text:
It was with great excitement that we were about to arrive in New Delhi, India. Our flight on the 17th October 2014 from Qatar to Delhi went quickly.
We are now three and a half hours ahead of our home time in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Ebola Virus Disease was currently an issue. All passengers on the flight had to fill out a form stating where they'd recently travelled to and warning one of the dangers of this life-threatening disease. They had officials checking everyone as we made our way through to customs. Pulling a few people over to check their temperatures and to ensure that they were healthy before allowing them to enter into India.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport in India's capital, New Delhi.
After passing through customs, we made our way to Deneb & Pollux Tours & Travels which have a kiosk near the exit. There are a few car hire/taxi businesses next to each other, all happy to help get you from A to B. Our taxi drive cost us INR 1600 which we paid for in advance.
The Toyota we found ourselves in was nothing we'd come across at home. The rear seat is raised, giving the passengers a lovely, clear view of the road ahead. I'm not too sure if this is wise in India as my senses were on edge already, after a few kilometres on the road, seeing how commuters get around in India. It was our first taste of traffic issues to overcome.
Not far from the airport, we came across a car, parked in the middle of the highway, in one of its lanes. The passengers were casually chatting without a care in the world of another vehicle crashing into them.
There were plenty of three-wheeled Rickshaw/tuk-tuk cars, horses with carts behind and motorbikes with a whole family riding together (helmet free). Ladies riding side-saddle on the backs of bikes as their beautiful dresses drape over the side.
We found that the individual lanes on the road didn't mean that there'll be only 4 or 5 cars abreast each other. Cars will squeeze alongside with only an inch of room to spare. They hoot to warn each other that they're pushing through the traffic. Nudging themselves forward leaving no free space on the road between them. The motorbikes hop on and off the pavement, weaving in between the pedestrians, using the pavement as if it's another lane. Pedestrians freely walk amongst the congested traffic.
We came to the conclusion at the end of our months stay in India, that we would never attempt to drive ourselves around. We deserve the t-shirt with the slogan "I survived the roads of India!" Somehow, it all works, in sync with each other: pedestrians, cyclists, buses and cars all making their way as naturally as can be within all the chaos and noise on the road ahead. Indians are used to it. I think I would be the same if I'd been brought up with it.
We saw a lady had fallen off a motorbike while everyone around her was pointing at each other, accusing one another.
We drove past India Gate that stands 42m high in honour of all the soldiers who lost their lives during World War 1 and the third Afghan War. The hexagon shaped area it stands on has an estimated diameter of 625 metres and is very close to our hotel.
There were lots of street vendors around this area, selling lemons and their homemade lemon juice.
The Oberoi, New Delhi, India
It is one of the most exclusive hotels in the capital of India, centrally situated with just a 10 minutes drive to the commercial centre and 30 minutes from the airport, overlooking the Delhi Golf Club. Its facilities include 24-hour personalised butler service, room service, executive centre, a Spa and Fitness Centre, swimming pool, banqueting and conference facilities, International boutiques and wireless broadband internet access in the rooms. It has three restaurants, Travertino with its Italian Fine Dining, Threesixty with the best of world cuisine and Taipan which is purely Chinese cuisine. In the Club Bar, you will be welcomed into its quiet haven that hosts a selection of fine spirits and cigars. The Business Centre has four private offices and six meeting rooms.
This traditionally dressed gentleman below welcomed us to the hotel.
Our bags went through the scanner and we walked through the security check into the beautiful hotel with the gentle sound of running water coming from the water feature in the middle of the entrance hall.
The tranquil swimming pool and garden of The Oberoi that's meticulously maintained and a haven of peacefulness.
Janice, a friend of a friend, sent us up a complimentary bottle of wine to enjoy. It was delicious. We went down to the three sixty restaurant and feasted on some delicious tempura prawns and Ian had a juicy hamburger.
We had a wonderful stay here, with fantastic food, a calm and peaceful ambience and the quality of service you'd expect from an exclusive hotel. At the time, we were there our room rates were INR 13,000. A luxury room tax of INR 2,350, service tax for the room, Vat at 12.5%, laundry, food at the three-sixty restaurant, internet and service tax for the internet were all charged with the bill totalling INR 21,957.94. It was our treat to ourselves and our way of introductory to New Delhi, India.
Janice kindly organised some bottled water and a padkos lunchbox for our road trip to Agra.
This kind gentleman above had seen me looking at the curio shop in the foyer. I had picked up a wallet and they asked me if I liked it. I said I did and that I was browsing further, taking everything in that they had on their shelves. The next moment, he comes up to me and hands me a gift. It's the wallet I had picked up earlier and he says it's now mine and wishes me a good stay in India. How absolutely kind. That's the general nature of every Indian we came across on our journeys around India. Thank you to each and every one of you who made our vacation just that much more special due to all your ways and blessings bestowed.
We left New Delhi and were on our way to Agra as seeing the magnificent Taj Mahal was high up on our bucket list.
Our friends from India had arranged for their cousin and his friend to drive us from New Delhi to Agra.
Deneb & Pollux Tours & Travels Taxi – Tel: 0124 3005663 Email: email@example.com Website: www.denebpollux.com
The Oberoi, New Delhi, India – Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg. Tel: 91 11 2436 3030 Email: email@example.com Website: www.oberoihotels.com


text: I Love Plush rugs! I desperately needed a new rug in my living room area and found the perfect one from Plush Rugs. I specifically wanted a Viscose rug and I chose the Rainey Stone from Silk Route-It was the 8×10 size. They have so many great and different styles too choose from!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Private Residence・Clerkenwell
Transformation of an early-19th century Grade II listed townhouse in the heart of vibrant Clerkenwell, that has been designed to suit the lifestyles of its owners. The space is both comfortable as a home and a place to entertain guests, blending historic features with luxurious finishes.
Read more
The layout of the 2,627 sq ft property is spread across five levels. Original features have been retained and enhanced in celebration of the building's Georgian heritage.


text:
Larry writes: Occasionally, I will come home to my Mac Pro, which I had set to sleep, and find it powered up but with a black screen. No combination of keystrokes or mouse movements can wake it and my only recourse is to perform a forced shutdown, endangering any data I had opened when the Mac originally went to sleep.
What could be causing this and how can I stop it?
There are several troubleshooting steps we can take in situations such as this one. First, let's look in Console.
The next time you encounter the problem, reboot the Mac and launch Console first. Scroll up to examine the messages that occurred immediately before the startup messages. The easiest way to do this is to look in "All Messages" and scroll up, keeping an eye on the timestamps. Once you find the gap preceding your reboot, stop and examine those messages, looking for clues as to what caused the issue.
The next steps are to perform both a PRAM and SMC reset. For instructions on PRAM resets, see Apple's support article HT1379. For SMC reset instructions, which vary by machine, see article HT3964.
Finally, the next time you encounter the problem but before rebooting the computer, see if you can connect to it from another Mac while it's in its black-screen state. This will require some configuration beforehand.
Using System Preferences, jot down the instructions on how to remotely connect to your Mac.
Go to System Preferences > Sharing and enable Remote Login. Once enabled, you'll see instructions on the right for how to connect to your Mac remotely. Write these down for later. Then, once the machine is in its black-screen state, attempt to connect via Terminal using the instructions you wrote down.
If the connection is successful, you can try to look at the recent logs by typing:
sudo dmesg
Here, again, look for any clue as to what's causing the issue. At the very least, this remote connection will give you an opportunity to power down the Mac properly (as opposed to a forced restart). To do this, type:
sudo shutdown -r now
Hopefully, one of these methods will either solve your problem or point you in the right direction.


text:
Thomas was a Starfury pilot assigned to Babylon 5's Delta Squadron, flying under the callsign "Delta 9." Thomas was known to sometimes display a disdain for authority, and he cared little for ranks. All he wanted was to get to the controls of his Starfury. In 2261, Thomas was with Commander Susan Ivanova's Starfury Squadron when they discovered the Thirdspace artifact in hyperspace, while returning to the station following a successful ambush of raider forces. When the artifact turned out to be a jumpgate to another universe inhabited by hostile species, Thomas and the rest of Delta Squadron tried to destroy it, but were killed by the Thirdspace Aliens.[1]
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.


text:
Traditional Buddhism describes certain qualities of mind that arise from meditation practice and following the precepts. Known as the Four Immeasurables (or Brahmaviharas), the qualities of benevolence, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity signify the awakened mind.
Lately I've been considering trust as another signifier. I don't mean trust in a person, thing, or story; that kind of trust often signifies a confused or dependent mind.
Rather, I'm talking about the capacity for trusting actual experience, moment to moment. Too often we don't perceive experience with clarity and thus can fall into a kind of blind belief.
Trust points to a different way of attaining what appears in mind: recognizing the ongoing flow of experience for exactly what it is, the passing weather. We can trust that mind is always changing, that formations come and go, and not attach to any of it.
Moment after month, just this.


text:
Why walk when you can ride a two wheel electric scooter?
When having a busy schedule, every minute you save is important. If you need to walk every morning to work and this daily routing has become rather boring, you now have an amazing alternative. A Two Wheel Electric Scooter can make your trip to work, to the grocery store or even your walk through the park a fun one. You can end up even saving some time and enjoy every minute of your stroll, no matter where you need to go.
Arriving at work faster
If your office or work place is a mile or a few block away, there is probably no point on taking your car or public transportation to arrive there. However, walking every single morning to your job can end up being boring and tiring. You can have a few extra minutes of sleep in the morning, by going to your job on a two wheel electric scooter. This innovative scooter has not been on the market for a long time, but has become very popular, even among Hollywood stars. If you are not the type of person who enjoys walking every single day, then this scooter is the perfect solution for you. You can easily travel to any location you want, save some time and not worry about where to put it. When riding a bike or driving a car to any location, you end up worrying about finding a parking space for you car, or a spot where you can leave your bike. You may even leave home much earlier to have enough time to park your car. If you are tired of facing the same issues every day, but still you are not thrilled by the idea of going by foot to work or any other place, then an electric scooter can become your saver. You will be able to easily place it anywhere in your office, leaving you with no worries, and saving you time.
Having fun
A trip to work can turn itself into a fun one, and give your day the perfect start it needs, if you choose an electric scooter. Riding a two wheel electric scooter can be the perfect replacement for any method of transportation you have, either bus, car, biker or walking. Enjoying a fun ride each morning can have a really positive impact on your mood. Just by giving this scooter a try you will see how enjoyable any morning can be. You will no longer leave your house in a bad mood, but rather be excited every time you step out, thinking that you will be able to enjoy your new scooter for a few minutes. You can purchase such a scooter with ease, in what color you like, just by looking it up online. You even have the chance to enjoy a fun night ride, because a two wheel scooter can even come with a LED headlight. You will be eager to leave the house and go everywhere with your new toy.


