text: Industry Industry watch Enticing Manufacturers To Relocate Russ Thurman T he campaigns of numerous states to entice manufacturers to relocate their operations to more "gun friendly" environments caught the attention of The New York Times. In "States Pitch a Lifestyle to Lure Gun Makers From Their Longtime Homes," published Aug. 9, The Times highlights the efforts of officials in Alabama, Idaho, South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming to attract firearm and firearm-related manufacturers to their states. Many of the companies targeted by state officials are now located in the Northeast, where, in some cases, the business environment is, let's say, less than firearm friendly. "When we approach gun makers, we first make the cultural argument. People in business want to feel their business is wanted and welcome in the communities where they are located. In South Dakota, the culture is there. We don't regulate firearms businesses out of existence," South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard is quoted in The Times article. Visit www.nytimes.com and search: "Lure Gun Makers." Add Kentucky to the list of states aggressively campaigning to have firearm companies relocate. "Kentucky is looking to be the next 'Gun Valley,'" said Nick Noble, CEO of Park Mammoth Resort and Rockcastle Shooting Center, host of the 2011 Shooting Industry Masters. "We have the workforce, the land, the technology and we love shooting. And the state is offering a lot of incentives to companies looking to relocate," Noble said. Officials from Kentucky presented their "Next Gun Valley" goal on July 21 during a reception for participants in the Shooting Industry Masters. The reception was held at the impressive National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. To learn more about doing business in Kentucky, visit www.kentucky.gov/business. Contact Nick Noble via email: firstname.lastname@example.com. You can add a "Kentucky Welcomes Firearm Industry" sign to this view from Park Mammoth Resort, Park City, Ky., site of the 2011 Shooting Industry Masters. Industry Withstands Instability In Economy A ugust was a month of uncertainty in the marketplace, with consumers once again expressing concern and, in many cases, fear about the future. The debt-limit fiasco in early August, followed by the national credit downgrade and stock market upheaval, left consumers weary and frustrated. Fortunately, the firearm industry did not suffer significant fallout from August's roller-coaster stock market and its impact on the economy. Yet, most in the Continued on page 53 We Remember Sept. 11, 2001 Sept. 11, 2011 www.shootingindustry.com Subscribe to SI Digital: It's Free! www.shootingindustry.com 54 SEPTEMBER 2011 Subscribe to SI DIGITAL


text:
APU Online Application System
APU Online Application System
Welcome to Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University's online application system. This system is available to international undergraduate applicants and graduate program applicants in order to get information about APU and complete APU's online application.
If you are an undergraduate applicant and possess Japanese nationality (including dual Japanese nationality) of any form, please click here for your information/application.
By registering with our online application system, you can:
- Submit your application online
- Connect with APU students directly
- Get useful information for applications and events
- Pay your application fee by credit card

subset: commoncrawl


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RE Music Program
RE Music Program
January 2016
It's time for a new song! RE Music students are learning "I Have a Dream," composed by Eugene B. Navias. Passionate discussions are taking place regarding Martin Luther King, Jr., his message, and its connection to our song. Students will share their song and visual interpretations in March.
If you'd like more information about our RE Music Program, please contact our RE Music Director, Sandra Anderson-Cordogan.


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Our first book, Why Am I!? Was just the beginning, you can invite our cast, share our story and learn how important you, or your students are in the great meadow.
With the evolution of The Little Star network, came the evolution of our product line. We began with the Great Meadow line of products.
Learn more here about our brands and the opportunities to be apart of the Great Meadow
The Little Star Network inc.
Our story, began with Why am I?! A simple story of a Little star trying to find his way and purpose. its all about our own self realization.
we follow the same path as we established our self and found our way!
Little Star Helped both us and countless children across the world.
we are very humbled by the opportunity this
story and book has created.


text:
In her annual report to Parliament, Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault summed up her yearlong efforts to prevent the destruction of gun registry information and gain access to Senate living expense data as "probably one of the most challenging of my mandate to date."
"Canadians' information rights urgently need a renewed commitment for transparency and concrete steps to affect a fundamental shift in the culture of the federal government," said Legault.
In 2014–2015, the commissioner received 1,738 new complaints on top of the 2,090 carried over from the year before. The number of complaints closed by the end of the year dropped from the previous year, as a result of the complex investigations carried out this year and a problematic lack of financial resources.
"The continued refusal to properly fund the Office of the Information Commissioner has led to an increased backlog of complaints, which can only be described as a concerted effort to deny Canadians' right to timely review of government decisions on disclosure," reads the report, tabled in the Senate late Tuesday afternoon.
Among the more complex investigations carried out by the commissioners office are the ongoing efforts to challenge omnibus Bill C-59, a budget implementation bill with a retroactive amendment tucked inside that put exclusions into the Ending the Long-gun Registry Act (ELRA) to allow for the destruction of records the commissioner was pursuing, are described in the report as "the most extraordinary regression of access to information rights."
The commissioner's office is challenging the constitutionality of the amendment, given its sole purpose appears to be to circumvent efforts to protect the information being destroyed by the RCMP following the creation of the ELRA.
Another major challenge for the commissioner's office has been the series of investigations related to access to Senate living expense information.
The first of three investigations is described in the subtitle as "Disclosing only meaningless information", and details the strained back-and-forth between the info commissioner and the Privy Council. The PCO refused to release 27 of 28 pages on embattled Senators Mike Duffy, Mac Harb, Patrick Brazeau and Pamela Wallin and when Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the "minister" of the PCO was appealed to by the commissioner, he declined to produce the information.
Another investigation into Senate expenses challenged a response the PCO gave regarding financial records for a certain time period related to Mike Duffy, saying the records didn't exist. The third looked into internal policies for the automatic destruction of the email accounts of departing PMO employees.
The annual report also addressed the 'culture of delay' in some departments which postponed the delivery of information for no legitimate reason and the March 2015 federal court decision against charging fees for access seekers to receive electronic files.
The report ends on a less than pessimistic note, with goals to push the new government into a massive review of the Access to Information Act and in the coming year launch a digital strategy "aimed at increasing the use of blogging and social media in an effort to further engage access stakeholders and Canadians".


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'Free-from' food market soars in value to 238bn as over half of all Brits claim to have food intolerances
19:04 GMT, 19 March 2012
For so many years, specialist dairy-free, wheat-free, gluten-free were considered fun-free too.
The 'free-from' market was a niche area, with products like wheat-free bread of gluten-free flour only available from the most rarefied healthfood shops or specialist outlets.
Now though, so many Brits claim to have a food intolerance or allergy that the market for special foods to help sufferers has become one of the fastest growing in the UK.
Intolerance: Wheat and dairy are two of the main food groups that British people claim they are intolerant to – pushing the value of the 'free-from' market up to 238bn
As many as 25 million people – that's almost half the UK population – say they suffer from food intolerance, according to the charity Allergy UK, with the most common intolerances being to gluten, wheat and dairy products.
As a result the Free From food market, as it is known, has grown by 15 per cent in the last year to be worth a staggering 238 million, say independent retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel.
Tesco spokesman Paul Duszynski said that while the specialist intolerance food market was almost non-existent 10 years ago, today it is growing exponentially.
'Just 10 years ago if you suffered from a food allergy you would have to go out of your way to specialist health shops in order to find dairy, wheat or gluten free foods,' he said.
'There weren't many from which to choose, and they often tasted quite bland.
'Tesco was the first UK retailer to launch a Free From brand back in 2003 and we're proud that we're still leading the way by introducing new products for our customers.
Dairy is one of the more common food groups people claim to be intolerant to
'People who used to suffer the symptoms of intolerance or allergy in silence can now easily find high quality wheat, gluten and dairy free products when they do their weekly shop.'
Lindsey McManus, Deputy Chief Executive at Allergy UK, the country's leading charity dealing with allergies said: 'Often it is the simple everyday foods that sufferers are looking for.
'We are seeing an increased choice and a wider variety of foods in store specifically for those with food allergies and intolerances.
'Foods that can be picked up with the weekly shop are making, what is a difficult job for food allergy and intolerance sufferers, much easier.
But with such a high number of Brits now claiming they are intolerant or even allergic to common food groups, it has become impossible to know how many of the people claiming
to be intolerant are simply choosing the 'free-from' foods either as a
lifestyle choice, or because they wish to adopt whichever diet might be
trendy at the time.
Indeed, experts have gone as far as
to suggest that a generation of Britons could be putting their health at
risk by wrongly self-diagnosing a food allergy or intolerance.
'Instead of having their condition
medically diagnosed and treating the root cause of their symptoms,
millions of people are needlessly cutting whole food groups out of their
diet,' says Dr Carina Venter, allergy specialist at the University of
And while this report puts the figures of purported sufferers at almost 50 per cent, Dr Venter says the real figure lies somewhere between 1 and 2 per cent. 'The health implications of limiting the diet in this way can be far worse than food allergies or intolerances themselves – and it only takes a few years of cutting food groups out to have a much longer-term impact, she warned.
If you think you have a food intolerance, Dr Venter says to see your GP for a referral to a dietitian. 'They will ask you to keep a food and symptoms diary and, from that, to try to establish a pattern,' she says.
'Often you'll be asked to do a home trial of an elimination diet, followed by reintroduction of the avoided foods one by one to see if any cause a reaction. This is the only reliable way of diagnosing food intolerances at present.'


text: Thousands of cyclists of America's Largest Community Bicycle Ride ride together exploring LA, meeting others, and making new friends: be one of them! Live with no regrets, live a full life. Earn, what so many have suffered for, for what so many have given, but can't do: RIDE. Ride for all those who we ride in spirit in with. Ride valuing today, and for a better tomorrow for everyone. Ride, Ride, Ride. Ride as far as you can, or Ride it all, but Ride together with us.


