph Lauren, pilo
G4 takin' off every city we go
Do you want to know what I find funny... Tomorrow, I'll wake up looking at Fluttershy bunny...
(Orchestral music and more awaits your listening ears this hour...)
|1. Legendary
|MLP:RPG - New Dawn
|2. UndreamedPanic
|Rainbow Dash - Feat. Rina Chan
|3. Legendary
|MLP:RPG - Long Distance
|Orchestral (Alternative)
|4. WolfOfSadness
|Totally Lost Cause
|5. Legendary
|MLP:RPG - Peaceful Moments
|6. WoodenToaster
|Beyond Her Garden (Mush 80s Chillout mix)
|7. Legendary
|Legends Box - Master & Apprentice
|Orchestral (Choir)
|8. ArtAttack
|I've Got To Find A Way (AA Remix)
|9. TheDashDub
|Luna's Night
|10. Galaxyart
|Double Rainboom Credits Music (Cover)
|Song Cover*
|*Avoiding spoilers in song genre
Posted by FPLOON the Wizard at 7:55 PM
The Music Hour (#DDMusicHour)
FPLOON the Wizard
instrumental | media | music | remix | Song cover | vocal music |Comments
Labels: instrumental , media , music , remix , Song cover , vocal music
Poll Results: Snowdrop Rating
Well, I can honestly say that I did see these results coming (including that one person who thought Snowdrop was, indeed, the worse possible thing), so to make sure that this statement isn't as cliche as its going to end up being...
I did think, at first, the name Snowdrop was referring to this song...
Posted by FPLOON the Wizard at 7:04 PM
Poll Results: Snowdrop Rating
FPLOON the Wizard
Megathread | Poll |Comments
Labels: Megathread , Poll
Artsy-Wartsy Stuff #211_1
If only the page was wider so I could have a larger preview of this...
Well, I probably skipped over a lot of actually proper art today. I had to rush, sorry. Consult the other art post elsewhere for the rest.
Posted by Sleepy at 12:55 PM
Artsy-Wartsy Stuff #211_1
art | Artsy-Wartsy Stuff | media |Comments
Labels: art , Artsy-Wartsy Stuff , media
Posted by Robotbob123 at 12:23 PM
animation | flash | media |Comments
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Avengers The Complete Celestial Madonna Saga TPB (2017 Marvel) comic books 2017-2019
Tags: Celestial Madonna, Avengers, Thanos
This item is not in stock. If you use the "Add to want list" tab to add this issue to your want list, we will email you when it becomes available.
1st printing. Collects Avengers (1963-1996 1st Series) #124-125 and #129-135, Captain Marvel (1968-1979 1st Series Marvel) #33, Giant Size Avengers (1974) #2-4 and Avengers: Celestial Quest (2001) #1-8.
Written by Steve Englehart, Roy Thomas, and Jim Starlin. Art by John Buscema, Dave Cockrum, Sal Buscema, George Tuska, Jim Starlin, Klaus Janson, Don Heck, and Jorge Santamaria. Cover by Gil Kane.
Follow the fateful saga of the Avenger named Mantis - a tale three decades in the telling!
It begins with the revelations of the Star-Stalker, and soon drags Earth's Mightiest Heroes into a cosmic clash between Captain Marvel and the ever-mad Titan, Thanos! But when Kang comes to the present day in search of the Celestial Madonna, Mantis' life is forever altered! In one of the greatest Avengers epics ever told, the besotted Swordsman will go to great lengths to save the woman he loves. Wedding bells will chime, and Mantis will embrace her destiny! Then, years later, she sends a space-spanning S.O.S. to former allies Thor, Vision and Scarlet Witch for aid in a rematch with Thanos!
This one is a classic!
Softcover, 504 pages, full color.
Cover price $39.99.


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This was originally written as a devotional for our church choir, and it received a couple of favorable comments, so I'm sharing it with a wider audience. Full disclosure: I did not attend an Ash Wednesday service this year or receive ashes as discussed here.
The season of Lent begins with the distribution of ashes. Growing up in the Catholic tradition I heard the priest invoke Genesis 3 as he applied ashes to each forehead: "Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return." As I think about that, though, I think of dust as the general product of decay. Ashes, on the other hand, have a more specific origin.
In order for ashes to be produced, some bit of once-living organic matter is destroyed by burning. A piece of wood, some leaves. OK, some metals like magnesium burn and produce ash. The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are traditionally produced by burning palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday. So the use of ashes carries with it a sense of loss. Throughout the Old and New Testaments we find references to ashes as an emblem of mourning and, by extension, of repentance through which we mourn a broken relationship with God. And it's not a token quantity, as our practices dictate, but almost an article of clothing.
Job spoke about repenting in dust and ashes (Job 42:6). Jeremiah called for the people of Jerusalem to mourn in sackcloth and ashes (Jeremiah 6:26). Mordecai clothed himself in sackcloth and ashes when he learned of Haman's plot to destroy the Jews (Esther 4:1). Daniel fasted and put on sackcloth and ashes to ask the Lord to restore Jerusalem (Daniel 9:3). The king of Nineveh covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes when Jonah finally delivered his message (Jonah 3:6). Jesus pronounced his woes on Chorazin and Bethsaida, saying that Tyre and Sidon would have repented in sackcloth and ashes if they had seen the miracles that Jesus had performed (Matthew 11:21 Luke 10:13).
In this momentary season of contemplation and mourning we have the benefit of knowing what none of them but Jesus could know: All of our our mourning ultimately will end in the joyful restoration described by Isaiah 61:1-3.
May God bless you in your Lenten observances. Thanks as always for stopping by!


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A press release from the McHenry County Health Department:
One area beach closed due to elevated bacteria levels
Woodstock Ill. – McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) conducted beach water samplings at 38 licensed beaches on Wednesday, June 8 with follow up checks as needed on June 9. The following beach is CLOSED due to elevated bacteria levels.
- Wonder Lake – Wonder Center Beach
Wonder Center beach will be resampled on Friday, June 10. Residents should visit the MCDH webpage (www.mcdh.info) for the latest information on this and other McHenry County beaches.
To prevent illness associated with swimming, all licensed beaches on the 12 lakes in McHenry County are tested every 2 weeks for E. coli throughout the summer to determine water quality. Water sampling results are reported to the appropriate beach authorities. MCDH will post an advisory or closed signage for beaches with elevated E. coli results.
All beach water results and locations are readily available at the MCDH webpage www.mcdh.info or by calling 815-334-4585.


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Phone: (281) 327-5200
Degrees and Certifications:
Mathematics - Grades (8-12) Special Education Grades (EC-12) Journalism (7-12) B.S. in Radio-Television-Film University of Texas at Austin - 1994
Mr. Glenn Edgar
Thank you for visiting my web page. I have been teaching for eight years in both math and special education settings. This is my second year at Ridge Point High School, and I am currently teaching Applied Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry and Math Models Applications), transition, and providing in-class support in general education Math Models Applications.
Teacher Schedule
Period 1: Applied GeometryPeriod 2: TransitionPeriod 3: Applied Math Models ApplicationsPeriod 4: Applied Math Models ApplicationsPeriod 5: ConferencePeriod 6: In-Class Support for Math Models ApplicationsPeriod 7: Applied Algebra I
Teacher Tutorial Schedule
Tutorials: 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. M, T, Th, F and 7:00 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. on W.Other times by appointment.


