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So, John Lennon would have turned 75-years old today if some lunatic with a gun hadn't taken him down nearly 35 years ago.
Don't get me started again on guns.
Lennon was a polarizing figure for sure, a flawed human being like everyone else, but there's no question that his is one of the greatest stories in music history, and I've got to say that he's been a huge influence on me, musically and otherwise.
John Lennon, the Beatle, seemed to have everything: superstardom, adoring fans, a critically acclaimed body of work, a loving wife, and a beautiful son. He could have coasted the rest of his life on that wave, but he chose to evolve as a musician and a human being, gradually drifting from the relatively clean-cut guy who wrote Please Please Me, to psychedelic poster child, to hippie activist, and beyond, never looking back.
He alienated his fans, he alienated his songwriting partner, he left his wife and son, and he left the greatest band the world has ever seen.
Like I said, one helluva story.
I've never been one to argue who the best Beatle was, as is common amongst fans, and I never disliked any of them, though I've not always liked all over their post-Beatles material.
And yet, there's no doubt that John was my favorite. I've always, on the whole, loved his music more than the work of the others, ever so slightly more in some cases, and yet it was his emergence as a peacenik activist in the late 1960s that won me over completely. That he was willing grow out his hair and beard in the face of stifling and oppressive conservatism, that he was willing to leverage his massive celebrity to promote love and peace at a particularly volatile period of history, moved and influenced me deeply.
Yes, you were not and still are not the only dreamer, John.
But like I said, he was no angel. He was part hippie and part raunchy Rock&Roller, kinda like me!
And so, for this Video Fridays installment, I thought I'd show both sides of John Lennon, starting with his first overtly peacenik song, All You Need Is Love, a song that, in it's message, however naive some may call it, still makes my eyes drip; and followed by one of my all-time favorite live performances, the White Album track Yer Blues, performed with Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Mitch Mitchell at the 1968 Rolling Stone's Rock & Roll Circus.
Happy Birthday, John, and Happy Weekend, everyone!


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Every now and then, I get an email saying – "Joel – my girlfriend cheated on me, what should I do?"
As a relationship coach, I will do my best to generically answer this for any of you guys experiencing extremely painful event.
Traditionally, men are the ones who are almost, always peddled as cheaters and liars. Thankfully many women know that's a blanket statement and not true–in most cases. And in the cases that it proves true, you can bet that there is an equal share of gals who have succumbed to the same temptations.
The research on cheating spouses and extramarital relations is a vast and, honestly, contradictory group of numbers. However, one thing is certain– if you've experienced a cheating spouse, you are not alone. The cadre of broken hearts has grown as the marital dynamics change with modernity and life longevity.
Although you shouldn't feel alone, it's no less devastating to find out your lover has loved another, regardless of your current level of machismo. It can also bring up worries and frustrations that can end a marriage if those feelings are not dealt with. Most couples find that objective, professional counseling is key in regaining a healthy relationship but for those who have been cheated on, there are initial aspects that worry you most.
Here are a few of those worries and how to, initially, deal with them. Then we'll talk about what to do next.
1. Your Reputation
After the shock of finding out or hearing that your wife or girlfriend has cheated, it's normal for men to feel a loss of pride. This feeling trickles into your worries about others' perceptions of you–if they were to find out. Unfortunately, this prevents a lot of couples from talking to loved ones and getting the help they need.
How to get over it:
Let's shoot straight here. You know what? You didn't marry her for what she brought to your reputation; you married her because you loved her. It was enough in the good times; it should be enough in the bad times. It's a hard thing to overcome but at the end of the day, your spouse MUST be more important than your reputation (and vice versa). Try to hang onto that notion and focus on the golden rule—would you want her to be forever embarrassed over your indiscretions? Or would you hope she'd love you enough to strongly attempt to overcome them?
2. You're not good enough
When your significant other cheats, it's easy to feel as if you've somehow lost this contest to another person. You may begin to see yourself with less worth and resort to having a down-and-out attitude.
How to get over it:
First off, cheating is rarely, RARELY about them being more attractive or more successful. So get that OUT of your head. You have an abundance of worth and perhaps this is the time to have a conversation with your significant other about ways you each can improve yourselves in your relationship. Allay the fear of losing at a competition you've created in your head and put that energy into working towards a better future for yourself, whether she is in it or not.
3. You'll never be able to trust her again
In the modern age, trust is extremely rare and valuable, and most often, our spouses are the ones whom we trust implicitly above most others. When you lose trust in this person, it creates a domino effect in your life. Memories become tainted, your sex life can suffer and you generally feel as if you may not have really known her to begin with.
How to get over it:
Make sure your spouse knows that she has lost your trust and that it will take some time for her to gain that trust back. Ask her to be respectful of that and to make you feel secure in your relationship during this time. Additionally, TRY, TRY HARD, to trust again. Sometimes you may not want to, but you must. Not trusting someone you love is harder on you than it is on her. Not trusting can make you sick.
For many men a cheating spouse is the worst fear; now that you have encountered your biggest fear and didn't keel over, take strength in that. Regardless of what happens in the relationship, your inability to trust due to the actions of someone else will inadvertently rear its head in your other relationships. Don't give in.
4. Your marriage is tainted
For all the jokes that television and comedians make about marriage, the truth is that many of us have happy marriages. We start to think they might actually be perfect (in a relative sense). When something comes along and pops that perfect bubble, you feel dismayed and alone.
How to get over it:
Truthfully, all marriages suck and no one is perfect. Realizing that is the FIRST step in having a great marriage. The metaphor "no one wants to see how the hot dog is made" is perfect in dating but will never get you anywhere in marriage. Marriage is all about seeing the making of a hotdog (bad metaphor, I agree).
You're going to see your wife lose her temper, she's going to see you take a shit on your honeymoon and you're each going to see each other act like a total loser at an event. Get used to it and let this encourage you to start seeing your marriage in a realistic light; an imperfect light—just like everyone else's.
5. Your image of her is shattered
Your wife was a foundation for you. She was constant, loveable, funny, honest, etc., the list goes on. Now that you know she has been intimate with someone else and has crossed boundaries you thought she'd never cross, it's hard to look at her and feel the same feelings you did before. Sometimes this can lead to discussions of divorce, which is incredibly scary for both involved.
How to get over it:
This is a good time to suggest taking a break. Stay at a friend's in order to clear your mind so you can think clearly about the circumstance and refrain from saying things you'll regret. Talk to a professional therapist alone and if that goes well, perhaps your wife can join you. Be honest about how your perception of her has changed, but don't be callous. Explain that the separation is not a punishment for her, but a release for you both at this time. It would be unfair for you to suffer in silence and it would be unfair for her to live under a roof where she can have no chance of redeeming herself in your eyes. The distance can give a great perspective.
6. You're worried she will see him again
Depending on where she met this individual i.e. work, socially, mutual friends, the threat of it happening again can be debilitating. You're consumed with what ifs—what if you run into him in public, what if she runs into him alone, what if you have an argument and she runs back to him. It prevents you from living life as yourself.
How to get over it:
If this is someone who was a co-worker, it's worth it to have her leave the job or find another one (if you can afford that situation). If that's not an option, figure out a way that both of you can enjoy more time together during the workday. You can drive to work together, meet each other for lunch a couple of times a week, or have specific times to call and ask each other about your day.
Work is sometimes an escape from the stresses of home, which can result in workplace romances, especially when the office is where one spends most of their time. The trick is to try to readjust your marriage into being the escape, not the office.
If it's someone you might see socially, it might be worth it to have a few date nights in (unless you're positive you won't risk running into him). If you're not comfortable yet, the worst thing you can do is force yourself to deal with a situation with which you are not ready. Another option is to take a cheap weekend trip together; check out a new environment and give yourself time to remember why you fell in love with her.
Additionally, lay ground rules about what you expect from her. You have a right to have a few reasonable demands after infidelity, but live by those rules yourself (it's not fair I know, especially when you're angry) but marriage isn't a game of fairness. It's all giving.
7. She wants to be with him and not you
If this is happening, then my heart breaks for you. It's a tough thing to hear. It's happened to many people and most of them would say that it was the hardest season of their life. But you WILL survive it.
How to get over it:
First, you owe it to yourself to take some time for you. Then, talk to her and ask her if she's sure this is the right decision (try to be objective). Tell her you love her (if you still do) and that you want to work things out. If she doesn't, then you really don't have much of a choice. Try to move on and focus on what can make you happy from here on out. Don't get into a serious relationship right away, but there's no reason you shouldn't try and have some responsible fun.
Rediscover who you are, what you like, and where you want to be. Make the gym a priority, eating well and pumping endorphins will be key in keeping a great chemical balance and feeling positive about your body and mind. When she most likely comes back to you, you'll need to be emotionally, and cautiously, diligent about knowing what you want and if that includes her any longer.
Sadly, even with diligence, patience, and a fervent desire to, in reference–'get over it', many marriages end. If you've done what you are capable of doing and the relationship is still faltering, you can't blame yourself for needing to let go. Marriages sometimes survive in the wake of infidelity and sometimes they don't.
The bottom line:
Whether you stay together or decide to end things, you can become a stronger couple and a stronger man by going through this harrowing circumstance. And the actions of another person in NO WAY determine the future that you can make for yourself; remember that in ANY circumstance, not just marriage.
It's not the end-all solution to a happy relationship, but it helps.
If you need more advice on getting over a cheating wife or gf, check out these additional resources:
1: Dating After a Divorce: The Complete Guide
2: How to Get Over Someone Cheating
3: Podcast 041: The 12 Essential Steps to Overcoming a Breakup From The Woman You Loved
If you are ready to move on and meet someone new, we can help you do that.
Head to Menprovement X and sign up for our program, The Ultimate Dating Program.
We'll turn you into the ultimate, most autonomous & most attractive version of yourself.
We'll then teach you how to talk to women anywhere anytime.
By the time you're done, she'll be begging you to take her back.
Jo is a freelance writer currently living in the North and waiting for a ticket back to the South. She loves stand up comedy, fancy robes and redemption.

