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Was I always like this? I can't remember.
Some people blame it on the Internet and advancements in technology. Honestly I don't know if that's the case.
My schoolteachers were always scolding me for "not paying attention." Ditto my parents.
I still struggle to get a private project completed. Perhaps it's just who I am.
What is Displaced Focus?
Irrespective of what the answer is Chris Moorman's new book, Moorman's Book of Poker, has really struck a chord with me when it comes to the concept of "displaced focus."
If you haven't read the book (and you should) it contains 80 hands played by co-author Byron Jacobs, comments on the hand by Jacobs and counter comments by Moorman.
Attention to detail is impeccable.
I know it's easier to go into the minutiae of a poker hand when you're freed from the need to play but I assume from the $11m Moorman has racked up in his lifetime on the virtual felt that he's pretty good at picking hands apart on the fly.
I was amazed at his level of detail. As I read I thought: "is this the sort of thought process that goes through the heads of Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan and Phil Hellmuth?"
It really is the type of read that makes your eyebrows arch. There are many takeaways from the book but the one I'll cherish the most is this:
The stark realization that there is no way on planet earth that I can do what he does the way that I currently play online poker.
To clarify, I'm not stating I can do what he does as good as he does -- I'm talking about ripping through a hand in the few seconds that you get to make those decisions. Moorman simultaneously:
- Assigns ranges to all of his opponents
- Has a clear understanding of each stack size and what that means
- Knows each opponent's perception of his own range and
- Knows what he plans to do on future streets after conjugating all of this information.
25 Minutes is a Long Time in Poker
Two nights ago I finished 9/599 in the nightly $8.80 Omaha Hi/Lo event.
Whilst I was playing I had the Man City v CSKA Moscow Champions League game on in the background, I was writing a series of articles for clients, reading blog posts about poker, playing with Wunderlist and Skyping/Facebooking/Texting/Tweeting.
On this occasion I was only playing one table but I also behave like this when I am multi-tabling. I always have done this.
That's a long time in poker.
But from now on I am going to make a concerted effort to stop. I am burning money. It's become a case of, what's the point?
I have realized that the reason I'm doing so many other things whilst playing online poker is because online poker is not a priority in my life. If it were, then it would get the attention it deserved.
I find the game boring because I'm not paying attention to the other hands that I am not involved in. This is a critical part of the game and one that I just don't partake in.
'What reads did you have on the guy?"
"Mmm…err…come again?"
I recently read that once you break your focus on something it takes up to 25 minutes to get that back. That's a long time in poker.
Is Poker Really Interesting to You?
Now, this rant only applies to me. We are different you and I.
If you can't turn off the TV, maybe you need to turn off the poker.
Some people are able to multi-table whilst listening to My Bloody Valentine and writing War and Peace.
It's important to recognize your own triggers. What distracts you?
For example I've found wearing my Bose Noise Reduction headphones really helps me focus. No music, just flick the switch to drown out those barely imperceptible noises that are really distracting me.
The rest is fairly obvious. Turn off the TV, turn off your phone and turn off everything on your computer except your online poker room.
If eradicating your distractions still doesn't do it for you. if you still feel compelled to do a hundred other things when playing ...
Then turn off the game. It's really not that interesting to you.


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The Next James Bond Will Be Directed by Sam Mendes After All
Back in March it was revealed that Skyfall director Sam Mendes would not be directing the currently untitled 24th James Bond film. At the time the film's producers said that Mendes, who had just delivered the first Bond movie to gross over $1 billion at the box office, was moving on to focus on other projects, but that he may return to direct a film further down the line. Well, it looks like those other projects are now out of the way, because THR is reporting that Mendes is back for Bond 24.
The director gave the following statement:
"I am very pleased that by giving me the time I need to honour all my theatre commitments, the producers have made it possible for me to direct Bond 24. I very much look forward to taking up the reins again, and to working with Daniel Craig, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for a second time."
As for any other details about Bond 24, everything we currently know can be summed up pretty quickly: Mendes is directing, Daniel Craig is starring, John Logan is writing, and it'll hit U.S. theaters on November 6, 2015. The U.K. gets it two weeks earlier on October 23, so start booking your flights now.
Movies.com, the ultimate source for everything movies, is your destination for new movie trailers, reviews, photos, times, tickets + more! Stay in the know with the latest movie news and cast interviews at Movies.com.
Copyright © 2020 FANDANGO MOVIES.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Seven Steps for the Perfect Shave; Our Guide To Getting The Perfect Shave Every Time Some tips from Legends Barbershop. It's an essential and fundamental part of every gentleman's grooming routine. There's so much more to this rite of passage than just putting a razor to your face; other factors need to be considered … Continue reading 7 Steps for the Perfect Shave
How To Choose Your First Guitar
Hey everybody. Well, the last 4 weeks have been amazing here at Bath Place Music! Since we opened in June, we've made lots of new friends along the way and are fast becoming the number one destination in Taunton to buy a new musical instrument Here is our first blog! Hopefully explaining the best way … Continue reading How To Choose Your First Guitar
3 Pearls of Wisdom from Chinese Medicine about Eating Habits
Victoria Watson is the owner of Taunton Community Acupuncture Centre which is located on Bath Place. I started having acupuncture about 20 years ago. The acupuncturist also gave me advice about my eating habits and how I exercised, even how I thought about my body. I found the acupuncture and the advice transformational for my health, … Continue reading 3 Pearls of Wisdom from Chinese Medicine about Eating Habits
Seven Delicious Lunches to try at Loafers
7 most popular meals to order at Loafers, Bath Place, Taunton. TA1 4ER.


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JB Barringtons book 'Woodchip Anaglypta & Nicotined Artex Ceilings' is now SOLD OUT
JBs new book will be out in 2019
JB Barringtons book 'Woodchip Anaglypta & Nicotined Artex Ceilings' is now SOLD OUT
JBs new book will be out in 2019
Choose any of JBs poems and have your own handwritten version, signed and personalised with a message of your choice.
Each poem will be handwritten making it a unique one off on high quality graded A4 paper ready to frame. Personalised with a message of your choice, should you require one, & each handwritten poem will be signed and dated by JB.
The above handwritten poems are £20 each inc p&p. To purchse simply use the 100% safe and secure Paypal 'Buy Now' button below. When you go through to checkout please enter the name of the poem you would like and also, if required, provide details of the personalised messsage you would like in the box that says 'message to seller'
Below are just some examples of JBs handwritten poems from previous happy customers
Before you blame the fruit down on the ground you should first look up at the tree it fell from; the poor didn't create poverty
JB Barrington
Tomorrow is a beautiful day; if you don't believe me ask someone who's not gonna see it
JB Barrington
Honoured to be invited back to Festival N06 this year after performing to a fantastic audience on the Estuary Stage last year. This time I'm performing on the Sunday at Tim Burgess's 'Tim Peaks Diner' at the Dome Gallery. Be sure to come along, heckle and say hello. JB
Catch me on the main stage at Kendal Calling Thursday 28th July then the Carvetti Stage on the Friday. I'm also performing as part of Tim Burgess's Tim Peaks Diner at Festival No6 in September
So, I was asked by BBC Radio Manchester to write a poem for the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare, William Shakespeare that is (obviously) or just Bill to those still living that knew him well (and there's a few…or so it would seem)… anyway, the BBC wanted a modern day version of a Shakespeare classic…..and they asked me!!! Now I'm sure you can imagine my initial response once I'd pick myself up off the floor …..Shakespeare?? Me?? Have you got the wrong number?? I'm the fella that still gets the balcony scene from Romeo & Juliet confused with Rapunzel (true dat) ….. but yes, they wanted me to re-write one of Shakespeare's well known pieces……. so…. i did it, i really did it…i re-wrote a scene from Romeo & Juliet in a Salford/Manchester styleee bringing up to date (or summat).
So I'm off to Salfords BBC Media City this Thursday to film the poem which you'll get to hear/see very soon. I do hope you like it….. I'm sure Bill will
Click the link below to hear/view the finished poem…. enjoy


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Based on its unique data bases KSV1870 has been developing accurate assessment models for decades.
According to the availability of data, different scientific statistical models are applied.
This means that for each active company an assessment of creditworthiness is available. The Rating models comply with Basel II criteria and allow an objective calculation of the default probability.


