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Volume 4, Chapter 30: Rebirth from Danger
Qiu Yufei did not escape that far. He understood how serious his injuries were. If he fled recklessly, he would likely die amidst the snow. After putting some distance between himself and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, he chose a hillside. The snowdrifts here were easily a zhang in height. Qiu Yufei carefully dropped down onto the snow, causing a slight settling in the soft snow. Tasting sweetness in his mouth, Qiu Yufei forcibly swallowed down the blood that was threatening to come out. He had forcefully used his qinggong to tread over the snow without leaving any traces for the sake of not leaving a trail. If he left behind bloodstains, all of his efforts would have been for naught.
Seeing that the pursuers had not yet exited from the monastery, Qiu Yufei took out a wax pellet the size of a longan fruit from a brocade sack at his waist. Lightly removing the white wax covering, he exposed a vermillion pill. Qiu Yufei placed the pill in his mouth. When the pill was moistened, it immediately began to dissolve. Qiu Yufei felt a warmth well up from his dantian, flowing towards his limbs and bones. He immediately knew that the secret life-saving panacea from the Devil Sect was already having an effect on his body. He softly laid down on the snow. His internal energy concentrating, he sank down into the snow. With his subsidence, the surrounding snow collapsed onto him. Very quickly, all evidence of Qiu Yufei's passage had disappeared without a trace. Using the tortoise breathing technique, Qiu Yufei completely concealed all outward signs of life and began to heal.
Drawing support from the medicine and treasured technique, Qiu Yufei felt as if his entire body was submersed in warm water. That hazy, snug feeling made it seem like he had returned to the womb, before he had been born. Through the accumulation of many years of focusing on practicing the zither arts, he was able to comprehend something. Stimulated intensely by escaping from the border between life and death, emotion and righteousness, Qiu Yufei surprisingly and miraculously entered into the Xiantian realm that he had sought and dreamed of for years. His breathing gradually faded away. At this moment, Qiu Yufei had become one with the accumulated snow of the wilderness.
Not knowing how long had passed, Qiu Yufei's consciousness finally returned to his body, as if suddenly waking up from a deep coma. He was able to feel his entire body's arteries and veins flow freely without any obstruction. Not only were his internal injuries nearly healed, his internal energy had improved vigorously. Using his six senses, he explored his surroundings. At this moment, he sprang forth from the snow. Lifting his gaze, he checked his surroundings, finding that the entire wilderness was empty and covered with snow. The accumulated snow on him was a lot thicker than before. Qiu Yufei did not know how long he had spent recovering.
Gazing into the distance, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery stood there as before. After pondering for some time, even though his cultivation had improved and followed his senior apprentice brother into the Xiantian realm, he was still several hundred li from Qinzhou. In addition, it was the dead of winter. If he couldn't obtain supplies, it would be impossible for him to escape. When he was fleeing, aside from the medication, he had not brought anything else with him. It seemed that he could only return to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery. It was not that he feared the Shaolin experts within the monastery. With his martial arts, it wasn't difficult for him to noiselessly grab rations and clothing without being noticed. Narrowly escaping this time, Qiu Yufei felt as if he were born again. Many of the things that he had previously split hairs about were now trivial matters to him.
Smiling slightly, he began to walk towards the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery. The black fur coat that he had escaped with was now in tatters. However, he did not feel that this was inappropriate. Arriving at the entrance to the monastery, he knocked on the door. It wasn't long before a young monk came over to open the door. The monk was someone he recognized, Jingxuan, who stood there stupefied, looking at Qiu Yufei. Stuttering, the young monk asked, "Young, young master Gao … why have you returned?"
Qiu Yufei smiled and answered, "I am surnamed Qiu, named Yufei. Is Great Master Compassionate Distance here?"
Calming down, Jingxuan responded, "Seven days ago, Marquis Jiang departed from this monastery. Two days afterwards, His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Qi, called the Great Master to the army encampment at Zezhou. Reportedly, His Imperial Highness wished to reprimand him for the failure of the monks of our shabby monastery in assisting when young master attempted to assassinate Marquis Jiang. To this day, there has been no news."
Smiling apologetically, Qiu Yufei said, "This was all because this one implicated your honored monastery. However, this one feels that the character of the Marquis of Chu is one that values camaraderie and friendship. He will not make things difficult for your honored monastery."
Jingxuan led Qiu Yufei inside, replying, "Young master speaks the truth. On that day, the young master's two companions died within. The Marquis ordered our shabby monastery to have them buried properly. At present, their ashes have already been collected. If young master is interested, you can take them away with you. The young master's property has been sealed up, on the Marquis's orders, in this shabby monastery. Does the young master wish to take a look?"
After his eyes froze on Jingxuan for some time, Qiu Yufei smiled and responded, "The disciples of the Shaolin Temple are outstanding, as expected. Little master is magnanimous. Back then, I suddenly had the urge to commit murder, to eliminate a future powerful enemy. However, after thinking it over, little master having such an enemy would be pleasing."
Jingxuan's expression did not change. Turning around, he spoke, "After the Devil Sect was reorganized by Sovereign Jing, each and every direct disciple has been a generational talent. Young master Qiu has been reborn from a calamity. Your future prospects are boundless. Jingxuan is only a junior disciple of the Shaolin Temple. How am I deserving this kind of praise?"
"There is no need for you to against your will and curry favor with me," replied Qiu Yufei with a faint smile. "I have no intention of slaughtering all of the monks in the monastery. As long as you promise to not leave the monastery when this young master departs, I will not commit murder. What does the little master think?"
Jingxuan felt cheerful within. When he had just seen Qiu Yufei, he had known that he was someone who diligently worked to improve himself.1 In addition, the disciples of the Devil Sect were vicious and merciless. If this man wished to commit murder, even if he could escape, his junior and senior apprentice brothers within the monastery would be unable to survive. As a result, he had continuously acted submissively in order to ingratiate himself.2 Although his actions could be said to be flattery, it was worth it for him if he could ensure that unnecessary sacrifice is avoided.
Qiu Yufei walked into the room that he had lived in days earlier. He saw that everything was just as he had left it. The room was immaculate, looking like it had been cleaned on a daily basis. Walking to the wooden table, he gently caressed the beloved zither that he had not seen in many days, feeling all sorts of emotions well up from within. He sighed softly and said, "It is destiny. What can a man say in response?"
Qiu Yufei knew that, with Jiang Zhe's return to the army encampment, there was no way that he could perform his mission of assassination. Moreover, to speak the truth, his desire to assassinate Jiang Zhe had been replaced by sympathy. After slinging the pouch containing the zither over his shoulders, Qiu Yufei said, "Lead me to pay my respects to Senior Cui and Jin Zhi."
The bell rang faintly, the sound directly entering high up into the clouds. Standing within the main hall, Qiu Yufei spent a long time in silent prayer. Finally, he picked up the containers containing Cui Jiucheng and Jin Zhi's ashes. The two of them were strangers. Because of Gao Yan's orders, they had pledged their lives to help him. Were it not for these two, he likely would have already become a cripple and have been held captive within the Yong army encampment.
A short while later, Jingxuan, leading several monks of similar age to him, entered the main hall. In their hands were rations and a traveling bag. Stepping forward, Jingxuan said, "Young master's horse is still within the monastery. This little monk presumed that the young master would not want to use the carriage. As such, I have already prepared the saddles and harness. The young master can depart at any time."
Qiu Yufei's eyes twinkled, as he replied, "You are clever and diligent!" Gazing at Jingxuan's calm bearing, Qiu Yufei could not help feeling his killing intent return. If the Central Plains wulin gained another pillar in the future, that meant the Devil Sect would gain another powerful enemy. However, Qiu Yufei always had a haughty temperament. How could he kill a reverent and respectful monk? He ultimately sighed softly. Accepting the traveling bag, he walked out of the main hall, peering at the increasingly thick red clouds to the north.
Qiu Yufei thought, It is best that I return to Qinzhou as fast as possible. Although I have failed in my mission, having spent days with Jiang Zhe, it is possible that my impressions and observations would be of benefit to Master and General Long. Further, there are some things that are quite suspicious … I need to report them to the master.
Seeing that he was being escorted out by Jingxuan, Qiu Yufei's complexion became frosty, as he said, "The little master must understand the seriousness of the situation. If you leave the monastery without permission to inform against me, I will naturally return in the future to retaliate. It is a given that the Yong army encampment will try to hunt me down. There is no need for you to gild the lily. It is best that you remain inside praying to the Buddha." Finished speaking, he gently pressed down on Jingxuan's shoulder, causing Jingxuan's complexion to abruptly become deathly pale. Only after Qiu Yufei's figure had disappeared did Jingxuan collapse to the floor.
The several novice monks rushed forward to help him up. In alarm, they asked, "Senior apprentice brother, are you okay?"
Jingxuan answered, "It's no bother. I only need to recover in seclusion for a few days. With your help, there shouldn't be any problems."
One of the novice monks spitefully said, "If senior apprentice brother had only agreed to our proposal, we could have fought at the risk of our lives against that Devil Sect disciple. We likely would have had a chance. What's the point of being so shamed and humiliated?"
Jingxuan tranquilly replied, "Junior apprentice brother does not know how difficult he is to deal with. I can see that the man's cultivation has improved greatly. he has likely already surpassed the Houtian realm. Junior apprentice brother does not know that at that stage, a tiny difference is enormous. A few days ago, if it weren't for the presence of the Demonic Shadow, Benefactor Li, even if there were more individuals, it would likely have been impossible to prevent the assassination of Marquis Jiang. However, several days ago, he should not have had today's attainment. If Lord Li had not been handicapped by Marquis Jiang, young master Qiu would probably have been amongst the dead."
Although the several novices still did not accept Jingxuan's words, however, as they had faith in Jingxuan, they did not say any more, helping Jingxuan to go recuperate. They did not know that Jingxuan was exclaiming in astonishment in his mind, Marquis Jiang is truly a celestial being, able to foresee everything that has happened today.
Originally, on that day, when the Stalwart Tiger Guard returned to report that they could not find Qiu Yufei after hunting for twenty li, I thought it over before going to speak to Great Master Compassionate Distance. I had him bring the majority of the monastery's monks to the Yong army encampment after the Prince of Qi's summons arrived a few days later. I anticipated that with Qiu Yufei's serious injuries it was impossible for him to have gone far. It was only that the monastery was located in the middle of the wilderness, and the disciples of the Devil Sect were definitely skilled at concealment, making it impossible to find him. I also anticipated that after he recovered, Qiu Yufei would definitely return to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery to seize supplies and recover his property. Otherwise, with the bitter cold of winter, how would he be able to walk back to Qinzhou? If there were too many people left in the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, I was worried that he would wreak havoc. Although these monks were formidable, if Qiu Yufei steeled his heart and savagely attacked, several young monks likely would die. I did not want Qiu Yufei to commit such slaughter and become enemies with the Shaolin Temple. In addition, I wanted him to return to Northern Han successfully. As a result, I only had Great Master Compassionate Distance leave behind a few young monks to await Qiu Yufei's return. However, in order to prevent Qiu Yufei from silencing witnesses and covering up his whereabouts, I had Great Master Compassionate Distance leave a pliant disciple behind to properly ensure that Qiu Yufei was seen off.
Jingxuan was the one selected, informed of all of this. He had faintly guessed it to be likely that everything that had happened in the Ten Thousand Buddhas had been engineered by Jiang Zhe. However, no matter how he paid attention, he was unable to find any mistakes, feeling as if everything had occurred in a logical manner. Qiu Yufei was a direct disciple of the Devil Sect, someone whom Jingxuan feared greatly, and yet he had unknowingly fallen into a trap. At the same time that Jingxuan was wary, his words and conduct were cautious, not daring to reveal any abnormalities. Fortunately, he had been able to keep Qiu Yufei in the dark, preserving his life and completing his respected master's orders.
At the same time that he had lingering fears, he could not help feeling that his impression of the Marquis of Chu, Jiang Zhe, was rising enormously, beginning to understand why the Abbot and Martial Uncle True Compassion's evaluation of that man was so high and respectful while they were all back in the Shaolin Temple. This was likely why they had actively schemed to take that man's beloved son as a disciple. This kind of character could only be a friend and not an enemy.
After Qiu Yufei departed from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, he headed directly north towards the Northern Han border. He was familiar with the geography. Although the Yong army was hunting for him everywhere, Qiu Yufei was still able to find trails that he could use. Because he was unable to ride his horse, this stretch of the journey was exceptionally arduous. However, since Qiu Yufei's martial arts had just broken through, these difficult conditions allowed him to stabilize his cultivation.
The Yong army's pursuit was not done with great fanfare, only increasing the interrogations and searches at every checkpoint. Qiu Yufei could sense that they were outwardly loose, while inwardly tight. It seemed that his assassination attempt had deeply enraged the Yong army. However, for someone like Qiu Yufei, whose cultivation had increased greatly, although he still needed to be cautious, it was easy for him to bypass all of the layers of checkpoints. If it was as before, he would likely have fallen into danger. Although that was the case, it still took him ten days to enter Qinzhou from the wilderness of the mountains.