subset: commoncrawl


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Navy Challenge Coins – Honoring those who Serve
The Navy challenge coins that have been given to members of the Navy are some of the most special available. Of course, all branches of the military are important and the honor of receiving a challenge coin is valued by every member. Many are given that honor the rank of the members of the Navy, for example the Chief Petty Officers and the Seabee Chiefs. They typically have the rank stated on the coin and may be made of various metals, of which nickel is a popular choice.
Commemorative Coins Honor the Crews
The commemorative Navy challenge coins are another type that is given to honor the specialties of members of the Navy. They may include all skill levels from the yeoman to the air traffic controller. These coins are an honor to the brave men and women who operate the ships during missions.
The responsibilities of the crew are essential to the safety of the country and they are well trained and responsive to every situation. Providing a coin that honors the specialty they have chosen as a part of protecting the country is a small token of the appreciation that is felt for the special members of this part of the Navy.
Navy Challenge Coins for the Different Branches
The branches of the Navy are another important part of this elite group of men and women who provide a service that is essential to the armed services. The amphibious branch is one that carries out missions during peacetime and wartime to support the military of the U.S. The Navy challenge coins that are provided honor the response of this elite group of men and women whose duties range from crisis response to disaster relief to tactical maneuvers that are skillfully performed with exact precision.
Coins honoring the different ships that members of the U.S. Navy have served aboard are another type of Navy Challenge coin that is given. Allowing those who have protected America's shores aboard ship a remembrance of their service is an important honor. The coins are a keepsake that will long be remembered by those who receive them and are given and received with pride.
From aircraft carriers to submarines, the coins representative of the Navy are made of a variety of materials. Brass, bronze, nickel and copper are just a few of these materials. The unique Navy challenge coins that are available in honor of those who served and sacrificed are a way of displaying the gratitude felt for all members of the Navy.
Members of active duty, those who are retired and veterans of the armed forces that protected the interests of America, including those who gave the ultimate sacrifice are honored. Although challenge coins are given for a variety of reasons today, the most cherished coins are those of the military of the United States. This time-honored tradition has been one that allows those who serve a sense of pride and knowing their efforts are recognized for the fine job they perform.


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Coming To Chattanooga: MONSTER JAM!
Chattanooga Monster Jam® Tickets Now Available
$20 Tickets for Monster Jam Returns
to the UTC McKenzie Arena
Monster Jam events are affordably priced for the whole family with seats starting at $20. All kids tickets are just $10* Tickets are available by going to www.TicketTracks.com, by calling 423-266-6627 or at the UTC McKenzie Arena Box Office.
Monster Jam will be performing at the UTC McKenzie Arena on:
Friday, February 6 7:30pm
Saturday, February 7 7:30pm
For more information on the Monster Jam, log onto www.MonsterJam.com. To follow Monstter Jam on Facebook at Twitter, log on to Facebook.com/MJOnline and Twitter.com/MonsterJam.
About Feld Motor Sports
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports productions include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross and Nuclear Cowboyz®. Feld Motor Sports is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world's largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment,visit www.feldentertainment.com.
· Ways to purchase:
o www.TicketTracks.com, by phone at 423-266-6627 or at the McKenzie arena box office
· $5 off discount code (excludes Front Row, Gold Circle & kids tickets):
o BLOG
· Monster Jam show page link:
· Purchasing Link:


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Access interactive online programs that equip you with the skills of the future.
Access cutting-edge professional development training and take Awecademy curricula to your students.
Awecademy offers future-oriented, immersive, and collaborative workshops for learners, educators, or management teams.
Through an online platform and offline programs, Awecademy offers interdisciplinary programs that equip learners and educators with the new competencies, future fluencies, and powerful values for them to have a positive impact on humanity.
These include big-picture thinking, radical creativity, moonshot thinking, empathy and compassion, self-transcendence, intelligent optimism, ethical use of technologies, existential studies, and much more.
Our mission is to bring a sense of awe and wonder to education and inspire learners to bring about positive civilization-level change.
Adapt, Survive & Thrive
We live in a world of accelerating change. New industries are constantly being born and old ones are becoming obsolete. A high per cent of the jobs that today's young learners will be doing in the future does not even exist yet.
As gig economies grow worldwide and we see a rise in the contingent workforce, Awecademy equips learners with fluencies that are an increasingly valuable asset in the workforce.
Awecademy helps young minds answer the crucial question: What are the new smarts and new competencies that future generations need?
Robot-proof Curriculum
Artificial Intelligence and the coming Cognifying Revolution.
AI today can create art, compose music, and drive cars. All things we once thought were uniquely human abilities.
Awecademy is focused on re-thinking how we educate the next generation and preparing them for a future where AI will disrupt all industries.
Core Areas
Sign up to access learning modules, projects, and connections in the following core areas.
Enlightenment values
Being Human in an Age of Automation
The emphasis is on upholding the values of the Enlightenment:
- Reason
- Science
- Progress
- Liberty
- Tolerance
Wisdom is a concept traditionally associated with philosophy and spiritual thinking. However, Wisdom is starting to be increasingly connected with technological evolution.
The focus is on highlighting the development of character virtues and enhanced future consciousness and exploring how the wise cyborgs of the future would live their lives. What would happen if powerful human-machine hybrids of tomorrow were also purpose-driven, compassionate, and ethical?
We live in an age of fake news and alternative facts. Awecademy is focused on equipping learners with the mindsets and thinking tools they need to differentiate between information, misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda.
Being Human in an Age of Automation
Developing Existential Intelligence
- Who am I?
- Where do we come from?
- What is our purpose?
- Where are we headed?
- What is life?
- What is love?
- What is consciousness?
People who possess existential intelligence are able to see the interconnectedness of different aspects of life and wonder about the complexity and diversity of the universe. They are able to see the big picture and ask the big questions.
Awe is an experience of such perceptual vastness you literally have to reconfigure your mental models of the world to assimilate it.
Our aim is to inspire a sense of optimism for the future and prepare learners for the Age of Imagination.
Cosmic Perspective
See the Big Picture
At its core, the cosmic perspective is about zooming out and seeing the big picture. It involves acknowledging our place in the cosmos and stepping back and contemplating our purpose in the grand scheme of things.
It is a powerful awakening of the mind and a fundamental redefinition of what it means to be human. It upgrades our consciousness, our values, and the kind of ambitions that we set forward for ourselves, both as individuals and as a species.
Moonshot Thinking
Solve Grand Challenges
This mindset allows for radical, daring, and disruptive ideas as opposed to incremental improvements. It's about big-picture, civilization-level change.
Moonshot thinking starts by identifying a big problem, articulating a radical solution, and then making it happen.
Awecademy believes in encouraging learners to be doers and problem-solvers in the real world and to positively impact the lives of people globally.
Human Transcendence Index
Preparing for a bio-physical & ethico-moral upgrade of our species. Awecademy's HTI measures the traits we need to develop to transcend as a species. Transcendence refers to the very highest and most inclusive or holistic levels of human consciousness, behaving and relating, as ends rather than means, to oneself, to significant others, to human beings in general, to other species, to nature, and to the cosmos.
Download the Human Transcendence Index booklet.
Supercomputers and Super Intelligence
The technological singularity is the hypothesis that the invention of artificial superintelligence will abruptly trigger runaway technological growth, resulting in unfathomable changes to human civilization.
Awecademy helps equip students with the thinking toolkits, new mindsets and new perspectives required to prepare for the upcoming greater-than-human intelligence explosion that we will witness in the near future.
The Technological
Based on the latest findings in Mind-Brain Learning
We've learnt more about the human brain in the last five years than in all the previous centuries combined. Education is now on the cusp of becoming a science. And when pedagogy is based on the latest Mind-Brain research, we will see a revolution in learning.
Awecademy's offerings are informed by cutting-edge research in the field of Neuroscience and Mind-Brain education.