text:
I was going to blog about some new education research, but that can wait. I feel compelled, instead, to write about Mitt Romney's closed-door comments about government dependency, which were leaked by Mother Jones yesterday. Here's what Romney told a group of donors:
"There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe that government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what… Our message of low taxes doesn't connect…so my job is is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives. What I have to do is convince the five to 10 percent in the center that are independents, that are thoughtful…."
I predict that until this blows over, liberals will take to the airwaves to blast Romney for his callousness and lack of concern for half of the country that he wants to govern. They are right. The comments are insensitive by any measuring stick, just as it was insensitive for Obama in 2008 to talk about bitter conservatives "clinging to their guns and religion" at his own closed-door event. That's the easy point to make.
For the moment, let's also ignore two inconvenient truths for Romney. First, most households that pay no income taxes do pay thousands of dollars in payroll taxes and sales taxes. Second, many households in the top half of the earnings distribution claim thousands of dollars in generous government subsidies – there is a welfare state for the rich too. So the simple view that the bottom half lives on government welfare, and the top half does not is simply wrong.
That said, let's try to unpack the statement a bit more carefully. If the statement reflects a belief that people vote their economic self-interest – the median voter hypothesis – then that claim is easily debunked. But I think the statement also gives us some insight into a belief about dependency and government welfare. One idea Romney may be expressing is that people become accustomed to living in a welfare state, and that affects their incentives to work, and to claim benefits.
On this blog, we have tried to review some of the research for this claim. Ben has written thoughtfully about this issue before. As Ben points out, the welfare state can have different effects on people's behavior – causing them to reject taking terrible jobs out of desperation on the one hand, but encouraging greater contribution to collective schemes and encouraging a work ethic in solidaristic societies on the other hand. In other words, people do not perform a simple-minded cost benefit analysis of whether to take welfare benefits or enter the labor market, but rather they depend on many subtle social norms to shape their attitudes to work. If people feel disrespected in the labor market, they may seek some other alternative that they think is more dignified.
That does not prove that welfare dependency is not a problem. A central tension in American social policy (and in Britain too) has always been between conservatives who emphasize that many people that are permanently dependent upon the welfare state could be working more productively, versus liberals who emphasize that government dependency often reflects stark inequalities in health, wealth, and social resources. But these positions are not mutually exclusive. The interesting question, which is rarely asked in a thoughtful manner, is how to encourage more empowering work in a cultural and economic context that does not encourage stable employment and upward mobility.
Even if you think that the government should be doing more to inculcate a culture of hard work, and an aversion to dependency, you can still believe in a safety net. Other than the libertarian fringe, the right and leftwing consensus in American politics has always been that the government is in the business of providing citizens with a minimal entitlement of food, housing, health care – the list of things that Romney dismisses out of hand. The idea of a government responsibility for providing the essentials needed to avoid material deprivation resonates widely, even if the package has never been comprehensive or complete. If Romney wants to redefine that consensus too, he should speak more clearly about his guiding political philosophy. He should lay out his vision for what binds us together as fellow participants in a joint system of economic cooperation. And he might have to apologize a bit more for his "mistakes" as governor of Massachusetts.


text:
Use this syrup to make a pitcher of Granada de Amor. Plus: Ultimate Cocktail Guide
How to Make It
In a heatproof bowl, combine the hot Simple Syrup with the cinnamon sticks. Let cool, then refrigerate overnight. Strain the syrup into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.


text:
Welcome to my first build, a set of adirondack chairs.
It doesn't take long living on a ranch to realize a hard fact: Ranchers buy new (or new to us) equipment, breeding animals and upgrade facilities (new barn and pipe corrals) but never, ever do they buy new furniture. This ranch wife and mom covets beautiful, rustic style furniture. It's no surprise that to fill the ranch house with new furniture……I'm going to have to figure out a way to build it myself.
This realization led me to discover and become obsessed with Ana White and her amazing website chock full of plans designed for the novice woodworker.
That's me, the very definition of novice woodworker. The extent of my experience is a high school wood shop class a million years ago. Be gentle….this is a learn by doing process.
After countless hours of contemplation, I chose Ana's Home Depot DIH Workshop Adirondack Chair as my very first build.
I figured that should the end result be less than stellar, outdoor furniture would be more forgiving. Or at least I won't have to stare at a wobbly, not square coffee table everyday for the rest of my life LOL!
Here's how we roll…………..
Two adirondack chairs worth of redwood hauled from the shop to front lawn in our trusty red wagon. The shop is way to far away from sleeping babies to get any work done.
I had high hopes of photographing each and every cut with the miter saw. It didn't take long to learn that saws produce way to much dust for a camera to handle.
Wouldn't it be nice to roll the miter saw outside to work in fresh air.
Tool Wish List #1: Rolling Miter Saw stand
The cast of characters all stored in my handy pink rolling tool bag.
Look closely and you can see that tools are labeled, "Borrow me and return me to the house".
Hmmmmmm……wonder why that is necessary 😛
Here we go! Pre-drilling holes with my recent birthday present an 18v Impact Driver.
Love, love, love it (thank you honey)!
It's small, fits my hand, light weight and easy to change out bits and driver. What more could a girl ask for?
It has also become the favorite tool to borrow around the ranch. Remember….this baby belongs in a pink tool bag in the house!
Glueing, clamping and sinking screws into chair backs.
Self-tapping, outdoor screws definitely worth the extra cost.
Yes, I know……rookie mistake…….the driver bits go into the extender doohickey not directly into the driver. No wonder they wouldn't tighten and kept falling out LOL!
Finishing up a chair back. You can see how sidewalk chalk kept the Ranch Princess busy while Mommy worked on chairs.
Lesson learned: When the plans say use 1 1/4″ screws there is a reason.
Oops! The 1 1/2 inchers poked thru the back.
But, hey, that's why wood filler comes in handy.
Lots of holes to fill.
Not a fast process.
I may leave the screws au-naturale next time around. In the end, I chose a clear coat to protect chairs. No color to grab wood filler so you can see holes anyway.
I also chose to leave the chair backs straight as opposed to the traditional adirondack curved back.
Tool Wish List #2: Jigsaw to cut a curve.
On a high note, another favorite new tool is the cordless Corner Cat. Made the tedious process of sanding much, much easier.
Tool Wish List #3: A spare 18v battery for this bad boy.
Sand, sand and sand some more.
Then of course this is Montana and chairs got rained on before I got them sealed.
We had a birthday party and they got used before I got them sealed.
Then they got rained on again…..before I got them sealed.
Did I mention sand, sand and sand once again?
Tool Wish List #4: Shop Vac to clean up this mess.
By far the most intimidating part of the process for me is the finish work (you'd think it would be using the saw).
I am overwhelmed by choices of stain, sealing products and how to apply.
Not to mention the hazard warnings on some stain products. Caution: used rags can spontaneously combust…..what, are you kidding me?
I knew I was in the market for a water-based product. Easy soap and water clean-up with reduced toxicity.
I found it in Seal-Once on the Montana Timber Products website.
It's non-toxic, non-flammable, water-based for easy clean-up, environmentally friendly and get this……protects wood for up to 10 years. WOW!
Better yet, Seal-Once is made in the USA.
I'm trying out Seal-Once in natural clear for the redwood chairs. You can actually buy it with stain already added…..handy!
Had the consistency of skim milk.
Easy to apply. Very little hassle with drips. Second coat applied to damp first coat so entire process was fast.
With two small children underfoot, fast is good. Very, very good!
Not sure I used the right type of brush????
Redwood soaked it right up. Dry to use in a couple of hours which was about the time chairs got rained on once again.
No surprise there, it's September in Montana.
Beautiful and so happy with results!


text:
We at The Tippecanoe County Amphitheater would like to welcome you to our FAQ page. Below you will learn more about some of our rules put in place at the theater. (((RULES?! WHO NEEDS RULES?!))) Well, we just want everyone to coexists and have a great/ safe time at the Amphitheater! So please take a look and familiarize yourself to the Amphitheater.
I would like to rent or book an event at the Amphitheater. What should I do?
Please fill out the form on our Rental page with a brief description of your event.
What is your capacity?
1500 seats in the Amphitheater and up to 8,000 on the grounds for a festival style event.
What time do doors open for an event?
Doors usually open one hour prior to the first act while the parking lot will open 2 hours prior to the first act. Please refer to the calendar for exact times.
Do you charge for parking?
Is smoking allowed?
No smoking is allowed in the Amphitheater or in the rain shelter. There is however a designated smoking area located away from the venue. Violators will be removed from the venue, with no refund.
What can I not bring into the Amphitheater?
Illegal substances of any kind, firearms, fireworks, anything that resembles a weapon, outside food, and drinks are STRICTLY PROHIBITED on any premises of the venue.
How do I buy tickets for an event?
Tickets for the Amphitheater can be purchased on our website at www.tippcoamphitheater.com, through Ticketfly, or at our box office which opens one hour before gates. NOTE: All tickets are rain or shine. Plus all ticket sales are final unless the event is cancelled at which you will need to contact Ticketfly Customer Support.
Where and when can I pick up my will call tickets?
Will call tickets can be picked up at the box office on the day of the event, one hour before doors open.
Is there seating at the Amphitheater?
Yes, 1500 of them with most of our shows being reserved seating and the occasional general admission show. We typically sell VIP tickets which include premium seating, air conditioned viewing room with beverages and snacks. Plus a side stage observation deck to get a true feel of the concert!
Is there ADA seating?
Yes, we have two sections up top that require no steps which will accommodate 20 seats or mobile chairs.
Do I need a ticket for my child/baby to attend a concert?
How do I get a backstage pass?
You must know the secret handshake.
Are there hotels near by?
(I would like a map that includes hotels that people can click on)???
Is there production information for the Amphitheater?
Please email firstname.lastname@example.com for any information regarding production aspects of the Amphitheater.
Is there alcohol at the Amphitheater?
Most if not all of our concerts will have alcohol sales. NOTE: you must be 21 and provide a valid ID to purchase alcohol at the
Is there a lost and found?
From time to time we end up with all sorts of items left behind. Please call 765-463-2211 and leave a message with a description of your lost item and we will do our best to get you reunited with your inanimate object.
Can I take pictures or videos of the event?
The Amphitheater does not allow any professional photo, video or audio recording unless it has been pre-approved by the artist and the Amphitheater. Flash photography is never allowed.


