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Even with only partial knowledge of God's great commission that He gives to us, we can say as St. Peter did at the Transfiguration: "Master, it is good for us to be here". (Luke 9:33) This passage, which most accurately summed up my thoughts as the second day of the seminar began, is inscribed above the altar of the Church of Our Saviour on Park Avenue, where Mass was held on the morning of Monday, May 21, 2007. Our Saviour is situated in one of the most affluent areas of Manhattan, yet despite the prosperity of this part of New York City, homeless people could be seen on the street near the church. As was noted during the reflections at the end of the day by Fr. Bob Meyer of the Holy See Mission, an expert on legal affairs and on pro-life causes, the plight of the homeless amid such wealth serves as another of "God's reminders" to which we are impelled to respond with Christ-like compassion modeled for us by the Saints.
Those who have gone before us to Heaven are icons of Christ, as I remember one priest saying after a philosophy lecture I was attending. The Catholic Church believes icons to be written, not only drawn or painted, by the artist. In an even deeper sense, God has written us into existence, in His own image. (cf. Genesis 1:27) We, as God's icons, are therefore destined to return to Him. As I stated in my previous article, our quest for sainthood begins with a change in mindset our in our decision-making process. Sainthood, though, is much more than an ideal or a lifestyle; we are called to be God's word in action every day in order to unite ourselves fully with the Word of God. This was the message of the Homily delivered by Monsignor Leo Cushley of the Holy See Mission at Our Saviour. During his Homily, Msgr. Cushley pointed to the icons behind him, which were designed by Ken Jan Woo, a Chinese-born muralist who had recently been baptized by the pastor of the Church of Our Saviour, Fr. George Rutler. The most amazing of these icons, which is centered above the altar, is that of Christ Pantokrator (from Greek for "Almighty" or "Ruler of all"), a 28-foot-tall enlargement of a sixth-century Byzantine representation of Our Lord. This image is one of the oldest known icons of Jesus Christ. The breathtaking Pantokrator icon is surrounded by several smaller icons of Saints, seven of which were written by Woo. The most recent addition is an icon of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
As we gathered for Mass, I found the church's grandeur humbling. A verse from the Book of Proverbs urges those that are very small to come to God, who is Wisdom. (cf. Proverbs 9:4) We are all like small children before the Almighty. We are like the child resting in the arms of Mother Teresa, as shown in the icon of her. Fittingly, then, at the Church of Our Saviour I felt like the smallest icon where I stood, along with fifty-two other living icons created in God's likeness, who were being called out into the world to love and to serve the Almighty. One day, I can only imagine myself, the little unworthy icon, standing before the Judge of the living and of the dead, hoping that, by the grace and mercy of God, I may enter into life everlasting. More immediately, we ought to pray as one community of faith for the salvation of all souls entrusted to Our Divine Ruler.
We also pray for those who are given the gift of teaching and preaching God's message in word and in deed. Also, may those who hear the Good News be faithful to it and not be distracted from its Source that we are asked to follow. In the first reading heard on May 21 (cf. Acts 19:1-8 ), St. Paul warned about such distractions from the Word of God. St. Paul had traveled to Ephesus, where many people were found to be followers of John the Baptist. Thus, John the Baptist's Ephesian disciples hadn't heard of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul proceeded to teach the Ephesians and to baptize them, and "the Holy Spirit came upon them", conferring upon some Ephesians the gifts of prophecy and of speaking in tongues. (Acts 19:6) St. Paul argued persuasively in favour of "the kingdom of God" (Acts 19:8 ), but some persisted in "(speaking) evil of the Way before the congregation". (Acts 19:9) Those who refused to believe were confused as the gifts of the Spirit were made manifest at Ephesus. They couldn't see a "still more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31) beyond the gifts of tongues and prophesy. This confusion, as well as St. Paul's teaching against the worship of the goddess Artemis, led to a riot in Ephesus (cf. Acts 19:21-41). When order was restored by the town clerk, Paul was able to sail to Macedonia. Almost 1900 years after St. Paul's time, on August 26, 1910, Skopje, Macedonia would become the birthplace of Mother Teresa (Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu), one of the greatest servants of God the Church has ever known.
This Blessed "saint of the gutters" showed the face of the Lord, the "Father of orphans and the protector of widows", to the most downtrodden. Mother Teresa, who opened her soul so that it became God's "holy habitation", gave "the desolate a home to live in". (Psalm 68:5-6) She is an example of one who spoke plainly of the Father's love, serving Christ faithfully. (cf. John 16:29) When we, the disciples of Christ, are "scattered, each one to his home", (John 16:32) we are still united in our love for the least of our brothers and sisters. (cf. Matthew 25:40) We must therefore make of our souls an abode for Christ. Through us, Christ's hands and feet on earth, Our Saviour goes out to conquer the world. Thus we need not fear the persecution or hardships of this world. The Father is with us, so that we may live in peace. (cf. John 16:33)
Msgr. Barney Auza, a native of the Philippines, delivered the opening lecture of Day 2 of the seminar. The talk featured a superb historical overview of the Holy See and of its Permanent Observer Mission to the UN. When one thinks of the Catholic Church, one often immediately speaks of the Pope, the Church's Supreme Leader. The Pope is the Catholic Church's top executive, judicial, and legislative power, as well as being her foremost spiritual authority, an apostolic successor to St. Peter. (cf. Matthew 16:18-19) The governing body that surrounds the Pope is referred to as the Roman Curia. Confusion arises over the title of the temporal government of the Church. It is frequently, though mistakenly, referred to as "the Vatican". In fact, the Vatican City State, in the middle of Rome, is a relatively new entity. It was created by the Lateran Treaty of 1929*, signed between the Italian King Victor Emanuel III and Head of State Benito Mussolini, and, on behalf of Pope Pius XI, "His Eminence Lord Cardinal Pietro Gasparri", with the Papal Secretary of State, His Eminence Eugenio Cardinal Pacelli, as a key negotiator. (cf. Intro) The Lateran Treaty guaranteed "sovereignty of the Holy See in international matters" and within the boundaries of Vatican City. (Art. 2, cf. Art. 3) Italy also was bound to recognize Roman Catholicism as the official state religion, as per the Italian Constitution of March 4, 1848. (cf. Art. 1) In exchange, the Treaty subjected the citizens of the Holy See to Italian laws when such legislation was not overridden by that of the Holy See. (cf. Art. 9)
The Lateran Treaty put an end to a period called "The Roman Question", which began with the Congress of Vienna of 1815. That agreement, which sealed the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, left Italy, then a series of disconnected states, in political and economic disarray. Pope Pius IX, whose policies included cautious acceptance of liberalism, where it upheld principles of objective moral truth, of natural law, and of social justice, was elected in 1846. Soon thereafter, Charles Albert, King of Sardinia, led a war against Austria to sustain his own monarchy. He was aided by a Genoese lawyer, Giuseppe Mazzini. In the process, Pope Pius IX was imprisoned at Gaeta for refusing to join in the fighting, and Papal Minister Count Rossi was assassinated. St. Peter's Basilica and other important churches at the Vatican were pillaged and desecrated. The French counter-offensive of Louis Napoleon, the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte and the eventual Emperor Napoleon III, capitalized on pan-European anger over the Pope's captivity. Mazzini and Garibladi were easily defeated. The Pope returned amid great joy to Rome in 1850. Order, at least on the surface, was maintained for a decade, while the Italian nationalistic movement became progressively anti-Catholic. The freemason Count Camillo de Cavour then united the many broken states of Italy around Sardinia, while also taking over the Papal States between 1860 and 1870. The French, preoccupied with the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, left the Papal States open to de Cavour's onslaught. Pope Pius IX thus voluntarily made himself a prisoner of the Vatican Palace, which was surrounded by Italian territory. It would remain so until 1929.
Pius XI, the "Pope of the Conciliation", guaranteed mutual recognition of the sovereignty of Italy and of the Holy See, in the aforementioned Lateran Treaty. The paranoid Mussolini was left unafraid of a potential overthrow orchestrated by the Holy See, whereas the Holy See's property, citizens, and diplomatic rights were protected within the Vatican City State. The autonomy of the Holy See was instrumental in its response to later abuses perpetrated by the Fascist regimes of Mussolini and of Hitler, and to its organization of safe havens for those persecuted, particularly in Nazi Germany and in Vichy France.
The Lateran Treaty explicitly mentions the title of the temporal arm of the Church as the Holy See, which dates from the granting of legal status to Christianity by the Roman Empire. After World War II, the Holy See took an active role in examining the creation of the United Nations. It gained Permanent Observer Status at UNESCO in 1952, and at the UN in 1964. Its first formal delegation to the UN oversaw the regulation and control of nuclear energy at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) beginning in 1957.
The UN today includes 173 member states, of the 193 recognized countries in the world. The newest UN member is Montenegro, which joined in February, 2007. Since Switzerland's entry in 2002, the Holy See remains the only nation with Permanent Observer status. Some, though, question whether the Holy See ought to be a part of the UN. As a non-member, the Holy See cannot vote in the General Assembly, though it may present declarations and participate in various debates and committees. The Holy See also opposes any move by the General Assembly that advocates easier access to abortion or to artificial contraception, for example. But the Holy See counters that it never imposes its moral views on the majority of nations; it only proposes a better way, to paraphrase Pope John Paul II.
Other matters, some of which are largely obscured by hot-button moral issues that are nonetheless important, concern the Holy See, including the abolition of torture, nuclear disarmament, and the eradication of anti-personnel mines, of small arms, and of the use of child soldiers. The Holy See functions pivotally as a member of the Convention on Persons with Disabilities. HIV/AIDS, which is best countered by access to food and to water, education, monogamy within marriage or abstinence without, and proper access to antiretroviral drugs, presents a worsening crisis, particularly in Africa. This continent is already beset by many of the problems already cited, as well as governmental corruption, the use of child labour, and civil wars…Speaking of war, the Catechism of the Catholic Church provides for limited conditions under which war is justified (cf. Section 2309). However, avoidance of war should always be sought. While acknowledging the occurrence of war, armed conflict can be avoided by focusing on its economic, political, and social root causes, especially poverty and underdevelopment.
In February, 1942, Franklin D. Roosevelt envisioned a United Nations that would not only prevent and prosecute war, but that would be a movement for peace. The UN has had many successes, namely the Declaration on Human Rights and the Declaration on the Rights of the Child. It attempts to abide by the rule of law and by democratic principles. Over its existence, the number of democracies has risen significantly. Despite this, the UN's shortcomings and slowness have been well documented. For example, the ineffective Commission for Human Rights was replaced by the equally dysfunctional Human Rights Council in 2006. Much to the chagrin of those including former U.S. ambassador to the UN John Bolton and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, this Council's declarations tend to be watered down, while states that are large-scale human rights abusers are admitted to critical councils.
Even accounting for its deficiencies, the world is much better with than without the UN. On a daily basis, the Holy See Mission in New York carries out its far-reaching, Christ-centered vision. It is often, according to Msgr. Leo Cushley, a discreet diplomatic force as opposed to a noisy advocate. In the style of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the Church must continue to defend social doctrine that is founded on human dignity. This is done by and for "human beings, one person at a time".
Going forward, each of us is to be an exemplar of truth, justice, and charity, perhaps starting at a small, local level. One might donate food, clothing, or money to the service of the less fortunate. Following the example of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first U.S. native to be canonized (by Pope Paul VI on September 14, 1975), one might work to ensure proper treatment of immigrants, including prompt processing of applications for legal status and for access to employment with just wages. Many university students, who live the vocation made possible in part by St. Thomas Aquinas, also struggle to maintain basic necessities on top of paying for tuition fees and for textbooks. Sponsorship of families and especially children abroad is another option. The mission of the Holy See and of all Christians is clear, as per the words of His Holiness Pope Paul VI in the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes (Joy and Hope- 1965):
"The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts. For theirs is a community composed of men. United in Christ, they are led by the Holy Spirit in their journey to the Kingdom of their Father and they have welcomed the news of salvation which is meant for every man. That is why this community realizes that it is truly linked with mankind and its history by the deepest of bonds."
Lord, though we are scattered throughout the world, we are one body, united in Christ. We are one in our humanity. United in our joys, hopes, griefs, and anxieties, may we be the salt of the earth that never loses its taste. May we be the light of the world that never fades, so that all may give glory to Our Father in Heaven. (cf. Matthew 5:13-16) We pray that we may exclaim together: "Master, it is good to be here." Amen.
Saints Elizabeth Ann Seton and Thomas Aquinas, the Apostles Peter and Paul, Pope Pius XII, and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us…
*For the full text of the Lateran Treaty of 1929, see http://www.aloha.net/~mikesch/treaty.htm