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Manchester United stole the summer spotlight by signing Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Jose Mourinho brought in specialist players, as promised, well in advance of the transfer deadline.
Regardless of it being a transfer that has got a lot of people talking, Pogba is one of the best buys the club has made, albeit at a world-record-breaking price.
The main talking point, however, has been the huge sum of money paid by United for a player who was already on their books as a youngster. Sir Alex Ferguson saw Pogba as a player for the future, and his decision to bring Paul Scholes out of retirement and use Rafael Da Silva in midfield instead of promoting the talented youth product came back to haunt the club.
Pogba later revealed that the midfield pairing of Rafael and Park Ji-sung in United's 3-2 home defeat by Blackburn in 2011 was the final nail in the coffin. He was not prepared to wait any longer if there was an opportunity to play more first-team football elsewhere, which, there was. At Juventus.
Ferguson was not willing to take the blame for losing such a talented player, so the Scot pointed his finger at Mino Raiola, prompting the belief that Pogba was a money-hungry mercenary guided by an even greedier agent. This resulted in a bitter relationship between Raiola and United but it has improved since with three deals agreed (Pogba, Ibrahimovic & Mkhitaryan) between the parties last summer.
"It was very, very difficult moment for me," Pogba admitted. "I was in love with Manchester and I was Mancunian."
Raiola had a client who was attracting interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as Manchester United. Pogba choose the latter while also rejecting a contract extension offer from Juventus; a club with firm beliefs that they are not far off winning the Champions League.
Money Talks
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. It could be random folk on social media, or the big-mouthed twat in your local pub. Opinions are like arseholes because everyone has one.
Pogba is the fourth most marketable player in the world. Nowadays you simply cannot underestimate the influence kit manufacturers have at big clubs like United, and Adidas want nothing more than their biggest players playing at clubs wearing their shirts.
The amount spent on Pogba won't come back to bite United in the arse. When you consider the heights this France international will reach as a United player, and the amount of shirt sales he will push, it won't be seen as such an ordeal in four or five years time. Football is changing and player valuations are constantly on the rise.
Bu when you ask yourself 'is [insert player] worth X amount', nine times out of then the answer will be no. People just need to get with it and quench their unhealthy obsession. Just remember when The Mirror called Anthony Martial a 'waste of money' before he even togged out in a United kit?
— StrettyNews.com (@StrettyNews) January 7, 2017
Also — based on the respective clubs' turnovers — United are predicted to make £510million this year, making Pogba's fee the equivalent of Everton spending £21million on a player or Spurs parting with £33million. Considering what Liverpool paid for Christian Benteke, Andy Carroll and Mario Balotelli (go on, add it up!), I'm convinced we've got a top player that warrants a steep valuation.
However, Pogba is not just a marketing plan.
Whether Pogba deserves to be the most expensive footballer of all-time is irrelevant because it was not him who hung a label on a shirt. The selling price and salary of a player are not reliable indicators of quality.
The talent is enormous. Pogba has the reputation of a phenomenon. The Frenchman has it all: technique, athletic ability, striking quality, pass register, imagination. He makes you get off your seat, which, is one of the biggest compliments you can give a professional footballer.
That does not mean Pogba has everything and is the greatest footballer currently walking on earth. If that was the case, he would have achieved more at club and international level, as well as been a serious contender for the Ballon d'Or award.
Back home where he belongs
Everyone at United is hoping there's a happy ending to the tale of Pogba, who controversially joined, controversially left and surprisingly re-joined United in the space of seven years.
He will soon be 24-years-old, and played four seasons for a great European side, before joining another in England. At his age, Michael Owen had already been elected Ballon d'Or, as did Cristiano Ronaldo, Eusebio, Cruyff but we can all agree the climate in that regard has changed.
But what is he missing? Nothing that can't be learned. Pogba has the ability to be a monster for Manchester United, potentially one of the best to grace the pitch in a red shirt at Old Trafford, and that is some statement.
Pogba is human. Pogba is reunited. Pogba is here to rule world football.


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Universal Credit was designed to cause destitution, debt, homelessness and death as part of the Tories' Social Murder policy that has caused the greatest problems for people with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
Exposure on TV, radio and newspapers of the (deliberate) effects of Universal credit on people's lives is less (voluminously and vehemently) than it should be. Clearly, it is not in the political interests of many of the newspapers and broadcasters to be critical of the Tories. However, bias of media outlets is not the only obstacle; cowardice informs a lack of challenge to the Tories' PR machine.
Weakness of character is rampant among executives, producers and presenters/interviewers at BBC news. They fear criticism from the Tories. That fear alone is sufficient to dissuade programme makers from thorough investigation and reporting of the details and consequences of Tory policy.
Destruction of the NHS, huge increase in homelessness and people starving to death are issues that receive less coverage on BBC than is appropriate and when they are mentioned then the discussion is in a passive voice non-contextual style that greatly diminishes the government's guilt. Cowardice is the key driving force of this evasion of deduction.
Today (14th May) Aditya Chakrabortty revealed details in the Guardian of an internal DWP memo sent to senior staff in the department that included a variety of scams and schemes to misrepresent the progress of Universal Credit. One of the schemes is intended to be an in-house promotional video, extolling an entirely false, misleading and fraudulent presentation of activities in job centres, that has been commissioned by the BBC as a (faux) documentary.
DWP's Director General of Universal Credit Neil Couling said of the video: "This is a fantastic opportunity for us [DWP] – we've been involved in the process from the outset, and we continue working closely with the BBC to ensure a balanced and insightful piece of television."
Chakrabortty reported that any interviews with DWP staff by the BBC for the programme will be viewed by DWP managers before being allowed for broadcast.
Fraudulent propaganda by DWP of its contribution to Social Murder is unsurprising. Given that the UN condemned Universal Credit in Philip Aston's report and that the Tory response to the report was contemptuous and dismissive, it is consistent for the DWP to concoct an intentionally false depiction of how Universal Credit operates. But, complicity with the scam by the BBC would be extreme cowardice and would condemn the BBC without reservation.
How cowardly will the BBC be?
Recommended reading
Alex Tiffin
Related blogs
Tips for BBC news
Social Murder
Universal Credit


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To commemorate the 'Pink Police box' which caused such controversy when we tried to jazz up a local eyesore, artists Mark Carr and Gus Meecan returned to the spot, where the police box has recently been removed after being sold!Perhaps a 50ft sculpture would look good in this space!!! Ha ha!
Mark Carr


