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I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my Foe;
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft, deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.
And into my garden stole,
When the night had veil'd the pole:
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.
In the wake of these past few weeks' Brett Kavanaugh shenanigans, and as we draw nearer and nearer to the upcoming midterm elections, many people are reflecting upon the incredibly divided state of our nation in these times. With senators vowing to campaign against each other, both sides decrying the behavior of their colleagues on the other side of the aisle, and vote after vote going basically along party lines, the Senate has been a striking representation of the cultural and political binary in which we Americans find ourselves right now.
Perhaps this is because I have been watching and reading a lot about the recent Russian interference in our elections, but William Blake's poem 'A Poison Tree' seems eerily like Vladimir Putin's playbook as of late. Fed by his resentment and grief over the fall of the USSR and a desire for vengeance upon Hillary Clinton, the Russians have watered us with fears and sunned us with deceitful wiles (fake news), causing us to do possible irreparable harm to ourselves, as well as to the rest of the world.
Something that concerns me more, though, is that this also strikes me as disturbingly similar to the Republican playbook, as well. Republicans and our president have risen to power by employing and bank-rolling firms like Cambridge Analytica to manipulate the electorate by stoking fears and spreading disinformation. All the while, they continue sun their base with smiles and more deceitful wiles: they promise to take care of the plight of these primarily white, blue-collar workers, yet all the while they pursue economic agendas that will only hurt the lower and middle-classes, all the while cutting taxes for the richest of the rich (which it seems will only result in doubling the national deficit) and doing their best to eradicate the social services that provide affordable care to these very people for whom they are promising to advocate.
The Republican obsession with poisoning the well of facts and reality seems to know no bounds. It even extends to the subject of climate change: our world's leading scientists in the field have been admonishing us for decades about the dangers posed to humanity (and all life on earth) by human-made climate change. Yet even in the wake of this past week's terrifying warnings of impending disaster, politicians still seek to sow seeds of doubt and disinformation, despite the fact that the fate of humanity and the world as we know it seem to hang in the balance. Not even the news of our own impending apocalypse can bring people together.
On the Democratic side of things, there is a disturbing sense of the moral high ground, as well. I have conversation after conversation with liberally-minded, progressive Democrat friends, who are equally angry. Their disdain of Trump voters and the level of their anger disturbs me. Rather than try and find some common ground and figure out a way to empathize with the 46.1% of America who voted for Trump, many look down on these fellow Americans as evil, hate-filled, stupid deplorables, all the while preaching tolerance and hash-tagging righteous causes at the drop of a hat.
This binary trend of two sides shouting at each other and an increasingly divided United States is something that has been steadily developing steadily since the 2008 election, and it is understandable that there is a lot of anger amongst us. The world has changed dramatically over the past couple of decades, at a bewildering pace. And for a variety of reasons, we are facing a cultural and political reckoning of decades upon decades of a gross imbalance of power right now – between the genders, between races, between the rich and the poor, between the straight and LGBTQ communities…the list of downtrodden minorities goes on. It's also understandable that we feel fear right now: our democratic norms are turned upside-down on their head, and many recently hard-won rights that are vital to the success of our experiment in democracy seem to be legitimately endangered.
In 'A Poison Tree', Blake makes one key distinction that I find so relevant to our times right now: when one is angry with one's friend, one expresses that feeling so that it can be let go. When anger is stifled and used to stoke fears, it becomes a poison to be used to vanquish an enemy. Underneath all the mess of things about which to be concerned every time a news alert goes off on my phone these days, the thing that bothers me most deeply about the current state of affairs in our divided United States is that we seem to be very confused about who are our foes and who are our friends. Rather than trying to have a conversation about healing this ever-widening rift, we seem to be more concerned about one side vanquishing the other.
At the end of the day, Democrat or Republican, aren't we all Americans? Whether we live in China, Russia, the United Kingdom, South Africa or Brasil, aren't we all human citizens of the planet Earth? Why is it that we are so eager to consume the poison that the Russians are feeding us? Not only that, why are we poisoning ourselves? We actually now are keenly aware that they are doing this. So why is it that we continue to sip at this poisoned cup?
This Vaughan Williams project is part of a larger recording project that is fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas and was made possible in part by a generous grant from San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music / Intermusic SF.


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Another week, another fine performance from Matteo Manassero, the Italian teenager who finished third in the Omega European Masters to continue his meteoric rise through golf's ranks.
The 17 year old finished five shots behind Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez and two back from his compatriot Edoardo Molinari in Crans-sur-Sierre, virtually securing his European Tour card for 2011 by rising to 89th in The Race to Dubai.
With €255,383, he has earned enough money to have unlimited invites for the rest of the season, and is in the field for this week's KLM Open.
"I should now be a full Member for the first time on Tour and that was my goal," said Manassero. "I will play my first full season next year. I have opened up many doors that I wanted to open but didn't think I would open them so quickly."
Manassero shot to prominence when he won the Silver Medal at The 2009 Open Championship, a few weeks after he became the youngest - and first Italian - winner of the Amateur Championship, beating Englishman Sam Hutsby in the final.
Paired with the legendary Tom Watson and Sergio Garcia, who also became a star while still a teenager, in the first two rounds at Turnberry, Manassero carded 71 and 70. Suddenly everyone was talking about an audaciously talented 16 year old amateur from Verona.
Even Watson was. "He has a passion for the game," said the American. "That's what I look for in a young golfer. Technique can be added if necessary but, if they don't have that passion, then I am concerned. Matteo has it."
After finishing an astonishing tied 13th at Turnberry, the world was at Manassero's feet. In April he arrived at the Masters Tournament, an event he had dreamed of playing since he was four years old.
While many high profile professionals succumbed to Augusta National, Manassero, then still an amateur, calmly went about his business, finishing a highly commendable tied 36th and becoming the youngest player to make the cut. It was also the best performance by a European amateur in The Matsers Tournament for 73 years.
A month later he joined the paid ranks, and his professional debut came, fittingly, at the BMW Italian Open, where he finished tied 29th. Indeed, he has yet to miss a cut in the nine European Tour and four Challenge Tour events in which he has played this season.
Inevitably, comparisons have been drawn with past greats who reached the upper echelons of the game at an early age. Manassero is the second youngest European Tour Member in history, after the illustrious Seve Ballesteros – who, ironically, is the Italian's idol.
Having been introduced to the game by his Uncle Dino as a four year old, Manassero was playing off a handicap of eight by the time he was ten, and met Ballesteros one day beside a practice green. He handed over a wedge and invited Manassero to have a go, and when the youngster crisply chipped his ball inside Ballesteros' own efforts, the great Spaniard walked away with a smile, astonished at his talent.
Manassero, an ardent AC Milan supporter, has not only shown he can cope with testing situations on the golf course. Last October he addressed the International Olympic Committee as part of golf's delegation before the vote on whether the sport should become part of the Games. He spoke in English, too. His maturity is staggering.
He would be forgiven for finding it strange spending week after week in the company of his often much older fellow professionals when most boys his age are still in school.
"Sometimes, when I think about it, it can be a little odd, but mainly I'm just one of the guys like anyone else," he said.
It helps when he has such fine examples to follow in fellow Italians Edoardo and Francesco Molinari, the brothers who have both enjoyed spectacular seasons on The European Tour, culminating with them cementing their places in Colin Montgomerie's European Team for The 2010 Ryder Cup.
"It's very good to have two top players in the world and Ryder Cup players that are close to you, come from the same country, and introduce you to that life. It was lucky for me. I will always respect them," said Manassero.
"We are doing quite well. I hope that more young Italians will take up golf. We hope that obviously that many, many more guys will come through."
Just as Manassero has been helped by the Molinaris, for those young players in Italy, you would struggle to find a better example to look up to than Manassero.
|Player name
|JIMÉNEZ, Miguel Angel
|MOLINARI, Edoardo
|MANASSERO, Matteo
|NOH, Seung-yul
|DERKSEN, Robert-Jan
|SCHWARTZEL, Charl

