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http://partnershipforcoastalwatersheds.org/communities-neighborhoods/ When I moved back to my house in 2012 from the townhouse, I had a dream of turning Jane's old room into a home office. This week, amidst another round of summer cleaning, I sat down with some old magazines and cut up some of my favorite pictures, and like a girl creating the room of her dreams, tacked pictures to the white walls and made a room I now love to work in.
I was super excited that four years later I finally got my wish of creating my dream office. I am now surrounded by all of my favorite things. From fashion campaigns, books, and beads to beautiful rugs, plants, and prints, I feel so inspired here.
I now have a workspace that is so cozy yet completely eclectic. My 1963 Saarinen set makes the perfect partners desk. Two cozy down-filled chairs flank the corners for a space to ponder and reflect and really let my mind run free.
One painting in this room has a wonderful saying that's slowly becoming my mantra, "as you pass by leave flowers." I love that!!
The fireplace was a great flea market find and loading it full of wood evoked the feeling of sitting in front of a fire on a crisp fall afternoon, despite the fact that it's summer. Stagey, I know, but I am a visual person!
Before I sat down and thought up what I wanted for this room, I took to Pinterest to search for inspiration. You can check out my inspiration for the eclectic gallery wall here.
I love having the painting that Mel Remmers did of Jane. Check out her Instagram at @melremmers for more wonderful paintings.
One of my favorite things about this office re-do, was the chance to dive into the sleeves of 60s and 70s prints that I've had tucked away forever. Framing be damned!! I took out my Mounting Putty from Office Depot and tacked the paintings up without harming them or my walls all while satisfying my need of instant gratification.
Now that it's finished, I look forward to creating wonderful memories and tackling projects in my new office that feels like home.


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Hello guys and all the Explore Indochina crew! I'm finally getting around to writing to say "hello!" (insert enthusiastic roadside waive here) and let you know what a FANTASTIC time Kelly and I had on the Mountain High ride in April!
It has been over three months since the ride, yet we still think about it nearly every day. The guides struck a great balance of leading us on a smooth, well-organized trip without having a scripted or "canned" feel.
The people, scenery, and incredible roads were beyond words. It's all we can do to try to explain to our friends back home just a tiny kernel of what it was like. And, being a fan of older iron, the faithful Minsks were of course right up my alley.
Definitely a trip of a lifetime; thank you for sharing your country and culture with us.
Courtney Olive from USA
April, 2008

subset: commoncrawl


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The primary purpose of the 'IQ Morning Report' Video Newsletter is to
provide you with an early morning head start on everyone else.
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You already possess the SKILLS... to discover your own greatness!
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The biggest secret of all is... We become what we THINK about. (Napoleon Hill)
At any moment in time... The very next decision you make has the power to change the course of your life forever.
The cure for 'Stinkin Thinkin'
A new way to think about how much time you have left... with JellyBeans
Change your Mindset, Change the Game: Dr. Alia Crum
about it. There are two kinds of thinkers in this world, (1) people who have a 'growth' mindset and (2) people who have a 'fixed' mindset. Growth mindset thinkers believe their lives are controlled more by what THEY think and do than any other external factor and anything they want to do is possible by learning how to do what they want to do, preparing themselves to go do it, and then, going out and making it happen. Fixed mindset thinkers believe their life is controlled by external factors controlled by someone or something other than themselves. All they are currently aware of is all there is or ever will be. If they don't currently have enough money to pay for the level of healthcare insurance they need, they're never going to be able to afford it. If they don't currently have a college education, there's no way they're ever going to get one. Interest rates, the lowest in decades, hurt only those who can't afford to borrow in the first place. The only real limitations a person has are self-imposed limitations... in their own mind. If you don't design the life you want to live, and begin the actions/activities that cause it to happen, someone else will design it for you. If you don't work on your own dreams, someone will hire you to help them build their dreams. If you want more than you've got currently, I will help you to turn your needs, wants and dreams into realities. PM me." If you'd care to comment on this , call me on the Voicemail Hotline... 941-227-6277.
The Positive Benefits of 'Temporary' Failure: Eduardo Zanatta
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Windsurfing Information and Resources
For people who want extreme water activities, windsurfing might be right in their ballpark. Windsurfing is a water sport that utilizes elements of both sailing and surfing (hence the name) by using a board, approximately 3 meters long, and a sail, which has an area that ranges anywhere from 2.5 square meters to 12 square meters. The area of the sail depends upon the type of windsurfing being done, the sailors weight, and their skill level.
Many people credit the invention of windsurfing to S. Newman Darby, an American inventor from Wilkes-Barre, PA. Darby, however he did not patent his "sailboard" resulting in a patent instead being taken in 1968 by Jim Drake and Hoyle Schweitzer on a "windsurfer" design by Drake. Darby had already begun selling his sailboards 4 years prior to Drake and Schweitzer's patent in 1964 and had been featured in an article in Popular Science magazine in 1965.
Falling somewhere in between surfing and sailing, the "hang ten" lifestyle of surfing is a part of the windsurfing culture, though the more rules based sailing culture also plays a role in the sport. There are activities available to windsurfers that can not be enjoyed by individuals in a sailboat, such as spinning, inverted loops, jumps, and other freestyle movements. Windsurfers also have an advantage over traditional surfing as larger waves are more accessible to windsurfers than those on traditional surf boards.
While windsurfing competitions do exist, including on such a large scale as the Olympics, the sport is most often enjoyed in a non-competitive settings, with windsurfers simply enjoying the experience alone or with friends.
Not all windsurfing gear is created equal. Some of the more modern categories of windsurfing boards are: Formula windsurfing class boards, freeride boards, freestyle boards, wave boards, speed boards, slalom boards, racing longboards, tandem boards, and beginner boards or funboards. Every board type has specific strengths due to it's unique characteristics, allowing a wider range of people to find boards that best suit their interests and needs. Today most windsurfing boards are made of an expanded polystyrene core that is reinforced with a composite shell that might consist of epoxy fiberglass, carbon fiber, kevlar, and sometimes thermoplastics and plywood. The sails on the boards are usually made of a clear polyester film known as monofilm, a woven polyester known as dacron, and mylar. The areas on the sail that are under high load might be kevlar reinforced.
There are two types of sails most commonly found on windsurfing boards: Rotational and camber induced. Rotational sails are sails which have battens protruding past the back aspect of the mast, meaning that when a windsurfer is tacking or jibing they must flip to the opposite side of the mast. The shape of these sails is aerofoil on the leeward side when filled with wind and can be depowered and completely flat when sheeted out.
Camber sails are named as such due to the one to five camber inducers found on the sail. These inducers are plastic devices which cup against the mast and are found at the end of the battens. They keep a very rigid aerofoil shape to the sail to allow for greater stability and speed. The increased speed and stability however result in a loss of mobility. Thus, sails with camber inducers are generally used for racing over wave riding.
Windsurfing Clubs, Gear, and Additional Information and Resources
Explore the below resources for even more information on windsurfing.
- The 10-Step Guide to Windsurfing
- Windsurfing Fin Technology
- Maui Windsurfing Report
- The Adirondack Boardsailing Club
- North Texas Wind Riders
- Windsurfing in Western Australia
- Speed Surfing Blog
- Boat-Links Windsurfing Resources
- Starboard Manufacturer
- Mistral Windsurfing
- The United States Windsurfing Association


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In today's time having a website is integral to the success of a business. Many potential customers look to the internet for their information on a company. If the business also sells products, many people want the option to purchase their items online. This leaves the business owner with the need for quality and reliable web hosting. However, unless a business owner is familiar with the services available this choice could be difficult. They often are left wondering which service will meet their needs and keep their website running smoothly. It is easy to find the answer to those questions simply by reading up on web hosting reviews.
Depending on the hosting company that is being used, having a website can be a costly venture. For the typical business owner this expense is worthwhile simply because it can bring in so many new customers. Even if the site merely tells information about the company, potential customers like to know they are utilizing the right business for their needs. However, if the website is not reliable or does not contain what a customer is looking for then it could also cost the business potential revenue. This is why it is vital that a business owner select a hosting company that is reputable and will be able to meet the needs of the business.
Each business is different and the needs of their website will vary. The hosting that may work for one business may not have the tools necessary to include what is needed for another. Checking out each hosting company individually can be time consuming and can also end up costing the business owner money. Both time and money are valuable to the business and need to be utilized properly. Taking advantage of web hosting reviews will ensure that the business owner is able to quickly find the right company to meet their needs and reserve their time and money for more important tasks. Reviews are most often written by those who have tried out a service and would like to share their experience with others. There are two types of reviewer that one can typically find online. There is the average person that has had an experience with a service they wish to share and then there are those who spend their time testing out services and providing reviews of their experiences. Both can be quite reliable in helping a business owner assess the potential of a service and whether it will meet their needs.
What many do not realize is that web hosting reviews do not all have to be, nor are they, positive. Many people also choose to share their negative experiences with a service. This provides the business owner with the information needed to know which providers they need to avoid. If a provider has an issue with the system going down often and the websites being unavailable, this is something a reviewer would likely share and that the business owner would need to know. In the end, reading reviews takes much less time than trying out a service to determine its worth. It also prevents the business owner from wasting money on a provider that is not a good fit. While having a website may be vital to the success of a business, it is also important that the owner save as much money and time as possible so that the website pays off in the end.


