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Ovechkin's late goal carries Capitals over Avalanche
Alex Ovechkin has scored plenty of pretty goals in his career. He even throws in some scrappy ones from time to time.
Ovechkin scored late in the third period, Braden Holtby stopped 27 shots, and the Washington Capitals beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Thursday night.
Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and an assist, Jason Chimera also scored, and Ovechkin added an assist for the Capitals. Washington won the last two games of its three-game trip.
"Winning on the road, it feels like a bigger moral victory than winning at home," Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. "Winning on the road brings a team closer together."
Ovechkin broke a 2-all tie when he skated past defenseman Jan Hejda and put a shot on Reto Berra. The goalie didn't cover up the loose puck, and Ovechkin poked it just over the goal line with 5:56 left. It was his ninth of the season and first in four games.
"It was a lucky bounce (to get the puck back)," Ovechkin said. "I was skating and put the puck on net. It was a huge goal and gave us the points."
Hejda took responsibility for Ovechkin's goal.
"It's a game about mistakes," he said. "I made one, and we paid the price."
The Avalanche played half the game short-handed after Alex Tanguay was hit in the face on a shot by Ovechkin. Tanguay immediately skated off the ice and went into the locker room. The Avalanche announced that Tanguay sustained a jaw injury.
Tanguay's former teammate, Peter Forsberg, watched from a suite three days after being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. The Avalanche played a highlight video of Forsberg's career on the big scoreboard as he watched with his wife and two children.
Forsberg said before the game he enjoyed his time with the Avalanche, which included two Stanley Cup titles.
"There was no other goal in this organization than to win the Cup," he said. "I didn't think about the Hall of Fame or anything, it was just winning games."
Colorado, playing its first home game in two weeks, tied it on Tyson Barrie's second goal of the season at 6:44 of the third period. The defenseman pinched in from the blue line and tipped in a pass from Gabriel Landeskog for his second goal of the season.
"I got over there a little late and should have read it better," Holtby said.
Daniel Briere had a goal, and Berra finished with 20 saves for Colorado.
Colorado pulled Berra for an extra skater with 1:28 left. The Avalanche had several scoring chances but couldn't get the tying goal past Holtby.
"Too bad we could not score toward the end," Avalanche coach Patrick Roy said. "We had our chances, plenty of looks. I thought we had a great third period, as well. It's a tough situation losing a game where you think you played a good game but sometimes those things happen.
"We need to stick to it because I think there's a lot of positives in the way we've been playing, especially defensively."
Backstrom gave Washington a 1-0 lead with his fifth goal 1:04 into the second period. The Capitals nearly scored again a minute later when a puck sat in the Avalanche crease, but they couldn't get a stick on it.
Colorado responded with Briere's third of the season when he wristed Nathan MacKinnon's rebound by Holtby at 2:53.
MacKinnon had two assists.
The Capitals went ahead 2-1 when Chimera's shot from the top of the right circle beat Berra over his left shoulder at 12:10 of the second.
"I'm not really happy with that game," Berra said. "I could've stopped each of these goals."
NOTES: Colorado G Semyon Varlamov is day-to-day with a groin injury. He missed three games in October with a similar injury. ... Ovechkin has played in 698 career games, all with the Capitals. He is eighth on the list. ... Avalanche LW Jamie McGinn was scratched with a back injury. Rookie Dennis Everberg took his place in the lineup.


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The Washington D.C. housing market has been stagnant, primarily due to a lack of middle adequate middle-class jobs. However, with an influx of potential new jobs, the market may grow rapidly over the next few years. The city has attracted a number of technology startups, which should stimulate the economy and drive the housing market in the months to come.
Entrepreneurs Leave Silicon Valley for Washington D.C.
Silicon Valley in California has historically been the nation's hub for technology startups. However, many entrepreneurs are abandoning Silicon Valley and launching businesses in Washington D.C. instead.
These entrepreneurs are relocating from dozens of countries around the world. Zainab Zak is the founder of a rent-a-space building in Fairfax County that moved from India in 2010. Faced with a struggling economy and few job prospects, Zaki decided to relocate to the United States. "America is the land of dreams in which you can get what you want if you work hard enough to get it," she told Imigrant Exodus.
Zaki is one of many immigrants that chose to launch a business in Washington D.C. rather than Silicon Valley. There are several reasons entrepreneurship is thriving in D.C. The federal government has launched a number of new initiatives to lure tech startups and talented engineers to the city. The government hired a number of programmers to develop the Healthcare.gov website. Many federal agencies may also need these coders for additional projects in the future.
Leading Silicon Valley tech firms are also trying to expand in D.C. Samsung recently purchased D.C. startup Smart Things. The mobile device manufacturer believes the city offers many great opportunities to expand its business.
City Tech Boom Will Help Housing Crisis
Mayor Vincent Gray has repeatedly discussed the city's affordable housing shortage. He wants to create 10,000 affordable housing units by 2020. The city is halfway towards reaching that goal, but housing experts warn the supply of affordable housing is going to still contract sharply after a price ceiling expires in a couple years.
Some experts argue that the largest problem isn't a lack of housing units. Recent data from Trulia shows that 75% of the houses on the market are affordable to the average citizen working in a career requiring a bachelor's degree. However, few people outside the federal government sought employment in Washington D.C. up until a few years ago. Middle class families that wanted to purchase a home needed to relocate to other cities. The influx of technology jobs is an encouraging trend that will make it easier for families to afford housing in D.C.
The only sustainable solution to the city's economic problems is creating more middle class jobs. A growing supply of new technology businesses will enable more people to relocate to Washington D.C., which should fuel the city's sluggish housing market.

subset: commoncrawl


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Not only for the best french fries, Belgium is also well known for a fine House Music scene. We continue our Belgium special together with our friends from TURNLAB with Maxim Lany (We Play House, Lany Records) as a new room of the week #45. Have a look at a lovely home studio and a floor full of records.
Hey Maxim, glad you're on board with our Belgium series. You already gained a lot of our attention with several outstanding releases on We Play House.
Tell us, when did your passion for DJing and producing evolve? "I have been DJing since I was about 13 or 14 years old and never stopped since. I started producing very late when the need came about 6 years ago. At first I attented and watched other friends make music and after discovering the right software that would suit my thoughts I started creating my own little studio in the top room at home step by step. Meeting various people who along the way became friends I learned every day about making music. And I still do. I try to follow my instinct and whenever I can I add something new to my collection."
What about your own imprint Lany Records? "Like any self-respecting DJ, I also ventured into music production and released several well-received tracks over the past years. One of the main ones being the 'Highway ep.' on We Play House Recordings. This record and its positive worldwide response were the trigger to talk to Red D – the label manager of We Play House Recordings – about starting a new record label together that would reflect my musical vision and personality. Lany Recordings was born. That gives me the perfect platform for all my musical ideas."
Some artists you already worked with: "San Soda, Kolombo, Ramon Tapia, Katorski, Red D, Ante Perry, Lemakuhlar"
You already mentioned your record collection. How many records dou you have in your shelves? "app. 4000"
Back to your studio. Could you present an excerpt of the equipment you use in there? "M-Audio Oxygen 49, M-Audio Fasttrack Pro, Behringer Truth B2031#, Philips monitor screen, Way too many cables for random use or none what so ever ;), Macbook Pro w/ Ableton, Casio Rapman, Akai APC 40, Micro Korg, Korg Electribe SX, Yamaha rm1x, Roland Edirol recorder, and a whole bunch of hard disks."
What are your personal highlights of the studio? "Thx to Turnlab.be I finally got to put my speakers on higher ground and now I have more space to put all my other stuff :-) But I'm most proud of my Akai APC 40 cause it gives me the feeling to be in control of what I do."
Your all time favourite record: "I think that Blaze – Lovelee Dae is on top of my favorites. But as always it's not fun to choose just one, so Youandewan – 1998 is also one of my favorites."


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The Phillies made a last-second change before their Thursday evening game against the visiting Rockies, scratching right-hander Joe Blanton from his scheduled start and replacing him with long reliever Kyle Kendrick. The news comes via Dave Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News.
Blanton spent a little over two weeks on the disabled list in late April and early May because of an impingement of his right elbow. Either that injury is not fully healed or the Phillies are simply playing it safe with the 30-year-old because of the rainy conditions that are expected to hover around the Philadelphia area for most of the evening. A slick turf can often lead to injury setbacks.
Kendrick, 26, has posted a strong 1.64 ERA in 22 total innings this year despite an ugly 6/12 K/BB ratio. He's made two starts and looked fairly sharp in both of them, but the Rockies will provide a big test.
UPDATE: According to Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post, the Phillies have confirmed that Blanton is again dealing with elbow issues. It's not yet known if he is going to need another stint on the disabled list.


