Sometimes, when I bring this up, people give me a weird look and a tilted head. I enjoy browsing real estate listings. Whether I’m buying, or selling is totally irrelevant – I just like to look at people’s houses. Sometimes though, it’s just to make comments about the realtors photos… Good and bad.
This listing is particularly interesting – in a “The latest ‘It’ trailer was released this week and everyone is thinking about creepy clowns. Also, there’s a ton of weird clown crap in this house” kind of way.
When you get the story behind the clowns though, it’s actually kind of interesting: A man has a tendency to ‘have too many’ when he goes out. When he finally decides to give up the drink, he begins to collect a clown for every drinking occasion (instead of spending it on beer.) So, each clown represents an drink not drank. Over the years (about 25 of them) the clowns have piled up (about 1500 of them) and they are on display in the video walk through below.
So when you take a look at this listing from Brantford, Ontario you can see it as ‘creepy clown’ listing or as an ‘inspiring clown’ listing – and either way, the ‘It’ reboot hits theaters this fall.


text:
Hydroponics is the art of growing plants without natural soil. Only nutritious mixture and water, which provides plants with all necessary elements, are allowed to work. Naturally, among hydroponics various schemes and methods, as well as installations are widespread. Home installation will be a great help for any dacha owner or plant breeder of amateurs. It allows you to grow grain crops at any time of year, as well as does not require much effort. Moreover, you will be guaranteed a great harvest and intensive growth of plants. So, let’s take a closer look at the design of hydroponic systems, their characteristics and elements, such as hydroponic water pump .
Main types of hydroponic systems
It is not difficult to assemble a hydroponic installation by hand. The most important thing is to deal with the very principle of work and provide yourself with all the necessary hydroponic equipment for growing plants. Don’t forget about enough light for your plants. There are several types of systems that are often used at home:
- Tidal tidal system. It is necessary to immerse the roots of plants in a nutrient fluid, otherwise the roots must breathe to get the oxygen they need. One of the challenges of assembly is the need for a complex water supply system and automation.
- Capillary irrigation system. The roots are immersed in a thin layer of substrate, which must be carefully treated with a nutrient solution. Very convenient and practical scheme for home use.
- Drip irrigation system. The nutrient solution comes in small quantities to the roots, and all excess goes through the drain.
Assembling hydroponics at home
Let’s consider in more detail the device and equipment for home hydroponics. It can be made by hand in various variants, all depends on your needs and available space. Here you can also use different options and experiment a little bit. But for now, let’s look at the basics. A typical hydroponic installation will consist of the following components:
- A tank for the nutrient solution. This can be made by using a plastic canister or another container of 30-50 litres. The walls must be opaque. Otherwise, the water will bloom quickly and will be unsuitable for consumption. If the plastic is transparent, it is best to cover it with an opaque thick foil.
- Pots. They should be small, such as those sold in a flower shop. It is necessary to make holes in the bottom. Make sure they are below the height of the tank
- Substrate for the root system. You don’t have to buy it right away, you can use fine claydite, coconut fiber or mineral wool. Its main purpose is to hold the liquid to supply the plant solution.
- Aquarium air pump, for supplying oxygen to plants. It is important to buy a new one so that there are no foreign bacteria in the tubes and it is best to use silicone tubes for hydroponic water pump.
- Nutrient solution, salts and other components. You can buy ready-made complexes or concentrates.
- In addition to the components mentioned above, you will need sandpaper, a ruler, and a knife with a sharp blade. All this will allow you to assemble a reliable system that will provide your plants with everything they need. You can also use any hydroponic system length automatics to simplify your work with plants.
The assembly scheme is simple enough. In the plastic tank, round holes must be made in the diameter of the pots for the substrate. They must be completely immersed in a container, but not completely immersed, which means that the diameter must be calculated very accurately. Pump hoses should be routed to the side of your tank to saturate the water with oxygen. Lay the aquarium stones on the bottom so that the air bubbles are not so large.

domain: agronomy


text:
They are yummy!
There are some yummy-looking desserts over there.
The lollipop I've just eaten was yummy!
Your cake is yummy.
This chick looks really yummy.
I don't want this yummy food to get cold. / 2. I must have the name of your caterer, so yummy. / 3. Do you think he's yummy enough? / 4. He looked yummy in your leather jacket. / 5. What a nice and yummy bloke that was.
English word "pyszne"(yummy) occurs in sets:1 Unit Family and friendsdwie drugie kolumny z jedzeniaprzymiotniki opisujące jedzenie; przygotowywanie p...przymiotniki opisujące jedzenieunit 3 slowka Andrzej
The eating of delicious food is one of the most intense and poignant pleasures of life.
Delicious looking food doesn't necessarily taste good.
Tom was talking about the delicious food they had eaten on their trip.
Don't you think that the cookies that you baked today are the most delicious amongst the cookies that you have baked so far?
You have the attention span of a chicken. "Chickens are delicious." "My point exactly."
The dishes were not so delicious, but otherwise the party was a success.
If I could stay at a hotel near Akasaka and eat a delicious meal, I'd feel like a princess.
Galaxies come in all sorts of delicious flavours.
All kinds of food and drink are delicious and good for you, but you have to know when, where, and in what quantity.
Carrefour's Ham offcuts are not expensive at all, but are nonetheless delicious.
Last year in Nagoya I ate a very delicious dish called "Shoujin Ryouri".
At Papa South, you can eat delicious homestyle food.
The delicious smell of freshly made coffee came from the kitchen.
English word "pyszne"(delicious) occurs in sets:3. STANAG 6001 level 2 - strong adjectives, advent...unit 4 JedzenieUnit 4 JedzenieUnit 4 Jedzenieunit 7 Jedzenie

domain: food


text:
When a kid lands a contract with Disney, they are probably thinking their career will take off. They’re partially right. It will take off, but in what direction? Will it be good, bad or have everyone asking WTF?
Mickey Mouse Club alums Justin Timberlake
and Britney Spears
thrilled fans when they morphed into teenage sensations and then proceeded to date one another. Timberlake somehow escaped the Disney curse and went on to have an incredibly successful music and acting career. Then he rubbed everyone’s noses in it by marrying Jessica Biel. We all remember how Spears crashed and burned so dramatically, but now she is raising her two young boys in Las Vegas, she’s dating David Lucado
— all while starring in the successful Planet Hollywood show Piece of Me
Photo credit: WENN
also emerged from Disney as a “dirty girl” and spent the first few years of her late teenage career shocking us with her memorable vocals and scandalous videos. Now The Voice
judge (who took this year off) is engaged and just announced that she is expecting a baby with fiancé Matt Rutler
. No wonder she took the year off! She has a wedding to plan and a nursery to decorate. Aguilera, minus a bump or two along the way, is a rare post-Disney success story.
Photo credit: Nikki Nelson/WENN
The dark years endured by Camp Rock
star Demi Lovato
have made her a child-star legend. In her book, Staying Strong 365 Days a Year
, Lovato shares details of her drug addiction, eating disorder and thoughts of suicide. Lovato told E! News, “I would rather sacrifice my privacy to help people.” Her biggest scandal these days is taking issue with Lady Gaga for glamorizing eating disorders (when Gaga had someone hurl on her, onstage, at SXSW). We can live with that. This spunky star’s sobriety and attitude earn her a spot on the Disney star transformation good list, 365 days a year.
Photo credit: Apega/WENN
Photo credit: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN
Lindsay Lohan’s bio reads like a Disney movie on acid. When Lohan first started acting out, it was scandalous. Then it was sad. Then it was just boring. Lohan has desperately been trying to pull herself out of the gutter with another trip to rehab and a documentary with Oprah Winfrey
. We’re rooting for an amazing comeback for Lohan — she’s a talented singer and actress — but until that happens, she hasn’t made her way to the “good” list.
Photo credit: Will Alexander/WENN
Disney darlings the Jonas Brothers broke the hearts of millions of fans by announcing that they were breaking up in the fall of 2013. While the Jo Bros themselves remained relatively scandal-free (relative to their Disney peers), they didn’t ask us if it was OK for them to break up, so that lands them on our bad list. We’re kidding, of course. Kind of. The brothers broke up their band
to maintain their family connection, so we respect them for that. Each has pursued something individually, enabling us to continue to stalk, er, follow their careers.
Photo credit: Alberto Reyes/WENN
And the WTF?
Yikes. Where do we begin? When Miley Cyrus
decided Disney’s Hannah Montana had overstayed her welcome, she decided to kill her off by becoming the anti-Hannah. The once fresh-faced, wholesome, talented girl is now a train wreck of overly sexual (and not in a good way) performances, videos and costumes. And that tongue! God save the world from Miley Cyrus’ tongue. Her post-Disney career definitely has us asking WTF?
Photo credit: WENN
Is it Shia LaBeouf
or Shia LaDouf? What happened to this guy? He went from being a Disney hottie to being an adult nottie. Out of nowhere, we were assaulted with weird videos, full frontal nudity
(again, not the good kind), stories of bar fights and paper bags over his head on the red carpet. Just WTF? How did he go from being one of the coolest guys in Hollywood to one of the biggest pains in the a**?
Photo credit: WENN
hasn’t quite crossed the line into the WTF category, but she’s d*** close. There’s her weird on-again/off-again relationship with music’s biggest brat, Justin Bieber
. Then there were canceled concerts, that 20 minutes in rehab, followed by bizarre semi-nude Instagram shots. The wheels seem to be coming off this very cute bus, so here’s hoping Gomez can pull it together before she joins the ranks of the WTF for good.
Photo credit: Cousart/JFX Images/WENN
More on Disney stars
We go all CSI on Zac Efron: Why his Skid Row story is bunk
GIFs: Billy Ray Cyrus’ new video is ruining Miley Cyrus’ life
Remember when Shia LaBeouf was cool?

