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29 Mar Doing Everything by the Book
by William Perry Pendley
On a snowy September night in 1989, John Shuler stepped out of his ranch house in northern Montana when he heard grizzly bears attacking his sheep. Clad only in his shorts and socks, but carrying his rifle, Shuler saw three bears near the sheep pen and frightened them off with shots over their heads. Thinking the danger was over, Shuler turned toward his house. Suddenly a grizzly bear appeared a mere 30 feet from him, stood up on its hind legs, spread its mighty forepaws, and roared a frightening roar. Shuler realized he was in mortal danger, swung his rifle in the direction of the bear, and fired. With that shot, Shuler saved his life, but he also unleashed a legal battle that is having repercussions almost a decade after he escaped death in his own yard.
Within hours of Shuler’s rifle shot, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) decided to bring a legal charge against him, accusing Shuler of violating the Endangered Species Act (ESA) which protects grizzly bears as “threatened.” The FWS brought the charge despite the fact that the ESA contains a “self-defense” exception. According to the FWS, Shuler was at fault for a variety of ever-changing reasons: Shuler was not in real danger, Shuler was at fault for going into his yard, Shuler provoked the bear by going into his yard, Shuler’s dog provoked the bear, Shuler shot the bear in the back, etc. The FWS ordered Shuler to pay a $7,000 fine.
When this happened I made a prediction. I predicted that somewhere, someday, a rancher, a hunter, or a hiker would have the type of encounter Shuler had and that, in the nanoseconds between being safe and being sorry, the person facing the most deadly killing machine in North American would think about what happened to John Shuler, would hesitate, and would pay an awful price. I didn’t want that to happen but I feared it would. And it did!
On September 27, in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest south of Togwotee Pass, an elk hunter spotted a grizzly bear 25 yards from him. The hunter started to move away, but spooked one of the sow’s three yearlings. When the cub “whined,” the grizzly charged the hunter. Armed with a powerful rifle, the hunter could have killed the bear. Instead, he threw his rifle at the bear and pulled out a can of pepper spray, which he emptied into the bear’s face. But the bear charged through the spray, in an attack the hunter described as “more violent than you can imagine.” “She had every intention of killing me,” remembered the hunter from his hospital bed. “I knew I was going to die.”
The hunter didn’t die because his partner rushed to his aid by killing the 475 pound bear. Within an hour, the hunter was airlifted to Idaho to undergo emergency surgery for multiple injuries, from which he is now recovering. But the most incredible aspect of this story is why the hunter threw down his rifle. Said the hunter “I actually had a rational thought process. I knew I didn’t want to shoot [the bear] because I didn’t want to go to jail and lose my hunting privileges.” Instead, he wanted to do “everything by the book.”
Fear of federal prosecution, fear of failing to do “everything by the book,” and fear of “go[ing] to jail” nearly cost the hunter his life. Thus the events set in motion by the FWS in northern Montana in the late summer of 1989, claimed another victim in Wyoming nine years later. Yet as incredible as it sounds, perhaps what the hunter did was the result of “rational thought.”
After all, it took John Shuler nearly nine years to clear his name and to get out from under the $7,000 fine the FWS wanted him to pay. Had he been required to pay for the free legal services he received from Mountain States Legal Foundation, he would have paid more that $225,000! He certainly couldn’t look to the federal government to pay his legal fees. For despite losing the case, the government refuses to pay, saying its position was “substantially justified.” Obviously, if this is the cost of preserving the self-defense provision of the ESA, for all intents and purposes, that provision does not exist.
Doing “everything by the book” should not require people to allow grizzly bears to kill them. But until the federal government plays “by the book,” that is what it will mean.
William Perry Pendley is President and Chief Legal Officer of Mountain States Legal Foundation 707 Seventeenth Street, Suite 3030 Denver, Colorado 80202-3408 PHONE 303-292-2021 FAX 303-292-1980


A member of the Communications Machinery of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Anim Piesie, has charged the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to zip up over President John Dramani Mahamas anti-corruption and transparency drive since they (NPP) failed to fight the canker with their zero tolerance for corruption crusade.
President Mahama, last Friday, gave instructions to the Attorney General and Finance Ministry to retrieve all judgment debts from foreign firms and the suspension of all GYEEDA payments as a starting point to deal with corruption and retain sanity in his (Mahamas) administration.
But the opposition NPP, in the words of Asamoah Gyamfi, one of their communicators, believes that President Mahama is engaging in lip-service and public relations gimmick with the anti-corruption directives he has rolled out. According to him, the President is not committed in putting a stop to the canker in the country as he has the lost the will-power to sack officials who have been named in various corruption cases.
It is against this backdrop that the NDC communicator asserted on Okay Fm that the Ghana we inherited in 2008 was not a country we could beat our chest out in pride that we had a better Ghana under NPP.
if Ghana was a better place, the late President Mills and current President Mahama would not have pursued Better Ghana Agenda in 2008; Ghanaians also accepted that the country was not better under NPP. It was full of corruption the NPP in power, rechanneled state funds which were meant for development and the betterment of Ghanaians to award themselves with medals, he stated.
With the developmental projects being undertaken under NDC, he averred that Ghanaians can appreciate the fact that President Mahama is vigorously putting every measure in place to fulfill his campaign promises, stressing that Ghanaians will rather reward him at the end of his tenure in office.
Admitting the existence of corruption in the country, he pointed out that corruption still remains a serious canker, not only in Ghana but the world over. He stressed that despite the support given to the former President Kuffour, he failed to curb the practice under his leadership.
President Mahama has learnt from the flaws of former President Kuffour and is poised to make a difference in the fight against corruption the measures President Mahama is initiating, will make corruption unattractive to Ghanaians who have the perception that it is easy to amass wealth in politics, he added.


