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I just spent the last FIVE hours voluntarily cleaning, and while I am very tired now, I feel so much better. I find cleaning to be so therapeutic. And now I have just noticed my picture is oh so very crooked. Must. Go. Fix. NOW.
Monthly Archives: June 2008
Happy Little Working Song
A Girl with Moonlight in Her Eyes
Today I asked a friend from college for some advice, and as we conversed, I realized just how important friends are. To be totally honest, I only have about three true friends; two of which do not even go to my school.
And I am trying to teach myself that you do not really need to have a whole group of friends to make it in life. You just need a couple of truly great friends and life will turn out just peachy.
I am also figuring out that when you constantly depend on people to be there for you or to just be a true friend, you are 99.9% of the time setting yourself up for disappointment. Well, for me anyway.
I am throwing around the possibility of taking a great risk regarding my future and it is going to be a journey of soul searching, decision making, and a heck of a lot of prayer. And then more decision making… which I don't really like doing. But such is life.
I will try to keep updating but my life is rather hectic right now, so bear with me through the transition.
So I've been perusing blogs of friends, mutual friends, and strangers for a little bit… and I have to say, a lot of people are so impressive that I am unimpressed. Let me explain… they are trying to impress. I think they have the idea that they must have something deeply profound and intellectual to say in order to write. Nothing but lofty ideas and references to the coffee addiction that fuels them, like that makes it credible somehow. But I am neither fooled nor interested. Maybe you do sometimes muse over the state of Evangelicals today, maybe you have done some reading on the cosmos, perhaps life and all its purposes has entertained you… but that is not your life. That is not you. There is no way that all you do is sit around and ponder and define yourself by your ability to understand and explain theological concepts and proposals. Sure, we all have those leanings, it will come up, and such commentary is important… but what do you do, love, think, feel in the meantime? Who did you talk to, what did you read, when did you laugh last? He is in all of that too, you know. Perhaps more so than in fluffy pretentious conversation. Give yourself a break. Give us a break. And just live.
I found the above quote while reading a friends blog, and the minute I was finished reading it, I knew I had to copy and paste it here on Improbablefiction. This is something I have been thinking for the past few weeks, and I did not really know how to put it into writing. So rather than try and fail miserably, I thought I would shed some lights on her insight. I too read various blogs and sometimes they make me feel as though I too should be blogging about nothing but what God is doing in my life or how I am going to find Him etc. But when I read the above paragraph, I realized that hey, it is ok to write about random things that don't mention God. Because I am living.
This semester I had a similar problem as well. I was in a few classes with some really theological people, and while I have nothing against them, there seriously is a time and a place. I know that by going to a Christian University I am going to meet my share of pastors and ministry majors, but I really do not like to feel like I am walking on egg shells every single second I talk to them. One in particular thing that gets me is when I am in Literature class, ready to discuss the latest book, and the same people keep bringing the topic back to the Bible or to devotional books. Seriously? We are reading a book about this woman committing murder because she is going insane, and you are going to tie in the tree in the forest to something in the Bible? It just does not make sense.
I guess I am ranting because I have been so quiet all along. I tried to have talks about things with some of my friends, but they always turn in to political debates and half of the people do not even know their facts. Then it goes back to the same thing- religion, and while I think it is good to discuss, these friends get vicious and pretty soon I am unable to decided if we are sitting in a secular school or a Christian University.
I guess to get back to the original point of this post, just please take the time to let the advice in the first paragraph really sink in. Yes I think blogging is for whatever you want, but please stop trying to impress. Be yourself. People will like you just the same.
Citaaay of Lights
About a year ago I was in France having the time of my life. A couple of my friends who went with me were all talking and we began to swap memories. And I just can not get this one memory out of my head, so I thought I would type it up so I could never really forget it.
One night in Paris I was sitting in the hostel (yes, a hostel. it was quite rough.) and I was trying to get rid of my huuuuge blister on my foot. Stay with me, this story gets better. So I go into the room where the female chaperone is staying. She is a mother of three so I know she can help me with my problem. So we (me, chaperone and chaperone's daughter) get rid of the blister (THANK GOD!!) and we looked out the window… and there was this guy standing there, looking out of his window in nothing but a towel. So we are all "ooooh" because he is a hottie and, I mean, hellooo he is in a towel. So he spots us and we all blush, of course, and slowly step away from the window. Well a little while later after we finish our girl chat the daughter and I get up to leave and we notice the guy is just sitting in a chair by the window with just his towel on. It was the weirdest thing. Hot, but weird.
So then I go to my room where my other 4 roommates are and we are just hanging out with the windows open bc we are hot and it is cool outside, and this woman across from us starts making herself dinner, and boy does it smell goooood. So we just sat there, on the edge of the window watching the stars, listening to the French music, and smelling the wonderful food we were not going to be fortunate enough to eat. It felt like something out of a movie, and as cheesy as this is going to sound, it was really magical.
I miss you Paris.
Oceans 12; number 65
Today I arranged all of my DVDs that I own alphabetically. Then I made a spreadsheet on my computer and organized everything and counted all of my DVDs. How many do I have? A mere 117. Yes to many that may seem like a lot, but I have a passion for movies. And I only plan on feeding my addiction passion in the future. No I did not pay full price for all of 117- that would just be silly. I know how to shop. It is rather fun, looking through the bins finding the best deals.
On a different note, I have something to confess. Internet, I have been a bad blogger… but fear not! I have returned to the daily photos and will try and post DAILY, like the title suggests. Because you should not be lied to and whatnot.
I also have decided I want a puppy. When I graduate from college, of course. I am thinking a black pekingese and I have a few names in mind, but I have not decided. I mean, who could not want one of these adorable little puppies:
Seriously! Just try and ignore the overpowering cuteness radiating from her.
Impossible isn't it?
CDs and Silly Faces. That is all you really need in life.
First off, I would like to send a huuuge congratulations to my friend Brittany Painter and her band, The Bridges for the release of their first cd, Limits of the Sky!!! I went to school with Brittany, and right before her Senior year she left to go to Alabama and start a band with her cousins (pictured below). Now they are on tour with Rooney (one of my favorite bands) and their career is really starting to take off. And their music kicks butt.
Later today I went for a job interview, and when I got there I was supposed to go to customer service and let them know I was ready. So I get there and I am waiting for my turn, and this mother and daughter are in front of me returning clothes. And the little girl looks at her mom and ever so kindly informs her that after they are "done with this stuff" they can "go buy a toy because they have to." She feels rather passionately about this, because she repeats it over and over and over and over and over. Then she spots me. And she smiles, so I smile back. Then she spots the blue streak in my hair. So our conversation goes like this:
little girl: "hahahaaha mommy mommy"
mother of little girl: "what? be quiet. turn around."
little girl: "no!! Im looking at her bluuuuuuuue haaaaaaaaaaair hahahahahahahah"
mother: (horrified look as she turns around to see who her daughter is making fun of)
me: (laughter)
little girl: makes a silly face at me
me: make a silly face at little girl
little girl: "you are so funny"
me: make another silly face at little girl
little girl: (while making a silly face) your so funny. Am I funny? (continues making all sorts of silly faces)
me: "you are funny!"
little girl: (as if the world has come to a drastic end, she exclaims in a high pitched squeal) "I DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD TALK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
That was a much needed moment of happiness in my life. Whoever that little girl was, I thank her for making me smile and laugh.
Going to the chapel….
I just had a conversation with my best friend, M, whom I haven't spoken to in about a month (because we both have been so terribly busy). Well she has this boyfriend and I asked about him and them, because that is what best friends talk about, and she said "he is the one." Notice how there is no "i think"… no; no thinking because she KNOWS he is the one. And she told me all about him, and it sounds like a match made in Heaven. So we were talking about how I am going to help her plan every detail, and that I am going to be in the wedding party. We started talking about who else would be in the party, and some old high school friends came up, one of them being a girl she has know from the first grade. So I asked if she was going to make her sister the maid of honor, and she said no, her (half) sister was too old (plus they don't really get along) and she said "i was hoping it would be you!"
Internet world, I am totally shocked. I thought for sure she would ask first grade friend, but she said they were more childhood friends, and that I know more about her (M) than first grade friend does. I am totally happy; if it was possible for a heart to sing mine would be belting out the tunes right now. She did mention that he is going to give her the ring within the year and they have decided to get married after they finish school, which I think is a wonderful idea. Of course that means we will start planning tonight. We talked about colors and wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses and of course we decided on the one she has been hoping to use for the past two- three years. And it is hotttt.
Between my cousin's wedding and now the news of M's pre-engagement, I can't help but feel sad. I know there is some perfect guy out there, hopefully in England, but I wish I could just get a sign or something to let me know I wont wind up an 85 year old woman with 22 cats and one dog.
Filed under Uncategorized
These are some pictures I came across while on my computer. I made a few adjustments with my cool new photo editing program and put together a slide. This is from 2007 when I studied abroad in France. If you scroll over the picture a super cool caption will come up. Enjoy!


