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Faculty perceptions of EFL student writing
David Camps
Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Estado de México
Tom Salsbury
This paper addresses tolerance for student errors in writing as evaluated by university faculty in an English as a foreign language (EFL) setting. Four different categories of professors were identified: (1) non-native speakers of English (NNS) teaching content courses in English; (2) native speakers of English (NS) teaching content courses in English; (3) NNS professors of EFL courses; and (4) NS professors of EFL courses. The research focused on tolerance for writing errors in content, organization, and mechanics. Significant differences were found between EFL instructors and content professors tolerance for errors in mechanics and content. No significant differences were found between NS and NNS tolerance for errors in any of the three areas. The paper provides example comments from the faculty participants and a discussion of the results.
Key words: redacción en inglés como lengua extranjera, inglés para fines específicos, inglés académico.
Faculty Perceptions of EFL Student Writing
1. Introduction
A study on the academic writing of 9 Mexican postgraduate students in British universities revealed that discipline-specific professors from Business, Systems, Education and Biology paid more attention to content in the students writing than they did to mechanics (Camps, 1999, 2000). The professors main focus was on errors affecting the content in the argument, analysis, and support of evidence. They deemed important that the students writing would have solid discussion and analysis of the topics they were writing about, and that these arguments were supported with enough theoretical evidence. The common policy among these professors was not to penalize the language errors except when they consistently appeared in the students essays or when these errors affected the communication of clear ideas, statements, analysis, and argumentation (Camps, 1999, 2000).
Similarly, other studies at US universities have showed that discipline-specific professors, especially from Social Sciences and Humanities, tend to focus more on errors in the content of non-native speaker (NNS) students writing than errors in the language (Vann, Meyer & Lorenz, 1984; Santos, 1988; Janopoulos, 1992). These studies have parallel findings in that they suggest that faculty members tolerate their NNS students errors in written form and that faculty make a distinction between the errors in content and the errors in language. According to these studies, NNS students need to focus on aspects that most directly affect content, such as organization, development and support of the ideas and arguments with sources (
Brown (1991) and Song and Caruso (1996) indicate that ESL professors may focus on grammatical features more than English professors do. The latter pay more attention to organization and development than they do to language use. The study by Song and Caruso (1996) suggested that more investigation in other universities is necessary in order to find out whether ESL composition of other linguistic backgrounds is evaluated differently from the rest of the faculty.
Recently, Zhu (2004) interviewed faculty from business and engineering schools at a
However, in spite of the fact that the results of the studies on tolerance for errors suggest preference for content over form by discipline-specific professors, NNS students show concern for not having correction in mechanics. Camps (1999, 2000) found that NNS students at British universities expressed concern that their content professors do not focus on errors in mechanics. They would rather have feedback on these mistakes. They not only wanted to develop content in their academic writing, but they also wanted to demonstrate that they had command of these mechanical aspects in their writing, that they handled the content in their writing and that the communication of the ideas in the content would be clearer. Thus, the students saw the preference for language correction in the assignments from their content professors as a possibility to improve their academic English (Camps, 1999, 2000). Likewise, this concern has been expressed by other ESL university students and professors (Leki, 1991; Schulz, 1996; Ferris, 2002). Students welcome feedback on grammar that they perceive to help improve their writing in English, which involves comments on standard grammar, punctuation and spelling. These mechanical aspects become important for the students (Leki, 1991; Schulz, 1996; Ferris 2002).
The results obtained in the studies by Vann, Meyer and Lorenz (1984),
The purpose of this report is to discuss the research conducted at a Mexican bilingual university regarding how much discipline-specific professors teaching in English and EFL professors focus on mechanics, organization and content when evaluating student writing, and if the feedback that EFL professors give to their students is consistent with the criteria that content professors use to evaluate written work. The study discussed in this report focuses on four different variables:
1. NNS professors teaching content courses in English.
2. NS professors teaching content courses in English.
3. NNS professors teaching EFL courses.
4. NS professors teaching EFL courses.
2. Method
The participants in this study were 31 faculty members at a private university in
The interviews with faculty consisted of a series of questions related to student essays. The essays were written by students in an advanced English course at the university level (Institutional TOEFL 503 to 530). Students enrolled in the advanced English course studied various academic majors. In order to control for essay content, students were supplied with a prompt from a single-page, three-paragraph reading about shopping malls in the
The participants arrived at the day and time of the scheduled interview and were shown the three student essays one at a time. For each composition, the participants were asked to comment on specific elements of the writing such as Do you think this student could be a successful writer in your class? Where do you think the students greatest strengths/weaknesses lie, or Please specify what deficiencies most detracted from the overall quality of the essay? The participants were also asked general questions about writing in their respective courses such as What are the requirements in your course for a good written assignment? [1] (see Appendix B). Similarly, Where do you think the student's greatest strengths/weaknesses lie? requires non-EFL faculty to assume the role of writing teacher, since they cannot speak to the issue of what they look for in student writing within their respective academic disciplines. Responses were tape recorded and later transcribed by the primary researchers.
Each response was coded in an Excel spreadsheet under one of the following categories: general comment, a comment on mechanics, a comment on organization or a comment on content. Subcategories for mechanics, organization and content were assigned as follows:
1. Mechanics: vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
2. Organization: planning, development, flow of ideas, and focus on topic.
3. Content: key concepts or main ideas, details, synthesis of ideas.
The criteria for the selection of these categories and subcategories was chosen on the basis of (1) the discussion in the literature and research previously reviewed on tolerance for specific types of errors, (2) the relationship or interaction between form (grammatical, orthographical, and lexical features) and content (meaning) (Coe, 1987; Camps, 2000), and (3) both researchers experiences in the teaching of EFL composition.
For the sake of consistency, the coding was done by the same principal researcher and corroborated by the second researcher. Inter-rater reliability was over 80%. The frequency of comments within each category was totaled, and mean scores were generated by native English speaker (NS), non-native English speaker (NNS), content instructor, or EFL instructor. The following section presents an analysis of the data along with excerpts from the interviews in order to illustrate the types of comments that the participants made.
3. Analysis
A Mann-Whitney U test was conducted to evaluate the hypothesis that median scores between EFL professors (N=14) and content professors (N=17) would differ along the variables, mechanics, organization and content. Pair wise comparisons for each variable are shown in Table 1. Significant results were found for grammar (z = -2.172, p<.030), other organization (z = -2.357, p<.018), and key concepts (z = -2.908, p<.004), where alpha is equal to .05. We include grammar under mechanics and both other org and key concepts under content. EFL professors had an average rankthat is, an average number of comments related to grammarof 19.89 while content professors averaged only 12.79 comments related to grammar. In contrast, content professors made nearly twice as many comments related to key concepts than did the EFL professors. Content professors, on average, made 20.21 comments related to the content of the essay in comparison to EFL professors, who averaged only 10.89. Since other org was a category reserved for comments on organization that we could not categorize more finely, we do not analyze this category further. The difference in the average number of comments between the two groups on all other sub-categories was non-significant, as detailed in Table 1.
Table 1. Content and EFL Professors Non-Parametric Mann-Whitney U Test
For the second non-parametric test, a Mann-Whitney U test was conducted to evaluate the hypothesis that median scores between native English speakers (NS; N=13) and non-native English speakers (NNS; N=18) would differ along the variables, mechanics, organization and content.
Table 2. NS and NNS Non-Parametric Mann-Whitney U Test
Pair wise comparisons reveal non-significant results across variables as shown in Table 2. Only in grammar did the difference between groups approach significance (z = -1.909, p<.056), where alpha is set at .05. Native English speakers made an average of 19.65 comments on grammar in comparison to the non-native English speakers, whose average was 13.36. However, this is not a significant difference between the two groups.
3.1 Interview Responses
In this section, we share several quotes from the interview responses of faculty members who address issues related to mechanics and content in the compositions of Student 1, Student 2 and Student 3. The first two responses from two NS EFL professors comment on the deficiencies that they found more distracting in the composition of Student 1.
I think it was clear, this one. [so there isnt anything...?] I mean in the other hand, on the other hand that doesnt affect me to make you feel in the most comfortable way as possible I know what that means. Its not perfectly grammatical, but I know what that means. (NS EFL professor 1, p. 1)
Just the occasional they dont have to go out of the mall I wouldve substituted leave the mall some things that I believe are Spanish thinking and that includes the punctuation problems, the use of commas excessively and that was the most noticeable. (NS EFL professor 2, p. 1)
Both responses from the EFL professors focus on the mechanical aspects of the composition. The comment from the first EFL professor pays more attention to the use of the transitional prepositional phrase in the other hand and the idiomatic expression of a sentence. In contrast, the second EFL professor focuses on three aspects in one single response: sentence structure, the influence of the students first language, and punctuation. In contrast, the second EFL professor never refers to the transition on the other hand as in the response from the first professor.
One NNS business professor and one NS humanities professor refer to the deficiencies in the composition of student 1.