Not long after leaving the mountains, Qiu Yufei saw an inn located in the wilderness. This location was originally where the mountain hunters would frequently gather. Although simple and crude, the drink was strong and rich and the food was plentiful. When Qiu Yufei walked inside, aside from the proprietor and proprietress, there were only two hunters drinking wine within. Seeing Qiu Yufei arrive, all of them looked amazed. Although Qiu Yufei had changed into commoner's garb, they were in tatters from the hardships of the journey, so his appearance and bearing were rarely seen on this world. How could the occupants within the inn not be astonished? Qiu Yufei was disinclined to take notice of their stares. Throwing down some silver tael pieces, he said, "If you have good wine, bring me a jar. Also bring a few dishes."
The proprietor promptly came over, holding a jar of wine with both hands. The proprietress solicitously delivered several dishes cooked using game. It was rare to see such a noble customer at this location.
Qiu Yufei relaxed. Having returned to Northern Han, he could not help become melancholic even as his heart relaxed. He was somewhat embarrassed by returning in failure . He was worried and could not help drowning his sorrows in alcohol. Unexpectedly, as his wine combined with his anxieties, his worries only increased. Quite drunk, Qiu Yufei was unwilling to hasten on with his journey. He ultimately rented the inn's lone guest room. Walking in, he pulled a blanket over himself and went to sleep. Qiu Yufei finally woke from his sleep not knowing how long had passed. He could not help blushing with shame. Having spent years outside, when had he ever lost and indulged himself like this? Rising from bed, he took out a clean set of clothes from his traveling bag and changed into them. Who could have known that before he had arriving in the dining area, he would hear a shout of fright from outside?
Qiu Yufei trembled, looking out, glimpsing a plain-clothed young man collapse at the entrance. The proprietor walked over to check and said in panic, "He has almost stopped breathing. Don't tell me that he is going to die here!"
Seeing this, Qiu Yufei strode over and said, "Let me take a look." So speaking, he leaned over and stared inquiringly. After a short while, he frowned and replied, "This man is both ill and injured, likely from not eating and resting properly for several days. Shopkeeper, make some warm stew and feed it to him. For now, bring some spirits."
The proprietor promptly poured a bowl of strong liquor and brought it over. Qiu Yufei took out a pill and helped the sick man swallow it. Afterwards, he helped the man up, helping him drink the liquor. It wasn't long before the man's breathing gradually deepened. Only then did Qiu Yufei relax. As his gaze fell upon the young man's face, he suddenly stirred. This man seemed familiar. After thinking it over, Qiu Yufei suddenly remembered. Wasn't this one of Jiang Zhe's bodyguards who was prostrated, begging forgiveness on that day, the former Ghost Cavalry soldier, Ling Duan? This man had escaped a day earlier. Who would have thought that he would have only just arrived here?
Presumably, he had exhausted himself mentally and physically in order to escape from Zezhou. This man's martial arts were weak. He must have suffered innumerable hardships in his escape. Were it not for Qiu Yufei's rescue, Ling Duan would likely have died here. Although Qiu Yufei did not have a deep impression of this youth, he sympathized with the young man because of the same suffering that they had undergone—both luckily escaping from Jiang Zhe's hands without dying. As a result, Qiu Yufei could not help having a favorable impression, thinking, There is no harm for me to stay a few more days, bringing him back with me.
After bringing Ling Duan to the guest room, Qiu Yufei once again examined the young man's wounds, making sure that they were not fatal. With this examination, Qiu Yufei was able to discover that this youth's natural endowments were wondrous. Moreover, the martial arts that he practiced were an offshoot of the Devil Sect's. Qiu Yufei could not help but be excited. When the Devil Sect accepted disciples, they paid particular attention to chance. As a result, Qiu Yufei began to feel closer to this youth, thinking, This child's temperament is firm and persistent. It would be great if he is able to train in the martial arts of the Scorching Sun branch. Although I focus primarily on the martial arts of the Freezing Moon branch, senior apprentice brother does not have any satisfactory disciples. If I can recommend this youth to him, he will definitely be pleased. Thinking this, he could not allow this youth to remain in a coma, otherwise it would be of grave consequence to the young man's cultivation.
When Ling Duan woke from his coma, he felt excruciating pain across his entire body. He could not help groaning. The days of flight had completely exhausted his mental and physical energy. When he had caught sight of the inn in the wilderness, Ling Duan felt as if all of his hard work had been worthwhile. Just as he stepped foot into the inn, he was no longer able to endure and had fainted to the ground.
At this moment, he could sense that he had been revived, causing him to be filled with ecstasy. Just as his body moved, an icy voice came from his side saying, "Do not be lazy. When you've gotten up, I will help you regulate your internal energy."
Then a pill was shoved into Ling Duan's mouth. The pill instantly dissolved into an agonizingly cold stream. Ling Duan was alarmed. However, at that moment, a hand had already touched his back. Ling Duan could feel his internal energy begin to circulate outside of his control. Steeling his heart, he ignored whether this individual was friendly or not, earnestly circulating his internal energy. At the beginning, the man allowed Ling Duan to circulate his energy. After several times, the man used his internal energy to force Ling Duan to change the circulation route taken by his internal energy. Ling Duan originally wanted to forcibly resist. However, he was shocked to discover that he could no longer control his energy. The new direction taken by his circulating internal energy was almost like the proper path. Ling Duan gradually sank into a state where he forgot himself. Not knowing how long had passed, Ling Duan finally returned to his senses, feeling his internal energy flowing unimpeded to his limbs and bones. Ceasing his cultivation, he rose, seeing a man in plain clothes standing before and gazing out a window with his hands behind his back.
Ling Duan stepped forward and kneeled, saying, "Disciple pays my respects to senior. Is senior an expert of the Devil Sect?"
The man did not turn around, only indifferently asking, "You know I am someone from the Devil Sect?"
Ling Duan cautiously answered, "Disciple once heard the general speak that our martial arts were passed down by the Devil Sect. With senior's familiarity with disciple's cultivation techniques, disciple went out on a limb and guessed. If it was in error, I hope that senior will not blame me."
The man smiled and replied, "As expected, you are surpassingly intelligent. I am Qiu Yufei, a direct disciple of the Devil Sect Sovereign. I believe that you should remember who I am." Finished speaking, the man turned around.
"Young master Gao!" exclaimed Ling Duan, dumbstruck. "You … how are you—?" Before he finished speaking, Ling Duan had already understood what was happening. Pleasantly surprised, he inquired, "Has senior successfully assassinated Jiang Zhe?"
Qiu Yufei sighed and responded, "Don't bring up the subject. It was a fluke that I was able to return alive. It was also not easy for you to return to Northern Han. In the future, do you have any plans?"
Although he revealed a look of regret, Ling Duan still warily looked at Qiu Yufei, worried that his expression would be misconstrued as ridicule. Only after seeing no changes on Qiu Yufei's face did he speak, "Disciple does not know. Originally, disciple should return to the army. However, there is a lump in my heart that is difficult to eliminate. This time, for General Tan's army to be utterly annihilated, disciple suspects that there was someone from Northern Han adding fuel to the fire. As a result, disciple wishes to investigate this matter in secret. In addition, out of the ten thousand troops, disciple was the only one to return. As such, disciple is also worried that I will be suspected by others. Having experienced so many things, disciple does not want to die without rhyme or reason."3 Reaching this point, his voice choked with emotions. Thinking of Li Hu's death, he felt sorrow well up from his heart.
Qiu Yufei lightly patted Ling Duan's shoulder. He understood clearly the apprehension in Ling Duan's heart and also knew about the secret issues within the Northern Han army. However, Qiu Yufei had always been unusual amongst the disciples of the Devil Sect. Having learned the cultivation techniques of both the Scorching Sun and Freezing Moon branches, he was not fond of hand-to-hand combat nor crafty machinations. Aside from music, he did not have any other pleasures. As a result, due to his unwillingness to become excessively involved, he stated, "There is no need for you to worry. Come back with me to meet with my senior apprentice brother. If you have enough luck, you may be accepted as a disciple by my senior apprentice brother. Even if senior apprentice brother feels that your aptitude is lacking, based upon my honor, it would be easy for you to become an honorary disciple. When the time comes, who would dare to charge you with any crimes?"
Ling Duan was overjoyed at the turn of events. Kowtowing again, he said, "Disciple bows in thanks to senior's grace. If all this is possible, it will be disciple's great fortune."
Qiu Yufei smiled faintly and replied, "All right. Go eat some food. After resting for a day, you will set out with me tomorrow. There are some things that need to be discussed with General Long. I don't know too much, but it feels like Great Yong is employing some conspiracy. Senior apprentice brother Xiao and others are more adept at these matters. I am disinclined to show any interest. Also, there is no need for you to call me senior. I am ranked fourth in the sect. You can call me fourth young master or Fourth Lord."
Ling Duan felt himself grow cold. He knew that Xiao Tong was responsible for investigating military intelligence. In practice, he was also responsible for monitoring the officers and soldiers of the army. Usually, when Ling Duan saw Xiao Tong, he would keep his distance. Ling Duan could not help but feel fear at the thought of meeting with that man directly.
Qiu Yufei did not pay any attention to all this, his gaze returning to look out the window. He was also uneasy. Northern Han's survival had a direct effect upon the Devil Sect's reputation. Although he was unwilling to get involved in matters of state, how could he not feel worried about the fate of being destroyed?
The next day, Qiu Yufei led Ling Duan out of the mountains and sought out a sentry post. Borrowing horses, they rushed back to Qinzhou without stopping to rest. Two days later, the two of them had arrived twenty li from Qinzhou. Seeing Ling Duan's fatigue, Qiu Yufei called to him to rest and have a meal at a roadhouse. Both of them had heavy loads on their minds. Although they ate slowly, they did not say a word.
Suddenly, the sound of hoofbeats and rolling wheels thumped from outside. While Qiu Yufei was not in the mood to pay any attention, Ling Duan could tell that they were the sounds of an elite cavalry unit passing through. He could not help walking out the door of the inn to take a look. In the distance, he saw a unit of cavalry escorting a prisoner's cart. Within stood a refined looking middle-aged man with plucked eyebrows and wide eyes. Although the middle-aged man was in fetters, his bearing was calm and completely without fear. When Ling Duan saw him, he was greatly shocked. Hurrying back inside the shop, he asked Qiu Yufei, "Fourth Lord, why is General Duan being transported as a prisoner?"
Qiu Yufei frowned. In puzzlement, he asked, "General Duan? Are you referring to the same General Duan that I know of?"
Ling Duan nodded his head and answered, "Right, General Duan Wudi. Could it be that he has violated military regulations? Otherwise, why would be a prisoner? I could see that the one escorting General Duan was General Shi Ying's deputy, Shi Jun. Fourth Lord, General Duan has always been respected and loved by the soldiers, conducting himself with caution and rigor. How would he violate military regulations? Besides, even if General Duan committed a crime, General Long would definitely not disgrace and humiliate him like this!"
Qiu Yufei also felt doubt rise from inside. However, according to the regulations of the Devil Sect and without a military position, he could not directly get involved in military matters. However, with the misgivings within difficult to dispel, he thought, I should be able to ask privately.… Reaching this conclusion, Qiu Yufei walked out of the inn. Just then, the unit of cavalry had already come close by. Qiu Yufei blocked their path, coldly questioning, "Who is your commander? Come out to speak."
The horsemen all reined in their horses, protecting the prisoner cart in the middle. A general with sideburns rode out. After considering Qiu Yufei, he could not recall this individual's identity. Thus, he shouted, "Pretty boy, where did you pop up from to have the impertinence to block my execution of military duties? Why haven't you gotten out of the way yet? If you don't, this lord general will charge you with the crime of trying to break the prisoner out."
His complexion becoming chilly, Qiu Yufei's body moved. The general saw stars, as his face was slapped twice. Flying into a rage out of humiliation, he commanded, "Brothers! Get him! Chop him to pieces!"
Bloodlust appearing in his eyes, Qiu Yufei callously asked in a rhetorical manner, "Do you truly dare to act?"
The general broke out into laughter, replying, "I, Shi Jun, always keep my word. Since I don't recognize you and you dare to block the path, you are most likely an acquaintance of Duan Wudi. If you try to break him out, it'd be wonderful, properly proving Duan Wudi's guilt."
Qiu Yufei's expression became increasingly frosty. It would be trivial for him to kill a few soldiers. Just as he was about to act, the middle-aged man in the prisoner's cart suddenly spoke up, "Shi Jun, stop! Why haven't you taken a close look at who is standing before you? Fourth young master, this general is bound and cannot pay my respects. Young master, please forgive me."
Qiu Yufei gazed at the middle-aged man, indifferently stating, "General Duan, in the two years since our last meeting, you have become quite thin."
The middle-aged man smiled wryly and voiced, "Fourth young master, this general has exhausted my thoughts and ingenuity every day, how can I not become thinner? Now that this general has committed an offense punishable by death, would the young master please plead my case before the Grand General? Wudi couldn't be thankful enough if you did so."
Qiu Yufei had spent several days in Zezhou. Having seen the calm and confident display of the Yong army, their triumphant and invincible spirit, he felt that although the Northern Han army was not weaker, it was lacking in spirit and instead full of grief and indignation. He didn't expect that, just as he returned to Qinzhou, one of the few capable generals in the Northern Han army would suffer such a twist of fate. Within the flood of hot fury was a bit of discouragement. Under the dim light, he felt an ominous premonition appear suddenly in his mind. Could it be that the situation was truly irretrievable?
- 吴下阿蒙, wuxia'a'meng – idiom, Lü Meng (吕蒙) was an illiterate soldier who studied diligently to become a top strategist of the state of Wu during the Three Kingdoms Period; fig. someone diligently self-improving
- 曲意逢迎, quyifengying – idiom, lit. use every means to fawn over someone; fig. act submissively in order to ingratiate yourself
- 不明不白, bumingbubai – idiom, lit. without rhyme or reason


