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How can I not participate in Cation Design's fabulous Sewing with Cats Blog Award?! Even if she likely meant it all as a joke…
- When did you acquire your helpful feline assistant? I actually got both of my cats before the sewing craze hit.
- Was he/she immediately helpful, or did it take awhile? They were both very curious about all things crafty from the start. Especially once I discovered the world of patterns. They love pattern paper.
- What is the average amount of time elapsed between when you start a project and when something gets helped with? My apartment is small, so they pretty much come over to help craft immediately. Wiley especially.
- What is your helpful feline assistant's favorite/weirdest thing to assist with? Wiley loves my French curve. I have no idea what it is about this particular tool, but he is obsessed with it. If it's out, he's trying to attack it. If I hide it under my cutting mat to keep it safe, he's sticking his nose and paws as far under the cutting mat as he can manage to try to get it until I finally hang it up completely out of his reach. Only then does life returns to normal. My hopes of drafting my own pattern block diminish daily. Maya, on the other hand, loves sprinting and sliding over pattern pieces. She'll come through just when I've carefully laid out all of my pattern pieces on my perfectly grained fabric. In the blink of an eye, everything's askew.
- How do you decline said assistance without losing your arm? Patience.
- What's the worst thing your helpful feline assistant has managed to botch up? I'm imagining shredded chiffon, snagged silks, etc. The worst is probably the claw marks in my Minoru lining. Thankfully pattern pieces can be taped back together for the most part.
- Are you ever afraid to post too many pictures of your helpful feline assistant on your blog, for fear of being labeled a crazy cat lady? Oh, no. I love finding out that a favorite sewing blogger is a cat person. There's something comforting about it. I've started trying to take more photos in fun places outside though, which limits cat appearances. If I could only figure out how to take better photos at night, my preferred sewing time…
Do you also sew with cats? Grab the blog award and share your own favorite stories of cats and sewing. (I smile at the irony of making Cation Design's humorous take on blog awards substantive.)
And, in honor of Cation Design's celebration of National Poetry Month, here's the ode referenced in the title of this post. It's written by Eleanor Farjeon.
Cats sleep anywhere, any table, any chair.
Top of piano, window-ledge, in the middle, on the edge.
Open drawer, empty shoe, anybody's lap will do.
Fitted in a cardboard box, in the cupboard with your frocks.
Anywhere! They don't care! Cats sleep anywhere.
Oh, and speaking of awards, what better way to end this post than to thank Tamsin at Pimp my Curtains for the Sunshine Award.
I do enjoy my daily dose of vitamin D. And, I'm flattered that both she and Cation Designs have put me in very fine company.


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Merry Christmas, friends!
We had an eventful holiday. First we celebrated dad's birthday at Nana Rita's house (that's dad's mom) and then we spent the night at the Big House with Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Maui, Kinsy, Trigger, Jake and Chili! It was a FULL house and none of us got much sleep.
Here are some pictures from dad's birthday celebration with our friends. Dad had a CHEESEcake and I really wanted all that FOOD.
Auntie Sara was a bad influence on Mojo and he stole a few licks of the sauce. Don't worry! The bottle was empty.
These are some pictures of our Christmas togetherness. We got some really pawesome gifts!
Next post I am going to tell you all about the special package that came all the way from Canada for us!
And since it's a special day and we're not doing much of anything right now I am going to let mom take care of a meme she was tagged to do by Ike's mom. Warning: She is kind of a geek.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I really like wrapping but I try to use as little packaging as possible. If we have left over gift bags I use those first.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. I am very allergic to pine.
3. When do you put up the tree? The first or second weekend in December.
4. Wreath on your door? I bought one from the neighborhood boy scout this year and I love it. It's real but since it's outside and frozen I can have it!
5. Do you like eggnog? Only soy nog. I've never liked real egg nog.
6. Favourite Christmas gift received as a child? I don't remember many gifts but this cool Lego type toy with little plastic people and a Rainbow Brite I got when I was about 2 years old in New Mexico. It's crazy how clearly I can remember that Christmas. This year I am not a child but Leo and I received a Wii from my parents and that's pretty cool!
7. Easiest person to buy for? It is really fun to shop for Leo and he seems to like the things I get him.
8. Least easiest? My dad. He buys whatever he really wants himself and I can't afford the tools and things that are left over. I usually end up getting him consumables like bourbon.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, but they are interesting. My mom has a beautiful ceramic nativity that my grandma made her with a teeny tiny hay bale that I really loved as a kid.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, and only a handful.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? One year my work did a secret Santa gift exchange and I put a lot of effort into my person but all I got was a weird penguin ornament that was obviously used. That was pretty bad.
12. Favourite Christmas Movie? How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the cartoon), Home Alone and Elf.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? After Thanksgiving.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Probably, but I can't remember a time right now.
15. Open presents on Christmas eve or morning? My family used to open them on Christmas Eve night until I started dating Leo. Now I celebrate his birthday with his mom and him on the 24th and we open presents with my family on the 25th.
16. Lights on the tree? Strictly white- no colors!
17. Favourite Christmas song? Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. I just can't get enough of that song. I also get a kick out of that George Michael song because it is so ridiculous.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel to my parents' house about 30 minutes away.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph. I had to ask for Leo's help a little (the puggies had no idea).
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A glittery star.
21. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas? Wild rice, candied yams and anything sweet.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Now that I'm back in retail (between jobs, whatever) for the holidays, people who wait until the last minute to shop and then get pissed off when the store is out of the things they want.
23. Favourite Tree ornament, theme or colour? I like reds and golds and a white moose ornament that says "Jenny" on it.
24. Favourite for Christmas dinner? Turkey and mashed or twice-baked potatoes.
25. Brussels Sprouts - love or hate them? They're alright but I prefer peas or green beans.
26. Favourite accompaniment to the Christmas Pud? I have never had a Christmas Pud. Will someone please tell me what that is?
27. Favourite Christmas Carol? O Holy Night. Just love that melody.
28. Your very Favourite Christmas Thing? Christmas morning and breakfast. I love the family togetherness.
29. A Christmas wish! Health to Kinsy and the family. And to be able to have a family of my own someday!
30. Tag a Seasonal Six – I tag anyone who hasn't done this yet.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Dad's Birthday
This is a very special day because it's dad's birthday and Christmas Eve. A lot of people are joyous and merry and giving. In honor of both of these occasions, Mojo and I present to you our recent attempt at a Christmas card photoshoot.
Posted by Jen and Suki at 9:26 AM 11 comments:
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Welcome, Kinsy!
Mom and dad have been busy peeps this week because Aunti Maui finally finished cooking up that baby in her belly and we have a new cousin. Hooray! Welcome to the world, Miss Kinsy!
Grandpa was so proud of Aunti Maui and is head over heels for Kinsy.
They're going to be best buddies.
She's a teeny tiny thing and we're not allowed to meet her in real life until this weekend. Mom says NO PUGGY KISSES till she gets older. She looks like a tasty little tootsie pop to me! Even our dad is in love with Kinsy!
Mom thinks he looks mighty handsome with a baby in his arms. Mojo and I are putting the kibosh on those baby ideas swimming in mommy's head. We love being the puggy babies of this house!
We woof you, Kinsy!
Grandpa was so proud of Aunti Maui and is head over heels for Kinsy.
They're going to be best buddies.
She's a teeny tiny thing and we're not allowed to meet her in real life until this weekend. Mom says NO PUGGY KISSES till she gets older. She looks like a tasty little tootsie pop to me! Even our dad is in love with Kinsy!
Mom thinks he looks mighty handsome with a baby in his arms. Mojo and I are putting the kibosh on those baby ideas swimming in mommy's head. We love being the puggy babies of this house!
We woof you, Kinsy!
Posted by Jen and Suki at 11:43 AM 13 comments:
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subset: commoncrawl


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Indiana University has suspended a fraternity for allegedly performing a hazing ceremony that involved "sexual misconduct," the university said late Wednesday.
Alpha Tau Omega would be banned from hosting social events and sponsoring new members while the investigation was underway, according to IU spokesman Mark Land.
RELATED: 37 face charges in hazing death
The university has not been any more specific other than to say the frat is being investigated on "allegations of hazing activities which perpetuate sexual misconduct."
Responding to comments on Twitter, IU's Bloomington campus said: "We do not think this is humorous at all. We are taking this matter very seriously."
The chapter's president was informed late Wednesday, according to spokesman Land.
"Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity has suspended all operations of the Delta Alpha chapter at Indiana University as we begin our investigation," Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity CEO Wynn Smiley said in a statement to NBC News. "We are working with the University. The video is highly offensive and is antithetical to the values of Alpha Tau Omega. If confirmed, swift disciplinary action will be taken. The men who were a part of such a vulgar incident do not represent the fraternity and damage the fraternity's name for thousands of ATO undergraduates and alumni across the country."
It is not the first time ATO's Indiana chapter have run into trouble with college authorities.
Two-thirds of its members were kicked out in 2010 following an investigation into hazing and alcohol violations, according to The Associated Press.
—The Associated Press contributed reporting to this article, which first appeared on NBCNews.com.


