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If you have purchased treats lately for a pet monkey or iguana, or splurged on high-end dog food, chances are pretty good the product came from a young, fast-growing business south of Brainerd.
Barrett Petfood Innovations has been producing pet food for four years and is enjoying significant growth. Production has doubled every year. Its workforce grew by 50 percent this year and they're shipping product all over the world. Barrett continues to expand its product line, and now its dry pet food is found domestically in most of the big box stores, including Wal-Mart, Target and PetSmart. Its products are also exported to five continents, with about 40 percent of total production going to Asian markets.
Last year, Barrett Petfood Innovations, formerly known as Barrett Ag Service, produced 2 million pounds of pet food. This year, the company is on pace to produce 5 million pounds, and next year's projections show nearly 10 million.
With the increase in production comes new jobs - Barrett has added 10 jobs so far this year, bringing the total to 30 workers. That number will continue to grow as Barrett invests in new equipment and increases its capacity.
At the helm of this operation is a young brother-sister duo: Sarah, 27, and Tom, 31, Barrett. Much of their success is the result of taking on challenging orders from their customers, where production levels might be relatively low but they can charge a premium price. Rarely do they turn down work, regardless of how crazy the order sounds. They rely heavily on trial and error and aren't afraid to ask their counterparts in the industry for advice.
"We learn something with every new customer that comes through the door," said Sarah Barrett, the company's production manager. "We're on a pretty steep learning curve and we're flying by the seat of our pants sometimes."
The Barretts use nearly 400 different ingredients to produce hundreds of different pet food products. A significant percentage of their ingredients are raised or purchased locally. For example, some of the corn they use is grown on surrounding fields by the Barretts' father, Mike. Their sugar is purchased from Costco and the chicken and turkey they use is locally grown as well.
At the center of the Barrett's operation - and a major reason why they're in the business to begin with - is a rare twin-screw extruder that Mike Barrett bought used from a company in Norway. There are only five such machines in existence, and new ones cost about $2 million each. The extruder works like this: Think of how kids stuff Play-Doh into a mini plastic extruder, press down on the handle and watch the Play-Doh come out in the shape of a star, triangle or square. It's basically the same principle.
The Barretts pour their mixture into the extruder, which uses pressure to force the mixture through a plate in specific shapes and sizes. Rotating blades slice off the pieces as they come out. The mixture is heated before it comes out of the holes, which eliminates bacteria and cooks the product, thereby creating dry food. The same process is used to make most cereals, pasta and candy. The Barretts will triple the capacity of the extruder next year when a new dryer goes online. That will allow the company to take on new business and add additional jobs next year.
Mike Barrett bought the extruder about 10 years ago when ConAgra Foods shut down his feed, fertilizer and farm chemicals business after leasing it for four years. A non-compete agreement left Mike with an expansive farming and retail facility and few uses for it, so he bought the extruder to produce organic fertilizer for golf courses. The market couldn't support that operation, so Sarah got involved and started producing high-fertility pig food for Asian swine farms. That worked well for a few years until the swine market dried up.
Refusing to give up, Sarah found a market for pet bird food in 2009, about the same time that Tom joined the operation as vice president of business development. He started working with companies all over the world that contracted with the company to make premium and specialty pet foods for their brands and for pets that range from reptiles to fish to rodents to turtles – you name it.
"We're starting to make new products with ingredients that haven't been used before," Tom Barrett said. "We get the formula from our customer and then try to get it to work. It's a lot of trial and error."
Rapid growth doesn't come without its challenges, though. One of the biggest issues they face is adding equipment to maintain increased productivity and making it all fit in a facility that was designed for agricultural retail - not pet food production and packaging. For example, the addition of a new dryer this spring may require the Barretts to shut down their operation for two weeks as the dryer is installed, a process that may require the Barretts to raise the building's roof.
The Barretts have also been investing in packaging machines that allow them to fill customer-supplied bags up to 50 pounds. The packaging operation is where most of the new jobs are being added, Sarah Barrett said.
The rapid growth that Barrett Petfood Innovations has been experiencing, along with the need for equipment and facilities upgrades, has required help from sources such as the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation (BLAEDC).
"BLAEDC has been instrumental in our success and growth," Tom Barrett said. "During our initial startup, BLAEDC helped us become a JOBZ business, allowing for tax breaks to promote new jobs. They also helped us with some of the initial financing through the Small Business Administration."
BLAEDC will continue to support Barrett and the company's success. Pet monkeys all over the world thank them for that.


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Gregory apologizes over questioning of transsexual woman
Topeka ? A group that advocates for gay rights on Thursday criticized state Rep. TerriLois Gregory, R-Baldwin City, over her questioning of a transsexual woman. Gregory issued an apology.
The dispute stemmed from a hearing before the House Elections Committee on a bill that would require photo ID to vote and require new voters show proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, to register to vote.
Stephanie Mott of Topeka testified against the bill, saying the requirements could disenfranchise transgender voters.
"My birth certificate still says 'Steven' and 'Male.' My driver's license now says 'Stephanie' and 'Female.' For me to amend my birth certificate, I must complete several years of medically supervised transition, which will ultimately cost more than $20,000," Mott said.
Gregory then asked Mott if her choices came with certain costs.
The Kansas Equality Coalition criticized Gregory over her remarks.
"For an elected official to suggest that Ms. Mott, and others similarly situated, must accept disenfranchisement as a cost of their transition is both offensive and outrageous," said Thomas Witt, chairman of the Kansas Equality Coalition. The coalition advocates against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Mott, who is a member of the coalition, and executive director of the Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project, said she had no choice in becoming a woman.
"It was a choice for me between living and dying. If I hadn't made the decision to transition, I would be dead today," she said.
When told of the criticism, Gregory responded, saying, "Based on the statement from the Kansas Equality Coalition and Ms. Mott's response in committee, it's clear I worded my question in a way that did not reflect my intent and unintentionally offended Ms. Mott. That's most unfortunate. I offer Ms. Mott my apology again for the poorly-worded question, and had the conversation continued, I feel sure my desire to help resolve her concerns would've been evident. I appreciate her testimony, and know we will consider her insight when working the bill."
Contacted later, Mott said she appreciated Gregory's statement. Mott said she hoped Gregory and the committee would realize what a hardship the proposed legislation would be to transgender individuals.

subset: commoncrawl


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2 hours ago
26 January, 2016
The important thing is be you, even if it is differen
Lingerie MIlk Tea / Pastel Angel SaNaRae Event NEW!
Hair [DUE] River @Kustom9 NEW!
Eyes {S0NG} :: Junji~ Wine Eye @Kustom9 NEW!
Mask Blah. ( Heartbeat Gas Mask Gacha )Doll RARE Oh My Gacha NEW!
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Collar ALTAIR Master's pet - magenta
Headband Zenith Peony Corolla
DaD DESIGN "Recycled Bed pickled wood" (A) c/m @ Lost and Found NEW!
+Half-Deer+ Fairy Curtain - Long (White)
+Half-Deer+ Fairylight Balloons - All Colors - Group
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Marcadores: Accessories, Collar, Eyes, Furniture and Decoration, Hair, Lingerie, Mask
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Home > Cordless
A top-of-the-range powered sweeper with cordless technology.
The KGA 770 is a professional-quality sweeper with a 77 cm brushing width and 50 litre collector. It is designed for use over larger areas. Sold as a shell only, this machine requires a battery and charger to be purchased separately.
Premium sweeping performance
With its 77 cm brush, the KGA 770 can make light work of large areas of dirt and debris. Using STIHL's MultiClean Plus system, the machine can handle all kinds of dirt, cans, plastic bottles, and heavy or wet debris. This is brushed up in front before anything can get caught underneath the tool. It can also deal with fine dust, courtesy of the rotating brush roller, with everything sent into the impressively spacious 50 litre container.
Excellent STIHL quality
This machine uses durable nylon bristles for added longevity, backed up by a four year warranty so you know you can rely on them staying the course. Spacer rollers at the side of the machine protect it when sweeping along objects such as walls or kerbs, while foam air filters prevent dust and fine particles from escaping during operation. They can be easily removed and washed, so you can keep your machine working to its best.
Comfortable to use
The ergonomic push handle can be easily adapted to users of different heights, as well as being simple to remove for easy transport. The brush height is centrally adjustable, so you can easily get the best sweeping result for all kinds of different surfaces. Because the machine uses direct transmission, it is more efficient than belt-driven machines, and lighter to push. When reversing, the circular brushes turn inwards to prevent any dust from being expelled.
Please note: This is for the shell only. Battery and charger sold separately.
Brand: STIHLPower Source: Battery
Why choose us?
Garden Machinery Direct is a family run business with over 40 years experience in selling and servicing garden equipment. We're one of the biggest garden machinery retailers in the UK. Based in the Midlands, we're well placed to deliver products across the UK - though we do deliver internationally. We are main agents for all the biggest garden machinery brands, and have fantastic working relationships with world leading manufacturers.
Our goal is to offer customers top of the range garden machinery at discount prices, delivered direct to your door. Our friendly and professional staff are available by telephone or email to give expert advice on the equipment most suited to your needs or to answer any queries you may have. We also operate an efficient spare parts service, utilising the latest computer link-ups direct to manufacturers stocks.
All of the garden machinery we sell carries a manufacturers guarantee, supported by a nationwide network of authorised service dealers.
At Garden Machinery Direct we offer our customers the best deals and even better service.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Be the first to Write a Review for this item!
View the STIHL brochure for more information.
STIHL AL 101 Standard Battery Charger£35.00
This standard 230 V battery charger is compatible with STIHL's AP and AK batteries. It includes both an operating mode indicator LED and passive battery cooling.
STIHL AL 300 Quick Battery Charger£63.00
This quick charger can be used with STIHL lithium-ion batteries. It features an operating mode indicator and active battery cooling.
STIHL AP100 Battery£104.50
Stihl AP100 Battery- 76Wh battery power
STIHL KGA 770 Cordless Floor Sweeper (Kit)£739.00 - £912.00
A professional cordless floor sweeper, able to handle all manner of dirt and debris over large distances, thanks to its 77 cm brush width and MultiClean Plus sweeping system. Sold as a kit with a choice of battery and charger.
KERSTEN Front Sweeper Attachment (K 1500)£1,560.00 £1,482.00
This 90 cm front sweeping brush is designed for Kersten's K 1500 Two Wheel Tractor. It is perfect for sweeping hard and soft surfaces, as well as artificial sports surfaces.
KERSTEN K 1500 Two Wheel Tractor£5,220.00 £4,680.00
This is a powerful and robust two-wheel tractor compatible with a wide selection of attachments, including a front sweeper, weedbrush, spreader and knife mower. With a 6.5 hp Honda engine. Sold as the power unit only.
STIHL RLA 240 Cordless Scarifier£217.55 - £428.92
A battery-operated scarifier using STIHL's AK System. With separate scarifying and dethatching attachments as standard. The promo kit includes a battery and charger.
STIHL FSA 56 Cordless Strimmer£131.12 - £202.60
The FSA56 is a cordless grass trimmer from STIHL with heaps of features to make trimming and edging your lawn simple. Buy the shell or include a battery and charge.
MOUNTFIELD MC 340Li Cordless Lawnmower£249.00
A battery-powered lawnmower with a 34cm cutting width suitable for small to medium lawns. It includes a Lithium-ion 40 Volt 2 Ah battery and a standard charger.