text:
Some of the readers in New Bedford were born preachers .... They read neither too slow nor too fast. They lingered over words. They savored the stage directions of punctuation. Others were young, or inexperienced, or melodramatic. The resulting flavors were humorous (when an English captain took on a thick Brooklyn brogue) or painful (when the most basic words were mispronounced, prompting one friend to quip, "So that's how Latin turned into English."). Yet there was always something fabulously democratic about the mélange. Our lack of reading aloud, or perhaps more accurately, our lack of listening, is the death of our pronunciation. Moby-Dick is advanced; there are deceptive nautical terms where only half the letters are pronounced and 25-cent words galore. When they were spoken correctly, they sang. We listeners learned.
The "stage directions of punctuation" is a nice touch.
HT: New Bedford Whaling Museum blog.


text:
President Robert Mugabe and his closest ally yesterday launched a highly personal, orchestrated attack on Tony Blair, effectively hijacking the Earth Summit to blame Britain for Zimbabwe's crisis.
"Blair, keep your England and let me keep my Zimbabwe," the 78-year-old leader declared to loud applause.
His outburst - and an attack by his friend, Sam Nujoma, the Namibian president - dramatically upstaged Mr Blair's speech during a flying visit to the summit and his attempt to highlight Britain's commitment to environmental targets.
Mr Mugabe had taken his seat at the Johannesburg conference to hear opening remarks by Kofi Annan, the United Nations secretary-general.
Within an hour he had slouched in his chair with his eyes closed and appeared to be asleep. But he was galvanised into action when Mr Blair walked in.
He jumped to his feet and stalked out, leaving the Zimbabwe desk unmanned, reappearing only as Mr Blair wound up his six-minute speech.
After the walk-out, the Namibian leader took up the cudgels. The Prime Minister sat stony-faced listening to Mr Nujoma's remarks, which appeared to have wrong-footed the British delegation.
Diplomats had moved Mr Blair's speaking slot from the afternoon because it was close to that of Mr Mugabe's, but they failed to anticipate Mr Nujoma's attack.
"Here in southern Africa we have one problem and it was created by the British," Mr Nujoma said, waving his finger. "The Honourable Tony Blair is here and they created the situation in Zimbabwe."
Mr Nujoma's attack bore all the signs of Mr Mugabe's hand, with Zimbabwe's state-owned Herald newspaper giving it front-page treatment.
Mr Blair was not in the chamber when Mr Mugabe departed from his prepared text on sustainable development to make his most inflammatory remarks.
"Sustainable development is not possible without agrarian reforms that acknowledge that land comes first before all else and that all else grows from the land," he said.
"In our situation, this fundamental has pitted the black majority against an obdurate and internationally well-connected racial minority, largely of British descent, brought in and sustained by British colonialism, now being supported and manipulated by the Blair government."
Mr Mugabe's remarks on the sovereignty of Zimbabwe generated most applause.
"We say this as Zimbabweans: we have fought for our land, we have fought for our sovereignty; small as we are, we have won our independence and we are prepared to shed our blood in sustenance and maintenance and protection of that independence.
"We do not mind having and bearing sanctions banning us from Europe; we are not Europeans; we have not asked for any square inch of that territory. So, Blair, keep your England and let me keep my Zimbabwe."
Mr Mugabe's words divided the summit between the developing and the developed worlds.
One of his sternest critics, the New Zealand prime minister, Helen Clark, blamed his policies for exacerbating a food crisis in southern Africa.
Without naming him, she said pointedly: "In one case, this disaster has been made much worse by deliberate and cynical government policies."
But the generally positive reaction to the outbursts underlined how the indignation felt by Britain, Europe and America at Mr Mugabe's land-grab policy is not shared by many in Africa.
Speaking 10 minutes after Mr Nujoma, Mr Blair stressed the main theme of the summit: the need to fight poverty.
The industrialised world must open up its markets to developing countries, he said.
He also stressed his "passion for Africa". But as he flew home last night after 12 hours in South Africa, that passion will have been stretched to breaking point.
The Tories criticised Mr Blair for failing to deal with Zimbabwe in his speech. Michael Ancram, the Tory party chairman, said his "reheated and high-flown rhetoric" had ignored the seriousness of the situation.
"The nearest the Prime Minister came to addressing the horrors of Zimbabwe was to refer, in Mozambique [on Sunday] to Mugabe's 'incompetence, mismanagement and corruption'," he said.
"Those who are being persecuted, tortured, raped, murdered and deliberately starved will find little recognition in these mealy-mouthed words."
Mr Blair later dismissed Mr Nujoma's comments. "What the president of Namibia said is what he has always said - he said it at the Commonwealth heads of government meeting a few months ago. It doesn't make it any more sensible, however."
The Prime Minister insisted that the view expressed by Mr Mugabe and Mr Nujoma was not "the voice of Africa", although there is no willingness from South Africa or other neighbouring countries to back Britain's condemnation of the Mugabe regime.
Thabo Mbeki, the South African president and chairman of the summit, did nothing to rein in the Mugabe camp, risking Britain's unqualified backing for Mr Mbeki's economic regeneration plan.


text:
Originally Posted by Z
I have been publicly pushing for such "real bumps on track" since 2005, and so far nothing. Apparently bumps are "sooo NOT F1"! An "engineering" contest this ain't!
Real bumps on track => REAL NEED for good suspension => MUCH LEARNING by students => better road cars.
Bumps are for Baja and NASCAR.
Kettering University Vehicle Dynamics
Formula SAE 2010 - 2015
Clean Snowmobile Powertrain 2012 - 2015
Boogityland 2015 - Present
Forum Rules


text:
eBay presents an well-nigh watertight trade from warren possibleness for various entrepreneursability. You can variety wealth on eBay to additive a well-lined occurrence job, it is wonderful for wait at warren moms and what an possibleness for retirees. In reality various of eBay's well-lined occurrence thespian present started as subdivision occurrence thespian once theyability prototypical entered the eBay souk.
Unlike various firm opportunitiesability you can variety wealth on eBay from well-nigh anywhere. It doesn't thing whether you untaped in downtown New York Inner-city or the lonely reaches of Montana, within is an possibleness for occurrence.
You can variety wealth on eBay no thing who you are. It doesn't thing whether you are vindicatory out of university or inactive. It doesn't thing whether you have a utmost university credentials or a body level. The eBay possibleness is tight for all.Post ads:
Pendleton Men's Diamond Desert Shawl Collar Pullover / Smartwool Men's Smartloft Divide Full Zip Jacket / Intimo Men's Liquid Metallic Boxers / Woolrich Men's Cross Country V-Neck / Jack Nicklaus Men's V-Neck Sweater / Port & Company Mock Turtleneck - PC61M / Dockers Men's 2-Pack Hip Brief / Men&rsquos UA Performance AllSeasonGear Pants Bottoms by / Neckties By Scott Allan, 100% Woven Turquoise & Silver Tie / Outdoor Research Highpoint Cap / Santa Belt Leather with Design 3 1/2" / Stacy Adams Underwear Men's Regular Sleep Short / Trendy Striped Beanie - Red White W29S18F / Columbia Men's Grid Grit 1/2 Zip / Persol Sunglasses - PO2747S / Volcom Men's Scalloped Boardshort / RVCA Men's Movement Trucker / Jaxon Corduroy Ivy Cap / Men&rsquos UA Flex Stripe 10&rdquo Shorts Bottoms by
One of the valid advantagesability to an eBay firm is thatability you have a very big number of ready, willing and able and able expected buyers vindicatory ready and waiting. You can variety wealth on eBay short various of the collection social group challengesability thatability travel next to some other online businesses. Your pilot oppose is uncovering the word-perfect productsability and past vindicatory feat thatability existent collection to travel to your listingsability. As you indefinite quantity undertake you can swot up much worldly-wise collection strategiesability to variety even much income.
Give eBay a try. You can only written record as a vendee and swot up the supports time you start on to work on a thick useful natural process transcription. After production a few purchasesability the subsequent tread is to written record as a wholesaler. Form a few income and you will shortly cognize the basics of income. From within you can wish if the possibleness to variety wealth on eBay is word-perfect for you.
To Your eBay Success!Post ads:
Smartwool Men's Microweight Bottoms / Gorgonz 21300-001-01 Basic Fleece Ear Grips / Calvin Klein Men's Regular Fit Mini Check Dress Shirt / Nautica Men's Suit Separate Pant, Brown / Bosca Old Leather Deluxe Front Pocket Wallet / Mountain Khakis Men's Original Cargo Pant / Tommy Hilfiger Men's Bradford Passcase Wallet / TheLees Mens 2 tone sllim fit dress shirts / Calvin Klein Sportswear Men's Links 1/4 Zip / Kenneth Cole Men's Pleather Moto Jacket / Emporio Armani Men's Basic Stretch Boxer Brief / Geoffrey Beene Men's Reversible Short / Kings' Court Big & Tall NoHassle Long-Sleeve Dress Shirt / LRG Hustle Trees Hat / Devon & Jones D500 Mens Long-Sleeve Titan Twill / Indera - Mens Long Sleeve Thermal Top, Navy, 810LS 27465 / Tommy Hilfiger Men's Signature Print Boxer / Southpole Men's Vertical Script Logo Fashion Tee / Reebok Men's 6 Pair Cotton Crew Sock