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Kovakkai Masala Biryani | Tindora [Ivy Gourd] Biryani
S : I have decided to work from home tomorrow
Me: Yay! Super.
Me: I don't have to hurry up for lunch then! Do you have anything in mind for lunch?
S : Hmmm, How about that Kovakai [Ivy Gourd, Tindora] Rice you made the other day?
Me: What?!! you want that? Since when did you start liking kovakai? :)
If you are not a fan of the vegetable Ivy Gourd yet, I am going to tempt you to try this recipe and I am confident of converting you into a Tindora fan ;). This is a really flavorful Variety Rice that doesnt take too much time to put together and all you need is the raitha to serve it up with for a splendid meal. The roasted Ivy gourd and potatoes added to the masala coated rice is just finger licking good. I usually make this yummy and healthy Kovakkai Kootu, but decided to experiment using this vegetable in a variety Rice and it turned out to be a big hit at home :).
Serves - 2
Spice Level - Moderate
Prep Time - 15 min
Cook time - 20 min
Ivy Gourd - 20 pieces, cut into think roundels , its called tindora in Hindi and Kovakai in Tamil
Potato - one, peeled, washed and chopped into thin tooth shaped pieces or cubed into small pieces
Oil - 1 Tbsp
Turmeric - 1 pinch + 1 pinch
Masala/Red chilli Powder - 2 Tsp
Salt - as per need
Tomato - 1 and half tomatoes pureed
Onion - 1 Large, sliced thinly
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1.5 Tsp
Green Chilli - 2 , slit lengthwise and cut in half
Oil - 2 Tsp
Garam Masala - 1/2 Tsp
Kitchen King Msala - 1 Tsp
Basmati Rice - 1.25 cups
Lemon juice - of half a lemon
Water - 2 cups
How do you do it
1. Wash the basmati Rice well and soak in water for 15-30 minutes. Drain and keep aside. In a large pan, bring to boil 2 cups of water along with 2 Tsp of salt. Once it starts boiling, add in the rice and simmer flame and close with a tight lid. Cook for 12-15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked. Switch off flame and fluff the rice well with a fork. Keep aside.
2. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a kadai, add the chopped Ivy gourd and potatoes, 1/2 Tsp salt, and a pinch of turmeric and the Masala Powder. Cook for 10-15 minutes on medium - high flame for the Ivy gourd and potatoes to crispen. Do not close the lid while cooking this. If you close the kadai with a lid, you will get a more boiled veggie texture and not a crispy one. Once they crisp/brown, remove from flame and keep aside.
3. Heat 2 Tsp oil in the same pan. Add the onions and saute for a couple of minutes. Add the green chilli and ginger garlic paste and cook until the raw smell of the ginger garlic paste fades and the onions are cooked well.
4. Add the tomato puree, 1 tsp salt, a pinch of turmeric and cook on low flame for 5 minutes.
5. Add the garam masala and kitchen king masala powder and cook for a couple of more minutes.
6. Now add the in cooked rice and sauteed veggies and mix everything together on low flame. Once mixed well, switch off flame.
7. Keep the pan with closed lid for 10 minutes so all the flavours are absorbed well into the rice.
8. Open the lid, add in the lemon juice, mix well and transfer to a serving bowl.
Seve this different and delicious Tindora Biryani with Raitha and Pappad.

subset: commoncrawl


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Customs Gateway (Wrota Celne) – easy and simple processing of customs declarations
Customs Gateway (Wrota Celne) helps companies involved in international businesses to swiftly lodge customs declarations. It also provides excise tax payers with tools to settle the tax and to process transfers of excise goods between fiscal warehouses.
With Customs Gateway, you will:
- swiftly process any transaction that requires contacting the Customs Office,
- minimise the cost of processing of excise tax guarantees,
- integrate customs declarations processing with your own IT system,
- avoid investments in IT infrastructure,
- obtain technical and substantive support from SKG specialists.
The Customs Gateway is a cloud-based solution that enables easy communication with customs systems and additionally it:
- offers single interface for various customs and excise tax systems,
- simplifies linkage of correspondence into threads and document archiving,
- processes all the necessary document operations (editing, e-signature, sending and receiving feedback) in a single application.
The Customs Gateway offers a number of useful functionalities:
- embedded customs duty calculator that controls the correctness of tariff codes and calculates the duties applicable on the date of document creation,
- validation of data and possibility for authorised persons to edit a document before signing it and sending it to a customs system,
- management of document record with easy access to current open cases and completed cases,
- compilations and reports, data export to XML and Excel files,
- several languages of the interface available,
- customs transactions may be sent automatically from corporate ERP system.


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Date night is a minimum once-a-week ritual in our household, but since we had an entire Date Weekend recently via a friend's wedding in Portland, I was feeling frugal this past Saturday. Actually, before Nick calls me on it I should correct myself. I was feeling even more frugal than usual, if that's possible.
So when Nick said we should venture to Santa Monica for Indian food, I did a bit of Internet sleuthing. I found that Tandoor-India on Pico had free parking and, after a quick glance at the menu posted online when Nick wasn't looking, saw that the prices were really affordable. (Nick had that same realization later once inside the restaurant. Many entrees are under $10, and the lunch buffet is $7.50. I'm hoping he's happy with my decision!)
The free parking is in a shared lot for the strip mall, which also contains a laundromat and a doughnut shop. Not high end by any stretch of the imagination, but there were several open spots, so I was happy. (There is also tons of parking on Pico, but I definitely saw parking meters there. Not sure what the enforcement hours are on those.) Inside, it is fairly generic with a yellow and orange color scheme, several booths on one side and typical two- and four-tops throughout. There is Indian-styled framed art on the walls. Curtains block busy Pico Boulevard from view, though I would have preferred the windows be uncovered to let in natural light. A deliciously pungent smell greeted us as we walked in, whetting our appetites.
Service was fast and cordial, through not especially friendly.
The restaurant skimps on some things. Namely, no free papadum and no drink refills. (Or, at least, they never offered one for Nick's soda.) Still, for the prices, it's a great value.
New Delhi Palace) since it seemed a well-rounded representation of the menu. It was $10.50 and included naan and sides. My face fell as I noted the biggest portion went to rice, but I suppose in a way that is authentic. I choose the "Lamb Spinach" option for the meat. The spinach was exceptionally spiced and full of flavor. A few pieces of lamb were tough, but most were tender. The Daal was subtly spiced and delicious. The Salad, which I picked in lieu of Raita, was odd because the dressing was on the opposite side of the plate, and it took me asking a server to figure that out. (I initially though the chef had spilled some drippy liquid on my plate. Gross.) The Vegetable of the Day was a mix of potato, peas, and carrots, and I enjoyed their chunky texture.
Tandoor India, 2622 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica 90405. (310) 581-9964.
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Destination Gotland is following the recommendations of the Public Health Authority.
Important information regarding covid-19, read here (updated August 5, 2020)
Alva 2
Area: Southern Gotland
12 m2
4 beds
Alva 2 is one of five small cottages around a pond.
The cottage consists of one room with an open sleeping loft. Under the sleeping loft there are 2 beds, a table, chairs and a wardrobe. The sleeping loft has got two beds as well. All the cottages have got their own terraces with garden furniture.
Smoking not allowed
About this accommodation
Capacity12 m² 4 bed(s)
FacilitiesSmoking not allowed


