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Time in Willow Creek: 1 year, 6 months, 2 weeks, 4 days
Juliana sucked in a deep breath and marched up the stairs of Community Library with her head high, new attitude and butterflies in her stomach. Steady clicking of her heels counted down to a new era. Many elements of her new charge remained to be discovered, making her uncertain, but similar to her walk into the library, she would take it one step at a time.
She didn't arrive as early as she planned. Psyching herself up for the day took much longer than usual, but she still arrived before Trish which is what she wanted but just barely. Community Library patrons showed a sense of urgency that morning. Someone followed Juliana in, and minutes later, Trish trailed someone else. Juliana had faced the wall and attempted to have one last moment alone, but the hairs on her neck and arms stood when Ms. Henning arrived.
"Oh…good, you're back," Trish said.
Juliana took in a deep breath once again before turning to address her coworker. "Good morning."
"Nice suit," Trish said stiffly.
Juliana flashed a quick smile. "Thank you."
The front door opened again, and a woman walked through. Juliana wondered why so many had come so early.
The woman waved. "Mornin, Juliana!"
"Good morning." She had seen her many times but never asked for her name. Harriett knew everyone's name, but she had nearly three decades to get to know them.
Trish walked away to begin her day, and Juliana panicked. She didn't spend the morning psyching herself up for Trish to get away.
Juliana heard a loud sigh before she faced her.
The butterflies in her stomach felt like they multiplied three times. She wiped her moist palms on her trousers and swallowed a large knot in her throat. "Uhh…"
She had an idea of what she wanted to say, but the words got stuck at the back of her dry mouth. "You are a good librarian…"
"I know you don't care for me. But, I can't change what happened." Bitter bile crawled up her throat. She swallowed the sensation. "I have to learn things, and…and I need you here. We have to communicate better and work together."
Trish grew increasingly more frustrated with every word that exited Juliana's mouth.
She tried to calm her nerves and swallowed a few more times before saying the next part. "I know what librarians are supposed to do…" She paused to let her words sink in a bit. "I need you to do those things. I will help, but I need to be in the office more to learn how to do this."
Trish's chest rose and fell quickly. She looked like a growling dog. "Yeah, ok. Whatever. Are we done here?"
Juliana's patience with her attitude wore thin. If she were bold enough, she would have given her a few pieces of her mind. But, she had to keep it professional and refrain from stooping to Trish's level. She had a reputation to uphold, but no one but Juliana regulated what happened inside her head.
Trish did an about-face and dashed away, probably fuming as she always was. Perhaps, one day–in her own way–she'd find the courage to tell Trish what for. She found the thought amusing and even looked forward to it.
To begin her morning, she retreated to the office not to hide but to embark upon a journey of epic proportions. During her time off, she made a list of questions to research. She also began going through all the papers in the drawers and folders on the wall. Surely Harriett left everything she needed to know in that room. She simply had to look for it and piece all the information together.
After a few hours, her brain was so mushy, she thought it might slide out of her ears. She took a break and walked around the library just as Harriett used to do, greeting the patrons and checking on everyone. She borrowed a bit of confidence as she smiled and spoke to people. Hillary sometimes said, "fake it 'til you make it," she remembered. At first, she didn't understand what that meant, but she got it. She needed to keep borrowing confidence from somewhere until it came naturally–or at least didn't cause so much stress.
Around the corner, in the computer room, Juliana heard loud rapping of keys and laughter. The voice and noise belonged to Trish beating her Blicbloc score. Did she not hear anything Juliana said earlier? Did she really not care? Thankfully, no one needed assistance, and the books stood tall and upright in the shelves thanks to Juliana's need for order and neatness. Everyone needed a break every now and then, but she wished Trish would have told her she was taking one. For the moment, she let the offense ride, but soon she would deal with her.
After her rounds, she manned the front desk. She was comfortable there and knew the job well. Sometimes, Trish often contradicted herself by saying Juliana didn't need to be so visible in the library now that she was–for all intents and purposes–the manager but at the same time refused to do any of the duties Juliana, the library assistant, did. Perhaps that was her way of telling Juliana they needed to hire another person, but that should have been her decision as the librarian. Juliana couldn't decide if she wasn't a good librarian or she had gotten used to Harriett doing everything. Either way, she could not win with this woman. She was damned if she sat up front and damned if she hid in the office. It was a new day, however, and Juliana sat there almost daring Trish to say something. If she came at her the wrong way, Juliana would take some of that borrowed confidence and put Trish in her place.
Later on, Juliana noticed she couldn't hear Trish's heavy footsteps stomping around the aisles. She hadn't gone to lunch, and she wasn't in the bathroom. Juliana decided to go upstairs to look for her. It was rare for Trish to retreat somewhere for privacy. She found her looking out the window with her arms wrapped around herself.
"Are you ok?" Juliana asked.
Trish growled and attempted to go back downstairs.
"Trish…if something is–"
"You're so freaking annoying! Are you my shadow? Leave me alone!"
Trish may have openly said hateful things about Juliana and didn't hide her displeasure with her, but she never yelled at her. Something was wrong.
"Ok! I was just–"
Trish stomped down the stairs. "I'm going to lunch!"
Juliana let out a sigh of relief. She wasn't sure how to deal with her and sat in the chair behind her to recover from the explosion. Learning the ropes would have been an adventure on its own, but this? Pity mode attempted a comeback. Everything would be much easier if she claimed she couldn't handle it and watch everything go up in flames. Going back to that dark place was not an option. Especially not while she sat on hallowed ground. Over her shoulder, she saw the desk she and Harriett used to sit for her Simlish lessons. Those times were hard, but they were good times too. A smile crept on her face as she made the connection. Times could be both hard and good, not one or the other. She didn't have to let Trish's antics get to her or become overwhelmed by all she needed to learn. Juliana needed to do exactly what she did with her lessons: practice, study, and never give up.
While she sat, she heard someone else coming up the stairs.
"Are you ok?" the man asked. "I don't mean to be nosey, but heard ol girl yelling."
She appreciated the concern. No wonder Harriett loved that community so much. They were such good people. Some of them.
"I'm fine…but, thank you."
"Aight. Just let me know. I ain't afraid to tell her what's up!"
She laughed and went back downstairs with him. It was almost 3:30, and she had someone special to see.
"Hi, Miss Juliana!"
"Hello, Manu! Did you enjoy school today?"
"We had to take lots of tests. I don't want to go to school for a long time!"
She laughed. "Awww, probrecito! I hope tomorrow is more fun."
The little boy stared at her for a moment.
She smiled nervously. "What?"
"You're so pretty, Miss Juliana. If I was big, I'd make you my girlfriend."
She laughed heartily. "No girlfriends for a long time, ok?"
"Would you be my girlfriend? If I was big?"
It was the craziest day. It began tentatively with lots of tension, an explosion in the middle, and now she was being asked out by a 10-year-old. What else did this day have in store for her?
She didn't want to crush him and side-stepped the question as best she could. "I can't. I am the girlfriend of someone else."
Those words felt weird coming out of her mouth. She and Kevin had only been together for a week and a half, and they hadn't seen much of each other. During her time off, she didn't want to see him. With Trish doing less and less work, her days stretched longer and longer. Kevin had a business trip the previous weekend. Sometimes it didn't feel like she had a boyfriend, but she knew how loved she was. They stayed in constant communication.
His little face melted her heart. Just as she attempted to comfort him and do damage control, he changed gears.
"Well, maybe when I'm big you won't be his girlfriend anymore."
She laughed again. He was probably right. She and Kevin would probably be married by then, but he didn't need to know that.
"We will see. Do you want to do your homework?"
During the bad times, those short moments with Manu were the ray of sunshine in her very long, dark days. She lived for those moments and was glad he enjoyed them as well although she learned he enjoyed them a bit too much.
When his mother picked him up, and all the other kids had gone home, Juliana retreated to the office to do some last minute tasks before locking up. It had been a slow day, despite the rush in the morning, and she managed to re-shelve books throughout the day. For the first time in a long time, she would leave shortly after closing time. She had two extra hours added to her night, and she wanted to enjoy the rare gift with Kevin. To her surprise, however, as she exited the office, he entered.
"Oh! Hi!" She grinned. "I was going to call in a few minutes."
He grinned too. "Lucky me."
Her new look startled him. She told him about some changes related to work, but he didn't expect a change in wardrobe. He didn't mind what she wore, but he loved seeing her dressed up. She looked so…grown.
"Wow. You looking amazing."
It was hard to take his eyes off her. She looked so beautiful and confident, almost like another person yet still her. The staring probably made her uncomfortable. She kept looking at her shoes.
