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$165.00 $148.00
Ask Bear Grylls or anyone who has survived a serious scrape in the outdoors and they will say your brain is your most important survival tool. Yous attitude, instincts and knowledge of the back-country are what will keep you alive when everything else fails. But to put those instincts to work building a shelter, starting a fire or finding food, that brain needs a sharp, dependable knife.
The Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Fixed Blade combines Gerber's decades of knife making experience with Bear Grylls' survival skills to create a survival knife that's everything you need and nothing more. It leaves clever to the other gear in you baackpack becuase clever usually means fancy features and moving parts that can bend, break, jam or get lost when you need them most.
Dependable Blade
The 4.8-inch fifine edge, drop-point blade can go straight from hacking firewood to delicately filleting a trout. Its premium grade stainless steel construction means you'll never see rust or corrosion as you pull it from its sheath. The blade will also keep its edge longer between sharpening. With an updated full tang construction, you can be sure this is a tool that won't fail you even after hard use.
Trusty Grip
At 13.7 ounces in weight and 10 inches in total length, this knife feels solid and balanced in the hand. A large, textured, rubberized handle gives you a solid grip in any condition and an oversized bolster where the handle meets the blade keeps your hand from slipping toward the blade as you lean into your cut.
Efficient Multi-tasker
Along with flawlessly performing all the essential duties of a knife, like slicing, chopping and filleting, this knife is packed with survival features. The stainless steel pommel at the base of the handle can serve as a hammer. With two holes in the handle, the knife can be lashed to a stick to create a spear. And the lanyard cord with emergency whistle helps you keep track of the knife and provides a loud emergency signal should potential rescuers be within earshot.
Durable Sheath
Just like the knife it protects, the sheath on the Ultimate Pro Fixed Blade reveals a few useful surprises in its military-grade, mildew-resistant package. A built-in fire starter rod sits snug in a watertight holder. Pair that with the cutout notch on the blade's top edge and the ferrocerium rod produces a shower of fire-igniting sparks. A pull-through carbide sharpener is integrated into the sheath, so you can make sure your blade stays sharp. And, for refreshing your outdoor knowledge before things get dicey, a waterproof version of Bear's "Priorities of Survival" Pocket Guide is stashed into the protective pocket on the back.
- 4.8-inch fine edge, drop-point blade for smooth, versatile cuts
- Full-tang, premium stainless steel construction for durability
- Ergonomic, non-slip rubber grip for comfortable, precise handling
- Lashing holes in handle
- Military-grade, mildew-resistant nylon sheath
- Pull-through carbide sharpener in sheath, for guaranteed sharpness
- Built-in fire starter rod in watertight holder
- Lanyard with loud emergency whistle
- Bear Grylls "Priorities of Survival" Pocket Guide
- Backed by Gerber's Lifetime Warranty
- Item # 31-001901
- Overall Length: 10" (25.4cm)
- Blade Length: 4.8" (12.2cm)
- Weight: 13.7 oz. (388.4g) with Sheath
- Steel Type: 9Cr19MoV
- Handle Material: TPE Overmold
- Made in China


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For coffee lovers around the country, the holiday season kicks off not on Thanksgiving, Black Friday or the first week of December but when Starbucks unveils its iconic set of holiday-themed cups.
Starbucks, founded in 1971, didn't introduce its limited-edition holiday cups until the company was more than two decades old. The first set of seasonal cups was introduced in 1997 and, unlike many of those that followed, wasn't entirely red. The inaugural series featured four different jewel tone cups decorated with hand-drawn holly and festive swirls.
Sandy Nelson recalled designing the first Starbucks holiday cup -- one of her earliest assignments in the company's design studio -- in a 2017 interview with Starbucks.
"We were working on holiday creative for the season to come. We had what felt like a hundred cup designs pinned up on the wall. Then Howard (Schultz) came by, looked at all of them, and picked my design. I couldn't believe mine was chosen," Nelson said.
PHOTOS: Starbucks holiday cups through the years
Nelson went on to design for the coffee giant for 14 years, and she saved the day in 2017 when the holiday cups' 20th anniversary rolled around. The design files for the first several years of holiday cups were lost in a 2001 earthquake, but Nelson unearthed her own set of cups she had stashed away during her time working for the company.
After Nelson's first design hit stores in 1997, Starbucks once again featured a jewel-tone burgundy cup for holiday 1998, but the red that eventually stuck around was introduced in 1999. Coffee drinkers welcomed the new millennium sipping from a red cup decorated with hand-drawn symbols of the season.
For nearly 20 years, the candy apple red cups largely prevailed. Various designs over the years featured snowmen, ornaments, stars, snowflakes and bows. Come holiday 2017, Starbucks introduced its first white holiday cup as part of a set that also featured the classic red. For 2018, Starbucks unveiled a green and a white option alongside two red cups.
As beloved as they might be by Starbucks fans, the holiday cups have attracted their share of controversy. When the company introduced minimalist red cups without any illustrations or designs in 2015, some called foul and accused the company of joining the so-called war on Christmas.
Starbucks denied those claims, saying the 2015 cups were intended to create "a culture of belonging, inclusion and diversity" and "to embrace and welcome customers from all backgrounds and religions in our stores around the world."
Though the outrage seemed to have reached a boiling point in 2015, more muted criticisms have bubbled in recent years. Some accused the 2017 cup featuring two disembodied arms holding hands of pushing a homosexual agenda, while a limited-edition 2016 unity cup that wasn't actually the official holiday cup was accused of whitewashing Christmas.
This story was originally published in November 2018.

subset: commoncrawl


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Beck Weathers
On mountains and character: near the end of Storm Over Everest, Beck Weathers observes:
"Everybody always says that the definition of character is what you do when nobody is looking. And when we were up there, we didn't think anybody was looking. And so everybody did pretty much what their inner person, the real them, the exposed them, would do."
In an interview about the making of Storm Over Everest, David Breashears uses Weathers comment to consider the power of Everest to reveal a climber's "core" person beneath the social artifices we show to the world (hat tip to Geoff Sheehy):
The idea is that all the artifice that we carry with us in life, the persona that we project—all that's stripped away at altitude. Thin air, hypoxia—people are tremendously sleep-deprived on Everest, they're incredibly exhausted, and they're hungry and dehydrated. They are in a very altered state. And then at a moment of great vulnerability a storm hits. At that moment you become the person you are. You are no longer capable of mustering all this artifice. The way I characterize it, you either offer help or you cry for help.
This idea that the journey brings you closer to the person that you really are has long roots. We can trace it back to the Romantic movement in the late 18th century, when travelers set off into the wilds of nature in hopes of encountering "the sublime." They sought to experience the beauty (and the terror) of nature, and in the process, learn more about themselves. No surprise that some of the most itinerant Romantic landscape painters of the 19th century headed to the mountains and/or the polar regions.
Frederic Church, Cotopaxi, 1862
We could also trace this idea back even further, to Petrarch's ascent of Mount Ventoux in 1336. Petrach, an Italian poet who would come to embody the "spirit of the Renaissance," used his hike up Ventoux (no oxygen required) to bushwack through the thickets of his own conscience. At the summit, he stated "I had seen enough of the mountain; I turned my inward eye upon myself."
I have written, in The Escape From Civilization, how this idea surfaces in the works of Robert Dunn, who tried to scale Denali in the early 1900s with Frederick Cook. For Dunn, explorers were "men with the masks of civilization torn off."
No doubt that mountains and other extreme environments create conditions that take us out of ourselves. Who can argue with Breashears that the hunger, cold, hypoxia, and sleep deprivation of Everest can make people act in ways at odds with their social personas? But what do we make of this? Breashears' view – and that of Dunn and many others – suggests that the human psyche is a giant onion: tough, dirtied, and weathered on the outside, but pure at the core. Putting oneself in extreme enough environments, so this thinking goes, is a way to peel the onion and reach the true person underneath.
I don't believe this. When you look at a person, when you look at yourself, where do you draw the line between artifice and real? My feeling is that what exists as "self" and "society" are elements we all carry inside of us which cannot be disentangled. We commonly think of "nature" and "nurture" as separate elements that influence the development of human beings – but think about it: can either of these elements exist independently of the other?
In any event, my point is this. Mountains are places to challenge oneself, to reflect, and find insight – certainly this has been their role in my life. But to say that they (or any environment) can burn away what is false from what is real doesn't ring true to me.


