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We have one more IVF cycle paid for by insurance. That will probably start in a month or so. First, I have to let my body heal a little bit. (Read: Get all my drinking in this weekend and pretend it never happened.) My acupuncturist gave me some little tiny bullet-like pills to take to "get rid of stagnation," so I'm taking those. (I really hate the visual of my insides as a stagnant pool. Does crap – pardon me, NOT crap, that would be gross — just hang out inside of us, never exiting properly? I want to think of my uterus as the Thunderdome not ONLY because that means it's a terrifying place where only the fittest survive, but also a shiny, gleaming, well-kept death dome. Polished.)
What on earth was I saying.
Oh, right. Yeah. So, I'm going to spend the next few weeks getting once a week bloodwork to make sure my hormones return to the (fuck you) "NOT pregnant" levels (fuck you) and *then* I make everything go dormant again on the birth control pill for about 3 weeks. During this time, we'll meet again with the reproductive endocrinologist (aka The Fertility Doctor) who will tell us Very Gloomy Things ™. And then I will start the injections all over again, and sometime in late August or so, I will have another Totally Awesome Embryo Transfer into the Thunderdome, Except This Time Everything Will be Perfect and No, I Am NOT in Denial, Why Do You Ask?
I'm also going to gently beg the dear husband to consider an egg donor. The financials will not be fun. It will cost at least $29,000 if we do a "guaranteed" egg donor program. (That means, if we don't end up with a live "walk away" baby, we get our money back! It's like a used car except it talks and poops!)
Do I sound excited?
No, no, really. I am. I've always wanted a car that poops.


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How much does a HRIS Supervisor III make in Brockton, MA? The average HRIS Supervisor III salary in Brockton, MA is $108,339 as of July 27, 2020, but the range typically falls between $93,242 and $124,073. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
HRIS Supervisor III supervises the HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems) platform and maintenance of data. Reviews data input and output reporting for accuracy. Being a HRIS Supervisor III monitors and improves data collection and reporting procedures for efficiency. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Additionally, HRIS Supervisor III typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. The HRIS Supervisor III supervises a group of primarily para-professional level staffs. May also be a level above a supervisor within high volume administrative/ production environments. Makes day-to-day decisions within or for a group/small department. Has some authority for personnel actions. To be a HRIS Supervisor III typically requires 3-5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area and department processes. (Copyright 2020 Salary.com)... View full job description
See user submitted job responsibilities for HRIS Supervisor III.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
|City, State
|Compared to national average
|City, State San Francisco, CA
Compared to national average
+ 25.3%
|City, State Washington, DC
Compared to national average
+ 10.7%
|City, State Miami, FL
Compared to national average
|City, State Chicago, IL
Compared to national average
+ 6.0%
|City, State Boston, MA
Compared to national average
+ 12.9%
|City, State New York, NY
Compared to national average
+ 21.0%
|City, State Dallas, TX
Compared to national average
|Job Title
|Salary Compared to This Job
|Job Title HRIS Analyst I
|Experience 0 - 2
Salary Compared to This Job
- 41.5%
|Job Title HRIS Analyst II
|Experience 2 - 4
Salary Compared to This Job
- 28.2%
|Job Title HRIS Analyst III
|Experience 4 - 7
Salary Compared to This Job
- 11.3%
|Job Title HRIS Analyst IV
|Experience 7 +
Salary Compared to This Job
- 7.1%
|Job Title HRIS Manager
|Experience 5 +
Salary Compared to This Job
+ 18.0%
Take just three simple steps below to generate your own personalized salary report
Core compensation
Includes base and annual incentives
About Brockton, Massachusetts According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.6 square miles (56 km2), of which 21.5 square miles (56 km2) is land an....More
Brockton, Massachusetts area prices were up 1.6% from a year ago View the Cost of Living in Brockton, Massachusetts
HRIS Supervisor III Salary in popular cities: Boston, Worcester, Springfield
Skills associated with HRIS Supervisor III: HR Metrics & Analytics, Employee Data Management, Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS)
Salary estimation for HRIS Supervisor III at companies like : BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC., DYCOM INDUSTRIES INC, EMCOR Group, Inc.

subset: commoncrawl


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What You Need To Know:
Romantic worldview of high drama involving the owners of a red violin over the centuries with occult elements of tarot card used as plot driving device & moral elements including Jesuits caring for orphans, students playing sacred music & risking life for beauty; 3 obscenities & 1 profanity; mild violence including threat of suicide, implied war violence during Chinese revolution & image of corpse; strong sexuality including implied fornication, scene of graphic fornication & heavy kissing; full male & full female nudity (no genitalia); alcohol use; smoking; and, superstitious beliefs, deception & stealing.
More Detail:
Strange, detailed, visually spectacular, epic, poignant, beautiful, and sometimes repugnant only begins to describe a fascinating art house movie called THE RED VIOLIN. Directed by Canadian filmmaker Francois Girard, who also made 32 SHORT FILMS ABOUT GLEN GOULD, this movie about the creator, owners and users of a strange red violin uses 7 languages and covers a period over 300 years.
The movie begins in present-day Montreal with Samuel L. Jackson playing a violin restorer going to an auction. At this auction, various other antique instruments are going for millions of dollars. The auctioneer (Colm Feore) finally mentions the last item up for sale, the so called "Red Violin." (Throughout the movie, the auctioning off of this particular piece is revisited, each time with greater detail, in order to understand the lives and significance of those bidding on the instrument.)
At this point, the story goes back in time to 1681 in Italy, where master violinmaker Nicolo Bussoti (Carlo Cecchi) forms his greatest achievement. Bussotti tells his pregnant wife that he will give his best violin to their newborn son. Anna (Irene Grazioli) is joyous, but worries that she may be too old to bear a child in safety, due at the next full moon. Anna visits a fortuneteller using Tarot cards and inquires about her future, which, unbeknownst to Anna, will be tragic – both she and her son will die during labor.
Throughout the movie, Anna's card reading is re-visited, as a way to link the different time periods and different users of the violin. The audience begins to understand that the fortune isn't so much about Anna; it is about the violin.
After Anna's death, the violin travels to Vienna where generations of orphans play it at a monastery. Eventually, in 1792, it comes into the hands of 6-year-old child prodigy Kaspar Weiss (Christoph Koncz). The monks call in a French music master to launch Kaspar's career, but when Kaspar becomes emotionally dependant on the violin, he becomes physically ill at the very moment of his royal audition and dies.
The Red Violin is buried with Kaspar, but grave-robbers steal it, and it ends up in the hands of nomadic gypsies. In England in 1893, the Red Violin captures the attention of Frederick Pope (Jason Flemyng), a Byronic violinist who enthralls audiences with his flamboyant musical style. Pope even plays the violin during his sexual romps with novelist Victoria Byrd (Greta Scacchi). When Victoria tries to destroy the violin in a fit of jealousy, Pope's Chinese servant rescues it and transports it to his native Shanghai. For decades it sits in a Chinese pawnshop, until a mother buys it for her young daughter Xiang Pei (Sylvia Chang). Several years later in 1965, Xian Pei finds herself involved in the Chinese Cultural Revolution. She treasures the violin, but cannot keep it and so implores a local music teacher to take it into his hiding.
Finally, the Red Violin remains hidden until the present. It is rediscovered and sent to an auction house in Montreal. There, it waits for auction, ready to be purchased by a descendant or associate of previous owners, but a secret admirer has other plans for it, wishing to finally make it what it was meant to be – a gift from a father to a son.
Figuratively and cinematically, this movie is all over the map. It is an opulent costume drama, a political thriller and a sleek, modern mystery. Though the individual stories proceed chronologically, two separate framing devices, the Tarot readings and the ever-unfolding auction, connect them. The violin passes from a pregnant woman, to a young child, to a grown man, and to a mother. Furthermore, it begins with one master and ends with another, its savior. Emotionally, the violin represents different things to its different owners. Bussotti loses a child, so the violin becomes his progeny. Later, it becomes the mother Kaspar Weiss never had, Pope's mistress, and an enemy of the people in China.
Like SHINE and AMADEUS, THE RED VIOLIN is filled with music. Joshua Bell, one of America's most celebrated violinists, offers the entire violin solos throughout the ages. Always beautiful and frequently haunting, the music is passionate and likewise provides a thread for the whole story.
Morally, this movie is about obsession and acting on one's obsessions. The violin's creator is a driven, obstinate man who loves his wife and unborn child, but seems to love violins more. Kaspar's music teacher desires fame and fortune. Frederick Pope desires sensual satisfaction (therefore, the audience sees him fornicating several times, providing the movie's primary visual objectionable material). Only Xiang Pei practices courage to save the violin and doesn't use it as a tool to practice selfishness. Finally, in the end, one man's passion turns him to crime.
The meaning and theme of the movie remains somewhat aloof, but Girard says, "If you ask me what this film is really about, I would say it's actually about love and mortality. It's about surviving mortality through art, beauty and craft. I think that's what all artists try to do. That is the afterlife that art can give us."
Two comments of the movie's morality must be made. First, the movie gives credence and recognition to the power of Tarot cards. Used throughout the movie, this unfortunate practice mildly suggests that the violin has a mystical, magical power over its owners. This is an unnecessary plot device. Secondly, while the violin may have survived over hundreds of years, it is important for the viewer to know that "this too shall pass away." Beauty is forever, because God is forever. Ancient objects can remind us of the eternal beauty of Christ, but can never replace Him. Hence, the violin becomes a sort of idol to its users and ultimately to the bidders.
If this movie was made by an American production company, with the auction held in New York or LA instead of Canada, it would probably get more recognition and box office than what it will receive in America. That is unfortunate. So few movies truly provide art. THE RED VIOLIN does. Despite its morally troubling spots, it presents an epic viewing experience, showing a wide range of characters, time periods, locations, and more in celebration of one of the most beautiful instruments ever created.
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It is wonderful to take a shower in a nice room comfortable and elegant bathroom. Even better is to have a shower design and functional! Today, a wide range of showers and tiles is offered on the market.
Luxurious and modern, some designs impress with their beauty. The problem is that often an object is described as "design" is not accessible to the budget. Refresh Want your shower and bathroom without breaking the bank? What tile shower choose for your bathroom? Discover our selection of examples of modern shower cubicles and find inspiration for the redevelopment of your original piece of water.
blue paned shower tile
At the end of a long tiring day, relax in a comfortable bathroom is a real pleasure. During its development, the choice of tiles for the walls and the floor is of great importance to the overall aesthetics of the room. First, the material chosen must be strong and solid. You can opt for concrete tiles for an industrial look, marble tiles for a luxurious look or a ceramic tile in your favorite color. This is only part of the wide range of materials available to you.
Tile shower original green
Then you have to choose the shades and play with colors in the best way possible. The color combination is not a breeze. Rather, it is a critical moment that will determine the whole atmosphere in the room. You like red? Be careful to associate! The golden rule for successful association is not to combine more than three colors. Otherwise you risk creating a visually jarring inside and unwelcoming to relax.
Modern blue tile shower
Two examples of bathrooms with a successful combination of colors. Marry blue and white was always a very good idea in fashion and interior design. These two colors are soft and blends wonderfully. The example below shows the possibility of granting shades of the same color. The choice here is the gray that is usually very neutral and soothing.
Living gray and white bathroom with walk in shower
Hoping that you will find our inspiring and captivating gallery, we wish you a very good visit.
Gray Elegance Soft lighting and interior design
soft color inside Harmony in Gray and White
outdoor shower with brick wall


