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From superheroes to bodybuilders and from famous athletes to big-name actors who seem to appear with their shirts off in every film they ever make an appearance in, the six pack is widely regarded as the ultimate symbol of strength, fitness, and sex appeal. For that reason, many people start each January with a New Year's resolution to exercise every day and attain a six pack by year's end. (Working toward your own New Year's resolution exercise goals? Take Udemy's "Fit for Life" course to gain an understanding of the science of exercise and lay the foundations for years of note-perfect fitness!) Unfortunately, sculpting a strong six pack is easier said than done, partially because it takes a great deal of resolve, stamina, and consistency of exercise to get there, but also due to the fact that the exercises most people adopt in an attempt to reach their six pack goals are the wrong ones.
Indeed, when many think of a six pack, they think of great abdominal muscle workouts, and in the minds of most people, there is no more obvious or appealing abdominal workout routine than one focused on sit-ups. The appeal of sit-up workouts are obvious: the risk of injury is low, they can be completed in the comfort of a bedroom or living room with no specialized equipment, and it doesn't take long to start feeling the effects of the exercises. However, while sit-ups may make you feel great, studies have actually proven that the sit-up is not the most effective exercise for strengthening abdominal muscles and building a six-pack. Luckily though, there are other ways to exercise in your living room. Udemy's "No Equipment, No Resources" course is a great resource for those looking to develop an effective home workout plan.
Correcting the Sit-Up Misconception
While it may seem shocking to some that sit-ups aren't the most effective exercise method for attaining killer abs – especially given their ubiquity in gym classes and fitness routines – it actually makes sense when you consider the science behind a strong six pack.
In essence, a six pack or any strong set of abdominal muscles is the sign of a strong core. While what we call "the core" consists of more muscles than just the abs – including the lower back muscles and the latissimus dorsi – core exercises are still what most fitness trainers recommend for athletes trying to attain a six pack. The main goal of these core muscles is to support the spine and hold it in a stationary and rigid position, thus giving us the ability to stand upright, walk around, and complete other tasks that would be much more difficult with no strong core muscles to speak of.
Sit-ups, then, don't work terribly well as a core exercise because they don't stress the traditional core muscular function of stabilizing the spine. Instead, a sit-up is what is called a "flexion" exercise, where you are using your core muscles to move and flex the spine rather than hold it in a stationary position. Obviously, flexing your spine and sitting up from a laydown position still requires use of the core muscle group and is thus still a reasonable solid exercise for those muscles. However, since sit-ups don't use the core muscles in the traditional manner, they are not the most efficient way of strengthening core muscles and ultimately building up a six pack. The same goes for similar flexion exercises like crunches: these exercises generally won't have the impact you want them to have on your abs and could even lead to spinal injuries if you aren't careful.
The Top Three Exercises for a Six Pack and a Strong Core
So if sit-up exercises aren't the way to achieve a strong core, then which exercises are specifically adept at producing six pack results? How can athletes achieve the efficient and intense core workouts necessary to build a six pack without losing the at-home convenience provided by sit-up workouts?
The solution is to ditch flexion exercises like sit-ups and crunches and to replace them with exercises that stress stabilization instead. As discussed above, the main purpose of your core muscles is to stabilize and support your spine, so exercises that work for the same type of stabilization are naturally the ones the achieve the best results when it comes to strengthening your core and building a lean and mean six pack. With that in mind, here are three exercises you should consider adding to your routine instead of sit-ups in order to attain the most intense, efficient, and effective core workout possible.
1. The Plank
Sit-up routines are generally easier than they look: while doing 20 or 30 sit-ups in quick succession can get you to the point of "feeling the burn" in your abs, it's surprisingly easy to keep up with sit-ups until you reach the 40 or 50 mark. The opposite is true for plank exercises, which look like they shouldn't be terribly difficult, but which are actually incredibly tiring.
That fact alone should tell you that plank exercises are more efficient and effective for exercising your core than sit-ups are, but if you don't believe us, try it for yourself. Get your body into push-up position, either with your feet on the ground or elevated on a bench, then lower yourself onto your elbows. If your feet are elevated on a workbench, they should now be at the same level as your head, with your body forming a straight line between the two points. If your feet are on the floor, your body should still be straight, but the line will naturally be slightly diagonal.
Either way, your goal should be to hold your body in plank position for 90 seconds at a time. Most fitness professionals will tell you that the most effective plank exercises occur when you clench or tighten your abdominal muscles as if bracing yourself for a punch. You will quickly start to feel the exercise burn throughout your lower body, and will likely even feel your body shaking and vibrating from the exercise. This is normal, so continue holding your position until your 90 seconds are up. Then, after a short break, you can start again!
2. The Modified Plank
When you start doing the plank workout, it will tire you out so much that it may well be the only six pack exercise you need for awhile. After a few weeks though, you will be able to pull off 90-second planking exercises without breaking a sweat (well…almost), at which point it's time to start modifying the plank to add new challenges into the mix.
A "modified plank" can mean many things, from holding this position for longer (try pushing your 90-second rounds into three-minute routines) to trying what is called the "side plank." For the latter, lay down as if you were going to do a regular plank exercise, then roll to one direction so you are only supporting your weight on one forearm instead of two. Your body should still be straight and your stomach should still be braced, but your new position will bring additional challenge and strength training into the mix. You might even feel a bit of burn in your arms as a bonus exercise. Just make sure to even things out by doing a side plank on both forearms.
3. Suitcase Deadlift and/or Walk
Suitcase lifts and walks are a great way to build core muscle strength using weights, and which you decide to use will depend first on your personal preferences and second on whichever weights you happen to have immediate access to.
Generally, deadlifts will be preferable if you have a barbell for bench-pressing. (Learn how to deadlift in this excellent Udemy course.) To start, leave the loaded bar on the floor and stand next to it, taking time to stabilize your body and make sure that your shoulders are leveled. Crouch down, maintaining your balanced posture and being careful not to bend your back at all. Then, grip the barbell weight right in the center of the bar and stand back up, lifting the weight as you would a suitcase.
Be careful not to let the weight pull your arm down or throw you off balance. The reason you aren't lifting weights on both sides of your body is that this isn't an exercise to see how much weight you can lift, but an exercise to practice posture and body stabilization. You should be using your abdominal muscles and your oblique muscles to drive the lift, with your arm essentially serving as the object that grips the weight. Once you've lifted the weight back into your starting standing position, hold for two seconds, then crouch back down in the same manner you did to lift the weight to place it back on the floor. Do eight or 10 of these and you will be feeling the work in your abs.
You can get a similar workout using a dumbbell weight. Use the same set-up as for the suitcase deadlift, but once you have lifted the weight and are back in standing position, walk forward about 20 yards, taking care to maintain a balanced posture. Whichever hand is not gripping the weight can be placed on your hip (think the Superman pose) for a bit of extra stabilization help.
Establishing a Well-Rounded Workout Plan
If you main goal is to build a six pack, then the three exercises described above should all be in consistent rotation as you plan your workouts for the week or the month. However, while a six pack is certainly a great fitness benchmark to work toward, it is not the only goal you should have for your own physical fitness. On the contrary, the most fit people in the world got there by pursuing multiple goals at a time and always being willing to take on new challenges when they came along.
With all of that in mind, push for your six pack, but focus on other types of exercise as well. Get in the swimming pool and master the challenging and physically demanding butterfly stroke with Udemy's "Swim Butterfly Like a Pro" course, or establish a regular running workout routine by training for a half marathon. By keeping multiple fitness goals and workout regimens at once, you will be able to build your body into a well-rounded physical workhorse, from legs of steel to sculpted six pack abs, all the way up to muscular arms and shoulders.


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So, I've been really impressed with consent advertising lately. For example, this is in our grad student agendas:
And on that line, I was on the bus today and saw this ad.
I wasn't sure how to feel about it. On one hand, I love the recent consent stuff, how advertising and awareness campaigns have hit home "what consent looks like" types of things. On the other hand, I found this about one degree shy of triggering for me, and my trigger is not overly sensitive (I believe, in comparison to some people I've met, but that's such a subjective thing). I'm sure that some people would have been upset by this type of image - specifically because this type of sexual assault is so rampant, and so many women have experienced something like it. But that is exactly what makes it effective, and maybe even powerful for young men and women just starting out in college, and maybe just entering a drinking/bar/hookup culture world.
What do you guys think? What's the balance between appropriate and triggering for consent campaigns and sexual/domestic violence campaigns? (I mean, I found Fluterdale's experience on FluteCampus last week to be an example of crossing that line, but I can't find it to link it!) How do we negotiate that boundary between protecting the public by respecting triggers, and protecting the public by tackling a sensitive issue?
(Sidenote: I am hopeless at French, so if anyone translates that I'd appreciate it!)
(Sidenote 2: FIRST POST WOOOO thank you to whoever gave me posting privileges!!)

subset: commoncrawl


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LAIE, Hawaii – No. 26 BYU-Hawaii men's tennis defeated No. 30 Holy Names 5-0 Saturday at the BYU-Hawaii Tennis Courts to move to 7-3 on the year.
Simon Gullin and Guillermo Ucelay Pueyo opened the match with an 8-3 win against their Holy Names (3-4) opponents, Javier Luque and Ivan Parra. BYU-Hawaii's Ibrahim Kamadzha and Ian Galli added their own 8-3 victory over Hugo Colpart and Jonah Tahilan on court three. Chia-Hua Lu and Sterling Galli finished the sweep, defeating Matthew Halligan and Bernardo Moraes 8-5 in the first doubles court to put the Seasiders up 3-0.
Lu put BYU-Hawaii within a point of vitory with a 6-3. 6-1 victory over Ivan Parra on court five. Ucelay finished the match with a 6-3, 6-3 upset of No. 23 Halligan.
BYU-Hawaii will face Hawaii Hilo Monday at 2 p.m. HST at the BYU-Hawaii Tennis Courts.


