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Dear members of the Neural Information Processing Systems community,
Something remarkable has happened in our community. The name NeurIPS has sprung up organically as an alternative acronym, and we're delighted to see it being adopted. Indeed, one forward-thinking member of the community purchased neurips.com and described the site's purpose as "...host[ing] the conference content under a different acronym... until the board catches up."
We've caught up! We were considering alternative acronyms when the community support for NeurIPS became apparent. We ask all attendees this year to respect this solution from the community and to use the new acronym in order that the conference focus can be on science and ideas.
We have taken several actions to support this acronym. First, all signage and the program booklet for the 2018 meeting will refer either to the full conference name or to NeurIPS. Second, we've asked sponsors to do the same in their materials and publicity, to the extent possible at this late date.
Third, we will hire a branding company to design a new logo for the conference. Third, we will adopt this logo. Fourth, we've moved the conference site to neurips.cc, and the owner of neurips.com, Peter Henderson, has graciously donated the domain name to the Foundation.
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to share thoughts and concerns regarding this important issue. The Neural Information Processing Systems community has a lot of people working very hard, and with much passion, to make the conference the best it can be. We look forward to continuing this conversation at the Town Hall during the conference.
The Neural Information Processing Systems Foundation Board of Trustees
Corinna Cortes (Program Chair 2014, General Chair 2015)
Isabelle Guyon (Program Chair 2016, General Chair 2017)
Neil Lawrence (Program Chair 2014, General Chair 2015)
Daniel Lee (Program Chair 2015, General Chair 2016)
Ulrike von Luxburg (Program Chair 2016, General Chair 2017)
Michael Mozer (Secretary, Program Chair 1995, General Chair 1996)
Terrence Sejnowski (President)
Marian Stewart Bartlett (Treasurer)
Masashi Sugiyama (Program Chair 2015, General Chair 2016)
Max Welling (Program Chair 2013, General Chair 2014)
Note that the Board of Trustees is distinct from the 2018 Organizing Committee and the Neural Information Processing Systems Foundation Advisory Board, which is comprised of General Chairs of prior meetings.
NIPS Name Change
Dear members of the NIPS community,
As many of you know, there has been an ongoing discussion concerning the name of the Neural Information Processing Systems conference. The current acronym NIPS has unintended connotations that some members of the community find offensive.
Following several well-publicized incidents of insensitivity at past conferences, and our acknowledgement of other less-publicized incidents, we conducted community polls requesting alternative names, rating the existing and alternative names, and soliciting additional comments.
After extensive discussions, the NIPS Board has decided not to change the name of the conference for now. The poll itself did not yield a clear consensus on a name change or a well-regarded alternative name.
Instead, we ask for the community's support in implementing concrete steps to improve the inclusiveness of the conference. Our goal is to demonstrate that the name NIPS stands for the excellent work this community has produced, and not for incidents of poor behavior. We will undertake new, substantive diversity and inclusion initiatives and take further steps towards ensuring that the conference is welcoming to all participants. Let us elaborate.
1. The data (see Section 5 below for details on absolute numbers and plots)
Our survey was returned by 2270 participants who have attended NIPS in the last 5 years. Of the male respondents, about 28% are in favor of a conference name change. Of the female respondents, about 44% are in favor of a name change, 40% prefer the existing name, and 16% expressed no preference. Looking closer, about as many females are strongly in favor of a name change (74/294 = 25%) as are strongly opposed (76/294 = 26%). There is some imbalance regarding age and geography: for example, among the young American females, the fraction of participants in favor of a name change is larger than in other subpopulations. More details and some selected text comments can be found in Sections 4 and 5 below.
These data put us in a difficult situation: regardless of which decision we take, we are failing to accommodate the opinions of about half of the women in the community.
Some respondents wondered whether the name was deliberately selected for a double entendre. It was not. The name was selected in 1987, and sources such as Oxford English Dictionary show the slang reference to a body part did not come into usage until years later.
2. The alternative names
Our first poll resulted in a long list of alternative names. However, most of them were unsuitable for many reasons (existing brand, too close to names of other conferences, offensive connotations in some language). After curating the list, we were left with a short list of six names that were suggested in the second poll. However, none of these names were strongly preferred by the community (see Section 5 below). Even worse, for each alternative, respondents pointed out that the alternative could be mispronounced or distorted to create an offensive term. Changing the name of our conference is going to encourage such word play.
3. Moving forward
Much of the feedback on both sides recommended a focus on more tangible steps to promote inclusion and diversity. The Board has long considered ways of ensuring that the conference is welcoming to all individuals. Some steps we are taking in this direction include:
For NIPS 2018, we strengthened our Code of Conduct, which addresses participant behavior. All reviewers, authors, registrants, and sponsors must read and acknowledge the Code, which is also posted on the conference webpage. We formalized the process for reporting and responding to concerns about Code of Conduct violations.
For NIPS 2018, two Inclusion and Diversity chairs were appointed, who have been active in conference planning, bringing additional affinity groups into the fold, and examining the conference climate.
We are organizing an "Inclusion Town Hall" at NIPS 2018 to discuss inclusion issues with the entire community.
We are introducing childcare support for NIPS 2018, having resolved a longstanding liability issue. Supplementary funding has been secured to support parent expenses, and activity suggestions for children will be offered.
The conference facility will have gender-inclusive restrooms, information about accommodations for participants with disabilities has been publicized, and we have assembled a collection of suggestions for how conference participants can help create a more inclusive atmosphere.
We have been providing administrative and financial support to a satellite meeting for Women in ML (WiML) for many years. Starting last year, NIPS has been the home for Black in AI (BAI), and this year the affinity groups hosted by NIPS will also include Queer in AI@NIPS, LatinX in AI (LXAI), and Jews in ML. Registration slots have been reserved to ensure that many participants in WiML, Black in AI, and LatinX in AI are able to attend the main conference.
In recent years, our Executive Director, Mary Ellen Perry, has organized conference expeditions for high-school math and science organizations such as GirlsWhoCode who are near the conference venue.
We are coordinating mentoring breakfasts for women and other minorities.
The main goal of NIPS has always been to create a space where those in the field can exchange ideas freely. As the conference continues to grow and evolve so must our ideas around what it means to create that open space for the entire community. We welcome your suggestions for further expanding our efforts in Diversity and Inclusion. Please contact our diversity and inclusion chairs.
We thank everyone who took part in the polls and the discussions on name change. We are now in a stronger position to respond positively to the needs of our community.
4. Some quotes (with permission) from the text comments of the poll
Thanks for considering the name change. I am not personally bothered by the current name, which is semi-accurate and has no ill intent -- but I think the gesture of making a name change will send a much-needed inclusive vibe in the right direction.
If it were up to me, I'd call off this nice but symbolic gesture and use whatever time, money, and energy it requires to make actual changes that boost inclusivity, like providing subsidized child care so that parents can attend, or offering more travel awards to scholars from lesser-developed countries.
Please, please please change the name. It is sexist and a racist slur!!! I'm embarrassed every time I have to say the name of the conference.
As a woman, I find it offensive that the board is seriously considering changing the name of the meeting because of an adolescent reference to a woman's body. From my point of view, it shows that the board does not see me as an equal member of the community, but as a woman first and a scientist second.
I am a woman, I have experienced being harassed by male academics, and I would like this problem to be discussed and addressed. But not in this frankly almost offensive way.
I am in favor of a name change, but this is cosmetic. Let's use the conversation started around this issue to show that the community truly cares about long-standing, systematic problems facing people in this discipline who do not fit the typical social/economic/racial/gender background.
There's a legitimate question of whether the original name was meant as a baudy joke. If yes, then of course change it. But if not, I don't see the benefit of changing the name.
There are more important problems than the name, e.g. industrial vs academic research, reproducibility of results, attempts of fraud to get papers accepted, a more professional infrastructure to support the work of area and program chairs.
For those of us that work in ML and are on tenure-track in a non-CS dept, changing the name could have negative implications, as publications under a new label might not be recognized and appreciated in the same way by reviewers from other fields. A similar argument applies to writing interdisciplinary grant proposals.
Scholarship in the ML community is lacking. Seminal work from 1990-2010 has been forgotten and rediscovered without crediting the original authors. It seems that a large fraction of attendees each year have never been to the meeting before. I think it likely that a name change would lead to a devaluation of prior work (and I can cite examples of this happening when journals changed names).
There are around 7000 languages. All the above acronyms above are all probably offensive to at least one speaker of at least one of them. I think a randomly generated hash code is the best way to avoid collision with any offensive terms. What about 27fb380bc013f01262acf6b2518d08bd?
5. Details of the data
The key question in the poll was: "Do you think we should change the name of the NIPS conference?" Here are the absolute number of answers:
other gender
Here you can see the same answers, visualized as histograms:
("count" shows the absolute number of answers; proportion shows the percentage in each of the two subpopulations, for example the number of males who voted for "+2", divided by total number of male answers; in the second row we merged the two negative categories -2 and -1 to "no" and the two positive categories +1 and +2 to "yes")
The following histograms are splitting the response distribution by gender (the non-binary and missing responses are omitted), age (less than 35, 35-50, and over 50), and geography (continents other than Asia, Europe, and North America are omitted).
Here are the results concerning alternative names of the conference:
Press Policy and Press Pass
If you wish to apply for a press pass to NeurIPS 2019 do so here: https://forms.gle/bcPKdXWw654VHdKr6
Notification of acceptance or denial of press pass will take place on a rolling basis. Journalists receiving a press pass will receive an email and be directed to register for the conference. Review of applications ends on November 3rd. No passes will be granted after that time. You will be able to pick up your credentials at the main registration desk, credentials are not transferable. Each member of your team attending the conference needs to submit an application.
Journalists who are given accreditation will receive:
Complimentary registration for the Main Conference
Access to the NIPS press conference and resources.
Access to Wi-Fi
Currently the Press Pass grants access to the main conference. Plans to expand that access are in progress. All accredited journalists will be given the same level of access to the conference and its activites.
Some information presented at NeurIPS may be proprietary or off the record. Accredited journalists attending the conference will be provided guidelines in advance of the conference. Cameras, filming or on the record taping, if permitted, will be restricted to specific places and times. Interviews should be scheduled with the communications teams of the interviewee and take place off site.
For Attendees: In advance of attending the conference this year, you may want to to check in with the communications or media team that manages media interaction with your work. A few key things to remember when showing public work in a space with active media teams:
Nametags for reporters will be distinct from from the tags of general attendees.
Check with your media team, or manager about what strategy your group intends to follow regarding interactions with the media.
If you are unsure about how to react or respond, direct the member of the media to speak with your communications team member.
Press Room
NIPS in the news! Sorted by years Press Releases were distributed.
Coming Soon