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Winter Semester
Please refer to the Table of Programs Offered and Program Requirement document listed below. For certain programs, specific prerequisites are required.
Table of Programs Offered and Program Requirements
Deadline: November 1st
Technical Programs (Three-years)
Only returning students to the 2nd, 4th, or 6th semester of a three-year Technical programs are considered for Winter admission . To qualify, applicants MUST submit proof of completion of all 1st, 3rd, or 5th semester courses.
3-Year Technical Programs are not offered for new admissions in the Winter Semester.
Current Dawson Students
Those students enrolled in SpringBoard to DCS, Pre-University or Independent Continuing Education programs who wish to apply to a Winter Day program must use the online application system.
Current Dawson student enrolled in a Day program or a Continuing Education DEC program who wish to change programs or change to the day division must complete a request using the on-line Program Transfer Request form available through My Dawson Portal.


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Kang Gaborone road map is an important to complete our driving and travel plan. Our Kang to Gaborone route map consist of hotels, tourist places, en route places, highway numbers and surrounding places. Kang to Gaborone route is marked in blue color, the starting point is marked with the lable A and destination points marked with lable B.
kang gaborone road map - kang ghanzi road map - kang gobabis road map - kang jwaneng road map - kang windhoek road map -


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Giguere, Dennis lead Panthers in season opener
BIDDEFORD, Maine – The Plymouth State University women's cross country team pulled out a seventh-place finish Saturday morning among 16 teams at the University of New England Invitational in the team's season debut.
The Panthers were led by freshmen Lora Giguere (Tolland, Conn.) and Haley Dennis (Coventry, R.I.), who placed 25th and 28th, respectively, among the 151 runners in the race. Giguere covered 5K course in 22 minutes, four seconds while Dennis finished in 22 minutes, 22 seconds.
Host UNE easily took the team title with a score of 18 points. Endicott College placed second with 81 points, with Gordon College (85), Worcester State (86) and Wheelock (150) rounding out the top five. The Panthers, who finished ninth in last year's race, were seventh this year with 185 points.
Sophomore Rileigh Goulette (St. Albans, Vt.) was the top Panther finisher among the returnees, placing 41st. A contingent of four PSU freshman came across the line in places 45-48, Ashley Bergeron (Berlin, N.H.), Courtney Allen (Lewiston, Maine), Sydney Wacht (Nauset, Mass.), and Jennifer Marcus (Eliot, Maine).
The Panthers compete again next Saturday at the UMass Dartmouth Invitational.
-- 30 --


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Titanic sails again
Inspired by their topic work on the Titanic and the Science unit of Materials, the Year 2 children set themselves a design and technology challenge: To build a boat that floats or as we call it to make Titanic float again.
The initial stages of design took place in the ICT suite where Mr Thakral introduced the children to a computer model of the Titanic. Using the desktop computers and Sketchup, children then selected materials and redesigned both the interior and exterior of the magnificent ship. Inspired by their computer generated models, the children went on to design and junk model their own boats, taking extra care that the materials they selected would allow the boat to float. Results from our testing found that not all the boats could float (they modelled it on the Titanic after all) however the children came up with many ideas on how to improve their models!


text: Black Royal Velvet – 15 Yards – VT509 $104.25Black Royal Velvet Fabric is a lovely soft velvet. The color is similar to Pantone 19-0508. A quantity of one gets you one doubled and rolled bolt. Each bolt is 15 yards long. The price is $6.95 per yard.15 yards long60 inches wide100% polyesterAdd to cart


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A little old lady thinks her house is a squash and a squeeze, but with the advice of a wise old man and the help of a few farmyard animals, she soon discovers that it's not as small as she thought. Perfect for classroom use, this extra-large edition includes activity ideas, and words and music for the Squash and a Squeeze Song.
Издательство: Macmillan
Формат: Paperback
размеры книги: 21.7 x 27см
Количество страниц: 30
Вес: 160г


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I hardly know where to start. Watch the ad below. Then answer the following questions:
1. Is calling the product "Roulette," as in Russian Roulette, in poor taste or monumentally poor taste?
2. Why are those furries so cute/frightening (schadencuten)? And why are big eyes scary? (They are!)
3. Is anybody really that terrified of a spicy chip?
4. I get why he turns into a chicken, but why are the others koalas and stuff?
5. How much do you want to try this product now?


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When I joined the radio industry nearly 20 years ago, I started out in sales. I quickly moved over to the broadcasting side and that's when I found my passion! When I'm not behind the mic, you'll find me listening to my son play guitar, bargain shopping with my daughter, or drinking wine with friends. My favorite food is pizza and my favorite ice-cream is Pistachio Almond. I love football - Who Dat and Geaux Cajuns! It's hard for me to pass up a fun party or a Girls Night Out! Raising my 3 children is by far my greatest achievement. The death of my eldest child has taught me the most valuable life lessons. Because my son was a hero by saving and enhancing lives through organ donation, I am an advocate for LOPA (Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency) and Donate Life.
Walmart Will Be Doing Temperature Checks on Employees
They will be making some changes to better serve the customers and promote a safe and healthy workplace for their employees in their U.S. based stores.
Nurses at the COVID-19 Screening Site Save Newborn Kittens
They were just hours to one day old and they likely fell out of someone's vehicle engine.
Coronavirus Patient Left Heartfelt Message to ICU Staff
"I want you to know that I think you are all rockstars."
Lafayette Family Makes a Backyard Daddy-Daughter Dance
The creativity is impressive while we are social distancing due to Covid-19.
Guy Who Lied About Having Covid-19 Was Arrested [VIDEO] NSFW
His video is making a lot of people angry.
Crowley Family Makes Masks for Local Healthcare and High Risk
They have an assembly line set up where they take turns cutting the fabric and sewing them.
Restaurants Can Deliver Prepackaged Beer and Wine With Food
The ATC will prioritize the processing of all applications received.