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... in the making of this photograph. I just thought I'd make that clear from the start because the picture below looks like something tragic might be happening! But no, it's just that I have a weird kid. And this is how he likes to nap:Doesn't that look terrible?? But about half the time that's how I'll see he has fallen asleep at naptime. He'll lay this way for about an hour, and then he usually rolls over and sleeps like a normal person. He doesn't do this at night... Maybe he puts the pillow over his face to make it dark? I just thought of that. Anyways, it was so funny I had to share!
I have a whole bunch of videos that I want to get edited to post on here, but I went ahead and posted this picture to tide you over while I try to get them done. Keep checking back, though!


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Tis' the season for fancy dresses and special holiday events. I have received a TON of requests for special occasion dresses and the wait is over! Rounding up a bunch of dresses from some of my try-on hauls + linked up 50+ special occasion dresses (shoes and accessories too!). If you have special requirements for an event let me know in the comments and I'll find something special for your special day!
Tag: weddingguestdress
Wedding Guest & Bride Shop
xoxo E
David's Bridal: Brunch to Ballgowns
I had always thought David's Bridal was just for bridal gowns, and bridesmaids dresses, but then when I went with my girlie Lauren, to the opening of David's Bridal in Minneapolis I realized there was so much more!


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Our protagonist has the feeling things are quite as they seem, and begins searching for answers. After a while he is given the option of finding out the truth or giving up his quest forever.
This is the red pill or blue pill scene.
|Neo decides between the red and blue pills. The Matrix 1999
Sound familiar anyone?
I'll go through it a piece at a time.
red pill/blue pill
|Neo decides to take the red pill. The Matrix 1999.
|Neo wakes up realizing he's been bathing in oil oblivious to the fact he's been exploited and imprisoned his whole life. The Matrix 1999.
Wakes up naked wired into a personalized vat. we are all living in our own exceptionally individualistic worlds. We are wired into a machine, the Internet, the electric grid, the food networks, laws, society, jobs. We are naked because we have nothing to protect us because we are so vulnerable without the matrix are wired into.Slaves own no possessions, not even clothes.
Wakes up having been asleep all his life. The dream is over and reality sets in, it has all been an illusion nothing prior to this moment was real. Life actually starts at this moment. the change in surrounds is as profound as night and day, sleep and awake.
Countless thousands are around him asleep. The sleep he has woken from is a spell not many have broken so far. So many are still living in a an illusionary word enjoying their matrix. theres seems no obvious way to awaken them.
Enormous quantities of energy are being extracted. People working for debt based fiat currency don't realize they are slaves. Everything of value is being extracted from them and they just don't seem to realize they are the only thing of value in the world. The world they live in could not function without them. If they just woke up, they could be free.
|Neo having awoken turns to see many other people still locked in the matrix. The Matrix 1999