text:
IS-BAH achieves century milestone
The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) has announced its International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) programme has reached 100 registered handler locations since it was introduced in July 2014.
The IS-BAH follows the structure of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) programme and incorporates the NATA Safety 1st Ground Audit Program. IS-BAH is the global industry standard for business aircraft handling agents and fixed-base operators around the world developed to align with existing and future Safety Management System (SMS) requirements aimed at ground handling service providers.
"We are excited to reach this milestone of 100 IS-BAH operator locations, and I am very proud of our team that made this possible," stated Terry Yeomans, Programme Director for IS-BAH. "We are experiencing substantial growth in the programme right now. I see our momentum continuing as more FBOs and handling agents embrace the code of industry developed best practices as our sector recognizes the value of a positive safety culture to their core business."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Scientists from the University of Amsterdam managed to find the evidence that the ancient Egyptians used a clever trick to facilitate the transportation of giant stones that were used to build the pyramids.
To create the ancient Egyptian pyramids, builders had to constantly move giant blocks of stone and sculptures through the desert. They had to lift heavy loads and put them on sledges, which were then dragged through the sand.
The experiments of Dutch physicists confirmed that the sand right in front of the sledge was poured with water. When the right proportion of sand was moistened, it could reduce the effort required to transport the cargo by half.
The moisture in the sand increases the formation of capillary bridges, which hold together the separate grains of sand. Thus, the stiffness of wet sand is doubled as compared to dry sand. Due to this, the sand in front of the sledge stops piling up and lets it slide without hindrance, as in the case of dry sand.
It is almost certain that Egyptians knew about this technique. This is evidenced by wall paintings from the tomb of the monarch Djehutihotep, where it is possible to see a person who is wetting sand in front of the sledge.
The study of properties of sand can be of great practical importance in modern technology. Properties of granular materials, which are very common in the world, are still insufficiently studied.
The results of the study, which were published online in the scientific journal Physical Review Letters, could help optimize the transportation and handling of granular materials such as sand, gravel or asphalt.
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- 9 Signs of Needy People & How They Manipulate You - May 7, 2020
Copyright © 2012-2020 Learning Mind. All rights reserved. For permission to reprint, contact us.


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style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For Evanescence This is the first time they came and held a concert in Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia. Sense of security concerns are also of concern to them. This makes the old American band from Arkansas to approve a proposal from Showmaxx Entertainment."The process of convincing them that Indonesia is safe for their concert, we give the list a lot of successful concerts that have been running to them, they finally agreed," he explained.In addition to fears of security issues, Amy Lee and his friends are also afraid of the concert will be quiet and not much to watch.Reasonable for them, because this is their first concert in Indonesia and also return them after the old vacuum.
"They do not want a lot of money, they just want the concert not empty and they want to prove that they still exist," he said at the press conference in Rolling Stone Evanescence Cafe, Ampera Raya, South Jakarta, Wednesday (4 / 12).Even so, Sherwin Djadjadi as Director of Entertainment Showmaxx feel grateful with Indonesia chosen as the cover of this concert series."We are grateful to Indonesia was chosen by them as a closing tour of Asia, they arrived in Indonesia on 24 in Jakarta," he said.behind it allEvanescence Ready Surprise Jakarta
Effort to bring the promoter Showmaxx American rock band Evanescence to Jakarta eventually succeed. The plan, they played in Jakarta on 25 February.American rock band fronted Amy Lee (vocals, piano), Terry Balsamo (lead guitar), Troy McLawhom (rhythm guitar), Tim McCrod (bass), and Will Hunt (drums) is finally coming to Indonesia. Evanescence newly released third album, "Evanescence", last October it will skill performance on Saturday, February 25, 2012, in Hall A JIEXPO Kemayoran.Of course this is good news for all fans of Evanescence and rock music on umumnya.Pasalnya, for 15 years the band was formed, they are not willing to accept orders gig in Asia. Only Japan is included in the list of international concert tour mereka.Rencana appearance of this band would also create a happy party promoter, Showmaxx Entertainment.Their struggle to woo Amy and his group finally produced results."We assured them that Indonesia is safe to show evidence in 2011, there were 56 international artists successful concert was held," said Director of Sherwin Djajadi Showmaxx Entertainment in a press conference on Wednesday (4 / 1) then.
I wonder what surprises will be presented in the inaugural concert of the famous band with the song Bring Me to Life and My Immortal this? "Indonesia so the country closing their Asian tour, so we wanted something special. Evanescence plans to bring an extra seven songs from the standard 15 lagu.Durasi standard 90-minute concert, but it'll be about two hours and 15 minutes because Amy will also be lots of interacting with the audience, "said Sherwin.Regarding the reasons for the selection of JIEXPO Kemayoran as the location of the concert, Sherwin said it was the desire on the part of Evanescence. "We have proposed layout Istora, but was rejected. They want an indoor venue and all standing (standing all), "said promoter who managed to bring Incubus and Paramore this year. Total tickets to be sold about 7,000 pieces, with the VIP category, festivals and festivals B. ATicket sales will be opened in two waves: presale and public sale. Special presale opened only one day, ie Sunday, January 8, in the atrium mall FX, Senayan, starting at 09.00. A total of 3000 tickets will be released on presale sales are cash only accept these payment methods. Ticket presale price of the festival A B Rp300.000 Rp500.000 and festivals. While the normal price of the VIP class Rp1, 2 million, festivals and festivals Rp700.000 A B Rp500.000. Normal sales will be opened January 9 through the site of King-ticket and the ticket box Showmaxx partners.Solid Concert Schedule
Besides Evanescence, Indonesia especially Jakarta concert schedule will be compacted with international musicians. In January alone, a row of stars will adorn the weekly concert of music in concert Indonesia.Mulai Coldplay, Katy Perry to old musician Rod Stewart. For Katy Perry concerts, performances will be held January 19 at Sentul Bogor is the most awaited music lovers.
All tickets already sold out of all categories. Talented singer who won some award, toured the world premiere musical begins in Indonesia, then proceed to the Philippines. Sebeum finally concerts in America alone


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Lynch Plant Hire have been successfully working with, County Down based, Hill Engineering for many years and the synergy between the two companies continues to grow.
Lynch is committed to major investment in the very latest equipment and safety is a priority, which is why Lynch continue to invest in Hill's products, including the recently launched Award Winning TEFRA Coupler.
"When the dual locking quick hitch system was introduced we investigated what products were available on the market, after looking at other manufacturers, we chose to work with Hill Engineering," said Merrill Lynch, operations director at Lynch Plant Hire. "Hill's range of quick couplers were tried and tested and were what we believed to be the safest and best-engineered quick hitch available. Hill is a pioneering and forward thinking company and continues to improve its products year on year – always ahead of the game in terms of innovation and technology.""Our customers such as Bam Nuttall and Skanska demand the highest standards in safety and that is what we get from Hill – their mission statement is in line with ours and 'Safety and Innovation' is at forefront of their business, which is why it's the perfect partnership."
"Hill Engineering is also active in helping us with 'Quick Hitch Training' and work with our own operators. They also participate in our 'Quick Hitch Safety Road Shows', where we have visited almost 60 construction sites to provide operator training and issue a Quick Hitch Safety Card."
Jarlath Gilmore sales director of Hill Engineering, said: "As a leading quick hitch, bucket and excavator attachment manufacturer, we share Lynch Plant Hire's dedication to improving safety on the UK's construction sites and have hesitation in participating in the road shows to ensure the proper use and maintenance of our hitches."
Lynch added, "We believe that Hill's TEFRA next generation quick hitches are the safest on the market today and definitely the first choice for Lynch Plant! It's not just us that think that either – the TEFRA won two PLANTWORX Innovation Awards, one for Engineering and the other for Safety."
The safety systems in the TEFRA eliminate one of the most dangerous aspects of handling attachments, which is the risk of attachments coming away completely. Hill Engineering has solved this by using a positive locking system rather than a gravity locking system, making the crucial safety feature 'active' and not 'passive' in the way it works.
Completely manufactured in the UK, the TEFRA components are cast,which means its lower in weight and higher in strength. The TEFRA fits excavators from 3 to 120 tons and is fully compliant with expected forthcoming legislation.
Jarlath Gilmore said, "The TEFRA is at least two years ahead of its time, making it the safest coupler on the market today."
Ian Hill, Hill managing director, said, "It has been a great opportunity for us to work with Lynch Plant Hire and we appreciate their complete confidence, not only in the integrity of the TEFRA product but also in the excellent support network that comes with it"
Source: Hill Engineering News Room


