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Here's a collection of quotes said or written at some point during 2017.
Innovators, Imitators, & the Swarming Incompetents
"...the great majority of [investment] managers who attempt to over-perform will fail. The probability is also very high that the person soliciting your funds will not be the exception who does well. Bill Ruane...said it well: 'In investment management, the progression is from the innovators to the imitators to the swarming incompetents.'
Further complicating the search for the rare high-fee manager who is worth his or her pay is the fact that some investment professionals, just as some amateurs, will be lucky over short periods. If 1,000 managers make a market prediction at the beginning of a year, it's very likely that the calls of at least one will be correct for nine consecutive years. Of course, 1,000 monkeys would be just as likely to produce a seemingly all-wise prophet. But there would remain a difference: The lucky monkey would not find people standing in line to invest with him." - Warren Buffett
Buffett on Bogle
"If a statue is ever erected to honor the person who has done the most for American investors, the hands-down choice should be Jack Bogle. For decades, Jack has urged investors to invest in ultra-low-cost index funds. In his crusade, he amassed only a tiny percentage of the wealth that has typically flowed to managers who have promised their investors large rewards while delivering them nothing – or, as in our bet, less than nothing – of added value.
In his early years, Jack was frequently mocked by the investment-management industry. Today, however, he has the satisfaction of knowing that he helped millions of investors realize far better returns on their savings than they otherwise would have earned. He is a hero to them and to me." - Warren Buffett
Buffett on American Business
"American business – and consequently a basket of stocks – is virtually certain to be worth far more in the years ahead. Innovation, productivity gains, entrepreneurial spirit and an abundance of capital will see to that. Ever-present naysayers may prosper by marketing their gloomy forecasts. But heaven help them if they act on the nonsense they peddle.
Many companies, of course, will fall behind, and some will fail. Winnowing of that sort is a product of market dynamism. Moreover, the years ahead will occasionally deliver major market declines – even panics – that will affect virtually all stocks. No one can tell you when these traumas will occur – not me, not Charlie, not economists, not the media. Meg McConnell of the New York Fed aptly described the reality of panics: 'We spend a lot of time looking for systemic risk; in truth, however, it tends to find us.'
During such scary periods, you should never forget two things: First, widespread fear is your friend as an investor, because it serves up bargain purchases. Second, personal fear is your enemy. It will also be unwarranted. Investors who avoid high and unnecessary costs and simply sit for an extended period with a collection of large, conservatively-financed American businesses will almost certainly do well." - Warren Buffett
Destroying Bad Ideas - Part II
"...I've done so many dumb things that I'm very busy destroying bad ideas because I keep having them. So it's hard for me to just single out one from such a multitude. But I actually like it when I destroy a bad idea because...I think it's my duty to destroy old ideas. I know so many people whose main problem of life, is that the old ideas displace the entry of new ideas that are better. That is the absolute standard outcome in life. There's an old German folk saying...'We're too soon old and we're too late smart.' That's everybody's problem. And the reason we're too late smart is that the stupid ideas we...already have, we can't get rid of!...in most fields you want to get rid of your old ideas. And it's a good habit, and it gives you a big advantage in the competitive game of life since other people are so very bad at it. What happens is, as you spout ideas out, what you're doing is you're pounding them in. And so you get these ideas and then you start agitating and saying them and so forth. And of course, the person you're really convincing is you who already had the ideas. You're just pounding them in harder and harder. One of the reasons I don't spend much time telling the world what I think about how the federal reserve system should behave and so forth is I know that I'm just pounding the ideas into my own head when I think I'm telling the other people how to run things. So I think you have to have mental habits that -- I don't like it when young people get violently convinced on every damn cause or something. They think they know everything. Some 17 year old who wants to tell the whole world what should be done about abortion or foreign policy...or something. All he's doing when he or she spouts about what he deeply believes is pounding the ideas he already has in, which is a very dumb idea when you're just starting and have a lot to learn.
So it's very important that habit of getting rid of the dumb ideas. One of things I do is pat myself on the back every time I get rid of a dumb idea. You could say, 'could you really reinforce your own good behavior?' Yeah, you can. When other people won't praise you, you can praise yourself. I have a big system of patting myself on the back. Every time I get rid of a much beloved idea I pat myself on the back. Sometime several times. And I recommend the same mental habit to all of you. The price we pay for [not] being able to accept a new idea is just awesomely large." - Charlie Munger
Happy New Year,
Quotes of 2016
This site does not provide investing recommendations as that comes down to individual circumstances. Instead, it is for generalized informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. Visitors should always do their own research and consult, as needed, with a financial adviser that's familiar with the individual circumstances before making any investment decisions. Bottom line: The opinions found here should never be considered specific individualized investment advice and never a recommendation to buy or sell anything.
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Given the rigorous and supportive nature of the Honors community at Westminster College, graduates of the Honors College go on to pursue exciting and challenging post-collegiate careers in a wide variety of fields as well as furthering their education.
Alumni apply skills gained from the Honors College—especially critical thinking, an aptitude for making connections across disciplines, and communication skills—to excel in complex and challenging environments. Most importantly, alumni are life-long learners equipped to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of life in the 21st century.
Recent graduates have secured jobs such as:
Students have also pursued service or fellowship opportunities such as:
Many students also choose to further their education post-graduation, attending graduate, law, and medical schools at top universities around the country. Westminster Honors students have matriculated at the following graduate, law, and medical schools, among others:
I don't think I would have sought out the medical humanities program—or carried through with it—if it hadn't been for Westminster, Honors, and Honors College Dean Richard Badenhausen. Honors taught me early on why interdisciplinary education enriches the learning experience, regardless of your course of study.
Read their story
Debbie Samaniego's ('17) goal in high school was to be the first in her family to graduate from college. At Westminster, that became a reality. Her Honors College education and the McNair Scholars Program positioned her to compete successfully in challenging academic and professional landscapes, including her current pursuit of a Ph.D. in migration studies. She is now studying at the University of Sussex after becoming the first Westminster student to be selected for a Marshall Scholarship.
Graduates of Westminster's Honors College go on
to successful careers in a wide variety of fields. The profiles below
feature just a few of their stories.
Master of Liberal Arts in Biotechnology, Harvard University, School of Extension Studies, 2018
Senior Research Associate at Novo Nordisk, a leader in diabetes therapies since 1923.
Associate Scientist II at Biogen, the oldest independent biotechnology company in the world.
Laboratory Technician, University of Washington Department of Medicine
Co-author on six scientific publications in high impact journals. Contributed data supporting the transition of novel Multiple Sclerosis therapeutics from Research to Development and in the filing of an application for an Investigation New Drug (IND) through the FDA.
The Honors summer research award granted me the opportunity to explore independent research similar to what one might come across in a rigorous graduate program. The process of applying for the grant and presenting my final results has been a great asset as I move forward in my career, both in academia and in industry, as I have assisted in securing NIH grants and have presented at numerous scientific conferences. This experience helped me to realize one of my true passions and has led to better employment and educational opportunities than I would have had available otherwise. Furthermore, the multidisciplinary approach the program takes towards learning has made me look at issues in three dimensions and has made me a better scientist and a better citizen.
The feedback I received on my writing in Honors, not only in Humanities but in all of the seminars, has really made a difference in the quality and clarity of what I present to a large audience. Truthfully, I also probably draw from my experience in Honors in defending my positions in class more than I realize during my radio show. That skill has been a big help.
University of Rochester School of Medicine
First-year medical student at the University of Rochester.
My Honors courses taught me to focus my arguments. Humanities in particular sharpened my writing in all arenas, from my science papers to my personal emails, which ultimately helped me get in to a competitive medical school program.
Director of Education at Tucson Botanical Gardens responsible for coordinating community classes and interpretive programs.
Program Manager for Parks in Focus, a program of the Udall Foundation that connects underserved youth to nature.
Presenter at the 2015 American Public Gardens Association Annual Conference on strategies for rejuvenating outdated education programs at public gardens.
Learning to write clear, concise, and defendable arguments in Humanities has helped me become a better teacher and interpreter. I use these skills to organize and present information in an appropriate way for each target audience.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
PhD Candidate in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Arizona studying the atmospheres of extrasolar planets
$100,000 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. The fellowship provides three years of funding in support of research on the atmospheres of extrasolar planets.
I have never grown more as a writer and a thinker than I did when I took the Humanities I and II classes. Through the exercise of writing weekly prompts, I gained valuable experience formulating ideas and crafting clear arguments for their support. Discussing ideas about texts as a class and writing weekly prompts have proven to be some of the most valuable training I completed as an undergraduate. As an astronomy graduate student, I constantly draw upon that training when discussing new research projects with my advisor and our colleagues or writing proposals for funding and telescope time.
Professional adventure skier and storyteller. Brody travels the world to climb and ski mountains, returning to publish words and photographs that tell a story of culture and hardship with an aim to inspire others to tackle difficult challenges. He also spends a lot of time on Instagram.
Entrepreneur at young age; Westminster Student Body President
