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WASHINGTON — Let's just get this out of the way: There are other matters of consequence going on in the world.
But in these fractious times, a series of puppy photos sent by none other than the fun-loving scamps at the Central Intelligence Agency qualifies as a feel-good, stick-it-to-the-man moment, shared by thousands of people who are marooned in office jobs. Meet Lulu, the black Labrador retriever and free spirit who bucked expectations and flunked out of the CIA's explosive detection "puppy class."
Maybe it was her shiny coat that caught the internet's attention. Maybe it was her soft brown eyes. Or maybe her story sounds familiar to any American who has experienced workplace ennui: She underwent rigorous training for a daily grind job and decided that sniffing out bombs was not her calling. (And who actually wants that job, anyway?)
The photos were a rare attempt at a cutesy moment from an agency better known for much darker stories. The number of CIA personnel killed in Afghanistan now rivals the number of agency operatives who died in the wars in Vietnam and Laos. The agency has pushed for extended powers to carry out covert drone strikes in active war zones. So even the course load for its bomb dogs is high-stakes and rigorous.
"A few weeks into training, Lulu began to show signs that she wasn't interested in detecting explosive odors," read a statement on the CIA website. "Usually it lasts for a day, maybe two."
Because dogs can detect about 19,000 explosive scents, the CIA's prospective bomb sniffers face a six-week, seven-days-a-week training course in which they learn to identify threats. The dogs then undergo one-on-one training for 10 weeks with their handlers.
A successful graduate learns how to detect explosives in cars and luggage. The 60-hour canine workweek — part of a career that typically lasts seven or eight years — can include shifts with the U.S. Park Police, local police departments and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
On Thursday, the CIA (barely) relaxed its typically tight-lipped stance to relay a few words about its infamous dropout. Lulu, the agency wrote, was a year and a half old, was the smallest of six dogs in her class and was being trained for the Fairfax County Police Department in Virginia.
There are a million reasons why a dog has a bad day
Although a life of intrigue was not in Lulu's professional future, she was still afforded the sort of professional courtesy that most two-legged members of society can only dream about. A "doggy psychologist" was brought in to assess the situation. Extra breaks, treats and rest were provided.
"There are a million reasons why a dog has a bad day," the CIA wrote on Twitter. But in the end, Lulu "was clearly no longer enjoying herself."
This was not the life plan she had envisioned for herself, and this is fine.
In any case, Lulu soon had a new home: She was adopted by her handler and now spends her unemployment "sniffing out rabbits" and hanging out with another dog named Harry. (No word on his professional background.)
Officials at the CIA wished this very good dog all the best in the future.


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This is a 20 page zine of medium-format photographs by Charlie Wagers.
7x7 inches, screen-printed front & back covers, printed on French Pop-Tone Whip Cream paper. Packaged in a clear sleeve, plus a 5x5 double-sided print, button & 2 postcards. Signed & hand-numbered out of 100 copies.
The outside covers are CMYK hand screen-printed, and the inside covers are 1-color magenta. All inside images are black & white prints.
These are part of the Through A Plastic Lens art show. To find out more about the art show and the zine, please visit this link: http://www.charliewagers.com/throughaplasticlens/

subset: commoncrawl


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Chenrezig Empowerment for the Tibetan Community at Thrangu Monastery
Power from the Declaration of Truth
——A Chenrezig Empowerment
Time & Date: 2:00-4:00PM, Sunday, June 18, 2017
Location: Thrangu Monastery Canada
Tibetan to English: Khenpo Karma Choephel
The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa's first public teaching in Vancouver was organized by the Karma Kagyu Association of Canada, and co-organized by the Tibetan Cultural Society of British Columbia. It took place on June 18th at Thrangu Monastery Canada.
After the abbot of Thrangu Monastery Canada, Dungse Lama Pema, invited His Holiness onto the throne, the afternoon began with a recitation of the "Mahamudra Lineage Aspiration Prayer". Before the empowerment commenced, the co-organizer shared a short welcoming speech and made offerings to the Gyalwang Karmapa. Throughout this event, His Holiness gave explanations at each stage and spoke briefly of their significance. Found below is the entirety of His Holiness' teaching for this Chenrezig empowerment.
Chenrezig: The Embodiment of all the Compassion of all the Buddhas
Yesterday, there are primarily Tibetans from the Tibetan association of British Columbia, as well Tibetans from different areas, and people of many other nationalities have gathered here. This afternoon I will give the empowerment of Avalokiteshvara.
Pretty much all Buddhists know who Avalokiteshvara is; in general, the embodiment who contains all the compassion of all the Buddhas. He represents the compassion and loving kindness of all the Buddhas in the form of a deity. So he takes the form of a bodhisattva but in actuality is a Buddha.
Angulimala's Words of Truth
The empowerment today is for the mantra, or the dharani of Avalokiteshvara. There are many names you can call it by, but what it means is that we are emphasizing the practice of the Six-Syllable Mantra of Avalokiteshvara. So this gives you the permission or initiation to practice.
Sometimes mantras are called the "declaration of truth", or "words of truth". This is how the word "mantra"is sometimes translated in Chinese. The reason for this is found in the Sutra of the Sravakas (listener disciples of the Buddha); it says even at the time of the Buddha, there are such declarations of truth. There is this story of Angulimala, after he has gone forth and become ordained. One day, he is going for alms, he sees a pregnant woman having great difficulty giving birth. He is unable to do anything to help her, so he goes back to the Buddha and explains the situation about the pregnant woman. The Buddha instructs Angulimala to go back and say to the woman, "since the time I have gone forth, I have not killed anyone". Because before becoming a monk, Angulimala has killed many people; but since that time, he has not killed anyone. Then, he should make the aspiration, "if this was true, by the power of the truth, may she be able to give birth easily". Angulimala returns to the woman to make the prayer as instructed, and because of this declaration of truth, she is able to give birth easily. So this "declaration of truth" is, in one way, the declaration of something as it is— it is not falsehood, but honest.
The Six-Syllable Mantra: Power from a Lasting Commitment
So the Six-Syllable Mantra (om mani padme hung) of Avalokiteshvara is like the name of Avalokiteshvara. How is it that this becomes a declaration of truth? From the day he first arouse bodhicitta, Avalokiteshvara has become a bodhisattva. That day onward, until now, he has always acted in accordance to his promise– to bring benefit and happiness to all sentient beings. He has made this unchanging, unflagging commitment. And because he has kept that commitment as he has promised, his name has, in this way, become a mantra— a declaration of truth, which represents the unchanging, stable, lasting nature of his commitment.
Because there is not much time, there will not be any further explanation, the empowerment will follow.
Supplication, Refuge, and Bodhicitta
First, is a supplication to receive the empowerment.
(His Holiness recites transmission)
Next, we have refuge, bodhicitta and the Four Immeasurables. In going for refuge, we generally go for refuge to the Three Jewels. Here particularly, we go for refuge to Avalokiteshvara as the embodiment or essence of the Three Jewels. Bodhicitta is, in general, the wish to bring all sentient beings to the state of Buddhahood. Also in particular here, in order to bring all sentient beings to Buddhahood, the commitment and wish to practice the sadhana of Avalokiteshvara. So in this way, it is not only aspirational bodhicitta, but also engaged bodhicitta. Then, as a support for bodhicitta, there is the recitation of the Four Immeasurables.
(His Holiness recites transmission)
Body Empowerment: You are the Bodhisattva
Next are the initiations of the body, speech and mind of Avalokiteshvara. First, the initiation of the body of Avalokiteshvara is giving you permission to meditate upon yourself as the body of Avalokiteshvara.
The reason it is important for us to meditate upon ourselves as the body of Avalokiteshvara, is that we no longer limit ourselves by seeing ourselves as ordinary beings. When we think of ourselves as being Avalokiteshvara, the nature of compassion, this gives us encouragement and enthusiasm. In particular, when we are meditating upon ourselves as Avalokiteshvara, then it is difficult to get angry. When you are thinking of yourself as the embodiment of the compassion of all the Buddhas, getting angry would be a little embarrassing. So we think of Avalokiteshvara as the embodiment of all the compassion of all the Buddhas combined into one. When you have that pride, then we feel a little differently then we did before, we have greater confidence.
The main thing with Avalokiteshvara, is that initially he was an ordinary being just like ourselves. Then he developed bodhicitta– great compassion– and because of that, he became Avalokiteshvara. We are the same, the capacity for us to develop compassion, loving kindness and affection for other sentient beings is innately present with us from birth. It is naturally present. If we are able to take that and improve it, increase that capacity, then we can become like Avalokiteshvara. For this reason it is important that we have courage; we need to have the confidence we can do this.
Avalokiteshvara is not just a sacred being, someone who is worthy of veneration, prostrations and offerings. We need to know, actually, Avalokiteshvara is an example of what we can develop into, of how we can follow the path. Otherwise, it is difficult to say we have that same capacity as Avalokiteshvara. So it is important we do not think Avalokiteshvara as an object of our meditation; but instead, we think of him as the subject of ourselves, and it is important to have this motivation.
So in order to become like Avalokiteshvara, we need to meditate upon ourselves as being Avalokiteshvara. The main thing here is to visualize yourself as Avalokiteshvara.
(His Holiness recites transmission)
Speech Empowerment
Next is the initiation of the speech. This is the initiation which gives you permission to practice the Six-Syllable Mantra of om mani padme hung.
(His Holiness recites transmission, then leads chanting of Six-Syllable Mantra)
Mind Empowerment: Pouring Water into Water
Next is the initiation of the mind of Avalokiteshvara. This means that we rest in equipoise, inseparable from the wisdom of Avalokiteshvara's mind.
The mind of the Great Compassionate One, Avalokiteshvara, is non-dual wisdom. And the essence of all sentient being, of all of us, isBuddha Nature. In terms of the essence, they are all the same. There is no distinction of one being better and the other worse. For that reason, it is not as if the wisdom mind of Avalokiteshvara is one thing, and our own regular mind is something else. It is like pouring water into water. So, here, what we need to do is rest in equipoise, in meditation upon the meaning of this nature, while remembering the way that the Dharma expanse— the nature of things– actually is. So resting this way, here, is the initiation of the mind.
(His Holiness recites transmission)
Daily Recitation: Finding Harmony Between the Mind and the Speech
That completes the empowerment for the body, speech and mind of Avalokiteshvara. And if you do the practice of the Six-Syllable Mantra of om mani padme hung everyday, without missing a day, then you will receive the benefits as they are described in the texts.
But the main thing is, merely reciting the mantra orally is not enough. That does not help. Actually, the mantra we recite orally and what we think in our minds need to match, they need to be in harmony. Otherwise, our Dharma practice is specious, it is fake Dharma practice. When we look at it from the outside, it may seem like we are practising Dharma, but in actuality we are not. And there is no point to practising like that. So the most important is that, what we do orally and what we think mentally are in harmony.
Compassion does not end at Sympathy
The compassion that we talk about in Buddhism, is not merely the sympathy, empathy, or pity that we usually have. The compassion that is taught in the Dharma is a stronger compassion than normal. It is more involved, it is more dedicated. We do not see the individual for whom we are having compassion, and the individual who is having compassion as being separate. So it is not as if the person who has compassion or pity is in a good position, the other person is in a desperate situation and we are having pity on them. It is not like that. Instead, it is like the compassion for the other person becomes a part of ourselves. We become the nature of that compassion, so we are able to give ourselves over to it, and fully dedicate ourselves to it. For that reason we are able to take the responsibility and mentally bear the burden of it. So this compassion is not merely a feeling, an idea, or understanding. It is not merely the prayer or aspiration, "may it be so" or "may this person be better off". What is critical, is that our compassion be something that we actually put into practice, or that it is related with what we actually do in our lives.
Compassion is Putting into Action and Actually Benefiting Others
Sometimes people get a little suspicious and have questions. They wonder, "well, Avalokiteshvara has four arms, so how can his shoulders be? How can they possibly be constructed." Even more over the Avalokiteshvara with a thousand arms and a thousand eyes. Actually, this is not so important. The main thing is that, whether he appears in four arms or a thousand arms, it is showing that in terms of actual practice, he is more involved and more dedicated. So it is representing that a single set of arms is not enough. So more arms symbolize he has more connections and more dedication to bringing benefit to other sentient beings.
Sometimes, I have the feeling myself. Now, I am not Avalokiteshvara, of course, but I try to do as much as I can for other people. Sometimes, I feel that just one single person is not enough to bring benefit to all sentient beings. So as one person with only two arms, what can I do? It seems to me what I need to be able to do is to create an emanation in front of every single sentient being to be able to do what they wish, what would help them. And only then, will I be able to benefit them. Otherwise, as ordinary individuals with only two arms, it is difficult to actually bring benefit to all sentient beings.
This is, I think, why when Milarepa arouse compassion he said, "developing compassion feels like being thrust into a pit of fire." The feeling of compassion is so intense, it is like you were surrounded by a fire. It is as unbearable as fire. This is the feeling of overwhelming, unbearable compassion. This is how our compassion should feel. Sometimes, when we think we have compassion for other people, we just say, "oh, the poor thing!" And we leave it at that. There is not impetus. There is no power to this at all, and it does not benefit.
(His Holiness recites transmission)
His Holiness' teaching during the empowerment has thus come to an end. Following which, the co-organizer made another offering and a thank you speech to His Holiness. Finally, His Holiness gave a talk especially addressed to the Tibetan community before concluding this event.


