text:
Month: September 2016
Watching Matthew
The past couple of days we have been laying low as far as sailing goes. Hurricane Matthew has been moving west, parallel to Puerto Rico, and it was unsure at what point it would turn north. While sitting around eating breakfast, Danny asked us all, "what would you do if in bad winds, the line on the mooring ball broke?" We all gave our answers, and decided that the best bet initially would be to simply drop anchor. It's good to be thinking ahead…Most of us went in to town to do a little laundry and purchase some sugar, and were once again met by homes and businesses painted in bright colors.
Aidan and Gabriel skated on their penny boards all around town, enjoying some smooth roads and sidewalks for a change. It's been so fun to spend time with my mom and sister. Check out how much the sun has bleached my dark brown hair! (yes I'm the frumpy one on the right with no make up on!)
We watched clouds move in and wind increase, with waves reaching 10 – 12 ft. Danny called from the boat, saying that Tanda Malaika's weight in the intense wind had been a bit too much for the mooring ball, and our stern was almost in the mangroves. He and Emma dropped anchor. How's that for coincidence!??? I told him we'd make our way back and help move Tanda Malaika to another location.
On our way out of town, Aidan mentioned he'd seen a bakery, so we stopped by and bought a few things to take back. It was tough trying to choose.
Along the road there are always beautiful and interesting things to see, like gorgeous flowers and pods and wooden paths that lead to places I'd love to explore.
These air plants have always fascinated me, and they grow everywhere here.
Once we arrived home, we pulled up anchor and motored through the mangroves to find a good place where we'd be protected from the wind. We found just the spot, and settled in. We have paddle boarded, been swimming and snorkeling, found a sunken boat, lay in the middle of a bait ball consisting of thousands of silversides, read and goofed off, and sent Gabriel up the mast. He loved it so much he stayed for a while and sang.
It's been fun relaxing, and the wind has kept us cooler than we would have been. This morning I took advantage of the wind and washed a few things and hung them to dry, and I also sorted through and reorganized Danny's tools. Tonight I made taco salad for dinner at the creatures request, and we enjoyed our meal at he stern salon before the mosquitos arrived.
This evening Danny pulled out his guitar and Mycah and Gabriel sang for a while. I always love that.
Looking at Hurricane Matthew at this point, we are in the clear to continue east tomorrow. We are grateful that it is not hitting Luperon in Dominican Republic.
Tomorrow begins the month of October. It's a tough time for us as we clearly remember a year ago, at this point we had less than a week left with my brother as he was living with 9 cancerous brain tumors from metastatic melanoma. I recall every word he said to me. Every smile. Every time we held hands. I miss him so much.
Immersed in light
My friend, Cheri, gave me a scoby before we left Luperon, and since then we have been enjoying delicious kombucha. I also have kefir and have been brewing that. I decided it was time to make more tea for the kombucha, and the best way to do that on a boat is by using the suns energy.
There are a few scattered boats where we are, but no one seems to be aboard – aside from pelicans.
Gabriel and Aidan went into town yesterday to explore and penny board, and today the rest of us will join them. In preparation for swimming in the bioluminescent bay, Danny, Mycah, Emma and I set out in the dinghy, meandering through the mangroves in the light of day so we knew where to go at nightfall.
I love being among the mangroves. There is so much life among them. Nurseries filled with juvenile reef fish can be found safely tucked deep within the forest of roots.
Tunnels and arches present themselves around every turn, like an enchanted maze.
When evening fell I noticed a fin in the water near the boat, and slipped in to investigate. Danny was cooking hamburger patties on the grill at the stern and everyone else watched from the deck. The fin surfaced once again, this time revealing that it was a bottle nosed dolphin. She was interesting in a passing fishing panga. I stayed in the water for a while hoping she'd return, and at one point she came fairly close. I loved being there, the sun setting as I swam, alone in the coolness.
Once darkness fell we made our way to the bioluminescent bay. No moon had risen yet. We slipped into the dark water and as we did, lights ran up our bodies where we moved. I brought my fingertips together then flicked them out and a spray of sparks shot out, lighting the water. I swam down, each hand stroke surrounded by a glittering halo of light. I surfaced and listened to everyone exclaiming how beautiful it was, how magical. We tried taking photos but nothing captured the magic. Mycah commented that it's just as well, because some things just have to be experienced in person. It's impossible to describe how beautiful it is. Every single movement we made – no matter how small, was saturated in sparkling light. We played and splashed and floated and laughed and lay quietly, caught up in it all. As we rose up out of the water, light dripped from our hair and bodies. When Danny started the dinghy, the prop spun streams of light from it and the wake left behind us was like a perfect reflection of the milky way.
Sailing the Southern Coast of Puerto Rico
Yesterday morning several of us ran a few errands before the rental car was due back, and on the way Gabriel and Aidan decided to ride their penny boards down a hill. Gabriel got tangled up in a speed wobble and ate asphalt. He's now sporting some respectable road rash but is doing fine.
Once we returned, it wasn't long before we left the dock and headed east along the coast. Huge heavy rainclouds filled the sky.
As we moved out we could see it pouring not far behind us. Lightening and thunder filled the sky but we kept moving at just the right speed to avoid it all.
My mom perched herself on the bow with guineps in hand and enjoyed the view as she feasted.
When the waves became larger my mom moved back and Bernadine, Gabriel and Jude took their places on the bow. It was the most hilarious scene…Bernadine was laughing hysterically as waves would splash up and spray them while poor Gabriel puked (unfortunately, into the wind). He was so motion sick, but felt better after a while. By the time we reached our destination, we were all salty sailors. Tanda Malaika is once again covered in a layer of salt.
The sunset that greeted us was absolutely spectacular. So many shades of pink, peach and coral filled the sky, mixing with bright white billowing clouds and various shades of blue and lavender.
We all sat with cameras in hand and quietly watched.
We live in such a beautiful world.
We hooked up to a mooring ball and began reorganizing when a local man stopped by in his boat to introduce himself. We asked him where the bioluminescent bay is and he offered for us to follow in the dinghy so he could show us. We had heard that theft is bad in some areas of Puerto Rico and weren't sure if he was going to lead us all away while someone else came in to rob us, so half the group joined Danny in the dinghy while the rest of us stayed to prepare dinner.
After about an hour the adventurers returned with stories they excitedly told of bioluminescence so thick and bright that it was like swimming through dense constellations. None of their GoPros could capture it but their minds and souls are left with memories that will be held close forever. Tonight we will all go experience it together.
We continue to keep a close watch on the approaching storm. The area we are in is surrounded by many mangroves and if we need to we will tie onto those as well as throw out our trusty anchor for extra holding. We'll keep you posted as the week progresses.
They are here!
Yesterday morning Danny and I jumped into the rental car and headed for the airport in San Juan. The drive was about 2 1/2 hours with scenery that reminded me of so many places. The Cape, Hawaii and Ecuador to name a few.
Dense green foliage covers much of the landscape. Some farm land is down in the beautiful valleys while others are high on plateaus. The roads had many pot holes and drivers are quite aggressive. i was grateful that Danny was driving.
We reached the airport in good time and our family arrived safely with all bags in tow. It is so good to see them. My sweet Momma and I embraced, her in tears, and it felt good, as always to be in her arms. Some things never change…even though I'm twice her size, in my mind I can still curl up in her lap and fall asleep. Bernadine and I embraced as sisters, finally reunited once again and ready for mischief and adventure. I love it when she's here. Her perspective, creativity and insight is always packed with unique experience and knowledge. My Nephew, Gabriel, enjoyed his first airplane ride and is so fun. He's never been out of the country and is in for some great adventures with his cousins!!!
On the way back to Tanda Malaika, we stopped by the side of the road and bought some guineps. As a family we love trying new fruits and this was one they hadn't tried yet. They loved them, and my mom told me to make sure that we are never out of them while she's here on this visit.
The creatures were so excited when we arrived.
Family is so important. After losing both my father and brother a year ago, this is more deeply etched into me that ever before. No one and nothing, is more important than family. I am so grateful for mine. The family I was bonded to 2 1/2 years ago when I married Danny, are so completely melded into who I am now that it's like there never was a time without them. I love them with my whole self.
Life is good, and I am so filled with gratitude. Let the adventures begin!!!
Farewell to the Nell's
The Nell family joined us 10 1/2 weeks ago, and sailed 861 nautical miles with us, reaching 4 different countries. They left us today to get back to the dirt dwellers life, and we are going to miss them!
We regrouped this morning and had a family planning meeting on what we need to do to get ready for our next three guests who arrive tomorrow. We are so excited to see my mom, sister and nephew. After making a list of needed supplies, we thought the best plan of attack would be to rent a car and gather some supplies. It took me about 5 minutes to get car sick! I seem to have difficulty moving faster than about 7 or 8 knots. Everything passed by so quickly. Stores we recognize from the mainland US, fast food places and other businesses all zoomed by…or maybe we zoomed by them. All I remember was that a lot of zooming was going on!
We finally returned and stowed all the nonsense away.
It rains quite a bit here. Just from last nights down pour, Emma collected 3 buckets full of water.
This evening she bathed in the sky water and washed her hair in it.
Here in the main salon tonight, it's a little bit of heaven. Danny has his gorgeous Teton 10 string guitar hooked up to speakers and has been playing his guitar for hours while Mycah is singing into the mic. I love her voice. When the two of them sing together it melts my heart.
I spoke with Hunter today, and our sweet grand daughter is growing beautifully. At almost 23 weeks along, she is now about 8" long and 1 lb in weight. I can't wait to hold her!!!
Samana, DR to Puerto Rico
Our short stop in Samana was so relaxing! The marina is at a resort called Puerto Bahia, and since it is the off season, there was hardly a soul around. This meant that the creatures had full run of the entire place, with multiple pools and endless skateboarding opportunities and Marci and I could use real washers and dryers and get as much laundry done as we wanted to! Tanda Malaika looked good in her slip which only cost $1/ft per night.
Chad and the boys played tennis.
I wandered around admiring the gorgeous flora after the rain,
I fell in love with the stepping stones around the resort, designed to look like a nest was in each one.
We spent a considerable amount of time in the many pools.
When our weather window looked good, we set out on the 132 nm Mona passage, which we had been warned about. It is the stretch of ocean between Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and is known for it's crazy seas. We made sure everything on Tanda Malaika was stowed well and latched down, and braced ourselves for the ride. We rearranged watches for the night, figuring we'd arrive in about 20 – 22 hours.
Through the night the ocean and weather was calm, and today, it was even calmer. The tumultuous ocean we expected turned out to be like a lake.
The lack of wind meant that we had to motor the entire way, but that was better than being beaten to death. We rescued a lonesome fender bobbing up and down in the middle of no where, and Chad caught a couple of barracuda which he threw back.
As we neared Puerto Rico we could see that the topography is similar to Dominican Republic, with dense foliage on hills and distant mountains.
After our 20 hour passage, the welcome committee was a flock of awkward Pelicans gawking from poles. They seemed bored to death by our presence.
We scrubbed the boat down and as we did, it began raining, so we continued and took advantage of the beautiful cool rain. Emma washed her hair with rainwater and all the suds from cleaning the decks were washed away.
We are excited to be here.On Monday, my beautiful Momma, my sister (Bernadine), and my nephew (Gabriel), will be arriving. We can't wait to see them!
Sailing from Luperon to Samana, Dominican Republic
Our sail to Samana lasted about 26 hours and was mostly uneventful, which is what we aim for. We set up a watch schedule for the night, which included Danny and Aidan 10pm-midnight, Mycah and Sierra midnight to 2am, Emma and I, 2 – 4am, Jude and Glade 4 – 6am and Chad and Marci 6-8am. Our only negative and potentially expensive event was that an overtightened jib sheet on port caused a roller on the block to explode and launch itself into the abyss. Consequently, the jib was furled and until we get it replaced we can only use the jib when on a port tack.
Everyone slept, manned the helm, read and relaxed through the day, and Chad set a line to catch dinner. He was successful, catching our favorite fish to eat…Mahi Mahi. It was a beauty.
As we reached the southern end of Dominican Republic and shortened our distance to shore, majestic green mountains became clearer.
Rounding the southern tip brought us close to cliffs that reached heavenward, with eroded caves, arches and blow holes sending a mist of sea air bending like angel wings above the coastline. Dwindling sunlight cast an inviting glow that beckoned us to follow and explore the depths of dense foliage and rugged rock faces that would excite any geologist.
Color and texture formed a linear eruption that still holds me there, wanting to climb, to feel, and breath in the exquisite beauty.
Our Maker is a Master artist.
For dinner I served grilled Mahi Mahi with Luperon beans and rice, which I prepared with fond memories, as images of Altagracia, Flee, Rueben and Luis sauntered through my head. The setting sun cast fading light on the repetition of green and is worked its way deeper into land off to port, and curious color and depth on the clouds to starboard.
All on board watched in awe as light turned dark and we drifted into the darkness of night.
As we approached Samana, fishermen out in their tiny boats looked like fireflies in the dark, as they used lights to find their catch. The water was calm and quiet and even Tanda Malaika seemed to enjoy the peace as she gracefully moved the water away from her hulls.
Smiling staff met us on the dock ready to catch lines and tighten us down after Danny's (once again) amazing back up into the slip. We all quickly changed and quietly slipped into the infinity pool which lay under an immense blanket of unending stars. The Milky Way stretching like giant arms ready to hold us close while we slept through the night.