Partners with leading outdoor brands such as Salomon and Suunto. Has climbed and skied North America's tallest volcano and highest mountain, the world's northernmost active volcano, from Patagonia to the Arctic, and made first descents around the world. "Powder Award" from Powder Magazine. Writing, photography, and photographs have been featured in magazines and websites across Europe and North America, including Powder Magazine, National Geographic Adventure, and Outside Magazine. Protect Our Winters ambassador, representing the snowsports industry's fight against climate change.
Nothing about writing ever interested me. Even in Honors, I was not as interested in writing or reading as much as discussion. Post-graduation, I found myself in a selfish cycle of climbing mountains throughout the world and returning with nothing to share. I quickly decided to continue to hone the writing education I received as an inherent part of Honors to share stories created to inspire action and provoke thought. Consistent writing and logic-based discussions were the two greatest and most lasting learning tools of my Honors experience.
J.D. University of Pennsylvania
Junior Associate at White & Case LLP in Los Angeles, working in commercial litigation, white collar defense, and bankruptcy.
Co-author of essay on criminal law in the United States recently published in the Oxford Journal of Legal Analysis.
Developing a "so what?" for every honors prompt turned into a habit that continues to make my oral and written arguments more focused and effective.
M.S. in Parks, Recreation, & Tourism, University of Utah
Joint University of Utah M.S. Program and National Park Service fellowship focused on natural resource management, urban outreach, and education initiatives
Recipient of Fulbright Grant to work with university students at staff at Gaziantep University in Southeastern Turkey. Worked with John F. Kennedy National Historic Site and the JFK Presidential Library in Boston on conference for New England teachers and librarians. Recipient of a federal Special Thanks for Achieving Results Award for management of public safety and resource protection incidents at Timpanogos Cave National Monument.
Interdisciplinary and discussion-based learning first drew me to the Honors College and those values continue to direct my pursuits. My ability to think and communicate about a wide range of topics in a concise manner helped me successfully navigate living and working in an international setting. Additionally, making interdisciplinary connections lends dynamism to my career interpreting natural, cultural, and historical resources with the National Park Service.
Staff Assistant, Office of Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA)
Throughout my years at Westminster, the Honors College was a community where I developed amazing connections with peers and professors, as well as an ability to reflect on how relationships are important to my life. My Honors cohort's Humanities courses focused on friendship, and the funny combination of philosophy, literature, and living three hundred miles from home for the first time led me to think more critically about what I looked for in mentors, friends, and partners. After finishing my degree, I left Utah to move to Washington, D.C. and enter an exciting and interesting world filled with young politicos and driven by relationships. My Honors experience taught me how to learn from peers and how to invest in personal and professional relationships, which have proven invaluable skills in finding mentors and constantly working with new people at the outset of my career.
M.S. in Neuroscience, University of Oregon
Currently observing practices at Saraha Children's School, which integrates Western academic subjects with Buddhist training in mindfulness, compassion, and virtue
The Honors College's extensive writing requirements and demand for critical analyses of texts taught me how to teach myself—setting me up for lifelong, intrinsically motivated learning; such skills also help immensely with grant-writing and peer review of research articles. The questions posed by Honors faculty challenged my core assumptions, pushing me to deeply self-reflect and sculpt a fulfilling personal value set that drives my current life vision. My Honors family, a lovely web of peers and professors, continues to support me; through our discussions, I can refine my life purpose—which I define as the intersection of my talents with what the world truly needs.
MSPH in Tropical Medicine, Tulane University
PhD Candidate in Human Pathophysiology and Translational Medicine at University of Texas Medical Branch, working on a dissertation to develop a novel platform for flavivirus diagnostics and vaccines
Graduate Research Assistant at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, researching the role of immature Dengue virions during mosquito infection
Awarded the Tulane Alumni Association Student Recognition Award upon completion of MSPH in Tropical Medicine.
The interdisciplinary nature of the Honors classes has allowed me to view a topic from multiple perspectives. This skill has been very valuable when it comes to understanding public health and disease control strategies.
Teacher at Colegio Americano de San Carlos, a private school in Mexico
Founder of nonprofit which organized educational tours in Russia
Represented the United States at the G-20 Summit's 2013 Youth Policy Forum.
As an English literature teacher working to develop critical thinking and communication skills within high school students, I constantly realize and appreciate how much the Westminster Honors College contributed to my growth as both a thinker and communicator. The Honors College's interdisciplinary curriculum pushes its students to actively engage with a variety of compelling and oftentimes contradictory viewpoints, giving young people the chance to develop and refine their own unique voice. I strive to emulate the multifaceted and vibrant atmosphere of an Honors seminar in my classroom, precisely because of how much my time at Westminster shaped the person I am today.
CEO, Hinge Health, a London-based digital health startup that is pioneering digital care pathways, starting with musculoskeletal disorders. He also runs OneStart—one of the world's largest healthcare accelerator programs.
The Honors program helped teach me to think. As a scientist it is easy to get caught up in the "memorization maze" that's sometimes needed to succeed, and easy to just get good at multiple choice tests. But my Honors experience taught me to craft arguments, think laterally, liaise with people much smarter than myself from other disciplines, and stretch myself outside of science.
UX Lead, Westminster College
Awarded Department of State's Critical Language Scholarship to study Japanese at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan in 2012.
Honors really instilled a deep desire to continually learn and challenge myself in diverse fields. The interdisciplinary structure of the curriculum reinforced the benefits of combining ideas from contrasting areas of knowledge to form a more complete perspective of a subject. Every day, I find myself looking for new opportunities to improve on a variety of pursuits that can coalesce into a stronger understanding of my work and passions.
PhD Student in Comparative Literature at Washington University in St. Louis working on a dissertation on discourses surrounding disability in 19th century Spain.
Graduate Teaching Fellow at the University of Oregon
Currently developing a program for art museum visitors who are blind or visually impaired with the education department at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, which will be the first program of it's kind in Missouri. Received the Reading Group Grant from the Center for the Humanities at Washington University in St. Louis on two separate occasions.
The Honors College taught me to be accountable for my work habits, to be assertive and articulate, and to take into respectful consideration perspectives that often challenged my own. Beyond professional development, however, the professors in this program provided the tools to become more socially-conscious and find an ethical grounding. As I have gone on to teach at the university level, I often think back on the ways in which Honors professors extended interdisciplinary thinking beyond the classroom, and I hope I can provide a similar approach for my own students.
PhD Candidate in Physics at the University of Oregon working on Matter Wave Interferometry in a Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope.
$100,000 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. Previously awards include Science Literacy Program (teaching) Fellowship and Weiser Senior Teaching Assistant Award (2015).
The Westminster Honors College emphasizes communication of all forms and to many audiences. This daily dialogue through both verbal and written prose provided a solid foundation that I now build upon as an educator and researcher. It has been especially important in my teaching, because it helps me to convey difficult ideas through multiple lenses.
Third Year Medical Student at Virginia Commonwealth University
The multidisciplinary approach to education championed by the Honors College prepared me for the integrative thinking needed to conceptualize medical issues on different scales simultaneously, from molecular processes to social determinants of health.
Class of 2017 M.D. candidate at Dartmouth College's Geisel School of Medicine
Recipient of the Joseph Collins Foundation scholarship for medical students who have made a contribution to the arts.
The Honors College was incredibly helpful in cultivating a way of thinking that goes beyond simply reading and repeating. The capacity to look at a text and analyze it critically has served me well in evaluating a patient's history to formulate a differential diagnosis and treatment plan. Every patient is different, and they often do not present with 'textbook' symptoms, which is why I'm thankful for my Honors background.
M.D./PhD Candidate at University of Washington developing genetic tools for probing neural circuits
Post-baccalaureate Student Researcher at Los Alamos National Lab engineering magnetic resonance based instruments for monitor liquid dynamics in trees
Awarded an Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Fellowship for research accomplishments.
The reading skills I developed during my progression through the Honors College seminars helped hone my ability to quickly understand and assess literature. This ability has made me a critical consumer of writings in my scientific, medical, and everyday undertakings.
Associate Corporate Counsel at DISH Network
Analyst at Goldman, Sachs & Co.
The Socratic Method of learning employed in most Honors courses aptly prepared me for success in law school. I felt little discomfort participating in challenging law school classroom discussions and was able to contribute from my first class. The large quantity of reading in Honors was also a great primer for law school and my current legal practice.
PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at the University of Wisconsin
Assistant Professor of Biology at Southern Utah University
The Honors College has had a major positive impact on every aspect of my career. Humanities influenced my writing as well as my ability to form a logical argument whereas Science, Power, and Diversity taught me to see the humanity behind the science. More importantly, my Honors peers as well as professors have become a network of mentors and colleagues who have continued to shape my life.
Head of Growth/User Acquisition for San Francisco startup Schoold
User Acquisition Manager at Storm8, Analyst at Goldman Sachs
Currently managing Storm8's 25 advertising partners/channels, accounting for 65% of an annual budget of double-digit millions of dollars to support user acquisition activities for 45+ games in Storm8's portfolio. Storm8, based in San Francisco, is one of the top global mobile game developers. On a day-to-day basis, Mai works closely with her counterparts at Google, Facebook, Twitter, etc. while building a best-in-class user acquisition platform for Storm8.
