text:
Lauren Groves
Swimmer, biker, runner, quilter, tweeter, foodie, dog-fanatic, Olympian.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Mooloolaba World Cup
Mooloolaba always seems to be my "come-back" race. Last year it marked my return to racing after a year and a half hiatus following my bike accident, and this year, although I've raced a few smaller events, this was my first World Cup/World Championship race since last April. So, by default, this event has become a bit special to me!
We flew to Australia a few days before the race, settling into our training base in Noosa, on the Sunshine Coast, about 30 minutes up the road from Mooloolaba. Noosa will be our base for the next two weeks between the races and from what I've seen already, I think it is going to be just fine! You would realize how much of an understatement this is if you could hear my Skype calls with Adam: "oh my gosh, I LOVE running in the National Park! It's like a jungle! I saw kookaburras! We swim in a gorgeous 50m outdoor pool! Ohhhh, the sunsets! It's sunny and WARM!" You get the gist of it.... I will survive here!
My prep leading into this race was different than anything I have ever done, but it was a necessary adjustment. I started to struggle with fatigue during the late stages of the Clermont camp. I seemed to creep closer and closer to the "overtraining" experiences I had last year and with every intense session I would do, I would need quite a lot of recovery. It seemed to catch up with me quickly and by the time I got back to Victoria, it was clear that my body needed us to take a step back. So, I went back to aerobic training with lots of strength (hills!) on the bike and run. Apart from the odd pick-up, I was in base mode with a higher volume. I was concerned at first that this wasn't the correct prep for a World Cup race, but as I settled into routine, got a spring back in my step, was back to my giggly-self, and starting sleeping better, I knew it was the right call. Even leading into the race last week, I kept things low-intensity and Joel and I closely monitored my daily energy levels before we put me into a session. I don't remember my body ever being this sensitive with regards to intensity but I think after experiencing "burnout" or being close to it last summer, my system is not quite as robust as it used to be. So, we've had to be creative and come up with a new plan to get me firing on all cylinders for race day.
It seemed as though our plan worked out and I had built up enough "reserves" to allow me to put out a solid effort. By the time race day rolled around, I was chomping at the bit to get out there and truly looking forward to the race environment as I had done more than enough solo base training. I had a breakthrough swim, was 12th out of the water, narrowly missing the breakaway swim pack by less than 10 seconds. I was on the tail end of the group heading into shore but when I looked up one final time I could see everyone was already on the beach running. I must have missed a wave that the group had caught and when I got to transition, the final girl in that group was mounting her bike and heading off. Once on my bike, I felt strong and put my head down to catch those up ahead. It was clear that I wasn't going to do that on my own, and despite the help of a couple others, we were losing time. Within a couple laps my pack had grown to about 20 women and we were able to hold the gap to the lead pack at about 1:30. It wasn't an ideal situation for running up to a top finish, but this is one of the toughest run courses so I knew there would be some fading during the last half. My legs were not turning over too quickly at the start of the run, but once we got on the hills I felt strong and found my rhythm. I ended up finishing in 12th. I was pleased with this result, especially being able to see my swim-bike improvements, but also experience another 60+ women race before Sydney WCS in a few weeks time. I also got a few more Olympic ranking points, slowly inching me towards earning the 2nd country spot for Canada.
Thanks everyone for the nice messages and for those cheering on the sidelines! I love this sport and racing hard, but it wouldn't be quite the same without having others to share it with :)
More from Australia soon!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Barbados ITU
Racing in Barbados wasn't in my original race plan for this year, but Joel and I decided about two weeks ago that it wouldn't be a bad idea. Because of my sub-par result in La Paz last month I hadn't earned enough ITU points to ensure a start at the Mooloolaba World Cup and Sydney World Series event, so if I wasn't able to get a start there then this Olympic campaign would pretty much be over before it even began. Also, racing again would give me an opportunity to show myself where my fitness truly is, as my confidence had wavered a bit since La Paz, and this could be a good boost going into the next training block. Plus, Barbados was only a half day's travel from our base in Florida, so it was a fairly easy decision.
But, putting Olympic plans and race schedules aside, I have been dying to go to the Caribbean for as long as I can remember! When I was young I would study travel brochures for hours and even went through a phase where I wanted to be a travel agent. I figured that if I couldn't travel to these gorgeous places, I might as well help others plan their adventures! I remember being quite interested in St. Lucia and Turks and Caicos, and my fascination was 100% related to the colour of the water. The turquoise ocean was like nothing I had ever seen! So, when Barbados became a possibility, you can imagine my excitement to fulfill this childhood dream.
And, the country didn't disappoint. Right from the get-go, we were treated to the gracious Barbadian hospitality. My teammates, Kerry Lang, Kirsten Sweetland and I were spoiled by our homestay, the lovely Pile family, at the Brighton Plantation, the oldest home in Barbados! It was in the middle of the island, surrounded by lush plantations and historic buildings. It is still very much a working farm and there is a farmer's market on the property every Saturday morning. We were treated to farm-fresh omelettes and cappuccinos on our first morning there as we browsed the stalls full of fruits, veggies, and handicrafts. Their house was built in 1657 and was incredibly well-preserved and well, very grand. I definitely felt like a royal during my stay there and I'm pretty sure my bedroom was close to the size of our entire apartment back home. It was one of the most unusual yet incredible pre-race experiences I've ever had. The family owned 5 very large dogs and while I don't usually get too excited over bigger dogs (standard poodles aside), this pack was full of characters! There were 3 weimaraners and 2 pitt-bull-great dane-bull mastiff crosses. That is A LOT of dog and it wasn't unusual to have all five of them charge towards me to say hello in the morning. 500 + lbs of canine was a bit overwhelming but all part of the experience! I even had the pack join me for my early morning pre-race jog through the plantation. That set the tone for a very fun day.
The race was located at Brighton Beach and when we went there for a swim the day before, I was speechless. IT was even MORE stunning than I had anticipated.... and usually when you build something up for decades it doesn't meet your expectations, but somehow this exceeded mine. The water was brilliant blue, clear, warm and calm. I couldn't wait for the race.
The women started a couple hours after the men, at 9:30am. I was ranked third so was able to select a spot close to the end of the pontoon. I had a clean start and could see I was slightly ahead of most of the field within the first few strokes. I could see Kerry (super swimmer) ahead and the British athlete, Vanessa Raw catching onto her feet. I was able to move over in time to catch on to their feet and hung on for the rest of the swim. I exited the water in third place, right with Kerry and Vanessa and did a small happy dance in my mind as I finally had the swim I knew I was capable of. There wasn't much time to celebrate as I had to hustle to get on the bike. I knew we had a small gap to the rest of the field behind us so once we were on the bike, we were organized right away and pulling away from the others. Kirsten had an incredible start of the bike, steamrolling through the pack behind, riding herself right up to us. We had a very strong and motivated pack, working well together. Before we knew it, we had over a minute gap to the others and by the end of the 20km, the lead was up to 1:40. It was getting HOT at this point and I think we were all beginning to feel the effort from the bike. I really wasn't sure how I was going to run after that effort but I took it out hard, was able to run right up to the front and just kept going. I didn't feel stellar but I'm not sure that's really possible in those conditions. It was just such a relief to be able to push hard again and RACE. I know I said this before, but I really didn't know if I "still had it" after everything I've been through. This wasn't the best race I've ever had by any means, but it was a stepping stone in the right direction. There's still a lot of work to do before the next series of races, but I'm ready for it. Racing here was the right decision on many levels so I am thankful I was open to the last-minute decision to race.
And, it was a GREAT day for our squad with Kirsten finishing in 3rd (a nice comeback for her too!) and Kerry in 4th. I think we made coach Joel proud :)
Unfortunately I didn't get to hang about and tour the island. After chugging all the water I could stomach, I finally got through drug-testing, packed my bike, and flew to the airport. I was sad to miss spending some relaxed time with our homestays and on the beach, but I was keen to get back to Clermont and settled for the remainder of our camp. You can bet though that I was glued to the airplane window as we took-off and already making future plans for a return trip with Adam. After reading through a travel brochure I realized that I did zero things on the "top 25 must see/do list" for Barbados. ZERO. My childhood self would have been very disappointed in me!
We're back at camp now for a few more weeks. The next race, the Clermont ITU sprint is on March 3rd and is literally right down the road from our house. It doesn't get more straight-forward than that!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
A Fresh Start
I seem to have experienced a lot these past two years from marriage, to injuries, crashes, sickness, surgery, frustrations, comebacks, and everything in between.
