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Rabbi Lyon's Blog – 04_29_2016
Rabbi Lyon's Blog – 04_29_2016
From the desk of Rabbi David Lyon
Passover is over. The story has been told, the rituals have been observed, and the hope for redemption has been renewed. Despite our rituals and observances, the world still looks the same, sadly. But, so did the world look to the Israelites soon after they left Egypt and entered the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. Redemption alone doesn't reveal the world we wish to see. It only summons us to enter a new place where we can make a difference.
Throughout history, our people has experienced more than one redemption from bondage. Relative to Jewish history, it wasn't too long ago that many of our ancestors made their journey to America. In fact, millions made their way here in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many more made it throughout the 20th century. For them, America was the Promised Land.
Our Yiddishe relatives called America, the Goldene Medina, or the Golden Land. They believed the streets were paved with gold. In a way they were paved with gold; not literally, but they led many of our families to wealth beyond their wildest dreams in work and professions never permitted them anywhere else. The unfolding of the American dream meshed well with Jewish dreams, because our ambitions to achieve excellence as human beings devoted to timeless Torah values knew few boundaries here. Though earlier generations faced discrimination and restrictive quotas, most of us would grow up with very few encounters with anti-Semitism. We imagined ourselves to be like any other Americans whose dreams were limited only by our own ambitions. Redeemed, we fashioned a new world in partnership with other "huddled masses" that came to these shores to build a great nation.
Another important redemption came after WWII and the liberation of the concentration camps. Now the Promised Land wasn't due west; it was in the Middle East. The land that would be Israel summoned its people from Nazi Europe, but also from an exile that began nearly 2000 years ago. From the time of the destruction of the Temple by the Romans in 70CE, Jews have longed and prayed for a return to the Land and the city of Jerusalem. The timing was inspired, and Zionism found its purpose in the rebuilding of the Land socially, culturally, religiously and politically. Since 1948, the Land has been replanted, repopulated and reimagined to meet the needs of many peoples. Redeemed, Israel remains a place of hope that reflects the meaning of Passover more than once each year; it testifies to the power of redemption every day.
Though our Passover tables tell only one story, the Seder doesn't end without our commitment to the Jewish future where redemption from oppression and bondage must be experienced constantly. But, not only for us; our redemption would be incomplete if it didn't include the needs of every human being who longs to be free, really free. If you didn't address these matters this year, don't return to the Seder table now; but make a promise that the Seder experience wasn't lost on you. Fill the future with redemptive moments made possible by decisions and actions fueled by Jewish values to leave your corner of the world in better shape than you found it.
Next Passover, tell the familiar story but begin where you left off this year. It should be a place with less oppression and discrimination. It should be a place filled with greater meaning because you acted in faith that Passover isn't only about the past; it's mostly and always has been about the future that begins with today.


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Originally published at Faith Seeking Understanding. You can comment here or there.
Here you guys go. Enjoy!
Things I've Read
Conversing with Our Children about Creation and Evolution, by Praveen Sethupathy
The wisdom in Caedmon's story is sometimes lost on us. We are often offended that God should have to accomplish anything in steps, as though that made him less divine and all-powerful. But engaging a child can be a fruitful remedy for the biases that have been woven into the fabric of our thinking over time. Creation by process made God seem more powerful and real to Caedmon, not less. In fact, the process of fairy creation was vital to Caedmon's story because he felt that without it, the fairies would be inclined to view themselves as a product of "magic," rather than an expression of a creative Person. In other words, the process points to God, and maybe even represents an invitation to learn more about him.
Things I've Said
… here …
1. The Rebirth of Gregory House
I know I prattle on a fair bit about Aristotle, but these two really do seem to capture the Aristotelian friendship quite well. You have two men who are virtuous in different ways – Wilson through his compassion and loyalty, House through his authenticity and raw intellect. Both shoot a bit excessive of true virtue, actually, but the point is they have virtues the other more or less lacks. House teaches Wilson how to embrace the idea that the world isn't just and live with that, actually to live full-stop. When he eulogizes House, Wilson is brutally completely honest which I can't see him doing at any earlier point in the series – and I can't help imagining House would approve. And House, for his part, gives up first his Vicodin to take away a friend's pain and then ultimately his life as a doctor.
And water sloshing over bridge-remains,
Spraying up,
Deeper, deeper, deeper,
Water up to his chest now,
Chain mail dragging,
Momentary panic – Osgiliath reminders Osgiliath drowning brother two others and bridges collapsing orc arrows drowning drowning drowning and and and…
(from Aeneid's "110″)
3. 'The Fall of the King', slash, and 'wholesome fantasy'
There's this idea that violence isn't blinked at but love, particularly love between two characters with matching genitalia, must be warned against lest teh innocentz be exposed. This is one of the things I love so much about Ellen's novels, that characters aren't heterosexual or homosexual so much as just people. What I mean is Richard loves Alec (or in this case Theron and St. Cloud) are obviously in love with each other, and in this book that means a few sex scenes. Tastefully done, integral to the plot, but sex scenes between two men. Yet in our culture, for Theron and St. Cloud to kiss requires forewarning in a way we'd never expect for Faramir and Eowyn. And certainly we wouldn't expect them before the gruesome hike through the Capitol sewers in Hunger Games. That's telling.
Bonus: the audiobook is now available for download. If the earlier ones are any indication, this is an audiobook you don't want to miss.
… and on FB ….
1. In response to this song:
Ninety-three years ago today, the nineteenth amendment was ratified giving women the right to vote. That calls for a little bit of showtuneage. Danke schoen to all the brave women and men that fought to make my political life possible.
2. In response to this comic:
Many of David Hayward aka the Naked Pastor's comics make me smile, but this one earned an outright laugh. I can totally see Jesus stealing NOT's off church signs – fits in quite nicely with the radical inclusion that characterizes his statements in the gospels to the excluded groups of his own days.
3. In response to this link:
Slate.com has a piece by a woman whose marriage was arranged. Personally I found the piece overly preachy and didn't finish it, but it was a good reminder that arranged marriages exist and that they work to a certain degree.
It got me thinking about the idea of gay marriage, particularly the claims you sometimes hear that gay marriage would redefine marriage. Thinking about arranged marriages it seems clear to me that over history, lots of people have gotten married for lots of different reasons. Some of them are built around biological procreation, some around love, some around stability and social alliances and the need to protect family honor. I'd almost certainly want to marry for love, because I want to sanctify my relationship with someone before God and because I want to use the legal privileges that help build a life.
But reading this article, it struck me: if someone else wanted to marry for a different reason? That wouldn't change what my imagined marriage would drive at. And if it did change the general definition of marriage, that certainly wouldn't be the first time in human history that happened.
4. In response to this headline:
I wonder if I'm the only one more than a bit bothered by this headline. As I read it, this article is basically about how the sequester and other government spending cuts are threatening grant money given to vital science research.
I'm not criticizing the basic point that such research is important and that short-sighted cuts are threatening it. But the Dark Ages? I'll swallow my bile that my loverly medieval period so often gets painted as a time of ignorance and superstition. For instance the early medieval period (what's usually referred to as the dark ages) saw the invention of things like mills that made use of the tides, Artesian wells, horseshoes and horse-collars that allowed greater use of horsepower, and the three-crop rotation system that improved agricultural efficiency. Those are just the ones I can think of off off the top of my head. And if we include the Arabic world, there was much more theoretical work being done, on mathematics, medicine, astronomy, philosophy. Always assuming things like algebra should be considered a good thing.
I may be wrong here, but was government-sponsored scientific research really a thing before the Cold War? Before then, it was mostly paid for through patronage by the uber-wealthy. So the way public funding is falling back isn't just a feature of the Dark Ages; it's pretty much a feature of any period before the last century.
I *am* concerned about the way anti-scientific "true for me" or truthiness seems to trump objective truth and expertise these days. But again, this didn't begin with the Tea Party. America has a long tradition of anti-intellectualism and wariness of eggheads and brainiacs telling us how to run things. And even if it's worse than it once was (I think it is), that's not really what this piece is about anyway.
5. On Doctor Who:
Speaking of Pinterest, a rewatched video reminded me that I really can't tell tell the difference between David Tenant and Matt Smith, at least not in clips and photos. I suppose I should be ashamed of myself.
6. And again on House:
A quick question for fans of "House": Am I the only one who saw parallels between certain characters in the season six opener ("Broken," where House is in the psychiatric hospital) and the regular hospital cast. For instance, the chief psychiatrist had a bearing a lot like Foreman's, and the blond character with the superman delusions I thought was going to be paralleled with Chase, mainly because of the way both nearly die. The fat girl (the one who danced in the talent show) even reminded me a little of Cuddy for some reason.
I don't know if I was seeing things that weren't there, but I certainly expected something to be made of the connection.
LOLs I've Spread
Fandom Funnies (board)
1. Benedict Cumberbatch – 1; Paparazzi – 0
7. mini!Minnie McG.
8. Fandom in a nutshell
Academic Funnies (board)
Religious Funnies (board)
Viggo's Artwork (board)
1. The photo that inspired my Aragorn/Arwen fluff:
Random Funnies (board)
1. Sad Cat Diaries:
Somebody's $1m Idea (board)
1. recessed outlets, allowing furniture to go flat against the wall
No New Shares
Because I'm a Closet Foodie
Feminism + Gender + Sexuality
Deep Thoughts

subset: commoncrawl


text: Home Does the Austin Animal Center provide free microchipping or ID tags? Yes, if you are a Travis County Resident, you can get a free microchip and ID tag for you pet. If your pet is not microchipped and/or does not have an ID tag, please come down to Austin Animal Services during the hours of 11am to 7pm to get a free microchip and/or ID tag for your pet.