subset: commoncrawl


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4 Tips for Taking Better Mobile Photos
The ubiquitous smartphone means always having a camera in your pocket. Learning how to use the camera properly can assist public relations professionals in capturing some quality photographs without having to buy professional level equipment.
Here are some basic photography tips that will help you break out of the "point and shoot" mind frame.
1. Understand photography principles
Buying the latest smartphone and accessories does not guarantee you a great photo. Photography is both an art and a science that requires knowledge and know-how. Take time to read-up on the following photography principles:
- Rule of thirds
- Leading lines
- Symmetry and patterns
- Framing
- Viewpoint/Depth
Understanding how to apply these principles will help you take better mobile photos and allow you to grow as a photographer.
2.Look at your lighting
One major weakness of the smartphone or tablet is the inability to capture images in low light environments. To compensate for this problem you will want to put as much light as you can on the subject. This might require relocating the subject or the smartphone to another place.
Although smartphones and tablet's have LED flashes, this type of flash can be very intense and over expose areas of your composition.
3. Use the right apps
Use the right tool for the right job. Native photo apps have advanced in features over the years, but are still geared towards the point-and-shoot crowd. Third party app designers are more focused on developing apps for serious photography buffs and professionals. Here are three apps have been named the Best 2014 Photo Apps by Lifehacker and CreativeBlog.com:
ProCamera 8. $2.99 This is a DSLR emulator that allows you to take control of shutter speed, ISO,white balance and even exposure.
- Camera+ $2.99. Is easy to use, offers a number of features, and allows you to set the exposure and focus separately. The app also includes a nice grid overlay to help you apply the rule of thirds.
- Adobe Photoshop Touch $4.99. You can use this app to quickly edit your photos on the fly. Although this is a great app, it contains too many features to list and does have a bit of a learning curve.
Keep in mind no app is going to replace a professional level DSLR and Photoshop, but these apps will help you control the quality of those mobile captures.
4. Invest in simple accessories
A simple smartphone camera can only take you so far in the photography world. If you consistently rely on mobile photos for your multimedia needs, a small investment can significantly improve your quality. A one time investment of $200.00 can help the quality of your photos.
- Square Jellyfish Spring Tripod Mount. $14.95Most smartphones cannot direct attach to a tripod. This adapter allows you to quickly attach and remove your smartphone.
- MeFoto A1350Q1T Roadtrip Travel Tripod Kit $185.22. This tripod is excellent for road trips. It is made out of titanium and has very positive reviews.
Do you have a smartphone photography tip to share? Let me know in the comments below.


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1 x 10.5cm diameter gold or Galvanised ring
Glitter felt squares in your choice of Christmas colours
Cut strips of the glitter felt 1cm wide x 10cm long.
Then just knot the strips around the ring alternating the colours and filling up the ring to create a wreath effect.
Strips of tulle, Christmas ribbon or Christmas fabric can also be knotted in with the felt to give a pretty festive effect.
Use a longer strip of felt or ribbon to make a hanging loop.
Any size ring can be used.We suggest you experiment with different lengths of felt strips depending on the ring size.


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Orlando Stroller Rental is having a wonder winter sale now to help you save! The new prices are as follows:
1 – 3 Night Rental: $40.00
4-7 Night Rental: $60.00
8-10 Night Rental: $80.00
11-14 Night Rental: $100.00
Rentals are now lowered their rates on the City Single strollers through the end of March.
Here are a few reasons to rent a stroller from Orlando Stroller Rental:
- These strollers are wonderful, allowing plenty of space for your child to sit comfortably during their vacation to the various parks at Disney World.
- The strollers are well maintained and cleaned for every guest.
- The strollers are delivered right to your resort. Should you be changing resorts during your stay, the form at Orlando Stroller Rental allows you to specify a different pickup location.
- The rates are much better than those found on property at Disney World.
- You get to take the stroller with you at all times. This allows your child to have use of the stroller on the way to the car, while in Downtown Disney or off Disney property.
- Your child can use the same stroller the entire time you are traveling.
- There are drink holders:) And who doesn't need those!
Be sure to rent a stroller from Orlando Stroller Rental today and let them know that The Disney Moms sent you!
Related articles
- Using a Stroller as a Wheelchair at Walt Disney World (thedisneymoms.com)


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- People
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On May 26th, 2016, SSH Change and IT Director, Sean Dewhurst represented SSH on a panel with moderator Gavin Davids to discuss " How do industries tend to respond to the Future of Building Things?" The event takes place at the Annex, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai.
The prestigious event, hosted by Autodesk Middle East, explored the disruptive technology trends that shape the future of how the nation is designed and built, how governments, engineers and contractors can plan ahead for these changes, and some present-day examples of projects already leveraging best-in-class technologies to deliver higher quality, on-time and lower-cost projects.
Autodesk: Future of Building Things 2016


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Realtour offers a unique, fully integrated real estate marketing suite that creates an entire digital and print campaign in just a few steps. We understand that every agent's needs are different and every listing needs a different marketing campaign.
You can create a complete campaign or use our services a la carte.Learn About Resellers
How It Works
First set up your free account and complete your profile with contact information, headshots and agency logos.
To get started, simply choose from one of our real estate marketing tools to begin your campaign.
Take a few minutes to fill out the Listing Details.
Go to Manage Photographs and upload your images.
Our system will then automatically create a virtual tour, eflyer and print materials that are saved into the system ready for you to edit.
You can then choose to create print materials such as real estate flyers, brochures and postcards with dozens of templates available.
Or choose the templates you wish to use for your email marketing.
Have your own artwork? We offer blank templates as well!
You will find all of your copy, branding, head shots, and images waiting for you. Edit to suit your needs and your changes are auto saved. Then send a proof to clients, print or email your finished product.
Your virtual tour will also be ready for music, branding, custom colour and captions. Get full exposure on major sites and share with other agents and clients.
As an added bonus, for every eflyer you create, a free bronze virtual tour is automatically generated and a link is added to your eFlyer.
Our online chat service is there to assist you, or better yet you can sign up for a free one on one tutorial.
Amazing Map Blast Tool
Our patented email marketing Map Blast tool allows you to reach the right agents by highlighting your target area. The tool will tell you how many agents you will reach in the area you highlight as well as how much it will cost so you can stay on target and on budget.
Realtime Statistics
All of our real estate marketing tools include statistics that track how many people are seeing your marketing efforts in realtime. You will also receive updates for all active listings and you can choose to share statistics with your clients.
House Hunt
House Hunt automatically collects all of your active Realtour listings with a purchased photo shoot, virtual tour or eflyer with a minimum of five images and places them on a Google Map. The link can be added to your email signature, social media and website. Visitors simply hoover over the house icon to see listing details, price and your Realtour virtual tours and can click your email address to contact you.
Real Estate Photography
You can also choose to book a photo shoot with one of our real estate photographers* and the images will automatically be uploaded into your account. Our real estate photography includes a free platinum tour and print flyer that is also automatically generated when your photos are uploaded.
*Photography services available in Texas, Colorado, Florida, Arizona, Illinois, California
Free Stuff
We want you to get your money's worth and that is why we like to throw something extra in for free! Each eflyer includes a free property print flyer and bronze tour that is generated automatically. Each professional real estate photography shoot you schedule comes with a free Platinum tour and print flyer. We offer individual discount packages for more savings and free stuff!
Branding and Keep in Touch Marketing
Last but not least we understand that there is more to real estate marketing then selling houses.
You also have to sell yourself.
We offer the tools you need to make a good impression including
|Listing Presentations
|Graphic Design
|Email Signatures
|Our Listing Presentations contain 39 pages that allow you to choose to use our prewritten copy and images, edit text or add your own images. You can also delete (and easily restore) entire pages you do not require for a completely personalized presentation all your own. You own the template to use over and over again.
|Our Ready to Send newsletter templates are professionally written and beautifully laid out covering topics relevant to homeowners. We also offer blank newsletter templates in dozens of themed designs ready for your own content and images. Save money with our affordable monthly subscription for limitless use and limitless free eblasts.
|Our custom templates are created just for you. Improve your real estate marketing needs with custom templates that can be used for our eflyer and print creator tools to create fully branded email marketing, real estate flyers, real estate postcards, newsletter templates and more. We also offer Graphic Design Services customized to meet your specific needs.
|Our Email Signatures provide you with an affordable marketing tool that advertises your services and listings with every email you send. Add links to your website and social media, feature a My Listings link to Realtour's House Hunt website and brand with your contact information, head shot and logo. Choose from a wide variety of templates as well as our seasonally updated choices to send greetings with all of your correspondence.
Click here to set up your free account today!
Questions? Click here to speak to our support team.
With an agency? Click here to learn about our Group Discounts.
Refer a friend and receive cash for every dollar they spend!


text: North Island hog hunts with dogs to remove destructive feral hogs February 08, 2011 Hunts are scheduled for the Fridays and Saturdays of February 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26 from sunrise to sunsetBy Press Release The S.C. Department of Natural Resources will continue efforts to remove and eliminate feral hogs from North Island in Georgetown County by scheduling three hog hunts with dogs. "Feral hogs have continued to multiply on the island, causing destruction to the landscape and native plants, jeopardizing the nesting success of ground-nesting birds as well as sea turtle nests scattered along the beaches of this barrier island," said Jamie Dozier, wildlife biologist with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR). These hunts are part of an overall hog removal project on the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center Heritage Preserve in Georgetown County.For more information on the hog hunts, contact the Yawkey Wildlife Center at (843) 546-6814.In order to help remove the destructive feral hogs, DNR will allow three hog hunts with dogs to take place on North Island only. The hunts are scheduled for the Fridays and Saturdays of February 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26 from sunrise to sunset only. North Island is only accessible after crossing Winyah Bay by boat and contains 1,410 acres of uplands and 1,703 acres of marsh.Hunters must comply with the following guidelines in order to participate in the North Island hog hunts with dogs:* No more than four bay or catch dogs per party.* No still or stalk hunting is allowed.* One shotgun permitted per party (buckshot only), and sidearms will also be permitted.* Hog hunters must have in their possession a valid South Carolina hunting license.* All hunters are required to wear a hat, coat, or vest of solid international orange while hunting.* Hogs may not be removed from North Island alive.Hunters must launch and return with any harvested hogs to the South Island Ferry Landing. DNR staff will periodically be on site to collect pertinent information.


