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Thank you so much for shepherding us into the new IM C6000. The UI is so much faster and is less complicated too. Those factors make the IM C6000 much easier to use. Also, thanks to KDI for being our office automation partner and to you for being a true professional Account Manager. It is the small things that you do that matter most to CFAR: keeping us up on newest trends, stopping by the office to see how we are doing even though our lease is not up for renewal and inviting us to the demo/showroom to take a look at what is coming next.
Andrew Holowka - CFAR
Our company uses KDI for all of our large printer needs (leases, maintenance, supplies). Nancy Staub is our account rep and she provides excellent customer support. She is extremely responsive, very friendly and quick to address any issues that may arise. She monitors all open tasks related to on-site tech visits and supply orders to ensure everything is being done in a timely, efficient manner. Nancy has exceeded our expectations and made printer management an easy process.
Laura McDermott & Patty Moses - Metro Commercial Real Estate
KDI customer service is without equal. The staff (especially Nancy Staub) is professional, knowledgeable and will do everything within their power to ensure their customer's satisfaction!
Kitty Huntley - Panzano+Partners
Larry, thank you and Rob for the diligent hard work being done for the Oaks account. I know that there are some demanding areas dealing with the business model but if I was to grade everything since I came on we have moved into the B+ range. That is taking all into consideration. As we both grow and cultivate the relationship there are going to be challenges. As long as we address them and come to an agreement there should not be any issues. Rob continues to go above and beyond for this agency and in my opinion should be Employee of the Month, Man of the Year or whatever designation your company equals to. He is an amazing man not just a rep. He does plenty for the community and our agency. You both have stepped up and done wonders for this account. Keep it up cause I sure can use vendors of your caliber.
Christopher McDonald - Oaks Integrated Care
I have been using a KDI copier for the past two years in my office, and have always been completely satisfied by its performance. It does an excellent job with whatever task I throw at it. Adam keeps in touch just enough to know that I am valued as a customer but also to not overwhelm me as my date to date is very demanding. I will be speaking to Adam again shortly to determine the appropriate solution for my office when we move to our new location at the end of 2018. I'm happy to recommend the services of KDI Office Technology.
Peter J. Kasper - Yards Brewing Company LLC
CORA Services, Inc. was in the market for a new copier vendor in the spring of 2017. We reached out to several companies including KDI to provide proposals. We were thoroughly impressed by KDI's professionalism, customer focus, and solutions orientation. KDI is a "tech forward" company that provides a range of technology solutions to improve efficiency and user experience. It is not just a "copier company".
The team was sensitive to our business requirements and financial constraints and really worked with us to find a cost-effective package to meet our needs. The installation of the new units went smoothly, and our rep was extremely responsive throughout the process. The equipment itself requires little service or intervention from us because it notifies KDI directly when it needs supplies or service and to provide meter readings; our staff appreciates this new efficiency. One might expect for an Account Manager to be hands-off after the installation, yet ours continues to be attentive to our needs and helpful when questions arise. We feel that we have a true business partner in KDI and highly recommend them.
Christine Matulewicz - CORA Services, Inc.
Shortly after I started here 2.5 years ago, we were in search of a new copier. Not only did KDI provide options for us, they also researched what would be most needed for our type of business. The best part, they even told us what we didn't need for our type of business. Who does that? ... KDI!!
We purchased a machine that turned out to be perfect for our employees' needs and our business, Then, about six months later, we go the same machine for the offices on our second floor!
KDI also has a wonderful leasing program, should you need financing,
Customer Service, and a good price, is how I normally choose a company to work with. I could not be more pleased with our products or the service we have received from KDI.
It 's great to work with a company that actually wants to help you. And, not just in the "honeymoon" phase, but years down the road.
I would highly recommend KDI for any of your office copier, printer, etc. needs.
Jackey McConnell - D4 Creative
Please accept this notice of my personal recommendation of Keystone Digital Imagining (KDI).
For over the past year, KDI has worked tirelessly with myself and my company's Finance division to outline and strategize my organizations printing needs, requirements and overall paper footprint for both the present and near future.
They have been essential in making us aware of where our business model can and needs to be to better control our overall print spending and have given us a clear vision moving forward on this endeavor.
Our company, after many years of service with a multitude amount of vendor partners, was looking for fresh start with a vendor partner that listened and understood our concerns and issues. KDI has excelled at this for PMN and we as a company look forward to continuing being business partners with them for many more years to come.
KDI has been on point with everything my company has tasked them with in the past year. And the level of communication and interaction is both respected and appreciated.
I believe without question that KDI can also be an asset and benefit to your company as well.
Please feel free to contact me directly should you have any questions or concerns.
Michael Cruz - Philadelphia Media Network
Have you ever been "sweet-talked" into leasing or purchasing a certain piece of office equipment only to be delivered another model completely? We have! Suddenly the salesman isn't available or does not answer your frantic calls. Your boss is not very happy right now ..... This scenario will never happen with KDI! I highly recommend KDI for your office copier needs.
Janet Lipski - Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
The company is all about the support after your purchase. Our machines work beautifully mostly, but without good support what does it matter what functions a machine can perform.
Wendy Derr - Sweet, Stevens, Katz, & Williams LLP
The entire experience of updating our copier/printer proceeded seamlessly from initial presentation on the new equipment and related cost savings, to delivery, connectivity, training, and subsequent IT support. Many of the new features will greatly improve processes in our office. The wonderful training and coordination of everything ensured we had no lag time throughout the process. The KDI team was efficient, knowledgeable, and friendly. It is a pleasure being their customer.
Mary Ann Cresta - Tully Memorial Presbyterian Church
KDI's service is reliable, efficient, and effective. We can count on same day service and skilled technicians to resolve any issue quickly. We are very impressed by the organization and the top-notch professionalism and personal care given to our account.
Amy Horowitz - Law Offices of Dashevsky, Horowitz, Kuhn and Novello, P.C.
Ever since we started using KDI, we have had fewer problems and increased productivity. We send less work to outside print shops and are able to use the savings toward education and other programs. Your service technicians and IT engineers are always quick to respond and are very knowledgeable. KDI consistently goes above and beyond to ensure we have the correct mix of products to bring our mission and vision to fruition.
Dario Bellot - Congreso | Pan American Charter School & Centro Estudiantes
KDI technicians are always ready, accessible, and arrive in a timely fashion. Our representatives are very pleasant and easy to talk to. KDI has our best interest in mind and helps us to make choices that will most benefit the agency.
Sandra Guinn-Styles - Children's Service, Inc.
I wanted to commend KDI on an excellent job of providing quality equipment and prompt, efficient service at all of our campuses. Our teachers are demanding of our copying equipment and the Canons are workhorses! We know we can count on KDI to get the job done right and would recommend them highly to any school or non-profit organization.
John Polk - Mastery Charter Schools
As we reviewed my current needs, I was impressed how much KDI wanted to know about my business. Their concern was not with what kind of machine to sell, but what kind of machine was going to fit best within my environment and the type of work I do. Not only were we able to save money each month on service costs, but I learned new ways that my new machine could help to generate additional revenue. I really appreciate KDI's consultative nature and responsiveness to questions and technical issues.
Raymond Zdradzinski - Keystone Instant Printing
KDI's proposal saved us the most money for the lease of our copiers while obtaining better service on each machine. We found our sales rep and technician to be exceptionally professional and quite competent. Their attitude toward customer service is a reflection of KDI's committment to service, dependability, and user-friendliness. We look forward to a long and rewarding collaboration together.
Mark S. Sahli - Church of the Immaculate Conception
With the ever changing world of technology and the need to manage document flow within
our school district, KDI has always provided state of the art solutions. We have been particularly impressed with their ability to help us identify our specific needs and filling those requirements with the right systems and services. As a result, we now achieve new levels of productivity. Annual reviews of the meter counts and the evaluation of our service and supply needs have helped make cost effective recommendations possible. In addition, KDI's service department is second to none with response times averaging less than 4 hours in most situations.
William H. Thompson - Board of Education, West Deptford Township Schools
KDI is not looking for a sale but a long term partner. They took the time to listen to our needs and present an appropriate solution. From explaining the rollout to delivery and set up, KDI provided exemplary service every step of the way. They also worked with our MIS team to ensure everything was working correctly. The following day we were trained on our new equipment and upon leaving were told if we had any issues we could contact them directly and they would solve any problem. It is a credit to KDI to have such loyal and friendly staff.
Brian Lisiecki - CORT, A Berkshire Hathaway Company
I was never more pleased with the gentlemen that installed our new copier - they could not have been more pleasant to work with. They went above and beyond what they were supposed to do.
Pam Smith - Holman Automotive Group