I haven't written a blog since this past summer. I was really struggling at the time, and so worried for my health and my future in the sport that I couldn't bring myself to write anything for the longest time. Despite a strong start to the 2011 season with my 9th and 10th places at Mooloolaba and Sydney after a year and a half away from racing, I wasn't able to continue forging ahead with the rest of the WCS season. The fatigue seemed to creep up on me in March and April, but it wasn't until the end of May that it was really forcing me to slow down. Unfortunately at that point my body had had enough and even with a week or two of full recovery, I seemed to fall deeper into a world of fatigue. I was away at Switzerland with my squad at the time and beginning to worry about my health. While everyone was peaking for the World Series races I was sleeping 15 hours a day, having night sweats, losing handfuls of hair, gaining weight, and overall struggling to function. My health seemed to take a sudden nosedive from being in top form to being a complete physical (and eventually emotional) wreck over a period of a couple of weeks. I didn't want to completely pull the plug on the season as I was desperate to hold on to whatever fitness I had, hoping that I might come out of my hole before the next races. But as the season wore on, I could feel my fitness dwindling. I soon realized that hoping to be well enough to race again that year was beginning to look like a pipe dream. By September I was even wondering if I would ever be well enough to train again. Eventually I began to notice my energy returning, slowly, but my confidence in my ability was completely shattered. I was so far from training at a high performance level. I was still struggling to run for 20 minutes without my heart rate sky rocketing or feeling all sorts of "nigglies." Nothing made sense to me and I was ready to throw in the towel thinking this was really the end. Thankfully I had people pulling for me and I really don't think I'd be where I am right now if it weren't for them refusing to give up on me. I know Adam was just as confused as I was, but he never let me believe that this was the end for me. He was certain I would eventually bounce back.
And I eventually did bounce back by the time Fall rolled around. I had a lot of time on my hands to think about my future in the sport and I knew that if I were to continue pushing forward to the 2012 Olympics, I needed to create a low-stress environment. It was a very difficult decision, but I decided not to return to my training squad and coach Darren, but to stay closer to my family and support network. I owe Darren a lot of credit for bringing me "back from the dead" after my bike crash, to top-10 in the world in a short period of time. I learned a heck of a lot from him and his fantastic squad so it was a tough decision to make. It turned out that Joel Filliol was returning to Victoria and was starting up a squad so that helped solidify my decision. I worked with Joel at the end of 2008 until early 2009 before he left to coach the British Team. I had one of my best seasons in 2009 and I know the training I did with Joel had set me up well. Also, having worked with Joel before allowed for a smooth transition so right from our first meeting, we were able to set up a plan and get right to work.
Apart from a few bumps along the way, I've been able to consistently build up my fitness over the past three months. I truly started from "ground zero" in October. It was shocking how much fitness I had lost, but as I began to see the training increase and my body responding well, I was one happy girl. Joel has built up a slow but steady progression and by the time mid-November rolled around, I was doing intervals and even seeing little blips of my "old self". This brought back a little bit of confidence and eventually the belief that I did in fact have a shot at qualifying for my second Olympics.
One of the obstacles I have to overcome though is not only Canada's Olympic selection, but earning our county spot. Unfortunately it hasn't been a great couple of years for Canadian women, apart from Paula, so at the end of 2011 we had only earned one Olympic spot. So, Joel and I sat down with a plan to earn Canada a 2nd and hopefully 3rd country spot. It's no easy feat given I have basically missed out on two entire race seasons so am way down there in the rankings, but if I can race to my ability, I can earn that spot. What this means is that I will be racing A LOT this year. It's not necessarily about targeting one race or peaking for August, it's about finishing the best I can at each event and chasing those points. Here's what my schedule will likely look like:
January 15: PATCO Champs, La Paz, Argentina
February 12: Bridgetown Sprint ITU, Barbados *tentative
March 3: Clermont Sprint ITU, Florida
March 25: Mooloolaba World Cup, Australia
April 15: Sydney World Triathlon Series, Australia
April 22: Ishigaki World Cup, Japan
May 5: Huatulco World Cup, Mexico
May 12: San Diego World Triathlon Series, USA
May 27: Madrid, World Triathlon Series, Spain
So as we like to say in our squad, "it's happening." I'm very fired up for my Olympic conquest. I know I haven't given myself a lot of time to make this happen, but this is the way things have panned out, and I'm up for the challenge.
I'm writing this as I fly back from the first race in Argentina. Unfortunately this first race really didn't go as I had hoped. A tactical error reading the current on the river swim led me to narrowly miss the main front pack. I struggled to find my biking legs and couldn't bridge the gap. My run was also very sub-par for me and I undoubtedly ran below my current level of fitness. That was frustrating. I don't know if it was the heat that I struggled with, or the fact that I am returning from such a long lay-off and just don't have the top end race fitness yet, but there's nothing like a poor performance to increase the motivation! (just in case I was lacking any! ;) Of course I am happy to be back at the races but am hungry for taking things up a level (or two!) at the next race.
I owe a big thank you to my friends, family and sponsors that have stuck behind me through this difficult time. I truly couldn't continue to chase my dream without your support.
I promise to keep this page updated more frequently as I'd like to share my Olympic journey with others.
Thanks for reading,
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Pumpkin Pancakes
I made a batch of pumpkin pancakes for lunch today. I posted the photo on twitter and have had quite the response asking to share the recipe, so thank you all for getting me to update this blog! I seriously needed that kick in the pants.
The pancakes were our post-run snack which turned into brunch/lunch with a nice cup of coffee and some lounging in front of the tv (gymnastics was on - my fav!). These were incredibly easy to make for two reasons: 1) I "cheated" by using a pancake mix and 2) I had some leftover pureed roasted pumpkin from a very delicious recipe of Noa's that I made/devoured last week. I think simple is good though so if you don't feel guilty by cheating with the mix and/or have leftover pumpkin (or a good canned one), then definitely take the easy route here. I found the pancakes to be quite savory on their own so the toppings are key.
I didn't measure out all the ingredients so the recipe below isn't exact. Just add extra water or pancake mix at the end until you reach a nice pancakey-battery consistency. You really can't mess it up!
Pumpkin Coconut Pancakes
~1 1/4 cup Pamela's Pancake Mix (a great gluten-free mix, should available at most health food shops)
2 eggs
~1 cup pureed roasted pumpkin (I roasted my own, but canned should work fine)
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
1/2 cup unsweeted shredded coconut
1/2 cup water
Mix it all together until the batter is smooth, adding more water or mix to reach the right consistency. Melt coconut oil in a frying pan and cook until golden brown.
Topping ideas: we had ours with goats milk butter, maple syrup and shredded coconut. I'm going to toot my own horn here by saying these were AMAZING. I had another one after my bike ride, this time topped with plain yogurt and maple syrup. If anyone tries any other delicious toppings or tweaks the recipe to make them even better, please share!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Kitchen Therapy
Here's a sweet potato salad I made a few weeks ago, and then again recently. I don't often repeat recipes unless they are really good, so this one is worth sharing. It's a variation from Eric Akis' Moroccan potato salad from the Times Colonist.
The original recipe called for a mix of potatoes, but I preferred to use all yams/sweet potatoes as their flavour and nutritional value is much greater...in my opinion :) However, when I made this earlier today I had picked up some very cute looking organic purple and regular yams (the "cuteness" factor is key for me when picking ingredients. Ask Adam.. "why would you buy carrots so tiny and pathetic looking?" Me: "Because they are CUTE!") Anyway, the purple yams weren't what I thought they were. They were really just a darker skinned sweet potato, which I think lacks flavour. Anyway, they turned out to compliment each other well in the salad so feel free to mix and match!
~1.5 lbs sweet potatoes/yams (I used about 7-8 small ones)
juice of an orange
juice of a lemon
zest of one lemon
2 tsp honey
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp paprika
sea salt and pepper to taste
a few green onions, chopped
fresh mint or basil, chopped
Wash and chop the potatoes (leave the skin on) and cover with water in a large soup pot (the size of the chunks doesn't matter, just try to get them around the same size so they cook evenly). Boil for about 8 minutes until fork tender. Be sure not to overcook as they will fall apart when tossed with the dressing. (I made them perfectly the first time, but got distracted today so they were a little on the mushy side). Drain and set aside to cool.
Whisk all dressing ingredients together in the salad bowl you will be using (lemon zest & juice, orange juice and spices). When the potatoes have cooled from "hot" to "warm", gently toss with the dressing. Mix in the fresh mint/basil and green onions and that's it. Serve warm, room temperature or chilled. I find this salad tastes better after it's settled in the fridge for a bit, especially the following day. Just give it another mix to blend the flavours before serving. Enjoy!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Struggle Street
No news from me this time is unfortunately not exactly good news...
To be honest, I haven't felt like writing anything for awhile because I just haven't felt very good. When I don't feel quite right, I tend to close up and keep to myself, quietly looking forward to brighter days. However, this stretch has gone on long enough, and even though those brighter days are a bit distant in the horizon, I feel as though sharing my experiences might actually be therapeutic!