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When I was in Iran a few years ago, I visited the holy city of Mashhad. It was hard not to notice the begging and weeping of the pilgrims seeking solutions to the seemingly insolvable problems of their lives and unassumingly asking for forgiveness and blessing from Agha Imam Reza. While I was there, I heard a melodramatic story about a weeping dog that, according to the folks telling the story, had sought refuge in the holy shrine a few days before. According to Shia narratives, Imam Reza had a reputation for coming to the rescue of animals in imminent danger (Imam-e-Zaamin) ever since he rescued a deer from being slaughtered by a hunter.
Intriguing tales like that are the building blocks of religion in general, Islam in particular, and the principal reason for its continuous attractiveness. Even though many of such tales are counterintuitive, they seem to be inspiring to true devotees who accept them by faith. I asked my highly religious cousin who was with me about the validity of that unbelievable story of the asylum-seeking dog. He told me that incidents like that happen occasionally in the holy shrine of Imam Reza. He also informed me that there is even a farm in Mashhad where the animals, that have sought sanctuary in the holy shrine and were saved by Imam Reza, are taken and cared for until they die.
Such stories of course are not unique to Muslims. People of various faiths are fascinated by these anecdotes because they are really mesmerizing and the believers accept them as genuine. They will spread swiftly around the globe, especially in this age of social media and the Internet. You may wonder how persuasive such stories are to ordinary people and how many books and poems are written about them. They are mystifying and often contain what believers think is a morality lesson, or they are just plainly sensational and are usually the topic of discussion at the dinner table for Muslim families. They hear them so frequently that they develop a kind of fondness to them and they may in fact be brainwashed by them and act upon them.
Researchers tell us that religion survives through cultural evolution which is the transmission of cultural elements such as ideas, stories, thoughts, practices, precedents, and rituals through repetition and communication. While biological evolution occurs genetically, cultural evolution happens through memes, a unit of cultural elements. Evolutionary psychologists believe that human beings are designed by natural selection to be enthralled by outlandish things. The mental credulity that results from this human bias goes back to the dawn of social living. Generation after generation of human beings have been accepting some ideas and beliefs and rejecting others. The ideas and beliefs that are persistently accepted certainly have some selective advantages while the ones rejected have none. Only the beliefs with more selective advantages will endure. So the obvious question is what kinds of memes have more selective advantages and, therefore, are favored by the human mind?
Without a doubt, religious memes are very popular and everlasting. People seem to have been fascinated by them throughout human history, and have been holding on to them and passing them down to next generation persistently. As a matter of fact, our mind is genetically prepared to accept religious memes because of their rich selective advantages. Social science scholars have offered plenty of explanations as to why religious memes are so popular, why people keep holding on to them, and what kind of selective advantages they confer.
To begin with, we are genetically predisposed to be awestruck by unusual narratives such as the image of Jesus on a concrete wall, or the image of the Virgin Mary on a tortilla. Not many days after Khomeini returned to Iran from France, a rumor circulated in Iran that many followers had seen his picture on the surface of the moon! Of course that story wasn't true; however, it gathered momentum and travelled across the country at the speed of sound. Although our fascination with such tales seems to be short-lived, they leave a lasting mark on society, many of them become timeless. They last forever and will be passed on to the next generation through repetition wrapped in the cover of faith and sacredness. The sighting of the Imam Zaman in a place on the outskirts of the city of Qom, Iran called Jamkaran is an example of such stories. We know that this cannot be factual; however, the love affair with this story is insanely insatiable. Every Thursday night a huge crowd of pilgrims gathers at this place to pray and to drop into a shallow well at the site a written request to the hidden Imam asking for help, salvation, forgiveness, and guidance.
Religious memes are not economically consequential; you do not lose anything if they are wrong or ineffective. Pious people, for example, always pray regardless of whether it works or not. If prayer happens to work, the religious memes will be reinforced and perpetuated; if not, there are always convincing explanations for their failure. Most religious memes also withstand examination because they are like a one way street. Consider the story of heaven and hell. No one has actually returned to this world after his death to tell us whether there is, in fact, a heaven or a hell. Nonetheless, Mullahs speak of heaven and hell so confidently one would think they had died and returned to this world to tell us about their firsthand observations.
It seems that religious memes stimulate good-feelings; people feel relieved when they pray and vindicated when they repent. Some memes such as circumcision supposedly confer medical benefits. Circumcision is required by Islam and Judaism. Mullahs also say that praying five times a day not only helps Muslims to exercise physically but also helps them to become disciplined. Even if such rituals may have medical benefits, medical benefit is not the primary reason why they are recommended. Circumcision, for example, is required because it is a sign of belonging and demonstrates that a believer is in fact a member of the community of "chosen people." Similarly, the medical benefits derived from physical exercise is not the reason why Muslims are required to pray five times a day.
Religious rituals confer distinctiveness. Muslims believe that Islam is the final religion and that its prophet was the last prophet who came to complete all previous religions. They believe we are the chosen people, brothers and sisters and members of the Islamic Uma (community), the only ones who are saved and go to heaven. Shia Muslims believe that they will ultimately dominate the world after the hidden imam returns to earth. Religious memes tend to preserve themselves because believers are required to engage only in intra-community relationships, same for Jewish people. For example, according to Islamic jurisprudence, Muslim women are not allowed to marry a non-Muslim man under any circumstances, and the marriage of a Muslim man to a non-Muslim woman is conditional. Consequently, not only are the religious memes transferred more easily to offspring when both parents belong to the same faith, they are also more easily maintained.
Religious memes are often exploited to create or to enforce religious identity, or to strengthen patriotism, in which case they are also protected by religious authorities. Under such circumstances, religious beliefs are hard to contest and impossible to repudiate because those who do so will face reprisal or even serious criminal charges. This is the situation under the Islamic government in Iran.
According to some evolutionary psychologists, human beings are genetically vulnerable to group pressure. When we started living together in very small groups, individual survival was dependent on group support for food, shelter, security, and companionship. This is still the case, especially in societies in which people have very close relationships with each other. The chance of survival is very low for those who are alienated or contest the prevailing norms. Consequently, human beings have developed a bias toward conformity, conformity to the popular cultural memes, especially those related to religion. Practices such as male Muslims growing beards, veiling, persons having a dark mark on the forehead as a sign of piety, or Sunni Muslims praying while keeping both hands on the chest are all indications that the human mind is indeed conformist. More importantly, individuals crave attention, so most of the beard growing, chest beating, Hijab wearing, mourning, and forehead cutting (kama zani) are typically for getting attention and bowing to the snobbish mentality of the crowd.
In summary, while genetic disposition is the kernel of faith, what individuals believe in is a function of culture. Cultural evolution occurs as a result of repetition and transmission of memes. Religion is the outward expression of faith. One way to understand the birth and the survival of religion is to draw a parallel between biological evolution and cultural evolution. Evolutionary psychologists believe that religion is the product of memes. Memes are the units of cultural ideas developed by the human mind that are transmitted through various means of communication from one generation to the next. Memes are the attributes of human beings only; no other creature is intelligent enough to be able to communicate, and hence transfer memes. While there is a limit to the proliferation of genes, there is no such limitation when it comes to the duplication and dissemination of memes. And while the genetic evolution is very slow, memes can emerge, change, and disseminate easily and quickly. Just as with genes, memes can be positive or negative. The same can be true of religion.


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Images taken by Mike Hitchen from in and around Sydney, Australia. Over 1,000 images to enjoy.
A spoon-bill outside the Sydney Convention Centre
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What is an Archive?
In the most basic sense an archive is a collection. It is also the place where that collection is held. Generally, archives are composed of primary historical documents. Unlike libraries, most of what is collected for an archive is unpublished and singular (there are not multiple copies floating about) and unlike museums, most archives deal exclusively in two dimensional objects – photographs, historical records, maps.. so much paper!
An important aspect of understanding archives, is questioning why we have them and what they keep. In most cases, an archive functions as a memory for a community. But it is also fair to ask, who's memory?
There are many artists who utilize archives for their work and over the coming weeks we will look more closely at what they use and how. There are also artists who work with the absences in archives to make interesting observations about what is missing or has been left out and make queries about why that might be. It's important to remember when it comes to telling history, there is always 'someone' doing the telling.
When working on your submission for 'DOUBLE TAKE' try to keep this is mind. By your choice of source image and the photograph you take, you are telling a story.


