text:
What is SEO? Part 1: An intro + on-page and off-page SEO basics
Years ago, at the ripe age of 27, I was working in a shopping mall when I decided that it was time for me to take on a massive career move. The mall itself, working nights, weekends, and holidays just wasn't for me anymore. I went back to school for a Master's in Internet Marketing and 2 months after graduating I landed my first career position as a Social Media Manager at a local startup. Sadly, 4 months later, that startup ran out of investor funding and I was without work.
I plugged away taking temp jobs here and there, trying my best to stay within the bounds of the digital marketing industry, until I was finally brought on as a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) intern at a local marketing agency. I didn't know anything about SEO, let alone what its real purpose was or the impact that could be made by implementing SEO tactics, but I was about to learn, and fast because 3 days into that internship my mentor quit leaving me, a 3-day intern with zero experience, in charge of search engine optimization for all the company's clients 😳.
Fast forward a few years….By this point in time, I had interviewed with plenty of other agencies and companies outside of the place I worked as an intern. I knew what I was doing in SEO. As much as you can know with the constant changes that happen at least. It never failed though, that in every interview I would be asked: "What is SEO?" My default answer, under the crippling pressure of an interview, would always be an almost exact regurgitation of Moz's explanation:
"SEO is the practice of improving the quality and quantity of traffic to your website through organic search results."
That answer is SO. Basic.
So then, what is SEO?
If you're new to search engine optimization as a profession or if you're seeking SEO services for your business and you just want to better understand what SEO is, the above explanation from Moz is a good starting point. That's the statement you take to your Marketing Director or CMO and say "Hey, doesn't this sound great? I think we need it!" The truth of the matter is that search engine optimization is a lot of things all packaged up neatly into one happy little acronym, SEO, that most of your friends and family will never understand, but you'll feel super cool explaining to them about how you are in charge of the internet and you get to manipulate search results, and really, the Googs (Google) is your b**** and only listens to what you tell it to do (but with algorithmic resistance).
If you're anything like me you're probably thinking "come on lady, I don't care about you or your experience, just tell me what SEO is!" Ok, fine, but my experience is what makes me the most credible source to teach you. Most people I've talked to about SEO over the last hand full of years all explain their experiences similarly as "being thrown to the wolves" because SEO is, exactly as stated above, the ever-changing practice (we're pretty much website doctors) of making sure your website appeals to search engines.
But you said SEO was a lot of things, so what are all the things?
Search Engine Optimization is often explained as an art and a science because both creative thinking and technical know-how are required for getting your site indexed, improving your site's rankings, and driving traffic. It's an iterative process of research, strategy, implementation, analysis, wash, rinse, repeat. It's a split between content creation and what we like to call tinkering here at Brain Bytes Creative, you know, the back-end code stuff. There are different forms like on-site SEO and off-site SEO… As I said, it's a lot of things, and I know, if you're new to this it's probably all very overwhelming. No worries though, we'll get through it! On to ALL THE THINGS!
What's the difference between on-site SEO and off-site SEO?
When you work in SEO you quickly become the master of Google (Bing, Yahoo!, DuckDuckGo, whatever your prefs). You learn how to search the internet better than anyone you know using advanced search operators in combination with "exact match" text to find just the thing you're looking for in a matter of seconds. Honestly, there's not much I can't find in search these days (even the pictures of weird bugs, plants, and critters my Dad texts me asking what they are).
You think I'm kidding….
All that to say, back when I was an intern and my mentor bailed on me and I had to teach myself everything about SEO really fast, the Googs and I became pretty tight. My new mentors were Rand Fishkin (my idol, formerly of Moz and currently SparkToro — he Tweeted to me once which basically means I'm famous right? –),
SEJ, SEroundtable, Search Engine Land, etc., and learning the difference between on-site and off-site SEO was one of my first steps.
On-page SEO
A lot of the time when people think of on-page, or on-site SEO, they think of the things they literally see on a page or in a page source, like metadata, body copy, etc.. While they're not wrong, over the years search engines, (namely Google) after the 2015 launch of the RankBrain algorithm update, have become increasingly more sophisticated. Now, with a focus on user experience, there is no longer a need to use a keyword X number of times per 100 words, making on-site SEO less about keywords and more about topics. Don't get me wrong, keywords are still important, but not in a placement/repetition way like they used to be. Other on-page elements include the use of structured data, internal/cross-linking, page load speed, URL structure, and mobile friendliness.
The biggest takeaway here is on user experience. If the page reads naturally, loads fast, and otherwise checks all the SEO boxes (we'll get to these) from a usability standpoint, search engines will have no reason to discredit it.
On-page SEO recap:
- Keywords and Content Development
- Metadata and Internal Cross-Linking
- Site Architecture
- SEO Code Optimization
- Page Load Speed
- Structured Data Markup (Schema)
- Rich Snippets
- Mobile Friendliness
Off-page SEO
Just as on-page optimizations are things that happen within your site to improve your rank in search engine results pages (SERPs), off-page, or off-site optimizations are the things that happen outside of your site to do the same. Now, you may be thinking "Why would I need to do anything off my site? How could that possibly help me rank better?" Well, off-site SEO is how people searching the internet and how search engines determine your credibility. The higher your domain authority, the higher you rank (assuming you've formidably complied to all other search engine optimization tactics, keep away from black-hat SEO). It's not just domain authority though, off-site SEO also encompasses the page's popularity, trustworthiness, and relevance.
Off-page SEO recap:
- Building Backlinks
- Social Media
- Local Optimizations
Is one more important than the other?
You may be wondering which is more important between on-page and off-page SEO and the truth is, you can't have one without the other. If you have no content, there is nothing for people to link to, and if you have no links you have no credibility or reason for search engines to rank your content.
If I had to choose a primary focus though, it'd be on-site SEO, hands down, more specifically, content development. The reason is this: If you write an article or a page and publish it to your site then share a link from your Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., and then your friend shares it, you're already on your way to building backlinks. While those shares may not have high trust or authority you're still getting your message out to the world which is step one. You never know, someone with a legendary level of clout may just share or link to your article!
If you want to know how to achieve internet popularity, trust, and authority for your site, check out What is SEO? Part 2: Off-site SEO Explained!


text:
They've got this!
Unfledged, the story of a Vampire named Lisa, who is passing for human until she is captured by the FBI-V (vampire hunting division). She is separated from her human daughter and must find her way back to her.
To see pages two weeks early, check out my patreon!
Watch out for other updates and extra content on my social media:
They people are as cruel as the vampires.
I think that is the point. XD
It'll make more sense the more we get into the story... I hope. ;)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Drain permanently full of water and overflowing
Reported in the Blocked/Damaged category anonymously at 17:13, Sat 9 November 2019
Sent to Northamptonshire County Council 2 minutes later. ref: 1839261.
As summary above
Thank you for reporting a fault. We will use the information you have provided to assess and prioritise this fault in accordance with our published response times for fault reports.
State changed to: Investigating
Posted by Northamptonshire County Council at 10:58, Mon 11 November 2019
Thank you for your enquiry. Our public highways are inspected regularly and the drains will be cleaned as part of the Northamptonshire Highways routine roadside gully cleansing programme. However should any flooding occur on the road or footway, please call as a matter of urgency to Street Doctor on 0300 126 1000.
State changed to: No further action
Posted by Northamptonshire County Council at 13:39, Mon 11 November 2019
This report is now closed to updates. You can make a new report in the same location.