text:
Caught On Tape: Worst Hit & Run! (Driver Hits 4 Cars)
Driver hits cab in Chicago on Belmont Ave and then tries to run. The video says the rest. Posted By Abdul
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Aquafaba SweetnessPosted: October 13, 2016 Filed under: Fun stuff, Snacks | Tags: 52 cookbooks, aquafaba, donuts Leave a comment
We were thrilled to have an opportunity to test recipes for Zsu Dever's newly released Aquafaba book. We tested a mix of sweet and savory recipes and they were all delicious. It's amazing to think that the water we were draining off our chickpeas all these years could be so versatile. Since receiving our copy of the book we've tried a few more recipes and have yet to be disappointed. In fact the Swiss Buttercream is our new favorite cupcake topping. It's light and fluffy and not overly sweet.
This past weekend we went to Carter Mountain Orchard to pick apples. In addition to apple picking their specialty is apple cider doughnuts. Unfortunately these are not vegan. Aquafaba to the rescue! We wanted to bring a treat for the kids and the Baked Apple Cider Cake Doughnuts were perfect. Especially with the addition of some leftover Swiss Buttercream we had on hand after making cupcakes for a birthday party. The big kid has been bringing these for lunch this week and loves them.
On another note, I started the year with the idea that we'd try at least one recipe from 52 different cookbooks this year, an average of one per week. I've fallen hopelessly behind on this effort but this will certainly count. We'll see how many more we can add before the end of the year and maybe we'll keep at it into next year.
Fig Apple CrispPosted: October 2, 2016 Filed under: Breakfast, Snacks | Tags: apples, figs, kid-friendly Leave a comment
It's apple season! And that means it's also fig season. Four years ago we planted a tiny fig tree in our yard and finally this year we're getting a decent amount of fruit. Yesterday I combined the figs with some local apples from Carter Mountain Orchard to make a simple crisp. For the filling I used about a pound and a half of apples and about a half pound of fresh figs, then I just added a tablespoon of flour and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. The topping was 3/4 c. rolled oats, 1/4 c. flour, 2 Tbs. canola oil, 1 tsp. agave, and another 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. I think some nuts would be good in the topping so next time I'll add some chopped walnuts. Then bake in a covered baking dish at 375° for about 45 minutes. Enjoy!
Whole Grain Butternut Squash WafflesPosted: September 18, 2016 Filed under: Breakfast | Tags: apples, butternut squash, kid-friendly, waffles Leave a comment
It's been a busy summer, during which time we've taken a bit of a break from blogging, but we're back with a fun recipe and announcement. On Saturday, September 24, we're giving a demo at the Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival. If you're in or around Charlottesville next weekend, come downtown to the Ix Art Park and catch our demo starting at 1:15 PM. We'll be making these scrumptious butternut squash waffles with butternut squash applesauce.
We make waffles frequently because that's what our kids have for breakfast almost every morning. And you might not think of waffles as a good way to get kids to eat vegetables but we often put a veggie of some sort in our waffle batter for just that reason. We often make them with spinach but we thought butternut squash might be better for the demo. Plus it's nice to include seasonal vegetables. Right now we have a huge butternut squash patch growing out of our garden that was totally a volunteer from seeds that must have been in our compost. We've been using these squash in a variety of dishes, including waffles.
Whole Grain Butternut Squash Waffles
1 c. unbleached white flour
1 c. white whole wheat flour
1 c. rolled oats, ground into a coarse flour in a blender or food processor
1 Tbs. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbs. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. soy milk (or other non-dairy milk)
1 3/4 c. cooked, pureed butternut squash (or a can of pureed pumpkin)
1/4 c. canola oil
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/4 c. maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
What you do
In a small mixing bowl, stir the vinegar into the soy milk and set aside. In a larger mixing bowl, mix together the flours, ground oats, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt. Whisk squash, oil, maple syrup and vanilla into the soy milk mixture. Gently fold these wet ingredients into the dry, mixing just until the flour is incorporated. Cook in a waffle maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Note that you can also make this into a pancake batter by adding about 1/4 c. more of soy milk; then you can cook as pancakes in a skillet.
Butternut Squash Applesauce
2 c. peeled and sliced apples (about 2 large or 4 small apples)
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 c. pureed butternut squash
1/4 c. maple syrup
What you do
Puree everything together in a blender or food processor.
Baked Bean NachosPosted: July 9, 2016 Filed under: Dinner | Tags: beans, instant pot, kid-friendly, nachos, seitan Leave a comment
We've been making nachos for dinner regularly these days. I think this is in part because we joined Costco earlier this year and the two items we most commonly get there are a huge bag of organic tortilla chips and a big bag of avocados. In addition to the chips and guacamole, we usually add a tofu and black bean mixture and some sort of vegan cheese sauce. In this version we changed it up by adding fried seitan and "baked" beans. The beans were based on a recipe from Robin Robertson's slow cooker book that we made in the Instant Pot. We'll have to do this more often because it was all quite tasty!
Lentil Walnut BurgersPosted: June 20, 2016 Filed under: Dinner | Tags: 52 cookbooks, dreena burton, kid-friendly, lentils, veggie burgers Leave a comment
We love Dreena Burton's books and in most of them there are tasty and inventive veggie burger recipes. Like these Lentil Walnut Burgers from Let Them Eat Vegan. Dreena has posted the recipe for these wonderful burgers so give them a try. We make veggie burgers fairly regularly because they're usually quick to make and are something the big kid will generally eat. This was a great way to get some lentils into him!
Brewpub Tater-Tot PiePosted: May 29, 2016 Filed under: Dinner | Tags: 52 cookbooks, lentils, potatoes Leave a comment
While American Vegan Kitchen by Tamasin Noyes is not among our most used cookbooks, it does have a lot of great comfort-food recipes. Like this tater tot pie. It's like a shepherd's pie but instead of mashed potatoes it's topped with tater tots. How fun! We don't often use the texturized vegetable protein called for in the recipe so we used lentils instead and it came out fabulous. We used store-bought tater tots but definitely want to try this again with homemade tots.
Aquafaba and Chickpeas, Oh My!Posted: May 25, 2016 Filed under: Dinner | Tags: aquafaba, chickpeas, curry, kid-friendly Leave a comment
We just got very busy doing some last minute testing for Zsu Dever's upcoming Aquafaba cookbook. I had heard of vegans whipping up chickpea liquid to make meringues but didn't know the name aquafaba until I read this recent article in the New York Times. I tried Zsu's chocolate mousse recipe with whipped aquafaba and it was amazing. And where there's aquafaba there's chickpeas. This recipe for coconut curry chickpeas was also amazing. We're looking forward to more testing!