When I think about my college experience, the Honors College is definitely one of my favorites. This program empowers me to think outside of the box while learning how to make a case to convince 20 other intelligent people in the room. Having gone through four years of being challenged intellectually by some of the smartest people I've ever met, I have built up my confidence to take on pretty much any other challenges in my career. Most importantly, I've built lifelong friendships with a few people from the Honors College, many of whom I consider my mentor, mentee, and even family.
M.D. candidate at the University of Utah School of Medicine interested in the genetic and molecular abnormalities underlying disease processes, especially those related to human development.
Founder of the Precision Medicine and Genetics Interest Group at the School of Medicine. Neuroscience "senior award" at Westminster in 2014.
The Honors College at Westminster fostered an environment in which students were encouraged to immerse themselves in whatever they were passionate about—writing, conducting research in a field of interest, or mentoring other students. During my time in the program, I discovered my voice in writing, which applied not only to my Humanities classes but also to my research papers, personal statement, and application to medical school. I am thankful to the Honors College for teaching me to go after what I want with confidence and enthusiasm.
PhD Candidate in Economics, Colorado State University
PhD student studying political economy, gender economics, and environmental economics.
Secretary of the department's economics graduate student organization and a graduate teaching assistant responsible for leading recitation sections of introductory microeconomics or macroeconomics. Currently working with a faculty member on a research project investigating the relationship between student loan debt, demographic characteristics, and wages.
Honors helped me develop many of the skills that I now rely on so heavily as a graduate student. My experience in the first year of Honors seminars in particular taught me the importance of clear writing and argument, which has helped me more effectively convey complicated ideas in both my graduate discussions and writing. I also took away from Honors a better understanding of how to ask good questions—questions that open doors to exciting opportunities for research and analysis. My Honors classes and my Honors Summer Research Grant helped me develop this skill, and I continue to benefit from it in my research program today.
PhD Candidate in Philosophy at Georgetown University.
Managing Editor of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal and writing a dissertation about social-environmental scaffolds of personal identity and agency. Courses he has taught at Georgetown include Moral Relativism and Ethics and the Environment
Joining the Honors College was the single best choice I made at Westminster (though I did have to pester Richard into letting me join well after the application deadline had passed). Honors taught me that reading well means seeing a text in three dimensions. It showed me that my writing could always be clearer, and gave me the confidence to pursue my own voice. Well into graduate school, I'm still working to improve these skills and inject life into my written work. But having attended three schools, I can now say without hesitation that Honors at Westminster is a truly exceptional place for learning.
Software Engineer at Google, Gmail Team
Software Engineer at Overstock, WCSI, Tomax
Helped launch the Inbox app. Involved with interviewing and campus outreach. Father of two.
Every day I use writing skills honed in the Honors College to communicate complex technical issues to a wide and varying audience. My experience with philosophy has taught me how to better consider problems from multiple perspectives, and to be especially wary of straw man fallacies.
PhD in Sociology at the University of Michigan
PhD Candidate in Sociology at the University of Maryland working on a pre-dissertation project about college men's understandings of consensual sex and sexual violence.
Recipient of a $100,000 National Science Foundation grant to study sexual violence on US college campuses.
Honors gave me the confidence to make the most out of my first year in graduate school. I knew how to make meaningful comments in class discussions, reach out to professors about opportunities that interested me, and turn my questions into exciting research projects. And everyone compliments my writing.
MD, University of Utah
Psychiatry Resident at University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics, planning on pursuing a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Presented research at the American Thoracic Society International Conference, 2014 and published undergraduate research in The Journal of Biological Chemistry. Co-founded the University of Utah School of Medicine chapter of Primary Care Progress, and recently survived intern year!
The seminar setting of Honors classes made me more comfortable discussing complicated patient cases on rounds and participating in medical school as an active, independent learner. Honors multidisciplinary approach helped me to appreciate and rely on perspectives different than my own, fantastic preparation to embrace healthcare's increasingly interdisciplinary model. My humanities background and Honors training taught me to think critically about life's complexity: consequently, I feel very comfortable with the subjectivity of the human experience likely contributing to my specialty selection. Simply put, I would not be who I am now without Westminster's Honors College.
MBA, Stanford University
Founder & CEO of Spruce Health, a startup building a new way to see the doctor
Forbes 30 Under 30; named inventor on multiple patents
The Honors College sharpened my critical thinking and writing skills in ways that set me up for success in graduate school and beyond.
Completing prerequisite courses to apply for medical school.
Created "Westminster Thinks Big," an event to showcase the impactful ideas of Westminster students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
The interdisciplinary honors courses taught me how to analyze a situation from the perspective of multiple disciplines. This skill helped me in my first job after college to manage software engineers, sales representatives, and marketing employees to collaborate effectively to deliver our product. Interdisciplinary learning has taught me the importance of seeking new perspective and learning from different approaches.
Copywriter and Content Strategist, Westminster College
Attended the University of Glasgow as a member the Honors College's Principia Consortium.
My time in the Honors College challenged me to think in new and different ways, encouraged me to ask questions, and emboldened me to communicate my ideas clearly and confidently.
Master of International Affairs and Global Enterprise
JD Candidate at New York University School of Law
Research Associate, S. J. Quinney College of Law
Helped coordinate three international conferences (two at NYU, one at SJ Quinney) to explore the politics of indicators and measurement in global governance. Recipient of a $45,000 Institute for International Law and Justice scholarship at NYU.
The focus on close reading in Honors taught me the importance—and joy—of paying attention to the details of language. I expect to rely on this skill constantly in law school. The seminar setting also developed my ability to defend my ideas on the spot. But perhaps most importantly, the program encouraged me to see my peers as collaborators and teachers. Our varied interpretations multiplied the significance of each text, enriching both my academic and personal life.
Education Coordinator for Utah Symphony | Utah Opera
Recipient of National Arts Marketing Project Conference Scholarship
The Honors College gave me experience in finding connections between different disciplines, which I use to find ways to connect art to our community. I am continually grateful for the writing, problem solving, and communication skills that I honed in Honors seminars. The program helps me cultivate a perspective of wonder, genuine interest and respect that I continue to embrace. My 'arête' friends from the Honors College are still some of my closest friends and they continue to inspire me.
Georgetown University, Joint Juris Doctor and Master of Public Policy, 2016
National Women's Law Center, Fellow in Income Security
Federal Legislation and Administrative Clinic, Student Advocate
I published a note in the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics. I received a Dean's Certificate and Pro Bono Pledge Exceptional Recognition at my law school graduation for completing extensive community service while in graduate school. Finalist in the Miss District of Columbia 2014 competition and winner of the Volunteerism Award.
The Honors College prepared me for the close reading and rigorous questioning that is common in law school classes. It made me less afraid to speak up in class and challenge others with my thoughts and ideas, as well as helping me hone those ideas.
PhD, Global Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
Chancellor's Fellow and PhD Candidate in Global Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara
TEDx Speaker. Class of 2015 Student Commencement Speaker. Best Political Science Graduate for 2015. Westminser College Presidential Ambassador (2013–2015). Represented Westminster at the Spring 2015 Oxford Consortium Workshop. Presented at the 2014 Political Economy of the World-System and 2015 International Studies Association professional academic conferences. Article co-authored with Dr. Leonardo Figueroa-Helland, "Indigeneity vs. Civilization: Indigenous Alternatives to the Planetary Rift," will appear in the anthology 'Social Movements and World-System Transformation,' to be published by Paradigm in August of this year. Have published two articles in Student Pulse, an international undergraduate academic journal. Won first prize in the 2014 Alpha Chi national and regional scholarship competitions. Won first prize in the 2013 McCarthey Foundation Statewide Journalism Essay Competition.
I don't know where—or who—I'd be without Honors. The Honors College's seminars taught me how to navigate crisscrossing disciplines, participate in dialogue effectively and conscientiously, and, above all, make sophisticated and convincing arguments. These lessons will be invaluable to me as I grapple with the rigors of my interdisciplinary, seminar-driven graduate program and pursue a long-term career in scholar-activism, in which cogent communication will be essential to my success as an advocate, liaison, organizer, and researcher.
MFA in poetry and MA in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Indiana University
Assistant Instructor at Indiana University, teaching Introduction to Creative Writing, Composition, and the Poetics of Rap
Founded Westminster Slam Poetry, the college's first poetry slam team to compete nationally. Taught at East High School as a teaching fellow in the Clemente Program, a college preparatory course in the humanities for underrepresented, first-generation students. Runner-up Latin@ Scholar at The Frost Place.
The Honors College's rigorous writing regimen disciplined my writing habits and made my writing more concise, clear, and evocative. The program's interdisciplinary methods has made me flexible as a researcher and has broadened the limits of my imagination.
Doctor of Medicine/Drexel University College of Medicine
Resident Physician in the Department of Plastic Surgery (Dermatology & Plastic Surgery Institute) at the Cleveland Clinic
Gold Humanism Honor Society (Inducted 2017), Medical Humanities Scholar & recipient of the 2017 Medical Humanities Award (Drexel University College of Medicine), Commendation for Outstanding Professionalism (2014 and 2015, Drexel University College of Medicine)
The rigor of Westminster Honors shaped my ability to read primary texts, analyze key passages, formulate my own unique thoughts, and ultimately present those ideas to the interdisciplinary surroundings in which I found (and continue to find) myself. Whether carefully discussing patient expectations prior to and after surgery, proposing a plan and rationale in the operating room, or pondering the management of a complicated patient, Honors conditioned me to think critically and communicate precisely while providing the tools to continue growing as a learner.

