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Find out about the technology behind our UAV that makes it work:
Airframe: We are using the Skyhunter airframe which is cheap, hardy and capable of carrying our required payloads.
Autopilot: We have chosen the open-source Ardupilot to perform our autopilot functionality. The Ardupilot has been fully integrated into our development airframe. We are currently working on gaining an increased understanding of the architecture behind the autopilot and ground control station so we can implement increased functionality to better meet the requirements of the competition.
Comms: We have decided on the RFD900 for our autopilot link, and a 3G usb dongle for the video link. We also have a 3DP 900 MHz link which we will use for lower power development purposes. We will be conducting extensive tests of our comms links to ensure their capabilities.
Joe-Locator: Our 'Joe-Locator' system consists of an on-board camera, and image processing system. The image processing will be performed by the Raspberry Pi computer system with the OpenCV environment. We are currently developing the individual software components that will perform the various tasks including image capture, image analysis, and sending over the wireless connection.


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Review by Danny Gaisin
Theatre Etobicoke's current offering of "THERE GOES THE BRIDE" isn't the 1932 absconder tale; its the Ray Cooney/John Chapman comedy about temporary amnesia à la Twain's "Connecticut Yankee", or Foster's recent 'Gentleman Clothier' about mental time-travel. In this iteration, it's her father whose knock on the head manifests itself in a sexy flapper construal of 'Harvey'; which results in necessitated character exchanges straight out of 'High Society'. Not quite plagiaristic; but close!
The play was written as farce and director Alex Bodnar obviously wants to emphasize that reality. His cast selection, blocking; and focus all achieve almost constant stints of comedic visual and dialogue, that manifests itself in audience hilarity. The implausible simplistic plot is – Dad gets cranially thumped & meets 'Polly' a reincarnation of his planned advertising campaign. Naturally, he's the only one to actually see her; the rest of the wedding party think he's bonkers and try to cover the fact from the almost in-laws. Subsequent clouts exacerbate, then redeem, said Pater familias! Wedding bells chime & – curtain.
Under Bodnar's baton, the cast is particularly physical and frenetic, especially Tyler Brown as the knockee Dad. Routine readers may recall this scribe's aversion to 'flounce' and Brown's 'Timothy Westerly' is in a constant state of flounce. Bias aside, the man is a hoot. In profile, he's a 'Bowser' Bauman look-alike coupled with a strong resemblance to Hirschfeld's cartoon of Jerry Lewis. By emphasizing the similarity, Bodnar underscores Brown's comedic contribution.
Choreography with the Gatsby-era phantom is accompanied by Tim's à capella vocalizing to the pop hits of the period; displaying him as a quadruple-threat: – dancer, singer, actor & comedian. To manifest his shenanigans, Krista Barzso is an epitomic vamp/flapper. Her expressive face and high-wattage smile is both endearing and suggestive. Under another director, she'd be stealing the show but Bodnar has tactfully reined in her potential extroversion.
Westerby's obviously distraught spouse is portrayed by Nicole Bailey and she never crosses over into hyperbolic enactment regardless of her character's provocations. Bailey instinctively utilizes posture to underscore her situations and moments of punchline dialogue. Speaking of which, Randy Bridge as her slightly dotty father (Bride's grandpa), demonstrates the same thespian capability coupled with an innate sense of comedic timing. Cathy O'Toole is his patient but long-suffering spouse and she too has her on-stage moments.
Brown's business partner is Frank DeFrancesco as 'Bill Shorter'. His character name gives rise to a clever bit of dialogue unsubtly evocative of the famous Abbott & Costello "Who's on 1st" shtick. That plus the Brown step-over-ing a recumbent Polly gimmick & mirrored by an inebriated Dr. Drummond (Bridge) are the two stand-out moments.
The two characters with the least stage time are Nadia Moschella as the bride-to-be and Mark Brombacher as her future father-in-law from down-under. Both are terrific and it's a shame that the audience isn't given more opportunity to see them work…especially the latter seen only in Act II.
The stage set is cleverly designed (no credit given) and the costumes by Helen Conway are intricate. They are all properly fitted and creatively descriptive of not only the two eras but the financial status of the marital families. I'd swear that Polly's dress could have come out of my late mother's closet!
"THERE GOES THE BRIDE" will delay her departure (Think 'Runaway bride') until Mar. 29th, and is at Theatre Etobicoke; 1 Col. Samuel Smith Park Dr. CAVEAT – the address is not GPS retrievable so it's the SE corner of Kipling & Lakeshore Road. Call 416-246-1889 for tickets.

subset: commoncrawl


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Is my favourite drink; along with coffee and water of course!
We all know that green tea is good for us, we hear it time and time again.
Incase you need a refresher about the benefits of green tea here is an expert from Wikipedia; click here to read more.
Over the last few decades green tea has been subjected to many scientific and medical studies to determine the extent of its long-purported health benefits, with some evidence suggesting regular green tea drinkers may have lower chances of heart disease and developing certain types of cancer.[1] Green tea has also been claimed as useful for "weight loss management" — a claim with no scientific support according to medical databases such as PubMed.
I enjoy a lot of green teas but have found it be really tricky to find a green tea that I love. Some green teas are down right gross. But green tea with brown rice (known as Genmaicha) is delicious and has a wonderful smell to it.
Description from Wikipedia
Tea steeped from these tea leaves has a light yellow hue. Its flavor is mild and combines the fresh grassy flavor of green tea with the aroma of the roasted rice.
If you like green tea and haven't tried Genmaicha then you must! I have found it in tea bag form made by Yamamotoyama – I found it in the asian isle of my local supermarket. You would think it would be with the rest of the tea's but it wasn't.
More recently I have found it loose leaf form. It's funny because it has little 'popcorn' bits in it. I didn't know what it was until I saw on Wikipedia that it is normal and sometimes even called "popcorn tea" because of it. Cute. Although drinking it kind of creeps me out so I usually pick those bits out.
Apparently it is also a poor man's tea because the rice serves as filler. Interesting. Regardless it is delicious and if you like green tea – try it!


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Endodontic or root canal treatment can become necessary to save a tooth or teeth if the pulp or nerve of the tooth becomes infected or damaged, typically through dental decay, or through injury. The procedure is often quite simple to perform, but under certain circumstances it can be intricate and necessitate specialist skills. Those specialist skills are particularly important if the tooth has had root canal work done previously, has been infected or problematic for some time, or the roots are curved, blocked or tricky to access..
Root canal is not a painful procedure, but sometimes requires the specialist skills referred to to give the tooth the best possible chance of success.
Our endodontic specialist here is Dr Raj Chavda
Raj Chavda
Specialist Endodontist
BDS MClinDent MJDF RCSEng MEndoRCSEd
Country of issue: UK
GDC registration number: 103453
Raj qualified from Cardiff in 2006 and spent 5 years in NHS/Private general practice prior to commencing specialist training. After completing four years of specialist training at The Eastman Dental Institute, London, he was accepted onto the General Dental Council Endodontic specialist list. Professionally he is an active member of the British and Pan European Endodontic Societies. He attends lectures internationally and has published research at Guys Hospital to develop advanced 3D radiographic imaging techniques.


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Rajvin Kaur Randhawa, 32 . was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was one year old. Today the motivational speaker and blogger shares her message for World Cerebral Palsy Day 2017 with Challenges readers.
Cerebral Palsy slows me down but it never has and will never be a hindrance to stop me from achieving my life goals and I am proud to say I am never giving up in life and will continue to be a successful individual in society.
I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy – spastic quadripledgia at the age of one. Some of you maybe wondering what is cerebral palsy. Cerebral Palsy or CP is a neurological condition that affects movement,posture,motor skills and muscle tone.
I was born premature at 31 weeks. I stopped breathing on the second day after delivery. I was resuscitated and put on the ventilator with various tubes. The lack of oxygen to the brain caused the cerebral palsy – luckily only the motor center in the brain was affected and not the mental centers.
I was a miracle child then and still am till now
Life with cerebral palsy has been a challenging journey and rewarding one thus far for the past thirty two years. Although it is a blessing but I must confess that it has not been a bed full of roses with challenges specifically learning physical and emotional ones.
But thanks to my wonderful parents, siblings, family and true friends for making it meaningful for me.
I was very fortunate and blessed to have the privilege to receive an inclusive education and was accepted into a kindergarten and normal schools (both primary and secondary). Not many in a similar condition with physical limitation will have this chance.
I was also blessed to be given the chance to obtain a University Degree despite being physically challenged with Cerebral Palsy by Help University. I was among the 1216 candidates to graduate at the HELP UNIVERSITY'S 26th Convocation with a Bachelor of Communicationsm, Second Class Honors degree majoring in Public Relations. I
must confess that was one ot he biggest moments in my life currently I am a Motivational Speaker and Blogger as well as a writer both locally and International.
In conjunction with World CP Day today, my advise to all CP fighters and their parents and others with disabilities is to keep smiling always and to tackle every situation creatively with a smile and never give up .
Say YES to CP awareness and never exclude anyone with special needs in Society……
Rajvin Kaur Rndhawa …..C.P. fighter Motivational Speaker and Writer Kuala Lumpur Malaysia