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Dominique Holmes is a London-based artist, tattooer, designer and writer, known for her distinct artwork and pushing boundaries in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Having grown up just outside of London, Dominique spent a few years in Manchester and Brighton before returning to London in 2006, "It's really the ultimate place to be for any artist, it's such a creative hub with so much inspiration wherever you look. There's nowhere else like it in the world!"
"My work intersects so I would say I'm an artist who practises in different mediums. I began tattooing in 2002 whilst studying art and design at Manchester Metropolitan University, and I've always been driven to maintain both disciplines. Tattooing has given me a platform to display my artwork and vice versa.
Dominique's work is very decorative and linear; "I use lines to create shape, texture and form, and I explore different ways in which I can form an image from this. I also use my position within tattooing and design to discuss and raise the profile and importance of women in my industry, which is still very male-dominated.
"My 2012 book, The Painted Lady, was the first tattoo book written for and aimed at women to be published in the UK. I design for a wide range of brands, including Diesel, Penguin Books, Levis and Snog, and produce fine art pieces which explore and comment on the concept of urban spirituality and mythological interpretations of sexuality."
"Even as a child I knew I wanted to do something creative and push boundaries, from a young age I was drawn towards art and writing. I spent my time writing stories and creating pictures and patterns, drawing designs on my friends and myself. I only realised tattooing was a potential job when I was 15 and got my first tattoo – back then it wasn't accessible or respectable, and definitely wasn't seen as a career. I was a very bright child and was expected to go down an academic path and become a lawyer or a historian or academic, but my dream was always to be an artist.
"Whilst studying art and design I managed to get a job at a Tattoo Studio in south Manchester. I worked there for three years, earning an 'apprentice wage', trying to continue my studies, and working evenings and weekends at an Off License; it was quite a struggle, but then it was the only way into the industry. I got involved with a group of queer feminist artists in Manchester and worked with them on some amazing creative projects which spurred me on to continue with my art even after I left university to focus on my career in 2003.
"After three years at the studio, I got offered a job in a studio in Brighton, where I would be the only full-time tattooer in a busy studio. It was a huge step up for me as I had to learn very quickly about running a studio and working freelance. I worked at a couple of studios before being asked to work at The Family Business Tattoo in Clerkenwell, in 2006. At the time the studio was at the forefront of creative, artistic tattooing, bringing together tattooing and fine art, design and artistry.
"In my eight years at TFB I developed my style to the distinctive aesthetic it is today, and reconnected with my art roots, working on more art projects including group exhibitions across the UK and US, and a joint solo show with artist Scott Paterson in 2013, and building up my design portfolio from embarking on high profile collaborations with brands including Penguin Books, Benson & Hedges and Bill Amberg, and published my first book.
"In 2015 I left and set up a private studio where I could split my time between my art and tattooing, and began working on regular collaborations with Diesel, Snog, and Sauvelle Vodka as part of their Studio Sauvelle. I now spend three days a week tattooing and dedicate the rest of my time to other creative ventures.
"I'm currently working on a collaboration with artist/sculptor Ktee, creating large scale relief sculptures based on my artwork, and a series of smaller sculptures which will be exhibited worldwide. I am also working on design collaborations with Levis and The Nomad Barber, and a photographic project with Leonora Saunders, exploring and highlighting Women who have played a part in the evolution of tattooing and whose stories have never been told.
"When it comes to the tools of the trade I'm a real creature of habit. I've used the same tattoo machines for almost a decade – I have to 'service' them regularly and replace parts when they wear down but they're an extension of me so I feel a real attachment to them! I'm also a nerd about my art equipment, I love discovering new pens, inks, paints and chatting with other artists about materials. But it's very basic. Good paper, good ink… that's all that matters."
Given the option, Dominique chose two links to her work, "On a personal level, this tattoo [above] I created for a client, Sarah, who had undergone a mastectomy following a breast cancer diagnosis. As part of her recovery she hadn't wanted to try and conceal what she'd been through, but rather do something to mark the acceptance and celebration of the life she now had. She had no tattoos before this, but having this tattoo has given her a boost in self-confidence and acceptance. Knowing my work can have such an impact on an individual is very humbling and rewarding.
"Creatively, my current collaboration with Ktee [below] is based on a series I've created based on how snakes and serpents have been portrayed though mythology and history in terms of female empowerment and sexuality. I'm very excited to see this project though and feel it could be my most important work to date."
"One of the highlights of my career was my exhibition with Scott Paterson, another was the trip to Istanbul with four fellow creatives for the design project I was commissioned to undertake for Benson & Hedges. Five days in the most inspiring city in the world, culminating in working in an incredible artist space on a one-off piece for the company was hugely inspirational beyond that one job. But probably the greatest highlight has been opening my private studio and being able to take my work to the next level.
"I have huge admiration for the women in tattooing who have taken massive strides to move the industry forward and break away from the misogynistic world we inhabit. Nikole Lowe, Kanae, Alexis Camburn and Claudia de Sabe have taken huge strides forward."
As for what's coming next, "My collaboration with Ktee is the most exciting thing I'm working on right now, I'm looking forward to showing our work across the world and launching in London, and being able to bring more attention to women's rights/LGBTQ rights through my artworks."
Dominique will be exhibiting some of her work alongside Marian Stanchev and Lia Bira for Works on Paper at The Brick Lane Gallery, 18th-30th October.
Dominique Holmes' Top 5 London
To Eat: Meson don Felipe in Waterloo is my absolute favourite place to eat in London. Authentic Spanish tapas and great wine, a chilled environment and live flamenco guitar; their carajillo and crema catalana are perfect!
To Drink: As reluctant as I am to give away my secret gem in London – Found in Shoreditch is my ultimate spot for drinks. I've never had a bad night there, the drinks are always great, the service is top quality, the vibe of the place is equal parts hipster, chilled, and sexy.
To Party: The Glory is my favourite place to party. Guaranteed fabulous and super queer. Second to that is The Moth Club; their theme nights (Madonna/David Bowie vs Freddie Mercury/Prince/80s pop) are like nothing else!
To Walk: I live right next to the Wanstead Flats and most days I walk my dog there for an hour or two. It's incredibly beautiful and feels like you're not even in London any more. Some days I find myself walking all the way up to Epping Forest without seeing another person. It's the perfect way to escape.
To Shop: I hate shopping, I basically have five apps which I use and if I can't find what I want there I assume it doesn't exist and give up. But the one place I will happily browse/shop for pleasure is Liberty. When it gets a bit much I just retreat to the Diptyque concession and it's all fine.