text:
Election Regulation 2012
The Council makes the following Regulations:
Dated: 2 May 2016
Table of contents
- Part 1. Preliminary
- Part 2. Administration of Elections
- Part 3. Entitlement to Participate in Elections
- Part 4. Conduct of Elections
- Part 5. Determining the Results of an Election
- Part 6. Casual vacancies
- Part 7. Miscellaneous
Part 1. Preliminary
1. Objective
The objective of these Regulations is to make provision for elections conducted by or on behalf of the University.
2. Authorising provision
These Regulations are made under the Governance and Administration Statute 2012 and sections 28, 29 and 30 of the Swinburne University of Technology Act 2010.
3. Definitions
In these Regulations—
ballot period means the period during which persons may vote at an election.
4. Scope of these Regulations
- These Regulations apply to a statutory election.
- In this regulation statutory election means an election which the Vice-Chancellor or University Secretary has determined is an election to which these Regulations apply.
- A determination by the Vice-Chancellor or University Secretary may apply to specified elections or elections for membership of a specified body.
Part 2. Administration of Elections
Division 1—Voters roll
5. Returning officer to keep voters roll
- The returning officer must compile voters rolls for the purposes of elections conducted under these Regulations.
- Voters rolls may categorise voters according to voter eligibility requirements of elections to be conducted under these Regulations.
6. Information to be recorded on voters roll
A voters roll must contain, in respect of each person entitled to be on that roll—
- the person's name; and
- any further information about the person which the returning officer considers to be appropriate to identify the person or to determine the person's eligibility to vote or nominate in an election.
7. Application to be included on the voters roll
- A person may apply to the returning officer to be included on a voters roll if—
- his or her name is not on the voters roll; and
- the person believes that he or she is entitled to be included on the voters roll.
- If the returning officer is satisfied that the person is entitled to be included on the voters roll, the returning officer must enter the person's name on the voters roll.
Division 2—Retention of documents
8. Returning officer to retain documents
- In this regulation—
election documents means completed nomination forms, ballot documents, entries or data, voters rolls and other records relating to an election, in hard copy or electronic format;
retention period means the period expiring on the last of the three dates referred to in subregulation (2).
- The returning officer must retain election documents until the later of
- three months after the date of the election;
- if a dispute relating to the conduct or result of the election has arisen, three months after the resolution of the dispute or the date on which the duly elected candidate commences his or her term, whichever is the later; and
- the expiry of any applicable retention period applying to public records under the Public Records Act 1973.
- The returning officer must ensure that election documents are destroyed at the end of the retention period.
Part 3. Entitlement to Participate in Elections
9. Entitlement to vote
- A person is entitled to vote at an election if the person's name is on the relevant voters roll.
- A person is entitled to vote in all categories in which they are eligible for any election.
Example #1
A person is enrolled as both a postgraduate student and an undergraduate student. The person may vote in both categories.
Example #2
A person is an international student who is an undergraduate. The person may vote as an international student and as an undergraduate student.
10. Entitlement to be nominated for election
1. Subject to University legislation prescribing specific eligibility criteria for University bodies, a person is entitled to be nominated for election if:
- the person's name is on the voters roll on a date not less than three days before the day on which nominations close;
- in the case of a staff member, he or she—
- holds a 0.5 or more on-going or fixed-term appointment at nomination and for the duration of his or her term;
- has completed their probationary period of employment with the University;
- is resident in Australia;
- is attending the University solely or primarily as a staff member rather than a student and is not also a staff member or student at another university; and
- satisfies any regulatory probity requirements.
- in the case of a student, he or she—
- is 18 years of age or older at nomination;
- is studying the equivalent of fifty percent or more of a full time load at the point of nomination and for the duration of his or her term;
- is resident in Australia;
- is attending the University solely or primarily as a student rather than as an employee of the University and is not also a student or staff member at another university; and
- satisfies any regulatory probity requirements.
2. The returning officer shall determine if a person who nominates for election satisfies the criteria specified in subregulation (1).
Part 4. Conduct of Elections
Division 1—Nomination of candidates
11. Nomination of candidates
- The returning officer must call for nominations of candidates from the relevant electorate not less than two weeks before the first day of a ballot period.
- A call for nominations must
- be in a form determined by the returning officer;
- specify a date, being not less than one week before the first day of the ballot period, by which nominations are to be delivered to the returning officer.
- In determining the method of calling for nominations the returning officer must take into consideration the objective of ensuring that the call comes to the attention of the relevant electorate.
- To be valid, nominations must be complete and in the form determined by the returning officer.
Division 2—Procedure where there is no contest
12. Unopposed candidates
If the number of candidates nominated for election to a body in a particular category does not exceed the number of vacancies in that category, the returning officer must declare those candidates duly elected.
13. Insufficient candidates
- This regulation applies
- to all of the vacancies if—
- no candidates are nominated for election to a body in a particular category; or
- all candidates nominated for election to a vacancy withdraw before being elected;
- to the number of vacancies which are not filled if
- the number of candidates nominated for election to a body in a particular category is less than the number of vacancies; or
- a candidate nominated for election to a vacancy withdraws before being elected, resulting in the number of remaining candidates being less than the number of vacancies.
- to all of the vacancies if—
- Where this regulation applies, the returning officer must notify the relevant member of University staff of the vacancy and of the requirements of this regulation.
- A member of University staff who has received a notification under this regulation must, after consultation with the Chair of the body, appoint suitable persons to fill the vacancies.
- A person appointed under subregulation (3) must have the like qualifications (if any) that would have made the person eligible to nominate in the election.
- Notwithstanding subregulation (3), it is not obligatory to appoint a person to fill a vacancy if there is no suitable person willing or available to be appointed to fill the vacancy.
Division 3—Procedure where there is a contest
14. Election if more candidates than vacancies
If the number of candidates nominated for election to a body in a particular category exceeds the number of vacancies, the returning officer must conduct a ballot in accordance with these Regulations.
15. Notice of ballot
- The returning officer must publish a notice of ballot not less than one week before the final day of the ballot period.
- In determining the method of notification the returning officer must take into consideration the objective of ensuring that the notice comes to the attention of the relevant electorate.
- A notice of ballot must specify the ballot closing time.
16. Voting procedure
- Votes may be cast and recorded in a manner determined by the returning officer.
This provision allows the returning officer to determine that voting will be by paper or online or using any other system or method and may include postal or other forms of voting.
- The manner for conducting elections under this Regulation must be included in the notice of ballot under regulation 15.
- Elections will be determined by plurality voting known as "first past the post".
Division 4—Counting Ballots
17. Counting votes
After the ballot closing time, the returning officer or the returning officer's nominee, must—
- examine all votes cast;
- determine whether any votes are invalid; and
- count the valid votes in accordance with these Regulations.
18. Votes received late not to be counted
- Except as provided in this Regulation, votes received after the ballot closing time must not be counted.
- If the Vice-Chancellor and the returning officer are of the opinion that voting has been affected by an Act of God or industrial action, they may direct that votes received after a time specified by them, being not later than 5.00 pm one week after the last day of the ballot period, be examined and counted.
19. Scrutineers
- Subject to confidentiality restrictions as determined by the returning officer, a person nominated by a candidate in an election may review the result of the election.
- A scrutineer must not be a contesting candidate.
20. Invalid votes
A vote is invalid if—
- the vote has been cast in a manner other than as specified in these Regulations or the instructions given by the returning officer;
- the person who voted is not eligible to vote at the election; or
- a person voted more than once in a category.
21. Determining the validity of votes
- Notwithstanding regulation 20, the returning officer may determine a vote is valid if in the opinion of the returning officer it is fair and reasonable to do so.
- The returning officer's decision that a vote is invalid is final.
Part 5. Determining the Results of an Election
22. Where one person is to be elected
- If only one (1) person is to be elected then the candidate with the most votes shall be declared elected.
- If two (2) or more candidates receive the equal highest number of votes, the returning officer must draw lots in the presence of two (2) witnesses and the candidate whose name is drawn is declared elected.
23. Where two or more candidates to be elected
- Where two or more candidates are to be elected
- the first vacancy must be filled in accordance with the procedure applying to the filling of one vacancy in accordance with regulation 22;
- the remaining vacancies must be filled in order of votes received.
The candidate with the second highest amount of votes is elected to the second position.
Part 6. Casual vacancies
24. Filling vacancies
- For a body other than the Council, positions filled by a statutory election that become vacant before the end of a term of office must be filled as follows—
- if the position was contested and a ballot was conducted under regulation 14 and the position becomes vacant after the person has been declared elected but before the term of office begins, the candidate with the next highest number of votes must be declared elected;
- if the position was contested and a ballot was conducted under regulation 14 and the position becomes available after the term of office begins, subregulations 13(2)-(5) apply;
- if the position was uncontested and the candidate was elected unopposed under regulation 12, subregulations 13(2)-(5) apply.
Casual vacancies for the Council must be filled in accordance with clauses 7 & 8 of Schedule 1 of the Act.
- A person elected or appointed under subregulation 24(1) is entitled to hold office during the remainder of the term.
- It is not obligatory to fill a casual vacancy if:
- the casual vacancy occurs within 6 months before the expiry of the term of office; or
- there is no suitable person willing or available to be appointed to fill the casual vacancy.
Part 7. Miscellaneous
Division 1—Offence
25. Offence
- A person must not, in connection with a University election, record a vote which he or she is not entitled to record.
- It is general misconduct for the purposes of the Student General Misconduct Regulations 2012 if a person records a vote which he or she is not entitled to record.
Division 2—Validity of elections
26. Validity of election
An election, including the conduct and outcome of an election, is valid notwithstanding a procedural irregularity which, in the opinion of the returning officer or the Vice-Chancellor, would not have affected the result.
Division 3—Revocation
27. Revocation
Regulation 15 – Elections is revoked.


text:
View Library
Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of more than a dozen inspirational romance novels and novellas, including Where Two Hearts Meet and Surrendered Hearts. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award. She lives in central New Jersey with her husband, Scott.
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text: Pair of petite wall sconces. Measures approximately 11 high 3 wide and 4 deep. The item "Petite Vintage Pair Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces Ribbon" is in sale since Sunday, July 15, 2018.This item is in the category "Antiques\Architectural & Garden\Chandeliers, Sconces & Lighting Fixtures". The seller is "allyhandrasplace" and is located in East Granby, Connecticut. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, Ukraine, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica.


text:
Amid political slugfest on terror, JD (U) pitches for national unity
| Updated: Aug 23, 2017 11:20 IST
New Delhi, July 8 (ANI): Amid the ongoing political slugfest for attending Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's programmes between the Congress Party and BJP, Janata Dal (United) on Friday called for a national unity for fighting terrorism. "The politicisation of terrorism is the worst way of handling and defeating terrorism. I would only press and emphasise the point that terrorism can only be fought when there is a national unity," JD-U leader Pawan Verma told ANI. Verma further noted that politicisation of terrorism in order to foster short term political gain is not in the interest of the country. "Politicising terrorism for short term political gain or scoring brownie points by one party against the other is not the right way," he added. When asked to respond on Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who is under fire for attending events of Naik, the JD(U) leader said he has already issued a clarification. "Infact, he has welcomed an investigation into Zakir Naik, but whether it is BJP or Congress, the politicisation of terror should not happen," he added. Meanwhile, facing flak from BJP for sharing the stage with Zakir Naik who is in the midst of a controversy for his 'hate speech' reportedly inspiring one of the five militants involved in the recent terror attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh questioned the double standards in application. "Is Zakir Naik a terrorist, is there a case against him, is he a criminal. When Sri Sri Ravi Shankar shares a stage with him that is Nationalism, if Shri Rajnath Singh goes and Visits Pragya Thakur, an accused of Malegaon bomb blast that is nationalism, and if I share the stage I am anti national. What kind of double standard is this," Singh told ANI. In 2012, a video emerged showing Digvijaya Singh sharing stage with Islamic preacher Zakir Naik at an event. The video shows Digvijay Singh saying that people like Zakir Naik can bridge the gap between Hindus and Muslims. Zakir Naik is reportedly in Saudi Arabia for a religious pilgrimage and would return to India on July 11. Naik, a popular but controversial Islamic orator and founder of the Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation, is banned in UK and Canada for his hate speeches. He is among 16 banned Islamic scholars in Malaysia. (ANI)


