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MountainView expansion to double emergency beds
LAS CRUCES - MountainView Regional Medical Center has begun renovation and expansion of their emergency medical services.
The hospital will increase emergency room capacity from 10 to 22 beds through the expansion of the existing facility, said Denten Park, CEO of MountainView.
MountainView will invest nearly $5 million to more than double the number of rooms in its current ER. The expansion will not add square footage, but will use existing space within the hospital. Noise will be reduced and patients will have more privacy, a news release stated.
"We've had an area that was designed for something else that we are going to modify and make it work for everything we have going on," Park said. "We've needed to expand our ER for a while."
Construction — done in two phases — is scheduled to be complete in fall 2016. The ER will remain open and accessible to the community for the entire duration of the project.
"We are taking care of patients every single day," Park said. "We are so excited to be moving forward. It's been a long time in coming. It's a big deal for us and the community to be able to double our beds. It's big for the hospital and big for the community."
Park noted the hospital continues to move forward with plans to build a $10 million freestanding emergency room on the East Mesa as well.
"These improvements will enhance our number one priority — delivering quality care to our patients," Park said. "We're humbled that so many patients continue to choose MountainView for their emergency care, and we're pleased to invest in this expansion as our commitment to our community."
Over the past five years, MountainView has seen more than 40 percent growth in the number of patients choosing the hospital for emergency care, according to a news release.
"Our physicians and nurses work together closely to meet patients' medical needs and offer them the best possible experience in an emergency," said Michael Borunda, MD, medical director of the emergency department. "These improvements will support our work to respond to a wide range of emergencies."
The ER has a 30-minute pledge to support prompt and appropriate medical care, the release stated.
Jason Gibbs may be reached at 575-541-5451. Follow him on Twitter @fjgwriter.


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The 2012 Ford Mustang order guide is now available in .pdf form. New changes for the 2012 Ford Mustang include the addition of a new color Lava Red Metallic and Competition Orange which is exclusive to the Boss 302 model. Major interior changes include the addition of Sun Visors with multi purpose storage system and illuminated vanity mirrors, universal garage door opener on premium models and new Lava Red and stone interior colors.
New functional equipment changes include a selectable effort EPAS with three settings – comfort, normal and sport. Also available for the first time is a reverse sensing system.
The 2012 model year order banks opened on November 8, 2010. Ford will begin building 2012 Ford Mustangs on January 18, 2011 (Job #1).
Download: 2012 Ford Mustang Order Guide

subset: commoncrawl


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ARTIST: The Shazam
TITLE: The Shazam
CHART ACTION: None
SINGLES: None
OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: None
LINEUP: Scott Ballew, Hans Rotenberry, Mick Wilson
WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT: Nashville power-pop group establishes themselves as a revivalist for the power-pop sounds of old.
SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Running down the pieces and parts that make up the homages on the Shazam's first album would take a while, but rest assured anyone that would play a note of melodic rock with harmonies would be included.
Hans Rotenberry, the leader of the band, definitely knows what he likes, and the band plays it well. It's a great sounding album that deserved more of a hearing (like most modern power pop), with nice harmonies, great melodies and guitar work that's tasteful yet propulsive.
The issue is that Rotenberry didn't have a purge button. After a dozen songs it gets a little wearying and samey. A good dozen songs is better than putting out 17 with some filler.
NOTES & MINUTIAE: Their website is still up, but it looks like the last gig they played was 2011.
IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No
GRADE: B: It could have been a contender for one of the best modern(ish) power pop albums had it not gone on too long.


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Launching a business or new product is such a personal thing. Months and sometimes years of quiet planning, endless working, and continuous praying go into bringing something new to market. Along the way, most founders begin to intertwine their own personal sense of achievement with that of this business or product. I know I do.
And so it is no surprise that entrepreneurs tend to ignore signals that their business ideas need to change or evolve after launch. After falling in love with their original concepts, many find it difficult to take on market feedback and adapt accordingly. It can actually feel offensive to hear that whatever you've been working so tirelessly on for months simply misses the mark.
What founders overlook here is that most of the time businesses that miss the mark can eventually hit the target if you re-aim. While you may have thought you had a winner of a concept, an initial flop doesn't necessarily mean that you're down for the count. It's important to understand the power of the pivot. Some of the world's biggest successes did.
YouTube began as a dating site….but then nobody was posting dating videos so the founders quickly opened it up to all sorts of video content. And we all know how that story ends.
Instagram began as Burbn, an overly complicated location based app that no one really understood. By analyzing exactly how its small base of users was actually using the app, Instagram's creators were able to convert it into the monstrous photo sharing app it is today.
And did you know that Steve Jobs envisioned that Mac would kick PC out as the office computer of choice? He actually believed Mac to be the next mass market computer instead of the elitist, cult success that it turned into. The key was that he, his team, and the agency they worked with were able to shift the positioning after six months of seeing that the original goal was not feasible. Had Jobs been stubborn in his initial thinking, the Mac would have disappeared like other Apple products before it.
To chase success, you have to be flexible in adjusting your business model, positioning, or target audience as the market sees fit. Remember, your brand is not yours to control so you can either try to resist or go with the flow and capitalize on what the market actually wants even if it's not what you originally planned.


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Sound Steps For Successful College Education You should use
Interested in Faculty? Then Read This Piece
Going off to varsity is a whole new world. It is an exciting journey the place you are the captain of your individual ship and the obligations for the way it goes depend on your decisions. The knowledge in this article can assist you get your college profession off to a profitable begin.
When visit link enter school, strive to reduce the quantity of starches that you simply eat throughout your freshman year. Sometimes, you will placed on lots of weight within the initial stages of faculty, as this may make it easier to to counter that. Strive to incorporate a number of fruits and vegetables into your eating regimen.
Always plan time to study and keep a set schedule for doing so. After Want to Know Extra About School? Read This Piece have obtained your class schedule, it is best to schedule your examine time. With a category and research schedule mapped out, you possibly can create the kind construction that may assist you to get via each day and maximize your time.
Be taught your schedule and the places of your courses earlier than college starts. It will enable you to to get to your classes on time. Make observe of the bathrooms and different places you will need to go.
Discover a place to study that's conducive to your type of finding out. If you may research whereas blocking out noise then your dorm room may be tremendous. However when you need privacy and quiet then find a quiet corner in one of many less standard areas of the library or a maybe a peaceful and stress-free area outdoors.
If you take exams, don't skip breakfast. Even grabbing a quick snack like a chunk of fruit or a cup of yogurt can make a big difference. Your mind can not operate as effectively on an empty stomach and its growling will distract you out of your exam. Eating before a test will keep your body and mind energized and centered on the work at hand.
Develop good examine habits while in highschool. College professors usually count on that college students of their lessons know the proper method to study for exams, write time period papers and methods to research data. By studying this while in highschool you'll be able to guarantee success in college. For https://courses.educationonline.school/courses/co-parenting-class who shouldn't have good research habits, ask for help.
Get the names and quantity from a few individuals in each class so that if you need to be absent then they can fill you in on what was covered in school and can share their notes with you and give you any work that was assigned in order that you won't get behind in your work.
You ought to be respectful of your roommate's wishes. You have to discover ways to work with him or her in order that it makes your time simpler. Sit down when you first get to school and discover out what you both expect out of a roommate so you'll be able to each be completely satisfied.
Throughout college, there are going to be classes that you understand are too difficult from the onset as it's best to drop these instantly. These lessons can put lots of stress on you, as you could be higher off with another. Additionally, a distinct instructor may be able to explain the material higher.
Change into a morning particular person. There may be plenty of socializing in college, and if you're severe about your studying, that socializing could make it powerful to focus in your dorm at night time. As a substitute, strive getting up bright and early before everyone else with the intention to examine in peace.
If you're looking to return to college, nevertheless it has been some time since you had been in class, consider attending night lessons. The instructors often actively work in their fields throughout the daytime, and train at evening. parent course online helps to carry a distinct factor of actual-life expertise to the classroom.
Be sure that you are taking care of yourself if you end up away at college, get loads of rest, drink loads of water, and attempt to eat three meals a day. This will keep your sharp as a tack and ready to tackle even the hardest term paper that your professor throws at you.
If you find yourself learning for a test, it will be significant that you are taking a break once in awhile. Studying can take a toll on both your bodily and mental well being, particularly if you do not permit yourself a breather now and then. Take a stroll or watch some Tv for a short while.
Keep just a few issues in your room or condo which might be wholesome, low cost and straightforward to eat. This will significantly lower down on late-night time quick food runs and will prevent money because of this. click this link , yogurt and bagels are all good decisions. Additionally they wouldn't have as many calories as fried chicken or hamburgers.
Use statistics to slim down your college selections, but to not make the ultimate decision. The appropriate faculty for you is a good match to you personally, not a prize that you simply win. By no means choose a faculty because quite a lot of your friends are going there, nor as a result of it holds a quantity-one place on some printed checklist. Solely a go to to the campus can really tell you if it is right.
When studying for closing exams, study with a companion. Making a date to review with a classmate will make it extra possible for you to review exhausting. Furthermore, you'll be able to both encourage each other. Studying with Ideas To help you Be successful At College will keep you on observe and is the most effective methodology for achieving good grades.
If you want to know a lot more suggestions about this in this emphasis, I study on yet another awesome world wide web site browsing the website link the pursuing: Want to Know Extra About School? Read This Piece.
Don't join college if you are not sure of what you want to do after you graduate. Going to college is expensive and this funding will profit you when you have a clear idea of what sort of profession you need to have after you end faculty.
As you will have just learn, school is not only an academic achievement, it's also a memorable journey. Buy retaining the information for the article in thoughts, you should have be capable to juggle the responsibilities of faculty higher and obtain extra while still discovering time to make friends, have a social life and create memories to last a lifetime.