He cleared his throat and snapped out of it. "Umm…I'm glad you're not working late tonight. I was hoping we could grab dinner and hang out for a bit."
Her eyes met his again accompanied by a dazzling smile. "Of course."
"Ok." He grinned like a schoolboy, but he didn't care. He was so happy to be with her again. "We can go some place close by."
He took her to a restaurant in the Town Center area which used to be known as "downtown." Long ago, Willow Creek was a tiny farming community. The farmers would have to go down into town to shop, be entertained, and conduct business. All the buildings in the area were the originals minus Villa Bovine, the restaurant they went to. The museum used to be a municipal building where the courthouse and police department used to be. The Blue Velvet Nightclub was a saloon, the gym was a general store, and the library had served its same purpose the entire time. Over time, the community grew and sprawled around downtown and making it the center of town. When the skyscrapers and apartment buildings came, all the official city offices moved there. The dense urban area became worthy of the title "downtown."
"Good evening," the cheery host said.
"Hello. A table for two, please."
She tapped the screen a few times. "Right this way." She led them to the first table in the dining room. "Is this ok for you?"
"Oh yes, thanks. It's lovely."
"Awesome. Your server will be Salim, and he will be with you shortly."
Cooking was not Kevin's thing, so he ate out almost exclusively. He knew almost every restaurant in Willow Creek, Oasis Springs, Newcrest and Windenburg. The man knew food and had favorite dishes he ordered from each place. He almost never looked at the menus, and tonight was no different. He knew exactly what he wanted and watched Juliana discover all the dishes he had tried eons ago. She didn't read the menu aloud, but he could tell when she saw something that excited her. A jolt of glee made her eyebrows raise and a tiny grin pop up.
They had shared many meals together, but this was their first dinner as a couple. An official date! After all the turmoil he went through, he was dating Juliana and could not believe his luck.
Kevin didn't know what to expect from being in a relationship with her. She was so young and inexperienced. On top of that, he knew the cultural differences might create bumps in the road as well. And then he had his own demons. To be honest, sometimes they scared him. Sometimes he felt more like a wrecking ball pummeling through Juliana's life knocking down her hopes and dreams of whatever she wanted her life to look like. He wanted to help not hinder her. Whenever he felt those old excuses forming, he reminded himself that their situation was completely new, he wasn't the person he used to be, and it was normal to be scared sometimes.
A man donning a smile strode to their table. "Good evening. It's good to see you back, sir."
Kevin smiled back. "Of course! I can't stay away from here long."
Remembering faces was not one of Kevin's many strengths, and he felt bad for not remembering him. The conversation, however, was a reminder of why he loved Villa Bovine. It was a fine dining establishment, but it still had that homegrown feel. The ambiance and decor was posh enough to be special, but not stuffy and pretentious like that germ-infested health hazard in the Magnolia Promenade. He would need a very compelling reason to ever consider eating at Chez Llama again.
"Nice to see you in here with a pretty lady too." He winked at Juliana.
Kevin almost laughed as he recalled all the past incidents when people assumed they were together and he would smash those assumptions with a quickness. Now, of course, he understood why people thought that. They were together. He just didn't realize it.
"Yeah…it is nice to take my girlfriend out."
It felt so strange to call her that. It had been eons since anyone held that title.
"I'm happy for you. Are you ready to order?" Salim asked.
He nodded. "Juliana?"
She nodded too.
"Cool. I'll have a rack of lamb and a simopolitan."
The server chuckled. "I should have known. And, for you, miss?"
"Pasta Primavera and lemonade, please."
"What a beautiful accent! Where are you from?"
"Monte Vista."
"Oh! Well, that's great." He hovered over the table and pretended to whisper. "Don't judge us too harshly on the food."
They all shared a laugh.
"I'll return shortly," he said. "Can I bring you some bread while you wait?"
"No, but thank you, Salim," Kevin said and turned his attention back to Juliana. "So! Tell me about this transformation!"
She blushed. "Oh…" Her eyes wandered around the ceiling tiles as she considered her answer. "I got a letter from Mamá, and I thought about what you said to me…. I remember something Trish said to me too."
"Juliana, don't let her bully you!"
"No! Listen. I'm trying to figure out what I'm saying."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
He often interrupted her all in the name of trying to swoop in and save the day, but he did need to listen to her more. Sometimes she spoke so well he forgot she still struggled with the language. He wondered if it would help or be a hindrance for him to learn her's. He could have learned it long time ago when he went to her country for charity work but learning foreign languages were also not on the list of his strengths.
"I need to be serious," she said.
Kevin stifled the urge to snort. Juliana was one of the most serious people he knew even in her silly moments. Why would she think she needed to be more serious?
"I mean, I need to be important."
His heart swelled. "You are important."
"No! Like…" She let out a frustrated sigh.
"You mean you want to look like you're important…so people know you're important?"
Finishing her thought probably wasn't a good idea, but she seemed to really struggle with it.
She looked relieved to be understood. "Yes! Like that."
"Makes sense. People tend to respect you more simply because you're wearing a suit. You could be, like, the janitor or something, but if you wear a suit, people will assume you're important and know what you're doing. That's a good strategy…and I love your suit."
"Alrighty…" the server said, lugging a tray of aromatic deliciousness and placing plates in front of them. "How's it looking?"
"Everything is perfect, thank you," Kevin said.
"Alrighty! Y'all enjoy now."
Kevin savored a few sips of his favorite drink and the succulent meat before prodding Juliana more. "So how did it go with Trisha today?"
She rolled her eyes and continued eating. His heart sunk. He thought for sure Juliana would put her in her place and the library saga would be behind them. How could anyone dislike her?
"I can talk to her if you want."
A sweet smile softened her face. "I need to do it."
He returned her smile. "Of course you do."
Salim came back and grabbed Kevin's empty glass. "Let me take this for you. Can I bring you another?"
"No, thank you."
They had such a good time. He didn't want to keep her out too late, but time escaped them anyway. Most nights she went to bed very late despite having to wake up so early and endure 13+ hour days. How did she do it? Her youth probably helped.
Kevin paid the check and left a generous tip. On their way out, he asked her if she felt like going for a short walk. She agreed. She always agreed. They strolled down the alley between the restaurant and the nightclub to get to the boardwalk. She cradled his arm in hers. He loved having her so near.
Juliana gasped and broke away. "A lighthouse! Can we go down there?"
He chuckled. "Of course we can."
They left the safety of the cobblestone sidewalk and traipsed down the dirt path toward the bank. She hurried in front of him. Her excitement tickled him although he was afraid she would stumble. She wore low, thick heels, but sometimes the path was rocky.
"Wait up!"
"Is it far?" she asked.
"Uhhh…not really. Too far to get to tonight."
A breeze blew the humid air around making it a bit more bearable. The crickets and cicadas did a duet. Or, maybe they were competing in a contest. The fireflies danced like cheerleaders but not for one side or another. Standing there, looking out over the river with his lady by his side, Kevin felt so at peace. He also felt like redeeming their last moment together.
He grabbed her hands. She smiled nervously.
"Juliana…I want to kiss you."
She flashed that dazzling smile again. "So kiss me."
Although he initiated the invitation, his heart pounded in his chest; he was much braver last time. Dropping her hands, he drew her into an embrace and planted a tender kiss on her soft lips. Her tentative hands found their places around his waist and behind his shoulder. Hot, electrical pulses coursed throughout his body as their lips gently massaged each other. Some called it fireworks. He was just glad it was happening. Kissing Juliana liberated his spirit and broke the remaining chains on his heart and mind. His previous fears seemed so silly. He wanted to kick himself for not realizing his feelings sooner. Juliana had already brought so much happiness into Kevin's life, but kissing her took happiness to new heights. He was finally free! He forgot what that felt like.
He held her a bit tighter, drawing her closer. She seemed to enjoy it. Her rigid posture loosened with the deepening of the kiss. His tongue swept against her bottom lip, asking for permission to entertain hers. He probably should not have done that on the first kiss, but he couldn't help himself. It had been ages since he kissed anyone, and even longer since kissing someone he loved. He needed this.
Juliana had always been a quick learner and he was pleased to see how well she caught on. To his surprise, she accepted his invitation and parted her lips ever so slightly. Heeding his own advice, he behaved.
She pulled away first, as he expected she would; she needed a breath. Before they separated, he held her and gazed into her beautiful brown eyes for a bit. He didn't quite know what to say, and neither did she. His smile gave way to nervous laughter, and so did hers. This night marked a turning point in Kevin's life. The ghosts of his past were banished, never to haunt him again. The new era belonged to Juliana, and only she could dictate what happened and where they went in the future. Not fear. Not doubt. Certainly not other people's opinions. Only Juliana.