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When money is not a limitation, people tend to spend a lot to fulfill their happiness and desire. For those billionaires, they spend hundreds of thousands in a trip for the best get-away experience and definitely one of a kind. We have round up a list of the most expensive vacations in the entire world, that you wish you were born royal.
Live like a King in India
Ever dreamed of living in a castle? Now you can try to stay at three most luxurious palaces in India, for USD$1,670,200. Ampersand travel can help you to arrange your mythical journey at the Lake Palace in Udaipur, Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur and Rambagh Palace in Jaipur for 3 nights each. Your trip will guarantee you the most exclusive treatments as expected for royals.
Fiji Exploration Retreat
You now can borrow an island for your next vacation or event. For those who are just shy of USD$154,000 for a night or an exclusive USD$1,068,790 rate for a whole week rent with an allowance of 72 guests at Laucala Island, in Fiji. The trip allows you to feel the nature (from their self-grown agriculture) and freshness offered in the best way possible.
From Parrot Cay with Love
Comohotels released a honeymoon package for blue-blood lovers to enjoy the best of Turks & Caicos. You and your loved one can enjoy a private jet ride to ride a 5-days luxurious super-yacht cruise, with unlimited possibilities around the islands. The romantic trip is closed with a 5-nights stay at Donna Karan's private house in Parrot Cay. All you have to do is prepare USD$494,000 for each couple to enjoy this 10 days trip.


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Our preferred Irish B&Bs are places I've stayed
personally or have been recommended by clients, assuring you that we've enjoyed our stay and would return again. You will find a
P next to preferred properties.
Family home. Peaceful, scenic area. Beside sandy beach. Angling, horse riding, Inishbofin ferry, restaurant and pubs within walking distance. Central for many beautiful and peaceful walks. Secure storage for bicycles. Ideal base for touring Connemara.


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Episode Description:
A Weekly Series that goes beyond "Crossing Over" and "Opens the Spiritual World to the WORLD…" of TV and Social Media. Co Hosts, Award winning Psychic Medium Katherine Glass, and Producer Visionary Christina Andrianopoulos premiere their Psychic Paranormal series with this exciting episode, that they say is different then other Psychic shows since it is more informative, giving answers to the endless questions we have about the metaphysical and Paranormal world....Christina says, "We are more like the 'Oprah' of Psychic tv shows, featuring many gifted specialists learning about their special metaphysical gift; offering "on air readings" to a lucky fan chosen for each episode; and one of our favorite segments, "Psychic Tips" that impart tips and techniques to help you be more intuitive, etc ."
In this episode Christina and Katherine introduce award winning Astrologer and Mandela Artist Chris Flisher who talks about the unique planet alignment of Uranus Squaring Pluto (that will affect us for 7 years) and what that means to our everyday lives and to our world. You will learn that we are forced to make many changes that "hopefully" result in all of us being in tuned to protecting our Earth and working more as a loving community...Don't miss his predictions that affect all of us!
In the "On Air Reading" segment, Katherine reads a lucky guest, Jeannie, selected for this reading from our fan base volunteers, and Katherine shares "in real time" Psychic insights and portrays messages from her loved ones from the other side...amazing! And there is more...In the "Psychic Tips" segment Katherine and Christina impart information and techniques on tuning into your very own 6th Sense and harnessing our very own intuition.
Episode Short Description: N/A
Downloads of This Episode: [SD File Downloads]: 11 [HD File Downloads]: 0 [Total File Downloads]: 11
[SD File Downloads]: 11
[HD File Downloads]: 0
[Total File Downloads]: 11
File Name of SD Episode: 0001 6th Sense and Beyond-Astrology.mpg
Total SD Episode Video Runtime (hh:mm:ss): 00:28:29
File Size of SD Episode Video: 1,152,690,911 Bytes
Resolution of SD Episode Video: 720x480
Date SD Episode Video Uploaded: Friday, August 9, 2013 - 10:14
This episode has not been uploaded by the producer in HD format and is not available for download.
If you wish to have HD format, you can private message a request to the show's producer at i Omega Productions--6th Sense And Beyond.


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Like most summers in the NBA, the 2019 edition was chock full of trades, free agent news and player movement. From the defending-champion Toronto Raptors to just about every other team in the league, change was the most applicable word when it came to describing team rosters for the 2019-20 season.
With the opening of training camps just around the corner, NBA.com's Shaun Powell will evaluate the state of each franchise as it sits today -- in order of regular-season finish from 2018-19 -- as we look at 30 teams in 30 days.
* * *
Today's team: Dallas Mavericks
2018-19 Record: 33-49, did not qualify for the playoffs
Key additions: Seth Curry (free agency), Delon Wright (trade), Boban Marjanovic (free agency)
Key departures: Dirk Nowitzki, Trey Burke
The lowdown: The Mavs have been stuck in mediocrity since winning the title in 2011, but that was secondary to a pair of emotional events: The arrival of a projected franchise savior and the departure of another. Nowitzki and Doncic made for a heck of a season and the changing of the guard couldn't have been more timely or gone smoother.
Nowitzki, the greatest figure in franchise history, made way for Doncic, the Kia Rookie of the Year. Both gave fans a reason to pay attention to the Mavericks because nothing else about the season was compelling. Doncic took the reins right from the jump and displayed unusual poise, guts and skills for a rookie. On one level this was no surprise as he'd been a professional for years in Europe. His dribbling and shooting made him a tough assignment, given his size (6-foot-7) and comfort zone on the floor. His courage under fire gave coach Rick Carlisle every reason to draw plays for Doncic -- who averaged 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and six assists per game -- when games got tight.
The other event that caused tremors in Dallas was the midseason trade that gave Doncic a parter for the future: Kristaps Porzingis. The 7-foot-3 unicorn and the Knicks had a falling out and the Mavs benefitted. Dallas sent a package of players (including first-round pick Dennis Smith Jr., whose game clashed with Doncic's) and picks and came away with a potential star. Porzingis was on a special arc before suffering a knee injury that cost him the entire season. His type is too rare, and the Mavs took a leap of faith that no one could fault.
Summer summary: The Mavericks came into the offseason with big cash to spend and even bigger dreams, yet couldn't find anyone special to take their money. Add the fact that Porzingis and Doncic make for a pair of attractive potential teammates, it was mildly surprising the Mavericks struck out.
There was no Kawhi Leonard (a pipe dream, anyway), no Kemba Walker (he might've fit well next to Doncic), no Jimmy Butler and not even Danny Green. It's not a stretch to say the Mavs had to settle, which they did, bringing back Curry for a second stint and adding Wright and Marjanovich, three rotational players on the cheap.
Essentially, the Mavs' big "offseason" came a few months earlier when they added Porzingis. Curry managed to earn himself decent free agent money by playing well off the bench last season in Portland. Wright is an athletic wing who probably hasn't reached his full potential just yet. And Marjanovich? Well, he's big.
Was this a disappointment? A team without any Draft choices (their No. 1 went to the Hawks in the Doncic-Trae Young trade) could've used help in free agency and didn't get anything special. Not only that, they didn't even get any interviews with the biggest names in free agency (Leonard, Kevin Durant, etc.). Wasn't Mark Cuban's team supposed to be a destination spot, given all the charms of Dallas and the reputation of the franchise?
Instead, they used their money to hand out contract extensions, starting with Porzingis. The move was largely expected once the trade happened. Still, giving five years and $158 million to a player who has yet to demonstrate a bounce-back from injury does comes with a degree of risk. Should Porzingis pass all the tests and return to the form he had in New York, he and Doncic should be quite a young tandem. The Mavericks hope that becomes the centerpiece that attracts free agents in the future.
Wright became the Mavs' top offseason target by default. He's tapping into his potential and is more athletic and defensive-minded than Doncic and therefore could be a proper fit in the backcourt. Dorian Finney-Smith, a quality role player, was extended for three more years at $12 million. With the Mavericks working without any prime Draft picks this summer, retaining young players became a priority.
The Mavs also kept frontcourt youngsters Maxi Kleber (27) and Dwight Powell (28) around via extensions this summer. Again, the Mavs used their surplus to maintain stability without sacrificing much in terms of future cap flexibility.
What the Mavs wanted to do this summer was add a solid young veteran to help for a Big Three. But that star search must be pushed to next summer or, if the Mavs get lucky, a disgruntled star might land on the trade market during the upcoming season. Which means, with the exception of Porzingis, the Mavs have no choice but to run it back this season with essentially the same club as a year ago.
They won't have Nowitzki for the first time in 21 years, and the shine of that 2011 championship is much dimmer now. The Mavs haven't advanced beyond the first round since then, and reaching the playoffs in 2019-20 in the stacked West might be too much to ask of a young team.
At least they begin the post-Nowitzki era with Doncic and Porzingis and a clear vision and blueprint. If only Cuban can find another star to take his money.
Coming next: Memphis Grizzlies
* * *
Veteran NBA writer Shaun Powell has worked for newspapers and other publications for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here , find his archive here and follow him on Twitter .
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.


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My new phone is shiny.
After 5 years with vodafone, I've been lured onto 3 by three months free line rental & free video phone. So far, I have watched the news on my phone. It is good. It is shiny. I'm still evaluating keeping it, though.
© 2020 Aquarionics | Oceans rise, empires fall.