When I look back on the last few months, and am totally honest with myself, I guess my feelings of fatigue (more than the "norm") started before the Mooloolaba and Sydney World Cups. With the lighter training around the events, I was able to hold it together and put out some solid performances but I remember feeling especially drained after Sydney. It was an emotional race for me: my first WCS in over a year and a half, which unfortunately included a bike crash, and a sprained ankle, and finished with a trip home after being away for six months. I remember when I settled into training at home the following week I struggled with motivation. I just felt flat. I've learned over the years that we don't always feel fresh or motivated when training, so you just have to get on with it. But, this feeling carried on for the weeks I was home and I really felt things unravel my final week before leaving for our Swiss summer camp. I figured there was just one week left, and we were packing up our apartment so I guess you could say life was full-on and I didn't take a moment to reflect upon my dwindling health. When I look back and realize I was counting down the days until I got on the plane so I could SLEEP, I wish some alarm bells had gone off.
I was treated to an upgrade on the plane, and once I settled into my nice little business class pod, I was ready for snooze. But, I didn't sleep a wink and found myself sweating most of the flight. Unfortunately this was just the beginning of some of my bizarre symptoms that would linger for the following six weeks. Training was very much touch and go from the moment I arrived. Both Darren and I weren't sure what was wrong with me. After taking a full week of rest here and there, I would seem to rebound for a few very good days of training, followed by being in something just short of a complete coma for a week. I was chronically tired, stressed, sick, emotional, unable to train, counting down the weeks until races and eventually, pulling out of all races. It was not a good situation.
I decided to return home about three weeks ago and have kept a pretty low profile since (not that my profile is ever "high"!). I slept most of the first week, literally. 12 hour nights, followed by 2 hour naps. I kept saying to Darren over skype, "I feel like a teenager!" Although it wasn't very funny and was getting worrisome.
I actually thought this would be a relatively quick fix. I'm not sure why I thought that when I look back on the pattern over the past couple of months. I just figured that after a week of sleeping and being at sea level, I would be good to go again, maybe even in time for Hamburg this weekend. After two full weeks of resting, my body was still not right. Some days I am well enough to do bits and pieces of training, all with a very controlled heart rate, but others are write-offs. I've been tested for most major illnesses and thankfully nothing major has come back. I had some abnormalities in my blood work, a possible stomach parasite, and an "inconclusive" viral test, but nothing that didn't point towards "rest" as the treatment.
This has been a really tough pill for me to swallow. Last year was rough and I looked forward to this season more than anything. I always think I pay attention to detail and have good communication with my coach, but obviously something went wrong. It was possibly the ten-month training block I'm now coming out of that was too much (I was playing catch-up in the off-season after a year off), or not recognizing the signs of needing a break after Sydney, or simply getting a little older (eeek!) and not being able to handle quite the load of life and training stresses that I used to. I am sure it is a combination of all of these, but going through this has definitely been a learning experience. All of my previous setbacks have been structural injuries so to be honest, these symptoms and feelings weren't on my radar as being terribly problematic. One thing is for sure though, both Darren and myself will be experts in the field of monitoring "over-training" (or rather, "under-resting") by the time this is over. It sounds like athletes can vary dramatically in terms of symptoms, but now that we've been through this, we've created a whole catalog for reference!
As for now, I'm having more and more moments when I feel like myself. And I love that! When I'm having a good day, I will be busy in the kitchen, catching up on emails, laughing, jogging, swimming and spinning. Thankfully theses days are now beginning to string themselves together and I look forward to my return to Switzerland at the start of August. As for racing, unfortunately I can't put a date on that. My body is clearly on its own schedule right now. I will continue to "test" it gently everyday, but I need to give it respect and understand that it will allow me to rip-it-up in races when the time is right.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
International travel and the can opener of doom
I wasn't feeling too great (as the blog below describes) and decided to make a simple dinner: vegetable curry. It was basically sauteed onions and fresh ginger with curry powder, then adding a pot-full of every vegetable available (you can't be terribly picky in a Swiss mountain town), adding a splash of water, putting on a lid and cooking it until the veggies are soft. I know it sounds simple and even I was surprised by how flavourful it was. Ok, back to the story... I was going to add some chickpeas at the end so I got my can all ready to go, but when I went to look for a can opener, all I could find was this device:
I figured it had to be a can opener as it had a twister-type knob and a little bladed wheel, but I had never seen one quite like this before. It looked way too simple, but yet seemed to require an engineering degree to use. After about ten minutes of very unsuccessful attempts at even coming close to piercing the can, I gave up. It would be a low-protein dinner. Adam rings on Skype around this time and I tell him about the can opener. "What? What do you mean you can't open it? It's EASY!!" This is followed by some laughter and more laughter when I show him the actual can opener over skype. I'm really not that big of a princess if I've never seen this before, right?! He gives me a lesson and I have another go at the can. Literally twenty minutes later, with sore hands and chickpea juice everywhere, the can is destroyed.. but opened! YES!
After dinner I head down to our laundry room to do a quick load of laundry. I needed some clean cycling gloves and tights for the morning, so I figured I would pop it in for a quick wash and get it out on the drying rack before bed. It's just after 7pm at this point so PLENTY of time before bedtime. Or so I thought. I toss the clothes in, close the door, put the liquid soap in the drawer, and go to put the money in the coin slot... it only takes 1 franc or 20 cent coins and I only have a 2 franc coin. Oh well, I guess I won't be doing my laundry tonight. I go to open the door and it's locked! And, the pink soap has already rushed down the inside, covering the clothes. Crap. After pressing every button on the machine, I realize it's just not going to open without running the cycle. I then remembered from last year that if the previous person's load didn't use the all the money they paid, the next person can use the remainder. I turn on the control and it starts! I select the short wash and the timer counts down from 45 mins. Perfect, not long at all. After an hour, I cruise downstairs (4 flights I might add, and the elevator is broken). The power is off and the clothes are sitting in water. Crap, I have mixed light and dark so this is a recipe for disaster. Now I really cannot leave it until the morning.... I go back upstairs to check all my pockets for coins. Nothing. Back downstairs I decide to twist the coin return slot on the other machine. Two 20 cent coins come out! YES! I put them in my machine and it's back to life. 35 minutes to go. I'm getting tired by this point so I'm down there right on time but again, the door is locked and the power is off. Having no more change and all shops in town being closed at this point, I'm doomed. I resort to crawling around on the floor, looking under the machines for dropped money. I see the glimmer of a 20 cent coin in the far corner of the room. I go back upstairs for my broom and wedge it out. YES! I pop it in the machine and the timer says 4 minutes to go. I sit there watching nervously, hoping it runs through this time as my next move would likely involve a break-in of someone's apartment or vandalism of the machine. I'm watching the timer count down... 1 minute... still spinning...boom-boom-boom (that's my heart beating)... spinning stops... silence... CLICK, the door pops open! Massive sigh. The clothes are clean.
And I wonder why I slept so well last night!


text:
Shlomo Sand on "The Invention of the Jewish People"
In his controversial book, "The Invention of the Jewish People," author Shlomo Sand challenges historical notions of the link between Judaism and Israel, and argues that there is no record of exile of the Jewish people.
Israel has deliberately forgotten its history and replaced it with a myth, writes Sand, a Jewish scholar and historian based at the University of Tel Aviv. Without exile, there is no right to return, he says.
"The disparity between what my research suggested about the history of the Jewish people and the way that history is commonly understood – not only within Israel but in the larger world – shocked me as much as it shocked my readers."
Early Rabbis and 19th century Zionist Scholars were responsible for the construction of a continuous genealogy for the Jewish people, Sand argues. He attributes the Jewish diaspora to early Judaist evangelism across North Africa, Southern Europe and the Middle East, not a biological lineage.
Sand spoke with Reuters about his thesis at Verso Books headquarters in London. Watch the video here:
We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Guided Tours of Historic West Point and the United States Military Academy
Making history since 1778, experience for yourself this historical treasure! From the revolutionary war through today, come see why over 3 million people every year visit this national gem. Whether on your own personally guided excursion or on one of our daily tours, sit back while our knowledgeable guides bring history to life.
Charter Services
With over 180 vehicles, West Point Tours, Inc. Trailways has your perfect transport solution - from safe, clean school buses to luxury motorcoaches with Wi-Fi, onboard entertainment systems, and more! We can transport your tour groups, athletic team, party bus, and everything in between. And, we are part of the Trailway family of motor coach operators. Contact us for a quote.
Wedding Transportation
Comfortable, elegant, affordable - We'll get your guests to the church on time!
The last thing you want to worry about on your Big Day is making sure everyone arrives at the right location, at the right time. Take the hassle out of transporting your guests. From sophisticated coaches to budget-friendly school buses, WPT can handle all of your wedding day transportation logistics.
Airport Transportation
Corporate travel to family vacations, with our variety of vehicles we can get any size group to NYC airports including Westchester and Stewart.
Student Transportation Services
From school transportation runs, field trips, sporting events, and everything in between, count on West Point Tours, Inc. to get your students there safely. Our school buses surpass the highest safety standards, and our professional drivers meet all CDL requirements and undergo criminal background investigation for your protection.
Casino Trips
Feeling lucky? West Point Tours, Inc. Trailways offers luxury motorcoach transportation to Sands Casino in PA. Relax, and let us take you in style. Click on a Casino trip option for more details. Packages and schedules are subject to change without notice.