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The body has many clock-like systems that regulate a myriad of different things. These clocks are found in the esophagus, lungs, liver, pancreas, spleen, thymus, and the skin, as well as the brain! Although they can act independently according to external stimuli such as light, temperature, social interactions, pharmacological manipulation, exercise, and eating/drinking patterns – all healthy systems communicate with each other so that the body can synchronize and make efficient these systems according to what time of day it is, when last your body has performed a function, and external stimuli listed above.
A circadian rhythm is any biological process that displays an endogenous, entrainable oscillation of about 24 hours. When we refer to a circadian rhythm in polyphasic sleep we refer to the rhythm with which the body keeps to detect day and night. The circadian rhythm is usually in sync with local day and night times but doesn't always have to be (like when jet lag occurs, for example).
An ultradian rhythm is any biological process that displays an endogenous entrainable oscillation of fewer than 24 hours. When we use this term we are referring to the 90-120 minute brain wave frequency cycles that occur when we are both awake and asleep. When we refer to an 'ultradian' in polyphasic sleep we refer to the smallest amount of time between the start of your last nap, and the start of your next nap, in a schedule.
The brain has both circadian and ultradian rhythms that control waking and sleeping rhythmic behavior. The brain clock is the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and is controlled mostly by a light that comes in through the retinas, but there is also internal communication between it and other systems to keep track of the time of day. Sunlight detected by the skin is a day time phenomenon, so the skin can tell the SCN that it is day when UV-B is detected. Eating is an awake process, so the gut can tell the SCN that it is day if food is being processed.
Both the circadian and ultradian rhythm is important because having regular up/down phases is a homeostatic system for regulating all sorts of things, from hormonal secretions, to brain wave frequencies, to blood flow, and brain hemisphere or lobe dominance. This means that without that rhythm, homeostatic functions either work suboptimally or different parts of the body become out of sync with each other.
For example, the gut and brain have two separate ultradian rhythms, but there is integration and communication between them. If there is detectable consistency, such as the presence of day and night, regular eating times, and regular activity, then you will likely have bowel movements when your brain thinks it is morning. If there is no synchronization, both systems are functioning well but have low communication because of changing or confusing circumstances, you will get bowel movements at the same time every 'gut day', but there is nothing to say it will be in the morning. Now let's say there is no regularity in either system and no communication between them, then the cyclic behavior of the gut will become drawn out waiting for signals which could lead to constipation (for example being asleep when a bowel movement is most likely).
Focusing more on the brain now, we can say that it needs the regularity of day and night for the brain to set a circadian rhythm, and without day and night lighting conditions, circadian functions do not complete correctly. For example, the brain will heavily weight sleep toward a certain stage of sleep depending on what time of day it is.
The ultradian rhythm is important for the downregulation of a dominant hemisphere or lobe. When you are concentrating on one task for a long time your brain needs a break from over-depolarization in one area of the brain, so you get a lull in concentration naturally every 90-120mins whilst you are awake. Your brain wave frequencies will rise, then sink. Also, general brain frequency changes in these lulls so that you do not over-stimulate the brain too much high or low-frequency activity and get in a 'brain wave frequency rut'. When you are asleep (mono) these undulations of brain frequency manifest as sleep stages. Every 90-120 minutes (of course sometimes less) your brain wave frequencies will sink, then rise (opposite to when awake).
If you sleep without a rhythm, then those systems become desynchronized with each other, they become less efficient at regulating natural functions. Your circadian rhythm will rotate over the week much more wildly than normal, leading to getting deep sleep in the mornings, then evenings, then nights, then all over the place. Your circadian rhythm will be dysfunctional leading to erratic sleep stage repartitioning, and when you are awake brain wave frequency regulation may lead to unforeseen mental problems. Knowing that ADHD sufferers develop frequency dependencies (parts of their brain will have permanently higher or lower frequency activity than a normal person), as do many other mental disorders, it may be safer to stay regular than to sleep without a rhythm.
Circadian Shift
Circadian Shift is when a person's circadian rhythm changes over time relative to the actual day time. Sometimes people's circadian rhythm is not exactly 24 hours, but instead, 24.5h long. Without artificial lighting, a person with this circadian rhythm will have little problem locking in their rhythm and countering this shift because of natural lighting conditions. With artificial lighting and other factors a person's 'circadian dawn' and 'circadian dusk' slowly shift forward each day.
Ultradian Shift
Ultradian (or BRAC) Shift is a name for the phenomena where a person's ultradian rhythm shifts forward as they stay awake longer. If a person with a 2 hour BRAC is following a 4-hour ultradian rhythm (e.g. napping every 4 hours for uberman), if they missed their normal nap and were awake at that time, they would likely next get tired after 2.25 – 2.75 hours, rather than 2 hours. If they missed sleeping then, they would likely get very tired 2.5-3h. Each missed sleep results in a shifting of the ultradian rhythm. As people are awake longer and longer, the shift becomes much wilder and unpredictable until the ultradian rhythm is dominated by a circadian one.
Rhythmic Imperfection
Not everyone's rhythm is perfect! And rhythmic shift doesn't always follow the same rules all the time! An ultradian rhythm can shift back and forth over a day in relation to the circadian rhythm, and the circadian rhythm can be flipped on it's head due to communication with the circadian gut rhythm, or artificial lighting (blue and white light), and of course genetic inconsistencies. Many schedules call for a level of consistency lead by rhythmic sleeping patterns, but after a person has adapted to a schedule to a certain point by teaching their body rhythm and forcing it through the motions, it is often better to listen to the body for when and where naps are going to be placed.
For example, a person may have been following a four-hour ultradian rhythm for 2 weeks straight and is constantly getting tired only 3 hours after a certain sleep each day, that person may be best to listen to their body and sleep when they are tired.
Of course an 'untrained' or 'weak' rhythm should not be listened to, because the body is not in touch with its own physiological systems, so, for example, a person may have just started a new schedule and is getting tired at the same time each day (at perhaps an unreasonable hour) then the person is to ignore their instinct and continue to teach their body a rhythm for a week or two before listening to their instinct.
Related Articles
Sleep Resources
What is a Circadian Rhythm?
Why do some of us rise with the sun or stay awake into the wee hours of the night? Why can some of us jump out of bed at the crack of dawn while others can barely muster the energy to climb out of bed after snoozing the alarm three times? The answer lies within […]