subset: commoncrawl


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I work extensively on Linux based systems and have spent the last 20+ years working on both Linux and Windows in large corporate environments, for nearly 10 of those years it was HPUX and some AIX.
In my current work environment, we run a large number of CENTOS servers with Parallels Virtualization using Containers, I run an Ubuntu desktop at work and at home I run a Fedora Desktop and right now I'm using my Vista Desktop (I bought the Median PC from ALDI – best buy ever!) to write this article (its been detuned to XP mode so it runs very well and never crashes).
For testing and development I have a couple of ESXi servers so that I can test various combinations of systems, right now I'm working on a Magento HA environment using nginx in a HA model with Magento running on top of a couple of nodes with a backend mySQL cluster. I intend to build an Rabbit MQ based version of Magento to offload some of the async tasks to a bunch of app servers and re-lease this back to the community as MagentoMQ-v1.8
Other Articles
I post both pages and blog posts on Linux and add snippets of info to Google+ from time to time.
This nice bit of handy info I pickup up from Google+ just recently. Despite changing CRONTAB entries everyweek I never seam to remember the order when adding new entries, so this will help!
Below are some Linux based notes and articles I refer to from time to time. Latest related Posts have been around Openstack and SaltStack:
Sid Young


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[Back] We build systems which are often insecure and where we pass our passwords over channels which can contain sniffing agents, such as for man-in-the-middle ones, and which can discover our password. We also typically use HTTPs as a tunnel, and where we only authenticate one side to the other. The method often used to authenicate Bob the Server to Alice the User is with a digital certificate. So why do we authenicate each side, and password the proof of the password, without actually storing the password?
One method to improve the process is Secure Remote Password protocol (SRP). In this protocol the server does not contain any password-related data, and involves the client providing a proof that it knows the password, without giving away what the password is.


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Get Up To 7 Free No-Obligation Moving Quotes From Pre-Screened Memphis Movers. Compare Rates And Save Up To 35%
1. Memphis Movers Selection:
One of the main focal point of any move is to first locate a list of reputable Memphis moving companies so that you can make your final selection. There are a lot of Memphis movers out there to choose from but you would have to narrow it down to the ones that are not only affordable but the ones that offer you an exceptional moving quote that includes all the moving services and property protection that you need. Remember that binding moving estimates save you much more money than a non-binding quote can ever do. Make sure that your Memphis moving company provides you with a binding quote that is in writing.
2. Save On Packing Supplies:
Another way that you can save money during Memphis relocation is by seeking out used moving boxes. If you were to actually try to purchase moving, it would indeed cost you a tidy sum. Because you would need several boxes, you would be better off asking your friends and families to hold their extra boxes for your impending move. Another way in which you can get boxes is through your neighborhood grocery store.
At the grocery store you can get a variety of boxes at different sizes; all you have to do is request the boxes from one of the managers at the store. Boxes can also be obtained from online companies that have a box exchange service. You simply borrow the boxes to move and return them when you are finished so that others may use them.
3. Schedule A Packing Day With Friends:
Next, save money on your next move to Memphis by hiring a few friends and family to / assist you in packing and unpacking your household items. Usually the moving company in Memphis would include packing and unpacking in their services, but you can let them know that you are doing that part of the moving project for yourself so that it can shave off a few dollars from your fees with them.
4. Tax Deductions:
Your fourth way of saving money during your move is to claim moving expenses when you are filing your taxes. In order to qualify for a moving expense refund you need to either be moving close to 50 miles away from your old home or job and in addition you must also be able to secure a full-time job in Memphis for approximately 40 weeks.
Get Up To 7 Free No-Obligation Moving Quotes From Pre-Screened Memphis Movers. Compare Rates And Save Up To 35%
Other Memphis Movers Articles Of Interest:
- Move With Caution-Unlicensed Memphis Movers Cause Concerns For Industry
- Memphis Movers Will Relieve Your Stress
- Memphis Movers Make Your Move Easy
Memphis Movers Related Video:
Filed under: Local Movers


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訂購信箱 : email@example.com
訂購傳真 : 04-22382619
72 pages, 280*217mm, full color
Covering everything from safety in the boat to shop repairs,Gil Gilpatrick thouroughly explains the whys and shortcuts learned from his experience in the shop and on the water. A Maine guide, he uses his own canoes and tests their performance on the challenging Allagash River every summer.
This revised edition includes full-sized plans for 8 well-proven canoe designs, most of which are the author's own adaptations.Step-by-step directions for building a canoe from start to finish are accompanied by more than 100 photographs and illustrations.
Editorial Reviews Library Journal This revised version is much more polished and better illustrated than the 2002 edition. Canoe trip guide and outdoorsman Gilpatrick provides detailed and straightforward instruction. Be warned: there is a back pocket with patterns that will never survive circulation. This volume is not for the casual hobbyist but for the devoted craftsperson. For readers who want to expend the time and money to build a beautifully crafted wood strip canoe rather than buy a fiberglass one, this book is strongly recommended.