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Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Leopard 3 is currently in Antigua and offering a 10% Discount
Leopard 3 is currently in Antigua and offering a 10% price reduction for all charters in April INCLUDING EASTER. 6-8 guests in 1 master, 2 doubles and 2 Pullman cabins. Fully refitted in 2016. Superb crew and diving undertaken on request with the Captain who is a dive master.
Guest Accommodation
Leopard's interior is fitted out in an ultra light, airy and modern idiom.
Broad companionway carbon steps lead down to a spacious saloon. Elegant yet modern, the saloon is filled with home comforts and comfortably seats 12. There is a large dining table to port surrounded by ample seating in appealing rich fabrics. In-house entertainment comes via the latest in flat-screen TV, DVD and Audio equipment.
An ensuite master cabin plus two further ensuite double cabins are located forward. Two separate single Pullman cabins are also available which are perfect for children.
for more information and availability
Posted by E.C.S at 11:32 AM
Labels: Antigua BVI, Leopard 3, sailboat, Special Rates, yacht charters
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8th International Conference on e-Learning ICEL-2013 (ICEL-2013)
Venue: The Cape Peninsular University of Technology
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
|Event Date/Time: Jun 27, 2013
|End Date/Time: Jun 28, 2013
|Registration Date: May 23, 2013
|Early Registration Date: Apr 18, 2013
|Abstract Submission Date: Dec 06, 2012
|Paper Submission Date: Jan 24, 2013
The International Conference on e-Learning (ICEL) brings together academic research and practical applications of e-Learning from all areas. ICEL brings together varied groups of people with different perspectives, seeking to bring top research and proven best practices together into one location, for the purposes of helping practitioners find ways to put research into practice, and for researchers to gain an understanding of additional real-world problems.


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Years ago meditating was a huge part of my daily regimen. As time went on I kept meditating, but I did not stick to any set schedule. Within the last year I have been working on meditating more. I am quite pleased with my progress.
I had a vision of an Indian man riding a horse. I focused on the weather, it was snowing lightly and it made the scenery so beautiful. There was also a slight chill in the air. I focused on how dangerous the rocks were due to the snow. As he rode I noticed his eyes were sunken in a little, I'm sure they have seen everything that this life has to offer, good and bad. I noticed that his skin was thick, unlike mine. I thought about everything that had to be done once he had reached his destination. Teepee's had to be built; arrows had to be made, firewood needed to be gathered, and prey needed to be hunted. I knew that even though he was weary from his journey, it could be days before he could rest.
As I saw all of this, I asked myself; what was my lesson? I had thought for sure my lesson was about sure-footedness. As the climate changed, regardless if you are walking or someone or something is carrying you, you have to make sure your footsteps are solid. You see, I had focused on everything about the horse; he was such a magnificent animal! I had focused on everything about the Indian; I can describe in detail every fine line he had on his face. But I didn't see past it.
My vision brought me to the place where everyone had gathered. Everyone was doing their part in making it a home. My thoughts went from seeing the teepees, the fire, the children playing, and the women gathering herbs; back to the Indian on his horse. I looked to the right of the Indian and for the first time I saw a long line of Indians. I saw men, women, children and babies. This was my lesson! You can look at one thing and see every minute detail. By putting all of your focus on this one thing you are missing out on so much more. You see when I saw that line of men, women and children; my heart sank. I knew at that very moment, that was my lesson. This holds so much relevance! What did the vision mean to me? My lesson meant the future.
Who is the lesson for? It can be for an individual, family or a nation. The bottom line is; we are truly all family. We are put on this earth to co-exist and to love and respect all life, not only for ourselves; but for our future generations. Are we that focused on the now that we don't consider how it will affect generations to come? Will war eventually bring peace? Will someone's right thing to do at the moment be the wrong thing for the next generation? Will this particular action benefit my children's children or the children around the world?
My website,http://www.WomensRecreation.com, offers hope and encouragement to others. We are here to help each other and learn from each other.
I wrote four books "Walk in Peace" & "My Soulful Journey" and "The Wishing Well" and "The Green Rabbit" which can be purchased on my website, Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.
I also have a Blog Talk Radio show. I have interviewed people regarding all subject matter. Feel free to listen to the archives at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/womensrecreation


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A spellcaster with enough talent, resources, and inspiration can create a special variant of a golem known as a shield guardian. Any true golem can be created as a shield guardian, but the choice to do so must be made during the golem's construction—a completed golem cannot later be "upgraded" to function as a shield guardian.
Shield guardians are designed to serve as bodyguards. When created, a shield guardian is keyed to a magical amulet that is constructed at the same time as (and as part of the cost of) the guardian. Henceforth, it regards the wearer of that amulet as its master, protecting and following that individual everywhere (unless specifically commanded not to do so). If a shield guardian's amulet is destroyed, the guardian ceases to function until a new one is created. If the wearer dies but the amulet is intact, the shield guardian carries out the last command it was given.
A shield guardian obeys its master's verbal commands to the best of its ability, although it is not good for much beyond combat, protection, and simple manual labor. It can also be keyed to perform specific tasks at specific times or when certain conditions are met. The wearer of the amulet can call the shield guardian from any distance, and it will come as long as it is on the same plane.
Shield guardians have the same statistics as the base golem, but with the following additional special qualities.
Challenge Rating: A shield guardian's CR is equal to the base golem's CR + 2.
Controlled (Ex)
A shield guardian that has the berserk special attack cannot go berserk as long as the wearer of its amulet is within 30 feet.
Fast Healing (Ex)
A shield guardian has fast healing 5.
Find Master (Su)
As long as a shield guardian and its amulet are on the same plane, the shield guardian can locate the amulet's wearer (or just the amulet, if it is removed after the guardian is called).
Guard (Ex)
If ordered to do so, a shield guardian moves to defend the wearer of its amulet. All attacks against the amulet wearer take a –2 penalty when the shield guardian is adjacent to its master.
Shield Other (Sp)
The wearer of a shield guardian's amulet can activate this defensive ability as a standard action if within 100 feet of the shield guardian. Just as the spell of the same name, this ability transfers to the shield guardian half the damage that would be dealt to the amulet wearer (note that this ability does not provide the spell's AC or save bonuses). Damage transferred in this manner bypasses any defensive abilities (such as immunity or damage reduction) the golem possesses.
Spell Storing (Sp)
A shield guardian can store one spell of 4th level or lower that is cast into it by another creature. It "casts" this spell when commanded to do so or when a predefined situation arises. Once this spell is used, the shield guardian can store another spell (or the same spell again).
A shield guardian's base materials cost an additional 25,000 gp above the base golem's cost. The creature's master may assemble the body or hire someone else to do the job. The Craft check required to make the body is 4 higher than normal for the base golem's kind. The keyed amulet is fashioned at the same time—it costs 20,000 gp above and beyond the shield guardian's total cost. After the body is sculpted, the shield guardian is animated through an extended magical ritual that requires a specially prepared laboratory or workroom, similar to an alchemist's laboratory and costing 500 gp to establish. If the creator is personally constructing the creature's body, the building and the ritual can be performed together. The creator must have a minimum caster level of 2 higher than the base golem's minimum required caster level. In addition, the following spells are added to the base golem's requirements: discern location and either shield or shield other.


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In the new-fangled, Ordinary Form calendar today is the feast of St. Alphonsus Maria de'Liguori, the Bishop and Doctor of the Church so famous for his contributions to moral theology. One of the great thrills of my life was to be able to hold in my hands his own manuscript of his work on moral theology, one of those books that literally changed the world. Say a prayer to St. Alphonsus to intercede with God the Holy Spirit for light and insight to dispel the confusion in the brains of some very highly placed theologians and prelates who are making absurd claims about who can receive sacraments. Ask Alphonsus also, along with St. Peter Favre, whose feast is today, to help Jesuits who are spreading confusion. Ask them to intercede in the matter of the demolition of John Paul II Institute for Marriage and the Family in Rome, where moral theology is being undermined.
It is also the anniversary of the Dedication of the great Roman Basilica St. Peter in Chains. This is where you can find the tomb of the Seven Holy Maccabees. In fact, in the traditional Roman calendar today is the Feast of the Seven Holy Maccabee brothers.
These figures from the Old Testament are listed in the Martyrologium Romanum. Here is their entry:
2. Commemoratio passionis sanctorum septem fratrum martyrum, qui Antiochiae in Syria, sub Antiocho Epiphane rege, propter legem Domini invicta fide servatam, morti crudeliter traditi sunt cum matre sua, in singulis quidem filiis passa, sed in omnibus coronata, sicut in secundo libro Maccabaeorum narratur. Item commemoratur sanctus Eleazarus, unus de primoribus scribarum, vir aetate provectus, qui in eadem persecutione, illicitam carnem manducare propter vitae amorem respuens, gloriosissimam mortem magis quam odiosam vitam complectens, voluntarie praeivit ad supplicium, magnum virtutis relinquens exemplum.
Maybe some of you good readers can produce your flawless English versions for those whose Latin is less smooth.
Who were the Maccabee brothers?
They may be models for our own day, given what is probably coming.
The Maccabees were Jews who rebelled against the Hellenic Seleucid dynasty in the time of Antiochus V Eupator. The Maccabees founded the Hasmonean dynasty and fought for Jewish independence in Israel from 165-63 BC.
In 167 BC, Mattathias revolted against the Greek occupiers by refusing to worship the Greek gods. He killed a Hellenizing Jew who was willing to offer a sacrifice to the Greek gods. Mattathias and his five sons fled to the wilderness of Judea. Later Mattathias's son, Judas Maccabaeus, led an army against the Seleucids and won. He entered Jerusalem, cleansed the Temple, and reestablished Jewish worship.
Hanukkah commemorates this victory.
In the period 167-164 BC Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163) killed and sold thousands of Jews into slavery. He violated the Jewish holy sites and set up an altar to Zeus in the Holy of Holies (1 Maccabees 1:54; Daniel 11:31). The people revolted and Antiochus responded with slaughter. He required under penalty of death that Jews sacrifice to the gods and abandon kosher laws. "Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment" (Hebrews 11:35-36). A chief of the scribes, Eleazar, an old man, did not flee. Pork was forced on him, into his mouth, he spat it out and was then condemned to death.
The mother is venerated by the Greeks as St. Solomnis.
St. Ambrose, in his work On Jacob and the Blessed Life recounts Eleazar's death along with the deaths of seven sons of a mother. The work is filled with Neo-platonic and Stoic themes, especially about virtue theory.
Ambrose goes through all their deaths in detail, making commentary on them for what they meant.
In these scenes recounted by Ambrose from IV Maccabees, the mother, Solomnis, is being forced to watch each of here sons executed in different ways, eldest to youngest.
She urges them not to give in.
Ambrose thus explores the theme of how God chooses the weak and makes them strong.
The ancient "priest" Eleazar should be weak and infirm due to age, but he is a tower of strength. The mother of the seven boys should be weak by nature but is unshakable. The sons are not to be moved to infidelity, even the youngest.
Here is a taste of Ambrose in De Iacob et vita beata II, 12:
The words of the holy woman return to our minds, who said to her sons: "I gave birth to you, and poured out my milk for you: do not lose your nobility." Other mothers are accustomed to pull their children away from martyrdom, not to exhort them to martyrdom. But she thought that maternal love consisted in this, in persuading her sons to gain for themselves an eternal life rather than an earthly life. And thus the pius mother watched the torment of her sons … But her sons were not inferior to such a mother: they urged each other on, speaking with one single desire and, I would say, like an unfurling of their souls in a battle line.
Very cool image. I wonder if that will unsettle a certain writer at the Fishwrap because it is so "militaristic". HERE
The tongues of the Maccabees are venerated in the Dominican Church of St. Andrew (Sankt Andreas Kirche) in Cologne (Köln), Germany. The same church has the body of St Albert the Great in the crypt, and the chasuble in which his body was clothed at burial (removed when he was moved to the present location). More HERE.
And, to bring this to completion, today is the Anniversary of the Dedication of the beautiful Roman Basilica S. Pietro in vincoli,…
"The Maccabee relics were later brought to Constantinople and Rome where they are honored even today at San Pietro in Vincoli. According to a legend, the Maccabee relics should have been received by Archbishop Reinald of Dassel at the same time when he (Reinald) should have received those of the holy Three Kings at Milan from the Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa; in 1164 (the relics) were transported to Cologne."
In fact, there is an ancient Roman sarcophagus in the crypt. This sarcophagus is supposed to contain the relics of the Holy Maccabees, translated to S. Pietro in vincoli by Pope Pelagius (+561).
I am reminded of the story about members of the Religion of Peace busily killing Christian children. From the Orthodox Christian Network:
Before Being Killed, Children Told ISIS: 'No, We Love Jesus'
Andrew White, an Anglican priest known as the "Vicar of Baghdad," has seen violence and persecution against Christians unprecedented in recent decades.
In the video embedded below, he recounts the story of Iraqi Christian children who were told by ISIS militants to convert to Islam or be killed. Their response? "No, We Love Yeshua (Jesus)."


