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D.Peach, Goodreads
Under the rigid guidance of the Conclave; an order of holy men seeking to bring back the glory of the time of the gods, the Order of the Inquisition and their Prekhauten Guard divisions the seven hundred known worlds carve out a new empire with the compassion and wisdom the gods once offered. But a terrible secret, known only to the most powerful, threatens to undo three millennia of progress. The gods are not dead at all. They merely sleep. And they are being hunted.
Senior Inquisitor Tolde Breed is sent to the planet Crimeat to investigate the escape of one of the most deadly beings in the universe. Amongeratix, one of the three sons of the god-king is loose once again, the fabled Three. Tolde arrives on a world where heresy breeds insurrection and war is only a matter of time. Tolde is aided by Sister Abigail of the Order of Blood Witches in his quest to find Amongeratix and return him to Conclave custody before he can begin his reign of terror.
What he doesn't know is that the Three are already operating on Crimeat. Each serves a different emotion: Vengeance, Sorrow and Redemption. Their touch drives the various characters beyond themselves and towards an uncertain future that can only end one of two ways. Either the Three win and finally destroy the gods, or humanity stops them and continues to survive.
What makes me write?
Unlike much in life, my answer for this is simple. It's what I was born to do. Ok, maybe not really, but it sure feels like it. It all began in the summer of 77 when my dad took me to see Star Wars in the drive in. Mind blown. We followed that up with Ralph Bakshi's version of Lord of the Rings and I was hooked! I started making goofy comic books and then less goofy ones. I wrote a very bad horror novel in 10th grade that earned me the student of the month award. (Every time I go home I try to find it and burn it.)
Joining the Army in 1991 put my plans on hold- but it was another thing I wanted to do. I wrote a few books during my first 10 yrs in service and didn't get serious about it until I became so bored while in Afghanistan that I dug deeper. Since retiring from the Army I have gone on to put out over 20 military fantasy and science fiction novels. Not bad for a young kid from western New York who had a pen and a dream.
Inspiration comes in many forms and degrees. The origins of one of my favorite books: Beyond the Edge of Dawn, came from my time in Baghdad, Iraq in 2005. Stationed at Camp Victory- situated beside Baghdad International Airport (BIAP), I used to run around a large lake at night. In the center of the lake was a bombed-out palace that one of Saddam Hussein's sons once owned. I was in Mosul, Iraq in 2003 when Saddam was captured, and his sons were caught and killed in a gnarly firefight. Much to my chagrin, Saddam himself was being held prisoner in the bombed-out palace. Each night I would run around the lake and try to catch a glimpse of the Hitler-influenced dictator.
I never did get to see him before he was tried and hung by and Iraqi court, but during those nights a name entered my head. Wheels began to turn. Who was he/she? What did he do? Why should I write a story about him? The answers kept coming and each night when I finished my run I would go to my notebook and write the details down. By the time my third tour of duty in Iraq was finished I had the outline for Dawn. Inspiration can be found everywhere, if only we open our eyes to see it.
I write military fantasy and science fiction. I use my 3 combat tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, a 20+ year career in the active duty Army, and a Masters of Arts in military history to provide readers with what I believe is a fairly accurate depiction of what war is like. Funny, I actually received a negative review from a reader claiming the action was too realistic. Wait…that's what I was going for.
Sure, it happens on different worlds with weird species, but don't we want a little touch of truth? I remember seeing The Two Towers for the first time when I was in Afghanistan in 2002. A fan of the Lord of the Rings from a young age, I was amazed and disappointed with what Peter Jackson churned out. Of course, the pirated copy we got our hands on somehow managed to gets most of the scenes out of order- explain that one to me…- but Jackson clearly had no understanding of tactics and strategy. The amount of lives lost during the siege of Helm's Deep was appalling to me. It could have been me being in war or the fact that I led troops in combat. Regardless, I decided then and there to never let that slip into my writing. I may not produce the best books ever, but I do my best to make them engage, entertaining, and to leave the reader sitting back in their chair and saying…damn.
About the author:
Christian W. Freed was born in Buffalo, N.Y. more years ago than he would like to remember. After spending more than 20 years in the active duty US Army he has turned his talents to writing. Since retiring, he has gone on to publish 17 military fantasy and science fiction novels, as well as his memoirs from his time in Iraq and Afghanistan. His first published book (Hammers in the Wind) has been the #1 free book on Kindle 4 times and he holds a fancy certificate from the L Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest.
Passionate about history, he combines his knowledge of the past with modern military tactics to create an engaging, quasi-realistic world for the readers. He graduated from Campbell University with a degree in history and is pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in Military History from Norwich University. He currently lives outside of Raleigh, N.C. and devotes his time to writing, his family, and their two Bernese Mountain Dogs. If you drive by you might just find him on the porch with a cigar in one hand and a pen in the other.
Author's Giveaway


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A-2 Flight Jackets
Grid List
1 Item(s)
A-2 Flight and Bomber Jackets
The A-2 flight jacket, also called the A-2 bomber jacket, first came to prominence during World War II, when it was issued first to Army Air Corps Personnel following the completion of basic flight training. These jackets would rightfully become prized possessions among pilots, who valued them as much as they did their wings. As they progressed in their careers as Airmen, adornments would be added to their jackets, including squadron patches, Air Force emblems, and even elaborate artwork on the back that would sometimes match the nose art of their aircraft.
Cockpit USA gave new life to the A-2 flight jacket in the mid 1970's by replicating it ultimately having it to become a status symbol among civilians, too. Hollywood quickly made it a must-have accessory for the American adventurer. Our expertise in leather-working, and our passion for making sure that each jacket reflects the time in which it originated; is a statement to our commitment to preserve the iconic eras of American Fashion to the military and the commercial consumer. We continue to supply Air Force units here in the USA and internationally because of our dedication to quality and our ability to develop new personalized versions. Shop our line of genuine A-2 bomber jackets and become a part of that legacy.

subset: commoncrawl


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Hey there frands. Some new things here. A couple from the event L'amitie Summer Market that I spoke about briefly in the last post. Just a little market on Rack Poses sim with some designers with new items! Truth has a new hair out there along with this cute lemonade stand by Ispachi! ♥
Chilly Drinks Inside –


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Connecticut-based Onyx Spirits has received some national attention for its Connecticut-made moonshine. Now the company has come out with the state's first aged whiskey.
They whisky starts as the moonshine, made of corn, malted grains and local spring water, and is placed in 5-gallon American oak barrels. Six months later, it is the state's first aged whisky.
Adam von Gootkin, one of the founders of Onyx Spirits, said his company has created a limited run of the whiskey, which comes out in December.
They've made 33 barrels and one each will be distributed to 33 stores, spaced out across in the state.
"So we haven't released what stores have it yet," von Gootkin said.
Pete Kowalczyk, one of the founders of Onyx Spirits, said the company's growth in a short time is due to support from the local community.
They basically started by delivering moonshine out of the trunk of their car, he said.
"We've come so far in the last year and a half and Connecticut's supported us so much," he said.
"Now we have barrel-aged whiskey and we have a new high-proof coming out."
The new higher proof moonshine is Moonshine 111, which is more potent than the regular 80-proof version.
When customers started asking for a higher-proof version of the moonshine, the company tested several proofs, von Gootkin said.
"We landed on 111 because we loved the flavor. We said, 'This tastes incredible,'" he said.
Learn more about Onyx Spirits on their Web site.


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Finding Out How To Lose Weight With Medical Products
If you're trying to find out what the medical benefits cannabis seeds offer are, click this site. Many different people use this kind of supplement to help their health out. Finding out what you need to know is not that hard.
One way to find out what the medical benefits of this kind of product are is to look it up on the internet. When you were looking up information online, make sure you look up more than one source. You do not want to just trust one source about something because they may not know what they are talking about or they may just have gotten the wrong information. When you are reading about cannabis seeds make sure that they are being discussed in a way that talks about your health and how to add them into your diet.
If you are going to use this product to lose weight or do anything else that is beneficial to you, then you should ask your doctor about it. They will probably be on board if you let them know that it is not an intoxicating part of the plant that you are going to be ingesting. Just be sure that you have the information straight before you bring it to your doctor so you know what to tell them about what you were doing and whether it is helping you or not. If you are on any medications, you may want to find out more about potential interactions before buy cannabis seeds.
The medical benefits www.gyo.green cannabis seeds have are great. You can expect them to make you a much more healthy person. And, you don't have to worry about the intoxicating effects that the other parts of the plant have if you just stick with eating the seeds from it.


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This course is not scheduled during the Fall 2020 semester.
This studio course is an introduction to the field of Interior Design. Investigation into the theory and practice of interior design will be explored. Architectural drawing conventions, proper use of equipment and materials, professional interior design presentation techniques will be studied. Emphasis will be placed on developing the ability to explore multiple solutions and utilize critical thinking to evaluate effectiveness and learn the continual process of refinement and revision that is key to the success of the designer.


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Heart Saree - Fire Engine Red and Gold Maheshwari
The Heart Saree
"There's a room in my heart for you"
Bejewelled hearts hand embroidered all over a handloom cotton/silk Maheshwari saree.
There's a lot of depth and design in the motif, each heart sparkles and shines in the light.
The perfect saree to celebrate love!
This is a Limited Edition Saree and only one is available.
We work with material that is handcrafted in India. Since the making process is by hand, slight aberrations in textile, printing, and sewing are bound to happen and cannot be considered as "damaged."
Material: Handloom Cotton/Silk Maheshwari
Care: DRY CLEAN ONLY.
Colour: Fire Engine Red and Gold. Slight difference in colour from the visible product image is possible.
Note: Blouse worn by model is not part of the saree.
Delivery: Will be dispatched within 3 - 5 working days of confirmed order with payment.


