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Maybe you're tired of looking at a tangled mess of cords around your TV stand or under your desk. Or, maybe you're trying to make your home safer (especially important with young children). What are some ways you can hide your electrical cords? Here are some options:
- First, unplug the appliances, clean up around the area and untangle! You can label the different cords with bread clips or pieces of masking tape that you can label and wrap around the cords.
- You can clip the cords together with binder clips if you want a hassle-free solution and don't mind if it doesn't look perfect. Or, you can use a cord spiral wrap to make the cords blend in better with your background.
- Use packing tape to affix the cord to the back of a table leg, TV stand, desk, etc. Or similarly, use adhesive hooks/clips.
- If you have many electronics on your nightstand, put a power strip inside your top drawer to hide it all.
- A creative, yet simple solution, is to use a box of some sort to put all of the cords into and sit it on your desk, TV stand, or other surface. This won't hide the entire length of the cords but will make a big difference.
- If you don't mind a little bit more work, get a paintable cord cover. Measure the wall to figure out what length you need. You may cut it if needed. All you have to do is mount it to the wall and put the cords in, then paint the cord if you wish.
- If you don't mind even more work and you're very tech savvy, use flat wire on the wall and paint over it. This is exactly what it sounds like—wiring that is flat instead of round. Low-voltage wires look like copper strips encased in film, so they are safe to touch.
- Lastly, if it's a wall-mounted TV you have — while probably the most labor intensive but most effective — you can feed cords from your TV through your wall where they will be hidden. If this is the route you choose, you may wish to engage a professional electrician to help.
Have a concern with your electrical, plumbing or air conditioning? Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical is here to help! We offer 24 hour emergency service 7 days a week! Give us a call! 1-800-461-3010 to speak with our customer service agents that can answer your questions or schedule an appointment!


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Students with an academic Bachelor's degree that fulfill the admission requirements will be enrolled.
The application procedure is organized by the University of Utrecht, and students joining this program will be registered at the University of Utrecht. Students who follow the programme in Twente will also be enrolled at the University of Twente.
The admission rules and application procedure are given on the site of the University of Utrecht under the header "Admission and Application".
There is no premaster programme for students with an academic Bachelor's degree that do not meet the admission requirements or students with a Bachelor degree of a university of applied sciences (in Dutch: HBO).
Starting date and application deadlines
You can only start in September.

subset: commoncrawl


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Friday, May 23, 2014
The Scrapbook Store - Prima Seashore collection
8 comments:
Fabulous Rach. Loving your layers and texture. The feathers actually suit the glasses on the kiddies. It has been a long time since I stopped by so looking forward to seeing more of what you have been up to :)ReplyDelete
Such a stunning layout - you've really rocked this collection and your first projects with TSS have been fabulous!ReplyDelete
Stunning! Love the colours and use of feathers. Always inspiring!ReplyDelete
Oh wow...this is a knockout. The photo is perfect on the Prima and your design is fabulous. Especially love the pops of black paint and stamping :DReplyDelete
Another stunning layout, I loved the video, love the stamping.. love this layout!! Have a wonderful weekend!ReplyDelete
Gorgeous layout Rachael.....I loved watching you create this... your video tutorial is fantastic!ReplyDelete
Have a great weekend! x
LOL... Those sunnies look great!!! LOOOVE your feather cluster....really LOVLEY page:):) I'm behind with the blogging, but when I catch up, I'll check the video out.....your last one was great::)ReplyDelete
Love this page Rachael!! Stunning background as always and the colours are gorgeous!! Going to have a look at the video!! oxReplyDelete
I REALLY do appreciate you are taking the time to leave behind your thoughts on my creations... 💕 THANK YOU for stopping by 💕


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iTorch Flashlight 4+
Torch Led Light for iPhone
Pixelinlove Ltd
- Free
The fastest and brightest FREE Flashlight app available for the iPhone. All the features that you need with a simple and easy interface.
Unique features:
- Instant ON, fastest start time to help out quickly
- Intuitive and elegant UI design with seasonal skins
- Built-in BRIGHTNESS control
- Built-in STROBE mode with adjustable frequencies
- Built-in SOS signal
Here is what people say:
"No joking it's the fastest I've tried! Really snappy :-)"
"It's bright, has a dimmer, and an on/off switch. 5 Stars."
"Excellent. Faster than "Flashlight". Cleaner interface. Variable strobe light. SOS feature."
Please note:
- Continuous use of the LED flash can shorten battery life.
- This App can emit strobe light that might disturb people with epilepsy. Use at your own risk. Pixelinlove assume no liability of any kind for medical harm caused by the misuse of this product.
What's New
Version 4.1.7
We update the app regularly so we can make it better for you.
Ratings and ReviewsSee All
- Provider
- Pixelinlove Ltd
- Size
- Category
- Utilities
- Compatibility
Requires iOS 9.3 and watchOS 2.2 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
- Languages
English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
- Age Rating
- 4+
- Copyright
- © 2011 Pixelinlove.com
- Price
- Free
Family Sharing
Up to six family members will be able to use this app with Family Sharing enabled.


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Stock Valuation
2.1 Background of the Studies
Valuation is the first step toward intelligent investing. When an investor attempts to determine the worth of her shares based on the fundamentals, it helps her make informed decisions about what stocks to buy or sell. Without fundamental value, one is set adrift in a sea of random short-term price movements and gut feelings.
Before we can value a share of stock, we have to have some notion of what a share of stock is. A share of stock is not some magical creation that ebbs and flows like the tide; rather, it is the concrete representation of partial ownership of a publicly traded company. If XYZ Corporation has 1 million shares of stock outstanding and we hold a single, solitary share, that means we own a millionth of the company.
There are some stock valuation methods that we can use in valuing company's stock. For instance: Discounted Cash Flow Model (DCFM), Dividend Discount Model (DDM) and Earnings Growth Model (EGM).DDM is the valuation method that we use in this paper.
2.2 Problem Statement and Objective
This research is mainly to value Public Bank Bhd stock through Dividend Discount Model (DDM).
2.3 Research Question
* What is the value of Public Bank Bhd stock?
* Is Public Bank Bhd stock a worth enough stock for investor to invest in?
2.4 Significance of the Studies
The significance of the studies is to value Public Bank Bhd stock. The result that we generate in the end of the research can help the investors in making their decisions either to invest in Public Bank Bhd or not.
2.5 Limitation of the Studies
The Dividend Discount Model is a simple and convenient way of valuing stocks but it is extremely sensitive to the inputs for the growth rate. Used incorrectly, it can yield misleading or even absurd results, since, as the growth rate converges on the discount rate, the value goes to infinity.
2. Literature Review
Stock valuation is the process of calculating the fair market value of a stock by using a predetermined formulas that factors in various economic indicators. Stock valuation can be calculated using a number of different methods. The most common methods used are the discounted cash flow method, the P/E method, and the Dividend Discount Model .In this study we are using Dividend Discount Model (DDM) to value company stock. The DDM is a procedure on valuing the price of a stock by using predicted dividends and discounting them back to present value. The idea is that if the value obtained from the DDM is higher than what the shares are currently trading at, then the stock is undervalued. Lawrence J. Gitman and Michael D. Joehnk (2008) indicated that stock valuation is to determine what the stock ought to be worth, given estimated returns to stockholders (future dividends and price behaviour) and the amount of potential risk exposure. Whereas Motley Fool Staff (1995) said that stock valuation is the first step toward intelligent stock investing. While Anastasia Vardavaki and John Mylonakis (2007) state that stock valuation is the process of forecasting the present value of the expected payoffs to shareholders and of converting this forecast into one number that corresponds to the fundamental-intrinsic firm value. Lee (1999) argues that valuation models are merely 'pro forma accounting systems' that constitute the vehicles for articulating the assessment of future events typically in terms of accounting constructs. According to Barker (2001), a good understanding of valuation methods requires two main things. The first is an analytical review of the models, identifying their relationship and exposing their assumptions. The second is an evaluation of the data that are available for use of these models. Whereas Ping-Chen Lin and Jiah-Shing Chen (2007) indicate that stock valuation is very important for fundamental investors in order to select undervalued...
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If you're anything like me (hi fellow sinners!) I feel like I'm constantly asking God for answers, and clear signs. I'll pray over a question for what feels like forever, and many times I've yelled out in frustration, "God why don't You speak to me? Can't you just let me hear Your voice for once??" This Sunday's Gospel is one that hits me hard and leads me to humbly ask God for His forgiveness, because the prayer I sometimes yell in frustration, God directly answers. As Andrew points out in today's video, God the Father speaks directly from the heavens to Peter, James, and John, in the midst of Jesus' miraculous transfiguration. All God says, (and honestly, what else do we need Him to say?) is "This is my beloved Son — Listen to Him."
God sends us these words because He delights in us! He loves us with an unending love, and His only wish is to be one with us. He sends us these words to draw us into a deeper relationship with His Son, and ultimately with Himself. To listen to Jesus, we need to go to him, we need to encounter Him. In listening to Him, we find all the answers we will ever need! I need the reminder to go to Jesus daily, and some days its hard to find time in my schedule. I know I need to make time. The God of the Universe is waiting for me (and you!) to listen to what He has to say! Will you commit to making more time for Jesus with me? Let's run to him, eager to obey the Father's command, to listen to his beloved Son.
This Week's Podcast: Freedom from Shame
In part two of our series on Freedom, we talk about freedom from shame. As Catholics we can talk about "Catholic guilt." Shame is not guilt, but rather the lie we believe that God can't love us because of what we done or what's been done to us.


