text:
Cover Story: Laughing Matters
After years of focusing on original dramas, cable networks are launching a slate of several half-hour, live-action, adult-targeted sitcoms — a genre the broadcast networks had curtailed in recent seasons.
Nearly a dozen networks have launched or are planning to introduce original comedy series over the next year, while comedy staples such as HBO's Entourage, Showtime's Weeds, and FX's It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia continue to draw big ratings numbers for their respective networks.
Unlike the broadly targeted, feel-good, values-driven comedy sitcoms of the 1980s and 1990s, this new generation of comedy shows is more irreverent, skews younger and is aimed squarely at niche audiences.
The troubled economy and discouraging developments in world affairs — coupled with reality-show and drama-laden broadcast-network schedules — have spawned a renaissance of comedy on cable, programming-network executives said. And given the genre's typically cheaper production costs and superior off-network syndication prospects, compared to hour-long dramas, programming executives said sitcoms represent a potential revenue bonanza that will continue to deliver returns well past a show's original network run.
"Reality shows are cheap and have almost replaced comedies on the networks, so now the comedies are finding homes on basic and premium cable — you can do more focused and more niche comedies on basic and pay and, hopefully, they'll provide a return on investment for the networks," said Starz executive vice president of programming Stephan Shelanski.
While cable networks are starting to more aggressively mine the situation-comedy space — 2009 Emmy Awards nominations in the Outstanding Comedy Series category went to Showtime's Weeds, as well as HBO's Hollywood insider series Entourage and music-themed Flight of the Conchords — the sitcom has been a staple of big networks since TV's early days.
Such shows as I Love Lucy, Leave It to Beaver, and The Andy Griffith Show dominated broadcast network schedules in the 1950s and '60s. In the 1970s and '80s, comedies such as Happy Days, All In the Family, Family Ties and The Cosby Show consistently topped the television ratings.
But in the late 1990s and 2000s, reality shows such as American Idol and Survivor and procedural dramas like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 24 and NCIS gained popularity among both viewers and network executives.
For the most part, broadcast networks have favored cheaper reality fare and more durable drama series over comedy. The 2009-10 broadcast-television season featured fewer than 20 traditional, live-action half-hour sitcoms — less than half the nearly 40 comedy shows that were on the air just 15 years ago.
No sitcom has ended the broadcast year as the top-rated show since NBC's Friends in 2001. None have even finished in the top 10 since 2004-05, when CBS's Everybody Loves Raymond finished at No. 9, per Nielsen.
"[Broadcast comedies] started to become predictable and very formatted, and, as a result, there were fewer and fewer successes among them," said TV historian and former research executive Tim Brooks. "Broadcast networks have a very short trigger and they have to get a big audience very fast. Otherwise, it's off the air very fast."
Not that original live-action comedy series were a big draw for cable networks during that time. With the exception of HBO, which successfully tapped the genre with The Larry Sanders Show and Arli$$ in the late 1990s and early 2000s, cable's original-programming lineups mirrored those of the broadcast networks in the development of realty and drama series.
"It's really amazing how long its taken cable to pick up on this, because the broadcasters have been moving away from comedy for the past 10 years," Brooks said.
That trend began to shift in recent years as HBO launched Entourage in 2004, a comedic look at four friends trying to navigate their way through the world of entertainment.
The pay network has followed up this year with the launch of Eastbound and Down, about an obnoxious, washed-up pro baseball pitcher who reluctantly returns to his hometown to teach a high school physical education class; Hung, in which a down-on-his luck former athlete transforms into a gigolo to make ends meet; and Bored to Death, which follows the misadventures of a young Brooklyn writer who emulates heroes from classic private detective novels in an effort to solve real life mysteries.
All three series have been picked up for 2010, according to HBO Entertainment president Sue Naegle.
In 2007, TBS — which rebranded itself as the "very funny" network — partnered with movie producer and playwright Tyler Perry to develop House of Payne, a series about a multigenerational African-American family living under one roof.
TBS's Payne has since averaged a cable comedy-series record 3 million viewers over its two-year run. A second Perry-produced comedy series, Meet the Browns, has matched Payne in drawing 3 million viewers since its launch this past January.
With so few comedy shows coming into syndication from the broadcast networks, said TBS, TNT and TCM executive vice president and head of programming Michael Wright, it was imperative that the network look to produce its own originals to support the brand message.
"We're always going to look to our friends at the broadcast networks for comedies we can acquire and put on our network, but we can't rely on them," Wright said. "So, we had to start building on them, and thus far we've been successful."
One theory for comedy's absence is that the industry went though a "funk," said FX president John Landgraf.
"The broadcast networks are trying to make shows that aggregate a lot of people and family audiences, but that's hard — it's been a long, long time since a comedy was No. 1," he said. "I think it grew to a point where there were too many comedies different in quality, the genre got overexposed and a lot of broadcast networks basically gave up on it. Then it got so sparse that [cable] programmers recognized an opportunity."
ABC Family executive vice president of original series programming and development Kate Juergens said that the country's more downcast mood makes the climate ripe for a comedy renaissance on television through cable. People are turning to comedy shows to relieve the stress of the day and laugh, she said.
"We thought it was time to try comedy partly because of the economic climate and world climate — you just want something that makes you laugh when all the news around you that you're hearing is bad," said Juergens, who launched two ratings strong series this summer in the music and family-themed Ruby & the Rockits and the teen high school laugher 10 Things I Hate About You.
The network, which is mostly known for its millennial-targeted dramas like The Secret Life of the American Teenager, has also picked up two half-hour comedy pilots — one untitled series starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, and one written by Michael Jacobs (Boy Meets World) about a family dealing with its patriarch's recent job loss.
Even indie-film purveyor IFC is taking a stab at comedy-series development, with several yet-to-be-disclosed comedy pilots lined up for 2010. The new shows follow up on the summer's limited-run series, Bollywood Hero, according to IFC vice president and general manager Jennifer Caserta.
Referring to its comedy shows as "alt-coms" — alternative comedy series — Caserta said IFC's idea is to move beyond traditional sitcoms into an area that suits the network's specific audience. In IFC's case, she said, that's young male viewers.
For networks like FX, comedies represent a cheaper counterbalance to heavy drama offerings like Damages, Nip/Tuck and Sons of Anarchy. Last month, the network launched The League — tracing the exploits of a group of fantasy football players — and it will bow an animated sitcom in 2010.
While hour-long dramas cost in the neighborhood of $1.5 million per episode, an installment of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia — produced in-house at FX Productions — can cost a little more than half of that figure.
Comedies like Sunny, which stars Danny DeVito as one of four self-centered owners of an Irish bar, also provide the network the ability to reach younger viewers. It's currently ranked third among all basic-cable scripted series in reaching 18-to-34 and 18-to-49-year-old adults, according to FX.
Comedies — with their different styles ranging from traditional high-brow humor to raunchy, adult-targeted content — allow cable networks to tailor shows to their target audiences' tastes.
"Comedy can be so disparate for whoever the audience is … it really is different for different demographics," said Starz's Shelanski.
Showtime has found success targeting adults with darker comedies such as Weeds; The United States of Tara, starring Emmy award winner Toni Collette as a schizophrenic wife and mother; and Nurse Jackie, with The Sopranos star Edie Falco as a conflicted nurse. It hopes to continue its run of successful comedies with the 2010 launch of Episodes, a series about a British couple whose hit U.K. show is turned into a dumbed-down American sitcom.
Lifetime is targeting its core female viewers with family-based sitcom Rita Rocks, and Sheri, starring The View's Sherri Shepherd as a newly single mom.
Starz will offer at least two comedy shows in 2010 targeted to its core 30-to-45-year-olds — sophomore series Party Down, which follows a group of aspiring actors working temporarily at a catering company, and a new series dubbed Gravity, about a group of suicide survivors.
"Comedy is becoming a lot more niche, which feeds into basic cable because you can afford to have more niche comedies that maybe have a stronger audience within a certain demographic," Shelanski said.
Stand-up and sketch-comedy heavy Comedy Central will delve deeply into scripted fare in 2010, in an effort to remain relevant to its young male viewers, president of original programming Lauren Corrao said.
On the successful heels of Emmy-nominated series The Sarah Silverman Program, Corrao — who'll leave Comedy Central at the end of the year to become a program producer — said the network has some 20 original comedy series scripts in the pipeline that it will sort through.
The network has already launched two scripted series this year: Michael and Michael Have Issues, focusing on the behind the scenes antics of two sketch-comedy series producers; and Secret Girlfriend, an irreverent look at the lives of single guys in their 20s.
As comedies keep entering the picture, more networks are exploiting them as a way to differentiate themselves.
And as advocates of the genre might say, good sitcoms won't ever go away — they'll live on forever in reruns.
"Comedy never died and never will die — people are never not going to want to laugh," FX's Landgraf said. "It's just morphing into a business that can thrive through all these various niches within the fragmented universe of television."