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Honey Mustard Chicken Chopped Salad – A quick and delicious chopped salad with seasoned chicken, feta cheese, and crispy wonton strips!
I'm going against the grain here. Typically, food bloggers post healthier-skinnified recipes in January and then it dies out after that. All of the New Year's Resolutions are put on the back burner and ignored til next year. Things like lightened up comfort foods and heart-healthy salads don't tend to be very popular across the web around now. But I love salad. LOVE salad. And I'm positive a few of you do too, so I'm still going to share my favorite salad recipes with you despite their unpopularity. They're delicious, they make you feel great, and they help you get ready for bikini season. Hellooooo. Let's not lose focus here people, keep the NYResolutions alive!
This salad is SO good. Like, I would eat it every day of my life if my husband wouldn't eventually hate me for it. The chicken is so tender and juicy and takes what, 5 seconds to prepare? Then you throw that in with crunchy romaine, sweet red onions, tomatoes, crispy wonton strips, and feta cheese. Oh my beloved feta cheese. And if that's not enough, drizzle that whole delicious bowl with creamy lightened up honey mustard dressing. You will go nuts for this salad! Really, you will.
Honey Mustard Chicken Chopped Salad
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 roma tomatoes, diced
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 cup crunchy wonton strips (found next to the salad dressings with the croutons)
- 1 cup honey mustard dressing (click [url:1]HERE[/url] for my favorite homemade version!)
- Preheat oven to 375. Grease a shallow baking dish with cooking spray. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place chicken breasts in a single layer in prepared baking dish. Cover with foil. Cook 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Dice chicken.
- In a large bowl toss together lettuce, onion, feta, chicken, and tomatoes. Top with wonton strips and serve with honey mustard dressing.


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As many of you know, I have been with my lady for many years. For over 20 years as a matter of fact. But did you know this? I can't be any more in love with her. I am as in love with her as I was when we first started to date.
Also, none of the work I make would be possible without Lynn Bloom. No phone, no lights, no motor car. No nothing. That's all.


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- Swansea (Main) 01792 773 773
- Cardiff 03333 209 242
- Carmarthen01267 234 022
- Fishguard01348 873 671
- Haverfordwest01437 764 723
- Rural Practice01267 266 944
- St Davids01348 873 671
- Please note that all phone calls are recorded
Are We Discriminating Against Potential Employees Without Even Realising?
When it comes to body modifications, such as tattoos or piercings, in certain industries questions are often raised regarding employer and employee rights: what they can and can't ask their employee to cover or remove
Although tattoos, piercings and other body modifications are not protected under the Equality Act 2010, it is important to consider possible challenges on the grounds of a breach of human rights.
An employer can legally establish a dress code for their organisation and if this dress code does not allow for body piercings, they have the right to request that an employee removes the related jewellery whilst at work. And whilst you can't remove a tattoo, an employer can request that it be covered.
However, recent research by ACAS shows that some employers are not in touch with the public's changing attitudes towards tattoos and piercings. In some sectors, tattoos and piercings are frowned upon for fear of how they'll be viewed by customers and clients.
There could also be a risk that a prospective employee's appearance affects the recruitment process. There may be occasions where a potential employee could be overlooked as a result of their tattoos and piercings, despite being extremely talented. With changing fashions, does this mean that employers could be missing out on employing the best people for the job?
Fashions have changed drastically over the years. We've come a long way since women wearing trousers was frowned upon; we've embraced individuality and equal rights for both genders. So now may be the time to look at your work force and perhaps modernise your policies.
As an employer, your policies must clearly state what you will allow, and be clear in your decisions for this if they are challenged; provide explanations as to how these decisions have been reached and where possible involve employees in decision-making.
Within your policies, a complete tattoo and piercing ban may not be the answer, however ensuring you have a more modern guideline on what is acceptable in your dress code could be the solution to move forward with the times. This could include no visible tattoos on the face or a caveat that nose piercings are acceptable as long as they are discrete. This ensures that the rights and individual identity of the employee are not affected but maintains a professional, public identity of the organisation in question.
For detailed advice about outsourced HR support and issues such as discrimination, contact Natasha Johnston on 01792 525478 or via email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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According to Webster, fear is a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.
Physiologically, fear triggers the amygdala in the brain. It then causes a series of chain reactions ultimately triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Once activated, the SNS releases hormones throughout the body. One hormone we are all familiar with is epinephrine, more commonly known as 'adrenaline'. Adrenaline causes our pupils to dilate, our heart to beat faster, and stomach to feel like it turns into knots! All these actions (and more) occur in order to help us escape the eminent danger.
When there is no real danger, our emotions or stress may still innervate these responses.
What does this mean? It means fear is a defense mechanism, we should be thankful for in emergencies (it may just keep us alive), but we need to acknowledge there are times when overcoming our fear teaches us how powerful our lives can become. Ultimately, we must recognize these internal responses for what they are but not allow them to rule our lives because it's really all in your head!
So… the next time you are nervous about giving a speech, or asking that beautiful someone on a date or going to bungee jump with Bungee America, thank your body for working properly, know that everything is actually going to be ok, and…
Go For It!
Written by Bryce Jensen?Revised by Ron Jones


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Summit Professional Education Doubles Speed & Accuracy of Order Entry with SEMtek and Informer
Summit Professional Education (SPE), a global training company whose focus is to develop and deliver dynamic, relevant, and highly useful educational content to professional audiences, manages thousands of events annually with over 60 instructors. SPE had been using a custom-made Access® database as its backend system and a commercial registration system for order management. Lack of data integration was a huge issue.
SPE turned to Entrinsik to provide an integrated solution that would deliver the real-time insight they needed to grow the business. Entrinsik's SEMtek ERP software drives many of the nation's largest professional and continuing education profit centers incorporating best practices of event planning, registration processing, event fulfillment, event financial management, and direct marketing methodology into one comprehensive solution.
"We needed a system that handled all of our logistics as well as our customers (over 100,000) that we could trust and could provide us with a versatile reporting solution", said Jeff Watjen, CEO at Summit Professional Education. "We had to manually merge systems weekly (if not daily) and the margin of error was big". SEMtek enabled SPE to eliminate unnecessary extra process steps as well as the need to double and triple check data that was otherwise in multiple locations.
Also critical for SPE was a reporting environment that would provide information about marketing response rates and purchasing trends. "We did that analysis prior to implementing Informer but it was a much longer, manual and less accurate method", says Watjen.
With Informer, SPE now has a web-based reporting solution designed specifically for ease of use by end-users to access and display information stored within their SEMtek database and any other database they use...in real time.
"SEMtek and Informer have optimized our standard reports as well as given us the ability to create more, all in less time."


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The Holy Spirit in our lives
The fourth film in the Sycamore programme is now available to view and download, on the topic 'The Holy Spirit in our lives'.
Sycamore is a new programme of evangelisation and catechesis for use in parishes, chaplaincies, schools and other settings. It consists of ten films that explore some of the core questions often put to Christian believers: How can I find true happiness? What is the meaning of life? Does God exist? Who is Jesus Christ? It deals with topics such as the Holy Spirit, the Church, the Bible, the Christian Tradition, faith, prayer, love, vocation, and the purpose of life. People are invited to learn about the Christian faith, and to share their own ideas and questions without fear of being judged, in the context of a warm and welcoming community.
The programme is first of all a tool for 'primary evangelisation': to help those who have no Christian background or very little Christian commitment to explore the meaning of Christianity, and to meet with others who are also on a spiritual search. It will also be useful, however, as a tool for ongoing catechesis, when schools or parish catechetical groups wish to look at a particular topic. It is not by any means a complete programme of Christian formation, but the films could form one block in a larger catechetical course.
Each film is broken down into four short sections. Each section has some input, followed by a discussion question, together with interviews ('vox pops') of people responding to these questions. The film is then paused to allow the group to discuss the given topic; and then re-started for the next section. Sycamore is designed in this way so that it can be used with minimal effort and minimal planning: the input, the discussion questions and the vox pops are all part of the package; and the videos are all available free of charge to download or to watch online.
Sycamore was developed in a Catholic context, and it touches on some themes that will be especially important for Catholic communities, such as the relationship between the Bible and the Christian Tradition, the importance of the sacraments, the relationship between the faith of the individual believer and the faith of the Church, and the link between the work of the Holy Spirit and the teaching and moral vision of the Church. But it is a programme that reflects the wisdom of the broad Christian tradition, and it will be a useful tool for Christians from different traditions and backgrounds.
See the Holy Spirit in Our Lives http://sycamore.fm/films/film-4-the-holy-spirit-in-our-lives/
For more information about the programme, and how to use the films in general, visit the main Sycamore site here: http://sycamore.fm/
Tags: Fr Stephen Wang, Holy Spirit, Sycamore
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Please support our journalism by donating today.Donate


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Why Men Drink Beer?
Have you ever wondered why men drink beer? Hangover School knows. Because beer is awesome, except when it gives you a horrible hangover the next day! This video below demonstrates why men drink beer.
As you can see this is a foreign video. The guy in the video drinks more and more and the girl in the video looks increasingly attractive to him. Until the point comes where she slaps him. Apparently, men drink beer to make women look more attractive and so that they can enjoy their lives more. Do you agree? Comment below! By the way, how random is this post?? lol 🙂