text:
The King of Sontar was the first story in the third series of the Fourth Doctor Adventures, produced by Big Finish Productions. It was written by John Dorney and featured Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor and Louise Jameson as Leela.
Publisher's summary Edit
Dowcra base. The third Elite Sontaran Assassination Squad closes in on its target. A dozen trained killers, but even they will be unable to bring down the invincible Strang...
Manipulated by the Time Lords, the TARDIS also arrives on Dowcra. And the Doctor is set to encounter the greatest Sontaran ever cloned...
Plot Edit
Part one Edit
to be added
Part two Edit
to be added
Cast Edit
- The Doctor - Tom Baker
- Leela - Louise Jameson
- Strang/Hutchins - Dan Starkey
- Rosato - David Collings
- Vilhol/Mercenary #1 - John Banks
- Irving/Garn/Tashan/Mercenary #2 - David Seddon
- Reaver - Jenny Funnell
References Edit
to be added
Notes Edit
- This story was recorded on 18 July 2012.
- This is the first audio story to pair the Fourth Doctor with the Sontarans; previously, Big Finish have used Sontarans with the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors.
- This story was released on CD and download.
Continuity Edit
- The Doctor tells Leela that the Time Lords once sent him into a war zone on Skaro to avert the creation of the Daleks. (TV: Genesis of the Daleks)
- Rosato refers to the Human-Draconian War. (TV: Frontier in Space)
- Leela meets the Sontarans again during the invasion of Gallifrey. (TV: The Invasion of Time)
External links Edit
- Official The King of Sontar page at bigfinish.com
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.


text:
So welcome to November guys! I hope you all had a wonderfully Autumnal, slightly spooky, productive, healthy, happy October. My October has been pretty memorable, and very surreal in parts, and a lot has happened, so here's the low-down.
October's memorable moment
The latter half of October has been a frenzy of work-related stress, last-minute tickets to shows and events, and of course, finally buying our flat, so I am finding myself drawn to mention some of the more serene moments from the beginning of October, such as walking along Brighton beach and watching the sun go down, filling our lungs with fresh air in the fields near Dan's parents' house, or reminiscing about all of the weird things I've collected over the years.
I was also lucky enough to attend an event to celebrate the UK launch of a fashion app called The Hunt, where I got to meet up with some of my blogging pals Angelica and Charlotte, as well as meeting the bloggers behind the fellow Owlishly named blog Two Little Owls, and ogling Rosie Fortescue from Made in Chelsea from afar. The venue was half aeroplane-themed and half 70s disco-themed. A bizarre yet winning combo in my opinion.
October's Instagram moments
This month, I indulged my rural side, admired the Cambridge skyline from the top of a multi-storey car park (some of the best views are from the top of car parks - pro-tip!), continued to commute to work on the ricketiest trains imaginable, and... bought a flat. Say whaaaaaaaa......?!
Songs on repeat in October
I have to say, I've definitely been on the Taylor Swift bandwagon this month. I made a decision some time ago, to stop being a snob about popular music, and to just enjoy it. Gone are the days when I tut and shake my head at a song just because it is popular rather than tapping my feet and nodding my head because I actually appreciate the craftsmanship that has gone into creating it. Plus, in the case of Taylor Swift, you can see such personal progression and development when you listen to all of her albums back to back, which I really enjoy. I'm not going to write an essay about her here (although I totally could), but if you're one of the 0.5 people who hasn't already listened to Out of the Woods then you should get your act together and experience its dark synthy nostalgia now. I've also been listening to Starman by David Bowie because I was recently reminded of the time I begged my Dad to call up the local radio and request it, but they didn't have it so they played me Rebel Rebel instead. I was about eight years old, and I was so angry that they didn't have the entire Bowie back catalogue. HOW DARE.
Blogs I've loved this month
My friend Freya is a very eloquent and very beautiful young woman who writes with painfully sharp accuracy about how it feels to live with a mental illness. I've known Freya for a very long time and I thought I'd give her new blog a bit of exposure here because she has a lot to say and I think that it's really important to read first-hand accounts of things like depression and anxiety, whether you suffer from these things personally or not. It's good to know that someone feels the same way that you do, if you do feel that way, and it's vital that you begin to understand how people live with mental illness if you are a mentally well person. That said, if you are triggered by frank discussion of mental illness, it's probably best to give this a miss for the moment.
Another blog I've loved this month (and will love foreverrrrr) is A Certain Adventure by my new friend Tamsin. We were both at Cambridge but managed to miss one another until recently when we stumbled into one another through the internet. Tamsin writes about food and frolics and all of the fun that I absolutely love to read about, and she is just so friendly! So you should definitely give her blog a read!
What was your highlight, this October? And tell me if you did anything exciting for Hallowe'en, because I didn't even dress up in the end! Everything was so hectic!


text:
Thursday, August 28, 2014
ODM holds a private parliamentary group meeting
Posted by ME at 4:02 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
The site will post the latest news from Kenya without bias. Please visit regularly to receive breaking news. Thank you for visiting. FOR DAILY INSPIRATIONS, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.


text:
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) is seeking applicants for the position of Department Head of Civil Engineering.
The BS program offered by the Department is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org). The MS program is offered with thesis and project options. Both degrees are accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Department currently has 23 full-time faculty, 3 lab instructors, a technician, an administrative assistant, approximately 570 undergraduate students and 40 master students. Strengths include a dedicated, energetic and collegial faculty, an engaged student body, state-of-the-art laboratories, and a highly supportive college and university administration. Students and faculty represent very diverse backgrounds and nationalities; more than 90 nationalities are present on campus. A major facilities expansion for the College is under way that will approximately double the lab, classroom, office and support functions of the College and Department. This expansion includes programmatic development of a doctoral program, which is currently in the approval phase. More information about the University, College and Department may be found online at http://www.aus.edu.
AUS is located in the Emirate of Sharjah, one of the seven emirates within the United Arab Emirates. It is a 20 minute drive from Dubai. The UAE is a highly diversified, technologically advanced and secure country with an excellent reputation for tourism, business, and engineering. The University, founded in 1997, is a private, not-for-profit, co-educational institution with a healthy mix between teaching and research activities. Funding for research projects and graduate students is provided internally from AUS and externally from a variety of corporate, governmental and international sources.
The successful candidate must hold earned degrees, including the doctorate, in Civil Engineering or a very closely related area. A demonstrated record of excellence in teaching, scholarship and professional service is required. Preference will be given to candidates with ABET-accreditation experience.
The successful candidate must be a dynamic and innovative individual with demonstrated leadership and administrative experience within the context of the American education model. Strong communication skills to engage with a wide variety of constituents within and outside the University are necessary. The selected individual will have the opportunity to develop and articulate a vision and long-range plan for the Department in research strategy to include areas vital to Sharjah, UAE and the Region. Enhancing funding opportunities for research, outreach and graduate student support are important dimensions that the Department Head will lead.
Individuals interested in this strategic position in the College of Engineering should submit a letter of interest detailing experience and accomplishments directly related to the requirements stated above, a full CV, and the names and contact details of three references by January 31, 2016. Applications should be submitted as a single PDF file via e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com. The anticipated start date is August 2016.
Read more


text:
PundiX has implemented blockchain technology for easy payments at the Ultra Music Festival in Taiwan. CEO Zac Cheah of PundiX told that they served thousands of festival goers with their easy blockchain payment system. A payment using the PundiX system, only took a few seconds. Consumers needed to hand over their XPASS cards and a quick scan would confirm enough credit available and would immediately process the payment.
Ultra Music Festival is a major EDM festival with 30 thousands visitors. PundiX Labs provided 50 merchants on site with their XPOS system. This made the event one of the largest tests of blockchain payment technology in a real world environment. At the festival, consumers could charge their cards with Ultra Coins. This crypto currency was made only for the festival and serves no uses outside the festival grounds. By using the XPASS card, users would also earn 1000 NPXS. This card might very well be their introduction into crypto currencies and blockchain technology.
Two days of #ULTRA Taiwan is a wrap! We've managed to serve thousands of festival goers under difficult weather conditions. Transaction speed is the key. #PundiX #NPXS #NPXSXEM #blockchain pic.twitter.com/WXaSINGlj4
— Zac (@zibin) September 10, 2018
NPXS can be used for all kinds of transactions. On their website PundiX mentions payment options, online food orders, or cryptocurrency sales. At the festival the company uses their special hardware, called XPOS. These Points of Sale (POS) would read the cards and would check whether the user has enough crypto currency available. The system supports coins like BTC, ETH, NPXS, XEM, XLM, BNB, ZEC, QTUM and WAN. Obviously you would always pay in a local currency, and the amount of crypto for each transaction is dependent on the current market. But it works, and it's a great way to see blockchain technology in action!
PundiX is aimed at consumer payments, and this test couldn't be a better example. Music festivals and blockchain technology go well together. The Amsterdam based GUTS ticketing system uses their in-house Guaranteed Entrance Protocol (GET). Which is basically an entrance ticket on the blockchain, making sure there are no illegal copies in circulation. There ought to be more projects that offer real life practices, because that would be blockchain tech so much more accepted by a broader audience.


text:
Squash Facility
Llanelli Tennis & Squash Club offers some of the best facilities and playing opportunities in the West Wales – within a friendly and welcoming club environment.
We have 3 squash courts maintained to a high standard. Our facilities are often used to host regional and national competitions that bring top players in the world.