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Homestead time management is a key component to "getting it all done." (P.S. – you can't do it all, all at once) You can do as much as you can in the limited time available to you if you work through these time management steps. This is the final part on how to complete the goals you have on your homestead while still maintaining your life. Be sure to check out part 1 for an overview and part 2 for working through the first few steps.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We are also affiliates for others and only endorse products we support. You can read more about our disclosure policy here.
Goal setting and prioritizing were discussed in part 2. You can get an overview of the way I manage my time in part 1. For part 3, we will cover the specifics down to a daily routine. Be sure to subscribe to get the Homestead Time Management Workbook!
Step 3: Make a Timeline
This part of your time management you will put the goals you have prioritize into the years in which you would like to have them either started (like start a goat herd), finished (such as build the chicken coop) and in progress items (for example, growing your own food will require at least some initial costs such as seeds).
For example, I want to grow my own food. To put that down into a five year span I broke it up into chunks with one year goals:
- Build up garden, plant annuals and research perrenials
- Continue garden expansion, plant perrenials/fruit trees
- Grow 10% produce
- Increase to 25% produce, all herbs
- Grow 50% produce, all squashes and herbs
Year 1
Since I am working on several things during a given year, I will list them all out for year 1: build up garden, plant annuals, research perennials, start budget for king sized quilt, study permaculture design, can all jams/jellies, build quail tractor
Depending on where you are heading and what you can achieve, choose a few large beginning steps from your original prioritized list to get you started with making a timeline.
Step 4: Small manageable chunks
Step 3 is designed to get you started with this. However, it gives you specific measurable goals to work off of while getting to more and more details on your overall goals.
Start at the beginning
Depending on your project, you definitely want to start as early in the process as possible. This way you have small chunks to work on throughout your time and you accomplish small goals while heading in the right direction.
Grow your own food
Let's continue with the "grow your own food" example. You'll want to break this down to the stage you are at now. Just moved to a new house? You'll definitely want to start with some sort of survey and observation. If you do not want anything permanent yet, start with potted plants with starts from a local nursery. That way you can move them about the property and see how they do. You will be able to see how the sun, wind, rain, natural disaster risks, etc. hit your property before you lay down all the work for a permanent garden.
Further along
If you are further along in your journey, but struggling with direction, this will definitely help you. Continuing with our example. You may already have an established garden, on your fifth year of growing more and more of your own produce. Great! But you want to add a permaculture system that includes an pond for fish you can eat but will also support edible aquaculture. Start at the beginning of that goal. First, you need to decide where on your property you want this pond and how it will get built.
Smaller and smaller pieces
Get more and more detail. If you want to build up a garden, begin with a budget for this. Definitely do not go into debt trying to be a producer, it isn't sustainable. Decide on your budget and put into the chunks "save $10/month $60 for first 5 raised beds." You'll need to do a little research about prices of certain items, salvaging what you can, etc.
Step 5: Year, Month, Week, Day
Now you can work all of those goals, each on into a schedule you can attempt to follow. I do this in a bullet journal but you can also become a subscriber and get the worksheets to get this all down on paper today!
You did this step already, but this is just a reminder and is broken out by each goal. Start with year 1 (since this is your year 1) and then rewrite it.
Now you can look at step 4 for the small manageable chunks and decide which ones can you likely achieve in one month of your first year. For January of year 1, I would likely write "get budget for buying seeds/starts" or "order seeds" since I already have raised beds and a garden area.
Each month you can work on a different piece of this yearly goal. For example, I would like another mobile coop for quail. So in January, when I have a break from work, I will put "buy wood."
I operate in the weekly zone most of the time. Since I am working outside of the home there is a definitive start to the week: Monday. So every week I write down my goals (what I want to get done this week), tasks (what needs to get done or is schedule such as appointments), notes (what else I would like to think about this week) and a look ahead for next week. You can print out 52 of these if you wish or just start afresh each month depending on what you did or did not get accomplished.
This is where I time block. I have it already set up based on the hours of 5:00 am to 10:30 pm, in 30 minute intervals. This way you can get things done in chunks of time if you need. Alternatively, if you just have 15 or 30 minutes, you can plug in something small or a prep for something bigger. For example, you want to grow your own food. Well take 30 minutes to look over seed catalogs and get a list started on which seeds you would like to purchase. Also you need to build raised beds (or prepare an area). In the interest of efficient time use, take the time to block out 3 hours on a weekend or late one evening and get it done. That way you aren't wasting time pulling out materials over and over for 30 minute blocks. Make sense?
Step 6: You got this!
This is the best part, get started! Even if your plan and goals change, having a plan at all is a good first step and now you are ready to put your money where your mouth is. You got this! Just start that project, put the soil in the ground, buy the fruit trees to be swimming in loquats! You're all set up.
Remember this is all able to be customized to you and your situation. Whatever you need or want to change, go ahead. There are definitely unforeseen events and you can certainly modify as you go along.
Be sure to subscribe and get the workbook!
Pin for later:
You can find me at the hop!


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Total Ready to Make Acquisitions as Financial Strength Grows
Total SA said it's ready and able to make acquisitions and pursue growth, shrugging off uncertainties about oil prices as its financial position strengthens.
Europe's second-largest oil and gas company has the firepower to buy up fields on the cheap and press ahead with new developments, taking advantage of lower levels of debt, rising profit and surging cash flow, according to a statement Thursday.
"Total has a stronger balance sheet," Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne said as the company reported second-quarter earnings that beat expectations. "The group has the flexibility to take advantage of the low-cost environment by being able to launch profitable projects and acquire resources under attractive conditions."
The French company is balancing the continued weakness in oil prices with its ambitions for growth. Pouyanne sees an opportunity to tap new resources by exploiting the reduction in costs for drilling rigs and other equipment during the industry downturn, anticipating that the market will swing from glut to shortage by the end of the decade.
At the same time, the failure of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' supply cuts to significantly boost prices makes it crucial for companies to keep a lid on spending. While Total's adjusted net income rose 14 percent from a year earlier to $2.47 billion in the second quarter, exceeding estimates of $2.33 billion, it was slightly lower than in the first three months of 2017 after crude prices dropped.
Somewhat Positive
"Results are somewhat positive but investors might have wanted to see some more cuts on capex and costs as a buffer against lower oil prices," Alexandre Andlauer, an analyst at AlphaValue SAS in Paris, said by email. "They are walking a tight line on free cash flow," and "the scrip dividend can't last for years because it's dillutive for shareholders."
The company has said it's curbing costs to fund operations and the cash portion of its dividend without borrowing at $50 a barrel this year. It has also said it would remove the discount on the part of its dividend paid in shares when oil rises to $60.
Total's shares were little changed at 43.19 euros as of 11:46 a.m. in Paris, having dropped more than 11 percent this year.
Among Total's new projects are a $1 billion contract to lead the development of phase 11 of the giant South Pars gas field in Iran. In April, the company decided to develop resources in Argentina's Vaca Muerta, one of the most promising shale formations outside the U.S. It's also part of a consortium behind the third phase of the Halfaya oil field in Iraq.
Total reiterated plans to boost production by more than 4 percent this year, aided by field startups in Congo, Brazil, and the U.K., plus its entry into the Al Shaheen concession in Qatar.
In exploration and production, Total's operating cash flow before working capital changes climbed by 47 percent to $3.25 billion. Adjusted net operating income rose 30 percent to $1.36 billion.
Oil and gas output increased by 3 percent to 2.5 million barrels of oil equivalent a day.
Adjusted net operating income in the refining and chemicals division dropped 15 percent to $861 million.
Profit in the marketing and services division, which mainly comprises its filling stations in Europe and Africa, climbed 3 percent to $433 million.
Earnings from its gas, renewable and power unit more than doubled to $95 million.
Net debt fell to $21.96 billion at the end of the second quarter from $29.83 billion a year earlier, helped by the $3.2 billion sale of Atotech in January.


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Sources of Constitutional Law contains a selection of constitutions and fundamental legislative instruments from five Western democracies: the United States, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. In addition, it provides the text of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The instruments reproduced in this volume are rendered either in the original English, in the official English version, or in new translations under critical editorship.
Sources of Constitutional Law allows students of constitutional law to understand the peculiarities and similarities of different Western constitutions in direct comparison. With its selection of constitutions and legislative instruments, this volume is the ideal companion to the textbook Constitutions Compared (click here for more information).
There are no separate chapters available for this publication.


text: Colaborate with the festivalFebruary 4, 2019 Help us to make it possible Now you can help us to keep the festival alive with a small contribution, but there's more... Organizing Revela'T means a great yearly effort for Associació Fotogràfica Espaifoto. The festival grows every…by Revela-T Portrait and film development workshop with Estela de Castro and Rubén MoralesFebruary 1, 2019Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th of February 2019 From 10 to 14 and from 16 to 20h This workshop will take place at Institut d'Estudis Fotogràfics de Catalunya, Escola Industrial, Carrer Comte d'Urgell, 187, 08036 Barcelona. In this workshop you will…by Revela-T Nuns, those extremely photogenic beingsJanuary 24, 2019 God was so kind creating nuns so photographers could rejoice. Let's talk frankly, who doesn't see in their aesthetics some extremely photogenic creatures? The simplicity of their clothing and colors, mainly black and white, make them especially…by Mari Luz Cámara A bit of chemistry. 0005. Chemistry: definition and clasification.January 9, 2019Chemistry is the science that studies the composition, structure (types, bonds and spatial arrangement of atoms) and properties of matter and the transformations it undergoes through chemical reactions. Chemistry is an empirical science, as it…by Jesús Joglar Christmas RaffleDecember 21, 2018 This year... a great Photographic Christmas Gift Set The objective in taking part in a lottery is to win (in this occasion this great photographic Christmas gift set), here you will contribute to make possible that our festival can face…by Revela-T The Freshness of Photography by Non-PhotographersDecember 17, 2018Give a camera to a boy or a girl and sometimes, when you look at the results, you will get a big surprise discovering some new photographs that you would never, as an adult with a much more re-educated look, have done; and you envy them for not…by Mari Luz Cámara Is something wrong with me if I do not like Robert Frank 'The Americans'?December 17, 2018 Don't laugh, please, this question was tormenting me for several weeks, day and night. I had just started taking a photography course, one of those in which you are basically taught how to operate the camera and not to get lost in the menus.…by Pep Mínguez A bit of chemistry. 0004. Pure Substances: Elements and Compounds. Mixtures.December 3, 2018A pure substance (or simply substance) is the matter that has properties and composition characteristics that do not change from one sample to another. Water and salt (sodium chloride), the components of seawater, are examples of pure substances.…by Jesús Joglar "Posolety"November 26, 2018"POSOLETY": solitude in positive key Matera (Basilicata) -Photography: Giuseppe Satriani In our society, the word loneliness has a totally negative meaning. Even among the friends of my preteen daughter, "being a margi" (marginalized,…by Giuseppe Satriani …the "first time" of some great photographersNovember 13, 2018The laundry room, grandma's cupboard, the "first time" of some great photographers. There's has always been a place and some feelings bonded to a first time; the arrangements, the nerves, the expectation, the gloom, the dilated pupils,…by Leire Etxazarra 12