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Learn to play Lunar Poker
Learn to play Lunar Poker -- check out the video
Let's make this the actual text of the thing. This is where the text goes and it's really just text. You know what I mean by that? What I'm saying is that it's just text. Don't get too hung up looking for meaning, since it's really just, well, text after all.


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Boomerang - First ever "All-in-one iPad Mount & Stand"
We want to give you our sincerest thank you for all of your support! Thank you for helping us to get Boomerang off the ground! It is difficult to express how much it means to us to have come this far ! We are grateful to all of you who have decided to join us on this exciting journey! This was our first Kickstarter project-but it will not be our last-it has been an incredible experience! We are over the moon!!!
Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and join our newsletter on XVIDA.COM to receive future updates
"...looks a lot like the mounting system we all want"
"the Swiss Army Knife of iPad stands."
"one of the most interesting, innovative and adaptable stands"
"Boomerang stands out from the rest of its kind thanks to its wide range of applications"
BiteMyApple.co: "Favorite Kickstarter Project: Boomerang ! "
The Making of Boomerang's Standout Video
Boomerang just flew to Paris ! Check out the photos on our Facebook page
(*fully compatible with iPad 2, 3rd & 4th gen. and Smart Cover)
Boomerang is the first ever all-in-one iPad mount and stand. When folded in half It looks a bit like a boomerang, so we called it… 'Boomerang' – we like to keep it simple! To our surprise, with all the iPad accessories out there, someone forgot to build an all-in-one product. Accessories already on the market offer protection against scratches and bumps, others enable different typing angles and some allow you to mount your iPad on the wall or in the car. At XVIDA we wanted a product combining all of these facets in a single device, so we made one ourselves. Our founder, Uros, dreamed up Boomerang when looking for an iPad solution he could use while running on the treadmill at his local gym – they don't let you use Scotch Tape at his local gym. Being a stylish kinda guy, he wanted an iPad mount with a bit more funky design built-in. Uros teamed-up with Luka Stepan, a designer and Royal College of Art alumnae. They started with pencils on paper, and Boomerang's design emerged. Along the line, more and more people became interested in the project and they were keen to participate with their skills and expertise. To make a long story short, after a lot of research and development, we have our final prototype! Which is where you come in…without your help it might stay ... well ... just a prototype.
Boomerang has been modeled as a stylish, lightweight, slim iPad stand, providing ergonomic typing and viewing angles. It also attaches with perfect ease to various mounting accessories via our amazing magnetic interface. Combined with Boomerang's mounting accessories, an iPad becomes a hands-free personal entertainment device on a threadmill, or in a car; it's your cooking assistant in the kitchen and your navigation device on the road or a boat. Boomerang is fully compatible with all versions of iPad (*except iPad1&iPad Mini). It is also blends perfectly with the iPad Smart Cover.
Boomerang Accessories:
• Multi Mount
Multi-purpose mount. It serves as "wall mount", "magnet mount" or DIY mount. One side attaches to metalic surfaces magnetically with up to 10lbs pull force , to polished surfaces ( like glass & ceramic) via included super-strong adhesive tape and other surfaces via included screw. The other side serves as an atttachement point to the Boomerang
• Headrest Mount
The headrest mount is super easy to install via clips that attach to headrest support tubes. No tools, straps required. Boomerang attaches to headrest mount via magnetic interface, so you can install or remove your iPad with perfect ease. Once you have safely arrived to your destination, you can remove your iPad in just one quick move.
• Air-Vent Mount
The air-vent mount allows you to mount your iPad to a car air vent and use many features of your iPad- listen to music, latest traffic reports, use your iPad as a navigation system, etc. Air-vent mount will keep your iPad securely in place. It is easy and quick to install, does not require any tools or screws to install. *Fits most car air-vents. If unsure please choose suction-cup mount.
• Suction Cup Mount
Is a versatile mount, which allows you to mount your iPad on glass and other smooth, non-porous surfaces. The mount is perfectly adjustable and portable.
• Table Stand
A perfect companion for Macbook keyboard, the XVIDA table stand is made from high grade aluminium and lets you mount your iPad in portrait or landscape mode and offers perfect viewing angle. Combined with apps like Air Display, your iPad on Table Stand becomes a cool looking second monitor. The Boomerang attaches to the Table Stand via the same magnetic interface as it does to the other mounts. Here's another picture of the Table Stand without the Boomerang attached:
A little more ... About the project
The Boomerang has been so far funded entirely out of 2 main sources:
- the amazing selfless support of friends who are professionals (in fields of design, mechanics, video production, etc.) or other professionals we met along the way that simply believed this could be a big thing some day. Together we invested a total of about 3700 working hours (of 40 individuals) from the start till now. (many of them are in the team shot in the end of the video…and some couldn't make it that day unfortunately :( )
- the rest was the founder's more or less entire life's savings + extra money from 2 friends and family who blindly believe in the product and the team
We are extremely happy to have come this far , however we are at the point where our belief alone cannot fund this project anymore. We have come to Kickstarter to prove to ourselves and convince others that this product really needs to exist. Of course, if we only reach the $40k goal , the earnings would cover only a fraction of the costs we already put it. But we have come far enough that we know the $40k will certainly cover the costs of fulfilling the rewards, it will boost our belief that we are doing the right thing and hopefully bring new investors in. We saw no reason of setting the goal higher and risking the project never getting funded at all. It would disappoint a lot of backers not to mention ourselves. … But luckily your support has been amazing so far an if we only continue at this pace we will exceed the goal more than two or three-fold…which is what we quietly hope for :)
Thank you so much for your support Kickstarter !
Uros ( FOUNDER )
We believe the main reason other companies haven't yet offered the same product is essentially due to the technical challenges related to the design and manufacturing process. Boomerang is extremely slim and light; we spent over six months on development and research just to establish whether it is feasible to manufacture at a sustainable cost. We put the seed capital in, now we need to make it grow.
It took us an additional year of design and development work and considerable financial resources to move from theoretic solutions to the stage where we are able to start mass production. From computer simulations, testing with the help of the most advanced 3D printers in the world, to designing tools for mass production, we love the journey, but we're not there yet. We need to finish the tooling and make the first production run. To do this, we need your help! We need you to get the Boomerang flying. It's an everyday product with great market potential and a really inspired team. Be part of it.
Please join the growing group of supporters by backing the project. And please help us spread the word!
Please visit our website - www.xvida.com for more information. We're also on twitter (#myXvida) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/myxvida).
Risks and challenges
As far as the risks …we have already overcome the biggest one: feasibility.
Boomerang is extremely slim and light; we spent over six months in development and research just to establish whether it is feasible to manufacture it at a sustainable cost. So the only remaining risk is the project (not) getting funded. It would wipe away thousands of hours of work and dollars. It would really be a shame.
The rest are challanges..lots of them. Luckily, we like challenges... if we were afraid of them, we wouldn't be where we are. We are currently finishing the main injection mold tool which should be ready for a small production run by the end of Nov. We then need to fine tune the machinery and build a simple assembly line. We have partnered with an experienced plastics manufacturer, who was so excited about the idea that they decided to invest tons of their time, experience and resources to help develop the precision tooling needed for production of such a thin but sturdy product.Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
Funding period
- (30 days)


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Posted in New Jersey February 21, 2016
These 15 Breathtaking Views In New Jersey Could Be Straight Out Of The Movies
New Jersey is a stunning state with a diverse landscape, so it would only make sense if more movies were filmed here. Several films have already taken advantage of our varied topography, including some that may surprise you. Click here to learn which films feature us on the big screen, and read on to learn what other spots we think would be spectacular on film. Location scouts, take note!
What New Jersey spots would you love to see on film? Let me know in the comments!


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Teatseal Delivers Proven Results in Lowering Clinical Mastitis
Consistently impressive results have made Teatseal an integral part of mastitis prevention on NZ farms. Used alone or in combination, Teatseal delivers proven superior results in lowering the incidence of clinical mastitis.
For the prevention of mastitis during the non-lactating (dry) period. For use in lactating heifers (1st calvers) and cows with individual somatic cell counts of less than 120,000 and 150,000 respectively. Also indicated for the prevention of per-calving mastitis in maiden heifers
A milking plant vacuum level higher than it should be helped create an on-going mastitis problem for David Dean in his first year managing his family's Silverdene Farm, near Mercer, North Waikato, three seasons ago. Read more on how teatseal eased his spring stresses
Click here for a product data sheet on Teatseal use in Heifers
You might also be interested in ...