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- Doctors
- Florida
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- Dr. Kevin S. Tralins
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Ratings for Dr. Kevin S. Tralins
Dr. Tralins and his entire staff were knowledgable, helpful and caring throughout my entire treatments with them.
I very highly recommend Dr. Tralins and his staff at the Bardmoor Cancer Center. I just finished my Radiation for Breast Cancer in June , I had 7 weeks- 5 days a week of treatment, the time flew by quicker than I ever would have imagined thanks to Dr.Tralins and his wonderful staff. They are very knowledgeable and compassionate which was greatly appreciated during this difficult time in my life. I hope they are aware of how special they are and the great job they are doing, God Bless them.
Dr. Kevin Tralins and his staff at the Bardmoor Cancer Center in Largo, Florida are the reason I am still here fighting this fight. I have been a patient of Dr. Tralins since 2013, when I had my first radiation treatments for endometrial cancer. Not only is Dr. Tralins very knowledgeable about his field, he is very good at explaining things so you can understand what is going to happen. He encourages questions and makes sure you have everything you need to know to make informed decisions. This is all on top of the most compassionate manner in which he speaks to you. Beyond Dr. Tralins, his staff of nurses and technologists are Aces. Every staff member is friendly and treats you as if you are the number one only patient that they have. In 2014, my cancer recurred in my spine. My original plan was to go to another radiation group in Tampa that had a super-fancy new radiation machine with pin-point accuracy. Because I had had radiation in the area before, there was concern about double-dosing and the risks. Unfortunately, that group took so long to set things up, that I had incurred a compression fracture of my spine and was in the hospital before they could do my treatment. I went back to Dr. Tralins because of the wonderful treatment I had received there previously and he assured me that he could do whatever those fancy machines could do -- and I already knew it would be a positive experience. As stated, I had a broken back during my treatment -- it was excruciatingly painful to get to my appointment, let alone getting onto the machine. Normally it takes approximately 15 minutes for the treatment. It took an hour for me. I had to have 3 staff members, a board, foam wedges and a circus routine to get onto the machine - and everyday for three weeks, the angels that pass for technologists helped me get through it. They were able to accommodate my needs by scheduling late sessions so I would not take up the time that would normally be allotted to four other patients. Not only are the staff helpful, but each shares and easy humor that takes your mind away from the fact that you are fighting a deadly disease. As of May, 2013, I have a new recurrence of cancer in almost the exact same area that has been treated before. Chemotherapy and surgery are not options at this point due to the possibility of more damage than cure. Radiation is my only option, and Dr. Tralins researched the latest study on my situation, where we are working with the same exact area. He took the time to explain the higher risk factors with me before allowing me to make the decision about this new treatment. I am currently half way through my treatment and already feel 100% better than I had a few short weeks ago. I know that the caring, compassionate treatment that I receive from Dr. Tralins and his staff are what is making me well. I very highly recommend Dr. Tralins and his staff at the Bardmoor Cancer Center.
One wouldn't think having radiation for cancer in your bones would be a positive experience - but it was. Dr. Kevin Tralins, his staff, the radiation technicians are all extremely competent and very kind! Over the past 3 years I have had radiation 3 times, 3 different areas, all completely painless, and all successful. I was so lucky to have found this radiation/oncologist group. My cancer is quiet for now, but will no doubt recur, and I will need their services again. I don't dread it at all, in fact it is so reassuring to know they are there for me.
the best and kindest dr. we did not have enough money and he took care of my husband and never sent a bill.
Very professional, personable, competent. Highly recommend him.
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While additive manufacturing, including 3-D printing, is emerging as a method OEMs may commonly use in the near future to produce specific components for new aircraft—with some 3-D-printed parts already flying in engines—the technology may also be on the verge of revolutionizing MRO. In addition to spare parts being 3-D-printed on demand, they might also be repaired with the method—and both uses offer an attractive business case.
Satair Group, the Airbus subsidiary that specializes in the distribution of spare parts, offers plastic spares made via additive manufacturing. It uses materials such as polyamide, acrylonitrate-butadiene styrene (ABS) and thermoplastic polyurethane. It makes sense when a conventional method would involve a long lead time or a complicated supply chain, or when the part is out of production, Stephan Bloempott, Satair Group's head of additive manufacturing, tells Aviation Week.
An extra advantage over a straightforward replacement is that additive manufacturing enables the production of a customized component for an in-service fleet. For Jetstar's Airbus A330 fleet, Satair designed a new blanking plate for seat armrests (the need stemmed from the removal of an inflight entertainment interface). There were only a few aircraft to equip. Therefore, conventional methods, possibly involving expensive molds, would have been uneconomical. "So we 'printed' the cover, which now flies on A330s," Bloempott says.
The cost of an additive manufacturing machine is still very high, however, at €500,000-1 million ($525,000-1.05 million). "It only works with a very good machine utilization," Bloempott says. The next generation of machines, available in 2-3 years, is expected to be much more productive.
When additive manufacturing becomes widespread in MRO, it will facilitate the shrinking of inventories. "If I can print efficiently, I save in inventory," Bloempott points out.
The strength of the business case for 3-D printing in MRO depends on the number of parts required. On a cabin part, conventional casting of plastic can be economical for the manufacture of 60-70 parts, estimates James Kornberg, innovation director for Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance. But the cost of additive manufacturing is decreasing very quickly, he says: "The cost of an additive manufacturing machine has plummeted and the trend [continues]."
Safran has yet to manufacture any parts for MRO purposes. But it is just a question of time, according to Thierry Thomas, vice president of Safran Additive Manufacturing. "These processes are still very expensive, but their profitability threshold will evolve with the productivity of the machines," he says. "What I could say today about additive manufacturing costs may be obsolete in six months."
Although it is still costly, additive manufacturing can already be exploited for its agility, Thomas emphasizes. This can be the case when a tool is no longer available or if producing it again might disturb an already busy supply chain, Thomas says. "Three-D printing can solve a lead time issue," Kornberg concurs.
ATR is using 3-D printing to replace obsolete cabin interior plastic parts on early ATR 42/72s. Some molds are no longer usable because related techniques were abandoned. "We can make a single part without having to launch the manufacture of a series of 200," says Stephane Marty, ATR's head of cabin design. A 3-D-printed polyesterimide part passed the flammability test, and ATR is awaiting the imminent first "flyable" component.
Additive manufacturing is gaining ground in terms of usable materials. Three-D printing is about to be technically mature for titanium, a metal of great interest in aeronautics, and this opens a field of possibilities.
Satair, which had been using 3-D printing for plastic spare parts only, is starting to use titanium in additive manufacturing, beginning with tools, and ground support equipment. "We selected 60 tools, and we changed from casting, for instance, to 3-D printing," Bloempott explains. An example is a spherical location tool, used to align pins in a landing gear. It is now made of a single part instead of 14. The design is more efficient, and the lead time if the tool is not in stock is shorter for the customer.
Another example is a safety collar to immobilize a high-lift device for maintenance. Usually, it is a machined titanium part. "It is difficult to machine and wastes a lot of material," Bloempott says. Satair did some topology optimization, meaning it removed material where it is not needed to withstand a load. "We saved 50% of weight and rounded all edges," Bloempott says. As it is lighter, the tooling is easier to use. And as the edges have been rounded, it does not necessarily damage the wing if it falls. Both tools are now in use.
What about flyable spare parts? Bloempott predicts the first ones will be made early in 2017. "We can rely on Airbus qualification processes for titanium," he says. Last fall, titanium printing was qualified on an Airbus printer. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved the so-called major modification. "To start with, we will manufacture nonloaded parts," Bloempott explains. Satair and Airbus will thus gather experience, notably in adapting the design to the process. A prototype bracket for a crew rest compartment has been manufactured. Another candidate is a part for an Airbus A340 pylon.
ATR is experimenting with a 3-D-printed titanium filler for a hollow situated on the wing's leading edge. It would avert water ingress and resulting corrosion. "We do not offer a service bulletin yet, but we have just installed the part on our test aircraft," says Vladimir Camuzard, ATR head of structures support engineering.
New prospects are emerging in component replacement. As Satair did with tooling, an airframer may redesign a part, optimizing it for its role rather than for its manufacturing process. ATR is considering replacing several damaged parts with one single part, which would reduce repair time. It would also cut the number of interfaces between parts, making cracks less likely. ATR is counting on collaboration with third-party additive manufacturing experts to select suitable areas on the airframe; the task is to begin early this year.
Rather than being replaced, a damaged part may be repaired. This is what France-based BeAM is offering with its directed energy deposition (DED) technology. "A lot of parts could not be repaired because welding carries so much energy that it changes the structure of the part," says BeAM Chairman Emeric d'Arcimoles. "Our technology brings just enough energy to melt the powder."
A cooled turbine blade, for instance, may one day be manufactured via selective laser melting (SLM), a longer-established process. But DED might be used to repair such a blade, whatever its manufacturing process. "We are performing qualification trials for blade repair, and the first repair of a flyable blade may take place in 2017," d'Arcimoles says.
BeAM not only sells DED machines, it also helps the customer design a part for the technology and simulate the manufacturing process. It then creates a dedicated machine and trains the customer's engineers. As the technology is tricky to master, a number of universities are buying BeAM machines to support their industrial partners, d'Arcimoles adds.
In fact, BeAM is betting on an open approach, sharing know-how with the customer and with the ecosystem around it to stay at the edge of innovation.
Associating the DED and SLM processes may drastically cut the cost of 3-D printing, d'Arcimoles suggests. "SLM is suitable for a small, complex part that used to be made of several parts but it is costly, as SLM involves recycling a large amount of powder." Combining the two processes, manufacturing could start with SLM as the base; then functions could be added through DED. The latter uses a small quantity of powder, so total cost would be slashed while the lead time benefit of 3-D printing would be kept.
Done another way, DED could be linked to metal forging. "In terms of metallurgic structure, DED is better than casting but inferior to forging," d'Arcimoles says. The idea is to use DED to add functions to forged parts. The final component can be complex, but its critical part can have superior metallurgic properties, while requiring only simple forge tooling.
Companies besides OEMs may want to use 3-D printing for spare parts, thus creating a new headache for airframers, engine-makers and other equipment manufacturers. Numerous companies have long been in business manufacturing non-OEM spare parts. But now manufacturing becomes much easier and the upfront investment will be drastically reduced. This opens the door to an onslaught of established MRO service providers and newcomers, all looking to offer lower-price parts. Should OEMs accept the new situation and look for a win-win arrangement? Or should they build barriers to maintain their dominant position in spare parts manufacturing?
Additive manufacturing is creating a business model shift, d'Arcimoles contends. OEMs—especially engine-makers—usually sell spare parts to earn big money after having sold original equipment at rock-bottom prices. "Some OEMs tell us they will stand in the middle and keep everything under control, selling repair licenses," d'Arcimoles says. But others want to "build a wall and continue to sell spare parts," thus risking that some companies may try to bypass them.
Safran's Thomas does not object to letting authorized MRO service providers operate 3-D-printing machines to make Safran parts. "We will have to assure quality," he notes.
ATR even sees an opportunity. A spare part could be manufactured closer to the customer. An MRO service provider may be equipped with a 3-D-printing machine or linked to a local partner for 3-D printing, Camuzard says.
Air France Industries Engineering and Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) is already using 3-D printing for prototypes, tooling and parts. A prototype part for an engine may be 3-D-printed for shape and size validation. It will later be manufactured with a conventional process. AFI KLM E&M is 3-D-printing patch prototypes that will be used to define the design of the final part to repair a CF6-80C2/E1 turbine rear frame. The prototype of a Boeing 787 seat track cover has also been validated using 3-D printing, says Kornberg.
The actual parts Air France Industries KLM E&M manufactures with additive manufacturing are not critical, as they are cabin parts. The company is studying the use of laser cladding on some engine components.
"We cooperate with the OEM on a number of subjects," Kornberg emphasizes. In fact, even though cooperation is not always mandatory, it is most often preferable. For example, a lessor may require the airline to use authorized parts and repair processes.
Satair is considering spreading the use of additive manufacturing upstream in its supply chain. "We will enable our suppliers to adopt the technology so the airline is benefitting," Bloempott says. He expects higher availability of parts. The plan is to help suppliers with the specifications of the materials and processes. "Satair and Airbus will gradually involve more and more suppliers in the qualification," he adds.
Will aluminum fit 3-D printing?
Not all experts in additive manufacturing are on the same page for the usability of aluminum. Vladimir Camuzard, ATR's head of structures support engineering, asserts that 3-D printing of aluminum is technically doable—but hardly economical for simple shapes. The feasibility of using aluminum in additive manufacturing is recent, as it has evolved from "impossible" to "difficult" in just one year, according to Thierry Thomas, vice president of Safran Additive Manufacturing.
In BeAM's "directed energy deposition" process, aluminum disturbs the laser beam and so is not currently usable. "But we are working on it; this is pure metallurgy," chairman Emeric d'Arcimoles says.
Certifying 3-D Printing
"From a certification standpoint, switching to additive manufacturing is like changing material," says Thierry Thomas, vice president of Safran Additive Manufacturing. Indeed, the material is created during the manufacturing process. He reports progress with EASA and the FAA. "We have a much clearer view of certification requirements," he says. A few parts for new engines—for example, a fuel nozzle on a helicopter turboshaft—are expected to be certified soon.
"An MRO service provider has to develop a stable process," says Simon Waite, an EASA senior expert in materials. "An MRO may miss that unless it works directly with the type certificate holder."
In other words, having EASA production and design organization approvals, such as most large MRO service providers have, may not be enough. "Certification is also about criticality of the part and working with the type certificate holder," says Waite.
EASA believes the regulatory framework already exists, except for some fine tuning. "A minor change in process or material can have a major influence on a part failure mode and therefore on the size of the debris downstream, for instance—this is the gray area we are working on," Waite explains.
EASA is taking "a cautious approach" to the entry of this technology into the aviation industry. As it is still in its infancy, the agency is going as deep as requiring the serial number of the 3-D printing machine. "Manufacturer or MRO, they have to show they have control of the machine," he says.
Digital Extra See more on additive manufacturing technologies in MRO:AviationWeek.com/3-D-MRO