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Warm-hearted Zina
Remembering Zina Bethune.
There are so many photos of Julie with her well-known celebrity friends.
Julie's working on a photo-autobiography, but naturally fans will be more interested in her; she could fill another book with recollections of all the stars she's known.
Some remember Zina co-starring in "The Nurses," but her main love was dance. She was a noted choreographer.
She was also an animal lover, and it ultimately cost her everything. She was on Forest Lawn Drive when she noticed that a possum had been the victim of a hit and run. She stopped her car and went to the injured animal, only to suffer the same fate. She was 66.


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It's no secret that we're big fans of the independently-owned shops that populate Portland, so it makes us incredibly happy when we get word of a freshly-opened one. Designer Amelia Blakeman has just debuted her boutique, Amelia, on NE Alberta, and it's a perfect example of why we love these kinds of small businesses. By carefully curating a modest supply of unique items, the staff at Amelia can provide customers with the history and background of each piece, which lends to a truly personal shopping experience.
Amelia—which features clothing, jewelry, fragrances and home goods—is a balanced mix of vintage, modern and feminine, with a commitment to products made in the United States. The boutique is stocked with pieces from talented designers and artisans, including Acanthus, Carolyn Hart, Clair Vintage Inspired, ERS Creative, Hubris, Imaginary Authors, LAB by Laura Busony, Mint, MOSS Handmade, Munio Candela, SeaHag & Walrus and Amelia's eponymous in-house line. The beauty of Amelia's in-house line is the access to the direct source, with free on-site tailoring and the ability to see first-hand how garments are created.
To celebrate, Amelia is throwing a grand opening party on March 28th. Everyone is invited to check out the shop, have a drink and some snacks, and enter a raffle for prizes from a handful of the designers featured in the shop. We can't wait to get our hands on some of the adorable clothes and accessories!
Amelia2230 NE Alberta St.Portland, OR 97211971.544.7492Open 11AM-6PM every day but Tuesday
Written by: Lauren Kodiak


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Anyone and everyone is capable of meditation. You do not need any set amount of time, you do not need to be affiliated or NOT affiliated with any religion. Meditation has been proven to lower heart rate and blood pressure. According to Dr. Deepak Chopra, "meditation can both heal and reverse the biological effects of aging." YES! Go back and re-read that line several times! It IS true! Just a few minutes of meditation daily has been proven to reduce heart disease by 80% and cancer by 50%! Now, imagine the benefits when combined with a healthy diet and exercise! You, my friends, are in control of much of your health. So, let me break this down in simple and easy to understand terms so that you can even meditate from the comfort of your own home.
There are many ways you can meditate. Even with just a few minutes you can consider a walking meditation. Walking down the street, pacing around the house, or even on a run. As your mind starts to wander, focus your awareness on the movement of your body parts and on your breath. Pay attention to the feel of your feelings as they connect with the earth. Soon many of the other busy thoughts will fade away. This, is meditation, which is all about being mindful, present and focused.
For seated meditation find a quiet comfortable spot. It does not need to be fancy. It can be a spot outside, inside, or even in your car. Try to stay away from distractions to the senses; sights, sounds, smells…. Now, just allow yourself to be comfortable. There are no rules. You can sit cross legged if it is comfortable. Or, feel free to recline. I want you to be comfortable so that you are able to let go of the clutter in your mind and focus on a single pointed thought. The purpose of meditation is NOT necessarily to clear the mind completely, but to lessen the chatter.
Meditation is not as difficult as you would think, it just requires practice. Try choosing a topic. For example; you can meditatate simply on the breath ~ how it feels and sounds, and notice how as your thoughts quiet, the breath too will quiet and slow. OR try to imagine with your eyes closed a place in nature that soothes and calms you. Be all there with all your senses. Imagine how that place smells, feels, the sounds….. then when you are ready, bring yourself back to your present surroundings. You can meditate on a color and imagine that color filling your body with each breath in and each exhale leaving your body and filling the space around you.
As you can see, it allows for great creativity. There are also great guided meditations available on YouTube and meditation apps are another excellent reference.
The important thing to remember in this world that is glorified by multitasking and being overly busy is to SLOW down the pace! Take a few minutes of quiet time for yourself each day and allow your body and your mind to connect. When we go on auto pilot too long, we disconnect and things go very badly.
Try to practice at a regular time each day ~ find what works for you and your lifestyle. At first allow your mind to wander. It is perfectly normal, but also try to set those thoughts aside. Apply your choice of technique. And with practice you will reach Samadhi, the ultimate enlightenment.