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Fight Hub TV interviewed Lyoto Machida and asked him who he thinks can beat Jon Jones.
Glover Teixeira was his answer:
"I think Glover, he's great technique, he's a very strong guy. He's training to fight and he can beat Jon Jones one day. He's good. He's difficult to take him down, he defends all the time and good cardio too. I think Glover can beat Jon Jones."
Due to how the Lyoto vs Phil Davis fight went, perhaps we will see Glover vs Phil Davis to decide who get's the next title shot.
But first, Glover will have to defeat Ryan Bader on September 4th at the Fox Sports 1 event.
Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson will take place on September 21st at UFC 165 in Toronto. If Jones loses, we would most likely see a rematch, which will delay Glover's shot at the title. Let's hope Jones doesn't lose so Glover will get a shot within the next year.
In other news there is a Summer Sale going on at our sister site: http://eliteproclothing.com/
For 20% off, use coupon code: summer20


text: Modern large galaxy surveys have been carried out over the past decade or more and with the use of robotic computer driven telescopes have been able to amass large samples of data on very large numbers of galaxies in the Universe. These surveys supply, via a website, data that anyone with a little knowledge can download and analyze for themselves and as a result test their own cosmology. Among that data, for example, are specifications on the type of object (galaxy, quasar etc), its position on the sky, its redshift, and its brightness (which is given in magnitude units). (The following is a bit technical but very interesting nonetheless.)


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The K.F.C (Kelos Forces Confederacy) needs top protection when escorting and protecting V.I.P's, sensitive data and obtained lunchboxes from the enemy; thats where the Tengus come in.
Tengus are more akin to a royal guard then to an infantry unit and excel when based around a an object or person to protect. formed in mid BR 20,19 they have been one of the longest running units in the K.F.C.
Leader of the Tengus is the Crimson Knight
The Crimson Knight is the current head honcho of the Tengu cell, overlooking operations and inducting new recruits into the ranks. He was granted the title after the previous leader had "disappeared" following a lost battle.
The Tengu is a mix of mid ranged and close quarter attacks that has high mobility to silence its foe. Tengus are rarely seen out in the field and are mostly used in defended and major bases within K.F.C. while carrying less armour then many units of its price, its agility and mobility keep it a step ahead of misfired rockets and enemy fire.
Tengus are highly lethal in groups of about 3-4, being able to synchronise their slices for maximum combined damage, whilst also allowing support with mid ranged blasters.
"Red will be the last thing they see"
-Tengu Motto
Highly distinguished from their allies by the white and red armor they use, they are some of the most elite forces in the K.F.C and are very costly to deploy and even more to lose. treat their presence as a gift and use them wisely.
Tengu patrol viewing a previous engagement with an unknown enemy.
(welp that was my first post, any feedback would be greatly appreciated!)
[Anno]Kelo Forces Company-Tengus
Show off your armies and weaponry and stuff.
Moderators: Zahru II, Bragallot, RedRover, Natalya
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- Pyro
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[Anno]Kelo Forces Company-Tengus
You are not worthy as my opponent
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Re: [Anno]Kelo Forces Company-Tengus
Good start! I love the figs, and the backdrop and photography are well done.
Formerly known as TheVengefulOne. Times banned by Natalya: 10 (+ 1 alt).
My BrikWars Stuff: http://brikwars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=16684
My Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/
My BrikWars Stuff: http://brikwars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=16684
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Re: [Anno]Kelo Forces Company-Tengus
I like the food theme that's at work here.
Fantasy battles - Scifi battles
Kommander Ken wrote: ↑Mon Dec 28, 2020 9:04 pmWtf is this thread?
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Saturday Night Live: Halsey February 9, 2019
Published Feb 10, 2019Halsey was a rather dynamic host and musical guest and the writers gave her a lot to work with on a solid episode. Here's everything that happened on Saturday Night Live this week.
The cold open
"Did you guys make your 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴?" #SNL pic.twitter.com/AsXpJptgdY— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) February 10, 2019
In a Meet the Press spoof, Kyle Mooney played Chuck Todd and was joined by a panel comprised of Kenan Thompson's Eugene Robinson, Cecily Strong's Peggy Noonan, and Leslie Jones' Donna Brazile. Following the strange news headlines, Todd encourages the respected journalists to contemplate what Jeff Bezos' penis looks like. After some untoward back-and-forth, Kate McKinnon's Wilbur Ross appeared, speaking like a dystopian billionaire who engages in penis swapping with the homeless. Aidy Bryant played Lex Luthor lookalike Matt Whittaker to make a giant revelation about the Mueller probe but, in keeping with this soft-boiled satire of the media, was cut off when the Bezos dick pics surfaced.
Matt Whitaker and Wilbur Ross stopped by "Meet the Press." #SNL pic.twitter.com/30kcutiGuR— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) February 10, 2019
The monologue
Singer Halsey appeared onstage and briefly mocked her New Jersey roots. In a short monologue, she took a moment to shout out past female cast members she looked up to, garnered some requisite applause, and then wrapped up quickly.
Them Trumps
𝙊𝙊𝙃 𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙈 𝙏𝙍𝙐𝙈𝙋𝙎. #SNL pic.twitter.com/dL6LVoUig9— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) February 10, 2019
This funny old idea returned with an Empire-esque take on the Trump crime family's transgressions, as filtered through a lens that turns the entire crew black. Kenan Thompson's Darius Trump talks a big game just like his source, Donald, does, but the realties of a black man trying to talk himself out of being arrested or caught make his boasting short-lived in an abrupt and obvious way. This was always a good premise and was strong again.
Virginia blackface
Meanwhile at the Virginia State Capitol… #SNL pic.twitter.com/w6OI8LmQuZ— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) February 10, 2019
This sharp, funny piece found a large group of white Virginia political figures and lawmakers haplessly attempting to defend themselves for wearing blackface in public. Kenan Thompson plays their frustrated colleague, who can't seem to convince them that wearing blackface is bad, even if it was in the '80s.
I Don't Want to Think About You
A very funny music video about Valentine's Day and how inappropriate it is to hear from certain people on this sexy holiday. Halsey, Aidy Bryant, Kate McKinnon, and Kenan Thompson played the pop/R&B group singing about how weird it is for your mom, your boss or your son to wish you well on Valentine's Day when you're trying to get into a romantic mindset and the level of horniness versus off-putting here was pretty hilarious.
A call from the parents
Mikey Day plays an architect named Randy trying to do his job when his day is interrupted by a call from his parents, played by Halsey and Beck Bennett. While his folks seem keen to know how the grill they got him is working out, Randy is more concerned about the vague and varied information he's getting from his parents about breaking their legs and arms and getting shot and falling down a hole in their house. This was a vintage Day piece and worked well as a bit of exasperated absurdism.
Women of Congress
They're...The Women of Congress! #SNL pic.twitter.com/5BzTndkQPz— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) February 10, 2019
A short remote, Halsey and the female cast portrayed some of the most prominent members of the U.S. congress and the senate. Aside from some strong impersonations and a brief bit showcasing how much they despise their president, despite celebrating an important and substantive demographic shift, as comedy, this was a slight and inconsequential thing.
The host performed a sparse song called "Without Me," accompanied by a piano player and bolstered by a busy, graphic-oriented backdrop full of personal messages. The stark arrangement was designed to showcase her voice and range and it likely did that, even if the song itself entered the ever widening void of forgettable pop music.
In a very impressive move, Halsey sang "Eastside," a bouncy hip-hop-oriented song, while simultaneously painting a large portrait of a woman in real-time on a giant canvas draped on the floor. It's rare to see a musician do something that's never been done on the show before but Halsey surely accomplished this, during a pretty heartfelt and infectious song.
Weekend Update
For perhaps the first time in their tenure as co-hosts, Colin Jost ceded the top of Update so that Michael Che could begin the segment and deal with the weird week in black people news: Virginia Governor Northam having to apologize for photos of him in blackface; Liam Neeson's disastrous and unprompted admission that he once contemplated hunting and beating a random black man; the fact that rapper 21 Savage was detained by ICE and deported for being British; and Gucci's odd blackface sweater. This was a solid and amazing run of jokes.
Jost also went after Northam and then dug into the Jeff Bezos dick pic scandal. Che made some good jokes about Trump's State of the Union address and Jost speculated about how ridiculous Trump's tax returns must be. Melissa Villaseñor appeared at the desk to make her Grammy picks and, as Jost observed, seemed to be dressed like Lady Gaga. Jost called her on just trying to sneak in a Gaga impression, which she did credibly with a little help from Kyle Mooney as Bradley Cooper. Mikey Day and Heidi Gardner turned up to play an Instagram couple, Nico Slobkin and Brie Bacardi, on hand to offer Valentine's Day advice. Though their handle is OnceUponASnuggle and they convey insufferable, perfect romantic harmony, they explode in a raging argument and can't complete the segment. On a busy Update, Alex Moffatt reprised his incredible Guy Who Owns a Boat, a monumental douchebag who stops by to offer dating tips. It's almost poetry, what the writers and Moffat convey with this compellingly terrible guy who is 110 percent obnoxious.
This was not good. Halsey, Melissa Villaseñor and Cecily Strong played three women pledging for a sorority, which entails doing a bunch of humiliating and shitty things. While singing 4 Non Blondes' "What's Up," the trio also bother male patrons at the bar with stunts like knocking their food on the floor and making one of them own a macaw for the rest of their lives. Designed to be random, this was also grating.
Black History Month
Happy Black History Month from #SNL! pic.twitter.com/C3dphqGni8— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) February 10, 2019
A very funny idea, the show's black cast members attempt to celebrate Black History Month and the legacy of black comedians on SNL only to be interrupted by Kyle Mooney and then Beck Bennett, who do their best to "help" their colleagues. From the looks of disbelief to the nonsense the white dudes were spewing, this was all inspired and great.
"Maurice, where does that man know you from?" #SNL pic.twitter.com/1sSj9qKZAH— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) February 10, 2019
An unemployed man played by Kenan Thompson is out to dinner with his family when he's recognized for appearing as a live camera porn model. His family is initially mortified by this discovery but after hearing about how much money he's making and how much pride he has in dipping his bare ass into cakes, they can't help but support him. Mostly a performance piece, this worked well thanks to Thompson, Leslie Jones and Chris Redd in particular.
In a scene being filmed for Riverdale, Pete Davidson plays a corpse in a morgue. As the actor, Davidson emits dead body sounds and spasms — realism that is not desired by the scene's director, played by Kenan Thompson. That tension was the underlying premise here though it all mostly rested on Davidson, who managed not to break for once, and played his guy vaguely British just to up his fastidious pretension.
Thank you, @halsey!— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) February 10, 2019
Goodnight! 🌙 #SNL pic.twitter.com/cpnZpqodne