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Thisquietarmy - Unconquered: 2008 – 2018 10th Anniversary Edition [Midira Records - 2018]Thisquietarmy is an experimental improvisational guitar-based drone project hailing from Montreal, Canada. It is the solo project of Eric Quach, guitarist with Canadian shoegaze heroes Destroyalldreamers. Originally released by Foreshadow Recordings in 2008 Unconquered was the project’s first full length release. This new tenth anniversary edition from Midira Records adds an extra disc of material, most of it live, however it also features the thirty-minute epic Into Dust/Out of Dust which is inspired by Californian dream pop legends Mazzy Star.
Unconquered is the album that introduced Thisquietarmy to the world at large and this new, expanded and remastered package is a real treat for fans and new converts alike. At comfortably over two hours in length it also represents great value for money. Anyway, let’s dig into the music starting with the original album.
Disc One covers the material that featured on the album’s original release, but is augmented by the track Dronewars, which was originally added for the 2011 vinyl release on Denovali Records. The opening track ‘Immobilization’ sets a marker in the sand for the rest of the album. This veers sharply from monolithic drone to ambient atmospherics and gives us a hint of the diversity to follow. The track features a guest appearance from multi-instrumentalist, writer and poet Aidan Baker and works as an effective opener. ‘Battlefield Arkestrah’ is another largely ambient drone piece that adds some lovely clean guitar work before heading off in it’s final few moments into almost spacerock territory. ‘Warchitects’ is a noisier and more up tempo track that hints at a different side to Quech’s work. The influence of classic industrial/shoegaze and spacerock bands are evident throughout the track. ‘The Sun Destroyers’ takes us briefly back into ambient territory before once again exploding into life in the song’s second half, coming on more like Quach’s other band Destoyalldreamers. ‘Death of A Sailor’ has a slightly off kilter feel to it that reminds me a little of Spiritualized at their best, and is one of my personal favourites on the album. ‘The Great Escapist’ is lovely slice of ambient shoegaze and represents the only track to feature the ethereal voice of Meryem Yildiz. ‘Mercenary Flags’ has some pretty guitar lines floating over the first half of this dream like track. Like the rest of the album it has a hypnotic quality that hooks you in and keeps you listening. ‘Empire’ is up next and has a 1980s indie/shoegaze vibe to it, before dropping down into ambient territory once more around its midpoint. The final track, Dronewars - the bonus track if you like – is among my favourites here. A glacially moving 15-minute-long slab of ambient space rock that sounds like Hawkwind at their most esoteric. Lovely stuff indeed and the perfect end to disc one.
The main interest on disc two is the opener ‘Into Dust/Out of Dust’, a thirty minute epic inspired by the Mazzy Star track Into Dust. Epic in nature, the track builds and falls across it’s epic length. This ambitious piece never outstays its welcome and makes a great demonstration track for the band’s overall sound, mixing ambient drone, shoegaze and spacerock most effectively. It takes the listener through a variety of different emotions and proves to be worthy of the name attached to it. Nice live recordings of ‘Mercenary Flags’, ‘Empire’, ‘Battlefield Arkestrah’ and ‘Warchitects’ follow before the final track, a roughly recorded live version of ‘The Great Escapist’ with Neryem Yildiz brings things to a close.
Overall, the album has a cold, stark quality to it, perhaps Quach draws influence from the cold wintery landscapes of Northern Canada rather than the warmer prairie lands farther to the south. This starkness is not a criticism it works beautifully and is especially fitting with music with an ambient basis. The album is a worthy addition to any collection for those interested in ambient drone, shoegaze or spacerock as fans of all three genres will find plenty to enjoy here. The remastering of the original album sounds crisp and clean and you can pick up the many subtleties of the music within. The additional material is interesting to hear and the live tracks are very well recorded, with the exclusion of the live version of ‘The Great Escapist’ which is a rough recording but actually benefits from its lo-fi recording. A great album, and an excellent package that is very much worth upgrading to if you already have the earlier release, and very much worth checking out if you are new to the band.Darren Charles

domain: entertainment


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What Drives Your Creativity and Crushes Your Spirit?
Emily Blefeld, LICSW & Dan Cohen, PhD
“Sometimes when I write, my artistic self feels tapped into the ‘common mind’ that connects people across time and space …Other times, my confidence utterly collapses, and I doubt myself into hopelessness and despair that is difficult to escape from.”
~ Seeing with Your Heart workshop participant
In recent Seeing with Your Heart workshops and private sessions, we have been asked to set up Constellations to help creative professionals understand at a deeper level how confidence inevitably peaks and troughs as tasks and projects move forward. What these Constellations reveal again and again is that humans are composites of all the life that created us. Layers of ancestral consciousness run wild within us, at times fueling our greatest productive output and then, paradoxically, stopping us with obstacles that are seemingly impossible to surmount.
We worked recently with a screenwriter who received a substantial advance from a Hollywood production company for an $8-10,000,000 movie project. As the deadline for delivery of the first draft drew closer, the writer felt himself falling deeper into an inescapable trap of anxiety and despair. He asked for a Constellation with us. When we tuned in and set up representatives, we recognized that even though the story was set in contemporary Texas, the author’s ancestors who escaped the Armenian genocide were both driving his creativity and crushing his spirit.
What revealed itself in the field was that memories of Armenian genocide victims, their Turkish killers and Russian provocateurs were integral to the development of characters, themes and plot in his present-day psychological thriller. The themes of destruction, displacement, betrayal, obsession and redemption traced though the family and become reworked and shaped into a new narrative in the script’s pages. None of this was obvious or overt. Nor is it to anyone of us as we struggle with buoying our confidence in our gifts.
For all of us, what moves us forward and what holds us back have aspects that are inherited. We cannot recognize this for ourselves because what thinks and feels us is indistinguishable from our own sense of individual self. This is where tuning-in and standing in representation can help. Constellations are the most effective tool we know of to separate the strands of the braided threads that are our greatest gifts and heaviest burdens.
No one can sing like Aretha Franklin and few of us share her level of confident self-respect. How do we continue with what we are doing when the confidence leaves and unwanted feelings move in? Our answer is to open your consciousness to realms beyond your personal judgments and narratives. If you allow it, your body’s inner intuitive knowing will reveal what your mind cannot comprehend.
We carry humanity’s entire consciousness in cellular memory. We carry everyone who still longs for healing and remembrance from our past. We are instruments that life plays its haunting and magical melodies on. Far beyond whether we mate or procreate, we carry the seeds and eggs that birth humanity’s future.

domain: artistic


Governor Hochul announces increased efforts to end neighborhood scourge and increase homeownership in New York
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the expansion of the state’s Legacy Cities initiative, a targeted strategy to help local community revitalization efforts and increase homeownership opportunities in concentrated neighborhoods of New York. Launched earlier this year, the program will increase eligibility to now include all municipalities that meet specific criteria regarding locally coordinated investment efforts in well-defined neighborhoods or areas within the community. Additionally, the governor revealed that $ 4.8 million in funding had been provided under the program for projects in Albany, Newburgh and Syracuse.
âBy expanding the Legacy Cities program, we are strengthening New York’s commitment to revitalizing disaster areas and bringing new homeownership equity opportunities to urban neighborhoods statewide. Governor Hochul said. âFamilies need safe, secure and affordable places to live, and I will continue to put the power of my administration behind programs that make this a reality while improving the quality of life in underserved neighborhoods across the state. . ”
Legacy Cities is a partnership between New York State Homes and Community Renewal and The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), a non-profit community development finance institution that focuses on the preservation and creation of affordable and workforce housing. works in New York.
The program, initially open only to upstate communities served by a New York State land bank, will now begin accepting applications from any municipality in the state seeking funding for revitalization efforts. targeting specific neighborhoods in the community. The goal is to help transform dilapidated and vacant structures into newly remodeled, move-in-ready homes, which will help expand affordable homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents, especially early adopters. buyers and households of color.
CPC provides construction funding and technical assistance to developers for all Legacy City projects through its ACCESS program, an initiative that provides financial resources and capacity building support to real estate entrepreneurs of color who have historically faced barriers to entry into the development industry.
During the first phase of the program, three projects received a total UNHCR grant of just under $ 4.8 million, and another construction funding of $ 2.8 million from CPC.
- In Albany, the state has awarded $ 1.9 million for a project in the city’s West Hill neighborhood that will renovate nine existing buildings consisting of 20 units.
- In Newburgh, the state will provide $ 2.1 million for renovations to six buildings totaling 16 units in the Lander Street neighborhood.
- In Syracuse, $ 717,000 will go towards renovating five buildings that house a total of seven units in the city’s southern neighborhood.
UNHCR Commissioner Ruth Anne Visnauskas said, âThe Legacy Cities initiative is a strategic investment in building community wealth in our neighborhoods in the upstate. The three awards for Syracuse, Newburgh and Albany will breathe new life into these city centers, improve safety and expand access to affordable homeownership, especially for buyers of color who have traditionally been under-represented in the home market. lodging. We look forward to replicating this fundraising model in more communities across the state to build a stronger, more equitable New York City. “
CPC President and CEO Rafael E. Cestero said: âCPC is focused on investing in programs that close the racial wealth gap and increase equity and diversity within the development industry. Legacy Cities helps level the playing field by prioritizing affordable property opportunities for first-time buyers of color and gives M / WBE developers the opportunity to grow their businesses while revitalizing the communities in which they live and work. I thank Governor Hochul, UNHCR Commissioner Visnauskas and our land bank partners for their commitment to creating diverse and vibrant communities.
Under the terms of the program, the selected municipalities and land banks will transfer sets of 10 houses of one to three families to local developers, with preference going to developers who are minority and women owned businesses. CPC will provide construction funding and each project will be eligible to receive up to $ 75,000 per unit in HCR grant, with a potential of $ 95,000 per unit if specific energy efficiency improvements are included within the scope of the project. project. Once completed, each property will be sold back to first-time home buyers, with priority given to households of color and families earning less than 80% of the region’s median income.
Applicants will need to coordinate with community housing counseling agencies to help with the home buying process for each property and to provide home ownership education and training. UNHCR, through the New York State Mortgage Agency (SONYMA), will also provide access to the “Give Us Credit” program – a statewide initiative that uses alternative credit analysis. to increase homeownership for applicants who have been underserved in the homeownership market, particularly applicants of color. HCR will offer down payment assistance to potential buyers to cover acquisition and closing costs.
Program applications will be accepted as they arise and the application window will remain open until program funds have been committed. For more information on the Legacy Cities initiative, including nominations and termsheets, visit the UNHCR website: https://hcr.ny.gov/legacy-city-access-program.