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A NOTE FROM CYNTHIA AND SUE regarding the COVID-19 situation:
It is a difficult decision, but we have decided to cancel all local scheduled workshops until September, with the possibility that some may be rescheduled, if the spread of the virus is different than projected and it is safe. The most up-to-date information will be posted here on our website as available. Please contact Sue if you have questions or want to do any one-on-one work as support using the Enneagram.
We are in a challenging, sometimes overwhelming time and it is so important to look out for each other. With this in mind, please see our COVID-19 page for what we are currently offering online and hope to add online in the future during our time of isolation.
Sending love to you all,
Cynthia and Sue
Why the Enneagram?
The Enneagram is a spiritually dynamic map that helps us understand our deepest motivations and our automatic, often unconscious responses to life.
Why INside?
When we are reactive in situations, we often blame others or circumstances for what is happening. The Enneagram invites us to observe our own inner experiences, to go INside, and work there through the insights and guidance of our Type. This takes courage, practice and commitment.
As we persevere, we can flourish and live through our gifts. Sharing this perspective, we are committed to having participants experience the Enneagram not just as a heady exercise. We offer embodied, experiential learning opportunities, believing that this is the best way to learn and that somatic work is the surest way to support deep change.
With this in mind, our workshops invite folks to listen with their whole being: minds, hearts and bodies. People leave our workshops having had an experience that asks them to face themselves with gentleness and to open to the emerging compassion for others as they learn about the journey of each type. Our training in The Narrative Enneagram encourages this, and our backgrounds in spiritual healing have developed the gifts needed to support this process.
We wholeheartedly embrace what our teacher Renee Rosario says: "Scrap the theory and do the work."
Why Cynthia and Sue?
We are a unique combination as we are very different Enneagram types. Having a Type 2 and a Type 5 work so closely together highlights the helpfulness of acknowledging our type and encourages everyone to accept the invitations that the Enneagram brings.
We bring our own vulnerability and lived experience to our workshops. And, we bring our varying spiritual backgrounds, inviting all participants into a deeper place of receptivity. We create a safe place to dive deep into the Enneagram.
Astute in our knowledge, compassionate in our sacred holding of the space and attuned to those in the room, we hope to provide an informative, experiential learning experience. Although we each have unique gifts, it is our combination that makes this a powerful experience for those who come.
Why work with leaders who have been certified in The Narrative Enneagram?
The certification process is extensive. We have both led numerous panels of participants of one type sitting together with each speaking from their lived experience of their type. We have done countless typing interviews, sitting with an individual and listening closely to the person, helping them understand what their language, posture and quality of energy suggest about their possible type.
We have a deep, intuitive knowing of the types: their particular challenges and reactivity and their gifts. We help participants "face" themselves, with gentleness and kindness, all with the hope that we can support people accessing and living their gifts on a day to day basis.
We teach and work with our deep understanding of the process of change that working with the Enneagram empowers.
We have learned from the best teachers, some of whom are: Helen Palmer, David Daniels, Terry Saracino, Renee Rosario, Bea Chestnut.
Recommendation from Core Faculty In The Narrative Enneagram
"I first met Sue and Cynthia at an Enneagram Intensive I co-facilitated in Toronto. Immediately, I noticed their commitment to the inner journey and capacity to be authentic and vulnerable. These qualities combined with their expertise in the Enneagram make them both exemplary teachers in The Narrative Enneagram (TNE). Since then and through their certification process with TNE, I have had the pleasure of witnessing their personal and professional development, and as I write this think of them as a "dynamic duo." I have been inspired by their capacity to reach out and develop a strong Enneagram community. I recommend these two teachers wholeheartedly and if you have a chance to work with them, take advantage of this opportunity."
~~ Renée Rosario, MA, LPC and Core Faculty of The Narrative Enneagram


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Thoughts On Saudi Geopolitics
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, or MBS as his branding efforts have dubbed him, made quite a splash in the American media recently, with a major interview in The Atlantic, and lengthy profiles in The New Yorker and the New York Times. The idea that the new de facto ruler of the kingdom is a Dynamic Young Reformer is catnip for these outlets. The stories drool over the possibility that he might end both the cultural domination of Wahabi theology and the 70 year Arab-Israeli Cold War.
I'm going to toot my own horn a little here. I saw this all coming last fall, when the Crown Prince announced plans for a Special Economic and Cultural Zone in northwestern SA, a place where the religious police would have little power and high-tech companies encouraged. The region in question is far from the population centers of the Arabian Peninsula—but right next to Eilat, the Israeli port on the Gulf of Aqaba.
Since that announcement, the SA and Israeli governments have been dancing a minuet. Though nothing is being rushed on either side, for right now the momentum looks to be going toward greater contact, and perhaps moves toward full relations. And then alliance?
The geopolitical advantages are obvious. Iran, SA and Israel's mutual arch-enemy, has established a zone of influence across the Middle East, through Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. The Saudis appear to be attempting to establish a counterzone: the Gulf States, Jordan, Egypt and…Israel?
It's a good strategy. The Saudi Zone would have its back to the sea, whereas the Iranian Zone has to watch out for the Turks and Russians. The U.S. would, in most ways, be pleased to see greater co-operation between two of its closest allies.
The trick is that Iran has deposited a rabid badger in the Saudi backyard, in the form of Yemen. If the Saudis wants to pursue a full-on press against the Iranian Zone, they're going to have to pacify Yemen first, and there is no sign of that happening so far.
(It occurs to me that if the Saudis wanted to set a similar rabid badger in the Iranian Zone, they might make overtures to the Kurds—but that would decisively swing Turkey to the Iranian side.)
The big question is how likely all of this is to develop into open conventional line warfare. It's is a dicey prospect for both sides, since the Persian Gulf—the principal economic engine for both zones—would become a battlefield. Even a short conflict would wreck years of carefully built-up infrastructure. Granted, the two Gulf Wars demonstrated how quickly oil & gas production can be re-established, but still, it's a considerable risk.
And if open war broke out, what would be the greater effect in the Roomful of Dust? What would the Russians do? Would Pakistan take a side, and if so, what reaction would this get from India? Would China consider this a problem or an opportunity?
For now, it will be interesting to see how far MBS can push his new policies without risking popular backlash. The Crown Prince appears to be betting that the young adults of the Middle East are sick of hearing about the wonders of Sharia & the evils of the Zionist Entity. Can the Arab Street—that amorphous mass on which so much ink has been spilled these past 17 years—give up the old sureties for a high-tech future? We'll see.
Addendum: If you compare the armed forces of Iran to those of the Saudis/Gulf States, Iran looks better. The Saudis have a lot of expensive equipment, but the Iranians have more, and the conventional wisdom is that Saudi troops aren't very good.
So if the Saudis want to pose a credible military threat, they need some help. There are two obvious possibilities: Israel and the U.S.. The Israelis are at the wrong end of the Middle East for a land offensive into Iran, and if MBS were to invite an Israeli Expeditionary Force onto the sacred soil of the Two Shrines, he'd really be tap-dancing through a minefield. Could the Saudis actually swing American involvement? Even given Iranian unpopularity in the States, the cost in blood and treasure would make it a very tough sell.


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A soon-to-be-married couple made a stop around, but were robbed and killed by a group of miners. The couple have been reported along the pass seeking help.
(Submitted by Chris Berglund)
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Geographic Information
- Address:
- Winnats Rd
Hope Valley S33 8WA
Get Directions »
- 53.34087419999999, -1.7995498999999882
- Region:
- Derbyshire
- Nearest Towns:
- Castleton, UK (0.8 mi.)
Edale, UK (1.9 mi.)
Hope, UK (2.1 mi.)
Bradwell, UK (2.6 mi.)
Peak Forest, UK (2.9 mi.)
Hucklow, UK (3.5 mi.)
Little Hucklow, UK (3.5 mi.)
Great Hucklow, UK (3.5 mi.)
Dove Holes, UK (4.5 mi.)
Chapel En Le Frith, UK (4.5 mi.)
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Sometimes, nothing taste better than some good chocolate ice cream. I have a lot of dutch processed dark cocoa powder so I wanted to make chocolate ice cream using that.
- 1 cup half and half
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
- 2 TBSP dark cocoa powder
- 3 TBSP sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
Mix all the ingredients and try to get the cocoa powder as incorporated as possible. I'd say mix it for about 2-3 minutes. Then turn on your machine and let it go.
The chocolate ice cream is going to look a little more grayish than a dark brown, but it taste delicious. Plus, no eggs (a lot of ice cream recipes call for eggs).
The first photo is from the mixture coming straight out of the machine. The second is after I let it freeze for 5 hours.


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I managed to find some moments today to draw a card for this coming week and I chose it from the app. Major 10 – The Wheel, came up and I was like: Ha! More change! Then I thought: make the change, girl! Embrace it, make it yours! I own this coming change, because I'm going to make it happen.
It's easy to sit around and go: "I'm bored!" or proclaim: "I don't know what to do!" But the truth of the matter is, for me, is that if things aren't working for you, change it! This isn't a tower moment, the time to change things is here, the Wheel of the Year turns constantly, with each and every passing moment.
I'm very much the kind of gal that gets on with it, gets it done. But like everyone else on this planet that can read this blog post, I'm human. I have my flaws, I have my virtues and most of the time, I'm aware of what they are.
However, I've learnt the hard way: If I want something done, I've gotta do it myself. I've got to make the change myself, I've got to adjust and I've got to make it all mine.
That might sound a little egotistic, and I don't mean it to be, but I'm not going to sit around and wait for things to change, when the person who needs to drive the change, stares back at me from the various mirrors, dotted around the house. It's time to make the changes.
They don't have to be big changes. The changes don't have to be complex. They can be simple little things that make a huge difference. But the message I've received from the Tarot for this coming week, is make the change. Like the weaver who is weaving this shirt, they're making changes as they go, they're adding to it all the time. They're making changes, all the time. That's what I see is needed for this week.
So, I wish you luck on making changes this week, even small changes can be all that is needed. As Captain Picard so often said: "Make it so!" (And you're Number 1 *wink*)