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Breakfast of Knuckle Sandwich
This morning began with thud of helicopter rotors and a cascade of text messages "eviction en plaza catalunya". Ten minutes later I was was in the middle of one of the most poorly executed and needlessly violent police operations I've ever seen, and I've seen plenty. After clearing much of the plaza, a dozen garbage trucks were filled with everyone's belongings- tents, equipment, sound system, etc. �Of course thousands of people blocked the exit by sitting in the surrounding streets. If you need some inspiration witness the balding man in khakis, his shirt already stained with blood, calmly sitting again in front of the trucks at


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Type Keywords
Thing coming up
June 2020 M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
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Secure your files from Ransom Malware Encryption on Windows 10.
Hi Guy & Girls, Well, you've just upgraded to the current Windows 10 Fall Creators update and you find a few goodies under the bonnet? No? Well there is an option to turn on a feature called "Controlled Folder Access" on their Windows … Continue reading
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Look at alliance mineral now, it's the only stock that runs fiercely while the rest is just taking a small breather. I believe it's ahead of some very good news soon. There was a flush in the minute chart last week and then the BBs conduct a breakout. Watching it.
Ronald K - Market Psychologist - A Stock Market Opportunist


text:
A greenhouse is a small glass building that is used for growing plants to protect them from the cold. Understanding how it works to trap heat can help you to understand global warming because the principles are the same. Two key things to remember when learning about this effect are:
- Radiation from very hot objects like the sun is mostly in the form of light and short wavelength radiation. This type can pass through glass.
- Radiation from less hot objects like fire and heat radiated from hot bodies is largely long wavelength radiation. This type cannot pass through glass.
The greenhouse effect
This is how a greenhouse works to keep plants warm
- Light and short-wavelength infrared rays from the sun penetrate a glass house and are absorbed by soil and plants. Their temperature rises.
- Soil and plants emit the heat (infrared radiation) but because of its relatively low temperature and long wavelength, it is not transmitted through the glass.
- The heat is reflected back into the house. This causes more heat to be absorbed by the plants raising the temperature some more.
Global warming
Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) work just like the glass panels of the greenhouse. They allow radiant heat in from the sun but trap the heat that is emitted from the earth and other hot bodies. The more CO2 and other greenhouse gases that are in the atmosphere the more heat is trapped within the earth's atmosphere.
Infrared rays from the sun (which is short wavelength radiation) penetrate the earth's atmosphere and are absorbed by the earth itself, people, plants and animals.
Emitted radiation from the hot planet and other hot bodies (which is long wavelength radiation) radiates into the atmosphere.
The presence of greenhouse gases such as CO2 prevents the heat from escaping the atmosphere and re-emits it back onto the earth. It causes a rise in the temperature.
The presence of CO2 and other greenhouse gases is increased by activities such as burning fires. It also comes from fuel emissions from vehicles and generators and from CFCs found in tin can products.
[activecampaign form=1]


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Gender responsive budgeting is a tool to ensure that gender equality commitments are reflected and realised in public budgets. This e-learning course introduces participants to the concept, principles, tools and practical examples of gender responsive budgeting (GRB) and how to use it. The course runs from 29th of November to the 13th of December, 2017, and costs $125 to enroll before September 1st, and $145 thereafter. This course involves three 90-minute live webinars, reading materials, and a final assignment.
Week 1: Basics of gender responsive budgeting – gender equality, neutrality of a budget, how to link the two (gender and budgets)
Week 2: GRB actors, approaches and tools, international examples and case studies
Week 3: GRB approaches and tools, practical work on gender analysis of budgets


text:
Jalen Whitlow's migraines begin with blurred vision. Then the headache starts.
Next comes the nausea.
This lasts all day.
"It's not good," the Kentucky quarterback said. "It's not good at all."
Whitlow, a true freshman from Alabama, will start today as Kentucky (1-7, 0-5) searches for its first Southeastern Conference win against Missouri (3-4, 0-4).
He's one in a long line of Wildcats quarterbacks to suffer setbacks during this rocky season, and he's expected to rotate with another true freshman, Patrick Towles, today.
Kentucky has used four QBs. It lost its starter in the fifth game of the season. Third-year Coach Joker Phillips compared the black-and-blue crew to Missouri's quarterback situation.
Oh, no, the Wildcats have it much worse.
"They've had a few problems," MU Coach Gary Pinkel said. "You play the hand you're dealt. Unfortunately, they were handed that, and we all know how tough that is on a team."
Pinkel's team has used redshirt freshman Corbin Berkstresser for much of the season in place of a banged-up James Franklin, who is expected to return next week.
And Kentucky? Its starter, Maxwell Smith, is out indefinitely after tearing ligaments in his ankle on the second play of a loss to South Carolina. He had thrown for eight touchdowns and 966 yards in the first three games. He missed Game 4, at Florida, with a shoulder injury.
The Wildcats burned the redshirt of highly touted signee Towles, who then suffered an ankle sprain in his first game, a loss to Mississippi State. Towles, a four-star recruit who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 242 pounds, was 5 of 6 for 71 yards and a touchdown before the injury.
The other two quarterbacks, Whitlow and Morgan Newton, are runners who have each had their issues. They are a combined 44-of-105 passing with five interceptions and four touchdowns.
Newton had offseason shoulder surgery that hampers his passing, and Whitlow has his migraines.
He had one at halftime of the Wildcats' loss to Georgia and missed the rest of the game. Kentucky trailed just 16-14 at the half, and Whitlow was having the best game of his short career (9-of-13 passing for 86 yards).
"You start to feel pretty sick," Whitlow said of the migraines.
He's had the migraines since elementary school, and he's not keen on taking medication. He simply lies down � often for an entire day or night � until the pounding headaches cease.
"I'm not a big medicine guy," he said. "I usually fight it off."
Migraines are just one of his problems. Whitlow was only a part-time starter at quarterback in high school in Prattville, Ala. He played receiver, too.
And, now, he's starting at quarterback in the SEC. He's already played against four teams currently ranked inside the top 15 of the AP poll. He started in three of those.
"It's been interesting," said Whitlow, a 6-2, 202-pounder who was ranked as the nation's No. 12 dual-threat QB last season. "Coming in here, I didn't expect to play that quick, but I had to step up and play."
The speedy Whitlow will split time with the big-armed Towles, Phillips announced Thursday. The mix gives Kentucky's offense a change of pace and Missouri's defense more to think about.
"We'll go back and" see "how they call plays and the different field positions and the different down-and-distances," Pinkel said. "You kind of just find out what their strengths, weaknesses are."


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A Word About School Memberships
STAO offers a large school membership for schools that have 1000 students or more, and a small school membership for those with less than 1000 students. These memberships run from September 15 of one year to September 14 of the following year.
These special memberships allow any teacher in the school to become a member of STAO at the one low school membership fee.
If your school had a school membership during the last school year:
- that membership will expire on September 15, 2016;
- the teacher who purchased this membership will receive correspondence from STAO describing how to renew the membership;
- if you are the lead teacher in your school, we encourage you to act on the membership renewal letter that you receive.
If your school does not have a school membership, please talk to your department head or administration to encourage them to take advantage of this money-saving offer.
This membership allows any elementary school to join with one teacher being identified as the lead teacher. In addition to regular membership benefits, this membership allows the school to send one teacher to conference on each of the three days of conference for a single registration fee. The link for this membership is found here.