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"I love The Expansions their futuristic leanings inject new life into the form. Fresh material!" Ian Merchant (Black Acre)
"Exudes all the qualities I cherish most in music, warmth, integrity and a dedication to the groove… it's a hard road to travel when you step in the footprints of giants, The Expansions are treading that path with ease and assurance." Patrick Forge
"Coming off something like the UK's more jazz-funk fueled answer to BBNG, all four quarters of this monstrous unit are on point on this hugely anticipated release. There's got to be a very special long-player in the works, and I for one can't wait to immerse myself in that!" Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s)
"The Expansions, very funky! Headhunters/Weather Report inspired, and definitely worth checking out. My new favourite band." Steve White (Style Council, Paul Weller)
The Answer
When The Expansions self released their first single in 2013, the laid-back jazz funk of Lavender, it quickly gained strong support from soul and rare-groove aficionados including Kenny Dope, Dom Servini, Patrick Forge and Andy Smith. A run of shows followed and before long, when someone was asking if there was a soul-jazz band around to play with, "The Expansions" was the answer.
Although this popularity meant a hiatus in releasing music, the band have been constantly busy, playing around Europe with legendary British-Ghanaian soul singer, Andrew Ashong and the exceptional, upcoming talent Connie Constance.
Murmuration, recorded over three days at Big Noise in Southend, is constructed of single takes, with minimal overdubs, as the band attempt to capture the feeling and energy they create live.
Synths And Groove
Debut single Breakthrough introduced the insanely catchy but deeply soulful blend of synths and groove, but here on the album that is explored to the fullest with longer breakdowns and more expansive, experimental solos. Pocket 5 displays the, possibly unexpected, influences of broken beat and almost combative rhythm playing – particularly in the complex guitar and keys breakdown where Koor and O'Keefe layer conflicting time signatures and battle to ride it out to the heavy drum return.
Cannonball brings warm mellowness that delicately evolves through beats, touching on bossas alongside their fundamental hip-hop sensibilities. But even here there is a raucous zenith before the band sublimely recede into the silence of the a-side ending.
Colossal album highlight Ivory Mountain is truly an epic. Evoking moments of 4Hero, there is a lightness of groove in the first half of this soulful exploration. But at the halfway point, all restraint is let go as a live string section joins the four quarters of the band for three glorious minutes of soulful disco. Evoking sounds of Quincy Jones, George Benson and Johnny Hammond, all the way through to a beautifully cacophonous finale.
Introverted Shuffle
Dragonfly undoubtedly reflects on the work of Herbie Hancock and is the most direct throwback to the band's earlier work, which is a welcome marker of how far they have come. A quintessential jazz funker.
The album closes with the thoughtful and introverted shuffle of Miles Away. In the final eight minutes of Murmuration, The Expansions allow space and time to take precedence, with once-more-restrained peaks and developments. It becomes clear though, that the band cannot resist one last explosive finale, as they rise with screeching synths, strings and dubs for a perfect race to the finish line.
You can hear the influences of Idris Muhammad, Grover Washington, even parallels with South London peers Yussef Kamaal and Ruby Rushton. But The Expansions have tirelessly worked to create a sound of their own and are very proud, along with label Albert's Favourites, to finally share it.
[toggle title="More Reactions"]
"Dope!!!" Pimpernel Jones
"Lovely stuff, as ever." Aly Gillani, First Word Records
"This is excellent 4.5 of 5" Asian Hawk
"A real uplifting beauty." m.path.iq
"Cool stuff , perfect for PLANETA JAZZ radioshow, gonna play it this next saturday Radio Oxigenio 102.6 Fm" Tiago Santos, Radio Oxigenio, Portugal
"I'm curious and looking forward to the album from THE EXPANSIONS, "Cannonball" is a beautiful tune. 10/10 and full support!" Dr. Best, Radio Z, Germany
"This is awesome. Beautiful piece of real music , real jazz, soulful music the way i love it." Alex Attias, Visions Recordings
"Absolutely stunning tune !!! Will definately play !!!" Markus Milz, Further In Fusion
"SMOOOOOOOOVE…… can't wait to hear the full release. 10/10." Mike Stukes Mystic Vybes WHCR 90.3 FM
"Wonderful track and I can't wait to hear the LP" Simon Harrison, Basic Soul
"Seriously strong stuff, different level!" Body Moves
[toggle title="Radio Play"]
Huey Morgan, BBC Radio 6 Music
Olivier Cavaller, Rinse France
Markus Milz, Further In Fusion


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My trip to Ithaca for Spring Break was one very different from the lifestyle I lived back at home. I was looking forward to seeing the waterfalls and gorges throughout the town. I was surreal seeing such beauty. I snapped some shots of Carissa against a brick wall near the waterfalls as she showed me her "fake laugh".
Click here to see all the images in larger than life quality.


text:
Canon released a new version of their EOS Webcam Utility. The EOS Webcam Utillity allows…
Canon Digital Photo Professional 4.x tutorial series has new videos added
The Canon Professional Network started a tutorial series for their own photo editing and RAW converter software, Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP) 4.x (latest version).
Welcome to the Digital Photo Professional video tutorial section! CPN writer and software expert George Cairns unpacks Canon's popular workflow software and explains key components with video demonstrations on how it can make a difference to your RAW workflow.
We will be publishing one video per week over the next 11 weeks, looking at particular elements of the software, with each video accompanied by a pdf mini guide which includes the the images used in the tutorial. Collect all 11 guides to build up the ultimate DPP library!
Simply click on each video as they are added each week and learn more about the software and how it can make a difference to your photography!
For the time being there are five tutorial videos:
- Get organised
- Recover missing shadows
- Levels and curves
- Counteract colour casts
- Improve composition (latest added video)
All five tutorials come with downloadable resources, like PDF docs, RAW files used in the examples etc. This looks to be a pretty good, free tutorial for Canon Digital Photo Professional 4.x. Click here to access the tutorials. Enjoy!