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Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Affordable trend- home decor with The Oliver Gal artist Co.
Your home should reflect you- especially if you love fashion or a decor that sets you apart. This week Hautelook has amazing fashion art by The Oliver Gal artist Co on sale. I immediately fell in love with the Louboutin, Chanel and other fashion based paintings that can spruce up your bedroom, living room and more.
If you don't have an account, click this link and become a member!
I think these unique pieces are a great price and can't wait to purchase one myself.
The Social Closet- a new way to buy and sell in Chicago
Recently I was looking through my closet for something to wear and as my hands passed over many items, I found myself muttering- "over it" and literally tossing pieces in a pile. Later the question of what to do with them popped into my head. While I am considering a clothing swap party with friends there is also an option of online marketplace– The Social Closet. It's similar to eBay yet there are no bidding wars and all items are pre-approved!
Co-founded by French transplants Marine Soussan-Gouachon and Fanny Chéreau, this unique shopping experience allows you to not only resell designer duds, but peruse other "closets" and buy new wardrobe pieces at the same time.
Launching in May, this company is now giving the public the option to build their closet on the site now.
BECOME A MEMBER of The Social Closet fashion community
- SELL, BUY or BOTH by creating and opening your closet to our community by putting your pre-loved fashions up for sale while shopping in the community closet and/or buy what you love
- The Social Closet carefully reviews each item's details before putting it online – all pictures and descriptions are edited for optimum exposure
- Sellers will never pay shipping fees – a shipping label will be emailed to them as soon as the item is sold
- SHARE your items by using the social network to showcase what you want, what you love, and all your favorite little designer's items
- Bump your standard service up to premium and for an additional 10% of the purchase price, The Social Closet will step in, personally checking all items for condition and authenticity, then ship the items directly to the buyers.
Check it out at visit www.thesocialcloset.com
Follow on Twitter at @thesocialcloset or find on Facebook at The Social Closet
Labels that The Closet are interested in: Louis Vuitton, Hermes,
Prada, Chanel, Gucci, YSL, Balenciaga, Lanvin, Fendi, Burberry,
Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Christopher Kane, Isabel Marant, Vanessa
Bruno, Martin Grant, Zac Posen, Proenza Shouler,
Theory, BCBGMaxAzria, Vince, MarcbyMarc Jacobs, Joie, Rachel Zoe, Tory
Burch, Alice+Olivia, Kate Spade,
Elie Tahari, DKNY, Hugo Boss, Diane Von Fustenberg, Sandro Maje.
Pieces from some retailers (such as JCrew, Club Monaco, Zara but not
Gap, Old Navy or Express)
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Unbridled at Untitled - weekly music and performance showcase
Last Thursday I was invited to preview a new music and performance showcase at Untitled called Unbridled. From the flyer I received I was immediately interested in the "fun, funky, freaky evening of variété that blurs the lines between absurd and artistic, raw and refined." I was greeted by smiling women dressed in their sexy hostess gear and chatting up the patrons. People were excited and a majority of the seats were already filled so I settled into the community table in the center of the room. For the next two and a half hours I was entertained by various performances of fire eaters, circus style elements, acrobatic pole dancers, body balancers and more.
Every Thursday night you can experience this two hour showcase sponsored by Akira with hot and sexy performances as well as great drinks and music by DJ Madrid. After the show the floor opens up so you can dance the night away. Each Thursday the acts will very. Party starts at 10:30 p.m. and there is a $15 cover charge at venue beginning 30 minutes before performance and starts with a complimentary drink with admission ticket.
Untitled. 111 W Kinzie St. 312-880-1501. www.untitled-chicago.com
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Contest: win a pair of tickets to Martha Stewart's Wedding Party bridal event Sunday
Chicago's first-ever Martha Stewart Weddings bridal event
Martha Stewart's Wedding Party, one of the premier bridal and wedding events in the country, comes to Chicago for the first time on Sunday, March 10th, from 10 am – 3 pm at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel.
Join Darcy Miller, Editorial Director of Martha Stewart Weddings, Meghan Andalman, founder of Lovebird Events and Claudia Hanlin, founder of the Wedding Library, for a lavish afternoon of ideas, inspiration and fun!
- Topics will range from dresses to dream honeymoons
- showcase expert panel discussions and Q&A's, celebrity speakers
- raffle giveaways
- sweets, and drinks
- Destination Weddings & Honeymoon Lounge
Enter by leaving your name and a fun fact about you and your fiance below! Come back on Saturday for the winner and instructions!!
If you don't win, you can still attend! Priced at $65 or $110 per couple, tickets can be purchased online, for more information click here
● Darcy Miller, Editorial Director of Martha Stewart Weddings: How to personalize and bring in elements of your relationship into your wedding.
● Claudia Hanlin, Founder of The Wedding Library: Location Lessons: How to transform unusual locations into remarkable settings
Most vendors attending will be local and will include: Bands, DJs, florists, cake designers, hair and make-up stylists, invitation designers, gowns and accessory retailers, gift registries, etc. Below are just a few of the vendors that will be featured at the show. For an up-to-date list, visit Lovebird's Blog, The Nest.
● BHLDN: Vintage-inspired, beautifully crafted attire and decor for your wedding or special event.
● Nico and LaLa: Chicago-based custom designers, specializing in custom invitations, event branding, and gifts for the home and life.
● Five Grain Events: Chicago-based planners collaborate with their clients to create events brimming with personality, vibrancy, and panache.
● XO Pictures: Chicago-based motion picture artists with a passion to discover beauty and inspiration.
● Art of Imagination: Chicago-based Art of Imagination specializes in luxurious fabric and creative lighting for weddings & events. A full-service decor and event production company that is the go-to resource for stunning, one-of-a-kind events across the city.
About Lovebird Events: lovebirdevents.com
Chicago-based Lovebird Events was founded on the belief that weddings should be sensibly planned and passionately celebrated. With a strong sense of style and a talent for details, we specialize in creating smart, elegant events for the discerning bride
About Martha Stewart Weddings: www.marthastewartweddings.com
Martha Stewart Weddings is the leading resource for the bride who wants a wedding that is beyond the ordinary. An elegant and award-winning bridal magazine from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Martha Stewart Weddings guides couples through the entire wedding process, with a focus on helping them make their special day truly their own. Filled with fresh ideas, inspiring photographs, and how-to information, Martha Stewart Weddings takes readers from the engagement to the honeymoon and beyond, into their new married lives. Published quarterly, the magazine outsells all other national bridal magazines on the newsstand by a wide margin.
About The Wedding Library: www.theweddinglibrary.comFor over a decade, Claudia Hanlin's Wedding Library has been a coveted resource for brides, providing unparalleled wedding planning experience, impeccable design services, and a one-stop-shop with carefully curated bridesmaid dresses, bespoke wedding stationery and registry gifts. Claudia is a Contributing Editor toMartha Stewart Weddings. She has been awarded numerous honors, including the prestigious Modern Bride Innovator's Award, four International Special Events Society Big Apple Awards for Design,The Knot's Best of New York Wedding Planner and Juli B's Top US Shopping Service Award. Claudia's expertise has been featured on network television, radio and in leading bridal and news publications. Together with Martha Stewart Weddings, the company produces The Wedding Party, a luxury bridal showcase.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Affordable trend- Metallic pumps
Kim Images via Fashion Bomb
Kim Kardashian was on top of a current trend in 2012, way before the fight and wait list over her $650 silver Jimmy Choos began. Silver pumps are all the rage now and can be achieved for an affordable price. Pair with sleek and sexy pencil skirts or boyfriend jeans and ultra cool tees -these can take you from office to drinks with the gals. I can't wait to try!
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text: Nintendo's kid-friendly multiplayer shooter Splatoon has been making a splash (sorry) in the wider gaming world ever since its release, thanks to an engaging mix of bright, colorful design and fresh gameplay ideas. We're never going to see the full Splatoon on Android (even when Nintendo does get around to making mobile games), but if you'd like something with a similar feel, give Splash Cars a try. It hits a lot of the same notes in a single-player mobile package.Read More


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Salton City, California - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 checkpoint arrested a suspected drug smuggler after discovering heroin concealed in the soles of his shoes on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:45 p.m., when Border Patrol agents at the checkpoint encountered a 26-year-old man, a United States citizen, driving a 1999 Saturn.
A Border Patrol Canine Detection team alerted to the vehicle. Border Patrol agents referred the driver to secondary for further examination. Agents discovered two packages of heroin wrapped in tape in the soles of the man's shoes.
Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Joyce Golosino with the El Centro Sector Field Communication Branch said, "This drug seizure demonstrates the vigilance of our hard working agents."
The heroin weighed in at 1.3 pounds with an estimated street value of more than $15,600.
Drug Enforcement Administration took over custody of the man, narcotics and vehicle.
Last fiscal year, El Centro Sector seized more than 2,985 ounces of heroin.
The El Centro Sector's Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats. We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe. Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at 1-800-901-2003.


