text:
The Religion of Technology demonstrates that modern man's enchantment with things technological was inspired by and grounded in religious expectations and the quest for transcendence and salvation. The two early impulses behind the urge to advance in science, he claims, are the conviction that apocalypse is imminent, and the belief that increasing human knowledge helps recover what was lost in Eden. Noble traces the history of these ideas by examining the imaginings of monks, explorers, magi, scientists, Freemasons, and engineers, from Sir Isaac Newton to Joseph Priestley to Wernher von Braun.
Noble suggests that the relationship between religion and technology has perhaps outlived its usefulness. Whereas it once aimed to promote human well-being, it has ultimately become a threat to our survival. Thus, with The Religion of Technology, Noble aims to redirect our efforts toward more worldly and humane ends....Continua


text:
July 26, 2005
Sidenote to "someone who used to care," and who sent the delightful hatemail regarding my whorish decision to post my baby registry online: Yes, my cyber-begging is indeed quite loathsome. Particularly the way I personally force each and every reader to spend their hard-earned money on baby supplies, usually at gunpoint. I totally did not post the registry because people repeatedly asked me to, or so my far-flung family would have an easy way to access it. No, I posted it because I feel entitled to get everything my greedy, selfish heart desires. Clearly, I cannot fool you, dear former reader, as you completely nailed both my motivations AND my financial situation based on the 500 words or so that I write each week. Your ability to document every single dollar I've spent during my pregnancy on extravagant handbags (I USED A COUPON, YOU MORON) and kitchen remodels (HOME EQUITY LOAN, YOU DUMBASS), is very impressive and also a little creepy. And while I am not usually the type who emails emotionally-fragile pregnant strangers to call them names, I DO feel close enough to you to confidently call you a raging, bitter asshole.
Love, Spoiled Materialistic Pig Brat Girl.
P.S. Email again and I'm posting your address. Kisses!
P.P.S. Although I doubt you will since you feel too strongly about my lack of character and concern for starving blog readers in Africa to read the site anymore. Which, hooray! Less asshole, more bandwidth.
I got a LOT of email after yesterday's post, and only some of it was hatemail and/or penis enlargement pill-related.
(Ironically, several messages were, in fact, from readers who wanted to send the babalah a little something, even though I totally was NOT holding a gun to their heads and demanding payment for the hours of timesuck my stupid archives provide. One email was from Bethiclaus, who KNITTED HIM A BLANKET HER OWN SELF, and it made me cry, because y'all! Are too damn sweet. With the knitting. And the caring.)
Anyway. Most of my email yesterday came from other pregnant readers who wanted to confess their sins. And so we confessed together.
We confessed all the horrible things we've done or said, and the even more horrible things we've THOUGHT about doing or saying. We confessed to hating other pregnant girls who only write about the joy and the glowing and who seem to love every minute of their stretch-mark-free pregnancy. (Confession: my belly pictures are stretch-mark free because YOU CANNOT SEE MY ASS OR THIGHS. There. Now you know.)
And we debated whether our crazy pregnant behavior would warrant a coach or a business-class ticket to hell. I don't know if it made anybody else feel better, but it sure as hell helped me.
Well, temporarily, anyway. Until I woke up for the fourth time at 4 a.m. after getting kicked in the ribs AGAIN and then starting thinking about breastfeeding twenty times a night for months on end and dammit, now I have to pee, only when I go to pee, the baby's head is squooshing my bladder in such a way that peeing requires some complex acrobatics involving leg-stretching and bending and OKAY, I'M WIDE AWAKE NOW AND READY TO OBSESS OVER WHAT I WILL DO WHEN I DISCOVER AN EMPTY CONDOM WRAPPER IN MY 14-YEAR-OLD'S ROOM LIKE HULK HOGAN DID ON HIS SHOW AND WHY AM I WATCHING THAT SHOW IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Anyway. I'm all freaked out and jiggy again today. So clearly, it's time for another round of Seekrit Pregnancy Confessions.
Here is a limited list of sins, bad things and crimes against humanity and my pregnant readers and I copped to yesterday over email. I'm protecting everyone's identity, and will not be identifying who thought or did or said what. Including myself, because damn, I already told you about the ass stretch marks, what more do you want from me?
We've called our husband "the biggest asshole on the planet" in the diaper aisle of the supermarket.
We've told him "we'll have sex when I feel pretty again."
We've considered offering a blow job in return for painting the baby's room.
We've thought about kicking the cat for the sheer hell of it.
We've refrained from kicking the cat, but shoved it off the bed instead.
We've begged to be held.
We've kicked our partner away after five minutes of holding because it's too damn hot.
We've called our unborn babies brats.
We've threatened divorce.
We've wondered aloud if this whole baby thing was a colossal mistake.
We've compiled a list of our partner's features that we secretly hope the baby doesn't inherit.
We've been disappointed when the ultrasound revealed a girl or a boy because we wanted the other.
We've found that guilt trips are really the best and only way to get what we want.
We've screamed "YOU DID THIS TO ME" and we're not even in labor yet.
We're really worried that our babies will be ugly.
And who likes an ugly baby? Who?
We're worried that there's something wrong with our babies and it's all because of what we ate/drank/did/thought during pregnancy.
We're worried we won't love our babies.
We're worried our babies won't love us.
We're worried our boobs won't work.
We're worried we'll poop during labor and that our partner will see us poop during labor.
We're scared to death of postpartum depression.
When asked how we feel, we always say that we feel great, no matter how fucking miserable we are.
We've cried.
Over nothing.
Over everything.
And we've eaten a combined total of 438 pints of Ben & Jerry's.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
When it comes to the older and newer covenants of grace, what is the traditional Reformed/Presbyterian view of what Christ abolished that was practiced in the Old Testament? What part of the Old Testament practices still apply to us as Christians and what does not? Is the ceremonial law all that does not apply to us, and, if so, what is included in the ceremonial law?
Traditionally, Reformed theology has taught that the Old Covenant law has three aspects to it: ceremonial, moral, and civil. Of course, all aspects of the Old Covenant law are fulfilled in Christ, but two of the three aspects are also abolished with the fulfillment, while one aspect carries over into the New Covenant.
That is, the ceremonial laws and the civil laws are fulfilled by Christ and abolished. The civil laws of the Old Covenant (example: Lev. 25:29, "If a man sells a dwelling house in a walled city, he may redeem it within a year of its sale. For a full year he shall have the right of redemption.") are abolished and no longer binding on us, and the ceremonial laws (example: animal sacrifices and temple worship) are also no longer binding on the new covenant believer. But the one aspect that does carry over is the moral law (as summarized in the Ten Commandments), and we are bound to keep those. This is how the Westminster Confession of Faith puts it in chapter 19:3-5:
... God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, as a church under age, ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances; partly of worship, prefiguring Christ.... All which ceremonial laws are now abrogated under the new testament.... To them also, as a body politic, he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the state of that people, not obliging any other now, further than the general equity thereof may require.... The moral law [however] does for ever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof....
What the Westminster Confession calls "judicial" law is usually called "civil" law (different wording, same meaning).
Covenant Theology teaches that the moral law continues to have three uses in the New Covenant: to restrain sin in God's common grace (the "civil" use), to act as a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ (the "pedagogical" use), and to instruct Christians in godliness (the "normative" use). This "third use" of the law (its primary use, according to John Calvin) is not recognized by all Christians, but is an important part not only of Presbyterian tradition, but of the broader Reformed tradition as well.
Example: The Heidelberg Catechism can be divided into three main sections: "Sin, Salvation, and Service" or "Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude." It is interesting that the Ten Commandments are discussed not in the section "Sin" or "Guilt" (which would have also been appropriate), but in the section "Service" or "Gratitude." That is, it is not only true that the Ten Commandments show us our sin and guilt, but also that they show us how to live grateful lives of service to God for his grace shown in our salvation. In no way does our following the law contribute to the earning of our salvation (see Eph. 2:8-9), but our being "under grace" does not free us from being obedient to the moral law of God.
Some have denied that, pointing to the Apostle Paul's statement that Christians are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14-15), but Paul also says, "the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good" (Rom. 7:12), "we know that the law is spiritual" (Rom. 7:14), and "I delight in the law of God" (Rom. 7:22). No longer "slaves of sin," the Romans "have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which [they] were committed and ... have become slaves to righteousness" (Rom. 6:17-18). The liberty which we have in Christ is not license to commit sin, but the freedom to obey his will. Indeed, service to Christ is perfect freedom, properly understood.