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As we shift gears and start to think 'Spring' instead of
'Winter' (even though we're at this moment experiencing
what we hope is our last ice and snow storm of the season), it
seems that we have heard from a lot of people who have taken time
this year to write a story or two. We are very pleased to say that
we have more stories in this issue, and that we're hearing from
newer subscribers often for the first time! This is a trend
we'd like to have continue!
Since we have so much good material these days, those of you
awaiting the next 'installment' of Zwicker's Practical
Instructor will be disappointed this month, but can look forward to
this piece in an up coming issue.
Yes, spring it's trite to bring up the old 'time of
renewal' thing, I know, but dog gone it, it is good for the
spirit to see new life coming on at this time of year. I think you
folks in Engine land, many of whom have especially close ties to
Mother Earth, can understand this best. I myself, while a town
dweller whose grandfather sold the farm six months before I was
born, am feeling renewed just seeing my flower seeds sprouting to
life in their flats on the dining room floor (you should see my
lupines such sturdy little seedlings!).
I hope all of you out there have a moment of joy this season as
you emerge from your winter dens and gulp your first big breath of
fresh spring air! Now, on to your letters!
FRANCIS A. ORR, 1617 32nd Street, Anacortes, Washington 98221
really has a story for us: 'In September, I took my family to
England for a week of travel on the English canal systems. We had
done this three years ago and had a great time.
'This year, we traveled what is called the 'Warwickshire
Ring.' Our boat was 52 feet long, 6 feet 10 inches wide, and
drawing about two inches of water. Full headroom for four guys 6
feet 1 inch tall and complete kitchen and bathroom facilities for
my wife Rose Marie who does not have to worry about headroom (5
feet, 2 inch). The boat was a 'U-Drive' from Kate Boats at
Warwick, site of one of England's better known restored
'Our first day out of Warwick, going clockwise around the
'Ring', we went through 23 locks of the 'Hatton
Flight'. If you are new to working locks, by the time you get
to the top of the Hatton Flight you will be well checked out.
'That was Saturday. On Sunday we went through Birmingham in
a torrential downpour, the only bad day of the trip. I would have
liked to have stopped to see a few sights in Birmingham but it was
not on our schedule. Monday saw us stop in Fazely for a walk around
the area visiting castles and scenery. On both sides of the canal,
where we stopped, were old mills dating back over 200 years and
still in use. One had originally been water powered while the other
had the last of its steam gear removed just six months before we
'Now to the main point of this letter. Going south on the
Coventry Canal, we came to Hawkesbury Junction where the Oxford and
the Coventry Canals come together. On our right was a very old
engine house and chimney. I knew that it had to be an engine house
as it was too small to be a factory. Looking into the building, I
could see the foundations for the engine and boiler but everything
had been removed. I was told that the engine was an atmospheric
engine and that it had been removed into preservation some time
back. I felt very good that it had not been scrapped.
'From Hawkesbury Junction we continued down the Oxford Canal
with a stop at the city of Rugby. Number Two son Matthew was
president of his Rugby Club at Washington State University. Rugby
is also the site of a company that manufactures large steam
'At Napton Junction we transferred over to the Grand Union
Canal for the return to Warwick having covered 97 miles in seven
days. The last day on the canals I got to see two steam canal
boats. One was of recent conversion having a homemade water tube
boiler and a Sisson's high speed, enclosed, single cylinder
engine. Reverse was handled through a gear box. The other boat was
quite old. It had been a horse drawn ice breaker and was of riveted
construction. I was unable to determine anything about its power
Approaching Hawkesbury Junction where Oxford and Coventry Canals
meet. Pumping station on the right lifted water from a well for the
canal and was powered by an atmospheric engine now removed and
preserved the building is empty.
'Well, we returned home from our trip and I find the
November/December issue of The Iron-Men Album waiting for
me. Upon opening it I find that in my trip to England I was
following in the footprints of Gerald S. Lestz, who had preceded me
by a few months. I really enjoyed your article on the 'Origins
of Steam-power' and wish you would continue this effort in the
magazine. However, the best part was the drawing of the Hawkesbury
engine. From the tone of your article, you were farther south, so
thought you might like to see where the engine worked. I did hear
some talk about selling the cast iron bridge which would be a
'Three years ago on our first canaling trip, my wife said to
me: 'We are here to have fun. We are not here to look at steam
engines!' Well, I thought that the two went hand in glove, but
I guess I was wrong. She did let me look at the engine house of the
Tower Bridge. This year I got smarter and took two of my three sons
to England three days early. One went to Scotland to look up his
roots. The other visited the armor museums and the Christopher Wren
buildings. Me, I spent two glorious days in the Science Museum and
the Kew Bridge Museum. I hope you made it to Kew Bridge. Not every
day you can see an engine with 100 inch bore and 11 foot
Hawkesbury Junction facing southwest. Oxford Canal left turn
under 1837 cast iron bridge made by Britannia Foundry in Derby,
Coventry straight ahead.
Hawkesbury Junction, Francis Orr moves 52×610′ A my Clare
into the Oxford Canal from the Coventry Canal 180 degree turn. Old
pump station in background.
'Hope that you enjoy the pictures. I really enjoy the
From W. D. WHITMIRE, 11 East Lenhardt Road, Greenville, South
Carolina 29605 we received the old photo above.
'This is only half of the picture. It was torn in half. It
was found in an old trunk. The lady who owned the picture is in a
nursing home and does not know anything about it. She's 90
years old and was a neighbor of mine.'


text:
Finally! Release day for A New Day is finally here, and I cannot wait for you guys to read this one. Superheroes, girl power, Detroit, sarcasm, mysterious men… all of my favorite things, wrapped up into a story that I absolutely loved writing. If you've pre-ordered the book (thank you!) it should be waiting for you on your Kindle. If not, you can grab a copy now over on Amazon.
My pal, the lovely Corrina Lawson, blurbed the book and here's what she had to say:
She totally got what I was trying to do. It's a superhero story, a coming of age story, an adventure story, and at the heart of it all is Jolene, who I love as much as any of my other heroines. I can't wait to spend more time with her, and I am so excited for you to meet her.
Let me know what you think! Leave a comment here on the blog, email me at firstname.lastname@example.com, tweet at me (@C_Vanderlinden) or leave a comment over on Facebook. Thanks, as always, for your support. You guys are the absolute best.


text:
I Miss My Dog More Than I Miss You
I was never sure about you. But I was sure about him.
I was never sure about you. But I was sure about him.
I miss when the hardest thing about love was the question of timing. I miss when the biggest problem we ever had was when we were going to see one another again. When the only fight we had was who loved each other more.
Falling in love and being in love is the part that everyone wants. It's the part that makes a love story, a fairytale. But fairytales end in happily ever after. Fairytales end in magic. And real life? It's not a fairytale.
You see, you made me have butterflies again. It seems like a tiny thing. Like something so mundane, it wouldn't even matter. But it matters to me. Butterflies matter to me. You matter to me.
I'm learning to let go of the people who are no longer in my life. To let go of the friends who aren't here for me anymore. I'm learning to let go of the fact that I may have said something or done something to make certain people leave. I'm learning to let go of the people who chose to walk away, even if I didn't want them to.
Anxiety is just a piece of you. A tiny part. It is not all of you. It is not your whole entire being and mind.
I want the kind of partner who is firstly my friend. Who will back me up when I believe in something that no one else does. A friend who will listen to me talk on and on about my worst day at work. A friend who will rub my feet on the couch even though they are exhausted too. I want the kind of partner who will be my safe place. My safe haven. And my person.
Love is being so, so beautiful together, but it's also about being just as wonderful apart.