domain: celebrity


text:
Dale Byrne also admitted three counts of theft alongside two charges of assault on a police officer at Walsall Magistrates' Court yesterday.
The 42-year-old's two charges of burglary were dismissed but he also admitted to being in an enclosed area unlawfully.
This comes after officers arrived at Costcutter on Penn Road, in Penn, at 8.30pm on May 30 , to reports of a raid.
They were then alerted to an attempted theft at the Strictly Liquor store across the road.
Byrne, of Falklands Crescent, Wolverhampton, has been released on conditional bail and will return to magistrates' court on July 4 to be sentenced.
Another man, aged 53, was also arrested at the time but he has been bailed under investigation until June 27.

domain: news


text:
What are Pokémon Booster Boxes, Packs and Blisters?
This guide will briefly explain what booster boxes, booster packs and blisters are and the differences between the three. Whether you are a collector, competitive player or just buying for your kids we’ll give you an overview of where to invest your money and why.
Pokémon Booster Boxes
Booster Boxes as the title suggests, is a box of booster packs. These booster boxes are factory sealed (with clear wrapping with the Pokemon Logo throughout the wrapping) and contains 36 individual booster packs. Each booster box comes with 360 Pokemon Cards and 36 Pokemon Trading Card Game Codes. These codes are redeemable via the Pokemon Trading Card Game application. Booster Boxes are usually favored by collectors and players alike as it provides a guaranteed chance of pulling (slang for securing, opening) Ultra rare cards. Booster Boxes are usually the cost effective method of collecting as the $ / booster pack is much lower than purchasing individual booster packs or blisters.
Pokémon Booster Packs
Booster Packs reside from booster boxes and contain ten (10) playing cards and one (1) Pokemon Trading Card code. Every booster pack is guaranteed to contain one (1) rare card, three (3) uncommon cards and six (6) common cards. With the latest Pokemon Cards, each booster pack contains a reverse holographic card. This may be a rare, uncommon or common card and is part of the ten (10) cards found in a booster pack. Like Booster Boxes, these are favored by collectors, players and parents as the outlay is no where near a Booster Box. The downfall with booster packs is you are not guaranteed Ultra rare cards and would need to purchase multiple booster packs to increase your chances of finding these cards.
Blister Packs are exactly like Booster Packs but the main difference is the packaging they are in. Unlike Booster Packs, Blisters do not come from Booster Boxes. They are manufactured so that they can be stocked and hung from a rack in a retail store.
So what’s the best method to invest in? Well this depends if you are a collector, player or just purchasing once off for your kids. Depending on disposable income, if you are a collector, it is ideal that you invest in Pokemon Booster Boxes. Not only is this method cost effect, you are likely to fill out more of the cards required to complete the set. Once you have an idea of what cards you need following the booster box investment, you could purchase further boxes or move to booster packs. It is likely that you would comes across multiple copies of a card which then could be traded out for ones missing to complete your set. We recommend purchasing about 2-3 booster boxes to get your collection under way, then purchases singles to complete the set.
Competitive players invest in a similar fashion. Multiple booster boxes are purchased to try and increase their chances of securing ultra rare cards which are used in competitive play. Again. multiple copies of the cards could be traded/sold so that they can obtain the desired card/s for their competitive decks.
For parents with young children, it is recommend that the investment is aimed towards Booster packs and/or Blisters. These are usually low cost and great for kids who just want to tear in and open the occasional booster. It is also not unusual for parents to invest in booster boxes and routinely provide 1-2 booster packs for their children to open – typically as a reward.

domain: hobby


One of the co-defendants of crime boss Willem Holleeder has been given 240 hours community service and a four-month conditional prison sentence for money laundering of €1.3m, report various papers on Friday.
A court in Haarlem ruled on Thursday that Orminda S, described in the Volkskrant as the girlfriend of Holleeder, was given the money by property tycoon Willem Endstra who was later murdered.
Holleeder was sentenced to nine years prison in 2007 for the blackmail of three property tycoons, including Endstra, money laundering, assault and leading a criminal organisation.
The case against Orminda S. was temporarily put on hold when she became seriously sick.
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text:
What Is Vitamin B1?
Soon after the practice of refining began, the incidence of beriberi rose to epidemic levels in Asia. A similar situation occurred in countries where wheat was a dietary staple when refined white flour began to replace whole-wheat flour. The increased prevalence of beriberi spurred efforts to find its cause and cure. Still, the search took almost 50 years.
© 2007 Publications International, Ltd.
Polished rice is missing its outer layer of bran, stripping it of much of its thiamin.
Further evidence came from Java, where the Dutch physician Cristiaan Eijkman found that chickens fed polished rice exhibited symptoms similar to those of beriberi. When he fed the chickens unpolished rice, the symptoms disappeared. Eijkman then tried the same thing on people and confirmed that unpolished rice could prevent and cure beriberi.
Still, it wasn't until 1910 that a search for the mystery substance in unpolished rice began in earnest. Chemist Robert Williams analyzed liquid extracted from rice polishings, painstakingly testing each substance from it for its effect on polyneuritis -- the chicken disease similar to beriberi. In 1934, Williams isolated the substance that would solve the beriberi riddle: the vitamin thiamin.
Like other B-complex vitamins, thiamin acts as a biological catalyst, or coenzyme. As a coenzyme, thiamin participates in the long chain of reactions that provides energy and heat for the body. It also helps the body manufacture fats and metabolize protein, and it is needed for the normal functioning of the nervous system.
In addition to preventing beriberi, thiamin might also be useful for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Go to the next page to learn more about thiamin's therapeutic value.
You need a balance of essential vitamins to maintain overall health. Visit the links below to learn more about these vital nutrients.
- In How Biotin Works, learn how biotin acts as a coenzyme in several metabolic reactions, such as the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
- Read How Folate Works to learn about folacin, folic acid, and folate and how a folate deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia.
- Vitamin B12, also called cyanocobalamin or cobalamin, is essential because it assists folate in making DNA and RNA. Read more in How Vitamin B12 Works.
- Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is good for more than just easing the common cold. Learn more in How Vitamin C Works.
- Vitamin D is necessary to hold of rickets, but if you get enough sunshine, your body can make its own vitamin D supply. Learn more in How Vitamin D Works.
- To learn about the many vitamins in our diet, how much you should be eating, and where to find them, go to our general Vitamins page.
- If you're looking for the best prices on B vitamins, click here.


Topic Authorisation "Bilateral Agreement between the European Union and the United States of America on prudential measures regarding insurance and reinsurance"
Insurance and reinsurance Agreement between the EU and the USA
The EU and the USA have signed a bilateral agreement that will make it possible for contracts to be concluded between a reinsurer from the USA and a primary insurance undertaking or reinsurance undertaking in the EU without a branch being required in the respective EU member state. This will only be possible, however, if the reinsurer from the USA meets the requirements set out in the Agreement.
BaFin is working on the assumption that the final ratification of the Agreement will take place in the near future. In this respect, BaFin recognises that in the foreseeable future, provided that undertaking-specific criteria have been met in accordance with the Agreement, authorisation will not be required for reinsurers from the USA to conduct reinsurance business, an activity which is currently subject to an authorisation requirement pursuant to section 67 (1) sentence 1 of the German Insurance Supervision Act (Versicherungsaufsichtsgesetz – VAG). There is no need for the Agreement to be legally transposed into German law.
The relevant requirements can be found in Article 3(4) of the Agreement. The reinsurer from the USA must meet certain capital requirements ("capital and surplus": at least USD 250 million (Article 3(4)(a)) as well as local risk-based capital requirements ("Authorized Control Level": at least 300% (Article 3(4)(b)). Furthermore, these reinsurers have an obligation to submit certain declarations to the insurance supervisory authority responsible for the ceding insurer.
BaFin would appreciate it if insurers from the USA would familiarise themselves with the conditions specified in the Agreement in good time and enter into dialogue regarding compliance with the conditions.
Documentation to be submitted
As part of this dialogue, the following documentation is to be submitted:
declaration from the assuming reinsurer that the assuming reinsurer will provide prompt written notice and explanation to BaFin if:
- it falls below the minimum capital and surplus or own funds, as applicable, specified in Article 3(4)(a) of the Agreement, or the capital ratio specified in Article 3(4)(b) of the Agreement; or
- any regulatory action is taken against it for serious noncompliance with applicable law (Article 3(4)(c));
- a written confirmation from the assuming reinsurer regarding its consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the territory in which the ceding insurer has its head office or is domiciled (Article 3(4)(d));
- a written declaration that the assuming reinsurer will pay all final judgments, wherever enforcement is sought, obtained by a ceding insurer, that have been declared enforceable in the territory where the judgment was obtained (Article 3(4)(f));
submission of the following documents and information:
- annual audited financial statements, in accordance with the applicable law of the territory of the head office of the assuming reinsurer, including the external audit report, with respect to the preceding two years;
- solvency and financial condition report or actuarial opinion, if filed with the assuming reinsurer's supervisor, with respect to the preceding two years;
- list of all disputed and overdue reinsurance claims outstanding for 90 days or more, regarding reinsurance contracts from ceding insurers from Germany;
- information regarding the assuming reinsurer's assumed reinsurance by ceding company, ceded reinsurance by the assuming reinsurer, and reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses by the assuming reinsurer, to allow for the evaluation of the criteria set forth in Article 3(4)(i) (Article 3(4)(h));
- a written confirmation from the assuming reinsurer that it is not presently participating in any solvent scheme of arrangement which involves European Union ceding insurers, and a declaration that it will notify the ceding insurer and BaFin and provide 100 percent collateral to the ceding insurer consistent with the terms of the scheme should the reinsurer enter into such an arrangement (Article 3(4)(j));
- a confirmation from the competent supervisory authority that the reinsurer complies with the risk-based capital ratio within the meaning of Article 3(4)(b) (Article 3(4)(l)). Evidence is to be provided of compliance with the capital requirements within the meaning of Article 3(4)(a).
Furthermore, the reinsurer must observe the following conditions:
- the assuming reinsurer agrees in each reinsurance agreement subject to the Agreement that it will provide collateral for 100 percent of the assuming reinsurer's liabilities attributable to reinsurance ceded pursuant to this agreement if the assuming reinsurer resists enforcement of a final judgment that is enforceable under the law of the territory in which it was obtained or a properly enforceable arbitration award, whether obtained by the ceding insurer or by its resolution estate, if applicable (Article 3(4)(g));
- the assuming reinsurer maintains a practice of prompt payment of claims under reinsurance agreements; the lack of prompt payment will be evidenced if any of the criteria specified in Article 3(4)(i)(i-iii) is met (Article 3(4)(i));
- if subject to a legal process of resolution, receivership, or winding-up proceedings as applicable, the ceding insurer, or its representative, may seek and, if determined appropriate by the court in which the resolution, receivership, or winding-up proceedings is pending, may obtain an order requiring that the assuming reinsurer post collateral for all outstanding ceded liabilities (Article 3(4)(k)).
Filing and enquiries
The documentation can be filed in English. If no translation of the submitted documents into German is filed, a declaration in which the reinsurer commits to filing a translation of the documents upon BaFin's request is to be signed by the authorised representative body and submitted as an original copy.
After the reinsurer begins operating in Germany, it must observe the information obligations in the Agreement in the future.
Enquiries can be sent to the e-mail address email@example.com.