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Westland girl celebrates being cancer free
Metro Detroit 4-year-old still focused on raising money to help other sick children
WESTLAND, Mich. – Ringing a bell might not be a big deal to many, but for Madi Siedel, it marks an important milestone in her young life.
Madilynn Jade Seidel is known to many as just Madi. She is a a four-year-old girl from Westland who has spent two of her four birthdays in Children's Hospital of Michigan, but when she celebrates her fifth birthday in August, she will be at home and she will be cancer free.
She has spent most of her life fighting leukemia, but her mother Nicole said there is no stopping her daughter's spirit.
"When you expect her to be down and out, she is up times ten," said Nicole Siedel, Madi's mother.
She celebrated the end of her fight with cancer by ringing a bell at Children's Hospital of Michigan.
"For two and a half years she sat here and watched other kids," said Nicole Seidel. "She would say, 'Mom, I just can't wait to ring that bell.'"
The one thing Madi won't miss from having cancer are what she calls the chest pokes. She is happy she no longer has cancer or the chest pokes, but she feels for the other children who are still sick and grieves for those who didn't make it.
"When she's down it's because she's thinking about people that have passed away," said Nicole Seidel.
At just 4 years old, Madi has found ways to help other sick children including raising money for Team MJ for the Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan. In December she organized an ice cream social to help send the family of a sick child to 'Give Kids The World,' a resort near Orlando Florida's Disney theme parks.
This summer Madi will walk for the Children's Leukemia Foundation to continue raising money for other sick children.
Nicole Seidel said they often think of the other patients in the hospital and relish the friendships they have made in their cancer battle.
"If I could somehow have all the experiences and all the friends that we've made without the cancer in the background, that would be amazing," said Nicole Seidel.
Seidel has learned a lot as she helped care for her daughter that she hopes to pass on to other families.
"Just be your child's advocate, you don't have anybody when you walk in to Children's Hospital your child has you," said Nicole Seidel.
Madi has captured the attention of 16-year-old Bella, the entrepreneur and founder of Origami Owl Custom Jewelry. The founder flew her to Arizona for a conference in Arizona where the founder recognized her with a product announcement, a charm tag called "Miracle."
Copyright 2013 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Is This Mexican Hot Spot Your New Favorite Wellness Paradise?
There's something so magical about the Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen in particular. Just south of Cancun and the crazy Spring Break scene, Playa offers a mix of excitement and relaxation. It's perfect for those of us looking to disconnect and unplug from the world but also provides the busy-bee opportunity to explore and have adventure.
I recently held a private yoga and wellness retreat here and absolutely fell in love. Here are some highlights from my latest trip to the warm-weather paradise.
What to do
1. Walk La Quinta.
Spanish for "The Fifth" (a nod to its location on Fifth Avenue), La Quinta is the main strip of Playa del Carmen, stretching for about 4 miles. Lined with street vendors, restaurants, and tons of shopping, it's buzzing at all hours of the day. I love to go for a stroll in the early(ish!) morning when it's peaceful and fairly quiet, and later in the evening when it's packed and draws quite a crowd.
2. Take a ferry ride to Cozumel.
Two sunny destinations in one trip? Yes, please! Hop over to the saline and sun-filled island, just a quick 30- to 45-minute ferry ride from the Playa port. With opportunities to snorkel, scuba dive, explore the ruins, or ride an ATV, Cozumel has an activity for everyone.
3. Explore nature.
The area surrounding Playa is rich in breathtaking Mayan culture, including the cliffside Tulum Ruins with their breathtaking views of the turquoise waters down below. Fun fact: Tulum is the only Mayan city built on the coast.
Cenotes, natural sinkholes that arise from the collapse of limestone bedrock, are gorgeous natural wonders worth exploring during your trip to the ruins. If you're an ocean lover like me, you'll adore swimming beneath their peaks. Check out Cenote Dos Ojos or Gran Cenote for a breathtaking scuba dive or snorkel.
Where to stay
1. Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
Right in the middle of the action, the Grand Hyatt Playa is a modern, luxury respite for busy travelers. It features direct beach access, modern rooms, beautiful decor, plenty of walking space, a new full-service fitness center and studio, and five-star restaurants—all within walking distance of downtown. Catch the sunrise over a morning beach meditation and yoga practice then head to the Cenote Spa for an evening flow and meditation. Oh, and get a restorative treatment or two while you're at it.
2. Mahekal Beach Resort
Also located in the center of Playa, the Mahekal Beach Resort has cute bungalows on gorgeous grounds, right on the ocean. Relaxed, friendly, and low-key, it delivers a more authentic feel of Mexico.
3. Hacienda Tres Rios
A beachfront, all-inclusive resort, Hacienda Tres Rios is actually a 326-acre nature park. Pairing the amenities of modern luxury with ancient Mayan and Mexican traditions, this resort is fantastic for hosting groups, families, retreats, or events. South of Cancun but north of the downtown Playa del Carmen area, it's tucked away from the business of both bustling areas. Rent out a kayak and paddle through the mangrove trees, open-water coves and surrounding waters, or take in some sun poolside. The Mexican government has also recognized Hacienda for its environmental stewardship, so you can feel good about your stay.
Insider Tip: Even if you're not a guest, you can purchase a Hacienda day pass, which includes meals, snacks, on-site activities, and natural park tours.
Where to eat
1. La Cueva del Chango
La Cueva del Chango, or "Monkey's Cave" in Spanish, is a cheeky space that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner outdoors alongside lush vegetation. Lit with string lights, it's the perfect restaurant to stargaze next to a fresh, traditional Mexican meal. Just outside of the touristic zone in the center of Playa del Carmen, it's also local favorite for breakfast thanks to its fresh-squeezed juice and fruit bar.
2. 100% Natural
100% Natural became my go-to for its lovely salads and tasty, fresh fish dishes. It features healthy options for vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike, along with some decadent postres, or desserts.
3. BIO-Natural Tienda
Both a restaurant and shop, BIO-Natural sells organic food and natural soaps and beauty products. With a lengthy menu of vegan and vegetarian options, it's just steps away from the touristy La Quinta path. Be sure to check out their organic wines and artisanal beers, too. After all, you're on vacation!
For more travel inspo, check out the rest of mbg's Travel Diaries.
And are you ready to learn how to fight inflammation and address autoimmune disease through the power of food? Join our 5-Day Inflammation Video Summit with mindbodygreen's top doctors.