text:
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Some Questions
Jockey's at Del Mar, being proactive on using new light touch whips: "The jockeys came to us and said, 'Our riders are ready to do this here,' " he said. "We love the horses and we're always looking for new things to improve racing," said jockey Alex Solis.
Why is it that with some positive tests it takes two years to settle it, yet with others it is part of the game and it takes like ten minutes?
Dick Clark, Prairie Meadows trainer, caught with too much banamine in his horses: "When it's your own stupidity that does something, what's the use of fighting it?" Clark said. "It was my fault. It was just a misunderstanding between me and (the groom). I'm still responsible whether he did (understand) or not."
Why is it that we can't seem to find any promotions in racing with the billions of slot money we receive, yet a furniture salesman can find two million bucks to promote the sport?
McIngvale, the Gallery Furniture owner and philanthropist, on Monday told the Chronicle he will put up a $2 million purse if Zenyatta and 2009 Preakness Stakes winner Rachel Alexandra come to Sam Houston Race Park for a duel tentatively set for Oct. 3
Why is it that horse racing bettors have been around since about 1870 and we don't know who they are, but slots players have been playing at racino's for less than a decade but we know all about them?
"I don't think we know a lot about our horse bettor," Prairie Meadows board member Tom Whitney said. "I think we know about our casino player." (in response to the fact that PM is worried that horse crowds are hurting slots players.)
Why is it when someone comes looking for government money, they always trumpet how many people are employed by their business. If I run a basket weaving company that is losing trillions of dollars a year, do I have a better chance to get free money if I employ more people than another company only losing a few billion a year?
New Jersey horse racing: "... pegged to horse racing, which is said to have roles in providing some 13,000 equine industry jobs in the state and in supporting 176,000 acres of operating farmland"
New Jersey casino dude: Corbo said the casino business supports 60,000 "direct and indirect" jobs, generating tax receipts and consuming goods and services that dwarf what the horse racing industry provides. "It is without question that the economic impact of New Jersey's casino industry to the state far exceeds those (impacts) of the entire equine industry,"
Why is it that when horseplayers mention we need a takeout reduction, many trainers will ask for incontrovertible proof and ten year studies that a reduction will mean more money, but if two horses break down on a Thursday on a poly surface, some of those same trainers will want every polytrack ripped up?
Why is it when we read interviews with people over a certain age like John Campbell we see class and humility, but when reading interviews with some drivers under 30 like Tim Tetrick, all we seem to get is Terrell Owens in a driving suit?
JC: "The horses are the ones. I can go out there and drive the best race of my life, but if I've got nothing to work with no one will even notice."
TT: "There are so many horses I drive that pay about $10, and if anyone else drove, they'd be 20/1, and for some reason they win."
That's it for today! Enjoy your Tuesday everyone!
5 comments:
I had a look at the Dick Clark article not long ago and I read the Dutrow one about his positive in Kentucky around the same time. It is hard to fathom that they are both in the same profession. I also once thought that to be a successful harness driver you needed some smarts- but then I read that Tim Tetrick interview.
- August 11, 2009 at 8:33 PM
- That Blog Guy said...
There is a difference. I think the runners still think they can turn this business around while some people in harness racing think it is all over and they may as well take whatever they can why they can.
- August 12, 2009 at 3:13 AM
John Campbell epitomizes class, and has for decades. I am not ready to malign Tim Tetrick, based on one sentence. After all, couldn't his quote be read as exhibiting humility while commenting that most of his horses are overbet. This is the first time I have seen Tetrick presented in anything but a positive manner, so I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt.
- August 13, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Tim does sound a little strange to me. That interview a couple of years ago where he said something like .... 'horses talk to him and tell him they are going to win before the race' was a little flaky, too.
- August 13, 2009 at 11:44 AM
- Pull the Pocket said...
Hi A,
Horses don't speak to you? They do to me. Almost every one of them that I bet says "I'm slow".
- August 13, 2009 at 11:48 AM
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When the United States was forced into the first partial federal shutdown in 17 years on Tuesday, the outside world watched in almost disbelief. The U.S. government, which purports to be the world's foremost model for democratic governance, had ground to a temporary halt amidst the drama of partisan squabbling.
The international media were seemingly ready to cast blame, and Congressional Republican leaders bore the brunt.
From London to Beirut commentators have let rip, sharpening their pens – and their criticism - for one side of the aisle in particular.
"There is a frustrating tendency in American political reporting to adopt a position of "both sides-ism" – as in, "both sides" are equally to blame for the nation's chronic political dysfunction," writes The Guardian Michael Cohen, before pointing the finger of blame firmly in the direction of the Republican Party
Cohen sees members of the GOP's right-wing – including Sen. Ted Cruz of recent filibuster fame – as the instigators of this shutdown. He even called Sen. Cruz "the GOP's self-made monster" in a separate op-ed last week.
"That the U.S. will have come to such a pass – for no reason other than the extremism of the Republican Party – is an important reminder of who is blame for the governing dysfunction that has come to define the U.S. democracy today," he writes.
In Lebanon's Daily Star, columnist David Ignatius pinned blame for the shutdown on Republican House Speaker John Boehner, who he says is "on track to be the worst speaker in modern American history."
"Unable to control his own caucus, negotiate effectively with the president or pass legislation, he flounders in office – a likable man who is utterly ineffective," Ignatius wrote in a Monday article.
A Tuesday editorial in The Australian contended that the world might pay a price for what the editorial staff sees as political maneuvering on the part of House Republicans.
"Using Obamacare as the battering ram in the Republican campaign against the President is both irresponsible and damaging for the U.S. and the global economy," the editorial said.
The shutdown of a superpower like the United States – with its multi-trillion dollar economy – could conceivably send shockwaves across the globe, but international observers seem confident the crisis will be resolved soon enough.
Stock markets worldwide climbed on Tuesday as investors largely shrugged off the partial shutdown, betting that it would be short-lived.
Instead of dwelling on the potential economic consequences of a shutdown – which could be minimal if lawmakers can resolve the impasse quickly – the world is shaking its head at what is perceived as an absurd debacle of Congress' making.
"The world looked on with a little anxiety and a lot of dismay, and some people had trouble suppressing smirks," wrote Kevin Sullivan in a piece for Malaysian outlet Awani entitled, "US shutdown leaves the world scratching its head."
While Russia Today devoted an entire article to U.S. shutdown comedy, featuring noteworthy images and tweets carrying the #govtshutdown hashtag, photojournalist Lynsey Addario tweeted from India that the shutdown was not being taken too seriously.
"I'm in India, and my driver and translator are laughing at U.S. govt shutdown. So much for world's great superpower. It's closed," she said in a Tuesday tweet.
Optimistic analysts in developing countries initially posited that there might be something else to smile about in the event of a prolonged shutdown: growth. They floated the idea that if the American economy stumbles, it could open the door for marginal growth in emerging economies.
In India, analysts downplayed those early predictions that a U.S. shutdown would be a good thing for their country.
"Expecting that some large amount of money would flow towards India based on this incident, it would be taking optimism to a ridiculous level" Sandeep Shenoy, Executive Director of Institutional Equities at Anand Rathi Securities, told The Economic Times of India.
"This glitch will get ironed out," Shenoy added, referring to the shutdown.
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Clinton, Sanders spar over specifics in Iowa
Yoga used to help kids cope with violence in Chicago
Seeking charges against a Chicago officer
Filipina 'comfort women' seek official apology from Japan
Canada's missing indigenous women


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Move over Fantasia, watch your back Monica, producer and recording artist Keith Sweat has entered the reality show game and he's taking R&B group Dru Hill along for the ride.
The new CENTRIC show Keith Sweat's Platinum House, not only chronicles the ups, downs and drama of 90s hitmakers Dru Hill as the group sets out to record their fourth album, InDRUpendance Day, it does it bootcamp style.
Viewers get to watch as Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz and newest member Tao endure sessions with team builders, trainers, vocal coaches and a licensed therapist to whip them into shape and help them squash all the old beef that caused Dru Hill to dissolve as a group and pursue solo careers.
With multi-platinum producer and recording artist Sweat at the helm of the recording project Dru Hill may have the sounds to get back into the music game, but can they all get past all their personal issues to make it happen? Tune in and find out.
Keith Sweat's Platinum House premieres on CENTRIC June 28th 8pm EST/5pm PST—Ronke Idowu Reeves


text: As Monroe's expanded to be the "nationally known" restaurant (have we got stories!!) it is today, we have never forgotten our roots as a neighborhood gathering place. We want you to make yourself at home, have fun, and help us get to know you and any special needs you may have. Monroe's family operates a team system (everyone is responsible for your satisfaction) so that we can serve you better -- and special orders or substitutions are OK!! So relax, enjoy, and remember we're all here to serve you. And thanks for dropping in!!