RATCHET RING WRENCH, STANDARD
₹1,910.00 – ₹2,127.50 (-50%)
-Ideal for work in narrow, deep places because the body is thin due to the straight shape.
-With a safety rope mounting hole (RM-14 or larger size).
? Since the thin ratchet head is equipped with 72 gears, a low feed angle of 5 degrees has been achieved.
? It is a soft curve design that fits in your hand with beautiful satin finish.
-For tightening and loosening bolts and nuts


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Most Active Stories
- Listen: CDE's Mary Poppins - The Musical
- Why Do Most Galaxies Die? It's A Case Of Strangulation, Scientists Say
- North Korea Claims Missile Launch From Submerged Submarine
- Harriet Tubman Wins Unofficial Contest To Be On $20 Bill
- NPR's Steve Inskeep Seeks Chattanooga, North GA Photos for 'Jacksonland' Site
Scotty Bratcher Shreds at the Strut
Rising young blues star Scotty Bratcher played a blistering version of 'Voodoo Child' at the end of his set. He played several shows during the 2013 Riverbend Festival, including one show at the Bessie Smith Strut on Monday.
Earlier that day, Strut headliners The Pimps of Joytime played an energetic set at the Lindsay Street Hall.


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It’s small businesses across the country that are facing big budget cuts and the loss of more than one million jobs if the fiscal cliff comes full circle. A new report says if our elected officials don’t find a way to avert the $1.2 trillion budget cuts by January 1, the repercussions could be devastating.
Released by the Aerospace Industries Association this analysis reveals those small businesses with less than 500 employees will especially feel the heat. Close to a million jobs could be lost by companies this size. That equates to a whopping 45% of Americans who work for these businesses.
“Nearly half of all sequestration job losses would come from small businesses,” said George Mason University economist Stephen Fuller, who has studied the jobs impact of the budget cuts. Not only that, but this week, officials with the Pentagon delivered even more bad news before the House Armed Services Committee. They testified that the impact of a collective $500 billion in budget cuts , along with the $486 billion that’s already being cut, could threaten national security.
Mike McCord, principal deputy undersecretary of defense, testified before the House of Representatives Small Business Committee and said,
Sequestration would reduce our overall budget, forcing us to reduce purchases from businesses both large and small.
He then went on to say everything would suffer. Many have battled against these cuts for more than year as Congress has done nothing to prevent it. Many said it won’t even be thoroughly addressed until after the elections in November. Even the ominous warning of broken contracts by the Pentagon, which would surely equate to billions of dollars in termination fees and contractual considerations, have yet to light the proverbial fire under lawmakers. Cuts would be particularly devastating for small businesses, which have already taken big hits since the recession. Many would fold as a result. In fact, many small business owners have already said they face downsizing and layoffs that would drastically change the degree of customer service.
There are more than a few people who say the lack of action by the government is “foolishness”, “irresponsible” and even “criminal”. The president of AIA, Marion Blakely has been very vocal in the past and this latest news seems to reiterate what Blakely has said for months – the budget crisis is so bad that small businesses are already anticipating the worst and it’s on the shoulders of lawmakers. In an interview with Reuters, Blakely said just the thought of losing close to a million jobs in the small business sector could cripple it for years. She called it a “staggering effect of sequestration that people need to take into account”. For its part, AIA brought together hundreds of small business owners from around the nation and that focus on providing goods and services to the aerospace and defense industries. It was revealed then that orders have already begun slacking off and as a result of that, jobs are beginning to dwindle.
The Small Business Administration maintains records and estimates show that small businesses are responsible for employing half of those in the private sector. Not only that, but 65% of all new jobs over the past two decades were due to small businesses. A full one third of exports in this country are due to small business owners efforts. These budget cuts will most certainly have a widespread, instant and devastating result. The economy is left vulnerable and growth will be wiped out.
What many Americans may not realize is that small businesses are the ones who the government often awards contracts. In fact, small businesses accounted for 20% of contract awards by the Pentagon last year and 35% of the subcontracts it awards.
If small businesses begin failing and jobs are lost, the damage doesn’t stop there. It’s never contained and as a result, costs associated with with military contracts will like soar, the economy will fall even further below where it should be and massive tax increases with occur. Mackenzie Eaglen, resident fellow at the Marilyn Ware Center for Security Studies, said
Not only would the cost of doing business rise for the Pentagon if these firms dropped out of the supply chain, but the military and commercial economy would lose the benefits of these sources of cutting-edge technological breakthroughs increasingly required by our military.
It’s for these reasons – and many more -Americans are losing faith in their government. Any lack of response moving forward as January 1 nears, and if those tax credits expire, the results will be immediate and significant. The only problem is the elections come before the cliff – this is sure to pose more than a few problems for the Obama camp.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Congress will find a way to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff? And are you feeling the financial heat from an increasingly disturbing environment?

domain: news


Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Commander of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar, is constantly violating the ceasefire and "must be stopped".
Haftar wants a military solution to the conflict rather than a political one, Cavusoglu said during a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas at the Munich Security Conference.
Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Haftar continued to violate the ceasefire regime established in Libya.
"Haftar ignores the peace efforts made in Moscow and Berlin", Erdogan told reporters last month.
An international conference on the conflict in Libya was held in Berlin on 19 January. It brought together 16 states and entities, among them Russia, Turkey, Egypt, the EU and the US. The participants agreed that a ceasefire was needed between the warring sides in Libya, and also urged the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on those who would violate a truce.
Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar is the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), which controls the east of the country, while the Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez Sarraj is in control of Libya's west. The country has been living in a state of a severe political crisis since its leader Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in 2011.