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JENNINGS, La. – Leonards attended the ABA Community Bankers Council meeting in Washington, D.C. October 2-4, where bankers discussed the current challenges and opportunities facing community banks across the country, including recent regulations, pending legislation, cybersecurity, and innovation.
"Community banks are such a vital part of our financial industry's infrastructure, this appointment gives me the opportunity to represent Louisiana and to advocate for the continued success of America's hometown banks," said Leonards.
Leonards is a Certified Public Accountant and graduate of McNeese State University. She started with JD Bank in 1998 as a Loan Officer. Leonards was recently promoted to Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer after having served as Executive Vice President-Chief Operating Officer since 2012.
The ABA Community Bankers Council is made up of approximately 100 bankers from institutions across the nation, with two representatives serving from each state. Members are appointed by the ABA chairman.
About JD Bank
Founded in 1947 and celebrating 70 years as Louisiana's Community Bank, JD Bank offers personal and business banking services across Southwest Louisiana and Acadiana, and the latest in online and mobile banking. For more information, visit www.jdbank.wpengine.com or call (800) 789-5159. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

subset: commoncrawl


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Where Manufacturing Technology and Talent Matter
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Our educated and skilled workforce development program meets the talent supply chain demands of manufacturers and leads to real jobs for real people. Our principled approach drives our structured plan to meet educational gaps for all stages of education, from the earliest years through populations in transition, such as military personnel.OUR EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN


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…is exactly who I have been putting focus on these past two weeks. So, put down the Vaseline and car keys. I'm not in my feelings and no one is doing me wrong. I just happen to have been putting emphasis on people, places, and things that make me happy. When time permits, of course. Nursing school can be nerve- racking. The emotions you feel on a weekly basis can range from euphoria (when you finally realize you ARE learning something) to dejection (when you see the score of the exam you thought you were killing). It's a crazy life to live, and that's before you add any other responsibilities on top of it. So in order to help balance out the madness, I've decided to have some semblance of a life instead of being cooped up in the house all day.
I haven't blown off the books completely, I actually completed most of my assignments ahead of time at the beginning of the term. Aside from studying for exams and and a few clinical assignments I have a tiny bit of time to spare this semester. I've been spending time with family, enjoying lunch and the occasional bonfire with friends. School and work are priorities. However, I'm finding that getting out into the elements and having a bit of social interaction is a bit healthy and therapeutic for me. I don't feel as much weight on my shoulders. Whether I'm sitting outside in the backyard with a cup of coffee by myself or sharing a meal with a friend, I'm not worried about school, work, money or anything else that may produce stress and anxiety. I'm just in that moment.
Aside from spending time with old friends, I've decided to go out and meet some new people. Last weekend, I found myself on the site, Meetup (again). I was looking up information for a group I was already a member of and ended up joining two new groups geared toward women of color. On a whim, I decided to attend to attend a meeting this past Monday for one of the groups and it was a pleasant experience to the least. The ladies in this group were open and inviting. We discussed a range of topics from our goals and holding ourselves accountable to things from our childhoods that still linger under the surface and still affect us today. It was deep, insightful and real. I look forward to returning to that one. The other Meetup group called Black Girls Camp, has a meetup next month that I signed up for. I'm real excited about that one and can't wait to share that experience with you all.
I've been taken it pretty easy. I'm making time for more things that interest me in order to achieve that balance. We should all allow ourselves to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Now with that being said, I'm off to pretend I'm at the spa and give myself a peppermint oil scalp massage. My tresses deserve just as much TLC as I do. Make sure you're taking care of yourself too. Until next time…
5 comments on "Me, Myself and I"
So true. As a new mum I've put myself in the back burner but this is great inspiration.
I agree with you…..Doing this feels good, Erin. We gotta create time for ourselves too xx
I love the Meetup site! It was one of the first places I used when I moved to England, and wanted to socialise outside of university.
Glad to hear that you're reaching a place of peace & balance! Sometimes life can be a whirlwind and we need to step back. I'm trying to make that a regular thing now.
Self Care 101!!!


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EMPAC Fellows have presented at the European Society of Criminology's prestigious Annual Conference. Previous conferences have been held at locations across Europe from Porto to Prague. The 2017 conference, held in Cardiff, is the first time the event has been held within an area policed by one of the 43 English and Welsh territorial police forces. Held from the 13th to 16th of September 2017, the conference drew in attendees from across the world keen to hear the latest in crime research.
The fellows spoke shortly after a plenary on 'Challenges Facing Policing and Criminal Justice in Contemporary Europe', delivered by Rob Wainwright the director of Europol, Matt Jukes the Deputy Chief Constable of South Wales Police and Jorg Monar from the College of Europe.
The event also attracted speakers and delegates the Home Office, the National Crime Agency and research institutes across the world. Three of the EMPAC Fellows, Alex Paradise of Derbyshire Constabulary, Liz Perry and Mo Behl of Leicestershire Police made up the majority of the small number of presenters from UK territorial police forces at the conference.
Presenting to an international audience, the fellows spoke about the research they are conducting through the EMPAC fellowship. The diverse topics ranged from the psychology of the Special Constabulary, the protection of domestic violence victims and preventing drug-related harm in the night-time economy.
The three were introduced by Dr Becky Thompson of Nottingham Trent University before delivering talks on their proposed research topics.
Alex Paradise, Police Staff, Derbyshire Constabulary said,
"It was a real privilege to be invited to speak at a European Conference. Over the four days I had a chance to meet researchers, trainers and police officers from across Europe and beyond. It was great to be able to speak about the research I will be conducting and field questions from researchers who are experts in the field.
I also learnt quite a lot at the conference on a range of topics, from cyber offending to domestic violence and drug trafficking. The highlight for me was listening to a panel on Criminal Networks and Cybercrime. This included talks by Johnathan Lusthaus, the Director of the Human Cybercriminal Project at the University of Oxford and Edwin Kruisbergen from the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice. Having a researcher and someone directly involved in cyber investigations gave the panel different perspectives on the topic. It was interesting to learn about some of the identified bottlenecks of cyber offending which create opportunities for the police".
Liz Perry, Police Sgt, Leicestershire Police commented,
"It was fantastic to have an opportunity to talk about the policing research being conducted through EMPAC and to introduce my study. I enjoyed helping present the positive impact that the organisation is having by developing researchers. I enjoyed going into an unfamiliar environment and the experience has really helped develop ideas I have about how research could be implemented into my role in the future".
Mo Behl, PC, Leicestershire Police added,
"Attending Cardiff for this conference was a really interesting experience. I can't imagine if I would have ever done something like this if I had not been part of EMPAC. I had a chance to listen to some cutting-edge research into domestic violence and other topics, which I think will give me a greater understanding of offending and victims. I hope to take this experience and use it to help me in my day job.
It was also interesting to hear the other researcher practitioners speak. Whilst there are similarities and differences between how each of us view the future of evidence-based policy in policing, it has been great to spend time with likeminded people who have a positive view of the future of policing".
The 18th Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology will take place in Sarajevo.


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Our pal Datamancer has finally finished and posted details on his steampunk laptop. And it was worth the wait. Seriously cool. He also has a tutorial on making the brass faceplate he used on the mod and a page showing his gorgeous custom-made steampunk keyboards. I like how he has a customer testimonial on the keyboards from sci-fi/fantasy author William King (who writes game fiction for Games Workshop).
Datamancer's Steampunk Laptop –Link
Custom Keyboards – Link
Brass faceplate mini-tutorial – Link


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Kiehl's Since 1851
At Kiehl's, our products are made utilizing the finest ingredients known to us in our unique formulations to assure the high quality skin, hair and body care that our customers have come to expect from us for more than 150 years. Founded as an old-world apothecary in New York's East Village, Kiehl's unique, extensive background represents a blend of cosmetic, pharmaceutical, herbal, and medicinal knowledge developed and passed on through the generations.
Retail 2, Crate and Barrel Wing


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October 10, 2018 at the KFC YUM! Center
Legendary, GRAMMY-award winning band Fleetwood Mac announced a North American tour, set to kick off in October and travel through 50+ cities ending in Spring of 2019.
Produced by Live Nation, the tour will feature the newly announced line-up of Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, and Christine McVie along with newcomers Mike Campbell and Neil Finn.
Tickets for the tour will go on-sale to the general public starting on Friday, May 11 at 10am local time. For further information, please visit www.fleetwoodmac.com.
American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets in Louisville before the general public beginning Monday, May 7 at 10am through Thursday, May 10 at 10pm. A limited number of LaneOne VIP Packages will also be available, including amazing seats with premium benefits such as transportation, preferred entrance and more.


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WOBURN, England (REUTERS) - Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn boosted her hopes of landing a fourth victory of the season by surging into a two-stroke lead after the Ricoh Women's British Open third round on Saturday (July 30).
Jutanugarn, who reeled off three LPGA Tour wins in a row earlier in the year, fired six birdies in a faultless 66 to finish on 16-under-par 200 in the fourth and penultimate major of the season at Woburn.
South Korean Lee Mi-rim (69), who led after the opening two days, was in second place on 202, three ahead of American Mo Martin (69).
Catriona Matthew was flying the flag for Britain on 206 after carding a 71.
World number one Lydia Ko finished down the field on three-under 213.
The South Korean-born New Zealander looked as if she might launch a charge when she posted six birdies in nine holes from the eighth but a double-bogey at the last stopped her in her tracks.
Britain's Charley Hull, a member at Woburn, watched her title hopes go up in smoke after ballooning to a triple-bogey seven on the first hole.
The 20-year-old ended up returning a 75 for 214.


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Balmain Autumn/Winter 2011 Looks
Balmain continues to be one of the strongest men's collections on the market. Fashonisto gives us their take: "Balmain creative director Christophe Decarnin manages to pull together an effortless array of garments that make dressing easy and stylish. From scarves and button-downs to plain tees or denim, the Balmain man tones it down for the fall season, but comes out on top with rich outerwear, ranging from the peacoat to the duffel." This is casual at its best. Solid collection.
More looks after the click.


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Love is a freak; worse still to love and be loved by a freak. Yes, love is an emotion of immense joy yet great sorrow.
True love is not real, unless you pretend. It sweeps people off their feet with the proverbial broom. Oblivious to them is that true love is a bubblegum myth that has sold millions of big screen movies, novels and songs; and exists only on the mind of the poor deluded soul.
It is still a mystery how we claim to love yet we actually hate with equal measure. Is it love to turn on those whom we love, assault and abuse them?
It is not wise to permanently chain two hostile souls together yet this seems to be the mission of the clergy. They send many happy-clappy dudettes and bachelorettes, who value the wedding day more than the marriage itself, into the arms of till-death-do-us-part (of course after signing the pre-nup) husband – who batters them daily – with the biblical admonition to stay together no matter what because God frowns on divorce.
The much anticipated honeymoon is spoilt by the blues that set in pronto the grand reception at Love Gardens is over. When he coughs she trembles and nods yes to everything he says because she has 'to be within the bounds of duty.'
A year into the marriage and the battering (to instil discipline) is unbearable. What starts as a simple altercation mushrooms to a real fight blowing out of hand. The rabble rouser hubby picks up fight with her in front of everybody, thanks to spectating relatives and neighbours; controls her every move and yes, has her life in his hands.
Several years and tragic stories abound – from spouses killing each other in the middle of the night to marital-related-suicides. Well, intimate partner violence has made headlines world over.
When she wants out he appears at the divorce court with lawyers full of law-school-jargon in tow, cry crocodile quarts saying it was his fault she was leaving. For the sake of the kids – and hopefully saving the already dead marriage – the judge cuffs them together, a lifetime of violence from true love. She would look as if she were a character from the film The Exorcist like Lissette Ochoa.
Such violence from partners is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women. You need to look at the once beautiful belle who shone the world with her beauty – she is a bag of fractures, contused and lacerated body full of obstetric complications and other chronic syndromes.
Funny, isn't it, after all the violence she still thinks that her abusive husband is her one and only true love; he is a shrewmouse worth sticking with because she has no place else to go. She expresses optimism about a change in futility. Yeah, hubby might be trouble, violent and abusive; but he is loving and caring like she cannot believe. Above all, he is crazy about her (pun intended).
Why on earth go to Beijing, declare how they (women) are abused on a platform of acts and shame with more than 112 people in attendance yet stay in where they are abused? When pollster Infotrak reveals that 39% (and on an upward spiral) of women in any population are physically or sexually assaulted by their husbands or partners during their lifetime it is a concern. Where has love gone?
Love is the mutual gratification of body and mind. Many a time it is the mortification of body, mind and soul thence comes the need to walk out on true love because that is not all what a woman needs.
One of the best indicators of true love's will to implement their commitments and achieve shared goals is the way in which they treat each other, respect, protect and promote the security of their enduring love in a loving, friendly environment – and live happily without violence.
Copyright ©Elove Poetry, 2012.


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A complaint before the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission – filed in March 2011 by a Social Work Masters student at McGill – has reached the last stages of an investigative process. Pending a decision, the case raises questions regarding policy voids on the free expression of sexual orientation in social work practice and education. On April 8, the Commission produced a draft of the factual report of the investigation.
Kofi Norsah, the complainant, alleges to have been the victim of discrimination based on his race and sexual orientation during his internship at the Saint Columba House (SCH), a community ministry of the United Church of Canada located in the Pointe St. Charles neighbourhood of Montreal. He also alleged that the termination of his internship in February 2011, two months short of completion, was discriminatory.
According to the report drafted by the Commission, Norsah is requesting that SCH issue an apology, and is seeking a compensation of $15,000 for moral damages. Norsah did not settle in mediation, and is instead pursuing the Commission's formal position on his case, wishing to thereby allow for the setting of a precedent regarding the free disclosure and affirmation of sexual orientation in social work practice and education.
Norsah told The Daily in an interview that he wants to "push McGill to draft a policy specific to the School of Social Work in order to prevent discrimination and harassment during field placement and internships of its students."
During his eight-month internship period with SCH, which he was required to complete before enrolling in the Master of Social Work program at McGill, Norsah had discussions with the SCH executive director Patricia Lisson regarding an intervention with a black woman who was using the services of the community ministry. According to Norsah, it was during these discussions that he was discriminated against based on his sexual orientation.
According to information obtained by The Daily, Lisson told Norsah not to disclose his sexual orientation to his female client, who was in an abusive relationship, saying, "Women in her position are afraid of gay guys."
In his original deposition to the Commission, submitted on March 2, 2011, Norsah claimed that the request not to express his sexual orientation to the client forced him to present a false image to a user of SCH services, and infringed on his right to express his sexual orientation, protected under section 10 of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. "Minister Patricia Lisson inhibited my rights to self-respect and dignity at SCH by denying me the right to openly affirm my identity," reads Norsah's deposition.
In his response to the draft of the report, emailed to the Commission on April 22, Norsah added, "[Lisson] ordered me to go into the closet because of her real or apprehended concern about the client's (presumed) homophobia."
The complaint was originally rejected on the grounds that "sexual orientation is part of your private life, and [SCH] as well as any regular employer is entitled to ask their staff not to share their private life with the clients," according to a letter to Norsah from the Commission.
Following an appeal, the Commission accepted the case on June 30, 2011, and referred it to the mediation service in the fall. During mediation, the parties were unable to reach a common ground, and referred the case to an investigator from the Commission. The investigation has been ongoing since March 5, 2012.
In the investigation's report, Lisson is quoted as saying that her position was based on SCH policy, under which "volunteers, staff and interns do not give out personal information of that nature." She attributed the termination of Norsah's internship to "the confrontational nature of the relationship between Kofi [Norsah], the work and me. The relationship failed because of the lack of trust that developed."
Despite the termination, Lisson did not withdraw her letter of recommendation for Kofi toward his acceptance to the Masters program. McGill Social Work found another organization for Norsah to finish his internship.
Lucia Kowaluk, a social worker hired by McGill to supervise Norsah during his internship and cited as the primary witness in the report, agreed with Lisson's recommendation that Norsah not disclose his sexual orientation. According to the report, Kowaluk "believes that Norsah did not have to reveal his sexual orientation to the mother in question."
Kowaluk told The Daily that she does not believe that Norsah's case constitutes discrimination.
"I think the issue is about someone who is in a position of help […] and the question whether or not to talk about yourself is a question of judgment. […] That person [the supervisor or the head of the organization] is in the position to make that decision […] a student is there to learn," Kowaluk said in an interview.
Wendy Thomson, Director of the McGill School of Social Work, refused to discuss Norsah's particular case. "Disclosure of one's sexual orientation to clients is a very distinct question from disclosure to colleagues and co-workers. Sometimes it is appropriate, and sometimes not. A great deal depends on what is in the best interest of the client in the circumstances," Thomson wrote in an email to The Daily.
Norsah disagreed with Thomson's view, which he perceived as a subjugation of his sexual orientation to the best interest of the client. "My civil right should not be suspended because I am a student or to please the client," he told The Daily in an interview.
Discrimination by proxy
Speaking with The Daily, activist Fo Niemi drew parallels between Norsah's case and the Commission's public inquiry of the taxi industry in Montreal in the 1980s, when taxi companies and dispatchers had instituted a practice whereby they would comply with clients' expressed wishes not to be served by a black driver. Niemi is the co-founder and executive director of the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR), a non-profit civil rights organization.
The inquiry concluded that different forms of discrimination were prevalent in the taxi industry, including "discrimination-by-proxy", that is based on the expressed or assumed desires of a third party. The Quebec Superior Court upheld the illegality of this type of discrimination when it convicted the taxi companies Taxi Moderne and Co-op de l'Est of racism against its drivers.
According to Niemi, Norsah's case raises a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed by the profession and all schools of social work in the province, that is, "Whether a gay or lesbian social worker enjoys the full freedom to disclose and affirm his or her sexual orientation in training or at work, without being subjected to professional, ethical or legal obligations, and without suffering from negative consequences of such a full and free affirmation."
A study published in 2010 in the Journal of Social Work Education highlights the particular importance for queer students to be able "to process issues around sexual orientation and self-disclosure with their field instructor without additional barriers and stigmatization." The study suggests that schools assess policies regarding discrimination, and, where these policies are non-existent, "engage with prospective field instructors and their colleagues in raising awareness and taking action to change the agency environment.
When asked about the policies of the McGill School of Social Work regarding sexual orientation, Thomson maintained that the Code of Ethics of the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) and McGill's policy on harassment and discrimination are sufficient to ensure that fieldwork placements agencies and supervisors "adhere to social work professional requirements and McGill's policies."
In an email to The Daily, CASW Executive Director Fred Phelps explained that the Association "does not have a formal position defined on this subject," but that the Code of Ethics is meant to support social workers and their workplaces in developing policies and practices.
Thomson also noted that the School's fieldwork manual establishes the procedure for dealing with problems arising in field placements. "If we were to come to the conclusion that an agency (or a member of its staff) has illegally discriminated against a student, we would stop placing students there, unless and until the situation has been corrected to our satisfaction."
When contacted by The Daily, SCH staff refused to comment. Lisson had not responded to requests for comment by press time.


text: Assistant Professor in Comparative History Department of History Full-time Starting date: As soon as possible (August 2015 or January 2016) Application deadline: February 22, 2015 Full Or Part Time: Full-Time The Department of History at Central European University (CEU) invites applications for an assistant professor position in Comparative History. Candidates must have the capacity to develop a convincing and innovative methodological program for research and teaching in Comparative History. While the topical focus is open, candidates must be able to connect to focus areas of the department. In keeping with the Department's strong emphasis on interdisciplinary and cross-cultural studies, we seek applicants whose research and teaching accommodate contemporary approaches in social, political, gender, intellectual or cultural history. Applicants must hold a PhD degree or provide documentation that they will receive a PhD by August 2015. About CEU and the History Department: Central European University (CEU) is a graduate research-intensive university specializing primarily in the social sciences and the humanities, as well as law, business and public policy. It is located in Budapest, and accredited in the United States and Hungary. CEU's mission is to promote academic excellence, state-of-the-art research, and civic engagement. CEU offers both Master's and doctoral programs, and enrolls more than 1500 students from nearly 100 countries. The teaching staff consists of more than 180 resident faculty members from over 40 countries, and a large number of prominent visiting scholars from around the world. The language of instruction is English. The normal teaching load at CEU is 12 taught credits (where one credit equals 50 minutes of classroom contact over a 12-week academic term) per academic year, plus MA and PhD thesis supervision. CEU's Department of History focuses on early modern and modern history, with a number of regional concentrations, including Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the Ottoman and Russian Empires and their successor states. With faculty specialized in a number of historical sub-disciplines, it offers as well comparative perspectives on Western Europe and the Middle East. As a complement to the master's degrees, specializations are available in Jewish Studies, Political Thought, Religious Studies, and Science Studies. The Department enrolls about 40 new Master's students and 6-7 doctoral students annually, with about 50 students in each program overall. Further information about the department is available at www.history.ceu.hu Compensation: The initial appointment as assistant professor is for four years and renewable; salary is negotiable and competitive. How to apply: Applications should include • a C.V., including language skills • a list of publications, • an essay-length sample publication, • a letter of application including a statement about the applicant's research and teaching plans, • a draft syllabus for a graduate course, • the names and addresses of three referees. Please submit your complete application package to email@example.com including job code in subject line: 2014/075. CEU is an equal opportunity employer. firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
September BirthdaysBy Ruth G. Mon, September 9, 2013
The month of September happens to be the birth month of many children's book authors and illustrators who have created wonderful books for preschoolers. Celebrate their lives and classic works by sharing them with your preschooler. You may discover an old (or a new) favorite!
Happy Birthday to:
Gail Gibbons, born September 1, 1944. Gibbons is an author of excellent nonfiction for children. Read Ladybugs and learn all about those polka-dotted bugs!
Jim Arnosky, born September 1, 1946. Autumn is here! Celebrate with Arnosky's beautiful Every Autumn Comes the Bear.
Ellen Stohl Walsh, born September 2, 1942. Mouse Shapes will get you and your child talking about shapes, colors, and using your imagination.
Aliki, born September 3, 1929. While you read All By Myself, talk about all the things your child can do on his or her own.
Tomie dePaola, born September 5, 1934. DePaola's Pancakes for Breakfast is a wordless picture book, great for practicing storytelling and narrative skills.
Eric Hill, born September 7, 1927. The classic Where's Spot? is endlessly fascinating to pre-readers with its lift-the-flap illustrations.
H.A. Rey, born September 17, 1898. Rey is the author of the Curious George books, which are classics of children's literature. Read the book that started it all - Curious George.
Bernard Waber, born September 27, 1924. Waber's Ira Sleeps Over captures a young child's worries about spending the night away from home, and the occasional difficulties of having an older sibling.
Stan Berenstain, born September 29, 1923. Many of us grew up with the Berenstain Bears. Stan and Jan Berenstain's Inside, Outside, Upside Down has simple, rhyming text, making it perfect for younger audiences.
Visit your local branch to find these books and more!
Lynn - South US Mon, August 31, 2015


text:
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Yup, more snow/sleet/rain up here in the Northeast. I spent a good while out shoveling - got my exercise today! You wanna know my shoveling secret? I use a kids shovel! So much more proportioned to my size. Came in, took a shower, did a pedicure, heated up a nice bowl of Beefaroni, and here I am!
How many of you remember the old Beefaroni jingle? "We're having Beefaroni, it's made with macaroni. Beefaroni's full of meat. Beefaroni's fun to eat. Beefaroni's really neat. Hooray for Beefaroni!"
I left a few of my snowman dec's up for another month of so ~
I had this photo in my "someday I'll put this on my blog" file. Mister brought home a bike stand from the dump back in September, which prompted him to pull his bike out of the barn. He then decided that he should ride his bike often for the exercise - but, I noticed that he only rode it around the development behind us after dark! ;)
And, speaking of Mister, another pic from the same file ~ this is his drinking glass shelf. He likes vintage glasses, too, but prefers ones that have some gold on them. So he keeps them separate and washes them himself!
Now, let's see what kind of interesting reds you have for us today!
32 comments:
- Linda @ A La Carte said...
Love your reds you left out for January! I have a red bike but haven't ridden it in awhile, maybe this spring.
- January 18, 2011 at 4:54 PM
- La said...
I like the red tin with the winter scenery.
- January 18, 2011 at 5:15 PM
- ★Carol★ said...
Mister sounds like a really great guy! I like his glass collection, but I love that he washes them himself!
Happy REDnesday!
- January 18, 2011 at 5:16 PM
- Unknown said...
I just was checking in and saw all of those wonderful syrup dispensers!!!!!! I bought them all!!!!!! THANK YOU! Your prices were so fair!!!!! I will be looking forward to them. I saw a display of them in the Farm Chicks Christmas book and have been looking eversince! WHOO HOOO!!!!!!! Sandy
- January 18, 2011 at 5:37 PM
- Cindy Adkins said...
Hi Sue,
Wow--your husband washes them himself--he's a keeper!!!! I love all your red! I am having a giveaway, so I hope you'll come over for a chance to win some major BLOG CANDY.
- January 18, 2011 at 5:46 PM
- Brenda Pruitt said...
The snow has melted here. I do indeed remember that little tv jingle. I like your shelf photo. And my bicycle out in the garage is covered in cobwebs.
- January 18, 2011 at 5:58 PM
- Diann @ The thrifty Groove said...
Mr. washes his own glasses? I think I am falling in love! LOL Have a great day!
- January 18, 2011 at 6:20 PM
- Sarah said...
Definitely remember that jingle. I'll be singing it in my head all night. LOL Actually I remember a lot of the jingles from years ago. Don't hear such much any more. Love seeing your shelf of snowmen and scenes. I'll keep mine out for the month of January till they give way to the red of Valentines.
Thanks for hosing. ~ sarah
- January 18, 2011 at 6:28 PM
- Sally Annie Magundy said...
Hi Sue!
Love your snowy vignette, so darling!
I sure remember Chef Boyardee and Beefaroni! Thanks for the sweet memories. I didn't realize the Chef was still working. ;)
On a similar wave length, off to make spaghetti pie.
Happy Rednesday,
- January 18, 2011 at 6:35 PM
- Heather{Our Life In a Click} said...
Thanks for hosting!! Love the snowmen and the drinking glass collection!
Stop over and enter my csnstores gift card giveaway if you can!!
- January 18, 2011 at 6:38 PM
- Sweet Bee Cottage said...
Oh no! I am a bad blogger! I accidentally added this link in twice! Shame! I will put on my Cone of Shame now. I really just wanted to comment about how much I enjoyed your snowman stuff and that we love Beefaroni at our house. Baby Bee takes it to school for lunch quite often. Isn't it a full serving of vegetables?!?
- January 18, 2011 at 8:24 PM
- Lynn said...
Lovin' the vignette on your shelf and even though it's not red-that green plate with the snow scene is really fun:@)
- January 18, 2011 at 8:54 PM
- NanE said...
I remember that Beefaroni jingle! I'm just putting my snowmen out now. I wait until I have all the Christmas stuff put away, then the snowmen come out till the end of Feb. or so.
- January 18, 2011 at 9:04 PM
- genie said...
I love you grand mixture of reds this week. Again, and as always, thanks so much for hosting our wonderful Rednesdays. They are such a joy for those of us who participate. All of your hard work is greatly appreciated.
- January 18, 2011 at 9:07 PM
- Carey said...
Hi Sue,
Love the shelf vignette, especially the snowy tin. My bike is laying flat in the barn with boxes all over it. Thanks for hosting this great blog party.
- January 18, 2011 at 10:16 PM
- Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...
Used to ride a bike to school when I was in High school, but can't now.
- January 18, 2011 at 10:40 PM
- Dena E's Blog said...
Woooohoooo Sue,, its RED Day and wouldn't ya know it, I'm late yet again ;0)
Happy to be here though and THANKS
Blessings and Love from God above~~~Hugs Dena
- January 19, 2011 at 12:53 AM
- LADY JANE said...
Hey sweetie...Long time no see! I am am soooooo longing to get back into my blog...so I was out looking for some true inspiration...and well this may be it! I always loved your red wednesday! Hugs...take care and I will see you again...soon! Oh and Jalina Rose gets sweeter everyday! She is the cherry on top of my world!
- January 19, 2011 at 6:24 AM
- Rebecca said...
I love those tins on that shelf!!! They are really neat-especially that round one!
- January 19, 2011 at 7:10 AM
I'm your newest follower. http://moogieland.blogspot.com/
- January 19, 2011 at 7:28 AM
- Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...
Hi Sue,
I love the glasses; I think my Grandma had some like the ones with the pheasants on them.
You made me laugh about the bike from the dump. My ex found a t.v. there once, and gave it to me after he took the new one to his house. That "Dump" TV lasted another 15 years, and I'm sure your bike will last even longer than that!
Happy Rednesday,
- January 19, 2011 at 9:48 AM
- Ann said...
How cute your hubby has his own stash of glasses and washes them himself! I love the shelf with red touches, the snow still fits dosen't it. We are getting 8" tonight!!!! More shoveling for us too tomorrow. Happy Red Wednesday.
- January 19, 2011 at 10:42 AM
- Doris C said...
Oh Sue. Happy New Year to you.i love the tin of beefanolie? looks like Spaghetti Bolanaise, all your red articles look really lovely you have there, you are realy into Antiques Sue.
- January 19, 2011 at 11:52 AM
- Cindy Adkins said...
Hi Sue,
I entered your name into my giveaway and thank you so much for putting it in your sidebar!!
- January 19, 2011 at 12:03 PM
- Lily said...
I love your picture with your snowmen!
- January 19, 2011 at 12:50 PM
- Holly- Cutie Pie Cottage said...
Oh my! I ate soooo much Beefaroni and Spaghetti Os when I was a kid! Now just the smell of it makes me want to... you know!
I've left my snowmen up too but I'm getting the urge to remove them. Now i'm just waiting on that urge to kick me into action!
I might link up next week! ♥
- January 19, 2011 at 1:43 PM
- Lola said...
Apologies, my thumbnail repeated itself!
Happy Rednesday!
XOXO Lola:)
- January 19, 2011 at 1:59 PM
- Sunny Simple Life said...
I love the little shelf. So sweet.
- January 20, 2011 at 11:20 AM
- Lesa said...
my hubby is particular about his coffee mugs-- but he sure doesn't wash them! Fun post!
- January 20, 2011 at 1:35 PM
- Shelley said...
Geez, I guess I forgot to leave a comment yesterday. It was a bit hectic posting, then rushing out the door. I can't get it in my head to post on Tuesday night. I see lots do these days.
Anyway, I just love your shelf and the peek at your clock. The tins are adorable. I like how you included Mister in the post. His appreciation for vintage and his glasses. I only wish it were bike riding weather. It might reach -20° here tonight....brrrrr!
- January 20, 2011 at 7:19 PM
- Nancy's Daily Dish said...
Lol! Love that you use a kids shovel. I think you've got something there!
- January 20, 2011 at 9:52 PM
- Stephanie said...
Oh someone else suffering withthis horrible snow! My secret...I umm wait for the Hubby to shovel:)
Love your red!
- January 20, 2011 at 10:05 PM


text:
mtDNA Haplogroup K Project
At 500 Members
September 3, 2007
The mtDNA Haplogroup K Project at FamilyTreeDNA reached another milestone on September 3, 2007, with 500 members 20 months after its founding. 491 of the members are shown on the mtDNA Results tab on the Project website. Nine members on the Results tab tested their mtDNA with companies other than FTDNA. As far as I know, we continue to be the second largest mtDNA haplogroup project after the H project.
205, or 41%, of our members came originally from the National Geographic Society's Genographic Project. At least 332 of the FTDNA members, or 66%, have uploaded their data to MitoSearch; others may have uploaded their results "by hand" and wouldn't be counted. 57 members have received coding-region results and official subclade designations from full-sequence tests. We are waiting for the results from 49 more of these FGS or Mega tests. So 106 or 21.6% of the FTDNA members have ordered FGS tests. Eight of these have been uploaded to the federal GenBank database so far, with other submissions in progress.
348 members, or 69.6%, have HVR1 plus HVR2, or high-resolution, results. (That doesn't count four of the non-FTDNA members who have incomplete HVR2 results.) We have 56 sets of high-resolution matches, including 210 members, or 60.3% of those with high-resolution results. That's up from 58.8% at 400 members. With the 138 un-matched high-res "singletons" added to the 56 haplotypes in matches, there are 194 different high-res haplotypes, for what I've been calling a "diversity percentage" of 55.7%. That percentage continues to go down as new members are more likely to find matches.
The haplotype with the largest number of matches is now a branch of the Ashkenazi K1a1b1a subclade, with 15 members. It has the six basic K mutations - 16224C, 16311C, 16519C, 73G, 263G and 315.1C - plus 497T, the defining mutation for K1a, plus the defining HVR mutation for K1a1b1a, 16234T, plus 114T.
The next largest haplotype, with 14 members, has the basic six mutations, plus 497T and 195C; the latter mutation defines a large group under K1a. Added to that are 16048A, 16291T and two pairs of position 524 insertions to form the modal haplotype of a subclade I've provisionally called K1a10. In fact, I have recently suggested this branch be called K1a10a, with a branch with the added 16051G mutation called K1a10a1, and a branch which substitutes 16047A for the 160291T called K1a10b. We have only recently received single FGS orders for the latter two branches, so it may be awhile until it is determined if there are perhaps coding-region mutations involved in their definitions. Note that, following the convention used in Dr. Doron Behar's K tree, the number of 524 insertions is not used in assigning the branch designations.
The third largest haplotype, with 13 members, has the basic six mutations plus 146C, 152C, 498- and 16320T - the modal K1c2. The fourth largest, with 12 members, has the basic six plus only 146C and 152C – the modal K2a.
The fifth largest with 11 members is K1a9, another Ashkenazi subclade; this adds 195C, 497T, 16093C and the key mutation 16524G. Note that this one is similar to its "sister" subclade K1a10 subclade found most commonly in those with Irish ancestry.
Remember that the subclades are usually officially determined by coding-region mutations outside the HVR regions. I only make predictions based on HVR results.
Just looking at the 57 members with full-sequence results, we now have 21 different subclades represented, including three I've defined provisionally. The two largest subclades are now K2a and K1a4a1 with eight members each. In the latter one, which may only be determined by coding-region mutations, each person has a different haplotype. In K2a three people exactly match the modal haplotype. K1a1b1a has dropped to a close third with six members. Since my last report we have picked up our first K1, K1a3a, K1a4 and K2b members. There are still no examples of most of the lower K1a subclades: K1a2, K1a5, K1a6, K1a7 or K1a8. Other than those, most of the K subclades are now represented by at least one full-sequence test.
I have posted a new chart which contains the basic data for just the 348 high-resolution members from the project website, again sorted first by predicted subclade, then by HVR2 and HVR1 mutations. The Haplo column contains either K or the subclades assigned by FTDNA from full-sequence tests. My subclade predictions are in the Subclade column. Some uncertain predictions are followed by a question mark. The subclades for the first three entries are not predicted. Subclade predictions deeper than the official subclade designations under the Haplo column may or may not appear as such in a future edition of the "official" K tree.
The HVR1
and HVR2 mutation lists highlighted in yellow are those with the 498- and
16320T mutations, almost always suggesting K1c1 or K1c2 subclades. Those in
bright green are generally those in Dr. Doron Behar's Ashkenazi subclades,
K1a1b1a, K1a9 and K2a2a. About 56 members, or 16.1% of the 348 high-resolution
entries, are in one of the Ashkenazi subclades. That percentage is exactly the
same as in the 400-member report. I have again used turquoise to mark the 524
series of HVR2 insertions. Of the 106, or 30.1%, with the 524's, six members
have six of those insertions each, while one has eight.
The News tab on the K Project website should be consulted for recent developments concerning K. Those tested as being in haplogroup K may join the project by clicking the blue Join button on their FTDNA personal page, then proceeding through four pages before clicking on yet another Join button.
© 2007 William R. Hurst
Administrator, mtDNA Haplogroup K Project


text:
You see commercials for finallyfast.com all over the tv. Is this service worth it? I downloaded and ran the free scan. They search for the following: Registry Errors, Missing Windows Shortcuts, Missing Shared Files, Missing Application Paths, Missing Fonts, Missing Help Files, Invalid File Extensions, and Device Driver Errors. After the scan, you can select to have them fixed. Of course, it costs $29.95. NO mention of virus removal, so it looks like they can't help you if you're infected with a virus.
More often than not, these issues can be taken care of with some nice, free tools that are available online.
If you have something pop up on your computer saying you're infected with a virus & something like "click here to remove threats".... DON'T! Unless it's an anti-virus program YOU installed, it's most likely a virus itself. There's a Russian company that's been doing this for a while now. You click on "remove threats", and BOOM - you are infected big-time. AND you have to pay for it. It's a very, very bad thing, especially if you don't have all your files backed up.
That said, here are a few programs we've used and can recommend:
NOTE: We are not responsible for any problems, issues, lost files, etc, that occur after downloadking and using any of the following tools. Use at your own risk! (Don't you just love legal disclaimers?)
Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware
This a great first step to take. If you don't already have this installed, go to their site, download, and run this application. Note that if you can't download and run from the infected pc, you might want to refer to an article I found - www.myantispyware.com/2009/06/08/malwarebytes-wont-install-run-or-update-how-to-fix-it. Hopefully that article will help in getting this installed so you can run it. There are, of course, 2 versions available of malwarebytes - a free version & a full version. Personally, I've only used the free version, which does wonders. The full version's probably even better.
Link: www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
After running Malwarebyte's (above), this is probably the next step I'd take. As above, I've only tried the free version, which worked well.
Link: www.superantispyware.com
EUsing Registry Cleaner
Registry cleaners are used for removing ore repairing registry files on your computer. If you've been infected with some sort of malware, chances are there are some registry files that should be removed. Cleaning these up can help your pc boot time. Wikipedia discusses the pros and cons of registry cleaners at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Registry_cleaner. A good read.
Download: www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm
Windows Defender
Windows Defender protects against pop-up ads and security threats (caused by spyware - see below) by finding and removing known spyware from your computer.
Download: www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx
Spybot Search & Destroy
Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove spyware from your computer. Spyware is becoming a common annoyance - silently tracking your internet surfing in order to create a marketing profile of you that will be sold for advertising purposes. (free, but they accept donations)
Download: www.safer-networking.org/en/home/index.html
Avast! Anti-virus
I've had as much success with this FREE anti-virus software as I've had with Norton of McAffee (I take that back... I've actually had a little more success). They provide a free version for home pc users. All you need to do is register & renew your registration key once a year. Great tool.
Download: www.avast.com
If you download & run all of these (making sure to have all updates installed PRIOR to running the software), your problems will most likely be fixed. If not, call a professional pc repairman, or ask us about it (we know of several good ones).
Gavin Crawford
Scorching Web Design and Marketing
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
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text:
Controlled writing
6.30a.m - get up
6.35a.m - wash up
6.45a.m - put on uniform
7.00a.m - eat breakfast
7.15a.m - go to school
7.30a.m - school starts
10.00a.m - go to the canteen
10.20a.m - go back to the class
12.45p.m - return home by bus
Write the answers to these questions in a paragraph.
1. When do you get up? (I usually ...............)
2. What do you do first? (First,I...................)
3. What do you do next? (Next,I..................)
4. What do you do then? (Then,I..................)
5. When do you go to school? (I...................)
6. When do you come home? (I...................)
7. How do you come home? (I..................)
Narrative writing (Chronological organization) - Picnic
1. Where did you go last Sunday?
2. Why did you go there?
3. What did you take with you?
4. How long did the journey take?
5. What was the first thing you did when you reached there?
6. Where did you park your car?
7. What did you do after parking the car?
8. What did you see?
9. What did you do after that?
10. Was it a hot day?
11. How was the water?
12. How did the swimming make you feel?
13. Where did you have your lunch ?
14. What did your parents do after lunch? What did you do?
15. When did you return home?
16. Did you enjoy yourself?
Last Sunday my family and I went to the Waterfall Garden for a picnic. My mother made some sandwiches and tea to take with us. We took some lemonade as well.
The journey to the Waterfall Garden took two hours. We found a shady place beside a stream. We parked the car and went for a walk. We saw some wild orchids and many beautiful butterflies. After the walk, we went for a swim. It was a very hot day and the water was cool and refreshing. Soon we were hungry. So we had lunch under the trees. After lunch, my parents read newspapers while my brother, sister and I went back to swim.
At 3 o'clock, we got out of the water and had some lemonade. An hour later, we returned to the car and left for home.
Building Blocks of Composition
1. Focus on sentence building
a. The grammar of the sentence (word order, grammatical rules e.g.subject-verb
agreement) (Nouns, Adjectives, Verbs, Adverbs, Conjunctions, Preposition,
Articles, Exclamatory)
b. Ability to choose a sentence patern that is most appropriate for his purpose in the
context of a specific piece of writing.
c. There are situations where one or two sentences is all that is required for an act of communication.
2. Focus on paragraph writing
* Writing involves organizing ideas, constructing sentences and arranging them
Into paragraphs.
* A paragraph is a distinct unit of thought.
- It may contain a topic sentence – a sentence that states the main idea of
the paragraph.
* In a well-written paragraph, each sentence has words or phrases that link it to the
previous sentence. This is to ensure cohesion in the paragraph.
Connecting words may be
a. Pronouns (he,she,it,they,this etc) that refer back to a noun or pronoun in
the previous sentence.
b. Logical connectors (however, instead, yet etc)
c. Sequence connectors (next,then,after that,finally etc)
d. Linkers (but, so, and, although,though, thus, so, because, as a result, if, therefore, unless)
3. Using specific words instead of general words
A composition is more interesting if you make use of specific words instead of general
a. General : One day, a boy and his friend went to the lake to fish.
Specific : Last Saturday, Hanizan and Badrul went to Tasek Perdana to fish.
b. General : They took their things, some food and drink.
Specific : Badrul carried their fishing rods and a bottle of worms.
Hanizan brought some sardine sandwiches and a few bottles of orange
· Saw : looked, stared,noticed
· Went : ran, walked, cycled
· Cooked : boiled, roasted, fried
· Said : answered,replied, announced
· Meat : chicken,beef,mutton
· Cars : Proton Saga, Toyota
· Building : clinec, bank
· Tree : coconut, rubber, angsana
· Noise : bang, crash, bark
· Music : pop, rock, tradisional
· Vehicle : scooter, bus, jeep
4. Using details to make a story interesting
When we read a story we want to know 'and then' what happened. We want to know what happened first, what happened next and what happened finally. But this is not all we want in a story. We want the story to be real for us. We want to be part of the story. We want to be able to see the people, things and places in the story. We want to understand how the people in the story feel and think. One way a writer helps us to do this is by giving plenty of details.
Example (a)
One day a boy was walking on the road. There was a lot of traffic on the road. He saw a cat running on to the road. He stopped the cat. The cat's owner thanked him
Example (b)
It was a fine day. The sun was shining. The birds were singing and Mohan felt really happy. He sang as he walked to school. When he came to the main road there was a lot of traffic. The road was crowded. There were buses, lorries, cars, vans and motor-cycles. It was noisy.
Suddenly Mohan saw a cat. It was beautiful. It had thick, white fur and a long tail. It was trying to cross the road! Mohan knew the cat would get killed. So he ran and caught the cat. He gave the cat to its owner. The owner was very happy. She thanked Mohan and said he was very kind.
*** Always write with questions in mind : 5W 1H (What, Where, Who, When,Why, How)
*** An Interesting piece of writing always appeal to the senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell)
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All whites are inherently racist. Racism is embedded in our culture from its founding. Nothing is intrinsically bad, not even rape, except for maybe Christianity, freedom, the free market and rich white people. Crimes are committed because of our constitutional freedoms which allow us to hurt people. If we limit peoples' freedoms, there will be no crimes and no evil.
These are some of the views and tacit implications expressed by the many educational speakers at the white privilege conference held in March 2014. It's an annual conference and this year's conference was held in Baltimore.
Every year, this conference is attended by thousands of parents, students, and teachers. It's not only taking place on the national level, individual cities hold them also. Portland taxpayers spend $100,000 a year in their schools to indoctrinate the educational community in white supremacy, white privilege, whites are bad and so on.
PJ Media has a report on the 2015 national conference held this past weekend. The National Summit for Courageous Conversation 2015, was organized by the Pacific Educational Group (PEG) featuring workshops on "interrupting whiteness" in American schools, the "dominance of White supremacy" in society, "White privilege" enjoyed by Caucasian students, "white domination of thought," and how to "decenter whiteness."
They seem to think they are going to help minorities by demonizing whites and frightening blacks. The following course and description suggests hate mongering and promotes victimhood. Imagine if the tables were reversed?
Based on Critical Race Theory, the underlying assumption, which the intellectuals believe is a given, is that all whites are inherently racist and whites are to blame for everything. You can't call them racists either. Racism, according to the theory, is prejudice plus power; and since (according to the theory) black people have no power in society, by definition they can't be racist.
If you don't go along with this garbage, you are in "white denial".
They – PEG and the intellectual loons they represent – want to make classrooms and our culture afrocentric instead of Eurocentric. They are basically teaching collectivism. It's a Marxist attack on traditional values and they are using minorities to do it.
PJ Media believes they are trying to lessen black violence in the classroom with this. How? To teach them whites are to blame and black gang youth and their parents have little or no responsibility?
The man who founded and runs PEG is a scam artist and you can find out about him on this link.
Along with that anti-white idea is the anti-Capitalism, anti-Christian ideas that go with it.
In 2014, Progressives Today covered the workshops. It's nasty stuff.
According to one professor who lectured at the conference, critical race theory is central to white privilege and it says, "You can't just look at the face." Look at Clarence Thomas, the speaker continued, can he compare with Thurgood Marshall? She then went on to mock and insult Thomas in a despicable way.
Another speaker talked about Christian hegemony which, according to him, is the "everyday, pervasive, deep-seated, and institutionalized dominance of Christian values, leaders, and Christians as a group, primarily for the benefit of Christian ruling elites."
The Tea Party was demonized as racist. "The longer you are in the Tea Party, the more racist you become."
People in gated communities are incoherent white racists who put their kids in white academies, according to one hate-filled speaker.
Capitalism needs to be dismantled, said another professor. Free market capitalists have ethnocentric values, she insisted. Capitalism is synonymous with racism, white privilege, sexism, and so on, according to her warped vision.
One professor wants limits on free speech because it hurts people and could cause people to commit crimes. The false assumption being they wouldn't have committed crimes if they weren't hurt. Painful language must be stopped at every governmental level, this statist declared.
Some workshops only allowed blacks and indigenous people. Apparently non-whites need to de-brief without whites in their present at the end of the day after being fed this hate-filled bigoted garbage all day long.
A "white ally" was assigned during the workshops though the ally could hardly have been considered an ally.
Read this exchange:
"White people do not experience racism," she told the investigator.
"White people can experience discrimination, but not racism."
"Would you define discrimination as something intrinsically bad?" the investigator asked. "No, I don't think anything is intrinsically bad. As a sociologist, I think context means everything." "Rape isn't intrinsically bad?" the investigator responded.
"It is not," the White ally said.
There you have it. Rape isn't intrinsically bad. Nothing is. There is no evil [except for maybe whiteness]. People commit crimes because of our constitutional freedoms.
The participants are being told to put this in the classroom, starting at age 4!
Blaming whites has done nothing for the black children in Chicago, Baltimore, and elsewhere who are joining gangs, dealing drugs, and killing one another. All this does is further the damaging leftist ideology of hate and blame that is ruining city after city and has harmed black culture.
I ask myself, what would Martin Luther King Jr. do?


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1 October 2006
Proper 21 B
Numbers 11: 4-6, 10-16, 24-29 * Mark 9:38-50
The Reverend Kirk Alan Kubicek, Saint Peter's at Ellicott Mills, Ellicott City, Maryland
Salted With Fire
What starts out with the disciples trying to score points with Jesus for stopping someone who is doing the work of the kingdom – healing and casting out demons – ends with Jesus telling us all to be salted with fire! In between there is all this talk of stumbling around and lopping off limbs, tearing out eyeballs and being thrown into "hell": All in all a fun day with Jesus on the road to Jerusalem.
This is all a part of a longer section of Mark's gospel concerned with discipleship – faithful discipleship. That is, What is expected of those of us who would call ourselves Christians? This really is a question about what it means to be human. We are to be spiced up, healed and purified by fire and salt. Oh yeah, and stop stumbling around.
Fire in the ancient world was used to purify things. Still is. Get rid of that deadly e. coli bacteria with fire, lots of fire. Just as we were all eating our spinach fresh and loving rare hamburgers, now we have to boil the spinach to death and go back to "well done" burgers.
Which bring us to salt. Salt was used to preserve foods, extend shelf-life if you will. It was also used to spice things up. And finally salt was used medicinally.
Altogether these sayings on fire and salt suggest several things. Healing within the community of Christ is necessary to be a disciple of Jesus - especially healing that is reconciliation rather than division and challenging one another's credentials. (We might note the vast difference in meaning between Jesus' "Whoever is not against us is for us," vs. the more popular, "You are either with us or against us.") Further, the salt that flavors us distinctively as Christ's own people is meant to keep us from blending in with the surrounding culture. This distinctiveness implies eliminating – lopping off – those things that cause us to stumble (skandalon) – things that get in the way of being good and faithful disciples so that we can all do the work of the Gospel. The contribution of Christians to the health of the world depends on our own wholesomeness. The life of the world depends on us.
Another metaphor for all of this might be pruning. We need to prune away those things that block us from following Jesus and fulfilling our Baptismal Covenant so that we can grow in those ways that make us more human. The Christian life is a life of following and pruning – pruning and following. This pruning is not so much for our sake as for the sake of the Gospel.
Most of what needs to be pruned away is a modern world that teaches self-centeredness and self-reliance (independence) as the key to the fullness of life. Whereas Jesus calls us to be those people who dare to say that the secret of life – and death – is giving oneself away: reaching out to others, to the world and to God. It is a call to a radical dependence on God. God has gifted us with himself – the Word became flesh and dwelt among us – and if we wish to achieve fulfillment, we, too, must give ourselves away. Moral progress comes only as we learn to acknowledge life as a gift – not earned or achieved – but given.
To be wrapped up in ourselves, self-centered and autonomous, says Jesus, quite simply is hell. In the text the word is actually Gehenna – which is a place, not a medium for hair color or tattoos. Gehenna is a valley outside Jerusalem which to this very day is a burning, worm infested garbage dump. It also used to be the site for human sacrifices to the god Molech. There is always fire smoldering in this valley, and over time it became a geographical metaphor for what happens to those people who have little regard for others, the environment and the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Jesus.
It is interesting to note, that Gehenna in the real world is a product of our own creation. People go to the edge of a cliff and toss all their personal refuse over the cliff. I don't care to enumerate all the times I dump my personal stuff on others, on the earth and on God. This dumping is sin. Sin, says our Baptismal service, is those things that corrupt and destroy the creatures of God, including God's creation.
Sin is related to temptation. Wow, so gas is cheaper now, so we can go back to pouring even more pollution into the earth's atmosphere and pay less for the privilege! Hell, it turns out is of our own creation and is determined in the here and now. Hell is not some future destination. We manufacture hell every day for those who are hungry, those who have no health insurance, those who suffer from disease fostered by toxic pollution, the capability of nuclear arms to destroy this planet and so on.
And Hell is not a condition that affects just the individual; Hell exists collectively in human society as well. Hell is the drive toward self-reliance, self-autonomy, whether of individuals, communities, churches, governments, or nations. The Anglican priest and poet John Donne says it best some 360 years ago, "No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main…"
So, the answer to the question, Why is Jesus talking about Hell and cutting off limbs and plucking out eyes? To impress upon us the importance that what we are doing right here and now matters. That all that we do and all that we say has eternal consequences. We can choose to create Hell, or become purified by fire and seasoned with the salt of Jesus. We can squabble over who is the greatest and who can or cannot heal and cast out demons, or we can welcome everyone who does the work of Christ who has already redeemed the whole world on the cross. We can be those people who hold on to all we have, or become those people who give ourselves away. We do this not for our sake but for the sake of the Gospel, for others and the world.
This would be why Tithing is one of the Four Holy Habits. Tithing moves us away from being self-centered and self-reliant. Tithing trains us, moves us to become those people who out of radical dependence on God give ourselves away, beginning with 10% of our financial resources. I was only half in jest when I suggested to my colleagues at Bible Study the other day that giving at 10% and beyond makes you a whole person, fully human; at 7% you lose a foot; at 5% you lose a foot and a hand; at 3% you lose a foot, hand and an eye; and at 2% and below you get the millstone around your neck and tossed into the sea. Reaching out and giving makes us human.
The most generous people I have known, those who are most human and most faithful in Christian discipleship, have been tithers. They offer true glimpses of heaven on earth. Their giving reaches out to others, to creation and to God making the world a little better for us all. They are people of fire and salt. "Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."
To be continued. Amen.


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Choose the Watches
Items 1-48 of 78
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text: If you can lease a vehicle, why not a smartphone? That's O2 s line of thinking, anyways, as the UK carrier has begun piloting a rental scheme – called O2 Lease – with the iPhone 4S in the driver's seat. For a 12-month lease period and 55 per month, you'll be able to rent the 16GB version and get 750 minutes, unlimited messaging, 500MB of data and insurance. Want a 32GB model? That'll be an extra 10 per month. Since it's a rental, you'll be required to give the phone back after your year is up, but at that point you're free to grab a new device – a great idea for anyone embarrassed to still be holding onto a primitive year-old phone. As O2 puts it: "this is the first tariff model available to all O2 customers that reflects the lifestyle of the smartphone industry." If the pilot's successful, the company will consider expanding its selection to more devices; since not everyone wishing to lease a smartphone wants an iPhone, we'd say the more handsets the merrier.


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Quality Policy
Safe Host's mission is to become the Leading Data Centre Infrastructure Provider. This is achieved by offering our customers Service Level Agreements backed by the highest standards of engineering and operations. Our services will provide our customers improved performance, reduced risks and lower costs.
Safe Host achieves this level of quality by adopting a system of procedures that reflect the competence of the Company to existing customers, potential customers, and independent auditing authorities.
Achievement of this policy involves all staff, who are individually responsible for the quality of their work, resulting in a continually improving working environment for all. This policy is provided and explained to each employee by the Managing Director or Quality Manager.
To achieve and maintain the required level of assurance the Managing Director retains responsibility for the Quality System with routine operation controlled by the Quality Manager.
Total Quality Management shall be applied to every aspect of our activity and quality shall be the responsibility of everyone, in every activity, throughout Safe Host.
Safe Host SA has been awarded ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 27001:2013 certifications by Société Générale de Surveillance SA.
Safe Host understands that companies and international organizations in Geneva look for globally-recognized certification when searching for partners to manage their IT assets. This award is a reaffirmation of the company's reputation for quality, innovation and long-term commitment to customer care.
Information Security Policy
Security can be defined as "the state of being free from unacceptable risk". The risk concerns the following categories of losses to IT objects (and by extension their information and data).
• Confidentiality
• Integrity
• Availability
Confidentiality is the principle that data is not disclosed to anyone unauthorised. This is particularly important for customer data.
Integrity refers to the accuracy of data. Loss of data integrity may be gross and evident, as when a computer disc fails, or subtle, as when a character in a file is altered.
Availability is concerned with the full functionality of a system.
The potential causes of these losses are termed "threats". These threats may be human or non-human, natural, accidental, or deliberate.
The Information Security Policy will deal with the following domains of security:
• Safe Host computer systems and data;
• Customer systems and data managed by Safe Host, whether or not on Safe Host premises;
• Physical security. Access to the data center;
• Procedural security, by all staff;
• Communications security, such as remote access.
The most important reason to maintain a secure environment is to maintain our obligations to our clients, many of which are quantified in service level agreements (SLAs). We are obliged to protect the Confidentiality and Integrity of client data and the Availability of their services.
For Safe Host to conduct its business, the Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability of its IT systems must be maintained.
The use of Safe Host IT assets other than in a manner and for the purpose for which they were intended represents a misallocation of valuable resources, and possibly a danger to its reputation or a violation of the law. This policy is in place to protect the users and Safe Host. Note that some activities, such as sending mass-mailings, can result in our networks being blocked by other providers and so can affect service availability.


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The time for Robert Pattinson to keep a low profile is over.
Fresh from ringing the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange earlier today, R.Pattz was back out in public view this afternoon, cheerfully making his way out of his NYC hotel room en route to meet up with his advice-eschewing Cosmopolis director David Cronenberg.
The duo was set to meet up for lunch in Manhattan today (and what with the scrutiny Pattinson is under this week, it'll likely only be a matter of time before we find out not only where they ate, but exactly how many calories Rob consumed) ahead of their film's release, after joining forces at a press event.
As it happens, it's the first time Rob's been spotted in the wild while not engaged in official promotional duties since the Kristen Stewart scandal broke. While he logged some time post-media storm at Reese Witherspoon's Ojai, Calif., pad, he didn't appear in public until last night, for both the film's NYC premiere and his much-watched, ice cream-abetted first interview, on The Daily Show.
Welcome back, Rob. You've been missed. Though your eardrums probably enjoyed the break from the constant squeals.


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First up is A (I'm a genius!) and a post about Apps I use.
|Google Keep
Keep - It's a note-taking app for anything and everything. I use it to keep track of our monthly budget mostly. JD and I can see what each other has spent so we can keep a running total and not go over what we want to spend. The best thing about it is you can add to it offline. You can make checklists with it too. I use it to make a list of errands when I go into town or things I need from the shop.
|Loop Habits
Loop Habits is an app to get you into the habit of doing something regularly. I use it to keep track of how often I'm doing the things I want to make time for each day. After I've done something consistently for 20 or so I days I stop tracking it because it's become a habit. I've used it to make sure I read every day, do exercise, a few minutes of yoga, eat well, complete brain training, learn a language. Basically anything you want to do more of on a regular basis.
|Zombies, Run!
Swiftkey is a customisable keyboard for your phone. You can change the colour of the keyboard and change the key size if you want. It's predictive text is much better than the default keyboard too. You can swipe type instead of tapping each key and you can customise the layout of the keyboard too. Basically it's just more choices for the phone keyboard if you use it a lot. It even gives you interesting stats on your typing practises. Apparently I've added 6,229 words to my swiftkey vocbulary since I got it and the heart eyes emoji is my most used! There's probably more you can do that I haven't discovered yet too.
Twilight is an app everybody should be using. It cleverly adapts your screen's brightness to the time of day making it easier on your eyes. This is especially good in the evening as it changes to a red filter instead of the usual blue light which research shows makes sleep slower to reach. It does this by being in snyc with your local sunrise and sunset. It's a simple idea that works well and I'd hate to go back to my screeen's blue brightness now.
So, those are my favourite apps at the moment. What is your favourite app?


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Many of you are familiar with Stephen Covey's famous observation that we're "so busy sawing we don't have time to sharpen the saw." We've all been there. Done that. We know it's not a good way to be. But many of you have told us lately that you feel you're spending way too much time at the saw mill lately. Guess the Dog Days of Summer got cancelled this year.
What to do? If you're expecting us to recommend deep breathing, long walks on the beach and some yoga or meditation, you've come to the wrong place. Most of you are Type A, if not Type A-plus! You need something more concrete, more tactical!That said, we're not knocking deep breathing, long walks, yoga and meditation. All can be helpful. But what most of you need is tough self-love, not navel gazing. You need to unplug from the grid and carve out some time to think. Really think without distractions. Bring a pencil and a yellow legal pad if you like, but nothing more high tech than that.
Personally, I take a 24-hour break from all technology every weekend. Usually from mid-day Saturday to mid-day Sunday. Unless it's a life threatening text or cell phone call, I'm just not going to address it during my 24-hour "quiet period." Try it for yourself some weekend. The world won't come to an end and see if you don't come back Sunday evening a little more energized than you normally are.Kate Murphy had a great piece in today's New York Times that talked about why people who complain about being "super busy," "crazy busy" or "insanely busy" never take advantage of a rare moment for "reflective thought" when they get it. Stuck in traffic or a long grocery line? What do we do? Out comes the mobile device. Sound familiar? As Murphy observed, the journal Science published a study that showed how far people will go to avoid introspection.
Turns out many of us don't like introspection. Or we're afraid of our own thoughts. Or we're afraid that we'll just dwell on what's wrong in our lives. But, according to Silicon Valley psychologist, Stephanie Brown, "suppressing negative feelings just gives them more power." And you can't solve or let go of problems if you don't allow yourself time to let go of them. Brown is the author of "Speed: Facing Our Addiction to Fast and Faster."
While we agree with the experts about the importance of self-reflection, it doesn't mean you have to focus exclusively on fixing what's wrong. You can also focus on potential good things. Try this: Substitute the words "opportunity" or "innovation" for the word "problem" during your next self-reflective time. See what happens. Just as many people are afraid to face their fears head on, you'd be surprised how many people are afraid to bring their BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) to light. Don't be afraid to see how good you and your team can be.
Stay focused this week, even if many around you seem like they've checked out for the summer. Doing so will pay big dividends come September.
Best, HB
Our blog has more, as does the FREE Resources page of our website.
TAGS: No time to think, time management, adrenal burnout, stress, Science journal, Stephanie Brown


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In recent posts, I have talked a lot about the importance of long-form content. It was an important aspect of my ultimate checklist for starting a blog, which was a long-form content post in itself counting over 4,000 words. I also mention in a recent post that long-form content should be at the … [Read more...]
Content Writing – Quality over Quantity
How many times per week should you post something new, or how often should distribute your newsletter? Important questions for anyone who is distributing content one way or another. You want to provide enough value to your customers or audience but what is the best way? First and foremost it is … [Read more...]
How to Come Up with Good Business Ideas
Getting started all starts with good business ideas. For many, however, this is not an easy phase. For people looking to start an online business the two most typical questions are: I have so many business ideas how do I pick the right one? I can't come with any good business ideas to start a … [Read more...]
Q&A: What Were Some of My Biggest Mistakes When I started my Online Business?
In this week's Q&A post, I will address a question that I get asked (in)directly from a lot of people that I talk to. Many people on the internet only want to talk about what is working for them and how great they are doing. On Tropical U.P, you can find a lot of things that worked for me, but … [Read more...]
Why Money is Not Important and Why Money Should Not Be Your Main Focus
Let's talk about money, whether we like it or not but money plays a big role in our lives. To a certain degree, this is normal as we all need money to provide for ourselves, have a roof above our head and put food on the table. This post is not to say that money is irrelevant in life because we all … [Read more...]


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Republicans are launching out of the gate in the new Congress with three "jobs bill" measures they say will help rev up the US economy.
But are they jobs bills, really? The label may accurately reflect the Republican motivation. But if the goal is to create more good-paying jobs with strong benefits, none of these bills looks like a huge win for US workers.
Here's a closer look at each bill.
Keystone pipeline. Of the three bills, this one may offer the biggest gains for US workers. Moving forward with a pipeline to bring oil from Canadian tar sands to US refineries would, by a Washington Post analysis, result in the equivalent of about 4,000 construction jobs for one year – plus additional job gains through the purchase of materials and the spillover as construction workers spend their salaries on other goods and services.
How many jobs in all? The Post article says the 42,000 figure that some Republicans cite is at least a bit "inflated." And even at best, those jobs last just a year. Once built, the pipeline is estimated to employ a relative handful of workers. All this analysis summarizes conclusions in a State Department report on Keystone.
Supporters say the pipeline would still be an important step in building a vibrant domestic energy industry, and polls show strong public support. They say it's wrong to scoff at "temporary" jobs. "Well, of course, construction jobs go away at the end of the construction project. And if you do things to grow the economy, those construction jobs go to other construction jobs" after that, Sen. Roy Blunt (R) of Missouri told reporters this week.
Environmentalists view the pipeline as unneeded and harmful for the carbon emissions that will result. Defenders of the bill say the oil will be developed and refined, whether with American involvement or not. The House is expected to vote Friday; President Obama has promised a veto.
Veterans and health reform. The Hire More Heroes Act passed with overwhelming bipartisan support Tuesday (412 to 0) in the House, but analysts say it will help relatively few people. The bill allows employers not to count veterans with military health care plans toward the employee limit under Affordable Care Act reforms. The law's "employer mandate" calls for firms with 50 or more full-time employees to offer health insurance or pay a tax penalty. The idea behind the new bill is that if employers don't have to count military veterans toward that total, they'll be more likely to hire those vets. It may help a few veterans find jobs, but no one thinks this will get noticed in overall tallies of US job creation.
The 40-hour work week. This bill is also focused around the ACA's employer mandate that firms with 50 or more full-time workers should offer health plans. At present, the definition of full-time is 30 or more hours per week. The legislation, supported mainly by Republicans but also by a few congressional Democrats, would redefine full-time as 40 hours or more.
The key question here is not really about adding jobs but about what might happen to those who already have full-time jobs.
The liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities argues that the move will hurt the 44 percent of Americans workers who are on the job for 40 hours a week. The concern is that businesses could cut these workers' hours to get under the 40-hour threshold.
The conservative American Action Forum counters that those shift changes would be modest for the affected workers. The greater concern is that, if the bill does not pass, businesses could slash hours for some workers from 40 hours down to 29 a week.
Some job growth might result, argued Ben Gitis, a policy analyst at the American Action Forum. "By minimizing the impact of the mandate, small businesses will be able to focus their resources on hiring more workers instead of insurance and penalty costs," he wrote.
But if an analysis for the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is right, it's hard to see the 40-hour-a-week bill as a boon for US workers.
The CBO estimated that the measure would reduce the number of people receiving employment-based health coverage by about 1 million people. As a result, more people would rely on Obamacare insurance marketplaces, on Medicaid, or go uninsured. In turn, that would cost the taxpayers $53 billion in higher federal deficits over the next 10 years, the CBO estimated.
The House passed the Save American Workers Act Thursday. The president has promised a veto.