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Non-timber forest products and trade in eastern Borneo
TypeJournal Article
MetadataShow full item record
Sellato, B. 2002. Non-timber forest products and trade in eastern Borneo . Bois et Forets des Tropiques 271 (1) :37-49. ISSN: 0006-579X.
Permanent link to cite or share this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10568/18481
External link to download this item: https://www.cifor.org/knowledge/publication/1006
A broad range of non-timber forest products of plant and animal origin collected from the Borneo rain forestand subsequently traded are presented. These products include resins, latex, rattans and birdsnests. The article discusses their local and regional uses and whether they are or have been targeted for local or international markets. The author also presents for the northern part ofthe Indonesian province of East Kalimantan a history of trade in these products based on various written (Dutch colonial archives, official Indonesian statistics, local scholarly texts) and oral (interviews with nomadic Punan people, Dayak swidden farmers, Malays in the coastalports, Chinese and Arab traders, middlemen disseminating in land products on international markets) sources. This historical reconstruction suggests that despite the fact that some of these products have been traded on world markets for almost two millenia their systematic and unsustainable exploitation only began in the 17th century. Since then, the products have been extracted along a front that has gradually progressed from the coastal regions via the rivers towards interior parts ofthe island. This exploitation ended inthe 1990s, with almost complete depletion of these resources. The local forest communities (Dayak and Punan) are neither wise conservationists nor primitive destroyers of the forest, but simply economic stakeholders. Their sensible, pragmatic strategies have enabled their long term survival in local forests underany circumstances with respect to world market demand.
AGROVOC Keywords
SubjectsNON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS;
- CIFOR publications [7562]


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Motorcyclist dies after losing control, crashing into wall on I-96
A motorcyclist died after losing control of the motorcycle and crashing into the wall on Southfield Freeway on Sunday.
The driver was traveling on westbound Interstate 96 near the Southfield Freeway when the driver lost control of the motorcycle on the ramp and hit the wall. The driver was ejected over the side of the bridge before landing in the westbound lanes shortly before 6 a.m. Sunday, according to Michigan State Police.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Speeding was a cause in the accident, according to police. The identity of the driver has not been released.
Detroit museum's director on leave amid allegations of toxic culture, racial harassment
Tanker flips on I-75 in Bloomfield Twp., spilling 13,000 gallons of fuel in fiery crash
The freeway was temporarily closed down but has since reopened. Michigan State Police continue to investigate the crash.
Meredith Spelbring is a news intern with the Detroit Free Press. Reach her at firstname.lastname@example.com or on Twitter @mere0415.


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Is it worth to create customer self-service?
Feb. 23, 2019, 1:18 a.m.
The self-service business model originated in the United States, where at the beginning of the 20th-century self-service stores appeared. If in family shops the visitors were traditionally served at the counter, now they had to independently take goods from the shelves. The concept of self-service has evolved in parallel with the universalization engendered by the industrialization of the universal desire to increase productivity and efficiency.
In the case of using the self-service business model, value creation is to some extent passed on to customers in exchange for a lower price (as). In particular, this approach is optimal for processes with high costs, bringing consumers low perceived value. Clients usually point out that self-service also helps save time (that). It may even increase efficiency since in some cases the value creation stage will be shorter and more targeted. The classic examples of this method are the delivery of goods from the shelves, the planning of your own projects or the independent settlement of goods or services. A self-service business has great potential in the context of the economy because consumer participation can often lead to a significant reduction in the number of full-time positions.
It is well known that self-service can bring significant benefits to your customers, your employees and your company. Implementing the right knowledge management methods will allow your team to maximize their self-service potential and give their customers exactly what they increasingly prefer: the ability to self-serve and help themselves.
The "Self-service" template is great for customers who are willing to work a little for lower prices. It will also be useful when the "do-it-yourself" element of the production process creates perceived customer value (for example, this may apply to T-shirts, which customers design themselves for themselves). To successfully apply Self-Service, you must analyze the potential of the template from the point of view of consumers.


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Might Military Schools in Plainfield Illinois Really Help Your Troubled Boy? Maybe, But There is a Better Option.
Is your teen spinning out of control, angry, defiant, involved in minor self-destructive behavior, or in legal trouble? If so, Agapé Boarding School can help, and probably better than military schools in Plainfield, Illinois.
Agapé is NOT A MILITARY SCHOOL. It is a more complete solution for your boy, and without the intimidation of drill sergeants. We provide a secure campus and military-like discipline and structure, but we also provide vocational training, mentoring and spiritual help for troubled boys. Our boarding school includes team sports on a sprawling campus and a fully accredited school.
Agapé is different from military schools in Plainfield, IL, because we also offer life purpose training and redirection, without screaming and intimidation like military schools do. We're not a military school, but our program is a more effective solution for helping turn around troubled boys!
Agapé Boarding School for boys helps at-risk boys turn their lives around inside a caring Christian environment. Parents from Plainfield, Illinois and across the United States have turned to Agapé Boarding School with each and every individual boy to guide him to become a respectful, responsible young man.
Agapé Boarding School gives a superior training program for teen boys from Plainfield, Illinois with a surprisingly low cost. Please look into it even if you are looking for military academies in Illinois.
Make a comparison of Agapé Boarding School with Plainfield Illinois military schools for troubled boys, and you will notice that we offer an advanced program and appealing facilities at a lower rate. We excel at helping boys who lack motivation both at home and in class, those acting out in defiance or disregard for authority, and teens identified as having ADD, ADHD, RAD, ODD or depression.
Agape's beautiful campus and facilities deserve a closer look, even if it isn't a military school program.
Occupying 200 acres of ranch land in America's heartland, we have extensive recreational facilities, athletic fields, and an amazing number of exotic animals throughout the campus. Unlike military boarding schools, boys experience a rich variety of activities and learning experiences while they stay fit and have fun during their stay. The unique setting of this extraordinary campus and our low cost attracts families from Plainfield, Illinois and beyond.
Like many military schools, Agapé's exceptional school helps troubled boys graduate and prepare for the future.
With an accredited educational program, boys work on their junior high and high school classes at their own speed, while also assisted by tutors and certified teachers. A lot of individualized attention ensures that boys at any capability master their coursework. Most students realize that they quickly compensate for lost time and gain pride in their academic abilities. Our college-prep program helps boys with college entrance testing and applications. Young men finish Agapé Boarding School well-prepared for their entrance to the workplace or the college classroom.
While Agapé is not in Plainfield, Illinois, a brand new location away from peers can offer your son a fresh perspective for a whole new start in life without the harshness of a military school setting.
Although you may be looking for military school options in Plainfield, Illinois, many boys admit that a move out of state was the ideal way to allow them to find a fresh start. With familiar friends and hangouts left far behind, old habits can more easily be replaced with better ones. A new location eliminates distractions for boys who want to reevaluate their choices. Furthermore, the expansive outdoor surroundings as well as the rhythms of ranch life on our attractive Missouri facilities speak strongly to the hearts of young men.
Agapé Boarding School serves at-risk teenage boys from Plainfield, Illinois, and from throughout America with a highly disciplined, military-like program.
|More about military boarding schools in Illinois:
Plainfield is a village in Will County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2007 special census, the population is 37,334.
The Village includes land in Plainfield and Wheatland townships. Part of Plainfield is located in Kendall County . With the growth in the Chicago suburbs in the 1990s and 2000s, the village has seen a building boom and a rapid population increase, from 4,500 in 1990 to 13,000 in 2000 to over 37,000 in 2007. Based on estimates created by the village and state government, Plainfield's population could grow as large as 120,000 by 2030. Plainfield is also the fastest growing village in Will county.
The Village has established a community Preservation Commission and historic preservation ordinance. It is the home of the Lake Renwick Preserve, a county forest preserve used for birdwatching and other activities.
Excerpt about military boarding schools for boys near Plainfield, Illinois, used with permission from Wikipedia.
While Agapé is not a military school nor a boot camp, we invite you look around the rest of our website to learn how we are a better option for troubled boys, then please give us a call.