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Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Butiki Teas
Tea Description:
Our luxurious Champagne & Rose Cream pairs our Glenburn Silver Needle with sweet champagne, fresh cream, and delicate rose notes. The initial sip delivers a lingering sweetness and tang of champagne. Rose and cream notes remain long after each sip. The malty flavor of the Silver Needle tea adds to the champagne flavor and there is a bubbliness that can be felt on the tongue. With each continuing sip the rose and cream notes become stronger. We recommend drinking this tea at a cooler temperature.
Ingredients: Glenburn Silver Needle, Rosebuds, Amaranth, Organic Natural Flavoring (vegan)
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster's Review:
I'm impressed with this Champagne & Rose Cream White Tea Blend from Butiki Teas! That shouldn't surprise me, of course, because I'm often impressed by this company … that's why Butiki Teas is one of my favorite tea companies. They know what they're doing!
I've tasted several different champagne flavored teas, but I think that this one just may be the most impressive to date. The champagne notes are so clear and on point. The white tea base is delicate and sweet, and accentuates the champagne very nicely, and I especially appreciate how these two flavors don't seem to be competing with one another. They meld almost seamlessly, offering a flavor that is both champagne and tea – but in a soft, delicious way that is in keeping with the nature of the white tea. The rose is also subtle here, and the floral notes linger on the palate.
The sip starts off sweet, with notes of champagne and white tea making their presence known immediately. A soft rose note comes through next. Throughout the sip, I notice notes of cream, but it isn't a heavy cream taste. It's sort of there, just beneath the rose notes.
I have mentioned on more than one occasion on this blog that I'm not much of a consumer of alcoholic beverages, but one thing that I do remember from the days when I did consume an alcoholic beverage or two is how quickly champagne would go to my head. I'd start feeling "bubbly" very quickly (I guess I'm kind of a lightweight when it comes to booze), and I guess the reason I bring that up is because I'm feeling bubbly (but in a non-intoxicated way!) over this tea too!
A really amazing tea!


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How to Utilize Aloe Vera for a facial mask – for beauty and skin health
Here we will share tips on how to create a facial treatment package using Aloe Vera at home, detail for : fungsi dan kasiat lidah buaya
1. Package Aloe vera mask for bright skin: Material: Aloe vera, Turmeric, Honey, Milk, rose water. Method: Make a paste shape with a pinch of turmeric, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon milk and a few drops of rose water. Add aloe vera gel to the paste, and mix well. If you have cut aloe gel into a dice, you need to stir it gently. Mix the whole mixture to form a paste. Apply the paste evenly on face and neck for about 20 minutes. Then wash your face with warm or cold water, then dry with a clean towel to get the bright skin glowing.
2. Package Aloe vera mask to remove Tan: Tan is a common problem facial for those living in the tropics, and also very difficult to overcome. Try this simple anti-tan face mask package to remove the tan effectively. Ingredients: Aloe vera, Lemon juice. Method: Apply aloe vera gel paste and lemon juice to the area. Leave it for 10 minutes before washing it. Or, you can also make the same mixture, and rub it on the affected area of skin.
3. Package of Aloe Vera Mask to treat Pigmentation mark on face: Material: Aloe vera, rose water. Methods: The spots of aging, acne scars, pigmentation marks, burns or scars can be treated by using aloe vera gel. Just by making a paste of aloe vera extract and rose water, then flatten it on the face for 20 minutes. After that rinse with cold water. This package is also useful to clean the pores of the face. Aloe vera gel paste should be massaged-massage the face for 2-3 minutes to the face, then rinsed to clean the pores of the face.
4. Aloe Vera detox package: Ingredients: Aloe vera, mango fruit, Lemon juice. Method: Blend the aloe vera gel extract together with the mangoes cut into pieces. Add lime juice to make a paste, then apply it to your face evenly for 20 minutes before you rinse it with cold water. This package will detoxify your skin, making it clean and fresh.


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Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful fall weather – I know I am! It's so refreshing to walk outside and feel the crisp air, instead of a wall of humidity. 🙂
When brides are planning their weddings, most have one or two items that are the most important to them. Whether it be the flowers, photography, or even the invitations. I tend to be somewhat of a paper snob, which I blame on my mom who is also one! While I love a gold foil embossed invitation, I think your Save The Date is a great way to show your fun, creative side! Here are some ideas I have seen floating around the internet:
Agh – this is so cute! I think we have established that I love my puppy, so obviously this idea makes me smile. 🙂
Love the idea of this mini-calendar – so fun, but still really pretty!
How fun are these balloons? I love this because it's adorable and unique!
This is such a cute play on words! So creative!
For those couples with a spring, summer wedding – why not kill two birds with one stone? If you were going to send Christmas cards anyway, add in your Save The Date! So fun!
Thanks for reading!


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Routine deworming is part of good pet care. Fortunately, most dewormers eradicate parasites with minimal side effects, but some animals might experience gastrointestinal upsets or other reactions. Side effects of dewormers depend on the type of anthelmintic. While many dewormers are available over the counter, always check with your veterinarian before administering these medications to your pet. She can give you the proper dosage for your dog. If your dog has a reaction to the dewormer, call your vet.
Video of the Day
Ivermectin for Heartworms
Unlike most other dewormers, heartworm medication requires a blood test to ensure your dog is heartworm-negative and is only available by prescription. If you give your pet an ivermectin-based heartworm dewormer, the medication will eradicate most other common worms, with the possible exception of tapeworms. Puppies over the age of 8 weeks can receive heartworm preventives. While side effects are uncommon, some dogs become lethargic, drool, shake or experience appetite loss, vomiting or diarrhea within 72 hours of receiving the medication.
Selamectin, a topical medication sold under the brand name Revolution, combines a heartworm dewormer with flea and tick control. It also requires a blood test and veterinary prescription. Puppies under the age of 6 weeks shouldn't receive selamectin. Hair loss can occur at the administration site. Side effects, while rare, are similar to those in ivermectin-based dewormers.
Pyrantel Pamoate
Pyrantel pamoate, sold in generic versions and under the brand names Nemex or Strongid, eradicates roundworms and hookworms. You must dose your dog twice, possibly three times, two to four weeks apart. If a dog has significant numbers of worms, the deworming process might cause diarrhea and occasionally vomiting. If a puppy or adult dog carries a huge parasite load, the sheer number of worms dying off at one time can result in impaction. The dead worms form an intestinal blockage. If your dog doesn't pass feces at his usual interval after deworming or appears to suffer from abdominal pain, take him to the vet immediately.
Praziquantel for Tapeworms
Praziquantel, marketed under the brand name Droncit, generally gets rid of tapeworms with the initial dose, although some dogs might require a second treatment if heavily infested. Since tapeworms are spread by fleas, you must follow the praziquantel administration with topical or oral flea control to prevent re-infestation. Available in several forms and often combined with other types of dewormers, praziquantel is usually well-tolerated although some dogs might become nauseous. If your vet gives your pet a praziquantel injection, the site is likely to sting. Puppies under the age of 4 weeks shouldn't receive praziquantel.
Fenbendazole, available in generic versions and marketed under the brand name Panacur, gets rid of hookworm and whipworms in canines, along with roundworms. Puppies over the age of 6 weeks can receive fenbendazole. This dewormers has very few side effects, although a small percentage of dogs might throw up after fenbendazole administration. Do not administer fenbendazole to any canine showing signs of illness.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet's opinion.


text: Should we experience a debris generating disaster, it will be important for citizens to sort their debris when placing it curbside for the debris removal crews. The following image is a guide to segregating the debris by type at the curbside. Please avoid placing debris on or close to fire hydrants, mail boxes, water meters, utility poles, or highway signage.