I think it will be more towards the structure of how this student wrote, like mentioning the key issues, and maybe because he went and described some specifics, the student forgot about the big things that were mentioned. (NNS business professor 3 p. 2)
... Im more interested in the ideas they have rather than the grammar and the spelling. (NS humanities professor 4, p. 1)
The business professor pays more attention to specific aspects of the content in the essay, a relevant aspect to take into consideration. On the other hand, the humanities professor emphasizes more general ideas developed in the students composition. Both responses focus on the content rather than other aspects, such as mechanics and organization.
In their respective interviews, an NNS engineering professor followed by an NNS EFL professor discusses the composition of Student 2.
I think they should be more precise in what they say, they talk about good things and bad things but they never say what those are... (NNS engineering professor 5, p. 2)
Not like this because of some important grammatical mistakes, or grammar mistakes, like the use of have instead of has, which is basic, and some repetitions which are not necessary, and the use of verbs, so I think he needs more help... (NNS EFL professor 6, p. 1)
The engineering professor was interested only in the content of the students composition as opposed to the EFL professor who concentrated merely on the grammar.
One NS EFL professor and one NS business professor comment on the most distracting deficiencies in the composition of student 3:
I think just as I said some of the simple errors that I mentioned, and some interference errors, and some simple subject verb agreement problems. Ah, what complicates instead of which complicates they have problems with that, what and which, when to use them but I think those are minor. And something that Ive seen even in advanced writers, really advanced writers, they make very simple mistakes and thats common. You know, they re paying attention to the most complex structures of what theyre writing and then they lack the simplest thing and that doesnt bother. I think thats a real common phenomenon in second language learning... (NS EFL professor 7, p. 2)
He can write an assignment but the only thing is the same problems, the structure in the sentences, and the structure in ideas and thoughts (NS business professor 8, p. 3)
In these two last responses, the EFL professor is concerned only with the mechanical aspects of the composition whereas the business professors attention is paid to both the content and the form in the composition.
4. Discussion and final comments
The findings suggest that EFL professors tend to focus more on linguistic features rather than elements found in the content of a composition. These findings parallel the findings of the studies of L2 English writing in an ESL context, which have shown considerably more tolerance by content professors towards student errors in mechanics compared to content (Santos, 1988; Caruso, 1996; Camps, 2000). However, this is not to say that EFL professors are not interested in content, or that content professors are not interested in the mechanics of a composition. Participants generally found both grammar and content important when assessing the quality of the essays.
We interpret these findings in a couple of ways: First, whereas undergraduate students at universities in the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and other English-speaking countries are usually required to demonstrate a minimum level of English proficiency to be admitted to the university, students at the large Mexican university where this study was conducted do not have to demonstrate a minimal English proficiency to enter the university. Students must take the Institutional Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) before entering the university, but the exam is used only to place students into an appropriate curricular English class (not, in contrast, to make decisions about admittance to the university). Students who place into one of the five levels of remedial English are not restricted from taking content courses taught in English. Thus, instructors who teach in English are often confronted with students in their classes whose English language proficiency is simply too limited to participate successfully in the course.
A second interpretation given to the lack of tolerance for errors in mechanics among EFL content and language professors is that the professors are dealing with a much greater number of non-native English speaking essays, and as such, repeatedly deal with comprehensibility issues in grading essays. Faculty reported having difficulty understanding what their students were trying to say. The issue of comprehensibility is more serious for professors in an EFL setting and, naturally, concern the facultythey ask how they can be concerned about content when they are not able to understand what their students are writing because of poor mechanics.
Language proficiency conspires with sheer numbers to further lessen the tolerance that faculty in an EFL setting have towards errors. Although faculty in an ESL setting also come across incomprehensible essays, written both by L1 and L2 English speakers, it is rare, except in a sheltered-English setting (Brinton, Snow & Wesche, 1989), to have an entire class of L2 English learners. However, this is precisely the case for professors who instruct in English at the institution where this study was conducted. The professors we interviewed, particularly those for whom Spanish was a native language, frequently resorted to instruction in Spanish, such as summarizing the material that they had taught in English. Students questioned openly the rationale for having class in English and challenged their instructors to simply teach in Spanish.
The final lesson from the study is that no significant differences were found along the NS/NNS variable. Increasingly, teachers and scholars question the nativenon-native distinction that exists in the second/foreign language learning literature. Bhatt (2005) discusses the habits of thought in TESOL such as notions of standardnon-standard, target-likefossilized, languageinterlanguage, and other dichotomies well known in the literature. His work is focused on nativized, local varieties of English in
5. Appendices
Appendix A
Reading about Shopping Malls in the
Although every shopping mall is a bit different in design, shoppers often quickly feel comfortable in a new mall. That is because malls usually share certain features. You can almost always find most of the following: a department store, a pharmacy, a toy store, a book shop, clothing shops for all ages, shoe shops, a bank, and places to eat. These businesses are all under one roof. Most malls are enclosed, so that shoppers never have to go outdoors once they get to the mall. A few malls sometimes also have doors to shops on the outside of the mall. Every mall is surrounded by a large parking area.
Malls are not all exactly the same. In a suburb of
While shopping malls have changed American life, not all of their effects have been positive. Most of shops and services found in malls are parts of large corporations. These businesses have taken away customers from smaller shops in the area and forced them to close. That has meant fewer individually owned businesses and less control over jobs. In addition, malls are harmful to the environment. They have sometime been built on land that is important for the survival of birds and wild animals. Wherever they are built, they cover large areas with buildings and parking lots instead of trees or grass. Thus, they contribute to the general loss of nature. And finally, malls are usually far from any town center, so people must use cars to get there. This results in increased air pollution and heavy traffic on the roads near the mall.
Appendix B
Interview protocol for faculty
A. Academic demands
1. Based on the prompt, do you think the student successfully handled the content of this particular essay?
2. Based on the essay that you read do you think this student could be a successful writer in your class?
3. Based on what you read, where do you think the students greatest needs for improvement lie?
4. Based on what you read, where do you think the students greatest strengths lie?
B. Language level
1. Based on the essay you read, do you think the students level of English is sufficient to fulfill the requirements of written assignments in your course?
2. Did language deficiencies affect the overall quality of the essay that you read?
3. Please specify what deficiencies most detracted from your overall impression of this essay?
4. What do you consider to be your level of tolerance towards errors in language use?
C. Criteria for assessment
1. What are the requirements in your course for a good written assignment?
2. Do you feel the criteria you use are in some way specific to this course?
BHATT, R. M. (2005). Expert discourses, local practices, and hybridity: The case of Indian Englishes in A. S. Canagarajah (ed.), Reclaiming the local in language policy and practice,
BRINTON, D. M., SNOW, M. A., y WESCHE, M. B. (1989). Content-based second language instruction.
BROWN, J.D. (1991). Do English and ESL faculties rate writing samples differently? TESOL Quarterly, 587-603.
CAMPS, D. (1999). How far have we got in preparing students for writing assignments at English-speaking Universities? Identifying the needs for writing assignments of three Mexican Masters students at a
___________ (2000). Drawing on, adapting and recreating writing practices for their academic purposes: the case of six Mexican postgraduate students at four British universities, unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Department of Linguistics and Modern English Language,
COE, R.M. (1987). An Apology for Form; or Who Took the Form Out of the Process? College English, 13-28.
FERRIS, D. (1999). The Case for Grammar Correction in L2 Writing Classes: A Response to
Truscott. Journal of Second language Writing, 1-11.
____________(2002). Treatment of Error in Second Language Student Writing.
____________ (2004). The "grammar correction" debate in L2 writing: Where are we, and where do we go from here? (and what do we do in the meantime ...?). Journal of Second Language Writing, 49-62.
JANOPOULOS, M. (1992). University Faculty Tolerance of NS and NNS Writing Errors: A Comparison. Journal of Second Language Writing, 109-121.
Level Writing Classes. Foreign Language Annals, 203-218.
ORTEGA, L (2006). Second language learning explained? Three challenges for SLA theories, paper presented at the Second Language Research Forum,
SCHULZ, R. A. (1996). Focus on Form in the Foreign Language Classroom: Students and Teachers Views on Error Correction and the Role of Grammar. Foreign Language Annals, 343-364.
SONG B., CARUSO, I. (1996). Do English and ESL Faculty Differ in Evaluating the Essays of Native English-Speaking and ESL Students? Journal of Second Language Writing, 163-182.
VANN, R., MEYER, D. & LORENZ F. (1984). Error Gravity: A Study of Faculty Opinion of ESL Errors. TESOL Quarterly, 427-440.}
TRUSCOTT, J. (1996). Review Article: The Case against Grammar Correction in L2 Writing Classes. Language Learning, 46, 327-369.
ZHU, W. (2004). Faculty views on the importance of writing, the nature of academic writing, and teaching and responding to writing in the disciplines. Journal of Second Language Writing, 29-48.
[1]Although the questions were intended to have responses based on a generic writing sample outside the professors specific disciplines, the researchers believed that both content and EFL professors could provide comments that would contribute to the understanding of what content professors and/or EFL instructors focus on more. Whether content professors will only provide comments or will only concentrate on discipline aspects of the students writing is still an ongoing debate (see Ferris, 1999, 2004 and Truscott, 1998). However, this is precisely what the study intends to corroborate in an EFL setting.
Copyright 2002-2012 TransEarl Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.


