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Saturday, October 31, 2015
Convention Feminization 2
Today I released the second and final part of the Convention Feminization series. The two part story is an oddity. I've written series as long as 10 books, but I've only done one other two-part story and that was Summer Reunion. I almost made Hoops a two-parter, but it was a slower developing story and part one would have been all setup so there was no choice, but to put both parts together.
Convention Feminization had only been a one-part story, but as I neared the end of book one, I realized that I wanted the luxury to take my time with the punishment of the two misogynists whose capture had filled most of the pages of book one.
Book two begins with Koss and Darkside fully in the girls' grasp and about to endure a gauntlet of humiliating and emasculating tasks to avoid being exposed to their fellow fan boys. If you love public humiliation with your feminization and sissies who really deserve the comeuppance they get, this one is for you.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
To Hormone or not to Hormone?
Hormones if done properly however, could work. I liked how they were used in Grounded in Heels, where Sam takes the hormones even though he knows what they'll do to him because of the power that his sister has over him. I guess one of the problems is that it does up the stakes. If the guy being feminized deserves it, then it's not so bad, but if he's the victim of circumstance, I wonder if it's too much.
What do you think? Are hormones a step too far or the next logical progression? I do have a story or two coming soon that I could work them in. I'd love some input.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Sam's Halloween - Giving Credit Where It's Due
All of those stories are legitimate and be great reads. However, I don't ever want to write the same story that every other writer does with the only difference being the first names of the characters. I didn't want to write this story for awhile because I didn't want to repeat what other authors had already done. I don't think I could improve on Ann Michelle's Grounded in Heels, for a sibling rivalry story for instance.
I decided that the only way to do this story was to do what Quentin Tarantino does--acknowledge my source material and then try and create something original about it. Sam's Halloween is the first story in a new series of books that follows his feminization and humiliation of a high school senior named Sam at the hands of his step-sister and her friends. Halloween is where they first set him up, but it is not the end of their plans to humiliate and torment him.
The dedication for Sam's Halloween reads:
For Ann Michelle who wrote Grounded in Heels, Parker who wrote Princess, and Jamie who wrote The Triplets. So many great authors of feminization fiction have come before me and I owe them all a huge debt of thanks whether their names are remembered or not.
Ann Michelle's Grounded in Heels is one of my favorite stories. My character of Taylor owes a lot to his story as does the overall scene. I named my character Sam in tribute to the protagonist of that story.
Parker's Princess is free on websites like Fictionmania. I loved how the main character was set up and my character of Gwen owes a bit to Janice in this story.
I believe Jamie's The Triplets is out of stock at Reluctant Press, but it was one of the best stories I ever read where a pair of wicked sisters dominate a step-brother. I can't think of anything specifically I borrowed from that story, but it definitely led to my appreciation of this type of story.
I hope I did justice to these great writers. As the series goes on, I'll be including other authors who inspired me.
Friday, October 16, 2015
A Real Forced Feminization Video
Doom Maidens that I thought would be greatly enjoyed by many followers of this blog. I posted once about VeVe Lane before, but she is an amazing wrestler who added bondage to her wrestling repertoire. She's the originator and undisputed master of bondage wrestling. There are very women who could wrestle a semi-skilled man and so overpower him that she is capable of binding him. VeVe is at the top of this exclusive list.
In her new video, Tied Up, Dressed Up she not only defeats Howl, her male opponent, and she skillfully hogties him, but using a series of temporary ties, manages to feminize him against his will as well.
Tied Up, Dressed Up enough.
In her new video, Tied Up, Dressed Up she not only defeats Howl, her male opponent, and she skillfully hogties him, but using a series of temporary ties, manages to feminize him against his will as well.
Tied Up, Dressed Up enough.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Halloween is Approaching. I Need a Costume
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Forced Feminization: A Love Story
Forced Feminization: A Love Story.
This story is more romantic than my usual tale. I like that about it. Like a lot of my readers, I do dream of a woman who will want to participate in all my fetishes and even encourage me to take things further. That's just what Lauren does for John when she discovers him in a compromising position. I enjoyed writing this story of a supportive woman and a guy who won't take yes for an answer. I think if you have ever dreamed of having a supportive woman indulge you in your hobbies or if you're lucky enough to have one, you'll enjoy this one a great deal.
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T-shirt-Headband DIY | T-Shirt.ca
Posted by Ranae on 3rd Apr 2017
Hello T-shirt.ca-ers!
We are excited to announce that we will be bringing back the oh-so popular DIY tutorials! These tutorials will be a blend of blog and video. We are looking to do one DIY a week, so make sure you tune in every Monday for Make It Mondays! (Alliteration makes everything better don't you think?)
The first DIY we have is this cute braided headband.
All you need is the following:
-Measuring tape/ruler
-writing utensil
And it takes about 10-30 minutes...it all depends on how fast you get the braid down!
Let's start shall we?
1.Take your shirt and lay it on a flat surface. Make sure the left sleeve is the closest part to you, the hem should be on your right-hand side laying vertically.
2.Take your scissors and cut the hem off. I cut it close to the stitching, but it doesn't matter how wide you cut it, because we won't be using this part.
3.Now take your ruler/measuring tape and mark off 5 1" sections from the bottom of the shirt towards the collar. I folded the shirt a couple times, so that my cuts were more even for the next step.
4.Cut along the first mark from bottom to top. You could lay your ruler flat along the shirt and guide your scissors along that so that your cuts a more straight. Mine were not the straightest...but don't worry if yours aren't either!
5.After you have finished cutting the first loop off the bottom of the shirt, go ahead and cut the other 4 out along the other markings you made.
6.Now that you have cut all five of the loops we need, you can put the rest of the shirt aside, we will not be needing that anymore! This is what my cuts looked like after the were all done.
7.Take one loop at a time and give them a couple little tugs. We don't want the loops to be flat, we want them to curl in on themselves, like this:
8.After you have tugged all 5 of your loops, take them all into your hand and make one cut half way through the loops to make five strands!
9. Lay out all of the strands onto a flat surface and tape them to it using one piece of tape.
10. Lay them out so they are all separated. Now, take the strand furthest to the left and move it across and over one strand over to the right.
11.Then take the middle strand and move it across and one over to the left.
12.I found it best to adjust the strands closer to the top so that they braid evenly, so I did this after every 2 moves.
13.Now, we will do the same thing on the right.
14.Take the furthest right strand and move it across and one over to the left.
15.Take the middle strand and move it across and one over to the left. Then adjust them so that the braid is tight.
16. Now keep repeating this until you get all the way do to the bottom. Or near the bottom.
17. I'm halfway there! This is what it should look like, or close to!
18. Once you feel you have a long braid you can check in and measure it around your head. Once you feel like it is long enough to fit around your head you can remove the tape.
19. Leave about one inch or unbraided strand at either end so that you can tie the two ends together.
20. Grab the ends and put them near each other, making sure that the band itself isn't wrapped around itself.
21. Tie one end of one side to another end of the other side so that they can be tied together. A double knot worked for me, and it is best to cut off the ends of the knots so that you don't have a tangle of ends to confuse you!
22. Keep tying the ends together until you have none left, and your band is fully joined and is a complete circle!
23. Technically you are done!! I found the rough double knots not the most attractive, but if it doesn't bother you then you are done your headband, good work!
24. If you find there are bothering you, I took the scraps that I cut off of the ends and wrapped them around the knots and tucked them in. This created a cleaner finish that I was looking for.
And now we're done! Hope you have fun wearing this around the town, on a night out or at the gym! It's so versatile, you can really wear it anywhere. We had fun wearing it around the office today :)
We added a fun flower to the yellow to cover up the double knots. How else would you cover it up? Send us your ideas!
Our boss approves of it as well :)
Happy crafting!

subset: commoncrawl


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| Introduction of Solution, EnckeMacro
EnckeMacro is an optimal solution which enables companies to establish supply chain plan with high accuracy, quick crisis responds, high customer satisfaction and quick decision-making, which are required by global SCM.
| Key Features
EnckeMacro provides basic functions and detailed options for each function to apply various constraints to the plan for establishing an optimal supply chain plan.
| Process
EnckeMacro establishes an optimal plan through 3 steps : Load, Plan and Release.
| Characteristics and Advantages
EnckeMacro is an innovative next generation SCP solution which overcomes the limit of existing domestic/global SCP solutions.
| Expected Benefit
The optimal supply chain plan set by EnckeMacro provides differentiated competitiveness to companies.
| Powerful Customizing
EnckeMacro API provides a detailed control in flow of Load, Plan and Release in order to meet business requirements.
Also, users may redefine the specific functions of engine by using Custom Function.
| Utilizing simulation in real time
It's possible to respond quickly to requirements from outside customers and to coordinate among divisions in regards to plan result through the rapid simulation function provided by EnckeMacro.
| System Integration
System integration by utilizing EnckeMacro provides the value of efficient operations and expenses cutbacks.