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In the third installment of our series by elementary principal Matt Renwick, he talks about how–and why–he encourages his teachers to observe each other in the classroom.
We know that one of the best ways to improve collective instruction in a school is by watching excellent teaching in action and then applying these strategies to our practice. We know this, yet we often fail to act even though excellence might be a few doors down from our classroom.
What dissuades teachers from watching each other teach? Time, for sure. We also might feel guilty about leaving our own students in order to invest in ourselves through peer observation and peer coaching. "What will our kids do without us?" we might ask.
In my own previous prodding and nudging of teachers to get into other classrooms, often resulting either in failure or compliance, I have discovered there needs to be a safe and innovative school environment for genuine peer-to-peer learning. Teachers need to feel like they can take risks in letting someone come into their classroom, as well as in acknowledging that they may still have something to learn.
A high-quality learning environment has two elements in place: strong levels of trustand clear communication within the building. You can see evidence of this in schools, such as in the informal collegial conversations among faculty and in the high-quality student work posted in the school hallways. The walls do talk.
When trust and communication are high, professional relationships have the potential to be formed. Relationships can be defined as "the way two people are connected". This connection, even a loose tie, is a prerequisite for effective peer observations to take place.
The rest of this article describes the steps our school took to facilitate peer observations with our kindergarten teachers. The purpose was to discover new ideas for literacy instruction.
Identifying a Need
Our school's newest hire is one of our kindergarten teachers. Knowing high-quality professional learning includes peer observations and peer coaching (Routman, 2018, pg. 76), I connected with the kindergarten team to consider this possibility. All were open to it.
A Connection to Relationships: It helped that this team has taken the initiative to create a collaborative learning environment not only for their students, but also for themselves. For example, they turned their storage space into a team meeting room. They use this room to meet for PLCs as well as to have lunch together during their noon break.
Scheduling the Visits
One of those challenges with peer observations is finding coverage for the visiting teacher. I offered my time, although I am sometimes called away as the principal to deal with a behavior issue or a pressing matter. Fortunately, our district leadership had the foresight to create an instructional coaching position. This person stepped up and offered to teach kindergarten while one teacher was observing their colleague's instruction.
A Connection to Relationships: Our instructional coach, new this year, has gone out of her way to foster connections with every faculty member in the building. One way is by stopping into classrooms on a regular basis. "I am simply coming in to get to know you and your students a little better" was her brief explanation at a staff meeting early in the school year. These regular touches, non-threatening and from a point of curiosity, has fostered professional relationships in several classrooms. The results has been multiple teachers volunteering for coaching cycles with this specialist, including this learning experience.
Initiating the Peer Observations
The day had come. Our new teacher was up first, coming into visit a more veteran colleague. The other two observations would commence in the subsequent days. The host teacher shared her intentions for the day's lesson ahead of time. My role was to provide minimal guidance for our new teacher. I gave them a form I use when conducting my instructional walks as a way to frame the observation.
A Connection to Relationships: Prior to this learning experience, I had been a frequent visitor to every classroom. Acknowledging the positive aspects of teachers' literacy instruction has helped create the conditions for this innovative work to occur. They have become comfortable with my presence as a principal because I focused first on strengths. From the teachers' perspective, I imagine having another teacher in their room might be even less threatening.
Celebrating and Reflecting on the Experience
"I was impressed with how she is already having her students learning sight words." This comment, shared with me from a veteran teacher, came after she had observed our newest colleague. Soon after, I relayed this information to the first year teacher. "Oh, wow, that's nice to hear," she responded.
We could have gone with a structured reflection and debrief led by me. But it didn't feel right. I wanted to give them ownership in the process and treat them like the professionals that they are. Plus, they had taken time out of their busy days to make this happen. So I provided lunch the next day, along with a thank you for participating in this experience. "If you want to just chat and enjoy yourselves, that would be great. Not necessary to have any formal reflection."
A Connection to Relationships: Did any debriefing happen? I'd like to think so. Even if not, I felt good about how the peer coaching experience went based on their comments and my observations. Regie shares her own wisdom in building trusting relationships among administrators during a school visit. "I know they were surprised when I said, 'Let's not work through lunch. Let's take a well-deserved break and just enjoy our time together.' We wound up talking about our families, hobbies, cooking, and favorite things to do and eat. At the end of lunch, I felt closer to each one of them" (pg. 10). The relationships formed today can lead to powerful learning in the future.
Giving teachers time to form relationships, with their students and with each other, is built on the foundation of trust and communication. The experiences we facilitate in our schools, such as peer coaching, can only be successful with these elements in place. While the ultimate goal is literacy engagement, excellence, and equity for all learners, as literacy leaders we have to remember and attend to the means to achieve this end.


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Här kommer en av de bästa sågningarna av hela Global Warming Hysterin jag sett på länge. Det är från fredagens EcoWorld ("an information resource on nature and clean technology") i Editor's Commentary. Det är faktiskt första gången på länge som jag har sett att aktiva miljökämpar går ut och fördömer hela Global Warming Hysterin för dess ovetenskapliga grunder och de GIGANTISKA kostnaderna för deras nonsensåtgärder.
Det finns faktiskt hopp för miljörörelsen. En miljörörelse som ägnar sig åt riktiga problem som folk dör av här och nu. Och som ser till kostnaderna för dessa åtgärder.
Se även bl.a. mina inlägg: Global Warming Mass Hysteria at it's peak – collecting cow farts and burps!, Global Warming as Mass Neurosis , No climate model had ever been validated!, A factory that makes 30 TIMES MORE MONEY by selling "carbon credits" to fight global warming than it makes by selling it's products., Global Warming Hysterics – Get out of Africa Now! Or The curse of environmentalism, Global Warming Mass Hysteria at it's peak – scaremongering is the name of the game, Enron – The BIG Sponsor of Global Warming Hysteria!, "Environmentalism has replaced socialism as the leading secular religion" – 2, "Environmentalism has replaced socialism as the leading secular religion", "Blue Planet in Green Shackles", 'Grantsmanship' – The Iron triangle between researchers, government and media That Distorts Global Warming Science, THE ENVIRONMENTALIST CREED – Anti human, anti scientific, anti technology!, The church of green – You have to repent or be forever dammed!, Put a Price on Political Claptrap and Reduce CO2 enormously!, Orsaken till ALLT elände i världen!
Ledaren finns här:
Lucky Lucky America
Posted on: August 1st, 2008 by Ed Ring
As a free nation, a democratic nation, and a global superpower, America's fate, today more than ever, is to midwife and manage the emergence of the first world generation. Not an easy task, to put it mildly, as technology and globalization mean every belief system and every tradition that survives suddenly is replaced or confronted by every other on this shrinking planet, and our polity grapples with it all. It would be surprising indeed if America were not also considered a troubled nation, inflicting and incurring heartbreaking trauma every day in this imperfect world. But this fate is also a stroke of exceptional luck and opportunity.
The message for Americans to send the modernizing, globalizing peoples of the world, through thick and thin, is how bad things were, and how good things have gotten, and how we are on the brink of the best things ever. Despite lip service, sometimes effective agents of political change in America focus only on the worst possible end of things – endless war, imminent environmental apocalypse. But the enduring agents of exponential change in the world are technology and democracy, and these are forces of incredible good, that have brought unprecedented prosperity and opportunity to humanity. In only fighting demons, America risks losing what makes her most great. If dwelling on averting catastrophe replaces optimism and independent enterprise, America's promise is at risk; her uniqueness, her gift to humanity. Optimism and independent enterprise has driven America, draws people to America, defines America. And like the flow of the river, optimism and enterprise cannot be kept down. Complaining is no way to get up every morning. Optimism, can-do, is America's message to the world.
Global environmentalism, despite a veneer of exhuberance and a facade of hope, today is mostly about doom and gloom. Extreme environmentalists, more powerful today than ever, at root are complainers, they are indignant, they are doomsayers, and they are dominant today for reasons that ought to be challenged. Perhaps the world is going to come to an end if we don't all do exactly what they say. And perhaps it will not. In many cases environmentalism, and the policies to enforce it, already constitute the most regressive hidden tax in history, and global warming alarm will catapult these hidden taxes into the stratosphere of economic stagnation. With carbon trading and carbon taxes and carbon offsets set to eclipse rational environmental policy, our economy and our way of life are what is in peril, not our planetary icecaps, and only financial traders, professional accountants, attorneys, credentialed consultants, academic experts, corporate cartels and the public sector will benefit. The temple of ecological green will fill with the changers of the financial green, and common sense will be coopted and coerced by the color of money, no matter how the game is called, or how the rules are set. With global warming alarmist policy, we will rob from the poor and give to the rich as never before.
There is a lot of junk science out there on both sides of the environmental debate, as always with all debates, but extreme environmentalist junk science seems to be carrying the day, so that is where we most appropriately ought to shine our scrutiny. Daunting, to put it mildly, is the stupifying volume of all these authoritative and ostensibly terrifying studies. Example – yet another recent (and highly publicized) report reviewed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) called for additional and significant new regulations and levies. Citing "expert" studies, the report projected approximately 300 additional deaths in California due to additional pollution over the next few decades, unless massive corrective actions are not immediately undertaken. These additional projected 300 deaths over decades are within California's entire population; already nearly 40 million people. Despite its portentious tone, this study's conclusion is not an ominous imperative rationally compelling us to move towards a socialist police state; rather it is completely unimpressive – 300 deaths within a population of nearly 40 million is a statistically trivial outcome. There are infinite and totally unforseeable random outcomes, from infinite conceivable causes, that could reduce a population of tens of millions by a few hundred lives over a few decades.
The idea that anyone or any study can project economic or demographic results so far into the future with details so specific and fine is simply ridiculous. Equally absurd is that such fluff might suffice to justify transformative economic policies. If the California Air Resources Board takes something like this seriously, perhaps the entire agency should be eliminated and replaced with people who care about air pollution, not climate speculation and draconian policies that follow from such exercises of counting angels on the point of a needle. Yet whether it is 15 score additional dead in decades from now, or catastrophic collapse of every global ecosystem in the world within the same brief span, extreme environmentalists carry the public scene today, preaching like the saviours in Salem, burning witches and pressing life out of the truth with relentless stones of rhetoric both formidable in craft and terrifying in content.
We need environmentalists, of course we do, but we need environmentalists who care about the difference between a million and a billion, or a thousand and a million, and who make judgements accordingly. For informed citizens anywhere being content to leave both local and global environmental policy to a coterie of fanatics and their powerful opportunistic bedfellows, who now – in addition to their usual tricks – hide behind the opaque sheets of science as they unleash this unprecedented and unceasing torrential sleet of fear is pure folly, and tragically irresponsible. Anyone who has an opinion or so much as votes needs to think for themselves what passes the smell test, and absolutely reject the reflexive, unexamined demonization of anyone who disagrees.
America is a lucky, lucky nation and perhaps cursed as well with troubles so huge, but complaining and doomsaying will not make the world better as fast as optimism and unfettered enterprise. Setting people free to compete, nurturing meritocracy, sustainably improving entitlements everywhere, encouraging building and development – and letting green resume its place within the dazzling full spectrum of reality – will help optimize economic growth and tolerance for pluralism; will help create the next step in the ascent of man.
Läs även andra bloggares åsikter om miljö


