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In this video I have a privilege to review the true classic 1931 tribute limited to 200 watches. This watch has center seconds which is quite rare for this model. Check out the video below.
JAEGER LECOULTRE REVERSO SPECIAL EDITION SWISS MADE," and with the JLC 1000-hour master control stamp. The reverse side features a solid case-back for personalization, and the interior is engine turned in Vancouver.
This Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso 1931 Seconde Centrale Q381357J has a mechanical manual winding Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 966A movement that's rhodium-plated movement. 28 jewels, 194 components, a straight-line lever escapement, a monometallic balance, a shock absorber mechanism, and a self-compensating flat balance spring. The mechanism oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz).


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Stress Less, Read More - Vinyl Sticker
PERSONALLY DESIGNED: This collectible vinyl sticker features my personal artwork and design, which is found here and only here in my shop. Read more information below.
My Guarantee: Not all vinyl stickers are created equal. This premium sticker is absolutely vibrant and ridiculously more resilient than most. Want more? View the entire vinyl sticker collection.
"GIVE & GET" PROGRAM: Eligible! $0.20-$0.50 from your purchase of this sticker (depending on size) will be given to an incredible mental health charity.
GET NOTIFIED when new vinyl stickers are added to my shop
Pick a surface and sticker it with purpose…
Rest assured that you'll be able to use this ridiculously resilient decal on your favorite water bottle, car, bathroom mirror, Trapper Keeper, laptop, or on any other surface you are obsessed with covering.
When you first feel this vinyl sticker, you'll understand that some stickers are just… nicer
- Water may try, but it can't hurt this sticker
- Direct sunlight's got nothing on it
- Extreme weather might as well just walk away right now
- Even your heated dishwasher is going to sit and sulk when it can't do any damage to it
"Unique" is this sticker's middle name
This is the only place you'll ever find this sticker, and since every sticker I sell was created without the rest of the sticker world in mind, you know you're getting something different and special.
Happy shopping. You're really going to like what I send you.
If you haven't hit the checkout button (just yet), how about a few (totally pointless) sticker thoughts from yours truly?
- Stickers are like tattoos for your things. Once you get one you like, it's really hard to not want another (and another)
- Cheap stickers are like cheap tattoos. You tend to get bored of them quickly and they are a real pain to remove
- "Sticker" rhymes with "liquor,' which is the name I should have given my dog since I'm always yelling, "don't lick her!" (sorry, not sorry)
- I never thought I'd grow up to be the "sticker guy." And if I am a sticker guy, does that mean I never actually grew up?
- I currently ship my stickers to the USA, Canada, England, Australia, and New Zealand only.
- FREE Shipping on all U.S. orders over $25. Free shipping on Canadian orders over $45.
- All orders are shipped out within 1-3 business days (depending on which option you choose at checkout).
- Priority shipping options are available.
- All stickers and stationery are well-protected during shipment.
- I guarantee the quality of my premium stickers and stationary 100%. If you are unsatisfied upon receiving them, return your order in brand new condition for a full refund, no problem.
- At this time, I do not offer exchanges.
- If your sticker is damaged by water, sunlight, the dishwasher, or by the elements, simply take a picture and send it to me. I'll send you a digital gift card to buy a new one (no more than the price you paid, max $5).
- Warranty does not include normal sticker wear and tear (such as edge peeling from improper placement, placement on rounded surfaces, or placing the sticker somewhere that it is consistently grabbed/touched). These stickers are absolute premium quality, and they are still stickers. You take care of them, they'll take care of you.
- I created these product images in Photoshop. I did my best, but the sizes may not be exact compared to real life. Please look at the measurements before you buy.
- I like making new art for new stickers more than selling them, so I have an assistant that will do most of the work fulfilling these orders.

subset: commoncrawl


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Planet Earth Online - Bone Eating Worms
Interview with
Diana - Another source of energy for deep sea species is the bodies of whales and other animals that fall to the sea bed. Nick Higgs, from the University of Leeds, researches whale fossils, which show tell-tale signs of a much smaller creature that could hold the key to why there's a gap in the evolutionary record of whales.
Nick - They're called Osedax worms which means "bone devour" in Latin. They range in size from about the size of your finger to maybe the size of one of your joints. They look more like little palm trees really. They have what we call roots that grow into the bone and dissolve it away, and eat the bone, and then they have this long trunk that sticks up out of the bone, and out of that trunk are four palps which are kind of like palm tree branches, but they're bright red to pink and those are the gills of animal. Those are how it gets oxygen out of the water.
Sue - They sound quite beautiful actually, but the way you describe them, they sound extremely destructive. Have you found evidence of these worms in whale fossils?
Nick - Some scientists have, yes, from fossils in Washington state in the USA and we're currently investigating some other fossils from Italy. There are some exciting signs, but it requires a bit more work.
Sue - When you went down to Kent, you got the call, you went to see the stranded sperm whale, what did you get out of it? What did you want from it?
Nick - Well we were going down to get some bones that we could put on the seabed to try and find some of these Osedax worms, and we came back successfully with a whole flipper which has got several nice bones in it that the worms like.
Sue - The flipper is currently at the Natural History Museum before being deployed, but inside Leeds University's Palaeontology Lab clean room, Nick can study other animal bone samples where Osedax worms were also found...
...Several jars here. The sort that you would expect to see a lot of chutney in, "sponge-like" in appearance...
Nick - This was from an elephant seal carcass that was put down in the same area that they had previously sank the whale carcasses, to see if these worms would also like the bones of other animals as well. We're starting to think that they might have a much bigger impact on the fossil record of not just whales, but any marine vertebrate.
Sue - Well let's take a couple of these jars back in, out of the clean room, away from the noise of the fume cupboard, and into the lab. What am I looking for? I'm not going to see any worms in this am I?
Nick - No. You may just see some of their tubes hanging out of the bone because they tend to dry up in the alcohol. They don't quite look as magnificent as they do in real life, but can you see here this kind of parchment-like bits sticking out of the bone? Those are the tubes.
Sue - This tiny little tube. Almost look like sort of rolled up spider's webs.
Nick - Yeah. They've decomposed because they've been in the jar for so long. You can see there are several small holes on the bone and I don't know if you can just tell if I change the light slightly. There's a kind of mottled colour to the bone surface.
Sue - I can see that, yes.
Nick - That's the extent of where they bored away the bone underneath the surface. So all that black area is where the bone has been eaten away.
Sue - Why is it so important to know the effect that your bone-eating worms have on a whale? Is it purely so that you know that you've got the correct age of a whale fossil or is it more basic than that? Do they have such an effect on it that you can't necessarily tell what the creature is or when it was from?
Nick - Exactly. Within 10 years, they may be able to eat away whole bones. So in which case, we'd have no record of that whale ever existing whereas in some whales, like the one I'm investigating in Italy, a lot of the bones were found and couldn't really be properly described because they were so mangled and partially destroyed by these worms. What I'm really interested in is figuring out whether the gaps in the fossil record of whales may be caused by these worms. There's a significant period in the evolution of whales when they become ocean going, when they move away from shallow habitats, and we get this gap in the record which is incredibly tantalising because at the next stage after this gap, you start to see what we know as the ancestors of modern whales, the toothed whales and the baleen whales. But there's this tantalising gap when they started moving out into open water which is exactly when the carcass would've started arriving in the Deep Sea.
Diana - Nick Higgs from the University of Leeds, who's hoping to discover whether Osedax worms are responsible for the gap in the fossil records of whales.


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Aromatherapy Roll-Ons
Our Aromatherapy Rollers are elegant, portable and great for quick touch ups to relieve stress on the go. Full of benefits used to reduce stress and anxiety, eases insomnia and depression, eliminates nervous tension, relieves pain, disinfects skin, enhances blood circulation and treats respiratory problems. It even has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, can help heal bug bites and minor burns. Calming Eucalyptus Scent. And don't forget that relaxed feeling that we all need to experience at times. Roll on with our Eucalyptus Roller!