One final thought: love and law are not contrary, one to the other. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.... Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me" (John 14:15, 21). Similarly, the "beloved disciple," the apostle John, said, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3).
"Questions and Answers" is a weekly feature of the OPC website. The answers come from individual ministers in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church expressing their own convictions and do not necessarily represent an "official" position of the Church, especially in areas where the Standards of the Church (the Scriptures and the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms) are silent.
The questions come from individuals like yourself. If you have questions about biblical and theological matters, you are invited to send them by e-mail by using the "Pose a Question" link on the OPC home page or by clicking here.
At least one new question is posted each week, so there should always be something new here for you to read. (For those people who would like to look at previous questions and answers, they will continue to be available as well.)
The purpose of the OPC website's "Questions and Answers" is to respond to biblical and theological questions. Matters of church discipline, disputes, or debates go beyond the scope of our work. We recommend that you present your concerns in these areas to the appropriate judicatory. In most cases this will be to a local pastor, elder, or session. We do not want the website to replace personal involvement in, or commitment to, the local, visible church.
While we will respond to every serious questioner, we are not bound to give a substantive answer to every question, should we deem the question to be beyond the scope of our purpose or our own ability to answer.
You will receive an answer by e-mail. Please be patient as many of our respondents are busy pastors. The response to your question may take up to two (2) weeks. Some of the questions submitted will be chosen to be posted here, along with the corresponding answers.
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Chaplains and Military Personnel


text:
'There are families who desperately need help now'
After the birth of her son in 2003, Wendi Fauria filled photo albums with dozens of pictures of his smiling face.
At eight months, she noticed that bright smile had started to change into a blank stare.
Dave Fauria, 11, was diagnosed with autism seven months later.
"My heart dropped. I was thinking it was a dream and it wasn't real. I had no idea what autism was," Wendi said. "He would stare off into space just looking blankly. He didn't speak his first word until he was 3."
Dave started doing behavior therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and auditory integration training right away.
Wendi even began making all Dave's food at home since he could no longer eat beef, dairy, gluten and many fruits.
"He eats protein, veggies and a couple fruits," she said. "He's the healthiest child ever. He's never even had a cavity."
All Dave's therapies cost the family $60,000-100,000 a year, which they paid out of their own pocket.
During this time, the Fauria's met other families struggling to afford autism treatments.
In 2004, Garritt and Wendi started the nonprofit Families for Effective Autism Treatment to help other families pay for treatments.
"Having a child with autism is a drain on finances and an emotional drain," Wendi said. "They say, it takes a village to raise a typical child, but it takes a county to help raise our special babies."
After years of selling off stock, mortgaging their house and borrowing money from families, the Fauria's stepped down from FEAT in order to get financial help from the organization themselves.
In 2012, they decided to try stem cell treatments, where Dave's own live stem cells from the fatty tissue and bone marrow are reinjected back into his blood stream..
"Stem cells are like homing pigeons. When there's something wrong with our body it sends out distress signals," Wendi explained. "The stem cells find what part of the body is sending out the biggest signal and it fixes it."
After the first treatment in the Dominican Republic, Wendi noticed a change in her son.
He was much calmer and the stomach problems he had been having greatly improved.
The first treatment the family paid for themselves, the second one a year later FEAT helped cover some of the cost.
Dave has continued to improve.
"He became more aware of the people around him, and now it's so much different," Wendi said. "There's a huge communication improvement. Now we can take him almost anywhere. We still have a lot of work to do, but things are much better now than when he was first diagnosed."
To continue to fund autism treatments for others, FEAT is having its annual 5K walk/10K run fundraiser April 26 at Heritage Park.
Registration is 9 a.m. for the 10K, and 9:30 a.m. for the 5K.
There will be vendor booths set up at the park, entertainment by Anthony Joseph and free lunch by Russells Catering for all participants.
FEAT has helped approximately 50 families in the last decade all over Northern Nevada, and every penny raised from the walk contributes to the cause.
"We really need people to come out and support. There are families who desperately need help now," Wendi said. "If other families can't get help from FEAT they're going to stall in their progress. Every penny will directly help a child."
Cost for the walk/run is $35 for the 5K and $55 for the 10K.
To register or to donate, visit http://www.featcv.org.
For more information, email email@example.com.


text: Prelude Mobile released an aesthetically pleasing and no frills Concise Oxford English Dictionary at a pivotal pricepoint of 19.99$. While cheaper than its competitors, Prelude's version is remarkably simple to use and fast enough for those who want a dictionary and nothing more. The pertinent question for Prelude is, how far can a simple interface go against the bigger and more ambitious projects by Mobile Systems, Paragon and Enfour?


text:
Home Secretary Sajid Javid has launched his leadership campaign, saying he is "uniquely qualified" to lead the country through the "challenges" ahead.
Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, introduced Mr Javid at his press conference.
Earlier, Boris Johnson launched his bid for the Tory crown with a warning to MPs that they will face "mortal retribution" from the electorate if they try to stop Brexit.
The former foreign secretary presented himself as the one candidate among the contenders bidding to succeed Theresa May who could stop Jeremy Corbyn seizing the keys to No 10.
Here's the latest:
Tory leadership favourite Boris Johnson has been labelled a "disgraceful politician" by one of the challengers to become the next Liberal Democrats leader.
Sir Ed Davey said the UK would enter a "dangerous" period if he were to become Prime Minister.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid has been outlining his agenda if he were to become the next Conservative Party leader and new Prime Minister.
Mr Javid added: "For a healthy democracy of course you want good vigorous debate but the best way to do that is to bring out the best in people.
"I would say I'm a change candidate – Boris Johnson is yesterday's news.
"He's been around in politics for a while, he's achieved a lot, he's still got a big role to play.
"But I think if we're trying to connect with the next generation and move forward as a country then I think it's time for the next generation with a bold new agenda."
Mr Javid said: "I am concerned about the rise of division in politics. It's not just in the UK.
"Some politicians, I'm not talking about anyone in particular but politicians around the world, think the way to win votes is to exploit division.
"I'm very worried about that. I think the leader of the Labour Party is all about identity politics, about absolutism, no compromise whatsoever, and I'm concerned about that.
"We have got to make sure that our political future is not about division but is about bringing people together and I think I'm well placed to do that."
Mr Javid said: "I believe now more than ever that at this moment as we face the challenges that are unlike any that we have faced before, this calls for a new kind of leadership and a new kind of leader.
"A leader is not just for Christmas, or just for Brexit.
"We can't risk going with someone who feels like the short-term, comfort zone choice."
Mr Javid added: "I was lucky, I am lucky.
"I have a strong, supportive family around me – where we can rely on each other for support no matter what happens.
"So we must ensure that government is supporting families in everything it does."
On presenting a different image to voters, Mr Javid said: "I know we can do this because in one part of the UK, we are already doing it.
"For years we were behind in Scotland – we all heard Labour's joke about the number of pandas north of the border.
"Then the Scottish Tories threw out central casting and picked someone totally different. Someone who made people look at our party again.
"Ruth Davidson brought that change and with her she brought huge gains."
Mr Javid, acknowledging the delays that a Commons vote blocking a no-deal Brexit had made to his pitch for Tory leader, added: "And when Labour tried to kybosh this launch of my leadership campaign, because the leadership campaign they fear the most, they failed and here we are.
"And can I thank you all for waiting."
Mr Javid outlined a number of occasions when he felt like an "outsider".
He said: "When I was at secondary school, the other kids told me about their summer holidays.
"I only ever went to Rochdale on holiday, so I pretended to go on holiday and they couldn't tell whether this was a tan or not.
"I was told kids like me should know their limits, and kids like me should stay in their lane.
"So when I got racially abused in school by the toughest guy in school, well, rightly or wrongly, I punched him."
Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, introduced Sajid Javid at his press conference pitching for the leadership of the party.
Ms Davidson, mother to Finn with fiancee Jen Wilson, said: "I'm a new mum who needs a pretty big reason right now to jump on a flight and spend extra hours away from my boy.
"I wouldn't do it for just anyone.
"This is a phrase I have not used very often, but he's the man for me."
Tory leadership candidates have been warned that Parliament will continue to fight against a no-deal Brexit.
Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer issued a statement after MPs rejected a motion to give them control of the Commons agenda on June 25, as part of efforts to block a no-deal Brexit.
He said: "This is a disappointing, narrow defeat.
"But this is just the start, not the end of our efforts to block no deal. Labour stands ready to use whatever mechanism it can to protect jobs, the economy and communities from the disastrous consequences of a no deal Brexit.
"Any Tory leadership candidates should know that Parliament will continue to fight against no deal."