text:
What is a Substance Abuse Intervention?
A substance abuse intervention is a technique used by families and friends of addicts to confront the problem and offer help. Whether it is alcohol, drugs, gambling, or sex addiction, a substance abuse intervention can help the addict understand the problem and take action through treatment. An intervention can be formal or informal. The purpose of both is to lead the addict to resources for help.
An informal substance abuse intervention involves having a discussion with the addict. Formal interventions involve a structured meeting with the addict. A group of family members, friends, and coworkers usually are brought together along with the substance abuser to discuss the addiction and its effects on each person's life. This technique is often used when other avenues of help have been refused. Whether informal or formal, professionals typically suggest conducting interventions when the addict is not under the influence of his or her addiction.
When seeking a formal substance abuse intervention, the first step is to gather all the people that are close to the substance abuser. These people may be family members, friends, employers, coworkers, or neighbors. Anyone who has witnessed firsthand the physical and emotional damage caused by the substance abuser may play a role in the intervention.
The next step is to meet with a professional that can guide the intervention. This person can be a therapist or counselor with experience in substance abuse interventions who can educate the loved ones on what to expect during the intervention. The interventionist can also help them organize their comments in order to increase the chances of a successful outcome.
Meeting with the substance abuser is the final step. Under the supervision of the interventionist, the group expresses concern for the addict, presents factual evidence of the personal impact of the addiction, and presses the person to face the problem. Each participant states what consequence will occur if their loved one refuses treatment.
Professional interventionists usually advise that people involved in the process stay calm and show concern. They suggest loved ones confronting substance abusers cite specific incidents of the person's addiction, as well as information they know firsthand. Intervention guides typically warn participants to prepare for denial and resentment from the substance abuser.
The goal of a substance abuse intervention is to get the person to attend a treatment program immediately. It is not enough for the substance abuser to promise to quit. He or she must commit to get help during the intervention in order for it to be considered a success. The guide typically will advise the participants to work out all details of the treatment, including insurance and travel arrangements, so that the substance abuser can get the help he or she needs immediately.


text:
Fetal Death Associated
with Agricultural Pesticide Use
Reuters Health reports on a new study by lead author Dr. Erin M. Bell in the March issue of the journal Epidemiology (vol. 22, pps. 148-156.) finding that pregnant woman living near agricultural land where pesticides are applied have a greater risk of fetal death due to birth defects.
The study evaluated 1984 pesticide application data from 10 counties in California and identified 73 women who had a fetus die due to heart malformations, missing parts of the fetus' brain or spinal cord, among other birth defects. These women were compared with 611 women who gave birth to healthy infants. The researchers then compared both groups of women to the information on agricultural pesticide use near their homes.
Pesticide exposure during the 3rd and 8th weeks of pregnancy, were the most vulnerable times to which the fetus was affected by pesticides. Bell stated in an interview with Reuters Health that the association between pesticide exposure and fetal death "increased for women living within one mile of the field where pesticide application occurred."
The study states that the authors', "exposure classification method did not guarantee that a mother was, in fact, exposed, because wind and weather conditions, hour of application and the location of the mother at the time of the application are all factors that would determine actual exposure." Bell told Reuters Health, "Future research will need to define actual exposures to pesticides and their effect on particular time periods during a woman's pregnancy."
Bell researched the
study while at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health,
Chapel Hill and currently works at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda,


text: Zimbabwe, a natural and beauty country is located between South Africa and Zambia, full of a spectacular scenery. Zimbabwe boasts the famous Victoria Falls, the giant marble-like boulders of the Motopo Hills, the mountains of the Eastern Highlands, national parks, the Great Zimbabwe ancient ruins and the country's impressive capital city, Harare. Other major cities include Bulawayo, Chitungwiza, Mutare, Gweru, …Read More »


text:
Sister Kathy Long turned toward my 13-year-old daughter and asked one question: "What will you tell your friends about spending this month in Mexico?"
In a public park in Cuernavaca, Mexico, we sat on a concrete bench next to six women who chatted and stitched embroidery patterns with brightly colored thread.
I glanced toward the sewing group, realizing that Maya would have rolled her eyes if I had asked her that same question. An intrusive query from a mother seemed compelling coming from a Catholic nun who worked in Mexico, promoted justice amid poverty, and even spent three months in jail for protesting the military training of Latin American leaders in the U.S.
"I will tell them that rich people and poor people are all people in the end," Maya responded. "If you have three cars and two houses, you are a person just like someone whose house is made of cardboard or metal."
Maya and my 6-year-old daughter, Annie Sky, volunteered with a kindergarten program in La Estación, a squatters' settlement that is home to about 5,000 families in Cuernavaca. Sister Kathy facilitates such cross-cultural exchanges in her leadership at the Cuernavaca Center for Cross-Cultural Dialogue and Development (CCIDD), an ecumenical social justice center with a 35-year history in Mexico.
When we visited families in La Estación, Sister Kathy pointed out that most of the roofs were too flimsy for CCIDD to construct rainwater catchment systems. We talked about the challenges faced by these households to respond to fluctuations in the weather, the economy, and access to natural resources such as water.
Communities across the globe are being affected by the impacts of climate change, from food insecurity to extreme temperatures, but those with more resources are better able to adapt. My daughter was right: the rich and the poor are all people, but climate change is having a disproportionate impact on the world's poor.
As heat waves and fires ravage the U.S. this summer, many of our politicians and conservative think-tanks continue to ignore the reality of climate change. In contrast, other countries are moving forward with plans for adaptation and mitigation
A recent study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) of 468 cities worldwide found that 95 percent of major cities in Latin America have created plans to confront the impacts of climate change, contrasted with 59 percent of major cities in the U.S. The city of Quito, Ecuador, for example, has developed strategies for dealing with probable water shortages. The MIT survey found that 79 percent of major cities worldwide had experienced changes influenced by climate change, such as in rainfall or sea level rise.
Given the state of politics in the U.S., what are the next steps for Christians who believe that all people deserve justice in the face of our changing climate?
Within congregations, houses of worship such as Oakley United Methodist Church in Asheville, N.C., have reduced their carbon emissions through church gardens, which produce food for the local community. The church parking lot now serves as the site for a weekly farmers market. Other churches have focused on stewardship of energy, such as Shiloh Baptist Church in New Jersey, which has saved $7,000 per year by installing solar panels and weatherizing the church.
And lastly, churches are translating their intentions into policy change, in places such as Washington state, where Earth Ministry led the successful battle to pass legislation in 2011 to transition the state off coal-fired power. This year, the organization 350.org is collaborating with allies including faith communities to lobby Congress against fossil fuel subsidies for industries that damage God's people and the Earth. A wide range of churches and religious organizations, from local to international, are stepping up to the task.
These changes are about more than switching from Styrofoam cups to ceramic mugs at coffee hour. This collective power can transform our congregations into relevant houses of worship responding with vision to our changing climate.
Now that's a story of justice that my daughter might want to share with her friends at school.
Mallory McDuff, Ph.D., teaches environmental education at Warren Wilson College in North Carolina. She is the author of Sacred Acts: How Churches are Working to Protect Earth's Climate (NSP, 2012) and Natural Saints (OUP, 2010).
Climate change illustration, red-feniks / Shutterstock.com
Got something to say about what you're reading? We value your feedback!


text:
The employer is no longer accepting applications for this job advert.
Schumper Limited t/a Aquila Education
Work from home, Cork
Company Overview
Schumper Limited LLC, an education technology startup based in Cork, is seeking an instructional developer for full time work. Schumper limited develops augmented and virtual reality apps for the education market, and pairs each app with curriculum and lessons for teachers and students.
Job Description
We are seeking an instructional designer who has experience designing educational curriculum for primary and secondary students, as well as developing teacher resources. This is a work from home position.
There are a variety of projects in development, which include:
Support with App Development
You will work with our Unity developer and other instructional specialists to create and identify augmented and virtual reality apps. You will not be responsible for developing the app, but provide examples and support with content and how the app can be used in a classroom setting.
Curriculum Development
You will develop a 45-60 minute lesson with a student worksheet and set learning objectives based on a topic using a variety of activities. You will also design the teacher lesson plan and presentation that will be paired with the student worksheet. This is an ongoing project, with an average of 1-2 lesson "packets" being developed each week based on a variety of topics. The lessons will be used in conjunction with the AR/VR app mentioned above.
Online Courses
Development of online courses for teachers and students based on the latest teaching strategies and relevant curriculum. You will highlight the main learning objectives for the course, break the objectives into smaller modules and then develop a series of "lessons" for each module. Each lesson can consist of Powerpoint videos (3-5 minutes), word documents, infographics and articles. This is a collaborative effort, and you will work closely with the other instructional designer in the development of the online course. We develop 1-2 courses per year.
Development of Teacher Resources
Each week we develop a series of resources to support teachers in their role. These can include short videos (1-2 minutes), infographics and blog posts. Based upon your research on the latest teaching strategies and educational technology, you can choose a topic to develop a resource to share with our online community.
Location: Work from home
Salary: €32,000 - €37,000
Additional Skills


text:
Mellon, Andrew William
- Robert L. Gale
Mellon, Andrew William (24 March 1855–26 August 1937), financier, statesman, and art collector, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Thomas Mellon, a lawyer and later a judge, entrepreneur, and banker, and Sarah Jane Negley. Mellon attended public schools in Pittsburgh and Western University of Pennsylvania (now the University of Pittsburgh). While still a student he observed his father's financial dealings with industrialists ...