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It's what we all fear when we cut our hair: that we'll be super into it one minute, and the next, we'll be considering a weave because we want a longer style, and we want it now. Hair, why can't you just obey?!?
Your hair grows at an average of a 3/4-inch per month, so that means you do, unfortunately, have to wait. There's also that weird stage where it's too long to be short and too short to be long, which brings the challenge of what to do with it then. Relax, the growth process doesn't have to be as painful as you think. Between styling techniques, the right tools, and a good maintenance schedule, there are plenty of ways to manage your mane in the meanwhile.
We asked three top New York hair experts — Isabel Guillen, stylist at John Barrett Salon; James Pecis, consulting hairstylist for Beauty.com; and Michael Shaun Corby, global artistic director for Alterna Haircare — to give up best practices for burgeoning hair. For all of you in the process of cultivating a longer style, we salute you, and we're here to help. Here's how to do your 'do as you plot your next favorite hairstyle.
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I mentioned in my last post about my friend Charles posting some of the film clips of him being interviewed on YouTube. I can certainly see the value of having some sort of presence there from a marketing perspective, but it also gives me an excuse to go play with some of those movie or video programs that have remained up to this point, at least, unused.
So here is a slideshow I threw together with some photos I had on hand. A few things to work out yet, but, like anything else, there is a learning curve. Man, the technology that's available to us is amazing isn't it? And I didn't even need a Mac to do this.. who knew!
(NOTE: To play the video clip, please click the little "play" right arrow thingie icon in the bottom left corner of the window below. )


text: From start to finish, Gloria and her wonderful staff made our wedding the event of a lifetime. Not only is she fun to work with and be around, she can be as involved or as hands-off as you like.The grounds are absolutely stunning, with a really comfortable, approachable feeling- sophisticated and immaculate but still like home and casual enough to be able to fully relax. The gardens are planted with care, the trees and lawn the epitome of rustic beauty. The house itself is a true beauty.We had our bridesmaids brunch catered at the venue the day before our wedding, and not only did we each feel like royalty, we spent hours giggling and sipping sparkling drinks from elegant flues and generally spoiling ourselves rotten, all while being taken care of by Gloria and her staff.We requested her help with our flower arrangements, which trend out even more beautifully than I could have imagined- and under budget too!! She hooked us up with a wonderful photographer andShe was able to work around several hectic events the day of, and was gracious and accommodating to several unplanned changes!I really can't recommend this experience enough- if you want to to have a wedding to remember, something to show off and remember fondly for the rest of your life- trust your wedding to Gloria


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Friday, December 15, 2006
09 December 2006: Levellers - Victoria Hall - Hanley - Stoke on Trent
I missed the 3 Daft Monkeys. Again. I have got to start making an effort to get to the venue in time for the warm up act, as by all reports the 3 Daft...more
Posted by Unknown at 11:23 am No comments:
Monday, December 11, 2006
08 December 2006: Northside + The Reason - Academy 2 - Liverpool
Live music is a funny thing. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. And yet a good gig can become a legendary gig with the help of the right...more
Posted by Unknown at 3:09 pm No comments:
Labels: Gig Review, Live Music Review, Music Review, Northside, The Reason
Thursday, November 30, 2006
29 November 2006: Levellers - Rock City - Nottingham
It's been a long five months waiting for the next Levellers gig but, as always....more
Posted by Unknown at 2:32 pm No comments:
Labels: Chaos Theory, Levellers, Live Music Reveiew, Nottingham, Rock City
Thursday, November 23, 2006
10 November 2006: Pro-Jekt + Neon Zoo + The Way Of All Flesh- J7 - Nott'm
Goth night; two words to fill many hearts with fear and dread but not this one. Being a huge fan of goth fifteen-odd years ago I thought this would be like a journey down a very dark and dry-ice swathed memory lane. Not...more
Posted by Unknown at 3:35 pm No comments:
Thursday, November 02, 2006
27 October 2006: Ginger - Junktion 7 - Nottingham
The first support-slot was filled by New Generation Superstars. Old-school in terms of appearance – long hair, bandana, sweat bands, white...more
Posted by Unknown at 1:49 pm No comments:
16 September 2006: Whole Lotta Led - Rock City - Nottingham
Tribute bands can vary wildly in terms of quality and entertainment-value so it's normally something of a lottery when you go to see one. In the...more
Posted by Unknown at 1:48 pm No comments:
08 September 2006: Bleeding Hearts - Junktion 7 - Nottingham
Stumbling into Bar 7 at sometime shortly after nine O'clock, I was stunned to find out that the doors to the upstairs venue had only just opened and...more
Posted by Unknown at 1:46 pm No comments:
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
07 July 2006: Levellers - National Forest Folk Festival - Derbyshire
This is the second year running that the Levellers have played at the National Forest Folk Festival at Conkers. Last year they were electric and......more
Posted by Unknown at 12:20 pm No comments:
Friday, June 16, 2006
16 June 2006: Levellers - Big Session Festival - Leicester
This is the second year running that I've been to the Oysterband's Big Session Festival in Leicester. Last year was to see Mark Chadwick and Rev Hammer...more
Posted by Unknown at 12:19 pm No comments:
Monday, May 08, 2006
07 May 2006: The Sisters Of Mercy - Rock City - Nottingham
After what seemed like an eternity of waiting...more
Posted by Unknown at 2:56 pm No comments:
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
27 March 2006: Ginger & the Sonic Circus - Rescue Rooms - Nottingham
This gig was meant to be at Rock City but it appeared to have been bumped around the corner to its smaller sister-venue, The Rescue Rooms. I'm not...more
Posted by Unknown at 1:53 pm No comments:
Sunday, March 26, 2006
24 March 2006: Levellers - Wulfrun Hall - Wolverhampton
As I entered the venue I was given a yellow piece of paper with the words "Welcome to the best live act this planet has ever seen"...more
Posted by Unknown at 11:00 am No comments:
Monday, March 13, 2006
27 February 2006: Capo Jr. - The Loft - Cambridge
The Loft is an upstairs bar in The Graduate, Cambridge. The stage is at the far end of the room as you walk in with the bar on the far right wall...more
Posted by Unknown at 1:10 pm No comments:
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
23 February 2006: Levellers - The Opera House - Buxton
Buxton strikes me as a fairly pretty place, but this is my second visit and it is snowing again. During the gig, I note that Mark agrees with my thoughts on...more
Posted by Unknown at 10:27 am No comments:
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Fall Out Boy - University Refectory - Leeds
As the spawn of fans spilled out of Leeds Uni at 10.15pm, catching even the street sellers off guard, a passing student muttered "don't these kids knowmore
Posted by Unknown at 7:42 pm No comments:
Mxpx vs The Starting Line - Academy - Manchester
Co headliners, The Starting Line, were mere toddlers when Mxpx first burst on to the punk rock scene. 15 years later and the old timers still play with themore
Posted by Unknown at 7:39 pm No comments:
Friday, January 27, 2006
Tokyo Dragons - The Victoria Inn - Derby
The Victoria Inn is a nice smallish pub near the train station in Derby, with a 150 capacity back room for live music. The sort of venue that needs to be...more
Posted by Unknown at 11:57 pm No comments:
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Super Nashwan - The Windmill - London
The first gig of 2006 saw me down at the Windmill for hot newcomers "Super Nashwan" largely tipped to become household names this year. For those…more
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The STOTT PILATES® Technique
Intelligent Exercise - Profound Results
Moira Stott is one of the leaders in contemporary Pilates. She studied with Romana Kryzanswska for two years and after suffering a cervical herniated disc. In 1988, she moved back to Canada and cofounded STOTT PILATES® with her husband Lindsey G. Merrithew. They assembled a team of sports medicine and fitness experts to integrate modern principles of biomechanics and exercise science to the traditional Joseph Pilates method. STOTT PILATES® was developed to restore the natural curves of the spine to incorporate the latest research on spinal rehabilitation, and to balance the muscles around the joint. The STOTT PILATES® method places more emphasis on scapular stabilization. STOTT PILATES® is one of the leaders in contemporary Pilates and is recognized worldwide by the medical community.
STOTT PILATES® can be modified and is suitable for all ages, body types and fitness levels.
STOTT PILATES® requires extensive training and a certified instructor has to complete a challenging practical and written exam. Knowledge of kinesiology, biomechanics and speciality program design is integral to become certified.