text:
I had a stupid
clock that clucked,
cuckoo didn't work for
it clicked
the minutes
and struck
the hour when it wanted. . .
it could be
quarter past or more,
5 o clock?
it clucked just 4,
and mounted square
above the door
I ran late as it taunted
–time and me
oh, chickadee,
clicked, and clacked, and rattled
pecking hands
that finally–
chucked it,
and skedaddled.
1: of, or relating to, the cuckoo bird
2: deficient in the sense of intelligence–silly
3: more compelling word prompt for Easter–Jesus, happy egg day, bunnies. 🙂

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Denys Justin Wright (6 May 1924 – 8 February 1992), better known as Denny Wright, was a jazz and skiffle guitarist who performed with Stephane Grappelli, Lonnie Donegan, Johnny Duncan (bluegrass musician), Digby Fairweather, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Eckstine, Fapy Lafertin and many other musicians, including young rising stars such as Bireli Lagrene and Nigel Kennedy (Wikipedia).
Denny Wright's free-flowing improvisational style came to the forefront through his work with Lonnie Donegan in the 1950s. Wright was a pioneer in establishing a fresh lead guitar style in the context of the folk and blues roots from which Donegan drew his song repertoire. Drawing upon and transcending the jazz blues elements in his own background, and the vital influence of Django Reinhardt, Wright produced constantly innovative lead breaks and solos for Donegan's live work and recordings on both acoustic archtop and electric guitar.
A1 After You've Gone
A2 Miss Annabelle Lee
A3 Just A Little Love A Little Kiss
A4 Daphne
A5 Nagasaki
A6 H.C.Q. Strut
B1 Sweet Georgia Brown
B2 Shine
B3 Body And Soul
B4 Nuages
B5 Limehouse Blues
B6 Running Wild
Cooper-Wright Quintet – Tribute To The Hot Club
Label: Rediffusion – RIM ZS 26
Country: UK
Released: 1969
Genre: Jazz
Style: Gypsy Jazz
This file is intended only for preview!
I ask you to delete the file from your hard drive after reading it.
thank for the original uploader


text:
5 tips on how not to behave badly online
Engage online without descending into a snarkfest.
By BEV BETKOWSKI
It's tough sometimes not to feed the social media trolls who spew venom randomly. But it can be done.
Educational psychology and technology expert Jason Harley and social media expert Jessica Laccetti offer tips on how to engage constructively.
1. Think about why you are posting a comment.
"Ask yourself why you are saying what you are saying and what you hope to get out of it," Harley advised. "It is a personal opinion? A fact based on experience? Weigh the importance of saying something and then couch it accordingly."
"Ask yourself if you can offer something of value to the discussion," said Laccetti.
2. Cool down before answering an angry comment.
"When we get upset, we are less efficient at problem-solving and other cognitive processes, so don't respond right away," Harley suggested. "Draft a message and come back to it in half an hour."
3. Keep an open mind.
"If you want to be understood, invest time in sharing your point of view from an angle the other person can appreciate and connect with," Harley said. "If you're having a conversation about global warming with someone who absolutely loves big trucks, talk about Tesla's new electric models. It's not effective to browbeat someone. Shame is not a way of persuading people."
4. Become more literate online.
"It's not just about using technology, but using it in an appropriate way," said Laccetti. "We as users of technology need to know how to find the information we require and the communities that share our values. We need to question what we read. Even on social media, we should critically evaluate what is being said and by whom."
5. If an online conversation disintegrates, let your fingers do the walking, not the talking.
"No one is compelling you to respond," said Harley. "If it's an emoticon screaming contest with no trace of a conversation anymore, just leave. You'll probably thank yourself later."


text:
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text:
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A citrus aromatic fragrance, fresh
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text:
Product 4/17
Current Reviews: 4
~ LIMITED Quantity ~
1 pair of HAND MADE WING CHUN BUTTERFLY SWORDS COLLECTOR Knives.
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text:
Presidential Initiative Would Double Broadband SpectrumBy CIOinsight
In a planned speech to the New America Foundation, a nonprofit, post-partisan think tank, White House economic adviser Lawrence Summers is expected to provide further details on the plan, which would release 500MHz of federal and commercial spectrum over a 10-year period.
The Presidential Memorandum is part of the broader approach to free up spectrum that also includes legislation to facilitate the transition. Administration has no official estimate of the auction revenues from this plan. The actual amount will depend on effective implementation and additional design details, but based on past auctions, some analysts believe the revenue potential could reach in the tens of billions of dollars.
To read the original eWeek article, click here: Obama Initiative Would Double Broadband Spectrum


text:
Saturday, June 26, 1999 Published at 22:44 GMT 23:44 UK
Herbie takes a hiding
Herbie Hide was given a beating by his bigger opponent
Herbie Hide's controversial reign as WBO Heavyweight champion has come to an end after he was stopped in two rounds by Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko at the London Arena.
The win takes Klitschko's record to 25 wins, all inside the distance, while Hide saw his log fall to 31 wins and two defeats
Despite conceding height and reach to his challenger, Hide took a share of the opening round, landing the occasional jab and looking to hook to the body and head.
But things went badly wrong for Herbie at the start of the second, when he was floored after taking two long rights.
After taking a short count, Hide was on the retreat until he was put on the canvas again after another right hand.
But the referee rightly decided that the two-time champion was in no position to defend himself and awarded victory to Klitschko.
The defeat almost certainly spells the end of Hide's career at the top level, having been stopped conclusively the last time he stepped up in class, by Riddick Bowe in 1995.
Although the new champion is based in Germany, an estimated 100,000 people turned out in Kiev to watch their man destory Hide.
Hide's promoter Frank Warren thought his charge had taken the wrong approach to the challenge.
"I thought Herbie fought the wrong fight. He was head-hunting the guy, he should have been trying to work the body, he didn't do that, looked very sloppy and paid the price.
"I'm obviously very disappointed, I'm sure Herbie Hide is.
"Klitschko's a good puncher. He caught him with good shots and stopped him. The fight couldn't go on - simple as that.
"Anybody he hits he is going to knock out. Whether he can take a shot we don't know yet. Certainly, so far he has done everything asked of him."
Hide refused to attend a post-fight press conference sending word to the media that he was `too gutted' to comment.
In other fights on the card, Julius Francis retained his British Heavyweight title with a points win over Scott Welch, while another heavyweight, Pele Reid, was stopped inside a round by American Orlin Norris.
Sport Contents