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Tonight I sent the last two queries for this year's query goal of 10. While I was perusing agency websites, I found three that I liked, so I figured I'd send an extra.
When you are sending queries, it's recommended to direct your submission to a specific agent, if possible. Some agencies are just one agent; if that's the case, things are easy. Many multiple-agent literary agencies have bios of their agents on their websites, usually including what each one is specifically looking for. As I looked back over my 2013 queries, I realized that a majority of them went to female agents. Since Dragon is about a strong female main character, it makes sense.
I can't officially claim that I've reached my goal for the year, since sending queries is different from getting rejections and my goal was 10 rejections. (Of course, if I end up with an agent, that would be good, too!) I have, however, taken all the steps I can to reach the goal. Now it's just a matter of patience, and as usual, I'll let you know!.
I also realized that I haven't updated you since my last submission, so I should also tell you that I got two more rejections in the last month.
Here's the count to date:
Query Count 2013: Rejections: 8, Pending: 3, Still to Send: 0.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Real Reason We Need to Stop Trying to Protect Everyone's Feeling:
There's that saying: The road to hell is paved with good intentions. When it comes to censorship, one might say that the road to thought and speech control is paved by people trying to protect other people's feelings.
Of course, the real and fair solution is much less politically correct but effective. It's to stop trying to protect people's feelings. Your feelings are your problem, not mine—and vice versa.
Real empowerment and respect is to see our fellow citizens—victims and privileged, religious and agnostic, conservative and liberal—as adults. Human beings are not automatons—ruled by drives and triggers they cannot control. On the contrary, we have the ability to decide not to be offended. We have the ability to discern intent. We have the ability to separate someone else's actions or provocation or ignorance from our own. This is the great evolution of consciousness—it's what separates us from the animals.
College Campuses should be amongst the friendliest places in support of the free exchange of ideas. However, they are failing miserably in that role:
Crippling the delivery of unpopular views is a terrible lesson to send to impressionable minds and future leaders, at Wesleyan and elsewhere.
This is simply the latest proof that colleges and universities in this nation are turning from bastions of free speech and academic freedom to institutions that are enabling and enforcing "speech codes" that student activists demand. The result is the death of "robust intellectual debate" on campus.
The campus speech police at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee just declared "politically correct" to be taboo.
There seems to be growing awareness of the problem. Organizations like FIRE are fighting the good fight in trying to rectify the situation.
George Will had some terrific remarks on the matter delivered last April (excerpts):
transcript video
What I want to talk to you about tonight is the amount of intellectual ingenuity that is now devoted to rationalizing the disappearance of free speech. For forty years now, every bit of jurisprudential thinking about the First Amendment has been devoted to explaining how we can balance First Amendment freedoms against other competing and superior, we're told, values, balancing away the First Amendment one bit at a time.
…Today's attack is different. It's an attack on the theory of freedom of speech. It is an attack on the desirability of free speech, and indeed, if listened to carefully and plumbed fully, what we have today is an attack on the very possibility of free speech. The belief is that the First Amendment is a mistake.
...The longer I live around politics, and I'm now in the second half of my fifth decade in Washington, the more I believe that only ideas have large and lasting consequences. We are living today with the consequences of two bad 19th century ideas that were imported like much of progressivism from Germany.
…Of course free speech zones are now common around the country. Some of us thought that James Madison of the great class of 1771 of Princeton University, that James Madison established a free speech zone coast to coast.…Because our minds are made up in a social context, we really have no minds of our own. The minds are social constructs. This is a kind of totalizing way of looking at the world and it leads, as night to day, to totalitarian impulses.…The Declaration in the light of which the Constitution being construed is a charter of limited government, limiting the government to protecting natural rights.
Well that was not good enough for Woodrow Wilson. Progress for him meant progress up from the founders. Science was in the air at the time: Edison, Ford, Marconi, the Wright Brothers. And political science had its own day. He was present at creation, indeed he was the creator, of the academic study of administration, which represented his worship from afar of Bismarck's Prussian bureaucracy. In 1912 during the campaign, Woodrow Wilson said the history of liberty is the history of limits on government power. Ah yes, he meant the history of liberty, not the future of liberty.
…Yesterday, as I said, we saw the Democratic's probable presidential nominee say that one of the four most important things she wants to do in the world is end Citizens United and end the First Amendment as we have known it, to empower the government to protect the American people from money in politics, all of which is spent to disseminate political advocacy. For four and a half decades in Washington I've seen many bad laws passed, and none as bad, none as ominous, none as symptomatic as the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law. A lot of people say, refer to the campaign finance laws, they say well they're to prevent corruption or the appearance thereof and they always refer to them as the post-Watergate campaign finance laws. Not true. Yeah, they came after that. The impulse to regulate campaign spending in a serious way was not because of the 1972 Watergate break-in it was because of the 1968 Gene McCarthy campaign. The Democratic Party was appalled that Gene McCarthy was able to mount a serious insurgency against an incumbent president because he got Stewart Mott and about 8 other wealthy people to give what then was serious money, a hundred thousand dollars apiece, to empower his campaign. And the Democratic Party set out on all campaign finance regulations since then traces its pedigree to this impulse. They must stop this from ever happening again, to allow a small group of dedicated supporters from enabling an insurgent campaign to challenge the incumbent orthodoxy of a party.
…What we see in this comprehensive, metastasizing attack on freedom of speech, an attack on what Jonathan Rauch, in his wonderful 1993 book, Kindly Inquisitors, about this subject, called an attack on the three pillars of an open society. One is an attack on democracy itself, on how we decide who will exercise power. Second an attack on capitalism, which is how we allocate wealth and opportunity through impersonal markets. And third an attack on science itself because science exists to unsettle things. Science is how we decide what is true. And instead today we are constantly plied and belabored with the assertion that science about this, that, and the other thing is settled. Solved. Cholesterol, climate change, you name it. Well, if the electorate is not sovereign, if the electorate's mind is passive to the touch of advertising, then democracy is a ruse and a sham. If markets never reflect the real desires of people, then there's no need to respect capitalism. And if science is not to be allowed to unsettle things, if science is to be a series of closed arguments, then the way we discover the truth is closed.
This is why what you tonight are supporting here goes to the very heart of the American experience, and is part of continuing resistance to the bad ideas that came from abroad in the 19th century when Americans went to Germany because we did not have graduate schools. I leave it to you to decide whether we've progressed in that regard.
What is happening on our campuses is contributing to the marginalization of the academy, and that's an excellent thing. If the academy is going to be taken over by people adopting an adversarial stance to American culture, the American past, and the American founding, then let it be marginalized and made ridiculous.
…Second, we are learning things. My idea of heaven is endless learning, and we're learning a lot because of what's happening on campus. We're learning who are the cowards and who has spine. And there are more people with spines out there than we might have thought, and the William F. Buckley Program and others are finding them, nurturing them, supporting them, and giving them additional courage.
Third, the current nonsense on and about campuses, really does, if you stand back and let it, add to the public stock of harmless amusement. For example, we have learned that there are 93 members of the California state legislature who have never had sex. How do I know that? I know that because they passed the affirmative consent law, which says, this is the guidance to these hormonal young men and women on campuses, it says there must be affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement at every stage of a sexual activity. The authors of that do not know what they're talking about.
…We're not such a fragile people. In 1859, Abraham Lincoln gave a talk at the precursor of what became the Wisconsin State Fair. At the close of his remarks, he told the story about the oriental despot who summoned his wise men and gave them an assignment. He said, I want you to go away and don't come back, until you have found a proposition to be carved in stone, to be forever in view, and forever true. Some while later the wise men came back and proposition they had was this too shall pass away. How can consoling in times of grief, said Lincoln, how chastening in times of pride, and yet, said Lincoln, it may not be true. If the American people, he said, cultivate the moral and intellectual world within them as assiduously and prodigiously as they cultivate the physical world around them, we shall endure.
It's true of the idea of the American founding, which is what we're all here to talk about tonight. We are not a fragile people and we are certainly not going to be defeated by tenured radicals.
Let's hope so!