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Deck 16ft x 8ft single level
This project took a couple of days to do. It started out as a screened in deck, like a 3 season porch, but the plan was changed halfway through due to budget concerns.
Lattice screen is fairly easy to cut. Have the proper blade in your saw and a decent cutting surface to lay out the panels. Make for easier work.


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What will be left of the 2020 British national racing season?
The month of April is traditionally when the motor sport season gets into full swing. It's when racing truly becomes the norm again at most given weekends. But it's best…
The Dean of American motor sport journalists, Chris Economaki, has passed away two weeks short of his 92nd birthday.
Economaki was publisher and editor of the weekly newspaper National Speed Sport News for more than fifty years and was renowned as the voice of American racing as a track, radio and television announcer. He achieved national and international fame as ABC television's primary pitlane reporter from 1961-'84 before moving to CBS for a further ten years covering NASCAR, Formula 1 and everything in between.
Economaki was a classic American success story. The son of Greek immigrants he was born in Brooklyn, New York and was instantly hooked on the sport when saw his first race at age nine. Economaki started his career when he was 13, selling copies of a new racing newspaper called National Auto Racing News at local dirt tracks near his home in New Jersey. He wrote his first column for the paper the following year and hitch-hiked to Indianapolis in 1937 to watch the 500 and other nearby midget and sprint car races. Over the next two years he worked as a go-fer or 'stooge' on Duane Carter's midget racing up and down America's east coast.
Chris served in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II and when he returned home he continued to write columns for National Auto Racing News as well as hawking the newspaper at dirt tracks in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. He became the editor of the renamed National Speed Sport News in 1950 and started his career as a track announcer the following year. Soon, Economaki's voice was heard at race tracks around New Jersey and later moved into radio and then television commentary.
His work for ABC and then CBS over a stretch of 35 years cemented Economaki's role as the USA's most renowned motor racing commentator. For decades his unmistakable, gravely New Jersey drawl defined the sport to the wider American public. In fact, he was identified so closely with the sport that he twice played himself in Hollywood movies, Six Pack, released in 1982 and Stroker Ace the following year. Economaki's television career came to an unhappily abrupt end in 1995 when he used a racial epithet to describe a driver in one of his columns.
For many years Economaki's keynote Speed Sport News column called 'The Editor's Notebook' was a must-read for everyone involved in American motor racing. He was able to move effortlessly from Formula 1 to NASCAR, midget and sprint car racing, Indycar racing, drag racing and every form of short track oval racing. A mention in Economaki's column could make and sometimes break a career in the sport.
Chris continued as NSSN's editor until ill health forced him into retirement in the early years of the new century. For a while he continued to cover the major races, working away at his manual Royal typewriter, the last man to clatter away among America's motor sport's reporters as computer technology took over the world. His autobiography, Let 'Em All Go: The story of auto racing by the man who was there, co-written with Dave Argabright, was published in 2006.
After his retirement, Economaki's daughter Corinne took over as the publisher of NSSN until the final issue came off the press in March of last year. The NSSN website was sold to Turn 3 Media which earlier this year launched a new monthly magazine called Speed Sport Magazine. Economaki's wife Alvera passed away in 2001 and he is survived by two daughters, Corinne and Tina Reidl, and two grandchildren.
The month of April is traditionally when the motor sport season gets into full swing. It's when racing truly becomes the norm again at most given weekends. But it's best…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07CiCpf9kek With the help of archive footage from the 1955 Mille Miglia, Stirling Moss looks back at the race which is widely considered one of the greatest wins in motor…
Millions are stuck inside, there's no racing on the box, so what is there to watch? We selected some of the best film and box set offerings available to stream…
The three-times MotoGP world champion's MotoGP retirement lasted all of 81 days. And now there's talk of a race return in June. What exactly is going on?