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October 3 – 27, 2019
Fall in love with the story of an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant who connect over their shared passion for music on the streets of Dublin. Over the course of one fateful week, an unexpected friendship and collaboration quickly evolves into a powerful but complicated romance, accentuated by the inviting, emotional score that earned an Academy Award, Grammy Award, Olivier Award, and a Tony Award. Featuring all of the original songs from the critically acclaimed film, including the Oscar-winning 'Falling Slowly,' this achingly beautiful, joyously uplifting show strikes an unforgettable chord in audiences and speaks to the power of music to connect us all.
Audience discretion is advised.
Directed and Choreographed by ISAAC LAMB
Book by ENDA WALSH • Music and Lyrics by GLEN HANSARD & MARKÉTA IRGLOVÁ
Based on the Motion Picture Written and Directed by JOHN CARNEY
Performances held at the Broadway Rose New Stage, 12850 SW Grant Avenue, Tigard, OR
Show Sponsor
Marilyn & Ron Nutting
Marissa Neitling as Girl
Marissa is so thankful Broadway Rose brought her home to the stage, home to Portland, and home to the piano. For the past five years she played Lt. Kara Foster on TNT's The Last Ship. She has made guest appearances on "Madam Secretary," "Elementary," and "Leverage," and her film credits include San Andreas with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Stage credits: Into the Woods (Cinderella), You Can't Take it With You (Alice), and Oliver! (Nancy) at Lakewood Theatre Company; Gracie and The Atom (Beth) at Artists Repertory Theatre; A Chorus Line (Diana) and Nunsense (Sister Mary Leo, 2005 production) at Broadway Rose. Marissa is forever grateful to Dan and Sharon for casting her in her first professional job as an actor. M.F.A. from the Yale School of Drama, B.S. in mathematics from the University of Oregon Honors College.
Morgan Hollingsworth as Guy
Morgan is a New York based actor/composer. Acting: Nickel Mines (New York Musical Festival), The Farnsworth Invention (La Jolla Playhouse), Romeo + Juliet + Anybodys (Functional Shoes), The Fantasticks (New Swan Shakespeare Festival). Composing: Script, score, and orchestrations for The House of Edgar Allan Poe: A Musical Based on His Life and Work (NYMF's Developmental Reading Series, Weber State University); and Margot's Blessing (New Musicals Initiative), a musical written with librettist Lori Jaroslow about the process of overcoming opioid addiction. Morgan's roots-rock band, Satin Nickel, released their self-titled EP in 2018 and will release their first full-length album Shadow of Doubt this November. Morgan attended the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project last summer and received his B.F.A. in music theatre from University of California, Irvine in 2015. www.morganhollingsworth.com
Jeff Rosick as Eamon
Jeff is an actor and music composer. Best known for his role as Buddy Jr. on Friday Night Lights (NBC), he has also appeared on Bones (FOX), Parenthood (NBC), Aquarius (NBC), and more. As a commercial, TV, and film composer, he's worked with numerous local, national, and international brands. Currently, he's finishing up co-creating an original musical titled We Need this Musical to Stop Us from Killing Ourselves: the Musical!, which won Best of the Fringe Festival in Los Angeles, an award that then took it to New York. While dark and over-the-top, the musical carries a message of hope: you are not alone - don't give up.
Collin Carver as Andrej
Collin is a professional cosmetologist at Studio V (Vancouver, WA), teacher, violinist, pianist, and wig builder and designer, as well as a performer. Some credits include: The Soul in One Move for the Fertile Ground Festival, Eugene/Teen Angel in Grease (Portland Area Musical Theatre Award Best Supporting Actor nominee) and Rolf in The Sound of Music at Broadway Rose, Miss West Coast in Pageant at triangle productions!, The Fire in Ablaze at Staged! (PAMTA Best Original Musical and Best Ensemble winner), and Alfred Bell in the original and revival cast of WWII Radio Christmas at Oregon Children's Theatre. His dream is that his love for the arts and entertainment, talent, work ethic, and character will one day make him a household name. Facebook.com/CollinLCarverAtStudioV
Jahnavi Alyssa as Reza
Jahnavi is elated to return to her theatrical home of Portland for her first Broadway Rose production. Area credits include Emma in Grand Concourse (Artists Repertory Theatre), Natasha Ivanova in Three Sisters (Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble), and Traci Bird in Sans Merci (Badass Theatre Company). Most recently she was seen in Los Angeles playing the lead roles in Seven Bridges Road and Hot Tragic Dead Thing (Living Room Series) and in Salt Lake City playing QFWFQ in The Distance of the Moon (Sackerson Theatre Company). A fiddle player since the age of seven, she has performed and competed on stages across the country, including as Emily Webb in Liminal Vs. Our Town (Liminal) and the Showmaster in Something Really Big (SB Dance). She is a proud alumna of Lewis & Clark College and Third Rail Repertory Theatre's Mentorship Program.
Duffy Epstein as Da
Duffy has acted in Portland for over 30 years and is excited to perform at Broadway Rose for the first time. Recent roles include: D'Amico in Jesus Hopped The 'A' Train and db in db at CoHo Productions, Fountainhead in Water by the Spoonful at Profile Theatre, Slank in Peter and the Starcatcher at Portland Playhouse, and Cash in The Pain and the Itch at Third Rail Repertory Theatre. TV appearances include roles on ER, The West Wing, General Hospital, Grimm, Pretty Little Liars/Perfectionists.
Kymberli Colbourne as Baruska
Kymberli is excited to return to the Broadway Rose stage, having last appeared as Mavis in Church Basement Ladies. Kymberli earned a B.A. in theatre performance from Scripps College. As a member of the Bag&Baggage Resident Acting Company, she has been busy onstage at B&B in Bell, Book and Candle (Miss Holyrood), Blythe Spirit (Madame Arcati), Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol (Scrooge), Spinning Into Butter (Sarah Daniels), The Graduate (Mrs. Robinson), and Moby Dick, Rehearsed (as Ahab/Father Mapple). Kymberli has also performed with The National Theatre of the Deaf, the Oregon and Seattle Children's Theatres, Book-It Repertory Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Festival, and Oregon Cabaret Theatre, to name just a few. When not on-the-boards, you can find her behind the microphone working as a voice over actor.
Matthew Henry Curl as Bank Manager
Matthew is overjoyed to return to the Broadway Rose stage in Once. He made his debut here in last summer's production of Mamma Mia! as Harry Bright. After years performing as a singer-songwriter in the Portland area, Matthew is having a blast getting back into his other love, the theatre! He earned degrees in theatre and vocal performance at Pacific Lutheran University and studied acting at the University of Iowa's graduate program. Favorite roles include Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Eddie in A View from the Bridge, and Bernard in Arcadia. As a musician, Matthew is best known for his role as singer-songwriter/guitarist in the Portland bands Jonah and Hello Morning, and as one half of the indie-folk duo The Half Hearted.
Dustin Fuentes as Svec
Dustin is an actor born and raised in Portland and is excited to be making his Broadway Rose debut! Getting to combine his love of acting and drumming on stage is a thrilling opportunity for him. He recently appeared in Beau Jest and Not About Heroes (New Century Players) and Creating Life Inside (Rogue Pack, Fertile Ground). Dustin is also a voice actor and can be heard on commercials throughout the Portland radio market.
Tara Velarde as Ex-Girlfriend
Tara is excited to return to Broadway Rose for her second production, previously appearing as Francisca in West Side Story. In 2019 she appeared as Scissors in Oregon Children Theatre's The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors, and released her second studio album. She tours the U.S. as an independent artist and made her European debut on a 3-week headlining tour in 2018. Velarde has a degree in music education from Pacific University (Outstanding Vocalist, 2013). She teaches music and directs choirs (Pacific Youth Choir, Ethos), and has sung with The Oregon Symphony and White Bird Dance. Velarde has won awards in competition dance (Thunderstruck, Spotlight), and recently premiered her new podcast "Making the Move: Conversations with Full-Time Musicians" in partnership with Vortex Music Magazine. Facebook, Instagram, taravelardemusic.com.
Andrew Maldarelli as Billy
is just thrilled to be part of Once, and feels there is something so very exciting about playing guitar and acting, in the same show! Last summer, he portrayed Sam in Mamma Mia! at Broadway Rose. He has been seen as Sparky in Forever Plaid, Herman in The Most Happy Fella, Adam in The Apple Tree, The Phantom in Phantom of the Country Opera (yes...you read that correctly) and Mr. Lindquist in A Little Night Music...where he was fortunate enough to meet his most amazing wife. He is a 1st grade teacher by day, and a padre/husband by night. He can juggle three things and is working on the fourth, and there is a very good chance that his dog is bigger than yours.
Jay Tatco-Nowak as Emcee
Coming from a background in opera, Jay has performed as The Duke of Mantua (Rigoletto), Slender (The Merry Wives of Windsor), and El Remendado (Carmen) at BIOLA University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree. After studying opera, he went into film acting, where he currently does various short films and commercials, with the most recent being a commercial for Oregon Health Insurance. Jay is originally from southern California and has been in the Northwest for the past two years. He was most recently seen as Hades in Bedrock Theatre's new adaptation of Persephone. This production of Once is Jay's first musical at Broadway Rose. He is a teacher and musical director at Christian Youth Theatre Portland/Vancouver and is also a musician at his church.
Eva Hudson Leoniak as Ivonka
Eva is thrilled to be playing the role of Ivonka in Once. Eva made her debut at Broadway Rose in 2016 as The Star in A Very Merry PDX-mas. In 2017 and 2018 she played several roles including Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol at Portland Playhouse. Eva was Pearl in Portland Playhouse's Scarlet for which she was nominated for a 2018 Portland Area Musical Theatre Award for Outstanding Young Performer. In October of 2018 Eva performed 'O'Papa' from Scarlet for The State of The Arts event at City Hall. Eva is a very imaginative and musical child. She loves to compose music on the piano, write musicals and stories, and build Lego worlds. Along with her more traditional homeschool courses, she studies voice, piano, acting, and Kung Fu. Eva's motto is "Don't give up."
Show Dates
Thursday, October 3, 7:30 PM PREVIEW—SOLD OUT
Friday, October 4, 7:30 PM OPENING NIGHT—Limited Availability—Night with the starsº
Saturday, October 5, 7:30 PM—SOLD OUT Sunday, October 6, 2:00 PM—SOLD OUT Thursday, October 10, 7:30 PM—SOLD OUT Friday, October 11, 7:30 PM—SOLD OUT—Night with the starsº Saturday, October 12, 2:00 PM—SOLD OUT—Post-show talk-back* Saturday, October 12, 7:30 PM—SOLD OUT Sunday, October 13, 2:00 PM—SOLD OUT
Wednesday, October 16, 7:30 PM—Added performance!
Thursday, October 17, 7:30 PM—Limited Availability
Friday, October 18, 7:30 PM—SOLD OUT—Night with the starsº Saturday, October 19, 2:00 PM—SOLD OUT Saturday, October 19, 7:30 PM—SOLD OUT Sunday, October 20, 2:00 PM—SOLD OUT
Wednesday, October 23, 7:30 PM—Added performance!
Thursday, October 24, 2:00 PM—Added performance!
Thursday, October 24, 7:30 PM—Limited Availability
Friday, October 25, 7:30 PM—SOLD OUT—Night with the starsº
Saturday, October 26, 2:00 PM—Limited Availability—Audio description available
Saturday, October 26, 7:30 PM—SOLD OUT Sunday, October 27, 2:00 PM—SOLD OUT
º Nights with the stars are free and begin immediately following Friday night performances. Audiences are invited to remain after the show for a meet and greet with the artists.
*Talk-backs are free and open to the public. They begin immediately following the first Saturday matinee performance of the mainstage production and are held in the theater. You do not have to attend the Broadway Rose production in order to attend the talk-back.
Directed and Choreographed by Isaac Lamb
Music Direction by Eric Nordin
Set Design by Emily Wilken
Light Design by Carl Faber
Prop Design by Liz Carlson
Costume Design by Jamie Hammon
Sound Design by Brian K. Moen
Stage Manager Jessica Junor


text:
Data-informed Learning Design for Future Schools
Cloud created by:
Rebecca Ferguson
15 May 2017
Wayne Holmes, Quan Nguyen, Denise Whitelock, Bart Rienties, Ning Ma and Jingjing Zhang
In this presentation, we will introduce the project Data-informed Learning Design for Future Schools, which LTI Academic is undertaking with the Advanced Innovation Center for Future Education, Beijing Normal University. The project draws on our expertise in Learning Analytics and Learning Design: we are investigating the applicability of Learning Design descriptors to the PR China context and using clustering and social network analysis techniques to investigate the efficacy of patterns of Learning Design activities in online courses. The aim of this work is to inform the pedagogy and learning design of future online courses in the UK, China and beyond.
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text:
Home > Motorsport > Fire Extinguishers > Extinguisher Spares
Part Number: 935-100-001
Lifeline pull cable with red T handle. Available in two lengths, suitable for fire extinguisher and cut out switch operation as required.
Be the first to Write a Review for this item!
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text:
Testing and Quality Control
Ballistic penetration testing is in accordance with H.P. White Ballistic Laboratory Inc.'s Quality Control Standards.
Quality Statement: We record and maintain full armor material traceability. All testing of armor plate, transparencies and composites is conducted in accordance with the highest quality control standards.
Upon satisfactory testing, a Certificate of Quality and/or performance is issued for each vehicle


text:
For those of us with older MacBooks and new chargers, the Bit Wise Magsafe Adapter Key Ring will simplify our lives tremendously.
The Bit Wise is a 3D-printed MacBook adapter key ring created by Shapeways. The (affordable) magnetic stainless steel adapter comes on a sturdy keychain, so you'll never lose or forget the tiny piece after use.
Watch this GIF for a demo.
[via NotCot]


text:
Rosalie email@example.com: 303.233.7558Cell: 303.919.8755Fax: 303.233.3454
More Photos
Printable Flyer
Request Appointment
Email Property
2 bed + office 3.5 bath 1797 sq ft Very Contemporary. 2 blocks to DT, The Riverfront and The Pepsi Center. Brand New! Hardwood floors on main level, Living room with sofa and love seat, flat screen T.V. dining room table for 6 and a breakfast nook. Gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite counters and barstool area. Floor to ceiling windows. Office with desk has own bathroom and walk in closet. Master bedroom with king size bed. armoire, nightstands, 2 walk in closets, 5 piece master bath with jetted tub. 2nd bedroom has a queen size bed. There are 3 balconies.