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Why Microsoft is not getting serious with desktop virtualization in Windows 8
Ever since Microsoft released a bunch of details about Windows 8 at their BUILD 2011 conference a few weeks ago, I've been getting questions like, "Is it true that Microsoft is finally getting serious about desktop virtualization with Windows 8?" or "Will Windows 8 go after Citrix for desktop virtualization?
Ever since Microsoft released a bunch of details about Windows 8 at their BUILD 2011 conference a few weeks ago, I've been getting questions like, "Is it true that Microsoft is finally getting serious about desktop virtualization with Windows 8?" or "Will Windows 8 go after Citrix for desktop virtualization?"
The answer is "no." Here are a bunch of reasons why not:
Windows 8's "desktop virtualization" support is really just the addition of a client hypervisor, not some "real" effort
The confusion stems from the fact that the terms "virtual desktops" and "desktop virtualization" mean different things to different people. So when we see articles like CRN's "Windows 8 to Support Desktop Virtualization" or CTOEdge's "Windows 8 and New Desktop Virtualization Realities." it's easy to see how people might misconstrue that to mean that Microsoft is somehow extending Windows 8 to compete against Citrix XenDesktop or VMware View. But in reality, both articles (and others like them) are really just talking about Windows 8 having an option for a client hypervisor built-in, which is nice, but not a game changing desktop virtualization push from Microsoft. (More details and a discussion about the Windows 8 client hypervisor can be found in Gabe's article from last week.)
Microsoft doesn't know their ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to desktop virtualization
Have you seen Microsoft's VDI, err, Remote Desktop Virtualization Host offerings? Spend ten minutes playing with that and you'll see why Microsoft is quick to shove as many customers to Citrix XenDesktop or Quest vWorkspace as possible.
We've spent probably 50k words on this website writing about the future of the desktop, Microsoft's role, etc., so I don't have to repeat too much. But let me just say that Microsoft hasn't exactly been the "enlightened leader" when it comes to desktop virtualization. Hell, you could argue that they're doing everything they can to *prevent* desktop virtualization from catching on. (VECD, App-V in SA, licensing by device instead of user, no layering built-in to windows, old school profiles still in Win8…)
Let's be real. What are the chances that Microsoft is going to (a) suddenly decide to focus on desktop virtualization in Win8, and (b) have that hastily-decided focus be the right focus, and (c) actually be able to execute on that? I think there's a better chance that a satellite falls on my head this weekend.
Microsoft is a big ship with a tiny rudder
Let's go back to that imagined scenario where Microsoft does suddenly become enlightened about desktop virtualization. Even if they had a great strategy today, what's their launch vehicle for that? Windows 8? What's that...at least a year away? Even if that's true, don't you think CitrixVMwareQuestVirtualBridges will have a new version or two by then? Microsoft doesn't exactly have a good track record in the "oh sh*t we're really far behind so let's throw a lot of resources at the problem to win" department. The path for Windows 8 is paved with tablets, not virtual desktops.
Windows 8 for tablets will change the game
Oh wait, no it won't. Sure, it will have a great UI. Metro is cool, etc. The problem is that in the "Post PC" world, the IT-supported Windows platform apps are going to be the old shitty ones that we can't rewrite for the cloud/SaaS/HTML5/iOS/Android/RIA. And do you think those old shitty apps are going to magically get a Metro UI? (This is a great opp for a software vendor btw.. kind of like Citrix Project Vertigo for the 21st century.)
And don't be fooled by promises of "Metro Style Remote Desktop App." That just means that you'll be able to launch a remote desktop session via a Metro RDC client with your multiple greasy fingers and no keyboard. But what happens when you actually connect to that remote desktop and you find that you have fat fingers and no keyboard? Pan and zoom baby!! Pan and zoom… (Oh yeah, sure, if your remote Windows desktop is running Metro and you have a Metro app running on it, then RemoteFX and RDP will also be able to remote multitouch. But what's the use case for that really? It seems that if someone took the time to rewrite their Windows app for Metro, then wouldn't you just compile it for ARM and run it on your tablet locally? Or better yet, since you're rewriting the thing, just rewrite it for an app platform you don't have to remote, like something that works with any HTML5 browser.)
BTW, keep in mind that no matter how serious Microsoft gets about Windows 8 for ARM for tablets, remember that you won't be able to run x86 Windows apps on Win8 for ARM. So really Win8 with Metro and/or ARM is only "Windows" in the sense that it will be easy-ish for current Windows developers to write for it. It's not "Windows" in the sense of "let's make all our old Windows crap work."
Windows 8 will f*ck up our Windows 7 migration plans
Ok, this isn't technically a statement about Windows 8's desktop virtualization capabilities, but it's something to think about. If Windows 8 really does come out in 2012, that's still more than a year before XP support expires, so maybe some of us can wait and just jump from XP to 8?
The good news is that in terms of core architecture, Windows 7 and Windows 8 are very similar. You can still run Windows 8 on x86. If you have a keyboard and mouse then you don't have to run Metro. And it seems that the jump from 7 to 8 will be more like an "in place upgrade" as opposed to an actual migration. So at this point I'm cool with everyone going to Windows 7 for everything, and when Windows 8 comes out, we'll all go there. But when it comes to desktop virtualization, we're going to use Windows 8 in the same way we're using Windows 7. Nothing new here.