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Car Blog Blogs
A querky review on Cars. Car Websites, Car Blog. Q's Car Review Blog. Car Reviews on all top.. end, expensive cars, Car Pictures.
Owner: Quent
Listed in: Automobile
Other Tags: Car Review, Investment Cars, Nissan Car, VW Car
This is the site where classic lovers share there secrets in how they maintain their precious cars.. that still look like a brand new.
Owner: karenbrady62
Listed in: Automobile
Other Tags: vintage cars, sports cars
3. Car Reviews
description: Global Premium Cars Blog - Place to discussion of any cars and its Car parts & Car.. accessories.
Owner: robcook
Listed in: Automobile
Other Tags: Used Cars For Sale, Latest Car Reviews, Car Review 2010, Used Cars
Hot automotive blog for latest car informations , Asian Automobil, News And Event, Bikes, car blog,.. prices, calculator car loan, promotions, and much more..
Owner: protonkb
Listed in: Automobile
Other Tags: new car, world car, sport car, car mortage, car loan
I am not a mechanic, just a chick enthusiast. The purpose of this mODiFieD Import Car Blog is to.. share with you a siMPliFieD version of what I have learned and am learning about import tuning.
Owner: ImportRival
Listed in: Automobile
Other Tags: modified, import, tuning, aftermarket, performance
Melboourne based mitsubishi dealer Chadstone Mitsubishi offers this blog to share useful.. infromation, tips, news, new car update for their valuable customers.
Owner: brayden
Listed in: Automobile
Other Tags: mitsubishi car news, mitsubishi car tips, mitsubishi dealers, mitsubishi melbourne
Hilarious or out of the ordinary occurrences people encounter while cruising the roads of the world... Including: funny car tags, tailgate art, car artwork, and other highway hilarities.
Owner: whileiwascruising
Listed in: Humor
Other Tags: Humor Blog, Roadside Humor, Car Humor, Cars
Indian car automobile blog from Carazoo.com gives comprehensive information on the trends in car.. industry, car news, reviews, launch of new car models, makes and other automobile industry updates.
Owner: carazoo
Listed in: Automobile
Other Tags: cars in India, Indian car industry, indian car reviews, Indian automobile industry, latest updates on Indian cars
Providing fresh car news with a twist, looking at what's hot and what's not in the.. automotive industry. Rumors, car videos and fun stuff.
Owner: motorcriss
Listed in: Automobile
Other Tags: cars, car news, automotive, cars video, top cars
10. Ferrari Car Blog
Find in this site cars,automobile,4x4,used autos,used cars,skoda,autos de,jaguar,passat,automobile.. insurance,automobile parts,acura,land.. rover,carsforsale,dealership,pickup,suv,masini,jetta,sedan,maruti
Owner: kakidewi
Listed in: Automobile
Other Tags: Cars, bwm, automobile, second hand car, auto zone car


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On the El Camino Real in Mountain View, CA. Abhi and Shalini are the driving force of Ansh Market, named after their son.
Abhi and Shalani migrated to the United States from their native Fiji in 2000. They spent their first ten years in the hospitality industry before deciding to take the plunge and open a small grocery store on October 15th, 2010.
The store is a family operation, you will regularly see all three of them stocking shelves and ringing up customers. Even Ansh (4) is helping around the store. Ansh got his name from combining his mother and father's names. When asked what he hopes to be when he grows up, Ansh puts out his hands, palms up, and says, "I want to own a store, of course!"
Ansh Market's customers regularly deposit their gently used clothes into the USAgain collection bin and are happy to have a place in the neighborhood to do so. Having the support of a family business like Ansh Market, makes USAgain's ties to the community much stronger. We are proud to partner with them, and thank them for their commitment to sustainable practices.


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Basic Guidelines For English SpellingsREAD THESE ARTICLES
Meaning of stickler in English:
Translate stickler into Spanish
A person who insists on a certain quality or type of behaviour.'he's a stickler for accuracy''I'm a stickler when it comes to timekeeping'
pedant, precisionist, perfectionist, formalist, literalist, stickler, traditionalist, doctrinaire, quibbler, hair-splitter, dogmatist, casuist, sophist, fault-finder, caviller, carper, pettifogger
- 'Fluent in five languages, highly informed and a stickler for precise dates and details, she is equally at ease mothering me with biscuits, stuffing plant cuttings into my hands or scolding me for my dismal grasp of the Czech language.'
- 'He told a story involving a commanding officer who was a stickler for precision, and whose great aim was to see the trombone players of the band with their elbows at the same angle.'
- 'He was also, however, a stickler for truth and accuracy, and this might have led to his death.'
- 'Would Egypt's most successful general, a stickler for tradition, have wished to be associated with a woman co-regent, even a woman as strong as Hatshepsut?'
- 'He proved an enthusiastic chorister and server in the parish churches, and was a stickler for the traditions of the Church of England.'
- 'A stickler for perfection, she would inspect the cellars at night to make sure everything was right.'
- 'I shook it, but could tell from the way her eyes twinkled that she was anything but a stickler for formality.'
- 'I was a stickler for tradition, just like my dad.'
- 'Rough and tough, Neale asked a lot and was a stickler for perfection.'
- 'She was a stickler for formality and any transgression against the rules and regulations angered her.'
- 'We don't know what Fred the boy was like - going by his later life the young Fred may have been a stickler for detail, very precise about his work, and perhaps not one of the 'in' crowd.'
- 'But Waugh is a stickler for the protocol of language, manners and tradition.'
- 'After all, you were always such a stickler for accuracy.'
- 'She wondered if she should sign it to authenticate it, but Irving, never much of a stickler for authenticity, replied, apparently, 'that she knew who drew it, and so did I, and that was good enough'.'
- 'He is as gruff as a bulldog's bark, yet underneath the hoary rock 'n' roll bluster, Lemmy, author of songs such as 'Die You Bastard,' is curiously old fashioned and a stickler for good manners.'
- 'Please don't comment on a thread that is only vaguely related to the subject you want to talk about, however; I'm usually a stickler for keeping threads on-topic and you run the risk of your comment being deleted.'
- 'I am a stickler for details, and I always seem to need to know the reason behind things, the motivation that inspired certain actions, the purpose behind plans and course of actions, the meaning of it all.'
- 'I'm actually a stickler for the rules of the road and I always try really hard to drive at the speed limit in urban areas (although I get really annoyed with drivers who drive under the speed limit).'
- 'One earnest little girl, clearly a stickler for cleanliness, covered her playground with a variety of dustbins, all carefully labelled 'Use me'.'
- 'I am a stickler for objectivity in journalism, but I had started out with the impression that I would be dealing with a world of half-truths, stretched laws and dodgy dealings.'
Mid 16th century (in the sense 'umpire'): from obsolete stickle 'be umpire', alteration of obsolete stightle 'to control', frequentative of Old English stiht(i)an 'set in order'.
Are You Learning English? Here Are Our Top English Tips


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Dekker Hewett Group | Second Opinion Service
At Dekker Hewett Group, we represent a select group of families for whom we have a major beneficial impact. We want to offer you a service that we provide to our best clients for the people they care about most. Why now? Throughout our careers, we have never seen people so concerned about the markets, their investments and their retirement; people want someone to "check under the hood".To help you make informed decisions, we're offering you our second opinion service. We'll take you through our discovery and analysis process to get a clear understanding of where you are now and where you'd like to go. From there, we'll examine any of the gaps that need to be filled. After all, it never hurts to know more about your current situation.One of three things will happen:1) We find out that you're in good shape and advise you to stay where you are, or2) We find out that you could better your situation. If we're not a good fit for your particular needs, we'll be happy to point you to a financial advisor who can work with you more effectively, or3) We find gaps in your current plan and feel we could provide a significant advantage in helping you reach your goals. We would then explore the idea of working together.To have someone from Dekker Hewett Group contact you about our second opinion service, please complete and submit your information below:


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Surprise! I'm a semi-finalist!
I had wanted to enter the Mochimochi photo contest and had grand plans to do so. Alas, for various reasons, my grand plans had to be put aside, the time wasn't there to stage an awesome photo. But I had taken this photo of my stackable cat at the vet:
I added it to the Mochimochi flickr pool and went about my business. I've been a bit behind in reading blogs lately, so when I clicked on Mochimochi in google reader, I was stunned! to see that I was a semi-finalist. In fact, I'm so surprised that I've been overusing exclamation marks left and right.
I really hadn't thought my little guy would even rank, but, hooray me! I'm a semi-finalist! (my reaction was, and is still,: "what the eff? I'm a semi-finalist? seriously? awesome!"). (my original plan was to ask the vet to post, but I quickly saw that he was too busy with real cats to hang out with knitted cats).
I knit this stackable cat while my cat Alistair was in quarantine at the vet. It was knit to look sort of like Alistair. Here's a shot of Al for comparison:
If Alistair were square and made of yarn, I think he'd sort of look like the stackable cat. But unlike Alistair, knitted cat was much easier to take to the vet. Check out Alistair in his carrier (going home, away from the vet...you'd think that would make him happy):
not so happy kitty.
Anyway, if you've got a minute, you should go vote for my stackable cat. Because votes would be awesome (even if I'm not the best one there).
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Thursday, August 07, 2008 2 comments Links to this post
filed under: cats, contests, knit, mochimochi, plush
Craft Related Injuries
I think I have carpal tunnel syndrome.
While I am quick to assume the worst and go all hypochondriac by diagnosing myself on the internet, the truth is, I have quite a few symptoms. Mainly, my wrists hurt like hell and I get a tingling in my hands.
The carpal tunnel, while not directly caused by crafting, has been a total (pardon the pun) pain to deal with.
This is a HUGE problem seeing as just about everything I do involves using my wrists. At this point, my thesis is all typing and writing. When I've got free time, I'm usually writing by hand, using the mouse to arse around on the internet (facebook and google reader may be my downfall), or embroidering/sewing/knitting/crocheting: all things that require similar repetitive motions by my hands and wrists. And until now, all done without much thought to ergonomics (my bad, but my desk and chair really don't understand ergonomics). For over a week I've been forced to avoid such things as it meant severe pain. The only thing I've been able to do is read or watch TV. It's getting better, but it still hurts a bit as I type this. So frustrating.
But I may have a solution. At the very least, I have something that might make my wrists hurt less. I was reading an old issue of Knit.1 (the winter 06-07 issue) that I picked up at the Library and found the Lion Brand Stress Relief Gloves.
I think I need to buy a pair. Bonus: they're only $16 (hooray affordable!). Although, I'd probably consider getting them if they had cost more. Anything that promises to ease the pain, even just a little bit, is okay in my books. Because I have crafts to do and a thesis to write!
(This was a surprisingly painful entry to write, and not just because of my wrists. For some reason, my brain is refusing to function quite right and I'm struggling to put together a couple of coherent sentences. I think I need to go to bed early).
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Wednesday, August 06, 2008 3 comments Links to this post
filed under: craft related injuries, good ideas