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Wisconsin gave Ohio State a scare earlier this season for one of the few times the top-ranked Buckeyes were challenged in the second half of a game.
The No. 8-ranked Badgers will try to finish the job this time when they play Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis on Saturday.
Ohio State (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) leads the nation in points per game (49.9) and scoring margin (38.1) but found itself in a tussle with the Badgers on Oct. 26 in Columbus. Ohio State led 10-7 in third quarter before reeling off 28 unanswered points for a 38-7 victory.
"We absolutely respect these guys," Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. "They're one of the best-coached teams in America, toughest teams in America. They run the football, they're very, very well-coached on both sides of the ball, and we were in a dogfight in that game."
Indeed, the loss to the Buckeyes was a wakeup call for Wisconsin (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten), which earned its second crack at Ohio State by beating Minnesota 38-17 for the West Division crown last Saturday for their fourth-straight win since visiting Ohio Stadium.
"I certainly think there's a sense of eagerness or excitement that you've done all that you can, and you get a right to play in this game," Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said.
The Badgers must find a way to get running back Jonathan Taylor untracked vs. the Buckeyes. He ranks second nationally with 1,761 yards (6.31 yards/carry) and has 5,932 yards in his career, but his two previous encounters with OSU were nightmares, especially compared to counterpart J.K. Dobbins.
In the 2017 conference game, won by the Buckeyes 27-21, Taylor had 41 yards on 15 carries while Dobbins gained 174 yards on 17 rushes. In this season's game, Taylor's 20 carries netted him 52 yards, 20 of which came on one early run. Meanwhile, Dobbins also ran 20 times but had 163 yards.
Dobbins is coming off a 211-yard, four touchdown (both career highs) performance in the Buckeyes' 56-27 win over Michigan.
"I think J.K.'s a great runner," Taylor said. "I don't think a lot of people talk about how he finishes his runs. He's very physical."
Day expects to have cornerback Shaun Wade back after he missed the Michigan game with an injury. Also, quarterback Justin Fields, who left the last game briefly after aggravating a medial collateral ligament in his left knee, said he'll be ready.
"In my mind I'm playing on Saturday and I don't care how much it hurts," he said Tuesday, admitting to reporters that his left knee still hurts and that he will wear the same kind of brace used by offensive linemen come gameday.
A win would not only give Ohio State its third straight Big Ten title, but it would secure one of four spots in the College Football Playoff. Because of their dominating season, the Buckeyes will likely be selected even with a loss.
The Badgers need a win to stay in consideration for the Rose Bowl.
They are 2-3 in the conference championship. In addition to losing to the Buckeyes in 2017, Wisconsin famously lost 59-0 to OSU in 2014 when the Buckeyes went on to win the first CFP championship.
–Field Level Media


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with Ryan Miller of Guster
By Rory Flynn
Contributing Writer
you walk around the streets of Somerville outside or inside the campus of
Tufts University, you will still hear the legendary tales of a band named
"Gus." The group better known to many today as "Guster"
has come a long way since Ryan Miller, Brain Roseworcel, and Adam Gardiner
played their first gig on that campus in the fall of 1992.
Guster developed a strong grassroots fan base, especially among college campuses, through relentless touring and an energetic/humorous stage presence. In 1995, Guster was awarded the "Best Live Act" by the Boston Music Awards. They have release four studio albums including Parachute (1995), Goldfly (1997), Lost and Gone Forever (1999), and Keep it Together (2003). Last year, the band released a live concert cd/dvd combo titled, Guster On Ice: Live in Portland.
Exemplifying the friendly and modest attitude that has made them so popular with fans across the globe, guitarist and vocalist Ryan Miller recently talked with Boston Live Magazine's Rory Flynn about the recording of Guster's next release and the band's highly anticipated two-night performance with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall.
Boston Live Magazine (BL): "I hear that you guys have recently wrapped up recording what will be your 5th studio album in Nashville. How did it go and when can we expect to see it on store shelves?"
Guster's Ryan Miller (RM): "Well...basically the record companies have a complicated formula on when they schedule the release of new albums. I guess, it would be a bit of a stretch to get it out by the end of the 4th quarter so it looks like it might be early next year, we really are not too sure yet. So now that we have that extra time, we can write a couple more songs for it but mostly its like 95 or 90% done."
"How has the recording process been different this time around?"
RM: "Well, all of our records have changed from one to the next with each studio album. So, I think its very different from Keep it Together but our progression is still in tact. We added a guy in our band Joe Pisapia that has made the whole thing a lot easier. Its hard for me to talk about what the record really is at this point because I can't. I don't know yet and I haven't played it enough for my friends to be like 'oh it's this'. I mean I definitely think it's a sure thing that it's the best thing we've ever done, best collection of songs, best performances, best lyrics, best writing. And everybody that has heard it seems to agree with that pretty whole heartedly. But if I had to say how its different, it still sounds like Guster in terms of our melodic ability being still in tact and that its mostly pop songs for the most part. But, for expample, our longest song to date on there is like seven minutes and there is some other different stuff."
"Each of your albums had brought a different element to the band, what
direction do you feel this record will bring Guster to?"
RM: "Yea. It's less of the bongo/text party vibe. If you listen to Parachute, its just like Brian banging on bongos for 45 minutes. The progression on this record is more tasteful as we leaned further away from that. Hopefully it just sounds more mature but like I said its hard for me to say at this point what it is that is different. It does feel like an evolution and continuation of what we've done and where we've been.
"Well, the other big news on the Guster front, is this week's two sold-out
shows with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall. It is truly a unique show and
sounds like it will be incredible. So, who contacted who to make this happen?"
RM: "Shockingly they contacted us, which we thought was a joke. It's not everyday that someone calls you, saying 'I'm Keith Lockhart and I want to play Guster songs at Symphony Hall'.
"Was this something you guys have been looking to do?"
RM: " I mean we have thought of, in our more audacious moments though, of touring with a quartet We've always added and put these instruments to our records, strings and horn, since the very beginning. We've tried to tour with that but is so expensive to put people on the road. So we have played with string and horn players before but I don't think we ever would have been audacious enough to think that we would play with a full orchestra before we had like one quintuple platinum selling album. The whole thing has just been super flattering and really exciting."
"Especially being a hometown band, did you guys ever imagine something
like this - playing with the Pops- when you were starting out at Tufts?
RM: "Yea, I know its just been crazy experience."
"Have you rehearsed with the Boston Pops yet?"
RM: "No. We talked on the phone with the arranger and talked with the creative director about the show, a few e-mails here and there, so we have had a few conversations so far. But, we're actually not going to rehearse till we get there on Tuesday and we're told we're not going go through a full rehearsal till the morning of the show. So we're putting a lot of faith into the arranger because everybody is doing a lot of different things for everybody.
"Have you talked to Keith Lockhart yet?"
RM: "Yea, I spoke to him on the phone and we're going to rehearse with him on Tuesday but we'v been mostly dealing the nuts and bolts with the arranger and creative director of the Boston Pops."
"After this performance, do you think you'll look at any of your songs
in a different light now?"
RM: "Yea, there are few I think. There is this song we're going to play that we really don't like playing live because we never felt like we could pull it off but we're going to give it another chance with the Pops. And there are a couple of songs from the new album that we're playing that I don't think will ever sound better than they will next week. They kind of have like this super orchestral arrangement on the new record. Basically live, we're always trying to make up for the fact that our albums sound really full and we don't have enough appendages to sort of do it justice at least by the way it is on the record. This is the first time that there is gonna be more than what is on the record, so its super exciting to see what is going to happen."
"Are there any plans on recording the show for a future release - a cd,
dvd, or even iTunes?"
RM: "Yea. There seems to be a bunch of red tape involved with recording it right now with because there are unions and stuff to deal with at symphony hall, its not like we're playing at TT's (TT the Bear's Place in Cambridge) or something. We're fighting really hard to at least get it recorded, and then if we have to work out logistics later, ok. I mean i think for us, it would just be a shame not to do so after all this work. We are going to do everything we can to get a copy of it and obviously we'd love to get it out to the people barring some explosion of sorts."
"Now, since your playing at such distinguished venue like Boston's Symphony
Hall, what do you plan on wearing? A tux?
RM: "[laughs] You know, this is the first time I thought about what i was going to wear. Maybe i should wear a tux, i don't know, but would it be lame of I wore a tux and no one else did. We should talk about that [ BL: I think it would be pretty classic if you guys did.] Do the pops wear tuxes? [BL: I believe they do.] Wow, alright, well that's an idea. Part of me wants to wear a 'Motley Crue' shirt.. or do I class it up? I don't know it wouldn't be the first time we have performed in tuxes but I'll have to check with the guys and we'll see, it's a good idea."
"Any final thoughts on returning home to Boston for these two shows with
the Boston Pops?"
RM: "I'm just super-super glad that this is happening here in Boston and with the Boston Pops. I couldn't imagine it happening anywhere else. I couldn't see the New York Philharmonic Orchestra calling us to do this at this point in our career. We're really flattered and we're really-really looking forward to it, and maybe sort of express the desire that because this is the only time we've played together and after they invested a lot into these arrangements, hopefully this could be something we can do in the future again. I'm super excited about that prospect, its seems like it could be step one of a collaboration that could last awhile.
**Guster will play with the Boston Pops as special guest for the "Pops on the Edge" concerts on Wednesday, June 22 and Thursday, June 23 at Symphony Hall (8:00 p.m.). Both shows are completely sold out.**


text: Katina & Steven's Wedding took place at Katina's family estate in the beautiful mountains of De Luz in Temecula. Their family's homes sits on several acres with a gorgeous scenery for their ceremony backdrop. Their wedding was nice and intimate, which just a few close family and friends, some of which travelled from out of state. Katina was beginning her third trimester of her pregnancy so not only was I able to capture their big day but also some great photos that doubled as a maternity session. Here are a few from their wedding day.


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OVAM is a collection of anatomy resources organised into categories according to the species, system and region covered. Original high resolution images of our assets and source files for audio-visual are available to partner organisation. Please contact us to find out more.
Additional External Resources:
- Encyclopaedic text content on WikiVet covering the lymphoreticular system.
- Self-assessment Flashcards on the lymphoreticular system.
- PowerPoint tutorials on lymphoid tissue histology.