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- The Stand featured in this article is sometimes referred to as "Ozon Baby".
Ozone Baby (オゾン・ベイビー Ozone Beibī) is the Stand of Poor Tom, featured in JoJolion.
Before activation, Ozone Baby appears as a near-exact replica of the LEGO Architecture White House 21006. This form has no unusual qualities to it.
Post-activation, Ozone Baby appears as a mechanical Stand with a half-humanoid form. Instead of legs, it possesses a set of wheels, but floats through the air instead of using these wheels for movement. Its left set of wheels faces vertically, and its right set faces horizontally. A peculiar structure composed of three balls connected in a straight line juts downwards from its crotch, possibly representing the perverted and lecherous nature of its user, Poor Tom.
The top half of its head is covered by a bag-like helmet with several spikes jutting out of it and with the Stand's name imprinted on it in stylized text. The Stand's head itself is square and muscular, with dark, sunken eyes, dark lips constantly stretched in a maniacal grin, and small square decorations lining its bottom lip. Its arms start from the shoulders (which have string-like decorations dangling from them) as mechanical and become more organic at the elbow, and its forearms are covered in what appear to be cloth arm-guards. Its fingers end in long, sharp fingernails.
The Stand's torso is covered by a vest with a dark collar, two buttons on the chest, and coattails with two more buttons on each side of the waist.
While in its post-activated state, Ozone Baby cannot be harmed or even touched, with all physical contact merely passing through it like fog.
According to Jobin Higashikata's findings, Ozone Baby is a long-range automatic Stand, thus possessing a powerful ability sustainable even away from its user Poor Tom. However, proximity to Tom himself dramatically increases the pressure variations. Tom reveals that its power has an area of effect of 100 meter radius.
Ozone Baby's power revolves around manipulating air pressure in a way capable of cordoning off an area. Burying the Lego house in the soil dampens the effect of the pressure.
Pressure manipulation
Upon activation, Ozone Baby automatically begins to cause the surrounding atmosphere to depressurize. Hollow objects such as plastic containers begin to collapse in on themselves, and living organisms begin to experience mild depressurization sickness, with symptoms such as pain in the ears and nosebleeds.
If one steps outside of a sealed room, the depressurization sickness becomes dramatically more severe. All the air dissolved inside the blood vessel form bubbles, causing severe bleeding in the capillaries, notably in the eyes, nose and ears, which can debilitate a grown man in seconds, and cause eyes to pop out of their sockets. This effect is likely to prove lethal if the exposure is prolonged.
Any room that is opened but then closed regains its atmospheric pressure, the walls and closed openings acting as barriers to Ozone Baby's power. Any surviving victim managing to regain the safety of a closed room can recover from their depressurization sickness. However, merely staying inside a closed space is also dangerous as the pressure inside will gradually increase to lethal levels. At its worst, the crushing pressure causes the body to cave in on itself.
In addition to this area-of-effect depressurization, Ozone Baby can create illusions of itself.
|Manga Appearances
Chapters in order of appearance


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Google makes almost $2B in profit in latest quarter
In another sign of a tech sector recovery, Google (GOOG)on Thursday surpassed Wall Street's expectations and reported a record fourth-quarter profit of nearly $2 billion.
The search giant's strong results for the quarter and year momentarily took attention away from its headline-grabbing threat last week to pull out of China over censorship and cyberspying.
Google said it earned $1.97 billion, or $6.13 a share, in the final three months of 2009, vs. $382 million, or $1.21 a share, in the final three months of 2008. Fourth-quarter revenue totaled $6.7 billion, a 17% increase.
Still, Google's stock price slipped $26.88, to $556.10, a 4.6% decline, in after-hours trading. Eric Schmidt, Google's CEO, called the fourth quarter an "extraordinary end to a roller-coaster year."
Google pushed hard last year to popularize its Google Apps suite of online clerical tools, YouTube and its Android mobile phone operating system. But the vast majority of its sales and profit continue to come from search advertising.
"When you look at where their revenue comes from, it's all about search ads," says Kevin Lee, CEO of search consultancy Didit.
Google CFO Patrick Pichette said fourth-quarter results were "very strong" in many of the major markets the company operates in around the globe. Revenue from outside the United States totaled $3.5 billion, representing 53% of total revenue in the fourth quarter of 2009, up from 50% in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Whether China stays in that mix remains to be seen. Schmidt said the company is "in conversations with the Chinese government" about easing censorship and addressing cyberattacks designed to steal proprietary data. He acknowledged that Google is obeying China's laws and offering censored results in China right now.
"We remain quite committed to being there," Schmidt said in a conference call with analysts and reporters.
Earlier Thursday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered a watershed speech outlining new initiatives to quell censorship and deter cyberattacks globally. She specifically called on China to conduct a "thorough review" of Google's complaints. "We look for that investigation and its results to be transparent," Clinton said.


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In it's 42nd year, the new edition of the Non-League Club Directory contains league and cup results and tables, for all of the clubs who play in step 1 to 7 in english football. Additional league tables are provided for steps 8 and below. The directory also holds information on team line-ups for the National, North and South divisions, including FA cup, Vase and Trophy matches, with a database of around 2000 players featured.
See how the new 2019-20 constitutions will look for all leagues in Steps 1-7 and see the draws for the early rounds of the FA Cup, Trophy and Vase.
Included in almost 900 pages are the results from all the FA competitions plus the final stages of the senior County Cups.
Also featured: England C; Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Island football; Colour and black & white photographs; Unique stats from the top three Steps.
Also includes club fact files for steps 1 to 7. Other features include match facts, final tables, county cups, 10 year league and cup histories and much more.
In senior men's football the league structure is known as the National League System. The structure sits directly below the Football League Division Two. It begins at the Football Conference Premier Division at Step 1 and continues on down to the County Leagues at Step 7.
This feeder system through to the Football League contains a total of 84 divisions within 58 leagues. The National League System gives football clubs a level of competition that is relevant to their playing strength, their ground facilities, their economic means and their location. In addition The National League system also provides for the seasonal movement of clubs and provides a route from Step 7 through to the Football League, through annual promotion and relegation.
Steps 1 and 2 consist of the National League, National League North and National League South. Steps 3 to 4 consist of the Isthmian League, Northern Premier League and Southern League. Steps 5 and 6 consist of the Combine Counties League, East Midlands Counties League, Eastern Counties League, Essex Senior League, Hellenic League, Midland Football League, North West Counties League, Northern Counties East League, Northern League, South West Peninsula League, Southern Combination League, Southern Counties East League, Spartan South Midlands League, United Counties League, Wessex League, West Midlands (Regional) League and the Western League. Steps 7+ consist of numerous County and other leagues.
This book is endorsed by the FA : The FA
For more information about the guide see the publisher's website : Non-League CLub Directory 2019-20
Mike Williams, Tony Williams
Mike Williams Publishing
Publication Date:
150 x 211 x 41 (mm)
Available, usually dispatched within 7 days
There are currently no reviews for this book. Be the first to review by clicking below!
Search for over 140 football teams with this i-SPY guide. This fun activity book encourages kids to learn about the top clubs, strips and stadiums in England and Scotland in search of i-SPY points. A fun, interactive way to encourage curious children to learn about the world around them.


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Professional basketball took a backseat to major sports like baseball and football when it came to getting their teams, players and branding into home video games. Major League Baseball had its name and teams represented in the aptly titled Major League Baseball on the NES (1988), while R.B.I. Baseball (also 1988) gave us real baseball players for the first time. The NFL got on board with video game licensing on the NES with NFL Football, while its Player's Association had already signed on in early 1989 for Tecmo Bowl. Sure they licensed out just the NBA logo for NBA Basketball on the Intellivision in 1980 but it wasn't until 1991 that we had a console release for a NBA basketball game. While Electronic Arts kicked off what would be yearly releases of NBA games (now carried on by 2K) with Lakers vs. Celtics on the Sega Genesis, the real granddaddy of the pro hoops hardwood was a MS-DOS release under the same name some two years prior.
Lakers vs. Celtics and the NBA Playoffs was released in 1989 for DOS-compatible PCs and combined what other sports games had been lacking to this point. The first NBA game had both real teams and real players. The game featured eight teams from the 1989 NBA playoffs as well as both the Eastern and Western Conference All-Star teams. The Lakers, Suns, SuperSonics, Jazz, Pistons, Celtics, Bulls and Knicks made the cut in the MS-DOS version of the game with the Sixers, Spurs and Trail Blazers replacing the Knicks, SuperSonics and Jazz in the 1991 release. Lakers vs. Celtics had more than just real players names, the players had distinct likenesses and their own signature moves too! The game is also famously the only NBA video game to feature Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as an active player. Kareem had retired by the time the Genesis game came out.
Lakers vs. Celtics was more than just authentic NBA eye candy. A simple two-button layout for pass and shoot made gameplay simple and easy to pick up. The game also featured considerably deep simulation elements. You managed substitutions as the game had fatigue counters for all players. Couple this in with a halftime show plus full team rosters and you can imagine the kind of excitement this initial NBA effort had on sports gamers.
From a game mode standpoint, Lakers vs. Celtics had your standard exhibition game, with a number of different difficulty levels and the ability to choose between an arcade or simulation feel. The main event was a tournament mode to emulate the NBA playoffs. In what would be a staple barrier of entry in Electronic Arts sports games in the early 90s, starting a tournament automatically locked in the Showtime difficulty (the hardest) as well as 12-minute quarters. The quarter length isn't a negative here as the clock moves considerably fast but having to beat the game on the hardest difficulty was certainly a challenge, especially for young gamers like myself at the time.
I first laid my eyes on the VGA Lakers vs. Celtics at a friends house when his two older brothers could not stop gushing over the game. Being able to watch them play, and then stumble through it myself, while clearly making out NBA superstars like Larry Bird, Tom Chambers, Michael Jordan and Mark Eaton (hey, he was very distinct as the 7 foot + center on the Jazz) was mesmerizing. Through the magic of DOS Box I was able to recreate this experience recently and, after all these years, it did not disappoint. The NBA and Electronic Arts hit the ground running with their initial effort and paved the way for incredible success in the future with Lakers vs. Celtics and the NBA Playoffs. As you look at NBA gaming milestones like the original NBA Live series, the NBA 2k series on the Dreamcast and the games of today's generation, remember that this long lineage is due in part to a groundbreaking MS-DOS game from 1989.