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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 Utah) The Utah Attorney General says county clerks should process the paper work of same sex couples who were married before the Supreme Court stay of same sex marriages.
In an order from the Attorney General's website - Sean Reyes writes to county clerks and county attorneys and tells them that marriages that happened between December 20, 2013 and January 6, 2014 were recognized in Utah. He counsels them to "provide marriage certificates to all persons whose marriages were solemnized during this period".
He then writes while "Utah cannot legally recognize marriages other than those between a man and woman" - "same-sex couples" need to have "proper documentation in states that recognize same sex marriages."
According to the order - county clerks had been asking the AG's office for legal guidance on the issue.
To read the entire letter, click here.
Copyright 2016 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

domain: law


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The Leofoto LBQ Series Leveling Base with Butterfly Handle acts like a half ball, providing +/-15° of leveling range capability. It locks easily and securely in position with a twist of the large butterfly handle at the base of the ball. This leveling base mounts on the apex of LG/LQ Series tripods via the adapter but also has a 3/8" mounting socket in the base to be mounted on any tripod with a 3/8" mounting stud.
The anti-twist safety screw design uses three set screws on the platform to secure the ball head in place on top of the leveling base.
- Adjustable Tilt Range: +/- 20°
- Half-Ball Type Leveling Capability
- LG/LQ Series Tripod Apex Adapter (Compatible with LG/LQ Series Tripods)
- 3/8"-16 Threaded Base Mounting Socket
- 3/8"-16 Tripod Mounting Stud
- CNC-Machined Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
LBQ-50S (For LQ/LG-284C):
Height: 55mm/ 2.16in
Weight: 190g/ 0.41lb
Max load: 10kg/ 22lb
Diameter: 55mm/ 2.16in
LBQ-60S (For LG-324C, LQ-324C/365C):
Height: 60mm/ 2.36in
Weight: 240g/ 0.53lb
Max load: 15kg/ 33lb
Diameter: 61mm/ 2.4in
Leofoto LBQ-50S / LBQ-60S Universal Leveling Base for LQ series Tripods and Others
PROs: Excellent quality, smooth movement with adequate tension to insure stability, perfect fit, prompt delivery, very good packaging.
CONs: Bubble would be easier to see and align if it was larger.

domain: hobby


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Welcome to SexyChic Boutique™.
The art of fashion is an expression of one’s true self and not a reflection of everyone’s expectation of what should be expressed.It is a platform that can elevate and accentuate oneself with the ability to uniquely express yourself through the artwork of others. If you are a little creative or have a simple thought, you too can create your own style or trend with the beauty of clothing and accessories.
I’ve always loved fashion, ever since I was a little girl. My mom was a seamstress, so I grew up around fashion. My childhood dream was to be a fashion designer. I loved the creative process, and even though my creations were mere stick figures. I can remember fighting over fabric scraps to create my own design for my dolls. Over the years, I have tried different avenues to developed my craft.To date, I have owned a business designing personalize and decorative pillows for special occasions. While very profitable it's not where my passion lies. This boutique is my way of displaying my passion for fashion by providing clothing that will make you feel sexy and confident without revealing too much. A vision of class and elegance to represent the style and fashion that lies within. -K.W
"Elegance is refusal,"-Coco Chanel
A woman is Sexy in the manner of which she carries herself and the impression that she leaves on the opposite sex. She is confident and comfortable in her own skin and knows that sexy is a state of mind and not about the clothes that she wears.
Chic- fashionable state of causal elegance.
SexyChic Boutique™, an essence of class, elegance, and sophistication, will be catering to the grown and sexy by offering stylish and fashionable dresses. Our sexy deluxe bandage dresses will illuminate and accentuates your body to give a perfect shape while our evening and casual wear show a more classy and sophisticated appeal. Along with our dresses, we will be carrying an array of accessories. From handbags, statement piece jewelry to fashionable watches; which will add the finishing touches to your ensemble. We are passionate about fashion and we want you to step out looking and feeling "SexyChic Fabulous". Our boutique items are exclusive and limited, therefore, we rarely restock items.
Our lifestyle segment is all about beauty, fitness home decor and your spirituality. We don't want to just provide you with fabulous clothing. A SexyChic women is an all around women. One who cares about her outside appearance as well as her inside and who love to be surrounded with beautiful and inspirational things.
Thank you for visiting and shopping at SexyChic Boutique™. Stay SexyChic Fabulous!


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There are few more terrifying ways to awake—in the developed world, at least—than because a possum is ferreting about on your bedside table. As melodramatic as it sounds, I have a book to thank for rescuing me. Or at least for waking me up before who knows what befell me.
Suffice to say, I’ve added the incident and its outcome to my list of reasons I love books with an arguably unnatural and illegal affection. (Just in case you’re interested, the book was Jon Ronson’s Lost At Sea, something I find coincidentally interesting, given his habit and penchant for encountering the quirky sides of like.)
It was one of those moments when you awake in the deepest, darkest, most slumberly part of the night and your sleep cycle. A book I’d had on my bedside table had hit my wooden floor with a comprehensive thud and in my eyelid-snapping-open, body-frozen response, my sleep-addled senses and mind raced through the fall-inducing possibilities.
For once, I knew that I didn’t have a near-ceiling-high tower of books on my bedside table (I’ve just started back at uni and, as a combination of knowing I didn’t have time to read ‘fun’ books anymore and because I was cleaning up as part of my I-don’t-know-where-to-start procrastination, I’d shelved all but one or two books).
Fearing—sort of sensing—that something was in my room, I realised I had to turn the light on. I started to move, still unable to see anything in my room because it was dark, because I’m not night a creature of the night, and because my eyes hadn’t yet adjusted to what little light there was.
It was at this precise moment that my friendly neighbourhood possum, who’d clearly been sitting, tableauxed, less than half a metre from me on my bedside table, decided: I need to run now [insert high-pitched possumy voice of your choice].
Cue him (I’m not sure if it’s a him or a her and any attempts to google ‘how to tell the sex of a possum’ invariably lead to ridiculous conversations about good luck flipping a possum over to check out its genitalia and then to the slippery slope of possum porn. But that’s another story entirely …) Cue me screaming louder, more wee-inducingly than I’ve ever screamed before.
I know my friendly neighbourhood possum (I really need to come up with a shorter name for him/her/yo—see this blog about Grammar Girl’s explanation of the emergence of the use of gender-neutral ‘yo’) meant me no harm.
If I’m honest, I’ll admit that yo was likely heading towards the empty packet of entirely vegan Oreos on my table. If I’m also honest, I’ll say that it was a whole lot of excitement caused by the possum for nothing, because as any self-respecting girl, once I’d decided I was going to eat cookies in bed, I’d decided to finish them all. The possum might have smelt Oreos, but there was nary a crumb left to ingest or greedily inhale.\
Instead he was forced to head back into my yard to eat the wild bird seed bell I hang out weekly, but which should really be re-named domestic possum seed bell (I’m yet to see a wild bird have so much as a peck at it, but regularly hear and see the possum giving it a red-hot crunching go).
Still, it’s another installment in the entertaining night raids conducted by my just-about-resident possum and it’s another reminder of why I owe my life, my one or two Oreo crumbs, and my gratitude to early-warning-alarm books.