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I have called on the Minister for Health to ratify the UN Convention of Rights for People with Disabilities. Currently Ireland is the only European country to have not ratified the convention.
I had the pleasure of meeting a most amazing, passionate and articulate young woman last week, Niamh Herbert from Sallins, who attended the House with me to request Members of the House to advance the passing of this Bill as expeditiously as possible and, indeed, to ratify the convention. Niamh is a student in Trinity College Dublin and she represents herself, the students' union in the college and a group called Disability and I". Continue Reading →


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Earlier this year the first direct freight train from China to the UK arrived at a depot in Barking, east London, carrying containers loaded with consumer goods. Named East Wind, it took 16 days to travel 7,500 miles across eight countries, halving the time it would have taken by sea. A few months later the train made its first return journey, delivering Scotch whisky, pharmaceuticals and baby products to the gargantuan wholesale markets of Yiwu, on China's east coast. Last year 1,702 freight trains from China arrived in Europe, double the total in 2015, and more services are being added.
The train is named after some famous words of Mao Zedong. "Either the east wind prevails over the west wind or the west wind prevails over the east wind," Mao declared in 1957. Sixty years on, China's current leaders are doing their best to ensure the east wind prevails. The trains trundling their way across Eurasia are part of their attempt to build a new Silk Road, inspired by the ancient caravan routes that once crisscrossed the remote desert and steppe of central Asia. They are motivated today by the quest for economic power and national glory. By building and financing highways, railways and ports, China's leaders literally want all roads to lead to Beijing.
The new Silk Road is broader in both geographical and economic scope than its ancient namesake, which was mainly land-based and all about trade and commerce. On land, it involves building new transport infrastructure and industrial corridors stretching across Central Asia to the Middle East and Europe. On water, it encompasses new ports and trade routes across the South China Sea into the South Pacific, and through the Indian Ocean all the way to the Mediterranean. Beijing talks of 65 or so countries belonging to the initiative, but there is no definitive list. It is diplomatic shorthand describing Chinese financing, investment and construction across much of the developing world.
The initiative is being pushed hard by President Xi Jinping, who has spent five years trying to bolster China's international clout. It is central to his "Chinese dream", unveiled in his first public act as Communist party chief, when he visited the National Museum of China in Tiananmen Square. Emerging from an exhibition that detailed how six decades of Communist rule had brought prosperity to China after a "century of national humiliation", Xi vowed "to realise the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people". Communist-speak for "make China great again".
Leaders will meet at the 19th party congress next month to determine who will rule China for the next five years and beyond. Already anointed China's "core" leader, Xi looks set to tighten his grip on power. Under his leadership, China has become a more fearful and repressive place – but Xi can justifiably claim that his nation is both stronger and more respected internationally than it was when he took command. Emboldened by the weakening position of the United States under Donald Trump, he is using China's economic brawn to restore its historical position as the region's dominant power.
The new Silk Road is at the heart of Xi's nationalistic vision, as Beijing flexes its economic muscles for strategic ends.By funding and building transport infrastructure, pipelines and power grids, it aims to weave a web of economic dependency and draw other countries ever tighter into its embrace. China's interests clearly come first, but few underdeveloped states feel they can ignore its promise to deliver much-needed infrastructure. The one exception is North Korea, where China's economic leverage as the hermit kingdom's biggest trade partner by far appears no match at the moment against Kim Jong-un's nuclear threat and autarkic ambitions.
Key pieces of the new Silk Road, such as the overland freight routes from China to Europe, are already in place. Direct investment along the road was $30bn in 2015-16, according to Beijing's records, while Chinese firms signed construction contracts worth $189bn and earned $145bn in 60-odd countries. But there are doubts over its security and commercial feasibility. Pakistan has reportedly deployed 14,500 security personnel to ensure the safety of some 7,000 Chinese nationals working on the economic corridor. The danger was evident in May, when two Chinese language teachers were kidnapped and killed by armed men in Quetta, a remote but important section of the corridor. Freight trains from China to Europe may not prove profitable, however much time they save. Countries with a history of enmity with China, such as Vietnam and India, fear the strategic implications of China's expanding tentacles. New Delhi has condemned China's port-building in the Indian Ocean, especially in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, as a platform for military expansionism – a "string of pearls" around the neck of Mother India. This summer's military standoff with China along the contested border in the Himalayas has only added to India's concerns.
The threat of conflict between Asia's giants has overshadowed the ninth annual summit of the five Brics countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – starting in the Chinese port city of Xiamen on Sunday. The meeting between Xi and India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, may ease tensions, but the strategic competition will remain.
In other parts of Asia, China's infrastructure diplomacy is paying dividends in the Philippines – whose president Rodrigo Duterte returned home from Beijing late last year with an investment and trade package worth $24bn after announcing his country's "separation" from the United States – and Malaysia , whose prime minister Najib Razakdeclared himself a "true friend" of China after securing deals worth $34bn. And small countries such as Cambodia and Tajikistan are also heavily reliant on China to provide vital public goods.
China's geopolitical leverage is growing. Since the end of the second world war, the US has been the dominant power in the Asia-Pacific – but Trump's diplomatic missteps are playing into China's hands. His decision to bin the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-nation trade pact that pointedly did not include China, has diminished Washington's regional clout. TPP was designed by the Obama administration to anchor the US's economic and diplomatic presence in Asia at the expense of China. Instead, Beijing is pushing for an alternative deal that includes China but not the US.
As the US under Trump turns inwards, a newly self-confident China is attempting to replace it. Earlier this year, Xi urged delegates at a forum about the new Silk Road in Beijing to reject protectionism and embrace a version of global trade that China's publicity machine is spinning as "Globalisation 2.0". Much of this is bluster, but Xi is playing a serious diplomatic game. Thirty heads of state attended the forum – not as many as Beijing hoped for, but a sufficient showing for Xi to present himself as an international statesman of substance.
China's leaders know there is still much diplomatic work to be done, as few countries yet buy its diplomatic mantra about delivering "mutual benefits". Simply put, it is not trusted. But its hard-headed economic diplomacy is far bolder, more forward-looking and more practical than any of the alternatives. Under Trump, the US does not have a coherent Asia policy and is no longer viewed as a reliable partner, even by its regional allies. Japan is still a big source of investment in Asia, but its economy is dwarfed by China's and it cannot compete as a financier.
From a British perspective, China's Asian power play looks remote. If the new Silk Road delivers a few extra containers of cheap consumer goods, so much to the good. But it matters to us all if China's economic diplomacy succeeds. As the outcry this summer over Cambridge University Press's decision to uphold Beijing's request to delete 300 politically sensitive articles shows only too clearly, economic leverage buys political power. Only an international outcry forced Britain's oldest academic press to backtrack on its decision. The economic pressure on the west to comply with illiberal demands from Beijing will intensify.
In Asia and beyond, China's rise will bring many economic opportunities, but it could have politically devastating consequences. Mao predicted that the east wind would eventually prevail over the west wind. If he is proved correct, we will all feel its force.
By Tom Miller
The Guardian


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First Period
- 6:54 NYI Nikolay Kulemin
- 12:25 NYI John Tavares; Assist: Josh Bailey
Second Period
- 2:26 NYI Shane Prince; Assists: Ryan Strome, Brock Nelson
- 14:13 NYI Ryan Strome; Assist:Johnny Boychuk
- 19:30 WIN Shawn Matthias; Assists: Jacob Trouba, Adam Lowry
Third Period
- 8:38 NYI Anders Lee; Assists: Josh Bailey, John Tavares
- 10:18 NYI Andrew Ladd (PP); Assists: Brock Nelson, Cal Clutterbuck
- 16:55 WIN Nikolaj Ehlers (PP); Assists: Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele
John Tavares and Ryan Strome each had a goal and an assist to help the New York Islanders beat the Winnipeg Jets 6-2 on Saturday night.
Nikolay Kulemin, Shane Prince, Anders Lee and Andrew Ladd also scored, Josh Bailey and Brock Nelson each had two assists, and Thomas Greiss made 32 saves. The Islanders have won four of their last five to get to .500 at 15-15-6. >> Read more...
Next Game: The Islanders travel to Colorado to play the Avalanche on Friday at 9 p.m. ET.