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Playing in a variety of ensembles is an important component in the complete education of young instrumentalists. Festival Ensembles, Book 1 presents a collection of 15 flexibly scored, Grade 1-1.5 ensemble pieces perfect for festivals, concerts, summer camps, and variety chamber practice throughout the year.
Kjos Multiple Option Scoring allows for ensembles using any number or combination of instruments, ranging from solos through full band performance. Students will love mixing and matching different combinations of instruments on melody and harmony lines. Great for groups with non-standard instrumentation. Unequaled versatility makes this a must for every young band library!
Highlights include:
– Kjos Multiple Option Scoring, playable for solos, ensembles, and full concert band
– Perfect for festivals, concerts, summer camps, and private study!
– Limited ranges
– Easy rhythms
– Wide variety of musical styles and genres
Correlated with Standard of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method Book 1.


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Road to Sochi: Athletes in Aspen Prep for Paralympic Games, also in Sochi
Not all of the athletes who train in Aspen will be heading to the Olympics, some will compete in the Paralympics, which are also held in Russia. These Games in March feature events like alpine skiing, biathlon and wheelchair curling.
Seven athletes on the U.S. Paralympic National Team train in Aspen. And, they've got a good shot at making the Paralympic team. Kevin Jardineworks with the U.S. Olympic Committee and helps out in Aspen, with the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club's Adaptive Program. He spoke with Aspen Public Radio's Marci Krivonen.


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BobbiBoss Human Hair Blend Weave-A-Wig - SHARON
$ 53.99 $ 34.79
Brand: Bobbi Boss
See more: Full Wig
Bobbi Boss Premium Human Hair Blend Wig - Weave-A-Wig™ SHARON• Superior Blend: 90% Premium Synthetic hair & 10% Human Hair.
• Natural Texture, Look, and Touch.
• Great Heat Styling.
• Light Weight, Easy Care, High Durability. .
• Shedding Free & Tangle Free.
• Quick & Easy Installation.
• No Shifting & Turning.
• Natural as Weaves.
• Convenient as Wigs.
• Sewing Net Around the Cap.
• 3 Holding Combs.
SEWING-READY HAIR: Hair all ready for simple sewing.
SOFT & FLEXIBLE SEWING NET: Stretchable net for easy sewing.
FORM-FITTING CAP: Secure & comfortable, hugging the head firmly yet gently.
HOLDING COMB: Metal combs on the sides & at the nape for secure hold.
|Make base braid if planning to blend-in your own hair at the part, leave out some hair.
|Put hair on.
|Sew onto braids using the net around the hair edge than cut excess net. For extra hold, sew onto braid the mid-area in small sections.
|Cut the part seam & let out your own hair to blend in for a super natural finish! Hair can also be worn as is without cutting the part seam.
|Finished Look!
1. Run the fingers through the hair or use wide-tooth comb to remove ant tangles prior to washing.
2. Place your wig in a basin filled with cool water.
3. Add some mild shampoo into the water, creating a gentle foam leather. Let it soak for 5 minutes.
4. Work up a leather without rubbing, pulling or tugging the air. Rinse throughly with cool water.
5. Squeeze out water and saturate the hair with quality hair conditioner. Let penetrate for 5 minutes.
6. Using cool water, rinse and remove the conditioner, washing until throughly clean.
7. Gently squeeze out water from hair, pat dry with towel, and let the hair air dry naturally.


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How To Install An Aluminum Radiator
Increase Cooling Capacity And Get Good Underhood Looks With An Aluminum Radiator From Scott Drake Reproductions
Classic Mustangs have long suffered from cooling system woes because there was never enough cooling capacity in the first place. Even when these cars were new, they ran on the ragged edge of overheating in hot weather because their radiators were inadequate. Mustang radiators typically contained a two-row core, which didn't transfer enough heat. When an engine makes more heat than the radiator can remove, temperatures rise fast. A two-row core radiator has enough problems new. When you add rust particles and scale, cooling capacity is reduced even more and things get hotter.
Although Scott Drake Reproductions is well-known for its concours reproduction parts for vintage Mustangs, the company also produces high-quality aluminum radiators for both six-cylinder and V-8 Mustangs. Like original radiators, these aluminum versions have a two-row core, but they contain large tubes with a lot of heat conduction surface area. Fit is near perfect, with some minor modification possibly required.
We dropped in on The Mustang Shop of Arizona in Chandler, which was installing two of these radiators in '66 Mustangs, one with a six and another with a 289 V-8.
Cooling System Tips
- Make sure hoses do not touch hot surfaces. Chaffing is the quickest path to hose failure.
- Avoid tube and fin damage, no matter how small.
- Always use a fan shroud.
- Get your fan spacing and shroud depth right. A shroud becomes useless when there isn't proper fan penetration. The fan should be half way into the shroud.
- Never operate your Mustang without a thermostat.
- Use a 160- or 180-degree F thermostat in a classic Mustang.
- Late-model, computer-controlled Mustangs get a 195-degree F thermostat.
- Use two hoses clamps on each end for unequalled security.
- Always use an anti-collapse spring in the lower radiator hose.
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A 12-Second Ford Maverick? This Owner Tuned His Tiny Pickup Into Muscle-Car Territory
GM EVs to Permanently Hang Up On Apple CarPlay and Android Auto


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Your company doesn't have time for security breaches. That's why we created ThinkShield, a customizable security platform brought to you by Lenovo. Our innovative portfolio of cutting-edge offerings protects you from today's sophisticated cybercriminals—keeping you one step ahead.
At Lenovo, security begins with design and continues through supply chain, delivery, and the full lifecycle of the device. Our priority is protecting your business with each Lenovo product, from development through disposal.
Every Think device is engineered for security.
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We ensure physical security via tamper-evident packaging, qualified transportation, and secure tracking.
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Activate screen privacy at the touch of a button; user is notified if system detects visual hackers
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Prevents device theft through tamper-resistant adhesive tagging, etching on the cover, and/or unique BIOS-level tagging
Make sure your device knows you.
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Enables a simpler and safer authentication for logins and secure payments
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Securely stores fingerprint information within the fingerprint chip, further insulating biometric information from hackers
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Enhanced software for integrity and confidentiality, protecting selected code and data from disclosure or modification
stolen in 2017.4
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Protects data, ensures compliance, optimizes operations, and enables unified encryption across the enterprise
Allows enterprises to securely, simply, and automatically store confidential information in the cloud
Fully encrypted external storage device that requires numeric password for access
Allows IT admins to remotely wipe an Intel SSD Pro drive on an AMT-enabled and -provisioned device
Integrated encryption within the operating system to protect data on lost or stolen devices
Explore Think products and ThinkStation, our premium PC lineups protected by ThinkShield.
Talk to your account representative about customizing the right security solution for your business.
* Availability of features listed above may vary by system. Select premium security features carry a cost. Please see your account representative for details about a security solution that fits your business.
1. https://info.resilientsystems.com/hubfs/IBM_Resilient_Branded_Content/White_Papers/2017_Global_CODB_Report_Final.pdf
2, 4. https://breachlevelindex.com/assets/Breach-Level-Index-Report-2017-Gemalto.pdf