MPs have rejected a motion to give them control of the Commons agenda on June 25, as part of efforts to block a no-deal Brexit, by 309 votes to 298 – majority 11.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has said he fears one of the main Tory leadership candidates could resort to drastic action to avoid the same fate as Theresa May.
He said: "I believe the real risk here is that one of the mainstream leadership candidates, having made unqualified commitments to remove Britain from the EU by October 31st, encounters the same arithmetic as his predecessor, encounters the constraints of the Withdrawal Agreement and in order to avoid the humiliation of the present Prime Minister feels obliged to resort to drastic action.
"And that's the risk that we face and I'm grateful to member for West Dorset (Mr Letwin) for starting a process of providing a necessary safety valve."
How big are the majorities that each of the 10 leadership candidates are sitting on?
Labour's shadow Brexit secretary has described the Conservative leadership contest as the "disturbing, the ludicrous and the reckless".
Sir Keir Starmer said: "It's become an arms race to promise the most damaging form of Brexit or to make the most absurd or undeliverable promises. No wonder (Tory MP Boris Johnson) is the frontrunner against that criteria."
He criticised leadership contender Dominic Raab for suggesting Parliament could be temporarily shut down to allow a no-deal Brexit, and later joked his campaign website on Tuesday said: "Access to dominicraab2019.com is denied because it belongs to a category that we blocked to protect customers using the parliamentary network."
Sir Keir added: "Quite right too."
Conservative former minister Steve Brine noted: "I always knew parliamentary ICT people would get it right in the end."
With a number of Tory leadership candidates refusing to rule out proroguing Parliament in order to force our EU departure on October 31, Labour is introducing a motion aimed at blocking a no deal Brexit.
Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said: "The motion before the House is a simple proposition, namely that on the 25th of June Parliament and not the executive shall have control of the business of the House.
"That would ensure that there's an opportunity for this House to bring forward a further business motion to set out at that later date a schedule for the stages of a parliamentary bill related to our departure from the EU."
Sir Keir added: "So it is a motion that empowers Parliament, it will introduce a safety valve in the Brexit process and it will be a reminder to all Conservative leadership candidates this this House will take every step necessary to prevent a no deal."
Philip Hammond has warned Boris Johnson is unwise to box himself "into a corner" over his "impossible" commitment that the UK will leave the EU on October 31.
The Chancellor said he did not think Mr Johnson would be able to succeed on his pledge that "after three years and two missed deadlines we must leave the EU on October 31".
Speaking at Bloomberg's Sooner Than You Think Summit in London, Mr Hammond compared committing to the October deadline with driving "towards this cliff-edge at speed".
Mr Hammond told delegates: "I don't think it's sensible for candidates to box themselves into a corner on this.
"Parliament will not allow a no-deal exit from the EU and our experience to date has suggested that it might not be that easy to agree a deal in Parliament.
"Boris and any other candidate is perfectly entitled to say that they need to go and test this for themselves.
"But I can advise them that the EU is not likely to be prepared to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement we have already opened with them."
Watch: Round-up of Boris Johnson's Tory leadership bid
Back in the Commons, Theresa May was urged to stay on as Prime Minister by a Labour MP and not "cut and run" with "Parliamentary democracy in crisis".
Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) said he had been tracking her "impressive career for 22 years", ever since she made her maiden speech having been first elected in 1997.
Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions, he asked: "Will she change her mind about cutting and running?
"With her integrity, her experience, indeed can I say her moral compass, this parliamentary democracy is in crisis.
"Why can't she stay here, even come on the backbenches and give some of the people who will take over from her a bit of the medicine that they've given her?"
The PM confirmed she will not be leaving Parliament altogether when she leaves Number 10, saying: "I will indeed be staying here as I will continue to be the Member of Parliament for my constituency."
But she turned down Mr Sheerman's offer to remain in Downing Street, adding: "Can I also say I am a woman of my word.
"I gave my word to my party as to what I would do, and I stand by that word."
Watch: Boris Johnson was heckled as he made his Conservative leadership bid.
Also during PMQs, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn seized the opportunity to poke fun at confessions made by Tory leadership candidates about their pasts.
He said: "I know the Tory leadership candidates have been falling over themselves to confess to their past indulgences, but can the Prime Minister name an industry that is legal that her Government ministers have actually backed?"
Meanwhile in the House of Commons, during Prime Minister's Questions, SNP leader in Westminster Ian Blackford hit out at the candidates in the Tory leadership race, saying the party is about to get "a whole lot nastier".
He said: "The state of politics in this place is humiliating. The Tory leadership race is a total horror show.
"The EU was clear, 'use the time wisely', and yet the Tories are obsessing with themselves at the expense of people across these islands.
"Just when we thought things couldn't get any worse, they are even lurching further towards the extremes.
"The Prime Minister once described her party as the nasty party. Well, with candidates like the one announcing today, it is about to get a whole lot nastier.
"Do you agree that the fantasy fairy stories of the Tory Party's candidates are nothing more than an assault on our common sense?"
Rory Stewart shared his thoughts on his leadership rival.
Mr Johnson, answering a question about his commitment to Brexit, added: "The real existential threat that I now think faces both parties if we fail to get this thing done. And I think that in the end maturity and a sense of duty will prevail.
"It will be very difficult in the end for colleagues in Parliament to obstruct the will of the people and to block Brexit.
"They (the public) returned a very clear answer by a substantial majority.
"I think if we now block it collectively as parliamentarians we will reap the whirlwind and we will face mortal retribution from the electorate."
He added: "I am not going to pretend to you now that everything will be plain sailing.
"There will be difficulties and there will be bumps in the road, but my team will hit the ground running.
"A sensible, orderly Brexit that allows this country to flourish as a great, independent nation."
Asked about a previous confession that he had taken cocaine at university, Mr Johnson said: "I think the account of this event when I was 19 has appeared many, many times.
"I think what most people in this country want us to really focus on in this campaign, if I may say so, is what we can do for them and what our plans are for this great country of ours."
Boris Johnson defended stop and search policies, and said his record as mayor of London made him suitable to be the next prime minister.
Mr Johnson said: "It was terrible. We had kids losing their lives in our city at a rate of 28-30 a year, teenagers were being stabbed to death in London. We had to take some very tough decisions."
He added: "I believe, frankly, there is nothing kinder or more loving that you can do if you see a young kid coming down the street who may be carrying a knife, than to ask him to turn out, or her, almost invariably him, to turn out his pockets and produce that knife.
"That is not discriminatory, that is a kind, compassionate, loving thing to do. And it worked.
"We ended up, as I said just now, we ended up cutting serious youth violence by I think 32%. Knife crime went down, the murder rate went down."
When challenged by a reporter about past comments, including saying Muslim women wearing burkas "look like letter boxes", Mr Johnson said: "I want to make a general point about the way I do things and the language I use.
"Occasionally some plaster comes off the ceiling as a result of a phrase I may have used, or the way that phrase has been wrenched out of context by those who wish for reasons of their own to caricature.
"But I think it's vital for us as politicians to remember that one of the reasons that the public feels alienated now from us all as a breed, is because too often they feel that we are muffling and veiling our language, not speaking as we find – covering everything up in bureaucratic platitudes, when what they want to hear is what we genuinely think."
Asked whether he had ever done anything illegal, Mr Johnson said: "I cannot swear that I have always observed a top speed limit of 70mph…"
As Mr Johnson spoke, Labour MP David Lammy accused him of "shameless opportunism".
Ending his speech, Mr Johnson said: "To sum up my mission in a sentence: what I want to do now, with your help, is to do for the whole country what we did in London – releasing the creative energies of our country and its people and healing its divisions."
He said: "We can fight for the teachers, and the nurses and the firemen, and the armed service personnel, and the police, precisely because we are willing to encourage the tech wizards and the shopkeepers and the taxi drivers and, yes, the bankers as well.
"We enable the extraordinary success of our private sector with a strong, committed, passionate, well-funded public sector.
"It is that synergy, that symbiosis, that sizzling synergy, that is so fertile in generating further economic growth, that is the formula, that is the way we will bridge the opportunity gap and bring the country together, responding to the mighty plea of the majority of our people for fundamental change."
Mr Johnson said: "In everything we do, we will seek to strengthen the union of our four nations… that invincible quartet, the awesome foursome that makes up the UK – the world's soft power superpower.
"And I have seen across the world in our armed forces, in our diplomacy, our sheer cultural impact, how we are so much more than the sum of our parts."
Shortly after Mr Johnson began speaking, heckling from the street outside the venue was audible in the room.