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Description: Little Pink Ladybug Brilliant Bowmakers take the learning curve out of folding bows for every craft. Kit Surround- Contains 5 sizes of surround loop bow templates and a spiral bound instruction and idea manual.
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A few more comments on the relationship between these three words that one hears all of the time these days. I first became interested in creativity in college (Caltech, home of worshippers of Nobel Laureates) and still am, because it is certainly a critical quality of our species. But the word, as I said in an earlier post, is usually associated with concepts and prototypes. It was not until I began practicing what I had learned in college, that I realized the huge gap between ideas and successful implemention (the two together now called innovation). Not only do our minds desperately want to keep us safe, but our fellow humans are ambivalent about change. They are in favor of it only if they are sure that the concept being considered will improve their individual lives, or at least not impair them. If you think about it, a reasonable stand. So naturally I became interested in innovation.
Right now, there seems to be sufficient concern about our lives, economic and otherwise, that we are eager to support innovation and at least like to think we are open to change. But now I have become interested in how to implement things well. And as I said in the previous post, that requires not only creativity in defining products and process, but commitment to extreme attention to details, which is sometimes seen as more boring and perhaps plebeian than generating brilliant ideas and producing products that will revolutionize the world through their originality and advanced technology.
That is why I loved three books by Atul Gawande, that are not only beautifully written, but have to do with increasing quality through attention to detail. You may have read them, since they have been best sellers. They are not directly about products of industry, but I think pertinent to making things well. Gawande is a surgeon. The first of these books, Complications – A surgeons' Notes on an Imperfect Science, contains stories about the aspects of surgery that are risky, either because of imperfect knowledge, inadequate drugs and devices, or the nature of surgical training, and finally, human frailties that can harm the patient. Great stories, and insights into surgery and medical care that everyone should have. The second book is entitled Better – A Surgeon's notes on Performance. In this he makes the case that there is a sizable variation in the performance of surgeons, clinics, and hospitals, and medicine would improve if the statistics were made available and the resulting competition created a motivation for those working in medial care to improve. He makes his case well and is very aware of the problems (surgeons don't like to be graded). And he stresses the importance of eliminating mistakes.
In his third book, The Checklist Manifesto – How to Get Things Right, he prescribes checklists as the solutions to improving many aspects of medical care and reports upon impressive improvements in medicine as well as other fields, and fierce resistance among medical doctors to their use (their belief that they are above having to be reminded to wash their hands and make sure the patient is adequately draped).
Gawande obviously feels that even highly educated and trained professionals (surgeons) benefit from being reminded of the necessary details to do outstanding work. He also feels that paying attention to details/not making mistakes offers more potential for short-term improvement than improved drugs and devices.
His approach to higher quality reminded me somewhat of the very successful campaigns to improve manufacturing quality in the 1970's and 80's. Many people thought them to be not all that creative, but they sure were successful. In a sense the book I have been working on, Good Products, Bad Products, which will be out in December, is a sort of a checklist on aspects of quality beyond manufacturing quality. I didn't see it that clearly when I began writing it, because hey, red hot engineers and business people don't need checklists. Gawande has changed my mind.
Inidentally, he recently wrote an article in the New Yorker Magazine (October 3, 2011) promoting that surgeons could benefit from coaches. Do you think engineers and business people should have them?


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Cybertron Toy Reviews: Cybertron Defense Hot Shot
General Information:
Release Year: January 2006
Retailer: General US (Toys R Us, Target etc.)
Price: $9.99 (Depending on Retailer)
Accessories: Autobot Planet Key, Blade
- On Card (Photo from the official Transformers web site
- Unlocked image from Transformers.com
- Vehicle Mode
- Vehicle Mode (Left side)
- Vehicle Mode (Right side)
- Vehicle Mode (Back)
- Vehicle Mode (Weapon activated, Mini-Cons attached)
- Vehicle Mode (Weapon activated, front)
- With Hot Shot (Robot modes)
- Robot Mode
- Robot Mode (Side)
- Robot Mode (Back)
- Robot Mode (Weapons activated)
- Robot Mode (Posed)
- Robot Mode (Close up)
- With Hot Shot (Robot Modes)
Tech Specs:
HOT SHOT isn't psyched to give up his modified racer mode and the speed that went with it, but in the service of CYBERTRON, any sacrifice is worthwhile to him. His adventures on the Speed Planet taught him that speed isn't everything - true victory can only be won through a combination of wits, reflexes, and, when it comes down to it, the right weaponry. His new, heavily armed modes pack enough firepower to keep most enemies at bay, but if they get close enough, HOT SHOT is more than happy to show them the sword fighting techniques he learned from BRAKEDOWN back on the Speed Planet.
|Strength: 8.5
|Intelligence: 8
|Speed: 7
|Endurance: 7
|Rank: 8.5
|Courage: 10
|Fireblast: 9.5
|Skill: 9
While redecos have always been a part of the Transformers line, around 2003's Armada toy line they started to become plot points in the animated series as well. In the case of several key characters such as Hot Shot, a new color scheme in the fiction also indicated a power up of some sort. With the Cybertron line, the designers wanted to do something different and instead gave three key characters completely new forms to represent their powered up selves. One of these is Cybertron Defense Hot Shot, who has sacrificed his traditional, sleek car form for an armored personnel carrier form.
Each Cybertron figure comes with a code printed on its Planet Key that unlocks content from the Official Transformers site. Clocker's code is d1o4. The unlocked content reads Hot Shot is the same old Hot Shot that he was when he was a speedy sports car, with just a few more tons of weight, armor and weapons added onto his chassis! During his stint on the planet of Gigantion Hot Shot tried out some tricks on the massive structures that the giant Transformers had created. Using his missile launchers as over-glorified boosters, Hot Shot found that he could still drive around a full-on 360º loop-de-loop. Using his concussion grenades as to cushion his descent, Hot Shot proved to himself that no matter the form, the Spark remains the same... The code also unlocks a scan of the original sketch designs for the figures' vehicle mode.
Vehicle Mode:
Cybertron Defense Hot Shot may only be a deluxe sized figure compared to his larger Cybertron Defense counterparts, but the form still looks rough and tough. His armored vehicle form is very angled in shape, much like some real life APCs. The front end comes outward from top to bottom in a trapezoid shape, with several angled triangular shapes on the sides. The sides come out to a point in the middle and then lead back to more triangular parts at the rear. The aesthetic of this vehicle mode seems to have been desgined up to run counter to his smooth, curved lines from the previous race car form.
The details sculpted into this figure really drive home the point that this is a war machine. Small raised circles are found all over the main body, looking like bolts holding down armor plating. Sections such as the back, the sides and the center of the gun post on top all have "X" marks indicating heavily armored areas. Other small details include vents on the front section, headlights and even shovels and an axe mounted on the sides towards the rear! The machine guns on top are really heavily detailed. The middle section has a hatch and cross hatching details. The guns themselves are full of detailing including circles where they can move up, holes on the ends of the barrels and rectangles that look like artillery packs. The overall effect is that this is a machine built not for speed, but for destructive and defensive capabilities and it looks amazing.
The primary plastic colors used here are metallic blue, black and red - the same primary colors as Hot Shot's previous figure. The blue makes up most of the vehicle body, with the black used for parts like the wheels. Red is used on the smaller parts such as the gun ports on top and the bumper in the front. Paint applications are done in silver, yellow and black. Silver is used for parts such as the fuel tanks on the sides, the ends of the machine guns and the edges of the blade (mounted on the left side of the vehicle). Black is used on smaller details such as the doors on the side of the vehicle and the vents on the front. Yellow is used for the small headlights in the front. An Autobot symbol with the special "V" shape in back can be found on the top, left side of the vehicle. This is also used by Cybertron Defense Red Alert and Scattorshot.
Aside from his two machine guns on top, Hot Shot has added offensive capability that is hidden. Swing out the front bumper halves and you'll see two extra guns along with a row of eight missiles, each with a flat front and a small notch. Insert the Cyber Key into the machine gun port on top and the machine gun barrels swing up to reveal more missile launchers! Each side has eight missle launchers, bringing the total to twenty four missiles that Hot Shot is armed with in this form. Need more firepower? On each side towards the bottom of the vehicle mode is a Mini-Con Powerlinx point. Connect a Mini-Con with some weaponry on him and you will have one of the most heavily armed Autobots to come out of this toy line. I really love how this upgrade is truly a powerful one in both appearance and functionality while still managing to retain the spirit of the character by being the most sleek looking of the three Cybertron Defense vehicles.
Transformation to Robot Mode:
- Detach the knife blade from the side and set it aside for now.
- Pull the rear of the vehicle back.
- Push the black parts at the rear of the vehicle down to form the robot feet.
- Swing each half of the front of the vehicle (and the sides) out to the sides to form the robot arms.
- Swing the robot head down.
- Pull the lower arms down to extend them.
- Raise the machine guns on his back up.
- Swing the panels on his hips down against his upper legs.
- Attach the knife blade to one of the holes on either arm.
Robot Mode:
Like the other Cybertron Defense team members, Hot Shot retains some aspects of his original design. in this case, certain design elements from his upper body area have carried over. The head is the most obvious example. With its crest and a visor cap over the top of the head, it is clearly meant to be a slightly bulked up version of the head from the previous version of this character. Look at the torso and you'll find more influence. Near the top are the "collars" that began as a G1 Hot Rod homage, now carried over into a detail all his own. The chest piece has many design cues from the previous version of Hot Shot but bulked up. It is as if someone added mass to the areas behind Hot Shot's torso to give him more bulk and armor. The design of his upper legs also carries over from the previous figure showing a wide detail at the top that narrows as it comes to the knees. In this sense it is unmistakeable what character inspired this powered up form.
The rest of Hot Shot's new form is by form and concept an extension of his vehicle mode. His arms are positively huge since the upper arms are made up of the front parts of the vehicle form (we'll ignore the questions of how he can see side to side for the sake of this review). They wind up vertical near the elbow and then angling back towards the top. his lower arms have the fuel tanks mounted on them along with the Powerlinx points giving them a bulky, powerful appearance. His lower legs are similar in form with hard angles and a thick design. The tires showing on both the arms and legs add more bulk and further enhance the rugged image of this form.
Hot Shot has eleven points of articulation. His range of motion is a bit limited by how bulky his body is, but that is to be expected. Overall the critical points are there including elbow, shoulder, head and knees.
Just as he is heavily armed in vehicle mode, Hot Shot is armed to the teeth in this form too. It is deceptive at first however, which makes it all the more fun. At first you'd think all Hot Shot has are the machine guns on his back (that can swing forward and wind up over his shoulders) and his blade connected to his arm. However you can still insert the Cyber Key and reveal the missile launchers inside his cannons. Need more firepower? Swing open the black panels on his arms to reveal fifteen missile launchers in each arm. Not good enough? Push in the black parts on his lower legs and flip them around to reveal fourteen missiles in each leg. The firepower spread coming from this 'bot makes him ideal to take on the nasty Terrorcons on Cybertron and looks awesome to boot! Of course, you can add yet more firepower by attaching a Mini-Con to either arm. I'm happy to see the placement of the Powerlinx points is a good one rather than being in some odd, hard to reach place.
Hot Shot's colors are primarily the same here but we get to see a lot more black and red thanks to his main body, head and arms. The same paint colors are used but a lot more yellow and silver appear on parts such as the circles on his chest and the "collar" details near the head. His visor is painted yellow instead of being cast in translucent plastic like the first Cybertron Hot Shot. Some extra silver apps are found on the hands to give them some detail as well. Overall it is a very effective presentation with some simple color applications.
Final Thoughts:
Cybertron Hot Shot is easily one of the best figures put out in the entire Cybertron line. He is a great representation of an upgraded form for a Transformer while also being a fun toy. Considering the price point, Hasbro packed a lot of fun into a small, relatively inexpensive package. Highly recommended!