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Thistle Aikikai is proud to announce and grateful for its' sponsorship by EAST & WEST STORAGE LTD. Call 0141 886 4385 for all your storage and shipping needs!!
Thistle Aikikai is proud to announce and grateful for its' sponsorship by EAST & WEST STORAGE LTD. Call 0141 886 4385 for all your storage and shipping needs!!
This article was submitted by John Burke of Alameda Aikikai for his Nidan exam in September 2008, and I find it relevant to our training.
This morning after adult class we had one of our periodic dojo cleanups, as usual in the days before a seminar. In addition to about a dozen adult members, there were several children and even a parent or two.
Teenage James was climbing like a monkey in the rafters, while others, including some of our newest members, were wielding dusters on long poles to sweep the light fixtures, the tops of walls, and the roof above the kamidana. Dust bunnies rained from the ceiling like snow, defined by slanting beams from the skylights. It seemed as if each mote was the residue of a completed technique: the smaller ones back falls and forward rolls, the larger ones the echo of some selfless sutemi. I felt a pleasure in that dust akin to the fragrant chalk clouds from cleaning erasers in grammar school. Time to start again with a fresh slate, all this dust is just the shadow of everything we've learned, now just hollow cocoons.
I'm currently at my sixth aikido dojo, and the one that feels most like home. Each one has had its unique flavor, independent of size or style, and I've benefited from them all. But I've come to realize that, beyond martial intensity or spiritual depth, it's the sense of community that makes the greatest difference. Perhaps nothing reveals this more than considering souji, or cleaning, as a metaphor for a dojo's vitality and its members' commitment.
My appreciation of this was slow to emerge. In my 20's, a dojo was a place that existed independently and outside of me: I paid dues, trained hard, helped clean when asked, and went home. Later on, the dojo became a location where a community gathers to train together, where engagement was the essential ingredient, though I still assumed a separation between the students who trained and the teachers who paid the rent and managed the operation. With more experience came the inevitable understanding that a community has no such separations; every stage along the way is a reflection of, and is responsible to, the whole.
What is expected is nothing less than the merging of teacher and student roles, the blending of uke and nage, the victor and vanquished ultimately becoming indistinguishable. The Sensei points the way and sets the pace, but my aikido is my entire training community, and whatever it needs is my entire practice.
Even so, some dojos approach cleaning as a lesson in humility, even confusing it with misogi or strenuous ritual purification: taken this way, it becomes a required burden often associated with an atmosphere of criticism. Other dojos take cleaning as an unavoidable inconvenience to the real goal of training, as if bare technique is all there is to a martial art. What continues to impress me about our dojo is the common awareness of needs and responsibilities that is shared among the senior students, and graciously accepted by the entire membership. Whatever is needed or expected is simply communicated and whoever can will rise to the task. This culture of common responsibility can be seen in other aspects of our training as well: participation is actively appreciated, techniques are critiqued constructively with little regard for rank, and excellence is uniformly demanded and encouraged. In my opinion, this broad engagement of the senior students is the single most important factor in a dojo's sustainability.
Every beginner who enters a dojo to practice may have a different reason for doing so. But if they stay long enough, they will soon discover that many more and often better reasons for training become apparent.
This too will be shaped by their relationships with existing members:
are beginners expected to perform menial activities, or do the most senior members quietly demonstrate the community's values by taking on the lowliest and most difficult tasks themselves? Are beginners taught the rituals of dojo etiquette as a practice in subservience, or as reminder to all members that the highest goal is one that an initiate already possesses: that of beginner's mind.
To step onto the mat is literally to enter into the struggle between life and death, and nothing could be more serious. Yet, it is our simple rituals and common traditions that provide the framework that protects our bodies, our psyches and emotions as we learn and grow.
These practices are best appreciated when they are demonstrated by senior members caring for their community out of a respect for self, each other, and the Way that is being traveling together. And they are best preserved when passed on to beginners who appreciate them as gifts handed down in an atmosphere of mutual caring and respect.
Paved by the efforts of everyone who's gone before, the Way is worn smooth by constant diligence, and kept clear so that its direction will be unmistakable to those who follow. When members truly embrace this responsibility, and behave in ways that foster their community, both on and off the mat, and even in the most mundane of activities, their dojo will be certain to thrive.
All of us in Birankai have been exposed to the 'Four Elements' of Tai Jitsu (Body Art), Weapons, Iai Batto-Ho and Zazen, which are the foundations of Chiba Sensei's teaching. I believe that the combination of these elements is the essence of Budo, the way of the warrior. Historically the true samurai was skilled in unarmed combat, skilled with the sword, and driven to self reflection through zazen.
Since arriving in Scotland a couple of years ago, I have heard many comments and some confusion about the 'Four Elements' and how much focus should be allotted to each from both students and teachers within both the British Birankai and BCE. This struggle is more apparent here as the typical dojo has classes two nights per week within which to touch upon our four elements. I will try to answer within my understanding of the intent behind the foundation, and how I have tried to lead my students along the path.
It is clear to me that the very basic premise upon which we build our training is the body art. The entire process of forging the Aikidoka's body starts and ends with the body art, stripping away those layers of tension, stress, and tightness which have built up in the body over the years, returning flexibility to the joints via ikkyo through rokkyo, kneading the body until it transforms into a supple, responsive, and alive being that reacts instantaneously to stimulation. This process takes several years ( although in my case will probably take longer) and brings to mind a quote that is on my teachers wall. I can't ever remember the exact words, but the gist is that you travel the road through thick and thin, you toil and labor away trying to get somewhere, only to find that it's the process that's important, not the end. It's not the fire, it's the burning. Sensei has written extensively about the Kneading process, the stages of Go-JyuRyu (Hard, supple, flowing) in training, and Shu-Ha-Ri. It is readily apparent to me that in order to make the journey, the practice of Tai-Jitsu must be first and foremost in order of importance.
It is also readily apparent that two vital elements that must be perfected in our study of Aikido are Timing and Distance. Without either of these elements present, one cannot execute the technique. In my opinion, it is quite easy to mask poor timing or distance by the use of brute strength, which can often be seen in Tai-Jitsu practice between a larger nage and smaller uke. This is why the study of weapons is vital to our practice. Physical strength is neutralized due to the larger distance between uke and nage, and weaknesses in timing and distance are more readily exposed, thereby creating the opportunity to perfect ones understanding of these critical items. At the same time, our weapons training focuses us on precision within Tai-sabaki and requires the same tension and at the same time suppleness within our bodies which comes from Tai-jitsu.
Iai batto-ho is important, particularly if one is able to practice with a live blade, because of the tremendous degree of focus and concentration (tension) within the execution of the technique. It is referred to in some circles as 'moving zen', but within our school it is merely an extension of our Aikido. It is a vehicle to increase the student's focus and zanshin within the technique, of being in the moment. During an encounter, which could have life or death consequences, one cannot allow one's focus to waver and be distracted.
Zazen is another pillar of our school, yet over the years I have heard many students dismiss Zazen training on the grounds that it is contrary to their religious beliefs. I find this notion to be absurd, simply a form of escapism. Of course, zazen can be anything you want it to be. There are those among us who have taken vows and become avowed Buddhists. The fact is, zazen within our school is a tool to enable the student to face his or her inner demons, to peel off those layers and layers of thoughts and concepts that have built up over the years. To be able to drop everything, to empty one's mind of every thought but what occurs in that moment, as mentioned above, is vital during an encounter. This is the goal of our zen training, nothing more, nothing less. How we do it is really quite simple. All you need is time and a cushion. Just simply sit in Lotus or Half Lotus for at least ½ hour and count your breaths to 10. Each time you lose concentration in your counting, start again at one. Let go of your thoughts, do not allow your mind to become distracted by them. Let the pain come and ride it. That's it.
Can the four elements that constitute our practice be quantified in terms of how many hours per week should be dedicated to each? I don't think so. There are too many variables involved, and although there are finite numbers of hours instruction in the dojo, some polishing can be done outside the dojo as well. One doesn't need a dojo to practice basic suburi, review Tai-sa-Baki, or sit on a cushion. Be ever mindful that Tai Jitsu is the body of work that we polish, and that Weapons, Iai Batto-ho and Zazen are the limbs that support that body. You can have a body without limbs, but you can't make an Aikidoka without forging the body. This should be our primary focus.
The NEW DVD from Flynn-Sensei is the complete guide to Chuden.
Price is £22 including Postage and Packing.
To order, send cheque or money order to:
M. Flynn,
4 Stirling Street,
Flynn Sensei has completed a set of DVDs for use as instructional aids filmed here in Scotland.
The Iaido DVDs can be purchased for £15 each, or the complete set for £25.
To order, send cheque or money order to:
M. Flynn,
4 Stirling Street,


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Primary Assessment – URGENT – deadline 5pm Thursday 22nd June
Respond to Government Consultation
With an unexpected snap election over last 7 weeks and a school funding crisis, the issue of baseline and SATs has been overshadowed. However now is the time to act.
There is a live consultation and you can let government know your thoughts. There is guidance on NUT, More than a Score, and Better with Baseline websites.
Here there are thorough guides to responding. Below is a quick guide for a five minute response. All emails received by DFE count as consultation responses. You can respond to one question if you wish. Below we have selected 2 key questions. We do not suggest responses, as copied and pasted ones will not count but hopefully we make it easy to give your views, however you can copy and paste the questions below. If you want to see some suggested guidance on responding go to above websites and for baseline to http://www.betterwithoutbaseline.org.uk/what-you-can-do.html
There is NO specific question that asks about Key Stage 2 SATS and the terrible damage they do. But we suggest that you CAN give your opinions on this as part of your response.
If you only have five minutes….
Email firstname.lastname@example.com
Subject: Response to Primary Assessment in England Consultation 30th March – 22nd June 2017
Question 10
10. Any form of progress measure requires a starting point. Do you agree that it is best to move to a baseline assessment in reception to cover the time a child is in primary school (reception to key stage 2)? If you agree, then please tell us what you think the key characteristics of a baseline assessment in reception should be. If you do not agree, then please explain why.
My response to this is….
Do you think that any of our proposals could have a disproportionate impact, positive or negative, on specific students, in particular those with 'relevant protected characteristics' (including disability, gender, race and religion or belief)? Please provide evidence to support your response.
My response to this is…….


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Featured this Episode.
Good Works
Lutherans can often be misunderstood as rejecting the existence or necessity of good works. On episode 14 the Thinking Fellows discuss why this common misconception is not true. Sit back, relax and grab a drink to find out why good works are a fruit of faith and not saving grace.