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This book is a practical, step-by-step manual for using scenario-based methods in communities. The guide has been written in straightforward language and organized as a teaching tool to facilitate the use of the methods without additional training. It explains methods to help communities think ahead and plan for change. These methods are: Scenarios, Projections, Visioning and Pathways. The field guide begins with a brief discussion about communities that depend on natural resources, thinking about the future and why it is important for communities to think ahead. Next, it briefly introduce four methods for thinking about the future, describing hypothetical situations where each might be applied. The authors provide a comparative matrix to make it easier to decide between methods in a given context. Then discuss concepts such as participation, mental maps, uncertainty and complexity. In the second section "Getting Ready" the book explains how to plan for an exercise in thinking ahead in a community, with suggestions for organizing an event, selecting participants and monitoring progress. The third section "Facilitating the Methods Step by Step" dwelves into the details.
Topic: communities,planning,participation,facilitation,teams,work teams,forecasts,projections,indigenous knowledge,monitoring,exercise,methodology,handbooks
Pages: 87p.
Publisher: Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), ASB, World Agroforestry Center, Nairobi, Kenya
Publication Year: 2006

subset: commoncrawl


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Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will launch its Chandrayaan-2 mission, an advanced version of its previous 2018 mission with the objective of deeper lunar surface probe, and another mission by Team Indus, a group of space enthusiasts who want to unfurl the tricolour on the moon's surface as part of a global lunar competition.
Team Indus, comprising mostly young engineers and led by IIT-Delhi alumnus Rahul Narayan, is planning the mission as part of a global contest to win $30 million Google Lunar XPRIZE, which stipulates the rover of a competing team has to move 500 metre on the moon's surface and should be able to beam back high-definition images back to Earth.
Confirming the use of PSLV service for the Team Indus project, Isro chairman A S Kiran Kumar told TOI, "Team Indus has signed an agreement with Antrix (Isro's commercial arm) for using the launch service of PSLV."Explaining the difference between the two missions, the Isro chairman said, "Both the missions are scientifically and technically totally different. Even the instruments used in the two spacecrafts will be different. There is no question of any comparison."Team Indus is using the service of PSLV to take its 600-kg baby spacecraft to the lunar orbit.
General question - with all these (not surprising) schedule shifts to the right, what are the odds the deadline also gets shifted a few months months into 2018?
The deadline to land on Moon is now extended to March 31 next year instead of December 31 this year, according to hosts Google and XPRIZE.Lone Indian Moon landing contestant TeamIndus and its four global competitors on Wednesday got a three-month extension from contest organisers to complete their space feat.The deadline to land on Moon is now extended to March 31 next year instead of December 31 this year, according to Google and XPRIZE who announced the contest a few years back.
New Delhi (Sputnik) India's first privately funded lunar mission TeamIndus has got an extension of deadline for launching its moon rover for the $30 million Google Lunar Xprize (GLXP).TeamIndus and its global rivals now have to complete their missions by March 31, 2018 irrespective of the launch date. Earlier, GLXP organizers had fixed the launch date as December 31, 2017."The launch date is not a factor anymore. The teams will have to complete their missions by March 31, 2018," read a GLXP statement.TeamIndus' will launch the rover with the help of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)'s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The mission was set to begin on 28 December 2017, but the latest extension gives it more time to run tests.
I can only imagine ISRO's embarrassment if team indus succeeds and Chandrayaan-2 fails....
In ISRO we trust!https://medium.com/teamindus/in-isro-we-trust-8ce42f6c7c78
Last month, the judges returned to check the preparedness six months ahead of launch. "We got the thumbs up to start building the final spacecraft and in six months' time we will be launching and landing on the moon.