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Home Haircut (cont.)
October 31, 2009
Wife: Close your mouth, or you'll get hair in it.
Five-Year-Old: It's OK. I'll just spit it out.
Wife: No, don't do that. Just keep your mouth closed.
Me: Yes—actually, if you get any hair in your mouth, the rules say you have to eat it.
Five-Year-Old: No they don't!
Wife: Yep, those are the rules.
Five-Year-Old: What rules are those?
Wife: "The rules" rules.
Home Haircut
October 30, 2009
Wife: Stop doing that! I know your hair is getting is too long, and it's getting in your eyes. That's why I'm doing this.
Me: Long hair is long.
Five-Year-Old: Long-y hair is hong!
Wife: What does that mean?
October 29, 2009
Wife: Why are you vomiting?
Five-Year-Old: Me?
Wife: No, Daddy!
Money Robot
October 28, 2009
Five-Year-Old: [inaudible robot voice]
Me: What?
Five-Year-Old: [inaudible robot voice]
Me: I can't tell what kind of robot you are.
Five-Year-Old: I… am… a… money… robot…. Give… me… money.
Two-Year-Old: Give me money.
Five-Year-Old: I am a baby robot. Nwah! Nwah!
Two-Year-Old: Nwah. Nwah.
Five-Year-Old: I am a hug robot. Hug, hug, hug, hug, hug, hug, hug, hug, hug!
October 27, 2009
Me: Ouch!
Wife: What was that?
Five-Year-Old: Something—
Me: Klondike to the head.
Wife: Klondike? Oh, right, Klondike.
October 26, 2009
Me: What are you doing?
Five-Year-Old: Making shapes.
Me: In my chest hair?
Five-Year-Old: Mm-hm.
October 25, 2009
Wife: Just because your sister spins around while eating cookies doesn't mean you have to spin around while eating cookies. It's optional.
Five-Year-Old: Uhhhhh.
Two-Year-Old: Uhhhhh.
October 24, 2009
Five-Year-Old: I'm stinging you. Sting! Sting.
Wife: If you sting me in the face too much, I won't be able to finish your jellyfish costume.
Five-Year-Old: I'm not really stinging you.
Wife: Nope, too much stinging.
Five-Year-Old: I'm not actually getting you in the face. It's not the kind of stinging that's the real one.
Dance Pose
October 23, 2009
Me: You're doing a great job.
I'm not sure why I have us in a dance pose.
Wife: I think it was just so you could say, "I'm not sure why I have us in a dance pose."
Five-Year-Old: I like your doing it that way! Put her back in the dance pose!
Miss Mommy
October 22, 2009
Five-Year-Old: Miss Mommy.
Two-Year-Old: Miss Mommy!
Wife: What did she call me?
Me: "Miss Mommy."
Wife: They don't usually call me "Miss."
Two-Year-Old: Miss Mommy! Miss Mommy! Miss Mommy!


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Tennis racquet technology is changing fast making it hard to keep up with what racquets might best fit your tennis game. We've researched all the major racquet brands to find the top 6 racquets for advanced skill level tennis players.
Whether you play singles and hit heavy groundstrokes from the baseline, or play doubles and like to serve and volley, below you will find the best tennis racquet for you.
Before we get into the reviews, here is the list of our top 6 advanced tennis racquets.
Our pick for the best tennis racquet for advanced skill-level players is Babolat's Pure Drive.
Read Our Full Pure Drive Review Here
At the end of this guide, you should have a clear picture which type of racquet is right for you. Before we show you the specific racquets, let's make sure you're in the right place.
Here is our description for an advanced player. If this sounds like you, then you will be able to find the perfect racquet below!
Advanced players play regularly. They control shots with placement, spin, and power. They also serve with spin and power. This would be 4.0 rating or higher on the USTA scale.
If you feel like you need a beginner or intermediate racquet, see our reviews on those racquets below.
Professional players, like Steve Johnson, use racquets with more control since they can naturally generate power.
This chart below should give you an idea of what type of racquet you should look for based on your skill level.
A general rule is that advanced racquets are smaller than beginner racquet, giving them better control for a more fast paced tennis game.
Beginner Players Only
Intermediate & Some Beginner
Advanced & Some Intermediate
Racquet Size (Sq. Inches)
107 - 115
100 - 110
95 - 100
Racquet Length (Inches)
At least 27.5
27 - 28
27 - 27.5
Racquet Weight (strung)
Under 11 Ounces
10.1 - 11.5 Ounces
Over 11 Ounces
Under $150
$100 & up
$150 & up
Power vs Control
More Power
Balanced Racquet
More Control
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to determine the type of racquet you might need.
For players with faster or longer swings, you'll generate plenty of power because the racquet head will have more speed when you make contact. This means you can use a smaller frame that will provide extra control and accuracy on your shots. The best option below will be the Wilson Pro Staff.
However, if you're swinging faster to generate lots of spin similar to Rafael Nadal, then you can choose a larger racquet. In this case, your groundstrokes are swinging low to high, creating spin but not necessarily as much power since you're not hitting through the ball as much. Nadal's Pure Aero is reviewed below.
For players with slower or shorter groundstrokes that are more under control, then choose a more powerful racquet like the Pure Drive or Pure Aero below.
If you like to hit more topspin then you should look for a racquet that accentuates this strength. Tennis racquets with more open string patterns grab the ball more and will help you create spin. This means the strings will be more spread apart. Also there are different types of strings that you can use to create even more spin on your shots.
For players who have flatter groundstrokes, we recommend a tighter string pattern with a smaller racquet head. Anything between 95 and 98 square inches will be a good fit for advanced players who don't rely primarily on spin. This will help you control your shots because the extra string density will control the ball better.
Some racquets are better for groundstrokes than volleys, so you should consider what you'll be doing more of. If you like to play from the baseline and hit groundstrokes, then you may be able to use a racquet that sacrifices some versatility for a bigger sweet spot with more spin and power.
For doubles players who spend more time at the net, you will need a racquet that has good mobility. Especially if you're playing at a USTA level of 4.0 or higher. The game is faster in doubles at this level so you have less time to react. Racquet heads under 100 inches will not only have more versatility, but also more control to place your volleys.
Here are the reviews for our top six picks for advanced level tennis players.
We consider this to be the best overall racquet on the market. It is widely used by beginners and advanced players, especially those baseliners seeking more power, spin and feel. This racquet is used by many pros including Andy Roddick when he played on tour.
The 100 square inch frame makes it a bit larger than many advanced racquets on the market giving it better feel. This also means it can be a great option for beginners. The wide frame and string pattern give it the best power and control combination in tennis. This is the perfect racquet for hitting controlled groundstrokes from the baseline for advanced players. Also, you don't have to sacrifice mobility if you are a net player in doubles as it is still relatively lightweight.
This racquet doesn't have as much control as other racquets on the market if you do miss the sweet spot. However there's not racquet with more control that doesn't sacrifice power or spin.
Price | $$$
USTA Rating | Any skill level
This is our only Head racquet on this list for advance players, but it's a good one. The Graphene 360 Speed Pro is a player's racquet, ideal for people looking for something balanced.
The 18 x 20 string patter will give you great control of your shots. Since the head size is 100 square inches, you will be able to generate good power and spin from your groundstrokes as well. High level intermediate and advanced singles players will love this racquet used by Novak Djokovic.
Price | $$
USTA Rating | 4.0 and higher only
This is a version of Serena Williams' racquet. Wilson made this racquet for players who want control and comfort. This is their 7th version of the blade and it is the best yet.
This racquet is a balanced all around tennis racquet. The new FlexFeel technology in this version brings it's feel and touch to a whole new level. This makes it a great racquet for both volleys and groundstrokes. The 11.3 ounce weight makes it good for intermediate to advanced players. The open string pattern (16x19) will help you generate spin on groundstrokes from the baseline. The Blade's stable frame gives you a very comfortable feeling on contact as well.
If you seek more control, feel, and touch, but don't need as much help with power, this racquet is a great option. For players looking for more power, check out the Blade 104 (Serena's racquet).
Price | $$$
USTA Rating | 4.0 and higher only
Technifibre is not as well known among tennis racquet brands. However, the recent success of Daniil Medvedev has made this an increasingly popular brand.
The TF40 305 is the best option for most players. It's frame size of 98 sq. inches combined with the tight string pattern makes this a players racquet. The characteristic that stands out for this racquet is it's control, comfort, and feel. The Dynacore XTC technology that Technifibre has put into this racquet, helps the ball stay on the strings increasing your control and touch. The racquet is also only 11.4 ounces allowing for decent mobility for your volleys.
This racquet makes an excellent choice for high level intermediate to advanced players. It is an a great racquet for players who can generate power and want more help with touch and control in their strokes.
Price | $$$
USTA Rating | 4.0 and up
Made popular by Rafael Nadal, this racquet by Babolat has spread around the tennis world over the last several years. Babolat has now released a 2019 edition. It is for big swingers who want to control the point from the baseline with more spin and power.
The frame is 100 square inches for a bigger hitting area and is also built with aerodynamic technology to cut through the air. This all help you generate more racquet head speed, and therefore spin on the ball. The recommended string tension is in the low 50's so you can create tons of power on your serve too.
This racquet is great for baseline players who want to spin their opponent off the court with groundstrokes or hit powerful serves for aces. We don't recommend this racquet for net players or players who need help with control.
See our full review of the Pure Aero here.
Price | $$$
USTA Rating | Any skill level
If you play a lot of tennis and have a compact smooth swing, this might be the racquet for you. Some of the best players in the world use this racquet to control the point from anywhere on the court. In fact, Roger Federer uses a model of this same racquet.
The smaller frame and surface area (97 sq inches) give it a smaller area to make contact. But if you play a lot and can hit this sweet spot consistently, the string pattern (16x19) gives it great feel and spin. Also the racquet's 11.6 ounce weight allows for you to generate power as well.
This racquet is great for intermediate to advanced players who play a lot tennis. You will find it has great mobility and all around use for singles and doubles.
Price | $$$
USTA Rating | 4.0 and higher only
All the racquets above are great options, and you'll need a specific racquet depending on the type of tennis you play. However, the best all around option is Babolat's Pure Drive.
Although it is known for power, spin, and feel, it does have great control for fast paced tennis and lightweight mobility even for doubles, making it the best tennis racquet overall. Any type of player would find it to be an excellent option for their game.