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Under or Overweight Italian Greyhounds
The Italian Greyhound breed is known for being naturally thin by nature. Dogs being surrendered to rescue often range from the smallest full-grown adult dogs weighing only 5-7 pounds, all of the way up to 16-18 lbs at the largest. However, this doesn't mean that if your IG weighs between five and eighteen pounds that they are at an ideal weight. Even a few fewer or extra pounds on any dog from their ideal weight can cause health issues over time, or could be indicative of other problems that may need further analysis by a veterinarian.
As with any dog, it should be fairly easy to locate a few ribs by rubbing your hand on either side of the animal, just underneath the coat and skin. Upon visual inspection when an Italian Greyhound is in a resting position (such as sitting or laying down) a slight outline of a few ribs (2-3) may be seen. However, seeing the majority of the ribcage may indicate that an IG that is too thin. When an Italian Greyhound is breathing heavily, you may additionally be able to see the outline of more ribs as they inhale and exhale.
However, on the opposite end of the spectrum if you cannot easily feel, or visually see any indication of any ribs, then an Italian Greyhound could potentially stand to lose some weight. Few Italian Greyhounds weigh 18-20 lbs or greater, and a pure-bred IG at or above these weights should be evaluated by a veterinarian to ensure it is not becoming obese. Rescue in the past has seen a handful of IGs that could be considered morbidly obese weighing 25-30 lbs or more even, resembling a sausage shape from above.
Any sudden changes of weight over a short period of time (a few months or less) should be discussed with a veterinarian, either if the dog has gained or lost weight.
Underweight Italian Greyhounds
Although Italian Greyhound owners are often told their dogs are too thin, or need to be fed, there is a point at which an IG is too thin. If you can see more than a couple of ribs on an IG, then they may need to gain a little weight. Often an underweight dog is just simply being given the wrong diet, and a change in diet will cause the dog to reach a healthy weight. Many dog foods are mostly fillers which provide little nutritional benefit, so changing to a better quality food could be a simple change that needs made. Additionally, hard kibble foods are difficult for a dog's digestive system to break down in to nutrients the body can use, so changing to a partial or full soft-food diet may help increase weight on an IG.
A sudden loss of weight could also indicate other underlying issues that need addressed which may include:
- Dental Disease or Pain - A dog who doesn't want to eat normally, or drink may be telling you that they need a vet visit. A painful infected tooth may be bothering them when eating or drinking water. Thus, due to diminished nutrition they may be losing weight.
- Parasites - Worms and other parasites rob the Italian Greyhound's body of critical nutrients needed to maintain a proper weight, and health in general. If the parasites are taking away nutrients from your iggy, then they may start to lose weight or not be able to gain any back. Parasites can be picked up not only from other animals, but exist naturally in the environment too.
- Thyroid Issues (Hyperthyroidism) - Most people associate thyroid issues with being overweight, but it also can be the cause of an Italian Greyhound being underweight too. A dog diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, will have difficulty putting on weight, and may want to eat or drink more without being able to put on weight.
- Kidney Issues - Loss of weight or difficulty getting an Italian Greyhound to gain weight could indicate either the beginning or advanced stages of Kidney issues. A special diet can greatly help treating dogs with these issues live long healthy lives, especially when diagnosed early, regular testing and with proper maintenance.
Although food is often one of the most common causes of an Italian Greyhound being too skinny, there are some IGs that just have a higher metabolism and are naturally more slender than others. A vet can also run blood tests (panels) to help eliminate other causes behind an IG being underweight.
Overweight Italian Greyhounds
Far above any other reason, the most common cause for a dog being overweight is their diet, or food portion size being consumed. A small Italian Greyhound may only eat 1/3 cup of food twice daily, while those on the larger side may eat 1/2 cup or slightly more per day. If a dog eats more than this, then it is likely they are getting too many calories per day which is causing them to gain weight. Some tips to help keep your dog at a healthy weight include:
- Do not leave food down for an Italian Greyhound to eat throughout the day. Put the food down for 15 minutes, and pick it up at the end of that time. They will learn to eat while the food is available.
- Measure portions of food as recommended by the suggested serving, or by a veterinarian, and feed only 2 or 3 times per day.
- Ensure each pet in a family is given their own bowl, and other pets do not finish off portions from other bowls.
- Put any cat food out of reach of an IG. Cat food is naturally very high in fat, much more than dog foods, and not a healthy option for your dog to eat.
- Don't feed table scraps for food. The discarded portions of your dinner are often the most unhealthy bits of fat, skin and contain the most calories too. (Note: NEVER feed animal bones, they easily fracture in to sharp pieces which easily can get lodged in the esophagus and need surgically removed.)
- Limit the type and number of treats given. Rewarding your dog is important for training, but keep it in moderation, and use only naturally derived treats rather than many well-advertised brands which may contain low-grade ingredients or fillers.
- Thyroid Issues (Hypothyroidism) - If a dog's thyroid is under producing hormones, they can tend to be heavier in weight. A simple blood test can check thyroid levels, and daily medication to treat thyroid issues is relatively cheap.
- Diabetes - As in humans diabetes in pets is relatively common, and has many of the same symptoms. An Italian Greyhound may have increased appetite or thirst, and the dog may need to urinate more. In many cases an iggy or other animal may need daily insulin shots to help keep the dog's body processing food properly, similar to how it is treated in humans.
- Cushing's Disease - Weight gain in combination with temporary loss of control of some limbs may indicate the presence of this syndrome.
- Skin or Coat Problems - Often with extra weight comes increased oils on the skin, or in extreme cases overlapping skin. Both of these are ideal conditions for skin conditions for develop and fester.
- Joint Issues - Not only can existing issue like luxating patella, arthritis, or hip dysplasia be exacerbated by a few extra pounds, but other joint, cartilage or tendon issues which didn't exist before can be caused by excess weight straining the entire body.
- Decreased Lifespan - Heart or circulatory, digestive issues and increased cancer risk are only a few of the issues that can be linked to an overweight dog. Even simple procedures such as dental cleanings which require anesthesia can be complicated by extra weight.
- Breathing Difficulty or Snoring - Extra pockets of fat in and around the respiratory system, neck and face can cause a dog to snore, or have difficulty breathing. Lack of sleep causes a dog to have less energy compared to healthy companion pets.
If the above precautions are being taken, and followed strictly, an overweight Italian Greyhound could have other issues which may need analyzed by a veterinarian. Some of the more common issues we have seen in Italian Greyhound which are not caused by dietary issue have included the following:
View a slideshow of an obese foster dog in 2014-15, showing his transformation from being extremely heavy to an ideal weight in the Diary of an Obese Italian Greyhound.
Short and Long Term Effects From Excessive Weight
Overweight Italian Greyhounds can suffer from both short and long-term health effects from being allowed to remain overweight, similar to what happens in people too. It is vital to keep an Italian Greyhound at a proper weight to contribute to a long healthy life.
The above list is not comprehensive by any means, and so many other health issues are caused by an Italian Greyhound being overweight. Additionally, other existing problems are often aggravated by any pet being too heavy. However, it is always important to remember that the primary cause of overweight or obese Italian Greyhounds usually is their owners' failure to act, maintain a healthy diet, and regular exercise for their pet(s).