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Story by
Alex Wilhelm
Alex Wilhelm is a San Francisco-based writer. You can find Alex on Twitter, and on Facebook. You can reach Alex via email at [email protected] Alex Wilhelm is a San Francisco-based writer. You can find Alex on Twitter, and on Facebook. You can reach Alex via email at [email protected]
Microsoft's Online Services Division posted decent revenue growth this quarter, and sharply lower losses. Bing's market share expansion remains somewhat flat, but that measurement doesn't effectively take into account a growing search market.
Still, the progress in the division is real, and should be noted. To begin, here's why we can refer to the Online Services Division's revenues as indicative of Bing's performance: Microsoft notes in its investor materials that Bing and MSN account "for nearly all of OSD's annual revenue." Thus Online Services is roughly a two pony show. Given a relatively static MSN, we can track Bing somewhat carefully. Keep in mind that we are extrapolating, however.
Let's track fiscal second quarter results for the division over a four year period:
Fiscal Q2 2010:
- Revenue: $579 million
- Loss: $$463 million
Fiscal Q2 2011:
- Revenue: $691 million
- Loss: $543 million
Fiscal Q2 2012:
- Revenue: $784 million
- Loss: $459
Fiscal Q2 2013:
- Revenue: $869 million
- Loss: $283 million
Long Decline
In the quarter preceding FQ2 2013, Online Services lost $364 million, for reference. In short, Bing is setting new records in losing less money.
Microsoft is relatively up front about why this is happening:
Online advertising revenue grew $109 million or 15% to $823 million, reflecting continued growth in search advertising revenue, offset in part by decreased display advertising revenue. […]
OSD's operating loss was reduced by higher revenue and lower cost of revenue and sales and marketing expenses.
In short, Bing's results improved because it is generating more money per search as its market share expands. This is exactly what Microsoft wants the product to show: a path to profitability. Bing can and has lost billions of dollars, but if in the end Microsoft gets a credible competitor to Google, and a search product that it can apply across its various platforms, at a break-even price point, it will be a victory for the comically well-capitalized firm.
It's key to keep in mind that Microsoft is more than willing to pay for Bing's losses. In the middle of 2012, Microsoft provided TNW with commentary so frank that we still can't believe it was given to us on the record:
"It's a long term game and we're working hard every day to get Bing to profitability. Bing's tight integration with various products across Microsoft, including Windows Phone and Xbox, is just one example of how we're introducing Bing to more people to help reach profitability more quickly.
We certainly have internal goals on share, but we are not sharing them externally. We have done a lot of research and testing around how to improve the search experience for customers, and we are confident that Bing will enable them to accomplish key tasks and come to more informed decisions faster. We believe that delivering a superior product that actually solves customer problems will lead to share growth, and this will come naturally as we continually improve and refine Bing."
That is a revealing block of text.
Online Services lost 38% less money this quarter than in the comparable period. That's real progress. In an odd way, if the group – and thus, Bing – can curtail losses under the billion dollar mark for a 12 month period, it will be real accomplishment. 11% year over year growth, but Microsoft, with rising per-click revenue and lowering cost, may have found its footing at last.
Bing has a long way to go yet, but it is firmly moving in the right direction. Which, in case you are counting, is yet another reason that Microsoft will not sell the damn thing.
For fun, at a $176 million dollar yearly reduction in losses, the Online Services division will become profitable in just over 1.6 years. In fact, if we average out the declines seen since 2011, taking us from $543 million to $283 million in 24 months, the division is losing $10.83 million less every month. Thus, the $283 million current three month loss could be erased in 26 months.
Now, it will take longer than that, likely, given that the business group won't have such strong quarters on a recurring basis, but at the rates we have now seen etched into corporate score cards, an end to the red ink is a measurable prediction.
Top Image Credit: Robert Scoble
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Straight Fitting, brass, one side for Corrugated Pipe DN16, one side with male thread 3/4″.
This fitting is part of MFC Quick Coupling System for Corrugated Stainless Steel Pipe, composed by "metal – to – metal" fittings, not involving the use of gaskets. Each fitting is made of brass according to UNI EN 12164 – 12165 – 12168 standard, suitable to be used for thermosolar installations.
Subjected to suitability testing at the SPF Institute of Rapperswil (CH). Patented in Italy (0001405978) and in Europe (EP 2609356 B1).