text:
Just as life appears darkest in the moment before things turn around, the opposite holds true as well. Life appears brightest in the moment before all hell breaks loose. Such was the case in the fall of 2012. I'd been back from China for about two years, and despite the undercurrent of dissatisfaction with my job that I had felt since returning from China, I had no right to complain. My job was good, if not dull, and Tiffany and I enjoyed being back in the Pacific Northwest where we relished the clean air and the endless outdoor activities.
Tiffany and I also celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary that fall, and we did so in style leaving the kids behind with her parents to take a trip to Las Vegas just like the good old days when we were childless and had a lot more energy. Although I'd been back to Vegas in the intervening years, Tiffany hadn't been back in over seven years, so it was fun rediscovering Sin City with her again. For the first time in six years, we had a vacation all by ourselves. Flying out to keep the kids was by far the best anniversary gift that her parents could have given us.
Despite all that had gone well that year, I was itching to move into a different role at work. I wanted something more akin to my China role, but nothing like that existed at Microsoft's headquarters at least not at my level. Every role at the HQ was a small link in a long chain. I felt underutilized and disappointed that senior management didn't see the wealth of experience I had earned in China.
I started searching for another role within the company in earnest that fall and found a potential suitor in one group that desperately needed my skill sets. The group, which had a terrible reputation because of inept leadership, had recently grown in prominence in the company based on the emerging strategic importance of hardware. Close friends at the company had warned me to stay away from this group, but I had successfully waded into unwelcome waters many times before and had come out fine. How could this be any different?
Boy, was it different. It was a complete fiasco, a cluster-fuck of exponential proportions. By three months in, I regretted the change and realized that I had experienced an epic fail in my own judgment. My manager, a clueless, arrogant scat-brain whose own career was failing in slow-motion, was determined to find someone to scapegoat for his own incompetence. He found a willing accomplice in a Machiavellian sidekick, a snotty Brit with a cockney accent that sounded more pernicious than knowledgeable. I hadn't even been in the role a year before my manager was replaced, but I ended up reporting to the Brit rather than one of the intelligent members of the leadership team.
I felt no sympathy for the prick manager, but I also knew my days would be numbered reporting to the no-good Brit. At that point, I decided that it was time to move on from Microsoft. Not only had the company failed miserably in integrating me back into headquarters, but it had failed to capitalize on the investment it had made in me in China like it had many of its other expatriates who had returned and subsequently left the company. Me, being a fool, had stayed at Microsoft out of a misplaced sense of loyalty, while many of my expatriate colleagues left for much greener pastures. I should have followed them out the door soon after I checked my passport at border control on the final return trip to the U.S.
The disappointing stalemate in my career at Microsoft was but the first of three not-so-good things to happen after that brief high point the previous fall. The old saw proclaims that things come in threes, and in this case, they did, a bunch of no-good, no-how events that would make for the first significant rough period in my life since high school.
As I jousted in the Battle of the Incompetents at Microsoft, a medical checkup on Dad revealed a spot on his pancreas. After weeks of waiting, we received the most unfortunate diagnosis – pancreatic cancer. A biopsy later confirmed that it was malignant, which meant Dad had to begin chemotherapy immediately to halt its progress. Already suffering from ill health due to smoking and his stubborn refusal to do much beyond walking between his bed and the couch, the diagnosis seemed to be the death knell for him.
I was beside myself, perpetually worried that Dad wouldn't wake up one day. Every time my phone rang and the display showed Danny's number, I steeled myself for the worst, and for a time, the news seemed to lean the worst possible way, but Dad caught a temporary break when his doctor informed him that he was a candidate for the Whipple procedure, which is an invasive surgery that involves removing a large part of the pancreas and surrounding tissue to eradicate the cancer.
I flew down to Atlanta to be with him when he had the surgery leaving behind the job that I fully loathed. I had already been looking for a job outside Microsoft and decided to target Atlanta in hopes of spending more time with Dad while he battled the cancer. He looked terrible. The chemo had done more harm than good, outwardly-speaking. He looked all of his 71 years and more, hunched over and bedraggled. In order to have the procedure he had to give up smoking, something he'd done for fifty plus years, which made him jumpy and irritable. He barely tolerated being confined to a hospital bed despite the fact that he had confined himself to his own home for much of his retirement.
I felt a sadness in it all. My father's mortality put my own in sharp relief. This was how it ended, a limp into the final days neither enjoyable or welcome but more time desired in the worst possible way. As I watched him struggle to stay awake in the hospital bed while I sat next to him, I couldn't help but feel sad for him. His was a life of perpetual struggle, a tragic battle against demons seen and unseen. I wanted him to live longer to make it better. I wanted him to know that he was loved and that he had many things to be thankful for in spite of it all. He said as much, in his own way, in a moment of clarity when we talked and I could see the fear (or was it resignation?) of death in his eyes.
In between his wakeful moments, I reflected on our lives, searching for those treasured moments that meant the most to me, but I couldn't help but return to the less-than-charitable years when our lives were chaotic and uncertain. I had resented him for those years. I had been relentlessly critical of him for the flaws that made him human, like everyone else, but age and the realization that life can break people in ways I had never imagined had rendered me silent. The most important thing was that I loved my dad, and I didn't want him to die.
After much painful waiting following the surgery, Dad received good news that the procedure had been largely effective in extracting the cancer, and while he had to continue the chemo for a while to ensure it didn't come back, he received a clean bill of health for the moment, but the storm clouds had simply moved to the furthest reaches of the horizon. They'd come roaring back later.
Meanwhile, I returned home to Seattle, hopeful but carefully so. My job limped along as I continued my half-hearted search for another role. I had a few interviews, but like dating, I found it difficult to find a good match, so I remained at Microsoft for another year before the third terrible thing came along – a layoff.
Microsoft had fumbled around for the greater part of a decade and lost its way. The Board appointed a new CEO and he proceeded to undo the years of disastrous rambling that had plagued his predecessor including wiping out much of my hapless group. Tens of thousands of people lost their jobs including me. I had other options within the company, but neither were appealing to me, so I decided to take the severance package and walk away in my frustration with the company. I landed another job within a few weeks.
Despite finding another job quickly, the layoff triggered memories of 1979 when Dad had been laid off from his job. The trauma of those years had stuck with me my entire life and will likely follow me to my grave. Those years had broken Dad, destroyed his confidence and clouded his already pessimistic view of life. He had never fully recovered from those years, but I was determined to not let that happen to me. However, for the first time, I understood. I understood how it must have felt for him. I gained an empathy that had been lost on me up until that moment. I could clearly see how life could drag him down from behind and devour him much like a hungry lion poaches a weakened zebra from a fleeing herd. I wanted to tell him that I understood, but why drag up the past when the present was so precious.


text:
Go Back
Go To Articles Directory Home Page
To get the current article, - See Below (at the bottom of the page) -.
For top news titles, see below.
Web sites and videos listed in this page are frequently updated.
If you find that this page is useful (quality of web sites, images and videos, ...), you can add it to your favorites.
Bookmark Page !
Getting a Loan When You're a Tenant
Wherever we go these days we're bombarded with offers of credit, whether loans, credit cards, remortgages - there seems to be no end to the number of companies asking us to consider applying for finance through them. It's true that gaining credit is easier than ever before, a fact borne out by the record levels of personal debt we see revealed in survey after survey.
About the Author: Michael writes for Loan Time, a loan comparison website for UK residents, who can apply for tenant loans and other kinds of unsecured loan.


text:
John Tacia
Vice President / Commercial Services Manager
John Tacia has joined Stewart in 2013 as manager of the Commercial Services Detroit office. With 15 years of experience in the title insurance and real estate industries, Tacia previously held positions with both Stewart Title Guaranty Company and First American Title Insurance Company as counsel and as manager at the local, state and regional levels.
Tacia holds a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.