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Finance Your Dreams
Apply online to finance the boat of your dreams today.
Nothing but your imagination between your and your next adventure. Featuring exterior design by Giorgio Cassetta and interior design by Benetti's in-house team, the new Delfino 95 aims to improve on its predecessor, the Delfino 93. The layout allows the living spaces to flow seamlessly into one another, accommodating up to ten guests between five cabins, including a 21-square-meter full-beam master suite. The raised pilothouse yacht includes a tender garage, two sundeck sofas, two spacious aft decks, and an abundance of sunbathing space on the foredeck, with the option to add a spa pool.
MarineMax is proud to represent Benetti Yachts in North America and dedicated to providing an exceptional yacht ownership experience. Owning a Benetti yacht from MarineMax opens new doors into the luxury yachting world. MarineMax understands your needs on an intimate basis, and it's why we're the strongest yachting support team in the boating industry. With 24/7 access to over 40 yachting specialists and the world's most comprehensive supplier network, you'll have constant support and assistance for your yacht with MarineMax.
Additionally, with ownership of this Benetti Delfino 95, enjoy 6 months of complimentary yacht management service provided by Fraser, a world leader in yacht brokerage, yacht charter, yacht management, and more. Fraser offers support and advice to yacht owners and their captains to ensure that the yacht is being maintained, administered and operated to the highest standards. Ask your yacht specialist for more details.
The results displayed here are only an estimate. Please contact a MarineMax sales representative for your actual payments or a financing quote.
The water is calling you and MarineMax will get you there. We're a community of boaters, United by Water, ready to help you get the most from your boat.
Based on your zipcode, [NewStoreName] should be your MarineMax store. We will update your store.


text: Mrs. Esse will attend the statewide and national Lead the Way conferences, where she will interact with educators and business leaders to learn best practices in implementing the Project Lead the Way science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum. Mrs. Esse will work with educators at Maple Hill Elementary School to prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in college and careers. Upon completing the seminars, Mrs. Esse will share observations, photos, videos, artifacts, and content with colleagues and students through direct instruction and professional learning community meetings.


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House near Cliff Walk sells for $2.3M
A four-bedroom house with views of Easton Pond and Easton Bay at 171 Eustis Ave., Newport, recently sold for $2.3 million, according to Lila Delman Real Estate, the agency that listed the property.
The four-bedroom custom-designed house built in 2011 sits on half an acre not far from the Cliff Walk near Easton's Beach.
The house features a custom designed kitchen that opens to a salt pool. It has 4,273 square feet across three levels, three bathrooms, two half bathrooms, four fireplaces and an attached two-bay garage.
Kendra Toppa, of Lila Delman, represented the seller and Kristin Parella, of the same agency, represented the buyer.
Block Island Contemporary sells for $3.5M
A five-bedroom Contemporary at 1538 Center Rd., New Shoreham, recently sold for $3,492,000, according to Lila Delman Real Estate, the agency that represented the seller.
The five-bedroom, 5,584-square-foot, three-level house sits on 2.37 acres near New Harbor. It has five and a half bathrooms, a detached two-bay garage with a guest room above. The grounds include a pool, a patio and a pergola.
Rosemary Tobin, of Lila Delman, represented the seller.
Farmhouse-style beach house sells for $1.6M
A four-bedroom, farmhouse-style beach house at 6 Highland Rd., Charlestown, recently sold for $1.6 million, according to Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty, the agency that represented the buyer and seller.
The 3,165-square-foot house sits on 0.50 acres on Garden Pond and has two and a half bathrooms. It has two living rooms and a third-floor loft with a balcony. It features a two-car garage and an outdoor shower, plus a screened porch and a deck with water views.
Ray Mott and Susan Mitchell, of Mott & Chace, represented the seller, and Robin Knisley, of the same agency, represented the buyer.
— firstname.lastname@example.com
(401) 277-7360


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OMG UPDATE: Hey I just met you and this is crazy, but write a missed connection and submit it maybe?
Updated on Friday, March 27, 2015
MISSED CONNECTION: To the guy in 2A Mech, if you could shave your beard that would be great. You look so good with it, you're distracting me
1 comment
- AnonymousMarch 31, 2015 at 5:28 PM
the mechbeard spirit lives onReplyDelete


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People visiting Japan tend to have a check list of things to buy. Local apparel brands such as Uniqlo are extremely popular as well as toiletries, cosmetics and even food items. The country is practically an oasis for consumers with just about everything available that money can buy. With the weaker Yen, visitors have been visiting Tokyo, Japan with an added reason – to purchase a luxury watch. The country is well known for its watchmaking industry with iconic brands such as Seiko, Casio, Orient and Citizen. In the upper end, it has Grand Seiko which compares favorably with Rolex in terms of finish and quality.
Purchasing a watch in Japan may seem overwhelming at first given the language barrier and the frenetic pace its major cities run. If you are looking to make that investment and acquire the timepiece of your dreams, here are things you should consider.
It is advisable to check the price difference between the watch you are eyeing for in your home country and in Japan. While it is relatively easy to pop over to your neighborhood watch store to check for prices, you might be wondering how you may be able to check prices in Japan. Websites such as Kakaku can give you a good gauge – make sure to translate the website to English thru an online translator like Google Translate. Alternatively, the official websites of watch brands such as Citizen, Seiko and Orient also provide price guides.
source: The Watch Company
One obvious good buy in Japan are Japanese watches such as Seiko where the price difference may be substantial. Take the Seiko Prospex Diver Scuba Automatic which goes for 300,926 Yen or just over SGD 5,100 after the tax refund. In Singapore, the same model costs 20 to 30% more.
source: The Watch Company
While Swiss watches are not automatically cheaper in Japan, there are several brands out there that are slightly cheaper owing to the volatility in the Yen. An example is the Hamilton Jazzmaster Auto Chrono which costs 122,407 Yen or SGD 1,483 after the tax refund. In Singapore, the same model costs about SGD 1,850 and that is providing you buy it from an online retailer like Lazada so you do stand to save a bit especially if you happen to be visiting Japan anyway.
Overcoming the Language Barrier
One of the major concerns about buying watches in Japan is the language barrier. Let's face it. Few people outside the tourist industries know how to speak English and it doesn't help most foreign visitors that the Japanese language comes with its own writing system.
There are certain shops in Tokyo that not only have a wide range of brands available – both foreign and local – but also come equipped with English-speaking staff. An example is The Watch Company located in Nakano, just a few stations away from Shinjuku. While there is an obvious focus on foreign clients, prices are competitive and their website shows you just how much their watches are pricing. When it comes to a large purchase such as fine watches, it helps to be able to say more than the usual haggling especially since you'll also want to take care of other aspects such as tax refunds and warranties.
Japan has very strict laws when it comes to counterfeit goods and that's another benefit of buying your watches here. As long as you buy from a bona fide store with a strong commercial presence, you can be assured the watches are genuine.
Getting a Tax Refund
Sales tax in Japan is 8% and tourists are able to refund this full tax amount. The tax refund procedure in Japan is relatively easier than in other countries where you need to present your purchased goods in the airport. In Japan, do take note that you will need to purchase your watches in a store that offers tax-free shopping. To qualify, you'll need to spend at least JPY 5,401 (after-tax prices). Remember to bring your passport with you when purchasing the watch. Depending which store you purchase the watch from, the establishment can either just charge you the price of the watch minus the tax OR charge the full price and have you proceed to a customer service counter to get the refund in cash.
Mode of Payment
Japan is still a predominantly cash society and while most reputable watch stores – especially those that offer tax refund services to tourists – are able to take credit card payments, it is advisable to carry cash for the possibility of obtaining a slight discount on the purchase price. Certain stores charge a handling fee for credit card payments.
This would depend on the type of watch you purchase. For Swiss watches, the warranty is international and valid even when you bring the watch to your home country. For Japanese watches, the warranty is normally valid only in Japan. Customers who live overseas can still register the product and send back the warranty card to Japan. However, if there are any defects, the Japanese watch itself would need to be sent to Japan for repair. In terms of watch servicing that fall outside the warranty period, representative offices of the watch brands overseas can handle the maintenance required.
This article is written in collaboration with The Watch Company


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Grade Pre-K
Children and science go hand in hand. Questions are the language of childhood: How big? How far? What if? How many? Why not? How do we learn? taps this natural curiosity. To find answers, students use their senses, explore tools, and take measurements. They observe the colors, shapes, and textures of objects in nature and the classroom. As they share their observations, they enrich their descriptive vocabulary. They discover how tools extend their ability to find out about their world. Students practice using nonstandard and standard units of length and various measuring tools. Each activity engages the young learners in doing science. And they begin to master essential science skills: question, predict, observe, describe, measure, collect information, compare. (12 Activities)
Click here to view the Teacher Preparation Video for this Delta Science Module.