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The Galaxy Note 4 is a remarkable device with its quad HD display, 16 megapixel camera with optical image stabilization and an increased amount of sensors. In many ways the Galaxy Note 4 is a good buy, far better than the newly announced iPhone 6. For owners of the Note 3, there improvements on the Note 4 might not really be tempting enough to upgrade. I for one would not be upgrading for the new hardware features (you can check out my post on giving your Note 3 or s5 an aluminum frame), but i wouldn't mind getting some of the new software features. Samsung has been forthcoming of late, as they have failed to bring some of their new software features from the Samsung Galaxy S5 to the Galaxy Note 3 such as the Ultra Power Saving mode, the new improved HDR mode and faster camera focus, having already pushed out two updates since the Galaxy S5 came out. However am hopefully that by the time, Samsung gets around to updating their flagship devices to Android L 5.0, some of these new features would come in tow. That been said here's my run down of the features that am looking forward to having.
The multiwindow mode demoed on the Galaxy Note 4 showed a more accessible way of multitasking by swiping down diagonally from the top which creates a pen window type interface and another app running in the background which is a lot better way of interacting.
The S-Pen and S Note software of the Galaxy Note 4 has been improving allowing for better annotations and selection and pasting of multiple items.
As these features are software related, i do hope that Samsung gets this across to all Note 2 and 3 users.


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Today's podcast is a solo episode about My Struggle with Chasing the Shiny Objects in Business. I've experienced this struggle as I've built STC and gone through the challenges of entrepreneurship. My desire is to encourage all of you by being transparent about this issue.
What We'll Learn
- Why seeing the accomplishments of others and wondering why we don't experience the same degree of success can accelerate the "shiny object syndrome"
- Some negative effects of "shiny object syndrome," which I've heard referred to as the "disease of distraction":
- Not finishing projects we start
- Spending money and time carelessly
- 5 Things I've Learned about Working through Shiny Object Syndrome:
- Social media posts are a sliver of someone's life; don't compare yourself to others!
- Focus on your ONE thing for a season
- Your practice, your business, and your circumstances are unique to you—Own them!
- Keep a vault of ideas and review them quarterly or twice yearly—honor your natural curiosity
- Saying YES to something usually means saying NO to something else
- This topic is one that resonates with many, as we all go through these struggles in building our careers and finding our voice.
- Just a reminder that I'll be taking a break from the podcast from Thanksgiving through December, so look for three more episodes and then a break until January!
Resources Mentioned
The One Thing by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan
*See Episode 108 for my review of this book!
Don't forget to sign up for the STC Directory!
Thank You for Listening
I know that our lives are busy, and I'm grateful that you took the time to listen to this week's podcast.
If you enjoyed today's episode, please share it with our colleagues and friends using the social media buttons on this page.
Please consider leaving an honest rating and review for the podcast on iTunes as this helps the podcast reach more of our colleagues who want to build successful practices.
Finally, feel free to join over 5,000 of our colleagues who are signed up for the Selling the Couch newsletter.
You'll learn valuable tips to build and grow your practice and get the podcast episodes delivered right to your inbox.
You'll also get FREE access to The Tax Write-Off Check List for Mental Health Private Practitioners.
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Today's Awesome Sponsor – TheraNest
TheraNest helps behavioral health professionals manage their practice with ease and efficiency.
Get 21 days free trial and 20% off the monthly fee for the first 3 months: TheraNest


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Thanks to Rense.com for the following
Welcome to HempUSA.org
50% Hemp Protein Powder, Hemp Seeds, Hemp Oil - the anti-inflammatory food that can change your life!!
Dear HempUSA,
I was distinctly stronger this week. It seemed like I could come up with the ability to do "the more", instead of the "just get by" amount of energy at work. I wish I could express and explain how I have known and recognized that I just did not have the extra that it takes to be the best that I so desired to be. What frustration, what inner humiliation what disappointment at my own performance I have felt. Just think of how many children in America are experiencing these same feelings, and may not be able to express that they know something is not right, but they can't quite identify what is wrong. In my eyes good nutrition is a very serious subject, with more depth than I believe people realize. I personally think that there is a connection between a healthy body and character; therefore, nutrition in the body of Christ is essential in order for us to be like Jesus on this earth. This is my opinion. Thanks for your products.
Our Hemp Seeds
The toasting and salting of our seeds is an original proprietary process that brings out the flavor of the seeds and makes it easier to chew and does not affect the enzyme or nutritional value. It also makes the seed non-viable, so sterilization is not required like other seeds that cross the border into America.
Our 50% Hemp Protein Powder
Our proprietary sifting process of the seeds allows us to bring the protein level up to 50% which is the highest of all protein powders. Please do not confuse other hemp flours with our heavy cake protein powder. We also have an approximate 12% oil content in the powder which makes it concentrated and densely nutrient.
Hemp Boosts the Immune System & Increases Energy Levels
Hemp is the highest vegan source of Edestin, a simple protein that is responsible for the natural and acquired immune system. Hemp contains live enzymes that help you digest your food, increase your energy, boost your immunity and help your body function at its best.
Hemp Detoxifies the Body & Reduces Junk Food Cravings
Hemp is high in the natural antioxidants Vitamin E, Vitamin C and chlorophyll. In addition, Hemp is a whole food containing complete and cholesterol-free protein. Proper protein intake is important in balancing our blood sugar, thus reducing cravings for sugar and other quick energy junk foods.
Hemp Burns Fat & Builds Muscle
Hemp is recognized by the World Health Organization as having a perfect 3:1 balance of Omega 6 to Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids for optimum health. These fats stimulate the body's natural thermogenic system which actually burns fat. The Essential Fatty Acids in Hemp also help muscle recovery and growth.
Hemp is Easy to Digest & Non-Allergenic
Hemp does not contain gluten and is free of the enzyme inhibitor found in soy and other legumes and grains which prevent protein absorption and typically cause gas, bloating and other digestion problems. In addition, there are no known allergies to hemp.
Mail Money Orders, checks and cash to:
B.B. PROP, P.O. Box 110, Readington, New Jersey 08870
Office: (908) 691-2608
Email: email@example.com
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Welcome to HempUSA.org
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- In
- Places
Are you fond of horror movies or do they send a chill down your spine? Can you always manage to watch them all alone or do you constantly take refuge under your blanket? Do you dream of encountering the supernatural spirits or do you pray that you never have to feel their presence?
If your answer is a 'Yes' then read on to find out some of the most haunted places on the earth that you can visit if you have a heart made of steel (just joking!), and, if your answer is a 'No' then forget that these places even exist because what if you do not return if you step into the unseen perimeter of the ghosts residing here?
Hoia Baciu Forest, Romania
The Hoia Baciu Forest is one of the most haunted places on the earth. Due to the fact that many adventurers who had ventured into the interior were never spotted again, this forest is called the Bermuda Triangle of that region. Many paranormal sightings like UFOs, unseen people appearing in photographs, spooky vegetation have added on to the fear circulating around this forest. In fact, many locals claim that every time that they had dared to enter the forest, they met with illnesses such as vomiting, headache, fever, and others. Thus, this forest is an absolute place of paranormal activities that people avoid.
Darvaza Gas Crater, Turkmenistan
The Darvaza Gas Crater is locally known as Door To Hell because of the exact replica that it presents itself from the description of the Bible. This place was a gas field initially before it was set on fire by the Soviets. Ever since then, this crater has been burning and engulfing the people who accidentally trip into it reminding us of the sins that would lead us to hell.
Leap Castle, Ireland
The Leap Castle is the most haunted castles in the whole of Ireland. This land on which the castle presently stands had been fought for since 500 B.C.E. to establish power. Over the years, especially in the medieval age when the castle was constructed, numerous inhumane murders shrieked down the hallways of the castle. Ever since then, the locals have spotted spirits and the Elemental who had been awakened by the practice of black magic. At present, the owners of the castle have claimed in many interviews that they occasionally sight many spirits. However, they have also claimed that these spirits have never inflicted harm on them and, hence, as humans, they have co-existed with the ghosts of the castle since decades.
Boo! Did you get scared? Well, you might have if a skeletal hand would have slowly crept up your shoulder and dangled behind your ears, right? However, you don't need to worry about that at all because if you do want to experience something spooky, you know where to find them. So, gear up your travel accessories and set sail to encounter the ghosts at these haunted places in the world.
Good Luck!
Tags: Ghosts , paranormal , Parapsychology
- In
- Places