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Specialist care - Dignity and mental health care
This section of the Dignity in care guide was written by Alison Faulkner.
You feel better in yourself when people treat you with kindness and compassion.
In this section:
Dignity and mental health care in practice
- Treat people with respect – as individuals and fellow human beings. Avoid labelling people because of their diagnosis or their association with any other group.
- Provide person-centred care and support – place the individual and their needs, preferences and aspirations at the centre of care. An ethos of person-centred care upholds the dignity both of people using services and of staff.
- Promote good practice in safeguarding – focus on prevention and make proportionate, person centred responses to abuse.
- Adopt a recovery approach to mental health – in particular, help people sustain their personal identity and self-respect, which are both closely associated with the concept of dignity.
- Promote good communication – this demonstrates respect and maintains an individual's dignity. Good communication means enabling both professionals and service users to communicate. Professionals may be trained in the relevant attitudes and communication skills, but services users may need support with communication, particularly if they lack capacity.
- Tackle discrimination – through individual and local community initiatives, national programmes, policy and legislative measures.
- Engage service users from black and minority ethnic groups – take active steps to engage people and ensure their views are recorded in their care plan.
- Adopt a human rights-based approach to mental health care – ensure that people's human rights are protected at a time when their capacity, autonomy, choice and control may be compromised under mental health legislation. Where someone has been deprived of their liberty under the Mental Health Act, offer them support to deal with any related trauma.
- Preserve autonomy, choice, control and independence – provide person-centred care and enable people to state their needs and preferences in advance of loss of capacity. Methods you can use include advance statements, crisis cards and life story resources for people with dementia.
- Improve the quality of care in inpatient settings – provide patient-centred care that is individualised, comprehensive and continuous; a range of therapeutic resources; a relaxed and secure atmosphere. See for example the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health (2006).
- Promote a positive organisational ethos – from the top, encourage an ethos of respect and dignity (Carter, 2009). Include taking a person-centred approach to care and a zero tolerance of abuse.
- Provide training, clinical supervision and support – adopt measures to enable staff to examine their own attitudes and to feel supported in their role. This will encourage them to treat others with respect.
- Address environmental risks to dignity – provide single sex wards, privacy in personal care and use of bathroom facilities, clean facilities, adequate space and appropriate staffing levels.
What others are doing – ideas you could use
- Promote recovery-focused services
- Engage and empower people with dementia
- Collect users' views on dignity in care
- Raise awareness of dignity issues
- Take a holistic approach to improving dignity on the ward
- Support Dignity Action Day
- Provide same sex accommodation
- Use training and information resources
These practice examples are self-reported and have not been evaluated.
Key points from policy and research
- Adults with mental health problems are one of the most socially excluded groups in society (Social Exclusion Unit, 2004).
- Self-respect and self-esteem is central to maintaining mental health and wellbeing (Warner, 2011).
- Current government policy on mental health enshrines the concept of dignity within a strategy based on outcomes. (Department of Health, 2011)
- The Human Rights Insight Project showed that vulnerable groups see being treated with dignity and respect as the single most relevant factor when dealing with workers in the NHS or social services, compared with other principles of human rights (Ministry of Justice, 2008).
- Respecting an individual's identity and protecting their dignity will help to promote recovery, whereas acts that violate dignity and fail to respect an individual and their story can lead to further damage (Jacobson 2009; Kogstad 2009; Warner 2011).
- People in mental health units are less likely to report that staff treat them with dignity and respect than those in primary and secondary care (Ipsos MORI, 2005/6).
- Environmental issues that can threaten dignity in acute wards include overcrowding, poor staffing (levels and quality), the use of mixed sex wards and impoverished or unclean environments (Curtice and Exworthy, 2010).
- Dignity in mental health settings is supported by person centred care, improving inpatient experiences for black and minority ethnic communities, good communication, human rights and safeguarding.
Dignity and mental health care - Policy and research in more detailOpen
People with mental health problems are too often shunned and discriminated against, even in those places which are supposed to be therapeutic and caring. Yet being treated with kindness and respect by staff can make all the difference to someone's wellbeing and esteem, and hasten recovery.Paul Farmer, Chief Executive, Mind (The Guardian, 15 August 2007)
The government's Dignity in Care campaign was extended to people with mental health problems in August 2007, nine months after it was launched to influence the care of older people in health and social care settings.
SCIE defines dignity as: 'A state, quality or manner worthy of esteem or respect; and (by extension) self-respect.' This is significant in the mental health context, because of the central role self-respect and self-esteem play in maintaining mental health and wellbeing. Little of the research into dignity has been carried out in mental health settings but nonetheless much of it considers threats to dignity, such as stigma and discrimination, institutional treatment and human rights. These core themes have implications for the dignity, identity, self-respect and self-esteem of individuals with mental health problems.
Studies that have defined the aspects of dignity (Woolhead et al, 2004; Griffin-Heslin, 2005) are useful in helping us to think about dignity and mental health. They point to the central role of the 'self' in considerations of respect and dignity of identity, and of an individual's rights and autonomy – all of which can be compromised in the provision of the mental health care. The themes of autonomy and human rights take on particular significance in mental health, because of the potential for compromising an individual's human rights through the use of the Mental Health Act (1983).
Government strategy
Since 2007, dignity has featured in the performance management of local services. The five-year strategy for improving health services, 'NHS 2010-2015: From good to great', included a statement of patients' rights contained in the NHS Constitution. These include: 'You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, in accordance with your human rights'. The NHS Operating Framework for 2010/11 (Department of Health, 2009) set priorities and performance indicators for the NHS; a 'patient and user reported measure of respect and dignity in their treatment' is among the "vital signs" listed for local action'.
Current government policy on mental health, 'No health without mental health' (HMG/DH, 2011) enshrines the concept of dignity within a strategy based on outcomes. The guiding principles for the strategy are freedom, fairness and responsibility.
The policy states that people with mental health problems should be able to plan their own route to recovery supported by professional staff who place them and their families and carers at the centre:
listening to what they want, giving them information, involving them in planning and decision-making, treating them with dignity and respect, and enabling them to have choice and control over their lives and the services they receive.HMG/DH, 2011, para 2.3
The strategy goes on to state:
Those who provide support will respect the human rights of each individual. They will respect their privacy and dignity and ensure that support is sensitive to their particular needs.HMG/DH, 2011, para 3.34
Dementia care
The National Dementia Strategy (DH, 2009), provides a framework for improving relevant health and social services, stating that: 'Recent reports and research have highlighted the shortcomings in the current provision of dementia services in the UK'. The Old Age Faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, in its response to a consultation on the human rights of older people in healthcare, highlighted the following issues:
- The abusive infringement of human rights experienced by older people in care homes. This report stressed that this situation would be totally unacceptable in the care of children and that the elderly remain amongst our least protected individuals.
- There continue to be concerns raised over the privacy and dignity of care in hospitals and residential care homes.
- Older people with mental health problems are excluded from certain categories of care home even when these would best meet the person's needs.
- Many older people have no alternative but to enter a care home because the local authority does not have the financial resource to fund the care that would enable them to remain in their own homes as they would choose.
- If older people suffer from dementia and other forms of mental disorder their condition will deny them the opportunity to voice their opinions and they may have no other advocate.
Link: House of Lords, House of Commons Joint Committee on Human Rights The Human Rights of Older People in Healthcare eighteenth report of session 2006-07
Dignity and human rights
Dignity has been enshrined in international human rights since the UN Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. See legal section on Human Rights in this guide.
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) constituted a significant commitment to a human rights framework for people with disabilities. It set out a number of guiding principles, including 'respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one's own choices'. It was ratified by the UK Government in 2009. The Convention establishes internationally recognised benchmarks for disabled people's rights in all areas of life, and includes the right not to be discriminated against. Dignity is the only principle specifically mentioned in the Statement of Purpose (Curtice and Exworthy 2010).
The Mental Health Act (1983; amended 2007) is significant in this context, because it sets out the conditions under which the compulsory detention and treatment of people with mental disorders is permitted. See key legislation in the legal section of this Guide.
The introduction of Supervised Community Treatment in the 2007 amendments to the Mental Health Act led to considerable dissent. Some groups believe this form of treatment constitutes a violation of human rights. Pilgrim (2007) discusses the campaigning activities of the Alliance of Mental Health Charities, professional groups and service users formed in opposition to the Government's proposals to reform the Mental Health Act in the 1990s. Pilgrim concludes that the 1983 Act was adapted to suit the government's interests regarding social control, so reinforcing the efficiency of risk management. The Alliance did not attain its goal of a legal right to assessment, care and treatment in order to help reduce the use of compulsory powers.
The Code of Practice for the Mental Health Act (DH, 2008) suggests that the use of the Act should be underpinned by a number of guiding principles, one of which is the 'respect principle':
People taking decisions under the Act must recognise and respect the diverse needs, values and circumstances of each patient, including their race, religion, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation and any disability. They must consider the patient's views, wishes and feelings (whether expressed at the time or in advance), so far as they are reasonably ascertainable, and follow those wishes wherever practicable and consistent with the purpose of the decision. There must be no unlawful discrimination.(DH, 2008, para 1.4, page 5)
The Code of Practice further states that any intervention requiring control or restraint must be used in a way that 'minimises any risk to the patient's health and safety and that causes the minimum interference to their privacy and dignity, while being consistent with the need to protect the patient and other people'.