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Wednesday, 26 September 2012
WIP Wednesday
I got a bit busy in the sewing room over the weekend, not only cutting out Megan's double A-side quilt, but also tackling the brown batik challenge set by Charlotte while I was convalescing. It's taken me a while as I couldn't decide if the brown batik would drag down the lovely accompanying fabric in whatever I made, or if the lovely stuff would lift it to acceptability by association. Well, you tell me....
I used the FQ retreat goody bag, and a Google image for inspiration, which in itself was I think drawn from a Cluck Cluck Sew tutorial. I used Innocent Crush for the leaves and hand stitched them on with perle. I haven't decided yet whether to line the bag with a patchwork Innocent Crush made with the remains of the charm pack I have.
Today I went over to Charlotte's to pick up the Snow White fq, check the layout of the double A-side on her design wall..... oh, alright & to cuddle the puppy!
I took this photo of the Heather Ross side in the office at the weekend, and for some reason the proportions look odd, but trust me, in reality, they are fine! The gaps at top and bottom will have the Snow White fabric in them.
Much as I love this, I wasn't sure it would fill the requirements for a pink quilt, and so you may remember I did another side with Aneela Hoey fabrics which definitely fits the brief!! If you don't like pink, look away now!
Hopefully it will all work out - there may be extra sashing needed to make up for seam allowances etc, but fingers crossed it will all come together wonderfully!
So, that's what I've been working on this week, together with the raw circles hand quilting, which goes without saying!!
Linking up with WIP Wednesday on Freshly Pieced.
Location: Woodley, UK
5 comments:
I have that tree cushion in one of my board in Pinterest, I wonder when I will manage to get it done! Love it, yours look amazing.ReplyDelete
love it all! Well thats with me ignoring the brown batik ;-)ReplyDelete
so lovely to see you and the girls today! Katie says rrrrrrruffff!!!!ReplyDelete
It's looking great!ReplyDelete
I think I went into meltdown at those 2 'b' words together! xReplyDelete
Please leave me a comment, unless you're a spammer, then please don't bother - they won't pass the moderation.
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Posted by ruth fowlkes on February 07, 2012 at 10:04:22:
In Reply to: Burnham v-73 2009 class action lawsuit info posted by mari on October 01, 2009 at 14:39:45:
: Here's what we all have been waiting for for years! The law firm below is gathering information for a class action lawsuit against Burnham on behalf of people whose v-73 oil burners have failed. If you are one of the victims of Burnham's v-73 boiler "warranty" go to this link for more info:
: http://www.lieffcabraser.com/defects/burnham-boilers.htm
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Keep me logged in
IMBA is offering members the opportunity to renew their membership online.
Members can review their membership and select the options that fits their membership. Members will chose membership type, chapter affiliation and voluntary IMBA PAC contribution.
Membership Renewal
Diehl & Associates is IMBA's industry training partner has been approved by the National Mortgage Licensing System as a SAFE and FHA mortgage training provider.
All the new 2014 rules are in place, but did you know there have been many regulatory actions with RESPA, LO Comp rules, ABA's and more? Find out what this means to you, along with how you can stay compliant and protect your license with all of the changes and the explosion of social media. Our 7 hour course will consist cover what originators need to know about the new rules and how to be prepared for what's ahead. The 1 hour covers the hot topic social media in the mortgage industry and how to stay compliant. Take CE That Matters. Protect Your License.Sign up an OnLine Self Study or Live Webinar by using the easy links below! Online Self Study Options:
The Fall 2018 IMBA Future Leaders class, our latest graduates!
IMBA President Chrissy Buchanan poses with the Fall 2018 students who participated in and completed another successful class!
The Fall 2017 IMBA Future Leaders class.
We are happy to have another successful course completed and want to congratulate the following students, listed in alphabetical order, for their success in completing this course:
The Spring 2017 IMBA Future Leaders class.
The Fall 2016 IMBA Future Leaders class.
The Fall 2015 IMBA Future Leaders class has been completed with 17 graduates below!
We also want to thank our instructors for this program as they did a great job in preparing for and delivering their presentations in their various areas of expertise. They provided a significant amount of value with both describing what their responsibilities are on day-to-day basis as well as real-life experiences they have encountered in their jobs!
InstructorsLes Acree/Freedom MortgageDiane Archer/GenworthBill Cady/Freedom MortgageCraig Callahan/Floodplain ConsultantsTom Dinwiddie/Wooden & McLaughlin, LLPGreg Dugger/FORUM Credit UnionLen Fischer/First Financial Bank*John Flatt/Nelson & Frankenberger, P.C.Rob Green/GVC MortgageLarry Grubbs/Hearthside Advisors, LLC*Pete Lamonaca/Quicken LoansCarol Madden/Union Home MortgageBill McKale/MainSource BankTonya Ott/Chicago TitleJosh Spoonamore/Spoonamore Real Estate ServicesAlan Thorup/AT Professional ServicesBob Wampler/American Mortgage Services Co.*Shelly Werner/CBC InnovisMeredith Wilson/Retired*
*Past President of IMBA
SponsorsFinally, we want to also thank the following sponsors for their financial support of the program; Union Home Mortgage, Essent Guaranty and Freedom Mortgage!
The first class of the IMBA Future Leaders Program was completed earlier this year, with graduation at the 2015 IMBA State Convention in June. Students in this first class are listed below and the Association is also very appreciative of the members who participated in getting this program to fruition as a committee, as well as the instructors. All of those listed below volunteered a significant amount of their time to provide the association, and industry, an opportunity to further educate IMBA members to better serve the housing needs of Hoosiers!
Committee MembersBob Wampler/American Mortgage Service Co. (Chair)Debra Bass/1st Source BankTom Dinwiddie/Wooden & McLaughlin, LLPPalak Effinger/INHPDave Miller/RADIANClint Morgan/Ruoff Home MortgageAnthony Ruiz/Credit PlusChris Shrader/Stonegate MortgageScott Weghorst/Diehl & AssociatesMeredith Wilson/Retired
Student Graduates of the 1st Class - Spring 2015
For additional information or questions, contact IMBA Executive Director, Alan Thorup, at 317-773-7344.
This IMBA Certification Program has been designed to closely follow the National MBA's CMB Program and will be offered to individuals within our home state only. The idea is that this designation will be bestowed upon individuals who apply, complete the program, and maintain an active role in the industry. It is felt that earning this designation from the IMBA will attest to any employer within the State of Indiana that the individual has become a knowledgeable residential mortgage lending professional through work experience and education.
CRMP Brochure
CRMP Application
CRMP Re-Accreditation Form
Recently earning their designation for this are (L-R): Dorothy Dodd/Salin Bank, Mike Eising/Stonegate Mortgage, and, Bob Wampler/First Republic Mortgage.
Predatory lending practices baffle borrowers with slick presentations, vague answers, pressure tactics, and promises of easy money. The elderly, those with poor credit, and minorities are often the targets.Not all lenders are bad lenders, but how can you tell the bad from the good? How can you avoid predatory lending practices?
Indiana Mortgage Bankers Association


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Hunger in America 2014 makes numerous innovative improvements to a twenty-year-old quadrennial study series.
Rich data from two widely distributed surveys comprise the basis for the Hunger in America 2014results. For the first time in this study's history, almost all data were collected through electronic surveys, which supports a higher level of data monitoring and quality checks.
The surveys were conducted in two sequential stages: first, Feeding America network partner agencies completed the Agency Survey; then, clients at select partner agencies' food programs completed the Client Survey. The Agency Survey was fielded from October 2012 to January 2013 among the partner agencies of all participating food banks. The Agency Survey contained detailed questions about partner agencies' services, capacity and food distribution, including a specific set of additional questions regarding the individual food programs operated by the partner agency.
The Client Survey, fielded from April through August 2013, was implemented through a vast force of data collectors, a majority of whom were volunteers, recruited by each participating food bank. At least 6,000 data collectors were trained and registered to carry out client data collection. In lieu of face-to-face interviews used in years past, Hunger in America 2014 utilized touchscreen tablet computers and a proven computer software program that allows respondents to simultaneously read and have survey questions read to them through private headphones, maximizing confidentiality. Data collectors followed a prescribed study plan in order to select a random sample of clients at 12,500 food programs across the Feeding America network. More than 60,000 clients responded to questions about themselves, their households, and the circumstances that led them to seek assistance from the charitable food network.
Feeding America's participating food banks contributed to the successful execution of the study design by fulfilling important roles throughout data collection. The research vendor Westat conducted analysis of the data collected and, together with the Urban Institute, produced the national and local reports in the spring and summer of 2014.
Differences between HIA 2014 and Previous Hunger Studies
Hunger in America 2014 marks a departure from past versions in design enhancements. In addition to the use of technology as the primary platform for data collection, the scope of this study was expanded to include not just programs classified as traditional "emergency food assistance"—pantries, kitchens, and shelters—but also non-emergency programs such as senior programs and residential facilities. Including this broader universe was intended to reflect the diversity of food programs across the Feeding America network.
Client interviews were also conducted at a much larger number of agencies sites across the country approximately double the number in Hunger in America 2010 to better capture the diversity of programs and clients in the Feeding America network. However, programs feeding children exclusively were notably underrepresented due to the inability to survey minors. While this expansion allowed for the inclusion of more programs, previous studies' findings are not comparable to the 2014 results.
· For more detail on the study's methodology, please see the technical volume [PDF]
Individuals and/or organizations interested in engaging in their own research can request to use the HIA 2014 datasets.
Meet our Technical Advisory Group that works with Feeding America on all our research efforts.
An erratum related to current military service can be found here.


text: I recently got accepted with hydra Network and tested out with an email submit. First I tested with some of my emails and it was working fine. I then opened a little traffic to it and it worked fine also. Recently after a little break I see the number of clicks coming but I am not getting the credit. I have tested with some other Hydra Email offers also but the same thing. I see clicks happening but no credit. What could be the issue. I really dont understand whats going on. Any suggestions would be nice.