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10 Dec The Last Recognition of Belligerency (and Some Thoughts on Why You May Not Have Heard of It)
If there is one thing we can agree on is that recognition of belligerency is in disuse – that it is a relic of the 19th century and that it died off sometime before the Spanish Civil War, right? Recognition of belligerency either "fell into desuetude" or is in a state of "current total disuse". In fact, says Prof. Sivakumaran, "at least since 1949, and more likely since 1899, there have not been any cases of recognition of belligerency or insurgency". This is a settled issue, right?
If you google "reconocimiento de beligerancia América Latina" (that is, "recognition of belligerency Latin America", in Spanish), the first result will be a 2008 article from BBC that (in my translation) says:
"[T]he Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), that ousted the dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza in Nicaragua, received the recognition of belligerency towards the final years of the 1970s".
Clearly something is off. How can there be no cases of recognition of belligerency since 1899 when I can google evidence of one as recently as 1979? Simple: lack of English sources. If you repeat the exercise above, but in English, Google's first result will be an 1896 Amos Hershey article on the recognition of Cuban Belligerency. If you replace "Latin America" with "Central America", the result will be a 1937 article on the Spanish Civil War. You have to type "recognition of belligerency FSLN" before you get any specific mentions: a 1980 article that briefly mentions the FLSN in a footnote.
But then again, even if you do understand Spanish, it would not be easy to access the full text of the actual Andean Pact Declaration that issued the recognition, outside scattered extracts. It took me several weeks and the help of a group of exceptional archivist and diplomats at the Peruvian MFA to pull that off (Ms. Cecilia Castillo and Mr. Galo Garcés deserve all the credit!). The statement was annexed to an obscure information bulletin issued by the Peruvian MFA Press and Public Relations Directorate.
The difficulty in securing these primary sources explains why this case may have escaped many authors. This is regrettable, because I think there is much we can learn from this outlying example of state practice. Indeed, if we read the Andean Pact statement in the context of Latin history, it tells us how recognition of belligerency has changed over time.
To explain why, let me take you back to the days of Latin American independence. As vulnerable – often turbulent – new states living in a world not very fond of revolution, these republics needed to secure their standing by achieving two things: (i) other states should recognize their independence, and (ii) other states should not be able to take advantage of domestic turbulence as an excuse for interventionism (more on this here and here). In other words, Latin America needed to attract support for its right to "self-determination" without affecting its right to "non-intervention" after independence – a complicated balance to maintain.
The solution came thanks to the European concept of recognition of belligerency. In Europe's international law, civil strife was an internal affair, but when a domestic armed group began to affect third parties, these states would recognize the group's belligerency. That way, if the rebels attacked, the affected states responded against the rebels, not the home-state.
Latin America, however, had different needs, focused not so much on regulation of force, but on non-intervention. Recognition of belligerency required third states to follow the rules of neutrality: if the rebels did not attack, then foreign powers needed to stay out of the conflict. The system worked by satisfying both Europe's need for international regulation and Latin America's need for securing non-intervention.
The Latin view was so distinct that in 1891, when Chile erupted into civil war, Latin diplomats and scholars debated whether belligerency could be recognized outside the context of independence and secession. Carlos Wiesse, a 19th century Peruvian scholar, notes disapprovingly that to some authors, wars of insurrection ("those that only seek a change of institutions", not territorial separation) do not allow for recognition of belligerency. He cites the case of Colombia, which refused to recognize the belligerency of Chilean rebels by claiming that it would be unfair to "recognize two simultaneous governments in a single state, in the same way as it is monstrous for a single organism to have two heads". In Colombia's much narrower view of belligerency, during wars of insurrection, "[f]or as long as the government fights, other governments must, by general rule, abstain from entering in relations with the entity seeking to subjugate it" (Wiesse, p. 32). This does not seem to have been an issue in the Global North.
These different understandings between North and South explain why as belligerency began to slowly die in Europe and the United States – regions tired of its steep diplomatic cost – it was still alive in Latin America. In fact, in 1913, during the Mexican Civil War, the Constitutionalist factions of Venustiano Carranza sent an emissary to the United States "with the express objective of convincing the US government of the belligerent condition of the Carrancista army (…) to secure at least the American government's neutrality" (see Guerrero Apráez, p. 139). The US however refused to even address the issue (Id., p. 143). In complete contrast, Latin American states included reference to belligerency in the 1928 Civil Strife Convention, barely 8 years before its final "death" during the Spanish Civil War.
By 1949, the Geneva Conventions fully replaced the need to recognize belligerency, satisfying the need for minimal regulation of internal conflict. As the Cold War raged, proxy wars made it increasingly difficult to use an institution like belligerency that the great powers no longer wanted. Slowly, but steadily, the connection between belligerency and non-intervention began to fade away in Latin America's collective mind, even if the institution itself did not.
So, when in June 1979, the Andean Pact needed to respond to the ruthless US-backed Nicaraguan dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza, recognition of belligerency was not seen as an opaque 19th century concept. When Somoza communicated to the Andean Pact delegation "a clear impression that he did not find possible any other kind of solution that did not fit within his requirements regarding conclusion of his presidential term" and that "the internal problem in Nicaragua was currently a military fact that must be solved through military means", the Pact reacted by invoking recognition of belligerency.
Indeed, barely 5 days after the delegation left Managua, the Andean Pact recognized the FSLN's belligerency, "lamenting" that General Somoza's response "do[es] not allow any realistic hope that [he] will take the necessary decisions for peace and fraternity to return to the Nicaraguan homeland". In other words: the only solution was for him to resign and recognition of belligerency was a step to force him in that direction. For the Andean Pact:
"[T]his military situation, objectively considered, forces the recognition as belligerents of the popular forces that are currently fighting against the Nicaraguan Government, which we thus officially communicate herein so that these forces benefit from the treatment and the prerogatives that correspond to them according to international law, and so they comply with the obligations that this latter imposes to legitimate combatants".
A week later, upon request of Venezuela, the OAS Meeting of Consultation of Foreign Affairs Ministers called for Somoza's ouster (see this IACHR Report). The Resolution states (my translation) that "the inhumane conduct of the dictatorial regime (…) is the fundamental cause of the dramatic situation befalling the Nicaraguan people" and that any solution should be "inspired" by the "immediate and definitive replacement of the Somocist regime".
Less than a month later, "[u]pon consultation with the governments that truly have interest in pacifying the country" (i.e. arguably, not the Andean Pact), Somoza resigned.
This – the last recognition of belligerency – therefore, was not meant to secure the Andean Pact's rights vis a vis the FSLN nor to protect them (or Nicaragua) from foreign interventionism. All to the contrary, the word "neutrality" was not even mentioned once. The recognition itself was rather part of a toolbox designed to directly interfere in the Nicaraguan conflict and bring about the end of the Somoza dictatorship, in the name of human rights.
The Nicaraguan experience arguably brought about a change in the way Latin American states perceived recognition of belligerency in international affairs. In the past, it had been a tool against foreign interventionism. Now, it was a tool of intra-regional interventionism.
It is because of this change that Hugo Chávez tried to declare the FARC and ELN's belligerency in 2008. Proposals for the recognition of belligerence became a way for Latin American governments to try to upset the balance of internal conflicts in the region, empowering armed groups beyond the prerogatives of the Geneva Conventions. This is definitely not a frequent occurrence, but it is at least much more frequent and serious than in Global North discussions.
This paradigm change has had serious implications for Latin America as a whole. It has made international humanitarian law suspect, by conflating Common Article 3 conflicts with situations like that of Chavez and Colombia. As I mentioned in a post back in August, many in Peru still believe the Shining Path would receive belligerent rights if Common Article 3 applies, and accuse IHL scholars of being part of a foreign campaign to strengthen terrorist groups. All of these problems have their origin in the 1979 Andean Pact Statement and the changes it brought about.
So, as a conclusion, the story this Statement tells is twofold. On the one hand, it's the story of how recognition of belligerency evolved through time in a particular region of the world. On the other, it is the story of how it fell through the cracks of linguistic limitations and lack of diversity in international law. This is not the only story that has. But I will leave those for another day. For now, and hoping that others will not need to go to so much trouble to find it, I think it would be a good public service if I just transcribe it below, so everyone – North or South – can access it.
Los Ministros de Relaciones Exteriores de Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú y Venezuela:
Que los Jefes de Estado de los países miembros del Grupo Andino decidieron durante su reciente reunión en Cartagena declararse en consulta permanente para impulsar solidariamente las acciones que correspondan para coadyuvar a poner fin al derramamiento de sangre en Nicaragua, al restablecimiento de la paz y la vigencia de los Derechos Humanos en ese país hermano;
Que de conformidad con esa decisión, los Gobiernos de los países Andinos encomendaron a los señores Cancilleres de Ecuador y Venezuela una gestión de carácter internacional que los llevó a entrevistarse con el general Anastasio Somoza en Nicaragua;
Que la situación comprobada por los señores Cancilleres, a raíz de su paso por Nicaragua y de la entrevista sostenida con el General Somoza, es la existencia de un grave y profundo deterioro de la situación social y política en ese país y;
Que, lamentablemente, las expresiones que han recogido directamente del General Somoza no permiten alentar en lo inmediato ninguna fundada esperanza de que el Gobierno actual de ese país tomará las decisiones necesarias para que la paz y la confraternidad vuelvan a reinar en la patria nicaragüense.
Los Ministros de Relaciones Exteriores de Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú y Venezuela, a nombre de sus Gobiernos y actuando en función de la Declaración Presidencial de Cartagena y en resguardo de la convivencia pacífica y fraterna que debe prevalecer en los Estados de América Latina,
Que reiteran su ferviente aspiración a que se restablezca cuanto antes la paz en Nicaragua sobre la base del respeto de los derechos fundamentales de la persona humana, y su disposición a realizar todos los esfuerzos que sean necesarios, con arreglo al Derecho Internacional y a los principios básicos que rigen en el Sistema Interamericano, para que la Nación hermana alcance tan preciado objetivo;
Que, sin embargo, la lucha armada que actualmente se desenvuelve entre el Gobierno actual y vastos sectores del pueblo nicaragüense ha asumido tales características de permanencia, profundidad y acción bélica abierta, que ponen de manifiesto un verdadero estado de beligerancia;
Que esta situación bélica, considerada objetivamente, obliga a reconocer como beligerantes a las fuerzas populares que en este momento se encuentran en pugna con el Gobierno de Nicaragua, lo que así comunicamos oficialmente a los efectos de que tales fuerzas gocen del tratamiento y las prerrogativas que, con arreglo al Derecho Internacional, le corresponden y cumplan con las obligaciones que éste impone a los combatientes legítimos;
La presente Declaración constituye un nuevo paso en el proceso que los países Andinos han iniciado con respecto a la situación de Nicaragua, que siguen con honda preocupación y en permanente alerta. Resulta de la apreciación objetiva de la situación actual y será mantenida mientras no se adopten medidas positivas encaminadas a poner fin a una lucha cada vez más sangrienta e inhumana que agravia la conciencia de nuestras naciones y a instaurar en Nicaragua un régimen de verdadera democracia y libertad.
Los Ministros de Relaciones Exteriores de los países miembros del Pacto Andino, al tomar esta decisión, formulan, además, un cordial llamamiento a todos los países del continente con el propósito de que, examinadas las razones que han conducido a reconocer la existencia de un estado de beligerancia en Nicaragua, estudien la posibilidad de adherir a esta decisión, lo que sin duda contribuirá eficazmente a facilitar la instauración de un régimen de verdadera democracia representativa, justicia y libertad en Nicaragua.
16 de Junio de 1979.