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Stories of happily adopted pets
The only way Animal Sanctuary Society, Inc. is able to help animals in desperate need is with the generous, tax deductible donations from caring people like yourself. We want to take this time, on behalf of the animals, to thank you very much in advance for any contributions you can send to the Animal Sanctuary Society, Inc. for this is an urgent cause; the end to their suffering, and their lives depend on it.
Sig is looking for attention and guidance from one of his service dog trainers for disabled veterans already.
Stay tuned for graduation pictures and pics of the new family he will be with in about 6 months.
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16207 Clearlake Ave, Lakewood Ranch
A truly lifestyle estate in The Lake Club, built in 2015. Boasting spectacular, one-of-a-kind amenities all on one floor, offering tennis & basketball courts, gym, motor courtyard, car museum, billiards and media rooms, library, plus 1,000-bottle wine chamber. This walled estate is in a private, gated community and surrounded by expanses of lush foliage and Savannah, creating the perfect oasis. Soaring 13' wrought-iron double door entry and 22' ceilings welcome you into the Grand Parlor. The sprawling interior overflows in custom features including Travertine and hardwood flooring, extensive granite, curved stone and coffered ceilings with exposed beams, as well as four hand-carved walnut fireplaces. The vast gourmet kitchen opens to the gathering room and features wraparound bar, island, Wolf appliances, Butler's pantry and breakfast nook with coffee station. Relish your privacy with the secluded Owner's wing on the southern end, while four guest suites occupy the north. Full walls of pocketing glass sliders throughout provide seamless indoor-to-outdoor entertaining and open to the impressive brick-pavered lanai with its 35-foot high protected cage, cabana, summer kitchen and bar, fireplace, designer pool and raised spa. The exceptional country club lifestyle that the Lake Club offers is a sought-after experience where residents enjoy a premiere neighborhood, most well-known for its beautifully designed estates. ADJACENT BUILDABLE LOT WITH 5-HOLE GOLF COURSE & 1/8-MILE TRACK IS AVAILABLE FOR SEPARATE PURCHASE.
Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch/Lakewood Rch
BB/HS Internet Available, Cable Connected, Electricity Connected, Natural Gas Connected, Phone Available, Sewer Connected, Water Available
Clubhouse, Fitness Center, Gated, Maintenance, Park, Playground, Pool, Recreation Facilities, Security, Tennis Courts, Association Recreation - Owned, Buyer Approval Required, Deed Restrictions, Fitness, Gated Community, Golf, Sidewalk, Special Community Restrictions
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The regulatory regime for Australia's agricultural exports needs to be both efficient and effective. Effective, to ensure that Australian exported goods meet the high quality standards for which our products are renowned. Efficient, to ensure that Australian exporters can be competitive in international markets, including emerging markets.
The regulatory system at the moment is overly complex. Currently, exports are regulated under 22 different Acts and the further regulatory instruments made under those Acts.
In recognition of the current regulatory complexity, the Commonwealth Government is in the process of reforming Australia's agricultural export legislation.
Reform process
The first phase of the reform process was completed in September 2015. During that phase, the Department of Agriculture consulted with industry representatives, exporters, State governments, trade partners and other stakeholders, to discuss the strengths of the current legislative regime and how it could be improved. As part of that consultation process, the Department released a discussion paper, and stakeholders were invited to make submissions on the paper. Following completion of this phase of the process, in December 2015 the Government re-affirmed its commitment to improving export legislation.
The second phase of the reform process has now commenced, and will involve the development and implementation of improvements to the legislation.
Direction of reform
The Commonwealth Government's intention is to develop a more flexible and efficient regulatory regime. This will include making the rules governing exports easier to apply, and introducing new mechanisms to improve compliance and enforcement.
No draft legislation has been released yet, so the details of the proposed reforms are not yet public. However, the Government has indicated that the reforms will include the creation of a simpler legislative structure for the regulation of exports by creating a single set of requirements for exporters, which can be applied flexibly depending on the commodity.
Another area that will be subject to reform is the Department of Agriculture's oversight of the export supply chain. The Government intends that the Department will retain this role, to ensure importers maintain confidence in the integrity of the exported products. Therefore, the Department will still be involved with site inspections and audits, and in the issuing of certificates that certify that regulatory requirements have been met. However, the reforms will clarify the legislative provisions related to these activities.
The Government has also indicated that the reforms will introduce new enforcement tools, to strengthen compliance with the export regulations. Authorized officers currently have a range of powers with respect to monitoring, investigation and enforcement. Mechanisms such as infringement notices, enforceable undertakings and civil penalties will be introduced to provide additional opportunities for enforcing export rules.
In addition to reviewing Australia's export legislation, the Department of Agriculture is also undertaking reviews into its cost recovery arrangements, livestock export certification, and the allocation and administration of quotas. The results of these reviews will be incorporated into the new export legislation.
According to the Government, the development of the improvements to export legislation will take several years. It intends to complete the reform process before 2020, when some delegated legislation that currently regulates exports will expire. Stakeholders will have more opportunities to have input into the reform process as it progresses.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
|Most awarded firm and Australian deal of
the year
Australasian Legal Business Awards
|Employer of Choice for
Equal Opportunity for Women
in the Workplace (EOWA)


text: So how about a new stream of thought? Maybe with our cash position and so many LTL, Logistics, Software (I2, MANU) companies way down in price, maybe UPS is considering a little cream skimming of its own. That is, if the cream isn't sour. How about CNF and Menlo? What will UPS do to shake up the logistics and transportation market over the next year? Takes two to partner. Go UPS! P71


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I guess they are coming fast and furious now. LOL I just posted For Sale patterns two and three today. I am really getting interested in the design behind the design. Have no idea how it will all work out, or what sort of stuff I will be making 6 months or 6 years from now, but I am really looking forward to the journey!
Next stop - wearable crochet! (don't know how that will go over, because I am SOOOO impatient!)
What do you think of my pics?


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Our recipe this week is a family-style winner! We found this delicious, quick and inexpensive recipe at Better Homes and Gardens where it is listed at an impressive 25 minute prep time and the budget price of $1.61 per serving. I made it for my kids and they gave it several very enthusiastic thumbs up!
In a large skillet cook meat and onion until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat. Stir in beans, undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, uncooked macaroni, chile peppers, chili powder, and garlic salt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 20 minutes or until macaroni is tender, stirring often. Remove skillet from heat; sprinkle mixture with cheese. Cover and let stand about 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Makes 6 servings
Filed Under: Cooking with CESI
Tagged: chili pasta skillet, cooking with CESI, healthy cheap recipes, meals for less
Consumer Education Services, Inc. (CESI) is a non-profit service provider of comprehensive personal financial education and solutions for all life stages and for all of life's milestones. Our goal is enhanced economic security for everyone we serve.
CESI is NOT A LOAN COMPANY


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As we look forward to next week's Mbongwana Star Toronto debut, we're pleased to be able to announce an added special event! Join us at the Small World Music Centre the night before, on Tuesday evening, for a FREE screening of Benda Bilili! the documentary about the legendary band that gave birth to 'the Star.' And members of the band will be on hand for an insightful Q&A with the audience.
"Benda Bilili! is a film about outcasts who defy a system that defines them as marginal. It is not a musical film, but the band's songs complement the narrative. Every problem encountered by the Staff Benda Bilili group gives rise to a song they then try out on the streets." – Directors Renaud Barret and Florent de la Tullaye
The film premiered at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival Directors Fortnight, and was nominated for Best Documentary at the 2011 César Awards, the national film award of France.
While this event is free, space is limited, so reserve your seat here. And tickets are going quickly for the Wednesday concert, so don't miss out on the advance price!
Sunday at the Centre, our friend George Koller has assembled a compelling program under the name Songs of Gaia. It starts with traditional songs and chants from the Sakha Republic of Siberia sung by renowned Saina, who specializes in the 'khomus' (mouth harp) and has sung in 25 different languages. The evening mixes improvisation with traditional elements, featuring a crack quartet of George Koller, Jocelyn Barth, David Restivo & Bruce Cassidy.
Benda Bilili! Free Screening + Artist Q&A
> Celebrating "the Star" in Mbongwana Star
Tuesday, July 18th 8:00pm – Small World Music Centre
Mbongwana Star
> Space ipno afro punk rock electro
Wednesday, July 19th 8:30pm – The Great Hall
Saina with Songs of Gaia & Victory for Freestyle
> Solo music of the Sakha Republic of Siberia, Ethno + Jazz
Sunday, July 16 – Small World Music Centre
#BollywoodMonster Mashup
> The Largest South-Asian Festival in Canada
Thursday, July 20 – 22, Mississauga Celebration Square
Small World Music supports our community partners and family of world music artists performing around the greater Toronto area. Visit the Small World Music site to learn more about all the great events happening in the city.
Support Small World
Small World Music Society is a charitable organization and presenter of culturally diverse music, supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Ontario Arts Council, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Toronto Arts Council, as well as community and corporate partners.