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About the place
Unesco town
Trogir is situated in the center of Dalmatia, on the eastern coastline of Adriatic sea. The heart of Trogir is small island laying between the gentle hills on the mainland and the coast of the Island of Ciovo and it has twelve thousand citizens. Trogir (Italian & Dalmatian: Traù, Latin: Tragurium, Greek Tragurion, etc) is a historic town and harbour on the Adriatic coast in Split-Dalmatia County. It lies 26 kilometres west of the city of Split. Since 1997, the historic centre of Trogir has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Trogir is the best-preserved Romanesque-Gothic complex not only in the Adriatic, but in all of Central Europe. Historical city core,with about 10 churches and numerous buildings from the 13th century. The city gate (17th cent.) and city walls (15th cent.) The Fortress Kamerlengo (15th century) The Duke's Palace (13th century) Cathedral of St. Lawrence(John) and etc.
Čiovo Island
Okrug Gornji
Čiovo island is located near UNESCO protected town of Trogir. Okrug Beach is the most popular beach on Trogir riviera. Located 2.5 km from Trogir center. Two kilometers long of a fine gravel beach is also called Copacabana because of its popularity. Many beach bars and few restaurants keeps this place alive through the night aswell. There is also a water-sport center with the complete water sports offer for your active summer days. Super markets, bakery, newspapers stands, restautrants will make your vacation very pleasant and unforgetable.
Why choose us?
Apartments are fully equiped, with AIR condition, microwave owen, toaster, hot water kettle, dishwasher, TV-SAT, WIFI.
Beaches onthe Ciovo island are fantastic. You can choose from the most famous one: Copacobana beach, or Duga, Duboka, Businci and etc.
Balconies have amazing seaviews, you can enjoy the sunrises. Breathtaking views in the morning and in the night will leave you speachless.
Parking lot is private so you don't have to worry about leaving your car in there. It's covered with some shadow so you will be worryless.
As you can read the guests testimonials, our guests are happy with the apartments and with the place. Whoever came once always come back.
Only 2.5 km from the apartment there is Historic town of Trogir. The historic centre of Trogir has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Check it out.
As you can see from the photo, quests are allowed to use the garden and the BBQ. Enjoy your stay here with friends or family with nice lunches and relaxing atmosphere.
Would you like to visit Trogir?
For any questions related to the place or about apartments feel free to send us email/sms or without any expenses just send us viber/whatsapp message or simply call us.


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is considered natural, it doesn't necessarily mean it's beneficial.
Molasses and fruit syrups are a good example because they're
appetizing, but the fast release of sugars can be harmful to
small animals' dental and digestive health. She also advises that
just because two species look similar does not mean they share
the same dietary needs, and encourages carrying a wide variety
of options for all herbivorous, carnivorous and omnivorous
small animals.
Supreme Petfoods offers a Tiny Friends Farm food range,which consists of nuggets and mixes with fibrous components.
The product line has no added sugars and only includes the
necessary ingredients, designed to be offered alongside hay or
greens. The company uses only human-grade ingredients as
opposed to specifically-formulated animal feed components,
using a production line that was originally designed to
produce human-baked goods that require a handmade
approach. It also offers a Selective range, which is species-specific with life stage variants. This line is uniquely crafted
to offer the highest levels of fiber with no added sugar and all
the nutrients small animals need.
While it can be easy to get bogged down in the research of
small animal nutrition, both companies provide an abundance
of information for retailers and consumers. It's important for
retailers to be armed with a vast knowledge of small animal
nutrition, giving them the ability to intelligently and accurately
answer any questions that come their way.
Oxbow offers articles, videos, infographics and special pet
parents events. All materials are a result from a partnership
with veterinarians and nutritionists. The company provides
its retail partners with education, point of sale support and
special knowledge-sharing opportunities in the form of
training events.
Supreme Petfoods' website is a valued source of information
for veterinarians, retailers and pet owners alike. The company
runs surveys asking about customers' experiences and concerns.
For retailers, Supreme Petfoods produces planograms, based
on an analysis of shopping habits that aim to alleviate shopper
confusion about what to feed pets. It's supported with leaflets,
talks and digital resources for retail partners to make sure that
they tell the whole story, not just the first paragraph.
Retailers should make sure that not only themselves,
but everyone employed in their store are trained and
knowledgeable about all aspects of small animal nutrition.
Offering a large, diverse selection stocked with only high-quality products keeps consumers confident and happy
that they're providing their small animals with the best on
the market. PB
treats for enrichment and bonding.
Stock advises to avoid mix-based
foods that contain ingredients
such as sugary dried fruit, nuts
and seeds as they're nutritionally
inappropriate. Oxbow offers a
comprehensive line of nutrition
and care products for small
pets, including farm-fresh hays,
nourishing fortified foods, healthy
treats, beneficial supplements and
enriching accessories.
"Pet owners are already looking
for plain, simple and natural
ingredients that they understand
and will, very sensibly, avoid
unhealthy or artificial additives,"
adds Hamblion.
That's why Supreme Petfoods
prides itself on brand recognition
and highly-palatable foods.
The company relies on a fixed-formula, ensuring that its recipes
don't change based upon which
ingredients are most cost-effective.
This allows consumers to depend
on performance and seek comfort
in the fact that digestive upsets
won't happen because a new
ingredient has been introduced.
Another great tip is to visually check
the appearance of food before
purchasing and displaying.
"The old adage is that no matterhow nutritious your product is,if the animal doesn't eat it, itwon't meet their needs," explainsHamblion. "Does it look the sameevery time? For hay, is it green,leafy and sweet-smelling? How doesyour pet respond to the food—withenthusiasm or indifference? Andhow does the pet look? A great foodwill keep them in tip-top conditionand brimming with life."Hamblion also warns againstcarrying products simply becausethey're labeled as natural. Shestresses that just because something
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Happy New Year everyone. January 2019 is here at last. January is always a very busy time for Co-ParentMatch.com as record numbers of members are looking to become parents. Thousands of men and women have made New Year's resolutions to have a baby through sperm donation.
12 years ago when we launched this unique online platform for matching wannabe parents we had no idea how popular this way of making families would become. Now, over a decade later, we see year in year out how determined people are to become a parent. When you decide you want to have a baby nothing can stop you. We are here to help. You are not alone.
We have made it easier for single women and lesbian couples to find their perfect sperm donor. Our sophisticated online matching service sends matches directly to you so you can say yes or no in just one go.
To any man who is thinking of becoming a sperm donor, don't be shy. We have thousands of women who want you right now. Could you pass on your genes and help create a loving family?
Here are 6 women looking for sperm donors right now. Are you a donor who could help?
I'm looking for a man who would love to meet an interesting and fun woman to have a child with and maybe a relationship if destiny decided. Please say hello if you want to talk more. I am loyal, honest and trustworthy and expect the same in return. I enjoy exercising and keeping trim and love running, walks in the park, and anything that gets my pulse racing.
Castlebar, Ireland
United Kingdom
We are a lesbian couple been together for 8 years and now ready to start a family we are so happy but a missing a peace of our puzzle we have got a lot. More love to give. We are just looking for sperm donor with no interest In the child or financial. Thanks a lot
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
I'm at a place in my life where having a child just feels right, there is this knowing that I can't even explain here, but I just feel the time is now to start a family. I guess that all women and men know what that feeling is about. After spending time reflecting on how or even when I'd like to become a mother, I always seem to come back to the point that it would be really great not to walk this journey alone.
About me, I'm fun, creative, flexible, caring and compassionate. I have an entrepreneurial spirit, I absolutely enjoy my career and the flexibility it brings. I do keep myself active and try to stay as healthy as possible.
I would like the co-parent to be the sperm donor, as I think it makes the decision to jointly share in co-parenting less complicated. So, in other words, I will like the sperm donor to be an active co-parent as well, playing a part in our child's upbringing. Ideally, a guy with an open heart, who is willing to share his wisdom, kindness and attention to our child. I adamantly believe that there's no such thing as a perfect person, but there are indelible qualities in a man that I am looking for, which includes maturity of spirit, compassion, being respectful, mindful, confident and emotionally available. I wish for someone who can assist in nurturing passion and creativity in our child. It would be great if you have travelled internationally for work/leisure and can embrace an understanding of cross-cultural differences, as I would yours.
I am prepared to welcome you to Denmark, to see if this Scandinavian country can be a home for you. I'm truly open to discussing our journey into parenting.
Copenhagen København, Denmark
I am a single professional woman 5'5 , 110 pounds, active and healthy. My ideal donor is intelligent, no history of mental health issues, tall/athletic, medium skin and easy going temperament.
Middlebury, Vermont, United States
Just a quick introduction. Our names are Sarah (29) and Jess (28) and we are in a very loving and happy relationship and have been now for three years. We are both financially stable and love our jobs, also always been heavily involved in sport - so fit and healthy, we are both really relaxed people who love a good laugh and are lucky enough to each have the most beautiful families. There will be no lack of love when entering into our world.
We are looking for someone who would be selfless enough to help us in fulfilling our dream in becoming parents. We have two beautiful nieces who we both adore and love and we cannot wait to feel that love with our own little one.
We are happy to answer any questions that you may have or elaborate and tell you more about us if you need. So just ask :)
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Sarah and Jess x
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Donating is easy. Take a look at our guide to becoming a sperm donor. Register now and see who you match with.
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Postdoctoral Research Associate Position in Ultrasound-mediated Drug and Gene Delivery Research and Ultrasound Bioeffects
Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Position Description:
A highly motivated candidate with strong experimental experience in the areas of biophysics, biomedical engineering, biomedical ultrasound, or pharmaceutical science is sought for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics at the Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. The candidate will work under the direct supervision of Dr. Flordeliza S. Villanueva, MD, Director of the Center. A major project focus involves the application of ultrasound and ultrasound contrast agents for gene and drug delivery in cardiovascular disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. There will be an opportunity to investigate various mechanisms of ultrasound mediated therapy, including effects of ultrasound on endothelial permeability in various tissue beds such as the blood brain barrier. The successful candidate is expected to work independently and collaboratively with the members of the Center, including faculty of different backgrounds, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and technicians.
The successful candidate will have completed a PhD in biophysics, biomedical engineering, biomedical ultrasound, or pharmaceutical science, or have equivalent experience in related fields. Applicants must have significant background and experience with confocal live cell imaging, endothelial biology, and cell culture. Experience in biomedical ultrasound and with ultrasound contrast agents, although not mandatory, would be an advantage. Candidates must also demonstrate scientific communication skills and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research and collaboration. Dr. Villanueva is fully committed to the professional development of her trainees, and she especially welcomes applications from women and underrepresented minorities.
Application Process:
Email: email@example.com
Dr. Flordeliza S. Villanueva
Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics
PUH South Tower E354.4
200 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-647-5840
Fax: 412-647-4227
Website: www.imagingtherapeutics.pitt.edu
About Us:
The Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics is engaged in both basic and translational investigations involving ultrasound contrast agents for imaging and therapy with a broad range of biomedical applications. In particular, the Center emphasizes development of multidisciplinary and novel approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases using principles of ultrasound and acoustically active agents as molecular probes and/or therapeutic delivery agents. The Center houses one of the most advanced ultra-high speed camera systems dedicated for the study of microbubble dynamics and mechanisms of ultrasound and microbubble mediated therapy. More information about the Center is available at www.imagingtherapeutics.pitt.edu.
The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer.