text:
The Council members have made a national statement through their united stand on pay revision. True not all 25 members shared the same level of firmness but in a show of solidarity, the National Council has decided to defer their pay revision until such a time the revenue sources materialized as envisioned by the Government. I hope it would not be a long wait.
Now how are the other stakeholders of Bhutanese higher ups in the hierarchy going to react? Most probably feign ignorance and slyly pocket the fat pay checks. So be it. Lust for power and wealth are twin irresistible devils.
The Council members were accused of taking a free publicity ride. In spite of their strong objections in televised Sessions, the National Council members would have automatically benefited if the National Assembly passed the pay revision. It was a win-win go to many critics. I personally do not want the NC members and their families to suffer financial loss but for sake of national interest, I thank the honourable members of National Council. It is the honourable way to empower the 25 member House to combat the other 47 member House which stands for no others but themselves. Respect and dignity are earned from the fire of sacrifices and deeds of selflessness.
It was easy for the cowboy of a National Assembly Speaker to dig his spurs into the ribs of willing member horses to take a leap for the greener pastures. But the National Council members proved to be no beast of obedience even if it meant more fodder. For the first time in the history of modern Bhutan since the turn of the last century (114 years ago), power and wealth failed to win over any and all forces.
I feel relieved that the Council members did not decree that they too would donate their new excess salary to charity. The Prime Minister should follow the honourable lead of the NC members instead of some vague charity donation gimmick which some observers have interpreted as dodging PIT. I do not agree with the PIT angle but there is no denying that donation to a charity is a political publicity game. Why not leave the money with the source be it the salary difference or sales proceeds of gifts? The Government has the largest charity donation box.
I am still amazed that the cabinet of the second democratic government is all out to milk the nation for themselves and their fellows in the hierarchy set up. This continuous propaganda of more take home pay for civil servants will cause mouth ulcer to government propagandists. The only bankable source of funds is the raise in Chukha tariff which the previous government had initiated with India. Why can't this second government come up with real substantive ways to create revenues? How much can really be saved through pool vehicles and expensive electric powered cars with low efficiency track record? Really peanuts.
The government could make substantial savings in fuel import cost if it takes over the import of all fuels and then distribute through existing private outlets. If managed sensibly by honest officials, it will put a full stop to any flow back of gas, petrol or diesel to the sources of import. The import quantum will definitely reduce. The import of fuel has been identified as the main black hole of not just rupee resources but major portion of national revenue. All foreign registered vehicles fueling in Bhutan especially in border towns should be required to pay for fuel in the currency of the country the vehicles are registered.
The nationalization of fuel imports along with the 5% tax would certainly reduce import and increase revenue income for the government.
Bhutan's consumption of alcohol especially beer and stable food rice is very high. It is disproportionate to the population even after taking into consideration foreign labourers of over 100, 000. There has to be some loopholes that can be plugged to conserve national resources.
A major portion of 20% pay revision for civil servants would be generated from such easy to implement policies. And if the Bhutanese democratic leaders have the stomach to measure up to Narender Modi then go for renegotiation on hydro projects financing or power tariff. It really would improve the national financial resource and solve the rupee crisis. It is possible to earn your substantial pay as well as fulfill the promised 20% pay hike for civil servants without milking the last drop of exchequer.
I do not begrudge good pay for good input. But giving less to civil servants to have more for higher ups is NO! NO! No Good.
Sangey of Haa Wangcha. Dated 28th June, 2014.


text: Though I'm a bit late to the party on this one, I recently discovered Jaggery: A DesiLit Arts and Literature Journal. Issue number one is full of incredible fiction, poetry and essays. Some standout pieces include "what it's like to be sri lankan in 2012 for those of you who aren't" and "The Summer of Young Uncles." I'm looking forward to reading more from this journal.


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Community involvement
Our community investment efforts aim to respond to priorities set by our stakeholders and bring our community together.
For the third year in a row, the GTH is pleased to be the venue host for the Canadian Mental Health Association's: Ride Don't Hide for Mental Health. This annual community bike event aims to raise awareness and help break the stigma surrounding mental health while raising funds to support essential mental health programs in the community. The 2019 edition of this community event will take place June 23 at the GTH.
Since our inception, we have supported numerous community organizations including:
- Local and provincial chambers
- Regina Food Bank
- The Saskatchewan Trucking Association
- STARS helicopter air ambulance service
- The Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan
- Telemiracle
On an individual basis, we also support employees by providing time for charitable causes and community efforts of their choosing.
The GTH endeavours to respond to the priorities identified by our stakeholders, meets our collective vision for the future, and brings our community together.


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What Would YOU Like to Learn About Here?
I admit it: I'm a lifelong learner and an advocate of online learning, in particular. I don't think anyone is ever too old to learn new things. I mean, really, I earned my M.Ed. degree at the age of 50 – with a 4.0 GPA! I'm now 55 and in the dissertation phase of earning my Ed.D. degree. So if *I* can do it, I know younger people can certainly learn new things and pursue dreams–and older people, too, because I have had classmates in their 60s and 70s!
So with THAT introduction, and based on the writing prompt for today's Article Writing Challenge, what would YOU like to learn about here on this blog?
I have done two blog series of posts with specific themes on my primary blog (K'Lee Banks, Freelance Consultant Services), and I am currently trying to wrap another one up there; I would be happy to do likewise here, if that is something anyone would like to see.
I would just ask people to keep in mind the overall theme and nature of this blog, because I wouldn't go against my own moral standards to post about anything questionable or potentially offensive, especially because I think that would dishonor my Dad's memory–and he's the reason I started this blog! Here is some info about the purpose of this blog, from my About page:
"…the goal of this blog – to encourage others through stories, verses, thoughts, and other bits of inspiration.
This blog is my attempt, in some small way, to honor my Dad's memory and carry on his legacy of encouragement and inspiration, to help others as he helped all of us in his family, extended family, church family, and so many others during his lifetime. This is for you, Dad – I love you and miss you."
Since I do research for a living–between my freelance writing and my doctoral studies–I'm not opposed to researching some topic any of you indicate interest in, and learning something new myself in the process!
This might also be a good time to share what my own vision and plan is for this blog, in addition to what I posted above regarding the goal and purpose of this blog. I post daily "Attitude of Gratitude" posts, devotional thoughts, and scriptures on my Facebook timeline and it occurred to me that I should just "borrow" those posts and bring them here for blog readers to enjoy who may not be connected with me on Facebook.
I have been writing daily Attitude of Gratitude posts for nearly two years (started in November 2011) and then this year, I started posting daily verses from the Psalms and Proverbs. My plan, beginning in January 2014, is to post those Bible verses on a separate page for each month. I will probably start posting my daily Attitude of Gratitude posts tomorrow.
So tell me, please: what would YOU like to learn and discuss here, within the parameters of this blog's intended purpose? Please leave comments to let me know–or if you prefer, check my Contact page for info on getting in touch with me privately.


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Register here to attend in Middletown!
Virtual attendance available here!
Come hear Dr. David Nelms of The Timothy Initiative on June 11, 2018 at Middletown First Church of God. Through The Timothy Initiative, David has led in seeing over 50,000 churches started internationally and now they are also working to start thousands in the United States. He was the keynote speaker at the ERC Annual Conference in April and shared the WHY of Making Disciple Makers who Make Disciple Makers who Make Disciple Makers. Now he will share the HOW TO be a part of this growing and cutting edge movement in the Kingdom of God.


text: I've been pondering that for a few days now. If Erlang had a safe mode, where processes can be boxed in, it might be possible to do some more interesting programming. But then again, maybe not. I have never used the safe Perl or safe Tcl functions to run boxed code, nor have I ever used boxed Java (except safe for a handful of applets back in '97/'98). That may very well be a feature not worth implementing. :) One problem is definately the limit on the number of nodes. 200 nodes doesn't go very far on the public internet. I think time would be better spent ensuring that binary_to_term/1 doesn't do strange stuff when it gets an unexpected binary (stack smashing attacks, etc.). Mickael Remond <mickael.remond@REDACTED> wrote: > * Vlad Dumitrescu (EAW) <Vlad.Dumitrescu@REDACTED> [2003-02-06 17:45:16 +0100]: > > > What if someone evil outside this list finds out about this, downloads > > Erlang, enters the system and begins to "have fun" by running os:cmd("rm -rf > > *")? ;-) > > Would modifying the net_kernel to execute only allowed modules and prevent > message passing to some process do the trick ? > Would it be enough to have a simple secure Erlang ? -- Shawn.