For further information please call 845-561-2671 ext 107 or email email@example.com.


text:
Here's some more evidence that Oscar Pistorius was borderline paranoid about home invaders.
This tweet is from November.
He also told the NYT last January that he once "grabbed his gun and tiptoed downstairs" during a suspected home invasion that turned out to be nothing.
Pistorius was charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend this morning. Initial rumors said he mistook her for a burglar, but police say they don't know where that rumor came from.
Eerie in retrospect:


text:
'Vampire Diaries' Scoop: Will Stefan Reject Elena In Season 4?
New interviews with the show's cast and crew reveal there's a good chance vampire Elena could end up all alone!
We've heard how Elena's (Nina Dobrev) relationship will change with Damon (Ian Somerhalder) on The Vampire Diaries next season, but what about Stefan (Paul Wesley)? Apparently, it's also going to be rough. "He's not going to have an easy time with it," executive producer Julie Plec tells Zap2it, likening Stefan to a struggling alcoholic who's suddenly dating a girl who wants to party all the time. "There are going to be come complications in their relationship."
And Paul echoes Julie's concerns, speculating that Stefan might actually be turned off by Elena's new fangs.
"Maybe we won't be attracted to her as much because it'll remind him of himself," he tells the site. "Men like the opposites. He hates himself because he's a vampire, right? So, I don't know; maybe he's going to project."
Poor Elena! First Julie says Damon will "have a little bit of a 'tude" with her, and now Stefan's going to consider keeping his distance? Maybe season four will give Matt (Zach Roerig) a shot at the Gilbert goodies.
What say you, Vampire Diaries fans? Do you think Elena is better off alone in season four, or are you hoping one of the Salvatore boys comes to his senses and sticks with her? Drop me a comment with your hopes and predictions!
— Andy Swift
More Vampire Diaries Season 4 Scoop:


text:
Swap Users Win Staggered Delays in Dodd-Frank Reporting Rules
Energy and manufacturing companies won delays in Dodd-Frank Act requirements to report derivatives trades they use to hedge business risks.
The so-called end users, who trade as clients of banks including JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) and Citigroup Inc. (C), need the delay to test data systems, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission said in a press release yesterday. The rules were to take effect today.
Users of interest-rate and credit swaps will have until July 1 to comply with the reporting rule, according to the CFTC statement. The deadline for users of equity, foreign exchange and other commodity swaps was extended until Aug. 19. Non- financial counterparties gained an extension to Oct. 31 for certain reporting requirements for all swap asset classes.
"I am troubled by the arbitrary and ad-hoc manner in which this relief was provided," CFTC Commissioner Scott O'Malia, a Republican, said in a statement. "The application of date, product and participant distinctions makes compliance and implementation confusing for the end users."
The CFTC and Securities and Exchange Commission are implementing derivatives provisions of Dodd-Frank, the 2010 regulatory overhaul, after largely unsupervised trades helped fuel the 2008 credit crisis. New rules planned for the $639 trillion global swaps market require that trade information be reported to so-called swap data repositories that function as central record-keepers.
The Commercial Energy Working Group, an alliance of companies that weren't identified individually, requested a six- month delay through lawyers at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP in a March 1 letter to the CFTC.
"Of all the different groups that would be responsible for reporting, they are probably the least prepared," Brenda Boultwood, vice president of industry solutions at Palo Alto, California-based MetricStream, which helps clients manage regulatory compliance, said in a telephone interview before the delay was announced.
Lobbying groups representing Barclays Plc (BARC), JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) have also urged that the CFTC delay the reporting rules for their clients. In a March 28 letter to the CFTC, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association Inc. and Financial Services Roundtable said bank clients need a delay because they lack the resources to comply with the rules.
sourced from bloomberg.com April 10, 2013


text:
Donation Opportunities
There are a variety of ways that YOU can make a difference in your community. Why not volunteer for a park cleanup? Maybe you would like to make a tax-deductible donation toward a park or recreational program in your neighborhood? Or maybe you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the beautification of downtown or other area of the city, or even the acquisition of open space? No gift is too small. You can make a general donation toward the City or provide a designated contribution.
Donor Form
Click here for City of Palm Springs Donor Contribution Form (PDF)
If you want your contribution used specifically for certain activities, please indicate your preference in the memo section of you check.
Listed below are just some of the areas where your donation is needed:
|You can make a general donation to the City which will be used for a variety of programs and purposes.
Palm Springs Library
|The Palm Springs Library has its own donation programs through the establishment of a Library Trust Fund and the Friends of the Palm Springs Library. There is a small bin in the Library for individual book donations and for large material and book donations. More information can be obtained at 760-668-8838 or visit the Friends of the Library webpage.
Parks and Recreation
Earmark your contribution toward a specific park or recreational program such as arts and crafts, dance, athletics and other programs offered by the city's Parks & Recreation Department. Donations will also help repair and replace playground equipment at our local parks. Visit the City's Parks & Recreation Department website.
Tahquitz Creek
|In March 2010, the City adopted the Tahquitz Creek Trail Master Plan, a $4.8 million improvement plan to create an appealing trail and recreation experience for residents and visitors of Palm Springs while enhancing the beauty and function of Tahquitz Creek. Stakeholders and members of the community helped the City shape the goals for the Master Plan. It is designed to be a collaboration between the City and the Riverside County Flood Control District, which owns the channel.
The Master Plan would improve approximately 1.5 miles of the Tahquitz Creek Channel spanning between the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians' Tahquitz Canyon Visitors' Center and one-quarter mile east of Sunrise Way, at the Mesquite Country Club. The project also extends to both sides of the concrete and riprap sided creek between North and South Riverside Drives.
Your contribution would help fund the recommended project elements within the Tahquitz Creek Master Plan when it is implemented.
Tree Donation Program
|The City has established guidelines for the donation of trees and other amenities in its parks. Click here for details.
Dog Park Operation
Contributions received will be used for the sole purpose of operating the current Palm Springs Dog Park and the promotion, development, and support of a second dog park in the city, open to all dog lovers and friends to enjoy.
Community Center Program
Funds go toward the fee to participate in the City's community center programs including the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Community Center and the Demuth Community Center.
Your donation can be for transportation needs to assure that children participating in local recreation day and or winter camps have a unique camp experience.
Demuth Community
Donations of items or cash contributions to improve the quality and experience at the Community Center. Click here for the Demuth Community Center Wish List.
For more information call the Demuth Community Center at 760-320-6430.
James O. Jessie Desert Highland
Donations of items or cash contributions to improve the quality and experience at the Community Center. Click here for the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center Wish List.
To donate or get more information call the James O Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center at 760-323-8271.
Palm Springs Animal Shelter
|Contributions can can be made to the Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter to be made toward the capital cost of the new animal shelter, or to the City to help defray the operational cost of the shelter.
Click here for the Animal Shelter Wish List for ongoing donation opportunities for goods and materials.
Land Donation and/or Open Space Acquisition
|Your donation of land can be used to preserve natural/open spaces or build community amenities such as gardens, trails or parks.
Cash contributions would help purchase open space land within the City to protect it from future development.
For more information, call the Community & Economic Development 760-323-8260.
|Funds can be used for the improvement of trails through the City, as well as the installation of informational signage on trails and at the trailheads.
|The City administers a Home Repair Program for Very Low Income Homeowners. A contribution would help cover extraordinary health and safety repairs and or unexpected catastrophic circumstances for Home Repair clients. A description of the program is provided by clicking the following link. Click here for information.
Historic Preservation
|The City has a Historic Site Preservation Board, which among other responsibilities also designates sites for plaques within the City. Contributions would cover cost of producing and installing plaques.
Historic Properties
|In addition, there are a number of historic properties in the City, such as the Cornelia White House, the McCallum Adobe (two of the oldest properties in Palm Springs), the Frances Stevens School, the Palm Springs Visitor Center (the Albert Frey-designed Gas Station), and the Plaza Theater (home of the Palm Springs Follies) that have major capital needs related to their ongoing preservation and operation. Contributions would pay for the restoration and capital improvements to the buildings to keep them serviceable and to help maintain their historic integrity.
Downtown Beautification
Your gift will help to keep our downtown appealing and accessible. Click here for the Downtown Beautification Wish List of items or programs where your generous contribution is needed.
Palm Tree
|Your gift will keep our City beautiful by helping the City replace "iconic" palm trees in the downtown and also along major streets that have been lost due to age, or damage to ensure that there are no gaps or visibly missing trees.
|Your gift will help the City to be better able to be a stronger and more sustainable city. Contributions will help to provide for the installation of water-and energy-savings measures at City Hall and other City buildings, as well as streetlights, median islands, parks, infrastructure, and more. In addition, the Sustainability Program uses funds for community outreach and education on environmental and sustainability issues. For more information call 760-323-8214 or visit the City's Your Sustainable website.