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Youth Ministry
Welcome to the St. Vincent de Paul Youth Ministry Home Page. It is our goal to create Christian leaders and strengthen their sense of community in our parish and in their families.
Many people believe that youth ministry involves solely the youth. However, this ministry requires the participation of the entire Parish. The focus for Catholic adults is to encourage and mentor the youth of our community by example in service and spirituality. Furthermore, it is their responsibility to invite the youth to work and pray alongside them.
Some adults have a calling to serve the youth in a more interactive way, by assisting with the youth group or confirmation class. Youth Ministry welcomes volunteers who love people and are able to work with youth in Grades 4-6, 7-8, or 9-12 in a friendly and inviting manner.
The second aspect of youth ministry involves the youth. This ministry is designed to encourage them in learning about all aspects of service and ministry. The youth have the opportunity not only to grow in their faith, but to have fun at the same time.
Mission Statement
St. John Bosco
Patron Saint of Youth
Saint John Bosco, you reached out to children whom you cared for despite ridicule and insult. Help us to care less about the laughter of the world and care more about the joy of the Lord. Amen.


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ASEAN Resilient as One
DRR Exhibition at Royal University Phnom Penh
Friday the 9th and Saturday 10th October saw a gathering of key partners across the ASEAN region at Royal University Phnom Penh to take part in the ASEAN Day for Disaster management. Habitat for Humanity Cambodia was well represented across the two-day event as an exhibitor and conference participant to ensure that the organization progressively plays a key role in disaster risk reduction and response here in Cambodia.
The stall, which stood alongside other NGO partners displayed information of HFH Cambodia in particular that in relation to disaster management, as well as displaying models of disaster resilient homes and featuring appropriate building materials as the stabilized soil blocks.
During the day HFH Cambodia staff discussed the impact of disasters and the role we play in supporting those affected, with interested students and delegates from the conference, including H.E Nhim Vanda First Vice President of the National Committee for Disaster Management, pictured.
The aim of the ASEAN Day for Disaster Management was to highlight strengthened collaboration across organisations, sectors and countries when it comes to disaster risk reduction in the region.


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Wednesday, 15 October 2014
Review of Home Made SImple
Dublin City Public Library
This is a book about using a variety of items which would otherwise be waste or redecorating items to enhance them. A lot of it is quite easy to do and looks easy enough to do with minimal fuss. It also includes some knitting patterns.
It's divided into three main sections; Home; Giving and Celebrations. Some very easy projects some harder; all well-illustrated and with plenty of illustrations for how-to where necessary.
Home has such projects as Pinlight Canvas - where a string of LED bulbs are used with canvas to create an image, simple but effective. Wine Crate Desk is a good crafting desk, not heavy duty; Wine Crate Desk Tidy - a corral for papers; Fabric-covered desk tidy; Pallet Coffee Table; Posh Pallet Table, fabric covered; Fabric Cable Lights; Basic Upholstery; Wall-hung Bookcases; Magnetic Spice-jar Space Savers; Whitewashed Wood offcut chopping boards; Ironing Board Cover; Tree branch Pegs; Tennis Ball Door Block; Tassel Pulls; Foaming Pump Dispenser; Photo Key Box; Photo Box; Cross-body Utility Sack; Oversized Oilcloth Shopping Bag.
Giving has Clay Tea Light Shades; Simple Candles.
Knitting: with basic instructions, including advice on buying wool; the first pattern is a chunky patternscarf that she suggests fastening with a kilt pin.
Knitted Wrist warmers are also in chunky yarn in a moss stitch pattern knit in the flat.
E-book reader/notebook cover - knit in a chunky wool held double.
Mobile Phone pouch knit in chunky wool held double
Glasses Case is knit with chunky wool held double as well.
There's also how-to on finger knitting.
The chapter continues with a Simple Gift Bag; a Bottle Gift Bag; a pretty lined purse; Reversible Ribbon-Handled Bag; A simple charm bracelet; Leather Card Case; Peppermint and Lime Lip Balm; Rose and Mardarin Bath Oil; How to melt Chocolate; Chocolate Peanuts, Pumpkin seeds and Raisins; Chocolate honeycomb; Breakfast in Bed tray; Engagement Ring Gloves; Personalised Picnic Blanket; Bike-seat cover
Golden Chocolate Eggs; Speckled Ganache Eggs; No-stress Pancakes; Lily of the Valley Eggs; Baklava; Hanging Firefly Glass Lanterns; Rangoli Lace Cake and Cards; Patterned Divas; Peg Hanukkiyah; Sufganiyot; Lucky Envelopes; Fabric-covered lanterns; Furoshiki Wrapping; a Thanksgiving book; The Tree; Whitewashed Pine Cones; Golden Apples; Wire COathanger Centrepiece; Clay/Salt Dough Star Garland; Chunky Paper Chains; Sky Lanterns
Overall an interesting book for someone of a crafty bent, which assumes that you're willing to try. Many of them are quite doable without too much complications or effort. I liked it and would consider buying it.
I borrowed it from the libraries and would seriously consider buying it for myself. Dublin City Public Libraries offered me no inducement to review this book other than my salary and access to the books.
Posted by Deirdre at 13:46
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If I had to choose a Mastermind topic right now I would be torn between Paid Parental Leave; Kiwi music 1960-2005 and Standing Orders Associated with the Use of Financial Veto.
I'm surprised to find myself somewhat of an authority on the financial veto – this certainly wasn't by choice! But four years ago (April 2012)
Finance Minister Bill English threatened to use one on our proposal to extend paid parental leave to 26 weeks. Three weeks ago he finally did it.
Last week we had the bizarre result of that decision when, for the first time in our Parliament's history, a Bill was debated a third and final time and no vote was allowed at the end of the debate.
If a vote had been allowed, then the Bill would have passed.
People might be surprised to hear that I do think there is a place for the use of a financial veto in MMP Parliaments. After all, it is a feature of MMP that Minority Governments can and do exist and they should be able to execute their programme through the Treasury benches.
However MMP also means that Parties elected to represent the views of the people, must be able to do so even if that defeats the view of a minority Government.
I believe that last-minute amendments that do impact on the Crown accounts but have not faced full select committee scrutiny should face the prospect of a veto from the Government.
But I also believe there are circumstances under which they should never be allowed.
In my view the financial veto should NOT be allowed when:
1. The measure has been scrutinised by a select committee and ;
2. The majority of public submissions have been in favour of the measure and ;
3. Official costings have been obtained to inform MPs on their vote.
Despite my request to do so, the National Party MPs on the select committee refused to put the agreed official costings in the report back to the House on my Bill. They then spent the next six weeks making up figures to exaggerate the cost and muddy the waters – that is not democracy.
I also think Parliament needs to define what "more than a minor impact" is on the Crown accounts, as this is the criteria the Government needs to meet in issuing a financial veto at present.
The way the Standing Orders apply at present mean the Minister of Finance can issue a financial veto on a measure that costs just ten bucks without having to show that it is "more than minor."
For the record, my Bill would have cost just 0.7% of the NEW spending for Budget 2016 and 3.6% of the NEW spending planned by National for 2017. At full implementation it would cost 0.03% of the $3b worth of tax cuts John Key wants. Is that more than minor? I don't think so.
I feel a submission to the Standing Orders committee coming on and I'm keen to hear your views.


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Interesting that my first post here is also about gun rights. It's not really a huge interest area for me. I enjoy shooting sometimes, but I live in an area with a lot of guns, so the issue comes up a lot. This is what I wrote to a friend recently:
I'm not terribly worried about the gvt. taking away all my rights to own a gun. It's pretty well set in the 2nd amendment.
The issue is: "Where is the line between a musket and a bazooka."
We all pretty much agree that privately owned muskets are OK, especially if the owner is background checked. Most of us don't want people owning bazookas. So, what's the line?
Admittedly, owning a working bazooka would be cool.
Um, I don't suggest anyone let me have a bazooka any time soon. Unless I am in a desert far, far away from any cars that someone values.