Store Performance Index shows overall performance of your app on app stores. It is based on combined ASO & reviews metrics.
can open the" USB Flash Drive" Apple USB disk files, such as: music, video, photos, can beUSB3.0_ cardreade Apple USB disk and apple devices, sync photos. Photograph
User reviews affect conversion to installs and app rating. Featured and helpful reviews are the first to be noticed by users and in case of no response can affect download rate. This is why it is highly recommended to reply to them.
IPad Pro: The two main problems I have with this app: 1) when it starts it shows “local” and “connected” storage. If plug in a USB drive, Apple Photos immediately tells me about the photos in sub-directories on the flash. I close apple photos, open this app, and this app does not see anything on this drive. 2) If I tap the “local storage”, it tries to open an attached iPhone; in this process it rotates the screen from landscape mode to portrait mode. As long as this app is open, the display for its data is rotated. If I change focus to another app, the display is properly oriented. If I open this app again, the scree rotate back to portrait. If I completely exit the app, and re-open it, the display is back to normal - until I tap the local storage again. (2) is annoying, but (1) makes it unusable.
Backed up my IPhone 5s 11.4.1 vs. contacts and photos to flash drive. Transfer from flash drive to computer was SUPERFast. Be PATIENT-750 Photos took 20 minutes to transfer to Flash drive. You need to know-during transfer, when the O.S causes the screen to go dark, and you wake the phone up, back up software does not allow user to re-enter the “flash drive” security passcode-does not allow an interruption during the process-Rest assured, program is still backing up the photos, you just can’t tell. The program is NOT LOCKED UP !! You know when the process is completed when you can re-enter your back up passcode again. If you can be patient with learning the program, I find it very functional. I am not real tech savvy, but completed the software download and back up in 30 minutes
Hello! When i access the app to import from album it says all my albums are empty. It works on my iphone 6s but not on my iphone XR, please fix! I love this device on my iphone 6 but i need it more in my XR
I was sceptic about the functionality on this little gadget because Apple is a very restrictive item. Kind of tricky in the beginning but once you learn how to work with it is super useful to transfer items fast and secure to your iPhone or iPad. I’m very happy with it, makes my life easier in my job👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 thumps up for me
I was so excited when I first used my flash drive GUORUI! And the app but the second I unplugged the drive from my phone took a call then plugged the drive back in, it states that the device is not plugged in 🤬🤯😤😡🥵
Developed by 裕雨 程.
i-USB-Storer is ranking in Utilities
Last update was at Jun 11, 2021and the current version is 3.7.
To see all other keys and revenue click here 1079877477
i-USB-Storer have a 35a user reviews.


text:
|Snowflake Applique Patterns are $12 plus shipping
|To Order, please contact us by
Email - firstname.lastname@example.org
Phone - 318.247.9725
|This is a set of four snowflake applique designs.
Each one of these is different.
But I guess they all are.
We think they look great on the Quilt on a Chair
but they can drift anywhere the wind blows.

domain: artistic


text:
Reviewed: August 8, 2007
Released: June 25, 2007
I’ll do my best to finish my review for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End without any gratuitous “Aarggs” or “Avasts” or any other pirate clichés that you may have already been exposed to in the movie or reading any other reviews for this latest installment in the Pirates franchise.
First off, don’t believe all the crap you’ve been reading in most of the other reviews. Then again, you probably don’t have any reason to believe me either, except that when I tell you that At World’s End is a great game it’s true, and anybody who didn’t like it just didn’t take the time to learn and appreciate it.
Eurocom totally nailed the look and feel and swashbuckling action of not only the movies, but also what it must have been like to be a pirate. The designers had unprecedented access to the assets from the film including artist renderings as well as 3D models and designs for all the undead pirates. When you see these characters in action in the game you’ll have trouble telling where the film ends and the game begins.
This next-gen Pirates title is packed with double the action and double the content. Even though it carries the name of the third film, the game actually begins with the second movie where Jack is escaping from the Prison Fortress. From there you’ll head to Port Royal, Tortuga, Isla Cruces, as well as locations from the third movie like Singapore and an extended adventure in the white sands of Davy Jones’ Locker. You’ll get to explore the Shipwreck City, escape the Flying Dutchman and battle the Kraken.
Eurocom has done an amazing job of not only recreating the environments and situations from the films but also expanding upon them, telling new subplots and giving you backstage access to parts of the scenery we only dreamed of seeing in the film. And it all flows together with perfect style and presentation in classic Disney style.
Pirates is divided into 11 chapters, most of which are considerably lengthy and feature plenty of combat and a bit of exploration and treasure questing. You’ll also be given a set of objectives that further the story. Not everything is mandatory, like collecting 7 of any of several level-specific items, or finding the elusive Calypso Piece. These are more for personal satisfaction and achievement points, and since these collectibles are usually hidden off the beaten path, you’ll need to make a conscious effort to find them.
Almost everything you need to know to be a pirate is learned in the opening level which doubles as a tutorial. Here, you will learn to run, climb, shimmy, wall hug, push boxes, carry kegs, slide on zip lines, and balance on narrow beams. Of course that is just navigating these complex levels. You then have to master the art of combat, which comes at you in full-on against-the-odds battles as well as one on one sword duels.
Normal combat is a mix of using your sword, punching, kicking, and possibly unloading your flintlock as ammo permits. You only have one button for swinging your sword, but you can mix that with jumps, punches, and grapples to mix things up. As you create combos you will fill your Swordsmanship meter and once filled you can execute a devastating finishing move. These moves are required for defeating the sub-bosses found in most combat waves.
Since you are usually outnumbered you’ll need to master the art of evasion and counters. As enemies surround you the one about to attack will display a red circle. This gives you a few seconds to face that enemy and press grapple or attack and if timed correctly, you’ll get a flamboyant counterattack such as tripping or flipping that enemy as he rushes you.
Dueling is reserved for the bigger bosses and is much more personal. You’ll square off in a quasi 2D view then watch the three indicators on the enemy’s side of the screen that indicate their next attack, either high, low, or thrust. You must match that attack with a parry by pushing the stick up down or toward the enemy. If you block the attack you can follow through with your own attacks. As this continues you will slowly force the enemy back, or vice versa as health is slowly chipped away from your meter. Interestingly enough, most duels don’t end in death, but rather some comical climax or surrender.
Notoriety is an important part of being a pirate and everything you do earns you some sort of notoriety. The more pirate-like actions you can pull off the greater your fame. This can be as simple as grabbing and flinging one enemy into three others or cutting a rope to trap some enemies under a giant bell or under a boat. There are all sorts of these swashbuckling moments hidden throughout the game and they are extremely rewarding when you find and perform them.
In addition to Jack you’ll also get to play as Will and Elizabeth, who each have their own combat styles and own unlockable finishing moves. While they controls are pretty much the same, there are some slightly adjustments you’ll need to make when playing these other characters. Most of all, this game is NOT a button masher as other reviews have indicated. They just didn’t take the time to learn the combat system. When you figure out how it works it is very exciting and rewarding.
Another interesting addition is the element of voodoo. Along the way you’ll find and collect shrunken heads. These allow you to execute a special attack called a Jackanism, whereby you thrust your sword into the ground sending out a sinister green shockwave killing most normal enemies, destroys boxes, detonates explosive barrels and even lights cannons. You’ll then have several seconds where your sword is glowing green and you can perform one-hit kills and absorb the soul of your fallen enemies. There are also special chests in each level that require you to collect three shrunken heads and perform the Jackanism combo on the chest to open it.
If it weren’t for numerous camera glitches this game would have gotten a perfect score for graphics. It just doesn’t get much better than this. First of all the characters look freakishly realistic, a fact that you’ll realize when you see Davy Jones swaggering up behind the title screen. But once you start playing the game and seeing the detailed mo-cap work that was performed, including some of the best Johnny-Depp drunken swagger imitation ever, you’ll feel like you are controlling a movie.
The levels are excellently diverse ranging from the dank depths of the prison to the lush tropical islands and sinister bowls of the Flying Dutchman, complete with corpses lurching out from the walls. One of the best levels features an ongoing multi-part battle with the Kraken that might just go down in history as one of the most fun levels of 2007. I still go back and just play that one level over and over when friends want to see the game. It truly represents the graphics and gameplay of the rest of the game.
Textures pop off the screen with high-resolution detail and bump mapping, and the lighting and shadow effects are stunning. There is also a great fire effect for torches, explosions, and even lighting your sword on fire to inflict more damage or just light a cannon fuse.
While you do retain control of the camera with the left stick, there are times when the environments can get in the way. It seldom causes serious gameplay issues but I did die a few times because of a bad jump in Shipwreck City. Oh yeah – apparently pirates can’t swim.
Eurocom spared no expense to bring the epic soundtrack from the movie into the game. A full orchestra was assembled to give this game the adventure flavor it so richly deserves. The music swells with the action and dynamically changes to synch with the action of the moment or the location you are currently exploring.
The voice acting is flawless for all of the characters, stars and supporting cast alike. Elizabeth has that sexy defiance and Jack has his trademark drunken slur. The only voice that totally threw me was the Indian, Sri Sumbhajee who spoke in a shrill girlie voice.
The sound effects are mostly the sounds of swords clashing and the thuds of physical combat. There are plenty of environmental sounds, wood splintering, explosions, cannon fire, and when you are actually on land, birds, wind, flowing water, swooshing poison darts, grinding stone, etc. The Dolby Digital mix surrounds you in all these epic sounds.
Most adventurous gamers can finish off At World’s End in 12-15 hours. Most levels are 30-60 minutes long and checkpoint frequently so even when you die you don’t have to replay too much of the level. There are a few incentives to replay the game including obtaining any of the missing treasures you might have missed. There is also one Jackanism chest located in the first level that is impossible to unlock until you replay that level after first acquiring three shrunken heads in one of the later levels.
There are 30 Achievements and with the exception of the Prison Fortress Treasure most all of them can be earned in the first pass through the game. Most involve collecting the 7 items in each level and finding the Calypso piece on each map. The rest are just earned through progression through the story and advancing your characters.
My one and only complaint with Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End was the ridiculously difficult final level that pretty much had me give up the game. This final level forces you to fight with all three main characters simultaneously, switching back and forth as you fend off multiple waves of enemies and three sub-bosses, and that’s before you even get into the exploration part of the level.
I hate not finishing a game, especially when I’m this close, and I’ll likely go back and finish it someday if I can, but this shouldn’t discourage anyone from rushing out and getting a copy of this latest Pirates game. Whether you are on land, sea, or the white sands of Davy Jones Locker, there isn’t a more swashbuckling time to be had and Jack Sparrow is the quintessential pirate hero.