subset: commoncrawl


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When bad (or odd) endings happen to good books.
What it's About: In 1982, the diary of a young girl tells of a horrible existence at the Thornhill Institute for Children. The mute girl named Mary is tormented by the others, in particular one girl who takes a truly sadistic pleasure in torturing her. In 2016, pictures tell the story of Ella, who is settling into her new home when she sees a girl in the yard of the abandoned Thornhill Institute, and begins to investigate.
What I Thought: First, I don't really care about one story being told by diary and the other in comic form. That sort of thing appeals to some, I know, but it doesn't mean anything to me. As for the story itself, while intriguing (and very dark), there were some big issues. The bullying of Mary is quite vicious, but it feels off that the main bully is mostly interested in publicly humiliating Mary and getting the other girls to join in, but also apparently spends every night standing outside Mary's bedroom, scratching the door to frighten her. That seems like a pretty big leap from even her more vicious bullying. As for the present day story, I didn't feel like I knew Ella enough to really understand her actions and motivations. Which was a definite problem, especially with how the story concludes, though I can't say too much about that. Ultimately, this one has promise, but it just didn't come together for me.
4. Ruby & Olivia by Rachel Hawkins
What it's About: Olivia takes the fall for her twin sister Emma's shoplifting, allowing Emma to go to summer camp while Olivia get sent to a different kind of camp, where a small group of youths spend their summer cataloguing the contents of an abandoned mansion. Ruby, who grew up with the twins, but was much closer to Emma, is also sentenced there for the summer. When spooky things start happening, Ruby and Olivia must put aside their differences to get to the bottom of the mystery.
What I Thought: Hawkins books have run the gamut for me, from the high of the Hex Hall series to the low of the Rebel Belle trilogy, with Journey's End being solid but not spectacular. This one is closer to Journey's End than anything, though I think Journey's End is a bit better. Ultimately, this is an okay middle grade story. If you're looking for a quick read you might want to consider this, but it's not anything that's going to stick with you.
3. The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken
What I Thought: Prosper learns that there is a demon living inside of him, thanks to a deal that his ancestor made with the demon to get success for the Redding family, only to then betray the demon and break the deal. After his family tries to kill him, Prosper works with an estranged uncle and previously unknown cousin to banish the demon before it can find a way to get revenge on him and the rest of his family.
What I Thought: Bracken is a beloved author, but I haven't been as big a fan of her previous works as many others have. I decided to give this one a chance, and I'm glad I did. Or at least, I was until I reached the end of the book. Glancing at other reviews, it seems that some felt the ending made the slow build of the story worthwhile, while others found it rather abrupt. I lean more towards the latter, and was left with mixed feelings at best when I finished the book, though I'll probably still check out the next book in the series when it comes out. But while some of the character reveals at the climax worked well, others rang false for me, so I'm concerned about where things are going with this series.
2. 13 Minutes by Sarah Pinborough
What it's About: Years ago, Becca was dumped by her best friend Tasha, since Becca's weight problems didn't fit with Tasha's image as queen bee. When Tasha is mysteriously found unconscious in the water, Becca reluctantly decides to make an appearance at the hospital. This decision drags her into a disturbing mystery, as Tasha, who doesn't remember what happened to her, is suspicious of her current friends and turns to Becca for help to uncover the truth.
What I Thought: Mean Girls with an almost-murder mystery. A surprisingly thoughtful book that really examines friendship as a whole, what with Becca and Tasha's relationship, plus the friend who chose Tasha over Becca, and the girl who replaced Becca in the "Barbies" group. Then there is poor Hannah, good natured and loyal, but so often dismissed by her classmates, even her best friend Becca. As with the previous selection on this list, there are some issues with the end. The mystery is tied up and the book comes to a fitting conclusion (if not quite the end I was hoping for), but then there is an epilogue of sorts that seems completely out of left field and like it's from a different story than the rest of the book. Honestly, it felt like the epilogue was written while the author was high on something, it's just so out of place. And I don't expect to see the epilogue in the upcoming Netflix adaptation of the story. The ending was perhaps bit too quick, which might be why the epilogue was added. Anyway, it's not like the epilogue ruins the book or anything, as the story is tied up before we get to it.
What it's About: A cursed child, Morrigan is blamed for anything bad that happens to the people around her, as well as being fated to die by the age of twelve. But then a mysterious benefactor offers a chance to escape her destiny, and whisks her away to the mysterious land of Nevermoor. But in order to stay, Morrigan must compete for a spot in the Wundrous Society, and to do that she must have a talent of some kind. While the other candidates have talents ranging from singing to dragon riding, Morrigan doesn't have anything, unless you count causing misfortune to people as a talent. Can she find a way to pass the tests and save herself?
What I Thought: This is a fun story with engaging characters. There were a few points where the world seemed to be weird for the sake of weird, such as when the giant cat is said to be the housekeeper, and the question of how a being with no opposable thumbs does housework is just waved away. I kind of wanted to know how that was supposed to work. But I did love the cat (and hey, two books on this list with magical cat characters!), and if the world-building is a bit haphazard, the character arcs in the book that worked perfectly for me. One other thing that kind of bugged me is that I couldn't shake the feeling that this had been written as a YA and then changed to MG because someone decided the story would work better there. That didn't really lessen my enjoyment of the story, and I'm definitely eager to see where the series goes from here.
Published by Andrew Clendening