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The most influential Megatrends set to shape the world through 2030, identified by Euromonitor International, help businesses better anticipate market developments and lead change for their industries.Learn more
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In 2019, desktop computers, in-car navigation, Hi-fi systems, video players, single-function portable players, digital cameras and feature phones all continued to see declining volume growth, while in-dock media players, soundbars, wireless speakers, smart TVs, smartphones and wearable electronics generated higher demand and some even thrived. While much of the volume decline can be attributed to higher unit prices, most of the declining categories lost ground to smartphones with higher functionality and various other Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled devices and products that were more portable, convenient, lightweight and/or compact.
Towards 2019, the Indonesian government aimed to encourage domestic industries, including consumer electronics, with a focus on reducing competition posed by imports. The government is thus providing tax incentives in the form of tax allowances and tax holidays via the Minister of Finance's Corporate Income Tax Deduction Facilities.
In Indonesia, the Korean brands LG and Samsung, particularly Samsung, remain strong within consumer electronics, with Samsung leading overall on the strength of its lead in smartphones, by far the largest category. The company also ranks second in numerous categories, notably LCD TVs and both types of consumer wearables.
Distribution of consumer electronics within Indonesia was more widespread in 2019 than it was a decade ago, and it is expected to continue expanding as producers introduce more new consumer electronics in popular categories that offer high technology at affordable prices. Although internet retailing continued to grow its volume share in 2019, consumers still tend to prefer shopping for consumer electronics at modern electronics and appliance specialist retailers in shopping centres in urban areas.
All of the consumer electronics products that gained traction in 2019 are expected to continue seeing steady or strong volume growth over the 2019-2024 forecast period, notably OLED TVs, wireless speakers, soundbars and smartphones. Those amongst Indonesia's massive younger population that engage in sports and fitness regimes are expected to find wearable electronics – especially activity watches with advanced features at affordable prices – increasingly affordable.
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The Ambulant Photographer is dedicated to the Art, Pursuit, and Practice of Street Photography in the 21st Century.
Part community, part magazine, part resource library and learning center. Founded by a handful of photographers with a passion for the art, the technique, and the process of envisioning, seeking, and making photographs. We're also inspired by what now seems like a somewhat rebellious decision to move a high-value group conversation away from the Facebook/Instagram Empire.
Facebook is a terrible place to display photos for myriad reasons. One of many is their image engine. It's also a bad place to try to organize content and manage groups of people interested in specific areas of study. Instagram is an enormous distraction for the creative individual, though we're all there. Here we hope you find an alternative to that, and that you'll take comfort in the knowledge that you can participate and invite friends without forcing them into a relationship with Facebook.
Neither Facebook nor Google has access to the discussions here, and we're serious about privacy, the expectation of privacy, and the ways in which our participation is leveraged and by whom.
Here anybody is welcome to create. Show us your images. Tell us the stories behind your favorite pictures. Share your projects. Publish opinion pieces. We don't know where this might go, and we're hoping that without any strict restrictions that it will go someplace cool.


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I noticed that the price of NUCs in my area is down quite a bit recently because of the Wuhan coronavirus/Wuhan pneumonia/Chinese virus, or whatever you'd like to call it.
What are your predictions/opinions for the future?
I noticed that the price of NUCs in my area is down quite a bit recently because of the Wuhan coronavirus/Wuhan pneumonia/Chinese virus, or whatever you'd like to call it.
What are your predictions/opinions for the future?
Why do you think prices are down because of coronavirus? Prices seem a little higher to me this year and I thought it was because of higher demand due to the coronavirus. With the high demand on chicks and seeds and such.
I think it did bee classes are cancelled I don't know the truth but I heard a lot of packages died from shipping incidents. Honey sales may be strong though if we get out of this by June.
I think people that live near large package and nuc producers may see prices go down in their area as the travel restrictions and shipping delays make product movement difficult. Conversely, folks that are unable to get their nucs and packages may cause local prices to increase, a good thing for a hobbyist with just a few nucs available.
I don't know if nucs are down in price or not and if so it's because of the virus or something else but the beekeeping industry is much bigger than just nucs.
Going forward, frivolous spending, oops, I mean discretionary spending decreases in a direct relationship to the deepness of the economic downturn.
Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.
I predict RAW honey sales will climb.
Crazy Roland
It will only affect what we stupidly allow it to. Let me ask you what seems more intelligent. Option a we close down the whole economy and force perfectly healthy people who have a zero chance of death from this "virus" to quarantine. This causes massive unemployment and suffering across the board. Or we could've all used our brains (something people don't do when they're AFRAID) had sick and immune compromised people quarantine and the rest of us healthy people could've kept on keeping on. The economy doesn't tank, there isn't massive suffering across the board.... No you know what everyones right let's listen to daddy gov. option A. is clearly the right choice.... FEAR IS THE VIRUS!
well vtbeeguy I was talking to a nurse from the local hospital, the average age of virus deaths in NY is 49. I agree with the old/in-firmed quarantining, but assisted living etc, jails, all the nurses or guards have to stay on site until it's over. when everyone has been infected the virus will not be a problem.
mike syracuse ny
Whatever you subsidize you get more of. Ronald Reagan
Some things we already experience here in Germany:
- the lockdown hinders migration of bees. Although there are exceptions and permissions, in some cases the districts are not allowing to let the beekeepers+bees out or in.
- it is sometimes difficult to get health certifications for migration and or selling bees, because the personal is either not coming out to inspect the hives or it has other things to do (corona).
- most markets are closed. Beekeepers here have to sell a lot of honey directly to the customers, because the bulk prizes are pretty bad. Since farmer's markets, hotels and restaurants are shut down, you can't sell honey through those channels.
- the supply chains are instabile. So there are extra costs for the careful beekeepers at an early time of the season to stock up fodder, varroa treatments and honey jars. You never know...
On the plus side some customers panic-buy honey, so the extra costs and loss is evened somewhat.
I do wonder how many people decided not to buy their bees after this all happened.
Do the people that bring bees (pkg & Nucs) up North have the money for what they are bringing BEFORE they come? Hope they do because if the above is true they may be stuck with a lot of bees
-Inspections are not a issue or so I'm told. Looks like I'll find out sooner rather than later as a grower is interested in my pollination services and I'll have to move bees between states. Still a few weeks away from inspections required for queen sales.
-I too sell direct to consumer. Our farmers markets are slated to open, in fact there is some excitement in anticipation of opening day by both
farmer an customer. I worry raw local honey prices will not hold up this year, feel fairly certain demand will be there though.
-Supplies for bees are moving through the system well so far.
Only time will tell where this all ends up.
Have a good season, stay well.
BTW: Have varromed to trial this year.
Most bee sales are done by now so I doubt people will be stuck with packages and nucs they can't sell. The reaction to this virus has been worse than the underlying virus itself. Maybe if everyone stopped believing known liars (the mainstream media) and calmed tf down we would be fine. But no you guys are right we should trust the people who brought us gems like WMD in Iraq......just saying people
There is significant upheaval in Beekeeping in Alberta and ?? across Canada.
1. Alberta beekeepers purchase packages from New Zealand and Australia. These packages will not be available in Alberta/??Canada due to very limited air flights and flight restrictions. This will seriously impact package producers in Australia and New Zealand and beekeepers wanting packages of bees.
2. Commercial Beekeepers employ Temporary Foreign Workers from Central America, Caribbean Islands, etc and due to border closures and flight restrictions, some of these workers will not be arriving. The beekeeping season is soon to start.
3. Alberta imports queens from California, Hawaii, and Chile. There is lots of questions around flights(frequency, border closures, chartered flights, cost), length of time queens will be in transport and queen quality. These are not good omens for queen breeders outside of Canada.
Zone 3b. If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got!
The problem in Britain right now is that some morons are not scared enough, and are flouting the emergency rules. It's a pity the virus isn't more selective ...
A Heretics Guide to Beekeeping http://heretics-guide.atwebpages.com/
54+ years 16 colonies Treat using OAV
I am going to stop here. This thread is not supposed to be about the overall politics and media of coronaviris right now, it is about how we think this is going to affect the beekeeping industry.
edit: remove "not"
Last edited by elmer_fud; 04-05-2020 at 09:44 PM.
There are still Pkg and Nucs available here in Boston area. In the last few years that I looked they were all sold out by about mid March IIRC.
So I am surprised that VT is sold all they have to sell this year
I have a friend who ordered nucs. If she doesn't get them I'll donate one.