domain: game


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Chelsea youngster defends family honour as controversy rages.
Assumed Anton Ferdinand slur just a big misunderstanding, claims new Villa signing.
Wife and kids left reeling by latest act of gratuitous self-congratulation.
Not yet exhausted from ****ery in FA Cup win over Man Utd.
Winged destroyer rewarded for dispatching Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Man Utd in recent weeks.
Says something about Brexit too.
Clubs agree with two-bit satirical websites to release statement in comedic pidgin English.


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Legal process that involves the company or an individual who is unable to settle its debts.
Insolvency is a healthy option for getting out of the debt cycle and get back on track. Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the United States is an attractive option to eliminate your outstanding debts. However, there are some disadvantages in filing bankruptcy. Anyone can gain access to the information that is available, for instance.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy case number search is obtained toll-free by dialing (866) 222-8029. It is the Court’s computerized Voice Case Information System (VCIS). The public terminal is accessible by visiting every Bankruptcy Court division office.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys who have the expertise to advise clients should advise you on different options available to you in bankruptcy. The financial condition of your household and the size of debt you have and alternative options will help you decide what option is the best one for you.
There are other options to work out a repayment plan with creditors, or make payments on your debts using an installment loan.

domain: finance


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We’ve never had what you’d call a close relationship. Truth be told, we’ve barely had much of a relationship at all. For years, I never knew the difference. You can’t miss what you haven’t had.
During the many years we lived together, we barely spoke. We weren’t mad or upset. The unfortunate truth is that we just didn’t have anything to say to each other. We’d walk by each other like strangers in an airport, hardly acknowledging each other at all.
Fond memories? Not so much. Yeah, there are moments here and there. But mostly I hoped he wouldn’t notice me. Because when he did, it usually meant I was in trouble. I can’t remember him praising me, telling me I’d done a good job, or even showing interest in anything I ever did.
Things didn’t change much after I moved out. I tried to have a different relationship with him, but he really didn’t seem all that interested. After I left Lexington, we did get a little closer. Closer–not close. We’d talk on the phone every few weeks, and he always seemed genuinely glad to see me when I came home for a visit.
Yes, I’m talking about my father. Then, when I was 45, my parents divorced. Turns out, practically everything I thought I knew about him was a lie.
After the divorce, I decided to wipe the slate clean and start over again. For a while, I thought we were making real progress. Then I found out he’d lied to me about things that happened after the divorce. I understood why he’d lied to me before, but once everything came out, there was absolutely no good reason for him to lie. After an initial period of anger, I let it go.
Things changed for me when my Aunt Toodles died. He didn’t go see her when she was sick, before or after she went into the hospital. He didn’t go to the funeral home for visitation, and he skipped the funeral. Why? Because he was afraid of what people (my mother’s family and friends) would say to him. I can’t find it in my heart to forgive him for that.
And now, he’s dying. The cancer they fought with radiation treatments last year has returned. He says he’ll be here for another year or two, but everyone else thinks he’ll be gone by Christmas.
I visited him back in October when I was in town for my high school reunion. He looked terrible.We were supposed to go out to eat, but he wasn’t able. He was highly agitated–even angry. After about 30 minutes, I left, thinking that I would probably never see him again.
Today I heard he weighs less than 100 pounds and is unable to do anything for himself. His new wife is tired of taking care of him and is planning a long trip in July. Seriously?
She’s never been one of my favorite people. I’m polite to her. Period.
I’m torn about going to see him. The truth is, I don’t want to go. My fear is that if I don’t, I’ll never forgive myself.
What I wouldn’t give right now to be able to talk to my Aunt Toodles again. She’d know just what to say to help me reach the right decision. But I can’t. I’m just going to have to figure it out by myself, here in…
My Glass House

domain: literature


Old Huawei devices and Nova 8 SE HarmonyOS 2 update2021-12-08         Follow @huaweinewos Tweet to @huaweinewos
Huawei continues to update old devices and new ones regularly to HarmonyOS 2. Those who want to experience HarmonyOS 2 from old models can make updates. Updates may be on different dates according to regions and countries.
In the announcement made from the Huawei HarmonyOS account on the Weibo page, the HarmonyOS 2 update of Huawei Nova 8 SE and other devices has been released.
Models that will receive the HarmonyOS 2 Update
- Huawei nova 8 SE Vitality Edition
- Huawei Tablet M5 Youth Edition 8 inches
- Huawei Tablet M5 Youth 10.1 inches
- Huawei Enjoy Tablet 10.1 inches
- Honor Tablet 5 10.1 inches
- Honor Tablet 5 8 inches
In the statement, it is reported that it will increase in performance and fluency even in the old model.
For Update: Settings -> System and Updates -> Software Update -> Check for Updates


We can easily normally satisfy our respected buyers with our excellent high-quality, excellent selling price and good service due to we've been far more expert and more hard-working and do it in cost-effective way for Eco Polyester Fabric, Recycled Non Woven Fabric, Nylon Sports Wear, Plastic Waste To Fabric,Material Printed. We give priority to quality and customer satisfaction and for this we follow stringent quality control measures. We have in-house testing facilities where our products are tested on every aspect at different processing stages. Owning to latest technologies, we facilitate our customers with customized production facility. The product will supply to all over the world, such as Europe, America, Australia,Miami, azerbaijan,Jordan, New Zealand.With the goal of zero defect. To care for the environment, and social returns, care employee social responsibility as own duty. We welcome friends from all over the world to visit and guide us so that we can achieve the win-win goal together.


Hispanic voters will be the largest ethnic minority in the electorate in 2020. They, combined with black Americans, may very well decide who will live in the White House in 2021. But it would be a major mistake for Biden to assume that these voter blocs agree with one another concerning Gov. Lujan Grisham’s open borders position or her reversion to ineffective COVID-19 edicts involving mask mandates and the refusal to reopen public schools. Black voters have jobs, pay taxes, and are not particularly fond of gubernatorial decrees that prevent their children from attending school. And they may see the choice of Gov. Lujan Grisham as a signal that their votes have again been taken for granted.
A similar dilemma faces Biden if he attempts to bolster his poll numbers among black voters by choosing someone like former National Security Advisor Susan Rice. Hispanic voters will see this as a return to the bad old days of the Obama administration. As AP phrases it, “For many Latinos, Biden’s embrace of the Obama years is a frightening reminder of when the former president ejected about 3 million people living in the U.S. illegally.” The obvious answer to all of this is for Biden to abandon his race-based VP search, but he is justifiably afraid to run on his own record. In the end, however, it doesn’t really matter who Biden chooses as a running mate. Like Clinton, he will be defeated by Trump.


The basic effect of "two-shot": Increase overall damage by 25% by firing 2 shots that each do 62.5%
Thought I'd list some cases where the "two-shot" prefix acts differently:
Shotguns: Does not double pellet count but only adds 1 pellet to the burst.(Theoretically, the effect should be lowering the overall damage). I believe the harpoon gun's flechette rounds work the same way. Disclaimer: I'm having trouble testing the damage because the only TS shotgun I currently have is a TSE and I can't seem to find another explosive combat shotgun or TS shotgun on any of my characters. From tests, my TSE gets very similar numbers to a regular combat shotgun but does slightly more damage due to the additional pellet.
Heavy explosives: Doubles the explosives fired and essentially doubles damage. I believe this is because the damage reduction is applied to the initial impact damage(that I believe only ever does 1 damage) and not the explosion itself. So a MIRV for example will fire two mini-nukes that both split. The listed damage when viewing the TS weapons shows to have about a 126% increase(so total of 226% to be clear). Testing is a bit tough but I generally get at least double damage.
Gamma gun: The ballistic damage is affected the same as most weapons but the radiation damage per shot remains unaffected by legendary prefixes including bloodied and such. In this case, two-shot doubles radiation damage dealt. So with a deep dish, you'll be doing 250 rads per shot. Radium rifles seem to work the same way.
Cryolator: Like the gamma gun, TS seems to only affect ballistic and energy damage so the cryo damage and freezing effect should be doubled.(I don't have a TS flamer but I have a feeling that it may have gotten double damage ever since it was changed from energy to fire damage.)
Laser gun: Still increases overall damage by 25% but I wanted to point out that the beam splitter specifically just does as it is called and divides the damage evenly between each laser. With a two-shot laser, a beam splitter splits the total 125% damage between 6 shots(regular splits between 5).
(if anyone has a TS shotgun/harpoon gun/flamer and would be willing to test out the damage, it would be a great help. For testing, I'd recommend going using things like sneak/headshot if possible because a higher damage would let you see a more noticeable difference. An example would be testing a 20% damage bonus when you're only doing 1 damage/shot. It may still be doing 1 damage, maybe two, but the only observable change is either no change or a double in damage.)
TL;DR Shotguns get an extra pellet to spread, heavy explosives double damage, and only ballistic/energy damage seems to be directly affected by the TS damage reduction so other damage types are doubled.
Source: Original link
© Post "Some details on how the “two-shot” legendary prefix effects various weapons differently" for game Fallout.
Top 10 Most Anticipated Video Games of 2020
2020 will have something to satisfy classic and modern gamers alike. To be eligible for the list, the game must be confirmed for 2020, or there should be good reason to expect its release in that year. Therefore, upcoming games with a mere announcement and no discernible release date will not be included.
Top 15 NEW Games of 2020 [FIRST HALF]
2020 has a ton to look forward to...in the video gaming world. Here are fifteen games we're looking forward to in the first half of 2020.