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It's Sunday and that means it's time for Sunday Blog Love and this week I'm highlighting
Jennifer at Simple Flourishes.
Jennifer at Simple Flourishes.
She makes the most beautiful cards. I should know, at Christmas time - I bought quite a few of them...and I hope you'll agree she is talented.
What a great card for that tea lover?
And how fun would this to be make and give to someone?
These little notebooks are so cute!
What a fun birthday card!
I bought this one for my Ashley, she was born on Valentine's Day.
This would be a great gift for that hard to buy person.
What teacher wouldn't love to have one of these?
I just love gingerbread men and bought this one for me!
This one wasn't for sale but guess who would've bought it was for sale?
So now it's time for you to highlight someone else's blog...


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Humans aren't built for deep space exploration. We've evolved to live here on Earth with an atmosphere, gravity, and a vitally important magnetic field that deflects high-energy cosmic radiation. It will take all our technological prowess to expand on to other worlds, and it won't simply be a matter of physically getting there. We also need to preserve delicate human biology. A new study from Georgetown University and NASA suggests it may be much harder than we thought to ensure astronauts maintain healthy gastrointestinal (GI) tract tissue in space.
While doctors expect long-term exposure to high-energy radiation will have myriad effects, it's difficult to study them in a lab on Earth. The effects of the GI tract are easier to assess because the cells lining this body system are replaced every few days. New cells migrate upward from a structure called a "crypt" to take their places lining the gut. Any disturbance of this mechanism can lead to dysfunction.
The study assessed mice under exposure to different radiation conditions as an analog for humans. They're much smaller, so they can't handle as much radiation has a human. However, their GI tracts respond much like ours would from exposure to high-energy particles. The researchers used the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) in Brookhaven National Laboratory to bombard the mice with either simulated galactic cosmic radiation (sometimes called cosmic rays), gamma rays, or no radiation (control group).
It turns out that galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) might be the greatest threat. This isn't electromagnetic radiation like x-rays, radio, or gamma rays — it's atomic nuclei. The nuclei in GCR have lost all their electrons and swing around the galaxy at near the speed of light, probably accelerated by supernovae. The high mass of these particles appears to cause severe damage to the sensitive tissues of the GI tract.
According to researchers, mice that were exposed to heavy ion GCR showed poor nutrient absorption following the test. They also had a higher than expected incidence of cancerous polyps. The team also detected damage to DNA in the GI tract that could lead to permanent dysfunction. This was just with a simulated low dose over the course of months. Attempting to live on the surface of Mars for years or decades would likely be impossible with current shielding technology.
This was just a study of one organ system, though it's a particularly vulnerable one. However, the team believes that other organs could be similarly affected by cosmic rays.
Now read: NASA Sets New Roadmap for Moon Base, Crewed Missions to Mars, NASA Tests Foldable Umbrella-Like Heat Shield, and Elon Musk Says a Mars Base Could Happen by 2028


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The reline was a great success due to the teamwork between of Devron Pipe Sales, John Becchetti and the Regional road crew, along with CRL Campbell Construction Limited. The reline of both culverts, grouting and reinstatement was completed in less than two days, with no traffic disruptions. The flow capacity was increased from the original culverts, and there was no need to excavate the road, and the project came in on time and on budget!!
The Regional road crew had two existing culverts under the busy intersection at Hwy. 20 and Grimsby Road 5 in Smithville, Ontario. The first culvert was a 27m long, 900mm Diameter CSP that required a 22 degree bend to align with the existing ditch under Hwy 20. Digging this culvert up would have shortened the life of the recently paved roadway and would have required guide rail removal as part of the work. The second culvert was a 22m long, 600mm diameter CSP under Grimsby Road 5. Traditional replacement methods of the CSP culverts would have resulted in traffic disruption for several days.
Culvert #1 Culvert #1
Existing CSP New Weholite Pipe
(inside dia 900mm) (inside dia 686mm)
Culvert #2 Culvert #2
Exisiting CSP New Weholite Pipe
Reline the existing CSP culverts with a 686mm diameter and a 457mm diameter Weholite pipe respectively.
Do you need help find the perfect solution for your next project? Click here and the friendly staff at Devron will help get you started.


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Logbook Loans Little Odell
Got a car and need quick cash? Try Little Odell logbook loans
Should you need same day money then borrowing against your car could be the solution for you. If your car is free of all finance arrangements then it's possible to get your loan agreed and delivered in under 24 hours!
Little Odell Logbook Loans are one of the fastest growing loan types for those not wanting to jump through hoops and undergo credit checks. If any previous loan requests have been denied then you might find this is the solution that can deliver the funds you need.
Any money released from your vehicle can be used for anything you like... a Logbook Loan provides complete flexibility over you money, so you can spend it on anything you like from clearing debts to foreign holidays!
Risk-free quotes: Get a free no-obligation quote to see just how much you could release from the value of your car without having to commit.
Hassle-free loans: If you have had loan applications refused before because of poor credit history then you'll love the fact that you might still be accepted!
Keep on driving: Stay mobile with a Logbook Loan. Not only do you lend money, but you get to keep on driving your car!
Apply in seconds: It won't take more than a minute to complete our online quote application form to get your free Little Odell Logbook Loan quote.
Any reason loans: Your loan is yours to spend however you wish, so if you want to clear some debts or go on holiday the choice is yours!
Personalise your loans: Your loan doesn't come straight 'out the box' and can be tailored to suit your own individual requirements. Speak to an expert today!
Our website makes it super-simple to apply for free Little Odell Logbook Loan quotes too, simply complete our online form with a few basic details which will only take 60 seconds, a loan provider will then get in touch direct to discuss your requirements further.
With free no-obligation quotes, why not see how much you could lend with Little Odell Logbook Loans?


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I rushed to the examination hall and took up my seat. The Finance quiz begins in another two minutes. Thanks to the IIM-L time-turner that I could take the quiz and also attend the seminar at the same time. After all IIM Lucknow has so much to offer to its students that you want to miss nothing. The variety of subjects, the range of seminars and the potpourri of events have made learning such a craving for its pupil that time becomes a crucial factor. IIM-L being a constellation of supreme brains came up with the concept of time-turner. Now time-turner is a time-travelling devise that enables you to be at two or more situations simultaneously. Hence the prodigies of IIM L can attend more than one class at the same time. Obviously they were inspired by Professor McGonagall's gift to Hermoine in the Harry Potter Series. But the fact was it worked. Now device had become the favourite neckpiece of the IIM-L students and they were bagging knowledge like never before.
The time-turner had made my life simpler too. Now I did not have to prioritise things, I did not have to boggle my head on what to choose and what to drop. Comfortable days with the number of activities even more than the count of hours in a day! At times it used to get tedious but it was fun too. Even if you miss a lecture due to oversleep, a twist on the devise and you are right there in the class making notes.
So the quiz was about to begin. I sat there bursting with confidence. Ten-on-ten was a sure deal. The prof came in with the bundle of question papers. I felt like grabbing a sheet from him and taking the test after all I had attended all the lectures of Finance. Thanks to time-turner! My classmate passed a question paper to me and the countdown began. Question one...NO...what's this? Question two...When did the professor teach this! Question three...bottom-up investing??? I am dead! Not a single question which I could answer. What was happening? It seems the Prof had given a wrong question paper. I got up and in rage rushed towards the professor standing right at the door. Bang!!! My head hit the door and next I woke up with the professor knocking on my head. He asked in a worried tone, "Are you okay my child?"
Hospital!!! Did I crash my head so hard? I was looking for my time-turner to twist its pendant and get back to the Finance quiz. I wanted to avoid myself from banging into the wall. How embarrassing would that have been! Where is my time-turner? I never take it off. I asked the professor about my time-turner at which he exclaimed, "WHAT TIME-TURNER? WHAT'S THAT?" I raised my eyebrows in suspicion. Why would the Prof react like that? I next questioned my friend about my gadget and the same response. Finally, I decided to look for it myself. I tried getting up from the bed but my fractured leg did not allow me. The plastered leg confused me and I looked at my friend in surprise who said, "Don't worry buddy. Now that you are up from a long sleep, you will back in the football ground within a couple of weeks."
This article is written by Vartika Jaiswal, a class of 2016 student at IIM Lucknow and a core member of the Media and Communication Cell. She is an avid dreamer who keeps her glasses on, even while sleeping.