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Our PanaFlex Ceramic Car Window Film Series has been engineered to provide superior heat rejection with "zero" reflectivity. This is our best selling product, simply because it gives you everything that you would expect from a high performance window film. Panaflex utilizes the most advanced automotive nano-ceramic technology in the industry sporting massive heat reduction, 99.9% UV protection, and a cool custom look are just a few of the features this film will deliver.
Ceramic films are replacing older outdated "metalized" products and are superior in construction. These films are "signal" friendly, meaning that they will not interfere with electronic devices in your car like older metallic based films can.
This nano-ceramic tinting film is a "state of the art" technological advance in the window film world, and will exceed your expectations on performance. We have an in shop demo that will show you the awesome performance characteristics of this film, and you can actually feel how much heat this window tinting film stops. You will truly be amazed, and we invite you to stop by and see the demonstration. Outstanding clarity, high infra red heat rejection capability makes this film a winner
Panaflex has increased solar benefits over most other films due to nano-ceramic technology in the hard coat. Panaflex blocks out both UV and IR rays for maximum protection. UV rays can be damaging to both your skin and your vehicle while IR rays cause that burning sensation that irritates your skin. Aggressive enough to shield against sun allergies, skin cancers, and other skin issues where extreme uv and radiation block is needed. Protect yourself by using Panaflex.
Panaflex will never fade to purple. It is constructed with nano particles of carbon in between the layers which enables the film to be extremely color stable.
Film Specs
Solar Energy Transmission Graph
Performance Spec Data Table
Construction Specs


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Joanna Foster's stunning acapella quartet Anima sing inspirational songs of enchantment and soul quests, a magical fusion of jazz and soul. 'the depth and power of Foster's jazz inflected songs stand up to the competition.' Now Magazine ' the music is always fantastic' The Guardian
Anima means 'soul' and ' breath of life'. Following in the footsteps of Bobby McFerrin and Sweet Honey in the Rock, the Anima acapella quartet cover a wide musical terrain, from the exhilarating up beat energy of jazz, through rhythmic soul numbers, to haunting Irish folk.
Anima's recent credits include The Tribal Earth Festival in East Sussex; the 'Green Sunday' event at The Arcola Theatre; 'Dance of Desire' show at The Quaker House with Butterfly Theatre Co.; 'What the River Sings' at Trinity Buoy Wharf with The Grand Union Orchestra; 'Visions of 7' show at Bridport Art Centre; 'Ocean of Song' at St John at Hackney Church and regular lunchtime concerts at The Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
The rich diversity of these four actor/singers ranges from acting with The Royal Shakespeare Company to singing jazz, folk and pop, playing with the Penguin Cafe Orchestra and performing at The Royal Opera House.Singers are Cleo Bayley, Joanna Foster, Stephen D. Fletcher and Katie Rose.
Cleo is a singer song-writer once signed to Warner Chapel Publishing. Having performed with various bands, she went on to set up a variety of community music groups including Hackney Voices Community Choir and Mudlarks Community Choir. She is a long term member of Anima and lives in Westcliff on Sea with her husband and two children.
Joanna is an actress, singer, composer. Acting includes RSC, RNT and recently The Bible Ch 5. Her song cycle Visions of 7 premiered at The Arcola Theatre in 2007. Composed for 'Breathe' project at The Royal Brompton Hospital with the Singing for Breathing group and artist Jayne Wilton. She writes and performs with acapella group Anima and co runs Hackney Voices choir with Cleo Bayley.
Steve is a keyboard player and singer having played with the Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Paul Brady, Bob Geldof and others. He first met Joanna Foster as an actor performing in Godspell and has been a part of Anima for five years. He also represented the UK in the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest.
Katie Rose - singer, musician, facilitator, writer - described by The Guardian as a 'fine singer', Katie has released three albums and composed music for projects including Road to Peace, a film about the Dalai Lama. Passionate about the power of song to make a difference, she is a regular fundraiser for Sing for Water and co-ordinated a large concert at which members of Anima and Hackney Voices performed with other community choirs.
"...the music is always fantastic" - The Guardian
"...the depth and power of Foster's jazz inflected songs stand up to the competition...Her songs are witty and intelligent, and the music flows beautifully..." - Now Magazine,
"...sensitive, versatile contemporary singing with lots of joy, fire and feeling." - Kindred Spirit Music Magazine
"...originals by Joanna Foster are complex quilts in a Sweet Honey in the Rock tradition...A definite find for fans of female voices" - Ladyslipper Magazine USA
"...blows the socks off many contemporary groups..." - Now Magazine
Visions of 7 at The Arcola Theatre
Anima performing at Clapton Music Festival
Former members and thanks to; Barbara Gellhorn, Hazel Holder, Maia Waldman, Konnie Deppe and Eve Polycarpou. Bryan James and Simon Annand for photography.


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9 CFR § 590.539 - Defrosting operations.
(a) Frozen egg products which are to be defrosted shall be defrosted in a sanitary manner.
(b) Each container of frozen eggs shall be checked for condition and odor just prior to being emptied into the crusher or receiving tank. Frozen eggs which have objectionable odors and are unfit for human food (e.g., sour, musty, fermented, or decomposed odors) shall be denatured.
(c) Frozen whites to be used in the production of dried albumen may be defrosted at room temperature. All other whites shall be defrosted in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.
(d) Frozen whole eggs, whites and yolks, and yolks may be tempered or partially defrosted for not to exceed 48 hours at a room temperature no higher than 40 °F. or not to exceed 24 hours at a room temperature above 40 °F.: Provided, That no portion of the defrosted liquid shall exceed 50 °F. while in or out of the container.
(1) Frozen eggs packed in metal or plastic containers may be placed in running tap water (70 F° or lower) without submersion to speed defrosting.
(2) The defrosted liquid shall be held at 40 °F. or less, except for product to be pasteurized or stabilized by glucose removal as provided in § 590.530. Defrosted liquid shall not be held more than 16 hours prior to processing or drying.
(e) Sanitary methods shall be used in handling containers and removing egg product.
(f) Crushers and other equipment used in defrosting operations shall be dismantled at the end of each shift and shall be washed, rinsed, and sanitized.
(1) Where crushers are used intermittently, they shall be flushed after each use and again before being placed in use.
(2) Floors and work tables shall be kept clean.
The following state regulations pages link to this page.