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Judge: Federal Oversight of Calif. Prison Medical System Can End
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson said that court-appointed federal oversight of California's prison health care system can end because the state has improved inmate care, Bloomberg reports (Pettersson, Bloomberg, 1/17).
About six years ago, Henderson appointed a federal receiver to oversee the state's prison health care system after determining that an average of one inmate per week died as a result of malpractice or neglect.
In 2007, federal judges ruled that overcrowding was a leading contributor to poor prison care. Last May, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered California to reduce its inmate population to help improve medical care.
Since the federal receivership was created, the state has:
- Begun shifting some state prison inmates to county jails to address prison overcrowding;
- Built new medical facilities at several prisons; and
- Doubled funding for inmate health care to more than $15,000 annually for each inmate.
Details of the Decision
Henderson wrote in the decision that the state has made "significant progress." Henderson added, "While some critical work remains outstanding -- most notably on construction issues -- it is clear that many of the goals of the receivership have been accomplished" (Thompson, AP/Sacramento Bee, 1/17).
State officials, the Prison Law Office that filed suit against the state for poor medical conditions, and J. Clark Kelso -- the federal receiver -- should meet and file a report by April 30 to determine how progress will be monitored and sustained, according to the ruling (Megerian, Los Angeles Times, 1/18).
Henderson also ordered the group to report on when the federal receivership should end and if it should maintain any oversight responsibility (AP/Sacramento Bee, 1/17).
Gov. Jerry Brown (D) said, "We have been working very hard to clean up the mess in the prisons, and I appreciate the judicial recognition of our efforts."
Matthew Cate -- secretary of the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation -- said the agency is "ready and willing to start planning for the end of federal oversight of prison medical care" (Los Angeles Times, 1/18).
Nancy Kincaid -- a spokesperson for Kelso -- said Kelso looks forward to participating in the talks on how to move forward after the receivership (AP/Sacramento Bee, 1/17).
Donald Specter -- director of the Prison Law Office -- said that progress had been made in the prisons but that more improvements are needed, including the construction of new prison clinics and hospitals (Bloomberg, 1/17). Specter added that he was concerned about the state "backsliding, especially in times when money is tight" (Los Angeles Times, 1/18).This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.


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At Hardman and Co, we try to answer the questions of why to invest in a company and what the risks are in doing so. For many investors, simply having a deep discount to NAV is a good enough answer to the first question. However, investors need to appreciate the risks and, in particular, the reasons why the shares are at a discount. Having understood those risks, investors need to be convinced that there is a catalyst for change on the part of the manager and how long (if at all) it will take for market sentiment to reflect this in a lower discount. In this report, we examine the companies with the largest discounts and review those very issues.
Companies: ADAM BC12 BGHL CGI HAN JZCP LMS MPO MVI MHN NSI NAS OCI PSHD RSE SIHL TFG TPOU UTL VIN ELTA ELX
Civitas Social Housing – Statement on Westmoreland Supported Housing | Triple Point Social Housing – Statement on Westmoreland Supported Housing | Grainger – Results of general meeting on GRIP | Better Capital – Interims to 30 September 2018 | Schroder European Real Estate – Finals to 30 September 2018
Companies: SERE BC12 GRI SOHO CSH
BCAP/BC12 – Better Capital – 30 September 2018 NAVs
Companies: Better Capital
Better Capital 2012 Cell – Everest/SPOT update | Highbridge Multi-Strategy - Liquidation update for AllBlue funds
Companies: Better Capital Highbridge Tactical Credit Fund
Research Tree provides access to ongoing research coverage, media content and regulatory news on Better Capital.
We currently have 8 research reports from 3
professional analysts.
Ramsdens has reported a strong set of trading results in the last twelve months to March 2020. COVID lockdown has led to store closures, which will lead to weaker trading over the following months. However, Ramsdens has a very solid balance sheet, is diversified and is well positioned to re-open stores and continue its growth. We use an 8x multiple on last 12 months to March 2020 earnings as a reflection of a normalised earnings base which reduces our target price to 162p from 180p. At this target price Ramsdens would trade on a CY20 P/B of 1.5x. This target price offers 15% upside and we re-iterate BUY.
Companies: Ramsdens
Premier Miton have reported their H1'20 results, which have shown delivery of key operational milestones during the period and strong performance despite the COVID-19 fears. Since the end of March, markets have recovered and net flows have been positive in April, meaning AUM has reached £9.9bn. We believe this shows the resilience of the business and that the benefits of the merger are coming through. As delivery continues we believe Premier Miton will see a significant re-rating as the shares currently trade on just 9.7x CY20 P/E, a significant discount to peers and historic levels of 12.5x. We reiterate our BUY rating and DCF based target price of 152p, implying 52% upside.
Companies: Premier Miton Group
The Renewables Infrastructure Group - £120m capital raise
Marwyn Value Investors - Proposed share acquisition by manager and crystallisation of carried interest
DP Aircraft I - 5% ownership stake in Norwegian
Companies: Renewables Infrastructure Group Marwyn Value Investors
The Merchants Trust (MRCH) is managed by Simon Gergel at Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI). Aiming to continue to provide a high and growing level of income, he is adjusting the trust's portfolio in the wake of dividend cuts sparked by the negative economic effects of COVID-19. If there is an income shortfall in this financial year, MRCH is well positioned to maintain its dividend, with revenue reserves of more than 1x the last annual payment. It has not been an easy period for value managers over the last decade as growth stocks have led the charge; however, Gergel has outperformed the UK market over this period in both NAV and share price terms. The board reduced MRCH's gearing in late January 2020, which was opportune timing ahead of the recent significant stock market weakness.
Companies: Merchants Trust
Companies: AVO AGY ARBB ARIX BUR CMH CLIG DNL GDR HAYD PCA PIN PHP RE/ RECI RMDL STX SHED VTA
The covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the share price of property companies, with 31% wiped off the value of their total market capitalisation during the first quarter of 2020.
Companies: AEWU CREI CSH BOOT INL HLCL THRL SUPR RESI RGL DIGS GR1T SOHO PHP BOXE ASLI UTG AGR UAI BLND UANC CAL SHED CWD WHR EPIC WKP GRI YEW HMSO PCA INTU NRR
The COVID-19-related crisis further increases the top-line pressure. However, the quarter showed ongoing efficiency gains and, above all, management's cost of risk guidance stood significantly below our stress test based projections.
Companies: Lloyds Banking Group
In this note, we analyze the indebtedness of 35 international E&Ps publicly listed in the UK, Canada, Norway, Sweden and the USA. For each company, we look at (1) cash position, (2) level and nature of debt (including covenants), (3) debt service and principal repayment framework and (4) Brent price required from April to YE20 to meet all the obligations and keep cash positions intact. We also estimate YE20 cash if Brent were to average US$20/bbl from April to YE20. While the oil demand and oil price collapse are of unprecedented historical proportions and the opportunities to cut costs much more limited than in 2014, most companies (with a few exceptions) entered the crisis in much better position than six years ago, with stronger balance sheets and often already extended debt maturities. In addition, this time around, many E&Ps have already been deleveraging for 1-2 years and are not caught in the middle of large developments that cannot be halted. The previous crisis also showed that debt providers could relax debt covenants for a certain period as long as interest and principal repayment obligations were met. This implies that as long as operations are not interrupted and counterparties keep paying their bills (Kurdistan), the storm can be weathered by most for a few quarters.
With (1) Brent price of about US$50/bbl in 1Q20, (2) reduced capex programmes, (3) material hedging programmes covering a large proportion of FY20 production at higher prices and (4) limited principal repayments in 2020, we find that most companies can meet all their costs and obligations in 2020 at Brent prices below US$40/bbl and often below US$35/bbl) from April until YE20 and keep their cash intact, allowing them to remain solvent at much lower prices for some time. In particular, Maha Energy and SDX Energy are cash neutral at about US$20/bbl. When factoring the divestment of Uganda, Tullow needs only US$9/bbl to maintain its YE20 cash equal to YE19. Canacol Energy, Diversified Gas and Oil, Independent Oil & Gas, Orca Exploration, Serica Energy and Wentworth Resources are gas stories not really exposed to oil prices and Africa Oil has hedged 95% of its FY20 production at over US$65/bbl.
Companies: AKERBP AOI CNE CNE DGOC EGY ENOG ENQ GENL GKP GPRK GTE HUR IOG JSE KOS LUPE MAHAA OKEA ORC.B PEN PHAR PMO PTAL PXT RRE SDX SEPL TETY TGL TLW TXP WRL
A number of REITs have the ability to thrive in current market conditions and thereafter. Not only do they hold assets that will remain in strong demand, but they have focus and transparency. The leases and underlying rents are structured in a manner to provide long visibility, growth and security. Hardman & Co defined an investment universe of REITs that we considered provided security and "safer harbours". We introduced this universe with our report published in March 2019: "Secure income" REITs – Safe Harbour Available. Here, we take forward the investment case and story. We point to six REITs, in particular, where we believe the risk/reward is the most attractive.
Companies: AGR CSH ESP DIGS IHR LXI PHP RESI SIR SUPR THRL SOHO BBOX SHED WHR
AFH Financial released an AGM statement suggesting that trading for FY20 remains in line with expectations. In the first four months of FY20 AFH has continued to see inflows at Q4'19 levels. The company also expects to see continued consolidation and a growing need for financial planning. Although the current market uncertainty has hit the industry, we believe that AFH is less affected than others by market movements due to its protection broking revenues and initial advice fees totalling 40% of revenues. We leave our forecasts and TP unchanged. These show AFH trading on 10.8x FY20 P/E falling to 9.7x in FY21, and yielding 2.8% rising to 3.1%. BUY.
Companies: AFH Financial Group
In the past month the group has made significant progress in pivoting its business away from its traditional face-to-face model. Although lending levels remain appropriately subdued, it has achieved an impressive collections performance, with its largest business running at about 90% of pre-lockdown levels. This, combined with the group's high risk-adjusted margins has enabled it to generate £3m of FCF in the first three weeks of April, taking its net cash position to £38.7m as of 21 April. This strong financial position, combined with the group's innovative approach to product development puts it in an extremely strong position to serve its clients and win share when the current government restrictions are eventually lifted. Reflecting this positive outlook we reiterate our BUY rating.
Companies: Non-Standard Finance
There has been much comment on the fact that equity markets in the US and Europe have been shrinking for some years now, certainly in terms of the number of quoted companies, if not in total market capitalisation (MCap). This paper has been written with the assistance of the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) and focuses on the evidence for such in the London market and, in particular, that for smaller and midcap companies. It assesses that evidence and considers explanations. Finally, we ask why it matters, and assuming that it does, what practical steps can be taken to reverse the trend. Successful public markets have been a key part of the United Kingdom's economic success for generations, even centuries, and we should not allow them to wither on the vine.
Companies: AVO AGY ARBB ARIX ASAI DNL GDR HAYD NSF PCA PIN PXC PHP RE/ RECI RMDL STX SCE TRX TON SHED VTA
TruFin is an operating company with holdings in four FinTech businesses that operate in underserved niches. The businesses have established market positions, proven routes to market and are growing fast. With this growth requiring no additional equity, and the realistic prospect of all four being profitable within our forecast horizon, we believe that executional delivery, and a resolution of the current shareholder uncertainty will result in the current discount to fair value unwinding. We initiate with a BUY rating and a 29.3p target price, implying 83% upside.
Companies: Trufin
Smaller companies are usually a problematic area to invest in during significant downturns or recessions; and the sharp fall in 2020 hasn't been an exception. In this article we assess the performance of smaller companies trusts throughout the pandemic, while identifying the factors that have differentiated the winners from the losers. This includes the impact that cash, market cap exposure, sector allocation, revenue exposure and growth or value biases have had, with some surprising results. We also ask whether now is an attractive time to invest in smaller companies, highlighting the trusts which stand out to us…
Companies: THRG GHE MINI RMMC ASIT ASL MTE TRG BRSC DSM
Despite the disruption caused by COVID, Harworth has continued to make good progress across each business area. Liquidity has also been enhanced with an increase in the RCF announced at the end of April.
Companies: Harworth Group