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This study presents numerical investigation of an air supply device based on wall confluent jets in a ventilated room. Confluent jets can be described as multiple round jets issuing from supply device apertures. The jets converge, merge, and combine at a certain distance downstream from the supply device and behave as a united jet, or so-called confluent jet. The numerical predictions of the velocity flow field of isothermal confluent jets with three Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes turbulence models (renormalization group k-epsilon, realizable k-epsilon, and shear stress transport k-omega) are reported in the present study. The results of the numerical predictions are verified with detailed experimental measurements by a hot wire anemometer and constant temperature anemometers for two airflow rates. The box method is used to provide the inlet boundary conditions. The study of the airflow distribution shows that a primary wall jet (wall confluent jet) exists close to the supply device along the wetted wall, and a secondary wall jet is created after the stagnation region along the floor. It is presented that the flow field of the primary and secondary wall jet predicted by turbulence models is in good agreement with the experimental data. The current study is also compared with the literature in terms of velocity decay and the spreading rate of the primary and secondary wall jet, the results of which are consistent with each other. Velocity decay and the spreading rate of the secondary wall jet in vertical and lateral directions were studied for different inlet airflow rates and inlet discharge heights. The comparative results demonstrate that the flow behavior is nearly independent of the inlet flow rate. Inlet discharge height is found to have impact close to the inlet, where the velocity decays faster when the jet discharges at higher level. The decay tendency is similar as the jet enters into the room for all discharge heights.
This study presents air distribution systems that are based on confluent jets; this system can be of interest for the establishment of indoor environments, to fulfill the goals of indoor climate and energy-efficient usage. The main objective of this study is to provide deeper understanding of the flow field development of a supply device that is designed based on wall confluent jets and to investigate the ventilation performance by experimental and numerical methods. In this study, the supply device can be described as an array of round jets on a flat surface attached to a side wall. Multiple round jets that issue from supply device apertures are combined at a certain distance downstream from the device and behave as a united jet or so-called confluent jets. Multiple round jets that are generated from the supply device move downward and are attached to the wall at the primary region, due to the Coanda effect, and then they become wall confluent jets until the floor wall is reached. A wall jet in a secondary region is formed along the floor after the stagnation region.
The characteristics of the flow field and the ventilation performance of conventional wall confluent jets and modified wall confluent jets supply devices are investigated experimentally in an office test room. The study of the modified wall confluent jets is intended to improve the efficiency of the conventional one while maintaining acceptable thermal comfort in an office environment. The results show that the modified wall confluent jets supply device can provide acceptable thermal comfort for the occupant with lower airflow rate compared to the conventional wall confluent jets supply device.
Numerical predictions using three turbulence models (renormalization group (RNG k– ε), realizable (Re k– ε), and shear stress transport (SST k– ω) are evaluated by measurement results. The computational box and nozzle plate models are used to model the inlet boundary conditions of the nozzle device. In the isothermal study, the wall confluent jets in the primary region and the wall jet in the secondary region, when predicted by the three turbulence models, are in good agreement with the measurements. The non-isothermal validation studies show that the SST k– ω model is slightly better at predicting the wall confluent jets than the other two models. The SST k– ω model is used to investigate the effects of the nozzle diameter, number of nozzles, nozzle array configuration, and inlet discharge height on the ventilation performance of the proposed wall confluent jets supply device. The nozzle diameter and number of nozzles play important roles in determining the airflow pattern, temperature field, and draught distribution. Increased temperature stratification and less draught distribution are achieved by increasing the nozzle diameter and number of nozzles. The supply device with smaller nozzle diameters and fewer nozzles yields rather uniform temperature distribution due to the dominant effect of mixing. The flow behavior is nearly independent of the inlet discharge height for the studied range.
The proposed wall confluent jets supply device is compared with a mixing supply device, impinging supply device and displacement supply device. The results show that the proposed wall confluent jets supply device has the combined behavior of both mixing and stratification principles. The proposed wall confluent jets supply device provides better overall ventilation performance than the mixing and displacement supply devices used in this study.
This study covers also another application of confluent jets that is based on impinging technology. The supply device under consideration has an array of round jets on a curve. Multiple jets issue from the supply device aperture, in which the supply device is positioned vertically and the jets are directed against a target wall. The flow behavior and ventilation performance of the impinging confluent jets supply device is studied experimentally in an industrial premise. The results show that the impinging confluent jets supply device maintains acceptable thermal comfort in the occupied zone by creating well-distributed airflow during cold and hot seasons.


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60 Hours in Israel
Field Herp Forum - A spur-of-the-moment weekend trip to Israel led to some exciting herping finds.
On the Web - Recently, Dav Kaufman of HerpersTV made a trip to Israel to find and film lots of different reptiles and amphibians in the many habitats that Israel has to offer. The result was an exciting two part series on HerpersTV. Now Dav is coming on Herpin' Time Radio to talk about his adventures in the Holy Land.@ On the Web


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"Why mid-September? That's when you are going to get the August PPI report, and that should mark the low in deflationary reports. From there, you'll see what we have coined Reflation's Rotation into Q4. This simply means y/y Q3 price deflation will morph into y/y Q4 price inflation. –KM 8/18/09
Today's PPI release for August showed an increase of 1.7% month-over-month the fourth sequential monthly increase (a decline of 4.34% over last Augusts reading). Although this increase was driven primarily by rising fuel costs, so called "Core" prices increased by 0.2% for the month catching many observers off guard.
Keith wrote last month that the number released today would mark the low for the deflationary cycle and that the Reflation Rotation we have been predicting for Q4 would start develop; causing interest rate expectations to creep upwards and, ultimately, to moderate the trajectory of the dollar's decline. As we wait for Tomorrow's CPI reading looking for more confirmation we remain positioned for these expected shifts in both reality and sentiment with portfolio positions like our long TIPs/short the 2 Year pair.
Andrew Barber


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My 87th Academy Award Predictions
I have to say I was a bit surprised by Johan Johannsson taking the Golden Globe home this week for The Theory of Everything over Hans Zimmer's Interstellar and Trent Reznor's Gone Girl scores. Well yesterday The Academy Award nominations were announced (the ceremony will take place on February 22nd), and I had to rethink how these awards might go. Below are the nominations, along with my predictions, and although Reznor's Gone Girl score did not make the cut, Hans' Interstellar score is still up for an award, as is Johannsson's score for The Theory of Everything.
Best Original Score
The Nominations:
Who I'd like to see win:
I really enjoyed both Alexandre Desplat's score for The Imitation Game and Johann Johannsson's score for The Theory of Everything, so I'd love to see either of them win. Between the two, I thought Johannsson's score was a little more interesting.
Who I think will win:
Last week I would have said Interstellar, simply because people couldn't stop talking about it, but after Johann taking home the Golden Globe I'm not so sure. I think it's going to be a close call between the two, but I'm going to go with The Theory of Everything.
Best Original Song
The Nominations:
Who I'd like to see win:
I'm a John Legend fan and I thought his song Glory for Selma was a great song. To be honest I don't feel like the other nominations are really that strong either.
Who I think will win:
Considering Glory won the Golden Globe and the other songs really haven't gotten a ton of attention, I'm thinking Glory will probably win the Oscar as well.
What do you think of the nominations? What are your predictions? Tell me in the comments below!
Related Posts
Film | Music
About the Author
January 2017
Other Blogs


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Kearneysville, WV: Delegate Larry D. Kump delivered a $1000.00 contribution from the Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) PAC to 2nd Congressional District Candidate Alex X. Mooney. The RLC officially endorsed Mooney in April.
"Having known Alex X. Mooney for many years, it was both a pleasure and a privilege when the West Virginia Republican Liberty Caucus asked me to present a campaign contribution to him," said Delegate Larry D. Kump.
"The West Virginia Republican Liberty Caucus enthusiastically endorses the election of Alex Mooney as West Virginia's next Congressman.
"We also endorse and applaud Alex's principled commitment to individual liberty, personal accountability, and personal empowerment for all Mountaineers," Kump stated.
The Republican Liberty Caucus is a 527 voluntary grassroots membership organization dedicated to working within the Republican Party to advance the principles of individual rights, limited government and free markets.
Founded in 1991, it is the oldest continuously-operating organization within the Liberty Republican movement. Further information and membership to the Caucus may be obtained by visiting www.rlc.org .
Stephanie E. Butcher
Monday, October 6, 2014
The Pursuit of Liberty & Alex Mooney
Friday, October 3, 2014
Often, when elected and wanna-be elected officials advocate their position(s), they profess that they merely are responding to the voices of their constituents.
Which therein begs the question: Which constituent voices should matter the most?
My simple solution to this cipher is to carefully consider the merits and consequences of all constituent concerns, and then also be diligent to uphold the Oath of Office, sworn to by all elected officials.
This Oath of Office is to understand, uphold, and defend the principles and provisions of our Constitution.
This sacred vow is made, not only to ourselves and our citizens, but also to God.
Truly, doesn't our Constitution mandate that the first principles and practices of our government are the pursuit of individual liberty, personal accountability, and personal empowerment (i.e., the "Pursuit of Happiness")?
After all, is it not us but our Constitution that is the well-spring of our unique American Excellence?
Just sayin'.
Yours for better governance,
West Virginia Delegate Larry D. Kump
Please share this message with others and visit www.LarryKump.com for more legislative news and views.