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Have a Halloween or fall party coming up? This Pumpkin Cheese Ball is so easy to put together and it makes the perfect centerpiece for your guests!
Serves: 12 servings
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
2 hrPrep Time
2 hrTotal Time
- 2 (8 oz) packages of cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar
- 3 tablespoons minced onion
- 2 tablespoons salsa
- 1 cup of crushed nacho-flavored tortilla chips,
- 1 pell pepper stem
- Blend together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, onion, and salsa.
- Scoop onto plastic wrap and use the wrap to form the mixture into a 5-inch pumpkin-shaped ball; chill at least 2 hours (I chilled mine over night). To serve, unwrap, roll in crushed nacho-flavored tortilla chips and press a bell pepper stem into the top.
- To make some pumpkin lines, I used some string, held it at the "pumpkin stem and pressed it into the pumpkin.
Six Sisters Stuff


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|Install Your Own Meter
As per Regulation 56(2) of Conditions of Supply Code, 2004 issued by OERC (Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission), a consumer may procure the Meter either from the Vendors certified by the Licensee (Name of Company) conforming to Licensee's Technical Specifications or request the licensee to supply the Meter & charge Meter rent as per the Tariff order. The Licensee shall calibrate such Meter at consumer's cost & seal the Meter. The Technical specifications for both Single Phase & Three Phase categories as standardized by the Distcoms are given below.


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Cottage Food Law
The Wyoming Food Freedom Act (HB 56) is a huge step forward for the "food freedom" movement in the United States. Wyoming is the first state to pass a law that eliminates almost all regulations on local, homemade food sales. It is so different that it is hard to compare Wyoming to other states with cottage food laws… this state now follows different rules.
Wyoming residents can now sell ANY kind of food, as long as it does not contain non-poultry meat. This allows types of products that are not even close to being considered in other states, like chicken pot pies, veggie lasagnas, soups, ice cream, salads, smoothies, cheese, raw milk… the list goes on and on. As long as a producer stays within this law, there are ZERO regulations from any governmental agency: that means no health department regulation, no business license, no zoning approval — nothing.
However, there is one big limitation in the law, which is that all of these homemade foods must be consumed within a private home. This restriction means that custom cake makers would not be able to sell many wedding cakes (a common item sold under most states' laws), but they might have to focus on birthday cakes instead, which are more likely to be consumed at a home. All sales under this law must be direct to the final consumer (no reselling allowed).
Wyoming still has its original cottage food law, which also only allows direct sales, and it is unclear if that law would allow some types of sales that this law does not (like a wedding cake).
It took over five years of persistent efforts by a group of individuals to get this food freedom bill passed… it did not happen overnight.
All of your products must be exchanged in-person with the final consumer. Customers cannot resell your products. Technically, items can be sold online, if they are delivered or picked up in-person.
Allowed Foods
The above allowed list was designed for most cottage food laws, and it hardly begins to describe all of the foods allowed under this law. Your products cannot contain non-poultry meat (beef, pork, seafood, etc). Aside from that restriction, ANYTHING can be made and sold under this law. Anything fresh, refrigerated, frozen, or canned is allowed, including items with poultry (chicken, turkey, etc), dairy, and cooked vegetables. This law allows more food items, by far, than any other cottage food law in the United States.
Most cottage food laws specify where your products can be sold, but this law also specifies where they can be eaten. The law states that all products must be consumed within a private home. This would not restrict most direct sales, but it would affect some. For instance, wedding cakes are a common cottage food item in other states, but sales of wedding cakes would not be allowed under this law, unless the wedding occurred at a private home. For those types of sales, you may be able to use Wyoming's original cottage food law.
No license, inspection, or training is needed. The law prevents any governmental agency from restricting your business, which means that zoning laws do not apply to you, and you do not need a business license. You can start your business immediately, without needing to call any local or state governmental agency.
Although there are no labeling requirements, you must inform each customer that the product is not certified, labeled, licensed, inspected, or regulated.
- March 2015


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DoubleHood™ Sweatshirt - Black/Light Grey Track (AA Collection)
This soft & stretchy hoodie will be a standout piece & will sure be one of your new favorites!
Features a zipper detail on the collar bone, front pockets and thumbholes in the sleeves.
This DoubleHood™ is medium weight, has a feminine fit and has a stretchier material blend in the body. Fits true to size.
95% Cotton 5% Spandex
Care: Wash in cold water, inside out. Hang dry.
- Medium/High stretch
- Generous fit
- Fits long and slim
- Material is a medium weight
- Not necessary to size up.


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Undergraduate and graduate students who have experienced sexual violence can speak confidentially to a Campus CARE Advocate to understand their rights and reporting options, including the option not to report. Students will also receive written explanations of these rights and reporting options. In addition, CARE advocates will inform students about counseling and other support resources that are available. Students accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment can refer to one of UCSB's Respondent Services Coordinators to help them understand their rights, the university's investigation and adjudication process, and available resources.
If a student decides to file a report of sexual violence or sexual harassment with the university, UCSB's Title IX & Sexual Harassment Policy Compliance Office will conduct a fair, thorough and impartial investigation and make factual findings and a recommendation as to whether a policy violation has occurred.
The Office of Judicial Affairs will review the investigation report and determine if the allegations have been substantiated and if UC's Sexual Violence/Sexual Harassment policy has been violated. Both students will have an opportunity to meet with the Office of Judicial Affairs before a final decision is made. If there has been a policy violation, the Office of Judicial Affairs will assess the disciplinary sanction(s). Students will be notified of any sanctions within 10 business days of the notice of findings, as well as options for appealing.
Campuses have long had investigation and adjudication processes in place to respond to reports of sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The new systemwide model for complaints against students establishes a consistent and efficient process for the investigation and adjudication of complaints of sexual violence and sexual harassment against students, and assigns specific authority, roles, and responsibilities to certain offices to ensure consistency across the UC system. The new model outlines a trauma-informed (using practices that are sensitive to those who have experienced trauma) and fair process for the student filing the complaint (complainant) and the student responding to the complaint (respondent), allowing both an equal opportunity to be heard, to offer witnesses and evidence, to comment, and to appeal. It also sets projected timeframes for the investigation, adjudication, and appeals process in order to provide a prompt and effective response to complaints.
No. When the university learns of an incident of alleged sexual violence or sexual harassment, it will work with the complainant to put into place appropriate interim measures as needed to ensure the complainant's safety, well-being, and equal access to university programs and activities. These measures could include no contact orders, housing assistance, academic support and accommodations, counseling, or other appropriate actions as needed.
When determining a sanction, the Office of Judicial Affairs will consider the violation itself as well as other factors including the severity of the sexual violence or sexual harassment. The university's model establishes a range of potential sanctions for each offense that all Offices of Student Conduct systemwide will consider, depending on the violation and the particular circumstances of the case.
Sanctions can range, depending on the offense, up to dismissal from the university for the most serious matters.
Yes. Both the complainant and the respondent have the right to appeal the findings and/or the sanction by submitting a written request to the Office of Judicial Affairs within 10 business days of receiving written notice of the decision and any sanctions that may be imposed. The appeal should identify the reason(s) the student is challenging the outcome, under one or more of the grounds outlined in the model.
An appeal board, made up of one to three appropriately trained individuals, will hear the matter and decide whether to uphold, overturn, or modify the decision or sanctions.
If the appeal board upholds the decision, then the matter is over. If the appeal board overturns or modifies either the findings or the sanctions, either student has one additional opportunity to appeal by submitting a written request to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs within 5 business days.
No, there is no additional appeal after the Vice Chancellor's decision. The two-level appeal process is designed to ensure a fair independent review in the event a student disagrees with a decision.
UCSB aims to complete investigations and determine any disciplinary sanctions within 60 University business days. If a student files an appeal, UCSB will aim to complete the entire process — investigation, adjudication and appeal — within 120 University business days from the date the Title IX office receives the report of sexual violence or sexual harassment. The timeframes are designed to bring a timely resolution for both the complainant and respondent.
The appropriate campus personnel will keep both students informed throughout the process.
Generally, the complainant and respondent will be notified of each other's identity, in order to conduct a fair investigation.
The university will make every effort to protect the confidentiality and privacy of both the complainant and the respondent to the extent permitted by law and UC policy. Some UCSB personnel who are involved in the case will necessarily have access to personal information, including identifying information, in order to effectively respond to the complaint and maintain a safe environment for students.
The new model provides equal opportunities for the complainant and respondent to comment during the investigation and adjudication process and to offer witnesses and evidence. Both students also have an equal right to appeal a decision or sanction, and to participate during the appeal process.
Because these processes can be complex, all UC campuses provide resources to help both student complainants and respondents understand their rights and the investigation and adjudication process. Complainants can contact a confidential Campus CARE Advocate and respondents can learn more about the Respondent Services Coordinators. Both resources also provide referrals to other services, such as counseling and academic support. Both students may be accompanied by a support person and an advisor of their choice, including an attorney, at any stage of the process.
UCSB aims to provide clear, timely and consistent communication. The appropriate campus personnel will keep the complainant and respondent informed throughout the process. They will each receive a letter notifying them when an investigation begins. At the end of the investigation, they will each be notified of the investigation's factual findings and recommendations about policy violations, and given a copy of the report. Both students also will receive the decision about whether the charges were substantiated, any sanctions imposed, and options to appeal. If either student chooses to appeal, both students can participate in the appeal and will be notified of the results of the appeal.
The complainant can contact a Campus CARE Advocate and the respondent can learn more about the Respondent Services Coordinators at any time for help in determining the status of the complaint.
A joint committee of the UC Administration and the Academic Senate, which includes student representatives, has been formed and will develop recommendations on handling cases of sexual violence, sexual assault, and sexual harassment involving UC faculty. The committee will present recommendations to President Napolitano by Feb. 29, 2016.
After the work of the joint committee on faculty is completed, the university plans to review existing processes, adjudication standards, and sanctions for cases that involve staff members.
The President's Task Force on Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence and Sexual Assault formed a working group, comprised of Title IX officers, Student Conduct Officers, Vice Chancellors of Student Affairs, students, ombuds, CARE advocates, campus police, compliance, legal counsel, and Regents that developed the model and this systemwide framework.
In addition to having students on the working group, the committee also consulted with a wide range of UC students — both undergraduate and graduate students — throughout the process. The workgroup also reviewed procedures in place at other universities around the country, and consulted with UC law professors as well as nationally recognized experts in sexual violence and higher education law.
Training has been occurring throughout the year on conducting investigations and hearings consistent with trauma-informed practices. In the time leading up to the January 2016 implementation, the university has trained campus stakeholders, including Title IX officers, Offices of Student Conduct, investigators, and individuals responsible for hearing appeals on the new systemwide standards, so these new procedures are implemented consistently across all campuses. These employees will also receive ongoing training.
Yes. UC will be reviewing and evaluating the model with input from students, Title IX officers, Student Conduct offices, and other stakeholders, to ensure it effectively addresses reports of sexual violence and sexual harassment. In addition, as legal requirements change or are updated, the university will revisit its policies and programs to ensure compliance.
You can find UC's and UCSB's policies and codes of conduct on UCSB's Sexual Violence Prevention and Response website.