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Archive for April 2010
Light Journeys presents Claire Martin
Light Journeys is proud to present Perth based photographer Claire Martin as our featured artist for May:
(courtesy Claire Martin)
Happy 1st Birthday Light Journeys!
Light Journeys has just turned 1!!! Yay! We wish to thank all those photographers who have submitted work and spread the word about the site. It's been a thrilling year and we've had the pleasure and honour of featuring some of Australia's most talented female artists.
After one year of focusing only on Australian women, we have decided to open our submissions up to ALL women residing in Australia, regardless of their country of origin. Light Journeys will continue to accept submissions from Australian women living abroad. As Peter Allen said, if you call Australia home, you are welcome to submit.
A Fraction of the Whole
Man, if I could take pictures the way this guy spews words/poetry, I'd die happy:
Read A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz. 21st century genius…… what a relief in this age of dumb and dumber.


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You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'Christmas' tag.
Bonhoeffer will always be remembered for his role in the conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler, an activity that led to his execution on April 9, 1945. But even in the shadowy work he did as a double agent for the Abwehr, Bonhoeffer never lost sight of the fact that he was an ordained Lutheran pastor. As the founding director of an illegal, underground seminary of the Confessing Church, Bonhoeffer had grown close to the students with whom he shared a unique "life together," as he titled one of his shorter writings. In August 1937, Heinrich Himmler had issued a decree criminalizing such schools.
Still, Bonhoeffer continued to work with small groups of students that met in isolated, out-of-the-way places such as Sigurdshof in eastern Pomerania. In March 1940, the Gestapo discovered this place too and shut it down. How was "Bruder Bonhoeffer," as the students called him, to stay in touch with his scattered flock? Beginning in May 1940 and continuing through November 1942, Bonhoeffer wrote a series of seven circular letters (Rundbriefe) to his dispersed students. Many of them had by then been drafted and sent to the front lines, and a number of them had fallen in battle. Bonhoeffer corresponded as best he could with his former students at the front. From Ettal, he sent greetings and Christmas presents to their wives and children at home.
The circular letters dealt with issues of pastoral and spiritual concern faced by the former seminarians now far removed from the life they had once shared as a close-knit community of love and learning. How does one maintain a daily order of prayer and Scripture reading, so essential to the Christian life, while carrying out the duties of a soldier? What purpose could God possibly have in permitting the deaths of so many young pastors? How could spiritual equilibrium be maintained in the midst of so much suffering and loss? These and other questions Bonhoeffer answered with compassion, insight, and pastoral sensitivity. The circular letter written from Ettal in December 1940 dealt with how to celebrate Christmas amidst the rubble.


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Fasting in the Orthodox Church
From the time of our Lord's incarnation, fasting has been a concern in the Christian Church. It was natural that the Church, the New Israel, should continue to fast as fasting had been a common means of repentance in the Old Israel as well. We read that the friends of the Bridegroom will fast (Luke 5:34-35) and of fasting in the early Church (Acts).
In the Orthodox Church, fasting continues as an important spiritual discipline which serves as the foundation of our spiritual life. St. Paisius Velichkovsky says "The heart cannot remain firm in purity, so as not to be defiled, if it will not be crushed by fasting. It is impossible also to preserve holiness without fasting, and the flesh will not submit to the spirit for spiritual activity, and prayer itself will not rise up and act because natural needs predominate. And the flesh will be compelled to become feverish. And from thoughts the heart is aroused and is defiled, and through this, grace departs, and the unclean spirits have boldness to rule over us as much as they wish."
The Orthodox Church calls for us to fast for approximately half of the year. The days of fasting include the following:
- Every Wednesday and Friday of the year
- The forty days from Clean Monday until the Friday before Palm Sunday (Great Lent)
- The seven days from Lazarus Saturday until Great and Holy Friday (Holy Week)
- Great and Holy Saturday
- From the Monday after the Sunday of All Saints until June 28 (Apostles' Fast)
- From August 1st through August 14th (Dormition Fast)
- From November 15th through December 24th (Nativity Fast)
- January 5th (Eve of Theophany)
- August 29th (Beheading of St. John the Forerunner)
- September 14th (Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
There are days in which the Orthodox Church tells its children not to fast because of the joy of a prolonged feast or as a respite before a prolonged period of fasting. These include:
- The week after the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee
- The week after Pascha (Bright Week or Renewal Week)
- The week after Pentecost
- December 25th through January 4th
When the Church calls upon us to fast, we are called to fast from meat (including fish with a backbone), dairy products (including eggs), olive oil, and wine (all alcohol). Some days, because of feasts celebrated on them, may be lightened to wine and oil or fish, wine and oil days, allowing us to consume the items the type of day is named for.
When we fast, however, it is not enough that we fast from food. St. Leo the Great says "...We must then so moderate our rightful use of food that our other desires may be subject to the same rule. For this is also a time of peace and serenity, in which having put away all stains of evil doing we strive after steadfastness in what is good." Likewise, St. John Chrysostom tells us to combine our fasting with self restraint and almsgiving, saying, "Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works. If you see a poor man, take pity on him. If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him. Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye, and the ear, and the feet, and the hands, and all the members of our bodies. Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice. Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin. Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful... Let the ear fast... by not listening to evil talk and gossip... Let the mouth fast from the foul words and unjust criticism. For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers?" All of our fasting is for nothing if it does not include these things.
As in all things, the Church provides us a standard to strive for, but our fasting must not be done according to our own will, but in obedient consultation with our spiritual father toward our good.
"If anyone, while keeping fast, adds something to it by his own will, or if he fasts seeking men's praise or some gain from it, such a fast is abomination in the eyes of God. And so it is in all things. Every good action, which is done not merely from the love of God, but is mingled with one's own will, is unclean and unpleasing to God." – Ss. Barsanuphius and John


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Hard Tackle: Yaya Toure and Adam Johnson rekindle their Wembley flame
Remember when Yaya Toure scored against Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final and Manchester City team-mate Adam Johnson took the opportunity to lie atop him?
Well, the scoreline and the goalscorer were not the only similarities at the FA Cup final on Saturday. Johnson once again made sure he was first on the scene when Toure scored to once again rub his body all over Yaya.
Johnson's pounce can be seen in real-time in this video. Also note Mario Balotelli enjoying a quick sit down on his team-mates.


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- Welcome bottle of wine on arrival
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- Exclusive access to Crystal Club Lounge for afternoon tea, evening cocktails and all-day refreshments
- Personalized check-in and check-out services at Crystal Club Lounge
- Complimentary laundry (2 pieces per day, non-accumulative)
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& Most of all, our Best Rate Guarantee Policy : If you find a lower rate from other external platforms within 12 hours of your reservation, we will match the price and extend a further 15% off!
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- Management reserves the right to amend T&Cs, without prior notice.
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- Valid credit card or room deposit for entire stay is required. Total room charges (including service charge & tax) will be charged upon booking.
- For credit card reservations, the same card must be presented upon check in at the Hotel.