text:
|Source Mod
Terraformers are machines with the ability to change the terrain around them. The affected area is a little larger than 8 chunks by 8 chunks. The reasons for terraforming are usually to add a desired visual effect that is naturally not possible, such as snow in the Nether or to change a large area without having to manually do the alterations, such as flattening mountains.
The power requirements of the Terraformer have varying behavior based on their power input, just like a Quarry. It will work with even the tiniest power input, but its maximum power requirement will vary based on the TFBP it's using. The Terraformer will usually consume massive amounts of power when it reaches its full potential.
The Terraformer needs a TFBP in order for it to perform a certain task, this is basically its program it needs to run so it knows what it is supposed to do.
The Terraformer is an IC2 Machine, so it requires EU. The Terraformer must be removed with a wrench to be removed properly. Using a Wrench on the Terraformer gives back the current TFBP in the Terraformer, so the second usage of wrench removes the Terraformer.
TFBP RecipesEdit
Makes Snow and Snow Blocks appear. Freezes Water.
Replaces Sand with Dirt, Dirt into Grass, and will randomly create all kinds of plant life.
Melts Ice/Snow, destroys plants, and replace Dirt with Sand. Caution: Will cause forest fires. If used following extended use of the Chilling TFBP you'll more likely end up with a lake than a desert.
Removes all natural blocks from the levels above the Terraformer. Fills in surface layers below the Terraformer with Dirt. Placing a Terraformer with a Flatification TFBP on bedrock will remove all natural blocks 20 blocks above the Terraformer and up to 50 blocks in each direction. This DOES NOT include Ores. All Ores will remain after the Terraformer has finished removing blocks allowing for easy mining.
Turns Sand into Dirt and then into Grass. Will rarely spawn Water on surface areas that are below the Terraformer. Spawns Saplings, Wheat, and Sugar Cane to grow faster, and causes Sugar Cane to grow above its 3 block limit.
Avoid using Oak, Pine, or Birch logs within range of this active blueprint, as it will cause them to grow and sprout leaves. It is unknown whether or not Rubber and Jungle logs will do the same.
It will change the current biome into a mushroom biome. In this biome, the terraformer will change dirt and grass into mycelium, and then plant mushrooms and giant mushrooms. This process may then repeat, turning the giant mushrooms into more mycelium and will plant normal and giant mushrooms again. This has a chance of repeating again and again to create giant mushroom skyscrapers.
Note: this TFPB requires constant 512 EU/t
Video Tutorials Edit


text:
- This event has passed.
Explorer Fundays: Water Bottle Snowmen
December 15, 2018 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every day that begins at 11:00 AM, repeating until December 16, 2018
52 Weeks of Fun!
Stop by the Explore Store for an easy craft that's fun for all ages. Baby, it's still cold outside! Transform a water bottle into an adorable snowman.
Explorer Fundays activities are held every Saturday & Sunday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Explore Store.
Cost: free with Zoo admission


text:
Bot Shots Thundercracker Toy Review
General Information:
Release Date: June 2012
fPrice Point: $3.99 (varies depending on retailer)
Retailer: General (Toys R Us, Target, Wal-Mart etc.)
Accessories: None
- On Card*
- Official Photo (Vehicle Mode)*
- Official Photo (Robot Mode)*
- Scan of Card (Front)
- Scan of Card (Back)
- Packaging insert
- Vehicle Mode
- Vehicle Mode (Side)
- Vehicle Mode (Back)
- Vehicle Mode (Forward view)
- Vehicle Mode (Angle view)
- Robot Mode (Sword Panel)
- Robot Mode (Blaster Panel)
- Robot Mode (Fist Panel)
- Robot Mode (Side)
- Robot Mode (Back)
- Robot Mode (Angle View)
- Robot Mode (Close up)
*Images with asterisks and text below in italics are from the Official Transformers web site:
Crash and bash your way to victory in the TRANSFORMERS BOT SHOTS Battle Game! Will your THUNDERCRACKER vehicle convert to robot mode and make you the winner? Find out when you crash your vehicles together! Crash and bash your way to BOT SHOTS victory! Choose your THUNDERCRACKER vehicle's power, then crash into battle with your opponent. Two ways to win when you crash your vehicles together! If your vehicle converts to robot mode when your opponent's doesn't, you're the winner! If both of your vehicles convert, the vehicle with the highest power wins! Blaster beats Fist, Fist beats Sword and Sword beats Blaster. If neither vehicle converts, crash them all over again!
Includes vehicle. Series 1 B009 THUNDERCRACKER. Ages 5 and up.
Bot Shots are a game based expression of the Transformers brand that focuses on interactive game play between figures. Previous attempts at this such as "Attacktix" had relied on missile firing mechanisms and point systems as the primary elements of the gaming system. Bot Shots are much more action oriented and factor the transformation of the toy into the play pattern (which Attacktix did not).
In general, all Bot Shots figures have a vehicle mode and robot mode. The transformation is triggered by "bashing" the front of the vehicle into another Bash Bot (or a wall, book...any solid surface really) causing a spring loaded feature to activate and transform the figure. This generally means revealing the robot head, arms angled out to the sides and feet along with robot mode details.
The key to the game system is a three sided hinged mechanism built into the chest. On each side is a sticker with one of three icons: a fist, a sword and a blaster - each representing a different type of combat. Presumably without your opponent seeing your selection, you turn the panel on the chest and then crash the two Bot Shots together and when the robot mode is revealed each player will know what "weapon" the other chose. The way the game works:
- Blaster beats fist
- Fist beats sword
- Sword beats blaster
In the case of two Bot Shots getting the same icon each icon has a number on it indicating that character's level of that skill. Whoever has the higher number wins. It's a simple and fun system clearly developed for kids who enjoy a game element to their action figures (such as lines like Bakugan).
Robot Mode:
Thundercracker is a direct redeco of the Bot Shots Starscream sculpt, complete with snarky expression on his face and all. I do recommend checking out that review in addition to this one. This review will focus on the changes made to the figure for this release.
Thundercracker is cast in a light blue color, matching up with his animated appearance rather than his G1 action figure (which was more dark blue). This gives him a brighter, more appealing look I think. His paint applications are metallic grey, red and silver. The grey is a darker shade used on the "helmet" section of the head, his fists and feet. Silver is found on his face and covering the torso portion of his body. His eyes are painted red. I really am appreciative of the liberal use of color in this form since many Bot Shots are somewhat sparse in paint applications below the head.
There is no articulation to really discuss and Bot Shots don't come with any accessories. The main fun in this figure is in the "bashing" play pattern and seeing how many of your friends you can defeat! For those curious, Starscream's scores break down as follows:
- Blaster: 800
- Fist: 255
- Sword: 565
I found the numbers on Thundercracker a bit surprising at first because his "800" rating is much higher than any numbers on Starscream, the "Air Commander" of the Seekers. However, I noticed his "Fist" rating is also well below the average for most Bot Shots in general, so I guess there's a balance there to some degree.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Swing the cockpit forward and the arms will collapse into the sides.
- Push the feet up and lock all the parts into place.
Unfortunatley, my particular copy of Thundercracker has issues with the feet keeping locked in vehicle mode, so he tends to spring up or look like he's partially "raised up" in vehicle mode. I haven't read of widespread issues of this being the case with the figure so I'll consider this a one off fluke and I won't hold it against the figure in general, just be warned.
Vehicle Mode:
In vehicle mode a different color gets tossed into the mix: yellow. The yellow is used to paint the cockpit cover while red is used for outlines on his wings. Both of these details are inspired by the G1 animated model, which in turn was inspired by the G1 toy which had a translucent yellow cockpit cover and red stickers on the wings. The bright yellow color definitely pops off the background of blue plastic and matches the bright and somewhat whimsical nature of the Bot Shots toy line.
Final Thoughts:
Thundercracker looks fantastic in both modes and his "Blaster" rating of 800 makes him potentially formidable against other Bot Shots. I am disappointed that my copy is one with a fault transformation mechanism, but I don't hold it against all the Bot Shot Thundercrackers out there, just keep those receipts just in case you need to make an exchange!


text:
I didn't want to write this. I'm a lifelong Star Wars fan and, I've spent countless hours in the world that Lucas built. As a kid, I had the toys, clothes, and imaginary force powers ("my room IS clean"). I've read the books, played the video games, and seen every re-release, television show, and prequel. All told, there is only a smattering of books, and one television show I've not seen…
That said, I'm not a purist, I love the world, even when it's campy and imperfect.
That's why I was so excited when the new films were announced, and I audibly squeed when that signature yellow screen crawl opened Force Awakens. In moments, I was swept away. That's what I want from Star Wars – not art, but transportation.
Still Force Awakens had some glaring flaws, so I was really excited for Rogue One. The lead seemed Solo-esque, the story seemed Vadery, and we'd finally learn why a big plot hole existed in the Empire's giant death ray. With no other films to set up, it could also avoid the issues that plagued Force Awakens. I wanted to love it…
And I didn't.
Now lower your lightsabers. I didn't hate it, but it didn't do what a Star Wars film should do. Instead of transporting me, this film dragged me, and it pulled me through a film that was very different than advertised.
This film and Force Awakens suffer from the worst diseases of modern Hollywood: writing by committee and editing by focus group. The result is a clunky film that was reshot and pasted together. At least in Force Awakens we'll have more movies to fill in the blanks. Since Rogue One is a self-contained story, it doesn't get the same pass. It's supposed to nestle into the space between trilogies, and even though it has a good place to sit, it never gets comfortable. The film fidgets, bouncing from scene to scene. One of my favorite writing teachers says "never write so that the audience can hear the keys clicking." Here, they don't click; they pound with a plot that is over-explained in some parts and missing in others.
Okay, if you haven't seen the film, go away….
****spoilers ahead****
Rogue One opens with our heroine, Rey…I mean Jyn. Yet another orphan fending for herself. It seems the Rebellion attracts orphans like a depression-era musical or well…
a Disney film.
We then fast forward to an older, more marketable version of Jyn in a cell. In minutes, she's broken out and recruited into the Rebellion, or asked to rejoin… this part seems unclear. Jyn's motivation is pretty shaky. While wanting to be reunited with her father seems reasonable, her later conversion to the after the rebellion essentially assassinates him seems downright odd. She goes from "eff your stupid Rebellion" to "Rebellions are built on hope." Also, because her sassiness was removed in the editing process, we never get a sense of her. The self-sure "I rebel" line was cut along with her distinctiveness.
The supporting cast is as poorly developed as the first night of a table-top RPG campaign. The obligatory mix of bruiser, droid, ethnic mystic, comic relief, and love interest felt forced (just like that pun). The greatest chemistry comes from Donnie Yen's Chirrut Îmwe and Wen Jiang's Baze Malbus (which is an anagram for amazeballs you'll never un-see). While this film certainly makes strides in the area of representation, it's awful dude heavy. Jyn's only potential gal pal is Mon Mothma who primarily stands behind her giant space roulette wheel and makes copious eye contact.
This poor development makes everything less compelling. The saddest moment for me comes not from their ultimate sacrifice, or the IT nightmare of having to run cable in a firefight, but of the sacrifice of Alan Tudyk's K2-SO.
Then there are the bizarre bits. Why is Darth Vader still on Mustafar, hanging out in Dr. Evil's lava cave? Why isn't Vader routinely force probing the elder Erso? Why is Saw Guerra a character? Why is top secret data only obtainable through expertise in The Claw game from Toy Story?
"Because hope…" Sorry movie, it's not enough.
Last up, the CGI characters. Much has already been written, so I won't belabor the point. I think this choice really illustrates the film's biggest issue: it's lazy. It makes sense that Tarkin and Leia should be present, but digital recreations are unnecessary. Tarkin, who has a significant role, could have been recast. Last I checked there's no dirth of either older white men or makeup in Hollywood. As for Leia's brief appearance, a profile shot of another actress would have been more moving. Her hooded silhouette is so recognizable, the audience could easily make the leap. Add in a voice over and boom, creepy uncanny valley avoided. Instead, we are spoon fed these recreations that makes the film feel like a video game cut scene.
This is still Star Wars. The last half of the film is flat thrilling. We feel the beginning of A New Hope approaching as the starships move into place. Vader's appearance in the final scene is awe inspiring, and the passing of the plans from person to person took my breath away; just as it should. If it excels at anything, it's in enhancing A New Hope and creating a bridge between the polished Old Republic and the gritty Empire.
But sadly, the film has more flaws than merits. As a die hard fan, the franchise will not lose me over Rogue One, but I do feel a little cheated, still I hold out…….hope.
- In Praise of Playful Adulthood - August 19, 2018
- Passport to Wakanda: Being a White Fan in a Black Space - February 15, 2018
- Yes, I'm Mad at You - January 17, 2018