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The temperature is in the high 60s to low 70s for today. It is clear but no sunshine yet.
Cindy has a meeting even though this is her off day, David is resting as are the zoo. Brandy and I have been on our 2 block already. It looks like a reading day.
When it is $10. I can't resist bringing them home.
It looks like there will be more. They were a welcome surprise.
Both of these two pictures are from last year's planting. I love when things I plant come back again.
A call from Dr. K's office said my culture was good. I'll take these reports any time.
Still working on the King novel Sleeping Beauties. I'm on chapter 7. Yesterday I did pick up a Dean Koontz paper back novel The Whispering Room to carry with me when I have to go wait some where.
Time out to vacuum living room floor. ( Note :remember to empty the machine when done posting.) All I could see when I looked around was bird seed that the birds had thrown out of the cage. I had to get it up. They tell me have this bad habit of dropping one thing to fix another when I see it. It is true but If I don't all I can do is think about it when I'm trying to do something something else then nothing gets done right.
Ok I'm back.
I have fed the outside birds this morning and I hope to get some pictures of my visitors soon.
Not whole lot more to say today so I'll close for now. Enjoy your day!


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- Here's a long lines at a job fair story. [Herald]
- This 18-year-old girl
accidentallydragged a cop for eight blocks with her car, and now she's being charged with attempted murder. (ok, ok, maybe it wasn't accidental, but it didn't seeming like a premeditated dragging). [NBC6]
- Sunday: Storms. Next week: Cold air. [CBS4]
- Police are still trying to piece together the puzzle left after they shot suspected murderer Oswain Walcott earlier in the week. [Herald]
- It looks like a long time friend of Charlie Crist funneled $5,000 into his campaign illegally. [Herald]
- The Diaz-Balarts, you don't hear much about them these day. Perhaps because they're completely irrelevant. [Generation Miami]
- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is having a retreat at the Ritz Carlton in Naples. [Naked Politics]
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- Canes Hoops beat Virginia 62-55, keeping their post season hopes alive for now. [MSNBC]
- The Dolphins are on the hunt for free agent talent. [Herald]
- Dwyane Wade's "band-Aid look was spreading like the flu." There are 721 words in this article. [Herald]
- Hurricanes Tight End Dedrick Epps is recuperating from knee surgery. [PBPost]
- Jury selection begins next week in the Helio Castroneves tax evasion case. [WTHR]
- Do you want to read another interview with some dude from Miami Ink? [Scripps]


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Legal Advocates and Counselors for Insurance Companies
When insurers require legal representation, they need lawyers who have specific knowledge of underwriting, claims handling and the state laws governing insurance. Our team has that knowledge.
Our firm is regularly retained to provide counsel and opinions for numerous insurance companies. We handle a wide range of insurance defense issues including:
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For policyholders, we work with their insurance carriers to ensure that they receive the defense and/or indemnity to which they are entitled.
We will work with your retained counsel to oversee the litigation and protect your personal assets that may not be covered by the insurance policy due to limits or a carrier's reservation of rights.
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We have worked with companies of all sizes and forms, and have represented a wide range of industries including nationally touring recording artists, Fortune 500 companies, airlines, locally owned private businesses, and many others.
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Property owners and business establishments have a duty to provide a safe environment for individuals on their premises. Premises liability cases involve accidents that occur due to negligent maintenance, or unsafe and dangerous conditions upon property owned by someone other than the accident victim. Often these cases result in serious injury or death.
We have defended claims brought by tenants, employees, contractors, invited guests, trespassers, and many other individuals injured on our clients' property. Our attorneys have defended cases involving injuries sustained from elevator falls, escalator impingements, uneven floor surfaces, poorly marked changes in elevation, slippery surfaces, broken sidewalks, broken steps, landscape edging, and more.
Among our many clients, we have successfully represented Fortune 500 companies, video stores, restaurants and boutique owners.


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Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation Claims
|If you're a driver, cyclist, or pedestrian who's been injured by another driver of a motor vehicle, you may be entitled to make a compensation
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The hotel's restaurant is called Lime. It's located at the far end of the hotel on the ground floor, with 20 feet of ground to ceiling glass walls, so you can see the pedestrians and traffic outside.
Note: I only took pictures of the bread and pastry area because no one was around. Too shy to take the Asian breakfast and Western breakfast spreads - also, it was too bustling with people!
Asian spread: roti prata, Chinese porridge.
Western: bacon, mushroom, egg station, air-dried ham, salmon, cold cuts, salads, pancakes, waffles.
Cereals: many types, plus dried fruits and other condiments
Beverages: five types of fruit juices, coffee & tea
Breads and pastries
On all days, I piled my plate with bacon, waffles + maple syrup, sauteed mushrooms and ham and washed it all down with coffee. Li Sing's plate had salad every day and I felt guilty that I wasn't eating much greens .__. but no regrets bro, no regrets.
Lime also has buffet lunch and dinner, and its dessert spread (close to the lift entrance) always looks sublime!
PARKROYAL on Pickering website


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| Sunday 16th of June 2013
A new National A road race, the Circuit of the Fens, has been added to British Cycling's calendar for 2013! The event will form part of the Whittlesey Cycling Day and will be based at Whittlesey Town Centre, Fenland, Cambridgeshire. The event will be organised and promoted on 16th June by Anglia Cycling Development Co – operative & St Ives Cycling Club
At 200km, the "Circuit of the Fens" will be the longest single day road race on the British Cycling calendar in 2013 and is scheduled one week before the British Cycling National Road Race Championships.
The organisers say: "We are confident of attracting all of the top UK based teams and hope to invite one or two foreign squads to add international flavour. Starting and finishing in Whittlesey town centre, the race will be unique insofar that the course will be totally flat without the usual hills to test the riders. Instead the wide open roads will leave the riders completely exposed to the renowned fenland winds.
A special skill will be needed, that of forming echelons, often across the full width of the road to gain maximum shelter. Fortunately, and thanks to support from both Cambridgeshire Highways and Police, the riders will have a clear road for the race. There are also a couple of narrow stretches towards the end of the race which will take the riders over rough and poorly surfaced roads that will again call for the ultimate in bike control.
Whilst the racing cyclists are battling it out across the fens, we are planning to stage a number of supporting events, both competitive and non-competitive, in the town centre, including:
Family Cycle Ride, Leisure Cycle Ride, Cycle Maintenance Clinic, Cycle Jumble, 'Go-Ride' event for local youngsters, BMX demonstration, 'Come-and-try-it' roller session and Refreshment stalls."


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I have long held the believe that dark blue-gray eye makeup is the sexiest of all the eye makeup choices in the land. And here Gossip Girl's Jessica Szohr proves it.
The closeup (if you can handle it):
See? It's *hot.*The color is a mix of navy and gray, so it's not very obviously blue from a distance. And from the depth here, I'm going to guess it came by way of layering a navy on top of a gray as opposed to finding the exact right pencil and shadow shade. That's how I'd do it anyway. And of course the touch of lightness in the inner corners is key--gotta open those eyes back up after you surround them with dark color like this.
If you don't already have shades like these in your makeup bag, I suggest you pop on over to our shopping section right now and start stocking up. I mean immediately.
Are you a gray lover, too? Will you be trying this look out soon? Are you too distracted by the rogue piece of hair hanging out between her eyes to talk about it? It's comments time.
Related: A Few Words on the Power of Shading in the Smoky Eye
More Ways to Get Glamour:
Got a fashion Q? Glamour stylists answer your fashion questions at WhatToWear.com
Show your love: Get our very own "xox" ring set, $12 at shopglamour.com
Like freebies? Enter the latest Glamour sweepstakes!
Sign up for our beauty newsletter and get the best of our beauty blog, delivered straight to your inbox!


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Last year in November I published some Xmas cards.
Now I call them Special Cards. Because they can be a joy to you and me the whole year round, all of the time, not only at the festive season.
Please visit my blog https://yvoncaroline.wordpress.com if you're interested in a short artikel on my thoughts.
Recent Posts
- Follow yvons artwork on WordPress.com
- Catcaretaker The adventures of ladycat Annie and tomcat Charlie in Groningen.
- YvonCarolines blog Thoughts and insights on life by Yvon.