domain: literature


In this post we give a brief overview of how Earth Observation (EO) optical payloads are used in small satellites and share listings of multiple products available on the global marketplace – if you would like to skip the introductory material and instead get straight to the product listings, please click here.
Space engineers have been looking to lower costs by using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) innovations for the last few decades.
Alongside this commercial drive, experiments into the use of COTS components and sub-systems have been carried out at universities such as the University of Surrey and TU Berlin for several years.
In fact, the foundation of experimental satellites built by universities, such as the UoSAT and TUBSAT series of satellites, has provided the basis for realising cost-effective spacecraft that are packed with decent Earth Observation (EO) capabilities.
It is worthwhile to note interesting observations made by Professor Sir Martin Sweeting (Figure 1) of improvements in performance criteria such as Ground Sampling Distance (GSD), data rate, data storage etc., having a very close association with Moore’s law.
One could argue that the cost of satellites themselves has possibly followed the same trajectory (given the same GSD) due to factors such as reliability of COTS electronics and the decrease in launch costs.
Figure 1 – Moore’s Law observed in small satellites (image credit: Professor Sir Martin Sweeting).
A whole generation of universities and NewSpace companies have leveraged such cost-effective spacecraft development in the small satellite world and have taken advantage of the increase in computing capabilities to generate much greater progress in the last thirty years.
The invention of CubeSats led to further interest in COTS EO payloads by students and engineers and has also enabled the translation of academic research interests into the development of innovative NewSpace EO ventures.
The most well-known example of this is Planet Labs, which has flown over 200 satellites based on CubeSat standard.
Choosing the right optical payload for your mission
When selecting any piece of technology for your mission it is important to be aware of costs, lead times, integration and testing requirements, as well as the physical requirements of your system.
In addition, here are some of the key performance criteria to consider when assessing which payload is right for your needs:
- Spatial resolution – a measure of the smallest object that can be resolved by the optical payload.
- Spectral resolution – the number and width of spectral bands that the sensor can collect from reflected radiance.
- Swath – the area imaged by the optical payload.
- Radiometric resolution – this indicates how much information is in a pixel and is expressed in units of bits.
- SWaP factor – the size, weight and power of the satellite or sub-system.
Optical payloads on the global market
In the list below we have rounded up a range of commercially-available EO optical payloads for small satellites (<100 kg) on the global marketplace for space.
Please note that this list will be updated when new products are added to the global marketplace for space – so please check back for more or sign up for our mailing list to get all the updates.
Click on any of the links or images below to find out more about the systems. You can also submit a request for a quote, documentation or further information on each of the products listed or send us a more general query to discuss your specific needs, and we will use our global networks of suppliers to find a system to meet your specifications.
The optical payload portfolio of Dragonfly Aerospace
Dragonfly Aerospace is a South Africa-based manufacturer of compact imaging payloads across a variety of spectra. The company’s products build on a 25-year heritage of component and design development dating back to the first South African microsatellite SUNSAT which was launched in 1999. Members of the Dragonfly Aerospace team have worked on every microsatellite space mission since South Africa entered the space race. The products in the portfolio consist of:
The Caiman Imager – a multispectral camera suitable for integration with 6U or larger CubeSats (currently under development). The Caiman has a 20 km swath (at 500 km orbit amplitude), 5 V DC operating voltage and weighs 1.8 kg.
The Chameleon Imager – a multispectral camera suitable for integration with 3U or larger CubeSats, with proven electronics with flight heritage. The Chameleon has 5 V DC operating temperature, mass of 1.6 kg and features customizable on-board storage and downlink options.
The Gecko Imager – designed to offer an easy-to-integrate RGB matrix imaging payload suitable for 2U or larger CubeSats. The Gecko features 128 GB of data storage, a swath of 80 km and ground sample distance of 39 m (both at 500 km orbit amplitude), and weighs 0.4 kg.
The HR-250 Imager – a high-resolution imager for microsatellites based on radiation-resistant optical components with very low coefficient of thermal expansion. The HR-250 features 512 GB of data storage, a swath of 20 km (at 500 km orbit amplitude) and a mass of 18 kg.
The Raptor Imager – a high-resolution imager for larger microsatellites, capable of achieving sub-meter resolution (PAN). The Raptor has an operating voltage of 28 V DC, a swath of 11 km (at 500 km orbit amplitude) and a mass of 45 kg.
The Mantis Imager – a multispectral and hyperspectral imager compatible with 1U and 2U CubeSats. The Mantis has an operating voltage of 5 V DC, swath of 32 km (at 500 km orbit altitude) and a mass of 0.5 kg. The system is also available as a standard Snapshot RGB imager.
The IM200 by Hyperion Technologies
The IM200 is a versatile imager, based on the ST200 Star Tracker platform. With a dedicated high-speed USB2.0 interface, the IM200 is capable of capturing 5 frames per second at full resolution. The large internal buffer allows for storing up to 25 full-frame images, which can be compressed into JPEGs for fast previewing. The CPU power allows for real-time processing of the images, allowing for the use of the IM200 as a target-tracking imager, a docking camera or an inspection camera. The small form factor and low mass makes the system highly flexible. The system also features flight heritage, for trusted performance during launch and in-orbit.
The iSIM portfolio of SATLANTIS
SATLANTIS manufactures a range of high-resolution EO cameras for microsatellites in the Integrated Standard Imager for Microsatellites (iSIM) portfolio. All systems feature a low mass and size to performance ratio and the range consists of:
iSIM-90 – the 6 kg iSIM-90 is a high-resolution multispectral (RGB, NIR) camera for Earth Observation 12U/16U CubeSats. It is designed to provide a low mass-to-performance ratio at a lower cost than competing EO instruments. It has a swath of 13 km @ 500 km (or can be configured with a swath of 26 km @ 500 km in dual-channel mode), a resolution of less than 2 m and operates with 4+1 (VNIR) multi-spectral bands (or up to 8 bands in dual-channel mode).
iSIM-170 – the 15 kg integrated Standard Imager for Microsatellites is a high-resolution multispectral (RGB, NIR) camera for Earth Observation microsatellites (50-100 kg). It provides a low mass-to-performance ratio, for a fraction of the cost of many of today’s Earth Observation instruments. It has a GSD of <1m @ 500km, a swath of 7.5 km @ 500km and operates with 4+1 (VNIR) multi-spectral bands.