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House is home. Home is the place where we come to relax and unwind and when you think of home, instead of a messy place of living, a beautiful place with no hassle and no stress automatically gets drawn inside your mind. But, creating this perfect home is not easy if you don't keep the little maintenances and other activities of the house in check. The daily ordeals of the house and the other chores have to be properly organized and the little breakages and leaks have to mend on time if you are to live in your house peacefully.
When the above is said, you might be wondering what's so difficult about organizing the daily chaos and keeping up with the maintenance work. But research shows that most of the corporate crowd does not have the necessary time to do these little things and end-up regretting the mistakes and some people, actually loath coming home as all what they see is a huge pile of undone work. Not only your corporate life needs to be in order, your personal life at home too needs to be in order if you want to achieve a balance in life. Therefore follow the below steps to ensure that you keep your house neat and clean and a place that you look forward to come to. Check out more here https://www.buildingmastersinspections.com.au/mornington-peninsula/.
Start-off shamelessly
You might be having any things in your house which are already in need of attention, ignored because of your busy schedule. Therefore, do a round of house inspections with professional agencies and identify all the little nooks and crannies that need to be filled in. You might have a long list of repairs and maintenance work, and don't be ashamed to write them all down as and when the check-ups happen. You might not have the ability financially or otherwise to do everything at once. Therefore, prioritize the work that needs to be done and mark the things that needs to be done immediately. Divide your weekends and free days for the work and book the maintenance workers on the particular days. For example, a wood worker can do several repairs including floor damages and window panelling. Therefore if you plan previously of how and when the work would be done, the tasks could be completed quickly and efficiently.
Prepare an official daily routine
You might be a bachelor living alone or a family of four. The first thing that needs to be done to keep the house in order is to prepare a list of activities for each day of the week and assigning the tasks equally among the members of the house. After the work is given to each person assign a day and a time of the day that the work needs to be done and a formal order of how it needs to be done. After things are noted down, have a small friendly discussion after dinner of the new tasks and how and when the tasks need to be done with your family members. Make sure to stress the fact that doing the tasks on time and on the said is essential. After a few weeks or months, the tasks will automatically become a part of the routine and house work will neatly happen without everyone's knowledge.
Keep a check always
However organized and ready you are make sure you call up inspectors and keep the maintenance work of your house in check at least once in every two years. The above techniques will ensure you won't fall back to the original spot of having a pile of undone work.
Being a DIY'er is a career life role that is embedded to the personal life and its every corner of your life at home. Everything you do you try to DIY it and add your personal flair and touch to it. You want your apartment to be filled with the latest designs and trends and there's a huge chance that you have piles and piles of DIY previously done stacked up in the storage or the extra room.
If you are a DIY'er you need to get the help of inspectors so that you could get hold of the exactly right fit apartment of your choice which you can decorate and redecorate at your will.
Leg space
If you are a DIY'er chances are that you might be having piles and piles of DIY that you have tried and tested which you don't want to throw away and keep to yourself. These pieces need a proper storage space without any damages happening to them. Also, if you are a DIY'er, you might want to try different parts of your house to be decorated differently and that means you apartment is going to be your canvas. A crammed up apartment with just a bedroom and a living area will not live up to your expectations.
DIY ready it should be
If you are a DIY'er you would be doing many wood work, spray painting, cloth work, stitching and you will have piles and piles of scrap art paper and other material that you need for your crafts. You do not need an apartment infested with rats or moth which will damage your craft supply or the house in general. Therefore, it is always wiser to consult an agency involved in property inspections Melbourne and get a full report of the little problems in your apartment. Also, you don't need walls which get dampened easily with water leakages or floors that are too difficult to be cleaned up after craft work. An agency report can show you what kind of these faults that your apartment would have and would advise you on how to get rid of the minor problems and make the apartment DIY- friendly.
Walls and the interior
Most of the second – hand apartments have been colour washed by its previous owners and the panelling and doors too have been customized. Sometimes the décor would fit your liking and sometimes you might feel like it's a little not like your taste. If it doesn't suit your style, then you might have to spend a large amount to scrape off the painting and to change the fitting of the house. Therefore, do a thorough search as to what you would like to be your house in terms of the interiors and the walls of the house. The lesser decorations it holds with lesser colours, preferably in neutral colours it would much more craft friendly for you.
Budget friendly
Your DIY DNA comes from sometimes wanting to make things look nicer and trendier at a much affordable cost. Therefore, even if you want more leg space and neat apartments which can be termite free, you have to ensure that the apartment that you are planning to buy is affordable to you and will not drain out your savings. Therefore choose an apartment that can give you the optimum level of benefits at an affordable cost and you will become a real winner.


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uTorrent Pro 3.5.5 Build 44872 Beta Full Crack
uTorrent Pro Crack is an efficient BitTorrent client for Windows from the originator of the BitTorrent protocol. Most of the features present in other BitTorrent clients are present in uTorrent, including bandwidth prioritization, scheduling, RSS auto-downloading, and Mainline DHT.
uTorrent Pro Crack Latest Version Overview:
uTorrent Pro Full Version main appeal is that it's fast, and you can take advantage of power user settings including remote management, scripting, and automation. You can customize those for specific days and times, so, for example, you might tell uTorrent Download to slow down when you're likely to be on your PC and to go full throttle when you're asleep or out.
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Back pain could be a cause of long-lasting discomfort, so we suggest you get started immediately with these 7 exercises
Back pain can be due to both overloading and excessive staying in one place.
It is worthwhile doing these exercises every day. Just 7 minutes and 7 easy exercises will ensure harmony, good standing and well-being! If you are forced to lead a sedentary lifestyle and there are already spinal pains – these seven exercises will be a real remedy for you.
The complex consists of movements that simultaneously strengthen muscles and promote better stretching.
After them your back will be able to withstand the load and stay on the same level! In addition, the pains will disappear. Do not waste your time and start tomorrow to do these 7 easy exercises that will eliminate the pain in the back.
Exercises for the back
1. Hamstring Floor Stretch –
Raise your right leg in a lying position and hold it up for 30 seconds. Repeat with the other leg.
2. Knee to Chest Stretch –
Gently pull your knee into your chest and hold it for 20 seconds. Do the same with the other leg.
3. Supine Twist –
this exercise needs to be done slowly in case of back pain. After taking the position shown in the picture, hold for 20 seconds. Replace the leg and twist the other side. Repeat no more than 5-6 times with each leg.
4. Piriformis Stretch
Cross the legs and lift slightly upwards to reach the legs with your hands as shown in the illustration. Hold for 20 seconds. Repeat with the other leg.
5. Lunges
Stand on a knee, straighten your back. The muscles of the back should be tight. Stay in this position for 30 seconds. Repeat with the other leg.
6. Quadriceps Stretch
Lie on one side, fold one leg and pull out. Hold in this position for 20 seconds and repeat with the other leg.
7. On the fifth. Stand up against the wall. Stay on the heel and start pulling your back down. Do this exercise as much as you can withstand.
Finally, do not forget to stretch well. Let's not have a day when you do not do these seven exercises. After a while, you will see that they will not only relieve you of the back pain, but will make your figure more graceful.