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WBEZ News
Without Means: The role of guns in suicide deaths
Lindsay Van Sickle's dad loved to shoot. He lived on a farm and hunted as a little boy. As an adult, he spent time at the shooting range. He collected what she calls "cowboy guns" and loved the history behind some of his WWII firearms.
Van Sickle describes her dad as the life of the party. But he also struggled emotionally. In July of 2011, he took one of his guns, locked the rest of them up, left his house and shot himself at a park. He was 54. The year he died, of the 30,867 gun deaths in the U.S., 19,766 were suicides.
Van Sickle says her dad was a model of responsibility with guns.
"At the house they were locked up in the basement. I didn't even know where the keys were," she said. "Even a few of my dad's cousin's who grew up kind of like my dad, were shocked that he would take something he loved so much and use it to end his life."
As Van Sickle watches the news, and sees all these debates about guns, she's found herself wondering, what role these suicides play in the debate.
"When something like this happens, you can't help but wonder about the what if. If laws were different, if rules were different, if the outcome would be the same," said Van Sickle.
I posed that question, about laws and suicide, to Dr. Cathy Barber at the Harvard School of Public Health.
She says first, it's important to note why the method of suicide matters.
A number of years ago, Barber was helping develop a new system for the federal government called the National Violent Death Reporting system.
"In the process of doing that, I would read through thousands of suicides, little thumbnail sketches of suicides," Barber recalled.
Barber was surprised at how many of the suicides seemed impulsive. Barber, like many others, assumed that suicide is something people plan. In another study, people who almost died in a suicide were asked how long after they decided to attempt suicide did they actually try it. Twenty-four percent said under 5 min. Two-thirds said under an hour. Only 16 percent said a day or more.
"You'd think this is such a huge decision, you'd think it would be a more deliberative one," said Barber.
This matters because even though people may have long battles with depression, the window of time in which they actually want to attempt suicide is small. And many people who survived suicide attempts, never go on to try again.
So Barber, came to a simple conclusion. What mattered in that tiny window was the instrument available to the person wanting to commit suicide.
"There is a huge difference across methods of suicide in how likely they are to actually kill. Firearms are actually at the top of the heap."
Suicide attempts with a gun, result in death 85 percent of the time. Poisoning, for example, only results in death 2 percent of the time.
State suicide statistics illustrate this as well. Eastern states, like Massachusetts have a much lower rate of suicide death than Western states like Wyoming. They don't vary much in depression rates or even suicide attempts.The biggest difference is the number of guns in each state.
This has gotten some public health workers thinking about a method called "means restriction."
The term comes from the U.K., where gas—sticking your head in the oven—was once a leading means of suicide.
"Back in the 1960s, they started replacing the source of gas with a non-toxic source, and suddenly suicides in Great Britain went down by a third," Barber said. "And so that's when we started realizing means restriction actually can save lives."
But of course, "means restriction" with guns in the U.S. is not as simple.
Gun control usually focuses on homicide. Even laws like waiting periods, or background checks, haven't really been shown to help. That's because people usually don't go out and buy a gun for a suicide.
What matters is having a gun around. And no one is proposing laws that would get guns out of homes all together.
"I don't see it as being in line what the courts have decided about second amendment rights," said Barber. "I mean people can have their opinions about this, but personally, my interest is looking at this and saying 'how do we save lives right now.'"
So Barber's approach is a public health one. Her project based at Harvard School of Public Health is called Means Matters. She encourages programs that work with, not against gun owners. For example, a New Hampshire project trains gun shop owners in suicide prevention. In addition to learning about how to lock up and store a gun, gun purchasers learn about how to keep guns away from suicidal individuals. They also receive resources for mental health support.
But the politicized debates over gun laws sometimes spill over to these public health approaches too. Dr. Joseph O'Neil used to work as a family doctor. At appointments, he asked about general safety concerns.
"When I was talking about car seats, when I was talking about seatbelt use, I often asked families if there was a firearm in the house. And I had several families take exception to that."
Some patients were so upset, that he would ask what they considered a personal, non-medical question, that they switched doctors.
But O'Neill didn't stop. In fact, he expanded his efforts. He became part of the Indiana Violent Death Prevention Project. One of the organizations projects was training clergy in suicide intervention.
Over a third of clergy members, said they had actually lost someone in their congregation to suicide. The training helped them counsel potentially suicidal individuals.
"Clergy felt more empowered to say by the way I know you feel this way. Is there a gun in the home, would you be willing to get it out of the house," said O'Neill.
But they never got to see how well it worked. Their funding, from the Joyce Foundation, the same private foundation that supports this series, ran out. Other funding for firearm injury research is scarce.
The Center for Disease Control funds research on causes of death and injury. But since 1996, most of their research on firearms was restricted by congress, who was pressured by the NRA.
Another problem: The Consumer Product Safety Commision, which regulates household products like toys or cars, doesn't oversee firearms.
O'Neil said there just isn't the same oversight or information on guns. "Since 1975, we've reduced the number of infants killed in motor vehicle accidents by 75%. For toddlers, 50%. I wish we could do that for firearm injuries."
But without the research dollars and oversight, he thinks they won't. "It's sort of like going without a compass. We don't know where we've been and we don't know where we are going unless we have the data."
Both Dr. O'neill and Dr. Barber say that the current political battles over guns are a catch 22. It brings more attention to their issue. But it makes any mention of guns so contentious their work becomes political. And it's hard to talk to gun owners-- the very people most at risk of gun suicides-- without coming across as anti-gun.
As for Lindsay Van Sickle, the experience of actually losing someone to a firearms suicide has changed the way she feels.
"If you have a gun, even if it's for hunting or protection, there may come a time in your life that you may be depressed. And that may be a means to take your life. So I am definitely more nervous and scared about guns now based on what my dad did to himself."
She doesn't' know if any policies or programs could have changed what happened to her father. But she does think, at the very least, it's worth us asking the question.
Shannon Heffernan is a WBEZ reporter. Follow her @shannon_h.