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Patrícia, 10, was sitting in her accustomed spot behind the altar, hands folded tightly on her white altar server's robe. Mass this Saturday night was just the same as always, and yet for Patrícia it could hardly be more different. Staring at the pew where her mother used to sit with the rest of the family, Patrícia felt a sharp pang again in her chest.
After Mass, in the sacristy, Patrícia covered her face. Tears poured out from under her hands, streaking her lovely, delicate features. Suddenly, two familiar arms came around her shoulders in an embrace, and a warm, loving cheek was pressed against her own.
"It's OK," whispered Kelly, Patrícia's 12-year-old cousin, who was serving with Patrícia that day." I promise we'll take good care of you." She gave Patrícia a comforting kiss on the cheek. "We'll be like sisters now."
Patrícia's lip trembled. She knew she was fortunate to live with Aunt Rosa, and her five cousins — especially Kelly. Her brother Patrick, 8, was with her in the house, and her half-brother Railson was close by. But Patrícia couldn't help but think of her half-sister Flavia, who had been sent to live with her father in Macapá nearly 200 miles away. Would they ever see each other? And Mamãe…
Patrícia buried her face in Kelly's shoulder, and they both wept. The girls huddled together in thegrowing darkness, like two little brown birds in an empty nest.
Patrícia stared at the blank canvas in her hands. It was months after her mother's death, and she and Kelly were walking home from their first needlepoint class. Like service at the health clinic, the extracurricular class was paid for by a foster parent program organized by foreign missionaries who preached and worked in Amapá. Aunt Rosa worked on several of the missionary programs, helping mothers take care of their small children and teaching catechism at her home on Saturdays.
Kelly was chattering excitedly about the pattern she would make, but Patrícia had a hard time picturing how her own empty canvas would become something beautiful. And besides, what was the point?
She was still contemplating the canvas with a frown later that night as she sat cross-legged on her bed with her brother Patrick.
"I wish we could play outside," he complained.
"You know Aunt Rosa said it's not safe for us to play in the streets."
"But you always play the teacher. You've got to practice before you actually become one like you always say you will. And Mamãe said you'd be a great teacher."
Patrícia's face crumpled, and Patrick bit his lip. He hadn't meant to mention Mamãe. "Sorry," he mumbled.
|Help from PIME
Since its establishment in 1850, the Pontificio Instituto Missioni Estere (Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions), composed of secular clergy and laymen, has founded 40 dioceses across the globe. Today 550 missionaries preach the Gospel and support the needy in 18 countries. PIME has been working in Patrícia's parish, Divine Holy Spirit, since 1948, and since 1997 has provided assistance for unwed mothers and mothers with small children, courses for young people, a health clinic, a foster children sponsorship program, and other support in addition to spiritual care. Due to lack of funding and lay missionaries, however, many programs are in danger of being shut down. For more information, and to help maintain support for children like Patrícia, visit www. pimeusa.org, call 313-342-4066, or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com.
"It's OK." Patrícia lay on her side, holding the canvas in front of her. She tried to imagine a floral pattern like Kelly would make. Instead, all she could think of was Mamãe, and all the wonderful folk stories she had told. How the beetle had won his beautiful iridescent coat. How a maiden had brought night to the earth from the sea. How a hummingbird helped put out a forest fire. Patrícia closed her eyes, her heart aching for the sound of her mother's voice.
When Patrícia awoke early the next morning in the gray light, her mother's stories were still swimming in her head in blazing color. Patrícia's heart beat quickly as she reached for her canvas, for her needle and thread.
Slowly at first, and with a few pricked fingers, she began to stitch. I will recreate all of Mamãe's stories, one at a time, she thought excitedly. With her mother's voice warm in her memory, Patrícia stitched. As the sun rose red and golden in the sky, the colors on the canvas also came to life.
"That stitch we learned in class last week is impossible." In the bright sunlight outside of Aunt Rosa's house, where the two girls were attentively stitching, Kelly put down her canvas with a groan. Patrícia laughed and leaned over to examine her cousin's work. "Let me watch you do it again," Kelly said.
Taking Kelly's needle in hand, Patrícia easily demonstrated the complicated stitch. Kelly watched her cousin closely with a smile. As the days and weeks had passed, and as Patrícia's slender fingers moved more swiftly over the canvas, Kelly had noticed a change in her younger cousin. She smiled a little brighter now, spoke with more confidence and self-esteem. Patrícia knew it, too. She loved the sense of calm that filled her body as she set down to work. She loved to watch the needle flash its sleek silver head and nudge the threads obediently in and out of the canvas. She loved shaping stories with her hands.
As Patrícia resumed her own stitching, a beetle, his coat of armorgleaming, landed on her work. He trundled forward, paused, then flew away. Patrícia rose to watch him disappear on his errand. Her legs felt strong beneath her. Yes, she thought. This house will hold. CD
Research for this article conducted with the assistance of Father Dennis Koltz.
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2007! Eligible members and official ballot forms are found in your January issue.


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Alpi Center Vodenca campsite
Alpi Center Vodenca base is located less than 2 km from Bovec, close to confluence of Soča and Koritnica rivers.
It takes about 15 minutes walking to Bovec (shops, restaurants, coffee shops, bars etc.). For more comfort and evening relaxation (especially in case of bad weather) big shelter for about 30 persons is available. There is drinking water and electrical plug in the shelter. Grass volleybal court is available for accommodated. AlpiCenter Vodenca base is recommended for those who seek calm and quiet place to rest before next active days.
Campsite facilities: WC (renovated in 2014!), free warm shower, warm and cold water, electricity, kitchen, fire place and grill, fridge (chargeable).
Camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, etc.) as well as cooking equipment (dishes, cooker etc.) just your own!
Check in is only possible between 12 am and 10 pm, check out till 12 am. Please respect this times not to disturb other campers. Toll-bar at the entrance to the camp opens only with the chip card that you'll receive after registration.


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Kieran Pender
Kieran Pender is an Australian writer and legal researcher based in London. He is a visiting fellow at The Australian National University's Centre for International and Public Law, and a frequent contributor to The Guardian, Monocle and Australian Book Review. He has reported from four continents and spoken at the United Nations, European Parliament and OECD.
Kieran Pender reviews 'Law in War: Freedom and restriction in Australia during the Great War' by Catherine Bond
Published in Military History
Published in Politics
Kieran Pender reviews 'Moneyland: Why thieves and crooks now rule the world and how to take it back' by Oliver Bullough
Published in May 2019, no. 411
Published in November 2018, no. 406
Kieran Pender reviews 'The Long Hangover: Putin's new Russia and the ghosts of the past' by Shaun Walker
Published in April 2018, no. 400
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
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Using blogs are very common these days. Those who are a bit net savvy and like to spend hours before internet reading interesting things, blog is perfect platform for them to enhance their skills and knowledge. People use blogs for different purposes. Some people use blogs to gather online popularity. Many use this for sharing thing and also, some other people use this to enhance their website's visibility. So, what's your choice? Whatever may be your choice, you have to create some blogs that have excellent contents to offer to readers. Despite of using interesting contents, many people do not get enough readers for their blogs.
1. Share You Blog
This is the era of social networking and social bookmarking. Through these socially driven sites, you can get a lot of traffics towards your blog. This would possibly enhance your chance of getting more dedicated readers towards your blog. Hence, sharing your blog link into the socially driven sites is effective for enhancing the number of blog readers.
2. RSS Feeds Share
Instead of sharing your blog's link directly, you can share the RSS feed link. This will allow the readers to get and navigate all the sites of your blog. Hence, this will minimize the bounce rate of your blog by assuring quality readers.
3. Email Newsletters
Using the email newsletters is an effective way of having connection with the readers. With each new update, just send an email to your readers and they will get all the updates from you.
4. Email Signature
With the use of email signature, you can also get high traffics for your blog. Just share your blog link into the signature of your email profile. Each time, you will send an email, this will come by default.
5. Blog Commenting
This is another effective method. For making a blog successful with heavy traffics, you can do blog commenting in several blogs with your blog's link into the signature.
6. Posting Otherwise Blog
This is simply blog posting that we use to for our website promotion. Write good content and watch yourself at the higher end of Google. High rank in Google means higher number of readers.
7. Using keyword
For SEO campaign, keywords are the keys. Get more effective supporting keywords to get high success in search engines. Good and precise use of keywords, make a blog beautiful to read as well stable enough to fetch money.
8. Internal or External
If you want to have a high flow of readers towards your blogs then both external and internal links are important.
9. Directory Sites
The online directory sites are quite effective to get a high rank as well as high traffics for your blog. Thus, using them is not a great deal.
10. Patience
Those who are into this SEO or search engine optimization field should keep patience after implementing a method.
Blogging is one of the amazing outsourcing options out there and promoting is one of the key elements to grow your blogs bigger so that it carries more contents and attracts more organic viewers to your site. Being one of the hardest parts of Blogging, people think promoting takes lot of money to advertise your blog. But, there're also other ways or you can say way that are completely free but they contain so much value that it can promote your blog right away. These ways are often mis-leaded and kept hidden from the bloggers. Today, we'll unveil the free secrets to promote your blog which will help you to attract more organic readers within very short amount of time.
- Writing Higher Quality Articles
Without writing higher quality articles, your blog is useless. You need to focus your writings more on the topic and research it well enough to give it to your readers as they want to take the best information from them. So, generate high quality articles and give up writing poor and useless contents.
- Provide Blogs to Directories
Submitting your blogs to other top rated blog directories will surely enhance your blog performance and you'll start to see the difference. Don't use reciprocal link to promote your blogs and it can be pretty handy for you in the long run.
- Join Networks which Associates Blog Community
Joining other blogging communities is one of the best ways for your blog to get promoted without expending or throwing off your money. But, make sure that your contents match the directory of the community you're joining with; otherwise it won't bring any help for you. It'd help you to attract more visitors to your blogs.
- Post Informative Blogs Frequently
One of the main reasons to become failure while promoting your blogs that you spend more time in promoting than writing frequently. Readers want to digest new information as soon as it gets published. So, post blogs regularly.
- Commenting on Other Blogs
Commenting on other blogs is a great way to connect with other bloggers and sharing your thoughts together. But, make sure to comment relevant posts or else it might generate negative impression on your site.
- Usage of RSS Feeds
Using RSS feeds is another fruitful way to generate more readers including the old ones coming back to your site everytime.
- Responding Your Readers in a Decent Way
When you get more readers, you generate more income, so use a decent language to contact and respond to your fellow visitors.
- Use Social Media Tools
Using Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites can be very useful to generate newer visitors from the hub of social media sites.
- Search Engine Optimization
Take your attention to SEO tools and improve your site's ranking by optimizing SEO. Research newer keywords and make them valuable.
- Hold Contests, Giveaways
You can hold various contests by depending the nature of your site to generate new visitors. If you want to spend some money, then consider giveaways. They're one of the greatest ways to promote your site.