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Stiff Translucent Fabric
From £14.50. Ready To Ship In 1 - 2 Day(s). Save 19%
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Student Discounts It's no secret that students are some of our favourite people! We have sorted the best deal for students with up to 40% off! Ask for a discount
Wholesale Discount We want to give makers and small businesses the best price to help their business grow. Available to selected makers and traders. Apply for your wholesale account.
- UK delivery: £5.75
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This bespoke translucent fabric is a poly woven of spun yarns. It features an acrylic coating to make it white, giving it a slightly waxy surface texture and subtle sheen. This is a strong, firm textile which does not fray. Weighing 220gsm, Stiff bespoke Translucent fabric is structured, strong and holds its shape well, and lets a little light through without being transparent in any way. It's fire rated for your protection and peace of mind when you print on Stiff Translucent fabric.
- Max Print: 1.58m, Weight: 220gsm
- Properties: Stiff, slight sheen, lets some light through
- Woven, 100% poly, does not fray
- Strong foldable textile
- Print on Stiff Translucent Fabric


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PhraseMix Articles
15 ways to say "Goodbye" in English
English speakers like a lot of variety in their everyday language. We have lots of different expressions for saying simple things. Previous articles have covered lots of ways to say "Hello" and "Thank you." This article does the same for different ways to say "goodbye".
Formal goodbyes
- Goodbye....
How to use 'a', 'an', and 'the' in English
English articles ("a", "an", and "the") come before nouns. They help to communicate which thing you're talking about, similar to words like "this", "my", and "all". And they're confusing to a lot of English learners.
Articles are really, really hard!
If your native language doesn't use...
The Phrase Mixer is awesome.
I hope you don't mind me bragging.
I've recently updated the Phrase Mixer, the tool that lets PhraseMix Premium subscribers review PhraseMix English lessons. If you've never used it, try out the limited Phrase Mixer sample version for free.
The Phrase Mixer is something I thought of many years...
What are objects?
The "object" of a sentence is a noun which usually comes after the verb in English. Here are some examples:
I love you.
Did you pay the rent?
The object receives the action of the verb.
Sometimes a sentence doesn't have an object:
I want to rest!
Not many men know how to...
The most famous American TV catch phrases (Part 3)
In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, I introduced 10 of the most famous catch phrases from American TV shows.
Here are 10 more, just for PhraseMix Premium subscribers:
"You're fired."(Donald Trump, The Apprentice)
In this reality game show, contestants...
The most famous American TV catch phrases (Part 2)
In Part 1 of this series, I introduced 10 of the most famous catch phrases from American TV shows.
As I wrote in that article, a "catch phrase" is something that a certain character repeats again and again. Learning some famous catch phrases can be useful if you're an English learner because they...
The most famous American TV catch phrases (Part 1)
You can learn some interesting English through TV catch phrases.
A "catch phrase" is something that a certain character repeats again and again. As a TV show continues, the audience starts to expect the character to use this phrase and gets excited when they hear it. Catch phrases are most...
How do you use "suggest" correctly?
OK, I have to admit that no PhraseMix readers have directly asked me about this. But it's a common problem that I've noticed in a lot of emails and conversations with English learners: a lot of people use the word "suggest" incorrectly. So here's how you should use it.
The thing to remember is...
All the best English blogs
Do you read any blogs in English?
Blogs are great because they're written in more "normal" language than newspapers or magazine articles, plus you can find one that's on a specific topic that you're interested in.
Here are a few interesting blogs on different topics. Some I've read, and some I...
Where to find English audio with transcripts
As you probably know, listening to English while reading along is a super-powerful way to improve your listening skill as well as your vocabulary. Finding audio or video with matching transcripts or subtitles can be hard. But this post should make it a little easier!
The list below contains links...


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Classic Thanksgiving Recipe: Green Bean Casserole
With 30 million green-beancasseroles set to appear on Thanksgiving tables next week, I'm writing to suggest a story for MomTrends on a fun holiday survey: "New York is ranked #20 in the U.S. for love of green-beancasserole, according to the Del Monte GreenBean Index."
To conduct this study, bean counters at Del Monte asked 1,500 Americans to "go greenbean" and rate their fondness for the classic green-beancasserole side dish.
Check out the Top 20 U.S. states with the highest concentration of green-beancasserole lovers as well as the classic recipe below.
#1: Kentucky (78% of residents 'really like or love the dish')
#2: Wisconsin (77%)
#3: Missouri (76%)
#4: Iowa (75%)
#5: Maine (74%)
#6: New Hampshire (73%)
#7: Florida (72%)
#8: Colorado (71%)
#9: California (69%)
#10: Mississippi (68%)
#11: Oklahoma (67%)
#12: Utah (66%)
#13: Kansas (66%)
#14: Texas (65%)
#15: Maryland (64%)
#16: Ohio (63%)
#17: Massachusetts (62%)
#18: Illinois (61%)
#19: Michigan (60%)
#20: New York (60%)
Del Monte also asked state residents to rate their favorite "secret ingredient" -- a single, creative item that can be added to the casserole's iconic greenbean, cream of mushroom, and french fried onion flavors to make it unique and different. According to the survey, the Top 5 most-wanted secret ingredients are:
#1: Bacon (37% picked it as their favorite secret ingredient)
#2: Cheese (19%)
#3: Mushrooms (15%)
#4: Bread crumbs, croutons, or crushed crackers (12%)
#5: Almonds (8%)
Green Bean Casserole:
2 can (10.75oz.each) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 cup milk
2 tsps. soy sauce
¼ tsp. black pepper
4 can (14.5oz.each) any style Del Monte® Green Beans, drained
2⅔ cups French's® French Fried Onions, divided
Stir soup, milk, soy sauce, black pepper, beans and 1 1/3 cups onions in a 3-qt. casserole.
Bake at 350° F, uncovered, 25 minutes or until bean mixture is hot and bubbling. Stir bean mixture. Sprinkle with remaining onions.
Bake 5 minutes longer or until onions are golden brown.
Momtrends was not paid for this post.
For even more Momtrends, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram


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Sharper Image Announces Four New License Agreements
Since it was bought up by the ThreeSixty Group, Inc., in 2010, Sharper Image has been making efforts to reinvent itself through various licensing partnerships. It's attempts to launch brand new cutting-edge products under the Sharper Image name has resulted in a series of new partnerships signed just recently. The latest round of licensing agreements include Conair Corporation, Allstar Products Group, Aerus LLC, and Mystic Apparel. Sharper Image's parent company also announced its acquisition of Vornado Air and their plans to develop portable heaters and fans under the Sharper Image name.
In a statement, the company said that these partnerships will "further expand the Sharper Image product offerings across different lifestyle categories," which include beauty, home comfort, air purification, and pet care. At the same time, the brand said it remains true to its mission to be the "go-to source for smart, innovative tech goods" that are both accessible and affordable.
"The Sharper Image brand has always been about innovation and discovery, and as we look to expand our product offerings to different lifestyle categories, we're enlisting best-in-class partners who share our goal of creating high quality products that improve your everyday life," David Conn, Chief Executive Officer at ThreeSixty Brands, said in the statement. "With great value and accessible prices, we have something for everyone – from the gadget lover or home owner, to the health-conscious and kid-at-heart."
Rob Stott is corporate communications manager, Nationwide Marketing Group


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Invite A Speaker
Lets Talk Missions!
God is on a mission to bless all the peoples of the earth (near & far) & we are invited to join Him!
"Let the people praise Him, let all the people praise Him!" Ps. 67
It is CRI's desire to strengthen the body of Christ in it's relationship with Jesus. We believe that when God's people are sold out for Christ the world will take notice and want to know Him too.
The following options are available (FREE of Charge in the USA) to be hosted by your church, school of ministry, men's & women's groups or home fellowships. We are just that passionate about The Great Commission! We are also available to share brief "devotional" style messages at Christian concerts and other events.
Invite a Speaker
45 Minute Message
- Sunday morning or mid-week services.
- A Bible centered message concluding with an "All information and no solicitation" power point or video presentation.
- We are excited about what God is doing around the world through CRI & it's partners! And, we love sharing it with other believers!
2.5 Hour "Missions 101" Course
- Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoon after church / Great for Schools of Ministry too!
- 45 minutes "A New Look at an Old Book" (Biblical Bases for Missions)
- 45 minutes "Blessed to be a Blessing" Psalm 67
- Wrapping things up with a brief CRI Presentation
CRI representatives have over 100 years of combined missions and Bible teaching experience!
- Pastor Craig Lindquist: CCGodSpeak Thousand Oaks, CA
- Pastor Brit Grim: CC San Jose, CA
- Pastor Lane Wettengel: CC Sonora, CA / CRI Founder


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St Botolph's Church of England School have set up our own easyfundraising page!
This page allows you to shop with your favourite online retailers while giving a percentage to our school to help us fundraise for brand new equipment and other necessities.
We would be extremely grateful for any donations and this will help us to give our pupils the best experience here at St Botolph's.
To learn how to use EasyFundraising, watch the video below:
Please help support St Botolph's Church of England School by shopping online.
Use easyfundraising to shop with over 3,600 retailers including Amazon, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, Booking.com, eBay, Boden, and M&S.
Every time you shop, you'll raise a free donation for St Botolph's, it's that easy!


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This petition had 126 supporters
For the years that Harold Hempstead worked in the Dade Correctional Institution Transitional Care Unit he witnessed the torturing and starving of dozens of mentally disabled inmates and the brutal murder of Darren Rainey. Dade C.I. staff were using a shower that reached temperatures in excess of 180 degrees to punish mentally disabled inmates. The fifth inmate they placed in the shower, Darren Rainey, was killed in the shower.
The Dade County State Attorney's Office has a long history of not holding law enforcement liable for murders and acts of violence committed in Dade County.
To a lot of people Darren Rainey's life didn't matter. Why? Because he was a poor, black, mentally-disabled, Muslim prisoner. His Koran was thrown in the trash by an officer. Rainey got mad and defecated in the middle of his cell floor. When he refused to clean it up, he was placed in the shower with 180 degree water and killed.
Please read the links to the Miami Herald newspaper and New Yorker magazine articles written on this murder and help us by signing this petition.
We are asking for one million signatures so we can present this petition to the DOJ asking for justice for the murder of Darren Rainey, and so we can present this petition to the Dade County State Attorney's Office and showing her: That the lives of poor people matter, that black lives matter, that the lives of the mentally disabled matter, that the lives of Muslims matter, that the lives of prisoners matter; and that the life of poor, black, mentally-disabled, Muslim prisoner Darren Rainey mattered.
Because Florida Department of Corrections are subjecting Harold Hempstead and other inmates to severe persecution when they speak to the press, we are also petitioning the USDOJ and FDLE to ask them to uphold and protect Freedom of Speech in Florida. Please spare a moment to help by signing this:
Trending petitions
Today: Jeremy is counting on you
Jeremy Schanche needs your help with "USDOJ: THE LIFE OF BLACK, MENTALLY DISABLED MUSLIM PRISONER DARREN RAINEY DOES MATTER". Join Jeremy and 125 supporters today.
Today: Jeremy is counting on you
Jeremy Schanche needs your help with "USDOJ: THE LIFE OF BLACK, MENTALLY DISABLED MUSLIM PRISONER DARREN RAINEY DOES MATTER". Join Jeremy and 125 supporters today.