iSIM-SWIR – the Short-Wave InfraRed High-resolution Optical Technology is the latest development in the iSIM family. It is an innovative VNIR & SWIR camera that operates in the spectral range of 450-1450 nm, taking full advantage of the iSIM-170 optomechanical design and requiring no cryogenic cooling system. It features a GSD of 2,2 m @ 1,2 µm with super-resolution and 5,0 m @ 1,2 µm without as well as a swath of 7.5 km @ 500 km.
The High Resolution Video Camera (HRVI-6HD) 2nd generation and VNIR & SWIR Hyper Spectral Camera (HSI-100) by Berlin Space Technologies
The High Resolution Video Camera (HRVI-6HD) 2nd generation – interactive and real-time operation to support all mission types, including time-critical applications such as search and rescue or security. Featuring 1 TB of storage, a 5 year lifetime LEO and an X-Band data output of 1x LVDS – 100 Mbit/s (up to 1Gbit/s optional), Gigabit Ethernet.
The VNIR & SWIR Hyper Spectral Camera (HSI-100) – a dual-band VNIR & SWIR hyper spectral payload built upon a proprietary technology from Singapore. A special filter element allows the camera to act as a polarizing Fourier transform hyper spectral camera (PolarFour™). The payload incorporates a high performance data processing unit (DPU) and data storage for each of the two bands. Please note that this is a legacy product.
The SEEING 1.5-m / 0.75-m and 10-m by Safran Reosc
Safran Reosc is developing high-performance imaging payloads for smallsats, building on the decades of experience in the development of high performance space optics, electronics and software of its parent company Safran Electronics & Defense assets.
These diffraction-limited EO payloads are designed for optimised SWaP factor (size, weight and power) in order to deliver the maximum additional value for the end-user at system level, thanks to many kgs of mass and litres of volume saved.
The two core products are:
The SEEING 1.5-m / 0.75-m – a high resolution payload suitable for fine Ground Sampling Distance (GSD) to 1.5-m from 500 km. It features a 10 x 7 km² wide FoV, 2D CCD/CMOS sensor and multi-hyperspectral capabilities. With 190 mm aperture it features only 8U volume and 6 kg weight as well as a super-resolution mode that offers sub-metre imagery.
The SEEING 10-m – a multi-hyperspectral payload with a 10-m resolution and a 60 x 40 km² wide FoV from 600 km orbit. The moderated GSD is balanced by low F/N of the optics enabling imagery and detection in low light level environment. The key target application is maritime awareness. The payload is fitted within 8U (plus entrance baffle) and weighs only 8 kg.
The portfolio of Simera Sense
Simera Sense manufactures a range of optical payloads for different application and system requirements. The portfolio is primarily designed for EO applications in CubeSats and consists of:
The HyperScape100 – a hyperspectral push-broom imager based on a 12.6-megapixel image sensor and continuously variable filter in the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) spectral range.
The MultiScape100 CIS – a multispectral push-broom imager based on a CMOS image sensor and a multispectral filter in the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) spectral range.
The TriScape100 – a colour snapshot imager based on a 12.6-megapixel CMOS image sensor with an integrated Red Green Blue (RGB) Bayer filter in the visible spectral range.
The optical payload portfolio of SCS Space
SCS Space manufactures a range of EO optical payload products:
The Monitor imager – multispectral imaging capability in a small package, using advanced detectors, optics and high-speed data capture designed to provide achievable ground resolution while maintaining high levels of swath, spectral performance, and ease of operation.
The Tegu imager – a lightweight multispectral imager with a 200mm aperture suitable for demanding microsatellite missions. Dynamic selection of spectral bands is enabled, covering Coastal, Blue, Green, Yellow, Red, Red Edge, NIR and PAN.
The Iguana imager – featuring high performance optics with a large square aperture. The control electronics offer on-board image processing and an integrated high speed buffer. The system is also compact enough to serve as the optical payload on a 16U CubeSat.
STREEGO is a multispectral EO payload for small satellites. Its mass and volume are designed specifically to be suitable for the small satellite form factor. The unobscured Three Mirror Anastigmat (TMA) design maximizes MTF at high spatial frequencies. STREEGO offers multispectral imaging, with options for hyperspectral, enabling applications for small satellites previously possible only in large satellites such as the Sentinel-2 class satellites.
The 90mm Optical System and 250mm Optical System by KAIROSPACE
KAIROSPACE manufactures two EO optical systems:
The 90mm Optical System – developed as an Earth observation payload for a 6U (or larger) CubeSat. It is capable of providing up to 5 m color resolution (3 m PAN) images at 400 km orbit. It has a compact size, slightly larger than 2U, and can be integrated to any satellite platform.
The 250mm Optical System – designed as a payload for a 16U CubeSat platform. It is capable of in-orbit reconfigurable GSD up to 2.5m at 600km orbit, and up to 4 PAN or Multispectral bands. The camera features a TTL trigger and Ethernet interface, and is designed to be integrated into any satellite platform. By offering collection and rapid revisit it can provide repeated images of large areas for the purpose of conducting automated change detection data.
Described as the first ever miniaturized hyperspectral imager with its own brain HyperScout is designed for nano-, micro- and larger satellites. The compact reflective telescope ensures optical quality in the VNIR range and an on-board data handling system enables real-time data processing; providing Level-2 generation capabilities on-board, reducing the amount of data to be downloaded and processed.
In larger satellites the wide swath, Level-2 real-time data processing functionality, and minimal impact at system level, makes the HyperScout attractive as an ancillary instrument for providing real-time phenomena information, either to a larger primary payload or to a ground control room. This enables smart operational planning for large payloads.
The C3D CubeSat Camera by XCAM
A space-qualified TRL 9 CubeSat camera system which has proven flight-heritage having flown on both of the UK Space Agency’s CubeSat missions with a 100% success rate. The C3D may be customised to cater for customers’ individual requirements. The system weighs 85 g and operates in a 400-650 nm spectral band. It has a 3-year lifetime and 1.3 MP image sensor.
The Micro Camera System by Crystalspace
The Crystalspace micro camera family is one of the smallest and most advanced series of satellite camera systems on the market. It is well-suited for densely packed satellites, from CubeSats (for taking pictures of the Earth) to large satellites (monitoring cameras). Under 600 metres per pixel ground resolution is achieved from low Earth orbit (600 km) using the basic version of the optics (44 x 34 degree field of view) and sensor (640 x 480 pixels).
Thanks for reading! If you would like any further help identifying an optical payload for your specific needs, please file a request on our platform and we’ll use our global network of suppliers to find an option.
Have you noticed that your product isn’t included in this article? Send us an email today today we’d be happy to work with you to showcase it to the satsearch community!