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Imagine a far-too-common scenario where you run a test search query and notice that your ad has shifted from position 1 to the right sidebar in position 5. Before immediately shifting your bids to return to the previous position, you may want to evaluate the relative return from each position. Focusing on bid costs or conversions independently is not enough since only a complete Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) analysis will help you determine the relative merits of each position. With Google Analytics you can track the results from each keyword position by accessing the report under the AdWords section… View full post »
Posts Tagged 'google adwords'
Google Analytics – Maximizing Keyword ReportsOctober 25th, 2010 Leave a comment
Google AdWords – Experiments with Multivariate TestingSeptember 16th, 2010 Leave a comment
If you inquire about the best AdWords strategy with two different search marketers, you may end up with more options than you can possible handle. Google AdWords can be quite challenging to break into, especially for those new to the field of online ads and campaigns. The good news is there is a growing set of tools designed to help you test and identify top performing variants in your search campaigns from different keywords, bid levels, ad variations, and campaign settings. One of Google's less utilized features (specifically, because of its perceived complexity) is performing split and multivariate tests… View full post »
Google Analytics – Track AdWords Campaigns EffectivelyAugust 24th, 2010 Leave a comment
To get the most out of your search marketing efforts, you can link Google AdWords to Google Analytics for effective campaign tracking. The level of detail you can see within your search campaigns through Analytics tracking is much deeper, providing you with a unique vantage point to get the most out of your marketing investment. This guide provides an overview of best practices for improving your marketing campaigns based upon insights from Analytics tracking. At a high level, Analytics provides a window into detailed performance of your campaigns down to the keyword level. The ultimate aim and potential of… View full post »
Google AdWords – Top 10 Mistakes to AvoidAugust 5th, 2010 Leave a comment
While the return on investment from AdWords makes it an attractive marketing opportunity, many beginning advertisers gloss over important details when launching a campaign. This guide provides a convenient way to get up to speed with the latest trends, technology and insights into search marketing. By highlighting ten common mistakes in Google AdWords you can save time, money and accelerate your path to progress in your search marketing campaigns. 1. Not defining conversion goals clearly Before you launch or expand a search marketing campaign you should clearly define goals of what you want your users to do. Whether you want to sell… View full post »
Google AdWords – 10 Proven Ways to Target TrafficJuly 9th, 2010 Leave a comment
AdWords provides an effective, scalable way to target business prospects with textual ads based upon search queries. In many ROI studies of multiple media, search targeting has emerged as one of the single most efficiency drivers of commercial revenue today. While reaching potential customers through search, it is important to qualify the visitors with the right targeting settings, methods and tactics. With the right targeting settings you can vastly improve your ability to turn clicks into conversions, resulting in a higher ROI across your campaign as you further refine the settings for better performance. This guide can help both beginning and… View full post »


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Directed by Jason Lim
Thursday 17 – Friday 18 March, 7pm-10pm (durational)
Saturday 19 March 2011, 3pm-9pm (durational)
Venue: The Substation Theatre
Admission: $10 per day (unlimited entry) available at The Substation Box Office.
Reservations: contact Mish'aal 6337 7800 / email@example.com
This is an InHouse event
It is the material and use of the material that gives me the idea and not the other way round- Robert Filliou
The main focus of these improvised pieces is the investigation, discovery and creation of unusual and individualised responses to various materials and props. Performers will consider space and time as materials too, and interact and improvise their pieces with the intention of getting away from the position of 'theatre performer'.
This event is co-presented by The Substation and Jason Lim.
More details: http://www.substation.org/islands/


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Happy Summer to the Star View Community!
The School Office will reopen on August 26th.
The first day of school is September 9th.
Hello Star View families. Star View and OVSD realize that families may need additional support during these times. Below are links to family resources and fun family activities!
Star View is OVSD's newest GATE magnet elementary school! Enroll today & Read Principal Kraft's message.
See Star View's School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) here.
Listen to the podcast or read the latest edition of School News Roll Call!
Welcome to Star View Elementary School, A California Distinguished School and the newest GATE Magnet School in the Ocean View School District. I am Paul Kraft, and I'm honored to serve as the new principal of Star View, where we "Shine Together with Awesome Results." This is sure to be an exciting year as we enhance our award winning school programs with GATE instruction, continue our relationship with the Anaheim Ducks S.C.O.R.E. program, and focus on the performing arts.
I look forward to working with the exceptional Star View staff, and getting to know each and every student and family. I'm a firm believer that each child has many unique talents, and working together, we can help all of our students reach their potential. This year Star View will participate in many educational events and festivals, further enriching the learning experiences of our talented students. Please join us at Star View by volunteering, or coming in to visit our wonderful school.
With state resolution in hand, Senator Nguyen Congratulates Star on CA Distinguished School Honor
The Ocean View School District Governing Board desires to provide a positive work environment where employees and job applicants are free from harassment and are assured of equal access and opportunities in accordance with law. The Ocean View School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of color, race, religion, ancestry, natural origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or the perception of one or more of such characteristics, gender, marital or parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military and veteran status, ethnic group identification, mental or physical disability in its educational programs, activities, or recruitment and employment. All communication, with the exception of the Edjoin process, should be directed through the Human Resources Offices of Ocean View School District. Any applicant who attempts to directly contact the site Principal, department Director, Board Member(s) or any staff member with the intent of influencing the outcome of the hiring process will be disqualified from candidacy for this position. No Person shall be denied employment solely because of impairment which is unrelated to the ability to engage in activities involved in the position(s) or program for which application has been made. It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify the employer of any necessary modifications to the job or work site in order to determine whether the employer can reasonable accommodate any known disability. Applicants who anticipate needing special accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact Janet Worley at (714) 847-2551 ext. 1410 for information regarding the arrangements for accommodations. The Ocean View School District is a tobacco-free, drug-free environment. Link for employees: Uniform Complaint Policy or Sexual Harassment. Link for students: Uniform Complaint Policy or Sexual Harassment Policy.
Contact for Equity, Non-Discrimination and Title IX: Felix Avila, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources (714) 847-2551 Ext. 1411
17200 Pinehurst Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92647


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Yeah, you heard me. Rolling Stone has reported that Pope Francis will be releasing a "pop-rock" album entitled Wake Up in late November. The LP will feature "the Pontiff delivering sacred hymns and excerpts of his most moving speeches in multiple languages paired with uplifting musical accompaniment ranging from pop-rock to Gregorian chant." You can listen to the first track "Wake Up! Go! Go! Forward!" channel heavy Explosions In The Sky vibes, complete with sick electric guitar riffs, below. What a time to be alive!
Photo via AP Images


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Who We are
SureDeal is owned by two seasoned professionals in the business world. Barnabas and Joy are presently the two owners of the company and they are from Ballincollig Co, Cork. If you are interested in selling online, then you are in the right place because Barnabas, a part owner of SureDeal is a recognized, and award winner business person who won the 2010 Entrepreneurship award organized by Enterprise Board of Ireland. Currently, he is a final year students studying, Theology and philosophy at MUI Maynooth.
What is the idea behind SureDeal?
The idea is to serve you better through providing the environment for your business to thrive. As seasoned Entrepreneurs, we know the heartbeat of the business world and the advance system required for excellentperformance in online business. We incorporate this knowledge into building a solid ecommerce base platform that is perfect for the showcasing and productive selling f your business.
What is the essence of having a business if there is no one to sell it. It is a fact that you can have the best business model, but without people to see and appreciate it, the business will fall and crumble. This is why we incorporate marketing and advertising features in our website. Our clients are able to access one of the best advertising services for increased exposure and generation of premium and targeted traffic to their various offers.
Easy to use features:
Our features is world class but simple to access. You don't need to be a techy to manipulate and effectively use the advance ecommerce features we have build for your profitable business.
Any product is welcome with exception of illegal and contra bounds:
Is yours new or second hand goods? You are welcome into our platform. You can access any features for whatever type of products you are selling. Currently, we have a wide range of products category, all you have to do is identify your market and start selling. It is really as simple as it sound.
Money making and excellent business transaction is at your fingertips with SureDeal. So, what are you waiting for? Register and start making money!
Hopefully you find SureDeal helpful and easy to use. Our main goal with the site is to take the hassle out of buying and selling new and second hand goods.
Please let us know if you have any ideas on how we can improve the site or our service. The user comments will be invaluable in getting SureDeal to where it will be in the near future. Take a look on how it works?