Cries of "Bollocks to Boris" and "No to Brexit" could be heard during Mr Johnson's launch speech.
Mr Johnson said: "And yet we cannot ignore the morass at Westminster where parties have entered a yellow box junction, unable to move forward or back, while around the country there is a mood of dissolution, even despair, at our ability to get things done.
"The longer it goes on, the worse the risk that there will be serious contamination and loss of confidence because the people of this country deserve the best from their leader."
Taking to the stage, amid prolonged applause, Mr Johnson said: "It's a measure of the resilience of this country that since the vote to leave the EU, and in defiance of all predictions, the economy has grown much faster than the rest of Europe…
"Unemployment has fallen to the lowest levels since 1972, exports have soared, English football teams have won both the Champions League and the Europa League by beating English football teams, and inward investment has soared.
"It's almost as if the commercial dynamism of the British people is insulating them from the crisis in our politics."
There was also family support for Boris Johnson, with his brother Jo and father Stanley attending the campaign launch.
Attendees at the launch were offered "Boris bacon butties" and "Boris eggs Benedict" inside the venue.
They were also invited to wear "Back Boris" badges.
A smattering of anti-Brexit protesters have gathered to picket outside the venue for Mr Johnson's campaign launch in central London.
Veteran anti-EU withdrawal protester Steve Bray told the Press Association: "My message to Mr Johnson is he's not fit to be an MP, let alone PM."
Former defence secretary Gavin Williamson, who Prime Minister Theresa May sacked from the Cabinet, declined to speak to reporters when he arrived for the event.
Meanwhile, leadership hopeful Andrea Leadsom has ruled out holding a second Scottish independence referendum – less than 24 hours after saying she would "never say never" to the prospect of such a ballot.
The former leader of the House of Commons U-turned on that to insist there would be "no second referendums" on either Brexit or independence if she becomes prime minister.
Sam Gyimah, who quit the Tory leadership contest earlier in the week, called on contenders to concede Brexit "cannot be delivered" by October 31 if they are "serious" about renegotiations.
Watch: Who's who in the Tory leadership race?
Liz Truss also defended Mr Johnson when asked about his sacking for "lying in public" about an affair, saying: "I do not think the British public is interested in Boris's personal life."
Defending the Tory leadership hopeful from accusations that he is refusing to speak to journalists during his campaign for the top job, she said: "He has got nothing to hide.
"This is the parliamentary stage of the process. The important thing is he is talking to parliamentary colleagues."
Cabinet minister Liz Truss this morning defended Boris Johnson as a "brilliant" foreign secretary who deserves to be prime minister.
As Mr Johnson prepares to launch his leadership bid, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Ms Truss attempted to bat away a string of criticisms about how he may not be a fit and proper person to hold office.
When the accusation that Mr Johnson was "the worst foreign secretary in living memory" was put to her by the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, she said such attacks were due to his "huge public appeal".
She added: "His record is of being the most successful mayor of London we have had, of being an excellent foreign secretary who got countries around the world to take action against Russia by expelling their diplomats."


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Well, it's looking pretty certain that Apple is going to unveil the "iPhone 4S" Tuesday, which will be a new version of the iPhone 4 with some bumped up specs. Vodafone Germany just listed the phone on its website.
What's less clear is whether or not we'll see an iPhone 5, or just this iPhone 4S. It features essentially the same design as the iPhone 4, but will come with boosted RAM, the same processor as the iPad 2, and a beefier camera. Will that be enough to get people to make a switch or an upgrade?
Maybe Vodafone is just getting the iPhone 4S at first, hence the iPhone 5's exclusion from this list. Or maybe we'll need to wait another year for a drastically redesigned iPhone. All will be revealed tomorrow!
Via MacRumors
For the latest tech stories, follow us on Twitter at @dvice
Copyright DVICE - DVICE


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Mermi Rubbish Bin
Furniture Design Focus: Mermi Rubbish Bin
A Good Furniture design example, the Mermi is a creative Rubbish Bin design. Mermi was designed in 2010, and here is a how it is described by its designer: Mermi is designed to replace the dull looking rubbish bins, the design is elegant and modern, with Mermi, a rubbish bin is not something that you are ashamed of, it is a modern element of the space.
Mermi Rubbish Bin Images:
End of the article, click here to go back to previous page, or alternatively go back to A Design News homepage.


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Sometimes, it's easy to get buried under the landslide of iPhone apps being released on the App Store, but this week has been a big one for some major apps. There are three in particular that caught our eye lately, including the long-awaited Zipcar app, Tweetie 2, and the first release of EyeTV for iPhone. Though two of the three require laying down some cash, we think the feature sets are worth it.
The Zipcar app was demoed during WWDC in June, but took several months of refinements before finally being released yesterday. We interviewed the CTO of Zipcar, Luke Schneider, in August about how the app works with Zipcar's already built-in technologies, and now we are finally able to use the app ourselves. (If you're not entirely familiar with what Zipcar is and why people care, read the aforelinked article for more background.) The app works pretty much exactly as expected—you can search nearby for Zipcar lots (or search by city), look up info and reserve cars directly from the app, and do things like lock/unlock cars without getting out your Zipcard.
As a longtime Zipcar member, I was very impressed by the app's functionality, though there are two downsides so far that I can see. One is that there's no dropdown for my saved locations—users can only search nearby or by market, but not a particular location that they always rent from (I have already brought up this issue with the application's illustrious developer, Jonathan Wight). The second is more annoying—users must still swipe their Zipcards once per session, thereby reducing the appeal of using the app in the first place. Jonathan tells us that the reason for this is to ensure that members don't get stranded if they find themselves in a cell phone dead zone. This is a perfectly valid reason, but an annoyance nonetheless. The company is apparently looking for ways to mitigate this, though, so a future update may indeed allow us to leave our Zipcards in our wallets for good.
The second app that we're looking forward to (it's not yet released) is Tweetie 2 for iPhone. ChicagoNow recently posted a preview of Tweetie 2, indicating that the popular Twitter client has received numerous interface refinements and new features. This includes the ability to post video to tweets, conversation threading, an offline mode for reading when you can't get a signal, a drafts manager, tweet translation, and even geotagging. The geotagging feature sparks my interest, and ChicagoNow points out that Tweetie 2 has "[a] function that allows you to see nearby tweets is totally revamped and cooler." As developer Loren Brichter pointed out on his own blog, Tweetie 2 got a plethora of rewrites that go beyond its subtle version number and that the upgrade will be $2.99 (though Tweetie 2 for Mac, which is coming later, will be a free upgrade). From what we can tell, it will be worth the upgrade price when the app is released.
Finally, Elgato has brought EyeTV to the iPhone. The app allows users to watch and record live TV on your iPhone (or iPod touch) while working with your Mac running EyeTV. It appears as if the app works in a similar way to Slingbox Mobile, where the iPhone app streams recorded TV from your home computer (hooked up to an EyeTV box) over WiFi. From the iPhone, you can start recordings on your Mac at home or schedule them for later, and even edit your recording schedule.
As someone who used to be an avid EyeTV user (I quit because I became lazy and don't watch much TV anymore, not because of anything EyeTV did), these are all functionalities that I would have killed for while on the road. How many times have you been out, only to realize that you forgot to set the recording for your favorite show at home? Sure, if you're already a Slingbox user, this app may not offer much to sway you, but for those already using an EyeTV on a Mac, it certainly seems worth the $4.99 purchase price to get the iPhone version.


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DWTS Val And Maks Chmerkovskiy, Tony Dovolani, Miss Teen USA Attend Viennese Opera Ball
Pictured above are brothers Maks and Val Chmerkovskiy, Tony Dovolani and his wife Lina, and Miss Teen USA Logan West. Last night, the five attended the Viennese Opera Ball at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City, NY. You can view more pictures of them at this event at Getty Images. Stunning! I love those tuxes!! Thanks to @DWTSMaksimFans for the image above!!


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Poor Planning Mars Haiti's Efforts To Move Survivors
Poor Planning Mars Haiti's Efforts To Move Survivors
In Haiti, officials have begun relocating tens of thousands of survivors of the Jan. 12 earthquake into a new planned housing site outside the capital, Port-au-Prince.
With the rainy season around the corner, the rush is on to get the most vulnerable out of flood-prone camps. But humanitarian groups say the Haitian government botched the planning of this new campsite and gave them little time to prepare.
The new site sits on a dusty and desolate area known as Corail-Cesselesse. Skinny saguaro cactuses dot the dry landscape below barren mountains stripped of all vegetation. Hundreds of white dome-shaped tents are lined up in rows on a graded plateau. They look like neatly arranged greenhouses rather than homes.