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In this new modern video slot game, the action takes place on 5 reels and 36 bet lines using the new geometric 3, 4, 5, 4, 3 system for reels. The win symbols used are the standard J to A set and the Lion, Rhyno, Crocodile, and Pelican. The Wild is written with golden letters on a red border. The Scatter Symbol is the Jumanji Board Game. This game includes a set of special features and a mini-game.
Clicking the information icon will reveal symbol payout values and a detailed description of the games special features. There are 36 paylines in Jumanji Slot and the RTP is set to 96%.
Play Jumanji Slot For Free
This is the free version of Jumanji Slot. It starts with a video that introduces the game and can be skipped. On maximum coin value and bet level, 2500 total credits are given with 100 per spin possibility. Lowering the bet level to 1 and coin value to 0.01 will translate to 500 000 coins. This allows an extended duration of free play. Running out of coins? Simply reload the page.
Game Features in Jumanji
The Wild Stampede Feature is activated by getting 4 Wild Symbols near each other on two reels. When active Wild Rhinos will stampede across the screen adding 4 to 9 wilds. When the feature ends winnings are calculated and added according to the Paytable.
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If the Sticky Vines Feature is activated re-spins are given which increase the winnings. During the Sicky Vines, all symbols that are part of a winning combo and all wilds from the initial spin stick to the reels and all other symbols spin again.
The Board Game Feature activates when 3 or more Scatter Symbols appear anywhere on the reels. In the Board Game itself, there are no Scatter Symbols. The four figurines or mini-statues are purely cosmetic and have no effect on winnings. The tokens or figurines are moved on the board by rolling dice.
Free Spins Features. In the Jumanji Slot Game, it is possible to get Monsoon, Monkey, Vines and Stampede Free Spins.
It is proven that game studios like NetEnt, who make overall better games, have a more exigent fan base. With the Jumanji Slot game, they try to please everyone who likes modern video slots and it works. Being a slot machine rich in features the player always has something to do. This gives the slot extra replay value. Even if it's not a 777 slot we had fun with it, and even played for real money several times.
NetEnt's Jumanji is the perfect video slot to play purely for entertainment or for real money. Overall, the game has a unique design and genuine jungle or Jumanji feeling.


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Winter Warmer Oatmeal
Rated 5 out of 5 based on 3 votes
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1 handful almonds ( crushed)
- 1 Tbls goji berries
- 1 Tbls yogurt (vanilla 5:am my fave)
- 1 tspn cinnamon
- 1/2 x banana
- 1/2 x apple (grated)
- 1 tspn lsa
- 1 tspn coconut (decimated)
- 1/2 cup milk ( full cream, soy, or almond) your choice
- 2 cups water
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 handful rasberries
1. Bring water a boil in large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add oatmeal, stirring constantly with wooden spoon
3. Reduce heat, cover and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes or until mixture thickens
4. Add salt and stir lightly with spoon handle. Continue simmering, stirring occasionally with wooden spoon hand, until oats absorb almost all liquid and oatmeal is thick and creamy
5. Off heat, let oatmeal stand uncovered 5 mintues.
6. Add Almonds, Banana, apple (grated), Goji Berries, Rasberries, cinnamon, LSA, coconut and a dollop of yogurt.
7. Pour milk as desired and Serve immediately. Serves 3
* All the ingredients above are specific for boosting metabolism and maintaining blood sugar levels. Rasberries are renowned for their ability to boost weight loss and cinnamon being one of the oldest healing spices which regulated blood sugar levels and reduces LDL cholesterol.
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Looks delicious and wonderfully healthy!!
Thank Deborah. It really is delicious and healthy:)
What s gorgeous looking breakfast. Yum


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Sharma: Liberal Hypocrisy
Michelle Obama urged Democrats to take the high road. They're failing.
On the night of Nov. 8, I went to sleep early. It would be 3 a.m. in Madrid before the results were finalized. An ardent — albeit silent — supporter of former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton since her first run for the highest office in the country, I expected her to take it home in a landslide considering her poised performance in the debates and good standing in the polls. But when I woke up that cold morning after, I had a sunken feeling of despair that not all was right with the world. The electoral college had failed to accept Clinton as our first female president and now President-elect Donald Trump had taken several swing states.
Having spent the grueling, exciting and nastiest home stretch of the election abroad in Europe, I was physically distanced from the vitriolic atmosphere that divided the nation and pitted my fellow citizens against one another not only in issues of ideology but also of identity politics that plagued the very essence of their being. When I returned to New York City for Thanksgiving, this dissonance and resistance to our president-elect amplified and manifested itself in many forms, including loud, broadcasted protests and small Post-it notes written to Ivanka Trump in the Union Square subway station. Although it was encouraging to see fellow New Yorkers and tourists from around the world engage in their acts of civil disobedience, several of the messages heard in person or online regarding Trump and his family were alarming, to say the least.
Of particular interest is Melania Trump's libel suit against author Webster Tarpley who perpetrated rumors that she was a high-end escort. Besides these defamatory allegations sparked by the release of racy photos from Melania's former modeling career, liberals have attacked Trump's daughter Ivanka and raised suspicions about his son Barron's wellbeing. Considering the backlash against Trump during the election for his sexually explicit and misogynistic comments, many of his critics seem to be guilty of the same practices they accuse him of: sexism, slut-shaming and disrespect toward the disabled. How can the same people who rallied behind Clinton degrade another woman, especially considering that she'll be the future First Lady? As First Lady Michelle Obama so eloquently and inspiringly stated at the Democratic National Convention in efforts to galvanize voters for Clinton, "When they go low, we go high."
Current supporters of the Democratic Party seem to be doing less of that and more of continuing obstructionist practices in retaliation against Republican opposition during the Obama administration. Giving Republicans a taste of their own medicine will not only steer away centrist Democrats from the party but also build further divisions between centrists and progressives who supported Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during the primaries. Many blamed Clinton's loss on a lack of consistency in message as well as a failure in connecting to everyday Americans. Her neoliberalism has often been faulted with pandering to the same corporate interests other Democrats chastise.
When Democrats run such negative campaigns against their opponents and display the same vitriol progressives try to eliminate, it does not take long to determine that the party has lost its progressive backbone in webs of hypocrisy and corporate interests. It can only re-emerge in legitimacy after committing to a clear message that can rally the entire population instead of engaging in buzzwords that serve to divide rather than unite our diverse electorate. As Michelle Obama has said, it is often beneficial to take the high road instead of participating in the mud-slinging of retaliatory politics.
It is time for the Democratic Party to go back to the drawing board and re-examine its vision after this debilitating defeat. There is hope and a chance to move forward without reducing ourselves to obstructionism and government shutdown. While Clinton lost her bid to become the first female president, other promising candidates won important congressional races, including Sen. Kamala Harris of California and Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois. It is now up to the Democratic Party to choose wisely, and tread the path to 2020 wisely since nothing is ever truly in the bag.


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Thanks to award season, I have lots of (even more) reasons to talk to celebrity hairstylists, makeup artists and manicurists. They're seriously a never-ending source of great beauty tips and tricks, which makes since because they literally live and breathe beauty. They also find themselves in tricky situations that force them to be very resourceful, MacGyver types. Their hacks turn into great tips for us non beauty gurus. Here are five handy tricks I learned the past couple of weeks that I thought were worth passing along:
Trick #1: Ditch puff in a pinch
If you wake up with majorly puffy eyes, grab a couple of cold soda cans and hold them on the puff for a couple of minutes. Makeup artist Jake Bailey says it's his go-to trick when he's in a pinch and says it works every time.
Trick #2: Set your curls up for success
If you think your hair doesn't hold curl, you might just be setting it up for failure, according to hairstylist Charles Baker Strahan. Straight out of the shower, you should avoid brushing it straight and blow-drying it straight before curling. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle, and then diffuse hair to bring out any natural texture you may have. This will help your curl take and last. Oh, and prep hair with a volumizing mousse to start. Try Herbal Essences Naked Volumizing Souffle, $6.99.
Trick #3: Elongate your nails
Use a nude nail polish that's a touch lighter than your skin tone to really elongate your fingers and nails. It does the same thing a stiletto does for your legs, says manicurist Tom Bachik. Try: Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Fashion, $17 or L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Nail Collection Privee in Eva's Nude, $5.99.
Trick #4: Go for the glass
Foundations in glass bottles last much longer than those in plastic. Keep it in the fridge and it'll last up to five years, according to Bailey.
Trick #5: Make sure your guy is camera ready
Listen up guys (or gals with guys) – makeup artist Billy B says that the L'Oreal Paris RevitaLift Miracle Blur, $24.99 product is the "biggest breakthrough for men in cosmetics". It's a no-makeup way to perfect skin. It does what the blur tool in Photoshop is designed for. A great way to make sure your guy is camera ready for a big event without having to torture him by powdering his nose with your makeup.


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Hosted by Joy @ Joy's Book Blog
Wow, I haven't posted a RW for a few weeks
My July goals are eating more meatless meals, getting enough water, strength train 5 times a week, & doing either tai-chi or chi gong at least twice a week.
Food Ideas For This Week
Doritos™ Cheesy Chicken Casserole
Cheesy Amish Breakfast Casserole
Cheese Tortellini With Peas & Alfredo Sauce
Meat Lovers Vegan Burgers & Fries
Steps Last Week
Tuesday~ 6/26: 9,103
Wednesday~ 6/27: 11,698
Thursday ~ 6/28: 9,549
Friday ~ 6/29: 8,544
Saturday ~ 6/30: ?
Sunday ~ 7/1: ?
Monday ~ 7/2: 11,540
7 Responses to "Reader's Workouts: 7/3/18"
I hope you're having a Happy 4th! Are you going meatless today? I'm going to have barbecue — it will be chicken without the skin, so not too decadent.
Those are good goals! I just checked my FB tracker and I have a little over 6000 so far, but I'm going to work soon, so should be good for today! 🙂
Enjoy the rest of the holiday!
I'm happy with meatless meals but my husband usually isn't. Keep getting all those steps in!
Steps are going well.