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Swap Out a Kid’s Toy for Ice Cream/Fries
Do you know what flavor is universally accepted as the best flavor of all time? Free. There’s nothing that tastes quite as good as free, even if you’re not a fan of the free menu item. Anyway, did you know that if you get a kid’s meal from CFA, you can ask them to swap out the toy for an ice cream cone or waffle fries?
So, if you’re eating at CFA alone and only have enough for a kid’s meal, you can get more food for your buck. No more donating plastic toys to your neighbor’s dog—swap it out for something you can actually put in your stomach and enjoy!


In a heartwarming intersection of technology and personal creativity, Jon Friedman, the design chief at Microsoft, utilized AI to bring to life the illustrations for a children’s book authored by his son, Judah. This book aims to guide children through the challenges of coping with anxiety, showcasing a unique blend of familial collaboration and technological innovation.
- Jon Friedman leverages his expertise and access to AI to illustrate his son’s narrative on managing anxiety.
- The project underscores the potential of AI in creative processes, beyond its conventional tech-centric applications.
- This initiative also highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues from a young age, providing children with tools to navigate their emotions.
The collaboration between Friedman and his son is not just a testament to the power of AI in enhancing artistic endeavors but also an intimate family project aimed at tackling a critical issue: childhood anxiety. The use of AI in this context demonstrates its versatility and potential to make significant contributions outside traditional sectors, touching lives in deeply personal ways.
The idea for “Max & The Purple Anxiety Monster” grew from Judah Friedman’s experience with a school writing assignment. Judah shared his feelings of nervousness and anxiety about his family’s move from Seattle to Chicago and the challenges of making new friends in a new city. Mike Friedman, who regularly works from Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, recognized the value of his son’s story in potentially helping other children who face similar anxieties.
While a skilled creative professional, Friedman admits that illustrating an entire book seemed like a daunting task. Instead of relying on traditional illustration methods, he turned to an AI tool called DALL-E, developed by OpenAI (a company in which Microsoft has invested heavily). DALL-E can create images from simple text descriptions. Friedman’s use of AI brought a unique watercolor-like style to the book’s illustrations.
The Role of AI in Creative Industries:
As AI continues to evolve, its integration into creative fields offers a glimpse into a future where technology and human creativity merge seamlessly. The project by the Friedman duo is a prime example of how AI can serve as a bridge between imagination and reality, enabling storytellers to convey their messages more vividly.
This story showcases the potential of AI as a tool to assist in creative projects. AI-powered image generation, while still in its early stages, offers exciting possibilities for authors and artists. It allows individuals who may not have traditional illustration skills to bring their stories to life visually.
“I hope our experience inspires others to see that AI can be a powerful creative tool,” Friedman said. “Judah and I are thrilled to share Max’s story and help other kids who might feel anxious know that they’re not alone.”
The Importance of Addressing Anxiety
Beyond the technological implications, “Max & The Purple Anxiety Monster” underscores the significance of addressing anxiety, particularly in children. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health concerns, and offering resources and strategies to help children cope is essential for their well-being.
Jon Friedman’s decision to use AI for illustrating his son’s book on anxiety is a pioneering step towards exploring new dimensions of AI’s utility in everyday life. It not only brings attention to the significance of mental health awareness among children but also opens up conversations about the role of technology in fostering creativity and emotional well-being.


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Memories bound together by housework…and love
hi everyone, I hope you can take a little time out from your own writing to read a little bit of mine. my latest contribution to the ABC Open project can be found at https://open.abc.net.au/explore/96265 I hope you enjoy it!
What was ‘lost’ in the sense of being misplaced, has now been found and reunited, with me.
Necessity really is the mother of invention.
Love Bites – read my story About the memories of love that cooking makes. https://open.abc.net.au/search?q=Diana+Harley
© 2021 Diana Harley. Built using WordPress and the Mesmerize Theme with a teeny bit of help from Amanda Dalziel


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Army style metal ammo tin.
With a hinged flip lid it will make a perfect toy box or even a lunch box for the little or large soldiers!
Ideal for keeping your army rations safe and dry.
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KUCHING: The Sarawak government hopes Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) will not impede the imposition of the State Sales Tax (SST) after the High Court ruled that Sarawak has the right to impose the tax on petroleum products.
The Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement today that the High Court decision last Friday to dismiss Petronas’ judicial review application challenging the imposition of the tax, was based on clear points of law which the corporation should recognise and adhere to.
“With this decision, it is hoped that there will be no further delay to the implementation of the imposition of the SST caused by possible appeals and other applications by Petronas.
“This would enable the State Government to proceed with its development agenda for the benefits of the people of Sarawak,” it said.
The statement added that it has always been the firm stand of the State that the right to impose SST is entrenched in the Federal Constitution read together with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report (IGC Report).
Sarawak had imposed the five per cent SST on petroleum products from January last year. It was previously reported that Petronas owes the state about RM1.3 billion in unpaid SST.
In his written order, judge Azahari Kamal Ramli said the state government had the right under the law, particularly the State Sales Tax Ordinance, to impose such tax; and that Petronas had no merit in its application for declaratory relief.
The court also awarded cost of RM50,000 to the state govt.
“After considering the submission (of the state) it is my finding that the power of the state to make law for imposing of sale tax derives from Article 95B (3) (of the Federal Constitution).
“This article was added to the Federal Constitution upon the recommendation of the Inter Governmental Committee (IGC) prior to the formation of Malaysia that: ‘..each Borneo State shall have the power to impose sale tax that any discriminatory rates would not be imposed on good of the same type but of different origin’,” Azahari said.
He added that Article 95B (3) was added by Act 26/1963 (Malaysia Agreement 1963) to take effect from Sept 16 1963, and since then the legislature of Sarawak and Sabah may make laws to impose the tax.


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A Mixed Berry Margarita is a beautifully colored and flavored Margarita. It's lightly sweet with delicious tart and tangy notes you'll thoroughly enjoy.
**Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making a beautiful berry Margarita is available at the end of this post. Or you can hit the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.
The ingredient list:
Can agave syrup be substituted for the confectioner's sugar in this cocktail?
You bet! I'd start with a small amount first and then add additional to suit your taste.
Can a low-sugar berry juice be used for this recipe?
Yes! If you'd like to keep the calorie count low, that's a great way to do so.
Can other flavors of juice be used in place of the mixed berry?
Of course. Use your favorite!
How many cocktails does this recipe make?
This recipe is written for making one, large Margarita. It's completely easy to double, triple, or to even fill a pitcher.
To make just one, I suggest using a cocktail shaker.
If you're making an entire pitcher you can mix the ingredients straight into the pitcher itself, and let it chill in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.
How many ounces is a jigger?
A standard jigger is 1.5 ounces.
What is triple sec?
Triple sec is an orange-flavored liquor.
What is a good substitution for triple sec?
Cointreau and Grand Marnier are two wonderful substitutions for triple sec.
*Disclaimer - This recipe was originally published in 2014. I'm working hard to update all my older recipes with recipe cards, new photos, and additional recipe information. But, getting to all of them will take time. Please bear with me. In the meantime let me assure you that this recipe is still a winner and one I'm sure you'll be well pleased with when you make it at home.
What I wrote about this beautiful and delicious berry Margarita in 2014:
Good things come to those who wait. 🙂
Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's Mixed Berry Margarita.
⭐If you've made this recipe, or are excited to make this recipe, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave it a star rating on the recipe card, along with a comment if you're so inclined. Thank you. 🙂
Mixed Berry Margarita
- 1 jigger tequila
- 1 jigger triple sec
- 4 jiggers mixed berry juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon confectioners sugar
- ¾ ice
- Place all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake to mix thoroughly.
- Pour into a Margarita glass and serve.
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you'll come back and visit me often. There is always room for you around my table!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen here on my blog, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to respond to you just as soon as I possibly can.


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Today (Aug. 22) would have been author Ray Bradbury's 97th birthday. Bradbury, who died in 2012, is acclaimed worldwide for his literary science fiction, but fewer people know about one of his science writing projects that never panned out: a forgotten planetarium-show script for the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Washington, D.C.
Bradbury was working on the NASM project — eventually titled "The Ghosts of Forever: The Great Shout of the Universe!" — in 1980, writer and editor David Romanowski explained in a NASM blog post published online June 2012. Romanowski was a staff writer for Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University (MSU) in 1980; he found out about the NASM script when he corresponded with Bradbury in the fall of that year about penning a show for the MSU planetarium, Romanowski reported.
Romanowski left MSU several months after he received Bradbury's letter, and the prospect of Bradbury writing for the university planetarium advanced no further. But about 10 years later, after Romanowski joined NASM as a writer-editor in the Exhibits Division, he found something unexpected in the archives: a copy of Bradbury's NASM planetarium script, which had been roundly criticized by museum reviewers in 1981 and was never produced, Romanowski wrote. [5 Great Ray Bradbury Quotes About Death]
As a writer, Bradbury is known and respected for his poetic language, honed over a career that spanned seven decades. But in 1981, Bradbury's flowery prose describing cosmic phenomena failed to impress NASM exhibit developers, whose remarks about the script were incorporated into the files that Romanowski uncovered.
"Many of the phrases are crude and devoid of meaning. Some of it flows nicely, then suddenly it changes and becomes awkward," a reviewer noted.
Other comments proposed that Bradbury's words did not accurately represent the science of the Big Bang and the formation of stars and planets, Romanowski reported. One reviewer scoffed at Bradbury's line about "suns that must birth themselves," saying that his description "reeks with misunderstanding," while another pointed to the phrase "life cooking itself," identifying it as "a poor way of describing/summarizing evolution," according to Romanowski.
In his lifetime, Bradbury published over 500 works, including novels, poetry, plays, and scripts for film and television, according to the author's official website. Though his one attempt at a planetarium production was consigned to the museum archives and never saw the light of day, Bradbury's enthusiasm for space exploration and his skill as a storyteller have captivated readers for more than half a century, and will likely continue to entice sci-fi fans for decades to come.
Original article on Live Science.