Far From Anything
It's a nine-mile drive north of Port-au-Prince to get to the camp, but it feels like another world.
Danisse Sannon, 20, says she cried the whole long bus ride out to the new camp.
"I was crying because out here it is so far. It's so far from where my mother lives. Even if she tried to come see me, she would have to take four buses to get here and she doesn't have the money," she says.
Sannon sits at the opening of her new white two-room tent. Her 16-month-old son, Sammy, clings to her. He has no clothes; his bloated stomach is scarred. Sannon says he got burned in a fire that erupted when their house collapsed in the earthquake. Her husband and brother died under the rubble.
"What I really want to do is earn enough money so I can leave here and take a bus to the countryside where my mother and family are," she says.
Sannon brought a small basket full of food to sell. She has tiny bags of salt, bouillon cubes, chilies and dried fish. But she says once she sells everything she doesn't know how she will restock, since it's a long walk and several buses to get to the nearest market.
That's one of the biggest problems facing the residents of this new camp: It's very far from any economic activity. President Rene Preval recently toured the area and told its newest inhabitants that he hopes to bring factories there and create 30,000 jobs. But such plans could take years.
For now, new resident Louis Sainte Claudelle says he is glad his wife and three kids are no longer living in the overcrowded camp perched on the Petionville Golf Course in Port-au-Prince. At night that camp swelled to a population of 50,000 people.
Claudelle says they lived in Petionville in a tent made out of sticks and pieces of tarp. Whenever it rained, the whole thing would fill with water. He can't imagine how it would hold up in a big storm.
Aid groups are scrambling to get as many residents as possible off the golf course before the heavy rains begin in May. The soil there is soft and is prone to slides and flooding.
Bad Model For Future Camps
The new camp in Corail-Cesselesse, which sits on 11 square miles, is slated to accommodate up to 7,500 people. It was difficult for the government to find an open space big enough, but Julie Schindall, a spokeswoman with Oxfam, says there was not enough planning and coordination done before residents were moved there.
"We don't like the way the site was selected. It was done in a last-minute way. ... [The] government had two months to prepare the site; we had one week to prepare the site," she says.
Oxfam set up water stations, latrines and showers in the camp. Other groups provide food.
"We know that this is also only the first movement of people. There will be more. This cannot be the model for future camp resettlements," Schindall says.
The relocation isn't moving as fast as the government hoped. Only those who volunteer for the move will be bused out to Corail-Cesselesse; so far, about 150 families have taken them up on the offer.
But new tents go up in anticipation of more volunteers.
Claudelle, the camp resident, says now that he is there he is going to make the best of the situation.
He says after the earthquake he and his wife lost their jobs and their house -- they really don't have any better options.


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I am Nichole Richardson, I specialize in contemporary portrait photography. I work with my clients to create deeply personal and meaningful images for them and the ones that they love to treasure for a lifetime.
If you would like or need beautiful photographs of you or your family please contact me via email or 571-606-8620.
Laura Karoline Photography is a Raleigh Photographer, specializing in babies under one year, newborns, maternity, and family photography. Laura has a studio located in Cary and also photograph families and maternity outdoors. With over seven years of experience in the newborn photography industry, Laura is a premier Raleigh newborn photographer.
In addition to those tiny features of a newborn, my passion is capturing relationships and emotion within a family. I want to make your session as stress-free as possible, while capturing your true self. My favorite part of this business is getting to know my clients and having fun with them during the session! I have been in the Triangle region since December 2019.
Elements in Focus is a Fine Art Photography Studio located in Cary, NC, specializing in nature and cityscapes. Photographer Jill Denbow captures scenes from nature and cities locally and around the globe, featuring her photography in a wide variety of products, including matted, canvas, and metal prints, boxed notecard sets, prints in acrylic frames, as well as other hand-crafted items. Elements in Focus participates in several local craft fairs throughout the year, including Downtown Cary Food and Flea and the Town of Cary's Spring Daze. In addition to the products Jill has for sale at these events and on her Etsy shop, she also takes custom orders. Visit the Elements in Focus website or contact Jill directly via email for more information and to find the location of her next event.
Amy Crosby is a professional photographer specializing in branding photography for businesses. Proudly serving Raleigh, Durham, RTP and surrounding areas. Services include branding images for website, blog, social media, marketing materials, products and commercial. Amy works with you to create beautiful images of you, your business, services and products so that when potential clients view your website or see a social media post from you- they see your professionalism and understand your message.
Located in Holly Springs, Brittany B Photography LLC is a lifestyle photographer. Brittany captures families, newborns & maternity, seniors & also branding & product photography. BBP serves Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Apex, Cary, Raleigh & surrounding areas & offers on-location sessions at local parks, farms, gardens & even fields! Brittany is also available for travel to The Crystal Coast & surrounding areas.
Brittany's sessions are natural, organic, & authentic. Brittany will give some direction but will strive to capture the in-between moments. The knowing smiles, the giggles & outbursts, the hugs and special kisses – these are the moments you don't want to forget. Brittany B Photography's collections include digital images with print release. Learn details on your investment & products offered here. Lifestyle newborn sessions are taken in your home – where Brittany can capture your new addition in their nursery and with their family.
Branding & product photography is unique to you. It's personal & authentic – for entrepreneurs, small businesses, coaches, speakers & more. If you need a headshot, photos for marketing, or social media, branding photography takes care of all these needs and more. This is a very customized experience tailored to you & your needs. We'll discuss the details & spend a few hours together capturing what makes you unique. Find more info here.
View galleries of Brittany's work.
Brittany B Photography on Instagram
But A Moment Photography is one of my great loves. I am the owner, call me Shan. I am an internationally published wedding photographer based in Holly Springs, NC. I serve the Carolinas and destinations through the US and worldwide.
My goal is to capture your wedding day with images that could easily grace the pages of wedding magazines. I strive to tell your story in a way that is intimate, organic, romantic and timeless.
Pictures tell stories for generations to come, and it would be my pleasure to preserve your wedding day memories in photographs.
You should know:
1. I am a true functioning introvert. I absolutely love people, I can hold my own and get things done. You will find that I capture moments as they happen, while also jumping in to make sure you look your absolute best in your images and that you are in the best light. You willnot find me laying on the ground to get the shot, it is your wedding day and all eyes should be on you.
2. You do not have to be a supermodel or even comfortable with the camera to have magazine worthy images. I just need you to show up and be in love…I will handle the rest.
Contact me to check availability and to get my current pricing or just to tell me your love story.
Hello love, I am Zoe Clark, a Maternity and Newborn Photographer in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. I have 2 silly daughters that are going into their teen stages soon. My husband is my best friend and nothing is more important to me than my family. I am a foreigner from a big city, Hong Kong, who loves to cook, eat, travel, dance, and practice yoga.
Whether you are a working mom with a crazy-busy life or a stay at home mom with toddlers and you are trying to grow your family, I'm here to help you capture and document all these beautiful, precious moments that past by too fast. I'm here to remind you to enjoy every moment with your little newborn because how fast time flies without notice. I'm here to tell you that it's ok to be on camera when you think you are not in your best shape while you carry your beautiful baby in your belly or you need to lose that 10 or 15 pounds baby weight. Because all of those little moments of details will turn into a memory and we freeze them into all these beautiful images that you and your baby will appreciate more and more as time goes by.
And, like many of you, I struggle with how fast time seems to fly by. That's one of the reasons I'm in love with photography. When a client tells me, 'My newborn is growing so fast, she looks different every day.' I totally get it. Or, 'I just want to get some portraits taken before he loses those chubby cheeks.' I get that, too. And I especially get it when someone says, 'She is already One Year old, it's crazy how fast the first year went by!
So call me. We'll plan your session, we'll have a great time, and you'll love your pictures!
Our Gallery :
2018 Summer Offer | WaterScape
Molly Stillman is the founder and creator of Still Being Molly, a life and style blog started in 2007, and the host of the Business with Purpose podcast. With over 600,000 readers in the last year, stillbeingmolly.com has become a trusted community for women, especially moms, who love everything from ethical style and clean beauty, to parenting and real food, to serving in their communities and making the world a better place. Her true passion lies in helping inspire women to know that they were created on purpose, with a purpose, and for a purpose. Molly has had the honor of collaborating with well-known brands such as Stitch Fix, Target, Elegantees, The Root Collective, Sseko Designs, CAUSEBOX, Sevenly, Noonday Collection, and more. Molly is honored to have been featured in such publications and media as US News & World Report, Scary Mommy, Fashion Revolution's Zine "Loved Clothes Last", The 700 Club, North State Journal, Cary Magazine, and was named as one of "the Carolina's 75 Most Stylish People" by Carolina STYLE Magazine. She is a wife, mama, dog mom, a loud laugher, lover of Jesus, Diet Coke and all of the Chipotle burritos. You can find her on the internets at stillbeingmolly.com.