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2nd Uranium Stocks Pick: Paladin Resources (TSE:PDN)
Along with Urasia, there is another junior uranium company who has managed to take a shortcut into inevitable U308 production. Although their stories diverge somewhat, it is somehow fitting that amongst uranium enthusiasts such as myself who value present production, one is often mentioned with the other. This company is Australia's Paladin Resources.
As evidenced by the chart, Paladin has almost tripled since the 2nd quarter of 2005. An impressive return, and one that, when examining significant milestones for the company, would lead to the conclusion that the risk involved in buying this company is not as great as it seems.
Paladin is from Perth, Australia, and was mentioned in my last post about the importance of that country's impact on the uranium landscape. Having been stymied for years by their own government, Paladin decided to branch out into the more exotic parts of the world: Namibia and Malawi. Their project in Namibia is known as Langer Heinrich and the one in Malawi as Kayelekera.
Namibia's Langer Heinrich: A Little History
In August 2002, Paladin acquired 100% of Langer Heinrich Uranium (Pty) Ltd., the Namibian company holding the Project rights and completed a Pre-Feasibility study at a cost of US$ 1.26 million. This study was followed by a US$ 3.0 million Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) that was completed in April of 2005. After full management review of the BFS, the Board resolved on May 9, 2005 to proceed with development of the project.
May 9, 2005 Press Release (Paladin Close $1.22Cdn)
Preamble: When I re-read all of Paladin's press releases, the one that's most interesting to me by far is this one, the day they gave the go ahead for development of Langer Heinrich.
The BFS document covers all aspects of the Project including resources/reserves detailing, mining, production, tailings disposal and uranium marketing. The BFS is supported by comprehensive environmental studies and management plans. The Project is designed to produce 1,180 tonnes (2.6M lbs) per annum (tpa) of uranium oxide concentrates (U3O8) from 1.5 M tpa of calcrete associated ores by ore beneficiation, alkaline leaching (heating to 750C), counter-current decantation, ion exchange, precipitation and calcining to produce saleable U3O8.
Using the ore reserve base of 22.24Mt at an average grade of 0.071% U3O8 the BFS has a scheduled mine life of 11 years and a process plant life of 15 years. Based on the mill throughput design of 1.5Mtpa of ore, the BFS shows 1,180tpa U3O8 can be produced for the first 11 years at a head feed grade of 0.0875% U3O8 and 401tpa U3O8 over the last 4 years, using the accumulated low grade stockpile grading 0.032% U3O8. The operating costs for the reserve defined BFS averages US$14.18/lb U3O8 over the life of the project and for the first six years costs average US$12.20/lb U3O8. The capital costs total US$92M including a 10% contingency plus an "accuracy provision" totalling US$10M. The capital costs have increased from that which were previously stated.
The BFS clearly indicates that the Langer Heinrich Uranium Project can be developed into a profitable mining operation. The BFS incorporates a uranium pricing schedule for U3O8 ranging from US$26/lb to US$35/lb over the 15 year period. The BFS financial modelling shows highly attractive returns can be achieved based on using defined reserves only. Paladin is currently unable to release the economic analysis resulting from the BFS work, which incorporates 50% of the Inferred Resources, due to restrictions under Canadian securities laws respecting disclosure of results of economic evaluation which uses Inferred Resources. Paladin intends to apply for an exemption order from such restrictions from the Ontario Securities Commission so as to be able to release this information.
Nevertheless, even on the reserve constrained BFS model and the conservative pricing schedule, the Project is able to pay back initial capital and working capital 3.5 years after commencement of operations (scheduled for start up for September 2006) showing the robust nature for the Project.
Analysis: there are several things to like about the last couple of paragraphs. First of all, rough mathwork would tend to agree with their calculations. Let's assume that within the next 3.5 years their projection of uranium oxide price was $27/lb (first three years of a 15 year price projection would be closer to $26 than $35 of course). So, 3.5 years 2.6 million lbs/yr * ($27/lb - $12.2/lb for operating costs) = $134 million. Enough to pay the capital cost of $92 million + 10% contingency. However, there is one happy flaw. Uranium is at $37/lb already. $113 million becomes $225 million. Paladin's transparency with their rojections and the direct way in which investors like I can pick up on what, when and how to best achieve their goals are is one that lends confidence.
All documentation for the Langer Heinrich Mining Licence Application, including the BFS, Environmental Assessment Study and Management Plan, has been prepared and presented to the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Namibia for review and approval. The application has been made for the maximum of 25 years. Initial responses have been favourable and approvals to allow the Project to proceed to development and mining are expected by the end of the 2nd quarter 2005.
Analysis: Excuse me? Did they say 2nd quarter? Indeed, remember this press release is dated May 9th! Apparently, there is a HUGE difference between obtaining uranium development and mining permits in Namibia than in Canada, let alone Australia. This was exactly the reason why Paladin came here.
September 16, 2005 Press Release (Paladin Close $1.97Cdn)
Paladin announces that the Namibian Minister of Mines and Energy, The Honorable Mr E Nghimtina at a ceremony held at site yesterday, September 15th, officially initiated the commencement of construction activities for the Langer Heinrich Uranium Project. The ceremony was attended by a number of Namibian Government officials, local community representatives, as well as Namibian media. In welcoming the Minister, Paladin Resources' Chairman, Rick Crabb, noted that Langer Heinrich will be Namibia's second uranium mine and will make Namibia the 4th largest uranium producing country in the world.
Analysis: May 9 to September 16. Shade over four months. Crazy.
November 9, 2005 Press Release (Paladin Close $2.03Cdn)
Paladin Resources Ltd (Paladin) is pleased to advise that drilling of the previously untested palaeochannel, extending west from the Detail 1 orebody, has returned very encouraging results. Compared to the previously reported Mineral Resources (estimated with the 300ppm cut off) the new resource estimates at 250ppm cut off represents an increase in contained U3O8 as follows:
· A 24% increase in the Measured and Indicated Resources (from 17,100t to 20,200t U3O8).
· A 52% increase in the Inferred Resources (from 15,700t to 23,800t contained U 3O8).
Analysis: That's quite an increase in reserves, although I do not think they are planning to pump more uranium oxide out each year. Rather this will probably lengthen the mine life.
December 21, 2005: Paladin Resources Ltd (Paladin Close $1.70Cdn)
Paladin has secured the services of Mr. Wyatt Buck, a top uranium operative who will assume the position of General Manager of Langer Heinrich mining operations based in Swakopmund, Namibia. Mr. Buck qualified as a Mechanical Engineer at the University of Saskatchewan in 1981 and was later a senior executive for 15 years with the Cameco Corporation, a Canadian company that leads in uranium production. For the past 2 years he held the position of General Manager of the McArthur River Mine and the Key Lake Mill, the highest producing uranium operation in the world.
Analysis: Quite an impressive resume, good move by Paladin to bring in a uranium specialist with this much experience. Another confidence builder.
January 19, 2006: Paladin Resources Ltd (Paladin Close $2.34Cdn)
Paladin has secured its first sales contract for a portion of its yellowcake (U3O8) production from the Langer Heinrich Uranium Mining Operation, scheduled for commissioning in September 2006. This sales arrangement with a major US utility is subject to finalisation of all necessary legal documentation. The sales contract is for the purchase of 2,145,000lbs U3O8 for delivery between 2007 and 2012. Pricing will be market related to be determined at time of each delivery with escalating floor and ceiling price components.
Analysis: Speed and efficiency seems to be the modus operandi for this company. Impressive how they haven't even began production an already has secured a contract that is NOT hedged, but will take advantage of the uranium price increases.
January 19, 2006: Paladin Resources Ltd (Paladin Close $2.34Cdn)
Paladin is pleased to advise that infill drilling of the Kayelekera Deposit, has returned very encouraging results. This work has produced a twofold benefit:
· Firstly, the results have added significantly to the presently stated Mineral Resource estimates for Kayelekera; and
· Secondly, have allowed most of these resources to be classified into the Measured and Indicated Resource Categories with a small percentage retained as Inferred Resources. As can be compared from the above, the resources for Kayelekera have been increased substantially. At the 300ppm cut -off limit, Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources identified amount to 15.31Mt grading 0.09% U3O8 and 3.4Mt of Inferred Resources at 0.06% U3O8 versus the previously stated 9.4Mt grading 0.12% U3O8. The resource estimates for both the 300ppm and 600ppm U3O8 cut-offs are provided herein because at this stage the economic cut -off that will be applied from the mine modelling work is unknown but is expected to be between these two cut -off limits. These results do show, however, that a 10 year mine life producing approximately 1,000t U3O8 per year is likely as a minimum and that the possibility exists to extend this mine life and/or annual production depending on the final economics that are determined from the BFS. The increase in tonnage and decrease in grade from the previously stated resources is due to the fact that the high grade core of the deposit was well defined by previous drilling and the new drilling focussed mostly on defining the peripheral zones of the deposit. Consequently, this work added mainly lower grade material to the resource estimations. In total, however, the new estimate has increased the contained uranium metal in the deposit by 4,820t U3O8 or 45%, by Paladin directors which is regarded highly significant.
Analysis: I do not have the space to go into Paladin and the Kayelekera project in Malawi, but this certainly sounds like good news.
January 27, 2006: Paladin Resources Ltd (Paladin Close $2.85Cdn)
Paladin has secured a second sales contract for a portion of its yellowcake (U3O8) production from the Langer Heinrich Uranium Mining Operation, scheduled for commissioning in September 2006. This latest sales arrangement with a US utility is subject to finalisation of all necessary legal documentation. The sales contract is for the purchase of 2,080,000lbs U3O8 for delivery between 2007 and 2012. Pricing will be market related to be determined at time of each delivery with escalating floor and ceiling price components.
Analysis: Unless my math is horribly off, 2007 to 2012 encompasses six years of production. The sum of two sales contracts announced January 19th and 29th is a year-and-a-half's worth of production (remember, Paladin projects 2.6 million lbs/year). So they have managed to sell a quarter of their six year inventory before even mining a single pound of it. I'll leave everyone to draw their own conclusions about this..
Paladin's website has presentaions (Nov 2005) on both Langer Heinrich and Kayelekera. I have linked their .pdf files respectively.
Conclusion: To this day, Paladin has kept everything on track, met its deadlines, and have given me no sense that they do not have full control of the situation. I like their straightforward, easy-to-understand presentations, and am fairly confident of the people they have in place. I will not say whether or not to buy it at this moment in time as I am not a chart analyst, but if you are like me and am investing for the long run, Paladin would be a worthy inclusion into the uranium portfolio.
Disclaimer: I own shares in Paladin, buying them at an entry price of $2.30.
As always, please do your own due diligence. Scrounge for info and know more about the company you want to place your hard-earned money into!!
comments and suggestions are very welcome as always!


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France discovered 150 to 200 "secret financers" of the Islamic State, mainly from Lebanon and Turkey, announced on Tuesday, Tracfin, a financing anti-money laundering, and anti-terrorism company.
"We have worked on detecting between 150 and 200 of these collectors, mainly established in Lebanon and Turkey", stated the Tracfin director Bruno Dalles in the press release for "Risks of Capital Flushing and terrorism financing" in 2016.
"These ISIS sponsors donate funds in order to allow these terrorists to continue their missions", pointed out the expert.
As the jihadists lose ground in Iraq and Syria, they are also deprived of their most important "sources of income", such as "captures of war" and "extortion".