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Children coerced into good behavior by threats of a dark, meaningless Christmas in which one of Gods very own saints skips their house because he, like their parents, has had it up to here with their acting out. This seasons hottest toy squirreled away in some out-of-reach and never-seen corner of the house, possibly acquired in a Black Friday knife fight.
Yep. Its Christmas. Even for those of us who love the holiday season and who may or may not have had the lights strung up and turned on by Nov. 10 its easy to see why some people hate the last two months of every year. Since when do we celebrate the birth of Jesus if youre of the Christian persuasion by stampeding through a Walmart like the bulls of Pamplona? Must we now greet winter by ritually sacrificing a store security guard so that we can get our kid a toy that he or she will take mere weeks to break?
For example, last year the following altercation was witnessed in a crowded parking lot: A woman with two carts full of groceries was unable to squeeze herself, her brood and her purchases between her car and the one next to it, both of which were parked evenly within the painted lines. Spying the owner of the other car, she screeched, Youre parked too damn close! The owner of said car turned and, in his meanest and most awful voice, screamed, Happy birthday, Jesus! The holidays are stressful. Like our families, they stress us out because we love them and we want everyone to be OK. We want the kids to get exactly what they want on Christmas morning because we remember what it felt like when we did. We want to cook Christmas dinner the way Grandma did because we miss her and want to remember her. For some of us, the holidays were a deeply happy time full of beautiful memories, so get your hand off that last can of cranberry sauce or I will cut it off and take it with me when I leave this store!
But heres the thing. Put yourself in Jesus shoes for just a moment. (This works even if youre not a Christian.) Would you want people celebrating your birthday by wrestling each other to the ground over the last Tickle Me Elmo? Its possible our holiday madness is fueled by the best of our intentions, and that those intentions are leading us directly to holiday hell.
Perhaps Christmas in America 2010 should come with a warning label like a prescription: May cause unsustainable levels of credit card debt, aggressive behavior, uncontrollable weeping, weight gain and a complete lack of perspective.
The holidays are a good thing, especially for the economy. So shop locally, if possible. Reward your kids for their good behavior, but model it for them as well. If you want them to grow up with fond Christmas memories, teach them what the season is about holding tightly to loved ones, serving those who arent as fortunate, being nice, keeping warm, Charlie Brown. And God bless us every one.
Nathan Gunter is an Oklahoma City-based writer who apologizes to the lady he yelled at in the parking lot last year. You can follow him on Twitter at @okaycitynate.


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This past week has been totally hectic for me, if you follow me on social media you would know that my life has been chaotic, to say the least. Because of how busy my week was I didn't post on here on Wednesday and Friday like I usually would and I also found myself abandoning my social media channels; I wasn't posting on Instagram, I wasn't publishing Instagram stories and my tweets were few and far between, which resulted in unfollowers. Maybe it was pure lack of sleep, maybe it was my social media obsession or maybe I just care too much, but I got upset, not crying upset, but I found myself feeling deflated, demotivated by the fact my following was decreasing. Maybe I'm just not that great at the whole social media thing? I began to compare my Instagram to other's pages, I began to compare my blog success to that of bloggers much larger and more popular than I am and I came to the conclusion; maybe I should just give up.
I began to think maybe I was never really good at Instagram or blogging, I wondered if anyone is interested in what I have to post or maybe I just had followers because I was active. I mean, people unfollowed me for not posting in 24 hours, so they clearly didn't enjoy my content to begin, right? I found myself in such a deflated, negative and unmotivated state of mind and then it suddenly hit me... does it all really matter? I am focusing so much on social media followers but there are more important things out there in the world, it's not like social media followers can give my CV a boost, it's not like having a bunch of social media followers will save my life one day, so why do I let a lack of them get to me so much? There are so many positive aspects of having a large social media following, but there is still no need to let losing a few followers ruin my day, right?
Being a blogger means I have to focus on following numbers, more followers, means I am doing something right and fewer followers mean I am doing something wrong, well it is supposed to anyway. We have become so equipped to this way of thinking that we don't take into account the follow unfollowers, the people trying to grow their followers by fooling us into believing they want to follow us when really they're going to unfollow you as soon as you click that follow back button. So, should we as bloggers take followers so seriously? Should they be the focus of our success? Should we look at follower numbers and determine popularity? With follow unfollows and people playing the bot game it is hard to take numbers seriously. I mean, I have dm from someone last August talking about reaching 200 on Instagram and I went on to their profile yesterday to find out they have over 15k... I mean it's completely crazy to think that we focus so much of our time worrying about follower numbers while others are out there cheating the system right?
Being a full-time blogger isn't something I feel like I will ever do, at the moment I see myself having a career while blogging part-time because I love it so much, so really followers shouldn't be that big a deal to me, so why do I always stress myself out over them? It makes no sense. I know there is much more to life than social media, I know that everything else in life should technically come before social media but I spend more time stressing over it than most other stuff in my life, but why? It is like I have been pulled into this belief that in order to be successful in life I have to have this perfect online life where I post perfect pictures with pink skies and non-dripping ice cream in order to be successful, but that's not my life. I don't need to have 10k on Instagram to know that my life is good, but I somehow worry that without 10k I am not successful? I am a 21-year-old with a bachelors degree, studying for my masters degree, of course my life isn't going to be filled with jet-setting holidays, of course my Instagram isn't going to filled with London Fashion Week and my Twitter rolling in tweets about what new brunch place I have tried this week, because I barely have time to make myself a smoothie in the morning without going out for brunch and eating avocado on toast 6 days a week.
I feel like our entire generation has been sucked into this belief system that in order to be successful you have to have this perfect online life with thousands upon thousands of followers and over-edited Instagram snaps. What happened to just being happy with the life you have? Sure, there are people who live this lifestyle and I am happy for them and I am glad they are happy, but I also feel like we all think that is what we have to be like online when it is not. Sure, we all use Instagram as a highlights reel, we tend to only post those things we are happy with, those moments we want to remember or the moments we want others to remember, but does that mean we all have to be posting the same things? The same places, the same foods, the same memories? Do we all have to be carbon copies of one another in order to feel successful? Should we all have the same Instagram theme, post the same photos? Wouldn't that be so incredibly boring?
So, I have decided that gone are the days of getting upset because I lose a follower, gone are the days of trying to make my Instagram and blog and social media feeds fulfil the standards of other people. I want to live my life and be happy, there is more to life than what we post on Instagram, there is more to life than how perfect our lives look online and there is more to life than followers. So whenever I feel l down because my Instagram isn't like other people's, whenever I lose some followers and get frustrated I am going to remind myself that at least my following is natural. Whenever I worry about whether I fit in online I am going to close the laptop and go for a walk, take care of the important things in life. We put so much emphasis on our online lives, but what really matters is the one we have off the internet; our jobs, our university and college courses, our families, our health, our pets, the world, those in need and so on and so forth. One day Instagram may disappear, one day blogging may no longer be the thing that brings me joy and so I should focus less time worrying about follower numbers and more time just enjoying life.
Are you social media obsessed? Do you focus on numbers or are you all about just having fun and enjoying what you do?
Are we friends on social media? You can follow and chat with me here:


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The Art of Dreaming: An Apprenticeship to a Profound Conversation
with Christina Donnell
Throughout history many great mystics, prophets, and men and women of genius have come in direct contact with the Dreaming and have demonstrated the wisdom and power that derive from living in connection with this force birthing creation. When we are not surrounding ourselves with high walls, we have this astonishing interior architecture that allows us to experience a connection with this immeasurable, indestructible force that is us and yet much greater than us.
In this two–day experiential workshop, the art of dreaming is explored and a path is revealed by which we can experience the force birthing creation. In dreaming, whether during sleep or while awake, we undergo an energetic shift in which our ordinary identity relaxes and an all-encompassing, formless one emerges to interact with the greater invisible field in which we are living. From this place, whenever we move deeply within and through an exchange, extraordinary realms become available to us. It is here we can apprentice ourselves and experience a profound conversation with the divine intelligence that animates the universe.
Note to Participants:
Our work will be approached from a continued commitment to our omnipresent nature. New participants are welcome to the circle.


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Obion County Featured in Goodwill Impact
2014 Annual Report
The Workforce Board is pursuing Work Ready Community status for all 11 of the counties we serve, including Obion County. One of the goals is Employer Support. By completing the form, employers are simply stating they are in favor of the Work Ready Community initiative and see value in the NCRC assessment. In no way is an employer committing to do anything, buy anything, require the certification, or anything of that nature. The employer is stating support for the initiative. You can visit the website and see our progress at http://workreadycommunities.com/TN/13.
List Your Available Commercial Property With Us
Let us help you spread the word about your available commercial property by listing it at www.obioncounty.org. If you have commercial property you would like to list, please contact Lindsay Frilling, Economic Development Director.
[email protected].org
Interested in sponsoring Business Matters or Business After Hours?
Contact Lindsay Frilling at
731-885-0211 or [email protected]


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About Florida Repertory Theatre
Paul Gary
The Butler
cannot accurately describe how ecstatic he is to make his mainstage debut so he hopes you see it in his performance. Paul graduated last May with a BS in Theatre and Dance from Middle Tennessee State University, and proudly left greater Appalachia to join the acting intern company at Florida Rep. Favorite credits include Into the Woods(Baker), Smoke on the Mountain (Mervin), University 101 (Eddie), and of course his current endeavors with the intern company, The Giver (The Giver) and Curious George: The Golden Meatball (Chef Pisghetti/Others). Endless thanks to the Gary family and The Brigade. Hope you enjoy! paulgary.com/actor


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All Electrolux appliances come with at least 1 year manufacturers warranty. Learn more about your manufacturers warranty.
Peace of mind with your manufacturers guarantee
Electrolux produce quality home appliances that are built to last and which come with a at least 1 year manufaturer's guarantee as standard to protect against manufacturing faults and defects that occur during this warranty period. See the terms and conditions for your manufacturer's guarantee.


text: Celebrating my 300th post today, I thought I would mention the CBS smash hit TV show which debuted in 1959. Gold Key Comics began publishing in 1962 a long-running Twilight Zone comic that featured the likeness of host Rod Serling introducing both original stories and occasional adaptations of the original episodes. The popular comic followed the format of the television anthology as a mixture of self-contained dramas featuring fantasy, science fiction, horror, suspense, and psychological thriller, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist. The comic outlived this groundbreaking television series by nearly twenty years and Serling by nearly a decade. But one of the biggest draws for this amazing series were the lovely George Wilson painted covers and the legion of talented interior artists. Some of the illustrators used for the series that ran ninety two issues ending in May of 1982 included, Reed Crandell, Alex Toth, Don Heck, Frank Thorne, Al Williamson, George Tuska, Joe Orlando, Bob Lubbers, Angelo Torres, Mike Sekowsky and many others.