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In this final article of our Customer Acquisition Chain series, we looked at eight email messages during February 2012, which covered a wide range of products and services. We found some really great examples of well-done customer acquisition chains, including lots of ideas that might inspire you!
Cynthia Tully
For the social acquisition chain analysis, we looked at four ads on social networking sites to determine the effectiveness of customer acquisition chains (CACs). The advertisements shown here appeared on Facebook and LinkedIn. Here are the results:
Most mobile ads are within applications (apps). We found three inside game, weather, sports and other apps. Mobile ads may be the tiniest of all—measuring 2"X ¼", so the need for a clean and relevant mobile landing page is critical. Here are three good examples.
We clicked on seven banner ads during February 2012. Online display has enjoyed a major growth spurt and is likely to pass paid search in terms of spend in the next couple of years. It's all the more reason to get customer acquisition chain (CAC) done right. Here is our analysis of the display ads we reviewed.
Paid search is a more complex customer acquisition chain than all the others, as there is an extra link involved. Consumers search on a particular term and then see organic and paid ads, from which they choose. Clicking on any of those links takes them to the advertiser's site. As a result, the initial link "ad message" now becomes two links: search term and search results page. After that, the rest of the links are the same. For this analysis, we entered four keywords based on products/services that we were interested in purchasing.
To investigate the DRTV-to-online acquisition chain, we looked at eight infomercials and short-forms during January and February, 2012. Consumers who watch TV commercials respond in three ways: (a) calling the 800 number, (b) going to the URL on the screen, and (c) typing product names and search terms into search engines like Google and Bing. For this analysis, we looked at both the website link and what the advertisers were doing in search:


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Top good and bad things that Pope Francis has done
Pope Francis is rightful hier to the seat of Peter and was validly elected. We love and pray for the Pope. We know the Lord will protect his Church. Nothing will find its way into magisterial documents either via a synod or otherwise, that is inconsistent with scripture or the Church's authoritative teaching on faith and morals. We have a separarate article on how a faithful Catholic can respond to the current turmoil in the Church.
We do not consider ourselves qualified to judge the Pope's intentions. History will do that. However, its clear to anyone following Pope Francis' appointments, statements and writings that this papacy has been inconsistent, self-contradicting, and confusing. Pope Francis is a perfect example that infallibility of the magisterium has a very narrow definition and does not prevent the church from having a pope with problems. Pray for him. The Lord will protect the Church against formal error in magisterial documents or infallible utterances. Even the infamous footnote can be interpreted in a magisterial light. The silver lining of his ambiguities may be that when the persecution of Christians begins, secularists won't know "what type of Catholic we are" (1) "haters" who deny gender politics, or (2) the "open liberal type" who are "inclusive". It may frustrate their attempts to uniformly persecute Catholics and provide us a little bit of cover in a time of great trial. God's permissive will may be in this. Here's a list of public actions the Pope has taken, good and bad that deserve public comment.
Good things Pope Francis has done
- The Pope has shown deep love for the poor, and has challenged the status quo in many interesting and good ways.
- Pope Francis called on the world's priests to be "shepherds living with the smell of the sheep."
- He said "... he is the God of surprises" and at the same time he rejected "rigidity". We know from history that God is full of surprises and that rigidity can stifle the movement of the Holy Spirit.
- He told bishops "God surprises us and often likes to mess up our appointment books ... one cannot communicate the closeness of God without ... letting himself be infected by his tenderness."
- He said "I see the church as a field hospital after battle. It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol and about the level of his blood sugars! You have to heal his wounds. Then we can talk about everything else."
- He impressed many when he turned down the papal apartment to live in a more humble room, and adopted an inexpensive papal ring and cross, paid his hotel bill the morning after his election, etc.
- Removed a lot of unnecessary formality and 16th century royal protocol from papal affairs.
- He rightly said we should not turn the Church into a museum or rigidly hold on to aspects of the Church are subject to change (as long as we don't compromise inherited teachings on faith and morals). Everything that is living is growing and adapting, including the Church.
- Has made himself understood and accessible to the outside world and the press, with a clever sense of humor, and a humble and approachable public demeanor.
- Has shown deference to the poor in tangible and important ways.
- Made some modest reforms to the Vatican Bank including adding an external audit mechanism and appointing laity to be involved.
- Coined the phrase "Idealogical Colonialism" to describe the west's imposing of its philosophies on the 3rd world attached to financial aid, and spoke about the "killing of children" which was widely interpreted as a denunciation of the exportation of the abortion industry to third world countries.
- We appreciate his pastoral approach to those in sin, when he is speaking about those willing and wanting to follow God, rather than trying to make the Church follow them into their sin.
- Made conciliatory statements during a meeting with Evangelical leaders, which were well received by Evangelical Christians. The video went viral.
- He's been pastoral and loving to those involved in deep seated sin which is sign of Christ's love.
A list of things that we think may be damaging to Catholics seeking truth
Every pope and every human being makes mistakes. However, this papacy is has been the one of the most jarring and turbulent in the entire Church's history. The long term effects are unknown at the current time. Canon Law 212.3 gives the laity permission and the responsibility to point out errors by our leaders to the faithful, as long as it is done with respect. Many faithful Catholics started to worry, when Pope Francis did the following:
- Fired trusted servants who served under the previous popes and surrounded himself with assistants who want to legitimize same sex relations.
- Promoted James Martin, a same sex advocate, to communications consultant to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communications. He also met with him privately for 30 minutes without any clarification.
- Appointed many Cardinals who have publicly made statements that are broadly interpreted as an attempt to move towards the legitimization of same sex relations and a host of other agendas that are foreign to the faith, and who will continue to vote for popes and agitate long after he is gone.
- Trusted the now disgraced Cardinal McCarrick, to negotiate a deal with China which marginalized and isolated the faithful underground Catholic Church in China from the Vatican.
- He has called synods, not to explore open questions, but to legitimize foregone conclusions, pushed by the German bishops, which are contrary to the teachings of preceding popes and the deposit of faith.
- Introduced changes through ambiguities such as the famous footnote in AMORIS LÆTITIA, which has been interpreted by some bishops conferences as opening the the door for communion for divorced and remarried Catholics who had not received an annulment, which John Paul II clearly determined to be inadmissible.
- Allowed the firing of all the professors at the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family, and replaced them with those who have an agenda that is almost 180 degrees in the other direction, including contraception. The new person in charge has a history of gay friendly incidents.
- Has held papal audiences and has bestowed honours upon advocates of abortion, same sex marriage, couples living together before marriage, trans couples, without encouraging them to return to the truths of the Church, and with no sign to the faithful that these choices are inconsistent with the Catholic faith.
- He characterized traditionally minded Catholics as rigid, impractical, stiff and unloving. He has leveled particular criticism against young traditionally minded Catholics.
- Pope Francis said weird things on plane trips, such as
- "Who am I to judge?" regarding his appointment of a Vatican Bank official who was reported as acting out sexually with other men
- Condescending comments about large Catholic families, "Catholics shouldn't breed like rabbits"
- The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis was approving use of "the contraceptive or condom" in certain cases during an in flight press conference when discussing the Zika virus
- Said he's not afraid of schism, which is particularly weird because the terrible Vatican deal with the Chinese government which delegitimized the faithful underground Church was justified to "prevent a schism"
- Francis welcomed dialogue with those who don't agree with tenets of the Catholic faith but ignored or ridiculed those who believe and adhere to the Catholic faith in ways that differ from his ideas. He has pushed them out of his circle of influence.
- Signed Abu Dhabi declaration that "God wills other religions" without clarifying the difference between God's active and passive will.
- Francis espoused a tired old liberal interpretation of the story of the loaves and fishes which proposes that Jesus encouraged people to share what they had, rather than multiply the food.
- Granted ongoing interviews to an atheist friend journalist who continues to quote the Pope in ways that are a scandal to the Church. These quotes include the denial of the Trinity, denial of the divinity of Jesus, and the denial that hell exists.
- Francis changed the Catechism to say the death penalty was "inadmissible". Previously, it said Capital Punishment was usually unnecessary, but legitimate if it protected society. Francis condemned life imprisonment which runs counter to John Paul II's reasoning for avoiding the death penalty.
- Questioned Israel's decision to build a wall which reduced the bombing of its citizens significantly, by stopping his entourage on the Palestinian side and putting his hand on the wall and praying as if to ask God to knock it down.
- Got into climate change science in an encyclical without acknowledging in the same document, that it is being used as a tool to promote contraception and abortion on the 3rd world. We would have preferred he stick to general statements about caring for creation.
- He spoke about neglect for old people as the greatest social ill, and said the Church has to find a new balance and not talk so much about abortion, gay marriage and contraception. We're wondering what Church he's been attending because we'd love to hear more pastors preaching to the flock about the problems with abortion, contraception and same sex activity.
- Pope Francis blessed Amazonian 'Pachamama' idols, which represent the Incan fertility goddess. He recognized the controversial objects as Pachamama, attended an opening service where Amazonians prostrated themselves before the idols in the Vatican Gardens. When they were removed from a Church and thrown in the Tiber river by scandalized Catholics, he apologized to the Amazonian people and said the police retrieved them. There was no apology to scandalized Catholics around the world for allowing syncrenistic services and pagan idols into the heart of the Vatican. To put this in perspective, many martyrs have gone to their deaths for refusing to do the very thing that was done voluntarily in the presence of the Holy Father.
- The Pope's final exportation of the Amazonian Synod was mostly good, but then told everyone to go read the synod document which had tons of issues.
The Lord is Faithful
The Lord promised us the following.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. (Mat 16:18)The legacy of Pope Francis will largely be determined by the popes who follow. He has pressed the Church just about as far as it can go into dialog with the world without directly accepting sin as legitimate. We trust our Lord's promise to Peter, and that we'll be OK in the long run. The current confusion will serve the Church in some way known to God. In the meantime, God is calling us to remain faithful Catholics, children of our Father in Heaven and obedient to the Magistieral Teachings of the Church and the deposit of faith.
Related Articles
- Culture wars in the Catholic Church
- Is a Synod binding?
- Is it OK to resist the pope?
- Fr. James Martin
- Can gay men become priests?
- Is Yoga OK for Christian Catholics?
- Pope Francis' turbulent papacy
- Is Vatican II full of ambiguities?
- Mark Mallett's comparison of Pope Francis to Donald Trump
- Ambiguities in Vatican II