Your friendly, neighbourhood bobbies on the beat
Apparently this is a flyer published by the friendly boys in blue from Ibaraki. Just a quiet note to the locals that states the best policy when dealing with the influx of foreigners, all of whom are criminals, is to "stop them at the shores!"
Yes, that is a total of 7 riot police subduing one helpless chap (well, 6 and their mate on his way in to help out)...
Just in case you're wondering, the first 3 kanji in yellow say "gaikokujin", or foreigner. And I thought Japan was a friendly place.
For more see the newspaper report here.


Lancer Tactical: The Airsoft Brand that Reinvented Itself
|Best Gen-2 Rifle||Best Warlord Rifle||Best Tactical Gear|
|INTERCEPTOR SRP GEN 2||WARLORD 10.5″ TYPE B CARBINE||LT SAFETY GOGGLES|
Nowadays, a Lancer Tactical airsoft gun is still considered a budget option, but in the higher-end section. Basically, if you’re not ready to purchase a true performance model, from brands such as a Tokyo Marui or ICS, Lancer Tactical is one of the best options.
Another aspect that makes them quite desirable, is their location. Lancer Tactical is based out of California, which means it’s easier to get in touch with them.
- 1 Short History of Lancer Tactical’s Airsoft Guns
- 2 Features that Made Them Famous
- 3 Trending Lancer Tactical Products
- 4 CM028U AK-47 TACTICAL FULL METAL AEG
- 5 LANCER TACTICAL M4 CQBR MK18
- 6 MULTI MISSION CARBINE BLOWBACK AEG
- 7 INTERCEPTOR SRP GEN 2 AIRSOFT RIFLE
- 8 WARLORD 10.5″ TYPE B CARBINE
- 9 CROSS DRAW TACTICAL VEST
- 10 AIRSOFT SAFETY GOGGLES
- 11 CA-883 LIGHTWEIGHT PLATE CARRIER
Short History of Lancer Tactical’s Airsoft Guns
The company is rather young (it started in 2012) compared to other established brands, but they are catching up. They produce several lines of AEGs, but the most famous (and most recent) are the ProLine Gen 2 and the Warlord series.
Sadly, the Lancer Tactical history has some bad moments, but with new leadership, the company is slowly changing. I honestly admire them for taking all the negative reviews and working through them to improve their products. This shows a lot of character.
Features that Made Them Famous
- Sturdy build
- Durable body
- Good quality internals
- Several high-quality AEG series
- High-end tactical and protective gear
Lancer Tactical produces a wide range of airsoft weapons such as a full line of AEG rifles (M4s, AKs, heavy machine guns, and even bolt action springs) and several pistol models. Besides this, they also offer a complete selection of protective and tactical gear.
Still, their specialty is AEG rifles.
They are in a similar price lane as G&G, with prices starting at $100+ and going as high a $300+. Still, most of their products are affordable, given that their main target customers are beginner players.
Trending Lancer Tactical Products
Given they are mostly known for their AEG line of products, I will first discuss some of their most wanted rifles. But they’re also known for their tactical and protective gear, so I’ll also mention some of their best products in this line.
The AK-47 is a classic model and shouldn’t be missing from any airsofter’s collection! The model offered by Lancer Tactical features a fully metallic body, which makes the gun a bit heavier but also more durable. Furthermore, the extra weight brings the experience closer to the idea of using a real-steel AK-47!
Moreover, this design is paired with a foldable ABS stock (from CYMA) so it is compact and easy to use in most CQB cases. The price is perfect for anyone on a budget, but if you’re not satisfied with the quality of the internals, you can always switch with Tokyo Marui pieces.
Besides the stock, the grip is also ABS plastic to help you grab hold of it with more ease. There is also a front grip mounted on the lower RIS rail (there’s an upper one as well), which comes in handy during those ‘shoot and pray’ moments.
Evidently, the rifle supports three fire modes (semi-auto, Auto, and Safe) and comes with a hi-cap magazine (600 rounds). While it may sound like a lot of BBs, if you practice the aforementioned shooting technique, you’ll only last about one minute (rate of fire is 660 rounds per minute).
As part of the Gen-2 series, the MK18 is a great entry-level AEG! This is actually an upgrade, where both the internals and externals were improved. First, the gearbox received a quick-change spring system which makes changing the FPS of the rifle a lot easier (you no longer need to disassemble the gearbox). The standard FPS is 370 to 390 with 0.20g BBs.
Furthermore, Lancer Tactical worked on the rifle’s accuracy by including a 6.01mm precision bore barrel and an adjustable rotary-style hop-up. Finally, the battery was boosted from an 8.4v to a 9.6v NiMH to increase the rate of fire.
The body is durable ABS, to maintain the rifle’s lightweight design. Also, the Picatinny/Weaver Quad Rail system, the grip, stock, and handguard are ABS. Now, the rifle is highly accurate, so if you don’t want to use any optics, the fixed front flip-up rear sights will come in handy.
As a result, the Gen-2 version of this rifle is a durable, rock-solid weapon you can use in any CQB situation!
As one of the most recent additions to the M4 line from Lancer Tactical, this carbine features a 10.5-inches rail. The design is aggressive and modern, and it will intimidate most players on the field, so you should consider getting one.
No, it’s not a full metal design, but they used durable nylon fiber. This means the rifle is lightweight and you shouldn’t worry too much about scratches. The good news is it offers a lot of space for accessories; the even better news is that you don’t need to add optics if you don’t want to. The removable flip-up front and rear sights do a great job and the adjustable hop-up is great for improving that backspin.
The feature I love the most is the electric blowback system – it may not be much, but it gives the old AEG a bit of a kick. Next, the M4 crane stock can be adjusted to six different positions, which makes this carbine extremely useful in tight spaces. As you probably guessed, the stock houses the battery, so it’s easy to change it. Finally, the pistol grip is a bit wider than the standard M4 grip, which makes it easier to hold.
On the inside, the rifle features a high precision reinforced V2 with 8mm bearings. Put in plainly, the insides are just as durable as the outsides.
One of Lancer Tactical’s newest designs, the Interceptor SRP is a high-quality M4 AEG rifle. The design is aggressive and the finish on its ABS body makes you think this is a full-metal design. However, the polymer body is more durable and resistant to scratches. Also, the rifle remains lightweight with a compact design (due to the adjustable stock) for the perfect skirmish.
The full-length M-LOK rail unit with Picatinny rails allows plenty of space for accessories and the flip-up rear and front sights can be easily removed. The rifle is powerful (350 FPS), accurate (there is an adjustable hop-up) and works with 8.4v nun-chuck batteries. Finally, the magazine supports 300rounds, which comes in handy when in full-auto fire mode.
On the inside, the rifle features a Version 2 gearbox with 8mm ball bearing rings (for longer life) and a 6.03mm tight bore barrel. Overall, the unit can be easily upgraded and offers a lot of room for customization!
The Warlord series is one of the most advanced ever released by Lancer Tactical, so it’s natural to have high expectations from it. First, the body is a combination of ABS and metallic parts (the receivers) and, due to the fully monolithic rail with keymod slots, it’s easy to customize it as needed.
The controls, magazine catch, and bolt release are ambidextrous, so you don’t have to worry about this. Furthermore, the grip is specially designed to reduce fatigue during long sessions. Also, the adjustable front and rear iron sights are great for increasing the accuracy.
On the inside, this Warlord rifle is equipped with a metallic 2nd generation Version 2 gearbox which can be upgraded if you want more form your AEG rifle. The motor features 8mm ball bearings, for increased life and efficiency, and there is an adjustable hop-up for increased accuracy.
Finally, the rifle is powerful (390 FPS with 0.20g BBs), comes with an integrated Quick Spring Change system and features low resistance wiring for a smoother electrical flow.
As promised, I’ll go over some of their most popular gear products, and this tactical vest is one of them. The combination of a great price and useful features makes it quite trendy. First, it has plenty of pouches for extra AK, AR, or pistol magazines. Second, it has a cross draw holster built on the left side and there is some MOLLE webbing to add more pouches should you want.
Overall, the vest is durable (600D polyester) and comes with a tactical belt.
You should never step on an airsoft field without safety goggles! I would recommend them even for plinking because you never know when a BB can bounce back and hit you in the eye.
The ones offered by Lancer Tactical are comfortable to wear and can fit any head size due to the elastic strap. They’re also lined with polyurethane foam, so you can wear them for several hours without feeling uncomfortable.
If you don’t want to use a tactical vest, maybe a plate carrier will be more up your alley. This product is lightweight and doesn’t have any straps (besides the adjustable ones needed for the fit) that could inconvenience you on the field. Furthermore, it has some MOLLE webbing, if you need to add more storage room to your gear.
The vest is durable (600D nylon Cordura) and features a breathable mesh so you can wear it even when it’s hot outside. Not to mention, it has Velcro webbing on the front and rear for accessories and Velcro hydration carrier tube retention straps.


The Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus is coming to Trinity UCC, 30 West North Street, Waynesboro PA on June 18th at 3pm.
The Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus was founded in 1987 and celebrates the LGBT experience in the central Pennsylvania region and beyond, delighting and entertaining audiences with fun, vibrant and gay-positive musical programs. It is comprised of men from diverse paths and origins, uniting in spirit with a common love of music to build bridges of understanding in communities through music and public outreach efforts. They challenge themselves to grow in integrity, harmony and appreciation of their individual gifts of music, while creating experiences that entertain, empower and enlighten all those that hear their song.
The chorus has traveled from one end of the country to the other to perform…from Carnegie Hall in New York, NY to the Civic Auditorium in San Jose, CA…with many locations in between. In September 1999, the HGMC became a resident choral company of the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg, and has hosted and performed with several nationally acclaimed performers such as opera soprano Marilyn Horne, jazz singer, song writer, actress Ann Hampton Callaway and singer, songwriter Judy Collins.
They are proud to be a member of The Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses, an international association of over 170 LGBT choruses that aspire to help change the world through song.
Their vision, mission and values statements include:
- making a world where everyone can sing their own song
- making the arts accessible to all, and to present entertaining and enlightening musical programs that will enrich the community through acceptance and understanding of diversity.
- Endeavoring to create and maintain an organization that values community, equality, fellowship, and stewardship.
Be sure to mark your calendars now to join us for this celebration! A free-will offering will be taken.


It’s hard to see, the picture isn’t that great (I was facing the sun, and it’s a cell phone), but on the way to work this morning there was a tree laying across the bike trail. No warning signs, no detour signs, nothing. Moreover, I was told that it had been there yesterday as well!
This is a major (as bike trails go) transportation corridor for cyclists in the Folsom area. Had this tree fallen across a road intended for motor vehicles it would have been removed immediately! I hope it’s gone on the way home, it was difficult to press through the branches!


Abstract: This study concentrates on the optimization of process parameters for surface roughness when turning hardened bearing steels using coated ceramic cutting tools and developed the multiple regression models for the surface roughness based on the factors cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut and cutting fluid. The experimental results indicated that the feed rate was found to be a dominant factor on the surface roughness of Ra and Rz, but the other factors did not indicate the significant effect. In addition, optimal testing parameter for the surface roughness was determined. Average surface roughness obtained was about 0.79 and 4.102 μm for Ra and Rz, respectively, when machining the hardened steels. Furthermore, ANOVA revealed that the feed rate exerted a largest effect on the surface finish at contribution of 64.03%, followed by the depth of cut at 10.47%, respectively.


The Claiborne County Board of Education met in a short session for its March meeting at Ellen Myers School.
After opening the meeting, minutes of the last meeting and payment of bills were voted approved. The board then approved leave of absence requests and approved line item transfers.
A request from Powell Valley Ministries to use a school bus May 13 and 14 was approved.
The approved the resignations of Justin Michael and Waylon Wilson.
Safety director Bob Oakes asked the board to consider selling a retired bus that had been utilized to its fullest. The board agreed to sell the bus with another unanimous vote.
The school calendar was approved.
The issue of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey was discussed.
“We found a lot of these questions to be intrusive as some of the questions asked students if they had ever thought of suicide,” said board member Tim Duncan. He was assured questions were done anonymously and that they have done them for several years with no issues.
The board approved the issue unanimously.
The tech surplus was discussed. The sale of non-serviceable machines was approved.
The issue of approving buses for a Springdale field trip to Chattanooga passed unanimously.
Permission was granted to begin the “No Child Left Behind” Federal Project applications.
Student board members from Claiborne and Cumberland Gap high schools presented reports. During the CHS report it was announced that Dylan Hoskins was named student of the month and he was received a plaque.
The board announced a revenue increase of $80,462 dollars from the Tennessee Valley Authority rebate program.
“We appreciate everything that everyone is doing to improve our county schools,” said Connie Holdway, director of schools.
The final item was setting up the preliminary budget meetings in April.
The meeting adjourned after approximately 20 minutes.


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James Taylor is the latest artist to sue his former label over digital royalties (among other things), on a contract that was in place long before the MP3 was even conceived.
“Deceptive,” “disturbing” and “fraudulent” are just some of the ways Peter Wolf describes Geils’ legal action against the band.
Madonna has never been one to bite her tongue, so after the Russian punk band Pussy Riot was convicted of “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred” on Friday (August 17), she spoke out.
The five-month case came to a head this morning, when a final verdict was made: guilty of “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred,” with all three women sentenced to two years in prison starting from their date of arrest in March.
The band name “Pussy Riot” has been splashed all over the news (and the shirts of rock stars), but what exactly is the controversy all about?
When he hasn’t been calling Madonna any four-letter-word he can think of, Sir Elton John has been busy filing libel suits against a London newspaper recently.
So why no Geils? Legal drama.

domain: law


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The process of developing drone policy in the United States is typically ugly, dirty, and no fun. It often involves trade-offs, with everyone involved trying to get more than they give. Over the last couple months, stakeholders from civil society and business have convened to find consensus on how best to address privacy with regard to drone use, and this process was no exception to the rule. While Access Now commends the various stakeholders for striving to reach compromise, we believe they ultimately missed the mark. What started as a process to create best practices for drones in the U.S. resulted in standards riddled with loopholes. Sure, the outcome document (PDF) may lead to improved privacy protections for devices that will be observing us from above — but it is far from a gold standard.
Earlier this year, U.S. President Obama asked for a multi-stakeholder process to create “best practices” on privacy and transparency for drone use. Access Now has been participating and pushing for strong protections for privacy and security while tracking the process on this blog. We supported negotiating around a strong model text put forward by the Center for Democracy and Technology. Unfortunately, what was ultimately adopted as best practices — officially the Voluntary Best Practices for UAS Privacy, Transparency, and Accountability — is simply not something we can agree has earned the title.
Privacy is downplayed in the outcome document
Drones can be really cool. Beyond being just fun, drones can provide internet access to people who are unconnected in remote or hard-to-reach locations. They can help during emergencies and make industry more efficient. So when the outcome document spends a long first paragraph talking about the transformative power of drones, we’re on board. However, the document falters from there, especially on privacy.
From the outset, the outcome document fails to recognize that drones augment the ability of companies and others to invasively collect data, particularly data about our interactions in the physical world. Drones pose privacy threats that are significant and predictable. They will further intrude upon our expected zones of privacy, and the outcome document should have spelled out that threat with ample weight.
Instead, the outcome document undersells the very real threats that drones pose to individual privacy as merely “privacy concerns.” This framing cheapens a time-tested fact: the cheaper and easier it is to collect information, the more often it will be collected, stored, analyzed, and used in ways that may be either useless for or actually harmful to the data subject.
The outcome document has insufficient privacy protections
Additionally, the outcome document is too narrow in its scope. It includes two huge carve-outs: one for news-gathering and another for emergency services. On their face, both of these may seem like valid exemptions — Access Now particularly understands the desire to make sure that journalists are protected, as we frequently support the safety of journalists through our free 24-hour Digital Security Helpline. However, it’s unclear why journalists need a carve out for drone use. Even news gatherers would benefit from knowing best practices in using drones in their reporting or in analyzing data collected by drones for their stories. Exempting emergency services from these standards also fails to consider that you can plan ahead for many emergencies. In fact, some industries may adopt drones as their preferred emergency response vehicles. Why shouldn’t they follow best practices in their collection of data?
Finally, the outcome document only examines data collected by drones with respect to names or personally identifying information — even though studies have shown that anonymous or pseudonymous accounts can be linked to particular persons with only two location points. The outcome document should have taken a broader approach to data to include all information linkable to an individual, even if the person is not identified or immediately identifiable.
Drones demand a stronger privacy-respecting framework
There is plenty to like in the outcome document, such as the inclusion of the section on data security. In conjunction with the American Civil Liberties Union and Electronic Frontier Foundation, we asked for changes (PDF) that would have increased the document’s protections for the potential pervasive collection of data via drones in the U.S. Those changes were rejected by the other parties involved. As a consequence, the combined document ultimately does not represent any “best practices,” and can’t be labelled any better than “kind of okay practices.” We urge all stakeholders to continue pushing for legal and regulatory standards that better protect privacy. Drones are coming. Now is the time to protect our privacy.


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Supporting company growth with new customers in the central European region, Pegasystems has opened its seventh European office, Pegasystems AG, in the heart of the financial district of Zürich. The office is the second major new address that Pegasystems has opened in Europe this year, the previous opening being at the World Trade Centre in Amsterdam during the summer. Significant new hires have been made to support the region, with Sascha Meyer joining as an account executive from Credit Suisse and Daniel Steiner as senior sales consultant.
A report by broking group Marsh examines the repercussions from the administration of the South Korean company, which filed for bankruptcy protection at the end of August.
Global research by C2FO suggests that smaller businesses are less concerned with the repercussions of Brexit and the upcoming US presidential election.
A squeeze on skilled talent means it now takes an average of seven weeks to fill open permanent roles in finance in the UK according to new research from financial services recruitment firm Robert Half.
Early-stage merger and acquisition deals in Asia-Pacific show nearly 10% year-on-year growth in recent months.