text: 5 Reasons To See Once Before It Closes Posted on Oct 16, 2014 | By London Theatre Direct The brilliant Once is to close in the west end in March, following Ronan Keating's departure from the role. I have to admit, I was a little shocked when I read the announcement, as when I visited little more than a month ago the house was full of a happy audience. I found Once to be an uplifting and haunting love story that stayed with me for days after I left the theatre and indeed London. It does sadden me that I won't be able to see the show again, most likely, and so I would like to present my top five (of many) reasons to see Once at the Phoenix Theatre before 21st March 2015. 5. The Pre-Show Once offers a unique experience even before the show begins, as the audience take their seats to the sounds of the cast (who double as the musicians for the show) performing on the stage. Its loud, chaotic and utterly infectious to watch the ultra talented cast dance around the stage performing old Irish songs infused with a Czech spirit. A favourite of mine was 'The Chandlers Wife' a traditional irish song, filled with bawdy chants and a wonderful energy, but all the songs set the mood wonderfully. The transition from pre-show to show is inspired, a seamless move from lively jigs to the haunting opener, Leave. 4. The Bar Sticking with the pre-show hijinks for now, the stage doubles as a bar during the pre-show performance (as well as intermission) where audience members can venture onto a west end stage (as the cast perform) to get their refreshments. All drinks come in a souvenir travel cup, bearing the name of the musical on the side. For me this was an incredible experience, as I know it was the closest I'll come to a west end stage, and so the feeling was unreal. The drinks cost slightly more from this bar, but in my opinion this price is well worth both the souvenir cup and the experience of a west end stage. 3. The Humour Once is a funny show. You don't expect the humour (or at least I didn't) but right from the first interaction of Guy and Girl about that fateful hoover, the warm humour is right there. I was giggling right through most of the first act, and in particular the characters of Billy, the Bank Manager and Svec engaged me immediately. The humour is at nobody's expense and is never bad natured, its just the human humour found in these situations and I think that that is something very special about this show. 2. The Romance Once is advertised as a love story, and it does not disappoint on that count. However the unconventional romance between Guy and Girl is far from predictable and leaves a ghost that stays with you long after you leave the theatre. I found myself drifting back to the moments after 'Sleeping' and 'The Hill' and the mess of emotions they made me feel long after I thought I'd put Once out of my mind. A grown up love story of two people with lives and responsibilities that get in the way of their feelings and their wants, it isn't something you can quickly forget. 1. The Music Of course the music of Once would be number one, because as much as the show is a love story, it is also a love letter to music. Every song in the show is beautifully arranged and performed by the cast and the onstage band. From Guy standing alone in the slowly darkening auditorium to the final notes of the Falling Slowly reprise, I don't think there is a note wrong. The music of Once is not standard musical theatre fare, instead they present a guitar driven folk that fits perfectly with the show's North Strand of Dublin setting. Of all the London shows I've seen (and i'll admit its not as many as some) I don't think there is another show that engages with its music in quite the same way, and in my opinion, this puts Once into a league of its own, and I will be sad to see it go. By Becky Dixon Blog Features


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The full list of running times have been released and there's clashes here, there and everywhere. I also have to say that there's probably more on this year than any year I've been previously, and I've been going since 1992.
Basically, it looks a cracker of a year!
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I really enjoy trout fishing in the stilling basin at Webster Lake. This is a joy provided by Kansas Wildlife and Parks across our state in several locations. To take part in fishing for trout, you must have a fishing license and a trout permit. I believe (as I do with most wildlife licenses and permits) it's a real bargain.
I'm a bricklayer by trade, so in the coldest time of the year with other hunting seasons closing down, I can go fishing. Even if the trout aren't biting very good that day for me, it's much better than staying home and watching TV. My wife and I really enjoy eating trout, so that's an added bonus.
Every time I go, I get to meet and talk to other sportsmen. It's so nice to share stories and make new friends. Every time I go, I see many of the same fishermen gathering together, joking around and teasing each other. I can tell I don't think they're too concerned about catching a lot of fish, but are having a blast. They seem to come from many different towns, but have become very close friends because of trout fishing.
To me, this is where it compares to a coffee shop. Men enjoying time together, sharing time with each other and growing friendships old and new.
Thank you so much Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism for providing such a great experience.
Rick Cunningham is an avid outdoorsman from Ellis.


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Now you can read the controversial Definers research about George Soros and Facebook
By Anthony Ha
Facebook is still dealing with the fallout from a New York Times report outlining the company's strategy to fight back against criticism, particularly its work with Definers Public Affairs, an opposition research firm with ties to the Republican Party.
That work included a document that Definers sent to reporters suggesting ties between George Soros and progressive political groups criticizing Facebook. The Times story described the broad strokes of the claims made by Definers, but the document itself has not been shared with the public — until today, when it was published by BuzzFeed.
At this point, the contents aren't particularly revelatory, but the document is still worth reading, since it's at the center of the recent controversy.
It's titled "Freedom From Facebook Potential Funding," and it begins:
Recently, a number of progressive groups came together to form the Freedom From Facebook campaign which has a six-figure ad budget. It is not clear who is providing the large amount of funding for the campaign but at least four of the groups in the coalition receive funding or are aligned with George Soros who has publicly criticized Facebook. It is very possible that Soros is funding Freedom From Facebook.
The …read more
Source: Tech Crunch


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I've recently been enjoying the album 'Rispah' by The Invisible. It was released last May; I found out about it after listening to Jessie Ware's 'Devotion' record and wondering 'who the hell produced this?!' It was Dave Okumu, singer and guitarist for The Invisible, so I thought I should check them out, as he'd made 'Devotion' a dark electronic beast, uncommon in the pop world I expected Jessie Ware to exist in.
'Rispah' was released on Ninja Tune so I'd hoped for some disturbing noises to be in there - and there sure is. The band blend the warmth of analog synths and drum machines with lo-fi segways, effected guitars and pounding percussion. There are some real hooks, accompanying tales of chemical abuse on nights out. In places it's halfway between Radiohead and Mathew Dear, with a clearer vocal delivery than the latter. I'd love to see these guys in a dark pounding environment. Plus they are as rock 'n' roll as they come - after Dave had a potentially fatal electrocution at a gig last year he was up and running in no time again to go on tour! What a guy!
- Andy Monaghan


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Last week, the Green Mouse was told that there'd been an appointment to the new stand-alone Floyd County Park Board: None other than Ted Heavrin, recently ousted county council member.
Hit it, Slash.
If this rumor is true, Heavrin will be the only parks board member with his own island ...
... as well as a long-standing, cherished plan to reform Community Park's scandalously wasted space.
Before filing this notice under "Fox, Meet Chicken Coop," enjoy the board's statement on leadership.
With the recent abolishment of the New Albany Floyd County Department of Parks and Recreation separated into two entities a newly appointed Floyd County Park Board will be appointed in 2013. The appointments will be acquired through the County Commissioners, Council and Circuit Judge. We will inform you of these appointments in 2013.


text: Prospect Parks Recreation Department is proud to launch our new activity registration system and website. To get started please Create an Account with all your household information. The data provided - emergency contacts, medical information, etc. - will help us better serve you. This info will also be automatically placed into your registration forms. When you're ready to start registering for activities, be sure to review the How to Register for an Activity page.


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5 quick tips to set a stress-free morning routine
If parents had to pick the most stressful time of the day, it's got to be the morning hours. Getting your kids ready for school, packing their bags, making breakfast, and getting dressed for work can get all too taxing. But it need not be that way. Here's how to start your day on an easy note.
Set a bedtime routine: This one is key to an easy morning. When you and your child have slept well, you are less likely to be cranky when you wake up. Make sure the lights go off at a set time, and your child gets enough sleep according to their age.
Keep everything ready the night before: From packing schoolbags to keeping clothes ready, and even polishing the shoes, everything that can be prepped at night, should be. The idea is to lessen everyone's responsibilities in the morning.
Prioritise the chores: Keep the morning routine as simple as possible, focusing only on the more important things, like brushing, bathing and breakfast. Trying to pack in too much is a recipe for disaster. To do this, make a list of things in order of importance you do each morning, and take out two from the bottom of the list.
Set a place for everything: Not having a fixed place for bags, lunchboxes and clothes in the morning leads to chaos. Designate a spot where your kid will find all these things. It's also a good idea to have a basket where you keep your wallet, car keys and phone.
Get up before everyone else: Even if you can give yourself 15 minutes before the others wake up, it can make a world of a difference. Create a morning ritual that helps you start your day the way you want. Be it making a cup of coffee and sitting by the window side, or doing some light exercises.