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S3 episode 5
Warning: Recap Contains Spoilers
Hold onto your seats, friends, because this episode takes place in one queasy, tension-filled continuous shot on an anything but typical Monday morning at Evil Corp. Elliot tries to reconstruct the days he lost while Mr. Robot was in charge while Angela takes major matters into her own hands. Strap yourselves in for one heck of a rollercoaster ride…
No Ordinary Monday
Against the backdrop of the UN vote on the annexation of the Congo scheduled for later that morning and an amped-up protest going on outside of Evil Corp's HQ, Elliot arrives at work, twitchy and unsure of where he's been for the last three days. After discovering that he's locked out of his work account, he jumps onto his cube mate Samar's computer. The bad news: earlier that morning the Dark Army tried to run Stage 2. The good news: his patch stopped them -- for now. Before he can figure out how the Dark Army is working around his patch, HR comes stomping down the hall, flanked by security. Darlene calls a couple of times to get him to meet her outside, but he can't leave the building yet. His only chance to stop the Dark Army is to get to the 23rd floor and retrieve the HSMs (hardware security modules, yo), which, he quickly discovers, is too hard to do with security on his ass and a deactivated card key. If he can't the save building, at least he can save the people. He manages to get outside, amidst the din of angry protestors, and calls in a tip to have the records building downtown evacuated immediately, claiming there's a bomb in the building, which for all intents and purposes is true.
Runtime Error
Darlene appears beside Elliot and basically blurts out that she's working with the FBI. He's hurt and feels betrayed, even if the deal she made was for their immunity in exchange for Tyrell. Sibs are supposed to share this kind of stuff. She tells him that she watched Elliot like he asked and saw "him" sneak out of the apartment and meet up with Angela, who knew Elliot was "him." Darlene suspects Mr. Robot and Angela have been working with Tyrell. How's that for betrayal? Elliot suddenly realizes that his "runtime error" was briefly seeing Angela and Tyrell together the other night.
"There's Something Going On"
Moments later all hell breaks loose when a protestor smashes a bottle over a riot cop's head, allowing the mob to rush the lobby and wreak anarchist havoc. A few rioters force their way onto the elevator and up to Angela's floor. While keeping a low profile in her office, she gets a call from Irving, who tells her there's a package for her at the reception desk on her floor. He explains that the riot is their distraction because there's been a hiccup in the plan, a.k.a. Elliot's patch. He needs Angela to get Elliot to make a copy of the HSM on the 23rd floor. The package contains all the hardware and instructions Elliot needs, including an ID to give him special security access.
So off Angela goes in search of Elliot…or so we think. Curiously, when Elliot calls her, she dismisses his call. An overzealous security guard almost thwarts her progress to get down to the 23rd floor but realizing that most of the rioters are there to give her cover, she yells out to one of them, who is more than happy to "take care" of the guard to get Angela out from under his thumb. She quickly follows directions to the HSM Server room, locking the doors behind her, protecting her from rogue rioters not on the Dark Army's payroll, and gets to work following the instructions inside the package. While she frantically searches for a USB dongle in the adjoining CSAT room, a woman named Lydia rushes in and slams the door. After sizing up Angela, Lydia doesn't buy her cover story but a rioter scares off Lydia before she can pursue her suspicion any further.
She Got Made
Angela completes the task at hand, cloning E Corp's HSMs to a mobile HSM. Before leaving the relative safety of those rooms, she disguises herself with the fsociety mask and a hoodie of the rioter who was felled by Lydia's strategic use of pepper spray. As she waits for the elevator, eyes burning from residual pepper spray, someone who looks an awful lot like Elliot darts by in the background…
"Remember the Cause"
Once she's on the elevator, she calls Irving to report that the task has been completed but that a woman saw her in the CSAT room. Hold the phone! Why was Angela in the room instead of Elliot?, Irving wants to know. Angela claims that she couldn't find Elliot amidst the overkill of his "distraction." Besides, Irving said that he needed it done immediately so she got it done. Interesting…but was she able to follow everything on that sheet of paper? She hesitates but then yes's him. Alrighty then. Next step: give the package to the deliveryman waiting at reception. Before she hangs up, she asks Irving if the building downtown has been evacuated and he says it's been done already. (Raise your hand if you believe him.) He just needs Angela to stay strong. After the handoff, she walks back to her office, visibly shaken. Her old friend Elliot is waiting by her door. Is there something she wants to tell him?


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Cheryl Esposito welcomes Geneen Roth, bestselling author of Women Food & God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything; and Lost & Found: One
Woman's Story of Losing Her Money & Finding Her Life. How do you
know when enough is enough? Geneen Roth has spent her adult life discerning the ways we are enough, have enough, get enough, give enough. Her exploration started with her relationship with food, and led to the real struggle: the battle with self worth. Geneen became a successful go-to guru helping others discover life-limiting beliefs & behaviors. So, imagine the surprise when she disc


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by Troy Turner
Opelika-Auburn News
April 18, 2019
Alabama's Sen. Doug Jones, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, warns that ISIS is making every attempt to reorganize, including an increased recruitment of women and children, and that a continued U.S. presence in the Mideast region is critical to America's national security.
The ISIS movement also is working hard to recruit college students, especially those with computer and technology skills, the senator said.
Jones returned stateside late Tuesday from an overseas trip to Afghanistan and Iraq, where he and two other Democratic senators met with American military commanders, troops and political leaders, among others.
"ISIS has not been defeated," he said. "Our mission has not yet been accomplished."
Jones, speaking on a media call Wednesday morning, described new concerns about the tactics ISIS is using to rebuild and restructure its militant organization and spread its radical ideology.
"The number of women and children being recruited is quadrupling the number of fighters. We cannot rush out of there quickly," he said.
"ISIS is recruiting out of universities. It is trying to recruit in the information age, and trying to recruit more women. It is still a very, very serious threat," Jones said.
Meanwhile in Afghanistan, the senators said they detected a sincere effort with new hopes that peace talks can find some type of compromise in a country ravaged by decades of war, including discussions on the rights and safety of women.
Jones traveled with Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Jack Reed of Rhode Island.
"When I met with the women leaders, they talked about what they were hearing," Shaheen told reporters during her travel. "They wanted to see a cease fire, they wanted the fighting to end. They wanted to make sure that women continue to have rights.
"To hear the amount of peace activity that was going on in the country was surprising to me."
However, it's also still too early to consider pulling troops from that country as well, Jones said.
"Afghanistan has a 40-year history of war. We've been there for 18 years. I think people are ready to have peace," he said regarding his hopes that talks can be successful.
American military commanders, however, also remain convinced that U.S. national security interests dictate that troops continue their mission, at least for now, in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Jones said, adding that he also met with troops from his home state of Alabama while visiting the two countries.
"I was happy to thank them for their service and sacrifice," he said. "It was a very powerful experience" to meet and talk with them.
Regarding their mission so far from home, and the long duration of America's involvement in both theaters of operation, "People have to understand that that's where most of the terrorism around the world originates," Jones said, "and now it's become more sophisticated."
He said he was moved by the dedication of all the American service personnel he met, from troops to commanders.
"They fully believe that their mission is to protect the United States, not just Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. "I think that everyone there believes that their mission is not complete."
Seeing it first hand, he said, "it all sinks in a heck of a lot more than just sitting and hearing someone speak at the capitol."


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Saturday, December 29, 2007
Mariano Rivera Tribute by yankeesrule009
"THE MARIANO RIVERA STAT"--Hornets Play by Play, Sean Kelley
Dec. 28, 2007 by Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com:
"3) The "Mariano Rivera stat" and the double-double guys.
"3) The "Mariano Rivera stat" and the double-double guys.
- As Hornets radio play-by-play broadcaster Sean Kelley put it, the team has been as successful
- New Orleans improved to 15-1 Friday when leading after three quarters."
Sunday, December 02, 2007
"When the Game's on the Line"..."They Can Call Me Mariano Rivera," New Orleans Hornet combo guard
- The universal definition of clutch:
After the New Orleans Hornets win over the Dallas Mavericks, Hornets.com posted highlights, one of which was late-game hero, Jannero Pargo. By Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com, 12/1/07:
- "Here are five observations from an action-packed victory at the New Orleans Arena." (Following is #4):
- After the game I asked Pargo if we should start labeling him "Mr. Fourth Quarter" following his final-stanza eruption at Atlanta on Friday and his large contributions vs. Dallas. (Pargo went scoreless through three quarters Saturday, but tallied six points in the fourth quarter and had five more in OT).
- The 6-foot-1 combo guard said he realizes that his playing time is largely dependent on how he performs early in the game. "I've had this opportunity (to potentially contribute late in games) all year," Pargo said. "But I understand that if I play well, I get to play longer. Lately in the fourth quarter, I've been playing well.
- To be out there when the game's on the line, it shows that (Scott) has confidence in me and that can go a long way.""
- From Hornets.com website, NewOrleansHornetsblog.blogspot.com, Big Easy Buzz, 12/1/07


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great pictures! i love Paris, such a beautiful city xxxmollyox.blogspot.com
Looks like you had a lovely time in Paris, I love Paris!Sophie xx
loved this!! your photography is amazing xOlivia Roses | Bloglovin
Gorgeous photos! I'd love to visit Paris!http://abigailalicex.blogspot.com
Ah your wonderful photos are bringing back such lovely memories! We usually go every couple of years but I haven't been for a few years now! Jenn Barely There Beauty | UK Beauty Blogxx
I love Paris :)All the fashion news you need to know today: www.soletthemtalk.blogspot.comBest Regards from Monte-Carlo :)
Thank you for commenting, I appreciate every comment!