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A Bar For Events – What You Need To Know
Most of the people today feel like bars are just for the youngsters that are only there to have a drink or two and then party all night. That is not entirely true though because there are certain types of bars that will also be perfect for the much older, finessed people who are looking for a calm and tipsy night. For people with busy lifestyles, this type of bar will be the best option for them because it is not that loud compared to where the youngsters go to party and the drink and the environment expresses finesses and sophistication; just what the doctor ordered, right? Your best bet for having fun is going to be in a whiskey bar for the event because people get stressed over life all the time so why not enjoy the night with friends in a bar. To blow out some stress, going out during the weekend after a busy week seems to be the best decision these days because keeping yourself inside your room during the weekend is not going to give you the fun that you deserve. A lot of the busy people during the weekdays are all in whiskey bars enjoying the night with a loved one because this is not all party but more of a sip and talk kind of bar.
You should know though that these types of bars are not just for when you want a relaxing time with your partner; it is actually a pretty diverse avenue. Whiskey bars are not limited to relaxing nights with the wife. Did you know that bars are also perfect for events and parties; they are also perfect party venues. Bars are really popular today especially for people who love to drink; they could throw their birthday parties in bars and it would be normal. Why clean up the mess you did last night when you can throw a party in a bar and have the staff clean it up for you; it won't cost much as well. You don't have to worry too much about the clean up because the bar's staff is going to take care of everything.
Being the host of the party is going to be a very stressful responsibility. Organizing an event and to make it a special night is going to be very difficult but with the right venue, you will have a better chance. Hold your event in a bar so that you will have less stress with decorating and cleaning up after the party. A whiskey bar for an event is going to be a very good decision especially when it comes to an older crowd.
Interesting Research on Services – What You Didn't Know
Interesting Research on Services – Things You Probably Never Knew


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Every Marvel movie is accompanied with an end credits scene. Doctor Strange was no different. Scott Derrickson built up his movie according to the Marvel universe timeline and gave the fans a perfect Doctor Strange movie.
During the scene, Doctor Strange was visited by Thor, an Avenger. While chatting up and getting Doctor Strange up to speed about the recent events involving Loki and the Infinity Stones, the Avenger asked help from the magician. Thor had arrived in Sanctum Sanctorum with a goal in mind, that is to recruit Doctor Strange for the yet to come events of Thor: Ragnarok.
Thor did ask the doctor for help and because of this, fans are speculating that Doctor Strange will play a major role in Thor: Ragnarok. D23, the official Disney fanclub reported that Benedict Cumberbatch's role would be returning in Thor:Ragnarok.
The official statements aren't quite made. However, the article states that Thor: Ragnarok would have heroes like Thor, Doctor Strange and Hulk.
Apparently, the God of Thunder had gone to the Sorcerer, dragging Loki along with him. Events in the earlier Thor movie, Thor: Dark World, has caused Odin to go missing.
Now Thor and Loki are trying to find out the whereabouts of their father. Doctor Strange, however, asks if finding their father would enable him to remove Loki from Earth.
From the trailer, fans at least know that Doctor Strange can be seen in these two scenarios: meeting the Odinsons and actually helping the Odinsons to find their father. Both the speculations suggest an important role to be played. However, that isn't yet confirmed and is up for debate.
Marvel already knows that keeping strictly to the script of the movie would increase its budget tenfold, as there are a number of cast members. However, Doctor Strange playing a major part seems to be unlikely, as there would be a lot of special effects to be made for all the superhero characters.
However, fans are crossing their fingers and hoping for the best. According to an earlier report, Thor: Ragnarok would release after the Black Panther movie and would likely open in theatres on November 3rd, 2017.


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L'Amministratore delegato di una azienda che fa software di voto dice che la carta è necessaria.
Archivio di tutti i clip:
(Notebook di Evernote).
A paper record for every voterOPINION — Over the last few years, policymakers, election security experts and voting equipment vendors have examined how we can continually ensure our elections and voting machines remain safe and secure.Recently, we've seen many lawmakers — from bipartisan members of the Senate Intelligence Committee to presidential candidates — call for reforms to secure the integrity of our elections. When it comes to the machines that count votes and the people who make those machines, there are a few things that must happen to ensure faith in our system of democracy continues.First, Congress must pass legislation establishing a more robust testing program — one that mandates that all voting machine suppliers submit their systems to stronger, programmatic security testing conducted by vetted and approved researchers. Voting machines may not be connected to the internet, but there are non-internet types of security testing necessary to protect elections.Second, we must have physical paper records of votes. Our company, Election Systems & Software, the nation's leading elections equipment provider, recently decided it will no longer sell paperless voting machines as the primary voting device in a jurisdiction. That's because it is difficult to perform a meaningful audit without a paper record of each voter's selections. Mandating the use of a physical paper record sets the stage for all jurisdictions to perform statistically valid postelection audits.Third, let's build on the elements of our nation's voting infrastructure that are working well.There are about 10,000 jurisdictions in America that manage nearly 117,000 polling locations and utilize more than 560,000 voting machines (manufactured by multiple suppliers) on Election Day. That's what you call a highly distributed and differentiated infrastructure, which is great for security because it's virtually impossible for a bad actor, or even a troupe of bad actors, to attack on a large scale due to the complex differences across the nation.Voting machines are, in fact, tested. Manufacturers submit their systems to the Election Assistance Commission, or EAC, which conducts lengthy testing and grants certification to those machines.But we need to enhance federal- and state-level tests, which focus on functional and environmental testing, with further mandatory security testing. Machine penetration tests, for example, simulate attacks on election equipment by people who gain physical access to the voting machines or their components. Although elections suppliers and jurisdictions alike go to great lengths to physically secure election equipment, human beings still interact with these machines before, during and after Election Day. That means the machines must be secure enough to resist attacks at any point in the process.Most voting system providers already voluntarily perform their own security testing or hire independent firms to do it — ES&S just submitted its equipment to the Idaho National Lab, which the Defense Department uses, for extensive penetration testing. But there is a clear need for the establishment of standards for machine penetration testing. That's what is missing and what needs to change.Want insight more often? Get Roll Call in your inboxIf Congress can pass legislation that requires a paper record for every voter and establishes a mandated security testing program for the people making voting machines, the general public's faith in the process of casting a ballot can be restored. And that's not just a good thing, it's essential to the future of America.
Tom Burt is the CEO of Election Systems & Software.Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone.


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Do you know where in the world you can buy drinkable gold; why an 'elephant's foot' is one of the most dangerous objects in the world; or where you might have to swim to school? Discover the answers to these questions and loads more mindblowing facts in The Cities Book, where readers aged 8+ are taken on an incredible world tour through 86 of the world's greatest cities.
Sister title to the bestselling The Travel Book, every page is packed with facts on city living, and gives kids a taste of what it's like to grow up in each place featured. From food and festivals, to awesome architecture and amazing history – there's something for everyone. A mix of wow photography, beautiful illustrations and hand drawn maps bring each page to life. It's the perfect gift for curious kids everywhere.
Suitable for children ages 8-12.
|Lonely Planet Publications Ltd
|Lonely Planet Kids
|Product Type
|212 pages, 212pp color, 0 maps
|236mm × 311mm
|Item weight
|1.22 Kg
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If your order is a non-stock item, the delivery timescale on that item will show as 3-7 working days on the product details. In these instances, dispatch is usually 3-5 working days with delivery in 5-7 working days. If your item is delayed for any reason, we will update your order to provide an explanation of the delay, although it is not always possible to say how long the delay will be. The item will be kept on order for up to three months and supplied to you when it becomes available. After 3 months, we will cancel the order or the remainder of the order unless you ask us to keep it on back order for longer. Incomplete orders will be held until the remaining items come into stock, unless we anticipate a long delay. At our discretion, incomplete orders may be sent out as partial shipments if we anticipate that an item may take some time coming in to stock.
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Where an order is placed for an item which is to be personalised or is bespoke, cancellation is not possible once production has started and these are expressly excluded from The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (formerly the Distance Selling Regulations).
All transaction information passed between Guy's Magnets Ltd T/A MapsWorldwide and Sage Pay's systems is encrypted using 128-bit SSL certificates. No cardholder information is ever passed un-encrypted and any messages sent to our servers from Sage Pay are signed using MD5 hashing to prevent tampering. You can be completely assured that nothing we pass to Sage Pay's servers can be examined, used or modified by any third parties attempting to gain access to sensitive information.
Once the information is in Sage Pay's systems, all sensitive data is secured using the same internationally recognised 256-bit encryption standards used by, among others, the US Government. The encryption keys are held on state-of-the-art, tamper proof systems in the same family as those used to secure VeriSign's Global Root certificate, making them all but impossible to extract. The data we hold is extremely secure and we are regularly audited by the banks and banking authorities to ensure it remains so.
Sage Pay's systems are scanned quarterly by Trustwave which are an independent Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) and an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) for the payment card brands. Sage pay is also audited annually under the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) and is a fully approved Level 1 payment services provider, which is the highest level of compliance. Sage Page are also active members of the PCI Security Standards Council (SSC) that defines card industry global regulation.
Guy's Magnets Ltd holds PCI compliance