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I'm a little sad that Raw is in Las Vegas and there's no Raw Roulette. There's probably no time for it, as tonight's episode will deal with the fallout from an eventful SummerSlam. Let's get to it, live on USA and with the shiny new WWE logo.
The Vegas fans get all excited when Daniel Bryan�s music hits, but it�s only a gloating Stephanie McMahon who comes down the ramp. Really Jerry Lawler, you�ve never seen anything like Nikki Bella turning on Brie? In all the years you�ve been with the WWE? Steph calls SummerSlam one of the most epic events in WWE history, claiming that the reactions on social media told them that it was even better than WrestleMania. She gloats about getting a chance to hand the new WWE Heavyweight Championship belt to Brock Lesnar and takes some delight in the fates of John Cena, Chris Jericho and Dean Ambrose. But by far the biggest loser of the night was Brie, who forgot that the Authority always wins. You can relive all of it for $9.99 a month, of course. McMahon thanks her husband Triple H for always being faithful and standing by her side, unlike Bryan. She calls out the one person who supposedly knows who Brie really is, her sister Nikki. The bustier Bella complains about how Brie is selfish, manipulative and competitive. Nikki says she can give so many examples of how she was wronged by Brie, but I hope she doesn�t. A tearful Brie comes to the ring and says she can forgive Nikki for last night, but that just gets her smacked in the face. She leaves crying.
Match 1 - Luke Harper and Erick Rowan vs. Big Show and Mark Henry
Hey, Big Show is still around! And double hey, so is the German announce team! The returning Show and recently returned Henry dominate until we step out for commercials. Harper is able to get things going for Team Wyatt by sending Show out to the floor, where Rowan does some damage to the giant. The Wyatts take turns keeping their very large opponent trapped in the wrong corner, earning a near fall or two along the way. After what seems like eons, Big Show makes the hot tag to Henry, who looks for a World�s Strongest Slam on Rowan but eats a big boot from Harper instead. Show returns to the fray with a pair of KO punches, and Henry gets the pinfall with a World�s Strongest Slam on Rowan.
The Nature Boy, Ric Flair, is congratulating Dolph Ziggler when their conversation is interrupted by the A-lister himself, the Miz. After Miz makes a threat to win the IC belt back in a �sequel� tonight, Ziggler says the former champ isn�t an A-lister -- he�s just an a-hole. Whoo!
After a brief look back at the wild Lumberjack Match between Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, Renee Young congratulates Seth on his victory. He�s right in the middle of telling all of us how he�s the future of the promotion when he inadvertently ends up taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. He turns around to find Ambrose was the man dumping the ice water, saying �What? It�s for charity!� A brawl then ensues.
A furious and wet Rollins goes off in front of Triple H and Kane, complaining that Ambrose needs to be taken out of the equation entirely. The Game says the two men will have a rematch tonight, with the WWE Universe deciding the stipulation so that Dean�s blood will be on the fans� hands. Kane wishes him the creepiest good luck ever.
Match 2 - Natalya vs. Paige
Paige says that despite everything, she still loves and respects AJ, and she�s dedicating this match to her friend. The new Divas champ has the upper hand when AJ skips down to and around the ring, giving Natalya the opening she needs to roll up and pin Paige. AJ tries giving the champ a taste of her own medicine, but Paige retreats instead of accepting the offer of a handshake.
Here are the stipulation choices for the Rollins-Ambrose rematch: No Holds Barred, Falls Count Anywhere or No Disqualification. You can vote on the WWE app, or you could have if you were reading this report when the show was still going on.
The Authority is in the ring to unveil the new title belt, which the Vegas crowd seems to find a bit underwhelming, and officially award it to Lesnar. As you might expect, Paul Heyman has a little something to say as well. He�s also got a secret: Cena is not here tonight. Paul spends quite a bit of time pumping up Cena�s accomplishments, even saying he�d love to make John a Heyman guy, but he�s also quick to point out that Lesnar doesn�t share those opinions. The problem now is that the same fate that Cena suffered awaits any other challenger for the title. Challengers are only men, after all, while Heyman�s client is a beast. Eat, sleep, suplex, repeat!
Match 3 - Dolph Ziggler (champion) vs. The Miz (challenger) - Intercontinental Title Match
JBL compares Miz to James Dean, possibly pushing his already questionable gimmick to its limit. Dolph sells the damage done to his left knee, and Miz wastes no time attacking it. Ziggler ends up in the Figure Four after a commercial break, and he strains and strains to finally reach the bottom rope to break the hold. Dolph fights back from the floor, but he gets himself counted out in the process. Miz wins the match, but Dolph keeps the belt, much to JBL�s chagrin. An angry Miz tries to press the issue after the bell, but all that gets him is a Zig Zag in the middle of the ring.
Now Young welcomes Jack Swagger so they can look at still images from his Flag Match defeat at the hands of Rusev at SummerSlam. We do get video of Rusev kicking Zeb Colter after the bell. Swagger says he�s not going to give up, he�s going to pick himself up because that�s �We the People.�
Match 4 - Jack Swagger vs. Cesaro
It�s a battle of former partners here. No Colter tonight, selling that kick from Rusev. Cesaro focuses his attack on Swagger�s injured ribs, but Jack is able to fight through the pain for a bit. Cesaro delivers an impressive gutwrench suplex and locks Swagger in an abdominal stretch. There�s a jumping stomp on Swagger�s guts too. A Swagger Bomb offers a decent response, but Jack ends up getting dropped on his ribs on the post. Somehow, Swagger catches a big boot coming at him and administers the Patriot Lock from the apron. That doesn�t prevent a Neutralizer, which is enough for Cesaro to pick up the win. To rub salt in the wound, ladies and gentlemen, I give you Bo Dallas!
It�s a busy night for Young, who is backstage with Chris Jericho. Though he says he�s never faced anyone like Bray Wyatt, Chris says he�s not dead inside like the man who beat him. He�s got the fire inside him, the spirit that drives him forward and the best fans in the WWE. JBL says he�s sick of the Y2J excuses.
Match 5 - Randy Orton, Curtis Axel and Ryback vs. Sheamus, Rob Van Dam and Roman Reigns
Orton eats Rolling Thunder early, forcing him to take a powder outside the ring that is the perfect time for more commercials. It�s Axel who�s in trouble after the break, and both he and Ryback take shots to the chest from Sheamus. The heels finally get their act together long enough for Orton to dump Sheamus over the wall near the timekeeper�s area. That momentum only lasts until Reigns is tagged in, smacking everyone with superman punches. Orton sneaks in and hits him with a backbreaker, but RVD tags himself in and gets several near falls for the good guys. The ever popular string of finishers follows, ending with a spear for Orton. Axel takes out Roman, but Van Dam is able to drop the Five Star Frog Splash on Axel to get the victory.
Orton gets a visit from Flair, but he doesn�t want any advice from the Nature Boy. In a different, darker part of the arena, Wyatt cuts a creepy promo in response to Jericho. Behold the new face of salvation,or something like that.
Match 6 - The Usos vs. Goldust and Stardust
The Usos get to show off some mat wrestling, something we don�t often see from them, against Goldust. A double elbow drop by the Usos gets a near fall, and Stardust really wants a tag. He gets that and the bad end of a series of offensive moves by the tag champs, who ground Stardust and leave him looking for a tag to big brother. He ends up not needing it, getting a roll-up pin to steal a victory from the surprised-looking Usos.
Rusev and Lana come to the ring to boast, probably, but Henry comes out shortly thereafter. The World�s Strongest Man has represented the U.S. on multiple occasions, and he�s never had trouble with someone and their country until last night. Mark offers to give Rusev a personal guided tour of the Hall of Pain, and the staredown is on. Rusev throws the first punch, but Henry ends this confrontation by blocking a kick and hitting the World�s Strongest Slam. There�s a splash from Henry too. Don�t forget to hit the Hall of Pain gift shop on your way out.
Cena is going to come back from vacation � um, I mean, recover from his beating by Lesnar to address the WWE Universe next week. So there�s that to look forward to. Jerry Lawler hits the ring to announce the results for the main event voting, and it�s going to be Falls Count Anywhere.
Main Event - Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins - Falls Count Anywhere
With no love lost, these guys go right at each other, and it doesn�t take long for them to fight into the crowd. They end up on the ramp, where Ambrose wins a battle of reversals and suplexes his arch-enemy for a two count. They head back to the ring, where Ambrose looks over a variety of weapons under the ring before deciding on a steel chair. Both men end up using the chair to their advantage, and Ambrose barely kicks out before we head out for the final ad break. Ambrose�s face is getting up close and personal with a kendo stick when we return, and Rollins is begging him to get up so he can suffer some more. Dean recovers and hits a tornado DDT for two. Both men avoid each other�s finishers, and the time-honored double clothesline leaves both flat on their backs. There�s a cool spot where Rollins tries using the kendo stick while being catapulted toward the turnbuckle, but it doesn�t save him from hitting the top pad and eating a few more stick shots before a near fall. Ambrose throws about six more chairs in the ring, They go up top, and while Ambrose is thinking superplex into the nest of chairs, Rollins reverses into a sitout power bomb. He covers atop the chairs, but Ambrose still kicks out. Kane comes down to ringside and watches as Rollins gets out a table. Seth is thinking Curb Stomp through the table, but it ends up as an Ambrose superplex through the table instead. Dean crawls through the wreckage, but Kane appears on the apron. Ambrose sends them both to the floor and dives to take them both out, and his bouncing clothesline is next. Rollins gets tagged with Dirty Deeds, but Kane drags Ambrose out of the ring and starts brawling with him. Chaos reigns as Ambrose flings Kane over the announce table and gets a running start to jump into the crowd to take out Rollins again. Unfortunately, it�s soon two-on-one, and Rollins hits the Curb Stomp on top of the announce table -- it doesn�t break. Kane holds Dean�s head over a pile of cinder blocks, and Seth hits the Curb Stomp to break some of the blocks. Charles Robinson decides that�s enough, stopping the match and giving the victory to Rollins. I can almost hear J.R.�s voice in my head: �By God! Somebody get some help out here!� The announcers wonder if we�ll ever see Ambrose in the ring again as Raw goes off the air. See you in seven!


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You may never be able to play the guitar like Eric Clapton, but at least now there's a way to get close.
And by "close," we mean you can own some of the legend's gear (talent not included).
The rock Hall of Famer and arguably one of the greatest musicians of all time is putting more than 70 guitars and 70 amps on the auction block.
The auction is scheduled for March 9 in New York, but with online bidding, Clapton lovers can bid from anywhere. The catalog has been posted on the web, but for Angelenos, there's a chance to see the goods in person.
Auction house Bonhams & Butterfields is hosting LA viewings that run Feb. 18-20 at 7601 W. Sunset Blvd. from noon to 5 p.m.
Small-time bidders may be able to scoop some items for a couple hundred bucks. Serious fans, though, will have plenty of opportunities to write big checks.
Clapton's 2006 Fender Stratocaster "Blackie Replica" is expected to go for $20,000-$30,000. A 2004 Martin 000-ECHF Bellezza Bianca is estimated to sell for $15,000-$20,000.
The auction is being held to benefit Clapton's rehab center, according to the auction house.
"I am very happy that Bonhams have agreed to host my third guitar auction in aid of The Crossroads Centre, Antigua, the drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre I founded in 1998," said Clapton.