text:
The clue is in the name: Livework. We improve the way people live and work. We do this by designing services that are better for the people who use and deliver them.
Our mission and the people who make it happen.Who we are
The work we do and how we do it.What we do
Most clients come back. Find out why.Happy clients
The clients we work withView client work
"TfL has worked on a number of projects with Livework. They have consistently delivered an essential customer-focused perspective to the delivery and operation of change programmes."
"Livework helped us develop a concept that truly played to Volkswagen's strengths."
"Truly customer-centric insight lead to higher quality of the concept. Collaboration with management was high and effective. Integration with business teams much better than with other Kone design projects."


text:
The 'Gravity' star took home four awards Wednesday night! Will you get "best dressed," when you wear this look for less.
-PJ Gach
It was definitely Sandra Bullock's night at the People's Choice Awards. From Sean Hayes joking about their long relationship, standing room screaming when she won Best Actress for Gravity to Sandra sharing the stage with The Heat co-star Melissa McCarthy, to taking home four awards: Favorite movie actress, dramatic movie actress, comedy movie actress and favorite movie duo (sharing with co-star Gravity's George Clooney).
Win Pixi Beauty Polar Vortex Pick Me Up
For the event Sandra wore a abstract floral appliqué dress from Peter Pilotto, carried a blue patent clutch from Jimmy Choo and wore yellow and black leather D'Orsay pumps from Kurt Geiger.
This is a gorgeous outfit that you could wear when the weather finally gets warmer. And you can with this look for less!
Royal Blue High-Low Dress ($27.99, amiclubwear.com), Kelsi Dagger Adore Pumps in Marigold ($39.99, 6pm.com), Royal Blue Clutch ($27.99, amiclubwear.com)


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IT'S BACK to work for snooker's great and good as the Wuxi Classic qualifiers get underway at the Capital Venue in Gloucester on Saturday.
Mark Selby will play his first match since becoming world champion earlier this month when he faces John Astley next Wednesday night.
Neil Robertson, the defending champion, starts his campaign against Steven Hallworth on Saturday night.
China's Ding Junhui, who won five ranking titles last season, including three on home soil, plays on Sunday against Oliver Brown, an amateur.
Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Allen and Mark Davis are the top 16 players who have decided not to enter the tournament.
With non-entries, the field of 128 is made up using top-ups from the Q School order of merit. It was announced at the World Championship that places would be offered to multi-ranking event winners, with Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis and James Wattana in the frame, but none of these are listed in the draw.
Considering there is only one round to be played, five days for a qualifier seems like a long haul. It's only two days fewer than the entirety of the final stages.
It does little for snooker to have its top names playing low key qualifiers but the flat draw system last season showed that almost all of them qualify, so for most this round is a bit of a pain but ultimately worthwhile.
Worldsnooker.com will carry live scoring, liveworldsnooker.tv will stream matches while snooker.org will also provide comprehensive updates.
Photographs by Monique Limbos.


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I am an avid crafter. Right now my passion is card making, knitting, and making quilt tops. It is very difficult for my hands to be idle for very long. I am very much like my mother in that way. You know "Mirror, Mirror on the wall, I am my mother after all.
Friday, October 14, 2011
CDAC Progressive Challenge #4 - 2nd entry
This is another card made with digital image from CDACc Progressive Challenge #4. This image was drawn Daisy Doodles. This image reminds me of the Medallion images,so I then printed out 5 layers and cut down each layer until I had used all 5. I used the round and scalloped round Nestabilities under the image. The birthday wordart is from Tlc Creations. I used black gems to highlight special areas.
Posted by Moments by Marla at 10:02 PM
Labels: "daisydoodles", cdacpc4, TLC
3 comments:
This is just fabulous!! I like the idea of cutting the image & layering it! Those gems really finish it off!ReplyDelete
The B/W scheme is very elegant!
Very pretty, I have some of the same paper you used in the background...lol!ReplyDelete
Come see mine @ http://sandytozartdesign.blogspot.com/2011/10/black-white-orange-challenge-at-paper.html
Love, Laura
WOW! This is gorgeous!!! Geesh...unbelievably pretty. So glad you included a side shot. Nicely done. :)ReplyDelete
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Sunset Park (1998)
Sunset Park (1998)
Few contemporary photographers are as closely identified with one place as Thomas Roma is with Brooklyn, New York. Begun in 1991 and made over the course of several summers, this selection of 41 duotone photographs from Roma's Sunset Park series expresses in sensual images the lassitude of hot afternoons at a huge community swimming pool.
Afterward: Richard B. Woodward
Signed: Thomas Roma
Published: Smithsonian Press
Details: 64 pages, 40 images
Size: 8" x 9"
sold out


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Simon Ludders
SKU: Ludders
Screen credits include regular roles in I'M ALAN PARTRIDGE, YOUNG DRACULA, INSIDE PHELPS and SCOOP. Simon wrote and starred in LAST CHILD OF THE SIXTIES, for which he won the DM Davies Award, and further writing credits include the award winning series of ARMSTRONG & MILLER and Sky's comedy STELLA. TV credits include series regular Trevor in BROADCHURCH, Banquo in MACBETH, Peter in SPOTLESS, DC Anderson in EASTENDERS as well as guest leads in DOCTOR WHO, CASUALTY, EMMERDALE, THE DUMPING GROUND, Sky's THE FIVE and Channel 4's BACK. Recent radio credits include BBC Radio 3's ARDEN OF FAVERSHAM. Simon can next be seen in DAD'S ARMY: THE LOST EPISODES on UKTV Gold and THE CAPTURE on BBC.


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OhioMeansJobs Website Directory:
- Job Posts: Post a job opening on OhioMeansJobs.com for free or contact the local OhioMeansJobs center for assistance
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Jim Trick has overcome morbid obesity, turned a freelance consultancy into a six-figure income and helped to build a million dollar small business, but Jim's ultimate passion is working with people who want to personally and professionally live with greater freedom, fulfillment and success. Jim was trained by the prestigious Coach Training Institute and certified by the International Coach Federation.
Along with his work as a coach / consultant, Jim is also a professional musician and speaker. He has traveled all over the country teaching high-level executives the fine art of collaboration with Banding People Together, and is a frequent guest speaker at the Berklee College of Music. Jim was featured alongside American Idol's Alex Preston, by Berklee for a performance entitled "An Evening With New England's top songwriters" and his latest album was fully crowd funded in under four weeks.
A life-changing trip to a Central American refugee village in 1993 prompted Jim to start two inner city food outreach programs in the U.S., one of which served the local homeless community by candlelight with classical music and table service.
Jim Trick knows what it's like to swim frantically across the alligator riddled Belize river and how it feels to share the stage with a young Katy Perry. One of those experiences was terrifying. The other one involved alligators
For information on coaching, consulting or to book Jim to speak at your next event please call 978.994.0431 or email firstname.lastname@example.com


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Having a problem with materials? Need to make a modification? Whatever the problem, you'll need to submit a claim with the manufacturer in order to fix it. Most building claims are freight/traffic, shortage, or modification claims, but whatever type of claim you're filing, notify the manufacturer as soon as the problem occurs.
Why is this important when you submit a claim?
The manufacturer has some steps to take before they can verify your claim, things like creating a preliminary file, completing the paperwork to initiate the claim and conducting an investigation. So if you wait until completion of the project to make a claim, you're going to be waiting even longer to get that claim verified.
With Star, early reporting allows us to file a case number, which remains with us until you send a final claim. Getting an early case number sets up a relationship between the field erector and Star, allowing us to exchange information to make certain the design certification does not get voided due to work done without authorization.
When filing a claim that has been previously approved, notify Star immediately by sending an email to firstname.lastname@example.com. By providing a description of your issue with photos, as well as the course of action you want to take to resolve the issue, we can process the claim in as little as 24 hours from the time that we receive it.
And remember, you don't have to have the exact monetary figure calculated when you contact us. Just contact us and describe your situation. This creates your place in the queue. The finer details can come later. Getting your place in line is the key to expedited service.
There's my quick fix! Do you have questions? Comments? Want more details? Send me a comment below. And stay tuned for more quick fixes to keep your job on schedule, on budget and on the move.