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ESPN College Football Analyst Breaks Down Alabama/Georgia Chances to Win the SEC
It came down to two teams in the SEC to determine the national champion of college football and it could be those same two teams that determine who represents the conference in the upcoming season.
After their memorable national championship game in Atlanta, Alabama and Georgia are beginning a competitve rivalry with the Bulldogs trying to take the Crimson Tide off of the top of the SEC mountain, and Saban trying to keep his team at the top of it.
ESPN College Football analyst Brad Edwards joined The Game with Ryan Fowler to discuss if Georgia has a chance to beat out Alabama in the SEC, both teams schedule how quick Nick Saban can take advantage of the grad-transfer rule in the conference, Jimbo Fisher's expectations in year number one, and is Ed Oregron on the hot seat at LSU?
For more of Edwards breakdown of Alabama and the entire SEC, make sure you watch the video above the article. For the latest news, updates, and break down of Alabama football make sure you tune into The Game with Ryan Fowler weekday afternoons from 2-6 p.m.

domain: sports


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Friday, May 26, 2017
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Monday, April 30, 2018
Welcome back, my fellow taco-obesessed reader! Chef Gordo here, thrilled to be sharing the third – and final – entry into the 2018 ...
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domain: food


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I think we can all admit that following through with something can often be very difficult. We start off strong with something but soon loose support, motivation, or stamina to keep working on it.
This is why when you set a new goal, you should first sit down, make a list of all the reasons why you are setting this goal, list what your motivation is, write down how you think you will feel when you reach your goal, write down what obstacle you think will stand in your way and why you feel you can overcome those obstacles.
Keep this in a safe place and on the days when you are tempted to give up, pull this out. Remember your why, remember why you started, why you wanted this, and how you will feel when you hit your goal.
No matter how impossible it seems, if you stay at it long enough, you will hit your goal, it can be done. It takes time, and in the middle of it you may not see any progress.
Rest assured, because if you are continuing to be faithful, you are making progress even when you can’t see it. Follow through and you will be so glad you did. You got this.
I just finished reading a book called “The Gift of Imperfection” by Brene Brown. I highly recommend it. It talks about how we expect ourselves to live up to expectations that are not our own, and we end up becoming someone we don’t want to be.
One of the big points I walked away from the book with was the fact that things I enjoy aren’t necessarily bad things. We tend to look at our accomplishments in life or how much we’ve done on our to-do list each day to measure ourselves on whether or not we have done a “good enough” job.
We think that tasks that are fun or hobbies have to go by the wayside if we ever expect to get anywhere in life. But Mrs. Brown argues that if we fail to do the things we love, then we are slowly dying inside, we are stifling the creative and fun things that we hold as passions. She argues that we more fully live when we embrace the things that bring us life. She also points out that we are good enough just the way we are. We don’t have to get to that next dress size, or bench press 400 in order to be worthy of love.
We are worthy enough just the way we are, and the things that make us come alive regardless of what they are, are good thing. So stop feeling guilty, do the things you love and allow yourself the freedom to be you.
Last week when my wife and I were on vacation our cruise ship did movies on the deck at night, one of which was Noah. We hadn’t seen it since watching it in the theater and so we settled in to watch it. I found myself coming away from it with new things that I hadn’t seen the first time around.
One of those was when Adam and Eve were walking in the garden. Typically when we think of the fall of man it’s really easy to blame Eve for eating the fruit, we say, it’s all her fault. Well in the movie it shows Adam being distracted with the serpent’s shed skin while Eve walks up to the fruit and eats it.
How often in life does this happen? We blame someone else for something that happened, when all the while, we knew what might happen but chose to look the other way? We were distracted with our own problems, or our own misery. What would have happened if Adam stopped Eve, if he had stepped up and said, “no, we are going to hold one another accountable.”
Rarely are things one persons fault. We all have a role to play, we all have responsibilities. Are we living up to them or are we allowing ourselves to be distracted?
We all can think of things that have a tendency to scare us. From things like heights, to snakes, to more difficult issues like being vulnerable, being honest etc.
It can be a scary thing to allow yourself to be vulnerable. After all isn’t that how people get hurt? Isn’t that how hearts get broken? Well in all honesty, yes.
But when we close ourselves off we may guard ourselves against getting hurt, but we also keep ourselves from experiencing some awesome adventures.
The truth is, yes, being vulnerable will hurt us at times, it’s part of the way life goes, but it will also bring us great joy. When we do get hurt we have to keep getting up and trying again, nothing good ever comes from staying down.
We don’t ever fully begin to live until we open up ourselves fully and embrace who we are, give ourselves the freedom to be vulnerable, and take the leap into vulnerability. It’s scary, it won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it.
Currently in my life I am working through some very big decisions. Life is probably going to be looking very different for me in the near future.
My life is at a crossroads. I feel like I have to buckle down and decide what I want my future life to look like. I’ve spent a lot of years focusing on other people and helping them, and while that is a good thing, I’ve neglected myself. I’ve failed to make some key decisions I needed to and as a result I feel very behind in a lot of areas.
It’s scary and exciting. I tend to over-analyze and over-think everything. I have to have it all figured out before I act. This isn’t good when combined with my OCD tendencies. I’ve been making some difficult decisions in the sense of having to act without knowing everything. It will cause me to freak out a bit, but it will be worth it in the end.
Today I am heading to meet up with my parents where my wife and I are dropping off our daughter for the week while we go on a cruise. While there are many things I like about cruises, one of my favorites is the ability to unplug. Cell reception is nowhere, and I find myself leaving the cabin room without my cell phone all the time, (something I wouldn’t think of doing when I’m going out at home).
This next week I will not be posting. I debated pre-scheduling my blogs, but really think it’s good to just be totally off the grid.
So I will be gone this week, catching up on some much needed away time, and enjoying being with my wife. Hope everyone has a fantabulous weekend. We’ll talk again in 9 days.
Knowing something and believing something are two totally different things.
Knowing something is nothing. Anyone can know something.
Let’s say you know that someone gave you 50 bucks. They told you they left it in your mailbox.
You go and look in your mailbox and see a $50 bill sitting there, you look at it for a moment, then close the lid, leaving it inside.
Then lets say you go to the store to buy something, only you get to the register to find you have no money to pay for it.
You can say “I know I have $50, but knowing you have that means nothing. You didn’t believe, you did’t reach out and take it. You left it as knowledge only.
How many things in your life do you have knowledge about, but don’t believe? Don’t just have knowledge. Knowledge is good, but by itself it won’t ever get you anywhere. You have to have knowledge, and you have to believe, and those two things, will get you far.
Three years ago today I was married. Sometimes it doesn’t seem possible it’s been 3 years, and other times it’s hard to even remember life before her. I don’t think either of us had a clue what marriage would be like (who does when first married?)
We’ve been through so much in just 3 years, wonderful times, fun times, and hard times. We’ve traveled to three countries, had a daughter, moved five times, managed a family, work, and full time college, had our ups and had our downs.
While I wish I could say that all the bumps of marriage are over with, I know that I have a lot to learn still in the road to discovering both myself and my wife.
I am a different person because of my wife (and I mean that in a good way).
I still can’t wait to walk in the door at the end of the day and see her, I look forward to seeing her smile and hearing her voice.
She is now as much as the on our wedding day my one and true love. I love you Heather Parady. Here’s to 3 years I would never trade, and to all the years to come.
Your dreams aren’t crazy. What’s crazy is people who think you should live your life a certain way. If they spent half the time trying to figure out their own life, they’d be well on their way to their dream.
Just because you think differently doesn’t mean you’re crazy, just because you have high goals, or ambitions that don’t fall in line with typical academics, or typical career choices doesn’t mean you are crazy.
What people term “crazy” is just you being uniquely you. It’s okay to be that way. You don’t have to try to put on a show, or please someone, you have to be happy with you, if you’re not you’ll make yourself and everyone else miserable.
We all once were kids, we all once had hobbies and interests. As we grow older we slowly seem to lose them one by one. They fall by the wayside, work crowds them out, our families crowd them out, and soon we find we have no hobbies (sorry watching TV doesn’t count).
We think we are growing more mature as we outgrow our hobbies, that we are leaving behind childish behaviors. In reality we are becoming less interesting and boring people.
We need to reawaken the things that once brought us life. No I’m not saying go bust out your Barbies or GI Joes, but take those interests and apply them to your life now. Did you love painting? Go get a canvas and have at it, did you love building tree-forts, get some plans and build a piece of furniture.
Don’t let your passions die, you need them.