Melissa DeVoe specializes in custom photography for expectant Moms and babies. She has a gorgeous and comfortable studio space in Wake Forest which houses her massive prop collection, and is where she holds all of her newborn sessions. Melissa is well known in her area for her impeccable posing and beautifully styled sessions. She serves Raleigh, Durham, Wake Forest, Cary, North Carolina and its surrounding areas.
I am a boutique wedding & family photographer who believes in providing a one-of-a-kind, personalized session experience and artwork that you will love forever. Since 2009 my goal has been to photograph families and couples in a relaxed, joyful and artistic way.
I began studying photography when everyone shot film (remember film?) and I learned the classic art of black & white film processing & printing. There is something so powerful about making each print by hand, each result a unique piece of art. When I switched to digital in 2005, I brought to it my love for honesty in the images I create for works of art you will treasure.
My life with 2 children (12 & 9) and two large dogs is usually pretty crazy, but it's also full of love and laughter and I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. Next to photography my favorite thing in the whole world is chocolate. Ok, and the beach, and pretty much anywhere there is good food & good friends- life is meant to be enjoyed!
Nicola is a top Raleigh newborn photographer, who loves to style and customize your shoot. Nicola has been trained to specialize in Newborn Photography, maternity photography , family photography and child photography. Her style is best described as simple, beautiful and timeless. Newborns are the main focus in a shoot, posed yet still very natural. Nicola does love taking pictures of families, however, these are best done outdoors. Nicola loves to capture the candid moments and fleeting smiles and glances with your family. These moments only she can see from behind the lens.
Services extend into the Raleigh – Durham NC Triangle areas including Raleigh, Durham, Morrisville, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay – Varina, Angier, Clayton, Garner and Wake Forrest.
Specializing in Family Portraits, Weddings, Special Events and much more.
Any Occasion Photography in Apex, NC and Surrounding Areas
A photograph is a visual journal, I take great pride in the penmanship of adding a page to your story. It is life experiences you have and how they make you feel. I love being part of your moments that turn into such great memories. I specialize in natural light portrait photography. Enjoying many realms of capturing of life and your perfect moments.
Raleigh Durham Family Photographer
With a focus on genuine connection, movement, and beautiful light, I strive to capture your family in the here and now. It is my goal to create family portraits that are not only art, but a legacy to be passed down through the generations. I'd be honored to tell your story.
My name is Erica and I am a photographer specializing in fine art portraiture for newborn babies, children, and families. I serve Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay Varina, and surrounding areas. I place the focus on your beautiful children and capture portraits that your family will treasure for generations.
My packages are created with purpose, to best meet the needs of a busy family. All newborn portrait packages include digital files with a print release, as well as professional quality prints and custom birth announcements. Why? Every family needs and wants digital copies of their portraits. Save them as a back up or use them to make prints and other gifts. Your family will surely be busy with a newborn baby in the house, however. It may be months, at least, before you find time to print your photos or design a birth announcement. My packages allow you to receive prints and announcements to enjoy right away, leaving you more time to enjoy your family.
Newborn portrait sessions can take place at my home studio in Fuquay Varina or in the comfort of your own home. Not sure which is right for you? Email me and I'll help you figure out what the best fit is for your family.
If all newborn portraits look the same to you, an outdoor newborn portrait session may be perfect for your family. Not only can I complete your session indoors, but I am one of the few newborn photographers on the east coast who can do newborn sessions completely outdoors. If you appreciate the beauty of nature, there is nothing more breathtaking than your fresh new baby among the calming colors of nature. These unique sessions can be completed from April through October. Outdoor newborn sessions are my passion and I have a list of many beautiful locations in the Raleigh area for this type of session that are not well known, as well as a special collection of props and equipment handpicked to keep babies comfortable and happy outdoors. I have a passion for creating portraits with earth tone colors and simple props, giving my newborn photography a natural, organic feel.
Interested in booking a newborn portrait session or family portrait session? Mention this listing and get 10% off your session fee.
If you have any questions about professional photography or my sessions, please send me an email at [email protected]. You may also wish to visit my website at http://www.ericacourtinephotography.com.
Raleigh NC Photographer, Sarah Joann Photography, is a Family, Newborn and Wedding photographer.
Sarah photographs on location and serves Raleigh and the surrounding areas: Apex, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Holly Springs, and Fuquay-Varina.
Sarah strives to capture the beauty of connection between you and your loved ones in candid style photography. These everyday moments only last a split second, but it is those moments that tell your story. As a hopeless romantic hippie, SJP loves photographing genuine love & emotion, laughs, snuggles, and all the moments in between in your family photos…the details you will want to remember for a lifetime. And I love capturing them along with sunlight, wind, and whatever natural elements we can incorporate to give your images an organic feel and make them truly beautiful. Say hello! I would love to tell your story!
Kim is an award winning photographer based out of Wake Forest, NC. She specializes in fine art portraiture of families, children and high school seniors.
From your toddler's first steps to your teenager's graduation, the milestones of family life are fleeting and precious. We don't want to miss a moment. When it comes to getting professional photographs taken, though, you don't want a posed and uncomfortable experience—you want your family to be seen in a beautifully authentic way.
Kim's unique approach starts with getting to know you, and fostering a relaxed and enjoyable environment. She's there to help with every step of the process, from location selection to wardrobe styling and gallery wall design. Each finished piece is more than just a photograph—they are fine art that will be cherished forever.
Hi! I'm Amy Hill. I am the owner and photographer behind 627 Photography in Cary, NC. I love to help women business owners tell the story of their brand and business through photos. It's more than just a headshot, it is a way to show visitors to your website why they want to work with you. In this digital world where we meet so many online, you have to standout and you have to connect!
In addition to beautiful branding photos for women, I also love to photograph + empower high school seniors. I love to make them feel special, confident and happy with who they are. I take time to learn about them and create a fun, custom session that results in the most beautiful pictures they've ever seen of themselves!
Audrey Priel of Rose Trail Images is a North Carolina family and wedding photographer serving the Raleigh/Durham area. She takes a very lifestyle and photojournalistic approach with her clients, focusing on authentic moments, real smiles, and family stories. She is inspired by gorgeous sunlight, infectious laughter, and all of the Boston sports teams. Audrey is the recipient of several photographic and wedding industry awards and has been featured in over 30 online blogs and publications, as well as numerous books and magazines such as The Know Book and CIRCA magazine.
Everything happens for a reason, so it was no accident that when Audrey picked up her camera… she was hooked. She was born to laugh, meant to make people happy, and she truly TRULY loves being the reason why people smile! Each session is super unique and filled with laughter, smiles, and stories. Fun fact: you WILL laugh during your session!
You can also read more about each of Rose Trail Images' photography sessions by reading the blog here!
For more Children and Family Portraits: Children & Families
Fore more Couples and Engagements: Couples & Engagements
For more Lifestyle Newborn Sessions: Newborns
For Maternity Portraits: Maternity
For Seniors and Portraits: Seniors & Portraits
For the Wedding Gallery: Weddings
For the Mitzvah and Events Gallery: Mitzvahs & Events
Amber Foster Smith Photography is a full-service boutique photography studio located in the heart of downtown Holly Springs, NC specializing in wedding and portrait photography. Servicing the Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Morrisville, Durham and Chapel Hill area. We offer portraits both on-location and in our professional photography studio by appointment.
We are passionate about telling our client's stories through beautiful imagery and creating heirloom pieces of artwork for families to cherish. Whether it is capturing your growing family, anxiously awaiting graduation with your high school senior, or celebrating an engagement while planning for your wedding day. We are there with you every step of the way. From planning out the perfect location for your session, to coordinating wardrobe selections and even arranging for hair and make-up. Our focus is to capture every moment as well as the moments in-between because those are the ones you truly never want to forget. You can expect to have a lot of fun while we capture a variety of candid moments as well as a few more comfortable but posed shots. Our goal at AFSP is to give you a variety of images, all of incredible quality.