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View the Memories from the Wheaton Film Festival!
*Scroll over the "Gallery" tab*
This event is supported in part by the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Chuck Levin's Music Center, MakeOffices, Arune LLC, DC Filmmakers, Adobe Software, Copyright Counselors, Final Draft Software, FilmConvert, iPitch.tv, Quick Film Budget, Red Giant, Studio Unknown, Write Brothers, Clairvoyance LLC, Lafayette Federal Credit Union and R.T.S. Inc. This event is produced by Arune LLC. Our promotional partners include Docs In Progress, TIVA, WIFV, Creative Edge Collaborative, WALA, and DC Media Makers.
Arune LLC/Wheaton Film Festival Attn: Brian Frankel 11160 Veirs Mill Road Suite LLH-18-135 Wheaton, MD 20902


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We've been raising pedigree Highland Cattle since 1992. Our cattle are from fine, documented stock: for example, our bull's pedigree goes back eight generations, to the late 1930's.
In early 2003, we started to raise our cattle in the traditional Japanese Kobe style. Like Mikichi Kobu, whose farming techniques are described in another article on this site, we raise our cattle by hand. Unlike Mr. Kobu, our cattle are allowed (generally) to run free, and we feed them more beer than he does. We massage our cattle by hand, but using a portable generator and an electric massager. They love it!
The demand for our Scottish | Kobe beef really started to take off when the BBC featured steak (and particularly Kobe steak) as number three on the list of "50 Things To Eat Before You Die." (Lobster was number two, and fresh fish --- as in fish and chips --- number one.) This put us into a back-order status right away, and we're still trying to climb out of it.
One of the most important ingredients of the Kobe "process" in patience, so we can't just increase our beef production overnight. We are moving over to pure bred Aberdeen Angus cattle (and also intend to raise some Guernsey beef in the Kobe fashion --- please see the website of The Accidental Smallholder). We purchased six beautiful Aberdeen Angus steers a month ago and they're happily munching on grain and drinking their daily ration of beer.
So as not to disappoint our customers in the meantime, and to offer an alternative to other customers, we made arrangements to offer Wagyu beef from the States. As mentioned elsewhere on our website, Wagyu is a unique breed of cattle.
The American Wagyu Kobe Beef we offered comes from the Sandhills of Nebraska. They live on abundant acerage, and are fed (during the finishing process) a special diet of corn, alfalfa, protein supplements, and distillers grains. No growth stimulants are used. The beef is processed in a facility approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and licensed by the European Union. The beef is aged, and was then shipped to the U.K. as frozen primal cuts (such as a whole striploin). Because of the high fat content of Wagyu beef, freezing is the best method of storage --- think ice cream.
The thin slice of American Wagyu --- for shabu shabu beef --- shows the fine marbled fat. This beef has a higher fat content than our Scottish | Kobe beef. According to Penn State University, "Wagyu beef has significantly higher ratios of monounsaturated fats over saturated fats compared to commodity beef."
Because of the cost of Wagyu cattle, and the cost of importing this beef (by air) from the United States, the price of this beef melted credit cards. Two sirloin steaks, each weighing 210g (approx.) cost £28.40 plus shipping charges.
UPDATE - September 15, 2005:
Because we now have our own Scottish | Kobe beef in stock on a more or less regular basis, we have decided to discontinue the sale of American Wagyu Beef.
The American Wagyu Beef was very expensive and this may be why most customers preferred to wait for our home-grown Kobe beef.
Should you really be desperate to try American Wagyu beef, please e-mail me and I'll see what I can do.
Copyright © 1998 - 2010 by Lucies Farm Ltd.
88005 Overseas Highway, Suite 9-337, Islamorada, Florida 33036 USA
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Accelerating Use of 'Net-connected TV Sets Trumps 3D TV Optimism
Two enthusiastic NPD Group studies published Wednesday offer upbeat – but somewhat contradictory – outlooks about what and how audiences want to watch home television. The diverse scenarios raise significant questions about bandwidth availability and over-the-top competition, both issues confronting cable operators in the diversifying digital ecosystem.
NPD DisplaySearch exudes a bullish outlook for 3D TV set sales, emphasizing that TV will "drive global demand for 3D-ready devices." The study foresees a leap in worldwide sales of 3D display screens from 50.8 million units last year to 226 million units in 2019.
"3D TVs contribute heavily to this projection and create the largest revenue stream," the study concludes. "Despite some industry sentiment that the 3D bubble has burst, we expect 3D to continue to grow across several categories including TVs, portable devices, and public displays," says Jennifer Colegrove, vice president of emerging display technologies at NPD DisplaySearch. The company forecasts 3D-ready TV penetration to increase from 10% to more than 50% by 2019 worldwide, but it acknowledges that actual usage of 3D may not grow as quickly.
"Even though consumers own these 3D-ready TV devices, they haven't viewed a significant amount of content on them," Colegrove admits. "There is still a need for more 3D content and a smoother set-up process for 3D TV." She points to the possibilities for "auto-stereoscopic" (no-glasses) technologies as a trigger for faster growth, but notes that, "Glasses will be necessary for many 3D applications such as TVs and monitors for many years to come due to the limitations and high price of auto-stereoscopic technologies for large displays."
While such optimism (however muted) warms the hearts of TV set makers, NPD's other study this week offers a more immediate challenge to viewing as we know it – with a greater impact on operators and programmers.
Another NPD division reports this week that TV monitors have suddenly become the "primary screen for home viewing of online video," eclipsing the computer as the screen of preference for watching paid or free stream video from the Web. Today, 45% of viewers watch such videos on a TV screen, compared to 33% a year ago. In the 2011 study, 48% of viewers watched such over-the-top videos on a laptop or desktop, but now only 31% do so.
"This shift not only reflects a strong consumer preference for watching TV and movies on big screen TVs, but also coincides with the rapid adoption of Internet-connectible TVs," says NPD. Its study found that the boom in ''net-connected TV sets means that "consumers no longer [use] peripheral devices, such as streaming media players, video game consoles, and Blu-ray Disc players, to access streaming video on the TV. This decline in usage could impact the usage models and utility of peripheral devices." That's not such great news for electronics makers.
It also means that viewers are spending their valuable viewing time watching content that is not necessarily revenue-producing for cable subscription services.
"The growth in connected TVs is another sign that online video is maturing," explains Russ Crupnick, senior vice president of industry analysis for The NPD Group. "Streaming video has moved from the dorm room to the living room; and, as more households obtain and connect TVs to the Web, we predict increased trial and engagement for video distribution services."
On one level the two NPD studies may seem to support each other – since almost all new 3D TV sets/monitors also include an Internet access port. Hence, there will be widespread enablement and access.
But the unanswered question remains: will viewers – providers – opt for the 3D content if and when it becomes widely available? Of course, there's the option that bandwidth-thirsty 3D content will flow through the broadband pipelines.
More significant, though, is the rapid current growth of online video viewing via the TV set. While such viewing may include TV Everywhere or other cable-controlled content, the growing likelihood is that audiences are keeping their cords to watch content that is not necessarily generating revenue for network providers. Perhaps the most hopeful element of the NPD online viewing study is that 22% of viewers say they do not view online video via any device – neither TV set, laptop/desktop computer, tablet nor netbook.
Let's see how long that figure stays small in the big-screen era.


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If any of you have been following me on Instagram you know I have a new puppy. Her name is Elly and she is quite a little pistol. We've had her for about a month and it hasn't been quite as smooth sailing as I had hoped.
From day one Elly was quite indifferent to me, well, to everyone in our family actually. She had a strong personality and did what she wanted when she wanted. I had lived with my little Schipperke, Bear for almost fifteen years and she was definitely the Alpha Female in our house and I was seeing many of the same traits in Elly. Funny how that happens. I knew there must be some kind of lesson for me.
Things quickly got worse. She started growling at me when I tried to groom her, growling when we took her bone away and acting like Cujo when she met another dog. Here was this cute little puppy acting like a tyrant!
This hit home for me and brought up a bunch of emotions I had no idea I was still holding onto. You see, when I was a kid, dogs were everything to me. They were my biggest source of love and companionship and I would do anything for the love of my dog. I NEEDED them to love me and they knew it.
The trainer taught me the exercises I had to do and then told me something that changed everything. She explained that she hated to go to the dentist but when the dentist came in and projected confidence and self assurance, she felt at ease. She said it was the same concept with dogs except that while the dentist could fake it, I could not. The dog could sense what I was feeling so I had to get control of my emotions when dealing its her.
I am happy to say that Elly has transformed. She is still "spirited" but she has a sense of calm now. She seems happier now that she knows her place in our family. She still has things to work on but it was almost like magic when all the pieces were put together. And now when she challenges me I can respond in a healthy way. She was definitely a tiny teacher.
As you go through your days, look for your teachers. They come in many shapes and sizes. Often they arise as challenges and many times there is a theme that runs along with them. Take some time to get underneath the surface and see what you can clear out and heal. It's a magical process.