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Collonil leather cleaner
Collonil Leather Gel is a solvent-free gentle gel to improve the water resistance of certain leathers. It can help leather to resist dirt and moisture. This leather gel can be used on all our handmade leather products. See here for how to care for your product. Product details are as follows:
- 50ml of Collonil leather gel
- Suitable for all StaaG leather products
- Highly effective waterproofing gel
- Provides a long lasting waterproof protection


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DOPE has come with a new release, this time in the form of their Mico Logo caps.
The new DOPE strapback cap gets the 24K treatment with the Micro Metal Logo piece on the front.
The caps are available in three colourways on DOPE.com. The unstructured six-panel strapbacks come in black, red and white 100% cotton, featuring DOPE's classic 24K micro DOPE logo and a brass closure.
The caps cost $38.00 each and can be purchased directly at DOPE.com.


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Newsroom :: News :: 9th MFF Regional Steering Committee meeting emphasizes enhanced regional cooperation- Bangladesh inducted as the 9th MFF member country.
In his welcome remarks MFF Coordinator, Dr. Steen Christensen said, "All over the world, coastal ecosystems are faced with climate change challenges and this is particularly true for developing countries". Nearly half the global population lives in coastal areas and about 70% in east Asia depend on coastal resources for their livelihoods. "It will require collective efforts from all possible sectors to mitigate these effects and ensure protection, food security and adequate livelihood opportunities for vulnerable communities" he added.
In her inaugural speech Aban Marker Kabraji, IUCN Regional Director Asia briefed the session about escalating pressures from human development on coastal ecosystems. "Human activities are contributing to the vulnerability of coastal systems and communities to the effects of climate change" she said. "In countries like Thailand for example, more than 70% of the mangrove areas have been cleared for economic activities such as shrimp farming". Coastal Community Resilience will be a major focus of the MFF initiative in the coming years. Stressing the need for pro active engagement with the private sector, she added, "Private sector interests in costal zones are diverse and have a strong impact on coastal zones. Success in coastal management will depend largely on the motivation of the private sector to move towards sustainable business practices."
The 9th MFF Regional Steering Committee also welcomed Bangladesh as its newest member country. With the inclusion of Bangladesh, MFF now has nine full member countries. Welcoming Bangladesh as the newest MFF member, UNDP's Regional Environment Advisor Joseph D'Cruz said, "It has been good to see the continued growth of the MFF Partnership, both in terms of new members as well as in the breadth of issues and approaches being adopted. The inclusion of Bangladesh as the 9th MFF Member Country greatly strengthens our regional network. Bangladesh's widely-renown expertise on mangrove and coastal zone management will be a huge asset, and the effectiveness and dynamic of the Bangladesh NCB have been a great example for us all". Referring to MFF's increasing focus on resilience, he added " The insights that this approach brings will strengthen the impact and effectiveness of our work while helping to increase the capacities of the communities we work with."
Speaking on the importance of spreading awareness, Chief guest Javed Jabbar former Vice President IUCN and Regional Councillor said, "The task of educating and informing people about their importance of mangroves is immense. There is much to learn from the experiences of different countries in mangroves and costal conservation efforts. Coasts are "conflict zones" in terms of the state, communities and corporate interests and it requires dexterous management to find a balance between conflicting interests. This is a challenge our governments have to overcome". "Communities must be educated and in some cases persuaded to change their rapacious appetite for resource extraction."
Inspector General of Forests MOCC, Pakistan - Mr. Syed Mehmood Nasir - on behalf of Mehmood Alam - remarked, "In the wake of the Sandy storm and the Tsunami in Japan, it is heartening to see that the a regional initiative like MFF project is taking steps to respond to imminent dangers to vulnerable communities."
During the opening session a Call for Action was also launched. Sharing its details, Dr. Donald Macintosh, Senior Advisor for MFF said, "The Call for Action document emerged from the deliberations at the MFF regional colloquium held earlier this year in India succinctly summarizes the state of affairs of mangroves conservation in the region." The MFF Regional Colloquium was held from 30-31 August 2012 in Mamallapuram,Tamil Nadu, India.
Although India, Pakistan and few other countries have success stories to share, globally mangroves are still in decline by 1% per year. The 12 point Call for Action document underpins an urgent call for better and effective regional cooperation for mangroves protection and serves as a guide for better government decision making.
The RSC meetings discussed on the progress MFF member countries had made during the past year and presented their plans for the coming year. The Committee also discussed the ways economies are dependent on biodiversity and ecosystem services, while acknowledging that many far-sighted businesses are recognizing opportunities in the greening of investor, client and consumer preferences. Some businesses have made public commitments to ecological neutrality. Even relatively straight-forward ecological restoration as compensation for resource extraction or land use change can deliver biodiversity benefits.


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Xiaomi is going to release the next flagship smart phone Mi Note and Mi Mix in the mobile phone market. The latest leaks of the handset show the company is planning for the new coming Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 and it blows away all 'bezel less' flagship phones released this year.
The company, Xiaomi is known for the budget flagship to release and now the handset is released with bezel-less Xiaomi Mi Mix concept phone. This handset promised the follow up with even smaller bezels and screen real estate and the phone will look like if the leaks are correct.
The side and top bezels are not existed and there is another interesting design choice is lack of the front facing camera as no space is provided on the front side. The leaked images shows the use of the material and the original Mi Mix has the ceramic body.
No Earpiece
In this phone, you will not find any earpiece like the original Mi Mix. This smart phone used the bone conduction hardware but added with mixed reviews from the users. Xiaomi goes for same piezo-electric earpiece embedded near top of phone. The manufacturer of Chinese mobile phone makes the collaboration with AAC technologies to develop the earpiece and they have plenty of experience and tiny speakers. Mi Mix 2 has the thinner profile than Mi Mix and has the curved and rounded corners.
Leaked Features
The third party renders developed to show phone from more angles and they are based on above mentioned leaked image of the prototype. The specifications of the handset are leaked and they are added with Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 6GB RAM, AMOLED screen with 19 MP camera and the handset is powered by the 4500 mAh battery. It is expected that this phone will be released in mid September for CNY 4999 (Rs.79,000) for top end model consider the price of the last year model.


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WiFi is great and provides a convenient method of accessing your broadband when browsing the web on a portable device, but it isn't always so good when you want to move large amounts of data quickly. Online gaming, media streaming or moving files between computers around the home is much faster, more secure and more reliable if there is a dedicated cable to carry the information.
If WiFi lag is causing PlayStation frag or streaming stuttering, or if it's taking an age to perform a backup between your laptop and desktop, then it may be time to go wired* and enjoy typical speed increases from 54Mb/s to 1000Mb/s**
It may be the case that you just don't like the idea of sending your data out into the airwaves on WiFi and prefer the increased security of a fully wired connection. Alternatively, maybe WiFi just doesn't reach the far corners of your home where you need it, you work from home and require a solid and reliable connection or you have an outbuilding you've converted into an office/study and need to extend connectivity into it.
Whatever the reason, if you want to pipe dedicated network cabling where you need it, then contact me to arrange a site survey and no-obligation quotation.
|Fast, secure, closed circuit data connectivity
|Ideal for large data transfers such as streaming & gaming
|Multi-use cabling via RJ45 adaptors
|Existing wiring repair / re-routing
|Extend internet access around the home
|Recessed, trunking or clipped cabling options
|CAT 5e or CAT 6 options
|External cabling to an outbuilding (e.g. detatched garage, etc.)
Pricing depends on the length of the cable runs and whether you want it concealing within the wall, within trunking or clipped direct, however installation of communication cabling tends to be simpler and therefore cheaper than the installation of mains electric wiring.
As a side note, it is also possible to transmit data over your existing mains wiring using a pair of transceivers such as those pictured below. These devices allow you to zap signals between two mains socket outlets across the house and they provide a cheap alternative to having a dedicated cable between two points, but they aren't always suitable and will never be as fast or flexible as a dedicated signal cable. They work by encoding and transmitting the data as frequency bursts along the power line between the transmitter and receiver units, but their speed and reliability can be affected if they're on different circuits or if a 'noisy' load such as a washing machine or vacuum cleaner is in use. As a cheap and cheerful solution immediately available from off the high street, they may be worth considering if you want to avoid a dedicated cable installation.
An advantage to having the dedicated cabling solution is that it can be used for purposes other than network communication. There are devices and converters on the market that allow video, audio, telephones, faxes, alarms, serial, USB and all sorts of other signals to run over this kind of wiring giving it the flexibility for use with services other than just hooking up network interfaces.
Examples of alternative uses for CAT-5/6 network cabling using RJ45 adaptors, clockwise from top left:
Video (VGA/HDMI), USB, telephone/fax/modem, audio and/or composite video, RS232 (serial), TV/CCTV
*Data transmission speed and reliability will be much improved between equipment connected together by wire, however it does not guarantee to eliminate problems. For example, stuttering playback when using a streaming service such as iPlayer on a laptop may be down to issues with your broadband installation, service provider or poor performance of the laptop itself. Wired network installations will eliminate issues caused by WiFi jitters but won't help if the cause of the problem is elsewhere.
**Data transfer speed depends on hardware limitations. At the time of writing most WiFi installations typically operate at a maximum of 54Mb/s although slower actual speeds are more typical, while most modern wired network interfaces use 'Gigabit' ethernet at 1000Mb/s.
For more details or further discussion of your requirements, please contact me.