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Littlesea Holiday Park
England, South West, Dorset, Weymouth
- Tel:
- 01305 774414
- Open:
- 20 March - 3 November.
Ref: UK1860
Alan Rogers Review
With an impressive situation, Littlesea is one of Haven's flagship parks with an amazing range of facilities and overlooking the lagoon and Chesil beach. A total of 800 pitches allows for a good number of privately owned mobile homes, with more still for sale and to rent, plus a splendid touring area (155 pitches) on the cliff top with sea views. Most pitches have 16A electricity. Some small simple tent pitches are perched right on the cliff top. As with other Haven Parks, there are indoor and outdoor pools, a wide range of sporting activities including a multisports court and entertainment for all the family.
The wardens for the touring area do a sterling job looking after customers and keeping the purpose-built toilet block immaculate. The lagoon is a nature reserve so the nearest beach is at Sandsfoot (2.5 miles). The coastal path passes through the park and from the touring area you look across to the rest of the site with Portland in the distance. Amongst the amenities on the park are Starbucks and Papa John's Pizzas, but pride of place is the Mash and Barrel, Haven's new type of pub/eating place with decking overlooking the lagoon and Chesil beach.
The modern toilet block includes facilities for disabled visitors and a family room (£10 deposit for keys). Washing machine and dryer. Launderette. Well stocked shop. Restaurant. Café. Fish and chips. Pizza. Bars. Amusement machines. Indoor (all season) and outdoor pools (22/5-31/8), heated with lifeguards. Adventure play area. Multisports court. Fencing. Archery. Football coaching. Entertainment for all the family. WiFi throughout. Photographer.
- Accommodation to Rent
- Bicycle Hire Nearby
- Boat Launch Nearby
- Bar Nearby
- Bar on Site
- Seaside Beach Nearby
- Fishing Nearby
- Golf Nearby
- Childrens Play Area
- Riding Nearby
- Facilities for disabled visitors
- Indoor Pool Heated
- Indoor Pool on Site
- Outdoor Pool on Site
- Pets allowed
- Restaurant
- Shop Nearby
- Shop on Site
- Takeaway Food
- Wifi (all site)
From A35 at Dorchester take A354 towards Weymouth. On approaching Weymouth turn right at first roundabout, then third exit at next roundabout towards B3157. Take third exit at next roundabout (Chickerell, Portland). Cross traffic lights and at end of Benvielle Road turn right, then left into Lynch Lane. Park entrance is at the far end of the road.
Location Coordinates
Decimal Degrees (DD)
Latitude Longitude 50.606746 -2.489707
Degrees, Minutes & Seconds (DMS)
Latitude Longitude


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On the box it said the fan could run around 5000 rpm max. I've tried several times to have it run on that speed (through speedfan and BIOS) but it still runs around 2000 rpm. The computer crashes everytime I play Sims 3 due to overheating.
"The computer crashes everytime I play Sims 3 due to overheating"
At what temperature does it crash?
Around 85 degrees celsius.
Around 85 degrees celsius. Thank you
If it's getting that hot, it seems more like the heatsink and/or thermal material wasn't installed properly. Make sure you've installed it as per these instructions:


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With warmer weather approaching, we know that a lot of our patients are already dreaming of summer. Whether you're planning a beach getaway, a road trip, or a simple backyard barbecue, why not make this your best summer yet?
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- A $500 gift card to The Wall Center and Jade MediSpa. Put it toward our breakthrough cellulite treatment, Cellfina™, or another cosmetic treatment that will help get you summer-ready.
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Event details
- July 25, 2018
- 12:00 pm
- 754-300-1428
Online INTRODUCTION TO KABBALAH WEBINAR with Kabbalah Miami Center Instructor, Yehuda Goldfiner.
Intro to Kabbalah is a (Mystical/Metaphysical) Seminar that reveals the Secrets of Kabbalistic teachings. Kabbalah explains that there is the world that we see (the physical world) and a much larger realm, just as real, that is unseen (the spiritual world.) We are souls from the spiritual world living in bodies of the physical world. The wisdom of Kabbalah explores both, explaining the spiritual laws of the universe in order to improve and enhance our life experience in this world. Join us for an introductory webinar on July 25th @12 pm – 1pm. We'll explain about Kabbalah, answer your questions and give you a taste of what Kabbalah has to offer. It'll be a relaxed atmosphere where you can connect with the teachers from wherever place you prefer!
This is a perfect class for all Metaphysicians, Spiritually Minded persons and people of all Religions interested in understanding ancient esoteric Universal Truths.
$20 Donation/Person
No Refunds due to Kabbalah Center and Metaphysical Chapel being Non-Profits. Your purchase is your Agreement to this policy.
How to LOG IN to this Webinar
**Details to be added shortly. All Ticket Buyers will be contacted via email submitted during Ticket Purchase… once Webinar Links are setup and ready. You will have plenty of notice.
After a near-death accident, Yehuda began reflecting on his life, which he felt lacked purpose and direction. In search for help, he opened the Zohar and experienced an indescribable infusion of energy. Yehuda then turned to the Kabbalah Centre for deeper exploration. Kabbalah taught Yehuda that real happiness starts inside. By applying this wisdom to his life, he found his true purpose, his passion, and his soul mate.
Formerly a software engineer and salesman from Haifa, Israel, Yehuda now teaches Kabbalah in Australia, Africa, Europe, and the U.S. Since 2002 he has been an advocate for transformational change in the lives of his students. Both scholarly and approachable, he makes the subject matter accessible to all students. He enjoys assisting others as they connect to the Light and find greater fulfillment. He finds helping those in need particularly rewarding. His strong connection to the Zohar makes it his favorite course topic.


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The Boknis Eck Time Series was initiated by Johannes Krey, a professor for marine planktology at the Institut für Meereskunde in Kiel (IfM). The first measurements were performed on 30 April 1957 and were continued until 1975 with the research vessels Hermann Wattenberg and Alkor. Since 1975 sampling at Boknis Eck is mainly performed with the research vessel Littorina.
From 1971 - 1982 the Sonderforschungsbereich (SFB) 95 "Seawater-sediment interactions processes" had its experiemental site ("Hausgarten") just a few meters away from the Boknis Eck Time Series Station site.
During the next two decades (1979 - 1999) the regular sampling was resumed and became part of the Baltic Sea monitoring programme of the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM).
A large joint German/US study to characterize and model the gassy sediments of Eckernförde Bay was conducted between 1993 and 1999.
Since 1999 sampling is coordinated by the Chemical Oceanography Research Unit of the IfM (since 2012 GEOMAR). In 2010 the Boknis Eck time series station was included in the list of affiliated projects of the International Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) programme. In October 2014 Boknis Eck became a member of the International Group for Marine Ecological Time Series (IGMETS) and in March 2015 Boknis Eck became a member of the German Long-Term Ecosystem Research Network (LTER-D).
Research vessel "Littorina"
Research vessel "Hermann Wattenberg"
Water sampling on board research vessel "Alkor"


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The reform panel, headed by former Premier Morris Iemma, has made 122 recommendations including:
- restrictions on keeping small animals on properties with greyhounds
- an independent regulator with broad investigative powers
- an enforceable code of practice for greyhound welfare
- whole-of-life registration and tracking of greyhounds
- an accreditation scheme for industry participants
- increased penalties for animal welfare offences
- strict controls on euthanasia
- improved safety at tracks
- a statutory review of the new legislation take place after three years.
Minister for Racing Paul Toole said the panel's report provided a solid basis to ensure animal welfare standards for greyhound racing meet community expectations.
"I thank Mr Iemma and the panel for their work. It's particularly pleasing that the Greyhound Racing Industry Alliance and the RSPCA have been able to work together to find a way forward," Mr Toole said.
"As Minister for Racing, I am absolutely committed to the future of the greyhound industry and this report will inform the Government on how that will happen."
Mr Toole confirmed that the Greyhound Racing Prohibition Act would be repealed well before its scheduled start date.
Following extensive consultation that has occurred, the NSW Government wants to proceed with forming its official response to the panel's report without delay.