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Follow @astrotherapist on Twitter and email firstname.lastname@example.com to schedule a reading over phone or Skype. Available in-person in NYC! $125 for 60 minutes, $150 for 90 minutes.
April 20–May 20
The sun in Taurus is quarreling with Jupiter in your roots angle and jibing with Pluto in your expansion sector this week, setting the tone for you. You might have a problem with family expectations, or your quest for peace and security could keep you from shining your light the way part of you wants to. Or you may come on quite strong if you get a burst of confidence. The hard-earned knowledge that you've slowly gained over the past several years can guide you to channel your energy properly. Travel, learning, religion, philosophy, new experiences, a fresh perspective and encounters with foreign people, cultures, ideas and beliefs can change you on a profound level and alter your perception of your place in the world. With Venus moving into your cognition-and-communication house, the love and beauty in your encounters and environment comes into focus. Close relationships may feel like work now, but the pleasure you get from everyday interactions should be rewarding.
May 21–June 20
Mercury is in your sign and squabbling with Neptune in your ambition angle this week, so you could have a hard time reconciling your current thinking with far-off, perhaps idealized, goals. You might not be able to articulate your objectives as clearly as you'd like, or maybe you'll find yourself in disagreement with someone in authority. Or a superior—like a boss or parent—or a system that you need to work within might confuse you momentarily. Focus on not being deceived by your own aspirations or by someone in power. Your subconscious mind may also be at odds with your conscious optimism, open-mindedness and plans for the future. You need some quiet time alone to sift through what you've been pushing to the back of your head, intentionally or not. Shining a light on these subliminal feelings and thoughts can empower you and transform your psyche. Be honest with yourself, and don't be afraid to get uncharacteristically dark and deep.
June 21–July 22
With the sun in your network sector sparring with Jupiter in your worth house this week, overconfidence, avarice or self-righteousness about values could keep you from being in sync with friends or another group. The sun is naturally egoistic, and when it's in this house, the challenge is how to be yourself and also play a cooperative role in a group. Can you maintain your individuality while being a team player? The sun's harmony with Pluto in your relationship angle points to a solution. Allow the dynamics at play between you and others to continually evolve. Embrace powerful connections that transform you, but don't get into power struggles. Avoid projecting content from your psyche onto others. Venus's arrival in Cancer boosts your magnetism, sociability and desire to be around people and enjoy life. You'll naturally draw others to you now, although Venus's skirmish with Saturn hints that work and responsibilities could temporarily mar your pleasure, requiring you to make a quick adjustment and move on.
July 23–August 22
The sun is at odds with Jupiter in Leo this week, calling for you to contend with an authority figure, a system you must work within or the dizzying height of your own aspirations. You want so much to shine, and this is definitely the season for it. But Jupiter may be expanding your Leo pride and confidence to the point where they could work against you. Rule out the option of being less than you can be. Given the personal growth spurt you've been experiencing, it would be a tragedy to hide your light under a bushel. You simply need to draw upon the deep resources that you've been building for yourself. Your own hard work is what will enable you to shine now. The changes in your daily life are thankfully in sync with your ambition at the moment. Work is a humbler path to recognition than showing off a new side of yourself, but it should be effective now.
August 23–September 22
Talking about your goals, communicating with an authority figure and conceiving a plan for success could be confusing this week, especially if you're counting on someone's counsel. If you're seeking a specific response, Mercury's run-in with murky Neptune implies that will be hard to come by. You could end up feeling deceived or bewildered if you can't keep your thinking firmly grounded. Fortunately, as a Virgo, you should be able to handle that. A sun-Jupiter battle again alludes to a possible problem of perspective. Unconscious expectations may interfere with your ability to broaden your horizons through learning, travel, unfamiliar experiences and new people. You could get carried away by an urge for freedom and escape, or your current understanding of the big picture may not mesh with a personal truth. But a deep determination to get more out of life will serve you well. Creativity, play, love, children and self-expression will inspire you and give you a sense that the world is full of possibility.
September 23–October 22
The sun in your depth-and-sharing zone is fighting with Jupiter in your hopes-and-humanity sector this week, so one-on-one closeness may compete with group socializing. Or digging deeply into something in the present could get uncomfortable, as you find yourself turning toward the future and what's next. Or commitment and monogamy might conflict with freedom and playing the field. But don't shy away from intimacy and self-reflection. Powerful emotions are involved and shouldn't be swept under the rug, even if they seem too dark or heavy. Getting in touch with your inner self or sharing your inner self with someone will be cathartic now. On a different note, Venus is ascending to the pinnacle of your chart, putting the law of attraction on your side in a public or professional context. You can make a favorable impression on higher-ups and show off your creative flair in the coming weeks, but you may need to get past the temporary stumbling block of a limiting mindset first.
October 23–November 21
One-on-one interactions are tricky this week, due to a squabble between the sun in your others zone and Jupiter in your ambition angle. Chasing goals could intrude on time with a significant other or you may strike someone as arrogant, patronizing or preachy. Be mindful of a temptation to try to win or teach rather than relate. You're very focused on success, and your aspirations are high. Just be aware of how that can impact relationships now. Fortunately, the sun is harmonizing with Pluto, enabling you to achieve a healthier balance of power in your connections. Thanks to Pluto's transit through your mindset house, you've gotten into the habit of questioning your own thinking and not taking as much for granted. Use your evolving consciousness to take an honest look at the dynamic between you and others. Your perception of a relationship or the way you operate within a relationship may change as a result of your determination to understand yourself.
November 22–December 21
Your ruler Jupiter is tangling with the sun in your productivity house this week, suggesting that responsibilities are likely to curtail your freedom somewhat. The mundane details of daily life are competing with your urge to escape. You're supposed to be devoting your energy to your job, your to-do list, exercise and various duties, but part of you wants to get out of your routine and do something different, be somewhere else and maybe meet new people. Try not to let your longing for escape keep you from taking care of business, lest you end up halfheartedly trying to accomplish things when you're too distracted to be efficient. Take breaks instead, perhaps utilizing what these two houses have in common: physicality. One emphasizes the health aspect, while the other is more about sports and adventure. And the sun's harmony with Pluto tells you to be willing to shift your priorities to get stuff done. Identify the value in each task in order to motivate yourself.
December 22–January 19
The sun's interactions with other planets are a good indicator of how to get the most out of your week. He's in your pleasure sector, encouraging you to enjoy life, but his clash with hopeful Jupiter in your sharing zone suggests that you may expect someone else to contribute to your happiness. Whether you're seeking companionship, emotional or financial support or intimacy, your expectations could be too high at the moment. It's tempting to try to make something into more than it is simply because you wish it to be. One example is trying to turn a casual love affair into a deep, committed relationship. Right now you're much better off focusing on your own power to experience joy, love, fun, humor and creativity. In turn, such positive experiences can be transformative for you—given that the sun is in sync with Pluto in your sign. So savor the delights that life hands you or the ones you yourself can make happen.
January 20–February 18
With the sun nestled at the bottom of your chart, your focus is on home, relatives, comfort and feelings. The sun's battle with Jupiter in your relationship angle this week means overestimating what you should be getting from people could disturb the peace. Partnership could clash with family, and sticking close to your roots could clash with broadening your horizons by being with someone different from you. Perhaps you want to stay home or play it safe, and somebody is encouraging you to take more risks and live a little. At a very basic level, this planetary configuration might refer to alone time competing with time spent with another person. Although your relationships have a lot to teach you now and are pulling you toward the future, the sun's connection with Pluto in the last house of your chart hints at the need to work through issues from the past and deal with dark emotions. Channeling your energy into finishing something up would be wise.
February 19–March 20
Mercury is battling Neptune in your sign this week, so you could have a disagreement with a family member or someone you live with and feel like they don't understand you. Given the elusiveness of Neptune and Pisces, you're not wrong. People don't have a crystal clear vision of you. Try to be aware of the signals that you're giving off. You could easily become lost in introspection and thoughts of the past now, viewing memories through the prism of your imagination. Have compassion for yourself, without fictionalizing. A sun-Jupiter battle may affect your mindset and communication, especially if you get overwhelmed by a full schedule and a frantic pace. Your brain can spin out of control when you're thinking about too many things at once. You probably want more freedom in your daily life than you currently have and may get distracted from details, longing to escape. Reach out to the network of people in your life, articulate your aims and get strength from their support.
March 21–April 19
Finances and fun may not go together very well this week, with the sun in your worth house clashing with Jupiter in your pleasure sector. Your assessment of what you need to make you happy is liable to be unrealistic, and identifying with your possessions could be at the crux of it. You may see something and think, "That's so me! I have to have it!" Or you could get carried away wanting to show off in some manner. But the sun is gelling with Pluto in your ambition angle, reminding you to connect money and work; self-worth and a contribution to the world; possessions and purpose. And you can absolutely find ways to enjoy life with the resources you have at your disposal. Your conscious and subconscious thinking could be out of sync now, resulting in confusion or melancholy. If you feel lost, make sure you're honoring your intuition and imagination. Your spiritual needs are as important as your intellectual ones.
Follow @astrotherapist on Twitter and email firstname.lastname@example.com to schedule a reading over phone or Skype. Available in-person in NYC! $125 for 60 minutes, $150 for 90 minutes.