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Indian Embassy in Norway is an office of communication between Indian Government and Norway. It operates as the official representative of the India in Norway.
You can directly contact and apply for the Indian Visa at the Indian Embassy in Norway through:
Address: Niels Juels Gate 30, 0244 Oslo, (Norway)
Tel: +47-24115910 / 2411-5914 / 2411-5916
Fax: +47-24115912 / 24115929
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Please visit our visa processing to know how to apply for Indian eVisa step by step safer and faster.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you!
For any assistance, please call 24h professional support center below or send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com


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08:02WILLPOWER-Сила Воли
"Is there a way to strengthen someone's willpower?"
That was the question on researchers' minds as they learned more about how the science behind this human virtue. Through many tests, they had discovered thatwillpower is like a muscle - it gets tired from overuse and requires food to replenish.
So, if it does act like a muscle, can it also be strengthened?
After several studies, we have our answer! With the right practice, willpower can be strengthened just like any other muscle in the body....
Meditation will give you the fastest results of all of the willpower workouts listed. Bymeditating you are training the brain to focus and resist the urge to wander. Research shows that after just 2-3 days of practicing meditation for 10 minutes, your brain will be able to focus better, you will have more energy, and you will be less stressed. [1]
To get started with 10 minutes of meditation, check out this article. It will provide you with all of the benefits of mediation as well as simple exercise designed specifically for beginners.
2. WORK ON YOUR POSTURE(осанка)
When testing if willpower could be strengthened, researchers asked a group of participants to work on their posture for a 2-week period. Every time they caught themselves slouching, they were to correct themselves by sitting up straight. This simple practice vastly improved their perseverance on various willpower tests like this one. [2]
To get started, simply correct your posture every time you catch yourself slouching at work or at home. It sounds extremely simple, but it takes willpower to sit up straight. Every time you do, you're essentially doing "one rep" with your willpower muscle.
The same study also found that those who kept a food diary improved their willpower. Most of us don't log all of the food we eat, so it takes willpower to keep track of it all. Any similar logging of information will also work, but I recommend a food diary because of all of its benefits listed here. [2]
To get started, I recommend downloading the MyFitnessPal App. It's a simple food diary app that has a huge database of foods and nutrition information. Just keep the diary for 2 weeks, and it will increase your ability to resist temptations!
Using the same methodology as with posture, researchers conducted further studies that tested other corrective actions. One that worked particularly well was to use your opposite hand. Your brain is wired to use your dominant hand, so it takes willpower to use the opposite. [3]
To get started, select a chunk of the day to use your opposite hand. It doesn't need to be any more than an hour in order to get results. And from personal experience, if you aim for more than an hour, you will unnecessarily tire out your willpower muscle.
Another test that the researchers conducted was to change subjects' natural speech. This includes resisting the urge to use swear words, or to say "hello" instead of "hey". Again, it takes willpower to consciously go against your instincts. It doesn't matter how you correct your speech, as long as you change your natural speech habits. [3]
To get started, select a chunk of the day to practice and choose the words you will change. Personally, I tried not using contractions (using "do not" instead of "don't", etc.) during work hours and it worked very well. Like all exercises listed above, doing this for just 2 weeks can vastly improve your willpower!
6. CREATE AND MEET SELF-IMPOSED DEADLINES(предельный срок)
Anyone who remembers their college days, remembers what it was like cramming for a test or doing a last minute paper. Your willpower gets taxed as you try to tune out distractions and become hyper-productive. Using this same principle, researchers found that by creating self-imposed deadlines you can work your willpower in the same way.
To get started, simply pick a task on your to-do list that you may have been putting off. Set a deadline for accomplishing it, and make sure you adhere to it. The participants who followed this process for 2 weeks not only got their old to-dos done, but also improved their diets, exercised more, and cut back on cigarettes and alcohol. [3]
7. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR SPENDING(расходы)
In the same way most of us don't track the food that we eat, many of us don't track our spending either. Even if you don't cut back on spending – which would also be a willpower workout – researchers found that simply keeping track of where your money went will improve your willpower. [4]
To get stated, try using a budgeting app like Mint. Mint can connect to your bank account, credit cards, etc. and automatically track your purchases. By simply reviewing this on a regular basis, you will see increases in your focus and ability to resist unrelated temptations like sweets.
For the truly determined who want to increase their perseverance, you can squeeze ahandgrip until exhaustion. If you've ever squeezed one before, you know that it gives you a deep forearm burn. So it takes willpower to keep squeezing. [5]
To get started, simply get a handgrip like this one, and squeeze it with each hand until you're exhausted. Willing yourself to continue squeezing even when it hurts will increase your perseverance on other challenging tasks.
Again, for the truly determined out there, you can increase your ability to say "no" by carrying around something tempting with you all day. Researchers tried this with participants by teaching them how to resist cravings, then giving them a Hershey's Kiss to carry around with them. Those who resisted the Kiss were much more capable of resisting other temptations in their lives as well! [6]
To get started, first learn how to resist a craving. This will be hard, so your will want to know how to deal with the craving. Then carry something small but tempting with you.It doesn't need to be for an entire day, but for long enough that you will be truly tempted. By consistently saying "no", you will increase your ability to resist other temptations and ignore distractions!
A final exercise is to simply be more mindful of your decisions throughout the day. We are often so lost in thought, that our actions become automatic. Taking time to think about why you are making your daily decisions will increase your ability to focus and resist temptations. [3]
To get started, try to catch yourself in an automatic behavior and ask yourself why you are doing it. This may be questioning why you are eating cereal instead of eggs for breakfast, or it may be questioning why exactly you put 2 sugars in your coffee. Any way you can think consciously about a typical automatic behavior will increase your focus and self-control.
Like all muscles in the body, willpower can be strengthened with the right practice. Above you will find 10 practical and effective ways to strengthen your self-control, focus and perseverance. Do not try to do all 10 at once.
Think about training your willpower muscle like training for a marathon. Your first training run wouldn't be the full 26 miles or even close to that. You would start small and gradually build up as your muscles got stronger. So choose just 1 of these workouts to add to your daily routine....


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ISLAMABAD, Aug 1: As the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is eyeing a place near Faizabad flyover for launching it bus service, Rawalpindi Transport Authority (RTA) fears it may become a spot of conflict with the union of wagon drivers.
The CDA plans to ply a 30-vehicle bus service with its main hub near the Faizabad flyover.
Requesting anonymity, an official in the RTA asked: "Why are they establishing the bus stop at Faizabad…why not Rawat or any other location."
He feared that the bus service`s main point in Faizabad would badly hit the business of local private buses and wagons, bringing commuters from Rawalpindi to Islamabad daily.
A representative of wagons` union, who runs a wagon from Saddar in Rawalpindi to Secretariat in the capital – the prized route no 1 –also opposed the CDA`s plan.
"We will not accept any bus service until routes are decided." He threatened that the union would call for strike if the Capital Development Authority did not share details of routes with them.
More than 300 wagons run on the route no 1 daily in the twin cities.
"Our business will be hit hard by the new service," he said. "It is already on the downslide because of fuel prices."
However Ramzan Sajid, spokesman for CDA, downplayed chances of any controversy over the bus service.
"We will be establishing the bus stop only after taking stakeholders on board. Everyone will be consulted," Mr Sajid said.
"We have decided to run buses from Faizabad. It will be the main point of our service, which we are launching on the direction of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani."
He said the new bus service would run on the routes of Faizabad, Faisal Avenue and F-11 to the secretariat. "Modalities over the fare are yet to be decided by the board."
In July the prime minister directed the authority to launch the bus service within six months. "We will meet the target," claimed the spokesman.
Meanwhile, an official in the local administration told Dawn that the CDA has not approached its relevant department for getting a No Objection Certificate for getting clearance to run buses within Islamabad.
"The CDA is yet to write to us for permission for running its bus service within the capital city." The ICT official said the CDA has to take officials of the Rawalpindi Transport Authority, Islamabad Transport Authority and even local bus and wagon service operators onboard before launching the bus service. "If they ignore any of them the bus service may run into trouble," warned the official.
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102 Çevre 7 Graders and Their Teachers in Çanakkale for 102nd Anniversary
Çevre College's 7th grade teachers and students, under the leadership of Vice Principal Özgür Yakın Ülger, took a trip to Çanakkale from April 1th to the 2th. Our students felt a sense of pride and longing for the heroes of the Çanakkale victory as well hope of world peace during the 102th year anniversary. Our students, who had a guide to inform them about ground and sea warfare, had the opportunity to visit the Ancient City of Troy. We are so proud to have gone on an enjoyable and informative trip.


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MI6 kept evidence related to dead spy
May 2, 2012
Britain's MI6 intelligence agency failed to hand over to police the belongings of a spy found dead inside a bag in his home, including computer memory sticks, an inquest has heard.
Gareth Williams, 31, whose naked corpse was discovered padlocked inside a sports bag, was on secondment to MI6 at the time of his death in 2010.
Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Sebire told an inquest in London that MI6 agents searched Mr Williams's electronic media without informing police, the BBC reported.
Police only learned of the memory sticks on Monday, it said.
"Had I known of their existence, I would have expected them to be at least reviewed or audited by (the counter-terrorism unit) and if information was available, then sent to my team," Chief Inspector Sebire was quoted by the Guardian newspaper as saying.
She testified last week that she believed someone else was involved in Mr Williams getting inside the bag. A small amount of unknown DNA not belonging to Mr Williams was found on the bag.
Mr Williams, a mathematics prodigy, was trying to develop technologies that could be used in gathering information for MI6, Britain's foreign intelligence service.
One police officer, Detective Superintendent Michael Broster of the counter-terrorism branch SO-15, was quoted by the BBC as saying his team should have examined the memory sticks before giving them to MI6 but that he had taken what evidence he believed was relevant to the case.
Police also did not take an inventory of the contents of Mr Williams's office cabinet because of the "sensitive nature of the documents", fellow counter-terrorism officer Colin Hall was reported by the Guardian as saying.
Pathologists believe the likeliest cause of death was either poisoning or suffocation but say they cannot be sure which.
The strange death has puzzled investigators who have found little forensic evidence that would point to a culprit.
Last week the inquest was told that if proper procedures had been followed by Mr Williams's supervisors at MI6, his absence would have been reported and acted upon within hours.
Instead, they waited days to report him missing and Mr Williams's body was found a week after he had first failed to show up to work.
ABC (Australia) : MI6 kept evidence related to dead spy
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Filed under Colin Hall, DNA, Jackie Sebire, memory sticks, Michael Broster, poisoning, suffocation by Winter Patriot on Wednesday, May 02, 2012 | link | email | TSWKTM home | SHATASM home | WP home


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Seems like were just getting ready for the Christmas holidays a few weeks ago, now we're gearing up for spring. The new season offers some great trends that can help give your wardrobe a spring kick. Here are the top 5:
- Radiant Orchid – Color of the year
- Pastels
- Cropped Jackets/tops
- Tea-length skirts
- Button-up blouses
To see our segment about spring trends on Fox 26, click here.