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F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. What is the legal difference between an Architect and a Building Designer?
An Architect is registered to practice under the Architects Act 1985. Building Designers are licensed to practice under the Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991 and the Queensland Building Services Authority Regulation 1992.
Registered Architects have registration numbers and Licensed Building Designers have QBSA license numbers.
De-registered Architects and unlicensed Building Designers are prohibited from practising yet some continue to do so. When making initial enquiries to Building Designers or Architects, for it is advisable to ask for their registration/license number. Then check if the licence number/registration is current and if there have been any actions taken against the license holder/registration.
Q2. What is the practical difference between an Architect and a Building Designer?
In Queensland, there is no difference in the work that can be done by a Building Designer as opposed to an Architect. There are some differences in education and regulation between the professions but these make little difference to their work output.
A Building Designer must be licensed by the Queensland Building Services Authority at a level suitable for the type of work to be undertaken. Please give one of our friendly staff a call today and discuss your building design requirements that we can help you with.
For design and/or documentation you should only contract with a BSA licensed Building Designer or a Board Registered Architect or Engineer. It's your choice.
Others who offer to do design or documentation work, are working illegally and this may jeopardise the chance of your project gaining the required approvals.
"Did you know that around 75% of residential and over 40% of commercial and industrial buildings are designed by Building Designers? Builders, construction companies, developers, project managers, mums and dads, even Architects use Building Designers to design their buildings and prepare all of the necessary working drawings and documentation needed for approval and construction". – Ref – BDAQ.
Q3. What is the difference between a building plan, a council plan, a construction plan and a working drawing?
All of the above descriptions refer to plan prepared for the purpose of obtaining a building permit (Building Application) and for showing the builder exactly how you want your new project to be built.
We prefer to call these plans 'Construction Plans' as we are preparing plans for construction purposes only and not, for example, a 'Sketch Plan' of your ideas.
Q7. Now that I have commissioned MRDstudio, how long does it take to draw plans?
This depends on the extent and nature of the work, please call us to get an indication for your specific type of project. We prefer to draw a 'Sketch Plan/Preliminary Plan' before we draw the final Construction Plans.
A Sketch Plan/Preliminary Plan is a rough plan prepared from our initial discussions with you. This plan is to allow you the opportunity to check these plans to ensure your complete satisfaction with the final Construction Drawings. This service has been very beneficial to our previous Clients and well worth the extra week or so that it may take to finish the Construction Plans.
These plans can also be issued for certain council approvals such as; Development Applications, Relaxation Applications, Build Over Sewer/Stormwater Applications etc.. prior to starting Construction Plans just in case the re-work is required due to council advice/imput.
Q8. How do I determine the total value of building works?
Consult your Builder for an estimated value. We work closely with a number of different types of Builders and we can liaise with these Builders at the end of each drawing phase to get an estimated building quote to make sure your budget is on track. Please talk with your nominated building designer looking after your project.
Q9.What is a QBSA insurance receipt?
A Queensland Building Services Authority Insurance Receipt is proof of a payment which relates to the insurance details of your Builder's QBSA license, the estimated value of the building works, the details of the site, who the owners are and the insurance fee paid.
Q10. How do I know if I require a QBSA receipt?
If the estimated value of your building works exceeds the cost of $3,300.00 then under the Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991, your Builder is required to provide a QBSA insurance receipt.
For more information related to QBSA receipts , refer http://www.bsa.qld.gov.au
Q11. If I am an owner builder, am I still required to produce a QBSA receipt?
Yes, (if the value of the work is over $11,000.00) you will be required to obtain an owner builder permit from the Building Services Authority.
If the value of the work is under $11,000.00 you can carry out the works without a QBSA receipt as long as you advise our recommended Private Certifier that you are an owner builder.
For more information related to owner builders, refer http://www.bsa.qld.gov.au
Q12. Why do I need a QBSA insurance receipt?
Firstly, you need to provide the receipt so that our Private Certifier can release the approved plans to you.
Secondly, should there be a problem with the Builder's performance, you have a measure of consumer protection.
Q13. How do I obtain a QBSA receipt?
You can obtain a QBSA insurance receipt from your selected registered Builder who is familiar with the procedures. For further enquires, you may wish to phone the QBSA on 1300 272 727 or visit www.bsa.qld.gov.au.
Q14. How long will the assessment of my building application take?
The assessment process can take approximately 14-21 working days to assess, provided all documentation has been submitted with the building application.
Q15. When can I commence building works?
When your building application has been approved and is issued to you (or your Builder) you are then able to commence building works immediately.
Q16. If we do not wish to commence building works immediately, how long do I have before the building works must be carried out?
You have 12 months to carry out the entire building works.
Q17. When will your Private Certifier carry out their inspections?
Your builder or if you (if you're an owner builder), will need to contact your Private Certifier to arrange for inspections. These inspections will be carried out progressively throughout the building process as per their building approval conditions.
Q18. Do I need to pay for Portable Long Service Leave Levy?
To find out your rights and responsibilities, you should contact the Authority on 1800 803 481.
Q19. Where can I obtain a Portable Long Service Leave Levy?
Forms are available at any Australia Post office or online at www.qleave.qld.gov.au.
Q20. Where do I lodge and pay for Portable Long Service Leave Levy?
Payments are also accepted by Australia Post or online at www.qleave.qld.gov.au.
More Frequently asked questions Coming soon..
MRD specialises in all types of home building design projects with 1000's of satisfied clients since 1978. "We draw on our experience"


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Yes, your peers often have the best advice for your dealership!
By Andy Slawetsky – Recently, I was on a panel at a Select Dealer Group (SDG) meeting. It was held at Torrey Pines Resort outside of San Diego, and it got me thinking about the value groups like SDG bring to the office equipment dealer channel.
SDG is a mix of dealers from all over the U.S., collectively carrying most, if not all brands marketed in our channel. The group meets a couple of times each year to discuss trends, best practices and what's going on with the OEMs, among other things.
Imagine sitting in a room with businesses just like yours, discussing common issues and hearing how others successfully navigated these waters. Or, being able to ask your peers what their experience is with various vendors? SDG members are from non-competing markets, so dealers in the meetings feel safe sharing sensitive information without putting it in front of their rivals.
I asked David Scibetta, EVP and CIO of Copier Fax Business Technologies what he loves about SDG and he replied, "I enjoy sharing best practices with peer dealers our size [and comparing] against larger ones to see where we can improve." Being able to compare and contrast with companies like yours can be incredibly enlightening.
Click here to read the rest
GreatAmerica and Collabrance Announce 2018 Sales Simplicity Seminar Managed IT Sales Training Dates


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The Prince of Peace reportedly talked a lot about peace and that He was/is/shall be The Way from Whom it came and comes. But He also said (I heard some of you thinking over your Bible knowledge just then:)) "The Son of man did not come to bring peace but a sword". Yet, He said both. He is both.
There is a time for force- but love that is unchosen, non-voluntary, forced -is fake love. It's not love at all. Please stay with me a bit as I unpack in this post.
We can go over a mountain of reasons why we don't relate to nor want to "Go Tell It on The Mountain" because it messes with our personal view of life, our ability to play god ourselves. I am talking about self-identifying Christians and indeed, pre-believers/unbelievers in this…
Peace, love and understanding just left town if you really believe all centers around you and your own sense of security -full stop.
In that mindset you've taken a self-destructive role yourself. You then join in with those things that trash the world because your view of the world confirms your own judgment toward those you dislike. When you play god, "judge of all the earth" and not peacemaker exactly what are you sowing?
Sow peace, reap it. Sow other than peace, reap that. Further, you can't sow peace if you don't have it. Jesus said "Blessed are the peace makers". Is He talking about you or me? Are you known for your peace or for your "sword"? Patient, kind, gracious or impatient, harsh, earn-it-or-get-off-my-lawn sort of person?
I don't usually quote Elvis Costello (nor Nick Lowe who wrote this) but when I do:
As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity
I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?
And each time I feel like this inside,
There's one thing I wanna know:
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?
And as I walked on
Through troubled times
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
So where are the strong
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony?
'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry.
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?
2017 may have been great or horrific depending upon how your life and the lives of those you love are going spiritually, emotionally, physically and/or mentally not to mention finances, politics, and social media. I get that.
How to proceed?
Well the historical St. Nick reportedly brought gifts to the poor, accenting children -and the Good News of Jesus Christ… but some or all of this might be fake news right?
What you want from me and what I want from you may vary. We all know it's much deeper than what is or ain't under the tree.
We may be so divided we don't want to even be around one another. And yet… yet… what might be best for my heart attitude -and yours… especially towards those we oppose, disagree with, maybe even feel like we're "righteously"… uhhh… is "hating" too strong a word?
Ok, here's another analogy and example. I love New England. Some folks hate it. I love NE for a lot of reasons though I'm a born-and-bred Midwesterner (dearly love the Midwest) and at times fully disagree with some of it's people on some issues.
Wendi and I have traveled through that part of the U.S. many times and especially around Christmas it's truly a magical place with hillsides full of snow-laden trees, every little village and house lit, electric candles in each small window. Holiday trimmings, cozy fireplaces in plenty of homes- Beautiful!
Are there things about New Englanders I don't always like? Sure, same as Midwesterners… and people and customs and beliefs everywhere on earth.
Ok, let's bring it home… what about family issues? Peace, love and understanding or "let's get this over with so we can get home"? Grace, mercy, forgiveness? What about "Love is patient, love is kind" which seems to encourage peace, no? WHO gives me such ability? Not me in myself I can assure ya!
What's so funny about peace love and understanding? Not a thing. Because the opposites of these are the world you and I help create if we don't live in these, if they don't walk in the door with us. In those moments they're not part of our own internal, intentional approach we are not "instruments of Thy peace".
Know what? God Seriously loves us ALL… and at the same time Seriously disagrees with us ALL re. our sin (what HE defines as sin, not what this or that group of people decide it is and not even if you and I decide there ain't such a thang).
Ok, so if you aren't a Christ-follower: dump the "Christmas myth", right?
Got any myths of your own? All the keys to wisdom and knowledge on your key ring?
This "Babe in the manger stuff" may not be your cup of tea, but I can tell you after most of my lifetime of travel, study, discussions with a mega-wide swath of great and messed-up peeps throughout the world -and both world and church history, ain't no lasting peace without Him.
May you seek and find the Babe Who came and remains unchangingly God in the flesh, born and crucified in our sick world, raised up from the grave and living in my life and the lives of millions. I fully admit and seek forgiveness for any of us who carry His name could be and at times are, jerks, wimps, ignorant and sometimes harsh, self-righteous and judgmental. Some. Sometimes.
He is exactly Who He claims to be and I have accumulated a lifetime of personal, profound proofs that He neither lies nor pretends.
May you risk genuine trust, faith in the Person and grace of the Savior Who is both Lord and Christ!
From my first Christmas walking with Him, shocking as it was in an amazingly good way- to this one my wish is that more people will make peace with God. That you dear reader will experience Him and with Him, a truly Merry Christmas.
As always, thanks for stopping by 🙂 -Glenn