text: WOW FactorDifficulty$ InvestmentGearSolitude4.8Editor's Overall RatingHow Does This Rating System Work?Overview: Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) is home to the most diverse collection of astronomical observatories on Earth for nighttime optical and infrared astronomy and daytime study of our sun. With 26 telescopes on the premises and partnerships with world-leading institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, and Yale University just to name a few, it is a prime location for night sky viewing and study of our galaxy and beyond! What's better is that it is open to the public for a variety of tours and night sky viewing programs! Professionals and amateur astronomers come from all over the world to visit Kitt Peak. However, you don't have to be an astrophysicist to enjoy and appreciate this destination; add Kitt Peak to your Arizona bucket list and check it off! Please see the bottom of this post for a sampling of images taken on the premises of Kitt Peak and some of the objects I captured with my digital camera through one of their telescopes on an overnight observation program. Logistics: Located 56 miles southwest of Tucson, Arizona, Kitt Peak resides within the Tohono O'odham Nation Reservation. The best time to visit in terms of visibility and weather conditions is late spring through early Summer. Night skies are largely obstructed in the later months of summer due to the monsoons and the winter months are cold, with ice and/or snow likely present (Kitt Peak is at 6,875 feet above sea level). If you are interested more in seeing galaxies, head to Kitt Peak in the spring months. If nebulas are of greater interest, go in the summer months before the monsoons. What you see won't be exclusive to those periods and classifications, but those seasons are considered 'peak' viewing for each object. Of course, if you want a preview of what you will be seeing before you plan your visit, check out the Starmap Pro or Sky View mobile applications and plug in the date and time you are thinking of going. Regardless to which objects you are aiming to see, I would recommend going as close to a new moon as possible so the sky is as dark as possible (check out www.timeanddate.com for the lunar phase calendar). Just so there aren't any surprises, please be aware that the facilities at Kitt Peak were largely constructed in the 1960's and 1970's. There have been a number of upgrades and replacements of telescopes, but don't go expecting everything to be brand new! There are a number of ways to visit Kitt Peak National Observatory, but below is a sampling of their basic offerings available to the public. If you are looking for an overnight experience or want to rent an entire observatory for a group, contact them and make it happen! Basic Tours: Tours during the day are offered for a minimal fee of the below telescopes. 10:00 a.m. – McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope. This is the iconic triangle structured telescope, of which 2/3 of the full length of the diagonal portion of the telescope is actually buried in the mountain. There is an access door at ground level that has an observation deck that lets you peer into the depths of this telescope! 11:30 a.m. – 2.1 Meter Telescope. This is one of the early workhorses that helped establish Kitt Peak. It was built in 1964 and is still being used almost every night by researchers from around the globe! 1:30 p.m. – Mayall 4 Meter Telescope. If not for the telescope itself, this is worth seeing because there is a great view deck near the top that gives you expansive views of Kitt Peak and its many observatories. Bonus: you can take an elevator from ground level to the observation deck! When I used the elevator, I felt like I was stepping back in time…I'm convinced the elevator is original to 1973 when the observatory was constructed! Night Observer Program: For this program you will arrive at Kitt Peak late in the afternoon for a brief orientation and then go with your astronomer guide and group to observe the night skies for a few hours following sunset! Rates vary by a variety of individual categories, but this program is on the scale of $50 per person. There are three telescopes available for this program, so your 'scope time' will vary based on how many people are present each night. To maximize the experience, go on the evening of a full moon so even if you are not looking through the telescope, there is plenty of night sky to observe with the naked eye or binoculars! Be sure to make reservations for this program at least 2-4 weeks in advance. If there is a weather-related cancellation, Kitt Peak's current policy is to fully refund your money. Please note there is ZERO cell phone reception at Kitt Peak. If you happen to be one of the lucky ones that gets a bar or two, you will be asked to shut your cell phone off or put it into airplane mode. Wireless communications, including cell phones, can cause disruption to some of the telescopes and related technologies. Gear & Gadgets: There is not much you need to bring along with you for a basic visit to Kitt Peak. That said, if you are not a United States citizen be sure to bring proper identification documentation along with you as there is a Homeland Security Checkpoint along the road from Tucson to Kitt Peak. Depending on which format you pursue on your visit to Kitt Peak, some of the below items might be helpful. Warm Gear & Blankets: Be sure to bring clothing and accessories appropriate for the weather. Since all observatories are open air, you may have some shelter from wind, but you will essentially be outdoors for the entirety of your viewing experience. There are conditioned spaces nearby that you can warm up if needed or purchase warm drinks, but all observation time will be spent exposed to the outdoor weather. Astronomy Binoculars: If you would like a bit of additional viewing flexibility while others in your group are using the telescope, it can be useful to have a set of astronomy binoculars. This can be particularly helpful if you are looking to entertain young ones while they wait their turn for the telescope! 🙂 Digital Camera: Most of the telescopes available to the general public allow you to essentially use the telescope as a ginormous lens for your camera (WAY COOL!). The standard night observing programs that run early in the evening at Kitt Peak will not allow you to hook your camera up, but if you are pursuing one of the longer programs or an overnight program, be sure to bring your Digital SLR Camera and a T-ring adapter appropriate for your camera. The various elements in the night sky will appear much clearer and vibrant when capturing them on a 30-90 second exposure on your camera because more light can be collected than what your eye collects in an instant. Music: Some of the observatories have sound systems available. Bring your favorite tunes along on your device of choice and connect it via an auxiliary cord. When we went, we enjoyed jamming to Lindsey Stirling's Shatter Me album, Elijah Bossenbroek's Carpe Lumen album, and Bethel Music's Wonder single. Further Reading: Full List of Public Program Offerings at Kitt Peak NOAO's Guide on Visiting Kitt Peak Kitt Peak Clear Sky Chart and Viewing Forecast Night Observing at the Roll Off Roof Observatory M51 Whirlpool Galaxy M20 Triffid Nebula M16 Eagle Nebula M81 Bode's Galaxy and M82 Cigar Galaxy M13 Globular Star Cluster Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.


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The first international Arena Forum conference will be held in Moscow, Russia, at the end of this month, May 28-29.
The event is supported by the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation, organised by Sports Business Consulting (SBC) magazine, and devoted to the efficient management of sporting venues.
Organised in a business forum format, the event includes an exhibition showcasing some of the sector's leading construction companies, product & service suppliers, and sports facility management companies. The practical part of the Forum includes a tour of Otkritie Arena stadium and other sporting venues of Moscow and the surrounding area.
The main goal of the Forum is to provide a platform for attendees to exchange national and international knowledge and experiences in the successful and efficient management of sporting facilities. The question of attracting investment into the field of sport infrastructure and forming a profitable business model for a venue will also be covered, as well as the development of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the field of sport, and the optimisation of interaction mechanisms.
More than 200 industry experts and professionals will advise on their preparations for large sporting events, as well on the construction and design of sporting venues and infrastructure, with the Forum's main focus on the marketing and effective management of stadiums, arenas and multipurpose complexes.
PanStadia & Arena Management is proud to be an Official Media Partner for Arena Forum.
For more information on the event, please visit: http://en.arenaforum.ru/


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Somewhere over at CBS News this week....someone finally woke up and actually did real analysis.
They surveyed the administration since day one, and came to realize that they've announced at least a dozen top priorities.
FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS: "...that's something that's going to be a top priority." (4/27/10)
ENERGY SECURITY: "And that's why my energy security plan has been one of the top priorities of my Administration since the day I took office." (4/28/10)
EDUCATION REFORM: "To train our workers for the jobs of tomorrow, we've made education reform a top priority in this Administration." (2/24/10)
STUDENT LOAN REFORM: "This is something that I've made a top priority." (2/1/10)
EXPORTS BY SMALL BUSINESSES: "This is going to be a top priority." (12/3/09)
HEALTH ASSISTANCE TO 9/11 FIRST RESPONDERS: "I'm not just talking the talk, we've been budgeting this as a top priority for this Administration." (2/3/10)
END HOMELESSNESS AMONG VETERANS: "I've also directed (Veterans Affairs) Secretary Shinseki to focus on a top priority: reducing homeless among veterans." (8/17/09)
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS: "Our top priority is ensuring the public safety. That means appropriate sheltering in place or if necessary, getting as many people as possible out of harm's way prior to landfall." (5/29/09)
H1N1 FLU VACCINATIONS: "And throughout this process, my top priority has been the health and the safety of the American people." (5/1/09)
SUPPORT FOR MILITARY FAMILIES: "These military families are heroes too. And they are a top priority of Michelle and me. And they will always have our support." (5/30/09)
STRENTHENING TIES WITH CANADA AND MEXICO: "We're going to make this a top priority..." (10/16/09)
CONSUMER PROTECTION: "During these challenging times, the needs of American consumers are a top priority of my Administration." (2/11/09)
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: "So this is going to be a top priority generally improving our environmental quality." (11/5/09)
On one side of the coin, the administration looks like it's got lots of things going on. On the other side of the coin, there's this question of congress looking like a 365-day Rocky Balboa fight operation....continually going to the mat and building frustration over each battle.
There are various elements of the public looking for some moment of relief when national news leads off with something that isn't related to Washington in their top three news items.
How many top priorities are yet to come? That'd be a curious thing. I'd even imagine another dozen by the end of 2011.
And the amusing thing to the top priority list complied by CBS? It never mentions jobs. Maybe they just accidentally missed it....maybe.