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Wounded warriors thank community for support
I am a wounded warrior who served three tours in Iraq between 2004 and 2006. But this letter is not about my service, it's about the astonishing outpouring of generosity and gratitude from Bay County.
My wife Alexis and I had the absolute privilege to attend the Warrior Beach Retreat in September. I can't even begin to describe the overwhelming feeling of support and love we felt from the phenomenal, caring people of Bay County, and especially the folks who run Warrior Beach Retreat: Linda, Philip and Jonathan Cope. The Cope family is one of the most unbelievably altruistic and compassionate groups of people I can ever recall meeting. I will forever hold the Cope family in the highest regard and would gladly risk my life again so that they may live in freedom, because they are the most deserving family I know.
Another special person I have fond memories of was mayor of Lynn Haven, Mr. Walter Kelley, a fellow former Air Force security policeman and retired law enforcement officer. Mayor Kelley was so sincere and gave us his complete support and love from the bottom of his heart. He should be recognized as a kind and gentle, man and I thank him for taking his time to show his gratitude to us wounded warriors.
As we traveled the parade route to the opening ceremony I was absolutely baffled at how many people took so much effort to stop their lives, businesses, etc. to stand along the roadway and salute us as we passed. I thought for a moment that the children and adults along the parade route were probably thinking how neat it was to see us pass by and wave at them.
What they don't know is that the pleasure was all ours, and the honor to be saluted by them is something I will cherish and humbly hold close to my heart until the day I die. I will remember the faces I saw actually crying because of the love that they felt for us, and I felt a deep connection to the strangers that I saw along the road that day. Finally, after nine years since my first day in Iraq, I saw the people I was fighting for and am proud to call them members of my American family.
I want to extend a special thank you to Sheriff Frank McKeithen and the Bay County Sheriff's Office for donating a security detail consisting of two of the finest deputies I have ever had the privilege to meet in my law enforcement career, Cpl. Scott Frazier and Cpl. Larry Grainger. Not only did Scott and Larry give us a feeling of protection, they spent time with us and gave us their friendship and opened their hearts to us. I can honestly say I grew to love these two men as brothers and commend Sheriff McKeithen for employing such fine men.
BayCountymay not realize it, but heroes don't just come to visit them twice a year; there are heroes living among them. Every time we went somewhere that week I met someone who had served his country. Whether it be in the U.S. military, as a firefighter or policeman, they put their own needs aside and gave us their time, love and support. One of those people was Retired NYPD Officer John Trubia and wife Kitty, who spent the entire week serving us Italian food and sharing their strength and hope to uplift our spirits. This example is only the tip of the iceberg of the multitude of incredible people we had the honor of getting to know that week. Another couple who comes to mind is Jerry and Norma Tabatt, who humbly took us into their hearts and never rested until every warrior had a smile on his face from Jerry's jokes and felt Norma's unconditional motherly love.
In 30 years, the people who showed us so much love and compassion, including Book That Condo and the owners at the Shores of Panama, may forget our names and faces, but I will NEVER forget what you all did for me! It was not just a vacation, it was the welcome home that I never got, the gratitude I never expected and the realization of how proud I was to have fought for such wonderful, selfless Americans like those that I met during the Warrior Beach Retreat.
Keep doing what you're doing, Bay County, because you are giving so much more than a free vacation. You are giving us the love, respect and genuine humility that us wounded warriors intended to preserve and it is truly a gift to see that what we did over in the combat zone, and the brothers and sisters we lost, was not in vain. I sincerely love you all.
I am the wife/caregiver of my husband, SSgt. Javier Avalos. He served almost 10 years in the U.S. Army. He served three tours in Iraq. Injured during the war, my husband was forced into medical retirement. He suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). He never had a welcoming home from his home town or anyone else other than a small welcoming home dinner from my immediate family.
It has taken a burden on our family and marriage. The stress added up and it was too hard to just focus on each other. This retreat gave us the opportunity to get closer, work together and understand one another. It was nice to hear fellow wives go through the same thing that I was going through. The fellowship, patriotism, community, mayor, the businesses, restaurants, church, Shores of Panama Beach Resort and their owners and men and women of Panama City Beach who showed us so much love, soften our heart and made us feel so appreciated and loved. I don't know how to explain our experience with this retreat other than: it was so speechless and breathtaking.
Thank you, Linda and Phillip Cope, for everything. It's so nice to do something a little extra for our wounded soldiers. Especially when so much has been taken from them.
Buda, Texas
Thank you so much for your support. I have not been in a town that was just filled with glow of love. The support was overwhelming. Coming off the plane to be greeted by soldiers, we were stunned. And the crowd and the town were so compassionate to soldiers. Many thanks again for the work you guys do.
New York
My wife and I would like to thank all of the Bay County communities for their warm and hospitable welcome during the Warrior Beach Retreat. The people of Panama City Beach and Tyndall Air Force Base were great hosts and made us feel sincerely appreciated. The parade through Panama City Beach left everyone with lumps in their throats from the hundreds of people lining the streets and thanking us for our service. The volunteers from the Sherif's Office and Fire Department were amazing.
My wife and I are both Wounded Warriors, and the program that Linda and Philip Cope orchestrated was phenomenal. I can think of no greater tribute to the Cope's son Joshua, who lost both his legs during combat. Additionally, the entire retreat was conducted in a Christian environment, which allowed us to reflect on God's many blessings. Several churches volunteered with ceremonies and providing exceptional meals. The country dinner served by the Women's Club was mouth-watering, as well as the meals donated by several prominent restaurants in the area.
The week-long retreat also gave us the opportunity to meet other wounded warriors and their caregivers. Activities were planned to help us heal and to relax from the difficulties we all face.
Again, thanks to the Panama City Beach Community and the Cope family for making this one of the best experiences of our lives.
BRIAN and NATALIE VINES
When we were first invited to come to the Warrior Beach Retreat our first thought was, OK, so we are going to Florida. Someone will wave a flag, we will go to the beach, we will come home and that would be that. This is what we were accustomed to, even though my husband Scott is a disabled veteran. Wow, were we surprised. The amazing, heartfelt outpouring of this God-fearing community was phenomenal. Nowhere in United States have I felt more welcome, more loved, more appreciated than we did in Panama City. I have traveled to numerous places, been to numerous events, and nothing compares to what was experienced in Panama City. No other time since Scott has been out of the Marine Corp has anyone shown such patriotism.
We feel so very humbled by this communities outpouring that its still hard to fathom. The love of Linda and Phillip Cope and their son Jonathan Cope cannot be put into words, They truly are a gift from God.
Panama City, Bay County, Lynn Haven and every single person in the community holds a very special place in our hearts. We will definitely be returning. The spirit of God soars in Bay County.
Oneida, Tenn.
I and my husband, Sgt. Walter (Tom) Kirwin (Retired), attended the Warrior Beach Retreat that was held on Sept. 17. My husband spent 18 years in the Army before he was medically retired. In April 2010 he was on a convo when his truck was hit by an IED. My husband sustained a broken back and his left shoulder pulled out of its socket. Along with those injuries he suffers from PTSD and TBI.
Before this retreat my husband and I were just living everyday lives in the same house but so far apart. Tom would sit in his room for more than 12 hours at a time not talking to anyone or taking care of the family. Our children lost their father, and I lost my best friend and soul mate. When we got the opportunity to go on this retreat I was very hesitant to do so because I felt I was at my breaking point and ready to give up on our 18-year marriage.
The Warrior Beach Retreat saved our marriage and helped our family spiritually and mentally. I thank Linda Cope and her staff for the tools and opportunity to bring my best friend and soldier back to me. I also want to give a big wonderful thank you to the city of Panama Beach for the support and the "thank you" during the ceremony. My husband and I were very touched that so many people took time out of their lives to come and say thank you and welcome home to my husband. This ceremony was well over due and brought a sense of happiness to him. I saw my husband smile a real smile for the first time in a long time.
Clarksville, Tenn.
Words cannot express how thankful we are to Bay County for the grand welcome. Reintegrating into the civilian word has not been easy for my husband Carlos since returning from Iraq. He has had many struggles and his road to recovery has been long and grueling. Walking the red carpet at the airport and shaking the hands of the many patriotic people there to greet us was overwhelming and thrilling. Little did we know this was just the beginning of the generosity and love we were about to feel from Panama City Beach.
The parade to Lynn Haven Methodist Church was the most memorable and cherished experience. It was truly healing for me and my husband to see all those people lining the streets to salute us and thank us for our service. Now while we drive in our own town, instead of flashbacks of war we get good flashbacks of people waving flags on the side of the road and children saluting us as we drive past. My husband finally got the welcome home that he deserved, and it has given him the hope to continue on the path to recovery and me the strength to keep supporting him in his journey.
Gig Harbor, Wash.
Words cannot possibly describe how grateful we are to everyone in Panama City Beach and the surrounding areas. Bay County certainly knows how to make its veterans and caregivers feel welcome. In one short week Panama City Beach began to feel like home. My husband Will and I were surrounded by so many loving, caring and genuine people. Our week spent on the Warrior Beach Retreat felt like a fairy tale.
My husband and I would like to thank anyone and everyone who had anything to do with the Warrior Beach Retreat that was held in September. To everyone who welcomed us as we arrived at the airport: THANK YOU! To everyone who lined the streets during the 17-mile parade route, we THANK YOU! To Reggie Johns at Book That Condo: Thank you so very much for our beautiful accommodations at the Shores of Panama! Thank you to all the kind, generous, genuine people of Bay County. Thank you to all of the fabulous restaurants and to all the local attractions that welcomed us! And most of all, thank you to Linda, Phillip and Jonathan Cope as well as their wonderful staff of volunteers.
The Warrior Beach Retreat meant the world to my husband and I. Prior to our week spent on the Warrior Beach Retreat, we felt alone. Now, we no longer feel alone. In one short week we experienced so many emotions, but the one emotion that will forever stay with us is the overwhelming feeling of love that we experienced while we were welcomed by each and every one.
West Carthage, N.Y.
My husband and I attended the Warrior Beach Retreat Sept. 17-24. I cannot explain the love and patriotism we felt from the community. This retreat came at a time in our lives when we really needed it.
My husband, Cpl. Michael Grywalsky,was injured while serving in Iraq with the United States Marine Corps on Aug. 19, 2003. An IED went off under the Humvee he was driving. He suffered a TBI, PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, and post-concussive migraines caused by the TBI. These last 10 years have been a long road, from fully grasping the extent of his injuries to trying to live in our "new normal."
When my husband returned from his deployment in Iraq there was no one there to meet him at the airport — he never had a "welcome home." He finally got that when we were welcomed to the airport and the hundreds of people who lined the streets during the parade on our way to the opening ceremony. We were in awe and so deeply touched. We made life-long friends and true connections with other wounded warrior couples that no explanation was needed if someone was having a rough day; they truly "get it."
Thank you so much, Panama City Beach, for giving my Marine his welcome home!
Midland, Mich.