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Sikorsky S-92 Helibus
Sikorsky has used computer-assisted design tools in the engineering of its S-92 Helibus. The first Sikorsky program to use Enovia PM (Product Manager) is the S-92, the new medium-lift helicopter being developed by an international team that includes Brazil's Embraer, Spain's Gamesa, Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, China's Jingdezhen Helicopter Group/CATIC and Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corp.First appearing in 1998 the civil/military medium twin turboshaft S-92 Helibus can carry up to 22 passengers. Sikorsky's new S-92A made its maiden flight by Feb 1999 and was certified by the FAA on 17 December 2002. The parent company gave Sikorsy the go ahead to move the S-92 program into production after four prototypes had been built and number 3 was days away from first flight.MTOW: 25,200 lbPayload: 5000 kgCruise: 155 ktsRange: 550 miles
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One month on
Categories: News and previews
Donald Hyslop, chair of the Borough Market trustees, reflects on a difficult month for everyone associated with Borough Market and looks to a future of renewed togetherness and positivity
On Monday 3rd July, it will be exactly a month since the terrorist attack that unleashed such horrors upon Borough Market and the surrounding streets. This has, for everyone associated with the Market, been a strange and difficult few weeks. We are not alone: with the Grenfell Tower fire and the Finsbury Park attack both taking place in the wake of the incident here, there are a lot of people in London who have experienced that same sense of pain, loss and outrage, and our thoughts are with every single one of them.
The past month has been a period of great worry and uncertainty, but one in which the local community has pulled together like never before: traders, customers, staff, suppliers, local businesses, Southwark Cathedral, the Mayor, the government, the royal family, and—of course—the police and medics who worked with such skill and commitment in the aftermath of the attack.
The togetherness could be seen in the crowds that gathered for the reopening, and in the extraordinary response to our appeal to raise £50,000 to help those small, independent traders whose viability was put at risk by the loss of trading days and the spoiling of stock. Hundreds of donors contributed to the fund, from large local businesses donating thousands to students throwing in a fiver. Financial Times staff carried out a sponsored walk to raise money for the trader fund, then spent the afternoon in the Market buying lunch. The generosity of all these people—made all the more touching by the lovely messages of support that accompanied the donations—meant that we ended up raising more than double our target, and these funds have already started to be dispersed to those in need.
Hugs and handshakes
Support has come in many other forms too: in emails and letters, tweets and posts, hugs and handshakes. Local businesses have rallied round, giving their staff vouchers to come and spend with traders. Traders and customers alike have worn badges and t-shirts emblazoned with the '#LoveBorough' logo.
Even more important than our request for financial help was our entreaty that customers return to the Market at the first opportunity, partly to help the traders but also to bring back the sense of energy and optimism that makes this such vital and dynamic institution. This they have done in their droves. As soon as we reopened, people started flooding back, including regular customers and many who were inspired to visit for the very first time.
Now, although emotions remain raw and consideration for those worst affected remains paramount, we are attempting to push on, to get the Market buzzing again. On 6th July, the Young Marketeers will be back, selling produce grown in their school gardens with the support of School Food Matters and Borough Market. The excitement of these primary school children at selling fruit and vegetables that they've nurtured themselves is always infectious, and will be a great fillip for the place.
An eager crowd
On 9th July, London's French community, plus a sizeable contingent of greedy Francophiles drawn by the amazing food, will gather here to celebrate Bastille day. Two days later, Three Crown Square will host the latest in this year's season of Borough Talks, with an eager crowd gathering to hear experts from the worlds of wine, beer, spirits and cocktails offering advice on how to become part of the ongoing drinks revolution.
On all the trading days in between, our stalls, shops and restaurants will continue supplying high quality food and drink, produced with love and skill and sold with a smile. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, I wrote of the need to remind ourselves that what we do here matters. I wrote about how a food market is a place of sustenance and wellbeing, pleasure and sharing, companionship and family. All of those things are very much in evidence again. Come down and see for yourselves.


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Have you ever been consumed by the desire to eat a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie, but don't feel like going through the effort of making a whole batch? You just ate dinner, you're hankering for something sweet, and your brain goes to chocolate chip cookies. And then your brain won't let go of that thought. This recipe is for that moment. [Read more…]
Spring 2017 Cookbooks
If you've spent any time on this blog you know that I LOVE COOKBOOKS. They bring me endless amounts of joy – I love to hold them, flip through them, read them from cover to cover, and try out as many recipes from them as I can manage (which is often way less than I would like). This year there were so many good ones coming out, quite a few of them from my blogging friends, so I just had to do a full-blown cookbook roundup post. (I also recently discussed my top cookbooks for weeknight cooking and my top baking cookbooks on an episode of the Gatherings podcast, which you can find here.) This post was supposed to come out about 2 months ago, but then I went and bought a house unexpectedly. Life happens. Better late than never, here are some of my favorites from the spring season: [Read more…]


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South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to clean the African National Congress (ANC) of "all bad tendencies" in a bid to end corruption.
In a victory speech in Johannesburg, he thanked voters and said they had sent a "clear message".
Mr Ramaphosa said that the party's lowest ever score of 58% was due to voters expressing their frustration.
He promised he would not choose leaders who work "to fill their own pockets".
The ANC has been in power since Nelson Mandela was elected following the end of white-minority rule 25 years ago.
A struggling economy, corruption and mass unemployment, particularly among young people, led to the ANC's reduced majority in this election.
President Ramaphosa took over the ANC party leadership from Jacob Zuma in 2017, who was forced to resign following a series of corruption scandals. He denies any wrongdoing.
President Ramaphosa said he would address these concerns. "As the leadership, we are going to go back to all those communities which were raising issues," he said.
"We have learnt our lesson. We have heard the people of South Africa. We have heard the very clear message of what they expect from us," he added.
Source: BBC
For more WORLD NEWS visit primenewsghana.com


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Romans 15
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,
so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs
so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name."
Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."
And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples."
And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.
I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done--
by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.
It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation.
Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."
This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you,
I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.
Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there.
For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.
I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there,
so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.
The God of peace be with you all. Amen.


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This is the easiest to make and everyone always loves it. You can make French toast in 15 minutes any morning or treat your family and friends on Sunday's. Great food makes you feel happy and brings people together, … Continue reading
Tag Archives: food
Oh La Lavender Oatmeal Cookies by Dahlia Mayerson
Oh La Lavender Oatmeal Cookies by Dahlia Mayerson My post tonight is about these light, crispy, warm, floral cookies. They're my take on a classic. Oatmeal raisin cookies sprinkled and infused with lavender. It's been FREEZING in NY city lately. … Continue reading
Grilled Chicken and Wheat Berry Skinny Salad
Grilled Chicken and Wheat-Berry Salad This salad is a great way to get your fill of veggies, fruits, and protein all at once. The yogurt dressing provides a kick of calcium. I've never cooked with wheat berries before so … Continue reading
Artichoke, Edamame, and Asparagus Salad with Citrus Dressing
Shelled edamame are very low in calories and fat, but packed with protein and fiber. Plus, artichokes and asparagus are rich in antioxidants. Toss in light citrus dressing for a little zest and you have a fantastic salad at only … Continue reading
{Blondi Beach City Spot} Kilwins Vero Beach
Who doesn't love ice cream, fudge and caramel apples? One of my favorite things to do on weekends, especially in summer is wander into a terrific baker, candy maker or ice cream store. We were in Vero Beach, Florida and … Continue reading
{BLONDi Recipes} Grilling with Fennel the Worlds Healthiest Food
There's nothing like my Mothers recipes to keep me healthy. I've been feeling a little under the weather so she made up a batch of her miracle veggies that not only scare away my cold, they make up awesome meals … Continue reading
{BLONDi Beach City Spot} Lunch at Basilic Vietnamese Grill Fort Lauderdale Florida
Lunch at the Basilic Vietnamese Grill Fort Lauderdale Florida My Mom and I had lunch today in Lauderdale by the sea at the Basilic Vietnamese Grill. We enjoyed the sunshine in the court yard and then ate some delicious food. … Continue reading
{BLONDi Recipe} Gluten Free, Grain Free Cookies and Muffins
I recently decided to detox my body and experiment with a new diet free of gluten and grain. I'm now on day 5 and I have to say that I feel amazing. I've lost weight, my energy level is much … Continue reading
BLONDi's Guide To Holiday Entertaining
INVITATIONS The invites are important. I love receiving a pretty invite for a party. I prefer the old fashion snail mail kind but a creative digital invite goes along way. It's still a charming way to reach out to your … Continue reading
Blondi Style Diary: Fabric Shopping in Miami
{Dress and top by http://www.BlondiBeachwear.com/ Shoes Franko Sarto /necklace Dior/ Bracelet Tiffany} FABRICS THAT INSPIRE One of the things I really enjoy doing is shopping for fabrics. For me the design process really does start here. Sometimes a pattern or … Continue reading
City Spot: Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
OUTFIT: Blondibeachwear.com & Nordstrom / Glasses: Fendi/ Necklace: David yurman / Shoes: Steve Madden / Watch: Michele It was a beautiful sunny day in South Florida as we kicked off day 1 of the International Boat Show in Fort Lauderdale, … Continue reading
City Spot: Tea At The Biltmore
There are few hotels that have the style and charm of the Biltmore in Coral Gables. A National Historic Landmark built in 1926 and situated on 150 tropical acres in Coral Gables, Florida; this grand hotel with all it's interesting … Continue reading
City Spot: Girls Night Out at Mancini Modern Italian
Located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Blvd is a street featuring many restaurants and clubs but one gem stands out to locals, celebrities and world travelers. The restaurant is called Mancini Modern Italian. Nestled on a quaint … Continue reading
City Spot: {Ocean Manor} Breakfast On The Beach
Everyone is always telling me to find little ways to unplug several times a day in order to avoid stress. I have to say, in pursuit of these get-a-way moments, I have enjoyed the exploration just as much as the … Continue reading
Blondi Beach Dolphin Recipe
Hello Ladies, Lately I've been craving light fish recipes that are full of taste but not so full of empty calories. Here's what I served up tonight for dinner under the stars. Xoxo, Blondi Pan Grilled Dolphin with fresh corn … Continue reading


text: These were my favourite shots from the Manning park trip. There were two bucks and a doe, and they were very used to having people around…which meant that we could get quite close, and they were not phased at all…lead to these closeup pics. I could have followed these deer for an hour, and taken more…but the rest of the family was ready to move on…at least I caught a couple of good shots!