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Two-Tone Lattice
Originally uploaded by slauditory.
Yarn: Lady Handicraft Tapestry Yarn (sage) and Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool (cream)
Wraps Per Inch: Lady Handicraft: 10 wpi; Fisherman's Wool: 11 wpi
Needles: Clover Takumi Bamboo Size 8/5.0 mm
Gauge: 26 sts = 5 in. in patt.
5 sts/in. in st st (Fisherman's Wool)
4 sts/in. in st st (Lady Handicraft Tapestry)
Pattern: Two-Tone Lattice
Stitch Count Repeat: Multiple of 6 sts
Book: A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns
Page: 40
Difficult Techniques, if any: keeping even tension when slipping sts
Knit by: Slauditory
Because it is a slip-stitch pattern, the pattern draws in laterally. Also, it's highly textured; that's why the fabric has a rippled texture after blocking. It's a thick and cushy fabric.


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Boy abducts girl. Girl pepper sprays boy. Bullets fly. Two lives change forever…
Nicola has a normal life, filled with friends, a family that loves her, and the usual ups and downs.
Then she's kidnapped.
But her abductor isn't your run of the mill kidnapper. He acts like he knows her. He calls her by another name. And when they're attacked as he's taking her away, he protects her with his life.
Franco has a very difficult job. He's supposed to protect a strong willed heiress from the conspiracy that has plagued her entire life.
Then he grabs the wrong woman.
A woman whose feisty nature and insistence that she's not his heiress have him on edge and off his game.
With menace nipping constantly at their heels, Franco and Nicola must quickly put aside their differences and forge an alliance to stop the shadowy group which pursues them. But circumstances might build something much greater than an alliance between them, as distrust turns to affection and need transforms into something neither one of them is prepared to ignore.
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Elena has no plans for romance. Her plate is full with trying to stay alive, getting to know the new sibling in her life, and solving a murder that seems to have been dropped on the DeVitis family's doorstep. She's spent her entire adult life trying to prove that she's a smart and capable woman who's able to take care of herself. But ultimately, when the danger that's dogged her for as long as she can remember suddenly becomes overwhelming, will Elena need to depend on the man with bedroom eyes and movie star good looks who keeps inserting himself into her life, claiming to have only her safety in mind?
Erik didn't ask to be given the job of protecting Elena DeVitis. She's the most stubborn, difficult woman he's ever met. But despite her hard outer shell, and the way she constantly keeps him at arm's length, there's a certain vulnerability in the beautiful heiress's eyes. He knows she's fighting to appear strong and self-sufficient, but he's worried for her life. And beyond that, he's concerned about the feelings between them, which are growing stronger by the moment.
A conspiracy, a murder, an ongoing pursuit. Everything seems to be coming to a head. And as it does, members of the DeVitis family will be put into new and deadly situations. And there remains at least one life-changing surprise for them all.
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Gabriella has been hunted all her life by a madman who knew of her unique abilities even before she did. She'd been abandoned by one parent, abused by another, and the feelings of being alone and unloved had almost made her welcome the vividly cruel world she found herself in.
Then she met Mike Stanton.
And she realized her world didn't always have to be cold and lonely. She finally recognized that she might be worthy of someone else's love. But there was a problem. Her past wouldn't let her go. And she was in danger of dragging Mike and everyone else she cared about into Hell with her.
Mike didn't understand the power of the heart until he met Gabby…a woman who hadn't had nearly enough love in her twenty-four, hellish years on earth.
Then he was told to protect her.
And he fell hard and fast for the woman whose instincts and actions kept urging her to fly away, like the beautiful falcon he'd named her.
Can they find the love they both seek before an ugly past and an intensely cruel organization rips them apart? Or will the future they seek only bring them despair as factions they can't control try to destroy the feelings they're just learning to cherish?
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She's fighting to protect everything she cares about. He can't resist a damsel in distress. But he has no idea how high the cost will be if they fail.
Clovis Honeybun is working undercover to catch an assassin targeting his uncle, Senator Brick Honeybun. But his search is waylaid when he spots a pretty woman being mistreated by a guy who looks a lot like his target. Going rogue on a dangerous hunch, Clovis plunges down a trail that might be the right direction but the wrong bad guy. Ultimately, Clovis discovers he could have to choose between saving the woman burrowing her way into his heart, or a man he's loved and respected since he was old enough to crawl.
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This story is full of twists and turns, and just when you think you have it all figured out, you realize that you're merely scratching the surface. But, underneath it all, is a budding romance and a man who is stubborn enough to do what needs to be done, to do what's right for the woman he loves and the child she's fighting to protect, even if it costs him everything.
Clovis has to fight Emma just as hard as he has to fight the bad guys threatening his family to convince her to be with him. Luckily, he's got that Honeybun charm that seems to flow through all of their veins. And once Emma finally faces her feelings, the results are guaranteed to be explosive. Emma has just as much fight in her though, maybe a little too much at times, but I think Clovis has definitely met his match. I can't wait for the next installment of the Honeybun Hunks series. Seriously, Sam, don't leave me hanging for too long. Sam Cheever has outdone herself once again!" Zarelle Shaw, Reviewer
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Four fast-paced books of interracial romantic suspense, with some of the sexiest Alpha heroes you'll ever meet.
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Surprised into hiding in a men's room stall at work, Angie Peterson, owner of the Dunk and Run Coffee Shoppe, overhears two men talking about killing someone named Alastair Honeybun. Picturing a frail, helpless old Englishman, Angie rushes to warn him. There's only one, small problem, Alastair Honeybun is six foot two inches of yummy man, who's perfectly capable of taking care of himself. But when the thugs show up while Angie's still there, they soon figure out they'll need to take care of each other.
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Haldensleben I Reprinted from the June 6, 2014 edition of The Platte County Landmark
buy Ivermectin 12 mg Every family has a secret. For some it could be a stress in a marriage. For others, it could be potential financial windfalls or maybe they are secretly broke. One thing is certain, though…every family has a secret. Eventually, they all see the light of day, though. I'm about to tell you ours.
The year was 1993. A first-term Bill Clinton was busy rolling cigars and staining dresses. The Kansas City Royals were only eight short years removed from their last World Series appearance.
Mogoditshane A young and handsome Chris Kamler had just enrolled at the University of Missouri – Kansas City after, um, releasing myself from the University of Missouri in Columbia. Beer might have been a contributing factor.
My parents, Edward and Donna, were reveling in the graduation from high school of their third child and that left only one more to go. It was a perfect time for a completely ludicrous decision like buying a hot rod car.
Now, my parents had a wonderfully good run of automobiles through my childhood. There was the Ford LTD – one of the largest four door sedans ever made. There was the white Cadillac – again, one of the largest cars in the history of cars. It might have actually come with an outboard motor. The cake topper in this list was the Cutlass Cruiser station wagon made by the Oldsmobile corporation. The Cutlass was so vast, so large, that every child had their own zip code inside AND you could put the newborn on the floorboard of the passenger seat in an age before BIG SEATBELT forced you to stop putting babies on the floorboards of cars.
My parents drove gigantic, American-made boats with wheels. So, naturally, their major purchase to celebrate the third of four children to graduate high school was a 1993 Ford Mustang convertible. It was a glorious machine. An amalgam of leather and power and speed and, dare I say, sex on wheels. It was a damn fine car. My wonderful sister Catherine, whom I love dearly, gave it a test drive. I also got to give it a test drive. It certainly was a step up from what I had been used to driving. I was happy with my 1981 GMC Sierra Pickup Truck with the stepside. It had replaced my F-150 Ford Truck with a three on the tree and enough rust that the rust had rust.
Water actually splashed my face when driving in the rain because of water coming up off of the front wheel into a hole in the floorboard directly up my nose – but I couldn't help seeing me behind the wheel of that powerful machine cruising up and down North Oak turning all the ladies heads.
My sister and I were both going to UMKC at the time, both commuting from home because we are horrible children and hadn't actually left home.
Now. Listen closely. Here is where the family secret comes in.
As mid-life crisis go, my mom and dad's one was pretty mild. They bought a fast car. But of COURSE that was a short lived decision and that beautiful car would trickle down to the child they secretly loved the most. Me. That car would be MINE.
And that's when my sister stepped in. I don't remember what kind of car she drove, but it suddenly started having "problems.†"Oh, that's okay, honey. Just drive the Mustang.â€
I never had a chance. That car was stolen out from underneath me. It was rightfully mine and she STOLE it. She drove that car for years. She knows what she did. Just like the pending Ross Perot Presidency, it was plucked from me and I never had a chance.
NOW you know my family's secret. Anybody want to come visit for Thanksgiving?
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This year, I thought I would put together a little gift guide for my foodie friends. I am constantly getting asked about my favorite pots, pans, tools, and small appliances. I have tried a lot of kitchen items… I thought I would share some tried and true products that would make great gifts as well as some things I hope santa drops off at MY house!
There are things at all price points, so look around and find something for your favorite home cook! If you don't know where to start, consider putting together a gift basket. Start at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Homegoods, and World Market. They carry a lot of decent brands at great prices.
Accessories for the Chef
For the Baker
Silicone Muffin Liners
These are also perfect for separating food items in lunch containers!
cookie sheets
The Food Lab by J. Kenji Lopez- Alt
Half Baked Harvest Cookbook by Tieghan Gerard
Love Real Food by Kate Taylor
Small Appliances
To see a quick air fryer demonstration, check out my YOUTUBE Video.
Try my Air Fryer Crispy Shrimp!
Stand Mixer
This is a game changer. In addition to the traditional use, the insert can be used on the stove top and/ or in the oven.
Perfect for my 6 ingredient slow cooker pulled pork.
Try my Chili Garlic Beef Recipe!
I would suggest getting at least an 8 Cup Food Processor. I use it to shred cheese, chop veggies, and make nut butters!
Try my Quick and Easy Pesto Shrimp with Zoodles!
This is my favorite tool to help prepare the perfect steak!
A Good Knife Set: I would suggest you actually go to the store to purchase a good knife. It's a common misconception that you need a ton of knives. You need a couple GOOD knives; that's it.
Try my Savory Sweet Potato Hash!
Enamel Dutch Oven: I prefer Le Cruset or Staub. They are a bit pricey but the quality is superb.
Brasier: This is Hands down my most used pan.
Try my Trinidadian Chicken!
Green Pan (hint hint husband!)
A Set of Ramekins
I love these―> http://amzn.to/2i9j1mE
For a more Wallet-Friendly Choice ―> http://amzn.to/2zqV0Lt
For the Ultimate Host
Message me if you have any other questions! I would love to help you find the perfect gift!
** This post contains affiliate links. All the opinions expressed are those of my own. I wouldn't mention it, if I didn't support it!