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Office Janitorial In St Claire Shores
Office Janitorial In St Claire Shores
McCoy Maintenance Inc. – Your Partner for Topnotch Office Janitorial in St Claire Shores & neighboring cities
If you are currently searching for a first class and the surface of the line office cleaning company, McCoy Maintenance Inc. is the quantity 1 go-to provider that guarantees to supply the best possible full service cleaning as possible never find anywhere else!
Since 1984, our company has been rendering our services to any or all our clients around Detroit Metropolitan area and we're proud to say that around this very day, we're still continuously doing our best in order to remain as the leading cleaning provider that may cater to any or all your commercial cleaning needs,
Why Choose Us as Your Office Cleaning Company?
There are certainly a large amount of reasoned explanations why you need to decide on us as your premier office cleaning service.
• Extensive Experience in Commercial Cleaning Industry
Over time, we've already handled different cleaning projects and it has helped us in knowing how we must exactly address specific cleaning needs and requirements.
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We won't end up being the premier office cleaning service for no reason and we are able to confidently say that individuals were able to reach where we're right now through ensuring our clients that what they'll get is the highest quality of work which they truly deserve. Every cleaning project that individuals do ends with consistent quality results. We could keep your establishment or office spotless despite having minimal supervision.
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In order to guarantee that individuals will have a way to supply only the best cleaning services, our company invests in the latest and most up to date equipment and tools. We use tools and equipment that pass the safety standards of the industry. Because there are instances when cleaning services are done during office hours, we also see to it that our equipment won't cause any noise so that individuals won't distract your employees or disrupt any activities in your establishment. All our equipment come in good working condition and are well maintained.
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Members of our staff are knowledgeable and professional. They are punctual and they work in the absolute most efficient and professional manner possible. They've also undergone extensive training and are highly capable to obtain the work done and completed correctly and properly.
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McCoy Maintenance Inc. understand that not absolutely all clients have the exact same cleaning needs and for this reason, our services are specially tailored and customized in order to meet the initial requirements and specifications of our clients. Before we start with your work, we take a closer look at your particular needs first before we produce the best cleaning specifications predicated on those needs. Because we place our clients at the top of our priorities, we be sure that we take your needs into consideration. We do not offer a one-solution-fits-all form of service because we believe that this isn't the way what sort of professional cleaning company should deliver its services.
McCoy Maintenance, Inc. has been serving the Detroit Metropolitan | St Claire Shores area since 1984. Contact our certified and highly trained staff today for help with any of the following needs:
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Office Janitorial St Claire Shores
St Claire Shores Office Janitorial


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Frequently Asked Questions About Barack Obama
Recently, we explained how to make fun of Barack Obama. We thought that would be the end of it! But no, you people-you animals-have more questions, so many more questions. Questions we're obligated to answer. Don't thank us, we're just doing our job. Below: snappy answers to stupid questions about Barack Obama.
Q: How should you draw Barack Obama?
A. With a prominent chin, and oversized ears that stick out. Toothy. He can be brown. He shouldn't look like Howard Dean. He doesn't have a mustache. [The Root]
Q. What should Barack Obama wear on his lapel?
A. Something hope-y. Or something funny. Or: "If he was honest, Obama would wear a turban and be done with it." [NYT]
Q. If we elect Barack Obama will there be no more racism?
Q. How many times a day does Barack Obama go to the gym?
Q. Does Barack Obama sweat, like the humans?
Q. Which Will Smith film performance best provides an unintentional and quite insulting gloss on the early life of Barack Obama?
A. His part as a gay hustler pretending to be the son of Sidney Poitier in John Guare's Six Degrees of Separation.
Either that or his part in I, Robot as a cop who doesn't play by the rules and hates robots.
Q. Why won't Barack Obama cuddle with me?


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CNJ staff
RICHARDSON, Texas — If Eastern New Mexico University's baseball and softball teams are going to make their marks in the Lone Star Conference this spring, they'll have to do it from the bottom up.
ENMU's squads were both picked for last place — actually, by a fairly wide margin — in the league's preseason polls released this week by the conference office.
Defending regular-season champion Incarnate Word was selected to repeat in baseball, earning 13 of 22 first-place votes and finishing with 157 points to 126 for Tarleton State. Every school in the eight-team league received at least one first-place vote except ENMU (16-28, 11-22 in 2011), which finished 53 points behind seventh-place Texas A&M-Kingsville in the poll with 25 points.
Chris Terry was hired last summer to replace Phil Clabaugh, who revived the program in 1992 and spent 20 seasons at the ENMU helm. Claubaugh won 455 games during his time at ENMU.
The Greyhounds open the 2012 season in a two-day tournament at Texas-Permian Basin scheduled for Feb. 10-11.
The team's home opener is Feb. 28 in a 2 p.m. clash against New Mexico Highlands.
Senior infielder Jess Cooper of West Texas A&M was chosen the conference's preseason player of the year, while UIW senior left-hander Kirk Jewasko was the preseason pitcher of the year.
Defending co-champion Angelo State was the choice in softball with 232 points to 214 for the other defending co-champion, Incarnate Word.
It was a tight race with the top four teams separated by just 26 points. In fact, No. 4 Midwestern State (nine) had more first-place votes than ASU (eight).
ENMU (13-41, 3-18), under third-year coach Lauren Sigwing, was tabbed for 10th in the 10-team league with 32 points. Ninth-place Kingsville had 68 points.
The Zias begin their season on Thursday in a three-day tournament in San Antonio, hosted by St. Mary's. Their home opener is against Texas-Permian Basin in a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Feb. 29.
Sophomore shortstop Bailey Vrazel of Texas Woman's was chosen the preseason player of the year, while junior right-hander Briana Sanchez of UIW was the preseason pitcher of the year.
Team (1st-pl. votes)