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Parts Positioning Tools were developed by the factories in Japan however due to budget reasons they will no longer support and develop these software packages. So we will not have these available for future equipment. Sorry. Please verify all part numbers before placing an order.
Software Top^
Parts Position Software

subset: commoncrawl


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Milwaukee Trolley Loop returns to Downtown on June 2
Downtown Milwaukee's summer trolley service, the Milwaukee Trolley Loop presented by VISIT Milwaukee, returns this season, connecting passengers to Downtown's favorite hotspots beginning Thursday, June 2.
Running Thursdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., June 2 through Sept. 3, the 30-stop route costs just $1 to board and serves East Town, Westown, Water Street, Old World Third Street and the Historic Third Ward. Both out-of-town guests and residents can board the "Hop 'n Shop, Wine 'n Dine" route to be on the fast track to museums, shops, festivals and other Downtown events.
"The Milwaukee Trolley Loop is a great way for people to familiarize themselves with our fabulous downtown community and its offerings," said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. "With convenient stops across downtown, the service offers affordable and user-friendly public transportation to all points of interest. We're looking forward to another successful year thanks to the support from our community partners."
Attractions along the Milwaukee Trolley Loop route include the Milwaukee Public Market, Wisconsin Center, Milwaukee Public Museum, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, Betty Brinn Children's Museum, boat tours and the theater and hotel districts. The route also includes downtown's many restaurants, shops, spas and salons.
Operated by Transit Express, the privately funded service is supported by its two lead contributors, VISIT Milwaukee and Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, with additional support from the Historic Third Ward Association, Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, East Town Association, Westown Association, Wisconsin Cheese Mart, The Usinger Foundation, Interstate Parking, DNA MKE, The Bartolotta Restaurants and MKE Boat Line.
For route and schedule information, visit milwaukeedowntown.com or call (414) 562-RIDE.
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Certification Tutorial
Please make sure to read the content of this entire page!
It explains how the certification program works. Please read the text and watch the video. This is information which you need to know to successfully complete the certification process.
At Thai Healing Massage Academy we take our certification program seriously and we only issue certificates to students who demonstrate that they are actually practicing the course material. At the same time it is a fun and educational process.
We offer two certification programs:
- The International Certification (international students including US)
- The Continuing Education(CE) Certification (for US therapists only)
In order to issue a meaningful certificate, we need to verify that students are following the course and are practicing the material. Since this is an online training course, we cannot physically see if you are actually practicing the material.
However we can see if you actively participate in the forum. If you regularly post your questions, your progress report and your experiences in the forum, we accept this as evidence that you are actively involved in the course.
Why forum posting?
- Proof – The forum posts establish a public record which proves that you worked with the course material and practiced the techniques. The forum posts make your online certificate a verifiable document.
- Integrity – The forum posts are your official record that you have earned a meaningful certificate. They establish the integrity of the certification process and demonstrate that ALL students of Thai Healing Massage Academy actually earned their certificates.
- Interactive learning – Forum posting is what makes the learning experience interactive since this is where you can interact with the instructor personally and also with other students. It helps you to think about the content, organize it in your mind and formulate it in writing.
Requirements and fees
- International Certification program:
The only requirement is to do forum posting in order to qualify for a certificate.
There is no fee for the International Certification program.
- CE certification program:
Students need to do the same forum posting, however in addition they are required by the NCBTMB to answer test questions to qualify for the CE credits. The links to those test questions are in your course manual or you can access them from the links in the box below.
There is a separate fee of $10 when you register for the CE test questions which is paid to the provider of the testing software.
CE Test Question Access Links
The test questions are ONLY required for the CE certificate, NOT for the International Certificate.
Please click on the link of the course which you are taking.
- Test questions for COMPLETE THAI MASSAGE
- Test questions for THAI BACK MASSAGE
- Test questions for THAI FOOT MASSAGE
- Test questions for THAI ROCKING MASSAGE
- Test questions for HEAVENLY HEAD MASSAGE
- Test questions for ULTIMATE SHOULDER MASSAGE
- Test questions for HANDS FREE MASSAGE
- Test questions for THAI HIP THERAPY
- Test questions for THAI MASSAGE FOR SCIATICA
The forum posting is actually quite easy and fun, and I am personally in the forum every day. If you have any difficulties I will help guide you along. Most students are doing it right intuitively. If you just look through some forum topics of other students, you get a pretty good idea how to go about it.
Please make sure to read the following tutorial which explains the requirements for forum posting during the certification process.
Certification Tutorial
FIRST watch the video.
THEN read the more detailed explanations in text format below the video.
The following are guidelines and requirements
for forum posts to be acceptable for certification:
Where to post:
There are several sub-forums. Only one of them is meant for the certification program.
You need to post in the THAI MASSAGE VIDEO COURSE FORUM here:
Not sure how to use a forum?
If you need guidance on how to use the forum, please visit this support page:
Forum registration:
When you register in our forum you will need to complete your forum profile.
- For your forum profile you need to fill in your actual first and last name.
- For your forum display name, again use your actual first and last name.
- Please make sure to fill out the section for your biographical information.
Your biographical information should contain the following elements:
- Your professional background (are you a massage therapist, yoga teacher, other…)
- Your massage or yoga experience is, if any
- Which part of the world you live in
- If you have any experience with Thai Massage or not.
Your forum profile information has to match the information in your certification registration, otherwise it is too difficult to find you and match up our records.
In other words, if you are John Smith, your forum display name needs to be John Smith, not "happyyogi" or something like that.
Once your profile is complete, there are only two steps which you need to understand before you post anything:
1. Forum Topic titles
2. Forum Posts
Let's go through these two separately. You can either read this or watch the video a little further down.
1. Topic titles
A topic title is the main description of what you are doing. If you compare your certification posts to a book, the topic title is like the cover page of the book. It tells us what someone's forum posting is all about and what the name of that person is.
You only create your topic title one time for one course which you are taking. The forum uses an icon for the topic title which is called "Add Topic".
===> The thing to remember is that you need to click on "Add Topic" one time only.
The only time you would create a new topic is if you start a new thread ("book") about a different course. If this is not clear to you, please go to our help page for an explanation: https://thaihealingmassage.com/info/how-to-use-the-forum/
How to choose your topic title:
Your topic title must include two items: your first and last name and the name of the course which you are taking.
Examples: "John Smith's Foot Massage progress report", or "Jane Doe's Complete Thai Massage course notes"
2. Forum Posts
If the topic title is like the cover page of the book, the posts are like the various chapters in the book. The forum language for creating a new post is "Add Reply". This is the button which starts a new post ("book chapter").
All posts regarding one particular massage course should go under the same TOPIC.
Do NOT click on the "ADD TOPIC" button every time you post something, because then all your posts will be separated under different topics, and nobody will be able to follow your posts. Instead click the "ADD REPLY" button under your topic.
How posts should look like:
Every post must have a heading which identifies the specific video module you are talking about. This is like the headline in the chapter of a book which tells you what the chapter is about. Without this header it can be too confusing to know which module you are talking about. It also shows that you are going through each module.
How much to post:
You should write several sentences about each video module.
One sentence is not enough.
Here is an example of a post which is not acceptable:
"I practiced the shoulder module and I like it." Such a post does not tell me anything. It is not specific enough and not long enough.
What to write about in your posts:
Be specific and write about your experience with the course, the progress you are making, the feedback you are getting from practice partners or clients, any questions you might have, how you relate to the material, or any success stories you had.
What NOT to post:
It is not acceptable to just list the content of a video.
The purpose of the forum posting is to demonstrate that you actively participate in the course, that you are working with practice partners, and that you write about your experiences.
Here is an example of a post which is not acceptable :
"This module is about stretching the back, working the erector muscles, and palm pressing the back."
This is just a listing of the content, and nothing about your experience with it.
It is not acceptable to combine several modules in one post.
You need to make one separate post for each video module.
Here are two examples of combining modules in posts which are not acceptable:
- "I was busy for the last two months, but now I watched the last four modules and it is going fine" – (each post needs to be addressed individually)
- "Modules 4,5,6
I practiced all the techniques and…." – (you cannot combine posts)
The idea is to demonstrate that you are working with the course material, not that you can watch the videos, make some quick comments or simply list the content.
How often to post:
You should post regularly as much as possible, ideally every time when you receive a new video and practice it.
Of course sometimes there are circumstances that can prevent you from posting or even practicing regularly. In this case please include a short explanation in a forum post so that I know you are still in the program.
Expiration of the certification program:
The maximum time period allowed to complete the certification program is as follows:
Complete Thai Massage – 1 year
Thai Back Massage – 6 months
Heavenly Head Massage – 6 months
Thai Foot Massage – 6 months
All other courses – 3 months
After the end of this time period the certification period expires and a certificate cannot be issued anymore.
Please note that the time to expiration starts when you submit your certification registration form, NOT when you purchase the course.
If there are circumstances that made it impossible for you to complete the certification within this time period, like sickness or an accident, please inform me at firstname.lastname@example.com and I can extend the expiration date.
Putting it all together
The purpose of this tutorial is to help you earn a meaningful certificate which you can be proud of and which results in your being a better therapist. To ensure this there are minimum standards of forum posting for certification in Thai Healing Massage Academy's online programs.
To preserve the meaning and integrity of the process, a certificate will not be issued if those standards are not met. However we really don't want to be in a position where we have to deny a certificate. Therefore please be aware that the following scenarios are not acceptable for certification:
- Posting only a list of content of the videos instead of your personal experience with them
- Not posting about each video module or only writing one sentence
- Combining two or more videos under one heading instead of writing about each module separately
We really want you to have a certificate which is not just a piece of paper, but a meaningful and verifiable document which showcases a step in your journey towards continuing improvement in the healing arts.
We are happy and proud to be a part of your journey. Our high standards preserve the integrity of Thai Healing Massage Academy and act in your best interest by guaranteeing you a high quality certificate.
If you stay actively involved in the forum as outlined in this tutorial, we will accept this as evidence that you completed the course, have practiced the lessons and have understood the principles of it.
Then you will receive an official signed certificate of achievement from Thai Healing Massage Academy.