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Read, Our Journey with Leg Braces, Part 1 first.
The amazing blessing about Eyes, remember the knitted alligator, well he fits in my son's pocket. Now Eyes could travel with us to the hospital to pick up his leg braces. It brought tears to my eyes when I realized how God weaved all these details together.
While we waited on doctor appointments I read to him stories from Profiles of Valor- Character Studies from the War of Independence. We discussed the topics of courage and endurance.
The first 24 hours into leg braces…Mom I do not think I can do this. Yes son, just like the process Green Blankie went through being repaired, you can survive this. We just have to take it one moment at a time.
Mom I think I need a prize for all this hard effort. Me too son, I happened to have tickets to see the Battleship New Jersey has a reward for your hard work on wearing them. My son wants to join the Navy someday so this is a big thing for him.
Mom, I am glad I chose camouflage for my leg braces. It reminds me of being a soldier and it is my duty to wear these.
Since he has to be in them 18 hours a day, I let him decide which hours he wants to rest. He likes having a say about it.
He has not figured out running or hard playing while in leg braces, instead we are increasing his swim time. He now has a new love for his swim lessons because he can do this activity brace free.
Lessons Learned While Wearing Leg Braces:
- Finding shoes to fit over leg braces might be the most complicated thing about leg braces.
- Remove the inserts for the shoes to fit better.
- Balancing in shoes that are 5 sizes bigger then your last pair, might take days to adjust.
- Getting a boy in leg braces on the top bunk, not an easy thing to do, you might need a different place to sleep.
- Not being able to stand on your toes to reach your breakfast bowl might cause you to cry.
- Good lotion will be helpful for protecting the skin around the straps of the braces, but only use lotion at night. Skin needs to be kept tough throughout the day.
- Dr. Scholl's Moleskinfor covering up red marks to keep the skin from breaking down.
- Getting up off the floor.
I could have jumped for joy when my co-worker knew exactly how to teach my son to get up off the floor. It seems theater majors take classes on bio-mechanics and how to dramaticaly get up off the floor was part of his studies.
When the hard days came, I found my son encouraging me. "Mom, I am so glad my braces our camouflage colored; it reminds me of a soldier's duty and I know I must wear my leg braces."


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For any single real estate transaction to be streamlined, stress-free, and successful; there must be great coordination between the several parties involved.
Whether it is securing a lender, understanding what settlement company to work with, or finding a qualified professional to help turn your 'house' into a 'home', our team's collective experience is here to guide you.
Below is a list of preferred parters with whom we've worked closely on several transactions and whom we do not hesitate to recommend to our clients (please click on a logo to be taken to a trusted service professional):


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Gillian Bentley
Community Education Facilitator
Provides core services to consumers to assist individuals with achieving their goals. Gillian also provides community presentations on prevention of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.
Gillian joined the DNOM team in October 2014 with a diverse background in substance abuse, mental health, and nutrition. Gillian completed with honors a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services with a minor in Psychology from Baker College. Gillian enjoys connecting people with the tools or services they need to gain strength, confidence, and personal independence.


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Future of…
Our collective understanding of the circular economy has not yet been entirely explored and we can draw a parallel with 'a 16th century map' of the world, more than an exact account of the complete economic benefits. Whilst this map has certainly become more detailed in recent years, territories still need to be charted anew to foresee what a circular economy would look like and how it would function. In this new series, we aim to highlight the opportunities, challenges and impacts that widespread adoption of the circular economy framework could bring to different sectors, using insights from current trends, policy signals and technological advances.
Future of Cities: The circular city – how will it actually look?
There's a long list of trends or technologies that made the leap from science fiction to reality. Could the features of a circular city be next?
Future of Cities: explore the Fab City
The Fab City uses digital manufacturing to relocate food, energy and industrial production in an urban setting, creating a locally self-sufficient and globally connected city.
Future of Cities: a new approach to urban space
After decades of stagnation in methods, business models and productivity, the construction industry is on the threshold of radical transformation.
Future of Mobility: Smart transport infrastructure
While digital technologies are transforming vehicles and how we interact with them, they are also reshaping city transport infrastructure. Smart infrastructure technologies, collectively known as intelligent transportation systems (ITS), are being embedded in traffic lights, car parks, toll-booths, roads and bridges, making them increasingly able to communicate with each other
The Future of Mobility: Tech as the driver
The future of vehicles is becoming well rehearsed: electrically powered, available on-demand and self-driving. Less appreciated is how this can encourage the transition to a circular economy.
The Future of Mobility: a measured approach
With the development of electric automobiles, connected self-driving cars, and a growing movement of self-governed transport systems mobility is on the brink of major change.


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The County Council has created a web page so that residents can report highway issues like potholes and faulty streetlamps online. Click here to go to the web page – 'We prioritise all potholes so that the most dangerous ones are repaired either the next day or within 7 days. The vast majority are given to specialist teams and will be repaired depending on location and road use, usually within 90 days however this may be extended depending on resources'.
Staffordshire Smart Alert was launched by the by Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, Matthew Ellis, in March 2016 to improve engagement between Staffordshire Police and the communities they serve. Residents can register to receive real-time and localised crime alerts via a web page, e-mail or a smartphone app.
Click here for further details about the scheme.
Call 105 is a new and free service to report and get information about a power cut in our area.
A recent survey revealed that many people in the country would try to contact the wrong company to report a power cut. Call 105 makes it easy to contact the correct company just by calling one number.
You can dial 105 from a landline or a mobile telephone. The system will automatically connect you to the local network supplier which in our case is Western Power Distribution.
You can also use the number to report any concerns that you have about power lines or substations.
Click here to go to the Call 105 Website.
Do you run or provide a community group or service ?
The Community Pages provide agencies, organisations, groups and clubs with an opportunity to publicise their activities and contact details on the parish website. The publicity can either be a simple listing on this page or on a separate dedicated page. There is no charge for this service, just complete a contact form by clicking the option on the main menu.


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"Don't think that people in Kigali are the only ones who eat breads, even here we eat breads," Esperance, a TWB trained woman, said.
This was a statement from a woman during a baking lesson last week, when a TWB facilitator asked her about her view on bread consumption in rural areas. She immediately replied that even though they live in a very remote area and that financial means are limited, breads are still a relevant market item for their community.
This is a belief that TWB is trying to instill. Too often in Rwanda, individuals and communities think that breads are meant for a wealthier class of society, mostly those who live in cities and have good paying jobs. We defy this belief by making sure nutritious breads are available in both rural and urban areas, for rich and low income people.
Nutritional inequity is common in rural parts of the country, as communities have less access to food, food varieties, and nutritional options for consumption. Currently, TWB is conducting a baking training in Rutsiro District, Bumba Cell. Rutsiro is one the 7 Districts of the Western Province in Rwanda. It has the highest percentages of food insecurity, 57%. In Rwanda, about 44% of children under five suffer from the effect of chronic malnutrition and statistics show that Rutsiro alone has a childhood malnutrition rate of 60% -- this makes it the area most affected by malnutrition countrywide. The consumption of foods rich in nutrients such as proteins and iron is very low.
We are very sure and confident that if women and children of the Rutsiro District can have our nutritious breads locally available, and at affordable price, this will improve their nutritional status. Bread should be available to everyone – with nutritional value – and this belief guides our everyday work for The Women's Bakery.


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Earnin doesn't decide how much to thank you. Instead, Earnin asks someone in the community if they would like to use their next tip to thank you for inviting friends. It's up to them to choose how much they would like to send you.
How does Earnin choose how much to thank me?
Have more questions? Submit a request
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Letter from Kerry Olson, Founder and President Emeritus
Dear Friends and Family,
This month I will be marking a milestone birthday—my 60th. In lieu of presents or a party, I'm asking my friends and family to join me in celebrating the gift of hope by making a donation to Firelight on this link to my birthday fund campaign:https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/kerrybirthdayfund
The past several months have been challenging for many of us, awakening a profound awareness of the fragility of the things we take for granted and a renewed sense of the importance of being informed and staying engaged to uphold the values we hold most dear.
Dave and I started Firelight Foundation in 1999, and in years that have followed we have been humbled and amazed by what grassroots activism and community leadership can achieve in the face of great challenge. African community organizations have taught us so much about the power of people working together to make the world a better place. Their inspiring example fuels my hope—both as I look at the profound challenges that face African children and youth today, as well as the recent events closer to home.
We care deeply about what is currently happening in our own country, and at the same time, we remain very aware of our commitment to children in greatest need globally. Despite "America First" rhetoric, this is not an "either/or" equation. Justice, compassion, and generosity are universal qualities that open our hearts to see beyond borders.
I continue to believe that the best thing we ever did was to invest our funds, time, and energy--together with hundreds of others including grantee partners, donors, staff, and volunteers—to make a lasting difference in the lives of thousands of African children, youth and families. Thanks to the support of many, Firelight continues to grow in spreading goodwill and creating brighter futures.
I'm so grateful for this journey, for the lessons life brings, and for the opportunity each day holds. If you are inspired to do so, I hope you will join me in "doubling down on hope" by making a gift to Firelight—each dollar will be generously matched by my husband Dave (his gift to me).
With love and gratitude,
Kerry Olson, Founder and President Emeritus | Firelight Foundation
To learn more about Firelight's work, please visit www.firelightfoundation.org.