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Leonardo Collection
Creativity, Ingenuity, Innovation, Aesthetics
They are the links between art and science, technology and beauty. With the Leonardo Collection, Hirsch overrides contrasts and contradictions. Leonardo bracelets overcome the limits of materials.
So far, owners of watches with integrated bracelet attachment were restricted to original watch bands. Leonardo, however, combines aesthetics and design with innovative technology. Now it is up to the customer to make the choice - and decide for the future.
You will be able to attach any bracelet from the Hirsch Leonardo collection to the watch cases of the most renowned watches from the Luxury, Sports and Fashion segments. The Leonardo bracelet connects to the noble case of the watch as if custom-made for it. The prestigious character of exclusive watches is enhanced even further by the perfect processing, the sporty elegance of design and the innovative technology of Leonardo watch bands.
The most striking design elements that complement any sporty chronograph perfectly are the square tip and the wide loop. They underline the modern and sporty character of the Leonardo bracelets and give them a sturdy look. The loop also secures the bracelet. Leonardo is ahead of its times. Hirsch turns visions into reality and combines sporty elegance and aesthetics of this unique bracelet with the revolutionary innovation of the variable, integrated band attachment.
The Difference
The Leonardo bracelet differs from conventional watch bands in that it combines with the watch case as if specially made for it. This integration between bracelet and watch creates a single work of art, a beautifully rounded unit that fits closely around the wrist - like a bracelet - and thus enhances the aesthetic character of the watch. Also impressive is the power of the bracelet, from the attachment to the centre, clearly emphasising its robust and sporty character.
Standard Attachment
Integrated Attachment
- Aesthetics - The aesthetic appearance and the value of the watch are clearly enhanced by the integrated bracelet attachment.
- Compatibility - Because of the different insertion possibilities, the Leonardo bracelet is compatible with most watch cases with a curved attachment.
- Target Group Focussing - The design and choice of material of the Hirsch Leonardo collection make it suitable for the cases of the best known brands of luxury, sport and fashion watches.
Attachment System
The attachment area of the bracelet allows to be fitted on to a wide variety of watch case forms. In all there are 8 possibilities for positioning and adjustment to integrated attachments on watch cases.
Soft Insert
Hard Insert
Insert with Spring Bar
Attachment Area
The soft insert is injection moulded from elastic plastic (NBR). Because of the elasticity of the material this part can be adjusted to the various radii of different watch cases. The shape of the attachment extends under the case and prevents any slipping through. The attachment is incorporated into the bracelet and, within the finished product, it is no longer visible from the outside. Because of the various positioning possibilities for the spring bar, the hard insert guarantees the ideal distance between the bracelet and the watch case, which cannot be achieved by the soft insert alone.
In all there are 8 positioning options for the spring bar (required diameter: 1.5 mm); the distances are being altered horizontally and vertically by turning in 0.5 mm stages respectively:
Pos. 1 & 2
Pos. 3 & 4
Pos. 5 & 6
Pos. 7 & 8
The optional Instrumento makes adjusting the correct position of the Leonardo watch strap to the watch case really easy. The tool consists of four parts:
- The holder
- An attachment in various connection widths
- An insert with positioning marks I, II, III, IIII
- Two pins to determine the correct position of the spring bar
Hold the Instrumento with the correct attachment in the respective width to the watch case. The exact position (i.e. distance and height) of the spring bar is determined by removing, turning and reinserting the insert. When the correct position has been determined, the insert of the Leonardo bracelet is aligned and brought into the same position as the insert of the Instrumento. The bracelet fits the watch case perfectly and can be easily mounted.
Assembly Guide
Using the Instrumento, determine the correct position for the insert and for the spring bar. Place the Instrumento with the attachment against the watch case. The two pins of the Instrumento insert simulate the possible positions of the spring bar on the Leonardo bracelet. If neither of the pins fits in the existing position into the drill hole on the watch case, their position (distance and height) can be changed by taking out the insert, turning it and reinserting it.
The insert contains two oblique drill bores. Because the insert has four sides (marked as I, II, III, IIII), this provides 8 different positioning possibilities. By turning the insert the distances can be altered horizontally and vertically in 0.5 mm stages.
Once you have found the correct position for the spring bar (position of the insert, pins either on top/underneath or in front/behind), press out the insert of the Leonardo strap from left to right using a Fitting Tool (or one of the pins from the removable Instrumento attachment).
Then place this insert in the same position (marked I, II, III, IIII) as the insert of the Instrumento and press it into the Leonardo watch band again from right to left.
Now slide the spring bar (required diameter: 1.5 mm) into the correct drill hole (depending on which pin of the Instrumento insert simulates the right position). The same position naturally fits with both parts of the bracelet.
You can now assemble both parts of the bracelet with a Fitting Tool. If the bracelet does not sit perfectly against the watch case, detach it once again, alter the position of the insert by one 0.5 mm stage, and assemble once more. Clue: If position I (top) doesn't fit perfectly, move Hard Insert 0.5 mm towards Position III (top) to obtain the desired result (Fig. below).
What is the relation between the 4 positions of the hard insert?
The positions of the bores change - depending on the turn - in steps of 0.5 mm. With the two bores opposite each other at a slant angle, the hard insert covers 8 possible positions of the spring bar (required diameter: 1.5 mm). A look at all the eight positions (Fig. right) shows how close the individual positions are to each other.
What distances does Leonardo cover between the spring bar and the watch case?
The distance between the spring bar and the watchcase (on the inside of the lugend) ranges from 4.5 mm to 5.5 mm (with +/- 0.5 mm tolerance) depending on the position variant of the hard insert. If the distance between the spring bar and the watch case exceeds these dimensions, the Leonardo watchband no longer fits.
What watches (depending on the model) does Leonardo fit?
Leonardo bands suit watches from Breitling, Bremont, Calvin Klein, Festina, IWC, Jaques Lemans, Omega, Rolex, Seiko, Tissot and many more...
What watches does Leonardo not fit?
- Rectangular watch cases
- Watch cases with bevelled edges
- Watches with bores too close to the watchcase (less than 4.0 mm)
- Watches with bores too far away from the watchcase (more than 6.0 mm)
- Watches with screwed bars


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This site has been archived and you can no longer log in or post new messages. For up-to-date community resources please visit ezplatform.com
Thursday 07 April 2016 5:18:59 pm - 1 reply
I created an extension in which I have to register users. After register I verify if the user already exists by searching for the login of my user_account datatype.
I tried this :
$ident = "'".$_POST["identifiant"]."*'"; $criteres[] = array("candidat/user_account", "like", $ident); $nodes = eZContentObjectTreeNode::subTreeByNodeID( array( 'ClassFilterType'=>'include', 'ClassFilterArray'=>array('candidat'), 'AttributeFilter' => $criteres), $defaultUserPlacement );
It doesn't work.
I tried to search with ezfind but when the user is registered, he's not indexed directly in solR, so if I try to register a new user with the same login it works because the user is not found in the index...
I use the Community Project 2012.8 version.
Modified on Thursday 07 April 2016 5:25:04 pm by Solène Guillot
Thursday 21 April 2016 2:58:57 pm
Finally I did it :
$search = eZFunctionHandler::execute('content', 'search', array( "text" => $_POST["identifiant"], "subtree_array" => array($defaultUserPlacement), "class_id" => $userClassID, "class_attribute_id" => $userAttributeAccountID));
and it worked fine
Modified on Thursday 21 April 2016 3:00:42 pm by Solène Guillot
You must be logged in to post messages in this topic!


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Facebook has woken up to the fact that people will no longer put up with Facebook's disregard for people's privacy and they are starting to make changes designed to help Facebook users rather than just Facebook's bank account.
Privacy Alerts
You may have seen an alert, upon visiting your News Feed, asking you to review your privacy settings. Facebook will show you a series of these which cover various topics:
– How Facebook use data from partners to show more relevant advertising
– Political, religious and relationship information you've chosen to include in your profile
– How Facebook use facial recognition
– Updates to the terms of service and data policy
You'll see a summary of the choices you've already made and be given the chance to make changes.
Privacy Controls
They've redesigned the settings menu on mobile devices to make privacy controls easier to find and use and it's all accessible from one screen. They've also made it clearer to see what information can and can't be shared with apps.
In addition, there's a new Privacy Shortcuts feature. From here you can have quick access to the most widely used privacy settings and tools.
Access Your Information
They've created a tool called 'Access Your Information' – a secure way to access and manage your information, such as posts, reactions, comments, and things you've searched for. You can find, download and delete any or all of your Facebook data.
Reward for reporting data misuse
A Data Abuse Bounty was launched recently to reward people who report any misuse of data by app developers.
It's part of the efforts to more quickly uncover potential abuse of people's information.
Facebook say they quickly review and respond to reports that identify a credible threat to people's information, be it a case where a Facebook platform app is trying to collect people's data to sell it, or pass it onto another party to be sold, or used for scams or political influence. If confirmed data abuse, they'll shut down the offending app and take legal action against the company selling or buying the data if necessary. Facebook will reward the person who reported the issue and also alert those believed to be affected.
Do you have an opinion on this matter? Please comment in the box below.


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EU – Drinking Water Directive
Setting the pace for future drinking water quality requirements
In the course of the IAWD – General Assembly a presentation and discussion was conducted by the IAWD – Member, OVGW (Austrian Waterworks Association), on the proposed changes to the EU – Drinking Water Directive which will affect water operators.
OVGW expressed concerns about some of the issues in the current version of the EU-DWD. OVGW is playing a very active role in the consultation process for the development of the new EU – Drinking Water Directive. In this process an active input from waterworks associations is essential in avoiding increasing efforts and costs for the water sector.
OVGW also prepared a proposal for amendments of the draft of the
EU – Drinking Water Directive. Proposals from national water associations have to be administrated through the respective Members of EU – Parliament of the respective country.
In case of specific questions about the Directive and the documents available you may address directly the OVGW-expert, Anna Pomassl, Email: email@example.com
Amendments: ÖVGW EU-TW-RL Amendments 2018.06.12
Presentation: EU-DWD - key challenges