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People always say:
"Don't pray for patience."
It's because that prayer will bring about difficulties we just don't have the patience to deal with. Sounds like a 'lose-lose' situation doesn't it?
By the time I'd been warned against this disastrous prayer – it was too late. I had already begged God to transform me into a more patient individual and I was reaping the rewards of my request.
I was beginning to doubt 1st Corinthians 10:13 where we are told that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. Those years my 'patience' was being worked out, I was 'tempted' to hurl rocks at certain individuals, purchase firearms, or invest in explosive devices.
But patience, like everything else, is learned. At first you feel like you're failing the class, but all those irritating or troublesome situations are God's curriculum. And over time you'll find you remain calm in instances that used to cause you much torment.
Proverbs 16:32 says:
"Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city."
Bible Gateway.com's commentary on this passage reads:
"To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy."
Can you understand why God would choose to teach us patience in such a seemingly combative way? It builds up our resistance to stress, irritation, difficulty, and setbacks.
The Bible says that in this life we will have much trouble. That means if we don't learn to be patient we will probably never be happy.
So, instead today I say, "Pray for patience" because after the hard 'lessons' come great rewards like inner strength, peace, joy and wisdom.
Jodie Stevens
Photo: http://inthehouse-khouse2.blogspot.com/


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By Katondwaci Marvin
Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) President Mohammed Iya will be paying a three-day visit to Benin on January 27 to mediate in the internal crisis currently rocking the west African nation's football federation. Mr Mohammed will be accompanied by an official from Fifa, according to reports.
After Fifa's intervention earlier this month to reinstate the embattled President Anjorin Moucharaf of Benin Football Federation
(Febefoot), the body is yet to function normally after its bank account at BOA, a Cotonou bank, was blocked from withdrawals pending FIFA's arbitration.
Mr. Moucharaf had been temporarily ousted from office by the police under the instruction of the ministry of sports. The Febefoot headquarters had also been briefly sealed off, but a threat of suspension from Fifa for government meddling saved the businessman's post, but without putting an end to the crisis.


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Dec 20, 2016
RICHMOND, Va. – VCU Men's Basketball guard JeQuan Lewis was named Virginia Lottery Student-Athlete of the Week this week for his performance on the court in a matchup against the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders on Saturday, Dec. 17.
The Dickson, Tennessee native was the Rams' top producer on Saturday night as he led the Black and Gold to an 80-77 victory over the visiting Blue Raiders. Lewis exploded for 20 points and shot 3 of 4 from the line in just 21 minutes of playing time. The game on Dec. 3 against Illinois was the only time he played fewer minutes. He ran the court for 20 minutes in that game.
"I was excited," said Lewis. "I wanted to compete and just do what I needed to do to help my team win."
Lewis is familiar with this kind of output. Saturday's game was the fourth time this season in which Lewis torched opposing defenses with 20 or more points.
"I was more aggressive," Lewis said about his mindset going into the game. "I have to do a good job of being more aggressive early on in the game. It helps getting the game going at our pace."
The Rams have two more games on their non-conference slate before heading to George Mason on Dec. 30 to open Atlantic 10 play.
"We want to finish the non-conference season strong. It's been a hard one so we want to finish strong going into George Mason."
What about the holidays are you looking forward to the most: Going home to see my family
Favorite holiday dessert: Homemade ice cream
Hobby not many people know about: Playing pool and bowling
Best teammate to follow on Instagram: Johnny Williams
Pre-game ritual: Talking to his grandmother
You have a free plane ticket, where do you go: Trinidad and Tobago
Dream job growing up: Playing in the NBA
Favorite place to go when not at practice: Buffalo Wild Wings


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Young couple's dream house turns into a meth nightmare
The neighbor was happy to learn that Quigley and his girlfriend, Jennifer Friberg, were in the house instead of the previous resident -- a known hoodlum who had been arrested for making crystal methamphetamine. Suddenly, the $190,000, 4-bedroom home with the nice hardwood floors that the young couple had wanted to fix up and one day start a family in, had become an an albatross around their necks that still weighs them down. It still leaves the 31-year-old graphics designer dumbfounded, but did explain some strange things he experienced.
"As soon as we moved in, we started to get headaches immediately," he told WalletPop in an interview, adding that he and Friberg attributed their health issues to the stress of moving into their first house. "Our symptoms kept getting worse the longer we stayed there."
Quigley and Friberg encountered a growing problem, according to experts. Several states mandate that sellers disclose if a house was a meth lab. Though Pennsylvania is not one of them, the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors says there are places on the seller's disclosure forms where such information could be divulged. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, standards among states vary for cleaning former meth labs.
"While some states employ effective regulations, such as Colorado, Washington, and North Carolina, some experts think that many may not. In Idaho, for example, a former lab is deemed `clean' when there is less than one tenth of a microgram of methamphetamine per square centimeter in the room where meth was cooked," the non-profit says. "There are no national standards for meth lab cleanups, and regulations differ from state to state. In some states, getting a license to decontaminate a house is as easy as taking a few hours of class and a written test."
The couple acquired the home from the estate of a family who acquired it in 1930. They had trouble getting documents signed related to the transaction because one of the members of the family was unavailable. Only later did they learn that the person was in jail.
Later, the couple found out that their home was listed on a DEA website of crystal meth labs. Though they were not immediately obvious, there were some signs that the house was used for illicit purposes including frosted windows that were in the upstairs and the decorative plastic on the kitchen windows so that no one could look inside. Tests found that five out of the six rooms tested positive for methamphetamine, which was most likely made in the basement where the concentrations were the highest. Most of the furniture was thrown away and the belongings they could salvage are mostly in storage.
After getting checked out by a doctor and learning that the chemicals -- some of which cause cancer -- used in the production of the illegal drug seep into everything from carpeting to ceiling tiles, Quigley and Friberg had enough. They moved out of their home on April 10, a little more than a month after moving in, and have been trying to figure out what to do ever since.
For one thing, the industrial hygienist they hired estimated it would cost $60,000 to clean up the property, which the couple can't afford. Filing suit against those who wronged them would cost them another $50,000, according to a lawyer they consulted who added that there was little hope that the sellers could afford to pay them damages. Reselling the house is out of the question given its history as a drug house and there was no guarantee they could recoup their cleaning costs. Quigley says the couple is trying to reach an arrangement with their creditors or receive some sort of government grant. Though they don't want to ruin their credit, the couple is considering walking away from their former dream home and letting the bank reclaim it through foreclosure.
"All of our dreams of owning a home, being happy, and starting a family have been crushed," he writes in an outline of the couple's story to remember the details. "(We are) trying to figure out the best way to get out of this situation but we don't think there really is one."


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Hey everyone, welcome back to my corner of the interwebs. As I type this we are having a bit of snow and winter weather. Surely the kids will be out of school for the majority of the week—good thing that I stocked up on wine! Just me? As I sit here with my coffee and my long socks...see my post about my favorite cold weather accessory, here, I am thinking about the complexity of creating a capsule wardrobe. Why did I say complexity? Well, because to me it is a complex idea...maybe it's not supposed to be, but let's take a look at what having a capsule wardrobe means, shall we?
Basically a capsule wardrobe means that for every season, you have on average 35 pieces of clothing in your closet. The pieces are versatile enough that they can be mixed and matched to create a number of different outfits. Y'all this includes shoes. And that's the part that has me like...nope. Now, the number of items can vary for each person, because we are all different and have unique needs. For instance, I don't have an office job, so my capsule wouldn't include any office wear. You could also decide that workout clothes don't count, but then they have to be used for working out only and not sneak their way into your daily attire. Set a basic guideline for yourself...you can always change it a little bit as you get more used to the idea.
(one of the outfits that I put together based on my capsule choices)
So, I decided to challenge myself to put together a capsule wardrobe based on things that I love and would wear. Do you think I succeeded? Well, It was tough, and I spent a long time on it...and I only made it down to 41 pieces. Some people say that you should include jewelry, handbags and all accessories, but y'all I can't handle that. So here is what I came up with, all images are from the Cladwell app (I will talk about that another time). They are similar to pieces that I own. In reality though, you are supposed to dump your closet out and only put back what you will be including in your capsule for that season. I will be honest, I simply can't do that—it would literally take me YEARS. And, since I am over here dreaming of spring, this sample capsule is made with spring in mind.
First up, dresses and skirts. I pretty much live in them as soon as it's warm enough. If my capsule wardrobe didn't have a good selection of dresses and skirts...I don't think I'd ever leave the house. I'm not joking. Notice that I included different cuts and patterns as well as solids. Probably would need to make adjustments, but you get the idea. Of course, I cannot forget about shorts and jeans. Especially since spring can offer up some crazy mixed up weather. Pictured below, I chose a few skinny jeans, my beloved (and on trend) flare leg jeans, and a pair of shorts.
Ok now here is where it gets a little dicey. Tops. I need to rework this a little bit...but I think the basic idea is here. Different cuts and styles, mixing both patterns and solids and one or two on trend pieces (polka dots and tie dye). Remember that you can always tie up shirts or side tuck them if they are too loose for your outfit.
Next up...outer layers. Again this part was hard, because around here, spring can be Sprummer, Sprall or even Sprinter. Haha, get it? I tried to include different textures with the denim jacket and faux leather, as well as incorporating longer cardigans and trench coats. Do I need more than one trench coat? Probably not. But here we are, with two.
Lastly, shoes. This was difficult, because I believe that shoes make an outfit, and I am not about to give up the majority of my shoes, that's a no from me. However, I gave it my best effort to narrow it down to a few choice styles. Notice I didn't include flats...that's because I never wear them. I'd have a pair of converse in my workout wear...so I'd cheat on my capsule and wear those with an outfit if I had to. Rules are made to be broken right?!? And, truthfully, these few wouldn't be enough for me. I'd probably have to include at least 25 more pairs.
So, now you need to make sure you can create enough outfits for the season....so that's 3 months...with the pieces that you have selected. It might be a good idea to photograph them, so you have a "look book" so to speak, of all the outfits. If you find that you are struggling with your choices, try changing it for something else, nothing is set in stone! Below I put together a few outfits using the pieces that I chose, and it was actually a lot of fun to do! Maybe I could just work up outfits for OTHER peoples capsules, because while I do see the benefits to capsules (ease of making outfits, less stuff, less expense), it is not something that I will do in my own closet.
Even without doing a capsule wardrobe, I am still using these outfits as inspiration come spring. They have me wanting to pretend it's warmer outside and dress for spring. Will you be creating a capsule wardrobe?