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I am so excited. I was selected to be an artist in the juried selection for First Friday! Yeah! Jen and I were just going to set up our stuff at the site where they let artists set up for free but it was kind of off the beaten path. Now we will be front and center! Here is where we will be:Yeah! This will be a first for me. I have never done a craft show or anything! I can't believe I was selected! Yippeeeeee....
That's AWESOME Cindy, congratulations, you deserve it!
that's great Cindy!!! That location looks wonderful... right in the heart of it all. Wish I could go!!!


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Personal Banking
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For the quickest answer, search previously asked questions below. Chances are, others have asked a similar question and there's already an answer waiting for you. If you can't find a match, ask a new question and our team members will answer.
Karen, Delanco
July 25, 2015 09:27:25 AM
1 Response
In reply to Karen, Delanco
Thank you for coming to TD Helps with your question, Karen.
The quickest and easiest way to check your transactions is by using our Online Banking website. If you are already enrolled for our Online Banking, you would be able to view your TD account balance online right after logging on to your account. You may also view your transactions and account history as well. Please login to your account here: http://bit.ly/1eaISlq, and you'll immediately be shown the Accounts page, where you can view your current balances. If you'd like more information, click on the individual account to view recent activities. On the account history screen, it will display the details of each recent transaction.
If you're not currently enrolled, feel free to start here: http://bit.ly/1lqyp6r. If you have any questions please call our Banking Specialists 24/7 at 888-751-9000 for further assistance. You may also visit your local TD Bank Store, during lobby hours for help. For hours and locations near you, check out: http://bit.ly/TDStores.
We hope you find our answers helpful and please don't hesitate to return to TD Helps if you have any further questions.
LiShu R, Mount Laurel
July 25, 2015 10:13:17 AM


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This weekend will be the last testing date for the "old" SAT. Starting with March, students taking the SAT will see many changes. We hope this infographic will give you some insight about some of those changes.
Remember, standardized tests are only ONE part of the admissions process and there are many test-optional schools! If you want to explore test-optional schools further, check out this link: FAIRTEST.


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Tanzania Itende
Tanzania Itende is slated to launch in Reserve Starbucks stores everywhere in February 2017.
It showed up at the Roastery either very late 2016 or on the 5th of January. I noticed it on January 5th, and look for new coffee all the time. One partner told me that she put out a few bags on New Year's Eve, but in any case, it now at the Roastery as I write this.
It is a medium acidity, medium body coffee, grown at about 1,650 meters. This coffee is described as having herbal and floral aromas complemented by winey fruit notes and brown-sugar sweetness.
Here's the burlap sacks it comes in:


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This is the story of how I planned my marriage proposal.
It's the tale of how five of these guys helped me woo the greatest girl in the world.
Why Goats?
You're probably wondering what the hell possessed me to do all this. Let me start by saying that both my partner and I share an affection for these floppy eared rapscallions that knows no bounds. I grew up with all the typical family pets: dog, cats, turtle, horses, and goats. We had two large Anglo-Nubians when I was growing up, and next to my dog they were my favorite pet. These guys had oodles of personality and were real fun.
My fiancée (I'll just call her "D") always looked forward to the herds that Menlo Park would hire to come mow their lawns in the summer. You see, goats are big business in California. There are several companies that rent their herds so that the goats can get a free meal, and the property owners get their weeds taken care of. Brushfires are a big concern during the dry summer months here.
We found out about our shared interest during the initial courtship. Here's an excerpt from one of our earliest email conversations:
Me: I made a goat cheese omelette tonight. I love anything goat related.
Her: Goats! Do you like actual goats? Do you know about the goats that travel around to eat the grass to lessen the fire danger? My friends think that I'm crazy because I tend to get obsessed with the goats' visit to Menlo Park each May. But they're very cute, and they do a great job! :)
Did you catch the excitement in her words? Just the mention of goats and she could barely contain herself. I knew she was something special. Knew it in my gut (of which goats have four).
So I knew that I needed to have goats play some part in the next big step of our relationship. But what farmer would be willing to lend me their herd? Even if I could pull that part off I was doubtful of my ability to wrangle them. They can be pretty unruly. So I needed pretty domesticated animals, not too big (my own goats were easily 200 lbs), not too violent (didn't want them head-butting my bride to be) and they better have transportation because my Corolla certainly can't fit them. That's a tall order!
Turned out that getting the goats was the easiest part!
I ran a web search for "goat rental" and the second one I found was City Grazing. They're based in San Francisco and provide the usual grazing services plus... wait for it... they have a big fat menu link titled "Parties, Promotions & Film". Yes, we had a winner. I got in contact with Genevieve, who said they loved the idea and had never heard of anything like it.
Yeah, that's how I roll. Keepin' it real and straight OG!
(the Original Goat, in this case.)
Putting It Together
The proposal was in September, but I actually put things into motion in June. I went the old fashioned route and asked her parents for permission (they said yes). Now I had two sets of parents as co-conspirators. It was good to have so many people I could turn to for advice, for they helped shoot down all the bad ideas I tossed out. At one point I was going to pretend to pass out and have D save me. In an expert parenting move, my mother informed me that this wasn't the greatest way to start things off.
Thanks, mom. My future marriage thanks you as well :)
It took me a few months to solidify my plans but I finally got my head around it. My checklist read like this:
I found the perfect costume accessories from Etsy seller Bowties for Rescue, who provided some nice but affordable felt bow ties for the goat collars. Genevieve said the goats sometimes wear dog collars so this seemed perfect. I also found this comically oversized fake diamond ring from Amazon.(Please check out the link and purchase through my Amazon link, your clicks help me fund the site and our wedding!)
My parents offered to pick up some red roses and set up the surprise together with some of our (really quite awesome!) friends. I would have to be with D the whole time, pretending nothing exciting was about to happen. So I needed these would-be goatherds to go ahead to a friend's house, where they would set things up and lie in wait. Six of my friends (plus parents) offered to help. My plan was coming along nicely...


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How would your holidays be while visiting a Mediterranean country? Except the hot days and sunny places, besides the golden beaches and the green-blue transparent waters, what would you eat? Well when we are thinking of the –upcoming- summer, first and foremost in our minds is the increased consumption of water, Mediterranean vegetables and fruits (and their juices) of this splendid season. Summer particularly in Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt and Morocco can be very hot and the rising temperature results in increased need of fluids, fruit and vegetables (which contain plenty of water). You see, our water and electrolytes are being discharged from the body and thus disrupting the balance of body fluids, energy balance and more.
Beginning with fluids
For this reason you should drink plenty of water (1-2 litres a day depending on the person's weight), even if you are not yet thirsty, because thirst is an indicator of dehydration already. Indeed, thirst is the first "bell" that rings when our body starts to dehydrate. Water is preferable during the day as well as natural fruit juices and raw vegetables. They are especially rich in water. Just think that on average 85-95% of their weight is water. So they help a lot to improve hydration levels in our body.
Continuing with Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables
Also fruits and vegetables are sources of vitamins, minerals and fibre (cellulose), becoming the second major food group of the Mediterranean Nutrition Pyramid and Diet. They contain no proteins and fats, but enough carbohydrates that will give you energy to endure the morning swim and the night's dancing exodus!
Most fruits should be eaten with their skins, firstly being washed very well. Cellulose of their peel is valuable for our organism. All red, yellow, green and black fruits contain much vitamin A. Most of the seasonal fruits are rich in vitamin C (eg cherries, strawberries, watermelon, and cantaloupe). Generally, however, fruits are very good sources of several vitamins and minerals and therefore there is no balanced diet without fruits and vegetables.
Also, because fruits contain mostly simple carbohydrates, they quickly raise glucose levels in the blood, making it ideal snack in between meals for instant energy. As a rule we could say that fruits and vegetables should be our allies any time during the day, as they can easily be combined with lots of foods and be part of uncountable dishes. Try fresh and cool recipes with fruits: In Greek yogurt, in salads, with ice cream, in fruit punches, in cocktails, as a dessert, in breakfast, as snack or cider and so on… Any daily nutritional plan rejecting the above should be criticized as unbalanced and away from the real Mediterranean summer.
Vegetables on the other hand, contain usually more water than fruits; have fewer carbohydrates but still many beneficial micronutrients such as vitamins minerals etc and the can be freely consumed. Try a breezy salad, or grab a tomato, some feta cheese and few thin bread slices and enjoy a light yet nutritious meal at the beach!
For all those reasons, seasonal fruits and vegetables should be an integral part of our daily summer diet. Generally 5-6 servings of fruit and 4-5 servings of vegetables a day meet our needs and provide a beneficial effect both in appearance and to our health.
The basic colors are 5!
White, green, purple, orange and red distinguish more fruits and vegetables and classify their components based on respective beneficial actions. Accordingly, we will list those which are already going through the season. The list below will list basically Mediterranean Diet fruits and vegetables.
Don't be shy, try them!
It is advisable to choose seasonal fruits and vegetables to be as natural as possible (without drugs or hormones). The table below gives some lists for summer fruits and vegetables:
Pears, apples, oranges, artichokes, peas, beans
Fresh Onions, Dill, Carrots
Zucchini, Lemons, Cherries, Strawberries, Lettuce
Peaches, Nectarines, Watermelon, Melon, Pears, Plums, Medlar, Beans, Tomatoes
Zucchini, Wild greens, Eggplant, Cucumber
Figs, watermelon, melon, vanilla, burnela, Cherry-plum
Yam, Grapes, Zucchini, Tomatoes
Here is a quick and fresh –like a summer breeze- recipe with seasonal fruits!
Budino di fragole (strawberry pudding)
You will need:
500 gr. strawberries
250 ml cream (full)
150g. Sugar
30g. Unsalted butter
125 ml milk
125 ml sangria
1 pinch salt
3 sheets of gelatin (5 g.) Or 1 sachet of gelatin powder
How to do it
After warming the cream with the sugar over medium heat, add the butter.
Dissolve in the warm mix the gelatin sheets (which have previously been softened in cold water)
Put the strawberries in a blender with a little salt, the hot mix, the milk and the sangria and blend for at least 5 minutes.
After putting the mixture into a form or a bowl, put it in the fridge and leave it for 24 hours.
A few more secrets
If you are using gelatin powder then you have to first dissolve it in cold water, leave it for 5 minutes and then add it into the hot mixture, stirring well vigorously.
You can skip the sangria and put extra 250ml milk so that kids will be able to have some pudding!
Fruits and vegetables should be an integral part of our diet, especially the seasonal ones. Following the Mediterranean Diet you will have this automatically! They contain vitamins, fiber, minerals and thousands of other active phytochemicals, that when offered to our body, act in synergy and promote health, reducing the risk of various diseases. And for this reason they should be consumed liberally. Add to that the taste, variety, colors, dishes and innumerous recipes and ways that you can enjoy fruits and vegetables every single moment of your day and there you have it, your "Recipe of Life"!