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But after the racist video surfaced online that was linked to the officers, one resigned and three others were fired. And
These are all great accomplishments — and the New Year is a great time to reflect. New Times reached out to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department for comment and insight, but they were unable to respond immediately. We'll update this post if we hear back.
These are four suggested New Year's resolutions for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department in 2016:
4. Ticket people of color at an equal ratio
When New Times investigated in October 2013, we found that 86 percent of the tickets handed out by police over the three years prior had been given to African-Americans. We also found that the ordinance was rarely enforced in predominantly white neighborhoods. At the time, Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Franklin Adderley defended the practice, citing the ordinance as a useful way to approach bike-bound drug dealers, prostitutes, and robbers. But in January, New Times obtained new data from the Public Defender's Office, showing that, although there's been a dramatic drop in the number of total citations handed out, the ratios show that black people still receive the highest percentage of tickets — an even higher percentage than at the time of our last report: a whopping 93 percent.
In 2016, we hope the new data will reflect an equal ratio.
3. Stop arresting homeless people for being homeless
In Fort Lauderdale, ordinances dictate that all Fort Lauderdale feeding sites require a permit, permission from property owners, and certain amenities like toilets and sinks. Many activists feel that these laws unfairly target homeless people. Then, in February, Fort Lauderdale Police Officer Victor Ramirez slapped a homeless man who wanted to use a public restroom:
Laclair says in the video that he wanted to go use the restroom, but Ramirez insisted he leave the Broward Central Terminal immediately. After Ramirez grabs his arm, Laclair shakes him off — and then Ramirez shoves Laclair to the ground.In 2016, we hope Fort Lauderdale Police officers resolve to be more understanding of homeless people.
While on the ground, Laclair states his desire to use the restroom — but Ramirez wasn't having it.
"You're not going to go pee," he says. "You're not supposed to pee here."
Moments later, after a brief exchange, Ramirez reaches back and delivers a cold, hard smack across Laclair's face. The Fort Lauderdale peace officer then arrests the homeless man for trespassing and takes him to jail.
2. Lower the $100 million budget
The Fort Lauderdale Police department is composed of 515 sworn police officers and 190 civilian employees. It has an annual budget of $100 million. This week, New Times reported that a study found, in terms of return on investment, Fort Lauderdale Police are the third-worst in the nation:
One of the experts WalletHub consulted on the study, Aaron Chalfin, who directs research at the University of Chicago's "Crime Lab New York," agreed and told WalletHub that "every city faces different challenges, and it's difficult to infer from crime statistics which departments are doing better than others." Extra money, he said, is often better spent on "smart policing" programs, like crime-prediction software or de-escalation training for cops, rather than new equipment, in some circumstances.Fort Lauderdale Police Public Information Officer Keven Dupree said Wednesday he was unable to comment on the study without first consulting other members of the department.
In 2016, we hope the Fort Lauderdale Police Department will resolve to increase its return on investment.
1. Fire Officer Jeffrey Feldewert
In June, Officer Jeffrey Feldewert was let go after he took to his personal Facebook page and wrote "typical hoodrat behavior" as a caption for a photo of a black man being arrested. The photo Feldewert posted was apparently a meme that read: "Black People. Because without them the evening news wouldn't be as much fun to watch."
Then, in August, Feldewert appealed the decision and was reinstated as a police officer and given back his badge. According to the Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale City Manager Lee Feldman said in an email that Feldewert's actions did not merit his getting fired:
"While the city certainly does not condone Officer Feldewert's actions, nor are they in any way representative of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, the actual matter, evaluated with the officer's record, did not warrant termination," Feldman's email reads.
Earlier this year, officers were found to have sent text messages about "killing n***ers" and were named in a video of a mock movie trailer depicting Barack Obama as a thuggish villain. One resigned and the other three were fired in March.
In 2016, we hope that Officer Jeffrey Feldewert is no longer on the police department's payroll.


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The Seoul Mule: A Korean Version of The Moscow Mule
The Seoul Mule; a new take on the traditional Moscow Mule using ginger infused Korean Soju and Yuzu Juice. WTF Is A Mule? You guyyyyyyys. I've recently fallen in love with mules. No. No. Not the half horse half donkey hybrid. Mules; the ginger beer based cocktail served in a copper mug! Not a Russian invention, theContinue reading


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Practice Fusion buys mobile health startup 100Plus to power patient tools with clinical data
Electronic health records provider Practice Fusion is bringing in some new blood. On Wednesday, the San Francisco-based company said it made its first major acquisition in purchasing 100Plus, a personal health prediction startup.
Founded in 2011, 100Plus last month launched a mobile app that combines data analytics and game mechanics to encourage people to engage in healthy activities.
In the acquisition, 100Plus' five-person team will join Practice Fusion's data and product development teams, with Chris Hogg, co-founder of 100Plus, becoming the associate vice president of data science. The company would not share financial details.
Ryan Howard, Practice Fusion's CEO, who is also a co-founder of 100Plus, said he and Hogg first met a couple of years ago when Practice Fusion challenged about 50 teams to hack anonymized patient records to come up with interesting applications. Hogg created a tool that found patients' "health twins" and then predicted their future health based on the trajectories of those twins – an application not so unlike 100Plus, which similarly generates health predictions based on datasets, from sources like 100Plus and the CDC, and user behavior.
Practice Fusion, which entrepreneurs named in a recent survey as the health tech startup most likely to hit a $1 billion valuation in the next five years, offers doctors' offices free electronic medical records software but plans to build out patient-facing consumer applications.
"We'll be launching other consumer apps and we see 100Plus as dovetailing beautifully with that," said Howard, adding that while the 100Plus app will continue to exist in its current form, they're not sure if it will be a standalone app or live within the Practice Fusion umbrella.
Although older companies like eClinicalWorks and AllScripts dominate the electronic health records industry, Practice Fusion offers doctors a free version of what can be expensive software (the Practice Fusion version is paid for with advertising) and its plan has been to out-innovate rivals. With 100Plus, it could give patients a mobile app that feels more like a consumer app than a clinical tool to facilitate communication with doctors. For example, with beautiful photography and fun language, the app currently prompts users to "drink more water" or "walk your neighborhood" and Howard said those prompts could ultimately come from doctors through Practice Fusion.
Since launching, Howard said 100Plus has shown impressive outcomes in a pilot with a large system, and it has raised $1.25 million from Greylock Partners, Felicis Ventures, Band of Angels and Founders Fund.


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NHS hospital trusts invited to expand abroad
High-profile NHS hospitals in England are to be encouraged by the government to set up profit-making branches abroad to help fund services in the UK.
An agency will aim to link hospitals such as Great Ormond Street with foreign governments that want access to British-run health services.
Investment would have to be drawn from hospitals' private UK work, but with profits ploughed back into the NHS.
A patients' group said the move was a "distraction" at a time of "upheaval".
The drive, building on an initiative first started under the Labour government, is set to be be launched by the Department of Health and UK Trade and Investment this autumn.
The BBC understands the initiative is unlikely to involve regular district or general hospitals but would target world-renowned hospitals like the Royal Marsden, Great Ormond Street and Guy's and St Thomas'.
'Benefit patients'
It would mirror schemes such as that of Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, which in 2007 built a unit of the same name in Dubai. Children's hospital Great Ormond Street also has interests abroad.
In 2010, Labour's Health Secretary Andy Burnham set up NHS Global to help the health service make the most of the global market for healthcare and the coalition now wants to build on this.
A source close to current Health Secretary Andrew Lansley emphasised that hospitals would be able to pay for their investments abroad using only revenue generated from their private patients in the UK.
Any profits made overseas would be ploughed back into the health service and so benefit NHS patients, the source added.
The Health and Social Care Act, which was passed by Parliament earlier this year, eased the way for hospital trusts to expand their work in the private sector.
Health Minister Anne Milton said: "This is good news for NHS patients who will get better services at their local hospital as a result of the work the NHS is doing abroad and the extra investment that will generate.
"This is also good news for the economy, which will benefit from the extra jobs and revenue created by our highly successful life sciences industries as they trade more across the globe.
"The NHS has a world-class reputation, and this exciting development will make the most of that to deliver real benefits for both patients and taxpayers."
Moorfields medical director Chris Canning said no taxpayers' money had been spent on its Dubai venture and it had been in profit for the past three years while "raising the reputation and profile" of the NHS and the hospital, and making money to reinvest in UK health services.
David Stout, deputy chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations around England, denied the scheme would divert attention away from health services and said an international exchange of ideas could in fact improve local services.
"This is not about distorting what the NHS offers to UK citizens, this is about how we can exploit the brand of the NHS internationally," he told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme.
When asked if the NHS could end up under-funded by taxation because of increasing funds raised abroad, he said: "We are not talking about completely skewing the way the health service funding comes in – this will be marginal in the scheme of a £100bn organisation organisation in the NHS."
'Rampant commercialisation'
However, the move was criticised by the Patients Association.
"The key and only focus of an NHS hospital should be to provide treatment to patients on the NHS. We would be very concerned by any moves which would see commercial ventures, which are naturally going to be important for hospitals because they need to use them to raise revenue, would simply result in the attention of the hospitals being taken away from the core purpose – to treat patients in the UK and instead be focused on these hospitals abroad," said Michael Watson, of the group.
Labour began the initiative while in government, but shadow health minister Jamie Reed criticised the coalition's plans.
He said: "At a time when staff are losing their jobs and waiting times are rising, the government's priority should be sorting out the mess it has created in our NHS.
"Under David Cameron we're seeing a rampant commercialisation of the NHS. He needs to get a grip and start focusing on patients, not profits."
This article was taken from the BBC – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19328105