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Need help preparing for your move? Royal Moving has you covered. Sit back and let our team of professional packers pack your belonging with gentle care. We will handle your property safely and securely and place everything onboard one of our modern moving vans. Even if you supply the truck, we can help you pack and load all of your precious cargo. Then do the driving yourself, if you choose. We are even available to meet you at your destination within the Rancho Santa Margarita area and do the unloading for you.
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Moving to Rancho Santa Margarita? Here is what you can expect once you get to Rancho Santa Margarita.
Rancho Santa Margarita is a Southern California city located in Orange County. Ranchos Santa Margarita borders Coto de Caza, Las Flores, and Mission Viejo. The city has a population of 49,038 people with a median age of 36.8. Ranchos Santa Margarita has an impressive median household income of $104,556, and the median property value is $584,000. The homeownership rate is 71.3 percent. The population of Rancho Santa Margarita consists 64.8 percent White, 19 percent Hispanic, and 10.8 percent Asian.
Rancho Santa Margarita is home to three great universities, which include the University of Southern California, the University of California-Los Angeles, and California State University-Fullerton.
Most people in Rancho Santa Margarita commute to work, and have an average commute time of 27.7 minutes.
James L. Flood and Jerome O'Neill purchased two ranchos in the area in 1882. Their huge estate was a ranch that was very successful all the way into the 1920s. However, in 1940, the Flood and O-Neill family divided the ranch. The Floods took the lower portion, and the O'Neill family kept the upper portion. Then, in 1942, the Navy annexed the Flood's portion of the property, and it was used to create Camp Pendleton, a Marine base. Furthermore, in 1948, the O'Neill family gave 278 acres of their land to Orange County to be used as a recreational park area. In 1963, the family donated another 120 acres to Orange County, and also began planning a master community.
Homes were built in the rural community all through the 1960s, and the area was quite remote until homes were built in the planned community of Rancho Santa Margarita, which were clustered closer together. The 1980s ripe economy fueled more consistent home construction in Wagon Wheel, Dove Canyon, and Robinson Ranch, and these developments required road construction that more prominently linked Ranch Santa Margarita with the rest of the area.
On January 1, 2000, the Rancho Santa Margarita became the 33rd city in Orange County when it was incorporated. The city is a general law city, which operates under a council-manager government. Rancho Santa Margarita is a contract city, so its police services are provided by the Orange County Sheriff, and fire prevention services are provided by the Orange County Fire Authority.
There are many services and organizations worth knowing about as a new resident of Rancho Santa Margarita. Here is some valuable contact information that you might need in order to settle into your new residence in Rancho Santa Margarita. The contact list includes utility companies, community service associations, recreational facilities, as well as important state and local government organizations.
Utility Companies in Rancho Santa Margarita
Cable TV and Internet
- Spectrum, Phone: 8660874-2389, Address: 5244 University Pkwy Ste F, San Bernardino, CA 92407, Web Address: https://www.spectrum.com/locations/ca/san-bernardino/5244-university-pkwy
- Southern California Edison, Phone: 800-611-1911, Address: 14155 Bake Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92618, Web Address: https://www.sce.com/
- Southern California Gas Company, Phone: 800-427-2200, Address: 1136 N Mt Vernon Ave #305, San Bernardino, CA 92411, Web Address: https://www.socalgas.com
- Trabuco Canyon Water District, Phone: 949-858-0277, Address: 32003 Dove Canyon Drive, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679, Web Address: http://www.tcwd.ca.gov/
- AT&T, Phone: 949-888-2299, Address: 22461 Antonio Pkwy Suite A-160, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, Web Address: https://www.attexperience.com/locations/ca/rancho-santa-margarita/22461-antonio-pkwy.html
Trash Services
- CR&R Waste Services, Phone: 949-728-1206, Address: 31641 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, Web Address: http://crrwasteservices.com/cities/california/county-of-orange/city-of-rancho-santa-margarita/
Community Services in Rancho Santa Margarita
Animal Control Officer
- Phone 949-635-1800, Address: 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, Web Address: https://www.cityofrsm.org/211/Animal-Control
Department of Public Works
- Phone: 949-635-1800, ext. 6501, Address: 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, Web address: https://www.cityofrsm.org/170/Public-Works-Engineering
- Hoag Hospital Irvine, Phone: 949-764-4624, Address: 16200 Sand Canyon Ave, Irvine, CA 92618, Web Address: https://www.hoag.org/locations/hoag-hospital-irvine/
Parks and Recreation
- Phone 949-635-1800, Address: 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, Web Address: https://www.cityofrsm.org/faq.aspx?TID=26
Post Offices
- Phone: 800-275-8777, Address: 29862 Avenida De Las Banderas, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, Web Address: https://tools.usps.com/go/POLocatorAction!input.action
Public Library
- Rancho Santa Margarita Library, 949-459-6094, Address: 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, Web address: http://www.ocpl.org/libloc/rsm
Recycling Centers
- CR&R Waste Services, Phone: 949-728-1206, Address: 31641 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, Web Address: http://crrwasteservices.com/cities/california/county-of-orange/city-of-rancho-santa-margarita/
Emergency Contacts in Rancho Santa Margarita
Fire Department
- Orange County Fire Authority Station #45, Phone: 714-573-6000, Address: 30131 Aventura, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, Web Address: https://www.ocfa.org/AboutUs/FireStations.aspx
Police Department
- Phone: 949-770-6011, Address: 21121 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, Web Address: http://www.ocsd.org/patrol/rsmargarita/
- Orange County Fire Authority Station #45, Phone: 714-573-6000, Address: 30131 Aventura, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, Web Address: https://www.ocfa.org/AboutUs/FireStations.aspx
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After poring through untold, mind-numbingly dull and repetitive legal documents relating to postal issues as a regular part of my job, it's refreshing to see that white-glove Washington lawyers can throw down as well as Beyoncé and Solange—or even Darrell Issa and Elijah Cummings! Both the U.S. Postal Service and the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers have appealed various aspects of the Postal Regulatory Commission's (PRC) exigent rate decision, and last week both parties filed briefs on the matter with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. In both cases, the white gloves were off.
The glaring bone of contention: USPS feels it's entitled to its exigent increase in perpetuity; mailers feel that the Postal Service should have no increase at all.
Mailers are of the opinion that the Post Office should have taken into account the Internet's drain on its revenues and adjusted to it years ago through downsizing. The Postal Service holds that the Great Recession—the exigent circumstance that delivered it the 4.3% rate increase—forced cash-strapped citizens away from the mails and onto the Web.
The USPS brief calls the mailers' exigency argument "absurd," and charges that they are "flatly wrong to suggest that the U.S. economy has recovered from the Great Recession." The mailers retort that the Postal Service's "permanent loss" hypothesis suffers from a "gaping absence of proof" and that the PRC was forced to put a two-year/$3.2 billion (whichever-comes-first) limit on exigency "by the USPS's failure to propose any other alternative recovery period (short of forever)."
Mailers say that Postal Service executives gambled on an all-or-nothing litigation strategy in their original exigent petition to the PRC and lost. They argue that, minus a defined timeframe for recovery, postal regulators could have sent them home with no increase at all. Buck it up and take what you've been given, is the mailers' attitude.
The Postal Service brief claims, however, that PRC made it clear in an earlier order that USPS would not be required to quantify the recession's impact with absolute precision, but with credible proof. So the Postal Service employed the volume forecasting methodology it uses for its business forecasts and concluded that it lost 189.7 billion pieces of mail and $25.7 in revenue between 2008 and 2012. It meekly asserts that all it was asking for was a $1.78 billion per year payback—a little over $7 billion. Instead, it got stuck with what it obviously considers chump change.
"The Postal Service's models showed that it had lost $7.7 billion of contribution due to the recession in 2012 alone," reads the USPS brief, "but the Commission allowed it to recoup just $2.8 billion for the entire recession." The italics belong to the Postal Service lawyers. They are not amused.
The Postal Service says it was looking for recompense for 2008-2012 (the recession officially ended in 2009), but then ascribes blame to the downturn for causing "pronounced shifts" in consumer behavior and asserts that it continues to have "ongoing negative impacts on mail volume." (Again, italics are theirs.)
Mailers point out that USPS saved $14 billion in annual expenses from 2008 to 2012 through work hour reductions alone, and suggest that postal executives continue down that road instead of morphing into exigency highwaymen. "The necessary premise of the USPS's perpetual loss hypothesis is that the USPS can never shed costs enough to offset volume losses. This is nonsensical," sniff the mailers.
Which case makes the most sense will be determined by the D.C. Court of Appeals at summer's end. Oral arguments are scheduled to begin on September 9.


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Boston Logan International Airport Baggage Auctions – Boston Logan International Airport in Boston Massachusetts had 15,425,869 Enplanements in 2014.
Logan International Airport (officially Lt. General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport), international airport located in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts (and partly in the town of Winthrop, Massachusetts). All major U.S. air carriers and major European Airlines offer flights from Boston to their primary and secondary hubs. Logan International Airport offers frequent service to destinations throughout North America (including: the United States, Canada and Mexico), Latin America, the Caribbean and the Mid-Atlantic region (including: Bermuda, and the Azores), as well as the Middle East, Europe and Asia. International traffic added new routes by airlines such as Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Japan Airlines, El Al, Hainan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Aeromexico, Thomas Cook Airlines, Qatar Airways and Norwegian Air Shuttle, as well as increased traffic on previously existing routes to Europe.
BOS Airport baggage auctions and news for Boston Logan International Airport – Logan International Airport – Boston, Massachusetts – Follow the news here for unclaimed baggage auctions or contact Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts Lost and Found department. Auctions for the airport are managed by Massachusetts State Police Troop F.
Lost items are listed online, if you hav lost an item not listed, you can add your missing item. The online list can change daily for a period of two years. What remains unclaimed is then auctioned off.
The lost and found items do not include items seized by TSA, which become part of Massachusetts State Surplus, includes vehicles, equipment and machinery for public auction at Massachusetts State Surplus.
City Of Boston Transportation Auctions – The City Of Boston Police Department auctions off vehicles it has seized as the result of the vehicle being taken to their impound lot. The auctions are held every three to four months. A list of the vehicles up for auction is posted their website. City Of Boston Transportation Auctions.
The auctions take place at the Boston Transportation Department Tow Lot, 200 Frontage Road, Boston, Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts State Police Auctions, by Jack B Auto Auctions – Jack B Auto Auctions serves Massachusetts' cities, towns, state organizations with property auctions, held on the government's physical site. Their website posts the list of the Massachusetts state surplus available at the coming auction along with photographs and other information needed for the coming auction.
They keep the information from past auctions on their website. This will give you can ideal the type of inventory you'll find in future auctions. Jack B Auto Auctions.
Massachusetts Unclaimed Property – Massachusetts Unclaimed Property law states that unclaimed property having been inactive for more than three years are declared "unclaimed" and turned over to the Commonwealth.
Since 2005, some of the Massachusetts State unclaimed property is sold on ebay.
Most of the auctioned items are fashion, gold or silver jewelry, loose diamond and gemstones, paper currency, gold, silver or rare coins and other items people keep in bank safety deposit boxes. Items are auctioned off both as individual pieces and in bulk lots.
A list of upcoming preview days for the auctions, date and time they will be held can be found on their unclaimed property page. Massachusetts State Treasury – eBay.


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Oh hey! Remember me? I think I barely remember myself as the so called blogger of Life with Giggles.
Writer's block. It sucks major ass. I have been battling this beast for a few weeks now and it is literally driving me nuts. I want to write a blog post so bad, but I get in front of the computer and my mind goes blank.
I am here to say that I am OK. I am STILL looking for a job, but at the same time enjoying the time being home which means seeing my sister, niece and nephew more especially since they are out of school for the summer.
The gym has become part of my life. When I don't go I beat myself up. When I do go, I think about returning one more time during the day. This week alone I have been going twice a day. Tomorrow I am going to be super badass and go to gym in morning, then spin, then heading over to Nikki's and taking a body combat AND a body pump class with her. Yeah, I am sure Saturday I will be drowning my body in Epsom salt baths.
Now look at that! I just wrote a post that I don't feel the need to delete. Guess the mojo is back. Oh snap!