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Inara comes to check on a sick Mal.
Word Count: 2213
Pairing: Mal/Inara
Spoilers: None
Rating: PG
A/N: Originally written for Agent Rouka, I just discovered I never actually posted this here, so, here it is. Nothing overly serious, tried to be fluff, but nothing ever comes out quite that way with me ;o)
The Worst Medicine
by 2x2
"Mal?" said Inara, standing outside his bunk, staring down into the murky depths. A nasal groan answered her from the darkness and she frowned, stepping onto the rungs and descending the ladder.
"Oh," Mal groaned again. "You don't want to come down here."
She peered through the barely lit room as she reached the bottom, blinking in minor distaste at the heavy oppressiveness of the air in the bunk, that distinct unmistakable aura of 'sick'. She tsked in sympathy and made her way to his bedside where he stared up at her with red, glassy eyes. His hair stuck to his forehead, dampened by sweat and she put her hand against his heated skin, frowning compassionately as she brushed it aside, freer with her touch in this circumstance than she normally would have been.
"Still sick, hmmm," she said softly, watching his eyes drift closed as she continued her caress. He swallowed and nodded, reaching up to place her palm against his cheek, savoring the coolness against his skin.
"What're you doin' down here?" he asked after a while, eyes still closed as she allowed him to move her hand around his face, unaware of the affectionate smile she wore as he did so.
"I wanted to check on you, see if you need anything. Something to eat or drink?" she asked, taking control of her hand to smooth his hair back again. He made a whimpering sound in his throat that could have been a protest, an acknowledgement, or merely a response to her touch, and she sat beside him, brushing the backs of her fingers over his cheek.
Mal opened his eyes and stared at her through the cotton-headed haze that hung over him. "Aren't we bein' awful friendly-like," he said, his voice hoarse and rumbling and she sucked in a hurt breath, snatching her hand away and standing abruptly. She cursed herself for letting her guard down when she knew better.
"Aw, hey! Wait." Mal pushed himself up and reached for her hand, tugging her back to his side. "I wasn't… 'Jus' meant it was nice, 's all," he said when she was seated again. "'Sides, I'm too sick ta fight," he added, giving her a weak grin. He let himself fall back onto his pillow with a sigh when she didn't say anything, closing his eyes again. He lifted his hand, pointing weakly towards the table beside his bed. "'Think you could help me with some a' that camphor?" he asked wearily, letting his arm drop. Inara looked over at the topical medicine, considering as she drew in a steadying breath.
"All right," she said stiffly and Mal opened his eyes, laying his hand over hers beside him.
"'Nara," he said softly. Her eyes met his reluctantly, saw the sincerity in them, and she sighed, relaxing.
"Can you sit up?" she asked, turning away from him to retrieve the camphor. He nodded and eased himself up, shuddering as the blanket fell away from his chest, his skin pebbling with goose flesh. Inara turned back with the jar of ointment, her lips parting in surprise, eyes blinking rapidly as she was suddenly confronted with a half-naked Mal, momentarily thrown by the realization that she was going to have to spread the stuff over his bare chest and back. She sent a quite prayer of thanks to Buddha that the man was too sick to notice her slip, schooling her features again as she scooped a large glob of the camphor onto her fingers. "Head back," she said as she scooted closer and he tilted his chin up expectantly. Inara hesitated, wary of the intimacy of the moment. Don't be ridiculous, she told herself. You're a Companion. That didn't mean she was above temptation, however. Steeling herself, she brought her hand to his neck, her eyes flicking to Mal's lips when he let out a surprised breath at the touch of the cool ointment to his skin. She bit her lip unconsciously, swallowing as she smoothed the substance over his throat, fingers trailing over his adam's apple and dipping into the hollow beneath it, rubbing gently in soothing circles, working it into his skin. He hummed in approval, the vibration flowing from her fingertips right through her and she held her breath, shocked by the shivers that raced along her body in response.
Mal kept his eyes closed, absorbed in the feel of her fingers on him. He only wished he was half as sick as he was so he could enjoy it more, but then, if he hadn't been so ill, he knew she never would have touched him in the first place. He sighed, not for the first time wishing there could be something between them, before stomping those thoughts down viciously. In his current state, he was liable to say something stupid that he'd regret if he let his mind take that path too far.
Inara let out a slow, controlled breath as she gathered more ointment began spreading it across his chest, determined to ignore the firmness and toned definition of the muscles beneath her fingers. She'd felt the chests of hundred's of men before, this was nothing new. Except that none of those chests had belonged to this man, and none of them had ever made her wish she could be something she wasn't.
Mal leaned back, supporting himself on his hands as Inara's fingers trailed their cool-burning touch over his skin, a small grunt of surprise breaking free she inadvertently skimmed his nipple. He held his breath as her fingers brushed him again, feeling a sudden, tight rush of need in his groin and knew he had to stop this before he embarrassed the both of them.
"That's, uh… that's…ohhh," he groaned as she did it again, her eyes flicking up to his as he breathed her name and she jumped, springing away from the bed with a guilty pant.
"Oh, God! I'm…. Mal, I'm sorry, I… Tian a, I… I didn't mean to… I'm sorry, I…" she stammered, screwing the cap on the camphor jar with shaky fingers, looking around desperately for something to wipe them on. Stupid, stupid, stupid! she cursed herself.
"Wha'? Inara—" Mal said, blinking at her in confusion, wondering why she was apologizing when he felt he was the one who'd reacted inappropriately to the situation. He sat up again, bending his knees to hide his erection as she grabbed some toilet paper and cleaned the ointment from her fingers. Then she was heading for the ladder out of his bunk and he lurched out of his bed on unsteady feet to stop her. "Inara," he called as she began climbing, reaching the ladder as she passed the half-way mark. "Wait," he pleaded, catching her eyes as she halted and looked down at him. "I'm sorry," he said, looking away and closing his eyes as he sagged against the ladder, his head coming to rest on her leg. She swallowed.
"Mal, get back in bed," she said. He shook his head, the motion brushing the silk of her gown over her calf.
"Don't see that happenin' 'less you come back down here," he said wearily.
"I don't respond to extortion, Mal," she replied sternly but he shook his head again, leaning heavier against her and the ladder.
"I ain't extortin' ya… jus' ain't gonna make it back without help."
She stared down at him, hesitating. If he was playing her… She sighed, and started back down the ladder, wincing as his head cracked against the rungs as she moved her leg. He blinked, sliding to the floor as he held his hand to his forehead.
"Ow…," he moaned, landing hard.
"Mal…" He stared up at her through his fingers and she shook her head wearily. "Come on, let's get you in bed," she said, helping him stand, expecting some kind of comment, surprised when it didn't come. She helped to his bed, doing her best to ignore the fact that he was clad in nothing but his boxer briefs, evidence of his arousal still prominently visible. She tucked him in, avoiding both physical and eye contact as much as possible.
"I'm sorry," he said again, and she peered at him curiously. That was the second time he'd said that…
"Get some rest, Mal," she said softly.
"My back," he said in a quiet, whining voice. "'Still need to do my back…"
"I don't think that's a good idea, Mal," she said uncomfortably, looking away. She heard him swallow audibly and he reached for her hand.
"Inara, I'm sorry. I… I'm sick. I wouldn't have let…It just felt nice an'…I never would've… but I'm sick an'… I won't let it happen again, I promise," he stammered, trying to meet her gaze.
She blinked, realizing that he thought she was upset about his arousal and was apologizing for it. She stared at him in amazement. "You're apologizing because you reacted when I touched you inappropriately? Ren ci de fo zu, Mal, you didn't do anything wrong."
He was quiet for a long moment, thumb running over her fingers. "You touched me inappropriately?" he mumbled at last, rolling it over in his fogged mind. "Then, you didn't do that by accident?"
She swallowed hard, avoiding his eyes guiltily. "I—It was inappropriate, and… uh, unprofessional. I'm sorry, Mal." It had been an unprofessional moment, but not in the way it sounded. Oh no, there'd been nothing professional about her thoughts and actions at all.
His face clouded with sudden anger. "Unprofessional. Huh. So, you're just here as a professional courtesy, then," he said darkly.
"No. Mal—" she started, eyes coming back up at the anger she heard in his voice as he interrupted her.
"Just what the hell were you doin', Inara? Playin'? You think you can just toy with me, amuse yourself at my expense? You don't think I got feelin's, here?"
She dropped her gaze awkwardly, clasping her hands in her lap, seeming to shrink in on herself. "I'm sorry," she whispered, swallowing hard. "You're right, Mal. That was… unfair of me. I shouldn't have… taken advantage… I think it might be best if we don't… if we avoid being alone together, from now on."
Mal stared at her, his breath catching in his throat suddenly, anger fading, replaced by something akin to hope. Something was happening here, he realized, something was being said, acknowledged. He stared at her, at the way she kept her head bowed, avoided his eyes, and he caught his breath.
"Why?" he asked softly, not daring to hope.
"Because... because, if I can't control—if I can't…" she trailed off, at a loss. Mal sat up, his heart pounding.
"Inara," he said, barely a whisper, praying that, through all the haze in his mind, he was right. He lifted a hand to her to her cheek, raising her eyes to his, and then drew her towards him.
She grabbed his wrist, breathing hard. "No. I can't do this, Mal," she said, her other hand going to his chest, holding him at arms length.
"Why not?" he said quietly, staring out at her from under half-lidded eyes.
She drew in a deep breath. "Because, I don't service crew," she said firmly. It was calculated to hurt, to provide her with some kind of defense against him, but he shook his head and smirked, as if expecting her answer.
"I ain't interested in a Companion," he persisted, his free hand sliding down her arm to the crook of her elbow, urging her to unlock it and let him closer. "'S you I want."
She shook her head as he bent her elbow. "There is no me, Mal," she whispered as he drew closer.
"I don't believe you," he disputed, sliding his hand behind her ear, so close she could feel his breath.
"Mal, don'—" she tried but he silenced her, his lips pressing against hers smoothly, cutting off her protest. He slid his hand up her arm to her face, cupping her jaw tenderly as his mouth moved over hers, groaning as he felt the last of her resistance end and she leaned into him, responding, meeting his tongue with her own.
Inara's heart pounded furiously, her chest tightening as they kissed, emotions roiling inside her. Want, fear, lust, confusion, anger, hurt, need - all mixed together brutally. She wasn't supposed to let this happen, couldn't do this with him. It went against everything she knew…Oh, God, what was she doing, what was she doing, what was she doing?
It was so, so good, but, oh, so wrong.
She had to stop it.
"Mal," she said against his lips as he drew in a ragged breath. "Mal, stop," she breathed, pushing against him as he sought out her lips again. "Stop!" she cried, shoving him hard.
He pulled back, staring at her in wary confusion, blinking at the hurt and fear he saw in her eyes. She was trembling. "Inara—"
She got up, wrapping her arms around herself protectively, stepping away from him. "I can't, Mal," she said, breathing erratically. "… I can't."
Dumbfounded, Mal watched as she hurried up the ladder and disappeared from his bunk, wondering what the hell had just happened.
Monday, March 19, 2007 5:36 PM
Monday, March 19, 2007 7:02 PM
Monday, March 19, 2007 11:32 PM
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 2:11 AM
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The creation of a library collection policy initiated a professional discussion that reinforced in my mind the complexities of the role of a teacher librarian. The TL needs to maintain relationships with both technology and people (Winzenried, 2010 p15). Much of the accumulated 'teacher' expertise that one brings to the role is only evident when suitable resources are connected to a particular teaching-learning context at just the right time. To ensure that 'connecting' ability continues to be valued, the TL needs to know the clients, the curriculum and the collection well. Schools are dynamic places with ever-changing personnel and networks of connections to the world of information (Zagami & Finger, 2010. p201). So too, is the information environment where the school librarian continually evaluates the collection against criteria – determining the relevance and usefulness of each resource – whether accessed physically or electronically.
By closely considering the attributes of an effective school library collection policy, I am increasingly certain that the development of a collection needs to be carried out by a qualified TL (Winzenried, 2010 p197). One who is willing to continually refine their own learning network and skills in order to support and advance their colleagues and the worth of the Library Resource Centre. That TL should be proactive in identifying and then supporting and guiding their client community toward improved individual and collaborative learning processes (Berger, 2007, p124). Within their role as the resource manager, that TL needs to take the lead in articulating the LRC goals as they support the mission of the whole school.
Hughes (2011, p130) suggests: 'There is now a massive amount of research which demonstrates the power of school libraries, appropriately supported by staffing and facilities, to enhance learning opportunities.' He goes on to say that this is even more significant for students whose access to 'learning opportunities' at home is limited. Each teacher in the school has the power to influence others – the TL however, is in a unique position to form relationships and build trust between all students, colleagues and the 'collection' to then positively influence learning for the benefit of all in the community.
The lists of criteria associated with resource selection, acquisition and then de-selection; the techniques used to evaluate the collection – were more extensive and complex than I had previously realised. The cyclic nature of these processes referred to by Kachel (1997, p9) needs to be constant – to ensure the effectiveness of the LRC. It became apparent that a TL needs great moral strength to act as an advocate for each member of your client community in order to achieve a balance of resources to be shared by all. The many facets involved in effectively managing the resources of the LRC to meet the needs of the learning community (students and staff) and the curriculum – require continual reflection. Rather than operating in isolation, I see the necessity to reflect within a team to continually evaluate the relevance of the collection.
I can conclude that an effective TL needs to be a reflective educator – committed to continually improving their practice by developing their awareness of themselves and others in their context, reflecting and taking action built on inquiry and thought, using all the resources at their disposal (Harada, 2010 p25; Haycock, 2010 p11; Yukawa, Harada and Suthers, 2007 p179).
Berger, P. (2007) Literacy and Learning in a Digital World. In Hughes-Hassell, S. & Harada, V. (Ed) School Reform and the School Library Media Specialist Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited.
Haycock, K. (2010). Leading from the Middle: Building Influence for Change. In Coatney, S. (Ed) The Many Faces of School Library Leadership. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Libraries Unlimited.
Harada, V. (2010). Librarians as Learning Leaders: Cultivating Cultures of Inquiry. In Coatney, S. (Ed) The Many Faces of School Library Leadership. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Libraries Unlimited.
Hughes, P. (2011). Education revolution – a place for the school library? In Winzenried, A. Visionary leaders for information. Wagga Wagga, NSW: Centre for Information Studies, Charles Sturt University.
Kachel, D. E. (1997). Collection assessment and management for school libraries: Preparing for cooperative collection development. Westport, Conn: Greenwood.
Toor, R. & Weisburg, H. (2011). Being Indispensible: A School Librarian's Guide to Becoming an Invaluable Leader. Chicago: American Library Association.
Winzenried, A. (2010). [et al]. Visionary leaders for information. Wagga Wagga, NSW: Centre for Information Studies, Charles Sturt University.
Yukawa, J., Harada, V. & Suthers, D. (2007). Professional Development in Communities of Practice. In Hughes-Hassell, S. & Harada, V. (Ed) School Reform and the School Library Media Specialist Westport. Conn: Libraries Unlimited.
Zagami, J. & Finger, G. (2010). Teaching and learning opportunities: Possibilities and practical ideas. In Lee, M. & Finger, G. (Eds). Developing a Networked School Community: a guide to realizing the vision. Camberwell, VIC.: ACER Press.
Images: From personal collection : Careyque2