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Will the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors "contempt hearing" planned for May 24 really be the first step in the jailing of Sheriff Joe Arpaio?
It's hard to imagine that scenario will actually occur, but heck, the Arizona Republic says it might happen.
Forget the possibility of a federal indictment for civil rights violations or abusing his power -- Supervisors Don Stapley, Mary Rose Wilcox and the rest of 'em apparently want to put Arpaio in the pokey unless his office turns over requested financial records.
The supervisors want to examine detailed budget data about extraditions and the Sheriff's Office's use of county credit cards. Arpaio blew off a subpoena to turn over the records. Gee, think he's hiding something?
In other county news:
Stapley's executive assistant, Susan Schuerman, is preparing to sue the county over the investigation launched against her by Arpaio's office. Her attorney, Michael Manning, sent a letter to the county last week asking for the preservation of all records related to the Schuerman investigation.
Manning smartly reminds the county in his letter that Arpaio's minions have destroyed records sought by lawyers in the past, and he'll hold the county responsible if it happens in this case.
As you may recall, the Sheriff's Office (well, it was probably Chief Deputy David Hendershott, to be specific), and Thomas decided to go after Schuerman early last year as a way to get to Stapley.
As Mark Flatten of the (old) East Valley Tribune reported back then:
The investigation is to determine whether Susan Schuerman, Stapley's secretary, used county resources to conduct Stapley's private business, according to a letter from County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
Schuerman is named as the statutory agent on a company co-owned by Stapley, Arroyo Pacific Partners LLC. She listed her county phone and fax numbers on company documents filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
But the broader dispute raised by Thomas is whether county taxpayers should pay for a lawyer to represent Schuerman, and who gets to make that decision.
Thanks to Thomas' insistence on screwing over Schuerman, the lawyers who helped her defend against the allegations never got paid a dime. But how's this for hypocritical: Lisa Aubuchon, the unsuccessful prosecutor used by Thomas to lead his most politicized cases, is now being criminally investigated -- and she wants the county to pay for her lawyer.
Last week, one of Schuerman's attorneys, Fred Petti, was among several folks who testified before a federal grand jury about alleged abuses of power by Arpaio and Thomas.
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Judges Barbara Mundell and Gary Donahoe, lawyers Ed Novak and Lee Stein, and Arpaio's director of communications, Lisa Allen, either testified or were scheduled to testify before the grand jury, according to media reports.
Lastly, a bit of inside baseball we find interesting:
Mike Scerbo, formerly the spokesman for Thomas' office, has been hired as a spokesman for the campaign of gubernatorial candidate Buz Mills.
The former KFYI radio reporter is working merely as a mouthpiece, but his presence on Mills' staff could be off-putting for the anti-Thomas crowd.


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StaffPad is a wonderful looking new music notation application for Windows. Unfortunately it is not available for Apple. Although I haven't tried it out since I am an Apple guy it sure does look incredible. So clean and quick. You can notate your ideas before forgetting them! It cost a modest US$69.95 Check it out at StaffPad.net
StaffPad Music Notation App – Awesome28 04 2016
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Categories : composition, Computer and Software, Cool Stuff that might be useful, Education resource, Music Composition, Music Software, Music Tech, Music Theory, Notation, Original Composition, Uncategorized
Great Composition App for Music Students & Mashups2 05 2014
One of my music students found a great FREE online application today while trying to make a mashup. They wanted to find the tempo bpm of a song and the key it was in, so searched for an app and found HookTheory.com This application will do that plus a whole lot more. They have a beginner music composition music theory ibook for purchase at $14.95 as well as two wonderful online applications that are totally FREE. This interface is slick and easy to use and it will even create a notated score using western notation and even tabs if needed. Composing is simple and fun. Everything is colour coded and the application will even suggest chords to go with your melody. Checkout THEORY TAB for composing. The snap shot below gives you an idea of how everything look. Pretty straight ahead and if you have trouble figuring things out there is an online manual with video tutorials. CHECK IT OUT YOURSELF ONLINE.
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Categories : 21st century education, Application, Audio, composition, Computer and Software, Education resource, For Guitarists, IB Music, MIDI, Music Composition, Music Education, Music Software, Music Theory, Notation, Publishing, Teacher resource, Textbook, Tutorial, Web 2.0
Learning Math Multiplication on a Djembe Drum?7 11 2012
Here is something if you teach MYP Music and need something for a joint unit with another department. Most teachers have discovered that there are many close links between music and other subjects. Here is one new method for teaching student their multiplication times tables.
If anyone out there has tried it out please let me know.
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Categories : Drums and Percussion, Education resource, Elementary Education, For Drummers, Fun, Math, Music Performance, Music Resource, Music Theory, Publishing
WONDERFUL Elementary Music Resources for FREE23 10 2011
Making Music Fun is a great set of free downloadable resources for Elementary music teachers. Worksheets, Classical composers, Listening, Lesson ideas, Resources, find a word, Youtubes, and printable theory and certificates. All for FREE. No strings. GREAT stuff!
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Categories : Education resource, Elementary Education, Music Education, Music Resource, Music Theory, Resource, Teacher resource
Great Music Resources for the Classroom18 09 2011
I have been making my own resources for a while now because I had a hard time finding published materials I was happy with. I finally found a great site called FUN Music Company. They have so many great resources and they fit the way I work because I can download them as digital files and print off whenever I want. Fun Music Company has a wide variety of materials to choose from. Everything from great printable theory books of all levels. Great for grades 6 through 12. They also have course materials for Rock & Roll, Instruments of the Orchestra, Jazz & Blues, Composers, World Music and more.
And, they are very reasonable priced for the quality and quantity of worksheets, assessments, lessons, workbooks, listening suggestions, log books, etc. etc.
Check out Fun Music Company and see what you think.
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Categories : Assessment, Education resource, Elementary Education, Flashcards, Game, IB Music, Lesson Plans, Music Education, Music Resource, Music Theory, Notation, Online, Publishing, Resource, Rock & Roll Summer School, Teacher resource, Teaching Tools and Software, Textbook, World Music
MuseAmi – Application That Lets Your Hear Notated Music.22 03 2011
MuseAmi. No that is not some villain peering out from behind that iPad. It is Robert Taub a concert pianist and new CEO that has performed from Carnegie Hall to concert halls around the world. He wanted to help his daughter with her music. I guess she was having trouble figuring out the right rhythms and notes to play. It gave him an idea for a new software that could play sheet music so that a student could hear the music the way it is suppose to be played. It is available from MuseAmi.
Well he succeeded according to an article I read in the New York Times Online. It looks like it could be very useful for many upcoming musicians. Check it out here.
Here is another article on the software that I found in the Wall Street Journal Blogs
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Categories : Audio, iPad and iPhone, Listening and Analysis, Music Resource, Music Software, Music Tech, Music Theory, Publishing, Resource, Teacher resource, Web 2.0, Web Based Software
Tonometer – Online Pitch and Rhythm Testing17 03 2011
Thank-you to everyone that has been sending me notes of kindness and support due to the big quake here in Japan. I hope everyone keeps praying for those affected by the quake. A fellow music teacher sent a nice note and mentioned a new music link one of his students found. I think he knew music would take my mind off of almost anything.
Tonometer is a link for those wondering about the extent of their hearing lose and their ability to hear pitch. Give Tonometer a go. Be sure to return often in order to improve your score. You can even map your results against others in the world. Tonometer
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Categories : Audio, Computer and Software, Cool Stuff that might be useful, Education resource, Music Resource, Music Software, Music Tech, Music Theory, Resource, Teacher resource, Teaching Tools and Software, Uncategorized, Web 2.0, Web Based Software