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Here are several ways to overcome emotional disconnection in marriage. If you feel alone all the time – and yet you're married – you need to figure out how to reconnect.
One of the first things to do is figure out if your husband is actually hearing you. Why Can't You Read My Mind? Overcoming the 9 Toxic Thought Patterns That Get in the Way of a Loving Relationship is written by Jeffrey Bernstein, a psychologist specializing in couples and family therapy and Susan Magee, who wrote The Power of Positive Confrontation. They offer couples a way to renew the spark in their relationships. They claim that one of the most significant steps is to focus on yourself rather than your partner by ridding yourself of toxic thoughts, "negative thoughts that have lost their basis in reality and have gotten out of control."
Here's what G.B. says on Is My Marriage Over? 7 Signs Your Spouse is Ending the Relationship: "We've been married for 28 years and I feel like a stranger to my husband. I share my thoughts, worries, etc and he listens but never responds. It's like I am forgotten, not important, not worth his attention. How do I fix it when I feel so alone? I have no friends to talk to. My children are adults and have their own issues. I am tired. I can't fake it any longer. I am trying to find a way out."
When You Feel Alone in Your Marriage
Last week, I went to a live marriage counseling session (a marriage counselor counseled a couple in front of a group of married couples). The couple has been married for six years; she's the "pursuer" who wants more emotional connection in their marriage. He's the "pursuee" who thinks things are fine the way they are. She feels alone in their marriage; he'd be happy with their relationship if nothing changed.
Turns out, this is a very common interaction or "marriage dance" between married couples. How do you stop the dance? You could leave your marriage or try different ways to overcome your feelings of emotional disconnection in your marriage.
Get an objective perspective
The couple who participated in the live marriage counseling session didn't even realize they were doing this common marriage dance, of pursuing and being pursued! They just thought they had different opinions about their relationship. Indeed they do.
To stop feeling alone in your marriage, you first need to make sure you understand what's happening. Why do you feel so disconnected? What do you want your spouse to do? What can you do to improve your marriage? Since you can't change your spouse…what do you need to change about yourself? Another option is to learn How to Go on a Marriage Retreat Without Leaving Home.
Find out if your spouse is on board
You can't overcome emotional disconnection alone, my friend. If your spouse isn't willing or able to meet your needs, then you need to either accept him the way he is or end the relationship. How do you figure out if your spouse wants to participate in your marriage? Ask him to go to marriage counseling, a relationship retreat weekend, or even just read a book about emotional connection. You'll know right away if he's willing to invest the time and energy needed to build a healthy marriage.
Figure out what your marriage expectations are
The live marriage counseling session taught me that neither spouse is "right" or "wrong" in how they view or live out marriage. They just have different expectations of what marriage is all about. If you feel alone in your marriage, you need to figure out what exactly what you expect, and where your expectations come from. For instance, G.B. knows her husband listens to her, but he doesn't respond. What sort of response does she want? Why does she need a response? If she can clarify her own needs, she'll be more likely to communicate them to her husband. And if she's clear and concise, he's more likely to listen to her – and perhaps connect with her emotionally.
Stop pursuing your spouse
This is a surprising way to cope with emotional disconnection in marriage: The marriage counselor told the wife who wanted more emotional connection to stop pursuing her husband. This is incredibly difficult to do, especially for a woman who wants to build a strong, healthy marriage! But, that's the key to ending the pursuer-pursuee marriage dance. Stop chasing, stop asking, and stop focusing on how alone you feel in your marriage.
The marriage counselor said he'd need about 10 sessions with the couple, to help them create more emotional intimacy. If you're a pursuer who feels alone in your marriage, you may not be able to stop pursuing and reconnect without the guidance of someone who is experienced in this.
Take care of your emotional and social needs
If you crave emotional connection, you need to create relationships outside of your marriage — whether or not your spouse is willing to build a better marriage with you. You need to make friends by doing volunteer work, joining book clubs or hiking groups, joining a church or spiritual organization, or taking continuing education classes. Challenge yourself by pursuing a different career or going back to school.
The happier and more fulfilled you are, the more attractive you'll be to your spouse…and the less you'll have to pursue him. It's all about building a strong personal identity, which is crucial to being in a healthy love relationship.
If you feel emotionally disconnected in your marriage, do you think the solution is to stop pursuing your spouse? Comments welcome below…I can't offer advice or relationship counseling, but it may help you to write about your experience with emotional disconnection in marriage.
Read How to Get Help for Your Marriage for more tips on connecting with your husband.
May you be blessed with a renewed sense of connection to your partner, and remember that being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you decided to look beyond the imperfections.
Is your relationship in trouble? Get 7 Steps to Fixing Your Marriage from relationship coach Mort Fertel. It's free and helpful, no strings attached.
Need encouragement? Sign up for my weekly "Echoes of Joy" email - it's free, short, and energizing. Like me!


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Employers want to know what you can do for them, and it's your job to tell them. Therefore, learn everything you can about the organization — its mission statement, products, training programs, history, current status, goals, finances, and anything else that seems relevant. Here's how:
Be absolutely certain of your appointment time and place — don't hesitate to call and double-check, or to call for directions and parking instructions. Allow more than plenty of time to get there — bad traffic is not an excuse for being late. Far better to wait 30 minutes in your car or a coffee shop than arrive five minutes late!
Know the name of the person you will be talking to, and be able to spell and pronounce it correctly.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression! Therefore, be sure you are dressed appropriately.
Carry a leather portfolio or folder containing several copies of your résumé, your list of references, and any other documents requested by the employer. Bring paper and pen, and consider jotting down a few reminders of what you want to say, and your questions for the interviewer. Don't forget your portfolio or business cards, if you have them.
Our career counselors are available to help you create and critique your résumé/CV, cover letter, reference list, portfolio, and thank-you letters. We can also advise you on professional etiquette and dressing for an interview.
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The SPU Library has a Subject Guide on Career, Vocation, & Calling that includes fantastic resources for preparing for interviews.
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Green Tea
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Herbal Extract Capsules
Herbovita – S Bliss Capsule:
Herbovita-S Bliss as an Herbal VITALIZER for men and women. This is bio-natural capsule do not urge the sexual stimulation after consume this instantly. It contents natural extract of Safed Musli, Withania Somnifera, Macuna, Emblica officinalis, Tinospora Cordifolia, Sida Cordifolia, Tribulus and gold leaf etc.
It provides nourishment for body complexion, skin and anti-ageing.
It increases libido, improves sexual satisfaction, increases sperm count.
It helps in men for impotency, premature Ejaculation or Erectile Dysfunction (ED),
long time sexual Orgasm with partner and anxiety.
It helps to regulate female's menstrual cycle.
It can be used as a natural health supplement for anti-ageing and general fitness.
Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily, half an hour after food with a cup of hot milk or water,
or as directed by the physician.
S J HERBALS AND HEALTH CARE No. 21, Sai Jyothi, 2nd Cross, K. B. Halli Main Road,
P&T Lay Out, Mahalaxmipuram, Bengaluru-560086, Karnataka,India.
Phone : +(91)-(80)-23221514 Mobile : +(91)-94488 09476


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Grubhub is a company on the rise. If you've never heard of them they basically allow you to order food from any of your local resturants online and one of their drivers will deliver it to you for a fee. I guess Uber sees value in this service because they're looking to dip their toes in the business.
If you're unaware Uber is a new age taxi service where people use their own cars to taxi people around. It's cheaper than a tradional taxi and I'm a personally a fan of the service. According to our sources Uber is looking to supply its drivers with more work. Food delivery!
It will be called UberFresh and UberEats for lunch and dinner. Not sure why there's separate service for each meal, but it is what it is. What's suppose to make this service unique compared to competition is curation. Uber will be providing suggestion in hip spots to try out. Something similar to Spotify.
And that's all your tech news for today folks!