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Monday Morning Coffee | Presented by Shot Race Gear
By Billy Rainford
Well, I'm getting closer and closer to home. Assuming nobody tells me of some sort of race between Chicago and London today, I'll be home for dinner! I'm typing this week's 'Monday Morning Coffee' from a coffee shop in that little part of Indiana the highway hits when you get close to Chicago. Actually, there are some really cool sand dunes to ride in the area…no Canadians are down here with paddle tires, are they? OK, good.
This has been a pretty amazing 3 weeks of touring around checking out all kinds of motocross action, but I am ready to be home. The trip capped off with my first-ever visit to the Winter X Games at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colorado. It was a great experience and I'll write up a little story on my 2 days at that event as soon as I get home and out of this hard, wooden chair!
I was getting a little long in the tooth on my final day in Aspen when I found out about a round of the Kicker Arenacross taking place the very next night in Denver. Well, I was going to be driving straight through the city and just couldn't bring myself to drive past knowing I was missing some moto action. This is a sickness that lasts a lifetime, I'm afraid. If you've been diagnosed with it at a young age, you've got it for life. It's like…never mind.
Anyway, not only was our old friend #24 Dave Ginolfi there racing, but Canadian family, The Stevensons, have been living in Denver for about 3 years and young #11 Connor Stevenson was racing the amateur classes. Obviously, I had to be there. It was great to hang out with Craig Stevenson from Actionetix for a while at the track.
Connor turned 12 not long ago and is out there ripping up a Yamaha 125 (or 144) 2-stroke with the big guys. Craig told me that Connor actually won an outdoor moto on the big bike against the older kids when he was just 11 last summer! He looked great on the tight arenacross track, but will need better starts to take the wins he definitely had the speed for. He basically came from last place to 4th and 3rd the two times I saw him on the track Saturday night. Great job, Connor!
It was a great night of racing. The stands were pretty full in the main areas and there were a lot of riders. In fact, there were 4 full gates of pit bikes trying to qualify for the main event! Kourtney Lloyd hung out for the night as she had a night to kill before her flight home to Prince George, BC the following morning. Thanks for the great directions, Kourtney…
Full results can be found HERE.
Next Round: Feb 11 Hobbs, New Mexico
Phoenix Supercross Results
It sounds like I missed some of the best racing yet! I'll have to sit down on the couch and watch the replay as soon as I make it home. This area is looking at a possible 9″ of snow later today, so…
Amsoil Arenacross Results
Saturday Nashville Arenacross – 1/28/2017
Bridgestone Arena
Full Results HERE
Next Round: Feb 4-5, Louisville, Kentucky
Shawn Maffenbeier to MX101 FXR Yamaha for 2017
It looks as if 2017 MX2 runner-up, Shawn Maffenbeier from Swift Current, Saskatchewan, has found a home for 2017 and beyond. Team member Jess Pettis has posted the following on his Instagram page:
The word was already out that Shawn would likely be joining the team, but we had yet to see or hear anything 'official' from the team.
We'll be sure to post the Press Release as soon as we see it.
Congratulations to Shawn and the team.
In case you've been hiding under an ice-covered rock lately, Brock Hoyer just won an X Games GOLD MEDAL in Aspen! Not only that, fellow Canadian, Cody Matechuk, took the BRONZE MEDAL in the first-ever Snow BikeCross event. It was an amazing moment to be a part of live. We interviewed Brock for one of our 'Tailgating' episodes right after the event. We also did one with Cody that will be up on the site ASAP. You can watch Brock's here:
Tailgating with…Brock Hoyer from Directmotocross.com on Vimeo.
OK, I've got to bring this drive home and drop the hammer! Have a great week, everyone. Watch for more coverage on all the stuff I filled the past 3 weeks with as I get a chance to sit down and go through it all when I get to DMX World HQ.


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LOS ANGELES — Fundamental changes to next-generation Windows code will improve the way developers write applications for the platform, according to two Quebec companies.
The next version of Windows, codenamed Longhorn, won't be available for several years, but developers were granted
a glimpse of what the OS will look like at Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference.
Aesthetically, Longhorn will change Windows convention by adding an extra toolbar(or ""sidebar"") to the right-hand edge of the screen and will feature improved animation by relying more heavily on the PC's GPU. But more significantly, XML will be ingrained into the source code. A new Microsoft-created language called XAML (extensible application mark-up language) will change the way developers design applications. Longhorn will split user interface code from application code, which will separate the tasks of graphics-based development from application development.
The way code is currently written can be a laborious job, because those approaches are intertwined. ""That has been a huge problem for developer shops,"" said Sylvain Duford, chief technical architect with Cactus, a Gatineau, Que.-based Microsoft developer.
""The separation of logic from presentation gives us tremendous value,"" added Sungsoo Kang, director of product management with Nakisa Inc., a developer in Montreal. Development is made more complex by variety within the user base, he added. Information must be presented differently depending on whether it is intended for a C-level executive or an employee further down the company hierarchy.
It costs a lot to develop a piece of software that requires multiple employee-based views, he said. Using a Longhorn architecture, ""we can easily create those different views . . . and our resellers can modify the technology very easily.""
The integration of XML and Web services — or .Net — architecture will change the way data is organized in Windows. Associations between files from different applications (including those that are Web-based) will allow a greater degree of cross-referencing and simplified searching capabilities for all data that is stored under Longhorn. (Microsoft introduced native XML to the desktop with elements of Office 2003, like OneNote and Infopath. The suite was released last week.)
Longhorn's data engine, called WinFS, is a unified storage approach. Microsoft chief software architect Bill Gates, during his PDC keynote address on Monday, described the approach as getting database management into the file system. ""That's been the Holy Grail for me for quite some time,"" he said.
The way files are currently organized – statically and in separate folders – can be confusing for users who are searching their hard drives for information, said Duford. ""The new storage system is going to radically change that.""
By having files dynamically related to each other is ""ultimately reducing this complexity crisis (in IT),"" said IDC Canada Ltd. analyst David Senf. Through a Web services model, those connections can be made across organizations, he added. He cited the example of a health-care provider and an insurance company sharing information more easily.
This type of connectivity won't come overnight, though. At the moment, users aren't exploiting the potential of XML as a data-sharing tool. ""They're not grasping it can be used at higher levels to integrate the software,"" said Senf.
In the business-to-business world, enterprises are eager to move away from EDI technology to a Web services approach, according to Duford. ""The only thing that's holding things back a bit is security in terms of Web services.""
Microsoft is addressing security concerns in Windows with a ""focus on the fundamentals"" approach to Longhorn. Security technologies developed for the XP operating system will be improved and extended into Longhorn, according to the company, and should be able to bridge different applications and services.
A release date for Longhorn is years away, but Microsoft, through an unprecedented display of openness, is providing developers with pieces of the code so they can tinker with it on their own.
""This is the earliest I've ever seen information given out. Some of this is the first time Microsoft Canada is hearing this too,"" said Elliot Katz, a product manager with the corporation's Canadian arm.
It's important that developers get their hands on the code now, added Senf, since it's a departure from the way Windows has traditionally been built and presented. ""It requires time to wrap your head around.""
Microsoft is also keeping hardware vendors in the loop on Longhorn developments. But hardware doesn't present a barrier to the evolution of the PC. ""I think it's simple to say what the constraint is,"" said Gates, ""it's software."" He added that Longhorn will be Microsoft's most important release since Windows 95.
Microsoft PDC 2003 continues through Thursday.
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After taxing, registering, importing and insuring our van (which we'll write a blog post about later, it's super difficult to find companies who will insure non EU-citizens in the UK), finally, we could start thinking properly about how exactly it was that we were going to turn approximately 60 square feet into a comfortable, liveable home for the both of us, for the coming six months of travel in Europe. We'd already had to push back our leaving date, from September, and decided that instead we would spend christmas in Birmingham with family, and then leave in January, heading first to Morocco. This gave us the entirety of Autumn to draft out, design, sketch, and build.
A particularly pressing issue with our van was rust, and so this would be the thing we would deal with first. We had to pass our MOT, a test that decides whether or not your vehicle is eligible to be driven on the roads in the UK. Rust on the underside of the car had meant that prior to us buying the van, it had failed it's MOT.
We scoured the internet looking a welder with some availability, and eventually found one – a mobile welder who would come to the house and fix up the underside of our car, for approximately £600, over the course of the next week or so. The work that he carried out was of incredible quality, and it was a stroke of luck to find such a talented welder.
We also bought a new exhaust system online, on ebay. When we test drove our van, we'd noticed that diesel fumes were leaking into the car. Obviously, this isn't ideal, particularly if you are living in your car.
Whilst all of this was happening, we started pulling together our plan, and we went shopping! We used amazon, homebase, b&q and a local builder's yard for sourcing the vast majority of our parts.
Some of the products we purchased:
Thermawrap, Evo Stik Roll Grey Flashband 100mm X 10m 205000, REDEX DIESEL FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER,
We'd begin with stripping out, and then insulating, our van. This started with us pulling out the three rear passenger seats, all of the carpetting, and a plastic partition that separated the two front seats from the rest of the vehicle.
We then removed the metal and wooden floor and wall panelling – again, the rust. This van had previously been used as a window washing van, the interior also had issues, which we wanted to seal up, to ensure the prevention of any re-occurring problems. It proved pretty difficult to remove the floor and wall panels, as the rust issue was so bad that many of the screws holding everything together were crumbling away at a touch!
Finally, after removing even the front seats and carpet, the van was a blank canvas. Insulation could begin! First came a deep clean, we used orange cleaning spray and scouring pads to thoroughly scrub down the metal. Somewhere around this time, we accidentally smashed our window…
After researching numerous different methods of insulating, we chose to start with Flashband – a sound deadening sticky black tape. We stuck it to the walls of the van. There was already a tar like substance on the vast majority of the van's floor, and we sprayed a rust protective primer paint onto the metal that was not covered.
Next, we began to tape Thermawrap, an insulating material something like bubble-wrap, to the walls. We also purchased huge rolls of recycled plastic bottle insulation, which we stuffed into the door cavities, and attached to the walls and ceiling.
For the floor, we cut out yoga mats and pieces of wood to even out the strange metal shapes that rose out from the floor an inch or two – we wanted a flat surface!
We then covered the floor with yet more Thermawrap, and yoga mats.
Now that the van was looking something like the silver interior of a space ship, or perhaps a satellite, with the walls, ceiling, and floor, covered in silver foil, we could add wooden panels. We glued and screwed these down, with some effort. Now we could move onwards, and start thinking about constructing some furniture, installing our electrics system, and then, eventually, decorating!
Create a blank canvas.
Clean thoroughly
Add anti rust spray onto metal surfaces.
Glue custom shaped pieces of yoga mats and wood to even out surface.
Tape down Thermawrap.
Glue down yoga mats.
Add even more Thermawrap
Add plywood surface – now you have a floor!!
Create blank canvas.
Clean thoroughly.
Add sticky sound deadening tape.
Tape down Thermawrap.
Stuff plastic bottle insulation into wall panels and door cavities.
Tape down Thermawrap.
Screw down thin 1/4 inch plywood – now you have insulated walls!!
Check out our in depth vanlife flickr album here.
PS: We've started using Amazon Affiliate links. If you click on the link it'll help us with our continuing journey. Thanks!