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I went to dinner the other night with a colleague, itself a rather unremarkable occurrence. We decided to just walk out on one of the narrow roads adjacent to the university and try to find something interesting for dinner before heading back to work on whatever each of us was busy with that particular day. Along the way, we noticed a little restaurant advertising "Xuzhou hot pot" (I'd describe it as a "hole-in-the-wall," but along this particular street that's what all the restaurants are – none hold more than about four small tables). Never having had Xuzhou-style hot pot before (and, to be perfectly honest, not being entirely sure where Xuzhou was other than somewhere in Jiangsu Province), we decided to venture in.
Now, I can read a Chinese newspaper without difficulty or much need of a dictionary, but Chinese menus forever give me trouble. Part of the reason for this is that there is just a lot of food vocabulary I haven't encountered yet – not to mention a lot of things to eat in China that I've never dreamed of – but the other part of it is that the names of dishes don't always translate directly to what's in them. (Or at least, I'm pretty sure I've never eaten dragon or phoenix despite the prevalence of both terms of regular menus.) My general custom, then, is to ask a lot of questions and get recommendations from the staff. Usually they are more than happy to help, and often extraordinarily patient with my Chinese accent (which, I believe I have already mentioned, is a bit dodgy).
Looking over the range of Xuzhou hot pot options, my friend and I discussed going with one of the fish items. The only problem was that although I could recognize the word "fish," I didn't know what kind of fish it was, and therefore just what we were getting ourselves into. What if it wasn't a fish at all, like the dragon dishes, but something else altogether? Just to be sure, I asked the helpful restaurant owner what a 鲶鱼 (nianyu) was. She didn't even try to explain it; she just told me I could come with her back to the kitchen to see for myself.
Now, I never pass up an opportunity to look into a restaurant kitchen. Especially in a restaurant that's smaller than my own apartment. She brought me back down a narrow passage, and then into the kitchen. On one wall there was a large stove filled with burners and woks; lining the other walls were tables and cabinets filled with vegetables, spices, and oils, scattered along with knives and spatulas. Under the tables there were all kinds of plastic bins of different shapes and sizes with pieces of what looked like scrap plywood covering them. She brought me to one of the bins, lifted the plywood, and there swimming in the water was a large dark fish. It was about a a foot and a half long, and bigger than both my fists put together around the middle. "See?" She asked, "Delicious!"
And this is how I became George's executioner. I returned to the table and informed my colleague that I had met our dinner, named him "George" (in honor of our first President, who featured heavily in my American History lectures this week), and ordered his death. It was not long thereafter that George appeared before us, cut in pieces and cooked in a spicy broth filled with tofu and mung bean noodles.
For the first few bites, we were too busy spitting out bones to think much about how good George was. But after we paused and confirmed that each of us was fully prepared to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on the other, we dug in with great enthusiasm. After those first few mouthfuls, we started to learn which parts of George had the fewest bones. Avoid the fins, I advised my dinner companion, nodding wisely. You see how I've learned? We looked in vain for George's head, but although we think we found part of the skull, we never located the eyes, though that was probably for the best. We ate George alongside a very nice stirfry of greens and mushrooms. It was a marvelous dinner, and I will certainly go back. Of course, I came straight home afterward to Google George and learn that he was actually a catfish, and that Xuzhou is in the very northwest part of the province. Tasty AND educational, that's our George!


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E. Brian Rose, Armand Morin, Joel Comm, Ford Saeks, Daven Michaels, John Cornetta, Mike Filsaime, Todd Gross, Bryan Zimmerman, Tom Beal, Chris Recors, Aiden Booth and Omar Martin are already announced as speakers to Marketing Mayhem Live – Work Hard, Play Hard August 28-30, 2014 Orlando, Florida organised by the affiliate network JVzoo.com.
This event is great for:
– anybody that wants to spend four days surrounded by some of the biggest names in Internet Marketing;
– anybody that wants to participate in workshops designed to explode their online businesses;
– anybody that wants to meet hundreds of fellow marketers and start incredible joint venture deals;
– anybody that wants to increase their exposure in the marketplace and gain valuable relationships;
– anybody that wants four days of pure fun and awesome business opportunity;
Here are some pictures from the 2013 edition:
Marketing Mayhem Live is different than any event you've been to. MML 14 is an interactive workshop environment where you participate in everything. Everybody in attendance will be invited to a few special events that are exclusive to MML14, including the induction ceremony of five superstars marketers into the Marketing Hall of Fame, some crazy fun networking activities and the biggest JVZoo party yet … with live entertainment by Grammy Nominee Vanilla Ice!
Below you can find more information about the tickets to attend this event.
Marketing Mayhem Live 2014 General Admission
Marketing Mayhem Live 2014 VIP UPGRADE


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We hear it so much these days, we almost don't hear it anymore: a word that is shoved down our throats in an effort to motivate us…but because it is over-used or under-explained, it risks being dismissed as another cliché. And that is a shame – because it can be the most powerful noun contained in 12 letters.
What is authenticity? Most of us would answer that being authentic means being 'real,' and that's a great place to start. Unfortunately, because of the many roles we juggle, the fast-paced society we are trying to keep up with, and the focus on being like someone else 'more successful, happier, more liked' than we, all contribute to us living outside of the 'real' zone.
When we push all of those factors aside, it is so much easier to be in touch with the things that make up our core: the things that make us unique and give us true joy.
It sounds lovely, but other than making us happy, what is the benefit of being who we truly are? How's this for a reason: living a life that is true to your values and shines a spotlight on your unique talents, paves the way for radiant health, productivity, creativity and joy that spills over into all areas of your life.
Plus you can make a meaningful difference to your family, your community, and your globe. Being of service to others in areas you are passionate about, using skills you are gifted with, has been documented as immune-boosting and mood-lifting.
Does this sound like something you would like to foster in your children? Encouraging your children to be authentic benefits them now and in the future, personally and professionally. There are so many ways to embark on this path as a family and still promote everyone's individuality. My goal through this series of articles is to offer practical take-aways that you can tailor to suit your brood.
In this series, I'm going to shed some light on how we can encourage authenticity in our children, and I hope what I have said above puts us all on the same page about what exactly this means, and why it's so important. The other day while another mom and I were discussing possible piano lessons for our children, a comment was made about wanting to give our children the things we didn't have, and the pressure on our shoulders to do what's best for them. It's easy to get hung up over what it is we should be doing for our children. Perhaps all we need to do is give them permission to be themselves.
Which brings me to how. How do we get our little ones and our adolescents to embrace their individuality and dare to be themselves in a world that seems to be asking them to be just like everyone else?
The first suggestion I offer you is the most important one, and possibly the most difficult: be authentic yourself. Model it for them. Embrace your quirks and enjoy paving your own way. Evaluate your words and your actions – are they truly yours? Do you accept invitations because you truly would like to be at these events or are you afraid of missing out on something? Do you frantically sign your children up for the lessons their classmates are registered in out of the same fear? Do you push aside your own interests to take care of others, even when it's not necessary, and then feel resentful? These are not easy questions to answer, and there is no judgment being passed here. Being aware of what we're putting out there is really a helpful tool. It often helps me to ask myself, "Do I want my kids to feel the need to be like someone else? Do I want them questioning their worth?" If I don't wish this, then I have to model something else for them.
In my next article, I will address a specific way you can introduce the concept of authenticity to your kids and offer an idea to help them along on their unique path.
If you have 10 minutes to spare right now, click on the video below to hear me speak a little about what authenticity is, why it's important and how you can get there.
Read more about the author
Comments (2)
Hi Annie - it's a really common phenomenon for both kids and adults to always be comparing themselves to others. It can just look differently across the ages. And I agree with you: encouraging children to be themselves is the way to go! Thanks for your comment!