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The Republican Party has turned itself into the world's most powerful criminal organization—a criminal organization with a vast arsenal of nuclear weapons. It no longer has any ideology. Its former ideology, which was really only ever egotism, got pushed and pushed to the point that it became total selfishness. And naturally enough, one of the biggest, if not the biggest, egotists on the planet came to lead them. None of this can end well. Evil has to suck away the energy of whatever good there is in order to keep going. At some point, the entire edifice collapses. I watched this get started under Reagan. I kept saying to myself, "this has got to be stopped before it gets really dangerous." But it never was stopped. And now we're in what almost seems an unbelievable, unreal situation. I say "almost" because I've been predicting it for so long. The only thing different from my vision was the ludicrous, buffoonish aspect of the man who came to lead them. I always pictured it being someone more blatantly sinister, like John Bolton or, say, Mike Pence…
Posts Tagged 'Ronald Reagan'
The World's Most Powerful Criminal OrganizationMarch 17, 2018
The Problem of the HomelessFebruary 28, 2016
The City of San Francisco made the news recently by breaking up a homeless encampment on the streets, a long row of tents that Judy and I often drove past on our way to Rainbow Grocery, the store we use. The camp was the subject of a lot of controversy, especially after the CEO of some tech company wrote an open, complaining letter to the mayor, demanding that the mayor do something. The poor guy was sick of having to look at the homeless. It's commonplace to say that San Francisco has a "serious homelessness problem," but the entire country does, really. I read recently that my hometown of Vancouver, Washington has homeless camps. The homeless are more noticeable in a place like San Francisco, that's all. I myself was without a home for 15 years, living on the street in San Francisco from 1973 to 1988. I wasn't what most people picture when they hear that word, "homeless," but I was out among the homeless much of that time, and I have a decent idea of what's going on. When I hear people talk about the problem, I realize that no one even comes close to understanding it, that it's only going to grow.
For a long time I've been trying to figure out a simple way of describing what I see, but only recently did I find the words I was looking for: We live in a system that creates homelessness as one of its inevitable byproducts. This society has a near-religious belief in competition, and wherever you have competition, you have, inevitably, winners and losers. You can't have one without the other. It's like water boiling at 212 degrees Fahrenheit: It's the only possibility. The homeless are the ones who have lost the game. As the competition heats up—as it has been ever since Reagan—the winners keep grabbing more and more, so we have more and more losers of the game. People like the CEO of that tech company are either ignorant or arrogant. Or both. Whether he sees it or not, he's a huge part of the problem.
When I was on the street I was subjected to all kinds of absurd situations and arrogant treatment. One example is when people become furious with homeless people for defecating on the street. This society gives them no place else to go. There are few public toilets, at least ones that don't cost money , and restaurants, cafes, and so on don't want the homeless in their businesses. I never ended up in a situation where I had to do "my business" in public, but I came close a few times. When you are in an absurd situation like that and you're surrounded by people who can't understand the most obvious and simple thing, you tend to lose your respect for them. You end up doing whatever you feel like doing.
If we genuinely want to end the problem, we have to abandon the idea that it's okay to accumulate as much wealth as possible. It's not okay to be a billionaire. And if we can't abandon the idea, then we have to prepare ourselves for the inevitable epidemic of poverty. It's that cut and dried.
My Mixed ResponseOctober 15, 2013
I have a mixed response to the debacle going on in Washington D. C. right now. On the one hand, I don't think the Tea Party should be given anything whatsoever. They need to be utterly broken—by which I mean exposed. Their illogic has to be exposed and dispensed with. They aren't right about anything, and it shouldn't be hard for an adult to get that across to the people. When they say they believe in freedom, what they're really standing up for is a brutal Darwinian existence where the biggest, most ruthless egotists get to take whatever they can get their hands on. And they don't really favor small government per se. What they seek is the abolition of all protections for the weak. But also an enormous military and intelligence apparatus to maintain power. They are constantly calling for increased military spending—every single budget, which is insane. But we have rules against speaking these particular truths in this country, so what should happen, won't. Obama is not going to take the Tea Party on once and for all. We're going to have these "budget" issues as a continuing problem well into the future.
Which brings me to the reason for my mixed response. I believe that if you look to the longterm—the real longterm, not a polite fiction—it doesn't matter much who wins this fight. What we're really witnessing is the ongoing collapse of an empire. All empires collapse and ours is in the process of collapse—right now. Our rise was steep and fast, and our fall will be the same. I tend to see it starting with the war in Vietnam. I don't think we're good at being imperialists. We've always claimed to have ideals, to be a bright shining light, and being an empire is in conflict with our supposed idealism. So the national mindset ends up being a big fantasy. What a perfect representation of that fantasy mind was Ronald Reagan! He glorified greed as a virtue. But greed always undermines those who practice it. That's as much a universal law as thermodynamics. Our downfall will be our gross materialism and the militarism required to maintain it. I do see hope for the future. But our only hope is to regain our status as a republic. Only when the empire has given way will we have the opportunity to assume the goodwill, calm, and simple contentment that will enable us to begin to create a way of life that makes sense, where wisdom and love have meaning again. There are things we can be doing now, but I tend to think that the great work cannot commence until the monster has given up the ghost.
Peak Oil, Part TwoJuly 26, 2010
Most Americans—and I have to include myself here—tend to think of oil primarily as a source of fuel—gas for the car, heat for the house. Our food creation and delivery system (a more accurate depiction than "agriculture") is completely dependent on oil and gas. They power the farm machinery and the trucks and planes that bring the food increasingly long distances to market. In the industrialized world, we use roughly 10 calories of energy for every calorie of food we eat. The way I've always received it, modern mechanized farming has blessed us with the possibility of feeding a constantly growing world population. But according to what I'm reading now, the tremendous growth in the planet's population coincides precisely with our exploitation of fossil fuels. In other words, the increased availability of food has encouraged massive population growth, which is exactly what happens in nature.
Most people seem to have adopted the idea that "they" will figure out something with which to replace oil. Depending on your politics, you might support nuclear energy, or you support development of solar and wind. But petroleum is not replaceable by any single substance or energy source. We tend (I have tended) to not think much about the fact that it's used for much more than just fuel. We use it to make fertilizer, pesticides, plastics, synthetic rubber, clothing fibers, asphalt, and more. It's everywhere and it's in everything. We've built our civilization upon it. It's not really the Information Age. It's the Age of Oil. And now, after years of the West pushing manic economic growth on the rest of the world, every nation needs petroleum to function. China and India with their billions are hooked on the idea of having the same standard of living that the West "enjoys." If the Peak Oil hypotheses is correct, we're entering an era of aggressive competition over a dwindling resource, which will mean higher prices and, of course, more wars. The food distribution system and our electrical systems (and, accordingly, our communication systems) will undergo great stress. Getting our apples from Chile will become a thing of the past.
It didn't have to happen this way. There's been no shortage of warnings. But they've all fallen on deaf ears. When Jimmy Carter tried to present the facts to the public, he was ridiculed. One of Ronald Reagan's first official acts as president was to order the removal of the solar power units that Carter had had installed on the White House roof. It was a statement—a foolish one. And we've lived under that ever since. The people want to continue the party, and the politicians have learned not to say anything that suggests it's neither possible nor desirable.
When most people read about Peak Oil they tend to get depressed. But that hasn't been my reaction at all. Part Three will deal with my personal response.
The Tea PartyFebruary 6, 2010
Conventional wisdom says that Jimmy Carter was a weak president who led the nation into a state of malaise, and then Ronald Reagan came along and made us believe in ourselves again. The conventional wisdom is firmly ensconced. Journalists, politicians, and mainstream historians all spout it. But it's not the truth.
During the Carter presidency there was a brief moment when the window was open to the possibility of making some much needed change. Vietnam had left the country in bad shape—politically, economically, and psychologically. We were down, but it had nothing to do with Carter. That was already the situation when he came into office. He's been the only president in my lifetime who said openly that the country ran on some false assumptions. One of the most egregious is the idea that we can constantly raise our standard of living, that there can be endless economic growth. This is an impossibility logically, and he seems to have known it. Carter made some effort to get the country to understand that we were entering an era of limits. He tried to get people to take the energy situation seriously. He was vilified for telling the truth. Reagan came along and undid any progress Carter may have made toward opening up a discussion about reality. One of Reagan's first acts as president was to take down the solar panels that Carter had had installed on the White House roof—one of the most foolish symbolic moves any American president has ever made. He liked to say that "conservation just means we all freeze in the dark." It says a great deal about the man. He gave people simple answers and resold the people on the fantasy aspects of the American Dream. The prosperity that followed was all done on credit. As somebody once said, "we borrowed money from the Japanese and threw a party." There wasn't any new era of production, and in the end that's what creates real wealth. We've been living in Reagan's dream world ever since.
It's very clear to me that we've already reached the end of our ability to raise our standard of living. We're failing economically. We don't produce anything anymore. We live in a service economy—a dead end—and we're never going to get that old economy back. (Personally, I'm fine with it. I see immense wealth as a bar to good character.) There's a lot of stuff coming down the road that the media and the politicians are paying zero attention to— "peak oil," for one. Most people I talk to have never even heard of it. It's probably the most important economic/material plane issue of our time. I'll be writing about it at some point. I'm still learning.
I know I've said much of this before, but I'm bringing it up again because of the Tea Party convention in Nashville. I had an exchange with one of them recently, and I realized that they're not really bad people. But they do live in a delusion—the Reagan fantasy—and they don't spend much time being thoughtful. This guy had quite a few hatreds, and he was willing to give up most of them when pressed. But he demanded simple answers. The Tea Party wants the old America back, the America of a constantly increasing standard of living. They seem to see money as the only real pleasure in life. They're going to be getting angrier and angrier as time goes on. Regardless of what happens in the future—which political party is in charge and so on—that dream is over.
The Nature of EvilJanuary 23, 2010
Ever since leaving home at the age of seventeen, I have lived in—have grown up in—what you could call, I guess, a left wing-bohemian milieu. Most people I've known in that environment don't like to use the word "evil." They don't believe in evil. But if you point to something that is clearly evil—a government massacre or something like that—they will cop to its existence. The reason most of us don't like to use the word is because it tends to be owned by right-wingers and evangelists, who often have bizarre notions of what constitutes evil. One thing that I know is evil is egotism. Yet a lot of people nowadays see egotism as a virtue. Ayn Rand considered it such. The Reagan Revolution was founded on the idea that selfishness and greed are virtues. It was really just the door being opened for egotists to have a free hand. Whether it was my country, my city, my football team, my family, or me, the Reagan revolution said that you are supposed to look out for Number One. They even considered it a moral stance. That's what I call a biological idea of morality. And it's not moral at all. To be moral is to restrain your own desires and to safeguard and promote the common good. To deny the truth of that, which is as old as the hills, is really a form of insanity. We are now a nation—with globalization, a world—of hardened, angry egotists. I see the situation growing constantly worse. The egotists are driving the car and the rest of us are their helpless passengers. If we don't stop them, the car will eventually go over the cliff—which will put an end to their trip, but a lot of innocent people will be harmed in the event. They're already being harmed.
Some Gloomy Political Thoughts That I Can't Help But ThinkNovember 28, 2009
After the Vietnam War, America was obliged to pay some karmic debts. One of the things about karma—the law of cause and effect, or "as you sow, so shall you reap"—is that it's inexorable. You can't avoid it. You can stave it off for awhile, but eventually you have to pay the price. In Jimmy Carter we had a president who understood, at least to some degree, that this was so. He tried to let the karma fall, and to fall with some grace. But the country refused to deal with it. Instead, it elected and then re-elected Ronald Reagan, who dished up a big fantasy that most Americans were happy to buy into. His two terms put the country through a "paradigm shift." We are still in the Reagan era. I had some hope that Obama's election signalled its end, but so far it looks as though he feels constrained to stay the course on the essentials of Reagan's "vision"—vast military expansion, American exceptionalism, favoritism toward the rich, every man for himself. America is zooming toward hell because of that so-called vision. I don't see the political will it would take to change course. If we don't change, we're going to reap the karma that we deflected back in the early 1980s along with a whole lot of new karma that we've been creating ever since. We're heading into an exceptionally difficult period.
Idealism and RealismNovember 17, 2009
One of the biggest differences between the time I grew up in—the dreaded 1960s—and today is the level of idealism. I was particularly impressed by Martin Luther King and his supporters. They were willing to accept beatings, jail, and even death to accomplish their end, which was an end that was good for everybody. I also admired Pete Seeger. People like King and Seeger presented a consistent vision of us all being in this together, and they really inspired me in my teenage years. (I was more a fan of Bob Dylan than of Pete Seeger, but I see now that while he fooled around with idealism at times, Dylan was in it for his own glory.) The hippie commune movement emerged from that same idealism. When I say ideals, I mean universal ideals that go beyond any individual culture and its desires. Some people consider Ronald Reagan an idealist—an absolutely crazy notion. A real ideal is the refusal to opt for violence as a solution to anything, refusing to allow people to starve to death, cheerful renunciation of the pursuit of wealth, and the willingness to see one's nation as simply one among many nations—no better than any other. There must be justice. For complicated reasons, not all of which are obvious, this kind of idealism has waned. Some say that the old ideals were unrealistic. But it seems to me that, realistically speaking, we either recover those ideals or we do ourselves in. It feels like we're getting nearer and nearer that point.
Rush Limbaugh AgreesJuly 1, 2009
I read the following statement by Rush Limbaugh today. It reinforces one of the central ideas of my June 17 post, Conservative and Liberal.
Michael Jackson's biggest successes, and as it turns out his final successes, real successes took place in the eighties. That was Billie Jean, Thriller and all this. I mean he was as weird as he could be but he was profoundly, because of his weirdness, an individual. He wasn't a group member. He reached a level of success that may never be equaled. He flourished under Reagan; he languished under Clinton-Bush; and died under Obama. Let's hope the parallel does not continue.
It's a stupid comment, of course. But I'll write something serious on the danger of this belief in the-individual-over-all-else in a future post.