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Fat Grafting to Face
Jump to:
While fillers and Botox® can help fill in facial lines and wrinkles, they are more of a temporary fix. For patients looking for a longer-lasting treatment for deep facial lines, wrinkles, and deformities, fat transfer may be the best option. During a fat transfer procedure, healthy fat is gently removed from the patient's area of choice (generally the abdomen), and it is placed to specified areas in the face or other parts of the body.
As we naturally age, our skin loses essential volume and elasticity, resulting in wrinkles, lines, and indentation, particularly in the face. The volume can be restored using the patient's own fat for permanent, natural results. Fat can be injected into multiple areas in the face including the cheeks, lower eyelids, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, temples, lips, chin, and jawline.
Day of Surgery
On the day of your surgery you will arrive to our private office-based surgery center and be greeted by our experienced surgical nurse. You will then be taken to your preoperative room and provided with a warm blanket. After consents are signed and vital signs are taken, our nurse will start your IV, if applicable. You will also see Dr. Lee on the morning of surgery prior to entering the operating room so you are able to discuss any extra expectations and ask any questions you may have.
These surgeries generally take between 1-4 hours in length depending on which surgery Dr. Lee determines is most suitable for your personal goals and safety.
After your surgery, your incisions will be dressed with antibiotic ointment and you will have a compression garment for your donor site. Your nurse will take you to your private recovery room after surgery and monitor you until you are comfortable to be discharged home. After surgery it is normal to feel some degree of discomfort, pressure, swelling, and fatigue. Medication for pain control and antibiotics will be provided for you. Dr. Lee conveniently schedules the majority of his surgeries on Thursdays and Fridays so you are able to rest over the weekend and miss a minimal amount of work. Dr. Lee and his staff will see you within the first few days after surgery to change your dressings and ensure you are well-healed. After surgery you will be provided with certain instructions such as keeping your head elevated and using lightweight ice packs to help decrease facial swelling and bruising.


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I Need a Wee! – spot the differenceAdd to My Folder
Use this fun activity sheet to support activities based on the picture book 'I Need a Wee!' by Sue Hendra, illustrated by Paul Linnet.
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BIG WIPES Heavy Duty Hand Cleaner Wipes (approx: 80 sheets)
Brand: BIG WIPES
Product Info
These Red Top Heavy-Duty Wipes have a powerful industrial-strength cleaning formula which is combined with a high performance dual-sided fabric. They have double the cleaning power and are able to remove even the toughest stains and dried-on dirt.
These wipes are designed for use by anyone who needs a very effective and immediately on-hand cleaning product. They are a high-performance, mobile multi-cleaner that will tackle just about any dirt or stain, and are ideal for removing urethane from hands during windscreen installation.
During manufacture, the fabric goes through a second process to bond heavy-duty fibres to create a super-tough scrub face that loosens even the most stubborn grime and assists with the removal of drying paints, heavy-duty adhesives and PU foam. The specially treated smooth face absorbs the grime ensuring a super-clean finish every time.
The BIG WIPES Heavy-Duty formula is not only a super-strength industrial cleaner, it is also antibacterial. This provides added protection to users working in potentially hazardous environments, outside or in. They also provide added protection against MRSA, E.Coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Clostridia, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus Aureus and Weils Disease.
The Big Wipes' advanced hi-tech cleaning formula means these wipes are unique in their ability to clean a vast range of substances from hands, tools and surfaces, including:
- General grime.
- Grease.
- Oil and water-based paints and coatings.
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- PU foam.
- EPOXY fillers and grouts.
- Oil.
- Tar.
- Inks and permanent marker.
...and much more!
They are ideal for the home, office, workshop, automotive repairs, windscreen replacement, van or factory.
Other Uses:
These wipes act as a multi-purpose degreaser that makes them great for cleaning around cookers and for messy jobs such as changing the extractor filter. Use them to clean up old paint and sealant rather than having to paint again. They will remove most dirt and grime without effecting old paint.
Guaranteed lint-free.


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I love British settings in my historical fiction (thanks, Jane Austen), so this post from Bethany House is right up my alley. If you fancy European-set historical fiction, you'll enjoy this, too. AND if you love FREE BOOKS….there's also a giveaway to enter!
It's a truth universally acknowledged that American readers have long been fascinated with stories featuring their British cousins. Here, I'm talking about historical romances (though I'm sure modern-day Brits are just as dreamy). Whether we're going all the way back to the streets of Victorian London or to the noir England of Agatha Christie, there are reasons we're drawn to books set across the pond.
One: Tidbits of Interesting History
Those of us who grew up in the States have probably been well-educated in the (relatively short) timeline of our own country. Not to say it isn't interesting, but there's very little that surprises me anymore.
But The Captain's Daughter taking me backstage behind the real workings of Gilbert and Sullivan's famous operas? That I'd never thought of, and everything from the dangers of Victorian London to the life of an actress to the new spotlight technologies was a learning…
View original post 1,059 more words


text: Welcome I am a Southern Belle Entrepreneur who enjoys Internet Marketing in the Health & Wellness arena by being a Shaklee Independent Distributor as well as being a Professional Photographer. Creating wealth, health and beautiful images provides me great energy as inspiration is all around. Enjoy the beauty and healthy living ideas!


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Kiersten Greene, Coordinator
Email: email@example.com
The State University of New York at New Paltz offers a graduate program in Literacy Education (grades B-6 or 5-12) for students interested in becoming a literacy specialist. Successful applicants will have initial New York State teaching certification (in one of the areas below) and a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
Additionally, we offer an accelerated program for students seeking a second master's degree in literacy education. Successful second degree applicants will have earned a master's degree in a related field within education and be certified in one of the areas below:
Acceptable NYS Teaching Certification Areas:
- Early Childhood (B-2) or Childhood Education 1-6
- Adolescent Education (Grades 7-12) or Adolescence/Middle Grades Education (all subjects)
- Special Education (B-2, 1-6, or 7-12)
- Speech and Hearing Handicapped
- Music Education
- Art Education.
NOTE: Three years of teaching experience as a certified literacy teacher is required for professional certification.
Graduate Programs in Literacy Education
NOTE: Admission to our dual certification programs in literacy and special education has been temporarily suspended. Students should contact the department for alternative options.


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'Hope' policy didn't work
It's not fear mongering. It's not sensationalism. It's Radical Islamic Terrorism. Our policy of "hope" with Foreign Relations is not working. Hope ran through the streets of Paris last week with assault rifles and bombs.
I am sure there are many good people among the Syrian refugees seeking asylum. I am sure many would be better off in Iowa. However, there are also jihadists among them. Inviting them to our nation defies reason. ISIS exists whether or not we say their name. They want to kill us. They do not want us to not take refugees. They will send jihadists with the refugees and they will attack us here in our home. If you think that to reject refugees means the terrorists win, I disagree with you. I think the terrorists win if we settle them in Iowa and they kill our friends and neighbors in Des Moines and across our state. I would prefer that Kevin Cooney reported on big traffic accidents instead of a mass murder at Jordan Creek mall.
Our nation seems to have forgotten 9/11. This false sense of security makes it difficult to fathom that a person would be motivated to kill you out of ideological hatred. This is not an academic scenario. This is a reality.
If our forefathers had fled to France due to British oppression instead of facing their enemy in their home we would not have this county. Hope is free but Freedom isn't. Instead of giving refugees $1,000 and an apartment in Paton we should be giving them rifles and sincere prayers.