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Don't you feel over the moon when reality breathes new life into cliches? When you can call some sporting or human feat "literally unbelievable" or "simply amazing" and have it seem a fresh statement of fact? Or when you can suggest that "words cannot describe what I have just witnessed" and invest the phrase with the weight of surprising truth? One of the many pleasures of this Olympic summer is that it has proved that, just occasionally, even in Britain, even in 2012, dulled hyperbole comes true. Has this Olympic and Paralympic summer been beyond our wildest dreams? Who could deny it?
From childhood on, the second week of September is hardwired into us as a reminder of black-and-white realities: back to school and those lazy, hazy days that threatened to go on forever abruptly over. But rarely, you guess, will the transition to mundane routine after this weekend have felt as stark as this one. The summer of 2012 will live long in the memory and no doubt seem more golden as the evenings shorten and the years go by. Before these Olympics began, there were one or two articles and features about Pindar, how in Athens he earned his living singing odes to the great Olympians, so their names would live down the decades and centuries. The impulse seemed archaic, quaint, but as the weeks of these Olympics have progressed, you could argue that Hannah Cockcroft and Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis and Ellie Simmonds, Bradley Wiggins and David Weir have not been done justice even by the vivid enthusiasm of Clare Balding and Michael Johnson – they require lyres and heroic couplets.
As a nation, we are not always comfortable with things exceeding expectation. Come July and we were collectively prepared for the worst. For the washout or the damp squib. The embarrassment or the ultimate waste of money. The non-event. The Dome. Britain has a reputation for observing decorum at a traditional parade or a royal occasion, but we don't always trust ourselves with spontaneity, or carnival, or joy. Most of us were no doubt looking forward to a dark grumble and I-told-you-so about the particular ways in which the Games had failed.
We probably all know a few pre-Games humbug-criers – shouting themselves hoarse in stadiums or rapt and sometimes in tears in front of the TV – who have looked like Scrooge on Christmas morning in the last few weeks.
It's been, anyway, a good time to be British. To remind ourselves that as well as being world-class cynics, ironists and moaners, we aren't too bad at generosity, warmth and excitement if we put our minds to it. The first fortnight demonstrated that human heart; the last two weeks have quickened its pulse further. It seemed unlikely that the spirit of the first super Saturdays might be eclipsed, but it would be hard not to argue that the lasting triumph of the Games has been the seismic shift in attitudes to Paralympic sport.
The Games have celebrated what is easy to take for granted: that for all its inequalities and struggles our society at its best can be a living example of tolerance and cohesion, of inclusion and possibility.
Will any of this sentiment persist? Some of it just might. But here's a thing: it was great while it lasted, it was something to write home about, it was a summer in a million.


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James Mirarchi grew up in Queens, New York. In addition to his poetry collections, Venison and Dervish, he has written and directed short films, which have played at festivals. His poems have appeared in Crack the Spine Literary Magazine, Poydras Review, gobbet, Boyslut, Bluepepper, The Mind[less] Muse, Dead Snakes, The Recusant, Subliminal Interiors Magazine, Bad Robot Poetry, and Clockwise Cat. See more here
Swaggering symbol
Musky mathematical problem
written in garish arabesques
Seductive but maddening
It becomes accessible
during romantic dinner
its lines drenched in
question mark-candlelight
and theorem-kisses
Under penciled chandelier
geometry professor
(sexed-up with ideas)
courts it
Molding it
with eraser palms
into docile clay equation
James Mirarchi


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This poll from CNN shows us Hillary Clinton's favorable / unfavorable ratings, which are at an abysmal 42% / 55%. As her ratings within the Democrat party are rather better (19% unfavorable), it's starting to look like Hillary is winning the nomination because all of her support is within the party. Looking outside the party, such ratings suggest a big electability problem looming on the horizon.
Independents, who make up the largest voting block in the USA at 40%, appear to despise her. This is the group that any candidate needs to convince if they're going to win an election. Furthermore, she doesn't have the youth vote, who flock instead to Bernie Sanders. It's well known that, the older you are, the more likely you are to vote Republican, so the youth vote is also crucial to a Democrat's success. These key demographics could cost her the election. The only hope for Clinton is that Trump is hated more (and he might be), but, even if Hillary does win, it won't be a big win, and there'll likely be many years of obstructionism from Republicans to follow.
The Hillary supporters I've had the displeasure of interacting with want us to ignore this poll. If it can't be dismissed as Republican lies, it must be done away with. These people are willing to risk it all and throw the country under the bus in order to get their candidate the nomination. They're willing to sacrifice the votes of those who've repeatedly said they can't vote for her. Instead, they want to go it alone with their close-knit tribe of loyal Democrats. This is not how you win an election!
Essentially, what Hillary supporters are saying to independents and young people is "we don't need your votes". That's their prerogative, of course, but they shouldn't expect me or anyone else to imbibe our own vomit on election day and vote for her. We said we wouldn't; we let you know this beforehand; so if you're not going to listen, it's on you, not us. People who tell you to "vote blue no matter who" but go ahead and choose the least electable candidate are being disingenuous about wanting to ensure a `blue win'. Rather, they're risking it all for their disfavored preference. Why should Bernie supporters have to accommodate their foolishness?
So, if it's not Bernie, I'll be writing him in. Voting for the lesser of two evils is voting for an equal or worse choice of evils next time. Voting for Hillary is a vote for war, Wall Street, and wealth inequality. How can I, in good conscience, put my name to that? I've tried to give this corporate, neoliberal, warmonger the benefit of the doubt in the past. I've tried to limit myself to positive messages about Bernie rather than negative stuff about Hillary. A month ago, I even wrote a facebook post defending Hillary against the racism accusations. No longer will I do that. Her supporters are like mini-versions of her: rotten to the core - disingenuous, negative people who take every opportunity to lie or obfuscate the truth. They're the kind of people who don't deserve my restraint or my allegiance at the polling booth. They don't appear to want it either, so I'm happy to oblige.
Submitted by Hector Danson.


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Fabric scraps are used to make pincushions that nestle into egg cups, some of which are vintage. Handmade in Nottingham, England, each is one of a kind.
Hornsea ceramics were made on the Yorkshire coast of England from 1949. These egg cups were produced aduring the 1960's-70's
Glass Spike Bowls
"Triple Bubble" Mug
The signature Stray Ceramics "Triple Bubble" mug is a larger version of the original for those times you need more than a sip. The oversize handle and 14 oz capacity will be enough for an extra jolt in the morning or a comforting herbal tea at night.
Approx cup size: 3"W (5.5"w/handle) x 5"H
Approx 14 oz capacity
Tea Bowl
These glazed ceramic tea bowls made by Stray Ceramics are perfect for a comforting cup of tea, condiments or even as a jewelry dish.
Food safe
Handmade so slight variations will occur
Approx. size 3.5" W x 2.75" H
Oval Smudge Bowl
These glazed oval bowls bowls made by Stray Ceramics were originally designed as smudge bowls. Their versatile shape and size make perfect soap dishes, snack bowls or trinket dishes.
Approx. size 4.25" x 5.75"
Pinch Pot Hanger with Succulent
So cute! That's what everyone says when they see these in person! No two alike, these are made by local artist Elena Alonzo of Lost in Thread. These simple pots are the perfect size for just the right spot and can because of their narrow profile, you can hang them directly against the wall. Cotton hanger with metal ring for hanging.
No drainage so don't overwater!
Not available for shipping because of plant.
4" Matte Amber Spike Bowl
Join our email list and get 20% off your first purchase!


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By Daniel R. Gangler, Special Contributor
HENRYVILLE, Ind.—Hoosier United Methodists joined with corporations and other groups on Oct. 8 to kick off with Habitat for Humanity of Indiana a million-dollar "Raise the Roof Over Southern Indiana" Blitz Build project in Henryville's south-side Twin Oaks subdivision.
The houses are for survivors whose homes were destroyed by the deadly, March 2 tornadoes that ripped through this and other small southern Indiana towns and communities in a 40-mile path of destruction.
Habitat gave Indiana United Methodist Bishop Mike Coyner the honor of leading the first-day devotion for the more than 250 volunteers, observers and reporters from around the state and nation who were on hand to begin framing the 10 houses.
In his remarks given in a brightly colored large tent under cold, cloudy skies shortly after 8 a.m., Bishop Coyner used the story of Jesus forgiving and healing the paralyzed man told in the second chapter of Mark's Gospel.
He said according to Scripture, when Jesus saw the faith of the four men who brought the paralyzed man, he forgave and healed him.
Bishop Coyner then asked the volunteers, "Have you ever been carried by faith?" He then related a time in his own life when he and his wife, Marsha, were young adults and Marsha became very ill. They were carried by the faith of others to survive their ordeal, he recalled.
"You are the folks who are carrying others in faith today," he said.
Following a prayer for health, safety and thanks, the volunteers went with their families to one of the 10 houses, ready to lift outer walls into place.
Besides Hoosiers, Habitat volunteers also came from California, Maine, Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin and other states.
Gina Leckron, state director of Habitat for Humanity of Indiana, will continue to coordinate the build through her office in Indianapolis. She said building all the homes on previously vacant lots in a single subdivision allowed Habitat to pool materials and other resources at one location.
She went on to say that the homes are designed to withstand winds of up to 140 miles-per-hour. Homes in Indiana built to code are only constructed to withstand winds of 90 miles-per-hour.
Hoosier United Methodists sponsored two houses with a $100,000 contribution from the Indiana Conference Disaster Response Fund. Other major sponsors included Home Improvement, the Ogle Foundation, Cummins Inc., the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, and the state builders and bankers associations. Habitat is still seeking a sponsor for the 10th house.
Colleen Breslin, an AmeriCorps volunteer helping to manage hundreds of volunteers in the area, had been doing site preparation in the subdivision for a month and planned to remain at the site into November, adding the finishing touches.
"We'll be here until Nov. 2, so we have another three weeks after the Blitz week," said Ms. Breslin, of Philadelphia.
'Yeah, it's real!'
Bishop Coyner, the Rev. LeKisha Reed, associate director of Mission and Advocacy for the Indiana Conference, the Rev. David Powell, coordinator of the Indiana Conference Disaster Response Team, and more than 20 other United Methodists became acquainted with the Vicky Guernsey and Anthony and Melissa Nasby families of Henryville as they joined volunteers in the building of their houses. The Rev. Michelle Cobb, North Central District superintendent, also volunteered her services during the blitz build week.
Ms. Guernsey, mother of three girls, told reporters, "It's overwhelming; it's amazing. With every step of this I've said, 'Oh, this is too good to be true,' and then they put the sign up front and of course I took a picture of it, and yeah, it's real!"
Anthony Nasby said, "I got to drive a nail in the first wall we put up, so that was great."
His wife Melissa commented, "Yeah, it's great to be able to work on our home and know what goes on and putting a house together."
They're also putting their lives back together with their four children.
"My oldest son just got out of school 10 minutes before the tornado hit. He got home just in time," Anthony Nasby said.
The Guernsey and Nasby families and the other eight families are purchasing their homes interest-free from Habitat—and they're all putting in 200 hours of "sweat equity" to help build their homes.
The goal of the project is to have all the families moved into their new homes by mid-December, making their new homes quite the Christmas present.
Information on the project, including a picture gallery and slide show, can be found at www.inumc.org/volunteer/.
Dr. Gangler serves as director of communication for the Indiana Conference. Information from WLKY and the Louisville Courier-Journal was used in this story.