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US legal framework is generally different from the one described in Hungary's PTK (unfortunately most of my articles about the bill of civil rights are available only in Hungarian, but I will try to continue translating them into English as much as my capacities allow it). A new law proposal aims to even widen the protection granted to photography that faces more and more restrictions in the US as well.
US legal system has some times very different thinking from the one in Hungary or most parts of Europe. It is also true to the intentions behind lawmaking. While Europe and Hungarian law especially emphasize the protection of the privacy rights the US has a much wider approach to the regulations of photographing in public places. Their constitution granted everyone the freedom of speech and self-expression that includes photography as well. This means also that anyone can photograph anything and anyone in public.
On the other hand, as LSR Lounge and many other sites often write about, it there are more and more restrictions to this freedom of photography around the country. Even if there is no real legal reason civilians, as well as police officers, happen to try restricting or even banning photography or video recording and some times they even try to confiscate gear in this attempt.
As PetaPixel wrote the legal proposal named after famous US nature photographer "Ansel Adams act" aims to write into las the freedom of photography. Of course, this is only a popular nickname for this initiative. Officially it is called "H. R. 5893 To restore the First Amendment Rights of Photographers". The aim is to have a law with a text clearly stating to everyone that photography is an equal part of the freedom of speech that cannot be restricted by anyone in public property.
Az Amerikai Egyesült Államok alkotmányának első kiegészítése foglalkozik a szólásszabadsággal (kiemelés az új törvényjavaslat indoklása alapján):
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
All other regulations in regards of photography derive from this very basic concept of freedom of speech and press. Conservative Texan senator Steve Stockman feels it is time to make regulations about photography clear as things aren't headed the right way in the US in this reagard.
Meanwhile in Hungary
We have almost as much debate about photography in Hungary as in the US. At least danger of terrorism is less often used as an argument. Protection of privacy rights, however, is a much more common reason. The new PTK civil law reinforced the decades-old practice to require the permissions of persons being photographed – and since media blew it up (connected articles are unfortunately available only in English) even those object to being photographed because they have the right to do so whom I don't even want to photograph.
H. R. 5893 To restore the First Amendment Rights of Photographers
January 2, 2015
Mr. Stockman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Agriculture, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To restore the First Amendment Rights of Photographers.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the "Ansel Adams Act".
Congress finds as follows:
(1) In recent years, the Federal Government has enacted regulations to prohibit or restrict photography in National Parks, public spaces, and of government buildings, law enforcement officers, and other government personnel carrying out their duties.
(2) In recent years, photographers on Federal lands and spaces have been threatened with seizure and forfeiture of photographic equipment and memory cards, and have been arrested or threatened with arrest for merely recording what the eye can see from public spaces.
(3) Even in the absence of laws or regulations, Federal law enforcement officers, other government personnel, and private contractors have been instructed to prohibit photography from public spaces, and threatened photographers with arrest or seizure of photographic equipment.
(4) Arresting photographers, seizing photographic equipment, and requirements to obtain permits, pay fees, or buy insurance policies are abridgments of freedom of speech and of the press.
(5) The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states, "Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.".
(6) Still and motion photographs are speech.
(7) The photography by Ansel Adams and other famous photographers helped bring home to Americans the beauty and fragility of our natural resources.
(8) Ansel Adams' photographs helped build public support to make Yosemite into a National Park.
(9) Future "Ansel Adams" must not have their paths blocked, regulated and made more expensive with fees and fines, or be threatened with arrest and seizure of their equipment.
(a) In General.—It is contrary to the public policy of the United States to prohibit or restrict photography in public spaces, whether for private, news media, or commercial use.
(b) Should a Federal agency seek to restrict photography of its installations or personnel, it shall obtain a court order that outlines the national security or other reasons for the restriction. Such court order shall allow restrictions of photography when such photography may lead to the endangerment of public safety or national security. Nothing in this Act shall restrict Federal agencies from taking lawful steps to ascertain whether or not photography may consist of reconnaissance for the purpose of endangerment of public safety or national security or for other unlawful activity. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal, invalidate, or supersede section 795 of title 18, United States Code.
(c) Prohibition On Fees, Permits, Or Insurance.—No Federal Government agency shall require fees, permits or insurance as a condition to take still or moving images on Federal lands, National Parks and Forests, and public spaces, whether for private, media, or commercial use.
(d) Prohibition On The Seizure And Forfeiture Of Photographic Equipment.—Federal law enforcement officers or private contractors shall not seize any photographic equipment or their contents or memory cards or film, and shall not order a photographer to erase the contents of a camera or memory card or film.
"Photography" means any form or method of capturing and recording or transmitting still or moving images.
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Possible Dietary Influence on Hepatobiliary Cancer in Sloth Bears (Melursus ursinus)
Arnhold W, Schrauzer GN, Heuschele WP. 1995. Possible dietary influence on hepatobiliary cancer in Sloth Bears (Melursus ursinus). In Proceedings of the First Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Scarborough, OT.
Compared with other bear species, sloth bears have an unusually high incidence of hepatobiliary neoplasms in captivity. Due to their highly specialized diet in the wild, there is a possibility that in captivity their diet may cause or promote hepatobiliary carcinogenesis and/or may lack certain food components which may inhibit carcinogenesis. A survey among zoos keeping sloth bears shows that their diet in captivity often contains considerable amounts of fat, which could be one cause of bile duct cancer of this species, because the main food components in diets of wild living sloth bears are fruit, ants, termites and honey. Ants and termites contain formic acid; honey contains propolis and other bioactive components. Both formic and propolis are known to inhibit carcinogenesis in laboratory animals. Dietary calculation and chemical analysis rule out a deficiency of antioxidants (selenium, vitamin E, carotenoids). A change of sloth bear diet in captivity to more closely correspond to their natural diet is recommended.Hepatobiliary Cancer in Sloth Bears.pdf     77 KB


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Is Your SEO Primed for the Boom of Voice-Driven Searches?
There's no denying it; voice search is taking over. More and more people opt for their digital assistants over typing or tapping on a keyboard. Whether it's Siri, Google Home, or Alexa, around 41% of adults and 55% of teens use voice search at least once per day. So, why do we use voice search?
- Voice search is easy and convenient;
- Multitasking is easier and safer, as you're not constantly staring at your device;
- It makes your searches more efficient, and;
- It's the future.
Voice search won't make text obsolete anytime soon, but it's clear we are on the brink of a revolution in how we interact with these devices. To be proactive as a business owner it's important to understand how you can leverage voice-search to improve your client's experience with your product or service.
Almost Identical results
You might be wondering: "Is there a difference between voice search versus searching using only keywords?" The short answer? No. Both searches yield identical results. The not-so-short answer? Voice search is based on text search. That means there's no difference between speaking or typing out the query. You can try this yourself! Use the voice search feature on your phone and compare the results by typing the same search terms. Same results, right? But of course, no one uses Google search the way they speak. For example, chances are you'll see a difference in SERPs if you type out "pizza restaurant Ottawa" compared to saying, "I'm hungry, find a pizza restaurant near me." That conversational tone actually reveals the needs of the user in a subtle way, and search results reflect this shift.
Phrases Over Words
When people type into their devices, they often use text-based queries instead of questions. The way we communicate with our phones or tablets through voice-search, however, offers much more nuance. We tend to speak to our phones and digital assistants in full phrases or questions. Marketers must optimize content for this new way we interact with search. Think of it as a conversation. You're more likely to ask, "Where can I find sofas on sale?" as opposed to "sofas for sale." As we begin to understand that people search by formulating a written question over keywords, it's important to consider how you can optimize your content for this transition. One of the best solutions is to incorporate an FAQ page on your website. FAQs contain several conversational questions about your business, services, products, etc., and are incredibly useful for voice-driven searches. For example, if your website contains answers to common questions people may have, then Google will see your websites as the ideal place to get answers to those same questions. For example:
- How much does a smartphone cost?
- What equipment do I need for my new pool?
- When is the next sale for electric cars?
These natural, conversational questions used in voice-assisted searches can be used as titles and the subsequent paragraph or content provides answers to these questions.
Demand, Don't Ask
So, where is voice search heading? While questions will take precedence over keyword searches, demands will soon hold priority over both. Instead of simply asking, "How do I get to the ByWard Market?" a statement such as "Take me to the ByWard Market" will likely be the norm.
The Takeaway
As voice search is quickly evolving, marketers should begin to put a little more emphasis on optimizing for this new way of interacting with search. That's not to say drop what you're currently doing and put all your focus in voice-search. There's no real way of knowing exactly where this wave is taking us, but preparing yourself by keeping up with trends, adapting your SEO practices, and evolving your content accordingly should get you ahead of your competition. Ultimately, at SEO TWIST we no longer focus on just offering information. We look at conversational queries people use to find what they need and blend those natural language questions into our clients' content so that their websites answer voice-driven questions searchers are looking for, perhaps even directly.