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Space Shower Records has decided not to renew the contracts with Gesu no Kiwami Otome & indigo la End.
Both of these bands were fronted by Enon Kawatani, who has been a controversial figure as of late. The singer started of 2016 with having an affair with singer Becky, followed by accompanying an underage woman to a bar in Tokyo. These two bands associated with Kawatani were put on hiatus on October 3rd, 2016.
The decision not to renew the contracts were apparently a mutual one between both bands and the label. Both of these contracts expired on December 31st, 2016.
However, both Gesu no Kiwami Otome and indigo la End will continue making music. Enon Kawatani is currently on a hiatus, but is expected to make a comeback in the future.


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What are your goals for the next 30 days?
1. Finally finish All the Light We Cannot See for my book club. It's very well written, but I'm having a hard time getting through it.
2. Do not eat the Halloween candy before the trick-or-treaters arrive. (I bought a bag of Skittles and Starbursts in an effort to keep myself out of it. Because let's be honest, if I'd bought the bag of Kit Kats, Whoppers, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and Hershey bars I was considering, there would be only Hershey bars left by Saturday.)
3. Get in good enough shape to run the 5k color run I'm registered for on November 21st in a respectable amount of time. Yep, I've let myself get far enough out of shape to have to worry about getting through a 5k.
4. Host a successful Thanksgiving potluck with the neighbors.
5. Do not overeat (too egregiously) at said Thanksgiving potluck.
6. See the new James Bond movie. Sounds like Daniel Craig isn't especially thrilled to still be James Bond, but I'll be glad to watch him all the same.
7. Figure out what to get Raj for Christmas and our anniversary. When you live in the middle of the Pacific, holiday shipping deadlines sneak up on you.
8. Finish going through stuff to pull out things to donate. Then donate all the things. We both did clothes already and there's a towering pile of cast-offs taking up half the guest room.
9. Resume gainful employment? Hopefully?


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Maybe it is thinking about the New Year that brings up the subject. Or maybe because the holiday season is a time when families come together and talk. For whatever reason, within the last few weeks NPR did a story on "The Conversation Project," and the LA Times had an Opinion piece on "The Conversation." You know what I mean — that difficult conversation about what we want at the end of our life.
I know how important it is for families to have "the conversation." I sit in too many hospitals rooms with dying congregants whose adult children don't really know for sure what their parents wanted and I see the family pathology that emerges when these grown up children disagree with each other. I also know that things happen that we can't control, that sometimes a beloved partner suffers from Alzheimer and no longer recognizes his wife or her husband and adult children and friends are often not supportive of choices that are made.
So it was time for my husband Richard and me to have "the conversation" with our adult children and their partners. Ours is a blended family. Our children didn't grow up together, and because we married ten years ago when they were nearly grown, the kids don't really know each other. They live far away from each other and from us. It was important for us to have them together, to hear what we wanted at the end of our lives.
So, for the very first time, we took them away on vacation, together (though unfortunately, Richard's son couldn't join us). We warned them about "the conversation" in advance. They all joked: there is no such thing as a free lunch or a free vacation! We shared some wine and tequila. And then the two of us read a document we had prepared called "The Five Wishes." It asks five questions: Who is the person or who are the people I want to make care decisions for me when I can't? What kind of medical treatment do I want or don't want? How comfortable do I want to be? How do I want people to treat me? What do I want my loved ones to know?
Some of what Rich and I want is the same; some of it is different. I want to have people in my synagogue told that I am sick and I want them to pray for me, even if what they pray for is an easy transition to death. Rich doesn't. If I were in a situation close to death and life support treatment would only delay the moment of my death, I don't want that treatment. Rich would want it if his doctor thought it could help.
The kids asked lots of questions: What if you change your minds? Would the situation be different if this happens before you get really old? The kids and their partners talked about their grandparents' deaths and their feelings about how they had died. And then they asked for blank copies of the Five Wishes because they realized it would be good for them to think about these questions for themselves.
The hardest part for me, surprisingly, was the wish for what we wanted our loved ones to know. Rich was clear that he wanted his family, friends and others to know that he has forgiven them for when they may have hurt him in life. I am not yet ready to issue a blanket statement on forgiving everyone who has hurt me, which led us gently into a conversation about forgiveness and reminded me that I have a bit more work to do around the issue. We talked about organ donation and burial versus cremation, and whether the children thought "visiting" would be important to them. And we talked about how we would want to be remembered. Finally we talked about Alzheimer's and dementia. We told our kids that if one of us no longer could recognize the other, our understanding of love meant that we would want the healthy partner to be free to live a full life.
Later in the week, just before we lit the Shabbat candles, we turned "the conversation" into a short ritual. We read out loud our Brit Ahuvim, the promises we made to each when we married. And then we added a new provision to our covenant:
"Now, ten years after we first entered into out Brit Ahuvim, we reaffirm the commitments we made then , and , in the presence of our children, we add another:
We declare that if one of us should become ill with such serious dementia or Alzheimer's disease that it becomes impossible to recognize our partner, and that this condition is attested to by two doctors and one rabbi, the other one of us should feel free to live as full a life as possible including having other intimate relationships. That freedom in no way compromises the promise we have made to honor and to care for each other physically and financially as we grow older. We make this declaration because each of us believes that loving each other includes granting this freedom to pursue new intimate relationships even as we honor our commitment to be present to each other as we age. "
Then we lit Shabbat candles as we do each week: one for each of our children and their partners, along with the traditional two. And then we blessed our children, not in absentia as we do each week, but in their presence, our hands on their heads, whispering the blessing that each of them is to us both.
"The Conversation" is not just a conversation; it is a sacred conversation . It will lead to blessing. I urge you, no matter how old you are, to have this sacred conversation with those you love this new year.
Laura Geller is senior rabbi at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills.