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MPhil in Philosophy Admission 2016 at University of Calcutta
University of Calcutta has invited applications for admission to 2 year M.Phil Programme in Philosophy for 2016-18 sessions.
Eligibility Criteria for MPhil Program in Philosophy
Any applicant who has passed the M.A. Examination in Philosophy of this University with 55% marks in aggregate (SC/ST with 50% marks) or with 60% marks in aggregate of any other recognized University is eligible to apply provisionally and sit for the admission test but their Final admission would depend on passing the examination obtained the required marks mentioned above.
Applicants qualified NET, SET or any equivalent national level examination are exempted from the admission test, but not from the interview.
Selection Procedure
Selection will be on the basis of an entrance test followed by an interview. Applicants who have qualified in NET, SET or equivalent national level examination are exempt from the entrance test, but not from the interview.
For SC/ST and Differently Able applicant will be made as per University/Govt. rules; implementation of reservation shall effect from the academic session as per W.B. Govt. rules in a phase-wise manner as given in relevant G.O.s and decided by the C.U. syndicate.
Course Fees
Rs.4000/- to be paid in case by the selected applicants at the time of admission.
How to Apply?
Application forms and brochure may be downloaded from University website (www.caluniv.ac.in) and (www.caluniv-ucsta.net). Application fees of Rs.500/-; SC/ST/OBC/PWD applicants will be required to pay Rs.250/- as application fee.
Mode of Payment of Application Fee: Application fees may be deposited by to the University Cash Counter. Copy of the fees deposition receipt is to be attached with the printed copy of the application
Submission of Forms: Completed Application will be received by the office of the Dept. of Philosophy, Alipur Campus, 1 Reformatory Street, Kolkata-700027.
Important Dates for MPhil Philosophy Admission 2016
Last date of application: November 03rd 2016
List of names of applicants eligible for written examination: November 08th 2016
Date of Written Test: November 10th 2016
List of applicants eligible for interview: November 16th 2016
Final list of applicants eligible for admission to the M.Phil programme 2016-18: December 14th 2016
Commencement of M.Phil classes: December 21st 2016


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Carpal Tunnel Channel
Related Channels
Allergic Reaction During Carpal Tunnel Release
Allergic Reaction During Carpal Tunnel Release: An OverviewMost medicines are safe, but there is always the risk of having an adverse or allergic reaction. This is true for all types of medicine, including the anesthesia that will be used for your carpal tunnel surgery. Some examples of minor allergic reactions are itchy eyes, runny nose, or skin rashes. In some cases, people may have a serious reaction called "anaphylaxis," which can be fatal.
There is no way for your doctor to know if you will be allergic to medicines that you have never tried. However, your healthcare providers will try to find out as much information as they can to help prevent an allergic reaction. They will ask questions about medicines you are taking, your health in the past, and whether you have any existing allergies. Please be sure to tell your healthcare providers about all of your allergies. This information will help your doctor and other healthcare providers choose the medicines that are best for you.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD


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Introduction of the course Integral Nutrition
Integral nutrition is an important area of knowledge. The most female quality is to nourish and we are able to do that by first nourishing ourselves on every level.Integral nutrition is not just about feeding our body, but also the more subtle layers of our being. In this course, we learn to nourish ourselves with different kind of liquids, tastes, aromas, With crystal & energy essences and alchemical elixirs. With mindful attention and clear focus.
We become more whole, physically, mentally, emotionally and energetically. We also become more attentive to the language of our body and mind. It will deepen all our experiences associated with nourishment and nutrition.
The products offered in integral nutrition support us on our spiritual journey and help us to raise the vibration of our energy to a higher level.
Integral nutrition is interesting for everyone that want to discover nutrition as a source of energy, as delicate and subtle nourishment and as an exercise in mindfulness
In the program:
- Theory behind integral nutrition
- Different kind of nutrition
- Tea ceremony
- Tasting of energy and crystal essences
- Exercises to unlock the stomach and lung meridians
Time and date:
21 January 10.30 — 12.30
Mahara Holistic Lifestyle, De Clercqstraat 123HS, 1053 AK Amsterdam, Netherlands
10 euro.
Max number of participants:


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Science communication grant
The dissemination of scientific knowledge to a general audience is gaining importance. At the same time, various new forms of science communication developed, in particular, but not exclusively, through the rise of social media. Several other forms of science communication, for instance "Long Nights of Science" or "Science Slams" have been established.
With this funding scheme, the ScienceCampus wants to support its members in preparing their results for the public and to experiment with new communication formats. Funding is available for projects aiming to present scientific results that are related to the ScienceCampus to the public. The maximum sum available per grant is 1.000 €.
Members of the ScienceCampus electronically submit the application form with a description of the project and an estimated spending plan to the ScienceCampus coordination office.
Please note that no applications are currently accepted.
last update on January 8, 2019


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Train Malmo → Stockholm
Duration 69J 10h -
Sweden's third city is a melting pot of international culture, reflected in its diverse restaurant and bar scene. Take a bike tour from the main square Stortorget, through the old town and romantic parks, and see the 190m Turning Torso, before cooling off in the sea. Learn more about Malmo
Stylish, sophisticated and socially responsible
Stylish, sophisticated and socially responsible Stockholm is sometimes called the capital of Scandinavia. Built on 14 islands in lake Malaren, it marks the beginning of an archipelago of 24,000 islands stretching all the way to the Baltic Sea. The city is more than 700 years old, and yet, is a beacon of modernity. Talk about contrasts. The birthplace of functional (funkis) furniture meets renaissance majesty. Learn more about Stockholm