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The inspiration for the Hampshire Hilly Hundred was the successful first Circuit of the Cotswolds in 2005, devised and run by multiple National Hill-Climb Champion Jim Henderson with the assistance of other former members of Oxford University Cycling Club. One of those helpers was Tim Wilks, who came away with the idea that his local lanes in Hampshire might make a great sportive route. Like other organisers of the early UK sportives he was determined to try to do something to help rescue cycle sport in the UK.
It's hard to believe now - after recent Olympics, Worlds, and TdeF successes - that barely a dozen years ago, road racing, time trialling and track were all in steep decline. We hoped UK sportives (we began by calling them "cyclosportifs" like the French) might give cyclists more reason to ride. We never dreamt that sportives would massively popularise fitness cycling, and be an entry route to club cycling, and for some, racing.
More than half-a-million HHH miles have now been ridden. Most of those (according to reports) were pretty enjoyable and fulfilling. That was the hope at the start of it all.
The Hampshire Hilly Hundred is registered in England and Wales, company number 6866221. Registered office: 70 Shaftesbury Avenue, Southampton, SO17 1SD.
contact: email@example.com
The HHH is still put on every year by a network of friends. Most are high-mileage, life-long cyclists, but some don't ride a bike at all. As an entity, the HHH is a registered company limited by guarantee. That means it has no shares, no shareholders, no dividends.


text: The facility temporarily closed after our last release in June to allow staff time to complete several maintenance projects, including a deep scrub of the entire facility and expanding the area for rehab patients. We're excited to announce that our sea turtle rehab facility recently re-opened, and we're ready for the cold-stun sea turtle season. Our Animal Health and Life Support teams have been meeting with Rescue staff to ensure protocols and procedures are updated and that logistics are taken care of. To date, our stranding partners along the East Coast have already responded to more than five strandings. We anticipate our first sea turtle patient will arrive soon. Stay tuned for more updates! Tags: animal-rescue, turtle, turtle-rescue Categories: Behind-The-Scenes, Animal Rescue Previous Post Next Post


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Hermetic Packaging Market Hermetic Packaging Market by Configuration (Multilayer Ceramic Packages, Metal Can Packages, Pressed Ceramic Packages), Type (Ceramic-Metal Sealing, Glass-Metal Sealing), Application, Industry, and Geography – Global Forecast to
FMI Citrus Oil Market – The Next Natural Ingredient in the Food Industry. Growing Awareness of Plant-based Ingredients Among Millennials Offering Tailwinds to Citrus Oil Market According to a new
St. Petersburg, FL – When it comes to movers, Saint Petersburg has a variety of options, one of the most popular being Flat Fee Movers St. Petersburg. The company has
New book, "The Essential Guide to Buying and Selling Homes: Insights from America's Top Agents and Loan Officers," debuted on the Amazon Best Seller List. Troy Olson is one of
The Billionaires Secret Weapon Teachings, "How to make your competition irrelevant, and how to set up systems that will take your business to 8 figures and beyond" has been traveling
THE FAMILY-OWNED COMPANY PUTS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE & ENSURES PEST FREE LIVING FOR ALL ITS CLIENTS Visalia, CA, USA – September 18, 2019 – Pest Control Now has
"Our goal is to provide you with better car service, you can reach our courteous customer care department any time of the day, book online, or simply download our app
WOODSTOCK OR BUST // TRICOAST ENTERTAINMENT Girls just want to have fun. Los Angeles, CA – Sep 18, 2019 – "WOODSTOCK OR BUST is a fun, coming of age, independent
Indoor water features can make for beautiful focal points that tie your entire corporate space together. Besides being attractive, water walls also fill the space with the soothing sound of
While most business owners turn to conventional marketing and advertising tactics like signage and modern-day online marketing strategies, for instance, SEO, there is a more creative, and eye-catching advertising tactic
Custom Bubble walls are great ways to add relaxation, elegance, and entertainment to office settings. At Midwest Tropical, they are custom-made into a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and materials,
Water features for businesses offer prime places for your company's logo to be visible to patrons, guests, as well as patients. Midwest Tropical can create fully customized indoor water features
It's 2019, and it would take more than just pretty pictures and paintings for your business premise to standout! At Midwest Tropical, after exploring a wide range of clientele for
Intelligent Transportation Systems Market Intelligent Transportation Systems Market by Offering, Systems (Advanced Traffic Management System, Advanced Traveler Information System, ITS-Enabled Transportation Pricing System), Application, and Geography – ITS Market Global
"Radiant Insights,Inc" RadiantInsights.com added Most up-to-date research on "Global 5G Market (2020 – 2025)" to its huge collection of research reports. 5G is a crucial component of the global digitally
"Juug Gone Wrong" soundtrack now out on Google Play, ITunes, Amazon, and online. 818 Productions is excited to announce the release of Juug Gone Wrong (Clifton Powell Vanessa Simmons Karlie
Design agencies are not something easy to find. Yes, there are tons out there but finding the perfect one for your business often takes quite a few trials and errors.
No Deadbeat Society, a clothing brand, mentorship network and online community created by Leland Dieno to empower fathers to lean in to vulnerability and focus on growth has released a
Havre de Grace, MD – HPS Management introduced a state-of-the-art portal system for Homeowners and Condominium Associations. This secure portal is available to all homeowners in the community associations managed
Listen: Spotify Apple Music About The Single Emerging hip-hop artist King Julius returns with an uplifting, melodic, and powerful single 'Sorry Not Sorry'. The hip-hop single features soothing melodies, a


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Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus, of Alexandria - Troparion & Kontakion
Troparion — Tone 8
Having slain the fiery ragings and fierce movements of the passions though their ascetic labors, / the Martyrs of Christ, Menas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus, received grace to dispel the afflictions of the infirm and to work wonders both while alive and after death. / It is a truly great wonder that bare bones pour forth healing. / Glory to our only God and Creator.
Kontakion — Tone 4
The Lord snatched you from the temporal army making you a fellow inheritor of the eternal, O Menas; / together with Hermogenes and Eugraphus with whom you suffered, / you are granted an incorruptible crown.


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Homes for Sale!
My Listings
Call, Text or Email me if you would like to view a property
Would you like to tour ANY Homes for Sale in the Cowichan Valley? Looking for a home to buy? Do you want to relocate? I can look after your best interest and find the answers you're looking for. I want to find you "the right home", not just any home. If you have a list of properties, just email me or give me a call on my cell 250-701-1215 and we can set up your tour.
Lot C DONNAY DRIVE in DUNCAN: Z3 East Duncan Lots/Acreage for sale (Zone 3 - Duncan) : MLS®# 425371
Lot C DONNAY DRIVE DUNCAN V9L 5R4 : Z3 East Duncan
This large, serviced lot is in one of the Cowichan Valley's most desirable locations and is 1.01 acres (43,996 sqft.) with municipal water, gas on the street, a covenanted septic area and a fence already in place. The property is quite heavily treed with Douglas fir and one part of the property is a covenanted, treed water course ensuring privacy and giving you the feeling of being in park. Located in an area of fine, well kept homes this property is only minutes from Maple Bay and the amenities of Duncan. Close to Maple Bay School, bus route and the hiking and biking trails in Mt. Tzouhalem park this may just be the location you have been looking and waiting for. Don't delay as this is truly a rare opportunity at a great price and GST is not applicable.
Data was last updated May 26, 2020 at 05:10 PM (UTC)


text: Brexit 27 June 2016 The recent announcement affirming the U.K.'s vote to exit the E.U. has many ramifications, many of which affect millions of people in a negative way. Some refer to Friday's announcement as a Black Swan event. Regardless of how the event is characterized, the fact is that the exact implications are largely unknown, the potential for a domino effect is real, governments and companies will need to re-think strategy and individuals will be impacted. Read the article, Brexit The views and information discussed in this report are as of the date of publication, are subject to change and may not reflect current views. The views expressed represent an assessment of market conditions at a specific point in time, are opinions only and should not be relied upon as investment advice regarding a particular investment or markets in general. Such information does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell specific securities or investment vehicles. Investment involves risk. Investing in international and emerging markets may involve additional risks, such as social and political instability, market illiquidity, exchange-rate fluctuations, a high level of volatility and limited regulation. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The information contained herein has been derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of compilation, but no representation or warranty (express or implied) is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any of this information. Matthews Asia and its affiliates do not accept any liability for losses either direct or consequential caused by the use of this information.