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Haydarı is a Turkish meze of strained yogurt, herbs and garlic and it pairs well with crunchy carrots and beetroot in this simple veggie starter. It can also be served as part of a meze spread.
Beets & carrots with cumin & haydarı
Serves 6
400g suzme or greek yogurt
1 red and 1 green chilli, halved, deseeded and very finely chopped
Fresh dill, leaves only, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
600g cooked beetroot (not pickled)
400g carrots
2 tsp toasted cumin seeds
½ tsp white balsamic vinegar
½ lemon
25g walnut pieces, lightly toasted
Make the haydarı 2 hrs ahead of when you want to serve.
Strain the yogurt, put in a bowl and combine with 2 tbsp of the olive oil, the dill (keeping some back for serving), garlic and chilli – don't overmix, you should still be able to see bits of chilli.
Peel and cut the carrots into matchsticks, and the beetroots into wedges.
Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add half the cumin seeds, cook for 30 secs, then add the carrots. Stir-fry for 1 min, then add the vinegar, a good squeeze of lemon and some seasoning and quickly remove from the pan.
Add 1/2 tbsp of oil to the pan with the rest of the cumin seeds. Cook for 30 seconds, then add the beetroot. Squeeze on some more lemon juice and season.
Put some of the haydarı ın a bowl, flatten and swirling it a little with the back of a spoon. Spoon some beetroot on top, then some carrots, sprinkle with dill and walnuts and drizzle with a little more of the olive oil.
Serve with pide or fresh crusty bread.
Afiyet olsun.
Source: BBC Good Food


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Director Rauni Mollberg died of leukemia Oct. 11 in Helsinki. He was 78.Mollberg started as an actor, then turned into directing, first for television and then for cinema with the 1973 debut feature " The Earth is a Sinful Song," which remains one of Finland's most successful films. The prizewinning film, an adaptation of a novel by Timo K. Mukka, portrays nature, sexuality, religion and death in a Lapland village. Another success was a remake of the definitive Finnish war film, "The Unknown Soldier" in 1986. While he was criticized for daring to remake a Finnish classic, his approach using teen actors proved successful. Mollberg received five Jussi awards as a director, and one as a producer. His last feature, 1994's "Children of Paradise," a satire about an upstart businesswoman striving for success was neither a critical or commercial success. In his later years, he returned to directing for television. He is survived by a daughter.
Rauni Mollberg, director, 78
'Sinful Song' was directorial debut


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Credit and Income
About Your Credit and Income
On Q Financial, Inc. mortgage professionals have the experience and training necessary to identify the home loan program that best fits your situation. Important factors in qualifying for a home loan are your credit score, income and employment history, assets and the Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio for your loan.
Rates and Costs
When considering mortgages, there are two factors that determine the total cost of the loan — the interest rate and the costs associated with the transaction.
Your Credit Score
The FICO® credit score is a number based on a formula developed by Fair Isaac and Company and is an important measure that helps lenders gauge how likely you are to repay your debts. To make the most of your credit, pay bills consistently and on time, manage credit wisely and check personal credit scores periodically.
FICO® scores range from 300 to 850 and are kept by three primary credit bureaus (Transunion, Experian and Equifax). The higher your FICO® score (lenders normally look at the middle score as the representative score), the more loan programs and interest rate options may be available to you. Of course, your FICO® score is just a ranking number and isn't the only credit data that is taken into account. During your mortgage application process you will have an opportunity to discuss your credit report with your On Q Financial Mortgage Consultant.
While having good credit is important, in many cases having less-than-perfect credit will not prevent you from getting a home loan. Whether you're purchasing a new home or refinancing, lower scores generally mean fewer financing options. At On Q Financial, Inc. our professional team is skilled in finding mortgage solutions to fit the needs of virtually every buyer.
For more about credit scores and other useful information, or to order your personal credit report, visit:
Eligible Sources of Income
The following are several typical sources for the income that must be documented and verified to qualify for a home loan.
Salary or Hourly Wage Income
Commission and Bonus Income
Second Job or Part-time Employment
Spousal or Child Support
Retirement, Pension or Social Security Income, Government Annuities
Interest or Dividends Income
Rental Income
Self Employed Income
Documentation Requirements
Salary or Hourly Wage Income
Current pay-stubs covering the most recent 30-day period and two years of W2s are necessary to document your income. Overtime may be used in some cases.
Second Job or Part-time Employment
Current pay-stubs covering the most recent 30-day period and two years of W2s are necessary to document this type of income. You must have a history of working a second job for at least two years prior to making your mortgage application.
Spousal or Child Support
A court recorded settlement agreement will be necessary to verify that the support will continue for at least three years from closing , and you will need proof of receiving the support for 6 to 12 months depending on the loan type. Canceled checks or bank statements are a good way to document spousal or child support income.
Retirement/Pension/Social Security
A 1099R or annual statement and proof of two months current receipt are necessary to document this type of income. Account statements are necessary to document your income.
A 1099R or annual statement and proof of two months current receipt are necessary to document this type of income. You also must document that you have sufficient funds to support the same level of income for at least three more years.
Two years of complete 1040s, including Schedule A and statements showing enough asset ownership to have interest/dividend income continue for at least an additional three years is necessary to document Interest and Dividend Income.
Rental Income
Two years of complete 1040s, including Schedule E, are necessary to document rental income.
Self Employed
Two years of complete 1040s are required to document self-employment income. Business tax returns and/or accountant prepared profit and loss statements may also be required. Self-employment income documentation requirements will vary depending on the business structure and loan program.
Note Income
To verify Note Income, a copy of the note, verification of receipt of payments for the past 12 months and proof that income will continue for at least three more years is necessary.
Are you ready to start your loan?
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my credit history prevent me from getting a mortgage?
An On Q Financial Mortgage Consultant can help explain how your credit will affect your ability to get a loan and can discuss available financing options.
What will my rate be?
Interest rates are based on variety of factors including by not limited to; loan purpose, credit history, ability to repay, and loan amount.
How much do I need for a down payment?
Your down payment requirements will depend on the type of home loan you choose and the type of property you are buying. Your required down payment will usually range from 3-20% of the home's purchase price. On Q Financial, Inc. offers a variety of different loan programs including a variety of down payment assistance programs, contact a Mortgage Consultant for more information.


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The war of words is heating up between two public libraries 1,500 miles apart, as dueling librarians do their part to boost their hometown baseball team's quest to win the World Series crown.
Sounding a bit Shakespearean, Liesl Christman, the Twitter czar for the Kansas City Public Library, tweeted on Wednesday morning, hours after the San Francisco Giants crushed the Royals in Game 1 on Tuesday, 7-1: "'Tis but a flesh wound - @Royals will rally! Tonight, #LetsThrowFire!"
If the Giants win it all, Christman promised Wednesday her library will buy and shelve San Rafael author Dan Fost's book, "The Giants Baseball Experience: A Year-by-Year Chronicle from New York to San Francisco."
If the Royals win, Christman hopes the San Francisco Public Library will be forced to stock George Brett's "From Here to Cooperstown," which is about the Royals, on its shelves.
Michelle Jeffers, the digital guru at the library in San Francisco, said she'd consider the request, but from what's she's heard, that book is out of print.
"Even better!" Jeffers joked, adding that under different circumstances she and Christman might be very good friends.
Then Jeffers tweeted: "Guess we'll see what happens tonight when the Giants shhhhhhh-ut you down in Game 2."
No one is happier about the librarian smack talk than Fost, a former San Francisco Chronicle reporter who is now a full-time author and freelance writer. Each time the Giants make it to the World Series – this is third time in five seasons – he is asked to write a new edition. "This is a mutually symbiotic relationship," he said on Wednesday.
As for the baseball book bet, Fost is also genuinely enthralled Kansas City readers may be flipping through pages he wrote.
"What a great idea to promote reading," he said. "I'm so moved."