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Man is essentially a territorial tribal 'creature'. The homosapien owed its allegiance to a tribe as a cave dwelling Neanderthal that hunted in packs thus it formed a 'kinship' with its tribe which allowed them to protect their territory(essentially their 'bread basket'). Any human belonging to another tribe was seen as the enemy for it was the 'other' that encroached upon your territory hence was seen as competition to be combated. To distinguish yourself as different to other tribes whilst identifying yourself with own tribe, specific body markings/style of hair/style of attire was adopted and initiation cemented by rituals. Through the ages in order to help ward away 'evil spirits' (a word for any illness which man could not explain otherwise eg Smallpox, Epilepsy, Mental illness etc), rituals and sacrifice to the spirits were adopted on the say so of learned tribal elders…..the pagan rituals were extended to offering your tribe protection against 'evil' tribes helping you to defeat them. These pagan rituals and sacrifices also were Man's way of dealing with natural calamities such as earthquakes, volcanoes or hurricanes over which it had no control, same applied to unusual phenomenon emanating from the skies such as a total or a partial eclipse..a strict list of "do's and do not's" came in to existence as the only way of dealing with these 'unnatural' events shrouded in mystery………..village society looked up to the village elders or wisemen who had a lot of sway…these wise men would further reinforce the "do and don't" list adding their own contribution to it!(sounds familiar hey!)
Tag Archives: Religion
Does Man wear religion like a cloak to differentiate his 'tribe' from the other??29 Jul
What does this have to do with religion you may ask? Whilst genetic evolution over the many millennia has allowed man to adopt modern ways of living through progress in Science & Industrial revolution, our primordial instincts still make us "tribal" in nature……as the mystics/witch doctors in tribal society gained a special status as the 'enlightened ones'(akin to having the crystal ball). The common uneducated folk in an effort to find cures for their loved ones clutched at straws' and turned to the 'mystics' giving them an elevated social status. As Man progressed from a hunter gatherer in the jungles to a farmer/fisherman in settled village communities, the Sun and Rain(Water) Gods became very important to their livelihood…the wandering mystics offered special prayers/rituals for good harvest and protecting crops from devastation by rain/wind/locusts etc By this time the communities that had emerged from distinctive tribes had started worshiping essentially similar Gods dedicated to Earth, Fire and Water..this manifested itself as worshiping the 'life giving elements' such as Sun, Earth(Mother Nature) and Water….thus the first semi 'organised' religion emerged gradually some 5000+years ago and as the earliest religion it is not surprising that it heavily dwelt upon ritualistic worship, many Gods(Or Many facets of the 3 primal forces), as science was in its infancy, it placed a greater emphasis on warding of evil spirits and through the 'contribution' of mystics over the centuries it became riddled with superstitions (add ons to the "Do and Don't list)….although this religion was led by the 'privileged class' Brahmins who had the privilege of being literate in Sanskrit, one of the earliest written classical languages……but the religion was not organised under one figure head as later religions became…..thus it was a bit like a "buffet" where you could pick and choose to follow only one or two of the many "Gods" or a spiritual Guru's whilst ignoring a whole host of other rituals or deities and still …..in essence it allowed the freedom to be more or less religious as you see fit….and for many it was more a case of being spiritual with the added baggage of rituals that marked birth, marriage, death and moksha. The later religions were more organised having a "Head of Religious order" steering his flock….and a set of do's and don'ts,(many of them added by followers long after the messiah's had left the departure lounge). This also applies to the youngest religion, the Sikh Guru's as the head of the 'new theological order' gave guidance on leading a spiritual life without enemity, devoid of the ritualistic baggage that had been added to the 'gospel' of earlier Maharishi's…..but humans being primordially tribal in nature have already started to "add to the list of do's and don'ts" in order to preserve their tribal identity as they see it……considering this religion is only half a millenium old, is it any wonder that hinduism that has been around for five millenia plus gathered some "moss"(read "add ons") ……alas will Sikhism resemble Guru Nanak's teachings in 5+millenia? Well for sure, those that understand the spiritual message whilst disregarding the "add on's" will carry on heeding the teachings of humanity for essentially that is what SGGSji embodies…but for those who through the generations become more obsessed with the "add on's" to the extent they are ready to" throw the baby out with the bath water" would call themselves true believers without realising they have become more obsessed with the "wrapping" the holy book was delivered in than the teaching of a common human brotherhood contained within it! It is a great shame that this primordial tribal instinct steers Man to adopt religion like a 'cloak' as a means of a differential identity…it then develops into a narcissistic behaviour where He believes his adopted "cloak" to be superior than those around him…next step then becomes to overtly or covertly (depending on self interest) denigrating other 'cloaks' as inferior or without the holy merit ordained in your own 'cloak'…..Yep Man is tribal and the dumbest amongst us carries his religion like a Tribal 'Cloak'……which He reckons is the only righteous cloak to be worn whilst all others are wearing the 'fools cloak' or worst still the 'devils cloak' …….GOD must be a little peeved that despite dispatching messiah after messiah to go have a word with the earthlings…..no sooner has the messiah's returned….the primitive Neanderthal gene kicks in and Man is doing what he does best…..twisting the words of the messiah and adding his own "Add on's" in the form of "Do's and Don'ts"!
Now to bring this full circle from where i started, the modern urban Man of the 21st century living here besides me in the UK is less religious in theological terms but that primitive tribal instinct has not left all of us…..in the modern urban setting he may have shed off the 'cloak of religion' but has adopted his football club as his new tribe, some have rebelled against society and adopted lifestyle as a Punk, or MotorbikeRockers etc as their new tribe! Those people of faith, any faith, that do not allow them selves to be blinkered by the "add on's" don't have a conflict with those of another faith around them……for they can see through the "tribal" facade……..erected like scaffolding around a building……the beauty of which they are able to decipher whether they be sikh, hindu, muslim, christian , Jew or buddhist…GOD ain't interested in your religion …God is only concerned with your deeds! No, religion is not needed to perform good deeds………Philosophers of conscience have attempted to focus people around being good human beings ..be they Nanak or Jesus..but time 'n again humans have been found wanting!


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This is an interpersonal engagement programme that is designed to build the foundations of a customer focused culture and enable all employees to deliver memorable experiences.
Our workshops have been designed to enable your managers and in-house trainers to identify and manage the areas of service that influences the customer experience. This is achieved through encourage positive employee behaviours or quickly correct negative ones.
Customer Engagement Workshops
Each workshops is practical, intense and interactive; allowing attendees to learn the fundamentals of the topic, allowing them opportunities to refine their knowledge and skills before putting their learning into practice back in the workplace.
Outcome – This workshop will provide service staff the foundation essential skills to deliver exceptional customer service.
Learning Topics
The Value of Exceptional Service
Standards of Service
Effective Communication
Emotional Intelligence
Complaint handling & Finding Solutions
Telephone Skills
Action Planning
Audience – All Service staff
Duration – 2 Days
Measurements for success
Objective – This workshop will teach all employees with leadership responsibilities how to lead the customer service programme in the workplace. They will learn how to:
Learning Topics
Audience – Supervisors, In-house Trainers, Team Employees, Managers & HOD
Duration – 1 Day
Measurements for success
I have been involved in Learning & Development for over 15 years in Australia, and the UK. Having worked with a range of public and private business in both private and public sector. I have seen a lot of what works and also a lot of what doesn't. I believe that with the right tools, guidance and support anyone can train better on the job.


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Quor Splash, a senior at The Rivers School is dropping his first mixtape next Monday. The mixtape titled December 19th drops no sooner than December 19th. Bump to Splash's tracks from earlier this year and be hyped for next Monday.
Trend #December19th on twitter, post about it on facebook, and don't forget to download the mixtape December 19th on Datpiff.com


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Today, the American Clean Skies Foundation released a life cycle study finding greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas-fired electricity is 50% less than coal. See www.cleanskies.org/ghgemissions. This study was authored by Greg Staple and Dr. Joel Swisher, who among other things is a Senior Fellow at the Rocky Mountain Institute and a consulting professor of engineering at Stanford University.
The Staple-Swisher paper will be the first of several as more life-cycle studies from highly credible institutions are nearing completion.
Staple and Swisher use the most recent 2011 EPA data on methane leakage rates (not used by Horwath), accepted IPCC global warming potential protocols (not used by Horwath), and calculate emissions for both the production of coal and gas plus the combustion of coal and gas. Unlike Horwath, the Staple-Swisher paper used empirical data readily available concerning the efficiency with which coal plants burn coal and the efficiency with which gas plants burn gas to produce an actual kilowatt-hour of electricity that we then use at our homes and businesses.
Coal plants are less efficient than gas plants. Coal plants require more fuel than gas plants do to produce a kilowatt-hour. The lower efficiency of coal plants are a major reason why they emit more carbon per kilowatt-hour of electricity actually generated than gas plants do.
And if you don't want to read the paper, though I recommend it, here are its principal conclusions:
1. Existing gas fired plants emit 51% less greenhouse gas pollution per kilowatt-hour than existing coal plants;
2. A new gas-fired combined cycle unit produces about 52% less GHG pollution per kilowatt-hour than a new coal fired plant;
3. A new gas-fired combined cycle unit produces about 58% less GHG pollution than the average coal plant and 63% less than a typical older coal plant.
Will this news be fit to print in the NYT? Again, this will be the first of several studies arriving at materially different conclusions to Professor Horwath and debunking his paper.