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Best Trekking of Nepal
Nepal is known as a trekker's paradise. Thousands of trekkers around the world make their holiday plan to trek in Nepal. Blessed with abundant natural scenery, great ecological diversity and an ancient culture, trekking in Nepal is a wish that many all over the world would like to fulfill at least once in their lifetime. This is of course, aside from the thousands of mountain climbers who have to come to Nepal to conquer some of the high Himalayan peaks including Mount Everest (8,848 m). However, for those not so inclined, but looking for adventure nonetheless, Nepal beckons one and all to come and trek on its fantastic mountain trails and experience varied lifestyles of those who live in the hills and mountains of this small but scenic country.
That said, here are the things you will need for a 10 day trek: jeans or slacks, woolen shirt, woolen sweater, woolen socks, shorts and T shirts, walking shoes, parka, poncho, gloves, hat, towel and toilet kit, sleeping bag, rucksack, water bottle, flashlight and pocket knife. These are the basics; you can depend upon us (Nepal Trek Ways) for tents, mattresses, utensils and mountain expert as your personal guide and Chef in Mountains. Here, then is a list of Nepal's most popular treks.
Everest Base Camp Trek is the most popular trek in Nepal. The trail leads from the airfield of Lukla through villages and forests and across high suspension bridges. Rest a while at bustling Namche Bazaar. From Tengboche, you will get a close up view of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. From Gorakhshep, go to Kala Patthar. Above the tree line you will reach Base Camp high on the Khumbu Glacier.
Annapurna base camp trek commences from Nayapul in Pokhara. The sight of golden sunrise from these mountain ranges is an incredible scene. The trail traverses several Gurung and Thakali villages giving you opportunity to explore the rich local culture. As you move forward on the expedition you will pass through deep gorges, rich bamboo and rhododendron forest , narrow forest trails and beautiful mountain vistas before finally arriving at Machhapucchre and Annapurna Base Camp.
Take a scenic Flight or Drive to natural city Pokhara. Drive to Nayapul, start trekking, reach Ghorepani, hike to poonhill for the spectacular sunrise unveiling the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan ranges. Then head to Modi River gorges via Tadapani. Then, walk through the bamboo and rhododendron forest. Find yourself in the center of spectacular Mt. Fishtail and Annapurna. The major peaks Annapurna South, Fang, Annapurna, Ganagapurna, Annapurna 3, Machhapuchhare and Hiunchuli, are aligned in a circle of about 10 miles in diameter creating a deep glacier-covered amphitheater in the center.
Annapurna Circuit Trek is a rewarding trek. After driving down to Besisahar, the trail follows the Marsyangdi River. On the way, one is treated to the imposing view of Annapurna II, III and IV on the trail from Pisang to Manang. Snow-white ridges make for a magnificent panorama from the Thorung Pass at 5,416 meters, while down below is the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the world's deepest gorge. A long descent downhill takes you to Muktinath and Jomsom, renowned for its apple orchards. Next, hike up to Ghorepani where the sunrise and sunsets from Poon Hill are rejuvenating. Then, walk down to Pokhara, where the Macchapucchre Himal towers over the city and its tranquil lake throughout the day.
Mustang Trek takes you to Mustang which has an aura of mysterious romance. Fly to Jomsom via Pokhara. Then, take the trail to Kagbeni. Climbing out of the river valley of Chele, you will come across interesting Tibetan style flat roofed houses, some with sheep horns above doorways, amulets to guard against evil spirits. Onwards to Charang with its rolling fields, willow trees and houses separated from each other by stone walls, and large Chortens and Gompas. Mustang lies at the end of the Kali Gandaki beyond the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges and consists of Lower Mustang, inhabited by people related to the Mananges, whereas, in northern Mustang (the ancient kingdom of Lo) the languages and the customs are of purely Tibetan origin.
Imjatse (Island Peak) Climb (20 days): This is the trek that can claim to have it all – from the high valleys and glaciers of Khumbu to the classic Everest view and the ascent of a Himalayan peak. Fly into Lukla from where begins this unique trek that takes you first to Phakding along the Dudh Koshi, meeting on the way, long lines of yak caravans ferrying trekking equipment and other supplies. Onwards to culturally rich Namche Bazaar, abode of the Sherpas, and Tengboche, with its magnificent view of the mighty Himalayan peaks. Then it's on to Kala Patthar from where you will get a view of Everest so profound, you will be literally left breathless. The trail carries on to Dingboche and Chhukung and beyond these, along moraine and glaciers streams to Imjatse Base Camp from where you ascend the summit ridge of Imjatse Peak (6,189 meters).
Ghalegaun Village Trek (10 days): Trek through the villages of the honey hunters of Nepal. A pristine area, newly opened up for tourism, the stunning landscape and the gorgeous view of the Annapurna region would be reason enough to make it a favorite trekking destination. But as if that wasn't enough, one also gets the golden opportunity to mingle with local Gurung families and become part of the local village life. The region is home to the famous honey hunters of Nepal. The trek starts after a drive down to Besisahar, from where the trail leads to Khudi along the Marsyangdi River and then to Ghalegaun from where the sunset-view of Annapurna and Manaslu is simply riveting. Then, trek down to Ghanpokhara and Bhujung with its cascading waterfalls and rhododendron forests before climbing again to Khumre Danda in Pasgaun. The descent down to the Mandi River takes you to Pakhrikot and Thumsikot and then back to Pokhara.
Nepal Treks and Tours
- Annapurna Sanctuary Trek – 17 days
- Jomsom – Muktinath Trek – 12 days
- Everest View Short Trek – 10 days
- Annapurna Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek – 12 days
- Kathmandu Cultural Tour ( Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur) – 2 days
- Valley Rim Trek (Kathmandu, Chisapani, Nagarkot,Dhulikhel, Bhaktapur) – 4 days
- Chitwan National Park (Cultural Sightseeing) – 2 days
- Kathmandu, Lumbini Pokhar, Chitwan – 11 days
- Helambu Trek – 10 days
- Langtang Spring Rhododendron Trek – 19days
- Yoga Retreat Holidays – 8 days


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Knitting... needle holder/
Any craft you do generates stuff. I hate stuff. I even hate it that I have a stash (of yarn).
But knitting stuff needs organization or you don't know what you have and just buy more of the same stuff. And I really hate that.
I made this fabric circular needle holder shown on page 154 of Stitch 'n Bitch, The Knitter's Handbook. And I just made it of some scrap fabric I had. It is a nice little organizational tool.