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How He loves us so
He loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
Having been listening to the David Crowder Band a lot recently, well mainly listening to "How He loves us". It comes in light of hearing about the recent Hurricane Sandy hitting the east coast of the States and learning about the devastating effects it has caused on many homes.


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RESEARCH PAPER – What next for EU Asylum Policy?
Dr. James Downes (Director, British and European Politics, Parliament Street) and Ms. Vanisa Wai (Research Assistant, University of Hong Kong) provide us with a research paper on the recent refugee crisis in Europe and the implications to EU Asylum Policy, resulting from how it was handled. EU-ASYLUM-POLICY-PAPER


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Currently Being Updated…
I'm about to turn 31 and just unleashed Scrambled Gregs.
When I JUST turned 30 I launched Carpe Noctis, a late-night theatre/ vaudeville/ burlesque festival.
When I was 29 I started a PR Firm, Black Apple International.
When I was 28 I produced a movie starring Nelson Mandela, Sidney Poitier & Dennis Haysbert.
When I was 27 I moved to LA.
When I was 26 I started a rolling paper company, Tweed, & traveled all over the country selling to local head shops out of the trunk of my car (and i don't smoke.)
When I was 25 I promoted 50 concerts all over the country.
When I was 24 I started Black Apple, at the time it was a music agency.
When I was 23 I produced 143 one-act plays in NYC.
When I was 22 I was repped by William Morris and acted in the theatre.
When I was 21 I made pizzas at Kitchen Kabaret in Long Island.
When I was 20 I moved back to Queens from Boulder, Colorado.
When I was 19 I worked at a tea house in Boulder.
When I was 18 I studied Northern Mantis Kung Fu.
When I was 17 I took a 53-hour bus ride from Miami to Denver & got my GED.
When I was 16 I hitchhiked all over the country & performed on the street for money.
When I was 15 I ran away from a bootcamp in northern Georgia after 23 months.
When I was 14 I was kicked out of high school in NY & relocated to Opelousas Louisiana.
When I was 13 I became the most popular kid in school.
When I was 12 I was the biggest loser in Long Island.
When I was 11 I hung out in the projects & stole candy from 7-11
When I was 10 I loved skateboarding.
When I was 9 I became addicted to club soda.
When I was 8 my family moved from a condo to a house.
When I was 7 I told my first grade teacher I spoke Spanish. But i didn't. I was speaking gibberish.
When I was 6 I got the chicken pox.
When I was 5 I made friends with my neighbor, a Persian kid, and pretended to speak Farsi with him.
When I was 4 I wrote my first book.
When I was 3 I passed my series 7.
When I was 2 I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail.
When I was 1 I was a world famous hand model.
That's how I got to where I am now.


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We know, it's not easy to know where to begin, and that's why we're here. Regardless of how your operations look, we can – together with you of course – find a solution.
Get your HR work underway
Is it time to employ your first HR person or are you starting your own HR department? Great – you've come to the entirely right place!
How HR Startup works
- We carry out a requirements analysis of your organisation, your company culture and your current position.
- One of our consultants structures how the work will look, for example with your CEO.
- We make a long-term proposal. Sometimes, this can involve recruiting an HR manager and sometimes hiring an HR consultant on a part-time basis.
- As we are experts in all HR roles, for example HR Business Partner, HR generalist and HR manager, we also help you of course with the recruitment process itself.
- What is involved in working with us as a consultant? Well, first off, you'll be part of our outstanding HR network in which you naturally have a continuous dialogue with us. Secondly, you'll get great insights into a raft of different sectors and businesses, while you enjoy an open and varied job. And thirdly, you gain access to Draftit's HR services and invitations to seminars and mingles with us, our clients and other consultants.
Meet two of our clients
…they know how we work best
Pia Geivald, AniCura
We have worked with ID Entity on several projects. They have helped us with everything from hiring interim operations managers to managerial recruitment in HR and other areas. They have also provided second opinion, career and outplacement support; and have delivered presentations on our behalf. And the results are always excellent.
Ingrid Roslund Winje, Skandia
We have benefitted from considerable support from ID Entity over the years, primarily with staff recruitment for a variety of HR roles and for consultants. Several years ago, we needed to recruit two new HR Business Partners to two fairly different parts of the business. Thanks to ID Entity's thorough preparation and extensive contact network, we found the ideal candidates.
Book a meeting or call!
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Hippopotamus Baby
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Typically, a mother hippopotamus only gives birth to a single calf, although in rare cases twins do occur. Like most mammal species, infant hippopotamuses rely on their mothers for nearly everything, including protection and food. Young hippos will even ride on their mother's back in areas where the water is too deep, in what might be one of the most adorable displays of loving motherhood in the animal kingdom. This little hippo calf would make a great pairing with one of our adult hippopotamus figurines!


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After breaking the internet with her performance in Kanye West's "Fade" video, Teyana Taylor returns with another gripping visual for Ye's track "Champions". Following the premiere of "Fade" many people weren't familiar with the songstress's previous work including a studio album, VII, released in 2014. In this two-minute clip, Taylor gives us a close look at her gravity-defying body and expertly yields some gilded guns.
The stop-motion visual features Taylor covered in gold speckles boasting: Dipped in gold the trophies home this bitch a champion. The track, "Champions", previously a super collaborative effort from West including seven other rap features was stripped down to the chorus and Taylor's sultry vocals.
Teyana Taylor is certainly not afraid to take risks and paired with director Sasha Samsonova she created an unforgettable spectacle. I think our eyes will remain glued to the first lady of G.O.O.D. music after this.
Watch the video below.


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After the challenge, I didn't crave sugar and felt a lot of freedom around food…at first.
But over time, with temptations and a busy life, I started eating sugar again. EVERYDAY.
Once I let sugar back into my diet, the cravings returned.
I decide to start a food journal and pay attention to my food dialog.
The Food Devil's Influence Over Food Choices
As mentioned in the challenge, we all have a food angel and food devil that tries and often does influence our food choices. The more we listen to this internal dialog the better we are at mastering it.
When I don't listen I'm on autopilot. Then the food devil is quick to help me make bad decisions.
Food Devil: Delicious, cool, creamy ice cream. You can buy it at the store.
Me: Okay!
Breaking Free From a Bad Influence
And then a breakthrough came. I paused as I thought about recording ice cream in my journal and asked, "what could I do instead?"
Food Devil: But it's hot and you're hungry!
Food Angel: Do you want to feel happy or disappointed with your choice?
Me: Happy.
Food Angel: What if you make a quick green smoothie to fill yourself up before going shopping. Also, a large water bottle of iced tea. You love ice tea on a hot day.
- I hear the food angel best when I ask for and want to hear the advice.
- I need a plan of action that will create new habits for those times of temptation. A new healthy auto-response to replace my unhealthy habits.
New Beginnings
As was evident after the challenge, I still need to take it one day at a time to stay sugar-free. If I go long enough without sugar, it is easier. Plus, the quest gave me new tools to conquer my sugar addiction.
I have since changed the names of my internal dialog buddies to better represent their true characteristics. Eric Edmeades sometimes calls the food devil the "stubborn teen" and the food angel your "wise sage".
When I really thought about what the food devil was up to, I realized mine already had a name and for some reason, he is male (sorry men!). His name is "Junk Food Junkie".
The food angel is female. I call her "Healthy Hippie".
These two are not only concerned with food choices but other aspects that affect my health too.
Junk Food Junkie
Junk Food Junkie is impulsive, risky and lives in the moment. He comes up with quick responses to knock down any protest against his desires.
Future consequences are not his concern. He wants impulsive indulgences. And he doesn't want me to think about it.
Junk Food Junkie likes to stay up late, sleep in, watch too many Youtube videos, and choose easy.
Healthy Hippie
She loves all things healing and health.
Going to bed before 10 pm, green drinks or salads, encouraging others, these are her preferences. Tasty nutrient-dense meals that keep me full and feeling balanced are her food specialty.
Making the right choice is sometimes hard.
She reminds me that the right choices made many times in a row, eventually become the easy one.
If I end up making bad choices and don't ask for her advice, that's okay too. She encourages me to start again. Every minute is a chance to start over.
Let's Wrap it Up
My definition of fun can be full of false beliefs. The most fun and life-giving choices, in the long run, are healthy ones. The food devil would have me believe otherwise.
It is by listening to the food devil and embracing its desires, that my food angel and I can come up with different ways to 'have fun'.
- I can satisfy those wants and have a good time without ruining my health.
May the food angel and food devil be with you!
Weight loss is a side effect of healthy living which makes healthy ways – shapely ways.
Thank you for being here and chatting with me about all things health. Health journeys are made more fun when shared, so be sure to leave a comment below. ❤


