text:
Jim Carrey Sort of Missing The Target
I like Jim Carrey and I admire his brave stance on gun control; I laughed at him for the first time in years when I watched 'Cold Dead Hand'. Over. And over. And over again.
So I hate to say this, but I think he's missing the point here.
I know. I know. The twitterstorm about his refusal to promote Kick-Ass 2, in which he appears, is old hat (Geez, Pete, like epic #timeliness #fail. That is so June 24th, 2013), but bear with me for just a few seconds because this is an attempt at drive-by pith here.
Carrey's backed out of promoting the film because he 'cannot support that level of violence,' which is fine. Anyone can have a change of heart and he probably wanted to appear consistent given the vocal stance he's taken on Sandy Hook. Typically, howls of hypocrite have come frothing unpleasantly from the mouths of cadres of conservative do gooders looking to sort 'em out on earth like our Puritan forefathers.
I do not know what Jim Carrey's response will be to these fits of verbal flatulence coming from the wrong ends of the twitter accounts of loudest mouths on fox, but I can't help but feel like by backing out of promoting the film, he missed a real opportunity to confront this vicious political environment on its own terms by stating the obvious: there is no direct causal relationship between violent media and violent behaviour.
I watched all the Freddy Kruger films and the Friday the 13th franchise. I even saw one of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre films in the theatre, but I somehow grew up to be a productive non-violent member of society. So have millions of others. None of these films lead to massacres or murders because they encapsulate and articulate the fears of us all during the 1980s about what lay lurking behind the rapidly decreasing family structure and what happens to our children when we aren't there to protect them, but by articulating those fears, as awful as those films were, they functioned to help us deal with them. And yet, there are so many gun deaths and so much violent behaviour. I admit, I find some videogames irresponsibly violent, but that does not mean I hold them responsible for gun violence.
But don't take my word for it. See what Dr Gene Beresin says in Psychology Today, backed up by studies done by the FBI, the Secret Service and various other medical researchers who conclude that there is 'no causal relationship between violent games and violent behaviour.' So no matter how much blame-shifting the NRA does, there is no getting away from the corrosively unhealthy gun culture alive and well in America today.
I still think Jim Carrey is a good guy. I wish he'd made that point.


text:
3 Week Yoga Retreat Easily Planned Out Workouts from Beachbody
3 Week Yoga Retreat Workouts for Beginners and Advanced The 3 Week Yoga Retreat is a hot seller right now.Read more
3 Week Yoga Retreat Workouts for Beginners and Advanced The 3 Week Yoga Retreat is a hot seller right now.Read more
With slim in 6 you can reshape your body in just six weeks. Weight loss Programs. You can be only 6 weeks away from a new, thinner body. In just six weeks you can slim down.Read more
With every activity packed PiYo session, you can burn excess fat and form as well as define your whole physical body.Read more
Insanity can transform your body in 60 days with the most intense workout ever seen on TV. Burn up to 1,000 calories in an hour and get the most insane body in 60 days with the Insanity Workout from Beachbody.Read more
Focus T25 is hands down Shaun T's most intense, sweat pouring, heart wrenching workout which is compacted into 25 minutes!Read more
Now there's a better way to lose weight. It's called 21 Day Fix from Beachbody Fitness.Read more
10-Minute Trainer by the folks at Beachbody Enjoy the complete collection of Tony Horton's breakthrough 10-Minute Trainer programs. Now it's easierRead more

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Townley & Co Ltd has a growing reputation as one of the region's most effective Chartered accountancy firms for individual clients and small to medium businesses. We are based in Warrington and provide accountancy services throughout Warrington and the surrounding areas, including St Helens, Widnes, Runcorn, Liverpool and Manchester.
At Townley & Co Ltd, we provide a full range of accountancy services. This includes the preparation of statutory financial statements for limited companies, as well as corporation tax computations and compliance. We also prepare year end accounts for sole traders and partnerships and complete self assessment tax returns on their behalf.
At Townley & Co Ltd, we expertly attend to all of your accounts, taxation and business queries. Thanks to the established expertise of our staff, our dedication and many years of experience in all aspects of accounting, we can offer you support that you can rely on both with standard matters concerning your business and complex business management assignments.
We are a young, dynamic firm and provide our clients an excellent service to help grow their business.


text:
Lindsey Davis – Cosmetologist and Lash Extension specialist
Lindsey joined the Essence team in September, 2018. Licensed since 2016 she spent 6 months working and learning with our veteran stylists to hone her skills. In February, 2019, Lindsey completed her in house training and transitioned to a Rising Star stylist position at Essence.
Lindsey's passion for hair and all things beauty combined with her ability to master new trends and techniques quickly sets her apart from others with similar experience. She loves bright edgy colors and styles, yet also appreciates the beauty of classic natural looks.
Lindsey holds her certification in lash extensions through Lash Savvy. Prior to joining our team, she worked as a lash specialist in California. Her calm demeanor and meticulous nature make her an excellent choice for your lash extensions.
A native of Southern California, Lindsey recently made her lifelong dream of living in Colorado a reality. While she is new to the Rockies she is no stranger to the mountains and snow! She loves being outdoors and finds joy and inspiration both personally and professionally through nature.


text:
A SIPOC is a process mapping tool to help visualize a process and its influences. Typically you do not want more than 7 steps.
- S: Suppliers provide inputs to the process.
- I: Inputs define the material, service and/or information that are used by the process to produce the outputs.
- P: Process is a defined sequence of activities, usually adds value to inputs to produce outputs for the customers.
- Only 7 steps here. Any more is hard to follow. You can use an Affinity Diagram to reduce larger processes to a few key steps.
- O: Outputs are the products, services, and/or information that are valuable to the customers.
- What do clients pay for?
- Must do for every client type / area of your company.
- C:Customers are the users of the outputs produced by the process
SIPOC Video Overview
Internal inputs and processes are usually easy for a DMAIC team to access in the define phase. Suppliers are usually cooperative with their data – you're paying them! There are usually difficulties in collecting useful customer information. There are unintended end users of products and services. A variety of different information gathering tools and techniques may need to be applied.
Example SIPOC
- S: Hosting company, designer, developer, graphic artist, internet provider, phone company, coffee shop, bidding sites, boutique code / apps, user feedback & design reviews, shopping cart, payment processor
- I: Design, Logos, content, code
- Meet with client, understand needs;
- measure current state;
- Competitor / SEO research;
- present &agree to options;
- Develop; Deliver & get feedback
- O: Website, mobile website, back end website, database, scheduling utilities, email newsletters, social media profiles
- C: The customer, website visitors
SIPOC and Process Mapping
How the Supplier, Input, Process, Output, Customer (SIPOC) sequence affects process mapping.


text:
Biden backers to naysayers: Not so fast
Bid would be 'from the heart'
WASHINGTON — Democrats loyal to Vice President Joe Biden have a three-word response to the politicians and pundits who say Hillary Clinton's performance in Tuesday's Democratic debate makes a Biden campaign less likely: Not so fast.
Appearing eager to tamp down talk that the window of opportunity for the vice president to launch a campaign nearly closed after the debate, loyalists are taking steps to assure potential supporters that there is still a path to the nomination, however competitive and challenging, if Biden decides to run.
The clearest evidence came in a letter e-mailed Thursday to Biden's political support network by former Delaware Sen. Ted Kaufman, who said a Biden campaign would be "optimistic," "from the heart" and "unscripted."
"If he runs, he will run because of his burning conviction that we need to fundamentally change the balance in our economy and the political structure to restore the ability of the middle class to get ahead," he wrote.
Kaufman's words were arguably less significant than the author behind them. The former senator, appointed to the seat after his ex-boss became vice president, is Biden's longest serving adviser, bridging the divide between the generation of staff who worked for Biden as a senator in the 1980s and a new crop of lieutenants who came up through the past decade of the family's public service.
More importantly, Kaufman has been frequently portrayed as the most reluctant of the trio of inner-circle aides to the vice president to launch a bid and is known to be angry at the frequent portrayals of Biden as being on the brink of announcing his candidacy. Any note from him to the alumni network is treated with more credulity than any leak to the national press corps.
The main issue, still apparently unresolved, is whether Biden and his family feel ready for the rigors of a presidential campaign so soon after the death of his oldest son, Beau, late last spring. Nothing Biden has said publicly in recent weeks suggested an affirmative answer, but he has not addressed the issue directly since before Pope Francis' U.S. visit last month.
According to those tracking the vice president's deliberations, a decision could come at any time, although the only certain timetable is the one set by the deadlines for qualifying for the primary and caucus ballots around the country. Those deadlines begin to take effect at the end of the month.
Outside Biden's tight circle of advisers, many Democrats have long assumed that, beyond personal and family considerations, the biggest factor in his decision-making involved Clinton's political vulnerability.
A month ago, as controversy over her use of a private e-mail account while serving as secretary of state drove down her image, she appeared seriously weakened. That prompted calls from nervous Democrats, or those in the party never particularly partial to Clinton, for Biden to jump in.
Those assessments about Clinton brightened after she delivered an impressive performance in Tuesday's debate with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and three other hopefuls.
Biden loyalists have tried not to be swept up by shifting assumptions about the strength or weakness of the Democratic front-runner, believing that she was never as damaged as some were suggesting a month ago.
At the same time, they are not convinced that this week's debate fundamentally changed the race in her favor. There is outside evidence backing up that view, including strong interest in Sanders on social media and the fact that the Vermont senator raised more than $2 million in the 24 hours after the debate.
What has guided Biden advisers is their own assessment of whether there is a constituency for a Biden candidacy, the resources to run a competitive and potentially lengthy campaign, and whether he has a persuasive message for primary voters. As of late this week, advisers remained convinced of the viability of all three.
Polls and other evidence suggest that if Biden were to enter, the Democratic nomination campaign would quickly become a three-way contest. Clinton would remain the favorite for now, but it's clear that Sanders has more than enough money to continue well beyond the four earliest states: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
Those who have been assessing fundraising capabilities for a possible Biden campaign believe that he too would have the money to remain in the race past those states.
None of the first four contests appears ready to tip to Biden, although as an undeclared hopeful the polls are not reliable. But some of those partial to Biden have seized on a little-remembered fact from 1992 to offer hope that early defeats need not drive a hopeful out of the nomination contest.
In that campaign, Bill Clinton lost 10 of the first 11 contests, from early February through the first days of March. He then secured a string of victories in Western and Southern caucuses and primaries, followed by wins in Illinois and Michigan that effectively broke the back of his opponents.


text:
"MADtv," the once popular Emmy Award-winning sketch comedy series is returning to television. The series will be making a jump to primetime with eight all-new one-hour episodes on The CW Network The network made the confirmation earlier today; a premiere date and time for the series, from Telepictures, will be announced at a later date.
Back with its signature pop-culture parodies and politically incorrect humor, the new MADtv will star up-and-coming new comedy voices and will feature special appearances from returning cast members of the original late-night series as hosts of each episode.
Classic episodes from the 14 seasons of the show's original late-night run are currently available to stream on CW Seed, The CW's digital network. The CW also recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of MADtv with a reunion special of highlights from the original series and new material featuring 19 returning series alumni.
MADtv is produced by Telepictures, with executive producers David E. Salzman, Mark Teitelbaum, and John Montgomery.
Executive producer/showrunner David E. Salzman said: "The MADtv franchise is as vibrant as ever thanks largely to social and digital media appealing to a fan base numbering in the millions that relates to the show's brand of authentic and irreverent cross-cultural comedy. We will continue to present the hard-hitting, laugh-out-loud, wall-to-wall pop culture parody our fans expect, but in a fresh, new way."


text:
Retail is in the Details
Managing an effective and profitable retail location involves many moving parts to be successful. There are many aspects that require attention like controlling expenses, managing employees, effectively marketing, inventory management, having sound operational systems and most importantly driving sales.
Being able to execute this with one location is challenging , never mind trying to scale your business into a multi-location retail operation.
The team at Retailors Group has over 15 years of experience in multi-unit Retail Management. Our Retail Management services will help you either focus on a small aspect of your retail operation or be as large as completely outsourcing the entire operation. We will tailor the right solution for your needs
Work with a Team with Retail Experience
Are you looking to bring your retail operation to the next level? Let us tailor a solution based on your needs.
Featured Client
Retailors Group is currently working with one of the largest Freedom Mobile dealers in Canada.
We were brought in to work on sales and customer service behavioural training with all current team members and to on-board all new hires.
To ensure the training sticks, our team conducts monthly store visits, meetings and conference calls focused entirely around the specific behaviours required for the team to be successful.
Related News
Join our mailing list to get tips on sales and marketing for your business


text:
Christmas – It's that time of year when our skin is about to take a bit of a bashing in terms of how we treat it! Lots of party makeup, sun, booze, late nights and indulgent foods can play havoc on your skin.
During this season of excesses, our skin suffers all sorts of unwanted effects, such as breakouts, sunburn (if you're lucky enough to be in the southern hemisphere!) and dryness.
While no one expects you to live like a nun over the silly season and it's important to enjoy yourself on and have fun, there are a few things you can do to help prevent your skin from too much damage and dullness and get your glow on:
- If at all possible, avoid going to bed with a full face of makeup! You will wake up with breakouts. The skin cannot function properly with makeup on it and when you are sleeping, it is working its hardest to renew.
- Sunblock!!! Protect your skin from harmful rays to avoid burning and drying out.
- Hydrate! Try to drink more water than usual to flush out the toxins. Add a serum that not only hydrates the skin, but also brightens as well. Our recommendation: – Dr Aspect Multi B Serum.
- Revitalising treatments! Book in for 'lunchtime' revitalisation treatments more regularly. Two effective and quick treatments are:
- LED, using the red light will promote collagen and elastin to rejuvenate the skin – instant plumping of the skin. For breakouts, the blue light will treat the bacteria that causes the breakouts;
- Blueberry Smoothie Peel is a very superficial peel that will remove the build up of dead skin cells and brighten a dull-looking skin. It's pain free and there's no post-treatment downtime.


text:
About the Collection
Paradis is a place the modern adventurer, and those hungry for discovery.
Inspired by Haitian Vodou, Paradis takes its cues from the Haitian goddess of the moon: Mawu. The mesmerising mystique of a lunar eclipse is seen throughout the space, from subtle hints across the restaurant's branding, to the custom-made lighting fixtures fitted throughout the space itself. It caters specifically to creatures of the night, taking visitors from dinner service through to cocktail hour, and onwards through the wicked hours of the early morning.
Rich greens and earthy browns are at the base of the interiors, balanced with a striking gold finishes throughout. On the walls, visitors find a reflection of their own animalistic desires, with hand-painted murals intricately drawn directly to the restaurant walls — each so delicately drawn as if they were created by the priestess herself.
At the center, the low-slung ceiling encompasses visitors in a warm embrace, while the brass, soft woods and rattan straw details create a sense of discovery that could — until now — only be found in the outdoors.
A place for visitors unleash their sound temptations and sense of adventure, Paradis is a whole new world in the heart of this concrete jungle.


text:
Cubes of tender beef brisket are lightly tossed in butter with leeks, celery and carrots, then sour cream is added to bind everything together. The creamy beef and vegetables are spooned into ramekins, covered and sealed with pie crust, and baked until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden. The beef brisket and sour cream pot pie is served straight from the oven. When you cut through the crust, you hear and feel the crackle of the flaky pastry then out comes a burst of aromatic steam from the hot filling. Oh, it's delicious!
This is the fourth dish I've made with a single slab of beef brisket that I braised last Sunday.
Because the beef is already cooked, it took only a few minutes to prepare the filling. In fact, it took longer to cool the filling, and I used that time to make the pie crust and allow it to rest in the fridge before rolling.
The ramekins were buttered liberally not only for flavor and aroma but also to help prevent scorching.
While preheating the oven, I assembled the pies.
I filled the buttered ramekins with the filling.
I cut the pie crust dough into circles slightly larger than the rim of the ramekins.
The cut dough went on top of the filling and the edges were pressed against the side of the ramekins to seal.
Twenty-five minutes later, the crusts were golden brown and flaky, and the buttery aroma filled the kitchen.
Time to dig in.
Ready to make beef brisket and sour cream pot pies?
- 1 and 1/2 cups diced braised beef brisket
- 3 leeks (white and light green portions only), finely sliced
- 3 celery stalks chopped
- 1 carrot cut into half-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- single pie crust (get the recipe for a double pie crust; note that you only need half of that)
- more butter for greasing the ramekins
- Heat the 2 tbsps. of butter in a frying pan. Add the leeks, celery and carrot cubes. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables start to soften, about five minutes.
- Add the beef to the vegetables. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is heated through.
- Pour in the sour cream. Stir. Season with salt and pepper.
- When the mixture starts to bubble, turn off the heat.
- Transfer the filling to a shallow bowl and cool.
- Make the pie crust dough. Wrap in cling film and let rest in the fridge while the filling cools. Allowing the pie crust dough to rest for at least 30 minutes in the fridge makes it easier to handle and roll.
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Butter the bottom and sides of two-single serve (one-cup capacity) ramekins.
- Divide the filling between the ramekins.
- Take the pie crust dough out of the fridge and roll to less than 1/4-inch thick.
- Cut out two circles with a diameter about an inch-and-a-half larger than the diameter of the rim of the ramekins.
- Cover the filling with pie crust, pressing the edges of the pie crust dough onto the sides of the ramekins.
- Using a fork, poke holes through the crust to create steam vents. Brush the crust with the beaten egg (see how).
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
- Place the very hot ramekins on plates.
- Serve the beef brisket and sour cream pot pies at once.
If you cooked this dish (or made this drink) and you want to share your masterpiece, please use your own photos and write the cooking steps in your own words.


text:
She had love in her eyes
but he conveniently died,
to avoid a horrible date.
He went to hell
with no soul to sell
so the Devil told him to wait.
Decades went by
and who should catch his eye
but the very woman he escaped.
You get what you earn
the poor woman was spurned
so thus he began to pray:
"God above
with unending love
release me from this fate!
I know i was wrong
but i've been here so long
Just let me through the gate!"
The Lord heard his prayer
but sinners beware
He was nothing less than irate.
"How could you chide
my beautiful child
and expect Me, of all, to relate?
You never stopped sinning
since the beginning
your offenses came in spates!
I forgive all
From the great to the very small
but for you it's, unfortunately, too late."
With tears in his eyes
(Which were instatnly vaporized)
He approched the woman, au fait.
"My dear, I must reconcile
though it's been quite some while,
For my most fearful of traits:
I am a boor
And you deserved more
My rudeness was a mistake.
Please forgive a selfish fool
who died too young to avoid a cruel,
innane, and dreary prate.
I know I'm horrible
self-indulgent and deplorable
But I only wish to abate.
Will you tell me
that you don't blame me
or hold any malice or hate?"
Then, after some delay
the poor woman began to say
at an excruciatingly slow rate:
"I cannot forgive
the way you lived
as though I was lying in wait!
To assume, as you were apt,
that I was entirely rapt
with you and 'your handsome gait,'
That I was only waiting
and cleverly baiting
'til you became my mate.
Truth be told
I was never so bold
And you were never that great!"
And so Cerberus laughed
as Hell's gates cracked
with a terrible and hideous grate,
as realization sank in
that he was only now to begin
His new and eternal strait.


text:
More than 72,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2017. This total includes deaths caused by illicit drugs and prescription opioids, and it is a two-fold increase compared to just ten years earlier, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .
You may have heard a lot about naloxone recently in the news or in social circles as being a powerful tool in face of an opioid overdose. Below, Ken Majkowski, Chief Pharmacy Officer at FamilyWize, answers some of the common questions people are asking about the drug and how it works.
Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose of narcotics such as heroin, morphine, and other opioid painkillers. The medical community has used it for years to save lives, and in some communities, police officers and EMTs carry the drug in the field to stop overdoses.
When people overdose on an opioid, like fentanyl, heroin, or prescription painkillers, their breathing slows to a dangerously low rate. If administered quickly to someone who is overdosing, naloxone blocks the brain's opioid receptors and restores normal breathing. The drug's effects last for 30 to 90 minutes, which ideally buys enough time to get medical attention.
A pocket-size device that contains an injectable form of naloxone is available for use, and the medication can be administered into a vein, into a muscle, or under the skin. A branded nasal spray version, called Narcan, has also been approved for use and requires no special training to administer.
In April 2018, the United States Surgeon General issued a rare national advisory regarding the opioid epidemic and the use of naloxone. In the advisory, he recommended that the following groups of people carry and know how to administer naloxone to save lives:
In most states, people who are or who know someone at risk for opioid overdose can go to a pharmacy or community-based program and receive naloxone without a patient-specific prescription. For example, naloxone or Narcan has been available in popular pharmacies across Illinois since 2016. People who wish to purchase it are required to have a consultation with the pharmacist before any medication is handed over, but the process is relatively quick and nothing is reported back to the police.
Like all medications, prices vary from pharmacy to pharmacy . According to a recent report by Time , most insurance plans cover naloxone, and many community-based organizations or public health programs provide the drug for free. Generic naloxone can cost between $20 and $40 per dose, while Narcan can cost around $130 to $140 for a kit that includes two doses. Using a pharmacy discount card , like FamilyWize, can sometimes cut those prices by half. Try our drug price comparison tool to check naloxone and Narcan prices in your area.
This post is part of our "Ask an Expert" blog series by Ken Majkowski, Pharm.D, the Chief Pharmacy Officer at FamilyWize. Ken brings more than 40 years of healthcare experience to the FamilyWize team, including 14 years of clinical pharmacy experience in retail, hospital, and home care. Read his full bio here .
Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter, offering the latest health & wellness news and savings tips, delivered right to your inbox.


text:
Two-year-old Colorado girl denied health insurance for being too skinny
Now, according to a report by The Denver Channel, a local affiliate of ABC News, little two-year old Aislin Bates of Erie, Colo. is getting a similar dose of rejection. This time, however, it is because she's underweight and, this time, it's a much bigger insurer: UnitedHealthcare.
At 22 pounds, Aislin, is indeed slim for her age. But, according to her parents, she's in perfect health. Nevertheless, when her now self-employed father applied for private health coverage through United, he received a disconcerting response. In a letter from United Healthcare Golden Rule that the family shared with TheDenverChannel.com, the insurer wrote: "We are unable to provide coverage for Aislin because her height and weight do not meet our company standards."
A United spokesperson quickly came to the company's defense, telling TheDenverChannel.com: "[Our growth charts] are based on several medical sources, including the Centers for Disease Control, and are well within industry standards." Besides, the spokewoman notes, 89% of people who apply for health insurance get it. Great odds, hmm?
Well, United, an 11 percent denial rate is a way bigger number than I'm willing to accept. And as I wrote before,this is a typically risk-averse approach to health insurance coverage which leaves even the responsible, prudent families out in the streets because insurance companies fear paying their medical bills. And let's consider the possibility a family is irresponsible and occasionally feeds their kids junk food (or, in Aislin's case, not enough junk food); are we really saying that they don't have any right to be healthy and free of the crushing weight of medical bills?
Soon after Alex Lange's denial became top-of-the-hour news (Alex, by the way, did an adorable job of mugging for the TV cameras thanks, in part, to his news-anchor father), Rocky Mountain Health reversed its decision and changed its underwriting policies.
It was one of those David and Goliath stories you want to rejoice in except this Goliath was nowhere near as big as United Healthcare, and the battle nowhere near as big as the one most Americans are facing with large, national health insurance organizations. Unfortunately, Rocky Mountain's decision hardly made a dent in the prospects for healthy little boys and girls in the rest of the country that just so happen to fall on the edges of growth charts.
After all, according to most insurance companies' actuarial tables, only the healthy have any right to health care. And even some of those are denied coverage as a result of charts and spendthrift "policies." Good job, United: you've got yourself a poster girl.


text:
"There are a couple of steps. You acquire data through partners. You do a bunch of engineering on that data to get it into the right format and conflate it with other sources of data, and then you do a bunch of operations, which is what this tool is about, to hand massage the data. And out the other end pops something that is higher quality than the sum of its parts." Michael Weiss-Malik (Google engineer)
Google Maps is a mapping service and database, accessible for free online and on mobile platforms. It offers an incredible range of data, ranging from satellite imagery of the entire planet, road and route planning information, local businesses locations, and a huge collection of "street-view" pictures over hundreds of cities around the world.
Google Street View cars have driven over five million miles in 46 countries. Beyond the direct utility these "human-level" images of cities have, Google is using powerful OCR algorithms (developed partially through Google Books) to extract text from signs and businesses and feeding this information back into its database.
Where does all of this information come from? The base layer (for the US) comes from TIGER data from the US Census Bureau. This is just the start- for one thing, many small details such as roads don't exactly line up with the real world. Google employs hundreds of people to analyze imagery and make small corrections. In addition, Google often corrects errors reported in its maps from users within minutes.
Even more impressive is Google Map Maker, a bottom-up way to edit Google Maps. Anyone around the world can use this service to improve the places that they experience every day, making Google Maps a richer experience for everyone by adding landmarks and utilizing local knowledge.
Why does Google care about having the world's most accurate and comprehensive maps? If Google's mission is to organize and monetize all of the world's information, it needs more than search spiders. It needs to move into the physical world, collect, organize, and make searchable the huge amount of data that the world contains. It needs to create an interface between the online and offline worlds.
One example of the ways the Google Maps database will revolutionize the world is Google's self-driving car initiative. This project is being led by Sebastian Thrun, who was integral in the development of Street View. Google's cars have completed over 480,000 driverless miles accident free. Google Maps will take a huge role when this service is commercialized: the cars need to know exactly where to drive if they will be useful.


text:
Amateur Shots
Taken with: Nikon Coolpix L820 30X optical zoom 4X Digital
Music By: University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Barbara Schubert
Some of the waterfowl such as the Egyptian Goose and the Canada Goose are actually transplants. I shot them in a park adjacent to a river in Boerne ( pronounced "Berne" ), thirty miles north of San Antonio Texas. The river before it had an adjacent walkway and benches, had some ducks, then I suppose some people added the additional exotic ones. The bird feeder is just outside my window, and in the future I hope to shoot the elusive yellow or golden cheek warbler at Fredricks Wilderness park where they reside near the old windmill.
Some shots may not strictly be on topic, however the idea is to enjoy the beautiful nature scenes and I hope everyone does.


text:
april and early may was a busy time for craft shows! as usual, when i had a helper, i wandered around each event documenting some of my favorite work. the season started on april 14th at Ardmore's Clover Market. my boyfriend Nick was my helper for the day and i unveiled my Main Line Tote, inspired by the railroading history of the area:
check out Yardsale Press' popular print on a tshirt, exclusively sold through Philly's own Art Star. i picked up this sweet summer drink print by fellow printmaker Masthead Printshop.
it was awesome to meet Kim of Dollhouse Fossils– it turns out she lives around the corner from my studio! her multi-media works depicting homes and domestic environments are awesome and really different from other work i've seen at art shows. Christine Shirley's are so nice; her elegant floral bags are perfect for spring and summer travels. i was especially excited to see the work of meeralee– her original watercolor illustrations are intricate and playful. how cute is that fox illustration?
bee vintage redux was there with some new, awesome vintage statement necklaces. i don't remember whose booths the other two photos are from, but how cute is that cat with coffee? if only i drank coffee . . .
the following weekend, i spent a chilly day in West Philly at the Go West! Craft Fest at Woodlands Cemetery. check it out- one of my prints was hanging out at the handmade peanut butter table!
love that beautiful cherry blossom tree at the cemetery! Black Heart Letterpress was a couple of booths down from me; they recently unveiled some new letter pins that are really fun. i also love their witty breakup card featured above.
mellifera candles had a really nice setup featuring their beeswax candles. i picked some up during the holiday Go West! for work gifts.
it's always exciting to see other printmakers at shows, so it was cool to see the work of Lisa Imperiale of Imperiale Prints. i love the patterns on those bug silhouette blocks! i stopped in to see my friend Jess of Frosted Treats to see what new jewelry she had- how fun are the PB+J friend necklaces?
i stopped in to see Amy of b.goods– these rock/paper/scissors pins are great for a friendship gift. it was nice to meet Dana Wyatt, the artist behind Spruce Avenue. her colorful illustrations are perfect for summer! i was smitten with the parakeet tea towels. i also snagged this awesome Maker's Mark print for Nick- it's his whiskey of choice:
the whole table of ceramic cups by Wynn Bauer was visually commanding- what a great setup! this west philadelphia tote bag by kathryn kelly workshop is classic.
in the beginning of May, i headed to Brooklyn, New York for the BUST Spring Craftacular in DUMBO. it was really great to come to New York and see a whole bunch of new, crafty faces! i unveiled my new tee shirt display and came home with a Mail Chimp monkey friend 🙂
my neighbor was the talented Periodically Inspired– her brainy tshirts and goods are featured in the Big Bang Theory TV show's web shop! so cool!
miniature rhino's booth was primarily centered around embroidered goods, but i was struck by the cyanotype pillows- it's a process i rarely see. Life with Tigers' bucket of severed leg catnip toys was priceless! what a clever idea for a cat toy. Ink and Sword illustration shared a table with the catnip toys. i thought that the cards were by them because Ink and Sword had some adorable animal PSA posters, but the cards are also by Life with Tigers. check them both out!
the weekend after BUST, i set up shop at the annual Art Star Craft Bazaar at Penn's Landing. my friend Karina came to help me out- thanks so much! i also had the super talented Phea Jean as a neighbor which is always a pleasure. it was a bit windy, but overall it was a great weekend to be outside.
Ukiah Carbone-Gambon doesn't have a proper website (yet!) but his printed paper goods were quirky and funny.
wear liberty sells limited edition tee shirts inspired and influenced by Philadelphia. i picked up a sweet Philadelphia shirt.
i see Tadpole Creations at a lot of shows and am already a big fan of their matryoshka dolls- how adorable are these pirate versions? they also sell kits to make your own at home. the USB Typewriter booth was so packed with people i was only able to snap the above photo of their display.
The Knotty Owl's wooden jewelry and coordinating displays were a nice combo of a rustic feel and modern shapes and colors. nestleberry, a print outfit from Vermont, made really nice homegoods and kitchen wares.
Stevie Lynn jewelry had a whole bunch of these bold, laser cut pendants based on organic shapes. i am a big fan of Moxie House Papergoods and was swooning over this simple "thanks a bunch" card. another neighbor of mine was Boutique Textiles. her booth featured a lot of printed home goods like pillows and table runners, but i was drawn to the above watercolor painting.
of course, there were many irresistible items and i couldn't come home empty handed. the coasters on the left are by Typothecary Press. it was really nice to meet Megan, the master mind behind the Reading-based letterpress company. the cat tshirt on the right is by some of my favorite silkscreen printers, Everyday Balloons.
i fell in love with this geometric clutch bag by Red Osa Bags. i love the design of it- it's essentially a large bag that folds over with a magnetic fastener. the bright orange goldfish is an older style from Stevie Lynn jewelry. the bunny rattle is from one of my favorite plush makers, Laura from The Wind and The Sail and made a great gift for a one year old. the card is my annual purchase from the hilarious Laura Berger. the soft pretzel pin is a new style from b.goods– i think i'm going to wear it as a necklace instead.


text:
Posts Tagged 'simian crease'
TOP 10 Hand Signs indicative for Schizophrenia!
This TOP 10 is composed from a list of 37 hand signs for Schizophrenia, and the hand signs are ranked by Log Odds Ratio – which are calculated from the prevalence (%) among Schizophrenics & controls.
1 – Excessive accessory creases [Log Odds Ratio = +3.40]
2 – Pinky: imobility (ankylosis) [Log Odds Ratio = +3.02]
3 – Lack of expression / rigid expression [Log Odds Ratio = +2.77]
4 – Nail fold plexus visibility [Log Odds Ratio = +2.74]
5 – Sydney line [Log Odds Ratio = +2.45]
6 – Nails: small & underdeveloped (rudimentary) [Log Odds Ratio = +2.43]
7 – Chaotic arrangement of secundary creases [Log Odds Ratio = +2.32]
8 – Simian crease [Log Odds Ratio = +2.27]
9 – Atypical handedness [Log Odds Ratio = +1.80]
10 – Nails: excessively curved outwards (hyperconcex nails) [Log Odds Ratio = +1.74]
It is interesting to notice here that 4 of the 10 hand signs relate to the fingertips (see hand signs 1, 4, 6 and 10). And additionally 4 of the 10 hand signs relate to the hand lines.
And it is fascinating to notice that these TOP 10 hand signs significant for Schizophrenia is a mix of hand features that relate to both the palm (5 hand signs) and fingers (6 hand signs) – hand sign one relates to both the palm and the fingers.
And these 10 hand signs also relate to five of the seven perspectives described by Multi-Perspective Palm Reading, including: the primary, secundary- & accessory lines (4 hand signs), fingernails & nailfold (3 hand sign), hand motorics (2 hand sign), and morphology (1 hand sign).
TOP 10 Hand Signs indicative for Down syndrome!
This TOP 10 is composed from a list of 27 hand signs for Down syndrome, and the hand signs are ranked by Log Odds Ratio – which are calculated from the prevalence (%) among Down syndrome patients & controls.
1 – Single crease on pinky finger [Log Odds Ratio = +4.87]
2 – Ridge line A ends above heart line [Log Odds Ratio = +4.07]
3 – AtD angle is 57 degrees or higher [Log Odds Ratio = +3.96]
4 – Hyperflexible finger joints [Log Odds Ratio = +3.58]
5 – Multiple palmar zones: ridge dissociation [Log Odds Ratio = +3.18]
6 – Large ulnar loops on hypothenar [Log Odds Ratio = +3.02]
7 – Simian crease [Log Odds Ratio = +2.69]
9 – Brachydactly [Log Odds Ratio = +2.50]
8 – Fingerprint: radial loop on ring finger [Log Odds Ratio = +2.46]
10 – Three or more triradii on the hypothenar [Log Odds Ratio = +2.32]
It is interesting to notice here that 4 of the 10 hand signs relate to the palmar hypothenar ('mount of Moon' in the fields of palmistry), and additionally the majority of these hand signs relate to the ulnar side of the hand (hypothenar + the pinky and ring finger).
And it is fascinating to notice that these TOP 10 hand signs significant for Down syndrome is a mix of hand features that relate to both the palm (6 hand signs) and fingers (4 hand signs).
And these 10 hand signs also relate to five of the seven perspectives described by Multi-Perspective Palm Reading, including: the dermatoglyphics (5 hand signs), palmar lines & interphalangeal creases (2 hand signs), finger morphology (1 hand sign), motorics (1 hand sign), and skin quality (1 hand sign).
The Sydney Line & the Simian Crease are like 'Fraternal Twins'!
Many people are fimiliar with the concept of a simian crease, but there is a likewise fascinating line that has a likewise significance: the Sydney line. In modern medical science both the simian crease & the Sydney line became known as a 'minor physical anomaly'!
In a 1967 Belgian study Vrydagh-Laoureux pointed out that next to the well-known simian crease (or 'simian line' – which became well-known for it's significance in Down syndrome), there is actually another hand line variant that is associated with related to Down's syndrome. In the Belgian study this line was described as an 'extended proximal palmar crease'.
NOTICE: In the traditional palmistry vocabulary this line is often described as: an 'extended' or very long head line.
Interestingly, only one year later Australian researchers (Purvis-Smith & Menser, 1968) found that this fascinating palmar line is also frequently found in the hands of patients with congenital rubella – and from that point this 'fraternal twins line' of the simian crease has been named: the Sydney line (or sometimes named: 'Sydney crease'). This twin-analogy could become valuable because many people often find it difficult to discriminate a simian line from a Sydney line!
Purvis-Smith defined the Sydney line as follows:
"A sydney line occurs where the proximal transverse crease extends beyond the midline axis of the fifth finger towards the ulnar border of the palm the ulnar border of the palm." (Purvis-Smith, 1972)
At the end of 20 century a new trend became appearant within the medical scientific community. Researchers began study so-called 'minor physical anomalies' – which concern typically harmless inborn physical markers (that are typically associated with a specific prenatal period) – that have been associated in various disorders.
And especially in the 21 century this approach became popular among researchers who are studying the etiology of e.g. autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, hypoxia & schizophrenia.
Multi-Perspective Palm Reading demonstrates how the Sydney line & simian crease can be understood as a likewise hand line markers. Because (so far) a wide range of studies indicates that in far most diseases & syndromes where the simian crease has been recognized as a significant body marker… the Sydney line became recognized as a likewise significant body marker.
This pattern is seen e.g. in: diabetes mellitus, Down syndrome, fragile-X syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and schizophrenia!
Finally, discussion in the Modern Hand Reading Forum have shown that – despite the fact that a Sydney line and a simian line can never be observed in one hand – for many people it quite hard to discriminate a Sydney line from a simian crease. The picture below presents a few fundamental clues which could become helpful to understand the essential components of both lines.
NOTICE: A 'common hand' is featured with a life line [I], a head line [II], and a heart line [III]; and various hand line variations can be summarized with the following formulas [IIx = extended head line; II+III = simian crease]:
• SYDNEY LINE = I + IIx + III
Obviously, there is a fundamental difference between the Sydney line and simian crease – therefore it appears more appropriate to describe them as 'fraternal twin lines' instead of 'identical twin lines'; because while they have a common nature… their manifestion shape is definitiely not identical.
More details are discussed in the following discussion:
How to classify the palmar lines: the simian line, Sydney line & the Suwon crease!
The study of the palmar lines [folding creases] traces back to the ancient civilisations of the Chinese and Indians as early as 3,000 years B.C. Historically the palmar lines have been adopted as the most important 'tool' of the classic Indian palmist with the purpose for 'the guidance of humanity'. This explains why in all regions of the world the palmar lines became synonymous with the stigma of fortune telling (advocated by so-called 'predictive palmistry') – and subsequently debarring the hand lines from the scientific courts.
However, since the end of the 19th century the hand lines have been adopted by scientific researchers for other purposes, including: anthropological classification, personal identification (though the fingerprints are more well-known for this purpose), and hand lines also have a diagnostic purpose!
The combination of the heart line (distal transverse crease) & head line (proximal transverse crease) could be described as representing the most important aspect of the palm lines. The typical characteristics of these two so-called 'transverse creases' (= heart line + head line) can be described as follows (see also the picture above):
• COMMON LINES: The heart line & the head line typically manifest as 2 unconnected lines, and only in human hands these lines typically do not cross the full palm (in the primate palm there are usually mulitiple horizontal lines which cross the full palm).
• SYDNEY LINE: The Sydney line can be recognized by the presence of an extended head line which crosses the full palm, combined with the presence of a normal heart line (both lines are required not to connect/fuse with eachother). NOTICE: From a scientific point, in medical science the Sydney line has been recognized in medical science as a 'minor physical anomaly' (MPA), and it became also known as a typical marker for e.g. the hand in Down syndrome, the hand in fragile-X syndrome, the hand in psoriasis & the hand in Schizophrenia. The name'Sydney line' was introduced in 1968 by Australian researcher S.G. Purvis-Smith who reported a high prevalance of Sydney lines in patients with congenital rubella.
• EXTENDED HEART LINE: The extended heart line can be recognized by the presence of a very long heart line which crosses the full palm, combined with the presence of a normal head line (both lines are required not to connect/fuse with eachother). NOTICE: From a scientific point of view there is not much know about the extended heart line.
• SIMIAN CREASE: The simian crease can be recognized by the presence of a fusion between the head line and the heart line – resulting in the impression that one of both lines is missing. NOTICE: From a scientific point, in medical science the simian line has been recognized as a 'minor physical anomaly' (MPA), and it became also known as a typical marker for e.g. many syndromes (including Down syndrome) and many diseases such as the hand diabetes mellitus & the hand in rheumatoid arthritis. The name simian line was introduced in 1877 by French physician Paul Broca who described it as an unusual characteristic for the human hand.
• SUWON CREASE: The Suwon crease can be recognized by the presence of two complete head lines (not a splitting head line, nor an interrupted head line), and the upper head line fuses/connects with the heart line. NOTICE: The history of the Suwon crease is still very young: it was first described in 2010 by Korean researchers, who found it only in 0.7% of a large Korean sample of 3.532 male hands (in the 1664 female hands it was never observed).
Read more about how hand lines relate to intelligence & personality related characteristics:
The Korean researchers have presented in 2010 a new detailed method for classifying the various types of palmar lines, which includes some interesting elements which can be applied in Multi-Perspective Palm Reading:
SIMIAN LINE – Can the lines in the palm or your hand predict your health or your future?
The simian line became known as the most well known 'uncommon' palmar line variant, and when it is present in a hand it appears as if one of the normal lines is missing. The simian lines is the result of a fusion between the two major 'palmar transverse creases': in the fields of palmistry these are also known as the 'head line' (in medical science: distal transverse crease) and the 'heart line' (in medical science: proximal transverse crease). About 3% of Western populations have a simian line in one of both hands, however in populations from Asia this percentage may be up to above 10%.
The word 'simian line' has a connotation with the hands of primates (simians), which are often featured with multiple likewise horizontal creases that cross the full palm.
And for this reason people often prefer to use other words to refer to the simian line. The most common simian line synonyms in daily language are: simian crease, simian fold, ape crease or the four finger line. In the scientific literature the simian line is usually named as: single palmar transverse crease or four finger line.
The simian line is most well-known for it's significance in Down's syndrome (40%). However, the truth is that the medical disorders associated with simian line are not only seen in the most common chromosomal disorders including e.g.: fragile-X syndrome (18%), Klinefelter syndrome (12%), Turner syndrome (27%) & Marfan syndrome). But the simian line is also more often seen in the most common medical disorders, such as: diabetes mellitus (10%), psoriasis (12%) & rheumatoid arthritis (18%).
Understanding the nature of palmar creases requires a consideration of the palmar dermatoglyphics as well, which concern the fine ridges & grooves in the skin that can be seen in the palm or your hand with the bare eye (assuming that you have normal eyesight). Because both the palmar creases & the dermatoglyphics largely develop in the 2nd and 3th month of pregnancy under the influences of growth stress forces in the volar skin.
Few people are aware… that the 'troublesome' character of the simian line depends significantly on the dermatoglyphics in the so-called mount of Moon (in medical science: hypothenar). For, the high prevalence of the simian line in diseases & syndromes is typically featured with multiple deltas (triradii) and often a high positioned axial triradius, which results in a high AtD-angle. See the figure on the right: all listed trisomy syndromes are also known for a very high prevalance of the simian crease. Therefor, in order to understand the nature of a simian line in the hand(s) of an individual – an analysis of other hand features is a first requirement: the simian line on it's own means … nothing!
Scientific research R.S. Bali has presented in his book 'Anthropology of Crease Morphogenesis' a summary of studies which have presented significant results for the simian line in the perspective of criminal behavior, character & temperament. But even quite a few celebrities have a simian line!
Can the lines in the palm or your hand predict your health or your future? The impact of the simian line is not only significant in the fields of palm reading & scientific research. For sure, the simian line has for touched the lives of many individuals, and this has even resulted in a movie titled: ' The Simian Line' (2000). A short synopsis:
"An eccentric palm reader predicts that one of the couples attending an intimate dinner party will end their relationship before the year is over, sparking confusion and doubt amongst the guests, in the tender romantic comedy SIMIAN LINE. The star studded cast includes Harry Connick Jr., Cindy Crawford, Tyne Daly, William Hurt, Monica Keena, Dylan Bruno, Samantha Mathis, Lynn Redgrave, Jamey Sheridan and Eric Stoltz."
PALMAR LINES & HAND DIAGNOSTICS – An introduction!
Despite the fact that the hand lines (creases) have been on the scientific anvil during the past centrury, most people still associate these mysterious wrinkles with gypsies & the stigma of fortune-telling.
Later other hand line variations – such as the 'Sydney line' and the 'hockey-stick crease' – became as well associated with other syndromes, diseases & behavior characteristics – including criminal behavior, autism, schizophrenia, etc.
The following book is solely devoted to the scientific study of the hand lines, including the consideration of various elements that can be described as 'building stones' in Mult-Perspective Palm Reading):
• Anthropology of Crease Morphogenesis (1991), author: R.S. Bali
Bali writes in the final chapter 'Creases – Their Scope and Goals' (page 361):
"… Pronouncements on the association of creases with character and temperament are bound to remain questionable. But future researches on crease features, such as crease surface area, crease splits, crease length, and crease borders, may perhaps throw some light on the relationship. The crease surface area, in term of centimetre counts, cell counts and ridge counts, makes a sufficiently sensitive scale for marking change under differential, physiological, psychological or social stresses. This interesting area of investigation remains to be explored by future researchers."


text:
107 W 29Th Street, Suite 3
Lincare provides respiratory services as well as oxygen to patients bound to their homes. The company has a well trained staff and experts that can assist patients on a daily basis, at all times. Lincare promises to rise to the hight standard of excellence expected of it when it comes to home respiratory services.
Share your experience!


text:
We are just a few weeks out of the patriotic euphoria of our Olympic team's domination. Are you still feeling the pride? The House of Reps certainly is seeing as they just voted to approved a bill, previously approved by the Senate, that would give U.S. Olympic and Paralympic medal winners tax breaks. That vote was 415 to 1. The lone holdout? Our very own Jim Himes.
Now, before you accuse him of being a commie ask yourself, why would he be the lone vote? Does he harbor resentment for failing to make the national team in rowing so many years ago? It doesn't seem like it. Peel away the layer of easy patriotism displayed by those who voted "Yes" and take a look at why Himes didn't.
His main argument is that there is no reason for this tax break. Many of the Olympians don't have regular income and keeping whatever they can would certainly help them BUT they would already benefit from a lighter tax burden because of their financial status. Meanwhile, this tax relief would benefit bigger athletes, like Michael Phelps, who roll in the dough of endorsement deals. The rich get richer, eh?
Himes also points out that there are plenty of other achievers out there who still pay their taxes. And if these athletes need money maybe the Olympic Committee can start throwing some of the billions they make off the Games their way.
Jim Himes may have fought a losing battle on this one but I applaud him. It is tough to stand against all those Fairweather Patriots who made a "feel good" vote.
Via NYTimes


text:
An animated tribute to my hero, filmmaker Steven Spielberg. You've probably seen the films featured in this movie already, but if you haven't, you really should.
Rotoscoped frame by frame on Adobe Flash CS5, composited and edited on Sony Vegas Pro 12. Backgrounds created on Adobe Photoshop CS5. Music by John Williams
This short film was featured in one of my pieces for the Far-Flungers section of RogerEbert.com, along with an article in which I explain my admiration for Spielberg and the reasons why I consider him my hero. Amazingly, Spielberg happened to see my short film there and hand-wrote me a letter in response. He ended his letter with these words: "I'll be looking out at the horizon to see where next you will emerge– and impress."
For more on this film and the letter, click here.


text: In our last post we discussed the journey of life as a vessel on a river. When the river ends, our journey fades into the circuitous river which flows into the cosmic ocean which swirls about us each night. One of the torrential currents of the river is grief. Grief and living on this planet … Continue reading Before Morning, Night


text:
Do shoes, jewellery and purses portend corruption?
One can certainly think back to Imelda Marcos when considering the number of shoes a First Lady might need (she reportedly had over 6,000 pairs). Yet what does it mean when the First Lady of a country, whose sole source of (reported) income is her husband's salary of US$100,000, racks up over US$6 million in credit card charges in seven years? I thought about that question when I read a recent article in The Wall Street Journal that detailed some of the spending of Malaysian First Lady, Rosmah Mansor.
This spending allegedly occurred between 2008 and 2015; a period when the First Lady had no source of known income other than her husband's salary. The WSJ article noted: "At least US$1 million in purchases made by Ms Rosmah at jewellery and fashion stores in Europe and the United States in 2014 were paid for by Mr Najib using credit cards that drew on 1MDB funds."
However, the WSJ has now seen documents that "show those expenses are part of at least US$6 million in spending by Ms Rosmah between 2008 and 2015 on clothing, shoes and jewellery from London's Harrods department store, Saks Fifth Avenue of New York and elsewhere".
Ms Mansor no doubt channels her inner Inspector Clouseau who, when asked in the first Pink Panther movie how his wife could have such an extensive set of diamonds, said: "My wife is very frugal" (She got them from her lover, the notorious jewel thief, the Pink Panther). The Malaysian First Lady has said that she "has a habit of saving". Furthermore, she wrote in her 2013 autobiography: "I have bought some jewellery and dresses with my own money. What is wrong with that?"
All of this adds to the trouble facing the Malaysian First Family in the wake of the 1MDB scandal, where there are allegations of looting the country's sovereign wealth fund for personal gain. The First Lady has long been a polarising figure in Malaysian politics with her "jewel-bedecked public appearances". The responses to her claims of personally saving up the money for these purchases were perhaps best summed up by Anis Syafiqah Mohd, a 24-year-old student from the University of Malaya, who was quoted in the article saying: "She said she saved that money since she was small. That is impossible." Indeed.


text:
Hal Jordan isn't the most imaginative fellow. Given a ring that allows him to construct any object he desires, the Green Lantern settles on baseball bats and hammers to dole out bruises. Though they are effective, these typical weapons don't even begin to scratch the surface of his enormous potential. Sadly, that's a theme that carries through the entirety of this space-faring quest. Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters offers predictable beat-'em-up action that rarely pushes beyond what you would expect from the genre. It's disappointing that a creative spark doesn't illuminate this movie tie-in, but there's no denying the primitive joy that comes from beating down robots with your mighty fists. Solid mechanics set the stage for your superpowered fisticuffs, and a cache of unlockable weapons serve as decent motivation to keep you punching along. There's little in Green Lantern that you haven't seen before, but that won't stop you from enjoying the Emerald Knight's latest adventure.
You may also like
53 Comments
Sweet, thanks for the upload.
I was worried but it works!
First, real , works, thanks for the share.


text:
Russian Lives in Sydney Documented
The Lord Mayor of City Clover Moore officially launched The book ' I love Life' which documents the lives of a number of Russian migrants.
Allan Vidor President of JewishCare thanked The Lord Mayor for the grant that enabled the book to be written and printed. He noted the significant contribution that this group of migrants have made to our community and how important it is that this has now been documented.
Clover Moore said 'This small book marks a big step forward for the Russian-Jewish community in our City. For the first time, your stories are being told, and told in a way which will reach not only Russian-speakers, but our English-speaking communities as well'


text:
this guy
was at the end of this year:
so there was lots to do.
like finalizing plans for next year
and a big milestone
and celebrating with these people
and these people
at this very cool place.
then...with everything turned in,
all the checks marked off the list
and a big sigh of relief
the big day arrived
and the next day we had a party
and were blessed by lots of friends
and family
(and i loved this super cool cake!)
congratulations sweet boy.


text:
This privacy policy (hereinafter the "Privacy Policy") sets forth the terms and conditions which Recor NV, Sint-Truidersteenweg 296, registered in Hasselt with enterprise nr. 0401.341.557 (hereinafter "Recor") with regards to the use of personal data in relation to this website (the "Website"). By accessing the Website, you ("You") unconditionally accept this Privacy & Cookie Policy. If You do not agree to this Privacy & Cookie policy, You should leave the Website immediately and cease all use of our services.
This Privacy & Cookie Policy forms an integral part of the Terms of Use of this Website. Any capitalized terms set forth in this Privacy Policy shall have the meaning as described in the Terms of Use. "Terms of Use" means the Terms of Use for the use of the Website as published on the Website on the following link: https://www.recorhome.com/en-GB/disclaimer
In General
We receive and store any information relevant to road pricing systems which you register on our Website or deliver us in any other way. Recor shall be the data controller according to the Act of 8 December 1992 on the protection of privacy in relation to the processing of personal data, for all personal data provided for and processed in relation to the use of the Website, and the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of 24 May 2016.
Cookies and Other Web Technologies
We collect certain information through the use of "cookies," which are small data text files and can be stored on Your computer's hard drive or Your device. The information stored in the cookies can be sent back to our servers the next time you visit the Website. The cookies used by Recor are intended to facilitate, complete and personalize the use of the Website or to deliver a requested service by the user of the Recor Website.
The Recor Website uses cookies for the following general purposes:
Strictly Necessary Cookies: to enable visitors to view the Website, use the functions on the Website and gain access to secure or registered areas. If the use of these cookies is disabled, some parts of the Website cannot be used properly.
Functionality Cookies: to enable Recor to recognize your browser as a previous visitor and save and remember any preferences that may have been set whilst your browser was previously visiting the Website, which increases the ease of use of the Website
Performance enhancing Cookies:
Although most browsers automatically accept cookies, you can change your browser settings to stop you automatically accepting cookies or to prompt you before you accept cookies. Please note, however, that if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to access all portions or features of the Services. For more information on cookies and how you can remove them, depending on the type of browser used, Recor refers to the following website: www.allaboutcookies.org
Facebook Conversion Tracking and Custom Audiences
This website uses the Facebook Conversion Tracking Pixel and the Custom Audience Pixel services from Facebook. This allows us to follow the activity on the website of users who visit the website via an advertisement on Facebook. This way we can measure how efficient our advertisements are. The collected data is anonymous. This means that we do not receive data from Facebook from individual users. The data is stored and processed by Facebook. Facebook can link the data to your Facebook account and use the data for their own advertising purposes, in accordance with the Facebook's Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy.php. The Facebook Conversion Tracking also allows Facebook and its partners to show you ads outside of Facebook. A cookie is placed on your computer for this.
Click here to manage your ads preferences on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences/.
Google Remarketing
This website uses Google's remarketing technology. This technology allows users who have already visited the website and have shown interest in our products to see targeted ads on Google Partner Network websites. Likewise, advertisements can also be shown to other people who are similar to the users of this website. Cookies are used for this. The information generated by the cookie about the use of the website is forwarded to Google's servers in the United States. If an IP address is sent along, only the last three digits will be included. By means of cookies, the behavior of users on the website can be analyzed and subsequently used for targeted recommendations of products and advertisements based on the interests of the user.
If you prefer not to see targeted ads, you can disable Google's cookies for those used for this purpose via this website: https://www.google.com/settings/ads/.
Google's personal data protection policy is independent of Recor. We can not be held responsible or liable for their policies and procedures. Please take note of Google's privacy statement before using our website (https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/).
How we use Your information
Recor takes reasonable steps to ensure that your Information is and remains relevant to its intended use.
Recor uses the information we collect about you for the following general purposes:
With whom we share Your information
All personal information that you provide to us will remain strictly confidential. They are preserved in the internal database of Recor and will not be disclosed to third parties. Upon using the appointment module or the configurator your personal data will be handed over to the store of your choosing in order to process your request. Your data can also be used by this store for marketing e-mails if you have ticked the e-mail opt-in. We also may share your information if we believe, in our sole discretion, that such disclosure is necessary to comply with the law.
How long will your data be stored?
Recor processes the personal data only for the purposes for which they are collected and only for as long as this is necessary. The fixed storage period for this is seven years. The same applies to the stores with which your data is shared.
How You can access Your information
We take reasonable steps to ensure that your information is relevant to its intended use and is accurate and complete. All of your personal information processed by Recor, including the purpose of the data processing, the categories of personal information as well as the third parties to whom your personal information may be communicated, can be accessed at reasonable intervals and at no charge by directing a request to the contact address indicated below. In the event of incomplete or inaccurate personal information, you have the right to ask us to modify or delete your personal information, free of charge, by contacting us at the contact address below with your request accompanied by a proof of your identity. We will take steps to modify or delete your information as soon as we can, but some information may remain in archived/backup copies for our records or as otherwise required by law.
Your choices with respect to the collection and use of Your information
As discussed above, You can choose not to provide us with any information, although it may be necessary to make use of certain features offered on the Recor Website. You have the right (i) to oppose, at any moment, for personal legitimate and justified reasons, the processing of your personal information; (ii) to oppose, upon request and at no charge, the processing of your personal information for direct marketing purposes and (iii) to be informed prior to any communication of your personal information to a third party about direct marketing purposes and to oppose (at no charge) the communication of your personal information to such third party.
How we protect Your information
We want you to feel confident about using the Recor Website and we are committed to protecting the information we collect. We have implemented significant and appropriate technical and physical security procedures to help protect personal information you provide to us from unauthorized usage or disclosure. For example, only authorized employees are permitted to access personal information, and they only may do so for permitted business functions. However, you must remember that the Internet is a global communication vehicle open to threats, viruses and intrusions from others and we can therefore not promise that we will be able to protect your personal information at all times and in all circumstances and we ask you to not expect us to do so.
External links
If any part of the Recor Website links you to other websites, those external websites do not operate under this Privacy & Cookie Policy. We recommend that you examine the privacy statements posted on those other websites in order to understand their procedures for collecting, using, and disclosing personal information.
Changes to this Privacy & Cookie Policy
Recor may change or modify this Privacy & Cookie Policy in the future. If we make any changes to this Privacy & Cookie Policy, we will notify you of changes by posting them on the Recor Website or by sending you an email or other notification, and we will indicate when such changes will become effective.
You can always find the most up-to-date version of our Privacy and Cookie Policy on the Recor Website.
How You can contact us
You can contact us at the following address:
Recor NV
Sint-Truidersteenweg 296,
B-3500 Hasselt
Date: 1.10.2017


text:
Walking along the Ramblas of BarcelonaBarcelona - Spain
Walking through Las Ramblas is a must activity for any tourist visiting Barcelona. During the tour you can find many … Continue reading "Walking along the Ramblas of Barcelona"
Barcelona: Tourist information about Barcelona, tourist guide, important points to visit, where to eat, where staying, galleries of images, recommendations for travellers, reviews and much more about Barcelona. Book Hotels in Barcelona


text:
Need a Tooth Extraction In Plano? Here's Why!
April 3, 2018
Did you know that some lucky people go through life without ever developing their wisdom teeth? Of course, a lack of wisdom teeth doesn't mean being short on wisdom, although most people would gladly trade a little wisdom to avoid having their teeth extracted!
Regardless of why you need tooth extraction in Plano, we understand that it can be a daunting procedure! So we're here to explain how it can actually benefit you in the long run. You'll also learn about some of the most common reasons for needing an extraction and what the procedure will be like. Keep reading to learn more!
Why Does Your Tooth Need To Come Out?
Here are several common reasons you may need an extraction:
- Large Cavity – If most of a tooth's structure has been damaged by a particularly large cavity, it may not be able to support a filling or a crown.
- Fracture – If a fracture has become too large or extends vertically through the tooth, the tooth may not be salvageable.
- Wisdom Teeth – This is one of the most well-known reasons for an extraction and is almost a "rite of passage" for young adults. Oftentimes there isn't room in the jaw to accommodate these extra teeth, or they may be impacted or come in at a sideways angle.
- Crowding – If the teeth are particularly crowded, sometimes it can be easier to simply pull one before proceeding with orthodontics.
- Gum Disease – Gum disease damages the gums and underlying bone that support the teeth and keep them in place. In advanced stages, the teeth can become loose and cause discomfort when eating.
What Can You Expect From the Procedure?
Rest assured that the process of an extraction is much quicker and easier than most people expect! For a simple (non-surgical) extraction, here are the basic steps:
- First, your dentist in Plano will make sure you're completely numb and comfortable. You won't feel any pain during the procedure, but you will feel some pressure as the tooth comes out.
- Next, a tool called an elevator is used to loosen the tooth so it can easily be pulled out.
- As the last step, your dentist will use a pair of forceps to grasp the tooth and remove it from its socket.
- Finally, you'll get post-operative instructions for how to care for the area and your dentist will recommend the appropriate pain medication.
You may have heard stories about the dreaded "dry socket" that can happen after an extraction, but thankfully, this only happens in about 3-4% of all cases.
Getting an extraction is one of those procedures that sounds worse than it is, but in the end, you'll be glad you did it!
About the Author
Dr. Christopher Pollard and Dr. Bhavita Patel are general, restorative and cosmetic dentists who have performed countless extractions. They know it can be upsetting to hear that a tooth needs to come out, so they always make their patients as comfortable as possible through every step of the process. If you have any questions, they can be reached via their website or at (972) 423-0880.
No Comments
No comments yet.
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.


text:
Combo package of our Slimline 12VDC submersible pump (G20108) and our 15 foot water proof cable (G20112) at a special price.
G20108 - 12VDC Slimline Submersible Pump IL280PG
The Rule IL280PG 12VDC at 4.5Amp inline submersible pump can deliver 280 gallons per hour of fresh or sea water at 14 psi. It is great for bilge pumping, showers, water delivery systems, pools, gardens, water transfer, etc. Head rate is 32ft, outlet hose bib for 0.5" internal diameter hoses, and size is 6.5" long x 1.5" diameter. Has a 3ft waterproof cable terminating in a special waterproof male 2 pin connector. Brand new - worth over $75. Regular price $25.
G20112 - Waterproof 15 Foot Cable with Connector
Made for the G20108 submersible pump, this 15ft cable has a special female connector on one end that mates and provides a waterproof connection to the male connector on the G20108. This allows the pump to be submerged in water much deeper than the 3 feet cable installed on pump.


text:
Niblack, William Ellis. Deficiency Bill. [Washington?, D.C.: N.p., 1870].
NIBLACK, William Ellis, (cousin of Silas Leslie Niblack), a Representative from Indiana; born in Dubois County, Ind., May 19, 1822; attended the country schools and the Indiana University at Bloomington; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1843 and commenced practice in Vincennes, Ind.; surveyor of Dubois County; member of the State house of representatives in 1849 and 1850; served in the State senate 1850-1853; judge of the circuit court of the third judicial district from January 1854 until October 1859, when he resigned; moved to Vincennes, Ind., in 1855; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-fifth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of James Lockhart; reelected to the Thirty-sixth Congress and served from December 7, 1857, to March 3, 1861; was not a candidate for renomination in 1860; again a member of the State house of representatives in 1862 and 1863; delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1864, 1868, and 1876; elected to the Thirty-ninth and to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1865-March 3, 1875); was not a candidate for renomination in 1874; resumed the practice of law; judge of the supreme court of Indiana 1877-1889; moved to Indianapolis in 1889 and retired from public life; died in Indianapolis, Ind., May 7, 1893; interment in Crown Hill Cemetery.
View Record in the Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress[ Top ]
Niblack, William Ellis. Deficiency Bill. [Washington?, D.C.: N.p., 1870].
------. Legislative Appropriation Bill. [Washington: H. Polkinhorn & Co., prs., 1870].
------. State of the Union. Speech of Hon. W. E. Niblack, of Ind., delivered in the House of Representatives, January 31, 1861. [Washington, D.C.: H. Polkinhorn's Steam Job Press, 1861].


text:
With only three days left until December 25th, I suspect most of you have found it is finally beginning to look at least a little like Christmas—though unseasonably warm weather in much of the lower 48 has it feeling more like spring. (According to NOAA, 5,900-plus daily record highs have been broken this month).
Here in Oklahoma, people have been spotted doing their Christmas shopping in shorts and flip-flops, a sight more akin to Miami Beach than Oklahoma City.
Still, as neighborhoods and shopping malls don twinkly lights, and the local radio station takes to playing Oh, Holy Night and the local TV stations, Christmas classics such as The Miracle on 34th Street and White Christmas, even the neighborhood Grinch couldn't ignore that the most wonderful time of the year is almost here.
But if you are finding it difficult to get in the holiday spirit without snow on the ground or a chill in the air, please know your favorite authors have done their part to put you in a Christmas frame of mind, bringing out Christmas novels by the score . . .
From Linda Lael Miller's Christmas in Mustang Creek or McKettrick Christmas Box Set to Diana Palmer's Christmas on the Range . . .
From Robyn Carr's reissue of Bring Me Home for Christmas to Christina Dodd's Gabriel's Gift in eBook . . .
From Sabrina Jeffries's historical romance What Happens Under the Mistletoe to Victoria Alexander's Same Time, Next Christmas.
From Sherryl Woods's The Christmas Bouquet to Katherine Spencer's Together for Christmas . . .
In fact, it doesn't matter if your favorite kind of love story is a contemporary, a historical or comes with boots and cowboy hats—there's a Christmas romance or thriller for you. (For a complete list, just plug in the word "Christmas" on the Writerspace search engine.)
And that means when all the gifts are wrapped, the cookies frosted, the stockings hung and the carols at church sung, you can be sure your favorite chair, a cup of hot chocolate, and a good read await.
That's about as good as it gets in my book. How about you? What does Christmas look like for you?
— Jeanne Devlin


text:
Bayleys news & articles
Industry research - Canterbury sales spread
Tags: Canterbury Research Residential
This video is an overview of the Canterbury Region demonstrating the volume of sales in each suburb since 2005.
The height of the bar indicates the number of sales achieved.
Interesting to note is that in 2008-2009 there was a noticeable drop in sales as a result of the GFC, and the spread of sales to more and more outer suburbs ever since the 2011 earthquake.
For more information contact the Bayleys Research team.


text: Freedom littlewren17 Uncategorized May 24, 2020 1 Minute They thought she was radical. She thought she was free. Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:Like Loading... Published by littlewren17 I am a novice writer, I am interested in creating a site to make public my work and see what happens. I hope to inspire and be inspired. I do not have a genre (yet). My goal is to write daily. I wish only to let the wind take me where it wills. View all posts by littlewren17 Published May 24, 2020


text:
Written by Sierra Ballistics Technician Paul Box
Back in the day when I owned a gun shop, one day a guy walked in with a gun stock blank that changed my life. It was nothing more than a blank and actually looked more like pine. He said it was maple and when you looked very close, you could see just a hint of birdseye grain scattered here and there. It was an understatement just to call it plain.
We talked a short while and it was clear to him that I wasn't very interested in it. After a bit he made the remark "I'll trade it to you for two boxes of .243 brass."
Since I'd always wanted to try making a stock, I decided to trade with him. You couldn't beat the price and the wood looked so plain even if I messed it up it wouldn't be any huge loss and I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
It took forever to turn that hunk of wood into a useable stock mostly because I didn't know what I was doing, so I was taking things very, very slow. The old saying by carpenters "measure twice, cut once," I took this a step further. I'd measure three times and only remove about half the wood.
In time I had the action inletted to the point that the barreled action fit proper. I had confidence now because I knew that shaping the outside would be far easier.
It was during the shaping of the stock that I got my surprise. The deeper I cut, more and more gorgeous grain started appearing. Since I had plenty of "meat" to work with I had decided to give it a roll over check piece. This was a little challenge but nothing serious. By now the grain was showing everywhere. I just had to get a peek at what it really would look like, so I put a layer of tru-oil on the butt of the stock on the bolt handle side and stepped outside into the sun. I nearly had my breath taken away. This piece of wood was simply loaded with a combination of both birdseye and tigertail grain pattern. Turning the stock so that the light hit from different angles made the grain "dance" with some grain disappearing and other sections coming more into focus. I must have spent ten minutes out there just turning the stock and watching the grain come and go.
I finished shaping the outside and it was now ready to be finished. It was so tight grained that two heavy coats of tru-oil sealed it totally. I put a total of fifteen coats of tru-oil on it working it down slightly inbetween coats with four ought steel wool. When it had cured for a week it was then worked down with Brownells three F rubbing compound and touched off with a little rubbing with five F compound.
This gave it a finish that had a soft sheen to it that simply said, 'touch me.' Editor's note: Paul isn't exaggerating, the first thing I involuntarily did upon seeing the rifle was ask, "Can I touch it?" It looks like it is made of soft velvet. I sent the rifle years later to Ray Montgomery in Colorado and had him install a Hart stainless barrel and chamber it in 25-06 Ackley. It now shoots as good as it looks. You never know sometimes how far two boxes of brass will carry you.


text:
On February 2, PBS's Tavis Smiley Show featured a very intelligent and calm, 13-minute discussion between the host and Miko Peled, the Israeli-American author of The General's Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine. During the discussion, Peled was given full opportunity to present both his critique of the concept of Zionism and his arguments as to why a "two-state solution" between Israelis and Palestinians is no longer possible.
This discussion is particularly timely, given the presence in Pres. Donald Trump's close entourage of many people (including his nominee for Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman) who also do not believe in a two-state solution– though for reasons very different from Miko Peled's.
Having a discussion like the one that Peled had with Tavis Smiley happen in the mainstream U.S. media should not be "notable" in any way. But as Palestinian-rights activists long ago discovered, the vast majority of U.S. big media has for many decades now silenced or suppressed voices critical of Israel– whether of its current policies or of its founding idea, Zionism.
Miko Peled's critique of Zionism is particularly significant, given that (as is well recounted in the book) in 1948 his grandfather Avraham Katznelson, a longtime emissary of the Zionist movement, was one of the signers of Israel's Declaration of Independence– and his father, Matti Peled, had been a high-ranking general in the Israeli military.
In the recent TV interview, Tavis Smiley started by asking Peled how his current views would juxtapose with those of his grandfather or father. Peled answered forthrightly:
With my grandfather, there's no way… This idea that you come from Europe, take over the land from the people who were there, kick them out– I don't see how you can legitimize that… But those were different times, times when Europeans could come to other countries and do what they wanted. That was what Zionism was all about…
Smiley noted that Peled's father, Matti Peled, had been a supporter of the two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians. Then, he noted that Peled himself no longer believes a two-state solution is possible, and asked him to explain his reasoning for that.
Peled noted that the period after the 1967 war was the time when his father, having left the military, came out as strong advocate for a two-state solution. But he also noted that was a period in which,
the entire Israeli establishment, the military and the government, did everything they could to make that an impossibility. They integrated the West Bank [to Israel] to the point where there really is no 'West Bank' today…
Jews and Palestinians, whether in the West Bank or in Israel, live very close to each other geographically, even though completely segregated. So geographically, it's impossible to do. There is no area you can slice out and say 'This will be an Israel and this will be a Palestine'.
He then considered the plight of the five million Palestinian refugees who are still today, 70 years after they were expelled from their homeland in 1947-48, living "miserable" lives in refugee camps, stating clearly that "They have the right to return– and their homes are generally not in the West Bank, but in Israel itself."
The whole of Peled's February 2 interview is well worth listening to. In it, he makes several powerful arguments why the whole area of Palestine/Israel should be a single, democratic state. "It is s single state already," he said. "And it has been for decades." He also said, "I don't see the need for a Jewish state because the Jewish state is precisely the problem. You can't have a Jewish state in Palestine without infringing on the rights of the indigenous people, which are the Palestinians."
Peled's argument for a single democratic state in the whole of Palestine/Israel echoes the call the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) issued back in 1968, for the establishment of a single, avowedly secular democratic state in the whole area. From 1974 onward however, the PLO started moving toward the idea of calling for a smaller, Palestinian "mini-state" in the West Bank and Gaza that would coexist alongside an Israel that would withdraw to its pre-1967 borders. In 1988, PLO leader Yasser Arafat stated his first explicit recognition of the State of Israel; and in 1993, he concluded the "Oslo Accord" with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Under the accord, the two sides committed to completing negotiations for a final peace between them by May 1999, and pending conclusion of that final peace treaty, the PLO was allowed to establish a very limited, interim governing body in the West Bank and Gaza.
The 1999 deadline for conclusion of a final peace came and went with the peace treaty still nowhere in sight. And meanwhile, after the Oslo Accord as before it, Israel continued implanting throughout the whole West Bank, additional Jews-only colonies (an action explicitly forbidden under international law.) That situation led to the extreme demographic/geographic mixing that Peled alluded to.
Throughout the past 20 years, support among Palestinians worldwide– including the 1.2 million ethnic Palestinians who are citizens of Israel– for the idea of a mini-state alongside Israel has dwindled to very low figures. The vast majority of Jewish Israelis, however, still support the idea of keeping a strongly Jewish state in the region within borders that may be larger or smaller (but anyway, would be very much broader than the borders the Jewish state was allotted in the UN's 1947 plan for the Partition of Palestine.)
There are now many strong parallels with the situation in Apartheid South Africa. There, from the mid-1950s on, the vast majority of non-"White" South Africans supported the idea of a single democratic state in the whole of South Africa, while most "White" South Africans still supported a White-dominated political system. Within "White" society, however, there were always some visionaries who upheld the idea of the equality of all human persons and thus, the establishment of a single democratic state in their country.
Over the decades, those visionaries played a key role in persuading their fellow "Whites" that it would be better for them and everyone else if they started to negotiate with the non-"White" South African leaders on a basis of human equality and equal rights, rather than continuing down the path of endless oppression and endless violence that would be necessitated if they wanted to uphold the Apartheid system.
Miko Peled is one of relatively few Jewish Israelis who (as yet) are ready to pursue a political vision based on the concepts of human equality and equal rights. It is excellent that his voice– and the voices of all the other people, whether Palestinian, Jewish, or neither, who espouse similar principles– can now be more widely heard.


text:
If you can believe it my first taste of a chalupa was in a school cafeteria back in the early 90s. I'm pretty sure it had a ground beef and cheese filling with nothing else but it was freshly made and very tasty. I decided to go with a beef and bean chalupa at home.
For some unknown reason chalupas aren't that popular and I don't understand why. To me it's a cross between a taco and a tostada which I think just about everyone is familiar with. The most unique thing about a chalupa is the shape which is said to resemble a canoe and is how the dish got its name.
I like to serve these with either arroz con tomate or Mexican rice for a Mexican take out experience at home.
Beef and Bean Chalupas
- 1 dozen corn tortillas
- 3 cups refried beans
- 3/4 to 1 pound cooked seasoned taco meat
- shredded cheese
- Additional topping such as:
- diced onion
- salsa
- shredded lettuce
- sour cream
- hot sauce
- guacamole
- oil for frying
In a heavy bottomed skillet heat about a quarter inch of vegetable oil until very hot but not smoking. When oil is hot place a corn tortilla in skillet and cook until the edges are lightly browned. Flip and using tongs bring one side of the tortilla up about a quarter of the way and cook for a few seconds or until it will hold its shape on its own. Repeat on other side. Repeat the steps until all tortillas are cooked.
Heat the refried beans until bubbly. You want them thin enough to spread easily so add water if needed after the beans have heated. Heat up the taco meat if needed.
When the shells are cooked and the beans and beef are hot spread a 1/4 cup of beans on the bottom of each shell and top with 2 tablespoons or so of taco meat. Add shredded cheese and your favorite toppings. I served mine with Mexican Rice. Makes 6 generous portions.


text:
April 8, 2011
What is it about Nature that thrills the soul? We all feel it, especially in the Spring. All of nature seems to be coming awake - including us.
Yesterday I saw a bird I'd never seen before and with the help of a Facebook friend discovered it was a Grackle. I sat and stared at the iridescence of the purple and blue colors of his feathers. The other night as I was closing my bedroom blinds, I saw four deer walking through the trees in the moonlight. I stood and stared at their beauty and quiet grace. A short time ago I saw two foxes playing in the snow. I watched them chase each other and play fight - and the next morning I was delighted as I saw the tracks of their play in the snow. I saw hawks very close while walking and stood and watched them swoop on the wind. Each time a frisson of excitement went through me. It was like a peek into another world. A world of freedom and grace and play.
You might think I live in the country, away from other houses, but I don't - I live in a townhome in a rather populated suburban area. It has a lot of green space in back and a brook.
Maybe Nature thrills us, because of these things:
Nature demands a stillness to observe it. We have to stop and pay attention. We have to let everything go and just be with it.
Nature soothes us - it doesn't hurry, yet everything is accomplished. It reminds us that everything really is all right. Everything is happening just the way it should.
Nature refreshes us. Taking a problem outside, after breathing good air and being in nature, especially in trees, we get a new understanding.
Nature honors us each time we honor it. Seeing wildlife up close is like being given a great gift.
Nature brings peace to our soul.
George Washington Carver wrote: "I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.
This is what Spring is to me -- a reminder to tune in.
There is Peace is our Universe. Peace is God. It is serene and calm and Divine Right Order is everywhere. This is true about Nature and true about us. Nature is the body of God and we are part of Nature.
Today, whether I get physically outside or not, I allow myself to contemplate Nature and all Its beauty, Its grace, Its rhythms. I let these be integrated into who I am, and what I am doing and I breathe deeply and feel the Peace.
How grateful I am to be able to say like e. e. cummings: "I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes."
And so it is.


text:
Our next meetup is 7pm Tuesday, March 30th at the Galway Bakery Company. Come upstairs to the back section when you arrive and we will order from there. This is our third Android Workshop with a couple of projects already up and running in our sandbox. The next X-Cake Galway Meetup takes place at GTC on April 7th. Anyone interested in speaking or demoing their apps on the night should contact Vinny Coyne. A list of this years winners from last nights 2010 Irish Blog Awards is available here.
Open Science and Open Space are two areas that hackerspaces are making previously specialist fields more accessible, collaborative and interconnected. Rob Carlson's May 2005 Wired article titled Splice it Yourself got the conversation underway on Garage Biology. Since then a global movement has emerged around DIYbio. His Tea with The Economist interview and recently released Biology is Technology are recommended checking out. Spacehack is a directory of ways to participate in space exploration. Ariel Waldman has a great post titled Hacking Space with Hackerspaces and helium. We look forward to adding Arts to the mix and seeing what we might do with the creative communities based in Galway.
UPDATE : tdr from TOG shared a link in the comments below to a recent Internet Audio Network interview with Sacha De'Angeli (twitter). He talks about how hackerspaces are forwarding real science and encourages people to get out of their garages and into a hackerspace.