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Family Law
Divorce settlement what elements are looked at to determine the final settlement
An agreement can be reached either by negotiation between the parties and their family law solicitors, or through the court process if necessary. The courts will assess how any capital should be divided as well as whether or not ongoing income should be shared.
The following factors will be taken into account:
- The length of the marriage
- The current earnings of each party
- Children – their financial needs and any other factors that may affect their future well-being
- The possible earning capacity of each party in the future
- The standard of living the couple have enjoyed during the marriage
- The assets of each party (including pensions)
- The financial contribution that each party has made to the marriage
- Other, non-financial, contributions that each party has made to the marriage such as caring for the children and running the house
Family Law Solicitors
At SAS Daniels we're happy to discuss any requirements you have or any questions that can stem from matters such as Divorces and the law surrounding it. Please get in touch if you have any further questions.
It is necessary to go to court to reach a financial settlement?
No, it is possible for a financial settlement to be negotiated without going to court. This can be done between the parties and their solicitors. It will help reduce the legal fees and court fees incurred by both sides.
When an agreement is reached negotiations outside of the court, it will be sent to the court in order for it to be checked to ensure that it is reasonable. The agreement is then approved by them court to make it a legally binding order.
While the majority of divorce cases can be agreed this way, if an agreement cannot be reached then it will still be necessary to go to court to achieve a financial settlement. The disadvantage of the court ruling on a settlement is that an element of control is lost by both parties with regards to the final terms of the settlement.
What is a clean break divorce settlement?
If no financial commitments between the parties remain in place after a divorce, e.g. ongoing spousal maintenance, this is known as a clean break.
In cases where ongoing spousal maintenance would normally be paid a clean break can still be achieved. This can happen if enough financial assets exist to enable the liable party to transfer a suitable amount that covers the value of any future maintenance.
It is not possible to achieve a clean break in terms of financial responsibility for children. As a clean break is only possible in relation to your spouse and not your children.
Who pays the legal costs in a divorce settlement?
Both parties will have their own solicitor and will be responsible for their own legal costs. In some circumstances it may be possible to include the payment of legal costs as part of the financial settlement if this is included in the initial negotiations.
What happens to the family home in a divorce?
The family home will be treated as an asset of the marriage and will consequently be included in the financial negotiations.
Divorce settlement negotiations start from the point of an equal division of any assets. If one partner wants to remain in the family home they will need to have enough financial resources to be able to offset the value of their spouse's share of the home and then transfer assets of that value to their ex-spouse.
If not enough financial resources are available to achieve this then the family home may have to be sold so that the equity contained in it can be divided between the parties.
When children are involved, it can sometimes mean that one party can stay in the family home with the children. The courts always place the highest level of importance on the needs of any children involved. However, the courts will not allow an unfair settlement to either party, so this type of arrangement will depend on each party's financial situation. If the needs of the children mean one party must stay in the family home, then the parent who leaves is likely to retain a financial share of the home. This share will then be realised at an agreed future date and on the eventual sale of the property.
What happens if the divorce proceedings are defended by my spouse?
Defended cases are extremely rare as people commonly recognise that there is little point in trying to keep a marriage alive when the other person considers the relationship to have ended. It can also be very costly, so in the majority of cases it is not advisable.
If a defence is filed there has to be a hearing where the judge will decide if there is sufficient evidence for divorce or in the case of a cross petition (where the other spouse has declined the reasons for divorce and put forward their own reasons) whether either or both have adequate grounds for a decree to be granted. Usually a draft petition will be sent to the other party for comment before it is sent to the court, in the hope that an agreed petition can be lodged instead.
Will my legal rights be affected if I move out of the family home?
Generally a spouse will not be penalised for moving out of the family home in terms of the financial settlement. Although your legal rights are not affected by leaving the home, other factors may be affected. For example you are unlikely to have any control in the sale, your spouse may deny access and you have the expense of alternative accommodation.
If you are considering moving out of the family home it is always advisable to take legal advice from a specialist family solicitor first.
What is the cost of legal fees for a divorce?
The overall cost depends on a number of elements. A straightforward action with no complications will cost less than one where disputes about finances and children are involved and complex negotiations are required.
Can I claim my own adultery as a reason for divorce?
You cannot claim your own adultery as a reason for divorce. If this is the case, you would have to ask your partner to divorce you on this basis. Alternatively, you can petition yourself based upon a different fact.
How long do we have to be married to get a divorce?
The law states that in England you must have been married for at least one year before you can start the process.
How long does it take to complete a divorce?
If things are straightforward a divorce takes between 4 and 6 months. A lot depends on if your partner responds quickly when they receive the divorce petition. The divorce may also be delayed due to the separation of matrimonial assets, as it is best to resolve these matters fully before you apply for the decree absolute which marks the end of the marriage. The divorce could also be delayed by problems which concern the arrangements for children.
In general, the more you and your partner can agree on, the quicker the divorce process will be.
Do I have to go to court to obtain a divorce?
In the divorce process court hearings typically arise when an agreement cannot be reached on issues such as arrangements for children and finances.
If the divorce is straightforward and both sides are able to reach an agreement then you will not have to go to court.
Why can't you go to court retaining your existing lawyers if I and my partner/spouse fail to reach an agreement?
The reason that collaborative family law has been successful and developed (in other jurisdictions) is the fact that the lawyers are disqualified from acting for the client should collaboration fail. The disqualification agreement means that all the parties, including the lawyers and clients, are attempting to achieve settlement without threatening or being subject to the threat of court proceedings when things become difficult.
You are collaborating without the background of potential court litigating, and lawyers are encouraged to work together in assisting you to reach settlement.
By agreeing at the outset not to go to court, your partner and the lawyers can be encouraged to reach creative settlements.
What if some time after issuing a settlement agreement in the collaborative law process, I discover that my partner has failed to disclose relevant information?
The settlement agreement reached during the collaborative family law process is no different from any other negotiated settlement. If the outcome of the settlement would have been different if the information had been available, then it is open to you to seek to overturn the agreement, even if it has been confirmed by a court order.
What happens if my partner/spouse does not give full and frank financial disclosure or undertake the collaborative family law process in good faith?
Under the terms of the collaborative agreement, the lawyer must withdraw from acting from their client if he/she has withheld or misrepresented information intentionally or is participating in the process in bad faith. Likewise, it is open to your collaborative family lawyer to advise you to withdraw from the process if they do not consider that your partner (or indeed their lawyer) is keeping to the terms of the agreement.
If you consider that your partner will not be honest during the collaborative process, then collaborative family law is unlikely to be a good choice for you.
What kind of information and documents do I have to provide in collaborative family law negotiations?
You and your partner sign a participation agreement which provides full and frank disclosure of all documents and information that relates to the issues. Disclosure is made at an early stage.
What is the difference between collaborative law and mediation?
- In mediation the mediator is prohibited from giving either of you legal advice and cannot assist you in advocating your position. A mediator is neutral;
- The mediator is there to facilitate you and your partner and has a duty to advise you each to take separate legal advice, either during the process or after;
- Any settlement discussed during mediation is only binding once each of you have had the opportunity of taking separate legal advice and have transferred the agreement into a separate consent order of the court. The mediator cannot prepare the court documents for you nor finalise the process;
- Provided agreement is reached your collaborative lawyer can act for you in the divorce and prepare the court papers to obtain the consent order;
- Lawyers are rarely present during the mediation sessions and their advice may be given too late to assist in the process;
- In collaborative family law, you each have your own lawyer throughout the process advising you and advocating on your behalf. If you and your partner lack negotiation skills or financial understanding or feel vulnerable when in the sole presence of the other party, collaborative family law could be preferable to mediation;
- Mediators may still have a role in the collaborative process if you and your partner wish to consult a mediator regarding an issue. Collaborative lawyers can assist you in finding a suitable mediator.
Is collaborative family law the best choice for me?
Collaborative family law is not for every client or indeed every lawyer but it is worth considering if some of the following is important to you:
- You want a dignified non-aggressive resolution of the issues;
- You and your partner have children and wish to reach a resolution by agreement with their needs and interests being your priority;
- You do not wish to incur the costs and animosity generated by court proceedings;
- You would like to keep open good relations with your partner in the future;
- You and your partner have extended family and a number of friends to whom you would both wish to remain in contact in the future;
- You value retaining control over decisions about your financial arrangements or arrangements in relation to the children but with advice from experts;
- You do not wish to 'hand over' decision making to either your lawyer or to a court;
- Your main aim in the process is not to 'seek revenge' on your partner;
- You need the assistance of a lawyer to help you negotiate in face to face meeting.
What is a 4-way meeting?
- A '4-way' meeting is where you and your partner sit in a meeting with your collaborative lawyers to discuss the issues you wish to resolve;
- An agenda is set before the meeting by your collaborative lawyers taking into account the issues you both wish to discuss;
- You and your partner have a duty of full and frank disclosure. You both provide all documents within the process;
- Correspondence between lawyers is discouraged, thereby keeping costs and acrimony to a minimum;
- Discussions focus on the needs and interests of you, your partner and the children;
- Meetings are arranged at the start of the process without you having to wait for court dates. Provided all the participants enter the process in good faith, the process is faster, cheaper and less acrimonious than the court proceedings to reach a resolution;
- You and the lawyers can work as part of a group of professionals, including counsellors, mediators and child and financial specialists to draw on the skills of other professionals to assist you and your partner in the process;
- For issues requiring expert opinions (for example an accountant to give tax advice or value a business) the collaborative team will normally jointly instruct independent consultants, following discussions with you at the '4-way' meeting.
What is collaborative family law?
- You and your partner retain separate specially trained lawyers who will assist you in resolving issues without going to court;
- Your collaborative lawyer acts for you, providing legal advice and guidance throughout the process, but working with your partner and his/her lawyer as part of a team to help achieve settlement;
- You, your partner and your lawyers agree to work together in a respectful, honest and dignified way to try and reach settlement without threatening to go to court;
- You sign an agreement disqualifying your collaborative lawyers from representing you at court if the collaboration process breaks down. Neither of the lawyers, or their respective firms can then act for you although they will still be bound by confidentiality about any negotiations which had occurred. You would need to instruct new lawyers to proceed to court;
- Issues are discussed and hopefully resolved in '4 way' face to face meetings between you, your partner and your lawyers. Settlement discussions take place in your presence which helps ensure that you and your partner remain in charge of the process. The process thereby helps improve future communication, this is particularly important when you have children.
What is the aim of collaborative family law?
To assist you both to resolve all matters arising out of your separation in a dignified and respectful way for the benefit of the whole family.


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The latest and most astonishing records in the world of gaming have been recognized in the upcoming publication of the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2015, available to buy on 6th November 2014.
The eighth edition of the hugely popular Gamer's Edition – described as the "annual bible of gaming goodness" by MSN Games – is packed full of all the information a gaming enthusiast would ever need, ranging from the most impressive gaming records to behind-the-scenes knowledge from within the gaming industry. It also offers the very best artwork and images from all your favourite titles.
HUNDREDS OF NEW AND UPDATED RECORDS – As ever, the world's best-selling gaming annual features the world's greatest gaming records. These include the Longest videogame marathon on Minecraft (24 hours 10 minutes), the Largest collection of Tomb Raider memorabilia (2,383 unique items), the Highest margin of victory against the computer on 2014 FIFA World Cup (German native Patrick Hadler won 321–0), the Most "Game of the Year" awards (249 for The Last of Us), and the Best-selling eighth-generation console (the PS4, with over 10 million copies sold).
TOP 50 GAMES – In this year's Gamer's Edition, we present the best 50 games as voted for online by our readers. By giving Gamer's fans the opportunity to have their say, this allowed us to focus on the titles our readers like best (such as Minecraft, Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto), as well as to include games such as Crash Bandicoot and World of Tanks that we had not featured in such detail previously.
IMPROVE YOUR GAMEPLAY AND BECOME A RECORD-BREAKER – We know that gamers worldwide are always looking to enhance certain aspects of their gameplay. This can take hours of studying YouTube walkthroughs or scrolling through online tutorials. A new addition to this year's book is entitled "For the Win" and provides handy, at-a-glance top tips on everything from how to beat that boss you've spent weeks trying to defeat to how to unlock the trophy you've been striving for. This will help you to not only hone your skills, but also to potentially become a record-breaker!
FEATURES, KNOWLEDGE, TRIVIA – This year's book is packed full of new features covering topics as diverse as the toys-to-life phenomena, gaming firsts, zombie games, Alien games videogame fashion and the big titles you'll likely be playing over the coming months. We also look at the transformation of handheld gaming from Mattel's Auto Race in 1976 to the innovative mobile gaming scene of today. Exclusive interviews with a range of industry insiders provide you with a range of perspectives on the gaming world from within. And there's no shortage of entertaining gaming trivia to build up your gaming knowledge.
Stephen Fall, Senior Managing Editor of the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition, said: "In the all-new Gamer's 2015 we count down our readers' favourite games. We cram in facts, figures and features on all aspects of gaming, along with exclusive interviews with leading figures in the industry. We also follow the latest developments in the epic battle of the eighth-generation consoles. And, as always, there are top tips for improving your gameplay. Now in its eighth edition, Gamer's remains the ultimate videogame guide."
Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2015 is out on Thursday, 6th November 2014

subset: commoncrawl


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Awe. Delight. Ecstasy. Contentment. Pride. Gratitude. Joy. These are feelings I have at becoming a grandmother for the very first time and seeing my daughter Valerie become a mother to Sebastian, who entered the world at 1:29 a.m. PDT today.
I remember how awestruck I was to hold Valerie (and my first-born, her sister Julie) in my arms after giving birth. You can see a thousand tomorrows in the eyes of a newborn, but they remind you with their urgent cries for food and love that this moment is all that matters. A new baby doesn't understand the concept of "Wait until I finish watching this TV show" or "I'm not feeling well so maybe some other time." A baby knows now…and now…and now and calls to us to be present so we won't miss the precious moments that so quickly pass.
A new baby is open…to love, to encouragement, to learning, to being. As a parent, you have the privilege and responsibility to influence who this child becomes. A new baby is trusting…that you'll take care of him, keep him safe, meet his needs, teach him, and nurture him. You have the opportunity with a new baby to share with him the good in your life and the hope to shield him from the challenging.
One has a sense of wonder looking into the heart and soul of a newborn baby, who has no sense of prejudice, hatred, resentment, or ego. That baby is pure and innocent…the embodiment of all that is good and true in the world.
One considers all the hopes and dreams you have for a child who extends your physical time on this earth by literally carrying part of you in him. You wonder if he'll play football or oboe, be on the debate team or the chess team, be married and have children or have a gay partner. There are so many possibilities, so many doors that can open, so many forks in the road that can lead him down paths unimagined as you hold him in your arms.
You've yet to make the many inevitable mistakes you'll make as a parent even as you give your very best to this child. You've yet to have a teenage child scream "I hate you!" or take the car without permission and wreck it or fall for someone who doesn't love them back. You've yet to have your heart broken as they make mistakes that have difficult consequences and to feel your heart soar as they make choices that lead to unexpectedly good results. You've yet to have your child blame you for their lot in life, swallow your pride, and know in your heart you did the very best you could. And you've yet to have your child make countless homemade cards that say "You're the best mom ever" and to ease your load when you're tired by dressing as combination wait staff/cooks in your high heels and impossibly large (for them) clothes and welcome you to Mom's Night Out Restaurant with a menu of everything they know how to cook.
At the very beginning there is love bigger than you ever imagined…and the desire to never let these moments and these feelings go.
Sebastian, welcome to the world. You have two loving, caring, accomplished, super intelligent, personable, independent, creative, kind, and grateful parents. May life always be as full of wonder, delight, and love for you as it is right now. Thanks for making me a grandma. I promise to be the very best grandma I can be and to be present to each of our precious moments together. This is going to be fun! I love you, Sebastian.
…Your Oma


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Could your CV be improved?
A simple Google search will pull up over 50 million hits about writing your CV, including several professional services that will do that for you. There are tips about layout, format, style and another dozen other aspects for you to consider. Yet, there's no cookie-cutter profile that is right for all.
CVs come in all sizes – we've seen 20+ page books with a table of content and index, to the more simple 1 pager. For creative types, we've seen CVs embedded into portfolios and links to online content. Some applications don't even have a CV, but just a link to their page. So, which is right? By doing one and not the other, are you missing something?
The simple answer is to know your audience – who is going to read my CV? The harder answer is actually finding out who that person is or what system / process is in play!
That's where we come in – recruitment companies worth their salt should be able to explain to you what your CV should hold. They can't necessarily write your CV, but they should be able to give you some good pointers as to what you should be including (or not including!). At ECM Selection, we pride ourselves on the information we have gleaned over the years working with our clients and it is our intention to pass this relevant information to our candidates. We have a track record of getting interviews and offers for our candidates, and whilst the onus is on you to perform at the interview, we take out some of the mystery by helping you prepare. The first step is the CV – a good CV gets you that interview usually! We'll talk to you about yourself and through your projects – what you may think isn't that great maybe the differentiator of getting an interview or not. Different clients want different things from candidates – some want technical skills, others are looking for character and pro-activeness.
So, where to start? Send us your CV at email@example.com (we guarantee that your details will not be shared with any company without your prior permission) with the label #CV_ECM_KT and include everything you think is relevant. Don't worry if you think it's too long, we're looking for something that's going to excite our clients. If you have more than one version of your CV, send them both.
Things to pay attention to:
- Academic achievement – if it is good, tell us!
- Transferable technical skills – software, engineering, electronics, physics, biochemistry, etc…
- Technical projects – provide context to your technical skills (a list of skills doesn't mean that much to us)
- Hobby projects – got a github account? design your own electronics? build your own tools? Let us know!
- What we're less interested in reading in a CV is "good communications skills" or "project / time management" if they are not demonstrated within a commercial environment. Similarly, publication lists where you're not the main author or conferences you've attended (unless you're a speaker) are also not that interesting.
- Awards achieved during your primary schooling or that 50m breast stroke certificate will also raise questions as to why they're still on your CV.
- Hobbies that include "socialising" and "eating in restaurants" should also be avoided!


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I based my design on the openEEG layout. The thing I changed is the instrumental amplifier, I went with the LT1167, a high quality IC, which I sampled for free. I also changed the way the virtual ground signal is generated. I used an IC I had lying around, a MAX931 a comparator chip which happens to have a 2% accurate reference voltage on board. So I just used the chips internal ref voltage, which I amplified to the needed value with an op-amp for the use as analog reference voltage, AnalogRef. I then divide AnalogRef by two with a simple resistor divider and buffer and low pass this signal again to get my final virtual ground (VGND).
|The Virtual Ground Circuit
VGND is needed to measure positive and negative voltage swings with just a positive power supply. Here is the link.
One EEG channel connects two electrodes, the channel's signal is then the difference between these Inputs. I read a good article called "Instrumentation Amplifiers for bioelectric events: a design with a minimal number of part". It explains all design choices in great detail and I believe served as inspiration for the openEEG design.
My design has two channels thus 4 electrodes. This is the link to the image below.
|One EEG input channel which connects to two electrodes, IN_A and IN_B
|The DRL circuit
I will post pictures of the prototype as soon as i take them!
Here are the links to the EAGLE files:
The layout
The board file, which is routed in 2.54mm grid, to transfer it easily to breadboard.


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State housing agency awards $39.5 million to boost housing options and local economies
Tax credits expected to build or rehabilitate 3,457 units of affordable rental housing, generate $276.5 million economic impact on state
AUSTIN, TX – August 3, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) today announced that it will finance the development of 38 affordable rental properties throughout the state that will combine an affordable rent with the aesthetic qualities of high-end developments. These properties will expand housing options for the state's growing population of retirees and younger working families while generating a significant impact on the economy.TDHCA will provide $39.5 million in financing through the 2011 Housing Tax Credit Program allocation cycle, helping create an estimated 3,457 units of affordable rental housing designed to serve Texans earning no more than 60 percent of the area median family income.
The developments made possible by these credits will have a direct economic impact totaling an estimated $276.5 million for the state.
"Most cities in Texas are currently experiencing high rental occupancy rates, with demand often driving rents beyond what many households can afford," explained TDHCA Acting Executive Director Tim Irvine. "Our primary mission is to help build stronger communities and keep our economy robust by expanding the stock of quality rental housing and offering tenants the long-term benefits of a stable, secure home life. All Texans benefit from the construction jobs, payroll funds, and sales tax revenue that today's awards will generate for the state and local economies."
The Housing Tax Credit Program is the state's primary means of directing private capital toward the creation or retention of affordable rental housing. This U.S. Treasury program allocates credits to the states according to a formula currently set at $2.15 per capita.
The credits provide developers and their investment partners with a benefit used to offset a portion of their federal tax liability in exchange for the production of high quality affordable rental housing subject to rigorous monitoring to ensure quality and affordability are maintained.
In addition to needed affordable housing, several communities are also expected to benefit from the economic multiplier of the local development made possible by these awards.
According to a recent study by the National Association of Home Builders, the direct impact of a typical 100-unit property developed through housing tax credits includes 122 full-time construction jobs, $7.9 million in total wages and salaries, and $827,000 in taxes and other revenue to state and local governments.
For more information about the Housing Tax Credit Program and the Department's 2011 allocation cycle, please visit the program online at www.tdhca.state.tx.us/multifamily/htc/index.htm.
About the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs administers a number of state and federal programs through for-profit, nonprofit, and local government partnerships to strengthen communities through affordable housing development, home ownership opportunities, weatherization, and community-based services for Texans in need.
Gordon Anderson 512-475-4743
Jill McFarren 512-475-2844


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HCC trustee-elect takes oath of office, despite restraining order
Wilson submits oath-of-office papers despite order to wait until after eligibility hearing
Days after a Harris County judge signed a temporary restraining order barring Houston Community College trustee-elect Dave Wilson from taking the oath of office, the perennial candidate submitted notarized documents to the state showing he has been sworn in.
Wilson, 67, a small-business owner and anti-gay activist whose eligibility to serve on the HCC board is being challenged in court, filed oath-of-office papers with the secretary of state's office on Thursday, the office confirmed.
Spokeswoman Alicia Pierce said it is not legally required for local elected officials to file oath-of-office papers with the state, as it is for statewide elected officials.
HCC lawyer Gene Locke said the college - not the state - is the proper filing authority and also received the documents via fax on Thursday. Locke said Wilson completed the appropriate paperwork newly elected officials must file to be legally sworn in, but whether it must be honored will be decided in court.
"The legal issue is whether or not the temporary restraining order prohibited him from taking the oath of office and, therefore, if the oath of office, the swearing in, is valid," Locke said. "We're kind of a bystander waiting to see how this thing plays out."
State District Judge Elaine Palmer on Monday granted a restraining order requested by the Harris County Attorney's office, preventing Wilson from being sworn in pending the outcome of a hearing set for Jan. 10.
Palmer did not respond to requests for comment.
Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan said Wilson "should be stopping any type of attempt to file this until we have that hearing on the 10th."
Ryan's office sued Wilson last month, saying there is substantial proof that he did not reside at the address he listed when he filed to run for District II on the HCC board.
The building at 5600 W. 34th St. is an 11,340-square-foot metal warehouse, according to Harris County Appraisal District records.
Wilson's wife, Connie, lists another property, located outside the HCC district, as her residential homestead.
Wilson, who claims he lives in a 1,140-square-foot apartment upstairs inside the commercial building, said he was never served with papers so has "no firsthand knowledge" of the restraining order.
Wilson's lawyer, Keith Gross, said he did not tell his client to submit the oath-of-office papers because it would be unethical for an attorney to advise his client to violate a court order. Gross also said he did not know Wilson was planning to do so.
National attention
"This is something I decided all on my own," Wilson said. Asked why he did not wait for an official swearing-in ceremony, Wilson said, "I wanted to take that position just as soon as I could."
Wilson said he figured out what documents needed to be filed at the swearing-in ceremony of two other board trustees just after the Dec. 14 runoff election.
"I was amazed at how simple it was, quite frankly," he said. "It doesn't take a legal mind."
Wilson, known for leading an effort to pass a 2001 city charter amendment that banned insurance benefits for same-sex spouses of city employees, garnered national attention for defeating a 24-year incumbent in a predominantly black and Democratic area by 26 votes in the Nov. 5 election. Wilson, a conservative, is white.
Denounces lawsuit
His opponent, Bruce Austin, who requested a recount, accused Wilson of intentionally leaving photos off his campaign materials in an effort to dupe black voters.
Wilson previously clashed with local Democratic Party officials over whether he lived at yet another address when he sought to run for county commissioner. That dispute kept him off the ballot and led to him filing a lawsuit that is pending.
Wilson declined a request on Thursday to tour the upstairs apartment where he claims to live. He contends the most recent lawsuit is another attempt to keep him from serving on the board.
"They really don't want me on that board because there's so much corruption over there and I'm going to uncover it," he said.


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This is a great place to bring your kids for a fun, educational day. The zoo is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Entry is RM30 for adult with MyKad (RM50 without) and RM6 for kids 3-12 years old with MyKid (RM20 without). It is advisable to come earlier as it can get very hot in the afternoon. Pack a hat and lots of water/juices for yourself and your kids.
In the zoo, you can hop on the tram ride if you like (buggy) which will bring you around the zoo for a fee. You can check out the showtimes via this link before you go. But the normal show times would be at 11.00am and 3.00pm everyday except Friday which has only one show at 3.30 pm.
Baby C enjoyed her time at the zoo very much, the animals she sees in cartoons and books have come alive such as the long necked giraffe, the big elephant, and the mighty lion.
Savannah Walk, the largest open concept exhibit in the zoo, is a home shared by a variety of African animals like Sable antelopes, Scimatar horned oryx, giraffes, ostriches, zebras, and white rhinoceroses.
The three Malaysian elephants - Siti (female), Sibol (female) and Teriang (male) which originally come from Pahang are currently in their late twenties/ early thirties.
The Tunku Abdul Rahman lake which sits in the middle of Zoo Negara is home to over 300 free-roaming birds - painted storks, ibises, egrets, swans and pelicans. Feeding time is at 11.00 am and 3.00 pm.
Price: RM30 for adult with MyKad (RM50 without) and RM6 for kids 3-12 years old with MyKid (RM20 without)
Address: Zoo Negara, Hulu Kelang, 68000 Ampang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Tel: +603-4108 3422/7/8
GPS Coordinates: 3.20869,101.758651


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Listen to Black Mags 2 by The Cool Kids
Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish connect as The Cool Kids once again to drop a sequel to their 2008 single, Black Mags. Stream Black Mags 2 below.
Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish connect as The Cool Kids once again to drop a sequel to their 2008 single, Black Mags. Stream Black Mags 2 below.
The Cool Kids – Shit Show (Issue 001)
Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish are teaming up as The Cool Kids once again for the new album, Special Edition Grandmaster Deluxe. The…
Asher Roth – Wu Financial (Feat. The Cool Kids)
Asher Roth gets back to releasing music with The Cool Kids assisted single "Wu Financial". Listen to the song below and stay tuned for…
Chuck Inglish – Legs (Feat. Chromeo)
The Cool Kids are back together and now Chuck Inglish connects with Chromeo for a single of his own titled "Legs." Chuck's solo debut album…
The Cool Kids – Chop (Feat. HBK Gang) / Computer School
The Cool Kids are serious about their comeback and today Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish serve up two new tracks. The first is…
The Cool Kids Announce New "Shark Week" Project
Fans of The Cool Kids have been waiting on new music from the Chi-Town duo since they linked up on "Swervin" last year and…
The Cool Kids – Footwork (Feat. Aaron LaCrate)
Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish link up as The Cool Kids once again to release a new track titled "Footwork" featuring Aaron LaCrate. This…
The Cool Kids – Champions (Official Video)
Check out this unreleased video from The Cool Kids for their song "Champions". This song is from their Gone Fishing project and the video…
Rapsody – Round Table Discussion (Feat. Mac Miller & The Cool Kids)
Rapsody drops the second single off his upcoming album The Idea Of Beautiful. It features Mac Miller and The Cool Kids as well as…
The Cool Kids – Rush Hour Traffic
The Cool Kids drop an official video for their When Fish Ride Bicycles single "Rush Hour Traaffic." Artsy, bro.
Finally an MP3 of The Cool Kids track "Bundle Up," which you may have seen them perform live.
Future "Perkies" (Produced by Metro Boomin)
Debonair Brown "Embrace It" (Official Music Video)
A Boogie Wit da Hoodie "Reply" (Feat. Lil Uzi Vert)
Future "Last Name" (Feat. Lil Durk)
Lil Peep "Everybody's Everything" (Album Stream)
Tory Lanez "Chixtape 5" (Album Stream)
Kanye West "Jesus Is King" (Album Stream)
Kirill & Jaco "Hublot" (Official Music Video)
Lil X "New Kid on the Block" (Album Stream)


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Just looking wistfully at a picture of Miranda Kerr's bikini body as you reach for breakfast each morning is not going to give you great abs by proxy. When it comes to fitness, it does really take consistent dedication to see results. If your workout gear is languishing in the closet, try some of these ideas to boost your motivation.
Keep it short and sweet
Lengthier exercise sessions can have a lot of benefits, but for the impatient or time-poor, intense, shorter workouts might be a better choice. From HIIT to Crossfit to Slow Burn, maximum intensity/minimum duration moves are taking off. Intensive exercise can be especially effective in a group setting as you can draw on the energy of your fellow group members to help you push through a tough set of intervals. Although it can be tough, putting in your strongest effort means that you'll see results more quickly, which can be a key source of encouragement.
Stick to a beeline for success
There are tons of free online tools to help keep you accountable in your quest for fitness and health. One of the newest is Bee minder, which provides an incentive to make progress towards a goal every day. Or you can put your money where your mouth is with stick by forming an agreement with your friends. They'll be keeping you accountable – literally – because if you fail to achieve what you said you would, you've got to pay up! You don't need online apps for these methods either, since a written "contract" in the hands of a reliable friend can be just as good. Just make sure that whatever approach you take, it's official enough to keep you on your joggers-clad toes.
Make it personal
Of course, if you're going to pay someone to keep you accountable, they might be as well be an expert who can help you with your technique, routine, diet and lifestyle as well. Hiring a personal trainer is a time-honored way to keep on track for a reason: it works. You could even take your passion to the next level by undertaking an instructor certification with a member-based organization such as the Australian Fitness Network. Staying fit and earning money at the same time: now that's motivation.
Jane Meldon is a health and fitness expert writing for the Australian Fitness Network.


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A Publication of Churches Under Christ Ministry
Click here to go to All Written Course Segments
Click here to go to General Questions Answered
Click here To Go to Links to All 5 Minute Youtube Course Segments
Jerald Finney
Copyright © December 8, 2017
See Endnote 3 for links to full explantion of church 508 status
26 United States Code § 508, also referred to as Internal Revenue Code § 508, is a law which was enacted by Congress and signed by the President.
Some churches rely on this law rather than another law, § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, to establish tax exempt status.
"§ 508(c)(1)(A). Special rules with respect to section 501(c)(3) organizations. "(a) New organizations must notify secretary that they are applying for recognition of section 501(c)(3) status. "(c) Exceptions. "(1) Mandatory exceptions. Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to— "(A) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches" (26 U.S.C. § 508). [Emphasis mine.]
508(c)(1)(A) churches are subject to the same rules which 501c3 churches are subject to. En1, En2; En3 (full explantion of church 508(c)(1)(A) status)
The Bible Answer to the Question, "Is an Incorporated 501(c)(3) or 508(c)(1(A) Church a Church of Christ?" (Prepared for a talk given at the September 16-19 Liberty Baptist Church of Albuquerque, NM, Southwest Baptist Heritage Camp Meeting. Click here to go to Part I of the video of that presentation. Click here to go to Part II of that presentation, "Why a Church Is Not a Business." Part II was removed from Part I. In Part II, Jerald Finney invited Evangelist and Pastor Terry Woodside to tell his story which demonstrates that a church which is a non-legal entity cannot be sued in America. Click here to go to the page which has links to all sermons and presentations at that meeting.)
En1 See Should a Church Be a 508 Church?
En2 See What is 501c3?
En3 Church Internal Revenue Code § 508(c)(1)(A) Tax Exempt Status. This article gives a thorough explanation of church 508 status.


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About the Event
The presentation will highlight the Resilient Communities Project (RCP), a new university-community collaboration to advance sustainable and resilient outcomes. The RCP offers a new model of university outreach, organized around a sustained one-year partnership with a single Minnesota community. During the partnership year, RCP staff match between 15-30 locally identified projects with graduate-level courses across the University of Minnesota.
The presenters will share information about the RCP program, as well as details about projects completed during last year's partnership withthe City of Minnetonka and RCP's new partnership with the City of North St. Paul. Among the diverse range of projects are a number that focus on transportation topics. In addition to offering innovation in outreach, RCP also serves as an important model for advanced cross-disciplinary and experiential learning opportunities—both of which are critical for advancing sustainability education.
Watch video
Carissa Schively Slotterback, director of the Resilient Communities Project, is an associate professor at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Her research is focused on stakeholder involvement and decision-making related to environmental, land-use, and transportation planning. She has a particular interest in how stakeholders perceive impacts and use information in making decisions, focusing on impact assessment, collaborative decision-making, and sustainability planning approaches.
Mike Greco, program manager of the Resilient Communities Project Program Manager, is the communications coordinator for the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs. He is also an adjunct faculty member in the Humphrey School's Master of Urban and Regional Planning Program. He serves on the Dakota County Planning Commission, as well as local and regional advisory committees on urban planning issues and sustainability.


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Despite the seasonably warm weather and bad timing for a convention this size, this con was a lot of fun. I think that had wholly to do with my friends and family who also attended this year. This was the first comic con some of my family members had attended, and I enjoyed spending time with them in the fray. I also spent the weekend with some good friends, two of whom dressed up as a very impressive Walter White from Breaking Bad, and A.W.E.S.O.M. – O from South Park. See Phoenix Comic Con (Part I).
Attending with people in costume creates a very different experience just because of the interaction with other attendees and photo ops. It was a lot more fun than just wandering around. Other than that, the con was nothing but shenanigans.


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Ballerina In The City
By: Ashley Bartlett This weekend the city will transform before our eyes as we make way for Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts + Creativity . In anticipation of summer our city will become the ultimate haven of culture as the streets fill with live music, art exhibits, and special dance performances. Celebrate the festival with… Read More »Read Article


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We've scoured the internet for days and came across this gem. Can you guess which Country Music artist this is? Here are a few clues…
1. He's a Georgia boy born and bred.
2. His first job was in the Nashville Network's mailroom.
3. He's received 2 Grammys, 16 CMA Awards, and 17 ACM awards.
4. He had a collection at Cracker Barrel.
Haven't guessed yet?
Well, this young man is none other than Alan Jackson. This just goes to show that all men get better with age!


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Reducing your life footprint on the earth sometimes means making a few more… by walking instead of driving to local destinations.
Having sold the car a few months back as part of this solarious experiment, I've been hoofing it all over the city this summer. It's been great for getting a tan, and also a refreshing way to view the neighborhoods in my area. A good walking street does not necessarily mean the same for driving, and since you have plenty of time to examine things as you go by, you'll probably find yourself seeing details you never noticed right in your own stretch of town. I use the time to look for edible and native plants along the street… in Los Angeles, there is an old law that states any tree or plant that overhangs the sidewalk is fair game for harvesting by the general public (see FallenFruit.org, a great website complete with "Fruit maps" and a commendable mission statement for more on this). Yesterday, as I trekked to get my mail from the post office, a stretch of about 1 3/4 miles that I used to cover by car in about 5 minutes without more thought or notice than to curse the traffic gods, I recorded the following:
Walking down Santa Monica Blvd, sharing the sidewalk with transvestite hookers and average Joe and Jane shoppers peacefully co-mingling around large retail storefronts, I turn back onto a neighborhood street once known as an artists' mecca, but which is now a darkly comical mix of homeless people camping near the lawns of middle income family homes. There are ample opportunities for herb stalking here, which occupies me for the remainder of the block (a funny thing about LA is that regardless of its immense size, the cultural landscape changes drastically every couple of blocks, kind of like a permanent Olympic Village).
I make my way to Melrose Ave, past a sea of tourists waiting in a never-ending line for Pinks Hotdogs, and past the local halfway house for adults with developmental disabilities which shares its corner with one of the most popular Cuban restaurants in town. As I walk by, the halfway house residents are watching the arrival of a Hollywood celebutante and her entourage at the restaurant, who, needless to say, are not watching those watching them. Melrose is awash with foreigners who haven't yet heard about the street's decline and think that they'll find the next hot designer outfit there. These days, you're more likely to find a ten dollar clubbing outfit or a glass bong, though a few brave designers have shops there still. Mixing with the exotic foreigners' accents are the rough voices of immortal punk rockers, the giggles of wannabe high school hipsters, and the rolling grumbles of Persian and Asian store owners who still work the sidewalks attracting customers. Turning off Melrose, I walk down the alley through an open air art museum, courtesy of the talented taggers and spray can artists who've made the alleys their gallery for years, and hopefully for many more to come. This is one of my favorite spots in the city, and I linger for a few moments to appreciate the ever-changing canvas.
Beyond there is another neighborhood, this one the domain of the local Orthodox Jewish population, where men in Yarmulkas drive nice cars (except on Shabats) and women in long black skirts push double wide strollers down the sidewalks. This is another foraging mecca, lots of date palms and fruit trees, undoubtedly because the second-generation families who live there still appreciate the historic reality of food shortages and self-sufficiency. The houses themselves are historic craft services houses from the golden days of Hollywood, each with their own character and story.
Turning onto Beverly Blvd, I start to notice Ferraris and Porsches parked street-side, indicating I'm now in the realm of the hipster designers. Trendy cafes and coffeehouses are interspersed with interior design firms and Fashion Week designer boutiques. Writers peer intensely at passers by from behind their laptops and eavesdrop on actors who gather to share "I'm too cool" party tales with other actors with whom they are, no doubt, too cool to be hanging out. Finally, I pass the local public park, a haven for youth sports leagues, middle aged joggers, and boheme-chic refugees from CBS Studios' resident neighborhood actor population and the renowned Farmer's Market (which is now more like a shopping mall) just beyond. Inside the park's entrance stands a largely ignored Holocaust monument to those who died in the great war and the remnants of an old amphitheater that, despite being in the heart of thespian territory, today only serves as a frisbee park for local dogs and the meeting spot for several Hollywood fitness boot camps.
In twenty minutes, I feel like an ambassador at the United Nations, having traveled half the globe without ever leaving town! As a bonus, I've gathered enough seeds from passing plants to start a respectable guerrilla garden somewhere, got a good workout, and it took no fossil fuels to get to my destination, save whatever was used in making the rubber soles of my shoes. Most importantly, I got to interact with my neighborhood on a personal level, rather than simply staring out the window at a traffic light.
Is there somewhere local that you generally drive that would be a good candidate for a walk? If time is a luxury, then treat yourself to a little jaunt through your local world. Picking a regularly scheduled destination you already frequent will help encourage you to ditch the car and get out more often than simply saying "I will go for more walks", at least if the shattered remains of many new years resolutions are any indication. When you do decide to hoof it, keep a mental trip journal and post your best tales here! See you on the street~


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My mom and dad divorced when I was just a year old. I never had the chance to meet my dad, he died a few years back at the age of 63. Since, I never had a father figure in my life, I never had a negative or positive role model to look to in learning how to be a dad. I had to find other role models, and ultimately my heavenly daddy, to show me how to be a man, a husband, and a father.
Over the past 11 years of having the opportunity of being a dad, I have had many successes and many failures in raising my children. There have been times when I should have been more patient and understanding. There have been times when I should have been more strict and not as lenient. Times when I should have listened when I ignored. Times when I should have shut my mouth and let the children talk.
God has never found himself on one side or the other in the discipline department. He is precisely where he should be. He is never too harsh, and never too soft. When we fall down, he picks us up. When we are in need of a little discipline he gives it with a firm but loving hand. We may have this idea that God is a pushover. That he is weak and that he lets us get away with things because he loves us too much to punish us. God loves his children in such a way that he will lead us to the truth and a radical change in him. Love does not mean sitting on the sidelines and letting your kids do things that is wrong. Love means disciplining them for the wrongs they have committed, but showing them the right way and the way out of the trouble they are in.
God is kind, but he's not soft.


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Something that has been going on for quite a while now is the merger of politicos within and in-between political parties. They are all becoming the same party. The political party. Well, actually this has already happened, maybe not totally, it is still possible to find slim differences, at least in the rhetoric, but in actuality and as in consequence for your vote the disparity is hardly detectable.
This is particularly noticeable whenever something threatens the hegemony of The Political Party. If a threat of alternative emerges that loathes the EU, wants to bring the problems with immigration up on the table or Pirates wanting to stop the Orwellian nightmare from coming true, or if someone says that their Church of Climatology is a fraud, then watch The Political Party go to work. We are back to Neolithic tribalism. Insult one member of a tribe and they all come after you.
As a libertarian I know this tribal thinking very well. A libertarian isn't only against The Political Party, such a person is often also against any alternative. We don't only fight fascists, racists, socialists and mainstream pundits; we also fight liberals, conservatives, religious freaks and tree hugging loons. Pretty much everyone on this planet is our adversary, so believe me when I say that I know how the Pirate Parties, the Racist Parties and how any anti-establishment party feels.
In Sweden as well as in the UK there are general elections this year. And in true One Party sentiment the enemies of the people i.e. politicians, brainless journalists, wannabe dictators and fraudulent pranksters of all colors and religions come together before the general election in an effort to sell the idea that they believe in different ideologies, that there's a difference in who rule us and that there's hostility among the elite.
Just have a look at the HealthCare debate in the US. The Republicans pretend to be against the Democratic suggestion, seemingly against public healthcare, but they are the ones that created this monster in the first place and they do want public healthcare, only not the Democratic one. The Democratic Party bash the republicans for being against the poor since they want to abolish 'free' public healthcare, which they, as said, don't want to do.
The goal of this trickery is of course to convince us to vote for any of the established political parties and engage ourselves in the theatre.
'A vote for a third party is a wasted vote' –is one of the main arguments being heard from foot soldiers of The Political Party. Another popular theme is the bashing of the supposed adversary, something that is eagerly followed by media hence automatically cutting out any alternative view.
The right is of course fighting for the rich and the privileged while eating babies' in-between collecting money from big business and growing a black mustache while wearing a tophat. The left is of course taxation freaks straight out of hell spawn to do unspeakable evil to families and bring forth the end of civilization.
Any smaller parties, if they are established and sleeps with The Political Party, can also be a part of this game. Often such smaller entities get to wear one (maybe two) attributes easily attacked. Religious parties for instance often get the gay-bashing and anti-woman label. Green parties want to stop progress and bring us all back to live in caves. And so on.
These attacks and pretend animosity is quoted and lifted up as top-news every day before any general election.
The fact that they all want you to obey the law, they all want you to pay your taxes, they all want you to vote, they all want you spend your money and they all want you to go to school and learn how to be a good citizen, is ignored.
And they all fight wars for the sake of puppies, Children and fluffy clouds.
No matter who sits in government they fight the 'war' against drugs, the 'war' against poverty, the 'war' against inflation, the 'war' against unemployment. These are all unwinnable 'wars' almost always created by government and the politically correct themselves, but the sheople of this world always buy the rhetoric.
And no matter who is in charge the rules of the land (laws) keep expanding in quantity, size and intrusion into our lives. Not a single political party - with libertarian exceptions in some countries - has any intention of reducing the number of laws.
That the only real difference is a couple of percentage up or down comes to taxes and welfare checks, is also ignored. So is the fact that the European Union nowadays resides and decides over 70% (according to some 80-85%) of our laws. That globalization, huge corporations and anti-democratic institutions like the UN or the IMF also play a central role in any decision-making goes by unnoticed.
But the most important power, those with actual authority no-one ever speaks about, is never mentioned. At all.
The ones I'm talking about isn't some elusive Bilderberg-group and this isn't a conspiracy, it's a fact. The ones I am talking about are the bureaucrats and non-elected righteous people behind the curtain.
You see with the rising of the welfare state and the unification of The Political Party those contrived to control the government can be found among departments, lobby-groups and within the structure.
They can have been hired or created by the 'right' or by the 'left', that has no meaning, they stay put no matter who gets elected. You can even fire a couple of them, but then three other will take the two's place. Or they can be a part of some elitist group that for some reason have reached sainthood such as a female rights activist group.
These are the politically correct thugs that no matter what always strive to increase their funding and their power.
Who do you think has most power over a proposed bill, those elected to parliament or the ones actually writing the bill, commenting on it, lobbying for/against it and benefiting/ getting hurt by it?
This righteous and politically correct pile of scum have any government, no matter who they are or what ideology they are said to belong to trained to accept their every pronouncement and trained to accept the general structure as a 'done deal'. All that is left is to cut a bit around the edges, no changes, oh no, only a slight improvement, a slim adjustment, nothing else. And damn anyone not complying with this set of rules.
If a politician steps out of line saying he wants to eliminate any of these power houses he will not last very long. Because if anyone says or does anything of the sort, the entire elitists supremacy comes out in unison to shoot that person down with every dirty trick in the book. The Political Party does not abide well to any heretic, and the righteous and morally impervious will not hold back the punches.
In this game for more funding and more power everyone becomes a pawn.
For example the blacks and the gays are a means to an end. As is anyone overweight, anyone disabled,anyone different in any way at all. They are tools in virtuous hands. The 'equality' mafia doesn't care if Muslims get the blame for their ridiculous assertions of offence or if immigrants that have been thrown out in rundown suburbs without work commits crime. Those shadowy figures encouraging black or gay militancy are not necessarily black or gay themselves.
It's all a means to an end.
And the 'end' is to gain power, increase their department, to hire more useless workers sitting around doing nothing. The 'end' is about control, control over our lives as in controlling our smoking, drugs, driving, alcohol, sex or marriage.
They know better, they only want what is best for you, if you only listen the world will be a much better place, and if you don't listen they will send you invoices to pay for their scam anyway or, which becomes more likely as the number of laws increases, throw you in jail.
And just as the righteous and politically correct, The Political Party has a real agenda. You see decision making in the world of the jesters and deceitful "übermench" within The Political Party is based upon vote-maximization. They would like you to think it is about ideology, differences between right and left and that they all care about the less privileged, nothing can be further from the truth.
For the individual politician it is about gaining a seat, having a taste of that wonderful buffet of tax money, and to have a piece of that control-grid in order to silence those Napoleonic voices they hear whispering in their ears. For The Political Party the game is about having, keeping, and expanding power.
In this strive for vote-maximization and more funding and control the political elite and the righteous behind the curtain are in cahoots. One implies the other.
In order to reach this goal together they employ several tactics.
The 'wars' mentioned above is such a tactic, another one is to have us looking at the left hand waving in our face while the right hand does something unspeakable behind their back. An example of this is while they are riding in limousines, flying private jets, lives in lavish mansions and dining and feasting for your tax money they wave pictures of Polar Bears in your face claiming that manmade global warming will kill all human infants tomorrow.
Another tactic, and probably the most common used, is that of group-thinking. We all belong to 'groups'. It can be religious, ethnic, gender, geographical or even sports groups. If they manage to pit one group against the other they can play on that for ages.
It's not the righteous or The Political Party's fault that those skinheads and immigrants fight each other, nope, it is the groups, one evil racist one everyone should hate and one poor, underprivileged group that are the good guys, but in reality only used as voting cattle.
Rich white men in suits are another group everyone is supposed to hate, or so the rich and predominantly white men in suits belonging to the morally correct and The Political Party says.
Oh, and smokers! Everyone should hate smokers. They bring cancer to our shores.
And fat people are horrible obese things costing bundles of cash and the main reason why our healthcare system doesn't work. Also thin people. Lettuce eating skeletons walking down the runway are among the worst things in this world.
Everyone with a penis is a walking rapist. A person wearing a turban is potentially a terrorist.
These groups, and many more, are engaged in an epic battle for supreme domination and you'll better always stand with the righteous and The Political Party because they stand for the goodness and equality that will stop the group-fighting and bring peace to our time.
All you haft to do is to vote for them, and, of course, not complain too much.


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About Bostwick Lake Inn
Room Capacity 50
Bostwick Lake Inn sits aside the crystal clear waters of Bostwick Lake, on the outskirts of Rockford, Michigan. Bostwick Lake Inn has the soul of a snow covered lodge and the spirit of a sun soaked beach house. You're just as likely to find guests arriving on snowmobiles in February as you are to find boats arriving at our dock in July. Our four season, covered deck is the perfect space for you private dining needs–holiday parties, rehearsal dinners, family reunions and the like. You won't find a more beautiful setting in West Michigan!
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text: Set up communication between LDAP and MID servers Configure your LDAP and MID servers to communicate with each other. Before you beginRole required: admin About this task A MID Server connection communicates over HTTP on port 80 by default. This communication channel does not require a certificate. The connection between the MID Server and the instance is over HTTPS (port 443). An instance can connect to an LDAP server via the MID Server. When you do this, the instance communicates with the MID Server via HTTPS, and the MID Server communicates with the LDAP server via LDAP (port 389). The instance can also connect to the LDAP server directly, using LDAP or LDAPS, either over the internet or through a VPN tunnel. Note: LDAP cannot communicate via the MID Server with password authentication. To set connection properties for a specific LDAP server: Procedure Navigate to System LDAP > LDAP Servers. Select the LDAP server to configure. Set the connection property fields (see table). Click Update. Field Description Name Enter the name of the server. Active Select this check box if the server is active. LDAP Server URLs Enter the URLs of the primary and backup LDAP servers. Servers are first ordered by operational status, with servers that are Up listed first, then ordered by the Order value that you specify. The first server listed is the primary LDAP server. The others are redundant servers. Server URL Enter the URL of the server. Configure the form to add this field if necessary. It is a calculated read-only field that shows the list of LDAP servers that you can also see in the LDAP Server URLs field, separated by a space, and ordered by operational status and the order values of the URLs. Login distinguished name Enter the distinguished name (DN) of the user authenticating the LDAP connection.To access an LDAP directory server, the username must be in the full distinguished name format: email@example.com Login password Enter the server's password. Starting search directory Enter the relative distinguished name (RDN) of the default search directory. All queries to this LDAP server will start from this RDN. MID Server Select the MID Server you want to use to connect to the LDAP server. Using a MID Server to establish an LDAP connection prevents you from having to expose the LDAP server to external network traffic. It also eliminates the need to establish a VPN tunnel between your LDAP server and ServiceNow data centers.Note: The MID Server user must have the user_admin role in order to be able to read LDAP server configuration records. The following are not available with the MID Server: LDAP authentication SSL connection Connect timeout If a MID Server is configured, the connection times out after 10 seconds, regardless of this setting. This setting is hard-coded and cannot be altered. Read timeout Specify the number of seconds the integration has to read LDAP data. The integration stops reading LDAP data after the connection exceeds the read timeout. If you enable an SSL connection, you can also set a read timeout value with thecom.glide.ssl.read.timeoutsystem property. If you enter timeout values for both this field and the system property, the lowest timeout value takes precedence. SSL Select this check box to require the LDAP server to make an SSL-encrypted connection. For more information, see Enable SSL. If you selected a MID Server, this field is not available. Listener Select this check box to enable the integration to periodically poll Microsoft Active Directory servers or LDAP servers that support persistent search request control. Additionally, if you selected a MID Server, the listener functionality is available for that MID Server. See LDAP listener and Enable an LDAP listener for more information. Listen interval (timeout value) Specify the listener timeout value in the number of minutes that the integration listens for LDAP data with every connection. The integration stops listening for LDAP data after the connection exceeds the listen interval. Paging Select this check box to have the LDAP server split up LDAP attribute data into multiple result sets rather than submit multiple queries. Test communication between LDAP and MID ServersThe instance tests the connection automatically every time a user opens the LDAP Server form.Configure LDAP connection monitoringChange or disable LDAP connection monitoring and notifications. Related tasksDefine an LDAP serverConfigure an LDAP serverDefine LDAP organizational unitsCreate a data source for LDAPImport binary data through a MID ServerRelated conceptsLDAP transform mapsLDAP data transformationScheduled data imports for LDAPTroubleshooting LDAP integration via MID Server


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If you've ever considered how perfect Betty and Veronica are for each other, ever wished that Hermione had chosen Harry instead of Ron, ever absent-mindedly doodled the name Finn Dameron in the most elaborate script possible, you're a shipper.
Shipper, short for "relationshipper," is a person who is invested, even in a small way, in a romance between two (or more) fictional characters or public figures. And it's been an important aspect of fan culture for decades.
On the internet, an active community of shippers has found a welcome home at Tumblr. Every year, the website analyzes its data and comes up with the most popular pairings of the year.
(The word ship and a related term, "slash," for same-sex relationships, are often misused. Here's a guide to usage and etymology.)
The names of two characters who have been shipped are often combined in portmanteaus that refer to the pairings, so Betty and Veronica are collectively known as Beronica.
We asked Amanda Brennan, who is in charge of analyzing traffic at Tumblr, to talk us through the 2017 list.
Scroll to the bottom for the full list.
This year's top ship comes from the animated sci-fi show "Voltron: Legendary Defender," where fans have latched on to the chemistry between the solemn loner, Keith, and the goofball sharpshooter, Lance.
The clip above, from season three, is a nice sampling of their (so-far platonic) relationship.
"They're just adorable with each other," Ms. Brennan said of the pairing, popularly known as Klance. "On Tumblr specifically, a lot of the content about Klance is really cute fan art."
Keith and Lance are not canon, meaning that their relationship is not part of the show's scripted story line. It's a popular misunderstanding that one can only ship two characters who are not already romantically involved on a show.
In fact, it's perfectly appropriate to ship, for example, Jim and Pam from "The Office." It's a way to express approval of a romance that was canon from the beginning.
A case in point is the relationship between Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood, characters from the Freeform series "Shadowhunters," who are romantically involved on the show. The couple, often referred to as Malec, came in second on Tumblr's list.
"They're just beautiful human beings and watching them kiss is like, 'oh yes,'" Ms. Brennan said. "There's no way to not ship that."
All 10 of the year's top ships are same-sex pairings, a testament to how friendly Tumblr is to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, as well as to the long history of slash both off and online. But Ms. Brennan did point out that shipping tends to skew male-male, and she was pleased that there were several relationships between women on the 2017 list.
Actors and other creators don't always have an easy time accepting that they're part of a beloved ship. But as the concept has become more familiar, many have accepted it as an aspect of fan culture.
Katie McGrath, who plays Lena Luthor on the CW series "Supergirl," told TVLine in April that she understood how people had come to pair her character with Supergirl, who is played by Melissa Benoist.
"It doesn't bother me at all," she said. "It's not just what we put into it. It's what the writers put in, and the directors, and then what people can take from it."
Shipping may seem like a playful pastime. But Flourish Klink, a host of the podcast "Fansplaining" and an expert on fan communities, said the phenomenon was often explicitly political, and should be understood that way.
"People really want to see themselves reflected in media, and that has become wrapped up in shipping culture," she said.
Some actors actively embrace the ship.
Dominique Provost-Chalkley and Katherine Barrell, who play the couple Waverly Earp and Nicole Haught on the SyFy show "Wynonna Earp," have consistently expressed appreciation for their fans' enthusiasm.
"Gay people's relationships are underrepresented, totally, and their deaths are overrepresented," Ms. Provost-Chalkley told TV Insider in June. "I think our relationship on the show managed to achieve that positive representation."
Ms. Brennan said that shows like "Wynonna Earp" showed how, as young people who understood fandoms start to contribute to mainstream programming, the nature of the shows themselves may change.
"I feel like the newer content that's coming out is more queer friendly than ever before and I think that's due to people growing up in fandoms, becoming writers themselves," she said.
The full list
The show's name comes first, followed by the names of the characters and the preferred name for the ship. The exceptions are Daniel Howell and Phil Lester, who are YouTubers, and Park Jimin and Jeon Jungkook, of the K-pop group BTS.
1. "Voltron: Legendary Defender;" Keith and Lance; Klance
2. "Shadowhunters;" Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood; Malec
3. "Yuri!!! on Ice;" Victor Nikiforov and Yuri Katsuki; Victuuri
4. YouTube; Daniel Howell and Phil Lester; Phan
5. Park Jimin and Jeon Jungkook, Jikook
6. "Supergirl;" Kara Danvers and Lena Luthor; Supercorp
7. "Overwatch;" Jesse McCree and Hanzo Shimada; McHanzo
8. "Yuri!!! on Ice;" Otabek Altin and Yuri Plisetsky; Otayuri
9. "Supergirl;" Maggie Sawyer and Alex Danvers, Sanvers
10."Wynonna Earp;" Waverly Earp and Nicole Haught; Wayhaught


text: Root has now hit six Test centuries [Reuters] England's Joe Root struck his sixth Test century, and his first on foreign soil, to put the tourists in control on 373 for six on the third day of the second Test against West Indies in Grenada. The 24-year-old Yorkshireman was unbeaten on 118 at stumps play while Jos Buttler ended on four not out on a good pitch for batting. Earlier, England captain Alastair Cook produced a welcome return to form with 76 while Gary Ballance hit 77 and Jonathan Trott chipped in with 59. Cook was bowled by Shannon Gabriel when he dragged a bottom edge on to the stumps, leaving the left-hander still searching for his first Test century in almost two years. Cook's 125-run opening partnership with Trott had laid the foundations for England. It was England's first century opening stand since March 2013. The first Test of the three-match series was drawn. Scorecard: West Indies 299 all out (Samuels 103, Broad 4-61) England 373-6 (Root 118*, Gabriel 2-60) SOURCE: Reuters Sport Cricket


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"Of course I punched him. No, the camerabot didn't get the shot. It was too busy laughing its tin head off."
- IMEF Staff Sergeant Sarah Blitzer, Deep Space Carrier Decatur (SCVN-2814)
- IMEF Staff Sergeant Sarah Blitzer, Deep Space Carrier Decatur (SCVN-2814)
I've painted this miniature before, but wasn't happy with the results. Fortunately, it's easy to remove paint from a miniature with Simple Green, a little time, and a brush.
This time I used a lighter grey for the body suit (Reaper MSP Alien Flesh 09293) while keeping a dark grey for the armor pieces and rifle (Reaper MSP Stormy Grey 09088). The greater contrast prevents the effect from being lost in slightly dimmer light conditions. I also used metallic paint more aggressively on the armor and rifle to suggest wear (Citadel Boltgun Metal).
Some details, including the lenses on the goggles and scope, were picked out in Reaper True Blue (09017) with Reaper LED Blue (09288) as a highlight. Again, the goal was greater contrast than on the original paint job.
I tried various things with the face, but settled on a mix of Reaper Tanned Skin (09044) and Reaper Fair Skin (09047) with a wash to bring out details. Painting eyes is just something I haven't mastered yet.
Overall, I like this attempt better than the first. The greater contrast between the different parts of the miniature brings out more the details. The contrast also has a neater appearance. It all adds up to a better expression of the concept.
Incidentally, I did take a few minutes to compare this miniature (Reaper Chronoscope 50274) with the Bones version (80021) released as part of the Reaper Bones Kickstarter Vampire Box. The Bones version comes with an integral base resembling metal plating. The detail on both miniatures are comparable, but I think the metal version looks a little crisper and better defined. That said, I'm not sure if the differences really matter once the miniatures are painted and on the tabletop.
My current plans for the Bones version of Sarah is to match her with the rest of the IMEF Marines included in the Vampire Box. This will allow them to be fielded as a squad. Right now, I'm thinking of a primary color like blue or red for the armor rather than grey.


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Apple announced a special media event today for March 9 with only one hint in its tag line: "Spring forward." Bryan Chaffin and Kelly Guimont join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on the media event and what sort of Apple Watch-related announcements it may include. They also take a look at the FCC's vote on Net Neutrality.
TMO Daily Observations 2015-02-26: Apple Spring Forward Media Event, Net Neutrality
- Apple Invites Media to March 9th 'Spring Forward' Event
- FCC Net Neutrality Vote
- Come see Jeff at the Aces Conference May 20-21
- Come see Jeff at Denver Comic Con May 23-25
- TMO Daily Observations Twitter feed


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KAMPALA, – Malnutrition costs Uganda an estimated US$899 million annually – as much as 5.6 percent of its GDP – according to findings of a new report.
The report, part of a wider paper dubbed The Cost of Hunger in Africa, launched on 18 June in the capital, Kampala, was conducted by the Ugandan government with the support of the African Union Commission, the New Partnership for Africa's Development, the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the UN World Food Programme (WFP). Similar reports are planned for Egypt, Ethiopia and Swaziland.
"Hunger and under-nutrition are both a cause and effect of poverty," Sory Ouane, WFP's country director, said at the report's launch. "Cutting hunger and achieving food and nutrition security in Africa is not only one of the most effective means of reducing vulnerability and enhancing the resilience of national economies, it also produces high returns for social and economic development."
Using data from 2009, the report estimated that child mortality associated with under-nutrition reduced Uganda's labour force by 3.8 percent. This represents over 943 million working hours lost due to an absent workforce, costing the country nearly $317 million. In the educational sector, the study estimated that 7 percent of repeated school years in Uganda are associated with stunting, representing 134,000 repetitions and an estimated cost of $9.5 million to the government and families.
The study found that treating diarrhoea, anaemia, respiratory infections and other clinical conditions related to malnutrition cost Uganda $254 million, while losses in productivity reached $201 million in manual sectors like agriculture and $116 million in non-manual activities.
People affected by stunting – which results from poor nutrition in the first five years of life – are more likely to be sickly, to perform poorly at school or drop out, to be less productive at work, and to die early.
"When the child is undernourished, that child's brain is less likely to develop at healthy rates, and that child is more likely to have cognitive delays," the authors noted.
One out of every three children in Uganda are stunted, according to the report, while as many as 82 percent of all cases of child under-nutrition and related conditions go untreated. Some 15 percent of all child mortality cases in Uganda are associated with under-nutrition, and 54 percent of the adult population in Uganda suffered from stunting as children.
An estimated 110,220 cases of child mortality associated with child under-nutrition were reported in Uganda from 2004 to 2009.
Ugandan Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi called for urgent intervention. "The findings provide us with the evidence base for building a case for food security, communication, advocacy and policy discourse on nutrition," he said at the report's launch. "We can no longer afford to have high prevalence rates of under-nutrition… [The report] has given the justification for increasing investment in scaling-up nutrition interventions and ensuring the availability of food and good nutrition."
Urgent action needed
Mbabazi said the findings would be a guide for Uganda's future nutrition policies to "prevent unnecessary losses of human and economic potential".
"The study calls for urgent moves from governments in Africa. It encourages countries to set aggressive targets in Africa for the reduction of stunting," said Carlos Costa, one of the authors of the report. "To have a decisive impact, a comprehensive multi-sectoral policy must be put in place, with strong political commitment and allocation of adequate resources."
John Kakitahi, a public health and nutritionist specialist at Uganda's Makerere University, told IRIN that some practical measures to reduce stunting included scaling-up the provision of fortified foods to schoolchildren and introducing fortified products – such as micronutrient powders – to improve food quality at home.
"There is need for increased awareness campaigns on good food nutrition. The government needs to support sectors like agriculture for improving food production and promoting food diversification so that people eat a variety of food," said Elizabeth Madraa, fortification advisor with the US government's Strengthening Partnerships, Results in Innovations in Nutrition Globally (SPRING) project.
She also urged the government to boost funding and human resources to support the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan (UNAP), which aims to reduce child malnutrition and stunting and boost exclusive breastfeeding by 2016.
Food shortages bite
Yet parts of the country are currently grappling with food shortages that caused deaths and malnutrition.
Uganda's first rainy season – traditionally between March and July – has been very heavy in parts of the country, causing crop-destroying floods, while other parts of the country saw little rain. A recently concluded disaster risk and food insecurity assessment undertaken by the government showed that crops, including staples like maize, beans and millet, had failed during the first rains.
In Karuma Village, in the northwestern district of Masindi, farmer Cordildo Maya told IRIN that he had lost his entire crop. "I planted them in early April, but the sun didn't spare my crops this time," he said.
"It's a worrying situation, and we have notified [the] agricultural ministry to advise farmers accordingly. Farmers need to plant quick-maturing plants and make full potential of the second rains," Musa Ecweru, State Minister of Relief and Disaster Preparedness, told IRIN.
Ecweru urged people to limit the amount of food they sold and to use it to cope with the shortages instead.
In the chronically food insecure northeast, food shortages are affecting school attendance and deaths from hunger have been reported. WFP is distributing relief food in the region.
"We expect to reach an estimated 155,000 people, targeting children, [the] elderly, disable[d] and chronically ill," said country director Ouane in a recentcommuniqué. "However we have a funding gap of $2 million."
"Karamoja has only one planting season, so when we miss it, it means hunger," said Adome Lokwii Kotido, chairman of Karamoja's Kaabong District.
"The children and parents in the region are starving due to lack of food. The parents are struggling to provide food, but can't," Peter Aleper, member of parliament for Karamoja's Moroto Municipality, told IRIN.
so/ca/kr/rz source http://www.irinnews.org


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Sydney FC will stay in a hotel on Friday night to help give them an "away game" mentality heading into Saturday night's blockbuster against Melbourne Victory at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.
ARTICLE: Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory: Who will win?
The Sky Blues are unbeaten in their last seven games on the road but have only won twice at home this season.
So with that in mind, Graham Arnold's men will stay in a hotel as a team tonight in an attempt to replicate preparations for an away game.
Sydney FC captain Alex Brosque said it was the first time the squad had taken such measures ahead of playing a home game this campaign.
"I guess that's a small way of keeping everyone focused on what will be a very big game," Brosque told reporters on Friday.
"We're definitely aware of the fact that we've done very well away from home and our home form hasn't been up to scratch.
"Arnie's [Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold] made us aware that if we can start picking up points and start making our home ground as intimidating as it should be then we should be good."


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Discover an Advanced Hypnosis Process That Works When Everything Else Has Failed!
Learn About A Systematic Approach to Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
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Hello Hypnotists!
I am back once again with some free, fun and valuable hypnosis practice training. In this video, I Iet you in on my "Secret Weapon" and how we are getting ready for the convention. Celeste, Brenda and Erika are going to be there as well.
Remember to go to the NGH convention, I will teach you the Universal Script and teach you about the 5-PATH® System of Advanced Hypnosis. Oh, and I'm also going to do a workshop on this topic as well!
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What Works When Everything Else Fails – Parts Mediation Work™!
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Try to imagine the ravaged heart of Patricia Allen, whose three children drowned last month in an Irving apartment pool so murky that emergency crews couldn't tell how many kids were even in the pool.
These were not toddlers. Treshawn Smith was 9. His brother Anthony was 11. They lingered on life support and died weeks later. Their sister August was 10. She was dead when they pulled her from the water.
And, yes, these were black kids, and, no, they could not swim, nor could their mother. Seventy percent of black kids and 60 percent of Hispanic kids cannot swim, according to USASwimming.org.
Black kids aged 11-12 die in swimming pools at 10 times the rate for white kids the same age, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Why? Because they can't swim. Why? Because they are poor, don't get swimming lessons and their parents can't swim. USASwimming says when parents can't swim there is only a 13 percent chance their kids will learn to swim.
But if you take a look at the web page for the apartment complex where the Smith children died, that big gleaming swimming pool is the main attraction. MacArthur Place at 183 offers apartments starting at $525 a month for one bedroom, one bath. At those prices, the complex is ideally suited to attract low-income working class families, many of whom will be minority in Dallas.
We all know where this architecture comes from. Apartment complexes all over this area are designed for and marketed to employed singles and couples, when the complexes are new. At that point in the life-cycle, the pool is not simply an amenity: it's a necessity.
But how long do most of these places hold their luster? To be sure, Lincoln Properties and some few other companies have aggressively updated and rebuilt apartment complexes – the "Village" area around Northwest Highway and Central Expressway is an example – allowing them to hold on to the young professional demo.
But most of these places have a half-life of about 10 years. After that, the young professionals take a long hike somewhere else, and poor to modest-income families with kids come in behind them. That's when these damned swimming pools start killing kids.
I am counting down – one, two , three – waiting for someone to ask "Where was the mother?" She was right there, watching two other children, ages 3 and 6. She couldn't swim. She could do nothing. But, fine, if your heart really yearns to heap salt on her wounds and blame her for the lives of her three children, do it. Blame her.
So what? The fact remains that if that damned swimming pool had been either life-guarded or, even better, drained, covered and barricaded, those three kids would be alive today. Why is that so hard to do? The cost and inconvenience of draining the pool is greater than the value of the lives of three children?
If these joints are going to rent to poor minority families, they need to either staff those swimming pools when kids are in them or shut the pools down. And by the way, it would be nice if they could at least treat the water while children are swimming in it.
The city of Irving has cited this swimming pool repeatedly over a period of years for safety violations. That did a hell of a lot of good, didn't it?
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I can think of only one recourse that might force apartment owners to think twice about their responsibility for the lives of the children who live in their properties. Please, please, someone – churches, social clubs, officeholders, anybody in a position to do it – teach people how to Google "wrongful death lawyer."
There are lawyers out there who can even be Googled under "pool death lawyer." Only a series of absolutely butt-kicking verdicts – bad enough to snatch the assets right out from under the owners' noses – is capable of effecting real change here.
And by the way, the jury pool in this area ought to be pretty familiar with the basic circumstances. Hey, this is what lawyers are for. Half a dozen good lawyers and some big fat awards will achieve a hell of a lot more social justice here and save more lives of children through prevention than six dozen more code violation tickets from the city.
Google. Wrongful. Death. Lawyer. Do something about it.


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Divas Recommend:
"Attention, Writer: Listen to Your Editor"
by Courtney Cantrell
Being an editor is fun, but sometimes you've got to deliver news an author doesn't want to—or can't—accept. Editors can assure an author until they are hoarse that each suggested change is made to improve the overall manuscript, but ultimately it's up to the author to trust that the editor knows what she's doing. And for all your editor's assurances, sometimes authors need to hear this from other authors.
Which is why this article, "Attention, Writer: Listen to Your Editor" by Courtney Cantrell at Court Can Write, made me absolutely giddy when I stumbled upon it. She says, "Editors are amazing people." And I thought, "What a lovely thing to say. Yes, we are amazing." But it's an equally amazing author who can put aside any hurt feelings and really listen to what the editor is saying.
These are the words of wisdom I offer to fellow writers. Right down to the "suck it up" part. I may have added a buttercup at the end… I do love a good rhyme.
So if you're an author, take a minute and read this fabulous article by Courtney Cantrell. And then go thank your editor.
Happy writing!
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