Palm Springs
Contributions received will be used to construct and operate community gardens at various locations within the City for residents to enjoy, learn and intermingle. Your gift can be a cash contribution or donation of materials, labor or land. Click here for the Palm Springs Community Gardens Wish List.
Plaza Theatre Restoration
You can donate to the Plaza Theatre restoration effort by visiting savetheplazatheatreps.com.
Police Department Programs
The Palm Springs Police Department runs a number of community outreach and assistance programs, many of which are largely volunteer. There are a number of programs and divisions that rely on your generous contribution of funds and/or participation to be effective. Click here to learn more about specific police department programs and how you can help and/or volunteer.
Police Activities League (PAL) The summer program is open to ages 8 to 18. Registration is free. Contributions would assist the Palm Springs Police Youth Academy, Parents on Patrol, Sports Programs, Fundraising Opportunities, Operation Santa and more. For more information call the PAL Officer at 760-318-1226.
Fire Department Programs
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) As a community member you are an integral component in each phase and are the key to returning the community that you love back to what it was prior to an emergency or major disaster. The first step you can take is to prepare yourself and your home. The preparedness can come simply come from the development of a kit of supplies that will last everyone in your home, don't forget the pets, for at least three days. If you want to go one step further consider the 20-hour Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training the Department offers twice a year. This training will provide you an overview of disaster kits, how to select and use a fire extinguisher, basic medical skills, how to mentally deal with what you have been through and most important how to work safety as a team to help your neighborhood. Donations to the CERT program would be used for the following purposes:
ADA Improvements and Resources
|The City of Palm Springs is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs or activities. Upon request, reasonable accommodation is made to allow individuals with disabilities access to the communications regarding City services, programs or activities. Contributions would assist the City in developing community education programs and materials related to public access, as well as the purchase of equipment (such as assisted listening devices) to help ensure the City's continued compliance with ADA.
Human Rights Commission
|The City's Human Rights Commission was formed to promote improved relations, civic peace, intergroup understanding, and the full acceptance, respect, and participation of all persons in all aspects of community life so that all will be equal in the eyes of each other. The Commission members provide volunteer hours in the accomplishment of the work of the Commission. Contributions would assist in developing community education programs and materials related to the Commission's work.
Public Art Program
|The Palm Springs Public Art Program has its own donation programs established through the Public Art Ordinance. Monetary gifts shall be treated like the others on this list; however, the Public Art Program has a policy for the donation of works of art. More information can be obtained at www.palmspringspublicart.org or contact the Public Art Coordinator at 760-778-8408.
Special Events
Throughout the year the City of Palm Springs sponsors special events, many of them occurring on a yearly basis.
Any generous financial contribution can assist in the cost of operating these events and ensure that they continue to be memorable.
For more information, email: email@example.com


text:
Paula Bronstein / Getty Images
The biggest hurdle to women serving in combat roles is the same obstacle for men, experts say. They need to be fit, not fat.
Women don't have enough upper-body strength. They can't run as fast. Their monthly cycle will interfere with being on the front lines. All the arguments against letting women serve in the military are being made again as Defense Secretary Leon Panetta lifted restrictions on women serving in direct combat roles.
But experts on fitness and on women in the military say the past two decades have shown that being female is not the biggest barrier to serving on the front lines. Being fat is.
"I don't think gender is a factor at all," says retired Navy rear admiral Jamie Barnett, who is now at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. "I do think there are physical requirements and not all men or women will be able to meet those physical requirements. Those physical requirements should be tied specifically to making sure the job gets done."
Just as with men, women selected to combat roles will be "a select few", says Edward Archer, an exercise physiologist at the University of South Carolina. "When it comes to physical capacity, I think without any question there will be females who will be able to exceed and excel and to perform as well as the average male, in that setting."
The various branches -- Air Force, Navy, Army and Marines -- already have differing requirements for physical fitness, by branch and by gender. All have a minimum standard, calculated using three exercises that include running, either pull-ups or push-ups, and sit-ups. Women's requirements are lower in some cases, but the Marines doesn't give females a break at all when it comes to minimum physical fitness.
Scott Olson / Getty Images file
Marine Corps recruit Megan Shipley (C), 17, of Kingston, Tennessee lets out a yell during hand-to-hand combat training at the United States Marine Corps recruit depot June 23, 2004 in Parris Island, South Carolina. Marine Corps boot camp, with its combination of strict discipline and exhaustive physical training, is considered the most rigorous of the armed forces recruit training.
Barnett notes that these are general fitness measures that may mean little when it comes to completing a specific task or mission. "You can be a football player and if you go out with your mom on a half marathon and you haven't trained for it (and she has), she'll kick your butt," Barnett said.
There is a problem with fitness that affects the military, but it doesn't reflect on women alone. It reflects on Americans in general, says Barnett, who as a member of a group called "Mission: Readiness" signed a report on the dangers posed by obesity to U.S. security.
"We are too unfit to fight, is the term. We are definitely an unfit society," Archer added in a telephone interview. "They need basic training to get ready for basic training. This is true of both males and females," Archer said.
"Already we see only one in four Americans between ages of 17 and 24 who can join the military," Barnett said in a telephone interview. "The single biggest reason is that they are overweight."
More than two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, and experts agree that both poor diet and a lack of exercise is to blame. The military needs men and women alike who are in the best possible shape, argues Barnett.
"Once you establish objective criteria for what the requirements are for a military job, then I say let women compete for those and let the best man or woman get the position," says Barnett, who served in Iraq and who was deputy commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, with sailors serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I think what we'll find is there will be a lot of women who will be able to meet even the hardest positions."
Experience shows this happens, says Lorry Fenner, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who is now at the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University.
"Example after example can be found of women exceeding the expectations of their physical capabilities, finding work-arounds for heavy tasks, or teaming with their co-workers to complete their assignments to best effect," Fenner writes in her book, "Women in Combat".
"Obviously, not all women are strong enough for all jobs -- just as not all men are," Fenner adds -- then describes how women recruits mastered tests to show whether they could scale walls and carry heavy equipment.
"When we study history, we find that women have coped with every aspect of war. Women have demonstrated the emotional courage to withstand the brutality of war, including during lengthy imprisonment as POWs under very harsh conditions in the Pacific and in European work and death camps; in very dangerous and stressful resistance fighting; in the face of rape and mutilation; and at the moments of their deaths," Fenner writes.
The average woman is indeed weaker and has less heart, lung and blood oxygen capacity than the average man, says Archer. "But an elite female athlete can outperform the average male soldier easily in many ways," he adds.
Fenner and Barnett say the U.S. military needs to be able to pull from a pool of the best recruits for all jobs, including front-line combat.
"My view is you can get the job done better if you can draw on the best talents that America has to offer, regardless of gender," Barnett said. "If you have to be able to swim 3 miles in a certain amount of time, then it doesn't matter what gender you are."
Critics of the new policy also raise the issue of feminine hygiene -- something women in the military will hoot at. Women worried about monthly cycles can use oral or injected hormonal contraceptives to suppress ovulation and bleeding and studies show there is no additional danger to health from using birth control in this way.
Related stories:
- Women vets cheer new era
- Pentagon lifts ban on women in combat
- Critics: Women distract on front lines


text:
GLENDORA — A Glendora man turned himself in Tuesday morning in connection with a stabbing that occurred Monday night on the patio of a Starbucks, authorities said.
Jacob Westin, 18, was arrested on suspicion of stabbing a man on the patio of a Starbucks on the 1800 block of East Route 66 last night around 10 p.m., Glendora police Lt. Ernie Didier said.
WHITTIER – Sheriff's deputies are searching for an attempted burglary suspect in Whittier, authorities said.
The deputies responded at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday morning to a "burglary in process" at the 11500 block of Havenwood Drive, said Sgt. Della Walls of the Pico Rivera sheriff's station.
HACIENDA HEIGHTS – Officials have released the name of a 20-year-old La Puente man found dead at the scene of a shooting Sunday.
Paulo Orozco Campos was pronounced dead at 9:30 a.m. in the driveway of a house in the 15400 block Los Robles Avenue, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Chief of Operations Craig Harvey said.
MONROVIA – Hazmat* 720 E Huntington, Monrovia; Battalion 10 Incident Commander, large
amount of toxic cloud from closed up metal commerical structure. Req Hazmat
units. Mutual Aid: Burbank and Glendale. Red 2@10:03PM CABN01 ###


text:
Artifact #36/52 from the A Year In The Country project.
The Arrival (#3): Woodland Visitations archival print.
Limited edition of 52. Each print is signed and numbered.
59.4cm x 21 cm / 23.4″ x 8.3″ (same width as A2, half the height of A2).
Size includes 2cm/0.8″ unprinted border.
Printed with archival Giclée pigment inks on Hahnemühle Photo Rag 100% cotton fine art paper.
Free UK shipping. Ships rolled, tied in coarse brown string, in a strong poster tube.