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A woman has been accused of locking her 14-year-old housegirl in toilet anytime she is leaving for church.
The incident happened at an apartment at Baruwa Estate, Ipaja, Lagos.
The police alleged that the employer, Mabel Okechukwu, locked the girl, whose name they wouldn't disclose, up in her toilet when leaving for church last Sunday, adding it was a neighbour who witnessed what happened that invited the police.
Okechukwu, however, denied the allegations. In her defence, she said that the teenager, who she disclosed had been living with her for six months, was not her maid but an in-law.
Edgal, however, said that the suspect would be charged to court immediately investigation was over.


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FAQs about playing musicmusic lessons in Waterford
TimeJuly 13, 2017
During the early 90s I worked in a posh music shop called Chappell of Bond Street, which as the name suggests was situated in that exclusive area of London. It thought of itself as being upmarket, (maybe it still does) and was frequented by wealthy sheiks and Queens of African states. I was in charge of the Guitar department but my accessory counter, (strings, picks etc.) was shared with the Brass & Woodwind dept. so I had to know about any products relating to that department too. I answered the phone one morning to an enquiry about metronomes; the clock-like device that musicians use to keep time. The basic electronic models began at about £20 I informed the caller, to which I was told that this item was to be a gift, so I countered that we had a very nice wooden clock-work, pendulum type in stock that would make a perfect present for £80. That would be great, could I put it aside for a Mr. Gilmour for collection later that day? Of course sir. I hung up the phone, immediately thinking 'Wouldn't it be hilarious if it turned out to be Dave Gilmour?' You have to remember that as a young 20year old guitarist and fan of Pink Floyd this was a natural train of thought. I dismissed the idea thinking that this was London after all and how many Mr. Gilmours could there be in that metropolis? So when later that afternoon a certain guitar player from Pink Floyd stood before me requesting to see the metronome he'd reserved earlier I was star-struck. I tried to remain calm, I did try, but here 2 foot away from me was one of Rocks great guitar legends. My initial professional reaction was to feign indifference but eventually my excitement couldn't be contained and I asked him was he doing any recording at the moment. It broke the spell a little bit. He seemed like an affable man but I could see he was uncomfortable as soon as he realised he'd been recognised. He answered politely but without much enthusiasm. Sometimes it's said that it's not a good idea to meet your heroes, but to me he came across as an ordinary bloke just wishing to go about his business without being hassled which is fair enough and probably much harder to do nowadays. I wish I'd kept a copy of his signature though.


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Online giving for Gateway Community Church
Why we give
The Bible teaches us a baseline standard for giving. When we give the first fruit to the church, we put God first in our lives. Generosity is an act of worship that expresses our gratitude, faith, and love for others.
God provides for the ministry of Gateway through your generosity. We honor your gifts with faithful stewardship, ethical business practices, and full accountability so that the financial integrity of Gateway remains beyond reproach.
Ways to give
Bill pay
Give through your bank's bill pay. Please send to Gateway Community Church P.O. Box 1555 Powell, OH 43065
Our secure system
Recurring gifts can be set up through our secure system.Click Here


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Have you or your community been impacted by overdose? Are you looking for a way to contribute to compassionate, evidence-based strategies to curb the overdose crisis but don't have time to volunteer?
Join the Harm Reduction Champion Community! Harm Reduction Champions is a monthly giving community dedicated to advancing our mission by supporting and sustaining our work.
Harm Reduction Champion is a community – Champions will have the opportunity to connect with experts in the field at donor-specific events and curated networking opportunities, as well as get the scoop on new initiatives and trends as they emerge.
Harm Reduction Champion is for everyone – like harm reduction, all are welcome. We welcome monthly giving from as small as $1 a month to $100. For all who donate $5/month, we will send you a brand new Harm Reduction Champion t-shirt.
What Are You Supporting?
$5/month – Sustain
You care about harm reduction and want to help sustain it by investing in our training institutes, biennial national conference, and various resources created for harm reduction groups around the country.
$25/month – Build
You want to see rapid response to emerging trends in drug use, expanding syringe access, and overdose prevention in all 50 states including Puerto Rico by doubling-down on our existing work.
$50/month – Grow
You are invested in Harm Reduction Coalition's existing work, but also want to see the movement grow by centering the leadership of people who use drugs through leadership training, training specific to organizational development, regional conferences, new online training modules, and mentorship programs.
$100/month – Innovate
You are invested in expanding Harm Reduction Coalition's work and the movement, but also want to contribute to creative and innovative approaches to improving the health and well-being of people most vulnerable to structural violence.
Hear From Other Harm Reduction Champions
"My support for Harm Reduction Coalition comes from a personal passion for harm reduction prompted by the witnessing the struggle of loved ones and losing them to overdose. There will always be people, regardless of age, gender, race, and circumstance, who will use drugs. These people are deserving of love, respect, and resources for safety and survival, without judgment. Organizations like Harm Reduction Coalition make survival possible for our loved ones and for anyone who uses drugs". – Danielle Shorr
"Harm reduction programs have been a huge part of my recovery, and my learning to live in balance. I learned a lot of emotional skills that still serve me today. It was incredible to be met where I was at, with no shaming, and to be honored and treated kindly. Even if you disagree with drug use, you can still support the harm reduction approach as a way to dignify and support the human being who uses substances." – Josiah Johnson
Not Ready to Give Monthly?
Any questions? Please contact Nancy Nwaifejokwu, Director of Development, nwaifejokwu [@] harmreduction.org or 212-377-9130.