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The Trinita dei Monti Church in Rome was initially established by King Charles VIII of France. He was grateful to St. Francis of Paola for assisting his dying father, Louis XI.
In admiration of the monk's holiness, he had a small convent and church built on Pincian Hill. The church was dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity.
During the Sack of Rome (1527), the church was still unfinished. It was finally completed in 1584, when the twin bell towers with octagonal cupolas, by Antonio Ruspoli were constructed. The double flight of stairs was constructed by Domenico Fontana.
The church overlooks the Piazza de Spagna. The facade is by Carlo Moderno. Pilasters divide the church into three bays. I love the view of the domes of Rome from the top of the Spanish Steps. This "Scalinata" is the widest staircase in Europe.
The vault and lunettes have scenes from the life of the Virgin by Perin del Vaga.
There is a beautiful painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
There are many beautiful frescoes inside the church. I love the "Coronation of the Virgin" by Federico Zuccari.
The elegant main altar with the baroque top was designed by Jean de Champagne.
Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Italy Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com
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The Church of Santa Maria della Pace has Glorious Raphael Frescos (vinoconvistablog.me)
- Santa Maria in Traspontina sits on the site of an Ancient Pyramid in Rome (vinoconvistablog.me)
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Tuesday January 31st
Rabbi Taub is the author of several acclaimed works elucidating the principles of chassidus including the groundbreaking teaching tool, The Map of Tanya, and the most highly attended JLI course of all time, Soul Maps. His latest work, entitled God of Our Understanding: Jewish Spirituality and Recovery from Addiction, was praised by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D. as a "masterful elucidation" on the subject of recovery. NPR's Day to Day called Taub "an expert on Jewish mysticism and the Twelve Steps." Taub's interest in the field of addiction sprang from his work in a Milwaukee Chabad House with Jewish men in recovery.
Rabbi Taub is currently Executive Creative Director of Jewish.TV for chabad.org and writes frequently for The Huffington Post.
He lives with his wife, Brocha, and their children, in Pittsburgh, PA.


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I picked Barbuzzo for our last meal before driving back home. Finding a parking was challenging. My husband was losing his cool and all of a sudden the parking Gods found a spot for us five minutes away from the restaurant. Food was pretty good and portions were generous considering the prices. Service was friendly.
Heirloom Tomato Panzanella buffalo mozzarella, freshly toasted bread, soppressata, tomato vinaigrette, radicchio, shaved red onion
I forgot to take a picture of this salad. The heirloom tomatoes could have been more flavorful but otherwise it was a refreshing salad.
Caciocavallo Stuffed Meatballs house ground short rib and pork, oregano and Calabrian chile
This dish was a bargain at $11. We got three big meatballs that were very flavorful, no surprise considering the short rib and pork combo. The sauce reminded me of my own sauce. Very bright and tasty. Plenty of melted cheese to go around.
Orecchiette house made garlic sausage, oven roasted tomatoes, pecorino, and bread crumb
It was a good pasta cooked al dente. The sausage was flavorful and the roasted tomato was very good. I actually have made this dish minus the tomatoes a few times before. We were full from the other two dishes so we took most of it home. It was still good the next day.
Salted Caramel Budino with dark chocolate crust, vanilla bean caramel and sea salt
They are famous for this dessert. It was good but too sweet for me.


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As is always customary in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, the fastest international one-make series in the world opens its doors to guest drivers, who will look to give the regular drivers a run for their money, with the chance to beat more experienced and seasoned racers from other series.
The seventh round of this year's championship, which supports the FIA Formula One World Championship at chosen events throughout the season, will be contested at the famed Hockenheimring, where former F1 ace and Le Mans competitor, Nick Heidfeld, will take his place amongst the very talented and very closely fought field, with the series celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
35-year-old Heidfeld has had an illustrious career, as the Mönchengladbach native competed for various teams during his tenure in the fastest sport on four wheels, having raced for BMW, Renault, Sauber and Williams, over a career of high and lows in Formula One. He scored 13 career podiums, finished 5th overall in 2007, 6th the following year, with his recent venture to the Circuit de la Sarthe proving fruitful, being part of the Rebellion Racing outfit for the 80th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing 4th overall, behind the Audi 1-2-3 finish.
But being a Porsche owner himself, having two cars in his own collection, Heidfeld was looking forward to a new challenge, being given the chance to drive the VIP-Vehicle, which is a 450bhp GT3 Cup sports car, especially as he goes back to an old stomping ground, but had great things to say about the well-renowned brand: "In Le Mans, I again experienced first-hand just how much the Porsche brand fascinates people. This race outing will undoubtedly be a very special experience."
Jonas Krauss, who is head of the series, was singing Nick's praises, regarding the accomplishments the German race ace has achieved, but said that the ex-Formula One driver will not have it all his own way: "Of course, it's an additional motivation for our regular drivers to go head-to-head with such an experienced and fast colleague, even though guest drivers from another racing series hardly have a chance to instantly finish in a top position, due to the high level in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup."
Heidfeld is clearly undaunted by this new adventure of his career, but is aware of the fact it's something new to get his teeth into: "I'm aware that it won't be easy to match the pace of the front-runners, and that's exactly what makes this task exciting."
So even though he has left the past of Formula One behind, and with his sportscar career seeming to keep the driver occupied, it all looks to be a new skill set to learn for the German veteran, and we'll have to wait and see how it all pans out in just a fortnight's time.


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K240 STUDIODetails https://www.harmanaudio.in/2058X00130.html
Item# 2058X00130
- Select Color
Product Actions
Sold by: RPTech
For Bulk Enquiry: Click Here
Over-ear design
Comfort for long working sessions
Semi-open technology
Solid bass and clear highs
Patented Varimotion 30 mm XXL transducer
Accurate signal transfer and great dynamic range
Self-adjusting headband
Optimum fit
Single sided cable
Easy to use
General Specifications
Headphone type semi-open
Max. Input Power 200 mW
Sensitivity headphones 104 dB SPL/V
Rated Impedance 55 Ohms
Detachable cable yes
Cable Length 3 m
Earpads replaceable yes
Audio Specifications
Maximum input power 200 mW
Audio frequency bandwidth 15 - 25000 Hz
Length 110 mm
Width 190 mm
Height 200 mm
Net Weight 240 g
Audio Interface
Type Stereo plug – 3.5mm (1/8-inch) with 6.3 mm (1/4") screw-on adapter
Gender Male
Contacts 3-pin
Detachable Yes
Wearing Style
Over-ear Yes
Studio Mixing Yes
Hi-Fi Listening Yes
Not foldable Yes
Cup Style
Semi-open Yes
Foldable No
- 1 x K240 Studio Headphones
- 1 x 3 m cable with stereo 3.5 mm (1/8") connector
- 1 x 6.3 mm (1/4") screw-on adapter
The AKG K240 Studio over-ear, semi-open headphones are designed for professional applications such as mixing, mastering and playback. Their advanced 30 mm XXL transducers with patented Varimotion diaphragms deliver a wide dynamic range, increased sensitivity and high sound levels, while their semi-open design provides a solid bass range and extremely clear highs. With impressive accuracy, musicians, producers and engineers rely on the AKG K240 Studio to clearly hear mixing details, which has made these headphones a standard in recording settings. In addition to great sound quality, the headphones are extremely durable and comfortable. Not only built to withstand the demands of countless hours in the studio, their self-adjusting headband provides an ideal fit and their over-ear pads nicely envelop the ears. The AKG K240 Studio headphones also feature a professional mini XLR connector and come with a 3 meter cable and convertible jack plug for connecting portable equipment easily. Altogether, from performance and ease of use to comfort and reliability, the AKG K240 Studio is a powerful tool for production environments.
Manuals & Downloads
The latest owner's manuals, quick start guides, and documents.
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Happy Wednesday everyone !!!
I am back to share another planner spread , this one for my Faith planner <3
I am LOVING this planner very much !!!
I tried to keep it clean and simple a bit like
the one I shared yesterday in my other Happy Planner .
As you can see I am practicing my brush lettering,lol .
Here is a photo of how the actual planner looks.
It truly is beautiful !!!
I hope you enjoy these photos I am sharing , and you feel inspired to create !
Wishing you all a wonderful and Blessed day <3


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You might think it's strange that a financial planner would recommend a blog titled "Why your financial plan sucks". But honestly, I agree with everything Joe says.
For example, a plan that is short and easy to follow will have a better chance of being put in place than one that requires an accounting degree to understand. I don't have statistics to back that up, but you won't be able to convince me otherwise; it just makes sense.
Read his blog to find out the 5 other reasons why your financial plan might suck.