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Celtic Druidic rituals are actually Iranic Zoroastrian! The Celts learned it from the Sarmatians!
|Europe Travel Guide
|Facts & Trivia
|Eupedia Top > Eupedia Forum & Japan Forum
I asked myself how I2a-din ended up in Britain. And now I found the answer!
Marcus Aurelius send 5500 Sarmatians to Britain!
"Archaeological evidence of Sarmatians has been found also at Chesters ..."
And not the Germanic tribes but Iranic tribes were the real power around the Black Sea and North of the Balkans!
Incredible, didn't know that Emperor Galerius (293-311) even had a Sarmatian bodyguard!
I took this from page 50-51 from this book:
more about this subject: 'From Scythia to Camelot', by C. Scott Littleton and Linda A. Malcor
Celtic Druidic rituals are actually Iranic Zoroastrian! The Celts learned it from the Sarmatians!
As no one knows what was involved in a Druidic ritual and what little was written about Druids (particularly those in Ireland) came from the outside perception of foreigners (therefore rumour) I don't see how they can be correctly compared to anyone, little on so emphatically as the above link suggests. The author of the article on Celtic Religion does not list sources either, which also sheds doubt on his/her claims.
What the...
Goga, there isn't any I2a-Din in Britain, except for extremely recent migrations. Do you mean I2a-Disles? Although it's the closest clade to I2a-Din, Nordtvedt estimates it as having a TMRCA with I2a-Din of nearly 6,000 years ago. That's not within range for the time period you're proposing.
"Of the three common gates in the Sacred Center, it is the Fire that is most important within Druid ritual and Druidic cosmology. It is clear that like the eastern Indo-European religions, our own has developed into a fire-cult."
... The fire is intimately connected to the sacrifice. Agni, the Vedic fire god, not only devours the sacrifice, but he calls the gods forth to sit upon the sacrificial grass, and he transfers the sacrifice to the rest of the host of gods and goddesses, who (it is said) cannot be exhilarated without him. ...
... In Zoroastrian ritual, the two basic cult objects are still fire and water, both of which are offered to in the daily yasna ritual. This ritual seeks to purify the fire, called the son of the Lord of Wisdom and placed in the south of the ritual precinct, which is the place of goodness and bounty. ...
Also remember that "the Mithraic Mysteries were a mystery religion practised in the Roman Empire from about the 1st to 4th centuries AD. The name of the Persian god Mithra, adapted into Greek as Mithras, was linked to a new and distinctive imagery. Romans also called the religion Mysteries of Mithras or Mysteries of the Persians; modern historians refer to it as Mithraism, or sometimes Roman Mithraism. The mysteries were popular in the Roman military."
Sorry Goga, you are making a number of false conjectures here:
- first off, modern (neo-pagan) Druidism has very little to do with the actual ancient religion. I would argue that our best sources on that are Irish/Welsh myths and references in Greek/Roman sources, though all of these are biased (the former through Christian influence, the latter through the 'Interpretatio Graecia/Romana').
- secondarily, you assume a connection between the Sarmatians and Zoroastrianism. This is just plain wrong: Zoroastrianism was the religion of Persia (in fact, the state religion if you will), and not of the Sarmathians. Just because the Sarmatians just like the Persians were Iranic peoples doesn't mean that they had the same religion.
- third, as Sparkey correctly pointed out, the subclade of Haplogroup I2a on the British Isles is actually a different one from the one found on the Balkans, and is more likely to be native to the British Isles
Also, that's a little bit offtopic. But Druids practise the bonfire rituals too:
Tree cults were popular in India, so this looks to be the living residue of ancient Aryan tree worship. European Indo-Eupopeans such as the Scandinavians and Saxons worshipped trees, as did the Celtic Druids. Decorating our own familiar Christmas tree could hardly be a more ancient Pagan practice. The decorations are supposed to remind the tree of how it is in full fruit, and prepare it for awakening again for a new season in spring. It comes from Germany but Luther is said to have revived the custom from what he had read about Zoroastrianism."
- "The religious practices were consistant among the Sauro-Sarmatian nomads. They were typical of the clan-tribal cults of pre-Zoroastrian Iran. The gods were personified. Those gods of nature were the sky, the earth, and fire. Gods pertaining to social concepts were the domestic hearth and war. The evidence of fire cult practices is exemplified by charcoal and ashes found in the burials."
Sarmatians practised the fire cult!
- read my answer I gave to Sparkley!
Some scholars have suggested that the Druids were the Celtic counterparts of the Brahmans of India.
There're even some folks that believe that Sarmatian legends were responsible for the (King) Arthurian legends.
A barley cake traditionally served at Celtic/Druidic festivals celebrating the advent of spring"
My people (Yezidi Kurds) still make every year a cake celebrating the advent of spring / Newroz (Kurdish new year), lol. We call this ritual (cake) 'klotsj'!
The similarities you mention go back beyond the Sarmatians to a shared Indo-European heritage. Your y-dna premise is incorrect, as sparkey and Taranis have written. I doubt the Sarmatians had much if any impact in Britain, genetic or otherwise. Some people fixate on them because they were horsemen and thus are thought glamorous.
I do agree with you. Of course was the genetic impact of Sarmatians on Brits almost zero. 5500 people is not very much even 2000 years ago!
I am not so sure about this. I2a-Dinaric is effectively absent in Britain. The forms found there, called 'Isles' and 'Disles' by Ken Nordtvedt are quite different from the largely Balkan-distributed 'Dinaric North' and 'Dinaric South'. For exampe, 'Isles' and 'Dinaric' parted ways around 13,000 years ago. Nordtvedt sees the absolutely miniscule presence of I2a-Dinaric in Britain as largely due to NPEs and Polish military who settled in the UK after WW2.
I am not saying that Sarmatians never set foot in Britain but that there appears to be no credible case for their genetic echoes in the form of I2a-Dinaric. As for the presence of E clades...that might be different.
The major form of I2a in Britain which is P37.2, M423 and L161 positive, has the new nomenclature of I2a1b2-Isles. It is currently divided by Nordtvedt into 8 sub-clades, differing slightly in age and distribution. Ireland, Scotland and England have very small numbers of these clades, but they appear to be effectively absent from Wales. There is a small presence across the north European plain too with Germany predominating. Nordtvedt conjectures that L161 was founded in northern Germany. It is likely that the 'Isles' clades were carried in small quantities to Britain and Ireland by successive waves of invaders as a minority signature, or by individuals [traders etc], from the days of Doggerland through to Anglo-Saxon invasions [the latter case regarding the English distribution].
Yes you're right! I was wrong about I2a in Britain. It's even not sure that I2a-DIN 'belongs' to Sarmatians or something.
You don't like Celts, do you? lol
I know one thing that Sarmathians certainly brought to Britain - look at Cymru flag - it had Sarmathian dragon.
Sarmation draco detail from a relief at the base of Trajan's Column (A.D. 113-117), Rome.
I heard about this theory before. They say Roman soldiers sent some Sarmatians, as well as some people from the occupied Balkan region to Britain to fight against other tribes and some settled down. They link the presence of E, in addition to I to them also. How accurate this is is uncertain to me. Could be coincidence, as other explanations are also possible. But it's still interesting nonetheless.
There's some Gedrosia admixture-dna component in Northwest Europe (mostly among folks with Germanic roots) . It's possible that it was brought by Iranic tribes for the east (Asia). Germanic and Iranic tribes had contact with each other in Eastern Europe.


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People really liked A Star is Born. The movie and it's soundtrack was so big that "Shallow," the Bradley Cooper assisted duo, was nominated four times for the Grammys (not to mention the film's Oscar noms.) Cooper is at the British Academy Film Awards tonight which means Gaga is without her co-star, but Mark Ronson was there to lend a helping hand. Instead of an emotional rendition of the tearjerker, Gaga was ready to rock—a subtle change from Jackson and Ally from A Star is Born. All hope isn't lost, Gaga is set to perform "Shallow" with Cooper for this year's Oscars. At the end of the night Gaga went home with awards for Best Solo Pop Performance and Best Pop/Duo Performance. Watch a clip below.
Follow Noisey on Twitter.


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PhD Program in Finance
The University of Geneva is a partner of the Swiss Finance Institute (a private foundation created by Switzerland's banking and Finance community in cooperation with leading Swiss universities) and as such, the GFRI's research and activities are aligned with those carried out by the SFI. Moreover, our doctoral education is integrated into the SFI Leman doctoral program in Finance and our professors are all affiliated to Swiss Finance Institute.
The Swiss Finance Institute PhD Program in Finance targets academic excellence. By providing an intellectual environment and curriculum comparable with the top PhD programs in Europe and North America. The PhD program operates at the three Swiss Finance Institute campuses in Geneva/Lausanne (Léman), Lugano and Zurich.
The curriculum comprises two phases: one preparatory year of intensive coursework followed by three years of advanced studies and research. The Program covers a wide range of subjects including Economics, Financial Economics, Corporate Finance, Mathematical Finance, and Econometrics. All courses are taught by internationally renowned academics from Switzerland, Europe, and North America. The Program offers the ideal framework for inspiring and successful PhD studies in Finance.
Applicants should have a strong interest in research activities and the desire to pursue an academic career or a finance research career within the public or private sector. Ideally an applicant's academic record will include a solid background in Economics as well as in Financial Mathematics although a missing prerequisite course might be takens at the beginning of the PhD program.
Please visit the Swiss Finance Institute website for further information.http://www.swissfinanceinstitute.ch/
Master Program in Finance
The Geneva Master in Wealth Management degree is accredited as a Master of Science in Wealth Management from the University of Geneva. It is vocationally-oriented and combines both practice and in-depth theoretical study, which is essential for gaining a thorough understanding of both wealth management and of finance in general. The course is also dedicated to contributing to the development of the field through research.
The course is based on modules designed to help students acquire an in-depth knowledge of risk management, international finance, banking and finance law and how to evaluate and select financial assets.
Please visit the Geneva Master in Wealth Management website for further information.
General information
- Credits: 90 ECTS
- Duration: 3 semesters
- Language: English
Some law courses are taught in French
- Location: Geneva
- Organisation: Geneva Finance Research Institute (GFRI) at the University of Geneva
We invite you to visit the Geneva Master in Wealth Management website for further information and registration.
Degree awarded
The Master of Science in Wealth Management
Two tracks
- 6 COMPULSORY COURSES, worth 36 ECTS
- 4 TRACK COURSES, worth 24 ECTS
- 2 ELECTIVE COURSES, worth 12 ECTS
- MASTER THESIS OR INTERNSHIP THESIS (with Oral defense), worth 18 ECTS


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The Life Cycles of Stars (Grades 9-12) - Page 21
Apfel, Necia, Nebulae: The Birth and Death of Stars, 1988, Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, ISBN 0-688-07229-1. Explains the life cycle of stars to upper elementary school students and above.
Branley, Franklyn, Journey Into A Black Hole, 1986, Crowell, ISBN 0-690-04544-1. Explains the black hole stage of a massive star's life cycle to elementary school students and above.
Branley, Franklyn, Superstar: The Supernova of 1987, 1990, HarperCollins, ISBN 0-690-04839-4. Explains the supernova stage of a massive star's life cycle to middle school students and above.
Levy, David H., A Nature Company Guide: Skywatching, 1995, Time-Life Books. This book provides a general overview and discussion of astronomical objects, including the life cycle of stars. For students in middle school or above.
Mitton, Jacqueline & Simon, The Young Oxford Book of Astronomy, 1995, Oxford University Press, Inc. This excellent book explains many concepts in astronomy from the Solar System to galaxies and the Universe, including a nice section on the life cycle of stars. Intended for the middle or high school student.
Berstein, Jeremy, "The Reluctant Father of Black Holes", Scientific American, June 1996, vol. 274, no. 6. Discusses the details of how Einstein's equations of gravity are the foundation of the modern view of black holes. Intended for the high school (and above) student who is interested in science.
Kirshner, Robert P., "SN 1987A: The First Ten Years", Sky and Telescope, February 1997, vol. 93, no. 2. Discussion of the supernova that has taught us much about stellar evolution. Intended for the high school (and above) student who is interested in science.
Hurst, Guy M., "Searching for Outbursts", Astronomy Now, September 1995, vol. 9, no. 10. Talks about how amateur astronomers can help in the search for supernovae. Intended for the high school (and above) student interested in science.
Web sites-
To get a colorful step-by-step overview of the life cycle of stars, examine the site The Life Cycle of Stars which is located on the World Wide Web. The URL for this site is