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Most recently in MAY of 2019
The HFC has recently reached out to all of our MLAs urging them to
consider in a non-partisan way, how forest policy might be changed so that Nova
Scotia can regain a healthy natural forest.
Read the Full Letter we sent to Nova Scotian MLAs
A short cover letter can be read below.
The HFC and EAC rallied outside the Halifax Courthouse in support of Pictou Landing First Nation and local fishermen.
The HFC calls on the Nova Scotia Government to Honour the Boat Harbour closure in 2020.
August 2018
The 'Independent Review of Forest Practices' in Nova Scotia has finally been released!
(i.e. The Lahey Report)
The HFC is hosting both the Executive Summary and the much larger Addendum Report below.
Here is a link to the documents hosted on the NS Dept. of Lands and Forestry website.
September 2018
Raymond Plourde of the Ecology Action Centre offered a well-reasoned response.
(Originally published in The Chronicle Herald, September 8, 2018)
Paul Pross summarized the HFCs response:
(Published by The Halifax Examiner, September 14, 2018)
Spring 2018
When the Nova Scotia Legislature met for its 2018 Spring session the HFC prepared a series of weekly briefing memos, which we hoped would alert them to the serious issues affecting forest policy. At the same time we circulated the memos to our supporters, through Forest Alerts, and encouraged them to take up these issues with their MLAs and/or in the local media.
In the links to the right we present the memos in the order in which they were sent. We do this for the record and also to help our supporters and others to track these issues as they develop and work their way through public debate.
Most memos were compiled by Paul Pross with assistance from Bob Bancroft (March 5) and Don Wilson (April 3). Peter Ritchie compiled the memo for March 19. Chris Kennedy and Mike Lancaster provided technical support.
Nova Scotia is fortunate in having a cadre of investigative journalists who are prepared to undertake the careful and time-consuming research needed to write about the issues we address here. In these memos there are links to their work, particularly that of Joan Baxter, Linda Pannozzo and Ralph Surette.
The time for change is now.
HFC Briefings
All photos and logos are the property of The Nova Scotia Healthy Forest Coalition except where otherwise credited and used with permission.


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msgNETCONOMY at .IT Conference on SAP Technologies
For the second year in a row, msgNETCONOMY is attending the 6th edition of .IT Conference on SAP Technologies organized by msg systems in Cluj, Romania on October 5. We are pleased to introduce speakers from msgNETCONOMY's Belgrade office: Lazar Deretić, a Senior consultant with deep knowledge and understanding of SAP Customer Experience (SAP Hybris) Commerce Cloud solution, and Rastko Aničić, Product Owner who is driving the development of Financial Services Accelerator. …read more
Insurance Goes Self-Service: eCommerce Transforms the Customer Experience
Consumers expect the same ease of shopping for insurance as they do buying on Amazon, ordering an Uber or reserving an Airbnb. Insurers of all types, from large to mid-sized, US-based to those in EMEA and Asia Pacific, face the common challenge of satisfying customer expectations for a simple, personalized experience shopping for policies. Insurance customers are forcing change and want access to past policy data, their options for change and the ability to compare their choices – all in an omni-channel self-service environment. …read more


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When I talk to my friends that I'm writing blogs as an international student for QUT and share with them my very own life in Brisbane, they always ask me: How did you become a blogger and can I become one as well?
I know some of you, my readers, must be wondering as well and might want to be a future student blogger for QUT. Therefore today I want to share with you how I became a student blogger and some potential ways of finding employment on campus.
About one year ago, I received an email with a recruitment advertisement in it calling for international students being bloggers talking about their life in Brisbane. It is a paid casual job and all you need to do for application is to upload your video/photos. Then I thought why not apply? So I applied and luckily got an interview opportunity.
My blogging life all started from taking the initiative and applying for it! So if you come across some opportunities like this, don't hesitate and apply!
Other tips I can give you about seeking on-campus jobs are:
- Check out QUT career hub frequently
It's the first place QUT put down their recruitment ads if they are hiring students. QUT Business School recruits student learning advisers there. QUT admission also recruits student officers there.
- Check out QUT Jobs website
When applying for jobs that needs more experience, check out the official QUT website.
- Start from volunteering
If you don't have any working experience, it might be a good idea to start from volunteering and build up your skills. Some volunteering opportunity on campus will lead to paid jobs!


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Systems Interface, Inc. Becomes a Member of RACO's System Integrators Partner Program
At RACO Manufacturing and Engineering, we believe it is essential that automation system integrators have first class support in the selection, procurement, installation and commissioning of advanced monitoring products and systems. RACO endeavors to meet these needs by partnering with select, highly qualified, organizations. It is for this reason that RACO proudly announces that Systems Interface, Inc. is a new member of our System Integrators Partner Program. The goal of this program is to provide a clear path of success for RACO system integrator partners. To achieve this go... Continue ReadingContinue ReadingLeave a Comment Share This


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Find products, services and support
Oops! Can we suggest to: check your spelling, try more general words or try different words that mean the same thing
Manage your routes and view traffic information.MyDrive
View your sports workoutsMySports
TomTom Sports Connect version 3.3.9 or higher allows you to skip registration while setting up your watch or fitness tracker. If you don't register your device many features will be unavailable.
Without registering your device to a TomTom account, you can do the following using TomTom Sports Connect:
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We recommend registering your watch or fitness tracker to your TomTom account so that you can get the most out of your product.
If you decide to register your product to a TomTom account at a later stage, you need to factory reset your watch or fitness tracker. All data stored up to that moment will be lost.


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You too , great that you've been a part of bringing this synth back like this. If I was pressed to name just one best free synth, Surge would most probably be it. And open source, even.
Edit: updated video link , decided to make the final mix slightly more open while keeping the "old" vibe.


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Kicked it into overdrive this month!
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
New Colors...........
If you will scroll back through this blog you will see many containers of various color. Those containers were the result of using concrete colorant mixed into the paper pulp prior to adding the other ingredients of the recipe. I am always looking to expand my offerings and color was one way to fulfill that desire.
While the natural color has always been the best seller for us I'm sure there will be a demand for whatever color we can create. I am excited with results of this new finish process and only time will tell about the durability of this new finish. Winter's harshness will be the best test.
Small containers with finish applied, miniature patios installed, and ready for plants and accessories!
Friday, August 1, 2014
Miniature Garden............
My wife and I built a papercrete trough four feet long and sixteen inches wide. No plan just winging it as we went. I had built the mold late last Fall for a custom build project. That project was a success but we had not had time to reuse the mold.
One thing I had been wanting to try was to add feet to a project and with this being a larger project I needed substantial support. One pallet later the garden would have plenty of support and the feet I desired.
After the trough was dry and sanded it was time to add the plant material and accessories. I had set back a few items just for this garden I had been planning to build.
All finished!
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This Month I have performed at a variety of events, from a University Reception at Cardiff National Museum, to a Charity Concert at St Martin Church in Roath, to Birkenstomp at Little Man Coffee.
The Only tricky Thing
The only hard thing about being a Singing harpist, other than the whole 'Singing while playing the harp to an alarmingly good standard', is choosing what to do for concerts!
For background music, like this month's drink's reception, I have developed a standard repertoire that I can stretch over a a number of hours so I don't have to repeat anything and I'm providing a varied and interesting program throughout!
For Concerts I have developed a few tips to try and suit the occasion. Here are the three 'P's:
how to pick a piece:
1)Common Sense
This is a tricky one for musicians I know! but if you're going to do an aria and everyone else is doing pop covers, it will be weird. If you're following someone who's done something very moving an profound, don't try and jump straight into a comedy song! people need to warm up to it!
If you're at an upbeat concert where the mood is very light and it's a fun concert, don't do something slow and sad. easy!
Now, I know that's all well and good in theory but what if you have to make a drastic change of program suddenly! Here's what you do:
I have 3-4hours worth of music that can be done as background music for receptions and weddings. about 1/4 of it is acceptable concert material. This is because it doesn't always show the extent of my skills or is simply not thrilling enough to entertain an audience.
My rule is 'Always have a lever change'… This is helpful for harpists, rubbish for everyone else. A lever change mid-piece is thrilling for an audience, when I perform Jason Robert Brown's 'Stars and The Moon' there are about 4 lever changes throughout the piece, this coupled with the drama of the song is enjoyable for an audience. I have done many pieces where there are no changes and there isn't as much flair to the piece.
The main point is, have something that shows off your ability. have a few different 'great pieces'. Anyone can be amazing at playing a 'good' piece, but if you have something that's personal to you, shows off your skills, range and ability then you'll have those great pieces.
The Question you should ask yourself before going on stage is 'would I record this?' because if you wouldn't, ask yourself why. Then change it to something you would!
Like an athlete you can't just walk into a concert and be ready! That's not how it works. Some concerts I learn new music especially to perform at and other's I reuse music I already have. how do I decide which to do? time and preparation! If I have a fantastic piece that's practically perfect then I'll go for it and perform it. It's sometimes risky business taking a new piece out for a ride sometimes it works out well and others it fails tremendously! It's common sense really, you know your own ability so make a value judgement on that!
rehearse, rehearse, rehearse! not until you get it right, and not (as most professionals will tell you) till you can't get it wrong. But, rehearse until you can 'perform' it! there's a huge difference watching a musicians playing a piece and performing one. It's the reason the Met or the Royal Opera House isn't full of 12 year olds who can sing Queen of Night and 'O Mio Babbino Caro'…
Are you sitting comfortably while you read this? yes? that's the level of comfort you should feel while you perform. You should have that same relaxed 'Cup of tea in hand' feeling when you perform.
How do you get to that?
rehearsal and performance. I can sing a moving and tear jerking rendition of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' 16 times in my sleep because I have performed it and playing it and rehearsed it hundreds of times. Similarly, with other concert pieces I have performed them at my residency many times leading up to the performance so when I get to the concert I take a deep breath and it's like sinking into a warm bath.
Stop worrying about it being perfect, stop worrying about the music. You should only concentrate on your message and what you want to say to your audience.
Take a deep breath, you've already done all the work.
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