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Concert to Benefit the American Cancer Society
Ellicott City | Website
This event occurred in the past.
Choirs from five churches and the Columbia Brass Quintet will join forces at a concert to benefit the American Cancer Society. The choirs are from Glen Mar, Glenelg, Linden-Linthicum, Wesley Freedom and Bethany United Methodist Churches. There will be no charge, but a free-will offering will be taken. A reception will follow the concert. For more information, call 410-531-2324 or 410-796-0290.


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Volusia County, FL - The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) reports that a man is dead after his motorcycle was hit from behind by a van in Volusia County.
According to the FHP, at 10:35 PM, March 16, the man was driving a 2000 Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he was struck from behind by a 2015 Toyota van driven by Kathy Hutchinson, 52, Walton, Kentucky. Walton did not sustain any injuries in the crash.
FHP reports, both vehicles were traveling westbound on I-4, approaching mile marker 128, in the right through lane. Hutchinson's van was traveling behind the motorcycle, which she said appeared to be stopped in the roadway with dim lights. Hutchinson said she did not observe them in time to stop and she struck the rear of the motorcycle. Both vehicles traveled onto the westbound shoulder of I-4.
The crash remains under investigation at this time.
The driver of the motorcycle has not been named, pending notification of family.
Photo courtesy of Dmitry Nikolaev and Shutterstock.com
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.


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Rahul Dravid: The Rock Solid Career
One of India's most loved and trusted cricketers says goodbye to international cricket, signalling the end to not only his career but also India's famed middle order. Rahul Dravid departs having scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests at an average of 52.31 with a Test best of 270. A look back at his biggest achievements....
Rahul Dravid celebrated his 41st birthday on Saturday (January 11, 2014). Here is a look at some of the highlights of his cricket career.
Ever since Dravid came to the Indian squad, he won hearts around the world with his brilliance with the bat. Off the field, Dravid has been the perfect ambassador for the gentleman's game. Players, experts and fans alike have hardly ever had a bad word for Dravid.
Rahul Dravid became the second man to cross the 13,000-run mark in Test cricket during India's first innings of the third Test match against West Indies.
Rahul Dravid is the second leading run-scorer after Sachin Tendulkar.
Of the 36 tons Dravid has scored, India have not lost the match 32 times and of these, the team has gone on to win 15 matches.
Dravid also holds the record of having taken the most number of catches in Test cricket (210). He is the only player to have crossed the 200 mark.
He is the first and only batsman to score a century in all ten Test playing nations.
Dravid, who failed to make it to India's 2011 World Cup winning squad was only the sixth player over all and the third Indian (after Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly), to score 10,000 runs in ODIs in cricketing history.
On the 2011 England tour, Dravid, after being left out of the ODI team for almost 2 years, including the 2011 World Cup, made a comeback into the Indian side for the ODI series against England. The selection came on the back of his impressive showing in the Tests against England. Ironically, surprised at his inclusion in the ODI squad, Dravid chose the same day to announce his retirement from limited-overs international cricket.
Dravid has also had the honour of leading the Indian team. He had a mixed record as captain as India crashed out of the 2007 World Cup in the first round under him. However, right after the debacle, he led the team to a series win in England after 21 years. He resigned from the captaincy soon after.
He has also been involved in more than 85 century partnerships with 20 different partners and has been involved in 20 century partnerships with Tendulkar - a world record.
Dravid was involved in two of the largest partnerships in ODIs: a 318-run partnership with Sourav Ganguly, the first pair to combine for a 300-run partnership, and then a 331-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar, which is the present world record.
In 2004, Dravid was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
Dravid was awarded the ICC Player of the Year and the Test Player of the Year at the inaugural awards ceremony held in 2004.


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Karen & Corona by Bob Noon Art Cards
We absolutely love these quirky artist renditions of Karen Blixen, now available in a series of wonderful cards. Each one comes with its own envelope but we suggest you put them in a frame and adorn any wall in your home.
Bob Noon is an artists collective and as they write about themselves, they're all about: "transforming the invisible into images and show things that cannot be expressed with words. Our collections consist of illustrative narratives that range from depictions of poetic melancholia to everyday humour".


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The man who served as Peter Penashue's official agent in the 2011 federal election says he doesn't know anything about overspending or questionable campaign contributions that have been placed at his feet, while Elections Canada records show repeated correspondence between him and its auditors over the spending.
Penashue, the federal minister of intergovernmental affairs, said in a statement Tuesday that "no one is more surprised than I am" at allegations of campaign spending that have dogged him for weeks.
Penashue has been criticized for a month over invoices that show he would have gone over his campaign spending limit had his campaign paid what it was billed for travel by Provincial Airlines. Instead, a letter from the airline's lawyer says someone from the campaign told Provincial that they could only afford to pay a flat $7,000 rate instead of the $24,711 for which it was invoiced. The airline wrote off the difference, saving the campaign thousands of dollars.
CBC also reported on Elections Canada data that show Penashue's campaign appeared to have received a $5,500 campaign contribution from St. John's construction company Pennecon. The campaign provided receipts to six senior officials with the company.
Penashue pointed responsibility for campaign finances to Reg Bowers, his former official agent, who "was responsible for administration and bookkeeping. I focused on campaigning across this massive riding and meeting the people of Labrador."
But Bowers, in an interview with the Toronto Star, said Penashue's campaign fell within federal limits.
"I did not sign off on the $4,000," he said, referring to the amount by which Elections Canada said the campaign overspent.
"When it left my desk, it was under the cap," Bowers, who was subsequently appointed to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, told the Star.
'I just kept my fingers crossed'
Records the campaign provided to Elections Canada show continuous correspondence between the agency and Bowers until he was removed as official agent last summer, replaced by the Conservative Party's chief financial officer.
"During the review of the [election spending] file, we have found that a number of adjustments are required to the return you have submitted," an Elections Canada auditor wrote to Bowers in a July 11, 2012 letter.
"The information provided to us indicates that the total election expenses of the campaign exceed the election expenses limit of $84,468.09."
A spreadsheet attached to the letter showed the campaign had overspent by $3,995.15.
The election agency repeatedly asked Bowers to provide more information about the campaign's spending. In a letter dated May 25, 2012, Bowers apologized for not having the details the auditor needed about the campaign's travel expenses. Candidate travel expenses don't count toward the spending cap, but the expenses of the candidate's staff, volunteers and family do.
Bowers says in the letter that he didn't know they were separate expenses.
"Given the circumstances, record keeping and budgeting did not get the top priority. In the beginning we had very limited funds, we couldn't get internet connection and, as mentioned, very limited help so there was a lot of wasted time running back and forth using my own computer and resources," he wrote to Elections Canada.
"We had to make the most of what we had and what we knew and I got advice wherever possible.... I just kept my fingers crossed and relied on a designated local person in each town. This way we cut down on costs and got the job done. All I can say is it worked."
'Mitigating factors' cited in airline writeoffs
Bowers told the Star that "there were mitigating factors" as to how Penashue's campaign came to have Provincial Airlines write off thousands of dollars worth of chartered flights during the campaign.
Records in Penashue's election file refer to his brother-in-law, Paul Rich, negotiating a flat rate for the campaign. At the time, Rich was the CEO of Innu Development Limited Partnership, which co-owned with Provincial Airlines the regional charter line that accounted for more than $14,000 billed to the campaign for its travel. Rich is also listed as a passenger on one of the flights Penashue took.
In the May 25 letter, Bowers says one of the advantages he brought to the campaign was his ability to "get around as effectively and cheaply as possible" because he had travelled in the area for more than 30 years.
"We had to arrange the campaign around the candidate's travel, which was around what was available. This included his vehicle, freight plane flights, passenger flights when all else failed and charters on a very limited basis because they were expensive. Then we negotiated a contract around this method," Bowers wrote to Elections Canada.
Penashue's campaign submitted documents to Elections Canada showing Bowers worked out an agreement with Provincial Airlines Ltd. in Labrador on April 4, 2011. But a separate letter of agreement says it was Rich who negotiated the deal. That letter, as well as an invoice for the $7,000 charge, show the agreement wasn't negotiated and finalized until Sept. 16, 2011, more than four months after Canadians cast their ballots, and five months after the date on the written deal.
The letter from the airline's lawyer also says the campaign didn't contact Provincial about the $7,000 limit until the fall of 2011.
A letter sent to Elections Canada by Conservative Party lawyer Arthur Hamilton says the contract submitted by Bowers, the official agent, "is not reliable in its costing, and does not represent the minimum commercial value Provincial Air believes the campaign received in the 2011 election period."
A discount on the commercial value of an item or service provided to candidates counts as a political donation. Corporate donations are illegal in Canada.
'Mistakes were made'
Bowers told the Star that he believed that Penashue's campaign would be able to clear the air with Elections Canada over allegations of overspending.
"I was in charge of the accounting and I was in charge of the campaign, there's no question about it, and these are all allegations at the moment," Bowers told the Star.
"We were very clear to all our people that there was no corporate donations, I will tell you that," he said. "One came in that I'm aware of now with some instructions attached to it, but we did make everybody aware that we were not receiving corporate donations."
Late Tuesday, Penashue's official released an email from April 7, 2011 — about four weeks before the election — in which Penashue instructs an undisclosed party that corporate donations are not acceptable.
In the May 25 letter, Bowers says he made mistakes.
"You must keep in mind, this was my first time being an official agent and campaign manager so I had to get advice wherever I could and very quickly because I had very limited time. So mistakes were made. Because there was so much to be done, time was of the essence so it was very hectic," he wrote.
Liberal Leader Bob Rae has asked Elections Canada for a formal investigation into the campaign, in which Penashue unseated Liberal incumbent Todd Russell by 79 votes.
Also on HuffPost