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Not so long ago, I spoke with a child who had left our centre at the end of last year…… she came in after school with family friends. And she made the choice to hang out with me while the pickup was happening. My special fairy table may or may not have had something to do with that………
I took note of how much I miss our little people when they head off to school. After a big cuddle, and a mental note as to how much she had grown, I started asking her all those obligatory type of questions……. and the one of course popped up – "How is school going?".
Her little face turned to me, as she said "I'm learning writing, and lots of reading." I made some comment about how wonderful that was and it was then that my heart died……
"It's boring. I wish I was back at Kindy………"
Just like that, just as matter of fact as you like……. and then back to playing with the fairies.
My mind flooded with the memories of this little one…….. such a beautiful imagination……. always floating around the playground, often dressed in princess attire, engrossed in another world……. exactly where every child deserves to be. Sometimes engrossed in the wonder of messy play – coating that beautiful attire (you've never seen a quite such a muddy princess!). Drawn to the art area where many of her imaginings were given substance – in particular she loved to draw, and would capture her play scenes in vibrant colours and tell all the stories that went along. I recalled the books that she began creating towards the end of the year – starting to add language herself, and having an adult scribe sometimes too. Taking joy in reading her stories back to others……. a strong relationship between reading and writing. But boring? NEVER!
I remember a child who drew on her desires, and was in those beginning stages of reading and writing. Building her
understanding through her own explorations – drawing in adult guidance as she needed for herself. And she was learning to read and write – not because somebody put a pencil in her hand and told her she needed to learn to write letters…….. not because she was given some boring repetitive readers to take home and pour over…….. but because she loved to imagine, and her exposure to books had shown her a way to capture her stories.
WHY??? Why do schools kill that intensity? They stole a princess who shone like the sun when she was in her play. And turned her into a drone……… who rather than build her knowledge with the zeal she once showed…… had transformed her natural desires and predilection into mundane and boring "tasks". Required to be completed in a way to get somewhere else……..
I wonder where she might have taken herself by now? If her disposition for learning had been nurtured as it was…….
They turned out the light……… they killed individuality…….. they transformed creativity………. they stopped learning dead in it's tracks……… all in the name of 'education'. Now she can "read and write", I'm sure very competently………. and she is just a shell of the person that she was becoming.
If we are trying to create a world where children can solve problems, where they can make a difference, where they can shine their light…….. we need to move over and let them think, create, discover and build their knowledge in a way that matters. We need to challenge and disrupt this institution of schooling and academic learning…….
How do we view children? As an empty vessel? One that we need to fill with linear and pre-determined information?………
Or as a capable and competent human being…….. who was born with an innate desire to learn……. who has their own thoughts and desires……… and who will thrive beyond any imaging – to become whoever it is that they are destined to become…….


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KARACHI: It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words and five artists from the National College of Arts, Lahore proved on Thursday that family portraits can narrate untold stories and add to the ones being passed down to generations.
The exhibition of family portraits, Picture Perfect, opened at the ArtChowk Gallery on Thursday despite the fear and panic in Karachi following the killing of Muttahida Qaumi Movement's MPA Syed Manzar Imam. "We will not let these people [terrorists] get in our way," said Shakira Masood, a representative of the gallery. Four out of the five artists managed to make it to the opening with considerable difficulty.
The artists used their interpretation on pictures of their own family and others to share how they feel about family.
"My work is based on personal snapshots and images from notebooks," explained artist Mohsin Shafi. "I have tried to explore how we feel about people when we see them. My work also studies how people feel about themselves – the conflict between who they are and how they portray themselves."
Artist Mizna Zulfiqar was inspired by the idea of 'family' and what it means. In her work, Zulfiqar has tried to study the meaning of 'joy' for families. "A wall of family portraits works as a memory tool for moments that are important enough to be celebrated and stored," she said. "However, it is the 'happy' that has always been preserved. My work tries to save those escaping memories which make a moment perfect."
Saadia Hussain, who used water colour technique to add feeling to family photographs dated as far back as 1895, said that her work is an amalgamation of the past, present and imagination. "Some of the pictures use themes taken from popular fairy tales to tell a story."
Saamia Vine, who also teaches at NCA, explained that for her, the paintings have taken on a haunting undertone because of the violence in Pakistan. "I hope to evoke a sense of empathy in the viewer through these autobiographical paintings to which I return to from time to time."
Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2013.


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Wanderer Blue Travel Wallet
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If you have trouble going to sleep or staying asIeep Ayurveda has relief for you? Natural-medicine systems such as Ayurveda, say sleep is one of the important components a person needs to restore and maintain physical and mental health. New studies show that chronic sleep deprivation, which may be due to insomnia, affects the immune […]Continue reading
Do you have Muscle stiffness?Muscle spasm?Aching muscles? Muscle stiffness is one of the most common complaints of modern civilization-80 percent of American adults suffer from muscle stiffness, muscle spasm, and aching muscles can lead to neck and back pain at some point in their lives, and it is the leading cause of worker disability. It […]Continue reading
Severe diarrhea from radiation treatments for colorectal cancer and other types is treated in Ayurveda in phases. In every Ayurvedic remedy there is the four factors that determine the treatments when wanting to soothe the symptoms of diarrhea and get it to stop. The soothing phase is the treatment type Ayurveda recommends for diarrhea relief. […]Continue reading
Kapha body type has a tendency toward getting into a mental imbalance that presents with symptoms such as groggy all day, sluggish thinking, and feeling depressed. Your Body type drives your emotional and physical tendencies. slow, grounded, solid, relaxed when in balance. Kapha types are earthy, heavy, with full, gently curving figures or powerful, muscular […]Continue reading
The primary cause of disease according to Ayurveda is toxemia, according to the medical dictionary the definition of toxemia 1. the condition resulting from the spread of (toxins) by the bloodstream These toxins accumulate because of low gastric juices (HCL, mucus, pepsin). Undigested food accumulates in the GI tract. This is unripe, uncooked, immature, or undigested food substances. Ayurveda calls it ama. This undigested food starts to […]Continue reading
According to Ayurveda, the five senses are the doorways to our internal physiology. Your brain has ten billion nerve cells, and over one trillion different electrical circuits. Your five senses fill these circuits day and night with a ceaseless perseverance. But the brain is only one part of you. As Diane Ackerman writes in The […]Continue reading
Gastric juices are described as the living fire in Ayurveda, The metabolic process explained by the ancient system of medicine involves all three systems nervous, digestive and immune system.. The hydrochloric acid(HCL), mucosal lining, and pepsin are stomach juices, Enzymes, heat, energy, force, becomes the acidic system which breaks down food and stimulates digestion. Gastric […]Continue reading
Ayurveda teaches us to eat all six taste at every meal. A related concept is the idea that specific doshas have an affinity for certain tastes ( six taste—sweet, salty, sour, bitter, pungent, astringent). Certain tastes aggravate doshas, and other tastes stabilize them. Food has other qualities as well—heavy or light, hot or cool, dry […]Continue reading
Dr, Jeffery Bland , Father of Functional Medicine says that digestion is at the center of health and restoring disease. According to Ayurveda, digestion is the cornerstone of health because good digestion nourishes the body. Eating the proper foods will make a big difference in your well-being. However, in Ayurveda we are concerned not only […]Continue reading
The five elements combine to form the three principal body systems, nervous, digestive and immune aka(the doshas.)Each person contains all three systems (dosha)which must be kept in balance for that person to remain healthy. The ideal state for you to be in is your body constitution , your essential nature, which consists of of your predominant […]Continue reading


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Crescent School: behind the scenes
J motion's cameras have been rolling again at Crescent School in Rugby, 9 years after the creation of our original promotional video. The new presentation included a number of carefully choreographed scenes, each one morphing into the next with a common physical action. We also used the school's core values as text virtual text, placed in space as part of each scene.
More at: www.crescentschool.co.uk


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Vibrant Jingle Bangle
Add a gush of exquisiteness in your personality wearing this jingle bangle. Featuring a woolen surface in vivid colors and adorned with tiny ghungroos, the bangle will bestow you with a pretty look. Also, it has a floral flimsy metal plate tucked on its surface that further enhances its beauty.
Wear it on weddings or for festival occasions, this bangle is sure to make you the center of attraction! This can be teamed with both traditional and western outfits.
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Lucknow: BSP supremo Mayawati today charged the BJP with trying to get President's rule imposed in Bihar for electoral gains in the next state assembly polls.
"BJP is plotting to grab power, if not directly then through President's rule to gain electoral benefits in the assembly elections," Mayawati told newspersons here. Assembly elections in Bihar are due later this year.
Fight Against Coronavirus
Terming as unprecedented BJP's defeat in the just-concluded Delhi Assembly election, she said it proved that people of the country do not like mere promises and tall claims.
"Instead of taking a lesson from its dismal show in Delhi, BJP is continuing with its old ways and has also engineered defection in Jharkhand.
"The party which came to power at the Centre, polling a mere 31 per cent vote is now out to project itself as the party of masses by wrongly magnifying its membership drive ... it is in the race to have governments in as many states as possible but this is not going to benefit them...," she said.
Mayawati said BJP's defeat in Delhi is because of the party's failure to fulfil its poll promises and inclination towards capitalists.
BJP has been defeated in its stronghold Delhi for following anti-people policies, working on communal agenda and having big ego, she said, adding this defeat has also made it face humiliation not just in the country but also in the United States.
"The country's image of religious freedom has suffered a jolt and now this has become an international issue on which the US President and a newspaper of that country have also made a negative comment," she charged.
On BSP's bad showing in the Delhi polls, she said people outrightly rejected BJP and Narendra Modi and voted en bloc to teach BJP a lesson. That is why her party candidates lost, she said.