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Highlights of Lyla's first birthday.
I still can't believe my second baby girl is one year old!
I was able to re-use the same one year birthday outfit that her sister, Madison wore when she turned one. Love that.
Note the headband didn't last long.
Holding my baby girl at her first birthday party. Love her so much.
Lyla came early at 38 weeks and has been a fast learner for sure.
She started walking at 10 months and loves to try to do what Madison does too.
Has 4 teeth now – 2 lower and 2 upper.
Lyla loves her new baby doll.
Lyla was excited to eat her first birthday cupcake.
We did the same exact recipe that we made for Madison.
Lyla starting to get into her cupcake.
Yummy cake!
Eating cake on the go 🙂
I still can't believe we just celebrated Lyla's first birthday. I remember when I was holding her for the very first time a year ago!
Check out Lyla's birth story here.
I am working on my one year postpartum update that will be coming soon.
I meant to keep up with monthly updates on Lyla like I did with Madison but honestly time just flew by. Life with 2 kids while trying to run a business takes up a lot of time. I love it all though. I am so grateful for my girls and for everything in my life.
Even though yesterday's birthday party didn't go as planned I embraced it all.
There are many mixed emotions when reflecting back as I remember pregnancies, my girl's birth stories, and life with 2 girls under the age of 3 I have learned and experienced a lot.
One important thing embrace my life and for everything in it instead of looking around and comparing myself to others.
Being a mom is hard where I am constantly telling myself "I am doing enough" "everything is going to be okay."
Today was supposed to be a day filled with lots of laughter and celebration but it ended up being a day filled with mostly cries and tantrums all day long. Hard day mentally for mom. I felt like all day I was constantly yelling at Madison "No" "why did you just do that to your sister?" "don't hit!" etc. We had a few tantrums because they wouldn't share the headband for the photos so headband went away and no one wanted to share toys today.
It's so important for me to take time each day for myself.
Lately, that's been first thing in the morning and right before bed. I am okay with that and I make it a nonnegotiable, even after a long day with the kids. My self-care routines really help keep me centered, grounded and sane. I am looking forward to an evening of working on my business and waking up to my #ptsisters to do another LIVE workout with them. #mompreneur#lifeasmama
Thanks for the love and support #ptsisters
Lori (and Michelle)
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The worst part of stage fright or an anxiety attack on stage is that it's often unexpected, which means it can horribly blindside a musician. Here are 8 ways to overcome an anxiety attack will help even the most fearful musicians deal with stage fright.
When I wrote How to Deal With Performance Anxiety and Play Your Best, I didn't realize that a musician could intellectually know how to overcome an anxiety attack on stage, but still be overcome with stage fright. I thought I had all the mental tools I needed to play my flute in front of an audience. Boy, was I wrong.
This is how I found out how bad an anxiety attack on stage can be: yesterday I performed three pieces of classical music with an organist. I play the flute (or thought I did, until my fiasco on stage yesterday!). Our three pieces were Michel Blavet's Gavotte, Vivaldi's Pastorale from Sonata 4, and Denis Bedard's Melodia. Our audience was easy – a small friendly group of 12 people. I know them all; in fact, this performance was a surprise concert to celebrate the end of a 12 week Artist's Way creativity workshop. I was playing in front of a supportive, encouraging, and very positive group of people who love music and creative arts. So why am I writing an article on how to overcome an anxiety attack on stage? Because my stage fright totally blindsided me and ruined my performance. I was devastated and shocked by how powerful my anxiety was! Here's what happened – and how I'll be preparing myself for my next performance, which is in less than two weeks…
One of the worst parts of my anxiety attack on stage yesterday is that I'd practiced the three pieces for six weeks. I knew them…not off by heart and not perfectly, but definitely well enough to get by.
Maybe that was part of the problem. I didn't know the songs well enough, so I couldn't fall back on muscle memory when I was scrambling to overcome anxiety on stage. If you need to learn how to overcome anxiety when you're playing an instrument on stage, make sure you know your music well.
What is stage fright?
"Stage fright" is our natural alarm response to what we think and feel is an emergency situation. For me, stage fright felt like my brain shut down. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't read my music or even see the notes on the page. I lost the tempo, and my heart was racing.
I could barely play my flute. It was awful.
I thought I'd be nervous, so I gathered tips on how to overcome an anxiety attack on stage. But it turns out that you can know something intellectually – such as a piece of music off by heart – and still freeze under pressure. That's what stage fright is.
Here's what an Anxiety Coach says about stage fright: "Performance Anxiety is what happens when you focus on yourself and your anxiety, rather than your presentation or performance. It stems from a tendency to resist and fight your anxiety, rather than to accept and work with it. Stage fright is the result of thinking of the performance situation as a threat, rather than a challenge." – from Blocked by Performance Anxiety?
Stage fright or performance anxiety symptoms may include:
- Racing pulse and rapid breathing
- Dry mouth and tight throat
- Trembling hands, knees, lips, and voice
- Sweaty and cold hands
- Nausea and an uneasy feeling in your stomach
- Vision changes
All these symptoms of stage fright will affect your performance as a musician in many ways – none of them good.That's the bad news.
But the good news is that you're not alone! "To say that I suffer from pre-show nerves is like saying that when you get hit by an atom bomb it hurts a bit." – Ozzy Osbourne, in his 2010 autobiography, I Am Ozzy.
8 Ways to Overcome Stage Fright and Anxiety Attacks
Stage fright is brutal for musicians because it prevents us from playing well. An anxiety attack can even cause a musician to walk off stage and never return to play in public.
The worst part of stage fright or performance anxiety is that you may not even feel it until you sit down to play. That's what happened to me: I felt fine until I actually picked up my flute and listened to the organist count us into the first song. Then I froze. I could barely move my fingers or blow air into the flute.
Here's what I'm learning about how to overcome anxiety and stage fright. I have a recital in less than two weeks, and I need to deal with my performance anxiety. It's not about impressing the audience…it's about playing well for myself. I want to do a good job.
And so do you. You're here because you want to know how to overcome an anxiety attack on stage, right? Try these tips…
1. Play in public as much as you can
I thought I'd be fine playing my flute in front of an audience because I "serenaded" them as they walked into the house for the concert. I played several easy pieces, to warm up and get rid of my stage fright.
You'd think that playing informally in front of your audience would help you warm up and play well in front of them later, but it didn't work. Why? Because they were mingling, talking, and distracted. They weren't sitting and watching me play. There's a huge difference between playing for people who aren't focused on you versus playing for people who are watching you. I could be a street busker, no problem. Being a concert flutist isn't so easy.
My next performance is less than two weeks away. This is a much more formal concert. It's actually a recital, and the composer of Melodia (our third and most difficult piece) will be there. That actually doesn't bother me; I feel overwhelmed with anxiety regardless of who is in the audience.
2. Memorize the notes and tempo
Knowing your music by heart isn't the answer to overcoming an anxiety attack on stage, but it can help. I didn't know my music well enough. If I'd known my notes better, I may have been able to rely on automatic memory to carry my performance.
But, I know a musician who memorized her piano concerto backwards and forwards. She knew her notes and tempo cold! She was confident and prepared when she walked on stage. And yet…when she sat down at the bench and started playing in public at the recital, she froze. She forgot most of the notes, and she actually had to stop playing in the middle of the piece and walk off stage. That was how bad her stage fright or performance anxiety was.
The worst part? She didn't expect to feel so anxious about performing music on stage. She really thought she was prepared. She was ready to do an excellent job.
So, while memorizing your music can help you overcome an anxiety attack on stage, it will not protect you from the dreaded consequences of stage fright.
3. Do not rely on your memory
Here's a tip for overcoming stage fright that is in direction contradiction to my last suggestion: make notes and abbreviations on your sheets of music so you don't have to remember things.
For instance, if you always forget to breathe before the high B flat, mark that spot with a B. If you never take the rest you're supposed to, then circle the rest symbol. The less you have to remember while you're performing, the closer you are to overcoming anxiety on stage.
4. Lose yourself in the music
When I played our second song – Vivaldi's Pastorale for Sonata No. 4 – I actually got into the waltzy tempo and forgot about my audience for a few seconds. Unfortunately the song lasted for less than two minutes, which means I didn't have time to really get into the music.
Are you playing music you truly enjoy? That can be a great tip on how to overcome an anxiety attack on stage. Fright is less overwhelming and consuming if you're performing music you love. Get into the music – lose yourself in the music! Become the music.
5. Accept that getting over stage fright is a long-term process
This is the most disappointing tip on how to overcome anxiety attacks on stage: it requires sustained, gentle effort. Stage fright is a biochemical, emotional response to a perceived threat, and it will not be stopped by a couple of deep breaths and positive visualizations before a performance. Musicians need to train their brains and spirits to overcome anxious feelings while performing, and it sadly doesn't happen overnight.
Some performers and musicians practice saying, "What would it feel like to let go of this feeling?" They find freedom in imagining how they would perform if they weren't so anxious about being on stage. If I let go of my stage fright, I'd feel happy and even joyful about playing my flute! I'd be relaxed and secure, calm and free. I'd connect with the music and put my soul into the notes.
Wouldn't that be lovely?
6. Research different approaches on how to overcome anxiety attacks
In Getting Over Stage Fright: A New Approach to Resolving Your Fear of Public Speaking and Performing, Janet Esposito shares the Sedona Method way of overcoming stage fright.
"[At the thought of performing], your mind and body react strongly, and you experience a range of distressing thoughts, feelings, and sensations. You feel dread in the pit of your stomach, and a feeling of intense fear and foreboding comes over you. Your mind starts to race and you wonder if you can somehow get out of participating in this event. Your chest tightens and your heart starts to beat rapidly as you contemplate what is up ahead. You imagine how incredibly overwhelming all of this is going to be, and you start to feel trapped and helpless—and then frustrated and upset with yourself for having these reactions."
Esposito says at some point in this scenario we need to see ourselves heading into the abyss of the hell of stage fright. Instead of allowing ourselves to fall in (which I did yesterday – I fell into the pit of an anxiety attack that stopped me from playing my flute well) – we take a step back.
"You pause and take a slow, deep breath and recall the method of releasing and letting go," writes Esposito in Getting Over Stage Fright. "Rather than condemning yourself for having these thoughts and feelings, you give yourself full permission to be exactly where you are in this moment, no matter how bad it feels. Then, after a few moments of full, unconditional acceptance of where you are, you gently and slowly ask yourself the following questions, giving yourself time to fully experience each question: Could I let this go? Would I let this go? When?"
7. Consider booking a session or two with an Anxiety Coach
Learning the Sedona Method or any of the several helpful strategies for overcoming stage fright might be easier with a therapist, coach, or counselor. In fact, I might get counseling on how to overcome anxiety attacks on stage. I really want to play my flute well in the upcoming recital, and I don't know how to get rid of my stage fright.
The problem is I won't know if my own tips for overcoming performance anxiety will help until I get back on stage. Even if I work with an Anxiety Coach who specializes in overcoming stage fright, I won't know if his or her methods will be effective until I'm actually performing in front of people who are starting at me on stage.
That sucks. Even if they're watching me with encouragement, enjoyment, faith, and love, I may succumb to my own worst enemy. Me.
8. Change your mindset – a mental tip for overcoming anxiety on stage
"Imagine coming to your speaking or performing challenge with a very different mindset," writes Esposito in Getting Over Stage Fright. "This new approach you are taking is based in being authentic and genuine as you focus on connection and collaboration. You have stepped back from your own self-interest or self-protection and, rather than being preoccupied with succeeding (or not failing), you care more about the needs and interests of others. You connect deeply with the people in your audience and care about everyone getting value out of the experience."
Instead of pressuring yourself to prove that you're an awesome musician or performer, step back from your ego. Just be yourself, enjoy the music, and connect with your audience.
Easy? No. Simple? Maybe.
On the bright side, I have learned a few things about how NOT to overcoming stage fright or performance anxiety…
How NOT to Overcome Anxiety on Stage:
These are the mistakes I made yesterday, before I played my flute in front of an audience:
- I had a giant McDonald's coffee an hour before performing, because I thought the caffeine would boost my cognitive abilities and flute playing skills. I was wrong. Caffeine only made me more jittery and added to my feelings of anxiety about being on stage.
- I was hungry. Starving, in fact. So my brain wasn't fortified with energy, glucose, or nutrients. Not eating enought food is definitely not a good tip for overcoming performance anxiety!
- I told our audience that I was nervous. This amplified my anxiety and made me more aware of how scared I felt. To overcome anxiety on stage, we need avoid thoughts that increase self-doubt.
- I didn't know the music well enough, so I couldn't fall back on muscle memory to carry me through my stage fright. Overcoming anxiety attacks on stage isn't cured by memorizing your music, but it can help.
I also allowed my anxious feelings to consume and carry me. Next time I'm on stage, I will try the Sedona Method – I'll stop myself from stepping over the abyss into a full blown anxiety attack on stage. I'll take a deep breath, and encourage myself to focus on the music.
Enjoy the music. Feel the music. Be the music.
Stage Fright and You
What's your experience with anxiety attacks on stage, as a musician? Write your heart out below. It will help. Trust me – I do feel better about my terrible performance and stage fright yesterday, now that I've written about it.
While I can't offer advice on how to overcome anxiety attacks on stage, I do read every comment. I encourage you to respond to other readers' comments if you feel led, and to share your experience of performance anxiety. Writing often brings clarity and insight, and can help you process your feelings.