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Jasprit Bumrah To Grow In Skills, Popularity, Predicts Ganesha
(Image Source: Internet)
Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah is in news these days for his excellent performance. He has become somewhat of a specialist of the yorker which he can bowl with amazing accuracy in the death overs in the shorter form of the game. While his present is very bright, Ganesha has now probed Jasprit Bumrah's horoscope and done predictions to find out his future. Continue reading to know more:
Jasprit Bumrah
Date of Birth: 6th December 1993
Birth Time: Unavailable
Place of Birth: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Surya Kundli
Astrological Observations:
Jupiter Will Help Cricketer Jasprit Singh Bumrah To Focus On His Game
From September 2017, Jasprit Bumrah will be passing through Jupiter return through Libra sign. Hence, he will be focused on his career and will be persistent when it comes to getting what he wants. No doubt, he will be respected by people, his fans, and followers. It will help him expand and grow. His relations with fellow team members and higher-ups will be very cordial as per his Zodiac sign Sagittarius. His focused efforts, dedication, and enthusiasm will be the ingredients for his success as per Jasprit Bumrah's birth chart. His birth chart holds the positive planetary combinations. What does your astrological profile say about you? Get Astro Profile Free Report and find it out.
Positive And Persistent Efforts Will Make Bumrah Popular
As far as his performance is concerned, most of his efforts will reap good results. His popularity and fame may gradually increase. He will aim for his goal and persist with positivity despite obstacles or hardships along the way. Jasprit Bumrah is persistent and focused in his efforts. That is the reason for his rise. Do you want your career to rise? Buy the 2017 Career Report and see the difference happen in your life.
Jasprit Bumrah May Face Health Issues From Mid-Jan To Mid-May 2018
However, the period between mid-January 2018 to mid-May 2018 looks relatively uncomfortable in which some minor health/fitness issues may resurface that can be detrimental to his growth. Perhaps, the pressure to perform will rise in this period and will also have the potential to bring some unexpected problems.
Post-May 2018 Bumrah's Cricket Graph Will Take An Upward Trajectory
However, the period from mid-May 2018 onwards again shows higher scopes of success and stability in his career. He will be receiving planetary blessings ahead this period.
With Ganesha's Grace,
Malav Bhatt (Bhattacharya)
The GaneshaSpeaks.com Team
For Instant Solutions! Talk To Astrologer Now.


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Who was having too much fun with the costumes? Not us! A BIG THANK YOU to everybody who attended our 'Christmas Cracker' show on Saturday evening! It was a fantastic performance that we truly put our heart and soul in to making work and we're so thankful for all the love, encouragement and laughs that … Continue reading A Scouse Scrooge?!
Tag: christmas
Our annual Christmas Show just got BIGGER!
This December, celebrate Christmas in style with the 'bizarre and insanely talented' (MCR Fringe Review) comedians of Thespianage Productions in this ONE NIGHT ONLY show... Designed by Alex Leam. This year, we're bigger, better and baublier than ever with our first ever Christmas Comedy Cracker that's lining up to be the most spectacular show that … Continue reading Our annual Christmas Show just got BIGGER!


text: As of July 1, 2015 the IDNR's Environmental Emergency Response Reporting Hotline number changed to (515) 725-8694 for reporting hazardous conditions. Remember to update your emergency action plans, environmental plans (e.g., SPCC, SWPPP, etc.), facility documents, bulletin boards, internal documents, and email and phone contacts' lists to reflect the number change.


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Boys Varsity Track & Field, Girls Varsity Track & Field · TRACK MEET AT SOUTH DEARBORN VS SOUTH RIPLEY HAS BEEN CANCELLED
The Track Meet scheduled for today against South Ripley has been cancelled.
The Track Meet scheduled for today against South Ripley has been cancelled.
A Varsity Track Meet has been scheduled at Mt. Healthy High School on Thursday, 4/12/18. Start time is 4:00 pm – Field Events and 4:30 pm – Running Events.
The Track Meet at Woodward High School on Saturday, 4/14/18, has been cancelled.
The South Dearborn Track Meet tonight, 4/5/18, will be held at Lawrenceburg High School. Start time is 5:00 pm.
The SD Girls Track and Field Team placed a respectable 6th place out of 13 teams in the Franklin County Sectional last night. Freshman Grace Quinlan was champion of the 300 Hurdles—SD's first Sectional Champ since 2014. In the process, Quinlan breaks the SD school record in the event formally held by Heather Peterson in
Last night the Knights Track and Field Teams traveled to Connersville to compete in the EIAC Championship meet. Freshman Grace Quinlan was EIAC champion in the 300 Hurdles, .2 closer to the school record. Sophomore Wenjing Chen was runner-up in a tightly contested the Long Jump competition—just .25" from a title and won a tie-breaker
The SD Track and Field Team made its way just across the border to Ohio to compete in the John Coleman Invitational at Taylor High School. The girls team placed third out of 15 schools while the boys were 8th out of 14. Grace Quinlan continued an impressive freshman season with 29 points, which was
As the Spring Season hits full swing, state records start falling. How do you match up against the best of the best? Here's Indiana's Track and Field State Meet Records, courtesy of the IHSAA: IHSAA Boys Track and Field State Meet Records 100 Meters :10.31 1980-81 Jerome Harrison Jeffersonville 200 Meters :21.10 1981-82 Jeffrey Patrick Gary


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Brent & Nicki Messimer of Rescue Innocence
We seek to end human trafficking on a global scale by educating others about this modern-day slavery, creating a community amongst abolitionists, and offering a safe place for victims to receive unconditional love, hope and Christ-centered counseling. Rescue Innocence was launched officially on May 31, 2012 and has spent years now combating the sex-trade through partnerships with other organizations.
Based out of Columbia, Missouri, Rescue Innocence works to educate others about human trafficking. Rescue Innocence speaks out for the victim and we want to help survivors heal and thrive. In order to educate others we go to conferences, camps, retreats, churches, youth groups, schools and more to teach about human trafficking. Issues addressed are how prevalent this modern-day slavery really is, what it looks like, how to stay safe, and how to make a difference.


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It's an incongruous location for a cricket stadium. In the shimmering heat of Doha's industrial zone, amid a wasteland of low-rise factories, garages and unpaved roads, the 24,000-seater venue, complete with electronic scoreboard and a healthy-looking grass pitch, seems out of place.
The new ground was built for Qatar's legion of south Asian labourers to relax in during the few leisure hours they get – just one of the improvements being trumpeted by the authorities as they move to tackle the horrendous living and working conditions exposed by the Guardian.
Not far away, workers are putting the finishing touches to an elegant, high-ceilinged mosque. Outside the hyper mall there is even a little fairground.
But the most striking novelty is the recently opened Labour City – providing spacious, air-conditioned rooms for four with storage lockers, TV viewing areas and centralised catering services where Egyptian, Lebanese and Filipino managers look after the army of Indians, Nepalese, Bangladeshis and Sri Lankans toiling in the super-wealthy Gulf state's 40C heat.
"Hopefully we will eliminate the words 'labour camp' and talk about 'labour cities' in the future," declared Abdulla al-Khulaifi, Qatar's minister of labour. "We have had the good, the bad and the ugly. This is the new benchmark." Plans have been drawn up for seven such cities to house the 280,000 additional migrants expected to be working on a £137bn construction spree in advance of the 2022 World Cup.
With the prized – and controversial – event finally in the bag after being shifted to the cooler winter months, the emirate is anxious to raise its game and polish an image battered by the abuses of its kafala (labour sponsorship) system, which severely restricts the rights and freedoms of migrant workers.
The improved housing looks impressive. The new rooms could be mistaken for college dorms in the US or Europe. Alcohol and cooking are banned but Wi-Fi, table tennis and laundry facilities are standard. "We don't want them getting bored so we try to keep them busy," said property manager Emmanuel Encinares Austria. "Pretty much everything is looked after."
Each beige-coloured block will house 1,250 workers. The canteen choice of Asian, Arabic or Filipino food served on metal trays is basic but carbohydrate-rich for men who work outside in punishing physical conditions, anonymous in overalls and safety helmets, faces masked against the dust.
But elsewhere in the industrial zone it is the same old story: eight men to a single claustrophobic room, dirt-encrusted kitchens with exposed gas canisters, insanitary and inadequate toilet facilities, corridors obstructed by drying clothes.
In one of the many streets that have neither names nor identifying features, a building with a makeshift mosque at the back was being partially refurbished after the owners were warned to clean up or face hefty fines or blacklisting following a labour ministry inspection two weeks ago.
"It's OK here," shrugged Ramesh, a stocky Nepalese security guard who looked uncomfortable speaking in front of Qatari officials keen to showcase the stricter enforcement. "I've been here for seven years. But not much has changed."
In another accommodation block round the corner, where Egyptians, Indians and Bangladeshis are served by a small company-owned shop, the work was more advanced, the kitchen walls now covered in hygienic white tiles.
On another, unescorted visit the Guardian found further examples of unedifying living conditions. Eight Nepalese construction workers shared a room with a small table squeezed between their bunks, watched over by the Hindu god Shiva from a shoe-box-sized cardboard shrine. There were no lockers. The air conditioning provided relief from the scorching heat outside but when it broke down it could take days to repair.
Three months ago the whole building was suddenly given a thorough cleaning on the orders of the local council – another of several signs of mounting state pressure on private sector employers and landlords. The labour ministry has boosted its complement of inspectors to nearly 300.
Yet better accommodation is far from the whole picture. The Qatari government highlights the introduction of a new direct bank payment system that employers are required to comply with by August – a response to widespread complaints about late or non-payment of wages. "We still get our salaries in cash but we do usually get paid on time," said Bhaktabahadur, a Nepalese construction worker – like all his roommates a skinny man in T-shirt and flip-flops – and, in common with others, unwilling to give his full name.
Anecdotal evidence from random conversations and NGO monitoring suggests more companies are also complying with the new requirement to allow employees to keep their own passports – often withheld as a means of control and intimidation, though some firms claim it is simply for reasons of efficiency. Ilham, a Sri Lankan carpenter, said his employer still had his passport though he could get it back when he needed it. Information about enforcement is scanty, however.
Low pay and long hours are major preoccupations. Duncan Njunge, a Kenyan security guard earning 1,600 Qatari riyals (£280) a month for a 12-hour day, said his living conditions had improved significantly recently. He also has his own passport. "The most important thing is to increase the salary and cut working hours," he said. "But there's nowhere to go and if you do take a day off you will spend money instead of earning it." The new cricket ground does not appeal.
"Their conditions are not good," admitted Aarav, an Indian employing 90 Asians, including carpenters and steel fixers working on a World Cup stadium site, on salaries ranging from QR900-QR1,200, plus overtime. "My workers are extremely poor," he said. "They beg me to increase their salaries."
Shubash, a decorator, has been in Qatar for four years and still earns the QR950 that was agreed with the middleman he met in Kathmandu, where he got his air ticket and visa to Doha. "I am not satisfied given the amount of work I do," he said. "The salary is based on the contract I signed at the beginning and they won't increase it however hard I work or however good I am."
Mahendra has other worries. "Everything is OK but there is a problem with dust or gas, maybe from the plant nearby. I often have a sore throat in the morning. We all suffer from that. We have tried complaining to the accountant, who's also from Nepal, but we don't know if he told the company."
Complaints can cause problems if aired too publicly. "There is a perpetual fear of losing your job or being deported so you get a stamp in your passport that stops you working," said Sayeed Mohammed, an independent researcher. "If a camp boss knows someone has talked to a journalist about his problems with the company he would be fired." Activists face harassment and pressure if they are too high profile. Trade unions remain illegal; there is no minimum wage.
Nepalese and Bangladeshi workers are at the bottom of the heap, with the lowest pay and worst conditions. Other migrants say the kafala system treats them reasonably well – and includes prospects for mobility.
Vijay, a cheerful 32-year old from Kerala in India, began working in Qatar as a welder 10 years ago, earning QR1,200 and sharing a squalid room with nine others in the Doha industrial zone. Now he earns five times as much, drives a smart SUV for his Indian employer, has his own passport and is looking forward to a visit by his wife and child. Vijay knows he was lucky, not least because his passable English has given him wider job choices.
Mahmoud Asif, sprawled with three Nepalese friends, all office employees, on the spiky grass on the Doha Corniche, where the old wooden dhows are a picturesque reminder of simpler days in the Gulf, also counts himself as fortunate. "Many workers don't get any holidays and don't get paid on time," he reflected. "We are three in a room but many are eight. In some sectors, especially domestic work, it really feels like slave labour."
External scrutiny and pressure appears to be working – up to a point. "I am making progress," Khulaifi insisted, "but I won't be satisfied until the international media has nothing to write about to give me nightmares. We don't want people to compliment us or thank us, but to know that we Qataris are serious."
Ricardo, a Filipino who has been in Doha for seven years and had to wait for four before he was given his passport back, gives the emirate a mixed review. "There have been a lot of changes because of the World Cup," he said. "The accommodation is improving. We used to be seven in a room and since 2013 we are three. It's OK. But friends of mine earn much more than I do and I'm not allowed to change jobs. I'm still waiting for them to change the sponsorship system."