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Patient Info
Procedure: Laser Hair Removal
Procedure Description:
The Before/After photos show the benefits of Laser Hair Removal on the chin area. Prior to treatment, this 28 year old patient from Lufkin was continuously dealing with hair regrowth on the lower face. After six treatments, hair growth has been diminished by more than 85%, making her personal maintenance incredibly easier.
* All patients are unique and individual results may vary.
- United States, TX, Houston, 4208 Richmond Ave #100, 77027
- 281-810-9083
- View location page


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I recently reviewed two new LPs by the avant-garde label Brokenresearch. Here are some more releases, but then CDs. I am usually not a great fan of the too minimalistic approach on which instruments barely lift notes above or just below a surface of drones. Yet the label's approach is of interest because of the strong unity in musical vision it brings, even if the settings are very varied. Daring, courageous and visionary. But it's not jazz.
Psalm Alarm - Like Machine, Like Voice (Brokenresearch, 2009) ***½
The music on this album is played by Zach Wallace on bass, Ben Hall on percussion, Chris Riggs on electric guitar and Hans Buetow on cello, but the listener who can discern these various instruments on the album should receive an award. The music sounds like endless notes played with slight variations around a tonal center over which the other instruments add texture and superimpose sounds basically, functioning like ripples on water, extending, broadening, disappearing. The overall effect is eery, dark, frightening, industrial almost, but also sophisticated. It is not noise. Noise repels the listener. Here the music has some strange appeal, something fascinating that lures you out of your daily routine, wakes up the dark side of your subconscious. That's the power of this music. Despite the minimalism, and the organized sound that to many listeners will not qualify under the term "music", it has a strange emotional power and intensity, and one that is kept throughout the album. But it is not jazz, for sure.
Chris Riggs - Achievement Is It's Own Reward (Brokenresearch, 2009) **½
Chris Riggs plays solo electric guitar. Again, as with the other albums, it does not sound like an electric guitar. It sounds primarily like percussion, with some whistling sounds at the beginning. Could it be that the wrong disc ended up in the CD sleeve? Is this guitar? Since none of the CDs contain any information at all, that might well be possible. Each of six tracks is exactly five minutes long, exactly, making this also a short album. I am at a loss of what to think of it, and that's good. Avant-garde that meets expectations does not really meet expectations.
Chris Dadge - I'd Drive Yr Ass Across The World If I Had To (Brokenresearch, 2009) **½
In the same series, Chris Dadge plays solo percussion, in two pieces adding up to approx. 30 minutes. You get normal percussive sounds, but also scraping, rumbling, clattering sounds and all variations around that. In stark contrast to most jazz, and much in line with the other music of the label, it's all very downtempo, with the musician taking his time to explore and expand and create an atmosphere that shifts expectations of what drums and music should sound like.
It is not really my thing. In all, utterly bizarre stuff, but worthwhile. Surely, it will not be to everyone's liking, but then, who cares? At least the musicians don't seem to care.
© stef
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Broken research
2 comments:
- AnonymousSeptember 13, 2009 at 12:37 AM
Great label,especially,"Burn It Down For The Nails"- Greg Kelly w/Hell & Bunny,Graveyards,etc...and,although the art is lovely;CD-R's and sandpaper are not a good mix.Hope the Brokenresearch site is updated;these recordings are difficult to find...ReplyDelete
There seems to be some "connection",can I buy these from Bug Incision Records ?
Hi Bill, not sure whether there is a link. From what I understand they only issue their releases in limited editions (200 copies seems to the average).ReplyDelete
And I agree on the sandpaper artwork. Fits their positioning quite well, I would say.
Please note that comments on posts do not appear immediately - unfortunately we must filter for spam and other idiocy.