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Flippant Friday…..
I'm sure the fact that it's half term has nothing to do with the sudden surge in sale of these this week…..? Lots of people seem to be paying extra to have them sent by first class post too for some reason? Happy half term everyone! Hope you've had a good week.
X is for … X-Rated! #A-ZPhotoChallenge #AnimalTales 01/03/2016
Okay….promise me that you won't zoom in on this photo of a squirrel…..and his nuts!!
I SWEAR I had no idea until I got home and looked at the photo on the computer screen – honest!
I was actually disappointed with the quality of the photos I'd taken on my phone – every one was fuzzy, but there's still…..erm…..a lot of detail on some of them!
This was one of my morning walks. It was a lovely one; late enough to miss the school kids and the dog walkers, so I wasn't tempted to stop and natter, but I was absolutely amazed at the number of squirrels who were out and playing in the winter sunshine – so I stopped walking anyhow!
Usually I see the odd one or two squirrels, but there were masses of them, in very high spirits from the warmth I think. They were darting up and down the trees, jumping over the river and running in and out of the gardens which adjoin this wooded area. It was a lovely sight.
I did get one more reasonable-ish photo….
I showed this one (thankfully not the other one!) to my nephew, Euan, who is three, and asked him what it was. His answer? A rabbit….
W is for … White Stuff #A-ZPhotoChallenge
Don't really need many words to explain this one, but since when has that stopped me?!
It is a lovely idea from White Stuff – they want YOU to help them raise £16K for their local shop charities by creating your own unique patch – see the photographed leaflet for details.
You can pick up your patch from your local shop and then return it, decorated, to the shop by 10th March. Your local shop will be having a tea, cake and judging event which sounds right up my street!
The winner from each shop will receive a £50 White Stuff voucher and go forward for a chance to win a crafting holiday in Italy.
BUT, the best thing is that for every patch entered White Stuff will donate £5 to your local shop's charity AND all of the patches will become part of a cushion or quilt that will be sent to your shop's charity. Now, that really is a win/win situation!
If you'd like to see more details, or for some inspiration, check out whitestuff.com/areyouthready or pop into your store. If you can't get into your local store to drop off your completed patch, you can submit it by post, so don't let that stop you!
If you're going to take part in this great challenge, I'd love to see what you come up with! #WSAreYouThready
Not sure?
Here's a photo of the kit you can buy from White Stuff to get you inspired! Go on, challenge yourself and raise money for charity too!
A Gate For All Seasons – January
This one is totally self indulgent, but if you have your own blog, then why not?!
This is the view I see every day when I walk into town. It's a great one, in my opinion, and one that changes through the seasons…..so why not take a monthly photo of it just to see if it changes as much as I think it does?!
The most problematic thing about it is that there's a big grey bin just to the left of the gate. Do I include that in my photo as the view of the hill (Dumpdon) is better from further back, but other than Photoshopping the bin is coming along to play too? Well, just go with the flow I think!
I'm not quite sure why these posts are so important. It's not like it's a mysterious gate as I do know what's behind it. Many, many years ago I used to babysit for the people who owned the house behind the gate, so I know that it leads to a lovely garden…..but there is an air of mystery about it.
Anyway, here's a distance one where I did miss the bin….and include the random lamppost and grit bin instead!


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Radiation Safety Course – EDH – January 4 – 6, 2019
Radiation Safety Course – EDH – January 4 – 6, 2019
January 6, 2019 @ 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
One event on January 5, 2019 at 8:30am
One event on January 6, 2019 at 8:30am
Event Navigation
The California Radiation Safety Certification course provides the participant with the required course curriculum to obtain certification to produce dental radiographs in California. Whether an entry-level allied dental health team member or someone entering the California workplace from another State, our certification course provides didactic instruction in the California Code of Regulations for Radiation Safety and ensures, through lab/pre-clinical instruction, that each participant demonstrates minimum competency in the principles and techniques of radiography prior to human subject exposures. Upon successful completion of the required elements for certification, the participant will receive a certificate of completion allowing them to expose radiographs in the workplace as well as a course completion verification card for submission to the Dental Board, if used for application requirements for licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant.
Course tuition includes all materials needed for completion of the requirements. Course meets: Fridays, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm; Saturday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm and Sunday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
Pre-requisite: current certification in CPR (BLS for Healthcare Providers)
Recommended: provide evidence of completion of a Board-approved 8-hour course in Infection Control
Pre-requisites may be taken concurrently if scheduled through The FADE Institute.
*Please Note: Individual tutoring sessions or office training are offered to those in need and may be scheduled/requested by contacting us directly.


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All -> Internet & Networking -> Plug-ins -> Apache2
Mod_security is an Apache 1.x/2.x module whose purpose is to tighten the Web application security. Effectively, it is an intrusion detection and prevention system for the web server.
At the moment its main features are: * Audit log; store full request details in a separate file, including POST
payloads. * Request filtering; incoming requests can be analysed and offensive requests
can be rejected (or simply logged, if that is what you want). This feature
can be used to prevent many types of attacks (e.g. XSS attacks, SQL
injection, ...) and even allow you to run insecure applications on your
servers (if you have no other choice, of course).
This package contains the module required for Apache 2.x servers. In addition to this package the mod-security-common package, which includes documentation and configuration examples, will be installed.
Home Page: http://www.modsecurity.org/
Interface: Plug-in
Associated Programs
Available deb Repositories (how-to add a respository)
Rating: Not Rated (0 votes)
Login or Register to rate mod_security, add a Tag, or designate as an alternative to a Windows app
Upload Screenshots
Images must be in GIF, JPG, or PNG formats and can be no larger than 2 MB. Only one file can be uploaded at a time. A description can be included, but it is optional.
Submit Web Links
Submit the title and link (including https://) to an article pertaining to mod_security and it will appear in the Web Links section of the right banner. Contact us here if an entry needs to be removed.


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Posts for: May, 2015
As is the case with most celebs today, Beyonce is no stranger to sharing on social media… but she really got our attention with a video she recently posted on instagram. The clip shows the superstar songstress — along with her adorable three-year old daughter Blue Ivy — flossing their teeth! In the background, a vocalist (sounding remarkably like her husband Jay-Z) repeats the phrase "flossin'…flossin'…" as mom and daughter appear to take care of their dental hygiene in time with the beat: https://instagram.com/p/073CF1vw07/?taken-by=beyonce
We're happy that this clip highlights the importance of helping kids get an early start on good oral hygiene. And, according to authorities like the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, age 3 is about the right time for kids to begin getting involved in the care of their own teeth.
Of course, parents should start paying attention to their kids' oral hygiene long before age three. In fact, as soon as baby's tiny teeth make their first appearance, the teeth and gums can be cleaned with a soft brush or cloth and a smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. Around age 3, kids will develop the ability to spit out toothpaste. That's when you can increase the amount of toothpaste a little, and start explaining to them how you clean all around the teeth on the top and bottom of the mouth. Depending on your child's dexterity, age 3 might be a good time to let them have a try at brushing by themselves.
Ready to help your kids take the first steps to a lifetime of good dental checkups? Place a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste on a soft-bristled brush, and gently guide them as they clean in front, in back, on all surfaces of each tooth. At first, it's a good idea to take turns brushing. That way, you can be sure they're learning the right techniques and keeping their teeth plaque-free, while making the experience challenging and fun.
Most kids will need parental supervision and help with brushing until around age 6. As they develop better hand-eye coordination and the ability to follow through with the cleaning regimen, they can be left on their own more. But even the best may need some "brushing up" on their tooth-cleaning techniques from time to time.
What about flossing? While it's an essential part of good oral hygiene, it does take a little more dexterity to do it properly. Flossing the gaps between teeth should be started when the teeth begin growing close to one another. Depending on how a child's teeth are spaced, perhaps only the back ones will need to be flossed at first. Even after they learn to brush, kids may still need help flossing — but a floss holder (like the one Beyonce is using in the clip) can make the job a lot easier.
If you would like more information about maintaining your children's oral hygiene, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles "Top 10 Oral Health Tips For Children" and "How to Help Your Child Develop the Best Habits for Oral Health."
Have you noticed a clicking, popping, or grating sound when you open or close your jaw? As many as 36 million U.S. adults experience this phenomenon in one or both of the joints that connect the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull.
While the sounds may be disconcerting, there's generally no cause for concern in the absence of other symptoms. They're most likely caused by a harmless shift in the position of the disk inside each temporomandibular (jaw) joint, and it can diminish or disappear entirely over time. But, if you're also experiencing persistent discomfort, severe pain, or limited function in your jaw (which can include getting it "stuck" in an opened or closed position), then you may be suffering from a temporomandibular joint disorder — part of a complex set of conditions affecting one or both jaw joints, muscles and/or other surrounding tissues. (You may have heard the condition called TMJ, which is actually the abbreviation for the temporomandibular joint itself. Health care professionals prefer TMJD or TMD.)
Depending on the severity, TMD can interfere with your ability to speak, chew and even make facial expressions. The cause is unclear, but genes, gender, environment, stress and behavior are believed to play a role. It can also be symptomatic of a larger medical problem, such as fibromyalgia, which can produce pain all over the body.
Management Options for TMD
TMD traditionally was viewed as a bite problem (malocclusion) requiring mechanical correction — e.g., through orthodontic braces or surgery. But the current therapeutic model approaches TMD as an orthopedic problem (joint inflammation, muscle soreness, strained tendons and ligaments, and disk damage) and favors a sequence of conservative, reversible procedures — hot or cold compresses in the jaw area, soft foods, physical therapy/massage, medication, and/or a bite guard to decrease pressure on jaw joints from tooth clenching and grinding — prior to more aggressive, irreversible treatment alternatives.
If you would like more information about TMD, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about the subject by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles "Seeking Relief from TMD" and "Chronic Jaw Pain and Associated Conditions."
If you're like many people, two little words may strike fear in your heart. Those words? Root canal. Some people are even more nervous about having a root canal than having a tooth pulled. But your Macon dentists Clinton M. Watson, DDS, MBA and Nicole L. Jackson, DDS, at Northside Family Dentistry want you to know that there are many myths about root canals that are simply unfounded. Dispelling those myths may help calm your fears about having the procedure.
Myth: Root Canals are a Painful Procedure
Truth: Contrary to popular belief, root canals should not be any more painful than any other dental procedure. Your dentist will numb your teeth and gums for the root canal and you should not experience any discomfort. If you experienced a toothache prior to the procedure, that pain should be relieved after the root canal is performed because it removes the infected tissue. If you are especially nervous, Macon patients have the option of choosing sedation dentistry which can calm your fears or even let you sleep during the procedure.
Myth: Root Canals are a Long Process
Truth: Most root canal procedures can be completed by your dentist in one or two dental appointments. After the root canal is performed, your dentist will then assess the type of tooth restoration that is necessary which may take additional dental visits.
Myth: Root Canals Can Cause Sickness
Truth: Once upon a time, some dentists believed that releasing the trapped bacteria in the tooth's pulp could cause illness. But no current research supports this theory. Root canals do not appear to cause any illness.
Myth: Only an Aching Tooth Needs a Root Canal
Truth: Even if a tooth is not infected or hurting, it still may need a root canal. In some cases, a tooth is dead or dying and a root canal is necessary to prevent it from becoming infected. Your dentist will monitor your oral health at each visit and let you know if any of your teeth show signs of decay that may warrant a root canal.
If you've been nervous to make that dental appointment because you fear those two little words, fear no more. A root canal can be just what your teeth need in order to be saved and to stay intact. If you're still nervous, Northside Family Dentistry in Macon, GA offers sedation dentistry that can help you through the procedure. Schedule an appointment today to talk to your dentist about the benefits of a root canal to save a tooth at (478) 475-1976.