text: TV Hughie Green Most Sincerely (BBC-4 2008, Trevor Eve, Mark Benton) Published 6 years ago on June 3, 2016 Most Sincerely picks up on Hughie Green's life in 1958 when he meets Elaine (wife of Jess) Yates for the first time. Hughie is busy travelling the country with the stage version of his big hit TV show Double Your Money (the forerunner of Who Want's To Be A Millionaire, with a thousand pounds as the big prize), following a brief affair Elaine gives birth to a daughter, Paula Yates (yes that Paula) and it isn't until she is an adult that Hughie discovers he his her real father. Trevor Eve was excellent (but then again he always is) as Green, captured the voice and mannerisms well. There were also some great recreations of moments from both Double Your Money and Opportunity Knocks, some major inventions though, surely Hughie didn't come up with the term "reality tv" did he? And even though it appears he was one its hard to imagine Green as a major lothario. Most Sincerely was one of the four Curse of Comedy dramas focusing on popular personalities of the 1960's, all of whom had somewhat troubled lives, all four were fantastic but all made you like the people involved a whole lot less than you did before you started watching. production details UK / BBC Four / 1×80 minute episode / Broadcast 2 April 2008 Writer: Tony Basgallop / Based on the book Hughie and Paula by Christopher Green and Carol Clerk / Music: Joe Walker / Production Design: Patrick Bill / Producer: Ben Evans / Executive Producer: John Yorke / Director: Daniel Percival cast TREVOR EVE as Hughie Green MARK BENTON as Jess Yates KIM THOMSON as Claire Green KATE WILLIAMS as Mrs Carr DANNY WEBB as Noel Botham JACK ARMSTRONG as Young Hughie EMMA STANSFIELD as Elaine Yates IAN CAIRNS as Major Green VICTORIA PUGH as Young Housewife CHRISTOPHER GILLMAN-WELLS as Young Christopher MARED SWAIN as Female Fan MEGAN CONVERY as Young Linda NICK DUNNING as Vic Hallums VICKY OGDEN as Ordinary Housewife GEORGE POTTS as Male Contestant WILL THORP as TV Executive TAET CHESTERTON as Lena Zavaroni JASPER JACOB as Jeremy Isaacs CARMEN DU SAUTOY as Christina Shaples JULIA FORD as June Laverick DEBORAH CORNELIUS as Linda Green TIM WALLERS as Christopher Green JOHN WARNABY as Dr Halshaw RIVER GEORGE as Paula Yates LAURENCE BELCHER as Boy Contestant GLYNNE STEELE as Mr Reed OLIVIA DARNLEY as Receptionist Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Reddit Share on SMS BBC-4BiopicCarmen Du SautoyDanny WebbEmma StansfieldHughie GreenJack ArmstrongJess YatesJulia FordKate WilliamsKim ThomsonMark BentonPaula YatesPeriod dramaTony BasgallopTrevor EveTV Advertisement You may like Brush Strokes (BBC Sitcom, Karl Howman, Mike Walling) Amazon Prime Video Dec 2021 Period Drama Highlights Netflix UK Period Dramas Highlights for Dec 2021 Marchlands (ITV Drama, Alex Kingston, Jodie Whittaker) The December Rose (BBC Family Drama, Courtney Roper-Knight, Ian Hogg) The Shadow in the North (BBC Drama, Billie Piper)


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Models are like mythical creatures of style. Let me explain: they have access to the best clothing and they wear it in a way that one else could. Simply, everything looks good on them. Here to help me put a visual to my abstract, yet very clear explanation.
I think this is my favorite Maryna outfit:
I realize that i have a lot of girls missing, but there are just so many pics that one can post at a time. Perhaps i'll do a part 2?
Images via ??
Monday, July 20, 2009
Model chic
Posted by Hélène Heath at 10:44 AM
4 comments:
- Lauren said...
1. I love your style!
2. I love that pink bleached blazer a few posts down too.
3. Thanks for your comment- the blue poncho is from la garconne: http://www.lagarconne.com/store/item.htm?itemid=4659&sid=625
- July 21, 2009 at 1:23 PM
- Unknown said...
God, I hate models....kinda. I am just very jealous I guess!
- July 21, 2009 at 1:55 PM
- BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...
Darn their genetic blessedness. They sure do make clothes look delicious.
- July 22, 2009 at 1:20 AM
- Roxane said...
Elles sont vraiment magnifiques. Natasha et Jessica au début sont sublimes et très naturelles.
- August 6, 2009 at 4:03 PM
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text:
Which God?
Reader comment on item: How Many U.S. Muslims?
Submitted by G.D. (United States), Apr 13, 2006 at 18:49
" I am muslim and i do not care if my religion will grow or not" is the statement you wrote. I must point out that if, as you say- "GOD is LOVE" is your belief...than I would suggest you consider the following:
The God I love, who also loves me, and furthermore does" not want any to perish, no not one", also commands me to care about you and all others. He has commanded us to spread the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. He wants me to care about you, pray for you and WANTS ME TO CARE about my religion and its growth. This means to somehow share with you this same love.
You also stated "What i would like to say here is that the Islam is not a menace or terror". To this I reply, that you might be right within your own mind and life. I do not doubt that you beleive Islam is not a menace. However, many others do not share your opinion, by virtue of the many terrorist acts that are carried out daily, all in the name of Islam. Where is the love in all of the killing?
Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".
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Sunday, April 13, 2008
Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
Ronan and Erwin Bouroullec are French brothers in Industrial Design. Their approach to design is clean lines, an eye toward flexibility in the use of the object, and an emphasis on customizable pieces. Says Ronan, "'Erwan and I both like the idea of giving someone an object and letting them decide how they'll use it."
Ronan is the elder, graduated from the Ecole Superieure des Arts Decoratifs in 1997. His designs began to be produced by Capellini shorty afterwards. Erwan graduated from the Ecole Nationale d'Arts de Cergy in 1999 and joined his brother in business. The brothers have designed for Capellini, Habitat, Issey Miyake's APOC store, Vitra, and the Kreo Gallery.
Their designs are simple in form, intended to be made personal by the owners. An excellent example of this is their shelving for Vitra,
also some of their textiles like the Zip rug, where you can zipper together sections of carpet in different colors to make your own combination. The modularity of the work also makes it attractive to a wide range of customers, as it give them more control over the final look.
I respond much more to some of their wall decorations, shelving, and objects than I do to the furniture in general. There seems to be a more playful feel to these pieces and a richer attention to pattern and surfaces.
Posted by jpenamelist at 7:07 PM
Labels: designers
1 comment:
- Filipa said...
I'm designer in a wonderful project called Boca do Lobo, this need to be shared
- March 30, 2010 at 4:46 AM
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Giving way to the wealthy - faster commutes for those prepared to pay
Autonomous vehicles could see privileged road access for those prepared to pay a premium, say Monash University ethicists Professor Robert Sparrow and Dr Mark Howard.
Online auctions could determine who gets through an intersection first and faster routes reserved for higher-paying customers, Professor Sparrow told the Australian Intelligent Transport Systems Summit in Sydney recently.
Autonomous vehicles offer an opportunity to apply free market principles and create 'market in mobility' by pricing road access for more efficient use of an increasingly scarce resource.
But increased efficiency could come at significant social, ethical and political cost, he warns.
An equal place where all users have the same rights and subject to the same laws – no matter what type of car they drive – could become a place where the wealthy can buy their right of way.
"The logic of the free market, when unleashed on urban transport, points firmly to pricing journey times — and therefore access to space on the roads — in accordance with the ability to pay," Professor Sparrow says.
"The cars of those who paid lower prices could be made to slow down and move aside in order to allow the cars of those who had paid higher prices to pass them, making the mobility privileges purchased by the wealthy all-too-obvious to the poor."
In feudal times 'commoners' were often expected, or forced by law, to make way for the nobility on roads.
In the future, algorithms will replace expectations of 'giving way to the wealthy' with technology determining traffic flows that provide a daily reminder of someone's place in society.
The prospect of a 'market in mobility' would also lead to roads being private, rather than public space, effectively controlled by a small number of companies operating fleets of vehicles.
"It would also result in private corporations controlling access to a good — mobility — that is itself essential to social and political participation, entrenching the divide between rich and poor.
"It's something governments and policymakers need to carefully consider in their quest for more efficient road networks."


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I've been getting questions via Instagram on recipes, outfit details, and travel / food recommendations so figured I'd share extra commentary on here where it's easier to write. Here are a few of my favorite snaps from the past month, including an easy + yummy brunch dish to make at home!
A tradition that I look forward to all year is getting afternoon tea at the Taj hotel with my girlfriends. We dress up and chat for hours while reaching new sugar + caffeine highs. It's always a challenge finding an outfit dressy enough for the occasion, but warm and comfy enough for a long walk in chilly December.
Each year I've ended up wearing my Stuart Weitzman boots for warmth, with a dress that hits slightly higher than the boot shaft. It started out for functionality, but I've come to love the look of over-the-knee boots with a dressier piece! A stark white dress might seem suitable only for warm weather, but can be winter-chic as well in a classic black + white pairing (also try layering a striped tee or solid turtleneck underneath).
Above, Nick and I are in Copley Square en route to do some gift shopping. Yes I'm in sock-less flats – got a few questions/chastising comments on this, but when walking quickly it really doesn't bother me any more than having an exposed face. I picked up an iPhone 6+ for my elderly grandfather, who a few years ago adamantly refused all technology/ mobile / internet-related products however is now glued to his Apple gadgets and active with selfies on social media.
We spent Christmas in San Diego where I indulged in good eats galore. With Asian food I usually avoid "fusion" places like the plague since I like those flavors authentic, but ended up loving Underbelly ramen (2 locations). This is the "belly of the beast" bowl which has oxtail dumplings, hoisin-braised short rib, and smoked brisket in a tonkotsu broth. My gripe was there were no spoons for drinking the broth; waitress said this is so customers have to pick up the bowl and drink…umm, alright, next time I'll just go with a spoon in my pocket!
This place seems to be hit or miss based on reviews but the noodles I got had good texture and the broth was rich and flavorful, especially when you add in a spoonful or two of the "ghost chilli pepper" paste at the tables. I finished every drop, spoon-less and all. Pork bun in the back left was good (tho does not measure up to Ippudo's) but I'd definitely pass on the octopus appetizer next time.
I can't get enough of the citrus trees in Nick's parents' yard which bear an abundance of fruit year-round. Here, I'm wearing these comfy LOFT destructed jeans, old Gap sweater and my Ferragamo flats. I ordered another pair of the LOFT modern skinny jeans in "dark rinse" wash during a past sale and mistakenly received curvy instead of modern fit. The fit is pretty starkly different, cut more generously in the hips and thighs so could be good for those with a curvier figure.
Oh, Matcha Love…how I waited for this day. I'm a green tea ice cream fanatic and heard months ago that a soft serve version could be found in the food court of select Mitsuwa grocery stores (store locator). This didn't disappoint – was very creamy and the matcha flavor was not overpowering nor too sweet.
For Christmas, Nick received his late grandmother's cast iron skillets which was both sweet and perfect since the boy loves to cook. He put it to use whipping up this dish, which is great for getting rid of ingredients in the fridge. I've never bothered to make homemade hash in the past, but the process was easy and the results were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside – so yummy that I'm counting down the days before having it again.
Steps – too easy to be called a recipe!
1) Thoroughly wash and cube russet potatoes. We used unpeeled since the skin crisps up nicely, and did 1 large potato per person.
2) Place frying pan or skillet over medium heat and add oil to coat the bottom after the pan is heated. Put potato cubes in, mostly skin-side down. The key is to not stir them for about 5 minutes or until the bottom of the cubes are browned and seared. You can pick one up to check out the bottom.
3) Flip potatoes and turn heat down to medium-low. Stir only occasionally to allow more sides to brown. Cook for a total of 15-20 minutes until
potatoes are soft in the center – taste to test.
4) Before potatoes are done cooking, season with salt and pepper to taste. If eggs are desired, cook them in a separate pan while the potatoes finish up then serve topped over your hash.
Optional add-ins: We added sausage, onion, kale, cheddar cheese, and herbs to empty out our fridge which ended up being delicious. Be creative with what you have on hand and with your favorite seasonings (sriracha a must for me). If you have greens in your fridge like spinach or kale, throw these in during the last few minutes of the potato cooking since they don't need long to cook down.