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NOAA scientist Carol Stepien will present research results at a public forum this week in Toledo, Ohio, on how local bait shops, anglers and the public can prevent invasive fish from accidentally being released into the Great Lakes.
The NOAA Annual Science Report provides an overview of the agency's research portfolio, and highlights a selection of NOAA's Research and Development accomplishments. NOAA research aided emergency response efforts across the country in 2017, from wildfires in the western United States to hurricanes in east, advanced weather forecasting, improved fisheries management, and helped improve aquaculture production.
Editor's note: The following story is adapted from a news article released by the American Geophysical Union on February 13, 2018.
PORTLAND — Scientists have for the first time captured the sounds of snapping shrimp off the Oregon coast and think the loud crackling from the snapping of their claws may serve as a dinner bell for eastern Pacific gray whales, according to new research by NOAA and Oregon State University presented here today.
NOAA has announced 32 research grants totaling $9.3 million for projects around the country to further develop the nation's marine and coastal aquaculture industry.
Editor's note: This is the fourth dispatch from Jeremy Mathis, director of NOAA's Arctic Research Program, who is leading a team of NOAA scientists on a research cruise in the Arctic.
Born in the Sargasso Sea, that Atlantic Ocean gyre east of Bermuda, baby European eels will travel 4,000 miles to the freshwater rivers of Europe. Now scientists might have answered a century-old question of how these young eels accomplish such vast oceanic migrations.
Long known for weather forecasting and climate prediction, NOAA is pioneering a new type of forecasting -- fish forecasting. Meet Désirée Tommasi, Ph.D., a young oceanographer working at NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in Princeton, N.J. who has just published research about forecasting the Pacific sardine, one of the nation's most storied fish, made famous by John Steinbeck's Cannery Row.
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) - or "NOAA Research" - provides the research foundation for understanding the complex systems that support our planet. Working in partnership with other organizational units of the NOAA, a bureau of the Department of Commerce, NOAA Research enables better forecasts, earlier warnings for natural disasters, and a greater understanding of the Earth. Our role is to provide unbiased science to better manage the environment, nationally, and globally.


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April 2009
April 30, 2009
Spirit PrayerPosted by Steve Evans under Prayer, Spiritual Life, Spiritual Strength
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April 29, 2009
Honor Christ's HolinessPosted by Steve Evans under Hope, Spiritual Life
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In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet, do it with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3: 15
There is an interesting proposition made by Peter here; for, as we embrace Christ's holiness at this deep and personal level, we are doing the same for ourselves; since, if Christ is in me, then His holiness is mine. That is why it becomes so very important to focus on the Lord's attributes as a means of gaining a clearer understanding of our own transformed nature, and the same holds true for focusing more clearly on our own objectives for personal spiritual growth.
As I consider the ways that I still don't function as I should, based upon what God has established as the model for living in His holiness, the steps that I need to take and the personal sacrifices that I need to make in order to move in that direction become more clearly defined. There is always an element of surrender, a yielding of my will to the Lord that is involved in this growth process, for this is a process that is begun by continually allowing Christ to be the center of my heart.
Then, as the presence of His holiness takes over more of my being, my own ability to live in a manner that is worthy of Christ's love increases, and I gain an ever greater understanding of the marvelous hopefulness that He brings into my life. This is a hope that is too large and much too important to keep buried inside; it needs to be expressed, and it will gain expression through the way that I live as well as through the words that I speak. The final element that Peter speaks to here is one that I suspect was a serious challenge for him; he again tells us to consider how Jesus went about connecting and communicating with people, for true holiness is also gentle, respectful, and always loving.
April 28, 2009
Solid FootingPosted by Steve Evans under Faith, Spiritual Life, Trust
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The Lord will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Psalm 121: 3
Ice storm covered sidewalks or a steep mountain side that is made of crumbling rocks, even when the steps are slow, steady, and deliberate, a fall can come at any moment. With that fall comes disorientation, pain, and fear of serious injury. With the fall comes a loss of confidence and concern about going on with the journey. Most of us have experienced this sort of misadventure at some time; most of us have dealt with the need to get up off of our backs and to start to walk again, too.
However, my important concerns about traveling through life have nothing to do with an icy walkway or even a slippery road; they are related to choices and direction, actions and results. The areas where my feet tend to come out from under me with a disquieting suddenness are found mostly in my relationships and in the decisions that I make. There is an absolute certainty that when I fall down badly in these aspects of life, I have taken a path of my own choosing and have not allowed the Lord to influence and to direct my thinking and my actions. Off I go headed along with my coarse charted out of foolish pride or motivated by some selfish fear; then, suddenly, I am flat on my back in the middle of a painful situation trying to recover from the damage that I have done.
It would all be so much more simple, and life would be a lot less painful if I would simply accept the guidance that the Lord wants to give me. He never fails to provide what I need to make the right choices, and He does not need for me to even ask the right questions; God always knows what will be best for me, and He continually counsels me to make that decision. It is up to me to seek Him, and it is my decision to follow. Those are the choices that I can make now, and I need to decide to follow the Lord's sure path through this day.
April 27, 2009
Glory To GodPosted by Steve Evans under Faith, Love, Spiritual Life
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Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
Psalm 115: 1
Where is my mind focused and what does my heart desire?
Am I consumed with how others will think about me and how many will praise me for my brilliant skill, knowledge, and accomplishment?
Let me direct my thoughts toward God and onto His desired way for me to live. I need to allow the Lord's approach to life to take over mine; then, I will begin to live as an expression of love. The only true and lasting love to be found is in and from love's source, and that is God; so, for me to even begin to understand faithful, unwavering, and lasting love, I need to stay closely connected the Lord. Then, as He continues to transform me and to mold me into His image, the ways that I act that are unloving and disconnected will start to change into His way of relating.
O Lord, let me seek to bring glory to you through the way that I live today; so, my prayer is that you would change the hard places in my heart into ones that lovingly embrace and that you would remove my self-directed thoughts and replace them with your face.
April 26, 2009
Night Is ComingPosted by Steve Evans under Faith, Hope, Spiritual Life
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Jesus said,
"We must work the works of Him who sent Me, as long as it is day; night is coming when no man can work."
If you have ever experienced one of those days when the weather changes very rapidly so that a bright, sunny sky changes into something that is the color of mud and motor oil that is poorly mixed, deep browns swirling in a sea of thicker than cement black, then you know how incredibly quickly brightness can become disorienting darkness. At that time, you better know where you are and have a good idea of where you want to go, for there aren't many visual clues left to navigate by.
Our world has been heading down this path toward darkness for a long time; evil has been working continually and with great diligence to remove the channel markers from our journey so that we can't find our way home. Although God has promised us that His light will remain in the world in total for a time, He has only promised its permanence to people who choose to know Him personally by claiming Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Still people resist and they postpone entering into this relationship; they don't want to make the sacrifices, life is still too new and they are exploring its possibilities, they have done too much that is wrong and God couldn't want them, or the darkness is just a much more comfortable place to be for the way that they want to live at this time. There are as many reasons for rejecting the love offering of Jesus as there are people in this world; still, permanent darkness is coming for them all.
That is why God mandates that we do what Jesus is talking about; right now, during the dimming light of this day, before the storm's oily blackness enshrouds this world, there is a lost soul in my life who needs to be loved and shown that the never failing light of God's glory is Christ's gift for that person. Sharing God, the Father's, loving truth with our world is what Jesus was sent to do, and this is what He is sending us to do, also. We can bring to light the path to eternity through the lives that we live, the love that we give to others, and by the words of truth that we share. Jesus knew that permanent darkness can come in an instant; an individual's sunny sky can change into the blackness of Hell in a heartbeat; so now is the time for those who know unending light to do the work that God sends us to do.
April 25, 2009
Just Do ItPosted by Steve Evans under Faith, Spiritual Strength, Trust
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My Lord, my God, only Faithful is He who calls you, He will surely do it.
1 Thessalonians 5: 24
The famous Nike slogan Just Do It is an expression that we have all heard and seen; it is an effective piece of ad copy, for it conveys a sense of capability and urgency that connects to an image of performance improvement that is aided by the products. For some of us the doing of it might be something that is easily accomplished, but for me, the readily doable part might end with tying the laces and zipping that perfect workout jacket so that at least I can look sporty while downing my latte. My challenge comes in the part where I am required to engage in the faithful work of exercising in order to actually put that perfect gear to use.
Its in the area of consistent and total application that my mind and my heart break down; I can have the very best of intent and the clearest of vision for how God wants me to live and what He desires for me to do; yet, when the moment of clarity is past, my actions can be very far removed from what the Lord said. This is a frustration for me, and I am certain that it creates confidence issues in the people who I have made commitments to. I am also left wondering how God can not be frustrated and saddened by my failure to trust Him to the degree needed for me to follow through on the simplest of things.
My personal challenge in all of this is that I keep trying to take it all on myself; I seek the perfect gear to enhance my performance, and I believe that I must do certain tasks in order to be prepared for acting upon the things that God seems to be calling me to do. What I am missing in all of this planning and preparation is that I continue to try to accomplish it all for myself. What God wants me to do is to accept that I already have all of the right clothing, complete knowledge and conditioning, and the perfect game plan for exercising the Lord's will.
God wants for me to give Him my willingness to trust in His loving purpose. The Just Do IT of my life should be expressed in my openness to follow the Lord in all aspects of it and in every situation that I encounter; the actual doing is wonderfully in God's hands, and this is a blessing to me that brings peace to my heart.
April 24, 2009
Everlasting CounselPosted by Steve Evans under Love, Spiritual Life
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The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.
Psalm 33: 11
There are thoughts, ideas, and concepts that last, and there are those that seem profound and true in the moment and then, even when they are carved into stone, fade from use. A really good test of the advice and the wisdom that we listen to is to look at the duration of its validity. Has the same idea been true throughout history? You see, God has been saying the same things to people from the very beginning of our relationship with Him; He has not changed his mind, and His heart is constant and continually loves us.
Another aspect of the way that God relates to me is that He is very active and involved, and He is truly personal in what He says. The Lord provides me with wisdom and insight for living that seems as if it were created solely for my situation and for my life. These thoughts unfold out of His word in ways that are pertinent to the moment and that seem as if they were written about today as viewed from my front door. Although it can seem a bit scary to consider how well God actually knows me, it is truly comforting to realize this and to know that He still loves and accepts me. His thoughts, plans, and counsel are intended to provide me with everything that I need to live my life fully and to live it well.
True wisdom is also a gift and a legacy; God gives it to people, and He wants us to share it with others and to pass it on to the next generation. A life that is lived by following God's will and inside of the framework of His plan is one that stands out in ways that impact people's hearts for eternity.