A Year In The Country: An English idyll, a midnight sun…
"A Year In The Country is a year long journey searching for an expression of an underlying unsettledness to the English bucolic countryside dream… and wandering about and through the trails of things that have influenced, inspired and intrigued me along the way, which will quite possibly take in the further flung reaches of folk music, folklore and what has been labelled hauntological culture."
More information on the project at www.ayearinthecountry.co.uk


text:
BITAC® Events!
Oct. 11, 2020
More Info
Supplier Spots Left
HEALTHTAC® East Virtual
Mar. 30, 2021
More Info
Apr. 18, 2021
More Info
Building Your Hospitality Business
Are you a member?
Log In
Sign Up
Member Log In
E-News Sample
Sign Up - Free
Home Page
Article Library
Member Polls
Event Calendar
Member Feedback
Contact Us
Follow us on Twitter
Welcome to Hotel Interactive®!
Users of our website(s) are bound by the following terms of use and privacy policies.
Terms of Use
Welcome to the Hotel Interactive® website located at www.hotelinteractive.com, its affiliate sites, subdomains, mobile versions, and any associated applications (collectively, the "Website"), operated by Hotel Interactive®, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, "us", "we" or "Company"). By accessing or using the Website, you ("you" or "User") signify that you have read, understand and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use ("Terms of Use" or "Agreement").
Please read this Agreement carefully. This Agreement sets out the legally binding terms of your use of the Website. Your use of the Website constitutes your understanding, acceptance and agreement to these Terms of Use. We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change, modify, add, or delete portions of these Terms of Use or the Privacy Policy at any time without further notice. Such revisions are effective immediately after we give notice thereof, which we may do by revising the "Date of Last Revision" date of these Terms of Use or by otherwise posting on the Website, or by email or conventional mail, and/or by any other means which provides reasonable notice. Your continued use of the Website after any such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms of Use. This Agreement includes and incorporates the Privacy Policy located below.
If you do not agree to abide by these or any future Terms of Use, do not use or access (or continue to use or access) the Website. It is your responsibility to regularly check the Website to determine if there have been changes to these Terms of Use and to review such changes. You agree that the Company shall not be liable to you for any delay or other damages that might result from any changes to the Terms of Use, if any.
We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to deny, restrict, suspend, or terminate your access to all or any part of the Website at any time, for any or no reason, with or without prior notice or explanation, and without liability. We expressly reserve the right to remove your profile, account and/or other information and/or deny, restrict, suspend, or terminate your access to all or any part of the Website if we determine, in our sole discretion, that you have violated this Agreement or pose a threat to the Website and/or its Users.
1. Eligibility
Use of the Website is void where prohibited. You must be a natural person at least 18 years old or otherwise have the express consent of your parents or legal guardians, but in no event younger than 13 years old, to use the Website. By agreeing to these terms or by using the Website, you represent and warrant that you have the right, authority and capacity to enter into this Agreement and to abide by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Website requires each User seeking to use its services to affirmatively "opt-in" by registering and creating an account for validation. Company reserves the right to decline its services to any User for any reason and without explanation based upon its findings in validating the User's registration.
2. Term
This Agreement, and any posted revision to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect while you use the Website. You may terminate your account at any time, for any reason, by following the instructions on the Website. We may terminate your account at any time, for any or no reason, with or without prior notice or explanation, and without liability. Upon such termination, you must immediately discontinue use of the Website, and Company shall in no way be responsible to you for such termination. Even after your account is terminated, this Agreement will remain in effect.
3. Registration Information
To make use of the Website services, including receiving Website publications, Users must affirmatively opt-in by registering with the Website. In consideration of their use of services provided on the Website, Users agree to (a) provide accurate, current and complete information as prompted by any registration forms on the Website ("Registration Information"); (b) maintain and promptly update the Registration Information, and any other information provided to us, to keep it accurate, current and complete; (c) maintain the security of their password and identification; and (d) be fully responsible for all use of their account and for any actions that take place using their account. Misrepresentation may preclude your use of the Website in the future. You consent to being contacted by Company for purposes of seeking feedback to ensure and evaluate the quality of its services.
4. Proprietary Rights in Site Content; Limited License
a. All content on the Website, including software applications, designs, text, graphics, pictures, information, and other files and their selection, coordination and arrangement (the "Site Content"), are the proprietary property of Company, its users or its licensors with all rights reserved. No Site Content may be modified, copied, distributed, framed, reproduced, republished, downloaded, scraped, displayed, posted, transmitted, or sold in any form or by any means, in whole or in part, without Company's prior written permission.
b. Provided that you are eligible for use of the Website, you are granted a limited license to access and use the Website and the Site Content and to download or print a copy of any portion of the Site Content to which you have properly gained access solely for your personal, non-commercial use, provided that you keep all copyright or other proprietary notices intact. Such license is subject to these Terms of Use and does not permit use of any data mining, robots, scraping or similar data gathering or extraction methods. Except for your own User Content (as defined below), you may not upload or republish Site Content on any Internet, Intranet or Extranet site or incorporate the information in any other database or compilation, and any other use of the Site Content is strictly prohibited. Any use of the Website or the Site Content other than as specifically authorized herein, without the prior written permission of Company, is strictly prohibited and will terminate the license granted herein. Such unauthorized use may also violate applicable laws including copyright and trademark laws and applicable communications regulations and statutes. Unless explicitly stated herein, nothing in these Terms of Use shall be construed as conferring any license to intellectual property rights, whether by estoppel, implication or otherwise. This license is revocable at any time without notice and with or without cause.
c. Company may sell keywords within any of the content provided on the Website. Company shall have no obligation to ensure that the sale of such keywords does not infringe upon any trademark or other intellectual property rights of any third party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any third party believes a keyword on the Website infringes its intellectual property rights, such third party may send Company notice of such alleged infringement (at the email or mailing address located at the end of these Terms of Use), and Company shall make good faith efforts to resolve such issue.
5. User Content
Company does not claim any ownership rights in any works of authorship, images, photos, sounds, musical works, video, files, documents, applications, or any other materials that you submit to the Website ("User Content"). After directly sending ("submitting") your User Content to the Website, you continue to retain any ownership rights that you may have in your User Content, subject to the limited license below. By submitting any User Content on or through the Website, you hereby grant to Company a limited license to use, modify, delete from, add to, publicly perform, publicly display, reproduce, and distribute such User Content on or through the Website, including without limitation distributing part or all of the Website in any media formats and through any media channels solely for the purposes set forth in these Terms of Use.
a. The license you grant to Company is non-exclusive (meaning you are free to license User Content to anyone else), fully-paid and royalty-free (meaning that Company is not required to pay you for the use on the Website of the User Content that you post), sublicensable (so that Company is able to use its affiliates, subcontractors and other partners such as Internet content delivery networks and wireless carriers to provide the Website' services), perpetual and worldwide (because the Internet and the Website' services are global in reach).
b. You represent and warrant that: (i) you own the User Content submitted by you on or through the Website or otherwise have the right to grant the license set forth in this Section 5, and (ii) submission of User Content on or through the Website does not violate the privacy rights, publicity rights, copyrights, contract rights or any other rights of any person or entity. You agree to pay for all royalties, fees, and any other monies owing any person or entity by reason of any User Content submitted by you on or through the Website.
c. The Website performs technical functions necessary to offer the services on the Website, including but not limited to transcoding and/or reformatting content to allow its use throughout the Website.
d. Company may reject, refuse to post or delete any User Content for any or no reason, including User Content that in the sole judgment of Company violates this Agreement or which may be offensive, illegal or violate the rights of any person or entity, or harm or threaten the safety of any person or entity. Company assumes no responsibility for monitoring the Website for inappropriate User Content or conduct. If at any time Company chooses, in its sole discretion, to monitor the Website, Company nonetheless assumes no responsibility for User Content, no obligation to modify or remove any inappropriate User Content, and no responsibility for the conduct of the User submitting any such User Content.
e. You are solely responsible for the User Content that you submit to the Website.
6. Prohibited Content/Activity
The following are examples of the kind of content that is illegal or prohibited to submit to the Website. We reserve the right to investigate and take appropriate legal action against anyone who, in our sole discretion, violates this provision, including without limitation, removing the offending content from the Website and terminating the account of such violators. Prohibited content includes, but is not limited to, content that, in the sole discretion of Company:
a. is patently offensive and promotes racism, bigotry, hatred or physical harm of any kind against any group or individual;
b. harasses or advocates harassment of another person;
c. exploits people in a sexual or violent manner;
d. contains nudity, excessive violence, or offensive subject matter or contains a link to an adult website;
e. solicits personal information;
f. publicly posts information that poses or creates a privacy or security risk to any person;
g. constitutes or promotes information that you know is false or misleading or promotes illegal activities or conduct that is abusive, threatening, obscene, defamatory or libelous;
h. constitutes or promotes an illegal or unauthorized copy of another person's copyrighted work, such as providing pirated computer programs or links to them, providing information to circumvent manufacturer-installed copy-protect devices, or providing pirated music or links to pirated music files;
i. involves the transmission of "junk mail," "chain letters," or unsolicited mass mailing, instant messaging, "spimming," or "spamming";
j. contains restricted or password only access pages or hidden pages or images (those not linked to or from another accessible page);
k. furthers or promotes any criminal activity or enterprise or provides instructional information about illegal activities including, but not limited to making or buying illegal weapons, violating someone's privacy, or providing or creating computer viruses;
l. solicits passwords or personal identifying information for commercial or unlawful purposes from other Users;
m. involves commercial activities and/or sales without prior written consent from Company such as contests, sweepstakes, barter, advertising, or pyramid schemes;
n. violates the privacy rights, publicity rights, copyrights, trademark rights, contract rights or any other rights of any person.