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I alluded to Larry Correia's feelings being hurt by the action of Apple, Google and Amazon against conservative social media service Parler. As a reminder, Parler as well a being a privacy-data nightmare had such weak moderation processes that it was beset with issues with threats of violence.
Larry, who has been tirelessly pushing electoral fraud conspiracy theories since last November is rushing to the defence of Parler.
"Now comes the part where leftists suddenly love free enterprise and companies being able to do whatever they want… Okay, can all the small businesses open? Nope. Only companies that benefit leftist orthodoxy get to do what they want, and if you disagree with this double standard, obviously you hate–the leftist has to look at the printed word and try to sound it out–cap e tall ism?"https://monsterhunternation.com/2021/01/11/bow-before-appgooglezon/
The "leftist orthodoxy" in question being "don't murder Mike Pence" which…well I know I agree with that principle but I would not want to be too bold in claiming everybody I know on the left agrees with that on principle. I know for a fact that "let's not overthrow the government" isn't exactly against leftist orthodoxy. The principle on the left is more "we know that there are legal consequences for asking for people to break the law because we have a basic understanding of the nature of law, politics and common sense"
Larry goes on to explain:
"In principle I'm usually in favor of letting businesses do whatever they want. You know what else I'm usually against in principle? Bombing Japan. Yet strangely, after Pearl Harbor, circumstances changed, and things which were previously disagreeable become necessary. Go figure."ibid
True, all out war is a circumstance in which normal rules of interaction between nations are suspended. Which…well…isn't that an argument in favour of big tech clamping down hard on a platform being used to encourage the over throw of your country's constitution? To be fair, you don't visit Larry's Facebook page for clear thinking.
"So basically, if Home Depot and a cabal of every building supply store in the country wants to ban an entire class of citizens, that's fine, just grow your own trees, cut them down, and shape them into lumber yourself. Oh… except once you've put in the labor and grown the trees, then the saw companies say no chainsaws for you either. I guess you should just build your own chainsaws from scratch."ibid
Their should be a word for this — "suspended epiphany". I've lost count of how many times I've seen people online walk up to an idea and get close enough to see the generalisation and realise that their core beliefs are just fundamentally misguided and then…well, just not take that step.
"Like I skimmed the comments to this post yesterday, and it was as expected. HUR DUR YOU SAID NO BAKE CAKE! Oh yeah… That's totally the same thing. Because remember that time the entire baking industry colluded to deny bread to all gay people, and when the free market responded and somebody opened an LGBT bakery the powerful oven industry stepped in to shut them down… You fucking dopes."ibid
He is correct that it is not the same thing. The difference is that women, people of colour in the USA, gay men, lesbians, trans people, disabled people and a whole host of other people who have faced systemic and overt prejudice for years and years genuinely HAVE faced the situation where the individual "freedom" for business to discriminate that conservatives & libertarians have championed, has been so widespread that it the outcome was the same as massive collusion by business to exclude, discriminate and denigrate them. It's exactly what people have been trying to explain to you for years and what you have so tirelessly scoffed and scorned them about.
Ownership of commerce is political power. That is either true or it isn't. If it isn't then Larry has no complaint. If it is then…well the question is one of whether these big corporations are using that power for good or ill and for that we can't ignore WHAT was going on with Parler.
Hey Larry! Don't you know that the "evil corporation" is a boring cliche of SJW message fiction? You should because you literally told us:
"The hoighty-toighty literati snobs prefer heavy handed, ham fisted, message fiction. (show picture of sci-fi readers giving up in frustration as they read yet another award winning book where evil corporations, right wing religious fanatics, and a thinly veiled Dick Cheney have raped the Earth until all the polar bears have died and the plot consists entirely of academic hipster douchebags sitting around and talking about their feelings) "https://monsterhunternation.com/2013/01/16/how-to-get-correia-nominated-for-a-hugo-part-2-a-very-special-message/
You also were opposed to any limits on big tech in 2014
"– "We believe that the Internet shouldn't be rigged to benefit big corporations, and that means real net neutrality."https://monsterhunternation.com/2014/07/21/elizabeth-warrens-11-commandments/
Wrap your brain around that hypocritical bullshit. We must protect the internet from evil corporations? What about the NSA reading all our stuff? What about the government deciding what can and can't be said, and Progressive senators trying to pass "Kill Switches"? I'm not a fan of Google, but Google can't send a SWAT team to my house to kill me."
It is a bit late in the day for Larry to discover that Elizabeth Warren had a point but it is noticeable that the step big tech took that tipped Larry over the edge was them clamping down on speech aimed at inciting violence to over throw an election.


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This show is not for the squeamish. In this show we are going to talk to a survivor of a Satanic cult. What he has to say is shocking!
Kerth Barker is a survivor of a Satanic Cult. His web site is http://angelicdefenders.theshamecampaign.com/ . He has written a book about his experiances called "Angelic Defenders & Demonic Abusers – Memoirs of a Satanic Ritual Abuse Survivor".
Elite Luciferian and Satanic abuse of undocumented immigrants


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Vintage 14kt Pear Diamond Journey Necklace, Past, Present, Future. 18.5", Signed XL. Weight is appx. 1.76 gr. Three pear-shaped diamonds totaling .25 appx carat weight. 18.5" 14kt yellow gold box chain that is appx. .6mm. Spring clasp. The pendant is 3/4" long with some articulation. It is tapered from appx. 3.5mm at top and down to 2mm at the bottom stone. Journey, Past, Present, Future themed. Very good condition. Great gift for a bride, anniversary, Valentine's Day, etc. More rare to see pear-shaped diamonds rather than round. (INV. W.91121.11X SS5699 J LD 9/16/21 ET918/21).
You can search me at my own store: mariasvintage.com and also I have an etsy store at mariasvintage2.com or on pinterest under pinterest.com/mariasvinta0654/ where I have most of my items for sale across all my venues categorized in very easty-to-search boards. I am on ebay as sellername stampshopgirl; and on Storenvy as Maria's.
Photos are magnified (but not corrected or enhanced) and will show the item larger or possibly more flawed than it actually is.
Fine jewelry is not stored on premises.
Thank you for stopping and checking us out.
I request payment within 3 days - if you need more time, please let me know.
I do ship higher-end items insured and that insurance is usually included in the shipping.
I will refund on items within 7 days of receipt. I will not refund if the item is received and damage is claimed but not reported upon receipt as damage in shipping would be known immediately. If the item was worn or in some way changed - scratches, missing stones, etc., I am sorry but I will not refund or will refund the amount, minus the payment to the jeweler to repair the item if it can be repaired. I do keep photos of all items sold and they are compared when returned and will need to be in that same condition prior to refund. I do charge a 10% restocking fee.
I do combine shipping.


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Gender discrimination and sexual harassment are two serious issues that can be an insidious poison in a workplace. Apart from legal consequences (which can be serious for the employees involved, as well as their employer), sexual harassment and gender discrimination can also cause significant long term harm to the victim and have wider social impacts.
What is Gender Discrimination?
Gender discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably than a person of the opposite gender would be in the same, or similar, situation.
Gender discrimination can be clear and direct – for example, a group of men and women are doing identical jobs yet all the male employees are paid more for the same work. It can also be less clear but still have a pronounced effect – for example, a policy or rule is implemented uniformly in a workplace, but has an unfair effect on one gender over the other.
What is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is the making of unwanted sexual advances or obscene remarks in a workplace, or other professional or social situation. Sexual harassment is commonly directed at women, but can affect people of all sexes and sexual orientations.
Sexual harassment can include behaviours such as:
- Requests for sex,
- Unwelcome physical contact,
- Suggestive jokes or comments,
- Unwanted requests to go out on dates,
- Inappropriate promises of rewards in return for sexual favours,
- Sending texts with sexually explicit content,
- Emailing rude/sexual jokes or pornography,
- Staring,
- Leering,
- Asking intrusive personal questions about a person's private life or body,
- Displaying images of a sexual nature (eg posters, magazines, screen savers, calendars)
Effects of sexual harassment and gender discrimination
Two studies on sexual harassment were completed in 1998, covering 16 countries in Europe. The EU Commission summary of these studies found that almost all people suffering sexual harassment experienced negative consequences as a result. This extended to not only their professional life, but also their personal lives. Victims reported loss of self-esteem, psychosomatic symptoms and interference with their personal life. Significantly, women were also more likely to experience negatives consequences affecting their career than their harassers.
Victims can also experience loss of income when they take unpaid leave or sick leave as a result of harassment, or find themselves out of work when they are forced quit their job or transfer employment to escape. There are also less direct effects that can cause financial losses or affect careers – loss of references or recommendations, or being excluded from professional circles.
Business productivity and the bottom line is also directly affected by sexual harassment; through absenteeism, reduced job satisfaction, higher staff turnover, early retirement, premature ill-health, increased insurance rates, and the cost of legal defense and liability for sexual harassment claims. Incidences of sexual harassment and discrimination may also be damaging to brands and corporate images. Beyond that, organisations may feel a strong moral responsibility to safeguard their employees from discriminatory or harassing behaviours.
What can be done?
Society and culture changes over time; behaviours once seen as acceptable become taboo. Due to the financial and social effects of sexual harassment and gender discrimination, many organisations have taken note of these issues. According to the Society for Human Resource Management:
- 62 percent of companies have implemented prevention training programs for sexual harassment, and
- 97 percent have created a written sexual harassment policy.
Many countries, like Australia, have implemented laws that lay out the rights and responsibilities of individuals and organisations. The Australian Sex Discrimination Act covers issues such as sexual harassment, gender discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, family responsibilities discrimination, and more. The Act has provisions for discrimination in many areas of life, including employment, education, accommodation and getting, or using, services.
Know your rights
It's important that you (no matter how you identify yourself sexually, and whether you are an employee, employer, customer or other stakeholder) know your rights and responsibilities when it comes to sexual harassment and discrimination. The Australian Human Rights Commission has a "Know Your Rights" fact page which includes contact details if you need more information. You can check it out @ Australian Human Rights Commission – Know Your Rights.
Oops! We could not locate your form.