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Grey Muscle Tank
Fabric: 65% cotton / 35% viscose
The grey muscle tank is super cute and fits one size small. It is a slim fitting tank with a 24" body length so it looks great out or tucked in.
The model is wearing a size Small and she is 5'5 and is wearing a size small. We recommend wearing a size larger than what you normally wear for the best fit possible.


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They cause traffic disturbances and nearly black out skies with their massive swarms of depravity. After they're all sexed out, the females drop the fertilized eggs in the water and carry on with the rest of their lives.
"I'm going to business school!"
Of course, "the rest of their lives" isn't terribly long in this case, because ...
Their Stupid Defect:
They have no freaking mouths. They can't eat.
Adult mayflies do not develop working mouths. Their digestive organs are completely filled with air, which is the saddest thing we've imagined all week. As soon as they go through metamorphosis and reach adulthood, they begin starving to death. It would be bad enough if they were born without mouths, but the fact that they actually lose it when they grow up proves that nature has gone out of its way to screw them.
Hans Weilenmann
In a manner of speaking.


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Single Family Detached
- 4 beds
- 4 baths
- $419,909 price
- F10181462 mls id
- Year Built: 2017
Better than new! One of the larger homes in the community on a premium lot! This beautiful Camden model has numerous upgrades including expanded granite kitchen island, copper sink, upgraded faucet, designer range hood, fireplace, window treatments, fencing, expended paved covered patio, outdoor bbq island included- And it's available now. Private fenced lot backs to canal no houses behind you! The Camden features separated garages, spacious great room and 3.5 bathrooms. All bedrooms are located upstairs, as is the laundry room. This lovely community offers a pool and play yard. Low HOA $167 quarterly. Conveniently located for easy commuting, shopping, restaurants and entertainment.
- Site Link
- Style Other Style
Courtesy of: Plantation Lakeside
Office Phone: +19544521999
Listing Agent: Sharon Littlejohn
Updated: 30th March, 2020 11:26 PM.
5400 NW 48th Ln Tamarac, FL


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U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ MasterCard®
Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure
This widely-accepted business credit card from U.S. Bank has one of the smallest purchase requirements for a bonus offer. . Combined with the no interest intro period and annual fee, it's a high-earning rewards card that gives you unlimited opportunities to save and redeem. Pros and Cons Perks include: annual… Continue
Rates and Fees
|Intro APR
|0%* for 9 billing cycles on purchases
|Purchase APR
|11.99%-22.99%* (Variable)
|Annual Fee
|Welcome Offer
|Earn a new cardmember bonus of $500 after you spend $4,500 in eligible net purchases on your card within the first 150 days of account opening.
|Rewards Rate
|3% cash back on cellular, gas stations and office supply store net purchases. 1% cash back on other net purchases. No limit on total rewards and they never expire! Plus, a 25% Annual Cash Rewards bonus, up to $250.
- Earn a new cardmember bonus of $500 after you spend $4,500 in eligible net purchases on your card within the first 150 days of account opening.
- 0% Intro APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 11.99% - 22.99%
- 3% cash back on eligible gas station, office supply store and cell phone/service provider net purchases
- 1% cash back on other eligible net purchases
- No limit on total rewards and they never expire!
- Plus, a 25% Annual Cash Rewards bonus, up to $250
- No annual fee*
- Net purchases are purchases minus credits and returns
Nav's Verdict
Bottom Line A great card boasting no annual fee, an intro APR period, annual cash back bonus and generous rewards on initial and ongoing expenses.
This widely-accepted business credit card from U.S. Bank has one of the smallest purchase requirements for a bonus offer. . Combined with the no interest intro period and annual fee, it's a high-earning rewards card that gives you unlimited opportunities to save and redeem.
Pros and Cons
Perks include:
- annual fee
- 25% annual cash back bonus (capped at $250)
- No interest for the first 9 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Earnings don't expire
Cons include:
- All other categories earn a low 1% cash back rate
- Foreign transaction fees of 2 – 3%
- Potentially high APR after the intro period
Summary of the
If you're looking for some sweet intro offers, the has you covered. It's a beautiful blend of no-interest for the first year and an easy, bonus cash back offer. . Add in that this card has no annual fee, and it's a low-cost way to rack up a little extra cash for your business.
Full Review
As business cards go, this credit card has a balance of offerings. From the generous, 9-month, 0% interest rate window to the easy-to-achieve $500 bonus spending offer, it's an attractive Mastercard product that business owners should find easy to use and profit from. While the 3% top earning tier isn't as high as some cards, it's rather generous in its opportunities; businesses can earn from fuel and cell services, something that isn't very common in the marketplace. Add in office supplies at the top tier, and it's easy to see how just using this card for a part of your monthly business spending can create big opportunities to earn.
For those hoping to use this card to pay down other debt, there is some good news. Very few business cards on the market let cardholders use the zero-percent window for both spending and transfers. If you have higher-interest debt somewhere else, now's a good time to make the switch. While it still charges a transfer fee, that fee is much lower than the competition (3% for transfers vs. 4% or even 5% with other cards.)
This card has all of the must-haves for a solid business credit card, including zero fraud liability and fraud monitoring. You can also get cards for your employees with no annual fees, and track their spending through an innovative account portal. Account managers can set spending limits by card based on the time of day or day of the week, location, and even dollar amount. This tracking alone can make it easier to prevent employee theft or money mismanagement.
Is theRight for You?
U.S. Bank is proud of the reputation it's earned with its World's Most Ethical Companies Award (three years in a row), as well as its range of products and offerings for businesses of all sizes. If you have had good experiences with U.S. Bank in the past, this card should offer no surprises. Depending on how much you need to earn with a card, this business credit card could be a bit of a downer for overall earning in the long run. It's short-term potential, however, is quite competitive and worth the application for qualified business owners.
If you're still not sold on the perks of this business card, U.S. Bank has a few other options to consider:
The has a tempting interest intro offer of . There are no rewards for this card, but it could be a good first-time business card prospect.
The offers points instead of cash back, which can be redeemed for a variety of rewards.
Finally, the has a unique opportunity for businesses. With one point for all other purchases and no caps or limits, it's a no-hassle way to reward your business each time you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to the most popular questions asked about applying for the :
What are the U.S. Bank business credit card credit score requirements?
Each card has a different threshold for credit scores, but the higher both your personal and business scores are, the better. Many business card applications require you to share your personal income, which can determine if you're in a position to pay back credit promptly. To ensure your chances of being approved, work to raise both your personal and business scores each month.
Is there a limit to the cash back rewards I can earn?
You can earn cash back on as many qualified purchases you can make, with no limit. There is also no threshold to what you can cash out in a year. (The only limits to your earning is with the Annual Bonus program, which gives you an additional 25% back on your past year's rewards, up to $250 in additional earnings.)
How can I increase my chances of a U.S. Bank business credit card approval?
As with any card, having a better credit score can improve your chances of approval. Start by checking your score, then work to reduce inquiries to your credit accounts, make payments on time, and pay down existing debt. Ensuring your vendors report your on-time payments to reporting agencies is key, too. U.S. Bank also appreciates customer loyalty; if you have another account with them, they may consider your applications more seriously.
Will my rewards expire?
No. Your cash back earnings will not expire as long as you are a cardmember in good standing.
How can I redeem my cash? Are there minimums before cashing out?
Once a reward is credited, you can use it right away, in increments of $25. To redeem your reward, simply request it. You can direct it to be deposited into a U.S. Bank Savings, Checking, or Money Market Account, put onto a U.S. Bank Rewards Card, or applied to your card statement balance.
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the credit card, financing and service companies that appear on this site. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card, financing and service companies and it is not their responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.