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With the unofficial second half of the season starting on Thursday, it's time to put up or shut up for a few NBA head coaches.
For some, that means fixing a dysfunctional locker room, and for others it means just getting into the playoffs or simply breaking the status quo and beating expectations.
In a league which doubles as a reality TV show, the seat gets hot fast. Frank Vogel went from perfectly safe to out of a job last season because the Indiana Pacers lost a playoff series in which they were heavy underdogs. Certainly, there will be more firings this season that come out of nowhere, and some coaches should be watching their backs already.
At this time of year, if you can't put up, you'll be put out of a job. Without further ado, here are four coaches whose seats are scorching.


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And lo, the culture presents a boon for those of you skipping Black Thursday madness: Jane Lynch and Hillary Swank will be co-hosting Fox's Cause For Paws: An All-Star Dog Spectacular. It's a telethon for dogs, basically. Perfect Thanksgiving-evening fodder.
That's according to Entertainment Weekly. The project (which airs at 8pm) was originally announced last month, but it's since acquired Lynch as cohost and an updated name. More details:
The revamped, two-hour special celebrating rescue dogs will allow viewers at home to donate to the Petfinder Foundation and adopt and foster dogs in need. It will feature viral videos starring rescue dogs and an awards segment, which, for example, will hand out the "Shelter Hero of the Year" Award.
Additional celebrity guests include Kristin Chenoweth, Kathy Griffin, Cesar Millan, mother and daughter Osbourne and Emmy Rossum. (Previously announced guests include Scarlett Johansson, Miranda Lambert and Kristen Bell.)
There is literally no way your family can turn this into an argument about politics or cousin Susie's new piercing, so just go with it.
And don't forget that the National Dog Show airs on Thanksgiving as well, starting at noon. You have hours and hours of lazy dog-watching ahead—provided you resist the lures of the local Target.
Photo via Getty.


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Summary: 'Copy Properties' for Hole notes
Description: A 'Copy Properties' capability for hole notes: This would be similar to the 'Copy Properties' command that can be used on dimensions. Like the dimension 'copy properties' command, it would copy text, style, precision, and types of information included from one hole note to another. This command could be included in the right click menu.
Product and Feature: Inventor - Other
Submitted By: ncrissy on 02/25/2019


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The Christmas shopping season has officially begun. When most people think of holiday shopping, they think of electronics and toys, but it can also be a great time to purchase home improvement and interior decorating merchandise as well. If you're in the midst of an interior decorating project this holiday season, here are a few shopping tips to keep in mind.
Pay no attention to doorbuster salesBlack Friday has already passed but many retailers offer doorbuster sales on other shopping days as well such as cyber Monday. They're not worth your time. Retailers only carry a very limited number of these deeply discounted items, sometimes as few as one or two. It's not worth waiting in line in the cold, or fighting the crowds just for a slight chance of actually getting what you came for. Even online doorbuster sales aren't all that great. Don't stay up till midnight with your finger hovering over the "purchase" button because as with in-store sales, there are only a few available products and you probably won't be one of the lucky ones.
Don't get caught up in the buying hysteriaRetailers are counting on people to get caught up in the hysteria of Christmas shopping since that means more mindless spending. Don't let flash sales limited time offers sway you into purchasing things you don't absolutely want or need. Have a shopping list for your home in mind and stick to it. If you jump at every good deal, you'll find that your budget will be used up sooner rather than later.
Don't focus all your attention on big-ticket itemsFlat screen TVs and major appliances tend to get all the attention when it comes to Christmastime sales but there are many excellent deals on smaller day-to-day items you need as well. When planning out your budget, watch for sales on these kinds of items as well and set aside money for taking advantage of these deals.
Save some money for JanuaryFor some merchandise, the best sales don't happen until January. For instance, when it comes to linens, most companies put out their new lines in February and have to get rid of merchandise from the previous year in January. The same goes for mattresses and a number of other things as well.
Shop in-store with cashIf you're going to be shopping in-store, stop at the ATM first and withdraw the amount in cash that you're willing to spend. Better yet, do this a day in advance and leave your credit cards and debit cards at home altogether. It's harder to part with cash than to swipe a plastic card and you don't want to end up spending way more than you planned to.
Shop onlineFinally, take advantage of the internet during the holiday shopping season. Often the best deals can be found online. They're also more convenient for you and you don't have to stand in long lines, wait in traffic, and push your way through crowds. Every piece of home improvement and interior decorating merchandise can be found online whether it's hardwood flooring, kitchen countertops, or baseboard heater covers. You may want to visit a showroom first to see what it looks like in person but when the sale hits, shop online.Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.comSource: realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/black-friday-mistakes/


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Colored tights are not just for kiddies anymore. They can take an outfit from Flat to Fresh in no time. The look for fall is colored or patterned tights with sandals, that's right those cute platform sandals that you bought for summer have a new chic life this season. Sweaterdresses, pencil skirts, harem pants ready to be rocked with this trend.
Afraid to try it with sandals, how about booties or better yet peep toe booties! (a fav of mine).
Also this is not an expensive addition to your wardrobe, it can even give an outfit you already own a new life.
Make sure that the tights are somewhat thick, it's cold out there babes and freezing is not fresh. xoxo


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*With Solutions Personal Contract Plan. Qualifying stock vehicles only. T&Cs apply. Delivered by 01 October. Minimum 46 month agreements only. Indemnities may be required. Freepost SKODA Financial Services.
Designed with your free time in mind, so you can reconnect with the things that are important: family, nature and yourself. It's our ultimate large car - with enough space for everything you need, and everyone that's going with you, whatever your adventure. The impressive infotainment system and comfort enhancing features, your passengers will be kept amused and refreshed on even the longest adventure.
With many clever features designed to make your life just a little easier, the only thing not packed into the KODIAQ's stylish interior are your passengers. The KODIAQ SE is available with five or seven seats.
18" Elbus alloy wheels
Black fabric interior
Privacy glass
Bolero radio with 8" touchscreen display
Smartlink+ (wireless for Apple and wired for Android)
Colour multifunction trip computer (Optional)
ISOFIX child seat fittings on outer rear seats with topteather
Front assist
Cruise control
Electric child locks (Optional)
Umbrella in door panel x 1
Net programme in boot
Front centre armrest with storage compartment
From £ 26,810
The petrol engine where you don't have to choose between performance and economy. Technical data is reflective of the 5 seat model.
The petrol DSG engine where you don't have to choose between performance and economy. Technical data is reflective of the 5 seat model.
The KODIAQ's four wheel drive DSG diesel engine for drivers who cover long distances looking for control and stability. Technical data is reflective of the 5 seat model.
This engine is only available from stock. Technical data is reflective of the 5 seat model. Engine with 7 seats not homologated for towing.
The KODIAQ's most fuel efficient engine for drivers who cover long distances looking for high fuel economy.
KODIAQ Running boards. From £880 RRP
KODIAQ Protective door sill covers. From £124 RRP
Alloy wheels. From £180 RRP
KODIAQ Protection Pack includes Double sided boot matt from £240
Front and rear mud flaps
Protective Rubber floor mats. Full pack (all 3 items) from £245 RRP
ŠKODA Genuine Roof Box - 380 litre capacity. From £375 RRP
Lockable bike holder. From £113 RRP
Bicycle towbar carrier. From £320 RRP
Back seat protection. From £100 RRP
Dog seat belts. From £55 RRP
Dog guard. From £165 RRP
Relax. There's enough space for everyone.See all Technical Dimensions
Please note
Images shown on this page are for illustration purposes only, may vary from UK specification and are not reflective of the stated From Price. Some equipment shown is optional.
In some instances it is not possible to retrospectively fit a tow bar if the car is not fitted with tow bar preparation at Factory. Please speak to your local ŠKODA retailer to confirm the exact towing eligibility.
†Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. Figures may not reflect real life driving results.
ŠKODA UK may change RRPs at any time (this includes where there are government changes in regulation and/or legislation). There may be a delay to any RRP displaying correctly on our materials. Always obtain prices from your chosen ŠKODA retailer.