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JSW Energy, that went public late last year, has hiked its offer price by 20% to buy South African Coal Mining Holdings(SACMH). It has struck a deal to acquire a majority stake in SACMH for around R85 million (South African Rand) (~ Rs 51 crore) from its largest shareholders that will help the company gain access to coal mines to feed its Indian power plants.
Under the deal, JSW Energy is purchasing majority stake from two shareholders including Royal Bafokeng Capital. It has acquired 49.8% in Royal Bafokeng Capital(Proprietary) Ltd and has the option to acquire the balance equity too. In addition, JSW Energy has also struck a deal and has the option to acquire entire holding of Mainsale 55 Trading (Proprietary) Ltd.
These two entities own 284.6 million shares of SACMHL and JSW Energy will pay a price of 30 cents each. This comes as a revised term of an offer made by JSW Energy to SACMHL last month and will mean higher selling price for minority shareholders of JSE-listed SACMHL.
In the previous offer JSW Enery had proposed to lend 70 million Rand (~$9.5 million) to SACMHL so that it can repay around 40 million owed to the The Standard Bank of South Africa and get in return 71.8 million shares owned by the bank. It also offered to buy the minority shareholders of SACMHL owning 29.07% of the company at 25 cents share each.
The upward revision in price could be on account of a competing bid for SACMHL. Standard Bank of South Africa had entered into an agreement with Shanduka Coal (Proprietary) Limited to sell its secured claim against SACMH to Shanduka and to grant it a period of exclusivity for the same. Thereafter Shanduka sent its offer to the SACMHL board on March 18.
The board had recommend Sanduka's proposal to its shareholders as it felt that the JSW Offer, as it stood then, was less attractive than Shanduka's. It is to be seen if Shanduka raises the stake further for JSW Energy.
SACMH has stakes in two coal mines: Ilanga in the Witbank Coal Field (200 km east of Johannesburg) which has been operational since 1996 and has effectively reached the end of its mine life & Umlabu Colliery (situated in Mpumalanga), an opencast and close pit mine where operations commenced in February 2003. Umlabu has an expected life of mine of 19 years.
JSW Energy is the power arm of Sajjan Jindal led section of the OP Jindal group (he also leads JSW Steel, the country's second largest private steel maker). JSW Energy is backed by hedge fund Eton Park besides Indus Capital.


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Skimstone produce estate grown wines in the Mudgee region of New South Whales. While they predominately make wines using Italian varietals they have also produced this Shiraz Cabernet.
Moderate aromas of red berries, chocolate, and anise. Acidity seems a little unchecked and tannins were a touch grippy, for my taste. Perhaps this wine just needs more time to settle down. Might be one for the cellar.
Price: $30 RRP
Source: VInoMofo
Varietal: Shiraz, Cabernet
Tasted: April 2015
Rating: 88
Website: www.skimstone.com.au


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On all UK orders over £50! Worldwide shipping costs built in to basket.
Sourced worldwide, with high quality and low cost in mind.
Over 70,000 customers worldwide! Use our secure payment service.
Apophyllite Cluster with Pyramid Formations
OOFF0051 Measurements at Max:
100mm x 64mm x 45mm
258 Grams
About Apophyllite
Apophyllite crystals are powerful high vibration crystals, therefore are a popular choice for many people when working with Reiki energy and attunements. They also vibrate at frequencies said to align with angels and higher guidance. Apophyllite is a perfect crystal of choice when developing spiritually, psychically or emotionally as these crystals allow for higher chakras to be energised and awakened, raising our own vibrations to higher levels in which to work. Apophyllites are a favourite choice of mine for cleansing negativity, creating balance and harmony, and group meditation work.
|Crystal Type by Name
|Crystal Healing Properties & Meanings
|Abundance, Success & Wealth, Acceptance & Change, Addiction, Angels, Anger & Guilt, Anxiety & Worry, Balance, Blockages, Chakra (Crown), Chakra (Third Eye), Clarity, Insight & Wisdom, Cleansing, Communication & Truth, Compassion & Forgiveness, Confidence, Empowerment & Positivity, Fatigue & Stress, Friendship, Grief & Loss, Manifestation, Meditation & Divination, Pain Healing (Emotional), Protection & Negativity, Psychic & Spiritual Development, Relaxation & Peace, Sleep & Dreams, Travel


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Pleated A-Line Halter Dress
Original: $88.00 Now: $60.98
Final sale - no exchange or return
Final sale - no exchange or return
See Promotion Details
*Offer valid online only at www.bcbgeneration.com through 11:59 P.M. PT on September 23, 2020. Valid on orders shipping within the U.S., Canada and select countries. Offer excludes gift cards. Discount taken at checkout. Taxes, shipping and handling fees are excluded from any discount. Cannot be combined with some coupons and offers. All items marked "final sale" cannot be returned or exchanged. Merchandise purchased online is not returnable in stores. Additional exclusions may apply. Centric-BCBG Retail LLC reserves the right to modify or cancel this promotion at any time without notice.
Product Actions
Additional Information
Bring your best retro-cocktail aesthetic in this sleeveless A-line dress in breezy georgette accented with flowy sunburst side pleating.
- Pullover
- Fabric Self: 100% polyester georgette; Contrast: 100% polyester sunburst pleated chiffon; Lining 1 and 2: 100% polyester crepe de chine
- Machine wash
- Imported
Size & Fit
- Size small is approximately 33.5" from shoulder to hem
- Lightweight, non-stretch fabric
- Above-the-knee hemline
- Easy fit
- Model is approximately 5'11" (180cm) and is wearing an XS


text: Izuno 1 Posted September 14, 2014 Err, this is embarrassing but my thread was just locked. I wanted to ask the moderator if it's possible to unlock the thread and explain that it wasn't meant for game automation (though I do admit I am using a game to test if it works so I guess it does count...) but I'm not sure how to contact him. And while I'm at it, I noticed there is no option to PM other users. Is this because I just recently joined or its part of the forum rules of not asking for help through PM. Thank you :3 I like my anime and naps :3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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"So, when are you going to publish your book?" my friend asked as she passed me in the hallway at school. I smiled and said, "Lord willing, I will be starting the process next year!" What my sweet friend wasn't aware of at the time, is that morning, the Lord and I was once again…Read More
Happy Friday! Before the new year began, I committed a few hours of silence and solitude towards setting my writing goals for this year. Article submissions, a possible book proposal, writers conferences, and just writing for the pure joy of writing are on my list for this new year. None of which will be achieved if…Read More
"I am NOT going to write!" It was the Saturday morning of this past Mother's Day weekend. The minute I woke up, writing was on my mind – I groaned. There was no denying what the Lord was telling me: He was I calling me write. The whispers of writing had been there for years…Read More