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On Monday 24th November it was the biggest event of the year for the hair industry, The British Hairdressing Awards 2014! The evening started with a trip down memory lane with a beautiful retrospective film that highlighted the achievements from the past 30 years. While HJ's executive director Jayne Lewis-Orr welcomed everyone to the Great Room, host for the night comedian and TV personality James Corden wowed the crowd with his insider jokes and impressions of the industry.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my winning clients; Nick Malenko and Sophie Beattie, of Royston Blythe, Wolverhampton who were crowned Midlands Hairdresser of the Year; Bruno Marc Giamattei of Marc Antoni who entered the Hall Of Fame by winning Southern Hairdresser of the Year; Martin Crean from Mode, Gloucestershire, who took the title of Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year; Angelo Vallillo, director of Zullo & Holland, Nottingham who achieved Eastern Hairdresser of the Year for the 2nd year running, and finally, the Marc Antoni Artistic Team of Henley-on-Thames, Berkshire who stole the accolade Artistic Team of the Year!
Well done to all of you, and it was a pleasure working with such talent this year!


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This is a guest post by our friend Celeste who is about to marry our other friend Craig on Sunday!
I'm getting married this weekend! I'm overjoyed because (a) I get to say "I do" to my favorite person in the world, and (b) my year of planning is coming to an end. When I start thinking about how many hours I spent browsing websites and talking to people in an effort to make our wedding not only reflective of our personalities, but also reflective of our values…well, it starts to make me uneasy.
So in an effort to help other engaged idealists sift through the clutter, I'd like to pass some of that knowledge along. Here are some ideas for a socially conscious celebration:
Before the wedding
- Paper-free invites: Services such as Paperless Post can help you design lovely invitations, or simply have people RSVP via a wedding website. Keep in mind, however, that this might be more challenging for guests who don't use or have access to a computer.
- Eco-friendly decor: There are myriad ways to make your wedding eco-chic, from plateware to stationery to even your venue choice. Check out Hitched blog and the I Do Foundation for some green inspiration.
- Local vendors: Find caterers or restaurants who use locally grown, seasonal ingredients.
- Handmade accessories: Support the movement by buying from smaller artists on Etsy. With their new wedding section, they've already done half the work for you.
- Do-it-yourself projects. Explore your creativity and save some money and resources while you're at it by getting crafty. DIY Bride is a great site to peruse for innovative ideas.
During the wedding
- Charitable favors: Instead of knick-knacks that will most likely collect dust, donate to a nonprofit on behalf of your guests. Or help repopulate the Earth's flora by giving nicely designed plantable seed paper as favors.
- Minimal gift table clutter: While having a fancy Lenox picture frame might seem enticing, what about having your friends and family gift you experiences instead? Try a site like Wisegifter to help you afford the honeymoon you've always dreamed of.
After the wedding
- Generous leftovers: A lot of food banks will accept surplus food; check Idealist.org for services in your area. Make sure you call ahead beforehand, as there can be strict guidelines for accepting food.
- Reusable wedding dress: While it may sound tempting to wrap your dress in plastic and save it for future generations, there's someone who could probably use that dress right now. Brides Against Breast Cancer, for example, refashions donated dresses, and uses the proceeds to support the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation. (I know that for some folks, this is a tough one. If you're not quite ready to give it away, try redesigning your dress yourself into something you can wear again.)
- "Honeyteer": Go somewhere beautiful and relaxing – and use some of that down time to volunteer. Browse sites like Idealist.org or GoAbroad to find an ideal placement.
If you've tied the knot lately or are about to, what other ideas come to mind?
This list was compiled with the help of Leigh Ann Smith, the editor of From Hello to Hitched.


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As a rule, I try not to do the things the internet tells me to do. This policy keeps me out of all sorts of trouble, including several sure-fire investment opportunities in Nigeria. Once in a while, though, like when it's part of National Book Week, I cave. Which is what happened recently when Facebook told me to turn to page 56 of whatever book was closest and post the fifth sentence.
"'What's the recipe?' you ask the weary pro chef, and he gives you a weary pro chef look, since the recipe is the totality of the activity, the real work. The recipe is to spend your life cooking."
It's cheating to include the sixth sentence, of course, but it would be unfair to the author to follow instructions to the letter and leave out that gem. Besides, we're rebels.
And that was my charming introduction to Adam Gopnik's The Table Comes First: Family, France and the Meaning of Food. Not my first time reading Gopnik, though, and so I wasn't surprised to find such insight and eloquence packaged neatly together in a couple of sentences. This is just the sort of thing that we've come to expect from the long-time New Yorker essayist, perhaps most famous for his collection of essays about his experience as an American-Canadian transplant in France, From Paris to the Moon.
What is perhaps less expected is that Gopnik should turn his attention to food, when he is more known for his commentary on art, religion and culture. In truth, though, it's not really his first foray into foodism, since From Paris to the Moon contained some considerable rumination on gastronomy, like the fall of French cooking and the virtues of bistros.
The Table Comes First is part memoir, part cultural history and part journalism, all spun together in Gopnik's signature fashion. He expounds on topics that keep many food writers awake at night. Like the importance of local food and the ethics of eating meat. Or whether or not the Parkerization of wine (cataloguing and rating it, as opposed to attempting to understand it in a larger cultural context) is a reasonable approach to grape juice.
Because of his wide berth of cultural capital and clear, concise thinking, Gopnik can both boil down a topic to its essence and/or relate it to the larger picture, arriving at some wise middle ground in a field of extremes. In "Meat or Vegetables," for example, he introduces us to two characters representing the poles — Fergus Henderson, who never met a snout or tail he couldn't transform into breakfast, lunch or dinner, and Alain Passard, a French chef recently eschewing meat to embrace all-vegetable cooking. The debate is set — on the one side, advocates for eating as much or more, but better meat (from ethically-raised, happy animals); on the other, those who have decided that all talk of ethics merely sidesteps the ultimate moral question, namely, that killing for meat is, by definition, cruel to animals.
In a lovely move towards solving this problem, Gopnik strikes upon an allegory involving the Shakers, an 18th century religious sect that made lovely furniture but no second generation of itself, since it espoused strict celibacy. To him, the idea of trying to be better than we have been and, therefore, working to end factory farming and feedlots is a perfectly reasonable quest. Asking us not to eat meat, however, as evangelical vegetarians do, is like asking us not to have sex. Gopnik argues that meat-eating is a universal human activity that pre-dates civilization and attempts to get humans to stop, therefore, are destined to fail.
It's a given that a book dedicated to "the way we eat now" will tackle the major current issues, like locavorism, sugar and mass-consumption, but the unexpected dividend in The Table Comes First are the forays into less-expected ideas. Like the one about the recipe book versus the restaurant menu — the former meant to seduce men to stay home, the latter designed to seduce women.
Or Gopnik's musings on what it means to live a life in the public or semi-public sphere that is the restaurant. Is the restaurant really an agent of democracy, which levels class and social distinctions or, rather, is it a weapon of minor distraction, serving to divert our attention from major structural problems? Or the relationship between food culture and food writing really (Gopnik, now a food writer, declares food writing just about as important as actually making it).
Which is a nice reminder, since the glut of food books, food writing and food pornography can sometimes make us as weary as the chef who is asked for recipes. As somebody who has greedily gorged on all media connected to food in the past and nearly had to declare abstinence, The Table Comes First brings back to mind what made food writing so seductive and stimulating a few years ago.
It is one of those special books, which don't come around all that often — the kind which makes you simply delight and luxuriate in the slow act of leisurely reading.
It's certainly not the product of a recipe but, rather, a writer who has spent a life, thinking, reading, writing and, of course, cooking.
Christine Sismondo is the author of America Walks Into a Bar: A History of Taverns and Saloons, Speakeasies and Grog Shops.