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Revive by Nina Levine
Book #3 of Storm MC Series
Cover Designer: LM Creations
Photographer: CJC Photography
Photographer: CJC Photography
Model: Joseph Troisi
Hosted By: Book Empire Promotions
He doesn't do relationships. Neither does she. But they can't fight the attraction any longer…
Nash Walker hides the demons that consume his soul. He buries them deep and distracts himself with sex. Anything to avoid facing a past full of heartbreak and regret; anything to numb the pain that he struggles with daily.
Velvet Carr has spent years fighting her demons. It's a fight she's winning. That is, until Nash crashes his way into her life and into her heart.
It started out as a bit of harmless fun between friends; it wasn't meant to get complicated for either of them. But when two broken souls come together and arouse unwanted feelings in each other, complicated is what happens.
Can Nash and Velvet help heal each other and revive the love in their lives that they've both been refusing to allow in for years? Or will they let their demons ruin any chance they may have at happiness?
I watched Nash as he walked from the bathroom back into the bedroom. Dressed in nothing but a towel, water still dripping from his hair and down his body, I couldn't take my eyes off him. Ink covered nearly every patch of skin on his neck, chest, stomach and arms, and I realised I didn't have a clue what the significance was for most of his tattoos. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to get into that this morning; we had to be at Harlow's cafe in just over an hour. She was testing out some new cake recipes for the cafe and had asked for volunteers to test them. Nash didn't even have to think about it; he'd accepted straight away, and I could never say no to Harlow's food. I made a mental note to ask him about his tattoos tonight.
"You going to stare at me all day, baby, or get ready?" Nash asked with a smirk.
As he said this, he removed his towel and finished drying himself off. Of course, my gaze was diverted lower, and I took in everything he had to offer.
Sucking in a breath, I murmured, "I think I could happily skip Harlow's food if it meant I got to stare at you all day."
Desire flashed in his eyes, and he closed the distance between us in two determined strides. Curling his hand around my neck, he growled, "I'd eat you over her food any day of the fuckin' week." He pulled me closer and dropped his lips to mine. We'd had sex twice already this morning, but our need for each other was never fully satisfied, and his kiss told me how much he wanted me again.
I placed my hands on his chest and gently pushed until his mouth let me go. "Nash, I don't want to let Harlow down."
"I'll make it quick," he promised, his eyes almost begging me to agree.
My body was screaming 'hell yes', but I pushed him again, and took a step back. "There's not enough time; I've still got to do my hair and face."
"They look fine to me," he said, clearly not wanting to let this go.
"That's because you only care about my boobs," I said as I walked towards the bathroom.
"And your pussy, babe; I care about that too."
My back was to him, but I could feel his eyes on me. I turned to give him one last look before I went into the bathroom, and sure enough he was staring at my ass. "Tonight, they're all yours."
"Seriously? You're going to say no to this?" he asked, his hand pointing at this dick.
"I know it's hard for you to believe that any woman could ever say no to that, but yes, I'm saying no," I said, teasing him a little.
He shook his head in disbelief. "Why the hell did I choose the only woman on this planet who has the ability to knock me back?" he grumbled.
"Obviously your brain was doing the thinking that day, rather than your dick," I shot back at him.
I began applying my makeup, waiting for his comeback, but he didn't say another word. I could hear him getting dressed so I figured our conversation was over, and I focused on getting ready.
A couple of minutes later, he appeared in the doorway. I continued applying makeup, but watched him in the mirror. He was leaning against the door with his arms folded across his chest. His eyes were roaming over my body, and electricity shot through me. I wanted him just as much as he wanted me.
"Nash, you need to leave because if you don't, we're never going to make it to Harlow's."
He continued devouring me with his eyes, until finally he pushed off from the door, and made his way to me. Standing behind me, he gently swept my hair to the side, and bent to kiss my neck. His hand slid around my waist, and he murmured, "Fuck, I could watch you all day, sweet thing. I don't even need my cock in you to be a happy man, but tonight there'll be none of this denying me shit going on."
My body tingled with lust. "You do realise that I could never fully deny you, baby. If you really pushed the point, I'd be yours in a heartbeat," I admitted.
"I kinda like it when you say no. It excites the fuck out of me to have to chase you. But, I appreciate the fact that the word no isn't one that comes out of your sweet mouth very often."
"I'll be sure to use it every now and then; I like it when you chase me."
"Fuck," he muttered, and straightened. Taking a step away from me, his eyes found mine in the mirror, and he said, "This is going to be the longest fuckin' day, babe. Harlow better appreciate what I'm giving up for her."
I smiled sweetly at him, more to tease him than anything because I knew this kind of smile did him in. "I'll make it worth your while, Nash."
He raked his hand through his hair. "I'll be fuckin' holding you to that," he promised.
He muttered something else under his breath that I didn't quite catch and then turned and stalked out of the bathroom. I loved getting him going; it had to be one of my favourite things to do. The thought of Nash and what he'd do to me tonight had me all hot and bothered. He was right; today really was going to be a long day.
Book #2 Fierce: Amazon US I Amazon UK I Amazon CA I Barnes & Noble I iBooks
Book #3 Revive - Amazon US I Amazon UK I Amazon CA I Barnes & Noble I KOBO I iBooks I Amazon AUS
Book #4 Slay - Pre-Order Now: iTunes
USA Today Bestselling Author Nina Levine, is an Aussie author who writes stories about hot, alpha men and the tough, independent women they love.
When she isn't creating with words, she loves to create with paint and paper. Often though, she can be found curled up with a good book and some chocolate.
HOSTED BY: Book Empire Promotions


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Root Vegetable Salads
By Molly Watson, About.com
Root vegetables make great additions to salads. Roasted or boiled until tender, toss them with dressings when they are still warm so they absorb the flavors.
Yael- I love to add different cheese (goat cheeses, pecorino, parmesan cheese). Nuts bring out the earthy taste of the root vegetable (pine nuts roasted, walnuts, hazelnuts). The cheese and the nuts elevate a root vegetable salad to another level of flavors and added protein. Below are some recipes for Root Vegetable Salads.
Read more at: http://localfoods.about.com/od/preparationtips/tp/rootvegetables.htm


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Kings Canyon Resort Hotel
Best Rate Guaranteed
Why book with GalaHotels.com ?
Recommended rooms
Kings Canyon Resort Hotel Information
General Information
Kings Canyon Resort is located in a loop off the main highway running between Ayers Rock and Alice Springs. The sensitively designed resort is just seven kilometers from Watarrka National Park, the home of the magical sandstone formation of Kings Canyon.The resort has been built to blend harmoniously with the surrounds. Kings Canyon Resort offers a wide range of accommodation from the campground that enjoys the outdoor stillness of the Red Center to deluxe spa rooms - offering understated comfort rather unexpected in such a remote location.It is the perfect oasis from which to explore the wonders of Kings Canyon including the amazing rock formation called the Lost City and the Garden of Eden an oasis of an entirely different kind at the foot of the Canyon. The flora of Kings Canyon offers a clear indication that the climate of this whole area was once vastly different. The KINGS CANYON RESORT is a Tourist, Resort hotel. Located in OUTBACK area. Shopping is accessible by bus/taxi and the nightlife/restaurants are located in the hotel.
Kings Canyon Resort Hotel Amenities
- local_bar bar
- restaurant_menu restaurant


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Head of Products, Solutions and Innovation at Kx on Product Design and the Vision for the Future
16 Mar 2018
As the SVP of Products, Solutions and Innovation at Kx Systems, James Corcoran is part of a new chapter in software development at Kx. Since joining Kx parent First Derivatives as a financial engineer in 2009, James has worked around the world building enterprise systems at top global investment banks before moving to the Kx product team in London. James sat down with us recently to discuss his perspective on product design and our technology strategy for the future.


text:
Provided By:
This training supports the role(s) of: Care Officer, Share Officer, Public Information Officer
This crisis communications course first explores how crisis communication is different than normal communication. A wide variety of crisis communication techniques are discussed and practiced. The importance of Body language and the use of touch are discussed as well as how differences in one's cultural background affect crisis communication. The course also examines practical applications for using crisis communications, especially in making compassionate death notifications. It also examines the special issues that are presented in working with families whose loved ones have committed suicide.
This is an interactive course that utilizes lecture, small group work, role play scenarios, video and audio to present the material. As a supplement what is called the SAFER-R model for crisis intervention will be discussed.