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I don't know about you, but there are a thousand places I'd rather be than sitting in a cubicle all day, staring at a computer screen. It sucks the life out of you. If you'd like to learn a few things about how to survive a cubicle life sentence, you've come to the right post…
I've spent the better part of 22 years working cubicle jobs. I wouldn't recommend one. BUT, if you're serious about achieving an early retirement lifestyle, there are lots of ways you can get through your cube years without it feeling like a prison sentence. Stick with me here. We'll cover some useful tips.
Funny that college doesn't prepare you for this cubicle ordeal in any way, shape, or form. You sit in a classroom or lecture hall and imagine your first job after graduation…
I bet it looked like those spiffy ads that public universities put on TV during college football games. You know, where a group of colleagues in lab coats stands around a test tube looking intently at their cure for baldness. "Come to the University of Alaska, where the only thing stopping you from greatness is our student loan debt recovery program."
Or, the shots of the highly successful architect looking over skyscraper blueprints with a shiny hard hat on. Some big U's even get you to believe you'll be an astronaut. Sweet!
Cubicle Life Survival: Naked and Afraid?
Reality hits when you start your first job and have settled into this odd, new "cubicle" workspace made up of tweed covered hollow walls, cords spilling out from every direction, and an office chair that squeaks every time you swivel to the left. "How the hell did I end up here?!?" you wonder, but after a few happy hours with other "inmates", you begin to settle in for the long haul.
Eventually, your body begins to conform to that squeaky office chair. You can't run like you used to. Your back hurts. You start accepting the fact that your underwear will bunch up before lunchtime. And you're okay with that.
Oh yes, lunchtime. The mid-day escape to the prison grounds for fresh air and sunlight. The evolution of my lunchtime has been this:
- Early career: Lunch nearly every day at the campus cafe. Go out to Taco Bell, McD's, or some other similarly awful fast food $hit-hole once or twice a week. Want me to run the long-term numbers on that dumbness?
- Mid-career: Working downtown. That means access to all sorts of restaurants! Go out to lunch three times a week? Why not! So convenient with the sky-way system. I hope those sliders are still on happy hour special after I clock out…
- Late career: Big improvements. Instead of spending a wad on dining out, I bring leftovers to enjoy… in the lovely confines of my cubicle. That way, I can stay productive by working through lunch while turning my keyboard into a Petri dish of petrified food particles. Who needs fresh air, right?
How to Survive Your Cubicle Job
Let's get to the punch line. The very best survival tip is to have a long-term plan for your retirement. Give yourself a goal to strive for. Things got a lot easier for me when I buckled down and created my savings plan and set a target date for early retirement. Turn on your light at the end of whatever dark tunnel you're meandering down.
I met up with a new blogger friend of mine, Daryl Gerke over at Jump to Consulting for coffee a few days ago. Daryl has spent the better part of the last 30 years as a consultant. It's a gig he credits for giving him the means to financial independence.
For Daryl, getting the hell out of the cubicle was a singular focus. "Freedom" was the word he used often. We laughed about his description of the 80s office life. He and his eventual consulting firm partner felt like prisoners in adjacent cells, scratching on the wall in code to communicate with each other, to plot their escape.
Think about this, readers: Daryl and his "cellmates" didn't have the Internet or smartphones to keep them distracted as we do. Not even Microsoft Solitaire, until the mid-90s. Scary, huh?
Thanks to Daryl's advice and a dose of my own experience, tip 2 is to jump to side gigs. Side gigs are the seeds in finding your real passion. Sometimes all you need is a dreaded cubicle job to spark your fire.
All that aside, maybe you could strive to build strong teams, founded on trust? Or, you could push yourself and your leadership hard for a well-deserved promotion! These are two key things I've done in the last handful of years that have allowed me to survive my cubicle job.
What about surviving the mundane stuff?
Oh yeah, what about getting through the monotony of day-after-day cubicle life? You might be thinking, "Weekends and vacation are nice, but sh*t, I've got 15 more years of this!?!" Deep breaths…
- Keep your job as interesting as possible. Let's be honest. There are some interesting aspects of your job, or at least your career. Explore new skills and get trained-up in the latest process or methodology. Maybe it's directly related to your job, maybe not. But it'll keep your mind sharp and open you up to possible new job opportunities.
- Move around in your company. Or, move around among companies. Daryl offered this up as a tonic he used before founding his consulting firm. Every three years is about right. Keep your network strong and find mentors outside of your department.
- Just plain move! Avoid planting your butt in that chair for long periods. Get up and walk around every hour or so. Get outside for a five-minute walk. Stack up some boxes and crates to make a standing work station. Sitting kills.
- Try hard to find and keep a good boss. Part of this requires you to be a dang good worker bee. Make your boss look good. Do what he or she asks promptly, and honestly, just show that you give a sh*t. Too often, the employees on the chopping block are the ones who lack a sense of urgency and can't be relied on to get the job done. Be reliable, and be a results-getter who makes friends in the process.
- Use ALL of your vacation days. Don't sacrifice your time off because your work is "too important." Sustainable success requires you to get away regularly and as often as possible. Avoid taking work with you on vacation. Save it for the absolute crunch time situations, not to show off how dedicated you are just catching up on emails on a Saturday night. Paid time off is part of your COMPENSATION. Use it.
Warning: Life Goes On
I remind myself every weekend after terrible workweeks: "Life (not just cubicle life) is happening now. Your problems are first world problems. Slow down. Enjoy this phase of the ride before retirement." And you know what? That typically gets me through at least the following Tuesday, and voila: I've found I can survive my cubicle job a little longer.
Slow down. Play pranks on your cubicle neighbors. Slow down. Ride your bike to work and recall the joys of childhood freedom. Slow down. Watch the "Office" on Netflix to commiserate with the millions stuck in the same situation. Try to have fun. Time goes a lot quicker than you'd like it to, even in those draining, cubicle life years.
Enjoy the ride. Pushpin THAT on your cubicle wall today.


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Harry Truman: Christian Values and Recognizing the New State of Israel
'If Jesus Christ couldn't satisfy the Jews while on earth, how the hell am I supposed to?' Truman once told his Cabinet in 1946
'If Jesus Christ couldn't satisfy the Jews while on earth, how the hell am I supposed to?' Truman once told his Cabinet in 1946
Eisenhower insisted that the world learn of the barbarism he witnessed when he liberated the Nazi death and concentration camps because he correctly anticipated there would be efforts to deny it
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, devastated Americans, and American Jews were no exception
Historians generally regard Johnson as the president most uniformly friendly to Israel
Nixon stands out among presidents for taking the boldest risk for Israel: a much-needed arms airlift during the 1973 Yom Kippur War
Ford was president at a pivotal time
Anwar Sadat, the Egyptian president, was unsure how much he could sacrifice to peace and maintain his position of leadership in the Arab world
On Reagan's watch, in 1986, the Soviets released Natan Sharansky, the prisoner of conscience who spent nine years in Soviet prisons
Bush quarterbacked Secretary of State George Schultz's confrontation with the Soviets over Russia's captive Jews
Clinton in his first term had the luck of working with an Israeli administration whose peacemaking agenda matched his own
In his second term, during Israel's 2006 war with Hezbollah, Bush overrode his secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, who was pressuring Israel to end the war before it was ready to do so
But Obama's relationship with Israel suffered from the flaw of every good friend who is certain he 'gets' you: He doesn't truly get you
Trump wants to revive Israeli-Palestinian talks, and has entrusted the task to a team of three, all with solid pro-Israel ties, led by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner


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Over the past week or so there has been an article circulating on the Internet published by Relevant Magazine called "Christians Shouldn't Be Cultures Morality Police." While I would agree to a point I think that too many "Christians" today take this to an unhealthy extreme. Because of this, what you are about to read may be one of the most blunt blog posts I have ever written. I do not wish to offend, but neither will I apologize for sharing the truth.
First of all, as I stated in an article several weeks ago I totally agree there is no way that we should expect the world to wholeheartedly embrace a Christian worldview. To do so would be foolish. Paul said "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (I Corinthians 1:18)
That being said, it continues to amaze and grieve me the number of people who say they are Christians yet think it is okay for babies to be murdered and for marriage to be blasphemed. As I've said, supporting and loving non-Christians is not the same as a wholesale acceptance for their activity. It is 100% accurate that Jesus Christ spent time with sinners and that he often spoke very gently to the most despised people in the society in which he resided. It's very true that he met people where they were but it is also true that he didn't leave them there.
It is worth noting that in John chapter 8 in addition to saying "neither do I condemn you" Christ also said "go and sin no more." Both of these messages are important. Also, while it would be wrong of us to expect total perfection on anyone's part, it is also wrong to put forth the idea (if not in word and by implication) that Christianity can exist without the evidence of a changed life. If nothing changes when you become a Christian, what is the point and who are you actually following?
I have non-Christian friends who I love dearly. I enjoy spending time with them and when we are together I seek to encourage them. I pray for open doors to discuss the things of Scripture and also that God would open their eyes to its truth. I don't bash them over the head with the Bible but neither do I shy away from what I believe.
Am I perfect? Absolutely not! But if perfection was the standard necessary to preach truth even the apostle Paul would be disqualified. He did not preach truth because he was perfect but rather because he was brought to the truth by the mercy of God and commissioned to share with others what he had learned. I firmly believe that in some ways there is a greater example to the world in admitting our imperfections (and striving to walk worthy in spite of them) then there is in putting up a false front of perfection. Ask anyone who lives with me and they will be glad to share with you my flaws.
As people's lives change, so should their impact upon the society in which they live. It is worth noting that no society can exist apart from moral standards.Also Christ's followers didn't "turn the word upside down" by staying silent. (Acts 17:6) I know many people do not like to think about this but whether you like it or not our nation was founded on biblical principles. Our founding fathers begun this nation on the premise that true freedom is found through responsibility. Today we have a large portion of a generation that want freedom but not the responsibility that goes with it. The result is chaos.
I think it's amazing in the sense that we arrived at a point where somehow it is okay to step away from moral standards while holding to them is wrong. The Scriptures tell us that all life is sacred even in the womb and now technology confirms what the psalmist knew all too well. If you want to continue to carry a banner for abortion I can't stop you but we are long past the time when you can call it anything less than murder. When our hearts stop beating we are declared dead, yet somehow in the society in which we now find ourselves a beating heart does not constitute life. This must stop!
I want to say a word or two here about homelessness. One of the points that is often brought up is that Christians should care more about the poor. I agree with this but again balance is required in our discussion of this issue. I worked with the homeless population at Guiding Light Mission for a year and a half and I can tell you that while there were a good number of people looking for a hand up there also were a good amount who I knew would stay homeless because they looked to be enabled instead of empowered.
We need to make sure that we are consistently sharing the truth in love. I know that many people approach truth in the wrong way, but that doesn't negate it. Jesus didn't die on the cross because he never said anything controversial. He died on the cross because people hated the truth and because it was the only way to deal with the truth that we are all sinners in need of a Savior.
My prayer for you is that you will continue to be steadfast in your proclamation of the truth while being loving to everyone. May God bless you all!
Andrew Gommesen


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Saskia Bergmans Smith
Saskia's style of teaching is centering and mindful, with precision and grace she guides her students through class catering and allowing for modification of the poses where ever necessary. She creates a safe and compassionate environment for her students to explore and discover their own path to yoga. Saskia teaches in the style of the Yogaspirit lineage, a healing based system of yoga. Saskia has been teaching and studying yoga since 1997. Saskia is of Dutch nationality, yet she grew up in England. In Europe she studied and trained with Dona Holleman and Orit Sen-Gupta.
- 200 and 500 hour teacher training, YogaSpirit (Kim Valeri)
- Saskia continues to study and mentor with Kim Valeri, continuing to develop her teaching and healing skills in the 1000 hour teacher training program.