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California farmers have become quite the target for Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Cal/OSHA visits. Whether these visits are warranted or come by surprise, farmers should be prepared for them, based on the following suggestions offered by labor law attorney Stacy Henderson in this video.
Enjoy our Ag video news? Be sure to let our sponsor Duarte Nursery know & thank them for their industry support!


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Interiors: How to make your tile grout glow like new
One of the toughest and most frustrating parts of spring-cleaning season is cleaning the grout on your tile floor. But don't fret: I've been introduced to a tool that will get your grout clean -- and you won't even have to get down on your hands and knees.
Let's explore:
-- Common scenario: You clean your tile floor. It seems better, but those grout lines keep getting darker and more ugly. You're probably at your wit's end and ready to get rid of your once-beautiful tile floor.
-- Reason for problem: The lines of grout in your tile are like fine, porous cement. Air movement causes dust to rest in them. Dirt from foot traffic, pets and mop water gets pushed into grout lines, too, which can add up to a real mess. The detergent in your mop water also can leave a sticky residue behind. No wonder it's so difficult to keep these areas clean. Even if you were to scrub each grout line, one by one on your hands and knees, you still wouldn't be able to keep them clean.
And after the cleaning process, who has the energy left to rinse our tile and grout with clean water? Immediately after the rinse water is tainted, it must be discarded and replaced with more clean water or you will only be pushing more dirty water around and into your grout lines.
-- Solution: There's a new product on the market called the Dirty Grout Be Gone Applicator Tool. It helps you to seal grout lines with almost no sloppy mess on the edge of your tile. This hand-held tool puts down a very straight, smooth and even line of sealer, completely coating your grout pores. Once the grout pores are coated and the sealer hardens, coffee, tea, pet urine, balsamic vinaigrette, etc., will easily wipe up, leaving no stain or mess. Until now, grout-sealing tools have been awkward, resulting in a slow process that left a sloppy mess on the tiles.
The Dirty Grout Be Gone Corporation's sealing products come in 27 colors. This product will last up to 10 years, according to the manufacturer.
For more information, visit http://www.dirtygroutbegone.com/ or call 1-866-874-6323.
Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, an interior designer in Naples, Fla., is author of "Mystery of Color." For design inquiries, write to Rosemary at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Know What Beauty Experts Say To Keep Up Your Beauty Standards (Part 3)
Posted byon
Get to know about some important grooming wisdom from some of the top beauty experts.
Curled Lashes:
"I am a huge fan of beautifully curled lashes and I have several heated eyelash curlers from ones I special order from Japan to the wonderful Dior heated curler. But if my battery wears out in these curlers and I still want the heated effect, I take my regular eyelash curler and heat it with a blow-dryer for about five seconds. Test the curler on your hand before using it on your eye. The heat acts like a curling iron on your eyelash hairs and gives even the straightest lashes staying power. But remember, use waterproof mascara first before using a heated curler of any type. This works to help keep the curl. It's like hair spraying your hair before using a curling iron."
—Cynthia Rose, makeup artist
Starting with the Bottom Lashes:
"When putting mascara on, start with the bottom lashes. Most people put mascara on their top lashes first, and then tilt their head down to do the bottom ones. The problem is usually the mascara isn't quite dry yet and you end up with little black dots all over your beautifully applied eye shadow. Doing it in reverse order assures a mess-proof application."
—Raychel Wade, makeup artist and La Prairie Colour Ambassador
Extra Volume:
"To add extra volume and drama to eyelashes you have to start off by curling them. Then apply a coat of mascara to each eye, and add a light layer of loose powder using a brush across the entire top and bottom lashes. Give it a few seconds and apply a second layer of mascara. Repeat these steps until you achieve your desired effect."
—Niko Lopez, NARS National Makeup Stylist
Mascara Wearing Technique:
"Powdering the eyelashes prior to applying mascara helps mascara to go on in a more feathery, nonclumpy way."
—Maureen Shields, makeup artist, Giorgio Armani Beauty
Solve Mascara Smudging:
"Having trouble with mascara smudging and flaking, but you don't want to damage your delicate lashes with waterproof mascara every day? Many women put a clear coat over their manicure to protect it. Why not do the same with your mascara? Let you favorite mascara dry completely, and then put a coat of clear mascara over the top. This simple extra step will eliminate flakes, and your mascara won't budge or smudge until you take it off!"
—Kevin James Bennett, makeup artist


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September 2019
Highway 441
25 miles, 40 min
Allow 2 hours for sightseeing and pullovers. Allow more time if you want to hike 😄
Stop by Cherokee township and shop at the trinket stores. They are mostly all the same stuff but still fun to look.
Pictures from the drive
Clingmans dome tower is a short 1/2 mile hike, uphill.
You can also connect with the Appalachian trail and the mountain to the sea trail.
Side Trips
Darnell Farms and Cherokee casino
Hay rides and fresh produce. They also have an on-site camp ground.
Horse lovers
Smokemont campground
Fun Facts


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Strategies For Selecting A Top Quality Roofing Contractor
Sadly, you can't go by the term of a roofer in terms of the grade of work they actually do or just how much you pay. To be sure the jobs are done right, you should know how things work lowest price There is also to ask proper questions. Keep the following tips in your mind to be certain your homes roof is incorporated in the best shape possible.
If you locate out that your roof is leaking if the weather conditions are bad, hold back until things settle down before doing any repairs. Fixing a leak isn't easy, however it is even more difficult inside the rain as you may slip. Once your roof has dried, it is possible to safely fix any leak you locate.
When employing a contractor, avoid paying the entire cost upfront. Once the supplies are delivered, paying 25% is fair. The final thing you desire is always to have paid the full amount upfront in exchange for any shoddy job.
When hiring a contractor, be sure they they are experts within their field.
You could possibly consider asking family and friends for personal recommendations. You have to hire a fantastic contractor this is the best way to make certain you aren't considering expensive repairs in the future.
Once you've narrowed down your set of potential contractors, be sure you question the provided warranties of each company. Most roofers give you a warranty on the work for up to five years. The longer the warranty you may get, the more effective. It will cover both defective supplies in addition to poor workmanship, plus they should give you copies of most manufacturer warranties too.
Make certain whatever roofer you employ has the proper licence for the job. Should you not know what licenses are needed, don't take your roofer's word. Find the proper authorities to make certain rules are now being followed.
Never cut corners! Buying cheap or shoddy materials will just set you back additional money in the future if you need to replace them.
Make certain your roof contains no excess debris. Different debris and materials that build-up are able to keep water relaxing in spots on the roof. When water sits on the roof, rot starts to happen and that can cause leaks which cost lots of money to repair.
Architectural shingles could be a great addition to your homes roof. Such shingles look better than typical shingles plus last longer. They're also valuable if you sell your house.
Don't pay entirely before roof work has started. Many scam artists try and persuade their victims to pay for the complete price upfront. Then, once they receive their money, they flee. Pay a portion upfront and so the rest later.
Consult with your contractor to find out his associations within the industry. If he is unaware of what is happening, you might want to try somebody else. If they're not, question whether they are committed to their field.
With regards to roofing, it's crucial that you are educated about the subject. This really is necessary for ensuring the roof remains in good condition. Apply the excellent tips found above to be certain your homes roof is repaired and sealed in a inexpensive way..


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I'd always thought it was just me.
I have that problem.
There is a fellow who I run into on a regular basis. The first couple times I ran into him, I nodded a silent acknowledgement. He's a power chair user, I'm a power chair user, it's an exclusive club, I figure a brief gesture of 'hello' is warranted. Both times, he pointedly ignored the gesture and sped up. OK, I get the message, you don't want acknowledgement. Perhaps it was because I was a stranger. Perhaps he doesn't hang with or want to be seen in any kind of, even fleeting, relationship to others with disabilities. Whatever, his reaction to me is fairly intense every time. Like he wants to get away from me before I go all 'greety' on him again. He need fear not, I'm good with respecting his wishes to go 'greetless'.
Downtown here there are a fair number of us in scooters and wheelchairs. Most of us nod to each other, a few of us don't. Cool. I've lived her long enough to know who does and who doesn't. I've been helped out by a few times having someone roll up beside me and tell me that my tire on one side needs air. I've done the same for others. I had a woman, once, stop me and tell me that a new store in the area had rearranged the interior and is now accessible. She was bubbling with excitement and bags hung off her chair. I thanked her for the information.
Yesterday Joe and I were going over to get our hair cut and as I approached the intersection I saw that there was a wamble of wheelchairs. He was directly in front of me. He was staring at the red light, willing it to change. I pulled up beside him. This may have seemed like I was purposefully trying to make him uncomfortable, but in truth, it was the only place I could go so I could leave space for pedestrians to pass behind me. He was surrounded.
Suddenly, I felt really sorry for him, he was hating it. I almost thought he was going to cry, he was so uncomfortable. Sitting in a small group of fellow four wheelers seemed almost painful to him. When the light changed he shot across the road. In fact, a car was racing through and there was a bare miss, a near tragedy. But he was gone. We all, the rest of us, looked at each other.
One muttered, "asshole."
The woman next who rode along beside me said, quietly, "He fears in himself what he sees in us."
I said, "Shouldn't he be seeing community."
She just shook her head and said, "Trust me, his definition of community is very different than yours and mine."
Once cross the street we all went our separate ways, one old fellow joked that we should 'parade' more often. We all laughed. It was nice, for the most part, to take over a corner even if it looked like the special bus had just dropped us all off for an outing.
I wish he could have joined the laughter - but he was long gone, and perhaps, too far gone.