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Some more #spinepoetry inspired by the books on my shelf and the world we live in. #nationalpoetrymonth With thanks and apologies to Jide Zeus Bonnie Zobell, Lidia Yuknavitch, and Wells Tower.
Unruly Women Deserve a Spine Poem
A spine poem for unruly women everywhere. Adventures in #spinepoetry in honor of #nationalpoetrymonth. Thanks and apologies to Jodi Paloni, So Say We All, Julia Dixon Evans Jennifer D. Corley.
Variation on a Spine Poem
I've been doodling around on my bookshelves when I should be writing so I solved the problem by taking a stab at a few "spine poems." It seems a fitting way to observe National Poetry Month. Here's today's:
In the spirit of both #nationallibraryworkersday and #nationalpoetrymonth, here are a few books to go check out of your library. I call this variation on a #spinepoem. It's what happens when someone puts a sticker on the spine of a book you could only find in a used bookstore.
Small Towns, Big Stories
― Joyce Dennys, Henrietta Sees It Through: More News From the Home Front 1942-1945
Hi, Friends,
I'm sharing my April newsletter here with my WordPress friends and it starts with a tiny commercial and a big ask.
From now through April 17, the e-book version of Casualties will be available to download for only $1.99.
Now I need all the help I can get to put the word out there. In fact, this is a great opportunity for you to check out the story and see what you think. If you've already read it then you know my book and you know your friends. If you think there's a match, will you help us all to meet? Just share this post or this link with them: Casualties For $1.99. It takes them to a page where they can pick from Kindle, Nook, iBook or others to purchase and download.
There is no Gershom. I didn't take my hometown of Jefferson and slap another name on it. Those who know the area will recognize bits and pieces of several towns scattered in that part of the White Mountains (one, Lancaster, NH, is featured in the photo at the top of this letter). As I wrote, though, I realized that certain places could not be altered. They were stamped too deeply in my memory — in my bones, really. Robbie goes to find the brook he fished as a boy. I know the sound and smell of that brook and the bone-numbing chill that lasts even into August – it runs down the mountain past my parents' house. I know the sound of gravel when Ruth's car reaches the dirt road to her grandparents' farm. It is the sound that used to wake my then four-year-old son from a deep sleep and cause him to twitch with anticipation as we drove the last mile of our trip on "Gramma's Bumpy Road."
This was the remote place that frightened and thrilled me when we moved there in 1966 from suburban Connecticut. This was the place that quickly seemed too small for all I hoped to do and see in the world. This was the place where I was introduced to a telephone party line and the realization that in a town of less than a thousand people, you didn't need a party line to share information. This was the place where I "came of age" with all the joys, humiliations and growing pains that come with that. This is the place that, no matter how far away I've gotten from it, remains home.
Nearly a year ago, I went back home to Jefferson to share my book with the people who helped me write it. Some of the landmarks encountered in my story when Robbie goes north to see his relatives and when Ruth finally winds her way up the dirt road to her grandparents' home were waiting for me last spring when I arrived. Here are a couple of them. You can find more here: Robbie's Places.
Kathleen M. Rodgers also grew up in a small town. She understands the dynamics and, boy, does she understand families. Her grasp of the complexities that reside in both villages and families is on full display in her latest novel, Seven Wings to Glory, released April 1. I was invited to write a "blurb" for this fine book and here it is:
This month's giveaway is a signed copy of Seven Wings to Glory. If you'd like to enter to win, just comment here or, if you are already a newsletter subscriber, just reply to me before midnight PST on Sunday, April 9. I will use an app from Random.org to draw a winner.Thank you for being with me on this journey and for sharing your thoughts with me in emails and discussions. I have loved every minute and look forward to more!
P.S. Here's your moment of Zen: spring in the Desert, spring on the Coast. And for my family and friends back in Jefferson – may spring find you soon, very soon!
A Reader Reminds Me Why I'm Doing This
"May I just say thank you for caring about a really big issue. My son has his own story to tell about his re-entry and his attempt at suicide…we still have him. For this I am eternally grateful. And now I have a book to share with other single moms who are looking at re-entry."
–A Veteran's Mother
Dear Friends,
Those of you who are subscribers to my newsletter will have already seen this in your inbox (or soon will depending on how eager you are to open email!). I wanted to share it here too because it feels so important to share those moments when we all really connect. I won't do this regularly but when there is something I think you'll like, I'll give it a try.
Here goes:
The lines above came to me a recent Sunday night in an email. I was about to shut down my computer and head to bed, my thoughts already focused on the week ahead with its to-do's, anxieties, and promises to myself to just focus on the writing and not worry about reviews or sales or my future as a writer.
Then I saw it. The subject line read, "Your book is helping yet another military Mom." I opened it. I learned that the sender had not only finished Casualties but had lent it to a friend whose son was due home from San Diego after serving four years in the Marines. She wrote:
"It made her rethink the times she was planning to spend with him and listen to the things she would normally dismiss."
Then she shared with me a bit of her own story: the return of her son, his attempt at suicide, the long road he is still walking. With tears in my eyes, I wrote back and told her how much her note meant to me and how glad I was that she and her son still had each other. In a second note she shared more of her story. With her permission, I share excerpts below because they give us all something to think about:
"We, (family and loved ones) somehow think that things will resort back to "normal" when they return. NEVER will normal have the same definition it had before they left."
"The person returned to us from deployment is not the same one who left with dreams for making a difference…"
"They come home feeling guilty that they got to come home."
There were times when I wasn't sure I was the right person to write this novel. It took so long to finish. When I finally did publish, the triumph of the moment came with ever-growing worries I'd never anticipated. Then I began to hear from readers — not reviews actual letters from actual readers. I heard from members of book clubs who have shared their surprise, their concern, their sympathy and, ultimately, their empathy for families that may not have looked much like their own. Some readers have lost children in all kinds of ways and relived that loss with me. Some simply fell into the story and simply told me they couldn't put it down. Some have not loved the book, or all of it, but were still glad they read it. And they took the time to tell me this.
Every time I connect with a reader I understand all over again why I wanted to write a story in the first place. Every time someone shares his or her own story with me, I understand even more why I wanted to write this one. They make me want to keep going. I am grateful every day for their gift.
Two new novels for two new winners
With gratitude in mind – and knowing what it means for an author to know her book is out there connecting — I'd like to share the work of two authors who have written novels full of life, conflict, adventure and the opportunity to consider questions that compel attention long after the last page.
First though, congratulations to Jodi and to Cyn who won copies of The Nest and The Forgetting Time after responding to the last newsletter.
My Last Continent by Midge Raymond. I gobbled this book down in two nights. I loved the story. Loved the protagonist and loved her first love: the continent of Antarctica and the penquins who live there. The premise is frightening: what would happen something like Italy's Concordia cruise ship accident happened in remote, unforgiving, yet increasingly fragile Antarctica. Bonus: this copy is signed by the author!
Behold The Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue. This wonderful novel just came out a couple of weeks ago but back in the spring, I was lucky enough to leave a writers conference with two advance copies. I'm reading one (and loving it) and I want to share the other one. "Dreamers" is the story of a Jende, a Cameroonian immigrant living in Harlem who imagines a brighter future for his family after taking a job as a chauffeur for a wealthy couple. This future is threatened by the collapse of Lehman Brothers and forces Jende and his wife to make an impossible choice. Here is what the New York Times book review has to say: "Mbue writes with great confidence and warmth. . . . There are a lot of spinning plates and Mbue balances them skillfully, keeping everything in motion. . . . Behold the Dreamers is a capacious, big-hearted novel."
To enter, just respond to this email before midnight PST on Thursday, September 8. I will use an app from Random.org to draw two winners. If you'd like to check out all the official rules, just click here: giveaway rules.
Feel free to let your friends know and join us as subscribers. Here's the link to sign up: http://elizabethmarro.com/subscribe/
And if you are in a book club, let's talk!
Thank you! So good to know you are out there!
P.S. And now, here's your moment of Zen courtesy of…Mr. Beans?


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Coming face to face with a giant manta ray is the thrill of a lifetime. They are amazing and curious creatures. People are fascinated by their opposite-seeming natures - ominous looks, but sweet dispositions.
The Sheraton Kona Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii pays homage to these gentle giants by providing a viewing area for visitors at the resort's Rays on the Bay restaurant...
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Our team has a cumulative experience of over 12 years in building engineering drawings, 3D and 2D models, and digitization which is a clear distinction over other reverse engineering companies.
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Gulf of Mexico oil spillGulf oil spill exposes industry's lack of readiness, preparation
The oil spill in the Gulf will inevitably become the worst spill in U.S. history — if it is not the worst already; BP has begun a three-month project to drill a relief well in 5,000ft of water to intercept and isolate the existing well at around 13,000ft below the seabed; one expert says: "At 1,500m the head is as easy to get to as if it were on the moon"
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which will soon become — if it has not already — the worst in U.S. history, has exposed the industry's lack of readiness for the risks of deep-water exploration. The Deepwater Horizon rig, which exploded on 20 April, causing oil to gush out of the well head, was operating under extreme conditions in waters more than two miles deep and drilling a further 6.5 miles below the seabed.
Since then, efforts to contain the leak have been unsuccessful and the situation has become much worse. The Obama administration has given it the status of "a spill of national significance," providing the option to use military resources as necessary.
Simon Boxall from the National Oceanography Centre at Southampton University believes that a crisis such as this was inevitable. "BP are in the unfortunate position of having to pioneer ways of dealing with it that are new and untested, and this will take weeks, if not months," he said.
Ellie Zolfagharifard writes that BP, lease operator of the rig, has begun a three-month project to drill a relief well in 5,000ft of water to intercept and isolate the existing well at around 13,000ft below the seabed. It is also carrying out an experimental technique that involves injection of dispersants directly into the oil flow at the point that it flows out of the riser.
The method is intended to break up and disperse the oil, allowing it to degrade naturally and reduce surface impact. Simon Rickaby, managing director of London-based oil-spill-response group, Braemar Howells, has been placed on standby by the U.S. authorities in case added support is needed to contain the spill. He believes that traditional techniques will not be enough to contain the oil.
"Containment-recovery operations need favorable weather conditions and a rate of encounter that cannot be achieved with thin films of oil," he said. "The same considerations make it difficult to coral oil with sufficient thickness in fireproof booms for sustained in-situ burning. Subject to amenability of the oil to treatment, dispersant spraying is effective but there is a question as to how long spraying operations should be continued and supplies are not limitless."
In response to these concerns, BP is looking at a more radical approach and has constructed a 14 x 24 x 40ft steel canopy to contain the spill. Once lowered over the leak site and connected by pipe, the canopy will channel the flow of oil from the subsea to the surface, where it could be processed and stored.
"This, in theory, should be possible, but has never been done before at such depths," said Rickaby. "It could be a good solution if the technical problems can be resolved, allowing time for a relief well to be drilled. BP is working on this and, if there is no other breakthrough, it may be the best hope."
Another technique that Rickaby proposes is to "crimp" ' the riser below points of leakage, however the approach is untried and high-risk. "The engineering challenges would be huge and, if failure were to result in an unrestricted flow, the rate at which the oil is spilling could increase by a factor potentially of 10 or even more," he said.
The full extent of the ecological impact remains to be seen but, as Boxall puts it: "At 1,500m the head is as easy to get to as if it were on the moon. We just need to hope that the winds blow offshore and that oil engineers can come up with a solution to cap the well soon."


text:
Effective July 22, 2019 potable water will be available for sale. Please contact Laurel O'Halloran, Associate Planner, at (831) 648-3189 or firstname.lastname@example.com to set up a meeting to submit an application.
Clean, potable water is a precious resource, particularly on the Monterey Peninsula and in Pacific Grove. Potable water is regulated by the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District and by Pacific Grove Municipal Code Chapter 11.68. The City of Pacific Grove continues to work with other peninsula jurisdictions, Cal Am, and the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District to help advance future water supply opportunities.
If your project requires additional water, you may apply to have your project placed on the Water Wait List. In order to be placed on the list, the project must demonstrate proof of readiness to apply for a building permit. For more information, please see the Water Wait List Checklist.
The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District is available to answer your water credit questions and assist property owners with their water conservation efforts. You can contact them at (831) 658-5601.