The following are examples of the kind of activity that is illegal or prohibited on the Website. We reserve the right to investigate and take appropriate legal action against anyone who, in our sole discretion, violates this provision, including without limitation, reporting you to law enforcement authorities. Prohibited activity includes, but is not limited to:
i. criminal or tortious activity, including child pornography, fraud, trafficking in obscene material, drug dealing, gambling, harassment, stalking, spamming, spimming, sending of viruses or other harmful files, copyright infringement, patent infringement, or theft of trade secrets;
ii. advertising to, or solicitation of, any User, without the written consent of Company to buy or sell any products or services through the unauthorized or impermissible use of the Website;
iii. circumventing or modifying, attempting to circumvent or modify, or encouraging or assisting any other person in circumventing or modifying any security technology or software that is part of the Website;
iv. activity that involves the use of viruses, bots, worms, or any other computer code, files or programs that interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware, or otherwise permit the unauthorized use of or access to a computer or a computer network;
v. covering or obscuring the banner advertisements on any page on the Website via HTML/CSS or any other means;
vi. any automated use of the system, such as, but not limited to, using scripts to submit information or send comments or messages;
vii. interfering with, disrupting, or creating an undue burden on the Website or the networks or services connected to the Website;
viii. impersonating or attempting to impersonate another User, person or entity;
ix. using the account, username, or password of another User at any time or disclosing your password to any third party or permitting any third party to access your account;
x. selling or otherwise transferring your account;
xi. using any information obtained from the Website in order to harass, abuse, or harm another person or entity, or attempting to do the same;
xii. accepting payment or anything of value from a third person in exchange for your performing any commercial activity through the unauthorized or impermissible use of the Website on behalf of that person; or
xiii. using the Website in a manner inconsistent with any and all applicable laws and regulations.
7. Copyright Policy
Company has a policy of responding to notices of alleged infringement on the Website that comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which may include removing material claimed to be the subject of infringing activity. If Company removes material to comply with the DMCA ("Removed Content"), we will attempt to contact the provider of such Removed Content to enable them to make a counter notification pursuant to sections 512(g)(2) and (3) of that DMCA. Please note that you will be liable for damages (including costs and attorneys' fees) if you materially misrepresent that a product or activity is infringing your copyrights. We will terminate the accounts of any Users and/or block access to the Website of any Users who repeatedly infringe the copyrights of others.
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) - Infringement Notification
To file a notice of infringement, you must provide us with a written notice that includes each of the following items:
• Detailed identification of the copyrighted work that you believe has been infringed.
• Detailed identification of the material you claim infringes this copyrighted work.
• Information reasonably sufficient to permit us to contact you (e-mail address is preferred).
• The statement: "I have a good faith belief that use of the copyrighted materials described above on the allegedly infringing web pages is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law. I swear, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notification is accurate and that I am the copyright owner or am authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed."
• Your signature.
Send the Infringement Notification to the following address:
By email: firstname.lastname@example.com
By mail: 155 East Main Street, Smithtown, NY 11787
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) - Counter Notification
The provider of Removed Content may make a counter notification pursuant to sections 512(g)(2) and (3) of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. When we receive a counter notification, we will reinstate the Removed Content. Please note that you will be liable for damages (including costs and attorneys' fees) if you materially misrepresent that a product or activity is not infringing the copyrights of others.
To file a counter notification, you must provide us with a written notice that includes each of the following items:
• Detailed identification of the material Company has removed.
• Your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and a statement that you consent to the jurisdiction of Federal District Court for the judicial district in which your address is located (or New York, New York if your address is outside of the United States), and that you will accept service of process from the person who provided notification under subsection (c)(1)(C) or an agent of such person.
• The statement: "I swear, under penalty of perjury, that I have a good faith belief that each search result or message identified above was removed or disabled as a result of a mistake or misidentification of the material to be removed or disabled."
• Your signature.
Send the Counter Notification to the following address:
By email: firstname.lastname@example.com
By mail: 155 East Main Street, Smithtown, NY 11787
8. User Disputes
You are solely responsible for your interactions with other Users. We reserve the right, although we have no obligation, to monitor disputes between you and other Users and to take any action that we feel may be appropriate in our sole discretion, consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including termination of the account of one or more Users.
9. Disclaimers
a. We are not responsible for any User Content or any other third party content submitted to the Website, whether made or caused by Users or by any of the software, equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the operation of the Website.
b. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT, WHETHER ONLINE OR OFFLINE, OF ANY USER OF THE WEBSITE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL WE BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS, LIABILITY OR DAMAGE, INCLUDING PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH OR PROPERY DAMAGE, RESULTING FROM OR ARISING OUT OF ANYONE'S USE OF THE WEBSITE, ANY CONTENT SUBMITTED TO THE WEBSITE OR TRANSMITTED TO USERS OR ANY INTERACTIONS BETWEEN OR AMONG USERS OF THE WEBSITE, WHETHER ONLINE OR OFFLINE.
c. We assume no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alteration of User communications. We are not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of email or players on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or combination thereof. We are not responsible for any injury or damage to any computer equipment belonging to any user of the Website, any User or any other person related to or resulting from use of the Website, viewing, playing or downloading any materials on or from the Website. The Website are provided "AS IS" and, except as otherwise prohibited by applicable law, we expressly disclaim any warranty of any kind, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. We cannot guarantee and do not promise any specific results from use of the Website. No advice or information, whether oral or written, obtained by you from us or from or through the Website shall create any warranty not expressly stated herein.
10. Limitation on Liability
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, our entire liability to you for any cause whatsoever, regardless of the form of the action, will at all times be limited to the amount paid, if any, by you to us for your use of the Website during the term of this Agreement. Except in jurisdictions where such provisions are restricted, in no event will we be liable to you or any third person for any indirect, consequential, exemplary, incidental, special or punitive damages, including lost profits arising from your use of the Website, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Those who choose to access the Website do so on their own initiative and at their own risk, and are responsible for complying with all local laws, rules and regulations.
11. Disputes
If there is any dispute between you and us about or involving the Website, by using the Website, you agree that the dispute exclusively shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflict of law provisions. The state and federal courts located in New York County, New York shall have exclusive jurisdiction for the resolution of any such dispute.
12. Indemnity
You agree to indemnify and hold Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, members, managers, agents, representatives, employees and corporate or other partners harmless from any loss, liability, claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or relating to: (a) your use of the Website (including the submission by you of any User Content) in violation of this Agreement, (b) any other breach of this Agreement by you, (c) any breach of your representations and warranties set forth above, or (d) your violation of any law or the rights of a third party.
13. No Agency
There is no agency, partnership, joint venture, employee-employer or franchisor-franchisee relationship between you and us or between us and any other User of the Website.
14. Miscellaneous
This Agreement, together with our Privacy Policy, and any notices regarding the Website sent to you or posted on the Website, all of which are incorporated herein by this reference, contains the entire agreement between you and us regarding the use of the Website. Our failure to exercise or enforce any right or provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unlawful, the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect unless such deletion materially frustrates the intent of the parties, in which case this Agreement will terminate.
15. Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns about these Terms of Use or if you need further assistance with respect to access to or use of the Website, you may contact our Customer Service department as indicated below. We will attempt to respond to your questions or concerns promptly after we receive them.
E-Mail: email@example.com
Mailing Address: 155 East Main Street, Smithtown, NY 11787
Telephone: (631) 424-7755
Privacy Policy
As used herein, "Website" refers to the website located at www.hotelinteractive.com, its affiliate sites, subdomains, mobile versions, and any associated applications that are owned and/or operated by the Hotel Interactive®, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, "us", "we" or "Company"). By using the Website, you indicate your acceptance of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to this Privacy Policy, you are not permitted to access the Website and you should not do so.
We reserve the right to change or otherwise update this Privacy Policy at any time. Such changes or updates are effective immediately after we give notice of the change or update, which we may do by revising the "Date of Last Revision" date of this Privacy Policy or by otherwise posting on the Website, or by email or conventional mail, and/or by any other means which provides reasonable notice. Your use of the Website after such notice is posted means that you accept these changes or updates. You agree that Company shall not be liable to you for any damages that might result from any changes to the Privacy Policy, if any.
We understand and respect your desire for privacy. To that end, we would like you to know how we use the personal information you provide to us.