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Istanbul - Erbil Flight Tickets
There aren't that many ways to reach the city center after you arrival at the Erbil International Airport with Pegasus. The easiest way is using the airport's free buses; buses that take off every 15 minutes will take you to the park area in the city center. If you don't want to use them, you can get to the city center or your hotel by using the taxis that wait at the door of the airport. But in Erbil be careful while using a taxi; taxi drivers may intentionally take longer routes. If you like the service, you can tip them.
Erbil doesn't have an advanced public transportation system. That's why, you can use a taxi on your own or share one with other people who are going to the same direction. Here taxis are shared. Don't forget that you can rent cars on flypgs.com as an alternative way of transportation.
Shopping in Erbil
Two important things you need to know while shopping in Erbil is that you need cash with you and you can actually negotiate the prices. Shopping from street sellers is a tradition here. However, people have been mostly shopping in malls in recent years.
Qalat Street
You can buy rugs and carpets with different patterns as well as gifts from the shops in this street. Don't forget to negotiate.
Kayseri Market
It's unacceptable to go to Erbil and not visit Kayseri Market. You'll find everything from fresh fruits to organic cheese, from shoes to clothes in this market located at the foot of Erbil Castle.
Family Shopping Center
You'll find around 350 world brands' stores in the biggest shopping center in Erbil.
Majidi Shopping Center
This mall, which has been opened in 2009, is located on an area of 135.000 m2. On the first two floors, there are men and women clothes as well as a big market. The food section is located on the third floor and it's open until 12 am.
Accommodation in Erbil
You can prefer both luxurious options and low budget hotels with standard services for accommodation in Erbil. The list we've created for you unclides many alternatives.
Erbil Rotana
This 5 star hotel welcomes its guests with its 201 rooms, suits, restaurants, conferences and meeting rooms. 1000 people can be hosted in its big meeting room and there are also 5 small meeting rooms. All meeting rooms have equipments with the latest technology. This hotel, which is 10 minutes away from Erbil Airport, is 15 minutes away from Citadel of Erbil.
Gulan Street
Divan Erbil
Located at the center of the city, Divan will first draw your attention with its giant building. Latest technology and luxury are together in Divan, which is known as one of the best hotels of Erbil, to make your life better. Divan enables you both to have fun and to have business meetings with its 227 rooms, parking lots for 200, Seasons Restaurant, which is one of the best of the city, sushi and grill restaurants, Chopin piano bar, boutiques and meeting rooms.
Gulan St, Erbil, Iraq
Erbil International Hotel
Being one of the first luxury hotels if Erbil, Erbil International Hotel is only 2 km away from the city center and it has the view if Gelgand Park. The most important feature of this hotel that is comprised of a 10-floor building and the grean area surrounding it is its professional team. You can keep fit during your trip thanks to its pool, spa and fully equipped gym.
30 Meter Street
Khanzad Hotel&Resort
This holday resort, which is a the "sister" of Erbil International Hotel, is located a bit outside of the city, in Bastora. You'll have a peaceful and luxurious time in the holiday resort located in a green area. Waiting for its guests with its restaurants that serve foods from world kitchens, a bar and an open pool, Khanzad offers a stress-free vacation with its professional staff.
Tel: +964 66 2245273
Van Royal Hotel
This luxurious hotel located in the middle of the city and 4 km away from the airport. It has very special of Halil Kayat Mosque. There are 90 suits and rooms in this building with 11 floors. It also has conference and meeting rooms for your business trips. The hotel, which also offers Turkish bath, pool, sauna and massage services, has everyhting you need for a pleasant vacation.
(60m Road) – Şoriş Intersection
Tel:+964 66 2235840
Affordable Options
Zheen Hotel
This hotel located in a side street on Bata Street is very affordable and you don't have to share your bathroom with others in spite of the other affordable hotels. You can choose a room among shared rooms and private rooms.
Hotel Shahan
Not stylish but a comfortable hotel. Each room has 2 beds, a bathroom and a television. Walk towards where shops are located to see this hotel on Qalat Street.
Hotel Bekhal
This hotel's rooms are clean; it always has hot water; located in a great spot and has friendly atmosphere. That's why, all its guests recommend it.
Food and Drink in Erbil
Erbil cuisine is waiting for you wits kebabs and shawarmas sold in the streets. Souk Iskan Street is filled with coffee houses and restaurants from the beginning to the end. If you haven't been able to decide on a restaurant, you can go to this street and let the smells guide you. Restaurants mostly serve Turkish and Lebanon foods but you can also find examples from world kitchens. Here are the ones we've picked for you:
Seasons Restaurant
Either have a rich breakfast in this amazing restaurant in Divan Hotel or have brunch; or go there for lunch and dinners. You can taste examples from world cuisines while sitting in the garden, by the pool or inside.
Divan Hotel
Marina Restaurant
In Marina, where you can taste the best forms of the Lebanon cuisine, the food is good, service is perfect and fast. Their meat is soft and very delicious. If you're there for a dinner, enjoy the live music.
Erbil , Ainkawa , Area 108
Tel: 06 62 50 19 19
Today Restaurant
In the restaurant that gets very crowded in the evenings, you need to taste the meat or chicken cooked in shawarma style. Also, the fattosh salad that comes with a special pita bread and hummus are very delicious as well.
Behind Tablo Shopping Center
Hawler Restoran
Being one of the oldest restauants in Erbil, Hawler is generally preferred by businessmen. You can taste the best examples of the Eastern cuisine in this place, of which garden you can have a pleasant evening.
Tel: 0750 448 25 64
You can eat Turkish food in a classical kebab restaurant atmosphere in Sultan. Its menu is not an innovative one but you can eat familar delicacies in a clean environment.
Shoresh Street
This 3-star restaurant, that has been opened in 2008, offers a fusion of Iranian and Western cuisines. You'll not have enough of the food in the restaurant which mostly has Eastern elemenst in its decoration.
Shoresh Street
Al Bustan
Everything is very delicious in Al Bustan where you can taste Lebanon tapas and grilled meat and vegetables. You can sit in the garden of the restaurant, that is located in Erbil Rotana Hotel, and enjoy the fountain and trees around you.
Erbil Rotana Hotel
You'll taste the best examples of Middle Eastern cuisine in Tarin. Starting with mezzes like hummus and stuffed vegetables, you can continue with warm starters like liver and "sambusek" and then move on to one of the highly spicy lamb dishes of Iranian cuisine.
On Massif-Salahaddin Road
Don't be fooled by its plain architecture. Bouba is the latest location of the famous hotel and Restaurant owners Saad-Mohamad Khatib brothers. In this place where you can eat Lebanon food in a comfortable atmosphere, you should eat cold and warm tapas followed by shawarma or homemade hamburgers.
Costa Rica Café
Do you want some coffee? Costa Rica is waiting for you with its amazing coffees, cakes and smoothies. You'll feel happy while sitting in this calm corner and watching people walking.
Gulan Street
Emergency Numbers
Country code: 964
Directorate of Tourism: 066 224 43 94
Ambulance: 122
Fire: 066115
Policeerbil: 144/124/104
Places to see
Places to Visit in Erbil
Most places worth seeing are located in the center of Erbil which is home to the remnants of its past.
Citadel of Erbil
Citadel is reminding us of the thousands years long history by standing on a small hill at the center of the oldest part of the city. There is also Mulla Effendi Mosque in the citadel.
Mudhafaria Minaret
This 36-meters high minaret is located in Minare Park. The minaret, which is standing since the 12th century is built on a hexagonal foundation.
Sami Rahman Park
You can lay down and rest in this park where you'll see all shades of green.
Statue of Ibn Mustafa
This huge statue located on the southern side of Citadel of Erbil offers a great view to take photos. Be careful about the kids who are begging for money around it.
Kela Hewler Park
This park near the citadel is actually a small green area but a it's an amazing spot to take a breath before going up the citadel. There is also a Turkish bath next to it.
Neigbourhoods of Erbil
Center: This area that surrounds Citadel of Erbil has the past and the present in it. Most of the places to see are located here. This area gets more lively in the afternoons and street sellers, people smoking shishas, kids and families make up the crowd.
Aikawa: The area known as the Christian neighbourhood is mostly famous for its nightlife.
Calendar in Erbil
Erbil Literature Festival
Erbil Literature Festival had been held in 2011 for the very first time. The whole event was in Arabic and English. The event, which is organized by Dr Fahdil Tamer, Dr Himdad Abdulqahhar and Dr Rachel Holmes, focuses on Contemporary Iraq Literature. Readings, performances and seminars are organized. This festival that is organized every year in January introduces literature enthusiasts to a less known world.
International Erbil Fair
International Erbil Fair brings many people from different industries together. Many companies, chambers of commerce, associations, ministries and embassies take part in the fair.
International Erbil Marathon
International Erbil Marathon organized by professional athletes and sports fans aims to give messages of love, peace and anti-violeerbince.
Liberation of Erbil
11thMarch is one of the most important dates of the contemporary Kurdish times. In 1970, Iraq has recognized Kurdish people's national rights for the first time after Aylul Uprising. Today, it's celebrated with joyful shows in Erbil.


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I will give myself another week to clean up my work space in the basement - it is really cluttered with too many things that need to be thrown out. After that I will start sketching again - it is the best way to generate new ideas - and then hopefully there will be a rebirth of new ideas.
One idea that I plan to pursue is getting impressions from germinating seeds.
|Germinating wheat seed impressed in clay
It was amazing the details that showed up - even the very fine roots.
I will have to visit the local farm supply store soon as I think that a platter with rows of different seeds germinating - wheat, oats, peas, corn, etc, would make an interesting piece - and with it symbolizing a rebirth of creativity. Happy new year!


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By Raffique Shah
Sunday, October 26th 2008
LAST week, when I suggested that the masses of poor and middle-income people across the world may yet have the last laugh in the midst of the global financial crisis, many readers laughed at me. "You can't be serious?" several of my friends called to ask, exploding into loud guffaws. "Of course I am," I responded. I proceeded to explain why I thought the super-wealthy would cry more tears than the wretched of the earth.
The latter have known only tough times. Hundreds of millions struggle to stay alive in countries where drought, floods or thieves disguised as political dictators reduce them to homelessness and starvation. Thousands die daily, mainly children and older people. The unemployed and working poor exist day-to-day, and this not only in developing countries. In the USA, for example, many Americans who have lost their homes in the sub-prime mess, and their jobs in the financial crisis that ensued, now live in shelters, caravans, cargo-containers, even in their cars!
Hunger pangs are not easy to cope with, especially when we hear children crying for food. Older folks, many of them suffering with debilitating diseases, quietly bear their multiple burdens until death relieves them from suffering. The working poor are forced into budgeting exercises that would make the Minister of Finance look dumb. At the middle-income level, except for those who want to live champagne lives on mauby pockets, we have mastered the art of survival. We may emerge from this crisis battered and bruised. But we'll live to fight another day.
Not so, the super-rich. I shall not attempt to peer-beyond the fortress-like fences and walls of our local elite, many of whom must have fallen victims to their own wiles (and greed), as I suggested last week. It is in the stratosphere of global wealth that the fallout from the crisis has hit hardest. Take Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, listed fourth on the most recent Forbes magazine "rich list". Mittal, whose net worth stood at US$45 billion in June, lost an estimated US$10 million an hour since then as share prices in Arcelor-Mittal tumbled on the stock market.
Put another way, the Mittal family shareholding in the company fell from US$51 billion to $18 billion. Of course, that would not badly affect his net worth or reduce him to a pauper. Far from it, the joint owner of English football club Queen's Park Rangers, who also owns the most expensive mansion in Britain (valued at US$128 million), will ride out the global financial meltdown. In a worst-case scenario, should he lose 90 per cent of his wealth he would still have a few billion dollars to play with.
It seems that as Divali approaches, Maha Lakshmi has not been kind to India's new "rajahs". Companies owned by its five richest, India-based tycoons, lost around US$110 billion since the start of the year. The battling Ambani brothers, Mukesh and Anil, who are worth US$43 billion and $42 billion respectively, lost an estimated $60 billion as shares in their companies plummeted. Not escaping the run were K.P. Singh (net worth US$30 billion), as well as Sunil Mittaland Azim Premj. Interestingly, while Rattan Tata's huge conglomerate encountered problems getting his US$2,500 "Nano" car plant established in West Bengal (the natives were restless they protested its planned location), his companies were not among the big losers in share prices.
Across in icy Russia, that country's new oligarchs face a worrisome chill that could freeze them out of business. The top 25 post-communism overlords lost some $240 billion over the past five months. Aluminium tycoon Oleg Deripaska (net worth $28 billion), who invested heavily in Moscow's properties market, has lost around $25 billion. The best known Russian here in Trinidad, Roman Abramovich, because he owns Chelsea FC, lost more than $20 billion as share prices in steel producer Evraz fell from a high of $131 to $14. Like their counterparts in the USA, many of whom lost even more than the Russians and Indians did, they are now turning towards the Kremlin to bail them out. Prime Minister Putin, who still wields influence there, is not impressed.
Meanwhile, the world's richest man, American Warren Buffet, seems to have thrived in troubled times. Known for his generosity, some time last year Buffet pumped some $20 billion into Bill and Melinda Gates' charitable foundation. He strongly condemned George Bush when the president imposed new taxation laws that favoured the rich and hurt the poor. He screamed loudly that his secretary was made to pay more tax (on a pro-rated basis) than her boss. "It's not fair!" he shouted. You don't need to guess how he will vote in next week's presidential election.
I have delved into the affairs of men (oh, there are women among them, too) whose wealth elevates them to God-like status. Mostly, they are selfish, greedy, harsh towards their employees, care nothing about the poor. If anything, the global meltdown will humble them. The higher you climb, they will learn, the harder you fall. That adage applies to the wealthy as it does to politicians.