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I'm not sure if it's vain doing this sort of post, or sort of useful if only to me as a way of marking some sort of progress.
That's a lot of qualifiers.
It's been a long year.
On the publications front, I had two novels published. My short, weird SF (gonzo-SF?) novel Martian Sands finally saw print in March/April or thereabouts after years of, well, stuff. So I was very pleased to see it out. I also moved on to Hodder & Stoughton with a 2-book deal, the first of which, The Violent Century, came out in late October, to mostly very nice reviews.
Osama came out in Germany, France, Spain and Italy this year. The Bookman and Camera Obscura came out in Japan.
In short stories, I published 20 original stories this year, 19 in English and 1 in Hebrew. I have a more detailed post about them here.
I stopped publishing the World SF Blog in June, after more than four years. Surprisingly, I won a couple of awards for it this year – a BSFA Award for best non-fiction, and a special Kitschies. Which was nice.
I blurbed a few books, and wrote the introduction to the English edition of Shimon Adaf's Sunburnt Faces. Which you should buy.
On the writing front, it's been an incredibly busy year. I had my first screenwriting job, co-writing, with a friend, a feature for an Israeli production company. It's gone through several drafts but a final draft is more or less there, for now.
I also sold my first mainstream comic – Adler, a five-part mini-series, with art by Paul McCaffrey, to Titan Comics, to be published late this year – around October, probably. I've delivered the scripts for the first 2 issues, and Paul is hard at work on finishing issue 1's art at the moment.
I spent most of the year writing my new novel, The Drummer,which I delivered to Hodder just under the deadline a couple of weeks ago. The book was like a black hole, warping time and space around me. I'm pleased to see it gone, for now.
I also, at long last, finished my mosaic short-story cycle, Central Station, which I began around 2010. Individual stories have been published in Analog, Interzone, Clarkesworld and elsewhere. I've put the finishing touches on the collection.
I finished a new picture book with artist Adi Elkin.
I wrote about 12 short stories, some of them very short, some of them Central Station stories.
Coming in 2014
If all goes to plan, The Drummer should be out this October. My anthology, The Apex Book of World SF 3, should be out around August (or possibly towards the end of the year). Adler #1 should be out around October. I've also been working on a new anthology project, which is coming together very nicely, and should be out sometime in 2014. Apart from that, there's a possibility that my Guns & Sorcery collection, Black Gods Kiss, will be out from PS Publishing (a companion piece to Gorel & The Pot-Bellied God).
I also have about 9 short stories scheduled to appear in 2014 so far. I am pretty much out of stories now, but I hope to write some new ones, and actually managed to finish 2 after sending off The Drummer. I miss short stories.
Writing-wise, I have a new novel to write, and Adler to finish. I'm also adapting – something – into a screenplay at the moment. I've got some more graphic novel/comics things I'm working on.
… but otherwise, I'm probably going to take it easy this year!


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Saeree K. and Louis P. Fiedler Chair in Chemistry
• Ph.D., 1978, The University of Washington (Seattle)
• B.Sc. and M.Sc., 1974, Bar Ilan University
Research Focus:
We use theory to find broad general patterns in chemistry and to make predictions, which can hopefully guide new experiments. Our interest stretches from bonding in small molecules all the way to metalloenzymes and neuronal receptors. To these ends we use an arsenal of theoretical methods:
• Bonding in small molecules is studied with valence bond (VB) theory or multi-reference methods such as MRCI, CASSCF and CASPT2.
• Reactivity of small molecules is studied with density functional theory (DFT), coupled cluster theory and multi-reference methods. The reactivity patterns are subsequently organized by usage of VB modeling.
• Structure and reactivity of metalloenzymes are studied by means of DFT and hybrid DFT/ molecular mechanical (MM) methods, hence DFT/MM.
• For metalloenzymes and neuronal receptors we use molecular dynamic (MD) simulations.
Here are some representative research topics:
Charge-shift bonding and no-pair ferromagnetic bonding
Examples of new bonding motifs, which we discovered and analyzed by applying VB theory, are the charge-shift bonds (CSB) and the no-pair ferromagnetic bonds (NPFMB). CSBs are electron pair bonds, which are neither covalent nor ionic, and in which the bonding energy arises from the covalent-ionic resonance energy. F2 is an archetypical CSB; it has a repulsive covalent structure and hence its electron density map, called ELF (shown below on the right hand side), is unique, exhibiting depleted electron density in the bonding region. The right-hand side drawing shows a 12Li11 cluster, which is sustained by bound triplet pairs, which is the bonding mode in NPFMB. VB theory was also used to discover the quadruple bonding of carbon in C2, and other isoelectronic species.
Halogen bonding and C-H ••• H-C interactions
Our studies extend to weak intermolecular interaction for which the VB method reveals that the bonding arises either completely due to resonance with the charge transfer form, as in the case of halogen bonds (e.g., H3N: ••• Cl-Cl) depicted on the left- hand side drawing, or partly as in the graphane dimers on the right-hand side. The charge transfer binding in these dimers is brought about by interactions of C-H ••• H-C pairs, and it contributes inter-sheet electron density accumulation that acts as a two-way adhesive between the sheets.
VB modeling of hydrogen abstraction reactivity
VB theory can be used to derive general models, which predict barriers for any desired reaction. The drawing below shows a correlation of these model barriers for more than 40 different hydrogen abstraction reactions, plotted against reference barriers calculated with CCSD(T)/CBS and B3LYP.
Cytochrome P450 enzymes
Metalloenzymes like cytochrome P450s hold great many fascinating challenges for the theoretician. For example, the above right drawing shows how does the enzyme P450 Stap uses a proton-shuttle bridge made from two water molecules (Wat644 and Wat789) and a histidine residue (His250) which initiates the formation of Staurosporine (a natural cancer-cells killer) by inducing C-C bond formation in the molecule chromopyrrolic acid (CPA), which is very distant from the iron-oxo prophyrin active species (at the bottom of the drawing).
The exchange-enhanced reactivity principle
The reactivity of metal-oxo complexes (analogs of nonheme enzymes) is fascinating since it involves different spin states, which reveal new principles of reactivity. One of these is so-called exchange enhanced reactivity (EER) principle, which occurs in reactions wherein the number of unpaired electrons on the transition metal center increases in the transition state thereby lowering its energy by enhanced exchange. This is the Hund's Rule of chemical reactivity.
Other topics in chemical reactivity
We explore the usage of oriented electric fields on the reactivity of molecules and enzymes. We began recently to look at proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions.
Selected Publications
1. A Chemist's Guide to Valence Bond Theory, by S. Shaik and P.C. Hiberty, Wiley Interscience, Hoboken New Jersey (2008).
2. Charge-Shift Bonding and its manifestations in chemistry, by S. Shaik, D. Danovich, W. Wu and P.C. Hiberty, Nature Chem. 1, 443-449 (2009).
3. Bonding with parallel spins: High spin clusters of monovalent metal atoms, by D. Danovich and S. Shaik, Acc. Chem. Res. 47, 417-426 (2014).
4. On the nature of the halogen bond, by C. Wang, D. Danovich, Y. Mo and S. Shaik, J. Chem. Theor. Comput. 10, 3726-3737 (2014).
5. A tutorial for understanding chemical reactivity through the valence bond approach, by U. Dandamudi, W.Z. Lai, C. Li, D. Danovich, H. Chen and S. Shaik, Chem. Soc. Rev. 43, 4968-4988 (2014).
6. P450 enzymes: Their structure, reactivity, and selectivity, modeled by QM/MM calculations, by S. Shaik, S. Cohen, Y. Wang, H. Chen, D. Kumar and W. Thiel, Chem. Rev. 110, 949-1017 (2010).
7. A theory of bioinorganic chemistry of oxometal complexes and ananlogous oxidants: The exchange and orbital-selection rules, by U. Dandamudi, D. Janardanan, C. Li and S. Shaik, Acc. Chem. Res. 46, 471-482 (2013).