We (both directly and through third parties) collect personally identifying information when you register for and use the Website. This personally identifiable information may include, without limitation, your name, zip code, and email address. We may also collect non-personally-identifiable information (such as your IP address or domain, or about your use of the Website) both directly and through third parties, including through the use of Web beacons, for purposes of administration for the Website and to compile aggregate information about usage of the Website.
We have implemented appropriate safeguards to help prevent unauthorized access, maintain data security and to make proper use of the information that we collect. However, no transmission of data over the Internet is guaranteed to be completely secure. Thus, while we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot absolutely guarantee the security of any information you provide to us.
You must affirmatively opt-in by registering to use the Website and begin to receive communications from us. To unsubscribe from any such communications, follow the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the email.
The Website is intended only for individuals at least eighteen (18) years old or younger with the express consent of your parents or legal guardians, but in no event younger than thirteen (13) years old. If you do not satisfy this age requirement, you are not permitted to use or enter the Website.
PARENTS PLEASE READ: We do not permit those under the age of 18 (or older in some jurisdictions) to participate on or enter the Website without your express consent.
No information should be submitted to or posted on the Website by any Minor (a user under 18 years of age) without the consent of a parent or guardian. No information should be submitted to or posted on the Website by any person under 13 years of age. Unless otherwise disclosed during collection, we do not knowingly provide any personally identifying information about Minors, regardless of its source, to third parties, nor is this information knowingly used by us for any marketing or promotional purposes. Minors are not allowed to participate in contests or sweepstakes on the Website. If you do not satisfy this age requirement, you are not permitted to use or enter the Website.
We collect personal information from users of the Website in order to provide users with a personalized online experience and to provide our advertisers a way to reach the right audience. We may share the personal and aggregate information we collect with our affiliates and other sites operated by and for us. On a confidential basis, we may also share personal information with our corporate affiliates or consultants, or with third parties that perform a particular service on our behalf (such as general administration purposes for the Website). We may elect to share aggregate information with third parties for advertising and promotional purposes. If all or part of Company is sold, merged or is otherwise transferred to another entity, the information you have provided on or through the Website may be transferred to such entity as part of that transaction. We may also disclose personal information in response to legal process, such as a request by law enforcement, a court order or subpoena, or to protect the integrity of the Website if we believe that a user has committed unlawful or otherwise harmful acts.
Information submitted at the time of registration or submission may be used for marketing and promotional purposes by us. Users of the website are provided with an option to opt-out.
A California privacy law that went into effect on January 1, 2005, the "Shine the Light" law, allows California residents to obtain a list of third parties to whom a business has disclosed personal information if it shares such information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes. However, if a business adopts and discloses in its privacy policy a policy of not disclosing customers' personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes unless the customer first affirmatively agrees to the disclosure, the business may comply with the law by notifying the customer of his or her right to prevent disclosure of personal information and by providing a cost-free means to exercise that right.
As stated earlier in this Privacy Policy, personal information submitted at the time of registration or submission may be used for marketing and promotional purposes. Whenever a user agrees to allow us to collect personal information, we provide the user with an option to prevent such information from being shared for marketing and promotional purposes with third parties. Furthermore, you may exercise this cost-free option at any time.
Because the Website has a comprehensive privacy policy and provides you with details on how you may opt-out of the use of your personal information by third parties for direct marketing purposes, we are not required to provide you with the third party list.
The Website may contain links to other sites. Please be aware that Company is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave the Website and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by the Website.
We may use third-party advertising companies and advertising networks to serve ads to you on our behalf when you visit the Website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, telephone number or employment history) about your visits to the Website and other web sites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you.
An IP address is a number that is automatically assigned to your computer by your Internet service provider whenever you log on to the Web. Web servers automatically identify your computer by its IP address, so when a user requests pages from the Website, our servers log the user's IP address. The IP addresses of our users are collected only for the purposes of system administration and to report aggregate information to our advertisers, our corporate affiliates or consultants, or with third parties that perform a particular service on our behalf. We do not combine IP addresses with any personally identifying information, nor do we compile any session activity reports by IP address.
In cyberspace, cookies are pieces of information that a web site transfers to an individual's hard drive for record-keeping purposes.
Cookies make Web surfing easier for you by saving your passwords, purchases and preferences while you're online. The use of cookies is an industry standard. You'll find them at most major web sites.
We use cookies to help us see which areas are popular and which are not. This helps us to target ads based on user interests, and also improve and update the Website based on such data as total number of users and pages viewed. This information is most easily tracked with cookies.
A cookie allows us to store the personal preferences that you set during each visit to each of the Website, which in turn allows us to speed up your future activities at the Website. Letting cookies do the record keeping saves you the trouble of entering information over and over again. If you have registered and created an account on the Website, an identifying cookie will be placed on your computer. During future visits to the Website, we will only read and retrieve information that we set in a cookie during an earlier visit to the Website.
You may occasionally get cookies from our advertisers on the Website as well. The Company does not control these cookies, and they are not subject to our Privacy Policy. Advertisers do not have access to the Website's cookies. The use of advertising cookies sent by third-party servers is standard in the Internet industry.
Most browsers are initially set to accept cookies. If you'd prefer, you can set yours to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent. However, it is possible that some parts of the Website will not function properly if you do so.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns about our Privacy Policy or its implementation, you may contact us at:
E-Mail: email@example.com
Mailing Address: 155 East Main Street, Smithtown, NY 11787
Telephone: (631) 424-7755
RSS Feed
Contact Us
Mobile Version


text:
Email forum discussing issues about email servers, configurations, SPAM Related Discussions, Technical Details about email configurations.
TÃI GIẤY KRAFT Äá»°NG BÃNH HOTDOG
Từ rất lâu, món Än ÄÆ°á»ng phá» HotDog Äã trá» nên quá quen thuá»c Äá»i vá»i giá»i...
How safe is hotmail really? Two of my friends email accouns have been hacked and emails changed etc.etc..
I decided to make a list of Mail Services for you people.
If you want me, moderator and admin to add it to the list just post in here and it will...
how to start a email hosting business like hotmail or yahoo? plz comment on this.
whitch do u like the best
tell me reliable and best E-mail marketing software to send E-mail.
Is there any app to use server mail in our mobiles and tabs?
E-mail marketing is a best way to increase traffic of the website or not.
satta Matka haridwar is the popular form of Satta or betting played specifically in India and Inida. Learn how to play Matka game for real money.
Hello folks,
What is the best email marketing campaign tool if your users are using MS Outlook?
I like to configure my hotmail email a/c in my outlook express??,tell me how can i do that.
How to logout gmail id from phone?
I am trying to Integrate email using with Salesforce but i am not able to Integrate
I am following these steps to salesforce data integration...
Could someone help me with receiving email after submit button is pushed on my website? I tried adding my email address to the code after action=...
I think almost all the users are using GMAIl and i don't think anyone is left to send invites.
GMAIL is best in everyway the most favorite thing...
What do u class as "spam"?
l has quota to send invit letter to 100 pople
lf you had interest for it , send email to me
my email
Hey this is a great site! www.i12.com . May appear a little in the wrong section but this is the site of an ISP and the other great features are...
Which one do you use ?
I use Hotmail, gmail and yahoo.
I like gmail and yahoo
gmail is the best !
Hello guys! does anybody know how to send an email from netcat in ubuntu?
I just wanna know who sends me 5000 emails a day.
I'm not a spammer, are you?
what is the best Gmail or Yahoo in your opinion ?
:) :) :) :)
I previously use everyone.net for hosting my email free.
can anyone provide me with such services for free at this moment ?
Hey, I have a domain and I want to offer email to the great people helping the site but I don't want them accessing my cpanel. Will it be possible...
Need to find someone's email or find who owns an email address? We makes it easy to find nearly anyone's email address - reconnect with people, send...
It's amazing how gmail zips all the different attachments together n sends to the recipient.
It's really cool!
Wat do u think?
Leave Your Email Here For One Gmail Invite
The invite will be sent to your existing email address.
Just post 1 email address only.
Your First...
i am currently using Gmail but i want to know if there is any better free email clients out there.
553 sorry, that domain isn't in my list of allowed rcpthosts
When sending emails If you are getting above error then You probably need to enable...
MailNation Solutions developed after years of exhaustive competition in the Emailing industry. Small email companies have come and go, while large...
I only know of squirrelmail and neomail, but they're not 100% php.
Can you recommend any to me?
The free feature relies on Really Simple Syndication, an increasingly popular technology that can compile content from a wide array of Web sites...
Have you ever received fake emails from banks or companies asking for your bank account information, or fake emails from Paypal asking you to login...
Just a quick thread, what emain client do you and why do like it and its features you enjoy.
I dont really like Outlook or Outlook-Express moved...
Has anyone got any tip's on blocking junk mail?:confused:
Use this control to limit the display of threads to those newer than the specified time frame.
Allows you to choose the data by which the thread list will be sorted.
Order threads in...
Note: when sorting by date, 'descending order' will show the newest results first.
Forum Rules