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According to Scientific American, there was a mouse study in 2003 completed by Mark Mattson, who is the head of the National Institute on Aging's neuroscience laboratory. Mattson found that mice fasting regularly made them healthier on some levels than the mice that were continuously calorie restricted. These mice also had lower glucose and insulin levels in their blood, … [Read more...]
The Benefits Of Meditation In Overcoming Addiction
Unintentional drug overdoses killed around 27,000 Americans, or about one American every nineteen minutes in 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A few years later, in 2014, drug overdoses killed 47,055 U.S. residents, according to the U.S. surgeon general. These are troublesome statistics, but other statistics are just as alarming. … [Read more...]
Design The Perfect Meditation Nook
Your kitchen is where you eat, your bedroom is where you sleep, so why not create a dedicated space for meditation as well? Your meditation time is special, as the time when you get to relax, declutter your mind, and get your batteries recharged. It's not mandatory to have a meditation area in order to meditate – you can do it at work, in your garden, in your car, or even at … [Read more...]
De-stress And Relax With These Alternative Exercises
If there's one thing we surely have more than enough of, it's stress. Waiting in line at the grocery store, the early morning traffic jam, the annoying noise of construction drills from across the street, the tension of waiting for that call – these are all just some of the most common situations we've all experienced almost daily. But they take a toll on your patience and … [Read more...]
5 Ways You Can Integrate Mindfulness Into Your Office Job
Day after day of staring at a screen can have a detrimental effect on both our mental and physical health. However, one of the ways to negate these adverse effects is by using mindfulness. Not just for those with bundles of spare time or a dedicated meditation, mindfulness can be done anywhere - including at your desk. If you're spending 40 hours a week in the office and … [Read more...]
Opiate Addiction: Using Yoga To Light Your Path To Recovery
For nearly two decades, my mother struggled with an addiction to opiates following a botched back surgery that resulted in nerve damage in her left leg. Each day, she would rely on the harmful chemicals in pharmaceutical medications to ease her pain, though they seemed to do little to alleviate it entirely. For a long time, I did little to help my mother along her path to … [Read more...]
The Positive Aspects Of Depression
Don't people suffering with depression huddle in the corner of the room and cry? Isn't depression a sucking vortex of hopelessness and bleak, suicidal thoughts? Such is the common perception of depression, and while some sufferers might experience days where their depression mirrors the statements above, other days can look completely different. In fact, recent discussion … [Read more...]
5 Easy And Nutritious Breakfasts You Can Eat Before Yoga
Yoga is a wonderful practice that serves the body, mind and spirit. And sometimes when we focus on the spiritual aspect of yoga, we forget to fuel the body. In fact, some yogis believe you shouldn't eat before yoga, but that might not work for you and that's okay. Eating before yoga can help you build a sustainable yoga practice so you can reap the benefits of each and every … [Read more...]
Organ Health Benefits Of Iyengar Yoga
B.K.S. Iyengar is one of the most famous yoga instructors in the world. He is so famous, in fact, that this entire movement of yoga was named for him after he reenergized over 200 classical yoga styles. Though he recently passed, you can still visit areas in India where his practice is still pumping lifeblood into the universe. Iyengar is responsible for introducing hundreds of … [Read more...]
Positive Life Changes That Practicing Jiu-Jitsu Brings You
In case you're unfamiliar with BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), it's a martial art that teaches you to defend and overpower much larger and more powerful opponents with the help of technique and leverage usage. However, calling BJJ a combat sport wouldn't be doing it any favors, as it's also a lifestyle, a long journey through life filled with learning. New techniques and … [Read more...]


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Religious right, Fox News, GOP darling Ben Carson just told attendees at the huge religious right Values Voters conference that President Obama's health care reform legislation is the worst thing since slavery.
Carson, who is African-American, has become quite the "thing" of late in Republican party circles. There's only one things the GOP likes more than a hateful nutjob – it's a nutjob who's also a minority.
Here's what Carson just told the Values Voters throng:
"Obamacare is the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery because it is making us subservient to the government."
Actually it's been fairly well established that the worst thing to happen in this nation since slavery was Disco Merman:
In all seriousness, it's ironic that Carson brings up slavery, as at the other big conservative conference this year, CPAC, there was a hot debate as to whether slavery was a good thing or a bad thing.
Politico notes that Carson also addressed the GOP's war on women:
During an address punctuated with cheers, Carson also said that there's no such thing as a "war on women." Smiling, he noted that pregnant women are typically treated politely…
See how he took the civil and human rights, and basic humanity, of women and turned it into a funny?
Now, we could spend this entire article just listing the other events in American history that perhaps were even more outrageous than attempting to provide cheap and effective healthcare to millions of Americans:
The Civil War comes to mind.
As does Japanese internment.
And World War I.
And the Great Depression.
And World War II, which included the discovery of the Holocaust.
That whole Cold War thing was a bit of a buzzkill.
As was segregation and Vietnam.
And I don't know about Ben Carson and the GOP – let's face it, this is a party that can't even decide on the relative evil of slavery – but 9/11 wasn't exactly a happy-dance either.
We could also spend some time discussing Carson's extremist views on civil rights, which include comparing gay marriage to pedophilia and having sex with animals.
(Ironically, Carson exemplifies many of the fey qualities that inure to far too many of the anti-gay men of the far right.)
No, what I would rather discuss is how Carson is emblematic of the entire government-shutdown-default-on-the-debt wing of the Republican party that is at the same time "fringe" and the mainstay of the party.
Back in the 1970s, early 1980s, the religious right started organizing big-time in America, and sadly, the Republican party, smelling opportunity, decided to not only embrace this new and dangerous brand of politico-religious extremism, they decided to embolden it.
Zoom ahead 40 years, and the same thing happened with the Tea Party. While the rest of America smelled trouble, the GOP smelled opportunity. So the party, yet again, embraced and emboldened its worst elements – the hateful, intolerant, unbending, dogmatic extremists – and elevated them to positions of power and influence. (Is it any wonder that so many GOP leaders, in the House and Senate, are A) conservatives, and B) southern bigots? – it's not a glitch, it's a feature).
All the while, so-called "moderate Republicans" are as useless, spineless, and feckless as ever. The lack of any kind of moral, political, or factual counterweight inside the party to this growing extremism left an opportunistic void filled by the political version of an opportunistic infection.
That takes us to the present day, and present problem, of the government shutdown and imminent debt default that risks throwing the world into a depression far worse than that following the 2008 meltdown of Lehman Brothers.
Russ Douthat in the NYT calls the current GOP strategy a "murder-suicide" pact. The end-game of House Republicans seems to be an overwhelming desire to kill both the hostages and themselves.
Just look at the new debt ceiling offer that House Republicans made last night, about which Becca Morn discussed in-depth. House Republicans will agree to forestall a default on the national debt, and world economic calamity, this week, if the Democrats agree to let the Republicans destroy the world, with no attempt to stop them, around Christmas.
Thus ensuring that, in addition to the rest of the damage the Republicans have already caused the economy, they'll also kill the Christmas shopping season, a hugely important event in the life of our national economy, which is mostly consumer-driven.
And the damage has already begun.
Merry Christmas!


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Check out some cool, fun and interesting stuff from the cool folks at Motor City Scuba.
In its debut episode, Great Lakes Now travels across the region to learn what life is like on a Lake Erie island – especially without tourists — and how a Chicago port helps get one of your favorite candies made. With help from reporting partner […]READ MORE
Public Service Announcement to educate boaters and divers on how to safely share the water. Demonstrates proper usage of dive flags to signal that divers are in the water and advises that proper distance should be maintained between a boat and diver to ensure safetyREAD MORE
View this post on Instagram We are ready for the dive season to start. Are you ready? #diving #scubadiving #scuba #scubatanks #divinglife #divedivedive #instadive #scubatraining #motorcityscubaandsnorkel #scubalife #scubadivingislife #michigandiving #puremichigan A post shared by Motor City Scuba and Snorkel (@motorcityscubaandsnorkel) on Apr […]READ MORE
Use Synchrony Bank Financing to Make Your Dreams Possible At Motor City Scuba, we want to make it easy for you to invest in the scuba equipment you need to make your underwater adventures possible. That is why we offer special financing through Synchrony Bank […]READ MORE
Our very own Mike Poggione is a SDI Instructor Trainer Ambassador. Cool. Check out his pfrofile page here: https://www.tdisdi.com/sdi-instructor-trainer-ambassador/mike-poggione/ What is an SDI Instructor Trainer Ambassador? Every sport has their teachers, mentors, and councilors. They are the ones that go the extra distance, put […]READ MORE


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Need Help? Choose The Right Drug and Alcohol Rehab New York That Works For You – Call (877) 421-9807 Now!
For the many people who suffer from dependency to drugs and/or alcohol, and for people who have loved ones affected by dependency to drugs and alcohol, living with addiction is an all-encompassing, awful, miserable life experience. The process of rehabilitation, or rehab, is to help addicts come to terms with their addiction, learn how to identify and steer clear of triggers that make them use, and learn how to live successfully as a recovering addict. Various Rehabilitation Treatment Centers New York provides a healthy, kind setting for addicts who wish to begin recovering from drugs and/or alcohol, and creates individualized, custom-made rehabilitation plans to fulfill the physical, mental, social, medical, vocational, and emotional needs of each and every client.
What Does Rehabilitation Centers Do?
For many addicts, intervention is their first step towards recovery because it is the first time they realize that they've got an issue with drugs and alcohol. With the assistance of many Intervention Services NY, New York, the addict's friends, family members, and loved ones can come together as a well-organized group to confront the addict regarding their drug and alcohol abuse, present the addict with ways they've harmed themselves or others, and to urge them to enter a treatment program. Rehab centers support utilizing a qualified interventionist to guide a successful intervention. An intervention is NOT the same as treatment, and won't stop an addict from abusing drugs and/or alcohol. Interventions are so much more effective when followed immediately by rehabilitation.
Many addicts need to preface treatment with a period of detox. Since withdrawal is extremely uncomfortable and unsettling, detox offers an amazing detox, or detoxification, which detox, or detoxification, is a medically supervised process designed to safely withdraw the addict. For many addicts, this process will require specific medications, or an IV for hydration and nutrition. For individuals who were hooked on alcohol, opiates, and a few other types of substances, detox is an extremely essential stage of rehab, since withdrawal from those drugs can actually be deadly without clinical supervision. 'Cold turkey' can be a very dangerous, and even fatal choice, even though lots of people mistakenly assume it's safe. It is very important to understand that detox is NOT rehabilitation, and can only assist an addict to withdraw from drugs or alcohol, not end the addiction.
Rehab provides safe, effective treatment for people in all levels of addiction, from individuals who have just started to feel the effects of addiction, to people who have been habitually using drugs or alcohol. Most Treatment Programs NY, New York's services include, but aren't limited to, treatment for alcohol, opiates (heroin, codeine), prescribed drugs (pharmaceuticals, hydrocodone, oxycodone), designer drugs (bath salts, many stimulants), crystal meth, cocaine, hallucinogens, and marijuana. Rehab center provides the most powerful, efficient rehabilitation by evaluating the roots of the addiction, any contributing mental components (such as co-occurring disorders), and the most beneficial path to recovery for each and every individual client.
Rehabilitation Centers Can Help
People that suffer from addiction are prepared to hurt themselves, and also the people who they love, proving it is obviously an insidious, scary disease. Unlike some other illnesses, there is not any 'wonder cure' for addiction, however individuals that enter certified, accredited rehab facilities tend to experience the most success in their recovery. Every Rehab Centers NY, New York's treatment plans aren't only fact-based, but medically proven, and include individual and group counseling meetings, physical and recreational activities, participation in the 12-step community, behavioral modeling, and the comforts of inpatient living at the affordable price of an outpatient facility. For details regarding interventions, detox, rehabilitation programs, and addiction in general, or for help with dependency, or to help a family member with an addiction to drugs and alcohol, contact any New York Rehabilitation Services.