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Of course, texting comes in for its share of the blame as well. If you can convey your meaning by typing the single character, "U," why waste the time or energy required to tap out "you" on the tiny keys of your cell phone?
However, what is tolerated or even welcomed in the world of texts, live chats, and gaming is still not acceptable in the hallowed halls of advanced academia. If you want to earn a college degree or have a prayer of achieving a Master's or a Ph.D., you need to get your grammar and spelling on point. But is it practical to believe that students who've spent their lives misspelling words, using emojis instead of words to express themselves, can suddenly become proficient in such skills just because they've started college? My contention is that is not realistic.
We're talking about two or three entire generations of people who cannot correctly pair a single subject with a single verb or explain exactly what subject-verb agreement is. They cannot identify a dangling participle or misplaced modifier and furthermore, they don't care that they can't. They simply don't think it's important.
At least, not until they have to leave school for the real world and go find a job to support themselves. If they thought their professors were tough on bad grammar and spelling, they're stunned when they discover the white-collar workplace is absolutely unforgiving. Poor language skills are so crippling in the boardroom that they can keep someone from getting a promotion, or even get them fired.
Enter the digital grammar correction tool based upon artificial intelligence or AI. Microsoft Word had an early iteration of a grammar checker that was laughably bad. We all hoped it would improve but it never did. Even the most recent versions are pretty wretched and regularly claim writers have made mistakes when they have not, or suggest changes so ludicrous they'd make great skits on any comedy show.
I installed Grammarly on my computer mainly to catch my typos. I didn't know the app would send me breathless weekly reports praising me for using more unique words than 99 percent of its users and being more productive than the other 95 percent, but telling me, a professional editor, that about 75 percent of Americans understand grammar better than I do. Really?
This is because when Grammarly tells me I should change my subject-verb agreement so that I have a singular noun paired with a plural verb, I ignore it. In fact, Grammarly's suggestions for "improvements" in my writing have become the single biggest source of amusement in my daily life. Sorry, Stephen Colbert.
So why is this so? Why are grammar checkers based upon AI so bad? We can go to Bill Gates himself for the answer. Of all the tasks computers can be programmed to do, Mr. Gates says it is still impossible to program them with human judgment. And in many cases, human judgment based upon deep knowledge and extensive experience is exactly what is needed to make language flow correctly and seamlessly. And no AI can do that job for us.
What is the solution? I believe we need to go a bit backward here. Our primary schools should be teaching students how to diagram sentences, and drilling them on the nuances of proper grammar, spelling and language usage. It's going to take us a few generations to recover from the level of general language ignorance now afflicting our younger generations, but in the meantime, please don't believe anything any grammar checker tells you. If you're not sure of a particular construction, just type the entire sentence into the Google search bar and you'll find dozens of links to truly solid blogs run by professional grammarians who will quickly help you get your words in order.
Here are a few more screenshots showing some typical grammatical "corrections" suggested to me by Grammarly and Microsoft Word.
|Patricia B. Smith is a journalist who is the author of 11 published books, including Idiot's Guide: Flipping Houses, Alzheimer's For Dummies and Sleep Disorders for Dummies.
Pat is also an experienced professional developmental editor who serves as an Editorial Evaluation and Developmental Coordinator for Five Star Publishing. She works with private clients as well and has helped many authors land their first publishing contracts. Many of her clients have achieved notable success, including two winners of the Missouri Writers' Guild Show-me Best Book of the Year Award.
Connect with Pat on Facebook, Twitter, or Linked In.


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I'm a bit shocked at the fact that mark. is turning 10... Mostly because I can clearly remember when the brand came out and it really doesn't feel all that long ago. I was in high school, and as a then (an now) Avon fan, was really excited that they would have products made more for my age group. I was doubly excited when a friend of my mom got me a professional style mark. train case. She sold Avon and was able to snag one for me when the brand launched. I still have it somewhere...
Anyway, let's get to the goods! Read on to see the gorgeous products mark. has released to celebrate turning 10!
'Wear it as a blush, wear it as an all-over luminizer- it's ultra fine powder works wonders for any complexion, no matter where you dust it! Instantly takes skin from dull to radiant.' - mark.
With it's mosaic like pattern- how cute are the hearts?- and it's mix of pink, mauve, apricot, pale gold, and lavender this blush sure is something to look at. I almost didn't want to use it. Almost. But I did, and it may be even prettier on the skin than it is in the pan. The shades blend together to create a glowing peachy shade that is simply gorgeous. The shimmer is refined, and not even a shimmer as this truly does glow. It's a completely universal shade that will suit every skin tone. Good stuff!
'Four coordinating shades with a soft, pearlized finish, specially chosen to look gorgeous on mark. girls of all skin tones. Buildable formula blends easily on the skin.' - mark.
These eyeshadows have a pretty interesting formula- they're soft and creamy and almost preform like a cream shadow, but they aren't. They all have a pearlized glow, but do work nicely together, although I do like them on their own. They have a really pretty look that reads well with just a little liner and mascara- especially the golden tones in pink of the 'r' shade. These apply really easily as long as you don't try to use a fluffy brush- it won't work- a finger, flat brush, or the little sponge we all like to toss works best.
I don't think I've ever used a mark. gloss that I didn't like, so I was excited to see how these would wear. They've got a light formula, barely any stickiness and just a hint of a caramel-vanilla scent. The shades are all slightly sheer, but do give lips a tint of colour and shine. Peach Shine is the sheerest, but it does give lips a hint of a milky pink tint. Pink Shine and Nude Shine both have more pigmentation and shimmer. While I'm not always a huge fan of shimmery lip glosses, I love how the shimmer in Nude shine really glows. I think it's my favourite of the trio.
Overall, this is a really great collection and represents the mark. brand well. Are you a mark. fan? Will you be picking up any of their birthday items?


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Hello everyone!!! I am so excited about the Taylored Expressions October Sneak Peeks...wait till you see all the fabulous new stamp sets and dies!!!! Christmas is just around the corner and I have been creating a lot of holiday goodies to share with you!!! Remember...the October release will go live Thursday at 9:00 CST!!!!
First, I made a card with the O Christmas Tree die....this is a two part die and I just used the top part today....isn't it pretty!!! It was cutout of a piece of silver metalic card stock and adhered to the navy background. The sentiment is from the Big, Bold Christmas set...it was stamped with Versamark and embossed with silver embossing powder. The blue bow was made with the Mix and Match Bows dies....the bow was cutout of a piece of baby blue card stock and it was embossed with a Dotted Swiss embossing folder before it was put together. I just looove this die....I can just imagine using is in several different ways!!!
Next up is the adorable Sack It To Me die and the Sack It Reindeer dies....these are just the cutest dies ever!!!!
Choice Kraft was used for the bag and the card....the antlers and ears were cut from medium brown card stock, the noses was cut from red card stock, and the eyebrows were drawn on with a brown marker. The cheeks were sponged with pink dye ink and a white gel pen was used to add the accent dots.
For the card I used half of the Santa Bag diecut and the sentiment is from the Baby, It's Cold Outside set. The googly eyes, twine, sewing, distressing, and papers from Basic Grey's 25th and Pine 6x6 paper pad finish it off.
How about some awesome inspiration from the Taylored Expressions Baker's Dozen DT....they have made some gorgeous projects for your viewing pleasure!!! Check it out!!
Supply List:
Reindeer Card
TE Stamps: Baby it's Cold Outside
Paper: Choice Kraft (TE), Choice Buttercream (TE), Real Red, Soft Suede, Basic Black (SU), Basic Grey's 25th and Pine 6x6 paper pad (TE)
Ink: Pink Pirouette for the cheeks (SU), Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukienko)
Accessories: Googly Eyes (Hobby Lobby), Baker's Twine (The Twinery), White Gel Pen (Inkssentials), Close to Cocoa Marker (SU), Sewing Machine
TE Dies: Sack It Reindeer, Sack It To You Die
Reindeer Gift Bag
Paper: Choice Kraft (TE), Real Red, Soft Suede, Basic Black (SU),
Ink: Pink Pirouette for the cheeks (SU), Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukienko)
Accessories: Googly Eyes (Hobby Lobby), Baker's Twine (The Twinery), White Gel Pen (Inkssentials), Glassine Bag (Hobby Lobby), Close to Cocoa Marker (SU),
TE Dies: Sack It Reindeer, Sack It To You Die
O Christmas Tree Card
TE Stamps: Big Bold Christmas
Paper: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Silver (SU)
Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Silver Embossing Powder (SU), Silver Pearls (Hobby Lobby), Corner Rounder Punch (EK Success) Dotted Swiss Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)
TE Dies: O Christmas Tree , Mix and Match Bows