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Over the years, one question has come up repeatedly. It may have been in conversation with other Heathens or maybe while talking to an interested outsider. In the big picture, it is a really good question. If our Gods are the real Gods, then why are there so many monotheists?
To answer this question, you have to approach from several directions at once. It is made more difficult by the fact that the cultural framing of the question is often influenced by those same monotheistic religions. That doesn't mean there isn't an answer, so here we go.
First, a little history…
We normally think of the ancient Egyptians as being polytheistic, and that is how they were for the most part. At one point, a pharaoh named Akhenaten decided that they should be monotheistic. He told them to throw out all of the other gods and just worship one, represented as the sun. He was reasonably successful while alive, but the whole thing was dumped as soon as he died. It is important to note that the time of Akhenaten is close to the time when the people who would be Israelites were said to have been in Egypt.
About that time, or a few centuries later, Persian Zoroaster started his own monotheistic religion. Zoroaster opposed polytheism after conversation with a "bright being". He also taught the idea of a Heaven and Hell and that people were made up of body and soul that would be rejoined after a judgment day. These concepts would later be borrowed into the Hebrew religion. Zoroastrians still keep a lit fire in their homes to signify their connection to that bright being.
The stories of the Hebrews are better known in the western world since they are shared with Christianity. It is important to note that when the Hebrew god shows up, he shows up as fire, such as a burning bush. His servants, the angels, also show up associated with fire, such as swinging fiery swords.
What's the deal?
There are two important notes to these monotheistic religions. First, they are only kind of monotheistic. They have picked one deity and decided that he or she is the only one who should be revered as the Only One. Then, to deal with all the other entities, the worshipers labeled them as non-deity, supernatural helpers or enemies. Essentially, they've kept all their other gods, but have just relabeled them.
The second thing of note is fire. Akhenaten looks to the sun itself as representative of his god. Zoroaster talks to his bright being and his followers treat it as fire. When Moses talks to his god, he talks to a burning bush. The angels of that god go around swinging fiery swords.
Guess who else is fond of fiery swords: the fire ettins.
In Asatru, we know that humans exist as allies of the Gods to help maintain the dynamic balance between order and chaos because that balance is the only place life can exist. There are entities that would prefer to tip the balance one way or the other to suit their character better. The ice giants, also called frost ettins, are patient and slow and are willing to weight for entropy to do its thing. The fire ettins, with their leader Surt, are more active.
The point of the monotheistic religions is to pull people away from the wholesome work of the Gods and to accelerate chaos and destruction. The fire ettins are the ones behind it. They've been working on humans to do this for quite a while.
How does that explain the spread of monotheism?
The attempt with Akhenaten didn't get very far, but was probably educational. With Zoroaster, concepts such as duality, monotheism, and the body/soul took root. The idea of just a body and soul is easier for people to grasp than the more complex Nine Part Person of Asatru, or even the Five Part Person of the Egyptians.
The Hebrews adopted their god through their covenant, which is basically a contract. They agreed to worship only him and he would take care of them as they moved around. According to their histories, they moved a few places, smiting the locals and taking over. Anytime things didn't work out, they reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement and things got better.
There was only one problem with the Hebrew religion, from the ettin point of view. Hebrews were a tribe and the covenant only applied to them. The ettins needed far more humans involved in their chaos. This brings us to Christianity.
A big difference between the Hebrews and the Christians is that you have to be born a Hebrew, but anyone can be converted to Christianity. (NOTE: I've heard there are exceptions to being born Hebrew to join up, but in general, they believe they are supposed to be a specific people.) In fact, the evangelistic component of Christianity insists that every Christian person try to convert every non-Christian they encounter.
The spread of Christianity certainly introduced some chaos. It moved quickly across Europe and parts of Africa. There were two ways it spread: violent conversion and peaceful conversion. The violent conversion is well documented, and if you are Asatru you have probably heard the stories. The peaceful conversion is the reason that the religion has staying power.
In Asatru, you are required to make an effort to the best of your ability. We also recognize that everyone has different levels of skill and talent, so some people will be better at things than others. This tends to develop into a social hierarchy. Those who are not at the top of the hierarchy may not be happy about it. If they are Asatru and want to be better, they will continue trying because that effort is the real key.
In Christianity, however, everyone is equal in the eyes of their god. Moreover, if they behave themselves, they believe they will find paradise when they die and then be bodily resurrected at a future time when the world has been purified. At that time, they will be blessed and happy and not have to toil. They will live forever in joy.
For some people, Christianity seems like a much better deal. Imagine that you can just pray while sitting there and believe that everything will be better when you are dead. Compare that with Asatru where sitting around is bad as betraying your Kindred. For so many, the apparent ease is too much to pass up. It also helps that they are told from an early age that not belonging to that religion means an eternal punishment at the hands of the enemy of their god who helps their god by punishing the enemies of their god.
What about Islam?
Christianity spread relatively quickly through Europe by following the structure of the old Roman Empire. Early footholds with the Franks and the Saxons in Britain held cement the religion in place. After Norway fell to the Christians, the holdouts were surrounded. There were still Heathens around, otherwise there wouldn't have been leaders like Widukind in the Saxon Wars and there wouldn't have been the stories recorded in Iceland.
The ettins created their monotheistic religion to bring about chaos. As Christianity became established, the amount of chaos dwindled. Something else was needed. This is where Islam comes in. Again, the ettins picked a prophet from among the humans and impressed him with their magics. Soon, there was another monotheistic religion attempting to take over the world.
Since all three of the Hebrew religions considered Israel to be sacred, they all claimed it for their own. In not time, the crusades were in full swing. The European Christians actually sent children on the long pilgrimage to fight. You will note that these wars are still going on today in various forms.
Like Christianity, Islam spread through both violent and non-violent means. When non-violent, they could often gain converts by simply not being Christian. There are tales in the United States where African-Americans have converted to Islam just because they see Christianity as the racist religion of white slavers. European colonization set up similar scenarios in other parts of the world. Islam promises the same sense of value in the eyes of their deity that Christianity promises, but can paint Christianity as a white, elitist, European or American religion.
Back to why they outnumber us
Asatru expects everybody to be able to defend themselves to the best of their ability. We also know that the ability varies significantly from person to person. When we initiate war, though, we tend to send the people who specialize in war, only sending everyone else when really necessary. There's no need to pull farmers away from food production just for a bit of a fight.
Christians and Muslims have a different philosophy. Just like Africanized honey bees, these people will swarm with little provocation. Their leaders can get them riled up to war, regardless of the long-term damage it does to their food production. Refer again to the Children's Crusade.
Most of them are not swarming most of the time. Instead, they are going through their lives believing that they will go to paradise just for believing in their deity. They also constantly fear eternal punishment if they stray from their assigned beliefs. Just as the path to Helheim is wide and gentle (and a little slippery), it is just easier for most people to follow those religions.
What do we do about it?
It would nice if all of humanity understood the Gods and that we are their allies. It would be even better if everybody could act like it. If nothing else, it would be nice to go to the Three Milkings Holiday Sale at the store.
For now, it is unlikely that we will do many conversions. There is nothing in Asatru that matches the evangelism in Christianity. You are welcome to (peacefully) convert people if you are so inclined. It is more likely, though, that we will have to focus on behavior.
As allies of the Gods, it is our job to maintain a wholesome bit of growth and life in the Middle World. We do that through honesty and diligent effort. There is nothing there about actually having faith, though I recommend it. That means that even people who believe in monotheism can participate.
In our dealings with others, we are to encourage that wholesome work. We try to avoid damaging nature to the point where things won't grow. We avoid being unnecessarily cruel or violent. We save deception for our enemies, and only then when needed because we know dishonesty leans us the wrong way. Not only are we supposed to do wholesome things, but we should encourage others as well.
Someday, humanity may return to the Gods. I hope it will be before the Last Great Battle, but it is probably not to be. After the Battle, when the remaining Gods are picking up the pieces, and the remaining humans climb from their shelters, it will be a Heathen world once more. Let's not be in a hurry for that to happen though.


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This year, Katie and Nat hosted Thanksgiving at their house. Sin Jin was pretty sleep in the morning; he had not even had any turkey!
Katie found these cool paper placemats at Paper Source.
She cooked the turkey in a dry brine, it was the best turkey I've ever had. I usually prefer ham to turkey but I ate a bunch of this one.
The stuffing was my favorite part of the meal.
The pies weren't bad either.
This was Sin Jin, 5 hours later in the same place.
all photos taken with my minolta 35mm, black and white film. Not sure why some of them came out with a purple-ish hue, I'll talk to samy's camera developing dept about that.