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Martin Luther initially hoped that the Roman Catholic Church would reform from within, but when it would not, he concluded that it was a false church. In this brief clip, W. Robert Godfrey examines some of Luther's harsh words for Rome.
For October only, when you give a donation of any amount, we'll send you a copy of the award-winning documentary Luther: The Life and Legacy of the German Reformer. Don't miss this special offer. Offer ends 10/31/18.
One of the harder things for moderns to understand is that in the sixteenth century there was absolutely no notion of denominationalism. For centuries, almost from its beginning, the church had thought about the church as either the true church or false churches. You know, today—I'm a Presbyterian, you're a Baptist, somebody else is Lutheran—we have differences, and we may even see some of our differences as important, but we regard one another as Christians. That was not the case through most of the history of the church. You were in either in the one true church or you were part of a false church.
[Martin] Luther initially hoped very much to be a positive reforming influence in what he saw as the one true church, but when it became more and more obvious that the Roman Catholic Church would not listen to him, would not reform itself, Luther's conclusion was that Rome is establishing itself as a false church. That's why fairly early on in the 1520s Luther begins to talk about the pope as the antichrist. Again, maybe when people in the twenty-first century read that, they think he's being sort of rhetorical. He was not being rhetorical. He believed that the pope was the eschatological revelation of the antichrist at the end of the age. So Luther is very earnest in everything that he says both about the pope and about the Church of Rome. What's interesting is that when you read most Protestant writers in the sixteenth century, they never refer to the "Catholic church." They refer to the Roman church, and their argument is that we are the catholic church. We are the universal church. We stand in unity with the church of all ages.
Now Luther and all the Reformers believed there were true Christians in the Roman church that still held to the gospel, but they believed they could say that the Roman church was a false church because it's official teachers had rejected the gospel.


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Today, I learned that it's okay to admit you got a bad perm.
I had been hiding this dirty little secret as much as I could for the past few weeks, save for the scathing Yelp review I wrote about my insanely, awful experience. (Which you can read here: http://m.yelp.com/biz/tgf-hair-salon-austin-16?skip_bridge=true )
I have put my hair up into a tight, twisted bun so many times in the past month, I thought my hair would never stay down. This morning while getting ready, I couldn't fathom another day up in a top bun, but as I began to gather the mass of frizz atop my head, it hit me: in my shame, I had chosen to hide myself away from the world, rather than embrace every part of who I am, hair included.
Most of you who know me know I've spent the better part of two years actively working on learning how to love myself, and up until just recently, I felt I had become fairly successful at it. I feel like a better, more confident version of myself, and I am even an extremely proud owner of the bikini I've tried to spend all summer in.
However, it became very real to me today that even with the motivating self-talks, the bikinis, and the new-found freedom, when push came to shove, I unconsciously had shifted back into the comfortable, reclusive place I have spent so much of my life. I was undoubtedly disgusted with myself, not only for the fro that I had sitting on top of my head, but for the way I had treated myself. Instead of embracing who I am, I had opted for picking and choosing what I thought people would like about me, and in my opinion, it certainly wasn't going to be my hair.
It took 6 people (seriously!) telling me that they liked my hair today before I realized I had grossly overreacted to the unfortunate perm incident. In my mind, I believed strongly that no one, not even my own mother, would like what I looked like, and if they said they did, they were lying. I quickly realized that I had done this to myself time and time again while growing up, and not just with my hair. It hit me that I had inspected myself in extreme detail and found every singular flaw about myself and hated myself for them, because I felt other people would do it.
I'm sure you could look in the mirror and find many things you don't love about yourself, and if you're anything like me, I'm sure you already have. What makes those things particularly unappealing?
Because everyone else has perfect (insert flaw here)?
Maybe because the girl/guy on the cover of the magazine doesn't have that flaw?
What about that you read in an article that the only way to find a girlfriend/boyfriend is by fixing it or covering it up in 3 easy steps?
That's insane, right? We've taken the beautifully unique things about ourselves and forced ourselves into thinking they're flaws, not characterizations. If everyone in the world had a perfect nose, evenly spaced eyes, a perfectly shaped jaw, and full lips, do you think we'd really be able to tell the difference between one another? Absolutely not.
Today, I'm celebrating my chemically-induced curls, along with my thin lips, bad skin, and misaligned jaws. What are you celebrating about yourself?


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You only get one chance to make the right first impression...
"Hello, I'm Mark - a freelance graphic designer with over 25 years experience providing design services to clients across Bristol and the UK."
The skills, knowledge and experience picked up from nearly 10 years working as Head of Computer Art for a top B2B advertising agency in the 90s has enabled me to develop Orriss Design to where it is today - a business that has serviced over 90 clients, produced 100s of pieces of print and web material and helped businesses, both large and small, to communicate their message simply, clearly and effectively.
If you'd like to get in touch for a no obligation, free initial meeting or to talk about a design requirement you have then please give me a call on 0117 9621248 or email me at email@example.com
Perception - the first step to recognition in business
We've all seen them; the homemade brochures and posters, the flyers that use dreadful clip art and the business cards that were printed at home and cut crooked by hand.
If you're anything like me, you pause just for a moment when a business person hands you something like that, and you wonder how they can represent themselves so poorly.
Investing in professionally designed print materials instantly gives your business an image upgrade. And, remember, it only takes one bad impression or one bad experience to lose a prospect or even a client forever.
Custom designed print materials help your business appear professional, credible, consistent and dependable.
Not too long ago, a company had the ability to survive and turn a profit simply by setting up a storefront, marketing in the local community, and boasting superb customer service. But over the last decade or so things have changed.
One of these changes that business owners have come to realize is the importance of maintaining a strong web presence. A company's web presence can mean a few different things, but essentially, it's how the Internet community views a specific company online.
Your website is your hub and first impression (probably!)
Your brand is your greatest asset
(and so much more than just a logo...)
So how can I convince you that branding matters - whether you are a window cleaner, a solicitor or run a restaurant? And that it's so much more than just a good logo design (some of our designs are shown below).
Perhaps the first thing to do is to tackle the wording. If you were to replace the word "branding" with "reputation" I might get your attention. You care about your reputation, right? Well branding is all about the impression you make. If you want to succeed, that impression should do two jobs - it should convey what is special about your business and it should show you in a positive light.
There are two parts to this process. Firstly, you have to decide what you stand for - what your Unique Selling Points (USPs) are, who you are aiming at and how you want to position yourself. Then you need to make sure that all aspects of your business are in line with this.
Helping you address the key stages of a strategic branding review
It's about applying your values to everything you do, clearly and consistently.
It's not just your logo, slogan and design scheme that creates your brand, but your customers' total experience of your business.
Your brand is in your customer promise, your business values, your personality and the way you talk to your customers. It's in the way you package your service and answer your phone.
Communicating your brand clearly and honestly to your customers will spread confidence and goodwill. It is a badge of trust that will set you apart from competitors and can give you a lasting competitive edge.
Get in touch to find out more...
24 Northover Road - Bristol BS9 3LL
t. 0117 9621248 m. 07979 961361


text: The heartbeat of any modern metropolis, its anger, aggression and urgency echo through "Entrench". With full-length number five, KEN mode honour their noisier roots delving deep into fertile metallic Post-Hardcore severity, while offering their most creative and sonically diverse album yet. KEN mode was formed in 1999 by Canadian Royal Conservatory of Music trained musicians Jesse Matthewson and brother Shane Matthewson who were then joined by Darryl Laxdal on bass. Their band name was based on a quote of Henry Rollins and the acronym stands for "Kill Everyone Now". After releasing several demos during the next four years, their debut album "Mongrel" (2003) created a strong buzz that opened doors for touring and shows with THE END, MASTODON, BURNT BY THE SUN, PELICAN and THE DREAM IS DEAD among others. Follow-up "Reprisal" (2006) confirmed KEN mode as a new powerhouse of their genre. Laxdal parted ways with the band and was first replaced by Drew Johnston (ELECTRO QUARTERSTAFF) and later Jahmeel Russell (HIDE YOUR DAUGHTERS), who recorded third album "Mennonite" (2008) with them. This release saw the band embark on a European tour with Welsh rockers TAINT, for which Chad Tremblay had meanwhile taken over bass duties. KEN mode's next album "Venerable" (2011) was produced by Kurt Ballou of Converge and the trio hit the road again with GAZA, BURIED INSIDE and later A LIFE ONCE LOST among others as well as returning to Europe with then label-mates KYLESA and CIRCLE TAKES THE SQUARE. Critical acclaim had gained a level that witnessed "Venerable" winning the inaugural Heavy Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year Juno Award in Canada and a nomination for Rock Album of the Year by the Western Canadian Music Awards. KEN mode were ready for the next big step in their career and recorded and mixed "Entrench" with Matt Bayles (MASTODON, ISIS, BOTCH). Get ready for a massive punch in your face from KEN mode and "Entrench"!