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Dusky Grouse Extravaganza!
June 23, 2010 – Day 8 of Neil's Visit
We stood, standing on a dusty dirt road in Moraine Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, gaping at a hole in a nearby Aspen trunk, cameras at the ready. A chattering House Wren, which we were avidly ignoring, was scolding us from a bush at the base of the tree, before it swiftly entered another hole in the same tree, though smaller and closer to the ground than the opening we were intent upon. Suddenly, "There it is!" Begging calls of fledgling Red-naped Sapsuckers sounded from the hole we were gazing at, as a blur of woodpecker swooped into the hole. The adult had only remained on the outside, in our view, only long enough for us to bring the viewfinder to our eyes. "Get any photos?" I ask. "No," Neil replies. With some time and patience, we did manage to get a few photos. Eventually we continued walking down the road. At a trailhead sign for "Cub Lake," we turned onto the rocky, uneven, and heavily traveled trail.
Male Red-naped Sapsucker
Part way up the trail, we encountered a couple of birders. We started talking, and it turned out that one of them, Chris, was doing a Big Year! (His blog recording his Big Year can be found at: slowbirding.blogspot.com). As we were chatting, Joel suddenly called out from behind us, "Goshawk!" Sure enough, an adult was circling above a distant ridge, just a speck on the pine-shrouded horizon. This species was one of our (Joel and Marcel's) "nemesis" birds (and as such was a lifer). Everybody else was super excited to see it too, as it was even a new year bird for Chris, the big year lister! A little farther up the trail, we heard a Dusky Flycatcher, a common bird but another year bird for Chris. As we started the final ascent to the lake, a large bird erupted from a bush on the side of the trail. "DUSKY GROUSE!!!" After relocating it at the edge of a meadow, we stayed and photographed it for over an hour. This adult male was "booming" with its built in "sub-woofer," calling to any nearby female, and warning possible rivals. This was the bird we hoped to find on this particular trail. It was a life bird for Neil and yet another year bird for Chris. At this point, hunger turned Chris and his wife around, while we continued on to Cub Lake.
Northern Goshawk
Male Dusky Grouse
Male Dusky Grouse
Male Dusky Grouse
Male Dusky Grouse
Finally, the lily-encircled and leech-filled lake came into view, along with a multitude of patrolling dragonflies. After a thorough survey of the pond side, we managed to identify American Emerald, Belted Whiteface, Four-spotted Skimmer, Darner sp., and lots of Northern/Boreal Bluets (near impossible to identify without the benefit of magnification). While we were eating lunch, a completely habituated pair of Mallards and a Golden-mantled Ground-Squirrel boldly begged for scraps. They obviously have a lot of success at this location.
Cub Lake
American Emerald
We continued on towards "The Pool," an alternate route back to the parking lot. When we were nearly back to the parking lot, we suddenly heard a quiet clucking noise from the side of the trail. We spied a brownish chicken head protruding from the nearby grass. "Look! A female grouse!" we excitedly whispered to each other. After watching it for a while, it slowly crossed the trail, followed by a half dozen Dusky Grouse chicks, each no more than a few days old. We had just gotten the full slam-dunk of Dusky Grouse . . . male, female, and chicks.


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I feel compelled to pop back into the blogosphere today for a short post. My Rare One and I are in the USA right now. We spent yesterday evening glued to CNN watching our boy Anderson Cooper deliver the election results. We are shocked and appalled and did not sleep well last night and jeez, we're just Canadians who get to go HOME in a couple of weeks.
So I just want to send BIG HUGS to all our American friends (regardless of how you voted) who must spend the next four years under a Trump regime. I fear for the future of the United States.


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Alessandra Ceresa, BERKMAN's new Account Executive, brings with her new ideas and a new flair for PR. A recent graduate of USC and an addition to the BERKMAN team, her motivation and drive to pursue her interests have given her the tools to excel in this fast-paced industry. While working at BERKMAN, Alessandra has used both her strengths and weaknesses to develop her writing skills, outreach to the media, and organize media campaigns along with responsibilities of the business. She draws inspiration from others that challenge her to the fullest potential and admits that "the competition of PR has deterred her from falling into the trap of mediocrity." Expect her extra je nes se qua to grace the PR world in a fresh and captivating way.
Archive for March, 2011
This past Wednesday, we hosted a party celebrating Randy Frisch's appointment as the President and Publisher of the San Diego Business Journal. We held the event at our client's beautiful outdoor patio. El Vitral provided delicious appetizers and flowing beverages all throughout the night. Thanks so much to the staff for being so accommodating!
This is one of our favorite photos from the night:


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Production Machining Information
Image Credit: Lovejoy Chaplet Corporation | EF Precision Group (The) | Swissomation, Inc.
Production machining services provide high-volume production runs of parts and perform a variety of machining services. Companies that lack the equipment or means to produce large quantities of a specific part can utilize production machining services to save time and money.
Assessing the capabilities of different production machining services is the most important factor in the selection process.
Machining Processes
The capabilities of a production machining service company are largely dependent on the types of machining the supplier can perform. Typical production machining services include:
Broaching is a planing or shaping process that involves using a cutting tool to remove material and shape a hole or outside surface of a part.
Drilling may encompass a number of different methods used to drill holes in parts.
Grinding incorporates a broad range of processes that use abrasive wheels to machine and shape parts.
Honing uses abrasive stones or silicon-carbide slips that move in both rotational and axial directions to obtain a specified finish or dimensional tolerance.
High speed production honing. Video Credit: Degen Maschinenbau GmbH / CC BY 3.0
Milling is a versatile machining process that can perform many different types of cuts on a workpiece.
- Turning describes machining processes performed on a lathe, where a cutting tool is applied parallel to a workpiece being rotated continuously.
Other, more specialized processes include:
- Abrasive flow machining
- Abrasive jet machining
- Electrochemical and photochemical machining
- Electrode and wire electrical discharge machining (EDM)
- Etching and chemical milling
Production Machining Equipment
While most types of machines can be automated for production machining (either mechanically via cameras or computer control via CNC), there are a number of pieces of equipment used exclusively in high volume machining processes.
CNC lathes are lathes that utilize computer numeric control to automate the turning or boring machining process for faster, more consistent part production.
CNC lathe. Video Credit: Techberth Mechanical Engineering / CC BY 3.0
Hydromats or rotary transfer machines are used to machine and produce very high volumes of parts. Tools on rotary transfer machines are typically in a spindle, and the workpieces rotate from spindle to spindle for different cutting operations. Outputs typically range above 100,000 parts per order.
Image Credit: Hydromat, Inc.
Screw machines are automatic lathes that use a turning process to manufacturing small- to medium-sized parts in high volumes.
Swiss screw machines are types of screw machines used for the high-volume production of precision components.
Specific Capabilities
In addition to the types of machining services and equipment, it may be important for suppliers to specifically offer either CNC or micro machining services.
Computer numeric controlled (CNC) machines are those that use a computer to automate and control the machining process. Often this allows part designs to be uploaded via AutoCAD drawings. Once configured and programmed, CNC machines can typically run for long periods of time with minimal operator assistance. CNC machines cost more than traditional machines, but part production is faster and more precise and repeatable.
Micro machining is the machining of tiny parts and features with small tools and precision machines.
Serviced Materials
Machining services may only be able to handle certain types of materials depending on the capabilities of the equipment and the intrinsic properties of the machining services. For example, most standard milling machines and lathes could not adequately handle metals with high hardness without excessive wear of the cutting tools. Temperature-sensitive materials would also limit the applications of many standard machining processes which generate high heat from friction. Therefore, it is important to find a production machining service that specifies its ability to handle the material(s) required for the application. Commonly serviced materials include:
Cast iron
Stainless steel
Other Considerations
Once all of the service criteria for part production have been met, factors such as cost and location need to be added to the equation.
The cost of a service is important to consider in any application. Quotes (cost estimates) for part production orders are given to the customer after he or she provides the supplier with a description of the job requirements. Cost typically correlates to the time spent producing the product and the expense of the materials used (when purchased by the service company). Additional costs include transportation or shipment costs of the parts once they have been made.
The location of the service provider is important to consider both for logistical reasons and expenses. Operations located farther away from the customer will have higher associated shipping costs, especially for large production volumes. In addition, there may be additional logistical complications when dealing with suppliers from different countries.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
- Abrasive Flow Machining
- Aluminum
- Anodizing
- Assembly Services
- Black Oxide
- Brass
- Broaching
- Bronze
- CAD / CAM Support
- CNC Machining
- Cast Iron
- Casting Machining
- Centerless Grinding
- Composites
- Copper
- Creep Feed Grinding
- Deep Hole Drilling
- Design Assistance
- Double-disc Grinding
- Drilling
- Electrochemical / Photochemical Machining
- Electrode EDM
- Electroplating
- Etching / Chemical Milling
- Forging Machining
- Gear Manufacturing
- Glass
- Glass Ceramics
- Gun Drilling
- Hardened Metals
- Heat Treating / Stress Relieving
- High Volume Production
- Honing
- ID / Internal Grinding
- Jig Boring
- Jig Grinding
- Jigs and Fixtures
- Just-in-Time Delivery
- Lapping / Polishing
- Laser Machining
- Low Volume Production
- Micro Machining
- Milling
- Nickel / Nickel Alloys
- OD / External Grinding
- Painting / Powder Coating
- Plastics
- Precious Metals
- Prototype Services
- Reverse Engineering
- Rubber
- Screw Machining
- Stainless Steel
- Steel / Steel Alloys
- Stone / Marble / Granite
- Surface Grinding
- Swiss Machining
- Thread Grinding
- Thread Rolling
- Titanium
- Tool & Die Manufacturing
- Turning
- Ultra-hard Materials
- Water / Abrasive Jet Machining
- Welding
- Wire EDM
- Wood