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All eyes were on The Hunger Games this weekend, to see if the latest (and almost greatest) uber-blockbuster could hold in its second weekend. It wasn't competition-free by any means. When your film opens to $152.5 million the weekend before, all comers are competition. Openers this weekend included Wrath of the Titans, sequel to the laughable Clash (but this time with Sam Worthington "trying") and Mirror Mirror, the new fairy tale flick with Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen. While the openers may seem shiny, a closer look reveals that there isn't much to them, and The Hunger Games has been given another opportunity.Our number one film of the weekend is The Hunger Games – something that was never really in question. The real question was how it would hold, given last weekend's huge, record-breaking opening, the calendar configuration, and this weekend's competition. Since Sunday, when we last left off The Hunger Games story, the Jennifer Lawrence film has had solid returns through the week, however it was trending behind slightly the Twilight sequels in terms of mid-week grosses (although one also wouldn't expect a March film to see the same sort of weekday numbers as a Thanksgiving or July 4th release). I wondered if The Hunger Games was going to experience a huge drop-off of Twilight proportions this weekend, falling in the 70% range. To avoid a strong comparison to Twilight (which I pray it will), The Hunger Games needed to earn more than $46 million to stay away from that 70% plunge. The number that Lionsgate was looking to beat on Friday was approximately $17 million, as anything higher than that would likely keep the drop below the dreaded 70% area.


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My most recent excuse from being away so long is I was cheating on this blog with another. But, we've patched it up and I've promised it will never happen again. (Though, we all know, once a cheater always a cheater...) Onwards!
I love old furniture. The lines. The detail. The character (and by character I mean, of course, sticky drawers). But sometimes it just looks, well... old. It's scratched. It's dented. Someone wrote on it with a black sharpie. The colour is all wrong. Good thing there's this newfangled invention called paint! Sure, there's the sanding, the priming, the first coat, the second coat, the roughing it up in just the right places so it once again looks old. To me, it's all worth it in the end, because you get a 100% unique piece for your home that you don't look at and think "remember how I bought that dresser from Ikea and set it up?"
|The proverbial before and after pictures.


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Police attacked women for Leyla Güven: 13 detained
13 women carrying out a "standing protest" in support of DTK Co-chair Leyla Guven were battered and detained.
13 women gathered in the Sanat Street in Ofis, Yenisehir in Amed to carry out a "standing protest" in support of DTK Co-chair Leyla Guven who has been on a hunger strike for 133 days to demand an end to the isolation imposed upon Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Ocalan.
The women wore white scarves with Guven's photographs printed on them and held a standing protest for a while, as they were surrounded by the police.
The police told the women to disperse, but they said they would continue. The women, with Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Amed Provincial Co-chair Rewsen Karademir. HDP Yenisehir District Co-chair Demet Ozkaran, Sur District Co-chair Sevim Coskun, HDP Caucus Member Nevriye Cur, TJA Activists Safiye Akdag, Remziye Sizici, Ronda Bat, Halime Akyol, Leyla Inal, Ayten Aytin and Ayfer Bakir among them, were attacked by the police and later detained.
The women were battered and detained as the police raised their shields high to prevent journalists from recording images.
HDP Amed MP Musa Farisogullari went to the Sanat Street and said, "Leyla Guven has been on a hunger strike for 133 days. Now this resistance is in place because this state doesn't implement its own laws. This tyranny wil lend. Friend and foe alike should know that this resistance will continue until the end, have no doubt."


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Welcome, readers–Syawn, here, with a brilliant guest. Let's all give a round of applause to my fellow character-muse, Lucianíel. Before we get started, Luc, let's take a look at the blurb and cover for your newly released novel!
For a muse like Lucianíel, one story's end is another's beginning.
In the wake of his author's sudden death, Luc takes ownership of her surviving creations—four fantastical characters with tales yet to be told—saving them from unwritten lives crumbling around them and giving them a second chance at a literary future.
Luc finds that chance in the unsuspecting mind of Annabelle Iole Gray, a quirky teen with her head in the clouds, nose in a book, and imagination ripe for a brilliant muse's inspiration.
Or so he hopes.
Neither Luc nor Annabelle, however, realize all they've undertaken. Even with a to-write list including accounts of a shape-shifting cat creature, gentle knight-in-training, vigilante skater girl, and a mystery boy smothering in unspoken fear, the most remarkable saga created between author and muse just may turn out to be one stranger than fiction.
Their own.
I, Sy, have a few questions for my fellow fantastic fictional male lead. So glad you could join us today, Luc. Though as I hear it, that's not too tough for you—is it true that you have the power to be in multiple places at once?
Even if I didn't, it would yet be my pleasure to visit your author's blog. You've done fine things with the platform, Syawn. But as it happens, yes, that is within my power. As a being of light, I can move with light's speed; tens of thousands of miles per second. Zipping back and forth between a few spots of interest quickly enough that nothing's had time to change since I left is, for me, as easy as it would be for you to pace around the room.
Quite the talent, that. I could certainly have used such a device in my own story—though I'm not sure I would have been willing to give up my material existence to acquire it.
In your story-world, you're a muse, the acting liaison between a writer and her stories. How different does it feel to be a character in a story of your own?
It's a refreshing change, I must admit. Not to say that my work behind the scenes ever felt limiting or inadequate, or that I pined for the recognition proper characters are far more likely than a muse to receive. Still, as I judge my story to be as worthy of print as any, it is rewarding to have it told. And if I do say so myself, I make a remarkable character.
Having read your tale in its earliest stages, I would quite agree. (Indeed, if I recall, I was with my author in suggesting you play more of a role at certain points.)
Now you mention it, I believe you're right; I could name one scene right off that may never have entered the book otherwise. My thanks to you and Tirzah for your own bit of muse-like inspiration!
It's never mentioned in the pages of Inspired how such a remarkable being as yourself came to be… well, inspired, in the first place. Do you remember your origin?
That I do. Ideas beget ideas. When a creative mind imagines, it generates the matter of which muses are made. Over much time and many ideas, the matter accumulates into a being which can imagine for itself, at which time it can take any form it fancies. …or any form it suspects its creator will fancy. A muse does well to ensure his artist's mind stays active, you see. One must look to the continuance of one's species.
You have four strong characters under your wing—your children, as you call them. Are you the sort of "parent" to choose favorites? If so, which is your favorite?
I'm not above favoritism, no. Truth be told, one of my precious four is particularly dear to my heart. But in the interest of precluding any unfortunate sibling rivalry between them, I shall withhold the name as one of my necessary little secrets. Readers are, however, welcome to speculate.
That… that is enigmatic; that is textbook enigmatic. If you'll not answer that question, then, will you at least step up to this next challenge? Describe each of your four children of the imagination, in single sentences—one sentence for each.
Now, there's a request I can gladly oblige. Going in order of their introduction in "Inspired", I'll begin with Abishan. He's a pampered pussy cat of a god who cares for nothing so much as his own comfort and those who contribute to it.
In contrast, Wilbur thinks of himself last of everyone, all the young man's kindhearted attention devoted to those around him.
Uri, meanwhile, prefers to affect an air of utter apathy, partly to do with her being a teenager, but primarily as a defense against the pain and confusion that comes with trying to give a damn in a corrupted world.
And little Yves is as a wisp of flickering flame, dancing in a gale of adversity that shall either blow him out or fan him brighter, in the end.
If you could claim credit for any other fictional creation (not one in Annabelle's universes, nor in Danielle's), who would you wish you could call your own?
Hmm! An intriguing question to which I've not hitherto given much thought. If I could name but one (and at the risk of seeming to have been influenced by Danielle's list of fictional favorites), I believe I would choose Sherlock Holmes.
Intelligent, complex, highly influential, and enduringly popular. He was so beloved in his day that his author couldn't get away with keeping him killed off, and he is no less adored more than a century later. Such staying power is a rare and exquisite thing. How proud I would be to have him for a child! Though, I expect he would make for a better feather in my cap than he would a son. For all that I envy Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's muse his triumph, I would not trade my family.
A brilliant choice, one of which I'm sure Holmes, Doyle, and Doyle's attendant genius would heartily approve. That said, your loyalty to your fictional family, even over and above such literary success, is extraordinarily admirable. I wish your book the best of luck—and who knows where it might sit in people's hearts, come a century, eh? Only a hundred years will tell…
So true. I look forward to learning how my story stands time's test. And that goes for your story as well, Syawn, when it at last goes out into the world. Until our next meeting, gracious host: Farewell.
Let us hope the man fares well indeed, himself. Inspired is available for purchase at Amazon in paperback and Kindle forms, Barnes and Noble for you Nook users, and on Kobo.