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Really though, while I'm super swamped with preparations (in fact, I am mid-work right now, trying to complete a seating chart), the freight train is going with or without me. So, I'm way past the stressed stage and just trying to stay on the train. Now comes the fun part, just stay calm, have fun, and stay caffeinated. That's the trick. I just have to make sure all the final details are set, all the supplies ready to go, and plaster a smile on face only 6 and a half years in braces could make. Kachow!
Posting will be pretty nonexistent for a while (unless I suffer some insomnia over the next few nights), so if you get bored, you could always watch one of my favorite TV shows like Glee or Fringe or Arrested Development.
Or you could watch one of my favorite artists sing a song that makes me smile in my heart and then, when you have sufficiently fallen in love with Ingrid, go watch the Way I Am video. It's pure magic.


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Fight to WriteFebruary 26th, 2007 by Larry Smith
Personal journey stories take writers all over the place. Sometimes we cruise with them across continents in search of pizza and prayer, other times the miles they travel is solely within their own identity, and sometimes they just see the world and have lots of sex. Sam Sheridan's own story is about the path of a bonafide, balls-to-the-wall adventure seeker, a nut with a lust for life who sets out to see the world and finds himself literally fighting his way across it. That journey became A Fighter's Heart, an intense and often funny tale about a bloodlust to fight that the author had been carrying with him since childhood. What drove Sheridan to kickbox his way through Thailand and go mano a mano with jujitsu champs in Brazil? What drives nations to wage war? Why did I nearly break my foot kicking a taxi in Times Square the other day? He doesn't answer that question, but Sam Sheridan's A Fighter's Heart asks and answers many big questions about why we fight through his uniquely personal prism.
Read an excerpt.
Read SMITH contributing editor Michael Slenske's interview with Sheridan.
Watch Sheridan on The Daily Show this Thursday, March 1.


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Membership provides financial support for the New Jersey Agricultural Society's three programs: Farmers Against Hunger, Learning Through Gardening, and NJ Agricultural Leadership Development Program. Donations are fully tax-deductible. Membership can be paid online or by printing our membership form and returning it with a check payable to: NJAS, 1200 Florence Columbus Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505
Submit Online
Submit by Mail
Do you work for or own a company that has the capability of supporting the Society at the corporate level? We hope that you will encourage your employers and employees to get involved and give back to their communities through the Ag Society and its programs. Think outside the cubicle! Substitute going out for lunch for a brown bag to raise funds as a team to support NJAS. Host a department wide competition. Start a holiday collection in your office. All corporate level donors will be recognized on our website with your logo and a link to your website. Special corporate stories will also be featured to showcase your team's efforts.
You are a philanthropist at heart..your donation of $500 will help deliver nearly 5,000 lbs of fresh produce, will educate an entire grade level on the benefits of growing fresh produce in a school garden, or will help sponsor an educational seminar for future leaders in agriculture. You can choose one program, or designate your donation to benefit all three.
You are proud to support an organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing agriculture in New Jersey. Your donation of $250 will help deliver nearly 2500 lbs of fresh produce to neighbors in need, will enable one class of elementary school students to build a school garden, or will help sponsor an educational seminar for future leaders in agriculture. You can choose one program, or designate your donation to benefit all three.
Show your support for New Jersey Agriculture by becoming a "Proud Business Supporter of NJAS". All businesses will be recognized on our website with a link to your website. Please include URL in registration.
Many of our members have supported us through generations of family membership. We are proud to have such a strong history of membership with many families making NJAS a tradition. We look forward to new families joining our mission. Perhaps your family has been inspired by gleanings with Farmers Against Hunger? Maybe your children have been provided a school garden through Learning Through Gardening? Maybe you have decided to choose one charity whose mission matches your family values? We look forward to building our NJAS Family and connecting our family with yours!
Do you appreciate the hard work of your local growers? Do you agree that food insecurity is a problem we can all help solve? Do you think it is important for children to know where their food comes from? Do you care about the future of agriculture in the Garden State and the issues facing our industry? If your values match our mission, we hope you will join NJAS as a member.
It is never too early to teach our children the concept of philanthropy. Students of all ages will enjoy dedicating a birthday present or part of their garage sale profits to become an official NJAS member. For high school and college students, becoming a student member of the New Jersey Agricultural Society is a great way to build your professional resume, stay updated with current agricultural issues and attend our events which are great networking opportunities. We will provide official membership certificates upon request to all students, which can be hung proudly in their room, or used in a portfolio for college.
Please submit printed membership
registration and donations to:
New Jersey Agricultural Society
1200 Florence Columbus Road
Bordentown, NJ 08505
Memberships make great gifts!
Choose a Membership Level that
best suits your occasion
Not sure what to buy Dad for Father's Day?
Need a gift for a special graduate
with an interest in Agriculture?
Choosing to substitute a party favor
for a charitable donation?
Looking to honor a loved one?
Share your support story!
Why do you choose to support NJAS and its programs? Tell us your story! We love to hear why our donors choose to support NJAS and how NJAS is serving you and/or your community.


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Technology has revolutionized the way many companies and entire industries do business; including property management. In some rental offices, everything from leasing to rent collections, purchasing and maintenance requests, etc., are being logged, inputted, tracked or entered into a variety of computer programs and databases. All of these processes are designed to improve accuracy, efficiency, customer service and the bottom line. However, depending on how these programs are administrated and maintained will ultimately determine what it's really costing in customer service and resident relations. Following is a concern from an on site manager to illustrate this point:
Q: The property management company I work for is very progressive and seems eager to try every new software program that comes out. Therefore, my maintenance workers, leasing staff and I spend countless hours attending meetings and training sessions in order to understand and implement these programs on site. Due to the amount of input work required for tracking purposes and all of the reports that are generated, not only is my leasing staff often bogged down, but so are some of my maintenance techs. This means that it's taking longer to get apartments ready for new residents. On the busiest weekends of the month, prospective renters are being turned away and asked to come back because a leasing consultant working alone cannot handle multiple resident requests, the amount of incoming traffic AND all the computer/paperwork they are responsible for submitting at the end of each week. Many times on the weekends and during the week, we are forced to close our office and pretend like we are not there just so we can have some uninterrupted time to "catch up" on the volume of paperwork we are expected to complete. We are in such a vicious cycle with this situation; I just can't see a way out. What do you suggest?
A: It must be extremely exciting working for a company that is always moving forward with innovative programs. On the other hand, it must be equally frustrating dealing with programs designed to enhance efficiency and improve customer service when they leave little time for actually serving the needs of the very customers you are tracking and recording! My first suggestion would be to have your leasing staff keep a daily log for one month detailing the amount of time they spend being trained/administrating the leasing aspects of their jobs, versus actual time spent with clients. I would encourage you to have your maintenance staff do the same exercise; track the amount of time they spend receiving training/inputting information regarding their make readies and work orders, versus the amount of time they spend doing actual work. (Note: Travel time to and from meetings and training sessions should also be noted since this time away from the job affects employee productivity and impacts customer service too.)
At the end of the 30-day period, prepare a report of your findings and present the information to your supervisor. Then, be prepared for a "brainstorming" session to come up with some solutions that will work for your specific circumstances, the size of your staff and your community. For example, perhaps employees could "trade off" in their roles daily, weekly or monthly. Maybe during the busiest times of the month, one leasing consultant would be exclusively responsible for interacting with prospective renters (i.e. Conducting tours, closing the sale, doing the follow up work, etc.), while another employee is made responsible for all data entry, reporting, move-in paperwork, lease renewals, etc. A similar arrangement could be made between maintenance workers so at least one employee would be able to work uninterrupted turning apartments, while another is responsible for handling the ordering, work orders, data entry, etc.
Again, the solution(s) to your situation will depend on many factors, but the important thing is to be in communication with your supervisor regarding the challenges you are facing. If quality customer service to future and current residents is being compromised for the sake of standardization, speed and efficiency, then perhaps it's time to reevaluate some of the systems that are in place. After all, your customers don't really care how quickly you can enter their traffic source or how efficiently you can input their work orders into your computer system. What is important to them is your AVAILABILITY. Of course if you are so busy processing paperwork that you don't have time to serve your future or existing residents you won't have this problem for very long. When faced with a leasing office that is often closed or a phone that goes unanswered, your prospective renters and residents will eventually take their business elsewhere.
If you are interested in leasing training or have a question or concern you would like to see addressed, please reach out to me via e-mail. Otherwise, please contact Jancyn for your employee evaluation needs: jancyn.wpengine.com
Provided by: Joyce (Kirby) Bica
Former owner of Shoptalk Service Evaluations
Consultant to Jancyn Evaluation Shops
E-mail: email@example.com
Copyright ã Joyce (Kirby) Bica


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Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vergunst
Last updated: 21 Dec, 2021 03:22pm
Get to know Rebecca!
Which area in Carterton do you live?
Urban – a 5min walk to town!
How long have you/your family lived in Carterton?
I have lived on and off in the Carterton District for around 20 years.
How long have you been on Council?
Currently 3 years. This is my second term.
Why did you stand for Council?
I stood for Council as I felt that young people and young families were not being represented. I also felt that Council could improve its communication and user-friendliness. I am keen to see the urban town developed into a well-maintained, vibrant, and beautiful space to live in, as well as having great facilities and activities for our families within the district.
Do you have another job/role/business aside from being a Councillor?
I am the Go Carterton business group coordinator, as well as being mum to two toddlers.
What are you passionate about, or what are your particular interests?
Within local government: Young people and their success, parks and green spaces, physical activities, our natural resources and environment, promotion of te reo Māori, community engagement and participation including collaboration with community groups and our local marae/iwi.
Personally: sport/netball, gardening, learning, and good coffee.
Committees and working groups
Council, Audit and Risk Committee, Policy and Strategy Committee (Chair), Community Grants Committee, Place Making Advisory Group (Chair), Walking and Cycling Advisory Group (Chair), Wairarapa Shared Services Working Group, Wairarapa Road Safety Council, Wellington Regional Waste Minimisation and Management Joint Committee (WCC) and Wellington Regional Waste Forum (alternate) and Carterton Creative Communities Committee.
Get in touch with Rebecca today.