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Perhaps this miffed me a bit, since I wrote my column this week on a related topic (hooked to an amazing document [10-page PDF] from a trinity of Democratic Party strategists). But read this new Los Angeles Times story by reporter Maura Reynolds and see if you can think of one or two specific words, or issues, that have been omitted. OK, it refers to one of the big missing words in an indirect way. I'll grant that. But the Democrats are trying to find ways to avoid speaking certain words. This article is cut from that set of talking points.
Methinks something is missing here
Please respect our Commenting Policy


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Mozillian for 4 years Jun 2015
Mozillian Profile
Kalpit Muley
Tagsweb development, firefoxos, firefox, sumo, army of awesome, firefox student ambassadors
LanguagesEnglish, Hindi, Marathi
Vouched By
Rahul Talreja
Vouching kalpit, for his dedicated contributions in AoA, he was also featured in Mozilla's official sumo blog as contributor of the month in November. He has always been passionate about mozilla and open source. I feel honored in mentoring him.


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California, May 2014: A Coastal Road Trip (Santa Monica & Los Angeles)
We flew into LAX early on a Saturday morning and picked our car up before heading toward our AirBnB apartment in Santa Monica. We stayed in a studio below a house owned by two young, very helpful hosts and the spot served as a great launching point for Santa Monica and beyond. After settling in a bit, we walked the beach (which was only a few minutes away) southward toward the famous pier.
By the time we reached our first destination, the Third Street Promenade, we were pretty thirsty and desperate for some food. We found a small café where we shared a light lunch and refueled for the rest of the day. We made our way along the main drag and then worked our way toward the ocean to explore the pier. On the walk back, we opted for the path above the beach through Palisades Park. That night we took it easy with dinner in the apartment and a restful night's sleep.
The next day we jumped in the car and headed towards the Santa Monica Mountains. The amazing thing about Los Angeles and its environs is that a dose of nature is a quick drive away from the bustling city. The sights from the winding mountain roads were reminiscent of rural Tuscany—rolling hills dotted with elegant villas, except the roads were lined with cacti instead of cypress trees.
Our journey took us to Hollywood next! We only spent a short time strolling Hollywood Boulevard before venturing north into the hills for a self-guided tour of some of LA's "secret stairs." We had found mention of these stairs online and printed a guide that took us on over 800 steps winding through residential portions of the neighborhood. While the walk was exhausting, we were rewarded with some great views of both downtown LA and the Hollywood sign and we barely saw anyone else the whole time. Once we finished the trail, we went back down into the center of the small neighborhood to get some lunch at Beachwood Café.
A visit to Los Angeles would be incomplete without a stop at Griffith Observatory. We toured the inside and then spent most of our time outside taking in the views. We could clearly see downtown, which was the next stop in our adventure! Artists & Fleas is an artist-based pop-up craft and vintage market with everything from clothes to pottery and lots of music pumping throughout. The event was being held in the city's arts district which has a very industrial and creative feel to it. After going through the market we wandered around the neighborhood a bit more and found some inspired restaurants and other cool spaces.
We made our way back to Santa Monica and stopped at Milo and Olive for some unbelievable pizza. Not yet ready to head back to the apartment to retire for the night, we decided to take the car to Venice Beach and drive over some of the canals. This was a fitting way to spend our last night in LA before we would venture north toward Pismo Beach on our way to Big Sur!


text: Before the show, I went to have lunch with my friends and passed by this interesting store called Kiliwatch near Sentier, they sell a lot of vintage items including the headpiece that I'm wearing. The day before the show, I went to St Honore to repair my Valentino purse because I was missing a stud , while I was there I couldn't help but notice the Valentino Rockstud pumps!! I've been wanting them for ages now so I asked the lady if they had my size because every time I pass by Valentino, my size in the color I want would already be sold out and so when the lady told me they had my size and it was the last piece, I just had to try it on! Then I fell in love. It was like it was meant to be ! Another successful show for Elie Saab, what an honor to be here.


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Welcome to Suzettes Salon located in the heart of Innisfil.
Our team of highly skilled stylists specializes in contemporary and cutting edge men and women's cuts, colours, styles and more. We are a hair and beauty destination with a reputation for excellence and have been in business since 1964 under the leadership of owner and creative director Suzette Ellsworth.
Get the look you desire in a creative and welcoming environment, book a consultation or request an appointment today.
Come meet us at the Salon. Walk-ins are always welcome.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: closed
Monday closed
Our team of qualified stylists
Hear from our customers
L'ANZA Healing Haircare
We proudly represent L'ANZA Healing Haircare products and use them exclusively in our Salon. Feel free to check out the entire series of products on the official L'ANZA website.


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text:
Braddock and Honor Code are available for stud service to approved Olde English Bulldogge females. Both fresh chilled and frozen semen is available off both boys.
~ Just A Dog ~
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog."
They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."
Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog,"
but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog,"
and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand
phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."
"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust,
and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away
from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog",
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
"just a man or woman."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog"
just smile...
because they "just don't understand''
English Bulldogs Breeder | Old English Bulldogs | English Bulldog Breeders