text:
Scope of Work Vs. Statement of Work
Project stakeholders -- those affected by the undertaking -- negotiate and agree to a project statement of work. The statement of work defines a project by establishing its objectives, deliverables and success criteria. A scope of work is an element of the statement of work. The scope of work specifies what tasks a project team will perform to meet project objectives.
Statement of Work
A project proposal or business case documents the financial or operational purpose of a project. A statement of work summarizes this purpose and describes the project's desired results. For example, "The purpose of the project is to collect revenue data about our XYZ product for the period January 2011 to December 2011. The finance department needs this revenue data to project future revenue. The analysis of the data will be complete by April 2012. The data will not be required after that point in time."
Project team members use the statement of work as a basis for day-to-day decisions. For instance, according to the example, an IT project team member might write a program to gather the needed 2011 product revenue data. A project organization chart, which includes a reference to stakeholders who influence the project and their project roles, also is part of the statement of work. The deliverables section identifies the result of a project, such as a revenue report for the XYZ product. Also referenced is a work breakdown structure that divides the project scope into discrete tasks and assigns the associated resources, time requirements and responsible parties. The project scope is the final element of the statement of work.
Scope of Work
A scope statement describes the scope of work in terms of a product, service or other result of a project. The scope statement also specifies acceptance criteria that determine if a project result is acceptable. Acceptance criteria include performance criteria and quality standards, such as "A computer will be maintained according to organizational requirements including the use of maintenance utility software." The scope of work also describes measurable outcomes that must be produced, such as "a design for a widget that is 1 inch in diameter."
Other project scope elements include project exclusions, project constraints and project assumptions. Project exclusions include items not considered to be a project deliverable, such as "the production of a widget that is 1 inch in diameter." Project constraints are items that dictate or restrict the work of the project team, including scope, time and cost. Project assumptions, such as the availability of materials or personnel, are those items that are believed to be true.
Document Approval
Stakeholders and management personnel approve the statement of work and scope statement using a formal sign-off procedure. The signatures acknowledge their acceptance of the requirements and deliverables of the project. Project team members receive copies of the approved documents, which guide the team's work throughout the project.
Document Updates
During the course of a project, changes to project stakeholders and project scope may occur. Stakeholders and management personnel approve these changes with a sign-off procedure. Project documentation then is updated to reflect these changes and is distributed to project team members.
- Computerworld: How to Write a Statement of Work
- The AMA Handbook of Project Management; Paul C. Dinsmore and Jeannette Cabanis-Brewin
- PMP Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide; Kim Heldman
Photo Credits
- BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images


text:
January is finally over. It hasn't been a particularly good month for me, but okay, all you can do is keep your head up and keep moving. And so here we are in February, and for Valentine's Day I have been spending some days writing and making a new gift for visitors to my gallery … Continue reading
art / Artwork / gallery / love / Second Life / SL / Virtual photography / Writing


text:
"Getting a chance to work with a candidate for a few months gives you a chance to evaluate skills, work ethics and personalities which cannot be determined without Contract-to-Hire."
James Austin
Controller, Northstar Industries
Contract-To-Hire Program
Save time. Avoid mistakes. Hire the right people.
Try before you buy:
Hiring for a bookkeeper, medical biller or manufacturing technician is time-consuming and can be risky business if you do not get it right. Moore's Contract-to-Hire Program gives you a great opportunity to see a candidate's job performance and overall fit for your company before you make a long term hiring commitment.
Moore does the heavy lifting:
With Moore, you shorten the time it takes to hire by turning the majority of the work over to us. We have the processes and resources in place to initiate searches, sort through and screen candidates, take calls and emails from candidates, do initial interviews, confirm software skills and do background and reference checks. All you do is meet with a few highly qualified candidates and hire the one candidate that fits your position.
Candidate Pipeline
Moore continuously maintains a large pipeline of talented candidates so that when you have a need we often have the perfect candidate in sight. Moore's Contract-to-Hire Program will work for your organization.


text:
The New York Times has published an extensive review of the Jameis Winston rape investigation. The in-depth report has the sports world talking once again about the Heisman-winning quarterback and those around him.
The Times report provides not only some new details about the case but also raises serious questions about the competency of Tallahassee police and Florida State's actions in response to a rape accusation against Winston.
According to the report, the university knew about the complaint against Winston as early as January 2013. A police email obtained by the Times shows that an officer "received a call from the Athletic Directors Assistant inquiring about the case."
As CBS Sports reports in its coverage of the Times story, "According to federal Title IX guidelines, any athletic department official who is aware of a sexual assault allegation is required to pass that knowledge to administrators, and any school aware of such an allegation is required to perform its own investigation."
Florida State did not reportedly provide comment to the Times on when administrators became aware of the accusation against Winston. School officials did not speak to Winston concerning the allegations until January 2014, following the Seminoles' BCS championship season.
Click here to read the full story at CBSSports.com.


text:
Marketing can align with your values.
Learn how to profitably market yourself with authenticity and genuine care for clients.
I'm Kate Swoboda, and I've helped thousands of coaches build their coaching practices without resorting to slickster marketing practices. Join our community and get access to weekly business-building resources that really work for creating a more profitable business--done your way.


text:
So 2017 is here! A new year with new opportunities to succeed in various areas of life.
It's common in January each year to debate the merits of making resolutions versus developing workable and proactive objectives and goals. As a writer, lifelong learner, and soon-to-be Doctor of Education, I like to look at the meanings of words for clarity. So I'll borrow a couple paragraphs from my earlier blog post at Words of Encouragement to look at the difference between resolution and being proactive.
According to the dictionary, a resolution is "the decision to do or not do something." Based on how often we fail to keep resolutions for very long into the new year, I think the missing element is being proactive, which means "preparing for or initiating change rather than reacting to events."
We can make decisions to do or not do something all day, but without the related preparation for or initiation of change, we end up only reacting to events that occur instead of following through with our decision. This requires a combination of determination, courage, and discipline.
So one proactive step I'm taking toward consistent blogging in this first month of 2017 is to once again join the Ultimate Blog Challenge (UBC). Even though I initially made the decision to only blog here 3-4 times per week, I'll be blogging every day during this month of January for the UBC. Among the benefits of participating in the UBC are learning how to "get more traffic, increase your exposure, and make building relationships easier."
If you sign up here, you will get on the mailing list and receive a daily email with topic ideas to help you focus on a post for your blog. You can also join the UBC Facebook group, where you can link to your daily posts. You can participate in commenting on others' blogs and receive comments on your own blog. And it's all FREE! 🙂
So what about YOU?
Do you have specific goals for 2017?
Are you participating in the UBC, or do you think you might?
~~Happy 2017!!~~


text:
A chatelaine is "a set of short chains attached to a woman's belt, used for carrying keys or other items." (It also means "a woman in charge of a large house", presumably because she'd be carrying a large cluster of keys etc.) I saw "Dior And I", a documentary about the designer Raf Simons and his time at the House of Dior, at the Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival a few years ago. One interesting thing I saw in the film is the chatelaine that couture technicians wear around their neck. It's basically a little pouch on strings, used to carry scissors, pins, chalk, etc. It struck me as being a great idea for two reasons.
The first reason is that, obviously, having the stuff they use the most around their neck is more efficient because they always have what they need right there. They don't need to go fetch what they need.
The second reason did not occur to me until recently when I was making the black/white/red tartan dress. I didn't want to have to undress every time I need to try on the dress. Since I was by myself in my workroom, I just sewed in the nude. (Don't tell anybody! 🙂 ) That did save a lot of time. Until I found that, one, since I'm nude, I don't have anywhere to clip my scissors scabbard to 🙂 and two, I still had to take off my pin cushion around my wrist and put it back on afterwards every time I tried on the dress. It then dawned on me that the reason the chatelaine is worn around the neck instead of, say, clipped onto a belt, is because one always has a neck to hang chatelaine from regardless of what clothes one happens to be wearing, or not wearing 🙂 .
I went looking for proof that "chatelaines and couture technicians" is a thing, and found plenty.
One example is from a photo of a group of couture technicians of the house of Givenchy on a balcony with a model wearing a design by Riccardo Tisci. A couple of the technicians can be seen wearing a chatelaine around their neck. One woman's chatelaine shows a pair of sewing scissors. Her chatelaine does not appear to very deep and also has a wide mouth, probably so she can easily retrieve items in it:
The scissors are located at the chatelaine's upper left corner, handles up, probably for convenient access for righthanders. You can also see that in this pic of two of Dior's in-charge couture technicians, with the designer Raf Simons:
While the vast majority of chatelaines are utilitarian and unadorned, slapped together with random fabrics and with quick stitches:
…some chatelaines are more embellished with edge binding and quilting:
I think there is a chatelaine in my future. And definitely there is more sewing in the nude in my future. 🙂