text:
I could blog about this insane election. Or I could binge watch "Outlander" and just cross my fingers that we all survive another 30 days…oh, who am I kidding? I can't stop myself. Every day some new revelation come out about the Slime Mold with Toupee who is running for President and people ask me, "Didn't that thing about Trump disgust you?"
My dears, it ALL disgusts me–I've had decades of practice. He has disgusted me long before mainstream America discovered Disgustrump on The Apprentice. Long before his pathetic banter with shock jock Howard Stern when he was scrabbling for news coverage in the 90s. Since he defaced Fifth Avenue with his brass and glass ode to greed and ostentatious bad taste in the 80s he has disgusted me. Because he has ALWAYS BEEN Donald Trump. The ugly has been right there for everyone to see. Right there. What really appalls me is that it seems to have taken nothing less than him bragging about sexual assault to make some people wonder if, well, maybe, just maybe, he's not such a nice guy.
It's been a fascinating week to say the least. More revealing about what it takes for people to repudiate the Donald than anything else. Racist? Eh. Retweeting Mussolini? Hah. Insults military and Gold Star family? Meh. Publicly demeans Miss Universe and calls her fat? Whatevs. Loses nearly a billion dollars in a single tax year? Pah.
I mean, seriously, what does a guy hafta do to get dropped from a ticket around here? Hang out with Billy Bush? Ahhhhh…
Let's be real about this for just a moment. This is a man who was not having a little private joke –harharhar–with a buddy. He knew he was on mic and being recorded and since this kind of talk is so normal to him, he said it all anyway. As Natalie Morales in USA Today points out:
What transpired next, she says, was not a conversation between two men left alone during a long break in production who forgot their microphones were still hot.
"There were seven other people on the bus with Mr. Trump and Billy Bush at the time," Morales explained. "They were the two person camera crew, the bus driver, an Access Hollywood producer, a production assistant, Mr. Trump's security guard and his PR person."
The fallout from this video has meant that Republican leadership are heading down the ropes to abandon ship like hasty vermin. But guess what? His name is on all the ballots … at the very top. They won't be able to replace him with Pence, Cruz or any other of the innumerable ugly candidates at their disposal. Tens of thousands of early votes are already being cast. Too late. As one of my friends posted: "Hey, GOP-You asked for him. You weren't responsible enough to prevent him. You have to carry him to term. How does that feel?"
Needless to say, I am looking forward to this debate with both bile rising in my throat and a sense of hollow glee. I hope that Martha Raddatz and Anderson Cooper have agreed to nail him to the wall. Please let him have to answer to a woman. Face to face. With no bathroom breaks. And speaking of answering, I really hope that 6-year old Sophie Cruz got picked to ask her question:
"If you deport my parents, what happens to me?" she asked in a message posted on PresidentialOpenQuestions.com with the help of the pro-immigration group Define American.
Looking for something to call Agent Orange? Here is a helpful list of monikers for the Angry Creamsicle.
Early Voting in California starts this week
Do you live in our sunny nutty state? Early voting starts this week (various dates for various counties, so check the local election site for your county.) San Francisco voting at City Hall opens Tuesday and we are wading through the props tonight –we believe in maximizing our frustration and outrage–while watching the debate. I'm happy to share our decisions and the line of reasoning behind them once we have gotten through the behemoth voter information tome.
And speaking of Tuesday, October 11 marks 29 days before Election Day (!!!) and for many states, including swing states like Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arizona and Texas (yes, I said Arizona and Texas–hi there trending blue-ish) voter registration ends on that day. Got friends in those states? Tell them to register to vote and check their registration now!
I leave you with the happy image of the current standings on Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight predictocon.
See you after the debate!


text:
Just add water, gasses, and simple organic molecules
Space news (July 27, 2015) – the search for life beyond Earth – a simple recipe for extraterrestrial life –
NASA scientists studying the origins of organic compounds important to the development of life on Earth think they're on the trail of a cosmic "Crucible of the Building Blocks of Life". Recent experiments conducted by astrobiologists working at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland indicate asteroids and meteorites could have been the source of complex organic compounds essential to the evolution of life on Earth. Essential organic compounds they have been able to reproduce in laboratory experiments from simpler organic compounds, water, and gasses in simulations of the space environments of meteorites and asteroids.
"We found that the types of organic compounds in our laboratory-produced ices match very well to what is found in meteorites," said Karen Smith of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "This result suggests that these important organic compounds in meteorites may have originated from simple molecular ices in space. This type of chemistry may also be relevant for comets, which contain large amounts of water and carbon dioxide ices. These experiments show that vitamin B3 and other complex organic compounds could be made in space and it is plausible that meteorite and comet impacts could have added an extraterrestrial component to the supply of vitamin B3 on ancient Earth."
"This work is part of a broad research program in the field of Astrobiology at NASA Goddard. We are working to understand the origins of biologically important molecules and how they came to exist throughout the Solar System and on Earth. The experiments performed in our laboratory demonstrate an important possible connection between the complex organic molecules formed in cold interstellar space and those we find in meteorites."
The Crucible of the Building Blocks of Life
Deep within immense clouds of gas and dust created by exploding stars (supernovae) and the winds of red giant stars coming to the end of their days are countless dust grains. Many of these dust grains will end up part of asteroids and meteorites like the millions of bodies in the Main Asteroid Belt, Kuiper Belt, and Oort Cloud. Asteroids and meteorites that bombarded the Earth from space during the formation of the planets and Solar System.
NASA space scientists were able to reproduce a "Crucible of the Building Blocks of Life" using an aluminum plate cooled to minus 423 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 253 Celsius) as the cold surface of an interstellar dust grain carried by an asteroid or meteorite heading to Earth 4.5 billion years ago. The experiments were conducted in a vacuum chamber used to replicate conditions in space to which they added gasses containing water, carbon dioxide, and the simple organic compound pyridine. Bombarding the cold surface with high energy protons from a particle accelerator to simulate cosmic radiation and other radiation found in space produced more complex organic compounds like vitamin B3.
To learn more about the European Space Agency and its work with the Rosetta mission go here.
To learn more about NASA's space mission and the search for life beyond Earth visit here.
Learn more about the Goddard Space Flight Center here.
Learn more about plans to visit Jupiter's moon Europa to have a look for the ingredients that make life possible.
Read about the search for the missing link in black hole evolution.
Learn about the planets space scientists are finding orbiting four star systems.


text:
Lights! This week everything blinks to life for the holidays. Santa conducts Symphony in Lights to the music of Trans Siberian Orchestra starting at 6 p.m. nightly at the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel. At Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo, there's a new laser light show to go along with 500,000 twinkling lights, starting Friday ($2, 11 and younger free). And St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster flips the switch to light the waterfront holiday tree in North Straub Park on Friday (free).
Times Turkey Trot: Thursday is Thanksgiving, so make room for the big feast by running off a few calories in the morning. There's a 1-mile, a 5K and a 10K at Clearwater High School. $12-$25. For times and details, see tampabay.com/turkeytrot.
Date Night
Asia: The prog rock group's original lineup performs its self-titled 1982 album in its entirety, with hits Heat of the Moment and Only Time Will Tell, on Tuesday at the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater. $69-$85. (727) 791-7400.
Clay Aiken: His love of big, mushy ballads should be perfect for this Christmas concert Sunday at the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater. $55-$75. (727) 791-7400.
Florida Orchestra Pops: Conductor Jeff Tyzik leads a program of movie music, including Gone with the Wind, Ben-Hur, E.T. and Harry Potter. Shows are Friday at the Straz Center in Tampa, Saturday at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg and Sunday at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. $15-$45. (727) 892-3337 or toll-free 1-800-662-7286.
Get Roasted: The 13 Ugly Men's annual Thanksgiving Eve party that lets you get saucy before you get stuffed. It's $15 at Grand Central at Kennedy, 1120 E Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 13uglymen.com.
Kids and Family
Elf: Christmas cheer comes early with the musical based on the Will Ferrell film about a man raised as an elf, opening Tuesday at the Straz Center in Tampa. Tickets are $39.50, but you can save $20 on select seats with a food donation for shows Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. (813) 229-7827.
Black Nativity: The traditional story celebrated in Scripture, verse, dance and song belted out by Sharon Scott and company Friday through Sunday at the Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg. Free, but tickets must be picked up in advance at Palladium. (727) 895-6620.
Penguin Appreciation Days: Because who doesn't love penguins? The Florida Aquarium will have themed activities and tuxedo shirt-wearing scuba divers Friday through Sunday. Included in admission. (813) 273-4000.
More to explore
With kids off school, need more to do? Go to tampa bay.com/things-to-do.


text:
New Rochelle Flood Insurance: Key Facts About Flood Insurance
Since Hurricane Sandy, the Westchester County area has struggled to restore the damage done. In the aftermath of destruction, one tragic trend has emerged- too many property owners are either unprepared or underinsured against financial damages they could suffer in the event of a catastrophic flood.
It's a common mistake that most people assume their New Rochelle County homeowners insurance policy would cover them in case of a natural disaster, but that is not always the case. Certain areas along the eastern coast may be located in hurricane-prone areas, in which wind damage could be the main threat. Other New Rochelle homeowners may be situated in a flood-prone area, which in the case of a flood, would cause unimaginable damages. This was the case with Hurricane Sandy- this super storm ended up being a threat for flood damage as opposed for wind damage that is typically associated with hurricanes. Property Casualty 360 discovered that a minimum of 25% of properties damaged had no flood insurance coverage.
Yet, there are plenty of reasons why New Rochelle Flood Insurance is a crucial guard against damages caused by floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. Obtaining the right New Rochelle flood insurance policy is designed to help protect your Westchester home and property against losses due to heavy rains, flood surges, storm drain backups, etc.. In assessing the risks, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), placed more than 20,000 communities in the U.S. into a flood zone category.
The Westchester County community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. This government backed program is designed to assist property owners to purchase insurance protection against losses from flooding.
We not only can provide insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), but also have critical access to alternative markets, which in many cases are better suited for the areas we serve where flooding is prevalent. As your insurance agent, we will consult federal flood maps to find your flood zone, which will affect the cost of your insurance, the type of coverage you need, and the limits of coverage for areas of your home that lie below the lowest elevated floor, such as basements and crawlspaces.
Contact us today for more information about our New Rochelle Flood Insurance programs. 1 (888) 639-4560