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Book a call to discuss our innovative talent development program in more detail
Agile Leadership is a new and innovative talent development program. We would love to make it better by tailoring it to the specific needs of your organisation. If you have questions about the finer points, there is no better way than one to one. To book an appointment with our Chief Learning Officer, simply pick a slot from those available below. Provide your name, an email address to send the confirmation and your preferred means of contact, be it phone, Skype or Google Hangout.
It will be an interactive session. We gain a lot more from understanding your perspective than trying to sell you something that is not right for you.
Alternatively, if it is a simple question, submit it on the contact form below.


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Understanding the new world
Top 200 Awards
The Deloitte / Management magazine Top 200 Awards were established in 1990 and are run annually to recognise and applaud outstanding individual and management team performances among New Zealand's largest companies and trading organisations.
This year's campaign was designed to provoke thought around potential future scenarios in a changing operating climate – suggesting the possibility of embracing change with bold ideas and step change thinking.
Under the overarching theme of 'Understanding the new world', this year's campaign poses a series of potential scenarios for topics such as Banking, Leadership, Brand and even the Top 200 awards themselves- challenging the traditional notion to explore a new space. The campaign is centred around these thought starters and delivered through an expressive living graphic that mirrors the boldness of the thinking.
"We wanted to introduce the notion of dramatic re-invention at a time of massive change. Thinking about almost everything that surrounds us in a business world in an unexpected way. Different scenarios about about leadership, about brand, about a new New Zealand idea of ourselves... but not be pie in the sky – backing it up with real examples of this kind of thinking in action, with stories from those people who are already pioneering it." say Designworks' Michael Crampin.
As a result, each of the themes has become the lead topic for each edition of Management magazine, with a lead story further mining the themes and the thinking from a range of contributors, with the themes being built on and explored in the run up to the awards this December.


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The second horror novel by Adam Nevill is a mixed bag. Essentially a haunted house story on steroids, with an impressive back story veering towards the cosmic, the book is sadly weighed down by its execution.
The house in question is Barrington House, a venerable piece of real estate with 24 hour porters and mostly geriatric populace. A young American, Apryl, arrives in London to empty the apartment of her recently perished relative, an octogenarian whose diaries detail her fifty years of living in hell.
Apryl's chapters, with the gradual reveal of secrets and accompanying horrors, have some of the same spark as Nevill's later novels, the excellent The Ritual and the genuinely creepy Last Days. Alas, one half of Apartment 16 is taken by the story of Seth, a fledling artist doubling as a nightwatchman, who comes increasingly under the influence of the forces holding sway in the building. Seth's chapters creep along with a repetitive, dull pace, the horrors he experiences being mostly dreams and other imaginary nonsense. And the ghost he keeps seeing, a hooded, streetwise kid with a speech impediment, is just annoying.
It all picks up gloriously towards the end, though. Seth's insanity gains full bloom, and the secrets of the house – involving a 1930s artist/occultist who painted works along the lines of Francis Bacon – are fully revealed in a sanity-blasting crescendo that helps lift the novel considerably. But, sadly, it's a very slow trudge to get there.
*** (3/5)


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Teen Read Week™ is a national program created by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). It began in 1998 and is held annually during the thirdweekofOctober. Its purpose is to encourage teens to be regular readers and library users. Teen Read Week's sub-theme for this year is Seek the Unknown @ your library, which encourages teens to explore and learn about the unknown through mystery, adventure, sci-fi, and fantasy books.
This would be a great time to try out our Online Teen Book Club.
Each week you'll receive a daily email with one to three chapters of the featured title. It's a great way to read new
authors and try genres you might not have thought about. Recently I ready The Alchemist: the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott. Now I'm a hard-core mystery reader and venturing out to a fantasy novel was not in my comfort zone. Don't tell anyone but I never really got into the Harry Potter series. Now I've completed all six books in the series along with some short stories that were available to download as ebooks.
Seek the unknown. Browse the shelves for titles and try out the online book club. You can get a virtual inside look and some new titles and you just might find a new favorite author.


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Graduated? Interested in sport? Looking for a new challenge? Apply for this Graduate Recruitment Consultant role!
WHERE - Manchester City Centre
WHEN - Immediate starts available
Our client is looking for a graduate to join their award-winning IT recruitment business which specialises in placing IT professionals into the sports industry. The company are well established and with continued success are looking to add to their team in central Manchester.
What's on offer?
The role?
Your main goal is to find candidates for your clients, and business development in your market with clients. Your clients will be a range of companies that require an IT role to be filled whilst your candidates may be junior or senior professionals in the IT sector looking for a new role. You will be responsible for resourcing candidates through cold calling and job boards, conducting interviews and managing the overall recruitment process. You will also be looking for new business through business development and networking to help contribute to the growth of the company.
Ideal candidate?
ALTERNATIVELY, if this does not match your aspirations but you know someone who would fit this role perfectly then get in touch with their name, number and Vine Consulting will pay £250 per placed referral for candidates with 0-6 months' recruitment experience and £500 for over 6 months experience!
Due to the sheer volume of applications we receive, we will only contact successful applications. Therefore if you have not heard from us within 10 working days please deem your application as unsuccessful.
Vine Graduate is a graduate specialist within the recruitment to recruitment industry placing Graduate Resourcers, Researchers, Trainee Recruitment Consultants, Graduate Trainees into IT Recruitment, Legal Recruitment, Secretarial Recruitment, Media Recruitment, Digital Recruitment, HR Recruitment, Oil & Gas Recruitment, Energy Recruitment, Engineering Recruitment, Finance Recruitment, Banking Recruitment, Sales Recruitment, Marketing Recruitment, Retail Recruitment, Supply Chain Recruitment, Medical Recruitment, Healthcare Recruitment.


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This set of small multiple scatter plots shows the guard's v forward's fantasy points for each NBA team through Nov 22, 2015. Each scatter plot show the performance of a team. The horizontal position of each dot gives the total fantasy points for that team's starting forwards and the vertical position that for the starting guards.
The Hornets in the upper left show the most negative correlation: when the guards get a lot of fantasy points the forwards get few. At the other extreme in the lower right the Nuggets show the most positive correlation: when their guards do well so do their forwards.
Also notable is the relatively tight correlation (seen by the narrow shaded region of normalcy) for the Jazz, Thunder and Grizzlies and that the Wizard's Forwards are most consistent in their Fantasy output.
How might this inform your Fantasy choices?
This matplotlib graphic was made at SportsDatabase.com with the SDQL
S(FP@position=F and date and team) as Forwards,S(FP@position=G and date and team) as Guards,R(team) @ season=2015 and team and date|$1,$2@$3 as 'Guard v Forward Fantasy Points\n all NBA teams in 2015'?polyfit=1&transparency=0.3&polyfit_show=0&marker_size=10&symmetric=1


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Ellen Page Loose Blouse
Ellen Page showed off her own 'independent spirit' with a navy blue and black blouse.
Brand: 10 Crosby Derek Lam
Brand: 10 Crosby Derek Lam
Ellen Page Slacks
Ellen Page opted for black slacks for her pink carpet look at the Independent Spirit Awards.
Brand: Emporio Armani
Brand: Emporio Armani
Browse: Ellen Page | Loose Blouse | Slacks
Show Loose Blouse Looks For:


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Deals on products Sebastian Schäffer likes
My Lists
My Likes
G-Shock DW 6900 Watch
The first G-Shock was designed by an engineer working for Casio named Kikuo Ibe. It was released in April 1983 and by 1998, 19 million G-Shocks had been sold worldwide. This DW6900 is introduced out of their Classic range and features subtle curves which were originally inspired from sneakers. This model includes the infamous shock resistant technology, curved-shaped wrist band for a more agronomical fit and branding within the clock face.
Arnette Mens Barn Burner Sunglasseses
Arnette Mens Barn Burner Sunglasses. Trendy and functional shades with wraparound lenses and wide temples offering maximum coverage and protection. Packed with original case, cloth and certificate of authenticity. Lens Colour: brown , Frame Colour: Havana , EU Filter 3N , Lens Gradient: No , Hinge Type: No Flex , Mirrored: No , Polarised: No , Square Sunglasses , Usage: Sport , Nylon.
House of Fraser
Men's Ted Baker Onslows checked shirt, Red
Ted Baker Onslows checked shirt, Shirt, Regular fit, Check, Button cuff, Long sleeve, Machine Wash 40°C, 100% Cotton
House of Fraser
Silver Sea Bird Cufflinks
Striking hand pierced silver cufflinks by Hannah Louise Lamb with oxidised seabird detail. The perfect gift for bird lovers and seaside lovers! Stunning worn with a white or coloured shirt. Suitable for everyday wear, or kept for special occasions. Hannah draws the design onto a piece of silver, cuts it out with her very fine hand saw, layers it with a second piece of silver and then oxidises (blackens with a chemical) in the recess. Packaged beautifully and ready to give as a gift in a matt black jewellery box tied with ribbon. Other birds and animals available - please ask using the 'ask seller a question' button. Hand pierced and oxidised hallmarked sterling silver
Alternative Apparel ROCKY Tracksuit top grey
Alternative Apparel ROCKY Tracksuit top grey Clothing at Zalando UK | outer fabric material: 50% polyester, 46% cotton, 4% viscose | Clothing order at Zalando UK!


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10 Best Dirty Rap Songs
The 10 best dirty rap songs that were ever made truly earned there spots on this list. Many rappers today rap about dirty things that most musicians would be afraid to speak about. Many times the things that these rappers say offend many people, but the song goes off to be a number one hit in many cases. The below songs listed are the best dirtiest songs that rappers have ever put out on the market.
- "B***job Betty" Too Short was a rapper who was known to be very involved with the ladies. Too short wrote many songs about women who he had experiences with in the past, present, and future. In this particular song Too Short speaks on a women who gives him oral sex and gives her the name Betty.
- "Gimmie That Nut" Easy-E was a very dominant rapper in the 90's and surprised many people with the title of this song. This song was generally about a man having a orgasm and him asking a female for it. This provocative song was a hit and before you know it men everywhere were frequently asking girls for a orgasm.
- "Who's Ya Daddy" Necro came on as a young rapper and surprised the world with his raw talent. Necro's reasoning behind this song was for females to refer him as their daddy. This quote until this day is very popular, and Necro took it upon himself to take it to a completely different level. Women everywhere begin to call their boyfriends daddy do to the heavy effect that this song had on the world.
- "Adults Only" Slick Rick is a rapper that's permitted for adults only, this song that was made by Slick Rick talks about the love that he has for women and sex. Slick Rick states in the song the things that he does with him and his women are for adults only. Men everywhere were beginning to refer to their love life as a scene for adults only.
- "Put it in Your Mouth" Akinyele is a very detailed rapper that takes pride in his music. Akinyele took this song and made it into a sexual song that people all over the world loved. Although this song was made for women from men, women loved it also. Akinyele took his experiences from oral sex and applied it to the song.
- "My Neck, My Back" Khia is a female rapper that was not very popular until this song came out on the market. Khia in this song asked a man to lick her neck and her back and whatever else followed. This song was made for women, and women respected Khia for coming out with a song that they could relate to.
- "Colt 45" Afro Man rapped about his eastside adventures and how he traveled around the neighborhood with his friends which he considered the Colt 45. This song brought many of friends together and referred to each other as the Colt 45. Afro Men also spoke about his drug addictions in his life and how it effected his lifetstyle.
- "How Many Licks" Lil Kim wrote this song with oral sex in mind and compared it to a loli pop. Lil Kim spoke to crowds who were more on the mature level and understood the sexual level that they she coming from. This song as other dirty songs became a hit way before anyone imagined it would.
- "Let Me Smell Yo D***" Risky took this song and made it fun for women but a hate for women. Many women often complained about how to tell whether or not their men were cheating. Risky came out with this song and women were inlighted on the answer they had always been searching for.
- "Pop That P****" 2 Live Crew brought this song forth with a club overview in mind. Women everywhere were coming up with dances that suited the title of this song best. 2 Live Crew took the title of this song and compared it to sexual things that are done inside of a bedroom.
show comments


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Ascension is a multi-award winning short horror film that I
adapted from my short story. It was directed by James Hart who won a Bram
Stoker International Film Festival award for best director. It was produced by
Venomous Little Man Productions, and starred Laurence Saunders, Derek Melling
and Mark Rathbone.
Derelict is an award-winning short film that I wrote based on a story developed with editor, Carl Braid and director James Hart. The film tells the story of an ex-serviceman who is suffering from PTSD. In 2015 it won a best film award at the Worcestershire International Film Festival.
Feature Screenplays:
Finding Jericho (90 minutes)
Necropolis Rising (90 minutes)
Bad Medicine (120 minutes)
Short Screenplays
Ascension (32 minutes)
Derelict (20 minutes)
Hall of You (20 minutes)
Restoring Scarlet (30 minutes)
All of my work is available for option. I also write feature and short film scripts on a commission basis. Contact me if you would like to discuss your project.