text:
Zeroing In
"I am a landscape," he said.
"a landscape and a person walking in that landscape.
There are daunting cliffs there,
And plains glad in their way
of brown monotony. But especially
there are sinkholes, places
of sudden terror, of small circumference
and malevolent depths."
"I know," she said. "When I set forth
to walk in myself, as it might be
on a fine afternoon, forgetting,
sooner or later I come to where sedge
and clumps of white flowers, rue perhaps,
mark the bogland, and I know
- Read more about Zeroing In
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text:
By now most of us have seen previews for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which hit theaters this past weekend. Fans from all around have made their way to the box office on opening weekend, because this film has made over $101 million in just the first few days! This proves that Marvel has done another fantastic job – and there's no doubt fans are already anticipating to hear what's next!
While I was in Los Angeles, I had the opportunity to sit down with The Winter Soldier, Sebastian Stan to hear his thoughts on the Captain America film. Sebastian Stan started off by letting us know his reaction to getting the part of Bucky Barnes was exactly the opposite of what he had thought it was actually going to be like. Stan said instead of jumping up and down screaming, he was very quiet and still. He kept replaying the conversation and was really excited. …And who wouldn't be excited to be cast for such a phenomenal part?
Was it difficult to change form from Bucky into the winter soldier?
Sebastian Stan: Well, yes and no. I would say no in the sense that everything is so spelled out for me in the comic books that I sort of feel like I have that to follow as a guide. Yes in that certain things from comic books often—don't—they're not so easily translated to the screen, and so there were things visually that were new that we had to discover about the character. I mean in the comic books there was a lot of information but in terms of how the winter soldier moved, how he behaved, what his presence was like on screen, those were all things I had to sort of discover once I was in the outfit and we were actually shooting the movie. And that was more difficult I suppose. At the end of the day the most difficult part was playing someone that's very different while at the same time the same person.
What was your most memorable moment while filming?
Sebastian Stan: Probably any of the stuff that I had with Robert Redford was pretty memorable. That's where I really remember sort of telling myself you know, just be here. Be present. You know, take him in, on and off set. On set it was like suddenly I was in a situation where the whole reason for me going to acting school and everything was sort of here. I was with this man and he was being very generous as an actor with me, even though he's obviously who he is. And then, off set sort of just wanting to see if there was anything I could pick his brain about in terms of people he's worked with. So that was pretty special.
When you were first cast as Bucky in the first movie, did you know that Bucky would come back to life as The Winter Soldier later on?
Sebastian Stan: I didn't because I hadn't read anything. And there was no script for Captain America when I was auditioning. Actually, all I really had was a scene between Steve Rogers and Bucky and I was auditioning for Steve Rogers. So, I obviously looked up things about Steve Rogers but I never looked up anything about Bucky. And when I didn't get that part, I sort of thought that was that. I actually didn't want to read any of the comic books or anything going into the audition process because I wanted to just have a fresh perspective. But then when I talked to them about Bucky after that, they educated me on the story.
To conclude, we asked Sebastian to tell us who his favorite superhero and villain would be. After pointing to himself with laughter, he went on to say:
I don't know if I have one, I mean I'm so biased, you know. With these movies now especially now that I've gotten to know the Captain America storybook so well, um, I'm kinda biased and they're sort of like my favorite. You know, if I had a choice and they were to come up to me and go "Do you wanna be a character in the Captain America storyline or the Ironman storyline or the Thor storyline?" – I would definitely pick the one that I'm in.
And so, favorite villain? Though I've had a few, I mean the T-1000 was always somebody that I thought was an incredible villain. […] Gary Oldman in (Leon?) uh, The Professional! That's a great villain, he's played quite a few. So, yeah there were a lot. And then Terminator Two was another one, I mean those were all really great villains. When you have a really good villain that's a realistic threat, the movies are better.
Make sure you take a look at all the recent interviews from the #CaptainAmericaEvent, with insites from Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, and film Producer Kevin Feige


text:
Another week of Bulldogs playing: Who's at quarterback?
By Paul Newberry Sep. 28, 2020 06:38 PM EDT
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Big Ten back in poll, not on field
By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 28, 2020 03:09 AM EDT
Nix, No. 8 Auburn pull away from No. 23 Kentucky, 29-13
By John Zenor Sep. 26, 2020 03:32 PM EDT
Kentucky at Auburn 9/26/2020
Sep. 26, 2020 10:59 AM EDT
Week 4 Preview: FSU-Miami has King in spotlight; SEC begins
By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 25, 2020 02:40 AM EDT
No. 8 Auburn hosts No. 23 Kentucky on opening SEC weekend
By The Associated Press Sep. 24, 2020 02:27 PM EDT
Wilson leading No. 23 Kentucky into opener at No. 8 Auburn
By John Zenor Sep. 24, 2020 12:58 PM EDT
No. 8 Auburn hosts No. 23 Kentucky in SEC's opening weekend
By The Associated Press Sep. 24, 2020 04:05 AM EDT
Media picks Alabama to top Florida in SEC championship game
Sep. 23, 2020 04:04 PM EDT
College Football Picks: SEC start in most unusual season
By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 23, 2020 03:28 PM EDT
SEC football opens minus big crowds, tailgating, some stars
By John Zenor Sep. 23, 2020 02:35 PM EDT
Vandy coach still mum on starting QB vs No. 10 Texas A&M
By Teresa M. Walker Sep. 22, 2020 03:38 PM EDT
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Who's eligible? Who's playing?
By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 21, 2020 01:49 AM EDT
AP Top 25: No. 12 Miami rises; Marshall jumps into rankings
By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 20, 2020 02:10 PM EDT
Willis scores 3 TDs in his Liberty debut, Flames win 30-24
Sep. 19, 2020 03:41 PM EDT
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Malik Willis rushed for 168 yards and three touchdowns in his Liberty debut as the Flames opened their season with a 30-24 victory...
COVID-19 knocks out Virginia-Virginia Tech football opener
By Hank Kurz Jr. Sep. 12, 2020 11:21 AM EDT
The pandemic disrupted college sports again Saturday, with Virginia and Virginia Tech postponing their Sept. 19 football opener because of COVID-19 issues at...
SEC remains loaded in season when little else is normal
By John Zenor Sep. 01, 2020 10:57 AM EDT
No. 11 Auburn banking on Nix, successful overhaul on lines
By John Zenor Sep. 01, 2020 08:10 AM EDT
PICK SIX: LSU quartet heads list of players opting out
By Steve Megargee Sep. 01, 2020 03:36 AM EDT
Auburn expected to be without 16 players in practice return
Aug. 30, 2020 09:51 PM EDT