"Amber is an incredible and gifted photographer. She works well under pressure in any circumstances! She was able to capture my family in a way no other photographer has ever. Every picture was perfect. She is a delight to work with and we will absolutely use her again!" – Cottingham Family
"Amber was awesome! …She made us feel relaxed and comfortable. She captured such wonderful memories that we will treasure for a life time! She is such a blessing to work with on your special day!" – Lewis Family
"I can look back on the day with so much joy because of the moments you captured for us. Working with you is like working with a close friend – which I love so much! " – Harris Wedding featured on Wedding Gown Designer Maggie Sottero Designs' Blog
Owner and photographer Amber is a sucker for true love, soulmates and a big believer of happily ever after! Amber is also the heart behind The Studio : A Coworking Space for Creatives where she focuses on empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners through education with a space to grow their business. As an educator she has a passion for teaching workshops and mentoring for photographers and other small business owners.
Amber Foster Smith Photography + The Studio : A Coworking Space For Creatives
267 West Center Street Holly Springs, NC 27540
At EMBR Bliss Photography, Inc., I specialize in on-location or in-home photo shoots to give you the perfect setting you desire. Whether you choose to be photographed at home or a special venue, I will make you feel comfortable-making your photographs memorable. I cater to Portrait/Lifestyle photography for Families, Senior Portraits, Maternity, Newborns and Engagements. I promise to make each one unique. I have a keen eye for great photos and use top-of-the-line equipment and techniques to provide you the highest-quality pictures. You can rely on me to take beautiful photographs to fill your home with and share with loved ones. Contact me at 919-656-2107 now to schedule an appointment.
I'm Lynette, a senior, family and event photographer in the Raleigh, NC area. I am also available for school, headshots, and real estate photography. My style and sessions are natural, fun, and relaxed. Let's talk!
Frolic & Co. Photography is a portrait photographer serving Raleigh, NC and surrounding areas. Portraiture includes Families, Children, Tween, Teens, Senior, and Couples. Business offerings include Full Branding as well as Social Media updates. Headshots for business, acting, and dance.
Let's capture your story. Your family is worth it.
Melissa Berg is a maternity, newborn and baby studio photographer located in Raleigh, North Carolina and serves the Triangle and surrounding areas of Wake County including Brier Creek, North Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, Clayton, Knightdale, Fuquay-Varina, Durham, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Wake Forest and beyond. Her dedicated professional home studio space is located near the RDU airport where she creates gorgeous maternity & newborn baby portraits for her clients. You are invited to a personalized photography session with the top Raleigh newborn photographer to capture the best images of you and your baby that you will cherish for a lifetime.
One day, your baby will look for photographs of this precious time in their lives…what will they find?
Melissa has curated some of the finest photography display pieces including albums, image boxes and framed prints that you will be proud to display in your home. Our items are of the highest quality and built to last a lifetime and beyond. You will find that Melissa's experience makes the whole process of being photographed easy and enjoyable! She is honored to share her gift with families who want the best timepieces for their baby's memories.
Be True Baby is a natural light photography studio in Wake Forest, NC specializing in natural and organic newborn, maternity, and baby's first year. Established in 2009, we are dedicated to producing high quality, beautifully styled images and fine art products to document this important time in your family's story. Our studio takes on limited photography sessions each month in order to focus plenty of time and attention crafting authentic, artistic images for our clients.
Owner and photographer Christy Johnson is a proud member of Professional Photographers of America, and she has several articles published in Lemonade and Lenses magazine. Her work has been featured on such websites as Clickin Moms, Learn Shoot Inspire, Evoking You, Inspire Me Baby, Vend Raleigh, Lemonade and Lenses, and more.
1780 Heritage Center Dr. Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC
Contact us to reserve your appointment.
Hi my name is Edalisse. I am a photographer. I photograph women….. I believe all women are beautiful in ways they do not recognize. I see past the wrinkles, the pounds and the self doubt. I see beauty from a woman's perspective. My style is feminine, soft, and beautiful. Everything a woman strives to be. Unfortunately, life gets in the way sometimes and we forget our essence. When was the last time you felt beautiful? Truly beautiful? Was it at your prom, your wedding? Do you even remember? At any age and every stage of your life I want to capture the best of you.
Holly Springs Photographer, Traci Huffman Photography, is a Wedding & Lifestyle Couple, Maternity, Newborn, and Family Photographer.
THP offers on location photography in Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, and Raleigh for your special occasions and milestones or to capture the details of everyday life. I love to travel so if you are outside of this area contact me for a custom quote.
For all THP Sessions I strive to keep it as relaxed and fun as possible. I place the focus on the connection of joy and love between those in the session. Traci Huffman Photography incorporates lifestyle photography in each session. We often see photographs posed perfectly and people smiling at the camera which is absolutely beautiful, however that is not always reality. THP captures your life as it is including the emotions, and most importantly the personalities & real life. Often the favorite images are the ones I catch in between with real life moments. I always get the posed "look at the camera and smile" shot, but I focus on capturing the love, joy, and emotion and less on the formal posing.
To see examples of my work please click on the following gallery links:


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Finally! Pitchers & Catchers report to Spring Training
If you're a true baseball fan, then you get excited each winter when you hear the phrase 'pitchers & catchers.' It signifies the end of a long off season and the beginning of a new baseball season.
Today, pitchers and catchers from the Orioles, Twins, Athletics, Cubs, Reds, Phillies, Pirates, Cardinals and Giants reported to spring training. In addition to the pitchers and catchers, often times position players will show up as well to get some early work in and shake off the rust from the winter months.
I love Spring Training. I've gone to Florida for Spring Training for five years in a row, starting in 2007. The winters in Pennsylvania are often very gloomy, so heading down to Spring Training really brightens my mood. I'm not in Florida right now, but I did find some pictures to cheer you baseball fans up from the winter doldrums.
Baseball is back!
New Pirates first baseman Casey McGehee hasn't played much first in his career, but is already practicing the position in Spring Training:
Pedro Alvarez has been a bust so far in his young major league career. He's still young, and the third base job is his to lose. If he does lose it, McGehee will move to 3B. Here's Pedro working on his fielding:
New Pirates pitcher Erik Bedard delivers a pitch while pitching coach Ray Searage does his best not to distract him by not saying anything:
Neil Walker does some soft tossing with Pedro Alvarez:
In the Phillies camp, Roy Halladay pulled into Spring Training in a car from about a hundred years ago:
And Jonathan Papelbon did some long tossing.
The Reds pitchers did some light stretching and for me, might just be the favorites to win the NL Central:
In Giants camp, jerseys for Tim Lincecum, Brian Wilson, and Matt Cain are ready to go for the first day of workouts:
And Matt Cain addressed the media:
The defending World Series champion St Louis Cardinals reported to camp and new manager Mike Matheny fielded a bevy of questions from the media:
While their pitchers worked out on a practice field:
And Yadier Molina showed up to camp with a brand new tattoo. I guess he's not counting on winning the world series in 2012, because I don't see place to fit '2012' on that trophy anywhere.
The hapless Cubs were ready to go as Theo Epstein and Dale Sveum held a media session. The Cubs have so many problems with bad contracts. Will these guys be able to save this sinking ship?
And Bryan LaHair signed autographs for a young fan at Fitch Park:
The Oakland Athletics had some buzz in camp as news swirled that they may sign ex-slugger and major distraction Manny Ramirez. In the meantime, the jerseys were hung with care in the clubhouse:
And Tommy Milone warmed up on the A's spring training field.
The Twins will try and rebound off of a horrific season in which they lost 99 games. Carl Pavano lounged in the clubhouse and explained exactly how they would turn things around:
And finally, the Orioles reported to their spring training home to try and figure out how to perform better this year than the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays.
Is anyone else excited for the 2012 season?
47 days until opening day, 14 days the first broadcasted game on MLB TV (Yankees vs Phillies), and 1 day left to win this Dustin Pedroia T-Shirt.


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- Edge Cook
Make Your Own Tacos Bar
For the Chipotle Turkey Taco Filling
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
1 1/3 pounds ground turkey breast, the average weight of 1 package
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 chipotles in adobo sauce, chopped
1 cup tomato sauce
1 rounded tablespoons chilli powder, a rounded palmful
1/2 cup water
For the Pork and Bell Pepper Filling
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
1 1/3 pounds ground pork
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1/2 yellow pepper, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin, a palmful
Several drops cayenne pepper sauce, to taste
1/2 teaspoon allspice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup water
For the Toppings and Sides
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or smoked cheddar, about 1/2 pound
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Pepper Jack cheese, about 1/2 pound
Shredded cos lettuce, 2 hearts
6 spring onions, chopped
Diced red plum tomatoes
Taco sauce, any brand
Yellow Pico de Gallo, recipe follows
10 super size taco shells, warmed to package directions
For the Yellow Pico de Gallo
3 yellow vine ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
2 small jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
1 small white onion, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander leaves
Coarse salt
Serves: 10 tacos
For the Chipotle Turkey Taco Filling: In a small skillet preheated over medium high heat, add oil and turkey breast meat. Brown meat 2 or 3 minutes, then add onions and garlic. Cook onions and meat together for another 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in chipotles, chilli powder and tomato sauce. Season your filling with salt to your taste. Stir 1/2 cup water into your filling. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until ready to serve.