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Vanity Mirror
Where to begin lol. I think I've told the story of how I came to SL a few times, but it's still hilarious to me so here we go! I have a very good "internet" friend that I've known now for 9 years but we aren't in constant contact now like we were once upon […]Read more "Vanity Mirror"


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So I'm a fan of procrastination and as such am a fan of Reddit. One of the several Sub-Reddit's I subscribe to is r/WritingPrompts. I thought that maybe this would help me progress my writing…. it would probably help if I actually read some of them instead.
Anyway one of the prompts was a take on the apocalypse, and any form that you wanted. Now I got my idea from a theoretical paper that I heard about through a podcast (all very circumstantial but still). The idea was that due to zombies being walking, easy to over-come buffets, they'd basically be over taken by nature, I then took the idea further by saying the zombie flesh would affect animals behavioural patterns.
Anyway here is the final idea worked out (obviously it could be worked on more, so if anything it's just the current idea):
3 years. 3 years of bad blood, attacks, violence and survival of the most inhumane type. No one really knows where they came from, the dead, but everyone left has felt the affects. There were rumours of mad doctors, secret government weapons gone awry and even sick sci-fi fanatics who'd brought this armagedon upon us, whoever or whatever it was… I hope it was the first to die at the hands of it's own abonimations hands.
Everyone had spoken about what would happen in such an event obviously, so much of it was in pop-culture that everyone at some point asked themselves what they'd do, I've no idea if anyone's plan actually worked, all I know is that we survived the initial stage and now we're struggling more than ever to survive the next.
They tracked the living via noise and smell, but they were slow and were easily succummbed when only a few were there and spread out. What we didn't realise was that the rotting flesh and leadened demeanour meant that they were prime targets for nature to attack. Birds picked at their faces and eyes blinding them, bears would crush them with their mighty paws and claws. We initially felt that they were helping us, we were fools to hope so much in such darkened, atrocious times.
Nature grew more confident, more assured in itself and more devastating. We didn't realise at the time but the diseased flesh of the dead that had been consumed so willingly by creatures both big and small affected them too. The animals were sent into bezerk rages, smashing, shattering and demolishing all in their paths, even each other. It didn't take long for their gazes to turn our way, and turn our way they did.
Who would have thought we'd look back on our own dead fondly? I guess being hunted down by Mother Nature makes you re-assess your life.
Here is the first draft:
A new disease broke out, something worse than deadly but the full repercussions weren't understood. The dead began to rise like something out of an old sci-fi movie, shuffling along and rotting as they went on by.
What happened next though was something we'd never thought could happen. All manner of animal and beast began feasting off of the walking buffets of meat. Birds would eat away at the head and brain, scavengers like rats would nipple away at the feet and the larger animals would feast gladly on a walking corpse or two.
We felt as if we'd dodged one of science fictions biggest clichés when we realized that the animals had become more brave and the affect of the diseased flesh took them into berserk rages. The problem wasn't our own but the animals themselves, all of a sudden nature had turned around and started fighting back against all we'd made and manipulated to our own ends. Packs of animals would roam the re-abandoned cities, different species making unlikely alliances where birds would track and wolfs attack.
We were left to be hunted, not survive like with walking dead, our food had become our predator and we it's prey. It seems fate is not without a sense of irony.


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As someone who's never been an avid manga reader in the past, I took a look at !Manga from Rick Murray out of curiosity more than anything.
I was expecting an offline reader that would take in some sort of file containing the manga book you want to view and then spit out the book at you in pages. How very wrong I was! Manga is actually a graphical interface and reader for all manga books hosted at mangareader.net – which gives you access to thousands of free manga titles.
Manga can be downloaded for free from the Pling Store. Installation is very straightforward, you unpack !Manga from its zip file and drop it to where you want on your system.
When run, an icon appears on the icon bar that when clicked it will bring up a menu that gives you access to a huge list of manga books that once selected, will be downloaded on the fly via an SSL connection to mangareader.net.
The main window will display details of the book, its author, what way the book is to be read (right-to-left usually with manga) and a few other details.
Flicking through pages is a little slow at times due to it pulling stuff from mangareader.net, but it's definitely useable.
Rick has emphasised on this ROOL Forum thread that Manga is not complete yet, and does have some kinks to work out. Although from my time using it, it has only crashed once, so the program is definitely usable for reading manga for more than just a few minutes.
Compatibility-wise, Manga seems to work on most RISC OS machines you chuck at it. It works fine on my Raspberry Pi 2, it's been reported to work fine on an ARMX6, Pandaboard and even a RiscPC running RISC OS 4.39.
Whether you're into your manga or not, Manga is a pretty impressive project and is definitely worth checking out. It is still under development, you can keep tabs on how Rick is getting on with it on the ROOL Forums.


text: If I ever had to escape the UK in some James Bond-like manner, I would, without a doubt, flee to this four mile stretch of beach just off the coast of Belize. Caye Caulker can be reached by water taxi from Belize City (or seaplane, but no thank you), and although it's largely uninhabited by locals, the economy is well lubricated by drifters. I'm not much of a scuba diver (okay, not at all), and I don't fish, but I've heard that this is a great place for both of those things. As for me, I spent three days sipping tropical beverages and noshing on fresh seafood, all while sprawled on the beach, trying to get a tan. (Effort was futile.)


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I have heard it said and expressed the same sentiments myself. America will either seek God from a place of desperation , or we will find ourselves crying out to Him from a place of devastation.
The reality is . . . without a transformational revival and true spiritual awakening that impacts the culture, our grandchildren will not enjoy the freedoms we have enjoyed. The church will be shackled with regulatory governmental chains and a secularized, atheistic culture that will drive her to her knees.
Here is "An Awakening Assignment" that connects us with Christ's words to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Read Matthew 26:36-46 So, couldn't you stay awake with Me one hour? Stay awake and pray, so that you won't enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
The Setting
The setting is after Jesus had been teaching in Jerusalem during His last week.
No doubt, Jesus could relate to Isaiah's dilemma following the prophet's gaze into the throne room and his impassioned response to the call of God: "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)
The Lord's instructions for Isaiah were: Isaiah 6:9-10
"Go, and tell this people:
'Keep on listening, but do not perceive;
Keep on looking, but do not understand.'
"Render the hearts of this people insensitive,
Their ears dull,
And their eyes dim,
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
Understand with their hearts,
And return and be healed."
Can we relate in our contemporary setting?
The New Testament religious leaders, who also served as national leaders in the Jewish culture, had become dull of heart, hard of hearing, and blind to the very truth they should have been teaching others. (Matthew 23:13-28) Jesus pronounced "woes" upon them. Jesus referred to them as hypocrites. What was their response? They plotted to take Him by trickery and kill Him.
We cannot deny the headlines in both the religious and secular media. The reality is . . . We will always have hypocritical national and religious leaders.
But praise God; He will always have a remnant that is not blinded by the enemy or insensitive to the Spirit of the Lord.
The Assignment
Jesus urged the disciples to pray so that they would not fall into temptation. One of their greatest trials was on the horizon. Their only hope of resistance and victory over temptation was persistent prayer and watchfulness.
Luke 22:39 And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him.
This was probably not a new thing for them to do, and it was not a new place for them to go. It was in "this place" that He instructed and warned them of the absolute necessity, of praying so that they would not "enter into temptation." (22:40)
"The place" where some of you may have found yourselves at times is also not by happenstance. God understands what is required to move us to a new level of boldness and trust that will propel us and our ministry forward in a way that we would never achieve if we avoided the Gethsemanes in our lives.
What are some assignments we have been given?
– Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42
– And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18
– Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
The Assurance
We want to ask the same question as Isaiah, "How long, LORD?" We may not like His answer.
Isaiah 6:11 Until cities are devastated and without inhabitant, Houses are without people And the land is utterly desolate,
But, we are not without hope! The promise to Isaiah brings us assurance from the Lord today.
Isaiah 6:13 Yet there will be a tenth portion in it, And it will again be subject to burning, Like a terebinth or an oak whose stump remains when it is felled. The holy seed is its stump. Cyrus allowed a remnant to return and repopulate the nation in 583 B.C. and another remnant reestablished the nation of Israel in 1948.
We may feel like we are only a remnant, but we have this assurance that still echoes from the lips of Jesus.
Read Matthew 28:18-20 Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Read Luke 10:19
The setting was not ideal then and it isn't now. The Garden of Gethsemane assignment is still the same. "Pray with me!"