text:
The Reason
I was living a life that I needed to escape from. I was trying to mend a broken heart surrounded by everything that reminded me that my heart was broken – including him.
I was battling anxiety and depression, I needed to be alone, shut out the noise of the world, mend everything that I felt was broken inside of me, grow and love myself. I needed to leave a comfort zone that really wasn't that comfortable anymore.
I started distancing myself from the outside world, everything and everyone around me related to painful memories and I felt like I had no choice but to run away before I suffocated.
The Plan
I had to reclaim my life before it was too late. I accepted a short-term job offer and decided to venture into a life unknown. I'd visited Spain before on holidays but I knew this was going to be different. I'd never been away, lived, or really spent time alone before and I was about to do all 3 at once. I'd spend 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, alone, for 2 months. I wanted to prove to myself and others that I could do it and I could be happy alone. I was intent on feeling happy and loved, for me, by me. I'd create memories that only I would have and they would be mine for life.
What Happened
It was an uncomfortable, beautiful, happy, enlightening, empowering experience.
When I first arrived, I was in a race against time to make my train to my new home, so I didn't really have time to focus on the fact that I had just flown 689 miles away from home alone and would be alone for a long time. I then had to settle into my new place and town, go food shopping and make dinner. I chose to treat this whole experience as a personal adventure and it helped keep my anxiety at bay – for the most part.
I didn't have a car in Spain so walked everywhere. It's here that I first experienced and learnt the meaning of stillness. In London I pretty much never not have something distracting me, be it my phone, music, the TV, daily stresses etc, but here, even though I had unlimited internet, I found myself content with just walking with a clear head and a happy heart.
In a world where everyone wants to be constantly connected, I felt peace being so far disconnected.
I read, went for aimless walks, sat in the park, completed an online course, enjoyed cooking, cleaning, appreciated my surroundings, the fresh air, the sun on my skin, raindrops on my palm after weeks of 35+ degree weather. It was like I had been walking around with my eyes closed for so long and I had finally opened them.
I didn't care much about what was happening in London, I wasn't interested in seeing people tweet, insta post or snap their fake happy 'omg I'm having such a good time' lives.
I found so much of what I previously showcased on social media annoying and vowed that I would stop proving to the world that I was having a good time and simply just have a good time from now on.
The Result
I stopped existing and started living. A lot of people have said that I've changed and I probably have, but in my opinion for the better. I removed myself from everything I believe was causing bad energy to be drawn to me and I'm a lot more 'awake' to the world and what's happening around me. I grew mentally, more in two months, than I probably would have in a year had I not changed the people around me and the way I looked at life. I learnt to deal with my emotions better and handle situations differently. I'm less selfish and more selfless but most importantly, I learnt to love my own company and I'm happier alone than I've ever been with anybody else.
Spain was definitely the best thing that ever happened to me and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Mucho amor,


text:
Follow Us
Middle East
South America
North America
Antarctica & Arctic
Experience the culture and discover the heart of Rajasthan
Destinations > India > Rajasthan's Cultural Heritage
10 Days
9 Nights
Nine nights heritage accommodation, meals as indicated, sightseeing as specified, services of a private car and driver, local English-speaking guides.
Share This
An authentic experience of the rich history and culture of Rajasthan, this special itinerary features unique and fascinating places to stay – from royal homes and estates to cliff-top forts.
Back to India Tours
Stay in some of India's most acclaimed royal heritage homestays, hosted by their ancestral owners
Authentic cultural experiences off the crowded tourist trail
Enjoy touring only accessible to guests of these special accommodations
View All Days
This morning depart Jaipur by road for Shahpura. On arrival, check-in to the beautiful Shahpura Bagh, with its leafy grounds, lake and elegant accommodation. Each of the suites is individually designed with its own special features. Relax around the pool or explore the estate. (D)
Spend the day around Shahpura, where activities include a visit to the family's ancestral fort, local village visits or a jeep ride to the family's farm. (B)(L)(D)
Depart Shahpura after breakfast. Stop at Bundi, one of Rajasthan's most attractive old towns. The Bundi Fort hugs the steep hillside above the town offering view below to a colourful maze of market streets. Continue to the spectacular Bhainsrorgarh Fort. Perched high on cliffs above the mighty Chambal River, this is one of the most dramatic heritage accommodations in India. Settle into your ornate room and take in sunset from the gardens or terraces. (B)(L)(D)
Spend the day enjoying your special surroundings at Bhainsrorgarh. You may choose to take a boat ride on the Chambal River and keep watch for waterbirds and the big Marsh Mugger crocodiles. (B)(L)(D)
After breakfast, depart for Deogarh, a charming and typical Rajasthani town. Your home will be the beautiful Dev Shree, overlooking Ragho Sagar Lake. The home is elegantly designed, with beautiful fabrics and furnishings a feature of the rooms. Take an artisans walk in the afternoon. (B)(D)
Enjoy a leisurely morning in the beautiful grounds of Dev Shree before continuing by road to Chanoud. Settle into this beautiful centuries-old mansion, take tea with your royal hosts and in the evening enjoy drinks by the fire before a sumptuous dinner. (B)(D)
This morning take a walk around the charming town of Chanoud. Well off the tourist trail, you will be greeted with warmth and curiosity as your hosts escort you around town. In the afternoon, take a jeep drive into the countryside, perhaps meeting local shepherds who herd their goats in the area and enjoy sunset from a lake bed. (B)(L)(D)
Continue by road this morning, stopping at the spectacular Jain temple of Ranakpur with its ornately-carved white marble interiors. Continue through the Aravalli Hills to Devigarh. This spectacular 300-year old palace has been lovingly restored, with surprisingly contemporary interiors and spectacular views of the surroundings. (B)
Enjoy a day at leisure to relax by the pool or at the spa or simply take in the grandeur of the location and this grand fort-palace. (B)
After breakfast, depart by road for nearby Udaipur, where your journey ends. (B)
View the Terms & Conditions
Cats of Africa and Where to Find Them
August 03, 2020
A Seasonal Guide to Victoria Falls
July 28, 2020
A Foodie's Guide to Authentic Mexican Cuisine
July 21, 2020


text:
Job Description
Our client is currently seeking a well experienced Building Manager to oversee the day to day management of a brand new luxury residential scheme in Central London. Working hours will be Monday to Friday from 08:00-16:30 and Saturday from 08:00-12:00.
The role would be ideally suited to a candidate with experience in new build block management looking for a professional yet upbeat working environment. The candidate must be very customer service focused and able to inspire a team with a "hands on" approach to leadership whilst maintaining high standards. Excellent communication and forging good relationships with residents and all other interested parties is essential.
The role will include:
Oversight and day-to-day management of:
- The branded environment and agreed service levels.
- Concierge, cleaners, maintenance and full time staff.
- Traditional front of house estate management issues.
- Daily common parts inspections.
- Common parts cleaning.
- Waste management.
- Car park management.
- M&E management- liaison with 3rd part contracted soft and hard service providers.
- Landscaping maintenance.
- Building maintenance.
- Block security- to include key fob and CCTV management.
- Health and Safety compliance.
- Incoming delivery management.
- Insurance claims.
- Regularly updating information to the central estate web portal.
- Inspections of vacant residential units until occupation.
- Management of the incoming and outgoing residential tenants.
Ideally the candidate will have at least five years of building management experience in either residential or commercial buildings. Training will be given where necessary but fluent spoken and written English and IT skills are imperative. Knowledge of property management systems would be useful, as would IOSH managing safely, first aid and a working knowledge of basic residential property law.
All candidates must be able to provide excellent references and be willing to undergo full vetting checks.
James Brewer
0207 436 0360


text:
On day #4 of our trip we returned to nearby Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania traveling over narrow, shoulderless, curvy, hilly, rural-like roads, and the quaintest covered bridge to get to Special Teas Tea Room for 11:30 a.m. reservations. The tea room was established in 1998, and is located in Olde Ridge Village shopping complex.
Entrance door is on the right.
~ Retail area of the tea room ~
~ Dining Area ~
The tea room uses Minton china in the Haddon Hall pattern.
~ Our foursome ~
[L-R: Me, Lori, Barb, and Linda]
Melissa was our friendly server. The two black teas we ordered were Manhatten Earl Grey, and Raspberry. Tea strainers were used since the tea wasn't decanted before it was brought to our table.
We ordered lite since we also had 3:00 p.m. reservations for Afternoon Tea at Hotel du Pont in downtown Wilmington. We all got a bowl of Roasted Red Pepper soup with Smoked Gouda cheese. It was delicious.
And a black currant scone to go with our tea.
I bought a blue toile tea cozy in the gift shop, since we will soon be redecorating our living room using blue toile wallpaper.
Then it was time to head back to the motel to change clothes, and get ready for Afternoon Tea at the du Pont Hotel - tomorrow's post. I could easily get accustomed to this lifestyle! ;-)


text:
Society & Culture
Underground Atlanta Gentrification
The guys of TAP discuss efforts to give back to the community, the Underground Atlanta "Revival", food and culture, a crooked lunch lady, and an entrepreneur selling "high" end snacks.
The FINAL Ticket Giveaway to "The Black Nerd" by Dad's Garage!
What's on TAP?
"Don't Call It Hotlanta" by Monday Night Brewing
"Over and Over and Over" by Orpheus Brewing
#ATLSalute this episode goes to: Sarah Puett of Atlanta Best Bites
Create your
podcast in
It is Free