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Strandeed in Dallas, Tx. This is no fun. Plane took off late in Phoenix. Why? Because the freaking jetway was STUCK to the airplane. They couldn't dislodge and ordered all passengers off of the airplane. I am not going to try and fix the errors that this keyboard is giving me so that's my excuse in advance. Anyway, a third of the plane FULL of people got off and then they said get back on! Well, you know how people are, some anyway, well a lot, oblivious to the world. Take your sweet old time, take 2 minutes to put a bag into an overhead bin that should take you 5 seconds at most. It cost us in time, we were forty five minutes late leaving.
When we finally landed, I had thirty minutes to get off that plane, get on a tram and get over to the correct gate. Nothing was working. People who didn't have connecting flights were instructed to stay in their seats to let those that didn't have connecting flights off first. No-one cared, of course so since I was near the back of the plane, I was screwed. Got out of that and to the tram and realized my gate was clear on the other side of the airport. Those trams at DFW move fast, but not fast enough. I got to the exit, got off, ran to the gate to find they had just shut it, pulled the jetway away and the plane was sitting there.
They couldn't have cared less. Even if it was their airline's fault that I was late. Nope, we can't do anytihng for you and the next available flight isn't available until twelve thirty today! NO WAY. Valerie was like, nuh-uh, I am coming to get you and she did. Meanwhile I was making endless calls. They gave me the boarding passes and free food voucher and a free night's stay at a Marriot and I got the bleep out of there and got to the hotel . Even if a short stay, FAR better than sitting at that airport for hours. Got my free dinner, got in my room and almost fell asleep. .
Val showed up and we drove back, almost 3 hours drive. Didn't get into town until three am, I knew I would feel like shit today and I wasn't let down. But no way am I missing that job interview, I don't care how I, I am going and that's that. She's all over it too, she knows that getting a job determines when I can move out there.
So, I am \sitting at Denny's in Longview, drinking massive amoiunts of coffee and she is heading over with the 3 little ones, should be here pretty quick. I haven't seen those kids in four months and they like me and I like them, little kids are fun to be around - well no always but usually they can be quite entertaining. The older ones are all at school. We have nothing planned for after the interview so I am guessing I am going to want to take a nap this afternoon. In fact, I may just break down and do a hotel for one night to ensure a good night's sleep cause' tomorrow? It's going to be quite the day starting with pinewood derby in the morning and cruising the rest of the day with activities and getting ready for the bonfire tomorrow night. I just need a good night's sleep for that. Though I don't doubt that I will get on after last night. Just that going to bed at 3 am? It doesn't matter what time you get up, at least me, not going to feel one hundred percent, maybe later on and catch a second wind or something.
Actually, the airline did offer to fly me out to Shreveport last night, which is where the interview is, but she wanted to see me so strike that. Probably would have worked out better for all of us though. I would be there right now and she could come and get me at the appointed time, take her and the kids to that science place and then head over to the store to meet up with the store's manager.
But oh well. The airline wouldn't concede anything, either, until i got a supervisor on the line with whatever department I was on with. She offered me a one hundred buck voucher which I took, better than nothing. Actually, if they would have kept the gate open until they said it would close, I would have been on that plane and none of this would have happened. They did not and now all this garbage.
Well, make the best of this situation and move on.
Gotta get my mind in the right place so I can have a good visit with that manager.
Friday, March 28, 2014
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Decatur, Alabama. Got there last night - decided I didn't have enough hours to offload - about an hour and 15 minutes on the clock, tak...
This will be the first of an on-going series of how to own a dog - or several dogs - without having to shell out a fortune in keeping them h...
It will be a total of 10 days off. I was good at 7. Manager finally called and said are you ready to go back to work. Yes please. So tom...
So. Will this corporate lady be able to get anything accomplished today? I dunno, but I'ma rootin' for her! lol. I don't know...


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Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Hackberry Trees
The trees seem to be pouring around the old machinery. One rod runs through the middle of both little trees....
8 comments:
- Frugal Canadian Hermit said...
Thats pretty cool Jeanie. Kinda like the tree is protecting the implement from getting stolen. I've never heard of a hackberry tree.
- May 7, 2009 at 12:56 AM
- cowgirl said...
Thanks Mark,
I hadn't thought about it that way before, you're right, the tree could be protecting the implement. :)
I'm not sure what the implement is, maybe a swather. Sure looks old.
There are a lot of hackberry trees down here. They have little berry like things on them but I don't think they are edible. The trees seem to grow fast.
Hope you have a great weekend Mark!
- May 7, 2009 at 8:55 AM
- Mrs. JP said...
wow,,,that's a cool place. Is it close to your house? I'd be tempted to make it a hangout like for campfires...except that now that I think about it there are probably snakes all up in there. I'm freakishly phobic about snakes,,JP knows I can't even see them on TV w/o my skin crawling.
But,,it really is a neat place.
- May 7, 2009 at 10:03 AM
- cowgirl said...
Thank you Mrs JP!
It is close to my house. It's in a little pasture that I use for the horses when I'm riding a lot. I keep the horses close to the house when riding and out in the big pasture when I'm not using them.
It's kind of pretty out there, I do see the occasional snake though. :)
- May 7, 2009 at 10:27 AM
- Boca Raton BBQ said...
We had some trees like that on the farm I grew up on. Sometime a long time ago someone had used small trees as fence posts for barbed wire. the trees grew around and the barbed wire is now in the middle of the trees. Its really cool.
- May 14, 2009 at 12:56 PM
- cowgirl said...
That sounds cool Boco Raton!
They sure seem to grow fast. :)
Wonder if I should put a time capsule inside the fork of one of the limbs. Think anyone would find it later? :)
- May 14, 2009 at 1:50 PM
- Shirley Morris - Filmmaker said...
Really great photo's. How long has the tree been "eating" the old machinery?
Oh, and I LOVE your weedeater!
- May 16, 2009 at 1:31 AM
- cowgirl said...
Thank you Lone Cowgirl!
I know that the trees have been growing for the last 10 years, but I'm not sure how much longer than that.
I'm glad you like my weedeater. It works out great for me. :)
Thanks again!
- May 16, 2009 at 10:05 AM


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Whether she's Dancing with the Stars or battling a terminal illness, we're pulling for her; as we always have since we first met her on the Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Valerie Harper remains identified and even interchangeable with Rhoda Morgenstern, the beloved character she inhabited.
That's one reason behind her enduring appeal; and possibly no one appreciates or understands that better than Charlotte Brown, writer for the Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Executive Producer/Show Runner of Rhoda.
In this exclusive interview with Darryle Pollack, Charlotte offers insights and insider information about Rhoda, her wedding, and how Rhoda and Valerie intersect.