text:
NAS OceanaCommunity
Reporting In
Navy Gateway Inns & Suites is your No. 1, award-winning choice for temporary lodging. NGIS creates comfortable guest services for those they serve: today and tomorrow. Call 877-NAVY-BED (628-9233) or visit www.dodlodging.net to make reservations worldwide.
NGIS is the Navy's official lodging operation, providing quality lodging and hospitality services at the lowest possible cost to active-duty and retired military, reservists and government employees on official travel. NGIS is also available to the same eligible guests on leisure travel, when space permits.
There are two main check-in desks at Dam Neck: in Building 566C and Building 241. The check-in location at Dam Neck is dependent on the room where you are assigned and the day of your arrival.
A Navy Lodge is available at Dam Neck Annex in Building 226 on Regulus Avenue and can be called directly at
757-437-8100. All Navy Lodges offer military families and other authorized patrons clean, comfortable, convenient, oversized rooms and affordable accommodations worldwide while on official travel, permanent change of station orders or vacation. To make a reservation, call 800-628-9466 or visit www.navy-lodge.com.
PSD Oceana provides one-stop service to its customer commands. All Dam Neck military staff members (officer and enlisted) must in-process within four days at the NAS Oceana location (Building 326 at 1161 D Ave.). That office also supports all their continuing personnel actions such as customer service, records and educational services. However, the PSD has an office established at Dam Neck Annex to process incoming students and issue military and dependent ID cards.
Customer Service Dam Neck
CSD Dam Neck provides pay, personnel and transportation support for all student personnel, both officers and enlisted, active duty and reservists, of NAS Oceana, Dam Neck Annex tenant commands. The detachment strives to provide the best quality of service for customer commands consisting of nine UICs and approximately 1,200 students per month. CSD Dam Neck is in Building 502, 408 Tartar Ave., Virginia Beach, Virginia. The phone number is 757-492-8550.
Family Member ID Cards
(Dam Neck Annex) — CSD has one ID station that issues ID cards 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ID station is secured noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Online appointments can be scheduled at https://rapidsappointments.dmdc.osd.mil/appointment. Walk-ins are welcome and will be taken between appointments, but appointments are highly encouraged. The phone number for the ID office is 757-492-6163.
All family members must have a valid ID card application (DD Form 1172) signed by the sponsor and verifying official or the sponsor must be present to have ID card issued. Military members who have signed an extension of enlistment must not have their CAC renewed until the extension becomes operative. If the military member will be deploying or will be on extended TDY involving a contingency operation the ID may be issued on the last working day prior to deployment; please present orders.
Two forms of ID are required for anyone over 21. If the sponsor is deployed and a family member loses his/her ID card, PSD will issue a 30-day card (90 days with BUPERS approval) until an application can be obtained from the sponsor's command, if information is updated in DEERS. A power of attorney may also be used for signing authority. Every family member 10 years of age and older must have an identification card to use the military commissaries and exchanges, medical facilities and other support services. Children of single parents and dual military are required to have ID cards.
1960 Terrier Ave.
Building 550, Herndon Hall
Fax 757-492-6485
Commercial 757-492-6824
Email email@example.com
Hours: 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
After Hours: Go to Building 550, Room 131 (Duty Manager)
The Housing Service Center staff is ready to assist unaccompanied personnel reporting to Dam Neck Annex and will help determine housing eligibility and options. In most cases, units and schools will already have prearranged dormitory room assignments to maintain unit integrity. Eligible incoming personnel should report directly to the unaccompanied housing office for room assignment. Students on per diem orders will be sent to Navy Gateway Inns & Suites in Building 566A, Stethem Hall.
Dam Neck Annex has three dormitory buildings with 497 rooms that include 1,100 beds. They are all fully furnished, to include refrigerator/freezer and microwave. Other amenities include: a laundry facility for each building and lounges that are fully furnished with a flat-screen TV. Wi-Fi is available in all the common areas. Dam Neck is primarily a school command servicing the following two major commands: Training Support Center (TSC) and Center for Information Dominance. (A, C, D and F School) and NMITC (Navy and Marine Intel Schools, A and C).
Additional information on the dormitories, eligibility requirements and geographic bachelor status is contained in the Oceana "Housing" chapter of this guide.


text:
Make your business visible
Add it to Yandex's Business Directory. Specify your business hours, address, phone number, and other details, and Yandex will make sure that its users see your information.
46 million people per month
search for businesses on Yandex
- On Yandex.Maps
- Run down to the nearest pharmacy
- In Navigator
- Stop at a cafe on the way
- On yandex.com
- Find a dance school
Yandex created its own Business Directory to help everyday people find what they need
You will be able to
- Make sure that your business information stays up-to-date
- Collect user reviews and reply to them
- Upload beautiful photos to attract customers
- Track statistics for how many people expressed an interest in your business
Add business
Please log in before creating an organization


text:
We support consistent implementation of proven interventions, in different environments, to yield high impact through active systems design and redesign of processes for service delivery and continuous quality improvement methods (CQI).
CQI has its roots in the car industry, and is often credited with making Toyota into the solid, well performing and well trusted car that it is today.
CQI is a source of indefinite innovations that are locally derived, tested, and sustained. It has been used in healthcare in developed countries for the last 30 years, and within the last decade, it has also been successfully used in developing countries, often resulting in rapid, measurable and sustained improvement.
Our approach considers the need to scale and ensure sustainability from the beginning. This fuels our engagement with all stakeholders, from frontline clinical workers to facility and district administrators, to Ministry of Health officials.
Together, we improve the public's access to health facilities, deliver better quality results, save lives, and allow people to thrive in their respective communities.
Our staff has applied CQI in the USA, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Nicaragua.


text:
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Here is How I Got a Rose From Snow White !!!!!
I was watching them dance when all of a sudden Snow White leaned over and gave me this red rose! I could believe it. I was so excited and surprised! I had a wonderful time at Disney on Ice and I cannot to go again next year. Here is a picture of me with my red rose !!! Sissy
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
- 32 Bachelors
- 8,496 Students
- Public Institution Type
Life began for Southern Connecticut State University on September 11, 1893, when three teachers and 84 students met at the old Skinner School in New Haven to create a two-year teacher training school, New Haven State Normal School. By 1937, Southern had grown into a four-year college with the power to grant bachelor's degrees.
Southern Connecticut State University is pleased to announce that grants for the Summer 2017 and Fall 2017 semesters are available to support independent undergraduate research. This initiative, Undergraduate Research Grants, is funded by the SCSU Foundation.
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2019. By rating institutions on a scale from 1 to 5, on multiple studies-related questions, we found the top educators in the world.Learn more about the Global Student Satisfaction Awards
The members of the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs assist the Vice President for Student Affairs with projects and initiatives designed to enhance student success. They also serve as a sounding board for student ideas, needs and issues and as advisers to committees and major student governing groups. If you have questions, ideas, or concerns, stop by the Student Affairs Office which is located in Engleman Hall A106.
Campus living does not end in your room. You are in the center of it all, footsteps away from events, sports games, our theater, academic buildings, the student center, campus dining, and so much more. Southern's campus is full of energy.
Hilton C. Buley Library serves the many academic and research needs of the Southern community. The library maintains over 100 databases and electronic collections, and houses over half a million items including books, serials and serial back files, microforms, maps, government documents, rare books, video media, and more.
Southern has one campus in New Haven, bordering parts of Hamden, Connecticut. Fitch Street separates the academic and residential sections of the campus.
We're conveniently located on the 2nd floor of the Adanti Student Center. Our facility has a large selection of cardiovascular machines, free weights, selectorized equipment, plate-loaded equipment and equipment for check out. Visit our Equipment page for a comprehensive list of all we have to offer.
The Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Development seeks to ensure that all students know of and are engaged in co-curricular opportunities. We want to help you build connections, enhance your campus experiences, increase your personal growth in a variety of areas, and help you develop new skills. We want you to succeed.
Southern Connecticut State University is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.


text:
Still looking for shadow fight 2 hack? Did you prefer not to jailbreak or root your device and playing shadow fight 2? Or you need an updated shadow fight 2 mod APK that worked on their current version? Well, it is so easy even a 10-year-old child can do it!
And it's true – hack for unlimited money and gems can get you ahead in this game faster. But there are few problems that most people encountered, outdated shadow fight 2 cheats are one of them.
This new version of our shadow fight 2 hacks will never make you run out of coins and gems anymore. Hackzoid android developers made sure that our shadow fight 2 cheats will let you enjoy the potential of this top action game in mobile.
Everybody knows that each player wants a better items or equipment. Without gems or coins, the chance of winning is very low. On most mobile games in android or ios always prioritize IAP items to progress faster than any regular players.
With the help of our shadow fight 2 hack, you do not need to purchase anything from the online store and to be honest, this cheat has been working for a long time since we released it.
It will only take a few minutes of your time to get started on how to get free gems. While we are at it, let's talk about the latest features we added from our previous hack for shadow fight 2 first.
You can download shadow fight 2 mod APK from the link below or use our online tool. For those who prefer not to download anything, it's a good choice to use this online hack tool that we created. It is available for ios, android and windows devices without version limitation or root needed.
You can download shadow fight 2 hack APK from this link below, this included a step by step guide on how to install on your device. If you are worried about the version of this APK then don't be. each APK that we released are always updated, that's what are we good for anyway.
Download Shadow fight 2 APKThat's it, folks if you need help or feedback just use our comment system below and enjoy your game!
The post Shadow Fight 2 Mod Hack Unlimited Money and Gems appeared first on Best Gaming Cheats.