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Today is officially the last day of my Master's program and I still can't believe that this two year journey has come to an end. The past two years have been an unbelievable experience for me. I have learned so much about teaching and learning and I have made so many great connections and relationships in the process. I have also learned so much about myself over the past two years and gained new insights and perspectives that I hope to share with my students and apply to my professional career. What I have learned the most from this experience is that no matter the challenge, you can accomplish anything in life, if you put your mind, body, and soul into it.
#ItsOver #Graduation2017 #EdTech #MEd #RRUMALAT


text:
As of January 2017, the Coalition for Affordable Drugs, a company formed by a hedge fund manager and the founder of a patent monetization entity, has filed forty petitions for inter partes review. The Patent Trial and Appeal Board ("PTAB") instituted trial for eighteen of these petitions.
On December 5, 2016, a bipartisan group of ten members of Congress from the State of New York wrote to Director Michelle K. Lee "to express our concern with the continued abuse of the inter partes review (IPR) system by financial speculators and other third parties with no legitimate interests in patented technology undergoing review" and to ask Director Lee to use the PTO's authority to prevent such abuses.
These members of Congress stated they were "concerned with numerous recent attempts by hedge funds to short the stocks of targeted companies prior to IPR filing." They also expressed concern "that hedge funds are filing repeat petitions challenging certain patents, even though previous IPR petitions on . . . these patents had already been rejected by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO)." They referred to New York's "large and thriving bioscience industry, which is an important driver of the state's economy," and stated that New York companies' and entrepreneurs' dependence "on a strong and predictable system of intellectual property rights, and on a fair and reasonable system for adjudicating the validity of these rights, to attract investor capital and to commercialize their innovative technologies and lifesaving cures."
The letter noted that the IPR petitions were "typically" filed by hedge funds or financial speculators "as part of a secret stock-shorting scheme or in an attempt to extort substantial payments from patent owners." But they found "particularly troubling":
repeated instances of filing petitions challenging the same patent claims on grounds substantially identical to those previously denied institution in prior-filed petitions. In essence, this "try-again" practice affords hedge funds multiple bites at the apple, in which the PTO's reasons for denying an IPR petition are used as a how-to guide to filing another petition.
They also were concerned that:
this practice inspires collusion by parties who would otherwise be time-barred from bringing their own IPR because the PTO has been permitting such parties to join these hedge funds in their IPR. Furthermore, it is our understanding that the statute appears to foreclose that option.
They further observed that "[a]llowing these open-ended challenges perpetuates such disputes rather than resolving them" and "undermine[s] the investment-backed expectations of patent owners in 'quiet title' in their intellectual property, depreciates the market value of their businesses, and harms their ability to advance their research and development programs."
The letter further noted the PTO's statutory discretion to deny institution of petitions where institution would not be in the interests of justice (35 U.S.C. § 314(a)) and "reject IPR petitions that contain the same or substantially the same arguments or evidence previously presented to the PTO" (35 U.S.C. § 325(d)), as well as Section 316(a)'s direction to the PTO "to prescribe regulations regarding 'abuse of process, or any other improper use of the proceeding, such as to harass' patent owners."
The members of Congress urged Director Lee "to fully embrace your statutory authority to curb abuse of the IPR system by hedge funds and other non-practicing, third-party petitioners." They noted
it is ironic that a system that was designed to address legitimate concerns about "patent trolls" who abuse their patent rights is now being used to attack patent owners for similarly illegitimate reasons – a form of reverse patent trolling. If left unaddressed, we believe these abuses risk upsetting the carefully crafted balance of procedures that were designed to ensure that the IPR system provides patent owners with a fair and predictable process for defending their intellectual property rights.
Time will tell whether the PTO will adopt practice rules that limit the ability of parties without competitive interest in the patented technology to challenge patent validity through inter partes review.
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|15 Apr 2014
BSOD when playing games, error 0x00000124, ntoskrnl.exe+14dca0
So been having recurring Bluescreens for a long time. They went away after I reduced the overclock as they were usually hal.dll errors but now I am getting ntoskrnl.exe errors. Any help?
|My System Specs
|15 Apr 2014
Edit: Could it be my GPU because the Core Clock was 50Hz higher than default?
My CPU is also overclocked but shouldn't be the problem I think
|My System Specs
|16 Apr 2014
Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
Stress test your hardware as follows and reort back.
RAM - Test with Memtest86+
Hardware - Stress Test With Prime95
Video Card - Stress Test with Furmark
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According to a new study, children with Autistm Spectrum Disorder may have sleep problems stemming from sensory issues.
Sleep problems are common for children on the ASD spectrum, but as we know, sleep is crucial to all of us. Although sleep may never be perfect for children with autism, we can do as much as we can to set them up for success. Today, we have 3 ways to help your child with ASD sleep better.
1. Personalized Bedtime Routine
While a bedtime routine is helpful for all children, those with autism need an even better version of the bedtime routine. Ideally, your child's bedtime will be personalized to fit their unique needs. Having a routine is super important as many kids with ASD are very instinctual and rely heavily on their routines.
Another way to enhance your bedtime routine is to have a picture chart with the steps to follow. This not only helps your child know what comes next but helps you stay consistent and not veer too far off routine. This will limit disruptions to the routine and allow your child to have a more relaxed experience while getting ready for bed.
In addition, keep in mind that many bedtime routines are around 30 minutes, but children with ASD may need more time to shut-down. If you have found a faster bedtime routine tends to upset the flow, try allowing an hour (or more) for your bedtime routine. By not rushing through everything, you may find your child is more cooperative and goes to sleep faster and more peacefully.
Lastly, turn off ALL screens at least 1-2 hours before bedtime to help with the wind-down time. Not only do we want to limit even more stimulation leading up to bedtime, but we also want to limit blue light exposure. Blue light has been shown to affect melatonin production, which helps us all fall asleep.
2. Ideal Sleeping Environment
While a personalized bedtime routine is helpful, a personalized sleeping environment is even more important. Here are a few things to consider:
- White Noise – Consider white noise to drown out sounds to which your child may be sensitive. But, you may need to experiment with different types of white noise. Some white noise is too disruptive to some people such as birds chirping or non-monotonous sounds such as thunderstorm which may have random sounds occurring at irregular intervals.
- Black-out Curtains or Shades – When the sun rises, our bodies are designed to wake up. Some of us are more sensitive to light than others. Black-out curtains or shades can be helpful in blocking out some or all light to enable your child to sleep longer at night.
- Visual Cues – Consider using a device to give your child a visual clue when it's OK to get up in the morning or come out of their room after a rest time during the day. A children's clock that changes color is a good choice. We don't want the clock to wake your child but, rather, when your child wakes up they have something to look toward to see if it's time to get up for the day. Rarely, we hear about children waking too frequently to "check the clock." If the clock is disrupting sleep, stop using it.
Another thing to consider is an app designed to emit soothing sounds for sleep. Developed by two stay-at-home dads, this app features Sympathetic Resonance tones from the Solfeggio Musical scale to promote sleep and well-being. Play these tones with any of the soothing pre-set white noise sounds, as well as the ability to record your own voice for lullabies or shushing. You can mix and match sounds with an individualized volume soundboard. This has been an absolute lifesaver when it comes to fussy and special needs children!
3. Check Your Child's Diet
Carefully consider the foods being fed ALL day, not just at bedtime as kids with ASD/ADHD frequently have a harder time digesting dyes and other toxins. Also, keep processed sugar and simple carbs low. Food dyes have been around for a long time (more than 100 years, in fact), but children used to consume them only occasionally. Now, they are in many foods on the shelves at the store. By pinpointing the foods to which your child reacts negatively, you can improve not only their sleep but possibly their behavior as well. Nutrition has been linked to a host of issues, including sleep disorders. For help with nutrition, you may want to consider The Feingold Program.
You might also be interested in…
- Autism & Sleep: An Interview With An Expert
- How Autism Spectrum Disorder Affects Sleep
- Tips to Help Your Child With Autism Sleep


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PARIS (Reuters) - France is drafting a U.N. Security Council resolution that aims to ensure international observers are deployed to process the evacuation of civilians from Aleppo and enable humanitarian aid to reach the Syrian city, diplomats said on Friday.
The evacuation of people from the last opposition-held areas of the city was suspended on Friday after pro-government militias demanded that the wounded should also be brought out of two Shi'ite villages being besieged by rebel fighters.
"We are working on a resolution," one French diplomat said. A second diplomat confirmed the move.
At France's request, the United Nations aid chief Stephen O'Brien is set to brief the Security Council on Friday on the operation to evacuate thousands of civilians and fighters from Aleppo.
The meeting was not initially aimed at putting a resolution to a vote and it was unclear immediately when and if the resolution would go forward.
French diplomats appeared caught by surprise after comments from President Francois Hollande overnight in Brussels announcing a new draft resolution at the end of a European leaders' summit.
"Humanitarian corridors need to be protected, international observers must be present and we must avoid reprisals against civilian populations that take refuge in other cities," Hollande said.
"The Security Council could, without any blockages, adopt these urgent humanitarian measures very quickly," he added, saying they could be followed by a wider ceasefire that paved the way for a broader political negotiation.
Russia and China have previously protected the Syrian government from council action by blocking several resolutions, including a bid to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.
When asked why Russia would not veto this particular effort, Hollande said it aimed purely to save lives.
"Russia has put its veto down several times to political resolutions ... but would Russia veto a resolution that has a simple objective of ensuring access to humanitarian aid and to protect civilian populations? I couldn't imagine that they could do that," Hollande said.
Russia and China on Dec 6 vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution put forward by New Zealand that would have demanded a seven-day truce in Syria's Aleppo, with Russia arguing it would allow rebels to regroup.
(Reporting by John Irish and Jean-Baptiste Vey)