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A new book by Bradley Jones, principal research fellow, and Peter Goos is out this week: Optimal Design of Experiments: A Case Study Approach.
"Design of experiments is a powerful tool for understanding systems and processes….Our view is that optimal design of experiments is an appropriate tool in virtually any situation that suggests the possible use of design of experiments," the authors say in the book.
So what's an optimal design?
"An optimal design is an experimental plan that maximizes the obtainable information in some sense. Optimal designs do not necessarily have to be computer generated. There are textbook designs that have been shown to be optimal. However, the textbook designs tend to place substantial restrictions that interfere with the ability to match the process under study with a design. By using a computer based approach, it is possible to make the design exactly match the process or system under study within the available resources and still optimize the information content of the experiment," Jones explains.
The book is meant for both new and experienced DOE practitioners, and the authors hope it will be used as a handbook and will empower more people to experiment more.
Stu Hunter, professor emeritus at Princeton University and a preeminent industrial statistician, says, "Statisticians and para-statisticians alike should enjoy this book. Clearly, a new day is dawning in the art and practice of experimental design."
The format of the book is appealing and accessible. Each chapter presents a case study, as the title of the book indicates. What's unusual is that the details of each case study unfold in a dialogue between two consultants named Brad and Peter, who work for a fictitious consulting company called Intrepid Stats.
The case studies come from different industries, including biotechnology and consumer products. And the chapters cover such topics as comparative experiments, screening experiments, response surface experiment and mixture experiments.
Optimal Design of Experiments is published by Wiley.
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At the cutting edge of designed experiments - JMP Blog wrote:
[...] of areas, including screening, design for nonlinear models and marketing experiments. His new book, Optimal Design of Experiments: A Case Study Approach, co-authored with Peter Goos, is a great addition to the field and has a unique style that should [...]
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Saturday, January 19, 2008
C.K. Dexter Haven -- posted by Sarah Grace
C.K., our Golden Retriever puppy, is in love with me. No seriously - he lurves me.
In the morning when I feed the dogs, C.K. happily chows down. But, if I leave for any reason, he lies down next to his bowl and stops eating. When I return and stand by the gate, he simply lifts his head and watches me with ears erect. It's only when I enter the room and stand beside him that he jumps up, wags his tail, and continues eating.
Ahhh, puppy love.
Friday, January 11, 2008
I Got Lost in the Woods -- posted by John
I told Mom they went to Augustusland because that's where I thought they went. I told Sarah I would go get them because it wasn't far. Once I got there, it was completely demolished because it is winter and it was ugly with bare vines and downed trees .... a waste land. I got confused because nothing looked the same. It scared me to see it because I couldn't tell how to get home.
I was brave while I was searching for something familiar but there were passageways where the sun would come in and I would go to it thinking it was the way home and then it would stop and be the dark woods again. This went on for a half an hour.
Meanwhile, Mom knew something was wrong and she ran through the woods calling our names. She nearly ran all the way to the Interstate hollering for us. She went through thorns and streams and hills with a t-shirt and nothing to protect her arms. Finally she turned back to get the van and her cell phone.
As she was getting close to the house, I finally saw a house I recognized and I saw our lane beyond it. I ran like Forrest Gump when I saw my mother in our driveway. From a distance, she thought I was Will because I had changed into a white shirt. (I sure wasn't going into the forest with my new orange Gator shirt on!) I started yelling, "MOM! MOM!" and I was running as fast as I could. She turned to Sarah who was looking for us beyond the goat pen and yelled that she had found me.
I could take pictures of my scratched up legs to show you what I went through. I had on shorts and my legs are covered in scratches from the thorns and thickets I got stuck in. Mom's arms are healed now.
Spencer and Will had followed a creek to a stream to an area with deer blinds and they got turned around but they weren't as lost as I was.
While I was lost I saw some snake holes that got me thinking but for the most part, I was brave. Spencer and Will had each other. Plus they are 19 years old and fifteen years old. I'm only nine so I think I did a good job keeping my head together. I felt like Bear Grylls.
Last week we went to the art museum in Atlanta called The High Museum of Art Atlanta. It is nicknamed "The High." It is three and one half hours away. Mom packed sandwiches and drinks and chips and brownies.
They had an exhibit of the impressionists. It showed how the impressionists learned from the masters. You wouldn't believe all the famous paintings we saw! Also, we each had headsets so we could learn about them. We saw rooms and rooms of paintings for hours and then we had enough time to go to Louvre Atlanta and see the ancient art exhibit. Louvre Atlanta borrows art from musée du Louvre in Paris, France.
We have two new art courses. One is: "Art across the Ages" Taught by: Ori Z. Soltes Georgetown University and the other is: "Museum Masterpieces: The Louvre" Taught by: Professor Richard Brettell The University of Texas at Dallas. We get lots of courses from The Teaching Company.
Professor Richard Brettell looks to me like Raleigh Sinclair who is played by Bill Murray in Royal Tenenbaums.
After we went to the museum it was getting dark and Dad drove us around Atlanta and taught us things like history and different sights. We saw Margaret Mitchell's house. She wrote Gone with the Wind but I need to see it again because it's on the tip of my tongue but I forgot it.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Christmas 2007 -- posted by John
Here are some pictures of my grandmother's house at Christmastime -
Before Christmas, Ma took us to Biltmore House to see all the Christmas trees and decorations. There were over 50 trees. The biggest tree was empty-looking between the limbs but it was beautiful with the ornaments. The other trees were formal and pretty but kind of ordinary. Frankly, our Christmas tree is much better. Ours has much more color with royal purple and blue and rich reds and gold and the colors were like jewels and they were metallic and shiny.
We ate in the restaurant at Biltmore that used to be the stables. We were in the hay loft. I had to order from the kids' menu and it had the usual: chicken strips (4 of them) and macaroni and cheese. The other choices on kids' menus are a burger or hot dog or a grilled cheese sandwich. At seafood restaurants the kids' shrimp plate has only four fried shrimp! Can you believe that? Lucky for me, Mom and Sarah Grace give me some of theirs. Sarah shared her country barbecue and Mom shared her pot roast that had fried onions on top. It was delicious.
We had a lot of fun seeing an American castle and shopping in the shops. Everybody should see Biltmore. It's an American institution!
We went to Ma's house for Christmas Eve but Dad stayed home with Webb because Webb was getting a cold and slept through supper. We brought Dad a plate home.
The next morning for Christmas breakfast Ma came over to eat and see us open our presents.
Will got Photoshop and a case for his tripod. Sarah Grace got a diamond ring in an antique-like setting. The gold looks carved out. It is called filligree. Spencer got NIKE stock and a Gator jacket. James got an art curriculum. Webb got his Hess truck, as usual, and he also got a remote control plane that flies like an eagle. I got a kids' laptop that has a color screen and a Gator t-shirt. Georgie got a three man slingshot and it is powerful! Richard got a Geotrax train set. We also got an ESPN electronic football table and a yellow Kett car. And we young guns got real WWII helmets and canteens and a back pack and Richard got a kepi and we also got dummy grenades. It's been too cold to play in the woods but we can't wait.
God hates war but sometimes a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. It is fun to pretend you're a man doing man things and then one day if I'm called to go to war, maybe I won't be so scared if I've already imagined myself on a battlefield. I don't mind telling you that I don't want to go to war but I will if I have to. I knew after I learned about Hitler that sometimes you have to go to war to stop something worse. I'll never forget a documentary that I saw about Hitler. It was horrifying. We'll never have peace until Jesus sets up his kingdom. And that's why we're in a hurry for him to come back to get us and then later set up his kingdom for one thousand years on Earth. And then the rest is heaven.
We're going to the High Museum of Art Atlanta and Louvre Atlanta. The last time I was in an art museum was The National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. My mother almost had a heart attack when I reached up and touched George Seurat's Seascape at Port-en-Bessin, Normandy, 1888 -
It was so beautiful that I had to touch it. Don't get me wrong, I'll never do it again, but the colors were so beautiful in little dots up close. It was like how you can look at certain wallpaper with your eyes crossed and it goes in and back out when you uncross your eyes. My hands were clean and I barely felt it. I wasn't thinking about it; it just kind of drew me to it. You wouldn't believe all the colors in it up close. I hope they don't ever put up ropes so everybody can see what I saw. Maybe they should have a guard that reminds children not touch it but you can still be able to see it up close.