domain: psychology


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Independent Contractor vs Employee, Are They The Same?
In the contemporary workforce landscape, the choice between hiring an independent contractor or an employee is a decision that holds significant ramifications for employers.
The distinction between the two not only affects financial considerations but also involves legal responsibilities and impacts the overall dynamics within a business.
This article aims to shed light on the nuances between independent contractors and employees, offering insights to help employers navigate the complexities of their workforce decisions.
What is an independent contractor?
An independent contractor, often synonymous with a freelancer, operates as a self-employed individual or entity providing services to another party.
Unlike employees, they don’t receive traditional benefits like health insurance or employer-sponsored retirement accounts. This classification, also known as “freelancer,” brings forth a level of autonomy, allowing individuals to set their hours, rates, and availability.
What is an employee?
Contrastingly, an employee is someone hired by a person or company to perform services. They operate under a specified pay rate, with a written or implied employment contract. Employees work for agreed-upon hours or shifts, following the employer’s outlined duties and responsibilities.
With a general distinction between the two, we can go even further to differentiate independent contractors vs employees by classifying them. Here are some key concepts to properly know which is which:
If the person’s work is essential to the business, they’re likely an employee.
Employees are strictly covered by labor and employment laws. On the other hand, independent contractors are not covered by such regulations.
Individuals significantly impacting profits are more likely to be classified as employees.
An independent contractor is usually paid after receiving an invoice. On the other hand, employees are usually paid on a set period.
Employees get their jobs through an application, which will be reviewed by the company’s Human Resources. A contractor will usually be hired by a person or a department that needs their services and will provide a contract to legally bind the two.
A unique skill set may indicate an independent contractor, while easily replaceable skills lean toward employee classification.
Degree of Control
Independent contractors can determine their hours, work location, and specific end dates.
Contractors usually provide regular updates and submit invoices for their work.
Independent contractors handle their self-employment taxes.
Typically, independent contractors work with multiple clients rather than being tied to one company.
Why Employers Hire Independent Contractors
Employers often opt for independent contractors when seeking individuals to work independently on short-term assignments. Engaging international contractors is also feasible without the need for a local branch.
Why Employers Hire Full-Time Employees
Despite additional costs, companies hiring full-time employees secure long-term contributors, ensuring continuity in their talent base. This choice helps mitigate the risk of contractor misclassification.
However, hiring employees abroad involves nuanced administrative procedures and unique risks, leading many companies to partner with experts like employer of record (EOR) services.
Pros of Hiring an Independent Contractor
- Cost Savings:
Contractors may earn more, but employers save on benefits, taxes, and office space. Moreover, the lack of benefits that an independent contractor is mandatory to have saves a lot of money.
Employers can easily hire and dismiss contractors, adapting to project needs.
Set employment terms, reducing employer liability in legal claims. Moreover, they are not fully linked to the company due to their flexible aspect.
Cons of Hiring a Contract Worker
- Less Control:
Contractors operate independently, deciding on tasks and timelines. This means that their output and expected time of work widely vary.
Contractors work on specific projects, lacking loyalty compared to in-house employees.
Pros of Hiring an Employee
- Company Loyalty:
Employees often exhibit greater loyalty, supporting business growth.
While contractors require less initial training, frequent turnover may necessitate more time.
Employees, invested in the company’s growth, become natural brand ambassadors.
Cons of Hiring an Employee
- Less Flexibility:
Employees require a more committed, less flexible arrangement.
Additional expenses include taxes, pensions, and other benefits. This can mean a lot to a company that is only starting.
In conclusion, the decision between hiring an independent contractor or an employee is a pivotal one for employers. The distinctions in tax responsibilities, benefits, and the nature of work hold profound implications.
Employers must carefully assess their needs, considering factors like project duration, financial commitments, and the long-term goals of their business. By navigating these complexities with a nuanced understanding, employers can create a workforce strategy that aligns with their organizational objectives.
Global People is a leading local employment solutions provider for national and international corporations and can advise and escort you in your next destination.


Report reveals the Trudeau government quietly imposed a policy change that amounts to a betrayal of injured Canadian Special Ops Forces, and pay is already being clawed back.
The policy is being reported by Mercedes Stephenson, one of Canada’s top reporters when it comes to defence and foreign policy issues.
Here’s what Stephenson said on Twitter:
New policy means Paratroopers, rescue techs, sub crews & pilots also stand to lose allowances if injured more than 180 days #cdnpoli
— Mercedes Stephenson (@CTVMercedes) November 9, 2017
“Pay is being clawed back with little warning”
According to the report, “The new rules mean that personnel with the Canadian Special Operations Forces — many of whom work on top-secret missions across the globe — will lose the special compensation if illness or injury restricts their duties for more than 180 days.”
Additionally, “Paratroopers, submarine crews, pilots and air crews, rescue technicians and ships’ crews are also among the affected.”
Pay is now being clawed back, and members are given “little warning.”
The report also notes that members can’t speak publicly about it, and have told Stephenson that they “don’t understand why they are taking a financial hit over temporary injuries.”
Some could lose over $23,000 in pay in just a six month period.
Total betrayal by Trudeau government
This is a total betrayal, and it’s tough to describe how despicable it is that Trudeau would be cutting back on these benefits for Canadian Forces members in some of the most dangerous operations possible.
It would be a horrible policy at any time of the year, but it’s especially disgusting that it was done so quietly, and is now seemingly ramping up as Remembrance Day gets closer.
This means that, as Trudeau is attending ceremonies and reading his Remembrance Day talking points, his government is quietly betraying many who bravely serve our great nation.


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A housewife, a tramp, a lawyer, a waitress, an actress - ordinary people living ordinary lives in New York at the beginning of this century. The city has changed greatly since that time, but its people are much the same. Some are rich, some are poor, some are happy, some are sad, some havefound love, some are looking for love.O. Henry's famous short stories - sensitive, funny, sympathetic - give u...
Series: Oxford Bookworms Library (Book 2)
Publisher: Oxford University Press (December 6, 2007)
Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.1 x 7.8 inches
Amazon Rank: 10583550
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My 7yr old son really enjoyed this book. Lae gebraar bleiet Schrei. , maybe Hercules has a itty-bitty brain (like me), but you can’t do everything. " Everyone accepts them as is. This story is adorable. Download ebook New Yorkers - Short Stories (Oxford Bookworms Library) Pdf. 7: Privatrechtliche Urkunden und Rathslisten von 1332 bis 1400Die. And of course, like so many others, that is something I really like about this book. Peter Kerr is Scotland's bestselling travel writer - author of Snowball Oranges, Manana, Manana, Thistle Soup, Viva Mallorca. Acidity is generally a consequence of several external factors like eating habits, fad diets, stress, smoking and alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, irregularity in eating pattern. What happened to me as well was that there's so much going on in this story with the characters' personal lives which is really well developed and the flashbacks to their childhood together, that you wind up waiting and waiting to reach a peak or for the story to turn and twist and do something more than just be interesting and unique. ISBN-10 0194792900 Pdf. ISBN-13 978-0194792
Continuing her most improper adventures as a seeker of justice, Maud must still discover the mystery behind her father’s murder and unmask The Fox, the figure that’s been helping (and hindering) her attempts to avenge his death. As he states, "Your task is not merely changing your interaction with Spike. I was not paid for this review. However they still remain in the state as a strong insurgent group sometime running a parallel government in those unruly parts of the North East India. Foldout covers on front and back provide very handy bookmarks. A little light on content.
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Where to Start:
If you're just beginning to learn about money, here's a guide to show you the order we believe will be the most helpful when exploring different financial ideas.
You'll start off with articles that have basic descriptions of the most important financial concepts. Then you'll advance to articles describing more specific elements of finance in greater detail, and articles showing how you can actually implement these concepts into your life. Feel free to skip around if you're already familiar with a certain topic.
Click on the topic you want to learn more about and it'll lead you to the corresponding article.

domain: economics