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It occurred to me that there must be people who stand for the recitation of Ardas in Gurdwara, but who do not understand what is being said. Do you understand the meaning of the Ardas that is recited during Gurdwaras? I know there are many like myself who have grown up in Western culture where Punjabi is not our first language and and who don't understand Punjabi well.
I remember a time when I was so proud of myself for being able to recite the Ardas in Punjabi really nicely. However now I feel like I would rather say Ardas in English since that is what I understand. The Ardas is a prayer, and true prayer comes only from the heart, not from the head. It is the common prayer of the entire Sangat present at that moment. It is a reminder of all the sacrifices that Sikhs made before us so we could stand here before our Guru. It is a reminder of the courage of those Sikhs who stood steadfast and enabled us to live this lifestyle today. If I don't understand what is being said then it's not much of a reminder is it?
With more people from non-Punjabi cultural backgrounds adopting the Sikh lifestyle, along with the Sikh youth growing up without understanding Punjabi, I feel that some things have to change to best serve the times. When a majority of the Sangat do not understand the meaning of the things we are doing then they become nothing more than a ritual performed by rote. The meaning, purpose and experience is what is important. I personally try not to do things without understanding the purpose of it. What is the value of being a robot, and doing things mechanically rather than consciously? When our practices as Sikhs lose their meaning then they become empty rituals.
Have you ever had that feeling where the days feel like the same thing over and over and over again in an endless boring loop? When I feel like that I long for something more meaningful and for a change in my life. So when Sikhs feel like the things they do don't give them any value, or see the reasons for them, then it's no wonder that people start doing something else! I mean, why go through the hassle of standing out as a Sikh without getting some value, right? The depth of the experience of living this Sikh lifestyle and the understanding of it, and the direct experience it brings are what give meaning and richness to our lives.
Have you ever heard the Ardas recited in English at your Gurdwara? How often do you hear non-Punjabi language used when Sikhi or Gurbani is explained? How often do you hear of a friend or family member saying they want to be a Gyani or Ragi when they grow up? Probably not very often. So when you mix the two cultures, Older Gyanis/Ragis with Western English speaking Sikhs, there is a gap in understanding.
Many older Sikhs go to Gurdwara partly because it is a social place to connect in this "western world", but for the younger generation there is a big gap. We can't expect the older management of Gurdwaras to understand the needs of this new generation. Things can't stay the same as the times and the environment evolve. At some point each community must take a leadership role in their Gurdwara to help create the change necessary to meet the needs of this new generation of Sikhs. This of course takes a much more active involvement in the Gurdwara than many are willing to give, and it requires community members to brainstorm what new things could be done at the Gurdwara to give more value and meaning to the experience.
Most Gurdwaras are not kid friendly. You often see the mothers in the back of the Gurdwara trying their best to keep their child quiet and well-behaved while the "ceremonies" are done. Or there are the Western-born Sikhs who don't understand Punjabi and who just sit there because they are supposed to, without fully understanding or relating to what is going on.
When I was a kid we used to have a special kid Gurdwara program that was separate from the regular Gurdwara. This was great because it provided a more kid friendly environment for us, and at the same time involved the kids in all aspects of the Gurdwara.We were told stories of the Gurus, we played and listened to kirtan, we sat behind the Guru, we did Ardas, we all took hukams, served parshad…etc..etc. There was no separation from the Guru created by adults doing everything while we just sat. We all felt excited to be a part of everything. This usually took place at the same time as the "Adult Gurdwara". We would then have a snack and move over to the "Adult Gurdwara" and be a part of that Gurdwara too. So the small "kids Gurdwara" was like a training ground to involve and teach us as kids. It helped us all to feel really connected to what happened in Gurdwara.
Another thing we do near the end of Gurdwara is the "The Children's Program". Everyone looks forward to it. It's where the kids lead the Sangat, rather than being led by it. All the kids get up together in front of the Sangat and sing various inspirational songs related to the Gurus (in English/Gurbani) while they coordinate their hand motions with the words. This gives them a fun part of Gurdwara and also gives them confidence as leaders and the courage needed to be in front of everyone. (It's not easy giving a speech to a crowd!)
I sometimes get emails from new Sikhs or people who are learning about the Sikh lifestyle who visit a Gurdwara and they feel lost. Because of the cultural and language differences they find it very difficult to fit in and relate. In order to accommodate the new "Sikhers" who are not from Punjabi backgrounds and the young Sikhs who are growing up in western society we have to make adjustments.
Children get so much more meaning out of Gurdwara and being a Sikh when they get to learn and participate in Gurdwara. There are many creative ideas that individual Sangats can come up with to suit the needs of their own community (not just for kids!) Take a moment to think about this. Let's not be limited by what "has always been done." Change is important. It's how we grow and evolve.


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This Saturday, May 5 from 11am to 5pm, I'll be selling Raganella's Botanical Solutions in McCarren Park on the border of Williamsburg & Greenpoint, Brooklyn. It's the Go Green! Greenpoint Festival – a belated Earth Day celebration! (Well, every day really is Earth Day).
There'll be kids activities, wellness demos, and other crafters & artisans on hand selling eco-friendly goods.
I'll be serving up free herbal tea samples, as well as all-over body cream testers. And just in time for Mother's Day, I'll have mini spa & pedicure gift sets.
Come on out and celebrate Mother Earth!
Go Green! Greenpoint Earth Day Festival


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Any Given Sunday
|Al Pacino
|Tony D'Amato
|Dennis Quaid
|Jack "Cap" Rooney #19
|James Woods
|Dr. Harvey Mandrake
|Margaret Pagniacci
|Bill Bellamy
|Jimmy Sanderson #88
|Elizabeth Berkley
|Jim Brown
|Montezuma Monroe
|Cameron Diaz
|Christina Pagniacci
|Aaron Eckhart
|Nick Crozier
|Jamie Foxx
|Willie Beaman #13
|Charlton Heston
|Lauren Holly
|Cindy Rooney
|LL Cool J
|Julian Washington #33
|Matthew Modine
|Dr. Allie Powers
|Lela Rochon
|Vanessa Struthers
|Lawrence Taylor
|Luther 'Shark' Lavay #58
|Directed by
|Oliver Stone
On any given day of the year, someone might see a movie. This person will look and hope for something entertaining, smart, and original.
When you add in that the film is a sports flick, you must add in parts that
appease the lovers of that sport and you must be true to that sport, keep it
real. In all these responsibilites for a good sports film, Any Given Sunday
goes above and beyond its duty.
The story is not very original. It's a common clash of the new guy versus the established guy. The new guy being quarterback Willie Beaman (Jamie Foxx) as the established guy being the coach (Al Pacino). Beaman also offends the rest of the team by changing the established ways, the classic clash of the titans. Pacino's ageing star quarterback (Dennis Quaid) goes down and Beaman is put to the test and passes with flying colors, except that he vomits during each game he plays. It gets the nerves out of his system. Beaman and his coach must find a compromise, the American way, or one or both of them would be gone by next season. Jamie Foxx wants to create so he doesn't have to sit on the bench any longer. The coach just wants to keep his team together. Christina Pagniacci (Cameron Diaz), owner of the Sharks, just wants results at any cost.
Most football movies I've seen seemed to have been played too much off the field or just pathetically on the field (remember Necessary Roughness with Sinbad and Scott Bakula, well I do it is one of my guilty pleasures). If a movie is about football let's get down on the field. How about another so called "football" movie Rudy? He spent the whole movie pathetically watching the games and just playing in practice. The movie is corny and it works in it's own way. But as a sports movie it doesn't cut it. A sports movie is Hoosiers and . Not movies like The Scout and Little Big League where they just give you enough of the sports so they can further the rest of the story. In Little Big League's case it was a very poorly told story. Any Given Sunday showed as much football as possible. The games seemed real. They were very intense.
The only thing that was somewhat fake and kind of gay were the names of the teams. I mean the Sharks, the Americans, the Crusaders, the Knights, these names were just outright blasphemous. I felt like I was watching Canadian football when those names came on screen. But the style of play was not Canadian, it was definitely the hardcore American stuff. In your face football that we do the best. Oliver Stone does an amazing job with the scenes showing the high octane sport of football. The football scenes were definitely the best part of the film even though at times I felt like I was watching The Blair Witch Project with the camera twisting and turning at a high velocity but it worked.
The movie works on a few levels. It appeases the males with the high action football scenes. It appeases the people who want a story by supplying us with many sub plots such as the loneliness of Coach D'Amato and the fall of a team from glory, and the start of a new legacy. I'm not saying this movie is only for people who like football but it would sure help. I don't think most females would be interested in this movie unless they like watching women force men to do things. Diaz forces her ideas on the old style coach and Holly screams at her high profile aging quarterback husband (Dennis Quaid) for wanting to retire. All the women in this movie are basically mean, stupid bitches.
I enjoyed the performances. Jamie Foxx puts in a sort of serious role with Beaman. It's a good change of pace from his TV series and movies like Booty Call. LL Cool J also did a good job as the veteran running back who is also the representative of the anger of the team towards Beaman's changes. The most surprising performance in the movies was by Lawrence Taylor. I'm not going to go as far as to say he is an actor but he portrayed an aged defensive player. His shark character was very important and convincing. I've seen much worst acting out of athletes. I didn't like Cameron Diaz in the film but I guess you're not supposed to like her. It reminded me of her in the terrible Very Bad Things. She was a stonehearted football team owner only in it for the money. She was the pharaoh of the league but everyone gets there in the end and so does she.
The film is based on a book by Rob Huizenga called "You're Okay, It's Just A Bruise: A Doctor's Sideline Secrets About Pro Football's Most Outrageous Team", nice title. The book is about, obviously by looking at the title, the practices and ethics of doctors of professional sports team. This story is portrayed by an underlying subplot, which constantly popped up. This subplot involved James Woods as the head doctor who did what it took to make the team win and to fatten his wallet and his struggle with his pesky understudy played by Matthew Modine. This subplot seemed to be shortened a little due to time constraints. The film was already pretty long and this was the part that got cut too make the movie keep a reasonable, but a bit too long, running time
The movie shows that everyone receives a reality check at one point in his or her life. Either they will rise or they will falter and bring down others in the process. The team mentality versus the individual and also dealt with is the question of what does the world need aged football players for. What happens when the fame disappears? When should you call it quits? It's a very intense and meaningful movie that keeps on hitting you.
3.25 out of 4/ B-/ 79 out of 100
Reviewed by: Joe Soria
Running Time: 2 hours and 42 minutes
Rated R for strong language, sexuality and some nudity.
the awesome soundtrack featuring Godsmack, Kid Rock, Hole's "Be a
Man" and a ton more.