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Photo: cani.czReading Time: < 1 minute
Leading aviation training provider Alpha Aviation Group continues SE Asia infrastructure investment with A320 Fixed Based Simulator.
Alpha Aviation Group ("AAG"), a leading provider of aviation training solutions for the global airline industry, continues its investments into its Filipino platform by investing in its advanced training infrastructure.
AAG Philippines has taken delivery and will commence training on a state of the art Airbus A320 Fixed Based Simulator acquired from simulator manufacturer Multi Pilot Simulation.
The multi-million dollar MPS advanced A320 Fixed Based Simulator, the first to be operated in the south-east Asian region, simulates all the functions found onboard a real A320 aircraft, and will offer leading regional airlines an alternative solution to existing training infrastructure.
In recent years the A320 has become aircraft of choice for many regional carriers, including AirAsia, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines. The A320 simulator, which will be fully operational and in use from November onwards, will serve as an invaluable training tool for Alpha Aviation Group Philippines' 240 cadets and airline partners.
The acquisition of the simulator comes at a time of tremendous growth within the south-east Asian airline industry, with demand for commercial pilots far outstripping supply. Boeing has recently forecast that 617,000 more commercial pilots will be needed globally by 2034, with 248,000 (40%) required across the South-East Asia region.
Industry players have been increasingly investing into the region in recent years, with the most recent opening being the Airbus Training Center in Singapore. The trend in the airline industry has been to choose established and experienced players as training partners, and Alpha Aviation Group is well positioned to assist the regional airlines in their aggressive expansion plans. The latest investment is a commitment from AAG to continue supporting the regional airline industry.


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Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. More about us.
Banana Bread Pudding
Charles Schiller
This classic, buttery bread pudding can be made with dried cranberries or raisins instead of bananas for a fruity twist.
Cal/Serv: 340
Yields: 10
Total Time: 1 hour 30 mins
8 tbsp. butter
4 bananas
6 tbsp. light brown sugar
c. milk
1 c. heavy cream
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
c. granulated sugar
1 tbsp. granulated sugar
tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. fresh nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
6 slice firm white bread
- Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Butter (using 1 tablespoon) a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate and one side of a 12-inch square of aluminum foil; set aside.
- Cook bananas with 4 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons brown sugar and cook until sugar melts and coats bananas. Set aside.
- Beat the milk, cream, eggs, yolk, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and remaining 4 tablespoons brown sugar together. Brush bread with the remaining butter, cut each slice in half, and layer in the pie dish. Tuck bananas between the slices. Pour in the milk mixture. Press to absorb the liquid. Cover with foil, bake for 30 minutes, remove foil, sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon granulated sugar, and bake uncovered until golden brown, about 25 more minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
More From Food & Drinks


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NEW BALANCE US576CM4 Burgudy/Camouflage
June 12, 2014 In Footwear
Available now / In-store at BAIT Diamond Bar / Online at BAITme.com / $160 USD
New Balance introduces a stylish camouflage look to its classic 576 silhouette. The brand has issued another colorway of the old-school sneaker – this one labelled the US576CM4 – that retains the usual level of excellence we've come to expect. Much of the upper is draped in lush suede in a deep burgundy hue with a few cuts of full-grain leather on the trim. But a fresh camo pattern pushes the 576 in an entirely new direction; the modified print ditches the traditional green and brown scheme for burgundy and tan to match the rest of the sneaker.


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Free speech is under siege in Vietnam
The inside track on Washington politics.
NGUYEN HUU VINH is a Vietnamese blogger better known by the name Ahn Ba Sam. He's no radical; he was once a police officer in the Ministry of Public Security in Hanoi, later a private investigator, and is the son of a former Vietnamese government minister who served as ambassador to the Soviet Union. After leaving the police, Mr. Vinh started several popular blogs that provided links to articles about social, political, economic and cultural issues in Vietnam, drawing from state media and from activists.
The blogs were too much for Vietnam's authoritarian rulers, who control the major news outlets and restrict speech, association and religion. In May 2014, Mr. Vinh was detained, along with his assistant, Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy. They were held in prison throughout last year, without trial, a period when Vietnam was in the final throes of negotiating with the United States over the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.
Then, on March 23, the bloggers were put on trial, accused of "abusing rights to freedom and democracy to infringe upon the interests of the state." Prosecutors said some of the articles on their site had "untruthful and groundless contents" that tarnished the country's image. Mr. Vinh was sentenced to five years in prison and his assistant to three years. Both insisted at the one-day trial they were innocent. The presiding judge thought otherwise, and said the articles they had posted "present a one-sided and pessimistic view, causing anxiety and worry, and affecting people's confidence" in the Communist Party and the government, and "go against the interests of the nation."
Vietnam has previously prosecuted bloggers and discourages dissent in other ways, too. According to Human Rights Watch, last year at least 45 bloggers and rights activists were beaten by plainclothes agents. Late last year, the state's thugs badly beat up Nguyen Van Dai, a prominent human rights activist and lawyer. He led a workshop on human rights in early December in Nghe An province and was assaulted by plainclothes goons. On Dec. 16 in Hanoi, he was formally arrested and thrown into solitary confinement. His wife, Vu Minh Khanh, told us he has not been allowed visitors or contact with his family. He was told his arrest was for "conducting propaganda against the state." He was fighting for a freer and more open Vietnam.
We have been hopeful that Vietnam's inclusion in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal would nudge its rulers toward greater openness and tolerance, but Ms. Khanh said the human rights situation is "dreadful" and growing worse. Even though the Trans-Pacific Partnership is not explicitly about democracy, the United States ought to bring up human rights at every opportunity, to drive home the point that blogging and human rights workshops are consistent with an open and free society. President Obama, due to make his first visit to Vietnam next month, ought to carry the message personally. Vietnam's besieged bloggers and human rights defenders would find it encouraging.


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Member Appreciation Weekend
As a member-owner at Hunger Mountain Co-op, you are part of a collaborative effort that creates numerous positive impacts for our community, both near and far. Our co-op would not be successful without the support and involvement of our members, including those who shop here, round up at the register, bring reusable bags, serve on committees, and volunteer at events.
In appreciation of all our members and everything they do, we are having a Member Appreciation celebration on Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 14. Members can save 5% storewide*, while also taking advantage of our member-only coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase in our wellness department.
Throughout the weekend, we will have product samples and raffles, including a $100 Co-op gift card, and local vendors will be at the Co-op to demo their products. Check out the schedule below.
Big Gear Coffee on Friday from 10am-1pm
Local Sweet Soda on Friday from 11am-2pm
Carrier Coffee on Saturday from 10:30am-1:30pm
DeeLicious Raw Vegan Cheesecakes on Saturday from 11am-2pm
Not a member? Join here for only $15 and start saving! Still owe your equity payment? Make your $15 payment here.
*The 5% Member Appreciation discount does not include alcohol, Co-op branded merchandise, newspapers, magazines, equity payments, or gift cards. Other discounts, including Senior, Co-op Cares, Working Members, Council, and Staff, will be applied in addition to the 5% discount. All discounts will be automatically applied at the register.
During Member Appreciation Weekend, don't miss our Summer Case Sale, where you can save up to 53% when buying by the case. This sale is for everyone. Members will receive an additional 5% off these products. Quantities are limited, and sale is while supplies last. Check out the list of sale items here.


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Late autumn and winter offer their own special magic from the shopping delights of craft fairs and various holiday celebrations to exhilarating recreation on snow-covered hills and trails.The Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia has numerous winter activities including the annual Ice Wine Festival in Wolfville and the Eagle Watch Weekends in Sheffield Mills.
- Ski Martock (downhill and cross country skiing)
- CentreStage Amateur Theatre
- Extensive shopping opportunities in nearby New Minas, Kentville and Wolfville
- Art Galleries, Antique and Craft Stores
- K C Irving Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens, Acadia University
- Bowling Lanes
- Hunting
- Performing Arts Series with Guest Performers at Acadia University
- Bird Watching (don't miss Eagle Watch Weekend!)
- Wineries including Domaine de Grand Pre , Sainte-Famille Winery, and Blomidon Estate Winery (seasonal hours – please reconfirm before visiting)
Our Restaurant has a stone fireplace to keep you warm while savoring the day
A family owned and operated Hotel has been a popular destination spot for local Nova Scotia Attractions for 50 years, where guests are considered family too.