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A choice of love, not an act of obligationI cannot tell you how many times people have talked with me about friendship in missions. More often than not, I have been told that "you get what you get" essentially. I can recall multiple conversations with varying people who have told me, "If you were state-side, you might not be friends with any of those you are serving with. Still, God has placed you here together, so that's all you have."
I have wrestled with this throughout the past 18 months, and was not sure why. Lately I have been re-thinking that, and trying to determine why that bothered me so much. I came to the realization of two things.
1. Why does serving together mean that you have to be the closest of friends?
It seems that everyone keeps telling me that I have to be best friends with anyone I serve with. The reality is, this was not the case state-side. Why should it be now? While we do not have as many Americans to be-friend here, we can still build deep and meaningful relationships. Additionally, all friendships, regardless of where they are formed, when, or even why - are in varying degrees. My best friends all qualify as such for different reasons. Those that I serve with may not fit this bill. I may find that I connect with people who have grown up in this culture even more-so than those who match my own culture. I am not bound to having American friends out of duty or obligation. Yet, I can connect with my fellow missionaries as friends if I desire to.
2. For varying reasons, sometimes we choose a friend; sometimes they choose us.
I honestly cannot tell you why my friends have chosen me. Many of my closest friends have seen my faults and all the ugliness that is within me, and yet still love me. Why? I guess for the same reason I feel the same way about them. We love each other in the ugliness and beauty, pain and rejoicing, suffering and peace. We CHOOSE to love each other - that is the point! I could give up on my friends when it gets difficult, but I don't. Why? Because I choose to love them - just like God chooses to love me.
So, as I thought through these two things, I came to a conclusion.
I can choose to be a friend to anyone
I serve with.
It all starts with love!
This is where my view started to change. I am not saying that all of those who spoke what they thought was encouragement, or perhaps empathy, were wrong. In fact, they are quite right - maybe we would not have been friends state-side. But why should that matter now? I love that my friends vary in age, life stage, and location. I do not want that to change. So as people try to tell me that I am "just stuck" with those I serve with, I choose to reject that mindset. The reality is, if we approach relationship in that way, it is doomed to fail. Instead, I choose to remember that each of the people God places me here with is a gift. Every person who crosses my path is the potential for me to grow and become more Christ-like. So I choose to be friends with all I serve with - not because we just happen to be in the same place, but because I truly want to love them.


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The Holy Week processions, with all their particular characteristics and intrinsic beauty, take place every day as from Palm Sunday, culminating with the glory of the Resurrection and the joy of Easter.
An atmosphere of mourning and devotion is succeeded by a day full of light and colour and the sound of bells pealing from the gables and towers of our cathedrals, churches and hermitages.
From South to North, from the world known Seville´s Semana Santa, the one in Malaga and in Granada as the most representatives in the south of Spain, we will aslo recommend you to visit the Processions in Old Castile, northern Madrid, in which some of the most popular ones, are the ones in Valladolid and Zamora.
Also we can not forget to mention the Rocio Pilgrimage which happens near Seville every year and the Corpus Christi in Toledo, near Madrid.
Andalusia celebrates its festivals with passion and abandonment. Seville, as the region's capital, hosts some of the most important events. When the orange trees begin to blossom, Seville decks itself out for its famous Semana Santa (Easter Week) and Feria de Abril (April Fair).
The city's most famous celebration, Semana Santa was begun in the 14th century. In the 17th century it assumed the traits which it maintains today, coinciding with the golden age of Sevillian religious images. This is the period of the creation of Jesús del Gran Poder, La Macarena, and the Christ of Cachorro, pivotal images of the processions.
Semana Santa in Seville spans the 7 days of Easter, with the staging of daily processions, as well as the 40 days of Lent, necessary for the preparations. The celebration lasts from Palm Sunday to Easter day and includes the participation of 57 brotherhoods.
Holy Week has been officially declared a "Holiday of Interest to the Tourist" and is one of Granada's best festivities, attracting more and more visitors each year with increasing displays of popular fervor. On Wednesday of Holy Week, there is a procession held called "Christ of the Gypsies" or "Christ of Sacromonte". Other processions of interest are: the Procession of Silence held at midnight on Thursday of Holy Week, departing from the Church of San Pedro on the Carrera del Darro, and Procession of Las Angustias on Saturday of Holy Week.
Other religious festivals in Granada:
- May 3rd is the Festival of Crosses, a very popular celebration. Crosses made of flowers are placed in the streets, while courtyards of the houses are also adorned.
- Between May and June, the Corpus Christi Fair, the biggest festival in the city, is celebrated. Typical Andalusian dress is worn, horse–drawn carriages are used, and there is dancing at the stalls of the fair. Bullfights are also held.
- The last Sunday in September is the Festival of the Virgen de las Angustias, patron saint of the city. Open–air dances, bullfights and processions are held.
The Easter Week, a very solemn event in the capital which dates from the 15th century – the beautiful stages of the Passion of Christ (wooden figures by Pedro de Mena and Benlliure, among others) and the baroque ornamentation of the processional 'thrones' make it one of the most attractive Easter weeks in Spain.
The unforgettable Holy Week of Valladolid is officially classified as of interest to international tourism. Its processions, especially those of Good Friday with their great variety of images, pass through the streets amidst a silence only broken by the mournful roll of drums.
On Maundy Thursday, a procession of 16C and 17C polychrome wooden figures on platforms passes through the town and also through typical La Rúa Street.
Easter Week is witness to various processions: the most famous of these is the Silent Procession on Good Friday Night, in which a 13th century carved figure of Christ is borne through Toledo's narrow streets amidst an awe-inspiring silence. From Wednesday evening until Friday evening, all the city's churches remain open, including those which by virtue of belonging to convents or having fallen into disuse, are otherwise closed to visitors.
Besides Valladolid, there are other important processions during the week in Avila, Segovia, Burgos and Zamora.
Corpus Chirsti in Toledo (May / June)
Toledo's most important celebration is held to mark Corpus Christi (which falls on the Sunday of the ninth week after Easter). Forming part of a time-honoured tradition that goes back eight hundred years, there is a religious procession that starts at the Cathedral and, adorned with tapestries, describes a route along the main thoroughfares of the city to eventually return to its original point of departure. It is the only day in the year when the monumental silver-gilt monstrance, made by the Gothic silver- and goldsmith, Enrique de Arfe, and normally displayed in the Cathedral Museum, is taken out and paraded through the town. Lending colour to the solemnity of the procession are the uniforms, habits and gowns of the different military orders, guilds and brotherhoods. Faithful to age-old custom, many streets along the route are roofed over with white awnings, whilst the ground beneath is carpeted with flowers and fragrant herbs. In the evening of Corpus Christi it is customary for a traditional bullfight to be held.
The Pilgrimage to El Rocio (May / June)
A lot of people go on a pilgrimage to El Rocio. Those who believe in heaven and those who don't. A few hours after starting along the paths of Lower Andalusia, a unique form of relation is established. Differences disappear. Hearts open. This is the miracle of El Rocío.
The Virgen has been venerated at this isolated site for over 800 years, and since 1758 the Romeria Del Rocio has been celebrated on Whitsuntide, the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday. There are really two parts to this celebration, the festival in Almonte and the actual pilgrimage that starts several days before.
Hundreds of "brotherhoods" from the surrounding villages and towns organize the processions that all end up in Almonte. Travelers (or "romeros") come from all over Andalucia on foot, on horseback or by oxcart. No motorized vehicles are allowed. Most of these pilgrims wear the traditional garb, women in bright gypsy-inspired flamenco dresses and men in the unique wide-brimmed "bolero" hats and short-cropped jackets associated with Andalusia. As they get closer to Almonte, the pilgrims camp out in the fields and forests of the surrounding Donana National Park.
All the romeros arrive in the village of Almonte on today before dawn, and then the festivities really kick into gear. Accompanied by tambourines, flutes and guitars, the entire group strolls across the broad plains to the El Rocio shrine in the nearby marshes. A large silver shrine that contains an effigy of the Virgen is carried along by Almonte's elite "Hermandad Matriz" brotherhood. The sound of firecrackers fills the air as the crowds cry "Viva la Reina de la Marisma" ("Long live the Queen of the Marshes"). Once everyone arrives at the shrine, mass is recited and the Virgen is paraded around the dusty fields for several more hours.


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For printable version click here.
Types of IUD
Copper, Mirena and Jaydess are all suitable choices for users who cannot use estrogen containing methods including breastfeeding mothers.
How can I prepare
Leave plenty of time to get to your appointment and make sure you have eaten something in the hour or two beforehand. Arrive 10mins before your appointment time, this will allow for paperwork, a pee test and to use the washroom.
Usually pain medication is not needed before or after the IUD is inserted. If you feel cramping after your insertion you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) and/or ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) to help with pain. Sometimes holding a hot water bottle on your lower abdomen also helps.
The IUD is inserted during a simple clinic procedure (the actual procedure is only a few minutes). The doctor will examine you to see which way the uterus is positioned and then insert a speculum (like the one used for a PAP).
Next, some freezing is placed in the cervix (this is optional but recommended for pain control), the cervix is then held in position and the uterus is measured for length, and the IUD is then placed inside the uterus. Most women feel cramping during the process of measuring, as well as when the IUD is placed. It is normal for the cramping to last a few minutes, and some will experience cramps for the rest of the day, and perhaps into the next morning. Occasionally some women feel queasy or lightheaded after the procedure. If possible, bring someone to drive you home after.
Risks of IUD Insertion
Uterine perforation: rate of 1 per 1000 insertions (rare). All perforations occur or are initiated at the time of IUD insertion.
Infection: a rate of 1 in 1000 risk for pelvic infection exists in the 20 days following the insertion but the risk is the same as a non-IUD user thereafter.
Expulsion: Approx. 5% or 5 in 100 risk of IUD expulsion (falling out) leading to risk of pregnancy, usually in 1st year. A user who has previously expelled an IUD has a 30% chance of expelling a subsequent IUD.
Failure: If a woman becomes pregnant with an IUD in place, the presence of an ectopic (also known as tubal) pregnancy must be excluded. If the woman chooses to continue the pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage is increased as long as the IUD remains in place.