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Introduction to the IRS Collection Financial Standards
When representing an individual tax debtor in an IRS Collections matter, determining the taxpayer's ability to pay becomes the crux of the issue after addressing return compliance and accrual of additional tax debt. In this article, you will learn the basics of the Collection Financial Standards and how to apply them in your client cases.
The purpose of the IRS Collection Financial standards is to determine an individual taxpayer's ability to repay their taxes. The standards are applied to a variety of scenarios, including determining Installment Agreement payment requirements, eligibility for Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status, minimum Offer in Compromise (OIC) amounts, eligibility for levy releases, etc.
The only time these Standards are not applied in an individual Collections matter is when a taxpayer has sufficient equity in assets to full pay the tax liability, or if the taxpayer is eligible for Guaranteed or Streamline processing. Even, if you telephone ACS or use the Online Payment Agreement tool, you will still be asked to provide basic living expense information, even though it's not required by IRC or IRM.
As an aside, it may be helpful to remind you that, as of this writing, the IRS has not extended the Streamline test criteria that had been in place since January 1, 2017, and thus the liability thresholds for Streamline processing have reverted to normal values.
The purpose of the Standards is to differentiate between necessary and unnecessary living expenses, and the Standards are based around a middle class lifestyle. The numbers are generated from various statistical surveys and government agency data about the cost of living. The Standards are designed to cover basic living expenses only, although the Service may allow for actual expenses in certain situations. Taxpayers that are living beyond the standards will be asked by the IRS to reduce their lifestyle to below the Standards, or seek a different resolution to their tax liability.
The categories of living expenses covered by the Standards may seem narrow in scope to many of your clients. The fact that many common expenses, such as higher education tuition, tithing, retirement contributions, and the like are not allowable expenses will be a source of frustration for both you and your client. I highly encourage you to develop pre-scripted responses to address your client concerns over expenses that are not allowed, as it will be a frequent point of conversation.
Let's now look at each of the expense categories in brief. The latest IRS Collection Financial Standards can be found on the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/collection-financial-standards.
Lump Sum National Standard
This Standard is the "catch all". It includes food, clothing, housekeeping supplies, personal care products and services, and miscellaneous expenses, including minimum credit card payments and other non-allowable expenses. A taxpayer is allowed full credit for this Standard, at the full amount, without need to document their actual expenses.
The current allowable amount for this Standard is $647 per month for one person in a household. It increases to $1202 for a two-person household, $1384 per month for three, and $1694 for four persons in a household. For each person beyond four, add $357 per month to the allowance for four people.
Out of Pocket Health Care and Health Insurance
In acknowledgement of the high cost of health care, and the fact that insurance obviously doesn't cover everything, the IRS allows a minimum amount for out of pocket health care costs, regardless of what a taxpayer actually spends. This amount is $65 per month for individuals under 65, and $114 for those 65 and older.
In addition, since the Affordable Care Act requires most people to have health insurance, a taxpayer is allowed to claim the full amount of their health insurance premiums, regardless of the level of plan they have. For example, the Standards do not differentiate between allowing for a Bronze versus a Gold plan, despite the difference in premiums.
Transportation Standards
Taxpayers are allowed a monthly expense for public transit or vehicle ownership, but not both. Taxpayers can purchase or lease a vehicle, and is intended to provide them the ability to get back and forth to work. As such, an individual is typically only allowed credit for one car. For a multi-person household, a maximum of two vehicles are typically allowed, regardless of the number of working adults within the household. There are conditional expense arguments that can be made for additional vehicles, but they are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The national public transit allowance is $178 per month, regardless of where the taxpayer lives. This full amount may be claimed regardless of what they actually spend, without documentation, even if they spend less.
For vehicle ownership, the monthly lease or car payment cannot exceed $497 per month, per vehicle. If the taxpayer's payment is less than this amount, they may only claim the actual monthly payment, not the full $497.
Taxpayers are also permitted to claim a monthly expense for vehicle operating costs. This amount is intended to cover insurance, maintenance, registration, tolls, fuel, and other operating costs. This amount is not national, but rather based on local variations in cost.
To determine the operating expense limit applicable to your client, the IRS has broken the country into four regions (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West), and defined operating expense caps for those regions. Then, within those regions, the IRS defines metro areas that have different costs from the region. These metro regions are defined as a collection of counties.
For example, if your client is located in Abilene, TX, this would be considered part of the South region, and the taxpayer would be allowed a maximum of $196 per month, per allowable vehicle, for operating expenses. The only special metro region defined for Texas is the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, which does not include Taylor County, which Abilene is part of.
For a full break down of the states included in each region, and the counties that comprise each metro area, along with the monthly operating expense limits for these areas, see the IRS table at https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/local-standards-transportation.
One final note on vehicle operating expenses: Technically speaking, the taxpayer is only permitted an allowance for the lesser of their actual vehicle operating costs or the Standard.
Housing and Utilities
The local standards for housing and utilities tend to be the most contentious. Since these local standards for housing do not take into consideration the variations in housing costs that occur from one end of a particular county to another, many taxpayers may think these Standards to be unfair.
The housing and utilities standards are provided in tabular format for every county in the country, broken out by state. The Standard covers either rent or mortgage payment, and also covers taxes, insurance, maintenance, heat, water, electric, landline telephone service, cell phones, cable, and Internet.
To find the allowable maximum for your client, visit https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/local-standards-housing-and-utilities and select the appropriate state, then scroll down to the appropriate county. As an example, here's the table for the District of Columbia:
|2018 Published Housing and Utilities for a Family of 1
|2018 Published Housing and Utilities for a Family of 2
|2018 Published Housing and Utilities for a Family of 3
|2018 Published Housing and Utilities for a Family of 4
|2018 Published Housing and Utilities for a Family of 5
|District of Columbia
Notice that the table caps out at a family size of five. The Collection Financial Standards do not contain any per-person additions to this amount for a larger family. Theoretically, additional housing costs for additional family members is included in the additional per-person amount under the Lump Sum National Standard. However, conditional expense arguments can be made for a higher Housing and Utilities allowance in certain circumstances. Most such arguments will be based on local child welfare laws relating to the maximum number of children allowed to share a bedroom, and what is considered appropriate under local law regarding mixing of ages and genders that share a bedroom. An excellent source of information for summaries of such local laws are foster and adoption agencies.
It's also important to note that this is another "lesser of" expense. For example, if your client lives in Washington, D.C. with a household of two, the maximum allowable expense is $2,596 per month. If your client actually only spends $1,778 per month on rent, electricity, and all other utilities, then the IRS would only allow the $1,778.
Applying IRS Collection Financial Standards
Understanding these standards is fundamentally important to your ability to properly represent individual tax debtors in front of the IRS. You will apply these standards whenever you:
- Apply for an Installment Agreement on a tax liability over $25,000.
- Apply for an Offer in Compromise of any amount.
- Request Currently Not Collectible status.
- Request levy release on financial hardship grounds.
The Standards are actually applied on the Income and Expense Table (IET) found in Section 5 of IRS Form 433-A. They are also applied to the expense section of Form 433-F, and in Section 7 of Form 433-A(OIC) found in the Form 656-B booklet. These are forms you will need to become familiar with as an IRS Collection representation practitioner.
The Standards are updated on an annual basis, usually at the end of March of each year. Be sure that you are applying the updated Standards for your client at the time of completing any 433-A/F form.
There is much more than can be explored in relation to the Collection Financial Standards, including conditional expenses and how the IRS conducts financial analysis. These topics can be reviewed in the Internal Revenue Manual Financial Analysis Handbook, section 5.15.1. This material is worth studying to enhance your competency in representation.
About the Author
Jassen Bowman, EA, CTR has practiced exclusively in the arena of IRS Collections representation for more than ten years. Has represented nearly 400 individuals and small business clients, and has presented over 300 live continuing education webinars and seminars to CPAs, EAs, and attorneys on the subject of IRS Collections. He is the founder of TaxMarketingHQ.com, which provides practice management and marketing resources to representation practitioners to help them grow more profitable firms. He is also the author of nine books, including Tax Resolution Secrets for consumers and Tax Resolution Systems, a checklist manual for practitioners.