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The $45 million O'Connell Center renovation project is moving on to the designing phase.
The $45 million O'Connell Center renovation project is moving on to the designing phase.
The University Athletic Association made the decision to move forward with the project, approving $2.75 million recently for design fees. An architect will be hired shortly and the new design for the O'Connell Center will be drawn up.
"Today, boom, let's go," UF athletic director Jeremy Foley said. "They're going to finalize hiring an architect and then we start designing."
The $2.75 million for design fees is part of the $103.3 million budget for 2014-15 that was approved recently by the UAA Board of Directors. The board also approved $1.75 million for designing fees for the renovation and expansion of the Office of Student Life and $450,000 for turf renovations on the football practice field.
Of the three projects, the O'Connell Center is the biggest and will come with an estimated price tag of $45 million, with about $35 million being generated by UAA and another $10 million by the university. Foley said the UAA and UF are on target to meet their funding goal in the next few weeks, but still need to raise about $15 million more, he said, before construction begins.
The complete renovation of the O'Connell Center is set to begin at the conclusion of the 2014-15 basketball season and be complete by Jan. 1, 2016.
"You walk in there, it's going to be a brand new building," Foley said. "The outside will remain in place. But we're going to seriously gut the place — new (chairback) seating, new restrooms, concessions, a concourse, new scoreboard, new entranceways.
"That's what you hire an architect for, to let them determine all the things that you can do. To me, it's not a Band-Aid approach. It's a building that can be renovated and will last us for another 30-40 years."
The O'Connell Center opened in 1980 and has served as the home for the men's and women's basketball teams, the volleyball team, the gymnastics team, the indoor track teams and the swimming teams and has played host to numerous other events, including graduation.
"The O'Connell Center is a project that is a university building and we appreciate the UAA taking the lead in fundraising to make that happen," UF president Bernie Machen said. "The building opened in 1980 and it's tired and it needs to be upgraded.
"We definitely want to remain where we are in the center of our campus and in the center of our student life. So, we never entertained anything other than renovating this wonderful structure and making it better."
With construction set to begin in March 2015 and expected to take 10 months, coach Billy Donovan's basketball team is going to have to play its fall schedule in 2015 at various neutral sites around the state, including Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville, three cities where the Gators have played in the past.
"We'll start figuring that out," Foley said. "The basketball schedule for 2015-16 is being worked on as we speak. At some point, now that we know (the renovation is going forward), (associate athletic director) Mike Hill will sit down with Billy and say, 'This is what we need to do.'
"We've received a lot of interest from different cities from around the state. We'll piece it together. The conversation will start now and be finalized over the next seven to eight months."
As the for renovations to the Office of Student Life, Foley said an architect could be hired sometime in July and the project could be complete 18 months after that.
Foley said the new Office of Student Life could be a "game-changer" for UF athletics.
"As you go forward in the recruiting process, the academic component is bigger and bigger and bigger," Foley said. "The type of athletes we're recruiting, they want to know who they're playing for, they want to know what position they're going to play and they want to know how they're going to get educated. Parents want that, too.
"We've done a good job of that, but you're trying to keep that competitive edge. Nothing, to me, gives a better competitive edge than showing people, you come to Florida, look at their commitment to academics. Look at the type of academic institution it is, look at the type of degree you're going to get. Look how they care.
"You get really good students who are really good athletes, you've got a chance to be really successful. We've had that, but that building was built when I first became A.D. You're talking 20 years old now."
Robbie Andreu is a Gainesville Sun staff writer.


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You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'Chocolate' category.
This is how I make my chocolate-
1 Cup of coconut oil (or half with half cocoa butter)
1 cup raw cacao (or half and half with raw cacao nibs for a chocolate chip consistancy)
Sweeten to taste with coconut nectar or maple syrup- or coconut sugar if you dont want it smooth. I have also sweetened with goiji berries and dates.
blend in a food processor. either lay out onto greaseproof paper in a sallow baking tin or i like to 1/4 fill my silicon cupcake mold. freeze until hard (between 30 mins to an hour) break up and store in glass container in fridge.
you can add anything to this basic mix to flavour you chocolate. yum yum. also goes great in the Yonana's machine! Full of magnesium and b vitamins and antioxidants!
I love making hot chocolate, since we live in a hot country we make it iced too! Here's the basic recipe
Fill a cup of milk of your choice (Dairy, Coconut, Nut, or Oat- I use the latter three)
1 tbs Raw Cacao Powder
Coconut sugar or coconut nectar to taste (or your sugar of choice also used dark brown, date or organic sugar. Maple or Yacon syrup is another option)
Vanilla Essence (I use Medicine Flowers- I also like Hazelnut , Almond or Mint essence too. Also you can add coffee concentrate)
In the hot chocolate I always add 1/2 tsp of coconut oil
Ice if you are making it cold
If making hot chocolate add the ingredient to the saucepan until they are combined and the desired heat. If making cold put all ingredients in your smoothie maker with some ice and blend. You could also add ice-cream instead of ice if you like. Couldn't be easier or better for you!


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WE TESTED: 56°/ES, 58°/ES, 60°/ES with CFS wedge steel shafts
KEY TECHNOLOGIES: The "Eye Sole" is modeled after the Eye2's concave sole. It joins the wide, standard and thin sole grinds in the Glide lineup.
LOOK: The ES looks like a slimmed-down, souped-up version of the Eye2, right down to the tall toe, narrow hosel and angular stance; rounded leading edge and scooped sole snuggle up to the ball.
FEEL: A powerful, compressed feel on center strikes; slaps the hell out of the sand with a good, thick thud; lighter than many others, but in balance — the slightly soft stock shaft helps you sense the head.
DISTANCE CONTROL: Very forgiving in both distance and direction; keeps its cool in rough and sand, delivering predictable distance and uniform spin.
PLAYABILITY: A low-stress trouble club, true to its roots; the ES doesn't get hung up in bunkers, and it thrives off-road — puts a lot of weight under the ball to excavate it cleanly from tough spots; sits flat enough to pull off most standard flop shots.
The thin hosel and curved face meet at an odd angle, giving the illusion of offset; some pure feel players want a more distinct impact sensation; playing open-face shots on tighter lies doesn't always work out.
BOTTOM LINE: Ping fans will enjoy the newest Glide, a modernized take on the company's classic Eye designs. The ES is an easygoing, playable club that finishes off a set of Ping irons without missing a beat.


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Last week I posted an entry from the SIPASA MPA President and this week we hear from the MIA President, William Bairamian. One student each from the MPA and MIA programs serve in a co-president role and William represented the MIA students.
Dear Prospective Student,
I am excited that you are interested in attending one of the premier international relations schools in the world. For the past year, I have served as president of the MPA class and co-president of the SIPA Student Association.
During your research on graduate schools, you probably have read a lot about the great academicians in residence at SIPA and the array of resources available to students at Columbia University. On our Web site and on the admissions blog you probably have heard a lot about New York City and the innumerable opportunities available here. But since all that information is easy to find, I want to tell you about some of the things you do not usually hear about.
Before I came to SIPA, I wondered why they cared so much about each applicant's background and experience but once I got here, it became clear. My fellow students have been an unforgettable part of my social experience at SIPA and I have learned as much from them as I have in class. When a person asks me about the best part of going to school here, I immediately start talking about my friends. This is because they have lived and worked everywhere, in every conflict zone and every world capital. The admissions office makes a point of bringing students to SIPA that are different but who complement each other and this is what makes the SIPA experience distinct from what might be offered in other programs.
Additionally, I have found that the administration is always open to suggestions about how to improve the school. Although in many school settings it may seem like the decisions are made in the Office of the Dean and passed down to the students, at SIPA, the students are regularly asked for feedback about their classes, their career search, and their social life. This constant interaction and communication only serves to improve life at SIPA for the student body.
It's difficult to know what to expect before you start going to a school. For this reason, I encourage you to use the tools the admissions office provides you with to have your questions answered. One of these tools for admitted students is a message board that is made available after admission decisions go out. Interacting with students on the message board will allow you to talk with people who were in your shoes a year or two before and they can tell you why they made the choice to attend SIPA.
I wish you all the best in the application process!
Kind Regards,
William A. Bairamian


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NEW Clinique Launches for Houston
Style Magazine Newswire | 8/7/2018, 2:18 p.m.
See the new products by Clinique launched this month in Houston: Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly & My Happy Fragrances – both are under $30
Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly: oil-free, clear water-jelly texture that provides intense 24-hour hydration repair and protects from pollution with Clean-Shield Technology™. Skin is 87% less vulnerable to skin-damaging pollution for healthy skin and a clean glow. Available beginning August 2018 on Clinique.com and Clinique counters for suggested retail price of $28.
My Happy Fragrances: Inspired by particular happy memories, Clinique globally crowdsourced their consumers for what scents evoked happiness. Six (6) NEW scents were created based on similar themes including baked goods, nature, florals, etc. Fragrances can be worn alone or layered to create your own story. Available beginning August 2018 on Clinique.com and Clinique counters for suggested retail price of $22 per fragrance.


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Boise, ID Homes and Neighborhoods
Boise is a city brimming with stories. The city is alive with the richness of history and the energy of progress.
Boise is a city brimming with stories. Strolling through each of Boise's seven distinct neighborhoods, you can almost hear the streets whispering. The city is alive with the richness of history and the energy of progress.
The North End of Boise tells a tale of historic grandeur. The historic mansions that line Harrison Boulevard lend a sense of elegant dignity, and a renewed interest in this original Boise neighborhood is growing. Hyde Park, in the middle of North End, brings flair to the area with unique boutiques and eateries and a popular annual street fair. Boise's East End offers a story of change: Lavish Victorian homes on Warm Springs Avenue fade to glamorous new homes high in the foothills surrounding the city. The East End is also home to Julia Davis Park and the Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center, along with the Warm Springs Golf Club. In the Northwest, the narrative shifts from Boise's agriculture-based economy to a new style of living. Traditional ranches are separated by thriving subdivisions – some of Boise's most exclusive, in fact. The neighborhood also boasts two golf courses, Quail Hollow and Plantation. Boise Bench has a similar plot line. The 1950s-style suburban neighborhoods are just across Highway 184 from the Boise Towne Square Mall and the Hewlett-Packard facility, one of Boise's largest employers. In Southeast Boise, the story is unfaltering progress. The neighborhood is built largely around the Micron Technology complex and the subdivisions that have sprouted up nearby. Boise State University is also in Southeastern Boise. Two final Boise neighborhoods are Garden City, which is literally a city inside the Boise city limits, and Southwest Boise, a more sparse community with a healthy dose of gorgeous Idaho scenery. The story of Boise still being written today, playing out on the streets of the city's neighborhoods.