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Courtesy Grand Hotel Tremezzo
It doesn't get much more like living la dolce vita than here at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, a palace propped up above the glittering waters of Lake Como. The glamorous Art Nouveau outpost was voted by our readers as one of the best hotels in Italy and no wonder: besides its sweeping water views, it's home to a gorgeous new spa, a pool that sits directly on Lake Como itself, and even its own private park—designed by none other than George Clooney's own landscape architect, Emilio Trabella (Clooney owns a villa nearby).
Courtesy Ashford Castle
Astride the shores of Lough Corrib, Ireland's second largest lake, Ashford Castle is worth visiting for its fairytale views alone. But there's lots to do besides sightseeing: Thanks to a recent $75 million makeover, the historic property now includes a new waterfront spa, swimming pool, cigar terrace, and 32-seat cinema. Its crown jewel? The new Hideaway Cottage, a boathouse-turned-lakeside cabin that sits right on the water's edge and has its own private pier (all yours for a cool $3,382 per night).
Courtesy Casa Palopó
Guatemala's Lake Atitlán isn't your ordinary lake: it's located in the spectacular Sierra Madre mountain range studded with volcanoes. Plus, Casa Palopó isn't your ordinary hotel: it has just seven rooms, no televisions, and feels more like a private villa than a boutique hotel. Though you could easily spend all your time gawking at the jaw-dropping surroundings—explorer Alexander von Humboldt famously dubbed Atitlán "the most beautiful lake in the world"—make sure to squeeze in a tour of the lake's Mayan villages on Casa Palopó's private boat.
Courtesy Matakauri Lodge
After an extensive makeover, Matakauri Lodge's 12 sleek guest rooms stun with their floor-to-ceiling windows, private terraces and open fireplaces. But what you're really here for are the views of course. Positioned along Lake Wakatipu, only 4 miles south of Queenstown, Matakauri Lodge has uninterrupted vistas of Cecil Peak, Walter Peak and the world-famous Remarkables ski area. Insider tip: go in winter (our summer), when the surrounding peaks are dramatically capped in snow.
Courtesy Lake Austin Spa Resort
Situated on the shores of Lake Austin in the rolling Texas Hill Country, this luxe spa resort feels blissfully tranquil and secluded, though it's just forty minutes' drive from the state capital. All of its rooms are charmingly rustic and feature waterfront views, but one of the hot tub cottages—outfitted with a wood-burning fireplace, private garden and outdoor hot tub—is where you really want to be. Not surprisingly, Lake Austin Spa Resort was voted by our readers as one of the best resorts in Texas & The Southwest.
Courtesy Explora Patagonia
Located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, rooms at the all-inclusive Explora lodge overlook glittering Lake Pehoé and open up to vistas of the Cordillera del Paine mountain ridge. There are plenty of diversions to keep you busy, like guided rainforest hikes and horseback riding (there are more than 50 day trips to choose from). But nobody will judge you if you decide to spend all your time just hanging out in one of four open-air jacuzzis, soaking in the incredible views with a glass of Malbec in hand.
Courtesy Emerald Lake Lodge
Built in 1902, the historic Emerald Lake Lodge, located in the heart of Yoho National Park, makes for an idyllic lakeside escape. Its cozy alpine cabins come with wood-burning fieldstone fireplaces, deep-soak tubs, and private balconies overlooking Emerald Lake, while its sprawling main lodge features a games room and an oak bar salvaged from an 1890's-era Yukon saloon. Be warned: there's zero cell service on the property and very limited wi-fi, so prepare for a welcome digital detox.
Courtesy Mirror Lake Inn
Built in 1883 as a private home, this Adirondack Mountain getaway was voted by our readers as #1 Resort in New York state. It's the perfect mix of modern and rustic-chic, with expansive Mirror Lake views from every window and hospitality to boot (guests get homemade chocolate-chip cookies upon check-in). Dining is impressive, too: its award-winning View restaurant serves excellent seasonal cuisine that's sourced exclusively from local farmers and the resort's own gardens.
Courtesy Palace Luzern
Taking its design cues from surrounding lakes and mountains, the century-old Palace Luzern—one of the best hotels in Switzerland, according to our readers—is decorated in tranquil hues of blue, green and turquoise. Despite its neoclassical façade, its 129 rooms are surprisingly sleek and modern, featuring bold art, Murano glass fixtures, and furnished terraces overlooking Lake Lucerne. Don't miss sunset cocktails on its aptly-named Lakeside Terrace, arguably the most scenic spot in town.
Courtesy L'Imperial Palace
Situated on the banks of Lake Annecy in the heart of the Alps, the Impérial Palace is a perfect summer escape, far from the crowded beaches of the Mediterranean. The glamorous Belle Epoque hotel offers endless diversions, from its enormous casino to the just-opened Cristal Spa, which overlooks the lake and gardens. Pro tip: visit in August during Fête du Lac, an annual festival that's home to Europe's largest fireworks display.


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Gergely Nagy
ANGST – The handbook of the urban guerilla
Novel (Ulpius Ház), 2007, 384 pages
"The arrival of capital was quiet, swift, and effective, like an assassin's work. Suddenly its presence became visible everywhere: its smell, the scent of money, could be detected even through the exhaust fumes. Budapest became irrevocably sexy."
A cult novel at the time of it's first publication, Angst recounts the rise and fall of an unnamed, talented comics writer in a near-future, cyberpunkish Budapest, an ever-growing, sensual and depressing city where skyscrapers transform the urban landscape and five metro lines cross under the city, but the grandeur of the 19th century and the remains of the war co-exist with each other. The protagonist and his best friend, the graphics designer Graf start a successful comics series entitled Angst, which quickly becomes from an underground artictic endevour into a major media phenomenon when the CEO of a big media emporium, Baumgartner buys it for his company, Paper Tiger. The work brings the narrator success and money but at the same time he becomes part of the mechanism that he always wanted to avoid, and the new situation eventually destroys his friednship with Graf, who disappears forever from his life. The narrator becomes a regular employee of Paper Tiger, working his ass off at an unnamed floor of a new office building, the Electric Heart, while his personality slowly starts to dissolve and his life becomes more complicated and confusing than ever.
Caught between three women, each representing different ways of dealing with his life, he cannot decide. Should he be with Zhora, the smart DJ making a living out of terrible jobs, who might just be his true love, but who's not even willing to emerge above the current circumstances? Or with Pril, the account girl of Paper Tiger, superwising the workflow of Angst, who would be the easy and quick way forward in his career, but who's only as sexy as a television ad? Or the mysterious Greta, he accomplice of Karel, a secret underground resistance fighter submerged in the urban jungle? Karel and Greta, as a kind of post-modern "Baader-Meinhof duo" are both media-anarchists, late descendants of the urban guerillas who attack the Budapest informational mechanism and the money-fuelled media empires with the available tools of technology. Karel moves in the illegal and is pursued by the police: for him, Greta is the only connection to the legal world. Greta and the narrator meet in the office building of the Paper Tiger and that is where some sort of a relation forms between them. The narrator unwantedly becomes an accomplice to the anarchists and assists to their fall. The end of the story is an amok run but we are not sure if the narrator really is out on the street and he's really climbing the Electric Heart office building or he's just sitting at his deck and in this process does his personality get "written apart". In all cases, after a long monologue he winds up at a psychiatry.
Thick with pop-cultural references, vivid dialogues and mood-setting descriptions of the city, Angst is a thrilling ride of ambition, talent, betrayal and the inevitable corrosion of all human relations in a world controlled by money and the media, painting a picture of a would-be Budapest in a way that has never been done before in Hungarian literature.
"The return of the textual and philosophical worlds of writer geniuses such as William Gibson, Paul Auster and Miloš Urban, in a Hungarian literary novel? Up until now, it was just a distant dream. The third book of Gergely Nagy, not at all under their influence, but probably inspired by them, and driven by similar needs and a similar determination, has established a new type of the – definitely – Hungarian novel (I don't have words for it yet), one that is still intellectual despite (or because of) the integration of underground and peripherial genres, and which (most probably) will grant it the status of the 'cult novel', and rightly so. We'll keep talking about it for a long time!"
Péter Rácz I., Litera.hu
"Gergely Nagy has a message in his story, but rather makes the reader think then tire him. The novel mixes the worlds of cyberpunk films, comics and high literature, and the result is a unique, smart but easily readable, entertaining text, which is exceptional in Hungarian literature."
Péter Hományi, Kultusz.com
"It constantly surprises, thus fascinates me: either with the plot, or some narrative gimmick (the sudden cuts of flashbacks and fast forwards for example, or how the face of Budapest distinctively changes in the last third of the book), and just won't leave alone the reader (me) for even one moment. […] The novel Angst by Gergely Nagy can be read as a labyrinth of contemporary questions, to which there are no (good) answers, because they always keep generating more and more questions."
Endre Balogh, Prae.hu
Gergely Nagy was born in 1969 in Budapest. Studied drama history, creative writing, script and play writing at the University of Theatre and Film Studies, graduating in 1992. Worked for several theatres throughout Hungary as well as for the public service television (Magyar Televízió). Since his graduation he writes fiction. He has three books published, two volumes of short stories (Give me a point 1999, Loud! 2003) and a novel (Angst 2007). Currently he is working on a new novel. It's working title is HILVERSUM, based on stories and events of the author's ancestors and goes through two centuries in Central-Eastern Europe. Since 1999 he works as a journalist an editor. From his teenage years he has been involved in Budapest's music scene. Currently he plays the bass for a band named 'Eat me'. More on the author
LOUD! (Novel, Új Palatinus, 2003, 196 pages)
This rock'n'roll novel tells the story of a young bass guitarist through Budapest's musical underground in the changing times of 1980-90: his growing awareness of the world beyond Hungary's borders, and his obsession with western music. Through the fast-paced, short chapters we see him starting a band, finding success, and in the end growing disillusioned, while still fantasizing about Paul Simonon, the bassist of The Clash. Read more