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Not so many years ago, I visited the Hans Christian Anderson Museum at the little town of Odense in Denmark. What a discovery for me - I'd no idea that he had a hobby - cutting paper to illustrate his fairy-tale world, and to give as little gifts to his young aquantances ....
|Hans Christian Anderson, paper-cut - Gnomes 1870
|From 'The Ugly Duckling' - paper-cut - Hans Christian Andersen
This delicate art has a name - Psaligraphy. Like any little faery-sprig, years and years ago, my delight was real when I was passed a little row of soldiers, or ballerinas, fresh snipped from the huge newspapers of the day by my dear old ancestor Nor.
You can read about the life of Anderson and see plenty of his paper-cuts at the website of the Odense Museum, here. There's also an interesting book 'The Amazing Paper Cuttings of Hans Christian Andersen 'by Beth Wagner Brust.
Here's a sample of the psaligraphy from four amazing contemporary artists,
all of whom use their work to illustrate story worlds.
Each has a link to the artist's own website -
all of whom use their work to illustrate story worlds.
Each has a link to the artist's own website -
Muddypond hopes you will visit them, especially if you've never met these before....
Marvel, support and enjoy!
Bėatrice Coron - America 'Fairy Tale' and 'Floating Islands'
Michael J. Lomax - United Kingdom. 'Seven Ravens' and 'Red Riding Hood'
Isabella Baudelaire - Netherlands - Shadow Puppets
Karen Bit Vejle - Denmark
It could be that the latest posting from Muddypond on her web site diary would interest you .. all about a magical Kentish megalithic site, seen from a faery's perspective ...


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The Ratings For The Pre-Winter Olympics Down From Sochi Games
Alpine Skiing – Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics –Men's Downhill Training – Jeongseon Alpine Centre – Pyeongchang, South Korea – February 9, 2018 – Manuel Osborne-Paradis of Canada trains. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini
The ratings for NBC's coverage of the pre-Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, dropped by nearly 40 percent in the key demographic compared to the 2014 games, according to The Hollywood Reporter Friday.
A three-hour block Thursday night featuring free-style skiing and men's figure skating averaged a 3.7 rating among adults ages 18-49 with 16 million viewers on NBC. That includes a live telecast and an encore on the West Coast.
Erin Hamlin of U.S. carries the national flag. REUTERS/Phil Noble
And while those numbers sound rather impressive, compared to the pre-Opening Day coverage in 2014 for the winter games in Sochi, Russia, the coverage in the key demographic dropped by 38 percent and was down another 20 percent in overall viewership, losing some 4 million viewers.
In total with streaming, the telecast earned 17.2 million viewers on Thursday.
In the past, Olympics coverage has fluctuated from year to year and is largely based on what country is hosting and the time zones. The 2014 coverage from Sochi was down from the winter games in 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. However, Sochi fared better than the coverage in 2006 from Torino, Italy.
NBC hopes to see a jump in the numbers with the delayed telecast of the opening ceremonies Friday night.
[contf] [contfnew]
The daily caller
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]


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Tammy Jones
Counselling Reiki Meditation
Holistic counselling is a process of healing and nurturing the individual through the aspects of the mind, body and spirit.
In a Holistic counselling session various techniques are utilised to support the client to discover and express their true feelings and desires. e.g. Emotional Focusing Technique, Meditation, Drawing, Emotional Release processes, Journey work, Journal writing, and self discovery exercises.
Holistic Counselling can support a number of issues. From dealing with everyday issues, self-confidence, discovering your purpose, workplace disharmony, relationship issues, self-love, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, intimacy issues, anger management, depression, grief and so on.
A Counselling Session works best when the client is willing to be open minded and ready to look within. Sharing and being heard sheds away the layers of hurt, betrayal, anxiety and confusion. Talking with another in a safe environment, often brings clarity and understanding. Being honest with yourself and asking for support is a quality to be admired.
'We are the
Masters of our mind,
Our mind is not the master of us.'
Couples Counselling can be valuable experience for both parties, as it helps to define issues and ways to move forward, be it together or separately.
Couple's Counselling is a place to communication constructively about one another's needs and concerns.
Reiki is a hands on healing modality which balances the, mind, body & spirit. Reiki is the universal life force of all things.
Reiki gives one an immediate experience of the 'divine.'
Reiki Healings are a non-invasive healing modality. Reiki is very relaxing and nurturing. It allows ones to feel and see life through the perspective of the heart not only the mind.
The Client lies fully clothed on the massage table and the practitioner lays her/his hands upon the clients body in line with the energetic chakras points.
Reiki healings bring forth clarity and calmness.
Reiki is a beautiful way to care for self.
The body is self-healing organism
Distant Healing is a wonderful way to provide support and healing for yourself, family members and or a friend. It is called Absent or Distant Healing as the person is not physically present. The practitioner connects energetically to the nominated person and offers healing. Consent is always recommended if possible. Alternatively consent or refusal can be ascertained through the recipients person's higher- self.
The fundamental purpose of Distant Healing is to send healing to another *approximately 1hour is spent sending healing energy to the recipient.
Messages, guidance and insights are often received during the healing. The practitioner transcribes the messages and they are sent via email to the recipient.
*approximately 1 hour is spent writing up the comprehensive guidance.
All guidance is simply, a sharing of insights, to be accepted or refuted by the recipient. As I truly believe we all have 'freedom of choice' and guidance from another or through another is to be discerned, as to whether it be your truth or not. As in each and every moment we are the designer of our destiny, others can only bring facets of what may be our truth's but we hold the key to our life.
Past Life Healing is a valuable way to seek understanding in this life. Past Life Healing is not governed by the practitioner but the clients higher self. Some clients come with the expectation of seeing a Past Life, but it will only be unveiled if it is aligned with the clients highest good. It is helpful to have a particular issue or question about an area of your life.
In a Past Life Healing I gradually lead the client into their heart space to access previous lives through the vehicle of Reiki and Meditative Journeying.
Past Life Healing can access in-depth layers & learning's, therefore it is not something to take lightly or to play games with. It is a valuable tool to know self.
I provide an opportunity for you to access your past lives and experience your own truth.
Theta Healing - Theta healing is a remarkable technique that lets you identify unconscious & conscious blocks and beliefs and change them - instantly, if it is for highest good.Theta Healing is a Meditative, digging, exploring & energetic healing, between the client & practitioner and the creator of all that is… Theta Healing can support healing of physical ailments, treat personal & emotional or spiritual blocks, by quickly clearing the emotional causes of the condition.
Theta Healing brings clarity to your beliefs that may be holding you back and or sabotaging your life. When we recognise our beliefs whether they are conscious or unconscious it give us the ability to
re-evaluate what's working and what's not.
Are you continually repeating unhealthy patterns and damaging choices and would you like to know why? Understanding our beliefs can bring personal empowerment and awareness.Theta Healing is for those wanting to go down the rabbit hole, to the core of their problems…
My Metaphysical Readings are for those seeking insight and understanding in the now! I do not do future predictions, as the future is yet to be told and we humans have freedom of choice in each and every moment.
I guide the client through an individualised channelled Meditative journey and I also incorporate the tarot/oracle cards into my Metaphysical readings.
I allow time for you to ask specific questions. I trust what flows through is from the higher self of the client and aligned with there highest good in the time we share.
I am not a mind reader so your honesty and willingness to hold the space is necessary.
I do not have all the answers but am an instrument for the 'divine' through love…
"All healing is up to the individual, no one can heal another. "


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Shut up and pet me!
September 15, 2014
A recent study has apparently proven that dogs would prefer that humans would just shut the heck up, and get down to petting them on their furry soft little heads, behind their ears, or oh my, on their cute little tummies.
The research, which was co-authored by Dr. Erica Feuerbacher of the University of Florida and Dr. Clive Wynne of Arizona State University, found that dogs preferred petting to vocal praise, whether it came from the dog's owner or a stranger. The study also found that dogs will only respond to vocal praise if it comes from an owner they are very familiar with.
The study also found — no surprise here — that dogs never get tired of being petted.
In discussing their findings, the scientists used science-speak: "Overall, petting seems to be an important interaction between dogs and humans that maintain inter-specific social behavior but vocal praise likely has be specially conditioned."
The research, actually entitled: "Shut up and pet me! Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) prefer petting to vocal praise in concurrent and single-alternative choice procedures," assessed dogs' preference for petting or vocal praise in shelter dogs, owned dogs with strangers providing both interactions, and owned dogs with the dog's owner providing the interactions. Across all experimental groups, dogs preferred petting to vocal praise, the researchers said.
The current research is a follow-up to an earlier study by the same authors that showed that dogs prefer food to petting.
So, if you wish to make your dog happy, here is what science has shown your dog actually wants from you, in order:
- Food
- Petting
- Whatever nice thing you think you have to say
Category: Animal Safety


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An IT Security consultant has made three primary recommendations regarding passwords:
- Prohibit guessable passwords
- such as common names, real words, numbers only
- require special characters and a mix of caps, lower case, and numbers in passwords
- Reauthenticate before changing passwords
- user must enter old PW before creating a new one
- Make authenticators unforgeable
- do not allow email or user ID as a password
Using WORD, write a brief paper of 200-300 words explaining each of these security recommendations along with 2 references. Do you agree or disagree with these recommendations? Would you change, add or delete any of these? Add additional criteria as you see necessary.