text: Attitude is not about being aggressive or obnoxious. It is about being competent, taking a stand when you have the information and the facts, and not backing down. It sounds relatively simple, but it is difficult for HR practitioners when you have people all day long pressing you to move their agenda instead of doing what is best for your business and your people.


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The medical costs are on the rise. Patients are feeling the effects of the costs. The annual rate of increase in medical costs is approximately 3.4% per year. One area where patients are feeling the costs the most is with the prescription drug costs. Within the past 2 years cost of prescription drugs has risen by 25%. Weekly stories are broadcast on the news, social media, and featured in articles of patients having to decide between their medications and meals.
Patients can no longer afford to be sick. Being sick is expensive. Being sick also means a poor quality of life and a reduced life span.
Metabolic Syndrome is one of the biggest contributors to the rise in medical costs.
When Metabolic Syndrome is present patients are diagnosed with overweight/obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, acid reflux, sleep apnea, and depression. Blood pressure medications, cholesterol medications, acid blocking medications, and anti-depressants comprise the best-selling prescription drugs on the market.
The Metabolism Clinic focuses on the abnormal aspects of the metabolism that are causing the blood pressure to be elevated, causing the blood sugar levels to be high, causing the cholesterol profile to become abnormal, and so on. Patients find when their metabolism is corrected their chronic illnesses often go away. The weight loss program known as the Metabolism Correction Program not only offers the most superior method of weight loss available in the world it also offers patients the possibility of coming off chronic medications. Patients often say they do not want to be sick anymore. We have listened and have developed a program that patients desire. This program is the reason why The Metabolism Clinic became the #1 clinic for weight loss in Charlotte, North Carolina within 1 year of opening its doors.
The Metabolism Clinic is established as the destination for weight loss and reversal of diabetes. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina. www.themetabolismclinic.com


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Date of Award
Degree Type
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Major Professor
Kathleen Row
Committee Members
Lowell Gaertner, Eric Sundstrom, Sandra Thomas
Humility is widely accepted as a character strength or virtue, yet very little research has been done as to its development or benefits, partly due to the lack of a reliable and valid explicit measure or scale. Since to date no such scale has been published, the current study investigates the importance and nature of humility and develops a measure to be analyzed as to its reliability and validity. Potential scale items were derived from participants' recollection of humbling experiences and Tangney's (2000) definition of humility. Principal Components Analysis revealed four humility subscales: openness, self-forgetfulness, accurate self-assessment, and focus on others. Results suggest that the derived 13-item scale has good concurrent and divergent validity, and that three of the four principal components have acceptable reliability. Researchers can use information from the Humility scale to better understand how it relates to other concepts of positive psychology and how increasing humility might be advantageous to interpersonal relationships.
Recommended Citation
Elliott, Jeffrey Charles, "Humility: Development and analysis of a scale. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 2010.


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I took the flavouring idea of the thyme from a Jamie Oliver recipe, but I cooked the fish at a lower temperature and for twice the amount of time than he suggested. The fish was cooked perfectly, the skin and bones were easy to remove, leaving lovely big chunks of fish to pop into your mouth.
I did use Lemon Thyme as Jamie's recipe suggested. I thought it was an incredibly subtle flavour, but Steve said he thought I'd put lemon on the fish when I hadn't! He must have much more perceptive taste buds than me!
When I was younger I used to go fishing at a trout farm with my Dad, so I have fond memories of eating trout. This was the first time Steve had tried trout and he liked it, even though it had bones! But trout is one of those fish that is quite meaty and the bones are easy to remove once it's cooked.
- Serves: 2
- Oven temperature: Gas mark 7/425°F/220°C
- You will need: a roasting tray
- 2 whole trout, scaled and gutted (brought to room temperature)
- 1 good handful of fresh thyme
- Maldon salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Couple of Tablespoons of olive oil
- Preheat the oven to Gas mark 7/425°F/220°C.
- Wash the trout inside and out and pat dry with kitchen paper.
- Strip the leaves from half the thyme and using a pestle and mortar (or a Jamie Flavour Shaker!), smash up the thyme leaves with a generous pinch of Maldon salt, a good grinding of black pepper and the olive oil (or very finely chop). Rub this mixture into the trout; smear the flavour into the belly cavity and onto the skin. Place the other sprigs of thyme into the cavity.
- Place the trout onto a roasting tray and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. To check that the trout is cooked properly, go to the thickest part of the trout fillet and try to pull the meat away from the bone. If it pulls away easily then it is cooked. Also look at the eye; if it is white and opaque then this is a good sign the fish is cooked.