text:
It's official! My family and I have moved to Sacramento! It's been a long journey for us! But we did it! It's been about 2 months settled in, and my family and I have transitioned very smoothly to the area. Leaving the Bay Area wasn't as hard as I thought it would've been. But let's start with why we moved.
Yellow Sacramento Bridge is the Tower Bridge that sits over the Sacramento River.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, I've always thought this was going to be my forever home. Of course I knew there were tons of great places out there in the world to explore and discover, but knowing that your childhood friends and family are only 10-20 minutes away is quite comforting. But not until you grow your own family.
See from, 2007-2012 my high school sweetheart and I struggled to make a comfortable home. We jumped from a small loft nestled in the intersection of Hayward's Mission Blvd. & A St. (subregion of the San Francisco Bay Area), where oriental auto mobile mechanic shops, used car dealerships, and a WIC Family Grocery store rest. From the ghetto loft (raising a 2yr old son), we then moved to Fremont, CA just 15 minutes south of Hayward and rested in a 1 bedroom corner apartment, where Middle Eastern liquor stores were walking distance and countless Pizza N Curry deliveries were always made.
Once we were expecting our second son Tristan, we needed more space and moved back up North to Castro Valley, CA (25 minutes North Fremont,) a small village town, with mainly older retired veterans, and young working professional families. That was a transitional apartment while we were expecting our second son. At age 23, we managed to make these small apartments our home, and my recently graduated boyfriend started his career in Software Development. I at the time, was working full time as a Administrative Assistant in San Ramon for an ATM company. One of my most favorite jobs ever.
After living in in Castro Valley for about 6 months, with our new 3 month old baby son, and 3 year old, my parents offered a deal to live in a 5 bedroom home, that was supposed to be an elderly care home project, that didn't fall through. We were only paying $1,000 a month! Note, 5 bedrooms, in Union City, CA. That was a deal. 3 years in a comfortable home (which didn't feel like home, bc we were technically paying my parents), we moved out and found a 3 bedroom cute bungalow in Fremont, and then made it our own, with cozy personality, cul-de-sac memories, and neighborhood kids friendships with my grown boys now (5 & 8yrs old.)
Now, fast forward to the present. We're now settled in Sacramento, just North of Downtown, and across the Sacramento River. What brought us further up to Northern California and settling in Sacramento??? The overcrowded Bay Area. 2015 was all about reflection and patience for myself and my boyfriend who had ruptured his left achilles tendon during a basketball game. Mid-summer, he partially torn it again. Through the rough patches of year, and many hours of talking about "when I'm 100%," or "When I'm able too…." so many conversations were about the future. The future that may not be nestled in the Bay Area, where we will take ourselves and our children, and start fresh.
In fall 2015, we already started searching. Searching for family friendly neighborhoods. Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, San Diego. We wanted an area with culture, diversity, and where the cost of living was a lot lower than the Bay.
"The Bay Area is where you want to work, and only want to work."
"The Bay Area is pushing out the middle class."
"Work life balance is non-existent in the Bay Area. There's a reason why Tech companies have all these aminities on site such as oil change, dry-cleaning, gym, free food… They don't want you to leave."
A typical 3 bedroom home in Fremont could cost you about $2,700 to $3,000 a month! $2,900 for luxury condos near BART.
For a stay-at-home mother, with a partner who works remotely from home, even us too, are sick and tired of the over-used and abused culture in the Bay Area. We haven't taken our children to San Francisco since 2012. (Due to the extreme traffic conditions.) It just isn't worth it in our eyes. After the careful consideration, and much research, we settled for Sacramento. See, I don't want to talk down the Bay Area. It's an amazing part of Northern California. But it doesn't fit in to our family needs. We can live without it, the 1hour and 50minute drive to visit family and friends is excusable, and still not to too far.
During our transition of relocating my family to Sacramento, it's brought to my attention relationship standings with family and friends. Also, how I plan to tackle and approach our new life here. It all transitions well into turning 30 this year. My goals are crystal clear, and I love the new atmosphere in our neighborhood and community. Stay tuned for more Sacramento living with my Journey to 30!


text:
Three quarters of The Neon Tigers join me in the studio tonight. The music played focusses on their EP, a copy of which I was kindly offered before the show.
The packaging presentation alone is impressive, here's what Dorset Rock Online had to say about it…
I think a quick word on the packaging is needed! … Friends is presented in a silver tin case. It's a bit of a ^%$ to get in to, but once you do you're greeted with a card insert featuring the above track listing on one side and the above band portrait by Tim Churchill on the other. The disc itself is cradled in moulded plastic and the whole package comes across like a collectors edition release. With it being a limited run, I guess it sorta is. You can grab yourselves one of these packages from the band themselves at a gig or at Square Records in Wimborne.
In the studio, I must admit I spend much time talking about the band and their stage act, rather than the music. I'm pleased we seem to be of similar mind – they feel that being in a band, they owe it to fans, promoters and venues to put on an impressive show.
It also helps them stick in the mind, whether because of
the visual presentation (band look);
the makeup (they glam themselves up a bit for their take on Rock Theatre);
the food (Gary makes giveaway titbits for gigs)
or even the music!
Talking to them they are humourously immodest yet humblingly realistic. They seem genuinely pleased as punch to be in the position they are in right now, while taking a short break from a pretty packed gig schedule to threefold:
give themselves a rest,
give Bournemouth a rest from them, and
produce / polish some new material for a second EP.
Again, a thoroughly enjoyable time for me, thanks to these excellent guests, once more I'm humbled that they want to take time out to talk to me and my listener about their art and talent.
After the show I drop in on Chaplins for the open mic, its been a while since I was here on a Wednesday. There's a posse enjoying a Christmas meal party in half the room, looks like they've reached the end of eating, yet they're sticking around (mainly) for music and drinks.
Andy Stock opens as usual with a long (for him) set of songs. He includes my favourite cover Shoot The Breeze from Alex Roberts.
Susanah Lea is also present (having seen her last night in O'Neills); she regularly comes down here from her home up-country. I heard her with a more Country twist last night, tonight she's doing some more of her own material, and a couple of covers for the benefit of the Christmas partygoers.
Del Bishop is up next. Good grunt on his vocals, steady chord work on the guitar. He has an intriging mix of songs, some ballads, some up-tempo. He plays a goodly number of good songs, all of them originally penned by him
Graham Jones is last up. This time he' s a lot more laid back possibly due to the emptier venue (the party crowd left at 11-ish), so there's only a handful of us left to enjoy this different side to what he normally does.
Another busy Wednesday night…


text:
DragonNet Login
All enrollment forms will be completed on or uploaded to DragonNet. Please login to your DragonNet account to see forms for each child enrolled at SGK.
Summary of Licensing Requirements
In the event of inclement weather, please watch local TV Channels 2, 4, or 5. If the weather changes dramatically during school hours, we will close and notify the TV stations. If St. George's Kindergarten and Mother's Day Out does NOT appear on these stations, that means WE ARE OPEN and beginning/ ending as scheduled. You will also receive an email from the school.
If we do close early, please pick up your child(ren) promptly. You may also check these TV websites for quick referral to our closings:
Children will NOT be permitted to leave if we are under a tornado or other extreme weather WATCH or WARNING!
Performance Forms
Would you like to order a DVD of a performance? Forms are linked below.
3s Sing
4s Pageant
5s Pageant
Kiki Morton Photography for providing some of the website photos.


text:
Officials from DILG Regional offices in the country convened last August 7- 8, 2014 at the Rembrandt Hotel in Quezon City. Sixty-six (66) of the target participants composed of Assistant Regional Directors, LGCDD Chiefs, LGMED Chiefs, FAD Chiefs, and Regional Accountants attended the forum Mid-Term Program Harmonization and Dialogue. With the theme "Creating Synergy towards Effective Program Implementation", the activity's intention was to ensure smooth and harmonized program implementation through innovative approaches.
Executive Director Marivel C. Sacendoncillo of Local Government Academy (LGA) talked about the need to rethink DILG's role in response to the diversified needs of the local government. She said the role of DILG is to link those who need services to the service providers through the LGRC, and not to compete with other providers of Capacity Development. She emphasized DILG's role of addressing a need or a demand for a service that nobody else is providing, such as LGPMS. Finally, she said that the DILG is the Local Governance Resource Center (LGRC); LGRC is not just a physical center. LGRC is anywhere there is someone from DILG.
Participants became aware of the common issues faced by different regions and shared the strategies that they came up with to address those issues. They were able to express their individual perceptions of LGRC and were able to level off their understanding of what the LGRC is.
The Local Government Academy is looking towards institutionalizing a regular meeting or dialogue with the target stakeholders, and this activity was the kick-off of the said plan. Outputs from the workshops will serve as a take off point in the next quarterly meetings.


text:
A wrist fracture is a medical term for a broken wrist. Breaking your wrist can involve any of the eight small bones that make up the wrist, which are connected to the forearm bones called the radius and the ulna. The radius is the most common bone to break in a wrist fracture. This injury typically happens from falling on an outstretched hand, but it can also result from traumatic events such as a car accident. While wrist fractures can vary in severity, here are five signs that you may have broken your wrist rather than simply spraining it:
- Pain and swelling in the wrist
- Inability or difficulty using the hand or wrist
- Deformed-looking wrist
- Pain with finger movement
- Numb or tingling fingers
Even if you can still move your hand and wrist, it can still be broken. Your fracture may be stable (called a non-displaced break), in which the bones do not move out of place, or it may be displaced, which means the bones need to be put back in the right place.
Depending on the severity of your fracture, it can be treated with a splint, cast, or surgery. Visit a hand surgeon as soon as possible if you may have broken your wrist. This will prevent you from having permanent damage. Visit www.HandCare.org to learn more or to find a hand surgeon near you.


text:
Transcend GPS Ski Goggles
Perhaps it's the Liquid Crystal Display inside Zeal Optics' Transcend ski goggles that gives them their James Bond feel. Or
maybe it's their built-in Global Positioning System, or the fact that they have their own downloadable software and can connect to a computer via USB cable. Whatever the reason, once you slide the Transcend down over your eyes, you'll begin to imagine that Q, the gadget master himself, may have had a hand in their design.
Ever blazed down a steep fall line and wished you knew exactly how fast you were going? Or stared down a treacherously steep double-black diamond trail and wondered how high up you were? Now you can know. The GPS and LCD technologies inside the Transcend work together to provide such data as speed, altitude, distance and temperature, all in real time with minimum fuss.
You start by charging the goggles in a wall outlet for three hours, which gives them about six hours of juice (a typical ski day).
Once you hit the mountain and are in the open air (the GPS can't sync as well indoors), you turn the Transcend on using a glove-friendly button on the side of the frames. Inside the goggles, in the lower right, you will see a tiny LCD screen light up.
This unobtrusive screen acts as a dashboard for the GPS, relaying the information that it pulls from the four satellites it has synced with. With a quick glance you can check your speed, altitude and the time. Cycling through the menus you'll see such statistics as total distance and total vertical. In addition, the dashboard can be set to give you pop-up alerts whenever something significant occurs, such as when you've topped your previous maximum speed.
The Transcend, which sells for $499, can record up to five ski days worth of performance data before it needs to be cleared. When this happens, plug the goggles into a computer and upload your data to the company's website. All of your ski runs will get automatically overlayed onto a Google Earth map of the mountain you skied. You can review all your runs, and even brag about the more triumphant ones to friends and family via Facebook or Twitter.
Now if only they came with laser beams. . .
Visit zealoptics.com.