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by Jodi L. Jordan
Air Force Culture and Language Center
9/24/2013 - MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- -- Five
culture, language and negotiation experts from the Air Force were
special guests of the U.S. Army last week, offering expertise to the
premier gathering of armor and infantry soldiers for the 2013 Maneuver
Warfighter Conference at Fort Benning, Ga.
Faculty from the Air Force Culture and Language Center and Air Force
Negotiation Center of Excellence here traveled to Fort Benning Sept. 12
to serve as panel members during the Regional Expertise and Cultural
Integration Working Group, attended by nearly 200 soldiers, including
service members from nine other nations. The conference was hosted by
the Army's Maneuver Center of Excellence, the largest training
organization in the Department of Defense.
Topics addressed in the working group included how the Army could
integrate and sustain language, regional and cultural expertise, to
include cross-cultural negotiations, throughout professional military
education. Also discussed was how to deliver cultural training without
increasing soldiers' current course loads. These topics are
non-negotiable for today's soldier, according to the lead organizer of
the conference.
"In today's environment, not understanding regional and cultural
expertise is not an option," said Lt. Col. Trevor Robichaux, as he
introduced the AFCLC panelists. "We're trying to institutionalize this
here at the MCoE. Teaching soldiers how to be able to operate in any
environment - a skill set that transcends any one individual culture."
AFCLC participants were Dr. Stefan Eisen, director of the Air Force NCE;
Dr. Will Dulaney, AFCLC assistant professor of organizational
communication; Dr. Lauren Mackenzie, AFCLC assistant professor of
cross-cultural communication; Dr. Jennifer Tucker, AFCLC professor of
assessment; and Zach Hickman, AFCLC Language Division chief.
Eisen, who coordinated the AFCLC's participation, said the event was a
great example of pooling geographic resources to facilitate partnerships
across services.
"The MCoE reached out to their Army liaison at the Air War College to
see if there was in-house expertise to support the Regional Expertise
and Cultural Integration Working Group, " Eisen said. "From there, we
assembled a representative group that could tell the story of how the
Air Force approaches what we call 'LRCN,' or language, region, culture
and negotiations. Each of these components supports the concept of an
adaptive Airman, able to quickly assess environment and appropriately
operate to achieve mutual mission success. At the MCoE conference, we
were afforded the opportunity to share our experiences with
institutionalizing cross-cultural competence in the U.S. Air Force, but
we also gained useful insights on the Army's approach to these
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Culture, language and negotiation experts participate at Army conference
Posted by American Heroes Radio at 5:40 PM
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Blog — how to gain muscle
How Peter overcame his inability to bulk with one simple change
bodybuilding for skinny beginners bodybuilding for skinny guys bulk in three months bulking bulking program gaining muscle gaining muscle mass how to bulk how to bulk efficiently how to bulk up how to bulk up fast how to gain mass how to gain muscle how to gain weight skinny to buff skinny to bulk skinny to muscle three month bulk
My friend peter used to be overweight but managed to slim down by changing his diet and moving more. He wasn't content with only slimming down though, because he wanted to have a more muscular body. For years he tried to bulk up but found it difficult. He would get more defined at times but he wasn't really gaining any mass. His core exercise routine would consist of running four times a week anywhere from five to ten kilometres a run and he would go to the gym one time a week or do a few push ups or...


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Delifucious Shibuya
Review excerpt: Delifucious has resurfaced inside Chaos Kitchen, the casual basement dining floor in the hulking new Shibuya Parco building.
Review excerpt: Delifucious has resurfaced inside Chaos Kitchen, the casual basement dining floor in the hulking new Shibuya Parco building.
Review excerpt: Cafe Y offers a Morning Set for ¥600, but we order the double-sized American-style Breakfast (¥1,000), which consists of scrambled eggs, bacon or ham, toast, a piece of fruit — usually a banana — and coffee.
Review excerpt: Kyoto's Pop! Pizza has awesome pizza, beer, movies and music.
Review excerpt: Shonan's Gold'n Bub is an compact, easygoing brewpub close to Chigasaki Station that has steadily built up a loyal local following since moving here two years ago from nearby Tsujido.
Review excerpt: For a savory dish at Hood by Vargas, try its New York beef sandwich — it's small, but packs a lot between the toasted slices of bread.
Review excerpt: Morning Glass Osaka is an offshoot of the original Morning Glass Coffee in Honolulu and they've borrowed much of the aesthetic and menu from Hawaii.
Review excerpt: Yes! Burger is American diner meets Japanese cafe. The burgers are good and there's a nice line-up of staples.
Review excerpt: Locale sources its pork from Kagoshima and lamb from Hokkaido and veal from a ranch in Iwate. Look out for her Saitama quail, too.
Review excerpt: Henry's Burger Akihabara has developed a 100-percent wagyu burger that is rich, juicy and distinctively different from any other in town, especially the recent wave of premium American chains.
Review excerpt: At Southern Peas, carnivores can go for gumbo, but don't neglect the barbecue spare ribs, which come slathered in a rich red wine sauce.
Review excerpt: Instead of boosting the beef patties with artificial additives, more natural, umami-rich ingredients are used at Umami Burger, such as soy sauce and porcini mushrooms. The basic eponymous burger is served with shiitake, roast tomato and a crisp disk of Parmesan cheese.
[Sponsored] Back in 2014, when BLT Steak launched a branch in Roppongi's Izumi Garden Tower, there was plenty of hype and big expectations for the Tokyo debut of a modern American steakhouse boasting a flagship in midtown Manhattan. BLT Steak Roppongi did not disappoint. Together ...
Notice: Event and location information is subject to change.


text: Step back from the pain and transform it into compassion. Step back from the stress and strengthen your purpose. Take the anger and turn it into healing. Drop the resentment and allow the remaining energy to blossom into enthusiasm. Rise above anxiety, so that you come to experience peace. From the negative frustrations, draw positive inspiration. Where there is sadness, offer genuine and unconditional love. In times of despair, find tiny morsels of joy and hope, and let them grow to magnificent proportions as they flow out from you. When you are weary, be truly thankful for how far you have already come. Let your gratitude transform what is, into the very best of what you know can be. Life's energy is what you make it. Make it purposeful, positive, fulfilling, and great.


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I opened up the NYT on line today and randomly chose an editorial to peruse. I landed on one that brought up a conundrum that is present in several ways in my life. David Brooks writes about what makes thick and thin institutions. Thin are those that after you leave, you may or may not stay connected with. Thick are the ones that no matter the distance and time, you are connected to others from that institution in ways hard to explain. When I think about the perfect example, good summer camps, NOLS courses, and spring break roads trips come to mind.
Both of my children are about to make a big transition. One is graduating from college. The other is likely going to transfer to a new college or university. I think this thick and thin is central to both of them right now. Their college experience did not provide them with anything thick. They love their professors, they are challenged by what they are learning, they like the students around them, and neither of them is unhappy with their experience. I keep wondering what the driving force is behind the transfer and behind my daughter's enthusiasm for getting out of here. I think it is because there is nothing thick; they have wanted something strong, solid, and thick to hold on to and instead have found something too thin to feel safe.
One description of the dichotomy really stuck with me.
"In other words, thin institutions tend to see themselves horizontally. People are members for mutual benefit. Thick organizations often see themselves on a vertical axis. People are members so they can collectively serve the same higher good.
In the former, there's an ever-present utilitarian calculus — Is this working for me? Am I getting more out than I'm putting in? — that creates a distance between people and the organization. In the latter, there's an intimacy and identity borne out of common love. Think of a bunch of teachers watching a student shine onstage or a bunch of engineers adoring the same elegant solution."
When I translate this to my school and my classroom, I can see through the thinness. And I have no idea how to go about making it thick. I know part of it is leadership at a level that I cannot affect. But how can I make my classroom thick? I am going to sit on that today.


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About GoldenQuest Productions
Here at GoldenQuest, we combine the arts to create a powerful storytelling experience. Our projects typically consist of a detailed and immersive script, rich illustrations and a captivating soundtrack.
The Scripts
The scripts are vivid and illuminate characters, action sequences and settings in precise detail, giving you the ability to visualize the script with ease and proficiency. Surrounding all of the fine-tuned details are compelling stories and sincere characters that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Concept Art
Illustrative concept art corresponds with the script, providing you with a colorful glimpse into the story's image.
The Music
And finally, a breathtaking soundtrack. While the script and art gives the story it's character and face, the music gives the story it's soul. Possessing a blend of masterful musical composition and unforgettable themes, the music will touch your heart and further enhance your emotional connection with the story.
All of these elements work together to help give readers, actors, directors, producers, companies and others the capability to envision the potential of the project at its earliest stage. Partners would not only be investing in a script; they would be gaining a valuable blueprint that will help them build a profitable and memorable project.


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Events Calendar
Swing Devils Second Friday Swing
Date: January 11, 2019 Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Event Description The Swing Devils of the Palouse host a free swing dance at Daily Grind Espresso every second Friday of the month. A beginner East Coast Swing lesson will be taught from 6:30-7 PM, and then the floor will be opened for dancing from 7-9 PM. No experience or partner is necessary, just come dance!


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CETA Australia is a distributor of a wide range of energy measurement devices servicing Australia in the area of Facility Energy measurement, reporting, optimization, and WAGES data collection. CETA Australia takes pride in having a strong focus on delivering products that are high quality, full featured, and competitively priced.
Advanced Single Phase Revenue Meter
- Billing
- Tax Calculations
- Energy Use Optimization
About the EDMI-Mk7C
The Mk7C is a single phase Time of Use (TOU) domestic revenue meter designed for advanced utilities in deregulated and deregulating markets who are committed to providing consumers better quality metering services and not just basic electricity measurement. It is well suited to remote reading and other advanced applications such as remote disconnect, card-less prepayment and domestic demand management.
The Mk7C is a one- or two-element revenue meter suitable for the most complex domestic metering applications, providing comprehensive tariff structures, load profiles and load control. The meter's second element allows independent measurement of hot water, air-conditioning or heating consumption.
Pattern Approval in Australia
New legislation regarding Pattern Approval, how does it impact your projects?
- GPRS Capability
- Power Quality Indication
- Advanced Tamper Detection
- AMI & PAYG Ready
- Disconnect Relay
- Class 1 & Class 2
Applicable Standards
- Compliance to IEC 62052-11, IEC 62053-21, IEC 62053-23, AS1284.5
Dispelling the Myths of Pattern Approval in Australia
Confused abvout the new legislation regarding Pattern Approval, how does it impact your projects?