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As I approached this idea to write about "a day in the life" I figured it best to take the "average" day. As most of my trips (about 75% of them) have a sign on time in Hong Kong between 10pm and midnight, I will write about one of those days.
One of the most important things when considering starting a flight after 10pm that will last anywhere from 8-14 hours or sometime more, is proper rest. So when I'm going to bed the night before I go to work, I usually set my alarm for around 700am. I find it important to wake up nice and early with some sort of physical activity for the morning. Usually this involved a workout with Impact Fitness of Hong Kong. By the time an intense workout is over at about 930 I return home for yet another important part of the work day. A good breakfast. It can be a very uncomfortable flight if you have eaten large, rich meals all day before going to work late at night. Not only can it be physically uncomfortable, but a full stomach also (for me anyway) really makes me want to go to sleep, especially when its near midnight. So for breakfast, usually a fresh fruit/spinach smoothie, or maybe a couple of eggs, avocado, and a decaf coffee. Decaf is important, along with waking up early for a common reason which I will get too. The next few hours can vary, sometimes we will take the dogs to the beach, or the waterfall, or do some errands in the town center of Mui Wo. Those few hours can also be as simple as taking the dogs for a walk and relaxing at home and catching up on some North American TV. When that comes to an end, I will usually take care of all my "pre-flight" activities. I pack my suitcase, get my uniform ready, and review the route for the evening with our company port pages and route briefings. The port pages are a 4-12 page document that detail everything there is to know about a given airport. Terrain considerations, speed restrictions, Low Visibility Operations capability, even as detailed as to which taxiways our large 747-8 can taxi on (Vancouver as an example has many taxiways that are not certified for a plane of that size). The route briefings are just that, a 8-12 page document that detail ATC requirements, typical weather patters for a given region, communications procedures, and others, so that before heading out on a given flight, between the port pages and route briefings, we can have an excellent understanding of a new route, or a good review of a route we frequent. So with those notes done, and my luggage packed, I will either look at the bus schedule or arrange for a taxi. Generally the ride from my village to the airport is about 40 minutes. Sometimes less, sometimes more, but it usually offers a nice view crossing the mountain range on Lantau Island.
So off to bed. My pre flight nap. The light breakfast/decaf coffee, along with waking up early in the morning and working out, usually yield a little fatigue for me by mid afternoon. This is the perfect scenario. I close the blackout blinds, put in ear plugs and head for bed. I usually set an alarm for 3-4 hours later depending on how tired I am. If I sleep for the whole time, great! If I wake up after 2 hours, well that is just my body telling me I've had enough sleep. So when I wake up I am usually greeted with my wife having prepared a nice dinner for me. Again eating lighter foods, and smaller portions are key for me. If I have a big heavy, rich meal, I get to work and just want to crawl into bed. If I have a smaller meal that is healthier, I remain energetic when it comes time to report for work. So after dinner, I will relax with the dogs and my wife. Take the dogs for a walk, and then check the airline's employee web site for the first version of our Computer Flight Plan. Usually within about 5 hours of the departure time, there will be an initial flight plan generated. Sometimes these plans will change, usually just the Zero Fuel Weight as passenger/cargo loads can change. So once I have downloaded the 60 plus page document onto m iPad, I start with the basics. First things first. Check the aircraft registration, the type (can be one of five different types: 747-400 passenger, 400 freighter, 400 Extended Range Freighter, 400 Boeing Converted freighter, and of course the 747-8F) of which there are three different engine types. So there are some numbers (weights, and engine temperature limits are the most relevant) that need to be reviewed once we know which plane we will be operating.
Next I check the fuel information. I cross check all the numbers with the total fuel required and then add the zero fuel weight to get a ramp weight. These figures are all on the flight plan, but of course we double check them before each flight. From those calculations we can get our takeoff and landing weights to ensure they are within the operating limits. For those interested, the maximum takeoff weight of the 747-8F is 447,695 kgs. Or just under 985,000 pounds. Quite impressive in my opinion.
With all my preflight notes complete, its shower, change, and head to work. I like to arrive about 30-45 minutes before sign on time to make sure I am well prepared, and just in case there are some traffic problems I have a built in buffer.
So arrival at work. We scan into Cathay City with our crew id cards and head to the storage room next to flight planning where I leave my suitcase until it's time to head to the plane. The room is quite large, and accommodates several wide body crews (up to 21 of us on a 747-400 passenger flight). Off to the bathroom to quickly get into my uniform shirt. The Hong Kong summers are too hot to make the commute to work in a uniform shirt, so I usually wear a T-shirt and then make the change into a freshly ironed shirt once I am at CX City. With that, it's onto the briefing tables. Cathay has a nice set up where each flight has it's own table or counter with our documents bag. In here we find the binders with all relevant port pages and airport charts for the route. We also add a few house keeping items. Ear plugs, sanitary wipes, screen wipes, replacement earmuffs for the headset, and of course, Evian facial spray to help stay moisturized in the dry air of a pressurized airplane. Once "the shopping" is done, I double check that the paperwork matches the online information that I looked at earlier. It is around now when the other crew members arrive and we all introduce ourselves, or catch up with someone we may have flown with before. It is quite common that there will be some changes to the load (passengers or cargo) at this point, or perhaps the aircraft tail number we will be flying, if there has been a maintenance issue with the planned airplane. Once we take note of any changes, the crew decide on a fuel load. If all things are as planned and there are no outstanding contingencies, we will take flight planned fuel. Our flight plan fuel covers virtually all contingencies enroute (weather, traffic, etc.) as well as an additional percentage to cover us in case there are more things to deal with on our flight. Generally speaking flight planned fuel is enough, but occasionally we will increase that fuel if the weather at the arrival end is questionable. Even with an ok forecast at out arrival airport, we can take advantage of other clues to see if the weather will in fact be as advertised. The most common example is returning to Hong Kong, with say Shenzhen as our alternate. Perhaps Hong Kong has some thunderstorms in the forecast, but Shenzhen does not. So using Shenzhen as the alternate is legal, but when you look at Macau, and Guangzhou weather, you see they are both forecasting thunderstorms. All of these airports are within about 20 miles of each other, so it is likely that some extra gas will be needed.
Ok, so fuel is decided. Off to the airplane. We clear customs and security right in our building next to flight planning. We jump on a crew bus and make the 5 minute drive to the airport. Depending on the gate, or cargo position we are parked at, we are usually at the plane within another 5 minutes. Collect our bags, and make our way up the stairs to the main deck. In the freighter we leave our suitcase on the main deck near the L1 door, where cargo handlers will strap them down next to the sidewall in the midst of 100 plus tons of cargo. On a passenger flight, we can check out bags right at Cathay City and they are loaded in the belly just like everyone else's bags. Up to the cockpit now and we all sort our belongings and start with job number one. The Captain will go through the Log Book. ANy outstanding defects or operational notes we need to consider? Hopefully not. For the most part these "snags" are dealt with whenever the aircraft has some down time between sectors. Of course if there is a serious matter, they are dealt with immediately. When all the information in reviewed in the Log Book, we then start our duties. The pilot flying for the sector will begin initializing the FMC and ACARS, while the monitoring pilot will go do a walk around. Big or small, every plane needs a walk around by one of the flight crew. Me? Well the second officer has the responsibility of a cockpit pre flight check. It is a basic run down of all the equipment on board. From cockpit voice recorders, to life vests, to escape harnesses. The freighter aircraft adds more of the safety equipment that normally falls under the duties of a flight attendant (life rafts, portable oxygen masks, etc). Once that is done, it's time for the easy part. Make the beds. Both the freighters and passenger 747's have two beds for in flight crew rest.
When that is done. We all assemble back in the cockpit. I usually start a pot of coffee if I am on a cargo flight, and grab some bottles of water for the Captain and FO. When we are back up front, the cockpit set up is finished. Our final zero fuel weight arrives via ACARS and we enter the current weather information and send for our Take Off Data for the day. We obtain our IFR clearance, enter the data into the CDU for the flight, and then we are ready for pushback and start up. Throughout all that my role as a Second Officer is basically just support and an extra set of eyes.
Next comes the fun part. Taxiing our for takeoff you get a real sense of the size of the 747, especially when you pass any other airplanes. With the exception of the A380, the 747 dwarfs other airplanes. A large wide body like the A330 doesn't even compare to the length and height of a 747. It's a cool feeling considering the last airplane I was a crew member on had a prop clearance of less then 12 inches. Once on the takeoff roll, it doesn't take long for the mighty 747 to reach takeoff speed. Despite being more then 800,000 pounds, or just shy of a million pounds in the case of the 747-8F, Boeing and GE/Pratt Whitney, and Rolls Royce have teamed up to make an airframe, wing, power plant combination that would defy what the Wright Brothers first envisioned possible when it came to powered flight. Even at the heaviest weights, we reach a cruise altitude of 31,000 feet (typically) in around 20 minutes or less. With an economic cruise speed of around Mach 0.83, the 747 is almost climbing at that speed through the final segment, and rarely needs any time to accelerate. My old metro, at a heavy weight, might be climbing at 140 knots when leveling at 21,000 feet, and would take 10 minutes to reach a cruising speed of 190 knots indicated airspeed.
So with the plane set up in cruise, we have a few house keeping items to take care of. By this time I will have jumped in the right or left hand seat depending on who is ready for sleep first. Fill out a bit of information in the ACARS for the closing report that will come at the end of the flight. Next, enter the step climbs as they appear on the flight plan into the CDU. This gives our FMC (the brain of the airplane) an accurate plan for our flight when it comes to calculating fuel used and time to our arrival airport. Once the house keeping items, the next thing to do is get some enroute weather. When departing for Anchorage, the first airports that we obtain weather for are usually Taipei, Naha (Okinawa), Fukuoka and Osaka. These are basically the major airports on our route at intervals of about 45 minutes to an hour. The reason for checking weather at airports we have no intention of flying to? Well once the ACARS prints out the latest METAR's we check to see if there would be any reason that we could not land there in the event of an emergency. We also go over the NOTAM's (which we checked before the flight) for those airports for a quick reminder on the relevant info. So if we know there are no NOTAMS restricting a landing, and the weather is good to support a landing, then we file that in our minds as good to go "in case of". In case of what? Well a cargo fire is the most time critical situation, and if that occurs, we take immediate action to head to one of these airports. Engine failures and depressurization are also critical situations, but mostly when it comes to fuel. Depressurizing is the most fuel critical situation, as we have to descend to a breathable flight level (FL140) where our engines are less efficient per nautical mile flown. In both these cases however, we more then likely would not divert to the closest airport. It is a very situation specific. If we had a simple engine flameout, we can consider continuing all the way to the destination (especially if the destination is Hong Kong). Once an event has occurred and has been dealt with, we will communicate with the company and then make the best decision for the situation.
Ok, so we are cruising happily along with all the house keeping done, and with good situational awareness as to where to go in the case of an emergency. Here comes the boring part. For the next several hours, the job basically consists of monitoring the radio and making frequency changes as we cross FIR boundaries. Hourly, we make a fuel check to cross check flight planned fuel burn vs actual fuel burn. The 747-8 typically makes gas on a long haul flight. That is, burns less gas then the flight plan predicts so on our arrival, we have "made" more gas to use in the event of a diversion or holding time.
Lets fast forward to the last 90 minutes or so. Prior to the top of descent, we will review the planned arrival into our destination based on the latest ATIS for the airport. Based on our landing weight, we assess our landing performance via a Landing Data request sent via ACARS. A quick review of the aircraft status (in case any systems have failed or downgraded during the flight) and we are ready to descend and make our approach to landing.
By this time, as the Second Officer, I am comfortably in my observer seat, watching the more senior crew do their thing. Again I am an extra set of eyes and ears, and there for support. Once on the ground and parked, its simple again for me as the So, put the documents away, file a bit of paperwork. We leave the plane for customs, and hopefully without too much delay, we are on our way to the hotel. Check in, receive our per diems, and get up to the room.
That is all for this installment.
Fly Safe.