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A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Pleasant Giant who, regardless of his intimidating look, seems to be a form-hearted soul who is taken into account an outcast by the opposite giants because, unlike them, he refuses to eat children. Help Pets Alive every time you store on-line and search the online by downloading the GoodSearch Pets Alive toolbar or use the iGive toolbar We get 2 cents for each search you make. More than a dozen areas are waiting for us, and we are restricted ONLY due to our want for extra volunteers for this program.
Today there are even magnificence parlors for pets as well which help in complete grooming and cleaning of the canine. Not only do our pets exude warmth and unconditional love, but they take us out of ourselves with a tender nudge for attention, or a contented bark inviting us to play Frisbee out within the contemporary air. Terms and situations of this supply are topic to alter on the sole discretion of PetSmart.
Pets Alive works with the Workplace of the Aging to offer senior pets to senior residents. No have to make a reservation, just be here at Pets Alive, 363 Derby Road, Middletown, NY by 12:00 PM ready to learn how to safely work together with the animals at Pets Alive!
Coupons issued from 10/31/sixteen-eleven/27/16 are redeemable from 10/31/sixteen-half of/17 and coupons issued from 11/28/16-half of/17 are redeemable from 11/28/sixteen-1/29/17. Find out about their behaviors and what goes into their day by day care and all the methods you may assist: socializing, cleaning stalls, mucking fields, grooming and way more!
Canine are the initials of the head is a broad nose, thick black funds black yellow dogs and dog means chocolate smeđe.Nos color usually disappears. Accepted colourways are Merles (blue, brindle or fawn), Harlequin, and shades of fawn with or without a black mask. A St Albans man, 32, was arrested on Friday over the incident following a tip-off to Crime Stoppers. Concerning colour, this dog has 2 colors on their feathers, namely, black purple and black, however, usually, this canine has a black colour. Coupons are redeemable for in-store purchases of dog or cat food, treats, chews, rawhide or cat litter. He loves to be concerned, even shredding paper with his beak whereas I clip coupons. Call Alan Baker at Direct Power Solar at 845-467-0438 or alan.baker@ on your free session – and if you happen to do an set up, point out this advert to help the animals at Pets Alive!


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Patient feedback to help improve emergency departments
This week another piece of the picture is added to public health reporting in NSW, with thousands of people being asked about their experience in emergency departments.
This is the latest patient group to be surveyed by the independent Bureau of Health Information, as part of the NSW Patient Survey Program.
Bureau Chief Executive, Dr Jean-Frederic Levesque says "We're hoping that people contacted will complete the survey. Only patients can tell us the kind of information we don't see in hospital records. With the survey responses, we can identify areas where hospital emergency departments are performing well and where improvements can be made."
The Bureau will use information collected in the surveys to report on how people rate the care they received, and compare the performance of hospital emergency departments across NSW.
The emergency department survey covers 'aspects of care', including communication, respect and provision of information.
The Emergency Department Patient Survey will be mailed to 80,000 people over the next year. Letters are currently being sent to a random selection of people who have visited an emergencydepartment between April and June 2013. All responses are confidential.
This survey complements the Adult Admitted Patient Survey, which has been underway since June2013.
For accurate data, only the contacted sample of patients can participate in the survey. Other people wishing to provide feedback about their experience should contact their hospital.
The results will be available from www.bhi.nsw.gov.au in 2014.


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Billy Tackett is giving folks the opportunity to make Christmas a bit merrier this year. Billy has added Cannibal Claus to a Christmas ornament. What kind of zombie balls did you think I was talking about, Sicko?
They are available for $17.99 through World of Strange. I know these are limited and think the edition is only 75. I could be waaaay off but for some reason that number rings a bell. I also recall reading somewhere that the first few ordered will be signed by Billy himself. I'll get clarification on all of that and update later.


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Main Site
The rescue and excavation of the Peinan Site led to planning and construction of the NMP.
In July 1980, while the construction of today's South Line Railway Station (formerly called the Peinan East Line Railway Station) and switchyard was in progress, the building work revealed prehistoric remains of great interest on the Peinan Site. Many slate coffins and exquisite artifacts buried with the dead inside the coffins were excavated one after another, attracting great interest from the public as well as unfortunately, some illegitimate excavation and looting due to extensive coverage from the media.
After the Taitung County Government submitted a proposal to the relevant authorities, construction of the railway station was halted. Furthermore, Professor Wen-hsun Sung of National Taiwan University was delegated to recruit students and form the Peinan Culture Archaeology Team to carry out excavations and preservation.
Since then, for over 10 years Professors Wen-hsun Sung and Chao-mei Lien have led the National Taiwan University Archaeology Team at the site during the summer/winter vacation periods. The area of excavation is over 10,000m2, and over 1,500 burials and tens of thousands of pieces of pottery and stone artifacts have been excavated. This area is definitely the biggest site in the archaeological history of Taiwan. Both scholars in Taiwan and from overseas agree that it is the most important and representative site of the mid-late Neolithic Age in Taiwan. The area is also the largest slate coffin burial complex within the Pan-Pacific Ocean and South-East Asian region.
Professor Sung suggested that if we were to preserve the Peinan Site, an outdoor museum regarding the site should be built nearby. This was the first proposal for building a museum based on the Peinan Site. After discussion and arguments, the NMP Planning Bureau was finally established on February 1, 1990. After 11 years of planning and construction, the NMP started its trial operation on July 10, 2001, and officially opened on August 17, 2002. It has established a foundation for the continuing development of the preservation and study of Taiwanese prehistoric culture.
Mission Statement
The objectives of the NMP are to enlighten the public about the complexity and diversity of Taiwan's natural ecology, prehistory and its indigenous cultures through the functions of research, preservation, exhibition and recreation, as well as to encourage people to appreciate and respect the natural environment and cultures of this island.
Goals and Missions
The National Museum of Prehistory has constructed architectural facilities with a picturesque environment. It is not only the first museum based on the themes of prehistoric and indigenous cultures in Taiwan, the first museum that includes an Excavation Site, nature and wildlife park, as well as the museum building itself, but also a state-ranking museum located on the east coast of Taiwan. Therefore, the overall mission of the NMP is to build up social education in the midst of East Taiwan's beautiful mountains and waters, so that it can contribute to social education, academic research, cultural preservation and recreation. In addition to this, we look forward to the development of the NMP into a top-ranking museum that best presents local cultural features with an international viewpoint and international status, through the proposition of Taiwan's prehistory and indigenous cultures that were originated locally yet with content that is beyond national boundaries.
The Museum:
The Architecture and Landscape:
The Museum is designed by New York architect Michael Graves. It is situated to the south of Kangle Station with a rectangular area of approximately 10 hectare. The building itself is on the east side and the west side is the Scenic Garden. The building faces the east toward the Pacific Ocean and with the Central Mountains at the back.
The building basement is used for storage. The open-air Mountain Square is the center of the building, and is surrounded by a three-section compound that serves as functional areas. The east side is the entrance of the Visitor Center, the north side is the exhibition hall, the south side is the administrative hall, and the west side is the Half-moon Pond, which links to the Scenic Garden.
The design of the exterior wall resembles the pattern of indigenous weave, and reflects the unique characteristic of weaving in the indigenous culture. The local materials were largely used in the construction, including marble, ceramic bricks and slate. Earthly tone together with sky tone reflects the harmony of the nature and universe.
Sun Square
The main entrance of the museum is on the east side, and provides parking and underground toilets for the visitors. Sun Square is situated outside of the entrance, with a bronze sundial standing in the fountain to prepare the visitors for the prehistoric culture exhibition that they are about to enter.
Mountain Square
On the two sides of the square, there are wide stairs that can be used as open-air seating during outdoor performance or just relaxation area for the visitors.
Administrative Building
Administrative Building is the academic research and administrative center of the NMP. Two separate entrances lead to the building. The octagon international conference room on the second floor can accommodate various academic activities simultaneous interpretation equipment and seating capacity of 50. Classrooms are available to accommodate seminars for up to 60 people.
The first floor of Administrative Building is the museum library, which holds a collection of volumes about the natural history of Taiwan, the prehistoric culture and Austronesian tribes. Areas from second floor up are research rooms and offices of the administrative staff.
Scenic Garden
The Scenic Garden is an open area for recreation, strolling, play, exhibition, education and sightseeing. The winding path leads to every sightseeing spot in the garden. Each sightseeing spot has a unique theme and function, and is designed with specially selected plants.
Children's Play Area
Children's Play Area provides a variety of amusement facilities for children and brings a vibrant atmosphere to the Garden.
The Maze is an open-air substruction formed by granite walls and occasionally appearing water walls. It is misty inside the maze for unexpected fun.
Water Fountain Show
Enjoy the water fountain show as the columns of water dance gracefully to the music. At nighttime, the water fountain show is complemented by the light show for exceptional romantic feeling.
Bird Singing Square
Bird Singing Square is situated at the foot of the garden hill. Inside the circular flower wall are plants, such as pomegranate to attract birds.
Sightseeing Hill
The winding path leads to the summit, where the undulating mountain ranges, the glittery water of the Pacific Ocean form a picturesque scene. Relax and relieve your stress in the gentle breeze and the view of occasionally passing trains.