For the Pork and Bell Pepper Filling: Heat a small to medium skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and pork to hot pan. Break up pork as it browns, 2 to 3 minutes. Add peppers to the pork and season mixture with cumin, cayenne sauce, allspice, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to moderate and cook filling 5 minutes longer. Add 1/2 cup water to the pork. Reduce heat to low to keep filling warm.
For the Yellow Pico de Gallo: Combine all Pico de Gallo ingredients in a small bowl and serve.
To assemble bar, arrange taco shells next to the stove top. Serve the fillings from the skillets they were cooked in. Place toppings in small dishes on opposite side of the stove top. Tex Mex Red Beans and Rice or store bought refried beans make a great side dish.
Source: http://www.foodnetwork.co.uk/article/all-american-family-dinners/make-your-own-tacos-bar/3.html


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Review Smartphone pioneer Palm was once down and all but out until it came back with this genre-busting gem of a handset. It's a compact, ergonomically designed handful which if not particularly slim, at least has the distinction of a genuinely different look and of plotting its own stylish course away from the established operating systems.
It has a glossy black minimalist look and a distinctive curving shape, with almost all its front taken up by its 3.1in capacitive touchscreen. This has multi-touch capability allowing you to pinch and zoom à la the iPhone when you're browsing the web or viewing pics.
The keyboard slides out smoothly to reveal four lines of 35 tightly packed keys. They're generally fine to use thanks to their unusual sticky-feel plastic and raised centres, but they aren't quite as easy to use as similarly compact efforts from Nokia and RIM.
The Pre's user interface is unique and largely eschews scrolling menus and lists in favour of single pages which you brush between, either using the screen, or the 'gesture area' immediately below it.
Palm's App Catalogue is much smaller than, say, the iPhone's but there's well over 1000 programs to choose from and the count is rising steadily. The 3Mp camera is nothing to write home about but it'll deliver decent enough snaps in good light. While there's a generous 8GB of memory on board, there's no option to add more by slotting in a memory card. ®
Next: Samsung Omnia Pro


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Google stirred up some fear earlier this year by sending out the following message within Google Webmaster Tools, resulting in several discussions in the Internet marketing community on the current effectiveness of negative SEO. It was previously known that Google would send messages notifying a site owner if their site was pointing to what would be considered spammy pages. It now looks as though Google feels comfortable letting site owners know links they have identified as part of what they would call a link scheme are currently pointing to their site. This is an attempt by Google to discourage the use of paid links to manipulate PageRank and gain higher rankings. The Google Webmaster Tools message shown above, in combination with the recent Penguin algorithm update, has lead many people to believe that negative SEO is a very real danger. This is because Penguin was partially created to take out sites utilizing paid links.
What is Negative SEO?Negative SEO attacks can come in a few forms. Generally, negative SEO refers to when one website buys links and points them at a competitor's website in an effort to torpedo their rankings. Other instances of negative SEO have included such tactics as hacking a website to inflict some sort of malicious damage on a website, review bombing (pointing a large number of 5-star reviews at a business so it appears they paid for them), or simply by reporting another website's "black hat" tactics to Google. Since external links are more or less beyond the control of the site owner, it would seem competitors could very easily improve their search rankings by using tactics to negatively impact their competitors. The reality of the situation is... this is only partially true. You can do things to protect your website. Before you get too worried about a competitor targeting your site to harm your rankings using negative SEO tactics, understand that:
- It's generally agreed that a site with strong domain authority is less susceptible to negative SEO tactics.
- It's very risky for a business to engage in a negative SEO campaign. Most legitimate businesses won't take the gamble.
- Google has systems in place to review sites that might be affected, understanding the process can mean a swift recovery if something were to happen.
- It's extremely important to monitor SEO factors that can easily be manipulated by competitors such as backlinks and reviews.
Negative SEO TacticsBelow are some notes on tactics that were part of what was considered to be a successful negative SEO campaign.
- Paid linking: If thousands of links get pointed to your site there is a reasonable chance it will most likely get on the radar of Google. Work with Google, change your site to comply within their guidelines the best you can, and submit a reconsideration request containing details on links you have no control over.
- Stealing content before it can get indexed: This is an attempt to copy a site's content to make it look like the original site is actually duplicating it. You can prevent this from being an effective tactic by maintaining an updated sitemap and consistently re-submitting when new content is published. The use of an absolute rel=canonical tag on pages can help establish your site as the authority when content is getting scraped by a third party. A great way to identify if your site is getting scraped and duplicated is by performing a Google search containing a a sentence from your webpage within quotes.
- Fake reviews - A competitor can easily add fake reviews to a business listing, making it seem like it is your business creating them. This supposedly worked in the "case study". In that, reviews were removed from the victim's Google Place listing. To prevent this from happening be sure to monitor reviews and use the "report a problem" link at the bottom of your business listing to notify Google of the issue.
- Site speed: Excessive crawling of a site can cause latency issues for a typical user browsing a site. It's possible to prevent malicious crawlers from having access to your site, but it should be done very carefully so as not to block Google, Bing, or users from navigating. Knowing Google and Bing's IP addresses can be helpful if using IP detection as a method for identifying and stopping bad crawlers.
- DMCA removal requests: This is, by far, is the most effective and scary negative SEO tactic. Targeting a site's most valuable backlinks, a competitor sends emails notifying the webmaster that the page containing a link to your site is considered a copyright infringement and should be removed immediately. One defense for this is to establish a relationship with the site before it can happen. Even an email saying, "thank you for the link!", could be enough to help keep that link permanent. Keeping an eye on new referral traffic in analytics can help identify new links worth being thankful for! This is faster than waiting for a link index, such as Open Site Explorer, to update and surface new links.
The Best Negative SEO DefenseJust to be clear, there is no set list of negative SEO tactics. A negative SEO campaign will identify the weaknesses of your site and exploit them. The best defense is having a website with a solid SEO-focused foundation and constantly monitoring important ranking metrics for foul play. Additionally, an open and honest relationship (if possible, customer service can be non-existent) with Google can help you maintain long standing rankings. Google truly opened up a big can of worms with the Penguin algorithm update and the latest Google Webmaster Tools message warning sites of paid links. It will be hard for them to distinguish whether a site has a serious issue of a competitor implementing negative SEO or if the site owner is guilty of playing outside the rules and pretending it was someone else. It would be surprising if Google isn't aware of the effect this move is having. My guess is that they've begun spearheading identifying patterns of link manipulation, beefing up customer support and the webspam team, and preparing for the ensuing onslaught of controversy. A version of this article originally appeared on Search Engine Watch, where Ben Goodsell is a regular contributor.
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Bonnie Blair talks Olympic security, her role in Games
Blaire retired from speed skating in 1995
Wisconsin's own Bonnie Blair left Sunday to head to Sochi for the Winter Olympics.
VIDEO: Bonnie Blair heads to the Olympics
She hugged her husband before heading to the airport to fly to Sochi. She's never missed the winter games since she retired from speed skating in 1995.
"And so I've got the streak going and hopefully we can keep it up for a few more," she said.
Blair's living room coffee table of Olympic rings holds all of her medals.
"Especially when the Olympics rolls around and you hear the Olympics music and the theme song, it definitely brings back a lot of memories," she said.
Blair hopes to create some new memories on her trip to Sochi. Her agenda includes joining the U.S. presidential delegation and doing some sponsor work.
"The security steps that they've already taken, from everything that I've heard, things are going to go OK," she said.
Russia has been rocked by two deadly bombings since December. There is now a U.S. travel alert to the country.
This time around, there is one new security measure for fans. "I had to apply for what's called a spectator pass. I had to send in a passport photo, answer some questions on the Internet and I'll pick that up once I get to Sochi," Blair said.
She is also doing a special fundraiser while in Sochi. Blair's goal is to raise $50,000 for a program with Catholic Relief Services. The money will go to Ethiopia for a safe drinking water project.
Donations to Blair's effort can be made here.