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FAQs- frequently asked question- Medical Tourism India
What is Medical/ Health Tourism?
Also known as health tourism, medical tourism is a concept of availing medical or surgical services by travelling in another country or region.
What are the types of medical procedures that tourists usually search for in India?
Medical tourists visit India in search of various medical or surgical treatments. Some of the most popular treatments/surgeries include body surgeries like liposuction, hip and knee replacements, infertility treatments, cosmetic gynaecology treatments, dental surgeries and designing, etc. Typically, tourists go for procedures that are either not covered by their national insurance policies or for procedures which require long waiting time.
Does India help you save cost?
One of the tremendously influential factors is cost. Medical tourists realise that there are potential cost savings when they seek a treatment in India. However, tourists should keep in mind that the cost factor varies as per the need and lifestyle. Nonetheless, since they can combine their business or holiday trips with the treatments, they save major costs and more importantly, time!
Are the medicinal, drug costs lower in India?
Surprisingly, the answer is No! Since the medical standards in India match up to the international standards, the medicinal costs are the same. In fact, this strengthens the medical tourism trend in India.
Why should I choose India over other destinations?
Apart from possessing highly qualified and experienced medical specialists and staff in the world, India has a warm and welcoming culture that helps the psychological recovery of the patient. Education in medical sciences, practices has a high emphasis on India's way of approaching medical issues. Since the country also boasts of using highly advanced technology and multi-speciality facilities, getting a treatment done in India can help you achieve desired results in a healthier way.
Moreover, the country also has a brilliant method of using traditional medicines and practices to cure a condition. Its rich heritage is another attractive factor.
Can I speak to the doctor in India before going on my trip?
Absolutely! Consultation is extremely important as it helps you get an overview about your condition, treatment, procedure, recovery, cost and time. It also helps to eliminate the doubts, fears, apprehensive. A prolong and healthy consultation aids you to take informed decision.
Can I travel as soon as my medical treatment is over?
Your consultant in India will make an assessment of your recovery and make a decision as to when it may be possible for you to travel.
What about the recovery time? Is travelling safe during the recovery period?
This usually depends on what kind of treatment you have chosen. Basic downtime doesn't last longer and you can resume daily activities within a week or so. However, it is important to discuss the same with a concerned doctor. You should plan your tour accordingly.
How should I find a skilled doctor?
It is strongly recommended that you consult a board-certified Plastic surgeon when your diagnosis is completed. Ensure that you meet the surgeon in person and know more about this background, experience and overall skills. You should also check the clinic's physical address and website for more information.
Is there a particular center that treats most conditions effectively?
Along with selecting the right plastic surgeon to make sure effective solution for the condition you are affected with, you should focus on finding out the right Cosmetic Surgery Center for you. This will ensure that you get comprehensive service and personalised care as a bonus.


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Debt among pupils features reached astonishing levels in current years. While much of a young person's debt is in the form of pupil loans, young grownups are also plagued by car loans, mortgages and overwhelming quantities of credit card debt.
Credit card financial obligation is fastest growing among young grownups aged 18 to 24. From 1982 to 2011, credit card financial obligation among this demographic more than doubled. In the exact same time framework, credit card debt among 25- to 34-year-olds increased more than 50 percent.
And studies reveal that financial obligation only increases from there. The best method to curb debt later on in life is to find out debt management methods early. Financial obligation reduction strategies like debt settlement can help you spend off outstanding debts today so you can live debt-free later.


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Living Together Before Marriage Doesn't Affect Odds of Divorce
Today about 60 percent of couples live together before they get married for the first time, as the idea that you better make sure you can actually stand the person you plan to spend the rest of your life with has caught on like wildfire. For the remaining 40 percent, religious reasons or fear that living together before marriage will somehow doom their union causes them to maintain separate quarters. But a new study shows that couples who live together before walking down the aisle have no greater chance of their marriage lasting 15 years than couples who don't.
Wendy Manning, co-director of the National Center for Family & Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, isn't shocked. "It's becoming so common, it's not surprising it no longer negatively affects marital stability," she said.
Overall, from interviews of men and women ages 15 to 44 during the years 2006 to 2010, the researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that nearly half of first marriages break up within 20 years. There was about a 60 percent likelihood a marriage would survive 15 years if the couple either hadn't lived together before the wedding or were engaged while they shacked up. But if no firm marriage commitment was made before the move in, the likelihood the marriage would last 15 years fell to 53 percent.
Casey Copen, lead author of the study, said lax attitudes about commitment, lower education levels, or family histories that made these couples more pessimistic about marriage could explain the drop in marriage survival. That basically adds up to a lack of communication about expectations and goals for the relationship and family unit.
The CDC also found a few other interesting statistics on marriage and relationships in general:
- The percentage of young women currently living with a male partner grew from 3 percent in 1982 to 11 percent recently.
- Women and men with bachelor's degrees were more likely to delay marriage but also more likely to eventually get married and stay married for at least 20 years.
- At 20 years, nearly 70 percent of Asian women were still in their first marriage, compared to 54 percent of white women, 53 percent of Hispanic women and 37 percent of black women.
- For men, 62 percent of Hispanics were still in their first marriage at 20 years, compared to 54 percent of whites and 53 percent of blacks. (There were no statistics for Asian men.)
Where do you stand on cohabitation before marriage? Do you think it's a good or a bad idea?
Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.
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Ah the French.
France to recognize Palestinian state at UN
With the announcement, France becomes the first major European country to come out in favor, dealing a setback to Israel. The timing of the announcement appears aimed at swaying other European nations.
Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told parliament that France has long supported Palestinian ambitions for statehood and "will respond 'Yes'" when the issue comes up for a vote "out of a concern for coherency."
Wonderful to see the French values of socialisme, anti-sémitisme, et arabisme in full flower.
Assuming the UN goes ahead and upgrades it to a non-member state it raises all sorts of questions as noted by Legal Insurrection, especially as the palis are claiming their state in territory they do not control (Jerusalem), do not have a coherent government (Hamas and Fatah are still rivaling each other and not a viable government) and will be a state born with its founding documents proclaiming the desire to destroy another state. What could possibly go wrong?


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Confirmed: DEA Head Michele Leonhart Stepping Down
Drug Enforcement Administration head Michele Leonhart is stepping down, US Attorney General Eric Holder has confirmed.
Members of the US House Oversight Committee gave Leonhart a vote of "no confidence" last week after an Office of the Inspector General report revealed that senior DEA officials had participated in sex parties arranged by Colombian drug cartels and had also received weapons and cash from cartel members. None of the agents involved were fired by director Leonhart.
Michele Leonhart began serving as the agency's acting director in November 2007 before being confirmed as DEA administrator in 2010.
Leonhart had consistently taken a hardline stance against any change in marijuana policy. Early in her tenure she oversaw dozens of federal raids on medical marijuana providers and producers in states that had legalized the plant. She set aside a verdict from the agency's own administrative law judge that sought to expand and facilitate clinical research into marijuana as a medicine and she rejected an administrative petition calling for marijuana rescheduling hearings. She openly criticized remarks made by the President acknowledging cannabis' relative safety compared to alcohol, and criticized the administration's efforts to allow states to implement limited regulatory schemes for the retail production and sale of cannabis to adults. In public testimony, Leonhart refused to acknowledge whether she believed that crack cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin posed greater risks to health than marijuana — instead opining, "All illegal drugs are bad."
Ms. Leonhart also actively opposed hemp law reform during her time as DEA director. She criticized a decision to fly a hempen flag over the Capitol, saying it was "her lowest point in 33 years in the DEA." Last year, her agency unlawfully seized 250 pounds of legal hemp seeds destined for Kentucky's state Agricultural Department.
Always a true believer in the drug war no matter what the costs, in 2009 she described increased southern border violence as a sign of the "success" of her agency's anti-drug strategies.
Michele Leonhart is expected to leave the agency in mid-May.
96 responses to "Confirmed: DEA Head Michele Leonhart Stepping Down"
April 22, 2015
My understanding is that there is nothing positive to this woman's history in that role,
and that her departure is, at least partially, a good thing…
Being that she invested effort into furthering prohibition, is it not possible that, with recent polls, etc., that the next person in this role may aid our cause?
Leonhart and the DEA are traitors and scumbags, the epitome of corruption. Dismantle the DEA immediately, they're a colossal waste of taxpayer dollars.
This is fantastic news. Thanks to my friend, Sen. Cohen for grilling this neanderthal, and the House Oversight for handing over the final coffin nails. A true win for the people.
Now we need to fire the agents involved!!
Good riddance beeauch.
This official is out of step with the majority of Americans. She is echoing the mantra of Harry Anslinger, a director of the National Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement way back in the oh so enlightened 20's and 30's. Marijuana prohibition encourages lawlessness, makes foreign suppliers of marijuana wealthy, and results in many many Americans who are otherwise law abiding, receive criminal convictions and jail time out of proportion to any harm they may do by smoking or possessing marijuana.
Don't let the door smack your back side on your way out Ms Leonhart.
Good riddance to you!
ding dong the witch is dead?….but will another ignorant hypocrite just take her place?
It should be legal hemp along with cannabis has so many uses when it comes to medacial uses. Make it legal. If you have looked into the benifets of this drug then you should would know the benefits of it. Saving lives killing cancer.. so many things that can be done with it.
Good riddance to that crooked bigot
After she resigns I'm waiting to see if she's a dyed-in-the-wool prohibitionist, and goes through the revolving door to work for prohibitionist lobby groups such as SAM or Drug Free America, whatever, maybe writes a prohibitionist book like Bill Bennett.
Or will she show remorse like McKay who went after Marc Emery?
The pro-cannabis politicians in DC need to get their legislation pushed through Congress as soon as possible before someone is installed to replace Leonhart. The new head of the DEA will then be tasked with rewriting the mission statement and policies and standard operating procedures for the newly enacted cannabis friendly laws.
Finally the DEA will have a mission that leaves the cannabis community alone!
Unless we miss this chance–and then who knows how long we'll have to wait.
I'm tired of waiting. Congress needs to do this.
Legalize now.