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Drop in Number of Newly Reported HIV Cases in India Encouraging, More Efforts Needed To Fight Disease, Clinton Says
Former President Clinton on Thursday in New Delhi, India, said new data released by the country's National AIDS Control Organization showing a nearly 95% decrease in the number of newly reported HIV cases in 2004 is encouraging, but he warned that the government should not become complacent in its HIV prevention efforts, the AP/Las Vegas Sun reports. According to NACO data released on Wednesday, 28,000 new HIV cases were reported in India in 2004, compared with 520,000 new cases in 2003. The Indian government took credit for the drop, which has not occurred in years, according to the AP/Sun. Clinton in a speech to business leaders said that although the "government is committed to doing the right thing," it must follow through with its HIV/AIDS programs. "You will move from being the world's number one worry to being the number one model if you follow through the plans you have," he said (Mahapatra, AP/Las Vegas Sun, 5/26). During his two-day visit to India, Clinton also was scheduled to speak on HIV prevention and about relief efforts in response to the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the AP/Yahoo! News reports. He is scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other top government officials, as well as groups working on HIV prevention (AP/Yahoo! News, 5/25).
Doubts Cloud New Numbers
The new HIV data -- collected by the Indian independent organizations Institute of Research in Medical Statistics and the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare using UNAIDS and World Health Organization recommendations -- bring a "glimmer of hope" in the fight against the disease in India, Xinhua News Agencyt reports (Xinhua News Agency, 5/26). However, some AIDS advocates in the country said they are "dismayed" and "perturbed" by the numbers because no nongovernmental organizations that work with HIV-positive people have registered a corresponding drop in new demand for services, London's Guardian reports. "All the NGOs I know have recorded increases in the number of people accepting help because of HIV," Anjali Gopalan of the Naz Foundation, a not-for-profit HIV/AIDS advocacy group, said, adding, "I am really worried that we are just burying our head in the sand over this" (Ramesh, Guardian, 5/26). However, UNAIDS and WHO representatives endorsed the figures, according to the Indian Express. "We support these numbers," WHO representative in India Salim Habayeb said, adding, "The methodology used in India is internationally recognized and used all over the world" (Indian Express, 5/26). Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said that the exact number of new HIV cases does not matter in the context of the government's efforts to fight the disease. "As far as the government is concerned, the number 28,000 or 280,000 is not of importance," Ramadoss said, adding, "We will go all out against HIV/AIDS irrespective of numbers. The success till now is the result of a concerted effort to create awareness about the disease and the stringent monitoring and surveillance at the grassroots." Taking the new data into account, there were 5.13 million HIV-positive people in India at the end of 2004, according to government statistics, Xinhua News Agency reports (Xinhua News Agency, 5/26). Ramadoss said there will be an independent assessment of the new figures, BBC News reports (BBC News, 5/25).
Clinton Foundation Work in India
Clinton last month announced that the Clinton Foundation is pledging $10 million to provide treatment to approximately 10,000 children living with HIV/AIDS in 10 countries -- including India -- and expand the foundation's efforts in rural areas. Indian pharmaceutical company Cipla has agreed to sell the foundation its pediatric antiretroviral syrups and pills at half their normal price because the foundation is placing large orders, Ira Magaziner, chair of the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative, said. The foundation plans to spend about $2 million on pediatric antiretroviral drugs and will provide $3 million to clinics in 10 countries where local doctors can be trained to treat children, according to Magaziner (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 4/12). The foundation also has introduced business-based procedures in the country's health care and treatment infrastructures to improve drug storage, tracking and distribution, program management and information sharing, India's Economic Times reports. The program has recruited experts in business, logistics, HIV/AIDS clinical care and public health to provide technical assistance (Duttagupta, Economic Times, 5/26).
Clinton in Ireland
Clinton on Tuesday in Dublin, Ireland, at a fundraiser for an HIV/AIDS program in Africa urged the Irish people to support programs to fight the disease, the Irish Independent reports. Clinton said the percentage of the estimated 40 million HIV-positive people worldwide who have access to antiretroviral drugs is "pathetically small," according to the Independent (O'Keeffe, Irish Independent, 5/25). He said the Irish government has been "quite generous" in contributing to the global HIV/AIDS fight, the Irish Times reports. However, Clinton added that governments do not have the capacity to address the pandemic without the work of NGOs, which rely on private donations. "We cannot just say anymore, 'Why doesn't the government do something about it?'" Clinton said, adding, "The good news is we can turn this thing around in a hurry." The fundraiser was expected to raise about $251,000 for the Rose Project, a not-for-profit group that provides food, medicine and treatment to HIV/AIDS-affected families in Kenya (Healy, Irish Times, 5/25).


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Tech's Sneak Attack on the Burglary Business
Source: Getty Images
It's no secret that digital disruption is transforming how we work, shop, and travel. We hear a lot about connectivity's power to transform nebulous things like our IT services and data management. But what about social issues on the fringes — like crime prevention?
The popular misconception of a burglar is a prowler in ski mask and crowbar. But old-school crime like burglary is changing fast.
Blame technology.
When today's thief gets inside your house, the classic number-one prize — cash — may not be there. And houses are harder to slip in and out of, with the rise of nettlesome alarm systems and cameras. Even moves like snipping an alarm's landline connection are clichéd; the latest home alarms eschew wires in favor of cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Burglary, meet digital disruption.
Disrupting the Art of the Steal
In reality, the business of break-ins is currently in flux. Jay Albanese, chair of University of Virginia's criminal justice programs, says that large disruptive technologies and the cultural shifts they produce have likely contributed to a decrease in US robberies. "The whole nature of burglaries has morphed," he says.
And while experts like Albanese say shifts to cashless systems like electronic benefit transfers and debit cards for welfare disbursements are likely dampening burglary's payout, federal crime stats still clock an average of one burglary every 20 seconds. Not only did this amount to an estimated $3.6 billion in property losses in the US last year, but only 13 percent of those break-ins resulted in arrests. Burglary hasn't disappeared — it has merely evolved.
Things are evolving on the prevention side, too. Home security systems, which have received a big IoT-fueled boost in recent years, are cited as the classic deterrent. Neil Ruskin, a Brooklyn criminal defense lawyer for more than 40 years, flatly states that "the average burglar is not going near a home with an alarm system." Albanese agrees: "It's much more rational," he says, to break into a place that doesn't have those "barriers" that make it more likely to get caught.
If the trend of affordable, sensor-enabled, self-install systems continues, experts believe even low-income homes should soon be able to upgrade their home security. Volkan Topalli, a criminal justice professor at Georgia State University who has spent 18 years conducting interviews with more than 300 burglary offenders in Atlanta, New Orleans, and St Louis, says that within the next decade, home security will likely include innovations like near-field sensors in high-value homes. "That's the next technology on the horizon," he says. The idea would be a sort of digital sonar where motion anywhere trips the alarm, as opposed to the traditional infrared beam.
As it turns out, incremental innovations like these can go a long way toward disrupting the classic routine burglars use to maximize profit. Richard Thomas Wright, chair of the criminology department at Georgia State University, says that the "cognitive script" prowlers traditionally stick to puts a premium on stashes of jewelry, guns, and cash located in the master bedroom. To put this in perspective, a research study from the University of North Carolina criminal justice department found that most burglars (79 percent) break in looking for cash. A smaller amount (56 percent) go for the gadgets. Until the traditional burglary script makes the digital leap, diminishing returns for prowlers are the likely norm.
Source: Getty Images__Breaking the Business of Home Security__
Meanwhile, on the other side of the law, the Internet of Things has introduced the world to wireless security systems that address the need for more affordable break-in "barriers." Powered by a decade-long shift to robust cellular coverage, wide availability of wireless sensors and ubiquitous smartphone access, the newest systems are disrupting old-school business models and "cognitive scripts" alike.
Entrepreneur Chad Laurans, founder of the self-install security system startup SimpliSafe, says the industry standards of lengthy contracts, landline connectivity, and mandatory home ownership presented the perfect opening for a new model. "We didn't go out to found an Internet of Things company, we went out to solve a particular problem."
The problem for Laurans happened to be a recent rash of burglaries that affected three of his college friends. He realized he could build a new system using wireless technology and so eliminate the need for hardwiring (the mainstay of traditional companies). The strategy was to both design and build a system free of landline constraints while offering consumers the same tried-and-true protection of professionally monitored home security.
Designing a dependable system that spoke to those needs involved bootstrapping the first-generation product, doing everything from product to hardware and software engineering, while also testing the performance of different wireless technologies. By building the system piece by piece he could craft something that worked for just about any connected customer on their own terms. For Laurans, this meant engineering a system that provides reliability, simplicity, and an intuitive interface — while also ditching the industry norm of mandatory long-term contracts.
This unconventional approach solved a real problem for both his friends and other consumers: Laurans started out small by selling to friends, but today SimpliSafe's systems protect over a million Americans. In capitalizing on a technological shortfall, Laurans found a clever way of disrupting both the cognitive script of burglary and the home security industry's business model.
But what happens if burglars tip things back in their favor? Laurans says he's ready to respond: "There's still a ton of change needed in this industry. It's only just begun."
This story was produced by the WMG Brand Lab for SimpliSafe.