text:
Photo: illustration from Fair Trade Vegan Chocolate
For a little seasonal "it's the thought that counts," check out "I Want To Live In A World Where." Even "organic food for everybody" is a preference! My own choice is more specific, especially during Holidays: "organic chocolate for everyone."
On this "…a World Where" video I love the sheep at the end who wants to get in on the kissing! Who would you kiss? What would you add to this "I want to live in a world where" list?


text:
This is New Side Project from GabutSasshiSubs!
Team 8 No Bunbun! Eight Dai Housou!
Okay this is the spoiler!
this is hagashi!
an encore?
Password File Softsub : Tama"Rion"SN
Ready File : Englih Soft & Hard SUBS
Via Google Drive
Softsub!: English Softsub
Anroke! : For English will be updated if i have finished it


text:
This blog now resides at http://www.frightanic.com/. It will be discontinued here…
This blog now resides at http://www.frightanic.com/. It will be discontinued here…
CU over at http://www.frightanic.com/.
This blog now resides at http://www.frightanic.com/. It will be discontinued here…
Reading a book on the Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) test is interesting and worthwhile, but the test itself is bogus.
Says who? I do…
I took the SCJP for Java 2 many many years ago and subsequently also passed the SCJD and SCWCD tests. So, I feel I experienced a fair share of the Sun certification universe.
SCJP is known as the "API test" and its successful completion is the basis for all other Sun Java certificates. You're expected to be familiar with many of the basic Java/OO concepts and APIs – sometimes down to the method signature. As such, passing the test shouldn't require at lot of studying for any serious Java engineer since this is our daily bread and butter.
So, going through a certification prep book should hopefully not teach you a lot of new stuff (i.e. things you weren't previously familiar with) but rather fill your know-how gaps. And that's the interesting part. You might uncover surprising aspects of the JLS (Java Language Specification) which can be valuable.
However, it's the way questions and code samples are formulated in the test that hamper the significance of its results. The time limit for the full Java 6 test is 210min (yes, that's 3.5h!) and it consists of 72 questions. While you may finish a lot quicker it certainly is a primary test for your ability to concentrate in a test center. Furthermore, the majority of the questions contain code samples that are outright silly. You'll see code that no sensible programmer would ever craft like that – even if the JLS allowed it.
You job would then be to find the missing ';', the missing 'static' modifier, the illegal [] in an array declaration, the overridden instead of overloaded method, the illegal auto-boxing, the… you name it i.e. mainly stuff the compiler would report anyway. Finding the correct answer has become harder over the years because for most questions two of the possible answers nowadays are "Doesn't compile" or "Fails at runtime".
So, practicing for the test is not so much about learning Java as it is about getting accustomed to this type of questions and finding a (personal) strategy to tackle them.
All in all, I don't think a Java test which a good Java developer might still flunk has a lot of significance. And passing this test doesn't necessarily mean that you're a good developer, either. Pity.
This blog now resides at http://www.frightanic.com/. It will be discontinued here…
It was only recently after many years of Java programming that I found out that there's no such thing as a "static inner class". Such classes are called static nested classes.
-> http://www.coderanch.com/t/442837/Programmer-Certification-SCJP/certification/Members-inner-classes
This blog now resides at http://www.frightanic.com/. It will be discontinued here…
List of Windows control panel application and the name of the respective .cpl file in the %systemroot%\system32 folder. Uuuhhhm, you ask how knowing this should help you? Well, in the control panel you can't simply right-click an application an chose "Run as…" from the context menu – that option is not available. Hence, you need to find the respective .cpl file and repeat that operation there…
|Control Panel Applet Icon
|.cpl file
|Accessibility Options
|Add Hardware Wizard
|Add or Remove Programs
|Administrative Tools
|Shortcut to main.cpl
|Date and Time (Clock)
|Compaq Insight Agents
|Date and Time
|Display (Properties)
|Shortcut to main.cpl
|Game Controllers (Joystick)
|International and Regional
|Internet Options
|Infrared Port
|Modem and Phone
|Mouse and Keyboard
|Netware Client
|Network Connections (Connectivity)
|ODBC Data Source Administrator
|PC Card
|Phone and Modem Options
|Power Options (Management)
|Printers and Faxes
|Shortcut to \Documents and Settings\ user \Desktop
|RealPlayer Preferences
|Regional and Language Options
|Scanners and Cameras
|sticpl.cpl from wiashext.dll
|Server Manager
|Scheduled Tasks
|Shortcut to main.cpl
|Sounds and Audio Devices (Multimedia)
|Speech Properties
|Shortcut to :\Program Files \Common Files \Microsoft Shared \Speech \sapi.cpl
|Taskbar and Start Menu
|Shortcut to \Documents and Settings\ user \Desktop
|Taskbar and Start Menu
|User Accounts (Manager)
|Wild Tangent (spyware)
|Windows Firewall
For explanations check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Control_Panel_applets_(Windows)
This blog now resides at http://www.frightanic.com/. It will be discontinued here…
A brother printer hooked up to my AirPort Express base station was not recognized by the AirPort – so it seemed. The respective dialog in the AirPort Utility said: "USB Printer: None".
I spent quite some time trying to find out what the problem was. It turned out that the dialog simply didn't tell the truth. The "AirPort" dialog (left most in the menu) did indeed list the printer correctly:
After I found that bug setting up the printer both in OS X and Windows XP was a breeze. In OS X you go to System Preferences -> Printer / Fax -> + sign -> choose "Default" in the top connection-type menu. OS X will then try to locate the printer with Bonjour and populate the add-dialog with proper values. For Windows you need to install Bonjour from the CD that came with your AirPort Express base station.
This blog now resides at http://www.frightanic.com/. It will be discontinued here…
I just spent way too much time looking for information for an ASUS P4S8L mainboard built into a Pundit PC. The mainboard is not listed in the proper section on asus.com. I finally figured that in the 'Product' category one must not choose 'Mainboard' (which would be obvious, right) but 'Barebone' instead. Then you need to pick 'Pundit' -> 'Pundit-S'.
To easen this for you I attached the mainboard manual to this post.
This blog now resides at http://www.frightanic.com/. It will be discontinued here…
With Apple Remote for iPhone and iPod Touch you control iTunes on a remote computer.
What I only recently found out is that Apple Remote acts as a Wake-On-LAN (WOL) client. At least it does that in my environment. My Mac Mini wakes up from sleep when I start Apple Remote on the iPod Touch and have it try to connect to iTunes on the Mac Mini.
I find this a little odd because none of the articles I found (App Store and apple.com) mention this feature. Of course I'm happy about it nonetheless.
This blog now resides at http://www.frightanic.com/. It will be discontinued here…
My small home network consists of a Windows XP PC, a MacBook with OS X Leopard, and a Mac Mini with OS X Leopard. Several networking issues kept bugging me:
The first issue was solved by updating the Mac Mini (and the MacBook for that matter) to the latest Leopard version 10.5.6. However, this didn't help with any of the other issues.
Issue number 3 was solved with the help of a geekstogo.com article. In the XP registry I needed to add the IRPStackSize parameter to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters and set its value to 18 (decimal) according to this Microsoft KB article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/285089.
Issue number 2 was related to a fu… up "WINS" configuration on the MacBook. When I checked whether the workgroup name in the WINS tab in System Preferences -> Network -> Advanced was set correctly it was empty. So, I tried to enter the same name as on the PC and on the Mac Mini, but the change would never get persisted i.e. remembered. I did as adviced in http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6198136 and now the MacBook appears correctly in the XP network neighborhood. However, its shares still could not be accessed. So, I checked System Preferences -> Firewall and realized that I had checked 'Allow only essential services' instead of 'Set access for specific services and applications'. Issue 2 solved.
At this point I discovered the great article 'Explanation of Leopard NetBIOS (Windows Sharing) Wackyness With Solutions'. It's got extensive explanations and good tips.
And…while reading it, time passed…more time passed…and all of a sudden my XP system showed up in the Finder with its real name i.e. there was no need to address it with <name>.local. Issue 4 solved.


text:
Have you ever ever puzzled how you can enhance the style of your recipes? Experiment 2 exhibits that this contrast effect of precise style on style simulation occurs solely when folks undertake an imagery-based mostly fairly than an analytical processing mode. Nonetheless, I've noticed two peculiar characteristics in cuisines regardless of the place: Style and Texture Steadiness.
Then the primary course: veal tenderloin with licorice and crimson onions from Tropea. 3F ). Finally, we generalize the meals pairing speculation by exploring if ingredient pairs sharing more compounds are more doubtless for use in particular cuisines. Delicacies refers to a method of cooking strategies, traditions and practices that are usually carefully associated with specific cultures and geographical places.
Though there are some genetic components that trigger differences in style notion, similarities in style preferences far more commonly replicate related experiences with varieties of flavours and meals. Each taste compound is linked to the elements that contain it, forming a bipartite community.
It due to this fact appears likely that precise and imagined tastes can influence one another. However contrasting flavors… That is attention-grabbing to me and I do not know of any guidelines to comply with. Our goal herein is to suggest that dynamic distinction contributes significantly to palatability of meals and drinks.
In supermarkets, for instance, putting free samples of salty snacks in front of the shelves of sweet meals may effectively assist promote gross sales of the latter merchandise. Not surprisingly, each module within the community corresponds to a definite food class comparable to meats (purple) or fruits (yellow).