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What is interesting is the psychological claim that the filmmaker is claiming:
First and foremost, I want to make sure that everyone knows I'm not trying to incite another Charlie Hebdo incident. But [our four scenes] basically represent different women from different regions in the Middle East, different kinds of ideas. [We're] trying to be a little titillating, obviously, with the different kids of traditional dress. But I started the video by [thinking]: For Middle Eastern women, veiling is not just a way to suppress her sexual freedom, it's a symbol for all the human rights violations against these women like rape and domestic violence.Vice wasn't very impressed with the effect. "At its core," the judge, "the film is a prime example of banal ignorance fueling bigoted imagery."
[It's about] taking the veil off.
I obviously haven't seen the film, and don't intend to. However, it strikes me that Vice isn't well placed to judge the impact of the film. Clearly the filmmaker is right about the effect of the veil as it is experienced by women in the region. Some may experience the veil as Islam claims to intend it to be experienced, as a liberation from the tyranny of continual male sexual attention. For others, her reading has to be close to right. What that means is that not only is this symbolism going to be powerful for those women, it's also going to be powerful symbolism for men from the cultures where veiling is tied to issues of sex. It may end up being more effective than they expect, in spite of its banality, because it touches on symbols that are deeply-felt for the Middle Eastern audience in a way they are not here.
So, there's an ethical question: would that be good, to have a beneficial effect achieved through the method of pornography? If you were trying to disrupt Islamist systems and found this was effective, is it a method you'd endorse? Or is the harm done too great to apologize for the good? You might want to include a brief discussion of whether you think pornography is in fact harmful, and if so just how, as philosophical opinions on that differ sharply.


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DearGovernment necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 68 diseños de 18 diseñadores freelance.
Need a logo for a discussion forum and petition website geared towards government-related topics.
UPDATE: most submitted designs incorporate "deargovernment" - it would be nice to see some without, perhaps something along the lines of a group exchanging dialogue with a single entity who is perhaps on a hill, to represent govt? I know graphically representing government is a challenge, but that's why I'm getting all your ideas... Thx!
Need a logo for a discussion forum and petition website geared towards government-related topics.
The logo should be representative of citizens interacting with their state/federal governments, but not be cartoonish. Needs to portray a site that is serious, legitimate, and trusted. Goal is to have both citizens and government see this site as a legitimate avenue for feedback on government policy and programs.
- muted colours;
- Useable on webpage or print;
- Serious, professional, trustworthy;
- Logo can incorporate "deargovernment.com" but doesn't have to.
- cartoonish style/colour;
- Country-specific imagery - white house/parliament, flags, etc;
- Gloomy, dreary;
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Early Birthday Party!
We went to North Carolina this past weekend to spend the Jewish New Year with my family. It's always fun to go to my parents house and hangout for a few days. We also got to see lots of extended family and friends. Since it will be a while before we are with so many cousins at once my mom wanted to throw a little early birthday party for the girls. So we had party hats, plates and bran muffins with whip cream and chocolate sprinkles. The girls mastered the cake smash the first time. I'm so proud of them. They also seam to really like bran muffin an they really liked the whip cream. They licked it all off the top before starting on the muffin.
marnie katz permalinkSeptember 20, 2012
They are so beautiful. Happy Early Birthday to them and you.


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Schedule Yours By Calling (310) 693-5561
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Speak with us today. Fill out the form below to request your free consultation.


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Roofers in Dulwich
We offer a full range of roofing services for residential and commercial structures and we have built up our reputation on a solid foundation of positive reviews from our satisfied previous clients.
Taking Care to Do Things Right
We pride ourselves on the quality of our workmanship and we don't cut corners. We treat your roof with the same care and attention that we would if we were working on our own home.
We approach each project, from start to finish, with total attention to detail and a goal to ensure that everything is done just right. We aren't done until you are satisfied, which is why we don't take a deposit and you only need to pay when you are 100% happy with the work.
As members of the "Buy with Confidence Scheme" backed by the Trading Standards Department and the UK Confederation of Roofing Contractors, we are the reputable and reliable choice for all your roofing needs. You can trust us to deliver excellent results, every time.
Roofers Dulwich
These are just a few examples of some of the services that our skilled team of roofers in Dulwich can offer. If you have any questions or want to ask us about further services, don't hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a call.
- Roof Repairs – We are able to repair any style of roof that has been damaged by rain, wind or neglect.
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- Tile Roofing –We have years of experience installing tile roofs for our customers. We will ensure an attractive finished product that will protect your home for many years.
0208 408 7156


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WSU gets $40 million for biofuels research
Agriculture grant is among largest awarded
Thu., Sept. 29, 2011
Washington State University is getting a $40 million research grant to produce "green" jet fuel from woody debris in Northwest forests.
The five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is aimed at creating a cost-competitive, domestically produced biofuel that the airlines would embrace.
The idea of fermenting carbohydrates found in cellulose-derived tree sugars and extracting the molecules to make jet fuel isn't new, said Norman Lewis, director of WSU's Institute of Biological Chemistry.
"Woody plant materials produce an enormous range of chemicals," he noted. However, "scientific and technical" barriers still impede large-scale commercial production of aviation fuel from wood, Lewis said.
In addition to WSU's grant, which focuses on fuel produced from logging debris, the University of Washington is receiving $40 million to research converting plantation-grown poplar trees into aviation, diesel and gasoline fuels.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the awards Wednesday at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The research grants are among the largest awarded by the agency and mark the federal government's latest efforts to develop biofuels and regional renewable-energy markets.
Partners in the two projects include universities, research entities and corporations, such as timber giant Weyerhaeuser, from Washington and nine other states: Oregon, Colorado, California, Idaho, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Montana, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.
"It's very much a university and industry-led effort," said WSU's Lewis.
Researchers say wood biofuels have the potential to help the Northwest recover from the loss of natural resource jobs in recent years and utilize existing infrastructure, such as timber and pulp mills, to serve another regional powerhouse: the airline industry.
Jet fuel is the biggest single expense for airlines, accounting for about one-third of their total expenses this year. In addition, air travel is responsible for about 3 percent of greenhouse gases. Airlines have been seeking ways to control their fluctuating fuel costs and reduce their carbon footprint by turning to alternative fuel sources that can be interchanged with petroleum-based kerosene. The Pentagon has pushed forward on a research project to produce algae-based biofuel, while airlines have considered a range of options, including cooking oil and a combination of coconut oil and babassu oil, which comes from a palm tree in northern Brazil.
Last month, President Barack Obama announced a partnership to invest up to $510 million over three years to produce advanced aviation and marine biofuels to power military and commercial transportation.
WSU's Lewis said the goal would be to produce carbon-neutral jet fuel from woody debris. But calculating the fuel's carbon footprint is part of the research work.
Cutting the cost of aviation biofuel will be one of the researchers' biggest challenges. Though the cost of conventional jet fuel continues to rise, Lewis said aviation biofuel is still more expensive for airlines.
One of the cost hurdles has been addressing lignin, a glue-like material that comprises up to 30 percent of some woods. Researchers will work to expand their knowledge of how lignin can be used. Their work will also focus on developing high-value byproducts from converting wood to jet fuel, whose sale could help subsidize the cost of biofuel.
The WSU project will evaluate biofuels from planting through growing, harvest and conversion to ensure an environmentally sustainable and economically viable industry.
"We are looking at all the bottlenecks that have prevented these things from being readily converted before," Lewis said. "We think there is potential to replace some of the natural resource jobs lost in the region in recent years."
Researchers said they also will focus on ensuring that any new technologies developed in the projects translate to viable industries, something other biofuels efforts have garnered criticism for by failing to accomplish. That means helping landowners understand whether they would benefit by growing wood products for the new industry; training workers; and educating schoolchildren, college students and communities about the biofuels industry, particularly those likely to be affected by or to benefit from its development.
Production of fuels and chemicals from biomass will be a huge industrial enterprise in the future, said Richard Gustafson, a University of Washington professor of forest resources and a lead on the UW project.
"It is essential that it be sustainable from an economic, environmental and social point of view," he said. "The research lays the foundation for building a sustainable enterprise before large-scale commercialization."
Overall, the five-year program announced by the Agriculture Department Wednesday includes more than $136 million in research and development grants to public- and private-sector partners in 22 states. In addition to Washington, university partners from Louisiana, Tennessee and Iowa will lead projects to focus in part on developing aviation biofuels from tall grasses, crop residues and forest resources.
The Associated Press and staff writer Becky Kramer contributed to this report.
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Two minds are always better than one, but what about companies? Vertafore and DocuSign's recent partnership announcement proves how powerful combining forces to increase efficiency because let's face it— things are just easier when you have a friend on your side.
DocuSign is a logical integration with Vertafore, who offers insurance companies with competitive technology solutions. We were able to sit down with Cliff Demmer (VP of Field Sales) and Rachel Ford (VP of Development) to talk through the announcement and how the partnership came to fruition.
Q- Why did Vertafore decide to partner with DocuSign?
Rachel: After performing a detailed market analysis of players in the digital transaction management (DTM) space, it was obvious that DocuSign is the leader. The roadmap for adopting and rolling out DocuSign was laid out in an innovative and forward thinking manner. The synthesis between our products is logical and transparent with a straightforward integration that proved to be effortless.
Cliff: DocuSign is the gold standard for DTM—clearly the market leader. When you take a new concept to any vertical market place, it is important to partner with companies with sterling reputations like DocuSign.
Q- What is one thing that stood out during the review process that convinced you to make the decision to partner with DocuSign?
Rachel: From a development perspective, it became clear very quickly that DocuSign has their bases covered on security, integration ease, and data management. There are a myriad of opportunities and options in place rooted in a very robust system that is easy to connect with. We wanted to roll out the platform to our customer base as fast as possible while still focusing on ease of use and security.
Cliff: We know our clients are looking for ways to create better client experiences for their clients and DocuSign was just the vehicle to take them there. The further we looked, the more value we saw from both a sales perspective and as a customer experience tool. It was a no brainer.
Q- From a development position, when you were being walked through the integration process, what were your thoughts for using DocuSign today and in five years?
Rachel: We found it interesting that DocuSign yields immediate value from even a lightweight integration. In regards to how DocuSign will help today; it is always nice to get up and running quickly and to be able to see value straightaway. In five years, we know the DocuSign platform will support deeper and broader work flows— where DTM is a natural part of an agent's experience. We can already see iteration paths where value is continually being added, so thinking where DocuSign will support Vertafore's strategy in five years is incredibly exciting.
Q- How is DocuSign being rolled out to employees and what have been their reactions so far?
Cliff: The partnership announcement has brought about lots of excitement and questions. Our employees can tell what a powerful tool DocuSign will be for them and want to know every scenario to which it can be applied. Many of our employees have already had very positive personal user experiences, which has confidently impacted their ability to sell. DocuSign will make it easier for clients to sell and there is an undeniable level of excitement and anticipation to get started. We are being flooded with questions about the integration, the main one being, "When can we start?"
Q- How do you see DocuSign impacting the sales team at Vertafore?
Cliff: DocuSign extends the reach of our market. Due to our substantial footprint in the insurance industry, clients are likely to turn to us for suggestions when integrations of this nature emerge. Now, not only can we respond in a positive manner about DocuSign's potential but can go one step further and drive conversation about DocuSign as an concrete partner. The integration helps us round out that solution.
Q-How are Vertafore customers reacting to the new services DocuSign offers?
Rachel: All the players we collaborated with during the decision period were very supportive about partnering with DocuSign and have continued to offer nothing but positive backing.
Cliff: While we haven't received direct feedback since the partnership announcement, everyone who knew about the idea has generated nothing but encouragement and excitement. There is definitely a positive buzz.
Q- DocuSign is often described as a superhero. Who is your favorite superhero and why?
Cliff: That's a tough question but I am going to go with Batman— he is a regular guy with less of a "superhuman" complex. Batman can do incredible things with a normal set of skills.
Rachel: I have a teenage son at home, so the question of who is the best superhero is a hot topic in my family! I will go with Iron Man— he is an innovator with a lot of intelligence and creativity and is constantly maturing his definition of great.
Interested in learning more about these thought leaders from Vertafore? Connect with Rachel Ford here and Cliff Demmer here. Find Vertafore on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.