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Radio Station Information
Lehigh Valley's News, Traffic & Weather
City of License:
Allentown, PA
Allentown, PA
Web site:
Live Stream:
iHeartMedia (Capstar Tx, LLC)
1541 Alta Dr Ste 400
Sunburst Office Building
Whitehall, PA 18052
WAEB is an AM radio station broadcasting at 790 KHz. The station is licensed to Allentown, PA and is part of that radio market. The station broadcasts News/Talk programming and goes by the name "Newsradio 790 WAEB" on the air with the slogan "Lehigh Valley's News, Traffic & Weather". WAEB is owned by iHeartMedia.
Nearby Radio StationsiHeartPodcast AM 1470, WMUH 91.7 FM, HOLA 1600, WTKZ 1320 AM, WLHI 90.3 FM, B104, Cat Country 96, 100.7 LEV, WDIY 88.1 FM, WJCS 89.3 FM
Co-Owned Radio Stations in Allentown, PA
iHeartPodcast AM 1470, 95.1 ZZO
Listener Comments and Reviews
I just noticed this evening, you no longer have Mark Levin show on. May I ask why.
I also listen to Michael Savage, not on your station.
Laura Ingraham good talk show, not on your station.
The radio is on now, and it sounds like garbage to me.
By: Theresa Otto on March 5, 2014
By: Kathryn on March 18, 2014
My husband was listening to a show about a cream that you put on and it takes away pain from many different issues. Could you please tell me what is was and where I can purchase it. My husband is in pain from an accident and we would like to try this product.
Thank you, Robin Maldonado
By: Robin Maldonado on February 16, 2016
Missed the name of the cream you sponsored for Arthritis Pain.........and where to purchase it? Thank You for a speedy reply!
By: Theresa Schnable on March 14, 2016
I too would like to hear Mark Levine, Michael Savage and other talk radio hosts that are on the NY radio station WABC.
By: mike minogue on November 19, 2016
When you were fundraising for the Rescue Mission (the dinner and supplies) there was no competing charity. Right now there is a fundraising for the Childrens' Home in Easton and you have the Rescue Mission asking for funds too. I think this is pulling away donations for the Childrens' Home. The Rescue Mission had their time now it should be the Childrens' time. I have already contributed #35 but will be sending another #15 because I admire the integrity this cause. Many of these kids have come from such unfortunate circumstances, as the men from the Rescue Mission, but these are kids who we want to help before they wind up in the position of those in the Rescue Mission. Praise to the staff of the Home, and praise to Bobby Gunther Walsh.
By: Rose Ann Fontana Posch on December 6, 2016
I've found that its not very simple to find out where to leave comments for WAEB.
I've wanted to register a complaint about the line-up of shows in the evening hours since the very first week I heard Meghan McCain's show played.
Unfortunately, as I said its not very simple to locate a place to do so. Hopefully enough people will find a way to complain about her show so it can be replaced with a decent show.
Her obvious (and completely uninteresting) views on politics and culture, with which I mostly but not completely disagree are just wasting valuable evening air time.
Please do everyone a favour and replace that show (if its possible) with something else. There are many shows that are at least decent to listen to that would be far better than hers in that evening time slot. Thank you. Jeff
By: Jeff H. on January 26, 2017
try their facebook page for complaints!
By: Mark Withers on January 26, 2017
What is the name of the show that's at night that deals with aliens and conspiracy stuff?
By: Scott on December 31, 2017
Bobby. When I learned the democrats were going to issue their own FISA MEMO, I suggested they would include so much classified material Pres Trump would be forced to require redaction. Well...wouldn't you know, now Adam S--T is crying foul! What a dirty underhanded group those democrats are! But then...who would be surprised? I learned to "think" through things such as this because YOU, Bobby have been instrumental in teaching me how to think critically.
With WarmRregards, John G, Bethlehem PA
By: John Ganz on February 12, 2018
Where is Sean Hannity.....if i wanted 69 news i would watch tv......
By: Sharon on March 7, 2018
Traffic request.
I always listen for the traffic reports. Very useful.
Here's my request: Please get rid of that stupid background music. Gone completely would be great, but half volume would be tolerable. It's hard enough to hear it with road noise and that tractor trailer next to me.
Thanks 🙂
By: Vince Hellertown on September 13, 2018
Won't listen to WAEB anymore if you continue the gay commercials re the CDC. Gross. And Mark Levin? You're going the wrong direction
By: Leslie Ann G. on March 29, 2021
I have a complait today about WAEB taking Joe Pags off when he had only been on 1 hr, he usually goes from 1 to 3pm what happened? Is this going to be every Sat for his new cut-off time? If so, it stinks, please bring him back for his 2 hr show every Sat! I will not be listening to WAEB if this continues to happen.
By: janet on October 9, 2021
Post a Comment


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Make Military Service Of Five Years Mandatory For Government Job Aspirants: Parliamentary Committee
Amidst the debates on Defence Budget cut, a parliamentary committee chaired by B.C Khanduri, submitted a report which has recommended five years of compulsory military service to aspirants wanting to join Central and State Government Gazetted services directly. The committee has come up with the Assertions to face the alarming shortage of Officers and PBOR in the Armed Forces, which needs to be corrected.
The Report
The parliamentary committee submitted a report on 'Priority to deal with the issue of shortage of manpower in the Services-emphasized'. It says "From the data furnished by the Ministry, the Committee has noted that there is a shortage of 7679 Officers and 20,185 JCOs/ORs in Army, 1434 Officers and 14,730 Sailors in Navy, 146 Officers and 15,357 Airmen in Air Force.
While examining the Demands for Grants 2017-18, the Committee pondered on this issue and recommended for providing five years of compulsory military service to such aspirants wanting to join Central and State Government Gazetted services directly.
The Ministry, in its Action Taken Reply on the matter has stated that the recommendation regarding providing five years compulsory military service to such aspirants wanting to directly join Central and State Government services, with a view to overcoming shortage of officers in Armed Forces, has been taken up with Department of Personnel and Training (DoP&T). The response of the Department is awaited. Apparently, the Ministry of Defence has not taken up the matter with the due seriousness with the DOP&T.".
The findings of the committee have sparked another debate on the shortage of manpower as there has been outrage in the last few days on vacancies not filled by various other civil departments in the government.
Report on Defence Budget cut
The parliamentary committee in its report revealed that "for the Budget Estimates 2018-19, the Army projected an amount of Rs.1,51,814.73 crores under the Revenue Head but has been allocated only Rs.1,27,059.51 crores. Under the Capital Head, the projected amount is Rs.44,572.63 crores but only Rs.26,815.71 crores has been allocated, which amounts approximately to just 60 percent of the projected requirement. Again, for the current year 2018-19, while the Navy projected a requirement of Rs.20,188.25 crores, the allocated amount has been only Rs.16,618.88 crore under the Revenue Head. Under the Capital Head, while the
Navy projected an amount of Rs.35,695.41 crores; the allocated amount is only Rs.20,003.71 crore, which amounts to approximately 56 percent of the projected requirement. The case with the Air Force is also no different. While an amount of Rs.35260.79 crores has been projected as the requirement under the Revenue Head, only Rs.28,821.27 crore has been provided.
Under the Capital Head, while the Air Force projected a requirement of Rs.77,694.74 crore, the allocation has been only Rs.35,770.17 crore, which is less than half of the projected requirement. Also, quite shockingly, the Joint Staff has got an allocation of just Rs.844.45 crore under the Capital Head, while the projection was for Rs.2237.03 crore. The amount was reduced approximately to a third of the projected requirement".
On the issue of defence preparedness, the Committee notes the information furnished by the Ministry of Defence, which states: 'Government is fully seized of the security needs of the country and it regularly reviews the threat perception to secure our borders and protect the national interest. Appropriate measures are taken through the development of infrastructure as well as accretion and modernisation and deployment of defence forces to safeguard the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of India.
Military capacity enhancement and modernisation of armed forces including armament and ammunition is a dynamic and continuous process and is done in consonance with our threat perception. To meet the requirement of arms and other equipment required by armed forces to have the desired level of defence preparedness, the necessary armaments, aircraft, missiles, ships, tanks and other equipment etc. are procured as per Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) and Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) applicable for Capital and Revenue Procurements, respectively".
Help Veterans
The parliamentary committee also mentioned in its report that "The Committee understood and appreciated that a nation should look after its veterans well and provide all the facilities and financial benefits due to them but at the same time they also desire that the Government should seriously think of ways of reducing this burgeoning pension bill by introducing some other pension schemes or assured jobs after early retirement so as to reduce the pension obligations."
Chief of Defence Staff
The Committee had, in their earlier reports, recommended creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff for enabling better coordination among the Services. The Committee has taken up the matter in the current year as well.
The Logical Indian take
Our armed forces are facing a massive paucity of funds and workforce. Being surrounded by baffling neighbours, it is of utmost importance to build a robust line of defence. The Chinese counterparts have reportedly developing colonies in Dhoklam. Indian army chief Gen. Rawat, in his statements, has repeatedly warned of Chinese trickiness to nudge India in the past months.


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IETF DataTracker: draft-ott-mmusic-mbus-req
This draft has expired, and was not published as an RFC. A separate page describes the Mbus concept.
- Jörg Ott, Colin Perkins, and Dirk Kutscher, Requirements for Local Conference Control (.txt|.pdf), Internet Engineering Task Force, June 1999, Work in progress (draft-ott-mmusic-mbus-req-00.txt).
Initial version.
In a variety of conferencing scenarios, a local communication channel is desirable for conference-related information exchange between co- located but otherwise independent application entities, for example those taking part in application sessions that belong to the same conference. In loosely coupled conferences such a mechanism allows for coordination of applications entities to, e.g., implement synchronization between media streams or to configure entities without user interaction. It can also be used to implement tightly coupled conferences enabling a conference controller to enforce conference wide control within a end system. This document defines application scenarios and requirements for a coordination infrastructure that provides local coordination within a conferencing end system.