text:
Air. Water. Land. Fire. These four natural elements are alive more than ever in Garda Trentino, a region of intense colors and perfumes. The territory, lapped by waters and colors of the largest lake in Italy, boasts a special climate which makes it the northern-most Mediterranean region in Europe – the first point of contact with the sun of the south. Culture, nature and history come together in the communities of Garda Trentino. Still today, with its imperial style palaces, Arco shows traces of that which was defined as the Kurort Austriaco. While Riva and Torbole offer, in ever a new way, that tourist liveliness that made them known to renowned personalities in Central Europe during the 1700's and 1800's.
Garda, Ledro, Tenno, Toblino, Cavedine: the element water defines and distinguishes Garda Trentino. The Trentino part of Lake Garda, otherwise known as "Benaco", is narrow and enclosed by high cliffs that recall the roughness of the Norwegian Fjords. In the past, it was frequented by Dante Alighieri, Mann, Kafka, Brahms, Nietzsche and Goethe. It is this body of water, the largest in Italy, together with the mountainous Baldo, that characterise the climate and vegetation of Garda Trentino and bring about its Mediterranean side.
Lake Ledro is suspended among the Giudicarie and Sarca valley, and is a natural balcony that has recently been used for hydroelectric purposes. It is known, above all, for an extensive Bronze Age pile-dwelling site carefully laid out on its shores. The turquoise blue waters of the small and charming Lake Tenno are located on the lower south-western slopes of Mount Misone, while the ice blue Lake Cavedine is located in the setting of the Marocche, an enormous post-glacial landslide. Finally, Lake Toblino, with its distinctly romantic turreted castle on a peninsula that gently leans out into the water, the islets and the beds of reeds…
Places to visit
Besides the changing reflections of Lake Garda, the territory has many other distinctive characteristics from fascinating routes to captivating landscapes. The Marocche, an impressive landslide dating back to the glaciation period, characterizes the Cavedine Valley lunar landscape. Mount Brione, rising up at the center of the Sarca Valley, is mirrored by Lake Garda and has become one of the stops on the European "Sentiero della Pace" (Path of Peace) due to the World War I Austro-Hungarian fortifications found on it.
The Varone Waterfall, which inspired Thomas Mann's "The Magic Mountain", is an 87-metre waterfall on the inside of a cavern that was excavated by the Magnone stream. It is open every day in the summer and holidays and Sundays in the winter. The celebrated "Marmitte dei Giganti" (Giants' Potholes),deep circular cavities of glacial origin found along the provincial road, connect Nago to Torbole. And finally, the botanical peculiarities of the Arco Arboretum, an antique park created by archduke Albert of Hapsburg in the second half of the 1800's which is open during daylight hours.
Garda Trentino climate
91 m a.s.l.
latitude 45° – 55′ – 14" north
longitude 1° – 34′ – 12" west from Monte Mario (Rome)
Hours of sun (annual) = 2,031
Average humidity = 65.7
Annual precipitation = 926.6 mm
Atmospheric pressure = 751.7 mm annual average
Wind gust = monthly maximum in m/s 19.8
Wind force = 8.3 (gr. Beaufort)
|annual average
|winter average
|spring average
|summer average
|autumn average
Where to stay in Riva del Garda
There are high quality hotels, apartments, B&Bs and condo hotels available, check them out and make a reservation here.


text:
This was a completely unexpected art exhibition in the Harbour and it was a gem of a find. These boats were full of joy and sorrow, life and death. This installation really struck me as being the type of multi-skilled, creative, interactive, life-affirming sculptures that were reminiscent of Martin's days at Island 2000. The exhibit is travelling around Denmark.
These were three boats built from concrete,merging art and culture and focusing on universal womanhood and letting the figurehead take over the entire boat, allowing her to become the boat. "Each boat has it's own identity and narrative. The three individual titles are My ship is filled with Longing, Life, and Memories" focusing on the three stages of life.
My ship is loaded with longing – the young one entering the world:
This boat had a treasure chest inside where we were invited to post letters about our hopes, dreams and longings, which would be added to at each stop, but the chest is sealed and will never be opened so the most secret of desires and intimate of longings can be placed inside.
My ship is loaded with life – in the middle of life and fertilised:
My Ship Is Loaded With Memories – the ageing or the dead:
This was the most moving ship with representations of many women and their memories standing erect from the boat.
One of the women had a number on her side, the figure is titled Arlette Anderson, Auschwitz Prisoner Number 74853 – more moving to me personally because I once shared her surname. Another I loved who was titled June Boyce-Tilman, Outsider, Feminist and Religious Preacher of Diversity – because this reminded me of both my lovely girls!
You could add your own memories to those memories of amazing women already here.


text:
Wire cable display kits with pockets, a variety of ready made kits to make life simple. The kits include 4 Metre cables with ceiling to floor fixings, tensioners, acrylic pockets and gripper fittings to the cables. You may need to add different end fittings for angled surfaces or direct to walls or to fit into rails.
Want to know more please call Coker Expo 01256 768178


text:
This website results from a project run within the ECML's (European Centre for Modern Languages) Empowering Language Professionals programme entitled "Training teachers to use the European Language Portfolio".
ELP-TT 3 (2010-2011) is the second of two short-term projects designed to disseminate the ELP training kit developed during the original "ELP-TT" project ("Training teachers to use the European Language Portfolio") run in the ECML's second medium-term programme (2004-2007). Whereas ELP-TT2 focused on disseminating the materials of the kit in a number of training events in ECML member states, ELP-TT3 will aim at developing and disseminating further training materials and samples of best practice produced in various contexts and languages through the ELP-implementation website.
"ELP-TT 2" (2008-2009) is the first of two short-term projects designed to disseminate the ELP training kit developed during the original "ELP-TT" project ("Training teachers to use the European Language Portfolio") run in the ECML's second medium-term programme (2004-2007).
These follow-up projects will organise training events aimed at ELP multipliers and teacher trainers from different cultural backgrounds and educational settings in 16 ECML member states which did not benefit from training events during the first project (Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom).
The materials – in English and in French - will be evaluated during these training events and adapted if necessary and recommendations will be made as to how they may be used in different training contexts.
Eight of the sixteen countries will be targeted during the first project and eight more during the second, "ELP-TT 3" (2010-2011), which will continue the dissemination and evaluation process and complete the adaptation of the training kit.
Margarete Nezbeda: Coordinator
Retired as a school teacher; freelance:
Austrian Centre for Language Competence;
Various Teacher Training Colleges,
Heike Speitz
Telemark Educational Research
Barbara Lesničar: web correspondent
Senior Consultant for English
Ülle Türk
Department of English, University of Tartu
The ELP-TT3 publication and website result from the work of an international network established within one of the ECML projects. We would like to thank all who worked on ELP-TT, in particular the project coordination team for their motivation and active involvement.


text:
I have been hitting the Pinterest fashion boards hard the last few days, and one conclusion I have come to is this: I need more jewelry. Particularly statement jewelry! All of my necklaces are either small pendant charms on a chain, or long pendant charms on a chain. I still love those styles and don't plan to stop wearing them, but I wanted something else for variety and to make some of those awesome outfits I've seen on Pinterest happen for me in real life!
I got real lucky tonight too - I scored some absolutely amazing deals and I just can't wait til this stuff arrives!
First I placed an order with HauteLook. If you don't know what HauteLook is, you should!! Basically they host limited time sales for all kinds of brands, at prices that are SO LOW it's insane. I got a $300 curling iron for about $50. And wait til you see the prices for the jewelry I bought!
If you wanna join HauteLook (and simultaneously gift me with a $10 credit upon your first order ;) then CLICK HERE to join!
Now let's see the goods!
Crazy deals right? And the shipping (to Canada, which can be notoriously expensive!) was only $10.95. A steal!
I went to check out the website of t + j designs, and their sale section on their own site. I noticed if you signed up for their newsletter you could get a $10 credit for your first order, so I did that...
So that was three beautiful statement necklaces, worth over $200, that I paid around $60 for!
I consider this a good day.
Disclaimer: No companies are asking me to pimp their stuff! These were orders made with my money for my own self! Clicking the link to join HauteLook and give me a $10 credit upon your first order is an offer available to any member of HauteLook, not something offered just to me. Join up, share the love, and start sending out invitations to other people to get yourself some credits too! ;)


text:
Lawyers USA has ceased publication. If you have purchased a research pass or still have additional time on your current Digital Subscription, you may access locked stories by logging in.
Kagan recusals could mean plaintiff preemption losses
WASHINGTON - Just two terms after the plaintiffs' bar claimed a big victory in the Supreme Court preemption ruling Wyeth v. Levine, it may be time to brace for two potential losses at the Court next year. And those possible losses could come, in part, due to the addition of Elena Kagan to the bench.


text:
WEX Australia Brings Virtual Payments to Flight Centre Travel Stores
WEX Australia has updated its existing agreement with Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) and will now bring virtual credit card payments to all of FCTG's 1,200 retail stores throughout Australia.
WEX, a payment solution company, uses virtual card technology to give every transaction a unique card number, which will reduce the risk of fraud and the misuse of credit cards. FCTG retail stores, one of the largest travel agency groups worldwide, will now be able to efficiently accept supplier payments via the WEX Virtual Credit Card (VCC) solution.
"The decision to extend the WEX VCC solution to its retail stores represents FCTG's recognition that our virtual credit card solution simplifies transactions and enhances payment security," said WEX Australia Managing Director, Greg Drumm. "The benefits to FCTG are clear and the simplification of transaction reconciliations within stores will be a major efficiency."
FCTG Treasurer, Richard Humphreys, also commented about the measurable benefits for the travel group: "The adoption of WEX's VCC solution throughout our retail stores in Australia will remove administrative tasks for our consultants allowing them to spend more time with our customers, and enhance controls with comprehensive reporting tools."