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Pheromone perfumes
Pheromones are those chemicals which are secreted from the sweat that release chemicals which can directly alter the behavior of a potential partner towards you. People who produce over almost amounts of these kinds of pheromones have a greater accomplishment with the members of the opposite sex. Pheromones contain a product known as:- Oxytocin: Oxytocin will be a natural anti-anxiety agent, also referred to as "Cuddle Hormone". Oxytocin provides the distinction if you are the very Very first polypeptide hormone to be synthesized in 1953.
- Oxytocin Sprays: oxytocin apply include oxytocin which helps you to build trust among others.
- After using it, you will end up more believe in deserving person for others.
- This will help you connect with other people quickly.
- These sprays can be applied on various body parts like neck wrists cloths etc.
- These days many different kinds of oxytocin sprays can be purchased in market.
- Many of them have extraordinary effects and have helped many individuals to achieve results goals.
- When these types of oxytocins are smelled by other people their oxytocin stage increase as well as immediately generates an automatics connecting.
This Will Help in Increasing the Trust Making the Other Person Feel Much More Comfortable
Pheromones are classified in two varieties one for women along with other for men. These pheromones have been demonstrated in order to becoming an increase in luteinizing hormonal (LH) In women, causing her to have a heightened sexual responsiveness to males. They also release neurotransmitters which change their conduct such as activating and sexual pleasure.
Those women who used these types of pheromones are these types of with which the males wish to fell in love with. At times, these women are not so very beautiful, pretty or sexy from other women somewhat they just have the edge because they produce a lot more couplings.
Do pheromones work...!!
http://pheromones-to-attract-opposite-sex.com/ Euphoria Human Pheromones Perfumes and Colognes contain scientifically engineered pheromone concentrate ...
These are the women which men are unable to resist because they are a lot more exciting, seductive and desirable and they also have got an appealing quality for which men fell in love with her very easily. These couplings are those biochemicals which are partially responsible for sex drive in men, thereby increasing the actual desire in a man to copulate.
The other one is the pheromone for male's androstenone is the male human pheromone aids entice women. A mans human pheromone perfumes when smelled with a women is the most powerful attractant that a man can present to draw or perhaps manipulate a women.
- The male human being pheromone are the real key in the event that a man wants to get a women.
- A person can also blend your man pheromone merchandise together with his favorite perfume to make a new fragrance to draw the women.
- These male human pheromone work well on your own or also when they are blend with others.
Human pheromone are subliminal seduction since the other person do not know what exactly is happening. These are scientifically shown to be a trigger for sexual fascination between two people. This helps to bring a good attraction between people. The literal truth is that the chemical aroma activates a part of the brain where the sexual attraction sensation starts. Once this powerful experience of sexual fascination sets in, it can make a person more mindful and responsive for the person who is the source of this sexual destination.


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by Dr. Susan Friedman | Nov 29, 2018 | Zed | 0 comments
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For Your Health,
Dr. Susan Friedman


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Motoring Offences/Driving Ban Offences
Unfortunately these are a common occurrence in today's busy lifestyles. We are able to provide advice and assistance in the following areas:
- Drink Driving/Drunk in Charge
- Speeding
- Dangerous Driving
- Insurance Offences
- Careless Driving
- Penalty Points
- Disqualification
- Totting Up
- Failure to Produce
- Using a Mobile Phone
- Failing to Stop/Report
We have an excellent record of enabling those who would be at risk of losing their license due to penalty points being able to keep their license.
Advice and Representation at Court can be provided at flexible costs to suit your individual needs.
Payments for the above matters can be arranged in installments so call for a free no obligation quote today on 01625 878204.
We will provide a free initial consultation and appointments can be made evenings and weekends to suit your needs including home visits upon request.
Our Fees
For minor motoring offences, we will charge a fee in the region of £400 to £1,200 depending on the nature of the matter.


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I was going through some of my old notes and found a bunch of my recruitment stuff and conference notes. I knew that my experience in Alpha Gamma Delta would teach me skills that would be valuable, but I didn't realize how much I would grow. Here are some things I gained from sorority life that can be used in my career life:
- The way to keep people interested in your organization is: be positive, be thankful, have fun, and reward.
- Why is the most important reason we do anything. To keep people motivated, remind them why they started. People will work harder if they remember what they are getting out of it.
- You have to actively recruit the people already in your organization just as much as new people.
- Give people options so, they feel a part of the process. Keep them actively involved in decisions.
- You have to constantly fill your own cup, that is the only way to help others.
- As a leader, you have to drink the koolaid. People will not be interested in what they're doing if you aren't. You have to set the example and the expectation.
- Strengths are things that invigorate us, not necessarily things we're good at. Practice makes perfect. Stop focusing on fixing the weakness and concentrate on succeeding in your strengths.
- When conflict arises, there are always two sides. Validate their feelings while staying objective.
- Organization is key. Always stay on top of deadlines. Takes lots of notes.
- Negativity is contagious, but so is positivity. Foster the positivity.
- Start meetings with a list of positive things that happened throughout the week.
- Support others when they speak and speak with confidence.
- Be transparent and set expectations.
- Set yourself up for success and be future oriented.
- When delivering bad news, state the facts and show you care.
- Create opportunities rather than obligations.
- Communicate. Ask for ideas. Ask for opinions. Connect with people. You can't lead if no one follows. They have to be invested and "buy-in." Know your audience.
- Breathe. You are doing better than you think you are.
As I am getting excited for the future and reflecting on all I've learned, I know You are the one who holds my future.
So, that is my prayer today. I pray that I keep following you. I pray that I keep growing and learning. Thank you for making plans for me. Thank you for guiding me. Thank you for the opportunities I've been given. Thank you for the lessons I've learned. Thank you for the people I've met along the way. I pray that I am able to take what I've learned and use it for your glory. And as always I pray for my family and sorority sisters. I pray for my university. I pray for guidance for our government, church, and school leaders. I pray for protection for our troops. I pray for all of those that need you now and for those that haven't met you yet. In Jesus' name, Amen.


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Missing teen found safe and unharmed
Larry Hightower, 17, had been considered endangered
A missing teenager has been located safe and unharmed, according to the Miami-Dade Police Department.
Larry Hightower, 17, was reported missing and endangered on Monday night after leaving the area of SW 264 Street and SW 139 Avenue on foot. Hightower takes medication, and without it, he could become aggressive, police said.
On Thursday morning Detective Javier Baez reported he had been found, but did not provide further details.
Copyright 2013 by Local10.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Around the office, I think that we're all particularly fond of this month's lookbook, Spring Cleaning. It's tough for anyone to pick a favorite shot. Each photo is full of that clean energy we so strongly desire around this time of year. So tell us, can you pick a favorite? Which photo has you refreshed and ready to take on spring?
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would you guys mind telling about the makeup used on her? she looks so fresh and natural!
I must say…I am a FP nut and love you guys to death and this would be the very first time that I would say something negative…As soon as I clicked to vote and came here..the VERY FIRST thing I thought of was 'TIRED'….NOT refreshed….She looks like she just rolled out of bed and her face has tired written all over it….I've seen sunshiny all natural beauty with no make-up, but she needs to go back to bed. Not good for FP..
4, 5 ,6 & 7 no doubt.
hey thats cool


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Track star Mickle '13 breaks 30-year school record
The women's track team had an incredible weekend at the Stanford Invite in Palo Alto last Friday. That night, Olivia Mickle '13, who hails from Sacramento, Calif., ran the 10,000 meter in 33.59 minutes, breaking the Brown record by more than 40 seconds. For her record-setting performance and her likely selection for regionals, The Herald has named Mickle Athlete of the Week.


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Oil-shale 'rush' is sparking concern
By Stephen Speckman
Deseret Morning News
Published: Saturday, March 22, 2008
With oil prices surpassing $100 per barrel, talk of extracting the black gold wherever it can be found in Utah and elsewhere is raising red flags for environmental groups.
The most recent complaint came this week from 26 conservation groups that accuse the Bush administration of rushing to develop oil shale and tar sands and endangering communities and 2 million acres of wild lands in three states, including Utah.
A letter Thursday to the Bureau of Land Management from 26 conservation groups — including the Sierra Club, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and The Wilderness Society — asserts that the public has yet to be informed of the social, economic and environmental impacts of commercial development of shale and sands.
"We need to focus our resources on supporting energy efficiency and renewable energy sources that are known to protect the environment and are economically sound," the groups wrote in their letter.
Even though any large-scale tar-sands and oil-shale development in Utah might be years away, the Utah-based Nine Mile Canyon Coalition already fears that oil projects in the proposed Argyle Canyon Special Tar Sands Areas would "leave vast areas of land sterile and ugly, use more water than is readily available in this arid region and would pollute both ground and surface water for many miles downstream."
The public comment period for the so-called Tar Sands/Oil Shale Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement was supposed to end Thursday, but the BLM announced that it will extend the period for another 30 days. This part of the process is being used to identify where leasing of government-owned land for sands and shale development might take place.
"I don't believe there's any way they can do it without total devastation," said Steve Tanner, chairman of Nine Mile Canyon's impact research committee.
Sand and shale development would involve drilling many holes and pumping hot water down them to release the trapped oil and then bringing the product back to the surface. Tanner said there isn't enough available water for that.
The development also could require removing mountain tops to reach the oil and would raise questions about where to store the leftover materials. "That's total destruction," he said.
Once a final environmental assessment is published, the Interior Secretary will meet with governors from Utah, Colorado and Wyoming to talk about whether there is sufficient interest and justification for moving forward with a leasing program, said Jim Kohler, chief of minerals for the BLM in Utah. He said rules would need to be established to govern leasing government land to drilling operations.
Kohler said predicting environmental impacts is premature. "Until you have a specific proposal in front of you," he said, "it's pretty hard to say what that development will look like."
Once a proposal to lease land for the development is brought forward, another public comment period will be held to consider details of the proposal.
In addition to the Nine Mile Canyon Coalition's early concerns over Argyle Canyon, the group stated this week that vast areas of Nine Mile Canyon are being proposed for tar-sands leases. A coalition statement depicted a worst-case scenario, in which part of the Nine Mile area would one day resemble Kennecott's Bingham Canyon copper-mine operations in the Salt Lake Valley.
Nine Mile Canyon is home to exposed panels of ancient Indian rock art. Watchdogs say the rock art is already at risk of being destroyed by heavy truck traffic associated with current and future proposed oil and gas development.
In the past, the financial returns have been too low and the costs too high to explore extracting oil from sands and shale. But the high price of oil these days has changed that.
A process known as "destructive distillation" is being used to get oil from sedimentary rock known as shale. Evidence of deposits has been found in parts of Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. The Interior Department has said that the Green River Formation — a geological formation located in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming — is estimated to contain over 2 trillion barrels of oil, more than the world's current known oil reserves.
Federal officials estimate another 11.8 million barrels of oil are in the Uinta Basin area, locked in oil sands or sandstone. Critics have the same concerns for getting the oil out of tar sands as with shale operations — water usage and environmental impacts.
Existing BLM plans for six areas in Utah could be changed to accommodate oil-shale and tar-sands development. Changes will depend on what comes out of the environmental impact statement, which the 2005 Energy Police Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete before deciding how to handle a commercial leasing program of federal land that has been identified for shale and sands projects.
There's also uncertainty over the price of oil or advances with extraction technology associated with tar sands and oil shale.
"Whatever happens, it will be a very, very expensive capital-intensive process to get at the resources and address environmental concerns," Kohler said.