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A reading that I did had a similar message of the billboard's, which I will repeat here because it seems to be for more than just one person. She had the image of a flower, Indian Paintbrush, in her reading which led to this - (I am) seeing the paintbrush as spreading your colors and creativity all over...sharing who you are vividly and colorfully. Wildly so. What can you embellish with your colors?
Both messages are about living vividly, about sharing who we really our, our true (frequencial) colors with the world. It is pulling out all the stops and cranking up who we are a notch. Are we holding back in any way? No need to! Turn it up and be our wild and weird and wonderful unique selves! We are the gifts...share the gift of being you, being bold and vivid and technicolor today and every day.
Have a fantabulous day!


text: Looking for help on how to best rehydrate African capes. I do all of my Dad's and mine mounts from Africa (so far 21 total) and have had issues in rehydrating the thicker skin capes. Wondering if any taxidermists would give me some help on how to best rehydrate these capes. Thanks in advance.


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Ok – double post today! But, this morning we went to the most amazing brunch of my life ever (maybe just thus far 🙂 at Le Diplomate in Logan Circle. I have been waiting and waiting for this place to open and when I saw that the ladies over at Bitches who Brunch had reviewed it and given it an A I was so excited to try it!
Posts about: DC brunch
Birthday Brunch at Co Co. Sala
I do indeed think I had one of theee most wonderful birthday weekends of my life!! 🙂 My actual birthday (July 6th) was yesterday, a Saturday, but the celebrating started on Friday with a trip to Kings Dominion and continued this morning with Sunday brunch at Co Co. Sala . . .


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Thank you to all who have made a donation to FORCE in honor or in memory of a special person or occasion.
I'm a previvor who has undergone a prophylactic double mastectomy and is doing surveillance on my ovaries. I have a family history.
Make a lasting gift in honor or memory of a loved one or your family.
Honor or remember a loved one on our Tribute Wall.
Make a special gift in honor or memory of an individual affected by HBOC.
With a planned gift to FORCE, you can earmark your philanthropic dollars to help those affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer - now and for the future.


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On Thursday, November 17, noon-14 pm, Wenying Yao from Deakin University will be the speaker of the Research Seminar in Economics. She will present her research paper on "High-dimensional predictive regression in the presence of cointegration" at Kaminzimmer (room 202), Boltzmannstraße 20, Berlin-Dahlem.
Pollution and city size: Can cities be too small?
Abstract: We study the optimal and equilibrium size of cities in a monocentric city model with environmental pollution. Pollution is related to city size through the effect of population on production, commuting, and housing consumption. With symmetric cities, if pollution is local or per capita pollution increases with population, we find that equilibrium cities are too large. When pollution is global and per capita pollution declines with city size, however, equilibrium cities may be too small. With asymmetric cities, the largest cities are too large and the smallest too small when pollution is local or per capita pollution increases with population; when pollution is global and per capita pollution decreases with population, the largest cities are too small and the smallest too large. We also calibrate the model to US MSAs and find that the largest cities may be undersized by 3-4%.
For more information on the program of the Economic Research Seminar please klick follow this link.
Time & Location
Nov 17, 2016 - Nov 03, 2016
Boltzmannstraße 20


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After Sun - T M Soothing Moisturizer is a Lancaster after-sun lotion to intensify your tan. This lightweight emulsion soothes and softens the skin while providing greater comfort and softness. It stimulates melanin natural production process, to prolong the tan from 50% to 80%.
Enriched with moisturizing properties to reduce the risk of peeling and leave the skin soft and supple.


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Critique Partners or GroupsPosted: August 24, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment
I love Kari, she's a personal friend and what she says here is SO true.
I've done it for sure. I've edited and tightened my manuscript until it shines. It has been lovingly and carefully submitted to the three agents I most wanted to work with. Unfortunately, all I have to show for it right now are saved emails with excellent advice and praise…but no contract. And it's no one's fault but my own.
I am disappointed in myself because I should have taken one major step (that I honestly thought I'd taken, but I'll get to that later) that might have gotten me a yes from one of my desired agents, instead of the wonderful compliments and advice. I should have found a true critique partner.
I should have looked for someone within my genre of Adult, Christian Historical Fiction, focusing on someone looking for big-picture problems, not necessarily the nuances of writing. I should have found someone who reads books similar to the…
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The Truth About FDR and Pearl Harbor
Using recently released documents available through the Freedom of Information Act, the author, Robert B. Stinnett provides a convincing argument that President Franklin D. Roosevelt, not only had prior knowledge of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, but initiated actions which provoked Japan to do so.
Polls conducted in 1940 show that the majority of American citizens wanted no part in the war in Europe. But FDR and his advisers agreed that US involvement was necessary because they were certain that a Nazi German victory would ultimately threaten US national security. So the immediate strategy was to formulate a plan that would serve to induce the US public to support joining the allies in their war against Germany.
In September, 1940 the axis powers – Germany, Italy and Japan – signed a Tripartite Pact which basically tied the three nations together with a promise to assist each other in the event any of them were attacked. Lieutenant Commander Arthur H. McCollum of the US Naval Intelligence Office (ONI) recognized this as an opportunity. If Japan could be provoked into attacking the US, then it would be probable that the American citizens would be so angry that they would support a declaration of war against Japan. This, in turn, would result in the axis powers supporting Japan and declaring war against the US. The US would then be involved and join the allies.
So, in order to provoke Japan, McCollum advised a plan consisting of 8 actions to be undertaken by the US. These were:
- Enter into agreement with Britain to allow the US military to utilize their Pacific bases.
- Agree the same with the Dutch in Indonesia.
- Aid the Chinese.
- Send US Navy cruisers to the Pacific areas, Singapore and Philippines.
- Sent US Navy submarines to the Pacific areas.
- Centralize the US Naval fleet near the Hawaiian Islands.
- Make agreements with the Dutch to cut off Japan's oil supply.
- Together with Britain, enter into an agreement to embargo all Japanese trade.
These actions had their intended affect, especially that regarding cutting off Japan's oil supplies. We know what happened next.
Stinnett also makes a compelling case that US Naval Intelligence had been able to break the Japanese Navy's radio encryption and that FDR had been advised regularly on the location of the Japanese fleet prior to the attack. Astonishingly, FDR withheld this information from Naval commanders in Hawaii.