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Online retailer Clove Technology has been the first one to provide a stock and, more importantly, a price update for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and we have to say that we're happy with the pricing unlike its predecessor, the Nexus S.
The Galaxy Nexus (opens in new tab) is listed at £514.80 on Clove Technology's website with the first units expected to come "early November", and we're pretty sure that the average selling price of the handset will be hovering around £499, roughly the same as the Apple iPhone 4GS.
The phone, which is the first one to come with Google Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, is a cross between a Samsung Galaxy S2 and the Samsung Galaxy S2 HD. It has a big screen (4.65-inch, 1280x720 pixels), 16GB onboard storage and a nifty feature called Android Beam which helps NFC-enabled handsets communicate.
The rest of the hardware is resolutely mainstream. A dual core SoC just like the Samsung Galaxy SII, 1GB RAM, NFC, a five megapixel camera (like the first Samsung Galaxy S) and a front facing camera.
Even at £515, it would be a good deal, given that it will be the first HD ready smartphone on the market ahead of the Galaxy SII HD.


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Former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has pulled out of next month's presidential election, allowing his running mate to stand in his place.
Workers' Party leader Gleisi Hoffman announced the decision outside the police headquarters where the 72-year-old is serving a 12-year sentence.
Brazil's top electoral court barred Lula's candidacy less than two weeks ago due to his corruption conviction.
The move comes days after a far-right candidate was stabbed at a rally.
The 63-year old Jair Bolsonaro must now undergo major surgery after being attacked by a lone assailant, doctors said.
What has happened with Lula?
A letter written by Lula in his prison cell was read out to his supporters who have been camping outside the jail for five months demanding he be freed.
In it, the former president, who governed from January 2003 until December 2010, said he would not run in the election scheduled for 7 October.
He also named Fernando Haddad as the man to step into the breach.
Why did he finally give up?
The decision comes after a lengthy legal battle which culminated on 31 August when the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) ruled that he was "ineligible" to run for the presidency.
Lula's legal team and the Workers' Party have appealed against the decision and the Supreme Court is still due to rule on it.
Up until Monday night, the Workers' Party strategy had been to keep Lula's name on the ticket for as long as possible.
Lula left office with record approval ratings and despite his imprisonment, almost 40% of people asked by polling firm Datafolha said they would vote for him.
Mr Haddad, on the other hand, is a former education minister who has little name recognition outside of São Paulo, where he served as mayor.
Lula's legal team asked the Supreme Court to extend the deadline for registering candidates for the presidency from end of business Tuesday to Monday 17 September to buy itself more time.
Typical of the high drama which has characterised the election campaign, Lula and his party decided to change tack after the Supreme Court rejected their request to extend the deadline.
Lula's long shadow
Katy Watson, BBC South America correspondent
In his letter, Lula says that while a man can be unfairly imprisoned, his ideas cannot be. He's made it clear he will keep fighting for the party from behind bars.
Lula asked his supporters to vote for Fernando Haddad but he's a relative unknown, especially in the north-east of the country, a poor part of Brazil that has traditionally been a Lula heartland.
There are less than four weeks left until the first round. The latest poll, released by IBOPE on Tuesday evening, suggested that the percentage of voters intending to back far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro had risen to 26%. Mr Haddad isn't doing badly – his share has risen to 8% while other candidates saw their share remain stable or fall.
The Workers' Party has adopted a new slogan – "Haddad is Lula" – there's no clearer signal that although Lula is out of the race, the country's most popular politician is still in the minds of millions.
Why was Lula barred?
Lula was barred from running for the presidency under a 2010 law dubbed "Clean Slate". It prohibits those who have a criminal conviction which has been upheld on appeal from running for public office.
In July 2017, Lula was found guilty of accepting an upgrade to a beachfront flat as a bribe from an engineering firm involved in a major corruption scheme.
Lula has always denied any wrongdoing and appealed against the verdict.
In January, an appeals court upheld the conviction and increased the sentence from the original nine-and-a-half years to 12 years.
Lula and his legal team tried to argue he should stay out of jail while further appeals were under way.
But in April, he was given 24 hours to turn himself in. After a tense, two-day stand-off he surrendered to police and was taken to the federal police headquarters in the city of Curitiba, where he has been held since.
Why has he remained so popular?
While he was in office, from January 2003 to December 2010, Brazil experienced its longest period of economic growth in three decades, allowing his administration to spend lavishly on social programmes.
Tens of millions of people were lifted out of poverty thanks to the initiatives taken by his government and many of them remain loyal supporters.
Many poor Brazilians could also relate to Lula in a way that they could not relate to other Brazilian politicians.
A charismatic leader, he served two consecutive terms as Brazil's president before helping his protégé, Dilma Rousseff, to be elected.
Who is Fernando Haddad?
He was the minister of education during Lula's presidency and is thought to enjoy his trust. He was Lula's vice-presidential running mate until now.
From 2013 to 2017, the 55-year-old also served as mayor of São Paulo, Brazil's most populous city and faced mass demonstrations against bus fare rises.
The Workers' Party hopes that Mr Haddad will get through to the run-off scheduled for 28 October.
But Mr Haddad is facing legal problems of his own. Prosecutors allege that during his campaign for mayor his team received a loan from a construction firm which stood to benefit from contracts once he was elected. He has denied any wrongdoing.


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A presentation on our experience of living with the COVID-19 pandemic in light of the readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Especially in this time of crisis, the Trinity is the source of life and the foundation of unity, compassion, justice and peacemaking.
Online via the Zoom platform.
The Trinity: An Evening of Reflection for Men
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Rev. Warren Savage


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Pennsylvania Viral Hepatitis Death Statistics
Hepatitis is typically caused by a viral infection which results in the inflammation of the liver. The liver is a vital organ tasked with the job of filtering blood, processing nutrients, and fighting off infections. A number of factors can cause hepatitis among Pennsylvania residents, including heavy alcohol use; however, the most common cause is by viruses, which can be spread through contaminated food and drinks, by sharing needles, and by sexual intercourse.
Hepatitis Types
There are five types of viral hepatitis: A, B, C ,D, and E. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common types of hepatitis in the United States are hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV).
The virus can be transmitted in several ways depending on the hepatitis type. HAV and Hepatitis E are most commonly transmitted by ingesting contaminated food or water, while HCV and HBV are more commonly contracted through contact with infected blood and other bodily fluids.
The different types of hepatitis are ultimately unrelated and have different key characteristics. For example, Hepatitis A and B are preventable by vaccine, while Hepatitis C is not. Different types of hepatitis have different long-term effects on a person's liver.
Detecting Hepatitis
Many people diagnosed with hepatitis are asymptomatic, meaning they don't show noticeable symptoms. As a result, hepatitis can often go unidentified for a long time among Pennsylvania residents.
"About 2 in 3 people with hepatitis B do not know they are infected."
Demographic Differences in Pennsylvania Viral Hepatitis Deaths
By Age
Deaths from hepatitis can vary depending on age. HCV is found in high rates amongst people born between 1945 and 1965, also known as the baby boomer generation. It is believed baby boomers likely contracted the virus when rates were highest in the 1970's and 1980's. According to the CDC, 75 to 85 percent of people with Hepatitis C develop a chronic infection.
To help this population, the CDC began a "Know More Hepatitis" campaign in 2012. The campaign encourages baby boomers to get tested in hopes that taking care earlier on will decrease mortality and morbidity rates.
By Sex
While both sexes are capable of contracting the hepatitis viruses, men suffer disproportionately more fatalities from the disease. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at particular risk of infection from hepatitis viruses, according to the CDC.
By Race
Reports from the Health and Human Services Agency and the CDC state that some racial/ethnic groups are at higher risk for certain strains of the virus. For example, Asian American and Pacific Islanders are most seriously effected by HBV. This group makes up approximately 5 percent of the U.S. population, but make up about 50 percent of all people living with HBV.
More Information
1. "What is Viral Hepatitis?" Center for Disease Control, 2018.
2. "About the Campaign- Know More Hepatitis" Center for Disease Control, 2017.
3. "Know More Hepatitis." Center for Disease Control, 2017.
4. "Viral Hepatitis in the United States: Data and Trends." Health and Human Services Agency, 2016.
About the Data
Mortality data in this story was queried from the CDC Wonder API, based on the following parameters:
• UCD code: [B15-B19].
The charts show the CDC's Viral Hepatitis Mortality data's age-adjusted rate, with the exception of the chart comparing deaths by age group.