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Oluwafunmilayo “Funmi” Ayeni is a graduate student in Ecological-Community Psychology PhD program at Michigan State University. She is broadly interested in global research on violence against women and children in developing countries to develop prevention and intervention models that will influence policy and practice. Specifically, she is interested in establishing strategic prevention and intervention programs that address the needs of underrepresented minorities in these health settings.
Doctoral Student Profile
Areas of interest
Allen, N.E., Larsen, S., Trotter, J.L., & Sullivan, C.M. (2013). Exploring the core components of an evidence-based community advocacy program for women with abusive partners. Journal of Community Psychology,41(1), 1-18.
Kennedy, A., Adams, A., Bybee, D., Campbell, R., Pimlott Kubiak, S., & Sullivan, C.M. (2012). A model of sexually and physically victimized women’s process of obtaining effective formal help over time: The role of social location, context, and interventions. American Journal of Community Psychology, 50(1), 217-228.
Sullivan, C.M. (2011). Evaluating domestic violence support service programs: Waste of time, necessary evil, or opportunity for growth? Journal of Aggression and Violent Behavior, 16, 354-360.
Sullivan, C.M., Baptista, I., O’Halloran, S., Okroj, L., Morton, S., & Stewart, C., (2008). Evaluating the effectiveness of women’s refuges: A multi-country approach to model development. International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice, 32(2), 291-308.
Goodkind, J.R., Gillum, T.L., Bybee, D.I., & Sullivan, C.M. (2003). The impact of family and friends’ reactions on the well-being of women with abusive partners. Violence Against Women, 9(3), 347-373.
Related member profiles
When to make the call: New article published on the contextual factors influencing mandatory reporting
Last November, Melanie Carlson, a doctoral candidate in the School of Social Work, made her lead author debut with “A Good Call? Contextual factors influencing mandated reporting in domestic violence programs.”
Dr. April Zeoli guest edited an issue of the Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Included in the issue is an article Zeoli co-authored with fellow RCGV
RCGV members Drs. Heather McCauley, Rebecca Campbell, NiCole Buchanan, & Carrie Moylan recently published “Advancing Theory, Methods, and Dissemination in Sexual Violence Research to Build

domain: sociology


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He was the moon
Eclipsed all over my radient heart
The world would have seen us
But he covered everything in dark
In that finite moment
We loved and kissed hard
Until the rules of the universe
Tore us apart.
One sided love is sign of bravery.
Sitting in the dark, my beating heart starts to wonder, its 2am and i m all alone in the desert, torn apart.
Thirsting for some satisfaction, searching for home, love is nothing without action but I'm all alone.
Lonely night and pointless days, feeling blind through the bright sun rays. Everyday feels exactly the same and still I'm all alone.
Maybe its good enough and I like it here, alone in the dark with nothing to fear.
— The End —


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Why Is A Comedian The Only One Talking About The Plight Of Afghan Interpreters?
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the Council on Foreign Relations’ Defense in Depth blog on Oct 23.
If you tuned in for last Sunday’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, you also watched some of the most thorough reporting to date regarding efforts to secure Special Immigration Visas (SIVs) for Afghan and Iraqi translators who have served for years alongside U.S. military personnel. When American servicemen rotate away, these translators remain—often becoming top-priority targets for reprisal attacks. Unfortunately, the State Department program intended to get Afghan translators and their families to safety has long been stuck in a bureaucratic swamp, stranding more than 6,000 Afghans across various stages of the process. With the visa program slated to end on December 31, many of these Afghans are now in very real danger of being abandoned. This raises two difficult questions: first, why has this been allowed to happen? And second, what now—at this late stage—can still be done to save them?
The first question, unfortunately, has an easy answer: asylum-seeking Afghans have been largely ignored by the U.S. government because they have no citizenship, no political leverage, and no large constituency to speak on their behalf. For most members of Congress, this places the plight of Afghan interpreters at the bottom of a very long list of issues. Conversely, the federal bureaucracy also has faced little urgency in speeding the process to grant safe passage to these individuals. There is no clear incentive to make the gears of the process move faster; on the other hand, there are ample reasons to move slowly. What civil servant would want to bear even tangential responsibility for letting a potential security risk into the United States?
In fact, the only reliable constituency for Afghan interpreters have been the American men and women who fought alongside them. As Rusty Bradley, a retired Army Special Forces officer with eight deployments to Afghanistan, recently wrote in a piece titled “Heroes Left to Die:”
I hear all the time about security concerns. The Department of State (DoS) is concerned about admitting Afghan interpreters for fear that al-Qaeda operatives will use the program to enter the United States. This is a loaded excuse. Apparently the State Department is not talking to the FBI, because al-Qaeda is already here. And even if they weren’t, they will not get here through this program. To be sure, there might be unsavory elements among any immigrant population. You don’t think some of the crime problems we have come from Mexican cartels and gangs? But unlike other potential immigrants, our intelligence staffs vet every Afghan interpreter numerous times. We trusted them with mission details, automatic weapons and our lives. The Afghans I sponsor and fully support to come to this country can live under my roof any day. I have vetted them time and again and they have proved themselves to be true, doing so under fire and in the most challenging of circumstances. Who could more deserving of the right to live, work, and enjoy our freedoms then them?
For all the lobbying efforts of U.S. servicemen and veterans, however, the Afghan SIV program has lagged terribly, even when compared to the also beleaguered Iraqi program (in which 6,500 of 25,000 authorized visas were issued). Four years after the initiative’s 2009 launch, the number of successfully processed Afghan visas remained abysmal: it awarded just 32 visas in 2012 to more than 5,700 applicants.
This poor performance prompted a review by Secretary of State John Kerry and incremental reforms that have gradually improved the process. Coupled with rare bipartisan Congressional action taken on August 1 to expand the number of available FY14 visas from 3,000 to 4,000, these have represented small steps in the right direction. But the (according to Oliver’s investigation) fourteen-step visa application process remains cumbersome, oversubscribed, and slow-moving—and time is running out.
This leads to the other big question: what comes next? The entire Afghan SIV program is currently in the process of winding down; the application deadline was September 30, 2014, and all visas must be issued by September 30, 2015. Yet Americans are still fighting in Afghanistan, the Taliban are far from defeated, and good translators remain one of the most critical links in the war effort. To let this initiative lapse on December 31 would be a tragic mistake and a moral failure.
There are signs of a solution from Congress. Two bills, introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3), would extend the program to the end of 2015. They languish now respectively in the House and Senate. If they are taken up and passed in Congress’ lame duck session, it will represent an important step in fixing this terrible oversight.
John Oliver may have reignited this conversation, but it shouldn’t end with him. These Afghans have put everything at risk to aid U.S. servicemen, arguably investing more than anyone else in the vision of a free and democratic Afghanistan. To fail them now would not only be a breach of faith—it would also signal to future would-be allies that the United States’ word is not to be trusted and that they help us at their peril. We can do better than this, and we must.
You can watch the full John Oliver monologue below:
Note: Mohammad Usafi, the former Afghan translator interviewed in this feature, has begun a petition to save his family’s lives and bring them safely to the United States. You can sign it here.
Retired Army Master Sgt. Mark Allen has died 10 years after he was shot in the head while searching for deserter Pvt. Bowe Bergdahl in Afghanistan.
Allen died on Saturday at the age of 46, according to funeral information posted online.
For U.S. service members who have fought alongside the Kurds, President Donald Trump's decision to approve repositioning U.S. forces in Syria ahead of Turkey's invasion is a naked betrayal of valued allies.
"I am ashamed for the first time in my career," one unnamed special operator told Fox News Jennifer Griffin.
In a Twitter thread that went viral, Griffin wrote the soldier told her the Kurds were continuing to support the United States by guarding tens of thousands of ISIS prisoners even though Turkey had nullified an arrangement under which U.S. and Turkish troops were conducting joint patrols in northeastern Syria to allow the Kurdish People's Protection Units, or YPG, to withdraw.
"The Kurds are sticking by us," the soldier told Griffin. "No other partner I have ever dealt with would stand by us."
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Sunday he and the Pentagon will comply with House Democrats' impeachment inquiry subpoena, but it'll be on their own schedule.
"We will do everything we can to cooperate with the Congress," Esper said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "Just in the last week or two, my general counsel sent out a note — as we typically do in these situations — to ensure documents are retained."
Most of the U.S. troops in Syria are being moved out of the country as Turkish forces and their Arab allies push further into Kurdish territory than originally expected, Task & Purpose has learned.
Roughly 1,000 U.S. troops are withdrawing from Syria, leaving a residual force of between 100 and 150 service members at the Al Tanf garrison, a U.S. official said.
"I spoke with the president last night after discussions with the rest of the national security team and he directed that we begin a deliberate withdrawal of forces from northern Syria," Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Sunday's edition of CBS News' "Face the Nation."'
More than 700 women and children affiliated with ISIS escape Kurdish prison camp after Turkish shelling
BEIRUT/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Women affiliated with Islamic State and their children fled en masse from a camp where they were being held in northern Syria on Sunday after shelling by Turkish forces in a five-day-old offensive, the region's Kurdish-led administration said.
Turkey's cross-border attack in northern Syria against Kurdish forces widened to target the town of Suluk which was hit by Ankara's Syrian rebel allies. There were conflicting accounts on the outcome of the fighting.
Turkey is facing threats of possible sanctions from the United States unless it calls off the incursion. Two of its NATO allies, Germany and France, have said they are halting weapons exports to Turkey. The Arab League has denounced the operation.


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Once you’ve enjoyed couples camping at Finger Lakes, you’ll wonder why you ever took the kids along! Beautiful water, excellent fishing & over 100 wineries. Want to get away from it all without the entire family tagging along? Why not try a couples camping vacation?
Belleau Lake, New Hampshire
Belleau Lake is located in Carroll county, New Hampshire. Find dining and lodging options near Belleau Lake.
Check out local things to do such as local golfing (Par-3 Course, Apple Hill Course and Exeter Country Club), water sports (Portsmouth Rent & Ride), hiking (Number Five Ski Trail, Mount Avalon Trail and Webster Trail).
Contact us if this lake is a drinking water reservoir or if it's located on a private property.
Things to do & local info
Map of Belleau Lake, New Hampshire
Select a hotel or a restaurant to view it on the map
Current Weather at Belleau Lake, New Hampshire
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Plan Your Trip
Plan your next trip to Belleau Lake. Click here to access tools and tips exclusively for our members.

domain: geography


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Jobe Hemi Combo Waterskis
FREE Standard Shipping over $99.
Good Sam Members: FREE Shipping over $69
This item is excluded from all discounts and promotions.
- In Stock
• Beginner level water skis
• Bright fins for extra visibility
• Glossy protective top finish
• Rim injection construction with extra metal rods for stiffness
• Tunnel design for easy edge to edge and better tracking
• Wide profile for easy starts
• Comfortable front toe and adjustable heel
• Extra overlay for durability
• Adjustable binding fits sizes 5.5-14
• Weight range: Over 110 lbs.
- Perfect beginner waterskis
- Wide profile makes deep water starts easy
- Tunnel bottom design provides better tracking
- Rim injection construction with metal rods for extra stiffness
- Adjustable binding fits men's sizes 5.5 to 14

domain: design