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Fixed‑rate Bonds provide high fixed income right from the first year. In addition, the range of terms available allows you to diversify the maturities of your investments.
- Interest income guaranteed for the term of the investment.
- Maturities ranging from one to ten years.
- Interest rate set in accordance with the term selected; generally, the longer the term, the higher the interest rate.
- Regular or compound interest.
- Regular interest paid annually (minimum purchase of $100) or monthly (minimum purchase of $10 000).
If you hold your Fixed‑rate Bonds in an Épargne Placements Québec RRIF or LIF, for terms of 1 to 5 years, a total or partial redemption can be requested, without penalty, for purposes of a retirement income payment, in accordance with laws applicable under the Québec RRIF or LIF.
More details
|When offered:
|Issue date:
|Issued daily.
|One to ten years, at the purchaser's choice.
|Type of interest:
|Simple or compound.
|Payment of interest:
|Simple interest bonds: annually (or monthly for an amount of $10 000 or more, at the participant's option).
Compound interest bonds: annual capitalization on the purchase anniversary date.
|Interest rate:
|Fixed rate, depending on maturity, shown at the annual nominal rate.
|Amount purchase:
|Any amount greater than or equal to $100 (or $10 000 for monthly payment of interest).
|Limit on amount held:
|Maximum amount held of $1 000 000 for general or limited partnerships and private right or public right legal persons acting on their own behalf, except in the case of a transfer resulting from a succession.
|Authorized purchasers:
|Persons or groups of persons or of properties, domiciled in Québec and subject to the rules of Québec law (individuals, partnerships or limited partnerships, legal persons, successions of persons, foundations and personal or public trusts).
|Total at maturity.
|Eligible accounts:
|Investment Savings Account, tax‑free savings account (TFSA), registered retirement savings plan (RRSP), registered retirement income fund (RRIF), locked‑in retirement account (LIRA) and life income fund (LIF).Can also be entered in the account of a trustee or of an agent of a trustee for the benefit of a participant in a self‑directed plan or fund
|Assignment and transfer:
|May be assigned and transferred to an authorized purchaser prior to maturity if the bonds are held in an Investment Savings Account (minimum amount of $100).May be neither assigned nor transferred where the bonds are held in a Québec retirement savings plan or fund, other than in the cases stipulated in the legislation.
|Allowed in favour of financial institutions if the bonds are held in an Investment Savings Account (minimum amount of $1 000).
|Treatment at
|In the absence of instructions from the client, the capital and interest (including any bonus) are automatically reinvested in Flexi‑Plus Savings units.


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When your Emblaser 2 is powered on it will automatically perform a homing sequence, with the laser head coming to rest in the rear left corner of the workspace.
The homing sequence can also be started manually from the laser panel within LightBurn.
The most common reason for homing issues is interference with the Laser Carriage switches (Switch locations highlighted in the image below).
- Each switch has a hinged metal arm. If an arm is damaged or missing please contact us at the email address at the bottom of this page.
- Check that all cardboard and green plastic packaging has been removed.
- Check for other obstructions to the Laser Carriage's travel, when possible keep the interior of the Emblaser 2 clear of debris and tools etc.
- Check the connections to the Stepper Motors (highlighted below). Unplug each one and firmly reconnect them.
If you are still experiencing difficulties with the homing process please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Hobokenpix: Saint Joseph's Church
[Continuing the ORIGINAL Hoboken411 "Photo of the Day" series…]
Hoboken Photo of the Day – 11/30/2009
A gorgeous photo of St. Joseph's Church at 61 Monroe Street I took the other day while visiting Cal's Christmas Trees around the corner.
PS – if you have images collecting dust on your camera or hard drive – send them in for eventual inclusion on Hoboken411! Please state how you'd like to be credited in your email, and a description – if desired!!


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(Photo: Stock photo) ASHEVILLE — For the third time in three months, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office seized several dogs — one of which had allegedly been branded multiple times — from their owners, whom officers say haven't provided proper shelter and sustenance for the animals, according to warrants.
Sheriff's deputies seized three of the dogs from their home off of Tipton Hill Road in Leicester Thursday morning. They seized another dog, "an emaciated hound bearing a brand," several days earlier after receiving multiple complaints that the animal was tethered outside without food or water, according to a search warrant.
The dogs' owners Dylan Lee Hightower, 19, and Cierra Star Newcomb, 20, now face criminal charges. Police have charged each with one misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals and multiple misdemeanor counts of animal neglect. The dogs are currently in the care of the Buncombe County Animal Shelter, according to a […]
Click here to view original web page at Police seize several dogs, including 'severely emaciated' hound from Leicester home


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On June 11, 2015, the cast of Orange is the new Black gathered for Netflix's first ever OrangeCon. During the Q&A panel, they were asked what contraband they would bring in if they were imprisoned. The women answered as follows (Click each picture to view their answers):
Watch the cast give their answers below.


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By Michael Harriot
Lately Hillary Clinton has been all over my social media timelines doing whatever the white woman equivalent is of "shucking and jiving." Don't get me wrong, I expect all of the candidates to court the Black vote with unrealistic promises of everything from affirmative action to slave reparations paid entirely in Kool-Aid packets, but Hillary has taken it to another level.
While visiting Birmingham last week she defiled my usual Saturday brunch spot —Yo Mama's — by ordering the chicken and waffles. She probably didn't even use hot sauce. No one named Hillary uses hot sauce. Not Hillary Clinton. Not Hillary Banks from "The Fresh Prince…" Not even Sir Edmund Hillary. I'm sure when he reached the summit of Mount Everest, he had not one tobasco-related product to speak of, and that's a shame.
Anyway, last week Hillary popped up on the set of Scandal to tweet out a quick photo with Kerry Washington to show Black women she's down. Either she was pandering for votes or she needed some advice from Olivia Pope about the whole email thing. Then she started showing up at beauty salons and Black churches all over South Carolina just before the primaries. It wasn't just that she was asking for votes. It was as if she thought that she could boondoggle black folks into voting for her because she watched Scandal and got a press-n-curl every other week. I wasn't falling for it.
I'm not saying Hillary can't trick me into voting for her. I simply have a list of alternative pandering schemes Hillary could complete if she wants my Black vote, like:
Do the Wobble If Hillary Clinton learned The Wobble, I'd vote for her. I wouldn't even require her to be good at it, like the people who shuffle-spin-dip-kick on the right turn part. If the Pants Suit Princess took three shots of Hennessy and lasted through the bridge of The Wobble, I would go to her campaign headquarters and volunteer, and you know I'on even f*** with Hillary like that. It has gotta be The Wobble though, because I feel like every white person in America knows the Electric Slide. They teach it in the first semester of the cultural appropriations classes that anyone cashing in on their white privilege is required to take. The "Electric Slide" and lyrics to the remix of "One More Chance" are on the final exam
Build a time machine I don't insist that she do it, but I think Hillary has the resources and the contacts to build a time machine. If she really wants my vote, all she has to do is break the space/time continuum, go back a couple of decades, and rescind the statement where she vilified Black children as "Super predators…" who must be brought "to heel." Surrogates have since apologized for the statement (contrary to popular belief, she has not apologized, only said that she shouldn't have used those words), and have tried to explain it away by saying she was not referring to Black children. I'm not buying it. You be the judge:
She could buy my vote by overcoming the laws of physics, going back to that crime bill, and listening to the chorus of crime experts, sociologists and researchers (of whom there were many, despite the narrative that says "everyone was for it…") who tried to explain that flooding Black neighborhoods with police would not reduce drugs or crime, it would simply result in more Black people in jail and more police brutality. Most experts (including Bill and Hillary) knew that the crack epidemic and high crime was more complex than simply arresting more people, but the Clinton Administration chose to ignore it because nuance doesn't get votes. Throwing Black people under the bus always does.
Ask Donald Trump.
Also, if Hillary is successful in building a time machine, please go back and tell the 17-year old version of myself that Hammer pants are not cool. Please?
Give back the money from Wall Street speeches. Hillary admits to making hundreds of thousands of dollars for speeches to Wall Street companies. When asked about it, during a debate with Bernie Sanders, she insisted that she has never changed a vote because of money.
Oh, that's why you thought we were mad, Hillary?
Since the housing market crashed, investigations and research shows that almost every large Wall Street institution profiteered off Black people. They charged Black people higher interest rates and higher fees even though they had the same qualifications as the banks' white customers. Not to mention the subprime mortgages, shady derivatives and repackaged products that disproportionately affected the pockets of people of color. Wall Street made billions of dollars and what did they do with the profit? They gave themselves bonuses, paid lobbyists, and –
stuffed some of it into Hillary Clinton's bank account.
Give it back.
Promise to nominate Judge Greg Mathis to the Supreme Court The American people would pay attention to the SCOTUS if — every now and then — one of the justices sporadically asked the claimants if they smoke crack. We need common-sense logic applied to the highest court, and Judge Mathis is the perfect person to do it. America's appellate system needs a dose of "real niggadom" injected into it. I can imagine Fox News interrupting a TV show to bring the results of an important affirmative action case, and reading a summary opinion that just says:
"I don't believe you. Get your tail outta my court, trying to play me for Boo Boo la Fool. I ought to lock your behind up… Let me ask you something. Do you smoke crack?"
Even if he can't be confirmed, I'd vote for Hillary if she nominated him.
Stop profiting from mass incarceration It's easy for Hillary Clinton to distance herself from laws that issued unequal sentences for crack cocaine, mandatory minimums and three strikes — all resulting in the mass incarceration of Black men. What is more difficult to explain is why she insists on still benefitting from mass incarceration if she is sincere about ending it. she stated she was going to donate contributions to charity she had received from the prison industry… but not really:
Despite the refunds, Clinton campaign continues to benefit handsomely from the fundraising assistance of some closely connected to the private prison business. In another report filed Sunday night, the campaign disclosed that Richard Sullivan of Capitol Counsel—until recently, a Raleigh, N.C.-based federally registered lobbyist for the for-profit prison operator GEO Group—bundled $69,363 in donations for Clinton in the fourth quarter, bringing his total for the year to a whopping $274,891.
That makes Sullivan the second-most prolific lobbyist-bundler for the Clinton campaign, beaten out only by D.C. lobbyist Heather Podesta, who's tallied up $348,581 so far.
- Politico Magazine
If Hillary becomes president, it will be partly because Black men are in jail, so it is almost impossible to believe that she will be willing to cut off the hand that fed her rise to becoming the most powerful woman in the free world. And by "almost" I mean "literally."
Shout Hey, Hillary stop going to Black churches and playing on the innate ties to religion. I get the heebie-jeebies when I hear Hotep niggas whispering about how Christianity is just a tool that Europeans gave Black people to control them. I don't totally buy the theory, but when I see Hillary surrounding herself with pastors and religious leaders glad-handing her way through churches, my third eye gives the side-eye. If she wants going to exploit the religious glitch in the Black mistrust matrix, she should have to catch the Holy Ghost just one time. And no flailing about like they do in the unmelanated houses of worship, she's gotta shout on beat. To "shouting music." Until the ushers make that protective holy ghost shouting circle around her with their arms. Then, and only then, will I vote for Hillary.
No I won't. I'm lying.
She should be used to that.