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Peter and Patty Cooke, owners of Pickering House Inn, drew from their own experiences at luxury boutique hotels and inns when they created Pickering House. The Cookes envisioned a special place where they would like to stay themselves – a place with a relaxed feel, an attentive (but not hovering) staff, distinctive interiors, luxurious furnishings, boutique amenities, and a great downtown location within walking distance of Lake Winnipesaukee. Pickering House Inn is a place where guests feel at home. It's a place designed for privacy but filled with social diversions when the mood strikes.
Pickering House Inn is the realization of the Cookes' vision.
A scrumptious start to the day served in the Gathering Kitchen and included in your room rate.
{photo courtesy of travel writer Meaghan Murray}
Refreshment areas are located throughout the inn so you can help yourself to beverages and snacks at your own convenience.
Beer, wine & spirits are available for purchase each evening. Join us in Pickering's Kitchen for a relaxing start to your night.
The Inn was designed to make guests feel at home. Relax with a book on the wraparound porch, sip a glass of wine around the outdoor fire pit, play a board game in The Library, chat with new friends in The Living Room or just hang out in Pickering's Kitchen.
If you are content with a book or a game, then our Library is as far as you need roam. Otherwise, our staff specializes in "adventure planning" to help you make the most of your time in Wolfeboro, NH. Turn to us for itinerary planning, reservations, insider tips and more!
Our private dining room is available to our guests for special occasions, private dinners and meetings. Our culinary team will customize a menu just for you!
It goes without saying that we offer complimentary WiFi throughout the inn, including all common areas and guest rooms. We are also pleased to offer Smart TVs, state-of-the-art soundproofing in all rooms, individually controlled heat and air-conditioning in guestrooms and, of course, the finest mattresses, linens and toiletries.


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Beat Dis is a performance by Bomb The Bass; a band formed in London around 1990 by Tim Simenon, a producer and musician. The band stood at the beginning of the electronic and dance music era.
Although I wasn't too deep into dance music when I was a kid this was a genre I could still enjoy, amongst which this number which is also their debut single.
Production costs of this number are said to be 500 pounds, and it was one of the very first which would bring sampling to the masses.
The bass line and percussion was set up by Tim Simenon. As you can hear the rest of this track is a compilation of samples, soundscapes and musical effects. Definitely a classic of its own time.


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Visit Holland - The Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, administratively divided into 12 provinces (provincies). Even though the Netherlands is a small country, these provinces are quite diverse and have plenty of cultural and linguistic differences.
They can be divided in four regions:
* Western Netherlands (Flevoland, North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht)
Commonly called the Randstad, this is the heart of the Netherlands with its four biggest cities as well as typical Dutch countryside.
* Northern Netherlands (Drenthe, Friesland, Groningen)
The least densely populated area, mostly unexplored by foreigners, but popular among the locals. The West Frisian Islands are excellent destinations for a few days out, as are the Frisian Lakes.
* Eastern Netherlands (Gelderland, Overijssel)
Home to the largest national park of the Netherlands, Hoge Veluwe National Park, as well as the beautiful Hanzesteden, seven mediaeval cities along the IJssel River with a traditional historic centre, such as Zutphen, Zwolle, Doesburg, among others.
* Southern Netherlands (Limburg, North Brabant, Zeeland)
Divided from the rest by its Catholic history, carnival celebrations and its "Burgundian way of life".
This article describes the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Caribbean islands Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba are "special municipalities" fully integrated in the Netherlands proper. Beside the Netherlands proper, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten are constituent countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
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Johannes, Jan or Johan Vermeer (1632 – December 1675) was a Dutch painter who specialized in domestic interior scenes of middle-class life. Vermeer was a moderately successful provincial genre painter in his lifetime. He evidently was not wealthy, leaving his wife and children in debt at his death, perhaps because he produced relatively few paintings.Read more...
Claire Morgan - The Sound of Silence: 8 Oct 2016 t/m 8 Jan 2017. This autumn, the Noordbrabants Museum will exhibit the intriguing work of a young artist from Northern Ireland, Claire Morgan. After successful exhibitions abroad, including in Britain, this will be her first solo museum exhibition in the Netherlands.Read more...
Reflex Gallery is delighted to announce a major exhibition of the work of Donald Baechler this September 2016. This will be the first extensive exhibition in the Netherlands for the world-famous American artist.Read more...
500.000 tulips in bloom during the 2nd edition of Tulp Festival in Amsterdam 60 locations , 400 varieties, walking and bike routes.
For the second year in succession, Amsterdam will be decked in the most glorious colours, throughout April and May. During the Tulp Festival 2016 visitors can marvel at more than 500,000 brightly coloured tulips, of more than 400 different varieties, at 60 locations throughout the capital.
Netherlands Hotel Reviews by Real Guests. Recent reviews for Hotels in the Netherlands. See the reviews FULL Screen?Read more...
A long list of landmarks in the Netherlands. We have this list in alphabetical order to find the city of your choice. Aalden Golfclub de Gelpenberg Book hotels close to this landmark Aalsmeer Aalsmeer Flower Auction Book hotels close to this landmark Aalten Aalten Station Book hotels close to this landmark Abcoude Abcoude Station Book hotels close to this landmark Aduard Zuidhorn Station Book hotels close to this landmark Akkrum Akkrum Station Book hotels close to this landmarkRead more...


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Kinect Cloth Simulation
During my christmas holidays i had time to spare and some ideas to develop, so with all the party-feeling and booze i started working on the one i wanted the most. This is a cloth simulation running on the CPU which you can interact with using the kinect. With the 3d information from the kinect i'm able to change the cloth in some cool ways. The most interesting is plain and simple, offset each connection point by the depth at that point. With that done i had to go with the visual side (fun fun!), so i started playing with per-pixel lighting and some cool patterns.
Then added self-shadowing to the mixture and some color control just for the fun and looks of it.
In the end i thought it would be nice to take my carpet out to clean. Happy holidays!


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Can a chalice made of rhino horn detect poison? Can its ground powder serve as an aphrodisiac? The science is at best sketchy on both fronts, but such beliefs continue to endanger the world's remaining rhinoceros species. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the magical beliefs surrounding rhino horn and exactly what science has to say about the matter.
Related Content:
Six Deadly Poisons (podcast)
How Inventive: The Skull Relief Poison Bottle
The Psychedelic Nightmare of Ergotism (podcast)
A Six Course Feast of Dangerous Foods (podcast)
Topics in this Podcast: poison, Chemistry, biology, history, magic


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Pretty Feet... Pedicure Nail Art Design
Looking to do something fun yourself to your feet? Get it done at home! Below are some great ideas for fun pedicure nail art ideas.
Use glitter, different colors, plain, your choice...! Just have fun and get your feet ready for sandal season!
Hope you like these ideas. Enjoy!


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Mathematical Understanding
This term's focus is on knowledge of
number and the number system. Areas of focus will include:
Place Value
Reading, writing and ordering numbers up to 10,000
Using Number facts
Negative Numbers
Multiplying and Dividing by 10 & 100
Mental strategies for addition and subtraction
Problem solving
There will also be a big focus on times tables in preparation for more complex number work later in the year. Be sure to practise as there will regular tests every week!
Religious Education
As part of the Harvest Festival celebrations we will be looking at how harvest has changed in the 21st century as well as discussing Fairtrade and the global issue of sustainability.
Scientific and Technological Understanding
We will be studying Light and Shadows. We will be exploring properties of light, how shadows are made and how the Sun affects our shadows. We will also be looking at the effects of the Earth and Moon's orbit around the Sun.
Historical, Geographical and Social Understanding
We are learning about the rise of the Roman Empire as well as looking into different aspects of life as an Ancient Roman. As part of the learning experience, we will be visiting Chedworth Roman Villa.
Understanding Physical Development
We are playing invasion games developing offensive and defensive skills as well as looking at good teamwork and sportsmanship in a competitive game scenario.
Understanding English
We will be reading and writing stories that include a dilemma that must be solved and for non-fiction, we will be writing information texts based on research and facts we discover about the Romans.
We will also be developing spelling knowledge and handwriting skills with regular weekly practice as well as reading one-to-one and in groups.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Learning
In PSHCE, we will be exploring the themes New Beginnings and It's Good To Be Me.
In French with Mr Brassington, we will be looking at dates, pets, colours and numbers up to 40.
Understanding the Arts
We will be learning about mosaics and get the chance to design and create one of your own!