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Coombe Abbey
- Email Address email@example.com
- Telephone 02476450450
- Website http://www.coombeabbey.com/
Set in the tranquil Warwickshire countryside. With 500 acres of parkland, formal gardens and a peaceful lake, you can explore the outdoors and then retire to the restaurant, bar or relax back in your bedchamber. Experience a touch of something different, with candlelit corridors, mediaeval entertainment, four-poster beds, individually designed bedchambers, and more. With 121 rooms and wedding, conference and banqueting facilities, you can stay with us for a relaxing weekend away or celebrate the most special of occasions. Originally founded as an abbey in the 12th century, our historical buildings have had an interesting life. The Abbey was surrendered to King Henry VIII during the dissolution of the monasteries, and the future Queen Elizabeth I even lived here as a child.
Visitor Info
24 Hours – £5.00 car parking charge 8 Hours – £2.00 car parking charge We're within easy reach of key M1 and M6 motorways and transport links, as well as being just a short distance from Birmingham, Warwick, and Stratford Upon Avon.
Public area is wheelchair accessible 3 fully accessible rooms with wet rooms and handrails.
Conferences & meetings
Coombe Abbey Hotel boasts 11 rooms from intimate affairs right up to grand celebrations holding up to 500 guests, which are ideal for conferences, meetings and corporate entertainment. Each room is rich with history, and complete with modern day conference facilities, making them perfect for any business looking to impress and inspire their guests. Private dining rooms can accommodate between 10 to 140 guests, allowing you to host your own party in a candlelit suite. Coombe Abbey also offers an event planner service, which is bound to make your experience here all the more memorable. Call 02476 450 450 to find out more or email email@example.com
With incredible history and a fairytale setting, Coombe Abbey Hotel is the perfect venue for your Wedding Day. Originally a 12th Century Cistercian Abbey, this unique building has been lovingly restored to its former glory. Now as a premier wedding venue in Coventry and Warwickshire, Coombe Abbey Hotel offers an unrivalled setting for your celebrations. Standing in 500 acres of parkland, majestically overlooking a moat and lake with formal gardens, Coombe Abbey Hotel offers stunning photographic opportunities. Call 02476 450 450 to find out more or email firstname.lastname@example.com
Marquee for larger events holding up to 500 guests – Perfect for self-catered and Asian weddings.
Food & Drink
NO ORDINARY SUNDAY FROM £74.50PP Not a fan of Monday mornings? Why not extend the weekend by taking advantage of our incredible offer. Steeped in history and full of character, enjoy a relaxing end to the week at Coombe Abbey. During your stay, you can look forward to: – One night's accommodation in a Crown Bedchamber (based on two people sharing) – Free upgrade to a feature bedchamber (subject to availability on check in) – £25 per person dinner allowance to use in the Garden Room Restaurant – Full English breakfast – A Bicester Shopping Village 10% discount and VIP Lounge Pass Book now! Call 02476 450 450 or visit http://www.coombeabbey.com/deals/no-ordinary-sunday/ *Terms & conditions apply. Please see website for details.


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Actress And Singer Demetria Mckinney Keeps It "100" With Her First Music Video Featuring Da Brat! [VIDEO]
Actress Demetria Mckinney has been making alot of noise from doing televison shows with Tyler Perry and a few movies as well, now she is doing what she does best and that is delivering great music for the fans of Tyler Perry's "House Of Payne" and "The Rickey Smiley Show". Check out her latest music video as she gets a feature from Da Brat!
Demetria Mckinney Feat Da Brat-"100"
I have always known that she was a great singer and between you and me, I used to have a crush on her. My best friend used to be married to her friend. We never got the chance to meet, but one day it will happen.


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Every time this year that someone asks me, "Has your summer been relaxing?," I want to respond as Mr. Beaver responded to Susan Pevensie: "Who said anything about relaxing? 'Course it isn't relaxing. But it's good. It's the summer, I tell you." (I think that I could probably use quotations from Lemony Snicket and C.S. Lewis to describe everything in life. But I digress.)
The highlight of these busy weeks was my brother's wedding. After several days of heavy downpours in Sarasota, we worried that the outdoor wedding would be a mixed bag of love and rain — in the same way that "a trip to the zoo would be a very mixed bag if the weather were beautiful, but all the man- and woman-eating lions were running around loose" (and there's your Snicket quote for the day).
But, alas, our worries were for naught. God cleared the sky and gave a beautiful day to celebrate my brother and his bride.
Has your summer been relaxing or busy? Do you quote books during otherwise normal conversations?


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Sea of blood: Over 1000 pilot whales slaughtered by hunters off the Faroe Islands
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES The gruesome butchering of these majestic animals goes back over 500 years and the annual summer hunt is even considered a family activity by many
The gruesome butchering of these majestic animals goes back over 500 years and the annual summer hunt is even considered a family activity by many.
Activist group Sea Shepherd works tirelessly to prevent the brutal killings and this year saved hundreds of pilot whales from being hacked to death by blunt hooks and knives.
Captain Peter Hammarstedt, who commands anti-whaling vessel the Bob Barker, told the Irish Mirror about the twisted tradition ahead of a talk for World Vegetarian Day in Dublin yesterday.
He said: "Sea Shepherd has had a presence in the Danish Faroe Islands since June. The campaign has been one that has lasted four months.
"It's specifically at this time of year, because this is the bloodiest time of year.
"Between June and September, that's when the pilot whales migrate past the coast of the Faroe Islands, that's when there is most likely to be one of these hunts. We've had an onshore and off-shore presence since then."
The hunt involves pods of whales being driven towards the shore, then having their spinal cords slashed by hunters.
Peter, 29, explains: "The Faroese claim that this is the fastest way to kill these whales. They say the hunt is over in two or three seconds, when they sever the spine.
"But the reality is that the fear and terror for these animals begins the moment that they start being hoarded towards the bay.
"Their sonar gets disrupted and they get the feeling that they're running up against a cliff wall. They keep having that feeling until they finally run up onto the beach.
"If they don't beach themselves, someone will wade into the water with this blunt hook and pound it into their blow-hole, to then pull them up on the beach."
The group keeps a 50-strong presence on the shore and four to five small boats in the water, ready to intervene at a momen's notice.
Sea Shepherd are an unwelcome presence on the islands, but an effective one.
During the summer hunt last year, some 300 pilot whales were slaughtered. This year that figure dropped to 33.
But Peter says he still cannot believe the cruel practice has not been consigned to the history books.
He said: "What the Faroese do, is while they're out fishing or doing transport, when they come across a pod of pilot whales they will call to hunt.
"That means that the nearest village will mobilise their sea assets, join them at the pod, and they'll then chase the pod into one of 23 designated killing bays.
"They chase them by using fish-finders, or sonar, to disrupt their internal navigation and basically frighten and terrorise these pilot whales to shore.
"On shore are dozens, sometimes hundreds of men and boys are waiting with hooks and knives.
"They are ready to sever the spinal cords of these pilot whales in this age old blood-bath that has no place in this century."
The tradition is so accepted in the Faroes, that young children are often brought to witness it and even participate.
Peter said: "You've got to be 14 years old to actually partake in the killing. But the entire community partakes to varying degrees.
"I've seen the aftermath of one of these grinds myself.
"About four years ago I was in the Faroe Islands undercover and I documented the aftermath of a hunt in a place called Klaksvik, where 236 pilot whales were brutally slaughtered in this two hour blood orgy.
"As I walked the docks and photo-documented the aftermath, there are kids jumping around on these pilot whales, they're playing around on them. It's very much an accepted part of Faroese culture."
Sea Shepherd activists use whatever methods they can to protect the creatures.
This typically involves finding the pods and guiding them away from the shore to safety.
Peter said: "We have told the Faroese police and the Faroese people from the get go that we weren't just going to stand by and document this taking place.
"We were going to directly intervene and physically stop it."
He adds: "We measure our success by how many lives we save.
"Although there has been one hunt where 33 pilot whales were killed, we can compare this year with years previous.
"In the year leading up to this one, in the same time period, there were about 200 or 300 killed.
"We know from the pods that we've led away from the beaches that we have saved hundreds of pilot whales this year.
"While we were there, there was one pod that was very close to the shore. We weren't able to detect them early enough and 33 pilot whales were killed.
"Three of our small boats were arrested and detained by the Faroese and Danish police, who were there as a support. Six of the land base crew were arrested."
There is a lot of animosity towards the activists among the locals, and one volunteer was attacked while on lookout duty.
Peter said: "One of crew members was physically assaulted. They were on a look-out position, keeping an eye out for pilot whales so they could give our small boat teams advanced warning.
"While they were up there, this gentleman stopped his car, got out, pulled our volunteer out of his automobile and punched him several times in the face, and broke his hand as well.
"He's now in jail, I think he was sentenced to six months as a result."
The killing of marine animals is illegal under European legislation, but the Faroese do not recognise the laws.
Peter said: "The Faroe Islands are a protectorate of Denmark. Under Danish law, under European law, under Irish law, it's illegal to kill marine mammals.
"Despite that the Faroe Islanders, under their home rule act, take a different interpretation of that.
"When that hunt did happen (earlier this year), we saw the full force of the Danish military come down on us.
"The Danish Navy arrested these three small boats. Danish police and Faroese police arrested the people that were on shore.
"So even though this hunt is unlawful under Danish law, we're still seeing the Danish police coming to the Faroe Islands to basically allow it to continue."