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@USOlympic @Ryanlochte Leads off 2012 4X200m FS relay team 2 #WinGold & give @MichaelPhelps recordbreaking 19th medal http://t.co/yHkIPKU7nb
— Heather Harlow (@HayleeHarlow) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic 1984 Los Angeles: Jeff Blatnick winning gold in Greco-Roman Wrestling after beating cancer.
#TeamUSA @USAWrestling @ufc
— HUERTA (@CIFchampion1938) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic it's gotta be USA Hockey beating the Soviets in 1980! #doyoubelieveinmiracles
— Russell Wheeler (@rpwheels68) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic When the fierce five won gold! @gabrielledoug @jordyn_wieber @Aly_Raisman @kyla_ross96 @McKaylaMaroney pic.twitter.com/WSepIIauLP
— Haley (@Haley_Gruerio) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic @Olympics
I loved Kerri Strug's Vault at the 1996 Olympics at the @GeorgiaDome in Atlanta. That was unbelievable.
— Dylan Schmittler (@Dylansfgcu) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic When @Meryl_Davis and @CharlieaWhite won the first #TeamUSA Olympic Ice Dance GOLD MEDAL!! Sochi 2014!!😀🏆 #OlympicDay
— Sarah Lupton (@SkaterLA0913) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic Obviously the 1980 Hockey Team will always be #1 for team sports, but Dan Jansen after all his heartbreak, finally winning a Gold
— Robert McGrath (@AmericanMirror) June 23, 2014
- @USOlympic Watching @allysonfelix finally win her gold in the 200m at @London2012 ! #TeamUSA
— KingstonTaylorJordan (@KingstonSpeaks) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic #TeamUSA Watching Shaun White win the gold in 2010 Halfpipe! 🏂
— Bridget Courtney (@bridget163245) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic the men's ski slopestyle podium sweep!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Ogsx2kE0mm
— bianca (@biancaboschetti) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic The greatest beach volleyball team of all time @kerrileewalsh @MistyMayTreanor taking gold in 2004, 2008, and 2012 #TeamUSA
— Leslie Green (@lesliehgreen) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic #TeamUSA @JamieAsnow winning the gold medal in the inaugural Women's Slopestyle event. #OlympicDay
— EAppenzoller (@appenzo) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic No doubt....Lezak anchor leg against French in 4x100 Mens' Relay 2008!!!!! @JasonLezak #AmericanLegend #YouvebeenLezak'd
— Loretta Race (@RettaRace) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic watching Mia Hamm win gold in her final Olympic Games in 2004 (& the women belting out the National Anthem at the medal ceremony)— e (@theerinfiles) June 24, 2014
"@USAJudo: Happy Olympic Day! What is your favorite Olympic moment? @USOlympic #OlympicDay" @Myles_Porter taking home silver in judo in 2012— Amy White (@amywhite419) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic Synchro as a sport debuted in the 1984 games and #TeamUSA took gold. #OlympicDay great moment! pic.twitter.com/BnANCarRTY— USA Synchro (@USASynchro) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic @sagekotsenburg's 1620 Japan & how he said he blacked out & had no idea what he was doing. Made it look effortless! #OlympicDay— Megan Kaiser (@MegKaiser88) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic seeing @RyanLochte win his first individual gold medal in Beijing for the 200 back!— PhlochteAdrianDwyer (@OutAlive1985) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic The Magnificent 7 taking Gold in Atlanta 96 was memorable for me
#OlympicDay #teamusa— Robyn (@rosand92) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic being there when @EvanLysacek captured the Gold in Vancouver!! 🎊⚡🇺🇸 #Epic #OlympicDay— Mary Crispin (@merrybari) June 23, 2014
.@USOlympic Well, @alexmorgan13's game-winner in the 2012 Summer Olympics semifinal match against Canada is up there! @ussoccer_wnt— B (@BNiche) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic also when @NastiaLiukin won the individual all around gold in Beijing— danelle (@DannyAmazin13) June 23, 2014
@USOlympic #OlympicDay Gonna have to say @MuhammadAli lighting the Olympic cauldron in Atlanta in 1996. #TheGreatest pic.twitter.com/G21wOvmBUc
— @fardmuhammad (@fardmuhammad) June 23, 2014