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Groundwater reliance has led to a decline in water level in the metropolitan area, according to two U.S. Geological Survey reports
Groundwater pumping has produced significant changes in water levels below some parts of the Albuquerque metropolitan area, according to two new reports published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
For many decades, the water supply requirements of the Albuquerque metropolitan area in central New Mexico were met almost exclusively by groundwater withdrawal from the Santa Fe Group aquifer system. Reliance on groundwater led to variable responses in groundwater levels across the area, with declines in some areas exceeding 120 ft below predevelopment water level conditions.
"We observed that over time the way groundwater moved and where it was present changed significantly. Groundwater used to flow roughly parallel to the Rio Grande valley, but now it moves away from the Rio Grande and toward clusters of water supply wells in the east, north and west parts of the metropolitan area," said USGS Hydrologist Rachel Powell, lead author of a report on the topic titled, "Estimated 2012 Groundwater Potentiometric Surface and Drawdown from Predevelopment to 2012 in the Santa Fe Group Aquifer System in the Albuquerque Metropolitan Area, Central New Mexico."
The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority began diverting surface water from the Rio Grande with the San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Project to reduce reliance on groundwater reserves in December 2008.
In the new reports, USGS scientists investigated the variability and extent of groundwater level changes, as well as the more recent effects of reduced groundwater use following the introduction of surface water supplies. Measured water levels from wells across the metropolitan area, as well as simulated water levels from a groundwater model, were used to delineate changes in groundwater levels, both spatially as well as over time.
While groundwater level declines are substantial in many areas, hydrographs (graphs of water level change) show several instances where groundwater levels are increasing since the introduction of surface water supplies from the San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Project.
"Albuquerque's sole reliance on groundwater for supply was likely an unsustainable option, even with water conservation measures. The addition of surface water supplies should continue to mitigate the effects of decades of extensive groundwater withdrawal," said USGS Hydrologist Steve Rice, lead author of the second report, titled, "Simulated and Measured Water Levels and Estimated Water-Level Changes in the Albuquerque Area, Central New Mexico, 1950–2012."
However, the surface water supplies are only reducing groundwater reliance for the city of Albuquerque; other parts of the metropolitan area where groundwater remains the sole source of supply continue to see groundwater level declines.
Analysis of the magnitude and spatial distribution of water level change can help improve the understanding of how the groundwater system responds to withdrawals. This information can support efforts to minimize future water-level declines and may assist with development of strategies for maintaining a sustainable groundwater reserve in the future.
The USGS reports were completed with support and cooperation from the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority.


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In the tabloid-fueled rivalry between Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie, my loyalty has always been whole-heartedly with Jen. Aniston strikes me as sweet, laid-back and genuine. She and bestie Chelsea Handler are reportedly known to hit the town, throwing back vodka and (until recently for Aniston) smoking cigarettes.
Meanwhile, Jolie is so busy with United Nations missions and adopting babies (both admirable endeavors, to be sure) that she simply has no time to eat. In fact, I read that she will sometimes sustain herself for an entire day on just a handful of almonds. Yikes!
If given the chance to hang out for the night drinking vodka in Hollywood with fun-loving Aniston or sharing six almonds with a strung-out Jolie – an opportunity about which I have no delusions will ever actually manifest – I'd choose Aniston eight days a week.
That said, Jolie and Brad Pitt scored some serious likeability points with me because they've publicly declared many times that they wouldn't be saying "I do" until gay marriage was legalized. In 2006, Pitt told Esquire: "Angie and I will consider tying the knot when everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able." You have to respect that level of commitment to equality.
Perhaps Jolie and Pitt didn't expect the battle for marriage equality to take quite so long. As time has gone on, the pair started to back off their vow to the LGBT community. Back in January, Pitt said of his and Jolie's marriage plans:
"We'd actually like to, and it seems to mean more and more to our kids. We made this declaration some time ago that we weren't going to do it till everyone can. But I don't think we'll be able to hold out. It means so much to my kids, and they ask a lot. And it means something to me, too, to make that kind of commitment. I'm not going to go any further," he said, "But to be in love with someone and be raising a family with someone and want to make that commitment and not be able to is ludicrous, just ludicrous."
I hear you, Brad, not being able to make a commitment to someone you are in love with is, indeed, ludicrous.
And then, in April, the couple announced that they were engaged. In one fell swoop, Pitt brought back the emerald cut diamond and disappointed gay people everywhere when he proposed to Jolie. While no wedding date has been set, it is pretty clear that Jolie and Pitt are no longer prepared to sit it out with us.
Brangelina aren't the only celebs to back off earlier promises to hold off on marriage until same-sex unions are legally recognized. Natalie Portman once boldly declared: "Why are they making rules that say my lover can stay in the United States if they're foreign or share my health care benefits because I'm straight — but if you're gay, you can't have that?"
But then she met Benjamin Millieped fell in love and got pregnant. Portman traded her marriage-for-everyone-or-marriage-for-no one stance for an intimate Jewish wedding and vegan reception outside of Big Sur in August. Another one bites the dust.
Look, I don't begrudge Jolie and Pitt or Portman and Millieped – or anyone else, for that matter – the joy of a wedding or the convenience of a legal union. I just think high-profile people should be very careful about what they say. Vowing not to get married until same-sex unions are legal makes a big statement. But, then turning around and trotting down the aisle when you meet the right person or just get tired of waiting makes an even bigger statement. I'm pretty damn tired of waiting too, but I'm gay, so I have no choice.
Notably, there are other celebrities who have made good (so far) on their promises not to marry until gay people are excluded from the institution.
Charlize Theron never married her ex-boyfriend of nine years Stuart Townsend, and she still maintains that she won't walk down the aisle until we all can. She draws parallels between marriage inequality and the Apartheid in her native South Africa. She didn't mince any words in an interview on the topic:
Yes, that is exactly what it's like and thank you, Ms. Theron, for having the courage to say it.
Kristen Bell has a man – and a ring – but she and fiancé Dax Shepard say they won't wed until gay men and lesbians can as well. "Yeah, we are not getting married [until] everyone else can," Shepard told HollywoodLife.com. "When that happens, then we will do it."
Thanks, guys! We appreciate your support.
Jason Mraz popped the question to Tristan Prettyman in 2010 – with a caveat. He wouldn't get married until the institution was open to everyone. In an interview with US magazine, Mraz said: "The wedding would be nice for our family, our friends, our community — our moms especially — and so it puts us in the fight. We can't get married until [gay] marriage is legal and equal…I think giving people the right to marry will be a huge movement in civil rights."
We may have helped Mraz dodge a bullet because he and Prettyman broke up in 2011. I hope Mraz finds new love and continues to honor his commitment to marriage equality.
What I find even more heartening is non-celebrity straight couples who eschew marriage so long as governments discriminate against gay people. Huffington Post bloggers Kyle Steele and Megan Koler made a brave public declaration about their support for marriage equality in an April post. This rad Oregon couple got engaged in April, but won't walk down the aisle until their gay and lesbian friends can do the same.
As much as I appreciate celebrities who stand up for marriage equality, you really have to hand it to a couple like Steele and Koler. Marriage comes with a whole smorgasbord of benefits like tax breaks, lower insurance costs and inheritance rights. I highly doubt that Angelina Jolie will be relying on Brad Pitt's social security checks, should she outlive her fiancé. But for "normal" people like Steele and Koler, who have student loan debt and bills to pay, a tax break might come in very handy. Steele and Koler wrote in their blog:
If Steele and Koler's goal was to inspire, I have to say, mission accomplished.
I think there are many battles left to fight before full marriage equality becomes a reality. In the meantime, it sure does help to have the support of straight people willing to delay their own weddings until legal marriage is available to everyone. Here's hoping same-sex marriage is legalized sooner rather than later so that all of us committed gay and lesbian couples and our amazing heterosexual allies can finally tie the knot.
Do you know any straight people who refuse to get hitched until gay married is legal? What do you think about celebrities who promise to wait it out until same-sex couples have equal marriage rights?