text:
England number one Joe Hart has fallen out of favour at West Ham recently and was dropped for the 1-0 win over Chelsea.
"Joe has been number one throughout his career," said the new Hammers boss David Moyes.
"Adrian went in goal and played well. Joe will give Adrian all the respect from that position.
"He's good in the dressing room for us. He will play a lot of games between and the end of the season."


text: Posted November 6, 2018 (edited) · Report post This thread is for the devs. There are a lot of assembly patches going into 1.10.0 2.0, let's collect them all in one place. @BTB@Synchysi TASKS: @seibaby Pincer/Back/Side probabilities - DONEVindictive targeting fix - DONE Encounter Rate - DONEReflect Timer - DONEMelee Counter - DONEMP low counter - DONERunic ignores Clear - DONEN. Cross rebalance - DONEMind blast mod - DONETank & Spank 1.0 - DONEATB colors - DONEQuake/Vanish Fix - DONEModified Pincer/Side/Back attack probabilities - DONELack of back attack damage stack hack - DONEExploder Multplier (for Gau) - DONERetreat Is Faster - ABANDONEDNew status screen - WIP @darknil??? Update - (to be PM'ed directly to Synchysi)Status Display Update (Cycling Auras) - DONEStatus Display Update (Regen/Rerise) - DONEDoomstick Bugfix - DONERelics Block Stop - DONEShop Preview - DONESpell Dot Display - DONE @GrayShadows Weapon Swap in Combat - WIP/TENTATIVEMax HP/ATB toggle - DONEInventory Index Fix - DONE @Think0028 Defend/Row 1/2 Turn - WIP/TENTATIVEEsperXP Display Bugfix - PENDING BETA FEEDBACKElemental Mixing - DONE @madsiurSrBehemoth OpCode Update - DONEAero Speed Hack - DONE @Gi NattakBooty Fix - DONELeet SketcherImp Skimp - HERE Assassin Genji Glove BatPwr Display Fix - ???Rage list re-order - HEREOptimize Fix - HERE Poco LocoWoR BGM Fix - HERE BydolessTritoch Animation Fix - HERE DeschainPhunbaba Event Tile Fix - HERE (disclaimer) Just clarifying: this isn't a discussion thread so any non dev post stuff will be purged. - Mish Edited February 9, 2019 by BTB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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Steve Wykoff – VIPS 501
Steve volunteers as the Coordinator for the VIPS program with the Buckhannon City Police department and is one of three founding members still active with the organization. Steve holds numerous certifications in health and safety field, and in the emergency management field. He is also an instructor for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training and the only CERT instructor trainer in Upshur County. In addition to teaching various CERT classes, he also teaches American Heart Association First Aid / CPR / AED courses, and Stop The Bleed (STB) courses. Steve has been actively involved in the community and volunteered with various other emergency services such as the Upshur County Emergency Squad (EMT, 1992-2004), American Red Cross (1995-2006), and Office of Emergency Management (2008-current), American Heart Association (2019 – current), as well as youth organizations such as Upshur County Little League (2008-2011) and Upshur County Flag Football (2008). In October 2018, Steve was honored as a Jefferson Award recipient for his community service with the VIPS program. Founded in 1972, The Jefferson Awards Foundation is a non-profit organization that "recognizes, inspires and activates volunteerism and public service in communities, workplaces and schools across America."
Jewel Fisher – VIPS 502
Jewel is a lifelong resident of Upshur County. She currently holds the position of Assistant Coordinator within VIPS, and is one of three founding members still active with the organization. Jewel is very community service minded, and joined VIPS to give back to the community she loves. In addition to volunteering with VIPS, Jewel is a member of Good Hope Tabernacle Church, Buckhannon Professional Women's Club, and serves as secretary for Buckhannon Chapter #18 Order of the Eastern Star. Jewel has a strong history in emergency services, previously working as a 911 telecommunicator, and as an emergency medical technician (EMT) with the Upshur County Emergency Squad. She also worked for the Record Delta until recently. Jewel comes from a large family, having six siblings and many nieces and nephews. When not working as the site manager for River Place Apartments or volunteering with VIPS, Jewel enjoys crocheting, reading, and cooking for family and friends.
David Rowan – VIPS 503
David is a lifelong resident of Upshur County and one of three founding members still active with VIPS. He joined VIPS to gain further insight into the inner workings of police department after becoming interested in law enforcement by watching crime drama television shows. David is the VIPS task coordinator, and currently the only VIPS member to receive the Meritorious Service award from Chief of Police Matt Gregory. David was instrumental in identifying a wanted felon who fled to Buckhannon from out of state, which led to the felon's arrest and subsequent extradition. In his spare time, David continues to help the community by volunteering at the Parish House daily as he has for the past 15 years. You will also see David walking around town with his dog, Foxie.
Anita Coleman – VIPS 504
Anita moved to Buckhannon in June of 2017 from north central Ohio. She loves giving back to the community and volunteered as a staff member for the Chesty Puller Young Marines program while in Ohio. Upon moving to Buckhannon with her husband of 28 years and 17-year-old son, she continued to pursue volunteer work in our area. Anita has been involved in VIPS for the past two years and currently serves as one of VIPS Assistant Coordinators, President of American Legion Auxiliary Unit #7, and is a member of American Legion West Virginia Rhododendron Girls State. When she is not volunteering, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, fishing, and camping.
Scott Coleman – VIPS 505
Scott moved to Buckhannon in June of 2017 from north central Ohio. He likes giving back to the community and also volunteered as a staff member with the Chesty Puller Young Marines program. Upon moving to Buckhannon with his wife of 28 years and 17-year-old son, he continued to pursue volunteer work in our area. Scott has now been with VIPS for two years. When he is not volunteering or working as a security guard, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, fishing, and camping.
Linda Coleman – VIPS 506
Linda moved to Buckhannon from the Cleveland Ohio area after living there for 52 years. She worked as a professional hairdresser for over 30 years while in OH, but after moving to Upshur County Linda decided it was time for a career change. She went back to school and completed two degrees; one in medical technology, and one in medical coding systems. Linda has a large family consisting of one son, two step sons, one girlfriend in-law, two step daughter in-laws, five grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. In her spare time, Linda enjoys cooking and crocheting.
Joe Dillon – VIPS 507
Joe is one of our newer members, having joined VIPS just last year. He has worked in the private security field for over 8 years, during which time he also worked as a correctional officer. Joe holds numerous certifications through his employment and through VIPS, including crisis control, ALICE, and CERT. Joe sees Upshur county as his home, and joined VIPS hoping that by everyone working together, we can make our community safer.
Paul Coleman – VIPS 508
Paul lived in the Cleveland / Akron Ohio area before retiring from over the road trucking and moving to Buckhannon eleven years ago. He is an Army veteran, having served our country for five years as an engineer. Paul has two sons, one step son, 2 daughters-in-law, one step girlfriend in-law, five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren. When not volunteering with VIPS, Paul stays busy with his woodworking, making items such as trash cans, tater and onion bins, toy boxes, toilet tissue holders, and quilt racks. Paul believes Buckhannon is one of West Virginia's best kept secrets.
Evelyn Syski – VIPS 509
Evelyn lived in Baltimore, MD for 68 years prior to settling in Buckhannon. Currently she volunteers with the VIPS. This program piqued her interest as her brother is a retired police officer from Baltimore City and she has a high respect for the work of the police department. She is an active member of Create Buckhannon, attends City Council meetings, and is active in her church. She also volunteers at the Buckhannon Senior Center by calling "Bingorobics" (a combination of bingo and aerobics) for seniors. Prior to moving to Buckhannon, Evelyn had a 36-year career with the federal government. Volunteering has been an active part of her life by serving through the years as: a Board Member on the Elvaton Towne Condominium Association; Chairman of the Pack Committee for Cub Scouts; and as a lay therapist for the Prevention of Child Abuse for the State of Maryland. Evelyn also volunteered as a financial councilor for her church, served/volunteered with the Combined Federal Campaign, Muscular Dystrophy, and Cystic Fibrosis. She also taught English Second Language (ESL) in two facilities for two years. Prior to leaving Baltimore, Evelyn worked part time as an Activity Specialist at both Arbutus and Lansdowne Senior Centers as well as coordinating their lunch programs.
Vito Syski – VIPS 510
Vito is a second-generation immigrant to the United States and a naturalized American citizen. He is proud to have received a commendation for good citizenship from the governor of Maryland. Prior to moving to Buckhannon, he spent many years in the Indexing Section of the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD as a contractor until his contract ended in 2016, at which time he decided to retire and move to West Virginia with his wife. Vito holds a B.A. degree in music from the University of Maryland, College Park. His volunteer activities reflect his desire to give back to the community for the privileges he has enjoyed in a free country. Vito regularly attends Create Buckhannon and Buckhannon City Council meetings, is active in his local church, and a pianist with the Buckhannon Chamber Orchestra. In Maryland, he volunteered with the Maryland Food Bank and was a choral singer in a Bethesda, MD church choir for 28 years. One of his interests is crime prevention and investigation and watching crime shows on TV. The VIPS program assists the Police Department, freeing them to focus on law enforcement. With his respect for the police force, and the goals of VIPS, the program was an immediate match.
Andi Cartier – VIPS 511
Andi grew up in Illinois, but has fond memories of spending time in Buckhannon with her grandparents and other relatives. Andi completed her BA in Psychology at Quincy College in IL in 1982 and her MA and doctoral coursework in Psychology at the University of Nevada-Reno in 1987. She pursued volunteer and part-time employment opportunities as a 'Big Sister' and Girls' Home staff during her college years, as well as a Crisis Call Center & Sexual Assault Response Team volunteer, trainer, and speaker bureau member during graduate school. Andi then began a 27-year career working with a private contractor for the USDOL Job Corps program, starting in Counseling and Student Services at Job Corps Centers in NV, WV and MD; in 1994 Andi moved on to Corporate-level responsibilities for what became 15 Job Corps Centers operated by her employer for the USDOL. In 2014, left the Job Corps career to return to West Virginia to spend time with her mother. Andi soon found outlets for continuing to learn, grow and serve with Celebrate Recovery where she continues to serve as a member of its local leadership team here in Buckhannon. In 2018, Andi added AmeriCorps VISTA and the CCAR Recovery Coach Academy to her learning and growth experiences, while serving at Opportunity House Inc. In 2019, Andi moved on to the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) as a Peer Specialist and Group Facilitator and currently serves as the (volunteer) Director for the local chapter based here in Buckhannon.
Morgan Cox – VIPS 512
Morgan joined VIPS in 2018 while she was interning with the Buckhannon Police Department as a Criminal Justice and Psychology major at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Upon graduating with honors in 2018 and logging more than 2000 hours of volunteer service with the Buckhannon Police Department, she obtained a career in law enforcement. Morgan credits her success in law enforcement to the knowledge, training, and experience gained from her time at the BPD. She still volunteers with the VIPS program as she is able.


text: bitznpcz Report post Posted September 18, 2018 I have been using Ketarin for some time to dowload iOS files from https://www.iclarified.com/8500/where-to-download-ipad-firmware-files-from for a couple of years, but it's now failing with 'The contents of the URL can not be loaded. Could not create SSL/TLS secure channel' I have attached an example of what I am using. Any quick way to fix this please? Thanks ios.xml Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites