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Currently, kidney disease affects up to 20% of the US population and is a strong contributor to morbidity and mortality in these patients. Specific therapies and diagnostic tools for kidney disease have been very slow to develop because of the absence of high quality samples and data that can be used for research studies. The purpose of this study is to develop a registry and sample bank called Poseidon (Prevention, Optimizing Safety, Early Intervention and DetectiOn in Nephrology) biobank that can be used for future research. In this study, patients can consent to donating their residual kidney tissue if they undergo a kidney biopsy and blood or urine during routine clinical care procedures. We will also collect blood and urine outside of clinical care.This study will allow biomedical research the ability to obtain specimens from patients with relevant diseases and appropriate clinical data. This study will collect patient demographic, clinical and historical data for a registry and patient samples will be deposited in the Poseidon biobank. Patients do not have to be diagnosed with Kidney Disease to be included in this study.
Kidney failure occurring after heart failure is a serious problem leading to prolonged ICU stay, prolonged hospitalization, dialysis and death. The goal of this study is to identify patients who will develop severe kidney failure after heart surgery. Early identification of patients who will develop kidney failure after surgery will allow earlier and better treatment to prevent this complication. In this study, urine is collected after surgery and analyzed to determine the concentration of many proteins. These proteins are potential biomarkers to predict the development of kidney failure. This is a multi-center study funded by the National Institutes of Health. It is being performed at Duke University, George Washington University and the University of Tennessee. MUSC is the lead center.


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As a distributed version control system, one of the benefits of using git is that you can pull from anyone's repo just as you would do from a server. With Git's support for SSH, it is very easy to do it on Linux. Two Windows machines don't talk SSH to each other though. So, I was not sure how to pull from my repo on one Windows machine to another. It turned out equally easy though (may be easier).
git pull file:////<machine_name>E$/path/to/repo/root
Drives like E: and C: get replaced by E$ and C$ respectively. As both of my machines were on the same domain, it was easy. Sharing might come into picture for machines on different domains.

subset: commoncrawl


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Measure and determine the size/s of each building you wish to sell.
Please measure the external dimensions of the portable building including the length and width. Also measure the internal floor to ceiling height of the building. These measurements will be confirmed on our site inspection so don't worry if your measurements are not accurate to the centimetre.


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There are no products in your shopping cart.
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Droncit is a prescription internal parasite medication for treating tapeworms and other parasites.
Follow these directions for administering Droncit as a single dose:
5 lbs and under: 1/2 tablet 6-10 lbs: 1 tablet 11-15 lbs: 1 1/2 tablets 16-30 lbs: 2 tablets 31-45 lbs: 3 tablets 46-60 lbs: 4 tablets
Active ingredients: Praziquantel
Have you noticed a flat half-inch long worm or longer crawling from your dog or cat's anal area or have you noticed what appears to be dried rice or cucumber seeds on the coat of your pet in the perineal area (body area surrounding the anal, and vaginal openings)? Then your pet may be suffering from an infection with tapeworms.


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Home Blood Pressure Monitor — Manual or Automatic?
Blood Pressure, one of the four main vitals, is one of the most common medical tests performed. Accurate blood pressure measurement is essential for correct diagnosis and treatment, making the importance of accuracy undisputed. In fact, more doctors are recommending the use of home blood pressure monitors so that patients can regularly, conveniently check their blood pressure. Has your doctorRead more


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I am trying to add a STDL4-4 powerbar to my setup. I currently have my Doser plugged into S1-S4, and assigned as S13, 14, & 15. So I have to plug in to S5-S8. When I power up the powerbar and just plug in the communication cable, sockets 1 & 2 turn on. That's the Reefbrite XHO and the VorTech backup switches. Here's the problem, I don't remember how to tell the system that I have plugged into S5-S8. I want those to respond to something like S25-48. I get a warning when I click on the switchable Powerbars "Digital powerbar connected on S5-S8 (outputs 25-48) saying do not connect a non-digital powerbar or it could ruin the powerbar. I went for it anyways and I could hear the 1st and 2nd receptacles cycling on and off. That was an issue so I unplugged the communication cable quickly and unselected the switchable powerbar option.
So, how do I go about getting the STDL4-4 running so I can program couple timers to turn the switches on and off. I know how to program the timers I just need help with the assignment of the switches to the powerbar.


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Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26th. This means we're just a few weeks from the start of the annual holiday travel season.
For those who call Boston home, Thanksgiving presents many pleasantries and potential pitfalls. But don't worry, we're here with tips to help ensure this Thanksgiving in Beantown is a success.
1. Book Your Parking Ahead of Time
Boston is going to be flooded with cars, and your neighborhood's streets may not be able to handle it. If you're hosting, and you have a spot, consider moving your car to a weekend lot to make way for your guests. If you're the incoming guest, don't even discuss your parking needs. Instead, reserve a spot nearby. It'll ease the burden on your host, and be a hassle-free ending to the long road trip for you–a win-win!
Here are some great Thanksgiving weekend parking rates from SpotHero. If you choose to use this tip, remember to read the redemption details in your parking pass (not all have in-and-out privileges for example). Also, if you don't see the spot listed below, it's sold out!
- 100 Clarendon St. – Garage
- 2 Battery Wharf – Garage
- Pi Alley – Garage
- 116 W 1st St. – Channel Center Garage
- 100 Huntington Ave. – Copley Place Garage
- 45 University Rd. – University Place: Garage
2. Choose Your Travel Day Wisely
Last year Google found that in Boston, the busiest travel day is Tusday. It can be up to 40% better if you elect to travel on a different day.
3. Pick up Your Waze Game
Waze, the ultimate navigation app, is essential for traveling by road during peak travel times. If there ever was a time to use Waze, it's before Thanksgiving weekend. As recently pointed out by Lifehacker, Waze's recent update presents some new and simple ways to really outsmart traffic. Features like sending your ETA or switching to "shortest route" over "fastest route" (this setting avoids the complicated routes just to save a few seconds) will make sure you arrive in time for turkey.


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Synod Calendar
Synod Staff
Synod Officers
Regional Partners
What is the Synod?
Synod Ends
Presbyteries and Regions
Synod Calendar
News & Events
Featured News
Around the Synod
Events Calendar
Revealing Hope (300th)
Synod, Presbytery Histories (300th)
PC (USA) News
Mission & Outreach
Grants Overview
Grants: Student Study & Scholarships
Grant: Ecumenical
Grant: Innovation
Grant: Innovation for Congregationally Connected Campus Ministry
Grant: Innovation for New Worshiping Communities
Grant: Partnership
Grant: Peacemaking
Synod Camps & Conference Centers
Synod College Affiliations
Coronavirus: Faithfully Serving, Being Aware
Synod Governance Policies
Ecumenical Boundaries in the Synod
Job Opportunities
Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Trinity
Ruling Elder Training
Continuing Education
Resources on 'Hate' and 'Hate Groups'
Community Responders Network
Communications Tools and Resources
Financial Resources
Insurance Partnership
Church Safety/Disaster Preparedness
Campus Ministry Report
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Related Organizations
PCUSA-Related Online Readings
Rev. Dr. Fred (Mister) Rogers
Kenneth Bailey: Christian Leadership in the New Testament
PCUSA-Related Online Readings
PCUSA-Related Online Readings
Related Organizations
Job Opportunities
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Christian Leadership in the New Testament
There are many blogs and other materials available through Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) affiliated organizations. Here are a few to consider:
(Click on the image to access the website.)
What Presbyterians believe
NEXT Church
The Fellowship Community
Covenant Network
Unbound: An Interactive Journal of Christian Social Justice
Horizons: The Magazine for Presbyterian Women
The Presbyterian Outlook
Presbyterian Health Education and Welfare Association
Presbyterian Justice & Peace
Presbyterian Historical Society
Presbyterians Today
Presbyterians Today's The Presbyterian Resource Guide for Ministry
BookNotes by Byron Borger of Hearts & Minds Bookstore
PCUSA News and Announcements
Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study
Daily Lectionary Readings
Revised Common Lectionary Readings
/* Here you can add custom CSS for the current table */ /* Lean more about CSS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascading_Style_Sheets */ /* To prevent the use of styles to other tables use "#supsystic-table-5" as a base selector for example: #supsystic-table-5 { ... } #supsystic-table-5 tbody { ... } #supsystic-table-5 tbody tr { ... } */ #supsystic-table-1 tbody tr{ background: transparent !important;} #supsystic-table-1 tbody th, #supsystic-table-1 tbody td{ padding: 20px 10px 20px 0; font-size: 20px;} #supsystic-table-1 img{ width:auto;}


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The Art of Recovery workshop – Addaction
posted in: Blog, Highlights | 0
With the support of the EN-ABLE fund we deliver 'The Art of Recovery' every Thursday morning at Addaction. Everyone involved in the art group is affected by addiction. Participants are all at different levels of Recovery. Each week we all … Continued


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Make your bathroom look instantly chic with this matching set of bathroom accessories. The four-piece set includes a porcelain soap dispenser, soap dish, toothbrush holder and cup adorned with a charming fleur-de-lis design and bone white finish. Inspired by the French, this bathroom set will make an elegant addition to your master bath. Lotion dispenser: 3 " x 3 " x 7 " high, tu
Our Price: $19.95
Item: 10018748
Out of Stock


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Mentoring/Shadowing Program
Shadowing Program
If you would like to shadow a PA, OAPA maintains lists of PA volunteers by region. Unfortunately, due to the high demand, undergraduate college students will be given priority for shadowing opportunities. Please contact email@example.com for more information.
OAPA Mentor Program
OAPA will find a mentor for students and recent grads. You must be a current member of OAPA. Mentors can be assigned by region, specialty or specialty within a region. Contact the OAPA office at email@example.com to be assigned a mentor.


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Ellen DeGeneres in Talks to Return for 'Finding Nemo' Sequel
HollywoodReporter.com reports: "Ellen DeGeneres is in negotiations to reprise her role in Disney/Pixar's planned Finding Nemo sequel.
Assuming the deal comes together, DeGeneres would voice Dory, a blue tang fish who was suffering from short-term memory loss in the 2003 original film.
Over the years, DeGeneres has not been quiet about her desire to see a Nemo sequel come to fruition, making multiple mentions on her popular syndicated talk show. Writer/director Andrew Stanton (John Carter), who wrote the 2003 film with DeGeneres in mind and co-directed it, is set to return for the follow-up. Victoria Strouse is writing the script and Lindsey Collins is producing. A 2016 release date is projected."
Read more at HollywoodReporter.com.


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Today's image features Remarque crater, recently named for German author Erich Maria Remarque (1898-1970), most famous for his novel 'All Quiet on the Western Front'. Remarque is located near Mercury's north pole, and, based on radar images acquired from Earth, it may contain icy deposits.
This image was acquired as part of MDIS's high-resolution 3-color imaging campaign. The map produced from this campaign complements the 8-color base map (at an average resolution of 1 km/pixel) acquired during MESSENGER's primary mission by imaging Mercury's surface in a subset of the color filters at the highest resolution possible. The three narrow-band color filters are centered at wavelengths of 430 nm, 750 nm, and 1000 nm, and image resolutions generally range from 100 to 400 meters/pixel in the northern hemisphere.
Date acquired: July 25, 2012Image Mission Elapsed Time (MET): 251746026Image ID: 2268716Instrument: Wide Angle Camera (WAC) of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS)WAC filter: 7 (748 nanometers)Center Latitude: 84.37°Center Longitude: 352.7° EResolution: 70 meters/pixelScale: Remarque crater is 25.9 km (16.1 mi.) in diameter.Incidence Angle: 86.6°Emission Angle: 11.2°Phase Angle: 86.6°
The MESSENGER spacecraft is the first ever to orbit the planet Mercury, and the spacecraft's seven scientific instruments and radio science investigation are unraveling the history and evolution of the Solar System's innermost planet. MESSENGER acquired over 150,000 images and extensive other data sets. MESSENGER is capable of continuing orbital operations until early 2015.
For information regarding the use of images, see the MESSENGER image use policy.


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Looks like Apple fans are really fanatic about every new product Apple releases. A guy named Justin was spotted camped outside an Apple Store in Dallas, Texas to be first to purchase an iPhone 4.
Way to go buddy, and I can Imagine the crazy lines outside Apple stores on June 24, the day the iPhone 4 will start selling officially. If you haven't pre-ordered your iPhone 4 yet, you are too late, new iPhone 4 orders will only be shipped after July 14th now.


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Featured Author of the Day: S. M. Senden
Christian Lindgren has lost that which he holds most dear, his daughter. In a haunting dream she comes to him and shows him where she is. He can not rest until he can get help to find her. When a search is mounted on a foggy day she is found in a shallow grave just as his dream predicted. But what exactly occurred? Bergin Halverson takes up the task of searching for the truth of what happened the night Miss Lindgren disappeared putting himself and his family in peril until at last, nearly thirty-five years later he is able to reveal that truth and put to rest the many ghosts that have haunted him over the years.
Click here to read the first chapter of CLARA'S WISH: http://secondwindbooks.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/claras-wish-by-s-m-senden/


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A place where Melly shares all. Or whines. I'm a writer without a clue. Oh and I'm blond. Yeah, that's a bad combination.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Started From the Bottom
Yesterday was my appointment with the employment agency not far from my last job. It's not my ideal location, but at this point I'm open to anything. This is also the flaky agency that forgot to send me a confirmation for my last appointment. My opinion wasn't changed much after my visit.
But first I have to get ready again. Getting ready to go places now is an ordeal that starts early. Gone are the days when I could get ready to go to work on autopilot. Now I have to dig out an iron to iron my pants (using a towel on the floor... Ironing board, what's that?). I pick a purple shirt to wear under my suit jacket and put on my jewelry. I put on the hooker boots and off I go. I have to leave an hour and a half early to guarantee I'll be there on time. This time I leave Scooter and Smoke home.
I do take my Drake CD with me. That's the one thing about driving alone. You can play your own music! Drake is my inspiration. Started from the bottom, now I'm here! Driving to a job agency, now I'm here!
When Drake and I get there, I have to park in a parking garage, and it's still cold so there's a lot of walking and freezing. I'm so spoiled! I text Katie the floor of garage I'm parked in so I don't have a Seinfeld situation where I lose my car and my fish dies. You never know! They might provide a free fish!
It's been a long time since I've been near an actual office building. The last building I worked in was a warehouse with office space. That still doesn't excuse me acting like a country pumpkin looking at the elevators like crazy contraptions that take you up in the air. Golly! I manage to get the flying boxes to take me up to the 4th floor, where the company is located.
When I walk in there's nobody at the front desk, but there is a sign-in sheet. I start signing my name when a woman walks up and says, "Are you here to meet with someone?"
"No, I just wandered off the street and found this company randomly," is what I want to say. What I do say is, "Yes, I'm here to see Blah, Blah."
"Ok, have a seat and I'll let her know you're here."
I sit down and notice that the color scheme seems to be orange. Not the orange of the 70's, (which would've been awesome), but more of a burnt orange. Kind of a Denver Bronco's orange. (Did you like that? Topical! Five years later if I read this, I'll have no idea what it means. Dear Future Melly, the Denver Bronco's are playing the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. A Super Bowl is a football game between.... Wait, that will probably still make sense).
Orange is everywhere. It's mixed into a gigantic dried flower arrangement on the table in front of me. It's in the material of the chair I'm sitting in which have a tiny clouded glass plate welded to the right arm rest. You could use it to write on a Post-It. Or eat a cracker.
The lady comes back and lets me know that Blah, Blah is finishing up something and will be with me in a minute. After she leaves at least four other people ask me if I'm being helped. A receptionist never shows up. A group of employees starts congregating around holding pads of paper, obviously going to a meeting. It's crazy how out of touch I already feel with office life. It wasn't that long ago I was holding a pad of paper on a way to a meeting!
Finally, Blah, Blah comes back and introduces herself and leads me to a conference room. She seems to have a hard time turning on the light. She stands there waving her arms until they come on, explaining, "I never use this room." That leads me to believe she doesn't have a lot of clients or I'm not good enough for the VIP conference room. "Don't let the blonde too far into the building. She doesn't know how to work a elevator."
The conference room table is small and kind of cracked and old looking. It makes me think of my last office when it was new and we weren't allowed to even bring in drinks to the new conference room tables. Now it makes sense to me.
She starts the normal interview questions, asking about what kind of work I do and about my experience. The location I want to work. She apologizes for not sending me the confirmation email and explains that I need to leave a message to contact her because her phone "doesn't show missed calls."
O...k. Finally, she lets me know I'm going to be meeting with another one of her colleages who will see if she has any openings for me. She leaves me alone. That's when I get that feeling...you know the one. When you think something is on your nose. I start to panic until I remember that the other day my mother gave me something and I never took it out of my coat pocket...
Yes, that's a foldable cat mirror! For once my crazy cat lady tendencies worked in my favor! I take it out and check that everything is ok just before she walks back in.
"Boo, Boo got pulled into a meeting, so you won't be meeting her today." For a minute I'm flabbergasted. It's weird because you'd think that she would be pulled out of a meeting for someone that might make them money. But maybe I'm misunderstanding employment agencies.
She hands me a business card. "I ran out of business cards, so I wrote my information on this."
And readers, I shit you not, she had used someone else's business card and crossed out their information and wrote her own. Professional, no? I begin to wonder if maybe she'd given me a fake number. She shakes my hand and then kind of flitters out of the room leaving me to wander out on my own. I pass by her talking to the receptionist that has now magically returned. I've been dismissed.
I leave the office and go back down the magic boxes (first finding a public restroom in the hallway...yes, so sad). I didn't need the text because I actually did remember where I parked.
It really was a surreal experience. She didn't take the job application that they had me fill out in the email. She didn't take any of my information, which leads me to wonder if they even wanted me there. Maybe they will find me a job, but it mostly felt like a waste of time and gas. I started from the bottom and I'm still there... I still haven't tried the number yet. I'm kind of scared too. It might end up being a deli. (Friends reference of course).
I went to another employment agency today that was much better, but this story took so long, I'll save it until tomorrow.
To be continued...
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Crash Test Dummy
So Monday was the interview with the first job agency. Since this was in an area I wasn't familiar with, I invited Smoke along for a ride. He decided we should bring Scooter too.
But first I had to get ready. Since it was a job agency I decided to wear a suit jacket and pants (instead of the skirt--it's too cold for a skirt!). I also decided to pull out my hooker boots. Ok, they aren't really hooker boots, but they do have the zipper on the side like Julia's in Pretty Women. They just aren't as tall. They do have heels. They are a couple years old, but make me feel confident.
After we leave, I quickly find out that having a dog with light colored fur, who seems to shed a lot more than a short haired dog should, is a problem when you are wearing a black suit jacket. I'm constantly brushing off my sleeve because for some reason he enjoys leaning against me. I'm pretty sure it's on purpose.
The drive down there is a long, about an hour, but it's a straight shot. Compared to my last commute which was going towards the city (the city being DC) and along many different highways and back ways, this drive seems so easy! Why hadn't I thought of this area before?
We find the agency with about 10 minutes to spare. I'd put my bag of emergency supplies in the back, so that's where my lint roller is. I open up the trunk and Scooter pops out and tries to jump on me. "Mommy, please don't leave me! Take me to your interview!"
I'm pushing him off because he's just defeating the purpose of the lint roller while at the same time Smoke is pulling him back in. There are windows facing the parking lot and in the back of my mind I can just see all of these people looking out saying, "This women can't even go anywhere without her dog! Does she think she's Paris Hilton?"
I stuff Scooter back in the car and do the best I can with the lint roller. Then I take a deep breath and go into the agency.
I give the lady at the desk my name and she has me sit down in the reception area. There are windows facing the parking lot and I can see Scooter in the back of the car staring down the building I'm in. For a minute I wonder if he can somehow see me from that distance. He's a spooky dog!
The lady has me go back to a computer and fill out a survey. This survey has questions like, "When was the last time you did Meth?" Uh... Did these people watch Breaking Bad too much? I type, "I'm doing it right now." Ha! Not really. There are also questions about cocaine, pot, prescription drugs and alcohol. They keep asking you if you would steal from the company. The way they phrase the questions seem kind of tricky at times so you really have to read them. Since I'm pretty clean (unless you count coffee and life), I finish the survey in no time.
She tells me to sit back in the waiting area and I ask her where the restroom is (see list about turning 40). As she's leading me there, I'm like, "I'm sorry. I've been driving a while." A voice in my head is like, "Are you apologizing for needing the restroom? And stop offering up more information than people need!" (Also on list of signs your turning 40).
Finally, I'm led back to my agent. Is that what you call them? The lady who is supposed to help me get a job. We start talking and I keep mentioning how old I am, how things were different back when I found a job before. Again, the voice is like, "Don't tell people you are old! Jeez. Nobody cares, geezer! So what if you walked to your job up-hills both ways!"
She's super nice (which I'm pretty sure is part of the job, but helps put me at ease) and writes down the kind of jobs I want and how much I want to make.
After we are done she tells me I need to fill out more forms and then I should do some testing. I hate to make Smoke and Scooter wait longer for me, but I want to do the testing and I don't want to put it off. I want work!
I fill out all the paperwork, which is mostly benefit information and then the front desk lady sets up the testing. Well, actually, the first computer she sets me up at doesn't work and I have to go back up and get her and I feel like I'm starting to annoy her at this point. I'm pretty sure she wrote in my file, "Annoying. Takes creepy dog with her everywhere. Talks about her bathroom habits."
The problem with testing on programs like Word, Excel and Outlook, is that even if you worked on it every day for at least 13 years (which I did), it doesn't mean used every single feature of it. Some you just didn't need. Plus they've upgraded so much, things you used to know how to do have changed. They do give you a lot of chances to go back if you did it wrong, but if you can't do it after so many tries, you just don't know. I don't think I did bad on those, but I'm sure I could've done better.
My words per minute is 68. It's 70 before mistakes. I don't know if it's that good or not. Since all I've been typing for the last six months are job applications, cover letters and blog entries, it seems pretty good to me.
Another problem with the testing is that it's getting later in the day and the employment office is getting louder. They are sending out tax forms to their employees and with stamp prices going up it's going to cost them over a thousand dollars to send them out. I hear about this and many other discussions while I'm trying to concentrate. I feel like they should move the computers a little further away from the front desk, especially when someone is taking a test.
Finally everything is done and I take my folder and free pen and say goodbye to front desk lady (hoping my cheerful disposition will make her forget my annoying habits) and go out to Smoke and Scooter still waiting in the parking lot.
Now I just wait for a job. Judging by how busy the office is it's not going to be as fast as I hoped. They have a lot of employees. I told her I would even take short term assignments if they came up, but so far my phone is quiet. (I know...it's only been two days. But still!)
Yesterday I was supposed to go back to that second employment agency, but I never got a confirmation email. I called the number that called me and left a message on the voicemail. Still no response. Then around two (an hour after I was supposed to be there), I get an email apologizing for not sending me a confirmation and asking when I wanted to reschedule.
I'm not sure about this agency. It doesn't seem like it's going to be very helpful if they can't even get back to you in a timely manner. I will probably go because I have to look into every opportunity, but I'm even less hopeful. It's closer to the city too, which I was trying to avoid.
After all this I'm not quite as optimistic as I was at the beginning of the week, but I haven't given up hope. At least I have other people helping me find work now! Every step is a good step. Take it a day at a time. That's how I look at life. Today I'm breathing. I have coffee. I have my spooky dog and evil cats and I just watched a reunion of the guys from Full House on GMA. Life is good!
Thanks for reading this long post and coming along for the ride! And thankful for the good luck wishes here and on Facebook. Having a place to talk about it helps me get through it!
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Redneck Clouds
Things are happening! But's also making me a nervous wreck. What's exactly is going to happen? Am I going to have a job soon? Do I still know how to work? Am I going to look stupid? What do I wear? Chicken or egg?
It's weird to go back to being in a professional mode after about seven months, but it's time to go back in the world. It's time to wear shoes all the time. Maybe even a bra. You never know. I might find a job that's back in the 70's! With Jack Tripper and Chrissy. Janet.
I'm glad my appointment isn't until 2:30 tomorrow, because I feel like I need all the time I can get to prepare. Pretend like I'm a normal human being. Well, as normal as I can be. Figure out how to walk on heels again.
And since I always like to include a picture, I was at Big Lots today with Smoke when I saw him motioning me over. When I walked over he was like, "Look at this chair."
Me: "Yikes. It's camouflage."
Him: "Sit in it. It's really comfortable."
I sit down and kind of sink in like I was on a redneck cloud. "Yes, it is."
"When we get money, I want to get it."
Me: "Wait, for real? Just because it's comfortable that doesn't make it right!"
You might be a redneck if... Screw it. We are rednecks! That chair was damn comfortable though. Of course there were other chairs that we could sit on and be visible in but that's beside the point.
Wish me luck tomorrow!
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Check Yes or No or Yes
She tells me I applied for a job doing payroll data entry. That did sound like me. I apply for any job that has data or entry in the title. Err... wait. Data AND entry. Entry without data doesn't sound kosher.
I must sound confused because she goes on to say that most people apply to so many jobs they don't remember them either. That's when I realize she's with an employment agency. I have no idea which one. Because I'm detail oriented that way.
She then goes on to tell me the job description of this mystery job I applied for. By this time I've found something to write it down with. Okay, what I really find is a barely sharpened pencil and the Samsung User Manual for our television. All the notebooks and pens I buy and they are never around when I need them!
I write down cryptic notes like: "Data Entry. Payroll. Moderate. Statistical. Data."
This is why nobody wanted to copy my notes in school! They make absolutely no sense. I mean some of it makes sense. I'm not sure what's moderate. And thank God I wrote down data! Who knew there was data in data entry?
She's like, "It's a data entry position and I can see on your resume that's what you did in your last job." She pauses. "Wow. You worked there a long time!"
I love when people say that! "Yes, I did."
"Can I ask why you left?"
I say layoff's, funding, blah, blah. I want to say, "They were intimidated by my awesomeness," but I don't.
The rest of the conversation went like this:
Her: "This is a three month contract. Is that something that interests you?"
Me: "Err... Yes." I always say yes. If the job is worth it, why not? I need work!
Her: "Ok, now the hours are kind of strange."
Now I've always wanted a job where the hours weren't the traditional 9 to 5 so this intrigues me.
She continues: "...Monday through Thursday, it's 8:30 to 5:30 and on Friday it's 1:00 to 9:00."
WTF? I like the thought of going in late, but working until 9:00? On a Friday? What if I want to go out on a Friday night? Hahahaha. No, but seriously, who ever wants to work late on a Friday? Even if you are almost 40 and never go out anymore?
But she's not done yet: "And on Saturday it's 8:00 am until the payroll is finished."
Really? Work late on a Friday and early on a Saturday?
Her: "Is this something that you're still interested in?"
I want to say, "Hell no," but instead, I'm like, "Umm... Yeah. I think so." I'm honestly surprised I have never been sold into prostitution. I always say yes.
"So how much did you want to make an hour?"
I give her the sum that is the least I'll go with a commute, but I still think I'm selling myself cheap. A pimp could do better! But I'm also realistic. I know what jobs are paying. She tells me that they are adamant in paying an amount that comes to a dollar less than my absolute minimum. Father Sweetness said so! (A pimp name generator gave me that as my pimp name. It's sad that I couldn't think of a pimp name on my own).
I explain that there's no way I can work for that much. She's very understanding and asks if I want to come and discuss what it is I'm looking for in a job. I agree. Why not? I know I have that other appointment with an employment agency but it doesn't hurt to keep my options open, right? They are in two completely different areas. I make an appointment for Tuesday, the day after the other appointment.
Sadly, despite my extensive notes (ha) I did not write down her name or company. She said she'd send me a confirmation email, but I don't have one yet. I'll probably get it on Monday. The other company said they would send one the day before so this company might too. It's no big deal if they don't.
In case you wanted a visual of what I looked like on the phone, here is one of me with my granny:
Just imagine Woody Woodpecker is a phone. My mouth really does hang open like that. I was probably saying yes to him too.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
The Hashtag Blues
I did it. I spent 24 hours off Facebook! I feel better. I don't know why. And I spent time watching movies and on Instagram and Twitter. And eating. Isn't that what you're supposed to do? Calories don't count on snow days!
Things I learned while on Facebook hiatus:
1. I still don't understand hashtags. Whenever I post on Twitter, I just hashtag random words. Is there a science to this? A hashtag for dummies book? #hashtag#dummy#
2. I love Instagram. I love something dedicated to just pictures. I love pictures and it's nice to have a place where you don't have to weed through all the other stuff to find the pictures.
3. I really need to promote this blog outside of Facebook. Without it, nobody can find it. I'm going to look into that more. I've tried a few sites, like BlogHer, but wasn't qualified. I'm pretty sure I don't show up in Google either.
4. Connie is my best blog friend! She found me and commented! I didn't feel like I was blogging into a void!
Now I'll get back to my regularly scheduled blog activities. I never know what's better on this blog. The pictures? The normal everyday life posts? I guess I'll just wing it like I've been doing.
#wingit# #blog# #hello# #what# ARGHHHHHHHH.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Can Anybody Hear Me?
My Twitter link is to the left.
I haven't really said anything but I had a job with an employment agency next week. I'm super excited! But I'm being low key because I don't want to get my hopes up. But the people I talked with seemed pretty optimistic. I do need to get the suit out of the dry-cleaning bags. It's been forever!
Mostly this morning I've been watching Easy A (one of my top 10 favorite movies) and waiting for the snow to start. I'll be tracking it on Instagram. Because absolutely nobody cares but me.
I was looking online for jobs (as I do especially now that my unemployment as ran out) and I saw Specimen Collector. What do you think? Think I'm qualified?
Ok. I'll be back soon! I know you'll be holding your breath!
Monday, January 20, 2014
Give Me a Break!
It's not going to be easy. There's a snowstorm coming and I love reading and posting when stuck inside. Plus, nobody is going to see this because I'm not even going to promote it on Facebook. I'm going cold turkey, baby!
On a separate note, does anyone else love the movie Bad Teacher in a crazy undefiniable way? You'd never want her to be your kid's teacher, yet somehow she still makes sense. It's not so way over the top it's unbelievable. It's unbelievable just enough. Plus Justin Timberlake makes a wonderful dry-humping a-hole.
Ok. It's 9:54 and I already feel a little dizzy. Has it only been 12 minutes?? Yikes.
Well, say hi if you read this. Let me know there are people not just in Facebook world! I'll be updating as often as I can!
Saturday, January 18, 2014
What Was I Thinking? School Daze
Apparently not much. Maybe: Sky is pretty! Or: Ooo, bird! At first I thought this was me and my brother on the first day of school, but judging by the leaves falling off the trees and our warm clothes, it was further into autumn. The first day of school around here is usually hot and you roast in your new school clothes. (It doesn't stop you from wearing them though. I'm not wearing my tacky old summer shorts the first day of school! I will wear this turtleneck sweater and jeans in the 80 degree weather!).
For some reason we're wearing interchangeable burgundy outfits, although my mom swears the colors are a little bit different. I have my doubts though. Notice how the sleeves are almost covering my brother's hands? That screams hand-me-down to me. Either way, it makes me itch seeing that much corduroy in one place. It's a good thing we were in different classes!
I'm holding a book bag and my brother has one piece of paper. Apparently that's all he needed for school. Lucky! He wrote all his school work on that one piece of paper so he had to use it well! I remember that book bag. I loved it! The green went really well with my yellow jacket. I remember the yellow jacket too. It shows up in a lot of pictures. Unfortunately.
It's funny because even to this day I have trouble tucking in my shirts. I will buy a collared shirt and tuck it in but it never looks right. It's always coming un-tucked or it's too tucked and my pants are under my boobs. Like a grandpa. Add in some sandals with socks and I've found my look!
As always my hair is out of control. For the first 12 years of my life I had an aversion to a hairbrush. I treated them as the enemy and refused to use them for religious reasons. Not really. Even Jesus brushed his hair! I guess I just didn't care, Looking back, I wished I cared. Just a little.
In the background you can see someone walking a dog. I loved how in our old neighborhood there were always people walking about and you didn't think anything about it. In the neighborhood I live in now, if you see strangers walking around, you reach for your shotgun first and ask questions later! That's a slight exaggeration. Slight...
I'm not sure why my brother is scared. Maybe he sees the fashion police. Or Joan Rivers. But hey, it was the early 80's and the 70's still had a stranglehold on fashion. I'm just lucky there were no bell-bottoms making an appearance. I don't think. There is a slight flare at the bottom of my brother's pants. An angel might've got their wings that day...
But regardless, it was a nice visit back to simpler times when hairbrushes and color clashing meant nothing to me. When staring into space with a blank look on my face was cute instead of crazy. Before I go, I leave you with this one last thought. Was the person walking the dog wearing a beret? WTF? Any guesses?
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Got Whine?
Finding out that the unemployment extension didn't pass in Congress bummed me out and made me reach for the wine.
Apparently this wasn't the first time.
Don't you hate when your parents make you take a nap and you just want to play with your blocks?
Or maybe I was just bummed about my lack of hair...
Just shows parents have been grabbing cameras first since the 70's. "Oh look, our baby is reaching for a jug of wine. Grab the camera!"
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Cool Rider
Dear Jennifer Lawrence,
You think your dress for the Golden Globes was unique...
But you ain't got nothing on me!
Yes, that's me rocking that look back in the 70's! Sure, when I showed my husband this picture, he thought I was wearing a ninja outfit, but that's pretty cool too. I always thought myself kind of ninja like. Quick with the wit! Chuck Norris style!
And yes, my dad was pretty badass, thanks for asking! He would've rocked the Hunger Games! If they weren't fake and just a role you took based on a book.
I still love you though. You are an awesome, badass, ninja-like actress yourself!
Call me if you need a sarcasm assistant or something. I could dig up that outfit maybe.
Your ninja twin,
Monday, January 13, 2014
Don't You Forget About Me
You know how when you die, people will display pictures of you in collages and around the casket and that's how everyone remembers you? Well, obviously if you had died, you wouldn't be reading this. Or maybe you would. I'm almost positive my dad reads this blog and approves... Hi Dad!
Anyway, I'm sure everyone has pictures they definitely wants included in that collage. Here is mine:
This was at the Hanger's Club, a male strip club in Maryland. A group of my friends took me there for my 21st birthday. I'd just gotten off work, which is why I'm dressed a little formally. Obviously I'm wearing panty hose because even though I'm white, I'm not that smoothly white! Other than that, I love everything about this picture. My hair was under control for a change and even though I'd had a baby a little under a year ago, I was still crazy skinny. And look how happy I am! Give me some cheesy male strippers and I am a happy camper! (It could be why I watched Magic Mike this afternoon, which felt vaguely dirty on a Monday afternoon). It was a great night and one of those stories I will tell my grandchildren when I'm old so I can skeeve them out.
This is how I want to be remembered! But knowing me, I will be remembered by a selfie of me holding a cat:
Wearing this...
What's that, do you ask? Let's pull back...
A little more...
Yes, that's a cat in a knitted hat with snowflakes all around. (By this time none of the cats would let me hold them for a selfie. Cats are notoriously private and don't like social media. Plus I think they hated my shirt).
So if anyone reading this is responsible for any collages related to me, please make sure I'm not always remembered as a cat lady. Throw in the Hanger's Club picture so that I seem both desperately lonely and a crazy cat lady. That's much better!
Friday, January 10, 2014
What People Don't See
You might've also heard of this thing they call the Polar Vortex. You too might've been swept up in it and had to see your local broadcasters freeze t-shirts for some inexplicable reason. It's kind of like when they try to fry eggs in the extreme heat. Does this really bring ratings? Is this news??
Because of the extreme cold, we put a light in the cat house to keep the kitties warm. We can't bring them inside because my husband is extremely allergic and because they are still semi-feral and have panic attacks when you bring them in. Like we've trapped them forever and the outside is GONE. GONE I SAY!! WHERE IS THE OUTSIDE??? WHO TOOK IT???
Yeah, it's that bad. So we put the light in there. I took a picture and put it on Facebook:
It's cute! And it's news! Unlike t-shirt freezing. Then the next day...
I justified this one because hey, Mama Kitty is there to the left! Different picture! I wish I could say it ended there, but it didn't. I stopped putting them on Facebook, but that didn't stop me from taking pictures. Almost like my own frozen t-shirt...
One is looking to the right! Different picture, right? You'd think I would've fulfilled my need to take pictures of cats under a light, but sadly...
Look the kitty has her leg out! Isn't that cute? Like a feline Rockette. I HAD to take a picture of THAT. But did I need this?
I'm sure if we look close enough, we'll see some difference between the last three days worth of pictures. Really. I'm looking!
Being unemployed apparently gives you a lot of time to stalk cats. If I could hook a catcam up in their house, I'm pretty sure I'd be watching 24-7. But let's not forget Scooter.
I give you... TOE HAT!
Hmm... Yeah, I'm going to get help. Soon. After I check the Cathouse one more time. Maybe one of the kittens is sleeping on her right side!
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
What Was I Thinking?
Light bulb! (But the energy saving one...we can no longer have incandescent thoughts...) Idea alert!
Now I warn you. This picture is scary. And you know it has not been Photoshopped since there was obviously no Photoshop when it was taken. The back of the picture says May 91, but there's a Christmas tree, so it was probably developed later. I would like to say it was Christmas of 90, but I was never good about developing my pictures in a timely manner, so that would just be a guesstimate.
If there are any children in the room, please encourage them to leave. I don't want to scar them for life...
Are you ready? I'm not. But here we go anyway...
What was I thinking?
Now I know you'll be tempted to use this as your Christmas card, but please don't. I'm using it for mine next year!
If you are having a hard time processing the glory of this picture, let me tell you what you're looking at. It's me in feetie pajama's with a dog in my crotch region. I'm not sure which dog since my mom loves Scottish Terrier's and we always had one. Since it's 91, I'm thinking it's Fred. But it doesn't really matter since it was years ago and they've all since died. Possibly of humiliation.
The worse part is that it was the 90's so there was no selfies, which means someone took this picture. It might have been my brother, but I'd hate to think I would ever force him to witness this. If it was and he reads this, I'm sorry!
Feety pajamas should not be worn over the age of five. Plus, I can tell by my the smoothness of my hair that it was brushed for a change so I obviously planned this picture carefully and purposely staged it this way. I'm not sure why my hair looks so white though. I also don't know why I'm doing a weird alien claw with my hand. Maybe the alien abduction cause premature greying.
Possible Captions:
"I'm too sexy for this Scotty."
"I don't always pose in feetie pajamas, but when I do, I traumatize family pets."
I like that above me on the wall it says "Welcome" with two Scotties on the side. Welcome is definitely not the message being portrayed by this picture. It's more like, "I love Scotties. I have a bunch in my basement. With my feetie pajamas collection. 'It rubs the lotion on the skin'."
My feet practically itch just thinking about feetie pajamas. Maybe this is the reason. After this picture I could never wear them again. PTFS. Post traumatic feetie syndrome.
I apologize for any damage I've caused by this picture. I apologize. I will give you plenty of warning for the next time. Because there will be a next time. Apparently posing with animals was something I enjoyed doing... I was a lonely child.
Monday, January 6, 2014
It's a Nice Day for a Blue Monday
The lady from the job agency said she'd called me today and prescreen me for the job. Yay! All weekend I fluctuated between being nervous and being excited. It had been a long time since I'd heard about a job!
So this morning I stayed near the computer waiting for her email. I made sure my phone was charged for when she called. I applied for another job because I had to keep moving forward. Nothing was guaranteed and I couldn't get my hopes up. That's when I got the email from her saying that the company decided to hire someone they had interviewed this morning so there was no point in prescreening me, but she was impressed by my resume and wanted to keep it for future reference.
I emailed her thanking her and saying that of course she could keep my resume, but for the first time in a long time I felt disappointment and tears came to my eyes. It had been so long since I let myself feel hope when it came to a job. I apply for so many that look really good and I just know I would be perfect for them, but I rarely hear back. That's why I never allow myself to believe there's a chance I'll get a chance. But this time, I did... One got underneath my shell... It hurt. A lot.
Blue Monday, indeed.
I shook it off the best I could and then Smoke and I had to go out to grab some dog and cat food, so we ran by the Goodwill and a thrift store. I love looking at other people's junk from time to time and seeing what treasures I can dig up. And boy did I find some good ones!
This ceramic cat statue is huge! I'm assuming it's a mama cat grooming her kitten. Or it's a zombie cat trying to eat the kitten's brains. Take your pick! To see how big it truly is, look at it next to my photobombing dog:
The guy in the Goodwill asked me if I had cats and I said yes and then he asked me if they stared at other cats and I was like, "At other cats or cat statues?" I was confused. Smoke totally ignored him but I tried to be polite. I still couldn't understand though. Despite what people might think I don't talk crazy cat person. Next time someone asks me if I have cats, I'll just say no.
Of course I had to mess with my cats and put the statue outside...
"Is you my friend or are you going to eat my brains?"
I also bought this wooden lighthouse:
It has cool little details like this rocking horse:
Who knew there were rocking horses teetering on the roof of a lighthouse? I'm assuming it's actually supposed to be a pelican or seagull, but to me it looks like a rocking horse. Maybe a seahorse?
Then I got this:
It has pictures of seashells and says Ocean City, MD on it. I only bought this because O.C. is my favorite vacation spot and it reminded me of a better time. A warmer time. I'm pretty sure it's a toothpick holder. Or a tiny Putt-Putt miniature golf pencil holder. It's something I would never buy in a store, but for fifty cents, it's worth it. If I put it up to my ear, I can hear the sound of the sea... And the sound of people getting ripped off as they pay way too much for this cheap item. Ahh... Vacation.
I bought these mugs:
One is a souvenir from Assateague Island in Chincoteague, VA and has a horse (maybe the same horses you find on lighthouses) and the one on the right says it was hand painted in Italy exclusively for Starbucks Coffee Company and is not microwave safe. Not sure why. How did I end up with a pretentious Italian coffee mug? I just liked it because it was huge and could hold a lot of coffee! It also kind of reminded me of the mugs you might get at Luke's Diner in Stars Hollow (Yes, Gilmore Girl's reference).
We got Scooter a stuffed kangaroo. Smoke kept calling it a bunny (despite the obvious pocket on the front) so it ended up being a bunnyroo. This is Scooter chewing out his eyes. Cats go for brains, Scooter goes for the eyes.
My husband picked out this:
We're not sure what it is, but it looks pretty cool. He's hoping it's a good luck charm. I was ok with that as long as it's not a Brady Bunch tiki statue situation. I'm not sure if he even got it from a shelf and instead got it from someone shady in the back of the Goodwill. You never know! (If anyone knows what it is, please let us know!)
We bought a few other things-Smoke bought some golf clubs and I bought a sweater and a computer game, but those weren't as cool as my treasures. I look forward to displaying them proudly somewhere where people could see them! Until the cats start creeping me out and I have to hide them out of sight.
All in all, it was a pretty good Blue Monday. Maybe a yellow Monday. Or Mauve. Puce.
Friday, January 3, 2014
I Saw the Sign...and it had Snaps.
I've never been good at saving things. The things I wished I'd saved from the 80's are gone, but then I did save random things from the 90's. Like People Magazine. I saved the magazine from the week Kurt Cobain died. As sad as that event was, I'm not sure why I saved it. Maybe so one day I could pass it down to my son? "Son, here is the day that grunge music died. Please pass it on to your children and your children's children... Spread the word, my son. Do not let the 90's pass in vain."
(How awesome is it that Wayne Newton getting married is in the corner? It's like, "Yes, it's tragic that Kurt Cobain died...but it's Wayne Newton! Must...tell...people...)
Ahh.... The 90's. Does anyone want a printer?
It's only $485!! The goofy guy in the awful shirt isn't included... I don't think. He is way too happy about his chart. "I did it! I printed on paper!"
Does anyone remember Hit or Miss?
I'm pretty sure this is a miss.
Smokes and a Walkman. What more do you need?
That's Kurt Cobain on the floor. And I thought our paparazzi now were intrusive! (That's my hand on the magazine. My picture taking skills not so good).
Does anyone remember the adult onesie? They had snaps and everything! What was that? Those snaps were in a woman's area that should not have metal snaps! The overalls on this model (Beverly Peele) just make it 90's-licious!
I loved this movie. Back when Brad Pitt was still cute and not a bit dirty from dumping Jennifer Anniston and hooking up with Angelina Jolie.
Body Shampoo... What all men who wear women's blouses use...
Does anyone want me to order your some CD's or cassettes from Columbia House? I loved that they would send you all those CD's and just trust you to pay them. Which I did, of course... Absolutely.
I can get you some Ace of Base. Or Shaquille O'Neal. Apparently he put out an album. I feel sorry for those who actually made real rap back then being in the same box.
Does anyone remember when Tim McGraw had a porn 'stach?
Sorry my flash blurred out the good stuff.
Speaking of the good stuff...
WTF? I really don't want to see this in my magazine. Keep your prostrate to yourself, sir!
Scrunchy socks!!
Jonathan Knight was thrown off his horse!! Wha?? First Kurt. Now this! How can we live in a world where New Kids on the Block members are just thrown around like that?? The 90's sure were a crazy time. What's next? The president getting a blowjob and then impeached? No way!
The best part is the picture next to the blurb:
It's so dramatic looking. It's like they took it after the event. I can just imagine what they are thinking...
Jonathan: "How could you throw me off like that? Don't I give you the best rubdowns? You messed up my bangs!"
Shakespeare the horse: "You deserved it. Your music sucks. I didn't see you hangin' tough then!"
Would anyone like to strap on their phone? What is this? Did anyone have these? I'm pretty sure this is before most cell phones, so I don't know... BUT I WILL!
Would anyone like to lease a LaBaron for $249 a month? It has power windows, AM/FM stereo cassette radio, even a power convertible top... All standard! The best part is that there's an asterisk by dual airbags and at the bottom it says:
"Driver and front passenger air bags. Always wear your seat belt."
Apparently in the 90's we just jumped in the car without seat belts and were like, "Whoo---hooo!!! No need for a seat belt! I got air-bags!!!" Sadly, that's probably not far from the truth. I didn't wear seatbelts on a regular basis until I started taking driving lessons at 16. I'd just slide around in the back of my parents station wagon. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Well, that's all for this trip to the 90's. But I have more magazines so we might visit again! Oh and if Columbia Music does still exist, the check is in the mail! Really.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
The Fast and Blonde
The other day Smoke and I were watching Fast and Furious 6 when he said, "Look that guy has Under Armour clothes on."
Me: "Really??"
Suddenly, I felt cool. I rarely wear clothes that cool and/or famous people wear. The entire outfit I have on right now was purchased at Walmart for about $10. Once Izzy on Grey's Anatomy wore a shirt I wore, but that's the extent of my fashion sense. And I got that at Ross, so that was just a lucky coincidence. I'm the girl in The Devil Wears Prada before she sees the big closet of clothes and sells out. But she looks awesome! (OMG... I still crave that grilled cheese her curly haired boyfriend makes her that she wasted! All the clothes and I want the grilled cheese).
After that I walked prouder. Maybe even with a little Fast and Furious strut. I drive a little faster. I may be approaching 40, but I make it look good!
Today we were going to the store (coughWalmartcough) and I noticed Smoke was wearing his pullover and I was wearing my jacket. "Look how cool we are! We are both wearing Under Armour."
Him: "Just because we saw these once on Fast and Furious doesn't make us cool."
Me: "Sure it does. Which guy was wearing it? Vin Diesel?"
Him: "No."
Me: "The Rock?"
Him: "No."
Me: "Well I know it wasn't Paul Walker. Was it the other dudes? Bob? Joe?" (I'm just guessing at this point).
Him: <clearly annoyed with this conversation> "It was the Rock."
Me: "I said The Rock."
Him: Grunts. <Has checked out of the conversation and isn't pretending to listen anymore>
Me: "I'm pretty sure I could be the new Fast and Furious character. It's so sad about Paul Walker. They will need a new blonde who is awesome and almost 40." I step on the gas. My Ford Focus has now transformed into a cool car that I don't know the name of because I always drift off when we are watching these movies and focus mainly on the Rock's chiseled arms. I slow down because hey the speed limit is 45 and I was doing 50. Living on the edge, baby! I'm fast and just a little annoyed! (I can't remember why they were furious... The price of gas? I should watch these movies before I audition for a role).
You know what would make those movies better? A grilled cheese. There's nothing better than a grilled cheese. On The Rock's arms... While he's naked... Hmm... What was I blogging about again?


text:
Sat, 24 February 2007
I passed my state exam for life, health, and accident insurance, so I am even closer to a better-paying job!
Update on Heidi Bethune: The doctors have determined the cause of her medical issues, and she will be absolutely fine!
One year of podcasting! I posted my first episode on February 23, 2006, and I'm celebrating my anniversary.
This episode will post one day late, due to problems with my Audacity software, but I'll forgive myself!
This podcast is now being carried on a Feedburner RSS feed. The feed URL is http://feeds.feedburner.com/ThatBlueJeansGuy
I am not dropping LibSyn, so no need to change anything at this time.
Stay tuned for a big announcement concerning this podcast.
Looking back, I must recognize several podcasts which have been and continue to be influential in the evolution of this show from concept to production.
In alphabetical order they are:
Audio Attitude
Blast the Right
Calling Long Distance
The Dag Show/Chilly Dilly
Daily Source Code
Deep Fabulousity
Democracy Now!
Feast of Fools
5 Minutes with Wichita Rutherford
GCN Radio
Go Rainbow Radio.com
Haunted New Jersey
I Love the Company
The InTristin Podcast
I Should Be Writing
Leftwing Nutjob
Mother Jones Radio
My Gay Life (sadly, the show podfaded)
Nillo's Night
The Peace Pod
Penmachine Podcast
Podcast 411
The Podcast Underground
Porn Stars Talk with Joseph Fenity (I believe this one also podfaded)
Queer Visions of Freedom
Ramble Redhead
The President's Weekly Radio Address-The Official Parody
The Slate Explainer Podcast
Starr Secrets
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow's Podcast
Whosoever Podcast
Yeast Radio
Thanks a million!
The music has been a big part of the show, so I let it do most of the talking.
I play a new song, my twelve most favorite songs from the past year--one for each month, and give you "one to grow on" ;-)
At this time, I also want to recognize the podsafe and indie musicians who have set the mood, delivered a great message, and made this show sound great.
In alphabetical order of artist's last name or first important letter of the group, they are:
Corey Andrew
The Alice Project
The Allmighty Whispers
Loretta Angus
Phil Ayoub
Backward Password Institute
Belt (forgot them during the show!)
Heidi Bethune
Jakes Bitter
Ella Blame
Doug Boldt
The Broadband
Brother Love
Ayla Brown
James Brown
Natalie Brown
Captain WAM
Alison Crowe
Jenny Dalton
Delphinium Blue
Jeff Eaton
Matthew Ebel
Beatrice Ericsson
Freedom People
Rachael Fuller
David Gielan
Kelly Goodlad
Classic Graffitti
Jacques Grant
Ray Greene
Merle Haggard
David Ippolito
Ivy League
Simon James and Derek K. Miller
John and Paul
Howard Jones
Joshua Kadison
Cassandra Kubinski
Lacuna Coil
Mark Scott LaMountain and the Blue Thunder Band.
Mark Laforme
Lascivious Biddies
Last Under the Sun
Latin All-Stars
Rik Leaf
Love = Action
John Ludi
Madly Jadly
Lori Malvey
Kelly Mueller
The Muffs
Cofield Mundi
Nadir and Iayaalis
Naked Underneath
Bree Noble
1 People Coyote
Peter Moon Band
Podsafe For Peace
Pop Machine
Mike Previti
Puce Wallpaper
Radical Thought Resistance
Collin Raye
The Rays
Roadside Zoo
The Season of Us
The Shim Shams
Willie Shutter
Joe Sibol
Somebody's Closet
David Spak
Heather Sullivan
The Swim Team
Tadago Pie
Trapped in Paradise (Susan Govali)
True Margrit
Uncle Seth
Marina V.
Thanks ten million!
Music today:
"My Year on Earth" by Podsafe Music Network group Belt
"Common Ground" by Podsafe Music Network artist David Ippolito
"Peace Around the World" by Podsafe Music Network group Freedom People
"New Day (I Feel Alone)" by Podsafe Music Network group Amphibians
"Queen of Me" by Podsafe Music Network artist Natalie Brown
"Thankful" by indie musician Heidi Bethune
"Hiding Underneath" by Podsafe Music Network artist Cassandra Kubinski
"I Know You're There" by Podsafe Music Network artist Matthew Ebel
"Let It Go" by Podsafe Music Network and Podsafe Audio.com artist Lori Malvey
"Thanks to You" by Podsafe Music Network artist Ayla Brown
"Living Inside Your Eyes" by Podsafe Music Network artist David Spak
"Amazing Grace" by Podsafe Music Network artist David Spak
"To Be an Angel" by Podsafe Music Network artist Uncle Seth
and the one to grow on:
"We Are Together" by Podsafe Music Network artist Quebb
Intro Music:
"Deep Cycle Discharge" by Podsafe Music Network artists Simon James and Derek K. Miller
Outro Music:
"Power Inside" by Podsafe Music Network and PodsafeAudio.com group EL84
(No musician pictures, since the post is so long.)
Contact info:
You can email me at firstname.lastname@example.com.
You can call my voicemail at 206-984-3740.
You can also contact me by Gizmo Project at Gizmo ID thatbluejeansguy.
Visit my website, where you can send me an Odeo voice mail and stick a pin on my Frappr map.
While you are there, check out the links to my favorite podcasts' home pages.
Check out my page on MySpace
Thanks for listening, and Stay Powerful!
Direct download: Episode_57-A_Year_in_Blue_Jeans_Baby.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:37am EDT
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The Idaho School District Council has completed its forty-sixth year of operation as a cooperative service agency, serving Idaho school districts and affiliate organizations. The following report is provided to the membership and is being made available on the ISDC website www.idsdc.org for the review by the membership and the general public.
The staff of the ISDC remained the same as in the previous year. Tim Rosandick served his second year as the part-time ISDC Executive Director, and Debbie Fausett completed her fourteenth year as the ISDC Office Manager. Dr. Geoffrey Thomas, Madison School District #321 (Idaho School Superintendents Association representative), served as the Chairman of the Board for the 2017-2018 term.
Throughout the course of the year, there were many opportunities to review the various services of the Council's operation. The Council maintained its effort of providing to membership quality supplies, good service, and low prices. Business relationships with a variety of vendors were maintained.
The Council had a visible presence as an exhibitor at the Idaho Association of School Administrators' Annual Meeting, Idaho Association of School Business Officials, and the Idaho School Boards' Association. Through exposure at these kinds of events, the role and mission of the Council has been reinforced.
The partnerships and endorsements with Blue Cross of Idaho, Willamette Dental of Idaho, Standard Life Insurance, People Systems, Optimizon, and Business Psychology Associates have continued.
At the Council Board's direction, the staff continued to explore new business partnerships. One such partnership created was with Compliance Services Association (CSA), an Idaho-based, professional services firm that provides special education support, including support Medicaid billing. In cooperation with CSA, the Council has negotiated for its members enhanced and discounted services. In addition to this new benefit offering, the Council organized with two new partners–The Track Doctor and Cascade Fence Company–discounted services related to all-weather track and tennis court maintenance and repair.
The Council-created, Idaho School District Self-Funded Benefit Trust (now known as Idaho Schools Benefit Trust), began administering to the health and dental needs of the active employees of Council members during the 2015-16 plan year. The Trust is on solid financial ground, with reserves that are growing.
Replacement Trust Board members have been appointed by the Council. Three new Trust board members have been appointed by the Council to begin their terms of service beginning September 1, 2018. They are: Mike Friend (replacing Jerry Evans), Gaylen Smyer (replacing Jim Cobble), and Chuck Kinsey (replacing Jim Reed). The Council also provided administrative support to the Trust primarily Debbie Hankie's role as Benefit Manager. Debbie has served a liaison role between the Council and the Trust. Council Executive Director Rosandick attended several Trust meetings this past year.
The Idaho School District Council Board of Directors retains its role in the administration of the "over 65" health insurance offerings, the Dental Blue Connect offering (Willamette Dental), life, and other non-medical programs and offerings.
The membership of the ISDC for the 2017-2018 school year totaled 147 members representing school districts, charter schools and affiliates.
There were 125 members enrolled in one or more portions of the Statewide Schools Health Insurance Program. Sixty-five members offered the Willamette Dental option, also known as Dental Blue Connect to their employees.
The unemployment claims monitoring program had twenty participants.
Employee assistance programs, offered through Business Psychology Associates and endorsed by both the Council and Blue Cross of Idaho, were offered in twenty-six districts.
Standards Life Insurance, a long-time ISDC endorsee, was offered as a benefit in forty-three districts.
This report was prepared by Tim Rosandick, Executive Director and presented to the Board of Directors on August 2, 2018.


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Lily Red Strapless Lace Satin Drape Dress
$59 $129
Sku: 2162MC23
Look luxe in "Lily". Made from a lustrous luxurious red stretch satin and lace , Lily is a strapless, body-con dress with a sweetheart shape that defines the bust line, satin corset lines added on the dress for an ultra defined waist, covered with a red satin ruched from the side down to a drape.
Perfect for a date night !
- Materials: Satin&Lace
- Clean: Dry-clean only
- Rundown: red stretch satin/red lace/ruched/drape/body-con/invisible zipper/sweetheart bust line/corset lines/Fully lined
- Length:Approx 25inch / 64cm


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Winter Holiday Writing
- I can type a heading and insert the date. (Name, Teacher, Date)
- I can use MS Word to write a story about my favorite winter or Christmas event. (Christmas morning, first snowfall, sledding, snowstorm etc.)
- I can use WordArt to add a title.
- I can center my title.
- I can add a page border.
- I can change the font color, size, and style of at least 3 words.
- I can add at least 3 pictures and resize them as needed.
- I can make sure story fits on one page (look in bottom left corner or zoom out to check)
- I can save my work with my last name and "Winter Story"
- I can get permission to print my story.


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- Details
- Parent Category: News Archives
- Created on Thursday, 08 February 2007 00:00
- Last Updated on Friday, 28 December 2012 18:37
Pixel, Pixel, in the Monitor, Where Art Thou?
As you know, when buying a product it has to be free of defects. Having bought a 17" monitor with 1.3 million pixels with the defect class II (ISO 13406-2) you surely and with all right can expect it to function correctly. Let us assume that shortly after purchase, all of a sudden, two pixels turn black and naturally, they just happen to be right in the middle of the screen so that they really disturb very much. Do you want to return this apparatus as defective?
[PPD_PAYTOREADMORE]Well, do not reckon that the salesperson will follow your opinion that your screen has a defect. The standard ISO 13406-2 is one of the quality standards of flat screen monitors and allows up to two defect pixels per million pixels. So, your monitor is still okay because the pixel defect class has been held. Sure, it is really tough luck that the defect pixels have to been right in the working area and not on the side.
What to do about it? Either cope with that lawful defect or buy a new one. However, if more pixels turn black during the warranty period and they exceed the limit of the defect class, this will be a defect that entitles you to exchange the screen for a new one.
Hint:When buying a new monitor, have the sales person attach it to a computer to check out that the screen is really in good shape. If that person does not want to follow your wish, leave that store and go to a different one.
Published on the old CMS: 2007/2/8
Read on the old CMS till November 2008: 1,263 reads


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Website Template Services – Top Ten
Need a new website template? There are a number of reasons to use a website template service. Often they are used by those that are not web designers, but want to create a unique website for their business that looks fantastic. Another use is to create a website for a personal reason – to create a memorial page, hold an event or profess one's love. The ways are limited only by your imagination! They are also used by web designers … Continue reading


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The Affino team wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Thank you very much for your continuous support in 2017 and we look forward to seeing you again in the new year.
Normally I write cover the highlights of the year in this message, but will be doing so in a separate post before the New Year rings in. There have been so many great new developments with Affino over the course of the year, and it's ended with a bang, so we're looking forward to 2018 when we'll be launching Affino 8 in the new year. All the hard work is done and the final Affino 7.5 release is out, so it's just a case of refinement between now and then.
Affino is on reduced service between now and the 2nd Jan 2018 as the majority of the team is on annual leave. However the technical support team will be online throughout to support critical technical issues, and the Affino support team will also be on-hand for critical Affino support issues, but please note that this is a skeleton crew and response times will vary on Affino support.
We will also be suspending the Affino updater until the new year, as in any case our guidance with this release is for you to schedule in the update with your Affino team representatives.
Have a great holiday and look forward to meeting with you all in 2018.


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This is great! You may be lost, however, due to an oversaturation of information. Fortunately, this article is packed with easy suggestions and insightful tips that can enhance your shots.
A good tip you can use when shooting photographs is to practice using digital techniques. With the right techniques, you can make your photos look like classic works of art. Adobe Photoshop is the best-recognized software package for doing this, although there are other options available from other manufacturers. After choosing the medium you desire and hitting the filter button, you can instantly turn photographs into wonderful pieces of art.
A digital SLR camera will help you to advance your photography skills. The relatively new camera utilizes a single lens, yet allows you to preview the images right away. Full frame DSLR cameras will provide the largest image sensor, enabling you to capture extremely detailed photographs.
Test varying shutter speeds to learn which speed works best for certain scenarios. A moment in time can be captured by a photograph, and then grouped with others to show an expansive time period. If you use a fast shutter speed, you can get photos of things that are in action, whereas slow shutter speeds are good for things that are not moving.
Make sure you support the camera from below and on the sides, while keeping your arms tucked tightly into the sides of your body. The movement of the photographer will be captured in the pictures. When you place your hands under the lens and camera body, you will reduce the risk of dropping your camera unintentionally.
Start taking photographs on vacation when you depart! Of course, you will have tons of great photo opportunities on the trip, but you can make a photo essay that starts right when you leave your home to chronicle the entire trip. Instead of only waiting until you reach your desired location, document your trip there. For example, an airport presents lots of engaging subjects for your photographs.
Properly framing your subject can improve your photograph. Zoom in on your subject and eliminate any surrounding distractions. By using the zoom feature you can clear up any unwanted clutter and eliminate any unwanted focal points.
When you finally have a great shot in the viewfinder and are about to push that shutter, be still and hold your breath. Any little movement can ruin your shot. Catch yourself before you press the button: hold the camera still and wait to take a breath until after the shot is taken.
Here is a good photo tip! Shutter speeds can greatly improve your experience with photography. These are labeled S, A, M an P on your camera. "P" means program mode. If you choose this option, your camera will do all of the work for you because it commands the camera to judge what is right for the image. When you don't know which setting to use, the "P" setting will help you capture a great shot.
Adjusting the white balance setting of your camera to a proper level makes a lot of sense if you are shooting inside with fluorescent lights. If you don't compensate for the missing red tones, photographs taken under fluorescent lighting will end up with a cooler tone caused by the bluish-green light.
Use care when packing your photography equipment in trip preparation. Take all different kinds of lenses, and make sure you take cleaning accessories and enough batteries. Don't take 50 lenses when five will do, as this could bog you down when trying to carry your camera equipment from place to place.
There are three important factors you need to consider when the subject of your photograph is a landscape. They are a foreground, a mid ground, and a background. These artistic elements are as important to a picture as they are to a painting.
Memory Card
You should make sure to keep your eyes open for patterns, both artificial and natural. Repeating patterns in a photo's background attract the viewer's eye and draw his attention to your photograph. You can use the patterns to your advantage by creating different angles and backgrounds with your subject.
One of the best ways to capture perfect shots is to take many photographs of your subjects. Keep this in mind when purchasing a memory card, so you can be sure to get one with a large storage capacity. If you have a good-sized memory card, you won't need to worry in regards to the amount of room you have. You will be able to store plenty of pictures. If you use a big memory card, you will be able to shoot using the RAW format. Using the RAW format will give you more flexibility when you are editing your photos.
Try to frame every one of your shots. This doesn't mean framing a finished photo, but using the environment to frame the subject. It is possible to build a natural frame by looking for items in the picture. This can be a wonderful way to compose your shots.
Just like a military sniper, once you have your picture ready and in focus, you should pause to hold in a breath and steady yourself before taking the shot. When you move quickly, even if the movement is minute, it will interrupt the shot's clarity and ruin a shot. Catch yourself before you press the button: hold the camera still and wait to take a breath until after the shot is taken.
If you want to shoot good photos, make sure your subject is in focus at all times. Good camera focus is a critical element in composing your picture and is key to creating an image that reflects your own style. In your early photographs, you should focus on centering your subject. The background is independent and responsible for itself.
When photographing, utilize a white balance that isn't automatic. This gives you a greater amount of control over your photographs, allowing you to alter the mood. It may take some trial and error, but eventually, you will produce beautiful and creative photographs.
Don't miss good photo opportunities by spending excessive time trying to figure out your settings. However, you should not always use presets because this enables the camera to make all adjustments for you. Experiment with the different settings so that you can take control of what your picture looks like.
You need to decide if you want to use highlights or shadows in photos. Use photo editing software to put two photographs together and make them the perfect picture!
When approaching scenarios or subjects that are unfamiliar to you, don't hesitate to practice before the actual photo shoot. There are many small differences from one photo shoot to another. When you take lots of practice shots, you prepare yourself for any eventuality. The lighting can alter quite often, so you should not second think taking more practice shots between the actual pictures that you are taking.
Practice Shots
Try being creative with various kinds of shutter speeds. Most people use the fastest speed available to gain stills from action shots, but other speeds, like 1/30, can have interesting effects too. Take that cyclist riding past for example. The background will show the speed of the cyclist, while they themselves will appear crisp and clear.
Take plenty of practice shots when you are adjusting to new subjects or backdrops. Each photograph situation varies, but practicing can help you get a feel for your environment. Even once you have begun taking your real photos, feel free to break for some more practice shots if the lighting conditions change.
When photographing nature and landscapes, always be aware of your surroundings. Also, take some time to really appreciate your surroundings, making sure not to leave anything behind. If you truly love the spot you're photographing, you should take good care of it. Try to leave it just as beautiful as you found it so that others, including other photographers, can appreciate it as much as you do.
Proper knowledge of how to adjust the ISO setting of your camera is essential to getting great shots. The higher the ISO is set to, the more that is seen and this will affect the grain that is printed onto your photo. Image noise is hardly ever acceptable and may leave your image looking artificial if you attempt to fix it in post processing.
It's important to use the correct camera settings when you are taking photographs of objects which are moving quickly. The way to capture action is with a higher ISO setting. This will give you clear shots of your subjects as they move.
Take a silhouette shot. There are other ways beside the sun to create a type of silhouette. If the background coloration is considerably lighter than the subject, a silhouette may appear behind the focal point. You can achieve this effect by using a rear-mounted flash or by having the subject stand near a window facing east around 9 A.M. Be sure, however, that the resulting outline gives a flattering depiction of the subject.
Make sure that you balance each of the objects in your photographs. The easiest way to make all your photos look worthy of an art gallery is to keep a careful balance of all the elements in the image. Try to keep a steady horizon level and meticulously place your subject in the photograph to eliminate distractions.
Experiment with your camera's shutter speeds. It is normal to use the quickest shutter speed if you want to freeze action. In the same way, try to consider the things you can do with slower shutters speeds like 1/30. Have a look at fast subjects such as cyclists, birds and cars. This will make it so that the cyclist himself is pretty sharp, but the background is blurred, which gives a visual clue that he is moving.
Look to get inspired by ordinary items. Just grab your camera and start taking different pictures of things you see in everyday life. It can be anything from a kitchen sink to a pencil; play around with both composition and form. How unique you want to make you picture is entirely up to you. Try challenging yourself to make them more and more interesting.
Make your camera one of the tools in your arsenal as you attempt to get good pictures. Using a shallow depth of field can help you draw attention to your subject by blurring the background.
Shutter speed variance can make some unique effects. Fast shutter speed is great for capturing objects that are moving, this lets you get the object with minimal motion blur. This can really make all the difference when photographing in fast action environments. Opening the shutter for a longer time can also produce interesting effects, showing motion through a blurred effect. You will get great results with water features like streams and waterfalls when using the motion-blur with slower shutter speed method.
Sometimes, the available lighting can just not provide you with a good situation for a landscape photo. There will be times in which it is impossible to get an ideal shot. What is the remedy to this dilemma? You could always use photo editing software, such as Photoshop, to change lighting.
Avoid buying a camera that require lithium batteries if you plan on traveling by air. It is no longer permissible to carry loose batteries in your luggage on an airplane due to the risk of fire. However, you can usually have these on board as long as the batteries are inside your camera.
Think about the kind of shot you want to take first. Put some thought into it, and brainstorm about potential points of view, backgrounds or concepts. Photography is a type of art; it focuses on details and plans. You'll find that your work is more successful if you undertake such an approach.
Place the camera shot at eye level when taking portrait shots. Doing this will make people feel more invited into the shot, as well as creating a personal atmosphere. If you are getting pictures of the kiddies, you may need to drop down on your knee to get the correct height.
A sense of power can be imparted to your subject by shooting from a low level pointing upwards. High angle shots tend to make your subject appear weak and insignificant. Certain situations will require different techniques, and learning as you go is the best way to figure out what you need to do and when you need to do it.
If you are using a flash in the dark, know the range that your flash has. If you are not aware of your flash's range you may end up taking overly dark photos. Use your flash and get to know it before you begin taking dark pictures.
Hopefully you should have an idea of what to do next when it comes to bettering your photography skills. Make use of what you have learned from this article, and come back to it for a refresher as needed. Keep at it to produce artistic photographs!
Culinary photography is tricky, especially when it comes to framing the perfect shot of food. Food will melt, wither, and shift during the photography session, ruining shots. When you are trying to take a good photo of food, try to get the other shots first. Finally ensure that the lighting is right. At that point, set the food out and take the perfect picture.


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Standards for Tax Service - Donations for Tax Reporting
This content was COPIED from BrainMass.com - View the original, and get the already-completed solution here!
A client, Mal Manley, fills out his client questionnaire for the previous year and on it provides information for the preparation of his individual income tax return. The IRS has never audited Mal's returns. Mal reports that he made over 100 relatively small cash contributions totaling $24,785 to charitable organizations. In the last few years, Mal's charitable contributions have averaged about $15,000 per year. For the previous year, Mal's adjusted gross income was roughly $350,000, about a 10% increase from the year before.
According to the Statements on Standards for Tax Services, may you accept at face value Mal's information concerning his charitable contributions? Now assume that the IRS recently audited Mal's tax return for two years ago and denied 75% of that year's charitable contribution deduction because the deduction was not substantiated.
Assume also that Mal indicates that, in the previous year, he contributed $25,000 (instead of $24,785). How do these changes of fact affect your earlier decision? Cite all sources.© BrainMass Inc. brainmass.com June 4, 2020, 12:20 am ad1c9bdddf
Solution Preview
According to the Statements on Standards for Tax Services Number 3, a CPA "may in good faith rely, without verification, on information furnished by the taxpayer or by third parties" (Para. 2, reproduced in Appendix E of the text). Thus, one may accept at face value information about claimed charitable contributions unless it appears incorrect, incomplete, or inconsistent. Therefore, you would have accepted Mal's information in ...
Solution Summary
The decision whether or not to accept a person's tax information on their charitable contributions is discussed in 264 words with a reference cited.


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Friday 25 January
|Diploria (1)
A reef-building species that forms massive spherical colonies, the symmetrical brain coral often develops the very foundation of coral reefs in the tropical western Atlantic (3). Like other brain corals, it is named for the system of meandering grooves and ridges on its outer surface, which resembles the brain of higher animals. Each groove contains a single, long polyp (soft-bodied animal, related to the anemone), surrounded by tentacles that direct food into the mouth, where it is digested in a sac-like body cavity (3) (4). One of the most remarkable and ecologically important features of Scleractinia corals is that the polyps secrete a hard skeleton, called a 'corallite', which over successive generations contributes to the formation of a coral reef. The coral skeleton forms the bulk of the colony, with the living polyp tissue comprising only a thin veneer. Living colonies of the symmetrical brain coral range in colour from purple-brown to grey or green, often with the groove floors being a contrasting paler colour (4).
Like many coral species, the tissue of the symmetrical brain coral contains large numbers of single-celled algae called zooxanthellae. The coral and the algae have a symbiotic relationship in which the algae gain a safe, stable environment within the coral's tissues, while the coral receives nutrients produced by the algae through photosynthesis. By harnessing the sun's energy in this way, corals are able to grow rapidly and form vast reef structures, but are constrained to live near the water surface. While, on average, zooxanthellate coral can obtain around 70 percent of its nutrient requirements from zooxanthellae photosynthesis, the coral may also feed on zooplankton (4).
Like many other species of hermaphroditic coral, the symmetrical brain coral can reproduce both sexually and asexually. When reproducing asexually, the eggs are fertilised by sperm inside the polyp walls, but when reproducing sexually, the sperm and eggs combine in the water column, with a peak in egg and sperm release occurring in mid-August. Larvae subsequently develop, and when released, float passively in the currents as part of the zooplankton community, before settling on the ocean floor. Here the larvae undergo several stages of metamorphosis to form sessile young polyps. These polyps immediately commence asexual reproduction, known as 'budding', to produce additional polyps (3).
Found in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda and off the Florida coast (1).
The symmetrical brain coral lives in shallow reef environments down to depths of 47 metres, although it is most common above 10 metres. It is perhaps the most widely distributed of the Diploria species and is found in a variety of reef habitats, including those in exposed areas and in bays with high sediment-loads (1) (3) (4).
With an estimated 20 percent of the world's coral reefs already destroyed, the symmetrical brain coral faces many of the threats affecting coral reefs globally (5) (6). Worldwide there is increasing pressure on coastal resources resulting from human population growth and development. There has been a significant increase in domestic and agricultural waste in the oceans, poor land-use practices that result in an increase in sediment running on to the reefs, and over-fishing, which can have 'knock-on' effects on the reef (5). However, the major threat to corals is global climate change, with the expected rise in ocean temperatures increasing the risk of coral 'bleaching', in which the stressed coral expels its zooxanthellae, often resulting in the death of the coral. Climate change may also lead to more frequent, severe storms, which can damage reefs, and rising carbon dioxide levels may make the ocean increasingly acidic. Such stresses can also make corals more susceptible to disease, parasites and predators, such as the crown of thorns sea star (Acanthaster planci) (5) (6) (7).
Despite the wealth of threats that the symmetrical brain coral faces, it is still relatively common throughout its range, and is thought to be the most abundant of all the Diploria corals. However, of all the Diploria species, it is also thought to be the most susceptible to black band disease and white plague, both of which are caused by infectious bacteria and can cause partial or total mortality of colonies, and as a consequence of this, some local declines in the species' population have been observed (1). The number of outbreaks of these diseases has increased dramatically in recent years, and is most frequent in reefs already affected by pollution and degradation (1) (8).
In addition to being listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which makes it an offence to trade this species without a permit, the symmetrical brain coral also forms part of the reef community in numerous marine protected areas, including the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (1) (2). It is also protected by law in Bermuda under the Coral Reef Preserve Act and the Fisheries Protected Species Order, both of which prohibits the removal of any coral species from designated protected areas (3). To specifically conserve the grooved brain coral, recommendations have been made for a raft of studies into various aspects of the species' biology, population status, habitat and threats to its survival (1).
For further information on the conservation of coral reefs, see:
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
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