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I decided to ignore the gaping hole in the fence and work on this.
Versatility from the Fall Knitty
It's for my friend Pam who is one of my fun to knit for music teacher (though she just started a new job!) friends. She picked it out and I'm pretty sure it's going to look amazing on her. 🙂


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We arrived at LAX early afternoon. We had made arrangements to be picked up by the Super Shuttle.
Great service however traffic in California makes for a long drive. It is also a shared service so you can have more than one stop.
The only problem was my MS bladder and 2 hrs til we reached the hotel...Bumpy roads, red lights well you get the picture..I was fine but man I needed to pee something bad..LOL
We arrived at our hotel with our tons of luggage. We were gone 17 days, 3 formal nights on the cruise, the wedding ceremony, bathing suits...
When we got to the hotel we were greeted with and I quote " they gave my handicap room to someone else"
To which I replied " kick them out"
In my hand was a confirmation for a room without a bathtub, a managers name who I double checked with
and my husbands frequent travel number. ( because he stays with that chain alot. )
I was so not in the mood for that. We waited in the lobby while they tried to resolve their screw up because they didnt have any other handicap accessible rooms.
The least they could have done was send us to the bar for a drink on them,.
We were offered a handicap room with 2 double beds or a king with a tub..OMG do I sleep with my husband or bathe?
I countered that we would take the 2 double beds ( it was only 2 nights) at their expense...
tick tick tick the clock kept ticking and yet we were still stting in the lobby of the hotel..
Suddenly they had a handicap room available. It had a broken TV so it hadnt been used for a while.
Thye swapped the TV from a different room and voila we were in a room, actually we were in a suite.
At least I could sleep with my husband and bathe. I know I am so selfish I want it all. haha !
The next day would be better. We were just glad to see the sun.
Have a great day everybody !
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Arriving in California
Posted by Cathy at 5:10 PM
Labels: MS, multiple sclerosis
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Poshmark announced yesterday that it is expanding its recommerce business from fashion into the $582 billion home decor market. The social commerce platform, which launched in 2011 is a resale marketplace where users can go to off-load previously-owned clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Poshmark combines social, resale and commerce to create an online community of thrifters wherein the girl "next to you" can end up being your best customer or your favorite seller. I say "girl" because the platform is predominantly used by women, with 80 percent of users being female… though the male user base is growing.
Now, I've blogged before about the rise of recommerce and its impact on the retail industry on The Shelf blog. Resale continues to grow and evolve, fueled in large part by the circular fashion movement that's pushing the fashion industry into a more sustainable model. Last month, H&M and Neiman Marcus joined the growing list of retailers offering off-price, vintage, and resale apparel.
Ahead of yesterday's announcement that Poshmark was launching its Home Market, the company also added men's shoes, a division that is performing well, according to Poshmark founder and CEO Manish Chandra.
Poshmark is huge, and it's growing fast. Let me give you a bit of perspective here:
- There are currently 50 million Poshmark users
- 5 million Poshmark users are also sellers.
- Eighty percent of the buyers who frequent the platform are repeat buyers.
- $100 million in inventory is listed on Poshmark by its users every week.
And Poshmark holds its own against more traditional social media platforms. According to Poshmark's site, the platform's users spend 23 to 27 minutes a day on the app. By comparison, the average Facebook and Snapchat users spend about 27 minutes a day on those platforms, and Instagrammers spend about 28 minutes a day scrolling and posting to Insta. Chandra says the social aspect of the platform plays a significant role in its success.
Poshmark enables buyers to have real-time conversations with sellers about the products they're considering. And even price negotiations are simple, low-key and personable. Which is going to be hugely important when it comes to users buying and selling home goods, another industry in which social media drives sales.
Twenty-eight percent of homeowners say they have purchased something for their home in the last 12 months based on something they saw in a friend's social media feed. Add to that the fact that most homeowners start home renovation products just to pretty-up their spaces, and it becomes pretty apparent that the home decor inspiration people are sourcing on social media platforms can quickly result in legitimate sales.
Poshmark generated $140 million in sales last year. With a current valuation of $685 million, the company is prepping to file for an initial public offering as soon as this fall.


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Date(s) - Sat. Jun 27, 2020
11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Wild Waterworks
Summer Kick off Beach Festival at Wild Waterworks
Splash around and enjoy a day filled with fun in the sun! Enjoy all that Wild Waterworks has to offer! Save $3.00 off regular admission when you wear your Hawaiian shirt! Not applicable with sundown rates or other discounts.
For more information, visit www.wild-waterworks.com, phone 905-547-6141 or email email@example.com


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I spent at least part of the day yesterday feeling guilty because I never did get back to my blog, even though I promised you I would.
This is something you need to know about ministers: they are inveterate "pleasers." They want people to like them, and this is at least part of what's going on in their heads as they prepare their sermons, or visit the sick, or show up at parties, or post on their blogs.
So what did I do yesterday? I posted an end-of-the-year report showing that more people visited my blog in 2012 than came to a Jay-Z concert, and then I promised that I would bring you an update on KOH2RVA, and then I didn't.
And I spent part of the day feeling guilty about that.
But I also spent a few minutes in prayer as I was driving to a meeting yesterday morning, and this is what I said: "Lord, we ministers are inveterate pleasers. We want to please everybody. But what if I focused most of my time and energy on pleasing you? What would that be like?"
There's a story in Luke's Gospel about the time Jesus sent out the Seventy (or seventy-two, depending on which ancient manuscript you follow). He tells them to carry no purse, no bag, no sandals, but when they come into a town to cure the sick who are there and tell them, "The Kingdom of God has come near to you!" (in Matthew's Gospel he adds, "cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons").
The Seventy returned with joy saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" (vs. 17). And then Jesus rejoiced and thanked the Father for these who had done what he told them to do.
They pleased him, in other words, and it gave them joy.
Suppose we do, one day, stand before the Lord. What will we say to him? That we did everything we could to please others, or that we did everything we could to please him?
As an inveterate "pleaser" it helps me to think there's only one person I have to please today. I'm going to try to do that. I don't know how many demons I will cast out or how many sick I will cure. Probably not many. But I'm going to try to bring the Kingdom of Heaven an inch closer to Richmond, Virginia today. In other words, I'm going to try to do the things that will please Jesus.
And not worry so much about everybody else.


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Value-based reimbursement (VBR), despite being embraced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and health care industry experts, has to clear some perceived barriers before finding widespread success with health insurance providers. Health insurance providers are still deciding which approaches will be most successful and which challenges to tackle first.
The webinar will explain what industry surveys tell us about the state of VBR. Health care stakeholders (health insurance providers, physicians, health systems, etc.) all face different barriers to success with value-based models but co-depend on each other for their ultimate adoption. Our two subject-matter experts will provide an industry/market perspective and a "boots on the ground" viewpoint on value-based reimbursement.
Eben Harrell
Senior Editor
Harvard Business Review
Before joining Harvard Business Review (HBR), he worked as a foreign correspondent in the London bureau of TIME; as an associate at the Harvard Kennedy School; and as the head of thought leadership for L.E.K. Consulting. He is an award–winning reporter, writer, and editor. Having has published articles in TIME, The Economist, The Washington Post, Sports Illustrated, and other major titles. In 2017, he and UC Berkeley professor Dacher Keltner won the Warren Bennis Prize, which is awarded each year by the USC Marshall School of Business to the editor and author of the best article on leadership in HBR. Harrell holds a master's degree from the University of St. Andrews and a bachelor of arts from Princeton University.
Harry Merkin
Vice President, Marketing
Harry Merkin has worked with both payers and providers through many dynamic changes in healthcare. He is currently responsible for Marketing at HealthEdge, including product marketing, demand generation and thought leadership.
Diane Pascot
Senior Sales Solutions Executive
Diane Pascot has extensive experience in the Healthcare industry with a focus on technology. Combined with her skills in sales, training and client services, Dianne has helped payers deliver consistently positive results including increased customer satisfaction and significant revenue growth.


text: We offer a variety of home decor items. From our wood and copper picture frames to our rustic drink coasters, our products are unique and will add a distinctive style to your home or cottage. No two items are identical. If you like what you see but want a subtle style or color change, please reach out to us. We love making things exactly as you wish.