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Earth Curvature Tool ― This is a tool I created to deform airports according to the Earth's spheroidal curvature. This example is exaggerated for effect.
In 2014, Dovetail Games acquired the rights to develop and publish new titles using Microsoft's flight simulation technology. Since then, Dovetail Games has redeveloped the technology into its own proprietary engine by incorporating next-gen mechanics into the codebase and implementing art assets to a high visual standard. The first of the changes was to upgrade the engine to use DirectX 11 and run in 64-bit mode. The first generation of improvements manifested in a product called Flight School.
Flight School
Flight School was a project preceding Dovetail Games' more comprehensive product, Flight Sim World.
My contributions to Flight School were extensive and varied, spanning right across the art/graphics spectrum. I was responsible for all areas of technical art, spending much time developing art production tools in addition to working with graphics programmers on shader code.
As the project's sole technical artist, I spent much time collaborating with in-house and third-party programmers, working to achieve the simulator's final aesthetic. I focused extensively on implementing many advanced rendering mechanisms into our proprietary technology, including the following:
- Atmospheric Light Scattering (Rayleigh & Mie scattering)
- Screen-space Ambient Occlusion
- Physically-based Rendering
- Image-based Lighting
- Normal-mapped Terrain
- High Dynamic Range Lighting & Adaptive Luminance
- Bloom
- Omni Lighting
Atmospheric Light Scattering
This turned out to be a real beast to tame. To prepare for this task, I studied relevant ACM SIGGRAPH publications and theses on Light Scattering theory and implementation.
The formulae involved in approximating real-life Rayleigh and Mie Scattering are complex and very sensitive to a range of factors. Due to the complexity of the algorithm, most of the calculations are performed in vertex shader functions, which are then passed into a pixel shader for Gouraud Interpolation.
To avoid floating-point imprecision issues, Flight School had no concept of camera position in world-space. Instead of the camera moving, it was Planet Earth that moved. These nuances added to the challenge in getting the light scattering to operate correctly. I was responsible for solving these problems.
Physically-based Rendering & Image-based Lighting
Dovetail Games originally approached me because of my strong knowledge of Physically-Based Rendering (PBR) shaders.
I developed all the HLSL code used in Flight School while working closely with a rendering engineer who modified the C++ codebase.
The model used for PBR was the Cook-Torrance Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) with modifications made to integrate Image-Based Lighting.
High Dynamic Range Lighting & Adaptive Luminance
The original tonemapper function we received from an outsourced developer did not achieve the results we wanted. Everything appeared washed-out and lacked contrast.
I redeveloped the tonemapper based upon a modified version of the Hable Filmic algorithm.
I also modified the approach to Adaptive Luminance (AL) to improve its performance across a wider range of lighting scenarios. The AL system produces a camera exposure value by calculating an average luminance value in a compute shader. The original AL value derived from the mean average of all pixels on screen meshed with some human colour perception biasing. I developed a more context-sensitive approach, which produced more consistent results across various lighting conditions.
Flight Sim World
Flight Sim World is powered by a new generation of Dovetail Games' engine, following on from Flight School. While Flight School provides instruction and simulation built around general aviation and light aircraft, Flight Sim World supports an extensive range of air vessels, including rotorcraft, jet aircraft, propeller aircraft, and turboprop aircraft of general, military, and commercial classes. The engine comes with an SDK, allowing third-party companies to develop content. It has been afforded many new visual features such as an advanced weather engine consisting of both in-house and third-party solutions.
For Flight Sim World, I took on the official title of Lead Artist. This was supplemental to my role of Technical Artist. Instead of directly implementing graphical code as I had for Flight School, I transitioned to more of an intermediary role in this respect, exploring ideas/systems with programmers prior to (and during) implementation.
Again, my responsibilities for this project were extensive and varied.
Art Direction
I oversee the general art direction of Flight Sim World. This has involved cultivating a team of highly skilled artists and guiding them through the complex world of flight simulation; defining visual goals and project needs; managing in-house artists and remote contractors in addition to working alongside outsourcing partners; creating benchmark artwork to showcase Flight Sim World's abilities; developing new art workflows.
I have led the development of eight aircraft to date.
SDK Art Tools
I wrote several art tools for Flight Sim World's SDK using a combination of Python (computation) and MAXScript (front-end).
The Earth Curvature Tool is an example of this. Its job is to translate an airport's vertices (in Euclidean world-space) such that they follow the Earth's approximate curvature. This same approximation is used by the engine to generate procedural terrain. Consequently, my tool helps to achieve topographical consistency between airports and terrain. As the Earth is spheroidal rather than spherical, the tool will produce different results according to the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the airport.
Curved scenery and terrain is necessary to create a realistic representation of the world at height, but is useful for a less obvious reason also: without a curved world, artefacts would appear on the horizon where orthogonal lines converge.
In addition to the tools work, I authored the majority of Flight Sim World's SDK documentation on art topics. This includes extensive coverage of PBR theory and implementation.
Advanced Weather Features
trueSKY is a volumetric cloud middleware solution offered by Simul and used as a base for Flight Sim World's advanced weather engine. It was originally designed with first-person shooter style games in mind. Consequently, clouds looked great from below, but were sub-optimal for a flight simulator. I worked with a team of in-house graphics programmers alongside Simul for several months to create a weather engine that met our simulator's needs. Bearing in mind that we could not achieve perfection because of performance limitations, the end result is visually stunning nonetheless.
One of the in-house contributions to the advanced weather engine, is the realtime raindrop effect. It works by treating raindrops as cells in a grid, which is generated by a compute shader. The grid is the compute shader's main input and output, and is called recursively. In each cycle, a number of raindrops are created, deleted, or translated to neighbouring cells based upon physical forces and other simulation parameters. It is similar to Conway's Game of Life. Further down the pipeline, the grid is used to generate a normal map whose X/Y axes describe a pixel offset from the frame-buffer (i.e. screen-space refraction). This normal map is projected onto an aircraft's windshield to create refractive, moving water droplets. The compute shader also takes a world-space normal map as input; this is to know the direction the windshield faces for a given texel and infer the direction of physical forces (such as gravity or wind).
I provided artistic and design input to the graphics programmers throughout the development of the advanced weather engine from its inception through to implementation and testing.
Screen-space Refraction
This is one of several new features I suggested for the engine, and worked alongside a graphics programmer to implement it. The feature exploits some of the realtime raindrops' code by generalising the screen-space refraction module. I authored a shattered glass texture set to simulate a bird strike event, and help test-out this new feature.
In the future, this effect can be used for many other phenomena including heat shimmer on jet engines.


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- Square Foot/Square Foots
- 4000-5000
- Square Foot/Square Foots
- Spandex
Marble Floor Polishing Service
After a duration, the fitted marble on the floors of homes or office become stained because of high traffic. In this circumstance, there is a necessity of surface upkeep. We have come up to present you an extremely active Marble Floor Polishing Service. This facility is offered employing Mirror Image Marble Floor Polishing Process within the management of our experts. This service is well suitable to resist diffusion of many liquids counting oils and numerous chemicals to prevailing substrates, floor and cement board, etc. Our specialists employ the premium quality basic substances for distributing this polishing service. In addition to it, this service is broadly appreciated in homes, apartments, clinics, shops and other locations. Here are some qualities of this service:
- Resist all sort of erosion because of water or wash
- Densifies marble to halt penetration because of water
- Fights penetration of grit and dirt which makes the floor convenient to wash
- Marble demands special attention.
Architects and designers nowadays are discovering more and more artistic uses for marble. The knowledge to clean and keep marble though, has continued at a virtual halt for the last century.
Soon after fitting, most marble floors are previously being blemished by heavy traffic. To defend floor tops, maintenance engineers have twisted to waxes, synthetic finishes and polymers, coating the marble with a tough film. Inappropriately, the harsh alkalinity of such coatings and the additional alkalinity of strippers wanted to take them off roots efflorescence, which additionally worsens the marble.
Nowadays there is 'The Mirror Image Marble Polishing Process'.
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'The Mirror Image Marble Polishing Process' decreases disintegration and crumbling of the external under hard mechanical weathering and wear. The surface develops about 10 times harder than an unprocessed marble surface.
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The Polishing Procedure brings out the inherent beauty of marble and saves it viewing better for longer.
- 2000 Per Day
- 3-4 Days
- If order is confirmed we will reimburse the sample cost
- All India
Plot No B 176, Lajpat Nagar 1, Near Lajpat Nagar Metro Station, New Delhi, Delhi, 110024, India
Phone :+918037404789


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Monday, April 9, 2012
Cause we can, darnit!
I just realized we haven't had a sale since Boxing Week back in January and I thought "Darn! That's not right"... then I remembered I'm the boss and I can have a sale whenever I like. So we're having a sale. Right now. Save 20% on purchases of two or more patterns if you use the coupon code WOOHOO during checkout (there's a little box for that - Etsy will walk you through it). And just in case you don't have our shop bookmarked (although I'm sure you do) here's the addy.
Happy Shopping!
xo Jacqueline
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It may be the most horizontal movie I have ever seen. The teeming populace of La Ciénaga (2001), Lucrecia Martel's beguiling feature debut, spend an inordinate amount of time lying down, usually awake, sometimes several to a bed, sometimes with limbs splayed in various positions. There are amazingly dynamic geometries composed of bodies just trying to get a little rest. The laziness on display in La Ciénaga is charming and funny, and maybe also appalling, emblematic of the liminal space La Ciénaga nimbly inhabits, as though suspended on a high-wire, scathing social commentary on one side, vivid, goofy, impressionistic sounds and images on the other. The film is idiosyncratic, utterly personal, yet riddled with the political, with class critiques suggested only in playful ways. It's a stunningly confident work. And the great news is that it's now available from Criterion.
"La Ciénaga." "The Swamp." It's the name Martel gives to the place where she grew up in northwestern Argentina. Part of this film's allure is also what makes it very difficult to summarize. It is about two families. It is about a summer home, with a pool, and bedrooms, and lots of wine drank with ice, and an adjoining forest where the boys go to play with guns. It is very much about the bourgeoisie, but it's told from the inside: many of the characters are often drunk (this would make a pretty good double-feature with The Swimmer), and the camerawork is somehow brilliantly choreographed and also stumbling and tipsy too; as rough-and-tumble as the cameras of John Cassavetes, but with a precision Cassavetes' beloved mania wasn't designed to take on. The film is autobiographical and the camera is never editorializing. The editing, of course, is another matter. It's elliptical, teasing. Those boys with the guns: one wants to shoot a dead, muddy cow; another stands in the way; we cut to a shot of the landscape, no figures in sight, and we hear the gunshot, not knowing if someone's been hit. If Martel made conventional narrative films we'd call her a master manipulator. But there is nothing conventional and little that's narrative-forward about La Ciénaga.
It begins thusly: following an atonal aria in which a chorus of the world's noisiest, cheapest-looking lawn chairs are dragged across tile, one of our two matriarchs, totally stinko, collapses, cutting herself badly. Her daughter comes to pull pieces of glass from her chest. A lazy assessment of La Ciénaga might say that nothing happens, but the film's gambit rests in the opposite camp: everything happens, though it happens in fragments, in shards, with scenes that start halfway-in and end before they're resolved; with more characters—family, friends and servants, victims of racial slurs—than we can be expected to keep track of. Martel is focused on immersing us in this world and that's exactly what she's so devastatingly good at. The film is so funny—the blitzed characters getting so animated about the idea of shipping for school supplies in Bolivia—the dialogue so curious, the images so transfixing, we might forgot that this is also an oblique indictment of a culture of waste and sloth, snobbery and unjust disparity, of tackiness and unchecked Catholic neurosis. All these ingredients will come into play in Martel's subsequent films, The Holy Girl (2004) and The Headless Woman (2008), each of which feature fewer characters, or at least feature central characters, and something close to what we might call a storyline. Paragons of the New Argentine Cinema, they feel sprung from the same swamp yet each are inventive, provocative variations. Seeing La Ciénaga reminds us of how vast Martel's powers are—and how long we've had to wait for more.