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text: Subscriber DeirdreBell 63 Posted January 31, 2018 Subscriber Share Posted January 31, 2018 I had the unfortunate coincidence of having jury duty (GRR!!!) at the same time the Innocence presale started today, but when was able to start trying for tickets around 1pm I noticed that the Citi presale option was there. I happen to have a Citi card so I tried it once I got home tonight and unlocked seats. So, does the innocence group have the same shot at tickets as Citibank card holders? I seem to remember them being staggered in November, so there was more of an advantage to being a fanclub member. Although now that I've written all this, there's almost no advantage to being in the innocence group, since you could also just join the fanclub today. I even saw a button on Ticketmaster that would take care of that for you at the same time you buy a ticket. Having said all that, did anyone in Innocence group get GA's for MSG3? I got nuthin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites


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David J. Stewart #fundie jesusisprecious.org
One of the hardest things to stomach these days is churches that don't want the truth. IT'S HAPPENING EVERYWHERE!!! In March of 2015, a shocking 20,562 Presbyterian ministers in 10,083 churches approved of sex perverts getting married. Those churches have abandoned the truth that homosexuality is a grievous sin in God's sight, punishable by death in Old Testament times. Prior to 1962, homosexuality was a punishable crime in all 50 states. What changed? I'll tell you, the U.S. Supreme Court removed and banned God's Holy Word and prayer from America's classrooms in 1962-1963.
I had once attended a pseudo (false) Independent Baptist church whose radio show promoted the saying, "GOD WANTS US TO SPEAK UP, BUT SATAN WANTS US TO SHUT UP!" Ironically, they (the pastors) called me into the church office and told me to SHUT UP about the purity of the King James Bible! They told me to SHUT UP about all the new corrupt Bible versions. They told me to SHUT UP about Dr. John MacArthur's heresy on the blood, who denies that Jesus' blood is in Heaven on the Mercy Seat. They told me to SHUT UP about Martin Luther, who taught sacramental salvation still 12 years after he allegedly got saved in 1517. They told me to SHUT UP about the satanic lie of Lordship Salvation. They told me to SHUT UP and not to expose Rick Warren, Billy Graham, Paul Washer, Ray Comfort, Charles Stanley, Beth Moore, Pat Robertson, Joel Osteen, John Hagee, James Dobson and Jimmy Swagger's false teachings on salvation.
They told me to SHUT UP, accusing me of causing confusion and divisiveness in the church... FOR TELLING THE TRUTH!!! They wanted me to sit there in the pew each Sunday, sing and tithe, go through all the motions like a good puppet; while wearing a gag over my mouth, not being allowed to share fundamental Christian books with those sitting next to me, not permitted to share fundamental sermons with others. They called Dr. Jack Hyles "a cult" and said they forbade me from sharing Brother Hyles' sermons, especially anything proclaiming the exclusivity of the King James Bible. This is an Independent Baptist Church! What a crying shame. I literally left the so-called "church" in tears, realizing that I could not support such wickedness and apostasy.
They literally laughed in my face when I tried to hand them another copy of Dr. Al Lacy's awesome book, "NIV: THE ANTICHRIST'S BIBLE." Isn't that something, professed men of God, pastors of a church, mocking and scorning THE TRUTH! It didn't come as a surprise that one of those shameful pastors boasted to me that he had recently attended a homosexual AWAB meeting. My, oh my! AWAB is of the Devil, straight out of the pits of Hell beneath. Our nation is going to Hell because our churches are going to Hell.
Literally, the heresy of Lordship Salvation is a false plan of salvation, which does not produce the new birth in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Peter preached the Gospel to Cornelius, and Cornelius believed and was saved. Peter did NOT tell Cornelius to do even one thing to be saved. NOTHING!!! Peter simply told the story of Jesus crucified on the cross and risen three days later. Cornelius believed the Gospel and was immediately saved. The lie of Lordship Salvation requires a high price to be saved. That's the satanic plan of salvation of Billy Graham, who says salvation will cost you a high price.
You cannot reason with the average pastor or Christian leader today concerning THE TRUTH. Heresies are creeping into our fundamental churches by the hour. The churches are boggled down with the heresy of Zionism (Pastor J. Vernon McGee refutes Zionism), worshipping the present-day apostate nation of secular Israel (MP3 by Dr. Texe Marrs exposing Zionism). Most believers, including Christian leaders, are woefully ignorant of the Holy Scriptures. From the government scandal of 501c3 state-licensed organizations, to the heresy of a Young Earth, the churches are being deceived.
Perhaps the most difficult truth to convince pastors of is that a diabolical New World Order exists. Most pastors actually think Islam was behind the 911 attacks, buying into the bogus official story hook, line and sinker. WAKE UP!!! The Illuminati (the Luciferian worshipping elite) masterminded, executed and orchestrated the 911 attacks (MP3 by 32-year New York City firefighter and police detective veteran, Rudy Dent) as a pretext to invade the Middle East and build a police state in the United States!
I hear pastors spewing hatred for Arabs and Muslims, while praising apostate Israel. The Jewish Talmud teaches that Jesus' mother was savagely raped by a Roman solider, denying the virgin birth. The Talmud says Jesus was boiled in human excrement and urine. Why don't pastors expose the Jewish religion of Judaism? Shameful Evangelist John Hagee is so corrupt and bought off by Zionists that he says Jews don't need to be born-again, because they are special and have their own covenant with God. However, Jesus warned Nicodemus (a religious leader) that unless a man (including every Jew) is born again, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). Dr. Hagee says that Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah. Jesus did in fact claim to be the Messiah to the Samaritan woman at the well. John 4:25-26, "The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he." John Hagee is a Zionist false prophet!
I am wearied with today's false churches. As long as the money is coming in, nearly all churches don't care about THE TRUTH. It is almost unheard of these days to hear a sermon on Hell, fire and damnation in a big mega-church. You'll never hear Joel Osteen preach on the Lake of Fire. That's how those groups got to be so big, by tickling people's ears and scratching their backs with weak-kneed sermonettes. Literally, America is dying because of the woeful lack of Bible-preaching.
There's nothing worse than a group of affluent people who horde a church like greedy dogs, like they own it instead of God. I wouldn't stay in a church for 5-minutes that is controlled by a board of directors and/or a pulpit committee, where the pastor is hen-pecked and not free to preach as he ought. Our churches are filled with self-righteous religious hypocrites, who are as phony as a 3-dollar-bill, haughty and arrogant, never having known the depths of sin nor the depths of God's love, grace and mercy. Thus, they are religious SNOBS! Truthfully, they are steeped in deep sin themselves (pride, arrogance, self-righteousness, hate, envy, gossip and judging), but they don't see it, unable to see the forest for the trees. Some of the rottenest people you'll meet are devout churchgoers. One day they're treating you like a brother, and when you fail to dot your i's and cross your t's (going along with their program), they treat you like they never knew you. That's the way many religions operate, and it is foreign to Biblical Christianity. The Bible does not teach anyone to join a religious denomination. A 501c3 business is not a church. What Is A Church?
I love a church that loves THE TRUTH! I love a church that has a bus ministry! I love a church that preaches, uses and promotes only the King James Bible. I love a church that fights against sin in their community. I love a church that stands against the Devil's corrupt Bible versions. I love a church that teaches women ought not wear pants. What a joke to hear a pastor teaching about a new form of modesty, while most of the women on church staff are wearing pants, and they think that is modesty because the pastor approves of it. What a sad joke! People are leaving the churches to find God and real Christianity. Most pastors are merely collecting a pay check. God give us some men of God, who are willing to work a secular job while pastoring, so he can preach THE TRUTH without worrying about getting paid. That's why Jesus said NO MAN can serve God and mammon (wealth). You must choose between money and God, it cannot be both. If money is a priority, truth will be compromised!
There's a lot of false Christianity in the world. If there's one place in all the world where THE TRUTH ought to be welcomed, it is in a New Testament Church. Tragically, most churches don't want to hear the truth, and so they reject it. GOD WANTS US TO SPEAK UP, BUT SATAN WANTS US TO SHUT UP! We'll, I'm speaking up for Jesus!!!!!!! You just keep using your counterfeit Bibles. You just keep promoting the satanic perversion of the plan of salvation, called, LORDSHIP SALVATION! You just keep promoting wolves in sheep's clothing like Rick Warren, Paul Washer, John MacArthur and Martin Luther. You just keep going along to get along with homosexuals, false prophets, reprobates and ecumenical devils. AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD! (Joshua 24:15).