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Sunday, January 18, 2009
People are crazy and times are strange
That is all.
2 comments:
- I.A.M. said...
Hmm… can you be any more specific at all? Is this related to a particular event or observation? Would you please fill in the rather massive gap betwixt that heading and your cryptic statement in the body of this post?
- January 18, 2009 at 1:21 AM
- Gary Mc said...
Just a general observation, old chap. Either I'm losing my grip or people and times are getting crazier...
- January 18, 2009 at 1:26 AM
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By Teachers, For Teachers
Many teachers focus a great deal of their time and energy into classroom management. They focus their time on how students should be behaving and what students should be doing. While this is an important component into having an efficient and effective classroom, using teaching strategies that create a learning environment that promotes equality is just as important. Equality is about all students getting a fair and equal education. It is where all students pose ideas, share ideas, and are explicitly welcomed to participate. When educators use teaching strategies to structure their learning environment to welcome and promote student engagement and equality, we can rest assured that students are learning. Here are five specific teaching strategies that promote equality in the classroom. These strategies will help you cultivate a classroom where all students are welcomed to participate equally.
A simple way to ensure that all students are getting an equal chance to participate is to use the cooperative learning strategy Think-Pair-Share. This approach gives all students the opportunity to have an equal chance at participating (even if they don't want to). This strategy involves having students write their ideas down about a specific topic, pair up with a partner or a neighbor in class and discuss and compare their thoughts, then share their thoughts with the whole class.
Creating a classroom environment that promotes equality means trying out new strategies that require all students to participate, even the ones who do not like to share or speak up. If it was left up to the students to determine who would share and who would not, the naturally extroverted students would surely take over while the introverted students would happily sit quietly. By assigning a student reporter when in small groups, you are providing access to participation for all students, regardless if they like to speak up or not.
This strategy is simple: Randomly call upon a student when doing group work to share their ideas or thoughts for their group. You can do this by using colored coded chips or sticks, a visual characteristic of a person like their hair color or eye color, or even by something like who has the closest birthday. This strategy is easy and tends to get the more introverted students a chance to equally share their thoughts.
Many educators monitor student participation by how many times a student raises their hand or how often they ask questions in class. However, to structure your classroom in a way that encourages equality and participation, you must do a few things. First, when you notice that the same students are always raising their hands, say, "Thank you for your participation, however I would like to hear from some other students in class." Second, give students a moment to share their thoughts with their neighbor. Sometimes all a shy student needs is the validation of a peer to feel comfortable enough to share their thoughts with the whole class. Last, it is up to you, the educator, to show your students that you demand that all students participate equally.
In order to engage all students equally, you must vary your learning strategies. This means that you must incorporate active strategies that will reach all learners. In order to do this, you must know how your students learn best. Some may prefer to talk with their peers, while others may prefer another way to communicate. The best way to reach all learners and teach equitably is to make sure that individual learners receive different approaches to learning.
Perhaps the most powerful teaching strategy in building an equitable learning environment is to establish a set of classroom norms. This means promoting acceptable behaviors like, "Everyone's ideas are important," and "All ideas must be treated respectfully." Most importantly, students will see if the teacher reinforces these norms so it is essential that the teacher is comfortable with enforcing all such norms of equality.
Teachers have the power to implement and cultivate a classroom of equality: A classroom that is free to share its values and opinions openly and honestly without feeling ridiculed or judged from its peers. The five teaching strategies above are just the tip of the iceberg for fostering a classroom of equality. There are literally hundreds of ways that you can set up your classroom to promote student engagement and participation. What you do and how you do it is ultimately up to you.
Do you have any thoughts or ideas on how to cultivate an equal learning environment? Please share your thoughts and expertise in the comment section below, we would love to hear what you have to say.
Janelle Cox is an education writer who uses her experience and knowledge to provide creative and original writing in the field of education. Janelle holds a Master's of Science in Education from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. She is also the Elementary Education Expert for About.com, as well as a contributing writer to TeachHUB.com and TeachHUB Magazine. You can follow her at Twitter @Empoweringk6ed, or on Facebook at Empowering K6 Educators.


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Oh Hello. My name is Alex and I am just now recovering from Halloween.
You may or may not have notice I missed a northstory notes edition on Friday. That is because on Thursday I spent the night with ghosts, tons of candy, glow sticks and some lovely Shiraz. All to feign ignorance to the fact that Mother Nature decided to invade our pocket of the world with freezing cold almost November rain and high speed winds which made for the shortest trick or treating session on the planet. I think we had *maybe* 50 kids come to our door. In a subdivision where just 2 years ago, I couldn't close my door for almost 3 hours.
I had this particular idea for our Halloween front porch decor for this year since my older daughter decided she wanted to be the Queen of Hearts for Halloween last Fall. First she wanted to be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz but then too many viewings of Tim Burton's version of Wonderland led to a fascination with "Off with their heads!". First the Evil Queen from Snow White, now this. Hmm…
Anyhow, Alice in Wonderland overall is one of the best fairy tales ever to let your imagination go to the darker spectrum of things – which is probably why there are so many gothic interpretations of it.
So I present to you, our Gothic Halloween front porch for Halloween, inspired by the Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland.
How this all started was that I basically dragged my husband and my kids to a mini forest (read: park) and we took home a whole bunch of old branches that had already broken off of their respective trees. Then after we dragged them home to the perplexed look of our neighbours, I then covered them with fake roses and tied them to our porch with fishing line.
The black chandelier was an old cheap chandelier from a thrift store that I painted black. Which for the record was a spray paint disaster (think bubbled up paint) but because it was for Halloween it added to the creepy, old effect. I then added some gothic decorations, skulls and you can never go wrong with bird cages and crows.
Then on my Kijiji score of a vintage black steamer trunk (whose hinges are broken and who I haven't been able to find a spot for in our home) I did an Alice in Wonderland Vignette using a variety of symbols from the story.
You've got the white rabbit, a Gothic looking Alice doll, the Cheshire cat Jack O' Lantern, a teapot, painting the roses for red for her majesty the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter's hat, a clock and of course something to drink. The fabric under it is leftover red velvet from my daughter's Queen of Hearts cape and a piece of fabric that we got as a sample at BlogPodium from Tonic Living.
And at night we dragged out the Christmas lights and blasted a red light onto the porch.
This reads We're All Mad Here but it went all around the pumpkin so taking a photo of it was challenging.
And last but not least, the characters.
That's a very last minute homemade Alice in Wonderland costume and a homemade Queen of Hearts cape.
And that I'll get into in Part 2 of our Gothic Halloween in the suburbs.