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New #1
I think Windows 10 OS has been deleted from HDD, can someone advise?
Hi everyone,
Last night I tried to reset Windows 10, by using the recovery feature in the settings. I saved some of the files onto a USB stick (just word documents and excel files that I wanted to keep). The reset process was taking ages, it got up to 14% within a couple of hours and then I went to bed and left it going.
I woke up this morning and it had froze, it was still on 14% and was doing nothing, I knew I had no choice but to turn the laptop off and hope it would just either carry on or at least let me go back to Windows 10 as it originally was, but I was wrong.
When I turn on the laptop it just keeps restarting and restarting and nothing happens. I tried the HDD on a different laptop and it comes up with "No operating system found" so now I'm guessing I've lost Windows 10 and will have to purchase it again?
That's one of the problems, the other problem is that I saved those files I wanted to kep on USB, but when i try to open hem on my other laptop they are .PFILES? Protected files? How can I open them or are they corrupt now as well?
Thanks in advance for any help.


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Here is this week's news round-up for home business, micro business, sole-traders, freelancers, self-employed and any one who is interested in small business news from the United Kingdom and Ireland:
- Most small firms optimistic despite economic downturn: Almost two-thirds of small businesses in Ireland expect to grow rapidly over the next year, despite the economic downturn, according to a survey published today.
- FPB warns firms that new regulations are on the horizon: With a raft of new regulations just a week away, the FPB is helping smaller firms to understand how their businesses will be affected.
- How to Choose a Business Partner: Evaluate based on skills and personality, not emotional ties. Then define roles and formalize the agreement with the help of a lawyer
- BCC and Business Partnerships: Partnerships are at the core of the BCC services offering, providing Accredited Chamber members, and the wider business community, access to critical business expertise, advice and guidance.
- Bank Launches €500m fund to help SMEs: Bank of Scotland (Ireland) has launched a €500m fund aimed at helping small and medium sized companies which are looking to expand their operations in 2008.
- Experts demand delay to last minute sexual harassment rules: Two leading business websites have called for the delayed implementation of new sexual harassment rules, due to come into force on 6 April, after it was revealed that the regulations were only laid down in Parliament two weeks ago.
- FPB urges small businesses to follow the example of domestic customers and shop around for best utilities deals: The FPB is urging smaller businesses to follow the example of domestic energy customers and shop around for the best deals on gas and electricity prices.
- Banks tighten lending to small firms: Insolvency practitioners warned yesterday that banks were forcing entrepreneurs and family-run firms to take second mortgages on their homes and offer personal guarantees before agreeing to provide business loans.
As always this list is not exhaustive, but I hope it will give you a little overview. — ST.


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Music And Epilepsy, Part 1 – Music As a Triggerby Sara Adaes, PhD | September 28, 2015
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition affecting around 1% of the world's population. It is characterized by the recurrent occurrence of seizures, which are disturbances of the electrical activity in the brain. The type and frequency of seizures vary widely and affect different people in different ways. The causes of epilepsy are in many instances unknown and also highly variable, ranging from brain injury to substance abuse and even genetic factors.
Most patients with epilepsy achieve a remission in seizures with the currently available antiepileptic drug therapy. However, for around one third of the patients, remission is not effectively achieved, which means that seizures are recurrent, thereby affecting their quality of life and being at greater risk of depression, anxiety, and even death. These patients require multiple drug trials and, in some cases, even surgery or neurostimulation procedures.
The majority of focal seizures originate in the temporal lobe, a vital area for memory, language, auditory, and sensory processing. In a group of epilepsy conditions known as reflex epilepsies, seizures can be triggered by several different stimuli, the most common of which is light (photosensitivity). But other unusual (and surprising!) triggers have also been described in medical literature, such as reading, hot water, tooth brushing or eating.
Music also plays an important part in epilepsy. A great review by Melissa Maguire titled "Music and its association with epileptic disorders" was published in the volume "Music, Neurology, and Neuroscience: Evolution, the Musical Brain, Medical Conditions, and Therapies" of Progress in Brain Research, earlier this year.
As discussed in that review, the connection between music and epilepsy is very complex and interesting. This is because music actually has a dichotomous effect on epileptic seizures – in some patients, music brings benefit, while in others, music can trigger seizures and lead to musicophobia. And there are also those cases where musical hallucinations arise as part of an epileptic seizure.
Music as a trigger of epileptic seizures
This form of reflex epilepsy where patients experience seizures after listening to music is known as musicogenic epilepsy; it is rare, but it has been reported since the 19th century.
But again, musical triggers work in various ways. A 2008 literature review by Pittau et al went through all the case reports of epilepsy induced or facilitated by music; the authors found 110 cases published between 1884 and 2007. And some of them are fascinatingly weird.
Some patients report seizures only when listening to specific musical genres or to specific musical instruments. But there are cases where the trigger is a specific composer or even a song.
For example, there are patients reporting seizures after listening to The Beatles, Chopin, "The Marseillaise" (France's national anthem), the X-Files' theme song, both Whitney Houston and Boyz II Men, Shania Twain's ballads…
But the stimulus doesn't necessarily have to be auditory; there are also reported cases where seizures were triggered merely by singing or thinking of music.
Clinical studies using fMRI have provided evidence of an emotional component to musicogenic seizures, suggesting that, at least in some cases, seizures are triggered by the emotional response to music as and not by the auditory stimulus. Seizures stimulated by thinking of music also support this theory since there is recruitment of musical memory and its associated emotions.
But that may not be the case when neutral music induces seizures, such as a specific sound or instrument. Here, the auditory stimulus is most likely responsible.
Music is everywhere. So, naturally, having musicogenic seizures can easily lead to a constant fear of having a seizure and, consequently, to musicophobia. This in turn can lead to social isolation and, ultimately, to depression.
Music as a symptom of epileptic seizures
Music can also be part of the clinical features of a seizure. And it can occur in multiple forms.
Musical hallucinations are one of them – in rare cases, hallucinations can occur as part of temporal lobe epilepsy. These can be simple sounds, a more complex melody, or even a specific song. There is another weird and fascinating case report where a 50-year-old man described that, before the onset of his seizure, he had a vivid musical hallucination of his favorite song: Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall".
Musical craving or musicophilia is another rare and fascinating phenomenon. There are reports of musicophilia development following treatment of temporal seizures. These are thought to also be highly associated with an intense emotional experience during musical exposure; the seizures may have led to a change in the emotional response processing in the brain.
There are also reports of compulsive singing, humming, or whistling occasionally arising in association with seizures. These may represent forms of automatism occurring as a release phenomenon or a learned motor pattern.
The emotional components of speech, including melody, pitch, intonation, and gestures, are collectively known as prosidy. These components may also be affected during a seizure, inducing what is known as aprosidy. Likewise, a loss of musical ability (amusia) can also occur.
In part 2 of this diptych on music and epilepsy, we'll see how music can also be used as therapy for epilepsy.
Meanwhile, if you'd like to know more about music and the brain, I'd say the best start would be Oliver Sacks's "Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain.'
Keezer MR, Bell GS, & Sander JW (2015). Epilepsy-related clinical characteristics and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurology, 84 (17) PMID: 25917487
Maguire M (2015). Music and its association with epileptic disorders. Progress in brain research, 217, 107-27 PMID: 25725912
Ogunyemi AO, & Breen H (1993). Seizures induced by music. Behavioural neurology, 6 (4), 215-9 PMID: 24487138
Ozsarac M, Aksay E, Kiyan S, Unek O, & Gulec FF (2012). De novo cerebral arteriovenous malformation: Pink Floyd's song "Brick in the Wall" as a warning sign. The Journal of emergency medicine, 43 (1) PMID: 19682829
Rohrer JD, Smith SJ, & Warren JD (2006). Craving for music after treatment for partial epilepsy. Epilepsia, 47 (5), 939-40 PMID: 16686661
Sacks O (2008). Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain. Vintage Books, New York.
Image via Stokkete / Shutterstock.
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When a person or business cannot pay all their debts when they are due, they are considered to be insolvent.
The financial model for most individuals and businesses is quite simple. Money is earned, and money is paid out.
The aim, of course, is to ensure that the money coming in is more than, or at least equal to, money going out in bills and expenses. Any money left over after paying bills is known as profit for a company, or disposable income for an individual.
If those bills cannot be paid when they are due, the business or individual is considered to be insolvent.