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McGann-Mercy Junior High Program
Recognizing that the 7th and 8th grades are an integral part of the overall high school experience, McGann-Mercy expanded its curriculum to include these grades. By exposing these students to the academic, spiritual and social experience that can only be described as "Living Mercy" in the formative pre-teen years, we have found that the transition into high school has been a smoother, less painful process for the student. Further reinforcing the School's commitment to these students, the school opened its Junior High Building in 2009.
Academically, students are equipped with key learning skills that assist in managing the more rigorous course load in the High School. The Junior High Program includes classes in:
- Religion
- English Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Foreign Language
365体育足球比分网 as well as enrichments subjects such as:
- Band or Chorus
- Health
- Art
- Physical Education
- Humanities
- Science/Technology
While the majority of classes are offered in the junior high building, the school's 7th and 8th graders do come over to the high school for mass, special assemblies, lunch, gym and certain classes. We have found that the transition from a smaller elementary school community into a much larger high school community is tempered by having a separate building for the junior high.
Spiritually speaking, all students are encouraged to be active participants in the community. This is accomplished through daily religion class, monthly school masses and numerous opportunities for interaction with the chaplain.
Socially speaking, there are numerous clubs and sports teams that the students in the junior high can participate in. This gives the student the opportunity to get to know other students, build character, have fun and develop valuable leadership schools. As in the case of the high school junior varsity and varsity athletic teams, all junior high teams participate in Section XI of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, allowing students to compete with local public junior and senior high schools.


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Let's be social! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn myEOL
Within NCCU's Division of Institutional Advancement, Alumni Relations serves to engage you, our 30,000 alumni and friends, with your university. We are located in the Alumni House on campus, and we invite you to join us as ambassadors for the university. Help us promote the benefits of attending NCCU to prospective students and enhance the positive public perception of our university in your varied communities. In turn, we will develop, coordinate and foster programs to keep you informed about and involved in campus life, and provide you opportunities to enhance your legacy of "Truth and Service." We plan and implement special events, especially Homecoming, to help you stay connected to your alma mater.
The Office of Alumni Relations collaborates closely with its affiliated entities, including the NCCU Alumni Association, Eagle Club and NCCU Foundation.
We invite you to take full advantage of all of the many activities the Office of Alumni Relations and the NCCU Alumni Association offer you to connect, engage and serve your university.
North Carolina Central University
(p) 919-530-6100
1801 Fayetteville St.
Durham, NC 27707


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Using my own custom built content management system, I can develop low cost, quality websites with the minimum of hassle. Choose from a suite of template designs or create a custom design and your website can be up and running in a matter of weeks. Including photo galleries, news, events, booking systems and product inventories, almost any website can be created in this system. We are also now offering Digital Video Marketing
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When it comes to finding your website in Google and other serch engines, I prefer to work with you to review your current website, discuss the needs of your potential customers and then create a plan for SEO. This may involve updates to your website content or structure, a Google Adwords campaign or some other marketing strategies. Each website is different so get in touch to discuss what's possible for you. Read our AES Marconi Case Study here.
After graduating from Queens University Belfast, I pretty much went straight into self-employment. I was intrigued by the development of the internet and decided that was the career for me.
I am currently based in Belfast and work with my own clients directly and also with several other design firms in Northern Ireland, providing them the web services they need.


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Blueberry Space Candy
$150.00 Straight from the The Great Cosmic Candy Dish comes these delectable little sterling silver rings. Featuring a unique hand-etched glass gem bezel set, on a stunning crater filled band - each as different as a star in The Milky Way Galaxy.
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This page is intended to document the software approach, useful links, and lessons learned in creating the software used to process the GEOSAP trail maps into the desired statistics and/or plots.
Software Development Priorities
The initial approach will be to find an automatic way to generate CSV files from the GE trail maps. This will allow us to post-process the files into whatever statistics or plots are desired with Excel, Matlab, or similar software.
In the medium term, it may be useful to be able to down-select the data prior to export to CSV to reduce the amount that needs to be post-processed (e.g. "only give me intermediate trails from ski areas in NH and VT").
In the longer term, having the statistical/plotting software tightly coupled with GE would allow easier data exploration. For example, one could call up the plots/stats within GE, then as ski areas and trails are selected or de-selected, the plots/stats would update on the fly.
In the very long term, it would be ideal to have statistics and plots updated and displayed "live" on the website as people revise and upload new maps.
It would also be useful to provide utilities that help in selecting/de-selecting placemarks based on GEOSAP parameters (e.g. "only select ski areas with vertical drop > 500').
Making the statistics/plots aware of distance from the user's location (or better yet, drive time), would enable users to rank areas by nearness, as well, which is a key parameter when deciding where to go skiing. One could even incorporate flying time and drive time from the nearest airport so you could optimize vacation planning.
Statistical software
An initial cut at the statistic-generation portion of the software is now available. It operates on these "hand-made" sample csv's, generated from Sunday River, ME:
- area.csv contains a single lift, trail centerline, trail boundary, and area boundary.
- area2.csv contains two lifts, two trail centerlines, 1 trail boundary, and area boundary.
The file geosap.m can be run in Matlab, and it depends on lla2enu.m and transform.m to do coordinate transformations. To run this software, put all 3 files in the current directory in Matlab. If you've put area.csv in 'mydirectory', you can run the software by typing:
>> geosap c:\mydirectory\area.csv
… in the command window and it will produce a file c:\mydirectory\area.txt that looks like these, generated from the sample files above:
This is basically at the proof-of-concept stage. Once the routine is more functional, I'll include a compiled, executable version that does not require Matlab to run.
- Google Earth COM API Documentation
- A massive thread about the API at the Google Earth Community forum that started when the beta was released.
- The KML Developer Support Google Group is the successor to the massive GEC thread.
- KML documentation
- A new Google Earth Community Thread about generating statistics from GE polygons and paths.
- A .NET (C#) wrapper for the API.
- The project file provided with the C# wrapper is for Visual C# 2005, which is a free download. There is now a 2008 version available as well, but it generates error messages with the C# wrapper "out of the box."
- C# tutorial given by Microsoft.
- Java version of the GE API with how-to guide that is said to not work well at all.
Lessons Learned
- The "Google Maps API" is for people who want to embed Google Maps into their websites—it does not appear useful for this effort.
- It appears that using Visual C# Express and the C# wrapper above is a widely used approach, so we'll try that first.
- GetMainHwnd must be called to select the GE application.
- SetForegroundWindow makes sure GE is the current application.
- SendKeys is used to copy ("^C") the placemarks to the clipboard so their properties can be accessed.
- GetPointOnTerrainFromScreenCoords must be called to get altitude data for each point.
- StreamWriter is a simple way to write text files.