text:
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Reproduction permitted, with the following attribution:
© Palestinian Media Watch – www.palwatch.org
Israel is a colonialist implant
PA TV: Balfour Declaration was Europe`s "solution to get rid of them (the Jews)"
Excerpt from the film Fatah: Revolution until Victory, originally broadcast on Jan. 1, 2013 in honor of Fatah's 48th anniversary:
"Faced with the Jews' schemes, Europe could not bear their character traits, monopolies, corruption, and their control and climbing up positions in government. In 1290, King Edward I issued a decree banishing the Jews [from England]. Following him were France, Germany, Austria, Holland, Czechoslovakia, Spain and Italy. The European nations felt that they had suffered a tragedy by providing refuge for the Jews. Later the Jews obtained the Balfour Declaration, and Europe saw it as an ideal solution to get rid of them."
Note: This video was originally broadcast on official PA TV, Jan. 1, 2013, and rebroadcast on Nov. 11, 2014, Dec. 31, 2015 and Jan. 3, 2016. It was broadcast on Fatah-run Awdah TV on Feb. 18, 2015.
Official Palestinian Authority TV
Jan. 3, 2016
(1 min)
View chronologically
"Jews are cowards" and "the British are a snake" – in PA TV series for Ramadan about 1948
May 7, 2019 (1min)
PLO official: "Jews… knew only to make money, trade, weave plots, corruption… The European nations and Russia were sick of them"
Nov. 4, 2018 (1min)
"[Europe] was sick of the behavior of the Jews and planned to get rid of them" - PA Minister of Education posts video explaining Balfour Declaration
Nov. 2, 2018 (1min)
Song on PA TV to Britain: "We will erase the memory of the Balfour Declaration;" "We are rooted in this land from the days of the Canaanites"
Nov. 1, 2018 (1min)
Holocaust "was a lie," "the Jews conspired with Hitler to create a gate to Palestine to bring the settlers," says Palestinian political analyst
Apr. 10, 2018 (1min)
Trump is leading a war against the Arab and Islamic nation; US and Israel are the only enemies, says Fatah official
Feb. 25, 2018 (1min)
Abbas: Europeans "wanted to get rid of the Jews to benefit from them in our land"
Jan. 14, 2018 (1min)
Abbas: Israel "is a colonialist project that has no connection to Judaism... The Jews were used as pawns"
Jan. 14, 2018 (1min)
PA radio host: Israel is "cancerous entity… everyone knows [the Jews] have no right to this land"
Jan. 1, 2018 (1min)
PLO official: Jewish historical ties to the land is "a Zionist invention," Jews are in "Palestine" because "Europe wanted to get rid of them"
Nov. 15, 2017 (1min)
PA TV News quotes Deputy Chairman of Fatah: The Balfour Declaration "is a crime... [and] Britain is committing another crime by celebrating the ominous anniversary"
Oct. 30, 2017 (1min)
Abbas' advisor: Balfour Declaration was an "ugly crime," giving Palestine to "undeserving" Jews
Oct. 20, 2017 (1min)
Abbas to Britain: "You committed a crime against the Palestinian people… the Balfour Promise - a promise of one who is not the owner to one who is undeserving"
Apr. 11, 2017 (1min)
PA Minister of Foreign Affairs: Abbas has instructed the PA to sue Britain over "the ominous Balfour Promise" – "the beginning of the disaster… the establishment of the Zionist entity"
Oct. 22, 2017 (1min)
PA TV: Balfour Declaration was Europe`s "solution to get rid of them (the Jews)"
Jan. 3, 2016
PA asks Arab League to help sue Britain for issuing Balfour Declaration, Britain should apologize for the Balfour Declaration like Germany did for the Holocaust
July 25, 2016 (1min)
PA TV: Balfour Declaration was Europe's "solution to get rid of them (the Jews)"
Dec. 31, 2015 (1min)
Awdah TV: Jews were corrupt so Europe wanted to get rid of them with Balfour Declaration
Feb. 18, 2015 (1min)
PA TV: Balfour Declaration was Europe's "solution to get rid of them (the Jews)"
Nov. 11, 2014 (1min)
PA cleric: Britain supported Zionism to rid themselves of Jews
May 13, 2005 (1min)
Fatah MP: The world implanted Israel in our body
June 1, 2010 (1min)
PA official on PA TV: Europeans created Israel to get rid of Jews
May 14, 2008 (1min)
PA TV: Balfour Declaration was Europe's "solution to get rid of them (the Jews)"
Jan. 1, 2013 (1min)
Israel was created to rid Europe of Jews
June 17, 2009 (1min)
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text:
Been so busy, I'd almost forgotten to tell you that I was featured in this excellent post about humiliation, ignore lines, financial domination, and other dirty femme domme deeds. You should go read it. And then I might just give you some personal lessons.
Protected: The "Let's Make Beautiful Music Together" Ass-ignment
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text:
Review: Infidel, Ayaan Hirsi Ali
By Merve Pehlivan
As someone who's been following Ayaan Hirsi Ali for years--her articles, TV appearances, debates, and most recently her memoir, I've been most intrigued by her multiple "we[s]". Depending on who she's lecturing, cautioning or criticizing in the given moment, her "we" can refer to either Muslims or the West--which to her are fundamentally irreconcilable--or more specifically, Americans or Europeans. This might be only natural for an émigré who had to change citizenship twice until age thirty-eight, but I've always felt that there was more to her changing identification than that, something I wanted to know about. That was part of my interest in Ayaan Hirsi Ali's best-selling memoir with a title that reads above an appropriately juxtaposed picture of the author in the cover: Infidel.
Personal stories in memoirs sometimes gain a universal outreach if they offer stark, relatable revelations, verifiable patterns among a certain people within a specific period and geography. (Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a good case in point.) I wondered what Ayaan Hirsi Ali's story, the way she chooses to tell it, represents. Does she merit acknowledgment as the Muslim woman (however implausible the generalization) everybody needs to know about?
The book, first published in 2006, gives profound insight into how the author grew skeptical about the faith she was raised with and the events that have shaped her dramatic shift in worldview. More than a decade after its publication, Infidel remains relevant precisely due to the steady popularity of its author and the ideas she puts forth in the book. Shortly after 9/11, Hirsi Ali decides that Islam is not a religion of peace. Today, with the rise of terrorist attacks in Europe claimed by the Islamic State, she rehashes her strident views on the faith in right-wing media outlets again and again. Offering a clear understanding of the subtle ways in which she became the person she is today, her memoir might change the degree to which you agree or disagree with her views.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is the best-known ex-Muslim in the world. She skyrocketed to international fame after Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh was killed by a radical Islamist who knifed a letter onto the victim's chest that included a death threat to Hirsi Ali. The two had shot a short-film called "Submission" which criticizes with sharp, disturbing imagery the treatment of women in the Islamic canon. It was 2004 and Hirsi Ali was member of the Dutch Parliament. Her story goes back to the Somali capital Mogadishu, as is told in the memoir that opens with her as a little girl and her grandmother sitting under a talal tree.
The book tells us that Ayaan is the daughter of a political dissident Hirsi Magan Isse who opposes the dictatorial rule of Somali president Siad Barré. With his being overthrown, Somalia descends into civil war. Hence, Ayaan's early life foreshadows what's going to shape her later years: displacement due to dissent. Her mother takes her three children and settles in Saudi Arabia. Ayaan grows up in Riyadh, Addis Ababa, and Nairobi. She goes to an English-language school, reads Brontës and Austen, and with the inculcation of Sister Aziza, her teacher of Islamic education in Nairobi, Ayaan starts wearing a "huge black cloak" to cover her entire body. She goes onto become a steadfast supporter of Muslim Brotherhood at age seventeen.
Her life takes a significant turn when her father wants her to marry a distant cousin and move to Canada with him. Ayaan first goes to Germany and then escapes to the Netherlands, thwarting the marriage plan. She seeks and obtains asylum there, and later becomes a naturalized Dutch citizen. The young Ayaan is mesmerized by her adopted country. In Holland, she finds a place "so much better run, better led, and made for such better lives" than the countries she came from. Her Islamic indoctrination is confronted with Western lifestyles and ways of thinking. As the narrator, the main character of Infidel, moves away from religion in the Netherlands, the story opens a chasm of dichotomies that informs the mainstay of Hirsi Ali's views as an outspoken polemicist in later years.
As anthropologist Lila Abu-Lughod suggests, Infidel nicely fits in the "gendered orientalism"[1] propagated in post-9/11 literature that sought vindication for the US-led War on Terror through a "moral crusade launched to save women" from their culture.[2] Gendered orientalism, just like Edward Said's term, is built upon binary oppositions. Ayaan Hirsi Ali starts the questioning of her faith, its tenets and practices she grew up with, followed with an invention of a monolithic "good West" against "bad Muslim countries" with essentially disparate, incompatible worlds defined by rigid stereotyping. While she finds "perfectly well-ordered lives" in America, she asks, "Why was it that Holland could give its people so much better a life than any Muslim country we had seen?" She studies political science and reads European history. With a complete disregard of colonialism, slavery, and systematic exploitations by European powers for centuries; she only refers to how the Dutch "learned to be resourceful and persistent; learned negotiation, learned that reason is better than force." She opines that "in the West, life on earth is valued in the here and now," as if the Catholic church never existed.
Infidel provides an emotional framework within which Hirsi Ali's acerbic judgments about Islam took shape over time. One can understand the despair of a young woman who escapes forced marriage and finds herself welcome in the Netherlands with the welfare granted by her refugee status. She was physically abused as a kid by her family members and her teacher, and was a victim of female genital mutilation. It is not difficult to sympathize with someone who's indoctrinated to such an extent that she does not question the legitimacy of this barbaric practice until she encounters non-Muslim milieus in the Netherlands. She's hired by the immigration office to interpret for Somali women whose lives are ravaged by domestic violence. A background mired in trauma, coupled with regular exposure to similar suffering while living in a country whose natives seem to be immune to such misery leads Hirsi Ali to develop simplistic views: "People in Holland agree that violence is bad." It's stated as though the entire Dutch population produced such agreement in the form of direct democracy.
However, Hirsi Ali does not outgrow such facile conclusions over time. Her conception of "Islam" or "Muslim" exists in a vacuum, entirely detached from political or economic conditions that have shaped the history of civilizations. To Muslim women she offers a simple recipe: free yourself by embracing Western values because "Islam denies women their rights as humans." Granted, Qur'anic teachings, though gender-progressive in 7th century Arabia, are far from compatible with modern egalitarianism between sexes. Still, in the words of Abu-Lughod, "laying everything at Islam's door" does little effort in understanding the complex web of economic, political and cultural phenomena that govern social behavior across geographies.
9/11, which she believes Muslims celebrated, proves to be the turning point that definitively severs Hirsi Ali's ties with her religion. She goes on to assuming that "every devout Muslim who aspired to practice genuine Islam must at least have approved of the attacks, if not actively supported them." From then on, she's the self-proclaimed savior who needs to "wake these people up", meaning members of the Dutch Labor party; accepting nonetheless that she needs time to "free Muslim women from their mental cage."
Sharp-tongued criticism of something as horrific as female genital mutilation--the book mentions children excised on kitchen tables in Holland--is morally justifiable especially given that Hirsi Ali raises awareness about the issue under the eponymous AHA Foundation which strives to prevent FGM, honor violence and forced marriage in the United States. Nowhere on the website of the foundation are the words "Muslim" or "Islam" mentioned, which is confusingly positive. Meanwhile, Hirsi Ali's personal statements undermine her credibility as activist and raise questions about her motivations. If one seeks to end FGM and honor violence which thousands of Muslim women suffer from, just how helpful would it be to declare every Muslim woman in the world "conditioned to meekness, almost to the point where they have no mind of their own"? One cannot help but wonder if those statements are not addressed to victims of abuse but to the likes of Fox News, The Sun or neocon think tanks such as American Enterprise which openly cherish her divisive opinions. She does not find any trouble in forming unholy alliances with, among others, Christian Science Monitor and National Review.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a smart woman. But she could still come across as clever, incisive and even persuasive if she chose to abandon condescending language ("my intention is to liberate Muslim minds") and fine-tune her discourse. Saying "there is historical evidence that Muhammad married a nine-year-old girl" is one thing, and "Muhammad is perverse" is another, although the two statements could be equivalent in meaning. While the former is echoed and accepted by Muslims around the world, the latter is not necessarily an act of courage. Poorly-motivated provocation is vacuous, it can give headlines or neocon patronage while wasting a solid opportunity to make lasting change in the wider society. Given Hirsi Ali's current power, what could be a fertile ground for communication with Muslim women, who she can speak to with deeper understanding than would the buyers of her book, mostly emboldens rampant anti-immigration, anti-Muslim discourse across Europe and the United States. Infidel is a personal journey of transformation, displacement and apostasy addressed to a readership limited to those who are fascinated by tales of gender oppression in far, uncivilized cultures.
[1] Abu-Lughod, Lila, Do Muslim Women Need Saving?, Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 2015, p. 229
[2] ibid. p.81.
If you want to read Infidel you can find it here.
Merve is a writer, translator and interpreter based in Istanbul. She is also the host and founder of Spoken Word Istanbul and Spoken Word Turkçe, which you can find out more about: @SpokenWordIstanbul