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An Elven Reckoning
Printed book £18.00
A year of knits from the last homely house - twelve beautiful knits to excite your inner Elf!
An Elven Reckoning - a year of knits from the last homely house is a collection of twelve beautiful garments and accessories inspired by the stories of Elves that inhabit Middle-Earth from J.R.R. Tolkien's books.
In this book designer Sarah Alderson will take you on a journey through the six seasons that make up an elven reckoning.
The twelve beautiful patterns feature a wide range of design elements, from cables to stranded colourwork, slipped stitch patterns to lace. Sarah has created a pattern for every person (and Elf!).
The Patterns
All 12 patterns will be available as individual pdfs once the book has been released. Click on the pattern picture to go to the individual pattern page.
This book is available as a printed book (with a complimentary e-book) or an e-book. Choose between the print and digital version above.
For currently released books:
Once your payment has been processed, you will receive a link to download the e-book pdf. If you have purchased the ebook with the printed book you will receive the e-book straight away so you can start on your projects without delay! All patterns will be accessible from your Ravelry library if you have a Ravelry account.
For pre-orders:
Once your payment has been processed, you will receive a link to download a lookbook which contains all the information for planning your projects. When the e-book is released you will automatically receive it as an update. Printed versions of the book will be sent within 7 days of the book release date.
All payments are processed by paypal and payments can usually be made from a paypal account or using your credit card without setting up an account.
Book information:
Originally published September 2015.
Current version: An_Elven_Reckoning_ebook_v1.pdf
PDF file size: kb
Blog post with more information can be found
Technical Editor: Gwen Wagner-Adair
Models: Suzi T, Ellen-Scarlett Ryan and Helen Ryan
Photography: Christine Patterson
This is a pattern book available in both printed and digital format, not a finished item. You will receive the files via email as soon as your payment has been processed. If you have a Ravelry account, your pattern will be added to your library.
All payments are processed via Paypal. Payments can be made with a Paypal account or with a credit card without an account.
Please read the terms and conditions before purchasing; new UK and EU rules apply.
This product is available through the Ravelry In-Stores sales system. This enables your local yarn shops to sell my digital files directly to their customers.
If you would like to stock the patterns or books please visit my wholesale page.


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The Placer County Water Agency conducts an ongoing program of public information to keep customers, the general public, other agencies and the news media up-to-date on Agency programs and activities. The PCWA Board and staff believe it is the responsibility of a public agency to report to the people it serves. The Agency distributes news releases on Board meetings, water service emergencies or interruptions, various programs and projects and other items of current interest.
Read the latest news from the Placer County Water Agency here.


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zenslacker #4
Zenslacking is about taking the less obvious route in a mad world, of which you are very much a part, so:
1. Make a joke against something you hold most dear.
2. Try, for a day or so, taking nothing seriously, even taking nothing seriously not seriously.
3. Don't ask why the world is mad- it just is.
4. You think you need more money. What you need is to be more in the present. Wanting more money is being rooted in a future fixated frame of mind. You are hardly alive in such a state of mind. The feeling of desperately wanting money (not food or water- that's different and real) is a good reminder that you are moving too far ahead in time too quickly. You're literally on another planet. This is the mad world, not the now world. To stop worrying about money isn't always easy. One way is to sit and try and force yourself for an hour to think of as many ways to make money as possible- the more stressful as well as the eminently dull and sensible. Sicken yourself with money lust- than have another cup of tea and a biscuit and look out of the window at the world.
5. Find a good place to do nothing. Find good people to do nothing with. Do nothing as often as is bearable.
6. Something always comes out of nothing
7. Keep doing something until you are sic of it.
8. Do things that need willpower everyday or on a day you have designated 'shit day'. Prepare for that shitty day by reminding yourself about it.
9. What will be written on your tombstone?
10. Make time for old friends. If you find you are too stressed to take phonecalls from old friends then the next time it happens deliberately prolong the call until they are the one to end it.
11. When you find yourself getting that 'trying hard' feeling, take a pause. Think of mentally changing gear, dropping down a gear, expending less effort, less revs.


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Clever Cycles is Portland's first and largest bicycle shop devoted exclusively to bicycling as primary transportation, serving families and businesses with stylish, practical bikes and accessories for everyday use. Since 2007, Clever Cycles has been selling products, including clothing and accessories, that support a practical biking lifestyle.
Location - 900 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214
Neighborhood - Central Eastside
Categories - Bicycles, Bike Culture


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« Story from the Field: The Eagle That Refused to Die |Main| Congratulations to our December Contest winners »
February 3, 2014
Congrats to Berger Bros.
Congratulations to our friends at Berger Brothers, who have a few milestones in mind as they begin the new year. For starters, the Long Island, New York based camera store will be celebrating their 64th year (established in 1951).
It all started with a store specializing in musical instruments and sporting equipment, but soon the Berger family developed (literally) an interest in photography. They shifted to featuring cameras, lenses and photography related accessories. This shift in store inventory came precisely at the time when the domain of photography was rapidly expanding to serious amateurs and average households.
Berger Brothers helped boost that expansion by offering the latest in the new cameras coming from all corners of the globe. While helping with the growth of the home and amateur photography arena, they maintained a firm foothold in sales and service to the professionals of the day.
Building on their reputation of customer service, Berger Brothers advanced to today's digital age under the stewardship of Brad Berger, who is now entering his 41st year at the helm.
His philosophy through those years can be found on the Berger Brothers Web Site history page:
"Brad has expanded our inventory, but has never forgotten what the family drilled into him from an early age - customer service comes first. The Berger Brothers dream has never been to be the largest camera store in New York. Just the best."
In addition, one more milestone:
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the partnership with our Nikonians community, which is now best known as our popular Ask Berger Bros Camera Forum!
Through the past five years, Brad and his team have supported our community with purchasing specials, photography articles and informative links to training videos.
Now serving their third generation of customers in two locations (plus a Photography School) as well as the wide world of Internet sales and service, Berger Brothers is handily keeping up with modern technological improvements, and defiantly refusing to give up on old-fashioned standards:
To quote Brad: "We still believe in offering a good value, in standing behind the sale, and that courtesy and customer service comes first - that if you're happy with your purchase you'll come back."
Posted by flashdeadline at February 3, 2014 4:23 PM


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With 28 years experience commercially fishing the waters off Monomoy and outer Cape Cod, Captain Darren has the local knowledge and experience to put you on the fish and make your experience unforgettable.
Along with a USCG 50-Ton Masters License from New England Maritime and current CPR/First Aid Certification, Capt. Darren is a pro guide with the Yamaha National Fishing Team. A graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Sciences from Cornell University, class of 1999. While an intrinsic understanding of the waters is imperative, Darren's understanding of physical oceanography and his willingness to share this knowledge with his patrons makes for a unique experience on the water. Your charter goes beyond catching fish or sight seeing; you will learn about the amazing Atlantic waters surrounding Chatham.
Capt. Darren is also a graduate of Sea Education Association where he spent 12 weeks in study and 6 weeks offshore circumnavigating the Caribbean Sea as crew aboard the 110' Schooner, SSV Corwith Cramer (C148). He has also worked on numerous commercial fishing vessels out of Chatham and New Bedford and spent several years as a commercial lobsterman. Having worked with many captains on both commercial and charter boats, he understands what it takes to not only be a safe captain, but a friendly captain. You won't find a surly and grumpy attitude aboard his vessel and Darren will strive to have fun and make sure his patrons feel welcomed and comfortable. Attitude makes the difference!
Darren has also traveled extensively to fish foreign seas and surf world class waves. He's sailed the islands of Indonesia, dove on reefs around the planet, and surfed in every ocean but the Arctic. He respects and understands the ocean and wants you to have a wonderful experience with Monomoy Sportfishing. So come aboard!


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