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Podcast Season 3 Episode 13
Podcast RSS feeds: Ogg Vorbis, MP3 and Opus.
Title: Glass houses
In this episode: The UK Government can't make up its mind about how evil encryption is. Canonical is having difficulty elucidating its stance on Ubuntu IP rights. Several ex-Mozilla executives have forked Firefox OS and Windows 10 is a privacy nightmare. We've also got a particularly awesome Finds section, a couple of neurons to vocalise and the internet famous Voice of the Masses.
What's in the show:
- News:
The UK Government is not banning encryption. The UK Government is banning encryption. There's a new Intellectual Property Rights policy at Canonical. Several Mozilla executives have forked Firefox OS into H5 after $100m in sponsorship from China. And Windows 10 is a privacy nightmare.
- Finds of the Fortnight:
- From our #linuxvoice IRC channel on Freenode:
- <Stilvoid> Material Design Lite lets you add a Material Design look and feel to your websites.
- <Ioangogo> A cooperative multiplayer networked starship simulator called Space Nerds In Space.
- <Devilment> 'du -S' means it doesn't go into sub-dirs
- Mike:
- A cheap quad-copter with HD video.
- DuckDuckGo can generate cheat sheets automatically.
- Ben:
- Limit the bandwidth used by rsync with '–bwlimit kb/s'
- Graham:
- Pass is a great secure data wallet that uses the GnuPG and the Linux filesystem.
- And there's an Android app for pass called Password Store.
- Andrew:
- Mexrrissey; the Mexican Morrissey.
- From our #linuxvoice IRC channel on Freenode:
- Vocalise Your Neurons:
- Voice of the Masses: What's your best Linux tip?
Thanks Jasper! Thanks Remy! Here's the link to the PiDP-8. Get in touch with Mike (email@example.com) if you'd like your neurons vocalised next episode.
Presenters: Ben Everard, Andrew Gregory, Graham Morrison and Mike Saunders.
Download as high-quality Ogg Vorbis (46MB)
Download as low-quality MP3 (66MB)
Download the smaller yet even more awesome Opus file (18 MB)
Duration: 54:22
Theme Music by Brad Sucks.


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Dr. Lance is a graduate of Brandeis University and received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia (Virginia Commonwealth University). His Internal Medicine residency was served at Mount Sinai Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a teaching hospital of the University of Wisconsin.
Dr. Lance completed his fellowship training in Endocrinology at the University of Maryland. He is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Dr. Lance has been a resident of Howard County since 1983. He and his wife reside in Ellicott City and have two children. The youngest member of the family in the Lance household is Bentley, a mini-goldendoodle.
Besides medicine, Dr. Lance's major interests are the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens, and the University of Maryland Terps.


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The subject of thermometers came up in a discussion with a younger friend and I soon realized that most people today depend on digital or throw away thermometers. When we were kids and our parents had to deal with all the infectious diseases, it seemed like we were always having our temperatures taken. The old mercury thermometer that we used when we were young, have been banned for medical use in most states. It is now almost impossible to buy them.
There are liquid filled thermometers still available, but there are not the most common. I know how dangerous mercury thermometers are supposed to be, but they are still my thermometer of choice. They are the most accurate, and as long as the glass is not broken, the mercury is not a danger. Just be careful when you shake them to lower the column of mercury.
If you are using a manual or mercury thermometer, you must shake it down so that the mercury level is at least below 96 degrees F.
Temperatures can be taken by several different methods.
Oral – Place the thermometer under the tongue ; wait for approximately 2 minutes for a manual thermometer. Remember not to take an oral temperature right after eating or drinking something because it will alter the results.
Axillary – Place the thermometer under the armpit with the tip in the deepest crease; wait for approximately 2 minutes for a manual thermometer.
Rectal – Use lubrication, such as petroleum jelly and place tip in anal opening; Wait for approximately 2 minutes for a manual thermometer. This method should be used for infants or those whose temperature cannot be taken any other way.
What is normal body temperature?
Most people think of a "normal" oral body temperature as 98.6 F (37 C). This is an average. Your temperature may actually be 1 F (0.6 C) or more above or below 98.6 F.
A rectal or ear (tympanic membrane) temperature reading is slightly higher than an oral temperature reading. A temperature taken in the armpit (Axillary) is slightly lower than an oral temperature reading. The most accurate way to measure body temperature is to take a rectal temperature.
A simple fever thermometer can be a big help in treating infectious diseases, make sure you have a manual one in your medical supplies.


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The new Samsung experience store at 14 De Fonseka Place, Colombo 5 operates collaboratively with retail giant Softlogic Retail (Pvt.) Ltd. a fully owned subsidiary of Softlogic Holdings PLC who have been a 'Samsung Premium Partner' since July 2010, and continue to elevate Samsung's brand image with luxurious displays and digitally enhanced shopping services. Softlogic carries the full range of Samsung consumer electronics and home appliances including a comprehensive range of TVs, Refrigerators, Microwave Ovens, Washing Machines and Mobile Phones.
The 2,800 sq. ft. Samsung Experience Store revolutionizes customers' brand experience under one roof with immersive 'retail destinations' or 'zones'. It features the full line-up of Samsung smartphones and tablets, displayed for customers to explore in-depth at the Smart Table product zone. Mobile devices, including the flagship Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9 Plus, and Galaxy Note8, as well as a full line-up of wearables and accessories to personalize customers' favourite Samsung devices are available at the store.
Another first in Sri Lanka, the Samsung Experience Store provides customers a truly immersive and cinematic virtual reality experience at its interactive Samsung Gear VR Zone with a VR chair operated by a hydraulics mechanism delivering life-like experiences that mimic the movements shown in the Gear VR.
Mr Park said the new Samsung Experience Store was benchmarked to deliver the brand's globally renowned retail and technology experience, as well as a glimpse into Samsung's innovative device convergence. "Samsung is excited to continue its growth trajectory at this level of innovative retail experience. The Samsung Experience Store showcases our product offering and enables customers in Sri Lanka to explore how versatility and connectivity are at the core of all Samsung devices."
Speaking to 'Sri Lanka Mirror', Mr. Induka Perera, Director - Retail Channels of Softlogic Retail (Pvt.) Ltd said that they aim to provide an experience that goes beyond just a sale.
At present, Samsung products are available at 222 Softlogic Max and Softlogic stores across the country, out of which two are dedicated Samsung stores located at the Arcade Independence Square as well as Duplication Road, Colombo 4, which carry the full range of Samsung consumer electronics & home appliances. The location for the Samsung Experience Store has been carefully selected to ensure easy access for customers from all parts of Colombo to experience the unique offering of this store. "Softlogic is one of the foremost consumer electronics and lifestyle product retailers in the market today," said Mr. Induka Perera, Director – Consumer Electronics Channel, Softlogic Retail (Pvt.) Ltd. "Many customers walk into our stores daily to find, try-out and purchase televisions, refrigerators, microwave ovens, washing machines, smartphones and tablets, among the many other products we offer. The Samsung experience store is the twenty-first large format store for Softlogic and a definite go-to place for customers to experience the ease of convergence with Samsung's exciting range of products and services."
At the launch, guests were privy as to how the Experience Store's Smart TVs, home appliances and smartphones were connected and managed through a single application in Samsung's connected ecosystem. "Internet of Things has become the centre of Samsung's strategic focus and we are embracing the life-changing possibilities of technology through a human-centered approach that benefits our customers," said Mr Park.
The TV Zone showcases Samsung QLED and UHD TVs, featuring the brand's unrivalled picture quality, enhanced smart features, and lifestyle-centric design. "The new 2018 QLED TV is a new point of reference in image, design and performance, representing the next generation of home entertainment products that enhance the TV-viewing experience" said Mr Sabry Ansar, Head of Consumer Electronics, Samsung Sri Lanka.
The Smart Home Appliances Zone includes a Demo Kitchen that inspires even the most discerning home cooks to try out their cooking skills using Samsung's flexible, easy-to-use and premium style kitchen appliances. It also showcases innovative new energy-efficient home appliance products that are thoughtfully and ergonomically designed, including Samsung AddWash washing machines and Samsung Side-by-Side refrigerators.
The Samsung Experience store aims to enrich customers' lives with a multi-sensorial brand experience by providing holistic lifestyle consultation. It has highly trained consultants offering one-on-one help and assistance to customers, including troubleshooting, in-depth tips and insights on how to maximize the performance of their devices. To further enhance the overall experience, the Samsung SMART Tool service is available for customers to upgrade their Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets while they are in the store.
To mark the opening, Samsung, together with Softlogic, will have special offers for a limited time period including attractive discounts on full payments made by cash/card, along with unmatched interest free easy payment plans on credit cards issued by all leading banks, across a wide range of Samsung products.