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I think in general people can always remember the first product that you try from a brand that they soon fall in love with. For me, the Snow Fairy scent is both synonymous with that as well as Christmas.
It's one of Lush's most popular scents that only makes its appearance around the festive season. I think that makes it a little more special because it's unavailable for most of the year.
I got this a little while ago when it was released as an exclusive on the website. It has since been re-released over Christmas with a little revamp being that the front label is actually pink rather than black. I was gifted that one too for Christmas as my boyfriend knows how much I love spritzing myself with the sweet, candy scented spray.
I have so many different things from this scent family that I can have an entire bath or shower experience in which I use solely Snow Fairy scents. What better way to top it off than in it's purest form of a body spray. Unlike most sprays, it doesn't fade away after a couple of hours it's powerful scent lingers around. Quite often I can still smell it on whatever I've worn, even the next day.
It's the sweet, fluffy scent we've come to know and in one of it's purest forms. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
£20 / 200ml
Where to buy:
BlogLovin - Instagram - YouTube - Twitter


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An Evening on the Beach Combines Live Music and Gourmet Food for a Good Cause
Zack Hillman
An Evening on the Beach has delighted Angelenos for eight straight years with a mix of fine dining, beachy surroundings, charity fundraising and live music. For its upcoming installment on Thursday, Sept. 14, the event has put together a truly special program for its patrons.
The festivities will take place from 6-10 p.m. at the beachside Jonathan Club in Santa Monica at 850 Pacific Coast Highway. This Platinum Club is already renowned for its blend of sophisticated elegance and light-hearted fun, making it the perfect venue for this laidback beach dining extravaganza. As you might have guessed, the dress code is casual, but they do recommend a sweater for after sunset.
The tastings will feature a host of L.A.'s finest eateries: Angelini Osteria, Bestia, Compartes Chocolatier, Craft, Cut Beverly Hills, Di Stefano Cheese, Everson Royce Bar, Felix, Hitching Post, Michael's Santa Monica, Mikkeller DTLA, Osteria Mozza, Petrossian, Prawn, Rice Bar, Salt's Cure, Sotto, Wexler's Deli, and Bombet Hospitality Group.
The program also features Patrick Fahy and Jose Fernandez, who have been tantalizing tastebuds at the Four Seasons Westlake Village, as well as Jonathan Club's own Jason McClain and Adina Rivera-Schaefer. The event has handpicked some of California's finest vintners and signature spirits to pair with the delicious food.
While they grill up fine food and pour the cocktails, patrons can also enjoy an evening of sublime music from the "Band on the Sand," High Rize. Known for their smooth four-part harmonies and backed by a band that melds jazz, soul and pop, High Rize is sure to get listeners moving and grooving to the biggest hits from yesterday and today.
Individual tickets cost $185, with all proceeds going directly to benefit St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Ample free parking is available, though there is no parking at Jonathan Club – but fortunately, volunteer ushers will be on hand to direct you to the free parking nearby.
Not many events can offer a beach-front sunset, scintillating live tunes and gourmet flavors to pair with a worthy charitable cause. Then again, An Evening at the Beach isn't like most other events.
An Evening at the Beach comes to Jonathan Club in Santa Monica, CA on Sept. 14.


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GREENSBORO — Children giggled as they looked at puppies Thursday at the Guilford County Animal Shelter.
Larger dogs barked and wagged their tails as families walked past their cages.
And women cuddled cats in their arms.
"I heard on the news that they're at capacity and it's just so sad," said Stephanie Hinkle as she held Willow the kitten. "They are full."
Hinkle and her husband were eating at Saladworks on Bridford Parkway when a news alert reported that a large number of animals — a mix of more than 40 stray and surrendered dogs and cats — arrived at the shelter Wednesday, bringing to 560 the number of animals housed there.
At 620 animals, the shelter can't accept any more cats or dogs, said Lisa Lee, the shelter's community engagement manager.
"If we have two more days like yesterday we'll be over capacity," Lee said Thursday.
Guilford County Animal Services will tackle the problem by waiving adoption fees, starting Friday, June 14, for animals that have been at the shelter for more than 30 days.
"We need people to come in and adopt," Lee said.
She said the 30-day no-fee deal will end June 29, but other adoption events are planned throughout the summer.
Hinkle didn't wait until today to visit the animals. On her visit Thursday, the kitten Willow climbed up her arm as a dog barked in the background.
She said she needed to convince her husband this was the cat for them.
Across the hall, Icus was flirting with a family of her own. The 9-year-old cat walked around Dixie McCoy's legs before heading toward a glass door where she stretched out her front legs.
McCoy said her son had been begging for a cat despite his allergies.
As she watched Icus with her sons and husband, the family talked about what to do.
Lee said that for families who don't want to commit to a pet, other options are available, such as volunteering to be a foster home for animals, that give the shelter space to take in more dogs and cats.
Not all 560 animals are on the adoption floor. Some are in medical care, some are on hold for their owners after getting loose and some are learning to socialize.
Some don't even make it into the shelter.
On Thursday, a man pulled up with a dog called Minus in the back of his truck.
He told shelter officials his son found the dog Wednesday but the family can't afford to keep him.
Lee offered the man a compromise. Shelter staff members loaded a month's supply of dog food into his truck and promised to get the dog, named Minus, spayed and a rabies shot if the family would keep him until the shelter could find him a home.
He agreed.
"We always try to encourage people who bring animals to us to let us help them and take them back home," Lee said.
She said the shelter tends to get more animals in summer. Dogs are outside more and escape their yards. And this time of year is kitten season and people bring litters to the shelter.
But Lee said getting 41 animals in one day is a lot.
By Thursday morning, she said, they knew they needed to do something to help clear up space at the shelter, and came up with waiving adoption fees for animals that had been there for a month or longer.