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Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
National Canal Museum Family Pack Admission
The 48-ton Josiah White II canal boat plies the waters of old Section 8 of the Lehigh Canal in Hugh Moore Park. Our trained and authentically-dressed crew interprets the story of the anthracite canals and the people who worked and lived on them. Our two mules – Hank and George – tow the boat on a leisurely trip from the National Canal Museum to the Locktender's House and back.
Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Canal Boat Ride - Family Pack
2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd.
Easton, Pennsylvania 18042
Phone: 610-923-3548


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Cambridge, MA, August 7, 1998 -- A team of scientists from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Yale University School of Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) at Yale University, and Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science (TMI) reported results with a gene knockout mouse that establishes a key role for the enzyme Caspase-9 in a specific biochemical pathway that results in neuronal cell death. These findings, published in the August 7, 1998 issue of Cell, suggest that blocking Caspase-9 may be a viable strategy for treating a variety of acute and chronic age-related neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and stroke.
Caspases comprise a family of enzymes that are being evaluated for their role in a number of diseases, based on their involvement in biochemical pathways of inflammation and of apoptosis (also known as programmed cell death or cell suicide). Apoptosis is an essential component of numerous biological processes, including tissue remodeling, immune system regulation and embryonic development. Abnormal activation of apoptosis, however, is implicated in the development and progression of a number of different human diseases, and links between specific caspases and specific diseases are beginning to be established. The publication of the Cell paper is the first report describing the in vivo function of Caspase-9, and suggests apparent tissue-selective activity among the eleven reported human caspases.
"When mitochondria -- the energy factory of cells -- are damaged, Caspase-9 is activated leading to cell death," said Dr. Richard A Flavell, an HHMI Investigator and an author of the study. "In cells lacking Caspase-9, this damage did not give rise to cell death."
"Our results also indicate that Caspase-9 is activated early and is essential
for apoptosis in neuronal cells, and that deletion of Caspase-9 does not
interfere with embryonic development of other non-neuronal tissues," said Dr.
Keisuke Kuida, St
Contact: Michael Partridge
(617) 577-6108
Vertex Pharmaceuticals


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Helio Castroneves recovered from a disappointing practice and qualifying at the Angie's List Grand Prix of Indy to secure a podium finish in second place on Saturday.
The Team Penske driver admitted he was lucky with the timing of a safety car intervention during the race, just after the Brazilian had pitted, to climb into contention, leading a handful of laps before dropping back first behind Dale Coyne Racing's Conor Daly and then behind team-mate Simon Pagenaud, who went on to win the race.
Castroneves was able to get back ahead of Daly once the pit stops played out, and held off the challenge of Schmidt Peterson Motorsport's James Hinchcliffe over the final laps to secure the runners-up spot on the road.
"Great teamwork. Never give up," said Castroneves. "The hum Verizon boys – everybody was really in sync.
"We never gave up because we knew we had issues and knew we didn't have the fastest car. But we had the heart, man. We had the passion. We put it out there and had a little bit of luck, obviously, but it all blends together. A great sauce.
"It turned out to be great momentum for the Indianapolis 500. I can't thank the guys enough, but again – it was a total team effort."


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The Diba Lab for Neural Circuits and Memory at the University of Michigan is currently recruiting qualified graduate students. We are focused on understanding mechanisms supporting cross-regional circuit dynamics in waking and sleep and their respective roles during memory formation. We use large-scale in-vivo electrophysiology, optical imaging, circuit manipulations (including optogenetics), network modeling and extensive data analysis and machine learning tools to investigate these questions in hippocampal and cortical networks.
The preferred candidate would have experience in one or more of these areas: unit/spectral analysis, computational network modeling, electrophysiology, imaging, and/or neuroanatomy.
Please contact Kamran Diba directly kdiba[at]umich.edu and include your CV and description of your research interests and experience.


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Dear Liberty – I just received your book SHATTERING YOUR STRONGHOLDS and am looking forward to getting rid of a lot of ugly and negative aspects of my life. There is one question which I have asked several local pastors and have just received pat responses from them. I have also asked one major ministry about this and they referred me to some books which I have read through, but I still have not come to any conclusion. The following is what I need clarified: What causes a curse, and does it happen when the child is still in the womb or while still at home? Can it occur after a child leaves its parents? Is there any special degree of sin involved? Does a curse go to more than one child or on to a grandchild? If a curse is placed on a child, can we assume the parent is still responsible for the parental sin, and not exonerated?
Would you please help me with the above. I want to remove any curse from my life so that my two daughters and grandson will not be affected by my wrongdoing. I try to live according to Biblical precepts. I am 83 years old. God has accepted my intercession and prayers for others for which I am humbly grateful. I know I cannot do a thing on my own about this; it is all and only through the Holy Spirit that we are in any way effective. Thank you
Liberty's Answer – Bless you for being concerned about being right before God, but I'm concerned about your focus on curses. I've tried to answer your question below. First, consider the fact that your natural eyes can only look up or look down. They cannot look somewhere in between and see both up and down. So, if you are looking down at curses, you cannot be looking up at Christ at the same time. The Bible says in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS" (KJV). This is not denial of something unpleasant, this is a refocusing of your attention.
In a contemporary translation of the Bible that is called the The Message, written by Peterson, there is a great passage where the disciples ask Jesus whose fault it was that a man was born blind, was it the man's fault or was it his parents? Jesus replied, "You are asking the wrong question. You are looking for someone (or some thing) to blame. There is no such cause and effect here. ASK INSTEAD what can God do now!"
I do believe there is power in any negative, harsh, or cruel words (word curses) spoken about us and by us. I definitely believe that territorial demonic forces feed on the effects and influences of wrong agreements made and spoken about us and by us, strengthening their dominion over a family, a church, a city, a nation. I believe these wrong words and wrong agreements can be spoken by anyone anywhere regarding us, and we cannot find out about all of them to correct them.
We, therefore, have to consider the Word that tell us that God says, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me, Says the LORD" (Isaiah 54:17, NKJV). This Scripture can be embraced and believed to apply to our lives and the lives of our loved ones we are praying for–UNLESS we are speaking word curses, slander, and wrong agreement about others. That sows bad seeds in the spiritual realm that will always produce a natural harvest in the one who did the sowing. "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature (Note: this is the wrong thoughts of an unregenerated mind), from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life" (Galatians 6:7-8, NIV).
When you have sown wrong words, you need to repent, determine to turn away from doing it again, and ask our gracious God for forgiveness. Once you do this, you must then begin to concentrate on lining up all future deeds and words with the words you have prayed. Your words prayed and ensuing deeds you do must correspond with each other to fully walk in God's truth. The good news is, when we are watching our own words and speaking of others and ourselves in a way that God would approve, then we can pray and loose, shatter, reject, and refuse to receive the effects of any wrong words spoken about us by others–whether we know about them or not. We do not have to live under their fallout!
As I pray with the principles of the keys of the Kingdom message in my first book (based on Matthew 16:19), Shattering Your Strongholds, which you will begin to learn as you start reading it, I bind my will to the will of God, I bind my mind to the mind of Christ, and I bind my emotions to the healing and balance of the Holy Spirit. I bind my body to the will of God to fulfill my destiny purposes. I loose (see definition below) all hindrances and devices the enemy has tried to set in my path, I loose the effects and influences of all word curses spoken about me, and I loose the effects and influences of wrong agreements ever spoken about me or that I have entered into. The word "loose" in the original Greek language manuscripts means smash, crush, destroy, tear apart, dissolve, and disintegrate. After I have prayed the above, then I ask for God's mercy and grace for my life. I ask for divine direction as I read the Word and take it into my soul. And I thank God that His weapons are divinely provided to us to tear down strongholds in our minds (our souls) and every high thing that would exalt itself between us and knowledge of Him (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
I have never really been interested in extensive study about curses, even curses that appear to be passed on by generational bondage thinking. I don't want to spend valuable research time on something that I know I can break and tear apart through prayer right prayers. Something that I can avoid by speaking of myself and others as God would have me to do. I do not believe that generational bondages are generally passed on spiritually under the New Testament covenant we have, although I will not rule that out completely. I believe they are passed on through the bondage thinking patterns, bondage beliefs, and wrong attitudes passed from one generation to the next through close contact and exposure to each others' wrong patterns of thinking, speaking and acting.
Generational bondages are rarely spiritual, rather they are the product of the activity of the darkened, unsurrendered soul–a state of soulishness that exists even after we are saved. When we get saved, only our spirit "gets saved." Our souls (mind, will, and emotions) still need to be renewed, and this is best begun by loosing the souls' stronghold thinking patterns and wrong beliefs. These wrong thought patterns entrenched in the soul are meant to protect its rights to continue to think the way it has been taught by the words of others, to act the way it has been taught by the actions of others, and to feel the way it has been taught to feel by experiencing the uncontrolled emotional reactions of others. These wrong thought patterns and wrong beliefs and wrong attitudes (in the unregenerated, unrenewed mind) can be loosed in prayer. As you do this, then you feed the Word into the mind to "rehabilitate" it to think on things above, to focus on Jesus Christ and His plans and purposes for your life. In prayer you can loose something out of the soul, but if you don't replace it with the reading of the Word and right actions, that ugliness will grow back just like stubborn weeds do.