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After all, when BookPals launches, not only will you have access to the easiest bookkeeping software you have ever seen, but as a BookPals user, you will also be part of the BookPals Community, where we will help each other with our businesses.
We have narrowed our choices for the podcast cover down to two finalists -
Which one do you think we should use for the podcast cover?
To make things easier for you, we have created a poll on Facebook and we would really appreciate it if you would give us your opinion.
If it is easier for you, just Contact Us and let us know what you think.


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Major League Baseball apparently still has not done enough to get rid of this steroid nuisance that has plagued the league for over twenty years.
The most current cheater is the New York Mets relief pitcher Jenrry Mejia. He tested positive for using Stanozolol. The drug is a synthetic steroid.
Mejia will be suspended for the next 80 games.
Mejia said,
"I know the rules are rules and I will accept my punishment, but I can honestly say I have no idea how a banned substance ended up in my system. I'm sorry to the Mets organization, my teammates and the fans, as well as my family."
Baseball more than any other sport should spearhead drug testing and have the toughest regulations. The sport has had this black eye for far too long.
Fantasy Baseball Team (Movie Edition)
Personally, I can not watch the sport without thinking about if someone is using performance enhancers.
What ever happened to pride?
Photo: Howard Simmons/New York Daily News


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How to insert an HTML system from the WEB site or CD into Autocad
First select the system you wish to insert in to Autocad (Available from the CD or from the WEB site).
When Internet Explorer opens the system; (an HTML file), choose edit – select all,
Select edit – copy.
Open Autocad. Select insert – OLE Object.
Select Microsoft Word Document (as OLE object type).
Microsoft Word opens…Select edit – paste.
Close Microsoft Word and you will return to Autocad. Now you have the OLE object properties window open.
Scale using the %, and select photograph quality (for better print resolution).
If a special file format must be used, please call Rectorseal tech support @ 713-263-8001.


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Michael151348 necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 71 diseños de 28 diseñadores freelance.
McMahon Osborne Group
We are an accounting & taxation business operating since 1988, and we guide & assist our valued clients in these areas as well as superannuation & investments. We pride ourselves on being pro active in the area of assisting small business clients to grow their profits, improve cash flow & enhance business owners lifestyle.
Our core purpose is to "Create lasting financial security, with a balanced lifestyle, through education."
Our Core Values are:
- Passion
- Commitment
- Congruency
- Honesty
- Balance
Our aim is to be seen to be "walking side by side" or "hand in hand" with our clients.
We want to be recognised in the community as "being there" for our clients & team - we want them to know that we "have their back" as they embark on their Business & financial journeys.
Small to Medium sized business owners looking for assistance/guidance in growing their businesses and subsequently their wealth & lifestyle.
We are looking for a logo that represents our core purpose & values.
We are a solid accounting firm with mainstream colours & logo, but now require some modernisation to represent the fact that we are innovative but still have that solidarity about us - that we don't go changing things "on a whim" !
You can see an example of our logo at :
Logo can include a picture or just the name and/or initials - McMahon Osborne Group or mog
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Storm Before the Calm
Around 7am (or sometimes 6am, yawn), Benaiah wakes up to eat. I feed him, change him, then put him in the highchair. That is his sideline seat to watch the action. The next 45 minutes is a constant laughing, scurrying, cat-petting, hair-brushing, bed-making, toothpaste-squeezing, whizzing blond-haired frenzy. Lunches? Backpacks? Piano bags? Tae Kwon Do uniforms? Shoes? Coats? Hats? Mittens? Smiles? Kisses? They are out the door, then one last wave from the balcony. That's the storm.
Then I boil an egg, slice some feta cheese, toss a few black olives on my plate, prepare a pot of tea, and sit down to a silence that stands out in sharp contrast to the previous hour. Benaiah sits with me as I have breakfast and read my Bible. Then I pray for those blond-haired frenzies. That's the calm.
It's really too much for him. The storm he takes in each morning, then the quiet calm. It has this effect on him.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Welcome, Lydia Leigh
Monday, January 26, 2009
Urgent Prayer Request
Friday, January 23, 2009
Things I've Learned from Teens
Thursday, January 22, 2009
All about the sound
When I got chosen to be on the high school softball team, I was only in the 8th grade. Impressed? (Not enough people signed up, so they went digging into junior high. My future sister-in-law Cassie was dug up as well!) We went to the first practice and were told to go buy cleats so we could slide into bases. At that point, we were confident we would actually be sliding into bases and not just sitting the bench, so we went to buy cleats. My mom sent my big brother Tim to help me pick out my cleats. Tim pulled several off the shelf and told me to try them on. I did. I shyly began suggesting others until he was onto my scheme. He said, "Sara, you just want shoes that make a lot of noise when you walk!!!" He was right. I wanted to be heard when I walked to practice, after all I was an 8th grader on the varsity team! Well, the point of this is that my girls all signed up for clogging club. They were bouncing off the walls when they came home and told me it was being offered...I said, "Oh wow! You get to learn to dance! I've seen clogging on America's Got Talent last summer!" They responded, "Yea! And we get to get clickers on our shoes!" and "You can only wear your taps on tile!" and "You should hear how loud they are!" and suddenly I remembered my cleats! I have thought from the beginning that it was all about the sound, but after seeing their stellar performance on Monday afternoon, I think they also learned a thing or two. Thanks to Miss Newcomer who gave of her time to teach them. I confess I once googled Miss Newcomer. She's all over the internet...seems she was the 4H queen. I am yet to find something she can't do. I've included a video clip of Mary Erin, and Miss Newcomer, clogging.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Hey, buddy, scoot over!
Then I heard, "Hey, get outta my seat! I'm Mary and I have a baby!" Yes, Mary shoved a wiseman from the park bench. We certainly don't appoint Mary as divine in our house.
Monday, January 19, 2009
January 18
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Life and Death
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Kelly, Scott, and Harper
Friday, January 16, 2009
Two Blogworthy Topics
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Benaiah's Big Day Part II
Benaiah's Big Day
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
It's That Time of Year Again!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Couple of Cute Things
Monday, January 12, 2009
Ephesus Part IV
The drive back was breathtaking. We saw multiple shepherds with their flocks. I snapped this one photo of the sheep while I was hanging out the car window, they were so close.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Ephesus Part III
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Rug Making Field Trip (Ephesus Part II)
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Turkish Home and Customs
Monday, January 5, 2009
Christmas Gifts
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Extreme Resorts (also known as Ephesus Part I)
This year we headed to Ephesus. Of all things for me to post about regarding this city rich in Biblical history and full of artifacts, I am going to post about swimming instead and save the rest for later. We went down to the hotel pool and it was almost warm (they are all like this, we are used to it). After a time of swimming, we went as a family into the hotel's hamam. Mmmm. Wonderful. Ross and I lay on the heated marble slab, Benaiah was snug in his car seat enjoying the steamy room, all our 4 daughters were pouring hot water all over us. We felt very spoiled. The next day, Ross sent Mary Erin to check the hamam to see if it was empty. We wanted to have our private family hamam experience again. She came back and said, "Just one man in there. I peeked through the steamed up door. It looks like he has a skin colored swimsuit on." hmm. I had seen lots of speedos (not a big fan of those). Must be a beige speedo. Out of the pool we marched, all my shivering little ducks behind me. I peered in the hamam. No, it wasn't skin colored, it was skin!!! Yes. He was nude. I marched all my shivering little ducks right back out and asked the attendant to ask him to clothe himself! She said, "I can't. He is German. This is what they do." I said, "But I have children here!!!" She asked the male attendant (who had impressed me all week), who quickly handed him a towel and shooed him out of there. We couldn't get over it, nude?!
Then Ross, one of the purist men on the earth, went into the sauna. There were 10 nude men already there. He took a deep breath and said, "Ok, we are guys, I can be cool. I am just going to sit down here and be cool." He did, by the way, keep on his swimsuit. Then in walked a lady in a towel. Surely she is not... surely so. He exited as soon as possible. Later I ventured to ask him, "Ummm. Well was she...you know...old? or young?" He said, "Honey, I don't know. I stared at her toenails, which were red, by the way." I love that man!
From here on out my Ephesus posts will be cultured, for the most part. But I did have to tell you about our Extreme Resort experience first. No pictures will be posted. None were taken. :)