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Mediastinal mixed germ cell tumor
Patient Data
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CXR show a large lobulated mass in the anterior mediastinum.
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CT shows mediastinal soft tissue density mass lesion. The lesion is not enhanced by contrast & has a hypodense core. The adjacent lungs demonstrate some compressive atelectasis.
1 case question available
Case Discussion
The patient when on surgical removal of the mediastinal mass as well as with 4 regional lymph nodes and pleural nodule.
Mediastinal mass: Sections show a non-seminomatous mixed germ cell tumor showing extensive tumor necrosis. The percentage of viable tumor is estimated at 20%. 100% of viable tumor is yolk sac tumor showing a variety of patterns including some cystic areas with hylaine globules in cells lining a cyst. Schiller-Duval bodies are readily identified. The left-sided soft grey nodule is a keratin-filled cyst surrounded by entirely necrotic tissue consistent with entirely necrotic teratoma. No immature teratoma component is identified. A few foci showing larger more pleomorphic cells are present which are the pleomorphic cell type pattern of yolk sac tumor (alpha feto-protein positive, CD30 and beta-HCG negative). There is no evidence of embryonal carcinoma, seminoma or choriocarcinoma on routine or immunohistochemistry stains. Alpha feto-protein stain shows only a few foci of positivity within the yolk sac tumor.
Pleural nodule: Sections show both viable and necrotic yolk sac tumor with a small amount of attached diathermied skeletal muscle. Focally viable yolk sac tumor abuts an inked margin immediately adjacent to an area of diathermied margin, over a distance of approximately 5 mm
Lymph nodes: no viable tumor
- Mediastinal tumor - non-seminomatous mixed germ cell tumor.
- Approximately 20% of tumor viable.
- 100% of viable tumor is yolk sac tumor. Entirely necrotic teratoma also present. No immature teratoma identified.


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Margaret Sayers Peden
Margaret Sayers Peden is an award-winning American translator and Emeritus Professor of Spanish at the University of Missouri. She has translated over thirty books of Spanish literature, including classics such as La Celestina and Pedro Páramo, and works by Isabel Allende, Carlos Fuentes, Octavio Paz, Arturo Pérez-Reverte and Pablo Neruda.
The Story of a Seagull and the Cat Who Taught her to Fly
Caught up in an oil spill, a dying seagull scrambles ashore to lay her final egg and lands on a balcony, where she meets Zorba, a big black cat from the port of Hamburg. The cat promises the seagull to look after the egg, not to eat the chick once it's hatched and – most difficult of all – to teach…READ MORE >


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Sri Lankan Chicken Curry
Sri Lankan cuisine is one of the most complex cuisines of South Asia. It is historically a major trade hub and many Asian influences are found in the dishes that are served. This is a delicious curry that reflects the Sri Lankan love of spices and exotic flavours. It is succulent with the sweetness of… Read more »


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Travel has become necessary even for business purposes. Although chat, video and phone calls have become popular, face-to-face meetups have also become a lot more popular as well. Traveling smart involves knowing the ins and outs of the country you're going to while also having a list of things to keep in mind to optimize your time spent there. One thing that you must do is to look for a luxury car rental so that you are not late while you're attending the business meetings.
1. Connectivity
The first thing that you should do the moment you step off the plane is to find a prepaid SIM card provider. Using a provider that you have back home might incur extra charges due to the different rates when roaming. Most airports will have a kiosk for every local provider that will let you rent a prepaid phone with capabilities to call, text and browse the internet.… Read the rest


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They really need to add drainage systems to Midland. It's a tad annoying being unable to drive to work or school because the water stalls my car out.
I can't wait for tomorrow so I can have a quiet weekend alone. Although every weekend is generally spent quietly and alone, I'm especially waiting for it this weekend. Which makes me believe that I'm really not a people person at all. They bug me, even the ones I like, I usually get sick of with only a few exceptions.
And we put Bailey to sleep on the 6th. Apparently, she had a brain tumor the size of a grapefruit or some other moderately large fruit. I miss her, just because she was a part of my life.
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.. or should I say lack of a pine market. Why is there no demand? My son has been hauling for a tree guy with his tri axle grapple truck for a couple weeks, 200 loads of real nice 100 footers, most of them blow overs, destined for a tub grinder because nobody wants it...
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Research: What's your take on the looming shift from accumulation to distribution?
Macchia: It's as real as anything can be. There's no denying that demographics is driving the shift from accumulation to income generation and that the scale of the transition, in both population and dollar terms, is unmatched in history. We're talking about $20 trillion shifting to income generation, which will need to be spread out over retirements lasting decades more than previous generations experienced.
How can the industry serve this huge market?
There are many challenges. The No. 1 challenge, in my judgment, may surprise you. It's communications. In the not-too-distant future, we'll be facing the need to compliantly communicate with tens of millions of individuals who will be requiring distribution planning guidance at the same time that as many as 50 percent of today's financial advisors will be retiring. This is a very significant challenge, and solving it will require an innovative combination of web-based technology, compliant educational content and engaging web-browser experiences. We're going to have to use web-based technology wisely to help advisors interact with many more prospects, or we're gong to miss out on lots of future business opportunities.
So technology is the answer?
At the very least, it will be a great determinant of success or failure. I see an ongoing revolution in communications strategies leading to significant reliance on web-based strategies — but putting the advisor in the central role. For years following the recognition of the Internet, these technologies really led in the financial services industry to paranoia: Advisors were going to be disintermediated. In fact, the future will bring clients and prospects to advisors in ways that would have been unimaginable. The advisor's capabilities will be expanded exponentially.
How can an individual advisor get a piece of the action?
First, by recognizing the magnitude of the business opportunity and then by embracing an approach to creating durable inflation-adjusted retirement income. There will be many approaches to choose from; you can make the analogy to various religions. Some will align with product answers, some with comprehensive solutions that embrace multiple products. Some will opt to join the religion of systematic withdrawal plans. Still others, the religion of laddered asset strategies.
What happens to the accumulation business?
Of course, the younger people coming behind the retiring boomers are still going to need solutions for accumulating their retirement assets. The boomers to a large degree are going to pioneer the distribution strategies that will eventually help those coming up behind them move their money into a retirement income mode. And accumulation will remain a relevant perspective for boomers in retirement because in order to reach the goal of having retirement income that increases ahead of inflation, ongoing participation in equity markets becomes critically important. There is and will be an ongoing accumulation dimension in distribution strategies and products in order to accommodate this objective.
Are these products coming online now?
There are multiple ways advisors can prepare. For instance, Wealth2k (wealth2k.com) has moved aggressively to bring to market a solution we call The Income for Life Model. This is an open-architecture program which uses time-weighted asset allocation combined with strategic product recommendations. The Income for Life Model can put an advisor in the business of income distribution quickly and with a proven approach. While I believe our solution has many competitive advantages (including advantages in its associated marketing tools and strategies), I also recognize that there will be many competitors. In fact, we're building some of these as private-label solutions for large broker-dealers and insurance companies. As a consultancy, Wealth2k is not wedded to any single approach, and we recognize that there will be many new products and solutions seeking their fair share of the total income market.
How important will fixed annuities be?
I'm very bullish about the role of fixed annuities in distribution. One of the economic attributes of the distribution phase is that there are a couple of critical time spans — 10 years immediately preceding retirement and 10 years immediately following retirement. In that 20-year phase, protecting the principal while having ongoing growth potential is arguably the most important objective. In the eight to 10 years immediately preceding retirement, assets grow typically 50 percent, while there's a transition from a psychological state that might have been called "risk averse" to one that's clearly more "loss" averse. A loss in those years may lead to a lifelong diminishment of retirement income, so it's very important to protect those assets. Likewise, in the first years following retirement, any investment losses should get people thinking that there's a high probability they'll outlive their retirement assets. Fixed annuities are very important to safeguard that accumulated investment principal. The guarantees of a variable annuity are conditional; the guarantees of a fixed annuity are absolute.
What are advisors still doing wrong?
One tactical mistake that makes me cringe every time I see it is the mistake of projecting too high an income stream from a withdrawal plan. Normal market downturns are a fact of life, and it's a simple truth that investment losses in the first few years following retirement create a 70 percent to 80 percent correlation to total portfolio ruin. No advisor wants to place a client in that situation. That this risk is so real leads me to believe that laddered strategies (which mix fixed-income products in the near-term ladders with more aggressive growth positions in the long-term ladders) will achieve a significant market share. Laddered strategies help mitigate the risk.
What's the best thing to tell someone approaching retirement?
Assess the true income generation capacity of your retirement assets and then seek out an advisor who has made a serious commitment to income planning. An advisor with the right training and insights is virtually indispensable to the majority of clients who, by definition, will be challenged to create durable retirement income.