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Week in pictures: 11-17 January 2014
A selection of the best news photographs from the past week.
Hindu women warm themselves by fires before taking a holy bath in the Saali River during the first day of the Swasthani Brata Katha festival at Sankhu in Kathmandu.
A blast at an anti-government rally in Thailand's capital Bangkok injured more than 30 people. The protesters want Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, whom they allege is influenced by her brother, deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra, to step down.
Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia during their men's singles match at the Australian Open 2014 tennis tournament in Melbourne.
A militiaman poses for a photograph on the outskirts of the capital of the Central African Republic. The UN warned earlier this week that the country was in a "mega-crisis" and that many in the population were living in fear because of religious and ethnic attacks.
At the Golden Globe awards Steve McQueen's historical tale, 12 Years a Slave, received the top honour of the night, winning best film drama. He is seen here at a party in Beverly Hills, California.
Passengers on the London Underground take part in the No Trousers Tube Ride event on 12 January, part of the Global No Pants Subway Ride.
Mount Sinabung which continues to spew ash in Indonesia's North Sumatra erupted more than 30 times on Tuesday.
A child helps his father arrange weapons at a checkpoint in Tancitaro, Mexico. "Self-defence groups" have now taken control of large areas of Michoacan state following an offensive against the Knights Templar drug cartel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to former leader Ariel Sharon at a state memorial service in Jerusalem. Mr Sharon, regarded by many Israelis as a great warrior and statesmen but widely loathed in the Arab world, died aged 85 - after eight years in a coma.
Labour leader Ed Miliband said the UK's five largest banks are too powerful and should be forced to give up "significant" numbers of branches. The City had been "an incredibly poor servant of the real economy" for years and should be helping business grow and create jobs, he said.
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron and Mayor of London Boris Johnson visited a Crossrail construction site underneath Tottenham Court Road. The Crossrail project, which is expected to be completed in 2018, will link Berkshire to the west of the capital with Essex to the east.
An Orthodox priest holds a cross in front of riot policemen in Kiev as Ukrainian veterans and invalids of Chernobyl's nuclear disaster protest against the state budget which does not provide support for them.
The right thumb of Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue was chipped by a lightning strike on Thursday. The statue, on Rio's Corcovado mountain, is struck between three and five times a year.


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Hello to the faithful few who have been vainly clicking on Gonzo to see if I have posted. Here I am again, at last!
The last few weeks have seen more allotment work, paid work, trouble at mill (or at home in Dorset), Fairtrade fortnight, school governors meeting, evenings at agri college, a failed journey to Salisbury, a couple of trips to Swansea and a lovely, luxurious, long week-end in Ireland. I have been trying to get healthy, get my finances in order, get my life in order and get closer to God – with varying degrees of success.
Other than that, nothing to report.
Btw, if you would care to pick on one or more of the above items in the list and pray for it/them, I would be most grateful. It may help with the last item, at the very least, which could assist with the rest of the relative mayhem!
Thanks guys, see you in April – if not before!


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Hotels & Accommodation in May
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Where to stay in MayWhether you're planning to stay for a night or for the week, the area around May has accommodations to fit every need. Search for hotels in May with Hotels.com by checking our online map. Our map displays the areas and neighborhoods around all May hotels so you can see how close you are from landmarks and attractions, and then refine your search within the larger area. The best May hotel deals are here with our lowest price guarantee.
When to visit MayWhen planning your trip, you may be curious about the best time to visit. Here's a list of seasonal norms to help you arrange your travel schedule:
Seasonal temperature averages
- • January-March: 54°F day, 7°F night
- • April-June: 81°F day, 27°F night
- • July-September: 88°F day, 35°F night
- • October-December: 66°F day, 7°F night
- • January-March: 1.73 inches
- • April-June: 3.94 inches
- • July-September: 2.36 inches
- • October-December: 1.81 inches


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In Quesada v. Herb Thyme Farms, Inc., the California Court of Appeals held that state law labeling and deceptive trade practices claims arising from alleged mislabeling of organic products were preempted by the National Organic Program. The plaintiff sought review by the California Supreme Court which granted the petition on the question of "whether the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 . . . preempts state consumer lawsuits alleging that a food product was falsely labeled '100% Organic' when it contained ingredients that were not certified organic under the California Organic Products Act of 2003" ("COPA").
The plaintiff claimed that Herb Thyme mixed organic and conventionally grown herbs and marketed the resulting product under its "100% Organic" label. The plaintiff sued Herb Thyme under California laws which prohibit (1) unfair and deceptive trade practices; (2) false advertising; (3) unfair competition; and (4) fraud. On appeal, the plaintiff added the claim that Herb Thyme also violated COPA (California's state administered organic certification program created under the Organic Food Production Act of 1990, 7 U.S.C. § 6501 ("OFPA")).
The Court of Appeals held that whether plaintiff's claims were premised under COPA or OFPA, "Congress made clear its intention to preclude private enforcement through state consumer lawsuits in order to achieve its objective of establishing a national standard for the use of 'organic' and 'USDA Organic' in labeling agricultural products." Though the USDA, California's Secretary of Food and Agriculture, and California's Director of the Department of Health were authorized to impose civil penalties for violations of either state or federal organic regulations, "state consumer law claims against a certified organic producer seeking to hold it accountable for representing its products as organic when in fact the products were not, are preempted."
Opening briefs before the California Supreme Court will be filed later this month, so it is likely to be awhile before we get the California Supreme Court's final word on the subject.


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Left powerless and near death in Reaper (2012), Wendy must unravel the mysteries of her Reaper family before the Lady Walker's evil plans reach fruition.
While physically comatose, Wendy joins her ghost friends in a desperate attempt to thwart her family's schemes and stay alive. These plots now come from two angles, as her cousin Jane isn't working with Reaper leader Elise anymore. Also, there's the Lady Walker, who, in between reaching out to invite Wendy to join her side, opens pathways to the Never for the terrifying creatures that live in the space between worlds. These grotesque creatures are a welcome addition to the story, as horrifying as they are fun. To defeat Elise's manipulation and the Lady Walker's destructive plans, Wendy must uncover her mother's history with Elise as well as Piotr's past and history with Reapers (and surprising Reaper mythology). The expository flashbacks and dream sequences occasionally disrupt the story rhythm, but the action scenes are exciting and mostly believable. Some of the awkward dialogue that plagued the trilogy's previous installments is minimized by the faster pace and near-constant action. Wendy's siblings, drawn into the fray, join the cast of side characters endangered to raise stakes. The conclusion drops a few plot points entirely, but it ends on an emotionally complex, satisfying note.
Easily the best book in the trilogy. (Fantasy. 12-17)