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Official websites use .mil
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By None , Combined Maritime Forces
HMS PORTLAND, At Sea (June 2, 2009) — This afternoon, while conducting counterpiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden as part of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Task Force 151, the Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate HMS Portland (F 79) detected, intercepted and boarded two suspicious skiffs preventing a possible pirate attack.
In coordination with a Spanish maritime patrol aircraft, Portland identified, pursued and subsequently conducted a boarding of the vessels where they found articles that indicated the skiff had been involved or was about to conduct an act of piracy, and were clearly not those of an innocent fishing vessel.
"This is an excellent example of international coordination" said Commodore Tim Lowe, Deputy Commander, Combined Maritime Forces. "This international collaboration cannot be understated and as more countries join the fight, we will continue to work together to help deter, disrupt and thwart criminal acts of piracy in the maritime environment."
The skiffs, with 10 people aboard, were equipped with extra barrels of fuel, grappling hooks and a cache of weapons that included Rocket Propelled Grenades, machine guns and ammunition.
Portland's boarding team, consisting of Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel conducted the boarding. The ship's embarked Lynx helicopter, equipped with a machine gun and snipers, providing cover throughout the operation, while the boarding team was inserted using the ship's armed Rigid Inflatable Boats.
Due to insufficient evidence to directly link the group to a specific attack, the suspected pirates were disarmed and released. Having prevented this group of pirates from reaching their merchant traffic prey Portland destroyed one of the skiffs and confiscated all their weapons.
"HMS Portland has once again demonstrated the Coalition and Royal Navy's commitment to keeping the sea lanes open and making this key waterway safe for international trade," said Cmdr. Tim Henry, Portland's Commanding Officer.
Under the command of CMF, CTF 151 is a multinational task force, consisting of naval forces from Turkey, UK, U.S., South Korea, Singapore, Denmark and Japan, established to conduct counterpiracy operations under a mission-based mandate throughout the CMF area of responsibility to actively deter, disrupt and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations.


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GOP bill would devastate efforts to end the opioid epidemic
Congressman Tim Ryan is a Democrat who has been representing Ohio's 13th District since 2002. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
Shawn A. Ryan is the president and CMO of BrightView Addiction Treatment, an assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Cincinnati, president of the Ohio Society of Addiction Medicine and chair of Payer Relations for the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
Of the many emotions evoked by House passage of the American Health Care Act, the Republican bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), sadness and fear were among the most pervasive. While the legislation reduces the benefits and increases the coverage costs for almost every demographic of our country, families and individuals suffering from opioid addiction will be among the hardest hit. In places like Ohio that are being ravaged by addiction, that is unacceptable.
In 2015, 52,000 Americans died from overdoses; that's 144 a day. The opioid and prescription drug epidemic is clearly a national crisis. Entire communities are collapsing because of a lack of resources to push back against the rising tide.
Last year, Congress took some concrete steps towards fighting back. Last July, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act was signed into law, creating a comprehensive framework to address substance use disorder and key resources for communities. Congress also passed the 21st Century CURES Act, which included $1 billion for states to help with the local response to this ongoing epidemic. While these programs are positive efforts to confront this crisis, the Affordable Care Act has played a central role in getting people the treatment they need.
The Affordable Care Act made it possible for Americans suffering from substance use disorder to get access to quality treatment – many for the first time in their lives. Through the inclusion of substance use disorder treatment as an essential health benefit, the extension of the parity law to the small group and individual market, and the expansion of Medicaid, millions of Americans were able to gain the coverage they desperately needed to treat addiction. The House Republican health care bill, on the other hand, would not only roll back these advancements, but it could rip health coverage away from the 2.8 million Americans still struggling with addiction.
Our country is suffering. We should be moving forward, not backward. We fully recognize that passage of this legislation might make political sense to some, but doing so is leaving behind millions of Americans most in need. This epidemic is costing our nation $700 billion in health, crime and lost productivity, but that is nothing compared to the toll it is taking on our communities. These men and women are not strangers – they are our friends and neighbors, our brothers and sisters. There is a reason over 435 addiction and mental health groups nationwide have spoken out against this House Republican health care bill: it's because it would leave people in need without coverage or access to care.
This legislation still needs to pass the Senate before it can be signed into law by President Trump. We urge the Senate to do the right thing and toss out this bill. It is dangerous and short-sighted, and it would be devastating for our nation's struggle to end the opioid and prescription drug epidemic that is ravaging every corner of the United States of America.


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Monthly Blogs from Your Dentist in South Orange NJ
Every month your dentist in South Orange NJ compiles blogs written on topics such as oral hygiene, maintenance, prevention, general news and more to help enhance patient knowledge and understanding. It is our strong belief that by educating our patients on these topics that they will be more likely to make the best choices for their own oral health.
To request a topic, contact us today!
Otherwise, you can sort through our blogs by month, below:


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A United Nations think-tank has warned the East African Community against entering into an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union arguing that it will neither spur economic growth nor bring wealth to the region's citizens.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) says in a report that if the EPA is signed, local industries will struggle to withstand competitive pressures from EU firms, while the region will be stuck in its position as a low value-added commodity exporter.
"If the EAC-EU EPA is fully implemented, the region risks losing trading opportunities with other partners, industrial output, welfare and GDP," the 45-page report seen by The EastAfrican says.
The report titled Analysis of the Impact of the EAC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement on the EAC Economies is yet to be made public and is expected to be discussed by the Council of Ministers in the "days to come," according to sources at the EAC Secretariat.
The report, commissioned by the EAC Secretariat, is likely to further polarise the position of the Community's members on the EPA, which Kenya and Rwanda have already signed.
READ: Kenya, Rwanda sign EPA deal with Europe
The two countries were opposed to the commissioning of the study that was requested by Tanzania towards the end of last year.
Uganda said it would only sign the EPA if there was consensus among the EAC members while Burundi refused to sign the agreement until the EU lifts sanctions imposed on Bujumbura in 2015.
READ: Tanzania demands study on impact of EU trade deal
READ: EPA trade deal with Europe is a form of colonialism, says Magufuli
Sources say Rwanda and Kenya have already said they will not discuss the report at the next Council of Ministers meeting.
The EU-EAC EPA promises duty-and-quota free access to EU markets for East African goods in exchange for a gradual opening up of the region's markets to European products.
However, UNECA says the removal of taxes on capital goods from Europe will cause the EAC accumulated revenue losses of $1.15 billion per year. The market would be opened up over a 25-year period and capped at 80 per cent market access.
The UNECA findings are in direct conflict with a 2014 report by the European Commission, which shows that the region will experience an economic boom due to improvements in market access to the EU.
But according to David Luke, co-ordinator of the African Trade Policy Centre at UNECA, the deal with Europe will be calamitous unless EAC countries are able to clearly define what their infant industries are, as well as identify sub-sectors they intend to protect.
"While the EPA purportedly intends to respect regional integration programmes, they are adding to the complexity of the task. Additional burdens are created through provisions that complicate or contradict the agreements African states have with each other or are about to make," Mr Luke said.
Rwanda's Minister of Trade, Industry and EAC Affairs, Francois Kanimba, said the report is a "political tool" and a step back in long-term negotiations to secure a positive deal with the EU.


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Dentist - Woodlake
6508 Woodlake Village Circle
Midlothian, VA 23112
Both natural teeth and teeth with restorations survive best in an oral environment that is clean and where the intake of harmful foods is controlled. Our program is designed to help prevent new cavities, preserve teeth that have been restored and manage periodontal disease. At the initial visit oral hygiene instructions are reviewed and are reinforced at subsequent recall visits. The following are helpful recommendations:


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Dean's Award for Advising Excellence
About the Award
The College of Agriculture established the Dean's Award for Advising Excellence to recognize and reward the efforts of faculty/staff in support of undergraduate advising or other student services. The college values this important service provided by faculty and staff to our students and feels that it plays an important role in student success.
One recipient will receive a certificate and cash award of $1,000. The award is taxable according to IRS guidelines.
All faculty and staff with advising or student support responsibilities are eligible. Recipients of this award will not be eligible for this award for the next two years, but will become eligible again after two years.
The recipient of the award will have demonstrated excellence in advising or support of undergraduate students. Evidence will include information on student success in achieving academic and professional goals and innovative approaches to meeting student needs.
The award will be presented at the annual College of Agriculture awards program in December.
The following information should be provided for each candidate who is nominated.
- Letter of nomination from a faculty member providing a complete explanation of how the nominee has excelled in responsibilities associated with advising or support of College of Agriculture undergraduate students. The letter should address the nominee's experiences with students and their professional development, examples of innovative approaches to advising or student support, a list of student organizations advised, advising-related awards, advising-related committees, and advising-related professional development activities. Self-nominations will be accepted.
- A brief curriculum vita documenting academic credentials, advising-related awards and recognition (local, regional and national), and overall experience in advising or support of students.