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Network-attached storage options are more abundant than ever, but jumping into the copious bush of NAS can be quite a task, especially if you want a system that plays nice with both PC and Mac. Macs have historically been an unreasonably complex challenge for many networking products, and NAS was no exception. Here I've assessed the usefulness of three different cash-conscious strategies for setting up a Mac-and-PC-friendly NAS: Building a NAS out of an old PC, using a router with an external USB drive and buying a dedicated product.Maybe you're wondering why you need a NAS at all. The answer is that you have too much stuff to not have one. How do I know? Because even my parents have a billion photos on their hard drive, and they know nothing of BitTorrent and Handbrake. An NAS sits there in a corner, a blinking, quietly purring guardian of all those song, video and photo files. It holds it all, streams it to just about anything else on the network, and even keeps a redundant copy safe on a separate mirrored RAID drive in case the shit really hits the fan. So yeah, you need one. Here are the three systems I pieced together: • My DIY system was concocted using FreeNAS software and an older ThinkPad I had lying around. This was technically the cheapest of the bunch. • My router-based system was an AirPort Extreme with attached WD and LaCie USB drives, which was also "recycling" but cost a bit more. • The dedicated NAS appliance I tested was a two-drive Synology DS207+, $330 for the box but the drives themselves are sold separately. To evaluate the usefulness of each financial step up, I used three main criteria: Overall performance, availability of redundant data via RAID 1, and whether it's possible to add in features like media streaming, remote access or integrated BitTorrent. In a mixed Mac/Windows environment, the main performance factor for Macs is support for Apple File Protocol for connecting network shares. AFP support is becoming more and more common in nicer NAS rigs, but it is still not a given in the cheaper range-every NAS alive supports SMB/CIFS, the more Windows-friendly protocol, so PCs generally don't have a problem. While Macs can connect to NAS using SMB—and also NFS Unix, which you may also run across—performance wise, OS X's SMB implementation is still shoddy compared to the apparently seamless AFP. (SMB also includes foibles such as filename length restrictions that can throw a Mac into fits.) If you're using an NAS to its highest potential, moving a lot of data around, SMB will cause more spinning death wheels and system hangs in OS X than AFP will. It's up to you whether you want to go RAID 1 or not-you can also merge or stripe the drives for more storage but less protection. For me, redundancy is a must. I want to be able to give a NAS's drives a workout and still breathe easy in the not entirely unlikely event of a drive blow-out. NAS add-ons like BitTorrent, remote access and integrated UPnP are nice higher-end features, but they may not be as important to you.
DIY NAS With FreeNAS I took an old IBM ThinkPad X31 I had lying around and installed FreeNAS-an open-source operating system based on FreeBSD that is similar to the OS you'll find in most NAS boxes. It offers similar features like RAID if the machine it's installed on has multiple drives, and can do UPnP, FTP access and the like via a web-based admin panel just like most dedicated rigs. Initial installation is actually not too tough-just burn the FreeNAS live CD and boot it, then follow the install instructions. FreeNAS will re-format your drives to the somewhat obscure UFS file system it prefers (don't try to run it on already-formatted drives, it's not worth the immense hassle). I was up and running with AFP and SMB sharing without too much sweat. Like Linux, FreeNAS runs on a ton of hardware, so unless you've got something obscure you'll likely be in business.
Verdict: If you're heavy on outdated PCs and you derive pleasure from thrift and tinkering, you should give FreeNAS a try. That said, don't expect your pig in lipstick to be a screamer. Most aging desktops would be an improvement over my 5-year-old laptop with its slow 2.5" disk, obviously, but even considering that, my real-world tests were pretty rough. Browsing large folders of files hung the system on numerous occasions, and streaming of video files (especially seeking) was choppy. As far as extras go, my PS3 recognized FreeNAS's UPnP server but could not read any media, which would probably take some serious hackery to diagnose. Extras like an integrated BitTorrent client are available as well as open-source add-ons, but again, expect some heavy tinkering. Still, if you have unused hardware, try this option first. Total Cost: Free, ideally; factor in $150 bucks for a few new drives.
Router with Shared External USB Drive I've had bad luck in my previous, brief attempts at attaching USB storage to routers-rough performance and dropped connections abounded. This was with a few older non-Apple 802.11g routers, but naturally, I assumed the AirPort Extreme base station's AirPort Disk feature for connecting external drives was going to suck as bad. I was wrong.
Verdict: In day-to-day use for media storing, sharing and streaming, the AirPort Disk works pretty much without a hitch. I connected both a WD MyBook Mirror with RAID 1 and an older LaCie 300GB single-disk drive. In both cases, setup took literally 15 seconds after plugging in the drive—there are only a few config options to deal with in the AirPort Utility app to set access controls—and after that, it appeared as a shared volume source on Windows machines and Macs automatically. Browsing files and loading music in iTunes loaded without any noticeable difference from when my library was connected via USB, and streaming large video files to a PS3 with UPnP was skip-free. Total Cost: $200 WD MyBook Mirror 1TB + $165 for AirPort Extreme on Amazon, so you're looking at $365. Chances are, you already have a USB drive and maybe even the AirPort, so the cost goes down considerably. (I do recommend acquiring a RAID 1 dual-drive, though.) Keep in mind, part of this sunk cost includes a solid 802.11n router, which you need anyway. There are, of course, several other 802.11n routers from the networking biggies that offer a USB connection for sharing. If you've had a good experience with any of these when connecting via both PCs and Macs, let us know in the comments.
Dedicated NAS A ready-to-go NAS is the most obvious choice for adding network storage, but it can also be the most perilous. Go too cheap, and your box probably won't support the Mac-tastic AFP. And even if it does, its performance may still be under par and its add-on features may not be good enough to warrant the added expense. One of the most affordable AFP-equipped, well-reviewed NAS devices is the Synology DS207+ which, at $330 before you even buy the drives, isn't cheap at all. (If you don't have some drives lying around, the total cost will approach $500.) I picked it because, according to NAS aficionados like the folks at Small Network Builder with their handy NAS Charts, it yielded the best value in what I was looking for. Above the improved compatibility, it throws in tasty perks like a BitTorrent manager for downloading directly to the NAS, UPnP for streaming to a compatible TV or PS3, and a nice web-based control interface you can access from anywhere.
Verdict: Performance was the sour note here, surprisingly. While a large file transfer took roughly same amount of time as it did on the other configurations, doing things that required many quick reads, like opening my iTunes music folder with thousands of artist subfolders in Finder, took days on either a MacBook Pro via AFP, or a PS3 via UPnP. Using iTunes to locate the source MP3 file of a song playing hung up the Finder for so long it crashed. Loading a photo library in Aperture or Lightroom was equally painful, with frequent stalls. I shouldn't fully write-off an unseen quirk with my particular network setup. The folks at Synology thought everything sounded kosher, but did point out that the AirPort Extreme router I used for testing does not support jumbo frames (a way of optimizing gigabit ethernet traffic) so some gains could be reaped there with a different router. Also, much of my testing was done over 802.11g-browsing on a wireless N connection may fare better, although slowness was apparent on both the PS3 and my laptop when both were connected via gigabit ethernet, which should be blazing. Dedicated NAS systems do provide extras such as UPnP, remote access via FTP or SSH, a built-in web server, and more. Still, your computer can already handle those just as well. With the drive attached as a network volume, your computer can act as the conduit even if it's got nothing stored locally, serving media via a local UPnP server (like Tversity for Windows or MediaLink for OS X) and giving remote access to a local drive. A built-in Torrent client is the one I could see being useful, so if you're a heavy Torrenter, consider that. Total Cost: $330 for the NAS + approximately $160 (2 x 500GB drive) = $490. Yes, you can go cheaper (especially if you only need a single drive), but you will likely lose the Mac's AFP speed advantage. Final Verdict The quickest and simplest route out of the three is definitely an AirPort Disk, and it's also, somewhat surprisingly, a performance winner in my real-world testing. Still, on a different network setup—if your primary machines are wired, for instance—the results could swing heavily back toward a dedicated box like the DS207+, so this isn't to say dedicated rigs should be written off completely. It's important to pick the best performing NAS for your setup, but do it while sticking to our strategy: Start by spending as little as possible; if you're unsatisfied, move up in baby steps. And yes, Windows-only networks don't have to jump through quite so many hoops when it comes to network storage, since SMB/CIFS support is the default in low-cost boxes, which works just fine in a Windows-only environment. If you don't have a network with both Macs and PCs, there are a number of different routes you can take here that may be cheaper or more suited to what you need. Our three options offer a good balance of performance while keeping both platforms (and Linux, too) relatively happy. NAS-land can get pretty crazy, and subject to the particular interactions of each person's own gear, so by all means throw in your own experiences and recommendations in the comments, and further help folks who are jumping into the NAS game for the first time.