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Blog Launch Today
Dec 15, 2010 | BY admin
Welcome to the new blog for LimeTech Solutions. We'll be using this platform to keep you updated about the IT work we're doing with all kinds of cool businesses in the SF Bay Area. We'll also be blo
Copyright © 2014 LimeTech Solutions


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Quick note: This test is timed! You have N MINUTES to complete the test! All unanswered questions will be marked as incorrect. Good luck and godspeed!
Talk to us! Let us know how we did!
We are not going to preach to you about the importance of practice quizzes and how they will help you attain your Mass learners permit quicker - if you are here, you are sold already. After all, there is really no better way to prepare for the exam, taking a free Massachusetts practice permit test is the easiest, most fun and utterly effective way to learn road rules and traffic signs. If you don't have time to read the drivers handbook, download RMV cheat sheets and go over hundreds of MA permit test questions - this is the test for you!
Designed for beginners and those who are in a hurry, this Massachusetts practice permit test (MA) 2019 contains only 20 questions. Sure, we could throw hundreds of questions at you at once, but would it really help you learn the rules, would you be able to remember answers to hundreds of permit test questions, would you even be able to finish the practice quiz without feeling overwhelmed? Highly unlikely. That's why the first practice test you take contains just enough questions to let you dip your beak into the pool of Massachusetts driving rules. Even if you believe that you the practice test is below your current level, do indulge us and take it anyway! If you score 90% or above - listen to that distant sound of clapping, that's us saluting you! Skip to the next Massachusetts learners permit practice test or go straight to the Mass permit test simulator! If you don't do so well the first time to take the exam, don't worry, it's no big deal! Remember, this practice permit test for MA is free and you can keep retaking it until you are happy with your results!
All questions on the learner's permit practice test are multiple choice, with four possible answers. Only one out of four answers is correct, if you believe that more than one answer fits, choose the one you feel more comfortable with. The test is graded on the go, you can keep track of your progress at any moment. Furthermore, you don't have to finish the whole exam to find out the right answers to those questions you have already gone through - should you miss a question, the right answer is shown immediately, along with a detailed explanation. Make sure you read these explanations every time, they will help you memorize the answers quicker!
All questions in this Mass practice permit test 2019 are based on the current copy of the drivers handbook. Yes, the same book the real permit test is based on too! The RMV uses the book to chart up all permit test questions, that's why the manual is sometimes referred to as the Massachusetts permit book. You would be well advised to go over the book at least once before you hit these practice tests, as it will really help you understand the rules much better. If you don't have time to read the whole thing, skim through the manual at least once and then keep it nearby for reference while you are taking these permit practice tests.
Good luck at the RMV!


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At least 10 people have been killed and 10 others wounded in an explosion that struck the Afghan capital city of Kabul, PressTV reports.
The blast occurred on Monday after a bomber blew his explosives up in the line of people waiting to enter a local police office in the Dehmazang area of Kabul.
Rescue personnel rushed to the scene following the blast and transported the injured to a nearby hospital.
No group or individual has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but the government blamed the Taliban for the raid.
Kabul saw a series of bomb attacks last month, including one that killed seven journalists from a private television station as the Taliban intensified its campaign of terror.
Afghanistan is gripped by insecurity 14 years after the United States and its allies attacked the country as part of Washington's so-called war on terror. The 2001 attack overthrew the Taliban, but many areas across Afghanistan still face violence and insecurity.


text: Do More Web & Search The 5 Questions New Podcasters Ask What new podcasters need and want to know Share Pin Email Print Maskot / Getty Images Web & Search Best of the Web Search Engines Safety & Privacy Running a Website by Craig Hewitt Craig Hewitt is a former Lifewire writer and the founder and owner of Podcast Motor. Updated July 17, 2018 New podcasters have many questions, but there are common themes that always emerge. Most are curious about what equipment they will need, how to put a podcast on their website, the best hosting options, how to record the podcast, and how to publish the podcast. Here, you'll learn some of the most common questions and get some quick answers that should help newbies get their show started. What Equipment Do I Need? Equipment can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it, but having a good microphone and a quiet room can make your audio editing so much easier. At the very minimum, you will need a quality microphone and recording software. At the low end, you can use a USB headset or lavalier microphone. The lavalier microphone is a small microphone that clips on your lapel. You may have noticed these on guests on talk shows. Great for fast, portable in-person interviews, these microphones can be plugged into your digital recorder, mixer, or computer. They are even making ones that can be plugged into smartphones for true on the go interview spontaneity. A quick note about recording on smartphones: this is a fast lightweight way to go, but phones can ring, crash, and interrupt with notifications and updates. A personal recorder is a better option when it comes to lightweight dependability. Other microphone options are one of the many made by Blue such as the Blue Yeti or Blue Snowball. The Audio-Technica AT2020 USB microphone is another very popular option. The Rode Podcaster Dynamic microphone is another good choice. If you have a permanent recording studio, you can go with something high-end like the Heil PR40. Throw in a pop filter, shock mount, and boom arm and your setup will rival the pros. As for recording software, you can use something like the free Audacity software or Garageband for Mac. If you are conducting interviews, you can use Skype with eCamm's Call Recorder or Pamela. There are also more high-end recording options like Adobe Audition or Pro Tools. It's really a matter of weighing the learning curve, ease of use, and functionality. Depending on the type of microphone you use, you may also need a mixer. A mixer is an electronic device that helps change the level and dynamics of audio signals. If you have a high-end microphone like the Heil PR40 then the XLR connection will require a mixer. One of the cool things that you can do with a mixer is record on two separate tracks. This makes editing a guest interview much easier because you can isolate background noise and cut out parts where the host and guest talk over each other. How Do I Record My Podcast? Once you have your equipment set up and you've chosen your software, the next step is to record the podcast. You can use your chosen software to record the podcast directly onto your computer or you can use a portable recording device. Many podcasters record directly onto their computer and have no problems. The pros of using a separate hand-held recording device are that you don't have to worry about background noise from your computer or hard drive. Also if your computer fails, you still have your recording. These devices are also great for quick interviews on the go. Once you have chosen your software and your recording method, you just need to make a recording. When it comes to audio quality, you want to create the highest possible audio quality. This usually means reducing background noise by recording in a quiet place and shutting doors and windows. Also, be sure to turn off the air conditioner or other loud equipment and use sound dampening material where appropriate. To make it easier to remove background noise during your audio editing, record a small section of audio before you start speaking. This can be used as a baseline for background noise cancellation. It's also a good idea to adjust the sound levels on your mixer or software when you begin recording. This can help prevent sounds from being too high or too low. A podcast is only as good as the content and the delivery of that content. Speak slowly and clearly. Enunciate, so that your listener understands what you are saying. If you smile while you are podcasting, people can hear it in your voice. A calm relaxed well-planned out show is the basis for a great audio recording. If you are interviewing a guest, you may want to have some pre-interview banter to lighten the mood and get to know each other a little while setting the context for the recording. What Is the Best Podcast Hosting Option? The main reason you don't want to host your podcast on your own website is the lack of bandwidth. Audio files require bandwidth. People will be streaming and downloading these files, and they need to be quickly accessible on demand. A service that specializes in hosting podcasts is the best option. The most popular podcast hosting services are LibSyn, Blubrry, and Soundcloud. LibSyn comes especially well-recommended. They are one of the oldest and most popular podcast hosting services, and they make publishing a podcast and getting a feed for iTunes a breeze. Still, it doesn't hurt to explore the available options and find the one that suits your needs best. How Do I Put My Podcast on My Website? Even though you are hosting your podcast at a podcast hosting service, you will still want to have a website for your podcast. A podcast website can easily be built with WordPress using a plugin like the Blubrry PowerPress plugin. The PowerPress plugin is one of the oldest and most popular options for publishing a podcast website using WordPress, but there are some new player options too. The new plugin Simple Podcast Press is another great option for adding podcast functionality to your WordPress blog. Once this plugin is installed on your site, it will create a new show notes page for each of your episodes. Each page will also include a call-to-action button and an email opt-in page to get you more subscribers. One of the benefits of having a podcast website is the opportunity to reach more listeners and provide a way for them to interact with you through comments and for you to interact with them through email. Once you install this plugin, enter your iTunes URL and it will go to work populating your site. The player is also mobile friendly, so it will look good on your responsive website. If you are using an existing player such as PowerPress or the Smart Podcast Player you can upgrade to Simple Podcast Press with one click or add functionality like publishing automation, clickable timestamps, subscribe buttons, and email opt-in boxes. If you already have an existing website, you can add a podcast page or category and use it to feature your podcast episodes and show notes. If you don't have an existing site, it is not difficult to set up a new WordPress website for your podcast. You can either use one of the above players or purchase a WordPress theme that was designed for podcasters. These themes usually include the functionality that is required for podcasting such as a built-in player and clicks to tweets or other social functions. Some major things to consider when choosing a theme are speed and ease of customization. You will also want a theme that is well coded and will run fast if set up properly and hosted on a decent server. And you want the theme to be responsive, which means that it will look good on any sized screen. How Do I Publish My Podcast and Build an Audience? You will want to publish your podcast in iTunes. This is the biggest podcast directory and has access to the most podcast listeners. Thanks to the ubiquity of the iPhone and other internet-enabled devices iTunes is often the go-to directory that podcast listeners search. To submit your podcast to iTunes you just need to enter the URL of your feed. This feed will be created by your media host if you are using LibSyn. Then every time that you upload a new podcast episode to your host, the iTunes feed will automatically be updated with your new episode. If you are using Simple Podcast Press, a new podcast page will be created for that new episode, and all you will need to do is go in and edit the show notes. There are quite a few moving parts when first starting a podcast, but once everything is set up all of the separate parts work in unison. Thanks to the power of RSS and feeds, your host, iTunes, and your website will all update simultaneously. Building an audience is probably one of the most difficult and most desired podcasting tasks. Once you do everything possible to get your podcast out there on directories like iTunes and have a functional website, it is up to you to grow your audience. Having great content can keep listeners subscribed and coming back for more, but initially getting the word out about your show can take more effort. Using appropriate social channels and leveraging the power and audience of your podcast guests can be a good way to get your show in front of new listeners. Start small with your interviews and work your way up. Be available to be interviewed on other podcasts and have something compelling to say and prepare a call-to-action or bonus for potential new listeners. Starting out can be a challenge, but your work builds over time. Continue Reading