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How to access multiple datasets
OCG provides scientific and educational resources for cancer researchers and the general public. These resources include databases, catalog of next-generation cancer models, scientific tools, reagents, experimental methods, and Standard Operating Procedures from current and completed OCG programs.
Find comprehensive information on HIV-associated cancers, including treatment, prevention, clinical trials, and more.
View a fact sheet that has statistics as well as information about types, causes, and treatments of cancers in children and adolescents in the United States.
The Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) seeks to improve the lives of cancer patients by finding better treatments, control mechanisms, and cures for cancer. CTEP funds a national program of cancer research, sponsoring clinical trials to evaluate new anti-cancer agents.
CTD2 researchers at the Broad Institute/DFCI have developed a collection of plasmids including mutant alleles found in sequencing studies of cancer. It includes somatic variants found in lung adenocarcinoma and across other cancer types. The clones enable researchers to characterize the function of the cancer variants in a high throughput experiments. These plasmids are collectively called the "Broad Target Accelerator Plasmid Collections". The design and construction of these plasmids is described in the manuscripts listed below and are available through a distributor.
Kim E, et al. Systematic functional interrogation of rare cancer variants identifies oncogenic alleles. Cancer Discovery. 2016 Jul;6(7):714-26. (PMID: 27147599)
Berger AH, Brooks AN, Wu X, et al. High-throughput phenotyping of lung cancer somatic mutations. Cancer Cell. 2016 Aug 8;30(2):214-28. (PMID: 27478040)
The CTD2 Center at UT-MD Anderson Cancer Center has developed a High-Throughput Mutagenesis and Molecular Barcoding (HiTMMoB) pipeline to construct mutant alleles open reading frame expression clones that are either recurrent or rare in cancers. These barcoded genes can be used for context-specific functional validation, detection of novel biomarkers (pathway activation) and targets (drug sensitivity). The list of available gene expression clones can be accessed here: MDACC ORF Clones.xlsx
Contact: Gordon B. Mills
Dogruluk T, et al. Identification of variant-specific functions of PIK3CA by rapid phenotyping of rare mutations. Cancer Research. 2015 Dec 15;75(24):5341-54. (PMID: 26627007)
Tsang YH, et al. Functional annotation of rare gene aberration drivers of pancreatic cancer. Nature Communications. 2016 Jan 25;7:10500. (PMID: 26806015)
The Office of Cancer Genomics is within the Center for Cancer Genomics (CCG). CCG was established to unify NCI's activities in cancer genomics with the goal of advancing genomics research and translating findings into the clinic to improve the precise diagnosis and treatment of cancers.
Find comprehensive information on childhood cancers: current treatments, clinical trials, prevention, genetics, testing, and more.
Cáncer infantile
CTD2 researchers at the University of California in San Francisco developed a modified Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) CRISPR/dCas9 system. Catalytically inactive dCas9 enables modular and programmable RNA-guided genome regulation in eukaryotes. The CRISPR/dCas9 system has several advantages: i) enables robust gene repression (CRISPRi) or activation (CRISPRa) in human cells, ii) allows specific knockdown with minimal off-target effects in human cells, iii) works efficiently in human and yeast cells, and iv) does not cause double-strand breaks. Plasmid design and construction for CRISPRi (human and yeast cells) are described in the manuscript listed below and are available through a distributor.
Gilbert LA, et al. CRISPR-mediated modular RNA-guided regulation of transcription in eukaryotes. Cell. 2013 Jul 18;154(2):442-51. (PMID: 23849981)
The EBV sequences are available for download as BAM alignments from the Public directory at the DCC: https://cgci-data.nci.nih.gov/Public/BLGSP/WGS/L2/.
The 106 BAM files made available by open access are the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) sequences that were extracted from the BLGSP patient cohort genomes included in the following publication:
Grande BM, Gerhard DS, Jiang A, et al. Genome-wide discovery of somatic coding and non-coding mutations in pediatric endemic and sporadic Burkitt lymphoma. Blood. March 2019; 21;133(12):1313-1324. (PMID: 30617194)
The following intentionally stringent criteria were used to ensure that no human reads were included in the BAMs.
As an additional check, the number of reads in EBV-negative tumors were counted with the expectation of finding virtually nothing if human reads are not contaminating. Out of 35 EBV-negative genomes, 25 (71%) had exactly zero reads. The remaining genomes, with one exception (which had 90), had at most 19 (range: 1-19) reads. When a few randomly selected reads were attempted to align to the human genome, only short matches (20-30 bp) were found that were expected to be spurious. Therefore, it is believed that these are real EBV reads.
Given that EBV is ubiquitous (e.g. over 90% of adults globally and most African children are infected), it is possible that EBV-infected normal B cells were included at very low levels in otherwise EBV-negative tumor biopsies. This would explain the presence of a few EBV reads found in EBV-negative BL samples. In general, EBV reads are often found in DNA sequencing data. For more information, see http://www.cureffi.org/2013/02/01/the-decoy-genome/ .Therefore, we are confident that there are virtually no human reads in these EBV BAM files, consistent with the strict criteria that were used.
On this page, researchers can find data generation and data analysis protocols from the following manuscript :
Grande BM, Gerhard DS, Jiang A, et al. Genome-wide discovery of somatic coding and non-coding mutations in pediatric endemic and sporadic Burkitt lymphoma. Blood. March 2019; 21;133(12):1313-1324. (PMID: 30617194)
The Gabriella Miller Kids First initiative is a trans-NIH effort to increase understanding of genetic changes associated with certain devastating pediatric conditions. The initiative will develop a centralized database of well-curated clinical and genetic sequence data from childhood cancer and structural birth defects cohorts comprising thousands of patients and their families.
To learn more about the initiative and the data available, please visithttps://commonfund.nih.gov/kidsfirst
NCI's Genomic Data Commons (GDC) is a unified data sharing platform that allows users to search, browse, download, and analyze data. The GDC serves as a single knowledge base which unifies genomic and clinical data from different research programs for the cancer research community.
Visit the Guide to Accessing Data page for a visual and interactive guide on how to access OCG program data.
Human Cancer Models Initiative's cancer type-specific CRFs have been developed through collaborations with international clinical experts and the clinical data elements have been standardized through the Cancer Data Standards Registry and Repository (caDSR). Enrollment and Follow-up CRFs are available below for download. The Enrollment CRF data are collected at the time of patient index date, which includes initial pathologic diagnosis, sample procurement, or first patient visit. The Follow-up CRF data are collected at least 3 months after enrollment data collection following model establishment.As the tumor types modeled through the HCMI are constantly updated, be sure to check back regularly for additional or updated CRFs. Note: In some cases, it is possible to collect tissues from different tumor sites (e.g. primary, metastatic, and/or recurrent) from the same patient for model development. New CRFs capture information about multiple models developed from the same patient within a single form. The multiple model CRFs are designated with "-multi" within the file name. Versioning is used if there are any subsequent edits to the CRFs.
HCMI Searchable Catalog is a continuously updated resource for querying the available next-generation models developed by HCMI. Within the Catalog, users can search by patient demographics, tumor, and model elements including age at diagnosis, sex, treatment information, clinical tumor diagnosis, primary site, clinical stage, and type of model (e.g. 3D-organoid, 2D-conditionally reprogrammed cells), etc. For additional assistance in navigating the Searchable Catalog, please see the "HCMI Searchable Catalog User Guide".
HCMI Searchable Catalog
This guide provides users with a resource to effectively navigate the HCMI Searchable Catalog.
HCMI Searchable Catalog User Guide
The goal of the OC, an informal volunteer multi-institutional collaboration, is to provide the research community with validated, full open reading frame (ORF) cDNA clones for all of the currently defined human genes. The ORF clones do not include 5' and 3' UTRs and can be easily sub-cloned into any type of expression vector. These clones are available to researchers worldwide through multiple distributors.
Download: CMDC_Informed_Consent_Template_v2.pdf
The MGC provides the research community full-length clones for most of the defined (as of 2006) human and mouse genes, along with selected clones of cow and rat genes. Clones were designed to allow easy transfer of the ORF sequences into nearly any type of expression vector. MGC provides protein 'expression-ready' clones for each of the included human genes. MGC is part of the ORFeome Collaboration (OC).
Visit the NCI website for comprehensive cancer information.
Learn an abundance of current information on lung cancer.
Find comprehensive information on NHL, including testing, treatment, genetics, clinical trials, and more.
NCI's Office of HIV and AIDS Malignancies (OHAM) is a great resource for learning about HIV-associated cancers.
Bioinformatics is a scientific discipline that applies computer science and information technology to help understand biological processes. The NIH provides a list of free online bioinformatics tutorials, either generated by the NIH Library or other institutes, which includes introductory lectures and "how to" videos on using various tools.
OCG employs stringent human subjects' protection and data access policies to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the research participants. Depending on the risk of patient identification, OCG programs data are available to the scientific community in two tiers: open or controlled-access. Both types of data can be accessed through its corresponding OCG program-specific data matrix or portal.
Open-access Data
Data within this category presents minimal risk of participant identification. Much of OCG program data, excluding patient identifiers, are open-access. OCG provides the scientific community the maximum amount of open-access data allowable under HIPAA guidelines. Access to these data does not require user certification, and researchers may explore data content without restriction.
Controlled-access Data
Data within this category present a higher risk of patient identification. While stripped of direct patient identifiers as defined by HIPAA, controlled-access data contain specific demographic, clinical, and genotypic information that are excluded in open-access data. Controlled-access data are unique and valuable to research projects for which open-access data are insufficient. Access to protected data requires user certification which can be obtained through NCBI's dbGaP (National Center for Biotechnology Information's database of Genotypes and Phenotypes).
To learn more and understand which data each OCG program provides, visit How to Access Multiple Datasets.
A large number of gene mutations give proteins new capabilities to bind cellular proteins and create new signaling pathways that drive tumor growth. To discover and validate mutation-created protein-protein interactions (PPI) as therapeutic targets for cancer, the CTD2 Center at Emory University has created PPI expression vector libraries. A list of available cancer-associated genes can be accessed here: Emory_CTD^2_PPI_Reagents.xlsx
Contact: Haian Fu
Li Z, et al. The OncoPPi network of cancer-focused protein-protein interactions to inform biological insights and therapeutic strategies. Nature Communications. 2017 Feb 16;8:14356. (PMID: 28205554)
Resources for Researchers is a directory of NCI-supported tools and services for cancer researchers. Resources are developed and maintained by NCI scientists or were created with grant funding. Most resources are free and available to anyone. Each resource is owned by an NCI division, office, or center.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are written instructions for doing a specific task in a certain way (Source: NCI). The purpose of an SOP is to guide a novice to carry out a particular task in an accurate and consistent manner.
Download: Characteristics_of_Successful_SOPs.pdf
On this page researchers can find detailed information describing how TARGET data was generated by genomic platform, including protocols for establishing high-quality nucleic acid samples.
A brief explanation of how cancer forms, basic statistics, and links to additional resources.


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I'm back with some festive accents from Shutterfly and a few christmas printables.
Has anyone else started decorating? I know growing up we did not even pull out the Christmas decor until the day after Thanksgiving, but I just can't help myself. Christmas decor is my favorite, so I wanted to keep it up atleast for a month. And for some reason the day after Christmas I always have the sudden urge to take it all down and organize my whole house. Do you get that way?
I love my customized pillows from Shutterfly. I printed a snowflake pattern and monogram letter that I designed and love how they turned out! I just uploaded my image to the 'photo gallery' pillow and did not add any text. The gold sparkly pillows are from Target.
I also printed out "NOEL" onto their mounted wall art to go by my Christmas tree. I replaced the deer for the "O." You could even just print out the deer for a fun piece of art. I'm thinking I'll keep that up all year long!
Another festive accent I added to my home is their wood wall art. I was inspired by a piece of art I saw in the Pottery Barn catalog and love how it turned out. I added a little bit of trim to the top to add a little bit of flare.
I'm offering all of these prints to you of course because I love ya'. This Christmas print is also super cute printed out on card stock paper and placed in a frame. I found the frame at Hobby Lobby.
Free downloads:
Click below on the links you'd like to download and then save the image to your computer. You can then upload on Shutterfly to create your own holiday decor or print them out at home for other uses. These printables are for personal use only and exclusively for I Heart Nap Time readers. If you will be pinning, please pin directly from this post and not to the image url. Thank you!
Check out more of Shutterfly's home décor on their website HERE. They will be having some awesome discounts this weekend, so don't miss it! And come back tomorrow for a fun giveaway. 😀
Also, to keep up on new products follow Shutterfly on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
Have you started decorating for Christmas yet?
Disclosure: This post was in partnership with Shutterfly and the Mom It Forward Blogger Network. All opinions are 100% my own. I love Shutterfly products and I'm excited to be a Shutterfly ambassador! Thanks for supporting these sponsors that allow me to create new and special content for I Heart Nap Time.


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Perth Theatre has a series of 'in the bar' entertainment on Monday nights, called simply 'The Monday Night Thing'.
Well, last Monday, the 'thing' was a rather special performance from UK Saxphonist Julian Arguelles playing with the legendary John Abercrombie trio. Arguelles was a member of the 1980s iconic jazz collective Loose Tubes and now writes and performs with his own band, as well as teaching. John Abercrombie is a veteran jazz guitarist, and does not play in the UK very often. In the 1970s he played with the likes of the Brecker Brothers and drummer Billy Cobham, but he has played with a long list of the famous as well as his own band.
They were backed by Michael Formanek on what looked like a 3/4 size double bass, and Tom Rainey on drums. I have to say, Tom Rainey was just extraordinary to watch. He only had a fairly small four piece drumkit, but he was very very creative as he took a fixed stare into space and hit anything and everything with sticks, brushes, mallets and his bare hands. He rarely did the same thing twice, yet it all worked in with the music. He hit cymbals from the top, sideways and from underneath. At one stage he played a glass bottle of water, transforming it into sounding in different pitches by tilting the angle. Pure and utter genius.
The band played some new Arguelles numbers, an Abercrombie tune and a few standards were thrown in. The pieces were well extended, often lasting 20 minutes or so. The standards were standards with a difference. Arguelles blew city sounds, and performed immense breath defying runs up and down the instrument. The sold out audience of around 100 or so gave them warm appreciation, and brought them back for more.