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From towering skyscrapers to intricately designed structures, the world's most incredible buildings are truly manmade wonders of Earth.
Here are some of the best buildings in the world you should not miss to see in your lifetime:
- The Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE. Standing at 2,717 feet, this building can easily be considered as the tallest building on Earth.
- National Center for the Performing Arts, Beijing, China. This half oval dome reflects on a body of water, creating an egg shaped image, which is where it got its "The Egg" nickname.
- The City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia, Spain. This wonderful structure has an aquarium, an IMAX Theatre and an opera house.
- St. Paul's Cathedral, London. Architect Christopher Wren designed this structure and it opened way back 1708.
- St. Basil's Cathedral, Moscow, Russia. This is one of Russia's iconic structures symbolizing the country. It was finished back in 1561.
- The Empire State Building, USA. This is the tallest building on Earth for 40 years since it was opened back in 1931.
- Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul. This is one of the most outstanding structures in Istanbul.
- Fallingwater, Pennsylvania. Frank Lloyd Wright designs this structure.
- La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona Spain. This structure is still under construction since it started 1882.
- Dancing House, Prague. This structure somehow looks like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers on the dance floor.


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The Lost Art of Coaching for Character
By: Coach Edward Ochoa Jr.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in this article are of the author's and do not necessarily represent those of USA Boxing.
What is the definition of character? The dictionary defines character as "the complex of mental and ethical traits marking a person" or "the stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual's life which determines his or her response regardless of circumstances." My personal definition of character is the ethical decisions or responses a person makes when under great trials, hardships, pressures, afflictions, adversity or success.
We live in a materialistic culture where fame, wealth, and popularity are valued more than genuine integrity and character. The sport of amateur boxing has suffered terrible decay as the pursuit of fame, riches, and prestige of the professional ranks has trumped the virtue of pursuing noble character such as honor, integrity, responsibility, dependability, and self-respect. Today, many boxing celebrities proudly flaunt their immorality or lack of character on social media and in the public. As a result, our boxing community's most prominent role models include countless people who are known best for their lack of character rather than for being men and women of honor and virtue. Why is this a problem? It is a problem because coaches and young athletes emulate these flaws as if they are virtues of character or a way of life. That is hypocrisy at its finest because this teaches our youth to think that as long as you have fame, wealth, and prestige, you can lack integrity and moral character and still be a considered a success in life.
The pursuit of moral excellence begins with you the coach. God designed us to be men and women of exemplary character. As the late hall of fame coach John Wooden states, "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." As coaches, it is our responsibility to pursue a life of honor and virtue so that we can make a positive life-changing impact on the lives of the athletes in our care. We live in an era where many coaches care more about winning and being liked than being the leader/role model that with the responsibility of being a coach. There is a hard line between being a friend and being the leader/role model necessary to impact an athlete's life. Coaching is a service. We serve our athletes which means that we have their personal well-being as their higher priority. I want my athletes to trust me and know that I care more about their well-being than I do my own success and trophies in my gym. How do they know you care? They know when you are making them better men and women not just in the ring but outside the ring. As the great military General Douglas Macarthur once said, "A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent." That is our responsibility as a coach and our duty to God, our fellow man, and to USA Boxing. It is imperative that the coach is the leader, role model and mentor that many of our athletes lack in their personal lives. Leadership is not a title but action. The quality of your program, is not determined by how many belts and titles your kids have won, but on how you have made that kid a better person outside the ring at home, school, and in their community. Why does this matter? Because in various ways, we the coaches are the last line of defense in genuinely making the impact many young men and women desperately need today. When it comes to character and integrity, it first has to begin with coaches raising the bar in their own lives before you can effectively impact the lives of those around them. Besides parenting and the military, a boxing coach is the next most significant tool in developing and influencing a person's life. For example, most kids today grow up in either a single parent home or in a home that is lacking the right leadership or upbringing. The next most influential person may be a teacher, however, a teacher nowadays is limited to the influence they can make in the classroom, as opposed to a coach who on a daily basis, can develop and nurture character traits such as courage, perseverance, discipline, trust, commitment, dedication, and excellence in the lives of their athletes from the time they are 8 to 18 years old. Therefore, one the most critical aspects of a good boxing program or gym should be a good character development program that can impact their athletes lives far beyond the boxing gym. There are three ways that coaches can ensure their program can make a lasting impact on their athlete's lives, the first is character must begin with the coach; secondly, integrity must begin with the coach, and lastly, the coach's moral influence should instill character outside of the ring.
Coaching with Character
Character must and always begins with the coach. A coach's philosophy and ethical standards are by far the most critical aspect of any program yet one of the most common things overlooked today. Regardless of the level of coaching, athletes can only grow in character and integrity as high as the level of character and integrity their leaders possess. When it comes to building relationships, it must all begin with trust. Trust can sometimes take months or years to develop, however, it can be destroyed in a matter of seconds. Moral and ethical leadership is perhaps the single most contributing factor to the success of building trust with your athletes and parents. So, the bar of character must first begin with leadership. Today, from the ranks of amateur to professional boxing, the emphasis on winning overrules the integrity of developing character in athletes. Sports have become winning centered rather than athlete centered. Regardless of the level of the athlete, the coach must set the bar high. Coaches are in a position to interact with their boxers in a way that teachers, and in some cases, parents can't. It is imperative that coaches effectively communicate with their boxers in ways that will inspire and motivate their athletes to reach their full potential. This ultimately inspires them to be driven, not just performance driven, but character driven. The truth of the matter is that when we accepted the role of being a coach, whether you like it or not, we are ambassadors of USA Boxing. As a coach, you represent the sport of boxing to your athletes, parents, and your community. Every day—in public and in private—we will face decisions that reflect our integrity or lack of it. What we watch, what we say, what we do, and even what we refuse to stand for will reflect ultimately you, the coach, but it also reflects the sport of boxing. Our choices all add up to a life of honor and integrity or lack of it. You either are going to give light that your athletes and others will admire, respect, or are drawn to, or you will blend in with the rest of the crowd. Coaching for character may not go with the status quo of coaching for self-esteem today, but we must not minimize the fact that the sport of boxing is a dangerous sport in the wrong hands with the wrong coach. However, with the right coach, it's the safest sport there is and the best sport for building life changing skills such as courage, discipline, perseverance, integrity, and respect. Life changing skills that will impact families, communities, and our nation.
Integrity Begins with the Coach
Secondly, it doesn't take long to find an article on the internet or watch a video of youth athletes or professional athletes, crediting a coach for the life-changing impact he or she has made in their lives. The impact coaches can make in an athlete's life is very well documented throughout the century. However, in today's athletic culture, according to the Joseph Institute of Ethics (Strand, Ph.D. 2013), many coaches are teaching athletes to cheat or cut corners without regard for the rules or sportsmanship. For a coach to impact their athlete's character, a coach must not differentiate between the athlete's character decisions in and out of the ring. Many coaches hold a high bar when it comes to teaching boxing skills, and strategy to win medals and belts, however, many stop short in the areas of character development. It is here where they will allow their boxers to cut corners in most cases for fear of the star athletes quitting the team or going to another gym. Many coaches may not like this idea of instilling a character development program into their practice schedule because their athletes or parents may not like it, or it may cut from their practice time, however, if a coach truly desires to make an impact in the lives beyond the boxing ring, coaches must take it outside the lines of normal practice schedules. How? By the accountability and practice of good citizenship not just in the gym but also at home, and in the community. Vince Lombardi, one of the greatest coaches that ever lived said it best, "It is essential to understand that battles are primarily won in the hearts of men. Men respond to leadership in a most remarkable way and once you have won their heart, they will follow you anywhere." Having high standards for your own personal conduct will lead to developing high standards of integrity in your own athletes which can be the critical difference in a boxer's life. In order for this to be highly successful, you the coach must first have the proper character and integrity your own athletes can model. Character in the gym all begins with you the coach.
The Moral Influence of the Coach
Which then brings us to my last point, it is a great privilege to be called coach, boxing can be a valuable tool that can provide life-changing events in a person's life. However, for a coach to be effective in instilling character in life-changing ways, the coach must exemplify and model character themselves. It is essential that coaches develop a character first coaching philosophy by striving to be men and women of character first in their own lives. The truth of the matter is that when we accepted the role of being an amateur boxing coach, whether you like it or not, we are ambassadors of USA boxing. You represent the sport of boxing to your family, athletes, parents, and your community. Coaching is a lot more than teaching Xs and Os. When a boxer becomes character driven in life, then the sport of boxing begins to make a difference in lives far beyond winning medals and belts. It is a privilege to be called coach. The late pastor Billy Graham said it best, "A coach will impact more people in one year than the average person will in an entire lifetime." I take tremendous pride on the impact I am making in my athletes, and in my community. Although it is an honor to be recognized for my hard work and commitment to excellence, however, praise is not the measure of my success. My own measure of my success is not based on the opinion of others no matter how positive or negative they can be. My own personal standard of the success of my program is this: 15-20 years from now when we see what kind of husbands, wives, fathers, and mothers my athletes have become. What kind of coaches they have become? What kind of impact are they making on their family, boxing gyms and in their community? Then and only then will I know how good my coaching and my program really was. It takes courage to do this, however, the mark of a great leader is not how well he avoids conflict, but how courageously he accepts it. It is my sincere hope that coaches in the boxing community will take a few minutes to consider the importance of being a character-driven coach and that you will commit yourself to a journey of living and coaching for the greater good of our athletes, our communities, and for the greater good of USA Boxing.
Coach Edward Ochoa www.CrossDrivenAthletics.com