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Mauve Printed Art Silk Designer Kameez Kameez
Product Details
- Mauve Salwar Kameez In Art Silk Fabric
- The Salwar Kameez Is Embellished With Printed Embroidery
- The Salwar Kameez Is Accompanied With A Bottom And Dupatta
- Comes With The Koskii Promise Of Premium Quality
Size & Fit
Material & Care
Dry Wash Only
Product Code
Which Countries do you ship to?
We deliver across the globe.
However, at this point, we do not service deliveries to Russia, Bangladesh, Ghana, Pakistan, Iran, Cuba, Sudan, North Korea, Syria, Myanmar, and Ukraine because of logistical challenges and High Custom Duty Implications.
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You can make the payment from the following options:
1) Credit/Debit Card
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All the orders will be shipped through FedEx, our official Logistics Partner.
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The average delivery time is 7-15 business days depending on the country of residence.
What are the charges for shipping?
Shipping cost refers to the cost of shipping an item from the origin to the destination country and the same needs to be paid to the courier partners.
We offer Free Shipping for all orders above 150 USD. All shipments below 150 USD will be charged 25 USD.
Do you offer customization / tailoring services?
Yes, we do offer tailoring services to our customers on request.
In order to avail these services, please download the Koskii Measurement Guide Form and fill in all the relevant details and we'll get your outfit tailored at Koskii's professional boutique in Bangalore.
Once completed, the details should be emailed to us at firstname.lastname@example.com, our support team would reach out to you with a confirmation within 24 hrs.
Charges applicable for tailoring services have been mentioned within the form and will have to be paid separately.
Note: Any tailoring requests would add 3 - 5 business days to the delivery date.
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Every time an item crosses an international border from one country to another, it is subject to these charges by the importing country's rules and regulations.
Charges such as Custom or Import Duties, VAT, Local Sales Tax, Clearance charges are not in our or any seller's control and are determined by the respective local government bodies.
Hence, for all international orders, customers will be solely responsible for bearing the Customs duty and other clearance formalities.
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Your cancellation request will be processed within 24 hours.
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If you wish to return an order, kindly email our team at email@example.com
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Once we receive the product(s), it will go through a quality check at our warehouse and we will then initiate the refund within 24-48 business hours.
Please note that the refund amount will be calculated post deducting the import charges and shipping and handling costs as applicable.
What if I Don't Want to Pay my International Duties and Taxes?
If you choose to not pay duties and taxes and refuse to accept the delivery of the product, the refund will be made after deducting the return shipment cost and import charges we incur to ship the product back to India.
If the return charges are higher than the order refund amount, no refund will be made.
Buy 2 Get 1 Free offer is available on Designer Sarees and Unstiched Salwar Suits. To avail the Buy 2 Get 1 Free offer add any 3 products with the BUY 2 GET 1 OFFER to the cart. The product with the lowest price will be added to the cart as a free product
Blouse stitching, Pico Fall seaming and Alterations are available on request.
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We are committed to ensuring a 100% Purchase Protection to customers by offering them genuine products, robust & secure payment gateways and easy returns for items purchased on Koskii.com
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Looking at returning / exchanging your product? It's simple. You have to raise a return request within 7 days of delivery of the product.
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Please reach out to email@example.com within 7 days of order delivery. Our customer support team will get back to you within 48 hours of receiving the request.
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The customers need to courier the product back to us and the return courier charges are to be borne by the customers.
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The refund will be initiated within 48 hours of approval from the returns team. The refund takes between 3 to 5 working days to reflect in your account.
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Reach out to our customer support team for further assistance. Call us on +918046163052 or WhatsApp us.
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If you have a problem we will solve it. Just reach out to our customer support team. Call us on +918046163052 or WhatsApp us.


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The People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China is making significant strides toward developing a global military power large enough to protect its rapidly increasing global economic interests, an author of a new book on China explained Wednesday.
"Chinese military planners really seem convinced that their most likely enemy and their greatest potential threat is the United States," Wortzel said his analysis of PLA journals showed. "Things aren't great with Russia, and things are a lot worse with Japan, but they focus on us and our technology."
The transformation began less than a decade ago when in 2004 leader Hu Jintao announced that the PLA's mission must be to go global in order to safeguard the country's expanding national interests. Continue reading


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Letter from the wife of a pedophile explaining why she stayed and how she finally got out. Encouragement for other wives of child molesters.
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Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2
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Some of you may have read the following comment from last night, but it just will not leave my mind. A courageous woman, Anon 3, who was married to a pedophile reached out to address the wives of pedophiles involved in the Sovereign Grace Ministries lawsuit. Her words were beautiful and gave hope. In a later comment, she said that this was the very first time she had disclosed it publicly and felt that maybe God was prompting her to do so. I, too, feel compelled to make Anon 3's comment into a post in order to reach a wider audience via internet searches and so it will not be merely buried in the comments area.
To those who have stopped by via an internet search on this topic, welcome. You may be in a very difficult place. No one knows the path each individual takes. Some agonize for months and even years on whether to stay or whether to go. On this blog, we talk a lot about spiritual abuse, but haven't delved into the topic of what it is like to be married to a pedophile. I happen to know a wife who is married to a pedophile and has remained married to him. Although she would say things are fine, when I look at their marriage, I do not see that. I see pain and emotional distance. There is no intimacy, but two people living two separate lives. She never got the courage to leave and it has taken its toll on the entire family, including extended family. But she believes that she has made the right decision.
No one can make that decision for anyone else. It comes with a cost. That might be why Anon 3's comment struck me profoundly. This brave woman chose a difficult path of leaving the familiar behind and venturing out on her own with her children. Her words speak for themselves. If you are the wife of a pedophile, know that as I type these words, my prayers are with you – – that you will be able to make the best decision for you and your family and that you will also continue to surround yourself with safe and loving support from friends/family who care. You should not have to be alone in this process whether you decide to stay or leave. ~Julie Anne
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A Letter from the Wife of a Child Molester
I actually do feel compassion for the perpetrator's families. And I have a message for the wives:
I want you to know how sorry I am about your situation – both for you and your children.
You are not the only Christian woman who married a pedophile. I did too. I left him more than a decade ago because I knew that someday I would end up on headline news, just as you have. I am so sorry for the embarrassment and humiliation you've suffered.
Each of us makes our own decision. I stayed a long time with my husband too. I'm probably about your age. I hoped that my love would fill that empty place in his heart. It didn't. I had fasted and prayed during my entire marriage. We tried years of counseling and even an in-patient treatment center. My husband got a masters in marriage and family therapy from a Christian university. It didn't help.
One day, I found out about a new incident, and I realized I had to get out for the sake of my children and everyone around us.
I felt the Lord saying, "You are like a bird in a cage. But see? I have opened the door. You may fly out or stay in. But that door won't open again."
I flew out. And I am so happy I did. I asked my husband to leave – exhibiting a strength and toughness I never knew I had. I got him out of my home, out of my church, out of my neighborhood, and out of my town. I did not hate him; but I knew he was a walking disaster area.
Yes, the first couple of years were hard financially, but God was faithful. My children suffered at first, but they have turned out as lovely whole people. They are winners in every sense: personally, academically, and spiritually. They don't have the level of damage in their lives that their father does. They love him but see his limits. I told them the truth when they turned 21. (They hadn't been victims themselves and hadn't known.)
I want to give you hope that if you want to fly out the open door, that life is wonderful out here. Yes, you will hurt a lot for a year, maybe two. But the joy of living without the burden of a pedophile in your life is incredible.
• I thought God could never use me again. But he has.
• I thought I would never be in ministry again. But I am — even more than before.
• I thought people at church would condemn me. But they didn't. They surrounded me with love.
• I thought I would never be financially solid again. But I am. In fact I have 10 times the assets I did when I was married, and my retirement is nearly fully funded.
• I thought I was disqualified for God's best. But I know now I am a daughter of the Lord, and am blessed.
• I thought my children would be damaged and hopelessly dysfunctional. They aren't. They tell me that they feel the same as everyone else. In fact, they look at their friends' mothers and see a lot more dysfunction there.
• I thought I would never have any honor. I've been put on many corporate and non-profit boards and served in far more leadership positions in church than I did when I was married.
• My children are proud of me for what I did.
I hope this has given you hope.
Whatever you decide, the choice is truly yours. I am thrilled I was set free. My life is incredibly happy. There are much worse things in this world than divorce.
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Update 7/27/13: Even though this blog post is not current, the comments are being followed by others whose lives have been affected by pedophilia. Feel free to reach out in the comment section (using a pseudonym is perfectly fine). I keep all e-mail addresses strictly confidential.
If you are struggling with the fact that your spouse/family member or close acquaintance is a pedophile and need help, please let me know. I will try to find help/resources for you. I have been in touch with others behind the scenes gathering resources on this subject.
You must know that you are not alone. There are many wives/families who have walked your journey and would love to reach out to you. ~Julie Anne