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The first high profile case of "hacking a stadium" transpired during the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Olympics.
The cyber-attack took out internet access and telecasts, grounded broadcasting drones, shut down the Pyeongchang Olympic website and prevented spectators from printing out reservations and attending the ceremony. This physically resulted in an unusually high number of empty seats. Preliminary reports indicate the attack was not designed to extract money, but possibly, inflict a different type of damage. Perhaps even make a political statement of some sort. Investigators claim the attack was the result of malware installed back in December 2017. Apparently, it was a year in the making.
But the actual terminology of "hacking a stadium?" What exactly does that mean? What could it possibly entail?
Not to state the obvious, but to the best of my knowledge, there's no way to "electronically hack" a flight of steps or the spiral rotunda or an asphalt parking lot. Tangible elements like concrete, glass and steel are indifferent to the world of wireless information. Even in this era of alternative facts and fake news, I'd hope most people could reach a consensus with that one.
I must rhetorically wonder though, could this "hack" have been taken a step further? Could there be a new precedent?
When there's no financial incentive, you start venturing into scary, uncharted territory. So what could be another purpose? Well, as a military theorist and student of generational warfare, I might throw out the possibility that maybe… just maybe… a different objective could be to kill and injure innocent civilians. Try thinking in terms of asymmetric terrorism.
If that sounds unsettling it's because the prospect of weaponizing a human stampede is, by its very nature, undiscussable. It's not that government or private industry has never conceived of this threat (the modern, technological equivalent of shouting "FIRE" in a crowded theater). It's just that the powers that be won't acknowledge it… for 4 fundamental reasons:
1. Plausible deniability
2. Hypothetical litigation
3. The lose-lose proposition
4. The necessary admission that it's possible to indiscriminately kill innocent civilians without conventional weapons
I've thoroughly explored all of these factors on a point-by-point basis. If you wish to further understand the rationale, just perform a targeted search on the AGSAF website.
First Pivot.
In the 150+ articles I've written for the site, I've NEVER used the phrase "hacking a stadium." But ironically, if there actually was a wireless driven panic resulting in an artificially generated stampede, I imagine the media and the entire planet earth would immediately start using that exact phrase. What exactly caused fans to panic and run for their lives? Well, the stadium was hacked! Call me naive, but I think mankind would demand a more definitive, thorough explanation for what happened.
The actual word "hack" seems to cover a vast array of territory. These days, the media use it with little discretion. And the general public bandies it about with virtually zero consideration.
For example, the most high profile case of "hacking" was the 2016 presidential election. If you subscribe to the general narrative regarding Donald Trump's victory, Russian state sponsored actors created and purchased phony ads, trolled facebook and manipulated social media as much as they could in order to delegitimize the election results or swing the outcome in Trump's favor. I imagine their mission statement went something like this: Well, we might not be able to hack their voting systems and alter the actual votes. However, we can do as much conventional damage as possible to cause friction, erode trust and destabilize the democratic process.
But does any of their interference conform to the technological definition or society's notion of hacking? Well, not really.
Instead of hacking, I think much of what unraveled during the 2016 election, justifies the creation of a new word. One that embodies the overall concept of hacking, but without the electronic degree of system penetration and intrusive manipulation. The word "jacked" would seem ideal. It's simple, straightforward and easily digestible for the the general public. The urban definition of "jacked" implies blatant robbery or brute theft… as in a carjacking. There's also the similar term "hijacking." In the case of 9/11, planes were hijacked. They were physically seized and intended for misuse. Both carjacking and hijacking seem to echo the notion of hacking, but without the necessary wireless finesse or electronic elegance. The word "hacking" is just too broad and vague. In time, I suspect the word "jacked" or "cyber-jacked" might rise to prominence.
If my concerns about an artificially generated stampede came to fruition, I doubt it would be the result of a direct hack (wireless carrier, opt-in abuse, Stingray, and so on). More likely, it would be the result of a decentralized flood of information. Basically, a wireless info-bomb, a cellular bombardment both deliberate and unintentional, from every conventional direction conceivable (phone calls, text messages, social media platforms, etc.). Picture a dam being breached. I normally use the term "viral blitzkrieg" because the initial attack vector(s) would be designed to grow quickly and exponentially. In essence, the stadium occupants would be overwhelmed with raw, sudden, panic-inducing cellular information. In a case like this, the stadium would be "jacked," but not hacked.
Second Pivot.
February 13, 2018 marked an intriguing day of hearings in the United States Senate. FBI Director Christopher Wray, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, and other top defense officials fielded questions on the topic of cyber-security. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, in his opening statement, said cyber-security is our greatest concern and top priority. National Security Agency Director Mike Rogers added, "If you think the problem is challenging now, just wait. It's going to get much worse." The general consensus was that cyber-threats will become bolder, more aggressive and more complex. That our country must stay ahead of the curve and be proactive. That we need greater cooperation between government and the tech industry. And of course, we could always use additional talent and greater funding. Go figure.
As one might expect, the level of specificity was alarmingly minimal. Perhaps that changes when they go into private session. I do not know.
But what I do know is this. I think it's very plausible to speculate… that if you take a long-term view… there will eventually be a cyber-incident where innocent people die. My concerns regarding the the prospect of an artificially generated stampede(s) reflect that very notion. And while I have zero confidence that this specific cyber-threat will be acknowledged during televised congressional hearings, it's my sincere hope that someone, anyone in Congress, might be willing to open up this can of worms behind closed doors. I seriously doubt any politician would have the requisite courage to publicly take the bait. But one day, I can assure you, it will make for a helluva fishing expedition.


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We received such a rich bounty of tangible grace, from the loving hand of God, in 2013, but our only worthwhile boast and authentic joy was found in Jesus alone and whatever 2014 brings, this will remain forever true.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
-Thomas O. Chisholm
Ezra ate big boy food for the first time… and trust us… he hasn't slowed down since:
We wore these hats:
And we ate a lot of yummy food also:
Ezra was rocking the bouncer:
Sarah Beth and i, cuddled on the couch:
We celebrated Valentine's Day:
And ate even more yummy food:
Isaiah and Ezra finally took a bath:
Isaiah wore my shoes:
i had the honor of overseeing the launch of The City (an online communication, information, child checkin, and social interaction website) at Redemption Church:
Sarah Beth and i traveled, sans children, to Raleigh, NC for the Advance 13 Church Building Conference (thanks to the great folks at Crossroads Church in Morgantown, WV):
We left a couple days early for vacation and got to spend some time in Charleston, SC:
And we ate even more yummy food:
We spent a week at Sunset Beach with the Boekell family:
i was hired on full-time staff at Redemption Church:
Isaiah took flight:
We saw Bob Dylan live:
And we began potty training Isaiah (this process is ongoing):
Oh… and we ate even more yummy food:
We went under contract for a house in East Pea Ridge (Huntington, WV):
Roxanne began a streak of 4 snake killings:
Sarah Beth saw Old Crow Medicine Show:
The boys got this cool Radio Flyer bike:
Isaiah got a full fledged big boy haircut from Sunny:
West Virginia Turned 150:
We acquired this really cool piece of furniture:
i had the joy of starting a 6 week sermon series through the book of Jonah at Redemption Church:
Ezra Walked!!!
My dad had a kidney stone… but lived to die another day:
Isaiah made a visit to the hospital also… but he also lives to die another day:
We ate even more good food:
And our contract fell through on the house in East Pea Ridge (but this would be a great thing… we just didn't know it yet).
We spent the 4th of July on Summersville Lake:
We went under contract for a different house in East Pea Ridge!
Ezra turned one:
We took on the Cabell County Fair:
We found out Sarah Beth was pregnant!!!… but told no one:
And we ate some of this:
Ezra learned to drive:
i turned 29:
We went to the beach and stayed in a wonderful beach house thanks to some very generous friends:
And Sarah Beth did the Color Run:
We closed on our new house in East Pea Ridge (and had a picnic dinner on the floor):
God showed His faithfulness to build His church as our gospel community group multiplied three ways at Redemption Church:
We finally told the world we were pregnant:
This buck hung out at the back door of the old farm house:
We worked and worked and worked on the new house preparing for move-in day:
Sarah beth turned 29:
We moved into our new house:
We crashed the Pumpkin Festival:
Isaiah turned 3:
We found out that baby number three is another boy!!!
We celebrated 5 years of marriage by renewing our vowels:
And we took a short and oh so sweet little anniversary trip:
We went trick or treat and met the neighbors:
Isaiah had another ear surgery… and lived to die another day:
We cut up all this wood from a tree that was down in our yard (thanks Shawn):
And we burned the rest:
We celebrated Thanksgiving and went to cut down our Christmas tree:
Sarah Beth created this really cool chalkboard wall at our house:
We celebrated Advent:
We went out looking at Christmas lights:
We had snow days:
Our dear friend Ricki came home after four months of making much of Jesus in Thailand:
We made Christmas cookies for the neighbors:
And we had a very Merry Christmas!