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Chalet Le Cabri
The very rustic Chalet Le Cabri is beautifully located in the centre of the resort of Val d'Isère. It is also right at the foot of the slopes with a stunning view of the ski area - the Solaise and Bellevarde mountains.
Ski holidays: The chalet is offered on a self-catered basis and includes channel crossing as standard (prefer catered and/or airport transfers - get in touch and we can quote).


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2007 TED Prize Winners Announced
The 2007 TED prize announcement was made the evening of Oct 30, 2006 in San Francisco, CA. In Ft Mason's Golden Gate Room, a small but quickening crowd assembled to honor next year's TED recipients. The space had been transformed from an otherwise austere conference room to one of suspense and celebration--steeped in dark shades (caterers also all wore dark shades) with whitened branches and plant sculptures only nature can design.
It aptly set the tone for the occasion, hinting the eve of Halloween. It was a festive cocktail reception for a ready crowd. Some participants were long-timers. Gary Clayton represented the omnipresent, voice-activating firm TellMe as Chief Creative Officer. All were convivial and ready to experience the dynamic energy behind winners of the next year's prize. Each year TED honors three people "who have shown that they can, in some way, positively impact life on this planet." Past recipients have included global rocker extraordinaire Bono of U2 and Dr. Larry Brilliant, one of this year's winners, and now the energetic first director of the Google Foundation—both of whom no doubt would receive TreeHugger's nods of approval.
Hospitable Laura Galloway of Galloway Media Group introduced arriving guests, making them feel right at home with each other. Just a sampling of attendees included LongNow Foundation's Steward Brand, Eric Daimler, Assistant Dean at Carnegie Mellon University's West Coast Connect and a great grandson of automotive pioneer Gottlieb Daimler, who spoke with me at length. An inquisitive business school professor from UC Berkeley mingled freely in a room full of luminaries and encouraged me to follow his example.
One of this year's winners, Cameron Sinclair, the architect who co-founded Architecture for Humanity, warmed up the audience by talking a bit about the work his organization has accomplished in 2006. It provides homes for victims of the spectrum of disasters such as Hurricane Katrina—around the world. His call to action is "to encourage the design profession to respond to the 98% of the world that do not benefit from our services and to foster public appreciation for the many ways that architecture and design can improve lives."
Amy Novogratz, Director of the TEDPrize Program spoke briefly. HotStudios, Google Sketchup, Creative Commons, and SUN were recognized for their individual contributions in building out an advanced network for TED. Sun Microsystems was lauded for directing the development and roll-out of its back-end enabling technology. Glenn Martinez, SUN's Creative Director, hors d' oeuvres in hand, later described to me in detail how the power of teamwork made their ambitious open source network possible and continues as an evolving labor of love.
Dreams Can Wait—or Not?
When TED founder Chris Anderson took to the stage, he told the audience the trio of honorees will have until the awards ceremony next March to decide upon their "dreams" for the year. With that said, he began playing a series of short silent films revealing their identities—with only music and written words in the background. Between the shorts that followed, Anderson reflected briefly upon each recipient's outstanding contributions and how they fit well with TED's objectives.
James Nachtwey, a photojournalist specializing in war scenes, was first to be nominated for TED 2007. His pictures don't require words. Over the past 30 years, he has traveled around the world to prod people into action against the countless injustices associated with warfare. For well over 20 years a contract photographer with TIME, Nachtwey has also financed his own travels when publications expressed no interest; an example was the issue of famine in Somalia.
E.O. Wilson, Harvard biologist and research professor recognized for coining the phrase "biodiversity," was cited for his tremendous contributions to the conservation of the plants and animals of the natural world. He first achieved fame for his seminal work with ants. Today his influence is felt around the world in coordinating efforts to protect the remaining habitats under increasing pressure. An optimist by nature, in the coming centuries, he is confident that a "paradise" on earth can emerge to supplant the devastation of habit and species loss.
Just a sampling of his honors include the National Medal of Science (1976), Pulitzer Prize (1978 and 1991), recognition as one of TIME's "25 most influential Americans" (1995) and many others. His latest book,The Creation, was just published. A first-time TED winner, Wilson had been nominated for the TED prize in the past.
Bill Clinton, 42nd president of the U.S., was chosen to receive the TED award next year, as well for his foundation's ambitious efforts and successes. He continues tirelessly to carry on with his work through the Clinton Foundation to combat poverty and deadly diseases such as AIDS and persists in his determination to lead the way in sowing the seeds of peace and prosperity around the world.
It was no surprise that after two terms as leader of our nation during one of the most prosperous times in history, he continued to carry his charm and charismatic appeal mightily out of office, as well. His foundation has made steady progress in India and a number of third-world nations. "He really has the ability to galvanize people to take action," said Chris Anderson in conclusion.
Last month in New York, Clinton launched the Foundation's Clinton Global Initiative, a highly ambitious program focusing on a broad array of critically important global causes—including alternative energy and environmental projects, as well as cultivating peace. Combined, pledges of $7.3 billion were made—including Sir Richard Branson's three billion dollar commitment from Virgin Atlantic over the next decade.
Next March, the three will be invited to attend the awards ceremony in Monterey, CA, where it will be held for its third year. Although the event is sold out, interested readers are encouraged to visit this link to TEDtalks, which features past TED Prize winners and numerous other conference speakers.::


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Yesterday I wrote about appreciation. I have great appreciation for the fact that I'm starting to have fun with this fandom thing again. I can't really say how long it's been that I've actually wanted to carve time out to sit down and watch, say…Live from London, or Sing Blue Silver, or even Diamond in the Mind. I'm starting to feel that again, and yes—I definitely appreciate that feeling.
Today, I'm going to write about being thankful, because I am. Just yesterday, I saw something on Twitter about airline pilots at O'Hare airport in Chicago. They are going on strike over the weekend. Political statements aside here—I feel for the travelers because their plans to get home, or get away, might be entangled in a giant mess. When I read the tweet though, my mind immediately went back to 2012. I was supposed to fly to O'Hare to meet Amanda and then we were going to fly on to Heathrow so that we could go to four DD shows in the UK. On Black Friday, I spent a lot of the day on the phone with Amanda. We were freaking out because there was to be a huge public workers strike in the UK, and naturally that was planned for the day we'd arrive. Anyway, I smiled at the memory and tweeted it to Amanda – saying that at least we wouldn't have to worry about that kind of thing this year.
Amanda is going to DC over New Years, and she's going to see Duran Duran. She's going with someone else, and yeah, it's weird. I'm somewhat wistful about the entire thing. She's gone to shows without me before, as I have without her. The difference is, she's traveling by plane for this one. Normally, in fact, I can say that since we met – if I'm traveling to see the band, it is with her. We go together like peanut butter and jelly. That's not happening this time. On one hand, I want to go. On the other hand, it has been one HELL of a year for my family. It's been one hell of a year for me. I need to be here and I need to be thankful for what I have, and what I've done. But yeah, I wish I were going…but I'm very thankful I didn't spend the money on tickets at the same time.
For a long time now, Duran Duran was sort of a job for me without it actually being a job. I'm not saying this to complain, I'm saying this to point out my stupidity to others. Lately, I've been enjoying doing things, like actually gawking at the band. I've watched some videos. For fun! And…I've been listening to their albums. FOR FUN. I realize that to many of you this is like, well…breathing. It used to be for me, too. I'm getting back to that, and dammit I am thankful.
I wouldn't be me if I didn't pay some respects to my touring drink of choice, vodka. (although wine still comes in at a very close second, followed by coffee and then iced tea. Caffeine surges through my veins. ) Time for truth for anyone who might be concerned: I don't drink often. Even so, when we tour, we TOUR.
I am thankful that I get to have my three kids and husband together with me for a few days this week. That's unusual for us anymore, and we're going to one of my favorite places – Paso Robles. Yes, there will be some wine tasting, but also a lot of laughter and love.
Amanda and I have been friends since 2004. That is twelve years. I wouldn't say our friendship is necessarily complicated, but our lives certainly are. There have been moments when I haven't felt as close as others, but I value our friendship. We are proof that you don't necessarily have to be the same in order to be friends – our mutual respect, love, and loyalty is what carries us. I'm lucky I found her.
I feel particularly thankful that I have met so many wonderful Duranies over the years. Some, if not most, have flowed in and out of my life, their time with me not always a constant. What has been really eye-opening for me though, is that in every case, they've had some sort of life-long effect on me. Whether teaching me to be more open-minded, or to embrace the adventures that life has to offer, or even to be more forgiving and careful with the feelings of others, I've learned something. Thank you.
I am learning not to take what I'm about to say for granted – but I'm really thankful for those five guys (ok, six or seven guys) who have been, or are in Duran Duran. I may not know all of them personally, but they have also been invaluable to my life in some way. Even in the few instances that I have been around a couple of them – they managed to give me something to think about for the long-term. They gave me something to look up to when I was young, something to aspire to when I most needed it, and reminded me that yes – even though they are rock stars, they really are human. I am particularly lucky that they happen to create some decent music, too.
I know it's a day early, but I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving if you're in the US and celebrate. If you're elsewhere in the world, thank you for allowing me to indulge!